BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying figures, in which like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally-similar elements throughout the separate views and which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, further illustrate the embodiments and, together with the detailed description, serve to explain the embodiments disclosed herein.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rendering device for rendering a document, which can be adapted for use in accordance with one or more embodiments;
FIG. 2 illustrates an example of an alternative digital data copier that can be adapted for use in accordance with one or more embodiments;
FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a document platen with two different sized documents to be scanned; in accordance with an embodiment;
FIG. 4 illustrates a high-level flowchart of operations illustrating logical operational steps to complete a full glass platen scan, in accordance with a preferred embodiment;
FIG. 5 illustrates a continuation of the flowchart depicting in FIG. 4 depicting logical operational steps for completing a simplex print of a full glass platen scan, in accordance with an alternative embodiment;
FIG. 6 illustrates a continuation of the flowchart depicted in FIG. 4, illustrating logical operational steps for completing a duplex print of a full glass platen scan, in accordance with an alternative embodiment;
FIG. 7 illustrates both a simplex and a duplex printout from a full glass platen scan, in accordance with a preferred embodiment; and
FIG. 8 illustrates block diagram of a data-processing apparatus that can be implemented in accordance with a preferred embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The particular values and configurations discussed in these non-limiting examples can be varied and are cited merely to illustrate at least one embodiment and are not intended to limit the scope thereof.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rendering device 10 for rendering a document, which can be adapted for use in accordance with one or more embodiments. The device 10 can be either a copier, which would also outputs copies or other prints, or simply be a stand-alone scanner which outputs digital data based on images recorded from scanned documents. The device 10 includes a light-transmissive platen 12, suitable for bearing documents to be scanned, and a platen cover 14, which is pivotably mounted relative to the platen 12 by one or more hinges 16. The platen cover 14 can be in an open position, as shown in FIG. 1, or can be lowered into a “closed” position, in which the platen cover in effect urges a document against the platen 12 for clear, focused recording of the image thereon. In the illustration of FIG. 1, the document D in question is an open book, but a document can be any object or artifact having or forming a recordable image, such as a single sheet of paper, a package, a small item, etc. In order for platen cover 14 to urge a relatively thick item such as a book onto platen 12, the hinges 16 may have to be specially adapted with slide mounts or extra joints, but basic designs for such hinges are generally known in the art.
In situations where it is desired to record images from a series of odd-shaped documents which must be manually placed on platen 12, the position of platen cover 14 at any time can be automatically monitored, by a control system within scanner 10, and used to activate a scanning operation by device 10. In the illustrated embodiment, extending from platen cover 14 is what can be called a ratchet member 18, which, as platen cover 14 approaches a closed position, is inserted into an opening 19. The ratchet member 18 defines teeth, which can be engaged by a pawl member near opening 19.
FIG. 2 illustrates an example of an alternative rendering device 25 that can be adapted for use in accordance with one or more embodiments. The rendering device 25 can be implemented as a digital data copier. It can be appreciated that the rendering device 25 depicted in FIG. 2 represents only one of many possible digital data copiers that can be utilized in accordance with a preferred or alternative embodiments. Rendering device 25 is illustrated herein for exemplary purposes only and is not considered a limiting feature of the embodiments. Rendering device 25 generally includes a digital scanning device 20 that digitally scans documents for eventual reproduction and printing. Rendering device 25 also can include a user interface 21 that permits a user interact with and initiate digital data copying functions, such as, for example, digital photocopying and reproduction. Rendering device 25 utilizes a document handling unit 30 that can sequentially feed documents from a stack of documents into the rendering device 25 for digital copying, reproduction and rendering. Associated with the document handling unit is a device platen (not shown in FIG. 2) similar to the platen 12 depicted in FIG. 1 upon which a user can place a document for digital copying and rendering.
Digital data copier or rendering device 25 can, for example, be configured to include a plurality of output paper stock sizes via provided the rendering device in order to generate the rendered document, along with a software module for detecting output document sizes available to the rendering device in response to automatically detecting the minimum text size of text contained in the original document specifying the particular minimum text size based on the user input. The rendering device 25 may also include a user interface associated with the rendering device, wherein the user interface collects at least one user reproduction preference.
The various functions of rendering device 25 can be regulated by a controller which preferably comprises one or more programmable microprocessors. The controller provides a comparison count of the copy sheets, the number of documents being re-circulated, the number of copy sheets selected by the operator, time delays, jam corrections, etc. Programming and operating control over rendering device 25 can be accomplished through a user Interface such as the user interface device 21. Operating and control information, job programming instructions, etc. can be stored in a suitable memory, which includes both ROM and RAM memory types. Conventional sheet path sensors or switches may be utilized to keep track of the position of the documents and the copy sheets. In addition, such a controller can regulate the various positions of the gates depending upon the mode of operation selected.
FIG. 3 illustrates the document platen 100 with two different sized documents 110 and 120 to be scanned. Note that one possible implementation of document platen 100 is platen 12 depicted in FIG. 1. The documents 110 and 120 are shown in FIG. 3 for illustrative purposes as being of different sizes, but the documents 110 and 120 may be the same size and may also be more than two documents and may also be different shapes. The documents placed on the glass platen 100 must only be contained within the boundaries of the glass platen 100 in order to be copied. There is no limit on the number, the size or the shape of the documents 110 and 120 to be copied, as long as all of the documents do not extend outside of the document platen.
FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart outlining the steps of a method 200 for completing a full glass platen scan in accordance with a preferred embodiment. Method 200 can begin, as indicated at block 201. In order make a full glass platen scan as shown in the flowchart of method 200 depicted in FIG. 4, a user can place the multiple documents 110 and 120 to be copied upon the glass platen as illustrated at block 210. Thereafter, the operation depicted at block 220 can be implemented, such that a user is permitted to select “Full Glass Scan to Duplex” or “Full Glass Scan to Simplex” utilizing an interface such as user interface 21 depicted in FIG. 2. This option of a “Full Glass Scan” as described at block 220 can be provided as an option in an output selection tab on a list of functions of a rendering device (e.g., rendering devices 10 and/or 25) or could be implemented as an independent selection with a dedicated button or other selection means.
The selection of a “Full Glass Scan” as depicted at block 220 is meant for a user to quickly select a function to scan the entire glass document platen without selecting the “Book Copy” function or any other non-intuitive mode of copying multiple documents and working through multiple menu functions. Multiple documents 110 and 120, such as a letter and a check, a letter and an envelope, receipts and a check, or any other user defined set of multiple documents could be placed on the document platen and quickly copied. The process then continues as indicated at blocks 221 and/or 223.
FIG. 5 illustrates the continuation of the flowchart of FIG. 4 outlining additional method 300 step for completing a simplex print of a full glass platen scan. Note that in FIGS. 4-6 identical or similar parts or elements are generally indicated by identical reference numerals. As indicated at block 301, a “Full Glass Scan to Simplex” operation can be selected. After the “Full Glass Scan to Simplex” has selected, the rendering device can scan the entire glass document platen 100. All of the documents on the glass document platen 100 will be scanned during this operational step. After the scan, the rendering device can, as illustrated at block 310, divide the scan into a left and a right half, where the left half corresponds to the left half of the document platen 100 and the right half corresponds to the right half of the document platen 100. The operation depicted at block 320 illustrates the completion of the scan/print job by printing the left half of the scan on the first page printed and the right half of the scan on a separate second page, completing the scan/print job as depicted at block 330.
FIG. 6 illustrates the continuation of the flowchart of FIG. 4 outlining the method 400 logical operational steps for completing a duplex print of a full glass platen scan. Methods 200, 300, and 400 thus represent continuations of the same methodology and flow chart. Block 401 of method 400 indicates a scanning operation via a rendering device. Such a scanning operation involves a “Full Glass Scan to Duplex” operation. After the “Full Glass Scan to Duplex” option is selected by a user, the rendering device can scan the entire glass document platen 100 as indicated at block 401. All of the documents on the glass document platen 100 are scanned during the operation illustrated at block 401. After the scan, the rendering device will, as depicted at block 410, divide the scan into a left and a right half. Thereafter, as indicated at block 420, the left half of the scan is rendered on a front side of a single sheet of paper and as next, as illustrated at block 430, the right half of the scan is rendered on the back of the same sheet of paper. The operations can then terminate as indicated at block 440.
FIG. 7 illustrates a completed scan/print job as either a simplex print 500 or a duplex print 510. The selection of a full glass scan to simplex, illustrated in the steps in FIG. 5, results in print job 500, wherein the left half of the scan is printed on a first page and the right half of the scan is printed on a second page. The alternate selection of a full glass scan to duplex, illustrated in the steps in FIG. 6, results in print job 510, wherein the left half of the scan is printed on the front of a page and the right half is printed on the back of the same page.
FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram of a data-processing apparatus 821 that can be implemented in accordance with a preferred embodiment. Note that the data-process apparatus 821 can be associated and/or integrated with a rendering device such as rendering devices 10 and/or 25 described earlier. Data-processing apparatus 821 (and hence rendering devices 10 and/or 25) can be provided in the context of a software module 806 that is stored in a memory 804 and which can be retrieved and processed by a processor 802. In general, data-processing apparatus 821 can be composed of one or more processor readable storage devices (e.g., memory 804) having a processor readable code (e.g., software module 806) embodied on one or more of the processor readable storage devices, the processor readable code for programming one or more processors (e.g., 802) to perform a particular activity. Data-processing apparatus 821 thus can be implemented as a computer.
Note that the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in the context of a host operating system and one or more module(s) such as module 806. Module 806 (e.g., instruction media residing in a computer) can thus be used to implement the operational steps depicted in FIGS. 4-6 herein. In the computer programming arts, a software module can be typically implemented as a collection of routines and/or data structures that perform particular tasks or implement a particular abstract data type. Software modules generally comprise instruction media storable within a memory location of a data-processing apparatus and are typically composed of two parts. First, a software module may list the constants, data types, variables, routines and the like that can be accessed by other modules or routines. Second, a software module can be configured as an implementation, which can be private (i.e., accessible perhaps only to the module), and that contains the source code that actually implements the routines or subroutines upon which the module is based. The term module, as utilized herein can therefore refer to software modules or implementations thereof. Such modules or instruction media can be utilized separately or together to form a program product that can be implemented through signal-bearing media, including transmission media and recordable media.
Although the data-processing apparatus 821 can be implemented in the context of a fully functional data-processing apparatus, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the mechanisms of the present invention are capable of being distributed as a program product in a variety of forms, and that the present invention applies equally regardless of the particular type of signal-bearing media utilized to actually carry out the distribution. Examples of signal bearing media include, but are not limited to, recordable-type media such as floppy disks or CD ROMs and transmission-type media such as analogue or digital communications links.
Any type of computer-readable media that can store data that is accessible by a computer, such as magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, digital versatile discs (DVDs), Bernoulli cartridges, random access memories (RAMs), and read only memories (ROMs) can be used in connection with the embodiments.
It will be appreciated that variations of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Also that various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.
Patent Application
20080085135
