PORTABLE MAGNIFYING CAMERA

1 . A portable camera for recording and displaying an image of an object such as printed paper, wherein the camera is arranged to be positioned on an object to be recorded wherein the camera is provided with an outer lower surface which is arranged to be in contact with the object if the camera is positioned on the object, a light sensitive sensor for obtaining an image of at least a portion of the object, a display and processing means for processing the image obtained by means of the sensor and for displaying at least a portion of the recorded image on the display, in possible a magnified form, wherein the camera is provided with at least one lighting unit for lighting the object to be recorded when the camera is positioned on the object, the camera is arranged such that light rays of the at least one lighting unit which are, in use, submitted to the object are directly submitted to the object, wherein the lighting unit is arranged within the camera such that if the object which is recorded would be a flat mirror whereon the camera is positioned for recording the reflective surface of the flat mirror, the lighting unit is located outside a viewing field of the sensor which viewing field is formed in combination with the flat mirror.

2 . The portable camera according to claim 1 , having an outer lower surface, wherein the outer lower surface extends in a virtual flat plane wherein, in use, a lighting unit submits light to a virtual flat plane and/or in that a flat mirror coincides with a virtual flat plane extending through the outer lower surface wherein it holds that the lighting unit is located outside a viewing field of a sensor which viewing field is formed in combination with the last said virtual flat plane if the virtual flat plane would be a flat mirror and/or that the flat mirror is sufficiently large so that it extends through the full viewing field of the sensor.

3 . The portable camera according to claim 1 , wherein the camera is arranged such that the light rays of the lighting unit are submitted directly to the object by means of specular reflection only, if there would be any reflection and/or in that the camera is arranged such that the light rays of the lighting unit are submitted directly to the object by means of specular transmission through a medium only, if there would be any transmission through a medium.

4 . The portable camera according to claim 1 wherein the outer lower surface is flat.

5 . The portable camera according to claim 1 wherein the flat mirror is positioned against the outer lower surface.

6 . The portable camera according to claim 1 wherein the camera is provided with at least one light mirror for folding up the light path which extends from the at least one lighting unit to the flat mirror.

7 . The portable camera according to claim 2 , wherein the sensor is provided with an optical axis wherein, in use, the at least one lighting unit is positioned within a lighting unit plane which is perpendicular to the optical axes wherein the lighting unit plane lies between the sensor and the virtual flat plane.

8 . The portable camera according to claim 7 , wherein in use the light mirror lies in a mirror plane which is angled relative to the light plane.

9 . The portable camera according to claim 8 , wherein the light mirror lies between the light plane and a sensor plane extending through an outer surface of the sensor which receives light for recording the image, wherein the sensor plane is perpendicular to the optical axes.

10 . The portable camera according to claim 1 wherein the camera is provided with a first body portion, a second body portion and a hinge means for connecting the first body portion and the second body portion together wherein the first body portion can move relative to the second body between a folded condition and an unfolded working condition for use of the camera, wherein the second body portion is provided with the sensor and the first body portion is provided with the lighting unit and wherein in the unfolded condition there is a distance between the first body portion and second body portion.

11 . The portable camera according to claim 10 , wherein the first body portion is arranged to be positioned on the object to be recorded.

12 . The portable camera according to claim 11 , wherein the first body portion comprises the outer lower surface.

13 . The portable camera according to claim 10 , wherein the lighting unit is arranged to submit light in a direction of the second body portion if the camera is in the unfolded condition.

14 . The portable camera according to claim 10 , wherein if the camera is in the unfolded condition, in use, the second body portion extends above the first body portion.

15 . The portable camera according to claim 10 , wherein the light mirror is formed by an outer surface of the second body portion wherein, if the camera is in the unfolded condition, in use, the light mirror faces downwardly.

16 . The portable camera according to claim 10 , wherein the second body portion is provided with the display wherein, the display and the light mirror lie on opposite sides of the second body portion.

17 . The portable camera according to claim 10 , wherein in the folded condition the first and the second body portion abut against each other.

18 . The portable camera according to claim 10 , wherein in the folded condition the light mirror abuts a second outer surface of the first body portion which lies opposite the outer lower surface of the first body portion which, in use, is in contact with the object to be recorded.

19 . The portable camera according to claim 10 , wherein the first body portion and the second body portion each have an overall shape of a flat rectangular plate.

20 . The portable camera according to claim 19 , wherein the first body portion is provided with an opening for recording the object.

21 . The portable camera according to claim 1 wherein the camera is provided with a first body portion, a second body portion and a means for connecting and disconnecting the first body portion and the second body portion, wherein the second body portion is provided with the lighting unit, the sensor and the display and wherein the first body portion is arranged to be positioned on the object to be recorded while the second body portion is connected with the first body portion such that, in use, the first body portion provides a fixed distance between the second body portion and the object to be recorded wherein the first body portion is provided with a side wall surrounding an inner space of the first body portion and a first and second opening lying opposite to each other and providing visible access to the inner space wherein if the first body portion and the second body portion are connected together the second opening faces the second body portion and the first opening, in use, faces the object to be recorded such that the sensor can capture an image of the object to be recorded via the second opening, the space and the first opening.

22 . The portable camera according to claim 21 , wherein the first body portion comprises the outer lower surface.

23 . The portable camera according to claim 22 , wherein the outer lower surface comprises the first opening.

24 . The portable camera according to claim 22 wherein the display is inclined relative to the outer lower surface if the second body portion is connected with the first body portion.

25 . The portable camera according to claim 23 wherein if the first body portion is connected to the second body portion a distance between the lighting unit and the outer lower surface is smaller than the a distance between the sensor and the outer lower surface.

26 . The portable camera according to claim 1 wherein the sensor is provided with an optical axis wherein, in use, the at least one lighting unit is positioned within a lighting unit plane which is perpendicular to the optical axes wherein the lighting unit plane lies between the sensor and the outer lower surface and/or in that the sensor is provided with an optical axis which intersects a flat plane through the first opening in substantially a centre of the first opening.

27 . The portable camera according to claim 21 , wherein the second body portion is provided with a first and second side extending substantially parallel to each other wherein the second side comprises the display and the first side faces the first body portion if the first body portion is connected to the second body portion and/or in that the second body portion has an overall shape of a flat rectangular plate.

28 . The portable camera according to claim 21 , wherein the first body portion is provided with a first and second side extending at an angle relative to each other wherein the first side comprises the first opening and the second side comprises the second opening wherein the first side of the second body portion faces the second side of the first body portion if the first body portion is connected to the second body portion.

29 . The portable camera according to claim 21 , wherein a portion of an inner surface of the first body portion is curved such that, in use, it reflects some of the light emitted by the lighting unit towards the first opening if the first body portion is connected to the second body portion.

30 . The portable camera according to claim 29 , wherein the portion of the inner surface is arranged such that the portion of the light emitted by the lighting unit which is reflected by the portion of the inner surface is reflected in a diffused manner.

31 . The portable camera according to claim 29 , wherein a distance between the lighting unit and the portion of the curved inner surface is smaller than a distance between the sensor and the portion of the curved inner surface.

32 . The portable camera according to claim 29 , wherein the portion of the inner surface is arranged such that the portion of the light emitted by the lighting unit which is reflected by the portion of the inner surface is reflected towards an area of the first opening having a larger distance to the lighting unit than other areas of the first opening, in that the portion of the inner surface is arranged such that the portion of the light emitted by the lighting unit which is reflected by the portion of the inner surface is reflected towards an area of the first opening having a larger distance to the lighting unit than each other areas of the first opening wherein in particular the area of the first opening having a larger distance to the lighting unit than other areas forms a first halve of the first opening and the other areas form a second halve of the first opening wherein the first halve and the second halve in combination form the first opening.

33 . The portable camera according to claim 29 , wherein the light rays emitted by the lighting unit which directly illuminates a plane laying in the first opening provide a first distribution of light intensity in the plane which is not uniform spread over this plane wherein the portion of the inner surface is arranged such that the portion of the light emitted by the lighting unit which is reflected by the portion of the inner surface provides in combination with the light rays which are directly received in the plane a total distribution of light intensity in the plane which is more uniform spread over this plane than the first distribution.

34 . The portable camera according to claim 29 , wherein the first opening is provided with a first edge and a second edge laying opposite to each other wherein the lighting unit directly illuminates a plane through the first opening adjacent the first edge with an intensity which is higher than the intensity by which the plane adjacent the second edge is directly illuminated by the lighting unit and wherein the portion of the inner surface is arranged such that the portion of the light emitted by the lighting unit which is reflected by the portion of the inner surface illuminates the plane adjacent the first edge with an intensity which is lower than the intensity by which the plane adjacent the second edge is illuminated by the lighting unit via the portion of the inner surface.

35 . The portable camera according to claim 29 , wherein the portion of the inner surface is arranged such that the portion of the light emitted by the lighting unit which is reflected by the portion of the inner surface has a larger intensity on a position laying in the first opening having a larger distance to the lighting unit than other positions laying in the first opening.

36 . The portable camera according to claim 29 , wherein the portion of the inner surface is arranged such that the portion of the light emitted by the lighting unit which is reflected by the portion of the inner surface increases the intensity of the light more in a first area of the first opening than in a second area of the first opening wherein the intensity of the light in the first area as a result of the light which is directly received from the lighting unit in the first area is lower than the intensity of the light in the second area as a result of the light which is directly received from the lighting unit in the second area, wherein in particular the first area and the second are each form a half of the first opening and wherein the first area and the second area in combination form the first opening.

37 . The portable camera according to claim 29 , wherein the portion of the inner surface is arranged such that the portion of the light emitted by the lighting unit which is reflected by the portion of the inner surface is mainly reflected in predetermined directions wherein each of the predetermined directions and a normal of the outer lower surface enclose an angle which is smaller than 90 degrees.

38 . The portable camera according to claim 1 wherein the processing means is arranged for extracting text from the object and for converting extracted text into speech.

39 . The portable camera according to claim 1 wherein the processing means is arranged for selective magnification of the image to be displayed on the display.

40 . A portable camera for recording an image of an object such as printed paper wherein the camera is arranged to be positioned on an object to be recorded wherein the cameras is provided with an outer lower surface which is arranged to be in contact with the object if the camera is positioned on the object, a light sensitive sensor for obtaining an in image of at least a portion of the object, and processing means for processing the image obtained by means of the sensor, wherein the camera is provided with at least one lighting unit for lighting the object to be recorded when the camera is positioned on the object, characterized in that, the camera is arranged such that light rays of the at least one lighting unit which are, in use, submitted to the object are directly submitted to the object, wherein the lighting unit is arranged within the camera such that if the object which is recorded would be a flat mirror whereon the camera is positioned for recording the flat mirror, the lighting unit is located outside a viewing field of the sensor which viewing field is formed in combination with the flat mirror.

41 . (canceled)

42 . A portable camera for recording and displaying an image of an object such as printed paper, wherein the camera is arranged to be positioned on an object to be recorded wherein the cameras is provided with an outer lower surface which is arranged to be in contact with the object if the camera is positioned on the object, a light sensitive sensor for obtaining an image of at least a portion of the object, a display and processing means for processing the image obtained by means of the sensor and for displaying at least a portion of the recorded image on the display, in possible a magnified form, wherein the camera is provided with at least one lighting unit for lighting the object to be recorded when the camera is positioned on the object, characterized in that, the camera is provided with a first body portion, a second body portion and a means for connecting and disconnecting the first body portion and the second body portion, wherein the second body portion is provided with the lighting unit, the sensor and the display and wherein the first body portion is arranged to be positioned on the object to be recorded while the second body portion is connected with the first body portion such that, in use, the first body portion provides a fixed distance between the second body portion and the object to be recorded wherein the first body portion is provided with a side wall surrounding an inner space of the first body portion and a first and second opening lying opposite to each other and each providing visible access to the inner space (if the first body portion and the second body portion are disconnected from each other) wherein if the first body portion and the second body portion are connected together the second opening faces the second body portion and the first opening, in use, faces the object to be recorded such that the sensor can capture an image of the object to be recorded via the second opening, the space and the first opening.

43 . The portable camera according to claim 42 , wherein the first body portion comprises the outer lower surface.

44 . The portable camera according to claim 43 , wherein the outer lower surface comprises the first opening.

45 . The portable camera according to claim 43 wherein the display is inclined relative to the outer lower surface if the second body portion is connected with the first body portion.

46 . The portable camera according to claim 44 wherein if the first body portion is connected to the second body portion a distance between the lighting unit and the outer lower surface is smaller than the a distance between the sensor and the outer lower surface.

47 . The portable camera according to claim 42 , wherein the sensor is provided with an optical axis wherein, in use, the at least one lighting unit is positioned within a lighting unit plane which is perpendicular to the optical axes wherein the lighting unit plane lies between the sensor and the outer lower surface.

48 . The portable camera according to claim 42 , wherein the second body portion is provided with a first and second side extending substantially parallel to each other wherein the second side comprises the display and the first side faces the first body portion if the first body portion is connected to the second body portion and/or in that the second body portion has an overall shape of a flat rectangular plate.

49 . The portable camera according to claim 42 , wherein the first body portion is provided with a first and second side extending at an angle relative to each other wherein the first side comprises the first opening and the second side comprises the second opening wherein the first side of the second body portion faces the second side of the first body portion if the first body portion is connected to the second body portion.

50 . The portable camera according to claim 42 , wherein a portion of an inner surface of the first body portion is curved such that, in use, it reflects some of the light emitted by the lighting unit towards the first opening if the first body portion is connected to the second body portion.

51 . The portable camera according to claim 50 , wherein the portion of the inner surface is arranged such that the portion of the light emitted by the lighting unit which is reflected by the portion of the inner surface is reflected in a diffused manner.

52 . The portable camera according to claim 50 , wherein a distance between the lighting unit and the portion of the curved inner surface is smaller than a distance between the sensor and the portion of the curved inner surface.

53 . The portable camera according to claim 50 wherein the portion of the inner surface is arranged such that the portion of the light emitted by the lighting unit which is reflected by the portion of the inner surface is reflected towards an area of the first opening having a larger distance to the lighting unit than other areas of the first opening, more particularly in that the portion of the inner surface is arranged such that the portion of the light emitted by the lighting unit which is reflected by the portion of the inner surface is reflected towards an area of the first opening having a larger distance to the lighting unit than each other areas of the first opening wherein in particular the area of the first opening having a larger distance to the lighting unit than other areas forms a first halve of the first opening and the other areas form a second halve of the first opening wherein the first halve and the second halve in combination form the first opening.

54 . The portable camera according to claim 50 , wherein the light rays emitted by the lighting unit which directly illuminates a plane laying in the first opening provide a first distribution of light intensity in the plane which is not uniform spread over this plane wherein the portion of the inner surface is arranged such that the portion of the light emitted by the lighting unit which is reflected by the portion of the inner surface provides in combination with the light rays which are directly received in the plane a total distribution of light intensity in the plane which is more uniform spread over this plane than the first distribution.

55 . The portable camera according to claim 50 , wherein the first opening is provided with a first edge and a second edge laying opposite to each other wherein the lighting unit directly illuminates a plane through the first opening adjacent the first edge with an intensity which is higher than the intensity by which the plane adjacent the second edge is directly illuminated by the lighting unit and wherein the portion of the inner surface is arranged such that the portion of the light emitted by the lighting unit which is reflected by the portion of the inner surface illuminates the plane adjacent the first edge with an intensity which is lower than the intensity by which the plane adjacent the second edge is illuminated by the lighting unit via the portion of the inner surface.

56 . The portable camera according to claim 50 , wherein the portion of the inner surface is arranged such that the portion of the light emitted by the lighting unit which is reflected by the portion of the inner surface has a larger intensity on a position laying in the first opening having a larger distance to the lighting unit than other positions laying in the first opening.

57 . The portable camera according to claim 50 , wherein the portion of the inner surface is arranged such that the portion of the light emitted by the lighting unit which is reflected by the portion of the inner surface increases the intensity of the light more in a first area of the first opening than in a second area of the first opening wherein the intensity of the light in the first area as a result of the light which is directly received from the lighting unit in the first area is lower than the intensity of the light in the second area as a result of the light which is directly received from the lighting unit in the second area wherein in particular the first area and the second are each form a half of the first opening and wherein the first area and the second area in combination form the first opening.

58 . The portable camera according to claim 50 , wherein the portion of the inner surface is arranged such that the portion of the light emitted by the lighting unit which is reflected by the portion of the inner surface is mainly reflected in predetermined directions wherein each of the predetermined directions and a normal of the outer lower surface enclose an angle which is smaller than 90 degrees.

59 . The portable camera of claim 1 wherein light rays of the at least one lighting unit which are, in use, submitted to the object are directly submitted to the object via a mirror and/or a lens.

60 . The portable camera according to claim 19 , wherein the first body portion has the same overall shape and size as the second body portion.

61 . The portable camera according to claim 37 , wherein each of the predetermined directions and a normal of the outer lower surface enclose an angle smaller than 60 degrees.

62 . The portable camera according to claim 37 , wherein each of the predetermined directions and a normal of the outer lower surface enclose an angle smaller than 45 degrees.

63 . The portable camera of claim 40 wherein light rays of the at least one lighting unit which are, in use, submitted to the object are directly submitted to the object via a mirror and/or a lens.

64 . The portable camera according to claim 58 , wherein each of the predetermined directions and a normal of the outer lower surface enclose an angle smaller than 60 degrees.

65 . The portable camera according to claim 58 , wherein each of the predetermined directions and a normal of the outer lower surface enclose an angle smaller than 45 degrees.