Computer expansion module having image capture and decoding functionality

• US 20040056956A1
• Filed: 09/23/2002
• Published: 03/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hand Held Products Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.), Socket Communications, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hand Held Products Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.), Socket Communications, Inc.
• Inventors: Gardiner, Robert C., Gannon, Colleen, Montoro, James, Crill, James
• Granted Patent: US 7,460,170 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/207.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/56 provided with illuminating means
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/66 Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices

Abstract

A computer assembly having a host computer and a detachably attached computer expansion module. The computer expansion module includes a 2D imaging module, and may include short range imaging optics. In a “picture taking” mode actuated by input into the host computer, the expansion module captures an image, and without launching a decoding algorithm, sends the captured image to the host computer which displays the image on an integrated display of the host computer. In a “decode” mode actuated by input to the host computer, the expansion module captures an image, executes a decoding algorithm, and sends a decoded out message to the host computer, which displays the decoded out message on an integrated display of the host computer.

Claims

1. A computer assembly comprising:

a host computer having a display and an externally accessible device connector for receiving an expansion module;

an expansion module, said expansion module including;

a planar insert section having a distal end;

a host connector detachably attached to said device connector disposed at said distal end, said device connector and said host connector defining a connector coupling;

an imaging module including a 2D image sensor, illumination LEDs and an imaging axis; and

a control circuit at least partially received on said printed circuit board in communication with said imaging module, wherein said control circuit captures frames of image data corresponding to image signals generated by said 2D image sensor, wherein said assembly is configured to operate in at least a first “

picture taking”

mode and second “

decode”

mode, wherein said control circuit in said “

picture taking”

mode captures a frame of image data and without attempting to decode any decodable indica represented therein, transmits said frame to said host computer, and wherein, said control circuit in said “

decode mode”

captures a frame of image data, executes a decoding algorithm to decode a decodable indica representation therein, and transmits a decoded output message to said host computer.

2. The computer assembly of claim 1, wherein said imaging module is mounted on said expansion module so that said imaging axis is at an angle of between −

20 and −

70 relative to a plane defined by said planar member.

3. The computer assembly of claim 1, wherein said imaging module is mounted on said expansion module so that said imaging axis is at an angle of between −

25 and −

35 degrees relative to a plane of said planar member.

4. The computer assembly of claim 1, wherein said imaging module is mounted on said expansion module so that said imaging axis is at an angle of about 30 degrees relative to a plane of said planar member.

5. The computer assembly of claim 1, wherein said host includes a power source in electrical communication with said expansion module via said connector coupling.

6. The computer assembly of claim 5, wherein said expansion module includes a switch, coupled to said power source, said switch having closed contact state wherein power is supplied to said imaging module, and an open contact state wherein power is not supplied to said imaging module.

7. The computer assembly of claim 6, wherein said control circuit is configured to control an output of said switch via a switch state control signal that is not sent to said host.

8. The computer assembly of claim 1, wherein said computer assembly is further configured to operated in a movie mode, wherein said control circuit sends a streaming video image to said host computer.

9. The computer assembly of claim 8, wherein said computer assembly is configured so that said computer assembly can be driven into a picture taking mode when operating in said movie mode.

10. The computer assembly of claim 8, wherein said computer assembly is configures so that said computer assembly can be driven into a decode mode when operating in a movie mode.

11. The computer assembly of claim 1, wherein said imaging module is configured to include a best focus receive distance of less than two feet.

12. The computer assembly of claim 1, wherein said imaging module including a best focus receive distance of less than 2 feet.

13. The computer assembly of claim 1, wherein said expansion module includes a printed circuit board partially disposed in said planar insert member.

14. The computer assembly of claim 1, wherein said expansion module includes a single 2d image sensor.

15. The computer assembly of claim 1, wherein said expansion module includes a rotary mount in communication with said control circuit, wherein said control circuit in said decode mode actuates said mount so that said imaging axis is at an angle of about 0 degrees relative to a plane said planar insert section, and wherein said control circuit in said picture taking mode actuates mount so that said imager axis is at an angle of about −

90 degrees relative to a plane of said planar insert section.