A line-scan camera, also known as a line-scan image sensor or linear array camera, is a type of digital camera designed to capture images one line or row of pixels at a time, rather than a full two-dimensional frame in a single exposure. It is commonly used in applications where high-speed, high-resolution image acquisition is required, particularly for inspecting objects moving along a conveyor belt, scanning documents, or capturing continuous images of a rapidly changing scene.
Unlike conventional area-scan cameras, which capture an entire frame simultaneously, line-scan cameras utilize a linear array of photosensitive elements (usually charge-coupled devices or complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor sensors) arranged in a single row. These sensors sequentially record individual lines or rows of the scene, and as the object moves or the camera scans, the images are combined to create a complete two-dimensional image. This process allows line-scan cameras to achieve very high resolutions along the scanning direction while maintaining high frame rates.
Line-scan cameras are commonly used in industrial applications such as quality control and inspection, where they can capture fine details and defects in high-speed production environments. They are also employed in various scientific and medical imaging applications where capturing detailed information with minimal distortion is essential.