Abstract: The invention is adapted to output readings from the image board within a scanner to an operating panel. This allows the adjustment of the optical axis of the scanner to be made independently while confirming the displayed output values. Thereby, in an apparatus for scanning an original document using CCD line sensors, the adjustment of the reading optical axis of the CCD line sensors can be made without using any special equipment.

Abstract: A method for compressing image data at a fixed rate and a device thereof is used for a scanning device capturing and generating image data. When the image data is scanned, the scanning areas of each color data are respectively selected to compress image data with a fixed rate. A decompression method is utilized which interpolates the decompressed data based on known color data in adjacent pixels.

Abstract: Upon transferring two image signals to an output apparatus in an image transfer system, the amount of data to be transferred can be reduced. In an image signal output apparatus, subtraction signal generating means generates a subtraction signal from a front-side image signal and rearside image signal, and the subtraction signal as well as either the front-side image signal or the rearside image signal are transferred to an operation and display terminal. When the front-side image signal and the subtraction signal are transferred, the operation and display terminal restores the rearside image signal by carrying out an operation using the subtraction signal and the front-side image signal having been transferred thereto. The front-side image signal and the rearside image signal are similar, and the amount of the subtraction signal is smaller than the amount of the rearside image signal, which results in reduction in the amount of data to be transferred.

Abstract: A scanner is provided with a variable aperture lens system. High resolution scans use a relatively small aperture size, and scanning speed is relatively slow. Low resolution scans use a relatively large aperture size, and scanning speed is increased. Fast scans are limited to lower sampling rates, which in turn permit more optical blurring relative to high sampling rates. Accordingly, the incremental cost of the larger aperture is minimized by permitting the lens aberrations specifications to be relaxed at larger apertures. Preferably, an electronic variable aperture is provided, for example, by use of electronically controlled polarization plates or by use of electrochromic substances.

Abstract: A left-side odd-component image signal (ODDL) output from an output terminal (OS1) of a 4-channel output CCD (4-division photoelectric conversion element) is input to an amplifier. A left-side even-component image signal (EVENL) output from an output terminal (OS2) of the 4-channel output CCD is input to the amplifier. A right-side odd-component image signal (ODDR) output from an output terminal (OS3) of the 4-channel output CCD is input to another amplifier. A right-side even-component image signal (EVENR) output from an output terminal (OS4) of the 4-channel output CCD is input to the amplifier. The amplifiers multiplex the left-side and right-side signals respectively, and a high-speed scanner control ASIC performs right/left correction.

Abstract: A bi-directional transmission mechanism is provided for an image scanner to increase the scanning speed. The bidirectional transmission mechanism provides a first transmission device for driving a sheet table in a first direction, and a second transmission device disposed below the sheet table for driving an image reading device in a second direction. The two transmission devices are moving towards opposite directions and at the same time when the scanning operation is enabled. The present invention mainly encompasses a sheet table for placing a document sheet. A first transmission device is provided for supporting and connecting to the sheet table for driving the sheet table from a first direction to a second direction. An image reading device disposed under the sheet table reads the image information of the document sheet.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus comprises a transparent housing, a driving means arranged within the transparent housing, and an image sensor arranged within the transparent housing and driven by the driving means. The upper surface and the lower surface of the transparent housing are marked to define a transparent upper window and a transparent lower window. The image sensor comprises a contact image sensor and a supporting box for housing the contact image sensor. The small article to be scanned is facedown placed on the transparent upper window of the scanning apparatus when the scanning apparatus is in erect arrangement. The large article to be scanned is faced up placed and the user can align the scanning region through the transparent upper window and lower window. Therefore, the inventive scanning apparatus is applicable to scan article of both large and small size, and the transparent upper window and lower window facilitate the alignment of scanner for user for entire scanning or partial scanning of an article.

Abstract: A multi-functional scanner and method of assembling same. In this regard, the invention provides a combination scanning, editing and display apparatus contained in a single housing. The scanner is configured as a flatbed scanner with a display screen mounted in a cover belonging to the scanner. The display screen is touch sensitive for editing images and electronically inputting text. The scanner has electronic input connections such as CD disk, CDR disk, DVD disk, floppy, electronic memory cards, and smart cards to display images directly from these devices or store images directly in memory. The scanner is capable of interrogating an output device (e.g., printer) that may be connected to the scanner for determining type of output device and format of output.