Fiber Optics Or Optical Waveguides Patents (Class 358/484)
  • Patent number: 8130426
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Sawada, Yasuhiro Nagao
  • Patent number: 8120823
    Abstract: In an optical beam scanning apparatus and an image forming apparatus equipped with the optical beam scanning apparatus of the present invention, plural optical members that irradiate scanning lines by laser beams (beams) emitted from plural light sources individually onto corresponding photoconductive drums are disposed within an optical unit housing and a housing cover, a fixing mechanism configured to fix part of a parallel plate provided within the optical unit housing and the housing cover is provided, and a twist angle adjusting mechanism configured to adjust an angle of twist of the parallel plate by rotating, in a specific direction, the parallel plate having the part thereof being fixed with the fixing mechanism is provided. According to the optical beam scanning apparatus and the image forming apparatus equipped with the optical beam scanning apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to adjust the curve and the inclination of the scanning line with ease and at high accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasushi Kuribayashi
  • Publication number: 20110286057
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image scanning apparatus includes a document glass, a substrate, a first semiconductor light emitting element, a second semiconductor light emitting element, a light guiding section, and a light receiving section. The substrate is provided below and obliquely opposed to the document glass. The first semiconductor light emitting element is mounted on a first surface of the substrate opposed to the document glass and emits light to an original document via the document glass. The second semiconductor light emitting element is mounted on a second surface on the opposite side of the first surface and emits light. The light guiding section receives incidence of the light emitted from the second semiconductor light emitting element and emits the light to the original document from a position where a normal of the document glass is present between the light guide section and the first semiconductor light emitting element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicants: TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA, KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Katsuya Nagamochi, Naoaki Ide, Mitsuru Hatano, Sueo Ueno, Hiroyuki Shiraishi, Yusuke Hashizume, Naoya Koseki, Koji Shimokawa, Jun Sakakibara, Kenji Itagaki, Sasuke Endo
  • Patent number: 8059315
    Abstract: An image reading device having a compact plane-shaped illumination portion is provided, by which a portion of a target to be light-irradiated can be irradiated with light whose oblique angles are different from each other, and a transmission part of the target can be read. The image reading device includes a conveying means for conveying in a conveying direction a target to be light-irradiated including a transparent portion, a lens assembly, arranged on one side of the target, for focusing transmission light having passed through the transparent portion of the target, a sensor for receiving the transmission light focused by the lens assembly, a light source, positioned on the other side of the target, arranged in a main-scanning direction, and a light guide for guiding light from the light source in a sub-scanning direction, and the light guide having a reflective portion for reflecting the guided light and then irradiating a portion to be irradiated with the reflected light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Takafumi Endo, Yohei Nokami
  • Patent number: 8049936
    Abstract: The invention provides a portable computer system for capturing a target image related to an item. The portable computer system comprises a base, a cover, an image capturing module, and a lightness adjusting module. The cover is pivotally connected to the base, and comprises a panel. According to the size of the item, the cover rotates with respect to the base to project the light radiated from the panel onto the base. The image capturing module is used for rotating with respect to the cover to capture a reference image according to the size of the item. The lightness adjusting module is used for adjusting the lightness of the panel according to the reference image. After the lightness of the panel is adjusted, the item is deposed on the base, and the image capturing module captures the target image related to the item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Quanta Computer Inc.
    Inventors: Hsu-Hung Chen, Tung-Lin Hsieh, Hsin-Hung Lee, Yao-Shun Tseng
  • Patent number: 8035868
    Abstract: A light source unit and reader can include a line light source that is attached to a radiator and a rod lens that is attached above the line light source. The radiator with the line light source and the rod lens attached thereto, and a linear strip-shaped reflector arranged in front of the rod lens, are housed in a carriage. The carriage is supported beneath a contact glass and movable in a direction normal to a longitudinal axis of the line light source. The lens has a section in a plane normal to a longitudinal axis of the lens, in which a surface of the lens facing the light source has a curved line that expands or is convexly facing toward the light source. The opposite surface of the lens from the light source has composite curves including a plurality of continuous curves with different radii of curvature. The composite curves are located on both sides of a plane containing the optical axis of the LED and expand or are convex in an opposite direction from the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ikuo Kaneko
  • Patent number: 8018630
    Abstract: A document illuminator comprising a light-transmissive element having nonlinear walls. The walls are shaped in the form of a compound parabolic concentrator with an optically inverted configuration. A diffusive optical source receives light from a side emitting LED embedded therein and redirects it to an aperture along with other light rays that go through total internal reflection from the nonlinear walls. The reflected light rays that are collected at the aperture are in turn transmitted at high power and uniform luminescence to illuminate a document for scanning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Herloski
  • Patent number: 7995252
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes an illuminating optical system having light sources arranged in a line and a light guide member guiding rays of light from the light sources to illuminate a document which passes through a document reading position near a light emergent surface of the light guide member. An image reading optical system includes a rod lens array to read light passing through the document, and a cylindrical lens array in the light emergent surface of the light guide member. Ridge lines running along a subscanning direction on the light guide member are aligned in a scanning direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuki Okamoto, Hiroshi Hasegawa, Kazuya Makabe
  • Patent number: 7990584
    Abstract: A rod-shaped light guide reflects light incident on an end face thereof in the interior of the rod-shaped light guide and emits the light outside from a light emitting surface provided to extend in the longitudinal direction. The rod-shaped light guide includes: a scattering pattern surface provided to be opposite to the light emitting surface and operative to scatter the light incident on the end face; first and second lateral surfaces provided between the light emitting surface and the scattering pattern surface; and first and second projections provided to project from the first and second lateral surfaces, respectively, capture the light reflected by the light emitting surface, reflects the light toward the light emitting surface, and causes the light to be emitted outside from the light emitting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Makoto Ikeda
  • Patent number: 7978379
    Abstract: An image sensor includes a light source; a bar-shaped light-guiding element having a first light-emitting section, which propagates light from the light source and irradiates an document from an oblique direction, and a second light-emitting section emitting light in a carrying direction of the document; a lens converging the light reflected from the document; a sensor receiving the light passed through the lens; a reflector disposed on the opposite side of the light-guiding element, by reflecting the light from the second light-emitting section such that an optical path of the light emitted from the second light-emitting section is located between the lens and the document, and irradiating the document from an oblique direction; and first and second light-scattering layers formed in areas opposed to the first and the second light-emitting sections, respectively, in the light-guiding element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Akiko Fujiuchi, Akira Ota
  • Patent number: 7973983
    Abstract: An illumination module is provided in the invention. The illumination module includes a light source having a plurality of light emitting elements arranged in a linear array and a light guide device. The light guide device receives light from the light source and generates uniform light which is transmitted onto an article to be scanned, has a longitudinal direction, and includes a diffraction structure and a reflection portion. The diffraction structure has a shape inducing light to be scattered and deflects the scattered light toward the longitudinal direction. The reflection portion reflects the light scattered and deflected by the diffraction structure, and is inclined to have an inclined angle with the light propagating direction. In addition, the reflection portion is formed on the diffraction structure or apart from it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Asia Optical Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Hsien-Chi Lin, Heng-Hsiang Chang, Wen-Lang Hung, Kung-Hsin Teng
  • Patent number: 7940433
    Abstract: An image sensor includes an elongated case, a light source provided in the case, a light guiding member elongated in a longitudinal direction of the case and configured to direct light emitted from the light source toward a document to be read, an optical system for collecting light reflected by the document, a sensor IC chip for receiving the light collected by the optical system, and a substrate attached to the case. The substrate is provided with a wiring pattern and carries the sensor IC chip. The case is provided with a plurality of supporting projections spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction. The supporting projections are held in contact with the side surface of the light guiding member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Onishi, Hideki Sawada
  • Publication number: 20110096377
    Abstract: To provide an ultraviolet line illumination apparatus to be incorporated into an apparatus for reading information of a document, for example a bill or bank note, printed with ink which emits fluorescence when being irradiated with ultraviolet rays. An ultraviolet line illumination apparatus 1 is configured by a rod-shaped light guide body 2 made of a cycloolefin-based resin, a light guide body case 3 to be loaded with the light guide body, and an ultraviolet LED light emission unit 4 attached to an end section of the light guide body case 3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: NIPPON SHEET GLASS COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventor: Tomihisa Saito
  • Patent number: 7924478
    Abstract: Disclosed are a scanner module and an image scanning apparatus employing the same. The scanner module includes a light source generating light to be irradiated onto an object and a light guide member extending in correspondence with a width of the object to be scanned. The light guide member has a reflective surface for reflecting the light generated from the light source, an exit surface for radiating the light, which is reflected from the reflective surface, toward the object, and a plurality of guide surfaces each guiding the light toward the exit surface by reflecting the light reflected from the reflective surface deviates from the exit surface. The light is effectively guided to be output from the exit surface without substantial light loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyung Rok Kim, Jung Hyuck Cho
  • Patent number: 7920304
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a plurality of light sources to illuminate a document; an illumination optical system to guide light to a reading target area having a length and a width; a document illuminating device to illuminate the entire document; an image forming optical system to form an image from light reflected from the document; and a sensor provided in an image forming section of the image forming optical system to read the image of the document. The illumination optical system includes a concentration section to control light diffusion, and a reflection section. The reflection section includes at least two integrally configured reflection surfaces, in which a sine value of an angle of reflected light from at least one reflection surface is positive, while a sine value of an angle of reflected light from the rest of at least one reflection surface is negative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hibiki Tatsuno, Yasuo Sakurai, Kiichiro Nishina, Nobuaki Ono, Masahiro Itoh
  • Patent number: 7903298
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: ROHM Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Sawada, Norihiro Imamura
  • Patent number: 7894105
    Abstract: An image reader includes two rows of image reading element arrays, that is, a first image reading element array and a second image reading element array, and a first rod lens array and a second rod lens array, disposed in correspondence with the first and second image reading element arrays and having different focal positions, in order to read an image on a transmission original in optimal focus with a CIS scanner using the rod lens arrays as when an image on a reflection original is read. The second image reading element array provides higher resolution, and has a shorter reading length. The focal length of the second rod lens array is greater than that of the first rod lens array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mitsuru Amimoto
  • Patent number: 7884978
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahiro Ikeno, Shingo Fujiwara, Tetsuya Kato, Hirofumi Oguri
  • Patent number: 7864379
    Abstract: An array microscope scans a slide in rapid sequence at different wavelengths to record multiple spectral images of the sample. Full spatial resolution of the image sensor is realized at each color because pixels are not shared between spectral bands. The object and detector are placed at conjugate distances selected to produce substantially equal magnification with minimum chromatic aberration at all wavelengths to ensure registration of all images. Spectral analysis is carried out by combining the images captured at each wavelength. The greater-than-RGB spectral resolution provided by the combination of images enables the isolation and display of the effects produced by the contemporaneous use of more than two stains on a tissue for improved pathological analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: DMetrix, Inc.
    Inventors: Artur G. Olszak, Chen Liang
  • Patent number: 7864385
    Abstract: A planar light source for use in a scanning apparatus includes a light-emitting element, a first light-guiding portion and a second light-guiding portion. The light-emitting element is arranged at a side of the scanning platform opposite to the carriage module for providing a source light. The first light-guiding portion is disposed at a first side of the light-emitting element for diffusing the source light as a first planar light to be provided for a carriage module through a scanning platform of the scanning apparatus. The second light-guiding portion is disposed at a second side of the light-emitting element opposite to the first side for diffusing the source light as a second planar light to be provided for the carriage module through the scanning platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Inventors: Chung-Kai Wang, Chien-Kuo Kuan
  • Patent number: 7855815
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tadao Hayashide, Takayuki Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 7852523
    Abstract: Disclosed are a scanner module and an image scanning apparatus employing the same. The scanner module includes a light source generating light to be irradiated onto an object and a light guide member extending in correspondence with a width of the object. The light guide member has a reflective surface defined by a plurality of reflective grooves, some of which arranged to be non-parallel with other ones. Light is effectively diffused and/or scattered in the width direction of the light guide member by the reflective grooves, allowing a uniform light distribution across the scanning width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung Hyuck Cho, Kyung Rok Kim
  • Patent number: 7835039
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Creative Sensor Inc.
    Inventors: Pen-Jung Lee, Chia-Wei Wang, Kun-Lin Tsai
  • Patent number: 7830561
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a lensless optical device for acquiring an image. The device can include a light attenuating layer having a plurality of elements, where transmittance of each of the plurality of elements is controllable, and an image detector disposed at a distance from the light attenuating layer, the image detector configured to acquire an image with light that passes through the light attenuating layer. The device also can include a light attenuating layer controller configured to simultaneously control transmittance of each of the plurality of elements independent of each other. Methods of detecting and tracking an object in a scene are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York
    Inventors: Asaf Zomet, Shree K. Nayar
  • Patent number: 7817878
    Abstract: There is described an imaging apparatus having an image sensor, and a plurality of operating states. Operation of the imaging apparatus can be differentiated between the operating states. In one operating state, the imaging apparatus can capture a frame of image data having image data corresponding to a predetermined number of pixels of the image sensor. The operating states of the imaging apparatus can be user selectable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Hand Held Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles P. Barber, Carl W. Gerst, III, George S. Smith, II, Robert M. Hussey, Robert C. Gardiner, Matthew W. Pankow
  • Patent number: 7802899
    Abstract: A rod-shaped light guide includes an end face to which light is incident, a bottom plane on which a scattering pattern to scatter light incident to the end face is formed, and a light emitting portion located to be opposite to the bottom plane and emitting light outside. The light emitting portion is formed as a first plane and a second plane connected to each other. The first plane is formed to be smaller than the second plane so that the cross section thereof perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is asymmetrical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Makoto Ikeda
  • Patent number: 7777923
    Abstract: In an optical beam scanning apparatus and an image forming apparatus equipped with the optical beam scanning apparatus of the present invention, plural optical members that irradiate scanning lines by laser beams (beams) emitted from plural light sources individually onto corresponding photoconductive drums are disposed within an optical unit housing and a housing cover, a fixing mechanism configured to fix part of a parallel plate provided within the optical unit housing and the housing cover is provided, and a twist angle adjusting mechanism configured to adjust an angle of twist of the parallel plate by rotating, in a specific direction, the parallel plate having the part thereof being fixed with the fixing mechanism is provided. According to the optical beam scanning apparatus and the image forming apparatus equipped with the optical beam scanning apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to adjust the curve and the inclination of the scanning line with ease and at high accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasushi Kuribayashi
  • Patent number: 7760403
    Abstract: A novel optical irradiation apparatus includes a light source and a light guide. The light source is configured to radially irradiate a light beam. The light guide is configured to include a transparent material configured to lead the light beam irradiated from the light source in a specific direction and to emit the light beam. The light guide also includes an incidence plane, an exit plane, and plural connecting planes. The incidence plane is configured to receive the light beam. The exit plane is configured to emit the light beam to so as to irradiate an object. The plural connecting planes are configured to connect the incidence plane to the exit plane. A part of at least one of the plural connecting planes is inclined with respect to an axis of the light beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Ricoh Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuo Sakurai
  • Patent number: 7755811
    Abstract: A document illuminator includes a light-transmissive element having an embedded source of illumination fitted in a cavity formed therein. The light-transmissive element preferably has one or more optical notches and preferably is encased in an opaque surround to promote total internal reflection of the light rays emanating from the LED. The one or more optical notches may include a dual-V notch or an elliptical notch. The reflected light rays are collected at an aperture which in turn transmit light at high power and highly uniform illumination profile to illuminate a document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Robert P. Herloski, Douglas E. Proctor
  • Patent number: 7755809
    Abstract: A laser scanning optical system converts a plurality of beams emitted from the laser diode (LD) into parallel light using a collimator lens, shapes the parallel light using an aperture, and executes exposure of a plurality of lines simultaneously on a photoreceptor drum. To cause a necessary emitting point interval d determined uniquely from the magnification of the optical system to coincide with an emitting point interval of the LD used, the LD is rotated by an angle ? against the main optical axis plane thereof. In this case, a converting device that converts the aspect ratio of a profile of the light beam emitted from the LD is provided. A conversion characteristic of the converting device is adjusted such that the characteristic is matched with a condition within a predetermined region following a characteristic of the optical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hirokazu Fujita, Kenzo Ohkubo, Takasumi Wada, Yasuhiro Ono, Takayuki Ohno
  • Patent number: 7751098
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Inventor: Jen-Shou Tseng
  • Patent number: 7746517
    Abstract: Scanning devices and method of use that permit the capture of high resolution images of an original that is illuminated by a light source that is located outside of the optical field of view of an image detector. In one aspect, the image detector may be a monochrome sensor that sequentially captures different color plane images of an original that is illuminated by different colors. The different color plane images may be processed to generate a full color copy of the original. Light and images may be directed through tapered optical waveguides to minimize the volume of the scanning device. The image detector may include a first associated waveguide while the light source may include a second associated waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Eric Miller, Anthony Michael King, Mahesan Chelvayohan
  • Patent number: 7746520
    Abstract: A document illuminator comprising a light-transmissive element having an embedded side emitting LED fitted in a cavity formed therein. The light-transmissive element is formed with one or more optical notches and is totally encased in a white surround to yield total internal reflection of the light rays emanating from the LED. The reflected light rays are collected at an aperture which in turn transmits high power and highly uniform illumination profile to illuminate a document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Herloski, John C. Juhasz, Douglas E. Proctor, Charles J. Urso, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7742202
    Abstract: A light-collective member (142) for collecting a light outputted from a light source (140), which irradiates a light toward a document surface, toward a sub-scanning direction is provided in front of the light source (140). An illuminating portion which is so formed that each of opposite end surfaces (170, 172) in the main scanning direction of the light-collective member (142) has an obtuse angle with respect to a bottom surface (174) facing the light source (140).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Kyocera Mita Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiro Higashitani
  • Patent number: 7715063
    Abstract: A light-transmissive constant velocity transport platen. A light source is an integral part of the light-transmissive platen forming a light guide illuminator. The constant velocity transport integrated illuminator uses total internal reflection within the light-transmissive platen as well as frustrated total internal reflection at extraction surfaces to direct light out from an aperture to a document translated by a constant velocity transport system. For point light source, the system uses a deflector to avoid hot spots in the illumination profile. The deflector is no longer needed when line source is used in the constant velocity transport integrated illuminator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventor: Douglas E. Proctor
  • Patent number: 7706642
    Abstract: A method and device for moving optical beams including a conduit and an attached, independently movable structure that moves the conduit with up to 6 degrees of freedom both controlled and restricted as required. This structure may include a conductor positioned by an electromagnetic field generator. A cam or flexible capacitor plate or combination of such could also form the independently moveable structures. A control provides a current through the conductor, thereby providing a force on the conductor to move the conduit. A position sensor detects the position of the conduit and provides feedback to the control to aid in accurate and rapid movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Beneficial Photonics, Inc.
    Inventor: George Benedict
  • Patent number: 7706030
    Abstract: An apparatus for illuminating a document includes an optical element formed of a light-transmissive material of a predetermined refractory index that defines a curved entry surface and an exit surface opposite the entry surface in which light enters the optical element via the entry surface and light exits the optical element via exit surface. A first substantially parabolic surface is defined between a first edge of the entry surface and first edge of the exit surface and a second substantially parabolic surface is defined between a second edge of the entry surface and a second edge of the exit surface such that the first and second substantially parabolic surface are spaced apart more at the exit surface than at the entry surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Robert P. Herloski, Douglas E. Proctor, Jagdish C. Tandon, Pravin N. Kothari, Eric Dudley
  • Patent number: 7649654
    Abstract: An in-line laser scanning unit (LSU) with multiple light beams is disclosed. The LSU includes a minimized in-line mirror set composed by a plurality of vertically stacked Micro Electronic Mechanical System (MEMS) oscillatory mirrors and a linear corresponding scanning lens set formed by a plurality of F-Sin ? lens stacked vertically so as to correct the variation of reflective angle of the oscillatory mirror that is sinusoidal in time. Thus the scanning speed of multiple laser beams on the image plane is constant. Therefore, the volume of color printers is effectively reduced and the scanning efficiency is improved when the LSU in accordance with the present invention is applied to the optical engines of color printers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: E-Pin Optical Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: San-Woei Shyu, Ming-Hua Wen, Guo-Zen Chen, I-Lin Chu, He-Pin Wong
  • Patent number: 7643183
    Abstract: The imaging apparatus includes a light application unit that applies light to an object to be imaged, a first converging unit that converges diffuse reflection rays from the object to be imaged, a second converging unit that converges specular reflection rays from the object to be imaged, an image pickup unit that receives the rays converged by the first converging unit and by the second converging unit, and generates image signals corresponding to each rays, an image data generating unit that generates image data by combining first image signals corresponding to the rays converged by the first converging unit with second image signals corresponding to the rays converged by the second converging unit, and an image data output unit that outputs the image data generated by the image data generating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumio Nakaya, Hirokazu Ichikawa, Yoichi Miyake, Norimichi Tsumura
  • Publication number: 20090284810
    Abstract: In an illumination device, a light guide is adapted to emit the light from a face thereof and is provided with an area, on a face opposite to the light emitting face, for diffusing and/or reflecting the light introduced into the light guide from an end face thereof or is provided with uneven light emitting characteristics along the longitudinal direction of the light guide, and the center of the light source positioned at the end of the light guide is placed at a position aberrated from the normal line to the area, whereby attained are compactness, a low cost, a low electric power consumption, a high efficiency of utilization of the light emitted by the light source, and excellent and uniform illumination characteristics. An image reading device and an information processing apparatus can also be equipped with the above-mentioned illumination device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tatsundo Kawai, Osamu Hamamoto, Shinichi Takeda, Satoshi Itabashi, Toshimitsu Iso
  • Patent number: 7619786
    Abstract: An illumination apparatus including a plurality of light sources in a linear array. An elongated aperture blocks unwanted light and directs light from the light sources in the linear array into an optical integrator for integrating the light to form a uniformized linear illumination of substantially uniform irradiance. At least one lens is provided for imaging the uniformized linear illumination to form a linear illumination beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Carestream Health, Inc.
    Inventor: Rongguang Liang
  • Patent number: 7599103
    Abstract: An optical carriage of scanner has a mirror assembly and a device assembly, the mirror assembly has a mirror mount, some mirror holder, and some supporters, and the device assembly has a chassis. In this invention, the mirror assembly and the device assembly are mechanically connected after separately formation. Further, to ensure correct shape of these mirror holders and these supporters, they could be formed by metal punch, plastic ejection, or plastic process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Inventors: Tsung-Yin Chen, Chun-I Hsiao
  • Patent number: 7595917
    Abstract: A document scanner with a light focusing device downward formed on a document support panel is disclosed. The document scanner is provided with a chassis including a light source and an image sensing device. A scanning window made of light-transmitting material is formed in an area of the document support panel. A driving roller is arranged in a document feeder for driving a document to be scanned through the scanning window. Light emitted from the light source transmits through the scanning window toward the document and is reflected by the document toward the image sensing device, The document support panel forms a convex projection on a bottom surface thereof. The projection confronts the light source for focusing the light onto the document. Preferably, the projection includes an extended section from the bottom surface of the document support panel and forming a convex end surface confronting the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Inventors: Po-Hua Fang, Shu-Ya Chiang
  • Patent number: 7593139
    Abstract: In an illumination device, a light guide is adapted to emit the light from a face thereof and is provided with an area, on a face opposite to the light emitting face, for diffusing and/or reflecting the light introduced into the light guide from an end face thereof or is provided with uneven light emitting characteristics along the longitudinal direction of the light guide, and the center of the light source positioned at the end of the light guide is placed at a position aberrated from the normal line to the area, whereby attained are compactness, a low cost, a low electric power consumption, a high efficiency of utilization of the light emitted by the light source, and excellent and uniform illumination characteristics. An image reading device and an information processing apparatus can also be equipped with the above-mentioned illumination device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsundo Kawai, Osamu Hamamoto, Shinichi Takeda, Satoshi Itabashi, Toshimitsu Iso
  • Patent number: 7591576
    Abstract: An illuminator includes a light guide having a circular cross-section, a scatterer that is provided on a portion of the circumference of the circular cross-section and that radiates scattering light toward the inside of the light guide, and a condensing lens that condenses light emitted from the light guide and transforms the light into a linear beam, a planar beam, or a point-like beam. In the illuminator light from the light source is effectively utilized, and the light can efficiently illuminate the required illumination area. In addition, an image reader apparatus can perform high-speed reading using such an illuminator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuki Okamoto, Akira Ota
  • Patent number: 7561758
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a scanning module, which is capable of integrating optical paths of illuminating and imaging for size reduction, and improving the quality of scanned image by using optical polarizers for filtering, and further achieving the same effect as the “projection scanning” digital camera. The scanning module comprises: a light source, a first polarizer, a quarter-wave plate, a polarizing beamsplitter, an image detection device, and a second polarizer. The light from the light source consists of both a first-polarized and a second-polarized light. The first polarizer is placed in front of the light source that only allows the first-polarized light to pass through. The optics unit directs the first-polarized light to a scanning object and transforms the reflected light into the second-polarized light before receiveded by the image detection device for image acquiring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Inventor: Shi-Hwa Huang
  • Patent number: 7548352
    Abstract: An illumination device for a reading device which irradiates light over a predetermined illumination width including a reading area having a predetermined reading width extending in a main scanning direction of a document and reads the light reflected from the document using a reading element has a point light source, and a light-guiding member having an incident surface opposed to a light-emitting surface of the point light source and a light-emitting surface opposed to the reading area. An illumination area generated by the light has a high distribution range of a substantially constant illuminance, and the high distribution range coincides substantially with the reading area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Limited
    Inventors: Yasuo Sakurai, Masashi Kohchi
  • Publication number: 20090147322
    Abstract: An fiber optic imaging device utilizing fiber optics for imaging portions of documents of varying shapes and/or sizes. For example, for imaging a book or any document having a centerfold, where the document will not lay flat (non-planar) against the platen of the image forming device. The device may be shaped to fit in the centerfold of an open document between the platen of the copying device and the document. Additionally, the fiber optic imaging device may also allow for performing a geometric translation based upon a portion of the document, for facilitating document reproduction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: XEROX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Michael J. WILSHER
  • Patent number: RE41018
    Abstract: A light source module arranged in an image scanning device having a scanning platform and an image-pickup module for scanning a transparent object is disclosed, The light source module includes a cover, a light source mounted in the cover for emitting light to the scanning platform for scanning a transparent object, a RGB filter mounted between the light source and the scanning platform for filtering off the light into RGB lights, a switching mechanism connected to the RGB filter for being controlled to alternately allow one of RGB lights to be transmitted to the scanning platform, and a transmission mechanism for carrying the light source, the RGB filter, and the switching mechanism to move with the image-pickup module for accomplishing the scanning operation to the transparent object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Inventor: Emily Chen
  • Patent number: RE41876
    Abstract: A light source mechanism for an imaging apparatus comprises at least a point light source and a light shield. The point light source located at one end of the light shield is used for providing illumination to the imaging apparatus during a scanning process. The light shield is a hollow pipe structure and further includes a long slot lying along an axial longitudinal direction thereof for allowing lights to leave the light shield. An inner surface of the light shield is made as a diffusion surface for evenly diffusing lights inside the light shield, by which a homogeneous line light source for the scanning process is formed at the long slot of the light shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Inventor: Po-Hua Fang