Linear Scanning Lens for High-Resolution Document Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital cameras lack the resolution required for capturing high-quality images of documents, particularly small text and detailed illustrations, as they typically provide fewer than 300 pixels per inch, which is insufficient for document scanning compared to dedicated scanners.
Innovation Solution
A digital camera is equipped with a long, narrow lens for linear scanning, allowing it to function as both a camera and a scanner by moving across a document to capture high-resolution images, which are then stored as compressed files using existing image sensors and memory.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a digital camera uses its existing image sensor for document imaging, then the camera can capture images with its current resolution, but the resolution is insufficient for high-quality document scanning (fewer than 300 pixels per inch)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a linear scanning lens with the camera's existing image sensor to create a hybrid device that performs both photography and high-resolution document scanning. The linear lens is positioned to work with the sensor array, enabling the camera to function as a scanner when needed while maintaining its portability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera is designed to perform multiple functions: standard photography using the existing lens and sensor, and high-resolution document scanning using the added linear scanning lens. The device can switch between these modes, making it a universal tool for both casual imaging and professional document capture.
2Measurement precision
If a digital camera increases its resolution to match document scanner standards (300 DPI), then document imaging quality improves, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of upgrading the entire camera system to achieve 300 DPI, the patent merges a linear scanning lens with the existing image sensor. This approach leverages the sensor's existing capabilities while adding only the necessary optical component, thereby achieving high resolution without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters by introducing a linear scanning lens with specific focal length and aperture characteristics optimized for document scanning. This parameter change enables high-resolution capture without requiring a complete redesign of the camera system.
3Manufacturing precision
If a digital camera uses a standard lens for document imaging, then the camera structure remains simple, but the imaging quality of small text and detailed illustrations is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges a linear scanning lens with the camera's existing optical system. The linear lens is positioned to work in conjunction with the image sensor, creating a combined optical path that enables high-quality document imaging while integrating smoothly with the existing camera structure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables high-resolution hand-held scanning and storage of documents, bridging the resolution gap between digital cameras and traditional scanners, offering a versatile solution for business and casual users.
Implementation Method 1
Light reflected from the document and passed through this lens is then routed to the camera's existing image sensor
Implementation Method 2
A long, narrow lens is placed on one edge of the camera
Implementation Method 3
A hinged or sliding mirror is placed in the light path for scanning to reflect light from this lens to the sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A narrow scanning aperture, lens, and mirror are added to a digital camera to enable image or text scanning. A motion sensor on the same face as the scanner aperture provides approximate scan speed data as the scanner aperture is pressed against and manually moved across the document being scanned. Many documents are too large to scan in one strip, in which case multiple strips are scanned. As each strip is scanned, a bit-mapped image of the strip is created in a data buffer. Data from each strip is passed to a final image RAM which, on completion of scanning, holds a bit-mapped image of the entire scanned page, in B/W, gray scale, or color. Multi pass strip align then processes the image data to remove redundant data (from strip overlap) and position skew (from errors in position during the scan), resulting in a more accurate bit-mapped image in final image RAM of the entire scanned page or item. Image compression compresses the bit-mapped image to standard JPEG format for storage on the camera memory card. An alternative embodiment stores each scanned strip as a separate image. After strip images are downloaded to the PC, software on the PC “stitches” these strips back into the full page by eliminating redundant pixels and strip-to-strip misalignment.