Merged camera and scanner

#This disclosure relates to electronic imaging in general, and, in particular, to the combination of a document scanning system and a digital camera.

#Digital cameras have been widely adopted by both amateur and professional photographers. As resolution of digital cameras increases, and the cost of non-volatile memory cards decreases, more photographers are moving from film to electronic imaging.

#The resolution of many current digital cameras ranges from 2.1 megapixels (MP) to 4.2 MP. Cameras with higher resolution are available but are typically used by advanced amateurs or professionals. A 2.1 MP camera captures an image as an array of 1600 (horizontal) by 1200 (vertical) pixels; a 4.2 MP camera has an image sensor with a 2272×1704 array of pixels. Images from a 2.1 MP camera can be typically enlarged to 5×7 inch prints with good results; 3.3 MP and 4.2 MP cameras yield very satisfactory prints to 8×10 inches.

#FIG. 1 is a drawing of one embodiment of the present invention showing a digital camera with a linear scanner lens on one side of the camera, with movable internal mirror and single M×N photosensitive image array used for both photography and scanning.

#FIG. 2 is a drawing of one embodiment of the present invention showing a digital camera with a linear scanner lens on one side of the camera, with second 1×N linear sensor dedicated to scanning function.

#FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the added functions supporting scanner operation. Throughout the drawings, like elements are referred to by like numerals.

#In FIG. 1, a digital camera 100 has on one side of the housing an optical window 108 and lens element 110. Ambient light or light from internal linear light source 112 is reflected from the document 120, through lens 110, is further reflected by mirror 104A, and impinges on photosensitive sensor array 106.

#The document to be scanned is typically larger than the span of the linear scanner, so multiple passes must be made across the document. This is typically done in strips across the page. A mechanical position sensor comprising wheel 114, axle 116, and rotational sensor 118 is positioned on the same edge of the housing as lens 110. This motion sensor generates data on scan start, scan end, and scan speed. Alternatively, an optical motion sensor or accelerometer within the camera may be used to detect scan movement across the page. With this data, the beginning and end of each scanned strip is determined, facilitating electronic alignment and removal of redundant data of the strips on scan completion.

#When normal photography is desired, mirror 104 is rotated or otherwise positioned so that light from the scanned lens no longer is reflected to the imager array. The camera lens focuses the photographic image on sensor array 106 as shown.