Scanned Image Skew Correction via Vendor-Neutral Driver Extension
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing scanning devices often read images in a skewed state due to mechanical issues, and standard drivers lack the ability to correct such skew in scanned images, preventing users from adjusting them to a non-skewed state.
Innovation Solution
A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program that supports general-purpose image processing apparatuses, enabling the extraction of feature amounts from scanned images, displaying a setting reception screen for skew correction, and executing the correction based on user input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a general-purpose standard driver is used for scanning devices, then compatibility across multiple vendors is improved, but the ability to correct skew in scanned images is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the skew correction function from the general-purpose driver by introducing a separate extension program that operates independently. This extension program detects skew in scanned images and applies correction, while the main driver remains general-purpose and compatible with multiple vendors. The skew correction capability is thus separated from the driver core, allowing both compatibility and specialized functionality to coexist.
Solution Approach 2:
The extension program acts as an intermediary between the general-purpose driver and the image processing workflow. It receives scanned images from the driver, performs skew correction processing, and outputs corrected images. This intermediary layer enables skew correction without modifying the driver itself, maintaining vendor compatibility while adding the missing functionality.
2Measurement precision
If skew correction processing is added to the general-purpose driver, then image alignment accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into distinct functional components: the general-purpose driver handles basic scanning operations and vendor compatibility, while the separate extension program handles skew detection and correction. This segmentation prevents the driver structure from becoming complex while still providing comprehensive functionality. Each component remains simple and focused on its specific task.
Solution Approach 2:
The extension program performs skew correction as a self-service function, automatically detecting skew angles and applying corrections without requiring complex driver modifications. The program independently manages the skew correction process, including feature detection, angle calculation, and image transformation, thereby avoiding the need to complicate the driver architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program supporting a general-purpose program which can be commonly used for image processing apparatuses of a plurality of makers, each having a scan function. The program causes a computer to extract a feature amount from an image acquired by the scan function, display a setting reception screen for receiving a setting of skew correction processing for correcting, in a case where the scanned image is skewed, skew of this scanned image, and instruct the image processing apparatus to execute the skew correction processing according to the setting received on the setting reception screen.