Systems and methods for simplified scanning using multi-function devices

A scanner is connected to a host computer. A scanner control routine is installed onto the host computer and used to generate and forward control signals to the scanner or multi-function device. Using the scanner control system, manager or routine, one or more scanned image destinations are defined and one or more scanning parameters are defined that are particularly appropriate for each such scanned image destination. Each scanned image destination is associated with one of a number of pre-named scanner destinations that can be selected using the scanner. These pre-named destinations usually have generic or otherwise meaningless names that are not associated with any particular destination or location. The user uses the control panel of the scanner or multi-function device to select one of the pre-named destinations. The scanner or multi-function device forwards this selected destination to the host computer. The scanner control system, manager or routine on the host computer converts the selected destination to the actual destination or location previously associated with that selected destination. The scanner control system, manager or routine then causes the host computer to “pull” a scanned image from the scanner or multi-function device based on the scanner parameters previously defined for the actual destination or location corresponding to the selected pre-named destination.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates to scanning using scanners and multi-function devices that are connected to a host computer.

2. Description of Related Art

Currently, there are any number of conventional devices which can generate scanned images from original documents. These conventional devices include dedicated scanners and more complicated multi-function devices. These multi-function devices not only include scanning functions, but also include black and white and/or color printing functions, facsimile transmission and reception functions, and black and white and/or color copying functions.

Both dedicated scanners and multi-function devices are available in a large range of prices and functionalities. Generally, simple, lower-end scanners and multi-function devices are able to generate scanned images from original documents using a host computer that executes a scanning system, manager or routine that “pulls” the scanned image from the scanner by supplying all of the control signals to the scanner and performing one or more of the image processing functions at the host computer. In this case, the control system and the memory requirements for the lower-end scanner or multi-function device can be minimized. This allows the lower-end scanners and multi-function devices to be competitively priced.

In contrast, higher-end scanners and multi-function devices are able to scan images using control signals input directly at the control panel of the scanner or multi-function device. In this case, the higher-end scanner or multi-function device is able to “push” a scanned image to any selected destination selected from a variety of predefined destinations. In this case, the higher-end scanner or multi-function device does not need to rely on any of the memory or data processing capabilities of a host computer. Accordingly, in order to be able to “push” a scanned image directly to a selected destination, the higher-end scanner or multi-function device usually performs all of the image processing and image data storing functions locally. This requires a much more sophisticated control system and significantly larger amounts of memory be provided at the higher-end scanner or multi-function device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

However, because all of the functionality can be accessed by the user through the control panel of the higher-end scanner or multi-function device, is often easier for the user to accurately complete the desired scanning operation using a higher-end scanner or multi-function device than with the lower-end scanners or multi-function devices. This arises in part because of the more complicated software running on the host computer that the user must use to access the various functions of the scanning software to accomplish the same results. This also arises in part due to the less expensive, and thus less usable, user interfaces used in lower-end scanners or multi-function devices, and/or due to the more limited computational resources available for performing complicated operations in lower-end scanners or multi-function devices.

In particular, it would be highly desirable to be able to “effectively” push scanned images from a low-end scanner or a multi-function device having relatively limited local processing power and/or available memory.

This invention provides systems and methods that allow a user to select a destination at a control panel of a scanner or multi-function device that relies upon a host computer to pull a scanned image from that scanner or multi-function device.

This invention further provides systems and methods that allow the user to instruct the host computer that pulls the scanned image from the scanner or multi-function device where the scanned image is to be forwarded to.

This invention separately provides systems and methods that allow a user to assign meaningful names to the selectable destinations provided for selection at the control panel of a scanner or multi-function device that relies upon a host computer to pull a scanned image from that scanner or multi-function device.

This invention further provides systems and methods that allow a user to maintain the list of meaningful destination names on the host computer.

This invention additionally provides systems and methods that allow the user to pull the list of names from the host computer each time the user wishes to have an original document scanned by the scanner or multi-function device.

This invention separately provides systems and methods that allow a user to update or override, at the scanner or multi-function device, predefined, preselected or predetermined scanning parameters for a selected destination for a scanner or multi-function device that relies upon a host computer to pull a scanned image from that scanner or multi-function device.

This invention further provides systems and methods that allow a user to use various parameter-setting functions of a multi-function device to select the image scanning parameters used to override the predefined, preselected or predetermined image scanning parameters.

In various exemplary embodiments of the systems and methods according to this invention, a scanner or a multi-function device is connected to a host computer. A scanner control system, manager or routine is installed onto the host computer and used to generate and forward control signals to the scanner or multi-function device. In general, the scanner or multi-function device does not have sufficient processing power and/or available memory resources to be able to generate, process and forward, to the ultimate destination or location, a scanned image of an original document without interacting with the scanner control system, manager or routine.

In various exemplary embodiments of the systems and methods according to this invention, using the scanner control system, manager or routine, one or more scanned image destinations or locations are defined and one or more scanning parameters are defined that are particularly appropriate for each such scanned image destination or location. Each such scanned image destination is associated with one of a number of predetermined or pre-named scanner destinations that can be selected using a control panel of the scanner or multi-function device. In various exemplary embodiments, these pre-named destinations are given generic or otherwise meaningless names that are not associated with any particular destination or location.

In operation, the user uses the control panel of the scanner or multi-function device to select one of the pre-named destinations. The scanner or multi-function device forwards this selected destination to the host computer. The scanner control system, manager or routine on the host computer converts the selected destination to the actual destination or location previously associated with that selected destination. The scanner control system, manager or routine then causes the host computer to “pull” a scanned image from the scanner or multi-function device based on the scanner parameters previously defined for the actual destination or location corresponding to the selected pre-named destination.

In various exemplary embodiments of the systems and methods according to this invention, when the user generates a signal to the host computer that the user wants to use the scanner or multi-function device in a scanning mode, the host computer downloads a current set of meaningful destination names to the scanner or multi-function device. The scanner or multi-function device then displays this list of meaningful names to the user, so the user can more meaningfully select one of the destinations displayed using the control panel of the scanner or multi-function device. Thus, while the scanning operation occurs subsequently as described above, the user is able to more accurately and certainly select the proper destination to which the user wants the scanned image data to be forwarded to. Thus, the user does not have to either remember the association of each pre-named destination displayed on the control panel of the scanner or multi-function device with the actual destination that the host computer will forward the scanned image to.

In various exemplary embodiments of the systems and methods according to this invention, to the extent that the scanner or multi-function device has one or more control functions implemented in the control panel of that scanner or multi-function device, the user can use those control functions to select one or more scanning parameters to be used when generating the scanned image data from the original document. In this case, when the user forwards either a signal to the host computer to begin the scanning process, or when the user selects the destination for the scanned image data, either with the pre-named destinations or the meaningful destination names received from the host computer, these one or more selected scanning parameters are also forwarded to the host computer.

In response, when the scanner control system, manager or routine determines the scanning parameters to be used when generating the scanned image data from the original document, the scanner control system, manager or routine uses the user-supplied scanning parameters in place of any corresponding scanning parameters that were predefined, predetermined or preselected using the scanner control system, manager or routine. That is, the user-supplied scanning parameters supplied by the user from the control panel of the scanner or the multi-function device override any corresponding scanning parameters previously supplied using the scanner control system, manager or routine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1is a functional block diagram of a first exemplary embodiment of a scanner or multi-function device100according to this invention and a host computer200executing a scanner control system, manager or routine according to this invention. As shown inFIG. 1, the scanner or multi-function device100includes an input/output interface110, a controller120, a memory130, one or more input devices140organized into a control panel, one or more display devices150organized as part of the control panel, and a scanner engine160, interconnected by a control and/or data bus170. The input/output interface110is connected by a link310to an input/output interface210of the host computer200.

The host computer200also includes a controller220and a memory230. One or more input devices250are connected by a link252to the input/output interface210. Similarly, a display device260is connected by a link262to the input/output interface210. The controller220, the memory230and the input/output interface are connected by an internal data and/or control bus240. Additionally, as shown inFIG. 1, one or more destination computers or locations300are also connected to the link310.

The controller220includes at least a scanned data manager222that in turn includes at least a destination manager223and a scanned data processor224. The memory230includes a scanned data portion232, a processed data portion234, and a destination processing map portion236. The memory130of the scanner100includes at least a destination portion132and an operating system, manager or routine portion136. InFIG. 1, each of the memory130and the memory230can be implemented using either or both of alterable or non-alterable memory. InFIG. 1, the alterable portions of the memory130or230are each, in various exemplary embodiments, implemented using static or dynamic RAM. However, the alterable portions of each of the memories130and230can also be implemented using a floppy disk and disk drive, a writable optical disk and disk drive, a hard drive, flash memory or the like. InFIG. 1, for each of the memory130and the memory230, the non-alterable portions of the memories130and230are each,in various exemplary embodiments, implemented using ROM. However, the non-alterable portions can also be implemented using other non-volatile memory, such as PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, an optical ROM disk, such as a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM, and disk drive, or other non-alterable memory, or the like.

Thus, for each of the memories130and230, those memories130and230can each be implemented using any appropriate combination of alterable, volatile, or non-volatile memory or non-alterable or fixed memory. The alterable memory, whether volatile or non-volatile, can be implemented using any one or more of static or dynamic RAM, a floppy disk and disk drive, a writable or re-writable optical disk and disk drive, a hard drive, flash memory or the like. Similarly, the non-alterable or fixed memory can be implemented using any one or more of ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, an optical ROM disk, such as a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM disk and disk drive or the like.

It should be appreciated that the controller120shown inFIG. 1can be implemented as portions of a suitably system, manager or programmed general purpose computer. In this case, the operating system, manager or routine portion136of the memory130would store the operating system, manager or routines for such as suitably system, manager or programmed general purpose computer. Alternatively, the controller120can be implemented using an ASIC, a FPGA, a PEDL, a PLA, or a PAL, or using physically distinct hardware circuits, such as discrete logic elements or discrete circuit elements. The particular form the controller120shown inFIG. 1will take is a design choice and will be obvious and predictable to those skilled in the art. Of course, if the controller120does not operate based on a stored program, the operating program portion126can be omitted.

As shown inFIG. 1, the scanned data manager222can include the destination manager223and the scanned data processor224. In general, each of the scanned data manager222, the destination manager223and the scanned data processor224will be implemented as software executing on a programmed general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a microprocessor or the like. It should also be appreciated that the scanned data manager222, the destination manager223and/or the scanned data processor224could also be implemented as a routine embedded in a scanner driver, as a resource residing on a network server, or the like. The scanned data manager222, the destination manager223and the scanned data processor224can be implemented using any known or later-developed combinations of software, firmware and/or hardware that are suitable to implement the functionality set forth below. Thus, it should be understood that the controller220and the scanned data manager222, the destination manager223and the scanned data processor224can each be implemented as portions of a suitably programmed general purpose computer.

In general, the one or more input devices250will include any one or more of a mouse, a track ball, a track pad, a touch screen, a microphone and associate voice recognition system software, a joy stick, a pen base system, or any other known or later-developed system for providing control and/or data signals to the host computer200. Similarly, the display device260can be a CRT monitor, an LCD monitor, a plasma monitor or any known or later-developed device that is able to display a graphical user interface usable to provide graphic information to the user.

With respect to the input devices140and the display devices150, these elements of the scanner or multi-function device100can be implemented using any known or later-developed devices that are appropriately incorporated into a control panel of a consumer electronic device. Thus, the input devices140can be any known or later-developed device, such as buttons, touch screens, touch pads, or the like. Similarly, each of the display devices150can be an LCD display, an LED display, or any other known or later-developed display device.

The link310can be any known or later-developed device or system for connecting the scanner or multi-function device100to the host computer200, 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 the Internet, or a connection over any other known or later-developed distributed processing network or system. In general, the link310can be any known or later-developed connection system or structure usable to connect the scanner or multi-function device100to the host computer200.

As shown inFIG. 1, the link310is also able to connect the host computer200to one or more destination computers or locations300. In this case, the link310must also be able to support this connection. In other exemplary embodiments, the connection between the host computer200and the one or more destination computer or locations300, to the extent any such destination computer or location300is remote from the host computer200, can be implemented independently of the link310connecting the scanner or multi-function device100to the host computer200. It should also be appreciated that one or more of the destination computers or locations300could be files and/or folders of the memory230of the host computer200.

In operation, the user places a document to be scanned into the scanner engine160and operates one or more of the input devices140to display a desired predetermined destination on the display device150. In general, this predetermined destination will have a generic destination name that is otherwise essentially meaningless to the user. The various predetermined destination names are stored in the destination portion132. Upon the user pressing a start button of the input devices140, the controller120accesses the particular destination stored in the destination portion132that has been selected by the user using the one or more input devices140and the one or more display devices150and controls the input/output interface110to supply that destination to the host computer200along with the indication that the host computer200is to begin pulling the scanned image data from the scanner or multi-function device100by generating control signals and outputting them to the scanner or multi-function device100.

The input/output interface210of the host computer200, under control of the controller220, receives the control signals indicating that the host computer200is to begin pulling the scanned image data from the scanner or multi-function device100, along with the indication of the selected destination selected by the user using the input devices140and the display devices150of the scanner or multi-function device100. In response, the destination manager223of the scanned data manager222of the controller220accesses the destination processing map portion236stored in the memory230. In particular, the destination manager223selects the actual destination and may select any pre-defined or pre-selected scanner parameters associated with that actual destination stored in the destination processing map portion236and provides those scanner parameters to the scanned data processor224.

It should be appreciated that, prior to using the scanner or multi-function device100to generate the scanned image data, the user, or some other person, will have created the destination processing map portion236stored in the memory230. That is, the user or the other person will have identified, for each generic destination name provided for the scanner or multi-function device100and stored in the destination portion132, an actual destination to be used by the scanned data manager222when generating scanned image data upon the user selecting the corresponding generic destination name stored in the destination portion132.

At the same time, the user or the other person can provide one or more scanner parameters to be used when generating the scanned image data when that actual destination is selected. In general, the user, or the other person, would have employed the destination manager223to specify the type of destination, such as, for example, an application, a folder, a remotely located computer, or the like, where the destination can be found, such as, for example, the destination's drive designation, network node, path, or the like. The user would also have employed the scanned data manager222to define the options for how to handle or process the scanned image data to be sent to this destination, such as for example, the resolution to be used, the image corrections to be applied, and the like.

Upon the destination manager223identifying the actual destination the scanned image data are to be forwarded to, and providing the predetermined or pre-selected scanner parameters for that destination to the scanned data processor224, the scanned data manager222generates control signals which are output from the input/output interface210over the link310to the input/output interface110and ultimately over the data-control bus170to the scanner engine160. The scanner engine160then generates the scanned image data from the original document and outputs them over the data-control bus170, the input/output interface110, and the link310to the input/output interface210. The scanned data manager222then controls the input/output interface210, the data-control bus240and the memory230to store the scanned data into the scanned data portion232. The scanned data processor224then applies the desired image processing routines to the scanned data stored in the scanned data portion232to generate the processed image data, which are then stored in the processed data portion234. The processed image data are then output under the control of the destination manager223through the input/output interface210and the link310to the destination computer or location300, assuming that the designated destination is remote from the host computer200. Otherwise, the destination manager223transfers the processed image data from the process data portion234into the appropriate folder or file on the memory230of the host computer200.

It should be appreciated that, by using the scanner or multi-function device100to generate the indication of the destination of the scanned image data, and by having the destination map processing map portion236storing both the mapping between the generic destinations provided from the scanner or multi-function device100and the actual destinations desired by the user as well as the image processing to be applied to the scanned image data for that ultimate destination, the user no longer needs to go through potentially sophisticated scan programming interactions with the scanned data manager222every time that user wants to scan an image. Thus, assuming the destination processing map portion236has previously been set up, novice users can easily perform scans with a minimum of interaction with the scanned data manager222.

Furthermore, if the host computer200is connected to one or more remote destination computers or location300over a distributed processing network used to implement the link310, this architecture provides additional advantages. First, the destination processing map portion236can access destinations anywhere on the network that the operating system of the host computer can access over the distributed network implementing the link310. Thus, other users on the distributed network can share access to the scanner or multi-function device100by making a file or folder on their local machine a destination identified in the destination processing map portion236.

Additionally, because the user only needs to access the scanner or multi-function device100to identify the destination to which the user wants to have the scanned image data sent, is no longer necessary to directly access the scanned data manager222of the host computer200. That is, because the host destination manager223can receive the signal from the scanner or multi-function device100indicating the desired generic destination, the scanned data manager222can obtain the scanned image data from the scanner or multi-function device100as a background process. Thus, a second user does not need to bother the owner of the host computer200in order to be able to generate scanned image data. Without the systems and methods according to this invention, the second owner would need to access the scanned data manager222using the host computer200, interrupting the owner of the host computer200. In contrast, using the systems and methods according to this invention, the user of the host computer200need never know that the host computer200has been used to obtain a scanned image data from the scanner or multi-function device100and forward that scanned image data to a remotely located destination computer location300over the distributed network implementing the link310.

FIG. 2shows a functional block diagram of a second exemplary embodiment of the scanner or multi-function device100and the scanned data manager222according to this invention. In particular, it should be noted that, except as discussed below, the scanner or multi-function device100and the host computer200are essentially identical to the first exemplary embodiment of the scanner or multi-function device100and the host computer200outlined above with respect toFIG. 1. In particular, the second exemplary embodiment of the scanner or multi-function device100and the scanned data manager222shown inFIG. 2differ from that shown inFIG. 1only in that additional functionality is incorporated into the second exemplary embodiment of the scanner or multi-function device100and the scanned data manager shown inFIG. 2.

In particular, in the first exemplary embodiment outlined above with respect toFIG. 1, the destination portion132stores a list of generic destination names that have no particular meaning relative to any particular user. Thus, unless the user has used the scanner or multi-function device100sufficiently to have memorized the relationship between the generic destination names provided in the destination portion132and the actual destinations provided in the destination processing map portion236, the user often has difficulty in determining which generic destination name should be selected to ensure the scanned image data goes to the user's desired destination computer or location300. Ultimately, many users resolve this problem by creating a separate typed or handwritten list that indicates which generic destination name stored in the destination portion132corresponds to the actual desired destination computer or location300. However, should any of the desired destination computers or locations300change, the user must, of course, create a new list.

In contrast, in the second exemplary embodiment of the scanner or multi-function device100and the scanned data manager222shown inFIG. 2, the controller120includes a destination manager122. In operation, when the user places the scanner or multi-function device100into a scan mode, the destination manager122generates a control signal that is output through the input/output interface110and over the link310to the input/output interface210and the destination manager223. In response, the destination manager223accesses the destination processing map portion236to obtain a list of meaningful destination names associated with the actual destination computers or locations300stored in the destination processing map portion236. That is, when the various destinations stored in the destination processing map portion236were set up, rather than associating each such actual destination computer or location300with a generic, and otherwise meaningless, name, the destination processing map portion236also stores meaningful names that readily identify to the user the actual destination computer or location300that is associated with this meaningful destination name.

The destination manager223obtains these meaningful destination names and outputs them through the input/output interface210and over the link310to the input/output interface110. These meaningful destination names received from the destination manager223are then stored in the destination portion132under control of the destination manager122. Thus, when the user accesses the input devices140and the display devices150to scroll through the destination names to select a particular destination name to be sent to the scanned data manager222, the user is given a series of meaningful names such that the user should be able to readily identify the ultimate destination computer or location300associated with each such meaningful name.

Additionally, these meaningful names are stored in the destination processing map portion236, as destination computers or locations300are added to or removed from the set of destination computers or locations300stored in the destination processing map portion236. Thus, the destination names provided by the display device150to the user are always current and accurate.

Thus, for example, a user could create a destination processing map portion236that associates a word processing folder300with the name “word processor” and a destination of a folder300for a photo processing system, manager or routine with the name “photo processor”. When the user places the scanner or multi-function device100into the scanner mode, the destination names displayed in response thus include the destinations “word processor” and “photo processor”, rather than two meaningless generic names. Thus, without any further thought, the user can readily select the appropriate destination for the document to be scanned.

FIG. 3is a functional block diagram showing a third exemplary embodiment of the scanner or multi-function device100according to this invention and the scanned data manager222according to this invention. As inFIG. 2, the third exemplary embodiment, relative to the first and second exemplary embodiments, shown in FIGS.1and2merely adds additional functionality. Thus, the third exemplary embodiment outlined with respect toFIG. 3can be used with either of the first or second exemplary embodiments outlined with respect toFIGS. 1 and 2. Thus, the third exemplary embodiment of the scanner or multi-function device and the scanned data manager222, except as discussed below, is identical to the first and second embodiments described above and will not be discussed.

In the first and second exemplary embodiments outlined above, once the user, or some other person, has created the destination name-to-actual description location mapping stored in the destination processing map portion236, along with the particular scanner parameters to be used for each different actual destination, every time that destination is selected, either using the generic name or a meaningful name, the scanned image data generated by the scanner engine160is processed identically.

However, many scanners and/or multi-function devices100have at least a limited ability to allow the user to select any one or more of various scanner parameters, such as resolution, color, original document type, brightness, contrast, scale, facsimile transmission resolution, automatic cropping, original substrate type, gamma, compression type and parameters, and any other known or later-developed scanner parameter. Accordingly, in this third exemplary embodiment, the memory130includes an optional parameters portion134. In operation, when the user uses the input devices140and the display devices150to select either a generic name or a meaningful name from those stored in the destination portion132, the user can also use any additional functionalities provided by the input devices140and the display devices150of the control panel of the scanner or multi-function device100to select specific scanning parameters the user wishes to use when scanning an original document. Those selected scanning parameters will be stored in the optional parameters portion134.

Thus, when the user presses the start button, the destination manager122accesses the selected destination name stored in the destination/ portion132and forwards it through the input/output interface and over the link310to the input/output interface210. Additionally, along with this destination name, the destination manager122accesses any additional or optional scanning parameters that may have been stored by the user into the optional parameters portion134. The destination manager122transmits any such optional or additional scanning parameters stored in the optional parameters portion134along with the selected destination name through the input/output interface110and over the link310to the input/output interface210.

The destination manager223accesses these data and uses them to select the particular actual destination computer or location300corresponding to the selected destination name provided from the scanner or multi-function device110. At the same time, the scanned data processor224sets any received optional or additional parameters from the scanner or multi-function device100to be used when generating the scanned image data. The scanned data processor224then accesses the destination processing map portion236to obtain the set of previously defined scanner parameters to be used with the selected destination computer or location300. However, the scanned data processor224overrides any previously defined scanner parameter if a corresponding additional or optional scanning parameter has been received from the scanner or multi-function device100. Thus, the scanned data manager222generates control signals to the scanner engine160based first on any additional or optional scanning parameters received from the scanner or multi-function device100, and then, to the extent that such additional or optional scanning parameters have not been received, relies on the previously-defined scanning parameters stored in the destination processing map portion236for the selected destination computer or location300.

This provides a significant increase in the flexibility and productivity of the third exemplary embodiment of the scanner or multi-function device100, in that it allows the user to make any number of adjustments to the previously defined scanning parameters stored in the destination processing map portion236using the control panel of the scanner or the multi-function device100. Thus, the user does not have to navigate through the scanner control system, manager or routine to make these adjustments and/or adjust the image from a scanning. Accordingly, the user's knowledge of the various scanner parameter options provided at the scanner or multi-function device100can be leveraged advantageously. These features are accessed using buttons and/or menu items. Thus, by allowing the limited set of relevant features, such as color, resolution, original document type, and the like, that have been implemented on the control panel of the scanner or multi-function device user interface, to append or override the previously defined scanner parameters stored in the destination processing map portion236, significantly greater flexibility is provided to the user to control the scanning process.

FIG. 4is a flowchart outlining a first exemplary embodiment of a method for scanning according to this invention. Beginning in step S100, the method continues to step S110, where destinations and mappings between destination names and actual destinations are defined and stored in a memory of the host computer. Then, in step S120, the image scanning options or scanning parameters are defined for each defined actual destination. Next, in step S130, the user loads one or more documents into the scanner or multi-function device. Control then continues to step S140.

In step S140, the user selects a generically named destination using the user interface of the scanner or multi-function device. Next, in step S150, the user sends a start scan signal to the host computer. Then, in step S160, the host computer pulls a scan from the scanner using the image scanning options for the define destination that maps to the destination name selected by the user using the user interface of the scanner or multi-function device. Control then continues to step S170.

In step S170, the host computer processes and forwards the scanned image data to the actual destination. Then, in step S180, the method stops.

It should be appreciated that, while the first exemplary embodiment of the method for scanning according to this invention defines the destination mapping and the scanning options in step S110and S120, it should be appreciated that, in general, steps S110and S120will be performed only infrequently, and may be performed only once. Thus, after steps S110and S120are performed initially, the methods according to this invention can omit steps S110and S120and begin immediately with step S130while remaining within the spirit and scope of this invention.

FIG. 5is a flowchart outlining a second exemplary embodiment of a method for scanning according to this invention. In general, steps S210–S230and steps S270–S290of the second exemplary embodiment of the method for scanning shown in FIG. correspond to steps S110–130and steps S150–S170. Thus, these steps will not further described. However, in contrast to the first exemplary embodiment of the method for scanning according to this invention, as shown inFIG. 4, in the second exemplary embodiment of the method for scanning shown inFIG. 5, after step S230, in step S240, the user selects a scanning mode of the scanner or multi-function device. Next, in step S250, the scanner or multi-function device obtains meaningful destination names from the host computer. Then, in step S260, the scanner or multi-function device displays the meaningful destination names so that the user can select a destination having a meaningful name, rather than a generic scan destination name that is otherwise meaningless to that particular user. Control then continues to step S270.

FIG. 6is a flowchart outlining a third exemplary embodiment of a method for scanning according to this invention. In particular, steps S310–S340of this third exemplary embodiment of the method for scanning according to this invention identical to steps S110–S140of the first exemplary embodiment of the method for scanning according to this invention. However, in step S350, the user is allowed to input zero, one, or any number of scanning parameters through the scanner or multi-function device user interface. Then, in step S360, when the user sends the start scan signal to the host computer, the user-selected scanning parameters are also sent to the host computer along with the start scan signal. Next, in step S370, the scanned image data are pulled from the scanner using any user-selected scanning parameters and overriding the corresponding previously-defined scanning parameters. However, any remaining, un-overridden, scanning options or parameters that were previously defined for the selected destination are used to obtain and process the scanned image data. Control then continues to step S380.

In step S380, the obtained scanned image data are processed and forwarded to the actual destination that corresponds to the selected destination. Then, in step S380, the method stops.

FIG. 7shows a fourth exemplary embodiment of a method for scanning according to this invention. In particular, it should be appreciated that the fourth exemplary embodiment of the method for scanning according to this invention shown inFIG. 7merely combines the second and third exemplary embodiments shown inFIGS. 5 and 6into a single flowchart, such that both meaningful names are provided to the user and the user is allowed to select one or more scanning parameters that override the corresponding previously-defined scanning parameters. Thus, the fourth exemplary embodiment of the method for scanning to this invention and will not be described further.

It should be appreciated that the controllers120and220of the scanner or multi-function device100and the host computer200, respectively, can be, in various exemplary embodiments, implemented using a system, manager or programmed general purpose computer. However, these controllers120and220and the various subportions of these controllers120and220described above and shown inFIGS. 1–3, can also be implemented on a special purpose computer, a system, manager or programmed microprocessor or microcontroller and peripheral integrated circuit elements, an ASIC or other integrated circuits, a digital signal processor, a hardwired electronic or logic circuit such as discrete element circuit, a system, manager or programmable logic device such as a PLD, PLA, FPGA or PAL, or the like. In general, any device, capable of implementing a finite state machine that is in turn capable of implementing the flowcharts shown in any one ofFIGS. 4–7, can be used to variously implement the controllers120and220and /or the various sub-elements of these controllers120and220described above with respect toFIGS. 1–3.