Portable image sanner having movement detection means and a window for transmitting light to the viewer

• US 4,847,484 A
• Filed: 01/21/1988
• Issued: 07/11/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ALPS Electric Company Limited (Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: ALPS Electric Company Limited (Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Kikuchi, Kazuo
• Primary Examiner(s): Nelms, David C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Allen, Stephone B.
• Application Number:
  US07/147,152
• Time in Patent Office: 537 Days
• Field of Search: 250/221, 250/239, 235/472, 340/710, 358/199, 358/285, 358/293, 358/295, 382/59
• US Class Current: 250/221
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0312 for tracking the rotation of a spherical or circular member, e.g. optical rotary encoders used in mice or trackballs using a tracking ball or in mouse scroll wheels tracking relative movement in co-operation with a regularly or irregularly patterned surface, e.g. as in optical mice G06F3/0317; constructional details of scroll or thumb-wheels G06F3/0362; optical rotary encoders G01D5/3473
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/142 using hand-held instruments; Constructional details of the instruments
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00241 using an image reading device as a local input to a computer input via network, e.g. network scanners H04N1/00225
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/047 Detection, control or error compensation of scanning velocity or position H04N1/0402 and H04N1/17 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/107 with manual scanning
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0063 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0471 using dedicated detectors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/04724 on a separate encoder wheel
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/04729 in the main-scan direction
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/04731 in the sub-scan direction
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/04734 Detecting at frequent intervals, e.g. once per line for sub-scan control

Abstract

An image scanner capable of precisely inputting information is disclosed. A light transmission path is formed through a wall portion of a scanner body to enable the operator to visually confirm a reading position on the document from the outside of the scanner body through an opening for reading the document. A read starting position on the document can be confirmed by turning on the light source only without inputting the information to a data processing means according to a signal from a scanner body moving amount detecting means.

Claims

1. In an image scanner comprising a scanner body enclosing a light source for irradiating light onto a document and an image sensor for receiving a reflected light from said document and inputting information to a data processing means, scanner body moving amount detecting means for detecting a moving amount of said scanner body relative to said document fixed, a manual switch for switching between an operation mode and a search mode, and a light source controlling circuit for controlling a turned-on state of said light source in response to a signal from said manual switch and a signal from said moving amount detecting means, whereby the information within a desired width of said document can be read;

the improvement comprising an opening for reading said document when said light source is turned on, and a light transmission path formed through a wall portion of said scanner body for enabling an operator to visually confirm a reading position on said document from the outside of said scanner body through said opening, said light source is turned on under the search mode when said scanner body is moved more than a predetermined amount, whereby said data processing means is not utilized, enabling an original reading start position to be confirmed.

2. The image scanner as defined in claim 1, wherein said manual switch is located at a holding position of said scanner body for controlling the reading of said document.

3. The image scanner as defined in claim 1, wherein said scanner body is formed by an upper case and a lower case, and said upper case is provided with a window above said opening, said window forming said light transmission path and being fitted with a colored transparent plate.

4. The image scanner as defined in Claim 1, wherein said light source control circuit includes a timer for turning off said light source while under the search mode when said scanner body has not been moved for a specified period of time.