Document illuminator with surface lens

摘要

A scanning apparatus includes an illuminator for illuminating a portion of a document to be scanned. The illuminator includes an array of discrete light sources and an optical element. The optical element includes a light-transmissive material and defines a focusing portion and an angular modification portion. The angular modification portion tends to reduce specular flare by modifying the angular distribution of light from the light sources which are within the acceptance angle of a lens arrangement which focuses light from the document onto a sensor.