Xerox has developed camera phone technology that allows
users to scan and transmit documents using powerful document
imaging software residing on the handset.
Xerox said the technology would suit users such as lawyers and
insurance adjusters, or workers wanting to check signatures or
capture contracts on the move.
The Mobile Document Imaging software, written in C++, works with
the Nokia 7610 camera phone running the Symbian 7 operating system.
It has a one-megapixel capability - the minimum required for
accurate document capture, said Xerox.
The software acquires the image, sharpens it, converts it to black
and white, shrinks the file size, and can then print or fax it or
send it via Multimedia Messaging Service, Bluetooth or e-mail,
where the recipient can carry out optical character
recognition.
Xerox senior scientist Chris Dance said, "The quality is good. Not
as good as a conventional photocopier, but it will improve next
year with higher resolution five-megapixel cameras."
Xerox demonstrated the system at its research centre in France,
along with software that allows any digital camera to capture and
transmit documents to a PC, which then executes optical character
recognition functions.
Paul Withington, senior analyst at IDC, said, "This will definitely
have a place in many business sectors, particularly construction
and insurance."