Contact type image sensor and method of sensing by means of such sensor

Abstract: A contact type image sensor comprises: a light source 3 to emit a light with a predetermined inclination angle for the direction of the normal line of the surface of an original at the position of a read line 9 in order to irradiate the light from both sides to the read line by one light source; an original supporting member 6 to support the original in order to lead the light from the light source 3 to the read line 9; and a photoelectric converting device section 5 to receive the light from the original surface. At least a part of the original supporting member 6 locating on the side opposite to the arrangement side of the light source 3 with respect to the read line 9 has a reflecting surface for reflecting a part of the light from the light source 3 and leading to the read line 9.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a contact type image sensor and, more particularly, to a contact type image sensor comprising a light source for emitting the light with a predetermined inclination angle in the direction of a normal line of the surface of an original locating at the position of a read line, an original supporting member for leading the light from the light source to the read line and for supporting the original; and a photoelectric converting device section to receive the light from the original surface. The invention also concerns a method of sensing by means of said sensor. Related Background Art An example of a construction of a conventional contact type image sensor will now be described hereinbelow. Fig. 1 is a plan view showing an example of a construction of the conventional contact type image sensor. Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view of Fig. 1. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the contact type image sensor of the constructional example comprises: an LED array 3 in which a plurality of LED devices 2 to irradiate lights to an original 8 are arranged in correspondence to an original read line 9 of the upper surface of a cover glass 6 as an original supporting member so as to have a length corresponding to a width of original 8 to be read; a lens array 1 to lead the reflected lights from the original 8; a sensor array 5 which is constructed by arranging photoelectric converting devices 4 for receiving the light directed by the lens array 1 and for converting into the electric signals; and a frame body 7 to position the above component elements. However, in case of reading an original having concave and convex surfaces such that a plurality of original papers are adhered onto a base paper, if the LED array 3 as a light source is merely arranged for the read line 9 so as to have a predetermined angle from one side like the contact type image sensor of the above conventional constructional example, shadows are formed on the original 8 by the convex portions and the sensor array 5 reads such shadows, so that the shadows eventually appear as lateral lines on an output image. To avoid such a phenomenon, a contact type image sensor with a constructional example as shown in Fig. 3 is used as a sensor to read the original having concave and convex portions. According to the contact type image sensor of the present constructional example, by symmetrically arranging the LED arrays 3 and 3' on both sides for the read line 9 with respect to the left and right, the occurrence of the shadows is prevented. In the contact type image sensor of the constructional example shown in Fig. 3, since two LED arrays are necessary and the costs are high. Therefore, a contact type image sensor with a constructional example as shown in Fig. 4 has been proposed. As shown in Fig. 4, according to the contact type image sensor of the constructional example, the LED array 3' in Fig. 3 is eliminated and a mirror 10 is arranged at the position corresponding to the LED array 3', the reflected light from the original by the LED array 3 is received, and the reflected light is reflected and is again returned to the original, thereby obtaining an effect similar to that in case of the construction of Fig. 3 and reducing the costs. In the contact type image sensor of the constructional example shown in Fig. 3, however, since it is necessary to keep two spaces enough to enclose the light sources, a long optical path length is needed and the size is large. As compared with the reduction type, a compactness as one of large advantages of the contact type is largely obstructed. The necessity of two light sources becomes a cause of an increase in costs. According to the contact type image sensor with the constructional example shown in Fig. 4, on the other hand, since the reflected light amount of the mirror 10 depends on the reflected light amount of the original, the reflected light amount of the mirror is largely fluctuated due to a reflection density of the original. Particularly, in case of reading the original of a large density, the reflected light amount is small and a sufficient effect cannot be obtained. The present invention seeks to provide an improved contact type image sensor. According to the present invention there is disclosed a contact type image sensor for sensing an original, the sensor comprising; (a) an original supporting member for supporting the original, the original supporting member comprising a light transmissive member for contacting the original at a read position and defining an image plane at which the original extends at the read position in use; (b) a light source arranged to provide illumination at the read position in the image plane by means of light directed through the light transmissive member in a first direction at a predetermined inclination angle relative to a line normal to the image plane at the read position; (c) a photoelectric converting device operable to receive light from the original when illuminated by light from the light source in use at the read position; and (d) a reflecting surface disposed such that the light source and the reflecting surface are on opposite sides of the line normal to the image plane at the read position and such that a portion of the light from the light source is reflected by the reflecting surface so as to provide further illumination at the read position in a second direction different from the first direction; characterised in that said reflecting surface is formed by a surface of said light transmissive member and arranged in such a manner that said portion of the light from said light source is able to directly impinge on said reflecting surface without being reflected by another surface on its way from said light source towards said reflecting surface. Preferably the light source has directing characteristics such that the illuminance of the original surface at the read line position by the light that is directly irradiated from the light source is equal to the illuminance of the original surface at the read line position by the light which is reflected by the reflecting surface. Consequently, the illuminance on the original surface at the read line position by the light that is directly irradiated from the light source is the same as the illuminance on the original surface at the read line position by the light that is reflected by the reflecting surface. Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings of which; Fig. 1 is a plan view showing an example of a construction of a conventional contact type image sensor; Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view of the contact type image sensor of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view showing another constructional example of a conventional contact type image sensor; Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view showing still another constructional example of a conventional contact type image sensor; Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view of a contact type image sensor of the first embodiment of the invention; Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view of the contact type image sensor according to the first embodiment of the invention; Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view of a contact type image sensor of the second embodiment of the invention; Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view showing another constructional example of an original supporting member shape; Fig. 9 is a cross sectional view showing still another constructional example of an original supporting member shape; Fig. 10 is a cross sectional view showing still another constructional example of an original supporting member shape; Fig. 11 is a cross sectional view showing still another constructional example of an original supporting member shape; Fig. 12 is a cross sectional view showing still another constructional example of an original supporting member shape; Fig. 13 is a cross sectional view showing the ninth embodiment of a contact type image sensor of the invention; Fig. 14 is a partial enlarged diagram of Fig. 13 showing optical paths of A and B and a virtual optical path B'; Fig. 15 is a diagram for explaining an illuminance distribution on a cover glass; and Fig. 16 is a diagram showing an illuminance distribution on a cover glass in case of using an LED having gentle directing characteristics. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view showing a contact type image sensor of the first embodiment according to the invention. In Fig. 5, the same component elements as those shown in Figs. 1 to 4 are designated by the same reference numerals. In Fig. 5, reference numeral 5 denotes the sensor array which is constructed by arranging a plurality of photoelectric converting devices 4 in correspondence to the width of original. The sensor array 5 is arranged in an elongated space of the frame body 7. The lens array 1 is arranged in a groove of the frame body 7 just above the photoelectric converting devices 4. The LED array 3 which is constructed by arranging a plurality of LED devices 2 is arranged as a light source onto a slant surface 3' having an inclination angle of 45° formed on the frame body 7. The cover glass 6 for supporting the original is arranged on the upper surface of the frame body 7 and lens array 1. To precisely position the cover glass 6, a cover glass confronting surface 12 is provided for the frame body 7. In the embodiment, the LED array 3 is arranged on one side and a side surface 11 of the cover glass 6 is arranged on the opposite side at the position close to the read line 9 so as to sandwich the original read line 9 of the cover glass 6. The side surface 11 is used as a reflecting surface for reflecting a part of the light of the LED array 3 as a light source and for leading the light from the direction opposite to the light source to the read line 9. In the embodiment, since a blue plate glass (refractive index n 2 = 1.51) is used as a cover glass 6, a critical angle  h of the side surface 11 serving as a reflecting surface of the cover glass 6 is equal to  h ≃ 41° to a difference between the refractive index n 2 and a refractive index (n 1 = 1) of the air. Since the light source is arranged on the surface of 45° of the frame body 7, the light from the light source is totally reflected because its angle exceeds the critical angle. The reflecting surface of the cover glass 6 is worked by an ordinary cheap glass cutting working technique such that the surface is scratched by a diamond cutter and is cut out or by using a dicing saw, processing by a razor, or the like. In case of using such a reflecting surface of the cover glass 6, the illuminance on the original read line 9 is increased by 1.5 times or more and a sufficient effect is obtained as a reflecting surface. In case of further increasing the light amount, by forming a mirror surface by polishing the side surface 11 or by evaporation depositing aluminum onto the surface or the like, the scattering of the light is prevented and the illuminance on the original read line can be raised by a value near 2.0 times. As a shape of the cover glass 6, a stairway-like shape can be formed as shown in the second embodiment of Fig. 6 or a groove can be also formed. In the embodiment, the cover glass is made thick and is closely adhered to the lens array 1 in order to enable the cover glass to be easily attached. However, as shown in the conventional example in Fig. 2, a similar effect can be also similarly obtained even by a structure such that the lens array 1 is away from the cover glass 6. In the embodiment, although the LED array has been used as a light source, it is also possible to use another light source such as fluorescent lamp, a xenon lamp, EL light source, or the like. A contact type image sensor of the third embodiment of the invention will now be described. Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view showing the contact type image sensor of the third embodiment of the invention. Even in the above first embodiment, the LED array 3 in which the LED devices 2 as point light sources are discretely arranged in a line has been used as a light source. However, in case of using the LED array 3, a fluctuation occurs in the illuminance on the original surface due to a ripple corresponding to the interval between the LED chips and there is a case where such an illuminance fluctuation appears as an output image. The illuminance fluctuation is further enhanced when the side surface 11 as a reflecting surface is provided for the cover glass. In the embodiment, therefore, by setting the side surface as a reflecting surface to a scattering surface 13, the illuminance fluctuation due to the ripple of the point light source in case of using a point light source array is reduced. The scattering surface can be obtained by a simple working method such that convex and concave surfaces are formed by a sand blast or chemical process or a scattering paint is coated or the like. Figs. 8 to 12 show constructional examples of the fourth to eighth embodiments of the shapes of the cover glasses as original supporting members in the first and second embodiments described above. Fig. 8 shows the fourth embodiment in which the original supporting member is divided into two portions and they are adhered by an adhesive agent 14 in order to enable the side surface 11 as a reflecting surface in Fig. 6 to be easily polished. Those two portions of the original supporting member can be also overlaid and fixed to the frame body 7, respectively, without using the adhesive agent 14. Fig. 9 shows the fifth embodiment in which the reflecting surface is provided by forming a groove onto the original supporting member by a dicing saw or the like. In the diagram, reference numeral 15 denotes a groove formed. One side surface 11 of the groove 15 is used as a reflecting surface. Figs. 10 and 11 show the sixth and seventh embodiments in which a light transparency plate member 16 is adhered onto the original supporting member through an adhesive agent in order to smoothly pass the original without any click. The shapes of the cover glasses in Figs. 10 and 11 correspond to the shapes of the cover glasses in Figs. 6 and 5. As shown in the eighth embodiment of Fig. 12, it is also possible to construct in a manner such that the edge surface of the cover glass 6 is located near (right side in Fig. 5) of the read line 9 and, further, a cover glass 6' which is come into contact with the edge surface and has the same thickness as that of the edge surface can be also arranged. By using such a structure, a hooking of the original can be eliminated. In this case, by providing a slight air layer, a coating scattering surface, or the like into the portion between the cover glasses 6 and 6', the foregoing reflecting surface of scattering surface can be formed. According to the above embodiments of the invention described above, at least a part of the original supporting member locating on the side opposite to the arrangement side of the light source with respect to the read line is equipped with the reflecting surface or diffusing surface for reflecting a part of the light from the light source and for leading to the read line, so that the light can be irradiated from both sides to the read line by one light source. Particularly, by setting the reflecting surface to a total reflection angle for the light of the light source or to the mirror surface, it is possible to obtain a predetermined illuminance irrespective of the reflection density of the original and the characteristics such that the shadows of the original having concave and convex portions like an original such that papers are adhered onto a base paper which are almost similar to those in case of the conventional contact type image sensor in which the light sources are provided on both sides so as to sandwich the read line. In addition, the size and costs can be also reduced. Since the illuminance rises, the invention can also correspond to the contact type image sensor which can read an original image at a high speed and a high resolution. Particularly, in case of using the point light source array as a light source, by setting the reflecting surface into a scattering surface, the illuminance fluctuation corresponding to the ripple of the point light source can be reduced. The ninth embodiment of the invention will now be described in detail hereinbelow with reference to the drawings. Fig. 13 is a cross sectional view of the ninth embodiment of the contact type image sensor of the invention and shows the typical feature of the invention. In the diagram, the same component elements as those shown in Figs. 1 to 12 are designated by the same reference numerals. Reference numeral 17 denotes a lens to adjust the position of an optical axis Y of the illumination light from the LED array 2. The light irradiated from the LED array 2 passes along optical paths A and B in Fig. 13 and reaches a reading position X. In the embodiment, in order to minimize the influence by the shadows which are formed around the concave and convex portions of the original at the reading position X, the illuminance on the original surface by the direct irradiation light at the reading position X and the illuminance on the original surface by the reflected light from the reflecting surface is set to 1 : 1. For easy understanding, a consideration will now be made with respect to the case where the light is not reflected by the reflecting surface but is transmitted as it is. Fig. 14 is a partial enlarged diagram of Fig. 13 showing the optical paths A and B and a virtual optical path B'. Fig. 15 is a graph showing an illumination distribution on the original supporting member in the case where the system doesn't have reflecting surface. B' denotes the virtual optical axis in case of no reflecting surface and X' indicates a virtual reading position. It is assumed that the illuminance at the virtual reading position X' is equal to the illuminance at the reading position X by the light which has reached by the optical path B. Now, assuming that the optical axis Y of the illumination light from the LED array 2 passes through the reading position X on the cover glass 6, the illuminance distribution is as shown by a broken line in Fig. 15. The illuminance on the reading position X is set to y 1 , the illuminance on the virtual reading position X' is set to y 3 , and y 1 is larger than y 3 . That is, the illuminance at the reading position X due to the light which reaches the reading position X from the optical path A differs from the illuminance at the reading position X by the light which reaches the reading position X from the optical path B. According to the embodiment, however, as shown in Fig. 14, by deviating the optical axis Y of the illumination light from the LED device 2 from the reading position X and arranging at a position Z on the reflecting surface, the illuminance distribution on the original supporting member can be set to a distribution as shown by a solid line in Fig. 15. In this case, botn of the illuminance at the reading position X and the illuminance at the virtual reading position X' are equal to y 2 . That is, the illuminance on the reading position X by the light which reaches the reading position X from the optical path A is equal to the illuminance on the reading position X by the light which reaches the reading position X from the optical path B. As mentioned above, by deviating the maximum value of the illuminance distribution on the original supporting member to a position between the points X and X', the amount of light which passes along the optical path A and reaches the original reading position X can be almost equalized to the amount of light which passes along the optical path B and reaches the original reading position X. The illuminance on the original surface by the direct irradiation light at the reading position X and the illuminance on the original surface by the reflected light from the reflecting surface are set to almost 1 : 1. In the embodiment, the lens 17 has been used to adjust the optical axis Y. However, the optical axis Y can be also adjusted by changing the attaching angle of the substrate of the LED array or a package shape of the LED chip. In the embodiment, although the optical axis Y has been arranged to the position (position Z in the diagram) on the reflecting surface, the invention is not limited to such a position. It is sufficient to arrange the optical axis Y to a proper position (region a in the diagram) between the reading position X and the reflecting surface or on the reflecting surface (region b in the diagram) in accordance with the directing characteristics of the LED array, a refractive index of the reflecting surface, or the like. It is also possible to use an LED array having gentle directing characteristics so as not to cause an illuminance difference due to the difference between the optical paths. In such a case, since the illuminance distribution is gentle, a high setting precision regarding the position of the optical axis Y is not required as shown in Fig. 16. An attaching margin of the LED array increases, a construction such that the system can be easily assembled is obtained. According to the ninth embodiment of the invention as described above, in case of using the contact type image sensor using both of the direct irradiation light from the light source and the reflected light from the reflecting surface of the original supporting member, by arranging the optical axis of the illumination light from the light source to a region between the read line and the reflecting surface or onto the reflecting surface, the light amount ratio at the read line positions of both of the optical paths can be set to almost 1 : 1. Consequently, since the effect to erase the shadows which are formed around the concave and convex portions of the original can be maximized. The using efficiency of the light from the light source is also improved. The light amount at the read line position is doubled. The burden on the light source is decreased. Namely, the contact type image sensor of a high picture quality having substantially the same performance as that of the type using two LED arrays as shown in Fig. 3 can be realized by a smaller size and at lower costs. An electric power consumption of the light source can be also suppressed. Further, a contact type image sensor which can correspond to the driving of the sensor at a higher speed can be provided. The above effect can be also accomplished by using a light source of an LED array or the like having gentle directing characteristics as a light source. In this case, an attaching margin of the light source ensures a construction such that the system can be easily assembled.

Claims: A contact type image sensor for sensing an original (8), the sensor comprising; (a) an original supporting member (6) for supporting the original, the original supporting member comprising a light transmissive member (6) for contacting the original at a read position (9) and defining an image plane at which the original extends at the read position in use; (b) a light source (2) arranged to provide illumination at the read position in the image plane by means of light directed through the light transmissive member in a first direction at a predetermined inclination angle relative to a line normal to the image plane at the read position; (c) a photoelectric converting device (4) operable to receive light from the original when illuminated by light from the light source in use at the read position; and (d) a reflecting surface (11) disposed such that the light source and the reflecting surface are on opposite sides of the line normal to the image plane at the read position and such that a portion of the light from the light source is reflected by the reflecting surface so as to provide further illumination at the read position in a second direction different from the first direction; characterised in that said reflecting surface is formed by a surface (11) of said light transmissive member and arranged in such a manner that said portion of the light from said light source is able to directly impinge on said reflecting surface without being reflected by another surface on its way from said light source towards said reflecting surface. An image sensor according to claim 1, wherein the light transmissive member is made of glass and wherein the reflecting surface is constituted by a glass-air interface providing reflection by internal reflection at the interface. An image sensor according to claim 1, wherein an angle of said incidence of light from said light source onto the reflecting surface is set to an angle that is equal to or larger than a critical angle ( h ) due to a difference of a refractive index across an interface defining the reflecting surface. An image sensor according to any preceding claim, wherein said reflecting surface is polished. An image sensor according to claim 1, wherein said reflecting surface is a mirror surface. An image sensor according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein said reflecting surface is a scattering surface (13 in Fig. 7). An image sensor as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the reflecting surface is defined by an end face of the light transmissive member. An image sensor as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6 wherein the reflecting surface (11 in Fig 6) is defined by a step formation of the light transmissive member. An image sensor as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6 wherein the reflecting surface is defined by a side wall of a groove (15 in Fig 9) formed in the light transmissive member. An image sensor as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the original supporting member comprises said light transmissive member (6) overlaid by a plate member (16 in Fig 10-12) for contacting the original. An image sensor as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the read position extends linearly across the image plane and wherein the reflecting surface is defined by a planar surface extending parallel to the linear extent of the read position. A method of sensing an original (8) by means of a contact type image sensor, comprising the steps of: (a) supporting the original by means of an original supporting member (6) comprising a light transmissive member (6) contacting the original at a read position (9) and defining an image plane at which the original extends at the read position in use; (b) providing illumination at the read position in the image plane by means of light directed from a light source (2) through the light transmissive member in a first direction at a predetermined inclination angle relative to a line normal to the image plane at the read position; (c) photoelectrically converting light received from the original when illuminated by light from the light source in use at the read position; and (d) providing further illumination in a second direction different from the first direction by reflecting a portion of the light from the light source by a reflecting surface (11) disposed such that the light source and the reflecting surface are on opposite sides of the line normal to the image plane at the read position; characterised in that said reflecting surface is being formed by a surface (11) of said light transmissive member and by providing said further illumination such that said portion of the light from said light source impinges directly on said reflecting surface without being reflected by another surface on its way from said light source towards said reflecting surface. A method according to claim 12, wherein the light transmissive member is made of glass and wherein the light is reflected at the reflecting surface by a glass-air interface providing reflection by internal reflection at the interface. A method according to claim 12, wherein an angle of said incidence of light from said light source onto the reflecting surface is set to an angle that is equal to or larger than a critical angle ( h ) due to a difference of a refractive index across an interface defining the reflecting surface. A method according to any of claims 12 to 14, wherein specular reflection occurs at said reflecting surface which is polished. A method according to claim 12, wherein specular reflection occurs at said reflecting surface which is a mirror surface. A method according to any of claims 12 to 14, wherein diffuse reflection occurs at said reflecting surface which is a scattering surface. A method as claimed in any of claims 12 to 17 wherein the read position extends linearly across the image plane and wherein the reflecting surface is defined by a planar surface extending parallel to the linear extent of the read position.

Inventors: KAIHOTSU TAKAHIRO, TABATA MASAMI, TANAKA NOBUYOSHI, KAIHOTSU, TAKAHIRO, TABATA, MASAMI, TANAKA, NOBUYOSHI, Kaihotsu, Takahiro, c/o Canon Kabushiki Kaisha, Tabata, Masami, c/o Canon Kabushiki Kaisha, Tanaka, Nobuyoshi, c/o CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Applicants: CANON KK, CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Application year: 1993
Main classification: H04N1
IPC codes: H04N1