Patent ID: 7978259
Filing Date: 2011-07-12
Classification: G06K,H04N

Abstract:
1. An image capturing apparatus for capturing an image of an object by illuminating the object and receiving reflected light from the object, comprising: a circuit board mounted with an image sensor for receiving the reflected light; a plurality of light-emitting devices mounted on the circuit board in the peripheral positions of the image sensor; a ring-shaped light guide member for guiding the light emitted from the plurality of light-emitting devices, and illuminating an image capturing range; and an optical unit housed inside the ring of the ring-shaped light guide member and for guiding the reflected light from the illuminated object in the image capturing range to the image sensor, wherein the light guide member comprises: a lower end portion for introducing lights of the plurality of light-emitting devices; an upper end portion for outputting the lights to the image capturing range; and a light guide portion for guiding the lights of the plurality light-emitting devices from the lower end portion to the upper end portion around the optical unit, and said plurality of light-emitting devices are positioned under said lower end portion of the ring-shaped light guide on said circuit board, and wherein said image capturing apparatus further comprises: a hood for accommodating said optical unit and provided to an inside position of said ring-shaped light guide member for preventing an invasion of the output light from the upper end portion of the ring-shaped light guide into the optical unit; an optical cover provided above the hood and the upper end portion of the ring-shaped light guide to cover an incident plane of the optical unit; and an external case which houses said circuit board, said ring-shaped light guide, said optical unit and said hood and is attached to said optical cover, and wherein an upper end of said hood is arranged at a position that is nearer said optical unit than the upper end portion of the ring-shaped light guide, and said ring-shaped light guide comprises a ring which has an inside space housing said optical unit and said optical unit and said hood, said image sensor and said plurality of light-emitting devices are disposed on same said circuit board.