Scanner With Modular Array of Photocells

This invention relates to raster input scanners and, more particularly to, raster input scanners having multiple linear arrays.

Scanning technology has progressed rapidly in recent years and today arrays of fairly substantial linear extent are available for use in raster scanners. Indeed, the linear extent of new arrays are in some cases many times the linear extent of earlier array designs. However, the length of even these recent array designs is still not sufficient to enable a single array to span the entire width of the normal sized line, i.e. 81/2 inches. Further, it appears improbable that arrays of sufficient length will be developed in the foreseeable future since fabrication of such arrays would appear to require a major breakthrough in semiconductor fabrication technology.

As a result, raster input scanners are forced to rely on shorter arrays and must, therefore, employ a multiplicity of arrays if the entire line is to be scanned in one pass. This raises the question of how to place the arrays so as to cover the entire line yet provide data representative of the line which is free of aberrations at the array junctures. Recently, interest has been expressed in optically-butted arrays. However, optical and optical/mechanical arrangements often experience difficulty in meeting and maintaining the tight tolerances necessary for aberration free scanning, particularly in operating machine environments.

It is, therefore, a principal object of the present invention to provide a new and improved raster input scanner employing multiple arrays.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved single pass line scanner employing multiple linear arrays.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a system designed to accommodate misalignment of plural linear arrays.

It is an object of the present invention to provide, in a raster input scanner having multiple physically offset and overlapping linear arrays, means for removing offset and redundancy from the data produced.

It is an object of the present invention to provide scanning apparatus with plural relatively short linear arrays, having a composite length at least equal to the scan width.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a line scanner incorporating plural overlapping arrays whose composite length equals the length of the scanned lines, with electronic means for switching from one array to the next without introducing noticeable aberrations and stigmatism.

It is an object of the present invention to provide multiple linear arrays having overlapping viewing fields with data readout bridging between arrays in the overlapping fields thereof.

This invention relates to apparatus for scanning an image line by line to produce data representative of the image scanned, the improvement comprising: a movable carriage; at least two arrays, each of the arrays comprising a plurality of discrete photosensitive elements arranged in succession along the linear axis of the array, the length of each array being less than the width of the image scanned; means supporting said arrays on the carriage for scanning the image with the linear axis of the arrays extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of scanning movement of the carriage, the arrays being supported so that the arrays overlap whereby to provide a composite array having a length at least equal to the width of the image scanned; means for actuating the carriage and the arrays to scan the image; and readout means for reading out data from the arrays in succession, the readout means crossing over from one array to the next succeeding array within the array overlap.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description and drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view showing a raster input scanner incorporating the multiple array arrangement of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustrating an exemplary array disposition;

FIG. 3 is an schematic view of the scanner operating control;

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of the memory buffer for temporarily storing image data;

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of the data mapping arrangement to avoid bit shifting on readout from the temporary memory buffer of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing the data readout system;

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of the data readout with crossover and removal of redundant data;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view illustrating a modified array wherein the center-to-center distances between the photosensitive elements of a portion of one array are changed to provide a vernier useful for aligning arrays;

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of an alternate array configuration wherein a bridging array is employed to effect continuity between adjoining arrays; and

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of another alternative array configuration wherein a bridging array is combined with a standard array to form a unitary structure, the photosensitive elements of the bridging array being on different center-to-center distances to provide a vernier.

Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary raster input scanning aparatus 10 is thereshown. Scanning apparatus 10, as will appear more fully herein scans an original document 12 line by line to produce a video signal representative of the original document 12. The video signal so produced may be thereafter used to reproduce or duplicate the original 12, or stored in memory for later use, or transmitted to a remote source, etc.

Scanning apparatus 10 comprises a box-like frame or housing 14, the upper surface of which includes a transparent platen section 16 on which the original document 12 to be scanned is disposed face down. A displaceable scanning mechanism designated generally by the numeral 18, is supported on frame 14 below platen 16 for movement back and forth underneath the platen 16 and the original document 12 thereon in the Y direction as shown by the solid line arrow in FIG. 1.

Scanning mechanism 18 includes a carriage 20 slidably supported upon parallel rods 21, 22 through journals 23. Rods 21, 22, which parallel the scanning direction along each side of platen 16, are suitably supported upon the frame 14.

Reciprocatory movement is imparted to carriage 20 by means of a screw type drive 24. Drive 24 includes a longitudinally extending threaded driving rod 25 rotatably journalled on frame 14 below carriage 20. Driving rod 25 is drivingly interconnected with carriage 20 through a cooperating internally threaded carriage segment 26. Driving rod 25 is driven by means of a reversible motor 28.

A plurality of photosensitive linear arrays 1, 2, 3, 4 are carried on plate-like portion 35 of carriage 20. Arrays 1, 2, 3, 4 each comprise a series of individual photosensitive picture elements or pixels 40 arranged in succession along the array longitudinal axis. The arrays scan the original document 12 on platen 14 as scanning mechanism 18 moves therepast, scanning movement being in a direction (Y) substantially perpendicular to the array longitudinal axis (X). As best seen in FIG. 2, the arrays 1, 2, 3, 4 may, due to the difficulty in accurately aligning the arrays one with the other, be offset from one another in the direction of scanning movement (the Y direction). To accommodate the relatively short length of the individual arrays, the arrays overlap. In the exemplary illustration, the end portion of arrays 2, 1, 4 overlap the leading portion of the succeeding arrays 1, 4, 3 when looking from left to right in FIG. 2 along the X direction.

As will be understood, the length of the individual arrays 1, 2, 3, 4 may vary with different types of arrays and from manufacturer to manufacturer. As a result, the number of arrays required to cover the entire width of the original document 12 may vary from that illustrated herein.

Photosensitive elements or pixels 40 of arrays 1, 2, 3, 4 are normally silicon with carrier detection by means of phototransistors, photodiode-MOS amplifiers, or CCD detection circuits. One suitable array is the fairchild CCD 121 - 1728 pixel 2-phase linear array manufactured by Fairchild Corporation. As described, arrays 1, 2, 3, 4 are offset from one another in the scanning or sagittal direction (Y direction) but with an end portion of each array overlapping the leading portion of the next succeeding array to form in effect a composite unbroken array.

To focus the image onto the arrays 1, 2, 3, 4 a lens 43 is provided for each array. Lenses 43 are supported on carriage 20 in operative disposition with the array 1, 2, 3, 4 associated therewith. Mirrors 44, 45 on carriage 20 transmit the light images of the original via lenses 43 to arrays 1, 2, 3, 4. Lamp 48 is provided for illuminating the original document 12, lamp 48 being suitably supported on carriage 20. Reflector 49 focuses the light emitted by lamp 48 onto the surface of platen 16 and the original document 12 resting thereon.

In operation, an original document 12 to be scanned is disposed on platen 16. The scanning mechanism 18 including motor 28 is actuated, motor 28 when energized operating driving mechanism 24 to move carriage 20 back and forth below platen 16. Lamp 48 is energized during the scanning cycle to illuminate the original document 12.

To correlate movement of carriage 20 with operation of arrays 1, 2, 3, 4 an encoder 60 is provided. Encoder 60 generates timing pulses proportional to the velocity of scanning mechanism 18 in the Y direction. Encoder 60 includes a timing bar 61 having a succession of spaced apertures 62 therethrough disposed along one side of the path of movement of carriage 20 in parallel with the direction of movement of carriage 20. A suitable signal generator in the form of a photocell-lamp combination 64, 65 is provided on carriage 20 of scanning mechanism 18 with timing bar 61 disposed therebetween.

As carriage 20 of scanning mechanism 18 traverses back and forth to scan platen 16 and any document 12 thereon, photocell-lamp pair 64, 65 of encoder 60 moves therewith. Movement of the photocell-lamp pair 64, 65 past timing bar 61 generates a pulse-like output signal in output lead 66 of photocell 64 directly proportional to the velocity of scanning mechanism 18.

As can be envisioned by those skilled in the art, supporting arrays 1, 2, 3, 4 in exact linear or tangential alignment (along the X-axis) and maintaining such alignment throughout the operating life of the scanning apparatus is extremely difficult and somewhat impracticable. To obviate this difficulty, arrays 1, 2, 3, 4 are initially mounted on carriage 20 in substantial tangential alignment. As can be seen in the exemplary showing of FIG. 2, this nevertheless often results in tangential array misalignment along the x-axis. If the disposition of the arrays 1, 2, 3, 4 is compared to a predetermined reference, such as the start of scan line 101 in FIG. 2, it can be seen that each array 1, 2, 3, 4 is displaced or offset from line 101 by some offset distance d.sub.1, d.sub.2, d.sub.3, d.sub.4, respectively. As will appear more fully herein, the individual offset distances of each array 1, 2, 3, 4 is determined and the result programmed in an offset counter 120 (FIG. 3) associated with each array. Offset counters 120 serve, at the start of the scanning cycle, to delay activation of the array associated therewith until the interval d.sub.1, d.sub.2, d.sub.3, d.sub.4, therefor is taken up.

Referring to FIG. 3, the pulse-like signal output of encoder 60 which is generated in response to movement of carriage 20 in the scanning direction (Y-direction), is inputted to a phase locked frequency multiplier network 100. Network 100, which is conventional, serves to multiply the relatively low frequency pulse-like signal input of encoder 60 to a high frequency clock signal in output lead 103. Feedback loop 104 of network 100 serves to phase lock the frequency of the signal in lead 103 with the frequency of the signal input from encoder 60.

As will be understood, changes in the rate of scan of carriage 20 produce a corresponding change in the frequency of the pulse-like signal generated by encoder 60. The frequency of the clock signal produced by network 100 undergoes a corresponding change. This results in a high frequency clock signal in output lead 103 directly related to the scanning velocity of carriage 20, and which accommodates variations in that velocity.

The clock signal in output lead 103 is inputted to programmable multiplexer 106. The output of a second or alternate clock signal source such as crystal controlled clock 108 is inputted via lead 109 to multiplexer 106. Multiplexer 106 selects either network 100 or clock 108 as the clock signal source in response to control instructions (CLOCK SELECT) from a suitable programmer (not shown). The selected clock signal appears in output lead 111 of multiplexer 106.

An operating circuit 114 is provided for each array 1, 2, 3, 4. Since the circuits 114 are the same for each array, the circuit 114 for array 1 only is described in detail. It is understood that the number of circuits 114 is equal to the number of arrays used.

Operating circuit 114 includes a line transfer counter 115 for controlling the array imaging line shutter or sample time for each scan. Counter 115 is driven by the clock signal in output lead 111 of multiplexer 106. It is understood that where the signal input to counter 115 comprises the clock signal produced by network 100, array sample size remains constant irrespective of variations in the velocity of carriage 20. In other words, where carriage 20 slows down, array shutter time becomes longer. If carriage 20 speeds up, array shutter time becomes shorter.

Initial actuation of line transfer counter 115 is controlled by the offset counter 120 associated therewith. Offset counter 120, which is driven by the clock signal in output lead 111, is preset to toll a count representing the time interval required for array 1 to reach start of scan line 101 following start up of carriage 20. On tolling the preset count, offset counter 120 generates a signal in lead 122 enabling line transfer counter 115.

It will be understood that the offset counters 115 associated with the circuits 114 for the remaining arrays 2, 3, 4 are similarly preset to a count representing the distance d.sub.2, d.sub.3, d.sub.4, respectively by which arrays 2, 3, 4 are offset from start of scan line 101.

Referring particularly to FIG. 2 each array 1, 2, 3, 4 scans a portion of each line of the original document 12, the sum total of the data (less overlap as will appear more fully herein) produced by arrays 1, 2, 3, 4 representing the entire line. Preferably, arrays 1, 2, 3, 4 are of the same size with the same number of pixels 40. As described, the line transfer counters 115 of circuits 114 control the array imaging line shutter time for each scan, counters 115 being preset to activate the array associated therewith for a preselected period for this purpose. Scanned data from the arrays 1, 2, 3, 4 is clocked out by clock signals derived from a suitable pixel clock 118.

Sampled analog video data from the arrays 1, 2, 3, 4 is fed to a suitable video processor 148 which converts the video signals to a binary code representative of pixel image intensity. The binary pixel data from processor 148 is mapped into segments or words by Pixel Data Bit Mapper 149 for storage in offset relation in RAM 175 as will appear. Bit Mapper 149 is driven by clock signals from pixel clock 118. Data from Bit Mapper 149 is passed via data bus 174 to RAM 175 where the data is temporarily stored pending receipt of data from the array which last views the line. In the exemplary arrangement illustrated, the last array would be array 4.

Multiplexer 150 may be provided in data bus 174 to permit data from other sources (OTHER DATA) to be inputted to RAM 175.

The binary data is stored in sequential addresses in RAM 175 (see FIG. 4), the data being addressed into RAM 175 on a line by line basis by the RAM address pointers 165 through Address Bus 180. The clock signal output from pixel clock 118 is used to drive address pointers 165. Line scan counter 170, which is driven by the output from line transfer counter 115, controls the number of full scan lines that will be stored in RAM 175 before recycling. The output of counter 170 is fed to RAM Address pointer 165 via lead 119. It is understood that line scan counters 170 are individually preset to reflect the degree of array offset in the Y-direction.

Ram 175 provides a buffer for scanned data from each array, RAM 175 buffering the data until a full line is completed following which the data is read out. A suitable priority encoding system (not shown) may be used to multiplex the data input from arrays 1, 2, 3, 4 with the address associated therewith. Ram 175 has input and output ports for input and output of data thereto.

Since the degree of misalignment of arrays 1, 2, 3, 4 in the Y-direction may vary, the storage capacity of RAM 175 must be sufficient to accommodate the maximum misalignment anticipated. A worst case misalignment is illustrated in FIG. 4 wherein it is presumed that arrays 1, 2, 3, 4 are each misaligned by a full line. In that circumstance and presuming scanning of line l is completed, RAM 175 then stores the line data for lines l, l.sub.1, l.sub.2, l.sub.3, l.sub.4 from array 1, lines l, l.sub.1, l.sub.2, l.sub.3 from array 2, lines l, l.sub.1, l.sub.2 from array 3, and lines l, l.sub.1 from array 4. The blocks of binary data that comprise the completed line 1 are in condition to be read out of RAM 175. In the above example, an extra line of data storage is provided.

Line scan counters 170 are recycling counters which are individually preset for the number of lines of data to be stored for the array associated therewith. As a result, address pointers 165 operate in round robin fashion on a line by line basis. On reaching a preset count, the signal from counters 170 recycle the address pointer 165 associated therewith back to the first storage line to repeat the process. It is understood that prior thereto, that portion of RAM 175 has been cleared of data.

As described, data from video processing hardware 148 is stored temporarily in RAM 175 pending completion of the line. In placing the data in RAM 175, the data is preferably mapped in such a way as to avoid the need for subsequent data bit shifting when outputting the data. Referring to FIG. 5, wherein mapping of pixel data from arrays 1, 2 is illustrated, data from an earlier array (i.e. array 1) is mapped by Pixel Data Bit Mapper 149 (FIG. 3) into segments or words 180 before being stored in RAM 175. The first pixel (P.sub.1 -1) of the array within the array overlap 181 is mapped into a known bit position within the segment or word 180 at the point of overlap.

At the end of line transfer, the first pixel (P.sub.1 -2) of the succeeding array (i.e. array 2) is clocked into the bit position (P.sub.1 -1) of the first overlapped pixel of the previous array. This correlates the first overlapping pixel (P.sub.1 -2) of the succeeding array (i.e. array 2) with the first overlapped pixel (P.sub.1 -1) of the preceding array (i.e. array 1). Crossover from one array to the succeeding array on data readout may then be effected without the need to shift bits.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, video data held in RAM 175 is read out to a user (not shown) via RAM output bus 176, in both tangentially and spatially corrected form, line by line, through output channel 200. Data readout is controlled by a microprocessor, herein CPU 204 in accordance with address program instructions in memory 206. CPU 204 may comprise any suitable commercially available processor such as a Model M6800 manufactured by Motorola, Inc.

The address program instructions in memory 206 include a descriptor list 207. List 207 contains information identifying the number of bits to be read out (N.sub.n), the address of the first word (A), and other user information (U). The DATA OUT address information is fed to address multiplexer 208 via address bus 209.

As described heretofore, exact tangential alignment and end to end abutment of multiple arrays is difficult to achieve. In the arrangement shown, sagittal misalignment (in the Y direction) among the arrays is accommodated by offset counters 120 of the individual array operating circuits 114. The need to accurately abut the arrays end to end is obviated by overlapping succeeding arrays.

As a result of the above, the sequence in which video data is inputted to RAM 175 offsets sagittal misalignments between the several arrays. By outputting the data from RAM 175 on a line by line basis, the lines are reconstructed without sagittal misalignment.

Due to the overlapping disposition of arrays 1, 2, 3, 4, data within the overlapping portions of the arrays is redundant. To obviate this and provide a complete line of data without repeated or redundant portions, bit crossover on readout within the overlapping regions is used.

Referring now to the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, data bit crossover within the overlapping portions of arrays 1, 2, 3, 4 is effected by an algorithm which picks a predetermined last cell to be sampled within the overlapped region and automatically picks the next bit in the succeeding array. In the descriptor list 207 illustrated in FIG. 7, the total bit output from the first array is N.sub.1 bytes + n.sub.1 bits with the bit output from the second array N.sub.2 bytes - n.sub.2 bits. In the example shown in FIG. 7, crossover from array 2 to array 1 is effected between bit 4 and bit 5.

In the arrangement described heretofore, the center-to-center distance between successive photosensitive elements or pixels 40 is constant. Referring to FIG. 8, wherein like numerals refer to the like parts a pair of arrays 300, 301 are there shown with the end portions overlapped. The photosensitive elements or pixels 40 that comprise arrays 300, 301, except for the end 308 of array 300, are on normal center-to-center distances d. The photosensitive elements 40' in the end 308 of array 300 are set on a slightly reduced center-to-center distance d'. The reduction in center-to-center distances between the photosensitive elements 40' in end 308 of array 300 provide in effect a vernier scale which normally provides at least one point where opposing arrays are in alignment irrespective of the degree of overlap between the arrays. In the exemplary arrangement shown, the end of photosensitive element 40 - 8 of array 301 is in substantial alignment with the start of photosensitive element 40' - 5 of array 300, and crossover would be set at this point.

It will be understood that visual identification of the individual photosensitive elements or pixels 40, 40' to determine the optimum crossover point may be made through microscopic examination of the arrays. It is further understood that once the optimum crossover point is determined, the descriptor list of memory 206 (FIGS. 6, 7) is programmed to provide crossover from pixels 40 - 8 of array 301 to pixel 40' - 5 of array 300 on readout.

While the vernier scale is illustrated as being at one end 308 of array 300 only, it is understood that vernier scales may be provided at both ends of the array. In that event, in a scanning arrangement employing four arrays such as shown in FIG. 2, array 1 may have a vernier scale of the type described at each end, array 3 a vernier scale at one end only, with remaining arrays 2, 4 conventional.

While the vernier scale described is established by reducing center-to-center distances between adjoining pixels, it is understood that a vernier scale may be created by increasing slightly the center-to-center distances between adjoining array pixels.

Referring to the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, there a pair of relatively long linear arrays 350, 351 are disposed end to end. This may be effected optically as by means of lenses 43 in the scanning apparatus 10 of FIG. 1 or mechanically through physical contact of the array ends with one another. To accommodate any gaps between the array ends or misalignments along the X axis and to assure continuity of the composite array so formed, a relatively short bridging array 360 is provided to overlap the adjoining ends of each array 350, 351.

Bridging array 360 comprises a relatively short linear array, preferably with the minimum quantity of pixels 40 needed to provide effective overlap of the adjoining arrays. Typically, bridging array 360 may be comprised of the order of 100 pixels whereas arrays 350, 351 comprise some 1700 pixels.

In use, data from arrays 350, 351, 360 may be readout as described earlier, the data being stored temporarily in RAM 175 (FIG. 3) pending completion of the line. By choosing relatively short bridging arrays 360, the amount of data to be stored in RAM 175 and hence the size of RAM 175 may be substantially reduced. The data held in RAM 175 is, on completion of the line, read out from RAM 175 into bus 176 (FIG. 6), with crossover made from array 350 to bridging array 360 and thereafter from bridging array 360 to array 351 in the overlapping areas to assure continuity.

Referring to the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, where like numerals refer to like parts, an array structure 400 is thereshown. Array structure 400 includes relatively long and short arrays 402, 404 respectively mounted upon a common substrate or mask 406. Array 404 is disposed in parallel with array 402, with a portion 409 of array 404 overlapping one end 403 of array 402. The remainder of array 404 projects beyond end 403 of array 402 and is adapted to overlay the leading end of the next successive array structure 400' as seen in drawing FIG. 10. To accommodate overlapping of successive array structures 400, substrate 406 is inset at 407.

To enhance alignment between the arrays and provide undistorted crossover between arrays, photosensitive elements or pixels 40' of array 404 are disposed on a center-to-center distance d' different from the center-to-center distance d of pixels 40 of array 402. This in effect establishes a vernier scale which enables at least one pixel 40' of array 404 to be aligned with a corresponding pixel 40 of array 402. In the exemplary arrangement shown, pixel 40 - 5 of array 402 is in substantial alignment with pixel 40' - 4 of array 404 and crossover would be effected at this point.

Similarly, when associating the array structure 400 with the next succeeding array structure 400', crossover from array 404 to array 402' is selected at the point of closest pixel alignment. In the embodiment shown, crossover would be between pixel 40' - 7 of array 404 and pixel 40 - 3 of array 402.

While the center-to-center distance d' between pixels 40' of array 404 is illustrated as being less than the center-to-center distance d between the pixels 40 of array 402, it is understood that dimension d' may be greater than dimension.

While the invention has been described with reference to the structure disclosed, it is not confined to the details set forth, but is intended to cover such modifications or changes as may come within the scope of the following claims.