Method and apparatus for including an auxiliary image in a scanned image

Abstract: An apparatus having an image (106) behind a document (104) to be scanned on an optical image scanner, copier, facsimile machine or similar device (100). The image (106) behind the document would partially bleed-through into the reproduced image (102), leaving a faint replica of the auxiliary "bleed-through" image (106) in the reproduced image. In this way a watermark, a company name or symbol is embedded into a scanned image.

Description: This invention relates to a method for marking an electronic copy of a document with a company symbol using scanners, copiers, facsimile machines and other devices used for transforming an optical image of a document into a electronic signal. Electronic document scanners, copiers, and facsimile machines transform an optical image of a document into an electric signal suitable for storing, displaying, printing or electronic transmission. There is a need to mark certain documents with an "electronic watermark." An electronic watermark is any auxiliary image that will be added to the electronic copy of the original document. The electronic watermark comprises a company name or symbol. DE 41 30 803 A1 describes a copying aid which is provided in the form of a plastic foil pocket having an upper foil and a lower foil. The upper foil is formed from a transparent material and is provided with marks obstructing light from passing through same. By means of these marks, a standard print-out is simulated on the original inserted into the pocket. It is the object of the present invention to provide a method for enabling the marking of certain documents with a company symbol. This object is achieved by a method according to claim 1. The company symbol is positioned on a document which is arranged on a scanner, copier, or facsimile machine such that the company symbol intentionally is included in and added to the electronic version of the document being reproduced. In an example embodiment, an apparatus has a holder to position the company symbol onto the document that will be converted into electronic form. The holder allows the company symbol to be easily changed or removed. Figure 1 is a cross section of an imaging device including an auxiliary image and a secondary reflective surface. Figure 2 is a perspective view of a secondary reflective surface with a transparent material forming a pocket. Figure 3 is a perspective view of a copy of the auxiliary image partially inserted into the pocket formed by the transparent material and the secondary reflective surface. The company symbol is positioned on a document which is arranged a scanner, copier, or facsimile machine such that the auxiliary image or symbol is added to the electronic version of the document being reproduced. The company symbol is provided as an auxiliary image. The company symbol, for example a company trademark is inserted such that each reproduced image includes the company trademark for advertisement or for tracking purposes. Documents to be scanned may generally be classified as either transparent or opaque. For opaque documents, light is reflected off an image on the surface of the document onto a photosensitive transducer, typically a photoconductive drum or an array of photosensitive sensor elements. However, documents are rarely completely opaque. In a typical device, some light passes through the document to a secondary reflective surface, for example a lid or automatic document feeder. Some light then reflects off the secondary reflective surface and passes back through the document a second time. The light that passes through the document twice may also be detected by the photosensitive transducer. When there is a second image placed above or behind the first document the second image may be partially imaged onto the photosensitive transducer. Figure 1 illustrates a document 106, laying face down on a transparent platen 108, with a lid or automatic document feeder 100. The document 106 has an image on a front face 120. The lid or automatic document feeder 100 provides a secondary reflective surface 126. A lamp 110 provides light rays 112. Most of the light rays 112 reflect off the front face 120 of the document 106, generating front reflected light rays 116. Some of the light rays 112 pass through the document 106, and reflect off of the auxiliary image surface 124, passing back through the document 106, generating secondary reflected light rays 118. Both light rays 116 and 118 are received and transformed by a photosensitive transducer 114. Transducer 114 may be an array of photosensitive elements or a single light beam may be scanned and reflected onto a single sensor. The figure is simplified in that scanning devices typically include lenses, mirrors and other optical components not relevant to the invention. Reflected light 118 will have a faint image of what was on the surface 124 of the auxiliary image. The intensity of the image will be dependent on the intensity or contrast of the image on surface 124, and the thickness or opaqueness of the document 106. The larger the differences between the dark areas and light area on the auxiliary image 102, and the thinner or more transparent document 106, then the more apparent the auxiliary image will be in the reproduced image. Figure 2 shows a secondary reflective surface 200, covered by a transparent material 204, that forms a pocket or slot 202, in which an auxiliary image can be placed. The auxiliary image will be placed such that it will intentionally add to and be included into the final electronic image formed by the device. Figure 3 shows the secondary reflective surface 200, and the transparent material 204, with the auxiliary image 302, shown partially inserted into the pocket or slot 202. In actual operation the auxiliary image 302, would be fully inserted into the pocket or slot 202.

Claims: Method for marking an electronic copy of a document (106) with an electronic mark, said electronic mark being a company symbol comprising the following steps: providing the document (106) face down on a platen (108) of a device for electronically transforming an image into an electronic signal, the document (106) being of a translucent material; providing an auxiliary image (102) of the mark on a surface of the document (106) facing away from the platen; directing light rays (112) from a light source (100) of the device through the platen (108), wherein the majority of the light rays reflect of a front face of the document, and wherein the minority of the light rays passes through the document and reflects off the auxiliary image; receiving light rays (116, 118) reflected from both the document (106) and the auxiliary image (102); and transforming the light received into an electronic signal representing an image of the document (106) including a faint image of the mark. The method of claim 1, wherein the mark is arranged between the document (106) and a lid (100) of the device, the lid (100) having a reflective surface facing the platen (108) of the device. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the image (102) of the mark is removably held above the document (106). The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the image (102) of the mark is removably held above the document (106) by a transparent material that forms a pocket.

Inventors: ERICKSON MICHAEL D, WEBB STEVEN L, YOUNGERS KEVIN J, ERICKSON, MICHAEL D., WEBB, STEVEN L., YOUNGERS, KEVIN J.
Applicants: HEWLETT PACKARD CO, HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPANY
Application year: 1999
Main classification: H04N1
IPC codes: H04N1, G03G15