U.S. patent number RE42,290 [Application Number 12/122,693] was granted by the patent office on 2011-04-12 for document scanning apparatus and document scanning method for sequentially scanning documents and generating image data corresponding to these documents.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha. Invention is credited to Noboru Ogino.
United States Patent |
RE42,290 |
Ogino |
April 12, 2011 |
Document scanning apparatus and document scanning method for
sequentially scanning documents and generating image data
corresponding to these documents
Abstract
A first scan unit sequentially transports and scans documents
from a document tray, and a second scan unit scans a document
placed on a glass plane. A first select unit selects the first or
second scan unit according to a predetermined rule when a start
instruction is accepted. An accept unit accepts a change
instruction, a continue instruction or a print instruction after
the first scan unit scans all documents from the document tray or
the second scan unit scans the document placed on the glass plane.
A second select unit selects the first or second scan unit
according to the predetermined rule when the continue instruction
is accepted. A storage unit stores new image data provided by the
first or second scan unit corresponding to an additional document
until the print instruction is accepted. Then, a print unit prints
image data stored in the storage unit during a period starting from
when the start instruction is accepted and ending when the print
instruction is accepted.
Inventors: |
Ogino; Noboru (Machida,
JP) |
Assignee: |
Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha
(Tokyo, JP)
Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Tokyo, JP)
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Family
ID: |
18535143 |
Appl.
No.: |
12/122,693 |
Filed: |
May 17, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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09754740 |
Jan 4, 2001 |
6862116 |
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Reissue of: |
11043356 |
Jan 26, 2005 |
07167283 |
Jan 23, 2007 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Jan 14, 2000 [JP] |
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2000-006646 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
358/474; 358/497;
358/496; 358/498 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N
1/12 (20130101); H04N 1/0035 (20130101); H04N
1/1013 (20130101); H04N 1/00779 (20130101); H04N
1/00694 (20130101); H04N 1/32358 (20130101); H04N
1/00687 (20130101); H04N 2201/3288 (20130101); H04N
1/0464 (20130101); H04N 2201/0094 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H04N
1/04 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;358/474,496,497,498,472 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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1-135180 |
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5-110757 |
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6-276379 |
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07-110530 |
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11-284811 |
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Oct 1999 |
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JP |
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Other References
Japanese Office Action dated May 26, 2009 and English translation
thereof issued in a counterpart Japanese Application No.
2000-006646. cited by other .
Japanese Office Action dated Jan. 13, 2009 (4 pages), and English
translation thereof (5 pages) issued in counterpart Japanese
Application No. 2000-006646. cited by examiner .
Japanese Office Action dated January 25, 2011, Japanese Patent
Application No. 2010-098715. cited by other.
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Primary Examiner: Safaipour; Houshang
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Patterson & Sheridan, LLP
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present application is a Divisional application of U.S.
application Ser. No. 09/754,740, filed Jan. 4, 2001 now U.S. Pat.
No. 6,862,116, which is based upon and claims the benefit of
priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No.
2000-006646, filed Jan. 14, 2000, the entire contents of which are
incorporated herein by reference.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A document copying apparatus comprising: a first scan unit
configured to sequentially transport documents mounted in a
document tray to a scan position and scan the documents at the scan
position, thereby generating image data corresponding to the
documents; a second scan unit configured to scan a document placed
on a document glass plane without transporting the document,
thereby generating image data corresponding to the document; a unit
configured to set copy conditions to default conditions; a unit
configured to accept a change instruction or a start instruction
specified by a user; a unit configured to change the copy
conditions according to the change instruction; a unit configured
to display the copy conditions; a first select unit configured to
select the first scan unit or the second scan unit according to a
predetermined rule when the start instruction is accepted; a unit
configured to cause the scan unit selected by the first select unit
to perform a scanning operation under the copy conditions when the
start instruction is accepted; an accept unit configured to accept
the change instruction, a continue instruction or a print
instruction after: (i) the first scan unit scans all documents
mounted in the document tray, or (ii) the second scan unit scans
the document placed on the document glass plane; a second select
unit configured to select the first scan unit or the second scan
unit according to the predetermined rule when the continue
instruction is accepted; a unit configured to cause the scan unit
selected by the second select unit to perform a scanning operation
under the copy conditions when the continue instruction is
accepted; a storage unit; a storage control unit configured to
store in the storage unit newly generated image data corresponding
to an additional document, as additional image data subsequent to
previously stored image data, wherein the first scan unit or the
second scan unit provides the newly generated image data until the
accept unit accepts the print instruction; a print unit; and a unit
configured to control the print unit to print image data when the
print instruction is accepted, wherein the image data is image data
stored in the storage unit during a period starting from when the
start instruction is accepted and ending when the print instruction
is accepted.
2. A document copying apparatus comprising: a scan unit configured
to scan a document; a unit configured to accept a change
instruction or a start instruction specified by a user; a unit
configured to change the copy conditions according to the change
instruction; a unit configured to display the copy conditions; a
unit configured to cause the scan unit to perform a scanning
operation under the copy conditions when the start instruction is
accepted; an accept unit configured to accept the change
instruction, a continue instruction or a print instruction after
the scan unit scans the document; a unit configured to cause the
scan unit to perform a scanning operation under the copy conditions
when the continue instruction is accepted; a storage unit; a
storage control unit configured to store in the storage unit newly
generated image data corresponding to an additional document, as
additional image data subsequent to previously stored image data,
wherein the scan unit provides the newly generated image data until
the accept unit accepts the print instruction; a print unit; and a
unit configured to control the print unit to print image data when
the print instruction is accepted, wherein the image data is image
data stored in the storage unit during a period starting from when
the start instruction is accepted and ending when the print
instruction is accepted.
.Iadd.3. A method comprising: scanning a first document to generate
image data corresponding to the first document, and storing the
generated image data, using one of: (i) a first scanning unit,
which sequentially transports each sheet mounted in a document tray
to a scan position and scans each sheet at the scan position, to
generate the image data corresponding to the first document, and
(ii) a second scanning unit that scans a sheet placed on a document
glass plane without transporting the sheet, to generate the image
data corresponding to the first document; providing one of a
command for continuation of document scanning and a command for
completion of document scanning, after scanning of the first
document or after a suspension command interrupting scanning by the
first scanning unit has been detected; responsive to the command
for continuation of document scanning, selecting the first scanning
unit or the second scanning unit according to a predetermined rule,
and scanning an additional document using the selected scanning
unit to generate newly generated image data corresponding to the
additional document; storing the newly generated image data as
additional image data subsequent to the previously stored image
data; wherein at least one of the first scanning unit and the
second scanning unit provides the newly generated image data until
the command for completion of document scanning is
provided..Iaddend.
.Iadd.4. A method comprising: scanning a first document to generate
image data corresponding to the first document, and storing the
generated image data, in one of: (i) an automatic document handling
mode in which pages of a document are placed on a document tray and
sequentially transported to a glass plane to be scanned, and (ii) a
manual document handling mode in which a document is placed on a
document glass plane to be scanned without transporting the
document; providing one of a command for continuation of document
scanning and a command for completion of document scanning, after
termination of scanning of the first document in either the
automatic document handling mode or the manual document handling
mode; responding to the command for continuation of document
scanning after receiving a suspension command that suspends
scanning of a current document in the automatic document handling
mode; allowing scanning of additional documents in the automatic
document handling mode or manual document handling mode; storing
newly generated image data corresponding to the additional
documents as additional image data subsequent to previously stored
image data; and providing the newly generated image data until the
command for completion of document scanning is
provided..Iaddend.
.Iadd.5. A method comprising: scanning a first document to generate
image data corresponding to the first document, and storing the
generated image data, in one of: (i) an automatic document handling
mode in which pages of a document are placed on a document tray and
sequentially transported to a glass plane to be scanned, and (ii) a
manual document handling mode in which a document is placed on a
document glass plane to be scanned without transporting the
document; providing one of a command for continuation of document
scanning and a command for completion of document scanning, after
termination of document scanning in either the automatic document
handling mode or the manual document handling mode; responding to
the command for continuation of document scanning after receiving a
suspension command that suspends current document scanning
involving the automatic document handling mode; accepting a command
for a specified scan condition while awaiting the command for
continuation of document scanning or the command for completion of
document scanning; allowing scanning of additional documents under
a scan condition updated by the command for the specified scan
condition in response to the command for continuation of document
scanning; storing newly generated image data corresponding to the
additional documents as additional image data subsequent to
previously stored image data; and providing the newly generated
image data until the command for completion of document scanning is
provided..Iaddend.
.Iadd.6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising
displaying the specified scan condition..Iaddend.
.Iadd.7. The method according to claim 5, further comprising
accepting a command to save the specified scan
condition..Iaddend.
.Iadd.8. The method according to claim 5, further comprising
accepting additional specified scan conditions..Iaddend.
.Iadd.9. The method according to claim 5, wherein the specified
scan condition is a changed image quality for document
scanning..Iaddend.
.Iadd.10. The method according to claim 5, wherein the specified
scan condition is a changed image density for document
scanning..Iaddend.
.Iadd.11. A document assembly method for combining a plurality of
document scan operations into a single job for printing,
comprising: providing a display screen to a user to initiate a job
assembly process; accepting an inputted command to initiate the job
assembly process; performing a first document scan operation of a
first document to obtain and store image data corresponding to the
first document, only after accepting the inputted command, using
one of: (i) an automatic document feeder scanning operation in
which pages of a document are placed on a document tray and
sequentially transported to a glass plane to be scanned, and (ii) a
manual feed scanning operation in which a document is placed on a
document glass plane to be scanned without transporting the
document; providing one of a command for continuation of document
scanning and a command for completion of document scanning, after
performing the first document scanning operation; accepting an
instruction from the user for continuation of document scanning
using the automatic document feeder scanning operation; accepting
an instruction from the user for continuation of document scanning
using the manual feed scanning operation; performing a second
document scan operation of a second document using the automatic
document feeder scanning operation or the manual feed scanning
operation; storing newly generated image data corresponding to the
second document as additional image data subsequent to previously
stored image data; performing one at least one additional document
scan operation of at least one additional document, and storing
newly generated image data corresponding to the at least one
additional document, until the command for completion of document
scanning is provided; and printing the image data generated by the
first, second and at least one additional document scan operations
in response to the command for completion of document
scanning..Iaddend.
.Iadd.12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the job
assembly process is one of a plurality of special
processes..Iaddend.
.Iadd.13. The method according to claim 11, further comprising
counting the number of pages scanned in each of the document
scanning operations..Iaddend.
.Iadd.14. The method according to claim 11, further comprising
accepting a command to terminate the job assembly process without
printing..Iaddend.
.Iadd.15. A document assembly method for combining a plurality of
document scan operations into a single job for printing,
comprising: providing a command to initiate a job assembly process;
performing a first document scan operation of a first document to
obtain and store image data corresponding to the first document,
only after accepting the command to initiate the job assembly
process, using one of: (i) an automatic document feeder scanning
operation in which pages of a document are placed on a document
tray and sequentially transported to a glass plane to be scanned,
and (ii) a manual feed scanning operation in which a document is
placed on a document glass plane to be scanned without transporting
the document; providing one of a command for continuation of
document scanning and a command for completion of document
scanning, after performing the first document scanning operation;
providing a command for continuation of document scanning after
receiving a suspension command that suspends an automatic document
feeder scanning operation; performing a second document scan
operation of a second document using the automatic document feeder
scanning operation or the manual feed scanning operation; storing
newly generated image data corresponding to the second document as
additional image data subsequent to previously stored image data;
and performing at least one additional document scan operation of
at least one additional document, and storing newly generated image
data corresponding to the at least one additional document, until
the command for completion of document scanning is provided; and
printing the image data generated by the first, second and at least
one additional document scan operations in response to the command
for completion of document scanning..Iaddend.
.Iadd.16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the job
assembly process is one of a plurality of special
processes..Iaddend.
.Iadd.17. The method according to claim 15, further comprising
updating a total document count for the job assembly process based
on a total number of the document scan operations..Iaddend.
.Iadd.18. The method according to claim 15, further comprising
accepting a command to terminate the job assembly process without
printing..Iaddend.
.Iadd.19. A document scanning apparatus, comprising: a first
scanning unit configured to sequentially transport documents to a
scan position and to scan the documents at the scan position, so as
generate image data corresponding to the documents; a second
scanning unit configured to scan a document placed on a document
glass plane without transporting the document, so as to generate
image data corresponding to the document; a processor, which is
configured to selectively provide one of a command for continuation
of document scanning and a command for completion of document
scanning after termination of document scanning using the first
scanning unit or the second scanning unit, and which is configured
to respond to the command for continuation of document scanning
after receiving a suspension command that suspends current document
scanning using the first scanning unit, by allowing scanning of
additional documents using the first scanning unit or the second
scanning unit; and a storage control unit configured to store newly
generated image data corresponding to the additional documents as
additional image data subsequent to previously stored image data;
wherein the first scanning unit or the second scanning unit are
configured to provide the newly generated image data until the
command for completion of document scanning is
provided..Iaddend.
.Iadd.20. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the
processor accepts a command for a specified scan condition while
awaiting the command for continuation of document scanning or the
command for completion of document scanning, and the processor
allows scanning of the additional documents under a scan condition
updated by the command for the specified scan condition in response
to the command for continuation of document scanning..Iaddend.
.Iadd.21. A document assembly apparatus, comprising: a first
scanning unit configured to sequentially transport documents to a
scan position and to scan the documents at the scan position, so as
generate image data corresponding to the documents; a second
scanning unit configured to scan a document placed on a document
glass plane without transporting the document, so as to generate
image data corresponding to the document; a display configured to
provide a screen to a user to initiate a build job process; a
processor, which is configured to accept a command to initiate the
build job process, and which is configured to activate the first
scanning unit or the second scanning unit to perform a first
document scan operation, and which is configured to selectively
provide one of a command for continuation of document scanning and
a command for completion of document scanning after the first or
the second scanning unit performs the first document scanning
operation, wherein when the command for continuation of document
scanning is provided the processor activates the first scanning
unit or the second scanning unit to perform a second document scan
operation of an additional document; and a storage control unit
configured to store newly generated image data corresponding to the
additional document as additional image data subsequent to
previously stored image data; wherein the processor is configured
to activate the first scanning unit or the second scanning unit to
perform at least one additional document scan operation and to
provide the newly generated image data to the storage unit until
the command for completion of document scanning is
provided..Iaddend.
.Iadd.22. A document assembly apparatus, comprising: a first
scanning unit configured to sequentially transport documents to a
scan position and to scan the documents at the scan position, so as
generate image data corresponding to the documents; a second
scanning unit configured to scan a document placed on a document
glass plane without transporting the document, so as to generate
image data corresponding to the document; a display configured to
provide a screen to a user to initiate a build job process; a
processor, which is configured to accept a command to initiate the
build job process, and which is configured to activate the first
scanning unit or the second scanning unit to perform a first
document scan operation, and which is configured to selectively
provide a command for one of continuation of document scanning and
a command for completion of document scanning after the first or
the second scanning unit performs the first document scanning
operation, and to provide a command for continuation of document
scanning after receiving a suspension command that suspends
scanning by the first scanning unit, wherein when the command for
continuation of document scanning is provided the processor
activates the first scanning unit or the second scanning unit to
perform a second document scan operation of an additional document,
and wherein the processor is configured to activate the first
scanning unit or the second scanning unit to perform at least one
additional document scan operation and to provide newly generated
image data to the storage unit until the command for completion of
document scanning is provided; a storage unit configured to store
newly generated image data corresponding to the additional document
as additional image data subsequent to previously stored image
data; and a printing unit configured to print the image data
generated from the document scan operations in response to the
command for completion of document scanning..Iaddend.
.Iadd.23. A document scanning apparatus, comprising: first scanning
means for sequentially transporting documents to a scan position
and scanning the documents at the scan position, to generate image
data corresponding to the documents; second scanning means for
scanning a document placed on a document glass plane without
transporting the document, to generate image data corresponding to
the document; means for providing a command for one of continuation
of document scanning or completion of document scanning after
termination of document scanning using the first scanning means or
the second scanning means; means for responding to the command for
continuation of document scanning after receiving a suspension
command that suspends current document scanning using the first
scanning means; means for allowing scanning of additional documents
using the first scanning means or the second scanning means; and
storage control means for storing newly generated image data
corresponding to the additional documents as additional image data
subsequent to previously stored image data; wherein the first
scanning means or the second scanning means provides the newly
generated image data until the command for completion of document
scanning is provided..Iaddend.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a document scanning apparatus
which is used in a device such as a digital compound machine for
scanning documents.
Some types of this apparatus are provided with an ADF (Auto
Document Feeder) scan function and a manual-feed scan function.
The ADF scan function uses an image sensor to scan documents placed
in a document tray by feeding one document after another. This
function is useful for scanning a series of sheets of paper. The
manual-feed scan function allows a user to move an image sensor
across a document placed on a document glass plane for scanning
this document. The manual-feed scan function is convenient for
scanning like a book document. A user can scan various types of
documents by using proper scan functions appropriate for documents
to be scan.
When a document scanning apparatus is provided with both the ADF
scan function and the manual-feed scan function, these functions
are performed for scanning documents as entirely different jobs. A
user may successively scan documents by using the ADF scan function
and the manual-feed scan function as a series of operations. In
this case, separate jobs perform these operations. Scanned image
data is managed differently.
There may be the case where a new series of documents is to be
created by combining copied documents from a plurality of sheet
documents with copied documents from a book document. A user needs
to separately copy a series of sheet documents using the ADF scan
function, copy the book document using the manual-feed scan
function, and manually sort output copied documents.
When a copied book document is added after a copied sheet document,
or vice versa, it is possible to eject copied documents in an
intended order by arranging the order of documents to be copied,
eliminating the need for manually rearranging the copied
documents.
However, there may be the case where a plurality of copies is
created without using a mechanical sorter. In this case, it is
impossible to eject copied documents for eliminating the need to
manually rearrange the copied documents even if the order of
documents to be copied is arranged.
Incidentally, there is also a document scanning apparatus which is
provided with either the ADF scan function or the manual-feed scan
function only.
Such an apparatus causes no problem in using the ADF scan function
and the manual-feed scan function according to needs. However, this
apparatus switches between jobs according to a change in scan
conditions such as a scan density. When a user successively scans
documents by changing a scan condition, scan operations are
performed as different jobs before and after the scan condition is
changed. Further, scanned image data is managed differently.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the invention, a document copying
apparatus is provided which comprises:
a first scan unit configured to sequentially transport documents
mounted in a document tray to a scan position and scan the
documents at the scan position, thereby generating image data
corresponding to the documents;
a second scan unit configured to scan a document placed on a
document glass plane without transporting the document, thereby
generating image data corresponding to the document;
a unit configured to set copy conditions to default conditions;
a unit configured to accept a change instruction or a start
instruction specified by a user;
a unit configured to change the copy conditions according to the
change instruction;
a unit configured to display the copy conditions;
a first select unit configured to select the first scan unit or the
second scan unit according to a predetermined rule when the start
instruction is accepted;
a unit configured to cause the scan unit selected by the first
select unit to perform a scanning operation under the copy
conditions when the start instruction is accepted;
an accept unit configured to accept the change instruction, a
continue instruction or a print instruction after: (i) the first
scan unit scans all documents mounted in the document tray, or (ii)
the second scan unit scans the document placed on the document
glass plane;
a second select unit configured to select the first scan unit or
the second scan unit according to the predetermined rule when the
continue instruction is accepted;
a unit configured to cause the scan unit selected by the second
select unit to perform a scanning operation under the copy
conditions when the continue instruction is accepted;
a storage unit;
a storage control unit configured to store in the storage unit
newly generated image data corresponding to an additional document,
as additional image data subsequent to previously stored image
data, wherein the first scan unit or the second scan unit provides
the newly generated image data until the accept unit accepts the
print instruction;
a print unit; and
a unit configured to control the print unit to print image data
when the print instruction is accepted, wherein the image data is
image data stored in the storage unit during a period starting from
when the start instruction is accepted and ending when the print
instruction is accepted.
Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set
forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious
from the description, or may be learned by practice of the
invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be
realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and
combinations particularly pointed out hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute
a part of the specification, illustrate presently preferred
embodiments of the invention, and together with the general
description given above and the detailed description of the
preferred embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles
of the invention.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a partial configuration of a
first embodiment of a digital compound machine which uses a
document scanning apparatus according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a sequence of steps during wait state
processing by CPU in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 exemplifies a transition of screens in a display section on
an operation panel in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a sequence of steps during build job
processing by CPU in FIG. 1 (part 1 of 2);
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a sequence of steps during build job
processing by CPU in FIG. 1 (part 2 of 2);
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a partial configuration of a
second embodiment of a digital compound machine which uses a
document scanning apparatus according to the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a sequence of steps during build job
processing by CPU in FIG. 6 (part 1 of 2); and
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a sequence of steps during build job
processing by CPU in FIG. 6 (part 2 of 2).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of a digital compound machine which uses a document
scanning apparatus according to the present invention will be
described in further detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
(First Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a partial configuration according
to this embodiment of a digital compound machine.
In this figure, the digital compound machine according to this
embodiment is enclosed in a broken line and is marked with numeral
1.
As shown in this figure, a digital compound machine 1 according to
this embodiment comprises a CPU 11, ROM 12, RAM 13, image memory
14, an image sensor 15, an image processing section 16, an image
sensor drive mechanism section 17, a document transport mechanism
section 18, a printer 19, a encoder/decoder section 20, a network
control unit (NCU) 21, a modem 22, a personal computer interface
(hereafter referred to as the PC interface) 23, and an operation
panel 24. These components are connected to each other via a system
bus 25 to configure the digital compound machine.
The CPU 11 implements digital compound machine operations by
performing control processing for centrally controlling each
component of the digital compound machine based on a control
program stored in the ROM 12.
The ROM 12 stores the control program and the like.
The RAM 13 is used for storing various information the CPU 11 uses
to process data in various ways.
The image memory 14 stores image data associated with image data
processing such as sending and receiving data, scanning or printing
images.
The image sensor 15 comprises, say, a CCD line sensor and generates
an image signal by means of horizontal scanning for a document
placed on a document glass plane (not shown).
The image processing section 16 is connected to the image sensor
15. The image processing section 16 generates image data by
applying various correction processing such as digitization,
shading correction, darkness correction, and the like to an image
signal generated from the image sensor 15.
The image sensor drive mechanism section 17 reciprocates the image
sensor 15 along the document glass plane for vertical scanning.
The document transport mechanism section 18 transports documents
one sheet at a time from a document tray (not shown) onto the
document glass plane.
The printer 19 prints an image corresponding to the image data on
printing paper.
The encoder/decoder section 20 compresses and encodes image data
and decodes the compressed and encoded image data.
The NCU 21 connects to a PSTN line 2 provided in a PSTN (Public
Switched Telephone Network). The NCU 21 provides the connected PSTN
line 2 with state monitoring, call origination to a network, and
the like. The NCU 21 equalizes a facsimile transmission signal
transmitted to the PSTN line 2 and sets a level for this
signal.
The modem 22 is connected to the NCU 21. The modem 22 modulates
image data and control data for generating a facsimile transmission
signal and a control signal to be sent to the PSTN line 2. The
modem 22 demodulates the facsimile transmission signal and the
control signal received via the PSTN line 2 for reproducing the
image data or the control data.
The PC interface 23 connects with a personal computer (PC) 3 by
means of, say, a cable. The PC interface 23 exchanges control
commands and image data between the CPU 11 and the PC 3.
The operation panel 24 includes a key input section, a display
section, and the like. The key input section accepts various
user-entered instructions for the CPU 11. The display section
displays various information to be notified to users.
The CPU 11 operates according to the control program stored in the
ROM 12 to implement control means. In addition to general means
known to a digital compound machine, the control means includes
mode changeover means, continued specification acceptance means,
scan method selection means, storage control means, conditional
specification acceptance means, and condition setup means.
The mode changeover means performs build job processing to be
described later only when a request is made to scan a series of
documents using both the ADF scan function and the manual-feed scan
function.
During build job processing, the continued specification acceptance
means accepts a specification whether to continue scanning
documents after a single document scan operation is complete.
During build job processing, the scan method selection means
selects one of the ADF scan function and the manual-feed scan
function based on a state how the document is placed in the
document tray and starts scanning the document according to the
selected function.
The above-mentioned continued specification acceptance means
generates image data until an instruction to complete the document
scan is accepted. The storage control means stores the generated
image data as that for a series of documents in the image memory
14.
The conditional specification acceptance means accepts
specifications of given scan conditions such as image quality and
density while the above-mentioned continued specification
acceptance means awaits a specification whether to continue
scanning the document.
The condition setup means controls document scanning when the
above-mentioned continued specification acceptance means accepts
the specification to continue scanning the document. Namely, the
condition setup means specifies scanning according to the scan
condition updated by the specification most recently accepted by
the above-mentioned conditional specification acceptance means.
The following describes operations of the thus configured digital
compound machine according to processing steps of the CPU 11.
When terminating a job to enter a wait state, the CPU 11 starts
wait state processing as shown in FIG. 2.
During this wait state processing, the CPU 11 first waits until a
user initiates a key operation on the operation panel 24 (step
ST1). At this time, the display section of the operation panel 24
shows a screen SC1 as shown in FIG. 3. A box marked with "C" in
FIG. 3 signifies a cursor displayed in each screen.
With this state, when a user performs any key operation on the
operation panel 24, the CPU 11 determines whether the key operation
is a press of the Enter key or an item selection (steps ST2 and
ST3). When the key operation is neither a press of the Enter key or
an item selection, the CPU 11 passes control to other processing
according to the key operation.
When a user performs an item selection operation such as a key
press for selecting items forward or backward, for example, the CPU
11 accepts that item selection operation. At this time, the cursor
display position changes on the screen SC1 according to the
accepted item selection operation (step ST4). At this step, the CPU
accepts operations for selecting any one of special functions such
as page addition, build job, and mode memory.
Thereafter, the CPU 11 returns to a key operation wait state at
step ST1.
When the CPU 11 maintains the wait state at step ST1, pressing the
Enter key allows the CPU 11 to determine whether the selected item
is a build job (step ST5). When no build job is selected, the CPU
11 passes control to other processing according to the selected
item.
When a build job is selected, the CPU 11 then waits until the Enter
key is pressed or an item is selected on the operation panel 24
(steps ST6 and ST7). At this time, the display section of the
operation panel 24 shows a screen SC2 in FIG. 3.
When a user performs an item selection operation, the CPU 11
accepts that item selection operation (step ST8). At this time, the
cursor display position changes on the screen SC2 according to the
accepted item selection operation. Namely, the CPU accepts the
operation for turning on or off the build job.
When the Enter key is pressed, the CPU 11 then checks if the
selected item is turned ON (step ST9). Only when the ON item is
selected, the CPU 11 initiates build job processing (step ST10),
and then terminates the wait state processing. When the OFF item is
selected, the CPU 11 returns control to step ST11.
When the build job processing is initiated during the
above-mentioned wait state processing, the CPU 11 executes the
build job processing as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.
The build job processing is described below in detail under these
conditions. Namely, a user attempts to make a copy of a new series
of documents comprising a series of one or more sheet documents
appended by one sheet of a book document. A series of sheet
documents is scan according to a default scan condition, that is,
by using the ADF scan function. A book document is scan according
to scan conditions of "Photo" as the image quality and "Toner Save"
as the density by using the manual-feed scan function.
When the build job processing starts, the CPU 11 first initializes
the document size to "NULL" (step ST21 in FIG. 4). The CPU 11 then
waits until the user performs a key operation on the operation
panel 24 (step ST22). At this time, the display section of the
operation panel 24 shows a screen SC3 in FIG. 3. This screen SC3
shows the default copy conditions.
With this state, when a user performs any key operation on the
operation panel 24, the CPU 11 determines whether the key operation
is a press of the Start key (step ST23). The user can change or set
the image quality or the density by operating the image quality
setup key or the density setup key on the operation panel. When any
of these keys other than the Start key is pressed, the CPU 11
passes control to processing for accepting copy condition
specification (step ST24) and accepts the specification for
changing the copy condition. If needed, the CPU 11 changes the
screen for the display section in the operation panel 24.
Thereafter, the CPU 11 returns to the key operation wait state at
step ST22.
Since the user initially attempts to perform scanning by using the
default condition, the user presses the Start key without
specifying conditions. When the Start key is pressed, the CPU 11
checks if the document is mounted in the document tray (step
ST25).
In this case, the user attempts to scan a series of one or more
sheet documents by using the ADF scan function. The user should
mount the sheet documents in the document tray before pressing the
Start key.
Accordingly, the CPU 11 can determine that the document tray
contains documents at step ST25. In this case, the CPU 11 checks if
the document size is set to "NULL" (step ST26). When the document
size is set to "NULL" for the first document scanning in the
current build job, the CPU 11 sets the document size to "ADF Size"
(step ST27). When the document size is already set to a value other
than "NULL", the CPU 11 uses the specified document sizes as is.
Since the scan operation is to take place for the first time, the
document size is set to "ADF Size".
The CPU 11 then performs ADF scanning processing for scanning
documents by using the ADF scan function (step ST28). This ADF
scanning processing is widely known. Namely, the document transport
mechanism section 18 transports sheet documents one by one from the
document tray onto the document glass plane. The sheet document
placed on the document glass plane is scan with vertical scanning
by the image sensor drive mechanism section 17 and with horizontal
scanning by the image sensor 15. The image memory 14 stores image
data generated from the image sensor 15 and the image processing
section 16. When the image memory 14 already stores image data
during the current build job, the image memory 14 manages newly
generated image data by assuming that it follows the already stored
image data.
Normally, this ADF scanning processing continues until all sheets
documents in the document tray are completely scan. When the user
interrupts the processing, scan operations up to that point are
validated. When the ADF scanning processing terminates according to
either of these methods, the CPU 11 continues the following
processing.
While the ADF scanning processing is executing, the display section
in the operation panel 24 displays a screen SC4 in FIG. 3. When the
ADF scanning processing terminates, the CPU 11 updates the total
document count by adding to it a scan document count after the
current ADF scanning processing. The total document count is reset
to 0 when the current build job processing starts. The CPU 11 then
waits until the user performs a key operation on the operation
panel 24 (step ST30 in FIG. 5). At this time, the display section
of the operation panel 24 shows a screen SC5 in FIG. 3.
With this state, when the user performs any key operation on the
operation panel 24, the CPU 11 determines whether the key operation
is a press of the image quality setup key, the density setup key,
or the Start key (steps ST31 through ST33).
The user then scans a book document by changing the scan
conditions. Of these conditions, the image quality is changed to
"Photo" and the density is changed to "Toner Save".
When the image quality setup key is pressed for changing the image
quality, the CPU 11 performs image quality setup processing (step
ST34). During this processing, the display section in the operation
panel 24 shows a screen SC6 in FIG. 3. The CPU 11 accepts the
user-specified Auto, Photo, or Text mode as the image quality.
Pressing the Enter key determines the selected mode to take effect
during a subsequent document scan operation.
Here, the user selects the photo quality by positioning the cursor
to "Photo" as shown by a screen SC6 in FIG. 3. Then, pressing the
Enter key determines the Photo mode to be used for a subsequent
document scan operation. When the image quality setup processing
terminates, the CPU 11 returns to the key operation wait state at
step ST30. Accordingly, the display section in the operation panel
24 shows a screen SC7 in FIG. 3.
When the density setup key is pressed for changing the density, the
CPU 11 performs density setup processing (step ST35). During this
processing, the display section in the operation panel 24 shows a
screen SC8 in FIG. 3. The CPU 11 accepts the user-specified Auto,
Manual, or Toner Save mode as the density. Pressing the Enter key
determines the selected mode to take effect during a subsequent
document scan operation.
Here, the user selects the "toner save" density by positioning the
cursor to "Toner Save" as shown by a screen SCB in FIG. 3. Then,
pressing the Enter key determines the Toner Save mode to be used
for a subsequent document scan operation. When the density setup
processing terminates, the CPU 11 returns to the key operation wait
state at step ST30. Accordingly, the display section in the
operation panel 24 shows a screen SC9 in FIG. 3.
The key operation wait state at step ST30 allows acceptance of an
item selection operation for scanning the next document or starting
a print job. When none of the image quality setup key, the density
setup key, and the Start key is pressed, the CPU 11 accepts the
item selection operation (step ST36). The display position of the
cursor on the screen SC9 changes according to the accepted item
selection operation.
The user chooses "Scan Next Document" as an item selection
operation, places the book document on the document glass plane for
scanning the document, and then presses the Start key.
The CPU 11 accepts the item selection operation for Scan Next
Document at step ST36, and then identifies a press of the Start key
at steps ST30 and ST33. Based on these conditions, the CPU 11
checks if Start Printing is selected (step ST37).
Since the Scan Next Document option is selected, the CPU 11
determines that no print job is to start, and then passes control
to step ST25. At this time, the book document is placed on the
document glass plane and no document is mounted in the document
tray. The CPU 11 determines that the document tray contains no
document at step ST25.
The CPU 11 then checks if the document size is set to "NULL" (step
ST38). The document size is set to "NULL" when the current build
job scans a document for the first time. In this case, the CPU 11
sets the document size to "Manual-feed Size" (step ST39). When the
document size is set to a value other than "NULL", the CPU 11 uses
this value as is. Here, the document size is set to "ADF Size", the
CPU 11 assumes the document size to be "ADF Size" as is without
performing processing at step ST39.
The CPU 11 then performs manual-feed processing for scanning
documents by using the manual-feed scan function (step ST40). This
manual-feed processing is widely known. The sheet document placed
on the document glass plane is scan with vertical scanning by the
image sensor drive mechanism section 17 and with horizontal
scanning by the image sensor 15. In the manual-feed processing, the
document transport mechanism section 18 does not operate. The image
memory 14 stores image data generated by the image sensor 15 and
the image processing section 16. When the image memory 14 already
stores image data during the current build job, the image memory 14
manages newly generated image data by assuming that it follows the
already stored image data.
While the manual-feed processing is executing, the display section
in the operation panel 24 displays a screen SC10 in FIG. 3.
When the manual-feed processing terminates, the CPU 11 updates the
total document count by incrementing the total document count by
"1" (step ST41). This value corresponds to a scan document count
resulting from the current manual-feed processing. The CPU 11 then
proceeds to a key operation wait state at step ST30. Accordingly,
the display section in the operation panel 24 shows a screen SC11
in FIG. 3.
The user can repeat a document scan operation by setting or
changing the image quality or the density as needed. At this time,
however, all documents have been scan successfully. The user
chooses to start printing as an item selection operation, and then
presses the Start key.
After accepting an item selection operation for starting a print
job at step ST36, the CPU 11 identifies a press of the Start key at
steps ST30 and ST33.
At step ST37, the CPU 11 determines that the Start Printing option
is selected, and then executes memory print processing (step ST42).
During this processing, the CPU 11 uses the printer 19 to print
each of a sequence of image data stored during the current build
job processing in the image memory 14. Namely, when a plurality of
scan operations is performed, the printer 19 is used to print each
image data generated during each of a plurality of these scan
operations. During the memory print processing, the display section
in the operation panel 24 shows a screen SC12 in FIG. 3.
When the print job terminates, the CPU 11 also terminates the
current build job processing.
According to this embodiment as mentioned above, when a scan
operation is initiated, either the ADF scan function or the
manual-feed scan function is selected. The selected function is
used for scanning documents. Each time a document scan operation
terminates, the CPU accepts user specification whether to continue
scanning documents. When a continued scan operation is specified,
either the ADF scan function or the manual-feed scan function is
selected. The selected function is used for scanning documents.
Subsequently, generated image data is stored in the image memory 14
so that the newly generated data is appended to the existing image
data generated by document scan operations performed so far. When a
print job is initiated, a sequence of image data stored in the
image memory 14 is printed as a sequence of copied documents.
Accordingly, a user can prepare a combination of is documents which
are suitable for scanning with the ADF scan function and with the
manual-feed scan function. It is possible to produce a sequence of
copies of these documents. For doing this, each time an ADF or
manual-feed scan operation is complete, each document is placed in
the document tray or on the document glass plane in an intended
order of the copied documents. Further, an instruction to scan the
next document is issued. When all documents have been scan, it is
possible to print intended copy documents by issuing an instruction
to start printing.
The image data for a sequence of copied documents is all stored in
the image memory 14. When printing a plurality of copies, a
software-controlled print sequence can be used to output copied
documents in various manners such as collating and stacking without
using a mechanical sorter. The user need not manually rearrange
output copied documents.
This embodiment automatically determines whether to use the ADF
scan function or the manual-feed scan function for scanning
documents according to states how documents are placed. The user
just needs to place documents and start scanning, thereby
alleviating a user's work load.
This embodiment uses build job processing for printing a sequence
of copy documents by means of a plurality of scan operations as
mentioned above. The build job processing works in a special mode.
This mode activates the processing only when a user chooses it. A
normal mode can be a user-operated simple mode in which, say, a
print job automatically starts just after a document is scan.
This embodiment also accepts specification of scan conditions when
accepting user specification whether to scan the next document or
start printing. When a scan condition is specified, the condition
for the subsequent scan operation is changed to the newly specified
condition. It is possible to perform scan operations according to
conditions appropriate to respective document states.
In this embodiment, the build job processing continues if an ADF
scan operation is interrupted, allowing a new document scan
operation to continue. When a sheet document should be copied after
a book document, for example, a user may inadvertently place that
sheet document in the document tray together with the other sheet
documents which should be copied before the book document. In this
case, the user can interrupt the book document scan operation by
suspending the ADF scan operation at a proper timing. This provides
flexible operations.
(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a partial configuration of a
second embodiment of a digital compound machine. In this
embodiment, same components as those in FIG. 1 are marked with the
same numerals. The detailed description thereof is omitted.
In this figure, the digital compound machine according to this
embodiment is enclosed in a broken line and is marked with numeral
4.
As shown in this figure, a digital compound machine 4 according to
this embodiment comprises a CPU 11, ROM 12, RAM 13, image memory
14, an image sensor 15, an image processing section 16, an image
sensor drive mechanism section 17, a printer 19, a encoder/decoder
section 20, a network control unit 21, a modem 22, a PC interface
23, and an operation panel 24. These components are connected to
each other via a system bus 25 to configure the digital compound
machine.
Namely, the digital compound machine 4 according to this embodiment
is equivalent to the digital compound machine 1 according to the
first embodiment void of the document transport mechanism section
18. The digital compound machine 4 has no ADF scan function and is
only provided with the manual-feed scan function.
The CPU 11 operates according to the control program stored in the
ROM 12 to implement control means which differs from the equivalent
in the first embodiment. In addition to general means known to a
digital compound machine, the control means includes mode
changeover means, continued specification acceptance means,
conditional specification acceptance means, condition setup means,
and storage control means.
The mode changeover means performs build job processing to be
described later only when a request is made to scan a series of
documents by changing scan conditions.
During build job processing, the continued specification acceptance
means accepts a specification whether to continue scanning
documents after a single document scan operation is complete.
The conditional specification acceptance means accepts
specifications of given scan conditions such as image quality and
density while the above-mentioned continued specification
acceptance means awaits a specification whether to continue
scanning the document.
The continued specification acceptance means may accept the
specification of continued document scanning for scanning
documents. In this case, the continued scan control means starts
scanning based on the scan condition updated by the specification
most recently accepted by the conditional specification acceptance
means.
Image data is generated until the continued specification
acceptance means accepts the specification to complete the document
scanning. The storage control means stores this generated image
data as that for a series of documents in the image memory 14.
The following describes operations of the thus configured digital
compound machine according to processing steps of the CPU 11.
Also in this embodiment, the wait state processing is performed
like in the first embodiment as mentioned above. When the build job
processing is initiated during the above-mentioned wait state
processing, the CPU 11 executes the build job processing as shown
in FIGS. 7 and 8.
When the build job processing starts, the CPU 11 first waits until
a user initiates a key operation on the operation panel 24 (step
ST51 in FIG. 7).
With this state, when a user performs any key operation on the
operation panel 24, the CPU 11 determines whether the key operation
is a press of the Start key (step ST52). The user can change or set
the image quality or the density by operating the image quality
setup key or the density setup key on the operation panel. When any
of these keys other than the Start key is pressed, the CPU 11
passes control to processing for accepting copy condition
specification (step ST53) and accepts the specification for
changing the copy condition. If needed, the CPU 11 changes the
screen for the display section in the operation panel 24.
Thereafter, the CPU 11 returns to the key operation wait state at
step ST51.
When the Start key is pressed in the key operation wait state at
step ST22, the CPU 11 then performs manual-feed processing for
scanning documents by using the manual-feed scan function (step
ST54). This manual-feed processing is widely known. The sheet
document placed on the document glass plane is scan with vertical
scanning by the image sensor drive mechanism section 17 and with
horizontal scanning by the image sensor 15. The image memory 14
stores image data generated by the image sensor 15 and the image
processing section 16. When the image memory 14 already stores
image data during the current build job, the image memory 14
manages newly generated image data by assuming that it follows the
already stored image data.
When the manual-feed processing terminates, the CPU 11 updates the
total document count by incrementing the total document count by
"1" (step ST55). This value corresponds to a scan document count
resulting from the current manual-feed processing.
The CPU 11 then waits until the user performs a key operation on
the operation panel 24 (step ST56 in FIG. 8). With this state, when
the user performs any key operation on the operation panel 24, the
CPU 11 determines whether the key operation is a press of the image
quality setup key, the density setup key, or the Start key (steps
ST57 through ST59).
When the image quality setup key is pressed for changing the image
quality, the CPU 11 performs image quality setup processing (step
ST60). During this processing, The CPU 11 accepts the
user-specified Auto, Photo, or Text mode as the image quality.
Pressing the Enter key determines the selected mode to take effect
during a subsequent document scan operation.
When the density setup key is pressed for changing the density, the
CPU 11 performs density setup processing (step ST61). During this
processing, the CPU 11 accepts the user-specified Auto, Manual, or
Toner Save mode as the density. Pressing the Enter key determines
the selected mode to take effect during a subsequent document scan
operation.
The key operation wait state at step ST56 allows acceptance of an
item selection operation for scanning the next document or starting
a print job. When none of the image quality setup key, the density
setup key, and the Start key is pressed, the CPU 11 accepts the
item selection operation (step ST62).
To continue scanning documents, the user selects the Scan Next
Document option as an item selection operation, places a document
on the document glass plane, and then presses the Start key.
The CPU 11 accepts the item selection operation for Scan Next
Document at step ST62, and then identifies a press of the Start key
at steps ST56 and ST59. Based on these conditions, the CPU 11
checks if Start Printing is selected (step ST63).
Since the Scan Next Document option is selected, the CPU 11
determines that no print job is to start, passes control to step
ST54, and then reexecutes the manual-feed processing.
The user can repeat a document scan operation by setting or
changing the image quality or the density as needed. When all
documents have been scan, the user selects the Start Printing
option as an item selection operation, and the presses the Start
key.
After accepting an item selection operation for starting a print
job at step ST62, the CPU 11 identifies a press of the Start key at
steps ST56 and ST59. At step ST63, the CPU 11 determines that the
Start Printing option is selected, and then executes memory print
processing (step ST64). During this processing, the CPU 11 uses the
printer 19 to print each of a sequence of image data stored during
the current build job processing in the image memory 14. Namely,
when a plurality of scan operations is performed, the printer 19 is
used to print each image data generated during each of a plurality
of these scan operations.
When the print job terminates, the CPU 11 also terminates the
current build job processing.
According to this embodiment as mentioned above, when a scan
operation is initiated, the manual-feed scan function is selected
for scanning documents. Each time a document scan operation
terminates, the CPU accepts user specification whether to continue
scanning documents and specify the scan condition. When a continued
scan operation is specified, the most recently specified scan
condition is used for scanning documents. Subsequently, generated
image data is stored in the image memory 14 so that the newly
generated data is appended to the existing image data generated by
document scan operations performed so far. When a print job is
initiated, a sequence of image data stored in the image memory 14
is printed as a sequence of copied documents.
Accordingly, the user can scan documents by combining various scan
conditions. When all documents have been scan, it is possible to
print intended copy documents by issuing an instruction to start
printing.
The image data for a sequence of copied documents is all stored in
the image memory 14. When printing a plurality of copies, a
software-controlled print sequence can be used to output copied
documents in various manners such as collating and stacking without
using a mechanical sorter. The user need not manually rearrange
output copied documents.
This embodiment uses build job processing for printing a sequence
of copy documents by means of a plurality of scan operations as
mentioned above. The build job processing works in a special mode.
This mode activates the processing only when a user chooses it. A
normal mode can be a user-operated simple mode in which, say, a
print job automatically starts just after a document is scan.
In this embodiment, the build job processing continues if a scan
operation is interrupted, allowing a new document scan operation to
continue. This provides flexible operations.
The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned
embodiments. In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the
document scanning apparatus according to the present invention is
used for the digital compound machine. However, the document
scanning apparatus is applicable to any other devices such as a
facsimile machine and a copier. It is also possible to implement
the document scanning apparatus as a stand-alone apparatus which
outputs generated image data to an external device. Namely, it does
not matter how generated image data is used. Accordingly, in the
above-mentioned embodiments, the build job processing is available
for not only copying, but also facsimile transmission.
Each of the above-mentioned embodiments continues a build job even
if a scan operation is suspended. It may be also preferable to
terminate the build job concurrently when an ADF scan operation is
suspended. This allows a user to suspend a copy operation itself
during the ADF scanning with a single suspension instruction,
improving user operability.
Each of the above-mentioned embodiments provides the build job
processing in the special mode. It may be also preferable to
execute the build job processing in the normal mode.
The first embodiment commonly uses the image sensor 15, the image
processing section 16, and the image sensor drive mechanism section
17 for ADF and manual-feed scan operations. It may be preferable to
use completely different means for ADF and manual-feed scan
operations.
The first embodiment determines the ADF scan function or the
manual-feed scan function for scanning documents only based on a
state how a document is mounted in the document tray. It may be
preferable to determine either scan function only based on a state
how a document is placed on the document glass plane or based on a
state how a document is mounted in the document tray and placed on
the document glass plane. It is not necessarily to automatically
determine the ADF scan function or the manual-feed scan function
for scanning documents. It may be preferable to allow a user to
determine which function to take precedence over the other.
The second embodiment proposes the document scanning apparatus
having only the manual-feed scan function. It is possible to
provide a document scanning apparatus having only the ADF scan
function.
It is further understood by those skilled in the art that various
changes and modifications may be made in the present invention
without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.
Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those
skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects
is not limited to the specific details and representative
embodiments shown and described herein. Accordingly, various
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or
scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended
claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *