Abstract: A scanning device with multiple LED light sources and an application thereof. The scanning device includes a housing, a chassis, a main LED light source and an auxiliary LED light source. A horizontal plane of the housing is connected to a sloped plane of the housing to form a connecting section. The main LED light source has a length extending in a longitudinal direction substantially perpendicular to a moving direction of the chassis. The main LED light source provides a main light ray to illuminate the horizontal plane, and includes a first circuit board mounted on the chassis and first LEDs mounted on the first circuit board. The auxiliary LED light source includes a second circuit board mounted on the chassis and a second LED mounted on the second circuit board. The second LED provides an auxiliary light ray to illuminate the connecting section.

Abstract: A method of directly obtaining a Y value for a luminance/chrominance representation of a scanline of a color scanned image produced by a color contact image sensor device having a linear sensor array to collect reflected light, wherein said contact image sensor device comprises red, green and blue light sources and wherein an optimal on time for each of the light sources is calibrated, the method comprising the step of illuminating the scanline during a single pulse independently with the red, the green and the blue light sources and allowing the linear sensor array to accumulate the reflected light from all of the light sources.

Abstract: In a color reading apparatus for successively reading respective red, green, and blue colors in each line while a document is continuously conveyed to a plurality of line sensor units arranged in a zigzag manner, the line sensor units are arranged with a distance equal to or shorter than a unit of line to prevent a color shift. When read data of the plurality of line sensor units in a conveying direction are to be combined, image data shifted by the number of lines corresponding to distances between the line sensor units in the conveying direction are set as first combination candidates. A color code and a line code are added to each of the data. Image data having the same color code and the same line code are combined. According to the image reading apparatus structured as described above, it is possible to obtain data capable of reproducing read data for each color on the same line without errors.

Abstract: An optical encoder includes a light emitting unit that emits parallel light onto a plurality of marks that are arranged on an object such as a rotor or a belt, at a predetermined interval in a moving direction of the object, and a light receiving unit that receives light modulated by the marks. The parallel light is generated by a collimating lens.

Abstract: A technology capable of preventing generation of a problem due to saturation of an output value in an image pick-up section caused by a variation of illumination light from a light source. An image reading device includes a plurality of light sources each of which illuminates a document surface as a target for reading with illuminating light of a color different from the other light sources, an image pick-up section for imaging light radiated from the plurality of the light sources and reflected on the document surface, a controlling unit for making the plurality of the light sources emit light with any one of the plurality of the light sources as a reference light source, and an adjusting unit for lowering a current value of a power source which makes the reference light source emit light when an amount of light imaged in the image pick-up section exceeds a threshold value as a predetermined upper limit value.

Abstract: A lighting reproduction apparatus for illuminating a subject includes a reproduction light optical source that generates reproduction light. The optical source includes a plurality of light emitters, each characterized by an individual color channel. There may be nine different color channels. A driver drives the light emitter color channels with intensity values at which a substantial spectral match is achieved between the reproduction light and the desired illuminant, so that the subject appears to be illuminated by the desired illuminant. These channel intensity values may be determined by solving a minimization equation that minimizes a sum of square residuals of the reproduction light spectra to the desired illuminant spectra. The output reproduction light may be metamerically, matched with the desired illuminant, with respect to a particular camera's spectral response. One or more spectral reflectances of the subject may be measured and incorporated into the optimization process.

Abstract: This invention provides a technique which allows more faithful color reproduction by a relative simple arrangement. To this end, according to this invention, by time-divisionally driving R, G, B, and E LEDs respectively having dominant emission wavelengths of 630 nm, 525 nm, 470 nm, and 500 nm, a common monochrome line image sensor (102) scans a document image. Scanned image data of respective color components undergo correction equivalent to that attained by shifting the barycentric positions of respective wavelength distributions so as to become closer to the CIE-RGB sensitivity distributions.

Abstract: A back-light module for an image scanning device includes a casing, a pair of tubular lamps, a light guide plate, and a frosted transparent plate. The image scanning device includes a document supporting plate and an optical scanning module movable in a longitudinal direction. A calibration of illumination with the back-light module is done by (1) activating the back-light module to project light onto the optical scanning module, (2) driving the optical scanning module in the longitudinal direction, (3) obtaining illumination signals associated with selected pixels of a longitudinally-extending calibration zone formed on the document supporting plate, (4) comparing each illumination signal with a reference to obtain a result and manipulating the result to obtain a calibration parameter, and (5) calibrating the illumination of pixels of an image with the corresponding calibration parameters in scanning a transmissive original document.

Abstract: An apparatus for suitable for obtaining an image of a dental structure has an illuminator member placed proximate the area to be imaged. The illuminator member has a support structure (30) for retaining the illuminator member in position proximate the area to be imaged. A reference (22) is coupled to the support structure (30) of the illuminator member and disposed within the area to be imaged. At least one light source (24) is coupled to the support structure (30) of the illuminator member for directing imaging illumination toward the area to be imaged. A camera (12) records an image from within the area to be imaged using the imaging illumination from the illuminator member, wherein the image comprises the reference (22).

Abstract: A calibration mechanism of a scanner includes a second light source, a calibration element having an opening, a first light source and a scanning module. The second light source is assembled with the calibration element, and the first light source is disposed at a position opposite to the calibration element. During the shading correction, the calibration element is rotated by an angle so that the first light source illuminates on a surface of the calibration element, and the reflected light enters the scanning module. When a transmissive original is being scanned, the light of the second light source passes through the opening of the calibration element and the transmissive original, and then enters the scanning module.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus reducing image noise caused at a device which has a stationary reading portion such as a CCD sensor and reads an image of a document by moving the document is structured as follows: the image processing apparatus determines whether full color image data read by the reading portion is out of a predetermined color space; it uses shift resisters to determine that the image data out of the predetermined color space continues in a sub scanning direction; and thus it detects a line-shaped dirt image caused by dirt or the like at the reading portion, and corrects the dirt image.

Abstract: There is provided a technique to make, in a case where a monochrome image is generated based on a color image, a chromatic image region on the color image distinguishable on the monochrome image. There are included a first image reading unit to acquire monochrome image data by reading an image in monochrome from an original document, a second image reading unit to acquire color image data by reading an image in color from an original document, an extraction image generation unit to generate image data by extracting a chromatic image region in the color image data read by the second image reading unit, and a luminance correction unit to make a correction to increase, based on the image data generated by the extraction image generation unit, luminance of a monochrome signal which is included in the monochrome image data read by the first image reading unit and corresponds to the chromatic image region extracted by the extraction image generation unit.

Abstract: A scan apparatus includes a control signal generating module, a light source module, a lighting module and a scanning module. The control signal generating module generates a control signal. The light source module provides light rays. The lighting module, electrically connected to the light source module and the control signal generating module, lights up a corresponding section of the light source module according to the control signal and extinguishes other sections of the light source module to output corresponding light rays to illuminate a document. The scanning module receives corresponding light rays processed by the document and generates an image signal corresponding to an image of the document.

Abstract: A multi-lightguide document imaging device is proposed for scanning a document transported atop it. The device includes a line image sensor module having a top sensing area and built-in circuitry for converting an incident line image into video signal output; an intervening rod lens for focusing line image lights from the document onto the sensing area; a number or lightguides lightguide-j (j=1,2, . . . ,N) disposed below the document where each lightguide-j has its own built-in light sources, a transverse cross section spaced at a distance SPCj from the scan line an oriented angularly along a ?-coordinate so as to project a line-illumination aiming at the scan line; and an imager frame having a base for holding the line image sensor module, a multi-element support for holding the rod lens plus the lightguides and a scan line backing portion for backing the document.

Abstract: A technology capable of preventing generation of a problem due to saturation of an output value in an image pick-up section caused by a variation of illumination light from a light source. An image reading device includes a plurality of light sources each of which illuminates a document surface as a target for reading with illuminating light of a color different from the other light sources, an image pick-up section for imaging light radiated from the plurality of the light sources and reflected on the document surface, a controlling unit for making the plurality of the light sources emit light with any one of the plurality of the light sources as a reference light source, and an adjusting unit for lowering a current value of a power source which makes the reference light source emit light when an amount of light imaged in the image pick-up section exceeds a threshold value as a predetermined upper limit value.

Abstract: An image sensor using three-color, e.g., R, G, and B light-emitting elements assures a period in which all the three colors are turned on and periods in each of which one light-emitting element is turned off during a scan period per pixel, and integrates and measures amounts of light of the respective periods. An amount of light based on the OFF light-emitting element is calculated based on a difference between the amounts of light during the full light-ON period and each light-OFF period to define an amount of light of the light-emitting element, and light intensity information corresponding to each light-emitting element is obtained based on a total amount of light during the entire scan period per pixel, and the amount of light of each light-emitting element.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus and a reference light quantity determining method includes scanning a patch that does not overlap previously established reference colors but displays each of the previously established reference colors in a plurality of regions that are spaced a portion from each other, and determining reference light quantities based on the scanning result.

Abstract: A multi-functional device comprising an image forming apparatus to form a printing image and a scanner module to scan an image in a main scanning direction. The scanner module includes an illuminator to illuminate a light to a document mount, a sensor unit to read an image information of an object placed on the document mount, and an imaging lens which is disposed between the document mount and the sensor unit and focuses the light reflected from the object onto the sensor unit. The illuminator includes a light source to emit light, a light guiding unit which is lengthened in a sub-scanning direction, faces the document mount and changes a traveling path of the light emitted from the light source to illuminate the document mount, and a guide holder which comprises an installation part where the light guiding unit is installed, and a mounting part where the light source holder is mounted to provide the light source at least one side of the light guiding unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which can perform a multiple exposure with a plurality of laser lights driven by the PWM signal without deteriorating the image quality of a line image and a character image. Scanning start points are controlled to be different between a first light beam and a second light beam, among a plurality of light beams emit from a light source, exposing the identical pixel position.

Abstract: An optical reading unit which ensures that address information recorded as guide groove wobbles on an optical recording medium is easily played back. A light-receiving device (20) for detecting returning light from the optical recording medium has detection areas (21A to D) delimited by a plurality of split lines (22), (23), and (24). The position of one of the split lines functioning as a detection reference line is changed according to the position of a returning light spot S on a light-receiving surface (21) of the light-receiving device (20) and push-pull signals (PP1 to 3) are acquired by calculating the difference between signals received on two detection areas delimited by the split line to eliminate common-mode components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus having a light source for a transparent sheet of a scanner that includes a lamp, a reflective plate, a spreading plate and a protective plate. The light rays emitted by the lamp are used to scan a transparent sheet, the reflective plate in the arc shape reflects the light rays onto the scanning platform and there is an aperture on the predetermined position of the reflective plate to decrease the illumination for distributing uniformly the light rays. Besides, the spreading plate has a plurality of perforations to advance the light rays distributed uniformly. The protective plate made of the material pervious to light protects the components of this invention. As those described above, there are many advantages for the present invention, such as the structure is simple, the cost is low, and is much practical and can highly improve the performance of a scanner for a transparent sheet.

Abstract: A contact image sensor module includes: a first image sensor, having a first light receiving element set aligned in a straight line; a second image sensor, having a second light receiving element set aligned in parallel to the abovementioned first light receiving element set; a first lens unit, forming, on the abovementioned first light receiving element set, a clear image of a first object, which is positioned at a first distance from light receiving surfaces of the abovementioned first light receiving element set; and a second lens unit, forming, on the abovementioned second light receiving element set, a clear image of a second object, which is positioned at a second distance, differing from the above mentioned first distance, from the light receiving surfaces of the abovementioned first light receiving element set.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for locating an area of interest within a digital image of a form captured by an imaging scanner. Specific examples include methods and apparatus for optical mark reading with a digital imaging scanner. In many of the methods, an image of a response form is captured by a scanner, and “target” areas for possible responses are located within the image based upon an expected location being adjusted as necessary for certain error-inducing defects in the forms or scanning process. Also disclosed are steps to normalize the darkness values of pixels captured from an optically scanned form.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a transparent original table for placing a transmitting original thereon, an image reading unit for reading an image of the transmitting original through the transparent original table, and a transmitting original holder having a through-hole for positioning the transmitting original relative to the transparent original table. In addition, an illuminating unit is provided for pressing the transmitting original positioned by the through-hole of the original holder, and includes a plane light source for illuminating the transmitting original, a fitting portion for fitting in the through-hole, and a protruding portion protruding toward a direction along the surface of the transmitting original from a surface of the illumination unit. The protruding portion contacts with an upper surface of the transmitting original holder when the fitting portion fits and thus the transmitting original is pressed.

Abstract: A focus adjusting device (50) for an image sensor (1) is provided for ensuring precise focusing of the image sensor. The focus adjusting device includes a contact element (51) in direct contact with the bottom of a scanner cover plate, a focus varying element (53) engaging with the contact element, and a focus fine adjusting element (55) movably mounted on a housing of the image sensor. The focus varying element and the contact element are driven to correspondingly move vertically together with the vertical movement of the focus fine adjusting element, whereby the distance between an upper surface of the housing and the bottom of the cover plate is thus changed for precise focusing.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for use with a printed substrate is disclosed. The image processing apparatus comprises an imaging device configured to receive light reflected from a portion of multiple patches of a colorbar on the printed substrate and configured to process color data from the light reflected from the portion of multiple patches of the colorbar.

Abstract: A processor such as a digital signal processor (DSP) is used to dynamically generate patterns and/or sequences of patterns for a spatial light modulator (SLM), such as a micromirror device, for the purpose of processing light. The combination of the processor and modulator has afforded optical signal processing in the digital domain and programmability that cannot be achieved with conventional analog optical computing.

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.

Abstract: A method and system for determining surface topology of a three-dimensional (3D) structure, based on a structured pattern that is projected onto the surface structure, and images of the pattern superposed on the structured surface are analysed to provide surface coordinates of the structure. The pattern comprises a plurality of unique color edges defined between pairs of differently-colored stripes, which substantially overcomes ambiguity problems. In one embodiment, a calibration method is provided enabling the surface coordinates to be obtained from a single image of the structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a technique capable of promptly and easily acquiring object color component data of a plurality of subjects even if the spectral distribution of light illuminating said plurality of subjects is not known in advance. For example, under predetermined conditions of irradiating a subject with predetermined illumination light by using an electronic flash, an image input system captures an image of a first subject to thereby acquire first color image data. On the basis of the acquired first color image data, the image input system estimates first object color component data of the first subject. After that, the image input system captures an image of the first subject in unknown illumination environments to thereby acquire second color image data. By using the first object color component data and the second color image data, the image input system estimates the spectral distribution of unknown illumination.

Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus includes M number of light sources that includes M number of semiconductor lasers and M number of coupling lenses, where M is a positive integer, a deflecting scanning unit that deflects laser beams from the light sources to a surface to be scanned, and a transmission-type prism that deflects optical path of the laser beam from at least one of the light sources by an infinitesimal amount of angle. The prism is disposed between the light sources and the deflecting scanning unit, has an incident surface and an output surface nonparallel to each other, and can rotate around an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the optical path of the laser beam.

Abstract: A color image sensor which uses a sensor array that has, as a lighting light source, 3-color light emitting elements capable of independently controlling light emitting timings respectively and at least three pixel arrays respectively constituted by a plurality of pixels, respective pixel arrays being comprising color filters having different transmitting wavelength regions from each other, and which independently controls the lighting start and lighting period of each light emitting element, whereby it is possible to prevent color misalignment in an output image signal and regulate the image signal level of each color component.

Abstract: An image compensation method is provided. At least one light source and a plurality of reflecting elements each capable of reflecting light from the light source are provided. Each reflecting element reflects a beam of light from the light source to produce a beam of reflected light having a unique color content. The reflecting elements are shifted to a location where one of the reflecting elements is capable of reflecting light from the light source.

Abstract: A laser-control circuit board is mounted in a scanner to extend substantially parallel to a base plate, a bottom cover, and a top cover of the scanner. A synchronization detection element is attached to the under surface of the laser-control circuit board. A light beam is emitted from a light source, deflected by a polygon mirror, and is guided below the laser-control circuit board by various optical elements including a condenser lens, thereby being finally detected by the synchronization detection element. A through-hole is formed through the laser-control circuit board to check whether the synchronization detection element is in alignment with the condenser lens and other optical elements below the laser-control circuit board.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image reading apparatus in which the amount of illumination light is increased and adverse influence of reflective illumination is reduced, and which is capable of reading image information of an original, such as a document, with high precision. The image reading apparatus includes an illuminating unit for illuminating image information of the original placed on an original support, and an image forming unit for imaging the image information on a reading unit. In the image reading apparatus, the illuminating unit includes a plurality of light source portions, the image information is read in a two-dimensional manner by changing a relative position between the image information and the reading unit, and the plurality of light source portions are disposed asymmetrically with respect to an optical axis of the image forming unit in a sub-scanning cross-sectional plane.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a scanning device includes a light source configured to selectively illuminate an area of interest and a light sensitive receiver configured to receive light from the light source and generate signals based on the received light. Control logic is configured to power the light source at a power level, generating mid-tone-scan signals at the light sensitive receiver. Calibration logic is configured to determine a calibration factor for a selected pixel based data including the mid-tone-scan signals.

Abstract: This invention has as its object to obtain a high-quality read image from which dust or scratches have been removed by an image reading apparatus which reads image information on a transparent original by synchronously scanning a light source unit and image reading unit. To this end, upon reading a transparent original, infrared LED chips on a dust/scratch detection LED substrate and a transparent original illumination lamp are turned on to make alignment between the LED substrate and the image reading unit, and dust/scratch detection image information is obtained by synchronously moving the light source unit and image reading unit in the subscanning direction. Subsequently, alignment between the transparent original illumination lamp and image reading unit is made, and image information of the transparent original is obtained by synchronously moving the light source unit and image reading unit in the subscanning direction.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide an image scanner, for scanning a reflection document or a transmission document. The image scanner comprises a shell, a document window glass, a transmission document carrier, and an optical chassis. The shell has a groove on its upper surface. The document window glass is capable of connecting with the groove, for scanning the reflection document. The transmission document carrier is capable of connecting with the groove, for scanning the transmission document. The optical chassis is provided at a proper location, for retrieving the images of the reflection document and the transmission document and converting them to an electronic signal. Wherein, by placing the document window glass or transmission document carrier into the groove, the image scanner is capable of scanning the reflection document or transmission document, respectively.

Abstract: An object of this invention is to provide an image reading apparatus capable of reading an original image at high speed. And other object is to provide an image reading apparatus in which even when heat is generated at an inverter, reading operation is not influenced. In order to achieve these object, the image reading apparatus is comprised with a scanning means including, a light source for illuminating an original, an image pickup element for receiving reflected light from the original, a cabinet and an inverter provided at a vicinity of a side face of the cabinet in parallel with a direction of moving the light source for driving the light source, a communicating means provided at a vicinity of a side face of the cabinet opposed to the side face at the vicinity of the inverter and a cooling fan for cooling an interval between the inverter and the communicating means.

Abstract: An image producing apparatus includes a light-emitting element, a light-receiving section, a control section which controls the light-emitting element to emit a light by outputting a light-emitting control value to the light-emitting element, a recording section which records an ideal output value for every light-emitting control value, an output value acquiring section which acquires a reference output value outputted from the light-receiving section which has received the light from the reference region for every light-emitting control value, and an output section which outputs a difference output value between the reference output value and the ideal output value for every reference output value by comparing the reference output value matched with the same light-emitting control value.

Abstract: An image scanner has a pivotal illuminator plate. The illuminator plate is pivotally coupled to the main housing of the image scanner and storable within the automatic paper feeder when the illuminator plate is not used. For scanning a transparent object, the illuminator plate is rotated in the direction toward the glass platform, so that the transparent object is covered by the illuminator plate.

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.

Abstract: A method of scanning content comprises receiving an input signal indicating that content being displayed is to be scanned, sensing a duration of the received input signal, and scanning the content at a rate based at least in part on the sensed duration of the received input.

Abstract: Obtained are an imaging optical system having a simple structure in which imaging position deviation due to deformation caused by a weight of an off-axial optical element is reduced and an image reading apparatus using the same. According to an imaging optical system for image reading, image information on an original surface is imaged on a sensor, and is read by the sensor. The imaging optical system includes reflection-type off-axial optical elements, each of which has an outer shape whose lengths in directions orthogonal to each other are different from each other and whose thickness is smaller than a length of the outer shape in a short-direction thereof and is made of a resin material. The plurality of off-axial optical elements are disposed such that mirror surfaces thereof are opposed to each other and constructed to satisfy a conditional expression.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention provides a scanning display apparatus capable of adjusting an output time of a light source.

Abstract: An operating method for a double-sided scanner is provided. A light source of one particular color inside a first group of light sources and a light source of a different color (or the same color) inside a second group of light source are lit to scan the front and back surface of a scan document. Optical signals from the front and back surface of the scan document are received and converted into analogue electrical signals. Thereafter, the analogue electrical signals are converted into digital electrical signal. Finally, the digital electrical signals are output to a host computer. This invention utilizes two groups of light sources (for example, light-emitting diodes) to serve as light sources for the double-sided scanner. Because light-emitting diodes require no warm-up period and is quick to switch, double-sided scanning is simplified.

Abstract: A method for calibrating an imaging apparatus configured for scanning a document, the imaging apparatus including a scanner head having an illuminant and a sensor, and a phosphorescent material forming a phosphorescent area located opposite the scanner head, the method including at least one of performing an ambient light calibration based on a background light emission intensity level of the phosphorescent area; performing an ambient light time calibration based on a decay constant of the phosphorescent material; performing a horizontal calibration to compensate for irregularities in at least one of the illuminant and the sensor across a width of the phosphorescent area; and performing a vertical calibration to compensate for changes of scanning speed of the scanner head in a lengthwise scanning direction along a length of the phosphorescent area.

Abstract: A read module includes: a light source that applies light to an original to read an image; a photoelectric conversion section that converts reflected light from the original into an image signal of the image; and a connector to be electrically connected to a controller connector in a controller. The connector has a plurality of terminals placed side by side in a predetermined direction. The plurality of terminals includes an image signal output terminal section that outputs the image signal to the controller and a power terminal section that inputs electric power for lighting the light source supplied from the controller to the read module. The power terminal section is placed in the proximity of one end of the plurality of terminals in the predetermined direction thereof. The image signal output terminal section is placed in the proximity of an opposite end in the predetermined direction thereof.

Abstract: A color image reading apparatus reads an original image by a line sensor through sequentially lighting respective light sources of a plurality of colors with respect to a scan line. An analog-to-digital converter converts an analog image signal read by said line sensor to digital image data. A lighting frequency ratio setting part sets the lighting frequency ratio for the light sources such that not all of the light sources are equally lighted. A thinning control part performs thinning control of lighting lines according to the lighting frequency ratio at which the light sources are lighted. A read data combining part combines read data of the plurality of colors according to a predetermined combination, said read data being obtained by the thinning control.

Abstract: A display and scanning assembly is disclosed wherein light reflected from or transmitted through an image being scanned is transmitted to an optical sensor through an optical shutter assembly via a light guide assembly. The optical shutter assembly is made substantially opaque except for one or more selected optical shutter elements that are made substantially transparent or opened. Light is then reflected from or transmitted through the medium containing the image to be scanned through substantially transparent shutter element or elements and transmitted to the optical sensor via a light guide assembly. The image may then be scanned by advancing selection of shutter element or elements that are opened across the medium.