Computer expansion module having image capture and decoding functionality
First Claim
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.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A computer assembly comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification