Abstract: The present invention presents an apparatus and method for efficiently and automatically monitoring the power output of laser diodes used to provide the scanning beams in a ROS system. Light radiated from the back facet of the laser diode is focused by a projection means, in a preferred embodiment, a ball lens onto a photosensor. The photosensor output is proportional to the power output of the diode associated with the photosensor. The use of a projection means provides immunity from stray light and from cross talk between closely positioned laser diodes in a multiple diode configuration and yield increase sensitivity of the photosensor.

Abstract: A high quality, relatively inexpensive rotary scanner provides both transmission and reflection scanning of documents mounted on a rotary drum. The drum translates with respect to an imaging lens located adjacent the drum and on the exterior thereof. A first illuminating element surrounding the imaging lens illuminates the document on the drum for reflection scanning; a second illuminating element mounted on a cantilevered arm extending along the axis of the drum illuminates the document for transmission scanning. Focusing of the image is performed either automatically or under the control of the user. A high resolution and wide dynamic range is provided by a set of photomultiplier tubes which receive light from the imaging lens by way of an aperture wheel which provides apertures of selectable size in accordance with the desired resolution. User replaceable lamp modules allow the precise positioning of high intensity replacement lamps without need for a technician.

Abstract: An optical scanning system wherein a moving cylinder supporting a segment of recording media on its inner surface is axially moved over a pair of fixed cylinders. A slit is provided between the fixed cylinders, and a light beam is radially scanned by the system through and along the slit to scan the surface of the supported segment of media as the moving cylinder moves in an axial direction over the fixed cylinders and across the slit. A pressure source provides air to the moving cylinder, with the supplied air expelled from an inner surface of the moving cylinder against the fixed cylinders to form an air bearing. Air is also expelled into the area between the fixed and moving cylinders to float the media therein during media advancement. A vacuum source is also provided to draw air through the moving cylinder from the area between the fixed and moving cylinders holding the media against the inner surface of the moving cylinder while the media is being scanned by the light beam.

Abstract: Parallel laser beams #1, #2 and #3 produced by splitting one laser beam into three, are introduced to an optical scanning device along the central axis of a recording cylinder, the optical scanning device being disposed on the central axis of the recording cylinder and rotated thereabout, having an inclined mirror surface, the recording cylinder holding a recording sheet on an interior surface thereof.

Abstract: A paper feed roller (5) is divided into a first roller (5a) and a second roller (5b); a slit (58) through which about 10 to 20 sheets of documents can pass is formed between the first roller and a gate plate (57) opposite to this; and the paper fed out therefrom is fed out to a space between the second roller (5b) and a separation pad (7) in contact with this.Also, there is adopted a construction in which the pressing force of a paper conveyance spring is transformed by a slide cam sliding in a direction parallel to the paper feed roller; and the paper width detection sensor is assembled by a fitting construction.

Abstract: An automotive polarizer screen shade with two parallel plane polarizers, one rectangular and one circular in shape, is invented. The large rectangular semi-transparent polarizer allows the driver to see most of the road clearly while the smaller circular polarizer slides and/or rotates independently to screen the direct sunlight so that the light intensity is tolerable.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus for reading an object having a curved document surface such as an opened book, constructed to focus an optical system all the object. A line sensor is moved for scanning the object, thereby a distance between the line sensor and the object is measured, and the object is imaged while controlling an optical system based on data of measured distance so that an object image is in focus on the line sensor. This allows all over the object surface to be in focus, whereby the clear image without blur is obtainable.

Abstract: A focusing system for the optical head of a rotary drum scanner establishes focus quickly and automatically by iteratively scanning a line of a document on the drum and repeatedly adjusting the focus of the head in accordance with a focus optimizing function until the region of optimal focus is found.

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: Disclosed are optical beam scanning apparatus and method of the internal drum scanning system, in which optical beams from a light source are made incident on optical beam rotating means such as a trapezoidal prism, and outgoing beams are focussed on the inner face of a cylinder through rotary optical means such as a rotary reflecting element. In the scanning apparatus and method of the present invention, by rotating the trapezoidal prism on the same revolution axis as that of the rotary reflecting element at a revolution speed corresponding to 1/2 of the revolution speed of the rotary reflecting element, beams going out from the trapezoidal prism can be rotated at the same speed as the revolution speed of the rotary reflecting element. According to the present invention having the above structure, even when a plurality of beams are used, crossing of the beams on the inner face of the cylinder can be prevented, and multiple beam scanning becomes possible and recording can be performed at a high speed.

Abstract: A microfilm scanning apparatus of the entrance scanner type has a microfilm, normally mounted in an aperture card which is mounted on a curved surface of a plano-convex cylindrical lens platten. The microfilm is scanned in one direction by radiant energy produced by a laser diode, scanning being effected by facets on a bevelled edge polygon mirror which is rotated by a motor. So as to perform scanning in a direction orthogonal to the scanning produced by the mirror, the platten is driven by a stepping motor. The curved surface of the platten is arranged to coincide with the loci of the focus of the scanning beam as the mirror rotates. By the provision of a curved surface platten, a simple spherical lens system may be interposed between the mirror and platten.

Abstract: An original mounting sheet attached to a scanner drum for positioning originals for reading a plurality of originals in an image reproducing apparatus such as a color scanner comprises a first reference line along a subscanning direction of a scanner, two second reference lines along the main scanning direction and a third reference line intersecting the first reference line for specifying at least two intersecting sides of the original. The original is positioned on the original mounting sheet with at least one intersecting corner specified.

Abstract: A scanner is operative with an imaging system for inducing a mechanical movement of a subject during an optical scanning of the subject to provide an image of the subject. The subject which is in the shape of a card is advanced along a travel path past an optical viewing site by means of a drum, the scanner including a first roller and a second roller which urge the subject against the drum. Initially, the first roller is located between the viewing site and the entry port for receipt of the subject in a first nip between the first roller and the drum. The second roller is positioned fixed on the opposite side of the viewing site. The first roller is supported by an arm which swings about a rotational axis of the drum to vary the spacing between the two rollers.

Abstract: The light source assembly dimensions to be removably positioned within a standard scanning drum utilized in the graphic arts industry, the assembly having a housing containing a 5000K light source, the housing have a viewing lens secured to the housing, the viewing lens rotatable from a closed position to an open position, the closed position permitting the insertion of the light source assembly into the scanner drum and the open position expanding to the lens to approximate the circumference of the scanner drum, the lens being of a flexible diffused material, thereby providing a 5000K light source from within the scanner drum illuminating the transparencies to be examined and viewed which are on the outer circumference of the scanner drum.

Abstract: Radiation scanning apparatus comprises a record medium support (10); and a rotatably mounted scanning device (1) on which a modulated radiation beam (6) is incident in use. The device splits the incident beam into at least two subsidiary beams (17,21) which scan in turn across a record medium on the support during relative rotation between the scanning device and the support, each subsidiary beam exposing a respective scan line on the record medium in accordance with the beam modulation. The support (10) and device (1) are relatively movable such that the scan lines are offset in the direction of relative movement.

Abstract: An image input apparatus for an image scanning reading apparatus comprises a cylindrical holder for holding a plurality of originals and reference portions for calibration serving as references in reading original, a scanning head for scanning the original holder, and a memory for storing positions of the reference portions for calibration. The position of the reference portion for calibration is stored prior to the reading of the original, and when the scanning is started, the scanning head is moved to the stored position, the reference data for calibration is read by the scanning head at that position, and the corresponding original is read based on the data.

Abstract: A full-size image sensor includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements formed on a substrate and arranged into a line. A photosensitive surface of each of the photoelectric conversion elements is perpendicular to a document to be scanned. A transparent layer is formed on the substrate so as to cover the photoelectric conversion elements. A light reflecting layer made of a light interrupting member is formed on the transparent layer so as to prevent light emitted from a light source from being directly projected onto the photoelectric conversion elements. The light emitted from the light source is reflected on the document and then projected onto the photoelectric conversion elements directly or after being reflected by the light reflecting layer.

Abstract: Image scanner apparatus of the drum type includes a hollow, rotatable drum having an aperture on its curved surface corresponding to the size of an image to be scanned, and a light source, disposed inside the drum between its surface of revolution and its axis of rotation, for projecting image-scanning light through the aperture of the drum. A mechanism mounts a flexible image-bearing film immediately adjacent the drum, in a curved plane substantially parallel with the curved surface of the drum and in registration with the aperture on its curved surface, such that a film image to be scanned is free of drum support.

Abstract: A copier with an optional facsimile mechanism and a method of controlling such a copier. A person can easily and efficiently switch the operation mode of the copier from a copy mode to a facsimile mode and from the facsimile mode to the copy mode.

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.