Apparatus for capturing image

(54) APPARATUS FOR CAPTURING IMAGE

(75) Inventors: Samuel Liang, Tainan Hsien (TW);

Gene Tai, Hsinchu (TW); Chuck Lo,
Hsinchu (TW)

(73) Assignee: Mustek Systems, Inc., Hsinchu (TW)

( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term ol this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.

(21) Appl. No.: 09/247,297

(22) Filed: Feb. 10, 1999

(51) Int. C I. II04J 15 00

(52) U.S. CI 358/425; 358/434

(58) Field of Search 358/425, 434,

358/446, 447, 448; 370/916, 537, 545; 341/126, 141, 144, 146, 155, 162; 348/212

(56) References Cited

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

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5,523,861 A * 6/1996 Tanaka et al 358/475

Apparatus for acquiring an image utilizing serial transmission between the analog-to-digital converting means and the processing means (ASIC) is disclosed herein. The image acquiring system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes the following devices. The image sensor converts an image to an electrical signal responding to a trigger signal. An amplifier amplifies the power of the electrical signal mentioned above, and the amplified electrical signal is of the analog format. The A/D converting device converts the amplified electrical signal from the analog format to the digital format responding to a reference voltage, wherein the A/D converting device outputs the digitized electrical signal in series. The processing device stores the digitized electrical signal in a memory, wherein the trigger signal is generated by the processing device responding to the digitized electrical signal. The reference voltage mentioned above is generated corresponding to a reference digit, wherein the reference digit is generated responding to the digitized electrical signal, the digitized electrical signal being transmitted to the processing

means in series.

9 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets