U.S. Philips Corporation

Johannes H De Bie

Adrianus J Franken

Leopold C Beirens

The device is provided with an optical fiber bundle (5) having a first linear end face (9) at the document side and a second end face (11) whose shape is adapted to the shape of the detection system (3). To reduce the quantity of disturbing light from the light source (43; 61, 62; 44), which may reach the detection system (3), to a maximum possible extent, and to increase the quantity of signal light from the document (1), the second end face (11) is provided with an optical system (13, 14; 50; 70) for an improved coupling in and for reflections. The first end face (9) may also be provided with an optical system (16, 17) for reducing unwanted reflections.

Anti-reflection arrangement for optical document scanner

An optical fiber bundle for use in a device for scanning documents comprises optical fibers (10) which are substantially arranged along a line at the document side and which fill a plane at the side of an optical detector. To manufacture this bundle, the fibers (10) are first juxtaposed, subsequently slid together to the desired cross-section by means of one or two sliding members (21, 22) at the area where the second end is to be formed, after which the fibers are fixed and severed. The two end faces are subsequently provided with elements (52, 71) for coupling in and complying out radiation. These elements are preferably secured by means of an adhesive having a refractive index that is substantially the same as the refractive index of the core material of the fibers.

Method of manufacturing a fiber bundle composed of optical fibers

The device comprises a transducer (3) with photoelectric elements (31) and a coupling member (5) which comprises an entrance face (9) which is to be aimed at the document and an exit face (11) which is optically coupled to the transducer. The coupling member (5) comprises a number of light conductors (7) having first ends (13) which are arranged in at least one straight line in the entrance face (9) and second ends (21) which are situated in arbitrary positions in the exit face (11). The relation between the positions of the first ends (13) in the entrance face (9) and the positions of the second ends (21) in the exit face (11) is stored in a memory (29). The photosensitive surface of the transducer (3) may have an arbitrary length/width ratio and the light conductors (7) may extend rather arbitrarily through the coupling member (5) so that the cost of the device may be comparatively low.

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Eindhoven, Netherlands

Johannes H De Bie