IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,274,495
Granted Patent B2
US 7,274,495 · App. 10/065,384 · Granted Sep 25, 2007

Light-channeling apparatus and method

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,274,495
App. No.
10/065,384
Granted
Sep 25, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

A light-channeling apparatus for a scanning module comprises a first light-guiding tube, a second light-guiding tube, and a collimating lens positioned inside the first light-guiding tube. The first and second light-guiding tubes are attached to a body casing of the scanning module. The scanning module uses the first light-guiding tube having the collimating lens to channel light from a light source to a scanning region and uses the second light-guiding tube to channel light reflected from the scanning region to a light passage slit on the body casing, to minimize dispersion of light from the light source and keep external light out of the light transmission pathway.

Claims (43)

1. A light-channeling apparatus, comprising:

a first light-guiding tube attached to a body casing, wherein the first light-guiding tube is positioned between a light source and a document;

a second light-guiding tube attached to the body casing, wherein the second light-guiding tube is positioned between the document and a light passage slit in the body casing; and

a collimating lens located inside the first light-guiding tube.

2. The light-channeling apparatus of claim 1 , wherein interior sidewalls of the first light-guiding tube comprise a reflective coating.

3. The light-channeling apparatus of claim 1 , wherein interior sidewalls of the second light-guiding tube comprise a reflective coating.

4. The light-channeling apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further includes a light-guiding body inside the first light-guiding tube.

5. The light-channeling apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further includes a light-guiding body inside the second light-guiding tube.

6. The light-channeling apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first light-guiding tube comprises a hollow interior.

7. The light-channeling apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second light-guiding tube comprises a hollow interior.

8. The light-channeling apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the document end of the first light-guiding tube and the document end of the second light-guiding tube are fused together.

9. The light-channeling apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first light-guiding tube and the body casing are an integrative unit.

10. The light-channeling apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second light-guiding tube and the body casing are an integrative unit.

11. A scanning module, comprising:

a body casing comprising a light passage slit thereon;

a light source attached to the body casing;

one or more reflecting mirrors inside the body casing;

a lens inside the body casing;

a light-sensing device inside the body casing;

a light-channeling apparatus joined to the body casing, wherein the light-channeling apparatus includes a first light-guiding tube and a second light-guiding tube such that the first light-guiding tube is positioned between the light source and a document and the second light-guiding tube is positioned between the document and the light passage slit; and

a collimating lens located inside the first light-guiding tube.

12. The scanning module of claim 11 , wherein interior sidewalls of the first light-guiding tube comprise a reflective coating.

13. The scanning module of claim 11 , wherein interior sidewalls of the second light-guiding tube comprise a reflective coating.

14. The scanning module of claim 11 , wherein the module further includes a light-guiding body inside the first light-guiding tube.

15. The scanning module of claim 11 , wherein the module further includes a light-guiding body inside the second light-guiding tube.

16. The scanning module of claim 11 , wherein the first light-guiding tube comprises a hollow interior.

17. The scanning module of claim 11 , wherein the second light-guiding tube comprises a hollow interior.

18. The scanning module of claim 11 , wherein the document end of the first light-guiding tube and the document end of the second light-guiding tube are fused together.

19. The scanning module of claim 11 , wherein the first light-guiding tube and the body casing are an integrative unit.

20. The scanning module of claim 11 , wherein the second light-guiding tube and the body casing are an integrative unit.

21. A method, comprising:

guiding light from a light source to a document via a first light-guiding tube attached to a body casing;

guiding reflected light from the document through a light passage slit into the body casing via a second light-guiding tube attached to the body casing; and

focusing the light from the light source via a collimating lens located inside the first light-guiding tube.

22. The method of claim 21 , further comprising reflecting light within the first light-guiding tube via a reflective coating on interior sidewalls of the first light-guiding tube.

23. The method of claim 21 , further comprising reflecting light within the second light-guiding tube via a reflective coating on interior sidewalls of the second light-guiding tube.

24. The method of claim 21 , further comprising increasing light-focusing power via a light-guiding body inside the first light-guiding tube.

25. The method of claim 21 , further comprising increasing light-focusing power via a light-guiding body inside the second light-guiding tube.

26. The method of claim 21 , wherein the first light-guiding tube comprises a hollow interior.

27. The method of claim 21 , wherein the second light-guiding tube comprises a hollow interior.

28. The method of claim 21 , wherein the document end of the first light-guiding tube and the document end of the second light-guiding tube are fused together.

29. The method of claim 21 , wherein the first light-guiding tube and the body casing are an integrative unit.

30. The method of claim 21 , wherein the second light-guiding tube and the body casing are an integrative unit.