Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
An image reading device comprising a reading window (4) to which an article (8) is set facing; a main light source (10) for emitting a first light beam which is emitted via said reading window (4) to a limited external space to scan the article; and symbol reading means (40) for reading a symbol formed on the article (8) from the first light beam which has been reflected on the article (8) placed within the limited external space and has traveled via said reading window (4); characterized by further comprising light source control means (50) for detecting that no article (8) has been set within the limited external space, to thereby inhibit the activation of said main light source (10).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
An image reading device comprising a reading window (4) to which an article (8) is set facing; a main light source (10) for emitting a first light beam which is emitted via said reading window (4) to a limited external space to scan the article; and symbol reading means (40) for reading a symbol formed on the article (8) from the first light beam which has been reflected on the article (8) placed within the limited external space and has traveled via said reading window (4); characterized by further comprising light source control means (50) for detecting that no article (8) has been set within the limited external space, to thereby inhibit the activation of said main light source (10).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
73 words
An image reading device according to claim 1 characterized in that said light source control means (50) includes an auxiliary light source (20) for emitting a second light beam which is emitted via said reading window (4) the limited external space and article detection means (50A, 50B) for detecting the article (8) from the second light beam which has been reflected on the article (8) and has traveled via said reading window (4).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
68 words
An image reading device according to claim 2, characterized in that said light source control means (50) includes switching means (50C, 50D) for keeping said main light source (10) in the activated condition while an article (8) is detected by said article detection means (50A, 50B), and de-activating said main light source (10) after the absence of article has been detected by said article detection means (50A, 50B).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
An image reading device according to claim 3, characterized in that said switching means includes a timer circuit (61) for keeping said main light source in the activated condition for a preset period of time after the absence of article has been detected by said article detection means (50A, 50B).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
85 words
An image reading device according to claim 2, characterized in that said light source control means (50) includes switching means (50E) for keeping said main light source (10) and auxiliary light source (20) respectively in the activated and de-activated conditions after an article (8) has been detected by said article detection means (50A, 50B) and setting said main light source (10) and auxiliary light source (20) into the de-activated and activated conditions after the symbol reading by said symbol reading means (40) has been completed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
An image reading device according to claim 5, characterized in that said switching means includes a timer circuit (63) for keeping said main light source (10) and auxiliary light source (20) in the activated and de-activated conditions for a preset period of time after the symbol reading by said symbol reading means (40) has been completed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
95 words
An image reading device according to claim 2, characterized by further comprising an optical guide section (30) for guiding the first light beam from said main light source (10) to the outside via said reading window (40), directing the first light beam reflected and received via said reading window (4) towards said symbol reading means (40), guiding the second light beam from said auxiliary light source (20) to the outside via said reading window (4), and directing the section light beam reflected and received via said reading window (4) towards said article detection means (50).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
An image reading device according to claim 2, characterized in that said main light source (10) includes a gas laser tube or laser diode, and said auxiliary light source (20) incudes a light emitting diode or laser diode.