Abstract: An ink jet recording apparatus which jets an ink onto a recording medium to record an image, includes: a housing which has an opening at an upper portion thereof; a carriage which reciprocates in the housing and carries an ink cartridge containing the ink and a recording head for jetting the ink; a tray, at least a portion of which is provided in the housing and on which the recording medium recorded by the ink jetted from the recording head is discharged; a cover which is provided on the upper portion of the housing and opens/closes the opening; and a light source which is provided so that both a carriage area in which the carriage is positioned when the ink cartridge is replaced and a discharge area, of the tray, in which the recording medium is discharged are irradiated with a light from the light source.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a scanner part reading an original on a contact glass, and a projector part projecting image information onto the contact glass as first image displaying. The projector part projects thumbnails or an image to have an image processing operation carried out or be printed. The display part carries out second image displaying obtained from reducing the first image displaying in size. At a time of the scanner part being operated, transmittance of the contact glass is increased and the projector part stops projecting the image information, and at a time of the scanner part not being operated, the transmittance of the contact glass is decreased and the projector part carries out the first image displaying. Setting of the image processing operation for the image data is reflected on the first image displaying and the second image displaying.

Abstract: An image reader includes a casing, a contact glass plate, a contact image sensor, and a sliding mechanism; wherein the contact image sensor has a housing, a light source attached to the housing so as to face the contact glass plate, a plurality of light receiving elements attached to the housing so as to face the contact glass plate and aligned in parallel in a longitudinal direction of the housing, and a bearing formed integral to the housing at a position below a lower surface of the housing; and the sliding mechanism includes a guide shaft provided on the casing and extending in a short direction of the housing and inserted through the bearing, and an urging member elastically which urges the guide shaft toward the contact glass plate so that the housing is pressed against the contact glass plate.

Abstract: The method to control a light source in an image scanning apparatus includes emitting light onto a reference surface having a predetermined reflectivity from a light source, detecting a shading level representing an intensity of the light reflected from the reference surface, and controlling the light intensity from the light source by using the shading level and the reference level.

Abstract: An image-reading apparatus that optically reads an original, includes: an illuminating section that illuminates the original with light; an imaging unit that creates pixel data on the basis of reflected light reflected from the original; a moving unit that moves the illuminating section and the imaging unit relative to the original in steps of a fixed distance in a scanning direction that points from one end of the original toward another end of the original; an illumination mode controller that, for each unit step of movement out of one entire scanning movement in the scanning direction performed by the moving unit, controls the illuminating section so that the illuminating section is made to operate in each of a plurality of illumination modes.

Abstract: An optical radiation device includes a long light source unit in which light emitting elements are arranged in array, a long substrate on which the light source unit is mounted, a long optical guide to guide the light beams from the light emitting elements to a predetermined plane, and an optical collector to collect the light beams reflected by the predetermined plane. The length of an effective read area from a reading center of the optical collector to one end of the predetermined plane is different from that of an effective read area from the reading center to the other end thereof. The optical guide formed by injection molding includes a gate at one end in a length direction and a surface at the other end to exert total reflection, and is disposed so that the gate is positioned on the a same side as a shorter effective read area.

Abstract: A light source unit includes a holder, a light source, coupling lens, and a support member. The light source is supported by the holder and projects a light beam against a target. The coupling lens adjusts an optical axis of the light beam. The support member contacts the holder and the coupling lens to fix the coupling lens in place on the holder after the coupling lens adjusts the optical axis of the light beam. The holder and the coupling lens are adhered to the support member using an adhesive agent. An optical scanner includes a rotary deflector to deflect and scan the light projected from the light source unit, a scan optical element to focus the light deflected by the rotary deflector, and the light source unit. An image forming apparatus includes the optical scanner.

Abstract: An illumination system for a scanner according to one example embodiment includes an array of visible light emitting diodes each configured to emit light predominantly in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum and an ultraviolet light emitting device configured to emit light predominantly in the ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The visible light emitting diodes and the ultraviolet light emitting device are positioned to illuminate an object being scanned.

Abstract: A scanner includes a reference backing member, a scan assembly and a light-obstruction member. The scan assembly, disposed opposite the reference backing member, scans a reference block of the reference backing member and an original block of an original in a scan region. The scan assembly includes a light source for emitting a first light beam in a direction toward the reference block, and emitting a second light beam in a direction toward the original block. The light-obstruction member, disposed between the reference backing member and the scan assembly, includes a light-obstruction part, disposed in a first optical path of the first light beam and outside a second optical path of the second light beam, for blocking a portion of the first light beam from reaching the reference block.

Abstract: An image scanning apparatus and method are provided. The image scanning apparatus scans an image of a document and converts the scanned image into digital data, and includes light sources that emit light. The apparatus includes a light guide unit that diffuses the light emitted by the light sources and a sensor unit that senses image data from the document by recognizing light reflected from the document by being diffused by the light guide unit. The apparatus includes a control unit that controls the turning on of the light sources. The control unit alternately turns on or off the light sources such that at least one of the light sources is turned on when at least one other light source is turned off.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an image reading apparatus has a light source configured with a plurality of light-emitting elements disposed in a row in a main scanning direction that irradiate light toward an original, and a photoelectric conversion element that receives light reflected from the original, an output light amount from the light-emitting elements can be adjusted, and a state of bright spots due to repetition of light-dark in the main scanning direction on a light irradiation face of the original due to the plurality of light-emitting elements is determined, and the output light amount from the light-emitting elements is adjusted based on the determination result of the state of the bright spots.

Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus includes a light source, a rotating polygonal mirror, a scanning optical system, a detector, and a light emission controller. The light source includes plural light emitting elements. The rotating polygonal mirror is irradiated with light beams. While rotating, the rotating polygonal mirror reflects and deflects, in a deflecting direction, light beams emitted from light emitting elements in a first direction to propagate through one point in the deflecting direction substantially at the same time. The scanning optical system causes the reflected and deflected light beams to scan over an object. The detector detects the timing at which a light beam propagates through a detection point. When the light beams propagate through the detection point, the light emission controller causes light emitting elements in a row in the first direction other than light emitting elements at both ends of a projection plane to emit light.

Abstract: A light guide includes: a body which is a light-transmitting member and has light incidence surfaces as two end surfaces in a longitudinal direction and a light output surface which is one of side surfaces extending in the longitudinal direction; and light absorbing members which are provided on the light output surface or at least one, adjacent to the light output surface, of the side surfaces of the body and have a function of absorbing light that shines on the body from outside the body.

Abstract: An image reading device includes: a line illuminator for irradiating a document G; an erecting equal-magnification lens array operative to condense light reflected by the document G and including a stack of a first lens array plate and a second lens array plate each provided with an arrangement of a plurality of lenses on both sides thereof; a line image sensor operative to receive the light condensed by the erecting equal-magnification lens array; a housing for securing the line illuminator, the erecting equal-magnification lens array, and the line image sensor in their places; and a first light shielding member, a second light shielding member, and a third light shielding member operative to prevent light not contributing to imaging from entering the lenses. The first light shielding member, the second light shielding member, and the third light shielding member are formed as one piece with the main part of the housing.

Abstract: A reading device includes a first illuminating section that illuminates a reading area with first illumination light of a first direction; a second illuminating section that illuminates the reading area with second illumination light of a second direction; a light-receiving section that receives reflection light of the first illumination light and reflection light of the second illumination light reflected from the reading area, the first illumination light being applied from the first illuminating section and the second illumination light being applied from the second illuminating section; and reflecting members that are disposed side by side in the reading area in a widthwise direction thereof, and that have first and second reflecting surfaces.

Abstract: A scan bar assembly having a scan element including a length direction; a drive gear; a follower gear; and a housing having a mounting region for mounting the scan element onto the housing; a first mounting member for the drive gear; and a second mounting member for the follower gear, wherein the first and second mounting members and the housing are integrally formed as a single part.

Abstract: A method determines displacements between pixels in a captured image of a reference pattern and corresponding pixels in the reference pattern including the steps of capturing the image of the reference pattern having a source pattern modulated by a plurality of carrier frequencies in a corresponding plurality of directions in the source pattern, demodulating at least three of the carrier frequencies in the captured image to form an amplitude image and a wrapped phase image for each of the carrier frequencies, and combining the wrapped phase images weighted by the amplitude images to determine the displacements between pixels in the captured image and corresponding pixels in the reference pattern.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for use with a printed substrate is disclosed. The image processing apparatus comprises an imaging device configured to receive light reflected from a portion of multiple patches of a colorbar on the printed substrate and configured to process color data from the light reflected from the portion of multiple patches of the colorbar.

Abstract: A computer peripheral that may operate as a scanner. The scanner captures image frames as it is moved across an object. The image frames are formed into a composite image based on computations in two processes. In a first process, fast track processing determines a coarse position of each of the image frames based on a relative position between each successive image frame and a respective preceding image determine by matching overlapping portions of the image frames. In a second process, fine position adjustments are computed to reduce inconsistencies from determining positions of image frames based on relative positions to multiple prior image frames. When the determined position of multiple image frames overlap, pixels in the composite image may be formed by combing values of pixels in the image frames, which improves image quality of the composite image.

Abstract: An image reproduction apparatus includes a scanning unit, a transparent scanning bed optically coupled to the scanning unit, and an adjustable shade associated with the scanning bed, wherein the adjustable shade is configured to be selectively placed across the scanning bed to reduce a portion of the scanning bed.

Abstract: A computer peripheral that may operate as a scanner. The scanner captures image frames as it is moved across an object. The image frames are formed into a composite image based on computations in two processes. In a first process, fast track processing determines a coarse position of each of the image frames based on a relative position between each successive image frame and a respective preceding image determine by matching overlapping portions of the image frames. In a second process, fine position adjustments are computed to reduce inconsistencies from determining positions of image frames based on relative positions to multiple prior image frames. Processing of the image frames may allow a scan of an object to be suspended and resumed automatically when a user lifts the scanner, by deleting out of focus image frames and matching subsequent image frames to previously stored image frames.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems and methods for decoupling the mechanical drive systems of image scanners from the exposure system. A light source, such as an array of light-emitting diodes (LEDs), may be modulated in order to maintain a constant exposure for each scan-line, regardless of the document velocity. Accordingly, the present systems and methods allow for continuous document scanning at varying speeds. An automatic document feeder may dynamically adjust the velocity of a document without negatively impacting the exposure of the image scan. As the velocity of the document is changed, the modulation rate of the light source may be adjusted to maintain a constant exposure.

Abstract: Disclosed are an illuminator and an image forming apparatus employing an illuminator. The illuminator includes a light guide to guide light generated from a light source to an object to be illuminated. The light guide includes at least one incidence face facing the light source and an emission face configured to emit the light to the target object. A diffusion pattern may be formed on the emission face to extend from one longitudinal end to the other longitudinal end of the emission face. The emission face may have a constant cross section or a varying cross section along a longitudinal direction thereof. The illuminator may be part of an image reading device to uniformly or near uniformly irradiate light to a document. The illuminator may also be incorporated in an image forming apparatus to irradiate light to a photosensitive body for elimination or reduction of electric potential from the photosensitive body.

Abstract: A contact image sensor (CIS) and a recognition system and a recognition method thereof are provided. A storage unit storing driving information of the CIS is directly built in the CIS, and a control module of the CIS is enabled to actively transmit/report the driving information of the CIS back to a check terminal in response to a recognition demand, so that the check terminal recognizes a product specification of the CIS. Hence, the CIS may be further effectively recognized.

Abstract: Provided is an illuminator including a light source unit having a light emitting surface, and a light guiding member guiding a light beam to an original disposed on an original plate. An intersection of a center axis of a light emitting surface and the original plate is separated from a reading position of the original in a sub scanning direction, the light guiding member includes an incident surface to which the light beam emitted from the light source unit is incident, a reflection surface that reflects the incident light beam, and an exiting surface exiting the incident light beam and the reflected light beam, and in the sub scanning section, the light beam having the highest light intensity in the light beams from the light source unit is deflected at the incident surface toward the reading position of the original with respect to the center axis.

Abstract: A scan module including an image sensor defining a scan field, at least one lamp positioned to illuminate at least a portion of the scan field, and a second light source positioned to provide illumination for the portion of the scan field.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a lens array includes a first lens and a second lens. The first lens includes a plurality of lens elements arrayed in a main scanning direction and configured to condense, with an emission surface, light made incident on an incident surface from an object point. The second lens includes a plurality of lens elements arrayed in the main scanning direction. The lens elements condense again, with an emission surface, light made incident on an incident surface. When the light from the object point is made incident on the incident surface of the first lens and emitted from the emission surface of the second lens, a distance between two points of emission positions on outermost sides on the emission surface of the second lens is substantially the same in the main scanning direction and a sub-scanning direction.

Abstract: An image sensor unit has a first light guide that emits light to a bill, a second light guide that emits light to the bill, a rod-lens array that receives the light emitted by the first light guide and reflected by the bill and the light emitted by the second light guide and transmitted through the bill, and a background member that provides a background color for the bill. The bill can pass through the gap between the rod-lens array and the background member and second light guide. The background member is disposed on the optical axis of the rod-lens array to face the rod-lens array. The second light guide is disposed at a position shifted from the optical axis of the rod-lens array in the conveyance direction of the bill.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, includes an image reader with an original document table. An image reading part has a light source, a light-receiving part, a reflection part, and a carriage that supports the light source or the reflection part. A cover covers a replacement member and is opened/closed integrally with the image reader. A main body accommodates an operation part for performing operations based on image data. An axis connects the image reader to the main body and turnably supports the image reader and the cover in approaching/separating directions with respect to the main body. An open/close detector detects an open/closed state of the image reader and the cover and a movement controller moves the carriage in a sub-scanning direction. When the image reader and the cover are open, the movement controller moves the carriage to a retreat position that is outside the original document table.

Abstract: A plurality of LED circuits are each configured having white LEDs serially connected therein, and the white LEDs are arranged in alternate main scanning direction positions for each of the LED circuits. When any of these LED circuits has failed, an output light power of white LEDs of LED circuits that have not failed is increased by a light power control section, thereby compensating an extinguished amount of the failed LED circuit.

Abstract: An image reading device includes an illuminating means for illuminating a reading position through which a sheet conveyed by conveying means passes, optical reading means for reading reflected light of the sheet illuminated by the illuminating means when the sheet passes the reading position, a white reference plate disposed opposite to the optical reading means with the reading position sandwiched therebetween, and moving structure means for moving a placement position of the illuminating means based on a placement position of the white reference plate, and storage means is included for storing information in a searchable manner.

Abstract: Carried out are (i) an infrared light scanning process in which light is directed to a document in a state in which a visible light cut filter is provided in an optical path, in which the light is directed from a light source to the document, reflected from the document, and then received by a light receiving element, so that the light receiving element receives the reflected light from the document and prepares image data S1; (ii) a visible light scanning process in which the light is directed to the document in a state in which no visible light cut filter is provided in the optical path, so that the light receiving element receives the reflected light from the document and prepares image data S2; and (iii) a color correction process in which a color of an image in the image data S2 is corrected in accordance with the image data S1 so that an influence of light having a infrared wavelength is removed or reduced from the image data S2.

Abstract: An illumination device comprising: an optical guide for receiving light emitted from a light source and guiding the light by repetitive transmission and reflection; a reflective member for reflecting light transmitting in the optical guide to an outside of the optical guide within the optical guide; a supplemental reflective member for reflecting light transmitting the reflective member and light leaked from the optical guide while evading the optical guide to an inside of the optical guide, transmitting the reflective member and light leak.

Abstract: A device includes a processing system having a processor and a memory and an image capture component coupled to the processing system. The image capture component is configured to receive an image of a subject region within a field of view and an image of a control region within the field of view. The processing system is configured to process the image of the control region as a user input for processing the image of the subject region.

Abstract: A light projection unit includes a substrate, a plurality of light emitting elements arrayed on the substrate in a main scanning direction and including light emitting surfaces, a light guide facing the light emitting surfaces to direct light projected from the light emitting elements onto an illumination target and including a first positioning portion, and a holder including a second positioning portion that engages the first positioning portion of the light guide to position the light guide on the holder. The first positioning portion of the light guide is positioned between centers of light emission of adjacent light emitting elements in the main scanning direction of the substrate when the first positioning portion engages the second positioning portion of the holder.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides an illuminating device that is disposed in an image-reading apparatus and image-forming equipment, including a light-source portion on one side; a light-source portion on the other side; and a long translucent light-guiding member having a light-discharging face long in a longitudinal direction thereof, and guiding light derived from the one light-source portion from one end face in the longitudinal direction, and light derived from the other light-source portion from the other end face in the longitudinal direction so that the guided light is irradiated to an object through the long light-discharging face; wherein the one and the other light-source portions are arranged such that positions of optical axes thereof differ from each other in a direction that is parallel to a light-irradiated face of the object and in a direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the light-guiding member.

Abstract: To provide an illumination device in which a point light source and a reflective member based on a light weight, cheap resin material is used, the illumination device has high precision and is strong to environmental variations when in a state assembled as a unit and is easily moldable as a part, a plurality of point light sources (111) is arrayed, a first reflective member (112b, 112c, 112d) is disposed along an outgoing direction of light of the point light sources, a second reflective member (112e) is disposed in a surface opposed to a light emitting surface of the point light source in an orthogonal direction, the point light sources are moved integrally with a part or a whole of the first and the second reflective member, the illumination device irradiates an irradiation surface by light from the point light sources, rib shaped bodies (112a) are disposed in a light passageway side of the first reflective member, the rib shaped bodies includes a reflective surface and is situated at a position of an appro

Abstract: An image scanner includes a light-pervious supporting plate, an enclosure, an image sensor, several light sources, and two or four light guide plates. The supporting plate supports an original to be scanned. The enclosure and the supporting plate cooperatively define a receiving space. The image sensor is received in the receiving space, and has a receiving surface. The two, four, or six light sources emit light. The light guide plates each include a light incident surface and an output surface. The light incident surface is configured for receiving light from the respective light sources. The output surface is configured for emission of surface light to scan the original on the supporting plate. In this manner, the surface light is reflected by the original to the receiving surface of the image sensor, thus an image of the original is captured.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ultra thin optical scanning device for a portable information device, which includes an LED as a light source and totally reflects light from an object-side surface to form an image, thereby increasing a contrast ratio of the image and improving the resolution thereof. The ultra thin optical scanning device includes a light emitting device that emits light for sensing an object, an object-side surface contacting the object and totally reflecting the light emitted from the light emitting device, an image formation part collecting the light totally reflected by the object-side surface, and transmitting the light, and a light receiver part forming an image by using the light transmitted by the image formation part.

Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for removing show-through from a scanned image. The method includes scanning at least one line in a medium at a first intensity in a first scanning operation; scanning the at least one line in the scanning medium at a second intensity different from the first intensity, in a second scanning operation; and removing show-through from an image obtained during the first scanning operation based on a difference in a show-through effect between images obtained during the first and second scanning operations.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide illuminators and related scanner illuminating systems, wherein the illuminators can include one or more light guides with each including an IR filter and/or an IR-absorbing coating for removing an IR component from the light introduced in the light guide.

Abstract: An image capturing device includes: a first base, including a first side edge and a second side edge opposite to each other; a first light-emitting element, located at the first side edge, for emitting a first light source to illuminate a document; a first compensator, located at the second side edge; a first sensing element, located between the first light-emitting element and the first compensator; a first transparent sheet, covering the first compensator; a second base, including a third side edge and a fourth side edge opposite to each other; a second light-emitting element, located at the third side edge, for emitting a second light source to illuminate the document; a second compensator, located at the fourth side edge; a second sensing element, located between the second light-emitting element and the second compensator; and a second transparent sheet, covering the second compensator.

Abstract: A power saving mode includes a plurality of levels that are different in recovery time to a normal mode and in power consumption of a main body system. The plurality of levels are set to correspond to remaining heat temperature of a fixing device so that the recovery time to the normal mode becomes shorter as the remaining heat temperature is higher, and the power consumption of the main body system becomes lower as the remaining heat temperature is lower. Depending on a change in the remaining heat temperature, a power control section switches to a level corresponding to the remaining heat temperature, of the plurality of levels of the power saving mode of the main body system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing laser texturing of solid substrates are disclosed. The texturing may be used to provide grayscale images obtainable from substrates, which may include steel, aluminum, glass, and silicon. In some embodiments, images may be obtainable from the substrate by modifying the reflective, diffractive, and/or absorptive features of the substrate or the substrate surface by forming random, periodic, and/or semi-periodic micro-structure features on the substrate (or substrate surface) by an ultrafast laser pulse train. The ultrafast pulse train may be modulated in order to vary, for example, optical exposure time, pulse train intensity, laser polarization, laser wavelength, or a combination of the aforementioned. The ultrafast pulse train and the substrate may be scanned with respect to each other to provide different optical energies to different regions of the substrate (or substrate surface).

Abstract: In regard to a secured original method, an image reading apparatus provided in an image forming apparatus reads a first original guide using an original reading portion and, based on a reading result thereof, changes a reading position of an adjustment sheet in a main scanning direction to enable detection of a difference between a brightness of the first original guide and a brightness of the adjustment sheet. In regard to a moving original method, the image reading apparatus reads a reading member using the original reading portion and, based on a reading result thereof, changes a reading position of an adjustment sheet in a main scanning direction to enable detection of a difference between a brightness of the reading member and a brightness of the adjustment sheet.

Abstract: A scanner includes an image scanning mechanism, a foreign object location detector, a foreign object location storage, a correction processor, and a shading correction processor. The foreign object location detector detects a pixel at a location of a foreign object adhered to an optical mirror of the image scanning mechanism by use of a first reference image data obtained by scanning a white reference plate by the image scanning mechanism at an initial operation after power-on of the scanner. The foreign object location storage stores a location of the pixel at the foreign object location in the main scanning direction detected by the foreign object location detector.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a reading unit, a controlling unit and a changing unit. The reading unit receives a reflected light from a sheet onto which a light is irradiated from a light source, converts the received light into an image signal, and accumulates a charge corresponding to the image signal in accordance with a reading time of the sheet. The controlling unit controls the light source to be turned off in accordance with a reading mode of the sheet so that an amount of the accumulated charge does not reach a saturated amount. The changing unit changes an amplification factor of an amplifying unit in accordance with a turn-off time of the light source to amplify the image signal to a predetermined level when the controlling unit controls the light source to be turned off. The amplifying unit amplifies the image signal at a predetermined amplification factor.

Abstract: An optical system for a scanner according to one example embodiment includes a light source for illuminating a target area and a plurality of mirrors that includes a first mirror positioned to receive a light beam traveling along a first optical path and to reflect the beam along a second optical path. A second mirror receives the beam traveling along the second optical path and reflects the beam along a third optical path. A third mirror receives the beam traveling along the third optical path and reflects the beam along a fourth optical path. A fourth mirror receives the beam traveling along the fourth optical path and reflects the beam along a fifth optical path. A fifth mirror receives the beam traveling along the fifth optical path and reflects the beam along a sixth optical path. An image sensor receives the beam and senses an image of the target area.

Abstract: A light-source driving device includes a driving unit configured to drive a light source unit that emits light onto an object; and a driving control unit configured to control the driving unit to drive the light source unit in a first driving mode and a second driving mode. A light emission time of the light source unit is controlled in the first driving mode. An instantaneous value of a quantity of light of the light source unit being controlled in the second driving mode.

Abstract: An image scanner and a method for compensating image data are provided. By using both the X-axis calibration gain and the Y-axis calibration gain, the processing time period for compensating image data is reduced. In addition, no initial calibration and no warm-up calibration are required.