US5499112A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Light guide, illuminating device having the light guide, and image reading device and information processing apparatus having the illuminating device
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1994-01-19
•
Granted: 1996-03-12
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Expires: 2014-01-19
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed an illumination device in which a light guide is adapted to emit the light from a face thereof and is provided with an area, on a face opposite to the light emitting face, for diffusing and/or reflecting the light introduced into the light guide from an end face thereof or is provided with uneven light emitting characteristics along the longitudinal direction of the light guide, and the center of the light source positioned at the end of the light guide is placed at a position aberrated from the normal line to said area, whereby attained are compactness, a low cost, a low electric power consumption, a high efficiency of utilization of the light emitted by the light source, and excellent and uniform illumination characteristics. There are also disclosed an image reading device and an information processing apparatus, equipped with the above-mentioned illumination device.
Inventors
- 👤 Tatsundo Kawai
- 👤 Osamu Hamamoto
- 👤 Shinichi Takeda
- 👤 Satoshi Itabashi
- 👤 Toshimitsu Iso
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 09:33
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/0001; G02B6/0011; G02B6/0013; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/04; G02B6/0023; G02B6/0031; G02B6/0033; G02B6/0035; G02B6/0038; G02B6/0045; G02B6/0046; G02B6/005; G02B6/0055; G02B6/0058; G02B6/0061; H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/024; H04N1/028; H04N1/02815; H04N1/0282; H04N1/02835; H04N1/0284; H04N1/02885; H04N1/0289; H04N1/03; H04N1/031; H04N1/0313; H04N1/0315; H04N1/0316; H04N1/0318; G02B2006/0098; G02B6/0036; G02B6/004; G02B6/0043; G02B6/10; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; H04N2201/00; H04N2201/024; H04N2201/028; H04N2201/03; H04N2201/031; H04N2201/03104; H04N2201/03108; H04N2201/03112; H04N2201/03125; H04N2201/03129; H04N2201/03141; H04N2201/03145
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 70
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A light guide comprising a light transparent member provided, on an end portion thereof, with a light entrance face and, on a face along the longitudinal direction, different from said end portion, with a light exit face for emitting the introduced light, comprising an area provided along said longitudinal direction in a part of the side opposite to said light exit face and adapted to reflect and/or diffuse the light introduced into said light transparent member, said area being arranged so that a normal line passing through a center of a width of said area is shifted from a center of an edge and a surface parallel to the edge of said light guide.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
A light guide comprising a light transparent member provided, on an end portion thereof, with a light entrance face and, on a face along the longitudinal direction, different from said end portion, with a light exit face for emitting the introduced light, comprising an area provided along said longitudinal direction in a part of the side opposite to said light exit face and adapted to reflect and/or diffuse the light introduced into said light transparent member, said area being arranged so that a normal line passing through a center of a width of said area is shifted from a center of an edge and a surface parallel to the edge of said light guide.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A light guide according to claim 1, wherein said area is formed on an end face of a protruding portion formed on a face of the side opposite to said light exit face.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A light guide according to claim 1, wherein the cross section parallel 31 to said end portion of said light guide is substantially rectangular.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A light guide according to claim 1, wherein the cross section parallel 31 to said end portion of said light guide is substantially trapezoidal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
A light guide according to claim 1, wherein the cross section parallel to said end portion of said light guide is substantially rectangular in said end portion and is substantially trapezoidal in a central portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A light guide according to claim 1, wherein said area is formed with light reflecting paint.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A light guide according to claim 1, wherein said area is composed of a coarse surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
A light guide according to claim 1, wherein said area comprises sawtooth-shaped reflecting faces.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A light guide according to claim 1, comprising a light condensing part at the side of said light exit face.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
117 words
An illumination device comprising a translucent member provided, on an end portion thereof, with a light entrance face and, on a face along the longitudinal direction, different from said end portion, with a light exit face for emitting the introduced light; and a light source for emitting the light to be introduced from said light entrance face; wherein said translucent member comprises an area provided along said longitudinal direction in a part of the side opposite to said light exit face and adapted to reflect and/or diffuse the light introduced in said translucent member, and the center of said light source is placed in a position aberrated from the direction of the normal line to said area.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
117 words
An illumination device comprising a translucent member provided, on an end portion thereof, with a light entrance face and, on a face along the longitudinal direction, different from said end portion, with a light exit face for emitting the introduced light; and a light source for emitting the light to be introduced from said light entrance face; wherein said translucent member comprises an area provided along said longitudinal direction in a part of the side opposite to said light exit face and adapted to reflect and/or diffuse the light introduced in said translucent member, and the center of said light source is placed in a position aberrated from the direction of the normal line to said area.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
An illumination device according to claim 10, wherein said area is formed on an end face of a protruding portion formed on a face of the side opposite to said light exit face.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
An illumination device according to claim 10, wherein the cross section parallel to said end portion of said translucent member is substantially rectangular.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
An illumination device according to claim 10, wherein the cross section parallel to said end portion of said translucent member is substantially trapezoidal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
An illumination device according to claim 10, wherein the cross section parallel to said end portion of said translucent member is substantially rectangular in said end portion and is substantially trapezoidal in a central portion.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
An illumination device according to claim 10, wherein said area is formed with light reflecting paint.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
An illumination device according to claim 10, wherein said area is composed of a coarse surface.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
An illumination device according to claim 10, wherein said area comprises sawtooth-shaped reflecting faces.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
An illumination device according to claim 10, comprising a light condensing part at the side of said light exit face.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
An illumination device according to claim 10, wherein said light entrance end portion is provided with a protruding portion adapted to fit with the light source.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
An illumination device according to claim 10, wherein said light source is composed of a light-emitting diode.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
An illumination device according to claim 10, wherein said translucent member is provided with a mounting portion.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
An illumination device according to claim 10, comprising a casing fitting at least with said translucent member.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
196 words
An information processing apparatus provided with: (a) a photoelectric converting device having a plurality of photoelectric converting elements positioned opposite to the image of an original sheet to be read; (b) an illumination device for illuminating said original sheet; transport means for transporting said original (c) transport means for transporting said original sheet; (d) an output unit for outputting to recording an image on according medium according to an electrical signal corresponding to an image information; and (e) a controller for controlling said photoelectric converting device, said light source, said transport means and said output unit, wherein, in said illumination means including a translucent member provided, on an end portion thereof, with a light entrance face and, on a face along the longitudinal direction, different from said end portion, with a light exit face for emitting the introduced light, and a light source provided along said longitudinal direction in a part of the side opposite to said light exit face and adapted to reflect and/or diffuse the light introduced in said translucent member, and the center of said light source is placed in a position aberrated from the direction of the normal line to said area.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
196 words
An information processing apparatus provided with: (a) a photoelectric converting device having a plurality of photoelectric converting elements positioned opposite to the image of an original sheet to be read; (b) an illumination device for illuminating said original sheet; transport means for transporting said original (c) transport means for transporting said original sheet; (d) an output unit for outputting to recording an image on according medium according to an electrical signal corresponding to an image information; and (e) a controller for controlling said photoelectric converting device, said light source, said transport means and said output unit, wherein, in said illumination means including a translucent member provided, on an end portion thereof, with a light entrance face and, on a face along the longitudinal direction, different from said end portion, with a light exit face for emitting the introduced light, and a light source provided along said longitudinal direction in a part of the side opposite to said light exit face and adapted to reflect and/or diffuse the light introduced in said translucent member, and the center of said light source is placed in a position aberrated from the direction of the normal line to said area.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
34 words
An information processing apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said area is formed on an end face of a protruding portion formed on a face of the side opposite to said light exit face.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
An information processing apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the cross section parallel to said end portion of said translucent member is substantially rectangular.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
24 words
An information processing apparatus according to claim 23 wherein the cross section parallel to said end portion of said translucent member is substantially trapezoidal.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
36 words
An information processing apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the cross section parallel to said end portion of said translucent member is substantially rectangular in said end portion and is substantially trapezoidal in a central portion.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
17 words
An information processing apparatus according to claim 23, wherein aid area is formed with light reflecting paint.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
An information processing apparatus according to claim 23, wherein aid area is composed of a coarse surface.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
15 words
An information processing apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said area comprises saw-tooth-shaped reflecting faces.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
21 words
An information processing apparatus according to claim 23, comprising a light condensing part at the side of said light exit face.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
27 words
An information processing apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said light entrance end portion is provided with a protruding portion adapted to fit with the light source.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
18 words
An information processing apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said light source is composed of a light-emitting diode.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
19 words
An information processing apparatus according to claim 23, wherein to said translucent member is provided with a mounting portion.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
22 words
An information processing apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said illumination means comprises a casing fitting at least with said translucent member.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
28 words
An information processing apparatus according to claim 23, wherein s aid output unit comprises at least either of an ink jet recording head or a thermal recording head.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
36 words
An information processing apparatus according to claim 36, wherein said ink jet recording head includes an electrothermal converting member for generating thermal energy for forming a bubble for discharging ink from said ink jet recording head.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
32 words
An information processing apparatus according to claim 36, further comprising recovery means for rectifying discharge failure of said ink jet recording head and/or cleaning means for cleaning said ink jet recording head.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
15 words
An information processing apparatus according to claim 38 wherein said recovery means includes capping means.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
17 words
An information processing apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said capping means includes an ink absorbent member.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
18 words
An information processing apparatus according to claim 38, wherein said cleaning means is composed of a cleaning blade.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
19 words
An information processing apparatus according to claim 36, wherein said ink jet recording head is a full-line recording head.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
16 words
An information processing apparatus according to claim 23, further comprising communication means controlled by said controller.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
18 words
An information processing apparatus according to claim 23, further comprising a heater for heating the discharged recording sheet.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
138 words
An image reading device including a translucent member provided, on an end portion thereof, with a light entrance face and, on a face along the longitudinal direction, different from said end portion, with a light exit face for emitting the introduced light, a light source for emitting the light to be introduced from said light entrance face, and a photoelectric converting device for receiving the light emitted from said light exit face and reflected by an illuminated surface, wherein said translucent member comprises an area provided along said longitudinal direction in a part of the side opposite to said light exit face and adapted to reflect and/or diffuse the light introduced in said translucent member, and the center of said light source is placed in a position aberrated from the direction of the normal line to said area.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
138 words
An image reading device including a translucent member provided, on an end portion thereof, with a light entrance face and, on a face along the longitudinal direction, different from said end portion, with a light exit face for emitting the introduced light, a light source for emitting the light to be introduced from said light entrance face, and a photoelectric converting device for receiving the light emitted from said light exit face and reflected by an illuminated surface, wherein said translucent member comprises an area provided along said longitudinal direction in a part of the side opposite to said light exit face and adapted to reflect and/or diffuse the light introduced in said translucent member, and the center of said light source is placed in a position aberrated from the direction of the normal line to said area.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
34 words
An image readying device according to claim 45, wherein said area is formed on an end face of a protruding portion formed on a face of the side opposite to said light exit face.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
24 words
An image reading device according to claim 45, wherein the cross section parallel to said end portion of said translucent member is substantially rectangular.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
24 words
An image reading device according to claim 45, wherein the cross section parallel to said end portion of said translucent member is substantially trapezoidal.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
36 words
An image reading device according to claim 45, wherein the cross section parallel to said end portion of said translucent member is substantially rectangular in said end portion and is substantially trapezoidal in a central portion.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
17 words
An image reading device according to claim 45, wherein said area is formed with light reflecting paint.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
17 words
An image reading device according to claim 45, wherein said area is composed of a coarse surface.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
15 words
An image reading device according to claim 45, wherein said area comprises sawtooth-shaped reflecting faces.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
21 words
An image reading device according to claim 45, comprising a light condensing part at the side of said light exit face.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
27 words
An image reading device according to claim 45, wherein said light entrance end portion is provided with a protruding portion adapted to fit with the light source.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
18 words
An image reading device according to claim 45, wherein said light source is composed of a light-emitting diode.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
18 words
An image reading device according to claim 45, wherein said translucent member is provided with a mounting portion.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
22 words
An image reading device according to claim 45, wherein said illumination device comprises a casing fitting at least with said translucent member.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
81 words
A light guide comprising a light transparent member provided, on an end portion thereof, with a light entrance face and, on a face along the longitudinal direction, different from said end portion, with a light exit face for emitting the introduced light, comprising an area having a protruding section of said light transparent member provided along said longitudinal direction, and adapted to reflect and/or diffuse the light introduced into an end of said protruding section opposite to said light exit face.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
81 words
A light guide comprising a light transparent member provided, on an end portion thereof, with a light entrance face and, on a face along the longitudinal direction, different from said end portion, with a light exit face for emitting the introduced light, comprising an area having a protruding section of said light transparent member provided along said longitudinal direction, and adapted to reflect and/or diffuse the light introduced into an end of said protruding section opposite to said light exit face.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
24 words
A light guide according to claim 58, wherein said light guide, exclusive of the protruding section, has a substantially square or rectangular cross-sectional area.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
39 words
A light guide according to claim 59, wherein said light guide, exclusive of the protruding section, has a substantially square or rectangular cross-sectional area at an end thereof, and a substantially trapezoidal cross-sectional area in a middle portion thereof.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
22 words
A light guide according to claim 58, wherein said light guide, exclusive of the protruding section, has a substantially trapezoidal cross-sectional area.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
16 words
A light guide according to claim 58, wherein said area is made of a light-reflective paint.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
14 words
A light guide according to claim 58, wherein said area is a coarse surface.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
15 words
A light guide according to claim 58, wherein said area has a light-reflective sawtoothed surface.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
20 words
A light guide according to claim 58, further comprising a light-collecting section at a side of the light exit face.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-03-12 | 1999-09-11 | 2000-03-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-03-12 | 2003-09-11 | 2004-03-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-03-12 | 2007-09-11 | 2008-03-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |