Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: a platen optically-transparent; a line sensor configured to move below the platen and optically scan the platen; an image-capturing device located below the platen and configured to capture a viewpoint area, the viewpoint area being at least a partial area on the platen and being an area expected to include at least a part of an edge of a document where the document is put on the platen with reference to a reference position on the platen; a display device; and a controller circuitry configured to display a viewpoint image and a guideline image on the display device, the viewpoint image being an image obtained by capturing the viewpoint area by the image-capturing device, the guideline image being an image showing the reference position, such that the guideline image overlaps the reference position in the viewpoint area included in the viewpoint image.

Abstract: In a scanner, a medium transport apparatus includes an apparatus main body including a medium transport path from a supply unit, which supplies a medium, to a discharge unit, which discharges the medium, a switcher that switches an attitude of the apparatus main body with respect to a mounting surface on which the apparatus main body is mounted, and a controller that, when the attitude of the apparatus main body with respect to the mounting surface is switched, performs control in accordance with the attitude after the switching.

Abstract: A print media scanning system enables the rapid acquisition of books, magazines, papers and so on into a digital library. The media is placed on an inclined surface where is held in place and the pages to be scanned are secured by braces. A scanning head is suspended above the media and is adjustable with respect to the media. The data from the scanning head is transferred to a digital library.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses methods, systems and scanners for scanning document with varying light intensity. The method includes receiving a bound document positioned on an upper surface of a platen, for scanning, wherein the bound document, when opened for scanning, includes a flat region and a curved region. A distance between the bound document positioned on the platen and a contact image sensor (CIS) is continuously monitored and measured, to detect the curved region. Upon detection, a control command is generated to vary the intensity of the light to be emitted from a light source. Then, light with varying intensity is emitted for illuminating the curved region of the bound document. Thereafter, the light reflected from the bound document is received for capturing an image of the bound document. Finally, a digital version of the bound document is generated without any dark strip or without any distortion.

Abstract: A mobile device holding device comprises a basement including an inner accommodation space; a document feeding path including a scanning area, the document feeding path being disposed in said accommodation space; an input tray disposed on an upstream of the document feeding path to accommodate documents to be scanned; an output tray disposed on a downstream of the document feeding path to eject scanned documents; a document feeding unit disposed in the accommodation space for transmitting documents through the document feeding path; and a device holder disposed on the basement to fix a mobile device; wherein the device holder is moved to align the mobile device with the scanning area for capturing the image within the scanning area, and ensuring that the shooting area of the mobile device is not less than the width of documents to be scanned.

Abstract: A method includes receiving data representing an image captured of an object disposed on a surface in the presence of illumination by a flash light. The technique includes processing the data to identify an object type associated with the object and further processing the data based at least in part on the identified object type.

Abstract: To provide an optical-scanning-height measuring device capable of reducing an unmeasurable region on the surface of a measurement object. Light emitted from a light emitting section is deflected by a deflecting section according to designation of a measurement point. Measurement light is sequentially irradiated on a plurality of portions P in a partial region PA including or surrounding a part of a measurement object S corresponding to the measurement point. A deflecting direction of the deflecting section corresponding to the partial region PA or an irradiation position of the measurement light corresponding to the partial region PA are detected by a detecting section.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a sheet conveyance unit conveying a sheet through a sheet conveyance path, a cover member supported by the sheet conveyance unit, the cover member being openable with respect to the sheet conveyance unit, and an image reading portion to read an image of the sheet conveyed by the sheet conveyance unit. In addition, a manipulator portion is manipulated to adjust a position of the image reading portion. The sheet conveyance unit can convey a sheet in such a manner that the sheet passes through the sheet conveyance path and the manipulator portion is covered by the cover member in a case where the cover member is positioned at a closed position, and both the sheet conveyance path and the manipulator portion are exposed to outside of the sheet conveyance unit in a case where the cover member is positioned at an open position.

Abstract: A distortion correction component of a mobile device receives an image of a spread open multi-page document, determines a binding edge line of the spread open multi-page document, determines a first set of substantially vertical straight lines lying left of the binding edge line and a second set of substantially vertical straight lines lying right of the binding edge line. The distortion correction component then determines a first vanishing point based on the first set of substantially vertical straight lines and a second vanishing point based on the second set of substantially vertical straight lines. A first quadrangle is determined based on the first vanishing point and a second quadrangle is determined based on the second vanishing point. A corrected image for the first page is generated based on the first quadrangle and a corrected image for the second page is generated based on the second quadrangle.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a reception unit configured to receive image data obtained by reading the document by a first reading unit or a second reading unit, a storage unit configured to store the image data received by the reception unit, a determination unit configured to, while the reception unit is receiving the image data of the document obtained by the first reading unit, determine whether the second side is a blank page from the image data of the document read by the second reading unit, and a control unit configured to, in a case where the determination unit determines that the second side is a blank page, control the reception unit not to reserve a storage area for storing the image data of the document read by the second reading unit in the storage unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit configured to form an image on a medium on which an image is to be formed; a placing portion capable of placing the medium; a power generator configured to generate electricity from heat generated inside the image forming unit; and an illumination unit configured to be lit with the electricity generated by the power generator and to be capable of irradiating at least the placing portion with light.

Abstract: Described are systems and methods for recognizing paper documents on a tabletop using an overhead camera mounted on pan-tilt servos. The described automated system first finds paper documents on a cluttered desk based on a text probability map, constructed using multiple images acquired at fixed grid positions, and then captures a sequence of high-resolution overlapping frames of the located document(s), which are then fused together and perspective-rectified, using computed homography, to reconstruct a high quality and fronto-parallel document image that is of sufficient quality required for optical character recognition. The extracted textual information may be used, for example, for indexing and search, document repository and/or language translation applications.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a reception unit configured to receive image data obtained by reading the document by a first reading unit or a second reading unit, a storage unit configured to store the image data received by the reception unit, a determination unit configured to, while the reception unit is receiving the image data of the document obtained by the first reading unit, determine whether the second side is a blank page from the image data of the document read by the second reading unit, and a control unit configured to, in a case where the determination unit determines that the second side is a blank page, control the reception unit not to reserve a storage area for storing the image data of the document read by the second reading unit in the storage unit.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a self-contained imaging device that takes digital photographs of portions of documents (such as photos or photoalbums) instead of scanning those images. The imaging device uses a lens to zoom in on specific portions of the document that represent images that are to be digitized. Generally speaking, disclosed embodiments utilize a physical device having a housing, a location for retaining or holding an image to be imaged, such as a platen or image conveyance mechanism, a light source and the imaging system (which can be a digital camera). The disclosed device camera provides a low-cost mechanism that can at-once capture a high resolution image without the delays associated with most scanners.

Abstract: A system for focusing light including a gradient index lens array positioned at a first distance from a surface, and first and second positioning elements arranged to modify the first distance. The first and second positioning elements modify the first distance based on an analysis of an image formed on the surface across substantially a full width of a cross process direction of the surface.

Abstract: An integrated document handling and platen scanning apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a main body; a platen glass positionally fixed to the main body; a CVT glass area positionally fixed to the main body; a first image module attached to the main body, the first image module being movable across the platen glass to scan an image on a first side of a document; a document handler attached to the main body and configured to invert the document and to feed the document across the CVT glass area; and an attachment point on the main body that attaches the main body to a copier body of a photocopier such that the main body, platen glass, first image module, and document handler move as a unit relative to the copier body. The first image module is configured to remain stationary and scan the image on the first side of the document as the document is fed across the CVT glass area.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically turning the pages of an open book (80) without user intervention for the purposes of digital imaging or viewing. One embodiment of the system includes a rotating platform (15) for mounting the open book (80), a page lifter (51), a transparent stationary hood (62), and a camera (201). As the platform (15) rotates, the page lifter (51) is dropped onto the uppermost page on the leading side of the book (80). The uppermost page is held fast and lifted up by the page lifter (51). The platform (15) continues to rotate, peeling the uppermost page free from the page lifter (51) and eventually trapping the book completely under the hood (62) which holds the book (80) open and keeps the uppermost pages visible. The platform (15) rotation is paused momentarily to allow for image capture by a camera (201) viewing the open book (80) through the hood (62). Other embodiments are described and shown.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a self-contained imaging device that takes digital photographs of portions of documents (such as photos or photoalbums) instead of scanning those images. The imaging device uses a lens to zoom in on specific portions of the document that represent images that are to be digitized. Generally speaking, disclosed embodiments utilize a physical device having a housing, a location for retaining or holding an image to be imaged, such as a platen or image conveyance mechanism, a light source and the imaging system (which can be a digital camera). The disclosed device camera provides a low-cost mechanism that can at-once capture a high resolution image without the delays associated with most scanners.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a local maximum point identifying unit, a distribution deriving unit, and a binding position identifying unit. The local maximum point identifying unit is configured to identify positions of local maximum points of densities along a first scanning direction in an input image of a book. The distribution deriving unit is configured to derive a distribution in the first scanning direction of the number of the local maximum point obtained along a second scanning direction perpendicular to the first scanning direction. The binding position identifying unit is configured to identify a binding position in the input image of the book on the basis of a position of a peak in the distribution.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for facilitating the imaging of books are presented. A first transparent plate and a second transparent plate may be positioned at approximately a 45 degree angle to the first transparent plate. A dual-sided mirror may be configured to be positioned substantially parallel with the first transparent plate and to be positioned substantially parallel with the second transparent plate. The first side of the dual-sided mirror may be configured to reflect a first image of a first page of a book, the first image being received by the dual-sided mirror through the first transparent plate. The second side of the dual-sided mirror may be configured to reflect a second image of a second page of the book, the second image being received by the dual-sided mirror through the second transparent plate.

Abstract: An image reader includes a light source that irradiates light to a recording material on which an image is formed, a generation section that receives light reflected from the recording material and generates image information from the received light, and a processing section that extracts information corresponding to a window region of the recording material set in advance, as correction information, from the image information generated by the generation section when light from the light source is irradiated to the recording material on which the image is formed.

Abstract: A hinge apparatus for a cover of an image forming apparatus has a hinge body with supporting brackets, movably inserted into a coupling hole positioned in a main body of the image forming apparatus, a hinge cam connected to the cover and pivotably connected to the supporting brackets, and a pressure device disposed at the hinge body to press the hinge cam. Accordingly, the hinge apparatus can be implemented with a simple and easy assembly operation, since it is not a complicated structural connection among the component parts of the hinge apparatus.

Abstract: An overhead scanner device includes an area sensor, a linear sensor, and a control unit, wherein the control unit includes an area-image acquiring unit that controls the area sensor to successively acquire a plurality of images, a feature-point extracting unit that extracts feature points from the images acquired by the area-image acquiring unit, a velocity-vector computing unit that computes a velocity vector of each of the feature points by comparing the feature points extracted by the feature-point extracting unit between the images, and a read-start determining unit that determines a read start by the linear sensor, based on the velocity vector computed by the velocity-vector computing unit.

Abstract: A hinge apparatus for a cover of an image forming apparatus has a hinge body with supporting brackets, movably inserted into a coupling hole positioned in a main body of the image forming apparatus, a hinge cam connected to the cover and pivotably connected to the supporting brackets, and a pressure device disposed at the hinge body to press the hinge cam. Accordingly, the hinge apparatus can be implemented with a simple and easy assembly operation, since it is not a complicated structural connection among the component parts of the hinge apparatus.

Abstract: A method is provided for processing image data read from a book document placed on a platen of an image reading apparatus. The method includes determining a background pixel of the image data based on a luminance difference or a color difference between neighboring pixel arrays, identifying a shadow region based on a luminance change between the neighboring background pixel arrays, discriminatively detecting a shadow of a binding portion and a shadow of a front edge in a document region with reference to a changing direction of shadow luminance, and performing a luminance correction on the shadow region according to characteristics of the shadows.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a document table that is transparent, a read unit that reads a document placed on the document table through the document table so as to generate image data representing a read image of the document, an extraction unit that converts the image data of the read result of the read unit into edge image data representing an edge image and extracts edge points satisfying a predetermined condition as edge points corresponding to a side of the document placed on the document table from the edge image data, an outer margin recognition unit that approximates the edge points corresponding to each side of the document extracted by the extraction unit to a line so as to recognize an outer margin of the document, and a likelihood evaluation unit that evaluates the likelihood of the outer margin recognized by the outer margin recognition unit.

Abstract: A method receives a print job and analyzes the complexity of the print job to generate complexity factors. The method performs raster image processing (RIP) on the print job and records the time taken to perform the raster image processing of each page of the print job. This generates “RIP times.” In addition, the method records the size of each page of the print job to generate “page sizes.” Then the method prints the print job and records the time it took to process the print job. Then the method determines how each of the complexity factors, the RIP times, and the page sizes contributed to the time it took to process the print job. This generates “complexity factor time values.” The method prints a report of the complexity factor time values detailing how each of the complexity factors contributed to the time it took to process the print job.

Abstract: A hinge apparatus for a cover of an image forming apparatus has a hinge body with supporting brackets, movably inserted into a coupling hole positioned in a main body of the image forming apparatus, a hinge cam connected to the cover and pivotably connected to the supporting brackets, and a pressure device disposed at the hinge body to press the hinge cam. Accordingly, the hinge apparatus can be implemented with a simple and easy assembly operation, since it is not a complicated structural connection among the component parts of the hinge apparatus.

Abstract: Methods and systems for cropping images of book pages are disclosed according to one embodiment of the invention. A method may include identifying reference images and receiving cropping rectangles for the reference images. These cropping rectangles associated with reference images may then be used to generate cropping rectangles for images of book pages between the reference images. The cropping rectangles may be generated based on a linear interpolation of the cropping rectangles associated with the reference images and the number of pages between images. The method may also display one or more images of book pages with the associated one or more cropping rectangles superimposed thereon. A user may then have the opportunity to make adjustments to the position and/or size of the cropping rectangles.

Abstract: An original is inclined with respect to an optical axis of a camera until the camera is positioned outside a reflected-image taking range by inclining a mounting surface of an original glass on which the original is placed. This makes it possible, when the original is taken by the camera, to prevent the camera from being reflected on the original and being taken in with the original. An imaging case formed of a diffusing member that is made of a high light-diffusing material or a high light-absorbing material is arranged in the reflected-image taking range. This makes it possible to prevent an object positioned in the reflected-image taking range from being reflected on the original and being taken by the camera. Consequently, clear image information can be more reliably obtained.

Abstract: An original feeding apparatus is located above an image forming portion for recording an image on a recording medium and is constructed to convey an original to an image reading portion slidable in a shift direction relative to the image forming portion. The original feeding apparatus is slidable integrally with the image reading portion relative to the image forming portion and has its barycenter located on the rear end side with respect to the center in the shift direction.

Abstract: Systems and methods for capturing images of opposing pages in a bound document at high speed using multiple cameras are disclosed. The system generally includes a cradle preferably tilted toward an operator for holding a bound document having two opposing sides, and two cameras each positioned to capture an image of a corresponding side, each camera having an image capture size approximately the size of each side. The cameras may be high definition and store images via direct high speed data communication interfaces, e.g., firewire. A controller and/or foot pedal may provide control of the cameras. The controller may control flashes to selectively light each side simultaneous with each camera capturing the image of the corresponding side. A positioner may position a light-absorbing page between opposing sides.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for a flat platen imaging system. The system includes, either alone or in combination, a movable book support to facilitate the segregation and imaging of individual pages of an oversize book or similar bound document, and a user interface and visual indicators to facilitate imaging of a plurality of documents or document sections placed on the platen.

Abstract: A document reading apparatus has a slit along one side of a document support platen of a glass plate to insert one part of an opened book as a document to be read. An insertion pocket forming a recessed space contiguous with the slit and inclined diagonally is provided in the apparatus. A lid is operable between open and closed positions exposing and covering the slit. In the open position, one part of a book can be inserted into the slit with a page in the other part of the book being in intimate contact with the platen, while in the closed position, a sheet as a document can be placed at a proper position on the platen by contacting one side of the sheet to a rim of the lid. This apparatus prevents a problem of image deformation and black image in print output when reading the book.

Abstract: An image correcting apparatus is provided for preventing a degraded image quality which can be caused by a three-dimensional distortion correction made to a scanned image distorted in a trapezoidal shape. Divergent distortion angles ?, ? of a scanned image are detected using a page contour of a book document which can be found near the upper or lower edge of the scanned image in a main scanning direction. The scanned image is corrected for a divergent distortion based on the divergent distortion angles ?, ?, followed by a correction of the scanned image for a shape distortion in a sub-scanning direction. In this way, the image quality can be prevented from degradation possibly caused by the three-dimensional distortion correction, if made to such a scanned image distorted in a trapezoidal shape.

Abstract: The present invention relates to turning and recording and/or reproducing multiple pages or leaves from a material, such as a book or periodical. A leaf lifting mechanism lifts the leaves of the material (e.g., book, periodical, etc.) from which the images are to be obtained. The leaf lifting mechanism can turn the leaves of the material itself, or also work cooperatively with an image recordation mechanism to turn the leaves of the material. During recordation, the image recordation mechanism follows the curvature of the leaf being recorded to minimize image distortion or degradation. The recorded images may be reproduced by a reproduction device such as a photocopier or printer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and to a method for optically detecting and receiving, in particular for digitising, interconnected sheets (10) along a margin (6), in particular a book (7), comprising a bearing and/or securing device (8) for the sheets (10) and a receiving device (1) which comprises two angular imaging surfaces (2) which have a common vertex edge (3) and which are arranged in relation to each other, in addition to at least one receiving unit (19). The bearing and/or securing device (8) and the receiving device (1) are arranged in a displaceable manner in relation to each other, such that the vertex edge (3) of receiving device (1) and the margin (6) of the sheets (10) can be joined together. The receiving device (1) comprises traction means (15, 16) which are used to catch at least one sheet (10?) when removing the vertex edge (3) of the receiving device (1) from the margin (6) of the sheets (10).

Abstract: The invention concerns an automatic device for turning the pages of a bound document comprising a support (11) whereon is arranged the document, means (14) for separating by suction one page from the other pages to be turned and for turning the separated page to bring it on a pile of turned pages. The support (11) consists of two mobile trays (16) mutually linked by a rod (17), each tray consisting of a box (26) whereof the upper side is provided with small holes (27) cooperating with the suction intake orifices (28). The means (14) for separating the document pages consist of suction means (34), displaced by the combination of a vertical movement and a horizontal movement, consisting of the perforated recessed element (36) provided with a diaphragm (37). Said perforated element (36) is provided with holes (38) and the diaphragm (37) comprises two mobile parts for orienting the direction of the suction flow and modify its flow rate and its speed.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus which includes an image reading apparatus comprising a first memory, a book image corrector, and a selector. The first memory stores optical positioning information of the image reading apparatus. The book image corrector performs an image correction based on reference data from an image read by the image reading apparatus when the image is of a book document. The selector selects one of the plurality of different correction modes of the second corrector based on the optical positioning information stored in the first memory. The book image corrector includes a first corrector configured to correct in a main scanning direction a distortion of the image of the book document based on the reference data and a second corrector having a plurality of different correction modes configured to correct a distortion of the image of the book document in a sub-scanning direction.

Abstract: Provided is a bookbinding apparatus including: a conveying unit which sequentially conveys sheets; a gluing unit which glues the sheets conveyed by the conveying unit; a stacking unit which sequentially stacks the sheets glued by the gluing unit; a pressurizing unit which pressurizes glued portions of the sheets stacked on the stacking unit; and a control unit which temporarily stops a stacking process carried out by the conveying unit onto the stacking unit and causes the pressurizing unit to execute a pressurizing process on the sheets stacked on the stacking unit when an operation interrupting event occurs during the stacking process.

Abstract: A device for use with a copier to make copies of both sides of a document or other objects in a single pass. The device is configured to rest on a copier platen without being attached to the platen and without deriving power from the copier. A document holder in the form of a pair of plates joined by a hinged connection is opened for insertion of a document to be copied. The holder is pivotally attached to a base member and spring-biased to rotate from a first to a second position above the copier platen. As a copier scanner moves beneath the holder temporarily latched in its first position, a first side of the document is scanned. A sensor then causes automatic release of the holder permitting it to swing to its second position for scanning its second side as the holder moves to its second position.

Abstract: Two transparent plates constitute with each other an angle variable from about 60 to 120 degrees along their common edge. A book to photograph is opened at the chosen pages and placed sitting on said common edge. A photographic camera is attached near the free edge of one of the plates through a supporting element in such a way that the optical axis of the camera stays perpendicular to the one plate. A first planar mirror, which has one edge in common with the common edges of the transparent plates, is maintained exactly in the middle of the angle formed by the transparent plates but can be folded against the one plate. A second mirror which has one edge in common with the one plate near its free edge, is maintained perpendicular to the reference position of the first mirror.

Abstract: An auto focus mechanism mounts a target of reading on a manuscript board and moves an optical read unit which is long in a main scanning direction along a sub scanning direction to read an image of the target of reading. The auto focus mechanism is provided to an image input apparatus for inputting image data. The read unit includes: an optical source for irradiating the target of reading with a read light ray; a lens which accepts a reflected light ray from the target of reading and is long in the main scanning direction; a lens thickness change portion which is provided on both sides of the lens in the longitudinal direction and mechanically operates so as to change a thickness of the lens in the longitudinal direction by an electric lens; a SELFOC lens for focalizing a reflected light ray at a central portion in the sub scanning direction; and a photoelectric transfer portion for photoelectric-transferring a focalized reflected light ray to generate image data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to turning and recording and/or reproducing multiple pages or leaves from a material, such as a book or periodical. A leaf lifting mechanism lifts the leaves of the material (e.g., book, periodical, etc.) from which the images are to be obtained. The leaf lifting mechanism can turn the leaves of the material itself, or also work cooperatively with an image recordation mechanism to turn the leaves of the material. During recordation, the image recordation mechanism follows the curvature of the leaf being recorded to minimize image distortion or degradation. The recorded images may be reproduced by a reproduction device such as a photocopier or printer.

Abstract: In an image reading apparatus in which a document is read with scanning by a image pickup device, a height of the document and an outline of the document are detected. Based on the detected height and outline data, together with a calculating of a document size, an offset amount from a setting reference position of the document is calculated. Based on the calculations, the image is processed properly. Also, if the document is not placed correctly or a degree of an image distortion is not within a correctable range, an alarm is issued.

Abstract: An improved corrective lens for copying pages of a book pressed flat upon a document support glass of a xerographic copying machine or document scanner. The corrective lens is shaped to fit in the space between the book pages to be copied and the document glass of the copier. The corrective lens has a pyramidal center extending into the crease of a typical book. The lens extends outwardly from the pyramidal center to form substantially flat side portions that hold the pages of the open book in place.

Abstract: As the individual pages of a book having a gutter and outside edge margins and being held at least partially open are being automatically sequentially turned over, in coordination therewith a flattening force is applied to the unimaged gutter margin areas of the book for flattening the pages after they have been at least substantially turned over, and unimaged outside edge margins of the book are clamped by automatic clamping members in coordination therewith, for appropriate page viewing and/or imaging. The flattening force may be applied with a V shaped reciprocally movable member, which may also be partially self-centering in the book gutter, and may also open to push outwardly on the then-open pages, as applied.

Abstract: An input scanner for scanning three-dimensional objects, such as books, on a platen. The input scanner includes a light source for illuminating a three-dimensional object, an elongated sensor array for producing a digital representation of the image on the three-dimensional object, a lens array, a moving mirror, and a mirror positioning system, which beneficially includes a mirror motor. The mirror positioning system positions the mirror such that the input scanner's object plane tracks the contour of the three-dimensional object on the platen. Object plane adjustments are performed in response to contour information from a mechanical track guide, from a profile memory, or from a height sensor. Additionally, the input scanner might use a movable lens array, which is beneficially a gradient-index lens array.

Abstract: Two transparent plates constitute with each other an angle variable from about 60 to 120 degrees along their common edge. A book to photograph is opened at the chosen pages and placed sitting on said common edge. A photographic camera is attached near the free edge of one of the plates through a supporting element in such a way that the optical axis of the camera stays perpendicular to the one plate. A first planar mirror, which has one edge in common with the common edges of the transparent plates, is maintained exactly in the middle of the angle formed by the transparent plates but can be folded against the one plate. A second mirror which has one edge in common with the one plate near its free edge, is maintained perpendicular to the reference position of the first mirror.

Abstract: An input scanner for scanning three-dimensional objects, such as books, on a platen. An elongated raster scanner produces a digital representation of a line image in an object plane that is a fixed distance in front of the raster scanner's input optics. When scanning the three-dimensional object the raster scanner travels along a track guide that is contoured in the Z-direction. That contour is designed to mimic the contour of the three-dimensional object being scanned. When traveling along the track guide the distance between the three-dimensional object and the object plane remains substantially constant.