Patent Publication Number: US-RE41308-E

Title: Optic reflection device

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a trapezoidal configured optic reflection device, for application as reflectors in the light track of an optic system, more particularly optic installation of single or multiple reflection capabilities in optic scanning operations. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Generally, the imaging principle of common optic scanners involves a Light Track Device which converges working light beams into an image through a multiple reflection process operated with respect to lens assemblies, light signal will then be converted by Charge Coupling Device (CCDs) into electric signal for electronic treatment and memory processing, as Light Track required for optic image production must be definite in length, light path assemblies in optic systems rely on a plurality of reflectors to reflect the working light beam several rounds so as to effectively contract its dimensions. In the course of its journey, the light imaging width will become narrower with an increase in the Track, and the Track Zone will turn smaller commensurably so far as application with the reflector is concerned. 
     An illustration of a prior art in which the Light Track Assembly  1  as part of a conventional platform optic scanner, is exemplified in  FIG. 1 , it is seen to consist essentially of a light source  13 , three rectanguloid reflectors  14 ,  15 ,  16  and a lens  17 , plus a Charge Coupling Device (CC)  18 . Through a translucent glass  12  light emitted from a light source  13  is directed to a script  11  where the light incident is reflected in the sequential order, to a first reflector  14 , thence to a second reflector  15 , thence to a third reflector  16 , where the light in transit is directed to a lens  17  where the light is converged for reflection to a CCD  18 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a three-dimensional presentation of the illustration pursuant to  FIG. 1 , it will be seen that the chassis  101  for the second reflector  15  and the third reflector  16  is penetrated by at least one gliding shaft  190  and close by said chassis  101  is installed a drive motor  192  by which the Light Track Assembly  1  may be displaced on the drive. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , an elevation view of the first reflector  14  as shown in  FIG. 1 , in which the slant lined area  142  is the area convered in use by the first reflector  14 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a left side view of what is represented in  FIG. 1 , illustrating area of use covered by the Light Track pursuant to Reflectors  15 ,  16 , it will be appreciated that the area covered for use  152  by the Light Track of the second reflector  15  differs in size from the area covered  162  for use by the Light Track of the third reflector  16 . As a matter of fact while the first reflector  14 , the second reflector  15 , and the third reflector  16  are dimensionally the same, the area exposed for use by the Light Track in each case is decremented in terms of the sequential order in which the Light Track travels, so understandably with the third reflector  16  the area covered  162  for use in the Light Track is the smallest. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , it will be appreciated that the Drive Motor  192  is installed beside the chassis  101 , with the width of the chassis  101  being denoted L, the width of the Drive Motor  192  denoted L 1 , it will be apparent all at once that the Drive Motor  192  occupies an additional width L 1 , that which results in necessary enlargement of both the width and the volume of the scanner to be used, and that means pure, gross waste of precious space. 
     Referring in continuation to  FIG. 5 , illustration of the Light Track Zone active while light reflection is in progress as associated with Reflectors  14 ,  26 , of a conventional Paper Feed Type Optic Scanner (Prior Art II), the order of reflection of the working light is as indicated by the arrows. The reflectors as shown comprise a first multiple frequency reflector  24  and a second multiple frequency reflector  26 , each capable of reflecting oncoming light beam twice, note that the area covered for use by the working light with the first multiple frequency reflector  24  is not the same with that area covered for use by the same working light with the second multiple frequency reflector  26 , the area of use covered by the first multiple frequency reflector  24  is denoted  241 ,  242 , whereas the are of use covered by the second multiple frequency reflector  26  is  261 ,  262 , the magnitude of the area covered in use runs decrementally in the sequential order: 241 - 261 - 242 - 262 . From the illustration it will be appreciated that apart from areas already covered for use  241 ,  242 ,  261 ,  262  in connection with the Light Track, there are still other areas not covered in use for the same purpose. 
     Summing up both prior art executions noted in the foregoing one will come to the conclusion that whether it&#39;s a reflector to go through single round of reflection, provided plurally in a Light Track Assembly, of prior art I, so to speak; or a reflector to go through repeated reflection, in a same Light Track Assembly, of prior II, albeit technologically differentiable, they are common in that the reflector employed in either case will occupy appreciable space, that which is interpreted in more material required in the making, incurring relatively higher costs, and running contrary to current trends which go for whatever is lighter, slimmer, shorter, and smaller, and it goes without saying, products produced contrary to such vogue in fashion are doubtless wanting in competitive margin. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     To improve such and other shortcomings found with prior art products, enumerated in the foregoing, the invention is proposed as an Optic Reflection Equipment which is executed to be a trapezoidally structured reflector as distinguished from rectanguloidal reflectors of conventional arts, aimed at effectively reducing space required for reflectors while attaining the same functional features as possible through existing, known, prior arts, so that the overall space allowed for and occupied by the entire Light Track is kept to the minimum which in turn means substantial reduction of the whole optic system to a golden minimum. A further object of the invention is to reduce production costs through achieved reduction in the use of material, to be interpreted in a raise in the competitive margin of the products to be released thereby. 
     The invention provides an optic reflection equipment in the form of a trapezoidal lens serving as a reflector in the Light Track Assembly of an optic system, more specifically in the form of a reflector capable of single or multiple reflection as a unit indispensable in an optic scanner. By definition the function of a reflector is to reflect an incident light beam to a desired direction and to a desired distance. It is to be noted, however, that in the process of going from emission from the light source to a lens where convergence takes place to form an image, the light beam in terms of its imaging width will narrow down commensurate with an increase in the journey of the Light Track, and meantime, the Light Track Zone covered by the reflector in action will become reduced in like measure, and that means, with reflectors installed on a prior art system, there are always areas accounting to nothing but pure waste, and the gist of the invention lies rightly in truncating those areas not being used or not to be used on a reflector so that the reflector, assuming a trapezoidal configuration to such a purpose, will achieve substantial reduction in the volume of the reflector in use, so that the overall volume of the entire optic system in which such reflectors are to be installed, may be reduced to a golden minimum. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the execution of a reflector designed to reflect just once in a working condition for installation in an optic system, in a Light Track thereof, to be specific, is configured trapezoidally by truncating the unused portion, that is, portion not covered in a Light Track in which the reflector is associated. 
     In still another preferred embodiment of the present invention, in the execution of a reflector fit for multiple reflection in a same Light Track Assembly, in a two-piece reflection mode, for instance, the unused portion of the reflector is duly truncated to represent a trapezoidally configured structure. 
     With any preferred embodiment of the present invention, executed to be a reflector forming an essential part in the Light Track Assembly of an optic scanner, in a trapezoidal design as an improvement over known prior art such as those recited in the foregoing, invariable is effective reduction of the overall volume of the optic scanner involved in the execution, and that means decided reduction in production cost, as an additional advantage. 
     To give better understanding of the present invention in terms of its objects, characteristic features and merits, further description follows with reference to the accompanying drawings enclosed herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an illustration of the Light Track Assembly as part of a prior art platform type Optic Scanner; 
         FIG. 2  is a three-dimensional view of the Light Track Assembly as part of a prior art platform type optic scanner; 
         FIG. 3  is an elevation view of the reflector incorporated as part of a prior art platform type Optic Scanner; 
         FIG. 4  is a left side view of what is represented in  FIG. 1 , in which is exposed the portion of Light Track covered for use by the Reflectors  15 ,  16 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an illustration of the Light Track Zone covered by a reflector active in a course of reflection, as part of a prior art Paper Feed Type Optic Scanner; 
         FIG. 6  is a three-dimensional representation of an application of the present invention in the Light Track Assembly of a Platform Type Optic Scanner; 
         FIG. 7  is an elevation view of the invention as applied in the reflector of a platform type optic scanner; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective taken from the left side, of the present invention as applied in the Light Track Assembly of a platform type Optic Scanner, in which are exposed portions of Light Track covered by Reflectors  45 ,  46  when active in operation, and in which it is seen that the chassis is designed to bear a trapezoidal structure; 
         FIG. 9  is an illustration of the present invention as applied in the Light Track Assembly which forms part of a Paper Feed Type Optic Scanner; and, 
         FIG. 10  illustrates the portions of Light Track covered for use by the Reflectors  54 ,  56  pursuant to the illustration given in FIG.  9 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The present invention provides an optic reflection device, of a trapezoidal design, and meant for application as a reflector in the Light Track Assembly of an Optic System, more specifically in such a Light Track Assembly which permits or employes single round or multiple reflection technique, of an optic scanner apparatus. A Light Track Assembly in this connection comprises: a light source, a reflection means, a light convergence means and an optico-electric transducer. The Light Source supplies the Light Source needed for operation; the Reflection Means encompasses a plurality of reflectors each serving to reflect light beam incident from the Light Source to a determinate length of journey; the Light Convergence Means receives light coming as reflection from the Reflector and converges same to form an image; the optico-electric transducer receives the light beam with which the light convergence means converges into image and converts same into electric signal; the reflection means is unique in that it&#39;s dimensioned according to area covered for use for purpose of reflection when the reflection is at work, and substantially resembling a largely trapezoidal structure as a result of the truncation incurred in the designing process. 
     A first preferred embodiment of the invention is the one exemplified in  FIG. 6 , an illustration of execution, in a three-dimensional perspective, applied in the Light Track Assembly of a platform type optic scanner, featuring elimination by truncation of areas not covered for use in the Light Track when the Reflector is at work, whereby comes realized a first reflector  44 , a second reflector  45  and a third reflector  46 . The trapezoidal chassis  401  gives mechanical support to said plurality of reflectors  44 ,  45 ,  46  and other components of the optic system, such as lens  47  and Charge Coupling Devices  48 , while serving also to accommodate attachement of said plurality of reflectors  44 ,  45 ,  46  thereto so that reflection to desired direction and to desired distance is made possible with these reflectors  44 ,  45 ,  46 . That the volume to be occupied by the reflectors is substantially reduced while total deflection capability of the reflectors with respect to incident oncoming light beam is maintained intact accounts rightly for the rationale of the invention, as exemplified in this embodiment, as being in every respect perceivable more advantageous than prior arts known to date. 
     An illustration of the invention as represented in the first Reflector  44  shown in  FIG. 6 , in an elevation view of a reflector as applied in a platform type optic scanner, is given in  FIG. 7 , whereof the slant lined area represents the portion of area  442  covered for use in the Light Track, the Reflector  44  being of a trapezoidal design. 
     An illustration of the Light Track Zone used by a first reflector  45 , a second reflector  46  of which the chassis bears a trapezoidal structure, as seen perspectively from the left side of a second preferred embodiment of the invention as exemplified in  FIG. 6 , is given in  FIG. 8 , in which it is seen that a dimensional difference exists by comparing the Light Track Utility Zone  452  respecting the second reflector  45  whit the Light Track Utility Zone  462  respecting the third reflector  46 . It will be appreciated then that portion of the respective zone not in use may be truncated as appropriate so that both the second reflector  45  and the third reflector  46  are configured trapezoidally, further, those cuttings by the truncation made of both the second reflector  45  and the third reflector  46  may serve as a guide of pattern with reference to which the chassis  401  may be designed to bear correspondently trapezoidal structure, so that the space saved accordingly may be turned to accommodate other components or devices, pursuant to this execution what is accommodated in substance is a drive motor  492  of which the width is L 1  which is identical to the width L 1  of that drive motor  192  represented in  FIG. 4  where conventional art is the theme, also, the width of the chassis  401  represented in  FIG. 8  is L, still identical to the width L of that chassis  101  represented in  FIG. 4 , so obviously the execution of a preferred embodiment in this instance will not necessitate an additional space requirement to cover the width L 1  of a drive motor  492 , and the reduction of the volume of the overall optical system is substantive just as it is substantial, and of course the space saved by the prosecution of the invention need not be limited in its accommodation to a drive motor only, indeed it can accommodate other utilities where appropriate and pertinent to specific applications. 
     An illustration of a third preferred embodiment of the inventions as applied to the Light Track Assembly of a Paper Feed Type Optic Scanner is given in  FIG. 9 , whereof the reflectors  54 ,  56  are fit for multiple reflections, that is, in a same Light Track the reflector in question may reflect incident light beams repeatedly as dependent upon the area covered for use in the Track, by the same token different, dissimilar utility areas may be allotted on a same reflector, in this embodiment the design is for two rounds of reflection and the utility areas allotted are two. As shown, light emitted from a light source  53  travels to a script  51  by way of a translucent glass  52 , the light oncoming is then reflected to a first reflection area  541  on a first multiple reflection lens  54 , thence passing reflected to a first reflection zone  561  for the second multiple reflection lens  56 , again to the second reflection zone  562  for the second multiple reflection lens  56 , eventually converged at a lens  57 , and directed to a Charge Coupling Device  58 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , an illustration of the Light Track Zone which comes to service once reflection is taking place owing to the reflectors  54 , 56  represented in FIG.  9 . From the drawing it will be seen that trapezoidal is a common pattern for both the first multiple reflection lens  54  and the second multiple reflection lens  56 . The sequence of journey of the Light Track is thus: the first reflection area  541  for the first multiple reflection lens  54 , the first reflection area  561  for the second multiple reflection lens  56 , the second reflection area  542  for the first multiple reflection lens  54 , and the second reflection area  562  for the second multiple reflection lens  56 , it is to be noted altogether that the Light Track Zone will decrement as the light beam travel past more of the interim zones, that fact underlies the rational for truncation, where appropriate, of unused portions of the zone, and the result is a preferred embodiment exemplified by the drawing. By comparing the third preferred embodiment of the invention disclosed herein with the prior art as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , it will be appreciated that the embodiment in this instance features substantial reduction of the volume of the lens, which in turn means commensurate contraction of the space required of the Light Track Assembly, and that further reduces space requirement of the entire optic system. 
     By the comparison made of the various embodiments of the invention exemplified herein with prior art executions, what emerges evident all at once is effective improvement over shortcomings inherent with prior art executions, and that compounded with additional merits, seen not only in space savings gained on reflectors so that overall dimension of the entire optic system is rendered less cumbersome and more compact, but also that saving of material is achieved at the same time which means a cutdown in production costs making the product more competitive on the market. 
     It may thus be seen that the objects of the present invention set forth herein, as well as those made apparent from the foregoing description, are efficiently attained. While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been set forth for purpose of disclosure, modifications of the disclosed embodiment of the invention as well as other embodiment thereof may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to cover all embodiment which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.