Abstract: A linear scanning apparatus for scanning a bound volume is used to turn a page of the volume and scan the respective sides of the turned page. The apparatus includes front and rear portions, each having first and second support surfaces, to support the volume. As the volume moves along the linear scanner from the front portion to the rear portion, the page encounters a front guiding surface joined with the first front support surface that guides the page into a page turning channel within the linear scanner. As the volume continues to move along the linear scanner, an exit surface joined with the second rear support surface guides the page out of the page turning channel and onto the second rear support surface. Scanning devices disposed on the linear scanner digitally scan the sides of the page as the volumes moves along the linear scanner.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus may include a main unit and a cover unit pivotally attached to the main unit. The cover unit may include an image reading device configured to read an image of a document along a conveying path. The image reading device may include a contact image sensor, a sensor holder to hold the contact image sensor, an urging member, and a shock absorber. The contact image sensor is disposed below the conveying path. The sensor holder has an open top boxed shape and holds the contact image sensor in position inside. The urging member is disposed in an inner bottom surface of the sensor holder to urge the contact image sensor toward the conveying path. The shock absorber is disposed between a bottom surface of the contact image sensor and the inner bottom surface of the sensor holder, and is made of a porous material.

Abstract: An image-reading device includes a plurality of image sensors, a starting signal generator and a signal timing regulator. Each image sensor reads images on a pixel basis and generating an image signal indicative of the image. The image signal is an analog signal. The starting signal generator generates starting signals at every predetermined time period. A sampling period for sampling the image signal is set within the predetermined time period. In response to the starting signal sequentially inputted to the image sensors, the image sensors read the image until the predetermined time period is expired. The signal timing regulator delays an input timing at which the starting signal is inputted to the image sensor so that the sampling periods for the plurality of image sensors are different from one another.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus includes a pixel array in which a plurality of unit cells are arranged to form a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, wherein each of the plurality of unit cells includes a pixel, and the pixel comprising a photoelectric conversion element and an in-pixel readout circuit which outputs a signal corresponding to charges generated in the photoelectric conversion element, power is supplied to the plurality of unit cells via a power supply line and a ground line, and at least one of the plurality of unit cells includes at least a part of a capacitive element having a first electrode connected to the power supply line and a second electrode connected to the ground line.

Abstract: A cable wiring structure includes: a base member; a movable member configured to reciprocate in a first direction and in a second direction relative to the base member; a cable; a tension applying member, which is attached to the movable member and is movable in the first direction and in the second direction relative to the movable member, wherein when the movable member moves in the second direction, the tension applying member is coming in contact with an inner circumference of the curved portion to apply tension to the cable in response to movement of the movable member; and a load adjustment portion, which is configured to increase a load that is applied between the tension applying member and the movable member in a case where the movable member moves in the second direction as compared with a case where the movable member moves in the first direction.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus includes a scanning module and a sheet size detecting mechanism. The scanning module is used for acquiring an image of a paper sheet. The sheet size detecting mechanism includes a first sheet guide part, a second sheet guide part, and a controlling unit. The first sheet guide part and the second sheet guide part are contacted with two parallel edges of the paper sheet, respectively. A light-emitting unit is disposed on the second sheet guide part. The light-emitting unit is used for projecting a light beam onto an optical sensing element of the scanning module. According to the light beam, the optical sensing element generates a sensing signal. According to the sensing signal, a distance between the two parallel edges of the paper sheet is acquired.

Abstract: A document scanning module includes an image sensor; and imaging lenses that focus light reflected from a document onto the image sensor to form an image. The imaging lenses include a front-group lens arranged on a document side, and a rear-group lens arranged on an image sensor side and having a width in a main-scanning direction. The rear-group lens includes an attachment portion extending toward the image sensor. The attachment portion is joined to a longitudinal side surface of the image sensor.

Abstract: An electronic device includes an array of daisy chained image sensors, with each image sensor including a pixel array. A host is coupled to an image sensor at an end of the array and is configured to insert identification codes. The identification codes include embedded data values to thereby indicate specific parts of the image data, and a set of identification codes comprising a first identification code to identify a start of a data stream and a second identification code to identify an end of the data stream.

Abstract: An image reader is provided, which includes a first image reading unit configured to read an image on a first side of a first document sheet being conveyed on a feeding path, and output an analog signal corresponding to the read image of the first side, a second image reading unit configured to read an image on a second side opposite to the first side of the first document sheet being conveyed on the feeding path, and output a digital signal corresponding to the read image of the second side in a differential transmission method, and a control board configured to process the analog signal output from the first reading unit and the digital signal output from the second image reading unit.

Abstract: A reader includes a housing with a platen on which a document is placed, a light source unit which moves along the platen and irradiates light toward the document, a mirror unit which works with the light source unit to define an optical path of the reflected light from the document in the housing, and a rotatable lock member mounted on one of the light source and mirror units. The housing includes an operation member, which is slid to fix the light source and mirror units, and a slide surface, which holds the sliding operation member. The lock member is rotated between an engaged position, where the lock member is engaged with another of the light source and mirror units, and a disengaged position, where the lock member is disengaged from the other of the light source and mirror units in response to slide operation of the operation member.

Abstract: A control unit 6 causes a vertical scanning circuit 3 to cyclically select any one-dimensional pixel line from among pixel lines 21 to 23 each time a prescribed H period elapses, and controls a read circuit 5 and a horizontal scanning circuit 4 so as to read out pixel signals of an object which has been exposed by the selected pixel line. The control unit 6 further controls a vertical movement unit 8 in such a manner that the scanning speed S satisfies S=P/4H, where P is the arrangement pitch in the vertical direction of the pixel lines 21 to 23 and H is the H period.

Abstract: A document scanner is disclosed. The document scanner includes a document bed having a document positioning surface. The document scanner further includes a scanner module slidably attached to the document bed. The scanner module includes an optical movement sensor configured to detect movement of the scanner module relative to the document positioning surface. A method of operation of the scanner module is disclosed as well.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a contact image sensor (CIS) configured to parallelly output image signals of a plurality of pixels via a plurality of signal lines, an analog frontend (AFE) configured to serially output the image signals of the plurality of pixels output from the CIS by converting the image signal into a plurality pieces of pixel data, an input/output control circuit configured to add reading position information and reading color information to each of the plurality pieces of pixel data, and a direct memory access controller (DMAC) configured to transfer each of the plurality pieces of pixel data to a storage position corresponding to the reading position information and the reading color information such that the plurality pieces of pixel data is stored in consecutive storage positions in an external memory.

Abstract: Certain embodiments provide an imaging system including a light guiding member supported on a circuit substrate so as to be capable of lighting an object, an optical image-forming member and a solid-state imaging device. The optical image-forming member is arranged on the circuit substrate so as to have an optical axis thereof parallel to the circuit substrate, is arranged on the circuit substrate so as to be able to receive reflected light from the object, emits the reflected light in an oblique direction with respect to a surface of the circuit substrate, and forms an image at a predetermined distance position. The solid-state imaging device includes a light receiving surface that is oblique with respect to the circuit substrate surface, and is mounted on the surface of the circuit substrate so as to have the receiving surface positioned at a position where the image is formed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a scanning method for a large-size scanner system (1) comprising at least two image detection elements (2) that are used for scanning a large-size original (4) to be scanned and are arranged in a cascaded manner so as to have at least one overlapping area (13, 14).

Abstract: An image reading device, which has an image sensor having a plurality of sensor chips therein and being capable of outputting data in parallel through a plurality of output channels, includes an image reading section configured to perform reading of images in either of two outputting modes, one being a parallel outputting mode in which start signals are simultaneously inputted to the plurality of sensor chips so that pieces of data in the plurality of the sensor chips are outputted in parallel through the plurality of output channels, respectively, the other one being an interval outputting mode in which start signals are sequentially inputted to the plurality of sensor chips at intervals of time between any two successive inputs of the start signals, respectively, so that respective pieces of data in the plurality of sensor chips are sequentially outputted through any one of the plurality of output channels, and a mode selection section configured to select either of the two outputting modes in accordance wi

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a drive unit that drives the line image sensor by frequency-modulated clock; a signal generating unit that generates an analog signal according to a change in frequency of the frequency-modulated clock; an amplification-inversion unit that amplifies the analog signal with an arbitrary amplification factor, and configured to switch between inversion and non-inversion; and a signal superimposing unit that superimposes between the analog image signal and an analog signal output from the amplification-inversion unit.

Abstract: An image scanning device has first and second image scanning units to scan an image on the front and rear surfaces of a document to sequentially output image data on a line-by-line basis. A determining unit determines whether or not the number of lines of the front image is greater than or equal to a predetermined number, and whether or not the number of lines of the rear image is greater than or equal to the predetermined number. A processing unit reads out the front and rear image data on a line-by-line basis for the predetermined number of lines and performs image-processing on the readout data if the number of lines of the front image data is greater than or equal to the predetermined number and performs image-processing on the readout data if the number of lines of the rear image data is greater than or equal to the predetermined number.

Abstract: A document reading apparatus includes a sensor configured to receive light from a document, an imaging lens configured to form an image of light from the document on the sensor, a first holding member to which the imaging lens is fixed, and a second holding member to which the sensor is fixed, wherein the first holding member and the second holding member are fixed using an adhesive and solder.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a solid-state imaging device including the steps of providing a pixel array including pixel circuits arranged in a matrix; and a pixel drive unit configured to drive the pixel array to perform a reset of the pixel array, a signal storage, and an output operation. The pixel drive unit includes a pixel reset control portion to supply a signal for resetting a pixel to the pixel circuits of a plurality of rows. The pixel reset control portion performs a reset control so that a row in which the reset signal is cancelled and a row in which the reset signal is continued always exist in one reset row change operation, and a row in which the reset signal continues to be supplied exists during two or more reset row change operations.

Abstract: A scan bar assembly includes an illuminating unit including a first length; a photosensor array including a second length; and a first spacer member and a second spacer member, each of the first and second spacer members including: an inner side that is proximate the photosensor array; and an outer side that is distal to the photosensor array, wherein a distance between the inner side of the first spacer member and the inner side of the second spacer member is greater than the second length and less than the first length.

Abstract: An image reader includes a first image reading unit that reads a first image on a first side of a sheet to output a first analog signal corresponding to the first image, a second image reading unit that reads a second image on a second side of the sheet, converts a second analog signal corresponding to the second image into a second digital signal, and outputs the second digital signal, a processor that processes the first analog signal and the second digital signal and includes a first converter converting the first analog signal into a first digital signal, and a timing signal output unit outputting, to the second image reading unit, a timing signal corresponding to a conversion time of the conversion by the first converter. Based on the timing signal, the second image reading unit outputs the second digital signal at a time outside the conversion time.

Abstract: There is described an imaging apparatus having an imaging assembly that includes an image sensor. The imaging apparatus can capture a frame of image data having image data corresponding to a first set of pixels of the image sensor. The imaging apparatus can capture a frame or image data having image data corresponding to a second set of pixels of the image sensor.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a contact glass having a light control glass part having transmittance changeable by an applied voltage; a scanner part reading an original placed on an original placement surface of the contact glass and outputting image data in a storage part; a projector part projecting image information onto the contact glass from a side opposite to the original placement surface; and a control part controlling the voltage applied to the light controlling glass part. When the scanner part is operated, the control part causes the transmittance of the contact glass to increase and the projector part stops projecting the image information, and when the scanner part is not operated, the control part causes the transmittance of the contact glass to decrease and the projector part projects the image data stored in the storage part onto the contact glass.

Abstract: A sensor includes a photoelectric conversion unit including a first photoelectric conversion element array and a second photoelectric conversion element array, each having an array of a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged in a predetermined direction, a storage unit configured to store a charge generated by the photoelectric conversion unit, a transfer unit configured to transfer the charge generated by the photoelectric conversion unit to an outside of the sensor, a control unit configured to serially execute a first transfer control for transporting unit configured to transport a charge stored in the second photoelectric conversion element array to the transfer unit via the storage unit and a second transfer control for transporting unit configured to transport a charge stored in the first photoelectric conversion element array to the transfer unit via the second photoelectric conversion element array and the storage unit.

Abstract: An imaging device module includes an imaging device including a light incident plane on which light is incident, and a reverse face disposed on an opposite side of the light incident plane; and a thermal conductive sheet provided on the reverse face for dissipating heat generated from the imaging device. The thermal conductive sheet contains a plate-like boron nitride particle, and the thermal conductive sheet has a thermal conductivity in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of 4 W/m·K or more.

Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus capable of suppressing a track error is provided. The apparatus includes a swing mirror supported by a torsional vibration system having a first natural frequency and a second natural frequency that is a double of the first natural frequency, and a driving unit applying a swing torque to the vibration system. The apparatus can detect passage of an optical beam at two locations and output track information of the swing mirror, and perform feedback control. When the feedback control is performed, the apparatus sequentially switches target tracks of scanning in a forward and a backward direction, the phases of the second natural frequency of the target tracks being mutually reversed, calculates an amount of offset compensation based on a difference between the predetermined target track and the track for each scanning in the forward and backward direction, and reflects the amount in the feedback control.

Abstract: A scan bar assembly includes a scan element including a length direction; and a motor including an axle, wherein the axle of the motor is not parallel to the length direction of the scan element.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a white reference member, an exposure lamp, a CCD sensor including a plurality of linear sensors connected in series, and a plurality of gain amplifiers which amplifies the outputs of the linear sensors, respectively. The apparatus selects one linear sensor, adjusts the gain of the gain amplifier corresponding to the selected linear sensor, adjusts the gain of the gain amplifier corresponding to the linear sensor existing to the left side of the selected linear sensor, and adjusts the gain of the gain amplifier corresponding to the linear sensor existing to the right side of the selected linear sensor. A difference in output at connecting positions among the line sensors is removed by adjusting the gains of gain amplifiers.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus having a lower unit with a controller and an upper unit rotatably attached to the lower unit to rotate about a rear end of the upper unit is provided. The upper unit includes a sheet conveyer, an upper image reader connected with the controller via a flat cable, and an external covering. A rearward-extending section of the flat cable extends rearward from the upper image reader and is drawn in an area below a part of a frame of the sheet conveyer and to a rear section of the upper unit to reach an inner surface of the external covering at the rear end of the upper unit. A widthwise-extending section of the flat cable extends from the rear end of the upper unit along the inner surface of the external covering in a direction orthogonal to reach an outlet of the upper unit.

Abstract: A passport and identification card reader minimizes the time and effort required for an operator to read/scan a passport or piece of identification. An immigration official, for example, can slide a passport into place with one hand while tending to other important security activities with the other hand. Once in place, the passport will be automatically detected and read. Numerous passports bound together by a traveler with multiple visas can be held flat in place and accurately read, even with one hand, despite the natural tendency of the passport(s) to return to a closed position.

Abstract: A scanning device includes a first scanning unit, a second scanning unit, and a light source corresponding to each of the first scanning unit and the second scanning unit. The light sources are arranged on the same side of the first and second scanning units with respect to the main scanning direction.

Abstract: A rotatable scanner includes a scanner body and a document holder. The scanner body includes an exposure surface on which a document is placed. The document holder is provided above the scanner body to cover a document placed on the exposure surface of the scanner body, and includes a hinged side and a free side opposite the hinged side. A front upper edge of the scanner body is chamfered.

Abstract: There is provided a sensor driving circuit that includes: an image sensor that converts light reflected from an original to be read into electric signals; a driver circuit that drives the image sensor; and a timing generator circuit that outputs timing signals for use in control of the image sensor. The driver circuit includes a first inverting buffer circuit and a second inverting buffer circuit that are equivalent to each other and arranged in series connection of two stages with the first inverting buffer circuit at the first stage of the two stages. The timing signal output from the timing generator circuit has the same polarity as the polarity of an input signal fed to the image sensor.

Abstract: An elongate light guide includes a light incident portion provided at an end in the longitudinal direction of the guide, a light reflecting portion extending in the longitudinal direction, a light emitting portion extending in the longitudinal direction for emitting linear light, and a scatterer for scattering the light entering through the light incident portion. For instance, the scatterer is provided as a grained portion formed at least part of the reflecting portion.

Abstract: An image reader includes a first line sensor that reads first image lines of an original document; a second line sensor that reads second image lines of the original document, the second image lines being located apart from the first image lines in a sub-scanning direction, respectively; and a control unit configured to, in the case where an abnormality occurs during reading of a first image line by the first line sensor, alternately switch reading of the first image lines by the first line sensor and reading of the second image lines by the second line sensor at a time point when a reading position of the second line sensor reaches a reading stop position of the first line sensor at which the abnormality has occurred.

Abstract: A device for imaging a flat object, for example a paper sheet in a printing machine, includes a light source, preferably an LED row, a lens and an image sensor. An observation angle between the object plane and lens axis is flat, that is to say less than 45°. The light source illuminates the flat object in a first, near region with light of a first wavelength and illuminates the flat object in a second, far region with light of a second wavelength. The first wavelength is shorter than the second wavelength, preferably being blue and red spectral regions. The first region is disposed nearer the image sensor than the second region. The device permits the so-called chromatic aberration of the lens to be utilized to advantageously reduce the tilt angle of the image sensor required by the so-called Scheimpflug condition. A printing machine having the device is also provided.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus for reading an image of a document optically by illuminating a document with light emitted from a plurality of light emitting elements arranged linearly and by reading light reflected from the document. The image reading apparatus has a first light emitting element for emitting light in a first direction, a second light emitting element for emitting light in a second direction and one substrate for supporting the first light emitting element and the second light emitting element thereon.

Abstract: An optical filter is provided on photoelectric conversion elements for monochrome reading. Each of a reflecting optical system and the optical filter has an end portion and a central portion in a predetermined direction. The optical filter suppresses light at a peak wavelength of a light source such that a difference between a sensitivity of optical path via the end portion of the reflecting optical system and the optical filter and a sensitivity of optical path via the central portion of the reflecting optical system and the optical filter fall within a range of 5% at the peak wavelength of light source.

Abstract: Disclosed are a scanner capable of adjusting the focus distance and an image forming apparatus having the same. The scanner may include a focus adjustment structure that comes into an interfering contact with a scanning unit as the scanning unit moves along a scanning path so as to cause a movement of the scanning unit in the direction perpendicular to the scanning path toward and away from the document to be scanned. With such configuration the focus adjustment can be realized using the scanning movement of the scanning unit along the scanning path.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a touch panel that outputs a press position pressed by a finger as coordinate information in a sub-scanning direction, the finger being placed on the surface of the touch panel, a CCD that takes an image of the finger placed on the touch panel from the rear side of the touch panel in a main-scanning direction, and outputs an image signal, and a motor that moves the CCD in the sub-scanning direction so as to follow a rotational movement of the finger based on the movement amount detected by the movement detection unit.

Abstract: An image-scanning device wherein plural images of an object are picked up inverted and reduced in size by image-forming optical systems arranged to be adjacent to each other, and then restored by an image processing system. Each optical system includes a first optical element having a first focal length; an aperture member located at a focus position in a rear side of the first optical element; and a second optical element provided in a rear side of the aperture member and having a second focal length shorter than the first focal length, respectively disposed from a side of the object being picked up to a side of the image pickup device. In between optical systems, corresponding image pick up devices thereof are arranged to be adjacent to each other, the image pickup devices including a region in which the images picked up by the image pickup devices are overlapped.

Abstract: In an image sensor unit, sensor substrates include a plurality of edges arranged on a substrate holder in a longitudinal direction at predetermined intervals, sensor chips at the edges are mounted beyond the edges, and the substrate holder includes positioning portions that position the sensor chips.

Abstract: A scanner includes: a photoelectric conversion element configured to photoelectrically convert light reflected from an original image to form an image signal; a timing generation circuit configured to generate a drive signal for the photoelectric conversion element; a drive circuit configured to drive the photoelectric conversion element; a signal processing circuit configured to subject a sample hold signal fed in through the drive circuit and the image signal to an A/D conversion; and a control circuit configured to turn on the sample hold signal when the scanner transitions to an “ON” state from an “OFF” state and turn off the sample hold signal when the scanner transitions to the “OFF” state from the “ON” state. The control circuit turns on and off the sample hold signal, based on each of input fed to the drive circuit and the signal processing circuit.

Abstract: The technology disclosed relates to handling varying pixel overlaps long a first axis as a scanning head sweeps a curved path that is not parallel to the first axis. In particular, we teach use of a variable frequency pixel clock to produce equally spaced pixels along the first axis as a rotor arm scans a curved path that is not parallel to the first axis. The pixel clock has a varying frequency that varies approximately sinusoidally with the position of the scanning head relative to the first axis.

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 apparatus for scanning a bound document is provided. The apparatus comprises a casing, an image-capturing assembly, at least a sensor and a controller. The casing has a first platen and a second platen disposed adjacent to each other, wherein the first platen having a scanning region is provided to support the bound document. The image-capturing assembly is disposed under the first platen for capturing an image of the bound document within the scanning region and generating an image signal. At least a sensor is disposed on the second platen for detecting the presence of the bound document. The sensor transmits a detection signal responsive to detection of the document presence. The controller is electrically connected to the image-capturing assembly and the sensor for executing a book-scanning mode responsive to the detection signal received from the sensor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a scanner apparatus. The scanner apparatus includes a light source, a reflecting means and an imaging means. The light source is located under an object, and radiates light so that the light is reflected from the object. The reflecting means is placed under the light source at a specific angle of inclination with respect to a surface of the object, and folds the path of the light when the light radiated by the light source is reflected from the object. The imaging means is placed along the path of the light reflected from the reflecting means, and condenses light reflected from the reflecting means and then acquires an image of the object.

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: A solid-state image capture device including: a pixel having a photoelectric conversion element and first to fourth switch elements; a reference-signal generator that generates a reference signal; and an analog-to-digital converter that generates a digital signal corresponding to an analog signal output by the pixel, by using a comparator having first and second input terminals. The second switch element is turned on to reset a voltage of the predetermined connection point, the fourth switch element is turned on while a connection degree of the second switch element is in an intermediate state between an on state and an off state to cause the first and second input terminals to reach a same potential, and the second switch element is not turned on and at least one of the first and third switch elements is turned on to cause the analog-to-digital converter to perform conversion into a digital signal.