Reading apparatus

Claim 2

A reading apparatus for photoelectrically reading an original, comprising: a light source unit positioned adjacent said original, said light source unit including, at least one fluorescent lamp, an auxiliary temperature control source positioned adjacent said at least one fluorescent lamp, a first opening formed in said light source unit in a confronting relationship with said original, said first opening including a white reflector means for reflecting light from said at least one fluorescent lamp, and a second opening formed opposite said first opening, whereby light reflected by said reflector means passes through said second opening; sensor means for receiving and measuring an amount of light reflected through said second opening, said sensor means generating an output signal according to said measured amount of reflected light from said reflector means; means for periodically monitoring said output signal from said sensor means; and control means, responsive to said means for periodically monitoring, for maintaining said output signal at a predetermined level by selectively controlling a supply of electric power to both of said at least one fluorescent lamp and said auxiliary temperature control source.

Claim 3

A reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said light source unit includes three fluorescent lamps for generating red, green and blue light, respectively.

Claim 4

A reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said auxiliary temperature control source includes heating means provided adjacent said at least one fluorescent lamp, and wherein said control means changes the electric power supply to said heating means.

Claim 5

A reading apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said auxiliary temperature control source further includes a cooling means provided adjacent said at least one fluorescent lamp, and wherein said control means changes the electric power supply to said cooling means.

Claim 6

A reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said sensor means is a CCD, and said output signal is a white level signal.

Claim 7

A reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means maintains said output signal at a peak value in response to selectively controlling said supply of electrical power.

Claim 8

A reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means maintains said output signal at a level within a predetermined range below a peak value in response to selectively controlling said supply of electrical power.

Claim 9

A reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means compares an output signal obtained in one cycle operation of said means for periodically monitoring with an output signal obtained in a subsequent cycle operation of said means for periodically monitoring.

Claim 10

A reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying a ready indication when said output signal is at said predetermined value.

Claim 11

A reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display means for displaying a ready indication when said output signal is at a predetermined percentage of said predetermined value.

Claim 12

A reading apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said predetermined percentage is 70%.

Claim 13

A reading apparatus according to claim 2, wherein each of said three fluorescent lamps are independently controlled by said control means to receive selected amounts of said supply of electric power.

Claim 14

A reading apparatus for photoelectrically reading an original, comprising: a light source unit positioned adjacent said original, said light source unit including, three fluorescent lamps for generating red, green and blue light, respectively, an auxiliary temperature control source positioned adjacent at least one of said three fluorescent lamps, a first opening formed in said light source unit in a confronting relationship with said original, said first opening including reflector means for reflecting light from each of said three fluorescent lamps, and a second opening formed opposite said first opening, whereby light reflected from said reflector means passes through said second opening; sensor means for receiving and measuring an amount of light reflected through said second opening, said sensor means generating an output signal according to said measured amount of reflected light from said reflector means; means for periodically monitoring said output signal from said sensor means; and control means, responsive to said means for periodically monitoring, for comparing an output signal obtained in one cycle operation of said means for periodically monitoring with an output signal obtained in a subsequent cycle operation of said means for periodically monitoring, said control means maintaining said output signal at a predetermined level by selectively controlling a supply of power to each of said three fluorescent lamps and said auxiliary temperature control source; said three fluorescent lamps being independently controlled by said control means to receive selected amounts of said supply of electric power.

Claim 15

A reading apparatus for photoelectrically reading an original, comprising: a light source unit positioned adjacent said original, said light source unit including, three fluorescent lamps for generating red, green and blue light, respectively, an auxiliary temperature control source positioned adjacent at least one of said three fluorescent lamps, a first opening formed in said light source unit in a confronting relationship with said original, said first opening including reflector means for reflecting light from each of said three fluorescent lamps, and a second opening formed opposite said first opening, whereby light reflected from said reflector means passes through said second opening; sensor means for receiving and measuring an amount of light reflected through said second opening, said sensor means generating an output signal according to said measured amount of reflected light from said reflector means; means for periodically monitoring said output signal from said sensor means; and control means, responsive to said means for periodically monitoring, for comparing an output signal obtained in one cycle operation of said means for periodically monitoring with an output signal obtained in a subsequent cycle operation of said means for periodically monitoring, said control means maintaining said output signal at a predetermined level by selectively controlling a supply of power to each of said three fluorescent lamps and said auxiliary temperature control source; said three fluorescent lamps being independently controlled by said control means to receive selected amounts of said supply of electric power.