GB2282724A - A computer interfaced image scanner - Google Patents

Abstract

The image scanner 1 scans an input image and transmits the image information along a two way communication interface to a computer terminal 2. The apparatus can be set up as a facsimile device whereby the transmitted image information is sent along a telephone line via a modem card 3, with the destination number being input via a keyboard 11 on the image scanner. Alternatively, the transmitted image data or data received via the modem card can be printed directly onto an associated printer 4. <IMAGE>

Description

OPEN-ENDED SCANNER AND ITS COMMANDS/DATA PROCESSING FtOW Personal computers and computer work stations are now very popular, therefore Modem users are increasing continuously. At the same time, the functions of a Modem have ben greatly improved. There is also disclosed a two-in-one Modem which combines a FAX Modem and a DATA Modem ir.ts a unitary FAX/DATA modem. There is also disclosed a 3-n-l Modem which incorporates a FAX Modem, a DATA Modem and a voice into a unitary device. It has become possible to make a personal computer of computer work station into a multiplex work station by means of the help of a Modem. However there are limitations on the application of a Moaem in a computer system.For example, without the se of an image input device, a Modem can only transmit informations created by a computer. In order to transmit paper informations, an image input device should be used.

An image input device for the aforesaid purpose can be an optical scanner, or a computer-compatible Fax machine.

Using these image input devices and a Modem, a personal computer or computer work station is well-equipped to serve as a " multiplex scanner Fax work station ". Unlike the closed office Fax machines, tis work station is an open system having a variety of functions. This open system is versatile. It has the function of scanning document and sending it to the computer for optical character recognition and graphic data storage. It can do desk-top publish and presentation works. It can also sends out the received data through a ax machine or processing it in the computer. The open system can also reproduce documents on its printer.

Because the resolution performance o a regular optical scanner is relatively hIgher than a normal office Fax machine, the open system can reproduce Fax documents on the paper of an external Fax machine through the transmission cf the Modern thereof, or on the other work stations of the network. The open system can also do facsimile 5 the computer directly. Further, any Fax data can be shown on a regular paper ( printed by the printer of the open system), or stored in the computer electronically for further quick retrieving.

Various computer Fax work stations and computer scanner Fax work stations have been knows These computer work stations are made in different methods which are outlined hereinafter.

As shown in Fig. 1, a rax/odem card ( stand alone modem ) and a scanner are connected to a computer to form a multiplex scanner Fax work station. When a document is to be sent out, it is inserted in the scanner, and then transmitted by means of the control of the computer ( work station ). The difference between this scanner Fax work station and an office Fax machine is that an office Fax machine is operated through the function keys thereof, while the facsimile operation in this scanner Fax work station is controlled by the computer ( work station ). An office Fax machine is easy to learn, and everybody can operate it after through a short learning. Theoretically, it is the best way to control the operation of a Fax machine by a computer ( work station ).

However, a very high level of concentration is needed for the interactions with the computer ( work station ). This has become a major barrier for people in all ages to use the computer ( work station ). Therefore, this scanner Fax work station is rather suitable for professional people.

Further, this scanner Fax work station needs more operation steps to send out a document. Therefore, most people would prefer to send out documents through an office Fax machine.

There is another method which incorporates a scanner with a Modem and a keyboard to form an " optical scanner type Fax machine ". This Fax machine does not have the function of printing, but it is computer compatible. This Fax machine has a higher resolution performance. The Laser Jet FAX from HP is the typical one. However, this type of Fax machines has various drawbacks including the problem of cost, the problem of legal use, and the problem of intercommunication between a computer work station. With respect to te problem of cost, tis type of Fax machine is much expensive than a normal office Fax machine. A normal offIce Fax machine has only two resolution modes, namely, 200x200 and 200x100.The scanning density of a normal optical scanner can be from 12 DPI to 300 DSI cr 1200 DPI ( horizontal and vertical controls can be independently operated), and scanning mode of a normal optical scanner can be half-tone, gray, or color. Therefore, the scanning mechanism of the aforesaid optical scanner type Fax machine is more expensive to manufacture. Further, as shown in Fig. 2, this optical scanner type Fax machine does not have the function of printing, and it uses a random access memory ( RAM ) to store received Fax date. The stored Fax data can be printed out only when the printer is free.

Because a RAM is used to store Fax data, a battery power supply is needed to prevent AC power failure. This arrangement simultaneously increases the cost of the machine.

With respect to the problem of legal use, every country has its own telecommunication code which, unlike the security code, varies from one country to another. As shown in Fig. 2, this optical scanner type Fax machine is to put a telecommunication unit into the machine, therefore this machine " should be In conformity with the telecommunication code. Because the telecommunication code varies from one country to another, it is difficult and will consume much efforts and cost to modify the hardware and the software cf the " machine " so that is conforms the telecommunication code of all countries.This problem does not occur to the multiplex scanner Fax work station, because the telecommunication unit is independent, i.e., the Fax/modem card ( stand alone modem ) and the scanner are separately prepared. When building up a multiplex scanner wax work station, the Fax/modem card ( stand alone modem ) has been approved according to the telecommunication code. With respect to the problem of intercommunication with a computer ( wor station ), special measures should be taken so that a ax machine of te aforesaid optical scanner type Fax machine can fully communicate with a computer ( work station ).Because the optical scanner unit of this type of Fax machine is not only to transmit documents. Tt has other functions including optical character recognition, desktop publish, image database, and presentation. The graphic data produced through these functIons is bigger than the data compressed by a normal office Fax machine. Because of a huge volume of data is needed ( a color picture of A4 size under 300 DPI needs 27M byte data, which is 400 times over a normal office Fax machine), we don't wish the user to spend much time in waiting the completion o a scannIng operation, instead, we wish optical scanning and graphic data transmission can be synchronized, i.e., graphic data transmission can be done at a high speed mode.The object to connect the optical scanner type Fax machine ( of Fig. 2) to a computer wor'= station is to let document be processed through the computer work station and then sent out through the optical scanner type Fax machine. in order to let more software packages be matched, we normally adopt RS-232. However, the transmission speed of ES-232 is low. sing RS-232 for the intercommunication between the Fax machine of Fig. 2 and a computer can not let the functions of the optical scanner and the Fax machine be fully carried out.

There is still another method which gives special functions to a normal office Fax machine so as to form a scanning Fax machine, or Fax work station. For example, a normal Fax machine is connected to a computer by an Interface cable ( see Fig. 3). Therefore, the Fax machine and the computer form a Fax work station. Because the scanning performance of a normal office Fax machine is low, it can nct achieve the major functions of an optical scanner. Further, a normal office Fax machine uses facsimile paper for data output, which should be stored under critical conditions.

Therefore, using a normal Fax machine to incorporate with a computer into a Fax work station can not achieve satisfactory effects.

There are still anther two methods. Cne is to combine a laser printer, a scanner, and a modem nto an allpurpose normal paper Fax machine, which is then connected to a computer ( see Fig. 4) by an interface cable. the other is to incorporates a computer work station with a scanner so as to form an independent computer scanner Fax work station see Fig. 5). A machine built up according to either method is expensive, and cannot be upgraded. This type of machine can use only Fax dated part but not information data part. As optical scanning technology 15 continuously developing, and computers and prInters have been continously improving, the machine made according to either method can not be upgraded partially.Further, a purchaser may already have a printer or certain unit of the machine buying this machine is indeed a waste of money.

It is a preferable way to modulize every unit of a multiplex scanner Fax work station. A totally new concept is needed to assemble a multiplex scanner Fax work station.

An embodiment of the present invent ion will ow be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 illustrates the arrangement of a scanner Fax work station according to the prior art; Fig. 2 illustrates the arrangement of another scanner Fax work station according to the prior art; Fig. 3 illustrates the arrangement cf still another scanner Fax work station according to the prior art; Fig. 4 illustrates the arrangement of still another scanner Fax work station according to the prior ar; Fig. 5 illustrates the arrangement of still another scanner Fax work station according to the prior art; Fig. 6 illustrates the arrangement of a scanner Fay work station according to the present invention;; Fig. 7 illustrates the arrangement of an alternate form of the present invention; Fig. 8 illustrates the layout of a control panel according to the present invention; Fig. 8A illustrates an alternate form of the control panel of the present invention; Fig. SB illustrates another alternate form of the control panel of the present invention; Fig. 9 illustrates a circuit block diagram according to the present invention; Fig. 10 illustrates an alternate form of the circuit block diagram of the present invention; Fig. 11 is a command/data processing flow chart according to the present invention; Fig. 12 is a copy flow chart according he the present invention; Fig. 13 is a facsimile flow chart according to the present invention;; and Fig. 14 is a data processing flow chart according to the present invention.

Referring to the various drawings attached herewith, a detailed description of the structural features of " OPEN ENDED SCANNER AND ITS COMMANDS/DATA PROCESSING FLOW " of the present invention is as follows: Referring to Fig. 5 and 7, a scanner Fax work station according to the present invention is generally comprised of a scanner 1 matched at least with one computer work station ) 2, a Fax/modem card ( or stand alone modem 3, and a data output device such as a sprinter 4. the scanner 1 can be a flat back type scanner 1 ( see Fig. 5) or a sheetfed type scanner 1 ( see Fig. 7).

Referring to Figs. 8, 8A, and 83, the main feature of the present invention is to upgrade the scanner 1 so that it manages personal telephone data and Intercommunicates with the computer ( work station ) 2. As illustrated, the scanner 1 has a control panel 5. In addition to the exclusIve scanning function of an ordinary office Fax machine, the control panel 5 comprises a display 10 for showing different operations, a keyboard 11 for inputting telephone numbers and/or operation commands. The control panel 5 may be designed according to different purposes.It can be made in either of the three types shown in Figs. 8, 8A and 83. sn fig. 8, the control panel 5 comprises a display 10 for showing informations regarding its operation - ( including error and fault ), a number key assembly 110 for inputting telephone numbers, a function key assembly 111 for giving scanning/facsimile/copy commands, and indicator lamp assembly 112 or showing the operation of the commands respectively.

In addition to the display 10, number key assembly 110, function key assembly 111, and indicator lamp assembly 112, the control panel 5 shown in Fig. 8-1 further comprises a telephone number memory control key assembly 113. In addition to the layout and functions of the control panel shown in Fig. 8A, the control panel 5 shown in Fig. 8A, the control panel 5 shown in Fig. 3A further comprises an alphabetic kev assembly 111 consisted of the full set of English letter keys from A through Z for inputting the name ( title corresponding to the telephone numbers been inputted.

Therefore, the system can be used to manage personal telephone data.

Referring to Fig. 9, therein illustrated is a circuit block diagram according to the present invention. As illustrated, the circuit comprises an I/O control unit 6 and a logical unit 7. The I/O control unit 6 comprises a motor driver 60 and a charge coupled device ( COD ) 61 controlled by a scanner controller 62 to read document or picture, a two-way communication interface controller 63 connected between the scanner controller 62 and the connector 64 of the computer or work station 2 ( see Fig. 6 or 7), a display 10.

and a keyboard 11 controlled by a keyboard controller 65 to send command signals to the logical unit 7. By means of the two-way communication interface controller 63, the user can use the computer or work station 2 to control the operation of the scanner 1 in editing, sending out data through the telephone line, or printing out data through the printer 4.

All these operations are controlled by the driver program stored in the computer or work station 2. The flow chart illustrating the operation of the said driver program is shown in Fig. 11. Through the keyboard 11, the user gives different operation commands or telephone numbers, which are than transmitted to the logical unit 7 through the keyboard controller 65. Upon receipt of a command signal, the logical unit 7 immediately sends the command signal to the computer or work station 2 through the two-way communication interface controller 63, and at the same time the corresponding operation information is shown through the display 10 and the indicator lamp assembly 112.

The design of the display 10 and the keyboard 11 provides a bridge for communication between the user and the scanner.

This humanized design makes the operation easy. Further, Fig.

to illustrates an illustrates an alternate form of the I/O control unit 6 in which a CIS 61 is used to replace the CCD shown in Fig. 9.

The logical unit 7 is the control center of the scanner comprised of a read only memory ( ROM ) 70 stored with a two-way communication command/data interface control program, which does not have telephone/Fax or telephone/name inquiry functions, a microprocessor unit controller ( MPU 71, and a random access memory ( RAM ) 72. Demands and informations from the keyboard 11 are turned into respective commands by the MPU 71 according to the program in the ROM '0, and then sent to the computer or work station 2 via the two-way communication interface controller 63 and the connector 64.The computer or work station 2 has a built-in multitask program or background resident program which analysis and judges the information transmitted from the two-way communication interface controller 63 and the connector 64, and informs the logical unit 7 through the two-way communication interface controller 63 and the connector 64 according to the content of the commands, so that the logical unit 7 drives the scanner controller 62 to execute scanning, or shows the information through the display 10.

A speaker ( not shown ) may be connected to the aforesaid I/O control unit 6 for speech communication with the user. According to the foregoing statement, the scanner of the present invention is equipped with a display 10, a keyboard 11, and a two-way communication command/information interface and interface controller. This open-ended scanner can be upgraded, and provides various advantages including a) simple structure, because it eliminates the printing mechanism and the modem of an ordinary office Fax machine the user's computer system may have already equipped with a modem and a printer ), and ( b ) versatility in function, because it can intercommunicate with a computer.

With respect to the functions of the scanner of the present invention, as shown in Fig. 6, we add a display ( LCD or LED), a keyboard, and a speaker. Therefore, the scanner is no longer a passive machine. It has keys for inputting telephone numbers, and a display for showing informations.

When connected to a modem and a printer through a computer, the whole system forms into a multiplex scanner Fax work station. On software, we use a two-way communication interface, in lieu of the computer-to-scanner one-way communication interface, to communicate the scanner with the computer or work station. When a signal is given to the scanner through the keyboard thereof, it is immediately converted into the command or information to the computer or work station. When needed, the computer or work station will give a command or information, and let it be shown through the display 10.

Fig. 12 through 14 illustrates different flow charts showing the operation of the present invention under different modes. The flow chart of the copy mode is shown in Fig. 12. When the " Start " or " Copy " key is pressed after the insertion of the document, the instruction is transmitted to the background resident program or multiplex program of the computer work station, which gives a command to the scanner immediately upon receipt of the instruction, causing it to read the data. While reading, the computer work staticn will check the printer if it is ready.If there is any abnormal condition, the related information will be Immediately indicated through the display of the scanner, and the scanner will be triggered to produce a warning sound.

the printer is ready, the data obtained from the scanner is processed, and then sent to the printer. The scanner has halftone, gray, and color printing functions. There are printers havi- halftone, gray, and color printing functions.

Various methods may be used to match th scanner to the printer in use. Because the control program is stored i the computer work station, it can be easily changed -when the printer or scanner is changed form one model to another. If the printer and the scanner in use both have halftone, gray, and color printing functions, the computer work station can request the user to select halftone, gray or color printing during the operation of the copy mode. If the scanner Is use does not have these printing functions, the user shall have to instruct the computer work station in driving the scanner to print out the data through the printer. Therefore, the design of the present invention is msr friendly and easy cf use and more like a copy machine.

Referring to Fig.13 therein illustrated is a flow chart under the facsimile mode according to the present invention. When the scanner is added with a display ( tOD or LED ), a keyboard, and a speaker, it looks like a Fax machine though it may not have the whole functions of a Fax machine ).When a document is inserted Into the scanner, the user can imitate the procedures -n operation a Fax machine. The user can select normal mode or ine mcde, Cr other modes which are not available in a normal Fax machine. Thus, the user can input telephone numbers or quick telephone codes.When a quick telephone code is inputted, the information is transmitted to the computer work station by the scanner where it is converted to the correspondin- telephone number and the name of the person or company concerned and shown through the display of the scanner. When a telephone number is inputted, it is sent to the computer work station by the scanner. As the " Start " key is pressed by the user, the scanner immediately sends out the command to the computer work station, causing it to send out the document through a modem.

To the computer work station, it can not only process scan data but alto transmit the data to a remote Fax machine or computer system through different compression methods.

Therefore, a multiplex scanner Fax work station is superior to regular Fax machines.

With respect to the function of personal telephone data management, a conventional Fax machine can not achieve the management of personal telephone numbers and Fax numbers.

This is an important function of the present invention.

Because an ordinary people can memorize only a limited numbers of telephone numbers and Fax numbers, personal data management is required. Various methods are known, and used to manage personal telephone data. However, they are still not convenient to use with a Fax machine. For example, you can write down personal telephone numbers on a notebook or stored them in a personal computer1 but you still need to dial the telephone number when a document is to be sent by Fax. A modern Fax machine has a memory for storing and fetching a limited number of telephone numbers by means of quick codes, it has little personal telephone data management capability. It is not difficult to design a Fax machine having ability of managing personal telephone data, however the cost is expensive.For example, a memory of about 18K bytes is needed for storing 300 sets of personal telephone numbers, Fax numbers, and the related company or personal data. It is also expensive to protect memorized data against power failure, and to ensure memorized data being constantly maintained in the memory or able to be stored in other storage media for quick recovery after Fax data is disappeared. Further, for the object of easy of use, the micro processor of a Fax machine should be very strong in function so that it has the intelligent capability of searching telephone numbers. This will also increase the cost of a Fax machine. Due to severe market competition, it is difficult to offer such an intelligent but expensive Fax machine for personal use. Simply adding a display ( LCD or LED ), a keyboard, and a speaker to a scanner- does not increase the cost too much.

During the implementation in production, three different designs, namely, the standard type, the Fax machine type, and the intelligent personal telephone data management Fax machine type are separately made for different users.

However, the operation of the said designs is based on a same flow chart as shown in Fig. 14. A scanner of the standard type has the control panel shown in Fig. 8.

This design is for the people who do not need a personal telephone data manager, do not wish to learn the complicated procedures in operating a computer standard type, but need a scanner for optical character recognition, desktop publish, or presentation. This standard type satisfy the demands. The Fax machine type has the control panel shown in Fig. 8A. A scanner of the Fax machine type is similar to a superior Fax machine, having number keys, a set of quick codes ( telephone number memory control key assembly 113 ) and various function keys. This type of scanner is specifically designed for those who are familiar with regular superior Fax machines and wish to have one of them. A scanner of the intelligent personal telephone data management Fax machine type has the control panel shown in Fig. 8B.It includes normal number keys, and a keyboard consisted of alphabetic keys and different function keys. This type of open-ended scanner is relatively complicated in structure, but it is very powerful in function. Because it has an alphabetic keyboard, you can search a specific telephone number, personal or company name by virtue of a vague image in the mind. Because the central processing unit of a computer work station is powerful in function, the capacity of the memories thereof is high, and a computer work station has different storage devices ( floppy diskdrive hard diskdrive, magnetic tape drive unit, etc.) for data backup, it is practical and easy to implement a personal telephone data management scanner in production.

According to conventional Fax machine manufacturing methods, the aforesaid three different types of scanners are of three different designs having different manufacturing costs. According to the present invention, the manufacturing cost of these three different types of open-ended scanners is about the same. Because the processing jobs are handed to the computer work station, and the cost of keyboards, speakers and displays only shares a small part of the scanners.

Therefore, the hardware layout of either type is substantially similar to that shown in Fig. 9. An open-ended scanner will become totally new in function and product image when it is equipped with a different keyboard and display.

As indicated, the present invention is to upgrade a scanner without increasing much cost. An open-ended scanner according to the present invention is compatible with regular Fax/modem cards, printers, and computers. It greatly improves facsimile transmission and resolution quality.

Claims (8)

Claims:

1. An open-ended scanner comprising: a keyboard for inputting telephone numbers and operation commands; a display for showing the information of the operations made through said keyboard or computer work station; a two-way communication command/data interface controller for intercommunication with a computer or work station; and a logical unit consisted of at least one read only memory, at least one random access memory, and a micro processor unit, for accepting commands/data from saic keyboard and sending them to said computer or work station for processing according to a program in said read only read only memory.

2. The open-ended scanner of claim 1 which is connected to said computer or work station by said two-wav communication command/data interface controller.

3. The open-ended scanner of claim 1 wherein said computer or work station is matched with at least one printing device for printing output data on paper.

4. The open-ended scanner of claim 3 wherein said printing device is prewerab1l a printer.

5. The open-ended scanner of claim 1 wherein keyboard comprises number keys, alphabetic keys, command keys and respective indicator lamps.

6. The open-ended scanner oi cairn 5 wherein said command keys comprise 2 facsimile mode control keys, a copy mode control key, a reproduction mode control key, an inquiry control key, and a start key.

7. The open-ended scanner of claim 1, comprising: a) receiving means for receiving keyed in data (such as a telephone number or personal name) and comnand (such as facsimile, copy, reproduction, inquiry) made through said keyboard; b) processing means for processing said keyed in data and comnand through the program in the read only memory; c) means for sending the processed data and command to the computer or work station by the two-way communication command/data interface controller zor processing by the background resident program or multitask program n the omputer or work station; and control means for controlling the open-ended scanner to read the document inserted therein according to the command received, and then sending out the obtained data through the matched Fax/modem card or printing device.

8. An open-ended scanner and its commands/data processing flow as hereinbefore described with reference to and as ilustrated in Fig. 6; or Fig. 7; or Fig. 8; or Fig. 8A; or Fig. 8B; or Fig. 9; or Fig. 10; or Fig. 11; or Fig. 12; or Fig. 13; or Fig. 14 of the accompanying drawings.