Abstract: The invention relates to building spherical panoramas for image-based virtual reality systems. The image-based spherical panoramas can be navigated in any desired view direction (360-degrees) by suitable three-dimensional image browsers or viewers. The method and system also includes computing the number of photographs required to be taken and the azimuth angle of the center point of each photograph for building a spherical environment map representative of the spherical panorama. The method and system also includes an algorithm for computing the accurate azimuth angles of these taken photographs and seaming them together to build the spherical environment map.

Abstract: A biosensor for monitoring an analyte content with a partial voltage generated therefrom is provided. The present biosensor includes a chip having a resistance Rs, a power source, and a microprocessor. The power source is used for supplying an applied voltage on the chip. The chip generates a time-dependent response current in response to a content of an analyte of a specimen applied thereon upon supplying the applied voltage on the chip. The microprocessor receives a time-dependent partial voltage caused from the chip due to the time-dependent response current, and determines the content of the analyte in accordance with the time-dependent partial voltage. The present biosensor is provided with fewer elements than a conventional one. A purpose of cost down is thus obtained.

Abstract: An apparatus for capturing a document with a plurality of compression models comprises an image-processing system and an image-capturing system. The image-processing system is for accepting a request of setting the compression models for the document and processing the data of the document according to the compression models, wherein the request is from an exterior electric device connected to the apparatus. The image-capturing system is for capturing the data of the document, and is connected to the image-processing system and comprises multitudes of optic devices. The method for capturing the document with these compression models comprises accepting a request of setting the compression models for the document; capturing the data of the document; and processing the data of the document with these compression models.

Abstract: A method of automatically detecting a test result of a probe zone of a test strip Is provided. In one embodiment, he method comprises capturing an image of a bar code and an image of at least one test strip from a scanning object, determining a setting value for the at least one test strip based, at least in part, on said captured image of said bar code, determining a color response of the at least one test strip, based at least in part on the captured image of said at least one test strip, and determining a test result for the at least one test strip, based at least in part on the determined color response and the determined setting value.

Abstract: The present invention provides a calibration method and circuit for outputting an average calibration value used in an image-capture apparatus. The calibration circuit comprises difference means accepting a plurality of digital signals from capturing a pixel of a calibration chart. The difference means is for operating each digital signal with subtracting a base value, and whereby filters any aberrant digital signal. Divider means accepts the digital signals for operating each digital signal with dividing a number of scanned times, and whereby prevents an operation of any signal from overflowing. Direct average means accepts the digital signals for summing the digital signals and then divides the number of scanned times, and whereby speeds a calibration operation.

Abstract: A carrier device for a contact image sense optical scanner. The carrier device incorporates a pair of magnets with identical poles facing each other or a fluid filled sealed chamber for exerting an equal pressure on a scanning module within the scanner and maintaining close contact with a document platform throughout a scanning operation.

Abstract: The border of object in an image is blurred and so the modulation transfer function (MTF) of an image is reduced due to the blurred border. This present invention provides a deductive method for determining a border of an object in an image. Then the border of the object therein is amended and so the MTF of image is increased. In regard to an increasingly changeable color image, the present invention provides a deductive method in deciding upon a gray scale of the image to increase the color accuracy in amending an image.

Abstract: A paper-separating plate is adapted for a paper-separating mechanism having a paper-separating roller. The paper-separating plate placed around a side of the paper-separating roller comprises a main body and a cushion. The main body has a surface and a plurality of grooves and the grooves are positioned on the surface. The cushion is positioned on the surface of the main body and covers the grooves. The cushion positioned over the partial grooves is elastically pressed onto the paper-separating roller. The grooves are linear and the direction of extending the linear grooves is substantially parallel with the axis of the paper-separating roller, the linear grooves neighboring one another or each other. Besides, the cushion is made of flexible material and the main body is made of rigid material.

Abstract: A light source control method and apparatus of an image scanner is disclosed. The invention utilizes a determination means and an illumination control device to perform partial or full illumination and adjust brightness so that the light source can be operated more efficiently and more economically.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for drawing and formatting an image are described. In at least one embodiment, when a user prepares to use an application, or a file, to treat the scanned image of an object, the user only needs to place the object on a scanner and to select the icon of the application, or the file, and compile it with the icon of the scanner. The utilization of several embodiments of the present invention will automatically drive the driver of the scanner and integrate the relative information into the driver. Thus, after the scanned image is acquired, the application is activated to treat the scanned image. Further, the format of the scanned image could be transformed by some applications such as the OCR.

Abstract: A scanning chassis is suited for scanning a document. The scanning chassis includes a case, a light source, at least one reflector, a lens assembly and an optical sensor. The case has a light transparent slot shaped like a bar form, wherein the widths corresponding to the points along the longitudinal direction of the light transparent slot are not all the same. The light source can illuminate the document and an image can be generated at the place where the document is illuminated by the light source. The image can be projected on the reflector through the light transparent slot. The image can be projected on the lens assembly by the reflector's reflecting the image. The image can be projected on the optical sensor after the image passes through the lens assembly.

Abstract: A scanning circuit having rearranged circuit modules at each end of a flat cable. After the rearrangement, the flat cable carries scanning control signals produced by a conventional IC communication interface instead of timing signals and carries digital image data instead of easily distorted and interfered analog image signals.

Abstract: A method for differentiating dynamic range of image is disclosed. The method comprises the following steps. First of all, pixel numbers with the same level value of Density units D.sub.n?1 and D.sub.n are compared. Next the minimum pixel numbers of each level value of Density units D.sub.n?1 and D.sub.n are counted. Then the minimum pixel numbers of each level value of Density units D.sub.n?1 and D.sub.n are summed. Next the ratio of total minimum pixel number and total pixel number R and a specification value R.sub.s are compared. Then whether R is smaller than R.sub.s or not is determined so as to recognize whether Density units D.sub.n?1 and D.sub.n could be differentiated or not.

Abstract: A document surface micro-adjust mechanism for an optical scanner. The optical scanner has an outer casing with a transparent document platform in the upper section. An optical lens is enclosed inside the outer casing. The document surface micro-adjust mechanism uses a carrier chassis to embed the transparent document platform. One end of the carrier chassis is hinged upon the upper wall of the outer casing while the other end of the carrier chassis has a through hole to be engaged to a locking hole on a latching structure attached to the upper section of the outer casing. A locking element passes through the through-hole to engage with the locking hole. An elastic element is positioned between the carrier chassis and the latching structure. Depth of the locking element inside the locking hole may be adjusted to vary optical distance from the document surface of the transparent document platform to the optical lens inside the scanner.

Abstract: An optical module with movable reflective mirrors is provided in the invention. The optical module, which is set in a scanner for the scanning of documents, comprises the following elements: a first carriage comprising a first reflective mirror, a lens and a photoelectric sensing device, wherein the first carriage moves along the scanning direction to scan the document to be scanned; a second carriage comprising a second reflective mirror, a lens and a photoelectric sensing device, wherein the second carriage can make relative movement corresponding to the first carriage along the scanning direction; and a third carriage comprising a third reflective mirror, a lens and an photoelectric sensing device, wherein the third carriage can make relative movement corresponding to the first carriage along the scanning direction.

Abstract: A photographic film scanning device includes an image scanner including a first casing having a transparent top surface and an optical scanning module movably arranged inside the first casing. A film driving assembly includes a second casing having a detachable bottom removably positioned on the top surface of the first casing. A light-transmitting window is defined in the bottom, having a length and a width. A film driving mechanism is arranged inside the second casing, including a film container for containing a length of film and a film spool for windingly receiving the film roll, respectively arranged on opposite longitudinal ends of the window. A motor drives a toothed wheel engaging perforations defined in the film for moving the film across the length of the window. A light source projects light through the film and the window toward the optical scanning module for performing scanning operation of the film.

Abstract: Embodiments of the claimed subject matter comprise a movable locking device for a scanner. In one embodiment, the movable locking device is used to affix a moving mechanical part inside a scanner, such as inside an optical chassis of the scanner. In this embodiment, the scanner comprises a platform, a lifting cover and a hinge set. The scanner uses the hinge set to allow the lifting cover to rotate relatively to the platform. The locking device includes a movable structure member and a buckling groove, in which the movable structure member includes a stopping piece and a holding rod used as the axis of rotation of the hinge set.

Abstract: A method of shortening multiple image-scanning duration including setting the scanning parameters of each images in a pre-scanning operation, categorizing the images into groups, assigning images belonging to the same group to a scanning region and finally initializing the scanning operation.

Abstract: A method of operating an optical module/printer module system through a changer such that either the optical module or the printer module is driven. A first module and a second module is defined such that if the first module is an optical module, the second module is a printer module and if the first module is a printer module, the second module is an optical module. The operating method includes the following steps. In step one, the changer engages with the first module and drives the first module. In step two, the changer rotates so that the changer detaches from the first module and engages with the second module. In step three, the changer drives the second module.

Abstract: A scanning chassis is suited for scanning a document. The scanning chassis includes a case, a light source, at least one reflector, a lens assembly and an optical sensor. The case has a light transparent slot shaped like a bar form, wherein the widths corresponding to the points along the longitudinal direction of the light transparent slot are not all the same. The light source can illuminate the document and an image can be generated at the place where the document is illuminated by the light source. The image can be projected on the reflector through the light transparent slot. The image can be projected on the lens assembly by the reflector's reflecting the image. The image can be projected on the optical sensor after the image passes through the lens assembly.