High Speed Flatbed Scanner Comprising Digital Image-Capture Module with Two-Dimensional Optical Image Photo-Sensor or Digital Camera

• US 20090021798A1
• Filed: 07/18/2007
• Published: 01/22/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kuwait University
• Original Assignee: University of Kuwait
• Inventors: Abahri, Tareq Abduljalil
• Granted Patent: US 7,843,611 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/474
• 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 2201/02404 Arrangements for mounting or supporting heads H04N2201/02402 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0434 specially adapted for scanning pages of a book

Abstract

The present invention is a flatbed scanner operating with a digital image capture module comprising two-dimensional (2D) optical image photo-sensor and in particular with a digital camera or digital video camera. The present invention further relates to flatbed scanners and means and methods of supporting cameras, and particularly, although not exclusively, to a flatbed scanner housing for holding a digital camera to allow the digital camera to act as a document capture device in obtaining digital images suitable for downloading to a personal computer or other computer peripherals such as a printer. The scanner incorporates an image capturing module comprising 2D image photosensor and assembly such as flash light, electronic circuit, and software inside the flatbed scanner box to function like an image capturing module where said scanner box functions like the camera body with an internal lens internal.

Claims

1. A Scanner Comprising:

a digital image-capture module contained within a housing point at an object to be scanned with said digital image-capture module having an optic detection system with a two-dimensional optical image photo-sensor.

2. A Scanner according to claim 1 further comprising:

said housing having a top platen, bottom platen and a plurality of side platens.

3. A Scanner according to claim 2 further comprising where said top platen is transparent.

4. A Scanner according to claim 3 further comprising where an item to be scanned is placed on said top platen.

5. A Scanner according to claim 1 further comprising having a plurality of light sources attached to said housing.

6. A Scanner according to claim 5 further comprising having said light sources are positioned in said housing to illuminate an object to be scanned.

7. A Scanner according to claim 1 further comprising where said digital image-capture module is a digital camera.

8. A Scanner according to claim 1 further comprising where said digital image-capture module is a digital video camera.

9. A Scanner according to claim 1 further comprising using said digital image-capture module to scan documents.

10. A Scanner according to claim 1 further comprising being used to scan bound documents.

11. A Scanner according to claim 10 further comprising using said bound documents are large books.

12. A Scanner according to claim 1 further comprising using said digital image-capture module being connected to a computer where said computer stores the images.

13. A Scanner according to claim 1 further comprising using said digital image-capture module can zoom in and out to capture a predefined scan area.

14. A Scanner according to claim 2 further comprising where said top platen has a detachable scanning window cover to hold down a item to be scanned.

15. A Scanner according to claim 2 further comprising having a light source being connected to said bottom platen.

16. A Scanner according to claim 2 further comprising having a second digital image-capture module connected to one of the side platen with the opposite side platen transparent.

17. A Scanner Comprising:

a digital image-capture module comprising a 2D image photo-sensor, a plurality of light sources, electronic circuit, and software contained within a housing with said housing having a top platen, bottom platen and a plurality of side platens, where said digital image-capture module is located on the bottom platen, where said top platen is transparent, where an item to be scanned is placed on said top platen, where said light sources are attached to said housing and are positioned in said housing to illuminate an object to be scanned, where said digital image-capture module is used to scan a bound document, where said digital image-capture module is a digital camera, where said digital image-capture module is connected to a computer where said computer stores the images, where digital image-capture module can zoom in and out to capture a predefined scan area, where said top platen has a detachable scanning window cover to hold down said bound document to be scanned.

18. A Scanner according to claim 17 further comprising having a second digital image-capture module connected to one of the side platen with the opposite side platen transparent.

19. A Scanner method comprising:

scanning a document using a digital image-capture module comprising a 2D image photo-sensor, a plurality of light sources, electronic circuit, and software contained within a housing with said housing having a top platen, bottom platen and a plurality of side platens, where said digital image-capture module is located on the bottom platen, where said top platen is transparent, where an item to be scanned is placed on said top platen, where said light sources are attached to said housing and are positioned in said housing to illuminate an object to be scanned, where said digital image-capture module is used to scan said document by placing said document on said top platen, where said digital image-capture module is a digital camera, where said digital image-capture module is connected to a computer where said computer stores the images, where digital image-capture module can zoom in and out to capture a predefined scan area, where said top platen has a detachable scanning window cover to hold down said document.

20. A Scanner according to claim 19 further comprising having a second digital image-capture module connected to one of the side platen with the opposite side platen transparent and using said second digital image-capture module to scan another page of a bound book with said book being located with one page on the top platen and other page on the transparent side platen.