US 7,072,081 B2 · Compact portable 2D/ 3D image capture system

Abstract

The present invention provides a compact, portable system for capturing two dimensional images from printed and related media, as well as three dimensional scenic images, such as photographs, combining the optical features of scanning and photography. A compact, portable image capturing system is provided that is relatively simple and inexpensive, which is easy to operate, rugged, reliable, integrating the navigational and text-gathering functionalities seamlessly, transparently, and reliably, and not prone to optical misalignment, or cessation of scanning and loss of information, obviating much of the repetition of scanning efforts required by the conventional art. The present invention provides a compact, portable system for capturing both two dimensional images from printed and related media, and three dimensional scenic images, such as photographs, while providing constant user feedback of the image quality and effectiveness, during the imaging process.

Claims18

Dependent claims

An apparatus for capturing images, said apparatus comprising:

a first optical interface for scanning two dimensional graphical information;
a first navigational mechanism coupled with said first optical interface, wherein said first navigational mechanism is text based;
a second navigational mechanism that is functionally integrated with said first navigational mechanism;
a second optical interface for collecting three dimensional information;
and
an image sensor optically coupled to said first optical interface and said second optical interface, said image sensor for generating a signal corresponding to said two dimensional graphical information and said three dimensional information.

3 more elements

A method for capturing images comprising:

scanning two dimensional graphical information via a first optical interface, wherein said scanning comprises navigating said two dimensional information with a first navigational mechanism coupled to said first optical interface wherein said first navigational mechanism is based on said two dimensional information and wherein a second navigational mechanism augments said first navigational system and is functionally integrated therewith;
collecting three dimensional information via a second optical interface;
and
generating a signal corresponding to two dimensional graphical information and said three dimensional information in an image sensor optically coupled to said first optical interface and said second optical interface.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Compact portable 2D/ 3D image capture system

Life of this patent

Compact portable 2D/ 3D image capture system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18