Module 4 - Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
Kofax Technical Training Page 1
Module 4Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
Slide 2 Module 4 -- Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
Scanner Configuration
and Kofax VRS
• The Scanner Configurator
• Connecting a scanner
• Using the Scanner Configuration Utility
• Image concepts
• Introduction to Kofax VirtualReScan (VRS)
• Properties & profiles
• Introduction to VRS Test Application
Slide 3 Module 4 -- Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
The Scanner Configurator
http://www.kofax.com | Services | Support | Tools | Scanner Configurator
The Scanner Configurator provides valuable
information regarding component compatibility, OS and software version
requirements, and links to manufacturer’s web sites.
Module 4 - Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
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Slide 4 Module 4 -- Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
Certified versus Non-certified Scanners
•Scanners are certified by Kofax to work with Kofax Capture. (Refer to the Scanner Configurator on the Kofax Web site (www.kofax.com) for the list of certified scanners).
•Less than optimum image quality may be experienced when using a non-certified scanner with Kofax Capture.
•Not every scanner can be used with Kofax Capture.
•To be compatible for use with Kofax VRS Capture, non-certified scanners must meet the following requirements:Ability to output a 8-bit grayscale or 24-bit color image as a
single image
TWAIN driver or ISIS driver support
Slide 5 Module 4 -- Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
Connecting a Scanner
• When using Kofax Capture, multiple options for connecting the scanner include:
• SCSI card
• USB connected scanner
• In either case, consult the scanner’s documentation and/or the Kofax installation documentation for specific details.
• Drivers for the scanner will need to be installed on the system. Options include the CD that comes with the scanner or downloading over the Internet (from the scanner manufacturer’s Web site).
Slide 6 Module 4 -- Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
Steps to Setting up a Scan Source Device
Follow these steps to configure the default scan source:
1. Make sure Kofax Capture is installed and license activation is complete.
2. Verify that the necessary scanner driver has been installed on the computer. There are two options for accomplishing this:
a) From the CD that is shipped with the scanner
b) Download from the scanner manufacturer’s Web site
Module 4 - Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
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Slide 7 Module 4 -- Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
Run the Scanner Configuration Utility
3. Open the Scanner Configuration Utility from the Kofax Capture program group.
Slide 8 Module 4 -- Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
Select the Scanner Make
4. From the “Available image devices” list, expand the Scanners node to locate the make of the scanner being configured.
Slide 9 Module 4 -- Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
Select the Scanner Model
5. Expand the manufacturer node to locate and select the model of the scanner.
Module 4 - Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
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Slide 10 Module 4 -- Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
Select a Configured Source
6. Click “Set as Default,” accomplishing the following:
A. Creates a set of standard scanner sources
B. Sets the selected scanner as the default scanner
C.Sets the default source for the scanner
D.Sets default image processing properties
Slide 11 Module 4 -- Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
Customizing a Scanner Configuration
• Using the Scanner Configuration Utility, additional scanner sources can be configured.
Slide 12 Module 4 -- Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
Setting Scanner Properties
• Using the Scanner Configuration Utility, new sources can be created, properties can be modified, and sources can be deleted.
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Slide 13 Module 4 -- Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
Image Concepts
• First, let’s examine some image file characteristics…
• A color image• True color
• 24 bits/pixel
• A grayscale image• 256 levels of gray
• 8 bits/pixel
• A binary image• A black & white image
• 1 bit/pixel
• Very efficient file format
A pixel (picture element) is the smallest item of information in an image
Slide 14 Module 4 -- Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
Thresholding
Threshold Level 15
Threshold Level 35
Threshold Level 55
Threshold Level 75
• Thresholding: The percentage of black pixels deleted for the conversion of a multi-bit grayscale or color image into a single bit/pixel, binary black and white image.
Threshold 15 Threshold 35 Threshold 55 Threshold 75 Threshold 95
Slide 15 Module 4 -- Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
Thresholding Results
24-bit color imageSingle-bit B&W Simple
Thresholding
• This concept of simple thresholding results in a compromise.
• At any threshold level, there is always some content sacrificed.
• Kofax Capture and Kofax VRS provide thresholdingtechnology that preserves the highest percentage of original content with minimal compromises.
Single-bit B&W VRS Dynamic Edge Thresholding
Module 4 - Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
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• Kofax VirtualReScan (VRS) is image enhancement technology providing:
• The best quality images
• With minimum effort
• Representing all the content of the original
• With the smallest file size possible
• Kofax VRS is an agent• Watching the status of the scanner (out of paper, paper jam,
connection, etc.) and guiding the end user to resolve hardware issues.
• Checking image quality continuously.
• Kofax VRS Elite is silently installed with Kofax Capture
Slide 16 Module 4 -- Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
Introduction to Kofax VirtualReScan (VRS)
REMEMBER: At least a Basic VRS license is required to make use of any Kofax VRS features with Kofax Capture.
Slide 17 Module 4 -- Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
Kofax VRS Variations
• Kofax VRS is provided in two variations:
• Software VRS – (SVRS) all VRS capabilities are software based and run on the PC.
• Hardware VRS – (HVRS) required for high-speed, production class scanners in which a special board is installed to support VRS functionality.
Hardware VRS Software VRS
Slide 18 Module 4 -- Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
The Kofax VRS Process
Batch is scanned using Kofax VRS source scanner.
Kofax VRS creates a multi-bit per pixel
image (8-bit grayscale or 24-bit
color).
Kofax VRS performs image
clean-up and manipulation on
the multi-bit image.
Kofax VRS performs
thresholding, converting the
multi-bit image to a 1-bit per pixel
bitonal TIFF image.
1-bit per pixel bitonal TIFF image is made available to Kofax Capture
for further processing.
Module 4 - Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
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Slide 19 Module 4 -- Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
Enhanced Images Lead to Improved Recognition
Results using traditional image capture
technology
Results using Kofax VRS technology
• High quality images look clearer when viewed, move more efficiently over the network, and require less storage space.
• More importantly, high-quality images result in less jagged edges and artifacts that produce crisper text.
• Processing through Kofax image capture operations produce remarkably higher quality images resulting in significantly higher optical recognition accuracy.
Slide 20 Module 4 -- Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
Image Cleanup
• Image cleanup on the fly results in smaller file sizes, cleaner files, and ultimately more accurate optical recognition extraction operations.
VRS Contrast 60 VRS Contrast 15Background consists of pattern of lines
Slide 21 Module 4 -- Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
Kofax VRS Controls the Scanner
By controlling scanner settings, Kofax VRS captures the widest spectrum of originals without any adjustments, limited document
preparation, and without ever stopping the scanner
Module 4 - Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
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Slide 22 Module 4 -- Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
Comparing Results
Originals
Without Kofax VRS
Slide 23 Module 4 -- Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
Comparing Results
WithKofax VRS
WithoutKofax VRS
Slide 24 Module 4 -- Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
Comparing Results
Readable OCR Ready No Data Loss Usable
Module 4 - Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
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Slide 25 Module 4 -- Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
Kofax VRS and Image Quality
Let’s take a look at a challenging document to examine the capabilities of Kofax VRSLow contrast
logo
Dot matrix text (light)
Highlighted text
Coffee stain through bar
code
Carbon copy handprint
Shaded background
Slide 26 Module 4 -- Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
Without Kofax VRS
Low contrast logo
Dot matrix text (light)
Highlighted text
Coffee stain through bar
code
Carbon copy handprint
Shaded background
Image File Size = 84 KB
Traditional scanning does little to cleanup the document
Slide 27 Module 4 -- Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
With Kofax VRS
Low contrast logo still visible
Dot matrix text is
enhanced
Highlighted text is
readable
Coffee stain is not
interfering with bar code
Carbon copy handprint is
automatically enhanced
Shaded background
removedImage File Size = 39 KB
Kofax VRS provides superior document images
Module 4 - Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
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Slide 28 Module 4 -- Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
Kofax VRS Features
• Kofax VRS features include:
• Auto orientation (content-based rotation)
• Auto color detection
• Background smoothing
• Auto deskew and image cropping
• Advanced clarity
• Corner fill and edge cleanup
• Merge
• VRS QC Later
• Saving advanced scanner properties to a profile
• Auto Profile feature for automatically applying profiles
Slide 29 Module 4 -- Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
Auto Orientation
• Auto orientation (through content-based rotation) relieves scanner operators of the burden of manually rotating pages to the same orientation at scan-time, significantly improving scanner production operations.
Slide 30 Module 4 -- Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
Background Smoothing
• In addition to being able to automatically detect color documents in a mixed-document batch, Kofax VRS can also smooth the background of scanned images.
• Background smoothing eliminates inconsistencies in the background of images providing a much clearer image as well as a more efficient file size.
Image without Background Smoothing Image with Background Smoothing enabled
Module 4 - Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
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Slide 31 Module 4 -- Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
Advanced Clarity
• With Advanced Clarity, documents with textured background and can be accurately scanned and converted into highly legible scanned images.
• Advanced Clarity is improved to make it even faster and more accurate than before.
Original Color Image
Image without VRS Advanced Clarity
Image with Advanced Clarity
Slide 32 Module 4 -- Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
Auto Deskew and Image Cropping
• No pre-sorting of batch based on paper size or shape.
• Kofax VRS automatically trims all images to their original dimensions resulting in smaller file sizes.
• No hassle with page size settings allowing for consistent scanning in maximum paper size mode.
Slide 33 Module 4 -- Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
Corner Fill and Edge Cleanup
• The corner fill and edge cleanup feature automatically repairs dog-eared corners and irregular edges.
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Slide 34 Module 4 -- Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
Merge
• The merge feature merges both sides of a page into a single image
• Automatically decides orientation based on document
• Landscape – vertical orientation
• Portrait – horizontal orientation
Slide 35 Module 4 -- Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
Accessing the Kofax VRS Menu Items
• Access the Kofax VRS features by right-mouse clicking on the VRS icon in the Windows taskbar to expose the VRS context menu.
• Options include: Help, Admin Console, Auto Resolve, Adjust Quality, Profiles, Preview
Right mouse click on the icon to expose the
VRS context menu
Slide 36 Module 4 -- Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
Help Menu Item
Opens the online Help, which offers on-screen user assistance with Kofax VRS.
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Slide 37 Module 4 -- Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
Admin Console Menu Item
Opens the Administration Console, where administrative preferences can be set for exception handling, licensing, scan profiles, scanner configuration, device health, and
more.
Slide 38 Module 4 -- Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
Auto Resolve Menu Item
Turns on the Auto Resolve Manager to handle exception
conditions such as errors caused by equipment conflicts or paper
transport issues. The Auto Resolve Manager appears for each instance of an action set to Auto Resolve on
the Administration Console Exceptions panel.
Slide 39 Module 4 -- Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
Adjust Quality Menu Item
Displays a list of operating modes, which determine how often the Kofax VRS Interactive Viewer
appears for image inspection and interactive updates as you scan.
The default operating mode is "Adjust Quality On Warnings."
Once selected, the operating mode stays in effect (even across scan sessions) until it is changed. A check mark appears next to the
active operating mode.
On First Page -- The VRS Interactive Viewer will open when the first page of a batch is scanned and exception conditions occur.
On Every Page -- The VRS Interactive Viewer will open after each document scans, or with duplex scanning, after each document side scans. (Used for small batches of extremely complex documents that require individual
adjustments.)
On Warnings -- The VRS Interactive Viewer will open only when exception conditions occur
during the scanning process.
QC Later -- The Kofax VRS Interactive Viewer remains out of view until it is invoked from the Quality Control or Scan modules in the Kofax
Capture application.
Never -- The VRS Interactive Viewer will not open, even if exception conditions occur.
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Slide 40 Module 4 -- Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
Profiles Menu Item
Displays a list of scan profiles for selection. A check mark appears next to the active scan profile.
Also lists Auto Profile for selecting Auto Profile scanning.
Slide 41 Module 4 -- Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
Preview Menu Item
Opens the most recently scanned image in the Kofax VRS Interactive Viewer so that quality
settings can be previewed and adjusted.
The preview image serves as a sample to show the impact of image quality
adjustments.
Slide 42 Module 4 -- Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
Kofax VRS Interactive Viewer Menu Item
The Kofax VRS Interactive Viewer allows
the scan operator or Administrator to view
captured images, specify and apply capture
properties, and save these settings as VRS
profiles.
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Slide 43 Module 4 -- Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
Kofax VRS Interactive Viewer
Kofax Button
Image Quality Tab
Profile Toolbar
Ribbon
Message Bar
Quick Access Toolbar
Resources Tab
Image Viewing Panel
Status Bar
Docking Panel
Slide 44 Module 4 -- Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
Kofax VRS Profiles
• Kofax VRS settings can be saved for future use as profiles.
• Profiles can be created and saved in the Kofax VRS Interactive Viewer.
• Operators assign a name when creating and saving a profile, and Kofax VRS automatically assigns a unique identification number.
• Scanner-specific information such as multifeed detection, hopper height, color dropout, etc…can be saved in the profile as well.
• Each Kofax VRS installation includes a "Default settings" scan profile with the F5 function key assigned to it.
• Kofax VRS automatically assigns a function key to the first five scan profiles.
Slide 45 Module 4 -- Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
Saving VRS Profiles
All scan settings as well as scanner-specific settings can be
saved in one or more profiles from the Kofax VRS Interactive Viewer.
Give the new profile a unique name then click
[OK]
The operator assigns a name
to the profile, and Kofax VRS
assigns a unique number.
VRS profiles are saved from the Profile Toolbar. Select [Save As] to save the new
profile.
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Slide 46 Module 4 -- Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
New Kofax VRS Profiles
Once saved, Kofax VRS profiles will appear in the
drop down list in the Kofax VRS Interactive Viewer.
Once saved, profiles will also appear when [Profiles] is selected from the Kofax VRS
system tray icon.
Slide 47 Module 4 -- Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
Organizing Kofax VRS Profiles
Once saved, Kofax VRS profiles can be organized
from the Manage Scan Profiles menu item which launches the Kofax VRS Administration Console.
Profiles can be reordered, saved,
loaded, renamed, or deleted.
Slide 48 Module 4 -- Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
VRS Auto Profiles
• The Auto Profile feature automates the process of applying scan profiles.
• When Auto Profile is active, Kofax VRS automatically recognizes an image based on its attributes and knows which scan profile to apply to achieve optimal image quality.
• An image type is recognized if Kofax VRS is trained to detect its unique attributes. (For example, batches of pre-printed documents such as tax forms, health insurance forms, standardized tests, and others.)
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Slide 49 Module 4 -- Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
VRS Test Application (VCDemo)
•VRS Test Application (formerly called VCDemo) is a test utility provided as a no-cost tool for testing basic capture and image processing capabilities.
•Utilizes features of VRS to capture images via scanners connected to a computer licensed with either VRS or Kofax Capture.
•Features of VRS can be exercised within the VRS Test Application for verifying scan settings with the goal of attaining the highest quality images.
Slide 50 Module 4 -- Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
Features of the VRS Test Application
•VRS Test Application is a useful tool for:•Determining bar code type on a document•Determining the size of compressed image files (TIFF) for blank page threshold
•Testing a scanner connection•Creating images for testing zone setup
VCDemo.exe
Slide 51 Module 4 -- Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
Location of the VRS Test Application
•The VRS Test Application is located at:Program Files(x86)\Kofax\Capture\ImgCtls\bin\VCDemo.exe
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Slide 52 Module 4 -- Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
Simple User Interface
The VRS Test Application (VCDemo) user interface.
From the File menu, image files can be
opened, predefined
settings can be loaded or
settings can be saved, units of
measure can be set, captured
image files can be saved, and storage format
can be set.
From the Source menu, the capture source can be set, a document or batch can be captured, scanner properties can be set, and processing
features can be set.
From the View menu, the Analysis Window can be opened and the settings for displaying
and viewing the image are determined.
From the Imaging menu, the image processing properties can
be configured.
From the Help menu, details on the VRS Test Application and Kofax
Image Controls are available.
Slide 53 Module 4 -- Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
Tool bar
When a source is selected, the tool bar icons become active.
Display program
information, version
number and copyright
Open an existing
image file
Save the active document to a different file
Scan or disk process
single page
Open first page of
document
Stop current
operation
Display properties
dialog
Scan or disk process in
batch mode
Display bar code
properties dialog
Display deskew
properties dialog
Open previous
page
Open next page
Open last page of
document
Slide 54 Module 4 -- Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
Set the Scanner Properties
Once a scanner is selected, the properties may be set. Resolution, paper size, color mode,
single versus dual sided, etc. may be selected.
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Slide 55 Module 4 -- Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
Enable Bar Codes Properties
Enable Bar Code recognition, select any required sizes etc. and
select a type of bar code to read. If you are not sure of
the bar code type, highlight a type and “Add”
it to the In Use list.
Bar Code properties may also be setup for
determining bar code type and accuracy of bar code
read operations.
Slide 56 Module 4 -- Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
Set Deskew Properties
Enable Deskew Properties for detecting and correcting skewed pages. (This deskew operation comes into effect
only after VRS has performed its own deskew
operation.)
Slide 57 Module 4 -- Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
Demonstration
Scanner Configuration Utility, creating and saving scanner profiles, using VRS
Test Application
VCDemo.exe
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Slide 58 Module 4 -- Scanner Configuration and Kofax VRS
Lab
• Configuring a scanner
• Accessing the Kofax VRS Interactive Viewer
• Settings to Achieve Optimum Results
• VRS Profiles
• Accessing the VRS Test Application (VCDemo)
• Scanning using the VRS Test Application
Refer to the Kofax Capture 10 Lab and Reference Guide