Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for the shifting of a scanning device's focal point is described herein. The method, system, and apparatus comprise a focal point shifter interposed between a scanner surface and a target surface of a medium.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method for verifying a scan mode selection utilized for a scanned image. The method comprises comparing the scanned image to scan samples stored in memory, determining a scan state from a scan sample that most closely corresponds to the scanned image, determining whether the scan mode selection is consistent with the determined scan state, and providing an indication that the scan mode selection is not consistent with the determined scan state.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that reduces the inaccuracies in the tone map operation in the dark areas of an image.

Abstract: End-of-travel focus shift in an optical image scanner is provided. One embodiment comprises a method for optically scanning. Briefly described, one such method comprises translating an optical head to a first end-of-travel position and adjusting the distance between the optical head and a platen by engaging the optical head with a first stop member disposed at the first end-of-travel position.

Abstract: A virtual whiteboard is disclosed that employs a scanner as an input device of a communications system linking multiple remote participants across an Intranet or Internet in which a user writes directly onto the scanner's platen or on a clear plastic transparency on the scanner's platen with dry erase markers in the same manner a user would write on an overhead projector or a whiteboard. The scanner would then perform the scan and mirror the image from left to right and transmit an electronic signal representative of the scanned image to remote conference participants over the Internet or Intranet or other known signal transmission means.

Abstract: End-of-travel focus shift in an optical image scanner is provided. One embodiment comprises a method for optically scanning. Briefly described, one such method comprises translating an optical head to a first end-of-travel position and adjusting the distance between the optical head and a platen by engaging the optical head with a first stop member disposed at the first end-of-travel position.

Abstract: Object plane user selection in an optical image scanner is provided. One embodiment is a method for optically scanning a document comprising receiving a user selection of an object plane to be scanned, the user selection defining a distance above a platen, and adjusting an optical head based on the user selection to scan the object plane selected by the user.

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 multiple image scanner that performs a single scan of a document containing different types of images (e.g., text and graphics) and sends multiple renditions of the same document from the scanner to a host computer (e.g., one high resolution gray scale image and one low resolution high bit depth color image; or one high resolution, low bit depth gray scale or monochrome image and one low resolution, high bit depth gray scale or monochrome image; or one high resolution, low bit depth color image and one low resolution, high bit depth color image), thus greatly reducing the total amount of data sent to and processed by the host computer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that reduces the inaccuracies in the tone map operation in the dark areas of an image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that reduces the inaccuracies in the matrix operation in the dark areas of an image.

Abstract: An apparatus having an image behind a document to be scanned on an optical image scanner, copier, facsimile machine or similar device. The image behind the document would partially bleed-through into the reproduced image, leaving a faint replica of the auxiliary “bleed-through” image in the reproduced image.

Abstract: A removable user interface panel for a peripheral device such as a scanner or copier is disclosed. The removable user interface panel may control or communicate with the peripheral device by means of a cable, a Universal Serial Bus device or hub, infrared or other known telecommunications means. The removable interface panel may also be attached to the end user's computer, monitor or keyboard for greater utility.

Abstract: Transparent documents with precoated background so that only the text and foreground need to be printed by a printer is taught. Alternatively, the transparent documents may be precoated with watermarks, company logos, company confidential or other common background patterns. The printer may be able to selectively remove the background precoating from predetermined areas of the transparency where text or other foreground material will be printed. Alternatively, the ink in the printer may chemically dissolve the precoating in predetermined areas.

Abstract: A line-focus system with a curved fluorescent bulb for directing light from the curved fluorescent bulb toward the scan line in the line-focus system. The curved fluorescent bulb is shaped in such a manner that the light intensity across the photosensor line array in the line-focus system is relatively uniform and the length of the light bulb is shorter than straight light bulbs with end sockets at both ends of the light bulb. The curved fluorescent bulb may be C-shaped, U-shaped or towel bar-shaped.

Abstract: An electrical connector having a female contact that enables detection of the presence of a corresponding male contact. The female contact is divided into two parts. The two parts are electrically isolated. When a male pin is installed in the female contact, the male pin electrically connects the two parts of the female contact together. In a specific application, the female contact is in a connector for an external device on a SCSI computer bus. The first part is pulled high and serves as a sense line. The second part is pulled to ground. A pin in the mating connector electrically connects the two parts of the female contact, pulling the sense line to ground. The external device disables internal termination of the SCSI bus when the sense line is pulled low. In an alternative embodiment, the external device has two SCSI connectors, each with a two-part female contact.

Abstract: A method for determining when overall lamp intensity is stable for a lamp in a document scanner. The intensity of a relatively small portion of the lamp is controlled as part of a closed loop intensity control system. During a warm-up transient period, the intensity of the small portion of the lamp is monitored and power to the lamp is monitored. A changing power to the lamp indicates that the overall lamp intensity has not stabilized. Scanning is initiated when the intensity of the monitored portion of the lamp is within a predetermined control range and the power to the lamp has stabilized for a predetermined time period. The predetermined time period can be a default value or can be determined by a user.