Apparatus and method for reading a document using a waveguide formed in a substrate

摘要

The present invention relates to a hand-held scanner that comprises contact image scanning technology. A waveguide formed in a substrate is comprised of an elongate light pipe. The light pipe includes a reflective layer, preferably having an elliptical shape, deposited on an inside lateral surface. Light sources disposed at each end of the light pipe emit rays of light through the light pipe. The rays of light propagate in the light pipe until striking an area of a reflective surface. The reflective surface directs the ray of light away from the lateral surface and onto the scan line of a document to be scanned. The light of the illuminated scan line is reflected back through the waveguide array, through a slit not covered by the reflective layer, and onto an optical lens array. The optical lens array focuses the light onto an optical sensor array that converts the image into a digital image, to be saved in an internal memory. In a further embodiment, the hand-held scanner includes a mirrored surface, positioned at an angle, that directs the first path of the light of the illuminated scan line through an optical lens array. The optical lens array then focuses the light onto another mirrored surface, also positioned at an angle, which directs the light onto an optical sensor array, which converts the light into a digital image.