An image forming apparatus includes an image reading unit configured to read an image formed on an object to be scanned, an image forming device configured to form an image on a printing object, a first processing unit configured to perform short-range radio communication to perform at least one of data reading operation from an information storage unit mounted on the object to be scanned and data writing operation to the information storage unit, and a second processing unit configured to perform short-range radio communication with the information storage unit mounted on the printing object to perform at least one of the data reading operation from the information storage unit and the data writing operation to the information storage unit. In the image forming apparatus, each one of the first processing unit and the second processing unit is configured to perform the short-range radio communication using a same antenna unit.

A reading device includes a carriage configured to move in a sub-scanning direction with reference to an object placed on a contact glass, an optical sensor attached to the carriage, the optical sensor being configured to scan the object placed on the contact glass to obtain an image of the object, and a reference scale used as a reference when a dimension of the object is computed based on the image obtained by the optical sensor. In the reading device, the reference scale extends in a main scanning direction and a sub-scanning direction with reference to the object, and is disposed outside a range of image acquisition in which the optical sensor scans the object to obtain the image of the object as the carriage moves and inside a maximum movement range in which the carriage is movable and the optical sensor obtains the image of the object.

A 3D scanner system includes a scanning device capable of recording first and second data sets of a surface of an object when operating in a first configuration and a second configuration, respectively. A measurement unit is configured for measuring a distance from the scanning device to the surface. A control controls an operation of the scanning device based on the distance measured by the measurement unit, where the scanning device operates in the first configuration when the measured distance is within a first range of distances from the surface and the scanning device operates in the second configuration when the measured distance is within a second range of distances; and a data processor is configured to combine one or more first data sets and one or more second data sets to create a combined virtual 3D model of the object surface.

Embodiments of a system and method for automating shipping for a physical object can include an object dimensions measurer (ODM) operable to collect and wirelessly transmit a dimensions dataset for the physical object, an object weight measurer (OWM) operable to collect and wirelessly transmit a weight dataset for the physical object, and a shipping automation system operable to receive datasets from the ODM and the OWM, implement a compatibility rule facilitating standardization of requirements for service levels provided by shipping carriers, determine object characteristics for the physical object, determine object characteristic specifications required by the service levels, and determine a service level for the physical object based on the object characteristics and the object characteristic specifications.

A dice scanner for assisting in electronic gaming is disclosed which comprises a flat scanner with a scanning surface and a processor. The scanning surface is adapted for the rolling of one or more thrown dice and the flat scanner is configured for acquiring images of the scanning surface and the dice rolling or resting on that scanning surface in real time. The processor is configured for receiving one or more acquired images of the scanning surface and deriving therefrom data relating to the dice. The dice scanner also comprises a video acquisition system and/or an audio acquisition system which are arranged relative to the scanning surface such that at least a user face and/or at least a user voice can be recorded while gaming.

Disclosed is a 3D scanner for recording the 3D topography of an object, the 3D scanner including: a projector unit configured for projecting a structured beam of probe light onto the object; an imaging unit arranged to acquire 2D images of the object when the object is illuminated by the structured probe light beam; and an actuator unit arranged to control the position of the structured probe light beam at the object by rotating a movable portion of the projector unit around a pivoting axis, the actuator unit including a rotation motor including or arranged to drive a wheel, where the surface of the wheel operatively coupled to the movable portion of the projector unit has a radial distance from the axis of the rotation motor which changes with the rotation.

A reading device includes a carriage movable in a sub-scanning direction, an optical sensor mounted on the carriage, the optical sensor being configured to scan an object placed on a contact glass, a reference scale used as a reference when a dimension of the object is computed based on an image obtained as the optical sensor scans the object, a flat gauge to be scanned by the optical sensor to calculate a corrective value used to correct the image obtained by the optical sensor, and circuitry to calculate the corrective value based on a scanned image including the reference scale and the flat gauge obtained by the optical sensor, and correct, based on the corrective value, a measurement image including an image of the object and an image of the reference scale obtained by the optical sensor and compute the dimension of the object based on the corrected measurement image.

The present invention provides a device for reconstructing a 3D model. The device includes: a camera; and a processor configured to: determine a class of a subject; capture one or more images of the subject by using the camera; extract semantic information from the images based on the determined class; update the 3D model by using the images; estimate incomplete semantic parts of the 3D model; and present semantic guidance for the user to capture the incomplete semantic parts. The present invention achieves clearly understandable guidance for reconstructing a complete 3D model.

A print data generating apparatus obtains a BRDF model group for each of a plurality of colors and the angle of incident light in the environment where an object to be reproduced is to be viewed. The print data generating apparatus then applies the angle of the incident light thus obtained to each of the models in the BRDF model group to thereby calculate the reflection distribution of the object to be reproduced for which the angle of the incident light is limited. The print data generating apparatus then outputs color data and form data for each of the models in the BRDF model group based on the reflection distribution, the color data indicating a color to be formed on the surface of the object to be reproduced, the form data indicating the form of the object to be reproduced.

An apparatus and method to produce a hologram of an object includes an electromagnetic radiation assembly configured to receive a received electromagnetic radiation, such as light, from the object. The electromagnetic radiation assembly is further configured to diffract the received electromagnetic radiation and transmit a diffracted electromagnetic radiation. An image capture assembly is configured to capture an image of the diffracted electromagnetic radiation and produce the hologram of the object from the captured image.