Granted Patent B2

US 8,913,256 · App. 13/072,727 · Granted Dec 16, 2014

Abstract

Claims (70)

1. A method of performing an image capture operation by an imaging device, the method comprising:

receiving at least one media sheet against an image capture window of the imaging device;

detecting whether a lid for covering the image capture window is closed;

capturing an image of the at least one media sheet in the image capture window in response to detecting a closed lid;

receiving a start signal indicative of a user request to start an image capture operation after capturing the image; and

sending a final image based upon the captured image to a destination.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising performing one or more image processing operations on the captured image after receiving the start signal in order to produce the final image.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

performing a first set of one or more image processing operations on the captured image before receiving the start signal to produce a processed image; and

performing a second set of one or more image processing operations on the processed image after receiving the start signal to produce the final image.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the first set of one or more image processing operations includes image processing operations that are independent of the destination and the second set of one or more image processing operations includes image processing operations that are dependent on the destination, and wherein the destination is received upon receiving the start signal.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

performing a first set of one or more image processing operations on the captured image to produce a first processed image; and

performing a second set of one or more image processing operations on the first processed image before receiving the start signal to produce a second processed image,

wherein the first set of one or more image processing operations includes image processing operations that are independent of the destination and the second set of one or more image processing operations includes image processing operations that are dependent on an assumed destination.

6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising;

receiving the destination upon receiving the start signal;

determining whether the destination corresponds to the assumed destination; and

upon determining that the destination corresponds to the assumed destination, assigning the second processed image as the final image.

7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising:

storing the first processed image in memory before performing the second set of one or more image processing operations; and

upon determining that the destination does not correspond to the assumed destination:

discarding the second processed image;

retrieving the first processed image from the memory; and

performing a third set of one or more image processing operations that is dependent on the destination on the first processed image to produce the final image.

8. The method of claim 6 , further comprising:

upon determining that the destination does not correspond to the assumed destination:

discarding the second processed image;

recapturing the image of the at least one media sheet in the image capture window;

performing the first set of one or more image processing operations on the recaptured image to produce a third processed image; and

performing a third set of one or more image processing operations that is dependent on the destination on the third processed image to produce the final image.

9. The method of claim 5 , wherein the assumed destination is fixed, adjustable by a user, or dependent on past image capture operations.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the detecting whether the lid is closed includes:

sensing an absence of light in the image capture window.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the detecting whether the lid is closed includes sensing movement of the at least one media sheet in the image capture window.

12. An imaging device, comprising:

an image capture window;

a lid attached to the imaging device for covering the image capture window when closed;

a controller for determining whether the lid is closed; and

an image capture unit for capturing an image of at least one media sheet in the image capture window if the lid is determined to be closed;

wherein the controller receives a start signal indicative of a user request to start an image capture operation after the image capture unit captures the image and, in response, sends a final image based upon the captured image to a destination.

13. The imaging device of claim 12 , wherein the controller is further configured to:

perform a first set of one or more image processing operations on the captured image before receiving the start signal to produce a processed image; and

perform a second set of one or more image processing operations on the processed image after receiving the start signal to produce the final image.

14. The imaging device of claim 13 , wherein the first set of one or more image processing operations includes image processing operations that are independent of the destination and the second set of one or more image processing operations includes image processing operations that are dependent on the destination.

15. The imaging device of claim 12 , wherein the controller is further configured to:

perform a first set of one or more image processing operations on the captured image to produce a first processed image; and

perform a second set of one or more image processing operations on the first processed image before receiving the start signal to produce a second processed image;

wherein the first set of one or more image processing operations includes image processing operations that are independent of the destination and the second set of one or more image processing operations includes image processing operations that are dependent on an assumed destination.

16. The imaging device of claim 15 , wherein the controller is further configured to:

receive the destination upon receiving the start signal;

determine whether the destination corresponds to the assumed destination; and

upon determining that the destination corresponds to the assumed destination, assign the second processed image as the final image.

17. The imaging device of claim 16 , further comprising a memory, wherein the controller is further configured to:

store the first processed image in the memory before performing the second set of one or more image processing operations; and

upon determining that the destination does not correspond to the assumed destination:

discard the second processed image;

retrieve the first processed image from the memory; and

perform a third set of one or more image processing operations that is dependent on the destination on the first processed image to produce the final image.

18. The imaging device of claim 16 , wherein the controller is further configured to:

upon determining that the destination does not correspond to the assumed destination:

discard the second processed image;

recapture the image of the at least one media sheet in the image capture window;

perform the first set of one or more image processing operations on the recaptured image to produce a third processed image; and

perform a third set of one or more image processing operations that is dependent on the destination on the third processed image to produce the final image.

19. The imaging device of claim 15 , wherein the assumed destination is fixed, adjustable by a user, or dependent on past image capture operations.

20. The imaging device of claim 12 , wherein the image capture unit senses an absence of light in the image capture window in order for the controller to determine if the lid is closed.

21. The imaging device of claim 12 , wherein the controller further performs one or more image processing operations on the captured image after receiving the start signal in order to produce the final image.

22. The imaging device of claim 12 , wherein the image capture unit senses movement of the at least one media sheet in the image capture window in order for the controller to determine if the lid is closed.

23. The imaging device of claim 12 , wherein the image capture unit includes one or more light assemblies for illuminating the at least one media sheet on the image capture window during the image capture operation, the one or more light assemblies being turned off when the controller determines whether the lid is closed.

Assignments (8)