Mobile Document Capture Stand for Fixed-Angle Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for capturing document images using smartphones and tablets are inefficient, requiring users to manually adjust the device in three dimensions to focus and capture images, leading to time-consuming processes and potential image skew issues.

Innovation Solution

A portable apparatus with interlocking parts that holds a document at a fixed angle and a camera-equipped mobile device at the same angle, allowing for easy setup and maintaining the device's position during image capture, ensuring uniform image quality and reducing manual adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual three-dimensional adjustment of the mobile device is used to focus and capture images, then the device can be positioned to capture the document, but the process becomes time-consuming and may cause device movement during capture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of document image captureVSAvoidtime required for capture process

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus pre-positions the mobile device at the optimal capture location and maintains this position throughout the capture process. The device is held in a fixed mounting structure that eliminates the need for manual three-dimensional adjustment during capture, allowing users to simply place the document and initiate capture without time-consuming positioning efforts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A physical mounting structure serves as an intermediary between the user and the mobile device. This structure includes a holder that secures the device at the correct angle and position, and a document support that positions the document properly. This intermediary system eliminates direct manual manipulation of the device during capture, reducing both time and potential movement issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If manual positioning of the mobile device is used to achieve full view of the document, then the entire document can be captured, but image skew occurs and requires post-processing correction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage quality and alignmentVSAvoidneed for post-processing software tools

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus is designed with the mobile device pre-positioned at the optimal angle and distance for capturing documents without skew. The mounting structure includes angular adjustments and positioning features that ensure the device is correctly oriented before capture begins, eliminating the need for subsequent deskewing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces complex software-based post-processing correction (digital deskewing, cropping, and alignment algorithms) with a simple mechanical positioning system. The physical mounting structure provides fixed angular relationships and positioning features that prevent skew at the source, rather than requiring computational correction afterward.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the mobile device is held manually during capture, then flexibility in positioning is achieved, but device movement occurs when the shutter is activated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning flexibilityVSAvoidimage capture stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The apparatus is divided into separate functional components: a mounting structure for the mobile device, a document support system, and a positioning mechanism. This segmentation allows the device to be securely held in a fixed position while still enabling easy setup and document changes, providing both stability during capture and flexibility during setup.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9088704B2Apparatus and methods for document image capture

Publication Date: 2015.07.21 HAROLD PATRICK J

AI summary

A portable, user assembled apparatus has interlocking parts and no fasteners, or the apparatus is preassembled such that, once assembled, the apparatus holds both a document at a fixed angle and a portable camera-equipped electronic device, at the same and parallel angle, a fixed distance from the document. The apparatus sits on a table or desktop and allows the user to work in the sitting position. The user can make initial adjustments to set the mobile device in a fixed position such that the entire document image is in the viewfinder and in focus. These one-time position settings can be preserved. When the camera shutter is executed, both the document and device do not move. The device provides a novel way for mobile device users to quickly and easily capture many document images with optimum image quality and uniform image size.