Granted Patent B2

US 7,031,032 · App. 10/143,276 · Granted Apr 18, 2006

Abstract

Claims (96)

1. A scanning system supporting platen and sheet fed scanning of documents comprising:

a first scanning unit with a first enclosure housing a first set of mechanisms for enabling full sheet fed scanning functions and a second set of mechanisms for enabling partial platen scanning functions, said first scanning unit further comprising a docking interface defining an opening in said first enclosure;

a second scanning unit with a second enclosure capable of attachment to said first scanning unit through said docking interface and including a third set of mechanisms for enabling complete platen scanning of documents in operable combination with said second set of mechanisms;

a feeder opening through which paper documents can be fed into said first scanning unit;

a first exit opening adapted to output scanned documents from a first location of said first scanning unit;

a first paper pathway extending from said feeder opening to said first exit opening;

a first image forming subsystem predisposed within said first scanning unit for scanning images appearing on paper documents fed through said feeder opening;

a second image forming subsystem;

a first drive subsystem for moving said second image forming subsystem;

a latching mechanism for locking said second image forming subsystem in a fixed position in said first scanner during sheet fed scanning; and

an unlatching mechanism on said second enclosure which releases said latching mechanism when said second scanning unit is docked with said first scanning unit.

2. The scanning system of claim 1 further comprising a feed roller predisposed about said feeder opening and adapted to facilitate the introduction of said documents unto said first paper pathway.

3. The scanning system of claim 2 further comprising a separation roller predisposed adjacent to said feed roller and adapted to ensure that only a single sheet of paper is fed through said feeder opening at any one time.

4. The scanning system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of rollers predisposed about said first paper pathway and configured for facilitating the transmission of paper documents from said feeder opening to said first exit opening.

5. The scanning system of claim 1 wherein said first image forming subsystem comprises:

a lens;

a light source predisposed about said first paper pathway for directing light into paper documents entering said first scanning unit through said feeder opening; and

reflection means predisposed for guiding reflected light from said paper documents to said lens.

6. The scanning system of claim 5 wherein said reflection means comprises mirrors.

7. The scanning system of claim 1 further comprising pivoting means operably coupled to said first drive subsystem for facilitating the motion of said second image forming subsystem.

8. The scanning system of claim 7 wherein said first drive subsystem is further configured to move said second image forming subsystem along an axis substantially perpendicular to said opening defined by said docking interface.

9. The scanning system of claim 8 wherein said first drive subsystem further comprises:

pulleys predisposed along the length of said axis;

a belt coupled to said second image forming subsystem and engaged with said pulleys for moving said second image forming subsystem towards said opening defined by said docking interface; and

drive means for causing said belt to rotate about said pulleys.

10. The scanning system of claim 1 wherein said second scanning unit further comprises:

an opening within said second enclosure adapted to accept said second image forming subsystem through said opening defined by said docking interface when said second scanning unit is attached to said first scanning unit; and

a second drive subsystem for facilitating the motion of said second image forming subsystem within said second enclosure along an axis substantially perpendicular to said opening of said second enclosure.

11. The scanning system of claim 1 wherein said second drive subsystem further comprises:

pulleys predisposed along the length of said axis;

a belt which can be engaged with said second image forming subsystem for translating said second image forming subsystem within said second enclosure, said belt operably coupled with said pulleys for moving said second image forming subsystem within said second enclosure; and

drive means for causing said belt to rotate about said pulleys.

12. The scanning system of claim 11 wherein said second image forming subsystem further comprises a rod bearing.

13. The scanning system of claim 12 further comprising a rod predisposed within said second enclosure of said second scanning unit for engaging said second image forming subsystem via said rod bearing and to permit the translation of said second image forming subsystem within said second enclosure along an axis substantially perpendicular to said opening of said second enclosure.

14. The scanning system of claim 1 wherein said second enclosure of said second scanning unit further comprises a substantially flat upper surface.

15. The scanning system of claim 14 further comprising a glass plane fixed to said upper surface and providing a platform upon which documents can be placed.

16. The scanning system of claim 15 further comprising:

a lid for covering documents placed on said glass plane; and

a hinging means coupling one end of said lid.

17. The scanning system of claim 1 wherein said first paper pathway is configured to accept documents through said feeder opening so that said documents are in a face-up orientation and to deliver scanned documents out through said first exit opening with said documents in a face-down orientation.

18. The scanning system of claim 1 further comprising:

a second exit opening adapted to output scanned documents from a second location of said first scanning unit; and

a second paper pathway extending from said feeder opening to said second exit opening.

19. The scanning system of claim 18 wherein a portion of said second paper pathway is common to said first paper pathway.

20. The scanning system of claim 18 wherein said second paper pathway is configured to accept documents through said feeder opening so that said documents are in a face-up orientation and to deliver scanned documents out through said second exit opening with said documents in a face-up orientation.

21. The scanning system as in claim 1 wherein a magnet mounted on a pulley moves said second image forming subsystem from said first scanning unit to said second scanning unit.

22. A modular scanner comprising:

a first enclosure with a stationary camera therein, said first enclosure having a first opening for feeding a document to be scanned, a second opening for delivering a scanned document to a user, and a third opening through which one or more docking mechanisms can join;

a first pathway extending between said first opening and said second opening within said first enclosure;

document handling means within said first enclosure adapted for receiving a document through said first opening and transporting said document via said first paper pathway to an area within said first enclosure where a stationary camera can scan said document;

a light source for delivering light energy in the direction of said document;

a light guiding means for directing reflected light energy from said document to said stationary camera;

a moveable camera mounted within said first enclosure adjacent to said stationary camera;

a second enclosure having a substantially flat top surface with a glass plane thereon, said second enclosure having an opening at one end adapted for receiving said moveable camera when said second enclosure is attached to said first enclosure via said third opening;

a first translation means within said first enclosure for causing said movable camera to move from a sheet fed scanning mode to a platen scanning mode that places said moveable camera within said opening of said second enclosure;

a second translation means within said second enclosure for receiving said moveable camera through said opening and causing said camera to traverse along an axis substantially parallel to said glass plane;

wherein said stationary camera is further adapted to facilitate sheet fed scanning of documents fed through said first opening and said moveable camera is further adapted to facilitate platen scanning of document placed on said glass plane;

a latching means for locking said movable camera in a fixed position during sheet fed scanning; and

an unlatching means which releases said latching means when said second enclosure is attached to said first enclosure.

23. The modular scanner of claim 22 further comprising pivoting means for maintaining said moveable camera in a stationary position within said first enclosure when said moveable camera is in said sheet fed scanning mode.

24. The modular scanner of claim 22 further comprising a mounting block supporting said moveable camera within said first enclosure while in sheet fed scanning mode.

25. The modular scanner of claim 24 wherein said mounting block includes a rod bearing and wherein said second enclosure further comprises a rod configured to engage said rod bearing for facilitating the movement of said moveable camera within said second enclosure.

26. The modular scanner of claim 22 wherein said first translation means comprises a pulley and belt system operably coupled to said movable camera for facilitating its transition from sheet fed scanning to platen scanning.

27. The modular scanner of claim 22 wherein said light guiding means comprises mirrors within said first enclosure adapted to direct light energy to a lens of said stationary camera.

28. The modular scanner of claim 22 further comprising:

a lid for covering documents placed on said glass plane; and

hinging means coupling said door to lid.

29. The modular scanner of claim 22 wherein said second translation means comprises said pulley and belt system adapted to engage said second camera when placed in said second enclosure for facilitating platen scanning of documents placed on said glass plane.

30. The modular scanner of claim 22 wherein said first enclosure further comprises a fourth opening for delivering a scanned document to a user.

31. The modular scanner of claim 30 further comprising a second paper pathway extending between said first opening and said fourth opening.

32. The modular scanner of claim 31 wherein a portion of said second paper pathway is common to said first paper pathway.

33. The modular scanner of claim 32 wherein said second paper pathway is configured to accept a document through said first opening in a face-up orientation and deliver said document after scanning through said fourth opening in a face-up orientation.

34. The modular scanner of claim 22 wherein said first enclosure further comprises a hatch configured to permit a user to clear a paper jam from said paper pathway.

35. The modular scanner as in claim 22 wherein a magnet fixably mounted on a pulley magnetically couples to said movable camera for moving said movable camera from said first enclosure to said second enclosure.

36. A detachable platen element for a scanning system supporting platen and sheet fed scanning of documents comprising:

an enclosure having a substantially flat top surface with a glass plane attached thereon, said enclosure having one end with an opening therein for accepting a camera sub-assembly; and

translations means within said enclosure adapted for attaching to said camera sub-assembly and causing said camera sub-assembly to move in a direction permitting scanning of documents placed on said glass plane.

37. The platen element of claim 36 further comprising:

a lid with a substantially flat surface suitable for covering documents placed on said glass plane; and

hinging means coupling said lid to said enclosure.

38. The platen element of claim 36 wherein said translation means comprises a pulley and belt system adapted to engage said camera subassembly when placed in said enclosure for facilitating platen scanning of documents placed on said glass plane.

39. The platen element of claim 36 wherein said enclosure further comprises a rod configured to engage said camera sub-assembly for facilitating the movement of said camera sub-assembly within said enclosure.

40. The platen element as in claim 36 wherein a magnet fixably mounted on a pulley of said translation means magnetically couples to said camera sub-assembly for moving said camera sub-assembly.

41. A document scanner comprising:

a sheet fed scanner;

a stationary camera located in said sheet fed scanner for scanning a first side of said document;

a movable camera located in said sheet fed scanner for scanning a second side of said document;

a latching mechanism for locking said movable camera in a position during sheet fed scanning;

a dockable platen scanner detachably mounted to said sheet fed scanner; and

a latch release which unlatches said movable camera during platen scanning.

42. The document scanner as in claim 41 wherein a first rod bearing supports said movable camera when said movable camera is in said sheet fed scanner.

43. The document scanner as in claim 41 wherein a second rod bearing located in said platen which mates with said first rod bearing when said dockable platen is docked to said sheet fed scanner.

44. The document scanner as in claim 41 wherein a pulley moves said movable camera from said sheet fed scanner into said dockable platen scanner.

45. The document scanner as in claim 44 wherein a motor operates said pulley.

46. The document scanner as in claim 41 wherein a magnet fixably mounted on said pulley magnetically couples to said movable camera for moving said movable camera from said sheet fed scanner to said dockable platen scanner.

47. The document scanner as in claim 41 wherein a force of magnetic coupling between said magnet and said movable camera is less than a drag coefficient of a motor which moves said movable camera between said sheet fed scanner and said dockable platen scanner.

Assignments (11)