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:
Jul. 20, 2004
Filed:
Nov. 22, 2000
Yoshihisa Motominami, Suwa, JP;
Noriyuki Nouda, Suwa, JP;
Seiko Epson Corporation, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
When an image reading apparatus ( ) shifts from a standby condition to a power economizing state, a buffer ( ) electrically disconnects a connection path . Subsequently, a switch electrically disconnects a power supply path . When the image reading apparatus shifts from a power economizing state to a standby condition, the switch electrically connects the power supply path , thereby commencing the supply of power to an image pickup section . Subsequently, the buffer electrically connects the connection path . Consequently, even in a case where the supply of power to the image pickup section is stopped, an electric current will not flow from the image processing section to an analog-to-digital converter . Thus, breakage of elements included in the analog-to-digital converter can be prevented. Further, when the image reading apparatus is in a power economizing state, the supply of power to the image pickup section and the fan as well as to a light source is stopped. Therefore, the image reading apparatus can reduce power consumption by a greater amount than does a related image reading apparatus which extinguishes only a light source.