1. A terminal device usable in connection with a server and an external display device,
wherein the server is configured to store an original image data set, divide the original image data set into a plurality of sub-image data sets, such that a size of each sub-image data set is within a display area size of the terminal device, and transmit the plurality of sub-image data sets to the terminal device, the terminal device comprising:
a sub-image receiver configured to receive the plurality of sub-image data sets from the server;
a format converter configured to convert an image format of the plurality of sub-image data sets into a same image-format as an image format of the external display device, on a per-sub-image-data-set basis, the image format defining at least one of color information and tone level information assigned to each pixel of an image to be displayed;
an original-image regenerator configured to regenerate the original image data set from the plurality of format-converted sub-image data sets in a form of an entire set of data by sequencing and combining the plurality of sub-image data sets, or in a form of a plurality of separate data blocks each of which is formed by sequencing and combining a sub-plurality of the plurality of sub-image data sets; and
an output device configured to output the regenerated entire set of data or data blocks to the external display device.
2. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the terminal device is a mobile phone,
the external display device is an electronic paper display device, and
a display area size of the mobile phone is not larger than a size for QVGA (Quarter Video Graphic Array).
3. The terminal device according to claim 2, wherein the image format of the plurality of sub-image data sets is a 24-bit bitmap format,
the image format of the electronic paper display device is an RGBW modified bitmap format, and
the format converter is configured to convert the 24-bit bitmap format into the RGBW modified bitmap format, on a per sub-image-data-set basis.
4. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the original-image regenerator is configured to regenerate the data blocks, such that each data block is formed in a linear array of at least two of the plurality of sub-image data sets, and such that zero-value pixel data sets are added to each data block at both ends, for a match between a length of each data block and the display area size of the external display device, and
the output device is configured to output the regenerated the at least one block data with the added zero-value pixel data sets, on a per-data-block basis.
5. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of sub-image data sets have been assigned file names which can identify positions of corresponding respective sub-image data sets, relative to the original image data set, and
the original-image regenerator is configured to sequence the plurality of sub-image data sets by the file names.
6. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of sub-image data sets have been assigned positional coordinates which can identify positions of corresponding respective sub-image data sets, relative to the original image data set, and
the original-image regenerator is configured to sequence the plurality of sub-image data sets by the positional coordinates.
7. A system comprising:
the terminal device according to claim 1; and
the server according to claim 1.
8. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the server is configured to store the original image data set in a predetermined image format, without reference to a type of the image format of the external display device, and
the server is further configured to divide the original image data set into the plurality of sub-image data sets, such that each sub-image data set has a predetermined size allowing for the display area size of the terminal device, without reference to the display area size of the external display device.
9. The system according to claim 7, wherein the server is configured to store the original image data set in a predetermined image format, without reference to a type of the image format of the external display device, and
the server is further configured to divide the original image data set into the plurality of sub-image data sets, such that each sub-image data set has a predetermined size allowing for the display area size of the terminal device, without reference to the display area size of the external display device.
10. A method of operating a terminal device usable in connection with a server and an external display device,
wherein the server is configured to store an original image data set, divide the original image data set into a plurality of sub-image data sets, such that a size of each sub-image data set is within a display area size of the terminal device, and transmit the plurality of sub-image data sets to the terminal device, the method comprising:
receiving the plurality of sub-image data sets from the server;
converting an image format of the plurality of sub-image data sets into a same image-format as an image format of the external display device, on a per-sub-image-data-set basis, the image format defining at least one of color information and tone level information assigned to each pixel of an image to be displayed;
regenerating the original image data set from the plurality of format-converted sub-image data sets in a form of an entire set of data by sequencing and combining the plurality of sub-image data sets, or in a form of a plurality of separate data blocks each of which is formed by sequencing and combining a sub-plurality of the plurality of sub-image data sets; and
outputting the regenerated entire set of data or data blocks to the external display device.
11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the server is configured to store the original image data set in a predetermined image format, without reference to a type of the image format of the external display device, and
the server is further configured to divide the original image data set into the plurality of sub-image data sets, such that each sub-image data set has a predetermined size allowing for the display area size of the terminal device, without reference to the display area size of the external display device.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. An image reading apparatus, comprising:
a roller configured to convey a sheet; and
an image reading unit comprising:
a contact glass extending in a first direction;
a contact image sensor module extending in the first direction and comprising:
a shaft extending in the first direction; and
a protrusion protruding from the contact image sensor module in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction;
a holder configured to accommodate the contact image sensor module and comprising:
an insertion section denting toward the first direction to allow a leading edge of the shaft to be inserted;
a contact section contacting the protrusion from one side in the first direction; and
a panel supporting the contact glass;
a first urging member interposed between a surface of the contact image sensor module and a surface of the holder and configured to urge the contact image sensor module toward the one side in the first direction, the surface of the contact image sensor module and the surface of the holder facing each other in the first direction; and
a second urging member arranged between the holder and the contact image sensor module, the second urging member being configured to urge the contact image sensor module toward the contact glass,
wherein:
the image reading unit is configured such that a condition expressed by an inequality \u03bc3\xb7F1<F2<F1(\u03bc1+\u03bc2) is fulfilled,
where F1 represents a force affecting the contact image sensor module in an opposing direction between the contact glass and the contact image sensor module opposing each other, the force F1 is a resultant force of a second urging force from the second urging member and a force component of gravity affecting the contact image sensor module in the opposing direction,
where F2 represents a first urging force from the first urging member,
where \u03bc1 represents a static friction coefficient between the protrusion and the contact section,
where \u03bc2 represents a static friction coefficient between the contact image sensor module and the first urging member, and
where \u03bc3 represents a static friction coefficient between the contact image sensor module and the panel;
the protrusion and the contact section are configured to cause a static friction force \u03bc1\xb7F2 therebetween; and
the contact image sensor module and the first urging member are configured to cause a static friction force \u03bc2\xb7F2 therebetween.
2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first urging member is a blade spring.
3. The image reading apparatus according to claim 2,
wherein one end of the blade spring is attached to the holder on an opposite side in the second direction from a side of the protrusion, on which the protrusion is arranged in the image sensor module, and an other end of the blade spring is in contact with a surface of the contact image sensor module on an other side in the first direction, in a position on the surface on a side closer to the side of the protrusion than the opposite side in the second direction.
4. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second urging member is a coil spring.
5. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the protrusion comprises a positioning groove denting in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, and
wherein the contact section comprises a contact projection protruding in the third direction, a leading edge of the contact projection is inserted in the positioning groove and is in contact with an inner plane of the positioning groove from the one side in the first direction.
6. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the contact image sensor module is arranged below the contact glass.
7. An image reading apparatus, comprising:
an image reading unit comprising:
a contact glass extending in a first direction;
a contact image sensor module arranged above the contact glass, the contact image sensor module extending in the first direction and comprising:
a shaft extending in the first direction; and
a protrusion protruding from the contact image sensor module in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction;
a holder configured to accommodate the contact image sensor module and comprising:
an insertion section denting toward the first direction to allow a leading edge of the shaft to be inserted;
a contact section contacting the protrusion from one side in the first direction; and
a panel supporting the contact glass; and
a first urging member interposed between a surface of the contact image sensor module and a surface of the holder and configured to urge the contact image sensor module toward the one side in the first direction, the surface of the contact image sensor module and the surface of the holder facing each other in the first direction,
wherein:
the image reading unit is configured such that a condition expressed by an inequality \u03bc\xb7F1<F2<F1(\u03bc1=\u03bc2) is fulfilled,
where F1 represents a force component of gravity affecting the contact image sensor module,
where F2 represents a first urging force provided by the first urging member,
where \u03bc1 represents a static friction coefficient between the protrusion and the contact section,
where \u03bc2 represents a static friction coefficient between the contact image sensor module and the first urging member, and
where \u03bc3 represents a static friction coefficient between the contact image sensor module and the panel;
the protrusion and the contact section are configured to cause a static friction force \u03bc1\xb7F2 therebetween; and
the contact image sensor module and the first urging member are configured to cause a static friction force \u03bc2\xb7F2 therebetween.
8. The image reading apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first urging member is a blade spring.
9. The image reading apparatus according to claim 8,
wherein one end of the blade spring is attached to the holder on an opposite side in the second direction from a side of the protrusion, on which the protrusion is arranged in the image sensor module, and an other end of the blade spring is in contact with a surface of the contact image sensor module on an other side in the first direction, in a position on the surface on a side closer to the side of the protrusion than the opposite side in the second direction.
10. The image reading apparatus according to claim 7,
wherein the protrusion comprises a positioning groove denting in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction, and
wherein the contact section comprises a contact projection protruding in the third direction, a leading edge of the contact projection is inserted in the positioning groove and is in contact with an inner plane of the positioning groove from the one side in the first direction.
11. The image reading apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first urging member is a sponge.