Abstract: The invention relates to an electric pushing rod with wire protection, which includes a motor, a transmission, a sensor and a wire protector cover. The motor has a body and a shaft. The shaft has a head section and a tail section. Both the head section and the tail section are separately exposed from the body. The transmission is arranged beside the motor. The sensor is disposed correspondingly to the tail section of the shaft and includes a circuit board and conductive wires. The wire protector cover covers the sensor and the tail section of the shaft and is provided with an opening for being passed by the conductive wires. Thereby, the conductive wires are prevented from being broken by touches and friction of the shaft.

Abstract: A valuable file identification device, comprising a housing; a hollow transparent drum; an annular clamping belt supported by at least two tension rollers and pressing against the transparent drum, the outer surface of the annular clamping belt and the outer surface of the transparent drum forming a clamping and conveying channel for the valuable file, and the length of the clamping and conveying channel being greater than that of the valuable file in the conveying direction; at least one information acquisition device, the information acquisition element of the information acquisition device being adjacent to the inner surface of the transparent drum, facing at least a part of the outer surface of the annular clamping belt, and being fixed relative to the side wall of the housing; and a power-driven device respectively driving the transparent drum and the annular clamping belt to move synchronously in opposite directions.

Abstract: A multifunctional printer 10 comprises an operation unit 13 making image formation requests, an image forming unit 16 forming an image in response to an image formation request issued from the operation unit 13 or an external device, a determination unit determining whether the image formation request is issued from the operation unit 13 or the external device, a main power source 23 activating the operation unit 13 and image forming unit 16 to bring them into a usable state, and a control unit actuating the image forming unit 16, when the main power source 23 completely activates the image forming unit 16 and the determination unit determines that the image formation request is a request issued from the external device, regardless of whether the operation unit 13 is activated or not.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a document conveying unit, an image reading unit, a gradient calculating unit, a gradient comparing unit and a document discriminating unit. The image reading unit scans a document conveyed by the document conveying unit in a scanning direction orthogonal to a conveying direction and detects pixel values of color components of each pixel. The gradient calculating unit calculates a gradient of the pixel value of each color component in the conveying direction for each pixel based on the detected pixel values. The gradient comparing unit compares differences of gradients among color components for each pixel and extracts the pixel where the graduent difference is below a threshold value. The document discriminating unit discriminates whether each pixel is color or black-and-white based on pixel values using discrimination criteria different for the specific pixels extracted by the gradient comparing unit and other pixels.

Abstract: Default image data and subject image data are stored separately in nonvolatile memory and when the subject image data stored in the nonvolatile memory is displayed in a standard playback mode, the subject image data is displayed on an LCD at a specific scaling factor (first scaling factor) determined by the image size of the subject image data regardless of whether or not default image data is set for the subject image data. On the other hand, when composite image data is displayed in a print preview mode, scaling processing to display the subject image data on the LCD at a smaller scaling factor than the first scaling factor is performed so that the whole of the composite image data can be displayed on one screen of the display.

Abstract: An image reading device includes a reference member, a reading unit, a first reference value setting unit, a detecting unit, a second reference value setting unit, a determining unit, and a pixel value setting unit. The reading unit obtains image data and reference data. The first reference value setting unit sets a first reference value based on the reference data. The detecting unit detects a usage state of the reading unit. The second reference value setting unit sets a second reference value in accordance with the usage state. If the determining unit determines that the first reference value is in a predetermined condition, the pixel value setting unit sets a pixel value based on the image data and the first reference value; otherwise, the pixel value setting unit sets the pixel value based on the image data and the second reference value.

Abstract: A document fixing apparatus adopted for use on business machines with glass surfaces includes a coupling member and an anchor member. The coupling member is located on one end of the glass surface. The anchor member has one end engaged with the coupling member and corresponds to the glass surface. When the anchor member is lifted from the glass surface, a scanned document may be placed on the glass surface, and the anchor member may be moved to rest on the scanned document.

Abstract: An image reader includes a document table (2) having a platen plate (3) placed on an upper surface of the document table (2); a document table cover (4) supported at an upper end of the document table (2) in a pivotable manner; a first image sensor (5) which is provided in the document table (2) and is actuated in parallel with the platen plate (3) by means of a sensor drive mechanism (6); a document moving mechanism for causing the document to move along a document transport path (9) formed in the document table cover (4); and a second image sensor (20) fixed to the document table cover (4) so as to be situated at a position above the document transport path (9). A track of the document, which moves through the document transport path (9), passes through a focal point (scan point) of the first image sensor (5) achieved when the first image sensor (5) is situated at a standby position.

Abstract: Systems and methods of processing scanned pages are described. In one aspect, the invention features a method of processing a sequence of scanned pages of a document in accordance with which, page number indicators are extracted from scanned pages of the document. A histogram of extracted page number indicators is computed. Scanned page sequence information is determined based at least in part on the computed histogram. A computer program and a system for implementing the scanned page processing method also are described.

Abstract: An assembly for transferring information to and/or from flexible sheet media in a highly advantageous curved configuration is disclosed. The sheet material includes a length and a width defining first and second opposing surfaces. The assembly includes support means for supporting the sheet the curved configuration across its width, having the first surface inwardly oriented with respect to the curved configuration. Thereafter, moving means moves the flexible sheet material so supported in a direction along a read/write path generally parallel to the sheet material length and transverse to the direction of curvature. A read/write arrangement is provided which is configured for reading and/or writing information across the width of the first surface of the sheet as the sheet is moved along the path in the curved configuration.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a light source for illuminating an image reading region extending in the primary scanning direction, and a plurality of lenses for focusing light reflected on the image reading region and for producing reduced images. Each of the lenses has an optical axis which intersects a predetermined portion of the image reading region. The image reading apparatus further includes a plurality of light receiving elements for output of image signals based on the light focused by the lenses and a light conductor for leading the light emitted by the light source toward the image reading region. The light conductor leads the emitted light so that the predetermined portion of the image reading region is illuminated more brightly than the adjacent portions.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image reading device and image reading method which reduce the total reading time and do not produce color drift when reading a plurality of documents comprising a mix of color and monochrome documents. The present invention provides for reading all documents by moving the documents during reading past a fixed position reader. If the documents are determined to be color documents, the documents are read by moving the reader during reading past fixed position documents. The present invention also provides an image forming apparatus, which reduces the total reading time when reading a mix of color and monochrome documents. The present invention additionally provides a computer program product for use in an image reading system to operate the system in the prescribed manner.

Abstract: An assembly for transferring information to and/or from flexible sheet media in a highly advantageous curved configuration is disclosed. The sheet material includes a length and a width defining first and second opposing surfaces. The assembly includes support means for supporting the sheet the curved configuration across its width, having the first surface inwardly oriented with respect to the curved configuration. Thereafter, moving means moves the flexible sheet material so supported in a direction along a read/write path generally parallel to the sheet material length and transverse to the direction of curvature. A read/write arrangement is provided which is configured for reading and/or writing information across the width of the first surface of the sheet as the sheet is moved along the path in the curved configuration.

Abstract: A small-sized flatbed scanning type image reading apparatus for reading a wide-range image at high resolution is provided. An optical reading system (LU) is movable also in a main scanning direction (X) for high-resolution wide-range image reading. The optical reading system (LU) scans the image with the width of a section (SS1) to be read of elongated rectangular configuration in a subscanning direction (Y), and then is shifted in the main scanning direction to scan the image with the width of the next section (SS2) to be read. The remaining section (SS3) to be read is similarly scanned. The images of these three sections are combined together in consideration for the influences of overlap parts (OL1, OL2) of the sections.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical scanner assembly for producing an image on imaging material positioned on an internal surface of a curved film platen. The scanner assembly includes a light source for producing a light beam representative of the image to be produced on the imaging material, a reflective system rotatable about a rotation axis, and a toric lens. The reflective system comprises a scan optic defined by a pentaprism and a cylindrical lens. A first reflective surface of the pentaprism receives the light beam from the light source and reflects the light beam to a second reflective surface of the pentaprism. The light beam is further reflected by the second reflective surface towards the imaging material through the cylindrical lens and the toric lens, which act to focus the light beam onto the imaging material to produce the image thereon.

Abstract: A rotatable image-mounting drum for use in a scanner or plotter. The drum has an end for permitting the releasable attachment of the drum to the scanner's or plotter's supporting and turning means. The drum's image-mounting surface and the drum's attachment end are preferably made of the same material, preferably acrylic. The attachment end of the drum includes a disk at the end of the drum, which has an opening or openings passing from its outer face to its inner face. The other end of the drum preferably is not attached directly to the rest of the scanner. The plotter's or scanner's mechanism for releasably attaching the rotatable drum includes a drum mount rotatable by a motor. A clasp stem, passing through a drum-mount opening, has a clasp finger rigidly attached thereto. A cam surface, having a varying elevation, can be rotated so as to push the cam stem through the drum-mount opening. A spring urges the stem against the cam surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved image scanner which has a hollow platen, with a motor mounted inside the platen. A drive mechanism is coupled between the motor and the inside surface of the platen to rotate the platen. Preferably, a circuit board containing circuitry for at least controlling the motor is also mounted inside the platen.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an electronic prepress system includes a computer workstation for preparing electronic image files. The computer workstation transfers the image files to an image processor that converts the image files into digital data. The digital data is then transferred to a virtual-drum capstan-driven output device for outputting the image files onto paper, film or plate material. The output device has increased output speed and reduced cost compared to an internal drum device. A capstan drive moves web type image recording media through a curved media platen having an upper curved surface and a lower curved surface which form the media into a virtual drum. The optical system has a rotating reflective spinner at the center of curvature of the virtual drum to scan modulated image date across media while being continuously driven.

Abstract: A scanning system which includes a medium support unit for supporting a medium in a generally curved orientation by contacting substantially less than the entire surface area of the medium and a scanning unit for scanning the medium.

Abstract: A rotatable image-mounting drum for use in a scanner or plotter. The drum has an end for permitting the releasable attachment of the drum to the scanner's or plotter's supporting and turning means. The drum's image-mounting surface and the drum's attachment end are preferably made of the same material, preferably acrylic. The attachment end of the drum includes a disk at the end of the drum, which has an opening or openings passing from its outer face to its inner face. The other end of the drum preferably is not attached directly to the rest of the scanner. The plotter's or scanner's mechanism for releasably attaching the rotatable drum includes a drum mount rotatable by a motor. A clasp stem, passing through a drum-mount opening, has a clasp finger rigidly attached thereto. A cam surface, having a varying elevation, can be rotated so as to push the cam stem through the drum-mount opening. A spring urges the stem against the cam surface.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus is disclosed in an imagesetter with an internal drum recording surface, having an improved carriage system which is self-propelled and carries scanning optics for recording an image including a spin motor/mirror, a laser diode, and a focusing lens. The drive system is mounted to the carriage to allow the carriage to move linearly inside the drum as a self-propelled direct drive. An electronic control device mounted on the carriage provides precision motion control of the carriage.

Abstract: An image transferring device which consists of a light source transmitter for transmitting a collimated light beam, a light reflector positioned to intercept the collimated light beam, a motor for rotating the light reflector, a film positioned at the focal point of the light reflected from the mirror; an imaging lens mounted so as to rotate with the mirror and to focus the light beam onto film, and a motor and lead screw for advancing the mirror in a direction along its axis of rotation so that the light beam traverses an image portion of the film.

Abstract: A drum type image scanner includes a transparent cylinder 2, and a cylinder drive motor 16, which are concentrically and rigidly fixed with a bracket 18. The bracket 18 is fixed to a base 12 by connecting a key way 24 of the bracket 18 and another key way 42 of the base 12 with a key 46. An optical unit 10 is movable along a track rail 34 on the base 12. When the cylinder unit 4 and the optical unit 10 are attached to the base 12, the track rail 34 runs parallel to the axis of the cylinder 2 owing to the connection of the key ways 24 and 42. The structure eliminates troublesome adjustment for parallelism between the axis of the cylinder 2 and the track rail 34 and the concentricity of the cylinder 2 with the cylinder drive motor 16, thus simplifying attachment of the cylinder 2 to the drum type image scanner 1.

Abstract: An optical beam scanning apparatus of this invention includes rotary optical element rotating on an axis of rotation and guiding optical beams incident parallel to the axis of rotation to a direction rectangular to the axis of rotation so as to scan a cylindrical surface inside a cylinder by rotating the optical beams in a peripheral direction. An anamorphic optical system rotating on a straight line substantially coinciding with the axis of rotation, for example, is disposed as optical beam rotation element on the incident side of the optical beams of the rotary optical element, and the optical beams incident into the rotary optical element are rotated at the same rotating speed as that of the rotary optical element on the straight line as the axis of rotation. According to this structure, a plurality of optical beams do not corss one another on the cylindrical surface when they are used, but form substantially parallel beam lines.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in improving the accuracy of optical systems such as internal drum photoplotters includes a raster scanner responsive to control signals for advancing relative to a substrate an optical beam across a substrate surface in a first direction forming a scan line and for cooperatively advancing relative to the substrate the optical beam in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. A signal generator provides a clock signal configured to control the advancement of the optical beam in a first direction. There is a memory for storing error signals indicative of deviations of the curved surface from a preferred value of curvature. The apparatus is characterized by a controller for generating control signals in dependence on the error signals such that the phase of the clock signal is adjusted, thereby removing the curvature error for a segment of the scan line.

Abstract: Scanning apparatus including a light source for providing at least one light beam, a medium for receiving the light beam and two helical optical apparatuses disposed between the light source and the medium for sequentially receiving the light beam and for directing the light beam towards the medium.

Abstract: An apparatus for scanning an image, comprising a main unit body casing, a first original platen having a transparent surface on which a light-reflective original is placed, a second original platen movable in a horizontal direction inside the main unit body casing upon which platen a light-transmissive original is placed, a light source that irradiates light to the first and second original platens, an image sensor, and an optical apparatus disposed inside the body casing, and which respectively passes reflected light from the original placed on the first original platen and light transmitted through the original placed on the second original platen to the image sensor.

Abstract: A linear light source for a film scanner is disclosed which includes an elongated light integrating cavity having diffusely reflective walls. Light is introduced into the cavity through an input port, and an output beam of diffuse illumination is produced through a slot which is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the integrating cavity. A baffle is disposed in the cavity along the longitudinal axis to prevent light from passing directly from the input port to the output slot. In order to provide a light source which can be positioned closely adjacent the film in a film scanner, the surfaces of the integrating cavity walls adjacent the output slot are generally linear and are disposed at an angle to the optical axis of the output beam.

Abstract: An integrating cavity 20 has a diffusely-reflecting wall 22 that includes a fluorescent material for absorbing radiation in an unusable region of the electromagnetic spectrum and emitting radiation in response thereto in a usable region of the spectrum. A light source 10 provides radiation in both regions, which enters the cavity 20 through an input port 18, reflects from the wall 22 and exits through an output slit 24 toward an image plane 26. At least some of the unusable radiation is absorbed by the fluorescent material coating the wall 22 and reemitted as usable radiation toward the image plane 26.

Abstract: An improvement in the electronic imaging of documents, of the type wherein document sheets are transported at a uniform constant velocity past an electronic imaging member with the document sheet surface to be imaged maintained at a constant imaging distance from the electronic imaging member, wherein the document is fed through a document position and velocity holding and feeding nip formed between the outside wall of a rotatable transparent cylinder and an opposing nip forming member moving therewith, preferably an idler belt, and wherein the electronic imaging member is mounted inside the transparent cylinder to image this nip area through a narrow portion of the wall of the rotatable transparent cylinder and thereby to image scan only the narrow portion of the document which is being fed through and held in the nip.

Abstract: A large format laser scanning system is disclosed that incorporates a compact, wobble free and wavelength insensitive scanning mechanism. The scanning mechanism includes a pentaprism and lens mounted on a rotating frame assembly that is located within a scanning drum. Multiple light beams generated by a light source are passed through the rotating pentaprism and lens to scan a photosensitive medium located on the interior surface of the scanning drum.

Abstract: Image scanner apparatus includes a drum having an aperture rotatable about an axis. A mechanism clamps a border of an exposed photographic film to the drum, with the film image aligned with the aperture substantially in a surface of revolution of the drum. A source of diffuse light, disposed between the rotational axis of the drum and its surface of revolution, projects a line of diffuse illumination through the aperture directly onto the film image. Lens apparatus, interposed between the surface of revolution of the drum and a linear image sensor, focuses a line of diffuse light, modulated in accordance with the film image, onto the sensor.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus comprises an original table, a lamp located above the original table and used as a first light source for irradiating light to an original placed on the original table, another lamp located below the original table and used as a second light source for irradiating light to the original, and a photoelectric converter for receiving the light passing through the original or the light reflected therefrom, and converting the light into electric signals. Upon the pushing of a passing-light mode key incorporated in a console panel, the first light source is turned on and is moved, together with the photoelectric converter, in a straight line along the original table, in order to read the image formed on the original which is of the type through which light passes.

Abstract: A radiation image read-out apparatus comprises a sheet holding device for holding an image-recorded stimulable phosphor sheet on a cylindrical surface, and a spinner provided with a deflection mirror for reflecting stimulating rays coming from a semi-transparent mirror to the stimulable phosphor sheet, and a condensing lens for converging the reflected stimulating rays on the stimulable phosphor sheet. The spinner rotates the deflection mirror and the condensing lens to scan the stimulating rays in a main scanning direction on the stimulable phosphor sheet, and the sheet holding device is moved normal to the main scanning direction. A detection lens converges light emitted by the stimulable phosphor sheet upon exposure to the stimulating rays, passing through the condensing lens and coming from the semi-transparent mirror.