JPH01109956A - Picture information reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily replace a light source in a short time by moving a carriage holding a light source till the opening when it is required to replace the light source in an enclosure and extracting the light source through the opening to replace it. CONSTITUTION:When it is required to replace a lamp 49 in a transmission unit 41 or a lamp 14 in the device main body 3, the operation key of an external equipment is brought into the lamp replacement mode. Thus, the driving means is operated to move carriages 13, 48 to a position opposed to the openings 37, 63. Then the lamps 14, 49 are extracted from the carriages 13, 48 together with the lamp holder and replaced with a new lamp and inserted again into the carriages 13, 48. In bringing the operation key into the lamp replacement end mode, the driving means is operated and restored to the initial position. Thus, the replacement of the light source is implemented easily in a short time.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Objective of the Invention (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to an image information reading device that reads a document using transmitted light or reflected light.

(Conventional technology) image scanners, printers, and fax machines.

Image information reading devices used in electronic filing devices, etc. irradiate light onto a document placed on document placement means, and convert light reflected from the document or light transmitted through the document into an electrical signal using a photoelectric converter. By doing so, a desired image signal is input to a host computer or the like.

The scanner as a reading means equipped with the above-mentioned photoelectric converter is moved back and forth relatively along the document placement surface by a well-known driving means, and the operation control and signal processing etc. are housed within the main body of the apparatus. This is done by a control circuit etc.

The light source of this type of device is housed inside the housing, and this housing is covered with a resin cover such as a decorative case, so when replacing the light source, etc., the cover covering the housing must be removed. In addition to exposing the inside of the housing by opening the housing or forcibly moving the light source movable parts such as the carriage to a predetermined replacement position by hand, the light source can be taken out or installed. .

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) For this reason, in the conventional device, when replacing the light source, it takes a lot of effort to open and close the cover and the casing, and there is a problem that the light source cannot be easily replaced. Ta.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image information reading device in which a light source housed in a housing such as the main body of the device can be easily replaced.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above object, the image information reading device of the present invention has the following features:
an original document placing means, a light source held by a carriage that is relatively moved along the original placing means and irradiating the original document placing means, and a housing that houses the carriage;
and a reading means for reading image information of the original from light reflected or transmitted through the original placed on the original placing means, wherein the light source is mounted on the carriage so that it can be taken in and out from one end of the carriage. A light source is provided in the housing so as to be movable in the length direction, and the housing has a light source large enough to take out the light source at a position opposite to the one end of the carriage when the carriage is stopped at a predetermined position with respect to the housing. It is equipped with an opening for putting in and taking out.

(Function) In the image information reading device of the present invention having the above configuration, when it becomes necessary to replace the light source inside the housing, the carriage holding the light source is moved to the opening, and the carriage is moved through the opening. Pull out the light source from one end. Then, a new light source may be inserted into the carriage again through the opening.

(Example) An example of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The illustrated image information reading device 1 reads a normal document read by reflected light and a document for transmitted light (positive, negative film, OHP paper, etc.), and outputs an image signal to an external device 2 such as a host computer. It is an image scanner. The device main body 3 of this reading device 1 includes a first housing 4 and a second housing 5 divided into upper and lower stages, and these housings 4 and 4.
, 5, and includes a power supply section, a control circuit board, a scanner 7, etc. (not shown) as an example of a reading means, etc., which are not shown. The circuit board includes, for example, a GPIB interface port, a scanner processing board, or a scanner image processing board. This circuit board is connected to external equipment 2 via an interface connector and a cable 8 for connecting external equipment. As external device 2,
These include various computers, printers, and electronic filing devices.

Further, a pivot 9 is provided on one side (the front end in the illustrated example) of the first casing 4, and the second casing 5 is supported by this pivot 9 so as to be openable and closable in the vertical direction. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the housing 5 is closed, and FIG. 2 shows a state in which the housing 5 is opened. The second housing 5 can be held at an appropriate opening angle by a stopper 10.

A platen glass 11, which is used as an example of document placement means, is provided on the top side of the second housing 5 in the drawing. On the back side of this platen glass 11, the scanner 7 is provided.
are arranged so as to be movable in parallel along the platen glass 11. As shown in FIG. 5 or 6, the scanner 7 includes a straight tube fluorescent lamp 14 as an example of a light source and a photoelectric converter 15, such as a CCD line sensor, inside the carriage 13. It is provided with an optical system member 16 such as a rod lens array, a support base 17, and the like. Further, the carriage 13 is provided with an amplifier board (not shown) having a built-in amplifier circuit for amplifying the output from the photoelectric converter 15.

As conceptually shown in FIG. 7, the scanner 7 includes a motor 20 equipped with a speed reducer, a driving side sprocket 21, a driven side sprocket 22 . A guide 25 and a rail shaft 26 are driven by a driving means 24 consisting of a timing belt 23 and the like.
It is designed to be able to reciprocate along a predetermined stroke in the direction of arrow A in FIG. A roller 27 that rolls on a guide 25 is provided at the end of the carriage 13.

The lamp 14 is attached to a metal lamp holder 30 along its elongated direction. This lamp holder 30
is housed in a lamp insertion portion 31 provided in the carriage 13 so as to be slidable in the length direction thereof, and can be taken in and out from one end 13a of the carriage 13. A lead wire 32 for supplying power to the lamp 14 is provided at one end of the lamp holder 30 . A connector 33 is provided at the tip of this lead wire 32. This connector 33 is inserted into a socket (not shown) provided on the carriage 13 side. In the lighting section of the carriage 13 facing the platen glass 11 side,
A transparent cover member 34 is provided.

Furthermore, an opening 37 is provided in the rear wall 5a of the housing 5, which is used to take the lamp 14 in and out. This opening 37 has a size that allows the lamp 14 held in the holder 30 to be pulled out together with the holder 30, and this opening 37 is large enough to allow the carriage 13 to move with respect to the housing 5 during its movement stroke. It is opened at a position facing one end 13a of the carriage 13 when it is stopped at an intermediate position. In the case of this embodiment, the opening 37
is provided approximately at the center of the housing 5 in the width direction.

As a means for moving the carriage 13 to the above position (lamp replacement position), the control circuit of the external device 2 such as the host computer is configured to move the carriage 13 to the opening 37 when the lamp replacement mode is set. A program for controlling the drive means 24 is set up. Such a program may be incorporated into a control circuit within the device main body 3. The cover 6 covering the housing 4.5 also has an opening 38 at a position corresponding to the opening 37.
is provided. This opening 38 is a door 3 that can be opened and closed freely.
9 (see FIG. 3).

A platen glass 1 is provided on the top side of the apparatus main body 3 described above in the drawing.
A transmission unit 41 having a size sufficient to cover 1 is provided. The transmission unit 41 includes a metal chassis 42 in the shape of a rectangular frame, and a synthetic resin housing 43 serving as a decorative case that covers the outside of the chassis 42. The transmission unit 41 is pivotally connected to the second housing 5 by a hinge 45 so as to be openable and closable in the vertical direction. This hinge 45 is provided at a position opposite to the aforementioned pivot portion 9, that is, on the rear side of the second housing 5.

The bottom side of the transmission unit 41, that is, the platen glass 11
A light-transmitting plate 46 is provided on the side facing the. The transparent plate 46 is made of a material that transmits and diffuses light, such as a white or milky white resin panel. Translucent plate 4
A light source section 47 is provided on the back side of the scanner 6 at a position corresponding to the scanner 7.

The light source section 47 includes a carriage 48, a straight fluorescent lamp 49 as an example of a light source, a metal lamp holder 50 extending along the length of the lamp 49, and the like.

The lamp holder 50 is held movably in the length direction of a lamp accommodating portion provided on the carriage 48, and can be taken in and out from one end 48a of the carriage 48. A lead wire 5 for supplying power to the lamp 49 is provided at one end of the lamp holder 50.
1 is provided, and a connector 52 is provided at the tip of this lead wire 51. This connector 52 is inserted into a socket (not shown) provided on the carriage 48 side.

As conceptually shown in FIG. 7, the carriage 48 is connected to a motor 55 equipped with a speed reducer and a driving sprocket 56. Driven side sprocket 57. By means of a driving means 59 consisting of a timing belt 58 and the like, it is possible to reciprocate in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 6 in synchronization with the scanner 7 and along the guide 60 and rail shaft 61 at the same speed as the scanner 7. There is.

Also, the chassis 42 and the rear wall 42a of the housing 43.

43a is provided with openings 63, 64 used to take the lamp 49 in and out. These openings 63.
64 has a size that allows the lamp 49 held in the holder 50 to be pulled out together with the holder 50.

Furthermore, the openings 63 and 64 are provided at positions facing one end 48a of the carriage 48 when the carriage 48 is stopped at an intermediate position of its movement stroke with respect to the housing 43. In the case of this embodiment, the opening 6
3.64 is provided approximately at the center of the chassis 42 and the housing 43 in the width direction.

As a means for moving the carriage 48 to the above-mentioned position (lamp exchange position), the control circuit of the external device 2 such as the host computer has a control circuit that moves the carriage 48 to the above-mentioned opening 63 and 64 when the lamp exchange mode is set. A program is set up to control the driving means 59 so as to do so.

The opening 64 may be closed by a door (not shown) that can be opened and closed.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment device 1 will be explained.

When reading a document S (FIG. 7) placed on the platen glass 11, in the case of a reflective document, the lamp 1 of the scanner 7 is placed over the document with the transmission unit 41 closed.
4 is turned on, and the scanner 7 is moved back and forth in the direction of arrow A in FIG. The light emitted from the lamp 14 is reflected on the surface of the document, and the image thereof is input to the photoelectric converter 15 via the optical system member 16. Therefore, when reading a reflective original, the lamp 49 of the transmission unit 41 is not turned on, and the transparent plate 46 of the transmission unit 41 is used as a document holder.

On the other hand, when reading a transmissive original, the lamp 49 of the transmissive unit 41 is turned on. As in the case of reading a reflected light original, the scanner 7 moves in the direction of the arrow A, and the carriage 48 of the transmission unit 41 moves in the direction of the arrow B in synchronization with the scanner 7, so that the lamp 49 The light that is emitted from the original and transmitted through the original is input to the photoelectric converter 15 via the optical system member 16. Therefore, in this case,
The transmission unit 41 has both the function of irradiating transmitted light and the function of holding a document.

The image information input to the photoelectric converter 15 as described above is digitized by the A/D conversion circuit and output to the external device 2 via the cable 8. Note that selection of the above-mentioned reflective type and transmissive type originals is made using the operation section 70.
This is done by operating the keys provided on the.

When it becomes necessary to replace the lamp 14 inside the device body 3 or the lamp 49 inside the transmission uni-soto 41, set the operation key of the external device 2 such as the host computer to lamp replacement mode without removing the cover 6. . The drive means 24.59 is actuated by the control signal thus output,
Each carriage 13° 48 is located at a position P L + opposite the opening 37.63, as shown by the dashed-double line in FIG.
You can move up to P2 at the same time. After moving the carriage 13°48 to the lamp replacement position in this way, the lamp 14 (or 49) is moved to the lamp holder 30 (or 50).
) from the carriage 13 (or 48). After replacing the lamp with a new one, open the opening 37 again.
．． 38 (or 63.64) through carriage 13 (
or 48). Next, by resetting the operation key to the lamp replacement end mode, the driving means 24
．． 59 is activated, and the carriage 13.48 returns to its initial position.

As described above, according to the device 1 of this embodiment, the lamp 14 built into the device main body 3 can be replaced by operating the drive means 24.59 through the opening 37.59 provided in the housing 5 and the cover 6. 38, and the replacement work of the lamp 49 built in the transmission unit 41 is as follows.
Openings 63 and 64 provided in the chassis 42 and the housing 43
This can be done through Therefore, when replacing the lamp 14°49, the cover 6 must be removed or the transmission unit 4
1 from the apparatus main body 3, the replacement work can be carried out extremely easily.

Note that the present invention can also be applied to an image information reading device that reads only reflected light documents, and in this case, instead of providing the transmission unit 41, a simple document cover is replaced with the platen glass 11.
It may be provided on the top so that it can be opened and closed.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, the light source provided inside the device main body or the transmission unit can be replaced easily and in a short time through the opening provided in the housing. can.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the image information reading device with the cover removed, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the image information reading device with the casing opened, and FIG. 3 is the image information reading device. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the image information reading device seen from the front side, FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the carriage portion equipped with the reading means, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the image information FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view conceptually showing a part of the reading device, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view conceptually showing a part of the reading device. 1... Image information reading device, 3... Device main body, 5...
- Housing, 7... Scanner (reading means), 11... Platen glass (document placement means), 13... Carriage,
14... Fluorescent lamp (light source), 24... Driving means, 37.38... Opening, 41... Transmission unit,
43... Housing, 48... Carriage, 49... Fluorescent lamp (light source), 59... Driving means, 63.64
···Aperture. Applicant's agent Patent attorney Takehiko Suzue Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 5! Figure 6 Figure 7

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) an original placing means for placing an original whose image information is to be read; a light source held by a carriage that is relatively moved along the original placing means; and a light source for illuminating the original placing means; An image information reading device comprising a housing for accommodating a carriage, and a reading means for reading image information of the original from light reflected or transmitted through the original placed on the original placing means, wherein the light source is The carriage is held so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction so that it can be taken in and out from one end of the carriage, and further, the housing is provided with a support that faces the one end of the carriage when the carriage is stopped at a predetermined position with respect to the housing. An image information reading device characterized in that a light source insertion/extraction opening large enough to take out the light source is provided at a position where the light source is taken out. (2) The opening is provided at an intermediate position of the movement stroke of the carriage with respect to the housing, and is provided with means for moving the carriage to this position. image information reading device. (3) The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the casing of the apparatus main body having the document placing means, the reading means, and the light source is provided with the opening for taking in and out the light source. Image information reading device. (4) A transmission unit having a light source for irradiating the transmissive type original placed on the document placement means is provided on the document placement means side of the apparatus main body having the document placement means and the reading means. 2. The image information reading device according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting unit has a casing provided with the opening through which the light source is taken in and taken out.