Abstract:
An optical ruler is provided on the back surface side of the top housing and close to the transparent window along a scanning direction for providing a calibration reference. The optical ruler is formed with black and white blocks alternately arranged in an array. An image sensor which has a width larger than the width of the transparent window is provided for reading the image information of the optical ruler along with a scanned sheet while being progressively driven by a step motor. A determining element computes the actual moving steps of the step motor by calculating the number of black and white pixels from the scanned image of the optical ruler. When the actual moving steps of the step motor are fewer than a predetermined threshold value, or when the frequency of the occurrences of the scan line losses is higher than a predetermined threshold value, the image sensor is driven by the step motor to scan the sheet again. As a result, the step motor can be operated in response to a closed loop control signal depending on the actual moving steps of the step motor.
Abstract:
An image reading apparatus includes a reading unit, a control unit, and a pattern region. The reading unit moves a linear reading range, which is provided in a main scanning direction, in a sub-scanning direction that intersects with the main scanning direction while reading an object that faces the reading range, and generates image data on the basis of a read result. The control unit controls the reading unit. The pattern region includes a predetermined pattern that defines a reference position for specifying a reading position that is read by the reading unit. The predetermined pattern has a characteristic portion that specifies a schematic position of the predetermined pattern in the sub-scanning direction. The control unit includes a first image acquisition unit, a pattern searching unit, a second image acquisition unit, a characteristic portion searching unit, a first reprocessing instruction unit, and a second reprocessing instruction unit. The first image acquisition unit instructs the reading unit to perform reading and then acquires first image data. The pattern searching unit searches an image of the predetermined pattern in the first image data. The second image acquisition unit, when an image of the predetermined pattern has not been detected by the pattern searching unit, instructs the reading unit to perform reading, and then acquires second image data. The characteristic portion searching unit searches an image of the characteristic portion in the second image data. The first reprocessing instruction unit, when the image of the characteristic portion has been detected by the characteristic portion searching unit, specifies a schematic position of the pattern region in the sub-scanning direction on the basis of a position of the detected image of the characteristic portion, and instructs the first image acquisition unit to perform reading again at the schematic position of the pattern region. The second reprocessing instruction unit, when the image of the predetermined pattern has not been detected again from first image data that are generated through second-time reading by the first image acquisition unit, instructs the second image acquisition unit to perform reading again at a position that does not include the position at which the image of the characteristic portion has been detected.
Abstract:
A vertical alignment correction apparatus method comprises detecting scanning distances during bidirectional scanning using a reference mark, and correcting a difference in scanning distances by adjusting the length of the scan. A scanning apparatus implementing the method is also described.
Abstract:
A printing device reads an image on a printing paper with an image pickup part. It image-processes obtained image data in a control part, and operates the positions of respective register marks (R1 to R4). It operates the quantity of displacement necessary for positioning an image. It obtains an offset count number Co for deciding an image recording starting position from the obtained quantity of displacement. It stores the obtained offset count number Co while obtaining starting position data. Then, dimensional correction data for the image is calculated. The image on the printing paper is first picked up, and the necessary quantity of displacement is calculated. A speed coefficient k is calculated for changing the rotational speed of a plate cylinder. Following this, a correction quantity by a Cd default count number previously set for deciding the image recording starting position is changed. Accordingly, the offset count number Co is calculated again on the basis of the obtained speed variable k. The obtained speed coefficient k and the offset count number Co are stored, and starting position data is obtained from both data.
Abstract:
Apparatus (10) for sensing an initial position of a moveable carriage (18) mounted within a housing (22) of an imaging device (11) may comprise a detector (62) having a plurality of light sensitive elements (17) for detecting objects within a field of view. At least one of the light sensitive elements (17) is an image sensing element (21) and at least one of the light sensitive elements (17) is a position sensing element (19). A reference mark (15) is positioned on the housing (22) so that is within the field of view (29) of the position sensing element (19) of the detector (62) when the carriage (18) is at about a home position. An image data processor (46) connected to the detector (62) and responsive to the output signals generated thereby determines whether the reference mark (15) is within the field of view (29) of the position sensing element (19) of the detector (62).
Abstract:
A vertical alignment correction apparatus method comprises detecting scanning distances during bidirectional scanning using a reference mark, and correcting a difference in scanning distances by adjusting the length of the scan. A scanning apparatus implementing the method is also described.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to an image reading method and apparatus therefor where CCDs and similar devices are utilized, especially when making adjustments to compensate for read-out position errors. The apparatus for reading images includes a circuit for appointing an adjusted read-out address in order to get the goal image signals. In the circuit, the adjusted read-out address is obtained by using the actual data derived from scanning the sample chart 30 with an image device, and the computed data which is the same data that is obtained if the sample chart 30 is scanned with an ideal optical system, the sample chart 30 on which black lines are described at regular intervals. Accordingly, the present invention makes available an apparatus for reading images that will be cheap and easy to arrange, and yet print or reproduce the original image without distortion, color error or the like occurring.
Abstract:
A reference position marker (9) on a document support table (3) is positioned within the field of view of a CCD sensor array (8) which senses an image of a document (10) placed on the table. To distinguish the reference position marker (9) from the document image, the marker has a high reflectance surface and a round cross section to directly reflect light from a lamp (4) into the CCD sensor array (8) to cause the array to operate in a saturated range to generate a higher output signal than the highest signal expected during the document scanning operation. A control unit (30) sets a threshold of a comparator circuit (33) to a level which is exceeded by the higher output signal in the marker recognition operation and not exceeded by the highest signal generated during the document scanning operation. The threshold level is switched by the control unit after the marker (9) is detected to a level for producing bi-level signals representing the image of the document.