Abstract: Transparency imaging systems and methods. One embodiment of the transparency imaging system comprises an imaging surface and a cover mounted adjacent the imaging surface. A media adapter is provided as part of the cover, and a chamber is formed in the media adapter. At least one template is receivable within the chamber formed in the media adapter, the at least one template loading the transparency media in the media adapter adjacent the imaging surface for an imaging operation.

Abstract: Systems and methods systems and methods for orienting media for improved scan quality are disclosed. In an exemplary implementation, a method may include receiving a transparency media in a media holder, and guiding the transparency media into the media holder. The method may also include accepting the transparency media in the media holder only if the transparency media is oriented with an emulsion side facing toward an imaging surface. The method may also include self-ejecting the transparency media from the media holder if the transparency media is oriented with the emulsion side facing away from the imaging surface.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus for transparent documents includes a scanner which includes a host and a lid pivotally coupled with the host, and a transparent document holding module which is located between the host and the lid, and includes a main body and a light guide element which is located on the periphery of the main body. The host has an optical module for scanning. The optical module includes a plurality of lighting units and a first attraction element. The main body aims to hold a transparent document. The light guide element includes a second attraction element attracted to the first attraction element. When the light guide element is moved with the optical module, the direction of light projecting to the transparent document is altered. Thus when the light guide element is moved with the optical module along a track, scanning of images on the transparent documents can also be accomplished.

Abstract: An image reader including a main body with a document bed for supporting an original document; and a document cover rotatably supported at one edge with respect to the main body and capable of rotating between a closed position for covering the document bed and an open position for exposing the document bed. The document cover has a main cover body and a document pressing plate formed of a synthetic resin. The pressing plate is supported on the main cover body with vertical clearance (in a direction orthogonal to the surface of the pressing plate) through the engagement of engaging pieces having through-holes. When the document cover is in the closed position, pressing parts press the center part of the pressing plate against the document bed.

Abstract: An imaging system comprises a lid having a light source disposed therein and a media carriage coupled to the lid. The media carriage is adapted to support at least two media objects and is movable relative to the light source to alternately expose the two media objects to the light source for generating scanned images thereof.

Abstract: A reading apparatus comprising a plate on which a transparent original is placed, and a guide unit for setting the transparent original at a predetermined position on the original plate. A light source unit is settable at plural positions in contact with the guide unit for illuminating the transparent original which is urged against the original plate by the light source unit. A portion of the light source unit which is contacted with the transparent original is chamfered (R-worked) not to damage the transparent original. Further, a portion of the light source unit which is contacted with the transparent original is designed to urge the transparent original at an out of an image area of the original.

Abstract: A slip-resistant and portable scanner for scanning a document placed on a document platen includes a housing, a scan window, and a scanning module and a slip-resistant structure. The scan window is mounted on the housing to closely face the document. The scanning module is disposed in the housing to scan the document through the scan window. The slip-resistant structure is disposed on and attached to a surface of the scan window facing the document and in contact with the document or the document platen. Thus, it is possible to prevent the scan window from slipping relatively to the document and enhance the scan quality and convenience.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for the shifting of a scanning device's focal point is described herein. The method, system, and apparatus comprise a focal point shifter interposed between a scanner surface and a target surface of a medium.

Abstract: A transparency conveying apparatus is provided with: a first rail for guiding one end of a transparency; a second rail for guiding the other end portion, which is provided parallel to the first rail with the transparency reading region placed between the first and second rails; a first belt for conveying the transparency along the first rail, which faces the first rail in a position where the one end is inserted between the first belt and the first rail; a second belt for conveying the transparency along the second rail, which faces the second rail in a position where the other end is inserted between the second belt and the second rail; a first engagement member for engaging the one end with the first belt; a second engagement member for engaging the other end with the second belt; and a drive unit for rotating the first and second belts.

Abstract: One embodiment pertains to analyzing a document that is to be printed on a transparency, determining whether the document formatting is optimized for transparency printing, and alerting a user if the document formatting is not optimized for transparency printing. Another embodiment pertains to analyzing a document to determine whether the document is a transparency document, determining whether the scanning resolution is appropriate for scanning a transparency where the document is determined to be a transparency document, and alerting a user if the scanning resolution is not appropriate for scanning a transparency where the document is a transparency document and the scanning resolution is inappropriate.

Abstract: Based on the difference in shape between a mount and a dummy mount subjected to scanning, an output signal having a pattern which differs depending on whether the mount or the dummy mount is transported is outputted from a photo coupler 54 along with driving of a mount pusher pawl 23. Further, a detection signal indicative of whether the mount or the dummy mount is transported or neither the mount nor the dummy mount is transported following the driving of the mount pusher pawl 23 is outputted from a photo coupler 59. With the use of these two output signals, whether the mount is transported or not, whether the dummy mount is transported or not or whether neither the mount nor the mount is transported or not can be detected by the driving of the mount pusher pawl with high accuracy.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus for imaging an original document or photographic film includes an original placement bed on which to place the original, and a reading device to form an image of the original. A transparent original adapter, detachably connected to the image reading apparatus, includes a delivery device that moves the original along an original placement plane of the original placement bed. The transparent original adapter also includes a lighting device that illuminates the original as the reading device forms the image of the original. A film position adjustment device adjusts the original away from the original placement plane when the original is moved, and against the original when the image of the original is read by the reading device.

Abstract: An apparatus for viewing originals in a flatbed scanner includes a fixed copy holder and a movable scanning unit with a light source for illuminating the original to be scanned, an optoelectronic transducer, and a scanning lens for projecting a scanned line of the original onto the optoelectronic transducer. Fitted below the copy holder is a light source, and fastened on the scanning unit is a dispersion foil drawn under the copy holder by the scanning unit when the scanning unit is brought into a parking position and drawn away by the scanning unit when the scanning unit is moved over the copy holder during scanning. The dispersion foil is stretched tight by a suitable stretching apparatus when the scanning unit is in the parking position.

Abstract: A light lid with a previewing window is disclosed. The light lid provides a lightsome window to preview a transparent original. The light lid comprises a housing that has an opening, and a light conductive plate, which is positioned under the housing to conduct light upwards and downwards evenly so that the light illuminates evenly on the opening and a scanner. Therefore, a user can place a transparent original, such as negatives, above the opening to preview the image of the negatives clearly by the light which is conducted by the light conductive plate and past through the opening.

Abstract: A film scanner for scanning images formed on a film is provided with a film type identifying system that automatically identifies a type of a film to be scanned, and a scanning condition setting system that automatically sets a scanning condition in accordance with the type of the film identified by the film type identifying system.

Abstract: A slide securing device, using in a flatbed scanner, includes a frame and a securing cell. The securing cell comprises an aperture, a first securing clip, a second securing clip, a first securing groove, a second securing groove, a picking portion, a first support member and a second support member. The slide securing device utilizes proper clips for holding slides. Thus, the scanner can directly scan the secured slides by predetermined parameters and reset mode, in order to save scanning time. Further, the securing grooves maintains slides at a fixed height to improve the scanning quality.

Abstract: An image scanner in which an original is scanned by a trilinear CCD array, i.e. the original is scanned line by line, three lines at the time, one line for each color. Thus, at a specific time “only” the area of the original that is scanned by the trilinear CCD array at that time has to be positioned in focus of the imaging means of the image scanner while the remaining part of the original may be positioned anywhere and may adopt any suitable form. Thus, there is no need for all parts of the original to be kept flat and planar as required in known flat bed scanners. The original is kept flat and straight along a line to be scanned by imparting a substantially cylindrical shape, such as a circular cylindrical shape, to at least part of the original. The original is scanned along lines that are substantially parallel to the generatrix of the cylindrical part of the original.

Abstract: The primary function of the optional handler is to make plates available on demand to the imaging engine. A multitude of plates are stored inside cassettes and these cassettes are loaded into the handler. There may be up to four cassettes residing in the handler. Inside a cassette there may be a protective interleaf sheet, sometimes called a slip sheet, between each plate which is removed by the handler and discarded. The handler receives commands from the engine control sequencer which provides instructions as to what cassette needs to be accessed to make a plate available to the picker mechanism so the plate may be conveyed to the imaging engine. Conversely the handler provides status information to the engine to make full interaction with the system possible.

Abstract: This specification discloses a carrier sheet for original having an upper sheet and a lower sheet, the two sheets having their leading end portions as viewed in the direction of advance of the original adhesively secured to each other in the widthwise direction thereof, and adapted to be opened to set the original and to be closed to hold the original therebetween, characterized by the provision of original keeping means for preventing the deviation of the original held by the carrier sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus for scanning and digitizing image objects includes a conventional scanning unit for processing individual image objects with the aid of a first electro-optical scanning unit. Furthermore, an optional roll-film unit is provided for processing roll-film objects. The roll-film unit is optionally usable in combination with the conventional scanning unit. The roll-film unit too utilizes at least the first electro-optical scanning unit of the conventional scanner to digitize the roll-film object. The apparatus is especially suited for use for digitizing aerial images in individual image form or in roll-film form in the area of photogrammetry.

Abstract: An image scanner with one lighting unit and one drive system for scanning both reflective and transparent objects includes a lighting unit, a reflect mirror unit, a lens and an image sensing unit. The planes for placing reflective objects and transparent objects are located on opposite sides of the lighting unit, and light of lighting unit reflecting from the surface of the reflective object or projecting directly through the transparent object to the image sensing unit by the reflect mirror unit and lens to match different modes of image scanning. The mirror unit may be driven to two different position by a lead screw drive mechanism.

Abstract: A fixing unit includes a fixing roller, a pressure roller forming a nipper in cooperation with said fixing roller, the nipper conveying a recording material on which an unfixed image is formed while nipping the recording material, a recording material pressing roller disposed at least one of upstream and downstream of said nipper in a recording material conveyance direction for pressing said recording material toward the fixing roller to form a region where the recording material is wound around the fixing roller, and a tension applying unit for applying tension to the recording material.

Abstract: A slide securing device, using in a flatbed scanner, includes a frame and a securing cell. The securing cell comprises an aperture, a first securing clip, a second securing clip, a first securing groove, a second securing groove, a picking portion, a first support member and a second support member. The slide securing device utilizes proper clips for holding slides. Thus, the scanner can directly scan the secured slides by predetermined parameters and reset mode, in order to save scanning time. Further, the securing grooves maintains slides at a fixed height to improve the scanning quality.