Abstract: A linear guiding mechanism for a platform type optical scanner. A V-shaped track is installed inside a casing and positioned parallel to the travel path of a carrier chassis containing a system of optical devices. The upper section of the V-shaped track has a pair of support surfaces forming an included angle. The V-shaped track supports a positioning wheel or a positioning bump attached to the carrier chassis. The carrier chassis moves along the longitudinal direction of the V-shaped track when driven by a driving system. The V-shaped track may be constructed from a pair of monorails so that the driving belt may move inside the space between the monorails. An additional positioning structure may attach to the interior sidewall of the casing to serve as a retainer for the chassis in an initial position.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus of the present invention is provided with a driving unit for supplying a driving force to a scanner module and for supplying a driving force to an ADF. Changeover between the driving force for the scanner module and the driving force for the ADF is carried out by moving the scanner module, where the driving force of the scanner module and the driving force for the ADF are supplied from a single driving force source. A low cost member is used for the changeover of driving force transmission where the same driving force source (motor) supplies necessary driving force for a fed document reading mode and for a stationary document reading mode. This lowers a cost of the apparatus.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a movable image-capturing printed circuit board including an image device, and a controlling printed circuit board which is fixed to the image reading apparatus and which controls the driving of the image device. Both printed circuit boards include connectors. When electric connection is established between the connectors, signal transmission and reception is performed. The connectors are connected only in a predetermined position. This can eliminate the need for using cable wires. Thus, a simplified structure can reduce emission generated by using cable wires to transmit a driving signal for the image device and a read image signal.

Abstract: In order to satisfy processing requirements of an image manipulation and printing system incorporating a microelectromechanical printhead, a very long instruction word (VLIW) vector processor printhead controller integrated circuit is provided. The integrated circuit includes a number of image sensor interfaces to communicate with various image capture devices that serve the VLIW vector processor and a printhead interface that drives the printhead. The VLIW is itself comprised of four identical processing units that are interconnected by a crossbar switch.

Abstract: To provide an communication apparatus such as a facsimile apparatus that allows radio communication in different modes to be used so that efficient communication can be implemented. For instance, even in a state where the image reading section (hand scanner) is removed, it allows an image read by the facsimile apparatus to be sent to another first terminal and simultaneously radio-communicated to a public switched line by a second terminal by way of the facsimile apparatus. Also, it allows a quality cordless telephone function to be implemented by a TDMA radio line and simultaneously high-speed transmission of image data and so on to be implemented by a frequency hopping radio line.

Abstract: Systems and procedures are described to automatically configure an imaging device to form images on sheets of print media that are loaded in the imaging device. To accomplish this, the imaging device reads, or senses a single marking from at least one side of the sheet of print media. The marking includes data; the data provides orientation information with respect to how the print sheet is loaded in the imaging device. The data further includes a set of media parameter information corresponding to the sheet of print media. The imaging device configures itself to form images on the sheet of print media based on at least a portion of the sensed data from the sheet of print media.

Abstract: A scanner with a controller for controlling movement of a scanning module during scanner maintenance is provided. The scanner includes a housing, a transparent platform, and a scanning module installed inside the housing for scanning a document. The scanning module can move from a home position to a position corresponding to the document. The scanner also includes a driving device for driving the scanning module and for driving the scanning module back to the home position after the scanning module has scanned the document, and a controller for controlling the driving device. When the scanning module is at the home position, the controller can cause the driving device to drive the scanning module to a maintenance position and stop the scanning module at the maintenance position.

Abstract: A handheld mobile image-sensing device comprising: a support structure; an image sensor positioned on the support structure for sensing an image; a display positioned on the support structure and operatively connected to the image sensor for displaying the image sensed by the image sensor; a printing mechanism positioned on the support structure and operatively connected to the image sensor to print the image sensed by the image sensor; a receptacle for receiving an ink cartridge containing at least one ink for supply to the printing mechanism, the receptacle including an interface for interrogating an authentication mechanism of the cartridge; and a remote transmission arrangement positioned on the support structure and operatively connected to the image sensor to transmit data representing the image.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus includes a housing with a flatbed. A loading glass is installed at the scan flatbed for loading a to-be-scanned document. A photoelectric sensing device is disposed in the housing for sensing the light signals corresponding to the to-be-scanned document to generate electric signals. The electric signals are transmitted through a flat cable to a motherboard. When the photoelectric sensing device shifts and the flat cable touches the bottom of the housing, the first adsorptive slice of the flat cable and the second adsorptive slice on the bottom of the housing adsorb each other. Therefore, the rubbing between the flat cable and the loading glass can be avoided and the quality of the scanning images can be improved.

Abstract: Deformation of a second optical carriage (B) due to heat is large on a (C) side where an inverter (31) is attached and small on a (D) side. A mirror supporting portion inside the second optical carriage (B) supports the mirror at one point on the (C) side and at two points on the (D) side. An angle of the reflecting mirror (8) depends on two protrusions on the (D) side where thermal deformation is small, and the mirror is supported at one point on the (C) side where thermal deformation is large. Thus, even if an angle of the mirror supporting portion (C) changes, the angle of the reflecting mirror (8) is not affected. Therefore, a change in the angle of the reflecting mirror (8) can be controlled to be small when temperature of the second optical carriage (B) rises during a reading operation, and decrease in reading accuracy due to thermal deformation of the second optical carriage (B) can be suppressed.

Abstract: There is provided such a shape of a light-guiding body that can guide light emitted from a LED while reflecting such light under conditions which satisfy total reflection as much as possible within the light-guiding body, to thereby improve the light intensity on the surface of a document in the shorter axial direction (i.e., the sub-scanning direction), and also, the light-guiding body has such an optimized shape of a light-incoming face that makes it possible to control the angle of light fluxes in the longer axial direction (i.e., the main scanning direction) to thereby illuminate the surface of the document with light having an uniform intensity distribution. Further, a reflecting member is provided at a position opposite the light outgoing face of the light-guiding body so as to improve the efficiency of illuminating an objective image-reading region on the surface of the document.

Abstract: Support structure is disclosed for an image processing apparatus having a carriage that is scanned in order to read or print a document. Support brackets for attaching tension members, such as wire ropes, to each side of the carriage are formed by bending a flat plate to create an attachment plate portion of a bracket that is mounted on the carriage, a vibration absorbing arm, and a clamping extension. A wire rope is clamped to each clamping extension so that the carriage may be moved by the wire ropes. The width, length and thickness of the support brackets are selected to reduce vibrations, according to the speed and characteristics of the carriage, and at least the length dimension of the bracket may be readily adjusted. Also, vibration dampers may be used between the attachment plate portion of the bracket and the carriage.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes an original resting glass sheet for resting allowing an original thereon, a support device for supporting an end portion of the original resting glass sheet, and a movable image reading unit for reading image information of the original, wherein the support device is provided with a cutout for preventing the support device from coming into contact with the image reading unit when the image reading unit moves outwardly beyond the end portion of the original resting glass sheet.

Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus including a chassis having a panel, the panel having an opening defined therethrough. The apparatus has a scanner carriage which is moveably supported within the chassis. A carriage locking device includes an elongated locking member which is moveably disposed within the opening in the panel and, when the locking member is moved in a downward direction within the opening, the locking device secures the scanner carriage in a relatively fixed position with respect to the chassis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a driving device for a scanning module. An active gear wheel and a passive gear wheel are disposed respectively on two rigid frames. These two rigid frames are connected by a rigid component to avoid relative displacement between the two wheels due to external force or change of temperature. The rigid component of the present invention may also be adopted as a guiding track for the scanning module.

Abstract: First and second reading modules read first and second signals in the main scanning direction of the image of a document. The scanning module includes a carriage for relatively moving the first and second reading modules and the image of the document in a sub-scanning direction to make the modules scan the image. A scanning-control-condition selecting module selects scanning control conditions of the scanning module in accordance with a plurality of read magnifications preset as read magnifications of the document by the first and second reading modules. A first setting module sets the scanning control conditions to a plurality of control conditions in accordance with the read magnification of the first reading module. A second setting module sets the scanning control conditions to a plurality of control conditions in accordance with the read magnification of the second reading module.

Abstract: An optical reading apparatus and a multifunction-type image forming apparatus, with a minimized thickness in a cabinet height direction and a housing shaped along an upper shape of discharge tray of the image forming apparatus provided thereunder. The optical reading apparatus comprises: platen glass defined with one end and the other end, on an upper surface of which an original document is placed; an optical reading unit that translates between the both ends on a lower surface of the platen glass, for obtaining image data by irradiating an original document surface with light through the platen glass; a control circuit board connected to the optical reading unit, for processing an electric signal; and a housing wherein a side on the side of the other end is thicker than a side on the side of the one end.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image scanning module including a first unit, a second unit, and a third unit. The first unit having a light source is used for retrieving a first image. The second unit is used for generating a second image by focusing the first image. The third unit is used for generating an electric signal responsive to the second image. The first unit, the second unit, and the third unit are modules discrete from each other.

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 multiple resolution sensing apparatus comprises first and second arrays of photosensor elements and an image processing system. The first array exhibits a first signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio and a first input sampling rate (ISR). The first array also is operative to generate color information, corresponding to an image, that comprises at least one of red, green and blue information. The second array exhibits a second S/N ratio lower than the first S/N ratio and a second ISR higher than the first ISR. The second array is operative to generate luminance information corresponding to the image. The image processing system is communicatively coupled to the first array and the second array and is operative to receive the color information from the first array and the luminace information from the second array.

Abstract: An apparatus for reading an image comprises an original mounting table for mounting an original, a first carriage which has a light source for irradiating light to the original and an optical system for guiding original-image light reflected from the original, and which moves along the original mounting table, a lens unit having a lens into which the original-image light enters and placed immediately under a passage on which the first carriage moves, a CCD assembly for receiving the original-image light passed through the lens and reading an image corresponding to the original-image light, a lens bracket cover having a bracket portion to which the CCD assembly is attached and a cover portion for covering the lens unit, and a lens base having the bracket portion of the lens bracket cover attached thereto, for supporting the lens unit.

Abstract: To control the potential distribution generated in a well at the time of amplification and reduce a shading in a solid-state imaging device of amplification type, the amplification type solid-state imaging device of the present invention comprises a plurality of picture elements each including photoelectric conversion elements formed in a second conductivity type common well inside a first conductivity type substrate, wherein a plurality of well contacts are disposed inside a picture element array area.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus has a converting device which converts a first image signal into a second image signal by employing an image signal converting condition, a recording device for recording an image by signal values of the second image signal, a measuring device for reading a test chart image recorded by the recording device by test chart output image signal values to acquire measurement density values, a selecting device for selecting reference density values corresponding to the measurement density values from target density data which indicates a relationship between the first image signal and target density of an image recorded on a recording medium, and a calculating device for calculating target image signal values based upon the target density data and the reference density values and for calculating the image signal converting condition based upon both the target image signal values and the test chart output image signal values.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for enabling instruction of a computer to perform tasks, the method including the steps of: providing a user with at least one form printable on a surface to provide one or more first viewable information zones relating to one or more available commands and one or more second viewable information zones relating to one or more objects; receiving, in a computer system, indicating data from a sensing device operated by the user regarding movement of the sensing device relative to the surface, said movement including a stroke of part of the sensing device on or relative to said surface; determining, in the computer system and from the indicating data, if the stroke substantially links one or more of said first viewable information zones with one or more of said second viewable information zones, and thereby interpreting the stroke as designating (i) a respective one or more of said available commands and (ii) a respective one or more of said objects; and applying in the com

Abstract: A photoelectric scanner screen device wherein the object to be scanned is illuminated by light from an external light source such as a CRT of a monitor associated with a desktop computer. A scanner screen component of the device is mechanically associated with the monitor. The scanner screen component is comprised of layers of translucent material such that a document to be scanned can be positioned between a lid layer and a platen layer while the scanner screen's photodetectors are positioned between the platen layer and a rear layer. An external computer, to which the CRT is attached, will carry out the processing required for imaging the object to be scanned.

Abstract: Optical image reading equipment is disclosed, whereby a background color of a document can be changed depending on a processing of the acquired image. The equipment is provided with an illuminating member (32) for illuminating a document, a reading portion (30) for reading reflected light of the document, and a backing member provided at least in the reading position of the document. The backing member is disposed on the opposite side to the reading portion across the document. The backing member is configured by a member which produces background color outside the document changeable by means of electric control. Thus an image suitable for a successive processing can be output.

Abstract: The invention provides an image reading apparatus that produces a precise image of an original document to prevent the read image from having distortion or irregular density, by driving a DC motor, which drives an image reading unit in a scanning direction, at a constant speed suitable for a document to be read. In addition, the image reading apparatus prevents position errors or misalignment at the start of the image reading, or at a restart of the image reading after the image reading is paused. A speed control circuit provides feedback to a DC motor to synchronize a time interval detected by a pulse interval detecting circuit with a time interval set by an interval setting register, so that the DC motor is operated at a constant speed. A counter counts the number of signals output from an encoder. After the speed of the DC motor is stabilized, a timing of signals output from a CCD drive unit to the image reading unit is synchronized with a timing of the signals generated by the encoder.

Abstract: A handheld mobile image-sensing device comprising: a support structure; an image sensor positioned on the support structure for sensing an image; a display positioned on the support structure and operatively connected to the image sensor for displaying the image sensed by the image sensor; a printing mechanism positioned on the support structure and operatively connected to the image sensor to print the image sensed by the image sensor; a capping mechanism operable to selectively cap a printhead of the printing mechanism when the printing mechanism is not printing; and a remote transmission arrangement positioned on the support structure and operatively connected to the image sensor to transmit data representing the image.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed which provide a look-down digital imaging device capable of capturing relatively high resolution digital images (e.g., comparable to traditional flatbed scanners). A preferred embodiment provides a look-down digital imaging device comprising a linear sensor for imaging a raster line of an original image placed substantially below the look-down digital imaging device, and a lens for focusing reflected light from the original to such linear sensor. The linear sensor functions much as in traditional flatbed scanners in that it captures a single, congruent digital image of a scanned original. Most preferably, the linear sensor is a high resolution sensor that enables a digital image to be captured having resolution comparable to that of traditional flatbed scanners. For instance, the linear sensor preferably enables capture of a digital image having a resolution no less than approximately 300 dpi.

Abstract: In a flat bed type scanner, while a control unit (24) for generating a secondary control signal and for controlling a CCD (22) is separated from an image processing ASIC (46) for generating a primary clock signal as a base signal of the secondary control signal, this scanner is arranged so as to generate the secondary control signal having the short pulse width from the primary clock signal having the long pulse width. This scanner employs such an arrangement that the primary clock signal having the long pulse width is transmitted via an FFC (40) which electrically connects the image processing ASIC (46) with the control unit (24).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of reading an image, which comprises exposing a color photosensitive material having at least three photosensitive layers containing blue-, green- and red-photosensitive silver halide emulsions, respectively, on a transparent support, processing the exposed color photosensitive material at a processing temperature of 50° C. or more to form a silver image, and substantially reading the silver image.

Abstract: A carrier device for a contact image sense optical scanner. The carrier device incorporates a pair of magnets with identical poles facing each other or a fluid filled sealed chamber for exerting an equal pressure on a scanning module within the scanner and maintaining close contact with a document platform throughout a scanning operation.

Abstract: In a method for making and evaluating a sample engraving in an electronic engraving machine for engraving printing cylinders for rotogravure, during a sample engraving, trial cups are engraved for predetermined tone values by an engraving element. After the sample engraving, a video camera is positioned at a predetermined axial measuring position, and a video image of the trial cups is recorded. The deviations of position of a measuring point of a selected trial cup are determined from a reference point as position errors ?xM, ?yM. The position errors ?xM, ?yM are then corrected by axially displacing the video camera to a new measuring position and/or by rotating the printing cylinder. Afterwards, the geometric values of the trial cup are measured and are compared with the geometric values of the predetermined tone values.

Abstract: A locking device for locking a movable module of an electronic apparatus disclosed by the invention mainly includes a control member and a latch connected to the control member. The control member is selectively movable between a first position for locking the movable module and a second position for releasing the movable module. When the latch stops at the first position, it also latches onto an operational interface or a mechanism component so as to prevent the user from electrically or mechanically operating the apparatus.

Abstract: In an image processing apparatus which has an operating system (102) and scanner driver (103), is connected to a scanner (104) for reading an original and converting it into an image signal, and stores image data read by manipulating the scanner (104), a forgery determination processing module (103-2) of the scanner driver (103) compares the read digital watermark data with specific image data to determine the matching degree, and an anti-forgery control module (106) controls predetermined image processing on the basis of the determination result for the image data read by the scanner driver (103).

Abstract: A power supply cable has a simple structure with a reduced manufacturing cost. An electric wire for supplying an electric power is held on an elongated, flexible holding sheet having an engaging part, which attaches the electric wire to the holding sheet. The holding sheet is elastically deformable so as to allow a movement of one end of the power supply cable relative to the other end thereof.

Abstract: An image reading device reads an image of an original mounted on an original mounting base by using an optical scanning unit which is subjected to acceleration drive along the original mounting base until a velocity according to a reading magnification is obtained and then scanned by uniform velocity drive. A stepping motor moves the optical scanning unit. A reading magnification acceptance portion accepts a reading magnification of an image of the original mounted on the original mounting base.

Abstract: The image forming apparatus and image forming method according to the present invention have an object of outputting a latent image formed on an intermediate recording medium as a stable image when it is developed with toner on a medium such as paper or the like, to improve more the concentration of pixel values, by adding all of N pixels in N-pixel modulation and rearranging them with a screen-line position as a reference situated at the center, thereby to reduce boundaries between image portions and non-image portions in the sub-scanning direction. Specifically, to concentrate image parts of image signals of N pixels, pixel values of all consecutive pixels in the main scanning direction are added, and the pixels are rearranged with a screen-line position as a reference situated at the center, based on the addition result. If the addition result exceeds the maximum value of one pixel, the exceeding pixel is rearranged and outputted.

Abstract: There is disclosed an image processing apparatus in which a pattern table stores a plurality of screen patterns which include a predetermined number of pattern data and have different data patterns. An in-pattern position calculator generates an in-pattern position signal indicating a position of an input image signal in the screen pattern from main and sub scanning synchronizing signals. A pattern selecting signal combining section generates a pattern selecting signal for selecting a specified pattern in the pattern table from the input image signal, combines the pattern selecting signal and the in-pattern position signal supplied from the in-pattern position calculator, and supplies an address in the pattern table. A controller reads pattern data corresponding to the address in the pattern table from the pattern table and supplies image data.

Abstract: To provide an communication apparatus such as a facsimile apparatus that allows radio communication in different modes to be used so that efficient communication can be implemented. For instance, even in a state where the image reading section (hand scanner) is removed, it allows an image read by the facsimile apparatus to be sent to another first terminal and simultaneously radio-communicated to a public switched line by a second terminal by way of the facsimile apparatus. Also, it allows a quality cordless telephone function to be implemented by a TDMA radio line and simultaneously high-speed transmission of image data and so on to be implemented by a frequency hopping radio line.

Abstract: Greeting card making apparatus for assisting in the production of a greeting card by duplication apparatus may comprise a layout template that defines a layout area. The layout area accommodates at least one object that is to be contained in the greeting card. The greeting card making apparatus is convertible between a layout mode and a duplication mode. During the layout mode, the layout area is observable by a user so that the user may observe an arrangement of the at least one object within the layout area. During the duplication mode, the layout template is reproducible by the duplication apparatus so that the duplication apparatus produces a copy of the arrangement of the at least one object within the layout area defined by the layout template.

Abstract: A photography scanning device is provided for automatically scanning either photographs or transparencies. The scanning device is provided with a sheet feeding and handling mechanism that does not bend a photo or transparency to a degree that it is damaged as it passes from a sheet feeding stack, to a scanning station, and on to a sheet receiving stack.

Abstract: The imaging device divides the two-dimensional photo object into multiple sections before performing imaging, and obtains an ultra-high resolution complete image by splicing together the partial images of the photo object. To this end, in the imaging device, the area sensor is held essentially parallel to the photo object, and the imaging lens is moved such that its optical axis L draws a circle with the normal line N that passes trough the center of the area sensor 20 as the center of the circle. The imaging lens is stopped at each of the positions at which the imaging optical system optical axis that connects the center of the area sensor and the principal point of the imaging lens passes through the imaging center point of each section of the photo object, in order to perform imaging of each section of the photo object.

Abstract: A film scanner performs a main-scan of a film by an imaging device and performs a sub-scan of the imaging device so as to enable scanning at any resolution using a simple configuration. The scanning mechanism, for the sub-scan of the film with respect to the imaging device, has a transport table for supporting the film held by a film holder and transporting it in a sub-scan direction and a transport mechanism for moving the transport table in the sub-scan direction. The source of the drive power of the transport mechanism is a scan motor (stepper motor) driven by a pulse signal output from a motor drive circuit. The motor drive circuit is configured to enable micro-stepping of the scan motor.

Abstract: A method of producing a low resolution image from a sparsely sampled extended dynamic range digital image, including the steps of: providing a sparsely sampled extended dynamic range image sensing device having fast photosites with a predetermined response to light exposure interspersed with slow photosites with a slower response to the same light exposure; using the image sensor to produce a sparsely sampled high resolution digital image having fast pixel values produced by the fast photosites and slow pixel values produced by the slow photosites; and constructing a low resolution digital image from the sparsely sampled high resolution digital image by using only slow pixel values or only fast pixel values from the sparsely sampled high resolution digital image.

Abstract: In order to provide an image reading apparatus, which can read images on a monochromatically developed color photographic film, it is provided a reading conditions changing portion, which changes reading conditions of sensors on the basis of information applied to the color photosensitive material, or is provided light sources which irradiate light, having at least one of wavelength and light quantity being different from that of the other, at an emulsion surface side and a support surface side of the color photosensitive material, respectively.

Abstract: A system for scanning a medium having an axis includes a housing and an optical imaging head assembly mounted in the housing and having an assembly axis. The assembly axis of the optical imaging head assembly is oriented at an acute angle with respect to the axis of the medium.

Abstract: A system and method for eliminating absent or poor quality video sections from a video recording, such as a second generation of video recording. Synchronizing pulses associated with a video signal to be recorded are analyzed to determine whether a video signal is present and, further, to determine whether the video signal is not distorted (i.e., non-trick play mode). A recording device is selectively paused in response to the absence of a valid video signal or the presence of a video signal that is distorted, of poor quality or otherwise not worth recording.

Abstract: The present invention provides a data processing device with projection imaging function, at least comprising a main body; said main body has an optical scanning mechanism that may scan any planar data page and an internal operation module for said optical scanning mechanism; said data processing device is featured with: a projection mechanism that may display data in a light projection way is disposed at an appropriate position of said main body; said projection mechanism has a projection lens, which may display image data obtained through scanning or any other form of data converted on the basis of said image data on any spatial plane.

Abstract: A data converting device for converting data by employing a plurality of LUTs stored in a single memory device. The device generates, with reference to two or more LUTs sequentially, a converted output data corresponding to input data and converting level selected by each LUT. The data converting device has a single memory device for storing two or more LUTs corresponding to the number of data converting modes by block units, each block including a plurality of sub-LUTs corresponding to the number of converting levels defined in each corresponding converting mode.