Image-recording device, method for recording an image that is visualized on a display unit, arrangement of an image-recording device and a display unit, use of said image-recording device, and use of said arrangement

• US 20050270358A1
• Filed: 07/16/2003
• Published: 12/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NM, LLC
• Original Assignee: Neomedia Europe AG
• Inventors: Kuchen, Jorg, Nunnink, Laurens, Muller, Frank
• Granted Patent: US 7,581,682 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 347/130
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1095 the scanner comprising adaptations for scanning a record carrier that is displayed on a display-screen or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0238 at point-of-sale [POS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00307 with a mobile telephone apparatus constructional features of portable telephone sets H04M1/0202; mobile radio systems H04W84/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/195 the array comprising a two-dimensional array or a combination of two-dimensional arrays
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0438 Scanning displays; Scanning large surfaces, e.g. projection screens, writing boards

Abstract

To improve image capture from a display or a surface, more specifically from a specular reflecting surface, the invention proposes an image capturing apparatus having an image capturing unit and an image fitting surface in which the optical axis of the image capturing unit is disposed at an angle a to a normal of the image fitting surface.

Claims

1. An image capturing apparatus (16) with an image capturing unit (1) and an image fitting surface (31), wherein the optical axis (6) of the image capturing unit (1) is disposed at an angle α

to a normal (7) of the image fitting surface (31) in a region in which the optical axis (5) meets the image fitting surface (31) and in which the normal (7) traverses the image fitting surface (31).

2. The image capturing apparatus (16) as set forth in claim 1, wherein the angle α

is more than 2°

, preferably more than 5°

.

3. The image capturing apparatus (16) as set forth in claim 1, wherein the angle α

is less than 50°

or less than 35°

, preferably less than 30°

.

4. The image capturing apparatus (16) as set forth in claim 1, wherein the image capturing unit (1) comprises an angle of sight β

of less than 30°

, preferably of less than 15°

.

5. The image capturing apparatus (16) as set forth in claim 1, wherein the image capturing unit (1) comprises a focal length that is more than double, preferably more than four times, the size of the maximum diagonal of an image capturing sensor of the image capturing unit (1).

6. The image capturing apparatus (16) as set forth in claim 1, wherein the angle α

is at least half the size of the angle of sight β

of the image capturing unit (1), preferably at least the same size as the angle of sight β

of the image capturing unit (1).

7. The image capturing apparatus (16) as set forth in claim 1, wherein an optical device (33) is disposed between the image capturing unit (1) and the image fitting surface (31).

8. The image capturing apparatus (16) as set forth in claim 1, comprising a lighting device (39).

9. The image capturing apparatus (16) as set forth in claim 8, wherein the lighting device (39) comprises light-emitting diodes (40) as the light-emitting means.

10. The image capturing apparatus (16) as set forth in claim 9, wherein the light-emitting means are disposed in immediate proximity to the image capturing unit (1).

11. The image capturing apparatus (16) as set forth in claim 8, wherein the lighting device (39) comprises colored light-emitting means, preferably colored light-emitting diodes (14).

12. The image capturing apparatus (16) as set forth in claim 1, comprising at least one optical screen (12) that is disposed outside of a light path (4) of the image capturing unit (1).

13. The image capturing apparatus (16) as set forth in claim 12, wherein the optical screen (12) is disposed between the image fitting surface (31) and the image capturing unit (1) and/or a lighting device (39).

14. The image capturing apparatus (16) as set forth in claim 12, wherein the optical screen (12) comprises a light-absorbing surface (13) and the light-absorbing surface is turned toward the image fitting surface (31).

15. The image capturing apparatus (16) as set forth in claim 1, comprising a housing (17) portions of which comprise a translucent material.

16. The image capturing apparatus (16) as set forth in claim 15, wherein the translucent material is a reflection-reducing material, preferably an anti-reflection glass.

17. The image capturing apparatus (16) as set forth in claim 1, comprising a positioning device (20).

18. The image capturing apparatus (16) as set forth in claim 17, wherein the positioning device (20) comprises a protection means, preferably a padding, that protects an object placed on the positioning device (20) from damage and that moreover shields, together with the object, the image capturing unit (1) from ambient light (28).

24. Use of an image capturing apparatus (16) as set forth in claim 1 and/or use of an arrangement (10;

14) for capturing an image from a display (2), more specifically from an LC-display (26) or from a specular reflecting surface (11).

25. Use of an image capturing apparatus (16) as set forth in claim 1 and/or use of an arrangement (10;

14) for capturing an image from a surface that is covered by at least one transparent layer (32).

26. Use of an image capturing apparatus (16) as set forth in claim 1 and/or use of an arrangement (10;

14) for reading an optical code (25) that is preferably displayed on a display (2;

26) or on a specular reflecting surface (11).

19. A method of capturing an image shown in a display (2;

26), that wherein an image capturing unit (1) is held obliquely relative to the display (2;

26).

20. The method as set forth in claim 19, wherein the display (2;

26) is substantially placed onto an image fitting surface (31).

22. The method as set forth in claim 19, wherein the display (2;

26) is lit by light beams of a lighting device (39) and the light beams travel substantially along a light path (4) of the image capturing unit (1).

21. The method as set forth in claim 29, wherein the display (2;

26) is illuminated during image capturing by light having a wavelength of between 450 nm, preferably between 500 nm and 600 nm, preferably of 550 nm.

23. An arrangement (10;

14) consisting of an image capturing unit (1) and of a display (2;

26), wherein the optical axis (6) of the image capturing unit (1) is disposed at an angle α

to the normal (7) of the display (2;

26).