Appeal No. 2004-0262
Application No. 09/139,711
BACKGROUND
Appellant’s invention is directed to an image scanner having
an expanded range of brightness within which the scanner can
operate. According to Appellant, conventional scanners operate
in limited range of brightness and degraded image quality when
the sensor is saturated due to excessive brightness light
(specification, page 2). To maintain a high image quality,
Appellant provides for a brightness sensing means which causes
the reading speed of the image sensor be varied according to the
sensed brightness (specification, page 3).
Representative independent claim 1 is reproduced below:
1. An image scanner equipped with a one-dimensional image
sensor and an optical mechanism to scan an original placed with
its face up in a limited area and makes said image sensor read an
image data on said original’s face, comprising:
brightness sensing means for sensing the ambient brightness;
and
means for varying the reading speed of said one-dimensional
image sensor in accordance with the brightness sensed by said
brightness sensing means, wherein said varying means includes a
clock frequency control means for controlling a clock frequency
to be applied to said one-dimensional image sensor in accordance
with the brightness sensed by said brightness sensing means.
The Examiner relies on the following reference in rejecting
the claims:
Suzuki et al. (Suzuki) 5,856,879 Jan. 5, 1999
(filed Jun. 19, 1997)
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