Facsimile and static presentation processing – Facsimile – Picture signal generator
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-28
2002-10-15
Grant, II, Jerome (Department: 2624)
Facsimile and static presentation processing
Facsimile
Picture signal generator
C382S175000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06466339
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to image scanners which generate image signals corresponding to the scanned images.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Scanners convert hard copy analog images on a media into image signals typically in the form of digital data. The media can be either transparent (for example, a photographic negative) or reflective (for example, a photographic paper print). The use of scanners has become widespread for a variety of applications, including storing, manipulating, transmitting and displaying or printing copies of the images. For example, images captured in photographic media can be converted to digital data and stored on compact discs for readout and display as a video image or for printing with various types of color printers. In order to capture the photographic image signal, an image frame is scanned with light, such as a line of light or a full frame of light, and the light transmitted through the image is detected, typically as three primary color light intensity signals, and then digitized. The digitized values may be formatted to a standard for video display and stored on compact disc, magnetic media, or other suitable storage. Scanners take a variety of forms and the various common aspects of film digitizing, particularly line illumination and linear CCD-based digitizers, are described in greater detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,012,346. For example, in one common type of scanner a one-dimensional sensor (typically referenced as a line sensor or one-dimensional array) is used and the illumination source directs a line of light onto the image bearing media, which is then moved one line at a time to scan the complete image line by line. In another scanner type, a two-dimensional sensor (typically referenced as a two dimensional or area array) is used, and the illumination source illuminates the entire image at the same time, so that the complete image is scanned in a single exposure. Scanners with area arrays are simpler to construct and are often preferred. However, scanners with line sensors provide higher resolution at lower equipment cost. A sensor assembly of a typical color scanner includes both the sensor and suitable electronics, so as to provide a multi-color channel output signal representing the scanned image, with each color channel corresponding to a different spectral region (for example, red, green and blue channels, or cyan, magenta and yellow channels).
Recently, photographic images received at a photographic laboratory have been scanned to provide corresponding digital image signals. These image signals have then been used to generate index prints or provide images on storage media such as magnetic or optical disks, to upload the digital image signals to a remote storage location through a network (such as the Internet) for later access by customers. Systems and methods of the foregoing type are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,760,916 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,760,917. The foregoing references, and all other references cited in the present application, are incorporated in this application by reference. It has also been suggested that the digital image signals can be used on a printer to produce the full-size customer image prints or other image products incorporating the customer images. Photofinishing laboratories and methods using digital images are described, for example, in the following U.S. Patent Applications all assigned to Eastman Kodak Co.: Ser. No. 09/087,014 filed May 29, 1998, titled “IMAGE PROCESSING”; Ser. No. 09/107,571 filed Jun. 29, 1998, titled “IMAGE MOVEMENT IN A PHOTOGRAPHIC LABORATORY”; and S.N. (not yet known) filed Jul. 31, 1998, titled “IMAGE QUEING IN PHOTOFINISHING” (inventors G. Bryniarski, B. Wilson, L Bovenzi; attorney docket number 78142).
Film scanners include a film gate typically having some means, such as a track of appropriate width, to guide a filmstrip. Previously, most consumer filmstrips were conventional 35 mm film. However, filmstrips of the recently introduced Advanced Photo Systems (“APS”) formats are only 24 mm in width. Furthermore, the image sizes on an exposed APS filmstrip are of a different maximum width than those on a 35 mm filmstrip. Both conventional 35 mm and APS film formats are expected to coexist in the market for some time. Thus, photofinishing operations which receive consumer filmstrips for chemical developing and scanning, must either provide two different scanners (one for each format of film) or provide a single scanner which can handle both formats. It is preferable to have a scanner which can handle both film formats to keep total costs of a photofinishing system low. Thus, a single scanner capable of handling both formats must accommodate both the different physical widths of the filmstrips as well as the different image sizes. Different filmstrip widths can be accommodated by using, for example, interchangeable film gates dimensioned to guide the respective different width filmstrips. Different image widths can be accommodated by using different lens systems to correctly focus the different sized images of the different formats, onto the same sensor. In such an arrangement though, the lens system must typically be pulled back from the film gate to allow access to it for changing when film formats are changed. When the film gate has been replaced each of the lens systems must be re-focussed since even small movements of lens system along an optical axis between the film gate and a sensor, can substantially alter the focussing of an image in the gate onto the sensor. Even for scanners which are intended to scan only one film format, it may be necessary to pull the single lens system back from the film gate for cleaning and or repair. Such refocusing wastes time, particularly during the more frequent film gate changes that are likely to occur in a scanner constructed with interchangeable gates to handle different film formats, and therefore decrease productivity in the photofinishing laboratory.
It would be desirable then, to provide a scanner in which a lens system can be pulled back from a film gate to allow access to it, and which lens system can be rapidly repositioned over the film gate in a correct focal position relative to the sensor. It would particularly be desirable to provide such a scanner which has an interchangeable gate and at least two lens systems, to accommodate different filmstrip formats.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention, then, provides in one aspect a scanner having a gate to receive a media carrying an image to be scanned. A frame is provided which is movable toward and away from the gate between a scanning position and a retracted position spaced further away from the gate than the scanning position. The scanner further includes a sensor and a lens mounted on the frame, which sensor and lens move with the frame between the scanning and retracted positions, so that the lens can focus at least part of an image in the gate onto the sensor.
In the various aspects of scanners of the present invention, there may be included a first driver connected to the frame, to move the frame and attached sensor and lens between the scanning and retracted positions. Further, movement may be allowed for the lens (sometimes referenced herein as a lens system) in a direction toward and away from the gate (that is, along an optical axis between the gate and the sensor when the frame is in the scanning position). However, having the sensor and lens attached to the frame so as to be essentially immovable relative to the frame in the direction toward and away from the gate, reduces the possibility of having to refocus a lens. Scanners of the present invention may also include an illumination system to illuminate an image in the gate.
In one aspect, at least a portion of the frame contacts the scanning gate when the frame is in the scanning position. Such an arrangement helps to position the frame, lens, and sensor in relation to the scanning gate. Other arrangements could be used though. In another aspect the frame and gate together have at
Kanis Kenneth R.
Rottner Bruce E.
Eastman Kodak Company
Grant II Jerome
Novais David A.
Worku Negussie
LandOfFree
Image scanner with frame mounted lens and sensor and image... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Image scanner with frame mounted lens and sensor and image..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Image scanner with frame mounted lens and sensor and image... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2971745