Abstract: An improved high resolution scanner for use in a conventional scanner housing. A light receiving guide transversely moves a conventional lens and CCD for scanning portions of an object to be scanned. The resulting scanned portions, when combined, produce a high resolution image of the scanned image.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a scanning module with variable optical paths for increasing scanning resolution. The scanning module comprises a carriage with a first scanning position, a light detecting device, a plurality of mirrors, and a lens set. The light detecting device is installed inside the carriage for detecting light transmitted from the document at the first scanning position. The plurality of mirrors is installed inside the carriage for reflecting the light from the document to the light detecting device. The plurality of mirrors comprises at least one moveable mirror for changing an optical path from the document to the light detecting device thereby allowing the light from the document be transmitted to the light detecting device along a first optical path or a second optical path. The lens set is installed inside the carriage with a first end and a second end for focusing the light from the document onto the light detecting device.

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 focus adjusting system of an optical scanner which comprises an optical scanning module having a focus for scanning line images of a document line by line and converting each of the line images into a digital image signal set, and a scanning driver for driving the scanning module back and forth so as to scan the document. The focus adjusting system comprises a focus driver for adjusting the focus of the scanning module, and a focus controller for controlling the focus driver according to the digital image signal sets generated by the scanning module at various foci over a line position of the document so as to adjust the focus of the scanning module.

Abstract: A multi-purpose scanner that can be integrated into a computer. In one embodiment, the multi-purpose scanner functions as a desktop scanner. It includes a scanning engine and an external housing. The external housing substantially encapsulates the scanning engine to reduce electromagnetic interference to the scanning engine. In another embodiment, the multi-purpose scanner scans with scanning engine mechanically attached to the computer. The scanning engine includes an internal body, a chassis and a positioning assembly. The chassis holds the internal body, and the assembly moves the internal body relative to the chassis. In this embodiment, the scanner extends a part of the internal body out of the chassis in order to scan a medium. In a third embodiment, the multi-purpose scanner functions as a handheld scanner. The scanning engine includes a front-panel unit that is releasably attached to an engine unit.

Abstract: An optical length adjusting device provides different optical length for different lenses in a multi-resolution scanner. The optical length adjusting device includes a focus module for focusing the optical image on an image sensor, a first light reflecting device for directing the light from an object to the focus module, a first carrier for fixing the first light reflecting device, a second carrier for fixing the focus module, and a driving module for moving the first and/or second carriers to change the distance between them. Since the distance between the focus module and the first light reflecting module can be adjusted, the light from the object can be guided to the focus module via the same optical path for different resolution.

Abstract: An image scanner capable of scanning double-sided documents or of being divided into two single-sided scanners includes a main body with an automatic document feeder and an image capture device, a base, and a flatbed scanner with its own image capture device. The main body can be secured either to the base, in which case a sheet fed single-sided scanner is formed, or to the flatbed scanner, in which case a double-sided scanner is formed. The automatic document feeder eliminates the need for a transparent document thin film guide by using the top surface of the base or of the flatbed scanner to guide a document past the image capture device and onto a guiding plate extending at a non-zero angle from the main body and into a groove in either the base or the flatbed scanner, the groove receiving the guiding plate so that the guiding plate extends into the path of the document to guide the document into an output tray.

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: 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: 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 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.