Abstract: An apparatus for recording an image on a sheet comprises a linear array of light sources and an optical element for transmitting light emitted from the light sources. The optical element comprises a light-transmissive member, having an entry surface for disposal near the light sources. The entry surface defines at least one set of prisms. The optical element can further define a DCPC (dielectric compound parabolic concentrator) in cross-section. Collection optics, such as a SELFOC® lens, receives light reflected from the sheet. Each prism of the optical element defines an angle whereby light exiting the optical element is outside the acceptance angle of the collection optics.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus includes an illuminator for illuminating a portion of a document to be scanned. The illuminator includes an array of discrete light sources and an optical element. The optical element includes a light-transmissive material and defines a focusing portion and an angular modification portion. The angular modification portion tends to reduce specular flare by modifying the angular distribution of light from the light sources which are within the acceptance angle of a lens arrangement which focuses light from the document onto a sensor.

Abstract: A method of eliminating strobing in successive scan lines of an image includes determining a nominal scan line time and an associated scan line integration time for the image sensor. A nominal illumination light source output period is determined for the illumination source. In order to ensure that the scan line integration time is equivalent to an integer number of illumination source light output periods, at least one of the nominal scan line integration time and the nominal illumination source light output period is adjusted. A clock signal, derived from the pixel clock, drives both the frequency circuitry of the lamp drive circuit and the integration time of the image sensor. The present method provides a reliable means for eliminating lamp strobing independent of the relative phasing of the lamp oscillation phase with respect to the start of each scan line integration.

Abstract: A photosensitive imaging device for recording images across the entire visible spectrum includes a set of photosensors which have a peak response around the orange part of the spectrum, about 600 nm. The peak response is obtained by combining responses of, in one case, photosensors associated with a filter which admits red or infrared wavelengths and longer and photosensors associated with a filter which admits orange wavelengths and longer. In another case, the photosensor is structured to attenuate longer wavelengths, which, in combination with a filter which admits orange and longer wavelengths, can simulate a peak behavior around the orange part of the spectrum.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the registration parameters necessary for registration or edge detection processing to enable the flexibility of changing the color of backing to suit a given application. The method includes scanning the backing surface to obtain at least two sets of gray level values; (b) determining an average gray level for each of the two color channels; (c) selecting a registration channel based on the average gray level; (d) determining a gray level deviation for the registration channel; and (e) determining registration parameters based on the average gray level and the gray level deviation of the registration channel.

Abstract: A photosensitive imaging device for recording images across the entire visible spectrum includes a set of photosensors which have a peak response around the orange part of the spectrum, about 600 nm. The peak response is obtained by combining responses of, in one case, photosensors associated with a filter which admits red or infrared wavelengths and longer and photosensors associated with a filter which admits orange wavelengths and longer. In another case, the photosensor is structured to attenuate longer wavelengths, which, in combination with a filter which admits orange and longer wavelengths, can simulate a peak behavior around the orange part of the spectrum.

Abstract: A photosensitive imaging device for recording images across the entire visible spectrum includes a set of photosensors which have a peak response around the orange part of the spectrum, about 600 nm. The peak response is obtained by combining responses of, in one case, photosensors associated with a filter which admits red or infrared wavelengths and longer and photosensors associated with a filter which admits orange wavelengths and longer. In another case, the photosensor is structured to attenuate longer wavelengths, which, in combination with a filter which admits orange and longer wavelengths, can simulate a peak behavior around the orange part of the spectrum.

Abstract: A method of eliminating strobing in successive scan lines of an image includes determining a nominal scan line time and an associated scan line integration time for the image sensor. A nominal illumination light source output period is determined for the illumination source. In order to ensure that the scan line integration time is equivalent to an integer number of illumination source light output periods, at least one of the nominal scan line integration time and the nominal illumination source light output period is adjusted. A clock signal, derived from the pixel clock, drives both the frequency circuitry of the lamp drive circuit and the integration time of the image sensor. The present method provides a reliable means for eliminating lamp strobing independent of the relative phasing of the lamp oscillation phase with respect to the start of each scan line integration.

Abstract: A photosensitive imaging device for recording images across the entire visible spectrum includes a set of photosensors which have a peak response around the orange part of the spectrum, about 600 nm. The peak response is obtained by combining responses of, in one case, photosensors associated with a filter which admits red or infrared wavelengths and longer and photosensors associated with a filter which admits orange wavelengths and longer. In another case, the photosensor is structured to attenuate longer wavelengths, which, in combination with a filter which admits orange and longer wavelengths, can simulate a peak behavior around the orange part of the spectrum.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the registration parameters necessary for registration or edge detection processing to enable the flexibility of changing the color of backing to suit a given application. The method includes scanning the backing surface to obtain at least two sets of gray level values; (b) determining an average gray level for each of the two color channels; (c) selecting a registration channel based on the average gray level; (d) determining a gray level deviation for the registration channel; and (e) determining registration parameters based on the average gray level and the gray level deviation of the registration channel.

Abstract: A substrate sensor system having a light source for radiating light toward a substrate position, a light sensor system positioned to receive light transmitted or reflected at the substrate, a lens that images the light transmitted or reflected at the substrate onto the light sensor system, and a telecentric stop between the lens and the light sensor system. Beneficially, such substrate sensor systems will include an electrical circuit that produces position information regarding the position of a substrate and/or the position of an image on a substrate.

Abstract: A monochromatic scanning system includes an illumination system, a document staging system, an optical lens system, a photosensing system to convert light to electrical signals and a color drop-out filter. The illumination system illuminates an original image to be scanned in the document staging system and the optical lens system directs light reflected from the original image to be scanned onto the photosensing system. The color drop-out filter is located in an optical path between the original image to be scanned and the photosensing system such that the color drop-out filter allows a predetermined range of wavelengths to pass therethrough and a range of wavelengths associated with infrared radiation to pass therethrough. this enables the monochromatic scanning system to have drop-out capability by merely substituting the color drop-out filter without further modifications to the scanning system.

Abstract: A document reproduction machine having an optical component which is coated with a low surface energy transparent coating to reduce the adhesion of particles on the optical component. During the forming of the coating the lateral conductivity of the coating is modified so as to dissipate electrical charge build up on the coating.

Abstract: The present invention provides a general system and method for designing arbitrary lens systems with reduced chromatic aberration without the reliance on rigorous trial and error methods and/or approximations. The system and method selects optical materials for a color corrected optical system by generating both axial color terms and lateral color terms for a predetermined lens system. From the generated color terms, a plurality of glass terms are calculated from a plurality or linear algebraic formulas generated by a multiplication of two matrices using the generated axial and lateral color terms as coefficient values of one of the matrices or other computational method. From the calculations, the particular optical materials and the predetermined lens design for a color corrected optical system are identified. This information can be used to facilitate the manufacturing of a lens system. The present invention can also take into account the use of diffractive optical elements.

Abstract: In an electronic image scanning device having an array of photosensitive elements, or photosites, arranged and supported for deriving electronic image information from an original, an arrangement for input of control information to the device includes a surface with a plurality of unique control images thereon, detectable by the photosites, is arranged for operator controlled movement. The scanning of the control images occurs during a non-image scanning period in the operation of the scanning device. The unique control images are recognized as control information. The operator controlled movement reflects operator selection of control information.

Abstract: A double Gauss reduction lens is optimized for projecting line images from an object plane onto a photosensor array. The six elements, four-component lens has a numeral focal length of 550 mm, a field of view of 17.degree. at the numeral 550 mm overall object to image conjugate length and a magnification of 0.1102. The lens is characterized by a high modulation transfer fequency, large depth of focus and low distortion.

Abstract: A high speed, high resolution raster output scanner having a single source beam; a beam splitter for separating the beam into at least two separate and parallel writing beams; an acousto-optic modulator having a substrate sized to provide a separate modulating channel for each writing beam to pass through without intruding into the other modulating channels; an rf transducer for each writing beam for generating separate acoustic waves in each modulating channel of the substrate; a control circuit for simultaneously intensity modulating the writing beams by the rf output of all transducers in accordance with separate lines of image signals; and optical means for simultaneously projecting the intensity modulated writing beams at points two lines apart on a recording member, the optical means including a polygon for scanning the writing beams across the recording member so as to write plural image lines at once.

Abstract: An optical scanning system utilizing a spinner component having plane diffraction gratings thereon and a focusing lens adapted to compensate for linearization errors at the recording plane. The lens includes optical elements which compensate for the 3rd and 5th order coefficients of distortion associated with this type of diffraction scanning component.

Abstract: A raster scanner with laser for generating a scanning beam and compact, folded optical system for transmitting the beam to the object to be scanned. The optical system includes a modulator for modulating the beam in accordance with video image signals and a rotatable polygon for scanning the beam across the object to be scanned. The laser is supported at one end in a spherical bearing, permitting rotation of the laser about a point coincident with the optical axis of the scanner and at a second remote end by screw type adjustors which are used to adjustably displace the laser about the pivot point and so align the axis of the laser beam with the optical axis of the scanner. Scanner operating circuits are provided including a circuit enabling one or both of the scan detectors to serve as a light meter when aligning the laser.