Contact type image sensor, producing method of the same, and information processing apparatus

Claim 2

A contact type image sensor, comprising: a transparent member which can contact an original to be read; a light source for radiating light onto the original via said transparent member; a sensor for receiving light reflected by the original; an imaging element for imaging the reflected light on a light-receiving portion of said sensor; and support means for supporting said sensor, said imaging element, said transparent member, and said light source, wherein said imaging element and said light source are supported by said transparent member and said support means.

Claim 3

A sensor according to claim 1, wherein said transparent member and said imaging element are supported in a tight contact state without forming any gap therebetween.

Claim 4

A sensor according to claim 1, wherein said support means is pre-formed with a support surface for supporting said imaging element at a focal point position where said imaging element images the reflected light on said light-receiving portion of said sensor.

Claim 5

A sensor according to claim 1, wherein said sensor array has a circuit for reading out a signal to a capacitive load connected to an emitter of a bipolar transistor.

Claim 6

A sensor according to claim 1, wherein said sensor array has a photoelectric conversion layer consisting of amorphous silicon.

Claim 7

An information processing apparatus comprising: a contact type image sensor comprising: a transparent member which can contact an original to be read; a light source for radiating light onto the original via said transparent member; a sensor for receiving light reflected by the original; an imaging element for imaging the reflected light on a light-receiving portion of said sensor; and support means for supporting said sensor, said imaging element, said transparent member, and said light source, wherein said imaging element and said light source are supported by said transparent member and said support means; and means for supporting an original on an original reading surface of said sensor.

Claim 8

An information processing apparatus comprising: a contact type image sensor comprising: a transparent member which can contact an original to be read; a light source for radiating light onto the original via said transparent member; a sensor for receiving light reflected by the original; an imaging element for imaging the reflected light on a light-receiving portion of said sensor; and support means for supporting said sensor, said imaging element, said transparent member, and said light source, wherein said imaging element and said light source are supported by said transparent member and said support means; and means for supporting an original on an original reading surface of said sensor.

Claim 9

An apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising means for reproducing the read image of the original.

Claim 10

A contact type image sensor, which comprises a support member for supporting a sensor array for performing photoelectric conversion, an imaging element for imaging light reflected by an original on said sensor array, a transparent member for defining a reading surface of the original, and a light source for illuminating the original, wherein said support member has a first support member having positioning portions for determining positions of said light source, said imaging element, and said sensor array, and a second support member having two opposing portions extending in a longitudinal direction of said support member, and a crossing portion crossing said opposing portions, said second support member clamping said imaging element by said opposing portions via said first support member, said first support member and said sensor array being clamped between said transparent member and said crossing portion, and said opposing portions clamp said transparent member.

Claim 11

A contact type image sensor, which comprises a support member for supporting a sensor array for performing photoelectric conversion, an imaging element for imaging light reflected by an original on said sensor array, a transparent member for defining a reading surface of the original, and a light source for illuminating the original, wherein said support member has a first support member having positioning portions for determining positions of said light source, said imaging element, and said sensor array, and a second support member having two opposing portions extending in a longitudinal direction of said support member, and a crossing portion crossing said opposing portions, said second support member clamping said imaging element by said opposing portions via said first support member, said first support member and said sensor array being clamped between said transparent member and said crossing portion, and said opposing portions clamp said transparent member.

Claim 12

A sensor according to claim 8, wherein said first support member has a colored microminiature concave and convex surface.

Claim 13

A sensor according to claim 8, wherein said second support member is provided with attaching portions for attaching said sensor to an apparatus main body, and positioning portions for positioning said first support member.

Claim 14

A sensor according to claim 8, wherein outer surfaces of two end portions of said first support member in a longitudinal direction have substantially same shapes as inner surfaces of two end portions of said second support member in a longitudinal direction.

Claim 15

A sensor according to claim 8, wherein said sensor array has a circuit for reading out a signal to a capacitive load connected to an emitter of a bipolar transistor.

Claim 16

A sensor according to claim 8, wherein said sensor array has a photoelectric conversion layer consisting of amorphous silicon.

Claim 17

A sensor according to claim 8, wherein said imaging element and said light source are adjacent to said transparent member, and supported by said transparent member and said supporting member.

Claim 18

A contact type image sensor comprising: a support member for supporting a sensor array for performing photoelectric conversion; an imaging element for imaging light reflected by an original on said sensor array; a transparent member for defining a reading surface of the original; and a light source for illuminating the original, wherein said support member has a first support member having positioning portions for determining positions of said light source, said imaging element, and said sensor array, and a second support member having two opposing portions extending in a longitudinal direction of said support member, and a crossing portion crossing said opposing portions, said second support member clamping said imaging element by said opposing portions via said first support member, said first support member and said sensor array being clamped between said transparent member and said crossing portion, and wherein said first and second support members allow assembling of said first support member to said second support member from only one direction with respect to said second support member.

Claim 19

A contact type image sensor comprising: a support member for supporting a sensor array for performing photoelectric conversion; an imaging element for imaging light reflected by an original on said sensor array; a transparent member for defining a reading surface of the original; and a light source for illuminating the original, wherein said support member has a first support member having positioning portions for determining positions of said light source, said imaging element, and said sensor array, and a second support member having two opposing portions extending in a longitudinal direction of said support member, and a crossing portion crossing said opposing portions, said second support member clamping said imaging element by said opposing portions via said first support member, said first support member and said sensor array being clamped between said transparent member and said crossing portion, and wherein said first and second support members allow assembling of said first support member to said second support member from only one direction with respect to said second support member.

Claim 20

An information processing apparatus comprising an image sensor according to claim 15, and means for conveying an original into a reading position of said sensor.

Claim 21

An information processing apparatus comprising an image sensor according to claim 15, wherein said second support member of said sensor is provided with a mount section for mounting an apparatus body thereon, and said sensor is mounted on said body through said mount section.

Claim 22

A sensor according to claim 15, wherein said imaging element and said light source are adjacent to said transparent member, and supported by said transparent member and said supporting member.

Claim 23

A contact type image sensor comprising: a support member for supporting a sensor array for performing photoelectric conversion; an imaging element for imaging light reflected by an original on said sensor array; a transparent member for defining a reading surface of the original; and a light source for illuminating the original, wherein said support member has a first support member having positioning portions for determining positions of said light source, said imaging element, and said sensor array, and a second support member having two opposing portions extending in a longitudinal direction of said support member, and a crossing portion crossing said opposing portions, said second support member clamping said imaging element by said opposing portions via said first support member, said first support member and said sensor array being clamped between said transparent member and said crossing portion, and wherein said second support member has a U-shaped section and a positioning groove or projection on at least one of said opposing portions, and said first support member is provided with a projection or a groove to be fitted with said groove or projection of said second support member.

Claim 24

A contact type image sensor comprising: a support member for supporting a sensor array for performing photoelectric conversion; an imaging element for imaging light reflected by an original on said sensor array; a transparent member for defining a reading surface of the original; and a light source for illuminating the original, wherein said support member has a first support member having positioning portions for determining positions of said light source, said imaging element, and said sensor array, and a second support member having two opposing portions extending in a longitudinal direction of said support member, and a crossing portion crossing said opposing portions, said second support member clamping said imaging element by said opposing portions via said first support member, said first support member and said sensor array being clamped between said transparent member and said crossing portion, and wherein said second support member has a U-shaped section and a positioning groove or projection on at least one of said opposing portions, and said first support member is provided with a projection or a groove to be fitted with said groove or projection of said second support member.

Claim 25

A sensor according to claim 19, wherein said U-shaped section comprises said opposing portion and said crossing portion.

Claim 26

An information processing apparatus comprising an image sensor according to claim 19, and means for conveying an original into a reading position of said sensor.

Claim 27

An information processing apparatus comprising an image sensor according to claim 19, wherein said second support member of said sensor is provided with a mount section for mounting an apparatus body thereon, and said sensor is mounted on said body through said mount section.

Claim 28

A sensor according to claim 19, wherein said imaging element and said light source are adjacent to said transparent member, and supported by said transparent member and said supporting member.

Claim 29

An image information processing apparatus having a contact type image sensor which comprises a support member for supporting a sensor array for performing photoelectric conversion, an imaging element for imaging light reflected by an original on said sensor array, a transparent member for defining a reading surface of the original, and a light source for illuminating the original, and in which said support member has a first support member having positioning portions for determining positions of said light source, said imaging element, and said sensor array, and a second support member having two opposing portions extending in a longitudinal direction of said support member, and a crossing portion crossing said opposing portions, said second support member clamping said imaging element by said opposing portions via said first support member, said first support member and said sensor array being clamped between said transparent member and said crossing portion and said opposing portions clamp said transparent member, wherein attaching portions are provided to said second support member, and said sensor is attached to an apparatus main body by said attaching portions.

Claim 30

An image information processing apparatus having a contact type image sensor which comprises a support member for supporting a sensor array for performing photoelectric conversion, an imaging element for imaging light reflected by an original on said sensor array, a transparent member for defining a reading surface of the original, and a light source for illuminating the original, and in which said support member has a first support member having positioning portions for determining positions of said light source, said imaging element, and said sensor array, and a second support member having two opposing portions extending in a longitudinal direction of said support member, and a crossing portion crossing said opposing portions, said second support member clamping said imaging element by said opposing portions via said first support member, said first support member and said sensor array being clamped between said transparent member and said crossing portion and said opposing portions clamp said transparent member, wherein attaching portions are provided to said second support member, and said sensor is attached to an apparatus main body by said attaching portions.

Claim 31

An apparatus according to claim 24, further comprising a recording head for recording an image.

Claim 32

An apparatus according to claim 25, wherein said recording head is an ink-jet recording head for ejecting an ink by utilizing heat energy.