Abstract: An image reading apparatus is provided which includes a cold-cathode tube as a light source for illuminating a document sheet, an inverter for providing the light source with driving power. A connection cable is used for electrically connecting the light source to the inverter. The image reading apparatus also includes three kinds of rows of light receiving elements arranged in the primary scanning direction for detecting the light reflected on the document sheet. A lens array is provided for focusing the reflected light at the respective rows of light receiving elements. The light receiving elements are mounted on a printed circuit board. The light source, the inverter, the lens array and the printed circuit board are supported by a single case of the image reading apparatus.

Abstract: A lens array unit includes first and second lens arrays cooperative with each other. The first lens array is provided with a plurality of first convex lenses and a first transparent holder formed integral with the first lenses. Each of the first lenses has first and second lens surfaces. The second lens array is provided with a plurality of second convex lenses and a second transparent holder formed integral with the second lenses Each of the second lenses has third and fourth lens surfaces. The second lens array is attached to the first lens array so that the third lens surfaces face the second lens surfaces. The lens array unit further includes a light shield mounted on the first lens array. The light shield is formed with a plurality of through-holes each facing the relevant one of the first lens surfaces.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an image read/write head providing an image read line and including an image sensor for reading a document at the image read line, the image read/write head further including a substrate carrying a row of heating elements, a document transfer mechanism for transferring the document across the image read line, a recording paper transfer mechanism for transferring a recording paper across the row of heating elements, and an ink ribbon transfer mechanism for transferring an ink ribbon from a first winding core to a second winding core across the row of heating elements. The ink ribbon is sandwiched between the heating elements and the recording paper in passing across the row of heating elements. The first winding core is arranged on one side of the image read/write head thicknesswise of the substrate, the second winding core being arranged on an opposite side of the image read/write head thicknesswise of the substrate.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus is provided which includes light source for irradiating a document sheet with light, an elongated light-leading member through which light emitted from the light source propagates. The light-leading member is provided with a head surface, a bottom surface, a first side surface and a second side surface. The image reading apparatus further includes a row of image sensor chips for detecting light reflected on the document sheet, and an insulating circuit board for carrying the image sensor chips. The light source is also mounted on the circuit board. The cross section of the light-leading member is pentagonal, parabolic, or elliptic.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a light source for irradiating a document sheet with light, a row of red light receiving elements arranged in a primary scanning direction for detecting a red component of the light reflected on the document sheet, a row of green light receiving elements arranged in the primary scanning direction for detecting a green component of the reflected light, and a row of blue light receiving elements arranged in the primary scanning direction for detecting a blue component of the reflected light. The row of red light receiving elements, the row of green light receiving elements and the row of blue light receiving elements are displaced from each other in a secondary scanning direction which is perpendicular to the primary scanning direction.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus is provided which includes a cold-cathode tube as a light source for illuminating a document sheet, an inverter for providing the light source with driving power. A connection cable is used for electrically connecting the light source to the inverter. The image reading apparatus also includes three kinds of rows of light receiving elements arranged in the primary scanning direction for detecting the light reflected on the document sheet. A lens array is provided for focusing the reflected light at the respective rows of light receiving elements. The light receiving elements are mounted on a printed circuit board. The light source, the inverter, the lens array and the printed circuit board are supported by a single case of the image reading apparatus.

Abstract: An image sensor is provided for reading images on an image carrying paper irradiated by light emitted from a light source. The image sensor includes a plurality of image sensor chips for receiving reflected light from the image carrying paper for output of image signals in accordance with the luminous energy of the reflected light. The image sensor also includes a light detector for receiving light directly from the light source for output of a detection signal in accordance with the luminous energy of the directly received light.