Cellular telephone based document scanner

A cellular phone contains a scanner feature for scanning documents directly into a cell phone. The cell phone may scan a small document (e.g., a business card) or a much larger: document (e.g., multiple pages of standard 8½''x11'' paper.). Business card scanning can include a feature to automatically enter data into a contact list, which is then synchronized with a host PC. The particular scanning and stitching methods disclosed in a cell phone are capable of scanning objects that are virtually limitless in size and/or shape, making use of even a low resolution camera integrated into many currently available cell phones. In first embodiments, the disclosed scanner makes use of an external scanner interfaced directly to a digital port of a cell phone, and in second embodiments, the scanner uses a low resolution internal camera to capture images of matrixed portions of a larger object or document.