Sheet-size detecting mechanism for image scanning apparatus
US7817310B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 7, 2006 |
| Grant date | Oct 19, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 18, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG03G2215/00734
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A sheet-size detecting mechanism for an image scanning apparatus detects the width of a sheet before a complete image of a sheet is acquired by the means of varying optical paths and obtaining a partial image of the sheet in advance so as to judge a width of the sheet. The mechanism includes a light source, a reflecting device having at least one reflecting mirror, a path-routing device, a photosensor, and a detecting position defined on a sheet transporting path of the sheet. The path-routing device may be rotatable, movable or fixed and reflects light rays from the detecting position and a scanning position. The path-routing device changes the optical path so that the partial image of the sheet at the detecting position may be acquired and the width of the sheet may be judged precisely. In addition, the manufacturing cost can be decreased because the sheet-size detecting mechanism and an image scan mechanism may have shared components.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.