Abstract: A method of estimating light output of a lamp in a scanner prior to the lamp being fully warmed-up. The method includes measuring a spectral characteristic of light emitted by a lamp in a scanner at a time t0 prior to the lamp being fully warmed-up and estimating the light output of the lamp at a time t1 based on the measured spectral characteristic, wherein t1 is greater than t0. A method of scanning, as well as a scanning apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: Methods of identifying the location and dimensions of a contaminant particle on a calibration strip comprise imaging a calibration strip comprising a plurality of channels and a plurality of pixel columns. The method also includes generating a normalized local average pixel intensity value and locating a contaminant particle in a pixel column by comparing the intensity of an individual pixel in the pixel column to the normalized local average pixel intensity value. An intensity value of an individual pixel less than a predefined limit set below the normalized local average pixel intensity value corresponds to a location of a contaminant particle. The method further includes identifying the number of adjacent pixels in a pixel column less than a predefined limit set below the normalized local average pixel intensity value.

Abstract: A method for calibrating at least some individual light sensor elements of a linear sensor array of a scanner, wherein output values of first and second pluralities of elements are carried, respectively, by first and second output channels. A relative gain (Stored Gain) for each of such elements is calculated from a scan of a light calibration strip area of substantial uniformity. Output values of such elements are obtained from a scan of a light calibration strip area of unknown uniformity. An average is calculated of the obtained output values of the first elements (First Light Average) and an average is calculated of the obtained output values of the second elements (Second Light Average). A final gain for each first and second element is calculated using at least its Stored Gain and for second elements only also using the First and Second Light Averages.