Expandable hand-held scanning device

• US 5,646,402 A
• Filed: 09/05/1995
• Issued: 07/08/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Khovaylo, Modest, Carau, Frank P. Sr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Westin, Edward P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PYO, KEVIN K
• Application Number:
  US08/523,700
• Time in Patent Office: 672 Days
• Field of Search: 250/234, 250/208.1, 250/208.2, 250/208.3, 235/472, 348/374, 348/376, 358/473
• US Class Current: 250/234
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/107 with manual scanning
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/1077 Arrangements for facilitating movement over the scanned medium, e.g. disposition of rollers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/193 using electrically scanned linear arrays , e.g. linear CCD arrays
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/1934 Combination of arrays
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/043 Viewing the scanned area
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/045 Mounting the scanning elements in a collapsible or foldable structure, e.g. for ease of transportation

Abstract

The hand-held scanning device is adjustable between a compact transport configuration and a relatively larger use configuration. In its compact transport configuration, the hand-held scanning device can conveniently be carried, for example, in a shirt pocket. In its use configuration, however, the device is capable of scanning a relatively large object. The hand-held scanning device may be constructed of two housing portions that slide or pivot relatively to one another to provide for this adjustment.

Claims

1. A hand-held optical scanning device comprising:

a first housing portion containing at least one photosensor array and imaging means for imaging an object on said photosensor array;

a second housing portion containing at least one photosensor array and imaging means for imaging an object on said photosensor array;

a connector that allows relative movement between said first housing portion and said second housing portion to allow said scanning device to be expanded from a relatively smaller carrying configuration to a relatively larger scanning configuration.

2. The hand-held optical scanning device of claim 1 wherein said connector comprises a connector which slidingly attaches said first housing portion to said second housing portion.

3. The hand-held optical scanning device of claim 1 wherein said connector comprises a connector which pivotally attaches said first housing portion to said second housing portion.

4. An optical hand-held scanning device for scanning an object in a scanning direction comprising:

a housing having a length that is transverse to said scanning direction;

said housing length being adjustable between a relatively short non-use configuration and a relatively longer scanning configuration.

5. The hand-held scanning device of claim 4 wherein:

a) said housing comprises;

i) a first housing portion containing at least one photosensor array, said first housing portion having a length measured perpendicular to said scanning direction;

ii) a second housing portion connected to said first housing portion and containing at least one photosensor array, said second housing portion having a length measured perpendicular to said scanning direction;

b) said housing having a length measured perpendicular to said scanning direction, said housing being adjustable between;

i) a non-use configuration in which said length of said housing is substantially equal to said length of said first housing portion; and

ii) a use configuration in which said length of said housing is greater than said length of said first housing portion.

6. A method of scanning an object with a hand-held optical scanning device comprising the steps of:

providing a hand-held optical scanning device that is adjustable between a relatively shorter carrying configuration and a relatively larger scanning configuration;

placing said hand-held optical scanning device in its larger scanning configuration;

performing a scan of an object;

placing said hand-held optical scanning device in its shorter carrying configuration.

7. A method as in claim 6 wherein said step of placing said hand-held optical scanning device in its shorter carrying configuration comprises sliding the hand-held optical scanning device into its shorter carrying configuration.

8. A method as in claim 6 wherein said step of placing said hand-held optical scanning device in its shorter carrying configuration comprises pivoting the hand-held optical scanning device into its shorter carrying configuration.