Method and user interface for performing a scan operation for a scanner coupled to a computer system

Abstract

A method and user interface is provided for use on a computer system coupled with a scanner for performing a scan operation on an original document, which allows the user to acquire scanned images in an easier and more user-friendly manner. The method allows the user to scan an original document without requiring the user to have learned knowledge background in the science of image processing, and also allows the scanner to perform only one scan operation on the original document. These features allow the use of the scanner to be easier and more user-friendly than the prior art. By the, method, the first step is to determine a set of image processing settings by a scanner driving program that are suited for optimal scan of the original document; and then the scanner is activated to perform a scan operation on the original document based on the image processing settings to thereby obtain a primitive scanned image. Next, an image-enhancement process is performed on the primitive scanned image to thereby obtain a quality-enhanced image; and finally, the quality-enhanced image is transferred to the application program for use by the application program.

Description

[0001]Notice: More than one reissue application has been filed for the reissue of U.S. Pat. No. 6,628,416 filed as application Ser. No. 09 / 417,985 on Oct. 13, 1999.[0002]The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 237,579, filed on Sep. 27, 2005, which is a reissue of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 417,985, filed on Oct. 13, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,628,416, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]1. Field of the Invention[0004]This invention relates to scanner technology, and more particularly, to a method and user interface for performing a scan operation for a scanner coupled to a computer system, which allows the user to acquire scanned images in an easier and more user-friendly manner.[0005]2. Description of Related Art[0006]A scanner allows a user to convert the printed matter on a document into a digital image for further processing by a computer. In the use of a scanner, how...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention provides a method and user interface for scanning documents on a computer system using a scanner. The user interface is designed to be easy and user-friendly, allowing users to scan documents without needing to learn the science of image processing. The scanner only requires one scan of the original document, making it more efficient than previous methods. After scanning, the invention automatically performs image enhancement to improve the quality of the scanned image without needing any additional training. This makes the use of the scanner more cost-effective and user-friendly. The invention also provides a comprehensive set of image processing routines that meet most users' needs.

Problems solved by technology

In the use of a scanner, however, it requires well-learned and highly-experienced users to do the image processing tasks properly.

For inexperienced users, it usually requires a long period to learn, typically in a trial-and-error manner, which would make the training quite cost-ineffective since additional electricity and paper cost may be required in the training course.

One drawback to this patent, however, is that it is quite inefficient to use since it requires the scanner to perform two scan operations on the same document.

It is apparent that the foregoing procedure has the drawback of requiring the scanner to perform two scan operations on the same document to obtain the final scanned image, which makes the image acquisition quite inefficient.

Moreover, the U.S. Pat. No. 4,837,635 is still quirequite insufficient in functionality to meet user demands in image processing.

Therefore, for unlearned and inexperienced users, it would be highly difficult for them to use these programs rightly, and requires the user to spend much time and material on training.Consequently, inexperienced users have a difficult time using the programs correctly without spending time, and other resources, on obtaining the proper training.

First, they require the user to have learned knowledgea background in the science of image processing in order to properly carry out the image acquisition, which makes the use of the scanner quite difficult and user-unfriendly.

Second, if a user has no such knowledge background, the user needs to spend much time and material on training, typically in a trial-and-error manner, which would make the use of the scanner quite cost-ineffective.

Third, the U.S. Pat. No. 4,837,635 provides only limited functionality to the image processing, which would not meet user demands in high-end image processing.

Fourth, the prior art requires the scanner to perform two scan operations on the same document to acquire the final scanned image to be used by the application program, which makes the use of the scanner quite inefficient. It is desired that only one scan operation is needed.

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