Compaq ImageReader Express User Manual

ImageReader Express

Compact Color Flatbed Scanner

User’s Guide

P/N DOC-FB4B

799250

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Info
580 Division Street
Campbell CA, 95008
Phone [phone] • Fax [phone]

Copyright © 1996 – 1997 All rights reserved. No portion of this
document may be reproduced without prior written authorization.

The Info Technician
Copyright © 1994 – 1997 All Rights Reserved

The material in this document is for informational purposes only and is
subject to change without notice. The manufacturer assumes no
responsibility for errors or omissions in this document, nor any
damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.

Info and ImageReader Express are trademarks of Info Peripherals. Any
other trademarks, registration marks, or brand names mentioned
within this publication are the property of their respective owners.

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Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Introduction ..................................... 1 - 1

Welcome ........................................ 1 - 1

Using this manual ............................ 1 - 1

Assistance ................................. 1 - 1

What is TWAIN? ................................... 1 - 1

A note about application s o f t w a r e ................ 1 - 2

Package contents ................................. 1 - 3

System requirements ............................... 1 - 3

Chapter 2

Scanner Installation and Info Technician ............... 2 - 1

Installation ....................................... 2 - 1

Connecting the scanner ....................... 2 - 1

Using the pass-through ........................ 2 - 1

The Info Technician ................................. 2 - 2

Installing the device driver ...................... 2 - 2

Installing the application software ....................... 2 - 2

Chapter 3

Using your scanner ............................... 3 - 1

Scanning features and controls ........................ 3 - 1

Hardware features ........................... 3 - 1

Software controls ............................ 3 - 2

Scanning images .................................. 3 - 6

Select the TWAIN source ...................... 3 - 8

The scanning process ......................... 3 - 9

Other scanning features ....................... 3 - 9

Appendix A

General Scanning Tips................................................................A-1

Troubleshooting ................................. A-1

Printer Problems................................................................A-2

Error Messages...................................................................A-3

Scanner care ............................... A-5

FCC radio frequency interference statement ............... A-5

Limited two year warranty ............................ A-6

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1-1

Chapter 1

Introduction

Welcome

Thank you for purchasing the Info ImageReader Express Scanner. This
product is the result of our efforts to develop high technology
computer peripherals that are easy to use, affordably priced, and that
enhance your computing experience.

Using

this

manual

This manual includes complete instructions for scanner installation,
use, and maintenance. Note that “use,” in this context, refers to
scanner operation independent of the task performed with the
application software. This guide is organized in a “do as you read”
format. For best results, perform the tasks as they are presented.

This manual assumes that you have a basic understanding of the DOS
and Windows operating system. As a convention, this guide presents
all references to guide names or sections in

italics,

and commands

you must type at a command line are presented in a different typeface.

Assistance

If you experience difficulties and cannot find solutions within this
guide, please contact Info’s Technical Support Department at (800)
777-3280, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM,
Pacific time. If you wish, you may fax questions to [phone], or
email questions to [e-mail]. Provide a fax number or
email address for return contact. We maintain a BBS at (408) 538­2580 that contains the latest updates to our software, as well as a
web site at www.infoconnection.com, and fax back system at (408)
538-2585.

What is TWAIN?

TWAIN is the interface that links the scanner with scanning software
applications. TWAIN is an industry standard that enables you to use
the ImageReader with any TWAIN-compliant software application.

1-2

With the introduction of Windows 95, the TWAIN specification has
been overhauled to take advantage of the 32-bit architecture. When
you install our scanner driver under Windows 95, you will have two
TWAIN sources — one for 16-bit applications and one for 32-bit
applications. Use the following as a guide to select the appropriate
source.

16-bit applications are legacy Windows 3.x programs that you are
running under Windows 95. InfoCenter and Image Pals 2 GO!
image editor are 16-bit applications.

32-bit applications are programs specifically designed for
Windows 95, to take advantage of performance enhancements
provided by the new architecture.

You may experience scanning problems if you do not use the
appropriate source before scanning.

There is no change to the TWAIN source for Windows 3.x users. Only
the 16-bit TWAIN source is installed.

A note

about

application software

The scanner hardware by itself is not very useful. It takes a combination
of the scanner hardware and application software to perform any task.
Before you begin scanning, you need to choose the appropriate
application to use for the task at hand. Please read this section to gain
an understanding of the types of scanning software there are.

Scanning software generally falls into two groups, Graphics (image
editing), or OCR (Optical Character Recognition). Each type has
specific features designed to address the technical challenges faced in
the scanning of graphics or of text.

Graphics: Software provides the user with image editing tools for
performing extensive modifications to art, photographs, or other
continuous tone images. While having the ability to scan text, unlike
OCR software it is not designed to specifically identify individual
characters. Any image scanned using a graphics program can only be
saved in a graphics file format (i.e. TIFF or JPEG). It cannot be saved as
an editable text file. Your scanner package contains Image Pals 2GO!
image editing software to facilitate your image editing requirements.

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OCR: Software in this category is designed to recognize alphanumeric
characters in preparation for export to word processing and desktop
publishing applications. In other terms, it creates text files. OCR
software will not provide image editing capabilities. If there is no
intention of editing a given piece of text (with or without graphics), it
may be simpler to scan and save it as a graphic. OCR is one of many
scanning control features included in the InfoCenter application
software.

Additional types of applications are available that offer solutions for
special or unique tasks. These include document storage, form
scanning, fax utilities, copy utilities, custom screen saver creation,
photo album creation, and so on. If applications are intended to link
directly to the scanning device, look for the TWAIN-compliant
specification. If compliant, they are compatible with Info ImageReader
scanners.

Package

contents

Verify that all materials have been received before setting up and using
your scanner. This package contains:

• ImageReader Express scanner

• Interface cable

• Power adapter

• Quick Start Guide

• This User’s Guide

• Info’s System Software CD-ROM including installation
and application software

• Scanner registration card

System

requirements

System requirements are largely dependent on the “work” performed.
By work, we are referring to the task or operation performed using the
scanner in conjunction with application software.

1-4

Because scanners are capable of inputting large amounts of data in
relatively short periods of time, they commonly push computer
systems to the limits of their capabilities. Before beginning any
scanning task or operation, carefully consider your system’s
processing capabilities, especially processor speed, RAM, and
available hard disk space. OCR processes, fax operations, and the
processing of simple black & white graphics are least demanding.
High resolution scanning of large images in full color creates an
extreme demand for processor time and memory.

When you are scanning with the TWAIN interface, the number labeled
image size (calculated in bytes) provides the working file size that is
the result of the selected scanning mode, resolution, and image size.
Take careful note of this information.

Minimum and recommended system requirements are:

• 486 processor or 100% compatible

• DOS 5.0 or later with Windows 3.1x, or higher

• CD-ROM drive

• 8 MB RAM minimum; 16 MB RAM recommended

• 10 MB available hard disk space; 50 MB recommended

• VGA/SVGA monitor with at least 256 color capability, 24 Bit True
Color recommended

• Enhanced Parallel port

2-1

Chapter 2

Scanner Installation and Info Technician

Installation

Installation of the scanner is comprised of few steps and designed to
be as easy as possible. The following instructions walk you through
connecting the scanner and cable. It is important to note that both the
scanning hardware and its supporting software (e.g. Info Technician
and the included applications) must be installed in order for the
scanner to operate.

Connecting the scanner

Attach the female connector of the interface cable to the port on the
scanner labeled Host. Place the scanner unit in the desired location,
and route the interface cable to the computer in such a way as to
assure it is safe from possible damage due to pinching or crimping.
Insert the male connector on the cable into the parallel port on your
computer. The cable can only be inserted one way — do not force a
connection.

Important: The scanner will not function until the device driver is
installed. This is loaded when you run the Info Technician, described
later in this chapter.

Using the pass-through

This scanner is equipped with an additional port for connecting your
printer or other parallel device. This way, two devices can share the
parallel port, and you won’t be inconvenienced by having to switch
cables when you want to use one or the other.

To use the pass-through port, connect the printer’s cable to the port
labeled Printer on the back of the scanner. Both the scanner and the
printer are now sharing the parallel port and can be used at any time,
except in tandem.