Handheld scanner for coded surfaces
A swipe scanner for scanning a graphic image printed on a surface. The surface has a position-coding pattern imposed with the graphic image. The swipe scanner comprises: (a) a first image sensor positioned for imaging portions of the surface during a swipe of the surface, each imaged portion containing part of the position-coding pattern; (b) a second image sensor for capturing, during the swipe, portions of the graphic image; and (c) a processor. The processor is configured for: determining absolute positions of the swipe scanner using the parts of the position-coding pattern; and (d) using the absolute positions to assemble the captured portions of the graphic image into a scanned graphic image.
1. A swipe scanner for scanning a graphic image printed on a surface, said surface having a position-coding pattern imposed with the graphic image, said swipe scanner comprising:
at least one first image sensor positioned for imaging portions of said surface during a swipe of the surface, each imaged portion containing part of the position-coding pattern;
at least one second image sensor for capturing, during said swipe, portions of the graphic image; and
a processor configured for:
determining absolute positions of the swipe scanner using said parts of the position-coding pattern; and
using the absolute positions to assemble said captured portions of said graphic image into a scanned graphic image,
wherein each imaged part of position-coding pattern encodes orientation data identifying an orientation of the position-coding pattern, and wherein said processor is configured to use each imaged part of the position-coding pattern to determine the orientation of the scanner relative to the position-coding pattern, and to use said orientation together with said absolute positions to assemble said captured portions irrespective of swiping said scanner in a plurality of different directions during scanning.
2. The swipe scanner of claim 1 , further comprising a motion sensor for sensing relative motion of the scanner.
3. The swipe scanner of claim 2 , wherein said processor is configured to use relative motion data together with said absolute positions to assemble said captured portions into said scanned image.
4. The swipe scanner of claim 2 , wherein said motion sensor comprises said first image sensor.
5. The swipe scanner of claim 4 , wherein said motion sensor is an optical mouse sensor.
6. The swipe scanner of claim 1 , wherein said position-coding pattern further identifies an identity, said identity identifying said graphic image, said surface or a region of said surface.
7. The swipe scanner of claim 1 , further comprising communication means for communicating with a computer system.
8. The swipe scanner of claim 1 , wherein said second image sensor is a linear image sensor.
9. The swipe scanner of claim 8 , wherein said second image sensor extends substantially a width of said scanner.
10. A handheld device comprising the swipe scanner according to claim 1 .
11. The handheld device of claim 10 , which is selected from the group comprising: a mobile phone and a personal digital assistant.