U.S. patent application number 11/512909 was filed with the patent office on 2006-12-28 for compensation apparatus for image scan.
This patent application is currently assigned to Transpacific IP, Ltd.. Invention is credited to Cheng-Kuei Chen, Chih-Wen Huang, Jen-Shou Tseng.
Application Number | 20060291007 11/512909 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25446502 |
Filed Date | 2006-12-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060291007 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Huang; Chih-Wen ; et
al. |
December 28, 2006 |
Compensation apparatus for image scan
Abstract
A compensation apparatus for image scan, applied to an optical
scanner with a platform, on which an object to be scanned is
disposed. The optical scanner has a photosensitive apparatus with a
set of scan photosensitive devices and a storage apparatus. When
the object is scanned by the set of scan photosensitive devices, a
scanned image is obtained and saved in the storage apparatus
temporarily. The compensation apparatus has a set of calibration
boards, a set of calibration photosensitive devices and an image
processor. The set of calibration boards has two calibration boards
located at two sides of the platform. The set of calibration
photosensitive devices is located at two sides of the set of scan
photosensitive device. The image processor is used to extract and
compare the calibrated image, so as to adjust the scanned
image.
Inventors: |
Huang; Chih-Wen; (Hsinchu,
TW) ; Chen; Cheng-Kuei; (Hsinchu, TW) ; Tseng;
Jen-Shou; (Miao-Li Hsien, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BERKELEY LAW & TECHNOLOGY GROUP
1700NW 167TH PLACE
SUITE 240
BEAVERTON
OR
97006
US
|
Assignee: |
Transpacific IP, Ltd.
|
Family ID: |
25446502 |
Appl. No.: |
11/512909 |
Filed: |
August 29, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09922099 |
Aug 3, 2001 |
|
|
|
11512909 |
Aug 29, 2006 |
|
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
358/474 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 2201/04743
20130101; H04N 2201/04794 20130101; H04N 2201/02439 20130101; H04N
2201/04793 20130101; H04N 1/1017 20130101; H04N 2201/04787
20130101; H04N 2201/0472 20130101; H04N 2201/0402 20130101; H04N
1/0473 20130101; H04N 1/193 20130101; H04N 2201/04713 20130101;
H04N 2201/04749 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
358/474 |
International
Class: |
H04N 1/04 20060101
H04N001/04 |
Claims
1-22. (canceled)
23. A compensation apparatus comprising: one or more calibration
boards, approximately located at one side of a platform; a set of
calibration photosensitive devices, approximately located at one
side of a set of scan photosensitive devices, capable of obtaining
a calibrated image by detecting the one or more calibration boards
calibration board; and an image processor, capable of calculating
an optical path deviation based at least in part on the calibrated
image to adjust the scanned image.
24. The compensation apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the
one or more calibration boards comprise two calibration boards
approximately located at two sides of the platform; and wherein the
set of calibration photosensitive devices are approximately located
at two sides of the set of scan photosensitive devices.
25. A method, comprising: obtaining a calibrated image by detecting
one or more calibration boards approximately located at one side of
a platform of a scanner with a set of calibration photosensitive
devices; and calculating an optical path deviation based at least
in part on the calibrated image to adjust the scanned image.
26. The method according to claim 25, further comprising obtaining
a calibrated image by detecting two calibration boards
approximately located at two sides of the platform.
27. The method according to claim 26, wherein said calculating
comprises extracting and comparing the calibrated image to
calculate said optical path deviation magnitude and direction based
at least in part on a pattern proportion and a displacement of the
calibrated image of the calibration board detected by the set of
calibration photosensitive devices.
28. An apparatus, comprising: means for obtaining a calibrated
image by detecting a calibration board approximately located at one
side of a platform of a scanner with a set of calibration
photosensitive devices; and means for calculating an optical path
deviation based at least in part on the calibrated image to adjust
the scanned image.
29. The apparatus according to claim 28, wherein said means for
obtaining a calibrated image comprises means for obtaining a
calibrated image by detecting two calibration boards approximately
located at two sides of the platform.
30. The apparatus according to claim 29, wherein said means for
calculating comprises means for extracting and comparing the
calibrated image to calculate said optical path deviation magnitude
and direction based at least in part on a pattern proportion and a
displacement of the calibrated image of the calibration board
detected by the set of calibration photosensitive devices.
31. An article comprising: a storage medium having stored thereon
instructions, that, if executed, result in: obtaining a calibrated
image by detecting one or more calibration boards approximately
located at one side of a platform of a scanner with a set of
calibration photosensitive devices; and calculating an optical path
deviation based at least in part on the calibrated image to adjust
the scanned image.
32. The article of claim 31, wherein the instructions, if executed,
further result in obtaining a calibrated image by detecting two
calibration boards approximately located at two sides of the
platform.
33. The article of claim 32, wherein said calculating comprises
extracting and comparing the calibrated image to calculate said
optical path deviation magnitude and direction based at least in
part on a pattern proportion and a displacement of the calibrated
image of the calibration board detected by the set of calibration
photosensitive devices.
34. A scanner comprising: a platform; one or more calibration
boards, approximately located at one side of the platform; an
optical system comprising one or more mirrors, a lens, and a set of
calibration photosensitive devices; wherein the set of calibration
photosensitive devices are approximately located at one side of a
set of scan photosensitive devices, and wherein the set of
calibration photosensitive device are capable of obtaining a
calibrated image by detecting the one or more calibration boards
calibration board; and an image processor, capable of calculating
an optical path deviation based at least in part on the calibrated
image to adjust the scanned image.
35. The scanner according to claim 34, wherein the one or more
calibration boards comprise two calibration boards approximately
located at two sides of the platform; and wherein the set of
calibration photosensitive devices are approximately located at two
sides of the set of scan photosensitive devices.
36. The scanner according to claim 35, wherein the image processor
is capable of extracting and comparing the calibrated images to
calculate said optical path deviation magnitude and direction based
at least in part on a pattern proportion and a_displacement of the
calibrated images of the calibration boards detected by the set of
calibration photosensitive devices.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates in general to a compensation apparatus
for image scan, and more particularly, to an apparatus for
compensating the optical path deviation caused by vibration of an
optical scanner.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] As use has increased and with breakthroughs in the
technology of photosensitive devices, the resolution of optical
scanners has steadily increased from the early 200 dots per inch
(dpi) for a black-and-white scan and gray scale scan to 300 dpi,
600 dpi, 1000 dpi, and now 2000 dpi and 4000 dpi for a color scan
today. As the resolution is continuously enhanced, the scanner
becomes more and more sensitive to the machine's vibration.
[0005] In a typical optical scanner, after first being projected
onto an object to be scanned and then reflected by the object to a
series of planar mirrors, a light source is subsequently projected
onto a charge coupled device (CCD) to be converted into a digital
signal to be read. When the driving system operates to drive the
lens or the charge coupled device, vibration occurs that affects
the scanning quality. In FIG. 1, the optical path deviation caused
by the vibration of the scanner is shown. While the optical scanner
is performing a scan, the driving system 109 drives the optical
system 111 (that is, the planar compound mirror 104, the lens 106
and the photosensitive device 110) along the scanning direction
107. As the optical system 111 moves a small distance, the
photosensitive apparatus 110 scans and detects the object 100 once.
The optical path is from the light source (not shown), the object
100, the planar compound mirror 104, the lens 106 and the
photosensitive apparatus 110. During the scan, the driving system
generates a vibration to the optical system 111, so that an optical
path deviation N'N is generated. A chromatic aberration occurs to
the scanned image, such that the image quality is deteriorated. The
vibration of the optical system and the optical path deviation N'N
may occur along the x-axis, y-axis and z-axis. FIG. 1 only
illustrates the vibration along the y-axis to describe the optical
path deviation along z-axis as an example.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The invention provides a compensation apparatus for image
scan applied to an optical scanner, so that the optical path
deviation along the x-axis, y-axis and z-axis can be compensated,
and the image quality improved.
[0007] The image scan compensation apparatus can be applied to an
optical scanner having a platform, a photosensitive device and a
storage apparatus. An object-to-be-scanned is disposed on the
platform. The photosensitive apparatus has a set of scan
photosensitive devices therein. When this set of scan
photosensitive devices scans the object, a scanned image is
obtained and temporarily stored in the storage apparatus. The
compensation apparatus comprises a set of calibration boards, a set
of calibration photosensitive devices and an image processor. The
set of calibration boards has two calibration boards located at two
sides of the platform. The set of calibration photosensitive
devices are located at two sides of the set of scan photosensitive
devices to detect the calibration boards and to obtain a calibrated
image. The image processor is used to extract and compare the
calibrated image to adjust the scanned image.
[0008] In the compensation apparatus of the invention, the
calibration boards are located at two sides of the platform. The
calibration boards are strip-like boards with a width linearly
increased or decreased along the scanning direction.
[0009] In the compensation apparatus, the image processor
calculates the optical path deviation by extracting and comparing
the calibrated image. According to the pattern proportion and the
displacement of the calibrated image on the calibration boards
detected by the set of calibration photosensitive devices, the
direction and magnitude of the optical path deviation are obtained.
The optical path deviation along the direction for scanning the set
of photosensitive devices (x-axis, that is, the CCD direction) can
be calculated to correct the scanned image according to the
displacement of the calibrated images detected by the set of
calibration photosensitive devices. The optical path deviations
along the other vertical object scanning directions (that is, the
y-axis direction and the z-axis direction) can be calculated for
correction according to the proportion variation and the
displacement of the calibrated images detected at the two sides of
the set of calibration photosensitive devices. In addition, the
optical path deviations twisting around the y-axis and the z-axis
are also calculated according to the optical path deviations along
the y- and z-axes.
[0010] Both the foregoing general description and the following
detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not
restrictive of the invention, as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 shows an optical path deviation caused by vibration
of the conventional optical scanner;
[0012] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a compensation apparatus for
image scan of an optical scanner according to the invention;
[0013] FIG. 3 shows the optical path of FIG. 2;
[0014] FIG. 4 shows a photosensitive apparatus of the compensation
apparatus;
[0015] FIGS. 5 and 6 show the calibration boards of the
compensation apparatus;
[0016] FIGS. 7 to 11 show alteration of the calibrated images
detected by the set of calibration photosensitive devices caused by
optical path deviation; and
[0017] FIG. 12 shows a flow chart for implementing the
photodetector of the compensation apparatus.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a compensation apparatus for
image scan of an optical scanner. FIG. 3 shows the optical path of
FIG. 2 (the planar mirror is omitted), and FIG. 4 shows the
photosensitive apparatus of the compensation apparatus.
[0019] In FIG. 2, the compensation apparatus is installed in an
optical scanner. The optical scanner has a light source (not
shown), a platform 202 for locating an object-to-be-scanned 200, a
photosensitive apparatus 210 which includes a set of scan
photosensitive devices R, G, B 210a, 210b, 210c (as shown in FIG.
4) and a storage apparatus (not shown). The scanning direction is
referred to as the y-axis, the direction along the platform 202 and
vertical to the y-axis is referred to as the x-axis. Using the
right hand rule, a z-axis vertically coming out of the platform 202
can be obtained.
[0020] When the optical scanner is scanning, a driving system (not
shown) drives the optical system 211 (that is, the set of planar
mirrors 204, the lens 206 and the photosensitive apparatus 210) to
move along the scanning direction 207. When the optical system 211
moves over a small distance, an image is scanned and temporarily
stored in the storage apparatus. The optical path for the scan
includes projecting light from the light source to the
object-to-be-scanned 200, reflection by the object-to-be-scanned
200 to the set of planar mirrors 204, incident to the corresponding
scan photosensitive devices 210a, 210b, 210c of the photosensitive
apparatus 210. The photosensitive apparatus 210 is in a strip shape
and vertical to the scanning direction 207.
[0021] However, vibration occurs to the driving system. While the
scan is being performed, the optical system 211 is vibrating
causing an optical path deviation N'N. The optical path deviation
N'N caused by vibration may occur along x-, y- and z-axis. For
convenience, FIG. 2 illustrates the optical deviation N'N caused by
vibration along the y-axis only. The optical path N-M is altered to
N'-M' due to vibration as shown in FIG. 2, and an optical path
deviation results. The compensation apparatus for image scan
provided by the invention for compensating the optical path
deviation is described as follows.
[0022] The compensation apparatus comprises a set of calibration
boards 203, 205 located at two sides of the platform 202, (FIG. 2),
and a set of calibration photosensitive devices 212 located at two
sides of the set of scan photosensitive devices 210a, 210b and 210c
to obtain the set of calibrated images by detecting the calibration
boards 203, 205 (FIG. 3). The compensation apparatus further
comprises an image processor (not shown) to extract and compare the
calibrated images, in order to calculate the optical path deviation
N'N, so that the scanned image can be adjusted. Referring to FIG.
12, a flow chart for implementing the optical photodetector of the
compensation apparatus for image scan of the optical scanner is
illustrated. When the scan is started in step 302, the set of the
scan photosensitive devices 210a, 210b, 210c of the photosensitive
apparatus 210 and the set of calibration photosensitive devices 212
simultaneously detect the object-to-be-scanned 200 (step 310) and
the calibration boards 203, 205 (step 304), respectively. A scanned
image and a calibrated image are obtained in steps 312 and 306. The
scanned image is temporarily stored in the storage apparatus in
step 314. The optical path deviation is calculated according to the
obtained calibrated image in step 308. The image processor is used
to compensate the optical path deviation N'N into the scanned image
in step 316, so that an ideal image (the image without the optical
path deviation N'N) is obtained in step 318. The above set of
photosensitive devices 212, as shown in FIG. 4, is comprised of
several calibration photosensitive devices arranged as an array
with L rows and K columns at two sides of the scan photosensitive
devices 210a, 210b and 210c. L and K are integers larger than 1. In
addition, the set of scan photosensitive devices has several scan
photosensitive devices, and the size of the calibration
photosensitive devices is smaller than that of the scan
photosensitive devices (that is, the integration of the set of
calibration photosensitive devices is larger than that of the set
of the scan photosensitive devices) for the purpose of enhancing
detection accuracy.
[0023] In the above method of calculating the optical path
deviation N'N, the width of the strip-like calibration boards 203,
205 is increased or decreased linearly along the scanning direction
207. Its plane has a trapezium shape as shown in FIG. 2, a
triangular shape as shown in FIG. 5, or a curve perimeter as shown
in FIG. 6. The objective of linearly increasing the width of the
calibration boards 203, 205 is to use the width as a distinction
value for scanning along the direction 207. That is, at any
position along the scanning direction 207, the width has a unique
magnitude different from any other positions. It is thus able to
determine at which position of the object-to-be-scanned 200 the
vibration occurs. Further, according to the variation of the width,
whether the scanned image is twisted can also be determined. The
method for calculating the direction and magnitude of the optical
deviation path N'N is described as follows. The optical path along
y-axis:
[0024] In FIG. 7, the variation of calibrated image when the
optical path deviates along the y-axis is illustrated. If an
optical path deviation of dy1 occurs along the y-axis, the
calibrated images 203a and 205a at two sides of the scanned image
200a are displaced due to the image vibration. The hatched portion
203b and 205b in the figure indicates the ideal calibrated images
while the vibration occurs. Due to the vibration along the y-axis,
a section of the calibration boards 203 and 205 (FIG. 2) will be
skipped without being detected by the calibration photosensitive
device 212 (FIG. 3). A discontinuous variation of the calibrated
images 203a and 205a thus occurs. Therefore, the magnitude and
position of optical path deviation in y-axis can be derived from
the calibrated images 203a, 205a detected by the set of calibration
photosensitive devices 212.
[0025] Similarly, referring to FIG. 8, the variation of the
calibrated image obtained from the optical path deviation in y-axis
(the optical path deviation at two sides of the platform is
different) during the scanning process is shown. The optical path
deviations N'N at two sides of the platform are represented by dy1
and dy2, showing that the scanned image 200a has been twisted by
.theta..sub.z to a certain position (such as twisted around the
z-axis).
The optical path deviation in x-axis:
[0026] In FIG. 9, the variation of calibrated image when the
optical path deviates along the x-axis is illustrated. If an
optical path deviation of dx1 occurs along the x-axis, the
calibrated images 203a and 205a (the hatched portion) at two sides
of the scanned image 200a are displaced due to the image vibration.
The hatched portion 203b and 205b in the figure indicates the ideal
calibrated images while the vibration occurs. Since the optical
path deviation N'N is the same at two sides of the platform, the
calibration boards 203 and 205 (FIG. 2) detected by the calibration
photosensitive device 212 jump with a distance along the x-axis
simultaneously, and a discontinuous variation occurs to the
calibrated images 203a and 205a. Therefore, the magnitude and
position of optical path deviation in x-axis of the scanned image
200a detected from the set of scan photosensitive devices 210a,
210b, 210c (FIG. 4) can be derived from the calibrated images 203a,
205a detected by the set of calibration photosensitive devices
212.
The optical path deviation in z-axis:
[0027] In FIG. 10, the variation of calibrated image obtained from
the optical path deviation along the z-axis (when the optical path
deviation is the same at two sides) is shown. When optical path
deviates in z-axis for scanning, the position of the image alters
due to vibration (while the hatched portion 203b and 203b indicate
the ideal calibrated image without vibration). Since the optical
path deviation N'N in z-axis is the same at two sides of the
platform, a vague (defocused) section and magnified or shrunk ratio
occur to the calibrated images 203a and 205a detected by the
calibration photosensitive device 212 (FIG. 3). The magnified or
shrunk ratio can be obtained from w2/w1, in which w2 is the width
of the calibrated images 203a, 205a after vibration, and w1 is the
ideal width of the calibrated images 203a, 205a without vibration.
Therefore, the magnitude and position of the optical path deviation
in z-axis of the scanned image can be derived from the set of scan
photosensitive devices 210a, 210b and 210c (FIG. 4).
[0028] Similarly, referring to FIG. 11, the calibrated image
variation according to the optical path deviation in z-axis (when
the optical path at two sides of the platform is different} is
shown. Due to the difference of the optical path deviation at two
sides of the platform, a vague (defocused) section and magnified or
shrunk ratio occur to the calibrated images 203a and 205a detected
by the calibration photosensitive device 212 (FIG. 3). The
magnified or shrunk ratio of the calibrated images 203a and 205a is
different and obtained from w2/w1 and w3/w1, respectively. The
parameter w3 is the width of the calibrated image 203a after
vibration, w2 is the width of the calibrated image 205a after
vibration, while w1 is the ideal width without vibration for both
the calibration images 203a and 205a. Meanwhile, the scanned image
200a is twisted by an angle .theta..sub.y at a certain position
(such as rotating around the y-axis).
[0029] The above embodiment describes the invention by setting the
calibration boards at two sides of the platform. However, according
to the spirit of the invention, the calibrated boards detected by
the set of calibration photosensitive devices are images (that is,
plane data instead of point or line data). Thus, if the calibration
board is used at only one side of the platform, the above objective
can also be achieved. Therefore, one can dispose the calibration
board at one side of the platform, and the set of calibration
photosensitive devices at the other side.
[0030] According to the above embodiment, the invention has at
least the following advantages:
[0031] (1) The compensation apparatus of image scan uses the
strip-like calibration boards where the width varies linearly along
the scanning direction, so that the detected calibrated image can
be used to distinguish the position of the scanned image. According
to the position and width variation of the calibrated image, the
optical path deviation in x-, y- and z-axes can be calculated.
Consequently, the optical path deviation for twisting around the y-
and z-axes can be derived.
[0032] (2) In the above compensation apparatus, the calibration
boards are set at two sides of the scan photosensitive device, so
that calibrated images are obtained while scanning an object. The
optical path deviation and the direction thereof can be calculated.
An image processor is further used to compensate the optical path
deviation into the scanned image, so that the vibration of scanned
image due to the vibration of the optical scanner is improved, and
the image quality is enhanced.
[0033] (3) A software image compensation is used in the
compensation apparatus, so that a real time image compensation is
achieved without the problems caused by time delay.
[0034] Other embodiments of the invention will appear to those
skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and
practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the
specification and examples are to be considered as exemplary only,
with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by
the following claims.
* * * * *