Portable image capture and camera device

• US 20080062263A1
• Filed: 09/08/2006
• Published: 03/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kingston Technology Company (Kingston Technology Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kingston Technology Company (Kingston Technology Corporation)
• Inventors: Shiu, George, Koh, Wei
• Granted Patent: US 8,553,090 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/96
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00535 using rotatably mounted or foldable components
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/195 the array comprising a two-dimensional array or a combination of two-dimensional arrays
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/19594 using a television camera or a still video camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0081 Image reader H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0096 Portable devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0436 Scanning a picture-bearing surface lying face up on a support H04N2201/0434 takes precedence; using cylindrical picture bearing surfaces H04N1/06; with manual scanning H04N1/107
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/50 Constructional details

Abstract

A portable image capture and camera device is provided including a device body, and an upper panel displaceably engaged to the body, and having an image capture module disposed thereon. A lower panel is also displaceably engaged to the body, for receiving and supporting a subject when the lower panel is deployed to an open position. The upper panel is translatable to deploy from a stowed position to a first deployed position to image a subject disposed on the lower panel (card reader mode), and to a second deployed position to image objects remote from the device (camera mode).

Claims

1. A portable image capture and camera device comprising:

a device body;

an upper panel rotatably engaged to the body and having an image capture module disposed on a first surface thereof;

a lower panel rotatably engaged to the body, for receiving and supporting a first object when the lower panel is deployed to an open position;

the upper panel being rotatable to deploy from a stowed position to a first deployed position to image the first object disposed on the lower panel, and to a second deployed position to image a second object disposed remote from the device.

2. The device as recited in claim 1 wherein the first deployed position is a position displaced approximately 90 degrees from the stowed position.

3. The device as recited in claim 2 wherein the second deployed position is a position displaced approximately 180 degrees from the stowed position.

4. The device as recited in claim 3 wherein the image capture module is in substantially abutting relation to the body when the upper panel is disposed in the stowed position.

5. The device as recited in claim 4 further comprising a position sensor disposed on the body proximate the upper panel, the position sensor being operative to generate an output signal representative of the orientation of the upper panel relative to the body.

6. The device as recited in claim 5 further comprising processing circuitry for receiving information from the image capture module and generating an output display thereof.

7. The device as recited in claim 6 wherein the processing circuitry includes a display device and a microprocessor, the microprocessor being in electrical communication with the display device, the image capture module and the position sensor.

8. The device as recited in claim 7 wherein the microprocessor is operative to regulate processing of information received from the image capture module in response to signals from the position sensor.

9. The device as recited in claim 8 wherein the microprocessor is programmed to include optical character recognition software.

10. The device as recited in claim 9 wherein the microprocessor regulates operation of the optical character recognition software in response to a signal from the position sensor, indicating the position of the upper panel.

11. A portable image capture and camera device comprising:

a device body;

an upper panel translateably engaged to the body and having an image capture module disposed on a first surface thereof;

a lower panel rotatably engaged to the body, for receiving and supporting a first object when the lower panel is deployed to an open position;

the upper panel being vertically translatable to deploy from a stowed position to a first deployed position to image objects remote from the device, and rotatable to a second deployed position to image a subject disposed on the lower panel.

12. The device as recited in claim 11 wherein the first deployed position is a position vertically displaced from the stowed position.

13. The device as recited in claim 12 wherein the second deployed position is a position rotatably displaced approximately 90 degrees from the first deployed position.

14. The device as recited in claim 13 wherein the image capture module is in spaded relation to the body when the upper panel is disposed in the stowed position.

15. The device as recited in claim 14 further comprising a position sensor disposed on the body proximate the upper panel, the position sensor being operative to generate an output signal representative of the position of the upper panel relative to the body.

16. The device as recited in claim 15 further comprising processing circuitry for receiving information from the image capture module and generating an output display thereof.

17. The device as recited in claim 16 wherein the processing circuitry includes a display device and a microprocessor, the microprocessor being in electrical communication with the display device, the image capture module and the position sensor.

18. The device as recited in claim 17 wherein the microprocessor is operative to regulate processing of information received from the image capture module in response to signals from the position sensor.

19. The device as recited in claim 18 wherein the microprocessor is programmed to include optical character recognition software.

20. The device as recited in claim 19 wherein the microprocessor regulates operation of the optical character recognition software in response to a signal from the position sensor, indicating the position of the upper panel.