Abstract: Information is scanned to a scanner memory. A user of the scanner is signaled when sufficient information has been obtained to determine at least one action associated with the scanned information.

Abstract: A photoelectric converter includes a plurality of substrates, which are located adjacent to each other and on which a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices are two-dimensionally arranged, and either scan circuits or detection circuits 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: Provided is an image reading apparatus including: an image reading sensor which reads an image from an original; and a mounting portion which mounts the image reading sensor, wherein the image reading sensor includes a positioning portion which is brought into contact with the mounting portion and adjusts the relative position of the image reading sensor with respect to the mounting portion; and a pressing portion which presses the positioning portion so as to bring the positioning portion into contact with the mounting portion.

Abstract: A linear image sensor which has an enhanced image resolution, and requires reduced processing time, and is low in cost. A first line sensor has a plurality of light receiving elements linearly arranged at a predetermined pitch in a main scanning direction. A second line sensor has a plurality of light receiving elements linearly arranged at the predetermined pitch in the main scanning direction. The light receiving elements of the second line sensor are shifted from the light receiving elements of the first line sensor by half the predetermined pitch in the main scanning direction. The second line sensor has a length in the main scanning direction shorter than that of the first line sensor, and is arranged in parallel to the first line sensor and spaced from the first line sensor by a predetermined distance in a sub scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a unique and novel system for acquiring digital images of identification documents such as drivers license, passports, or medical insurance records using a digital camera so as to establish a high resolution image and extracting data automatically with machine vision tools so as to acquire accurate data. The present invention teaches also a system that acquires multi-spectral images of both sides of the identification document.

Abstract: There is provided an image reading device, which comprises an illumination unit configured to diffuse light from light sources in a predetermined scanning direction to illuminate an object with diffused light, a reading unit having photoreceptors aligned in the predetermined scanning direction to receive light reflected from the object, a detection unit configured to detect lighting status of the light sources; and a controller that obtains an image of the object by using a normal one of the light sources as a main light source if at least one of the light sources is in an abnormal state.

Abstract: An image reader A1 according to the present invention comprises a pair of light source devices 3, a light guide member 4, a first and a second reflectors 7A and 7B, a plurality of light receiving elements 5, and a case 1. The image reader A1 further includes a first fitting contrivance 71 for positioning the first reflector 7A relative to the case 1 by inserting the first reflector 7A into the case 1 in the insertion direction z, a second fitting contrivance 72 for positioning the light guide member 4 relative to the case 1 by inserting the light guide member 4 into the case 1 in the insertion direction z, and a third fitting contrivance 73 for positioning the second reflector 7B relative to the case 1 by inserting the second reflector 7B into the case 1 in the insertion direction z.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention disclose a light-path device of an optical scanner that includes a curved-surface optical element and a light-path module. The arrangement between the curved-surface optical element and the light-path module may be designed such that the length of a light-path route through the light-path device may be adjusted to accommodate various sized objects to be scanned and physics characteristics of the photoelectric conversion device included in the scanner to convert the image into an electrical signal.

Abstract: A scanning device and a method thereof are provided. The scanning device includes a scanning platform and an optical chassis. The scanning platform is for supporting an object. A reference origin is defined on the scanning platform for positioning the object. The optical chassis is located at a detection position while detecting a position of the object. The optical chassis includes a carriage, an image sensor and a detector set. The image sensor is disposed in the carriage for capturing an image of the object and generating image data of the object. The detector set is mounted on the carriage for detecting whether the presence of the object is located at the reference origin.

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 document surface micro-adjust mechanism for an optical scanner. The optical scanner has an outer casing with a transparent document platform in the upper section. An optical lens is enclosed inside the outer casing. The document surface micro-adjust mechanism uses a carrier chassis to embed the transparent document platform. One end of the carrier chassis is hinged upon the upper wall of the outer casing while the other end of the carrier chassis has a through hole to be engaged to a locking hole on a latching structure attached to the upper section of the outer casing. A locking element passes through the through-hole to engage with the locking hole. An elastic element is positioned between the carrier chassis and the latching structure. Depth of the locking element inside the locking hole may be adjusted to vary optical distance from the document surface of the transparent document platform to the optical lens inside the scanner.

Abstract: To prevent such a situation that a signal from a pixel in a dark state is output at a level shifted from an originally set level to deteriorate an image quality, and to improve the image quality.

Abstract: The present invention is a changeable apparatus for different total tracks and a corresponding method. The apparatus reflects a light from a light source at least twice toward predetermined directions. The apparatus comprises plural reflection elements, at least one of the plural reflection elements is a rotational reflection element, which has plural reflection surface sets, and each reflection surface set has at least one reflection surface. The rotational reflective element further comprises a pivot axis is for each rotational reflection element for circulating and changing of reflection surface sets and a fixing apparatus, which connects to a rotational reflection element for adjusting and fixing positions of the rotational reflection element.

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus having a large depth of focus (DOF) and being compact in size is provided.

Abstract: An image sensor includes: a case that extends in a longitudinal direction; and a first positioning member that is disposed at one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the case, the first positioning member positioning the case in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: An aspect of the invention provides an image reading apparatus including: first and second light emitters that emit lights; a light guide unit that guides the lights emitted from the first and second light emitters to irradiate a document with the light; a photoelectric conversion unit that converts reflected light from the document into an image signal; and a control unit that controls the first light emitter to emit light for a first time period in a unit time period and controls the second light emitter to emit light for a second time period misaligned from the first time period in the unit time period.

Abstract: An electronic endoscope apparatus includes an imaging element and a signal processing unit. The imaging element obtains an image of an observation object, and outputs an image signal of the observation object. The signal processing unit alternately repeats obtainment of a partial image signal using a part of a light receiving area of the imaging element and obtainment of a partial image signal using the remaining part of the light receiving area. The signal processing unit also obtains a whole image signal corresponding to an image of the observation object using a partial image signal obtained in the n-th (n is a natural number) obtainment and a partial image signal obtained in the (n+1)th obtainment. Further, a partial component of the n-th partial image signal is extracted by an extraction unit, and the extracted partial component is added to the (n+1)th partial image signal.

Abstract: This invention provides an image reading apparatus which can start image processing on a joint portion between divided first and second half portions without waiting for image reading and shorten throughput time of image processing by outputting data from the joint portion as first data to an output unit. This apparatus includes a CCD sensor or CMOS sensor in which a plurality of pixel sensors to receive reflected light from a document are arranged in the main scanning direction and a transfer circuit configured to output, to an output unit, optical image information read at the first and second half portions of the pixel sensors in the main scanning direction. The transfer circuit outputs, to the output unit, data from the joint portion between the first and second half portions of the pixel sensors in the main scanning direction as the first data.

Abstract: Provided is an image reader including: a transparent original mounting plate on which an original is mounted; a support which has an appearance larger than that of the original mounting plate and supports the original mounting plate; a reading unit which optically reads the original placed on the original mounting plate; a movement unit which moves the reading unit in a predetermined direction within a readable area; and a reference location specifying plate having a positioning hole and a reference mark hole, wherein the support has a positioning protrusion within the readable area, the reference location specifying plate is positioned and fixed with respect to the support by inserting the positioning protrusion into the positioning hole, and the reading unit optically detects the location of the reference mark hole and specifies a reference location of an original reading area from the detected location of the reference mark hole.

Abstract: The invention is to provide a light-focusing for image-gathering device that receive the light coming from the image of an object being scanned. The light-focusing for image-gathering device is comprised of: at least one reflection mirror, an imaging device and at least one raster (optical grate). The reflection mirror has plural concave surfaces that are arranged appropriately, and the concave surface provides the light being focused and reflected to a predetermined route. The imaging device receives the light reflected from at least one reflection mirror and converts it into electronic signal. The raster has plural pervious holes, of which positions are just respectively corresponded to each concave surface. The raster is located in the light-path route between the imaging device and at least one reflection mirror.

Abstract: A light guide optical system guides a plurality of light beams emitted from a plurality of point light sources arranged linearly to a predetermined surface. The light guide optical system has a plurality of optical surfaces arranged periodically in the arrangement direction of the plurality of point light sources. Each of the plurality of optical surfaces has power in the arrangement direction of the plurality of point light sources.

Abstract: A method is disclosed as including scanning a first pixel of an image with a primary scanning line of a sensor, and scanning a second pixel of the image with a secondary scanning line of the sensor, wherein the first pixel is separated from the second pixel by a pitch of one or more scan lines. A compensation value is determined for one or more pixels of the image, wherein the compensation value is determined based, at least in part, on a mathematical operation comprising pixel values associated with the first and second pixels and the pitch. The method further includes compensating the one or more pixel values based, at least in part, on the compensation value, wherein the compensation value compensates for a reflection of light between the first and second scanning lines when the first and second pixels are scanned.

Abstract: A line sensor, includes a plurality of pixels which is arranged linearly, the number of the plurality of pixels including the number depending on a resolution, a first pixel group which is provided to a center portion of the plurality of pixels arranged linearly and has a pixel pitch shorter than a length corresponding to a pixel pitch calculated from the resolution, and a second pixel group which is provided to each of both side portions of the center portion, and has a pixel pitch longer than the length corresponding to the pixel pitch calculated from the resolution.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus comprises an original placement portion on which an original is to be placed, optical unit for optically scanning the original on the original placement portion while moving relative to the original placement portion and a guide member that guides movement of the optical unit. The optical unit includes a sliding member having a screw portion that slides in contact with the guide member and a screw hole portion to which the sliding member is mounted. The screw portion of the sliding member is plastically deformable and screwed into the screw hole portion while being plastically deformed.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a housing, a rod lens array, a light module and a sensor board. The housing accommodates the rod lens array, the light module and the sensor board. The sensor board includes a plurality of light sensor chips. The light module includes a light guide, a light source and guide terminals extending from the light source. The guide terminals are electrically connected to the sensor board with resilient contacts.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus for preventing defocus aberration is provided. The scanning apparatus includes a flatbed scanning portion and a scanning module. The flatbed scanning portion includes a glass platform. The scanning module includes a scanning module case, a light source, multiple reflective mirrors, a lens, an optical sensing element, a printed circuit board and a metallic post. The metallic post is interconnected between the scanning module case and the printed circuit board. The printed circuit board is not in direct contact with the scanning module case so as to prevent defocus aberration resulting from thermal expansion.

Abstract: A scanning device includes a scanner body, a scanning unit, a lens unit, a sensing unit, and a fastening unit. The scanner body has a bottom surface that is formed with two slots. The fastening unit includes two first fastening members disposed respectively within the slots, and two second fastening members engaging respectively and threadably the first fastening members so as to fasten the sensing unit to the scanner body.

Abstract: A circuit module integrating a light driver and an optical scanner is capable of sensing an image of a document and driving a light source. The circuit module comprises a printed circuit board, an optical sensor and a light driver. Both the optical sensor and the light driver are mounted on and electrically connected with the printed circuit board. The optical sensor is capable of sensing the image and the light driver is capable of driving the light source.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus has a light source part scanning a scanning beam on an original document. A frame has a light input part and a light output part. A reflection mirror is arranged in the frame and reflects the scanning beam inputted through the light input part to the light output part along a predetermined light proceeding path. A light receiving part is supported on the light output part, and receives the scanning beam reflected by the reflection mirror. A light source supporting member supports the light source part on the frame so that the beam scanned by the light source part and reflected on the original document passes through the light input part and proceeds along the light proceeding path. The light source supporting member mounts the different light source parts in the frame.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for copying documents, especially to a personal, portable and foldable document copier that can identify the presence of a new document such as a book, a page, a business card, an ID card, a passport and the like documents, adapt to its size, automatically synchronize with text line orientation if present, take an image and transfer it to a coupled computer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to permit digital capture of images from both transmissive and reflective media. A laser or other source of excitation radiation is coupled to a mounting surface to be in optical communication with a reading window when installed on a scanner. A rear casing is coupled to the monitoring surface to engage a housing of a scanner, the housing defining the reading window.

Abstract: A method for controlling a scanning apparatus for scanning a continuously moved object includes seizing the actual momentary position of the moving object, and controlling the time instant or period in which image information is captured by the scanning devices in dependence of the actual momentary position of the object. The scanning apparatus in which the method is used includes a multiplicity of line scanning devices arranged adjacent to each other in the direction of the movement of the moved object. Each of the line scanning devices has a multiplicity of pixels that are arranged adjacent to each other in a direction across a path along which the object is moved. The pixels of the line scanning devices accumulate charges according to the amount of incident light. A controlling means is provided for transferring the charges accumulated in individual pixels to pixels in the adjacent line scanning device in synchronism with direction of the movement and the speed of the moving object.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a solid-state image sensor having a pixel array section in which pixels each including a photoelectric transducer are arrayed, a charge transfer register that transfers a signal charge transferred from each of the pixels of the pixel array section, and an output section that converts the signal charge transferred by the charge transfer register into an electrical signal and outputs the electrical signal; a driving unit that drives the charge transfer register according to a first timing signal, and the output section according to a second timing signal; and a power supplying unit that supplies power of different power systems to a circuit portion handling the first timing signal and a circuit portion handling the second timing signal of the driving unit.

Abstract: An image sensor 20A contains a photodiode array portion 21, a signal processor 22, a switching instruction part 23A and a control part 24A. Each switch SWn is provided between the corresponding photodiode PDn and the common output line L, and instructed to carry out the switching operation by the switching instruction part 23A so as to be closed, whereby the charges accumulated in the junction capacitance portion of the photodiode PDn are output to the common output line L. On the basis of the instruction from the switching instruction part 23A, the N switches SW1 to SWN carry out the switching operation so that the N switches SW1 to SWN are set to the close state in the different periods and the interval at which each switch SWn is set to the close state is equal to an integral multiple of a base period. As described above, the charge accumulation time of each of the N photodiodes PD1 to PDN is set to an integral multiple of the base period.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes: a light source configured with an array of plural point light sources; a light receiving sensor that receives reflected light from a document to which light has been applied from the light source; and shading members that shade main light in irradiation light applied to a position of document reading by the light receiving sensor from the plural point light sources constituting the light source.

Abstract: In an image reader that can adjust a distance between a platen glass and a close-contact-type image sensor (CIS) without disassembly, a CIS unit includes a CIS and a resilient body which biases the CIS toward the platen glass. A CIS roller holder includes a spacer, and a CIS holder which holds the spacer movably in the vertical direction as well as in the sub scanning direction with respect to the platen glass and is fixed to the CIS unit. Irregularities are formed on surfaces of the CIS holder and the spacer which face each other and are engageable by fitting. When the CIS unit is moved in the sub scanning direction and the CIS roller holder is brought into contact with one rib ,the CIS roller holder is brought into contact with the spacer at projections or recesses, thus changing a distance between the platen glass and the CIS.

Abstract: A scanner capable of being folded and unfolded, the scanner including a first unit having a first scanning unit which scans a document; a second unit which is rotatably disposed to the first unit, and having a second scanning unit which moves between a folded position in which the second scanning unit faces the first scanning unit, and an unfolded position in which the second scanning unit is unfolded from the folded position; and a moving unit which moves at least one of the first scanning unit and the second scanning unit in at least one of a focus adjusting direction and a transverse direction according to a transport direction of the document.

Abstract: A filter circuit has: a first and a second current mirror circuit that are each built with a plurality of transistors and that respectively pass a first and a second mirror current according to a constant current; an input terminal via which an input pulse signal is fed in; a first transistor that, in response to the signal fed in via the input terminal and by using a supply voltage, makes the first current mirror circuit operate; a second transistor that, operating in inverted synchronism with the first transistor, in response to the signal fed in via the input terminal and by using a ground voltage, makes the second current mirror circuit operate; a capacitor that is charged by the first mirror current and that is discharged by the second mirror current; and an output terminal via which a voltage at one end of the capacitor is fed out.

Abstract: A solid-state image sensor produces an image including plural sub-images, which are rapidly read out and outputted via output circuits. The image sensor has its imaging surface divided into corresponding plural sub-areas producing image data, which is transferred by the horizontal transfer path in both left and right directions and outputted from the output circuits, whose amplifier characteristics are determined as follows. Optical black (OB) data from an OB area on the imaging surface is transferred in the left direction by the horizontal transfer path and outputted from one output circuit as total OB data. OB data is transferred by the horizontal transfer path in both left and right direction and outputted from the output circuits as left and right OB data. An output circuit characteristics determiner uses the total, and left and right OB data to determine the amplifier characteristics of the output circuits.

Abstract: According to one example structure of the invention, a carriage moving device includes; a guide member comprising a pair of inclined planes; a carriage slidably supported by the guide member in a longitudinal direction of the guide member at a plurality of portions where the pair of inclined planes slidably support the carriage.

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: According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided an image reading apparatus including: a first plate including a stationary document reading region; an image reader configured to scan a document on the first plate; a carriage supporting the image reader in a state that the carriage keeps the image reader predetermined distance from the first plate; and a guiding member that makes the image reader move downwardly by contacting an edge of the first plate.

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

Abstract: A scanning module includes a body casing having a light passage slit thereon, a plurality of reflecting mirrors located inside the body casing, a light-channeling apparatus, and a light guiding body. The light-channeling apparatus includes a first light-guiding tube positioned between a light source and a document, and a second light-guiding tube positioned between the document and the light passage slit. The light-guiding body is positioned inside the first light-guiding tube or the second light-guiding tube.

Abstract: An optical module with movable reflective mirrors is provided in the invention. The optical module, which is set in a scanner for the scanning of documents, comprises the following elements: a first carriage comprising a first reflective mirror, a lens and a photoelectric sensing device, wherein the first carriage moves along the scanning direction to scan the document to be scanned; a second carriage comprising a second reflective mirror, a lens and a photoelectric sensing device, wherein the second carriage can make relative movement corresponding to the first carriage along the scanning direction; and a third carriage comprising a third reflective mirror, a lens and an photoelectric sensing device, wherein the third carriage can make relative movement corresponding to the first carriage along the scanning direction.

Abstract: A method of changing driving sequence to output a charge coupled device signal, the method is applied to a scanner. The scanner has a pixel processor and a charge coupled device. A plurality of charge signals detected by the charge coupled device is sequentially output to the pixel processor according to the driving sequence. In the method of changing the driving sequence to output the charge coupled device signal, a fast driving sequence is provided. The fast driving sequence has a period equal to 1/N of the original driving sequence. According to the fast driving sequence, the charge signal is sent to the pixel processing circuit. The charge signals are sampled by the processing circuit according to a sampling sequence, and the data obtained by sampling is output.

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: The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for fast finding the best resolution of an optical scanning device during assembling steps. The present invention improves the graphics of the calibration device. Accompanying with calculation of an adjustment device, the present invention generates a referencing parameters. The parameters represent the resolution of the optical scanning device; and further is able to show the balance of horizontal resolution and the balance of vertical resolution. In this case, technicians can optimize the best position of the lens in order to build an optical scanning with precision and narrow the misalignment during assembly.

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: 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.