US 6,388,773 B1 · Simultaneous multi-mode capture button behavior

Abstract

An ergonomic “press-on-press-off” capture mode is added to an existing “press-and-hold” capture mode in a portable hand-held scanning device without adding additional control buttons or requiring the user to make a selection between which capture mode to use. Supporting both capture modes simultaneously is accomplished through monitoring the capture button and distance traveled by the device. When the capture button is pressed and released, a check is made to see if the device was moved a predetermined distance while the capture button was depressed. If yes, then the press-and-hold capture mode is confirmed, and image data capture ends. If no, then the press-on-press-off capture mode is confirmed, and image data capture continues, even though the capture button is not depressed, until a second press of the capture button or lift off. The second press of the capture button or lift off terminates the image data capture for the press-on-press-off capture mode.

Claims32

Dependent claims

A method for capturing an image with a capture device, said method comprising:

(a) receiving in a controller of said capture device, a first capture button down input from a capture button connected to said controller;
(b) capturing a first portion of image data with an image pickup component connected to said controller;
(c) receiving in said controller of said capture device, a first capture button up input from said capture button connected to said controller;
(d) evaluating, by said controller, a first portion of movement data captured by at least one navigation sensor to determine a distance traveled by said capture device between said capture button down input and said capture button up input, wherein said at least one navigation sensor is connected to said controller;
(e) when said distance is less than or equal to a predetermined distance, capturing a second portion of image data with said image pickup component connected to said controller;
(f) receiving in said controller a second capture button down input from said capture button connected to said controller;
and
(g) processing said first portion of image data and said second portion of image data to generate an image array.

5 more elements

A method for capturing an image with a capture device, said method comprising:

(a) receiving in a controller of said capture device, a first capture button down input from a capture button connected to said controller;
(b) capturing a first portion of image data with an image pickup component connected to said controller;
(c) receiving in said controller of said capture device, a first capture button up input from said capture button connected to said controller;
(d) evaluating, by said controller, a first portion of movement data captured by at least one navigation sensor to determine a distance traveled by said capture device between said capture button down input and said capture button up input, wherein said at least one navigation sensor is connected to said controller;
(e) when said distance is less than or equal to a predetermined distance, performing steps (f) through (h) and not step (i), and when said distance is greater than said predetermined distance, performing step (i) and not performing steps (f) through (h);
(f) capturing a second portion of image data with said image pickup component connected to said controller;
(g) receiving in said controller a second capture button down input from said capture button connected to said controller;
(h) processing said first portion of image data and said second portion of image data to generate an image array;
and
(i) processing said first portion of image data to generate an image array.

7 more elements

A capture device for capturing an image comprising:

an image pickup component for capturing a first portion of image data;
a capture button for sending a first capture button down input and sending a first capture button up input;
at least one navigation sensor for gathering a first portion of movement data between said first capture button down input and said first capture button up input;
and
a controller, connected to said image pickup component, connected to said at least one navigation sensor, and connected to said capture button, for receiving said first capture button down input, for receiving said first capture button up input, and for receiving said first portion of movement data, wherein said controller determines a distance traveled by said capture device from said first portion of movement data, and further wherein, when said distance is greater than a predetermined distance, said controller processes said first portion of image data to generate an image array, and when said distance is less than or equal to said predetermined distance, said image pickup component captures a second portion of image data, said controller receives a second capture button down input from said capture button, and said controller processes said first portion of image data and said second portion of image data to generate said image array.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Simultaneous multi-mode capture button behavior

Life of this patent

Simultaneous multi-mode capture button behavior

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims32