Integral positioning and imaging device
AssigneeHewlett-Packard Company
InventorsDavid D. Bohn, Michael J. Steinle
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An imaging device is disclosed wherein the imaging portion of the imaging device is integrated into an optical positioning system. The imaging device has a linear array of photodetector elements that are used to generate machine-readable image data representing an object being imaged. At least one two-dimensional photodetector segment comprising a two-dimensional array of photodetector elements is integrated into the linear array of photodetector elements. The two-dimensional photodetector segments serve the dual function of providing image data and positioning data.
Claims19
An imaging device comprising:
- a linear array of photodetector elements, said linear array having a first end and a second end, wherein said linear array is aligned along a first axis;
- at least one two-dimensional photodetector segment comprising a two-dimensional array of photodetector elements;
- and
- wherein said at least one two-dimensional photodetector segment is integrated into said linear array of photodetector elements between said first end and said second end.
An imaging device comprising:
- a linear array of photodetector elements, said linear array having a first end and a second end;
- at least one two-dimensional photodetector segment comprising a two-dimensional array of photodetector elements;
- wherein said at least one two-dimensional photodetector segment is located between said first end and said second end;
- and
- wherein said at least one two-dimensional photodetector segment is spaced from both said first end and said second end.
A method of imaging an object comprising:
- providing a linear array of photodetector elements aligned along a first axis, said linear array having a first end and a second end;
- providing at least one two-dimensional photodetector segment integrated into said linear array of photodetector elements, said at least one two-dimensional photodetector segment having a plurality of rows of photodetector elements wherein one of said plurality of rows is a scan row;
- causing relative movement between said linear array of photodetector elements and said object;
- focusing an image of said object onto said linear array of photodetector elements and said at least one two-dimensional photodetector segment;
- generating first image data representative of said object with said linear array of photodetector elements and said scan row;
- generating second image data representative of said object with said at least one two-dimensional photodetector segment;
- and
- performing a first analysis on said second image data to determine the position of said at least one two-dimensional photodetector segment relative to said object.
An imaging device comprising:
- a first imaging means for converting a linear portion of an image of an object to machine-readable data;
- a second imaging means for converting a two-dimensional portion of an image of said object to machine-readable data, said second imaging means being integrated into said first imaging means;
- a first processing means operatively associated with said second imaging means for determining the location of said second imaging means relative to said object.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.