Method and apparatus for capturing the image of bound documents such as books using digital camera

• US 8,134,759 B2
• Filed: 11/19/2008
• Issued: 03/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kuwait University
• Original Assignee: Kuwait University
• Inventors: Albahri, Tareq Abduljalil
• Primary Examiner(s): Baker, Charlotte M
• Assistant Examiner(s): Grisham, Rury
• Application Number:
  US12/274,324
• Publication Number:
  US 20100123941A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,210 Days
• Field of Search: 358/474, 358/512, 358/1.12, 358/504, 358/475, 358/498, 358/451, 399/362, 355/1, 355/25, 382/318, 235/462.01, 356/237.1
• US Class Current: 358/474
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/195 the array comprising a two-dimensional array or a combination of two-dimensional arrays
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/19584 Combination of arrays
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/19594 using a television camera or a still video camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/203 Simultaneous scanning of two or more separate pictures , e.g. two sides of the same sheet refeeding a sheet for double-sided scanning H04N1/00572
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2038 lying in the same plane
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0434 specially adapted for scanning pages of a book

Abstract

There is disclosed an image capture apparatus that facilitates fast, easy and convenient image capture of the two apposing pages of hard to scan bound documents such as thick books. The image capture apparatus has special design features that conveniently and properly positions bound documents to enable capturing distortion-free images without damage to the binding. In one preferred embodiment the invention facilitates the use of a digital image capture module such as a digital camera or digital video camera in performing an equivalent function to a flatbed scanner in recording digital images. In another preferred embodiment the invention facilitates the use of a regular camera in recording photographic images of the bound document. In yet another preferred embodiment the invention facilitates the use of a flatbed scanner in recording digital images.

Claims

1. A device for copying bound documents, comprising:

a housing having a lower support and a side support;

a pivoting scale support having upper and lower ends, the lower end thereof being mounted on an upper surface of the lower support of the housing;

first and second horizontal support plates, each said support plate being mounted on a respective one of a pair of horizontally opposed ends of the upper end of said pivoting scale support, said first and second horizontal support plates being adapted for respectively supporting first and second covers of a bound document to be copied;

a transparent cover pivotally secured to an upper end of the side support of said housing, said transparent cover being adapted for removably covering the bound document;

means for capturing a digital image of the bound document displayed through the transparent cover;

an upper support for supporting said means for capturing the digital image above the transparent cover;

a substantially C-shaped gear secured to said pivoting scale support; and

a manually-driven gear engaging said substantially C-shaped gear for driving rotation thereof to selectively raise and lower said first and second horizontal support plates.

2. The device for copying bound documents as recited in claim 1, wherein said transparent cover is elastically biased with respect to said housing.

3. The device for copying bound documents as recited in claim 2, wherein said pivoting scale support is elastically biased at a pair of horizontally opposed ends of the lower end thereof with respect to the upper surface of the lower support of said housing.

4. The device for copying bound documents as recited in claim 3, further comprising a handle mounted on said transparent cover.

5. The device for copying bound documents as recited in claim 4, further comprising means for selectively actuating said means for capturing the digital image, said means for selective actuating being mounted on said handle.

6. The device for copying bound documents as recited in claim 5, wherein said upper support is telescopic, whereby a user may adjust the height of said means for capturing the digital image with respect to said transparent cover.

7. The device for copying bound documents as recited in claim 6, wherein said means for capturing the digital image comprises a digital camera.

8. The device for copying bound documents as recited in claim 7, further comprising a knob mounted on said manually-driven gear.

9. A device for copying bound documents, comprising:

a housing having a lower support and a side support;

a pivoting scale support having upper and lower ends, the lower end thereof being mounted on an upper surface of the lower support of the housing;

first and second horizontal support plates, each said support plate being mounted on a respective one of a pair of horizontally opposed ends of the upper end of said pivoting scale support, said first and second horizontal support plates being adapted for respectively supporting first and second covers of a bound document to be copied, said first and second horizontal support plates being angled with respect to one another;

a transparent cover pivotally secured to an upper end of the side support of said housing, said transparent cover being adapted for removably covering the bound document, said transparent cover having a substantially V-shaped contour for covering the bound document when the bound document is open in a substantially V-shaped configuration;

first and second means for capturing digital images of first and second sides, respectively, of the bound document displayed through the transparent cover;

a pair of upper supports for supporting said first and second means for capturing the digital images above the transparent cover;

a substantially C-shaped gear secured to said pivoting scale support; and

a manually-driven gear engaging said substantially C-shaped gear for driving rotation thereof to selectively raise and lower said first and second horizontal support plates.

10. The device for copying bound documents as recited in claim 9, wherein said transparent cover is elastically biased with respect to said housing.

11. The device for copying bound documents as recited in claim 10, wherein said pivoting scale support is elastically biased at a pair of horizontally opposed ends of the lower end thereof with respect to the upper surface of the lower support of said housing.

12. The device for copying bound documents as recited in claim 11, further comprising a handle mounted on said transparent cover.

13. The device for copying bound documents as recited in claim 12, further comprising means for selectively actuating said first and second means for capturing the digital images, said means for selective actuating being mounted on said handle.

14. The device for copying bound documents as recited in claim 13, wherein said pair of upper supports are telescopic, whereby a user may adjust the height of said first and second means for capturing the digital images with respect to said transparent cover.

15. The device for copying bound documents as recited in claim 14, wherein said first and second means for capturing the digital images comprise first and second digital cameras, wherein each said digital camera has a central line of sight substantially orthogonal to a plane of the respective side of the bound document.

16. The device for copying bound documents as recited in claim 15, further comprising a knob mounted on said manually-driven gear.