US 4,728,186 AGranted

Uneven-surface data detection apparatus

AssigneeFujitsu Limited

InventorsShin Eguchi, Seigo Igaki, Hironori Yahagi, Fumio Yamagishi, Hiroyuki Ikeda, Takefumi Inagaki

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Abstract

An uneven-surface data detection apparatus, includes a transparent plate having an uneven-surface contact portion against which an uneven surface to be detected is pressed. A light source illuminates the uneven-surface contact portion through the transparent plate. An uneven-surface image drawing out optical element draws out the light reflected on the uneven-surface contact portion of the transparent plate. A detector detects the light drawn out from the transparent plate by the optical element. Light reflected by a projection-facing portion of the uneven surface contact portion to be introduced into the detector diverges from a propagation direction of light reflected by a recess-facing portion of the uneven surface contact portion. The optical element is arranged to guide the light reflected by the projection-facing portion into the detector.

Claims33

Dependent claims

An uneven-surface data detection apparatus for detecting an uneven-surface having projection portions and recess portions, comprising:

a transparent plate having upper and lower surfaces and having an uneven-surface contact portion against which an uneven-surface to be detected is pressed;
a light source for illuminating the entire area of said uneven-surface contact portion through said transparent plate;
an uneven-surface image drawing out optical element for drawing out the light reflected on said uneven-surface contact portion of said transparent plate;
and
a detector for detecting the light drawn out from said transparent plate by said optical element, light reflected by the projection portions of said uneven-surface on said uneven-surface contact portion diverges from a propagation direction of light reflected by the recess portions of said uneven-surface on said uneven-surface contact portion, and said optical element is arranged to guide the light reflected by said projection portions into said detector, said light source simultaneously illuminating said projection portions and recess portions over said uneven-surface contact portion and the light reflected by said projection portions being totally reflected at least one time at a surface opposite the surface where the uneven-surface contact portion is located and then guided to said detector through said uneven-surface image drawing out optical element.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.