[sane-devel] Re: new SANE hpoj backend

[Michael Piotrowski]

David Paschal <paschal@rcsis.com> writes:

> Michael Piotrowski wrote:
>> I guess it boils down to how you define
>> the various device types.  I'd say that for SANE, a "multi-function
>> device" could be defined as a device that implements a scanner and
>> (optionally) other functions, which might include other ways for
>> capturing images (e.g., fax).
> 
> Even that might be problematic for my situation.

It might be a good idea to find a better definition then.

> Some HP MFPs also have photo-card readers; some of these (PSC 950,
> OfficeJet D series) have scanners, while others (PhotoSmart
> printers) do not, but I would still consider them multi-function
> since they can also print (and they use more or less the same
> storage protocols).

With "photo-card" you're referring to memory cards as used by digital
cameras?

> I'm considering eventually either adding a photo-card-reader source
> to the hpoj backend (along with a fax-receive source) or writing a
> gPhoto2 backend, and for the former case your definition of
> "multi-function" wouldn't be quite accurate.  (FWIW currently I have
> photo-card access through mtools, but I'm looking to provide
> additional interface choices.)

So, once you added that, would it be possible to use SANE to read a
memory card in a PhotoSmart printer? Hmm. Normally I'd still refer to
a device like this as a "printer," but I guess that would be very
confusing ;-)

Does it make sense at all to lump all of these devices together under
a *single* term when their capabilities vary so widely?

-- 
Michael Piotrowski, M.A.                                  <mxp@dynalabs.de>