Linear book scanner

A method of scanning a page of a bound volume using a linear scanner, comprising:

• moving the volume along a front portion of the linear scanner having first and second front support surfaces to cause the page to encounter a front guiding surface joined with the first front support surface which guides the page of the volume into a page turning channel within the linear scanner;
• and
• moving the volume along the front portion past the channel to a rear portion of the linear scanner having first and second rear support surfaces respectively aligned with the first and second front support surfaces to cause the page to encounter an exit surface joined with the second rear support surface which guides the page out of the page turning channel and onto the second rear support surface,
• wherein moving the volume along the linear scanner causes the page to encounter first and second digital scanning devices respectively disposed on one of the first support surfaces and one of the second support surfaces.

A linear scanner for scanning a page of a bound volume, comprising:

• a front portion having first and second front support means for supporting the volume as the volume moves along the linear scanner;
• front guiding means for guiding the page of the volume into a page turning channel within the linear scanner as the volume moves along the linear scanner;
• a rear portion having first and second rear support means respectively aligned with the first and second front support means for supporting the volume as the volume moves along the linear scanner;
• exit means for guiding the page of the volume out of the page turning channel and onto the second rear support means as the volume moves along the linear scanner;
• and
• first and second scanning means respectively disposed on one of the first support means and one of the second support means for digitally scanning the page of the volume as the volume moves along the linear scanner.