Apparatus for sensing non-coded images

• US 4,260,979 A
• Filed: 12/31/1979
• Issued: 04/07/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Smith, Robert C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Boudreau, Leo H.
• Application Number:
  US06/108,439
• Time in Patent Office: 463 Days
• Field of Search: 358/101, 340/146.3 Z, 340/146.3 SY, 340/146.3 H, 340/146.3 R, 340/146.3 F, 340/146.3 MA, 235/472, 250/556, 250/557, 250/559, 250/216
• US Class Current: 382/313
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0321 by optically sensing the absolute position with respect to a regularly patterned surface forming a passive digitiser, e.g. pen optically detecting position indicative tags printed on a paper sheet constructional details of pen-shaped pointing devices G06F3/03545, G06F3/03542, G06F3/037
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/12 Details of acquisition arrangements; Constructional details thereof

Abstract

Scanning apparatus is provided for sensing non-coded images on a substrate. Hand-held scanning apparatus comprises a group of light sensitive elements for sensing the light and dark pattern of the image as the scanner is moved across the substrate and means for sensing the velocity of the scanner.

The velocity determination is carried out through sensing means which comprise an X-Y coordinate grid positioned between the scanner and the substrate, means for sensing the rectilinear component of movement of two positions on said scanner with respect to the X lines in said grid together with the means for sensing the rectilinear component with at least one position on said scanner with respect to the Y lines on said grid. With this capability of calculating the rectilinear components of three such points or positions, the velocity of a given movement of the scanner in the X-Y and θ (rotational) directions may be determined. In this manner, the scanner is able to sense lines of the image relative to the velocity of movement of the hand-held scanner which is all that is necessary to record and reproduce the image.

Claims

1. A hand-held scanner for sensing non-coded images on a substrate comprising

a group of light sensitive elements for sensing the light patterns of said images as the scanner is moved across said substrate, and

means for sensing the translational velocity and rotation of said scanner.

2. The scanner of claim 1 wherein said velocity sensing means comprises

an X-Y coordinate reference grid,

means for sensing the rectilinear components of movement of a first position on said scanner with respect to the X lines in said grid, and

means for sensing the rectilinear component of movement of a second position with respect to the Y lines in said grid.

3. The scanner of claim 2 further including

means for sensing the rectilinear component of movement of a third position on said scanner with respect to one set of said coordinate axes of said grid.

4. The scanner of claim 3 further including

means for sensing the rectilinear component of movement of a fourth position on said scanner with respect to the other set of said coordinate axes.

5. The scanner of claim 4 wherein at least said first and second positions are adjacent to each other.

6. The scanner of claim 2 wherein

said reference grid is superimposed over at least part of said image and the X lines in said grid are of a first color and the Y lines in said grid are of a second color,

said means for sensing the movement of said first position with respect to said X lines comprises

first photoconductive means fixed to said scanner at said first position, and

a first monochromatic band pass filter passing only light of said first color to said first photoconductive means, and

said means for sensing the movement of said second position with respect to said Y lines comprises

second photoconductive means fixed to said scanner at said second position, and

a second monochromatic band pass filter passing only light of said second color to said second photoconductive means.

7. The scanner of claim 6 wherein

said light sensitive elements for sensing said images comprise a group of photoconductive elements and band stop filters preventing the passage of said first and second colors to said group of photoconductive elements.

8. The scanner of claim 7 further including

means for sensing the movement of a third position on said scanner with respect to said X lines comprising

third photoconductive means fixed to said scanner at said third position, and

a third monochromatic band pass filter passing only light of said first color to said third photoconductive means.

9. The scanner of claim 8 further including

means for sensing the movement of a fourth position on said scanner with respect to said Y lines comparing

fourth photoconductive means fixed to said scanner at said fourth position, and

a fourth monochromatic band pass filter passing only light of said second color to said fourth photoconductive means.

10. The scanner of claim 9 wherein at least said first and second positions are adjaceent to each other.

11. Apparatus for sensing non-coded images on a substrate comprising

means for traversing said substrate,

a X-Y coordinate reference grid positioned between said traversing means and said substrate comprising X lines of a first color and Y lines of a second color,

means for sensing the rectilinear components of movement of a first position on said traversing means with respect to said X lines comprising

first photoconductive means fixed to said traversing means at said first position, and

a first monochromatic band pass filter passing only light of said first color to said first photoconductive means,

means for sensing the rectilinear components of movement of a second position on said traversing means with respect to said Y lines comprising

second photoconductive means fixed to said traversing means at said second position, and

a second monochromatic band pass filter passing only light of said second color to said second photoconductive means, and

a group of light sensitive members fixed said traversing means for sensing said image as said substrate is traversed comprising a group of photoconductive elements and band stop filters preventing the passage of said first and second color to said group of photoconductive elements.

12. The scanning apparatus of claim 11 further including

means for sensing the movement of a third position on said traversing means with respect to said X lines comprising

third photoconductive means fixed to said traversing means at said third position, and

a third monochromatic band pass filter passing only light of said first color to said third photoconductive means.

13. The scanner of claim 12 further including

means for sensing the movement of a fourth position on said traversing means with respect to said Y lines comparing

fourth photoconductive means fixed to said traversing means at said fourth position, and

a fourth monochromatic band pass filter passing only light of said second color to said fourth photoconductive means.

14. The scanner of claim 13 wherein at least said first and second positions are adjacent to each other.