US 6,437,335 B1Granted

High speed scanner using multiple sensing devices

AssigneeHewlett-Packard Company

InventorDavid D Bohn

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Abstract

An apparatus for increasing the speed at which an object can be optically scanned. First and second optical signals from first and second areas of an object are focused respectively onto first and second optical sensor arrays. Image data signals from first and second optical sensor arrays are interlaced in a detection circuit to form a composite image of the object. By exposing the first area during the time that the optical signal from exposure of the second area is being clocked out and by exposing the second area during the time that the optical signal from exposure of the first area is being clocked out, the object can be scanned at a faster rate. Specialized image sensors do not need to be developed. Commercially available image sensors can be used. In particular, increased scan speed could result from placing two relatively inexpensive, commercially available Charge Coupled Devices (CCD's) or Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) image sensors parallel to each other and alternatively exposing near-by areas of the object.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method for detecting an optical image, which comprises the steps of:

during a first time phase:
moving a scan head relative to an object such that a first optical signal from a first area of the object falls onto a first optical sensor array mounted on the scan head and a second optical signal from a second area of the object falls onto a second optical sensor array mounted on the scan head;
and
transferring a first image data signal from the first optical sensor array to a detection circuit, wherein the first image data signal results from exposure of the first optical sensor array by first optical signal during time phase immediately prior to the first time phase and simultaneously exposing the second optical sensor array to the second optical signal;
during a second time phase:
moving the scan head relative to the object, such that new first optical signal from new first area of the object falls onto the first optical sensor array and new second optical signal from new second area of the object falls onto the second optical sensor array;
and
transferring a second image data signal from the second optical sensor array to the detection circuit, wherein the second image data signal results from exposure of the second optical sensor array by second optical signal during the first time phase and simultaneously exposing the first optical sensor array to first optical signal, wherein first optical signal is from the new first area;
and
forming a composite image data signal from the first and second image data signals by the detection circuit.

7 more elements

A method for detecting an optical image, which comprises the steps of:

during a first time phase:
moving a scan head relative to an object such that a first optical signal from a first area of the object falls onto a first optical sensor array mounted on the scan head and a second optical signal from a second area of the object falls onto a second optical sensor array mounted on the scan head;
and
transferring a first image data signal from the first optical sensor array to a detection circuit, wherein the first image data signal results from exposure of the first optical sensor array by first optical signal during time phase immediately prior to the first time phase and simultaneously exposing the second optical sensor array to the second optical signal;
during a second time phase:
moving the object relative to the scan head, such that new first optical signal from new first area of the object falls onto the first optical sensor array and new second optical signal from new second area of the object falls onto the second optical sensor array;
and
transferring a second image data signal from the second optical sensor array to the detection circuit, wherein the second image data signal results from exposure of the second optical sensor array by second optical signal during the first time phase and simultaneously exposing the first optical sensor array to first optical signal, wherein first optical signal is from the new first area;
and
forming a composite image data signal from the first and second image data signals by the detection circuit.

7 more elements

An optical detection system, which comprises:

a scan head;
a first optical sensor array mounted to the scan head;
a second optical sensor array mounted to the scan head;
and
a detection circuit,
wherein during a first time phase:
the scan head is capable of motion relative to an object such that a first optical signal from a first area of the object falls onto the first optical sensor array and a second optical signal from a second area of the object falls onto the second optical sensor array;
and
the first optical sensor array is capable of transferring a first image data signal to a detection circuit, wherein the first image data signal results from exposure of the first optical sensor array by first optical signal during time phase immediately prior to the first time phase and simultaneously the second optical sensor array is capable of exposure by the second optical signal;
wherein during a second time phase:
the scan head is capable of motion relative to the object such that new first optical signal from new first area of the object falls onto the first optical sensor array and new second optical signal from new second area of the object falls onto the second optical sensor array;
and
the second optical sensor array is capable of transferring a second image data signal to the detection circuit, wherein the second image data signal results from exposure of the second optical sensor array by second optical signal during the first time phase and simultaneously the first optical sensor array is capable of exposure by the first optical signal, wherein the first optical signal is from the new first area;
and
wherein the detection circuit is capable of forming a composite image data signal from the first and second image data signals.

12 more elements

An optical detection system, which comprises:

a scan head;
a first optical sensor array mounted to the scan head;
a second optical sensor array mounted to the scan head;
and
a detection circuit,
wherein during a first time phase:
the first optical sensor array is capable of having a first optical signal falling on it from a first area of an object, wherein the object is capable of movement relative to the scan head;
the second optical sensor array is capable of receiving a second optical signal from a second area of the object, wherein the object is capable of movement relative to the scan head;
and
the first optical sensor array is capable of transferring a first image data signal to a detection circuit, wherein the first image data signal results from exposure of the first optical sensor array by first optical signal during time phase immediately prior to the first time phase and simultaneously the second optical sensor array is capable of exposure by the second optical signal;
wherein during a second time phase:
the first optical sensor array is capable of receiving new first optical signal from new first area of the object, wherein the object is capable of movement relative to the scan head;
the second optical sensor array is capable of having new second optical signal falling on it from new second area of the object, wherein the object is capable of movement relative to the scan head;
and
the second optical sensor array is capable of transferring a second image data signal to the detection circuit, wherein the second image data signal results from exposure of the second optical sensor array by second optical signal during the first time phase and simultaneously the first optical sensor array is capable of exposure by the first optical signal, wherein the first optical signal is from the new first area;
and
wherein the detection circuit is capable of forming a composite image data signal from the first and second image data signals.

14 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.