This application relates generally to separating a multi-object scan into discrete documents. This application is more particularly directed to generating separate documents from a single scan of multiple objects on a multifunction peripheral.
Document processing devices include printers, copiers, scanners and e-mail gateways. More recently, devices employing two or more of these functions are found in office environments. These devices are referred to as multifunction peripherals (MFPs) or multifunction devices (MFDs). As used herein, MFPs are understood to comprise printers, alone or in combination with other of the afore-noted functions. It is further understood that any suitable document processing device can be used.
Users can place multiple paper items simultaneously on a platen of a MFP to scan and capture images of all of the items in a single scan. It is often more efficient for the user to put all of the items on the platen for single scan than to scan multiple items individually. However, this results in multiple items being included in the same document. If the user desires to separate the items into separate documents, the user typically has to open the scanned document on their personal computer and cut-and-paste parts of the document into separate documents, for example using a separate software application which may incur additional setup costs. It is therefore labor intensive and time consuming to either scan multiple items separately, or to separate a scanned document into multiple individual documents using a different platform.
In accordance with an example embodiment of the subject application, a system and method for discretizing individual documents from a concurrently scanned group of documents includes an intelligent controller having a processor and memory and a scanner that generates an scanned electronic image from a group of documents disposed on a platen of the scanner with spaces between the individual documents. The controller determines the edges of the each of the individual document areas within the scanned electronic image and generates a unique image file for each of the determined individual document areas. The controller previews each of the unique image files on a display of an associated user interface. The user interface receives user input for performing desired operations of the previewed image files, such as joining two images files into a single document, storing an image file as a document on a network server, emailing an image file as a document, printing an image file, or deleting an image file from memory.
Various embodiments will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings wherein:
The systems and methods disclosed herein are described in detail by way of examples and with reference to the figures. It will be appreciated that modifications to disclosed and described examples, arrangements, configurations, components, elements, apparatuses, devices methods, systems, etc. can suitably be made and may be desired for a specific application. In this disclosure, any identification of specific techniques, arrangements, etc. are either related to a specific example presented or are merely a general description of such a technique, arrangement, etc. Identifications of specific details or examples are not intended to be, and should not be, construed as mandatory or limiting unless specifically designated as such.
When papers accumulate, it is advantageous to scan them into electronic form. Image files for scanned papers can be archived, such as by saving them to a server. They can also be sent to a network destination, such as by attaching them to an e-mail for electronic delivery. It is possible to sequentially scan each of a plurality of papers. This may be done by aligning a paper on an MFP platen, closing a device cover, and selecting a scan option on the MFP. Because papers can be flimsy, the papers may shift on a platen or even fall off entirely when a cover is lowered for copying. Multiple papers may be copied at once, but it can be problematic aligning multiple papers on a platen for simultaneous copying. In an example embodiment, a MFP scanner platen may have a size of approximately 12×18 inches, permitting the simultaneous scanning of multiple documents of different sizes.
In accordance with the forgoing application,
MFP 104 is suitably connected to one or more digital devices by a network 132, suitably comprised of a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN) which may comprise the Internet, or any suitable combination thereof. Network 132 suitably provides for data communication between MFP 104 and one or more devices, such as server 136.
Turning now to
Processor 202 is also in data communication with a storage interface 208 for reading or writing to a storage 216, suitably comprised of a hard disk, optical disk, solid-state disk, cloud-based storage, or any other suitable data storage as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art.
Processor 202 is also in data communication with a network interface 210 which provides an interface to a network interface controller (NIC) 214, which in turn provides a data path to any suitable wired or physical network connection 220, or to a wireless data connection via wireless network interface 218. Example wireless connections include cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, wireless universal serial bus (wireless USB), satellite, and the like. Example wired interfaces include Ethernet, USB, IEEE 1394 (FireWire), Lightning, telephone line, or the like. Processor 202 is also in data communication with BLUETOOTH Interface 221 which may be programmed to function as a device beacon as noted above.
Processor 202 can also be in data communication with any suitable user input/output (I/O) interface 219 which provides data communication with user peripherals, such as displays, keyboards, mice, track balls, touch screens, or the like.
Also in data communication with data bus 212 is a document processor interface 222 suitable for data communication with MFP functional units 250. In the illustrated example, these units include copy hardware 240, scan hardware 242, print hardware 244 and fax hardware 246 which together comprise MFP functional hardware 250.
Referring next to
While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the spirit and scope of the inventions.