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US 7,924,478 B2Granted
Scanner module and image scanning apparatus employing the same
AssigneeSamsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
InventorsKyung Rok Kim, Jung Hyuck Cho
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed are a scanner module and an image scanning apparatus employing the same. The scanner module includes a light source generating light to be irradiated onto an object and a light guide member extending in correspondence with a width of the object to be scanned. The light guide member has a reflective surface for reflecting the light generated from the light source, an exit surface for radiating the light, which is reflected from the reflective surface, toward the object, and a plurality of guide surfaces each guiding the light toward the exit surface by reflecting the light reflected from the reflective surface deviates from the exit surface. The light is effectively guided to be output from the exit surface without substantial light loss.
Claims37
A scanner module, comprising:
- a light source configured to generate light;
- and
- a light guide member configured to receive the light from the light source, and to direct the received light toward an object to be scanned, the light guide member having a length and a width, the light source being disposed on at least one longitudinal end of the light guide member,
- wherein the light guide member includes an exit surface defining a top surface of, and extending along the length of, the light guide member to face the object to be scanned, a reflective surface disposed at a bottom of the light guide member, the reflective surface being configured to reflect the light received, and a pair of light guide surfaces each extending between the reflective surface and the exit surface, the pair of light guide surfaces being configured to direct the light reflected by the reflective surface toward the exit surface, and
- wherein each of the pair of light guide surfaces comprises a first guide surface and a second guide surface, the first guide surface extending between the reflective surface and the second guide surface, the second guide surface extending between the first guide surface and the exit surface,
- wherein the reflective surface and the first guide surface defines a first obtuse angle therebetween,
- wherein the first guide surface and the second guide surface defining a second obtuse angle therebetween, and
- a first imaginary line parallel to the reflective surface and a second imaginary line parallel to the second guide surface define a third obtuse angle therebetween.
5 more elements
An image scanning apparatus, comprising:
- a scanner module configured to convert a visual image information of a document into an electric signal, the scanner module comprising:
- a light guide member configured to receive the light from the light source, and to direct the received light toward an object to be scanned, the light guide member having a length and a width, the light source being disposed on at least one longitudinal end of the light guide member,
- wherein the light guide member includes an exit surface defining a top surface of, and extending along the length of, the light guide member to face the object to be scanned, a reflective surface disposed at a bottom of the light guide member, the reflective surface being configured to reflect the light received, and a pair of light guide surfaces each extending between the reflective surface and the exit surface, the pair of light guide surfaces being configured to direct the light reflected by the reflective surface toward the exit surface, and
- wherein each of the pair of light guide surfaces comprises a first guide surface and a second guide surface, the first guide surface extending between the reflective surface and the second guide surface, the second guide surface extending between the first guide surface and the exit surface;
- and
- an image sensor configured to receive a reflected light reflected off the document, and to produce image signal based on the received reflected light;
- and
- an image processing unit having an input through which to receive the image signal from the image sensor, the image processing unit being configured to produce a data pattern based on the received image signal, the data pattern being representative of the visual image information
- wherein the reflective surface and the first guide surface defines a first obtuse angle therebetween,
- wherein the first guide surface and the second guide surface defining a second obtuse angle therebetween, and
- a first imaginary line parallel to the reflective surface and a second imaginary line parallel to the second guide surface define a third obtuse angle therebetween.
8 more elements
A light guide member having a length and a width for use in an image scanning apparatus for reading a visual image of a document, comprising:
- one or more incident surfaces configured to receive light from a point light source, the one or more incident light surface being provided at least one longitudinal end of the light guide member;
- an exit surface facing the document to be scanned, the exit surface defining a top surface of, and extending along the length of, the light guide member;
- a reflective surface disposed at a bottom of the light guide member, the reflective surface being configured to reflect the light received through the one or more incident surfaces;
- and
- a pair of light guide surfaces extending between the reflective surface and the exit surface, the pair of light guide surfaces being configured to reflect the light reflected by the reflective surface toward the exit surface,
- wherein each of the pair of light guide surfaces comprises a first guide surface and a second guide surface, the first guide surface extending between the reflective surface and the second guide surface, the second guide surface extending between the first guide surface and the exit surface
- wherein the reflective surface and the first guide surface defines a first obtuse angle therebetween,
- wherein the first guide surface and the second guide surface defining a second obtuse angle therebetween, and
- a first imaginary line parallel to the reflective surface and a second imaginary line parallel to the second guide surface define a third obtuse angle therebetween.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.