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Mobile

Mobile Getting Started

RateScan's mobile interface allows you to capture documents directly from your phone and sync them instantly to your desktop workspace. This guide will help you get started with mobile document capture.

Overview#

The mobile interface is designed for quick document capture on-the-go. You can:

  • Take photos of documents with your phone's camera
  • Import documents from your photo library
  • Instantly sync documents to your desktop workspace
  • Process documents without being at your computer

Accessing RateScan on Mobile#

Web Browser Access

RateScan is a web application that works in mobile browsers. You don't need to install a separate app:

  1. Open your mobile browser (Safari on iOS, Chrome on Android)
  2. Navigate to the RateScan website
  3. Sign in with your account credentials
  4. Navigate to the Mobile section

Adding to Home Screen (Recommended)

For quick access, add RateScan to your home screen:

iOS (iPhone/iPad)

  1. Open RateScan in Safari
  2. Tap the Share button (square with arrow)
  3. Scroll down and tap "Add to Home Screen"
  4. Edit the name if desired, then tap "Add"
  5. RateScan will appear on your home screen like a native app

Android

  1. Open RateScan in Chrome
  2. Tap the menu (three dots) in the top right
  3. Select "Add to Home screen" or "Install app"
  4. Confirm the installation
  5. RateScan will appear in your app drawer and home screen
Pro Tip: Adding RateScan to your home screen provides a native app-like experience and makes it easier to access quickly when you need to capture documents.

Initial Setup#

Camera Permissions

RateScan needs access to your camera to capture documents. When you first try to use the camera:

  1. Your browser will request camera permission
  2. Tap "Allow" to grant permission
  3. If you denied permission, go to your device settings to enable it

Network Requirements

  • HTTPS Required - Camera access requires a secure (HTTPS) connection
  • Same Network - For local pairing, ensure mobile and desktop are on the same network
  • Internet Connection - Documents sync over the internet to your workspace
  • Data Usage - Be aware that uploading images uses mobile data

Pairing with Desktop

To sync documents from mobile to desktop:

  1. Open RateScan on your desktop computer
  2. Navigate to the Mobile section
  3. A QR code will be displayed
  4. Open RateScan on your mobile device
  5. Scan the QR code using the mobile interface
  6. Your devices are now paired
Pairing: The QR code pairing connects your mobile device to your desktop workspace. This allows documents captured on mobile to appear instantly in your desktop workspace.

Mobile Interface Overview#

Main Features

  • Camera Capture - Take photos directly with your camera
  • Photo Library - Import existing photos from your device
  • Document Preview - Preview captured documents before uploading
  • Upload Status - See upload progress and completion status
  • Sync Indicator - Know when documents have synced to desktop

Navigation

  • Mobile Tab - Main interface for document capture
  • Settings - Access mobile-specific settings
  • Help - Access help and documentation

Best Practices for Mobile Capture#

Document Preparation

  • Flat Surface - Place documents on a flat, even surface
  • Remove Obstructions - Remove staples, paper clips, or tape
  • Clean Documents - Ensure documents are clean and free of smudges
  • Single Page Focus - Capture one page at a time for best results

Camera Techniques

  • Good Lighting - Use natural light or bright, even lighting
  • Avoid Shadows - Ensure no shadows fall across the document
  • Fill the Frame - Get close enough so the document fills most of the frame
  • Straight Angle - Hold phone parallel to the document (avoid angles)
  • Steady Hands - Hold phone steady or use a surface to rest it on
  • Wait for Focus - Wait for camera to focus before capturing

Image Quality

  • High Resolution - Use the highest resolution your camera supports
  • Sharp Focus - Ensure text is sharp and readable
  • Good Contrast - Ensure good contrast between text and background
  • Proper Orientation - Capture documents right-side up
Lighting Tips: Natural daylight works best. If indoors, use bright, even lighting. Avoid harsh overhead lights that create shadows. Position yourself so your shadow doesn't fall on the document.

Common Issues and Solutions#

Camera Not Working

  • Check Permissions - Ensure camera permission is granted in browser settings
  • HTTPS Required - Ensure you're using HTTPS (secure connection)
  • Try Different Browser - Some browsers handle camera access differently
  • Restart Browser - Close and reopen the browser

Poor Image Quality

  • Improve Lighting - Move to better lighting conditions
  • Clean Camera Lens - Wipe camera lens clean
  • Get Closer - Move closer to fill the frame
  • Hold Steady - Use a surface or tripod to stabilize
  • Wait for Focus - Tap to focus and wait before capturing

Sync Issues

  • Check Internet Connection - Ensure both devices have internet access
  • Verify Pairing - Re-scan QR code to re-pair devices
  • Check Desktop - Ensure desktop RateScan is open and active
  • Wait a Moment - Syncing may take a few seconds

Upload Failures

  • Check Network - Ensure stable internet connection
  • File Size - Large images may take longer to upload
  • Retry Upload - Try uploading again
  • Reduce Image Size - If consistently failing, try lower resolution

Mobile-Specific Features#

Image Optimization

  • Automatic Compression - Images are automatically optimized before upload
  • Quality Preservation - Optimization maintains OCR quality
  • Faster Uploads - Optimized images upload faster
  • Data Savings - Reduced file sizes save mobile data

Batch Capture

  • Multiple Documents - Capture multiple documents in sequence
  • Queue Management - See all captured documents before uploading
  • Selective Upload - Choose which documents to upload
  • Batch Processing - Upload multiple documents at once

Next Steps#

Now that you're set up, learn more about mobile workflows: