Abstract:
An autofeeder and media object digitization system. A receptacle for media objects is coupled to align a first wall with a clip to hold the media object. A suction device forming part of the first wall sucks a media object against a suction plate. The suction plate then moves the media object into engagement with the clip. The clip is driven to move the media object past a scanning window. A release lever or the clip is triggered to release the media object after it has passed the scanning window.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
   (1) Field of the Invention 
   The invention relates to the digitization of media objects such as X-ray films. More specifically, the invention relates to an autofeeder for media objects in a digitizing system. 
   (2) Background 
   In recent years there has been a trend for digitizing media objects such as, for example, X-ray films to render the images thereon easily transmissible from remote locations for reading, and also in an effort to reduce storage requirements. Various systems are available for performing this digitization, including the CobraScan® X-ray scanner available from Radiographic Digital Imaging, Inc. of Compton, Calif. That system includes a clip which accepts a single X-ray film and transports it in front of a imaging window through which an image sensing array captures an image of the X-ray film, thereby digitizing the X-ray image. Where large numbers of X-rays are to be digitized, each one must be manually inserted into the clip before initiating the scanning procedure. This labor-intensive system deters the digitization of large existing libraries of X-ray films, and reduces the convenience of, for example, exchanging a patient&#39;s medical history between remote sites, where numerous X-rays are involved. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention is illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean at least one. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an autofeeder of one embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the autofeeder of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a side-sectional view of the autofeeder of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4  is an enlarged section view of the clip of the autofeeder of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 5  is a partial view of a portion of the clip of one embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 6  is a side-sectional view of the scanner autofeeder assembly of one embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 7  is a side-sectional view of the autofeeder scanner assembly with the autofeeder in a second orientation. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an autofeeder of one embodiment of the invention. The shown embodiment may be used with the CobraScan® scanner available from Radiographic Digital Imaging, Inc. of Compton, Calif. Such embodiment may be substituted for the light box standard on the CobraScan® unit. 
   A receptacle  100  is constructed to receive media objects such as X-ray films, or other media types, to be scanned. Exemplary media object  106  is shown in phantom lines. The back surface of the receptacle  100  is partially defined by a suction plate  104  having a plurality of perforations  108  therethrough. As is described below, the suction plate  104  when the suction pump is active sucks adjacent media object  106  against the plate and raises it to be engaged by clip  102 . The suction pump (not shown) is powered when a magnetic switch  112  is activated by magnet  110  when the clip  102  is in the rest position. Insertion of media object  106  into clip  102  causes a rod  116  to rotate, thereby disengaging magnet  110  from the magnetic switch  112 , causing the suction pump  200  to shut off. It is also within the scope and contemplation of this invention to use other switching mechanisms including, without limitation, an optical interruptor, a pressure switch, a toggle switch, etc. 
   When the suction pump  200  shuts off solenoid valve  210  causes the pressure to be quickly released from the suction chamber and the vacuum cylinder (discussed below). The suction plate  104  then disengages from the media object  106 . The clip  102  then grasping the media object transports it past the scan window (not shown) so that it can be digitized by a digitizer. Discussion of the general operation of the clip as a transport mechanism can be found in copending application Ser. No. 08/089,311, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,208,437 entitled A VIEWING LIGHT BOX SCANNER FOR SCANNING AND VIEWING TRANSMISSIVE AND REFLECTIVE MEDIA IMAGES. On completion of the scan, a release lever  114  is automatically actuated to release the media object into a bin (not shown). The clip  102  then returns to the rest position to receive a next media object from the receptacle  100 . 
     FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the autofeeder of  FIG. 1 . A suction pump  200  is coupled to a manifold  201  that distributes the suction between a suction chamber  204  and a vacuum cylinder  202 . In one embodiment the connections between the pump, manifold, chamber and cylinder is via tubes  211  having quick release connection at each end to facilitate easy setup. The facing side of suction chamber  204 , adjacent to the receptacle  100 , is suction plate  104 . Thus, when the pump  200  is activated by the magnetic switch described above, suction is applied through the perforations to the contents of the receptacle  100 . Once the suction engages a media object, the media object prevents further flow of air through the perforations and the suction chamber  204  is evacuated by the suction pump  200 . Once this vacuum is created, the vacuum cylinder  202  is also evacuated. 
   A magnet  205  is magnetically coupled to the suction chamber to restrain the chamber from rising until enough pressure builds up. This helps to insure that the media object  106  is held firmly against the suction plate  104  before movement begins. Once sufficient pressure builds up in the cylinder  202  the magnetic coupling of magnet  205  is broken and piston arm  208  rises up the cylinder  202 . The suction chamber  204  resides within tracks  206  and is coupled to the piston arm  208 . Accordingly, the suction chamber  204  with media object in tow rises up the tracks  206  until the media object engages the clip, turning the rod  116  and disconnecting the power to the pump. The solenoid valve  210  then promptly releases the pressure within the suction chamber and vacuum cylinder  202 , thereby releasing the film and allowing the piston arm  208  and suction chamber  204  to return to the rest position. 
     FIG. 3  is a side-sectional view of the autofeeder of  FIG. 1 . Suction chamber  204  is almost to the peak of its “up” position, such that media object  106  has been moved from receptacle  100  to just begin to engage jaws  300 ,  302  or the clip  102 . 
     FIG. 4  is an enlarged sectional view of clip  102 . A roller  400  resides in a cavity between jaw  300  and  302 , such that while the roller  400  is in place, jaws  300  and  302  do not close completely. A bias spring  402  is provided to bias jaw  300  into engagement with jaw  302 . Upon insertion of a media object  106 , the roller  400  is rolled into larger cavity  404  and reside in position  450 , such that the jaws  300 ,  302  hold the media object between them. Lateral pressure on release lever  114  causes jaw  300  to compress bias spring  402 , releasing media object  106 . At such point, roller  400  will fall under the influence of gravity back between jaw  300  and  302 . In this manner, minimal force is required to insert a media object into the clip. Roller  400  may be spherical (or a series of spheres) such as ball bearings. Alternatively, one or more small cylinders may be used. If cylinders are used the cavity  404  must be of appropriate dimension to ensure that the cylinders retain their longitudinal orientation within the cavity  404 .  FIG. 5  is a partial-sectional view of the clip of one embodiment of the invention. A permanent magnet  110  is attached to rod  116  and biased to be in a particular position by spring  502 . When the media object is inserted into the clip, it engages rod  116 , turning permanent magnet  110  so as to disengage a magnetic switch (not shown). Once the media object is released from the clip, the bias spring  502  returns the magnet to an engagement position. 
     FIG. 6  is a side sectional view of the scanner autofeeder assembly of one embodiment of the invention. A housing  550  has a clip  502  coupled thereto. Housing  500  also defines the scanning window and contains a digitizer such as a linear CCD or other similar image sensing array. Further description of the digitizer may be found in copending patent application Ser. No. 08/089,311 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,208,437, entitled A VIEWING LIGHT BOX SCANNER FOR SCANNING AND VIEWING TRANSMISSIVE AND REFLECTIVE MEDIA IMAGES, and Ser. No. 09/450,031 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,188,501 entitled AN APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CAPTURING IMAGES FROM ALTERNATIVE MEDIA TYPES AN APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CAPTURING IMAGES FROM ALTERNATIVE MEDIA TYPES. Similarly, clip  502  relies on the same sort of transport mechanism as described in those copending applications. The layout of suction plate  504 , suction cavity  604  and vacuum cylinder  602  is substantially as described in connection with  FIG. 2  above. A light box is coupled to the housing to form one side of receptacle  600 . A translucent plate  528  forms a portion of the external-most surface of the autofeeder assembly. A plurality of light sources are disposed between the translucent plate and the front wall of the receptacle. In one embodiment these light sources are cold cathode lamps, which are available commercially in diameters of three millimeters. Other light sources are within the scope and contemplation of the invention. The light box assembly, as shown in  FIG. 6 , is oriented to align such that a media object inserted into clip  502  is backlighted by the light box for reading. When positioned thus, the autofeeder is disabled. 
     FIG. 7  shows a side sectional view of the autofeeder scanner assembly with the autofeeder in a second orientation. In this orientation, media objects may be inserted into the receptacle  600  through the top opening. The light box pivots out slightly about piano hinge  520  once the autofeeder light box assembly is first slid along slot  622  to align the suction plate  504  with clip  502 . In this configuration, the operation of the autofeeder is substantially as described above. 
   In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes can be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.