Patent Application
20160330344
Devices and methods herein generally relate to machines having automatic document handlers such as printers, copiers and/or multifunction devices and, more particularly, to sheet feeders used with scanners and transparent platens.
Generally, a document scanner converts images and/or text on a hardcopy of a document into electronic form. The document scanning process involves placing the document on a top surface of a transparent platen (e.g., a flat glass plate). A scanner carriage is then moved past the document along the bottom surface of the platen. The scanner carriage includes a light source that illuminates the document and, particularly, the images and/or text thereon. The carriage also includes an image sensor, which incorporates photosensitive devices (e.g., photodiodes or other photosensitive devices) that measure the intensity of light reflected from given areas of the document. The sensor data is then translated from analog to digital, thereby defining the picture elements (i.e., pixels) of the document being scanned. Combined, these pixels represent the document in electronic form.
Another example of a document scanning process involves a constant velocity transport (CVT) scanning system in which the document moves and the scanner carriage is stationary. In the CVT scanning system, a single stationary scanning system is utilized to scan the entire document while the document is moved past the scanning system. The CVT scanning system, conventionally, includes a full-width image sensor, such as a CCD array system, and a light source. As in the platen scanning system, the image sensor receives light reflected from the document and converts the light into electrical signals representing the intensity of the received light. The electrical signals are then passed on to an electronic subsystem which performs the necessary image processing operation so as to prepare the image data either for display on a display devices such as a CRT, for storage by a storage device such as a CD-ROM, or for recording or printing on a medium, such as a document, in a similar manner as described above.
Current implementations of devices, such as printers, copiers, and fax machines, incorporate automatic document feeders and both types of scanning processes, depending on user preferences. In order to provide a scanner carriage that is moveable for one type of scanning process and that is stationary for another type of scanning process a separate CVT glass, distinct from the transparent platen, is used. The separate CVT glass adds cost to the device and may present alignment issues for the scanner device, as well as adding additional space requirements.
According to exemplary document feeding devices disclosed herein, a transparent platen has a sheet side and a scanner side, opposite the sheet side. A scanner is located on the scanner side of the transparent platen. A document placing tray is located on the sheet side of the transparent platen and a document ejection tray is positioned above the document placing tray. The document placing tray is between the document ejection tray and the transparent platen. A ramp is located at an end of the transparent platen. A feeding path extends from the document placing tray through a scanning position on the transparent platen to the document ejection tray. The scanning position is adjacent to the end of the transparent platen. The feeding path comprises the ramp at the end of the transparent platen. The ramp turns the feeding path from the transparent platen toward the document ejection tray.
According to exemplary devices herein, a transparent platen is contained within a frame. The transparent platen has a sheet side and a scanner side, opposite the sheet side. A scanner is located on the scanner side of the transparent platen. The transparent platen has a constant velocity transport (CVT) scanning position at a first end of the transparent platen. A ramp is located at the first end of the transparent platen, defining a boundary of the CVT scanning position.
According to exemplary scanning devices herein, a transparent platen has a sheet side and a scanner side, opposite the sheet side. A document placing tray is located on the sheet side of the transparent platen. A document ejection tray is positioned above the document placing tray. The document placing tray is between the document ejection tray and the transparent platen. A scanner is located on the scanner side of the transparent platen. The transparent platen has a constant velocity transport (CVT) scanning position at an end of the transparent platen. A ramp is located adjacent to the end of the transparent platen. A feeding path extends from the document placing tray through the CVT scanning position on the transparent platen to the document ejection tray. The feeding path comprises the ramp adjacent to the end of the transparent platen, which defines a boundary of the CVT scanning position. The ramp turns the feeding path from the transparent platen toward the document ejection tray.
These and other features are described in, or are apparent from, the following detailed description.
Various examples of the devices and methods are described in detail below, with reference to the attached drawing figures, which are not necessarily drawn to scale and in which:
The disclosure will now be described by reference to a multi-function device that includes an automatic document handler. While the disclosure will be described hereinafter in connection with specific devices and methods thereof, it will be understood that limiting the disclosure to such specific devices and methods is not intended. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
For a general understanding of the features of the disclosure, reference is made to the drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals have been used throughout to identify identical elements.
The multifunction device 101 may also include a non-transitory computer storage medium 122 (which can be optical, magnetic, capacitor based, etc.) that is readable by the controller/processor 104 and stores instructions that the controller/processor 104 executes to allow the multifunction device 101 to perform its various functions, such as those described herein.
The multifunction device 101 may also include a document handler 125 that can be used to scan original documents. The document handler 125 also operates on the power supplied from the external power source 119 (through the power supply 116). The document handler 125 may include an image input device capable of obtaining information from an image. The set of image input devices is intended to encompass a wide variety of devices such as, for example, digital document devices, computer systems, memory and storage devices, networked platforms such as servers and client devices which can obtain pixel values from a source device, and image capture devices. The set of image capture devices includes scanners, cameras, photography equipment, facsimile machines, photo reproduction equipment, digital printing presses, xerographic devices, and the like. A scanner is one image capture device that optically scans images, print media, and the like, and converts the scanned image into a digitized format. Common scanning devices include variations of the flatbed scanner, generally known in the art, wherein specialized image receptors move beneath a platen and scan the media placed on the platen. Modern digital scanners typically incorporate a charge-coupled device (CCD) or a contact image sensor (CIS) as the image sensing receptor(s). The scanning device produces a signal of the scanned image data. Such a digital signal contains information about pixels such as color value, intensity, and their location within the scanned image.
Thus, as shown in
As would be understood by those ordinarily skilled in the art, the multifunction device 101 shown in
Referring to
This configuration requires two independent pieces of glass so that the CVT ramp 226 can be fitted below the CVT glass 223 in order to prevent stubbing of the paper. This leads to alignment and focus issues between the two pieces of glass (i.e., the CVT glass 223 and the platen glass 232). As shown in
The transparent platen 328 is contained in a frame 337 and has a sheet side and a scanner side, opposite the sheet side. As shown in
The DADH 310 includes a CVT ramp 346 adjacent to the CVT scanning position 340, but the CVT ramp 346 is moved to the end of the transparent platen 328 and the CVT scanning position 340 is moved onto the transparent platen 328. The CVT ramp 346 may be slightly concave toward the transparent platen 328. The CVT ramp 346 directs the paper path from the CVT scanning position 340 toward the document ejection tray 316. That is, as shown in
During operation in the first scan mode of the DADH 310, the scanner 229 remains stationary in the CVT scanning position 340. During operation in the second scan mode of the DADH 310, a document 201 is placed directly on the transparent platen 328, the scanner 229 is then moved past the document 201 along the bottom surface of the transparent platen 328.
A registration strip 358 may be positioned at the end of the transparent platen 328 opposite the CVT scanning station 343, in order to align the paper that is placed directly on the glass of the transparent platen 328. The transparent platen 328, CVT ramp 346, and registration strip 358 may be disposed in the frame 337, as shown in
In other words, the transparent platen 328 comprises a continuous unbroken item (e.g., glass or other transparent material) that lacks any seams or other discontinuities from one edge 361 of the frame 337 to the other edge 364 of the frame 337 and from one end 367 of the frame 337 to the other end 370 of the frame 337. The scanner 229 is located between the edges 361, 364 of the frame 337. In the first scan mode described above, the scanner 229 remains stationary. In the second scan mode described above, the scanner 229 reciprocates from one end 367 to the other end 370. In both scan modes, the scanner 229 scans (i.e., optically detects printed markings on sheets) through the continuous, unbroken, transparent platen 328.
The DADH 310 may be part of a moveable cover 373 that pivots open to expose the transparent platen 328 for copying individual sheets of paper. It is contemplated that, in some configurations, the CVT ramp 346 and/or registration strip 358 may be included in the moveable cover 373. Furthermore, it is contemplated that the document ejection tray 316 may be moveable in order to be lifted up, as indicated by arrow 376, in order to provide access to the document placement tray 313.
This configuration uses the same glass for the transparent platen 328 and the CVT scanning position 340 so alignment and focus will be the same for both operations, improving optical quality. Additionally, the CVT ramp 346 can be part of the frame 337 surrounding the transparent platen 328, which reduces cost and saves space. With the transparent platen 328 being approximately 435 mm wide, a space saving of approximately 40 mm can be expected. However different sizes for use with, for example 8.5″×11″ platens are equally applicable. By removing the separate CVT glass 223, the scanner width can be reduced, or alternatively, the additional free width can be used for a larger scanning surface.
While some exemplary structures are illustrated in the attached drawings, those ordinarily skilled in the art would understand that the drawings are simplified schematic illustrations and that the claims presented below encompass many more features that are not illustrated (or potentially many less) but that are commonly utilized with such devices and systems. Therefore, it is not intended for the claims presented below to be limited by the attached drawings, but instead the attached drawings are merely provided to illustrate a few ways in which the claimed features can be implemented.
Many computerized devices are discussed above. Computerized devices that include chip-based central processing units (CPU's), input/output devices (including graphic user interfaces (GUI), memories, comparators, processors, etc. are well-known and readily available devices produced by manufacturers such as Dell Computers, Round Rock Tex., USA and Apple Computer Co., Cupertino Calif., USA. Such computerized devices commonly include input/output devices, power supplies, processors, electronic storage memories, wiring, etc., the details of which are omitted herefrom to allow the reader to focus on the salient aspects of the embodiments described herein. Similarly, scanners and other similar peripheral equipment are available from Xerox Corporation, Norwalk, Conn., USA and the details of such devices are not discussed herein for purposes of brevity and reader focus.
The terms printer or printing device as used herein encompasses any apparatus, such as a digital copier, bookmaking machine, facsimile machine, multi-function machine, etc., which performs a print outputting function for any purpose. The details of printers, printing engines, etc., are well known by those ordinarily skilled in the art and are not described in detail herein to keep this disclosure focused on the salient features presented. The devices and methods herein can encompass devices that print in color, monochrome, or handle color or monochrome image data. All foregoing devices and methods are specifically applicable to electrostatographic and/or xerographic machines and/or processes.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular devices and methods only and is not intended to be limiting of this disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
In addition, terms such as “right”, “left”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, “upper”, “lower”, “under”, “below”, “underlying”, “over”, “overlying”, “parallel”, “perpendicular”, etc., used herein, are understood to be relative locations as they are oriented and illustrated in the drawings (unless otherwise indicated). Terms such as “touching”, “on”, “in direct contact”, “abutting”, “directly adjacent to”, etc., mean that at least one element physically contacts another element (without other elements separating the described elements). Further, the terms “automated” or “automatically” mean that once a process is started (by a machine or a user), one or more machines perform the process without further input from any user.
The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The descriptions of the various devices and methods of the present disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the devices and methods disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described devices and methods. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the devices and methods, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the devices and methods disclosed herein.
It will be appreciated that the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims. Unless specifically defined in a specific claim itself, steps or components of the devices and methods herein cannot be implied or imported from any above example as limitations to any particular order, number, position, size, shape, angle, color, or material.
