Abstract:
An apparatus for scanning pages of bound materials is disclosed. The apparatus includes a base with a platform configured to support bound materials laid open. A depressor with a complimentary surface is provided to depress pages of the bound material flat against the platform of the base. The depressor has a transparent portion allowing the pages of the bound material to be viewed therethrough. The depressor is removable from the base. A camera assembly is connected to and supported over the depressor. At least one camera attached to the camera assembly and aimed towards the transparent portion of the depressor. The camera is configured to capture a digital image of at least one page of the bound material through the transparent portion of the depressor when the depressor is placed over a bound material that is laid open in the platform of the base.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present patent document claims priority to earlier filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/330,613, filed on May 3, 2010, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The present patent document is also a continuation in part of earlier filed U.S. Design patent application Ser. Nos. 29/389,021, 29/389,022, and 29/389,025, all filed on Apr. 6, 2011, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Technical Field 
         [0003]    The present patent document relates generally to digital scanning devices and more specifically to a scanning device optimized for scanning the pages of books, magazines and other bound papers. 
         [0004]    2. Background of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Scanning pages into a digital format for use on a computer is known in the art. However, the prior art devices have various disadvantageous when used to scan bound materials, such as books and periodicals. 
         [0006]    Flatbed Scanners are cheap and ubiquitous, but are not ideal for scanning multiple pages of a book. Flatbed scanners are slow, and require the user to open a hinged lid, place the book down face down on a flat scanning surface, close the lid, wait for the scan, open the lid, turn the page, and repeat the process. Some flatbed scanners do not have a large enough scanning surface to scan two pages at once either, which increases the time spent scanning. Even when sufficiently large for a 2-page spread, significant downward pressure is needed to flatten the inseam of the binding to minimize distortion within the inside margin. In short, flatbed scanners are awkward to use when scanning bound materials. 
         [0007]    Overhead scanners are relatively inexpensive but do a poor job at scanning books due to the distortion of the pages. Without something pressing down on the pages to make them flat, scan quality can be poor. 
         [0008]    Professional grade book scanners do exist, but are too expensive for the ordinary consumer. In the professional book scanner, the glass page-flattening panels move up and down on a railing to allow the user to turn the page in-between scans. In addition, the base runs side-to-side on tracks in order to adjust the centerline of the book to the cameras. Professional book scanners require a lot of expensive moving parts, rails, and wheels, and are often fitted with more expensive cameras too. 
         [0009]    Accordingly, there is a perceived need in the art for a book scanning device that is inexpensive, yet provides the ability to efficiently and easily scan bound materials. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0010]    The present invention solves the problems of the prior art by providing a book scanning device that can inexpensively and easily scan a bound book, magazine, manuscript, and the like without removing the pages from the book (i.e., no damage to the book or binding). 
         [0011]    One objective of the book scanning device is including the capacity to produce a high quality scan, yet at a low cost. Another objective is to provide a book scanning device that is relatively compact so the consumer will not have to devote a lot of space for the device. Another objective is the provision for a book scanning device that permits rapid scanning of books so the consumer will not have to spend a lot of time operating the device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the book scanning device will become better understood with reference to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a book scanning device with a book, shown in broken lines, being placed within the device; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a book scanning device a book in position and device ready for scanning; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a book scanning device with the left camera activated; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a book scanning device with the right camera activated; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a book scanning device with the user opening the device and turning the page in the book to scan the next pages; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a book scanning device; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a left side elevation view of an alternative embodiment of a book scanning device, it being understood the right side is the mirror-image thereof; 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  a front elevation view of an alternative embodiment of a book scanning device, it being understood the rear elevation view is a mirror-image thereof; 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is a partial exploded view of the alternative embodiment of the book scanning device showing the camera assembly and page compressor portion separated from the cradle portion with a book, depicted in broken lines, resting in the cradle portion; 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a cradle portion of an alternative embodiment of a book scanning device showing the cradle erected for; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the cradle portion of an alternative embodiment of a book scanning device showing the cradle folded for storage. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0024]    Referring now the  FIGS. 1-5 , an embodiment of the book scanning device is generally shown at  10 . The term “book” as used within this patent document refers to any bound material having a number of pages, such as, but not limited to, magazines, periodicals, bound sheet music, spiral bound books, perfect bound books, soft cover books, hard cover books and the like. The book scanning device  10  includes a base  12  with a V-shaped scanning platform (or cradle)  14  with a depressor  16  having a complimentary V-shaped surface  18  that fits into the V-shaped platform  14 . Although the platform  14  and depressor  16  are preferably V-shaped, other complimentary shapes could be used. 
         [0025]    The depressor  16  is transparent or clear to permit one or more cameras  20 ,  22 , described further below, to see through the depressor  16  to the scanning platform  14  on the base  12 . A handle  24  is centered over the depressor  16 . Within the handle  16  is a camera and lights. A single camera may be provided with left and right lenses that are selectively activated, or a left camera  20  and a right camera  22  are provided (as shown). The left camera (or left lens)  20  is focused at a left portion of the V-shaped scanning platform  14  of the base  12 . The right camera (or right lens)  22  is focused at a right portion of the V-shaped scanning platform  14  of the base  12 . 
         [0026]    The handle  24  further includes a grip  26  with a shutter button  28 . Pressing the button  28  activates the cameras  20  and lights  21 , which scans the scanning platform  14  as described further below. By integrating the camera and lighting elements into a handle  24  that is attached to the V-shaped depressor  16 , the book scanning device  10  ensures that the scans are centered on each page regardless of whether the beginning or the end of the book  32  is being scanned. 
         [0027]    Extending from the handle  24  is a power cord  30 . Optionally, the depressor may be battery powered. 
         [0028]    Images captured by the camera(s)  20 ,  22  may be stored in an optional memory card inserted into a memory card slot, a non-removable memory, transmitted directly to a computer via a serial connection, such as a universal serial bus cable, or transmitted wirelessly through a computer compatible transmitter, such as a Bluetooth or 802.11 compliant transmitters. 
         [0029]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a book, periodical or other bound material  32  is placed in the platform  14  open to the pages that are desired to be scanned. The user then presses the shutter button  28  to activate the cameras  20 ,  22  and capture digital images of the pages. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 3  now, the left camera (or lens)  20  is selected for scanning. The left page of the material to be scanned is captured by the camera (or lens)  20 . The sequence then repeats for the right camera (or lens)  22  as shown in  FIG. 4 . Specifically, the right page of the material to be scanned is captured by the camera (or lens)  22 . Optionally, the cameras (or lenses)  20 ,  22  may simultaneously capture images of both the left and right pages at once. The digital images may be stored as separate files containing an image for each page separately, or as a single file containing an image of both pages. 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , the user then lifts the depressor  16  and turns the page of the book or periodical  32  and replaces the depressor  16  to continue the scanning operation. The user repeats the sequence of events depicted in  FIGS. 1-5  until all desired pages have been scanned. 
         [0032]    Referring now to  FIGS. 6-11 , an alternative embodiment of the book scanning device is shown generally at  100 . The book scanning device  100  includes a base  102  with a V-shaped scanning platform (or cradle)  104  with a depressor  106  having a complimentary V-shaped surface  108  that fits into the V-shaped platform  104 . Although the platform  104  and depressor  106  are preferably V-shaped, other complimentary shapes could be used. 
         [0033]    The depressor  106  includes a transparent or clear portion to permit one or more cameras  110 ,  112 , described further below, to see through the depressor  106  to the scanning platform  104  on the base  102 . A camera assembly  114  is centered over the depressor  106  via four struts  115 . Each strut  115  is connected to a corner of the camera assembly  114  and a corner of the depressor  106 . Within the camera assembly  114  is a camera and lights. A single camera may be provided with left and right lenses that are selectively activated, or a left camera  110  and a right camera  112  are provided (as shown). The left camera (or left lens)  110  is focused at a left portion of the V-shaped scanning platform  104  of the base  102 . The right camera (or right lens)  112  is focused at a right portion of the V-shaped scanning platform  104  of the base  102 . 
         [0034]    The base  102 , best seen in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , includes a center support  116  with a central groove  118  configured to support the spine of a bound material  120 . A left platform portion  122  is hinged to a left side of the center support  116 . A right platform portion  124  is hinged to a right side of the center support  116 . Together, the right platform portion  124 , left platform portion  122  and center support  116  forms the scanning platform  104 . A left support leg  126  is hinged to a bottom surface of the left platform portion  122 . A right support leg  128  is hinged to a bottom surface of the right platform portion  124 . The left support leg  126  and right support leg  128  fold against the left platform portion  122  and right platform portion  124 , respectively, and the left platform portion  122  and right platform portion  124  pivot about the center support  116  and fold together to close the base  102  like a book itself, as shown in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0035]    The camera assembly  114  further includes a handle  129  with one or more grips  130  to permit the user to easily move or place the camera assembly  114  and depressor  106  off of or onto the base  102 . The handle  129  is formed by narrowing a portion of the camera assembly  114  to permit a user to comfortable grip the camera assembly  114 . The camera assembly  114  further includes a scan button  132 . Pressing the scan button  132  activates the cameras  110 ,  112  and lights, which scans the scanning platform  104  as described further below. By integrating the cameras  110 , 112  and lighting elements into the camera assembly  114  that is attached to the V-shaped depressor  106 , the book scanning device  100  ensures that the scans are centered on each page regardless of whether the beginning or the end of the bound material  120  is being scanned. 
         [0036]    The scan button  132  is preferably includes two portions that are pressable. That is, the scan button includes a left portion and right portion that may be individually pressed to perform the scanning operation in the proper sequence depending upon the orientation of the book scanning device  100  to the user. The reason is due to the fact that the handle  129  of the camera assembly  114  may be held by the user&#39;s right hand or left hand, depending upon their preference. When the user switches hands, the depressor and camera assembly may be rotated 180 degrees so that the buttons align up with the user&#39;s index finger. Because the orientation has now been switched, though, the scan order (or capture sequence of the cameras  110 ,  112 ) needs to also change or the result will be that the scan operates on the right page first, then the left, putting the pages out of sequence. One portion of the scan button  132  captures the left camera  110  first and then the right camera  112  second. The other portion of the scan button  132  captures the right camera  112  first and then the left camera  110  second. When the user is holding the handle  129 , the user&#39;s index finger naturally rests on the correct portion of the scan button  132 . 
         [0037]    Further included is a USB button  134 , which toggles the book scanning device  100  from scan mode to function as a USB mass-storage class device when connected to a personal computer. That is, when the USB button  134  is pressed the book scanning device  100  functions as a mass-storage device, which enables the transfer of digital images from the book scanning device  100  to the personal computer. 
         [0038]    A power button  136  is provided to activate and deactivate the camera assembly  114  as needed. 
         [0039]    A light diffusing tent  138  is suspended around the four struts, between the camera assembly and depressor  106 . The light diffusing tent minimizes light reflections off of the transparent portions of the depressor. An opening  140  into the light diffusing tent is provided so the user may easily place and remove bound materials  120  into or out of the scanning platform  104 . 
         [0040]    The camera assembly  114  may be battery powered by putting batteries in the battery compartment  142 . Optionally, the camera assembly may be powered via power-over-USB, when the USB button  134  is in scan mode. 
         [0041]    To perform a scan, a book, periodical or other bound material  120  is placed in the platform  104  open to the pages that are desired to be scanned. The user then presses the scan button  132  to activate the cameras  110 ,  112  and capture digital images of the pages. 
         [0042]    The left camera  110  is selected for scanning. The left page of the material to be scanned is captured by the camera  110 . The sequence then repeats for the right camera  112 . Specifically, the right page of the material to be scanned is captured by the camera  112 . Optionally, the cameras  110 ,  112  may simultaneously capture images of both the left and right pages at once. The digital images may be stored as separate files containing an image for each page separately, or as a single file containing an image of both pages. 
         [0043]    The user then lifts the depressor  106  and turns the page of the book or periodical  120  and replaces the depressor  106  to continue the scanning operation. The user repeats the sequence of events until all desired pages have been scanned. 
         [0044]    Images captured by the camera(s) may be in an optional memory card may be inserted into a memory card slot  144 , a non-removable memory, transmitted directly to a computer via a serial connection, such as a universal serial bus cable, or transmitted wirelessly through a computer compatible transmitter, such as a Bluetooth or 802.11 compliant transmitters. A universal serial bus port  146  is provided to connect the camera assembly to a personal computer. 
         [0045]    Therefore, it can be seen that the book scanning device embodying features of the present invention provides a unique solution to the problem of how to inexpensively and easily scan a bound book, magazine, manuscript, and the like into electronic form without removing the pages from the book (i.e., no damage to the book or binding). By physically attaching the camera and lighting elements to the clear depressor, instead of to a book ‘holder’, the device of the present invention ensures that the camera elements are always centered on each page. As can be appreciated, the book scanning device of the present invention provides an inexpensive, and simple method of centering the camera elements on the page, which surpasses the prior art techniques that require expensive rails to guide the lenses to the desired position. 
         [0046]    It would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to the illustrated embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All such modifications and changes are intended to be within the scope of the present invention.