Abstract: Disclosed is a method, system, and program for checking an electronic representation of a print job. Information on a set of attributes of a print job indicated in a first computer readable file is compared with a set of same attributes of the print job indicated in a second computer readable file. A determination is made as to whether the information on the same set of attributes of the print job in the first and second computer readable files are inconsistent and each inconsistency is indicated.

Abstract: Mark detection and position determination are improved by use of directional elongated filters, symmetry, gray scale image processing, structural constraints, and learning. Directional elongated filters are used to pre-process images of registration marks to create masks and enhanced images. Working sequentially, portions of the mark are detected and classified. The input gray scale image of the mark is processed using its structural constraints in conjunction with a mask for the detected mark. A cost function estimation determines mark position and orientation with sub-pixel accuracy. Learning is used to improve specific application performance.

Abstract: The invention provides an adjustment jig provided with a pattern for adjusting the direction of a reading line of a scanner which reads a target image line by line, which comprises a holder section for holding the scanner, a first pattern provided adjacent to a target reading line to be read by the scanner when the reading line direction of the scanner held is correctly adjusted, and a second pattern provided adjacent to the target reading line on the side opposite to the first pattern with the target reading line positioned therebetween, the second pattern being different from the first pattern in the brightness of at least one of hues which can be read by the scanner or in the width thereof in the reading line direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of an image capture system having an electronic camera for platenless document imaging. The system comprises: an electronic camera with an electronic detector and a lens with a field of view for imaging on the detector a portion of a document; a support by which the camera can be positioned to view the document; an actuator for moving the camera field of view so that a plurality of overlapping image tiles of a document can be captured at predetermined different locations over the support surface, each image tile having an array of tile data points and being subject to some expected perspective and/or camera distortion relative to the support surface; and a processor by which the plurality of image tiles may be joined into a composite image of the document. The processor includes a memory which stores transform data for each image tile, the transform data relating both to the expected distortion and to the predetermined overlap between image tiles.

Abstract: In an image forming apparatus which requires the user to manually input sheet medium information, (when a bundle of sheets which include a plurality of types of print media are to be printed, the user must manually input setups of the image forming apparatus for each individual print medium. In manual setups by the user, some setups require user's knowledge about print media. When the user has made wrong setups, a print result cannot be obtained under an appropriate control condition Furthermore, when information about a print medium is sensed by the sensor without manual setups, the information cannot be often precisely detect depending on the type and thickness of the print medium, an environment, and the like, and it is consequently difficult to attain optimal image formation. It is an object of this invention to attain optimal image formation, saving user labor and shortening the print time by using a radio tag attached to the sheet medium.

Abstract: A scanning method for performing gamma corrections according to multiple gamma functions includes the steps of: scanning a document using a plurality of sensing member sets to obtain plural sets of front image signals, each sensing member set including a plurality of sensing members to sense light rays of the same color at the same time; loading a plurality of gamma functions, which corresponds to each sensing member set, from a memory; and correcting the plural sets of front image signals into plural sets of post image signals according to the gamma functions. The invention also provides a scanning device using the scanning method.

Abstract: An image forming system applicable for usage for predicting the failure of an apparatus and making a diagnosis on an apparatus. The image forming system includes an image forming apparatus configured to form an image on a recording medium and a computer configured to manage the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus is configured to send internal information to the computer, and the computer is configured to send an inspection program depending on the determination based on the received internal information.

Abstract: A print tone measuring method includes a reference paper image pickup step for reading an image of reference paper to obtain first image data, a designated control point setting step for setting designated control points, a first reference point setting step for setting a pair of first reference points for specifying image positions, a print reading step for reading an image of an actual print to obtain second image data, a second reference point setting step for setting a pair of second reference points corresponding to the first reference points, a calculating step for calculating positions of corresponding control points corresponding to the designated control points from the first reference points and the second reference points, an extracting step for extracting image data adjacent each of the designated control points and image data adjacent each of the corresponding control points, and a correcting step for correcting the position of each corresponding control point in the second image data by comparin

Abstract: An image reading unit which is attached onto an image reading apparatus includes a first unit having a photoelectric conversion device for photoelectrically converting the image information of an original, and a second unit which can be engaged with the first unit, wherein the first unit is engaged with the second unit, and after a first plane portion provided in the first unit and a second plane portion provided in the second unit are brought in close contact with each other, the first unit is fixed to the second unit with an adhesive, and wherein a groove into which the adhesive is poured is formed in at least one of the regions where the first plane portion and the second plane portion are adhered to each other.

Abstract: A method for improving the image quality, which includes substantially predicting an effect of reload error for at least one toner color of a developed image, modulating the color density of at least one pixel of a digital image to compensate for the predicted effect of the reload error, generating the developed image based upon the modulated digital image.

Abstract: A compact structure and rapid method for calibrating a document scanner provides for a substantially cylindrical calibration casing having a central axis and an outer surface, with a brightness calibration section of the outer surface encompassing a portion of the circumference of the outer surface, a document width detection segment encompassing a second portion of the circumference of the outer surface, and a document backer element encompassing a third segment of the circumference of the outer surface of the casing. A driver selectively positions the casing in different rotational positions in which the different segments of the outer surface of the cylinder face the optical element of the scanner.

Abstract: A circuit connected to a linear array of photosensors generates image data representative of information printed on a document and adjusts the gains applied to the outputs of selected ones of the photosensors to eliminate streaks in the image data otherwise due to the selected photosensors imaging debris on an optical reference surface. The circuit determines which photosensors have low output values during a factory scan of a clean white reference surface. During a subsequent user environment calibration scan, low output values are adjusted to the average of their neighbors, but only for locations not identified as having low outputs during the factory scan. The circuit additionally performs a PRNU compensation and further adjusts the gains applied to each of the outputs of the photosensors so that all of their output values have a substantially uniform value.

Abstract: An image expansion unit expands image data at a resolution higher than the actual resolution of an output apparatus, and a resolution conversion unit converts the expanded high-resolution data to data having the actual resolution of the output apparatus. An exposure setting unit outputs a reference pattern and a density sensor measures the density of this reference pattern. On the basis of the result of measurement, a laser-exposure correction table for an electrophotographic process is created in such a manner that the density of prescribed image data that is obtained by the resolution conversion will be the same before and after image formation. This table is set in a LUT. As a result, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the density and shape of an image are rendered non-uniform and to output a high-quality image in stable fashion.

Abstract: A calibration system and method for printers is described. In one exemplary implementation, an apparatus includes a print mechanism configured to apply images to a print medium and a calibration system configured to calibrate the print mechanism. The calibration system divides a calibration process into a plurality of partial calibration tasks that are performed at different intervals separated by non-calibration tasks.

Abstract: A method of evaluating image pattern output accuracy based on numerical and objective criteria, by employing quality engineering. The method includes setting command signals which provide different distances from a reference point to at least three other points; outputting an image pattern which indicates reference coordinates of the reference point and distant measurement coordinates of the at least three points; optically reading the image pattern; obtaining data of the reference coordinates and the distant measurement coordinates from the read image pattern; calculating each distance between the obtained reference coordinates and the obtained distance measurement coordinates and outputting output signals which respectively provide the calculated distances; and calculating based on the command signals and the output signals, an S/N ratio for indicating a degree of dispersion of the output signals with respect to the command signals and a sensitivity of the output signals with respect to the command signals.

Abstract: An image scanning device and a shading compensation method include reading out a second region of a reference white sheet spaced by a predetermined distance from a white roller prior to reading out a to-be-scanned document to generate a reference shading compensation value; comparing the generated reference shading compensation value and a stored initial sheet shading compensation value for the second region to calculate a final shading compensation value of a first region of the white roller; and compensating for image data of the read document according to the calculated final shading compensation value. Accordingly, the present invention generates a shading profile and compensates for shading distortions according to characteristic changes of an image readout unit, such as a CIS, thereby enabling more precise image data to be obtained.

Abstract: A printing device can receive a replaceable component that includes an integrated memory. The integrated memory can store an indicator for indicating a condition of the component. The printing device can retrieve the indicator from the integrated memory. The printing device can determine from the indicator the condition of the component. The printing device can monitor for an occurrence of a trigger event. The printing device can, if the component is determined to be in a first condition and a trigger event occurs, increment a component usage count. The component usage count can be stored in a memory internal to the printing device.

Abstract: A scanner has a calibration target that can be moved in front of the scanline during a scan. This enables multiple calibrations during a scan. A full-color calibration can be performed during scanning without the need for a separate array of photosensors. Scanning can start as soon as the lamp provides sufficient light for scanning, without waiting for the lamp to stabilize. It is not necessary to keep the lamp on, or to keep the lamp warm.

Abstract: One method operates a printer-controller application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) by applying a predetermined voltage to an analog input pin which identifies a desired operating mode (such as, but not limited to, one of at least several test modes) of the ASIC. An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) converts the voltage to a digital output which is used to configure the ASIC to operate in the desired operating mode. Another method operates a printer by applying a predetermined voltage to an analog input pin of an ADC which identifies the printer (such as, without limitation, the particular make or the particular make and model of the printer). The digital output of the ADC is used to configure a printer-controller ASIC to operate with the identified printer (such as, but not limited to, setting the maintenance cycle timing and/or setting the default printing mode required by the identified printer).

Abstract: There is disclosed a format used in a remote proofing system to ensure that a printer device to which a print job is sent, operates within pre-determined calibration criteria for printing an image. Each job file has a job ticket, which defines a plurality of data types, which are to be checked for a printer device which is assigned to perform the printing. The parameters include ink level, environmental conditions (temperature, humidity), and media type. A printer device operates an algorithm to implement checks on the various parameters to determine whether a re-calibration process is required prior to printing an image. By sending a job file having no image data, a calibration of a printer can be achieved remotely, without necessarily printing an image.

Abstract: A setting information management device 20 is designed to acquire setting information of a color laser printer from a storage element 50 of a toner cartridge 40 set on a cartridge connector unit 28, register the acquired setting information into a setting information database 27, and output setting information retrieved among the registered setting information and an entry of a printer ID as a destination of copy to the storage element 50 of the toner cartridge 40. This arrangement effectively ensures easy setting of an image formation apparatus and enables settings of the image formation apparatus to be readily copied.

Abstract: A method and system for providing updated help and solution information at a printing device is disclosed. According to one aspect, a printing device is configured to detect a problem relative to the printing device, to download solution data from a remote server, and display recommended actions to address the problem. According to another aspect, a printing device is configured to receive user input through a user interface on the printing device, and to print instructions for operating the printing device in response to the user input. According to another aspect, a printing device is configured to collect statistics that indicate how many times one or more particular help instructions or particular recommended actions have been selected or displayed. The printing device is further configured to provide the statistics to a remote server.

Abstract: A method for controlling an image reading apparatus (100) performs an auto focus process for adjusting the focus on a medium (300) surface and a reading process for reading an image on the medium (300) at the focus adjusted by the auto focus process. During the auto focus process, a difference processing unit (5) calculates differences between adjacent picture elements in image data read from the medium (300), an averaging processing unit (6) averages the differences, and a midpoint processing unit (7) slices characteristic data obtained from the averaging processing into a plurality of region to determine the midpoint in each region, so that the focal point can be calculated.

Abstract: Density calibration for a printer is achieved using a standard grey scale vignette master and a stored gray scale vignette image that the printer operator can invoke from the operator panel of a printer. The vignette image provides a precalibrated scale that is used in conjunction with the •standard• image to determine the proper optical density. The density is then set by the printer control panel based upon the value obtained by visually matching the two grey scale vignettes.

Abstract: An electrostatographic recording method for printing an image on a receiver comprising the steps of: operating a primary charger to establish a uniform primary voltage level on an image recording member; developing a control patch on the image recording member, measuring density of the control patch to thereby provide a density measurement signal; converting the image into a digital bitmap comprised of an array of pixels wherein each pixel is assigned a digital value representing marking information; rendering the digital bitmap by defining each pixel as either a background pixel, interior pixel, or an edge pixel and reassigning the digital value of one or more of edge pixels or interior pixels independently and as a function of the density measurement signal; modulating electrostatic charge on the image recording member as a function of the digital bitmap after rendering.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention includes a fax communication system for communicating fax information transmitted from a sending fax device to a fax recipient through a packet switching network. The sending fax device includes a data pump for modulating and demodulating fax information and a protocol subsystem for encoding and decoding the modulated fax information. The fax sending fax device modulates the fax information prior to transmission thereof. At least one access server is coupled between the sending fax device and the fax recipient and within the packet switching network At least one of the access servers receives modulated fax information from the sending fax device and demodulates the received fax information.

Abstract: A method for printing digital image data onto light-sensitive material, such as photographic paper, is disclosed. The image data to be reproduced are received at a reader station, an exposure correction is applied to the image data in a computing station, and the exposure-corrected data are printed onto the light-sensitive material by means of a printer module. The image data are corrected during the exposure correction in a manner that is both specific for the type of light-sensitive material used as well as for the image data. A printing over-exposure may be compensated during image output by the combination of these two dependencies during correction of the image data.

Abstract: Methods and systems for calibrating media indexing errors in a printing device are provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises feeding a calibration media through a printing device, sensing the position of the media as it moves through the printing device, sensing positions of a media indexing component as the media moves through the printing device, determining media indexing position errors based upon the sensed positions, and calculating a compensation factor to be applied based upon the errors. In some embodiments, parameters of a line and/or other function are determined from the error data and the parameters are utilized to calculate a compensation factor. Moreover, in some embodiments, it is determined what range the data fits within, and a predetermined compensation factor is determined based upon the range.

Abstract: An image lens distortion correcting method having step (A) for printing an arbitrary image I1 in a computer; step (B) for photographing the printed image I1 with a camera having a lens distortion and obtaining a photographed image I2 in the computer; step (C) for obtaining a parameter &thgr; such that the image I1 is artificially distorted with the parameter &thgr; and an obtained distorted image I1ud equals with the photographed image 2; and step (D) for using the obtained parameter &thgr; to correct the image photographed by the camera. Thereby, (1) no correspondence point needs to be given, (2) no special tool or object is used, and (3) all points on the image are used, so that an internal parameter can automatically be obtained with high precision, and image lens distortion can be corrected with high precision.

Abstract: An image reading device which has a reduced size and which can read images at high quality. LEDs, which are respective pluralities of light emitting diode elements that emit red, green, blue and infrared light, are disposed at an area CCD scanner. A frame image of a photographic film is successively read with light of each wavelength by emitting light from the LED elements. Pixels that are affected by a scratch or dust at the photographic film are detected by the infrared light. Red, green and blue image data for such pixels is corrected by means of interpolation or the like. Thus, images can be read at high quality. Furthermore, because the LEDs are used as a light source instead of a halogen lamp, less heat is emitted, the device is more compact, and cut filters and the like are not needed.

Abstract: A flow sensor detects a flow rate of cooling air from a compressor, and a determination is made as to whether or not the detected flow rate is abnormal. A determination is made by a diaphragm position sensor as to whether or not a diaphragm is located at such a critical position that a quantity of light illuminated onto a photographic film is large, possibly resulting in degeneration of a photographic film. A lamp is turned off if the diaphragm is located at the critical position and the flow rate of the cooling air is abnormal.

Abstract: A method and system for image scanning presents a user with a suggested parameter adjustment to a scanned image upon system analysis of corresponding scanned image data. A scanner generates initial preview image data of the scanned image. A display displays the image to the user from the initial preview image data. A processor detects a selected portion of the preview image data as having a likelihood of being a standard parameter and for determining a suggested adjustment to the initial preview image data for displaying the selected portion as the standard parameter within the displayed image. The suggested adjustment is communicated to the user and the user implements or overrides the suggested adjustment in a subsequent scan of the image, whereby the user may obtain desired image data for the subsequent scan and the suggested adjustment.

Abstract: This invention provides a facsimile apparatus having an E-mail transmission/reception function, which can correctly transmit the contents of a file attached to E-mail even when the file cannot be opened on the other party side. A document file as a file attached to E-mail is transmitted from a transmitting facsimile apparatus and received by a receiving facsimile apparatus. If the attached file cannot be normally opened by viewer software or another application of the facsimile apparatus, the apparatus transmits, as a reply to the received E-mail, an error message containing contents representing that the error has occurred, and a facsimile number to be used by the other party for retransmission to the transmitting facsimile apparatus. When the received E-mail contains an error message, the transmitting facsimile apparatus searches for the attached file to be retransmitted by referring to, e.g., the mail title or mail text.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for remote testing of printing devices. A printing device includes a browser that is configured to establish a remote connection with a network site maintained by a manufacturer of the printing device. Once a connection is established, the printing device requests that a test be performed. A test program at the manufacturer site downloads a print test in the native language of the printing device. If the print test fails, more complete diagnostics are run. A printing device user is informed of the result. A user can determine if the printing device is operational without first installing a software driver or making connections to a host. Operational problems are, therefore, more easily isolated and resolved.

Abstract: A method for determining an optimum gain response in a spatial frequency correction for a projection system comprises the steps of setting a code value (100) to a first code value; projecting a flat field image at the code value; capturing the flat field image (540) with a camera; creating a defect map (70) of defects in the flat field image; applying the defect map to the flat field image to form a corrected image; setting a gain table (80) to a first gain for the corrected image; applying the gain table to the corrected image; registering the corrected image; filtering the registered image; measuring the filtered image for a standard deviation (570); determining whether all gains for producing an under corrected image (60) and an over corrected image have been exhausted for the code value; if all gains have not been exhausted for the code value, set the gain table to the first gain plus n and go to the step of applying the gain table to the corrected image, if all gains have been exhausted go to determining

Abstract: When image formation of a print pattern for checking an exposing unit is instructed through an operation panel, print pattern information prestored in a ROM is read out in accordance with the instruction. An image of the print pattern is formed by a printer. Based on an image formation result of the print pattern, a defective part of the exposing unit or abnormality of a color image forming apparatus is determined.

Abstract: Image data is corrected in a device or system using multiple halftones by predicting a second tone transfer curve corresponding to a second halftone based on a first tone transfer curve corresponding to a first halftone. First and second tone transfer curve compensate for application of the first halftone and the second halftone, respectively, to image data. The first tone transfer curve is determined by measuring image data halftoned with the first halftone and developing a first tone transfer curve that linearizes the measured image data. To produce the second tone transfer response curve, measured values of image data halftoned with the second halftone are estimated based on a predetermined relationship between the measured image data that is halftoned with the first halftone and image data that is halftoned with the second halftone. The second tone transfer curve is then developed as the curve that linearizes the estimated measured values of image data halftoned with the second halftone.

Abstract: A method for geometrically calibrating a transport or feed through a scanner apparatus, arranged for scanning a two-dimensional original for subsequent usage in an appropriate information handling system, wherein a test original is presented which has been provided with an image for the purpose of deriving a scanned image therefrom. The method uses the test original provided with a test image featuring a leading image edge and a trailing image edge at a predetermined and known parallel displacement with respect to each other, and automatically detects therefrom a calculated first correction value for the zoom factor in the transport direction or transport speed, a calculated second correction value for the leading edge position, and a calculated third correction value for the trailing edge position. Thereupon, the first, second and third correction values are updated in the scanner apparatus in accordance with the measured values therefor.

Abstract: Density correction method capable of performing density correction at high speed with high precision. In a printing apparatus adopting this method, a predetermined test pattern image is printed on a printing medium, the printed test pattern image is optically read by a sensor at first resolution, the quality of the read image is evaluated, based on the evaluation result the printed test pattern image is optically read by the sensor at second resolution higher than the first resolution, and correction data is generated based on the read test pattern image.

Abstract: An image density discrimination chart for discrimination of a density of an image, usable with an image forming apparatus, the image density discriminating charl includes an exposure portion for being overlapped on an image density discrimination pattern printed on a recording material, and exposing an image density discrimination pattern; and a plurality of comparison patterns which have densities different from each other, disposed aroud the exposure portion, which is to be compared with the image density discrimination pattern exposed through the exposure portion

Abstract: A method and an apparatus to correct the length of an image in a flatten scanner. The method includes moving an image sensor by driving a motor; calculating a first number of pixels; calculating a difference between the first number of pixels and a second number of pixels; and correcting the length of the image scanned in the flatten scanner by using the calculated difference. Therefore, the method makes it possible that a scanned image can have the same length as that of an original image by using the difference between the first and second numbers of pixels. In addition, when a flatten scanner is developed, necessity for fine adjustment to correct the length of a scanned image is eliminated, and, therefore, time required to develop a scanner is shortened.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for controlling an image scanner for reading images by moving an image sensor. Specifically, the present invention relates to a control method for detecting the boundary between a white region and a black region formed at a predetermined place in accordance with a signal output from the image sensor and determining the home position of the image sensor in accordance with the position of the boundary. Particularly, the present invention is an invention for providing a control method for preventing erroneous recognition due to influence of external light.

Abstract: A user-interface for selecting text from images of documents using auto-completion is described. The auto-completion process may be used to complete words (or text sequences), phrases, sentences, paragraphs, or other groupings of words. In response to user input, the OCR results for one or more images of documents are searched. The user input may include typing in a partial word (or the initial characters in a text sequence) via an input device or alternatively, annotations made by a user on a hardcopy document prior to scanning the document. One or more word matches are presented to the user for acceptance until the user accepts a word match or until all word matches have been presented to the user. Once a user accepts a word match, the word match is copied into an electronic document such as a word processing document, spreadsheet document, or other electronic document created by an application program.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide an image reader including a transparent substrate, which can be used effectively for an extended lifetime. The image reader comprises a transparent substrate and a stationary image pickup opposed to the transparent substrate for reading an image of an original document while the document is being transported between the transparent substrate and the stationary image pickup. The transparent substrate can be turned around and/or upside down relative to the image pickup in order to use the transparent substrate for an extended its service time. Also, the transparent substrate includes at least one first indicator showing an arrangement order how the transparent substrate has been turned around relative to the image pickup.

Abstract: There is provided an image forming apparatus which is capable of quickly performing measurements required for obtaining a proper image density. The image forming apparatus having a plurality of image forming apparatuses performs an image density adjustment control process by carrying out a maximum density control process at a reference image forming speed, and carrying out a density gradation control process at each of the plurality of image forming speeds. Image forming conditions for carrying out the density gradation control process at speeds other than the reference image forming speed are determined by performing operation on image forming conditions determined by the maximum density control process carried out at the reference image forming speed.

Abstract: An image formation apparatus comprises: an automatic adjustment unit for automatic adjustment of the apparatus; a job queuing unit for queuing image formation jobs; a counting unit for counting the number of pages from the previous automatic adjustment, for each automatic adjustment item; a determining unit for determining whether the number of image formation pages for automatic adjustment will be reached during execution of the image formation queued job; and a control unit wherein, in the event that the determining unit determines that the number of image formation pages for automatic adjustment will be reached during execution of the image formation job queued by the job queuing unit, automatic adjustment is performed before starting executing of the image formation queued job even though the number of image formation pages counted by the counting unit has not reached the number for the automatic adjustment is to be performed.

Abstract: Techniques for restoring parameters and/or values include determining a set of one or more parameters and/or values to be accessed by a user and that are stored in a first memory location, retrieving a duplicate of the set of one or more parameters and/or values to be accessed and storing that duplicate set in another memory location. In the event that one or more of the set of one or more parameters and/or values accessed by a user need to be placed back to their previous state, the duplicate set of one or more parameters and/or values is retrieved to replace one or more of the set of parameters and/or values accessed by the user.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for correcting printed color and tone of a library of similar digital images. A single image is selected from a library of similar images, and manipulated with a set of unique transformations. Each of the manipulated images is processed for printing. Printer settings for actual job data are identified, and multiple reproductions of the selected image are printed at the identified printer settings for the job. Optimum transformations are determined by visual inspection of a full array of images, each of the full array of images having been manipulated by a different transformation prior to printing.

Abstract: A licensing method includes the steps of establishing a licensing vendor; providing an imaging device that uses an imaging media in forming printed images on print media, the imaging media including an initial supply amount of an imaging substance; associating a usage license with at least one of the imaging device and the imaging media, the usage license defining a first usage threshold at which a consumer is prompted to acquire a new license; and providing a license monitoring mechanism communicatively coupled with the imaging device, the license monitoring mechanism performing the steps of tracking an amount of usage of the imaging media by the imaging device; determining whether the amount of usage of the imaging media by the imaging device has reached a usage threshold; and upon reaching the usage threshold, then prompting the consumer to acquire the new license from the licensing vendor.

Abstract: A scanning method that saves time by reducing calculations performed in a scanner. The scanner has a housing, a transparent platform installed on the housing, a document positioned on the transparent platform, a scanning module, a calibration paper, a memory, and a processor. If an effective image range has been determined within a predetermined amount of time after the scanner is turned on, the effective image range will not be redefined before scanning the document.