US5383031A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Image reading apparatus
Assignee: Konica Minolta Inc
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Filing: 1992-09-02
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Granted: 1995-01-17
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Expires: 2012-09-02
Abstract
Abstract An image reading apparatus has a sensing unit to repeat a scanning on an original image with a predetermined time interval between scans so as to obtain a new set of image information data with each scan, a memory unit to store the image information data and a control unit which commands the memory unit to read the image information stored therein. The memory unit has two memory areas, and each of the two memory areas is alternately updated with each scan for storing a set of the image information data. In response to a read command from the control unit, the memory unit starts to read the image information data from one of the memory areas which is not used for storing at the time the command is issued.
Inventors
- 👤 Akira Kida
- 👤 Yasuaki Satoh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:14
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B27/00; G03B27/72; G03B27/73; G03B27/735
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
218 words
An image reading apparatus comprising: image sensing means for repeatedly scanning an original image with a predetermined time interval between scans so as to obtain a set of image information data that represents the original image with each scan, the set of image information data including a plurality of line data which corresponds to a horizontal scanning line in the original image; memory means coupled to said image sensing means for storing the image information data, said memory means having a memory area adapted to store one set of the image information data and which updates a stored set of the image information data stored in the memory area by writing newly obtained image information data from the image sensing means, line data by line data, over the stored set of image information data; and control means for issuing a command to the memory means to read out the set of image information data from the memory area, wherein the memory means starts to read out an image information data from the memory area at a time when both: a horizontal synchronizing signal is sent from the control means, after completion of a currently occurring writing of a line of image information data into the memory area; and after the command from the control means has been issued.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
218 words
An image reading apparatus comprising: image sensing means for repeatedly scanning an original image with a predetermined time interval between scans so as to obtain a set of image information data that represents the original image with each scan, the set of image information data including a plurality of line data which corresponds to a horizontal scanning line in the original image; memory means coupled to said image sensing means for storing the image information data, said memory means having a memory area adapted to store one set of the image information data and which updates a stored set of the image information data stored in the memory area by writing newly obtained image information data from the image sensing means, line data by line data, over the stored set of image information data; and control means for issuing a command to the memory means to read out the set of image information data from the memory area, wherein the memory means starts to read out an image information data from the memory area at a time when both: a horizontal synchronizing signal is sent from the control means, after completion of a currently occurring writing of a line of image information data into the memory area; and after the command from the control means has been issued.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The image reading apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: data protection means for protecting the image information data in the memory area in response to the command from the control means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The image reading apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control means further obtains, based on an analysis of the image information data, an exposure amount in printing a photographic image and a correction level to correct the exposure amount.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
192 words
An image reading apparatus comprising: image sensing means for repeatedly scanning an entire original image with a predetermined time interval between scans so as to obtain a set of image information data with each scan so that each set of image information data represents the entire original image; memory means coupled to said image sensing means for storing the image information data, said memory means having a memory area adapted to store one set of the image information data and which updates a stored set of the image information data stored in the memory area by writing a set of newly obtained image information data from the image sensing means; and control means for issuing a command to the memory means to read out the image information data from the memory area, wherein the memory means starts a read out of an image information data from the memory area at a time when both: a vertical synchronizing signal is sent from the control means, after completion of a currently occurring writing of a set of image information data into the memory area; and after the command from the control means is issued.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
192 words
An image reading apparatus comprising: image sensing means for repeatedly scanning an entire original image with a predetermined time interval between scans so as to obtain a set of image information data with each scan so that each set of image information data represents the entire original image; memory means coupled to said image sensing means for storing the image information data, said memory means having a memory area adapted to store one set of the image information data and which updates a stored set of the image information data stored in the memory area by writing a set of newly obtained image information data from the image sensing means; and control means for issuing a command to the memory means to read out the image information data from the memory area, wherein the memory means starts a read out of an image information data from the memory area at a time when both: a vertical synchronizing signal is sent from the control means, after completion of a currently occurring writing of a set of image information data into the memory area; and after the command from the control means is issued.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The image reading apparatus of claim 4, further comprising: data protection means for protecting the image information data in the memory area in response to the command from the control means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The image reading apparatus of claim 4, wherein: the control means, based on an analysis of the image information data, further obtains an exposure amount for use in a printing of a photographic image and a correction level to correct the exposure amount.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5148296A
Cited
US5055940A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-01-16 | 1998-07-18 | 1999-01-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-01-16 | 2002-07-18 | 2003-01-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-01-16 | 2006-07-18 | 2007-01-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |