Controlling scanning and copying devices through implicit gestures

• US 7,593,144 B2
• Filed: 06/28/2005
• Issued: 09/22/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Dymetman, Marc
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams; Kimberly A
• Application Number:
  US11/168,116
• Publication Number:
  US 20060291004A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,547 Days
• Field of Search: 358474-498, 382/107, 382/173, 382/217, 382/278, 382/307, 399/362, 348/206, 348/208.4
• US Class Current: 358/474
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00795 Reading arrangements details of scanning heads H04N1/024; scanning arrangements therefor H04N1/04
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00798 Circuits or arrangements for the control thereof, e.g. using a programmed control device or according to a measured quantity

Abstract

A scanning machine (10) includes a scan surface (12) for receiving a page or pages to be scanned. A motion detector (20) monitors the copy surface to detect movement of the pages. In response to detecting a cessation of motion on the scan surface, the motion detector generates a trigger signal which causes a capture circuit (30) to capture an image of a page on the scan surface. If, during the capture of the page image, the motion detector detects motion of the page, the motion detector generates an abort signal which terminates capture of the image and empties a buffer memory (32). Once cessation of motion of the page is again detected, another trigger signal is issued and another attempt is made to capture an image. In this manner, scanning is started and stopped by natural, simple gestures without the operator pushing buttons.

Claims

1. A method of generating an image comprising:

monitoring a region to be imaged for motion;

in response to monitoring a cessation of motion in the region, moving a scanning bar across the monitored region and generating an electronic representation of portions of the region;

storing the electronic representation;

as the scan bar moves across the region, continuing to monitor for motion;

in response to monitoring motion, (i) terminating movement of the scan bar and returning the scan bar to a rest position, and (ii) erasing the stored electronic image representation.

2. The method according to claim 1 further including:

using the electronic representation to control printing a document carrying a human readable image of the region.

3. The method according to claim 1 further including:

after the scan bar returns to the rest position and the electronic image representation is erased, continuing to monitor the region for motion;

in response to a cessation of motion, moving the scan bar across the region and generating the electronic representation.

4. A method of generating an image comprising:

generating a series of lower quality digital image frames of at least a portion of a region to be imaged;

analyzing successive lower quality image frames to determine a presence or absence of motion in the region;

in response to determining an absence of motion in the region, capturing a higher quality digital image of the region; and

at least one of storing and printing the captured higher quality digital image.

5. The method according to claim 4 wherein analyzing the successive frames includes:

subtracting successive frames to generate a difference image;

comparing the difference image with a threshold to determine motion or absence of motion.

6. The method according to claim 4 further including:

positioning a page to be imaged in the region to be imaged;

upon determining an absence of motion of the page, capturing the higher quality image of the page.

7. The method according to claim 6 further including:

while capturing the higher quality image of the page, continuing to monitor for motion;

upon detecting motion of the page, aborting the capturing of the higher quality image.

8. The method according to claim 6 further including:

removing the first page from the region and positioning a second page in the region;

upon detecting the absence of motion of the second page, capturing a higher quality image of the second page, whereby higher quality images of a plurality of pages are captured in response to each page being stationarily positioned in the image region.

9. The method according to claim 4, wherein capturing the higher quality digital image includes moving a scan bar across the region;

wherein the higher quality image is captured as the scan bar moves;

in response to detecting motion during the capture of the higher quality image, returning the scan bar to a rest position.

10. An apparatus for generating an image comprising:

a means for monitoring a region to be imaged for motion;

a means for triggering a drive to move a scan bar across the region, in response to monitoring a cessation of motion in the region;

a means for capturing an image of the region as the scan bar moves across the region.

11. A scanning apparatus comprising:

a scan surface which receives pages to be copied;

a motion detector which detects motion on the scan surface and generates a trigger signal in response to detecting a cession of motion on the scan surface;

a scan bar which converts portions of a page on the copy surface into an electronic representation; and

,

a drive which moves the scan bar across at least a portion of the scan surface, the drive moving the scan bar across the scan surface following generation of the trigger signal.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the motion detector continues to monitor the scan surface as the drive moves the scan bar across the scan surface and further including:

in response to the motion detector detecting motion on the scan surface, the motion detector generates a signal which causes the drive to cease moving the scan bar.

13. The apparatus according to claim 11 further including:

a memory which stores the electronic representation of the image.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13 further including a printer which receives the electronic representation of the captured image from the memory and converts the electronic representation into a human readable print.

15. The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the motion detector includes:

a digital camera which generates a series of digital image frames; and

,

a motion detection circuit which receives and analyzes the series of digital image frames to determine motion or a cessation of motion.