Method and apparatus for image capture, selection and copying
View Patent ↗An apparatus and method are described for processing a captured (e.g. scanned) image. The apparatus includes a plurality of selection tools for selecting a region of the image to be processed. The selection tools include a word-by-word selection tool for text and a rectangular box selection tool for a picture. The apparatus also includes a plurality of copy tools for copying the selected region. The appropriate selection tool and copy tool are controlled automatically by a global mode control, being one of a text mode, a color picture mode and a black-and-white picture mode. Optionally, the apparatus displays the image in one of a plurality of different display modes, the display mode also being controlled by the global mode control.
1. An apparatus for processing a captured image frame, the apparatus comprising:
a plurality of user-selection tools for enabling a user to select a region of the captured image frame, the user-selection tools including at least one picture region selection tool and at least one text region selection tool;
a plurality of user-copy tools for copying the selected region of the captured image frame, the user-copy tools including at least one picture copy tool and at least one text copy tool; and
a mode control for controlling operation of the apparatus in at least one of a plurality of user selected global operating modes, the user selected global operating modes including at least one picture mode and at least one text mode;
wherein the mode control automatically selects which of said user-selection tools and which of said user-copy tools are used for processing the captured image frame in accordance with the user selected global operating modes.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said user-selection tools include a rectangular box selection tool for a picture image, and a word-by-word selection tool for a text image.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said user-copy tools include a color picture copy tool, and a black-and-white picture copy tool.
4. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the control modes include a color picture mode and a black-and-white picture mode.
5. The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a display and a display driver for generating a visual image of said frame, wherein the at least one of the display and the display driver is operable in a plurality of display modes, the display modes including at least one text mode and at least one picture mode, wherein the display mode is controlled by said mode control.
6. The apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the display modes include a color picture display mode and a black-andwhite picture display mode.
7. The apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the apparatus is operable to generate a live real time image and a frozen image, and said mode control controls the display mode of at least the frozen image.
8. A method for processing a captured image frame, comprising:
providing a plurality of user-selection tools for enabling a user to select a region of the captured image frame, the user-selection tools including at least one picture region selection tool and at least one text region selection tool;
providing a plurality of user-copy tools for copying the selected region of the captured image frame, the user-copy tools including at least one picture copy tool and at least one text copy tool;
receiving user input specifying a mode control selected from a plurality of global mode settings including at least one text mode and at least one picture mode;
automatically selecting which of said user-selection tools and which of said user-copy tools are used for processing the captured image frame based on said mode control.
9. The method according to claim 8 , wherein said automatically selecting further comprises automatically selecting a said text selection tool and a said text copy tool when said control mode corresponds to a text mode, and automatically selecting a said picture selection tool and a picture copy tool when said control mode corresponds to a picture mode.
10. The method according to claim 8 , wherein said selection tools include a rectangular box selection tool for a picture image and a word-by-word selection tool for a text image.
11. The method according to claim 8 , wherein said copy tools include a color picture copy tool, and a black-and-white picture copy tool.
12. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the plurality of global mode settings include a color picture mode and a black-and-white picture mode.
13. The method according to claim 8 , further comprising controlling operation of a-display in one of a plurality of display modes, the display modes including at least one text mode and at least one picture mode, wherein the display mode is controlled by said mode control.
14. The method according to claim 13 , wherein the display modes include a color picture display mode and a black-and-white picture display mode.
15. The method according to claim 8 , further comprising automatically selecting a display mode based on said mode control.
16. The method according to claim 8 , further comprising generating a live real time image and a frozen image, wherein said mode control controls the display mode of at least the frozen image.
17. A method for processing a captured image frame, comprising:
receiving user input specifying a mode control selected from a plurality of global mode settings including at least one text mode and at least one picture mode;
automatically selecting for the captured image frame one of a plurality of userselection tools based on the user-specified mode control; the user-selection tools including a rectangular box selection tool for a picture image and a word-by-word selection tool for a text image; and
automatically selecting for the captured image frame of one of a plurality of user-copy tools based on the user-specified mode control; said user-copy tools including a color picture copy tool and a black-and-white picture copy tool.
18. The method according to claim 17 , further comprising automatically selecting for the captured image frame a display mode based on the user-specified mode control.
19. The method according to claim 18 , wherein the plurality of global mode settings includes a color picture mode and a black-and-white picture mode.