Photosensitive sensor unit for image scanner to improve its spectral accuracy and raise bit depth

Abstract

A photosensitive sensor device has multiple row arrays for each color. For each color, the spectral bandwidth received by each row array is different. Additional spectral bandwidth is used to improve spectral measurement accuracy and to increase bit depth. In one example, a row of interleaved arrays (100, 104, 108) receives light having a first spectral bandwidth, while a second row of interleaved arrays (102, 106, 110) receives light having a different spectral response. In a second example, photosensitive sensors (200, 202, 204) (206, 208, 210) having different sizes receive light having different spectral bandwidths.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates generally to photosensitive sensor arrays for use in image scanners, copiers and facsimile machines, and more particularly to photosensitive sensor devices with improved spectral accuracy. Background technique [0002] Image scanners, also known as document scanners, convert visual images of documents or photographs, or images on transparent media, into electronic form suitable for reproduction, storage or processing by a computer. The image scanner can be a stand-alone device, or the image scanner can be part of a copier, part of a facsimile machine, part of a multipurpose device. Reflective image scanners typically have a controlled light source, and the light is reflected from the surface of the document through an optical system to an array of photosensitive devices. Transparent image scanners pass light through a transparent image, such as a slide positive of a photograph, through an optical system, and then to an ar...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Large sensor area provides high signal-to-noise ratio, high bit depth and high speed, but not high input sampling rate

Images