DE102007043243A1 - Semi-automatic copier stand - Google Patents

Abstract

Summary: The invention relates to a device for the digital recording of documents, in particular bound documents such as books, in sufficient reading quality for humans. The apparatus comprises a length-variable spacer (26) standing on the work surface and a unit (16) directed at a document (29). This unit consists of any compact digital camera (12) (incorporated and not part of the invention), a manual digital remote camera release mechanism (5) characterized by a defined compressive force characteristic for pressing the release button by remote control (40) and exposure (19 ). With the help of this invention, comprehensive documents are photographed in conjunction with a commercially available compact digital camera quickly and conveniently. Here, the abzufotografierende document is handled in a natural way as when reading.

Description

The invention relates to a device for the digital capture of documents for reading purposes for humans. The device comprises a length-variable spacer ( 26 ), a pedestal standing on the work surface, and one on a document ( 29 ) unit ( 16 ) from any compact digital camera ( 12 ) (is introduced and is not part of the invention), a manual, characterized by a defined compressive force characteristic remote triggering device ( 5 ) for the digital camera to press the shutter button by remote control ( 40 ) and an exposure ( 19 ) consists.

State of the art

For digital optical document capture, it is possible to use a digital camera. There is a compact device on the market in which a digital camera is already integrated ( DE 10 2005 049 338 B3 ). Devices of this type are primarily intended for use in the business sector and are characterized by high initial costs.

Furthermore, there are copier tripods ( DE 103 38 924 A1 ) which direct a camera down to photograph documents. However, the trigger button of the digital camera must be manually triggered by hand. This process is tedious for the operator on large documents. In addition, there may be shaky recordings.

For The private sector also offers equipment that apply a scanning technology and where the document is line by line is scanned. A scan with a flatbed scanner is required in addition to the scan time, time to lift, turn and Align the bound document.

task

The The object of the invention is a fast and cost-effective Device for digitally recording documents to realize the sufficient quality for human readers Provides. The invention primarily does not see any integrated Digital camera in front. The user uses his private digital camera in conjunction with the invention to digitize its documents. Using the digital camera becomes the process of digitizing accelerated. Since the invention of the cost of an integrated Digital camera is relieved, the consumer price is kept low.

The invention offers the possibility for remote triggering ( 40 ) of any compact digital camera ( 12 ) by means of an electromechanical device ( 5 ). This electromechanical device has an externally guided pin ( 2 ), which releases the shutter button of the digital camera ( 1 ) (possibly via power transmission mechanism) operated. The pencil ( 2 ) is generated by the electromechanical device ( 5 ) whose movement is controlled by an electrical switch ( 40 ) is activated by the user of this invention. The movement sequence is stored as a software program in an electrical circuit. This program is responsible for the timely activation of autofocus and image capture function in the order named.

By Increasing the distance of the digital camera to the document allows the invention the digital capture of documents in different Sizes.

While the application requires the invention of the user little space and is stored space-saving. Due to the low weight and small Dimensions, the invention is portable. To digitize the documents with the help of this invention is not a computer (PC, notebook or other) necessary. The digitized documents are stored on the storage medium the digital camera filed.

The invention contains a light source ( 19 ) containing the document to be recorded ( 29 ) and thus avoids the use of the flash device of the digital camera. The flash device of the digital camera is thus not claimed by the additional use in the invention and its life is not reduced. The independent power supply of the digital camera is spared by not using the flash.

By choosing the light source ( 19 ) with color temperature in the daylight range, no adjustments to the light source type on the digital camera are necessary and / or subsequent digital reprocessing of the digital recordings is necessary.

The electrical lines for powering the light source and the control of the trigger mechanism are in horizontal and in housed the vertical telescopic stand rod. The wires consist of at least one spiral cable around the change to allow the telescopic rods. The junction between the horizontal and vertical telescopic stand rod is going through connected to a hinge. The spiral cable runs here inside the two telescopic support rods and through the joint.

embodiment

The components of the invention are in a suitcase ( 27 ) housed. The case should take over the functions of storage and transport packaging and the function of the stand. In the case is located on the opposite side of the hinge of the case a telescopic telescopic pole ( 26 ). This telescopic rod is z. B. left in the open case by means of a hinge joint ( 33 ) arranged. In the free space to the left of the telescopic pole, a power cable, a footswitch ( 40 ), an anti-slip mat and the camera pose ( 11 ). At the end of this telescopic rod is a swivel ( 23 ) attached. On the one hand, the height adjustment telescopic rod (just described) 26 ) as well as the horizontal telescopic rod, which in turn opens on its other side in the head of the copier tripod. The horizontal telescopic rod ( 22 ) runs far left through the head of the invention and is firmly connected to this. In the remaining free space of the case, the electrical circuit for controlling the electromagnet ( 5 ) housed. The head ( 16 ) of the invention consists of a flat surface with a large hole ( 15 ) of any shape. There is another hole ( 17 ). Inside the head is an electromagnet ( 5 ) arranged so that over a joint ( 3 ) on the core ( 7 ) of the electromagnet ( 5 ) applied force, up through this small hole ( 17 ) is forwarded. By connecting the lower mechanical assembly with another pin ( 2 ) inserted from above by the user, the triggering mechanism is completed. The pencil ( 2 ) after using the copying stand and folding the head ( 16 ) removed again. On the opposite side of the mechanically driven pin ( 2 ), the camera mount ( 11 ). This camera mount is at the bottom with permanent magnets ( 9 ) Mistake. The head ( 16 ) of the invention is on the top at the point where the camera mount ( 11 ) is to be placed, with a magnetizable plate ( 8th ) Mistake. At startup, only the pen ( 2 ) in the hole and the camera mount ( 11 ) with screwed on digital camera ( 12 ) so to the pen ( 2 ) on the magnetizable plate ( 8th ) arranged that the pin ( 2 ) the release button ( 1 ) can be pressed when being driven. In the head is an energy saving lamp ( 19 ) with a reflector ( 18 ) so that it radiates downwards ( 30 ).

The application of this embodiment:

After opening the suitcase ( 27 ) the anti-slip mat is removed from the case ( 27 ) and spread on the table. The suitcase ( 27 ) is placed on the anti-slip mat. In 5 it is shown how the head is now brought into shooting position. When lifting the height adjustment telescopic rod ( 26 ) goes the horizontal telescopic rod ( 22 ) due to the blockage in the rotary joint ( 23 ) with the head ( 16 ) With. Now the elevation telescopic pole ( 26 ) with the lid of the suitcase ( 27 ). The case and telescopic pole now form a stable triangle and the base of the copying stand. Now the head ( 16 ) and shot in recording position. When reaching the horizontal position, the swivel block ( 23 ) in turn. The document to be photographed ( 29 ) is placed on the anti-slip mat below the head. Then the pen ( 2 ) to press the release button ( 1 ) with the electromagnet ( 5 ) connected. The digital camera ( 12 ) with the bracket ( 11 ) screwed, brought into shooting position and turned on. Because the bracket ( 11 ) with the head ( 16 ) is held by magnetic force, is an orientation of the release button ( 1 ) of the digital camera and the pen ( 2 ) of the trigger mechanism easily possible. The digital camera is switched on and now the clamp closures ( 21 and 24 ) and the telescopic poles are pulled out so that the display ( 13 ) of the digital camera the abzufotografierende document ( 29 ) is presented in the intended manner. Now the mains plug is connected to 230V AC operating voltage. The footswitch ( 40 ) is brought to a comfortable position on the ground.

• 1. Dokumentseite aufschlagen bzw. auflegen
• 2. Fußschalter (40) betätigen
• 3. Der Auslöseknopf (1) der Digitalkamera wird nun automatisch betätigt und damit die Aufnahme gemacht. Der Benutzer bekommt von der Digitalkamera (12) ein akustisches Geräusch, dass die Aufnahme getätigt worden ist.
• 4. Die Vorgänge von Punkt 1–3 werden nun wiederholt

Procedure for capturing a document:

• 1. Open or hang up the document page
• 2. Footswitch ( 40 ) actuate
• 3. The release button ( 1 ) of the digital camera is now automatically operated and thus made the recording. The user gets from the digital camera ( 12 ) An audible sound that the recording has been made.
• 4. The operations of point 1-3 are now repeated

1

release button the digital camera

2

pen

3

joint

4

Place of force transfer between core ( 7 ) and pen ( 2 )

5

electromagnet

6

return spring

7

core

8th

magnetizable plate

9

permanent magnet

10

standardized Stativverschraubung

11

holder for the digital camera

12

digital camera

13

display the digital camera

14

electrical Connection to the electromagnet and light source

15

opening for the lens of the compact digital camera

16

head of the semi-automatic copying stand

17

opening for performing the pen

18

reflector

19

Lamp (here: energy saving lamp)

20

version

21

clip fastening

22

horizontal Spacer made as a telescopic stand rod

23

swivel

24

clip fastening

25

Einhackstelle for the trunk lid on the telescopic stand rod

26

Telescopic stand rod for height adjustment

27

suitcase

28

working surface or table

29

bound Document or book

30

optical Shooting range of the digital camera

31

optical Axis of the digital camera

32

spiral cable

33

horizontal Part of the swivel joint

34

vertical Part of the swivel joint

35

opening for passing the cable

36

inner ring

37

Outer ring

38

stopper

39

suitor Movement space for the stopper

40

electrical footswitch

41

begin the autofocus function

42

Trigger the image capture

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102005049338 B3 [0002]
• - DE 10338924 A1 [0003]

Claims (11)

The invention comprises a device for digitizing documents by means of a compact digital camera with sufficient reading quality for humans. The device consists of at least one base, at least one height adjustment spacer, at least one horizontal spacer and a head ( 16 ) in which at least one light source ( 19 ), at least one remote release mechanism and a holder ( 11 ) for a compact digital camera ( 12 ) are located. The height adjustment spacer ( 26 ) is at the bottom with the base and at the top with the horizontal spacer ( 22 ) connected at a certain angle. Adjusting the length of the spacer determines the document detail to be photographed. At the free end of the horizontal spacer is the head of the digitizer. The light source is fixed so that it illuminates the document to be photographed. The holder directs the lens of the digital camera down. The display of the digital camera shows the document to be digitized. The remote release mechanism is mechanically attached to the image release button ( 1 ) coupled to the digital camera and knows a temporally variable continuous or discrete compressive force characteristic. The compressive force which the remote release mechanism builds on the button of the digital camera first triggers the autofocus function ( 41 ) and then the image capture function ( 42 ) of the digital camera. The digital camera is mounted in the document digitizer by the user and is not an integral part of it. Image acquisition is achieved by electrical activation ( 40 ) of the remote release mechanism. After the image has been taken, the next document page to be captured is prepared by the user and then pressed again by pressing the button ( 40 ) photographed. The document digitizing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the triggering mechanism has a time-varying, continuous or discrete compressive force characteristic (e.g. 8th ) having. This compressive force characteristic is characterized in that it is continuous or discrete rising. The digital camera is initially characterized by a low compressive force ( 41 ) is brought to the shutter release button by activating the autofocus function. By further increasing the pressure force ( 42 ) finally a force is achieved with which the image acquisition function is activated. The drive for generating the pressure force characteristic can be realized with the aid of the following concepts: 2.1. at least one electronically controlled electromagnet ( 5 ) whose core is mechanically coupled to the release button of the digital camera. 2.2. at least one electric, rotating drive that drives a disk. The edge of the disc presses in the axial direction of a movable in only one direction pin. The other end of the pen presses the image trigger button on the digital camera. The compressive force characteristic is achieved here by a non-constant radius of the disc. 2.3. at least one electric rotary drive of the one wedge-shaped body reciprocates in one direction and a pin orthogonal to the direction of movement of the wedge and drives the pin in the orthogonal direction. The stylus presses the release button on the digital camera. (Jigsaw principle) 2.4. Pressure generation by pneumatic, hydraulic mechanically / electronically controlled system, whose pressure force is mechanically transmitted to the trigger button of the digital camera. 2.5. Pressure generation with gas cartridge / compressor in at least two stages or continuously and the mechanical coupling of this pressure force with the release button of the digital camera. 2.6. Pressure generation by electrically controlled piezo elements and the mechanical coupling of this pressure force with the release button of the digital camera. 2.7. Pressure generation by electrochemical actuators and the mechanical coupling of this pressure force with the release button of the digital camera. The document digitizer of claim 1 to 2 characterized in that the pressure force by a in the shell moving wire mechanically with the release button the digital camera is coupled. It can now by hand the compressive force characteristic be generated or with an electromechanical device, so that the wire with sheath to transmit the force the release button is used. It will be at least one this power transmitter from claim 2 is needed. The document digitizer according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the digital camera is upside down ( 16 ) for the spatial adjustment of the image release button ( 1 ) of the digital camera with the trigger mechanism can be achieved in the following manner: 1. The trigger mechanism is fixed. The digital camera is movably arranged in at least one spatial direction and conveniently in two spatial directions. The digital camera is fixed to the standard tripod screw connection with a movable slide. The freedom of movement of the carriage in one dimension is achieved by: 1.1. the carriage is secured against rotation on at least one rail 1.2 1.2. the carriage is secured against rotation from outside or inside the guide rails The holding device ( 11 ) can also be moved in the orthogonal direction. The rails are up orthogonally arranged rails, which are already in 4.1.1.-4.1.2. have been described. The spatial adjustment of the picture trigger button ( 1 ) of the digital camera with the triggering mechanism can be realized without the carriage construction by: 1.3. the holder of the digital camera at the bottom by at least one permanent magnet ( 9 ) is magnetically poled and the bottom of the head consists at least in part of a magnetizable plate ( 8th ) consists. The attraction between the permanent magnet and the plate keeps the spatial arrangement of the holder ( 11 ) and trigger mechanism. The arrangement of the permanent magnet and the magnetizable plate can be reversed. The holding device ( 9 ) of the digital camera or the triggering mechanism can be arranged immovable mechanically at any position by magnetic coupling. 1.4. the bottom and the holding device are each provided with the complementary side of the two Velcro sides. 1.5. the side on which the bracket ( 9 ) of the digital camera upside down ( 16 ) is mounted with nubs and the bracket ( 9 ) even with complementary openings which fit into each other and allow a mechanical blockage. The arrangement of nubs and openings can be reversed. 1.6. that in point 4.1.5. addressed concept, however, instead of knobs consisting of hooks and complementary openings. 2. The release mechanism is movably arranged. The digital camera is mechanically fixed. The mobility of the release mechanism is ensured by the fact that, in contrast to 4.1.1.-4.1.6 not the digital camera, but the triggering mechanism can be spatially moved accordingly. The same concepts as in 4.1.1.-4.1.6. to set up the trigger mechanism use. 4.3. The mechanical fixation of the holding device ( 11 ) of the digital camera or the trigger mechanism to each other, by gluing or screwing with the head ( 16 ) can be achieved. The document digitizer of claim 1 to 4 characterized in that on the reciprocating Pen of the triggering device of a body like that is applied that a flat flat side of the body orthogonal to the direction of movement and pointing in the direction of compression is arranged. On this surface can then at any Place another body to be applied so that the Trigger button pressed by this body can be. The document digitizing device according to claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least one light source ( 19 ) is to be arranged parallel to the surface to be photographed, so that it is evenly illuminated so as not to burden the battery of the digital camera unnecessarily by using the flash. The illuminant should emit visible light with a color temperature of 3500 K or higher. When operating the lamp with AC voltage, an electronic ballast should ensure that the switching frequency of the voltage directly applied to the lamp is higher than 15 000 Hz. The exposure time of the digital camera and the period of the AC voltage are related in such a way that the exposure time is a multiple of the period. This is to ensure that several maxima of the light intensity of the light source are within an exposure process of the digital camera and thus the images, which are successively detected by the digital camera, differ only slightly from the total brightness. Suitable bulbs are all today electrically powered bulbs in question, which have the properties described above. These include all light bulbs, gas discharge lamps and light-emitting semiconducting components. The document digitizer of claim 1 to 6 characterized in that to minimize the distortions the picture quality, the predominantly when taking pictures bound documents, such as B. the bulges the book pages caused by the binding or fold arise, be remedied by having the book in an accounting device is to be accommodated. This book holder should the maximum opening angle of the book to a value between 180 ° to 90 °. When arranging the left and right pages of the book at an angle smaller as 180 ° to each other, is only either the left or right Side parallel to the digital camera. The document digitizing apparatus according to claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the invention comprises a foot for stable placement on a flat work surface (eg table). The foot can be made as: 8.1. at least one heavy log to keep the focus of the photography device low 8.2. at least one suction button to increase the adhesive effect on the table surface 8.3. at least one clamping device as a clamping or screwing device for fastening the invention to the table edge 8.4. enlarged contact surface. This can be z. B. by rods, which are connected to the foot body by plugging and rest on the table surface. These rods can also be connected by hinges to the foot body, so that they are unfolded. These rods can also be designed as telescopic rods, which are pulled out of the foot body. The foot can also look like a large-scale body be guided. 8.5. Instead of a foot, the spacer ( 26 ) designed so that at least three support legs can be unfolded laterally to stabilize the digitizing device. These support legs can be used as telescopic rods or support legs with hinged joints and fixation on the spacer ( 26 ) be attached. The document digitizing apparatus according to claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the apparatus enables the adjustment of the distance between the digital camera and the document. This allows documents of different sizes to be digitized. The distance between the digital camera and the document can be at least one telescopic telescopic arm, two rods connected by a joint (at least one joint and at least two rods on the joint) or a rod along which the horizontal rod with the head ( 16 ) of the digitizing device is used. For horizontal adjustment of the distance of the digital camera to the document, the same concepts can be used as for the vertical. The fixation of the head to the spacer can be done by screwing, clamping, hacking in openings. The document digitizing apparatus according to claim 1 to 9, characterized in that the stand a suitcase ( 27 ) is in which foldable a telescopic arm is installed. The telescopic arm is hinged on the opposite side of the trunk hinge. After opening the case, the telescopic arm is unfolded and fastened by means of a fastening device to the lid of the case, so form the case and telescopic arm a triangle. Then the head ( 16 ) to which a horizontally arranged telescopic arm is attached, mounted by means of a coupling on the telescopic arm for height adjustment. The document digitizing device according to claim 1 to 10 characterized in that in the telescopic arm is provided for spacing, a spiral cable ( 32 ) and thus adapts to the changes in the length of the telescopic arm. 1. The spiral cable connects the two ends of the telescopic arm electrically. The coupling between the two telescopic arms consists in the Höhenverstellungsarm from a socket and in the horizontal arm of a plug. By nesting the head ( 16 ) electrically connected to the plug for the power grid and the electrically operated and / or controlled triggering mechanism electrically connected to the drive. 2. The connection between the horizontal ( 22 ) Rod and the vertical rod ( 26 ) is a swivel joint ( 23 ) which has 2 stop positions. The spiral cable runs axially through these hinges. The swivel joint is constructed in such a way that 2 tubes are rotatably inserted into each other ( 33 and 34 ). Between these pipe parts there is a free space ( 39 ). In this space are each a stopper ( 38 ) are arranged on the two parts so that the two pipe parts are mutually rotatable, but have exactly 2 stop positions, so that a further rotation in one of the two directions of rotation is no longer possible. When designing this hinge, these stoppers should be arranged and dimensioned such that once the vertical and horizontal bars are parallel to each other and at another time, when the vertical bar is clamped, the head ( 16 ) is parallel to the table top.