Chris Dance, Laboratory Manager at Xerox Research Centre Europe said the technique has only become possible with the recent advent of mega-pixel mobile camera-phones. The system we have developed cleans up the image file by automatically improving the focus and removing any shadows or lighting variations, he said.
This is followed by conversion of the image to black and white, like a conventional printed image. For color or handwritten text color saturation and white balance contrast techniques are applied. It then compresses the file for transfer before the data is forwarded by Bluetooth, SMS, MMS or email for printing or incorporating into an automated business process, he said.
Dance claimed that compression techniques used during the process will squeeze an image file to a point where it is 10 times smaller than the corresponding JPEG, the compression standard normally employed for mobile image transmission.
Once the image reaches a server or desktop PC where optical character recognition can be applied, various types of services can be initiated. It looks particularly promising as a means of enhancing the roles of employees working remotely. Consider how useful it would be to be able to scan in for onward processing a sales order, or to capture a form or contract and send it into a workflow system, he said.
Xerox maintains its technology could be applied in any vertical sector by enabling individuals to capture information and immediately transmit it from trade events, presentations, forums, client meetings, screens, whiteboards, and other situations.
It is understood that certain mobile phone manufacturers, mobile carriers, and application providers are showing an interest.
