Patent ID: 7031032
Filing Date: 2006-04-18
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A scanning system supporting platen and sheet fed scanning of documents comprising: a first scanning unit with a first enclosure housing a first set of mechanisms for enabling full sheet fed scanning functions and a second set of mechanisms for enabling partial platen scanning functions, said first scanning unit further comprising a docking interface defining an opening in said first enclosure; a second scanning unit with a second enclosure capable of attachment to said first scanning unit through said docking interface and including a third set of mechanisms for enabling complete platen scanning of documents in operable combination with said second set of mechanisms; a feeder opening through which paper documents can be fed into said first scanning unit; a first exit opening adapted to output scanned documents from a first location of said first scanning unit; a first paper pathway extending from said feeder opening to said first exit opening; a first image forming subsystem predisposed within said first scanning unit for scanning images appearing on paper documents fed through said feeder opening; a second image forming subsystem; a first drive subsystem for moving said second image forming subsystem; a latching mechanism for locking said second image forming subsystem in a fixed position in said first scanner during sheet fed scanning; and an unlatching mechanism on said second enclosure which releases said latching mechanism when said second scanning unit is docked with said first scanning unit.