Scanner with prepress scaling mode

• US 6,469,801 B1
• Filed: 11/21/2000
• Issued: 10/22/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kodak Alaris Inc (KPP (no. 2) Trustees Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Ag
• Inventors: Telle, Lawrence B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Evans, Arthur G.
• Application Number:
  US09/717,712
• Time in Patent Office: 700 Days
• Field of Search: 358/1.1, 358/1.2, 358/1.13, 358/1.16, 358/1.17, 358/404, 358/444, 358/451-452, 358/474, 382/254, 382/298, 382/299, 382/300, 382/305
• US Class Current: 358/1.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00127 Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00278 with a printing apparatus, e.g. a laser beam printer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32358 using picture signal storage, e.g. at transmitter H04N1/17 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/3935 with modification of image resolution, i.e. determining the values of picture elements at new relative positions
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/40 Picture signal circuits H04N1/387 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0081 Image reader H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0082 Image hardcopy reproducer H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3288 Storage of two or more complete document pages or image frames

Abstract

A scanning device includes an automatic document handler for stream feeding in serial fashion hard copy original pages to a platen or scanning station to be automatically read by the image scanner into electrical signals or data. The raw image data is stored in a memory buffer. An operator may use the data in this buffer to scale the image electronically before using the image for further processing, such as printing or publishing.

Claims

1. A scanner operated by an operator to convert an original printed image to electronic data which is utilized by a user device, the scanner comprising:

a converter provided within the scanner for converting the image into raw digital image data (RID);

a RID memory buffer provided within the scanner for storing the RID;

an image processor provided within the scanner for scaling the RID to provide scaled image data (SID);

a SID memory buffer provided within the scanner for storing the SID;

an output data path to transfer the RID and/or the SID to a user device for display or printing, and;

a controller to direct the RID and/or SID to the user device,

wherein the RID is kept in the RID memory buffer until there is no longer any use for it.

2. A scanner in accordance with claim 1, wherein the RID scaling comprises bi-linear interpolation.

3. A scanner in accordance with claim 1, wherein the RID scaling further comprises rotating the image.

4. A scanner in accordance with claim 1, wherein the controller is programmed by the operator.

5. A scanner in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a feeder for feeding the originals to the converter.

6. A scanner operated by an operator to convert an original printed image to electronic data which is utilized by a user device, the scanner comprising:

a converter provided within the scanner for converting the image into raw digital image data (RID);

a RID memory buffer provided within the scanner for storing the RID;

an image processor provided within the scanner for manipulating the RID to provide scaled image data (SID);

a SID memory buffer provided within the scanner for storing the SID;

an output data path to transfer the RID and/or the SID to a user device for display or printing, and;

a controller for directing the RID in at least two modes of operation comprising a direct scan mode of operation to provide RID on the output data path directly to the user device and an image processing mode of operation for providing the SID on the output data path directly to a user device

wherein the RID is kept in the RID memory buffer until there is no longer any use for it.

7. A scanner in accordance with claim 6, wherein the RID scaling comprises bi-linear interpolation.

8. A scanner in accordance with claim 6, wherein the RID scaling further comprises rotating the image.

9. A scanner in accordance with claim 6, wherein the controller is programmed by the operator.

10. A scanner in accordance with claim 6, further comprising a feeder for feeding the originals to the converter.

11. A scanner operated by an operator to convert an original printed image to electronic data which is utilized by a user device, the scanner comprising:

functional blocks comprised of

a converter for converting the image into raw image data (RID);

a RID memory buffer for storing the RID;

an image processor for manipulating the RID to provide manipulated image data (SID);

a SID memory buffer for storing the SID wherein the RID and/or the SID are provided on an output data path to transfer the RID and/or the SID to a user device for display or printing,

wherein the RID is kept in the RID memory buffer until there is no longer any use for it.

12. A scanner in accordance with claim 11, wherein the RID scaling comprises bi-linear interpolation.

13. A scanner in accordance with claim 11, wherein the RID scaling further comprises rotating the image.

14. A scanner in accordance with claim 11, wherein the controller is programmed by the operator.

15. A scanner in accordance with claim 11, further comprising a feeder for feeding the originals to the converter.