End-of-scan reporting system

Abstract

A reporting system capable of reporting the end of a scanning session to a user through existing computer peripheral devices is proposed. By reporting at the end of a scanning session, the user can proceed with subsequent scanning operations with no delay. Hence, idle time of the scanner is greatly reduced.

1. A method of reporting an end of a scanning session to a user, comprising the steps of:
 selecting a peripheral device capable of reporting the end of a scanning session to the user; and    notifying the user through the selected peripheral device after a series of scanning tasks has ended.    
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the peripheral device includes a sound card capable of emitting sound. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the peripheral device includes a loudspeaker installed inside a computer. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the peripheral device includes a network card capable of transmitting electronic mail to a mailbox of the user. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the peripheral device includes a digital data recorder capable of dialing a telephone number. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the peripheral device includes a digital data recorder capable of dialing a pager number. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the peripheral device includes a digital data recorder capable of dialing a mobile telephone number. 
     
     
       8. A method of reporting an end of a scanning session to a user, comprising the steps of :
 using a computer to detect how many peripheral devices are available for reporting the end of a scanning session to the user;  
 selecting at least a peripheral device to report the end of a scanning session to the user;  
 performing all scanning tasks in a scanning session;  
 notifying the user, through the selected peripheral device, that a series of scanning tasks has ended; and  
 determining if a scanning operation is waiting, wherein if a scanning operation is waiting, the method jumps to the step of  said selecting at least a the peripheral device, and if no scanning operation is waiting, the scanning operation is terminated.  
 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the peripheral device includes a sound card capable of emitting sound. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the peripheral device includes a loudspeaker installed inside a computer. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the peripheral device includes a network card capable of transmitting electronic mail to a mailbox of a user. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the peripheral device includes a digital data recorder capable of dialing a telephone number. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the peripheral device includes a digital data recorder capable of dialing a pager number. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the peripheral device includes a digital data recorder capable of dialing a mobile telephone number. 
     
     
       15. A method of reporting an end of a scanning session to a user, comprising:
   selecting a peripheral device to report the end of a scanning session to the user;        performing scanning tasks in a scanning session;        notifying the user, through the selected peripheral device, that a series of scanning tasks has ended; and        determining if a scanning operation is waiting, wherein if a scanning operation is waiting, the method further includes performing the scanning operation, and if no scanning operation is waiting, the scanning operation is terminated.     
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , further comprising using a computer to detect how many peripheral devices are available for reporting the end of a scanning session to the user. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 15 , wherein said selecting a peripheral device comprises selecting a peripheral device capable of making a sound to report to a user the ending of a scanning session; and wherein said notifying comprises notifying the user of the ending of a scanning session through the selected peripheral device via sound. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 15 , wherein said selecting a peripheral device comprises selecting a peripheral device capable of sending electronic mail to report to a user the ending of a scanning session; and wherein said notifying comprises notifying the user of the ending of a scanning session through the selected peripheral device via electronic mail. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 15 , wherein said selecting a peripheral device comprises selecting a peripheral device capable of making a call to report to a user the ending of a scanning session; and wherein said notifying comprises notifying the user of the ending of a scanning session through the selected peripheral device via a call. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 19 , wherein said notifying comprises dialing a telephone number, dialing a pager number, or dialing a mobile telephone number. 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 15 , further comprising initiating the series of scanning tasks by the user. 
     
     
       22. A method, comprising:
   using a computer to detect how many peripheral devices are available for reporting the end of a scanning session to a user for deciding the starting, ending or waiting for a scanning, session or performing a new scanning session;        selecting at least a peripheral device, wherein the peripheral device can send an information, make a sound or call for reporting the end of a scanning session to the user;        performing all scanning tasks in a scanning session;        notifying the user, through the selected peripheral device, that a series of scanning, tasks has ended; and        determining if a scanning operation is waiting, wherein if a scanning operation is waiting, the method jumps to said selecting at least a peripheral device, and if no scanning operation is waiting, the scanning operation is terminated.     
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 22 , wherein said selecting a peripheral device comprises selecting a peripheral device capable of making a sound to report to a user the ending of a scanning session; and wherein said notifying comprises notifying the user of the ending of a scanning session through the selected peripheral device via sound. 
     
     
       24. The method of  claim 22 , wherein said selecting a peripheral device comprises selecting a peripheral device capable of sending electronic mail to report to a user the ending of a scanning session; and wherein said notifying comprises notifying the user of the ending of a scanning session through the selected peripheral device via electronic mail. 
     
     
       25. The method of  claim 22 , wherein said selecting a peripheral device comprises selecting a peripheral device capable of making a call to report to a user the ending of a scanning session; and wherein said notifying comprises notifying the user of the ending of a scanning session through the selected peripheral device via a call. 
     
     
       26. The method of  claim 25 , wherein said notifying comprises dialing a telephone number, dialing a pager number, or dialing a mobile telephone number. 
     
     
       27. The method of  claim 22 , further comprising initiating the series of scanning tasks by the user. 
     
     
       28. A computer- readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions that, if executed, comprising:      selecting a peripheral device capable of reporting the end of a scanning session to the user;        notifying the user through the selected peripheral device that a series of scanning tasks has ended; and        determining if a scanning operation is waiting, repeating said selecting of the peripheral device if a scanning operation is waiting, and terminating the scanning operation if no scanning operation is waiting.     
     
     
       29. A computer- readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions that, if executed, comprising:      selecting a peripheral device capable of reporting the end of a scanning session to the user;        notifying the user through the selected peripheral device that a series of scanning tasks has ended;        detecting one or more peripheral devices available for reporting the end of a scanning session to the user;        performing all scanning tasks in a scanning session; and        determining if a scanning operation is waiting, repeating said selecting of the peripheral device if a scanning operation is waiting, and terminating the scanning operation if no scanning operation is waiting.