CopyCat
CopyCat is a handheld scanning and image-handling device with fax and email capability. A previous generation of the product, known internally as the FastFax, has been licensed out for manufacturing.
The current version is not only lighter, sleeker and smaller than the first generation product, but also offers increased performance in terms of display and scanning resolution, image storage, user interface, and connectivity to peripherals (GSM phone, printer, PC and so on).
Cambridge Technology Consultants have developed a working CopyCat prototype demonstrator, and is now looking for a suitable joint venture partner. The CopyCat is a hand portable (220mm x 90mm x 19mm) Information Appliance capable of performing the following functions:
| Image Capture | In a single swipe, CopyCat can capture a wide range of information, from newspapers and books to drawings and hand-written notes. |
|---|---|
| Storage | Up to 100 A4 pages of information can be stored in memory (based on a mixture of greyscale and black and white images.) |
| Selection | Stored images can be selected from a gallery of thumbnail images that represent each document (each document can be made up one or more pages of information.) |
| Viewing | Zooming in and out of images allows the user to view images on the screen either as thumbnails (suitable for selection), to fit the width of the screen (provides an overall image) or 1:1 (providing finer detail). Where required, scroll bars allow the image to be viewed left, right, top and bottom. |
| Copying | CopyCat captures and stores hardcopy documents as electronic documents. They can be copied to a PC or printer. |
| Sending | Images can be transmitted by connection with the PSTN or mobile phone. They can be sent as a Fax, or via E-mail as a JPEG or TIFF attachment. |
| Receiving | Faxes and E-mails, including TIFF and JPEG attachments, can be received by connecting to the PSTN or mobile phone. |
CTC has been working in the mobile data market for the last 9 years and has developed the following core technology. Much of this is available for purchase or license: if you are interested, follow the links for further information or contact CTC directly.
Core Technology - Hardware & Software
- Image Capture In Real Time
- Using Contact Image Sensor or CCD array
- Image Compression
- Huffman (T4)
- JPEG
- TIFF
- Image Transmission & Reception
- Using FAX or E-MAIL attachments
- Image Printing
- Dithering to obtain grey scales
- Using parallel port or IrDA interface
- Image Scaling
- For viewing and printing
- Communications
- Fax Class1 & 2
- T30
- OE-IrDA
- TCP/IP
- PPP
- POP3/SMTP
- PAP/CHAP
- DNS
- OE-CMOS - the Cambridge Technology Consultants Co-operative Multi-tasking Operating System
- GUI
- Easy to use - suitable for touch screen
- Interfaces: Parallel, Serial, IrDA, PCMCIA
- Battery Charging
- Low power design
- Modular design
CopyCat Prototype
CTC has applied the core technology to produce a working prototype. The prototype uses a contact image sensor for grey scale scanning. The unit captures, displays and compresses the images in real time. This is achieved by using the processing power of a StrongARM SA1100 micro controller. IrDA provides the data links with both printer and mobile phone. An earlier development can demonstrate both fax and e-mail.
IPR
The product concept has been granted US and European patents. If you are interested in knowing more, please feel free to contact us directly.
