Xerox Corporation

Christopher J Spencer

Timothy Gordon Shelhart

David Alan Bartman

Daniel L Morris

Daniel P White

Michael J Poirier

An integrated image module for a document scanner includes a one piece die cast housing having a datum element and a support element. An imaging sensor array is enclosed in the housing. An array bias element urges the imaging sensor array against the datum element to provide accurate placement of the sensor array relative to the housing. A transport mechanism is attached to the housing so that the position of the transport mechanism accurately corresponds to the position of the imaging sensor array. The lens and the lamp for illumination are also attached to the housing so that the primary components of the imaging portion of the scanner are contained in a single module.

Integrated imaging module for wide format scanner

A structure and method for improved detection of the edges of a document in a scanner provides for positioning a width detection backer so that it is simultaneously in the field of view of the optical element of the scanner and out of the focal plane of the optical element. A portion of a document is positioned in the optical path between the optical element and the width detection backer and scanned with the optical element. Information from the scanning step is analyzed to identify data indicative of an edge of the document. The out of focus width detection backer, which remains stationary while scanning the document portion presents very little variation in intensity and other data, heightening the contrast between the document and the width detection backer, and reducing the likelihood of erroneously identifying elements of the width detection backer as document edge features.

Locating edges of a scanned document

A compact structure and rapid method for calibrating a document scanner provides for a substantially cylindrical calibration casing having a central axis and an outer surface, with a brightness calibration section of the outer surface encompassing a portion of the circumference of the outer surface, a document width detection segment encompassing a second portion of the circumference of the outer surface, and a document backer element encompassing a third segment of the circumference of the outer surface of the casing. A driver selectively positions the casing in different rotational positions in which the different segments of the outer surface of the cylinder face the optical element of the scanner.

Growing community of inventors

Shortsville, NY, United States of America

Christopher J Spencer