PDA compatible text scanner

• US 20060284987A1
• Filed: 06/17/2005
• Published: 12/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Erich W. Wolf II
• Original Assignee: Erich W. Wolf II
• Inventors: Wolf, Erich W. II
• Granted Patent: US 7,364,077 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/220.100
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00204 with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server programmed control between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N1/32561
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00241 using an image reading device as a local input to a computer input via network, e.g. network scanners H04N1/00225
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/03 with photodetectors arranged in a substantially linear array
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0301 using a bent optical path between the scanned line and the photodetector array, e.g. a folded optical path
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0303 with the scanned line and the photodetector array lying in non-parallel planes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0305 with multiple folds of the optical path
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/195 the array comprising a two-dimensional array or a combination of two-dimensional arrays
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/001 Sharing resources, e.g. processing power or memory, with a connected apparatus or enhancing the capability of the still picture apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0051 Card-type connector, e.g. PCMCIA card interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0056 Using mechanical couplings, e.g. mating elements H04N2201/0049, H04N2201/0051, H04N2201/0058 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0063 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0081 Image reader H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 Digital still camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0096 Portable devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/043 Viewing the scanned area
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0452 Indicating the scanned area, e.g. by projecting light marks onto the medium

Abstract

An optical text scanning device compatible with a small handheld computer such as a personal digital assistant (PDA). The scanning device allows for a clear view of the text that is scanned simultaneous to the scanning process so that the operator can continuously align the device to the text. The scanned images of the text are converted in real-time to standard byte or word characters for subsequent display on the computer'"'"'s viewing screen. The operator can quickly verify the accuracy of the conversion by comparing the displayed character with the actual character of text on the surface that is being scanned. Scanned text characters are stored in standard digital text files for ease of manipulation.

Claims

1. A PDA scanner comprising:

a housing means, attached to the PDA, for visually targeting a subject to be scanned and

a camera means, contained within the housing means, for electrically capturing an image of the subject to be scanned.

2. The PDA scanner of claim 1 wherein the camera means comprises a camera and an image control means, in an optical path between the subject to be scanned and the camera.

3. The PDA scanner of claim 2 wherein the image control means includes a reflecting element and a refracting element.

4. The PDA scanner of claim 3 further comprising an aperture stop.

5. The PDA scanner of claim 2 wherein the camera means further comprises an illumination means for illuminating the subject to be scanned.

6. The PDA scanner of claim 5 wherein the illuminating means produces visible light.

7. The PDA scanner of claim 5 wherein the illumination means is turned to the camera.

8. The PDA scanner of claim 3 including an illumination means that produces light which is reflected by the reflecting element.

9. The PDA scanner of claim 3 including an illuminating means that produces light which is transmitted by the reflecting element.

10. The PDA scanner of claim 2 wherein the camera means further comprises a light directing channel in the housing means between the camera means and the subject to be scanned.

11. The PDA scanner of claim 10 wherein the light directing channel is a void in the housing.

12. The PDA scanner of claim 10 wherein the light directing channel is an optical fiber.

13. The PDA scanner of claim 1 including a scan indicator light electronically connected to the PDA.

14. The PDA scanner of claim 1 including a scan indicator light electronically connected to the PDA.

15. The PDA scanner of claim 2 wherein the camera is an electronic image capture device.

16. The PDA scanner of claim 15 wherein the camera is a charge-coupled device camera.

17. The PDA scanner of claim 1 wherein the camera means is electronically connected to the PDA.

18. The PDA scanner of claim 1 wherein the PDA further comprises a microprocessor electronically coupled to the camera means and a display electronically coupled to the microprocessor, the microprocessor programmed to carry out the steps of:

accessing the camera means;

recording an image of the subject to be scanned; and

displaying the image of the subject to be scanned.

19. The PDA scanner of claim 18 wherein the microprocessor is further programmed to carry out the step of recognizing the subject to be scanned.

20. The PDA scanner of claim 1 wherein the housing means further comprises a transparent window area adjacent the subject to be scanned.

21. The PDA scanner of claim 1 wherein the housing means is formed of a transparent plastic.

22. The PDA scanner of claim 1 wherein the housing means includes a scan alignment means, inset in the housing means, for aiming the camera means at the subject to be scanned.

23. The PDA scanner of claim 1 wherein the camera means includes a memory for storing an image.

24. The PDA scanner of claim 1 wherein the housing means includes a cradle removably attached to the PDA.

25. The PDA scanner of claim 1 wherein the housing means is attached to the PDA through a pivoted connection.

26. A scanner for attachment to a PDA having a camera comprising:

a housing means, adjacent the PDA, for visually targeting a subject to be scanned; and

an optical channel, adjacent the camera, for directing light from the subject to be scanned to the camera.

27. The scanner of claim 26 wherein the optical channel includes a reflecting element and a refracting element between the camera and the subject to be scanned.

28. The scanner of claim 27 wherein the optical channel includes an aperture stop.

29. The scanner of claim 26 further comprising a light source to illuminate the subject to be scanned.

30. The scanner of claim 27 including a light source reflected by the reflective element and incident on the subject to be scanned.

31. The scanner of claim 27 including a light source passing light energy through the reflective element and onto the subject to be scanned.

32. The scanner of claim 26 wherein the housing means further includes an optical passage in between the camera and the subject to be scanned.

33. The scanner of claim 26 wherein the housing means is transparent.

34. The scanner of claim 26 wherein the housing means contains a window for sighting the subject to be scanned.

35. The scanner of claim 26 wherein the housing means is removably attached to the PDA.

36. The scanner of claim 26 wherein the housing means is pivotally attached to the PDA.

37. The scanner of claim 26 wherein the PDA includes a microprocessor connected to the camera, the microprocessor programmed to carry out the steps of:

accessing the camera; and

recording an image of the subject to be scanned.

38. The scanner of claim 37 wherein the PDA further includes a display screen connected to the microprocessor, the microprocessor programmed to carry out the further step of:

displaying the image of the subject to be scanned on the display.

39. The scanner of claim 37 wherein the housing means further includes an indicator light, connected to the microprocessor and the microprocessor is further programmed to carry out the step of:

activating the indicator light upon a successful scan of the subject.

40. The scanner of claim 37 wherein the microprocessor is further programmed to carry out the steps of:

analyzing the image of the subject to be scanned; and

translating the image into a secondary electronic form.

41. The scanner of claim 40 wherein the secondary electronic form is a character.

42. The scanner of claim 40 wherein the step of translating is accomplished by optical character recognition.

43. A process for electronically scanning an image comprising the steps of:

providing a handheld electrical device with a microprocessor and a display screen;

attaching a scanning unit to the electrical device;

sighting through the scanning unit to locate a target to be scanned; and

activating the electrical device to scan an image of the target.

44. The process of claim 43 including the further steps of:

programming the microprocessor to recognize the image of the target; and

activating the program to recognize the image of the target.

45. The process of claim 44 including the further steps of:

displaying the recognized image of the target on the display screen.

46. The process of claim 44 wherein the step of programming includes programming the microprocessor with an optical character recognition routine.

47. The process of claim 43 wherein the step of sighting includes observing the target through a window within the scanning device.

48. The process of claim 43 wherein the step of attaching includes electronically connecting the scanning unit to the electrical device.

49. The process of claim 43 wherein the step of activating includes activating a light source in the scanning unit to illuminate the target.

50. The process of claim 43 wherein the electrical device includes a camera focused on the target by an optical element within the scanning unit.

51. The process of claim 43 wherein the optical element is a mirror.

52. The process of claim 43 wherein the optical element is a prism.

53. The process of claim 43 wherein the optical element is a lens.

54. The process of claim 43 wherein the optical element is a condenser.

55. The process of claim 43 wherein the camera is a charge-coupled device.

56. The process of claim 43 wherein the scanning unit includes a camera focused on the target by an optical element within the scanning unit.

57. The process of claim 56 wherein the optical element is a mirror.

58. The process of claim 56 wherein the optical element is a prism.

59. The process of claim 56 wherein the optical element is a lens.

60. The process of claim 56 wherein the optical element is a condenser.

61. The process of claim 56 wherein the camera is a charge-coupled device.

62. The process of claim 43 wherein the step of attaching includes pivotally attaching the scanning unit to the electrical device.

63. A combined optical scanning device and handheld PDA allowing a user to visibly see scanned optical targets during the optical scanning process comprising:

a PDA comprised of a camera means for creating an electronic image of an optical target built-in to the PDA housing, a processing means for converting image data into text characters and for text editing consisting of a microprocessor contained within the PDA housing and a program instruction set that is executed on the microprocessor, memory means attached to the microprocessor for storing image data and said program instructions, user input means attached to or interacting with the outside of the housing for control of the scanning processes and display means for visible display of images and text characters;

a visibly transparent optical reader housing attached to said PDA such that the optical target for scanning is observable to a user as the user looks through the housing at the optical target; and

attached to said PDA so as to suitably interface with the PDA camera means;

an optical routing means incorporated into the optical reader housing for translating light from an optical target into the PDA camera means so that a focused image of the optical target may be appropriately collected by the PDA camera means; and

an electronic connector means for sending and receiving electrical signals between said optical reader housing and said PDA.

64. The combined optical scanning device and handheld PDA of claim 63, wherein the optical reader housing incorporates a control button for user control of the scanning process.

65. The combined optical scanning device and handheld PDA of claim 63, wherein the optical reader housing incorporates a light emitting indicator for indicating device status to a user.

66. The combined optical scanning device and handheld PDA of claim 63, wherein the optical reader housing incorporates one or more optical lenses between the optical target and the PDA camera means.

67. The combined optical scanning device and handheld PDA of claim 63, wherein the optical reader housing incorporates one or more optical reflectors between the optical target and the PDA camera means.

68. The combined optical scanning device and handheld PDA of claim 63, wherein the optical reader housing incorporates one or more prisms between the optical target and the PDA camera means.

69. The combined optical scanning device and handheld PDA of claim 63, wherein the optical reader housing is made of clear acrylic material.

70. The combined optical scanning device and handheld PDA of claim 63, wherein the optical reader housing incorporates a means for illuminating the optical target.

71. The combined optical scanning device and handheld PDA of claim 63, wherein the electrical connectivity means between the optical reader housing and the PDA utilizes the external memory interface for the PDA.

72. An apparatus for optically scanning text into a PDA with built-in camera whereby the optical target to be scanned is observable by the user during the scanning process comprising:

a visibly transparent optical reader housing incorporating attachment means for attaching to a PDA;

optical routing means incorporated into the transparent optical reader housing for translating light from an optical target into the PDA built-in camera so that an appropriate image of the optical target is formed inside the camera and appropriately collected by the camera;

an electronic PDA connector means for sending and receiving electrical signals between said optical reader housing and said PDA; and

an electronic control means attached to the outside of the optical reader housing and to the electronic PDA connector means providing for control of the scan process by the user and by the PDA.

73. An apparatus for optically scanning text into a PDA whereby the optical target to be scanned is observable by the user during the scanning process comprising:

a visibly transparent optical reader housing incorporating attachment means for attaching to a PDA;

an electronic PDA connector means attached the optical reader housing to the PDA for sending and receiving electrical signals between said optical reader housing and said PDA;

a camera built-in into the optical reader housing for transforming an optical image into an electronic image comprised of an optical detector element for converting spatial light signals into electrical signals, one or more optical lenses for focusing light onto said optical detector element, one or more apertures for further defining the field of view, depth of field and exposure of said camera and an electronic interface for output of said electronic image to other devices;

an electronic processing means contained within the optical reader housing and electrically attached to said camera and to said electronic PDA connector means for gathering and storing an electronic image from the camera and for sending the electronic image to the PDA via the electronic PDA connector means;

an optical routing means incorporated into the transparent optical reader housing for translating light from an optical target into the camera so that an appropriate image of the optical target is formed inside the camera and appropriately collected by the camera; and

an electronic control means attached to the outside of the optical reader housing and to the electronic PDA connector means providing for control of the scan process by the user and by the PDA.

74. The method of optical scanning an optical target by a visibly transparent optical reader device whereby the optical target is observable to the user which comprises:

attaching the optical reader device to a PDA;

executing a software program on the PDA to control and power the optical reader device, the software program steps further comprised of;

waiting until a control signal is sent from the optical reader indicating that the user has placed the optical reader device over the optical target and is prepared to scan;

acquiring an electronic image from a camera;

sending the electronic image to an optical character recognition (OCR) program;

executing the OCR program to convert the electronic image into a byte or word digital character which is part of a predefined character set;

storing said digital character in PDA memory;

displaying said digital character on PDA display for viewing;

repeating the process of acquiring images of optical targets as the optical reader device is translated from one optical target to the next;

repeating until a signal is sent from the user to discontinue the process;

discarding images that are not successfully translated by the OCR program; and

converting the stored byte or word digital characters into a text file for further use by other programs or functions in the PDA.

75. A combined optical scanning device and handheld PDA allowing a user to visibly observe scanned optical targets during the optical scanning process comprising:

a PDA comprised of a camera for creating an electronic image of an optical target built-in to the PDA housing, a processing means for converting image data into text characters and for text editing consisting of a microprocessor contained within the PDA housing and a program instruction set that is executed on the microprocessor, memory means attached to the microprocessor for storing image data and said program instructions, user input means attached to or interacting with the outside of the housing for control of the scanning processes and display means for visible display of images and text characters;

visibly transparent optical reader housing attached to said PDA such that the optical target for scanning is observable to a user as the user looks through the housing at the optical target; and

attached to said PDA so as to suitably interface with the PDA camera;

an optical routing means incorporated into the optical reader housing for translating light from an optical target into the PDA camera so that a focused image of the optical target may be appropriately collected by the PDA camera means; and

an electronic PDA connector means attached the optical reader housing to the PDA for sending and receiving electrical signals between said optical reader housing and said PDA.