Imaging device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10516797-B2
Application number	US-201515521875-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 26, 2015
Priority date	Oct 27, 2014
Publication date	Dec 24, 2019
Grant date	Dec 24, 2019

Abstract

An imager is provided. The imager has an imaging platen which presents an imaging surface against which an object to be imaged can be placed. The imaging platen has a photodetector layer and a light guiding layer operable to guide light towards the object. The imager includes a light source operable to emit light into the light guiding layer. The light source is located at an edge of the light guiding layer, to guide light into the light guiding layer of the imaging platen.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An imager comprising:
an imaging platen presenting an imaging surface, the imaging platen comprising a photodetector layer, a light guiding layer operable to guide light towards an object placed against the imaging platen, and a plurality of trapezoidal prisms on the light guiding layer, the plurality of trapezoidal prisms operable to direct light from the light guiding layer towards the object; and
a light source operable to emit light into the light guiding layer;
wherein the light source is located at an edge of the light guiding layer, to direct light into the light guiding layer of the imaging platen.

2. The imager in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising an enclosure, enclosing a controller and presenting the imaging surface of the imaging platen for use.

3. The imager in accordance with claim 2 , wherein the enclosure comprises a bezel bounding an edge of the imaging platen.

4. The imager in accordance with claim 3 , wherein the bezel has an exterior surface which is flush with the imaging surface of the imaging platen.

5. The imager in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising a controller operable to capture signals indicative of light detection at the photodetector layer.

6. The imager in accordance with claim 5 , wherein the controller is operable to process light detection signals to form image data indicative of an image of a document.

7. The imager in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the controller is operable to cause the light source to emit light, and is further operable to prime the photodetector layer to detect light corresponding to light emission.

8. The imager in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the light source is a light emitting diode.

9. The imager in accordance with claim 8 , wherein the light source is a plurality of light emitting diodes.

10. The imager in accordance with claim 1 , wherein each of the trapezoidal prisms has two parallel faces, a narrower of which is adjacent the light guiding layer.

11. The imager in accordance with claim 10 , wherein each of the trapezoidal prisms has two non-parallel faces, at least one of the non-parallel faces defining an angle with the parallel faces to induce total internal reflection of light entering the prism from the light guiding layer.

12. The imager in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the imaging platen is operable to emit, from the light guiding layer, substantially polarised light, and the imaging platen further comprises a polarising layer interposed between the light guiding layer and the photodetector layer operable to absorb polarised light from the light guiding layer.

13. The imager in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the light guiding layer comprises scattering particles operable to cause light emanating from the light source to be scattered.

14. The imager in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the imaging platen comprises a wavelength conversion layer, the wavelength conversion layer being operable to emit light of a specific wavelength band in response to light incident thereon, wherein the photodetector layer is attuned to said specific wavelength band, and wherein the light source is operable to emit light out with said specific wavelength band, such that the photodetector layer can distinguish between light emitted by the light source and light reflected by an imaged document, in use, and wherein the wavelength conversion comprises a phosphor.

15. The imager in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the photodetector layer is operable to detect light at a plurality of wavelengths, allowing collection of image information for the capture of a colour image.

16. The imager in accordance with claim 15 , wherein the photodetector layer comprises a plurality of photodetectors, a first portion of the photodetectors being sensitive to a first wavelength of light, a second portion of the photodetectors being sensitive to a second wavelength of light and a third portion being sensitive to a third wavelength of light, the first, second and third wavelengths forming an additive colour system, and wherein the photodetector layer comprises a colour filter array imposed over the photodetectors so as to render said photodetectors sensitive to particular ones of the first, second and third wavelengths.

17. The imager in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the light source is operable to emit, sequentially, light centered on first, second and third wavelengths, forming an additive colour system, the photodetector layer being correspondingly operable to capture, sequentially, component images for use in constructing an additive colour image.

Assignees

• Flexenable Ltd

Inventors

• Agostinelli Tiziano
• Harrison Charlotte
• Reeves Will

Classifications

• H04N1/484

  with sequential colour illumination of the original · CPC title

• H04N1/10

  using flat picture-bearing surfaces {(H04N1/113, H04N1/195 take precedence)} · CPC title

• H04N1/195

  the array comprising a two-dimensional [2D] array · CPC title

• H04N1/1061

  Details relating to flat picture-bearing surfaces, e.g. transparent platen · CPC title

• H04N1/02835 Primary

  in combination with a light guide, e.g. optical fibre, glass plate (light-guides per se G02B6/00) · CPC title