USRE42010E1 - Installation for increasing usable range along axial direction of light source - Google Patents
Installation for increasing usable range along axial direction of light source Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- USRE42010E1 USRE42010E1 US11/267,887 US26788705A USRE42010E US RE42010 E1 USRE42010 E1 US RE42010E1 US 26788705 A US26788705 A US 26788705A US RE42010 E USRE42010 E US RE42010E
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- coating
- transparent panel
- light source
- sensor
- light
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
- H04N1/024—Details of scanning heads ; Means for illuminating the original
- H04N1/028—Details of scanning heads ; Means for illuminating the original for picture information pick-up
- H04N1/02815—Means for illuminating the original, not specific to a particular type of pick-up head
- H04N1/02845—Means for illuminating the original, not specific to a particular type of pick-up head using an elongated light source, e.g. tubular lamp, LED array
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
- H04N1/024—Details of scanning heads ; Means for illuminating the original
- H04N1/028—Details of scanning heads ; Means for illuminating the original for picture information pick-up
- H04N1/02815—Means for illuminating the original, not specific to a particular type of pick-up head
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
- H04N1/024—Details of scanning heads ; Means for illuminating the original
- H04N1/028—Details of scanning heads ; Means for illuminating the original for picture information pick-up
- H04N1/02815—Means for illuminating the original, not specific to a particular type of pick-up head
- H04N1/02885—Means for compensating spatially uneven illumination, e.g. an aperture arrangement
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
- H04N1/024—Details of scanning heads ; Means for illuminating the original
- H04N1/028—Details of scanning heads ; Means for illuminating the original for picture information pick-up
- H04N1/02815—Means for illuminating the original, not specific to a particular type of pick-up head
- H04N1/02895—Additional elements in the illumination means or cooperating with the illumination means, e.g. filters
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
- H04N1/04—Scanning arrangements, i.e. arrangements for the displacement of active reading or reproducing elements relative to the original or reproducing medium, or vice versa
- H04N1/19—Scanning arrangements, i.e. arrangements for the displacement of active reading or reproducing elements relative to the original or reproducing medium, or vice versa using multi-element arrays
- H04N1/191—Scanning arrangements, i.e. arrangements for the displacement of active reading or reproducing elements relative to the original or reproducing medium, or vice versa using multi-element arrays the array comprising a one-dimensional array, or a combination of one-dimensional arrays, or a substantially one-dimensional array, e.g. an array of staggered elements
- H04N1/192—Simultaneously or substantially simultaneously scanning picture elements on one main scanning line
- H04N1/193—Simultaneously or substantially simultaneously scanning picture elements on one main scanning line using electrically scanned linear arrays, e.g. linear CCD arrays
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
- H04N1/04—Scanning arrangements, i.e. arrangements for the displacement of active reading or reproducing elements relative to the original or reproducing medium, or vice versa
- H04N1/19—Scanning arrangements, i.e. arrangements for the displacement of active reading or reproducing elements relative to the original or reproducing medium, or vice versa using multi-element arrays
- H04N1/195—Scanning arrangements, i.e. arrangements for the displacement of active reading or reproducing elements relative to the original or reproducing medium, or vice versa using multi-element arrays the array comprising a two-dimensional array or a combination of two-dimensional arrays
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an installation capable of increasing the usable range of a light source. More particularly, the present invention relates to an installation capable of increasing the usable range along the axial direction of a light source.
- image-extraction instruments such as scanners and digital cameras
- Common features of image-extraction instruments include the use of a light source to produce an optical image and the passing of an optical image through an optical transmission system to an optical sensor.
- the optical sensor is a charge couple device (CCD).
- the longitudinal light source of a scanner has one major drawback, namely, brightness level along the central portion of the light axis is usually higher than along the adjacent sides. Hence, an image produced by the light source is brighter in the middle while dimmer along the edges. Since a scanner depends on brightness contrast to operate, a conventional scanner has poorer contrast near the two edges of the light axis. To preserve quality of the scan image, a section near the edge regions is often unused.
- Taiwan patent publication no. 244013 entitled ‘Improved lamp shade compensation of an optical scanner’ brightness variation along the light axis is improved by modifying the lamp shade structure.
- the invention requires specially made components, and hence may lead to an increase in production cost.
- Taiwan patent publication no. 352886 entitled ‘A lens structure and its integration with an image-reading device’ another method of improving brightness level along the axial direction of a light source is proposed.
- By changing the degree of reflectivity of a coated film on the reflecting lens inside the scanner brightness level variation is reduced.
- the reflectivity of more than one reflecting lens needs to be modified, thereby increasing the production cost necessary for achieving the results.
- the method is not suitable for other optical sensing devices besides a scanner.
- one object of the present invention is to provide an installation for increasing the scanning range along the axial direction of a light source by changing the light transparency of the transparent panel leading, to an optical sensor.
- the installation can be applied to other optical devices besides a scanner,such as a digital camera.
- the invention provides an installation for increasing the scanning range of a light source.
- the installation includes a light source and an optical sensor.
- the light source is used as a source for generating the image to be detected.
- the optical sensor includes a sensor and a transparent panel.
- the transparent panel is positioned between the sensor and the light source.
- the transparent panel also has a long axis that runs from edge to edge passing through the panel.
- the sensor receives an optical image formed by projecting light from the light source through the transparent panel.
- There is a coating over the transparent panel such that light transparency in the middle section of the long axis is higher than either side.
- the coating can be deposited over the entire transparent panel.
- the coating can be deposited over the imaging section on the transparent panel only.
- the coating can be made by forming a plurality of coating materials of the same thickness over surface regions of the transparent panel so that a range of light transparencies are obtained across the panel.
- a coating made from a single material but having a variable thickness is formed across the transparent panel to obtain a range of light transparencies across the panel.
- this invention a coating is added onto the transparent panel of an optical sensor so that light transparency varies across the panel. Hence, there is no need to produce or modify components. Therefore, this invention is able to improve brightness variation of a light source with only minimum modification of the components.
- the installation can be applied to other optical devices besides a scanner, such as a digital camera.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an optical sensor system according to one preferred embodiment of this invention.
- FIG. 2a is a cross-sectional side view of the structure along line 2 — 2 ′ of FIG. 1 according to a first embodiment of this invention
- FIG. 2b is a cross-sectional side view of the structure along line 2 — 2 ′ of FIG. 1 according to a second embodiment of this invention
- FIG. 3a is a graph showing the variation of light transparency along the long axis of the transparent panel due to the presence of the coating
- FIG. 3b is a graph showing the variation of brightness level along the light axis of the light source.
- FIG. 3c is a graph showing the variation of brightness level after light from the light source passes through the transparent panel.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an optical sensor system according to one preferred embodiment of this invention.
- the system includes, a light source 10 , a coating 15 , a transparent panel 20 and a sensor 25 .
- the light source 10 is able to generate an image for sensing.
- the sensor 25 , the transparent panel 20 and the coating 15 together constitute the optical sensor.
- the transparent panel 20 is positioned between the sensor 25 and the light source 10 . When the image produced by the light source is projected onto the transparent panel 20 , a long axis is created.
- the coating 15 is formed over one glass surface of the transparent panel 20 .
- the sensor 25 detects the light image after light from the light source 10 has passed through the coating 15 and the transparent panel 20 .
- the coating 15 on the transparent panel 20 modifies the light transparency along the long axis such that the light transparency is lower in the middle compared with either end.
- the coating 15 is formed only over the region within the transparent panel 20 where the projected image produced by the light source 10 is covered. In practice, the coating 15 may cover the entire glass surface of the transparent panel 20 .
- FIG. 2a is a cross-sectional side view of the structure along line 2 — 2 ′ of FIG. 1 according to a first embodiment of this invention.
- the coating 15 on the transparent panel 20 is formed using a single material having a variable thickness along the long axis. In other words, the thickness of the coating 15 near the middle is greater than the thickness along the two sides.
- Light transparency of the coating 15 has a characteristic curve shown in FIG. 3 a.
- FIG. 3a is a graph showing the variation of light transparency along the long axis of the transparent panel due to the presence of the coating.
- FIG. 3b is a graph showing the variation of brightness level along the light axis of the light source. After light from the light source 10 is passed through the transparent panel 20 with a single-layered coating 15 , variation of brightness level along the long axis is shown in FIG. 3 c. As shown in FIGS. 3b and 3c , brightness level after passing through the transparent panel 20 is much flatter and wider than the brightness level along the light axis of the original light source 10 . Since the optical sensor relies heavily on brightness contrast to carry out detection, the brightness curve shown in FIG. 3c is more suitable for image detection than the curve shown in FIG. 3 b.
- FIG. 2b is a cross-sectional side view of the structure along line 2 — 2 ′ of FIG. 1 according to a second embodiment of this invention.
- the coating 15 on the transparent panel 20 is actually comprised of three different coatings 15 a, 15 b and 15 c, each having a different light transparency but identical thickness. All the coatings 15 a, 15 b and 15 c together produce a light transparency curve shown in FIG. 3 a. In other words, light transparency in the middle is lower relative to the sides.
- FIG. 3b is a graph showing the variation of brightness level along the light axis of the light source. After light from the light source 10 is passed through the transparent panel 20 with multiple coatings 15 a, 15 b and 15 c, variation of brightness level along the long axis is shown in FIG. 3 c. As shown in FIGS. 3b and 3c , brightness level after passing through the transparent panel 20 is much flatter and wider than the brightness level along the light axis of the original light source 10 . Since the optical sensor relies heavily on brightness contrast to carry out detection, the brightness curve shown in FIG. 3c is more suitable for image detection than the curve shown in FIG. 3 b.
- the number of coatings on the transparent panel 20 is not limited to three. To fit a particular design, the number of coatings can increase and the type of material forming the coatings can vary.
- the greatest benefit of this invention is the reduction of brightness variation of a light source without the need to produce new components. In fact, only minor modifications of a single component are needed.
Abstract
Description
Claims (36)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/267,887 USRE42010E1 (en) | 1999-12-18 | 2005-11-04 | Installation for increasing usable range along axial direction of light source |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
TW088222561U TW475732U (en) | 1999-12-18 | 1999-12-18 | System with enhanced usable range in axial direction of light source |
TW88222561U | 1999-12-18 | ||
US09/562,680 US6643036B1 (en) | 1999-12-18 | 2000-05-02 | Installation for increasing usable range along axial direction of light source |
US11/267,887 USRE42010E1 (en) | 1999-12-18 | 2005-11-04 | Installation for increasing usable range along axial direction of light source |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/562,680 Reissue US6643036B1 (en) | 1999-12-18 | 2000-05-02 | Installation for increasing usable range along axial direction of light source |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
USRE42010E1 true USRE42010E1 (en) | 2010-12-28 |
Family
ID=21658256
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/562,680 Ceased US6643036B1 (en) | 1999-12-18 | 2000-05-02 | Installation for increasing usable range along axial direction of light source |
US11/267,887 Expired - Lifetime USRE42010E1 (en) | 1999-12-18 | 2005-11-04 | Installation for increasing usable range along axial direction of light source |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/562,680 Ceased US6643036B1 (en) | 1999-12-18 | 2000-05-02 | Installation for increasing usable range along axial direction of light source |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US6643036B1 (en) |
TW (1) | TW475732U (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
TW475732U (en) * | 1999-12-18 | 2002-02-01 | Umax Data Systems Inc | System with enhanced usable range in axial direction of light source |
Citations (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5300767A (en) * | 1992-04-15 | 1994-04-05 | Hewlett-Packard Company | Color image sensing assembly with multiple linear sensors and aligned filters |
US5463229A (en) * | 1993-04-07 | 1995-10-31 | Mitsui Toatsu Chemicals, Incorporated | Circuit board for optical devices |
US6046826A (en) * | 1997-08-25 | 2000-04-04 | Avision Inc. | Light source for film scanner |
US6213607B1 (en) * | 1994-02-14 | 2001-04-10 | Nikon Corporation | Exposure apparatus and field stop thereof |
US6233063B1 (en) * | 1995-06-29 | 2001-05-15 | Agfa Corporation | Two lens converging device in a dual plane flat-bed scanning system |
US6411594B1 (en) * | 1996-12-25 | 2002-06-25 | Sony Corporation | Optical disk having clamp portion higher than substrate |
US6614581B2 (en) * | 2001-07-03 | 2003-09-02 | Network Photonics, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for providing a multi-stop micromirror |
US6614561B1 (en) * | 1999-12-18 | 2003-09-02 | Umax Data Systems, Inc. | Installation for increasing a scanning range of a scanner along an axial direction of a light source |
US6643036B1 (en) * | 1999-12-18 | 2003-11-04 | Umax Data Systems, Inc. | Installation for increasing usable range along axial direction of light source |
-
1999
- 1999-12-18 TW TW088222561U patent/TW475732U/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
2000
- 2000-05-02 US US09/562,680 patent/US6643036B1/en not_active Ceased
-
2005
- 2005-11-04 US US11/267,887 patent/USRE42010E1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5300767A (en) * | 1992-04-15 | 1994-04-05 | Hewlett-Packard Company | Color image sensing assembly with multiple linear sensors and aligned filters |
US5463229A (en) * | 1993-04-07 | 1995-10-31 | Mitsui Toatsu Chemicals, Incorporated | Circuit board for optical devices |
US6213607B1 (en) * | 1994-02-14 | 2001-04-10 | Nikon Corporation | Exposure apparatus and field stop thereof |
US6233063B1 (en) * | 1995-06-29 | 2001-05-15 | Agfa Corporation | Two lens converging device in a dual plane flat-bed scanning system |
US6411594B1 (en) * | 1996-12-25 | 2002-06-25 | Sony Corporation | Optical disk having clamp portion higher than substrate |
US6046826A (en) * | 1997-08-25 | 2000-04-04 | Avision Inc. | Light source for film scanner |
US6614561B1 (en) * | 1999-12-18 | 2003-09-02 | Umax Data Systems, Inc. | Installation for increasing a scanning range of a scanner along an axial direction of a light source |
US6643036B1 (en) * | 1999-12-18 | 2003-11-04 | Umax Data Systems, Inc. | Installation for increasing usable range along axial direction of light source |
US6614581B2 (en) * | 2001-07-03 | 2003-09-02 | Network Photonics, Inc. | Methods and apparatus for providing a multi-stop micromirror |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
TW475732U (en) | 2002-02-01 |
US6643036B1 (en) | 2003-11-04 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: TRANSPACIFIC SYSTEMS, LLC, DELAWARE Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:TRANSPACIFIC IP LTD.;REEL/FRAME:023107/0267 Effective date: 20090618 |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 8 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: TITUSVILLE CANAVERAL LLC, DELAWARE Free format text: MERGER;ASSIGNOR:TRANSPACIFIC SYSTEMS, LLC;REEL/FRAME:030628/0681 Effective date: 20130213 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: INTELLECTUAL VENTURES I LLC, DELAWARE Free format text: MERGER;ASSIGNOR:TITUSVILLE CANAVERAL LLC;REEL/FRAME:030639/0330 Effective date: 20130214 |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 12 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: CEDAR LANE TECHNOLOGIES INC., CANADA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:INTELLECTUAL VENTURES ASSETS LLC;REEL/FRAME:053495/0721 Effective date: 20200428 |