FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, generally relates to Multi Function Peripherals (MFPs). More specifically, the present invention relates to the facility of ID-card copy in the MFPs.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

A Multi Functional Peripheral (MFP) generally has a 'Favorite Copy' option on its menu. Under the 'Favorite Copy' option there is an option for 'ID-card Copy'. This option facilitates the user in copying his ID-card. Once a user puts the front side of his/her ID-card on the flat-bed of the MFP, the MFP scans and stores the front side of the ID-card. Thereafter, the MFP prompts the user to place the back-side of the ID-card on the flat-bed of the MFP. The MFP scans the back side and prints the front and back side of the ID-card on the same side of the paper.

Since most of the times the user has not gone through the complete user manual of the MFP, the user does not have an idea as to where he should place the ID-card on the flat-bed for copying. As a result, generally, the print out received is tilted or distorted or the edges get cut. Further, a lot of paper and the time of the user gets wasted on taking repeated print outs. The present invention has been designed to address these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention guides a user for getting a copy of his/her ID-card by projecting light and marking area on the flat-bed of the Multi Functional Peripheral (MFP) where the front and back side of the ID-card needs to be placed. This makes the interface between the MFP and the user more user-friendly.

The present invention provides a robust, reliable, and an efficient method for copying ID-card using the MFP.

The present invention marks the region with the help of a light beam projected on the flat-bed scanner of the MFP where the ID card has to be placed. This helps the user in knowing the exact place where he has to put his ID card. Further, this will prevent the copy of the ID card from getting tilted or distorted or getting cut at the sides.

Accordingly, the present invention explains a method for printing an ID-card of a user of a Multi Functional Peripheral (MFP), the method comprising:

a. Marking the area on the flat-bed of the MFP where the front and back side of the ID-card needs to be placed; and

b. Printing the front and back side of the ID-card on a page.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the ensuing drawing of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

Figure 1 depicts a flow chart illustrating the steps for copying an ID-card of a user using an MFP, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be explained. It should be understood however that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. The following drawing is not to be construed as limiting the invention and numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention, as the basis for the claims and as a basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to make and/or use the invention. However, in certain instances, well-known or conventional details are not described in order not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention in detail.

Figure 1 depicts a flow chart illustrating the steps for copying an ID-card of a user using an MFP, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The method includes prompting the user of a Multi Functional Peripheral (MFP) whether he wants to get the area marked for his/her ID-card on the flat-bed of the MFP or not. The user is prompted for this option once he selects the 'ID-card Copy' option on the 'Favorite Copy' menu option. If the user selects 'Yes', a markup light source will be turned ON and the area where the front side of the ID-card needs to be placed is marked on the flat-bed of the MFP. The area can be marked with the help of a projected light-beam. The light beam thereby marks the exact area where the front side of the ID-card needs to be placed. Once the front side of the ID-card is kept in the marked area, the MFP scans the front side of the ID-card and stores the scanned image in its memory. Thereafter, the area where the back side of the ID-card needs to be placed is marked on the flat-bed of the MFP. The user is prompted to place the back side of the ID-card in that area. The MFP scans the back side of ID-card and prints both the sides of the ID-card on a single sheet of paper.

In case the user is properly aware of the ID-card copy feature and knows for sure where the front and back side of the ID-card needs to placed, he can select 'No' option when he is prompted whether to mark the area or not. In this case the markup light source will be turned OFF.

In accordance with an embodiment, the present invention can be implemented by adding a markup light source in the MFP. This light source gets turned "ON" or "OFF" based on selection at the user interface. Further, the light source/light projector marks the exact area where the front side and back side of the ID-card need to be placed. Any other variation for marking up the area on the flat-bed of the MFP will be appreciated by a person ordinarily skilled in the art.

Various embodiments of the present invention facilitate a more user friendly ID-card copy option by guiding the user where the ID-card needs to be placed for copying. The method involves marking the area on the flat-bed of the MFP where the ID-card needs to be placed and prints the front and back side of the ID-card on the same page. The area where the user has to place his ID-card in the flat-bed of the MFP is marked with the help of a light projector. Since there is no major change required in the hardware of the MFP, the method is quite cheap and can be easily manufactured by the manufacturer. Further, the print out of the front and back side of the ID-card is well aligned. This makes the method more efficient and at the same time, saves the time of the user as he is now not required to repeatedly copy the ID-card for better alignment and orientation of the front and back side of his/her ID-card.

Although the present invention has been fully described in connection with the preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawing, it is to be noted that various changes and modifications are possible and are apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are to be understood as included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims unless they depart there from.

WE CLAIM

1. A method for printing an ID-card of a user of a Multi Functional Peripheral (MFP), the method comprising:

a. Marking the area on the flat-bed of the MFP where the front and back side of the ID-card needs to be placed; and

b. Printing the front and back side of the ID-card on a page.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the area for placing the front-side of the ID-card is marked before marking the area where the back-side needs to be placed.

3. The method of claim1 further comprising:

a. Placing the front side of the ID-card on the marked area on the flat bed of the MFP;
b. Scanning the front side of the ID-card;
c. Storing the scanned image in the memory of the MFP; and
d. Placing the back side of the ID-card on the marked area on the flat bed of the MFP.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

a. Asking the user if he needs the area for placing the ID-card to be marked; and
b. Marking the area when the user needs the area to be marked.

5. A Multi Functional Peripheral (MFP) comprising a light projector, the light projector projecting light on the flat-bed of the MFP to mark the area on the flat-bed where the front and back side of an ID-card needs to be placed for copying.

6. A method for printing an ID-card of a user of a Multi Functional Peripheral (MFP), substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.