Abstract: An image reading device includes first glass, an adjacent portion adjacent to the first glass, a reading unit, and a position reference portion. The first glass enables an document to be placed on a front surface side of the document. The reading unit is capable of being in contact with at least one of the adjacent portion and the first glass and reads, from a back surface side of the first glass, the document placed on the first glass by using a sensor while moving from the adjacent portion side in a movement direction. The position reference portion is disposed on the front surface side of the first glass and serves as a reference of a position of the reading unit in the movement direction. When the position reference portion is read by the reading unit, the reading unit is in contact with the adjacent portion and the first glass.

Abstract: An image reading device comprises a document table having a plate-shaped transparent member for a document to be placed thereon, an image reading unit for reading the document placed on the upper surface of the transparent member from the lower surface side of the transparent member, a carriage for driving the image reading unit to move reciprocally, and a case for containing the carriage. The document table has a frame member along a periphery of the transparent member and is secured to the case by engagement right under the frame member.

Abstract: An image reading device comprises a document table having a plate-shaped transparent member for a document to be placed thereon, an image reading unit for reading the document placed on the upper surface of the transparent member from the lower surface side of the transparent member, a carriage for driving the image reading unit to move reciprocally, and a case for containing the carriage. The document table has a frame member along a periphery of the transparent member and is secured to the case by engagement right under the frame member.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a line sensor to read an image of a document in a read area, a storage unit to store first reference data previously acquired by reading a first white reference member opposite to light receiving elements of the line sensor, a second white reference member of which a length is shorter than a length of the line sensor in the main scanning direction, an acquiring unit to acquire reference data read by the line sensor with the second white reference member and the line sensor opposed to each other, a correction unit to correct an output of the light receiving elements not opposite to the second white reference member, based on the stored first reference data and second reference data acquired by the light receiving elements opposite to the second white reference member among the reference data acquired by the acquiring unit.

Abstract: First reference data acquired by reading a first white reference member placed in a read area of a document platen by a line sensor having a plurality of light receiving elements is stored in a storage unit. Second reference data acquired by reading a second white reference member by a capturing unit is compared with the first reference data stored in the storage unit. Output values from the plurality of light receiving elements are subjected to shading correction based on the comparison result.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a drive unit that is mounted on a carriage having an image reading sensor, which is moved with respect to an original, mounted thereon and moves the carriage. The drive unit includes: a motor; a gear train for transmitting rotation of the motor so as to move the carriage; an encoder sensor for reading a code wheel fixed to a rotary shaft of the motor; and a support member for holding the motor. The encoder sensor is urged against a part of the support member by a resilient member, to be thus fixed to the support member.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a drive unit that is mounted on a carriage having an image reading sensor, which is moved with respect to an original, mounted thereon and moves the carriage. The drive unit includes: a motor; a gear train for transmitting rotation of the motor so as to move the carriage; an encoder sensor for reading a code wheel fixed to a rotary shaft of the motor; and a support member for holding the motor. The encoder sensor is urged against a part of the support member by a resilient member, to be thus fixed to the support member.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image reading apparatus comprising a scanning member movable along an original mounting table and provided with a reading element for reading an original image, a frame member housing the scanning member, and a control board adapted for controlling the scanning member and provided in the frame member, wherein the control board is so positioned that, when the scanning member moves toward the control board, a portion protruding under the scanning member does not pass on the control board.

Abstract: An original pressing apparatus applicable to, e.g., an original reading apparatus having: an original pressing plate; a hinge unit having a first end supported rotatably with respect to the original pressing plate and a second end rotatably supported by an external device; and a press-fixing unit adapted to prevent rotation between said hinge unit and said original pressing plate by pressing the original pressing plate and the hinge unit into contact in a rotation axial direction, wherein the press-fixing unit is capable of releasing a press-contact state.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a spring (15) provided at one end of a reading unit (11) and adapted to bias the reading unit (11) toward an original glass table (10), and a sensor holder (12) provided on a guide rail (14) to be pivotal about it and adapted to hold the reading unit (11) through the spring (15).

Abstract: An image reading apparatus comprises a scanning member movable along an original mounting table, the scanning member having a reading element for reading the image of an original, and a drive source for moving the scanning member, a frame containing the scanning member therein, and a cable for electrically connecting the scanning member and the frame side together, the cable having a first electrical signal path connected to the reading element, and a second electrical signal path connected to the drive source.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a scanning unit arranged to move along an original mounting table, a motor for driving the scanning unit, the motor being mounted on the scanning unit, a substrate having a control circuit for controlling the scanning unit and the motor, a frame arranged to house therein the scanning unit, the motor and the substrate, the substrate being fixed to the frame, and a flexible printed circuit board having one end thereof connected to the substrate and another end thereof connected to both the scanning unit and the motor.

Abstract: An original pressing apparatus applicable to, e.g., an original reading apparatus having: an original pressing plate; a hinge unit having a first end supported rotatably with respect to the original pressing plate and a second end rotatably supported by an external device; and a press-fixing unit adapted to prevent rotation between said hinge unit and said original pressing plate by pressing the original pressing plate and the hinge unit into contact in a rotation axial direction, wherein the press-fixing unit is capable of releasing a press-contact state.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a spring (15) provided at one end of a reading unit (11) and adapted to bias the reading unit (11) toward an original glass table (10), and a sensor holder (12) provided on a guide rail (14) to be pivotal about it and adapted to hold the reading unit (11) through the spring (15).

Abstract: This specification discloses a plate-like polarizing element for converting light into polarized light having a plurality of units arranged along a common plane across the light, each of the units being provided with dividing means for dividing the light into reflected light and transmitted light whose planes of polarization are orthogonal to each other, varying means for varying the polarized state of at least one of the reflected light and the transmitted light to thereby make the planes of polarization of the two lights coincident with each other, and reflecting means for reflecting one of the reflected light and the transmitted light and directing it substantially in the same direction as the direction of travel of the other. The specification also discloses a polarizing conversion unit provided with such plate-like polarizing element, and a projector provided with such unit.

Abstract: This invention provides a projector capable of effectively utilizing the light from the light source and significantly reducing the light illuminating the outside of the area to be illuminated, thereby attaining an excellent efficiency of light utilization. In the illuminating system of the present invention provided with a light source and a reflector, there is further provided a circular reflector of a spherical surface, for returning the light, which emerges from the light source to the outside of the area to be illuminated, without being reflected on the reflector, to the light source. Also there is provided a flat mirror or a substantially spherical sub reflector for returning the light, which proceeds to the outside of the area to be illuminated, after being reflected on the reflector, to the light source. The sub reflector may be provided in the vicinity of the light source.

Abstract: This invention provides a projector capable of effectively utilizing the light from the light source and significantly reducing the light illuminating the outside of the area to be illuminated, thereby attaining an excellent efficiency of light utilization. In the illuminating system of the present invention provided with a light source and a reflector, there is further provided a circular reflector of a spherical surface, for returning the light, which emerges from the light source to the outside of the area to be illuminated, without being reflected on the reflector, to the light source. Also there is provided a flat mirror or a substantially spherical sub reflector for returning the light, which proceeds to the outside of the area to be illuminated, after being reflected on the reflector, to the light source. The sub reflector may be provided in the vicinity of the light source.

Abstract: A projector comprising a light source having first and second high-luminance light emitting areas, an illuminating optical system for directing the light, from said light source, toward an object to be illuminated, wherein said first and second high-luminance light-emitting areas are positioned on the optical axis of said illuminating optical system, and a projection optical system for projecting the light emerging from said illuminated object, wherein said illuminating optical system is constructed in such a manner that a central area of said illuminated object is illuminated by most of the light beam from said first high-luminance light-emitting area, and a peripheral area of said illuminated object is illuminated by the remainder of the light beam from said first high-luminance light emitting area and most of the light from said second high-luminance light-emitting area.

Abstract: A polarizing conversion unit is disclosed. The unit is provided with a polarizing beam splitter for separating light from a light source into first and second polarized lights differing in polarized state from each other, polarizing conversion means for varying the polarized state of the first polarized light and making it substantially coincident with the polarized state of the second polarized light, and reflecting means for reflecting the first or second polarized light, at least a portion of that surface of the outer peripheral portion of the polarizing conversion unit which is parallel to the optical path of the light functioning as a reflection surface.

Abstract: This specification discloses a plate-like polarizing element for converting light into polarized light having a plurality of units arranged along a common plane across the light, each of the units being provided with dividing means for dividing the light into reflected light and transmitted light whose planes of polarization are orthogonal to each other, varying means for varying the polarized state of at least one of the reflected light and the transmitted light to thereby make the planes of polarization of the two lights coincident with each other, and reflecting means for reflecting one of the reflected light and the transmitted light and directing it substantially in the same direction as the direction of travel of the other. The specification also discloses a polarizing conversion unit provided with such plate-like polarizing element, and a projector provided with such unit.