Technology Offer

Ref: 06 HU HUTP 0G07

Date: 17/08/2006 17:52:43

Title: Digitised Book Scanner

Abstract: A Hungarian SME has invented and patented a new digitised method of scanning books. Scanning is possible by the opening of books to a 45-degree angle only. There is no damage to the book’s spine and distortion of pages is eliminated with this procedure. Luminosity and colour fidelity do not depend on outer light as the closed optical system provides direct and even exposure of the pages. The SME is looking for a partner to develop a prototype and later provide the manufacturing of scanners.

Description: A Hungarian SME has invented and patented a new digitised method of scanning books. According to a market research more than one billion books are waiting to be digitised throughout the world. Because of increasing cost of storage and preservation of books, in the U.S.A. alone more than 117,000 libraries are planning to digitise their books. An additional advantage of digitisation is to make it possible for schools, colleges, universities, hospitals, etc. to have electronic access. Processing the knowledge of the past 500 years stored in books means an enormous business opportunity. The importance of this is emphasised by the announcement of Google, Yahoo, Amazon and Microsoft that they intend to take part in varied international programmes in relation to digitising books. The question is how to digitise huge quantities of books effectively while safeguarding the books, yet achieving good-quality reproduction. The answer lies in the technical solution developed, protected by a patent comprising 10 claims. The preliminary survey report of the International Patent Association (PCT II.) acknowledged that these claims are novel, invent activities and can be used industrially. All of the problems with book digitisation can be eliminated with the help of the Alexandria Book Scanner. The book digitisation process is based on the patented application as described in the patent claims, according to which scanning is possible by the opening of books to a 45-degree angle only. With the help of this, scanning of books can be realised without any damage to the book’s spine, and distortion of pages is eliminated with this procedure. Innovative Aspects: Overcomes the following main problems of scanning: - Defects in binding or spine arising from opening the book - Uneven luminosity and colour fidelity depending on outer light - Shadow or blind zones appearing at the spine - Non-linear distortion appearing at the spine - There are no defects at the spine as books are opened to a 45-degree angle only - Luminosity and colour fidelity do not depend on outer light, as the closed optical system provides direct and even exposure of the pages - There are no shadows or blind zones appearing at the spine as the optical system within the wedge shape illuminates and scans the centre of the pages to the same extent as the rest of the page. - There is no distortion at the spine as the wedge shape optical system placed between the pages completely covers the pages of the book