US Patent 7619787 Method and apparatus for illuminating a document

An image forming apparatus includes at least one light source and at least one reflector. The at least one light source is configured to emit light and has an opening. The at least one reflector is configured to reflect the light emitted from the at least one light source. The opening is arranged at an obliquely downward portion of the at least one light source, the at least one reflector is disposed at a position obliquely downward of the at least one light source, and the light emitted from the opening of the at least one light source travels via the at least one reflector to illuminate a reading area of a document.