Image processing apparatus

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention generally relates to image processing apparatuses, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus which is suited for reducing space occupied thereby in an office or room.

#Recently, it has become possible to process a large amount of data at a high speed due to the improved performance of central processing units (CPUs). As a result, image processing techniques have rapidly improved, and image reading apparatuses for business use and personal use have rapidly become popular due to this progress.

#FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a conventional image processing apparatus of a flat bed type;

#FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a conventional image processing apparatus of an ADF type;

#FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another example of a conventional image processing apparatus of an ADF type;

#FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C show an image processing apparatus 1A according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The image processing apparatus 1A shown in FIGS. 4A through 4C is a scanner apparatus which optically reads information from an information recorded medium (referred to as a document hereafter) and supplies the information to a computer. This apparatus 1A generally comprises a box-shaped case 2, an image scanner part 3, and a document cover 4.

#FIG. 4A shows a state where the image scanner part 3 is pulled out from the case 2 and the document cover 4 is opened, and FIG. 4B shows a state where the image scanner part 3 is accommodated in the case 2. FIG. 4C shows a state where the image scanner part 3 is pulled out from the case 2 and the document cover 4 is closed.

#The case 2 is so constructed that it can accommodate the image scanner part 3. On the front of the case 2, an opening 5 is formed through which the image scanner part 3 is pulled out and accommodated in the case 2. In addition, inside the case 2, various devices and components such as a printed circuit board 18 and a power supply 19 (see FIG. 6), which will be described hereafter, are disposed.