Abstract: A compact structure of a facsimile machine is provided. This facsimile machine includes a casing, a document-recording sheet inlet for insertion of a document and a recording sheet, a document-recording sheet outlet for ejection of the document and the recording sheet, a rotatable roller arranged in the casing to feed the document sheet and the recording sheet along a given path of travel extending from the document-recording sheet inlet to the document-recording sheet outlet, an image reading sensor for reading an image printed on the document moving along the given path of travel, and an image recording head for recording an image stored in an image memory on the recording sheet.

Abstract: A laser beam printer includes a movable mirror which is rotated by a scan mirror motor. Laser light is alternately deflected toward an information reading station and an information writing station by applying the laser light to the movable mirror from a semiconductor laser. The laser light is switched between writing-use light and reading-use light at the time the movable mirror is rotated through a predetermined angle. In the laser beam printer having the semiconductor laser which is used for both writing and reading information, information is written and read out during one rotation of the movable mirror. It is therefore possible to perform a reading operation and a writing operation simultaneously by simply switching the laser light at the predetermined time depending on the rotation angle of the movable mirror.

Abstract: A portable image processing apparatus includes a sheet holding section formed so as to have a substantially cylindrical shape, a holding roller for cylindrically holding a sheet along a side of the sheet holding section, a sheet carrying section with a doughnut-like shape, a printing section fixed in an opposite position to the side of the sheet holding section, a stepping motor for scanning for rotating the sheet holding section which holds a sheet on an axis of a cylinder, and a stepping motor for carrying for rotating the sheet carrying section from its inner circumference towards its outer circumference in order to transfer the sheet parallel to the axis of the sheet holding section. As a result, the apparatus is miniaturized, thereby making it possible to improve its portability.

Abstract: Upon writing, a portion of light emitted from light-emitting devices of a light-emitting and light-receiving head 2 is deflected by a half mirror and is then allowed to pass through a first lens array to achieve optical writing on a rotating or moving photoreceptor. Upon reading, on the other hand, light reflected by an original is allowed to pass through a second lens array and then to enter the half mirror. The light is then allowed to pass through the half mirror to the light-emitting and light-receiving head 2 and is hence read by reading devices of the light-emitting and light-receiving head.It is therefore possible to perform writing and reading while the light-emitting and light-receiving head and the optical system remain stationary. No mechanism is therefore needed for moving the light-emitting and light-receiving head, thereby making it possible to provide a scanner-equipped electrophotographic printing machine having small dimensions and high resolution.

Abstract: In an image sensor having, in a frame equipped with a transparent cover engageable with an objective, a light emitter for radiating light over the objective, an optical system for condensing light reflected from the objective and for directing the light to a predetermined position, a light receptor for receiving the light directed by said optical system, electronic elements constituting the light receptor are mounted on a long substrate, and other electronic elements are mounted on a single short substrate, which is attached to the long substrate at a portion other than the portion where the light receptor is mounted. This image sensor can be assembled in a reduced number of steps, preventing soldering flux from flying to the light receptor.

Abstract: An integrated input-output device for a data communication terminal equipment including a plurality of photoelectric converting circuits respectively arranged in n aligned blocks each including m aligned photoelectric converting elements, a plurality of first switching circuits respectively arranged in n aligned blocks each including m aligned thin film transistors respectively connected to the photoelectric converting elements of each corresponding one of the photoelectric converting circuits, a plurality of recording circuits respectively arranged in n aligned blocks each including m aligned recording elements, a plurality of second switching circuits respectively arranged in n aligned blocks each including m aligned thin film transistors respectively connected to the recording elements of each corresponding one of the recording circuits, n gate address lines respectively connected in common to gate electrodes of all thin film transistors of the same block-numbered first and second switching circuits, and m

Abstract: An image read-out and reproducing apparatus comprises a sub-scanning device for supporting an image storage sheet, on which image information has been recorded, and a recording material, on which an image is to be reproduced during its exposure to a light beam, such that the image storage sheet and the recording material may stand side by side with each other. The sub-scanning device conveys the image storage sheet and the recording material in the same direction or in directions opposite to each other. A single main scanning device causes a light beam to scan the image storage sheet and the recording material in a direction, which is approximately normal to the direction or directions along which the image storage sheet and the recording material are conveyed, and with a scanning width that covers both the image storage sheet and the recording material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conveying a printing mechanism over a surface of a substrate as the printing means creates indicia on the surface of the substrate. The present invention further provides a method and apparatus for conveying an optical sensor over the surface of the substrate so as to optically scan an image of indicia present on the surface of the substrate. In the preferred embodiment the invention comprises a compact shuttle assembly including a housing that accommodates a mobility subsystem, a sensor subsystem, a printer subsystem and a communications subsystem, each in cooperative communication with a control processor subsystem. In the preferred embodiment the mobility subsystem includes an electric motor rotationally coupled to a rolling member mounted under the housing. The shuttle assembly is guided over a top surface of substrate by selectively activating the mobility subsystem as the rolling member frictionally engages the top surface of the substrate.

Abstract: An array of LEDs is controlled by a control circuit so as to emit light in a write mode and sense light in a read mode. In the read mode, each LED is alternately charged for a first interval, then allowed to discharge by flow of photocurrent for a second interval. At the end of the second interval, just before charging of the LED begins again, the anode voltage of the LED is read by coupling the anode of the LED to an output terminal for a third interval. The third interval of each LED may coincide with the first interval of the preceding LED in tile array, so that each LED is read while the preceding LED is being charged.

Abstract: A normal size facsimile machine (81/2inches wide) is to be made for portable applications, with the added feature of being a thermal printer. The design is focused on a slim profile of extremely light weight. All components that can be attached externally only when needed, have been removed from the main body, and built as separate add on modules. Printing speeds are fast due to thermal technology and extremely economical. As far as portable facsimiles are concerned, this is quite a unique machine due to its compact size, 81/2inch wide print capability, and high speed with low power consumption.

Abstract: A facsimile apparatus is provided which can enhance the operability and usefulness of portable image reading devices when transmitting documents and which allows effective utilization of the image reading device. The facsimile apparatus includes a main unit and a separable handscanner between which image signals and various control signals are transmitted using an optical communication technique. A document is scanned by a handscanner that generates signals representing the document image. The image signals are temporarily stored in an image memory and transmitted to the main unit when necessary. Depending on the hook state of the telephone, the main unit either transmits the received image signals to a remote station or records the image on recording paper. When the main unit receives image signals over a telephone network, the received image signals are transmitted to the handscanner for storage into the image memory when necessary.

Abstract: An apparatus for illuminating and imaging a surface includes a two-dimensional array of LEDs for providing uniform illumination to the surface, the LEDs being mounted on a planar surface with a centrally defined aperture, and a CCD-based camera with appropriate lensing for obtaining an image of the illuminated surface and providing a signal representative of that obtained image to a processing unit, the CCD-based camera lensing being disposed through the centrally defined aperture in the planar surface of the LED array, and the LED array and CCD-camera lensing being disposed inside an opaque shroud.

Abstract: An image scanning apparatus comprises an input image scanner for scanning an input image area with a beam of radiation and deriving from an image on at least part of the input image area a digital signal representing the image, and an output image scanner for reproducing from said signal an output image on at least part of an output image area. The input image scanner and the output image scanner are arranged to scan the input and output image areas respectively simultaneously at a fixed relative rate, and the output and input images are represented as a series of pixels arranged in orthogonal directions at fixed resolutions. In the data path between the input and output scanners the digital signal is processed to change the size of the output image relative to the input image by using a data store whose data capacity is substantially less than that required to hold data corresponding to an image covering the whole of the input image area.

Abstract: An image input/output apparatus for inputting images written on a plate and for outputting images on the plate. The image input/output apparatus is movable on the plate, and has a size independent from the size of the plate. The apparatus comprises a mobile assembly movable on the plate, an image pick-up device mounted on the mobile assembly, for picking up images written on the plate, wherein the image pick-up device picking up the images on the plate while the mobile assembly is moving on the plate; and printing device, mounted on the mobile assembly, for printing, in accordance with given image data, images on the plate.

Abstract: A hand-held housing contains an image sensor, a processor, a memory, a visual display and input control buttons for recording, storing, displaying and retrieving images from a document, such as a business card. The image sensor generates electrical data signals representative of the image on a document as the housing is moved across the document in a scanning embodiment or the images on a document disposed beneath the housing in a single record embodiment, which signals are stored in the memory by the processor and concurrently displayed on the display. The input control buttons, through the control program executed by the processor, provide for scanning, storage and retrieval of images from memory for display. The processor stores the images in a linked list or lists in the memory and is capable of rearranging, adding or deleting any image associated with a particular document in any list in the memory.

Abstract: A digital copying apparatus produces a right reading image with an image reading unit co-mounted on a carriage with an image printing unit. After a width of a document is scanned, either bidirectionally or unidirectionally, and digitized, it is stored in a band memory buffer before it is printed on the next successive sweep. The digitized data stored in the band memory buffer may be processed while it is stored, prior to being printed.

Abstract: A scanner has a frame assembly containing a carriage movably mounted in the frame assembly for scanning movement in a scanning path in a first direction along the length of the frame assembly, which includes at least one sheet transport path and a roll to index a sheet through the path in a direction transverse to the first direction. The scanning carriage is driven in the scanning path by a lead screw rotatably engaged with the scanning carriage for scanning movement along the length of the lead screw and a reversible motor. In a preferred embodiment the scanning carriage supports a reading head and/or a printing head for reading an image on a document and printing an image on a copy sheet and the pitch of the threads of the lead screw are selected so than an integer multiple of steps of a stepper motor provides a linear displacement of the carriage of one pixel width and a clock pulse generator simultaneously drives the stepper motor and the reading and/or printing heads.

Abstract: A scanner has a frame assembly including a carriage movably mounted in the frame assembly for scanning movement in a scanning path in a first direction along the length of the frame assembly, the frame assembly includes at least one sheet transport path with an indexer to index a sheet through the path; the indexer including at least one index roll mounted on a rotatable shaft having a barrel cam at one end which is actuated by the scanning carriage at the end of the scanning path to rotate the at least one index roll a portion of a revolution.

Abstract: A scanner having a frame assembly for supporting a movable document reading head for scanning movement in a scanning path in a first direction has a document transport to transport a document through the scanner and a drive to move the reading head across the document to read at least a portion of the document, the reading head having an optical imaging assembly including a frame supporting an imaging platen, the scanner including a floating document backstop opposite the imaging platen and extending across the scanning path to precisely position a document on the platen during an imaging operation. In a preferred embodiment the scanner includes a printing head with a comounted printing head.

Abstract: Combined input scanner and output scanner has a scanning carriage adapted for scanning movement having a reading head secured thereto for scanning a document to produce a digital image and a printing head secured thereto for relative movement with respect to a copy sheet and electrically connected to the reading head for printing a digital image on a copy sheet. The reading head includes a solid state device with input reading elements and the printing head includes a solid state device with output printing elements which are securely comounted in the same plane to the same planar substrate.

Abstract: A scanner comprising a frame assembly for supporting a movable carriage for scanning movement in a scanning path in a first direction, a sheet transport to transport a sheet through the scanner, means to move the carriage across the sheet to perform an operation on the sheet and a single source of electromechanical power to drive all of the transport and means to move in the scanner. In a preferred embodiment the carriage includes a reading head and a printing head and the scanner has a document transport path and a copy sheet transport path.

Abstract: A print job processing method and apparatus for use in an electronic reprographic system are described. Original documents of a job to be printed are scanned to provide signals for storage. The signals are transferred to a printer for print generation. An optimum time to commence printer operation is automatically determined in accordance with at least one of the number of original documents, the thickness of original documents, scanner speed, printer speed, and number of print jobs in the system. The optimum time is determined such that the maximum overlap is achieved between scanner operation and printer operation.

Abstract: An image reading and recording apparatus includes a read/write head in which a reading head and a recording head are assembled into a unitary head body, a sheet feeding mechanism for feeding a sheet in engagement with the head body at a predetermined engagement position, wherein the reading head and the recording head are provided respectively on the head body such that a distance between the reading head and the engagement position is set larger than a distance between the recording head and the engagement position.

Abstract: An image read processing apparatus includes an image reading unit movable relative to a medium surface on which an image to be read is recorded. The image reading unit reads the image on the medium surface by repeating a line scanning in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the image reading unit relative to the medium surface during a period of time when the direction of the relative movement is a predetermined direction, and outputs image data representative of the read image and movement data concerning the relative movement. The apparatus further includes a detector for detecting the direction of the movement of the image reading unit relative to the medium surface on the basis of the movement data. When the detected movement direction is a direction substantially different from the predetermined direction, an other-direction moving distance is determined by which the image reading unit has been moved in the different direction.

Abstract: A combined input scanner and output scanner has a frame assembly, a document transport to transport a document through the scanner in a path in a first direction and, a copy sheet transport to transport a copy sheet through the scanner a document registration means and a copy sheet registration means, the document registration gate including a cover pivotally mounted on the machine for movement between an open and closed position over the document transport path, said cover having at least one document registration gate adjacent its downstream end which extends into the document transport path to register the lead edge of a document when the cover is in the open position, the copy sheet registration means including at least one copy sheet registration gate in the copy sheet transport path to register the lead edge of a copy sheet when said cover is in the open position.

Abstract: Alignment difficulties in optical computing arrangements are overcome by integrating the optical components on a single substrate and arranging the elements in a manner that causes them to interact with one another to perform the desired function. The substrate has one or two major surfaces and the elements are grown or fabricated on those surfaces using conventional integrated circuit manufacturing techniques. Most advantageously, the position-sensitive optical devices are manufactured on one side. Reflective planar optical devices are obtained by applying a reflective layer over the fabricated planar optical devices.

Abstract: A reproducing system uses an array of photodetector elements to sense an image from an original document page and a corresponding array of printing elements to print the image onto a duplicate document page. Mirror-imaging between the original and duplicate documents is avoided by electrical or mechanical elements that couple the photodetector and printing arrays.

Abstract: A compact combined input scanner and output scanner having a frame assembly with a scanning carriage movably mounted for movement in a scanning path in a first direction across the length of said frame assembly. The scanning carriage has co-mounted a reading head secured thereto for scanning a document to produce a digital image of at least a portion of the document and a printing head secured thereto for relative movement with respect to a copy sheet and electrically connected to the reading head for printing a digital image on a copy sheet. The frame assembly includes copy sheet and document transport paths with an indexer to index a document through the document path in a direction transverse to the first direction and to index a copy sheet through the copy sheet path in the opposite transverse direction of indexing of said document.

Abstract: A scanning imaging system in which the viewing and reproduction functions are integrated into a single scanning head. The scanning system is economical in terms of cost and function, and is useful in many applications such as modem, photocopier and even photographic technologies.

Abstract: A read/write copier, including an integrally formed image reading and image printing unit. The copier also includes means for feeding a document to be read in unison with a copy substrate material to be printed past both faces of an integrally formed image reading and image printing unit. The image reading and image printing unit further includes a page-wide linear array of image reading elements located on one of the faces of the image reading and image printing unit, where the reading array is oriented in a direction normal to the direction of travel of the document. Furthermore, the reading elements of the reading array generate image signals representative of the document image scanned, by way of an optical path for each of the image reading elements suitable for transmitting image rays as reflected from the document surface to the image reading elements.

Abstract: A reproducing apparatus includes a portable imaging platen and a self contained portable copier not having a platen but having a scanning carriage adapted for scanning movement having a reading head for scanning a document to produce a digital image and a printing head for printing a digital image on a copy sheet. The portable platen includes a pair of parallel copier transport rails mounted to a transparent document support member defining a portable copier transport path across the document support member. The rails have a drive surface and the portable copier is mounted on the rails and has a drive mechanism for transporting the portable copier along the drive surface of the rails.

Abstract: A manually movable input/output peripheral device is provided which includes an input/output head or transducer which is manually movable by the user, a guide member which controls the direction of movement of the transducer, and distance measuring device. Data transfer between the transducer and a recording surface is controlled at a rate dependent on the speed which the transducer is moved across the recording surface. Thus, the device is insensitive to variations in operating speed.

Abstract: A digital copier capable of switching the pixel density of an image to be printed out. A laser printer installed in a writing section of the copier is also usable for printing out image data fed from another machine which may be operatively connected to the copier. A switching device is provided for switching the pixel density of an image to be printed out over to one of a plurality of pixel densities which matches with the particular machine connected to the copier. The switching device selects either one of at least two lenses included in illuminating optics of the laser printer and each having a different focal length, or selectively moves a single lens of the illuminating optics to any of a plurality of stop positions which are defined on an optical axis of the optics, or selectively changes the illumination time of a laser beam of the laser printer, or selectively changes the rotation speed of a mirror motor adapted to drive a polygonal mirror of the laser printer.

Abstract: A combined input and output scanner comprising in combination a stationary support for holding a document, a carriage system adapted for scanning movement in a first direction across the document and for indexing movement in a second direction transverse to the first direction, the carriage system scanning a band of information across the document and then indexing a first distance to scan another band of information across the document, a reading head rigidly secured to the carriage system for scanning the document to produce a digital image of the document, a copy sheet support, the copy sheet support indexing in said second direction to convey the copy sheet in the direction of indexing of the carriage system, said copy sheet being indexed a second distance in the direction of the index of the carriage upon the completion of each scan across the document, and a printing head rigidly secured to the carriage for relative movement with respect to a copy sheet and electrically connected to the reading head for

Abstract: The present invention provides a reading or writing method and apparatus thereof for reading data on a medium or writing data thereon by reciprocatively driving a reading/writing head over the medium. The method comprises driving the head forward at a predetermined speed at all times, and returning the head at a predetermined maximum speed when the reading or writing length is at a maximum, or at a speed lower than the maximum speed when the reading or writing length is shorter than the maximum so as to complete the reciprocation of the head within the same period as when the reading or writing length is the maximum.

Abstract: A hand scanning type image input and output device includes a main body adapted to be moved by hand to scan an object, such as a manuscript, and having an enclosed readout head adapted to read out the information on a desired portion of the object via an opening formed on the surface of the main body which is tightly contacted with the object, a movable roll reciprocably supported on the surface of the main body in which the read-out opening is formed, and a travel guide section rotatably mounted to the main body. A mounting reference surface for the object is formed on the perimeter of the read-out opening and the movable roll is rotated in synchronism with a detecting unit adpated to detect the distance traversed by the main body.

Abstract: An image reader of manual scan type for a portable copier is disclosed. The image reader comprises a reading head for scanning a document manually, memory means for storing image data read by the reading head, write control means for writing said image data into the memory means and a printer. The image reader further comprises image data processing means for adjusting image data obtained by the image sensor so as to form a noise free image upon writing image data into the memory means. Also the image data processing means operates to delete image data of a reference line indicative of a manual scan starting position.

Abstract: In a handy reader/printer apparatus for reading recorded information from a desired portion of a medium to be read and printing read information on a desired portion of a medium to be printed, the apparatus has a housing having an opening in a lower surface thereof and placed on the medium to be read or printed such that the desired portion of the medium can be fitted in the opening, a reader unit, arranged in the housing, for reading the recorded information of the desired portion of the medium to be read fitted in the opening while the housing is placed on the medium, a printer unit, arranged in the housing, for printing data in the desired portion of the medium to be printed fitted in the opening while the housing is placed on the medium, a memory for storing data read by the reader unit upon operation of the reader unit, and a readout unit for reading out the storage data from the memory as the printing data to the printer unit upon operation of the printer unit.