Image readout apparatus
Generation of flare components is reduced, and reduction of the amount 6f irradiated readout light is suppressed, in an image readout apparatus. The image readout apparatus is constituted by: an image recording medium, on which image information is recorded; a readout light source formed by electroluminescence elements that emit readout light as line light onto the image recording medium; and an erasing light source formed by electroluminescence elements that emit erasing light of a different frequency from that of the readout light onto the image recording medium to erase the image information therefrom. The readout light source and the erasing light source are integrally formed on a substrate.
1 . An image readout apparatus for reading image information from an image recording medium, on which the image information is recorded, by irradiating readout light thereon, comprising:
a readout light source constituted by electroluminescence elements, for emitting the readout light onto the image recording medium as line light;
an erasing light source constituted by electroluminescence elements, for emitting erasing light of a frequency different from that of the readout light, to erase the image information recorded on the image recording medium; and
a substrate;
the readout light source and the erasing light source being integrally formed on the substrate.
2 . An image readout apparatus as defined in claim 1 , wherein:
the readout light source and the erasing light source are constituted by a multi photon emission element, which is integrally formed on the substrate by being stacked as layers thereon.
3 . An image readout apparatus as defined in claim 2 , further comprising:
light emission control means, for independently controlling the operations of the readout light source and the erasing light source.
4 . An image readout apparatus for reading image information from an image recording medium, on which the image information is recorded, by irradiating readout light thereon, comprising:
a readout light source, for emitting the readout light onto the image recording medium as line light;
an erasing light source, for emitting erasing light of a frequency different from that of the readout light, to erase the image information recorded on the image recording medium; and
a substrate;
the readout light source and the erasing light source employing inorganic electroluminescence elements which are integrally formed with the substrate;
the readout light source being constituted by a plurality of stripe regions of the electroluminescence elements that emit light of a readout frequency; and
the erasing light source being constituted by a plurality of linear regions of the electroluminescence elements that emit light of an erasing frequency, which are provided between the stripe regions.