Methods and apparatus for automatic scanner calibration
View Patent ↗An automatic scanner calibration method and apparatus is disclosed in which a calibration target, such as a Kodak® gray strip, is attached to a scanning surface of a scanner. During a normal scan, the calibration target area can be ignored or scanned depending on user selection. If the calibration target is scanned, then the resulting information is used to calibrate the scanner automatically. Such calibration is more accurate than an older in time or preset default calibration. Another embodiment of the invention actuates a print of a printer calibration target on a printer on a scheduled basis. Thereafter, the user can take the printer calibration target and place it on the scanner and perform a calibration of a scanner/printer system.
1. A computer-implemented method for use with a scanner, the method comprising:
scanning, with a scanner, a calibration target, which is affixed to the scanning surface, and an object, which is placed on said scanning surface at the same time;
wherein the scanning step further comprises the step of calibrating, with a computer, the scanner using the calibration target and generating, with the computer, calibration values using the calibration target;
wherein the object is scanned using the generated calibration values; and
wherein the calibration target comprises any of (a) patches of varying densities of gray and (b) color patches.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the scanner comprises a platen having a length, and the calibration target comprises a length that substantially equals the length of the platen.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the scanner comprises a platen having a width, and the calibration target comprises a length that substantially equals the width of the platen.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the calibration target comprises a manufactured calibration target.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the calibration target comprises a photograph.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the calibration target comprises a dye sublimation print.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the calibration target comprises a plastic material, the plastic material having an adhering surface and a covering over the adhering surface such that the adhering surface allows the plastic material to adhere to a part of the scanner when the covering is removed from the adhering surface.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the calibration target comprises a dye sublimation print onto a plastic material, the plastic material having an adhering surface and a covering over the adhering surface such that the adhering surface allows the dye sublimated plastic material to adhere to a part of the scanner when the covering is removed from the adhering surface.
9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing a calibration target having a protective coating.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the calibration target comprises decal paper.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the scanner further comprises a plastic non-reflective sleeve located proximate to a scanning surface for fixedly holding the calibration target.
12. Apparatus for use with a scanner, the apparatus comprising:
a calibration target;
a means for attaching the calibration target to a scanning surface of the scanner;
the scanner for scanning the calibration target and an object;
a means for calibrating the scanner during a normal scan of the object, said means for calibrating using the calibration target; and
a means for generating calibration values;
wherein the object is scanned using the generated calibration values; and
wherein the calibration target comprises any of (a) patches of varying densities of pray and (b) color patches.
13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein:
the scanner further comprises a platen comprising a length; and
the calibration target comprises a length substantially equal to the length of the platen.
14. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein:
the scanner further comprises a platen comprising a width; and
the calibration target comprises a length substantially equal to the width of the platen.
15. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the calibration target comprises a manufactured calibration target.
16. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein calibration target comprises a photograph.
17. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the calibration target comprises a dye sublimation print.
18. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the calibration target comprises a plastic material, the plastic material having an adhering surface and a covering over the adhering surface such that the adhering surface allows the plastic material adhere to the scanner when the covering is removed from the adhering surface.
19. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the calibration target comprises a dye sublimation print onto a plastic material, the plastic material having an adhering surface and a covering over the adhering surface such that the adhering surface allows the dye sublimated plastic material to adhere to a part of the scanner when the covering is removed from the adhering surface.
20. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the calibration target has a protective coating.
21. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the calibration target comprises decal paper.
22. The method of claim 1 , wherein the scanner is calibrated during every scan of an object.
23. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the scanner is calibrated during every scan of an object.