Michael A Christensen

US Patent:

6614563, Sep 2, 2003

Filed:

Mar 30, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/281600

Inventors:

Patrick A Batten - Ft Collins CO
Michael L Christensen - Windsor CO
John G Thelen - Fort Collins CO

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. - Houston TX

International Classification:

H04N 104

US Classification:

358487, 358475, 358497

Abstract:

A transparency adaptor is described that includes a flat panel illuminator within the scanner lid of the scanner. The flat panel illuminator provides backlighting for scanning transparencies, such that light passes through the transparency only once and into the scanner optics within the scanner base. When the flat panel illuminator is lit during a scanning process, the light source within the scanner is not lit. In a second embodiment, the flat panel illuminator is removeably attached to the scanner lid. Another alternative is for the flat panel illuminator adapter to be a separate from the scanner, such that it is placed over a transparent document when needed, either plugging into the scanner or a separate power source during the scanning process.

US Patent:

58959130, Apr 20, 1999

Filed:

Jan 9, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/781781

Inventors:

Michael L. Christensen - Windsor CO

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Company - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

H01J 314
H01L 2700

US Classification:

250235

Abstract:

Apparatus for sensing an initial position of a moveable carriage mounted within a housing of an imaging device may comprise a detector having a plurality of light sensitive elements for detecting objects within a field of view. At least one of the light sensitive elements is an image sensing element and at least one of the light sensitive elements is a position sensing element. A reference mark is positioned on the housing so that is within the field of view of the position sensing element of the detector when the carriage is at about a home position. An image data processor connected to the detector and responsive to the output signals generated thereby determines whether the reference mark is within the field of view of the position sensing element of the detector.

US Patent:

48570095, Aug 15, 1989

Filed:

Jul 21, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/222437

Inventors:

Michael L. Christensen - Loveland CO

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Company - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

G01R 1512

US Classification:

439372

Abstract:

A fixture latching mechanism for mass terminating a printed circuit test fixture to a test head probe field wherein said fixture latching mechanism is comprised of simultaneously functioning pulldown towers, each of which further comprises a housing having an internal wall for guiding a vertically moving rack containing a horizontally and forwardly biased pulldown which engages the fixture as the rack is powered downward and which disengages from the fixture as the rack is powered upward. Preferably, the disengagement of the pulldown from the fixture is produced by a caming action on a cam follower attached to the rear portion of the pulldown as the cam follower engages a cam system positioned in the upper regions of the housing's internal wall.

US Patent:

6147343, Nov 14, 2000

Filed:

Jul 23, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/121793

Inventors:

Michael L. Christensen - Windsor CO

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Company - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

H01J 314

US Classification:

250234

Abstract:

Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for compensating for temperature-induced scan line drift in a photoelectric imaging apparatus. A scan line drift compensation mechanism may be placed in contact with at least one of the optical components, e. g, a mirror, contained within the optical system of a photoelectric imaging apparatus. The scan line drift compensation mechanism may be formed from two members, each having a different coefficient of thermal expansion. In this manner, the scan line drift compensation mechanism is able to exert a force on the optical component in response to a change in temperature.

US Patent:

63167670, Nov 13, 2001

Filed:

Sep 17, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/398264

Inventors:

Dan C Paxton - Loveland CO
Michael L Christensen - Windsor CO
Eugene W Pakenham - Ft Collins CO

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Company - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

H01J 314
H01J 516
H01J 4014
H04N 104

US Classification:

250234

Abstract:

An apparatus for connecting electrical power to an exposure lamp in an image scanner in response to the detection of ambient light by a light sensor located under the scanner's cover. Such an apparatus provides an apparent reduction in exposure lamp warm-up time, with associated improvement in operator productivity, while minimizing exposure lamp operational life degradation and excessive energy consumption caused by leaving the exposure lamp turned on. Once the exposure lamp is turned on, a timing circuit is used in the preferred embodiment to disconnect electrical power from the exposure lamp so that if the scanner's cover is left open or closed, the exposure lamp will not be left on for excessively long periods of time.

US Patent:

60181613, Jan 25, 2000

Filed:

Jul 31, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/127454

Inventors:

Patrick A. Batten - Fort Collins CO
Michael L. Christensen - Windsor CO
Martha A. Chavez - Greeley CO

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Company - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

H01J 314

US Classification:

250234

Abstract:

An adapter for scanning transparent images using a reflective scanner. The adapter receives light from a lamp inside the scanner and redirects the light through the transparent image and back into the scanner. The scanner has an offset between an illumination line and a scan line. An angle of the adapter relative to the surface of a platen on the scanner is dependent on the distance between the illumination line and the scan line. At least one angle adjuster is provided on the adapter to enable the adapter to be used on scanners having different offsets. In addition, the adapter is made wider than the transparent image to be scanned, so that when the scan line is at a leading or trailing edge of the transparent image, the adapter still captures light from the lamp within the scanner.

US Patent:

6166829, Dec 26, 2000

Filed:

Apr 28, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/067785

Inventors:

Michael L. Christensen - Windsor CO
Stephen J. Cook - Loveland CO

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Company - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

H04N 1024

US Classification:

358473

Abstract:

An optical image scanner includes a scan head that is mounted onto a guide member with a bias torque that reduces uncertainty in position of the scan head. A drive member, such as a belt or cable, is attached to the scan head with an offset relative to a centerline of the guide member. A tensioning device ensures that the drive member asserts force on the scan head at each of the attachment points. As a result, a bias torque is placed onto the scan head, relative to the guide member, reducing uncertainty in position. For bidirectional movement, the biasing torque is the same for either direction of travel.

US Patent:

57539081, May 19, 1998

Filed:

Jan 9, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/780912

Inventors:

Michael L. Christensen - Windsor CO

Assignee:

Hewlett-Packard Company - Palo Alto CA

International Classification:

H01J 502

US Classification:

250239

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for achieving alignment of a photosensor array in an imaging device is disclosed. The photosensor array is mounted in an integrated circuit package having a plurality of downwardly extending leads. The leads are received in a plurality of sockets which are attached to and extend through the retina board. A pair of holes are provided extending through the retina board proximate the ends of the integrated circuit package. An actuator, such as a screw, is associated with each hole such that the actuator is able to contact the rear surface of the integrated circuit package. In this manner, one of the actuators may be used to apply a force to one end of the integrated circuit package in order to move that end away from the retina board and thus achieve alignment with the light beam. After the desired alignment has been achieved, some of the integrated circuit package leads may be soldered within their respective sockets in order to lock the integrated circuit package and photosensor array in place. Alternatively, some of the sockets may be omitted such that the corresponding integrated circuit package leads may be soldered directly to the retina board in order to lock the package in place.