Patent ID: 8274713
Filing Date: 2012-09-25
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. In an image acquisition apparatus for acquiring an image of a document, said image acquisition apparatus including a housing having an internal space, a substantially transparent window having an external surface, a width and height dimensions, a CCD sensor array, a light source for illuminating said document, and an opaque cover device for blocking light from escaping said internal space of said housing through said transparent window, said cover device comprising: (a) an opaque wall, having an upper section and a lower section, a top edge, a bottom edge and two side edges, and a width and height dimensions, wherein said width of said wall is equal or larger than said width of said transparent window, and said height of said wall is equal or larger than said height of said transparent window; and (b) document removing mechanism for removing said document from behind said cover, wherein said document is disposed on said external surface of said transparent window during an image acquisition operation; wherein said wall of said cover forms a gap substantially parallel to said external surface of said transparent window; wherein a first insertion slit, having a width, is formed at one or more of said cover edges, selected from the group consisting of said top edge, and one or both side edges, for inserting said document; wherein said cover and said document combine to block escaping of light from said internal space of said housing during an image acquisition operation; wherein a removal slit is formed at said one or both side edges for removing said document, said document being a small form document; and wherein said document removing mechanism facilitates removal of said small form document through said removal slit.