Abstract: A transparency adapter includes a frame configured to removably receive and support a transparent media to be scanned, and a housing cooperating with the frame to position the frame at a comfortable viewing angle. A method of scanning an image residing on transparent media and a system for improving the scanning of transparencies on the platen of a reflective scanner are also disclosed.

Abstract: An anti-counterfeiting system and method modifies the data within a first data set having data in a first data arrangement to create a second data arrangement for the first data set, determines whether data on an object is consistent with the data of the first or second data arrangement for the first data set, and accepts the object if the data on the object is determined to be consistent with the data of the first or second data arrangement for the first data set, else rejects the object.

Abstract: In representative embodiments, an apparatus includes a semi-transparent material piece having a particulate distributed within the piece, wherein the particulate is capable of diffusing light passing through the piece. In a preselected direction, the thickness of the piece varies with position. When light enters the piece in the preselected direction, the piece diffuses the light more in regions of greater thickness than in regions of lesser thickness. In other representative embodiments, another apparatus includes a light source, a reflector, and a semi-transparent material piece. The reflector is capable of redirecting light from the light source onto a surface of the piece. A particulate is distributed within the piece, wherein the particulate is capable of diffusing light passing through the piece. In a preselected direction, the thickness of the piece varies with position.

Abstract: A transparency adapter includes a frame configured to removably receive and support a transparent media to be scanned, and a housing cooperating with the frame to position the frame at a comfortable viewing angle. A method of scanning an image residing on transparent media and a system for improving the scanning of transparencies on the platen of a reflective scanner are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for diffusing light. In representative embodiments, an apparatus is disclosed that comprises a semi-transparent material piece having a particulate distributed within the piece, wherein the particulate is capable of diffusing light passing through the piece. In a preselected direction, the thickness of the piece varies with position. When light enters the piece in the preselected direction, the piece diffuses the light more in regions of greater thickness than in regions of lesser thickness. In other representative embodiments, another apparatus is disclosed that comprises a light source, a reflector, and a semi-transparent material piece. The reflector is capable of redirecting light from the light source onto a surface of the piece. A particulate is distributed within the piece, wherein the particulate is capable of diffusing light passing through the piece. In a preselected direction, the thickness of the piece varies with position.

Abstract: Documents are managed in a document management system using a document management method. An image of a document is generated. At least one keyword is identified in the document image. The at least one keyword is identified by locating keyword fields in the document image and detecting words in the keyword fields. The keyword fields are located by either searching for the keyword fields in a selected location of the document image or detecting a field indicator within the document image and locating the keyword fields relative to the field indicator. The at least one keyword is identified by recognizing characters in the document image. Words are detected from characters recognized in the document image. A document name is generated from the at least one keyword. The document image is stored with the document name.

Abstract: An anti-counterfeiting system and method modifies the data within a first data set having data in a first data arrangement to create a second data arrangement for the first data set, determines whether data on an object is consistent with the data of the first or second data arrangement for the first data set, and accepts the object if the data on the object is determined to be consistent with the data of the first or second data arrangement for the first data set, else rejects the object.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a hand-held scanning device in which the scanning device housing window is attached directly to the optical assembly. In this manner, alignment between the window and the optical assembly may be maintained even when the housing is being subjected to stress. The window is also designed to float with respect to at least a portion of the housing, thus allowing the housing to flex without causing movement of the window relative to the optical assembly. A tortuous path seal arrangement may be provided between the window and the housing. The tortuous path seal allows the housing to move relatively to the window, and yet inhibits the entry of dust and other contaminants into the interior of the housing through the space provided between the window and the housing.

Abstract: An articulated reactor may comprise a generally rectangular member having a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis, an elongate inlet side, and an elongate outlet side. A raised portion extends along a direction that is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis and at least one slot extends from about the elongate outlet side to about the elongate inlet side. The slot forms at least two fingers the raised portions of which are biased against a roller associated with a scanner device when the scanner device is positioned adjacent the articulated reactor.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a hand-held scanning device which contacts an object to be scanned only at substantially colinear points, e.g., via a roller. This configuration allows the scanning device to scan very close to the edge of an object to be scanned while remaining fully supported by the object. In order to counteract detrimental effects caused by tilting of the scanning device during a scan, the scan region of the scanning device is located close to the roller, a relatively high f-number lens is used and a widened illumination area is employed. The scanning device is also configured to provide for easy grasping by a user and to allow the user to view the scan region during a scan.

Abstract: A document scanner method and apparatus is provided which allows for the detection of the presence and size of a document to be scanned. The scanner is also able to determine whether the document being scanned is skewed. The document scanner includes an automatic document feeder (ADF), which includes a light pipe. The light pipe on the ADF redirects light from a light source to extra CCD pixels in a CCD array. Accordingly, when a document is present, the document will come between the light pipe and the light source and the extra CCD pixels in the CCD array will not detect light. When this occurs, a controller will determine that a document is present and will send commands to the ADF to feed the document forward and to the scanner to begin the scanning process. Similarly, other light pipes along the document scan path redirect light to extra CCD pixels of the CCD array and permit document size and document skew to be determined.