Handheld image scanner with automatic movement control

A handheld image scanner, comprising:

• a housing;
• a light source mounted to a bottom side of said housing for emitting light to illuminate an image being scanned;
• a horizontal line scanning means provided inside said housing and including a transducer means to receive light signals which correspond to an illuminated horizontal line portion of the image, said transducer means generating an electric signal which varies according to the intensity of light signals received;
• a transverse distance detecting means including a roller means which rolls along the surface of the image when said image scanner is moved in a direction transverse to the illuminated horizontal line portion, a transmission means provided inside said housing and capable of being rotatably driven by said roller means, and a signal generating means activated by said transmission means so as to generate a series of ON/OFF signals which are indicative of the transverse distance traversed by said image scanner;
• and
• a driving unit having a motor means with an output shaft, and a selective engaging means including a driving sprocket mounted to said output shaft of said motor means and selectively engaging said transmission means, said driving unit being capable of rotatably driving said transmission means so as to rotate said roller means and automatically move said image scanner in the direction transverse to the illuminated horizontal line portion.

A handheld image scanner, comprising:

• a housing;
• a light source mounted to a bottom side of said housing for emitting light to illuminate an image being scanned;
• a horizontal line scanning means provided inside said housing and including a transducer means to receive light signals which correspond to an illuminated horizontal line portion of the image, said transducer means generating an electric signal which varies according to the intensity of light signals received;
• a transverse distance detecting means including a roller means which rolls along the surface of the image when said image scanner is moved in a direction transverse to the illuminated horizontal line portion, a transmission means provided inside said housing and capable of being rotatably driven by said roller means, and a signal generating means activated by said transmission means so as to generate a series of ON/OFF signals which are indicative of the transverse distance traversed by said image scanner;
• a driving unit having a motor means with an output shaft, said driving unit being capable of rotatably driving said transmission means so as to rotate said roller means and automatically move said image scanner in the direction transverse to the illuminated horizontal line portion;
• and
• a voltage divider circuit means having a plurality of output ports each having a distinct voltage signal output, and a resolution select switch to connect said motor means to a selected one of said output ports so as to obtain the proper scanning speed for a desired degree of resolution.

A handheld image scanner, comprising:

• a housing;
• a light source mounted to a bottom side of said housing for emitting light to illuminate an image being scanned;
• a horizontal line scanning means provided inside said housing and including a transducer means to receive light signals which correspond to an illuminated horizontal line portion of the image, said transducer means generating an electric signal which varies according to the intensity of light signals received;
• a transverse distance detecting means including a roller means which rolls along the surface of the image when said image scanner is moved in a direction transverse to the illuminated horizontal line portion, a transmission means provided inside said housing and capable of being rotatably driven by said roller means, and a signal generating means activated by said transmission means so as to generate a series of ON/OFF signals which are indicative of the transverse distance traversed by said image scanner;
• a driving unit having a motor means with an output shaft, said driving unit being capable of rotatably driving said transmission means so as to rotate said roller means and automatically move said image scanner in the direction transverse to the illuminated horizontal line portion;
• and
• a control circuitry which is connected to a computer system so as to transmit said electrical signal from said transducer means thereto, said handheld image scanner further comprises a transistor means being connected in series to said motor means and being controlled by the control circuitry so as to interrupt current supply to said motor means when the control circuitry is not ready to receive the electrical signal.