Mobile document handling system

A mobile document handling system includes a mobile document handling system for use with a laptop computer that includes a main housing portion that has a bottom wall designed for resting on a horizontal support surface such as a table. The main housing portion defines an interior space. A input slot is positioned adjacent to a first edge of the main housing portion. The input slot is for selectively receiving at least one sheet of paper. A printing means is operationally couplable to the laptop computer. The printing means is for printing a graphic representation of information from the laptop computer onto the paper. An output slot is positioned adjacent to a second edge of the main housing portion. The output slot is for facilitating egress of the paper from the system after printing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to document handling systems and more particularly pertains to a new mobile document handling system for providing a user with a fax machine, printer, and scanner in a compact mobile package.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The use of document handling systems is known in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 6,069,711 describes a portable printer/facsimile device. Another type of document handling system is U.S. Pat. No. 6,015,211 describing a portable printing device with shutter for covering a print head. U.S. Pat. No. 5,312,196 describes a portable printer and sheet feeder which can be battery powered. U.S. Pat. No. 5,484,991 describes a portable modular workstation including a printer and a portable data collection terminal. U.S. Pat. No. 5,387,043 describes a compact printer. U.S. Pat. No. Des. 353,154 describes an ornamental design for a laser printer.

While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the need remains for a device that is compact and portable allowing the user to adequately handle documents.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention meets the needs presented above by incorporating a scanner, printer, and fax machine into a small portable compact unit.

Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new mobile document handling system that would be compatible with all major laptop brands via a universal serial bus interface.

Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new mobile document handling system that would allow the mobile user a fully functional portable office.

To this end, the present invention generally comprises a mobile document handling system for use with a laptop computer that includes a main housing portion that has a bottom wall designed for resting on a horizontal support surface such as a table. The main housing portion has a top wall. The main housing portion has a perimeter wall that extends upwardly from the bottom wall to the top wall. The main housing portion defines an interior space. A input slot is positioned adjacent to a first edge of the main housing portion. The input slot is for selectively receiving at least one sheet of paper. A printing means is operationally couplable to the laptop computer. The printing means is for printing a graphic representation of information from the laptop computer onto the paper. An output slot is positioned adjacent to a second edge of the main housing portion. The output slot is for facilitating egress of the paper from the system after printing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 4 thereof, a new mobile document handling system embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4 , the mobile document handling system 10 generally comprises a main housing portion 12 that has a bottom wall 14 designed for resting on a horizontal support surface such as a table. The main housing portion 12 has a top wall 16 . The main housing portion 12 has a perimeter wall 18 that extends upwardly from the bottom wall 14 to the top wall 16 . The main housing portion 12 defines an interior space 20 . A input slot 22 is positioned adjacent to a first edge 24 of the main housing portion 12 . The input slot 22 is for selectively receiving at least one sheet of paper 26 . A printing means 28 is operationally couplable to the laptop computer. The printing means 28 is for printing a graphic representation of information from the laptop computer onto the paper 26 . An output slot 30 is positioned adjacent to a second edge 32 of the main housing portion 12 . The output slot 30 is for facilitating egress of the paper from the system after printing.

An optical scanning means 34 is positioned substantially within the main housing portion 12 . The optical scanning means 34 is positioned adjacent to the input slot 22 such that a printed page inserted into the input slot 22 is scannable by the scanning means 34 whereby graphical information from the page is captures. A modem portion 38 is positioned substantially within the main housing portion 12 . The modem portion 38 is operationally coupled to the scanning means 34 such that graphical information from the page is transmittable via the modem portion 38 to a remote user. A memory portion 40 is for storing information to be interchanged with the laptop computer. The memory portion 40 facilitates storage of a representation of graphical information and commands from the user. The memory portion 40 is positioned substantially within the main housing portion 12 . A processing means 42 is for manipulating the representation of graphical information based upon the commands. The processing means 42 is operationally coupled to the memory portion 40 . The processing means 42 is positioned substantially within the main housing portion 12 .

A keypad portion 44 is positioned on a top surface 46 of the main housing portion 12 . The keypad portion 44 facilitates the user input of command information. A display portion 48 is positioned on a top surface 46 of the main housing portion 12 . The display portion 48 provides a visual indicia of command information and system status.

A document feeding assembly 50 is pivotally coupled to the main housing portion 12 . The document feeding assembly 50 is alignable with the input slot 22 such that papers 26 positioned in the document feeding assembly 50 are fed into the input slot 22 as required. The document feeding assembly 50 has a closed position defined by a first surface 52 of the document feeding assembly 50 abutting a top surface 46 of the main housing portion 12 . The document feeding assembly 50 is covering the top surface 46 during storage and transportation of the system.

A sliding paper tray assembly 54 is positionable within the main housing portion 12 . The sliding paper tray assembly 54 is extendable from the main housing portion 12 . The sliding paper tray 54 is positioned adjacent to a lower edge 56 of the output slot 30 . The sliding paper tray 54 facilitating out-feeding of the paper 26 after printing.

The main housing portion 12 has at least one ventilation aperture 58 that extends through the perimeter wall 18 . The ventilation aperture 58 facilitates airflow through the main housing portion 12 . A ventilation fan 60 is positioned substantially within the main housing portion 12 . The ventilation fan 60 is positioned substantially adjacent to the ventilation aperture 58 . The ventilation fan 60 urges air through the main housing portion 12 . The ventilation fan 60 facilitates cooling of the interior space 20 .

A communication means 62 is operationally coupled to the processing means 42 . The communication means 62 facilitates two-way communication between the system 10 and the laptop computer. The two-way communication includes a representation of graphical information, command information, and status information. The communication means 62 includes a communications port selected from the list of communications ports consisting of parallel, serial, universal serial bus, infra-red, and rf.

The printing means 28 includes a printer selected from the group of printers consisting of thermal, inkjet, laser, and impact.

An electrical energy storage means 64 is operationally coupled to the processing means 42 , modem 38 , printing means 28 , and optical scanning 34 means. The electrical energy storage means 64 provides electrical energy for the system. The electrical energy storage means 64 is positioned substantially within the housing 12 .

In use, a user would connect the present invention to a computer via an communication interface cable. The present invention would perform all the functions that a separate scanner, fax, and printer could perform.