Abstract: An image reader (A) includes a conductive case (1), a substrate (3) and a plurality of light receiving elements. The image reader (A) further includes a first electrode (10) formed at the case (1) and a second electrode (11) formed on the substrate (3). The case (1) is formed with an accommodation recess (1g), in which a conductive contact member (20) is provided. The conductive contact member (20) is held in contact with the first electrode (10) and the second electrode (11) to electrically connect the two electrodes to each other while separating the first electrode (10) and the second electrode (11) from each other.

Abstract: The present invention provides a controlling apparatus and method for an image scanning system that includes a direct current (DC) motor and an image sensor driven by the DC motor to move. A position signal representative of the position associated of the image sensor is generated and the controlling apparatus and method is performed according to the position signal.

Abstract: A stagger sensor and a method for improving modulation transfer function. The method of using the stagger sensor for improving modulation transfer function can be applied to scan an object. The stagger sensor includes a plurality of sensing modules. The method of increasing scanning resolution includes retrieving reference digital data and processing digital data of a computed pixel obtained from an object scanning operation.

Abstract: The invention provides an image reading apparatus that scans an image from an original document including: a light source that irradiates a light to the original document; a photoelectric conversion element; a driving mechanism that relatively moves either one of the photoelectric conversion element or the original document in a predetermined direction with respect to the other; a detection sensor that detects a vector amount of movement of either one of the photoelectric conversion element or the original document in the predetermined direction with respect to the other so as to output a detection signal for each vector amount of movement that corresponds to a minimum unit of a reading area of the image; and a control unit that executes one cycle of operations each time when the detection signal is outputted from the detection sensor.

Abstract: An imaging device includes: a plurality of light receiving parts for generating electric charge by photoelectric conversion; a shift register for transferring the electric charge generated by the plurality of light receiving parts to the output-side end portion of the shift register; and an electric-charge discharge portion which is provided in a midway-portion of the shift register and includes an electric-charge discharge gate for controlling import of the electric charge from the shift register for discharging the electric charge of the shift register via the electric-charge discharge gate.

Abstract: A discrimination machine optically senses an object having a surface with a planar structure while scanning the planar structure along the surface. The machine includes a discrimination sensor including optical devices detecting light generated from the planar structure. The optical devices are disposed at an interval in a transverse direction, perpendicular to a scanning direction, to ensure a sufficiently wide sensing area for the object. A deviation detector detects deviation of the planar structure from a plane based on electrical signals output from the respective optical devices detecting the light generated by the object while the discrimination sensor is scanning the object. An optical device selector selects an optical device, from among the optical devices, based on the deviation detected. A determination is made as to whether the electrical signal output from the optical device selected is within an allowable margin.

Abstract: A method of compensating a zipper image by a K-value, and a method of calculating the K-value. Whether the nth primitive pixel of the mth line is obtained by primary line scan is determined. If the nth primitive pixel of the mth line is obtained by primary line scan, the nth primitive pixel of the mth line is compensated as the nth primitive pixel of the mth line minus a sum of the (n?1)th primitive pixel of the (m?k)th line and the (n+1 )th primitive pixel of the (m?k)th line multiplied by the K-value. If the nth primitive pixel of the mth line is obtained by secondary line scan, the nth primitive pixel of the mth line is compensated as the nth primitive pixel of the mth line minus a multiplication of the K-value and a sum of the (n?1)th primitive pixel of the (m+k)th line and the (n+1)th primitive pixel of the (m+k)th line.

Abstract: An optical scanning device is constituted without using any arc sin ? correction lens, while maintaining quality of an image.

Abstract: A clock-signal generating unit generates temporally-continuous clock signals. A spread-spectrum clock-signal generating unit generates a spread-spectrum clock signal by modulating a frequency spectrum of a clock signal generated by the clock-signal generating unit. A signal delaying unit generates a fixed delay unaffected by a spread spectrum from the spread-spectrum clock signal generated by the spread-spectrum clock-signal generating unit, and delays a phase of the spread-spectrum clock signal based on an amount of the fixed delay.

Abstract: A method for controlling a linear sensor comprises: transferring an electric charge converted in a photoelectric conversion unit to a charge storage unit; transferring the electric charge stored in the charge storage unit to a transfer register; driving the transfer register; removing an electric charge stored in the charge storage unit; and controlling to successively execute the first transferring, the second transferring, the driving and the removing in synchronization with a trigger signal generated on a predetermined cycle.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus, of lower power consumption and a smaller area with maintaining sufficient performance, includes a plurality of pixels for reading a plurality of color components, a plurality of holding units holding a signal from each pixel, a plurality of common output lines to which the plurality of respective holding units corresponding to respective color components are connected, and a plurality of output circuits connected to the plurality of common output lines. Then, at least two of the plurality of common output lines are connected to one of the plurality of output circuits through a selecting unit. In addition, outputs of a holding unit to which pixels of at least two different color components among the plurality of pixels in the unit cell are connected are connected to one of the plurality of common output lines through a selecting unit.

Abstract: An object of this invention is to provide a structure which meets a high-quality reading requirement and realize high-speed color reading when the reading section of a color image forming apparatus adopts a color contact image sensor using CCDs as reading elements. In order to achieve this object, the image sensor of a color image reading section uses a color contact image sensor in which a plurality of CCDs are aligned as reading elements in the main scanning direction. In this case, each CCD has one analog shift register for RGB time-division reading, and three R, G, and B reading apertures arranged parallel to each other at a pitch corresponding to the reading resolution. The pixel pitch in the main scanning direction is constant.

Abstract: It is made possible to effect the reading of image data of four channels (corresponding to four basic colors) without resulting in an increase in the construction of an A/D conversion circuit for three channels (corresponding to three basic colors). In an image reading apparatus provided with photoelectric conversion element arrays 401a-401d capable of resolving an inputted optical signal into four basic colors and outputting them as analog electrical signals, and an A/D conversion circuit 407 capable of inputting three analog electrical signals at a time, three or less analog electrical signals are selected from the photoelectric conversion element arrays 401a-401d at the image reading of one main scanning line and also, a different combination of analog electrical signals are selected at the image reading of two adjacent main scanning lines, and the selected analog electrical signals are outputted to the A/D conversion circuit 407.

Abstract: A solid state imaging device of the present invention comprises a solid state imaging element which includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged in a matrix. In the solid state imaging device of the present invention, a pixel mixture unit area includes q pixels (q is a natural number equal to or greater than 2) in the first direction of the solid state imaging element and p pixels (p is a natural number equal to or greater than 2) in the second direction that crosses the first direction.

Abstract: The invention provides an arrangement and a method for generating electrical image signals from an image original. The arrangement is, for example, a film scanner which illuminates or transilluminates a photographic image on a film using an illumination device. Optical signals generated hereby are converted into electrical signals by a CCD sensor subdivided into segments. The segments of the CCD sensor are connected via mutually independent readout channels to a signal processing stage, where the electrical signals of the readout channels are combined with one another in such a way that these represent a total image. Furthermore, an adjustment unit is provided which adjusts the transfer functions of the different segments of the sensor with respect to one another in such a way that visible image disturbances are avoided.

Abstract: An object of this invention is to quickly complete white balance calculation in photographing. To achieve this object, an image sensing apparatus includes an image sensing element in which a line on which first and second color filters are arranged and a line on which first and third color filters are arranged are alternately arrayed on pixels, an image sensing controller which forms an image of one frame by n fields (n is an odd number), and reads out pixel data of the image sensing element so as to contain all color components in each 1-field period, a white balance calculation device which performs process on the basis of image data read out from the image sensing element by the image sensing controller, and starts the process before read of one frame from the image sensing element is completed by the image sensing controller.

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

Abstract: An image reader including photoelectric transducers each of which converts a light signal into an electric signal, and outputs the signal to a signal line, channel selecting switches each of which selectively connects, and disconnects, a corresponding one of the transducers to, and from, the signal line, and a resolution selecting portion which receives a control-start signal which commands the image reader to start controlling the switches, and continues to take a predetermined voltage in a first predetermined time duration, and each one of clock-pulse signals which have respective different numbers of characteristic portions or portion in a second predetermined time duration falling in the first time duration, and each of which has pulses in a third time duration following the second time duration, the switches being sequentially controlled in synchronism with the pulses of the each clock-pulse signal, so as to sequentially connect, and disconnect, the corresponding transducers to, and from, the signal line

Abstract: A method of improving a digital image captured by a digital camera comprising: providing a digital camera having a memory for storing known values of a color chart having a plurality of color patches of different colors and a digital image processor, using the digital camera to capture an image of the color chart to produce image values of the color patches of the color chart; operating the digital image processor to process at least some of the color patch imaged values and the stored known values of the color patches to produce a color correction matrix or profile; and storing the color correction matrix or profile to correct color images subsequently acquired by the digital camera.

Abstract: A method for correcting magnification in a photographic device is disclosed in this present invention. The point of this invention is that the magnification ratio of a photographic device is saved into a nonvolatile memory and read out for correcting the magnification in the photographic device, so that the image with correct dimension can be output from the photographic device. Therefore, this invention can provide a more efficient method for correcting magnification in a photographic device, and the quality of the image captured by the photographic device can be improved thereby.

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

Abstract: A scanning or copying system can include imaging elements and one or more system processors that are programmed or adapted to perform image processing methods and algorithms on image data, and in some instances, to enhance the image. Image data is acquired using imaging elements. Some imaging elements may have overlapping or rotated fields of view or employ differing resolutions. For each imaging element, its output is recombined together with the output of one or more other imaging elements. To perform the recombination, the system can extract features in an overlapping region and match these features in multiple images. In some instances, the features matched can be edges. Alternatively, the recombination can be performed by positioning each subimage with respect to a larger image through image matching and location techniques. Parameters from the recombined image can be extracted and these parameters can be used to correct for geometrical and spatial distortions and thereby enhance the image.

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

Abstract: A 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 solid-state image pickup device including a charge transferrer to transfer a signal charge obtained through photoelectric conversion; a floating diffusion region; a reset means for resetting the potential of the floating diffusion region; and a current source for supplying, to the floating diffusion region, a signal charge corresponding to the quantity of the signal charge transferred by the charge transferrer. The current source such as a current mirror circuit is interposed between the output stage of a horizontal CCD and the floating diffusion region so as to supply thereto a signal charge corresponding to the quantity of the signal charge transferred by the horizontal CCD, hence separating the horizontal CCD and the floating diffusion region potentially from each other, whereby the supply voltage, i.e., the reset voltage for the floating diffusion region, can be set independently of the potential of the horizontal CCD.

Abstract: A CCD is such that a single image sensing area is produced by performing exposure four times in four areas. Four correction circuits are provided in association with respective ones of the four areas. Four items of image data obtained based upon respective ones of the four areas are input to corresponding correction circuits, which apply a correction to prevent image disturbance at the area boundaries. One frame of image data is generated from corrected image data of respective ones of the areas and the image data is recorded on a memory card.

Abstract: A CCD linear sensor includes a monochrome sensor and a color sensor, which have different transfer speeds and which are mounted on the same chip. In the CCD linear sensor, while one read-out operation is performed by the color sensor, two read-out operations are performed by the monochrome sensor. During the second read-out period of the monochrome sensor, by stopping the generation of two-phase transfer pulses to be supplied to the transfer registers of the color sensors during a predetermined period of time before and after the second read-out pulse occurs, the transfer operation of the transfer registers of the color sensors is stopped.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus for reading an image using a monochrome image sensor and a color image sensor having three shift registers which requires a reduced manufacturing cost and is less affected by the influence of external noises. The image reading apparatus comprises an analog frontend IC with three channels and having programmable gain amplifiers (PGA) for the respective channels capable of adjusting gains, an analog/digital converter (ADC) and a multiplexer (MUX) for sequentially providing signals amplified by the respective PGAs to the analog/digital converter built-in. The image reading apparatus amplifies pixel signals output from the respective channels of the monochrome image sensor or the color image sensor by providing the pixel signals to the corresponding PGAs, and converts the amplified pixel signals into pixel data through the analog/digital converter.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a plurality of sensor IC chips aligned in a row. Each of the sensor IC chips incorporates a plurality of light receiving elements. The plurality of light receiving elements successively output image signals as serial analog signals corresponding to received amount of light upon receiving light from an object to be read. The number of the sensor IC chips is an integer multiple of three. The sensor IC chips are divided into blocks. The number of the blocks is an integer multiple of three. The image signals are outputted on a block-by-block basis.

Abstract: An analog-to-digital converter in an image sensor is implemented with a plurality of comparator units. Each comparator unit has a respective capacitor array and respective switches integrated therein. Such capacitors and switches across the comparator units are operated for generating ramp voltages for such comparator units for performing analog-to-digital conversion with correlated double sampling. Thus, circuit area and power consumption of the CMOS image sensor may be minimized.

Abstract: A digital image system is disclosed having a sensor with an elevated two-color photo-detector for sensing two different color values in combination with a single-color photo-detector for sensing a third color value. Minimal demosaicing is performed to obtain at least one luminance value at each photo-detector location. The sampled chrominance values and sampled and demosaiced luminance values are directly compressed without converting between color spaces and with minimal or no processing required. With a reduced amount of image processing prior to image compression, all of the pre-compression image processing may be performed on the image sensor itself instead of on a separate image processing system.

Abstract: A white reference image is inputted to an image sensor so as to output groups of analog data. The groups of analog data are converted by a processing unit into those groups of digital data the number of which is smaller than that of photosensor elements of the image sensor. The lowest density value of the groups or digital data is inspected, an operating environment is set so that the lowest density value of the groups of digital data may become a density value within a predetermined range. An optical system, a drive unit and the processing unit are controlled under the operating environment so as to output from the processing unit, image data which express a subject image inputted to the image sensor.

Abstract: An imaging lens comprises a first, a second, a third, and a fourth lens group from an object toward an image. The first lens group includes a first lens that is a convex meniscus lens with a convex surface on the object side. The second lens group includes a second lens having a positive refractive power, and a third lens bonded to the second lens and having a negative refractive power. The third lens group includes a fourth lens having a negative refractive power, and a fifth lens bonded to the fourth lens and having a positive refractive power. The fourth lens group includes a sixth lens having a positive refractive power. The imaging lens satisfies the condition 0.10<D/f<0.19 where D denotes a sum of an air gap between the first lens and the second lens and an air gap between the fifth lens and the sixth lens, and f denotes a focal length of the entirety of the imaging lens with respect to an e-ray.

Abstract: A monolithic micro scanning device comprising multiple substrates; source of light for generating a light beam disposed on one of said substrates; and micro mirror disposed on one of said substrates for repetitively and cyclically moving light beam to scan insignia impregnated on a surface of different articles is described. More particularly, the scanning device comprises a combination of stacked dies in suitable form factor to optimize a system configuration and packaging.

Abstract: An image forming device comprises a plurality of unit modules arranged in a main scanning direction, each unit module having a light source that modulates according to image data and a deflection unit which deflects the light emitted from the light source to scan a surface to be scanned. Areas scanned with each unit module are joined together to record the image. The image data includes fixed pixel areas in number equal to the number of the unit modules and which have one scanning line in common with the adjacent fixed pixel area, and variable pixel areas that link up the fixed pixel areas. The image data is constructed by adding pixels of each unit module to the variable pixel areas at a record start side or a record stop side of the fixed pixel areas, and the variable pixel areas are commonly shared between two neighboring unit modules.

Abstract: An image capturing device includes an electronic image sensor and a memory including a dark frame buffer that stores one or more dark frames generated by the electronic image sensor. A processor controls the electronic image sensor to substantially continuously capture and store a newest dark frame from the electronic image sensor when the electronic image sensor is not performing an image capture. The processor subtracts the newest dark frame from an image upon an image capture.

Abstract: An image reader is constituted by an image sensor having a plurality of image sensor ICs mounted therein linearly, wherein the plurality of image sensor ICs are divided into a plurality of blocks to read image signals of the blocks in the same period, and adjacent light receiving elements of the adjacent image sensor ICs between the blocks are arranged so as to be spaced from each other in a sub-scanning direction in such a way that the reading areas of the image signals which are to be read in the same period in the sub-scanning direction become identical to each other. Thus, no continuousness of an image is distorted even in a joint between the adjacent blocks.

Abstract: In a photosensitive imaging apparatus having multiple chips, each chip having a set of photosensors, chips of a single basic design can be instructed to operate consistently with either parallel or serial readout of the apparatus. Signals on a shift register line associated with each chip are recognized, by on-chip circuitry, as an instruction to operate the chip in either a parallel or a serial manner.

Abstract: An object of this invention is to provide a structure which meets a high-quality reading requirement and realize high-speed color reading when the reading section of a color image forming apparatus adopts a color contact image sensor using CCDs as reading elements. In order to achieve this object, the image sensor of a color image reading section uses a color contact image sensor in which a plurality of CCDs are aligned as reading elements in the main scanning direction. In this case, each CCD has one analog shift register for RGB time-division reading, and three R, G, and B reading apertures arranged parallel to each other at a pitch corresponding to the reading resolution. The pixel pitch in the main scanning direction is constant.

Abstract: An optical scanner includes a CCD and a light monitor window (“LMW”) and a black region adjacent the LMW. The LMW is imaged to provide feedback signals for Red, Green and Blue channels of the CCD. The black region is imaged to remove flare from the feedback signals. The flare-corrected feedback signals may be supplied to gain compensation controls.

Abstract: In an image pick-up apparatus having an alternate repetitive configuration of a pixel row having green and magenta pixels alternately and repetitively disposed and a pixel row having cyan and yellow pixels alternately and repetitively disposed, pixel addition is performed for charges accumulated in the green pixel and charges accumulated in the cyan or yellow pixel, and also pixel addition is performed for charges accumulated in the magenta pixel and charges accumulated in the yellow or cyan pixel and generating a signal unit. The roles of the yellow and cyan pixels are exchanged in respective sets of two rows. The solid state image pick-up apparatus having a number of complementary color pixels disposed in a honeycomb configuration is provided which can suppress reduction of a resolution, generation of a false color and reduction of a color S/N ratio even if the sensitivity of the apparatus is increased through pixel addition.

Abstract: An image sensor having an array of pixel elements constructed using a two level polysilicon CMOS process that provides individual addressability and a non-destructive readout of the pixels. The pixel elements each includes a substrate, an insulating layer formed on the substrate, a collection capacitor electrode, a transfer electrode, a readout capacitor electrode, and a readout transistor. The transfer electrode is located between the collection and readout capacitor electrodes and all three electrodes are electrically isolated from the substrate and each other by the insulating layer. The collection capacitor electrode and insulating layer are transparent so that incident light can pass through these elements and be absorbed by the substrate. A bias voltage is applied to the collection electrode to form a depletion region in the substrate where photoelectrically generated charge is collected.

Abstract: An inventive video camera imager supports an interlace scan mode, a dynamic range-widening scan (WS) mode and a sequential scan mode with a limited amount of circuitry. For this, a WS image signal of 2N lines and a sequential scan image signal of 2N lines (N is the number of scan lines of an image to be obtained) is used. Every other line of WS image signal is longer in exposure time than adjacent lines of the WS image signal. A simplified imager may support only interlace scan mode and sequential scan mode, or may support only WS mode and sequential scan mode.

Abstract: An image inputting device comprises a base having an object resting surface on which an object rests, an image pickup unit, a reflecting unit having a reflecting surface for reflecting a light from the object and introducing the light to the image pickup unit, and a holding unit disposed on the base to be rotatable about a first axis parallel to the object resting surface. The image pickup unit is rotatable about a second axis disposed on the holding unit, and the reflecting unit is rotatable about a third axis disposed on the holding unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image scanning module including a first unit, a second unit, and a third unit. The first unit having a light source is used for retrieving a first image. The second unit is used for generating a second image by focusing the first image. The third unit is used for generating an electric signal responsive to the second image. The first unit, the second unit, and the third unit are modules discrete from each other.

Abstract: The divided one-dimensional solid-state imaging device includes photodiode arrays having photodiodes for individual pixels arrayed in a line, output transistors for outputting electric charges from the respective photodiodes and transfer paths for transferring the outputted electric charges to output terminals. In the imaging device, the photodiode arrays is divided into a plurality of sections differing in the number of pixels in a photodiode arraying direction, the respective divided sections connecting to the corresponding ones of the transfer paths and the output terminals, and pixel rows in the respective divided sections are read out in parallel at the same time from the output terminals corresponding to the respective divided sections.

Abstract: By performing preliminary scanning, a document identification unit determines whether a document is a dark document, such as a negative film, that requires excess exposure, or an ordinary document that does not require excess exposure. When it is determined that the document does not require excess exposure, an exposure time setting unit sets an exposure time for a line sensor. Then, in consonance with the designated exposure time, the line sensor initiates the reading of a black reference. Thereafter, in accordance with an excess exposure time that is designated, a black reference data preparation unit prepares black reference data. Since the black reference is read during the same period as the excess exposure time and the black reference data is prepared, the detailed tones of the dark portion of the document can be expressed, and the quality of the image can be improved.

Abstract: It is assumed that there are a plurality of areas where a transfer is to be performed at a long pitch, in an original film, and a plurality of areas where a transfer is to be performed at a short pitch in each of the areas where a transfer is to be performed at a long pitch. On a sub-scan stage the original document is sub-scanned in the area where a transfer is to be performed at a short pitch, by performing at least one small step transferring, which is a transfer performed at a short pitch. Thereafter, a large step transferring which is a transfer performed at a long pitch, is performed on the sub-scan stage. The sub-scanning is repeated by performing the large step transferring and the small step transferring.

Abstract: To control the potential distribution generated in a well at the time of amplification and reduce a shading in a solid-state imaging device of amplification type, the amplification type solid-state imaging device of the present invention comprises a plurality of picture elements each including photoelectric conversion elements formed in a second conductivity type common well inside a first conductivity type substrate, wherein a plurality of well contacts are disposed inside a picture element array area.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus easily and reliably realizes complicated 1-line processing by a simple method, and controls accumulation period for respective colors without any particular function such as shutters on the line sensor side. One line period is divided into a reading section for reading valid image data, a dummy section for sweeping electric charge accumulated in the reading section and for synchronization, and a section for setting accumulation periods for the respective colors. In the reading section, the line sensor is driven by a necessary transfer frequency, and in the other sections, the sensor is driven at a high speed.