The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 23, 2001
Filed:
Oct. 06, 1997
Yasunobu Youda, Kanagawa-ken, JP;
Eiki Yoshimizu, Kanagawa-ken, JP;
Ricoh Company, Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
An image sensor unit, and method, used in an image reading apparatus such as a facsimile machine, image scanner, copier machine, includes a feeding path through which a feeding document, having an imaged to be read, is passed. In the feeding path, the feeding document is passed over a contact glass through which a light from a light source illuminates an image on the feeding document. Reflected light is then detected with a detection and converted into image data. However, unless appropriate measures are taken, the integrity of the image data is subject to corruption as a result of electric noise generated from discharging of excess charge developed on the contact glass when the feeding sheet moves along side of the contact glass. The present image sensor includes a method and mechanism for passing the accumulated charge to ground, thereby avoiding the possibility of electrical discharge and associated electrical noise. Furthermore, the present image sensor includes a transparent thin film made of a material that prevents the accumulation of excess charge.