Controlling scanning and copying devices through implicit gestures

• US 20060291004A1
• Filed: 06/28/2005
• Published: 12/28/2006
• 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
• Granted Patent: US 7,593,144 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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, triggering capture of an image of the region.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein capturing the image includes:

moving a scanning bar across the monitored region;

as the scan bar moves, generating an electronic representation of portions of the region.

3. The method according to claim 2 further including:

storing the electronic representation.

4. The method according to claim 2 further including:

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

5. The method according to claim 3 further including:

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.

6. The method according to claim 5 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.

7. The method according to claim 1 wherein monitoring for motion includes:

generating a series of digital image frames of at least the portion of the region;

analyzing successive frames to determine a presence or absence of motion in the region.

8. The method according to claim 7 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.

9. The method according to claim 1 further including:

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

upon detecting the cessation of movement of the page, capturing an image of the page.

10. The method according to claim 9 further including:

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

upon detecting movement of the page, aborting the capturing of the image.

11. The method according to claim 9 further including:

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

upon detecting the cessation of movement of the second page, capturing an image of the second page, whereby images of a plurality of pages are captured in response to each page being stationarily positioned in the image region.

12. The method according to claim 1, further including:

after triggering capture of an image, continuing to monitor for motion in the region;

in response to monitoring motion during the capture of an image, aborting the capture of an image.

13. An apparatus for generating an image comprising:

a means (20) for monitoring a region (12) to be imaged for motion;

a means (26) for triggering capture of an image of the region, in response to monitoring a cessation of motion in the region.

14. A scanning apparatus comprising:

a scan surface (12) for receiving pages to be copied;

a motion detector (20) 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 circuit (30) for capturing an image of a page on the scan surface in response to the trigger signal.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14 further including:

a scan bar (14) for converting portions of a page on the copy surface into an electronic representation; and

,

a drive (16) for moving the scan bar across at least a portion of the scan surface, the driving moving the scan bar across the scan surface following generation of the trigger signal.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the motion detector (20) continues to monitor the scan surface (12) as the drive (16) moves the scan bar (14) across the scan surface and further including:

in response to the motion detector detecting motion on the scan surface, the motion detector (20) generating a signal which causes the drive (16) to cease moving the scan bar and the image capture circuit (30) determines capturing an image.

17. The apparatus according to claim 14 further including a memory (32) for storing the electronic representation of the image.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17 further including a printer (36) which receives the electronic representation of the captured image from the memory (32) and converts it into a human readable print.

19. The apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the motion detector includes:

a digital camera (22) which generates a series of digital image frames; and

,

a motion detection circuit (26) which receives and analyzes the series of digital image frames to determine motion or a cessation of motion.