Importance

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Abstract

A portable optical scanner has a hand-held housing containing an optical sensor, a first memory for storing information representative of the output of the optical sensor, and a fiber optic image guide extending from the lower end of the housing to a position proximate the optical sensor for communicating an image being scanned from a scanned surface to the optical sensor. A lens disposed intermediate the optical sensor and image guide focuses the image upon the optical sensor. The fiber optic image guide has a lower surface formed at an angle of approximately 65 degrees to the longitudinal axis thereof such that the portable optical scanner is held at a conveniently comfortable angle during the scanning process to mitigate fatigue and improve the reliability of the scanning process. A microphone and second memory for storing information representative of the output of the microphone facilitates the recording of voice annotations to the image being scanned. A display in communication with the optical sensor displays the image being scanned to facilitate proper positioning of the fiber optic image guide during the scanning process. A standby switch and associated circuit permits the optical sensor to be operated in a low power consumption mode when the scanner is turned on but the fiber optic image guide is not in contact with a surface to be scanned. A scan window is adjustable in size to facilitate scanning of various type sizes. The quantity of memory allocated for scanning is proportional to the size of the scan window to optimize memory usage.

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First Claim