Abstract: The present invention provides a film scanner with an adjustable light module whose chromaticity can be adjusted according to the positive or negative film to be scanned. The film scanner comprises a light module comprising a plurality of lamps of different colors, a scanning module for scanning the light transmitted through the film and generating image signals, an adjusting device for adjusting the on/off state or chromaticity of the lamps, and a control device for controlling the adjusting device according to the image signals received from the scanning module.

Abstract: A transparency adapter for a flat bed scanner of the type commonly used as a stand-alone computer peripheral, including a source of light, either white light such as fluorescent, or a series of red, green and blue light emitting diodes placed in a generally rectangular housing having a length corresponding to the width of the glass platen of a flat bed scanner, and including magnets at either longitudinal end of the transparency adapter, further including magnets positioned on the carriage inside of the flat bed scanner housing, whereby the magnets of the carriage are aligned with the magnets of the transparency adapter so that upon advancement of the carriage along the rails inside of the scanner from one end of the scanner to the other, the magnetic force of the attached magnets causes the transparency adapter to advance along the top surface of the glass platen and to move the transparency adapter in alignment with the carriage.

Abstract: Resolution of a scanner is upgraded by utilizing refraction to shift light rays incident on an image capture device by a small distance, thus capturing image data between picture elements of an original picture. The scanner includes a scanning platform arranged to support a scanned object, a scanning light source, an image capture mechanism having a lens and a CCD component arranged to capture light received from said light scanning light source after the light has scanned the object on the scanning platform, and a light refracting component having a moving end and a fulcrum end, the light refracting component being pivotably interposed between the scanning platform and the image capture mechanism. An electro-magnet mechanism is arranged to attract the moving end of the refractive component and thereby pivot the component about its fulcrum end.

Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus for retrieving digital electronic images representative of opaque objects. The apparatus is equipped with a reflective scanning platform for supporting an opaque object thereon. A scanning camera, equipped with a light source for illuminating the platform, is aligned to retrieve images from objects placed upon the reflective scanning platform. An object sensor included with the scanning camera detects the presence of such images. Using the sensor during scanning, provides automotive detection of the end of the object thereby reducing the scan time.

Abstract: An optical, multi-resolution scanning apparatus for scanning transparent or opaque objects including a high resolution lens, a low resolution lens, a flip mirror switch which alternates between high resolution mode and low resolution mode of scanning, a flip mirror switch which alternates between transmissive mode and reflective mode of scanning whereby high and low resolution scanning of opaque and/or transparent objects may be accomplished through movement of flip mirror switches, without transverse movement of the lens assembly.

Abstract: A flat bed scanner of the type commonly used as a stand-alone computer peripheral in combination with a contact image sensor module, the glass cover of which is removed and the module placed under the glass surface of a flat bed scanner and which extends the full width of the scanning area to provide a 1:1 scanning ratio using a rod lens to focus the image onto the image sensors, with a monorail carriage for the scanner and including low friction strips to prevent tipping of the module into the glass, paper sensors to control the beginning and end of the scanning and for accomplishing scanning in both directions.

Abstract: A scanning device includes a housing, a supporting tray provided in the housing, a first receiving face on the supporting tray for receiving a reflection-type original document to be scanned, a second receiving face on the supporting tray for receiving a transparent original document to be scanned, a mechanism for moving the supporting tray into and out of the housing, and scanning elements provided in the housing and positioned to scan the reflection type and transparent original documents as the supporting tray is moved into or out of the housing. The scanning elements include lamps positioned above and below the supporting tray for uniformly illuminating respective transparent and reflection-type documents positioned on the tray as the tray is moved relative to the lamp.

Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus for retrieving digital electronic images representative of opaque and transmissive objects. The apparatus is equipped with a docking port and is operative to scan objects, such as documents and photographs and/or transparencies and slides. A scanning camera equipped with transmissive and reflective light sources for illuminating the corresponding objects may be selected by the operator to retrieve images of either the reflective or transmissive object type.

Abstract: A cover for a flatbed-type scanner is provided with a pair of supporting arms for supporting horizontal axial bodies which are captured in recesses at edges of the main body of the scanner and permitted to move vertically in the recesses so as to permit vertical movement of the cover. The cross-sections of the axial bodies have a length which is greater than the width, and the recesses have openings defined by resilient members to have a width that is greater than the length of the cross-sections and less than the width of the cross-sections to enable the axial bodies to be inserted into the recesses upon rotation of the cover and to subsequently prevent unintentional removal of the axial bodies from the recesses as the cover is moved vertically to accommodate different thicknesses of documents while maintaining a substantially horizontal orientation.

Abstract: A moving mechanism for a camera lens assembly includes a smooth concave face formed in a surface of the camera main body, a slot formed in the concave face, a first cable extending from the shutter assembly and having at least two wires, a rotatable tube surrounding the cable and having an axial groove, a first plate rotatable with the tube and having at least two electrically conductive rings which are respectively connected to the at least two wires of the first cable, and a second plate fixed against rotation relative to the camera main body and having at least two conductive rings connected to two wires of a second cable extending from the camera main body.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for sensing the presence of a document on the transparent surface of an optical scanner involve moving a scanner optics carriage to a predetermined position beneath the transparent surface, reading a line of data, and if any of the data is on the "white" side of the gray-scale relative to a threshold, determining that a document is present in the scanner. Optionally, before determining whether a document is present, the apparatus and method may perform an initial threshold comparison to check for the presence of a dark background to ensure that an old document has been removed before the new document is read. The results of the document presence determination are used to generate a signal which is sent through a scanner interface to the host computer for use in automatically initiating a complete scan of a new document.

Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus for retrieving digital electronic images representative of opaque and transmissive objects. The apparatus is equipped with an optical switch which is operated by solenoid switches positioned at one end of the scanning apparatus. A scanning camera equipped with transmissive and reflective light sources for illuminating the corresponding objects may be selected by the operator to retrieve images of either the reflective or transmissive object type.

Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus for retrieving digital electronic images representative of opaque and transmissive objects. The apparatus is equipped with a reflective scanning platform for scanning documents and photographs and a docking port for receiving a transmissive scanning platform for scanning transparencies and slides. A scanning camera equipped with light sources for illuminating the respective platforms may be aligned by the operator to retrieve images from either the reflective scanning platform or from the transmissive scanning platform. An optical switch which is included within the optical pathway selectively toggles the view of the scanning camera between the reflective platform and the transparent platform. An operator using a control panel button or software can selectively scan either type of object. The choice of two scanning platforms optimizes the digital image quality for each type of media.

Abstract: A self-adjusting, adjustable, light-diffusing mechanism adapted for use in an optical scanner and including a light source to be projected on or transmitted through an object to be scanned, such as a photograph or transparency, including a light-permeable plate extending along the length and width of the light source, and having a varying degree of thickness so as to permit a varying degree of light transmitted therethrough and onto the object to be scanned, and, including a reflector positioned on the side of the light source opposite the light-diffusing mechanism and including at opposed ends of the reflector enlarged, convergent reflecting surfaces which function to focus light from the opposed ends of the light source to a target area so as to make the illumination intensity at the target area substantially uniform throughout the length of the light source, and so as to easily and conveniently adjust and control the degree of illumination projected on or through the object to be scanned.

Abstract: An adjusting mechanism for a lens comprises a mount, a sphere, a pressing ring, a positioning housing, a fixing ring, a lens, and an adjusting ring. Three protruding members are provided radially and horizontally around the circumference of the sphere. The sphere is stably disposed on the mount in an opening having a spherical surface provided on the center of the mount by three tension springs each secured between the protruding members and the mount. The inside of the sphere forms cylindrical space to accommodate the lens. The lens only axially moves with respect to the sphere by turning an adjusting ring screwed onto the sphere. The positioning housing is fixed on the mount around the sphere and the fixing ring is fastened on the top of the positioning housing.

Abstract: A filter lens device for an optical color scanner comprising a lens, at least three filters and a driving member to drive the filters to line up with scanned data and optical detectors wherein an entire document is scanned completely for each color to be reproduced. A position detecting member detects the relative positions between the filters and optical detectors, a position controlling member controlling the driving member such that the filters are moved in sequence to scan the document.

Abstract: By means of a timer and by setting the compensation for the lag error, the correctness of automatic drift compensation in a position-loop controller is enhanced and the accuracy of position control is also improved. In the present invention, a method and a device for automatic drift compensation in a position-loop controller are disclosed which enable accurate displacement control so as to avoid inadvertent shutdowns of the system.

Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus for retrieving digital electronic images representative of opaque and transmissive objects. The apparatus is equipped with a reflective scanning platform for scanning documents and photographs and a docking port for receiving a transmissive scanning platform for scanning transparencies and slides. A scanning camera equipped with light sources for illuminating the respective platforms may be aligned by the operator to retrieve images from either the reflective scanning platform or from the transmissive scanning platform. An optical switch which is included within the optical pathway selectively toggles the view of the scanning camera between the reflective platform and the transparent platform. An operator using a control panel button or software can selectively scan either type of object. The choice of two scanning platforms optimizes the digital image quality for each type of media.