Patent ID: 6292275
Filing Date: 2001-09-18
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
An image scanning method comprising steps of: reflecting with a reflecting mirror an image light generated from an image of a medium arranged in a plane continuous in a main scan direction and in a sub scan direction, into a predetermined direction vertically intersecting said main scan direction; introducing said reflected image light to an image formation optical system so as to obtain an image formation at position of an image sensor that includes a number of photo elements arranged in a direction parallel to said main scan direction; and rotating with a drive force of a drive source said reflecting mirror pivotally supported by a rotary shaft parallel to said main scan direction so that a scan position of said image sensor on said medium is moved in said sub scan direction,wherein said drive source provides rotation of a constant angular velocity which is converted by a four-node link mechanism into said rotation of said reflecting mirror having an angular velocity changed in a non-linear way, so that said scan position on said scan medium by said image sensor is moved in said sub scan direction at a constant linear velocity.