Patents by Inventor Robert F. Allis

Robert F. Allis has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 4506301
    Abstract: An image input terminal (IIT) with automatic document handler for feeding documents to be scanned into registered position on the IIT platen. The IIT includes a pair of multi-element scanning arrays with cooperating scan lamp and optics on a movable carriage disposed in scanning relationship with the platen. Analog image signals generated by the scanning arrays are initially processed in separate channels and then combined into a serial stream. The stream of analog image signals may optionally be thresholded or screened to provide binary level image signals or converted to multi-bit gray scale. A control system including microprocessor provides timing and control signals for synchronizing operation of the scanning carriage, document handler, and image signal reading and processing together with electronic crossover between arrays to avoid loss of data, automatic signal gain and deletion of bad image signals or pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1985
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: William Kingsley, James C. Stoffel, John F. Moreland, Jr., Ronald G. Matteson, Douglas G. Wiggins, Robert F. Allis
  • Patent number: 4318135
    Abstract: An image input terminal (IIT) with automatic document handler for feeding documents to be scanned into registered position on the IIT platen. The IIT includes a pair of multi-element scanning arrays with cooperating scan lamp and optics on a movable carriage disposed in scanning relationship with the platen. Analog image signals generated by the scanning arrays are initially processed in separate channels and then combined into a serial stream. The stream of analog image signals may optionally be thresholded or screened to provide binary level image signals or converted to multi-bit gray scale.A control system including microprocessor provides timing and control signals for synchronizing operation of the scanning carriage, document handler, and image signal reading and processing together with electronic crossover between arrays to avoid loss of data, automatic signal gain control, and deletion of bad image signals or pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1982
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Robert F. Allis, William Kingsley, Robert F. Allis
  • Patent number: 4057342
    Abstract: An improved exposure slit system for controlling the projected image illumination profile of an optical system of a reproducing machine. The optical system is arranged to stripwise view a document. The exposure slit system includes one exposure slit member arranged near the object plane and a second exposure slit member arranged near the image plane. The exposure slit profile for controlling illumination at the image plane is comprised in part by the profile of the exposure slit member at the image plane and in part by the profile of the exposure slit member near the object plane as projected at the image plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1976
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1977
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Robert F. Allis
  • Patent number: 4047811
    Abstract: A reproducing apparatus including an optical system for viewing an object such as a document and for projecting an image thereof onto a photosensitive surface selectively at a first copy image magnification or at a reduced copy image magnification. The optical system includes a lamp for illuminating the object. A margin illumination system is provided utilizing stray light derived from the lamp of the optics system for illuminating margin regions of the photosensitive surface to prevent their subsequent development. The margin illumination system is selectively operable in the reduction mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1977
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Robert F. Allis, Vincent A. Capaccio
  • Patent number: 4029409
    Abstract: A folded optical system for scanning an object and projecting its image in four modes of operation. In one mode, a stationary object is scanned by moving mirrors and its conjugate image projected at unity magnification onto a moving image surface. In a second mode, conjugate distances are varied to project an image at other than unity magnification. In a third mode, the optical system remains stationary and the object is moved relative to it to enable imaging of objects larger than the scan travel of the optics. In a fourth mode, the optics again remain stationary and an add-reflector is introduced to create a reflection cavity to increase the object conjugate for minified imaging of large moving objects. Mirrors and lens are movable to effect magnification changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1977
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Richard A. Spinelli, Robert F. Allis
  • Patent number: 4027963
    Abstract: A reproducing apparatus having a plurality of modes of operation. The apparatus includes a moving imaging surface. In a first mode of operation a stationary document is viewed and an image thereof is projected onto the imaging surface. In a second mode a document moving at a first speed synchronized to the speed of the moving imaging surface is viewed, and an image thereof is projected onto the imaging surface at a desired magnification. In a third mode a document moving at a second speed synchronized to the speed of the moving imaging surface is viewed and an image thereof is projected onto the surface at a reduced magnification. An arrangement for selecting the desired mode of operation is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1977
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Werner F. Hoppner, Richard A. Spinelli, Robert F. Allis
  • Patent number: 4013361
    Abstract: An apparatus for viewing an original and for projecting an image thereof onto a moving imaging surface and a reproducing machine employing the apparatus. The apparatus includes a lens arranged along an optical path. The projected image magnification may be changed by translating the lens in a plane of motion between first and second positions. Apparatus are provided for tilting the lens with respect to the plan of motion to a different extent at the first position than at the second position to thereby reduce the occurrence of vignetting in the optical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1975
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1977
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Robert F. Allis