Patent ID: 7123389

Claim:
An image reading unit for reading an image on a document, comprising: a light source for irradiating light to the document, condensing means for receiving the light reflected at the document and condensing the same to a focal point, reading means disposed at the focal point of the condensing means for receiving the light therefrom, and a plurality of reflecting means for reflecting the light from the document and providing the light to the reading means through the condensing means, said reflecting means including final reflecting means located at a side opposite to the reading means relative to the condensing means for providing the light from the document toward the reading means through the condensing means to form a linear optical path between the final reflecting means and the reading means, and reciprocating reflecting means located at a side opposite to the light source relative to the condensing means for reflecting the light from the document to transfer to the final reflecting means, said reciprocating reflecting means forming at least one reciprocating optical path crossing the linear optical path between the condenser means and the reading means, first reflecting means disposed above or below the linear optical path for reflecting the light from the document along a first optical path substantially parallel to the linear optical path and providing the light to the reciprocating reflecting means, and second reflecting means disposed at a side same as that of the first reflecting means for reflecting the light from the reciprocating reflecting means passing along a second optical path substantially parallel to the linear optical path toward the final reflecting means.