Facsimile and static presentation processing – Static presentation processing – Size – resolution – or scale control
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-29
2001-11-13
Lee, Thomas D. (Department: 2724)
Facsimile and static presentation processing
Static presentation processing
Size, resolution, or scale control
C358S001900
Reexamination Certificate
active
06317219
ABSTRACT:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
This application makes reference to, incorporates the same herein, and claims all benefits accruing under 35 U.S.C. § 119 from my application entitled Image Quality Compensation Device and Method Using a Shuttle Scanner filed with the Korean Industrial Property Office on Sep. 29, 1997 and there duly assigned Serial No. P97-49529 by that Office.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a shuttle scanner and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for compensating for image distortion of a shuttle scanner in which a scanned reference pattern is used to correct inter-block distortion caused by the magnification error of a scanner module.
2. Related Art
Recently, multi-tasking systems that combine the various functions of a printer, a facsimile machine, a copy machine, a scanner, etc., have been developed. In combining scanner functions with those of a printer, a shuttle-type scanner using a shuttle scanner module is typically employed. The shuttle scanner module travels across a sheet of paper together with the ink cartridge, using the same driving system as that of the print head module, and the paper is fed using a line feed motor (stepper motor). A shuttle scanner, however, has its own unique set of problems in performing a scanning operation.
For example, in scanning an object using a shuttle scanner module, the scanned object is divided into shuttle blocks. In that process, inter-block image distortion can occur, whereby duplicate image portions are scanned into adjacent blocks and are then overlapped, or whereby a gap occurs between adjacent block. This problem results from magnification error which, in turn, results from assembly tolerance errors occurring during the scanner assembly or manufacturing process.
Therefore, there is a need for the development of a method and apparatus for correcting image distortion occurring between adjacent image blocks caused by shuttle scanning involving division of a scanned object into a number of blocks.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, in order to overcome such drawbacks in the art, it is an object of the present invention to correct image distortion occurring between adjacent image blocks caused by a shuttle scanner scanning by dividing an object to be scanned into a number of blocks.
It is another object of the present invention to calculate a magnification adjustment error due to an assembly allowance of a scanner module.
It is another object of the present invention to control the drive quantity of a line feed motor according to the calculated magnification error.
It is another object of the present invention to perform image compensation by determining a valid image data acquisition area of scanning data using the calculated error value of the necessary magnification adjustment.
To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described, there is provided a method and apparatus for compensating for inter-block image distortion in a shuttle scanner. The method and apparatus include the steps of and means for: scanning a reference pattern having a predetermined vertical dimension; calculating a magnification factor of a scanner module by comparing the vertical dimension of a scanned image with that of the reference pattern; and correcting image distortion occurring between adjacent image blocks using the relative sizes of the scanned image and a reference pattern.
According to one aspect of the present invention, the correcting step uses the calculated magnification factor to perform selective image-processing on scanning data.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the correcting step adjusts a drive quantity of a line feed motor to control a transfer distance of an object being scanned.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4404590 (1983-09-01), Mayer et al.
patent: 5309205 (1994-05-01), Hayano
patent: 04131266 (1992-05-01), None
Brinich Stephen
Bushnell , Esq. Robert E.
Lee Thomas D.
Samsung Electronics Co,. Ltd.
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