Patent ID: 7954988

Claim:
An image scanning apparatus, comprising: a scanning module that comprises: an illuminator configured to illuminate a light on an object to be scanned; a sensor configured to detect the light reflected downward by the object, wherein the illuminator comprises: a pair of light emitting diodes each configured to produce the light; a light guide having an elongated shape with a pair of incidence faces each formed on a corresponding one of longitudinal ends thereof, the light from each of the pair of light emitting diodes being incident on respective one of the pair of the incidence faces, the light guide being configured to change a direction of the light received through the pair of incidence faces; and a pair of light source holders to which a respective one of the pair of light emitting diodes is mounted, at least one of the pair of light source holders having a surface arranged to face a respective one of the pair of incidence faces of the light guide, the surface of the at least one of the pair of light source holders being configured reflect light incident thereupon, and wherein the light guide has a first side, a second side, and a third side connecting the first side and the second side, the third side configured to emit light from the light guide to the object to be scanned, and each of the first, second, and third sides extending between the longitudinal ends of the light guide, and a first plane corresponding to a surface of the first side of the light guide forms an acute angle with a second plane corresponding to a surface of the second side of the light guide.