Method and apparatus for page imaging and document movement device
AssigneeXerox Corporation
InventorsRobert A. Street, G. A. Neville Connell
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A paper handling device, which uses a two-dimensional imaging sensor array, can quickly image a stack of documents. The two-dimensional array is positioned in direct contact with a document on top of the stack of documents. The sensor array images the document and is then lifted away from the page. The document is moved to an output tray. A first modification allows for recirculation of the documents for two-sided copying. A second modification, positions the sensor array above the documents in the output tray after the next document is moved from the input tray. With each of these designs, around one hundred pages can be imaged in less than a minute.
Claims27
An apparatus for moving and imaging at least one document comprising:
- a two-dimensional image sensor array for capturing an image on the document and for generating electrical signals representing the image;
- positioning means for moving the image sensor array between a first position where the image sensor array is in direct contact with the document and a second position where the image sensor array is spaced from the document;
- at least one tray opposing the image sensor array for holding the document such that the document is between the image sensor array and the at least one tray;
- and
- document moving means for moving the document relative to the at least one tray.
A method of imaging and moving a stack of documents using an image sensor array comprising the steps of:
- positioning the image sensor array in direct contact with a first document of the stack of documents in an imaging tray;
- capturing an image of the first document;
- withdrawing the image sensor array from the first document;
- and
- arranging the stack so that a second document in the stack faces the image sensor array.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.