EP0031728A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Method and apparatus for electronically aligning active elements of an imaging array with an optical system
Assignee: NCR Canada Ltd
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Filing: 1980-12-29
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2000-12-29
Abstract
Abstract An imaging apparatus includes an array (20) of light responsive elements (28) outputs from which are utilized in generating data representative of an object such as a cheque (12). The apparatus includes an optical system having a lens (32) for directing light from the cheque (12) on to a predetermined number of the linght responsive elements (28), which number is less than the total number of elements in the array (20). Switch means are provided for adjustably selecting a particular group of elements (28) substantially corresponding to the elements upon which light from the cheque (12) impinges.The method of selecting said particular group of elements involves selecting successive groups of contiguous elements (28) until the outputs of the first and last elements of such a group are found to be substantially equal.
Inventors
- 👤 John Thomas King
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 21:06
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/01; G06K7/015; G06K7/10; G06K7/14; G06V; G06V10/00; G06V10/10; G06V10/12; G06V10/14; G06V10/147; G06V10/20; G06V10/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
An imaging apparatus including an array (20) of light responsive elements (28) outputs from which are utilized in generating data representative of an object, characterized by an optical system including means (32) for directing light from an object of a predetermined size on to a predetermined number of said elements (28), which number is less than the total number of elements in said array, adjusting means (54) for adjustably selecting a particular group of elements (28) substantially corresponding to the elements upon which light from said object of predetermined size impinges, and receiving and generating means (U2, U3, Q3, Q4, U6, U7) for receiving the outputs of said group of elements (28) and for generating a stream of data therefrom.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
An imaging apparatus including an array (20) of light responsive elements (28) outputs from which are utilized in generating data representative of an object, characterized by an optical system including means (32) for directing light from an object of a predetermined size on to a predetermined number of said elements (28), which number is less than the total number of elements in said array, adjusting means (54) for adjustably selecting a particular group of elements (28) substantially corresponding to the elements upon which light from said object of predetermined size impinges, and receiving and generating means (U2, U3, Q3, Q4, U6, U7) for receiving the outputs of said group of elements (28) and for generating a stream of data therefrom.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
76 words
An imaging apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said array (20) is a linear array having a number of contiguous, potentially active elements (28) commencing at a predetermined element (52) which number is greater than said predetermined number, and in that said adjusting means (54) is so arranged as to determine adjustably the spacing between said predetermined element (52) and the first element of the selected group of elements, the selected elements being contiguous.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
An imaging apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that said adjusting means (54) comprises switches (SC1, SC2, SC4, SC8).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
An imaging apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that said switches (SC1, SC2, SC4 and SC8) are manually- settable.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
An imaging apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by programmable logic means (50) arranged to be controlled by said adjusting means (54) for selecting said particular group of elements (28).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
77 words
An imaging apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that said receiving and generating means (U2, U3, Q3, Q4, U6, U7) includes an analog to digital converter (U6) arranged to receive the outputs from said group of elements (28), and a buffer (U7) operatively connected to said analog to digital converter (U6) and arranged to transfer said stream of data to a utilization device upon occurrence of a data valid signal from said programmable logic means (50).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
59 words
An imaging apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that said array (20) is arranged to have first and second outputs, and in that said receiving and generating means (U2, U3, Q3, Q4, U6, U7) includes a multiplexer arranged to alternatively receive said first and second outputs and to apply these outputs to said analog to digital converter (U6).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
167 words
An imaging method in which light from an object (12) is directed on to a linear array (20) of light responsive elements (28) outputs from which are utilized in generating data representative of the object, characterized by using an optical system (32) arranged to direct light on to n elements of the array (20), where n is less than the total number, n plus m, of elements (28) in said array (20), mechanically aligning said optical system (32) with said array (20) so that light from said object (12) impinges upon an initial group of n elements (28), and selecting the particular n light responsive elements whose outputs are to be utilized in generating said image by selecting successive groups of n contiguous elements (28), each successive group being stepped along the array (20) from the immediately preceding group by a step size which is less than m, until the particular n light responsive elements selected substantially correspond to those actually receiving light from said object (12).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
167 words
An imaging method in which light from an object (12) is directed on to a linear array (20) of light responsive elements (28) outputs from which are utilized in generating data representative of the object, characterized by using an optical system (32) arranged to direct light on to n elements of the array (20), where n is less than the total number, n plus m, of elements (28) in said array (20), mechanically aligning said optical system (32) with said array (20) so that light from said object (12) impinges upon an initial group of n elements (28), and selecting the particular n light responsive elements whose outputs are to be utilized in generating said image by selecting successive groups of n contiguous elements (28), each successive group being stepped along the array (20) from the immediately preceding group by a step size which is less than m, until the particular n light responsive elements selected substantially correspond to those actually receiving light from said object (12).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
An imaging method according to claim 8, characterized in that the mechanical aligning step is effected by moving said array (20) with respect to said optical system (32).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
51 words
An imaging method according to either claim 8 or claim 9, characterized in that the stepping step is effected by comparing the outputs (H1, H2) of the first and last elements of each selected group of n elements and terminating the stepping step when these outputs (Hl, H2) are substantially equal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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