Patent ID: 6744469
Filing Date: 2004-06-01
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
A digital imaging system for an image-enabled document processor, the imaging system comprising:an illumination system for providing reflected illumination, the illumination system including a source system for generating source illumination in response to illumination control data, an optical system for providing the reflected illumination a path based on reflection of the source illumination by a subject, and a reflection system for exposing the subject to the source illumination; a CCD system for directly detecting the reflected illumination from the illumination system, the CCD system converting the reflected illumination into illumination data, representing an illumination intensity, according to CCD control data; a host processor for converting the illumination data from the CCD system into adjusted control data and final image data; wherein the reflection system includes a compensation reference disposed outside a document field of view, the compensation reference being the subject during adjustment of the imaging system; wherein the reflection system further includes a reference gage, different than the compensation reference, temporarily disposed in a document plane, the reference gage being the subject during calibration of the imaging system; wherein the reference gage is used to produce calibration control data including calibration illumination control data and calibration CCD control data, and the compensation reference is used to produce reference control data including reference illumination control data and reference CCD control data; wherein the adjusted control data is determined by diminishing a difference between the reference control data and the calibration control data until a reference illumination intensity matches a calibration illumination intensity; and whereby the reference gage allows a calibration of the imaging system and the compensation reference allows continual adjustment of the imaging system over time.