Abstract: A banknote validation device includes a light source array which includes multiple light emission units; a light receiver configured to receive light emitting from the light emission units and to generate, upon receiving the light emitting from the light emission units, a detection signal corresponding thereto; a banknote channel arranged between the light source array and the light receiver; and a control circuit electrically connected to the light source array and the light receiver. The banknote channel is configured to receive a banknote to be validated to pass therethrough. The light receiver is arranged to correspond to multiple light emission units. The control circuit is configured to control the light emission units of the light source array to sequentially emit light according to a preset timing sequence of lighting. The present invention allows for inspection of a banknote to be validated with a simplified structure at the same accuracy.

Abstract: Techniques for scanning an object that does not fit upon a scan surface of a scanner and requires a non-linear scanning path are described. In one embodiment, a pair of optical navigation sensors and an image sensor (e.g., CIS) are used to determine coordinates and an angle of a scanning object. By acquiring the coordinates of optical navigation sensors with respect to the image sensor after each relative movement between the image sensor and the scanning object, coordinates of pixel points on the image sensor can be readily determined as long as there is a predefined geometry between the optical navigation sensors and the image sensor. In addition, scanned image data can be modified, enhanced or corrected in scanning or in memory.

Abstract: A method for automatically controlling the length of a projection screen and an apparatus thereof are proposed. They dispose a code stripe on at least a side of the projection screen and then exploit a detector of an auto-controlled hoister to read the code stripe. The detected signal is converted into digital data for comparison with the data stored in a storage device of the auto-controlled hoister so that the auto-controlled hoister can control the length of the projection screen exactly. Hence, a multi-purpose apparatus can be provided.

Abstract: A method for automatically controlling the length of a projection screen and an apparatus thereof are proposed. They dispose a code stripe on at least a side of the projection screen and then exploit a detector of an auto-controlled hoister to read the code stripe. The detected signal is converted into digital data for comparison with the data stored in a storage device of the auto-controlled hoister so that the auto-controlled hoister can control the length of the projection screen exactly. Hence, a multi-purpose apparatus can be provided.

Abstract: A power-saving method for an optical navigation device is proposed, wherein the image capture frame rate of a sensor is controlled according to the moving speed of the optical navigation device. The image capture frame rate is determined based on the variations of a horizontal displacement and a vertical displacement of the optical navigation device for saving power. Moreover, when the optical navigation device is in the sleeping mode, it is not necessary to generate a current to drive the sensor to monitor whether the optical navigation device moves or not. A displacement detector (e.g., a mechanical displacement trigger) is used instead to generate a current for breaking off the sleeping mode to accomplish the power-saving object.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for facilitating the input of information into a computing device by a scanning means. A pocket scanner that has only the minimum components/parts therein and will not operate without being connected to the computing device that subsequently receives scanning signals therefrom. In particular, the disclosed scanner does not have a separate power supply to energize the components/parts to work.

Abstract: A front projection screen for a video projection system is provided. The front projection screen includes a reflection screen surface, and a reflection material on the reflection screen surface, wherein the reflection material consists of a plurality of red, green, and blue color reflecting cells for receiving projected lights, absorbing a part of the projected lights having spectrums beyond ranges of red, green, and blue color spectrums, and reflecting a part of the projected lights having spectrums within ranges of red, green, and blue color spectrums back.

Abstract: A front projection screen for a video projection system is provided. The front projection screen includes a reflection screen surface, and a reflection material on the reflection screen surface, wherein the reflection material consists of a plurality of red, green, and blue color reflecting cells for receiving projected lights, absorbing a part of the projected lights having spectrums beyond ranges of red, green, and blue color spectrums, and reflecting a part of the projected lights having spectrums within ranges of red, green, and blue color spectrums back.

Abstract: It is disclosed that a mobile scanner includes only the minimum components to operate as a scanner. The disclosed scanner does not have a separate power supply to energize the components to work. Further, unlike many scanners in the market, there is not a single microcontroller in the disclosed mobile scanner while the performance thereof could outperform those scanners commanded traditionally by a microcontroller in the scanners. The disclosed scanner is coupled by an interface engine to a computing device that provides system control signals and power supply. The interface engine comprises a control circuit providing logic control signals to the scanner to operate in response to the system control signals. As such, the scanner is of high performance and low cost and so lightweight that it can be used in any conditions.

Abstract: An improved color image linear sensor is disclosed to minimize the registration problems commonly seen in a sensor using three rows of photodetectors. In particular, according to one embodiment, the photodetectors in the improved color image linear sensor are shaped in triangle so that the triangular-like shaped photodetectors are interspersed with the upside-down triangular-like shaped photodetectors.

Abstract: Distinct designs are provided to reduce dimensions of an image sensing module without affecting the sizes of the original individual components in the image sensing module. According to one embodiment, a mirror is mounted before an optical focus system and used to collect and redirect reflected light from a scanning object being illuminated by an illumination source in the image sensing module, wherein the scanning object is parallel to the optical focus system.

Abstract: An image sensor employing multiple arrays of photodetectors is disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, every two of three arrays are shielded with a non-transparent material. When charge signals are generated in the non-shielded array in response to light reflected from a scanning document illuminated by one of three colored lights, the charge signals are shifted to a next adjacent shielded array so that another set of charge signals can be generated under another one of the three colored lights. Essentially, the shielded arrays are used as buffers to separate the charge signals independently generated under three different colored lights. Subsequently, the charge signals corresponding to the same colored light can be accumulated to produce a much stronger scanning signal.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a generic solution for direct readout of the charge signals from the photodetectors in an image sensor to minimize possible signal distortions. The disclosed image sensor uses a time measurement circuit for each of the photodetectors. The time elapsed for each of the photodetectors to reach a reference signal is measured and converted to a digital representation that is subsequently readout as the digital signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing images in 2-D scanners are disclosed. According to one aspect of the system, a series of images are successively generated from a sensing module in a scanner as the scanner is moving across a scanning document. A first image is initially kept in a memory. When a second image becomes available, an overlapping between the first image and the second image is located. From the overlapping, it is to determine if the stored first image is precisely registered with the second image. If the two images are registered, a signal-to-noise enhanced image is obtained by averaging the two images. If the two images are not registered, a combined image is obtained by combining the two images. Either the signal-to-noise enhanced image or the combined image is then stored in the memory to work with the next image. The process is repeated till all the images are processed. As a result, a signal-to-noise enhanced image or a combined image representing the entire document is produced.

Abstract: A sheet-fed scanner employing a second motion roller is disclosed. According to one embodiment, a transparent circular tube as the second roller is used. The image sensing module is enclosed in the transparent circular tube. With a parallel mounting of the transparent circular tube and a motion roller, the transparent circular tube is caused to rotate in synchrony with the motion roller by friction created between a scanning sheet and the transparent circular tube so as to reduce the friction to maintain a net driving force from the motion roller to advance a scanning sheet therebetween.

Abstract: Distinct designs are provided to reduce dimensions of an image sensing module without affecting the sizes of the original individual components in the image sensing module. According to one embodiment, a mirror is mounted before an optical focus system and used to collect and redirect reflected light from a scanning object being illuminated by an illumination source in the image sensing module, wherein the scanning object is parallel to the optical focus system.

Abstract: A portable dual-mode scanner device capable of being powered through a universal serial bus connection where the individual components of the portable scanner are selectively and controllably powered so as to function within the power limitations of the usb port (i.e., 5 Volts, 2.2 watts) without appreciable degradation of a captured image whether that image resides on a transparent media (i.e., a negative) or an opaque media (i.e., paper) is described.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for facilitating the input of information into a computing device by a scanning means. A pocket scanner that has only the minimum components/parts therein and will not operate without being connected to the computing device that subsequently receives scanning signals therefrom. In particular, the disclosed scanner does not have a separate power supply to energize the components/parts to work.

Abstract: An image scanning device employing a two-dimensional linear sensor including multiple linear sensors in parallel or arrays of photodetectors is disclosed. The linear sensors in parallel operate in a mode of transfer delay integration to generate charge signals on top of transferred charge signals. The two-dimensional linear sensor produces a scanning signal that is of high fidelity and low noise. As a result, the image scanning device can use low illumination source (e.g. LEDs) and a simple lens. Further, with proper adjustment of the focal length of the lens, a two-dimensional linear sensor of one size may fit all image devices.

Abstract: An image sensor employing multiple arrays of photodetectors is disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, every two of three arrays are shielded with a non-transparent material. When charge signals are generated in the non-shielded array in response to light reflected from a scanning document illuminated by one of three colored lights, the charge signals are shifted to a next adjacent shielded array so that another set of charge signals can be generated under another one of the three colored lights. Essentially, the shielded arrays are used as buffers to separate the charge signals independently generated under three different colored lights. Subsequently, the charge signals corresponding to the same colored light can be accumulated to produce a much stronger scanning signal.