Fast, auto-cropping, bi-directional multi-resolution scanner apparatus, system and software therefor

Abstract

Bi-directional multi-resolution scanner having software/firmware for 1- to 2-pass high resolution scanning, enabling the scanner to capture and render image data both the standard direction, top to bottom pass, as well as the return direction, that is, bi-directional scanning, in contrast to prior art scanners which return to the start position after each pass without reading (scanning). Typical current B&W scanning of an 8½×11″ image at 600 dpi takes a total time from start to reload to the next image of on the order of 42-67 seconds. In contrast, the inventive system scans and displays the high resolution image in about 37 seconds, some 7-30 seconds faster than a conventional scanner. In multiple image scanning, since the time for the two return passes and the preview pass is eliminated, the productivity is increased from 20 to 300% or more. Since multiple non-scan return passes are eliminated, the inventive system is also a substantial improvement for limited power bus devices.

1 ) In a digital scanner having a platen for receipt of an image document to be scanned, a scanner bar moveable from top to bottom in a preview, low resolution scan mode in a first scanner bar pass, or in a final, high resolution image acquisition scan mode in a third scanner bar pass, and back from bottom to top in a plurality of return, non-scan mode second and fourth scanner bar passes, and firmware and software for operation of the scanner and for selection, cropping, editing, management and storage of acquired images, the improvement comprising initiating scanning at high resolution mode on a return pass and eliminating one or more non-scan return passes of the scanner bar.  
     
     
         2 ) Improved digital scanner as in  claim 1  which includes an auto crop mode.  
     
     
         3 ) Improved digital scanner as in  claim 2  wherein said scanner previews and auto crops a first image in said first pass and acquires the high resolution cropped image in the second bottom to top pass without pause for user initiation of final scan after said preview scan.  
     
     
         4 ) Improved digital scanner as in  claim 3  wherein a second image is auto cropped and scanned at high resolution in a third, top to bottom pass.  
     
     
         5 ) Improved digital scanner as in  claim 4  wherein subsequent images are auto cropped and scanned at high resolution in each subsequent pass.  
     
     
         6 ) Improved digital scanner as in  claim 1  which includes a manual crop mode.  
     
     
         7 ) Improved digital scanner as in  claim 6  wherein said scanner previews a first image in said first pass, permits user cropping of said image, and acquires the high resolution cropped image in the second, bottom to top pass upon user initiation of final scan after cropping.  
     
     
         8 ) Method of operation of a digital scanner having a platen for receipt of an image document to be scanned, a scanner bar moveable in a plurality of passes from top to bottom and bottom to top in one or more of a first, preview, low resolution scan mode and in a final, high resolution image acquisition scan mode, and firmware and software for operation of the scanner and for selection, cropping, editing, management and storage of acquired images, comprising the step of scanning at high resolution mode on a return pass.  
     
     
         9 ) Method of scanning as in  claim 8  which includes the step of selective auto cropping an image document in a first top to bottom pass.  
     
     
         10 ) Method of scanning as in  claim 9  which includes the added step of acquiring a high resolution cropped image in a second bottom to top pass without pause for user initiation of final scan after said preview scan.  
     
     
         11 ) Method of scanning as in  claim 10  which includes the step of auto cropping and scanning at high resolution a second image in a third, top to bottom pass.  
     
     
         12 ) Method of scanning as in  claim 11  which includes auto cropping and scanning subsequent images at high resolution in each subsequent pass.  
     
     
         13 ) Method of scanning as in  claim 8  which includes the step of selective manual cropping of said preview image.  
     
     
         14 ) Method of scanning as in  claim 13  which includes the added step of acquiring a high resolution cropped image in a second, bottom to top pass upon user initiation of final scan after cropping.  
     
     
         15 ) An article of manufacture comprising a computer useable medium having computer readable code means embodied thereon, and said code means comprising a plurality of instruction sets for causing a digital scanner to scan at high resolution in a bottom to top pass of a scanner bar.  
     
     
         16 ) A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having computer readable program code embodied thereon for controlling the movement and scanning resolution of a digital scanner bar during passes from top to bottom and bottom to top of a digital scanner platen, and image data transfer, image cropping, image management, image rendering and image data storage and retrieval, said computer readable program code means in said medium comprising computer readable program code means for causing a computer to initiate said scanner to scan at high resolution in a bottom to top pass of said scanner bar.  
     
     
         17 ) A computer program as in  claim 16  wherein said code means effects selective or auto cropping of an image document upon a first, preview scan of an image in a first top to bottom scan pass, and a high resolution cropped image acquisition in a second, bottom to top scan pass.  
     
     
         18 ) A computer program as in  claim 17  wherein said code means effects high resolution scanning of subsequent image documents upon subsequent top to bottom and bottom to top passes.  
     
     
         19 ) Firmware for a digital scanner comprising executable instructions that, when executed, direct a digital scanner to read a first image document at high resolution on a second, bottom to top scanner bar pass.  
     
     
         20 ) Firmware as in  claim 19  wherein said instructions direct said digital scanner to read subsequent image documents at high resolution at each subsequent scanner bar pass.