Document capture stand
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A stand to hold a digital camera, said stand comprising:
- at least one supporting member;
wherein said supporting member has at least one first end;
wherein said first end includes a base portion;
said supporting member having a second end including a camera retaining means;
said stand including means for configuring said camera to perform a document image capture function for capture of a digital image of a document, wherein placing said camera in said stand automatically configures said camera to zoom in or out to catch a predefined scan area, to determine a clarity and resolution of image formed by said camera and focus the image.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A stand facilitates and supports the use of digital cameras including digital video cameras in performing an equivalent function to a scanner in recording digital images which may be downloaded to a computer. The stand incorporates means for automatically configuring the camera into a mode of operation for document image capture on placing said camera into said stand. Said stand is adjustable in height and includes hinge sections 201 to appropriately position said camera for use in capturing an image of a document.
69 Citations
56 Claims
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1. A stand to hold a digital camera, said stand comprising:
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at least one supporting member;
wherein said supporting member has at least one first end;
wherein said first end includes a base portion;
said supporting member having a second end including a camera retaining means;
said stand including means for configuring said camera to perform a document image capture function for capture of a digital image of a document, wherein placing said camera in said stand automatically configures said camera to zoom in or out to catch a predefined scan area, to determine a clarity and resolution of image formed by said camera and focus the image. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A stand to hold a digital camera, said stand comprising:
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at least one supporting member;
wherein said supporting member has at least one first end;
wherein said first end includes a base portion;
said supporting member having a second end including a camera retaining means;
said retaining means comprising a case adapted to receive said camera and having a plurality of apertures to enable operation of said camera; and
said stand including means for configuring said camera to perform a document image capture function for capture of a digital image of a document.
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14. A method of capturing a digital image using a digital camera capable of performing a document image capture function, said method comprising the steps of:
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fitting said camera to a stand;
configuring said camera to operate in a document image capture mode;
pointing said camera at a document which is to be the subject of a captured image;
operating said camera to record in the camera a digital image of said document, said step of configuring said camera to operate in a document capture mode occurring automatically on fitting said camera to said stand by physical contact of a switch element on said camera with said stand, said step of configuring further comprising;
configuring said camera'"'"'s optic to zoom in or out to capture a predefined scan area;
determining the clarity and resolution of the image formed by said camera; and
focusing the image.
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15. A method of capturing a digital image using a digital camera capable of performing a document image capture function, said method comprising the steps of:
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fitting said camera to a stand;
configuring said camera to operate in a document image capture mode;
pointing said camera at a document which is to be the subject of a captured image; and
operating said camera to record in the camera a digital image of said document, said step of configuring said camera to operate in a document capture mode occurring automatically on fitting said camera to said stand by physical contact of a switch element on said camera with said stand, said step of configuring further comprising;
adjusting the focal length of said camera to a predetermined length, said predetermined length being a distance between a scan area at the base of said stand and a position of an image plane of said camera when secured in said stand.
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16. A system for capturing digital images of a document, said system comprising:
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a digital camera;
a stand for supporting said camera; and
a computer coupled with the digital camera for receiving the digital image of the document as recorded by the digital camera;
said stand including at least one supporting member for the stand, a camera retainer on the stand for rigidly securing said digital camera, said stand being arranged for supporting said retainer so that the camera is in a position suitable for operation of said camera in recording a digital image of said document, said retainer being arranged so that placing said camera into said retainer automatically configures said camera to;
(a) zoom in or out to capture a predefined scan area, (b) determine a clarity and resolution of image formed by said camera, and (c) focus the image to enable said camera to be used as a scanner capable of performing a document capture function.- View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A stand to hold a digital camera, said stand comprising:
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at least one supporting member;
wherein said supporting member has at least one first end;
wherein said first end includes a base portion;
said supporting member having a second end including a camera retaining means;
the camera retaining means being arranged for holding, at different times, plural types of digital cameras having camera function switches at differing locations, the camera retaining means having controllers for the function switches of the plural types of cameras at different positions corresponding with the positions of the function switches of the plural types of cameras; and
said stand including means for configuring said camera to perform a document image capture function for capture of a digital image of a document. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
connecting a means for downloading at least one recorded digital image to said camera;
connecting said means for downloading to a computer;
configuring said camera to send said at least one digital image;
configuring said computer to receive said at least one digital image.
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26. The method as claimed in claim 24, further comprising the step of:
operating and positioning at least one light source on said stand to illuminate the object being scanned.
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27. The stand as claimed in claim 24, wherein said retaining means is adapted to hold said camera in an orientation and spacing from the base of said stand such that said camera has a view of a scan area of size and shape suitable for placement of an object which is to be the subject of a captured image by said camera.
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28. The stand as claimed in claim 24, wherein said stand includes at least one light source for projecting light to illuminate an object being scanned.
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29. The stand as claimed in claim 24, wherein said stand further comprises at least one light source activated by placing said camera into said stand.
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30. The stand as claimed in claim 24, wherein said at least one supporting member is adjustable in height.
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31. The stand as claimed in claim 24, wherein said at least one supporting member includes at least one hinge section.
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32. The stand as claimed in claim 24, wherein said base portion comprises means for securing said stand to a surface.
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33. The stand as claimed in claim 24, wherein said base portion is configured to house an object, which is to be the subject of a captured image by said camera, in a scan area.
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34. A stand to hold a digital camera, said stand comprising:
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at least one supporting member;
wherein said supporting member has at least one first end;
wherein said first end includes a base portion;
said supporting member having a second end including a camera retaining means;
the camera retaining means being arranged for holding, at different times, plural types of digital cameras having camera function switches at differing locations; and
said stand including means for configuring said camera to perform a document image capture function for capture of a digital image of a document, said means for configuring including at least one projection in said retaining means for co-operating with a function switch of said camera.
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35. A stand for holding a digital camera, said stand comprising:
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at least one supporting member for the camera;
wherein said supporting member has at least one first end;
wherein said first end includes a base portion;
said supporting member having a second end including a camera retainer;
said retainer including an activator for configuring the camera on the retainer for performing a document image capture function for enabling the camera on the retainer to capture a digital image of a document, the camera retainer being arranged for holding, at different times, plural types of digital cameras having camera function switches at differing locations, the camera retainer having controllers for the function switches of the plural types of cameras at different positions corresponding with the positions of the function switches of the plural types of cameras. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
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50. A stand for holding a digital camera, said stand comprising:
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at least one supporting member for the camera;
wherein said supporting member has at least one first end;
wherein said first end includes a base portion;
said supporting member having a second end including a camera retainer;
said retainer including an activator for configuring the camera on the retainer for performing a document image capture function for enabling the camera on the retainer to capture a digital image of a document, the camera retainer being arranged for holding, at different times, plural types of digital cameras having camera function switches at differing locations.
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51. A method of capturing a digital image using a digital camera capable of performing a document image capture function, said method comprising the steps of:
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fitting said camera to a stand;
configuring said camera to operate in a document image capture mode;
pointing said camera at a document which is to be the subject of a captured image; and
operating said camera to record a digital image of said document, the method being performed at different times with different types of digital cameras having function switches at different locations, the different digital cameras being fitted to the stand by placing the different digital cameras in one or more retainers having shapes for receiving the digital cameras, the one or more retainers having controllers for the function switches of the plural types of digital cameras at different positions corresponding with the positions of the function switches, placing the different types of digital cameras in the one or more retainers so that the function switches of the different cameras are at different positions corresponding with the positions of the function switches. - View Dependent Claims (52, 53)
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54. A method of capturing a digital image using a digital camera capable of performing a document image capture function, said method comprising the steps of:
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fitting said camera to a stand;
configuring said camera to operate in a document image capture mode;
pointing said camera at a document which is to be the subject of a captured image; and
operating said camera to record in the camera a digital image of said document, the method being performed at different times with different types of digital cameras having function switches at different locations, the different digital cameras being fitted to the stand by placing the different digital cameras in one or more retainers having shapes for receiving the digital cameras, the one or more retainers having controllers for the function switches of the plural types of digital cameras at different positions corresponding with the positions of the function switches, placing the different types of digital cameras in the one or more retainers so that the function switches of the different cameras are at different positions corresponding with the positions of the function switches. - View Dependent Claims (55, 56)
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Specification