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:
Apr. 22, 2003
Filed:
Jan. 20, 2000
Masashi Amano, Nara, JP;
Sadahiko Hinoue, Nara, JP;
Masaharu Satoh, Nara, JP;
Kouichi Harada, Nara, JP;
Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha, Osaka, JP;
Abstract
An object of the invention is to provide a small-size image reading apparatus which has a high accuracy in image reading, by a different means from the prior arts. A panel includes a plurality of two-dimensionally arranged photoreceptor devices which are interposed between a pair of light-transmitting substrates. At an edge of one of the light-transmitting substrate, a slope is formed, and a light source is opposed to the slope. Light transmitted by reflection on the surfaces of the light-transmitting substrates is emitted on an object which comes in contact with the surface of the panel, and light returned from the object is received by the photoreceptor devices, whereby an image of the object is read. Thus, a direction in which light passes through the panel can be restricted, and the accuracy in image reading can be increased.