System, method, and computer readable medium for scanning a document having a raised image on it

A method and system include using a scanner to copy a document containing an original image and an embossment. The method includes first scanning a front face of the document from which the original image is visible to form a first image, wherein the first scanning is conducted with a sensitivity such that the embossment is essentially not visible in the first image; increasing a sensitivity of the scanner; second scanning the document to create a second image, wherein the embossment is visible in the second image; combining the first and second images so as to obtain a reproduction image of the original image containing the embossment.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system, a method, and a computer readable medium for scanning a document having an original image and an embossment on it.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Many documents are embossed with a raised seal, such as a seal from a notary public or other government agencies. When copying such a document with a conventional photocopier, the embossed seal is usually not picked up by the sensors when the sensitivity of the copier is set at a level appropriate for copying a remainder of the document. As a result, when copying such an embossed document with a conventional copier, the image on the document is adequately copied. However, the embossed seal is usually not detected on the copy.

Similar issues may occur with other types of documents having raised or dimensional issues, such as braille documents or documents including folded lines. The concepts of the present invention are equally applicable to such other types of documents.

Prior to the present invention, there was a need in the art for a convenient system for copying an embossed document so that both the image on the document, as well as the embossment thereon could be easily copied.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In consideration of the above objects, a method is disclosed for copying a document containing an original image and an embossment. The method comprises using a scanner to copy a document containing an original image and an embossment. The method comprises first scanning a front face of the document from which the original image is visible to form a first image, wherein the first scanning is conducted with a sensitivity such that the embossment is essentially not visible in the first image; increasing a sensitivity of the scanner; second scanning the document to create a second image, wherein the embossment is visible in the second image; combining the first and second images so as to obtain a reproduction image of the original image containing the embossment.

A method of copying a document containing an original image and an embossment is also provided that comprises first scanning a front face of the document from which the original image is visible to form a first image; second scanning a reverse face of the document from which the embossment is visible to create a second image, wherein the second image includes a reverse image of the embossment; reversing the second image to create a third image which is a true image of the embossment; and combining the first and third images so as to obtain a reproduction image of the original image containing the embossment.

A method of copying a document containing an original image and an embossment is also provided that comprises first scanning a front face of the document from which the original image is visible to form a first image, wherein the first image includes a background image and a foreground image; increasing a sensitivity of the scanner; second scanning a reverse face of the document to create a second image, wherein the second image includes a mirror image of the embossment and a mirror image of at least portions of the original image; reversing the first image to create a third image which is a mirror image of the first image; editing the second image by removing the third image from the second image; and reversing the edited second image to create a fourth image which is a true image of the embossment; combining the first image and the fourth image so as to obtain a reproduction image of the original image containing the embossment.

A computer readable medium encoded with a program for causing an image processing apparatus to effect the foregoing methods is also contemplated. And, an image processing apparatus to effect the foregoing methods is also contemplated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Throughout the descriptions of the preferred embodiments, nomenclature has been adopted to refer to various images as a first image, second image, etc. However, an image referred to by one name in one embodiment may be different than an image in another embodiment having the same name. Thus, for example, the “third image” in the first embodiment may be different than the “third image” in the second embodiment.

FIG. 1illustrates an image forming apparatus100according to at least one embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus includes an automatic document feeder (ADF)110for feeding one or more documents to a scanner120. The ADF110may feed the documents in different modes. In a first mode, the documents are fed sequentially so that only the front face of the documents are copied. In a second mode, the documents are fed so that the front face of a document is copied, and the document is then reversed so that a reverse face of the document is copied. The present invention can be employed either manually without an automatic document feeder, or it can be used in automatic mode using an automatic document feeder.

The image forming apparatus100also includes an image forming unit130for forming images on a recording medium that is fed from one or more trays140. The image forming apparatus also includes an operating control center150that includes a processor and a storage for storing programs for operating the image forming apparatus100and a storage for storing image data.

FIG. 2illustrates a document10having an original image12thereon and which has been embossed with a raised seal14. The raised seal14may sometimes be referred to herein as an embossment. By “original image” is meant the image on the document10prior to adding the embossment14. An “original image”, as used herein may actually be a replica of another document.

When copying a front face of the document on a conventional copier set at an average density reading, only the original image12on the document10will usually be detected and copied. In most cases, the scanner will not pick up the embossment14.

A system is provided to enable a clear and readable copy of not only the original image12on the document10, but the embossment14, as well.

First Embodiment:

According to a first embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in the flow chart ofFIG. 6, the operator indicates if Embossment Scanning is to be performed at step210.FIG. 7illustrates a control panel300for the apparatus100. The control panel includes a key310for initiating embossment scanning.

If embossment scanning is selected at step210, at step215, the operator enters any desired settings on the control panel300. For example, if the embossment14is to be printed in a special color, the operator can select the color from among a plurality of keys320,330,340,350. Although only four colors are illustrated in the disclosed embodiment, the LCD panel300may provide additional or alternative selections for the embossment color. The operator can also control the density setting through key360. In addition, other options (explained hereinafter) may be selected through keys360,380. In addition, the key380enables the user to cancel the emboss settings. Once the settings are complete, the user presses the OK button400.

The front face of the document10is first scanned so as to form a first image15at step220. SeeFIG. 3. Note that the embossment14may not show up in the first image15. The document10is then turned over, either manually or with the automatic document feeder110at step225.

At step230, the sensitivity or density of the scanner120is increased so that the reverse image of the embossment14, which is detectable at the reverse face of the document, can be more easily picked up by the scanner120. The scanner settings may be effected in different known methods, such as by gamma correction or adjusting the intensity of the scanner light.

The reverse face of the document10is then scanned at step235. In this embodiment, the scanned image of the reverse face of the document10is referred to hereinafter as the second image16. SeeFIG. 4. After the second image16is created, a mirror of the second image is created to form a third image18. SeeFIG. 5. The third image18will actually be a true image of the embossment14.

If a color is selected from the LCD panel, the third image18is converted to the selected color, which may be different than a color of the first image.

Then, the first and the third images are combined at step240so as to obtain an accurate reproduction image of the document10containing the original image12and the embossment14. If desired, the combined image may be printed (step245) or stored.

For purposes of combining the first and third images, the first image15is separated into a background image and a foreground image. To determine if a pixel in the first image15is a background image pixel or a foreground image pixel, a density of the pixel is compared to a threshold value. If the density is below the threshold value, the pixel is considered to be a background image pixel. If the density is above the threshold value, the pixel is considered to be a foreground image. When combining the first and the third images, pixels of the foreground image will obscure an underlying pixel from the third image. However, in areas where the first image includes only background image pixels, the pixel value of the third image is used. Adjustment of the density is made according to conventional methods.

If Embossment Scanning is not selected at step210, then a normal scan and copy procedure is followed at step250.

A second embodiment of the invention may be referred to as the “Thin Paper” option. This option is provided to address the situation in which, when forming the second image16of the first embodiment, some portions of the original image12are picked up and included in the third image18as a mirror image of the document12. In that case, the method illustrated inFIG. 8may be used. The “Thin Paper” option may be initiated by the “Thin Paper” option key360on the control panel300.

According to the second embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in the flow chart ofFIG. 8, the operator indicates if Embossment Scanning is to be performed at step410using the key310on the control panel300for the apparatus100.

If embossment scanning is selected at step410, at step415the operator then enters any desired settings on the control panel300. For example, if the embossment14is to be printed in a special color, the operator can select the color from among a plurality of keys320,330,340,350. Although only four colors are illustrated in the disclosed embodiment, the LCD panel300may provide additional or alternative selections for the embossment color. The operator can also control the density setting through key360. In addition, other options (explained hereinafter) may be selected through keys360,380. In addition, the key380enables the user to cancel the emboss settings. Once the settings are complete, the user presses the OK button400.

The front face of the document10is first scanned so as to form a first image20at step420. SeeFIG. 9. The first scanning is conducted at a conventional sensitivity. The first image20includes a background image and a foreground image. However, the embossment14may not be visible in the first image20.

At step425, the sensitivity of the scanner120is increased, and at step430a second scanning of a reverse face of the document is made to create a second image22. SeeFIG. 10. The second image22includes a mirror image of the embossment14and a mirror image of at least the portions of the original image12that happen to bleed through the page.

At step435, the first image20is reversed to create a third image24which is a mirror image of the first image20. SeeFIG. 11. And, at step440, the second image22is edited to remove the mirrored original image bled through the page. Specifically, as a one exemplary method to achieve this removal, the area of the bled and mirrored original image in the second image22is determined by using the pixel data of the first image20; thereafter a mask is created to cover the determined area. This mask is applied to the second image22by subtracting to replace the density level of each pixel data in the masked area with the density level that is equivalent to the background of the second image22, thereby removing the bled and mirrored original image from the second image22. As a result, the edited second image26is a mirror image of only the embossment14. SeeFIG. 12.

At step445, the edited second image26is reversed to create a fourth image28that is essentially a true image of the embossment14. SeeFIG. 13. If a color is selected from the LCD panel, the fourth image is converted to the selected color, which may be different than a color of the first image.

Then, at step450, a composite image is made by combining the first and the fourth images so as to obtain a reproduction image of the original image containing the embossment. In the composite image, the foreground image of the first image obscures the fourth image in overlapping areas.

As in the first embodiment, to determine if a pixel in the first image is a background image pixel or a foreground image pixel, a density of the pixel is compared to a threshold value. If the density is below the threshold value, the pixel is considered to be a background image pixel. If the density is above the threshold value, the pixel is considered to be a foreground image. When combining the first and the fourth images, pixels of the foreground image will obscure an underlying pixel from the fourth image. However, in areas where the first image includes only background image pixels, the pixel value of the fourth image is used. Adjustment of the density is made according to conventional methods.

If Embossment Scanning is not selected at step410, then a normal scan and copy procedure is followed at step460.

In the third embodiment, there is no need to reverse the document. All scans may be taken of the front face of the document. The third embodiment is illustrated inFIG. 14.

According to the third embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in the flow chart ofFIG. 14, the operator indicates if Embossment Scanning is to be performed at step510using the key310on the control panel300for the apparatus100.

If embossment scanning is selected at step510, at step515the operator then enters any desired settings on the control panel300. For example, if the embossment14is to be printed in a special color, the operator can select the color from among a plurality of keys320,330,340,350. Although only four colors are illustrated in the disclosed embodiment, the LCD panel300may provide additional or alternative selections for the embossment color. The operator can also control the density setting through key360. In addition, other options (explained hereinafter) may be selected through keys360,380. In addition, the key380enables the user to cancel the emboss settings. Once the settings are complete, the user presses the OK button400.

At step520, a first scanning is made of a front face of the document from which the original image is visible to form a first image32. SeeFIG. 15. The first scanning is conducted with a sensitivity such that the embossment14is essentially not visible in the first image32.

After the first scanning, the sensitivity of the scanner120is increased at step525, and at step530, a second scanning of the front face of the document is taken to create a second image34. SeeFIG. 16. Because the first and second scannings are taken at different sensitivity settings, in the first image32, little or no trace of the embossment14is visible, while in the second scanning34, the embossment14is easily visible.

In order to provide an image that includes only the embossment14, the first image32is subtracted from the second image34to create a third image36in which only the embossment14is visible. SeeFIG. 17. The third image36of just the embossment14may be stored in a memory for later use. If a color is selected from the LCD panel, the third image36is converted to the selected color, which may be different than a color of the first image.

Then, at step540, a composite image is made by combining the first and the third images32,34so as to obtain a reproduction image of the original image12containing the embossment14. In the composite image, the foreground image of the first image obscures the fourth image in overlapping areas.

As in the first embodiment, to determine if a pixel in the first image is a background image pixel or a foreground image pixel, a density of the pixel is compared to a threshold value. If the density is below the threshold value, the pixel is considered to be a background image pixel. If the density is above the threshold value, the pixel is considered to be a foreground image. When combining the first and the fourth images, pixels of the foreground image will obscure an underlying pixel from the fourth image. However, in areas where the first image includes only background image pixels, the pixel value of the fourth image is used. Adjustment of the density is made according to conventional methods.

For each of the embodiments of the invention, there may be provided an option so as to save the embossment in a memory, such as a hard disk drive. To effect this embodiment, the “store embossment” KEY380is depressed on the LCD panel300. Under that option, when the image of the embossment is completed, it is stored in the hard disk drive so that it may be reused on additional documents.

Although the invention has been described in connection with preferred embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that additions, deletions, modifications, and substitutions not specifically described, are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.