Patent ID: 6603581
Filing Date: 2003-08-05
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
A variable resolution optical scanner having a housing having a platen with a scanning area upon which an object to be scanned is placed, said platen positioned in said housing and having a length dimension and a perpendicular width dimension, said apparatus comprising:a light receiving device movably mounted beneath said platen and adapted to be moved reciprocally and parallel to said length dimension; a light receiving guide movably mounted on said light receiving device and adapted to be moved reciprocally and parallel to said width dimension; an image optical sensor for converting an object image into electrical signals representative of said image mounted in said light receiving guide; an adjustable magnification lens assembly mounted in said light receiving guide; an optical pathway including at least one mirror defining an optical path from said platen to said mirror, and from said mirror to and through said adjustable lens to said optical sensor; said adjustable lens assembly adapted to provide a variable field of view of a selectable portion of said scanning area and to provide a variable focus of a selected portion of an object image upon said optical sensor at a first magnification within a predetermined range of magnification, as measured in comparison to an unmagnified field of view of the entire scanning area, and to provide a corresponding first resolution within a range of relatively higher resolutions of said image.