US20030189648A1 - Digital camera system and method capable of performing document scans - Google Patents
Digital camera system and method capable of performing document scans Download PDFInfo
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- US20030189648A1 US20030189648A1 US10/465,703 US46570303A US2003189648A1 US 20030189648 A1 US20030189648 A1 US 20030189648A1 US 46570303 A US46570303 A US 46570303A US 2003189648 A1 US2003189648 A1 US 2003189648A1
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
- H04N1/04—Scanning arrangements, i.e. arrangements for the displacement of active reading or reproducing elements relative to the original or reproducing medium, or vice versa
- H04N1/10—Scanning arrangements, i.e. arrangements for the displacement of active reading or reproducing elements relative to the original or reproducing medium, or vice versa using flat picture-bearing surfaces
- H04N1/107—Scanning arrangements, i.e. arrangements for the displacement of active reading or reproducing elements relative to the original or reproducing medium, or vice versa using flat picture-bearing surfaces with manual scanning
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
- H04N1/21—Intermediate information storage
- H04N1/2104—Intermediate information storage for one or a few pictures
- H04N1/2112—Intermediate information storage for one or a few pictures using still video cameras
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
- H04N1/00127—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N2101/00—Still video cameras
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N2201/00—Indexing scheme relating to scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, and to details thereof
- H04N2201/0008—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus
- H04N2201/0063—Constructional details
Definitions
- a digital camera is a well known device that includes a charge-coupled device (CCD) for converting an image received by the digital camera into digital data.
- CCD charge-coupled device
- This digital data is usually stored into memory and later downloaded so that a picture of the image defined by the digital data can be developed.
- the digital data can also be transmitted to a display screen that renders the image defined by the digital data.
- most digital cameras include a liquid crystal display (LCD) that renders the images defined by the digital data, when desired.
- LCD liquid crystal display
- FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a digital camera system in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- the user may also go to the geographical region and take a picture of the scenery at the geographical region corresponding with the map 102 . Therefore, a second data file 62 is created by capturing light from the scenery of the geographical region via lens 21 and by converting this light into digital data that defines the second data file 62 .
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Multimedia (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Studio Devices (AREA)
- Facsimile Scanning Arrangements (AREA)
- Image Input (AREA)
- Television Signal Processing For Recording (AREA)
Abstract
A digital camera system is provided for capturing pictures of scenery or scanning the text of a document. A lens of the digital camera system receives light from a scene, and a conversion device defines a first set of digital data based on this light. A scanning mechanism included within the digital camera system scans a document as the system is passed over the surface of the document and produces a second set of data that defines an image of the document. An audio signal interface included within the digital camera system receives an audio message and defines a third set of digital data based on the audio message. A system controller stores the first, second, and third sets of data into a storage device. If desired, the first and second sets of data may be merged together to define a combined image depicting at least a portion of the scene defined by the first set of digital data and depicting at least a portion of the document defined by the second set of digital data.
Description
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention generally relates to digital cameras and, in particular, to a digital camera system with a scanning mechanism integrated therein.
- 2. Related Art
- A digital camera is a well known device that includes a charge-coupled device (CCD) for converting an image received by the digital camera into digital data. This digital data is usually stored into memory and later downloaded so that a picture of the image defined by the digital data can be developed. The digital data can also be transmitted to a display screen that renders the image defined by the digital data. In fact, most digital cameras include a liquid crystal display (LCD) that renders the images defined by the digital data, when desired.
- However, a problem with most digital cameras is that they are not readily suited for creating a readable image of a textual document. Indeed, the resolution of most digital cameras is not sufficient to produce an image of a textual document such that the text of the document is readable from the image. Although the resolution of a digital camera's lens can be increased, the size and cost of the camera's lens usually increases with resolution. Therefore, a lens having sufficient resolution for defining the text of a textual document in a readable form is usually expensive and relatively large. In fact, the large size of such a lens is likely to deter many users from utilizing the lens, especially in applications where the digital camera is frequently transported. Therefore, many users are likely to select a digital camera having a lens that is insufficient for imaging the text of a textual document in a readable form.
- Thus, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the industry for providing a digital camera system capable of imaging the text of a textual document in a readable form. To facilitate transportation, it is desirable for the size of the digital camera system to be minimized.
- The present invention overcomes the inadequacies and deficiencies of the prior art as discussed hereinbefore. Generally described, the present invention provides a digital camera system capable of scanning the text of a document to define data that produces a readable image of the text of the document when the data is rendered to a user.
- The present invention utilizes a lens, a conversion device, a scanning mechanism, a storage device, and a system controller. The lens receives light from a scene, and the conversion device defines a first set of digital data based on this light. The scanning mechanism scans a document as the system is passed over the surface of the document and produces a second set of data that defines an image of the document. The system controller stores the first and second sets of data into the storage device.
- In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the scanning mechanism includes an imaging sensor, a navigational sensor, and a processing device. The imaging sensor and navigational sensors receive light from the document as the system is passed over the surface of the document and produce electrical signals based on this light. The processing device receives the electrical signals and tracks a path of the system across the document based on the electrical signals received from the navigational sensor. The processing device also defines the second set of digital data based on the electrical signals received from the imaging sensor.
- In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the system controller merges the first and second sets of digital data into a third set of digital data. Therefore, images corresponding with the first and second sets of digital data can be defined by the third set of digital data and can be simultaneously displayed to the user as a single image.
- In accordance with another feature of the present invention, an audio signal interface may be used to receive an audio message and to define a third set of digital data based on the audio message. The system controller then stores the third set of data into the storage device. If desired, the system controller may correlate any of the data files stored in the storage device based on inputs from a user.
- The present invention can also be viewed as providing a method for use with a digital camera. Briefly described, the method can be broadly conceptualized by the following steps: receiving light through a lens of a digital camera; defining a first set of digital data based on the light; scanning a document via an imaging sensor of the digital camera; defining a second set of digital data based on the scanning step; and storing the first and second sets of digital data into a storage device of the digital camera.
- Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art upon examination of the following detailed description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is intended that all such features and advantages be included herein within the scope of the present invention and protected by the claims.
- The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the invention. Furthermore, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a front view of a conventional digital camera system.
- FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the digital camera system of FIG. 1.
- FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a digital camera system in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram illustrating a front view of the digital camera system of FIG. 3.
- FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram illustrating a bottom view of the digital camera system of FIG. 4A.
- FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the digital camera system of FIG. 3 as the system is passing over and scanning the surface of a document.
- FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the scanning mechanism of FIG. 3.
- FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an image produced from data merged together by the system controller of FIG. 3. A portion of the image depicts an object, and another portion of the image depicts a document associated with the object.
- FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a contour map of a geographical region.
- FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an image produced from data merged together by the system controller of FIG. 3. A portion of the image depicts the display map of FIG. 8, and another portion of the image depicts scenery located at the geographical region associated with the display map.
- FIG. 1 depicts a conventional
digital camera system 15. Thesystem 15 includes ahousing unit 18 that houses and protects internal components of thesystem 15. Thesystem 15 also includes alens 21 and anoptical viewfinder 24. Thelens 21 forms an image from light received by thelens 21, and theoptical viewfinder 24 is used to correctly position thesystem 15 before taking a picture. Theoptical viewfinder 24 may simply be a hollow region passing through thehousing unit 18 that enables a user view a scene through thesystem 15. In more complex designs, theoptical viewfinder 24 may provide “through-the-lens” viewfinder capability where the image formed by thelens 21 is visible through theoptical viewfinder 24. The design of theoptical viewfinder 24 is not an important feature of the present invention. - Referring to FIG. 2, the
system 15 usually includes asystem controller 27 implemented in software and stored inmemory 29. Thesystem controller 27 is designed to control the operation of thesystem 15. One or moreconventional processing elements 32, such as a digital signal processor (DSP), communicate to and drive thesystem controller 27 and the other elements within thesystem 15 via alocal interface 34, which can include one or more buses. - A
conversion device 38, such as a charge-coupled device (CCD), for example, produces digital data defining the image formed by thelens 21, through techniques well known in the art. Furthermore, aninput device 41, which may include buttons and/or switches, for example, provides inputs from a user of thesystem 15. Based on the inputs provided by theinput device 41, thesystem controller 27 determines when the digital data produced byconversion device 38 should be stored in memory 29 (i.e., when a picture should be taken). When thesystem controller 27 determines that a picture should be taken, thesystem controller 27 stores the digital data currently produced by theconversion device 38 intomemory 29 as adata file 44. Therefore, each data file 44 includes data that defines an image formed by thelens 21 at a time when theinput device 41 indicates that a picture should be taken. - The
system 15 also typically includes adisplay device 46, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), for example. Through techniques known in the art, thedisplay device 46 is designed to render digital data to a user. Theinput device 41 is designed to allow a user to select one of the data files 44 for viewing. Based on inputs frominput device 41, thesystem controller 27 is designed to transmit data from a selecteddata file 44 to displaydevice 46, which renders this data to the user. Therefore, the user can view the images defined by the data files 44 via thedisplay device 46, when desired. Thesystem controller 27 can also be designed to transmit the data produced by theconversion device 38 directly to thedisplay device 46. Therefore, the user can use thedisplay device 46 to position thesystem 15 instead of using the optical viewfinder 21 (FIG. 1), if desired. - A
data interface 49 allows thesystem 15 to communicate data with external devices. When desired, thesystem controller 27 is configured to transmit data from the data files 44 so that external devices may receive and process the data defined by thefiles 44. For example, thedata interface 49 may be coupled to a computer system (not shown), which renders the data to a user via a computer monitor (not shown). Alternatively, thedata interface 49 may be coupled to a processing system (not shown) that processes the data defined by the data files 44 to develop pictures. In other embodiments, the data files 44 may be stored in an area ofmemory 29 that is detachable from thesystem 15. Therefore, the data files 44 may be removed fromsystem 15 and interfaced with other systems (not shown) to create pictures or other types of images defined by the data files 44. Accordingly, thecamera system 15 may be used to take pictures by forming images vialens 21, producing digital data defining the images formed by thelens 21, storing the digital data into data files 44, and rendering data from selected data files 44 to a user. - FIG. 3 depicts an implementation of a
digital camera system 50 in accordance with the present invention. In the preferred embodiment, thesystem 50 is a portable, hand-held device. Similar tosystem 15,system 50 of the present invention includesmemory 29, aprocessing element 32, alocal interface 34, aconversion device 38, adisplay device 46, and adata interface 49, which perform substantially the same functionality described for these devices hereinabove. Thesystem 50 also includes ahousing unit 52 to house and protect the aforementioned components of thesystem 50, as shown by FIG. 4A. Also shown by FIG. 4A, thesystem 50 includes alens 21 and anoptical viewfinder 24, similar tosystem 15 of the prior art. - Referring again to FIG. 3, the
digital camera system 50 of the present invention also includes asystem controller 55 to control the operation of thesystem 50. Thesystem controller 55 can be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination thereof. In the preferred embodiment, as illustrated by way of example in FIG. 3, thesystem controller 55 of the present invention along with its associated methodology is implemented in software and stored inmemory 29. - Note that the
system controller 55, when implemented in software, can be stored and transported on any computer-readable medium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer-based system, processor-containing system, or other system that can fetch the instructions from the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device and execute the instructions. In the context of this document, a “computer-readable medium” can be any means that can contain, store, communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. The computer readable medium can be, for example but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, device, or propagation medium. More specific examples (a nonexhaustive list) of the computer-readable medium would include the following: an electrical connection (electronic) having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette (magnetic), a random access memory (RAM) (magnetic), a read-only memory (ROM) (magnetic), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory) (magnetic), an optical fiber (optical), and a portable compact disc read-only memory (CDROM) (optical). Note that the computer-readable medium could even be paper or another suitable medium upon which the program is printed, as the program can be electronically captured, via for instance optical scanning of the paper or other medium, then compiled, interpreted or otherwise processed in a suitable manner if necessary, and then stored in a computer memory. As an example, thesystem controller 55 may be magnetically stored and transported on a conventional portable computer diskette. - As in
system 15, thelens 21 forms an image from light received by thelens 21, and theconversion device 38 produces digital data defining this image. In response to inputs frominput device 58, which can include buttons and/or switches, for example, thesystem controller 55 stores the digital data produced by theconversion device 38 into data files 62. For example, theinput device 58 may include a button or switch that, when activated, transmits a signal tosystem controller 55 indicating that a picture should be taken. In response, thesystem controller 55 stores the set of digital data produced byconversion device 38 that defines the image currently formed by thelens 21. Therefore, the data files 62 may define images of scenes captured by thesystem 50, and the data defining the data files 62 may be rendered to a user viadisplay device 46 or an external device (not shown), similar to the data within the data files 44 ofsystem 15. - Unlike
system 15, thesystem 50 includes ascanning mechanism 68, which is also housed byhousing unit 52. Thescanning mechanism 68 is configured to produce digital data that defines an image of a document. As used herein, the word “scan” shall be defined as moving a light-sensitive device across an image bearing surface, such as a document, converting the light and dark areas on the surface to binary digits that can be interpreted by a computer system. An example implementation of asuitable scanning mechanism 68 is fully described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,825,044, entitled “Freehand Image Scanning Device which Compensates for Non-Linear Color Movement” and filed on Feb. 25, 1997, by Allen et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. Thescanning mechanism 68 is specifically designed to capture images of documents and to define these images in data such that a user can determine the text of the document when the data is rendered to the user. - In the preferred embodiment, the
scanning mechanism 68 includes at least oneimaging sensor 71 which is preferably located on the bottom ofhousing 52 as depicted by FIG. 4B, although other locations for theimaging sensor 71 are possible. Thesystem 50 is preferably swiped across the surface of atextual document 74 in a meanderingpath 77 while theimaging sensor 71 is in close proximity to or in contact with thedocument 74, as shown by FIG. 5. Theimaging sensor 71 faces thedocument 74 and is designed to receive light reflected off of thedocument 74 while the system 50 (and, therefore, the imaging sensor 71) is being swiped across the surface ofdocument 74. - The
imaging sensor 71 is configured to convert the light received by thesensor 71 into digital data as thesystem 50 is passing across the surface of thedocument 74. U.S. Pat. No. 5,686,720 entitled “Method and Device for Achieving High Contrast Surface Illumination,” which is incorporated herein by reference, describes a method and device that may be used to illuminate and acquire data from the surface of thedocument 74. Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 5,769,384, entitled “Low Differential Light Level Photoreceptors,” and U.S. Pat. No. 5,703,353, entitled “Offset Removal and Spatial Frequency Band Filtering Circuitry for Photoreceiver Signals,” which are both incorporated herein by reference, describe methods for improving the accuracy of the data acquired by thescanning mechanism 68. As shown by FIG. 6, thescanning mechanism 68 preferably includes aprocessing device 81, which is configured to receive the digital data produced bysensor 71 and to define an image of thedocument 74 in data. This data is then stored inmemory 29 bysystem controller 55 as adata file 62. - It may take one or more swaths (i.e., side-to-side passes across the document74) to acquire the data pertaining to the desired text of the document. As an example, the meandering
path 77 in FIG. 5 is shown as having two and a fraction swaths. The swaths should include regions of overlap, so that a stitching process may be used by processingdevice 81 to produce an accurate representation of the text of thedocument 74. At least onenavigational sensor 79 may be included in themechanism 68, as shown by FIG. 4B, to aid in the stitching process by tracking the system 50 (and, therefore, the imaging sensor 71) as thesystem 50 moves across the surface of thedocument 74. U.S. Pat. No. 5,729,008, entitled “Method and Device for Tracking Relative Movement by Correlating Signals from an Array of Photoelements,” which is incorporated herein by reference, describes a suitable method and device for tracking thesystem 50 to aid in the stitching process. - Preferably, the
scanning mechanism 68 performs a scan in response to an input frominput device 58. For example, theinput device 58 may include a button or switch that, when activated, transmits a signal tosystem controller 55 indicating that a document should be scanned. In response, thesystem controller 55 activates thescanning mechanism 68, and thescanning mechanism 68 defines adata file 62 as thesystem 50 is swiped overdocument 74. - The
system 50 also includes anaudio signal interface 83 in the preferred embodiment, although theaudio signal interface 83 may be omitted in other embodiments. Through known techniques, theaudio signal interface 83 is configured to receive audio signals and to convert the audio signals into digital data. Therefore, theaudio signal interface 83 can be used to record a message. In this regard, theaudio signal interface 83 receives an audio message and produces a set of digital data that defines the message in data. Then, thesystem controller 55 stores this set of digital data inmemory 29 as adata file 62. - When desired, the message can be played for the user. For example, the
audio signal interface 83 may include speakers, and theinput device 58 may allow the user to select one of the data files 62 defining a message previously recorded by theaudio signal interface 83. In response to the inputs from the user, thesystem controller 55 transmits the selecteddata file 62 to theaudio signal interface 83, which utilizes the aforementioned speakers to produce audio signals so that the user can hear the message. An exemplary process for recording voice messages in portable scanning devices is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/026,082, entitled “Voice Annotation of Scanned Images for Portable Scanning Applications” and filed on Feb. 19, 1998, which is incorporated herein by reference. - The
system controller 55 is preferably configured to correlate selected data files 62. In this regard, multiple data files 62 may contain related information. For example, one of the data files 62 may include data produced fromconversion device 38 that defines an image of an object. Another data file 62 may define an image scanned by scanningmechanism 68 from adocument 74 that includes information pertaining to the aforementioned object. In addition, athird data file 62 may define an audio message regarding the aforementioned object. Therefore, it may be desirable for the foregoing files 62 to be correlated together so that the user can easily retrieve or select these data files 62. - Accordingly, the
system controller 55 preferably allows the user to correlate any data file 62 with any other data file 62. For example, after defining a first data file 62 (viaconversion device 38,scanning mechanism 68, or audio signal interface 83), thesystem controller 55 may allow the user viainput device 58 to select another data file(s) 62 to be correlated with thefirst data file 62. In response, thesystem controller 55 correlates the first data file 62 with the selected data file(s) 62. As an example, thesystem controller 55 may define a pointer in the first data file 62 to point to the selected data file(s) 62 or vice versa. Other techniques for correlating the data files 62 may be employed without departing from the principles of the present invention. - As a result, the user may easily locate correlated data files62. For example,
memory 29 may include data files 62 that have been correlated together because they all relate to a particular object or topic. When the user wishes to view (in the case of image data), hear (in the case of audio data) or download any of these data files 62, the user may initially locate only one of the data files 62. Once the user locates one of the data files 62, the user can provide inputs viainput device 58 to cause thesystem controller 55 to retrieve each of the data files 62 correlated with the located data file 62. Therefore, any of the other correlated data files 62 can be easily located or selected once one of these data files 62 has been located. - In addition to correlating selected data files62, the
system controller 55 is preferably configured to also combine data in multiple data files 62, if desired. Therefore, the data of multiple data files 62 can be merged together by thesystem controller 55 to create anew data file 62. - As an example, assume that a user attends a trade show and discovers a product of interest at the trade show. The user may take a picture of the product via
lens 21. In other words, light reflecting off of the product is received bylens 21 and is converted to a set of digital data byconversion device 38. This set of digital data is then stored inmemory 29 as afirst data file 62. Then, the user may scan a data sheet associated with the product (e.g., a data sheet showing performance data relating to the product). In other words, the user passes thesystem 50 across the surface of the data sheet such that theimaging sensor 71 detects the desired text of the data sheet. Theprocessing logic 81 forms digital data defining an image of the data sheet, and this digital data is stored inmemory 29 as asecond data file 62. - The first and second data files62 may then be merged together into a
new data file 62, if desired. For example, refer to FIG. 7, which depicts anexemplary image 91 defined by the new data file 62. As depicted by FIG. 7, theimage 91 defined by the new data file 62 may have aportion 93 depicting theproduct 95 and may have anotherportion 97 depicting the data sheet 99 associated with theproduct 95. Theportion 93 is defined by data merged into the new data file 62 from thefirst data file 62, and theportion 97 is defined by data merged into the new data file 62 from thesecond data file 62. The new data file 62 may be downloaded from thesystem 50, when desired, and processed according to conventional techniques. - In another application, the
system 50 may be used to scan a topological map 102 (FIG. 8) of a geographical region viascanning mechanism 68. As depicted by FIG. 8, mosttopological maps 102 of geographical regions includecontour lines 105 denoting regions of corresponding or similar altitude. The digital data defining the scanned image of themap 102 is stored inmemory 29 as afirst data file 62. - The user may also go to the geographical region and take a picture of the scenery at the geographical region corresponding with the
map 102. Therefore, asecond data file 62 is created by capturing light from the scenery of the geographical region vialens 21 and by converting this light into digital data that defines thesecond data file 62. - If desired, the
system controller 55 may then merge the first and second data files 62 into a new data file 62 to define an image depicting themap 102 and the scenery of the region defined by themap 102. This new data file 62 may then be rendered viadisplay device 46 or may be downloaded and rendered by another display device (not shown). As an example, FIG. 9 depicts a combinedimage 108 defined by the new data file 62. As can be seen by referring to FIG. 9, the combinedimage 108 depicts animage 109 of themap 102 scanned into thedigital camera system 50 and defined by thefirst data file 62. Furthermore, the combinedimage 108 also depicts animage 111 of the scenery defined by thesecond data file 62. Therefore, a user can simultaneously view theimage 109 of themap 102 and theimage 111 of the scenery of the geographical region associated with themap 102. - It should be noted that the feature of merging multiple data files62 into a new data file 62 is not a necessary feature of the present invention. In this regard, the data files 62 may be downloaded from or rendered by the
system 50 separately, if desired. - It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present invention, particularly, any “preferred” embodiments, are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) of the invention without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of the present invention.
Claims (20)
1. A digital camera system, comprising:
a lens;
a conversion device configured to receive light from said lens and to define a first set of digital data based on said light;
a scanning mechanism configured to scan a document and to produce a second set of digital data, said second set of digital data defining an image of said document;
a storage device; and
a system controller configured to store said first set of digital data and said second set of digital data into said storage device.
2. The system of claim 1 , a housing unit coupled to said lens, said housing unit housing said conversion device, said scanning mechanism, and said storage device.
3. The system of claim 1 , further comprising an audio signal interface configured to receive audio signals and to define a third set of digital data based on said audio signals, wherein said system controller is further configured to correlate one of said sets of digital data with another one of said sets of said digital data.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein said scanning device comprises:
an imaging sensor configured to receive light reflected from said document and to produce electrical signals; and
a processing device configured to receive said electrical signals from said imaging sensor, said processing device further configured to define said second set of digital data based on said electrical signals from said imaging sensor.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein said system controller is further configured to merge said first and second sets of digital data into a third set of digital data.
6. The system of claim 5 , wherein said third set of data digital data defines an image based on data from said first set of digital data and from said second set of digital data.
7. The system of claim 5 , wherein said first set of digital data defines an image of an object and said document includes information associated with said object.
8. The system of claim 5 , wherein said document is a contour map of a geographical region and said first set of data defines an image of said geographical region.
9. The system of claim 8 , wherein said third set of digital data defines said image of said geographical region and defines an image of said contour map.
10. A digital camera system, comprising:
a lens;
means for defining digital data based on light passing through said lens;
means for scanning a document;
means for defining a second set of digital data based on light received by said scanning means;
a storage device; and
means for storing said first and second sets of digital data in said storage device.
11. The system of claim 10 , further comprising a means for housing said scanning means, said housing means coupled to said lens.
12. The system of claim 10 , further comprising a means for tracking a path of said system.
13. The system of claim 10 , further comprising a means for merging said first set of digital data and said second set of digital data into a third set of digital data.
14. The system of claim 13 , wherein said third set of digital data defines an image based on data from said first and second sets of digital data.
15. The system of claim 13 , wherein said first set of digital data defines an image of an object, said second set of digital data defines an image of said document, and said third set of digital data defines an image depicting at least a portion of said image of said object and depicting at least a portion of said image of said document.
16. A method for use with a digital camera, comprising the steps of:
receiving light through a lens of said digital camera;
defining a first set of digital data based on said light;
scanning a document via an imaging sensor of said digital camera;
defining a second set of digital data based on said scanning step; and
storing said first and second sets of digital data into a storage device of said digital camera.
17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising the step of correlating said first set of digital data with said second set of digital data.
18. The method of claim 16 , further comprising the steps of:
receiving audio signals via an audio signal interface of said digital camera;
defining a third set of digital data based on said receiving audio signals step; and
storing said third set of digital data into said storage device of said digital camera.
19. The method of claim 16 , further comprising the step of merging said first set of digital data and said second set of digital data into a third set of digital data.
20. The method of claim 19 , further comprising the step of rendering said third set of digital data to produce an image defined by said first and second sets of digital data.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US10/465,703 US20030189648A1 (en) | 1999-05-13 | 2003-06-19 | Digital camera system and method capable of performing document scans |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US09/311,517 US6633332B1 (en) | 1999-05-13 | 1999-05-13 | Digital camera system and method capable of performing document scans |
US10/465,703 US20030189648A1 (en) | 1999-05-13 | 2003-06-19 | Digital camera system and method capable of performing document scans |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US20030189648A1 true US20030189648A1 (en) | 2003-10-09 |
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US10/465,703 Abandoned US20030189648A1 (en) | 1999-05-13 | 2003-06-19 | Digital camera system and method capable of performing document scans |
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JP (1) | JP2000354192A (en) |
CN (1) | CN1163790C (en) |
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GB (1) | GB2352577B (en) |
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US20070043670A1 (en) * | 2005-08-17 | 2007-02-22 | Kurzweil Educational Systems, Inc. | Tags for unlocking digital content |
US20070043669A1 (en) * | 2005-08-17 | 2007-02-22 | Kurzweil Educational Systems, Inc. | Techniques for protected viewing of digital files |
US20070043678A1 (en) * | 2005-08-17 | 2007-02-22 | Kurzweil Educational Systems, Inc. | Optical character recognition technique for protected viewing of digital files |
US20070043810A1 (en) * | 2005-08-17 | 2007-02-22 | Kurzweil Educational Systems, Inc. | Unlocking digital content on remote systems |
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- 2000-05-03 GB GB0010726A patent/GB2352577B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2000-05-10 JP JP2000136688A patent/JP2000354192A/en active Pending
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US20070043670A1 (en) * | 2005-08-17 | 2007-02-22 | Kurzweil Educational Systems, Inc. | Tags for unlocking digital content |
US20070043669A1 (en) * | 2005-08-17 | 2007-02-22 | Kurzweil Educational Systems, Inc. | Techniques for protected viewing of digital files |
US20070043678A1 (en) * | 2005-08-17 | 2007-02-22 | Kurzweil Educational Systems, Inc. | Optical character recognition technique for protected viewing of digital files |
US20070043810A1 (en) * | 2005-08-17 | 2007-02-22 | Kurzweil Educational Systems, Inc. | Unlocking digital content on remote systems |
US7861307B2 (en) | 2005-08-17 | 2010-12-28 | Kurzweil Educational Systems, Inc. | Unlocking digital content on remote systems |
US9009078B2 (en) * | 2005-08-17 | 2015-04-14 | Kurzweil/Intellitools, Inc. | Optical character recognition technique for protected viewing of digital files |
US10296854B2 (en) | 2005-08-17 | 2019-05-21 | Cambium Learning, Inc. | Techniques for protected viewing of digital files |
US10733308B2 (en) | 2005-08-17 | 2020-08-04 | Cambium Learning, Inc. | Tags for unlocking digital content |
US11308724B2 (en) | 2005-08-17 | 2022-04-19 | Kurzweil Educational Systems, Inc. | Optical character recognition technique for protected viewing of digital files |
Also Published As
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GB2352577A (en) | 2001-01-31 |
US6633332B1 (en) | 2003-10-14 |
CN1274098A (en) | 2000-11-22 |
GB0010726D0 (en) | 2000-06-28 |
CN1163790C (en) | 2004-08-25 |
JP2000354192A (en) | 2000-12-19 |
GB2352577B (en) | 2003-07-02 |
DE10008677A1 (en) | 2000-12-07 |
DE10008677B4 (en) | 2006-08-31 |
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