Abstract:
By scanning both sides of a photographic print, data from the back of the print may be associated with the image. If the backside data includes text, optical character recognition (OCR) techniques optionally may be used to convert the image of the back of the photo into text that may be included in a database or other data structure allowing the text to be associated with the photographic image. This allows the user to quickly and easily search a large database of images for either a specific image or a group of images according to some set of search criteria.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an image capture system and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for capturing reflective data from both sides of a photo. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Image capture devices are currently used for a wide variety of applications. Typical applications include document scanning (possibly including optical character recognition (OCR)), digital photography, photographic print scanning, and photographic transparency scanning. Many photographers currently capture images to photographic films using standard 35 mm, medium format, or large format cameras. The resulting print (or film) may then be digitally captured using a scanner. Many of these scanners allow only the capture of images from either transparencies or prints. Some scanners, such as the Hewlett-Packard PhotoSmart™ S20 (Hewlett-Packard Company, Palo Alto, Calif.), allow the user to choose between scanning a print, a 35 mm mounted transparency, or a strip of 35 mm film. 
     Many photo labs print information about the photo, or about the processing on the back of the photographic prints they produce. The advanced photo system (APS) allows cameras to include information such as the date and time, film frame number, cartridge identification number, exposure settings, etc. on an optically clear, but magnetically sensitive coating on both edges of the APS film. The photo lab may then read this information during processing and print it on the back of each photo. Further, many people add their own notations on the backs of their photos, including the names of people in the photos or the location where the photo was taken. Currently, when photographers scan their prints, they usually scan the image on the front of the print and often neglect the information on the back of the print. Thus, there is a need in the art for a method and apparatus that automatically scans both sides of the print and maintains a correlation of the image data with the backside data. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     By scanning both sides of a photographic print, data from the back of the print may be associated with the image. If the backside data includes text, optical character recognition (OCR) techniques may be used to convert the image of the back of the photo into text that may be included in a database or other structure allowing the text to be associated with the photographic image. This allows the user to quickly and easily search a large database of images for either a specific image or a group of images according to some set of search criteria. 
     Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a drawing of an example of the information that may be included on the back of a photographic image. 
     FIG. 2 is a drawing of one possible configuration of an apparatus for scanning both sides of a photographic image. 
     FIG.  3 A and FIG. 3B are block diagrams of possible contents of the processing block from FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method for scanning both sides of a photographic image and associating the data from the back of the photo with the image. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1 is a drawing of an example of the information that may be included on the back of a photographic image. The backside of a photo  100  may contain information relating to the image. Example of such information include the date the photo was taken  102 , the roll number  104 , the frame number  106 , the time the photo was taken  108 , and information from the processor  110 . The information from the processor  110  may include data about the color bias used to make the print, the order number, and other identifying information. 
     FIG. 2 is a drawing of one possible configuration of an apparatus for scanning both sides of a photographic image. In this example configuration, an object  201  passing through the image plane  200  is shifted by an upper roller  202  and a lower roller  204 , driven by a motor  228  past first and second scanner hardware. This object  201  may be a photo, magazine article, drawing, or other substantially planar object. The first surface of the object  201  in the image plane  200  is illuminated by a first light source  206 . The first light path  208  reflects off the object in the image plane  200  and strikes the first sensor  210  where the first digital image data is captured. The second surface of the object  201  in the image plane  200  is illuminated by a second light source  212 . The second light path  214  reflects off the second surface of the object  201  in the image plane  200  and strikes the second sensor  216  where the second digital image data is captured. The first digital image data from the first sensor  218  is associated with the second digital image data from the second sensor  220  in a processing block  222  and the associated data  224  may then be stored in a data storage unit  226 . Note that the processing block  222  is shown in more detail in FIG.  3 A and FIG.  3 B. Processing may take place in hardware, or it may simply consist of a software method associating the two images within the data storage unit  226 . 
     Another possible embodiment of this invention may use one or more motors to move the light sources and sensors relative to the image plane instead of moving the object through the image plane. Also, it is possible to construct the present invention using a single light source. Mirrors or other optical devices may be used to illuminate both sides of the object in the image plane for image capture by the first and second sensors. Alternately, a single light source and sensor may be used, and mechanisms within the scanner may flip the object between two passes through the image plane. 
     FIG.  3 A and FIG. 3B are block diagrams of possible contents of the processing block  222  from FIG.  2 . In a simple embodiment, shown in FIG. 3A, the data from the first sensor  218  and the data from the second sensor  220  are simply associated with each other as they are output  224  for storage. In a somewhat more powerful configuration, shown in FIG. 3B, the data from the first sensor  218  is examined in a first decision step  306 . If the first digital image data  218  contains textual information the data may be passed through a first OCR  308  where it is converted to first text data. This OCR step is optional since the text data may be handwritten, or otherwise unsuitable for the OCR process. Further, the user may want to keep the text data in an image format instead of a text format (such as ASCII). In these cases and when there is no text data present, the first digital image data  218  bypasses the first OCR  308  and goes directly to the association block  300 . Also, the data from the second sensor  220  is examined in a second decision step  302 . If the second digital image data  220  contains textual information the data is passed through a second OCR  304  where it is converted to second text data. This OCR step is optional since the text data may be handwritten, or otherwise unsuitable for the OCR process. Further, the user may want to keep the text data in an image format instead of a text format (such as ASCII). In these cases and when there is no text data present, the second digital image data  220  bypasses the second OCR  304  and goes directly to the association block  300 . Within the association block  300 , the first digital image data  218  is associated with the second digital image data  220  when neither image data contains textual information. The first text data is associated with the second digital image data  220  when the first image data contains textual information. The first digital image data  218  is associated with the second text data when the second image data contains textual information. The text data associated with the digital image may be considered metadata, containing information pertinent to the image, such as location or date or other information. 
     FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method for scanning both sides of a photographic image and associating the data from the back of the photo with the image. After a start step  400 , in a scanning step  402 , image data from both the first and second sides of the object is captured. Note that this scanning step  402  may be implemented in two sub-steps where the front of the object is scanned in one sub-step and the back of the object is scanned in another sub-step. In a first decision step  404 , if the first side data comprises text, an optional first OCR step  406  may be performed to convert the first side scanned image data into first text data. In a second decision step  408 , if the second side data comprises text, an optional second OCR step  410  may be performed to convert the second side scanned image data into second text data. The two OCR steps are optional since any text may be handwritten, or otherwise unsuitable for the OCR process. Further, the user may desire to keep the text data in an image format instead of a text format. In an association step  412 , the first side image or text data is associated with the second side image or text data, and in a storage step  414  the associated data is stored in memory, on a hard disk, on a CDROM, or on other recordable media. The method then reaches an end step  416 . 
     The foregoing description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and other modifications and variations may be possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the appended claims be construed to include other alternative embodiments of the invention except insofar as limited by the prior art.