Abstract: An apparatus providing the capability to scan transmissive media is presented. The apparatus comprises an illuminating lid for an optical scanner. The lid is hingeably attached to the base of the scanner and provides a backlight for transmissive media. A light source, located within the lid, projects light through a translucent screen, through an X-ray for example, onto photodetector arrays located within the base of the scanner. Control means are provided to maintain the light intensity of the light source located within the lid so that a flat light profile is provided during the scan.

Abstract: An image scanning system for producing digital data of a predetermined resolution representing a scanned image of an original. The system includes a photosensing array for generating the digital data, a stepper motor having steps of predetermined size for positioning the array with respect to the original, an image buffer for storing the data and control system for synchronizing the scanning and the storing of data at one or more Y-positioning speeds. Scan line extents along the Y-direction are defined by the relationship of the Y-positioning speed to the array exposure time. The scan lines in conjunction with the present invention have boundaries, wherein the boundaries can occur on or between said motor steps.

Abstract: A single pass color optical scanner which produces multiple color component images of a scan line region of a document at different times, but which is nevertheless capable of selective scaling of image data through adjustment of scanning speed.

Abstract: Belt tensioning apparatus particularly suited for maintaining the proper tension in a drive belt for providing reciprocal linear movement for scanning apparatus wherein a coiled spring having a first hook portion extending from one end thereof and a second hook portion extending from the other end thereof is located so that a portion of the drive belt passes under the first hook portion, around the coiled spring and under the second hook portion to apply a relatively constant tensioning force on the drive belt.

Abstract: A system and method for finding areas of similar color in electronically captured spot color images and replacing the similar colors with a single dominant color. An original image is first prescanned at low resolution to generate an electronic image. Using information from the prescan step, the system classifies colors in the generated image using a three dimensional histogram. A pallet of dominant colors is identified based on the histogram classification. Each line of the original image is then scanned at a second resolution, the second resolution being substantially higher than the first resolution. The scanned lines are then processed to determine where within each line different colors exist. The locations of the different colors are noted using a break out box comprising a set of rules to evaluate each pixel.

Abstract: A document to be scanned is corner referenced on a transparent platen, with the document's image facing down. The platen defines an X-Y coordinate system matrix. A moving line of light extends in the X direction and illuminates the document's image, line by line, as the line of light moves in the Y direction. The line of light that is thus reflected from the document is sensed by a linear CCD sensor array having a large number of individual sensor cells arranged in a line that effectively extends in the X direction. Each cell of the CCD array defines an individual pixel (PEL) within the line of light that is reflected from the document. A reflection target is located at a known position relative to the platen's referencing corner, to be scanned prior to scanning the document.

Abstract: The density of pixel samples across a document is determined by employing a constant scanner sensing head sampling rate and driving the scanner head movement at a rate directly correlated to the preselected density level. The scanner operator determines the particular density and introduces a signal to motor drive controls to cause it to move across the image at the preselected rate.

Abstract: An aperture and light source assembly including an elongate aperture plate having a longitudinally extending, aperture defining slit at a top end thereof and a light source for illuminating an object to be scanned including a first elongate bulb and a second elongate bulb positioned adjacent opposite lateral sides of the vertically disposed portion of said aperture plate and below the top end slit therein; a connector and spacer assembly fixedly connecting the bulbs in spaced apart, parallel relationship; and an attachment assembly associated with the connector assembly removably attaching the light source to the optical scanner; and whereby the first and second bulbs are installable and removable from the optical scanner as a modular unit.

Abstract: An optical scanner device for producing machine-readable data representative of an image of a scan line object, comprising: a light source for illuminating the scan line object; a lens assembly for focusing imaging light received from the scan line object on an image plane; at least one mirror having a planar mirror surface for reflectively directing imaging light from the scan line object into the lens assembly whereby a folded imaging light path extending between the scan line object and the lens assembly is provided; and an occluding aperture stop positioned in immediately adjacent, overlying relationship with the mirror surface for selectively differentially blocking light in the light path emanating from different points across the scan line object for adjusting the light intensity of the image produced on the image plane whereby blocking of light with the occluding aperture stop at more than one location along the folded imaging light path is obviated.

Abstract: A clip assembly for attaching an optical scanner mirror to an associated mounting structure including a U-shaped clip body for resiliently, snappingly engaging the mounting structure for holding the clip assembly in stationary relationship with the mounting structure, and a compliant member integrally formed with the clip body for urging the mirror against the mounting structure such that the mirror is resiliently held in stationary relationship therewith.

Abstract: A mathematical method for selecting the shape for an occluding aperture which is to be positioned at a predetermined aperture location in a light path extending between an illuminated line object and a linear photosensor array. Through use of the aperture selected according to the method, a light intensity measurement is obtained across the linear photosensor array which is uniformly proportional to the light intensity across the illuminated line object.

Abstract: An optical scanner device for producing machine-readable data representative of a color image of scanned objects including a narrow width, elongate light slit for enabling transmission of an imaging light beam from a narrow band portion of an object which is scanned; a lens for focusing the imaging light beam; a beam splitter for separating the imaging light beam into a plurality of color component beams; a purality of parallel, linear photosensor arrays located on a common sensor plane and spaced apart at equal intervals for accepting color component images; the light slit and lens being constructed and arranged whereby the width of each color component image on the common sensor plane is no more than about the interval spacing of the photosensor arrays and no less than about one-half the interval spacing of the pohotsensor arrays.