Document scanning system with dockable platen flatbed providing sheet fed and platen scanning functions

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.

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.