Patent · US Expired

Rotary image scanner capable of mounting drums of various diameters

US6023348A · kind A · utility

6Cited by
9References
69Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 18, 1994
Grant dateFeb 8, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 18, 2014

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04N1/08
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A dual drum rotary image scanner has a headstock and a tailstock between which may be mounted drums of different diameter. The tailstock has substantially annular surfaces which contact corresponding surfaces on the different diameter drums. The different drums, when held in the scanner, each create a different separation between the headstock and tailstock. These different separations are detected by photodetectors, the outputs of which are received by a system controller. The controller uses the photodetector signals to control motors that position the scanning head and the transmittance illuminator relative to the surface of the particular drum mounted in the scanner. The motors turn pinions which, in turn, move racks to which are attached the scanning head and the transmittance illuminator, respectively. The movement of the scanning head also results in the modification of the optical path within the optics box of the scanner. In a first position, the light from the scanning head follows a first optical path which includes a movable mirror in a first angular orientation. As the scanning head is moved to a second position, the angular orientation of the movable mirror is changed…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.