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US 6,587,228 B1Granted
Double-sided scanner
AssigneeHasco International, Inc.
InventorsDouglas A. Holden, David B. Whitten
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for double-sided scanning of a paper document comprising diagonally offset scanner and traction pinch roller pairs thereby forming a zero-gravity traction feed. The zero-gravity traction feed allows the scanning apparatus to be oriented in varying positions while maintaining full operation. The scanner is adapted to scan a two-sided document by flip-flopping between two scanners whose field of views each face opposing sides of the document.
Claims13
An apparatus for double-sided scanning of a paper document comprising:
- a. a first image scanner having a first sensor field of view directed in a first direction and a first scanner sensor port surface through which an image is viewed and across which a document passes and said first image scanner having first and second opposing ends;
- b. a second image scanner having a second sensor field of view directed in a second direction opposite said first direction and having a second scanner sensor port surface through which an image is viewed and across which a document passes and said second scanner is diagonally offset with respect to the first image scanner and said second scanner having third and fourth opposing ends;
- c. a first pinch roller having a first axle about which it rotates and a first gear member attached to an axle end of said first roller where said first axle is parallel to the first scanner sensor port surface and the first pinch roller is positioned in a tangentially contacting orientation with respect to the first sensor port surface;
- d. a second pinch roller having a second axle about which it rotates and a second gear member in a mating relationship with said first gear member and attached to a second axle end of the second pinch roller where said second axle is parallel to the second scanner sensor port surface and the second pinch roller is positioned in a tangentially contacting orientation with respect to the second sensor port face;
- e. a first z-bracket having a pivoting point in a central portion of the z-bracket and having first and second extensions where the first and second extensions are mounted to the first and third ends of the first and second scanners, fixing the first and second scanners at diagonally opposed positions and said z-bracket is adapted to rotate about said pivoting point where pivoting increases or decreases a pressure contact between the first and second sensor port surfaces and the first and second pinch rollers;
- and
- f. a drive means adapted to drive said first gear member where said second gear member will follow for advancing the media to be scanned.
4 more elements
An apparatus for double-sided optically scanning and storing image data of a paper document comprising:
- a. a chassis having a first open slot adapted to receive a paper document and having a second open slot adapted to channel the paper document exiting the chassis;
- b. a guide channel extending from said first open slot toward the interior of the chassis;
- c. a sensor positioned along said channel adapted to sense the paper position for initiating feeding of the paper document and scanning;
- d. a first scanner having an upward directed sensor field of view and a first sensor port surface and said first surface is in tangential contact with a first pinch roller means for feeding the paper document across the sensor port surface;
- e. a second scanner having a downward directed field of view and a second scanner sensor port surface and said second surface is in tangential contact with a second pinch roller means for feeding the paper document across the second surface and said second scanner is diagonally offset with respect to the first scanner;
- f. a stepper motor and timing gear adapted to drive said first and second roller means;
- and
- g. a controller system adapted to control the feeding of the paper document, the start of scanning and the storing data.
5 more elements
A method of double-sided scanning comprising the steps of:
- a. receiving a paper document through a tapered slot of a chassis;
- b. sensing the position of the paper for starting a motor drive;
- c. stepping the motor drive for driving a set of first and second pinch rollers;
- d. grasping and conveying a document with said first and second pinch rollers pass the first scanner, through a guide member and pass a second diagonally offset scanner where the first and second pinch rollers have a tangentially contacting relationship with a first and second sensor port surface of the first and second scanners;
- e. scanning and storing image data by flip-flopping between actively scanning with the first and second scanners where said first and second scanners are diagonally offset and the first and second field of views of the first and second scanners are directionally opposed;
- f. multiplexing data through an A/D conversion electrical circuit;
- g. converting data electronically to a format for electronic storage;
- and
- h. transmitting data to a host computer.
6 more elements
An apparatus for optically scanning, comprising:
- a. a scanner having a first scanner sensor port surface;
- and
- b. a pinch roller tangentially related to said scanner sensor port surface and said pinch roller adapted to traction feed a paper document pass said first scanner sensor port.
A double-sided optical scanning apparatus comprising:
- a. a first scanner having first and second opposing ends with a first field of view directed in a first direction and said first scanner having a first scanner sensor port surface through which an image is viewed;
- b. a second scanner having third and fourth opposing ends with a second field of view directed in a second direction opposite said first direction and said second scanner having a second scanner sensor port surface through which an image is viewed and said second scanner diagonally offset with respect to the first scanner;
- and
- a first z-bracket having a pivoting point in a central portion of the z-bracket and having first and second extensions where the first and second extensions are mounted to the first and third ends of the first and second scanners, fixing the first and second scanners at diagonally opposed positions and said z-bracket is adapted to rotate about said pivoting point where pivoting increases or decreases a pressure contact between the first and second sensor port surfaces and the first and second pinch rollers respectively.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.