Method for imaging of documents
AssigneeUnisys Corporation
InventorsGary Copenhaver, Johan Bakker, John Vala
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Abstract
A method of arranging an item imager with a least two imaging site, each lit by a beam through a fibre-optic array, this method including: providing a beam-intensity-adjust array including a lens stage for focusing each beam on each fibre optic array such that a shift in lens-focus changes output light from the array.
Claims13
In a method of document-imaging with an arrangement including one or more document-imaging stations for imaging continually passing documents, illumination-means including stable wavelength high-energy source means with an associated optical illumination-path array for illuminating said stations, with a high-intensity beam, the steps of:
- optically coupling said source means to said stations by beam-adjust means comprising focus means intercepting said beam and adapted to adjust the focal point thereof;
- and providing a
- fibre optic array for intercepting each said beam, to thereby define an input-beam at or near the focal point of said focus means, said array being arranged to exhibit an entry-face of prescribed diameter Dc and an exit-face configured to illuminate the respective image-site uniformly thus defining an output-beam, the fibers of the array being arranged and distributed in uniform, random fashion completely across this exit-face;
- said focus means operating to variably de-focus said input beam and change beam-diameter at said entry-face, sufficient to spread the beam sufficiently beyond the entry-face to thus controllably reduce the amount of the beam entering said entry-face;
- and
- also providing associated infra-red extraction means disposed along said illumination path-array, adapted for extracting and dissipating IR energy from said beam;
- whereby to protect said fibre-optic array, said extraction means being made to comprise enclosure means with converging upper and lower sets of vanes to intercept input-head and trap it.
A method for arranging a check processing system wherein a large number of checks is rapidly, continuously transported past two or more imaging stations, each station having a prescribed image-site, and being illuminated by prescribed source means, projecting two or more illumination-beams, one to each said station;
- this method comprising,
- providing beam-intensity-adjust means for each beam, comprising focus-means intercepting each said beam and adapted to change the focal point thereof;
- providing a fibre-optic array exhibiting a circular entry-aperture of prescribed diameter Dc and an exit-face configured to illuminate the respective site quite uniformly, the fibers of the array being arranged and distributed, in uniform, random fashion completely across this exit-face;
- while arranging said focus means to vary the focal-point of its beam and so change beam-diameter at said entry-aperture, sufficient to spread its beam well beyond the aperture and so controllably reduce the amount of the beam entering the array;
- and also providing
- IR extract means for each beam, being adapted to protect said fibre-optic array and comprising enclosure means with converging upper and lower sets of vanes.
A method for arranging a Check-Sorter-Imager-Processor with at least two imaging sites, each lit by a beam through fiber-optic array, this method including providing, combination therewith, heat-extract means and intensity-adjust means, said intensity-adjust apparatus being made to comprise:
- lens means focusing each said beam on each array such that a shift in lens-focus reduces output light from the array, to thereby match the light-intensity for said sites by merely focus-adjusting these lenses;
- said heat-extract means being made to comprise enclosure means with converging upper and lower sets of vanes and so adapted to protect said fibre-optic array.
A method of arranging an item imager with at least two imaging sites, each lit by a beam through a fibre-optic array, this method comprising providing heat extract means and intensity-adjust means, said intensity-adjust means being made to comprise:
- lens means focusing each said beam on each array such that a shift in lens-focus changes output light from the array;
- the sites being thus matched in light-intensity by merely focus-adjusting these lenses;
- said heat-extract means made to comprise enclosure means with converging upper and lower set of vanes to intercept input-head and trap it;
- to thereby protect said fibre-optic array.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.