# US 8,542,415 B2 · Image processing apparatus

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- Number: US 8,542,415 B2
- Document ID: US8542415B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 12/731,792
- Filed: 2010-03-25
- Published: 2010-09-30
- Granted: 2013-09-24
- Earliest claimed: 2009-03-31
- Assignees: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
- Applicants: Masaru Takeuchi; Takayuki Akimatsu; Takashi Fujiwara
- Inventors: Masaru Takeuchi; Takayuki Akimatsu; Takashi Fujiwara
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8542415B2

## CPC

- H04N 1/1215: {Feeding using one or more cylindrical platens or rollers in the immediate vicinity of the main scanning line}
- H04N 1/00525: {Providing a more compact apparatus, e.g. sheet discharge tray in cover}
- H04N 1/00551: {Top covers or the like}
- H04N 1/1017: {the main-scanning components remaining positionally invariant with respect to one another in the sub-scanning direction}
- H04N 1/203: Simultaneous scanning of two or more separate pictures {, e.g. two sides of the same sheet (refeeding a sheet for double-sided scanning H04N1/00572)}
- H04N 1/2032: {of two pictures corresponding to two sides of a single medium (refeeding a sheet for double-sided scanning H04N1/00572)}
- H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION

## Abstract

An image processing apparatus capable of reading an image recorded on a first surface and a second surface of a sheet, the image processing apparatus comprising a conveying path comprising a first conveying path formed in a substantially plate shape, a second conveying path disposed below the first conveying path and a curved conveying path disposed between the first conveying path and the second conveying path, a conveying mechanism configured to convey the sheet along a conveying direction from the first conveying path to the second conveying path through the curved conveying path, a first image reading section disposed below the first conveying path and comprising a first image sensor which reads the image recorded on the first surface of the sheet conveyed along the first conveying path at a first image reading position, a second image reading section comprising a second image sensor which reads the image recorded on the second surface of the sheet conveyed along the second conveying path from below the second conveying path at a second image reading position, and an upper cover configured to rotate between a closed position where the first conveying path is partly covered and an open position where the first conveying path is exposed, wherein at least the first conveying path is exposed when the upper cover is in the open position.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An image processing apparatus capable of reading an image recorded on a first surface and a second surface of a sheet, the image processing apparatus comprising:
a conveying path comprising:
a first conveying path formed in a substantially plate shape;
a second conveying path disposed below the first conveying path; and
a curved conveying path disposed between the first conveying path and the second conveying path,
a conveying mechanism configured to convey the sheet along a conveying direction from the first conveying path to the second conveying path through the curved conveying path;
a first image reading section disposed below the first conveying path and comprising a first image sensor which reads the image recorded on the first surface of the sheet conveyed along the first conveying path at a first image reading position;
a second image reading section comprising a second image sensor which reads, from below the second conveying path at a second image reading position, the image recorded on the second surface of the sheet conveyed along the second conveying path; and
an upper cover configured to rotate between a closed position where the first conveying path is partly covered and an open position where the first conveying path is exposed, wherein the first conveying path and the first image sensor are exposed when the upper cover is in the open position,
wherein the first image reading section further comprises:
a first platen formed in a plate shape, which is transparent and configures a part of the first conveying path;
a first pressing member configured to press the sheet at the first image reading position on the first platen toward the first image sensor; and
a first urging member configured to urge the first pressing member toward the first platen, and
wherein the first pressing member is supported by the upper cover via the first urging member, and the first pressing member separates from the first platen when the upper cover is in the open position.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The image processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the conveying mechanism comprises:
a driving roller comprising only one drive shaft in the curved conveying path; and
at least two pinch rollers urged by the driving roller,
wherein one pinch roller of the at least two pinch rollers which is positioned upstream in the conveying direction is supported by the upper cover, and the curved conveying path is also partly exposed by separating the one pinch roller from the driving roller when the upper cover is in the open position.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The image processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the conveying mechanism comprises a pair of conveying rollers disposed upstream of the first conveying path in the conveying direction,
wherein the image processing apparatus further comprises:
a feed tray disposed upstream of the pair of the conveying rollers in the conveying direction and configured to hold a plurality of sheets in a stacked state; and
a feed unit configured to separate one of the plurality of the sheets held on the feed tray and feed the separated sheet toward the pair of the conveying rollers, and
wherein the upper cover covers the pair of the conveying rollers, the feed unit and a part of the feed tray when the upper cover is in the closed position, and the upper cover exposes the pair of the conveying rollers, the feed unit and a part of the feed tray when the upper cover is in the open position.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The image processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the first image sensor is disposed in space enclosed with the first conveying path, the driving roller and the second conveying path.