Device for scanning originals with telescopic column guide

Abstract

Device (1) for scanning originals with a, preferably table-like, support surface for the original and a column-like adjustment device projecting from this support surface, preferably perpendicularly, for attaching and adjusting an optical system relative to the support surface for scanning the original, characterized in that a lifting column, adjustable in length and preferably telescopic, supports the optical system and positions it relative to the support surface for the original as a column-like adjustment device.

Description

The innovation relates to a device for scanning originals with a telescopic column guide according to the preamble of claim 1. The optical capture of objects, and especially of flat originals such as sheets, images, texts, or the like, is usually carried out using scanners, scanner backs for cameras, or standard digital cameras. Such a scanner has an imaging optic that projects an image of the object to be scanned onto the image plane of the imaging optic, where it is captured by a digital image capture device. This image capture device consists of arrangements of light-sensitive elements, often in the form of image sensors. The scanning of flat originals has now reached a high level, particularly in terms of quality and automation. This technique is also becoming increasingly important for the automated and high-quality digital capture and accessibility of texts, images, or other paper documents that previously existed only in analog form. In general, the term "scanning," or the terms "scanner" or "camera," will be used to refer to all such capture methods (in the broadest sense, photographing any type of original), regardless of the type of original or the design of the optical system. For more professional applications, cameras with repro columns are used. In these cameras, the alignment between the original to be scanned and the optical system is achieved via a repro column attached to a support table, perpendicular to the support surface for the original (e.g., Linhof Technopro II with manual repro column, Kaiser RSDmot 1.8, or Cambo RPS-255). The optical system is adjustable on this fixed repro column so that the desired area of ​​the original can be captured and scanned. Typically, rigid columns are attached to the support surface for the original, extending above it. The optical system can be moved and, for example, clamped to these columns.In this type of column, the length is usually fixed, and the column always extends its entire length from the support surface, even if only a small portion of the column's length is actually needed for smaller originals. Furthermore, the usable length of such columns cannot be fully utilized, as the optical system is typically moved back and forth on an adjustable carriage along the column, which itself occupies a portion of the column's length to securely support the optical system. Transporting these types of reproduction columns is also complex, as disassembling the column from the support surface to achieve a more compact size for transport requires subsequent extensive adjustments to ensure correct alignment between the column and the support surface for accurate scanning. The object of the present invention is therefore to propose a generic device with which templates can be scanned simply and flexibly, and with an adjustable size of the device. The solution to the problem according to the invention, with respect to the device, results from the characterizing features of claim 1 in conjunction with the features of the preamble. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims. The invention relates to a device for scanning originals, comprising a support surface for the original, preferably table-like, and a column-like adjustment device projecting from this support surface, preferably perpendicularly, for mounting and adjusting an optical system relative to the support surface for scanning the original. Such a generic device is further developed by using a column-like adjustment device that is adjustable in length, preferably telescopic, and supports the optical system and positions it relative to the support surface for the original.An adjustable-length, preferably telescopic, lifting column offers the advantage of allowing the height of the device to be adjusted as needed, ensuring optimal scanning of the original by the optical system. This eliminates the need for a fixed-length column-like adjustment mechanism, which would require a constant overall length, thus avoiding space constraints and cumbersome transport. Such adjustable-length, preferably telescopic, lifting columns are well-known in furniture manufacturing and are sold as modular standard components for applications such as height-adjustable tables. These well-known applications, designed for higher mechanical loads, result in such lifting columns being mechanically very stable and, at the same time, adjustable, for example, by an electric motor.Suitable control units for the spindle drives typically located within the lifting columns are also offered as standard, providing varying levels of user-friendliness in control and display elements depending on the application. The surprising and significant advantage of these lifting columns, particularly the telescopic ones, for this application lies in the fact that the columns are only extended to the extent necessary to maintain the required distance between the support surface for the template and the optical system. This results in a considerably more compact overall height of the device compared to fixed lifting columns in most cases. Furthermore, mobile or transportable devices can be moved much more easily when the lifting columns are retracted.Furthermore, compared to known, mostly manually operated devices, the simple drive and controllability of the device according to the invention significantly simplifies and speeds up operation. The design and drive options of such lifting columns also offer a number of further advantages and features for the present application that were not achievable with previous cameras and their mounts. In an advantageous embodiment, the distance between the optical system and the support surface for the original can be adjusted using a lifting column that is adjustable in length, preferably telescopic, in particular by positioning the optical system towards or away from the support surface. If the optical system is arranged at one end of the lifting column and the other end in the area of ​​the support surface for the original, the optical distance between the optical system and the original is essentially determined by the respective set length of the lifting column. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the length-adjustable, preferably telescopic, lifting column can have a spindle-shaped drive that moves the at least two, preferably telescopic, sections of the lifting column relative to each other, preferably into one another, within the column. Such spindle drives are both mechanically very stable and quickly adjustable, so that the required distance between the optical system and the template can be set quickly and reliably, even at larger distances. At least two, but also more, telescopic sections can be provided for the lifting column to achieve the corresponding lengths of movement and distances of the optical system from the support surface. In a further embodiment, this can be achieved by a drive, preferably an electric motor, for adjusting the, preferably telescopic, sections of the lifting column.Electric motor drives are easy to control and also easy to operate and supply with drive energy. This makes it possible to automatically adjust the position of the optical system relative to the original to be scanned, preferably using control software for the electric motor drive, or to digitally display the position of the optical system relative to the original to be scanned. This simplifies the setup of the device, especially when the distance between the optical system and the support surface for the original is constantly changing. Furthermore, it is advantageous that the length-adjustable, preferably telescopic, lifting column can be assembled from commercially available standard components to suit the required length and / or the mechanical load imposed by the optical system. This allows for very simple, application-specific configurations of the device to be offered at competitive prices. For special applications, it is also conceivable that the distance between the optical system and the original to be scanned can be adjusted as needed by connecting several lifting columns in series (cascading) and / or inserting fixed extension sections. For example, with very large originals that require a correspondingly large distance between the optical system and the original for full-frame scanning, a device that is inherently too small can be upgraded by cascading several lifting columns or inserting fixed extension pieces, without requiring a larger device altogether. Furthermore, it is advantageous to attach a boom to one end of the length-adjustable, preferably telescopic, lifting column, to which the optical system can be precisely, and preferably adjustably, fixed. This allows the optical system to be easily, reproducibly, and securely fixed to the lifting column. Precise adjustment of the optical system's alignment is also possible to avoid image aberrations caused by angular errors during its initial positioning. Furthermore, brackets for cables can be arranged in the area of ​​the boom, which safely guide the necessary cables between the optical system and the environment when the lifting column is moved. To balance the device in the case of large and heavy optical systems or large required distances between the optical system and the template, counterweights can be arranged on the lifting column to match the optical system, which allow the optical system fixed to the lifting column to be balanced. It is also conceivable that all movements and settings of the lifting column could be controlled via an external computer, such as a PC. The PC would be connected to the control system of the device and the lifting column, and could provide a user-friendly interface for controlling and operating the device. Furthermore, it is also conceivable to attach the lifting column to a wall or ceiling in such a way that it hangs above a surface for the original document and can scan it. Particularly when mounted on the ceiling, the optical system can be mounted centrally at the end of the lifting column, thus distributing the load on the suspended lifting column advantageously along its length. In a further development, it is also conceivable to mount the lifting column on a table or similar support surface, also equipped with telescopic supports, allowing the distance of the support surface from the floor to be adjusted. This enables a particularly ergonomic height adjustment of the support surface for the original document, which significantly improves the ease of use for the operator, especially when scanning many identical original documents for extended periods. For this purpose, the table's telescopic supports can be controlled in such a way that the table's height can be adjusted, particularly while remaining parallel to the floor. It is also conceivable to have brackets or mounts for lighting devices attached to the table, which illuminate the original for scanning appropriately and are height-adjustable with the support surface. This ensures that the support surface for the original is always illuminated evenly and optimally, regardless of its height above the surface, for example, due to adjustments in the table's height. The otherwise necessary adjustment of self-standing lighting devices is eliminated. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the lifting column could be arranged to rotate around its longitudinal axis, allowing larger originals to be scanned on a floor surface where a greater distance between the optical system and the original is required. The lifting column would then be designed to rotate so that the optical system could essentially "see past" the support table normally used for smaller originals, allowing the correspondingly large original to be placed, for example, on the floor next to the device's support table and scanned there. This enables a significant increase in the scannable dimensions of the originals, even without enlarging the device itself. Furthermore, it is conceivable that projection devices, preferably for linearly projected laser beams, are arranged in the area of ​​the optical system and adjustable with the lifting column. These devices facilitate the alignment of the original on the support surface relative to the optical system by projecting optical markings onto the support surface. This allows the operator to immediately see how to position the original to enable full-surface scanning. A particularly preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention is shown in the drawing. Figures 1a and 1b show a schematic arrangement of the components of a device according to the invention with a telescopic lifting column for scanning originals, Figure 2 shows a device according to Figure 1 during scanning with laterally mounted lighting devices, and Figure 3 shows part of a device according to Figure 1 for scanning bound originals. Figures 1a and 1b show a very schematic arrangement of the components of the device according to the invention, from which the geometric and functional relationship of the components of the device is generally recognizable. Such arrangements of cameras with fixed columns are widely known with regard to their construction and function and will only be explained here insofar as this is relevant to understanding the present invention. Basically, the originals 11 to be scanned, which can consist of a variety of different documents such as individual sheets with text, images, graphic artwork, brochures, books, or other handwritten or printed works of any kind, are placed on a support surface 1 of a support table 12 and, if necessary, fixed there. For optimal capture of the original 11, it must be aligned relative to the optical system 10, such as a camera or similar device. The optical system 10 is positioned so that the original 11 can be scanned without optical distortion. According to the invention, the distance between the optical system 10 and the support surface 1 is formed by a telescopic column 2, consisting of at least two, here three, telescopic elements 2', 2" and 2"', which are designed to be plugged into one another and movable relative to each other in a manner known per se. Such telescopic columns 2 are known, for example, from the construction of height-adjustable desks or the like and can be purchased as modular units assembled from building block systems. Inside the telescopic column 2, spindle drives or the like, not shown here, are arranged, which are driven by electric motors, also not shown, and can move the two telescopic elements 2', 2" and 2"' together or apart. This is controlled by the operator via a control system, not shown in detail, who, for example,via a control panel 6 the two telescopic elements 2', 2" and 2'' move together or apart. Since the telescopic element 2' is fixed to the support table 12 via a bracket 4, and an adapter 3 for the adjustable mounting of an optical system 10, such as a camera or the like, is arranged at the upper end of the telescopic element 2"', the distance between the optical system 10 and the support surface 1 increases when the telescopic elements 2', 2" and 2"' are extended, and decreases when they are retracted. Accordingly, the area on the support surface 1 that can be scanned by the optical system 10 increases or decreases. Since the upper end of the telescopic element 2"' moves relative to the environment as described, it is advantageous if connecting lines, e.g. of the optical system 10, for example for transmitting the scanned data of the template 11, are guided and held via cable guides 5 (only schematically indicated) in such a way that the cables are not subjected to undue stress or moved into the imaging area of ​​the optical system 10 when the column 2 is moved. Figure 2 shows a complete apparatus of the setup described above, with brackets 8 for lighting devices 9 attached to the side of the support table 12. These brackets enable the most uniform and glare-free illumination of the support surface 1 possible. For this purpose, the brackets 8 for the lighting devices 9 are attached to the support table 12 itself and are not, as is usually the case, placed on separate stands next to the apparatus. In the illustrated configuration, the support table 12 is itself mounted on four telescopic elements 7' or 7" in each corner, so that the height of the support table 12 can be adjusted to the needs of the operator, similar to a height-adjustable desk. This makes scanning many originals 11, which must be placed on the support table 12 one after the other, considerably less strenuous. Furthermore, because the lighting devices 9 are mounted on the support table 12 itself, the lighting conditions do not change when the height of the support table 12 is adjusted. Figure 3 shows a modification of the telescopic elements 7 of the support table 12, in which, for scanning a bound book 11 (not shown), the book 11 is placed open on the support surface 1 of the two height-adjustable side supports 15. Since the binding causes the book 11 to tend not to lie flat against the support surface 1, the book 11 is adjusted to the respective thicknesses of the two book halves by means of the two height-adjustable side supports 15 of the support table 12 using an adjusting lever 16. By lifting the two height-adjustable side supports 15 from below, the book 11 is moved under a glass plate 13, which presses down on the pages of the book 11 and thus improves the flatness of the page to be scanned.The glass plate 13 itself rests on supports 14 arranged laterally to the support table 12 at a fixed height above the support surface 1 and can be folded upwards in a manner that is not further relevant, in order to place the book on the two height-adjustable side supports 15 and to be able to turn the pages. To increase the imaging area of ​​originals 11, the lifting column 2 can be rotated about its longitudinal axis in a manner not shown, thereby pivoting the optical system 10 from its position above the support table 12. This can help to scan very large originals 11 that exceed the size of the support surface 1, e.g., lying on the floor to the side of the support table 12, by allowing the optical system 10 to extend laterally beyond the support table 12 and, figuratively speaking, to "see" down to the floor. The design of the lifting columns 2 according to the invention offers, in particular, the following advantages and properties, summarized below: Inexpensive standard product, control and operating elements available, sophisticated product with position and speed control, flexible, configurable, various versions, "modern" appearance without scales, position of the optical system 10 can be displayed via a digital display or via the control software, easier transport, since the lifting column 2 is small in its shortest position and the adapter 3 for the optical system 10 is easy to disassemble, the adapter 3 for the optical system 10 is attached to the top of the lifting column 2 for optimal use of headroom with large formats, precise adjustment of the optical system 10 attached to the lifting column 2, similar to a camera, for exact parallelism with the support table 12, tidy cable management.For a cost-effective system, the lifting column 2 can be controlled using the standard operating elements 6. A specially developed control unit can combine all control functions and provide an interface to a PC. It can be equipped with a keypad and also connected wirelessly to the reprographic system to reduce cable clutter. It is advisable to use a motorized height-adjustable support table 12 to which the lifting column 2 can be mounted (improved ergonomics, but also allows for greater distance in rooms with limited headroom). In conjunction with a support table, a mounting point for lighting can be implemented (instead of placing the lights on stands next to the support table). Conventional reprographic columns usually use a grid-printed plate. This allows for the alignment of originals to varying degrees.Since the column cannot be aligned exactly to the grid, the device according to the invention can optionally utilize two laser lines that are motor-adjustable and allow for precise positioning of the template 11 on the support table 12. The laser lines can also be precisely adjusted to the camera recording surface to ensure accurate alignment. The lifting column 2 can be rotatable by 180° about its longitudinal axis. This provides greater flexibility, as it allows for working with the support table 12 and, when rotated, for example, on the floor with larger templates or with other template holders, such as a book cradle. The lifting columns can be operated synchronously. This allows for the realization of more stable and larger systems. The optical system 10 offers a large travel range in a compact design. The available headroom can be better utilized for larger formats. The range of motion of the lifting column 2 can be adjusted to the headroom, for example, via software (or via a sensor).Easy transport of the device during delivery or mobile use. Part number list 1 Support surface / table 2, 2' telescopic lifting column for optical system 3 Adapter for optical system 4 Bracket 5 Cable guide 6 Control panel 7 Telescopic lifting column for support table 8 Brackets for lighting devices 9 Lighting devices 10 Optical system 11 Template, for example book 12 Support table 13 Glass plate 14 Glass plate supports 15 Height-adjustable side supports 16 Adjustment lever

Claims

Device (1) for scanning originals with a, preferably table-like, support surface for the original and a column-like adjustment device projecting from this support surface, preferably perpendicularly, for attaching and adjusting an optical system relative to the support surface for scanning the original, characterized in that a lifting column, adjustable in length and preferably telescopic, supports the optical system and positions it relative to the support surface for the original. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the distance between the optical system and the support surface for the template can be adjusted by means of the lifting column which is adjustable in length, preferably telescopic, in particular by making the optical system positionable towards or away from the support surface. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lifting column, which is adjustable in length and preferably telescopic, has a spindle-shaped drive which moves the at least two, preferably telescopic, parts of the lifting column towards each other, preferably into each other, inside the column. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lifting column, which is adjustable in length and preferably telescopic, has a drive, preferably an electric motor, for adjusting the parts of the lifting column, which are preferably telescopic. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the position of the optical system relative to the original to be scanned is automatically adjustable, preferably by means of control software for the electromechanical drive. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the position of the optical system relative to the original to be scanned can be displayed digitally. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the length-adjustable, preferably telescopic, lifting column can be assembled from commercially available standard components to suit the required length and / or the mechanical load from the optical system. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distance between optical system and original to be scanned can be adjusted by connecting several lifting columns in series (cascading) and / or by inserting fixed extension sections. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a boom is attached to an end region of the lifting column which is adjustable in length, preferably telescopic, on which the optical system can be fixed in a precise, preferably adjustable, manner. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that holders for cables are arranged in the area of ​​the boom, which safely guide the necessary cables between the optical system and the environment when the lifting column is moved. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that counterweights are arranged on the lifting column to match the optical system, which allow balancing of the optical system fixed on the lifting column. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that all movements and settings of the lifting column can be performed by means of external computers. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lifting column can be attached to a wall or to a ceiling. Device according to claim 13, characterized in that, when mounted on the ceiling, the optical system can be mounted centrally at the end of the lifting column. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lifting column is mounted on a table or the like, which is also equipped with telescopic supports for the support surface, by means of which the distance of the support surface from a substrate can be adjusted. Device according to claim 15, characterized in that holders or receptacles for lighting devices are arranged on the table, which illuminate the original appropriately for scanning and are height-adjustable with the support surface by means of the telescopic supports of the table. Device according to one of claims 15 or 16, characterized in that the telescopic supports of the table are controllable in such a coordinated manner that the table is height-adjustable. Device according to one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that the lifting column is arranged to be rotatable about its longitudinal axis in order to be able to scan larger originals to be scanned with a larger required distance between optical system and original on a floor-side surface. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that projection devices, preferably for line-projected laser beams, are arranged in the area of ​​the optical system and are adjustable with the lifting column, which facilitate the alignment of the template on the support table relative to the optical system by projecting optical markings onto the support surface.

Images