The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 30, 1994
Filed:
Apr. 12, 1991
Gregory E Johnston, Redondo Beach, CA (US);
X-Ray Scanner Corporation, Torrance, CA (US);
Abstract
The extended dynamic range image digitizing apparatus digitizes image-containing media with dynamic ranges that significantly exceed the dynamic range of the low-cost solid-state light detectors that are customarily used in such equipment. The essence of the invention is the incorporation of controllable light attenuators means in the light path from light source to light detectors thereby permitting the light emerging from an image pixel to be matched to the available dynamic range of the light detector. The pixel light sensed by the detector is controlled in any one of a number of ways. One way is to control the intensity of the light source. A second way which is appropriate for certain types of light detectors is to apply a gating signal to the detector which controls the period of time that the detector is sensitive to incident light. A third way is to interpose an electronic or mechanical shutter mechanism with a controllable open-shutter time in the light path. And finally, a fourth way is to replicate either the light source or detector associated with a particular pixel and interpose fixed different-level light attenuators in the different light paths thereby created.