Abstract: A concave mirror optical system for a scanner and a method for compensating image distortion. In this invention, the more expensive lens assembly in a conventional optical system is replaced by a concave mirror made from simple low-cost material so that production cost and chromatic dispersion are reduced. Moreover, different magnifications can be obtained due to a difference in focusing power of the concave mirror along XY axis direction.

Abstract: The present invention is about an apparatus for scanning an object. The apparatus comprises an image capture module having a lens and a sensors array for capturing light after scanning the object. There are light sources comprising a visible light source and an infrared light source. Next, a key module of the present invention is a first translation module connected with the lens and the sensors array. The first translation module is-used for changing a first location of the lens and a second location of the sensors array according to using different the light sources so as to improve some optical characteristics, such as aberration resulting from different wavelengths of light sources. A power module connects with the first translation module and the light sources for supporting energy to the first translation module and the light sources. Moreover, a second translation module connects with the light sources and the image capture module, and the second translation driven by the power module.

Abstract: A multiple non-directional scanning method. A document preview scanning is carried out from one end of the document to the other. The preview image is next analyzed to provide a set of scan parameters. After setting the scan parameters, the scanner performs a backward scanning operation from the other end of the document back to the original start-up position to obtain a final scan image.

Abstract: A process for generating a serial number from a random number is suitable for being used on a device that uses serial number in a bus. First, this process generates a serial number for use from a random number according to a seed number, and then it checks if this generated serial number is repeated in the bus. When this generated serial number is the same as the serial number corresponding to any other devices that are of the same kind as the above mentioned device in the bus, a new serial number for use will be generated.

Abstract: A light source mechanism for an imaging apparatus comprises at least a point light source and a light shield. The point light source located at one end of the light shield is used for providing illumination to the imaging apparatus during a scanning process. The light shield is a hollow pipe structure and further includes a long slot lying along an axial longitudinal direction thereof for allowing lights to leave the light shield. An inner surface of the light shield is made as a diffusion surface for evenly diffusing lights inside the light shield, by which a homogeneous line light source for the scanning process is formed at the long slot of the light shield.

Abstract: An automatic document feeding apparatus comprises a paper case, a dividing unit, and a paging document-feeding device. The paper case has an open space, for containing a plurality of papers. The dividing unit is disposed at proper location inbeing the open space, for dividing said plurality of papers into paper of a first zone and those of a second zone. The paging document-feeding device is connected with the paper case for feeding a single paper from papers of the first zone.

Abstract: A light-emitting diode (LED) light source control method is disclosed. The light-emitting diode light source control method is used for controlling a composite and a single color LED light source. The composite color LED light source can provide two of the three original red, green and blue color lights and the single color LED light source provides the third original color. The composite and the single color LED light sources provide illuminations sequentially so that the light sources need not to be turned on continually and the data generated by the composite and the single color lights on the red, green and blue channels of image sensors can be processed sequentially.

Abstract: An installation for increasing the usable range along the axial direction of a light source. The installation has a light source and an optical sensor. The light source generates a sense image. The optical sensor further has a sensor and a transparent panel. The sensor is responsible for detecting the image generated by the light source so that a sense image is created. The transparent panel is positioned between the sensor and the light source. A coating on the transparent panel modifies the light transparency along the axial direction of the light source such that light transparency is lower in the middle compared with the ends.

Abstract: A module of reflection mirrors of L-shape according to the invention, arranged in an optical chassis of scanner, is comprised of a first L-shaped mirror and a second L-shaped mirror. The recession portions for the second L-shaped mirror and the first L-shaped mirror are corresponded to each other in the space. After entering the module with a specific angle, an incident light is reflected several times between the two L-shape mirrors before it leaves the module with another angle again. Wherein, there are a first reflection zone and a second reflection zone at the recession portion of the first L-shaped mirror, and there are a third reflection zone and a fourth reflection zone at the recession portion of the second L-shaped mirror.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus with divers resolution includes a light source, a reflection lens set, a major lens and an image-capture unit. The light source is used to illuminate a document for further generating a document image. The reflection lens set includes a plurality of reflection lenses for forwarding the document image consecutively to the major lens. The major lens is used to receive the document image transported by the reflection lens set and to form the document image at a focal point thereof. The image-capture unit includes a plurality of image-capture elements with various resolution for meeting divers usage requirements. While in usage, a suitable image-capture element with particular resolution can be shifted to the focal point of the major lens for performing the imaging.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus with the appearance of a pen for scanning a small-sized document has the casing, the cap, the input slot and the output slot for inputting and outputting the small-sized document on the casing, respectively, the transmission apparatus for driving the small-sized document, the light source for emitting the light, the photoelectric sensing device for receiving a light signal reflected by the small-sized document and then outputting a digital data of captured image to the control processing unit. The scanning apparatus also has 1394 interface connector or USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector to transmit the digital data stored in the control processing unit to the terminal operating system such as the computer, the Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), or the cellular phone for editing or printing. The scanning apparatus of the invention is easy to carry and can be operated anywhere and anytime.

Abstract: The invention is a scan device with elastic reserve type and its scan method, mainly applied to the light, thin, short and small scanner, image recorder, etc. The invention includes a guide bar, a chassis, a gear structure, an elastic module, a fastening structure and a sensor device, wherein, a scan module is on the chassis, the gear structure is consisting of at least one gear, the fastening structure is consisting of at least two fasteners and the sensor device is consisting of at least two sensors with one objective. To use the elasticity with the feature of reserving ability and the fastening structure is to move the chassis for scanning. The scanning motion of start and stop is via the sensor device. For combining the function of the above each part, most of them take traditionally mechanical transmission except that scan module is electrical power.

Abstract: A method of generating timing signals for a charge-coupled device. A plurality of input timing signals produced by an application specific integrated circuit according to a system clock is transmitted to the charge-coupled device. The programmable timing signals for the charge-coupled device are produced by determining the position of each cycle for these input timing signal, adjusting each cycle of the input timing signals in each system clock cycle and downloading their relationship into the application specific integrated circuit by programming.

Abstract: A carrier mechanism for supporting and moving a travelling module along a predetermined travelling path is disclosed. The carrier mechanism includes a guide device fixed inside a casing, a carrier movable along the guide device between a forward and rearward positions with the travelling module removably mounted on the carrier and a driving mechanism including a motor mounted to the carrier and in driving engagement with the guide device for moving the carrier between the forward and rearward positions. The guide device includes an elongate strip integrally formed on a bottom of the casing with a rack formed along a side face thereof to drivingly engage a pinion of the motor. Alternatively, a timing belt and toothed wheel system or a wire and pulley system or a worm and gear system may be used to replace the pinion and rack system.

Abstract: A speed-changing gear set inside the drive system of a scanner, wherein the drive system has a driving motor and an output unit. The speed-changing gear set has a control element and a cam driven by the control element. The cam has a first set of gears fastened to the cam such that one of the gears in the first group engages with a gear on the output unit. An axle is in contact with the cam such that movement of the cam produces a shift in the position of the axle. The axle has a second set of gears mounted on the axle. When the cam stops at a first designated position, one of the gears in the first set of gears meshes with the driving motor so that the output unit is driven. When the cam stops at a second designated position and shifts the position of the axle, gears in the second group mesh with the gear on the driving motor and a gear in the first group, respectively. The output unit is thus driven by the driving motor through the gear train that has the first set of gears and the second set of gears.

Abstract: A method and user interface is provided for use on a computer system coupled with a scanner for performing a scan operation on an original document, which allows the user to acquire scanned images in an easier and more user-friendly manner. The method allows the user to scan an original document without requiring the user to have learned knowledge background in the science of image processing, and also allows the scanner to perform only one scan operation on the original document. These features allow the use of the scanner to be easier and more user-friendly than the prior art. By the, method, the first step is to determine a set of image processing settings by a scanner driving program that are suited for optimal scan of the original document; and then the scanner is activated to perform a scan operation on the original document based on the image processing settings to thereby obtain a primitive scanned image.

Abstract: A modularized light-guiding apparatus and manufacturing method, which may make the light of a light source proceed at least twice light reflections of predetermined directions. The light-guiding apparatus includes a plurality of modularized reflection elements, which may be differentiated to several different types of reflection element. Each type of each reflection element all has substantially same adjoining device and edge size for providing to be adjoined and piled-up with another reflection element. But, the reflection element of different type individually has different number of reflection plane for providing the light to proceed different times of light reflection. It may determined the light reflection times and light-path length for the light-guiding apparatus, by choosing several different types of reflection element among plural reflection elements to proceed the piling-up for the light-guiding apparatus.

Abstract: A friction plate coupling structure inside an automatic document feeder. The friction contact surface of the friction plates is designed to have a slant surface resembling a frustum so that overall contact area is increased and stability of the coupling between the friction plates is improved.

Abstract: A reporting system capable of reporting the end of a scanning session to a user through existing computer peripheral devices is proposed. By reporting at the end of a scanning session, the user can proceed with subsequent scanning operations with no delay. Hence, idle time of the scanner is greatly reduced.

Abstract: A control method for removing scanning discontinuity in scanners. The relationship between a driving motor and an elastic body such as a leather belt or a steel cable linked to the chassis inside a scanner is investigated so that time constants for achieving system stability are found. Through setting the time constants, the forwarding and reversing motion of the chassis is controlled so that scanning discontinuity due to stopping and restarting is reduced.