JPH1164996A - Image reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To irradiate nearly uniformly light at a reading time by a solid image pickup element on a member to be read existing in a spatial area from a platen surface to a prescribed height position than this platen surface. SOLUTION: When a reflection angle of a reflection surface A5 of a reflector 213A is shifted to a right direction by a prescribed angle making the reflection angle left/right uniformly irradiating for an optical axis L a reference, the light is emitted to the same area as a platen glass 202 surface for the optical axis L on the surface of the prescribed height (H=h) from the platen glass 202. When the prescribed height H=h is made a read surface, since the light is emitted from an oblique direction to this solid body, the light becoming a proper irradiation area on the platen glass 202 surface is displaced to a left direction. This is returned to the optical axial L direction by changing the reflection angle of the partial reflection surface of the reflector 213A.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention irradiates light from an illumination unit toward a platen surface on which a member to be read is mounted, and reads the member to be read mounted on the platen surface by a solid-state image sensor. The present invention relates to an image reading device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in a copying machine or the like, an original is placed on a transparent glass surface (platen glass surface), and external light is shielded by a pressing plate. An image is read by the provided scanner unit. The scanner unit is composed of a slit light source in the main scanning direction that irradiates light to the original through the platen glass, and an optical system that guides light reflected by the original, and moves the slit light source in the sub scanning direction. While reading the image.

In the copying machine, light reflected from the original is guided to a charging drum to form a charged portion and a non-charged portion based on an image, and the toner is transferred to a predetermined sheet via the charged drum. Get an image. When an original image is read digitally, digital image data is obtained by guiding light reflected from the original to a CCD line sensor and sequentially reading the image with the CCD line sensor.

FIG. 10 shows an illumination unit 500 for irradiating a general original with light.

An original (flat image) 504 is placed on the surface of the platen glass 502, and is placed below the platen glass 502 in the sub-scanning direction (the direction of arrow A in FIG. 10).
The lighting unit 500 which moves to is provided.

The lighting unit 500 includes a long halogen lamp 506 and a long halogen lamp 5
The reflectors 508A, 508B, and 508C reflect the light from the light source 06 and guide the light toward the document 504.

Here, the light irradiated from the platen glass 502 is directly reflected by the reflectors 508A, 508B,
The light is reflected by each of the reflection surfaces 508C and reaches the platen glass surface.

[0008] A part of the irradiated area is a reading width by the CCD line sensor. On the platen glass 502 surface, it is possible to irradiate the reading width almost uniformly with light.

However, when the reading surface is at a predetermined height position (H = h) above the platen glass 502 surface, that is, when reading an image of a three-dimensional object or the like, the halogen lamp 5
06 and the light from the respective reflecting surfaces of the reflectors 508A, 508B, 508C reach the platen glass 502 surface in an oblique direction. There is a case where light is not uniformly applied to the reading width of the CCD line sensor due to bias (see the light amount distribution in FIG. 11). Note that the solid line in FIG. 11 is the light amount distribution on the platen glass 502 surface, and the imaginary line in FIG.
It is a light amount distribution at a predetermined height (H = h) from 02.

In consideration of the above facts, the present invention applies light to a member to be read existing in a space region from the platen surface to a predetermined height position above the platen surface as light when reading by the solid-state imaging device substantially uniformly. It is an object to obtain an image reading device capable of irradiating.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a light from an illumination unit is radiated toward a platen surface on which a member to be read is placed, and the light to be read placed on the platen surface is illuminated. An image reading device that reads a member with a solid-state imaging device, wherein the illumination unit reflects light from a light source and a light source that is disposed around the light source and that is not directly illuminated on a platen surface. A main reflector for guiding in a platen direction, wherein the main reflector is constituted by a plurality of reflection surfaces, and an angle of each reflection surface is a predetermined height from the platen surface caused by irradiation from the oblique direction. Is set based on the amount of deviation of the light amount distribution in step (1).

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the light reflected on each reflecting surface of the mail reflector has its reflection angle determined with reference to the platen surface. May be. Therefore, by changing the reflection angle on a part or all of the reflection surfaces based on the amount of deviation of the light amount distribution at the predetermined height position, even if the member to be read is a three-dimensional object or the like, it can be evenly applied to the reading surface. Light can be emitted, and uneven reading can be prevented.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the light reflected by a part of the reflection surface of the main reflector has an appropriate light amount distribution at a predetermined height position above the platen surface without changing the irradiation area. It is characterized by shifting to.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, by simply changing the angle of each reflected light, it is possible to change only the reflection direction without changing the irradiation area. Therefore, the light reflected by some of the reflective surfaces of the main reflector is
By setting an angle so that an appropriate light amount distribution is obtained at the predetermined height position, it is possible to reliably irradiate a three-dimensional object or the like with light from the reflecting surface whose angle has been changed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the light reflected by a part or all of the reflecting surface of the main reflector is formed at a predetermined height above the platen surface and the platen surface. It is characterized in that the irradiation area is enlarged so that an appropriate light amount distribution is obtained at both positions.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the irradiation area can be increased by enlarging the reflection area of a part or all of the main reflector or making the reflection area convex. By increasing the irradiation area, it is possible to maintain an appropriate light quantity distribution at a predetermined height position even if there is some deviation.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image reading apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the image reading apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects is provided. , The main reflector further has a reflecting surface for guiding light from the light source in a direction different from the platen surface direction, and receives light from the reflecting surface and guides the light in the platen surface direction. Providing a reflector, dividing the reflection surface of the sub-reflector,
The present invention is characterized in that an irradiation area at a predetermined height position from the platen surface is enlarged.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, by dividing the direction of reflection by the sub-reflector, the area of reflection by the sub-reflector can be enlarged, and uniform light irradiation can be performed at a predetermined height position. Can be realized.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image reading apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the main reflector directs light from the light source in a direction different from the direction of the platen surface. A sub-reflector that receives light from the reflection surface and guides the light toward the platen surface, and divides a reflection surface of a main reflector that guides light to the sub-reflector. Thus, the irradiation area at a predetermined height position from the platen surface is enlarged.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the sub-reflector is left as it is, and the angle of a part of the light reaching the sub-reflector is changed in advance, so that this part of the light is reflected by the sub-reflector Then, it functions so as to equalize the light at the predetermined height position, and the other part can uniformly irradiate the platen surface as before.

[0021]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a schematic overall configuration diagram of an image reading / recording apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The image reading / recording apparatus 10 includes a scanner section SCN as an image reading section and a printer section PRT for recording an image. The scanner section SCN is provided on a machine base 12. I have. Also, the printer unit PRT
Are arranged inside the machine base 12. (Scanner Unit SCN) FIG. 1 shows a scanner unit SCN according to the present embodiment.

The box-shaped casing 20 of the scanner unit SCN
0, a rectangular opening is provided at the center of the upper surface, and a transparent platen glass 202 is fitted therein. The platen glass 202 has a function as a flat original placing table, and a reflective original or a transparent original on which a planar image is recorded is placed thereon.

As shown in FIG. 2, the platen glass 20
A press cover 204 that can be opened and closed is provided on 2. The holding cover 204 is a cover 2 of the light source unit driving unit 234 provided on the back side of the casing 200.
34A is attached via a pin 204A. The holding cover 204 is provided with a hinge portion 204B, and is rotatable around the hinge portion 204B.

Therefore, in the case of the reflection original 205, the original can be pressed and held in the direction of the platen glass 202 from above when the holding cover 204 is closed.

The light source unit drive section 234 has a slit-shaped notch 400 having a longitudinal direction in the left-right direction of FIG. 1 on a side surface facing the platen glass 202.

An arm (not shown) extends from the notch 400 in the direction of the platen glass 202. A transparent original scanning unit 232 is connected to this arm, and reciprocates on the platen glass 202 from the left end to the right end in FIG. The transparent document scanning unit 232 is retracted further to the left side of FIG. 1 than the platen glass 202 when the holding cover 204 is used.

The transparent original scanning unit 232 is provided with a transparent original light source unit 408 having a halogen lamp 404 as a light source and a reflector 406. The light source unit 408 for the transparent original is a platen glass 202
1 (from the near side to the far side in FIG. 1), which is the main scanning direction when a document is placed on the platen glass 202.

Here, the light source unit 40 for the transparent original is
Reference numeral 8 is applied when a transparent original is placed on the platen glass 202. In this case, the holding cover 204 is opened and retracted from the moving space of the transparent original scanning unit 232.

An operation / display panel (not shown) is provided on the front side of the upper surface of the casing 200 so as to instruct various functions and display an operation state in the apparatus.

In the casing 200, a scanning unit 208 is provided. The scanning unit 208 includes a controller 209
Is controlled by The scanning unit 208 includes a halogen lamp 21 extending in the width direction (main scanning direction) of the original image.
1 and a first light source unit 210 including a reflector 213A, 213B, and 213C, and a first mirror 212 extending in the width direction of the original image together with the reflective original light source unit 210. Carriage 214, a second carriage 220 in which the second mirror 216 and the third mirror 218 are incorporated, a filter group 224 composed of a diaphragm 222, a color adjustment filter, an ND filter, and the like, and an image. Lens 226 for
And a fixing unit 228 composed of

The first carriage 214 irradiates the light from the reflection original light source unit 210 onto the original placed on the surface of the platen glass 202, and reflects the reflected light (light of the hanging optical axis) on the first carriage 214. The mirror 212 deflects by 90 ° and guides the second carriage 220 to the second mirror 216. Further, the first mirror 212 of the first carriage 214 irradiates the transmitted light emitted from the transparent original light source unit 408 and transmitted through the transparent original to the second mirror 21.
6

In the second carriage 220, the reflection surface of the second mirror 216 faces the first mirror 212,
When the light is received from the first mirror 212, the light is deflected by 90 ° by the second mirror 216 and further deflected by 90 ° by the third mirror 218.

The light finally made parallel to the surface of the platen glass 202 by the third mirror 218 passes through the fixed unit 228 and reaches the light receiving section of the CCD line sensor 230. The light receiving section of the CCD line sensor 230 according to the present embodiment includes three lines for independently detecting the amount of received light for each color (RGB).

In the fixed unit 228, the stop 222
The light amount is adjusted by the ND filter of the filter group 224 and the color balance is adjusted by the color adjustment filters of the filter group 224. The lens 226 forms a document image on the light receiving surface of the CCD line sensor 230. The lens surface of the color adjustment filter has an IR cut filter corresponding to an IR cut filter.
A cut film is deposited.

The first carriage 214 and the second carriage 220 reciprocate in the sub-scanning direction along the original surface below the platen glass 202. At this time, in order to always keep the optical path length from the document reflection (or transmission) position to the light receiving portion of the CCD line sensor 230 constant, the second carriage 220 is moved at the same speed as the first carriage 214 at half the transport speed. It moves in the direction. This first
One reciprocating operation of the carriage 214 and the second carriage 220 is scanning for one image (image reading during forward movement),
As a result, a document image on the platen glass 202 can be read.

The transparent original scanning unit 232 performs the same operation as that of the first carriage 214 by the driving force of the light source unit driving unit 234. That is, when scanning a transparent original, the transparent original scanning unit 232 operates in synchronization with the first carriage 214. At this time,
Light source unit 21 for reflection original of first carriage 214
By turning off the light 0 and turning on the halogen lamp 404 of the transparent original light source unit 408 in the transparent original scanning unit 232, a transparent original image can be obtained by the first mirror 212. Subsequent operations are the same as those for the reflection original.

FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the light source unit 210 for the reflection original mounted on the first carriage 214.

The light radiated from the halogen lamp 211 includes light radiated directly toward the platen glass 202,
Reflected by the reflectors 213A-C, the platen glass 2
Light emitted in the 02 direction.

That is, the reflector 213A reflects the light from the halogen lamp 211 and guides the light toward the platen glass 202. Further, the reflector 213B reflects the light from the halogen lamp 211 and guides the light to the reflector 213C. The light reflected by the reflector 213C reaches the platen glass 202.

With the above structure, the platen glass 202
A uniform amount of light can be obtained from the reflective original 205 placed on the upper side within a predetermined area (reading width by the CCD line sensor 230) on the left and right of FIG.

Above the halogen lamp 211, that is,
The light of the halogen lamp 211 is directly transmitted to the platen glass 202.
(5 in the first embodiment) on the optical path leading to
Of the light distribution limiting plate 217 is disposed. The arrangement of the five light distribution limiting plates 217 on the light beam corrects unevenness in the light amount in the longitudinal direction of the halogen lamp 211.

In the first embodiment, of the plurality of reflecting surfaces forming the reflector 213A, the angle of reflection by the reflecting surface 213A-A5 farthest from the halogen lamp 211 is set to the conventional platen glass 202 surface. ,
The reflection angle is shifted to the right in FIG. 3 by a predetermined angle (see the solid line in FIG. 3) with reference to the reflection angle irradiating the light axis L equally to the left and right (see the imaginary line in FIG. 3). Thus, on the surface having a predetermined height (H = h) than the platen glass 202, light can be irradiated to the optical axis L in the same region as the surface of the platen glass 202.

That is, for example, when the reading surface has a predetermined height (H = h) higher than the platen glass 202 such as a three-dimensional object, the three-dimensional object is irradiated with light from an oblique direction. The light that is the appropriate irradiation area on the glass 202 surface has shifted to the left in FIG. This is returned toward the optical axis L by changing the reflection angle of a part of the reflecting surface (reflecting surface 213A-A5 in the first embodiment) of the reflector 213A.

As described above, by shifting the direction of light reflection on a part of the reflection surface of the reflector 213A, the peak value of the light amount distribution becomes higher on the surface of the platen glass 202 (H = 0) as shown in FIG. , The predetermined height (H =
Even in h), a uniform light amount can be maintained within the range of the reading width of the CCD line sensor 230.

FIG. 3 shows only the changed light beam, and the other reflection surfaces 213A-A1 to 213A-4.
Since the light beam reflected by is the same as that of the related art (see FIG. 10), illustration is omitted. In addition, the following second embodiment ~
The same applies to the fifth embodiment. (Printer Unit PRT) FIGS. 1 and 2 show the printer unit PRT in the machine base 12 of the image reading / recording apparatus 10.

A photosensitive material magazine 14 for storing a photosensitive material 16 is disposed inside the machine base 12, and the photosensitive material 16 extracted from the photosensitive material magazine 14 is exposed to light (exposed).
The light-sensitive material 16 is placed in the light-sensitive material magazine 14 such that the surface faces left.
It is wound up in a roll.

A nip roller 18 and a cutter 20 are arranged in the vicinity of the photosensitive material outlet of the photosensitive material magazine 14, so that the photosensitive material 16 can be cut out after the photosensitive material 16 is drawn out from the photosensitive material magazine 14 by a predetermined length. The cutter 20
For example, it is a rotary type cutter including a fixed blade and a movable blade. The movable blade can be moved up and down by a rotary cam or the like to cut the photosensitive material 16 by meshing with the fixed blade.

A plurality of transport rollers 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, and 34 are sequentially arranged on the side of the cutter 20, and a guide plate (not shown) is provided between the transport rollers. . The photosensitive material 16 cut to a predetermined length is first conveyed to an exposure section 22 provided between conveying rollers 24 and 26.

An exposure device 38 is provided on the left side of the exposure section 22. The exposure device 38 is provided with three types of LDs, a lens unit, a polygon mirror, and a mirror unit (all are not shown). Are exposed.

It is also possible to employ a configuration in which LEDs are arranged in the main scanning direction and one line is exposed at the same time, without using a configuration in which the LD is scanned by a polygon mirror like a pendulum.

Above the exposure section 22, there are provided a U-turn section 40 for transporting the photosensitive material 16 in a U-shaped curve and a water application section 50 for applying an image forming solvent. In the present embodiment, water is used as the image forming solvent.

The photosensitive material 16 ascended from the photosensitive material magazine 14 and exposed at the exposure unit 22 is nipped and conveyed by conveyance rollers 28 and 30, respectively, and is applied with water while passing through a conveyance path near the upper side of the U-turn unit 40. It is sent to the unit 50.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, a receiving magazine 10 for storing an image receiving material 108 is provided at the upper left end in the machine base 12.
6 are arranged. A dye fixing material having a mordant is applied to the image forming surface of the image receiving material 108, and the image receiving material 108 is pulled out from the material receiving magazine 106 so that the image forming surface of the image receiving material 108 faces downward. It is wound in a roll shape around 106.

A nip roller 110 is disposed in the vicinity of the image receiving material take-out opening of the material receiving magazine 106 so that the image receiving material 108 can be pulled out from the material receiving magazine 106 and the nip can be released.

The cutter 11 is provided beside the nip roller 110.
2 are arranged. The cutter 112 is, for example, a rotary type cutter including a fixed blade and a movable blade, similar to the above-described photosensitive material cutter 20, and the movable blade is moved up and down by a rotating cam or the like to engage with the fixed blade. Thereby, the image receiving material 108 drawn out from the receiving material magazine 106 is cut into a shorter length than the photosensitive material 16.

On the side of the cutter 112, the transport roller 13
2, 134, 136, 138 and a guide plate (not shown) are arranged, and the image receiving material 108 cut to a predetermined length is provided.
Can be conveyed to the thermal development transfer unit 120 side.

As shown in FIG. 1, the thermal development transfer section 120
Each has a pair of endless belts 122 and 124 that are wound around a plurality of winding rollers 140 and formed into a loop with the longitudinal direction being the vertical direction. Therefore, when one of these winding rollers 140 is driven and rotated, the pair of endless belts 122 and 124 wound around these winding rollers 140 are respectively rotated.

The heating plate 12 formed into a flat plate with the longitudinal direction being the longitudinal direction is provided in the loop of the endless belt 122 on the right side of the pair of endless belts 122 and 124 in the drawing.
6 is disposed facing the inner peripheral portion on the left side of the endless belt 122. A linear heater (not shown) is disposed inside the heating plate 126, and the heater can heat the surface of the heating plate 126 to a predetermined temperature.

Accordingly, the photosensitive material 16 is fed between the pair of endless belts 122 and 124 of the thermal development transfer section 120 by the last transport roller 34 in the transport path. Further, the image receiving material 108 is transported in synchronization with the transport of the photosensitive material 16,
In a state where the photosensitive material 16 is advanced by a predetermined length, the photosensitive material 16 is fed between the pair of endless belts 122 and 124 of the thermal development transfer unit 120 by the last transport roller 138 in the transport path, and is superposed on the photosensitive material 16.

In this case, the image receiving material 108 is the photosensitive material 16
Both the width dimension and the longitudinal dimension are smaller than that of the photosensitive material 16, so that the periphery of the photosensitive material 16 is overlapped with all four sides protruding from the periphery of the image receiving material 108.

As described above, the pair of endless belts 122 and 12
Photosensitive material 16 and image receiving material 1
08 is nipped and conveyed by a pair of endless belts 122 and 124 while being superposed.
Further, the superposed photosensitive material 16 and image receiving material 108
However, when completely stopped between the pair of endless belts 122 and 124, the pair of endless belts 122 and 124 stop rotating once, and the sandwiched photosensitive material 16 and image receiving material 108 are heated by the heating plate 126. The photosensitive material 16 is heated by the heating plate 126 via the endless belt 122 at the time of the nipping conveyance and at the time of stopping, and the movable dye is released with the heating, and at the same time, the dye is transferred to the image receiving material 108.
Is transferred to the dye fixing layer, and an image is obtained on the image receiving material 108.

Further, a pair of endless belts 122, 124
On the downstream side in the material supply direction, a peeling claw 128 is arranged.
Of the photosensitive material 16 and the image receiving material 108 nipped and transported between the endless belts 2 and 124, only the leading end of the photosensitive material 16 is engaged, and the leading end of the photosensitive material 16 protruding from between the pair of endless belts 122 and 124. It can be peeled off from the image receiving material 108.

The photosensitive material discharge roller 1 is located on the left side of the peeling claw 128.
The photosensitive material 16, which is moved leftward while being guided by the peeling claw 128, can be further transported to the waste photosensitive material container 150 side.

The waste photosensitive material storage section 150 has a drum 152 around which the photosensitive material 16 is wound, and a belt 154 partially wound around the drum 152. Further, the belt 154 includes a plurality of rollers 15.
The belt 154 is rotated by the rotation of the rollers 156, and the drum 1
52 rotates.

Accordingly, when the photosensitive material 16 is fed while the belt 154 is rotated by the rotation of the roller 156, the photosensitive material 16 can be accumulated around the drum 152.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, receiving material discharge rollers 162, 16 are provided so that the image receiving material 108 can be conveyed leftward from below the pair of endless belts 122, 124.
4, 166, 168, and 170 are arranged in this order, and the image receiving material 108 discharged from the pair of endless belts 122 and 124 is applied to these material receiving rollers 162, 164, and 16
6, 168, 170, and the tray 172
Will be discharged to

The operation of the present embodiment will be described below. First, the control of reading a document image in the scanner unit SCN will be described.

When a document is placed on the surface of the platen glass 202, the holding cover 204 is closed, and the start of reading is instructed by operating the keys on the operation / display panel, scanning starts. In this scanning, the dynamic range of the CCD line sensor 230 is adjusted so that the minimum density range can be reliably read and saturation does not occur.

After the above adjustment, in the case of a reflection original, the light source unit 210 for reflection original is turned on, and the first carriage 214 is turned on.
Then, the operation is started by synchronizing the second carriage 220 with the second carriage 220. In the case of a transparent original, the light source unit 4 for the transparent original is used.
08 is turned on, and the operation is started by synchronizing the first carriage 214 and the second carriage 220.

[0071] At this time, the conveying speed V ₁ of the first carriage 214, the relationship between the conveying speed V ₂ of the second carriage 220 is V ₁ = 2V _2. By maintaining this, the optical path length from the document image surface to the light receiving surface of the CCD line sensor 230 can always be kept constant.

The image data is recorded in a RAM memory or a hard disk of a personal computer or the like, subjected to predetermined image processing, and then sent to the printer unit PRT.

Here, in the light source unit 210 for the reflection original, the halogen lamp 211 is long in the main scanning direction, and if there is unevenness in the light emission amount along this longitudinal direction, this directly causes unevenness in image reading of the CCD line sensor 230. Becomes

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the light emitted from the halogen lamp 211 is limited, and unevenness occurring in the longitudinal direction of the halogen lamp 211 is eliminated in advance.

That is, a portion where the amount of light of the halogen lamp 211 is large and a portion where the amount of light is small are measured in advance. Next, the average light amount Lave for each area corresponding to each light distribution limiting plate 217
(1) to Lave (N) are calculated, and the average values Lave (1) to Lave (N) are calculated.
Based on (N), the arrangement or non-arrangement of the light distribution limiting plate 217 is determined. Note that N is the number of light distribution limiting plates 217, and N = 5 in the present embodiment.

The light distribution limiting plate 217 is moved along the longitudinal direction of the halogen lamp
The halogen lamp 2
11 can obtain a uniform light amount over the longitudinal direction. Therefore, unevenness in image reading by the CCD line sensor 230 can be prevented, and image data can be obtained with high accuracy.

Here, the reflecting surface 213A-A5 of the reflector 213A farthest from the halogen lamp 211 in the first embodiment is the other reflecting surface 213A-A1.
A4 is different from the reflection direction.

That is, the other reflecting surfaces 213A-A1 to 213A
4 reflects light so as to irradiate a predetermined area evenly on the surface of the platen glass 202 with the optical axis L as the center, whereas the reflection surfaces 213A-A5 reflect the platen glass 2
At a predetermined height (H = h) from the 02 plane, the shift is performed so as to irradiate a range of a predetermined region centered on the optical axis L.

In this way, the useless light in the left direction in FIG. 3 can be effectively used on the platen glass 202 surface, and the light can be evenly distributed on the predetermined height surface at least within the range of the reading width of the CCD line sensor 230. Can be irradiated.

The characteristic diagram shown by the solid line in FIG. 4 is a light amount distribution on the platen surface (H = 0).
It can be seen that the light amount is uniform over the reading width of the D line sensor 230. On the other hand, the characteristic indicated by the imaginary line in FIG. 4 is a light amount distribution at a predetermined height (H = h).
It can be seen that the light amount is uniform over the reading width of the CCD line sensor 230.

As described above, the reflection angles of the reflecting surfaces 213A-A1 to A5 of the reflector 213A are set in consideration of not only the surface of the platen glass 202 but also the light amount distribution at a predetermined height. Even in this case, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of uneven reading due to uneven light amount.

In the above description, the reflection angle of the reflection surface 213A-A5 of the reflector 213A has been changed.
Reflection surfaces 213A-A3 and 213A-A4, 213A-A
2 and 213A-A5 and other reflective surfaces 213A-A1 to 213A
4 may be included and the reflection angle of a part thereof may be changed.

Next, the operation of the printer unit PRT will be described. After the photosensitive material magazine 14 is set, the nip roller 18 is operated, and the photosensitive material 16 is moved to the nip roller 18.
Drawn by. When the photosensitive material 16 is pulled out by a predetermined length, the cutter 20 operates to cut the photosensitive material 16 into a predetermined length, and transports the photosensitive material 16 to the exposure unit 22 with its photosensitive (exposure) surface facing left. Is done. Then, the exposure device 38 is operated simultaneously with the passage of the photosensitive material 16 through the exposure section 22, and the image is scanned and exposed on the photosensitive material 16 located at the exposure 422. The exposure device 38 includes the scanner S
The image data read by the CN unit is image-processed and input by a personal computer. Based on the input data, the light amount of the light source is controlled, and the image is scanned and exposed. When a laser (semiconductor laser) is used as a light source, main scanning is performed by reciprocating the optical axis of a laser beam whose light amount is controlled by duty control like a pendulum, and movement of the photosensitive material 16 is sub-scanning. And it is sufficient.

When an LED array is used as a light source, such as an LED, arranged in the main scanning direction, the amount of light is controlled by controlling the current or voltage of the LED light source so that one main scan is performed at the same time. do it.

When the exposure is completed, the exposed photosensitive material 16
Is sent to the water application unit 50. The photosensitive material 16 to which water as an image forming solvent has been applied in the water application section 50 is
The sheet is fed between the pair of endless belts 122 and 124 of the thermal development transfer section 120 by the conveying roller 34.

On the other hand, as the photosensitive material 16 is scanned and exposed, the image receiving material 108 is also pulled out of the material receiving magazine 106 by the nip roller 110 and transported. When the image receiving material 108 is pulled out by a predetermined length, the cutter 112 operates to cut the image receiving material 108 into a predetermined length.

After the operation of the cutter 112, the cut image receiving material 108 is transported by the transport rollers 132, 134, 136 and 138 while being guided by the guide plate. When the leading end of the image receiving material 108 is nipped by the transport roller 138, the image receiving material 108 is transferred to the heat development transfer unit 120.
Is in a standby state just before.

As the photosensitive material 16 is fed between the pair of endless belts 122 and 124 by the conveying rollers 34 as described above, the conveyance of the image receiving material 108 is restarted, and the pair of endless belts 122 and 124 are started. The image receiving material 108 is fed integrally with the photosensitive material 16 between them.

As a result, the photosensitive material 16 and the image receiving material 108
Are stacked, the photosensitive material 16 and the image receiving material 108 are nipped and conveyed while being heated by the heating plate 126, and are subjected to thermal development transfer to form an image on the image receiving material 108.

Further, a pair of endless belts 122, 124
When these are discharged from the image receiving material 108, the peeling claw 128 engages with the leading end of the photosensitive material 16 which is transported a predetermined length ahead of the image receiving material 108, and the leading end of the photosensitive material 16 is
Peel from 8. The photosensitive material 16 is further conveyed by a photosensitive material discharge roller 148 and is disposed in the waste photosensitive material storage unit 1.
50. At this time, since the photosensitive material 16 dries immediately, it is not necessary to further provide a heater for drying the photosensitive material 16.

On the other hand, the image receiving material 108 separated from the photosensitive material 16 is applied to receiving material discharge rollers 162, 164, 166, and 1
The sheet is conveyed by 68 and 170 and discharged to the tray 172.

When a plurality of image recording processes are performed, the above-described steps are sequentially and continuously performed.

As described above, the pair of endless belts 122, 1
The image receiving material 108 on which a predetermined image is formed (recorded) by the thermal development transfer process sandwiched between the pair of endless belts 1
After being discharged from the transfer rollers 22 and 124, the sheet is nipped and transported by a plurality of receiving material discharge rollers 162, 164, 166, 168 and 170, and discharged to a tray 172 outside the apparatus. (Second Embodiment) Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, since the device configuration is almost the same as that described in the first embodiment, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the configuration is omitted.

The feature of the second embodiment relates to the illumination unit of the scanner unit SCN, which will be described below with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 5, the reflecting surfaces 213A-A
The reflection of No. 5 is wider than the conventional one (imaginary line in FIG. 5) (see the solid line in FIG. 5).

As a result, the end of the light beam in the right direction is changed while maintaining the end of the light beam in the left direction in FIG. 5 at the predetermined height position (H = h), and the irradiation area is changed. It has increased.

By adopting such a structure, as shown in FIG. 6, the light quantity distribution has a trapezoidal characteristic, and the light quantity peak value can be maintained in a wide range. (Third Embodiment) Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, since the device configuration is almost the same as that described in the first embodiment, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the configuration is omitted.

The feature of the third embodiment relates to the illumination unit of the scanner unit SCN, which will be described below with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 7, the reflector 213A
Has a conventional structure. On the other hand, the reflector 21
3C is a reflection surface 213C that is two non-coplanar surfaces.
-C1, 213C-C2.

Here, the reflection surface 213C-C1 is
7 has a role of guiding the light to the right side in FIG. 7, and the reflection angle is set with reference to the platen glass 202 surface as in the related art. On the other hand, the reflection surface 213C
-C2 serves to guide light to the left side of FIG. 7 from the optical axis, and its reflection angle is set with reference to a plane having a predetermined height (H = h) above the platen glass 202. I have. Thereby, light to the left of the optical axis L on the plane having the predetermined height can be secured. (Fourth Embodiment) Hereinafter, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, since the device configuration is almost the same as that described in the first embodiment, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the configuration is omitted.

The feature of the fourth embodiment relates to the illumination unit of the scanner unit SCN, which will be described below with reference to FIG.

The fourth embodiment is characterized in that the reflecting surface 213C-C1 in the third embodiment is a convex surface. By making the reflecting surfaces 213C-C convex, the reflected light flux becomes wide-angle, and the irradiation range of light not only on the platen glass 202 but also at a predetermined height position above the platen glass 202 is expanded toward the optical axis L. be able to. (Fifth Embodiment) Hereinafter, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, since the device configuration is almost the same as that described in the first embodiment, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the configuration is omitted.

The feature of the fifth embodiment relates to the illumination unit of the scanner unit SCN, which will be described below with reference to FIG.

In the fifth embodiment, the reflector 21
3A and 213C are the same as before, and the reflector 213B
Are two non-coplanar reflecting surfaces 213B-B
1, 213B-B2.

By guiding the light from the halogen lamp 211 toward the reflector 213C at different angles at the intermediate point, the reflected light flux from the reflector 213C can be reduced to two, whereby the irradiation area as a whole can be reduced. Can be wide-angle. Therefore, a uniform light amount can be obtained in a predetermined region not only on the surface of the platen glass 202 but also at a predetermined height position higher than the platen glass 202.

[0106]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the solid-state imaging device transfers the member to be read existing in the space region from the platen surface to a predetermined height position above the platen surface. There is an excellent effect that light can be applied almost uniformly as light at the time of reading.

According to the second and third aspects of the present invention, by adjusting the direction of light from the main reflector to the platen surface, the platen surface and the platen surface can be moved to a predetermined height. Thus, there is an effect that uniform light can be irradiated.

According to the fourth and fifth aspects of the present invention, by adjusting the direction of light reaching the platen surface via the sub-reflector, the platen surface and the platen surface up to a predetermined height from the platen surface can be adjusted. There is an effect that uniform light can be irradiated between the two.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic overall configuration diagram of an image reading / recording apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an upper portion of a scanner unit.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a light source unit for a reflection original according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a light amount distribution characteristic diagram according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a reflection original light source unit according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a light amount distribution characteristic diagram according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a reflection original light source unit according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a light source unit for a reflection original according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a reflection original light source unit according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a light source unit for a reflection original according to a conventional example.

FIG. 11 is a light amount distribution characteristic diagram according to a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 image reading / recording device SCN scanner unit PRT printer unit 202 platen glass 210 light source unit for reflective original (illumination unit) 211 halogen lamp 213A-C reflectors 213A-A1-A5 A5 reflection surface of reflector 213A 213B-B1-B2 of reflector 213B Reflecting surface 213C-C1 to C2 Reflecting surface of reflector 213C 214 First carriage 220 Second carriage 230 CCD line sensor (solid-state imaging device)

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An image reading apparatus which irradiates light from an illumination unit toward a platen surface on which a member to be read is mounted, and reads the member to be read mounted on the platen surface by a solid-state imaging device. The illumination unit includes a light source, and a main reflector disposed around the light source, which reflects light from the light source that is not directly radiated to the platen surface and guides the light from the oblique direction to the platen direction, The main reflector is composed of a plurality of reflection surfaces, and the angle of each reflection surface is set based on a bias amount of a light amount distribution at a predetermined height position from the platen surface caused by irradiation from the oblique direction. An image reading apparatus, comprising: 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the light reflected by a part of the reflection surface of the main reflector is shifted so as to have an appropriate light amount distribution at a predetermined height position above the platen surface without changing the irradiation area. The image reading device according to claim 1. 3. An irradiation area is expanded so that light reflected by a part or all of the reflection surface of the main reflector has an appropriate light amount distribution on both the platen surface and a position at a predetermined height above the platen surface. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein: 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein
The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main reflector further includes a reflection surface that guides light from the light source in a direction different from the platen surface direction, receives light from the reflection surface, and transmits the light to the platen. An image reading apparatus, comprising: a sub-reflector for guiding in a plane direction; dividing a reflection surface of the sub-reflector to enlarge an irradiation area at a predetermined height position from the platen surface. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein
The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the main reflector further includes a reflection surface that guides light from the light source in a direction different from the platen surface direction, receives light from the reflection surface, and transmits the light to the platen. An image characterized by providing a sub-reflector for guiding in a plane direction, dividing a reflection surface of a main reflector for guiding light to the sub-reflector, and enlarging an irradiation area at a predetermined height position above the platen surface. Reader.