Hewlett-packard Company

Irene F Stein

Steven L Webb

David W Boyd

Greg A Degi

Nancy K Mundelius

Darwin A DeVore

Graig L Miller

Margaret M Sturgill

A computer operable method for implementing multiple views from a single scan window following a scanning process of an image scanner, the method involves designating the number of views to be obtained from the single scan window; designating the data type and other parameters for each of the number of designated views to be obtained from the single scan window; designating the number of views to be sent from the image scanner to a host computer; once a window has been scanned one or more times, generating a data signal representative of each of the number of views designated to be obtained from the single scan window; and sending each of the data signals representative of the number of views designated to be send from the image scanner to the host computer for further processing. The computer operable method may be implemented in scanner command language (SCL).

Method and apparatus for obtaining multiple views from one scan window

An image scanning system for producing digital data of a predetermined resolution representing a scanned image of an original. The system includes a photosensing array for generating the digital data, a stepper motor having steps of predetermined size for positioning the array with respect to the original, an image buffer for storing the data and control system for synchronizing the scanning and the storing of data at one or more Y-positioning speeds. Scan line extents along the Y-direction are defined by the relationship of the Y-positioning speed to the array exposure time. The scan lines in conjunction with the present invention have boundaries, wherein the boundaries can occur on or between said motor steps.

Image scanning system and method with improved repositioning

Digital data produced by a document scanner or other data source is sequentially stored in a memory. A remote data receiver generates requests for data causing communication of the data from the memory in the same sequence in which it was stored but at a rate substantially asynchronous with respect to the rate of scanner data production. Data is concurrently loaded into the memory and transferred from the memory to the receiver so that continuous data storage and transfer throughout the scan of a given image is possible. Data from the scanner is sequentially loaded into the memory in recycling sequences until there are no available memory storage sections. The scanner is then caused to stop scanning and to cease data production until transfer of data occurs from a memory storage section to the remote receiver. The scanner is thereafter enabled so as to resume with production of the next data following that which was last loaded into the memory. For a scanner, the data interruption and resumption is obtained by stopping and repositioning of the scanner bar relative to the document. Scanning is started or restarted when the data in the memory is inadequate to completely satisfy the current receive command.

Buffering control for accommodating variable data exchange rates

In a document scanner that is operating in the binary mode, the magnitude of the signal that is generated for each picture element (PEL) of each document scan line is compared to the magnitude of a threshold signal. Either a binary 0 or a binary 1 is generated as a result of this comparison. The threshold signal magnitude is dynamically established by a method and an apparatus that provides a stored history or histogram of the various signal magnitudes that are generated for each PEL of a plurality of the document scan lines. Since the signal magnitude(s) that is provided by scanning the background, non-image, area of the document occurs the majority of the time within this histogram, the magnitude of this majority signal(s) is used to set the threshold signal magnitude. As a result, the PELS of the document's visible image are converted to a binary electronic image with a minimum loss of visual image content. The threshold signal magnitude is continuously established in this manner during the scanning of a document.

Method and apparatus for establishing threshold level in a binary mode

A document to be scanned is corner referenced on a transparent platen, with the document's image facing down. The platen defines an X-Y coordinate system matrix. A moving line of light extends in the X direction and illuminates the document's image, line by line, as the line of light moves in the Y direction. The line of light that is thus reflected from the document is sensed by a linear CCD sensor array having a large number of individual sensor cells arranged in a line that effectively extends in the X direction. Each cell of the CCD array defines an individual pixel (PEL) within the line of light that is reflected from the document. A reflection target is located at a known position relative to the platen's referencing corner, to be scanned prior to scanning the document. Sensing of the target enables (1) the X direction physical position of the CCD sensor array relative to the referencing corner to be accurately determined, and (2) the Y direction physical position of the line of light relative to the the referencing corner to be accurately determined, both parameters being determined prior to scanning of the document.

Growing community of inventors

Fort Collins, CO, United States of America

Irene F Stein