JP2002135568A - Image forming method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically combine images of documents individually scanned onto one output medium. SOLUTION: This image forming method includes a step (a) where objects (20A-20E) are scanned and a memory (70) stores generated respective images (20Ai-20Ei) of the objects (20A-20E) and a step (b) where the images (20Ai-20Ei) are laid out on one output medium (25) with minimum user intervention or without any user intervention.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention generally relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to an arrangement of an input scan on an output medium of the image forming apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional document scanners and photocopiers generally include a letter size (8.5 × 11 inches), a legal size (8.5 × 14 inches), and an A4 size (210 × 297 mm). It is possible to scan or copy various fixed size documents. Small-sized input scanned documents can be accommodated by such devices, such as those employing flatbed scanning, or those in which an automatic document feeder (ADF) is configured to accommodate input documents of various sizes, The resulting copy / scan output is typically letter, legal,
Or, it is output to one of the conventional fixed size media sheets such as A4. Unfortunately, copying small documents to a full-size conventional output media sheet wastes output sheets, especially when copying multiple small documents separately to separate output sheets, such as a small sales receipt sheet. there is a possibility.

If the user wants to reduce the possibility of wasting output media sheets, a plurality of small documents are put together on a scan bed to fit as many documents as possible into a single output sheet. Can be arranged. However, such a process is difficult because the user must determine not only the number of small documents that will fit on one output sheet, but also the optimal placement of those documents on one or more output sheets. It's very time-consuming and frustrating. In addition, documents tend to slide around while placing other documents, or when the top of the scanbed is lowered over the document, so multiple small documents can be included in a single scan. There is a problem with holding in place. In addition, the contrast of each input document can vary considerably,
This may complicate the determination of the optimal copy / scan contrast setting.

In another situation, where the ADF is employed as the only input scan option, the user usually has no choice but to feed / scan / copy small documents one at a time to the ADF. In this configuration, each of the scanned small documents is copied onto one separate output media sheet, so there is no opportunity for the user to reduce waste of output media. Multiple small documents are simply
Cannot copy / scan on two output sheets.

[0005]

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an alternative solution for scanning and copying a plurality of small documents.

[0006]

According to the principles of the present invention in a preferred embodiment, an image forming apparatus and method automatically combines a plurality of images of an individually scanned document into one.
It is possible to combine it with one output medium. For example, scan multiple sales receipt documents separately,
These images are combined and arranged on one output medium. In a preferred embodiment, all documents are scanned before the image combining scheme is determined. In an alternative embodiment, each document image is logically combined without waiting for the next document scan.

[0007] Other objects, advantages and possibilities of the present invention will become more apparent as the description proceeds.

[0008]

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary document 20A, incorporating a multiple document combination manager 15 of the present invention.
20B, 20C, 20D, and 20E (20A-20
E) Scan (copy) multiple input objects
And images 20Ai and 20B obtained as a result of scanning
i, 20Ci, 20Di, 20Ei (20Ai-20E
1 is a high-level block diagram of a multi-function page printer 10 configured to arrange (combine) i) on one output page 25. FIG. Although the multi-function page printer 10 is shown and described as an electrophotographic (laser) printing device, those skilled in the art will appreciate, for example, digital copiers, stand-alone scanners (either directly connected to a computing system,
Or connected to a network), facsimile machine,
It should be noted that other image forming devices and systems, including ink jet printing devices, display devices, etc., will be understood to be equally conceivable with the present invention. Further, while documents 20A-20E are referred to as sheet media, it will be appreciated that other non-sheet media objects may be scanned as well and that each image may be processed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. further,
It can be seen that objects having more or less similar or dissimilar dimensions than 20A-20E are also possible for scanning in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

The multifunction page printer 10 is controlled by a microprocessor 30 which communicates with other elements of the system via a bus 35. The print engine controller 40 and the associated print engine 45
5 to provide print output performance to a multi-function page printer. For purposes of this description, print engine 45 is a laser printer that employs an electrophotographic drum imaging system known in the art. Scanner device 5
0 are also connected to the bus 35, such as the documents 20A-20E and their resulting images 20Ai-20Ei,
Receiving input objects and providing scanned input data to the system. The scanner 50 is a conventional scanning device that can scan an object such as a document and convert the object information into digital data for processing by the printer 10, particularly for processing by the multiple document combination manager 15 of the present invention. For purposes of this description, scanner 50 is a flatbed optical scanning device. However, other scanner devices and configurations are also conceivable, such as a hand-held scanner device and a sheet feed scanner device configured using an ADF input device. Control panel 55 allows a user to interactively interface with and control multifunction printer 10.

An input / output (I / O) port 60 provides communication between the page printer 10 and the host computer 65, receives page descriptions and other data from the host for print job processing, and Is provided to the host 65. As is conventional in the art, I / O port 60 may communicate directly (67) with host 65 or may communicate through a network communication path.

Dynamic random access memory (RAM) 7
0 provides the main storage of the page printer. For purposes of the present description, RAM 70 represents general-purpose memory and / or cache memory, both of which are associated with processor 30 and are well known in the art.

A read only memory (ROM) 75 holds firmware for controlling the operations of the microprocessor 30 and the page printer 10. Routines (code procedures, executable instructions, and / or data) stored in ROM 75 include routines necessary for operation of multifunction page printer 10, as are conventional in the art.
For example, a page print scheduler 80, a print engine manager 85, and a scanner controller 90 are included. ROM 75 and RAM 70 are examples of conventional computer-readable media, such as disk media (not shown), such as a compact disk (CD) or conventional flexible disk ("floppy" diskette).

Importantly, ROM 75 further comprises a multiple document combination manager 15 according to the present invention. The multiple document combination manager 15 separately scans one or more input objects, i.e., the documents 20A-20E, and obtains the resulting images 20Ai-
20Ei as one output medium 25 or document image 20A
It comprises code (procedures, executable instructions and / or data) that allows i-20Ei to be combined into a reasonably practical small number of output media 25 to fit.
Advantageously, this image combination is achieved with minimal to zero user intervention. In a preferred embodiment, the user uses the document scanner 50 generally separately,
In other words, it is understood that one manually scans the documents one at a time, so one simply uses the word minimal. Further, after scanning all documents, the user enters a command or signal into control panel 55 to confirm that the scan has been completed. But,
Subsequently, the actual combination of the document on the output medium 25 is
Multiple document combination manager 15 without user intervention
Is achieved completely automatically. Thus, in general, image combination is achieved with minimal to zero user intervention.

In particular, firmware routines 15, 8
0, 85, and 90 are referred to and described as being stored in the ROM 75, but if their functionality is desired, A
It can be seen that an SIC (not shown) may be implemented similarly. Further, although the output medium 25 is a printable material sheet in the described embodiment of FIG. 1, under the present invention, the resulting combined document image is linked to another output display medium, for example, a host 65. It can be understood that the information may be representatively displayed on the display device 95 (monitor) or the like.

2A-2E, these block diagrams illustrate a scanning device 50 (in this example, a flatbed scanner) according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
2 shows a snapshot of the memory 70 over time. In particular, a plurality of documents 20A to 20E are separately scanned by the scan bed 50 and stored in the memory 70.
Next, the stored scanned images 20Ai to 20Ei are evaluated with respect to each other and with respect to the dimensions of the output medium 25 described above as managed by the multiple document combination manager 15, and one output medium (or a valid, ie, A preferred combination method for outputting an image to the number of output media) 25 according to the combination configuration setting in the document combination manager 15 such as the outer margin parameter and the interval parameter between images is determined. Throughout this disclosure, references to the output of an image on a single output medium 25 will generally be:
It is understood that depending on the established combination configuration, the output of images to a reasonable number of output media is also implied.

Here, FIG. 2A shows how the first document 20A is scanned by the scanner 50 and the image 20Ai obtained as a result of the document 20A is transferred to the memory 70 (10
5) indicating whether the data is stored in the first available location according to the conventional memory storage technology. In this regard, image 2
0Ai is indicated in the memory 70 at a non-specific location. In particular, document 20A is shown at any location on scanbed 50 that the user would normally place when scanning an input document. In other words, the document 20A need not be adjacent to any particular edge of the image forming area of the scan bed 50, and need not be placed in any particular rotational perspective.

FIG. 2B shows how the second document 20B is then scanned by the scanner 50 and the resulting image 20Bi of the document 20B is transferred to the memory 70 (10
5) indicates whether it is stored in the second available location. Again, the document 20B is shown at any location on the scan bed 50 that the user would normally place when scanning an input document.

FIG. 2C shows how the third document 20C is then scanned by the scanner 50 and the resulting image 20Ci of the document 20C is transferred to the memory 70 (10
5), indicating whether it is stored in a third available location. In this example, the document 20C is a scan bed 5 that is typically performed when a user scans an input document.
Shown at any location on 0 and at any angle of rotation (regardless of whether the scan is performed with a flatbed scanner or with an ADF). Although the image 20Ci of the document 20C is shown and stored in the memory 70 at the same rotation angle as the scanned rotation angle, the document combination manager 15 requires the document scan manager 50 to store the image 20Ci in the memory 70 before the image 20Ci is stored. It can be seen that the image 20Ci can be easily rotated so as to be parallel to one side of the image area.

FIGS. 2D and 2E also show how a fourth document 20D and a fifth document 20E are respectively scanned by scanner 50, and the resulting images 20Di and 20Ei are transferred to memory 70, respectively. (105) to indicate whether it will be stored in the next available location.

Importantly, all documents 20A-20
After scanning and storing E, the document combination manager 15 determines a preferred combination method by which the multi-function printer 10 can output the images 20Ai to 20Ei to one output medium 25. Factors to be considered when deciding the combination method include the size of each document image, the size of the intended output medium 25, the margin, and the parameter set between images. For example, the intended output medium 25
Is a letter-size media sheet, the document combination manager 15 uses the size limiting factor of 8.5 × 11 inches (subtracting any non-image border areas that may be present in the print engine 45) to create a combination scheme. decide. Each of these parameters is preferably user configurable through a user interface and control panel 55 that communicates with the document combination manager 15 or a host 65 and display 95.

With respect to determining the dimensions of the document and the arrangement (combination) of the images, the preferred embodiment performs the following steps. That is, (i) input scanning is performed using contrast adjustment and threshold level detection, and then the edges of the document are detected; (ii) the dimensions of the document image are calculated and stored;
(Iii) calculate the rotation value of the document, rotate the document image so that at least one side is parallel to one side of the image forming area of the scan bed 50 (if necessary), and (iv)
For each document image, determine a rectangular area that completely surrounds the image, (v) evaluate combination parameters such as non-printable areas, margins, spacing, etc., and (vi) available locations on the logical map of output medium 25. And determine
(Vii) Compare the rectangular area of each image to a usable location and (viii) logically place (assign) the best matching image to that usable location for output media 25 generation.

This technique works well for adapting an image to an output medium, especially since many documents, such as sales receipts, that are considered for use under the principles of the present invention are actually rectangular in shape. Furthermore, this technique requires less computation time and resources than more complex techniques that do not use rectangular area evaluation, but rather use full-fit evaluation. More complex evaluations can actually more accurately match odd-shaped documents to odd-shaped available locations,
Trade-offs in computation time and requirements are system and market dependent.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A-3E, these block diagrams illustrate snapshots over time of scanner device 50 and memory 70 according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, each document 20A-20
As E is scanned separately, the multiple document combination manager 15 immediately acts on each image and combines it with the logical image 25i on the output medium 25. That is,
The combination manager 15 immediately proceeds to each scanned image 2
The dimensions 0Ai to 20Ei are determined, and the preferred combination method for outputting an image to one output medium 25 is immediately determined without waiting for scanning or evaluation of the remaining documents. Advantageously, this embodiment allows the actual logical combination to be performed at the same time as scanning the next document, and even before scanning the next document,
It is possible to make the whole combination faster.

FIG. 3A shows how the first document 20A is scanned by the scanner 50 and the resulting image 20Ai of the document 20A is transferred to the memory 70 (105) and is preferably located on the output medium 25. Indicates whether it is stored with the parameter identifying the combination location. The image representation 25i of the output medium 25 is shown in relation to the memory 70 merely to reveal the logical placement location of the document image 20Ai with respect to the intended output medium 25, where the placement location is the document image 20Ai.
Defined by parameters stored with Ai.
Obviously, the document image is not stored exactly as such, but rather a parameter describing the preferred location on the output medium 25 is stored in association with the image 20Ai.

In this embodiment, the document image 20Ai
As soon as it receives the
5 determines the preferred combined location for image 20Ai with respect to output media image 25i and, accordingly, outputs its relative or absolute preferred location to image 2Ai to output image 20Ai on output media 25.
Stored together with 0Ai. In this regard, the image 20Ai
Is shown in the memory 70 at the preferred output location for the output media image 25i without waiting for a scan of the other documents 20B-20E. The method of determining the preferred output location is that the available output locations of the output media image 25i are compared with only the current document image 20Ai, rather than with all document images (this is because the document image is still Is not stored in memory), which is achieved using similar steps as described with reference to FIGS. 2A-2E. In particular, again, document 20A is shown at any location on scan bed 50 that is typically performed when a user scans an input document.

FIG. 3B shows how the second document 20B is scanned by the scanner 50 and the resulting image 20Bi of the document 20B is transferred to the memory 70 (105), as shown for the output media image 25i. , Stored along with parameters identifying preferred locations for locations located on output media 25. Again, the document 20B is shown at any location on the scan bed 50 that is typically performed when a user scans an input document.

FIG. 3C shows how the third document 20C is scanned by the scanner 50 and the resulting image 20Ci of the document 20C is transferred to the memory 70 (105) for the output media image 25i. So that the output medium 2
5 is stored with a parameter identifying the preferred location for the location to be located. In this example, document 20C is shown at any location on scan bed 50 and at any angle of rotation that the user would normally place when scanning an input document. In particular, the image 20Ci of the document 20C is stored in the memory 70 with the input scan rotation angle corrected so that at least one side is parallel to one side of the image area of the rectangular scan bed 50.
And is shown in FIG. The rotation correction changes the available location on the output media image 25i to the document image 20Ci.
Before it is assigned, ie, assigned, by the combination manager 15.

FIGS. 3D and 3E also show how the fourth and fifth documents 20D and 20E are then scanned by the scanner 50, respectively, and the resulting images 20Di and 20Ei are transferred to the memory 70. (105), and as shown for the output media image 25i,
Indicates whether it is stored with parameters identifying preferred locations for locations located on output media 25.

Finally, when all the documents 20A to 20E are scanned and stored appropriately according to the analysis and control of the document combination manager 15, the multi-function printer 10 outputs the images 20Ai to 20Ei to one output medium 25 (110). ).

Next, referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3E,
In a further alternative embodiment, the multiple document combination manager 15 includes a contrast normalization mechanism that allows all of the images 20Ai to 20Ei to maintain substantially normalized contrast in the output document 25. This is because the document combination manager 15 determines that each of the documents 20A to 20A
Each input scan image 20Ai-20Ei of 20E is monitored and the resulting contrast value associated with each image is automatically converted to a normalized contrast value determined by evaluating the contrast values of all document images 20Ai-20Ei. It is achieved by changing to Importantly,
This allows the resulting output document 25 to have more uniform output quality contrast than is displayed as a collection of contrasts. The contrast normalization mechanism is optionally possible in any embodiment, including those described with reference to FIGS. 2A-3E.

In yet another alternative embodiment, the multiple document combination manager 15 maintains the input scan order of documents 20A-20E and causes each image 20Ai-20Ei to be output to output medium 25 in the same order as the input scan order. For example, following the order in which the images were scanned, in a defined manner, such as left-to-right and top-to-bottom like reading a book, or straight, regardless of any "best-fit" features associated with each image Each is placed on the output medium in some other predefined manner, such as from top to bottom. As another example, if not all of the document images 20Ai to 20Ei can fit on one output medium 25, a first document subset containing the document scanned first by the system is output to the first output medium. Then, the second document subset including the document scanned by the system is output to the second output medium.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the block diagram illustrates an exemplary control panel 55 of the multifunction printer 10.
The control panel 55 communicates with firmware in the ROM 75 and provides a configuration of buttons, switches, and / or menu displays that allow a user to operatively control the printer 10. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, control panel 55 includes a “GO” button 155 configured to allow processing of the print job to continue. A “CANCEL” button 160 is provided for canceling an ongoing print job or document combination job. A "COPY" button 165 allows the user to start a copy / scan job. "ME
The "RGE" button 170 allows the user to start and process the multi-document combination job and the multi-document combination manager 15 in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The control panel 55 further includes other user controls, options, message lights, and preferably a display 175.

In a preferred embodiment, "MERG
When a multiple document combination job is selected by pressing the “E” button 170, the document combination manager 15
Gives the user a “COPY” button 165 (FIGS. 2A to 3).
E), a message instructing to scan / copy the next document is displayed on the display 175.
To be generated. Specifically, after placing the document on the scanner 50, the user presses a “COPY” button 165. These steps are repeated for each document 20A-20E to be scanned. After scanning all the documents 20A to 20E, the user selects the “MERGE” button 170 again to complete the processing of the scanned images 20Ai to 20Ei. That is, the multiple document combination manager 15 actually combines the image with the output medium 25. In particular, when an ADF that automatically starts scanning / copying after detecting insertion of a document is employed, the “COP
Do not press the "Y" button 165.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a flow chart illustrates a preferred method of the present invention. In particular, for example, the preceding description regarding the potential nature of scanned objects, placement of documents on scanner 50, the number of documents that can be scanned, and logical combination criteria are all applicable here as well.

First, when the user selects the "MERGE" option 170 on the control panel 55 of the image forming apparatus 10, the operation of the multiple document combination manager 15 is started (205). Next, the document is scanned by the scanner device 5.
0, scanning / copying is performed, and the image is stored in the memory 70 (210). In contemplated embodiments, the document may be scannable, including, but not limited to, sales receipts, photographs, cropped images, greeting cards, or other objects preferably smaller in size than the selected output media 25. Any object. Further, contemplated embodiments scan the document without worrying about the accuracy of placement (or insertion into the ADF) on the document scanner 50 (210). This is because the document combination manager 15 compensates for any document placement inconsistencies, including relative location or rotation on the scanner. It should also be noted that the user may scan more than one document at a time during any scan / copy step 210 by placing one or more documents on the scanner 50 simultaneously. . In this situation, for any given scan process 210, multiple images are simultaneously stored in memory 70 (215). The user does not need to worry about the accuracy of the placement of one or more documents on the scanner 50, but can at any time consider the jarring that can occur when trying to combine a plurality of small documents with the scanner 50. There is one disadvantage.

If all the documents intended to be scanned have not been scanned yet, in other words, if there are more documents to be scanned (220), the previous steps 210, 215 are repeated until all the documents have been scanned. This process allows the user to store a plurality of unique size documents in memory 70 separately or collectively in preparation for combining the document images with one or more output media 25.

When all documents are scanned (22
0) For example, when the "MERGE" button 170 is pressed again, the document combination manager 15 determines a reference for logically combining the document image with one or more output media 25 (225). In a preferred embodiment, the logical combination comprises: (i) determining a contrast level associated with each image, assigning a normalized contrast level across all images,
(Ii) detecting and evaluating the dimensions of the edges of the image; (iii)
Determine the rotation value of the image, rotate the image (if necessary) so that at least one side of the image is parallel to one side of the image forming area of the scan bed 50, and (iv) complete the correctly rotated image Determine the rectangular area surrounding
(V) Determine combination parameters such as unprintable area, margin, interval, etc., (vi) determine available locations on the logical map of the output medium, and (vii) compare the rectangular area of each image with the available locations And (viii) assigning the available location to the image for subsequent physical image generation on the output medium 25.

In particular, the steps of logically combining
This is done for one or more logical media, depending on the number of documents to be scanned and how many of these document images fit on one output medium. For example, if ten small documents are scanned, but the document combination manager 15 determines that only seven of each image fit on one output medium 25, the seven images will be Allocated and output, and the remaining three images are allocated and output to the next output medium (assuming that the next three images match the next output medium. The sheet is further divided and output to one or more additional output media).

The logical combination is completed (225)
Later, for example, the print engine 4 of the multi-function printer 10
The image is output to the next output medium 25 according to the conventional image forming technique embodied in 5 (230). If there are more images than can fit on one output medium (23
5) Combine all images on multiple output media /
Until output (235), combination step 225,
Repeat 230.

Referring now to FIG. 6, this flowchart illustrates an alternative method of the present invention. In particular, for example, the preceding description regarding the potential nature of scanned objects, placement of documents on scanner 50, the number of documents that can be scanned, and logical combination criteria are all applicable here as well.

First, when the user selects the "MERGE" option 170 on the control panel 55 of the image forming apparatus 10, the operation of the multiple document combination manager 15 is started (305). Next, the document is scanned by the scanner device 5.
0 to scan / copy (310) and store the image in memory 70
(315).

Next, the document combination manager 15
A criterion for logically combining the document image with the output medium 25 is determined (320). Since not all of the documents have been scanned yet, not all images are stored and the document combination manager 15 does its best to infer the logical placement of the images on the output medium.

The logical combination criterion was determined (32
0) later, if the output medium is not logically full of the previously scanned image (325) and not all documents have been scanned (330) (ie, the "MERGE" button 170 is pressed again). If not, the steps are repeated to scan for additional documents (310), store the images (315), and determine criteria for logically combining the images (3).
20).

When it is detected that the output medium is logically full of images (325) or that there are no more documents to scan (330), these images are actually combined with the next output medium 25. (335). After actually combining the images (335), if there are more documents to scan (340), the entire process is repeated.

In summary, the present invention provides for combining multiple document images on one or more output media in an image forming apparatus. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention is readily implemented utilizing any of a variety of components and tools existing in the art. Although the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it will be appreciated that alternative embodiments and methods of implementation or modification may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a multi-function page printer embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating a snapshot over time of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2B is a block diagram illustrating a snapshot over time of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2C is a block diagram illustrating a snapshot over time of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2D is a block diagram illustrating a snapshot over time of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2E is a block diagram illustrating a snapshot over time of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a block diagram illustrating a snapshot over time of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3B is a block diagram illustrating a snapshot over time of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3C is a block diagram illustrating a snapshot over time of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3D is a block diagram illustrating a snapshot over time of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3E is a block diagram illustrating a snapshot over time of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a control panel of the multi-function page printer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a preferred method of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an alternative method of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Image Forming Apparatus 15 Multiple Document Combination Manager 20A-20E Document 20Ai-20Ei Image 25 Output Medium 45 Image Forming Engine 50 Document Scanner 65 Host 70 Memory

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2C087 AA03 AA09 AB01 AC07 AC08 BA03 BB10 BD07 CA02 CB20 2H027 DB01 FA35 FA37 FB05 FB12 FB19 FD01 FD03 FD08 GA43 5C076 AA17 AA19 AA24 BA03 BA06

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An apparatus comprising: (a) scanning a plurality of objects and generating respective images of the objects in a memory; and (b) outputting the plurality of images into one sheet with minimal or zero user intervention. Placing on a medium. 2. A computer readable medium having executable instructions configured to automatically place a plurality of individually scanned object images on a single output medium. 3. An output medium of the image forming apparatus with: (a) scanning a plurality of input objects and generating a plurality of images of each of the input objects in a memory; and (b) with minimal or zero user intervention. Determining an arrangement of the plurality of images so that they are together within dimensions associated with the image formation; and (c) displaying the plurality of images in an arrangement associated with an output display medium. Method. 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising adjusting a contrast of each of the images such that a substantially normalized contrast is achieved over the plurality of images. 5. The method of claim 3, wherein the output display medium comprises a physical media sheet. 6. The method of claim 3, wherein said output display medium comprises a display device. 7. The method of claim 3, wherein said output media comprises a physical media sheet. 8. If the determining step determines that the plurality of images cannot co-exist in a dimension associated with one of the output media, the plurality of images may co-exist in a dimension associated with the output media. The method of claim 3, further comprising determining an arrangement of the subset of images. 9. An image forming engine and a memory, and (b) a plurality of object images which are individually scanned on one output medium output from the image forming engine and stored in the memory. Executable instructions configured to be automatically located. 10. A scanner device configured to generate a plurality of images representing a plurality of scanned input objects, and (b) coexisting within dimensions associated with an output medium of the image forming device. An image forming system, comprising: a combination manager configured to logically arrange the plurality of images.