| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20100295868 | IMAGE PROCESSING FOR HANDHELD SCANNER - A computer peripheral that may operate as a scanner. The scanner captures image frames as it is moved across an object. The image frames are formed into a composite image based on computations in two processes. In a first process, fast track processing determines a coarse position of each of the image frames based on a relative position between each successive image frame and a respective preceding image determine by matching overlapping portions of the image frames. In a second process, fine position adjustments are computed to reduce inconsistencies from determining positions of image frames based on relative positions to multiple prior image frames. The peripheral may also act as a mouse and may be configured with one or more navigation sensors that can be used to reduce processing time required to match a successive image frame to a preceding image frame. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100296129 | AUTOMATIC SIZING OF IMAGES ACQUIRED BY A HANDHELD SCANNER - A computer peripheral that may operate as a scanner. The scanner captures image frames as it is moved across an object. The image frames are formed into a composite image based on computations in two processes. In a first process, fast track processing determines a coarse position of each of the image frames based on a relative position between each successive image frame and a respective preceding image determine by matching overlapping portions of the image frames. In a second process, fine position adjustments are computed to reduce inconsistencies from determining positions of image frames based on relative positions to multiple prior image frames. As additional image frames are added to the composite image, the size and format of the composite image may be automatically adjusted to facilitate ease of use. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100296131 | REAL-TIME DISPLAY OF IMAGES ACQUIRED BY A HANDHELD SCANNER - A computer peripheral that may operate as a scanner. The scanner captures image frames as it is moved across an object. The image frames are formed into a composite image based on computations in two processes. In a first process, fast track processing determines a coarse position of each of the image frames based on a relative position between each successive image frame and a respective preceding image determine by matching overlapping portions of the image frames. In a second process, fine position adjustments are computed to reduce inconsistencies from determining positions of image frames based on relative positions to multiple prior image frames. As a result, a composite image of an object being scanned may be presented in real time to a user, providing a user feedback or portions of the object that have been scanned and those that have not. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100296133 | MODE SWITCHING IN A HANDHELD SCANNER - A handheld device that may operate as a scanner, computer mouse or as a camera. In the scanner mode, the device captures image frames as it is moved across an object. The image frames are formed into a composite image based on computations in two processes. In a first process, fast track processing determines a coarse position of each of the image frames based on a relative position between each successive image frame and a respective preceding image determine by matching overlapping portions of the image frames. In a second process, fine position adjustments are computed to reduce inconsistencies from determining positions of image frames based on relative positions to multiple prior image frames. A control mechanism, such as a button on the device can be used to switch between the scanner and mouse modes. When the device is lifted, it may switch to the camera mode. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100296137 | CONTINUOUS SCANNING WITH A HANDHELD SCANNER - A computer peripheral that may operate as a scanner. The scanner captures image frames as it is moved across an object. The image frames are formed into a composite image based on computations in two processes. In a first process, fast track processing determines a coarse position of each of the image frames based on a relative position between each successive image frame and a respective preceding image determine by matching overlapping portions of the image frames. In a second process, fine position adjustments are computed to reduce inconsistencies from determining positions of image frames based on relative positions to multiple prior image frames. Processing of the image frames may allow a scan of an object to be suspended and resumed automatically when a user lifts the scanner, by deleting out of focus image frames and matching subsequent image frames to previously stored image frames. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100296140 | HANDHELD SCANNER WITH HIGH IMAGE QUALITY - A computer peripheral that may operate as a scanner. The scanner captures image frames as it is moved across an object. The image frames are formed into a composite image based on computations in two processes. In a first process, fast track processing determines a coarse position of each of the image frames based on a relative position between each successive image frame and a respective preceding image determine by matching overlapping portions of the image frames. In a second process, fine position adjustments are computed to reduce inconsistencies from determining positions of image frames based on relative positions to multiple prior image frames. When the determined position of multiple image frames overlap, pixels in the composite image may be formed by combing values of pixels in the image frames, which improves image quality of the composite image. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20110234497 | COMPUTER PERIPHERAL FOR SCANNING - A computer peripheral that may operate as a hand-held scanner and, in some embodiments, also as a conventional computer mouse. The components incorporated in the device to support scanning may be compact and may be positioned to allow flexibility in shaping a housing of the device. As a result, the device may be ergonomically shaped to facilitate hand-held use as either a scanner or a mouse. Controls, for mouse or scanner operation, may be readily incorporated into the device. The components may also be low cost. Such a low cost, compact design may be achieved through an appropriate selection of curved reflective surfaces in optical paths through the housing. The curved reflective surface may selectively focus or spread light traveling along an optical path, reducing or eliminating the need for lenses and may enable light emitting elements and an image array to be mounted on the same printed circuit board. | 09-29-2011 |
