Abstract:
In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method for verifying a scan mode selection utilized for a scanned image. The method comprises comparing the scanned image to scan samples stored in memory, determining a scan state from a scan sample that most closely corresponds to the scanned image, determining whether the scan mode selection is consistent with the determined scan state, and providing an indication that the scan mode selection is not consistent with the determined scan state.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention is related to verifying a scan mode selection associated with a scanned image.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     At the present time, scanning peripherals provide a wide range of scanning functionality for consumers. A number of accessories are available that enable varying media, such as photographs, slides, and photographic negatives, to be scanned by a consumer. For example, if a user desires to scan transparent media (e.g., photographic negatives or slides), a transparent media accessory available from Helwett-Packard Company may be utilized in conjunction with a suitable template. Specifically, the transparent media accessory is placed on the scan bed of a flatbed scanner and over the transparent media to be scanned. The transparent media accessory synchronously illuminates the transparent media from the back side of the transparent media during the sweeping of optics by the flatbed scanner. The template is also placed on the scan bed during the scanning operations. The purpose of the template is to block ambient light, because the transparent media accessory prevents the lid of the flatbed scanner from being closed.  
         [0003]     To accommodate the ability to scan a variety of media, many scanners may be operated in a number of different modes. A “flatbed” scan mode may be defined for ordinary scan operations. A “positive” scan mode may be defined to scan certain types of media such as transparent slides in which increased resolution and/or dynamic range is appropriate. A “negative” scan mode may be defined for certain types of media in which the optical image is a negative image (i.e., photographic negatives). The selected mode may affect the scan operations (e.g., the resolution of the scan, the duration of the scan, and/or the like). Furthermnore, the selected scan mode may affect the processing of the digital data after the scan, itself, is completed. For example, different quantization levels may be applied depending upon the selected mode. Additionally or alternatively, different cropping patterns may be applied depending upon the selected mode.  
         [0004]     The scan mode is typically controlled by the user. For example, the user may select various options through a graphical user interface (GUI) of the operating system on the user&#39;s personal computer that, in turn, controls the scanner through a suitable driver.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method for verifying a scan mode selection utilized for a scanned image. The method comprises comparing the scanned image to scan samples stored in memory, determining a scan state from a scan sample that most closely corresponds to the scanned image, determining whether the scan mode selection is consistent with the determined scan state, and providing an indication that the scan mode selection is not consistent with the determined scan state. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0006]     depicts a scanner and a computer for processing scanned images according to representative embodiments.  
         [0007]      FIG. 2  depicts a scanner with a slide adapter against a scan bed.  
         [0008]      FIG. 3  depicts a scanner with a negative adapter against a scan bed.  
         [0009]      FIG. 4  depicts a table for determining whether a scan mode was correctly selected.  
         [0010]      FIG. 5  depicts a flowchart for processing a scanned image according to representative embodiments. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0011]     Representative embodiments are directed to systems and methods for verifying the appropriate selection of a scanning mode. Specifically, representative embodiments may operate a scanner in one of a plurality of modes. For example, a scanner may be operated in a flatbed mode, in a positive mode, in a negative mode, and/or the like. Certain scanning modes may involve the operations of a suitable accessory such as transparent media accessories. During the scanning operations, the digital data associated with the captured image is stored in memory. Selected portions of the digital data may be compared to “empty” scan samples discussed in greater detail below. Depending upon this comparison, a determination of whether the correct scan mode was selected is made. If an incorrect scan mode was selected, a suitable message (an error message, a dialog box, and/or the like) may be communicated to the user. The user may be given the opportunity to rescan if appropriate. Additionally or alternatively, the user may be given the opportunity to subject the digital data to a processing algorithm different from the originally selected mode.  
         [0012]      FIG. 1  depicts scanner  100  and computer  150  with executable code for processing scanned images according to representative embodiments. A medium to be scanned (e.g., a document, a photograph, a slide, a negative, and/or the like) may be placed against scan bed  101 . Scanner  100  includes a moveable light source and redirection optics  103 . Image light is redirected toward charge-coupled device (CCD)  104 . Signals generated by sampling the elements of CCD  104  are digitized, communicated via interface  105 , and stored in memory  155  of computer  150 . Processing logic  154  may subject the digital data to suitable processing (e.g., dynamic range conversion, quantization, cropping, and/or the like). Processing logic  154  may be implemented utilizing suitable instructions executable by a processor.  
         [0013]     The particular processing performed by processing logic  154  may depend upon a scanning mode selected by the user. For example, a different dynamic range may be utilized for photographs than utilized for photographic slides or photographic negatives. Likewise, relatively broad quantization levels may be applied during a flatbed scanning mode to eliminate noise in the image. The selected scan mode may also affect other scanning operations. For example, it may be advantageous to vary the scan resolution (e.g., dots per square inch) depending upon the selected scan mode. Increased resolution may be appropriate for positive or negative scans to increase image quality and relatively decreased resolution may be appropriate for flatbed scans to decrease scan time.  
         [0014]     Memory  155  includes empty scan samples  151 . Empty scan samples  151  are portions of the digital data generated during a scan for each of the available scanning modes. The samples may be generated utilizing “empty” scans, i.e., scans performed without including media on scan bed  101 . Furthermore, empty scan samples  151  may be performed for each scan state. The scan states may include various lid positions, the inclusion or operation of an automatic feeder, the inclusion or operation of a transparent media accessory, the presence of a template, the presence of a media adapter, and/or the like. Media adapters hold multiple media (such as photographic slides or negatives) in fixed positions to enable each of the multiple media to be scanned and cropped during a single scan procedure. For example, empty scan samples  151  may be created by scanning a photographic slide adapter  201  as shown in  FIG. 2  without including slides within the corresponding portions of the template. Likewise, empty scan samples  151  may be created by scanning negative slide adapter  301  as shown in  FIG. 3  without including negatives within the corresponding portions of the template. Alternatively, empty scan samples  151  may be created by scanning blank media or other suitable media with various adapters, templates, and/or accessories. By performing empty sample scans, patterns may be generated for each scan mode type and for selected scan states for comparison against scanned images generated according to scanning modes selected by the user. Other suitable patterns may be stored in memory  155  to facilitate scan mode verification according to other embodiments. For example, other calibrated patterns may be utilized to perform scan mode verification if desired for a particular application.  
         [0015]     When a user-initiated scan procedure occurs, the scanned image may be compared against the empty scan samples  151  by scan mode verification logic  152  to determine the scan state. The determined scanned state may be compared against a suitable data structure (e.g., table  400  that will be discussed in greater detail below) to determine whether the selected scan mode was correct. When it is probable that an erroneous or inappropriate scan mode selection was made, error reporting logic  153  may report an error or another suitable message to the user. The user may be given the opportunity to rescan or subject the captured digital data to processing that is different than the processing associated with the originally selected scan mode.  
         [0016]     The comparison of a scanned image to scan samples is not restricted to processing within computer  150 . In alternative embodiments, processing logic  154 , memory  155  with scan samples  151 , scan mode verification logic  152 , and/or error reporting logic  153  may be implemented within scanner  100  if desired.  
         [0017]     Table  400  of  FIG. 4  depicts a selection mode table that may be utilized to verify the scan mode selection made by a user according to representative embodiments. Table  400  includes a plurality of rows with each row corresponding to a particular scan mode (e.g., flatbed mode, positive mode, and negative mode). Table  400  includes a plurality of columns with each column corresponding to a particular scan state. The scan states may include: (i) lid down/no template; (ii) positive adapter present; (iii) negative adapter present; (iv) transparent media accessory present; (v) TMA template present; (vi) document feeder employed; and/or the like. The entries of table  400  may include information that indicates whether a given scan state is appropriate or inappropriate for a selected scan mode. For example, for the “lid down/no template” state, table  400  indicates that the positive scan mode and the negative scan mode are inappropriate.  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  depicts a flowchart for processing a scanned image according to representative embodiments. The flowchart may be performed in association with scan mode verification logic  152  and error reporting logic  153  and may be implemented utilizing suitable application specific circuitry, executable instructions performed by a processor, or a combination thereof.  
         [0019]     In step  501  of the flowchart of  FIG. 5 , a scan is performed according to a selected scan mode. In step  502 , the scanned image is compared against scan samples. One exemplary algorithm for comparing includes performing a pixel-for-pixel comparison between the scanned image data and the scan sample data. For each pixel in the scanned image raster, the following error value is calculated: Error=scanned_image_pixel_value−empty_scan_pixel_value. The final error value for each scan sample is the sum of the calculated errors. The scan sample, that produced the smallest final error value and that is less than a predetermined threshold, is selected to indicate the scan state.  
         [0020]     In step  503 , from the comparison, the scan state is determined from the most closely correlated scan sample for the selected scan mode. In step  504 , a logical comparison is made to verify the correctness of the determined scan state (by, for example, utilizing table  400 ). If the selected scan state is proper, the process flow proceeds to step  505  where the scan data is further processed according to the image processing algorithm associated with the selected scan mode. For example, suitable image files may be created for cropped portions of the scanned image corresponding to discrete slides, negatives, or photographs. If the selected scan state is incorrect, the process flow proceeds to step  506 . In step  506 , an error or other suitable message is reported. A dialog box may be presented to the user via computer  150  to indicate that an incorrect selection has been made. Alternatively, a flashing light emitting diode (LED) or an audible indication may be used to indicate that an incorrect selection has been made. In step  507 , a response from the user to the reported error may be received. In step  508 , a logical comparison is made to determine whether the user wishes to continue according to the selected scan mode, rescan the medium, or process the scanned image according to a different processing algorithm than originally selected. From step  508 , the process flow proceeds either to step  505  to continue with the selected scan mode, to step  509  to rescan, or to step  510  to process according to a different processing algorithm.  
         [0021]     Representative embodiments enable users to make use of automatic scanning functionality. If a more appropriate scanning mode is available, representative embodiments may automatically inform the user and enable the user to select the more appropriate scanning mode without requiring the user to manually perform complex peripheral state setting steps through the user&#39;s operating system.