Method and apparatus for a cursor control device barcode reader
AssigneeMicrosoft Corporation
InventorsAlexander Frank, Brian Hastings, William Westerinen, Thomas Oliver, David Rohn
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An optical cursor control device, for example, an optical mouse, is adapted to use its array sensor to capture image intensity data associated with barcodes. The image intensity data and associated x-y position data is processed to recreate the barcode image and then is decoded to deliver data to a process running on an associated computer. An apparatus and method are disclosed as well as alternatives to reduce the amount of data sent between the cursor control device and the computer.
Claims20
A computer arranged and adapted to process data associated with a barcode pattern comprising:
- a cursor control device adapted to sense the barcode pattern;
- a port coupled to a cursor control device;
- a processor coupled to the port for receiving data corresponding to the barcode pattern, the data comprising cursor control device position data and image intensity data, wherein the data is processed as input data for a process running on the computer.
A method of capturing data using an optical cursor control device comprising:
- capturing image intensity data using sensor array in a cursor control device;
- processing the image intensity data to provide movement and image data to determine a data pattern, wherein the movement data is used to compensate for cursor control device speed;
- and
- sending data corresponding to the data pattern to an electronic form.
A cursor control device adapted for scanning a barcode pattern comprising:
- a light source illuminating a scanned surface;
- a sensor array for sensing light intensity reflected from the illuminated surface;
- a processor coupled to the sensor array for determining relative position based on data from the array sensor, wherein the relative position data is used for compensating for cursor control device speed when scanning the barcode pattern;
- and
- a port for sending data corresponding to a barcode from the cursor control device to a computer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.