Abstract: A digitizing scanner particularly for scanning transparent films such as X-rays provides an improved illuminator for transmitting light through the film. The illuminator defines a line array of a plurality of individually calibrated and controlled LEDs. The LEDs are calibrated by determining their relative points of projection on a CCD camera array. The camera array scans the LEDs and adjusts them individually to produce a predetermined illumination pattern from the group. The adjustment occurs over a plurality of cycles that address cross-talk between LEDs in the array. The camera includes anti-reflection elements to minimize bounce-back of image light and noise suppression circuitry to reduce low-level signal noise. A central processing unit, interconnected with the camera assembly includes a pixel averager to reduce the inherent resolution of the CCD to a desired level and to attenuate further noise.

Abstract: A rotary color scanner has both linear and logarithmic mode static and dynamic calibration to quickly and automatically calibrate the scanner before each scan, as well as during a given scan, without operator intervention of any kind, whether in the factory or in the field. Close calibration is achieved, despite the use of photomultiplier detectors which are inherently particularly susceptible to drift, and despite the use of high intensity lamps whose output typically varies greatly with aging. The system establishes operation at an optimized data throughput rate up to a limit determined by the maximum scan rate of the system, and thereafter switches to operation at an optimized signal/noise ratio.

Abstract: A focusing system for the optical head of a rotary drum scanner establishes focus quickly and automatically by iteratively scanning a line of a document on the drum and repeatedly adjusting the focus of the head in accordance with a focus optimizing function until the region of optimal focus is found.

Abstract: A drum for a rotary scanner operable in both a transmissive and a reflective mode is manufactured to high concentricity yet relatively inexpensively by mounting an oversized (in thickness) drum blank of possibly varying diameter and thickness on a cylindrical mandrel and thereafter turning it on a lathe to the required external radius. End caps containing mounting means defining the effective scan axis are then secured to the drum for subsequent mounting in a rotary scanner.

Abstract: A rotary color scanner has both linear and logarithmic mode static and dynamic calibration to quickly and automatically calibrate the scanner before each scan, as well as during a given scan, without operator intervention of any kind, whether in the factory or in the field. Close calibration is achieved, despite the use of photomultiplier detectors which are inherently particularly susceptible to drift, and despite the use of high intensity lamps whose output typically varies greatly with aging. The system establishes operation at an optimized data throughput rate up to a limit determined by the maximum scan rate of the system, and thereafter switches to operation at an optimized signal/noise ratio.

Abstract: A head tending apparatus for an ink jet printing system with at least one ink jet being disclosed. The apparatus includes a solvent supply system for spraying solvent on the faces of the ink jets and in the jet openings and a brush for scrubbing the ink jet faces during and immediately after the spraying process. Solvent vapors enter the jets and deprime the jets so that the ink remaining in the jets drains out of the jets back to the ink reservoir allowing solvent vapors to penetrate the jets to the reservoir. Resultantly, when the jets are next primed with ink, the jets are substantially free of air bubbles. Head tending is normally performed when the printer is shut down, or prior to the priming of the ink jets.

Abstract: A head tending apparatus for an ink jet printing system with at least one ink jet is disclosed. The apparatus includes a solvent supply system for spraying solvent on the faces of the ink jets and in the jet openings. The apparatus also has a brush for scrubbing the ink jet faces during and immediately after the spraying process. The solvent loosens and dissolves any solid matter that may have formed on the jet faces or in the jet openings and also deprimes any ink remaining in the jets when the printer is shut down; the brush cleans the loosened matter off the jet faces. If the printer has a rotating image insert assembly with the ink jets thereon, the brush and a solvent jet are mounted to a shell adjacent the ink jets. The brush includes a bristle-free section that is normally adjacent the image insert assembly and spaced away therefrom when the head tending appartaus is deactivated; this prevents the apparatus from interfering with the normal operation of the printer.

Abstract: An ink jet priming system for an ink jet printer having a reservoir containing ink for ink jets connected thereto and a reservoir opening for receiving ink is described. The ink jet priming system is provided with a seal for selectively closing the reservoir opening. Pressurized air is supplied to the reservoir from a tank connected thereto through an opening in the seal. The flow of air to the reservoir is controlled so that there is an initial low pressure air flow to force ink into the jets followed by a high pressure flow to force the discharge of the streaming discharge of the ink. A gutter assembly, connected to a disposable waste container is provided for receiving and collecting the ink discharged during the priming process. The ink jet priming system can be used with a moving print head that contains two or more separate reservoirs each with a separate reservoir opening.

Abstract: The invention is embodied in a pressurized ink supply system for a three color ink jet printer. In order to provide a relatively large ink supply, three stationary primary ink reservoirs, formed as three long tubular sacks of flexible plastic film, contained in a pressurized disposable cartridge, are connected through flexible plastic umbilical tubes, and three solenoid-operated valves, to three secondary ink reservoirs mounted on the movable carriage of the print head. Automatic ink replenishment and an out-of-ink alarm are controlled entirely from the secondary ink reservoirs.The ink level in each secondary reservoir is maintained within close limits without attention from the operator. When the primary reservoir runs out of ink, as indicated by failure of the secondary reservoir to fill within a specified time period, an alarm alerts the operator to remove and replace the ink cartridge.