Single step multi-section exposure scanning method

Abstract

A single step multi-section exposure scanning method for a scanner. The scanner includes a photo-sensor and a stepper motor. The photo-sensor has N rows of sensor cells that correspond to each primary color. The scanning device is driven forward an exposure distance for each revolution of the stepper motor. The single step multi-section exposure scanning method includes the following steps. First, the photo-sensor moves forward one exposure distance. One row of sensor cells is exposed after moving every 1/Nth of the exposure distance. Thereafter, analogue voltages obtained through the exposed row of sensor cells are transmitted to an analogue/digital converter. The above process is repeated until the entire document is scanned.

1. A single step multi-section exposure scanning method for a scanner having a photo-sensor and a stepper motor, wherein the photo-sensor uses N rows of sensors to process each one of a plurality of primary colors and the stepper motor drives the photo-sensor an exposure distance L for one step of the stepper motor, the scanning method comprising the steps of:
 moving an exposure distance along a scan document;   exposing a row of not yet exposed sensor cells after moving each 1/Nth of the exposure distance L;   sending out an analogue voltage obtained from a previous row of sensors when the next row of sensors is exposed; and   repeating the above steps until the entire document is scanned, whereby for one step of the stepper motor moving the exposure distance L, N sequential times of exposure with respect to the N rows for the primary color are performed.   
     
     
       2. The scanning method of  claim 1 , wherein the value of N is 2. 
     
     
       3. The scanning method of  claim 1 , wherein the photo-sensor is able to detect light intensity of all three primary colors including red (R), green (G) and blue (B). 
     
     
       4. The scanning method of  claim 3 , wherein the photo-sensor uses a staggered charge-coupled device to detect light intensity of the primary colors red (R), green (G) and blue (B). 
     
     
       5. The scanning method of  claim 3 , wherein the row of sensor cells use the accumulated electric charges produced according to light intensity to generate analogue voltages. 
     
     
       6. A scanner, comprising:
 a photo sensor including N rows of sensor cells, wherein each row of sensor cells is configured to process light corresponding to a different primary color;   means for moving at least one of the photosensor and a scan document an exposure distance L, the movement to change a position of the photosensor relative to the scan document; and   means for exposing a row of not yet exposed sensor cells after moving each 1/Nth of the exposure distance L;   wherein the scanner is configured to repeat movement and exposure until at least a portion of the scan document is scanned, wherein for each movement, N sequential times of exposure with respect to the N rows for the primary color are performed.    
     
     
       7. The scanner of claim 6, wherein the value of N is 2.  
     
     
       8. The scanner of claim 6, wherein the photosensor is configured to detect light intensity of all three primary colors including red (R), green (G) and blue (B).  
     
     
       9. The scanner of claim 8, wherein the photosensor includes a staggered charge-coupled device configured to detect light intensity of the primary colors red (R), green (G) and blue (B).  
     
     
       10. The scanner of claim 8, wherein each row of sensor cells uses the accumulated electric charges produced according to light intensity to generate analogue voltages.  
     
     
       11. The scanner of claim 6, wherein the photosensor includes a charge-coupled device.  
     
     
       12. A scanner, comprising:
 a photosensor having N rows of sensor cells to process each one of a plurality of primary colors;   a stepper motor configured to drive at least one of the photosensor and a scan document an exposure distance L for one step of the stepper motor; and   a machine readable memory storing instructions that, if executed, result in:   moving at least one of the photosensor and the scan document the exposure distance L, the movement to change a position of the photosensor relative to the scan document;   exposing a row of not yet exposed sensor cells after moving each 1/Nth of the exposure distance L; and   repeating the moving and the exposing until at least a portion of the scan document is scanned, wherein for one step of the stepper motor, N sequential times of exposure with respect to the N rows for the primary color are performed.    
     
     
       13. The scanner of claim 12, wherein the value of N is 2.  
     
     
       14. The scanner of claim 12, wherein the photosensor is configured to detect light intensity of the primary colors including red (R), green (G) and blue (B).  
     
     
       15. The scanner of claim 14, wherein the photosensor includes a staggered charge-coupled device configured to detect light intensity of the primary colors red (R), green (G) and blue (B).  
     
     
       16. The scanner of claim 14, wherein each row of sensor cells uses the accumulated electric charges produced according to light intensity to generate analogue voltages.  
     
     
       17. The scanner of claim 12, wherein the photosensor includes a charge-coupled device.