US5664076A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for making a scannable form on a blank sheet
Assignee: PLUTA KAREN ANN
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Filing: 1994-12-27
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Granted: 1997-09-02
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Expires: 2014-12-27
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for forming a scannable form on a blank sheet from a data file. A computer is operated thereby signaling a printer to print a scannable form having a series of timing marks and further having data derived from the data file including a plurality of indicators of spaces to be optionally marked for scanning. Each of the indicators is aligned with one of the timing marks and with a scan head position for scanning of marked indicator spaces in order that the form as printed by the printer may advantageously be in finished scannable form. The data including the plurality of indicators is preferably heuristically best-fitted for printing on the form.
Inventors
- 👤 Karen Ann Pluta
- 👤 Jacob Matthew Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:59
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K17/00; G06K17/0032; G06K19/00; G06K19/06; G06K19/06009
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
A method for forming a scannable form from a data file comprising operating a computer thereby (a) signaling a printer to print on a blank sheet of paper a series of timing marks along with data derived from the data file including a plurality of indicators of spaces to be optionally marked for scanning, and (b) aligning each of the indicators with one of the timing marks and with a scan head position for scanning of marked indicator spaces, wherein the step of aligning comprises providing horizontal and vertical grid lines to be aligned with the timing marks and scan head positions respectively with the vertical grid lines positioned relative to the position of the timing marks and positioning the indicators at the positions respectively of intersection of grid lines.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
130 words
A method for forming a scannable form from a data file comprising operating a computer thereby (a) signaling a printer to print on a blank sheet of paper a series of timing marks along with data derived from the data file including a plurality of indicators of spaces to be optionally marked for scanning, and (b) aligning each of the indicators with one of the timing marks and with a scan head position for scanning of marked indicator spaces, wherein the step of aligning comprises providing horizontal and vertical grid lines to be aligned with the timing marks and scan head positions respectively with the vertical grid lines positioned relative to the position of the timing marks and positioning the indicators at the positions respectively of intersection of grid lines.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising snapping data objects to be aligned with grid lines.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising heuristically best-fitting the data including the plurality of indicators for printing on the form.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein the step of best-fitting the data comprises setting minimum sizes of objects, fitting objects into area restraints, fitting objects into rows, and fitting objects into pages.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising operating the computer thereby marking all of the indicators on the form and defining the indicators to a scanner.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
131 words
Apparatus for forming a scannable form from a data file comprising a computer including (a) means for signaling a printer to print on a blank sheet of paper a series of timing along with data derived from a data file including a plurality of indicators to be optionally marked for scanning, and (b) means for aligning each of the indicators with one of the timing marks and with a scan head position for scanning of marked indicator spaces, said aligning means comprising means for inputting horizontal and vertical grid lines to be aligned with the timing marks and scan head positions respectively with the vertical grid lines positioned relative to the position of the timing marks and means for positioning the indicators at the positions respectively of intersection of grid lines.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
131 words
Apparatus for forming a scannable form from a data file comprising a computer including (a) means for signaling a printer to print on a blank sheet of paper a series of timing along with data derived from a data file including a plurality of indicators to be optionally marked for scanning, and (b) means for aligning each of the indicators with one of the timing marks and with a scan head position for scanning of marked indicator spaces, said aligning means comprising means for inputting horizontal and vertical grid lines to be aligned with the timing marks and scan head positions respectively with the vertical grid lines positioned relative to the position of the timing marks and means for positioning the indicators at the positions respectively of intersection of grid lines.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 further comprising means for snapping data objects in alignment with grid lines.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 further comprising means for heuristically best-fitting the data including the plurality of indicators for printing on the form.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said best-fitting means comprises means for setting minimum sizes of objects, means for fitting objects into area restraints, means for fitting objects into rows, and means for fitting objects into pages.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said computer further includes means for marking all of the indicators on the form whereby the form may be defined to a scanner.
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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) | 2000-09-01 | 2001-03-03 | 2001-09-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-09-01 | 2005-03-03 | 2005-09-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-09-01 | 2009-03-03 | 2009-09-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |