Light source module arranged in an image scanning device for scanning a transparent object

Abstract

A light source module arranged in an image scanning device having a scanning platform and an image-pickup module for scanning a transparent object is disclosed, The light source module includes a cover, a light source mounted in the cover for emitting light to the scanning platform for scanning a transparent object, a RGB filter mounted between the light source and the scanning platform for filtering off the light into RGB lights, a switching mechanism connected to the RGB filter for being controlled to alternately allow one of RGB lights to be transmitted to the scanning platform, and a transmission mechanism for carrying the light source, the RGB filter, and the switching mechanism to move with the image-pickup module for accomplishing the scanning operation to the transparent object.

1. A light source module arranged in an image scanning device having a scanning platform and an image-pickup module for scanning a transparent object, comprising:
 a cover;  
 three monochromatic light sources, each of which has a different color and mounted in said cover for emitting three different monochromatic lights to said scanning platform for scanning said transparent object;  
 three guiding devices, each of which is connected to one end of said three monochromatic light sources for guiding said three different monochromatic lights to said scanning platform;  
 a switching mechanism connected to said three guiding devices for being controlled to alternately allow one of said three different monochromatic lights to be transmitted to said scanning platform; and  
 a transmission mechanism for carrying said three different monochromatic light sources, said three guiding devices, and said switching mechanism to move with said image-pickup module for accomplishing a scanning operation to said transparent object.  
 
     
     
       2. A light source module as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said three monochromatic light sources include a combination of red LED array, and green LED array, and a blue LED array. 
     
     
       3. A light source module as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said three guiding devices includes three light guides. 
     
     
       4. A light source module as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said switching mechanical is implemented with a controlled multiple-throw, single-pole switch. 
     
     
       5. A light source module as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said image-pickup module includes a contact image sensor (CIS) module. 
     
     
       6. An apparatus, comprising:
   three monochromatic light sources, wherein each of said three monochromatic light sources has a different color;        three guiding devices, wherein each of said three guiding devices is connected to one end of said three monochromatic light sources, said three guiding devices being configured to guide said three different monochromatic lights to a scanning platform; and        a switching mechanism connected to said three guiding devices, wherein said switching mechanism is configured to alternately allow one or more of said three monochromatic lights to be transmitted to said scanning platform.     
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said three monochromatic light sources comprise one or more of the following: a red monochromatic light source, a green monochromatic light source, and/or a blue monochromatic light source, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said three monochromatic light sources comprise one or more LED arrays. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said three guiding devices comprise one or more light guides. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said switching mechanism comprises a controlled multiple- throw single - pole switch.   
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 6 , further comprising a transmission mechanism configured to move at lease one of said three monochromatic light sources, said three guiding devices, said switching mechanism, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
       12. A system, comprising:
   a scanning platform;        three monochromatic light sources, wherein each of said three monochromatic light sources has a different color;        three guiding devices, wherein each of said three guiding devices is connected to one end of said three monochromatic light sources, said three guiding devices being configured to guide said three different monochromatic lights to said scanning platform;        a switching mechanism connected to said three guiding devices, wherein said switching mechanism is configured to alternately allow one or more of said three monochromatic lights to be transmitted to said scanning platform; and        an image - pickup module comprising one or more sensors capable of scanning an object.     
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 12 , wherein said three monochromatic light sources comprise one or more of the following: a red monochromatic light source, a green monochromatic light source, and/or a blue monochromatic light source, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 12 , wherein said three monochromatic light sources comprise one or more LED arrays. 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 12 , wherein said three guiding devices comprise one or more light guides. 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 12 , wherein said switching mechanism comprises a controlled multiple- throw, single - pole switch.   
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 12 , wherein said image- pickup module comprises a contact image sensor module.   
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 12 , further comprising a transmission mechanism capable of moving one or more of the following: said three monochromatic light sources, said three guiding devices, and/or said switching mechanism, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
       19. A method, comprising:
   emitting three monochromatic lights of different color via three monochromatic light sources;        guiding said three monochromatic lights to a scanning platform via three guiding devices connected to one end of said three monochromatic light sources; and        alternately allowing one or more of said three monochromatic lights to be transmitted to said scanning platform via a switching mechanism connected to said three guiding devices.     
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 19 , wherein said three monochromatic lights of different color comprise one or more of the following: a red monochromatic light, a green monochromatic light, and/or a blue monochromatic light, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 19 , further comprising moving one or more of the following: said three monochromatic light sources, said three guiding devices, and/or said switching mechanism, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
       22. An apparatus, comprising:
   means for emitting three monochromatic lights of different color;        means for guiding said three monochromatic lights to a scanning platform; and        means for alternately allowing one or more of said three monochromatic lights to be transmitted to said scanning platform.     
     
     
       23. The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein said three monochromatic lights of different color comprise one or more of the following: a red monochromatic light, a green monochromatic light, and/or a blue monochromatic light, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
       24. The apparatus of  claim 22 , further comprising means for moving one or more of the following: said means for emitting three monochromatic lights, said means for guiding said three monochromatic lights, and/or said means for alternately allowing one or more of said three monochromatic lights to be transmitted, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
       25. An apparatus, comprising:
   a plurality of monochromatic light sources, wherein said monochromatic light sources provide a plurality of different color lights;        a plurality of guiding devices, wherein at least one of said guiding devices is connected to one end of said monochromatic light sources, said guiding devices being configured to guide said different color lights to a scanning platform; and        a switching mechanism connected to said guiding devices, wherein said switching mechanism is configured to alternately allow at least one of said different color lights to be transmitted to said scanning platform.     
     
     
       26. The apparatus of  claim 25 , wherein said two or more monochromatic light sources comprise one or more of the following: a red monochromatic light source, a green monochromatic light source, and/or a blue monochromatic light source, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
       27. The apparatus of  claim 25 , further comprising a transmission mechanism capable of moving one or more of the following: said two or more monochromatic light sources, said two or more guiding devices, and/or said switching mechanism, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
       28. The apparatus of  claim 25 , further comprising:
   a scanning platform; and        an image - pickup module including at least one sensor configured to scan an object.     
     
     
       29. A method, comprising:
   emitting a plurality of different color monochromatic lights via a plurality of monochromatic light sources;        guiding said different color monochromatic lights to a scanning platform via a plurality of guiding devices connected to one end of said monochromatic light sources; and        alternately allowing at least one of said different color monochromatic lights to be transmitted to said scanning platform via a switching mechanism connected to said guiding devices.     
     
     
       30. The method of  claim 29 , wherein said different color monochromatic lights comprise at least one of a red monochromatic light, a green monochromatic light, a blue monochromatic light, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
       31. The method of  claim 29 , further comprising moving one or more of the following: said monochromatic light sources, said guiding devices, said switching mechanism, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
       32. An apparatus, comprising:
   means for emitting a plurality of different color monochromatic lights;        means for guiding said different color monochromatic lights to a scanning platform; and        means for alternately allowing at least one of said different color monochromatic lights to be transmitted to said scanning platform.     
     
     
       33. The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein said different color monochromatic lights comprise at least one of a red monochromatic light, a green monochromatic light, a blue monochromatic light, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       34. The apparatus of  claim 32 , further comprising means for moving at least one of said means for emitting different color monochromatic lights, said means for guiding said different color monochromatic lights, said means for alternately allowing at least one of said different color monochromatic lights to be transmitted and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       35. An apparatus, comprising:
   a plurality of monochromatic light sources, wherein each of the monochromatic light sources emits a different color monochromatic light;        a plurality of guiding devices configured to guide the different color monochromatic lights to a scanning platform, wherein individual guiding devices are connected to individual monochromatic light sources; and        a switching mechanism connected to the guiding devices, wherein the switching mechanism is configured to control alternately guiding the different color monochromatic lights to the scanning platform.     
     
     
       36. The apparatus of  claim 35 , further comprising a transmission mechanism positioned to move the guiding devices with respect to the scanning platform, wherein the transmission mechanism is configured to move the guiding devices with an image- pickup module during a scanning operation.   
     
     
       37. The apparatus of  claim 35 , further comprising a transmission mechanism positioned to move the monochromatic light sources, the guiding devices, and the switching mechanism with respect to the scanning platform, wherein the transmission mechanism is configured to move the monochromatic light sources, the guiding devices, and the switching mechanism with an image- pickup module during a scanning operation.   
     
     
       38. A method of producing a digital image of a color transparency with a scanner, the scanner including an image- pickup module positioned under a scanning platform and a cover pivotally coupled over the scanning platform, the method comprising:      emitting a first color monochromatic light from a first light source;        guiding the first color monochromatic light to the color transparency via a first guiding device connected to the first light source;        emitting a second color monochromatic light from a second light source, the second color monochromatic light being different from the first color monochromatic light;        guiding the second color monochromatic light to the color transparency via a second guiding device connected to the second light source;        emitting a third color monochromatic light from a third light source, the third color monochromatic light being different from the first and second color monochromatic light;        guiding the third color monochromatic light to the color transparency via a third guiding device connected to the third light source; and        switching between the first, second, and thaird color monochromatic light to pass through the color transparency.     
     
     
       39. The method of  claim 38 , further comprising:
   passing the first, second, and third color monochromatic light through the color transparency; and        detecting the first, second, and third color monochromatic light with the image - pickup module.     
     
     
       40. The method of  claim 38 , further comprising:
   moving the image - pickup module with respect to the scanning platform; and        moving at least one of the first light source, the second light source, the third light source, the first guiding device, the second guiding device, third guiding device, switching device, or combinations thereof in conjunction with moving the image - pickup module.     
     
     
       41. The method of  claim 38  wherein at least one of the first light source, the second light source, the third light source, the first guiding device, the second guiding device, third guiding device, switching device, or combinations thereof are configured for moving with respect to the cover.