United States Patent [19]
`Kokubo et al.
`
`||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
`US005585937A
`5,585,937
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`Dec. 17, 1996
`
`[54] IMAGE READING DEVICE FOR PERCISELY
`MOVING OPTICAL COMPONENTS TO
`PROVIDE RELATIVELY REDUCED AND
`MAGNIFIED IMAGES
`
`[75] Inventors: Kazuyuki Kokubo; Kunihiko
`Nakagawa; Hiroshi Nakao, all of
`Nagaokakyo, Japan
`[73] Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha,
`Tokyo, Japan
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 229,715
`[22] Filed:
`Apr. 19, 1994
`[30]
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`Apr. 21, 1993 [JP]
`Japan .................................... 5-094355
`Nov. 16, 1993 [JPI
`Japan ..
`Dec. 6, 1993
`[JP]
`Japan .................................... 5-34014.5
`[51] Int. Cl* .......…......... H04N 1/04; H04N 1/393;
`G02B 7/04; G02B 15/14; G02B 27/02
`[52] U.S. Cl. .......................... 358/451; 358/474; 358/494;
`359/676; 359/806; 359/823; 359/861; 359/862;
`359/872
`[58] Field of Search ..................................... 358/487,474,
`358/471, 497, 494, 451, 474, 494, 496,
`497; 355/243, 57, 51, 55, 60, 66; 359/861,
`862, 872, 806, 807, 676, 677, 823, 824,
`850, 857
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`3,837,743 9/1974 Amemiya .................................. 355/60
`4,338,022 7/1982 Farago ...................................... 355/60
`4,870,294 9/1989 Hasegawa ...
`... 358/451
`4,875,104 10/1989 Kamon ........
`... 358/474
`4,924,259 5/1990 Wise ......................................... 355/57
`5,140,443
`8/1992 Iwahara et al. .....
`... 358/474
`5,291,312 3/1994 Aikawa et al. ......................... 358/474
`
`
`
`5,335,093 8/1994 Imoto ...................................... 358/487
`5,420,700 5/1995 Maeda et al. ........................... 308/487
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`Japan.
`436363 3/1992
`Japan.
`4109748 4/1992
`Japan .
`516758 5/1993
`Japan .
`5252347 9/1993
`Primary Examiner—Scott A. Rogers
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`A reading unit for an image reading device includes a lens
`tube for forming an image of an object and a line sensor for
`converting the formed image into an electrical signal. A
`reducing/magnifying mechanism is included for changing
`the magnification of the image detected by the line sensor.
`The lens tube is movable such that the optical path length
`between the lens tube and the line sensor is adjustable to
`thereby vary magnification of the image. Further, in
`response to the movement of the lens tube, a movable mirror
`is adjusted. The mirroris set in a first predetermined position
`and directs reflected light from the object to the lens tube to
`shorten the optical path length between the object and the
`lens tube and thus relatively increase magnification, in
`response to the lens tube being in a predetermined normal
`position with a relatively long optical path length between
`the lens tube and the line sensor. Then, the mirror is set in
`a second predetermined position and does not direct
`reflected light from the object to the lens tube to lengthen the
`optical path between the object and the lens tube and thus
`relatively decrease magnification, in response to the lens
`tube being in a predetermined reducing position with a
`relatively short optical path length between the lens tube and
`the line sensor. Movement of both the movable mirror and
`the lens tube are therefore linked together and are each
`displaced between predetermined positions so as to vary
`magnification of the image and to prevent distortion in the
`image read by the line sensor.
`
`18 Claims, 39 Drawing Sheets
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`TZE==fy ~121
`| H = P + 2.
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`F|G.25
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`OUTPUT OF
`CCD SENSOR
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`* * * *- - - - - - - -->4 ºn 4- ...ºra wºn
`
`—t---------- THRESHOLD
`
`VALUE
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`amount of movement
`OF HOLDER
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`F| G. 26
`115
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`fºLI=/===
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`DRIVE
`CIRCUIT
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`PRI O R A RT
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`PRIOR ART
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`PR |O R ART
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`PR | OR ART
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`PR OR ART
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`1
`IMAGE READING DEVICE FOR PERCISELY
`MOVING OPTICAL COMPONENTS TO
`PROVIDE RELATIVELY REDUCED AND
`MAGNIFIED IMAGES
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention relates to an image reading device
`which optically reads a text image by moving an image
`reading unit on which a line sensor and a light source for text
`illuminating is mounted. More specifically, it relates to a
`mechanism which holds the image reading unit such that it
`cannot move when time device is transported.
`The present invention also relates to an image reading
`device which reads a text image by moving an image reading
`unit. More specifically, it relates to the structure of a
`reducing or magnifying optical system with which the image
`reading unit is provided.
`The present invention further relates to an image reading
`device which continuously reads a transparent text such as
`a photographic film, and outputs the data as an image signal.
`FIG. 47 is a perspective view which schematically shows
`a mechanism for holding a reading unit when an image
`reading device is transported. As shown in the figure, in the
`conventional reading device, a reading unit 201 having a
`light source 201a or a line sensor (not shown in the figure)
`moves in a direction A or B along a guide shall 208 fixed to
`a frame 202 (A indicates a front side of the image reading
`device, and B indicates a rear side of the device). A screw
`hole 201b is formed a the rear surface of the reading unit:
`201, and a throughhole 202a is formed in the frame 202
`coaxially with the screwhole 201b. A stay 204 is fixed to the
`frame 202 by means of fixing screws 204a, and a through
`hole 204b is formed in the stay 204 coaxially with the
`screwhole 201b in the reading unit 201 and the throughhole
`202a in the frame 202. When the image reading device is
`transported, the reading unit 201 is fixed by screwing a
`retaining screw 205 having a thread 205a into the hole 201b
`via the throughhole 204b of the stay 204 and the throughhole
`202a of the frame 202 so that the reading unit 201 cannot
`move with respect to the guide shaft 203, thereby preventing
`damage or distortion of the optical system.
`FIG.48 is a sectional view which schematically shows the
`structure of a reading unit 211 in another conventional image
`reading device. As shown in the figure, the reading unit 211
`comprises a frame 212 that prevents intrusion of stray light
`from outside the device, and light sources 213 provided in
`the upper part of the frame for illuminating the text. The
`frame 212 contains fixed mirrors 217, 218, 219 that reflect
`light from a text 216 mounted on a glass plate 214 and
`clamped from above by a cover 215, a lens tube 220 made
`up of lenses, a fixed mirror 221 and a line sensor 222. In the
`reading unit 211 having the above construction, light L from
`the text 216 impinges on the lens tube 220 via the fixed
`mirrors 217, 218, 219, is made to converge by the lens tube
`220, and forms an image via the fixed mirror 221 on the
`image-forming surface of the line sensor 222 where the
`image is converted to an electrical signal. As the reading unit
`211 moves in a direction A, it reads image information on the
`text 216 one line at a time, converts it to an electrical signal,
`and outputs this signal to a printer, a display device or the
`like.
`FIG. 49 is a perspective view showing a mechanism used
`for moving the optical parts which provide the reading unit
`in FIG. 48 with reducing or magnifying function, as is
`disclosed for example in Japanese Utility Model Kokoku
`
`2
`Publication H5-16758 (16758/1993). As shown in FIG. 49,
`a wire rope 226 wound around a drive pulley 224 and a
`driven pulley 225, and a wire rope 229 wound around a drive
`pulley 227 and a driven pulley 228, are respectively attached
`to the two ends of a moving member 223 on which optical
`parts such as mirrors and a lens tube are mounted. The
`moving member 223 moves in the direction A or B by the
`rotational drive force of a motor 232 which is transmitted to
`a shaft 231 between the drive pulleys 224, 227 via abell 230.
`FIG. 50 to FIG. 56 are diagrams of another conventional
`image reading device. FIG. 50 and FIG. 51 are views in
`perspective, schematically showing the external appearance
`of the image reading device. FIG. 52 to FIG. 54 are diagrams
`showing the process of inserting a film in a film holder, and
`mounting it on a stage. FIG. 55 is a schematic view in
`section showing the construction of the drive part of the
`stage. FIG. 56 is a schematic view in section showing the
`construction of the optical system used for reading an image
`on a film.
`In this image reading device, when a inserted, an illumi
`nating part 243 is first raised as shown in FIG. 51; the film
`242 is inserted in the film holder 244 so that one frame is in
`the window 244a of the holder 244 as shown in FIG. 52; the
`holder 244 is inserted in a stage 245 on a horizontal surface
`241 as shown in FIG. 53; and the illuminating part 243 is
`then lowered to close it as shown in FIG. 54. When the stage
`245 is moved in a slit 241a on the horizontal surface 241, the
`holder 244 and the film 242 which is gripped in the holder
`are displaced, and one frame of the film 242 is read.
`The mechanism which displaces the stage 245 comprises
`a stepping motor 247 fixed to a base 246, a lead screw 249
`connected to the stepping motor 247 via a joint 248 and a
`null 250 connected to the stage 245, this nut 250 screwing
`onto the lead screw 249 as shown in FIG.55. The stage 245
`is displaced in a direction G by driving the stepping motor
`247. The optical system for reading an image on the film 242
`comprises a lamp unit 251, a mirror 252, a lens unit 253 and
`a CCD line sensor 254 as shown in FIG. 56.
`However, in the conventional image reading device
`shown in FIG. 47, there was a problem in that a screwdriver
`or other tool was required to attach or remove the retaining
`screw 205. Moreover, the retaining screw 205 had to be
`carefully kept after it was removed so that it was not lost,
`and after removing it, dust and dirt were liable to enter the
`image reading device through the throughholes 204b, 202a
`which were thereby left open.
`Further, in the conventional image reading device shown
`in FIG.48 and FIG. 49, if the drive pulleys 224, 227 and the
`wire ropes 226, 229 should slip or if the diameters of the
`drive pulleys 224, 227 or those of the wire ropes 226, 229
`are slightly different, an error occurs in the displacement
`amount of the wire ropes 226, 229 so that the moving
`member 223 inclines at an angle 6 to a reference line 233
`perpendicular to the direction of motion. This world thereby
`give rise to distortion in the image reading by the line sensor.
`Further, in the conventional image reading device shown
`in FIG. 50 to FIG. 56, when one frame on the film has been
`read and it is desired to read the next frame, the operator has
`to raise the illumination part 243, remove the holder 244
`from the stage 245, insert the film 242 in the holder 244 so
`that the next frame is in the window 244a off the holder 244,
`re-insert the holder 244 in the stage 245, and then lower the
`illumination part 243. This sequence of operations was
`troublesome to perform, and took a great deal of time. In
`addition, the slit 241a had to be provided in the horizontal
`surface 241 to scan the film 242 while moving the stage 245
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`on the surface 241 of the image reading device. It was
`therefore difficult to make the image reading device com
`pact, and in particular, if it was desired to enlarge the
`window of the holder 244 or increase the number of win
`dows so that a plurality of frames of the film 242 could be
`read continuously, it was even more difficult to make the
`image reading device compact.
`
`4
`the member towards the outside of the device, and by a clip
`in contact with the inner surface of the stay. When the device
`is used, therefore, there is no need to remove and store the
`holding member, and the operator has less work to perform.
`Dust and dirt are also prevented from entering the device via
`throughholes.
`According to another aspect of the present invention, an
`image reading device comprises: a frame; a reading unit
`carrying a line sensor for reading a text image; a guide
`member fixed to the frame for supporting the reading unit
`such that the reading unit is free to slide in a predetermined
`direction; and a stay fixed to the frame. A projection is
`provided at a predetermined position on the reading unit, a
`first throughhole is formed in the frame, and a second
`throughhole is formed in the stay coaxially with the first
`throughhole. The image reading device further comprises: a
`holding member passing through the first throughhole in the
`frame and the second throughhole in the stay, the holding
`member having a hook at its end and a grip on the outer side
`of the stay, and the hook being rotated so as to engage with
`the projection by rotating the grip when the image reading
`device is transported; a compression spring provided on the
`outer side of the stay which pushes the holding member
`towards the outside of the image reading device; and a clip
`provided on the holding member which comes into contact
`with the inner side of the stay. In this image reading device,
`when the image reading device is transported, a grip is
`rotated so as to turn a hook which engages with a projection
`on a reading unit and thereby fixes the unit. A large diameter
`grip of a holding member is provided so that a screwdriver
`or other tool is not required when attaching or removing the
`member, and the effort required by the operator may be
`reduced. Further, when a hook and a projection are disen
`gaged, the holding member is held against a stay by means
`off a compression spring which pushes the member toward
`the outside of the device, and by a clip in contact with the
`inner surface of the stay. When the device is used, therefore,
`there is no need to remove and store the holding member, the
`operator has less work to perform, and dust and dirt are
`prevented from entering the interior of the device via
`throughholes.
`The image reading device further comprises: a motor
`providing a drive force which drives the reading unit along
`the guide member; and a circuit board which processes a
`signal output by the line sensor. Preferably, the motor and
`the circuit board are installed in positions on the opposite
`side to the position at which the reading unit is fixed by the
`holding member. In the image reading device, a motor and
`circuitboard are installed at positions on the opposite side to
`the position at which a reading unit is fixed by a holding
`member, thereby preventing unbalanced loads.
`According to yet another aspect of the present invention,
`a reading unit for an image reading device comprises: a lens
`tube for forming a text image; a line sensor for detecting the
`image formed by the lens tube and converting the image to
`an electrical signal; a reducing/magnifying mechanism for
`changing the magnification of the image detected by the line
`sensor; a guide member for supporting the lens tube such
`that it is free to move in a predetermined direction inside the
`reading unit; a displacing mechanism for moving the lens
`tube along the guide member from a first position wherein
`the optical path length to the line sensor is long, to a second
`position wherein the optical path length to the line sensor is
`short, or vice versa; a movable mirror which alternates
`between a third position wherein it reflects light from a text
`into the lens tube, and a fourth position which is not on the
`optical path of the light from the text; a drive mechanism
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`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`It is an object of the present invention to provide an image
`reading device which saves the operator trouble when the
`device is transported.
`It is another further object of the present invention to
`render it easier to store parts.
`It is still another object off the present invention to
`provide an image reading device into which dust and dirt
`cannot easily intrude.
`It is a further object off the present invention to provide
`an image reading device wherein optical parts such as
`mirrors and a lens tube can be moved with high precision.
`It is a still further object of the present invention to
`provide an image reading device wherein a plurality of
`frames may be read continuously without re-inserting a film,
`and which in addition may be made compact.
`According to one aspect of the present invention, an
`image reading device comprises: a frame; a reading unit
`provided with a line sensor for reading a text image; a guide
`member fixed to the frame for supporting the reading unit
`such that the reading unit is free to slide in a predetermined
`direction; and a stay fixed to the frame. A screwhole is
`formed at a predetermined position reading unit, a first
`throughhole is formed in the frame coaxially with the
`screwhole, and a second throughhole is formed in the stay
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`coaxially with the screwhole and the first throughhole. An
`elastic member having a third throughhole engages with the
`first throughhole in the frame, and a holding member is
`provided comprising a grip of large diameter and a screw of
`small diameter. The reading unit is fixed, when the image
`reacting device is transported, by screwing the screw into the
`screwhole of the reading unit through the second through
`hole of the stay and through the third throughhole of the
`elastic member. In this image reading device, when the
`device is transported, the screw of a holding member is
`passed through a second throughhole of a stay and a third
`throughhole of an elastic member, and a large diameter grip
`is rotated to engage the holding member with the screwhole
`of a reading unit so that the reading unit is brought into
`contact with the elastic member, thereby fixing the unit.
`External shocks to which the device may be subjected
`during transport therefore do not easily affect the reading
`unit, and damage to or distortion of the structure of the
`reading unit is prevented. When the device is used, the large
`diameter grip of the holding member is rotated manually so
`that the screwhole of the reading unit and the holding
`member are disengaged.
`The image reading device may further comprise: a com
`pression spring provided on the outer side of the stay which
`pushes the holding member towards the outside of the image
`reading device; and a clip provided on the holding member
`which comes into contact with the inner side of the stay
`when the screwhole of the reading unit; and the screw of the
`holding member are disengaged. In this image reading
`device, when a screwhole of a reading unit and a screw of
`a holding member are disengaged, a holding member is
`retained by a stay due to a compression spring which pushes
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`synchronized with the action off the displacing mechanism
`which moves the lens tube, the drive mechanism setting the
`movable mirror in the third position when the lens tube is in
`the first position, and setting the movable mirror in the
`fourth position when the lens tube is in the second position;
`and a fixed mirror which guides light from a text to the lens
`tube when the lens tube is in the second position, and
`provides a longer optical path than the optical path from the
`text to the lens tube when the lens tube is in the first position.
`In this reading unit, the lens tube is moved by means of a
`displacing mechanism along the guide member from the first
`position to the second position or vice versa, and the
`movable mirror is moved by a mechanism linked to the
`displacing mechanism between the third position wherein it
`reflects light from a text into the lens tube, and the fourth
`position not on the optical path of the light from the text.
`When the lens tube is in the first position, light from the text
`enters the lens tube via the movable mirror which is in the
`third position. On the other hand, when the lens tube is in the
`second position, light from the text does not strike the
`movable mirror which is in the fourth position, but is
`reflected from affixed mirror into the lens tube over a long
`optical path. A lens tube is moved by means of a displacing
`mechanism along a guide member, and a movable mirror is
`moved by a mechanism linked to the displacing mechanism
`between predetermined positions. The mirror, lenses and
`other optical parts are therefore displaced by precise
`amounts, which prevents distortion in the image read by a
`line sensor.
`According to another aspect of the present invention, an
`image reading device comprises: a line sensor for optically
`reading an image on a film text having a plurality of image
`frames, and converting the image to an electrical signal; a
`film holder having a plurality of windows at positions
`corresponding to image frames, the film holder holding 1, be
`film text such that the image frames are visible through the
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`windows; a rail provided underneath the film holder; a film
`holder drive member supported such that the drive member
`is free to rotate about an axis oriented perpendicular to the
`longitudinal direction of the rail, the outer circumference of
`the drive member being in contact with the rail; a drive
`mechanism for rotating the film holder drive member; and
`an attracting member for generating a magnetic attractive
`force between the rail and the film holder drive member. In
`the image reading device, the plurality of windows are
`provided corresponding to image frames, and the rail is
`provided underneath the film holder holding the film so that,
`45
`the image frames can be viewed through these windows. A
`film holder drive member is provided, wherein the outer
`circumference thereof is in contact with the rail and is held
`against the rail magnetically. Finally, the film holder drive
`member is rotated so that the image can be read by the line
`sensor as the film holder is displaced. A plurality of image
`frames on the film can therefore be read automatically
`through the windows of the film holder. Further, as the film
`holder is displaced due to the rotation of the drive member,
`the device can be made compact.
`These and other objects of the present application will
`become more readily apparent from the detailed description
`given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the
`preferred embodiments of the invention are given by way of
`illustration only, since various changes and modifications
`within the spirit and scope of the invention will become
`apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed descrip
`tion.
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`present invention with the upper part of the chassis cut away.
`FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the essential features of the
`image reading device according to the first embodiment with
`the lower part of the chassis removed.
`FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing the
`essential features of a holding mechanism of a reading unit
`of the image reading device according to the first embodi
`Inent.
`FIG. 4 is a plan view showing, in outline, how the reading
`unit of the image reading device according to the first
`embodiment is held.
`FIGS. 5A and 5B are sections showing the essential
`features of the holding mechanism of the reading unit of the
`image reading device according to the first embodiment.
`FIG. 6 is a perspective view schematically showing the
`rear off the image reading device according to the first
`embodiment.
`FIG. 7 is a schematic front view of the image reading
`device according to the first embodiment with the lower part
`of the chassis removed.
`FIG. 8 is a schematic front view of the image reading
`device according to the first embodiment with the lower part
`off the chassis and the frame removed.
`FIG. 9A is a plan view of a slit in the reading unit.
`FIG.9B is a front view of the slit (when viewed along the
`line I—I in FIG. 1).
`FIG. 10 is a perspective view schematically showing the
`essential features of a holding mechanism of a reading unit
`of an image reading device according to a second embodi
`ment of the present invention.
`FIGS. 11A and 11B are sections showing the essential
`features of the holding mechanism of the reading unit of the
`image reading device according to the second embodiment.
`FIG. 12 is a perspective view schematically showing the
`essential features of a holding mechanism of a reading unit
`of an image reading device according to a third embodiment
`of the present invention.
`FIGS. 13A and 13B are perspective views for the purpose
`of explaining the action of the holding mechanism of the
`reading unit of the image reading device according to the
`third embodiment.
`FIG. 14 to FIG. 16 are perspective views schematically
`showing the internal structure of a reading unit in an image
`reading device according to a fourth embodiment of the
`present invention.
`FIG. 17 is a section schematically showing how optical
`system in the reading unit is arranged (corresponding to FIG.
`15).
`FIG. 18 is a section schematically showing how the
`optical system in the reading unit is arranged (corresponding
`to FIG. 16).
`FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an image reading device
`according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 20 is a schematic view of a section along the line
`II—II in FIG. 19 of the image reading device according to
`the fifth embodiment.
`FIG. 22 is a schematic view of a section along the line
`III–III in FIG. 19 of the image reading device according to
`the fifth embodiment.
`FIG. 22 is a perspective view schematically showing an
`enlargement of a displacing mechanism which moves a film
`holder according to the fifth embodiment.
`FIG. 23 is a diagram showing the principle whereby the
`film holder of the fifth embodiment is magnetically
`attracted.
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the essential features of an
`image reading device according to a first embodiment of the
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`FIGS. 24A and 24B are diagrams showing the magnetic
`attraction force and frictional force acting on the film holder
`according to the fifth embodiment.
`FIG. 25 is a diagram showing the output of a line sensor
`according to the fifth embodiment.
`FIG. 26 is a section of an image reading device according
`to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 27 is a perspective view schematically showing an
`enlargement of a moving mechanism which moves a film
`holder according to the sixth embodiment.
`FIG. 28 is a diagram showing the principle whereby the
`film holder of the sixth embodiment is magnetically
`attracted.
`FIG. 29 is a section of an image reading device according
`to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 30 is a perspective view schematically showing an
`enlargement of a moving mechanism which moves a film
`holder according to the seventh embodiment.
`FIG. 31 is a diagram showing the principle whereby the
`film holder of the seventh embodiment is magnetically
`attracted.
`FIG. 32 is a section of an