Image reader and image reading method
AssigneeSeiko Epson Corporation
InventorsToshiaki Oshima, Chikashi Nakamura
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An image reader is provided with a transparent member which is placed in an optical path from the surface of an original document bed on the side of a carriage to a condensing lens, whereby when the transparent member exists at a predetermined position, the condensing lens can be focused on a translucent original existing at a position above the position of a reflection original. When the transparent member is at a second predetermined position, the condensing lens can be focused on the reflection original. The condensing lens can be focused on more than one position simply by placing the transparent member in the optical path, so that the structure is simple and the manufacturing costs can be reduced.
Claims13
An image reader comprising:
- an original document bed for placing an original;
- a light source for applying light to the original;
- a lens for gathering light including at least one of a light reflected from the original and a light passing through the original
- a photosensor for converting the light gathered through said lens into an electric signal;
- and
- a transparent member positioned so as to be insertable into an optical path from said original document bed to said lens.
An image reading method for an image reader having an original document bed for placing an original, a light source for applying light to the original, a lens for gathering light including at least one of a light reflected from the original and a light passing through the original, a photosensor for converting the light gathered through the lens into an electric signal, and a transparent member positioned so as to be insertable into an optical path from the original document bed to the lens, said image reading method comprising:
- placing a translucent original above the original document bed;
- inserting the transparent member into the optical path;
- and
- applying light from the light source from above the translucent original.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.