My setup:

PC(LPT1)---> HP 5100C Scanner --->Printer

the problem:

How do I scan a picture and collect the image? I don't really want to use the software that came with the scanner because it takes ages to load, I would rather send signals to the scanner manually (by what means I don't know) and somehow gather the data sent back. I want to enable the user to do the following:

1. load my program
2. put a magazine cover on the scanner plate
3. click a button, and wait for the scanner to finish scanning
4. specify a filename to save a thumbnail of the magazine to

Is this possible, ie is there a standard set of scanner commands out there? I have not yet been able to locate any ActiveX controls to help me with this so i thought I would make my own.

Does anyone know of any scanning OCX's ?

I'll give a free copy of the finished article to anyone that wants it, just mail me a request!

Thank you.