Automatic sizing of images acquired by a handheld scanner

A system for forming an image of an object, the system comprising:

• a device that combines the functionality of a computer mouse with the functionality of a scanner, the device comprising:
• one or more navigation sensors to identify movement of the device;
• an image array to provide a plurality of image frames, each representing a portion of the object as the device is swiped over the object;
• a processor for processing the plurality of image frames to form a composite image of the object, the processing comprising:
• for each the plurality of image frames, determining a position of the image frame in the composite image;
• and
• dynamically adjusting a size characteristic of an image output as image frames are added to the composite image.

A method of forming a composite image by combining a plurality of image frames received from a handheld scanner, the method comprising:

• receiving a stream of image frames from the handheld scanner, the stream including the plurality of image frames;
• building a composite image from the stream of image frames as the stream is being received, the building comprising, for each the plurality of received image frames in the stream, determining a position of the image frame in the composite image;
• displaying the composite image to a user while the plurality of image frames are being acquired;
• and
• dynamically adjusting a size characteristic of an image output as image frames are added to the composite image.