Scanning method and scanning system free of identifying original's attribute

In accordance with the present invention, an operating procedure of a scanning system free of identifying original's attribute comprises steps of scanning at least one original free of identifying original's attribute to generate at least one image, wherein the images present all contents of the originals, displaying the images on a preview window, receiving a portion of the preview window selected by a user, and scanning a portion of the originals corresponding to the portion of the preview window. The present invention further extends to a scanning system free of identifying original's attribute and a scanning method without identifying an original's attribute by a user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a method for scanning an original without identifying the original's attribute and also a system for scanning an original free of identifying the original's attribute.

2. Description of the Prior Art

For a scanning system, an item to be scanned is usually classified as transparent original or reflective original, according to whether the light can transmit through the item or not. Due to the difference in nature between a reflective original and a transparent original, a reflective original mode is used for scanning a reflective original, and a transparent original has to be scanned by use of a transparent original mode, respectively. In other words, a reflective original can not be identified by use of a transparent original mode, in the mean time a transparent original mode can not recognize a reflective original.

A conventional scanning system has difficulties in identifying reflective and transparent originals simultaneously. Therefore, in order to generate an accurate scanning image, a user himself has to identify the attribute of an original in advance to manually set the proper scanning mode of the scanning system. If the scanning mode of a scanning system (such as scanner) doesn't match with the original, for example, a reflective original is scanned by use of a transparent original mode, the scanning image is incapable of presenting the content of the original.

Apparently, the step of setting the scanning mode complicates the scanning procedure and causes great inconvenience of operating the scanning system leading to the increase in the possibility of generating an improper scanning image due to the wrong scanning mode setting. Thus, it is imperative to develop a method and a system for scanning an original eliminating the step of manually setting the scanning mode.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a method and a system for scanning an original to generate a perfect scanning image eliminating the steps of manually identifying the original and setting the scanning mode are provided.

It is another object of this invention that a method and a system for scanning an original to generate a scanning image of a reflective or transparent original without changing the hardware of a reflective or transparent scanning system are provided.

In accordance with the present invention, in one embodiment, an operating procedure of a scanning system, which scans an original free of identifying the original's attribute is disclosed. The operating procedure comprises the step of scanning at least one original to generate at least one image of the originals, wherein the images present all contents of the originals. Then, the images are displayed in a preview window. A portion of the preview window including a portion of the images selected by user is received. Next, a portion of the originals corresponding to the portion of the images displayed in the selected preview window is scanned.

In another embodiment, a system for scanning originals without identifying the attribute of originals is provided. The system comprises a scanning module for scanning at least one original, a processing module for processing a plurality of images generated by the scanning module, a controlling module for controlling the scanning module and the processing module, a display module for displaying a preview window responsive to results of the processing module, a receiving module for receiving a portion of the preview window selected by user, and an output module for outputting the portion of images displayed in the selected preview window.

In accordance with the present invention, in a further embodiment, a scanning method free of identifying original's attribute by a user is provided. The method comprises a step of arranging at least one original on a scanner. The originals are scanned to generate at least one image corresponding to the originals, wherein the images present all contents of the originals and are automatically obtained by the scanner without manually setting any scan mode by the user. Then, a preview window with the images including reflective original images and transparent original images displayed is received. A portion of the preview window including a portion of the images is selected. Then, a portion of the originals corresponding to the portion of the images on the portion of the preview window is scanned.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Some sample embodiments of the invention will now be described in greater detail. Nevertheless, it should be noted that the present invention can be practiced in a wide range of other embodiments besides those explicitly described, and the scope of the present invention is expressly not limited except as specified in the accompanying claims.

According to a careful analysis of the scanning system and the scanning method in the prior art, the drawback occurs by using only one scanning mode in one scanning procedure. Users must correctly set the scanning mode in view of an original, or a scanner has to identify the original as a reflective original or a transparent original prior to scanning the original as a result of using only one scanning mode.

In other words, as shown inFIG. 1A, when there is a reflective original11and a transparent original12to be simultaneously scanned, due to the use of only one scanning mode in the prior art, such as by use of a reflective original mode, a reflective original image14is clearly displayed in a preview window13and an ineffective image14corresponding to the transparent original12also displayed in the preview window13is pitch-dark and unrecognizable, as illustrated inFIG. 1B. A further step of setting the scanning mode, such as transparent original mode, is compulsory for identifying the transparent original12, such that both the reflective original image14and the transparent original image16are clearly displayed in the preview window13, as shown inFIG. 1C.

However, due to the continuous advancement of technology, the scanner in the present day has faster scanning speed than the scanner in the old days, and the storage media nowadays also has larger storage capacity and faster accessing rate than before. Thus, one key aspect of the present invention for solving the drawback occurred in the prior art is the use of two scanning modes to scan originals, then by the integration of obtained reflective original images and transparent original images, a completed preview window is secured. Due to the utilization of two scanning modes to scan originals prior to displaying a preview window, the preview window shown inFIG. 1Bis eliminated. The preview window illustrated inFIG. 1Cis directly obtained in the scan of originals shown inFIG. 1A. In other words, there is no need for users to set the scanning mode prior to starting the scan to acquire a preview window with clear images of both originals, thus the drawback described above is diminished.

Additionally, the original (or originals, or an item is an integration of reflective and transparent originals) to be scanned is not always a combination of reflective and transparent originals, that is, it is not necessary to use both scanning modes (reflective original mode and transparent original mode) in every scan. Thus, another key aspect of the present invention is to scan at least one original by use of one scanning mode, then to analyze whether the information obtained in the scan presents all contents of the original to determine if another scanning mode is to be performed. If the information does not clearly present all contents of the original, another scanning mode is utilized for scanning the original. On the contrary, a preview window is created responsive to the information without scanning the original by another scanning mode if the information clearly presents all contents of the original.

In order to specifically interpret the present invention, in one embodiment, an operating procedure of a scanning system free of identifying original's attribute is provided. As Illustrate inFIG. 2A, the operating procedure comprises steps21,22,23, and24.

As shown in first scanning block21, at least one original is scanned to generate at least one image, wherein the images present all contents of the originals. It is noted that only the command of starting the scan executed by user is received, that is the command of setting a scanning mode is eliminated. Thus, the received command is irrelevant to the original's attribute.

In general, the originals are scanned by use of a transparent original mode and a reflective original mode. It is noted that the sequence of employing what mode, the reflective original mode or the transparent original mode, is arbitrary and not critical in accordance with the present invention.

Yet, though the key aspect of the present invention is to obtain reflective original images and transparent original images before a preview window is displayed, the reflective original images are not in want of acquisition when the originals are all transparent originals, or when the originals are all reflective originals, the transparent original images are not in want of acquisition. Therefore, the present invention further comprises variations depicted in modified steps25,26,27, and28ofFIG. 2B. The modified steps25,26,27, and28are not all performed only if the preview window shows completed images corresponding to the originals. The present invention is not limited to the sequence of starting what step first, that is the order of performing steps25,26,27, and28is reversible.

As illustrated in first modified step25, the originals are first scanned by use of a reflective original mode to generate reflective original images. Then, the reflective original images are analyzed to determine if all contents of the originals are presented. The originals are scanned by use of a transparent original mode if the reflective original images don't present all contents of the originals.

As illustrated in second modified step26, the originals are first scanned by use of a reflective original mode to generate reflective original images. Then, the reflective original images are analyzed to determine if all contents of the originals are presented. The originals are not scanned by use of a transparent original mode if the reflective original images present all contents of the originals. Thus, only the reflective original images are displayed in the preview window.

As illustrated in third modified step27, the originals are first scanned by use of a transparent original mode to generate transparent original images. Then, the transparent original images are analyzed to determine if all contents of the originals are presented. The originals are scanned by use of a reflective original mode if the transparent original images don't present all contents of the originals.

As illustrated in fourth modified step28, the originals are first scanned by use of a transparent original mode to generate transparent original images. Then, the transparent original images are analyzed to determine if all contents of the originals are presented. The originals are not scanned by use of a reflective original mode if the transparent original images present all contents of the originals. Thus, only the transparent original images are displayed in the preview window.

As shown in preview block22, reflective original images and transparent original images are displayed in a preview window.

It is noted that there is no specific rule of displaying images on the preview window. The reflective original images and the transparent original images can be separately displayed in the preview window. However, the reflective original images and the transparent original images can also be combined to display on the preview window, wherein a portion of the originals not presented by the transparent original images is substituted by the reflective original images. In the mean time, a portion of the originals not presented by the reflective original images is substituted by the transparent original images.

As shown in receiving block23, a portion of the preview window with a portion of the images is selected by a user. It is clear that the user can further taking steps of performing an image process.

As shown in second scanning block24, a portion of the originals corresponding to the portion of the images displayed in the portion of the preview window is scanned.

In the second scan of the portion of the originals, if the selected images displayed in the selected preview window is part of the reflective original images, only a reflective original mode is used. If the selected images displayed in the selected preview window is part of the transparent original images, only a transparent original mode is used. If the selected images displayed in the selected preview window is part of the transparent original images and the reflective original images, a transparent original mode is used to scan the portion of originals corresponding to the selected transparent original images, and a reflective original mode is used to scan the portion of originals corresponding to the selected reflective original images.

In another embodiment, a scanning system free of identifying original's attribute is provided. Referring toFIG. 3, the scanning system comprises a scanning module31, a processing module32, a controlling module33, a display module34, a receiving module35, and an output module36.

The scanning module31including units, such as a light source, a lens, and a light detector, is for scanning at least one original.

The processing module32, such as microprocessor or application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), is for processing a plurality of images generated by the scanning module31.

The controlling module33, such as microprocessor or application specific integrated circuit, is for controlling the scanning module31and the processing module32.

The controlling module33controls the scanning module31to scan the originals by use of a transparent original mode or a reflective original mode to obtain transparent original images or reflective original images, respectively. But as described above, the controlling module33can control the scanning module31to scan the originals by use of a transparent original mode first, wherein transparent original images are displayed by the display module34if the processing module shows the transparent original images present all contents of the originals. If the processing module32shows the transparent original images don't present all contents of the originals, the originals are scanned by use of a reflective original mode, then the transparent original images and the reflective original images are displayed by the display module34. Alternatively, the controlling module33can control the scanning module31to scan the originals by use of a reflective original mode first, wherein reflective original images are displayed by the display module34if the processing module shows the reflective original images present all contents of the originals. If the processing module32shows the reflective original images don't present all contents of the originals, the originals are scanned by use of a transparent original mode, then the reflective original images and the transparent original images are displayed by the display module34.

The display module34, such as screen, is for displaying a preview window responsive to a result of the processing module. When the reflective original images can represent all contents of the originals, the display module34does not display any transparent original images. When the transparent original images can represent all contents of the originals, the display module34does not display any reflective original images. Additionally, the display module34can separately display the reflective original images and the transparent original images. The reflective original images and the transparent original images can also be combined to display by the display module34, wherein a portion of the originals not presented by the transparent original images is substituted by the reflective original images. In the mean time, a portion of the originals not presented by the reflective original images is substituted by the transparent original images.

The receiving module35, such as mouse or keyboard, is for receiving a portion of the preview window selected by user.

The output module36, such as printer, hard disc, floppy disk, or any storage media of the computer, is for outputting a portion of images displayed in the selected portion of the preview window.

In accordance with the present invention, in a further embodiment, a method for scanning free of identifying original's attribute by a user is provided. Referring toFIG. 4, the method comprises a step of arranging at least one original on a scanner shown in pre-scan block41.

As depicted in first scanning block42, the originals are scanned. The user does not manually set any scanning mode for any of the originals. The scanner automatically generates images presenting all contents of the originals.

As shown in preview block43, a preview window is received. The preview window displays reflective original images and transparent original images generated by the scanner in the step of scanning the originals.

As shown in selection block44, at least a portion of the preview window is selected.

Referring to scanning block45, a portion of the original corresponding to the selected portion of the preview window is scanned.