Document Scanner Fluorescent Color Detection UV Excitation

The patent segments the reading process into two distinct phases: normal RGB reading phase and fluorescent detection phase. During normal reading, standard RGB lights illuminate the document. During fluorescent detection, UV light is activated to excite fluorescent materials while UV-sensitive photoelectric elements detect the emitted fluorescence. This segmentation allows fluorescent color distinction without permanently complicating the basic reading system.

The patent introduces UV light as an intermediary to indirectly detect fluorescent colors. Instead of directly measuring fluorescent properties, the system uses UV light to excite fluorescent materials, which then emit visible light that can be detected by photoelectric elements. This intermediary approach enables fluorescent detection using existing detection components.

The patent merges the UV light source and UV-sensitive photoelectric elements with the existing RGB lighting and photoelectric element system. The UV components are integrated into the same reading head structure, allowing simultaneous or alternating operation with RGB components. This merging achieves fluorescent detection capability while sharing mechanical support, control circuits, and processing logic with the existing system.

The patent makes the photoelectric elements universal by designing them to respond to both visible light (for RGB reading) and UV-induced fluorescence. The same photoelectric elements that detect reflected RGB light also detect fluorescent emission when excited by UV, eliminating the need for separate detection pathways and reducing overall system complexity.

The patent implements periodic switching between RGB lighting and UV lighting modes. The lighting control unit alternates between activating RGB lights for normal color reading and UV light for fluorescent detection, with corresponding photoelectric elements activated in synchrony. This periodic action allows both types of reading to occur in sequence during a single pass, maintaining scanning speed while achieving accurate color and fluorescent distinction.

The patent maintains continuous scanning motion and continuous data acquisition throughout the reading process. Instead of stopping to switch between reading modes, the system continuously moves the reading head across the document while periodically switching light sources and photoelectric element activation. This continuity ensures that useful reading action occurs throughout the entire scanning process, preserving productivity.