BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an illustration of an imaged substrate where the text of the image needs to be better aligned.
FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of an embodiment where a floodlight or lights illuminates the imaged paper or substrate from underneath.
FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of an embodiment where alignment marks are projected onto the back of the substrate.
FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of an embodiment where a simple video camera is used to provide real time preview image.
DETAILED DISCUSSION OF DRAWINGS AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In FIG. 1 an imaged paper page 1 has an image or marking 2 that is badly skewed (as shown at 3) and not squared with the paper 1. As new generations of copies of page 1 are made, progressively misaligned images 2 frequently occur, more pronounced as new generations are made from badly skewed originals. The embodiments herein described provide ways of making proper alignment of skewed image 3.
One embodiment for providing a proper alignment is shown in side view of FIG. 2 where a floodlight or lights 6 (or other suitable lighting means) is used with light rays 5 to illuminate the platen glass 4 and original paper 1 from either or both above or below enough to show a backlit image. The paper 1 is placed image face down on platen 4. This backlit image 2 or skewed image 3 will provide a rough guide for single sheets of paper 1 having an image 2 out of alignment. The paper 1 merely needs to be adjusted on platen 4 until a properly squared image 2 is obtained to be transferred to the next copy made. The floodlight 6 may be positioned in a well below the platen glass 4 or in any other suitable location.
In FIG. 3, a top view of a platen 4 is shown as it supports an original paper 1. The misaligned original of FIG. 1 merely needs to be rotated or moved so that skewed image 3 (not paper) is now squared within markings 7 so that copies of images 2 made from this original 1 will be squared with the paper 1. The alignment marks 7 can be painted with rotating lasers from below or above platen 4. These alignment marks 7 can be projected onto the paper substrate 1 or onto the platen 4. Again, paper 1 is placed upon platen 4 with the imaged surface 2 of paper 1 face down. These marks 4 provide a grid for aligning the skewed image 3. Also, the misaligned copy of FIG. 1 in another embodiment is fit within squared markings 7 so that each corner of the copy fits within the area outlined by the markings 7. The copy within markings 7 is then rotated along axis 10 until the text of the copy is even vertically and horizontally (using platen corners 11 as a gauge). The misaligned copy is now perfectly squared and can be copied in proper alignment. Paper 1 is not drawn to scale for clarity of description of this embodiment.
In FIG. 4, a side view of an embodiment is illustrated where a camera 8 (such as a low cost camera) is placed above the paper 1 or in the scanner means 9. The simple video camera 8 can be added to provide a real time preview image 2 so the original 1 can be rotated in position. The camera 8 could be put in the scanner 9 well and the image from it would be displayed in real time video on the multi-function's user interface.
In summary, the present embodiments provide an electrostatic copy system comprising an image exposure station. This image exposure station comprises in an operative arrangement a platen glass together with at least one member selected from the group consisting of flood lamp(s), a camera(s) and paper or substrate alignment marks. In this system, the flood lamp(s) is positioned above or below said platen glass and is enabled to illuminate a paper placed face down upon said platen glass. Also, the alignment marks are projected upon the platen glass to provide thereby a grid for aligning the paper. Further, a camera is positioned in a scanner well; this camera is enabled to project an image displayed in a real time video image on a multifunction user interface. When the floodlight is used, the floodlight is enabled to allow an operator to view an image through a clear platen and on the paper through the back of the paper or substrate. The present electrostatic copy system as noted comprises an image exposure station adapted to process an imaged substrate or paper. This image exposure station comprises in an operative arrangement a platen glass unit together with at least one paper alignment member selected from the group consisting of a flood lamp(s), a video camera(s), and substrate alignment marks. The platen glass unit is adapted to support and scan the imaged paper. The substrate alignment members are adapted to align the imaged paper to provide an image thereon that is squared with the paper. Also, these alignment members are enabled to permit the scanner operator to know where which areas of the platen glass are not scanned so that a full and complete image can be reproduced. The flood lamp(s) are positioned above or below the platen glass and is enabled to illuminate the paper that is placed image face down upon the transparent or clear platen glass. The alignment marks are laser projected upon the platen glass to provide thereby a grid for aligning the imaged paper.
The preferred and optimally preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described herein and shown in the accompanying drawings to illustrate the underlying principles of the invention, but it is to be understood that numerous modifications and ramifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.
Patent Application
20080056789
