Abstract:
Features, such as finely controlling toner response curves and properly orienting documents, provided by imaging capturing devices are accessed through a complicated graphical user interface that includes a number of tabs and large number of dropdown boxes, pop-up boxes, drop-down menus, and the like. Various displayable portions of a scanner control graphical user interface include a task-specific user instruction access button. Selecting the task-specific user instruction access button causes a pop-up menu to be displayed listing tasks that can be accomplished using, at least in part, various ones of the control elements displayed in the currently displayed portion of the scanner control graphical user interface. Upon selecting a selectable task item in the pop-up menu, a task-specific user instruction graphical user interface is displayed. A task instruction portion of the task-specific user instruction graphical user interface, provides the user with detailed instructions for accomplishing the selected task. A related tasks portion provides the user with a list of selectable tasks related to the selected task. The task description in the task instruction portion includes selectable terms used in the task description. Selecting a selectable term allows the user to either access the help entries on the selected term and/or causes a new list of selectable tasks to be displayed in the related tasks portion.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     This invention is directed to a graphical user interface for an image capture device, such as a scanner. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Scanners and other types of image capture devices have become ubiquitous office productivity tools for generating electronic images of physical original documents. Once an electronic image of a physical original document has been generated, the electronic image data can be used in an infinite variety of ways to increase the productivity and the product quality of an office. Such image capture devices include desktop scanners, other stand-alone scanners, digital still cameras, digital video cameras, the scanning input portions of digital copiers, facsimile machines and other multi-function devices that are capable of generating electronic image data from an original document, and the like. These image capture devices can also include image databases that store previously captured electronic image data. 
     However, as the cost of scanners and other image capture devices has dropped and the output quality of the captured electronic image data has improved, scanners and other image capture devices have been provided with an ever-increasing number of controllable features. Similarly, as users have become comfortable with capturing and using electronic image data obtained from original documents, the uses to which the electronic image data has been put, and thus the needed control over the quality and appearance of the electronic image data, have expanded greatly. 
     In response, standard interfaces between such image capture devices, including those indicated above, and the various application programs that use such captured electronic image data have been developed. These standard interfaces allow standard-compliant image capture devices and standard-compliant applications to easily communicate. One exemplary embodiment of such a standard interface is the TWAIN™ interface. The TWAIN™ interface allows any TWAIN™-compliant application program to input and use electronic image data using any TWAIN™-compliant image capture device. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The TWAIN™-compliant component protocol facilitates communication between application programs and image capture devices, such as those indicated above. One such TWAIN™ image capture device is the XEROX® DigiPath™ scanner. 
     The ever-increasing numbers of features provided by image capturing devices, such as the Xerox® DigiPath™ scanner, cause users of these image capturing devices to find it increasingly difficult to obtain the desired scanning results. 
     In particular, the various features provided by imaging capturing devices, such as the Xerox® FireStar™ are accessible through a complicated graphical user interface that includes a number of tabs and large number of dropdown boxes, pop-up boxes, dropdown menus, and the like. Accordingly, even sophisticated users can have trouble remembering how to accomplish specific tasks that can be accomplished by appropriate interacting with the graphical user interface. While this graphical user interface includes a Help function, the Help function is often inadequate to easily guide the user in accomplishing a desired task. As a result, users often forego performing desired tasks. 
     This invention provide systems, methods and graphical user interface control elements that allow the user to access task-specific instructions for various tasks. 
     This invention separately provides systems, methods and graphical user interfaces that display a list of tasks that are specific to the particular graphical user interface control elements currently displayed to the user. 
     This invention separately provides systems, methods and graphical user interfaces that provide a task-specific user instruction graphical user interface accessible through a task-specific user instruction access button, where the task-specific user instruction graphical user interface provides a detailed description of the steps needed to perform a selected task. 
     This invention additionally provides systems, methods and graphical user interfaces that provide, in the task-specific user instruction graphical user interface, a list of selectable related tasks. 
     This invention further provides systems, methods and graphical user interfaces that provide in the task-specific user instruction graphical user interface, selectable elements that link terms and phrases in the task description to either or both of conventional help information or lists of tasks related to the selected selectable element. 
     In various exemplary embodiments of this invention, various displayable portions of the scanner control graphical user interface include a task-specific user instruction access button. Selecting the task-specific user instruction access button causes a pop-up menu to be displayed listing tasks that can be accomplished using, at least in part, various ones of the control elements displayed in the currently displayed portion of the scanner control graphical user interface. Upon selecting one of the selectable task items in the pop-up menu, a task-specific user instruction graphical user interface is displayed. In a task instruction portion of the task-specific user instruction graphical user interface, the user is provided with a detailed set of instructions for accomplishing the selected task. In a related tasks portion, the user is provided with a list of selectable elements that identify tasks related to the selected task. 
     Additionally, the task description in the task instruction portion may include one or more selectable terms used in the task description. Selecting a selectable term allows the user to either access the help entries on the selected term and/or causes a new list of selectable tasks to be displayed in the related tasks portion. These new tasks are tasks related to the selected term. 
     In addition to providing the above task specific user instructions, there is a need for other features to obtain desired scanning results. 
     In particular, one such feature provided by image forming devices and image capturing devices is the ability to finely control various image quality response curves. One such response curve is the tone reproduction curve (TRC). In particular, in some image forming devices and image capture devices, it is possible to finely control the tone reproduction curve beyond merely providing the conventional lower-resolution indication that the entire output image should be lighter or darker than the entire input image. 
     Accordingly, to enable this fine control, the user is often provided with a graphical user interface that allows the user to define a number of points to which a response curve is to be fit. Once the various points are defined, a response curve is fit to or through these points. However, even sophisticated users have trouble intuitively appreciating the effects of this adjusted response curve in converting the input image values to the output image values. Thus, it is often different for even sophisticated users to use the graphical user interface shown in  FIG. 5  to obtain the desired output image. 
     This invention thus provides systems, methods and graphical user interfaces that allow the user to finely control a response curve of an image quality for an image forming or capture device in a more intuitive manner. 
     This invention separately provides substrate, methods and graphical user interfaces that provide a plurality of slider portions that allow the user to more intuitively control the image quality response curve. 
     This invention separately provides systems and methods and graphical user interfaces that include slider portions that mimic control elements of conventional control panels. 
     This invention separately provides systems, methods and graphical user interfaces that provide control elements for controlling portions of an image quality response curve that each closely mimic the conventional lightness/darkness controls of a photocopier. 
     In various exemplary embodiments of the systems, methods and graphical user interfaces according to this invention, an image quality response curve control graphical user interface includes a plurality of slider portions. Each slider corresponds to a point, or a range of points, of the image quality response curve. The slider portions are arranged so that the points, or range of points, associated with each slider portion are themselves arranged in an easily understandable order. Each slider portion indicates, for the associated point, or range of points, of the input image the image value of the output image for that point, or for that range of points. 
     In various exemplary embodiments, the appearance of a portion of each of the slider portions is altered based on the selected image value of the output image for the point, or the range of points, of the input image. Thus, the user can intuitively appreciate the effects of adjustments made to the image quality response curve, such as a tone reproduction curve. 
     In addition to providing the above task specific user instructions and tone reproduction curves, there is a need for other features to obtain desired scanning results. 
     For example, original documents are often provided to an image capture device in such a way that the resulting captured images, when provided to an imaging application, are upside down, rotated 90°, or cut off. These incorrect orientations occur because the original documents were incorrectly loaded into the image capture device. Typically, image capture devices, such as the exemplary production scanner  100  shown in  FIG. 1 , have markings on the document handler  130  that indicate how the original documents are to be put into the scanner. Unfortunately, these markings are often, if not usually, ignored when the original documents are loaded into the document handler  130  in favor of a desired orientation of the user. As can be imagined, this is particularly troublesome when a large number of original documents are placed into an automatic document handler in the wrong orientation, such that a large number of essentially unusable image capture operations are performed. 
     This invention thus provides systems, methods and graphical user interfaces that allow the user to select the orientation of an image capture operation of an original document. 
     This invention separately provides systems, methods and graphical user interfaces that indicate to an operator the orientation an original document should have when fed into the image capture device to obtain a captured image having the desired orientation 
     In various exemplary embodiments of the systems, methods and graphical user interfaces of this invention, a document orientation portion, or input document mimic, of the graphical user interfaces provides a visual indication to the user of the orientation of the original documents to be captured that will result in the desired orientation of the captured image being obtained. In particular, based on various selected image capture parameters input by the user, the systems, methods and graphical user interfaces of this invention determine and display one or more visual cues to the user that indicate the orientation of the original document that will allow the image capture device to capture an image of the original document that corresponds to the image capture parameters selected by the user. In various other exemplary embodiments of the systems, methods and graphical user interfaces of this invention, an image orientation portion of the graphical user interfaces allows the user to specify the orientation of the original document to be used when capturing an image of the original documents. In response, the systems, methods and graphical user interfaces of this invention aid the user in selecting the proper other image capture 
     These and other features and advantages of this invention are described in or are apparent from the following detailed description of various embodiments of the systems, methods and graphical user interfaces according to this invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various exemplary embodiments of this invention will be described in detail, with reference to the following figures, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective drawing of an exemplary electronic image generating device; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a first exemplary embodiment of the structure of an image capture device control system that incorporates the various exemplary embodiments of the image previewing systems, methods and graphical user interfaces of this invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a second exemplary embodiment of an image capture and usage system that incorporates the systems and methods of this invention; 
         FIG. 4  is an exemplary embodiment of a scan ticket illustrating various image scanning parameters according to this invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram of a second exemplary embodiment of the image capture control system that incorporates the image previewing systems, methods and graphical user interfaces of this invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a graphical user interface for a scanner driver according to this invention; 
         FIG. 7  shows the graphical user interface of  FIG. 6  after the task-specific user instruction button has been selected; 
         FIG. 8  is a task-specific user instruction graphical user interface accessed by selecting the task-specific user instruction button of  FIGS. 6 and 7 ; 
         FIGS. 9A-9C  are a flowchart outlining one exemplary embodiment of a method for using task-specific user instructions according to this invention; 
         FIG. 10  shows one exemplary embodiment of a convention tone reproduction curve control graphical user interface; 
         FIG. 11  shows one exemplary embodiment of a graphical user interface usable with the image quality response curve control graphical user interfaces, systems and methods according to this invention; 
         FIG. 12  shows one exemplary embodiment of an image quality curve control graphical user interface according to this invention; 
         FIGS. 13A-13C  are a flowchart outlining one exemplary embodiment of a method for generating, displaying and using the response curve control graphical user interface according to this invention; 
         FIGS. 14-19  show in greater detail various exemplary embodiments of document orientation visual cues usable with the document orientation portion of the graphical user interface shown in  FIG. 6 ; and 
         FIGS. 20A and 20B  are a flowchart outlining one exemplary embodiment of a method for generating, displaying and using the document orientation portion and visual cues according to this invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a first exemplary embodiment of an electronic image data capturing device  100  usable with the image previewing systems, methods and graphical user interfaces of this invention. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the electronic image data capture device  100  includes a control panel  110 , a document platen  120  on which an original document can be placed to generate corresponding electronic image data and a document handler  130 . In particular, the document handler  130  includes a feed tray  131  on which the original document can be placed and a document feeder  132  which moves each document in turn from the feed tray  131  and feeds the removed document to the document platen  120 . Each document is then returned to an output tray  133  after electronic image data is generated from that original document. 
     It should be appreciated that the electronic image data capture device can also be referred to as variously, a scanner, an image capture device, an electronic image data generating device, or the like, and, regardless of the name, can be any one of a stand-alone scanner, a digital copier, a facsimile machine, a multi-function device, a digital still camera, a digital video camera, an electronic image database storing previously generated electronic image data, or any other known or later device that is capable of generating (or supplying) electronic image data from an original document. 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating a first exemplary embodiment of the structural organization of an image capture device control system  200  that incorporates the image previewing systems, methods and graphical user interfaces according to this invention. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the image capture device control system  200  includes a device layer  210 , an acquisition layer  220 , a protocol layer  230 , and an application layer  240 . In particular, the device layer  210  includes the image capture device  100 , such as a Xerox® DigiPath™ color scanner or any of the other electronic image data capture devices indicated above. The device layer  210  also includes a device interface portion  212  of a TWAIN™ driver, or TWAIN™ data source,  250 . In particular, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the TWAIN™ driver (or data source)  250  bridges the device layer  210 , the acquisition layer  220  and the protocol layer  230 . 
     The protocol layer  230  includes a TWAIN™ code portion  232  of the TWAIN™ driver (or data source)  250 , a source manager  234  and a TWAN™ code portion  236  of a TWAIN™-compliant application  260 . The application layer  240  includes the application portion  242  of the application  260 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , control and data signals are provided from the electronic image data capture device  100  to the TWAIN™ driver (or data source)  250  through the device interface portion  212  of the TWAIN™ driver (or data source)  250 . Similarly, control and data signals between the TWAIN™ driver (or data source)  250  and the source manager through the TWAIN™ code portion  232  of the TWAIN™ driver (or data source)  250 . The control and/or data signals are also provided between the source manager  234  and the application  260  through the TWAIN™ code portion  236 . In various exemplary embodiments, the TWAIN™ driver (or data source)  250  controls the electronic image data capture device  100 . In various ones of these exemplary embodiments, the TWAIN™ driver or data source  250  is developed by the manufacturer of the electronic image data capture device  100 . 
     The source manager  234  manages and facilitates the interactions between the application  260  and the TWAIN™ driver or data source  250 . In various exemplary embodiments, one or more of two distinct source managers  234  have been implemented. Both are compiled as dynamic loading library modules. One exemplary dynamic load library implementation of the source manager  234  is a 16-bit program developed for, for example, Microsoft® Windows® 3.1. The other dynamic load library implementation of the source manager  234  is a 32-bit program developed for Windows® 95/98 and Windows® NT 4.0/5.0. In general, these two dynamic load library modules are provided as part of the TWAIN™ developers tool kit and are shipped with each TWAIN™-compliant application and at each TWAIN™-compliant electronic image data generating device. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates one exemplary embodiment for accessing the systems, methods and graphical user interfaces according to this invention. As shown in  FIG. 3 , a FILE menu  262  of a TWAIN™ compliant application  260  will include a plurality of menu items that provide an interface to a TWAIN™ compliant electronic image data capture device  100 , such as a TWAIN™-compliant scanner. These menu items include various ones of at least an Acquire menu item  263 , a Select Source menu item  264  or a Scan Set-Up menu item  265 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , selecting the Acquire menu item  263  causes the application  260  to request that the electronic image data capture device  100  prepare to capture electronic image data from an original document and/or transfer capture electronic image data to the image capture device control system. In particular, in response to the selecting the Acquire menu item  263 , the application  260  can display its own graphical user interface. Alternatively, the TWAIN™ driver (or data source)  250  for the selected electronic image data capture device can display one of its graphical user interfaces. Finally, if the Scan Set up menu item  265  was selected, the TWAIN™ driver (or data source)  250  can display a specific Scanner Set-Up graphical user interface. 
     In particular, as shown in  FIG. 3 , when any of the menu items  263 - 265  are selected, the application  260  calls the source manager  234 . In response, the source manager accesses each TWAIN™ driver (or data source)  250  that is present in the image capture device control system  200 . The source manager  234  then displays, in a graphical user interface  235 , all of the different TWAIN™ drivers (or data sources)  250  present on the image capture device control system  200 . Once the user selects the particular TWAIN™ driver (or data source)  250  that the user wishes to use, the TWAIN™ driver (or data source)  250  will display a graphical user interface  400  that allows the user to select various ones of the image capture parameters and scanning control functions implemented in that TWAIN™ driver (or data source)  250 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates one exemplary embodiment of a scan ticket  300 . Scan tickets contain all of the settings in the TWAIN™ graphical user interface  400 , which is discussed in greater detail below. In general, there will be a set of one or more sets of saved scan parameters, or “scan tickets” for each language supported the TWAIN™ driver (or data source)  250  according to this invention. When the TWAIN™ graphical user interface  400  is displayed, only those sets of saved scan parameters, or “scan tickets” for the language the user is currently operating in are displayed. When a set of saved scan parameters, i.e., a “scan ticket”, is selected, all the settings contained within that scan ticket are used to populate the TWAIN™ graphical user interface  400  according to this invention. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , a scan ticket  300  includes at least a file name portion  310 , a basic features portion  320 , an image quality portion  330  and an image size portion (not shown). The basic features portion  320  corresponds to the basic features tab  500  of the TWAIN™ graphical user interface  400  shown in FIG.  3 . Similarly, the image quality portion  330  and the image size portion correspond to the image quality tab  410  and the image size tab  560 , respectively, of the graphical user interface  400  shown in FIG.  3 . The image quality tab  410  is described in greater detail in U.S. Pat. No. 6,614,456 B1 filed on Jan. 19, 2000, and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the basic features portion  320  includes a scan location parameter  321 , an input original document size parameter  322 , an original image quality profile parameter  323 , a mode parameter  324 , a resolution parameter  325 , and image optimization parameter  326 . The image quality portion  330  includes an image quality profile parameter  331 , a brightness parameter  332 , an increase/decrease parameter  333 , a special tone adjustments parameter  334 , a sharpen/soften parameter  335 , a background suppression parameter  336  and a negative image parameter  337 . 
     In particular, the scan location parameter  321  indicates the particular electronic image capture device that is to be used to capture electronic image data from a particular original document. The page size parameter portion  322  indicates the size of the input document, whether the input document is single-sided or double-sided, and, if the original document is double-sided, how the two images on each side of the original document are oriented relative to each other. The image quality profile portion  323  indicates image characteristics of and enhancements to be applied to the original document when it is made into its electronic form. Image quality profiles are described in greater detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/487,269, filed on Jan. 19, 2000 and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The mode portion  324  indicates the particular image capture mode to be used. For example, the image of the original document could be captured as a binary bitmap image, as shown in  FIG. 4  or, as an 8-bit grayscale image, or as a color image having various color spaces and bit depths. 
     The resolution portion  325  indicates the resolution of the generated electronic image data. The image optimization portion  326  indicates a particular output device, such as a particular laser printer, a particular ink jet printer, a particular digital copier, or the like, that will be used to generate hard copies of the generated electronic image data and thus for which the electronic image data should be optimized for when the electronic image data of the original document is captured. 
     The image quality profile parameter  331  of the image quality portion  330  is the same as the image quality profile parameter  323 . The lighten/darken parameter  332  indicates whether the electronic image data is to be lighter or darker than the images on the original document. Similarly, the increase/decrease contrast parameter portion  333  indicates whether the contrast of the electronic image data is to be greater or less than the contrast of the images on the original document. The special tone adjustment parameter portion  334  is used to provide finer control over the tone reproduction curve that is used to convert the continuous tone image values of the original document to the multi-bit-depth image values of the generated electronic image data. This is described in greater detail in the incorporated U.S. Pat. No. 6,614,456 B1. 
     The sharpen/soften parameter portion  335  used to indicate whether the edges within the images in the original document should be sharpened or softened in the generated electronic image data. The background suppression parameter portion  336  is used to indicate whether background suppression should be used, and if so, the color or other quality of the background of the original document that is to be suppressed. The negative image parameter portion  337  indicates whether the generated electronic image data should be a negative image relative to the images on the original document. Various other ones of the particular scanning parameters discussed above are further disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/487,273, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/487,274 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,697,091 B  1 , each filed on Jan. 19, 2000, and each incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating a second exemplary embodiment of the structural organization of an image captured device control system  600  that incorporates the image previewing systems methods and graphical user interfaces according to this invention. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the image capture device control system  600  includes an input/output interface  610 , a controller  620 , a memory  630 , an application layer manager  640 , a protocol layer manager  650 , and an image capture device layer manager  600 , each interconnected by a data/control bus  690 . 
     The image capture device  100  is connected to the input/output interface  610  using a link  102 . Similarly, an image data sink  110  can be connected to the input/output interface  610  using a link  112 . The links  102  and  112  can each be any known or later developed device or system for connecting the image capture device  100  and the image data sink  110 , respectively, to the image capture device control  600 , including a direct cable connection, a connection over a wide area network or a local area network, a connection over an intranet, a connection over an extranet, a connection over the Internet, or a connection over any other distributed processing network or system. In general, the links  102  and  112  can each be any known or later developed connection system or structure usable to respectively connect the image capture device  100  and the image data sink  110  to the image capture device control system  600 . It should also be appreciated that the links  102  and  112  can be wired or wireless links that use portions of the public switch telephone network and/or portions of a cellular communication network. 
     It should also be appreciated that, in general, the image data sink  110  can be any device that is capable of outputting or storing electronic images generated using the image capture device control system  600  using the systems, methods and graphical user interfaces according to this invention, such as a printer, a copier, any other image forming device, a facsimile device, a display device, a storage device, or the like. 
     While  FIG. 5  shows the image capture device  100 , the image capture device control system  600  and the image data sink  110  as separate devices, the image capture device control system  600  may be integrated with either or both of the image capture device  100  and/or the image data sink  110 , such as, for example, in a digital copier. With such a configuration, for example, the image capture device  100 , the image data sink  110  and the image capture device control system  600  may be contained within a single device. 
     The input device or devices  670  can include any one or more of a mouse, a keyboard, a touch pad, a track ball, a touch screen, or the like, or any other known or later developed device that is capable of inputting data and control signals over the link  672  to the input/output interface  610 . Similarly, the display device  680  can be any known or later developed display device, including a cathode ray tube type monitor, a flat screen type monitor, an LCD monitor, or any other known or later developed device on which the graphical user interfaces according to this invention can be displayed and interacted with using one or more of the input devices  670 . The display device  680  is provided with control and/or data signals from the input/output interface  610  over the link  682 . 
     Like the signal lines  102  and  112 , the links  672  and  682  can be any known or later developed device or system for connecting the input devices  670  and the display device  680 , respectively, to the image capture device control system  600 , including a direct cable connection, a connection over a wide area network or local area network, a connection over a intranet, a connection over an extranet, a connection over the Internet, a connection over the public switched telephone network, a connection over a cellular network, or a connection over any other distributed processing or communications network or system, including both or either wired and wireless systems. In general, the links  672  and  682  can each be any known or later developed connection system or structure usable to connect the input devices  670  and the display device  680 , respectively, to the image capture device control system  600 . 
     The memory  630  includes an application portion  631  in which an application program and any application files used by that application program can be stored. Similarly, the captured image buffer  632  is used to store the captured image data input from the image capture device  110  over the signal line  102  and through the input/output interface  610 . In general, the captured electronic image data will be stored in the captured image buffer  632  under control of the controller  620  the image capture device layer manager  660 , the protocol layer manager  650  and/or the application layer manager  640 . 
     The image capture profiles portion  633  stores the image capture profiles, as set forth in the incorporated  269  application, as well as job tickets  300 , and the like. The image capture parameters portion  634  stores a current set of the image capture parameters to be used by the image capture device  100  when capturing an image. The image capture interface portion  635  stores the various graphical user interfaces shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  4 , and  6  and as described above and in detailed below. 
     The application layer manager  640  manages the application layer  240 , and in particular, the application portions  242  of any executing applications  260 . 
     The protocol layer manager  650  manages the protocol layer  230 , including the source manager  234 . The protocol layer manager  650  communications with the application layer manager  640  using the TWAIN™ application programming interfaces  236  of the executing applications  260 . 
     The image capture device layer manager  660  manages each of the TWAIN™ drivers (or data sources)  250  that may be implemented for different ones of the image capture devices  100  that may be accessible by the image capture device control system  600  over various ones of the links  102 . In particular, the image capture device layer manager  660  communicates with the protocol layer manager  650  using the acquisition layer application programming interface  232  of the particular TWAIN™ driver (or data source)  250 . Similarly, the image capture device layer manager  660  communications with the image capture device  100  through the input/output interface  610  and over the link  102  using the device interface portion  212 . 
     The image capture device layer manager  660  causes various ones of the image capture graphical user interfaces, such as the graphical user interface  400  shown in  FIG. 3 , to be displayed on the display device  680 . The user can then change and/or input the various image capture parameters. The various image capture parameters can be input through the various graphical user interfaces that the image capture device layer manager  660  displays on the display device  680 . Then, after the user saves the various image capture parameters or initiates the corresponding image capture device, the image capture device layer manager  660  stores the selected image capture parameters in the image capture parameters portion  640 . The image capture device layer manager  660  then outputs the selected image capture parameters through the input/output interface  610  and over the link  102  to the image capture device  100 . The image capture device  100  then uses the various image capture parameters received from the image capture device control system  600  when capturing electronic image data from an original document and when supplying that capture electronic image data over the link  110  to the image capture device control system  600 . 
       FIG. 6  shows one exemplary embodiment of the graphical user interface  400  including a task-specific user instruction button  430 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the graphical user interface  400  includes the image quality tab  410  and the image size tab  550  in addition to the basic features tab  500 . The basic features tab  500  includes a scan ticket portion  510 , an original document parameters portion  520 , and an image capture parameters portion  540 . The image quality tab  410  is described in greater detail in the incorporated U.S. Pat. No. 6,614,456 B1. The basic features tab  500  is described in greater detail in the incorporated  274  application and the incorporated U.S. Pat. No. 6,697,091 B1 The image size tab  550  is described in greater detail in the incorporated  273  application. 
     Each of the basic features, image quality and image size tabs  500 ,  410  and  550  also include an instance of the task-specific user instruction button  430 . The task-specific user instruction button  430  is usable to access an operating instructions help function, as disclosed in greater detail below. 
     The scan ticket portion  510  includes a status icon  512  that indicates the saved status of the scan ticket indicated in a scan ticket selection box  514 . The current image capture parameters input into each of the basic features tab  500 , the image quality tab  410  and the image size tab  550  can be saved to the scan ticket named in the scan ticket dialogue box  514  by selecting the save scan ticket button  516 . In contrast, the named scan ticket displayed in the scan ticket dialogue box  514  can be deleted by selecting the delete scan ticket button  517 . The show scan ticket button  518  allows the user to quickly view all of the currently loaded scan settings in a text list. This allows the user to view the information on every setting without having to navigate all of the various dialogues in the various portions of the graphical user interface  400 . 
     The original document parameters portion  520  of the basic features tab  500  includes a scan location list box  522 , a page size list box  524 , a double-sided check box  526 , and an image quality profile list box  528 . The original document portion  520  also includes a document orientation portion  530 , described in greater detail below, that allows the user to specify how the document will be oriented on the platen  120  of the image capture device  100 . 
     The image quality profile list box  528  allows the user to select an image quality profile. As indicated in the incorporated  269  application, each image quality profile is a collection of all the settings on the image quality tab and the various dialogue boxes and other graphical user interface widgets that are accessed through the image quality tab. In particular, the image quality profile list box  528  will include the same image quality profiles as will be provided on the image quality tab. When an image quality profile is selected using the image quality profile list box  528 , the image quality profile parameters displayed in the various portions of the image quality tab will be change accordingly. 
     The image capture parameters portion  540  of the basic feature tab  500  includes a mode list box  542 , a resolution list box  544 , and an optimize image list box  546 . The mode list box  542  allows the user to select the output mode of the image capture device  100 . It should be appreciated that the particular modes displayed when the mode list box  542  is selected will depend on the particular image capture device identified in the scan location list box  522  and the particular modes available with that particular image capture device. The possible modes, include, but are not limited to, 1-bit or black/white captured images, 8-bit or grayscale captured images, or various types of 24-bit captured images, including red/green/blue (RGB) color, standard red/green/blue (sRGB) color and Luminance/Blue Chromaticity/Red Chromaticity (YCbCr) color. 
     The resolution list box  544  allows the user to select the output resolution of the captured image, in dots per inch (dpi). The optimize image list box  546  allows the user to select the output device for which the various captured image quality parameters on the image quality tab  410  should be set to so that the captured image, when printed on the selected output device, will provide the highest quality output image. In particular, in one exemplary embodiment, when a printer is selected in the optimize image list box  546 , the tone reproduction curve (TRC) for the 1-bit (black/white) mode is selected as the tone reproduction curve for the indicated printer. 
       FIG. 7  shows the graphical user interface  400  after the task-specific user instruction button  430  has been selected. In particular, upon selecting the task-specific user instruction button  430 , a pop-up menu  432  is displayed. This task pop-up menu  432  includes a list of tasks that are specific to the displayed portion of the graphical user interface  400 . In  FIG. 7 , the displayed portion of the graphical user interface  400  is the basic features tab  500  and the preview pane  480 . It should be appreciated that, if the image quality tab  410  or the image size tab  550 , or any other portion of the graphical user interface  400 , were displayed instead, the various menu items on the task pop-up menu  432  would be appropriate for those displayed portions of the graphical user interface  400 . 
     In particular, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the task pop-up menu  432  includes a number of selectable task identifiers  433 - 435  for the basic features and preview pane portions of the graphical user interface  400 . In particular, the selectable task identifier  433  relates to a task that involves the particular scan location to be identified in the scan location box  522 . Similarly, the selectable task identifier  434  relates to tasks that involve using the scan ticket portion  510 . Finally, the selectable task identifier  435  relates to tasks that can be accomplished using the preview pane  480 . In response to selecting one of the selectable task identifiers  433 - 435 , a task-specific user instruction graphical user interface  440 , as shown in  FIG. 8 , is displayed. In particular, the task-specific user instruction graphical user interface  440  will display instructions related to the selected selectable task identifier. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the task-specific user instruction graphical user interface  440  includes a task instruction portion  442  and a related tasks portion  446 . The task-specific user instruction graphical user interface  440  also includes a browser-type menu  450 . 
     The browser-type menu  450  includes a Back button  452 , a Home button  454 , a Printer button  456 , an Options button  458  and a Quick Start Guide button  460 . The Back, Home, Print and Options buttons  452 - 458  operate in the conventional manner. Thus, no further description of these buttons is required. The Quick Start Guide button  460 , when selected, causes a quick start guide document to be displayed. 
     The task instruction portion  442  displays a description of the task to be performed that corresponds to the selected selectable task identifier displayed in the task pop-up menu  432 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the task instructions  443  displayed in the task instruction portion  442  can include one or more terms or phrases that have a selectable element  444  associated with that term or phrase. Selecting the selectable element  444  can result in either or both of a help entry corresponding to the associated term or phrase being displayed, or a list of one or more task identifiers associated with tasks related to the associated term or phrase being displayed in the related tasks portion  446 . 
     The related tasks portion  446  includes one or more task identifiers  447  that are associated with tasks that are related to the task description  443  displayed in the task instruction portion  442 . In particular, each task identifier  447  that identifies a related task has a radio button  448  associated with it. Selecting the radio button  448  associated with one of the task identifiers  447  for a related task causes the task description  443  associated with that related task to be displayed in the task instruction portion  442 , and the task identifiers  447  of tasks related to that selected related task  447  to be displayed in the related tasks portion  446 . In this way, the user can navigate through a series of closely related tasks to obtain sufficient information to accomplish any arbitrarily complex task. Once the user has finished interacting with the task-specific user instruction graphical user interface  440 , the user closes the task-specific user instruction graphical user interface to return to the scanner control graphical user interface  400 . 
       FIGS. 9A-9C  are a flowchart outlining one exemplary embodiment of a method for using a task-specific user instruction button to access tasks specific to displayed portions of an active graphical user interface according to this invention. 
     Control begins in step S 1100 , upon the user selecting the task-specific user instruction button. Accordingly, control continues to step S 100 , where a list of tasks associated with the currently displayed control elements of the currently displayed graphical user interface is identified. Next, in step S 120 , a task menu of task identifiers associated with the identified tasks is built based on the list of identified tasks. Then, in step S 130 , the task menu of selectable task identifiers is displayed to the user. Control then continues to step S 140 . 
     In step S 140 , a determination is made whether the user has closed the task-specific user instruction graphical user interface. If not, control continues to step S 150 . Otherwise, control continues to step S 280 , where the task-specific graphical user interface is closed. Control then continues to step S 290 , where the method ends. 
     In step S 150 , a determination is made whether the user has selected one of the selectable task identifiers displayed in the task menu. If so, control continues to step S 150 . Otherwise, control jumps back to step S 140 . 
     In step S 160 , a task-specific user instruction graphical user interface is displayed. Next, in step S 170 , the task instructions associated with the task corresponding to the selected task identifier is displayed in a task instruction portion of the task-specific user instruction graphical user interface. Then, in step S 180 , one or more selectable task identifiers are displayed based on a predetermined list of task that are related to the task corresponding to the task instructions displayed in the task instruction portion of the task-specific user instruction graphical user interface. Control then continues to step S 190 . 
     In step S 190 , a determination is made whether one of the selectable task identifiers displayed in the related tasks portion of the task-specific user instruction graphical user interface has been selected. If so, control jumps back to step S 170 , where the task instructions for the task corresponding to the selected related task is displayed in the task instruction portion of the task-specific user instruction graphical user interface. Otherwise, control continues to step S 200 . 
     In step S 200 , a determination is made whether a selectable element corresponding to a term or phrase in the task instructions displayed in the task instruction portion of the task-specific user instruction graphical user interface has been selected. If so, control continues to step S 210 . Otherwise, control jumps to step S 260 . 
     In step S 210 , a determination is made whether the selectable element is linked to an entry in a help menu or to a related task. If the selectable element is linked to a related task, control continues to step S 220 . Otherwise, control jumps to step S 230 . 
     In step S 220 , a list of tasks related to the term or phrase associated with the selected selectable element is determined. Control then jumps back to step S 180 , where the selectable task identifiers are displayed in the related tasks portion of the task-specific user instruction graphical user interface, either in place of, or in addition to, the task identifiers previously displayed in the related tasks portion. 
     In contrast, in step S 230 , a help graphical user interface is displayed. Then, in step S 240 , a help entry corresponding to the term or phrase associated with the selected selectable element is displayed in a help information portion of the help graphical user interface. Next, in step S 250 , a determination is made whether the user has selected to return to the task-specific user instruction graphical user interface. If not, control jumps back to step S 240 . Otherwise, control jumps to step S 170 . 
       FIG. 10  shows one exemplary embodiment of a conventional tone reproduction curve control graphical user interface  1700 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , the conventional tone reproduction curve control graphical user interface  1700  includes a channel selection list box  1710 , a tone reproduction curve adjusting portion  1720  and a control portion  1730 . In particular, the channel selection list box  1710  is used to select the particular tone reproduction curve to be adjusted using the tone reproduction curve adjusting portion  1720 . That is, each different type of image, such as a binary image, a black/white grayscale image, a red/green/blue (RGB) image, and the like, will have a different tone reproduction curve that converts the image values of the input document or electronic image data into the image values of the output document or electronic image data. 
     The tone reproduction curve adjusting portion  1720  includes a curve portion  1720  comprising a graph portion  1721  in which the tone reproduction curve is plotted and a plurality of selectable tone reproduction points  1722  that can be positioned within the graph  1721 . An output image value scale  1724  and an input image value scale  1726  are positioned adjacent to the vertical and horizontal axes of the graph portion  1721 , respectively. Each of the scale portions  1724  and  1726  illustrate the range of input and output image values, respectively. A set of control buttons are positioned in the input image value scale  1726  and allow the user to adjust the input image value associated with a currently selected one of the tone reproduction curve points  1722 , such as the currently selected tone reproduction curve point  1723 . 
     The control portion  1730  includes an input text box  1732  and an output text box  1734 . The control portion  1730  also includes a curve fitting button  1736  and a tone reproduction curve point insert button  1738 . The input text box  1732  indicates the current input image value of the selected tone reproduction curve point  1723 , while the output text box  1734  indicates the output image value of the selected tone reproduction curve point  1723 . It should be appreciated that the location of the selected tone reproduction curve point  1723  and the graphic portion  1721  can be altered in two ways. First, the user can select the selected tone reproduction curve point  1723  using a mouse or other input device to drag that selected tone reproduction curve point  1723  to a new location within the graph portion  1721 . As a result, the image values displayed in the input/output text boxes  1732  and  1734  will change accordingly. In contrast, the user can place the cursor in either of the input or output text boxes  1732  or  1734  and enter a new image value in either box. As a result, the selected tone reproduction curve point  1723  will be redrawn at the updated coordinates displayed in the input and output text boxes  1732  and  1734 . 
     The tone reproduction curve point insert button  1738  is used to add additional tone reproduction curve points  1722  to the graph portion  1721 . Once all of the desired tone reproduction curve points  1722  have been entered by the user into the graph portion  1721 , the user can select the curve fitting button  1736  to fit a curve to or through the inserted tone reproduction curve points  1722 . The particular type of curve fitting performed upon selecting the curve fitting button  1736  is selected using the options button  1740 . 
     Once the various tone reproduction curve points  1722  are positioned by the user at the desired location within the graph portion  1721 , the tone reproduction curve is fit to the tone reproduction curve points  1722 . In particular, the tone reproduction curve can be fit to the tone reproduction curve points  1722  such that it passes through each of the tone reproduction curve points  1722 , so that the smoothest possible curve, of the lowest possible dimension, is created. Alternatively, in various exemplary embodiments, a tone reproduction curve having a selected dimension is drawn so that it best fits the tone reproduction curve point  1722 , but need not pass through each, or any, of the tone reproduction curve point  1722 , except the extreme points. 
     Although it is not a part of the graphical user interface  700 , a line  1729  has been drawn in the graph portion  1722 . This line  1729  illustrates a zero adjustment condition. That is, the line  1729  represents a tone reproduction curve where the output image value is equivalent for all values to the corresponding input image value. Those portions of the tone reproduction curve that lie above and to the left of the line  1729  represent output image values that are lighter than the corresponding input image values. In contrast, those portions of the toner reproduction curve that lie below and to the right of the line  1729  represent output image values that are darker than the corresponding input image values. Where the tone reproduction curve crosses the line  1729 , the tone reproduction curve points lying at those locations represent output image values that are equivalent to the image input values. 
     Because the graphical user interface  1700  does not include the line  1729 , (i.e., this line  1729  was included in this Figure for explanation purposes only), it is often very difficult, even for sophisticated users, to fully appreciate the effects that the user&#39;s adjustments to the tone reproduction curve plotted in the graph portion  1721  will have on the output image. 
       FIG. 11  shows one exemplary embodiment of a graphical user interface usable with the tone reproduction curve control graphical user interfaces, systems and methods according to this invention. As shown in  FIG. 11 , the graphical user interface  1400  includes the basic features tab  1410  and the image size tab  1420  in addition to the image quality tab  1500 . The basic features tab  1410  is disclosed in greater detail in the incorporated the 274 application. The image size tab  1420  is disclosed in greater detail in the incorporated the 273 and 274 applications. The “How Do I” button  1430  is usable to access the operating instructions help function as already discussed in detail above. A preview scan can be generated and displayed in the preview pane portion  1480  by selecting the preview button  1440 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , the image quality tab  1500  includes an image quality profile list box  1510 , an image adjustments portion  1520  and an image enhancements portion  1530 , in addition to an instance of the “How Do I ?” button  1430 . The image quality profile list box  1510  allows the user to select an image quality profile. As indicated in the incorporated  269  application, each image quality profile is a collection of all the settings on the image quality tab and the various dialogue boxes and other graphical user interface widgets that are accessed through the image quality tab. In particular, the image quality profile list box  1510  will include the same image quality profiles as will be provided on the image quality tab. When an image quality profile is selected using the image quality profile list box  1510 , the image quality profile parameters displayed in the various portions of the image quality tab will be change accordingly. 
     The image adjustments portion  1520  includes a lighten/darken slider  1522 , a lighten/darken value text box  1523 , an increase/decrease contrast slider  1524  and an increase/decrease contrast value text box  1525 . The lighten/darken slider  1522  is used to change the overall relationship between the lightness or darkness of the captured electronic image relative to the image on the original document. The lighten/darken value text box  1523  indicates the numerical value of the lighten/darken slider  1522 . Similarly, the increase/decrease contrast slider  1524  allows the user to adjust the contrast of the captured electronic image relative to the image on the original document. The increase/decrease contrast value text box  1525  indicates the value of the increase/decrease contrast slider  1524 . 
     The image adjustments portion  1520  also includes a “Use Special” check box  1526  and a “Special Adjustments” access button  1528 . When the Use Special check box  1526  is checked, the tone reproduction curve adjustments entered using the special tone adjustments graphical user interface shown in  FIG. 12  are used in place of the standard adjustments applied by the lighten/darken slider  1522  and the increase/decrease contrast slider  1524 . The Special Adjustments button  1528  is used to access the special tone adjustments graphical user interface  1540  shown in FIG.  12  and described in greater detail below. In addition, when the Use Special check box  526  is checked, the lighten/darken slider and value text box  1522  and  1523  and the increase/decrease contrast slider and value text box  1524  and  1525  are disabled. Thus, as shown in  FIG. 12 , the appearance of these elements of the image adjustments portion  1520  is changed to a “grayed-out” appearance. 
     The enhancements portion  1530  includes a sharpen/soften slider  1532 , a sharpen/soften value text box  1533 , a background suppression check box  1534  and a negative image check box  1536 . The sharpen/soften slider  1532  allows the user to adjust the sharpness of the output image relative to that of the image on the original document. The sharpen/soften value text box  1533  indicates the value of the sharpen/soften slider  1532 . It should be appreciated, as indicated above, that other instances of the response curve graphical user interface shown in  FIG. 12  can be used to provide fine adjustments to the contrast and to the sharpness of the output image relative to the input image, as well as the lightness/darkness control provided by the tone reproduction curve. 
     When the background suppression check box  1534  is checked, the background suppression function is enabled. Similarly, when the negative image check box  1536  is checked, the output image is generated as a negative image relative to the image on the original document. In particular, this inverts the output image values of the captured electronic image relative to the image values of the image on the original document. That is, an image value of the image on the original document of 0 is converted to an image value of the captured electronic image of  255 , and vice versa. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates one exemplary embodiment of a special adjustment graphical user interface  1540  that can be accessed by the selecting the Special Adjustments button  1528  of the image quality tab  1500 . As shown in  FIG. 12 , the special adjustment graphical user interface  1540  includes a plurality of slider portions  1550 ,  1560 ,  1570 ,  1580  and  1590 , each of which corresponds to a defined image value, or range of image values, of the input image force particular associated image quality. 
     Each of the slider portions  1550 - 1590  includes a slider  1551 ,  1561 ,  1571 ,  1581  and  1591 , respectively, and a numerical portion  1552 ,  1562 ,  1572 ,  1582  and  1592 , respectively. Each of the sliders  1551 - 1591  includes a slider pointer  1554 ,  1564 ,  1574 ,  1584  and  1594 , respectively, and an associated slider bar  1556 ,  1566 ,  1576 ,  1586  and  1596 , respectively. Each of the slider bars  1556 - 1596  divides the corresponding slider  1551 - 1591  into bottom and top portions  1555  and  1557 ,  1565  and  1567 , and  1575  and  1577 ,  1585  and  1587  and  1595  and  1597 , respectively. An appearance of each of the bottom portions  1555 - 1595  is determined based on the position of the corresponding slider pointer  1554 - 1594  and the associated slider bar  1556 - 1596  relative to the top and bottom ends of the slider  1551 - 1591 , the particular image quality that is being adjusted, and the particular range of image quality values and extreme values associated with the top and bottom edges of the sliders  1551 - 1591 . 
     The special adjustment graphical user interface  1540  includes a lower scale value indicator  1542  and an upper scale value indicator  1544 . In the particular exemplary embodiment of the special adjustment graphical user interface  1540  shown in  FIG. 12 , each of the slider portions  1550 - 1590  uses a linear scale having a lower scale value of 0% and an upper scale value of 100%. However, it should be appreciated that any type of scale ruler could be used. 
     The special adjustment graphical user interface  1540  also includes an image quality indicator portion  1541 , including a first range end indicator  1534  and a second range end indicator  1545 . It should be appreciated that the special adjustment graphical user interface  1540  can be used to provide fine-resolution adjustments to any desired image quality, such as the lightness/darkness, the contrast, the sharpness, or any other known or later-developed image quality. Thus, it should be appreciated that the special adjustments graphical user interface  1540  is not limited to adjusting only the tone reproduction curve. In particular, the special adjustment graphical user interface  1540  can have different instantiations for any of the different image qualities for which fine-resolution adjustments are to be provided. 
     The special adjustments graphical user interface  1540  is particularly useful for providing fine-resolution adjustments of the tone reproduction curve for converting the input image values to the output image values. Thus, in the particular exemplary embodiment of the special adjustments graphical user interface  1540  shown in  FIG. 12 , the image quality being adjusted is the tone reproduction curve that converts the image values of the input image to the image values of the output image. Accordingly, the first range end indicator  1543 , which indicates one extreme end of the range of output values for the particular image quality being adjusted, in this exemplary embodiment of the special adjustment graphical user interface  1540  represents an extremely lightened image. In contrast, the second range end indicator  1545 , in this exemplary embodiment of the special adjustment graphical user interface  1540 , represents an extremely darkened image. 
     Similarly, an input image quality portion  1546 , which in most cases will indicate the same image quality as indicated in the image quality portion  1541 , includes a first range end indicator  1547  and a second range end indicator  1548 . In particular, the first and second range end indicators  1547  and  1548  provide visual cues to the user so that the user can visually identify which value or range of values, of the image quality being adjusted, are associated with each of the slider portions  1550 - 1590 . 
     Each of the numerical portions  1552 ,  1562 ,  1572 ,  1582  and  1592  indicate the numerical value of the corresponding slider pointer  1554 - 1594  and slider bar  1556 - 1596  within the range indicated by the range indicators  1542  and  1544 . Each of the numerical portions  1552 - 1592  includes a pair of increase and decrease value buttons  1558  and  1559 ,  1568  and  1569 ,  1578  and  1579 ,  1588  and  1589 , and  1598  and  1599 , respectively, that allow the user to directly increase or decrease the numerical value of the corresponding numerical portion  1552 - 1592 . When the user uses the increase buttons  1558 - 1598  or the decrease buttons  1559 - 1599  to increase or decrease the numerical value in the corresponding numerical portion  1552 - 1592 , the position of the corresponding slider pointer  1554 - 1594  and the corresponding slider bar  1556 - 1596  within the corresponding slider  1551 - 1591  is adjusted up or down, respectively. At the same time, the visual appearance of the corresponding bottom portion  1555 - 1595  is adjusted to reflect the new numerical value of the corresponding numerical portion  1552 - 1592 . 
     In this way, the slider portions  1550 - 1590  provide an intuitive visual indication to the user of the effect the selected value in each of the slider portions  1550  has on the corresponding value or range of values of the associated image quality on the output image relative to the input image. Thus, in the exemplary embodiment of the special adjustment graphical user interface  1540  shown in  FIG. 12 , which is used to adjust the tone reproduction curve, the user can quickly visually determine that the middle input image values represented by the slider portions  1560 ,  1570  and  1580  essentially remain unchanged in the output image, while the extreme values represented by the slider portions  1550  and  1590  are moved towards the center, i.e., 50%, value. 
     As indicated above, each of the slider portions  1550 - 1590  can represent a single value of the image quality of the input image, or can represent a range of values of the image quality of the input image. If each of the slider portions  1550 - 1590  represents a single value, the response curve for converting the values of the associated image quality for the input image to the values of the associated image quality for the output image can be created as outlined in any of the exemplary embodiments discussed above with respect to the graphical user interface  1700 . Thus, a curve could be fit to the values selected using the slider portions  1550 - 1590 . In contrast, a curve could be fit so that it passes between, but does not necessarily include, the values indicated in the slider portions  1550 - 1590 . Similarly, if each of the slider portions represents a range of values of the selected image quality of the input image, any known or later developed method for generating a conversion curve could be used. 
     It should be also be appreciated that, rather than indicating the percentage of the output range that is indicated by the slider pointer  1554 - 1594  and the slider bar  1556 - 1595 , the range of the slider portions  1550 - 1590  could instead be functions of the represented image values or range of image values. For example, the range of the slider portions  1550 - 1590  could extend between 0% and 200% of the represented image value or range of image values, with the center position representing the 100% function. In this way, moving the slider pointers  1554 - 1594  and the slider bars  1556 - 1596  downward causes the represented image value or range of image values of the input image to be proportionally reduced when creating the output image. In contrast, moving the slider pointers  1554 - 1594  and the slider bars  1556 - 1596  upwards the represented image value or range of image values of the input image to be correspondingly increased when generating the outputting image. Thus, placing all of the slider pointers  1554 - 1594  and the corresponding slider bars  1556 - 1596  at the 100%, or middle location causes the output image values to be identical to the input image values. 
       FIGS. 13A-13C  are a flowchart outlining one exemplary embodiment or a method for displaying a special adjustment graphical user interface and using the displayed special adjustment graphical user interface to adjust the response curve for a selected image quality. Thus, beginning in step S 1100 , which occurs whenever the special adjustment graphical user interface is accessed, control continues to step S 1110 , where a selected instance of the special adjustment graphical user interface is displayed for the selected image quality. Next, in step S 1120 , the values for the scale indicators  1542  and  1544  are determined and displayed. Then, in step S 1130 , visual cues for the output image range end indicators are determined and displayed. Next, in step S 1140 , the visual cues for the input image range end indicators  1547  and  1548  are determined and displayed. Control then continues to step S 1150 . 
     In step S 1150 , for each of the implemented slider portions, a current value of the response curve for the input image quality value represented by each of the slider portions is determined. Next, in step S 1160 , the relationship of the current value for each slider relative to the ends of the scale is determined. Then, in step S 1170 , for each of the slider portions, images of the slider pointer and the slider bar are generated and displayed at the appropriate relative location within the slider portion based on the determined relationship. Control then continues to step S 1180 . 
     In step S 1180 , for each of the slider portions, the appearance of the bottom subportion of each slider is determined based on the determined relationship and an appearance map that defines the different appearances the bottom subportions can take. Then, in step S 1190 , images of each of the bottom subportions of the slider portions are generated and displayed based on the corresponding determined appearance. In step S 1200 , for each of the slider portions, an image of the corresponding numerical portions is generated and displayed based on the current value of the response curve. Control then continues to step S 1210 . 
     In step S 1210 , a determination is made whether the user has selected one of the slider portions, the slider bar, the slider portion, or either of the increase or decrease buttons of the numerical portion corresponding to that slider portion. If so, control jumps back to step S 1150 . Otherwise, control continues to step S 1220 . 
     In step S 1220 , a response curve is generated based on the current values of each of the slider portions. Next, in step S 1230 , a determination is made whether the user has selected that an output image is to be created. If so, control continues to step S 1240 . Otherwise, control jumps back to step S 1150 . As indicated above, the output image can either be a captured electronic image of a scanned original document, or an image formed on an image recording medium from stored electronic image data. 
     In step S 1240 , the output image is created using the response curve generated in step S 1220 . Next, in step S 1250 , a determination is made whether the special adjustment graphical user interface window has been closed. If so, control continues to step S 1260 . Otherwise, control jumps back to step S 1150 . In step S 1260 , the special adjustment graphical user interface is closed. Then, in step S 1270 , the response curve adjusting method ends. 
     In addition to providing the above task specific user instructions and tone reproduction curves, there is a need for other features to obtain desired scanning results including original document orientation.  FIG. 6  shows one exemplary embodiment of the graphical user interface  400  including a document orientation portion  530 . 
     In particular, the document orientation portion  530  includes a short edge first/long edge first (SEF/LEF) toggle button  532 , a rotate button  534  and an input document mimic portion  2550 . The SEF/LEF toggle button  532  allows the user to indicate whether the first edge of the original document to be introduced into the document handler  130  of the image capture device  100  is the long edge, such as the 11 inch edge of standard 8½×11 inch paper, or the short edge, i.e., 8±2 edge of standard 8½×11 inch paper. In particular, the user will be expected to feed the original document into the document handler  130  or place it on the platen  110  in the same orientation as specified in the graphic displayed on the SEF/LEF toggle button. 
     The rotate button  534  allows the user to specify the orientation of the image on the input document. That is, the user may be providing the original document to the document handler using the long edge first orientation while the image has been placed onto that original document in a landscape orientation. In this case, by activating the rotate button  534 , the rotate button  534  indicates that the input image orientation is rotated 90° clockwise. This is discussed in greater detail below. 
     The input document mimic portion  2550  is a graphic that assists the operator in putting the document into the scanner correctly to receive the desired output. That is, the input document mimic portion  2550  can be used by the user to precisely identify to the image capture device the paper size and feed direction of the original document to be scanned, as well as the image orientation, so that the captured images will be returned to the calling application in the desired orientation. 
     A document orientation portion  551  and an image orientation portion  552  of the input document mimic portion  2550  indicate, in conjunction with the SEF/LEF toggle button  532  and the rotate button  534 , the orientation the original document needs to be placed into on the image capture device in order to obtain an “upright” oriented captured image. An upright oriented captured image is an image that has the orientation of the graphic  482  shown in the preview pane portion  480  of the graphical user interface  400  shown in FIG.  6 . Thus, for example, for a captured text image, the text of the captured image is upright if the bottom-most portions of the text characters are aligned with, and are closest to, the bottom edge  483  of the page mimic  482  of the preview pane portion  480  shown in FIG.  6 . 
     The input document mimic portion  2550  has two modes which can be selected by the user. In a default, “program sides and orientation” mode, the user is able to select whether to feed the original documents into the image capture device using either the short edge first (SEF) orientation or the long edge first (LEF) orientation. The user is also able to select the orientation of the original image on the piece of paper using the rotate button  534 . The user selects the long edge first or short edge first orientation using the SEF/LEF toggle button  532 . In particular, pressing the SEF/LEF toggle button  532  first selects one of the long edge first or short edge orientations. Then, pressing the SEF/LEF button again switches to the other of the short edge first or long edge first orientations. 
       FIG. 14  shows the SEF/LEF toggle button  532  and the document orientation portion  551  and the image orientation portion  552 , with the current state of the SEF/LEF button  532  and the document orientation portion  551  indicating the original document should be in the long edge first orientation.  FIG. 15  shows the results of a user selecting the SEF/LEF toggle button  532 , to charge the current orientation for feeding the original document into the image capture device from the long edge first orientation to the short edge first orientation. This is shown graphically by the SEF/LEF button  534 , a document handler graphic  554 , and the document orientation portion  551  in FIG.  15 . It should be appreciated that, when the SEF/LEF button  532  is pressed, the graphics displayed for the SEF/LEF button  532  and the document orientation portion  551  change to provide visuals cues to the user of the currently selected orientation of the original document that will result in an upright captured image. 
     Using the rotate button  534 , the user indicates which way the image is oriented on the original document.  FIG. 15  shows the input originals with the image oriented so that the top of the image is aligned with a long edge of the original document. This is commonly referred to as the “landscape” orientation. As shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 , when the user selects the rotate button  534 , the image orientation portion  552  of the input document mimic portion  2550  rotates 90° to indicate that the originals are being fed into the scanner with the top of the image oriented toward a short edge of the original document. This is commonly referred to as the “portrait” orientation. It should be appreciated that the rotate button  534  can be pressed repeatedly to rotate the image orientation portion  552  in 90° increments to allow the user to feed originals whose images have their top toward either short edge, or toward either long edge, of the input image. 
     After the user indicates how the original document will be fed into the document handler, either short edge first or long edge first, and indicates how the image is oriented on the original document, the user then proceeds to insert the original into the feeder as indicated and the image capture device captures an image of the original document. As a result, if the original image is fed into the image capture device as indicated by the document orientation portion  551  of the input document mimic portion  2550 , with the image oriented as indicated by the image orientation portion  552  of the input document mimic portion  2550 , the captured image will be returned to the user in an upright orientation. 
     The second mode for the input document mimic portion is a “program sides only mode”.  FIG. 17  illustrates one exemplary embodiment of the document orientation portion  530 ′ for the program sides only mode. As shown in  FIG. 10 , the document orientation portion  530 ′ omits the rotate button  534  that appears next to the input document mimic portion  2550  of the document orientation portion  530  shown in  FIGS. 14-16 . Additionally, the input document mimic portion  550  of the document orientation portion  530 ′ also omits the image orientation portion  551  of the input document mimic portion  5250  shown in  FIGS. 14-16 . In this program sides only mode, the user only chooses whether the original document will be fed short edge first or long edge first, using the SEF/LEF toggle button  532 . The image of the original document will be captured with no concern for the orientation of the image on the original document. The captured image may therefore appear upside down, or rotated 90° when displayed in the preview pane portion  480 . This reflects a more “copier-like” behavior, where an image put into a copier upside-down will come out upside-down. 
     Thus, as indicated above and as shown in  FIGS. 14-16 , in the program sides and orientation mode, the input document graphics, comprising an image orientation portion  551  and a document orientation portion  552 , of the input document mimic portion  2   550  will be altered so that the input document graphics indicate to the user the selected orientations of both the long or short edges of the input document and the image on the original document relative to the selected long edge first or short edge first orientation of the original document. 
     In the program sides only mode, the input document graphics comprising only the document orientation portion  551  of the input document mimic portion  2550 , will be altered so that the input document graphics indicate to the user the selected orientation of the long and short edges of the input document. 
     It should be appreciated that, in FIGS.  6  and  14 - 17 , the input document mimic portion  2550  indicates that the user has selected to use an automatic document handler of the image capture device, such as the document feeder  130  of the scanner  100  shown in FIG.  1 . However, the user may not wish to use the automatic document handler, but rather may wish to place the original document by hand onto the platen of the image capture device, such as the platen  120  of the image capture device  100  shown in FIG.  1 . In this case, selecting the input document mimic portion  2550  changes the displayed input document graphics from those for the document handler graphic  554  shown in  FIGS. 14-16  to those for the hand placement graphic  556  shown in FIG.  18 . Again, the displayed input document graphics of the input document mimic portion  550  indicate the correct orientation of the original document on the platen that will result in an upright captured image. As indicated above, selecting the desired mode and, depending on the selected mode, selecting the desired states for the SEF/LEF toggle button  532  and the rotate button  534 , will change the orientation of the original document in the hand placement graphic  556  shown in FIG.  18 . 
     If the user wishes to capture an image from a bound original document instead of capturing a captured image from a single sheet original document, the user can again select the input document mimic portion  550  to again change the displayed input document graphics from the hand placement graphic  556  shown in  FIG. 18  to a bound document graphic  558 , as shown in FIG.  19 . As in the automatic document handler graphic  554  and the hand placement graphic  556 , the bound document graphic  558  visually indicates to the user how the bound document is to be placed onto the platen of the image capture device in order to obtain an upright captured image. It should be appreciated that, in various exemplary embodiments, depending on the selected mode, the states of the SEF/LEF toggle button  532  and the rotate button  534 , the orientation of the bound document orientation portion  551  and/or the image orientation portion  552 , in the bound document graphic  550  will change so that a visual indication is provided to the user of the orientation of the bound document and the image of the bound document being captured. 
       FIGS. 20A and 20B  are a flowchart outlining one exemplary embodiment of a method for selecting the image orientation parameters and for using the selected image orientation parameters to capture an image from an original document according to this invention. 
     Control begins in step S 2100 , upon displaying the graphical user interface that contains the image orientation widgets according to this invention. Next, in step  110 , a determination is made whether the default mode has been selected. If so, control jumps directly to step S 2150 . Otherwise, control continues to step S 2120 . 
     In step S 2120 , a determination is made whether the “program sides” mode has been selected. If not, then the “program sides and image orientation” mode has been selected, and control thus continues to step S 2130 . Otherwise, control jumps directly to step S 2140 . 
     In step S 2130 , the rotate button is enabled. Then, in step S 2140 , the SEF/LEF button is enabled. Next, in step S 2150 , the automatic document feeder graphic is displayed using the current states of the SEF/LEF button and the rotate button. In particular, if the default mode is selected, the states of the SEF/LEF and rotate buttons are the default states for the particular image capture device that has been selected and cannot be changed. In contrast, in the other modes, the actual states of the SEF/LEF button and/or the rotate button are used to determine visual cues in the particular document orientation portions and the image orientation portions of the automatic document handler graphic. Control then continues to step S 2160 . 
     In step S 2160 , a determination is made whether the user wishes to change the input document graphic of the input document mimic. If so, control continues to step S 2170 . Otherwise, control jumps directly to step S 2180 . In step S 2170 , the next input document graphic is displayed in the input document mimic portion using the current states for the SEF/LEF and rotate buttons. In particular, in the exemplary embodiments discussed above, if the current input document mimic is the document handler graphic, the next input document graphic is the hand placement graphic, then the bound document graphic and then back to the document feeder graphic. It should be appreciated that, if the particular image capture device selected by the user has more or fewer available operational modes, such as lacking an automatic document feeder or having both a recirculating document feeder and a bypass document feeder, different series of displayed input document mimic graphics can be displayed. Similarly, different orders of the input document graphic can be used. Control then continues to step S 2180 . 
     In step S 2180 , a determination is made whether the user has changed the state of the SEF/LEF button. If so, control continues to step S 2190 . Otherwise, control jumps directly to step S 2200 . In step S 2190 , the currently displayed input document graphic is updated to change the graphics displayed in the document orientation portion and the image orientation portion of the input document graphic, based on the newly selected state of the SEF/LEF button. Control then continues to step S 2200 . 
     In step S 2200 , a determination is made whether the rotate state has changed. If so, control continues to step S 2210 . Otherwise, control jumps to step S 2220 . In step S 2210 , the currently displayed input document graphic is updated to change the graphics displayed in the document orientation and image orientation portions of the current input document graphic, based on the new rotate state. Control then continues to step S 2220 . 
     In step S 2220 , a determination is made whether the user has input or command to scan the next input document using the currently selected short or long edge first and rotation parameters, as indicated by input document mimic portion of the graphic user interface. If so, control continues to step S 2230 , where an image is captured of the next input document based on these selected image capture parameters, among others. Control then continues to step S 2240 . 
     In step S 2240 , a determination is made whether the user has selected to change the currently selected document orientation mode. If so, control jumps to step S 2110 . Otherwise, control jumps back to step S 2160 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 20A and 20B , the method outlined in  FIGS. 20A and 20B  continues indefinitely so long as the graphical user interface containing the image orientation widgets discussed above is active. 
     It should be appreciated that the image capture device control systems  200  and  600  shown in  FIGS. 2 and 5  can each be implemented on a general purpose computer. However, it should also be appreciated that the image capture device control systems  200  and  600  can also each be implemented on a special purpose computer, a programmed microprocessor or microcontroller and peripheral integrated circuit elements, an ASIC or other integrated circuit, a digital signal processor, a hardwired electronic or logic circuit such as a discreet element circuit, a programmable logic device such as a PLD, PLA, FPGA and/or PAL, or the like. In general, any device, capable of implementing a finite state machine, that is in turn capable of implementing the flowchart shown in  FIGS. 9A-9C ,  FIGS. 13A-13C  and  FIGS. 20A-20B  can be used to implement either of the image capture device control systems  200  or  600 . 
     The memory  630  shown in  FIG. 5  can include both volatile and/or non-volatile alterable memory or non-alterable memory. Any alterable memory can be implemented using any combination of static or dynamic RAM, a hard drive and a hard disk, flash memory, a floppy disk and disk drive, a writable optical disk and disk drive, or the like. Any non-alterable memory can be implemented using any combination of ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, an optical CD-ROM disk, an optical ROM disk, such as a CD-ROM disk or a DVD-ROM disk and disk drives, or the like. 
     Thus, it should be understood that each of the elements of the image capture device control systems  200  and  600  shown in  FIGS. 2 and 5  can be implemented as portions of a suitably programmed general purpose computer. Alternatively, each of the elements shown in  FIG. 2  or  5  can be implemented as physically distinct hardware circuits within a ASIC, or using a FPGA, a PLD, a PLA, or a PAL, or using discreet logic elements or discreet circuit elements. The particular form each of the elements of the image capture device control systems  200  or  600  shown in  FIGS. 2 and 5  will take as a design choice and will be obvious and predictable to those skilled in the art. 
     Moreover, the image capture device control systems  200  or  600  can each be implemented as software executing on a programmed general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a microprocessor or the like. In this case, the image capture device control systems  200  and  600  can be implemented as routines embedded in a peripheral driver, as a resource residing on a server, or the like. 
     The image capture device control systems  200  and  600  can each also be implemented by physically incorporating them into a software and/or hardware system, such as the hardware and software systems of a digital copier or the like. 
     While this invention has been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives and modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.