Filed under: Accessories, Hacks, iPhone
iPhone document scanner
Since the iPhone's introduction, people have been using the built-in camera for more than quick snapshots. Some have taken macro shots, used it as a webcam or even created high art (OK, so that last one was a bug). Another popular practice is to use it to generate to-do lists and even as a scanner. People have taken photos of things they need to buy or remember to do. Others have sent snapshots of business cards, receipts, etc. into applications like iPhoto and Evernote.
That's clever, but getting a legible image of your documents is difficult. Enter the iPhone Document Scanner. This device positions the iPhone and document to be "scanned" at the perfect distance and ensures a steady hand. If you're a Ponko member, you can download a free .eps file of the plans to build your own.
We knew Apple put the camera on the back for a reason!
Thanks, Baptiste!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Redd Starrs said 11:48AM on 9-05-2008
If only the iPhone's camera had enough resolution to be compatible with scanR!
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JonnyT said 2:00PM on 9-05-2008
Using the excellent PhotoSwap application, I've found myself having what is effectively an instant messaging conversation but instead of typing, we were using pencil and paper. It first struck me as totally bizarre, but its a lot of fun.
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Dean Burchell said 12:36PM on 9-05-2008
I think it's Ponoko not Ponko. Though the link is correct.
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crsh said 3:12PM on 9-05-2008
Yup, it's indeed Ponoko.
Mike said 12:50PM on 9-05-2008
If someone would make an app that shoots pics with a self timer, it would give added stability!
good times.
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Kyle A Koch said 1:07PM on 9-05-2008
Here's a flickr set with more images of my iPhone document scanner: http://flickr.com/photos/kyleakoch/sets/72157606221856723/
Check out kyleakoch.com early next week for more on how you can use this with evernote.
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Justin said 1:36PM on 9-05-2008
Kyle,
Can you post an actual captured "scan" of a document? I'd like to see the quality of it.
Thanks,
Justin
Kizorblade said 3:21PM on 9-05-2008
Sounds verrryy... silly. But nonetheless, mad props.
What happened to the scanner?
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sockatume said 1:48PM on 9-05-2008
Can apps use the camera yet? I have a Casio with a keystone-correcting document-capture mode, it strikes me as something which could be handy as an iPhone app.
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Tassia said 2:42PM on 9-05-2008
Oh, wow! I so want this! I've been trying to figure out how to do this.
Just last week I was at the Univ library to photocopy some old art mag articles and ended up taking a few iPhone pics of the colored art images.
To my complete surprise, not only did the images of the art come out very nice, I can read the captions as well - and that's with a hand-held iPhone.
I wonder if there's a way to make this more portable. Looks like it might be easy to set up. Off to the site...
Thanks for this. (Though the mind reading is a little eerie.)
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chadtcooper@gmail.com said 8:03PM on 9-05-2008
I've downloaded the plans to make the scanner. But the one thing I can't figure out and it may be that I'm looking over it. What are the measurements to the parts and how should I print these out, I'm guessing not on an regular printing, I don't think these templates would even fit on 11x17 paper. Maybe someone can point this out to me. Thanks
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John B. Kendrick said 9:37AM on 9-06-2008
While I haven't used the iPhone's camera as a scanner, I definitely use it alot to document products as displayed in stores for later recall or to mail to my family letting them know what's on sale or available. I've written about the many, many tasks I do everyday on my iPhone and iPhone 3G at http://johnkendrick.wordpress.com
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pj said 6:01PM on 9-06-2008
you don't need an iphone for any of these tasks, and it can't do any of them particularly well. face it: it's a pretty lousy camera.
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ses_music said 11:59PM on 9-07-2008
that is quite possibly the dumbest thing i have ever seen
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alaa said 7:46AM on 9-22-2008
looool
but where is the flash :D
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