Scanning apparatus

Claim 2

Apparatus for optically scanning a stationary original aNd creating a flowing light image of the original including: a stationary viewing platen for supporting an original in a plane, said platen defining a first side margin boundary and an opposing side margin boundary; a stationary half lens system having a central lens axis, comprising an objective which collects light from one side of the central lens axis along a light receiving axis, and forms the image on the opposite side of the central lens axis, and a reflecting surface positioned at the lens stop position to reverse received light, said lens system being positioned to collect said light from the platen side of said first margin boundary and redirect said light back again toward the platen side of said first margin boundary, a first reflecting element arranged to move along a path of travel parallel to said plane between said first side margin boundary and said opposing side margin boundary, whereby successive incremental areas of the original are scanned and reflected along a series of light paths that are parallel to each other and angularly displaced from said path of travel; and a second reflecting element arranged to move in coordination with said first reflecting element along a path of travel parallel to said plane so as to receive each of said reflected light paths from said first element and redirect said light paths toward said lens system along the light receiving axis of said lens system; whereby a flowing light image of the image is created in the image plane of said lens system.

Claim 3

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein means are provided for moving said first reflecting element over its path of travel at a uniform rate.

Claim 4

The apparatus of claim 2 further including means to restore said first and second reflecting elements to a start of scan condition upon the completion of said optical scanning of the original.

Claim 5

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein means are provided for restoring said first and second reflecting elements to a start of scan condition at a rate that is greater than the scanning rate.

Claim 6

The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said half lens system is supported below said platen at said first side margin boundary.

Claim 7

The apparatus as in claim 5 wherein said first and second reflecting elements are each mounted upon a carriage and wherein said carriages are slideably supported on a common pair of guide rails.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 1 further including illumination means for illuminating the original supported in said plane and associated with said first reflecting element.

Claim 9

The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said illuminating means is supported by the carriage on which said first reflecting element is mounted.

Claim 10

In a copying device in which an original to be copied is supported in a stationary condition upon a flat viewing platen and a flowing light image of the original is recorded upon a moving photosensitive plate, said platen defining a first side margin boundary and an opposing side margin boundary, the improvement wherein said copying device includes: a stationary half lens system having a central lens axis, comprising an objective which collects light from one side of the central lens axis along a light receiving axis, and forms the image on the opposite side of the central lens axis, and a reflecting surface positioned at the lens stop position to reverse received light, said lens system being positioned to collect said light from the platen side of said first margin boundary and redirect said light back again toward the platen side of said first margin boundary; a moving photosensitive plate positioned in the image plane of said lens system, said plate moving at a uniform rate; a first planar mirror movably positioned below said platen and being arranged to move at said uniform rate over a path of travel parallel to the plane of said platen between said first side margin boundary and said opposing side margin boundary, whereby successive incremental areas of the original are scanNed and reflected along a series of light paths that are parallel to each other and angularly displaced from said path of travel; and a second planar mirror arranged to move in coordination with said first planar mirror along a path of travel parallel to said plane so as to receive each of said reflected light paths from said first planar mirror and redirect said light paths toward said lens system along the light receiving axis of said lens system; whereby the conjugate length of the system remains constant as the original on the platen is scanned.

Claim 11

In a copying device in which an original to be copied is supported in a stationary condition upon a flat viewing platen and a flowing light image of the original is recorded upon a moving photosensitive plate, said platen defining a first side margin boundary and an opposing side margin boundary, the improvement wherein said copying device includes: a stationary half lens system having a central lens axis, comprising an objective which collects light from one side of the central lens axis along a light receiving axis, and forms the image on the opposite side of the central lens axis, and a reflecting surface positioned at the lens stop position to reverse received light, said lens system being positioned to collect said light from the platen side of said first margin boundary and redirect said light back again toward the platen side of said first margin boundary; a moving photosensitive plate positioned in the image plane of said lens system, said plate moving at a uniform rate; a first planar mirror movably positioned below said platen and being arranged to move at said uniform rate over a path of travel parallel to the plane of said platen between said first side margin boundary and said opposing side margin boundary, whereby successive incremental areas of the original are scanNed and reflected along a series of light paths that are parallel to each other and angularly displaced from said path of travel; and a second planar mirror arranged to move in coordination with said first planar mirror along a path of travel parallel to said plane so as to receive each of said reflected light paths from said first planar mirror and redirect said light paths toward said lens system along the light receiving axis of said lens system; whereby the conjugate length of the system remains constant as the original on the platen is scanned.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 9 further including a reflecting surface positioned in the light projection axis of the lens system to further compact the copying device.

Claim 13

The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said first and second mirrors are each mounted upon a mirror carriage and the mirror carriage slidably supported on a common pair of guide rails.

Claim 14

The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said mirror carriage supporting the first mirror further includes a light source for illuminating the original in the viewing domain of the first mirror.

Claim 15

The apparatus of claim 11 further including means to restore said mirror carriages to a start of scan position at the completion of a scanning pass at a rate that is greater than the scanning rate.

Claim 16

Apparatus for optically scanning a stationary original and creating a flowing light image of the original for projection on a moving member at an image plane; a stationary viewing platen for supporting an original in a plane, said platen defining a first side margin boundary and an opposing side margin boundary; a first reflecting element arranged to move along a path of travel parallel to said plane between said first side margin boundary and said opposing side margin boundary whereby successive incremental areas of the original are scanned and reflected along a series of light paths that are parallel to each other and angularly displaced from said path of travel; a second reflecting element arranged to move in coordination with said first reflecting element along a path of travel parallel to said plane so as to receive each of said reflected light paths from said first element and reflect said light paths; and a stationary half lens system having a central lens axis, comprising an objective which collects light from one side of the central lens axis and forms the image on the opposite side of the central lens axis, and a reflecting surface positioned at the lens stop position to reverse received light, said lens system being positioned to receive the reflected light paths from said second reflecting element and redirect said light paths back for projection on said moving member.

Claim 17

Apparatus for optically scanning a stationary original and creating a flowing light image of the original for projection on a moving member at an image plane; a stationary viewing platen for supporting an original in a plane, said platen defining a first side margin boundary and an opposing side margin boundary; a first reflecting element arranged to move along a path of travel parallel to said plane between said first side margin boundary and said opposing side margin boundary whereby successive incremental areas of the original are scanned and reflected along a series of light paths that are parallel to each other and angularly displaced from said path of travel; a second reflecting element arranged to move in coordination with said first reflecting element along a path of travel parallel to said plane so as to receive each of said reflected light paths from said first element and reflect said light paths; and a stationary half lens system having a central lens axis, comprising an objective which collects light from one side of the central lens axis and forms the image on the opposite side of the central lens axis, and a reflecting surface positioned at the lens stop position to reverse received light, said lens system being positioned to receive the reflected light paths from said second reflecting element and redirect said light paths back for projection on said moving member.