Abstract:
An apparatus for feeding a document includes a chassis, a copying device coupled to the chassis, a feed tray coupled to the chassis and moveable between a first position and second position, a first feed mechanism operable to accept a document from the feed tray and feed the document to the copying device by way of a substantially arcuate path, and a second feed mechanism operable to accept the a document from the feed tray and feed the document to the copying device by way of a substantially linear path. Paper documents may be fed to the copying device from the feed tray in the first position and photographs may be fed to the copying device from the feed try in the second position.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure relates generally to information handling systems, and more particularly to feeding a document. 
     As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems. 
     One of the many applications of an information handling system includes enabling the ability to scan documents into digital formats in order to allow those documents to be stored, edited, copied, and printed. Current devices couple to the information handling system and allow the scanning of documents either by having the document manually placed on the scanner, or by routing the document to the scanner themselves through an automatic document feeder. 
     The scanning of documents raises a number of issues. Sensitive documents such as, for example, printed photographs, may require careful handling as to not damage them. Placing these sensitive documents manually on current scanners raises the least chance of causing them damage, but results in a very time consuming process. 
     In order to speed up the process of scanning sensitive documents, the automatic document feeder may be used. However, current automatic document feeders take the document through an arcuate-shaped path which can place the documents in stress and induce a curl in the document, which is very undesirable with sensitive documents such as printed photographs. Furthermore, automatic document feeders use pick/feed mechanisms which have the potential to cause damage to the face of the document they engage such as the image side of a printed photograph. 
     Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a method and apparatus for feeding a document absent the disadvantages discussed above. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to one embodiment, an apparatus for feeding a document is provided that includes a chassis, a copying device coupled to the chassis, a feed tray coupled to the chassis and moveable between a first position and second position, a first feed mechanism operable to accept a document from the feed tray and feed the document to the copying device by way of a substantially arcuate path, and a second feed mechanism operable to accept the a document from the feed tray and feed the document to the copying device by way of a substantially linear path. 
     A principal advantage of this embodiment is that regular documents may be scanned in the normal manner, while sensitive documents may be scanned with a reduced risk of damage. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of an information handling system. 
         FIG. 2   a  is a front perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a chassis. 
         FIG. 2   b  is a rear perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the chassis of  FIG. 2   a.    
         FIG. 2   c  is a cross sectional view illustrating an embodiment of the chassis of  FIG. 2   a  taken along line  2   c.    
         FIG. 3   a  is a front perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a document inlet tray. 
         FIG. 3   b  is a cross sectional view illustrating an embodiment of the document inlet tray of  FIG. 3   a  taken along line  3   b.    
         FIG. 4   a  is a front perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the document inlet tray of  FIG. 3   a  pivotally coupled to the chassis of  FIG. 2   a  and providing a document feeding apparatus. 
         FIG. 4   b  is a cross sectional view illustrating an embodiment of the document feeding apparatus of  FIG. 4   a  taken along line  4   b.    
         FIG. 5   a  is a rear perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the document feeding apparatus of  FIG. 4   a  with the document inlet tray pivoted. 
         FIG. 5   b  is a cross sectional view illustrating an embodiment of the document feeding apparatus of  FIG. 5   a  taken along line  5   b.    
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a document inlet tray. 
         FIG. 7   a  is a front perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the document inlet tray of  FIG. 6  pivotally coupled to the chassis of  FIG. 2   a  and providing a document feeding apparatus. 
         FIG. 7   b  is a rear perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the document feeding apparatus of  FIG. 7   a  with the document inlet tray pivoted. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the chassis of  FIG. 2   a  coupled to a printing apparatus. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     For purposes of this disclosure, an information handling system may include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, or other purposes. For example, an information handling system may be a personal computer, a network storage device, or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. The information handling system may include random access memory (RAM), one or more processing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic, ROM, and/or other types of nonvolatile memory. Additional components of the information handling system may include one or more disk drives, one or more network ports for communicating with external devices as well as various input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display. The information handling system may also include one or more buses operable to transmit communications between the various hardware components. 
     In one embodiment, information handling system  10 ,  FIG. 1 , includes a microprocessor  12 , which is connected to a bus  14 . Bus  14  serves as a connection between microprocessor  12  and other components of computer system  10 . An input device  16  is coupled to microprocessor  12  to provide input to microprocessor  12 . Examples of input devices include keyboards, touchscreens, and pointing devices such as mouses, trackballs and trackpads. Programs and data are stored on a mass storage device  18 , which is coupled to microprocessor  12 . Mass storage devices include such devices as hard disks, optical disks, magneto-optical drives, floppy drives and the like. Computer system  10  further includes a display  20 , which is coupled to microprocessor  12  by a video controller  22 . A system memory  24  is coupled to microprocessor  12  to provide the microprocessor with fast storage to facilitate execution of computer programs by microprocessor  12 . It should be understood that other busses and intermediate circuits can be deployed between the components described above and microprocessor  12  to facilitate interconnection between the components and the microprocessor. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2   a ,  2   b , and  2   c , a chassis  100  includes a feed device  102  including a front surface  102   a  and a rear surface  102   b  opposite the front surface  102   a . An arcuate-path inlet  102   c  is defined by the feed device  102 , positioned on the front surface  102   a , and provides access to a arcuate-path passageway  102   d  which is also defined by the feed device  102 . A linear-path inlet  102   e  is defined by the feed device  102 , positioned on the rear surface  102   b , and provides access to a linear-path passageway  102   f  which is also defined by the document feed device  102 . A document outlet  102   g  is defined by the feed device  102 , positioned on the front surface  102   a , and provides access to a document exit passageway  102   h  which is also defined by the feed device  102 . An access door channel  102   i  is defined by the feed device  102  and is positioned adjacent the arcuate-path passageway  102   d  and the linear-path passageway  102   f . An arcuate feed drive  104  is coupled to the feed device  102 , positioned adjacent the arcuate-path inlet  102   c , an includes a conventional pick/feed mechanism known in the art. A linear-path feed drive  106  is coupled to the feed device  102 , positioned adjacent the linear-path inlet  102   e , an includes a conventional pick/feed mechanism known in the art. A document outlet feed drive  108  is coupled to the feed device  102 , positioned adjacent the document outlet  102   g , an includes a conventional pick/feed mechanism known in the art. A primary feed drive  110  is coupled to the feed device  102  and positioned adjacent the arcuate feed drive  104 , the linear path feed drive  106 , and the document outlet feed drive  108 . The primary feed drive  110  is also positioned adjacent the arcuate-path passageway  102   d , the linear-path passageway  102   f , and the document outlet passageway  102   h . An access door  111  is moveably coupled to the acess door passageway  102   i  and positioned adjacent the arcuate-path passageway  102   d , the linear-path passageway  102   f , and the document outlet passageway  102   h . A copying device  112  is coupled to the feed device  102  and positioned adjacent the primary feed drive  110  and the document exit passageway  102   h . A document exit tray  114  is coupled to and extends from the feed device  102  and includes a top surface  114   a . A plurality of support members  116   a  and  116   b  extend from the top surface  114   a  of document exit tray  114  in a spaced apart relationship, adjacent the front surface  102   a  of document feed device  102 , and on opposite sides of the document outlet  102   g . A plurality of coupling members  118   a  and  118   b  are positioned on opposite sides of the document feed device  102 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b , a document inlet tray  200  includes a plurality of arms  202   a  and  202   b  which are substantially parallel to each other, spaced apart, and coupled together by a document support member  204 . Arm  202   a  includes a coupler  202   aa  on its distal end, a top surface  202   ab , and a bottom surface  202   ac  opposite the top surface  202   ab . Arm  202   b  includes a coupler  202   ba  on its distal end, a top surface  202   bb , and a bottom surface  202   bc  opposite the top surface  202   bb . Document support member  204  includes a end  204   a , an end  204   b  opposite the end  204   a , and is coupled to the plurality of arms  202   a  and  202   b  such that end  204   a  is positioned adjacent top surfaces  202   ab  and  202   bb  on arms  202   a  and  202   b , respectively, and end  204   b  is positioned adjacent bottom surfaces  202   ac  and  202   bc  on arms  202   a  and  202   b , respectively. As a result, document support member  204  provides support surface between the plurality of arms  202   a  and  202   b.    
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2   a ,  2   b ,  3   a ,  4   a  and  4   b , in operation, the document inlet tray  200  is pivotally coupled to the chassis  100  by positioning the plurality of arms  202   a  and  202   b  on opposite sides of the feed device  102  and pivotally coupling the couplers  202   aa  and  202   ba  on arms  202   a  and  202   b , respectively, to the coupling members  118   a  and  118   b  on feed device  102 . The coupling of the document inlet tray  200  with the chassis  100  provides a document feeding apparatus  300 . With the document inlet tray  200  pivotally coupled to the feed device  102 , the document inlet tray  200  may be pivoted to a position A, with bottom surface  202   ac  and bottom surface  202   bc  on arms  202   a  and  202   b , respectively, engaging support members  116   a  and  116   b . In position A, document support member  204  on document inlet tray  200  provides a support surface that is adjacent arcuate-path inlet  102   c , and access door  111  extends out of access door channel  102   i  and blocks document outlet passageway  102   h  and copying device  112  from linear-path passageway  102   f . Documents may then be positioned on the document inlet tray  200  for feeding to the copying device  112  by the document feeding apparatus  300 . Documents in the document inlet tray  200  are then fed from the arcuate feed drive  104  to the primary feed drive  110  and through the arcuate-path passageway  102   d . In an embodiment, the arcuate feed drive  104  may be engaged and the linear-path feed drive  106  may be disengaged when the document feed inlet tray  200  is in position A. The documents are then guided by the access door  111  in an arcuate path around the primary feed drive  110  and past the copying device  112  into the document outlet passageway  102   h . Documents may be converted into a digital format as they are fed across the copying device  112 . The documents are then fed by the primary feed drive  110  to the document outlet feed drive  108 , out of the document outlet passageway  102   h , and onto the top surface  114   a  of document exit tray  114 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2   a ,  2   b ,  3   a ,  5   a  and  5   b , the document inlet tray  200  may be pivoted about the coupling between couplers  202   aa  and  202   ba  on arms  202   a  and  202   b , respectively, and the coupling members  118   a  and  118   b  on chassis  100  and into a position B. Pivoting document inlet tray  200  into position B results in access door  111  translating along its moveable coupling to access door passageway  102   i  into access door channel  102   i . In position B, document support member  204  on document inlet tray  200  provides a support surface that is adjacent linear-path inlet  102   e . Documents may then be positioned on the document inlet tray  200  for feeding to copying device  112  by the document feeding apparatus  300 . Documents in the document inlet tray  200  are then fed from the linear-path feed drive  106 , through the linear-path passageway  102   f , and to the primary feed drive  110 . In an embodiment, the linear-path feed drive  104  may be engaged and the arcuate-path feed drive  104  may be disengaged when the document feed inlet tray  200  is in position B. The documents are then guided past the copying device  112  and into the document outlet passageway  102   h . Documents may be converted into a digital format as they are fed across the copying device  112 . The documents are then fed by the primary feed drive  110  to the document outlet feed drive  108  out of the document outlet passageway  102   h  and onto the top surface  114   a  of document exit tray  114 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , an embodiment of a document feeding apparatus  400  is substantially identical in design and operation to the document feeding apparatus  300  described above with reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  2   a ,  2   b ,  2   c ,  3   a ,  3   b ,  4   a ,  4   b ,  5   a , and  5   b , with the provision of a modified document feed tray  500 . Document feed tray  500  includes a plurality of support beams  502   a  and  502   b  which are substantially parallel, spaced apart, and coupled together by a document support member  504 . Support beams  502   a  and  502   b  each include a coupling ends  502   aa  and  502   ba  on their distal ends. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b , in operation, the document feed tray  500  may be coupled to the chassis  100  by coupling the coupling ends  502   aa  and  502   ba  on support beams  502   a  and  502   b , respectively, to the front surface  102   a  of chassis  100  into a position C using conventional method known in the art. In position C, the document feeding apparatus  400  operates in the substantially same manner as the document feeding apparatus  300  in position A, described above with reference to  FIG. 4   b . The document feed tray  400  may the be decoupled from the front surface  102   a  of chassis  100  and coupled to the rear surface  102   b  of chassis  100  into a position D using conventional methods known in the art. In position D, the document feeding apparatus  400  operates in the substantially same manner as the document feeding apparatus  300  in position B, described above with reference to  FIG. 5   b.    
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , an embodiment of a document feeding apparatus  600  is substantially identical in design and operation to the document feeding apparatus  300  and  400  described above with reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  2   a ,  2   b ,  2   c ,  3   a ,  3   b ,  4   a ,  4   b ,  5   a ,  5   b ,  6 ,  7   a  and  7   b  with the provision of a printing apparatus  602 . Printer apparatus  602  includes a display  604  operable to display functions and operation of the document feeding apparatus  600 . A plurality of controls  606  are provided to allow manipulation of the document feeding apparatus  600 . A copy exit tray  608  is defined by the printing apparatus  602  and provides storage area for copies made by the printing apparatus  602 . The document inlet trays  200  or  500  may be coupled to the document scanning apparatus  600  to provide the operation described above. In an embodiment, the document feeding apparatus  600  is operable to provide functions such as, for example, printing functions, copying functions, scanning functions, faxing functions, and a variety of other functions known in the art. 
     It is understood that variations may be made in the foregoing without departing from the scope of the disclosed embodiments. Furthermore, the elements and teachings of the various illustrative embodiments may be combined in whole or in part some or all of the illustrated embodiments. 
     Although illustrative embodiments have been shown and described, a wide range of modification, change and substitution is contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances, some features of the embodiments may be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the embodiments disclosed herein.