Facsimile and static presentation processing – Facsimile – Picture signal generator
Reexamination Certificate
1997-06-04
2001-05-29
Grant, II, Jerome (Department: 2624)
Facsimile and static presentation processing
Facsimile
Picture signal generator
C358S452000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06239882
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The field of the invention is the use of digital scanning systems in the electronic prepress and photographic industries. The invention relates specifically to the scanning and image processing of original images in a production environment
BACKGROUND ART
As the electronic pre-press industry has evolved, image quality expectations have increased greatly, thereby involving the use of ever more expensive scanning and processing equipment. Efficient work flow and productivity involves keeping the scanning functioning at the highest possible duty cycle performing productive work. Increasingly, the scanning process and the post-scanning image processing become the determinants to the rate at which original images can be processed by a facility providing these services.
The primary components of a scanning system include a computer workstation and a scanner. The traditional work flow steps for scanning multiple original images has been to perform a series of operations that are completed sequentially in order to process the next image. These steps include: 1) cleaning and mounting the original images in the scanner 2) performing an initial low-resolution scan of the original images to obtain digital data representations of the images 3) electronically selecting specific areas of the images to be processed (i.e., cropping) 4) performing a preview scan of the selected areas 5) editing the preview scan which might include color correction, rotation, scaling, etc. 6) performing a final scan of the image and 7) electronically storing the image data or directing the final scan information to an output device such as a printer. Steps three (3) through seven (7) are then repeated for each original image. Typically, the operator is idle during the preview and final scan, and while the image is being electronically stored or directed to an output device. Also, the scanner is inactive while the operator evaluates and edits each preview scan. This results in substantial loss to the output capacity in traditional scanning systems.
The traditional work flow steps for scanning a single original image include the following: 1) the computer workstation requests that the scanner perform a scan of a first band or portion of the image 2) the computer workstation waits for the band to be scanned 3) the scanned band information is retrieved from the scanner by the computer workstation 4) the scanned band information is then processed and saved in the computer workstation or directed to an output device and 5) the computer workstation requests the scanner to scan the next band of the image. Steps two (2) through five (5) are then repeated for all the bands of the original image. The problem with these workflow steps is that the computer workstation and the scanner are not performing operations simultaneously at any given time which results in reduced productivity in the scanning system.
It is accordingly a primary object of the invention that image processing operations can be carried out in parallel with scanning operations.
It is another object that the invention provide a method for scanning and post-scanning processing in a high-productivity scanning system.
SUMMARY DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the invention, a method is provided for scanning original images comprising the steps of performing an initial low-resolution scan of the original images to obtain a plurality of low-resolution digital data representations of the original images, selecting at least two original images based on the low-resolution digital data representations for performing a secondary scan thereon, performing the secondary scan on the at least two original images thereby creating a secondary digital representation of the at least two original images and preparing one of the at least two original images for further scanning while simultaneously scanning at least one other of the at least two original images for scanning. The method also includes the steps of preparing the original image for scanning after obtaining the secondary digital representation, thereby creating a prepared image which is ready for final scanning and scanning the prepared image while simultaneously preparing at least one other original image for scanning. After the prepared imaged is finally scanned, it is automatically archived.
A method is also provided for scanning an original image to obtain the digital data representation of the original image, this method comprising the steps of scanning a plurality of portions of the original image at least once to obtain a plurality of digital data representations and processing each of the plurality of digital data representations thereby creating a plurality of processed digital data representations of the plurality of portions, wherein the scanning of at least one of the plurality of portions occurs simultaneously with the processing of at least one of the plurality of digital data representations. This method further comprises the step of archiving the plurality of processed digital data representations.
An apparatus is provided for scanning original images, comprising an input preparation station for preparing original images for scanning and a scanner for scanning an original image simultaneously with the preparation of another original image for scanning. The input preparation station may include a computer workstation having a foreground and a background and a user-interface in the foreground for viewing and preparing the original images. The input preparation station may further include a scanner driver for controlling the scanner, wherein the scanner driver includes a queue device in the background for storing the prepared plurality of images, the queue device operating simultaneously with the user-interface. The scanner provides a digital representation of each scanned original image and the input preparation station may further comprise a storage device for storing the digital data representations. The apparatus may further comprise a drive device for driving the input preparation station.
An apparatus is also provided for scanning an original image to obtain the digital data representation of the original image, the apparatus comprising a scanner for scanning a plurality of portions of the original image at least once to obtain digital data representations of each of the portions of the original image and a computer workstation comprising a processor for processing the digital data representations of the original image wherein the processor processes the digital data representations of the scanned portions simultaneously with the scanning of at least one other portion of the original image.
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patent: 0 464 523 (1992-01-01), None
patent: WO 92/05668 (1992-04-01), None
De Mangelaere Peter
Omvik John F.
Stokes Earle B.
Tuijn Chris
Winikates Dana M.
Agfa Corporation
Grant II Jerome
Keley Edward L.
Merecki John A.
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