Hewlett-packard Development Company, L.p.

Hewlett-packard Company

Kevin J Youngers

Steven L Webb

Robert Gregory Gann

David W Boyd

Maurizio Pilu

Rodney Carl Harris

Dan S Johnson

Greg A Degi

Jacklyn M Dowdy

Scott Clinton Baggs

Michael D Erickson

Jerry L Bybee

Gregory A Brake

Gerardo Orozco Abundis

Ted A Smith

A variable skew correction system comprises a de-skew application executable to transform scanned image data of a document exhibiting a variable skew condition to an output model representing a de-skewed image of the document by transferring pixel data for each of a plurality of raster lines of the scanned image data to the output model, wherein a variable spacing between at least two adjacent raster lines of the scanned image data is modified in the output model to correct non-linear distortion of the scanned image data.

Variable skew correction system and method

Embodiments of a method performed by an image capture device are provided. The method includes performing a calibration operation on a photosensor array of the image capture device using a background surface with a substantially uniform grey color and performing a scan operation to capture a scanned image from a medium using the background surface.

Image capture device

A method, system, and apparatus for the shifting of a scanning device's focal point is described herein. The method, system, and apparatus comprise a focal point shifter interposed between a scanner surface and a target surface of a medium.

Focal point shifter for scanning applications

In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method for verifying a scan mode selection utilized for a scanned image. The method comprises comparing the scanned image to scan samples stored in memory, determining a scan state from a scan sample that most closely corresponds to the scanned image, determining whether the scan mode selection is consistent with the determined scan state, and providing an indication that the scan mode selection is not consistent with the determined scan state.

Systems and methods for verifying scanning mode selection

End-of-travel focus shift in an optical image scanner is provided. One embodiment is an optical image scanner comprising a platen, a stop member at a first end-of-travel position, and an optical head. The optical head comprises a ramped surface such that when the optical head engages the stop member the distance between the optical head and the platen is adjusted.

End-of-travel focus shift in an optical image scanner

A method and apparatus that reduces the inaccuracies in the tone map operation in the dark areas of an image.

Method and apparatus for reducing inaccuracies when processing color data with a tone map

End-of-travel focus shift in an optical image scanner is provided. One embodiment comprises a method for optically scanning. Briefly described, one such method comprises translating an optical head to a first end-of-travel position and adjusting the distance between the optical head and a platen by engaging the optical head with a first stop member disposed at the first end-of-travel position.

A virtual whiteboard is disclosed that employs a scanner as an input device of a communications system linking multiple remote participants across an Intranet or Internet in which a user writes directly onto the scanner's platen or on a clear plastic transparency on the scanner's platen with dry erase markers in the same manner a user would write on an overhead projector or a whiteboard. The scanner would then perform the scan and mirror the image from left to right and transmit an electronic signal representative of the scanned image to remote conference participants over the Internet or Intranet or other known signal transmission means.

Virtual whiteboard

A scanner is provided with a variable aperture lens system. High resolution scans use a relatively small aperture size, and scanning speed is relatively slow. Low resolution scans use a relatively large aperture size, and scanning speed is increased. Fast scans are limited to lower sampling rates, which in turn permit more optical blurring relative to high sampling rates. Accordingly, the incremental cost of the larger aperture is minimized by permitting the lens aberrations specifications to be relaxed at larger apertures. Preferably, an electronic variable aperture is provided, for example, by use of electronically controlled polarization plates or by use of electrochromic substances.

Digital image scanner with a variable aperture lens and multiple scanning speeds

A multiple image scanner that performs a single scan of a document containing different types of images (e.g., text and graphics) and sends multiple renditions of the same document from the scanner to a host computer (e.g., one high resolution gray scale image and one low resolution high bit depth color image; or one high resolution, low bit depth gray scale or monochrome image and one low resolution, high bit depth gray scale or monochrome image; or one high resolution, low bit depth color image and one low resolution, high bit depth color image), thus greatly reducing the total amount of data sent to and processed by the host computer.

Multiple image scanner

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. 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 extends in the X direction and coincides with the line of light. Multiple reference marks embodied in one or more reflection targets are located at a known position relative to the platen and/or its document referencing corner, to be scanned prior to scanning the document. Sensing of the reference marks enables (1) the X direction physical position of the CCD sensor array relative to the referencing corner to be accurately determined, (2) the Y direction physical position of the line of light relative to the referencing corner to be accurately determined, and (3) the platen's orientation with respect to the CCD array and line of light. A determination of the platen's orientation can include a determination of the platen's skew with respect to the CCD array and line of light, as well as a determination of the platen's orthogonality with respect to the direction of travel of a carriage which supports the CCD array and line of light.

Scanner with multiple reference marks

An apparatus having an image behind a document to be scanned on an optical image scanner, copier, facsimile machine or similar device. The image behind the document would partially bleed-through into the reproduced image, leaving a faint replica of the auxiliary &ldquo;bleed-through&rdquo; image in the reproduced image.

Method and apparatus for including an auxiliary image in a scanned image

A removable user interface panel for a peripheral device such as a scanner or copier is disclosed. The removable user interface panel may control or communicate with the peripheral device by means of a cable, a Universal Serial Bus device or hub, infrared or other known telecommunications means. The removable interface panel may also be attached to the end user's computer, monitor or keyboard for greater utility.

Method and apparatus for removable peripheral user interface panels

Transparent documents with precoated background so that only the text and foreground need to be printed by a printer is taught. Alternatively, the transparent documents may be precoated with watermarks, company logos, company confidential or other common background patterns. The printer may be able to selectively remove the background precoating from predetermined areas of the transparency where text or other foreground material will be printed. Alternatively, the ink in the printer may chemically dissolve the precoating in predetermined areas.

Method and apparatus for saving ink and printer bandwidth with

A line-focus system with a curved fluorescent bulb for directing light from the curved fluorescent bulb toward the scan line in the line-focus system. The curved fluorescent bulb is shaped in such a manner that the light intensity across the photosensor line array in the line-focus system is relatively uniform and the length of the light bulb is shorter than straight light bulbs with end sockets at both ends of the light bulb. The curved fluorescent bulb may be C-shaped, U-shaped or towel bar-shaped.

Growing community of inventors

Greeley, CO, United States of America

Kevin J Youngers