Abstract:
A scanner system includes a light source for producing a light beam and scanning components for directing the light beam to a spot on a surface to be scanned that is located at a predetermined location relative to the scanning means, moving the spot across the surface along a scan line of predetermined length in a series of scan cycles. The system includes a pixel clock that produces a train of clock pulses during each of the scan cycles using a VCO circuit for producing the train of clock pulses and a control circuit for varying the timing of the clock pulses. The control circuit includes an waveshaping circuit for causing the control signal to have a waveform such that the timing of the clock pulses varies according to the position of the spot along the scan line in order to compensate for scanner non-linearity in a manner reducing pixel position distortion. One embodiment includes a digital to analog converter circuit, an absolute value circuit, and a multiple-slope amplifier circuit that shape the control signal waveform to a straight line fit of a desired curve, and the pixel clock circuitry is configured to produce exposure control pulses that reduce pixel exposure distortion.
Abstract:
A scanner system includes a light source for producing a light beam and a director that directs the light beam to a spot on a surface to be scanned moving the spot across the surface along a scan line of predetermined length in a series of scan cycles. The scanner system has a pixel clock for producing a train of clock pulses during each of the scan cycles configured so that some of the clock pulses are spaced apart by a first time interval and others are spaced apart by a longer second time interval in order to maintain timing of the clock pulses according to spot position along the scan line in a manner that compensates for scanner non-linearity in order to reduce pixel position distortion. The pixel clock includes a reference clock for producing a train of reference pulses having a period such that at least M reference pulses occur during the time the spot moves from a first end of the scan line to a point along the scan line that is a distance from the first end of the scan line equal to L/N, where L is the length of the scan line, M is a predetermined integer, and N is a predetermined integral number of pixel positions along the scan line. The first time interval represents the occurrence of M reference pulses and the second time interval represents the occurrence of M+I reference pulses, where I is an integer.
Abstract:
A scanner module for use in an imaging system includes a laser scanner operable under control of the imaging system for scanning a laser spot along a scan line to write a plurality of pixels along the scan line. The scanner further includes a scanner module memory including pixel placement correction data downloadable to the imaging system for use in controlling the placement of pixels along the scan line. The scanner module memory may further include output power correction data downloadable to the imaging system for use in controlling the output power of the laser scanner in the generation of the plurality of pixels along the scan line. Imaging systems use the correction data stored in the one or more replaceable scanner modules for use in controlling the placement of pixels along the scan line and/or for use in controlling output pwer of the laser scanner. Systems and methods for generating the correction data for the laser scanner modules are also described. Scan correction data can be used to reduce differences in the scan profiles of multiple scanners, such that the multiple scanners produce substantially the same scan profile. In this manner, color planes formed using multiple scanners can be placed in substantial registration with one another, thereby alleviating the visual effects of scan profile differences from scanner-to-scanner.
Abstract:
A scanner system includes a light source for producing a light beam and a scanner for directing the light beam to a spot on a surface to a be scanned and for moving the spot across the surface along a scan line of predetermined length in a series of scan cycles. A reference clock produces a train of M reference pulses during each of the scan cycles such that each of the reference pulses represents the occurrence of a respective one of M segments of the scan cycle. An oscillator produces a train of clock pulses for use in controlling the light beam at a predetermined number of desired pixel positions along the scan line while a frequency control circuit responsive to the reference pulses varies the frequency of the oscillator during the occurrence of each of the M segments of the scan cycle in order to approximate an ideal frequency variation curve the entire scan cycle.
Abstract:
The invention concerns an image reader (10) for a device designed to scan with laser beams a circular image plate (12) which has image elements (40) produced by irradiation with X-rays at a radial distance R from the centre of the plate. The reader has a fixture (13) on which the plate (12) is detachably mounted and which is driven by an adjustable-speed electric motor (11). The reader also has an image-element scanning unit (15; 15) which can be displaced radially by a drive (14; 18) at a pre-selected speed across the plate (12) and includes a laser-light supply (42) and an electro-optical signal-transmission device with an optical image-element scanning device (30a) and a photoelectric multiplier (36). In addition, the reader has a signal-processing device. The aim of the invention is to improve a reader of this kind so that, when the plate is scanned by the laser beam to record the image stored on the plate, the amount of light produced is maximized. In addition, the invention aims to produce a compact reader which is thus easier to use. To achieve this, it is proposed that the image-element scanning unit (15; 115) is moved over the image plate to scan each image element (40) at the same tangential speed. The laser-light supply (42) preferably has two laser sources (43a, 43b) the light from which passes through an optical filter (46) and is subsequently focused by a convergent lens (44). In addition, the drive shaft (18) of the electric motor (11) is preferably connected through gearing (23) to a spindle (26) by means of which the image-element scanning unit (15) is driven to execute translational motion radial to the image plate (12).