Facsimile and static presentation processing – Facsimile – Picture signal generator
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-07
2001-08-07
Lee, Cheukfan (Department: 2722)
Facsimile and static presentation processing
Facsimile
Picture signal generator
C358S473000, C358S474000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06271939
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to flatbed scanning systems and more particularly relates to a flatbed scanner comprising a frame transparent scanner and a cradle, wherein the frame transparent scanner permits users to exam scanning objects directly before a scanning operation starts.
2. Description of the Related Art
There are many applications that need optical scanners to convert paper-based objects, such as texts and graphics, to an electronic format that can be subsequently analyzed, distributed and archived. One of the most popular optical scanners is flatbed scanners that convert objects, including pictures and papers, to images that can be used, for example, for building Web pages and optical character recognition. The optical scanners are sometimes referred to as image scanners as the output thereof is generally in digital images.
FIG. 1
demonstrates a flatbed scanner
100
. Similar to a copy machine, flatbed scanner
100
includes a cover or lid
102
and a glass panel
103
. Generally a scanning document
108
must be placed on glass panel
103
and faced down with lid
102
closed, so that an image sensing mechanism or imager in compartment
104
can properly scan scanning document
108
.
Flatbed scanner
100
is suitable for many applications, however, it demonstrates many inconveniences in some daily applications. For example, it is difficult to scan pages of a thick book using flatbed scanner
100
, in which lid
102
becomes awkward to use because it can be hardly closed due to the thickness of the book. If lid
102
does not cover a scanning page properly, a resultant image thereof would have undesirable artifacts. Further, flatbed scanner
100
does not permit a user to project in advance what a resultant image could be until the image is actually generated. For example, the user wants to scan a scanning object at a desired angle. With the requirement of having a scanning object faced down and lid
102
covered, there is no convenient way for the user to see and align the scanning document properly before examining the resultant images from repeated trials. Furthermore, the operational concept of flatbed scanner
100
is somehow derived from a copy machine in which front illumination is provided, the reflectance from the scanning document is captured therefrom to generate an image. It is, therefore, sometimes difficult to use flatbed scanner
100
to scan a transparent or negative object such as X-ray films, mylar films for overhead projectors or films for CAD and photography.
A regular flatbed scanner becomes an important input interface to a host computer and is needed for many regular tasks in offices and homes. But it is not always acceptable to have two types of scanners. Thus there is a great need for a new scanner that can perform what a regular flatbed scanner does but also provide means to overcome the above listed problems with the flatbed scanner. In addition, there is another need for a new scanner that is really lightweight and portable so that a user can carry it around, for example, in library to scan pages from a reference book.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been made in consideration of the above described problems and needs and has particular applications for both portable and stationary uses. An improved flatbed scanner is disclosed and comprises a frame transparent scanner and a cradle including a base and a lid. The frame transparent scanner is a stand-alone portable scanner that can scan both transparent and opaque scanning objects. When the frame transparent scanner is rested in the cradle, a flatbed scanner, appearing as a regular flatbed scanner, is structured. The operations are no different from that of the regular flatbed scanner. One of the advantages and benefits of the disclosed flatbed scanner is that a user no longer has to have two scanners, typically, one for mobile applications and one for stationary applications. With the current disclosed flatbed scanner, the user can take the frame transparent scanner off the cradle for the mobile applications and rest the frame transparent scanner in the cradle for stationary office or home uses.
According to one embodiment, the improved flatbed scanner comprises:
a self-operable frame transparent scanner having a front transparent panel and a back transparent panel and an elongated imager therebetween; wherein the imager scans a scanning object to produce an image of the scanning object when the front transparent panel is placed upon the scanning object and an operation command is activated;
a cradle having a base, a lid and secure means for affixing the frame transparent scanner to the cradle when the frame transparent scanner is placed into the cradle with the front transparent panel facing up; and
the frame transparent scanner scanning a scanning sheet placed against the front transparent panel of the frame transparent scanner by the lid to produce an image of the scanning sheet when the operation command is activated.
Objects and features of the present invention, together with the foregoing, are attained in the exercise of the invention in the following description and resulting in the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 6160642 (2000-12-01), Mui et al.
Hou Alpha
Hu Darwin
Lee Cheukfan
Syscan Inc.
Zheng Joe
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