Directly detectable image sensor employing a lens array and method of producing the same
AssigneeRicoh Company, Ltd.
InventorHiroyuki Horiguchi
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A directly detectable image sensor applicable to an image reader of a facsimile and others includes two glass substrate members which are bonded to each other, and an array of miniature lenses arranged at the interface between the two substrate members and each having a different refractive index from the substrate members. Sensor elements and electrodes are provided on one major surface of a sensor substrate which is made up of the two glass substrate members, a document being laid closely on the other major surface of the sensor substrate. Light is propagated through the sensor substrate from the sensor elements and electrodes side to reach the document, while a reflection from the document is focused onto the sensor elements by the miniature lenses.
Claims18
A directly detectable image sensor for reading images which are recorded in a document, comprising:
- a first and a second substrate members each being made of a transparent material and bonded at one surface thereof to each other to constitute a sensor substrate;
- an array of miniature lenses made of a material having a different refractive index from said first and second substrate members and arranged at an interface between said first and second substrate members;
- and
- sensor means provided on a surface of one of said first and second substrate members.
A method of producing a directly detectable image sensor for reading images which are recorded in a document, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing two flat substrate members which are made of a transparent material;
- (b) forming recesses having a predetermined configuration in those positions of one surface of said substrate members which are aligned with each other;
- (c) polishing surfaces of said recesses optically;
- (d) filling said recesses with an optical substance;
- (e) bonding said substrate members to each other, whereby an array of miniature lenses are provided at the interface between said substrate members;
- (f) providing a light intercepting layer on an outer surface of one of said substrate members, said light intercepting layer being formed with windows for illumination of a document;
- (g) providing an insulating layer on said light intercepting layer;
- and
- (h) providing sensor elements and electrodes on said insulating layer.
A method as claimed in claimed in 10, wherein said insulating layer comprises an SiO.sub.2 layer which is 1 .mu.m thick.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.