JP2500465B2 - Image reading device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image reading device, and more particularly to an image reading device suitable for reading information such as books and document files.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional contact type image sensor as an image reading device is used as a simple input device because the reading width corresponds to the width of a document in a one-to-one correspondence and does not require a large-scale optical system. Has been done. FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the contact image sensor. The contact-type image sensor 48 is configured by arranging a large number of optical sensors 54 in one direction on a light receiving surface 52 of a main body 50 of a long plate. The main body 50 is provided with an LED 56 as a light source for illumination. The light emitted from the LED 56 passes through the glass plate 58 and illuminates the document 60. Manuscript 6
The reflected light from 0 is focused by the focusing fiber 62 and focused on the photosensor 54. The optical sensor 54 is sequentially scanned by a drive circuit (not shown) and outputs an electric signal according to the intensity of light. The scanning in the arrangement direction of the optical sensors 54 is performed electrically as described above, but the scanning in the direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the optical sensors 54 moves the contact image sensor 48 in parallel in the direction of arrow 64 on the original 60. This is done mechanically. Document 6 with contact image sensor 48
In order to read 0 correctly, the glass plate 58 is brought into close contact with the original 60 and the focus of the reflected light from the original 60 is measured by the optical sensor 54.
Must be tied correctly above.

[0003]

However, when a book or the like is read by the contact type image sensor 48, the bound portion of the book or the like is recessed, and thus the contact type image sensor 4 is used.
It is difficult to attach 8 to the original 60. Therefore, the contact image sensor 48 has a problem that it is difficult to correctly read a book or the like.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an image reading apparatus capable of correctly reading a non-planar original such as a book or document file.

[0005]

The image reading apparatus according to the present invention has been made to achieve the above-mentioned object, and is a first and second contact type in which a large number of optical sensors are arranged in one direction. Type image sensor, a hinge for rotatably connecting the first and second contact type image sensors so that the optical sensors are arranged linearly, and first and second contact type images centering on the hinge. An elastic shock absorber that holds the sensor in a V-shaped expanded state is provided.

Further, the elastic cushioning tool is a support plate fixed to the pivot shaft of the hinge on the back side of the light receiving surface of the contact type image sensor, and the support plate and the first and second contact type. The first elastic member and the second elastic member are connected to the image sensor, respectively.

Further, a flat plate is used instead of either the first or the second contact type image sensor.

[0008]

The book or the like is opened at an arbitrary angle, and the first and second image reading devices are formed into a V shape around the hinge so as to match this angle, and the tip of the V shape is cut into the open portion of the book or the like. Let Then, the first and second image reading devices are brought into close contact with each of the spread surfaces of a book or the like. Where the first and second
Since the image reading device of the present invention is V-shaped, it can be surely brought into close contact with the depression of the bound portion of a book or the like. Next, the contact image sensor is scanned on a book or the like to read the information written on the book or the like. At this time, the elastic shock absorber presses the contact image sensor against the document with an appropriate pressure.

[0009]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention. The details will be described below with reference to this drawing.

The image reading device 10 has a contact type image sensor 12a, 12b, a hinge 16 for rotatably connecting the contact type image sensor 12a, 12b so that the optical sensors are arranged linearly, and the hinge 16 as a center. And the elastic cushioning tool 17 for holding the contact-type image sensors 12a and 12b in a V-shaped expanded state. Further, the elastic cushioning member 17 is in close contact with the support plate 20 fixed to the pivot shaft 18 of the hinge 16 on the back surface 15a, 15b side of the light receiving surface 14a, 14b of the contact image sensor 12a, 12b. It is composed of coil springs 22a and 22b as elastic members for connecting the mold image sensors 12a and 12b, respectively.

The contact image sensors 12a and 12b are
It is preferable that the plate structure has a thin wall thickness. Bases 24 are provided on the back surfaces 15a and 15b of the contact image sensors 12a and 12b.
a and 24b are provided, and mountings 26a and 26b are provided on the bases 24a and 24b. Attachments 28a and 28b are provided on both surfaces of the support plate 20.
Coil springs 22a and 22b are connected between 8b and the fixtures 26a and 26b, respectively. Coil spring 22
Reference characters a and 22b serve to press the contact image sensors 12a and 12b against the document with an appropriate pressure.
The opening angle θ of the contact image sensors 12a and 12b
Can be freely changed within a range in which the coil springs 22a and 22b move. The coil springs 22a and 22b may be tension springs or compression springs as long as the pressure of the contact type image sensors 12a and 12b with respect to the document can be moderated.

A method of reading information such as a book using the image reading device 10 will be described. First, a book or the like is opened at an arbitrary angle φ (not shown), the image reading device 10 is formed into a V shape with an angle θ according to this angle, and the tip of this V shape is cut into the open portion of the book or the like. Then, each of the contact image sensors 12a and 12b is brought into close contact with each spread surface of a book or the like. At this time, if φ <θ, good adhesion can be achieved. Next, the contact image sensor 12a,
The information written in the book or the like is read by scanning 12b on the book or the like.

As described above, when the image reading device 10 is used, it is not necessary to extract the document from the document file and read the information. Also, input from books, magazines, etc. becomes easy.

The information read by the image reading device 10 is
It is sent via flexible lead wire 40 to information equipment such as a computer, a facsimile, and a magnetic file device.
In this case, the image reading device 10 reads the information on the two sides in one scan so that the information is read from the younger page number. In addition, the image reading device 10
Since the two contact-type image sensors 12a and 12b are used at the same time, the reading can be performed twice as fast as in the case where one conventional contact-type image sensor is used.

The image reading apparatus according to the present invention may be constructed by using a simple flat plate (not shown) instead of either one of the contact image sensors 12a and 12b. In this case, the flat plate acts as a dummy and a single contact image sensor is sufficient, so that the product cost can be reduced.

[0016]

As described above, according to the image reading apparatus of the present invention, the contact type image sensor is formed in a V shape around the hinge, so that it can be surely formed in the recess of the bound portion such as a book. Can be adhered to. Therefore, the information described in the book or the like can be surely read.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a conventional example.

[Description of sign]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Image reading device 12a, 12b ... Contact image sensor 16 ... Hinge 17 ... Elastic shock absorber 20 ... Support plate 22a, 22b ... Coil spring (elastic member)

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A first and a second contact type image sensor in which a plurality of optical sensors are arranged in one direction, and a first and a second contact type image sensor so that the optical sensors are arranged in a straight line. An image characterized by comprising a hinge that is rotatably connected, and an elastic cushioning tool that holds the first and second contact image sensors in a V-shaped expanded state centering on the hinge. Reader. 2. A support plate in which the elastic cushioning member is fixed to the pivot shaft of the hinge on the back side of the light receiving surface of the contact type image sensor, and the support plate and the first and second contact types. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, comprising first and second elastic members that are respectively connected to the image sensor. 3. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a flat plate is used instead of either the first or the second contact image sensor.