Abstract:
The user enters the desired image capture parameters to be used when capturing an electronic image of an original document into one or more portions of a preview graphical user interface. Then, either automatically, or upon selecting a preview function, a preview pane portion of the preview graphical user interface is generated. The preview pane portion graphically illustrates how the various image capture parameters selected by the user will be applied to the original document to generate the captured electronic image data. Each of the different types of image capture parameters has a different visual cue associated with it. The visual cues visually inform the user of the image capture parameters that the user has selected. Thus, without actually capturing a preview image and without filling the preview pane portion with an actual preview image, the user can accurately determine what the resulting image will look like after the original document is captured. Thus, most preview scans can be eliminated. The user can also easily determine whether a preview scan is required. For example, a preview scan may still be desirable if it is difficult for the user to determine if the selected image capture parameters will result in the desired captured electronic image data. However, even if the user determines that a preview scan is still desirable, the selected image capture parameters will generally be closer to the required image capture parameters before the actual preview scan is generated than without using the preview graphical user interface.

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 without generating a preview scan. A preview scan is a scan of a document on a platen of the image capture devices that is generated when the user requests a preview of the actual image. For example, the preview image can be generated by driving a scan bar of a scanner to generate a low resolution image of the document. 
     The preview image allows the operator to confirm, among other things, whether the original document has been fed correctly into the scanner to obtain the desired orientation of the resulting image, whether the desired cropping or framing of the input image has been correctly defined, whether the desired scaling of the input image has been correctly defined, whether the proper image type has been selected to select the appropriate scanning parameters, and the like. 
     However, generating a preview scan takes time that could otherwise be used to generate actual production scans. Thus, users often do not wish to generate a preview scan prior to generating a production scan of the original document due to reduced productivity that the preview scan causes. However, if the production operator does not generate a preview scan, it is often difficult to determine exactly how the resulting electronic image will appear. Moreover, generating a second production scan, because the scanned image did not correspond to the desired scanned image, often takes more time than generating the preview scan would have taken. Thus, generating a production scan that does not correspond to the desired electronic image reduces the operator&#39;s productivity beyond that cause by generating a preview scan. Moreover, even determining whether a preview scan should be performed, rather than performing a preview scan automatically, can be complex and time consuming. 
     This invention thus provides systems, methods and graphical user interfaces that allow the user to visualize the results of generating a production scan of an original document using the current scan parameters without generating a preview scan. 
     This invention separately provides systems, methods and graphical user interfaces that allow an operator to determine, without generating a preview scan, if the original document will be fed correctly into the image capture device and if the captured image will have the desired orientation. 
     This invention separately provides systems, methods and graphical user interfaces that allow a user to determine, without generating a preview scan, whether the current image capture parameters will crop or frame the desired portion of the original document. 
     This invention separately provides systems, methods and graphical user interfaces that allow a user to easily determine, without generating a preview scan, whether the captured portion of the original document will be scaled as desired. 
     This invention separately provides systems, methods and graphical user interfaces that allow the user to determine, without generating a preview scan, whether the current image type parameters correspond to the desired image type parameter. 
     This invention separately provides one or more graphical user interfaces that graphically illustrate how the current image capture parameters will be applied to the document to be scanned. 
     In various exemplary embodiments of the systems, methods and graphical user interfaces of this invention, the user enters the desired image capture parameters to be used when capturing an electronic image of an original document into one or more portions of one or more graphical user interfaces. Then, either automatically, or upon selecting a preview function, a preview pane portion of the graphical user interface is generated. The preview pane portion graphically illustrates how the various image capture parameters selected by the user will be applied to the original document to generate the captured electronic image data. 
     In particular, in various exemplary embodiments, various ones of the different types of image capture parameters has a different visual cue associated with it. The visual cues visually inform the user of the image capture parameters that the user has selected. Thus, without actually capturing a preview image and without filling the preview pane portion with an actual preview image, the user can accurately determine what the resulting image will look like after the original document is captured. Thus, most preview scans can be eliminated. 
     Moreover, the user can quickly determine whether a preview scan is required or not. For example, a preview scan may still be desirable if it is difficult for the user to determine if the selected image capture parameters will result in the desired captured electronic image data. However, even if the user determines that a preview scan is still desirable, the systems, methods and graphical user interfaces according to this invention will still be useful, in that the selected image capture parameters are likely to be closer to the required image capture parameters before the actual preview scan is generated than without using the systems, methods and graphical user interfaces of this invention. 
     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 incorporating the scan preview pane portion and visual cues according to this invention; 
         FIG. 7  shows in greater detail one exemplary embodiment of the image size tab of the graphical user interface shown in  FIG. 6 ; and 
         FIGS. 8A–8C  are a flowchart outlining one exemplary embodiment of a method for generating and displaying a preview pane portion having visual cues regarding the image capture parameters 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 TWAIN™ 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  550 , respectively, of the graphical user interface  400  shown in  FIG. 3 . The image quality  410  is described in greater detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/487,271, filed 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 contrast 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  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 original image quality profile parameter  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 Jan. 19, 2000, and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The mode parameter  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 parameter  325  indicates the resolution of the generated electronic image data. The image optimization parameter  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  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 271 application. 
     The sharpen/soften parameter portion  335  is 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  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  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. Nos. 09/487,273, 09,487,272 and 09/487,266, 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 capture 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  660 , 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 system  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 detail 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  communicates 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  634 . 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  displaying preview mimic  482  in a preview pane portion  480  of the graphical user interface  400 . 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 basic features tab  500  also includes an instance of a “How Do I” button  430 . The “How Do I” button  430  is usable to access an operating instructions help function, which is disclosed in greater detail in the incorporated 266 application. 
     In particular, the scan ticket portion  510  includes a status icon  512 , that indicates the saved status of the scan ticket indicated in a scan ticket dialogue 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 parameters portion  520  also includes a document orientation portion  530  that allows the user to specify how the document will be oriented on the platen  120  of the image capture device  100 . The document orientation portion  530  is described in greater detail in the incorporated 272 application. 
     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  536 . 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, i.e., the 11 inch edge of standard 8½×11 inch paper, or the short edge, i.e., 8½ 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 image orientation of the captured image will be rotated 90° clockwise. 
     The input document mimic portion  536  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  536  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. 
     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 image size tab  550  in greater detail. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the image size tab  550  includes a reset values button  551 , a crop/frame portion  560  and a reduce/enlarge portion  570 . When the reset values button  551  is pressed, the various image capture parameters set forth in the crop/frame portion  560  and the reduce/enlarge portion  570  are reset to the selected default values. Additionally, the image size tab  550  like the basic features tab  500 , the image size tab  550  also includes an instance of the “How Do I” button  430 . 
     The crop/frame portion  560  of the image size tab  550  includes a crop/frame checkbox  561 , a crop radio button  562 , a frame radio button  563 , a mirror checkbox  564 , and a set of top, left, right, and bottom parameter entry boxes  565 – 568  that define the location of the rectangle to be cropped out of the capture electronic image data. Finally, the crop/frame portion  560  includes an all values equal checkbox  569 . 
     In particular, the crop/frame checkbox  561  enables or disables all of the crop/frame feature parameters. When checked, the crop/frame checkbox  561  enables all of the crop/frame controls  562 – 569 . Additionally, when checked, the crop/frame checkbox  561  generates a crop/frame marquee selection control  484  in a preview portion  480  of the graphical user interface  400 . The crop/frame marquee selection control  484  is discussed in greater detail below. The crop/frame checkbox  561  also allows the user to easily turn on or off the selected crop values on a scan-by-scan basis, without having to reset or clear the values entered into each of the crop/frame control portions  562 – 569 . 
     The top, left, right and bottom parameter boxes  565 – 568  allow the user to define a rectangular selection area of the original document that will be cropped or framed. The top, left, right and bottom parameter boxes  565 – 568  allow the user to specify the distances between the corresponding margin of the original document, based on the size of the original document selected in the page size list  524 , and the corresponding edge of the rectangular selection area. The “all values are equal” check box  569 , when checked, locks all four of the parameters  565 – 568  together. 
     The crop radio button  562 , when selected, indicates that the portions of the scanned electronic image data outside of the rectangular selection area defined by the values in the dimension parameter boxes  565 – 568  should be deleted. Thus, the captured image, before any scaling, is limited to the size of the area within the defined rectangular selection area. In contrast, when the frame radio button  563  is selected, the area outside of the rectangular selection area is given a default color. In general, this default color will be white. In contrast to the captured image after cropping, the captured image size remains the same as the page size of the original document selected in the page size text box  524  shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     The mirror check box  564  is enabled only when the two-sided check box  526  of the basic features tab  550  is checked. When enabled and checked, the mirror check box  564  mirrors the dimensions in the top, left, right and bottom dimension parameter boxes  565 – 568  onto the second side of the page. In particular, the dimensions will be mirrored depending on how the user has defined the orientation of the second side relative to the first side, i.e., head-to-head or head-to-toe. 
     The reduce/enlarge portion  570  of the image size tab  550  includes a reduce/enlarge check box  571 , a proportional check box  572 , and a scale-to radio button  573  and associated width and height scale factor parameter boxes  574  and  575 . The reduce/enlarge portion  570  also includes a fit-in radio button  576 , a fit-in selection text box  577  and associated width and height dimension boxes  578  and  579 . 
     The reduce/enlarge check box  571 , when checked, enables all of the reduce/enlarge control elements  572 – 579 . Additionally, when checked, the reduced/enlarged check box  571  enables a scale marquee selection control  486  of the preview pane portion  480  that allows the user to interactively specify the scaling factors. The scale marquee selection control  486  will be discussed in greater detail below. 
     The proportional check box  572 , when checked, links together the width and height scale factor parameter boxes  574  and  575 , and the width and height dimension boxes  578  and  579 , so that the aspect ratio of the captured image remains constant to the original document. This prevents distortion. 
     The scale-to radio button  573 , when selected, enables the scale factor parameter boxes  574  and  575  to be used to select the desired scaling factors. In contrast, the fit-in radio button  576 , when selected, enables the fit-in selection text box  577  and the dimension parameters boxes  578  and  579  to allow the user to specify the absolute dimensions, rather than the reduction/magnification proportions, to be used to scale the captured image relative to the original image. In particular, the fit-in selection text box  577  allows the user to quickly select a particular one of a set of predetermined dimensions to be used to scale the captured image. The fit-in selection text box  577  is described in greater detail in the incorporated 273 application. In contrast, the dimension parameter boxes  578  and  579  allow the user to use any desired set of dimensions. 
     As indicated above, the graphical user interface  400  also includes the preview pane portion  480 . It should be appreciated that the preview pane portion  480  is displayed independent of the most recently selected tab  500 ,  410  or  550 . Rather, in various exemplary embodiments, the preview pane portion  480  is automatically displayed when either, or both, of the crop/frame check box  561  or the reduce/enlarge check box  571  is checked. In other various exemplary embodiments, the preview pane portion  480  is displayed or hidden by selecting or unselecting a “Show Preview” menu item of the View menu. In these exemplary embodiments, the preview pane portion  480  can also be displayed by selecting the preview button  440  to generate a preview scan. 
     In a first exemplary embodiment of the systems, methods and graphical user interfaces of this invention, whenever the preview pane portion  480  is opened, a preview mimic  482  will be displayed in the preview pane portion  480 . The preview mimic  482  provides visual cues to the user to allow the user to determine if the various image capture parameters the user has entered through the basic features tab  500 , the image quality tab  410  and/or the image size tab  550  will result in a scanned image that accurately corresponds to the users desired scanned image. In particular, the dimensions of the selected page size, selected by using the page size list box  524 , are represented by the page size mimic portion  483 . 
     Similarly, if the crop/frame check box  471  is checked, thus enabling the crop/frame control parameters, the crop/frame marquee  484  will be displayed in the preview pane portion  480 . In particular, the crop/frame marquee  484  will indicate the various values entered in the top, left, right and bottom parameter boxes  465 – 468 . Then, by selecting the crop/frame marquee  484 , the user can move the top, left, right and/or bottom edges of the rectangular crop/frame selection area  485  to change the desired dimensions of the rectangular crop/frame selection area  485 . 
     Similarly, if the reduce/enlarge check box  571  is checked, thus enabling the reduce/enlarge control parameters  572 – 579 , a scale marquee  486  is displayed. The scale marquee  486  indicates the resulting dimensions after scaling the captured image based on the values entered into the enabled scale factor parameter boxes  574  and  575  or the enabled dimension parameter boxes  578  and  579 . Moreover, as indicated in  FIG. 6 , the dimensions of the scale marquee  486  can be tied to the dimensions of the crop/frame marquee  484  if, for example, the scale-to radio button  573  has been selected. That is, the scale-to function scales the rectangular crop/frame selection area  485 , if the crop radio button  562  is selected, or the page size of the original document of the frame radio button  563  is selected, as indicated by the page mimic  483 . Thus, changing either the dimensions of the rectangular crop/frame selection area  485 , such as, for example, by selecting and manipulating the crop/frame marquee  484 , the dimensions of the scale marquee  486  will change proportionally. This is shown in  FIG. 6 , by the portions of the scale marquee  486  that extend and connect to the crop/frame marquee  484 . 
     In contrast, if the frame radio button  563  and the scale-to radio button  573  were both selected, the connecting portions of the scale marquee  486  would instead extend to the corners of the page mimic  483 . In further contrast, if the fit-to radio button  576  were selected, the scale marquee  486  has fixed dimensions. In this case, the scale marquee  486  is not connected to, nor is it re-scaled by, manipulations to either the crop/frame marquee  484  or the page mimic  483 . 
     The preview mimic  482  also includes an image orientation mimic  488  that indicates the image orientation that will result based on the selected parameters for the SEF/LEF original document orientation button  532 , the rotate button  534  and the orientation mimic  536 . In addition, if the two-sided check box  526  has been selected, the image orientation mimic  488  will also indicate whether the front or back side of the original document is being imaged. Additionally, if the image orientation mimic  488  vindicates the back side of the original document is being previewed, the orientation of the image orientation mimic  488  will depend on whether the head-to-head or the head-to-toe relationship has been defined between the front and back side images on the original document. Finally, the preview mimic  482  includes an image quality profile mimic  489 . The image quality profile mimic  489  indicates the particular image quality profile selected in the image quality profile list box  528 . For example, in the graphical user interface  400  shown in  FIG. 6 , the image quality profile mimic  489  indicates that a “photo” image quality profile has been selected. 
     Thus, the preview mimic  482  allows the user to quickly and visually verify that the various image capture parameters that the user has input to the basic features tab  500 , the image quality tab  410 , and/or the image size tab  550  will result in the captured image desired by the user. In addition, the page size mimic  483 , the crop/frame marquee  484  and/or the scale marquee  486  allow the user to visually adjust the selected image capture parameters so that the adjusted image capture parameters will result in a captured image that more closely corresponds to the desired captured image. Accordingly, the user can avoid the need to view a preview scan in most cases. 
     Furthermore, in situations where the user still believes a preview scan is desirable, by using the various elements of the preview mimic  482 , the preview scan will more closely correspond to the desired production scan. In this way, because only fine adjustments to the image capture parameters should be necessary in view of the preview scan, the user can avoid needing to view additional preview scans before the user decides that the current image capture parameters will result in the desired captured image. 
       FIGS. 8A–8C  are a flowchart outlining one exemplary embodiment of a method for generating and displaying a page mimic in a preview pane portion. It should be understood that the flowchart outlined in  FIG. 8A  can be initiated in a variety of ways. For example, as indicated above, the page mimic generating and displaying method illustrated in  FIGS. 8A–8C  can occur only upon the user consciously selecting that the page mimic be displayed. In other exemplary embodiments, as outlined above, the exemplary embodiment of the method for generating and displaying the page mimic shown in  FIGS. 8A–8C  can be automatically invoked in view of the selection of various graphical user interface widgets on the basic features tab  500  and/or the image size tab  550 . 
     In any case, beginning in step S 100 , control continues to step S 110 , where a determination is made whether the preview pane portion is enabled and displayed. If not, control jumps back to step S 110  until the preview pane portion is enabled and displayed. Otherwise, once the preview pane portion is enabled and displayed, control continues step S 120 . 
     In step S 120 , the page mimic is displayed using the currently selected page size. In particular, if the user has not consciously changed the currently selected page size, the currently selected page size will be a default page size. Next, in step S 130 , a determination is made whether the crop/frame check box has been enabled. If so, control continues to step S 140 . Otherwise, control jumps to step S 170 . 
     In step S 140 , the crop/frame marquee is displayed using the currently selected rectangular selection area values. Then, in step S 150 , a determination is made whether any one or more of the rectangular selection area values have been changed. If not, control jumps directly to step S 170 . Otherwise, control continues to step S 160 . 
     In step S 160 , the current selection area values are updated. Control then jumps back to step S 140 . In particular, the selection area values can be updated in step S 160  in two ways. First, the user can enter a new selection area values into the image size tab. In this case, updating the selection area values comprising forwarding the new selection area values so that the crop/frame marquee can be re-displayed in step S 140  using the new current selection area values. Alternatively, the selection area values can be updated in step S 160  by selecting and manipulating the crop/frame marquee. In this case, the selection area values resulting after the crop/frame marquee has been manipulated are determined and displayed in the appropriate portions of the image size tab. 
     In step S 170 , a determination is made whether the scale/enlarge check box has been enabled. If so, control continues to step S 180 . Otherwise, control jumps to step S 250 . 
     In step S 180 , a determination is made whether the “scale-to” scaling function has been enabled. If not, control continues to step S 190 . Otherwise, control continues to step S 200 . In step S 190 , because the “fit-to” scaling function was selected, the scale marquee is displayed based on the selected values in the “fit-to” scale parameter boxes. Control then jumps to step S 240 . 
     In contrast, in step S 200 , a determination is made whether the crop function has been enabled. If so, control continues to step S 210 . Otherwise, either the frame function has been enabled, or neither crop function nor the frame function has been enabled. In either case, control jumps to step S 220 . 
     In step S 210 , the scale marquee is linked to the crop/frame marquee. Control then jumps directly to step S 230 . In contrast, in step S 220 , the scale marquee is linked to the page size mimic. Next, in step S 230 , the scale marquee is displayed based on the selected scale factor and either the selected dimensions of the page size or the selected dimensions for the crop selection area. Then, in step S 240 , a determination is made whether the scale parameters have been changed by the user. If so, control jumps back to step S 180 . Otherwise, control continues to step S 250 . 
     In step S 250 , the image orientation mimic is displayed based on the selected page orientation and image orientation on the page, including whether the two-sided check box has been checked, and, if so, which one of the head-to-head or head-to-toe radio buttons have been selected. Then, in step S 260 , the image quality profile mimic is displayed based on the selected image quality profile. Next, in step S 270 , a determination is made whether the user has selected to take a preview scan. If so, control continues to step S 280 . Otherwise, control jumps to step S 300 . 
     In step S 280 , a preview image is captured. Next, in step S 290 , the captured preview image is displayed in the preview pane portion. Control then jumps back to step S 110 , where a determination is made whether the preview image should be removed from the previewed pane and an new set of scanning parameter visual cues should be displayed. 
     In contrast, in step S 300 , a determination is made whether the user has requested that a production image be captured. If not, control again jumps back to step S 110 . Otherwise, control continues to step S 310 . In step S 310 , an image of the original document on the image capture device is captured using the selected image capture parameters, especially those using the visual cues according to this invention. Next, in step S 320 , a determination is made whether to stop. If not, control once again jumps back to step S 110 . Otherwise, if the user does wish to exit the preview process, control continues to step S 330 , where the method ends. 
     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. 8A–8C , 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.