Image reading apparatus

• US 9,509,869 B2
• Filed: 03/27/2015
• Issued: 11/29/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Brother Industries Limited)
• Original Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Brother Industries Limited)
• Inventors: Chen, Xingjing
• Primary Examiner(s): Riley, Marcus T
• Application Number:
  US14/671,656
• Publication Number:
  US 20150201095A1
• Time in Patent Office: 613 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/00 Apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern G03G16/00, G03G17/00 take precedence ; xerographic printers for data processors per se G06K15/14
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/605 Holders for originals or exposure platens for photographic purposes in general G03B
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 15/00 Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data , e.g. computer output printersprinting or plotting combined with another operation, e.g. with conveying, G06K17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 15/40 Details not directly involved in printing, e.g. machine management, management of the arrangement as a whole or of its constitutive parts computer driven print job management G06F3/1237
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00 Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00342 with a radio frequency tag transmitter or receiver storage of additional information in an RFID tag attached to an image bearing paper sheet H04N1/32138
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00411 the display also being used for user input, e.g. touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00493 Particular location of the interface or console
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00496 Constructional details of the interface or console not otherwise provided for, e.g. rotating or tilting means
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00557 Connection or assembly of components or elements H04N1/00538 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00559 Mounting or support of components or elements H04N1/00538 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00564 Constructional details relating to ergonomic aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00588 to the scanning position H04N1/00572, H04N1/00594 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/1065 Support or mounting of the flat picture-bearing surface
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/006 Using near field communication, e.g. an inductive loop
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0081 Image reader H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/02483 Housing or part of the housing, e.g. bottom plate H04N2201/02481 takes precedence

Abstract

An image reading apparatus a chassis, a sheet supporting unit disposed on the chassis configured to receive a sheet of a document placed thereon, a reading unit movably disposed on the chassis and configured to read an image on the sheet placed on the sheet supporting unit while moving in a predetermined direction, a reference member provided at a side portion of the sheet supporting unit, the sheet being placed on the sheet supporting unit such that one end of the sheet contacts the reference member, and an electrostatic capacitive touch key unit disposed on a side portion of the chassis is provided. Additionally, the reference member and the electrostatic capacitive touch key unit are arranged at opposite side portions, in the predetermined direction, of the chassis.

Claims

1. An image reading apparatus comprising:

a chassis;

a sheet supporting unit disposed on the chassis and including a contact glass;

a reference member which is provided at a side portion of the contact glass and is elongated in a first direction, a sheet being placed on the contact glass such that one end of the sheet contacts the reference member;

an openable cover disposed above the contact glass, the openable cover being rotatable about a rotational axis which extends in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and

an operation panel unit disposed in front of the contact glass and inclined relative to the contact glass, the operation panel unit being elongated along the contact glass in the second direction, the operation panel unit including a near field communication substrate, a touch panel, and an electrostatic capacitive touch key unit, the near field communication substrate being configured to wirelessly communicate with an external device within a near field,

wherein the near field communication substrate, the touch panel, and the electrostatic capacitive touch key unit are arranged in the operation panel unit in the second direction.

2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the touch panel is disposed at a central portion of the operation panel unit in the second direction.

3. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the near field communication substrate is disposed at the same side portion, of the operation panel unit, as the reference member in the second direction.

4. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the near field communication substrate is disposed at an end portion of the operation panel unit in the second direction.

5. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the touch panel is disposed between the near field communication substrate and the electrostatic capacitive touch key unit in the second direction.

6. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation panel unit includes a panel cover having an opening, the opening of the panel cover exposing the touch panel, the panel cover covering both the near field communication substrate and the electrostatic capacitive touch key unit.

7. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the near field communication substrate, the touch panel, and the electrostatic capacitive touch key unit are arranged in order in the second direction.

8. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the openable cover has a front end extending along an end of the operation panel unit in the second direction.

9. An image reading apparatus comprising:

a chassis;

a sheet supporting unit disposed on the chassis and including a contact glass;

a reference member which is provided at a side portion of the contact glass and is elongated in a first direction, a sheet being placed on the contact glass such that one end of the sheet contacts the reference member;

an openable cover disposed above the contact glass, the openable cover being rotatable about a rotational axis which extends in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and

an operation panel unit disposed in front of the contact glass and having an inclined surface which faces diagonally frontward and is inclined relative to the contact glass, the operation panel unit being elongated along the contact glass in the second direction, the operation panel unit including a near field communication substrate, a touch panel, and an electrostatic capacitive touch key unit, the near field communication substrate being configured to wirelessly communicate with an external device within a near field,

wherein the near field communication substrate, the touch panel, and the electrostatic capacitive touch key unit are arranged in the operation panel unit in the second direction.

10. The image reading apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the touch panel is disposed at a central portion of the operation panel unit in the second direction.

11. The image reading apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the near field communication substrate is disposed at the same side portion, of the operation panel unit, as the reference member in the second direction.

12. The image reading apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the near field communication substrate is disposed at an end portion of the operation panel unit in the second direction.

13. The image reading apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the touch panel is disposed between the near field communication substrate and the electrostatic capacitive touch key unit in the second direction.

14. The image reading apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the operation panel unit includes a panel cover having an opening, the opening of the panel cover exposing the touch panel, the panel cover covering both the near field communication substrate and the electrostatic capacitive touch key unit.

15. The image reading apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the near field communication substrate, the touch panel, and the electrostatic capacitive touch key unit are arranged in order in the second direction.

16. The image reading apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the openable cover has a front end extending along an end of the operation panel unit in the second direction.

17. The image reading apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the openable cover includes an auto document feeder.