Abstract: A system and method is described in the context of an AgentX master-sub-agent communication system to provide a registration tree at the master agent having nodes representing one or a range of object identifiers (sub-trees) managed by sub-agents in the system. The master agent receives registration requests from the sub-agents and registers the object identifiers according to an AgentX registration process by adding nodes to the registration tree. The master agent processes SNMP requests by traversing the registration tree to determine the authoritative sub-agent having control of the specified objects. Range information is stored in the tree nodes to reduce storage requirements and increase processing efficiency.

Abstract: A scanner, utilizing a local buffer, prevents the occurrence of stop/start artifacts in the image data by selecting a scan rate that will not overflow the buffer. This is accomplished by having the host computer communicate to the scanner to instruct a modification to a default scanning speed. The modification is based upon an expected rate at which the host computer can consume the image data, prior to the beginning of the document scan. Consequently, the scanner does not generate image data faster than they can be accepted by the host computer, thus avoiding the need to stop the relative movement between the image sensor and the document.

Abstract: An autofocus process for imaging optics of a scanner comprises performing multiple scan-line image captures of the document to be scanned. In the preferred embodiment, these captures are of essentially the same scan-line. A focal position of imaging optics, which forms a scan-line image, is adjusted relative to an image detector in between the multiple scan-line captures of image data. In the preferred embodiment, the imaging optics is adjusted. Relay optics or a position of the image detector could alternatively be adjusted. In any case, a focus setting for a subsequent scanning operation is then calculated based on the image data from the multiple scan-line captures. In the preferred embodiment, this calculation yields a lens position for the imaging optics. The invention thus allows autofocussing to the document to be scanned. Problems associated with loss of calibration are avoided. Moreover, the system is able to adapt to documents where the image is not at the scanner's nominal focal plane.

Abstract: An improved image transparency or slide is disclosed in which certain small image anomalies are rendered invisible to the human eye in an image projected from the slide. A diffusion layer spaced a finite distance from an image coating of the slide causes disappearance of the anomalies in a the projected image. In applications requiring particularly high sharpness, the image is formed on the slide using image enhancement techniques which produce exaggerated edge effects in the image. When these exaggerated edge effects are diffused in a projection, the projected image is sharp and free of the anomalies.

Abstract: An improved method of, and electrical circuit for driving with precision and accuracy an electro-mechanical device such as a galvanometer is disclosed. The method precisely controls high speed linear scanning of the device in a forward scan segment of each cycle of operation, and further provides very fast re-set of the device without position overshoot during a re-trace segment of a cycle. The electrical circuit includes memory means for generating an electrical command waveform for controlling the device during each cycle of operation, and drive servo means for applying electrical power to the device. The servoing action of this circuit substantially eliminates any difference between an actual position of the device and the position directed by the command waveform during each forward scan segment of a cycle of operation, with the result that each forward scan segment is highly accurate and repeatable.