Light guide illuminating device having the light guide, and image reading device and information processing apparatus having the illuminating device

• US 5,905,583 A
• Filed: 12/03/1997
• Issued: 05/18/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Itabashi, Satoshi, Takeda, Shinichi, Kawai, Tatsundo, Hamamoto, Osamu
• Primary Examiner(s): Coles, Edward L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee, Cheukfan
• Application Number:
  US08/984,155
• Time in Patent Office: 531 Days
• Field of Search: 358/484, 358/475, 358/474, 358/471, 358/487, 358/509, 358/505, 358/506, 250/208.1, 362/31, 362/32, 362/800, 347/3, 385/128-130, 385/132, 385/31, 385/32, 385/97, 385/901, 385/116, 385/119
• US Class Current: 358/484
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2006/0098 for scanning
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0001 specially adapted for lighting devices or systems lighting or signalling on vehicles using light guides B60Q1/00; lighting devices for vehicle dashboards B60Q3/10; lighting devices for vehicle interior using light guides B60Q3/62; lighting devices mounted on the vehicle rear part using light guides F21S43/235; measuring arrangements having light conducting pointers G01D13/265; illumination of liquid crystal displays G02F1/1336; illuminated signs G09F13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0013 Means for improving the coupling-in of light from the light source into the light guide coupling light into light guides in general G02B6/42
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0031 Reflecting element, sheet or layer
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0036 2-D arrangement of prisms, protrusions, indentations or roughened surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0038 Linear indentations or grooves, e.g. arc-shaped grooves or meandering grooves, extending over the full length or width of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0043 provided on the surface of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0046 Tapered light guide, e.g. wedge-shaped light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0055 Reflecting element, sheet or layer
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0061 to provide homogeneous light output intensity
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/10 of the optical waveguide type G02B6/02, G02B6/24 take precedence; devices or arrangements for the control of light by electric, magnetic, electro-magnetic or acoustic means G02F1/00; transferring the modulation of modulated light G02F2/00; optical logic elements G02F3/00; optical analogue/digital converters G02F7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/42 Coupling light guides with opto-electronic elements
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/02815 Means for illuminating the original, not specific to a particular type of pick-up head
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0282 Using a single or a few point light sources, e.g. a laser diode
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/02835 in combination with a light guide, e.g. optical fibre, glass plate light-guides per se G02B6/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0284 in combination with a light integrating, concentrating or diffusing cavity
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/02885 Means for compensating spatially uneven illumination, e.g. an aperture arrangement
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0289 Light diffusing elements, e.g. plates or filters optical diffusing elements per se G02B5/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/03 with photodetectors arranged in a substantially linear array
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0313 Direct contact pick-up heads, i.e. heads having no array of elements to project the scanned image elements onto the photodectors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0316 : illuminating the scanned image elements through the plane of the photodetector, e.g. back-light illumination
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0318 : Integral pick-up heads, i.e. self-contained heads whose basic elements are a light-source, a lens array and a photodetector array which are supported by a single-piece frame
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/03112 : Light source
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/03125 : Light guide upstream of the scanned picture elements
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/03129 : Transparent cover or transparent document support mounted on the head
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/03141 : Photodetector lens
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/03145 : Photodetector

Abstract

There is disclosed an illumination device in which a light guide is adapted to emit the light from a face thereof and is provided with an area, on a face opposite to the light emitting face, for diffusing and/or reflecting the light introduced into the light guide from an end face thereof or is provided with uneven light emitting characteristics along the longitudinal direction of the light guide, and the center of the light source positioned at the end of the light guide is placed at a position aberrated from the normal line to the area, whereby attained are compactness, a low cost, a low electric power consumption, a high efficiency of utilization of the light emitted by the light source, and excellent and uniform illumination characteristics. There are also disclosed an image reading device and an information processing apparatus, equipped with the above-mentioned illumination device.

Claims

1. A longitudinal light guide, for guiding light introduced from a light source and for emitting the light along a longitudinal side thereof, having a longitudinal reflection member arranged along said light guide for reflecting the light from said light source, wherein an intensity of the light reflected by said reflection member is larger near said light source than the light reflected by other parts of said reflection member, and wherein, at least at an end of said reflection member near said light source, a normal line passing through a center of a width of said reflection member is shifted from a center of said light source, when viewed in a longitudinal direction of said light guide, for weakening the intensity of the light reflected by said reflection member near said light source.

2. A light guide according to claim 1, wherein said reflection member of said light guide is formed with light-reflecting paint.

3. A light guide according to claim 1, wherein said reflection member is composed of a coarse surface.

4. A light guide according to claim 1, wherein said reflection member is composed of sawtooth-shaped reflecting faces.

5. An illumination device provided with a longitudinal light guide, said longitudinal light guide being adapted for guiding light introduced from a light source and for emitting the light along a longitudinal side thereof, having a longitudinal reflection member arranged along said light guide for reflecting the light from said light source, wherein an intensity of the light reflected by said reflection member is larger near said light source than the light reflected by other parts of said reflection member, and wherein, at least at an end of said reflection member near said light source, a normal line passing through a center of a width of said reflection member is shifted from a center of said light source, when viewed in a longitudinal direction of said light guide, for weakening the intensity of the light reflected by said reflection member near said light source.

6. An illumination device according to claim 5, wherein said reflection member of said light guide is formed with light-reflecting paint.

7. An illumination device according to claim 5, wherein said reflection member is composed of a coarse surface.

8. An illumination device according to claim 5, wherein said reflection member is composed of sawtooth-shaped reflecting faces.

9. An illumination device according to claim 5, wherein said light source is composed of a light-emitting diode.

10. An image reading device comprising:

(a) an illumination device provided with a longitudinal light guide, said longitudinal light guide being adapted for guiding a light introduced from a light source and for emitting the light along a longitudinal side thereof, having a longitudinal reflection member arranged along said light guide for reflecting the light from said light source, wherein an intensity of the light reflected by said reflection member is larger near said light source than the light reflected by other parts of said reflection member, and wherein, at least at an end of said reflection member near said light source, a normal line passing through a center of a width of said reflection member is shifted from a center of the light source, when viewed in a longitudinal direction of said light guide, for weakening the intensity of the light reflected by said reflection member near said light source; and

(b) a photoelectric converting device having a plurality of photoelectric converting elements for reading an image illuminated by said illumination device and for outputting an image signal.

11. An image reading device according to claim 10, wherein said reflection member of said light guide is formed with light-reflecting paint.

12. An image reading device according to claim 10, wherein said reflection member is composed of a coarse surface.

13. An image reading device according to claim 10, wherein said light source is composed of a light-emitting diode.

14. An information processing system comprising:

(a) an illumination device provided with a longitudinal light guide, said longitudinal light guide being adapted for guiding light introduced from a light source and for emitting the light along a longitudinal side thereof, having a longitudinal reflection member arranged along said light guide for reflecting the light from said light source, wherein an intensity of the light reflected by said reflection member is larger near said light source than the light reflected by other parts of said reflection member, and wherein, at least at an end of said reflection member near said light source, a normal line passing through a center of a width of said reflection member is shifted from a center of the light source, when viewed in a longitudinal direction of said light guide, for weakening the intensity of the light reflected by said reflection member near said light source;

(b) a photoelectric converting device having a plurality of photoelectric converting elements for reading an image illuminated by said illumination device and for outputting an image signal;

(c) a processor for processing the image signal; and

(d) a controller for controlling said illumination device, said photoelectric converting device and said processor.

15. An information processing system according to claim 14, wherein said reflection member of said light guide is formed with light-reflecting paint.

16. An information processing system according to claim 14, wherein said reflection member is composed of a coarse surface.

17. An information processing system according to claim 14, wherein said light source is composed of a light-emitting diode.

18. An information processing system according to claim 14, further comprising communication means controlled by said controller.

19. A longitudinal light guide, for guiding light introduced from a light source and for emitting the light along a longitudinal side thereof, having a longitudinal reflection member arranged along said light guide for reflecting the light from said light source, wherein, at least at an end of said reflection member near said light source, a normal line passing through a center of a width of said reflection member is shifted from a center of said light source, when viewed in a longitudinal direction of said light guide.

20. A light guide according to claim 19, wherein said reflection member includes light-reflecting paint.

21. A light guide according to claim 19, wherein said reflection member includes a coarse surface.

22. A light guide according to claim 19, wherein said reflection member includes a sawtooth-shaped reflecting surface.

23. A longitudinal light guide, for guiding light introduced from a plurality of light sources and for emitting the light along a longitudinal side thereof, having a longitudinal reflection member arranged along said light guide for reflecting the light from said plurality of light sources, wherein, at least at an end of said reflection member near said plurality of light sources, a normal line passing through a center of a width of said reflection member is shifted from a center of at least one of said plurality of light sources, when viewed in a longitudinal direction of said light guide.

24. A light guide according to claim 23, wherein said reflection member includes light-reflecting paint.

25. A light guide according to claim 23, wherein said reflection member includes a coarse surface.

26. A light guide according to claim 23, wherein said reflection member includes a sawtooth-shaped reflecting surface.

27. An image reading device comprising:

(a) an illumination device provided with a longitudinal light guide, for guiding light introduced from a light source and for emitting the light along a longitudinal side thereof, having a longitudinal reflection member arranged along said light guide for reflecting the light from said light source, wherein, at least at an end of said reflection member near said light source, a normal line passing through a center of a width of said reflection member is shifted from a center of said light source, when viewed in a longitudinal direction of said light guide; and

(b) a photoelectric converting device having a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements for reading an image illuminated by said illumination device and for outputting an image signal.

28. A device according to claim 27, wherein said reflection member includes light-reflecting paint.

29. A device according to claim 27, wherein said reflection member includes a coarse surface.

30. A device according to claim 27, wherein said reflection member includes a sawtooth-shaped reflecting surface.

31. An information processing apparatus comprising:

(a) an illumination device provided with a longitudinal light guide, for guiding light introduced from a light source and for emitting the light along a longitudinal side thereof, having a longitudinal reflection member arranged along said light guide for reflecting the light from said light source, wherein, at least at an end of said reflection member near said light source, a normal line passing through a center of a width of said reflection member is shifted from a center of said light source, when viewed in a longitudinal direction of said light guide;

(b) a photoelectric converting device having a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements for reading an image illuminated by said illumination device and for outputting an image signal; and

(c) control circuits for controlling said illumination device and said photoelectric converting device.

32. An apparatus according to claim 31, wherein said reflection member includes light-reflecting paint.

33. An apparatus according to claim 31, wherein said reflection member includes a coarse surface.

34. An apparatus according to claim 31, wherein said reflection member includes a sawtooth-shaped reflecting surface.

35. An apparatus according to claim 31, wherein said light source includes a light-emitting diode.

36. An apparatus according to claim 31, further comprising communication means controlled by said control circuits.

37. An apparatus according to claim 31, further comprising a processor for converting the image signal output by said photoelectric converting device into a different electrical signal.

38. An apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the different electrical signal is adapted for recording.

39. An apparatus according to claim 31, further comprising drive means for shifting a positional relationship between the image illuminated by said illumination device and said photoelectric converting device.

40. An information transmitting apparatus comprising:

(a) an illumination device provided with a longitudinal light guide, for guiding light introduced from a light source and for emitting the light along a longitudinal side thereof, having a longitudinal reflection member arranged along said light guide for reflecting the light from said light source, wherein, at least at an end of said reflection member near said light source, a normal line passing through a center of a width of said reflection member is shifted from a center of said light source, when viewed in a longitudinal direction of said light guide;

(b) a photoelectric converting device having a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements for reading an image illuminated by said illumination device and for forming an image signal; and

(c) transmission means for transmitting the image signal to an external processing apparatus for processing the image signal.

41. An apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said reflection member includes light-reflecting paint.

42. An apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said reflection member includes a coarse surface.

43. An apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said reflection member includes a sawtooth-shaped reflecting surface.

44. An apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said light source includes a light-emitting diode.

45. An apparatus according to claim 40, further comprising a processor for converting the image signal formed by said photoelectric converting device into a different electrical signal.

46. An apparatus according to claim 45, wherein the different electrical signal is adapted for recording.

47. An apparatus according to claim 40, further comprising drive means for shifting a positional relationship between the image illuminated by said illumination device and said photoelectric converting device.

48. An information reading apparatus comprising:

(a) an illumination device provided with a longitudinal light guide, for guiding light introduced from a light source and for emitting the light along a longitudinal side thereof, having a longitudinal reflection member arranged along said light guide for reflecting the light from said light source, wherein, at least at an end of said reflection member near said light source, a normal line passing through a center of a width of said reflection member is shifted from a center of said light source, when viewed in a longitudinal direction of said light guide;

(b) a photoelectric converting device having a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements for reading an image illuminated by said illumination device and for forming an image signal; and

(c) drive means for shifting a positional relationship between the image illuminated by said illumination device and said photoelectric converting device.

49. An apparatus according to claim 48, wherein said reflection member includes light-reflecting paint.

50. An apparatus according to claim 48, wherein said reflection member includes a coarse surface.

51. An apparatus according to claim 48, wherein said reflection member includes a sawtooth-shaped reflecting surface.

52. An apparatus according to claim 48, wherein said light source includes a light-emitting diode.

53. An apparatus according to claim 48, further comprising a processor for converting the image signal formed by said photoelectric converting device into a different electrical signal.

54. An apparatus according to claim 53, wherein the different electrical signal is adapted for recording.

55. An apparatus according to claim 48, wherein said drive means includes a motor.

56. An apparatus according to claim 55, wherein said motor moves an image bearing sheet.

57. An apparatus according to claim 48, further comprising transmission means for transmitting the image signal to an external processing apparatus for processing the image signal.

58. An image reading device comprising:

(a) an illumination device provided with a longitudinal light guide, for guiding light introduced from a plurality of light sources and for emitting the light along a longitudinal side thereof, having a longitudinal reflection member arranged along said light guide for reflecting the light from said plurality of light sources, wherein, at least at an end of said reflection member near said plurality of light sources, a normal line passing through a center of a width of said reflection member is shifted from a center of at least one of said plurality of light sources, when viewed in a longitudinal direction of said light guide; and

(b) a photoelectric converting device having a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements for reading an image illuminated by said illumination device and for outputting an image signal.

59. A device according to claim 58, wherein said reflection member includes light-reflecting paint.

60. A device according to claim 58, wherein said reflection member includes a coarse surface.

61. A device according to claim 58, wherein said reflection member includes a sawtooth-shaped reflecting surface.

62. An information processing apparatus comprising:

(a) an illumination device provided with a longitudinal light guide, for guiding light introduced from a plurality of light sources and for emitting the light along a longitudinal side thereof, having a longitudinal reflection member arranged along said light guide for reflecting the light from said plurality of light sources, wherein, at least at an end of said reflection member near said plurality of light sources, a normal line passing through a center of a width of said reflection member is shifted from a center of at least one of said plurality of light sources, when viewed in a longitudinal direction of said light guide;

(b) a photoelectric converting device having a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements for reading an image illuminated by said illumination device and for outputting an image signal;

(c) a processor for processing the image signal output by said photoelectric converting device; and

(d) control circuits for controlling said illumination device, said photoelectric conversion device, and said processor.

63. An apparatus according to claim 62, wherein said reflection member includes light-reflecting paint.

64. An apparatus according to claim 62, wherein said reflection member includes a coarse surface.

65. An apparatus according to claim 62, wherein said reflection member includes a sawtooth-shaped reflecting surface.

66. An apparatus according to claim 62, wherein said plurality of light sources includes a light-emitting diode.

67. An apparatus according to claim 62, further comprising communication means controlled by said control circuits.

68. An apparatus according to claim 62, wherein said processor converts the image signal into a different electrical signal.

69. An apparatus according to claim 68, wherein the different electrical signal is adapted for recording.

70. An apparatus according to claim 62, further comprising drive means for shifting a positional relationship between the image illuminated by said illumination device and said photoelectric converting device.

71. An information transmitting apparatus comprising:

(a) an illumination device provided with a longitudinal light guide for guiding light introduced from a plurality of light sources and for emitting the light along a longitudinal side thereof, having a longitudinal reflection member arranged along said light guide for reflecting the light from said plurality of light sources, wherein, at least at an end of said reflection member near said plurality of light sources, a normal line passing through a center of a width of said reflection member is shifted from a center of at least one of said plurality of light sources, when viewed in a longitudinal direction of said light guide;

(b) a photoelectric converting device having a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements for reading an image illuminated by said illumination device and for forming an image signal; and

(c) transmission means for transmitting the image signal to an external processing apparatus for processing the image signal.

72. An apparatus according to claim 71, wherein said reflection member includes light-reflecting paint.

73. An apparatus according to claim 71, wherein said reflection member includes a coarse surface.

74. An apparatus according to claim 71, wherein said reflection member includes a sawtooth-shaped reflecting surface.

75. An apparatus according to claim 71, wherein said plurality of light sources includes a light-emitting diode.

76. An apparatus according to claim 71, further comprising a processor for converting the image signal formed by said photoelectric converting device into a different electrical signal.

77. An apparatus according to claim 76, wherein the different electrical signal is adapted for recording.

78. An apparatus according to claim 71, further comprising drive means for shifting a positional relationship between the image illuminated by said illumination device and said photoelectric converting device.

79. An information reading apparatus comprising:

(a) an illumination device provided with a longitudinal light guide, for guiding light introduced from a plurality of light sources and for emitting the light along a longitudinal side thereof, having a longitudinal reflection member arranged along said light guide for reflecting the light from said plurality of light sources, wherein, at least at an end of said reflection member near said plurality of light sources, a normal line passing through a center of a width of said reflection member is shifted from a center of at least one of said plurality of light sources, when viewed in a longitudinal direction of said light guide;

(b) a photoelectric converting device having a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements for reading an image illuminated by said illumination device and for forming an image signal; and

(c) drive means for shifting a positional relationship between the image illuminated by said illumination device and said photoelectric converting device.

80. An apparatus according to claim 79, wherein said reflection member includes light-reflecting paint.

81. An apparatus according to claim 79, wherein said reflection member includes a coarse surface.

82. An apparatus according to claim 79, wherein said reflection member includes a sawtooth-shaped reflecting surface.

83. An apparatus according to claim 79, wherein said plurality of light sources includes a light-emitting diode.

84. An apparatus according to claim 79, further comprising a processor for converting the image signal formed by said photoelectric converting device into a different electrical signal.

85. An apparatus according to claim 84, wherein the different electrical signal is adapted for recording.

86. An apparatus according to claim 79, wherein said drive means includes a motor.

87. An apparatus according to claim 86, wherein said motor moves an image bearing sheet.

88. An apparatus according to claim 79, further comprising transmission means for transmitting the image signal to an external processing apparatus for processing the image signal.

89. A light guide comprising:

a longitudinal surface that extends in a longitudinal direction of said light guide;

an end surface disposed at one longitudinal end of said longitudinal surface;

a plurality of light sources disposed on said end surface; and

a longitudinal reflection member disposed on said longitudinal surface,

wherein a reflection member normal line that passes through a center of a width of said longitudinal reflection member is shifted, at least at an end of said longitudinal reflection member near said end surface, from a center of at least one of said plurality of light sources, when viewed in the longitudinal direction of said light guide.

90. A light guide according to claim 89, wherein said reflection member includes light-reflecting paint.

91. A light guide according to claim 89, wherein said reflection member includes a coarse surface.

92. A light guide according to claim 89, wherein said reflection member includes a sawtooth-shaped reflecting surface.

93. An image reading device comprising:

(a) an illumination device provided with a longitudinal light guide, for guiding light introduced from a plurality of light sources and for emitting the light along a longitudinal side thereof, having a longitudinal surface that extends in a longitudinal direction of said light guide;

an end surface disposed at one longitudinal end of said longitudinal surface;

a plurality of light sources disposed on said end surface; and

a longitudinal reflection member disposed on said longitudinal surface, wherein a reflection member normal line that passes through a center of a width of said longitudinal reflection member is shifted, at least at an end of said longitudinal reflection member near said end surface, from a center of at least one of said plurality of light sources, when viewed in the longitudinal direction of said light guide; and

(b) a photoelectric converting device having a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements for reading an image illuminated by said illumination device and for outputting an image signal.

94. A device according to claim 93, wherein said reflection member includes light-reflecting paint.

95. A device according to claim 93, wherein said reflection member includes a coarse surface.

96. A device according to claim 93, wherein said reflection member includes a sawtooth-shaped reflecting surface.

97. An information processing apparatus comprising:

(a) an illumination device provided with a longitudinal light guide, for guiding light introduced from a plurality of light sources and for emitting the light along a longitudinal side thereof, having a longitudinal surface that extends in a longitudinal direction of said light guide;

an end surface disposed at one longitudinal end of said longitudinal surface;

a plurality of light sources disposed on said end surface; and

a longitudinal reflection member disposed on said longitudinal surface, wherein a reflection member normal line that passes through a center of a width of said longitudinal reflection member is shifted, at least at an end of said longitudinal reflection member near said end surface, from a center of at least one of said plurality of light sources, when viewed in the longitudinal direction of said light guide;

(b) a photoelectric converting device having a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements for reading an image illuminated by said illumination device and for outputting an image signal; and

(c) control circuits for controlling said illumination device and said photoelectric converting device.

98. An apparatus according to claim 97, wherein said reflection member includes light-reflecting paint.

99. An apparatus according to claim 97, wherein said reflection member includes a coarse surface.

100. An apparatus according to claim 97, wherein said reflection member includes a sawtooth-shaped reflecting surface.

101. An apparatus according to claim 97, wherein said plurality of light sources includes a light-emitting diode.

102. An apparatus according to claim 97, further comprising communication means controlled by said control circuits.

103. An apparatus according to claim 97, further comprising a processor for converting the image signal output by said photoelectric converting device into a different electrical signal.

104. An apparatus according to claim 103, wherein the different electrical signal is adapted for recording.

105. An apparatus according to claim 97, further comprising drive means for shifting a positional relationship between the image illuminated by said illumination device and said photoelectric converting device.

106. An information transmitting apparatus comprising:

(a) an illumination device provided with a longitudinal light guide, for guiding light introduced from a plurality of light sources and for emitting the light along a longitudinal side thereof, having a longitudinal surface that extends in a longitudinal direction of said light guide;

an end surface disposed at one longitudinal end of said longitudinal surface;

a plurality of light sources disposed on said end surface; and

a longitudinal reflection member disposed on said longitudinal surface, wherein a reflection member normal line that passes through a center of a width of said longitudinal reflection member is shifted, at least at an end of said longitudinal reflection member near said end surface, from a center of at least one of said plurality of light sources, when viewed in the longitudinal direction of said light guide;

(b) a photoelectric converting device having a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements for reading an image illuminated by said illumination device and for forming an image signal; and

(c) transmission means for transmitting the image signal to an external processing apparatus for processing the image signal.

107. An apparatus according to claim 106, wherein said reflection member includes light-reflecting paint.

108. An apparatus according to claim 106, wherein said reflection member includes a coarse surface.

109. An apparatus according to claim 106, wherein said reflection member includes a sawtooth-shaped reflecting surface.

110. An apparatus according to claim 106, wherein said plurality of light sources includes a light-emitting diode.

111. An apparatus according to claim 106, further comprising a processor for converting the image signal formed by said photoelectric converting device into a different electrical signal.

112. An apparatus according to claim 111, wherein the different electrical signal is adapted for recording.

113. An apparatus according to claim 106, further comprising drive means for shifting a positional relationship between the image illuminated by said illumination device and said photoelectric converting device.

114. An information reading apparatus comprising:

(a) an illumination device provided with a longitudinal light guide, for guiding light introduced from a plurality of light sources and for emitting the light along a longitudinal side thereof, having a longitudinal surface that extends in a longitudinal direction of said light guide;

an end surface disposed at one longitudinal end of said longitudinal surface;

a plurality of light sources disposed on said end surface; and

a longitudinal reflection member disposed on said longitudinal surface, wherein a reflection member normal line that passes through a center of a width of said longitudinal reflection member is shifted, at least at an end of said longitudinal reflection member near said end surface, from a center of at least one of said plurality of light sources, when viewed in the longitudinal direction of said light guide;

(b) a photoelectric converting device having a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements for reading an image illuminated by said illumination device and for forming an image signal; and

(c) drive means for shifting a positional relationship between the image illuminated by said illumination device and said photoelectric converting device.

115. An apparatus according to claim 114, wherein said reflection member includes light-reflecting paint.

116. An apparatus according to claim 114, wherein said reflection member includes a coarse surface.

117. An apparatus according to claim 114, wherein said reflection member includes a sawtooth-shaped reflecting surface.

118. An apparatus according to claim 114, wherein said plurality of light sources includes a light-emitting diode.

119. An apparatus according to claim 114, further comprising a processor for converting the image signal formed by said photoelectric converting device into a different electrical signal.

120. An apparatus according to claim 119, wherein the different electrical signal is adapted for recording.

121. An apparatus according to claim 114, wherein said drive means includes a motor.

122. An apparatus according to claim 121, wherein said motor moves an image bearing sheet.

123. An apparatus according to claim 114, further comprising transmission means for transmitting the image signal to an external processing apparatus for processing the image signal.

124. A light guide comprising:

a longitudinal surface that extends in a longitudinal direction of said light guide;

an end surface disposed at one longitudinal end of said longitudinal surface;

a longitudinal reflection member disposed on said longitudinal surface; and

a plurality of light sources disposed on said end surface,

wherein at least one of said plurality of light sources is shifted from a normal plane that passes through a center of a width of said longitudinal reflection member.

125. A light guide according to claim 124, wherein said reflection member includes light-reflecting paint.

126. A light guide according to claim 124, wherein said reflection member includes a coarse surface.

127. A light guide according to claim 124, wherein said reflection member includes a sawtooth-shaped reflecting surface.

128. An image reading device comprising:

(a) an illumination device provided with a longitudinal light guide, for guiding light introduced from a plurality of light sources and for emitting the light along a longitudinal side thereof, having a longitudinal surface that extends in a longitudinal direction of said light guide;

an end surface disposed at one longitudinal end of said longitudinal surface;

a longitudinal reflection member disposed on said longitudinal surface; and

a plurality of light sources disposed on said end surface, wherein at least one of said plurality of light sources is shifted from a normal plane that passes through a center of a width of said longitudinal reflection member; and

(b) a photoelectric converting device having a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements for reading an image illuminated by said illumination device and for outputting an image signal.

129. A device according to claim 128, wherein said reflection member includes light-reflecting paint.

130. A device according to claim 128, wherein said reflection member includes a coarse surface.

131. A device according to claim 128, wherein said reflection member includes a sawtooth-shaped reflecting surface.

132. An information processing apparatus comprising:

(a) an illumination device provided with a longitudinal light guide, for guiding light introduced from a plurality of light sources and for emitting the light along a longitudinal side thereof, having a longitudinal surface that extends in a longitudinal direction of said light guide;

an end surface disposed at one longitudinal end of said longitudinal surface;

a longitudinal reflection member disposed on said longitudinal surface; and

a plurality of light sources disposed on said end surface, wherein at least one of said plurality of light sources is shifted from a normal plane that passes through a center of a width of said longitudinal reflection member;

(b) a photoelectric converting device having a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements for reading an image illuminated by said illumination device and for outputting an image signal; and

(c) control circuits for controlling said illumination device and said photoelectric converting device.

133. An apparatus according to claim 132, wherein said reflection member includes light-reflecting paint.

134. An apparatus according to claim 132, wherein said reflection member includes a coarse surface.

135. An apparatus according to claim 132, wherein said reflection member includes a sawtooth-shaped reflecting surface.

136. An apparatus according to claim 132, wherein said plurality of light sources includes a light-emitting diode.

137. An apparatus according to claim 132, further comprising communication means controlled by said control circuits.

138. An apparatus according to claim 132, further comprising a processor for converting the image signal output by said photoelectric converting device into a different electrical signal.

139. An apparatus according to claim 138, wherein the different electrical signal is adapted for recording.

140. An apparatus according to claim 132, further comprising drive means for shifting a positional relationship between the image illuminated by said illumination device and said photoelectric converting device.

141. An information transmitting apparatus comprising:

(a) an illumination device provided with a longitudinal light guide, for guiding light introduced from a plurality of light sources and for emitting the light along a longitudinal side thereof, having a longitudinal surface that extends in a longitudinal direction of said light guide;

an end surface disposed at one longitudinal end of said longitudinal surface;

a longitudinal reflection member disposed on said longitudinal surface; and

a plurality of light sources disposed on said end surface, wherein at least one of said plurality of light sources is shifted from a normal plane that passes through a center of a width of said longitudinal reflection member;

(b) a photoelectric converting device having a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements for reading an image illuminated by said illumination device and for forming an image signal; and

(c) transmission means for transmitting the image signal to an external processing apparatus for processing the image signal.

142. An apparatus according to claim 141, wherein said reflection member includes light-reflecting paint.

143. An apparatus according to claim 141, wherein said reflection member includes a coarse surface.

144. An apparatus according to claim 141, wherein said reflection member includes a sawtooth-shaped reflecting surface.

145. An apparatus according to claim 141, wherein said plurality of light sources includes a light-emitting diode.

146. An apparatus according to claim 141, further comprising a processor for converting the image signal formed by said photoelectric converting device into a different electrical signal.

147. An apparatus according to claim 146, wherein the different electrical signal is adapted for recording.

148. An apparatus according to claim 141, further comprising drive means for shifting a positional relationship between the image illuminated by said illumination device and said photoelectric converting device.

149. An information reading apparatus comprising:

(a) an illumination device provided with a longitudinal light guide, for guiding light introduced from a plurality of light sources and for emitting the light along a longitudinal side thereof, having a longitudinal surface that extends in a longitudinal direction of said light guide;

an end surface disposed at one longitudinal end of said longitudinal surface;

a longitudinal reflection member disposed on said longitudinal surface; and

a plurality of light sources disposed on said end surface, wherein at least one of said plurality of light sources is shifted from a normal plane that passes through a center of a width of said longitudinal reflection member;

(b) a photoelectric converting device having a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements for reading an image illuminated by said illumination device and for forming an image signal; and

(c) drive means for shifting a positional relationship between the image illuminated by said illumination device and said photoelectric converting device.

150. An apparatus according to claim 149, wherein said reflection member includes light-reflecting paint.

151. An apparatus according to claim 149, wherein said reflection member includes a coarse surface.

152. An apparatus according to claim 149, wherein said reflection member includes a sawtooth-shaped reflecting surface.

153. An apparatus according to claim 149, wherein said plurality of light sources includes a light-emitting diode.

154. An apparatus according to claim 149, further comprising a processor for converting the image signal formed by said photoelectric converting device into a different electrical signal.

155. An apparatus according to claim 154, wherein the different electrical signal is adapted for recording.

156. An apparatus according to claim 149, wherein said drive means includes a motor.

157. An apparatus according to claim 156, wherein said motor moves an image bearing sheet.

158. An apparatus according to claim 149, further comprising transmission means for transmitting the image signal to an external processing apparatus for processing the image signal.