Method and apparatus for a dynamically variable scanner, copier or facsimile secondary reflective surface

• US 6,219,158 B1
• Filed: 07/31/1998
• Issued: 04/17/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Dawe, Julie T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Cheukfan
• Application Number:
  US09/127,654
• Time in Patent Office: 991 Days
• Field of Search: 358/504, 358/509, 358/510, 358/516, 358/475, 358/483, 358/474, 358/496, 358/497, 358/471, 358/488, 382/312, 382/313, 250/208.1, 355/68, 355/75, 355/181, 399/32, 399/51, 399/152, 399/198, 399/7, 399/378, 399/379, 399/380
• US Class Current: 358/509
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00795 Reading arrangements details of scanning heads H04N1/024; scanning arrangements therefor H04N1/04
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0422 Media holders, covers, supports, backgrounds; Arrangements to facilitate placing of the medium H04N2201/0406 - H04N2201/0412, H04N2201/0434 take precedence

Abstract

A reflective surface behind an image to be scanned on an optical image scanner, copier, facsimile machine or similar device. This reflective surface is dynamically adaptive to the item being scanned, copied or faxed to provide improvements such as reducing image bleed-through while maintaining a desirable level of dynamic range. Preferably, the reflective surface has a reflectance that is dynamically variable and controlled to be either all white, all black, all grey or some other color. The scanning or copying reflective background may also be varied in different regions, such that different regions of the reflective background may simultaneously be white, black, grey, or some other color. The background reflective surface of the scanner, facsimile or copier may be controlled directly by an operator or end user or by software or firmware of the scanner, copier or facsimile. The dynamically variable reflective surface of the scanner, facsimile or copier may be an LCD.

Claims

1. A device for electronically transforming an image into an electronic signal, the image located at a first surface, the device comprising:

an area adapted to receive a document, the document having a first image on a first side and a second image on a second side, the first image located at the first surface; and

a reflective surface adjacent to the second side of the document;

wherein the reflective surface has a dynamically variable reflectance;

wherein the reflectance of the reflective surface is controlled by means of software; and

wherein the reflectance of the reflective surface varies in response to the color intensity of the document to be scanned or copied.

2. An imaging device for producing electronic data representative of an image of an object comprising:

a transparent platen adapted to support said object; and

a cover member having a reflective surface and having an operating position with said reflective surface positioned adjacent to said object supported on said platen, said reflective surface being selectively variable through a range of contrast including at least white, gray and black.

3. The imaging device of claim 2, said reflective surface said reflective surface being selectively chromatically variable.

4. The imaging device of claim 2, the reflectance of said reflective surface being selectively variable across said reflective surface whereby the reflectance of different portions of said reflective surface are variable with respect to each other.

5. The imaging device of claim 4, said reflective surface being selectively chromatically variable.

6. An imaging device for producing electronic data representative of an image of an object comprising:

a transparent platen adapted to support said object; and

a cover member having a reflective surface and having an operating position with said reflective surface positioned adjacent to said object supported on said platen, said reflective surface being selectively chromatically variable.

7. An imaging device for producing electronic data representative of an image of an object comprising:

a transparent platen adapted to support said object; and

a cover member having a reflective surface and having an operating position with said reflective surface positioned adjacent to said object supported on said platen, the reflectance of said reflective surface being selectively variable across said reflective surface whereby the reflectance of different portions of said reflective surface are variable with respect to each other.

8. The imaging device of claim 7, said reflective surface being selectively chromatically variable.

9. A method for transforming an image on a document into an electronic signal using an image processing device, said method comprising:

(a) placing said document on a document support surface;

(b) lowering a lid to cover a back side of said document on said support surface, said lid having a dynamically variable reflective surface opposed to said support surface;

(c) selecting a reflectance level for said dynamically variable reflective surface;

(d) illuminating said document on said support surface with a light source; and

(e) producing an electronic signal in response to light reflected by said document;

wherein said dynamically variable reflective surface is an LCD;

wherein the step of selecting a reflectance level for said dynamically variable reflective surface further comprises;

(1) performing a preliminary scan; and

(2) adjusting said reflectance level in response to bleed-through levels, dynamic range levels or color shift detected during said preliminary scan.