Portable image sanner having movement detection means and a window for transmitting light to the viewer

Claim 1

In an image scanner comprising a scanner body enclosing a light source for irradiating light onto a document and an image sensor for receiving a reflected light from said document and inputting information to a data processing means, scanner body moving amount detecting means for detecting a moving amount of said scanner body relative to said document fixed, a manual switch for switching between an operation mode and a search mode, and a light source controlling circuit for controlling a turned-on state of said light source in response to a signal from said manual switch and a signal from said moving amount detecting means, whereby the information within a desired width of said document can be read; the improvement comprising an opening for reading said document when said light source is turned on, and a light transmission path formed through a wall portion of said scanner body for enabling an operator to visually confirm a reading position on said document from the outside of said scanner body through said opening, said light source is turned on under the search mode when said scanner body is moved more than a predetermined amount, whereby said data processing means is not utilized, enabling an original reading start position to be confirmed.