Robert Edward Ring

US Patent:

61220388, Sep 19, 2000

Filed:

Sep 25, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/160388

Inventors:

J. Thomas Cilke - Littleton CO
James T. Sherhart - Littleton CO
Curtis A. Lipkie - Littleton CO
Robert H. Ring - Littleton CO

Assignee:

Colortrac, Inc. - Littleton CO

International Classification:

G03B 2750
G03B 2752
H04N 104

US Classification:

355 84

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for a large-format scanner. In a preferred embodiment, a device for scanning an image on a medium having a width and providing signals representing the image includes a frame, a transport, a lamp and a plurality of sensors. The transport is mounted to the frame and is used for moving the medium along a first axis transverse to the medium's width. The lamp illuminates the medium. The lamp has a first end and a second end wherein the first end and the second end are folded back approximately 180 degrees, so that the lamp produces uniform brightness across the width of the medium. The plurality of sensors are proximate to the transport, span the medium's width, and the sensors provide a signal representative of a portion of the image within the illuminated portion of the medium. The device may also include a focal length adjustor, mounted to the frame between the sensors and the transport, for adjusting the distance between the medium and the sensors. In another embodiment, a method for focusing a device for scanning an image on a medium having a plurality of sensors each sensor having a length is presented.