Computer peripheral for scanning
US8497840B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 25, 2010 |
| Grant date | Jul 30, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 11, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N1/1071
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A computer peripheral that may operate as a hand-held scanner and, in some embodiments, also as a conventional computer mouse. The components incorporated in the device to support scanning may be compact and may be positioned to allow flexibility in shaping a housing of the device. As a result, the device may be ergonomically shaped to facilitate hand-held use as either a scanner or a mouse. Controls, for mouse or scanner operation, may be readily incorporated into the device. The components may also be low cost. Such a low cost, compact design may be achieved through an appropriate selection of curved reflective surfaces in optical paths through the housing. The curved reflective surface may selectively focus or spread light traveling along an optical path, reducing or eliminating the need for lenses and may enable light emitting elements and an image array to be mounted on the same printed circuit board.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.