Abstract: An improved automatic image capture system for an intelligent mobile device having a camera guides a user to position the camera so only a single image needs to be automatically captured. A trapezoidal view finder on a display of the intelligent mobile device may be used to orient the camera with respect to a target document so there is an appropriate pitch and roll angle between the camera and the target document to avoid shadows caused by the camera or user. Further the user is guided to maximize the occupancy of the view finder with the document so that the document is maximized within the view finder. When all requisite conditions are satisfied, the camera automatically captures the image of the document for post-processing.

Abstract: A method of automatically capturing images with precision uses an intelligent mobile device having a camera loaded with an appropriate image capture application. When a user initializes the application, the camera starts taking images of the object. Each image is qualified to determine whether it is in focus and entirely within the field of view of the camera. Two or more qualified images are captured and stored for subsequent processing. The qualified images are aligned with each other by an appropriate perspective transformation so they each fill a common frame. Averaging of the aligned images reduces noise and a sharpening filter enhances edges, which produces a sharper image. The processed image is then converted into a two-level, black and white image which may be presented to the user for approval prior to submission via wireless or WiFi to a remote location.