US5650799A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Programmable function keys for a networked imaging computer system
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1994-04-15
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Granted: 1997-07-22
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Expires: 2014-04-15
Abstract
Abstract A personal imaging computer system (PICS) is connected to a local area network (LAN) and includes a plurality of programmable function keys which can be programmed over the LAN by remote LAN users from their workstations. Once programmed, manipulation of the function keys causes the PICS equipment to perform at least one of plural selectable image-processing tasks. Preferably, the programmable function keys are divided into two groups, one of the groups being restricted to programming by the network administrator only, and the other group having unrestricted programming by any LAN user. The PICS equipment includes a display which displays an image of the plural function keys, and in response to operator selection on the display of a displayed image of one of those plural function keys, the function performed by that key is also displayed. When the physical function key itself is manipulated, the PICS equipment executes the programmed imaging-processing tasks.
Inventors
- 👤 Roger D. Melen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 15:22
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T1/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
An imaging computer system comprising: imaging computer means which is connectable to a scanner and to a local area network (LAN), said imaging computer means for performing selectable tasks including scanning tasks for scanning in documents to create document images and image-processing tasks for performing image processing on the document images; and a plurality of programmable function keys on said imaging computer means, each of said function keys being programmable over the LAN to perform selected ones of the scanning tasks and the image-processing tasks of said imaging computer means, and each of said function keys being manipulable by an operator so as to cause said imaging computer means to chain together the selected scanning tasks and the selected image-processing tasks and perform the selected scanning tasks and the selected image-processing tasks.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
An imaging computer system comprising: imaging computer means which is connectable to a scanner and to a local area network (LAN), said imaging computer means for performing selectable tasks including scanning tasks for scanning in documents to create document images and image-processing tasks for performing image processing on the document images; and a plurality of programmable function keys on said imaging computer means, each of said function keys being programmable over the LAN to perform selected ones of the scanning tasks and the image-processing tasks of said imaging computer means, and each of said function keys being manipulable by an operator so as to cause said imaging computer means to chain together the selected scanning tasks and the selected image-processing tasks and perform the selected scanning tasks and the selected image-processing tasks.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of programmable function keys are partitioned into at least two groups, wherein the first group is restricted to programming over the LAN only by a network administrator for the LAN and wherein the second group is unrestrictedly programmable over the LAN by any LAN user.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said image-processing tasks include tasks to retrieve document images from the LAN, to recognition-process character images in the document images, and to store text files to the LAN.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
A system according to claim 1, further comprising display means for displaying an image of said plural function keys, wherein in response to operator selection of a displayed image of one of said plural function keys, said display means displays the function performed by that key.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system according to claim 4, wherein, with the image of each of said plural function keys, said display means displays an identification of that key.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system according to claim 5, wherein said identification comprises an identification of the user that programmed the key.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
An imaging computer system according to claim 1, further comprising the scanner for providing scanned image data to the imaging computer system, wherein the imaging computer system uses the scanner and the scanned image data to perform the selected scanning tasks and the selected image-processing tasks.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
107 words
Image processing method for an imaging computer system connected to a local area network (LAN) comprising the steps of: programming over the LAN one of plural programmable function keys on said imaging computer system, the programmable function keys being programmed to cause the imaging computer system to perform selectable ones of plural tasks which include inputting tasks for inputting document images and image-processing tasks for performing image processing on the document images; and in response to manipulation of a function key, chaining together the selected inputting tasks and the selected image-processing tasks and performing the selected inputting tasks and the selected image-processing tasks programmed by that key.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
107 words
Image processing method for an imaging computer system connected to a local area network (LAN) comprising the steps of: programming over the LAN one of plural programmable function keys on said imaging computer system, the programmable function keys being programmed to cause the imaging computer system to perform selectable ones of plural tasks which include inputting tasks for inputting document images and image-processing tasks for performing image processing on the document images; and in response to manipulation of a function key, chaining together the selected inputting tasks and the selected image-processing tasks and performing the selected inputting tasks and the selected image-processing tasks programmed by that key.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method according to claim 7, wherein the programmable function keys are divided into at least two groups, and wherein programmable function keys in the first group are restricted to programming over the LAN by a network administrator for said LAN, whereas programmable function keys in the second group are unrestricted and can be programmed over the LAN by any network user.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 9, wherein said image-processing tasks include tasks to retrieve document images from the LAN, to recognition-process character images in the document images, and to store text files to the LAN.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method according to claim 8, further comprising the steps of: displaying an image of said plural programmable function keys on said personal imaging computer system; and in response to selection of a displayed image of one of said displayed function keys, displaying functions performed by that key.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 11, wherein in said displaying step, with the image of each of said plural function keys, an identification of that key is displayed.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 12, wherein said identification comprises an identification of the user that programmed the key.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
An image processing method according to claim 8, wherein said inputting tasks comprise scanning a document to obtain image data representing the document.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-07-21 | 2001-01-20 | 2001-07-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-07-21 | 2005-01-20 | 2005-07-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-07-21 | 2009-01-20 | 2009-07-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |