초록 ▼

An image is optically scanned by projecting the image onto an optical sensor through an optical shutter. In an exemplary embodiment, the image is projected through the optical shutter while the shutter is made substantially opaque except for a selected substantially transparent group of contiguous p

An image is optically scanned by projecting the image onto an optical sensor through an optical shutter. In an exemplary embodiment, the image is projected through the optical shutter while the shutter is made substantially opaque except for a selected substantially transparent group of contiguous pixels. Then, the contents of the document are scanned by advancing this group of pixels across the shutter in a predetermined pattern. The shutter, for example, may comprise an LCD screen. To scan a document, the document is first placed against the shutter. As a light source directs light through the document and the shutter, the shutter is made substantially opaque except for a selected substantially transparent group of contiguous pixels. Then, the contents of the document are scanned by advancing this group of pixels across the shutter in a predetermined pattern. The document may be placed against either side of the shutter--near the light source or near the optical sensor.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An image scanning apparatus for scanning an image of an object that is placed against a face of an optical shutter, comprising:an optical shutter comprising an LCD screen having first and second faces and a plurality of individually activateable pixels therebetween compri

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An image scanning apparatus for scanning an image of an object that is placed against a face of an optical shutter, comprising:an optical shutter comprising an LCD screen having first and second faces and a plurality of individually activateable pixels therebetween comprising three arrays of individually activateable LCD pixels, said optical shutter presenting image data by activating pixels of the plurality of pixels, each pixel having a first transparency when activated and a second transparency when not activated, the first and second transparencies being first and second colors respectively, the pixels of each of the three arrays having a different transparency than pixels of other arrays when un-activated, the pixels of each of the three arrays when de-activated being respectively red, green, and blue;a light source positioned to direct light through the object that is placed against a face of the optical shutter, and through non-activated pixels of said plurality of pixels, the light source being configured to project a pattern of light that evenly covers the first face of the optical shutter when not obstructed by any portion of the object;an optical sensor positioned adjacent the second face for sensing light passing through the object and through corresponding non-activated pixels of the plurality of pixels;a scanner controller comprising a microprocessor coupled to the optical shutter, the scanner controller being configured to activate substantially all of said pixels while leaving a contiguous grouping of one or more of said pixels un-activated of the red, green, and blue arrays, in sequence, and to change activation status of said plurality of pixels such that the grouping of un-activated pixels scans across the optical shutter in a predetermined two-dimensional pattern systematically traversing an entire image area substantially corresponding with the second face of the optical shutter by moving the grouping of un-activated pixels at a predetermined speed, and wherein the scanner controller is coupled to the light source to exert control over the light source, and wherein the scanner controller is also coupled to the optical sensor; anda storage unit communicatively coupled to the scanner controller, the storage unit containing computer-executable instructions executable by the scanner controller.