Abstract: A high efficiency multi-image scanning method is disclosed. It involves the use of a special scanning window, or panel, containing a plurality of rectangular fields provided therein. The scanning window also contains a plurality of fiducial marks which associates each rectangular field, respectively, with a pre-defined location relative to the fiducial mark and a pre-defined scanning area. Prior to the scanning operation, a plurality of documents to be scanned are placed inside the rectangular fields. A pre-scan operation is performed to find and identify the fiducial mark. Then the scanner is moved to a selected rectangular field according to the information contained in the fiducial mark to scan an image having the pre-defined scanning area. Optionally, the method further contains the step of determining whether an image is present in the rectangular field, and if so, then adjusting the scanning area to compensate for any inadvertent misplacement of the image in the rectangular field.

Abstract: A lens switching apparatus for a dual-lens optical scanner includes a base, a plurality of magnetic elements, a plurality of electromagnetic elements, a guiding assembly and a slide block. Two optical lens with different magnification are mounted on the slide block. The slide block may be moved and positioned in one direction when one of the electromagnetic element attracting one adjacent magnetic element while another electromagnetic element repulsive another adjacent magnetic element. The dual-lens mounted on the slide block thus can be switched as desired for scanning process.

Abstract: A novel method for scanning multiple images in a single scanning process is disclosed. The process utilizes at least a frame holder, which contains a front frame section and a back frame section that are glued together at their top edges and are separable at least at their bottom to allow a sheet of scanning material to be placed therebetween. Each of the front and back frame sections contains a cluster of matching orientation holes on their right and left sides with a predetermined pattern to allow a computer program to achieve scan area recognition and orientation. During the scanning process, the at least one frame holder containing the image is scanned, wherein the sides of the frame holder are detected as black signals and the orientation holes are detected as white signals. Then a computer program is used to perform a previewing recognition process by detecting and carving out a scanning area corresponding to each frame holder based on the black signals and the white signals of the frame holder.

Abstract: A transparent adapter hinged to a flatbed scanner for the scanning of a transparency or negative, including a hot cathode-ray tube to provide light, a refractor mounted around the hot cathode-ray tube to refract light from the hot cathode-ray tube onto a document, for permitting the image of the document to be picked up by a charge-coupled device in the optical scanner, and to prevent light from being directly projected by the hot cathode-ray tube onto the document.

Abstract: An optical system for a flatbed scanner, including a first optical unit to emit light onto a document and to reflect the image of the document, a second optical unit to receive reflected light from the first optical unit and to reflect it, a third optical unit to receive reflected light from the second optical unit and to send it out, and a fourth optical unit to receive light from the third optical unit and to pick up the image from it, wherein the first optical unit, the second optical unit and the third optical unit can be independently moved relative to the fourth optical unit subject to a predetermined setting made in the optical scanner.

Abstract: A multi-lens changing mechanism is disclosed for use in optical scanners; it comprises: (a) a main mechanism having a bottom, first and second sides, and an aperture as an inlet for receiving light, each of the first and second sides having a magnetic means attached thereto; (b) a sliding lens carriage including at least two lenses, the sliding lens carriage being slidable within the main mechanism: and (c) a driving mechanism including a guide rod and a swinging arm. The guide rod is fitted at the bottom of the main mechanism, and is able to move back and forth. The swinging arm has a first end attached to the sliding lens carriage and a second end pivotally mounted to the main mechanism such that the swinging arm will swing when it is driven by the guide rod.

Abstract: A brilliance control apparatus of light source in an optical scanner particularly contemplating for a transparency scanner includes a generally rectangular lamp stand and a lamp shade which has an asymmetrical curvature surface and has a black reflector with a curved surface disposed therein. And is capable of performing filtering and darkening processes at the same time.

Abstract: An apparatus for photo-electric automatic feedback compensation control is used with a charged coupled device (CCD) scanner to efficiently bring the CCD scanner into optimal operating range by controlling the output intensity of a light source based upon output readings from the CCD. A voltage controlled power supply drives a light source to emit light through an optical system to irradiate a CCD scanner. The voltage induced in the CCD scanner is output and manipulated to produce a digital control signal. When the photo-electric conversion rate of the CCD is too high, the light emitting intensity of the light source is reduced based upon the output of the CCD. When the photo-electric conversion rate of the CCD is too low, the output intensity of the light source is increased based upon the output signal of the CCD scanner.

Abstract: A switching device for a multi-lens optical scanner, which comprises a body casing, a sliding lens seat and a driving mechanism; the feature of the switching device is that the power of a scanning device is used for driving a guide rod of the switching device so as to set the mechanism at a given position automatically, and provide an optical scanner with various resolving powers desired.