Abstract:
A scanner has a movable carriage, a platen that is substantially transparent to visible light overlying the carriage, and a light source physically connected to the carriage for moving therewith. The light source is selectively movable between a first position for scanning substantially opaque media positioned on the platen, and overlying the light source, and a second position for scanning media substantially transparent to visible light underlying the light source.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Image-capturing devices, such as scanners, may be configured to scan opaque media and at least partially transparent media, such as transparencies, photo-negatives, slides, etc. When scanning opaque media, light is typically reflected off an image on the surface of the opaque media and onto a sensor that converts the received light into a signal containing data corresponding to the image on the surface of the opaque media. Transparent media are scanned by passing light through the transparent media and onto a sensor that converts the light into an image signal containing data corresponding to an image on the surface of the transparent media. 
         [0002]    Some conventional scanners include a separate light source to backlight the image on the transparent media. The backlight source may be included in a separate transparent media adapter or may be integrated within the scanner equipment, such as in the cover that overlays the scanner platen. However, the backlight source and its implementation hardware add complexity and cost to the scanner. Still other techniques for scanning both transparent and opaque documents include, for example, eliminating the backlight source and collecting the light from the light source used for scanning the opaque media and reflecting the light through the transparent media. However, such techniques require implementation hardware that adds complexity and cost to the scanner. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of an embodiment of a scanner, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
           [0004]      FIG. 2A  is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a scanner scanning substantially opaque media, according to another embodiment of the disclosure. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2B  is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a scanner scanning media substantially transparent to light, according to another embodiment of the disclosure. 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a door for closing an opening in a scanner for receiving media substantially transparent to light, according to another embodiment of the disclosure. 
           [0007]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are side views of an embodiment of a carriage of a scanner in two different operating modes, according to another embodiment of the disclosure. 
           [0008]      FIG. 4C  is a view taken along line  4 C- 4 C of  FIG. 4B , according to another embodiment of the disclosure. 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  is an isometric view of an embodiment of a scanner adjusted for scanning media substantially transparent to light, according to another embodiment of the disclosure. 
           [0010]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are side views illustrating raising an upper portion of an embodiment of a scanner, according to another embodiment of the disclosure. 
           [0011]      FIG. 6C  is a plan view illustrating the placement of actuators for raising and lowering an upper portion of an embodiment of a scanner, according to another embodiment of the disclosure. 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a scanner with a distance between a platen and a carriage adjusted for scanning media substantially transparent to light, according to another embodiment of the disclosure. 
           [0013]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  are side views illustrating an embodiment for manually raising and lowering an upper portion of an embodiment of a scanner, according to another embodiment of the disclosure. 
           [0014]      FIG. 8C  is a perspective view of the upper portion of the scanner of  FIG. 8B . 
           [0015]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  are side views of an embodiment of carriage of a scanner in two different operating modes, according to another embodiment of the disclosure. 
           [0016]      FIG. 9C  is a view taken along line  9 C- 9 C of  FIG. 9B , according to another embodiment of the disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    In the following detailed description of the present embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments that may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice disclosed subject matter, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that process, electrical or mechanical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the claimed subject matter. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the claimed subject matter is defined only by the appended claims and equivalents thereof. 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a scanner  100 , such as a flat-bed scanner, according to an embodiment. Scanner  100  has a platen  110 , e.g., of clear glass or plastic, that is substantially transparent to visible light and that receives substantially opaque media, such as paper, for scanning in an opaque scanning mode. Scanner  100  includes an opening  120 , such as a slot, in one of its ends for receiving at least partially transparent media, or media substantially transparent to visible light (hereinafter referred to as transparent media), such as transparencies, photo-negatives, slides, etc., for scanning in a transparent scanning mode. For another embodiment, the transparent media, such as transparent media  130 , may be disposed in a template  140  that may be received in opening  120  for scanning in the transparent scanning mode. For another embodiment, scanner  100  may be electronically coupled to an external computer  105 . 
         [0019]      FIG. 2A  is a cross-sectional side view of scanner  100  operating in the opaque scanning mode, according to another embodiment. A substantially opaque medium  210  is disposed on platen  110  and is being scanned. A movable carriage  220  moves in the direction of arrow  222 , relative to opaque medium  210 , while scanning opaque medium  210 . When scanning is completed, carriage  220  is moved in the direction of arrow  224  to an initial position from where another scan may be initiated. It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that carriage  220  may ride on a rail (not shown) or within slots that provide a track (not shown). 
         [0020]    A radiation source, such as a light source  225 , e.g., a cold cathode lamp, a cold cathode fluorescent lamp, or the like, is connected to carriage  220  for movement therewith. A sensor  228 , such as a photosensitive device, e.g., an array of charge-coupled devices (or CCDs), is disposed on carriage  220  for converting light received thereat into one or more electronic signals. Note that in the opaque scanning mode, opaque medium  210  overlies light source  225  so that platen  110  is interposed between opaque medium  210  and light source  225 . 
         [0021]    In operation, light  230 , e.g., visible light, from light source  225  is directed through platen  110  and onto a downward facing surface of opaque medium  210 , as shown in  FIG. 2A . The downward facing surface of opaque medium  210  reflects light  230  onto sensor  228 . Sensor  228  converts the reflected light into one or more electronic signals that correspond to one or more images on opaque medium  210 . For one embodiment, the electronic signals are sent to computer  105  ( FIG. 1 ) for processing. 
         [0022]      FIG. 2B  is a cross-sectional side view of scanner  100  operating in the transparent scanning mode, according to another embodiment. In the transparent scanning mode, light source  225  is moved away from carriage  220  and toward platen  110 . For one embodiment, light source  225  may be aligned with sensor  228 , e.g., so that light source  225  is directly above sensor  228 , as shown in  FIG. 2B . A transparent medium or template  140  containing transparent media  130  is inserted into scanner  100  through opening  120  so that the transparent medium or template  140  containing transparent media  130  is located between light source  225  and carriage  220  and thus sensor  228 . Moreover, note that in the transparent scanning mode, the transparent medium or template  140  containing transparent media  130  underlies light source  225  so that light source  225  is interposed between the transparent medium or template  140  containing transparent media  130  and platen  110 . 
         [0023]    For one embodiment, template  140  may be received in a slot formed between a pair of protrusions  232  that protrude from an inner surface of scanner  100  that is opposite opening  120 , as shown in  FIG. 2B . For another embodiment, protrusions  232  may be resilient so as to forcibly engage template  140 . For anther embodiment, protrusions  232  may be chamfered, as shown on  FIG. 2B , so as to facilitate their being deflected apart by template  140 . For some embodiments, template  140  may be received in a slot formed in the inner surface of scanner  100  that is opposite opening  120 . 
         [0024]    In operation, light  230  from light source  225  is directed directly through the transparent medium and onto sensor  228 , as shown in  FIG. 2B . Sensor  228  converts the light into one or more electronic signals that correspond to one or more images on the transparent medium. For one embodiment, the electronic signals are sent to computer  105  ( FIG. 1 ) for processing. 
         [0025]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional side view of a door  310  that may be used to close the opening  120  in the end of scanner  100 . When template  140  or a transparent medium is inserted into scanner  100 , template  140  or the transparent medium engages door  310  and pushes door  310  open. For one embodiment, door  310  may be biased to close opening  120 , e.g., by a torsional spring. For another embodiment, a seal  312  may be disposed on an inner portion of an edge of opening  120  or on a portion of door  310  for preventing dust from entering scanner  100 . 
         [0026]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are side views of carriage  220  as may be viewed with one of the sidewalls of scanner  100  removed, according to another embodiment.  FIG. 4C  is a view taken along line  4 C- 4 C of  FIG. 4B . For one embodiment, arms  410  may be pivotally connected to carriage  220  by a shaft  420  that passes through and protrudes from carriage  220  ( FIG. 4C ). Alternatively, arms  410  may be pivotally connected to pins protruding from carriage  220 . For one embodiment, shaft  420  or the pins are fixedly connected to carriage  220 , and arms  410  are rotatably connected to their respective pins or shaft  420 . For other embodiments, shaft  420  or the pins may be rotatably connected to carriage  220 , and arms  410  may be fixedly attached to their respective pins or shaft  420 . 
         [0027]    Note that  FIG. 4A  corresponds to the opaque scanning mode and  FIGS. 4B and 4C  correspond to the transparent scanning mode. As seen in  FIG. 4C , arms  410  straddle template  140 , and light source  225  is connected between arms  410  so that light source  225  spans the entire width of template  140  in a direction perpendicular the scanning direction and a direction of motion of arms  410 . For one embodiment, light source  225  may be mechanically connected to connectors  422 , which in turn are mechanically connected to arms  410 , e.g., by pins  424 , as shown in  FIG. 4C . For another embodiment, connectors  422  may also be electrically connected to light source  225  for supplying power to light source  225  from a power source (not shown) of scanner  100  electrically coupled to connectors  422 . 
         [0028]    For one embodiment, one or both of arms  410  may be respectively connected to a ram  435  of an actuator  430 , such as a solenoid, that may be attached to carriage  220 , as shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B  for one of arms  410 . More specifically, a ram  435  may be slidably connected to a respective arm  410  by a pin  440  that passes through a slot  445  in the respective arm  410 , as shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B . For one embodiment, a ram  435  may be formed with a pair of tines  448  on an end thereof that straddle an arm  410 , as shown in  FIG. 4C , and pin  440  passes through tines  448  and slot  445 . 
         [0029]    For one embodiment, actuator  430  extends or retracts ram  435  in response to electrical signals from a controller (not shown) of scanner  100 . As ram  435  extends or retracts, pin  440  slides in slot  445 , and arm  410  pivots light source  225  between the position of  FIG. 4A , corresponding to the opaque scanning mode, and the position of  FIG. 4B , corresponding to the transparent scanning mode. For another embodiment, the controller controls actuator  430  in response to user inputs to computer  105  ( FIG. 1 ). For example, the controller may send an electrical signal that causes actuator  430  to move light source  225  to the position of  FIG. 4B  in response to the user selecting the transparency mode of operation, e.g., from a menu displayed on the monitor of computer  105  or from a graphical user interface (not shown) of scanner  100 . 
         [0030]    For another embodiment, template  140  or a transparency engages a lever  450  as template  140  or the transparency is inserted into scanner  100 , as shown in  FIG. 4B . Lever  450  in turn activates a switch that causes an electrical signal activate actuator  430 , causing actuator  430  to move light source  225  to the position of  FIG. 4B . Removing template  140  or the transparency causes lever  450  to return to the position of  FIG. 4A , in which position lever  450  is biased for one embodiment. This causes the switch to deactivate actuator  430 , causing actuator  430  to move light source  225  to the position of  FIG. 4A . 
         [0031]    For embodiments where shaft  420  is rotatably connected to carriage  220  and arms  410  are fixedly attached to shaft  420 , a motor, such as a stepper motor, may be connected to shaft  420 . Upon activation, the motor rotates shaft  420 , which in turn causes arm  410  to pivot light source  225  between the position of  FIG. 4A  and the position of  FIG. 4B . For one embodiment, the motor may be activated by electronic signals that may be supplied to the motor, e.g., from the controller, as described above in conjunction with actuator  430 . For another embodiment, at least one of arms  410  may engage limit switches (not shown) on carriage  220  to stop the motor when the arm  410  is respectively at the positions of  FIGS. 4A and 4B . 
         [0032]    For an alternative embodiment, scanner  100  may include an upper portion  510  that can move relative to a bottom portion  520 , as shown in  FIG. 5 , where upper portion  510  includes platen  110 . For one embodiment, one or more actuators  530 , such as solenoids, raise and lower upper portion  510 , as shown by the side views in  FIGS. 6A and 6B . For one embodiment, an actuator  530 , such as an actuator  530   1 , may be located adjacent each of the four corners of scanner  100 , as shown in the plan view of  FIG. 6C . For another embodiment, an actuator  530 , such as an actuator  530   2 , may be positioned about midway between the opposing ends of scanner  100 , i.e., along a direction parallel to the scanning direction, between each side of platen  110  and each side of scanner  100 , as shown in  FIG. 6C . Alternatively, for another embodiment, an actuator  530 , such as an actuator  530   3 , may be positioned about midway between the opposing sides of scanner  100 , i.e., along a direction perpendicular to the scanning direction, between each end of platen  110  and each end of scanner  100 , as shown in  FIG. 6C . For some embodiments, actuators,  530   1  and  530   2 , actuators  530   1  and  530   3 , or actuators  530   1 ,  530   2 , and  530   3  may be used. 
         [0033]    For one embodiment, upper portion  510  is in its raised position of  FIGS. 5 and 6B  when scanner  100  is in the transparent scanning mode. Raising upper portion  510  by a distance ΔX above lower portion  520  increases the distance d c  between carriage  220  and platen  110  in the opaque scanning mode of  FIG. 2A  to a distance d c +ΔX in the transparent scanning mode of  FIG. 7 , a cross-sectional side view of  FIG. 5 . Note that this also increases the distance d s  between sensor  228  and platen  110  in the opaque scanning mode of  FIG. 2A  to a distance d s +ΔX in the transparent scanning mode of  FIG. 7 . Note that for an alternative embodiment, carriage  220  may be lowered by ΔX instead of raising platen  110  to increase the distance between platen  110  and carriage  220  and thus the distance between platen  110  and sensor  228 . 
         [0034]    For one embodiment, light source  225  may be positioned in its transparency-scanning-mode position of  FIG. 2B  using the techniques described above in conjunction with  FIGS. 4A-4C , e.g., actuator  430  in conjunction with arm  410  or a motor connected to shaft  420 , after or substantially concurrently with increasing the distance between platen  110  and carriage  220  by ΔX. Subsequently, light source  225  may be returned to its opaque-scanning-mode position of  FIG. 2A  using actuator  430  in conjunction with arm  410 , as described above in conjunction with  FIGS. 4A-4C , before or substantially concurrently with decreasing the distance between platen  110  and carriage  220  by ΔX. 
         [0035]    For another embodiment, the distance between platen  110  and carriage  220  is increased by ΔX in response to electrical signals from the controller (not shown) of scanner  100 , e.g., in response to user inputs to computer  105  ( FIGS. 1 and 5 ). For another embodiment, the controller controls actuators  530  in response to user inputs to computer  105  ( FIG. 1 ). For example, the controller may send an electrical signal that causes actuators  530  to raise upper portion  510  from the position of  FIG. 6A , corresponding to the opaque scanning mode for one embodiment, to the position of  FIG. 6B , corresponding to the transparency scanning mode, in response to the user selecting the transparency scanning mode, e.g., from a menu displayed on the monitor of computer  105 . The controller may also send an electrical signal that causes actuators  530  to lower upper portion  510  from the position of  FIG. 6B  to the position of  FIG. 6A  in response to the user selecting the opaque scanning mode, e.g., from a menu displayed on the monitor of computer  105 . 
         [0036]    For another embodiment, upper portion  510  of scanner  100  may be raised and lowered manually using one or more levers  830 , as shown in the side views in  FIGS. 8A and 8B . For one embodiment, each of levers  830  may be fixedly attached to a shaft  832  that may be fixedly attached to one or more eccentric lobes  835 , as shown in  FIGS. 8A-8C . For one embodiment, shaft  832  may span the width of upper portion  510 , as shown in  FIG. 8C . 
         [0037]    Shaft  832  may be rotatably attached to the upper portion  510  by bushings or bearings (not shown) that are respectively fixed to opposing sidewalls of upper portion  510 . To raise upper portion  510  from its opaque-scanning mode position of  FIG. 8A  to its transparent scanning mode position of  FIG. 8B , levers  830  are rotated from their positions shown in  FIG. 8A  to their positions shown in  FIGS. 8B and 8C . Rotating levers  830  rotates the respective shafts  832 , causing lobes  835  to engage an upper surface of bottom portion  520 , as shown in  FIG. 8B . The engagement between lobes  835  and bottom portion  520  exerts a vertical component of force on the respective shaft  832  that in turn exerts a vertical component of force on upper portion  510 , via the bushings or bearings, that raises upper portion  510 . Rotating levers  830  in the opposite direction lowers upper portion  510 . 
         [0038]    For one embodiment, light source  225  may be positioned in its transparency-scanning-mode position of  FIG. 2B  using the techniques described above in conjunction with  FIGS. 4A-4C , e.g., actuator  430  in conjunction with arm  410  or a motor connected to shaft  420 , after manually raising upper portion  510  from the position in  FIG. 8A  to the position in  FIG. 8B . Subsequently, light source  225  may be returned to its opaque-scanning-mode position of  FIG. 2A  using actuator  430  in conjunction with arm  410 , as described above in conjunction with  FIGS. 4A-4C , before manually lowering upper portion  510  from the position in  FIG. 8B  to the position in  FIG. 8A . 
         [0039]    For one embodiment, the one or more actuators  430  of  FIGS. 4A and 4B  may be replaced, for example, by actuators  930 , as shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , side views of carriage  220  as may be viewed with one of the sidewalls of scanner  100  removed. For one embodiment, one or both of arms  410  are respectively connected to a ram  935  of an actuator  930  attached to carriage  220 , as shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B  for one of arms  410 . More specifically, a ram  935  is slidably connected to a respective arm  410  by a pin  940  that passes through the slot  445  in the respective arm  410 , as shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B . For one embodiment, ram  935  is formed with a pair of tines  948  on an end thereof that straddle arm  910 , as shown in  FIG. 9C , a view taken along line  9 C- 9 C of  FIG. 9B , and pin  940  passes through tines  948  and slot  445 . 
         [0040]    For one embodiment, each actuator  930  may have a spring-loaded piston  936  that may be movably disposed within a cylinder  937  of that actuator and that is connected to the ram  935  of that actuator, as shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B . For another embodiment, spring loading may be accomplished by disposing a spring  938  between piston  936  and an end of cylinder  937 . For one embodiment, each actuator  930  biases the connector  422 , connected to light source  225 , against upper portion  510  in the opaque scanning mode of  FIG. 9A  and in the transparent scanning mode of  FIGS. 9B and 9C  via the arm  410  connected to that actuator. Specifically, spring  938  exerts a biasing force on ram  935  that imparts the biasing force to arm  410  that imparts the biasing force to connector  422  so that connector  422  is in forcible engagement with upper portion  510 . This maintains contact between connector  422  and upper portion  510  as upper portion  510  is either raised or lowered. Therefore, in operation, for one embodiment, light source  225  can be moved from the position of  FIG. 2A , corresponding to the opaque scanning mode, to the position of  FIG. 2B , corresponding to the transparent scanning mode by raising the upper portion  510 . Conversely, light source  225  can be moved from the position of  FIG. 2B  to the position of  FIG. 2A  by lowering the upper portion  510 . 
         [0041]    During scanning, connectors  422  may ride against upper portion  510 . For other embodiments, connectors  422  may ride in a track (not shown) disposed in upper portion  510 . Alternatively, a wheel (not shown) may be rotatably connected to each connector  422  so that each connector  422  is in rollable contact with upper portion  510  so that the wheel can roll on upper portion  510 . 
         [0042]    For another embodiment, a torsional spring  950  may be connected to shaft  420 , as shown in  FIG. 9C . In this embodiment, torsional spring  950  exerts a biasing force on shaft  420  that imparts the biasing force to arms  410  that impart the biasing force to connectors  422  so that connectors  422  is in forcible engagement with upper portion  510  as upper portion  510  is either raised or lowered. 
       CONCLUSION 
       [0043]    Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein it is manifestly intended that the scope of the claimed subject matter be limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereof.