Scanner with removable data storage media

• US 7,548,356 B2
• Filed: 07/18/2005
• Issued: 06/16/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Microtek International Incorporated (Zoetis Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Microtek International Incorporated (Zoetis Incorporated)
• Inventors: Chen, Wen Shu (Bonny), Sheng, Yu-Cheng, Han, Loi
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Cheukfan
• Application Number:
  US11/184,286
• Publication Number:
  US 20050286094A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,429 Days
• Field of Search: 358/497, 358/474, 358/444, 358/404, 358/468, 358/442, 358/403, 358/527, 358/505, 358/1.16, 358/494, 358/401, 358/523, 358/506, 358/487, 382/312, 382/318, 382/319, 382/305, 250234-236, 250/216, 250/239, 250/208.1, 399/211, 399/212, 355/40, 355/41, 348 96- 98
• US Class Current: 358/497
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00347 with another still picture apparatus, e.g. hybrid still picture apparatus circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between image input and image output device H04N1/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00352 Input means H04N1/00411 takes precedence; input arrangements for computers G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00384 Key input means, e.g. buttons or keypads electromechanical details of key input means in general H01H13/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00397 Switches, knobs or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00405 Output means output arrangements for computers G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0049 providing a visual indication to the user, e.g. using a lamp H04N1/00408 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00496 Constructional details of the interface or console not otherwise provided for, e.g. rotating or tilting means
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00519 Constructional details not otherwise provided for, e.g. housings, covers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/1017 the main-scanning components remaining positionally invariant with respect to one another in the sub-scanning direction
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0081 Image reader H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0082 Image hardcopy reproducer H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0087 Image storage device

Abstract

A stand alone flat bed scanner including a CPU, a removable storage medium, a control system displaying digital image and controls for controlling the mode of operation, degree of resolution, related parameters associated with generating, storing and displaying digital data. Ports for printers, accessories and other peripherals, an internal hard drive, and software adapted to display images directly on a television screen, including battery, and a pivotal handle for portable use in environments not having an external power supply.

Claims

1. A method of scanning and storing an image in a stand-alone scanner having a housing with a top surface, an interior space and a scanning surface included on the top surface of the housing, comprising:

entering through a control panel commands to a processor disposed in the housing, operative to process said commands, and adapted to convert scanned image data to a graphic/image format file;

operating the scanner in response to said commands to scan an object placed on said top surface and to produce scanned image data;

processing the scanned image data with said processor;

converting the scanned image data to a graphic/image format file with said processor; and

,

storing said graphic/image format file on a removable storage device inserted within a data/image storage unit disposed in said housing.

2. In a stand-alone scanning apparatus including a single housing having a top surface, a scanning area on said top surface and an interior space defined beneath said top surface, a method of scanning and storing an image comprising the steps of:

entering commands to control said apparatus on a control panel mounted on the housing;

scanning an object placed within said scanning area on said top surface of said apparatus to produce scanned image data via a scanner disposed within said housing interior space;

processing said entered commands and controlling said scanner in accordance with said entered commands;

converting said scanned image data to graphic/image file format via a processor disposed within said housing interior space; and

,

storing said converted scanned image, via a data/image storage unit disposed in said housing interior space on a removable storage device inserted within said data/image storage unit.