Image analysis – Image sensing – Multiple scanning
Reexamination Certificate
1996-10-03
2001-02-13
Au, Amelia (Department: 2723)
Image analysis
Image sensing
Multiple scanning
C382S305000, C358S407000, C358S408000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06188807
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a scanner server apparatus and a scanner server system which store image data from a scanner for photoelectrically reading an original image and transfer the stored image data to a processing apparatus over a network.
In recent years, a plurality of computers are often connected over a network so as to facilitate a sharing of data and printer resources. As a function therefor, the functions of a print server through which a plurality of users share a single printer and a scanner server through which a plurality of users share a single scanner have come to be valued.
As described above, the scanner server is designed to provide access to a single scanner by a plurality of computers on a network. This makes it possible to obviate the need to provide a dedicated scanner for each computer and simplifies the system configuration.
Unlike the print server for inputting and storing image data transferred through a network and printing out at any desired time, the scanner server requires a real time characteristic such that when an original document to be read is set in the scanner, the original document image is read and the image is stored.
Therefore, while the reading and storing of the document image set in the scanner is being performed in accordance with a command from a particular computer, the scanner server cannot respond to a request from any other computer. Further, while a process requiring processing time, such as editing of an image, is being performed by an execution of the image storage function of the scanner server, requests from the other computers are placed in a waiting state until the process is terminated.
Examples of such processes include storing image data, obtained by prescanning an original document image, in a scanner server, transferring the stored image data to a computer over a network and displaying it thereon, and setting various processing conditions for the displayed image, after which the original document image is scanned again (the final scan) and image processing is performed on the image data obtained thereby.
During such processing, the scanner and the scanner server are exclusively used for that process for a long period of time beginning with the prescan and continuing until the main scan is terminated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been achieved in view of the above points. It is an object of the present invention to make it possible for a scanner and a scanner server to efficiently operate.
It is another object of the present invention to improve the use efficiency of a scanner server which is connected over a network.
It is a further object of the present invention to make it possible to perform a prescan and a full scan at any desired independent time.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a scanner server apparatus for storing image data from a scanner for photoelectrically reading an original document image and transferring the stored image data through a network, wherein a prescan process for storing image data output from the scanner in a prescan for reading the original document image at a low resolution, and a final scan process for processing image data output from the scanner in a final scan for reading the original document image at a high resolution in accordance with the processing conditions set on the basis of the image data stored in the prescan process can be performed at independent times.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a scanner server system comprising: a scanner for photoelectrically reading an original document image; and a scanner server for storing image data output from the scanner and transferring the stored image data through a network, wherein the scanner is capable of performing a prescan for reading an original document image at a low resolution and a final scan for reading the original document image at a high resolution, and the scanner server is capable of performing a prescan process for storing image data output from the scanner in a prescan for reading the original document image at a low resolution, and a final scan process for processing image data output from the scanner in a final scan for reading the original document image at a high resolution in accordance with the processing conditions set on the basis of the image data stored in the prescan process at independent times.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, for the purpose of preventing an inadvertent deletion of the image data which is output from a scanner and is stored, there is provided an apparatus, comprising: storage means for storing image data output from a scanner for photoelectrically reading an original document image; transfer means for transferring the image data stored in the storage means to a processing apparatus through a network; and prohibition means for prohibiting the deletion of the image data stored in the storage means.
The above and further objects, aspects and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
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patent: 5301244 (1994-04-01), Parulski
patent: 0529864 (1993-03-01), None
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Andrew Tribute, Seybold Report on Publishing System, v25, n2, p. 12 (10), Sep. 18, 1995.
Urban Joner, Seybold Report on Publishing System, v24, n19, p. 22 (8), Jun. 22, 1995
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Patent Abstracts of Japan, vol. 012, No. 072 (E-588), Mar. 5, 1988 & JP 62 213369 A (Fujitsu Ltd), Sep. 19, 1987, *abstract*.
Au Amelia
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
Fitzpatrick ,Cella, Harper & Scinto
Wu Jingge
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