Panorama plus Manual

PANORAMA BASIC, PLUS
Wide Format Monochrome Scanner
Operator’s Guide

Internet info:http://www.contex.com
Contex document number: SOF/OPM/001 (1.0)
Contex part number: 6799A140
Copyright Contex A/S, April 6, 2001
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic,
mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior
written permission of the publisher. Contex A/S reserves the right to
modify the information given in this publication without prior notice.
The Contex scanner products are covered by one or more of the
following patents: 5.117.295, 5.377.020, 5.502.578, 5.640.465,
5.642.207 other patents pending in the US and elsewhere.

I
Preface
The PANORAMA 50” Wide Format Monochrome Scanner provides a
complete solution for scanning drawings, maps and pictures for use
with monochrome reproduction, Copying, CAD, GIS, DTP and Archival
programs.
The built-in dedicated high-speed Digital Image Processing (DIP) does
image processing and enhancement in real time with Dual 2D-
Adaptive enhancement.
With two ultrafast industry standard SCSI I/F (interfaces) and
WIDEimage software the PANORAMA Wide Format Monochrome
Scanner is truly multi-platform, allowing you to use the scanner with
different computers and workstations.
The PANORAMA runs with WIDEimage scanning software and
JETimage copy software. Both are available in WINDOWS-98, 2000
and WINDOWS-NT4.0 editions for PC workstations.
This guide explains how to operate and maintain the PANORAMA 50”
Wide Format Monochrome Scanner. It assumes basic knowledge of
your computer and operating system and does not repeat material
from their documentation.
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
• PC or supported workstation.
• Maintenance Kit that came with your scanner
• WIDEimage scanning software or JETimage copy software and
SCSI interface kit matching your workstation.
RELATED PUBLICATIONS
The "OPERATIONS GUIDE" which came with your computer.
The "OPERATING SYSTEM USER MANUAL" for your workstation.
The "WIDEimage User’s Guide".
The “JETimage User’s Guide.”
The "README.TXT" file on the distribution diskettes. Use your text
editor to look for latest news and updates.

II
Table of Contents
1. Introduction 1-1
2. System Overview 2-1
2.1 Scanning and Copying Software 2-3
3. Operating Modes 3-1
3.1 Graytone Mode 3-1
3.2 B/W Copy Modes 3-1
3.3 Dual 2-D Adaptive Enhancement & Thresholding 3-2
3.4 B/W Modes 3-2
3.5 2D-Sharpening, 2D-Softening and 2D-Blur 3-3
3.6 Resolution and Scan Width in all modes 3-3
4. Operator Panel and Indicators 4-1
4.1 Paper Feed/Forward Key & Ready indicator 4-1
4.2 Paper Reverse Key 4-1
4.3 Power On Indicator 4-2
4.4 Wait Indicator (Warm Up) 4-2
4.5 Diagnostic Indicator. 4-2
5. Original’s Insertion Slot 5-1
5.1 Rulers 5-1
5.2 Scanning Thick Media 5-3
5.3 Removing the Original Pressure Platen 5-6
6. Installation 6-1
6.1 Set up the scan station 6-1
6.2 Smart Card 6-1
6.3 Install Maintenance software and Drivers 6-1
6.4 Connection through the SCSI interface 6-2
6.4.1 Step 1: Install the SCSI host adapter board 6-3
6.4.2 Step 2: Install the SCSI driver software 6-3
6.4.3 Step 3: Connect the scanner to the PC 6-3
6.4.4 Step 4: Set the scanner DIL-switches 6-4
6.5 Installation Verification 6-8
6.6 Preliminary Maintenance 6-9
7. Maintenance 7-1
7.1 Cleaning the Scan Area 7-1
7.2 Camera Alignment 7-4
7.3 Calibrate the Scanner 7-7
8. Appendix A: PANORAMA specifications 8-1
9. Appendix B: Regulations 9-1

III
9.1 FCC Regulations 9-1
9.2 EC Regulations 9-2
10.Appendix C: Program License Agreement 10-1
11.Appendix D: Important Safety Instructions 11-1
12.Appendix E: Index 12-1

Introduction 1-1
1. Introduction
PANORAMA BASIC and PANORAMA PLUS
The PANORAMA range of wide format monochrome scanners with
their 50 inch super wide imaging area handles originals up to 51.5 inch
width at high speeds.
Graytones are captured at 12 bits for maximum precision passing the
best 8 bits of graytone data to the computer.
Two Models
The PANORAMA comes in two models with maximum resolutions
from 400 dpi with the PANORAMA BASIC and 800 dpi with the
PANORAMA PLUS.
Wide and Thick Originals
The 50-inch super wide imaging area handles large maps, photos and
drawings and is compatible with large format inkjet printers.
Capable of up to 0.6-inch (15mm.) thick originals such as foamboards,
gatorboards etc.
High Quality Scanning and Copying
These scanners meet all your wide format monochrome scanning
needs in high quality grayscale and crisp black-and-white.
A PANORAMA scanner, together with a large format printer, forms a
high quality B/W large format digital copier.
Digital Image Processing Embedded in the Hardware
With image enhancement processing supported directly in the scanner
hardware, the PANORAMA can perform highly advanced digital image
processing at great speed.
The built-in advanced Digital Image Processing (DIP) performs image
enhancement in real time. With the unique Area Diffusion Logic
processing - ADL+ Error Diffusion halftoning, the PANORAMA can
scan and print even the most demanding B/W and graytone
documents with subtle differences between shades of gray maintained
in the printed copy.
The PANORAMA supports Dual 2D-Adaptive processing where the
best built-in enhancement features are combined. The combinations
are incorporated in special copy modes for normal drawings, sepias,

1-2 Introduction
blueprints and photos. This makes the PANORAMA the perfect choice
when selecting a device for creating high quality printouts of old
originals.
Two SCSI Interfaces
The PANORAMA monochrome scanners have two industry standard
ultrafast SCSI-2 interfaces for simultaneous support of both a
monochrome copying and a scan-to-file system without switching
cables.
The PANORAMA monochrome scanners work with: WINDOWS 98,
2000, ME & NT on PC and compatible Personal Computer systems.
Scanning Applications
The PANORAMA Monochrome Scanners are designed to work with
many types of scanning applications:
• Reproduction (Large Format Black & White Copying) The
PANORAMA Monochrome Scanner together with a large format
printer is the perfect large format digital copier, handling large
monochrome posters, maps, photos and drawings.
• CAD (Computer Aided Design) The wide format scanner scans
drawings and documents, in B/W, into computers so they can be
used with CAD programs.
• DTP (Desk Top Publishing) The Wide Format Scanner scans
large drawings and pictures to be used in technical and other
documents, and layouts with DTP.
• Archival The Wide Format Scanner scans large drawings, maps
and pictures for on-line access by drawing database systems.
The scanner’s speed and batch processing features make it the
perfect device for high volume scanning.

System Overview 2-1
2. System Overview
The PANORAMA 50” Wide Format Monochrome Scanners come in
the two following models and can be upgraded with new features for
future requirements:
PANORAMA BASIC:
Wide Format Monochrome Scanner, up to 400 dpi scan resolution at
all original sizes in graytone and raster modes.
PANORAMA PLUS:
Wide Format Monochrome Scanner, up to 800 dpi scan resolution at
all original sizes in graytone and raster modes.
Features Common to Both Models
• Hardware Embedded Advanced Digital Image Processing:
The PANORAMA scanners incorporate Dual 2D-Adaptive
enhancement principles with individual processing features
working simultaneously on different aspects of the original.
Processing features include:
Accurate graytone reproduction in printed copies with ADL+ error
diffusion halftoning.
2D-Sharpening and softening.
Figure 2-1 The PANORAMA Monochrome Wide Format Scanner

2-2 System Overview
2D-Adaptive background suppression.
2D-Adaptive Thresholding.
Graytone blurring
• The PANORAMA scanners provide clean, crisp scans and copies
from even poor quality drawings, blueprints, etc. Specialized Dual
2D-Adaptive image processing modes for creating printed copies
of normal documents, photos, sepias, blueprints and other
originals with distorted foregrounds/backgrounds. Also a Dual 2D-
Adaptive B/W mode suited for scan-to-file jobs such as archiving
and CAD.
• Scanning modes: 8-bit 256 levels of graytone, 2D-Adaptive
threshold and black/white 1-bit mode. Special B/W Copy modes
with Dual 2D-Adaptive image enhancement features. These
include ADL+ error diffusion halftoning, 2D-Adaptive background
suppression, 2D-Auto edge enhancement, and 2D-Adaptive
thresholding.
• On-line de-skewing and de-speckling for high quality raster scans.
• Three linear high quality 7900 pixel CCDs.
• Scanning area sized from A5 up to larger than landscape A0/E-
Size, 50” wide (1270mm). Media width: 6” to 51.5” (152 to 1310
mm). Media length not limited.
• Media thickness up to 0.6 inch (15mm), supports originals
mounted on cardboard, foamboard, gatorboard etc.
• Graytones are captured at 12 bits for maximum precision, passing
the best 8 bits of graytone data to the computer to enhance image
fidelity and capture of subtle graytone changes.
• Full control of sharpening, softening and blurring filters through the
application interface gives rich possibilities for combining the
effects and obtain perfect enhancement results in graytone
images. For example, using sharpen together with blur gives the
desired effect of sharpened edges without creating noise in areas
that contain different shades of gray.
• Variable resolution in one dpi increments - assures compatibility
with CAD applications.
• Connection to up to two computers simultaneously via dual
ultrafast SCSI Interfaces, allows attachment to both a
monochrome copy system and a scan-to-file system without
moving cables.

System Overview 2-3
2.1 Scanning and Copying Software
WIDEimage :
The program produces a multitude of industry standard graytone and
B/W output image file formats compatible with CAD, GIS, Raster-
Editor, Raster-to-Vector, Digitize, Overlay, and Archiving programs.
The application gives users complete control of the scanner’s
advanced functions from the workstation.
WIDEimage is a complete scanning tool that enables scanning,
enhancing, converting, viewing, zooming and printing of wide format
documents.
JETimage:
This copy program enables you to make large format copies in quality
enhanced graytones and black and white. Your output goes to a
printer via the PC. Available in two editions: JETimage BASE and
JETimage PRO.
JETimage is available in touch-screen and traditional mouse/keyboard
configuration versions. Easy and fast copying can be achieved with a
scanner, a printer with JETimage incorporating all copy functions in
simple and logical buttons.
Easy-to-use interface with predefined settings for the most common
copy jobs, printing media and printers.
With JETimage you can perform high quality copying in five easy
steps. Select the type of original you are copying – Photo, Brochure,
etc, and the application finds the best scanning and printing settings
for you. The application make large format reproduction as easy as
using your office copy machine.
JETimage takes full advantage of the PANORAMA’s graytone
reproduction in printed output using built-in ADL+ Error diffusion
halftoning.

2-4 System Overview
WIDEcapture for Photoshop
Wide Format Scanning Software for Macintosh and Windows as a
Plug-in for Adobe Photoshop. WIDEcapture is a compact application
designed to interface your scanner with advanced graphics software
on an Apple Macintosh or Windows-based platform. The application is
developed for usage with Adobe Photoshop – a leading image
software application among graphics professionals. The software is
designed as a plug-in, meaning it is a full software program that
extends the functionality of the Adobe Photoshop program by enabling
access to Wide Format Scanning. You install the program into Adobe
Photoshop’s plug-in folder and just select the application through
Photoshop’s File menu. WIDEcapture imports images from the
scanner into the Photoshop image editor. You can then use
Photoshop’s wide range of image manipulation options, just as if you
had opened an image file from your hard disk.
WIDEcapture for AutoCAD
Wide Format Scanning Software for direct scanning into AutoCAD
2000 on Windows platforms. WIDEcapture for AutoCAD is a compact
application designed to interface your Wide Format Scanner with the
advanced CAD software AutoCAD 2000. When you install this plug-in
software, a new menu item called "Scanned Raster Image" is entered
in the Insert Menu on your AutoCAD interface. Selecting this item
activates a Wide Format Scanning interface that contains all the
features known from the WIDEimage Scan Screen, including the split
preview screen and special tool buttons.

System Overview 2-5
Scanning Application
Scanning /Image Enhancement
Conversion to over 50 File Formats
De-speckling, De-skewing,
Rotation & Alignment
Precision Measuring
Viewing and Zooming
Fast Printing
LARGE FORMAT
PRINTER
Contex Copy and Scanning System
Copy Application B/W
JETimage BASE:
Straightforward User Interface
Standard Copy Presets
On-Screen WYSIWYG Previewing
Brightness/Contrast
Collate Copy
Additional with JETimage PRO:
Paneling, Tiling and Nesting
Copy to File, Print from File
Accounting
PANORAMA
MONOCHROME SCANNER
Figure 2-2 PANORAMA Wide Format Monochrome Scanner System

Operating Modes 3-1
3. Operating Modes
The PANORAMA Monochrome Scanners incorporate three main
groups of operating modes:
• Graytone mode (256 graytones).
• B/W Copy modes with Dual 2D-Adaptive processing.
• B/W modes (bitmapped, and Dual 2D-Adaptive).
3.1 Graytone Mode
In Graytone mode, the actual graylevel of each pixel is scanned; 256
levels are recognized, corresponding to 1 byte (8 bits) per pixel. This
results in graytone files that are 8 times larger than uncompressed
files scanned in Line mode at the same resolution. Graytones are
captured at 12 bits for maximum precision passing the best 8 bits of
graytone data to the computer
3.2 B/W Copy Modes
The copy modes incorporate Dual 2D-Adaptive processing with
different combinations of ADL+ Error Diffusion Halftoning, 2D-
Background suppression, 2D-Auto edge enhancement and 2D-
Adaptive thresholding. The copy modes are ideal scanning wide
format documents that are intended for re-printing. The ADL+ Error
Diffusion Halftoning supports visibility of graytones in printed output by
adding toned shades of gray in regions between black and white. The
copy modes are described in the table below:
Copy Mode Image Processing Usage
B/W Copy
Normal
ADL+ Error diffusion halftoning
2D-Auto edge enhancement
2D-Adaptive background
suppression
Halftone copy to print of all
normal originals
B/W Copy
Adaptive
ADL+ Error diffusion halftoning
2D-Adaptive thresholding
2D-Adaptive background
suppression
Halftone copy to print of Sepia,
Blueprint and other originals
with heavily distorted
foregrounds and backgrounds
where the shades making up
the image “noise” are close to
the shades making up the
image’s data and hard to
differentiate.
B/W Copy
Photo
ADL+ Error diffusion halftoning Halftone copy to print of
continuos shades of gray such
as in photos.

3-2 Operating Modes
3.3 Dual 2-D Adaptive Enhancement & Thresholding
The PANORAMA Monochrome Scanner supports Dual 2D-Adaptive
enhancement processing on the foreground and background
separately. Processing is performed on-the-fly without the need for
investigative pre-scanning. Enhancement processes are
simultaneously performed on different drawing aspects.
Dual 2D-Adaptive enhancement processing features include ADL+
error diffusion halftoning, 2D-Adaptive foreground thresholding, 2D-
Adaptive background suppression and 2D-Auto edge enhancement.
Dual 2D-Adaptive scanning is based on high-speed embedded Digital
Image Processing (DIP) performing two-dimensional analysis on the
graytone information of each pixel in relation to its neighboring pixels,
in real-time while scanning the drawing.
The scanner simultaneously addresses all 3 levels of image
processing necessary to extract clean data from difficult drawings.
This is done on-the-fly and without need for pre-scanning the drawing:
1. Foreground data - Advanced two dimensional adaptive
algorithms based on neighborhood pixel analysis separating data
and background in a variable-sized area around the pixel (area
size is varied in order to render the background separation
statistically significant).
2. Background Suppression: Adaptive two-dimensional
suppression of background is performed independently of the
foreground algorithm.
3. Global level - Using a binary tree algorithm, the thresholds of the
foreground and background levels are correlated with the
surrounding areas in order to make the threshold fit seamlessly.
3.4 B/W Modes
In this mode, the PANORAMA Monochrome Scanner outputs each
scanned pixel as a single bit, either black (1) or white (0), depending
on whether its gray level is below or above the threshold.
The B/W 2D-Adaptive mode is another Dual 2D-Adaptive mode
incorporating 2D-Adaptive thresholding and 2D-Background
suppression. This mode is suitable for normal originals when scanning
to file.
Fixed level thresholding mode is also supported.

Operating Modes 3-3
3.5 2D-Sharpening, 2D-Softening and 2D-Blur
With all the enhancement filters built-in the scanner, reliable and
effective processing can be performed at speeds incomparable to
normal software enhancement processing and without draining the
computer of its recourses. This applies also for the hardware built-in
2D-Sharpening, 2D-softening, and 2D-Blur.
The B/W Copy Normal scanning mode incorporates 2D-Auto edge
enhancement, with automatic, on-the-fly sharpening of your image.
Through the WIDEimage and JETimage applications, you can
manually set and control sharpening, softening and blurring filters,
giving you rich possibilities for combining effects to obtain perfect
enhancement results.
For example, you may have a drawing or map with details (text, lines)
you wish to sharpen. But if the image also contains large concentrated
areas of graytones, sharpening will make unwanted noise to appear in
the scanned image. By using the sharpen filter together with the blur
filter, you can obtain the desired sharpened edges without creating the
unwanted noise. Both filters can be set at different levels for ultimate
control of effects.
3.6 Resolution and Scan Width in all modes
The distance ( both horizontal and vertical ) between each pixel at
resolutions representatively* used is:
Resolution Distance between
200 dpi 0.1270 mm.
300 dpi 0.0846 mm.
400 dpi 0.0635 mm.
600 dpi 0.0423 mm.
800 dpi 0.0317 mm.
* PANORAMA Monochrome Scanner resolution is setable in 1 dpi increments from 50
to 800 dpi on the PANORAMA PLUS and 50 to 400 dpi on the PANORAMA BASIC.
The resolution in dpi is always set from WIDEimage.
The Scan-width is likewise set from WIDEimage, measured in the
units on the ruler printed on top of the original insertion slot on the
PANORAMA Monochrome Scanner. Insertion of originals from the
side or at the center is selectable through the WIDEimage application.

3-4 Operating Modes
Rulers on the scanner support document standard sizes and
measuring special sizes.
The following table shows the number of pixels per line resulting from
various combinations of resolution and scan-width on the side-aligned
ruler:
Resolution/
Scan Width
600 dpi 400 dpi 300 dpi 200 dpi
11.8 (50.0”) 30,000 20,000 15,000 10,000
8.0 (34.0”) 20,352 13,568 10,176 6,784
6.0 (25.4”) 15,240 10,160 7,620 5,088
4.0 (17.0) 10,176 6,784 5,088 3,392
3.0 (12.7”) 7,620 5,080 3,810 2,544
2.0 (8.5”) 5,088 3,392 2,544 1,696

Operator Panel and Indicators 4-1
4. Operator Panel and Indicators
The PANORAMA Monochrome Scanner Operator Panel (shown
overleaf) contains two keys and four indicators. The two operating
keys are positioned at the bottom: The Paper Reverse key (C), and
the Paper Feed/Forward key (A) with a Ready indicator (B) attached.
There are three indicators at the top: Power on (D), Wait (E), and
Diagnostic (F). The function of the keys and indicators are as follows:
4.1 Paper Feed/Forward Key & Ready indicator
• Insert the drawing face down into the scanner’s Insertion Slot, the
green Ready indicator (B) turns ON when the drawing is correctly
positioned.
• Now press the Feed Forward key (A), and the drawing moves into
the start-of-scan position (if auto-load is selected in WIDEimage
loading will take place automatically).
• The Ready indicator stays ON, signifying that the scanner is ready
to be controled from the computer.
• During scanning the Ready indicator will blink.
• At end of scanning the Ready indicator will stop blinking and again
turn ON signifying that scanning can be repeated from the
computer, or else terminated by pressing the Paper Feed/Forward
key to eject the drawing from the scanner.
• Pressing the Paper Feed/Forward key during scanning, stops the
scanning process and feeds the original as long as the key is
pressed.
4.2 Paper Reverse Key
The Reverse key stops the current scanning process and reverses the
original while the key is pressed.
C
A B

4-2 Operator Panel and Indicators
4.3 Power On Indicator
Lights when the scanner is ON and is receiving power.
4.4 Wait Indicator (Warm Up)
Lights when the scanner power is turned on, and stays on during the
internal diagnostic and stabilization phase. Keyboard input is
prevented during this time.
The Wait Indicator Flashes if auto-adjustment of the scanner's light
profile, stitching etc., has been suspended for about two hours. This
may happen when operating the scanner in "Extended Thickness"
mode over an longer period of time. In these cases, the Original
Pressure Platen should be returned to the NORMAL position for a
short while to trigger the scanner’s auto-adjustment routine.
4.5 Diagnostic Indicator.
Flashes if an error is detected by the built-in diagnostic. Simultaneous
flashing by both the "Diagnostic" and the "Wait (Warmup)" indicators
may mean that the scanning area needs cleaning.
See Chapter the "Maintenance" for instructions on cleaning the
scanning area.
D
D
F
E

Operator Panel and Indicators 4-3
C
A
D
E
F
B
Figure 4-1 Operator Panel

Original’s Insertion Slot 5-1
5. Original’s Insertion Slot
5.1 Rulers
The Original’s insertion slot shown below is marked with a
measurement ruler on top. The ruler can be slid out and flipped over to
select/change your preferred measurement units – inches or
millimeters. Measurements are also given in scanner units. The top
ruler corresponds to right side aligned original feeding.
Below the ruler are marked common original sizes for guidance with
optional centered feeding.
Insertion alignment of originals, right side aligned or centered, is
operator selectable from the WIDEimage scanning software. Center
feeding is often preferable as the original is positioned symmetrically
on the feed rollers during scanning. The Scan-width, measured in
inches, mm or scanner units is likewise set from WIDEimage.
Figure 5-1 Original Insertion Slot and Rulers