Image analysis – Image transformation or preprocessing – Changing the image coordinates
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-29
2001-10-02
Couso, Yon J. (Department: 2723)
Image analysis
Image transformation or preprocessing
Changing the image coordinates
C382S312000, C707S793000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06298172
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an improved platen-based image-acquisition apparatus having a preview feature. The preview feature enables the user to view anticipated output from the apparatus before the apparatus is activated so adjustments may be made in orienting a workpiece upon the platen or in selecting image control features.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are few businesses today that do not rely upon platen-based image acquisition apparatuses, such as photocopy machines, scanners, and facsimile machines. These devices may now even be frequently found in the home. A difficulty encountered in using these devices, however, is that the output does not always conform to the user's expectations with regard to orientation, dimensions, brightness, tone, magnification, or the like. Consequently, a user may have to activate the apparatus many times before the desired output is obtained, wasting time and resources.
As an illustration, a photocopy machine typically has at least two orientations (horizontal or vertical), for placing a workpiece upon a transparent platen, with the proper placement depending on which paper tray is selected. It is not uncommon for a user to place a workpiece upon the platen in the wrong position relative to the paper tray selected so the output is fragmented and misaligned; for example, a workpiece may be positioned vertically with the paper tray selected for a horizontally-positioned workpiece. Another commonly encountered frustration involves the user placing the workpiece on the platen in a crooked position so the copied image is tilted and edges of the workpiece get cut-off. These misalignment problems, or similar problems relating to selecting control features (e.g., magnification, brightness, etc.), are often encountered when the user wishes to create a copy having a graphic image different from that on the original workpiece (e.g., the copy is reduced in size or magnified or its orientation changed). In any case, these problems persist because with present-day copying machines, one cannot accurately anticipate the output such that numerous copies may have to be made before the right selection of controls is obtained.
Similar time-consuming frustrations are encountered with use of scanning devices. Due to slow scan acquisition times in current scanners, at the quickest rates available under today's standards a low resolution scan may consume from one to two minutes. A low resolution scan may be taken and shown on a computer screen with scanner-controlling software. In this way, a user may determine whether a workpiece is appropriately positioned on the platen of the scanner, and if necessary, reposition and reorient the workpiece. However, several low-resolution scans (each taking from one to two minutes), may be needed to position one workpiece, since the scanned image can be sensitive to slight misalignment of the workpiece relative to a Cartesian coordinate image-input system. Also, the scan does not produce a high resolution image showing the fiduicials of the scanner platen.
The instant invention addresses these drawbacks. The invention provides an improved image-acquisition apparatus having a preview feature that may employ real-time imaging characteristics, and it enables the user to view anticipated output, e.g., sizing and positional attributes of the acquired image, so adjustments may be made before the apparatus is activated. The pre-view feature provides an environmental benefit in reducing waste of paper, toner, and other resources, and it saves time and increases efficiency, not only during the image-aquisition process but also during maintenance. Further advantages may appear more fully upon considering the description below.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Summarily described, the invention embraces an improved image-acquisition apparatus of the type having a transparent platen with an inner surface and outer surface, where a workpiece having graphic matter is positioned on the outer surface of the platen and an image-acquisition device disposed adjacent the inner surface of the platen transfers an image of the graphic matter to another medium. The inventive improvement comprises a preview display feature comprising a preview display screen visible to the user and an image-processing system disposed proximal the inner surface of the platen coupled to the preview display screen. The image-processing system images a region of the platen defining a platen-image and forms the platen-image upon the display screen. The image-processing system may also form upon the display screen a frame-image for indicating the portion of the platen bounding the image to be transferred so a user may determine whether a workpiece is placed in a desired orientation before operating the apparatus. The improved image-acquisition apparatus may comprise a photocopy machine, a scanner, or a facsimile machine, and preferably the platen-image is formed in real-time characteristics.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5270839 (1993-12-01), Parulski
patent: 5309558 (1994-05-01), Rourke et al.
patent: 5450541 (1995-09-01), Rourke et al.
Arney Susanne
Kleiman Rafael N.
Moskowitz Jacqueline J.
Couso Yon J.
Lowenstein & Sandler PC
Lucent Technologies - Inc.
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