Abstract: An image scanning method used in a scanner. The scanner includes a housing, a transparent platform set on the housing for a document to be placed on, a scanning module installed inside the housing for scanning the document, and a step motor for driving the scanning module step by step so as to scan the document. After completing a first scanning pass, the scanning module moves a predetermined distance, which corresponds to non-integer steps of the step motor so that when the scanning module performs a second scanning pass, sampling positions of the second scanning pass are different from sampling positions of the first scanning pass.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and structure for accelerating image-sensing speed in a CCD image-sensing device. According to the present invention, specific shift-control electrodes (G2j−1 and G2j) are biased to serve as a block unit. After the CCD image-sensing device serially shifts out the charge packets actually corresponding to the image of a sensed object, the CCD image-sensing device can repeat the operation for image sensing without first shifting out the remaining or undesired charge packets, thereby accelerating image-sensing speed.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus comprises a scanning member movable along an original mounting table, the scanning member having a reading element for reading the image of an original, and a drive source for moving the scanning member, a frame containing the scanning member therein, and a cable for electrically connecting the scanning member and the frame side together, the cable having a first electrical signal path connected to the reading element, and a second electrical signal path connected to the drive source.

Abstract: A scanning device includes a guide screw rod with a motor and a gear device as parts of the scanning module. The guide screw rod is fixed in the scanner along a front-to-back direction. The motor drives the gear device, which engages with the guide screw rod, causing the scanning module to move back and forth to scan a document.

Abstract: An image scanner performing multiple scanning operations for a single scan line is disclosed. The additional scanning operations are performed between two adjacent pixels. For a double scanning mode, the CCD performs one scanning operation for a scan line at a first position. Then, the CCD is moved from the first position to a second position along the X-direction to perform the other scanning operation at the second position. The distance between the first and the second positions is a half of the distance between two adjacent pixels. The scanning data of the two scanning operations are alternatively arranged and converted into final image data. By this way, a low-pixel-density CCD can be used to obtain a high-pixel-density scanning quality.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an image processor, in which an inverter for driving a fluorescent lamp is disposed in separation into parts at both ends of a carriage mounting the fluorescent lamp thereon in a direction perpendicular to a scanning direction of the carriage, so as to shorten a harness between the fluorescent lamp and the inverter and dispense with a part projecting in the scanning direction of the carriage, thereby achieving miniaturization. Inverters for driving a fluorescent lamp are disposed in appropriate separation at both ends of a full-rate carriage mounting the fluorescent lamp thereon in a scanning direction of the full-rate carriage and does not project in the scanning direction of the full-rate carriage. Thus, it is unnecessary to provide space in a casing for accommodating a projecting inverter in the case at a scanning ending end, thereby allowing miniaturizing the casing.

Abstract: A method of resolving photoelectron coupling that results from the operation of a staggered charge-coupled device inside a scanner. The staggered charge-coupled device at least includes an optical sensor group comprising of an optical sensor array and a neighboring optical sensor array for scanning pixels. The method includes the step of: recording the quantity of photoelectrons transferred between a first quantity of photoelectrons captured by the optical sensor array and a second quantity of photoelectrons captured by the neighboring optical sensor array during a scanning time interval t. Thereafter, the quantity of transferred photoelectrons is subtracted from the first quantity of photoelectrons captured by the optical sensor array to obtain the correct quantity of photoelectrons captured by the optical sensor array during the scanning time interval t. Using the corrected value, accurate brightness value of the pixels scanned by the optical sensor array is obtained.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical system, especially to an optical system which is used in a chassis of a scan device to decrease a thickness of the chassis and further to decrease a volume of the scan device. Five reflecting mirrors are assembled in the chassis and a location and an angle of each reflecting mirror is adjusted to arrange a better optical path. One of the five reflecting mirrors passes through two times reflecting processes to make light transmit from a light source to a light-receiving element successfully.

Abstract: To read an image with high resolution via a CCD linear sensor having a limited pixel count, an image reading apparatus includes: a CCD linear sensor having arranged in a main-scanning direction photoelectric conversion elements for receiving a light reflected from an original; a piezoelectric element for providing a relative displacement between a light receiving surface of the CCD linear sensor and an object's image formed on the light receiving surface, according to a predetermined oscillation function and in the main-scanning direction; and a sensor drive circuit timing the CCD linear sensor's charge accumulation. The sensor drive circuit uses a distance from a center of an amplitude of the relative displacement to the CCD linear sensor and a time period of charge accumulation by the CCD linear sensor to determine a time point to start charge accumulation.

Abstract: An offset is used to correct the output of a charge coupled device (CCD). The correction to the offset is determined by an exponential curve which allows for greater correction when error is large, and little correction when the error is small. The exponential curve may be viewed as a sequence of connected linear segments, and the correction to the offset may be determined by the slope of the segment to which the error maps. As the slopes at large errors are steep, the slope is correspondingly high, and the offset converges towards the correct value quickly. Power consumption is optimized by implementing the offset generation circuit using capacitor charge sharing principles.

Abstract: An optical sensor for a telecine application having a first group of odd sensor elements and a second group of even sensor elements where each sensor element is associated with a control electrode that controls the operation of the associated sensor element. An auxiliary control electrode is also associated with sensor elements of one of the two groups with a charge summing element being coupled to adjacent sensor elements assigned to the first and second group.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion apparatus includes a plurality of elements (D) for receiving reflected light from an object, photoelectrically converting it into image signals (OS1-OS4), and outputting the image signals, a first output buffer (121) for outputting image signals received from even elements of the plurality of elements in the line from one end to the other end, a second output buffer (122) for outputting image signals received from odd elements from one end to the other end, a third output buffer (123) for outputting image signals received from even elements from the other end to the one end, and a fourth output buffer (124) for outputting image signals received from odd elements from the other end to the one end.

Abstract: A method of combining the low resolution, higher signal-to-noise information with the high resolution, low signal-to-noise information created by a dual resolution CCD is disclosed.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus of the present invention converts respective pixel signals outputted from first, second and third shift registers to pixel data in an analog frontend IC and outputs pixel data as a serial data stream in a predetermined pattern. The address setting unit repeats add and subtract operation to the initial value according to the output pattern of the pixel data from the analog frontend IC to calculate pixel positions of the respective pixel data, and sets memory addresses corresponding to the pixel positions as destination memory addresses of the pixel data in an address register RR. The memory writing control unit writes the pixel data obtained from the analog frontend IC via a data sampling control unit in areas in the memory which correspond to the destination memory addresses. As a result, the amount of memory necessary for storing the pixel data can be reduced, and sorting operation of the pixel data can be executed with fewer memory access times.

Abstract: There is disclosed an image read apparatus including an image sensor including: first and second sensors including light receiving devices arranged in one row; a first shift register for outputting the pixel signals of all the light receiving devices of the first sensor; and second and third shift registers for outputting the even-numbered and odd-numbered pixel signals of the light receiving devices of the second sensor, in which invalid data is prevented from being written in a memory. The pixel signals outputted from the first to third shift registers constituting a CCD image sensor with the same transfer clock are selected and taken in via an AFE in a time division. The taken pixel data is successively sampled in a data sampling block and stored in a memory. Moreover, when the sampling timing is controlled in a take-in signal generation circuit, the pixel data stored in the memory is limited to indicate the pixel number of each shift register.

Abstract: A changeable resolution apparatus and method for scanner includes two rotational disks which have respectively a plurality of lenses of different focuses and a plurality of charge-coupled devices (CCD) of different resolutions located therein. A motor is provided to drive a transmission shaft to rotate in a positive or a reverse direction. Two one-way shaft bearings are engaged with the transmission shaft to drive the rotational disks one-way in opposite directions for changing lens and CCD combination to reach different resolutions. The apparatus is located in the scanner for users to adjust scanner resolution based on scanning requirements to get optimum resolution result.

Abstract: An optical scanner that may assemble the lens design for varying the focus and resolution, having a light source, a reflection compound mirror, a charge coupled device, a basic objective lens and a compound lens. The basic objective lens is designed by simulation software. According to the lens design theory, the compound lens is designed. By incorporating the basic objective lens and the compound lens, different resolutions such as 1200 dpi, 1600 dpi and 2400 dpi of the optical scanner are obtained without redesigning the lens device, the current specification of the optical scanner is also varied.

Abstract: A color image reading device, an output controller and a method of controlling an output from a color image reading device provide for an improved signal-noise ratio for the scanning of two-dimensional objects, as in document scanners. In the present invention, the position of a color image reading device with respect to an object to be read is oriented in order to optimize illumination in, for example, the blue wavelength. Pixel data for each line is read, generated in reverse order and/or re-phased so as to compensate for offset linear sensors on the color image reading device.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a photoelectric converter comprises a plurality of substrates, which are located adjacent to each other and on which a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices are two-dimensionally arranged, either scan circuits or detection circuits, at least, that are arranged on two opposing sides of the photoelectric converter, whereby scanning directions either from the scan circuits or from the detection circuits, which are arranged on the two opposing sides, are capable of being set so as to be performed in like directions.

Abstract: An imaging system that uses an array controller which is adapted to imaging arrays having black cells to control an imaging array not having black cells. The imaging system includes an array controller that is adapted to process a scan line that includes one or more black pixels. The imaging system includes an imaging array not having black cells that generates a series of pixel data samples in response to light from an image. The imaging system includes circuitry for generating the scan line by synthesizing the black level pixels and combining the black pixels with the series of pixel data samples.

Abstract: The separation between the light source module for a film scanner and the protection window for pressing against the film document is minimized to increase light intensity by inserting low friction material between the scanning light source module and the protection window. The pressure is exerted by means of a spring or gravity.

Abstract: Geometric configurations for photosites found on photosensitive chips for creating electrical signals from an original image, as would be found, for example, in a digital scanner, copier, facsimile machine, or other document generating or reproducing device. The photosensitive chips are mounted on a substrate to form a photosensitive array in a full width scanner or other photosensitive device. The geometric configurations reduce the Moiré patterns to provide a higher quality image.

Abstract: A color image sensor includes a plurality of image elements, a plurality of read gate sections, a plurality of vertical scanning charge transfer sections, and a plurality of transfer switch sections. The plurality of image elements are arranged in a matrix of rows and columns and each of the plurality of image elements generates an electric charge in response to incidence of light. The plurality of read gate sections are provided for the plurality of image elements, and each of the plurality of image elements controls transfer of the electric charge generated in a corresponding one of the plurality of image elements. Each of the plurality of vertical scanning charge transfer sections is provided for every column of the matrix to hold and transfer the electric charges transferred from a corresponding column of the plurality of read gate sections.

Abstract: A light-emitting diode (LED) light source control method is disclosed. The light-emitting diode light source control method is used for controlling a composite and a single color LED light source. The composite color LED light source can provide two of the three original red, green and blue color lights and the single color LED light source provides the third original color. The composite and the single color LED light sources provide illuminations sequentially so that the light sources need not to be turned on continually and the data generated by the composite and the single color lights on the red, green and blue channels of image sensors can be processed sequentially.

Abstract: A pinhole-imaging device used as an imaging device for an optical scanner apparatus. The pinhole-imaging device replaced the conventional lens-imaging device and placed in front of the optical sensor to receive the imaged light from the illuminant illuminated the scanning object and the optical imaging is focused on the optical sensor. When the radius of the aperture of pinhole-imaging device is smaller or equal to the pixel of the optical sensor, due to the imaged light transmitted to the aperture of the pinhole-imaging device to focus on the optical sensor to form an imaging such that the resolution of the optical imaging can be obtained and the light dispersion effect issue can be improved.

Abstract: An installation for increasing the usable range along the axial direction of a light source. The installation has a light source and an optical sensor. The light source generates a sense image. The optical sensor further has a sensor and a transparent panel. The sensor is responsible for detecting the image generated by the light source so that a sense image is created. The transparent panel is positioned between the sensor and the light source. A coating on the transparent panel modifies the light transparency along the axial direction of the light source such that light transparency is lower in the middle compared with the ends.

Abstract: Geometric configurations for photosites found on photosensitive chips for creating electrical signals from an original image, as would be found, for example, in a digital scanner, copier, printer, facsimile machine, or other document generating or reproducing device. The photosensitive chips are mounted on a substrate to form a photosensitive array in a full width scanner or other photosensitive device. The geometric configurations reduce the Moiré patterns to provide a higher quality image.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus with divers resolution includes a light source, a reflection lens set, a major lens and an image-capture unit. The light source is used to illuminate a document for further generating a document image. The reflection lens set includes a plurality of reflection lenses for forwarding the document image consecutively to the major lens. The major lens is used to receive the document image transported by the reflection lens set and to form the document image at a focal point thereof. The image-capture unit includes a plurality of image-capture elements with various resolution for meeting divers usage requirements. While in usage, a suitable image-capture element with particular resolution can be shifted to the focal point of the major lens for performing the imaging.

Abstract: A method of compressing digital images acquired in CFA format that utilizes optimized quantization matrices. The method, basing itself on the statistical characterization of the error introduced during the processing phase that precedes compression, appropriately modifies the coefficients of any initial quantization matrix, even of a standard type, obtaining a greater compression efficiency without introducing further quality losses.

Abstract: System for reproducing images and method thereof. An image acquisition device belonging to the system acquires the image and converts the image into indicia, which is defined by a digitally encoded compressed representation of the image in the form of one or more data image files. The image files are downloaded to a first printer which prints the indicia onto a first recording medium. The indicia printed on the first recording medium may overlay the image without interfering with enjoyment of the image because the indicia is printed in an invisible dye. In order to produce a quality reproduction of the original image, a sensor, which is disposed in sensing relationship to the indicia on the first recording medium, senses the indicia and generates a digital output signal in response to the indicia sensed thereby.

Abstract: An optical lens device of image scanner includes a diaphragm and plural lenses. The plural lenses, diaphragm, and image induction element are linearly arranged for defining an optical path between the document and the image induction element. Wherein, among the plural lenses, the one that is most close to the manuscript is called the first lens, and the other one that is most close to the image induction element is called the last lens, and the distance between the last lens and the image induction element is called BFL, and the length of the image induction element is called image height, and the total optical length between the document and the image induction element is called TT, and the effective focus length of the optical lens device is called EFL. If the optical lens device fulfills following conditions: the diameter of the last lens/the diameter of the first lens>1; EFL/image height<0.9; and BFL/TT<0.

Abstract: The image reading method and apparatus read photoelectrically an original image by an image sensor and convert an output signal of the image sensor into a digital signal. At least one of an adjusting step of a quantity of light incident upon the image sensor by a light transmittance adjusting operation in an optical path, a sensing condition control step in the image sensor, and an intensity adjusting step of the output signal from the image sensor is used and a maximum value of a signal upon being converted into the digital signal is set to be constant without recourse to the original image. The method and apparatus can attain following effects that a variable aperture is unnecessary, a shading fluctuation occurred in a light quantity adjusting operation is eliminated, and an image reading operation with a maximum use of a dynamic range of a scanner by an apparatus at low costs and at high precision can be executed, in an operation for photoelectircally reading an image.

Abstract: A method for operating a data processing system to generate a second image from a first image having partially sampled color values at each pixel. The first image includes a two-dimensional array of pixel values, each of the pixel values corresponding to the light intensity in one of a plurality of spectral bands at a location in the first image. The second image includes a second two-dimensional array of color vectors. Each color vector has a light intensity value for each of the spectral bands. There is one such vector corresponding to each location having a pixel value in the first image. One component of the vector is equal to the pixel value in the first image at that location. The present invention computes the missing color components at each location. The method begins by providing an estimate for each component that is not equal to one of the pixel values from the first image for each vector.

Abstract: A method for automatic prevention of vertical streaks involves processing output signals from a plurality of photosites to determine what gain is appropriate for each output signal. An exemplary preferred method distinguishes between different types of output signals for which a first type of gain is appropriate and other output signals for which a second type of gain is appropriate. The first type of gain is a proportionate gain. The second type of gain is determined from at least one gain which is appropriate for output signals generated by neighbor photosites. The second type of gain is applied to the output signals when the processing indicates that a light-absorbing optical obstruction associated with the photosites generating the output signals appears to be positioned in an optical path of the photosites on or between a scan surface area over which an object to be imaged by the photosites is positioned and a calibration strip facing the scan area surface.

Abstract: Dark current noise may be compensated for in a digital imaging sensor by measuring the temperature of a silicon diode embedded on the same integrated circuit with the image sensor. This information may be used together with initial dark current calibration information, to provide dark current compensation on the fly during image capture. In some embodiments this may avoid the need for multiple shutter operations or repeatedly capturing a dark frame and then capturing a regular image frame.

Abstract: A verification screen is displayed by using information obtained by prescanning. On the basis of a print magnification, fine scanning conditions are computed, and a determination is made as to whether or not a density of an image obtained by prescanning is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. If the density of the image obtained by prescanning is not greater than or equal to the predetermined value, fine scanning is carried out in accordance with fine scan conditions. If the density of the image obtained by prescanning is greater than or equal to the predetermined value, the image is read at a charge accumulating time which is longer than a charge accumulating time during fine scanning and at a conveying speed which is slower than a conveying speed during fine scanning.

Abstract: The present invention provides a scanning method for performing a low resolution scan by using a high resolution scanning module. The scanning module comprises a plurality of linearly arranged photo sensors, a shift register, and an output unit. The low resolution scanning method is as follows: 1. activating the photo sensors to sense the light transmitted from the document for a first predetermined time period to generate correspondent induced charges, 2. transmitting the induced charges from the photo sensors into corresponding storage units, 3. shifting the induced charges stored in the storage units into the output unit in sequence, 4. after a first predetermined number of the induced charges being accumulated in the output unit, outputting the induced voltage of the output unit and then resetting the output unit to continue receiving the induced charge from the output port, and 5. repeating the previous step until all the induced charges in the storage units are outputted.

Abstract: In an image processing apparatus using a four-channel output CCD, a deviation in left-and-right CCD characteristics is detected and the deviation is corrected, thereby to reproduce uniform image density free from a density error between left and right portions of a screen with respect to a center of the screen. A gray-scale pattern image is read by a scanner in a gray-scale pattern read-out mode. Deviations in left and right CCD portions are detected for respective gray scales of the gray-scale pattern image. In accordance with the magnitude of the deviations, a correction amount is determined. The correction amount is set in a left-and-right correction circuit whereby image density correction is made for each gray scale.

Abstract: An image data sequencing method for a memory unit inside an optical scanning device. The image data sequencing method is particularly suitable for scanning a line of pixels with each pixel comprising a plurality of primary colors. The image data sequencing method involves scanning a line of pixels to obtain the data for a primary or secondary color. The pixels within the scan line are subdivided into groups. A storage space is reserved both before and after the address space inside the memory unit for holding the scanned primary or secondary color data so that all the primary or secondary color data constituting a pixel are in a fixed sequence next to each other inside the memory unit. When all the primary or secondary color data of pixels within a group are secured, the group of data is released from the memory unit.

Abstract: A left-side odd-component image signal (ODDL) output from an output terminal (OS1) of a 4-channel output CCD (4-division photoelectric conversion element) is input to an amplifier. A left-side even-component image signal (EVENL) output from an output terminal (OS2) of the 4-channel output CCD is input to the amplifier. A right-side odd-component image signal (ODDR) output from an output terminal (OS3) of the 4-channel output CCD is input to another amplifier. A right-side even-component image signal (EVENR) output from an output terminal (OS4) of the 4-channel output CCD is input to the amplifier. The amplifiers multiplex the left-side and right-side signals respectively, and a high-speed scanner control ASIC performs right/left correction.

Abstract: A bi-directional transmission mechanism is provided for an image scanner to increase the scanning speed. The bidirectional transmission mechanism provides a first transmission device for driving a sheet table in a first direction, and a second transmission device disposed below the sheet table for driving an image reading device in a second direction. The two transmission devices are moving towards opposite directions and at the same time when the scanning operation is enabled. The present invention mainly encompasses a sheet table for placing a document sheet. A first transmission device is provided for supporting and connecting to the sheet table for driving the sheet table from a first direction to a second direction. An image reading device disposed under the sheet table reads the image information of the document sheet.

Abstract: Disclosed is a color linear image sensor having a small line-to-line distance, which comprises signal charge storage sections adjacent to light receiving sections. Signal charges are read by signal charge reading sections from the signal charge storage sections to signal charge transfer sections, and thereby residual images are prevented from being generated. Each of the signal charge reading sections is electrically connected with a portion of the signal charge transfer section which is adjacent to the signal charge reading section, and driving pulses are made common (&phgr;1 (TG)). Alternatively, each of the signal charge storage sections is electrically connected with a portion of the signal charge transfer section which is not adjacent to the signal charge reading section, and driving pulses are made common ((&phgr;2 (ST)). Accordingly, the number of wiring lines (pulse lines) arranged between the light receiving sections of respective colors is reduced by one.

Abstract: A method of effacing zipper image, applicable to scan a document by a scanner with a stagger charge-coupled device. The nth (n is a positive integer) pixel obtained by scan on a scan line at which the zipper image is produced is subtracted by the (n+1)th pixel obtained by scan on the scan line. The absolute value of the result is then compared to a critical value. If the result is smaller than the critical value, the nth pixel is the nth pixel modified as the nth pixel after process.

Abstract: The linear image sensor according to the present invention includes a light receiving a member consisting of at least three light receiving pixel lines 11, 12 and 13; signal charge transfer sections 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 and 36 located on both sides of each of the light receiving pixel lines 11, 12 and 13 of the light receiving a member; and branch transfer sections 33c and 34c which branch from the signal charge transfer sections 33 and 34, which are located on both sides of at least one of the at least three light receiving pixel lines 11, 12 and 13, to extend to reach the signal charge transfer sections 32 and 35 of the adjacent light receiving pixel lines 11 and 13.

Abstract: In an image readout apparatus comprising a light source for illuminating an original, a linearly arranged light-receiving device array, and an imaging lens for forming an image of the original illuminated with the light source onto the light-receiving device array; a plurality of light-receiving device arrays having respective pixel pitches different from each other are arranged at an image-forming surface of the imaging lens.

Abstract: An image sensor head includes a sensor chip provided with a CCD sensor, and a driver chip provided with a control circuit for controlling the CCD sensor. The control circuit is composed of MOS elements. The sensor chip and the driver chip are separate from each other and are electrically connected to each other via a conductive wire. A power source for driving the sensor chip and a power source for driving the driver chip are individually provided.

Abstract: A control system and method for the CCD scanner, wherein the CCD can process multiple primary colors and includes a shift register and a transfer gate. The control system at least includes a transfer controller. The characteristic includes providing a transfer signal and multiple charge-shift clock signals, wherein any each one charge-shift clock signal corresponds to one primary color. All charge data with respect to the primary colors are transferred to the shift register through the transfer gate in once operation when the transfer signal is true. The shift register shifts out the charge data according to each of the charge-shift clock signals.

Abstract: An optical scanner that may assemble the lens design for varying the focus and resolution, having a light source, a reflection compound mirror, a charge coupled device, a basic objective lens and a compound lens. The basic objective lens is designed by simulation software. According to the lens design theory, the compound lens is designed. By incorporating the basic objective lens and the compound lens, different resolutions such as 1200 dpi, 1600 dpi and 2400 dpi of the optical scanner are obtained without redesigning the lens device, the current specification of the optical scanner is also varied.

Abstract: A curved image conversion method is provided which converts a curved image formed by a fish-eye lens into a plane image at high speed. The conversion from the curved image into the plane image involves calculating through a geometry calculation projection points on a plane that are projected from sampling points on the curved image formed by the fish-eye lens.

Abstract: A multiple resolution scanning device, comprising: a lens group, having a light source for illuminating the scanned object; at least two lenses of different resolutions; and a detector group, having for each of the lenses a corresponding detector. The lenses generate images of the scanned object that are focused on the corresponding detectors. The at least two lenses generate images from different scanned areas, so that the lenses generate images of the scanned object from different locations.