Abstract:
A media holder for holding a media sheet against the imaging window of a substantially vertically oriented scanning device. The media holder includes a frame having a first frame section and a second frame section, the first frame section having a first end mounted along an upper edge of the imaging window, and the second frame section extending from a second end of the first frame section at an angle with respect to the first frame section such that a media sheet slot is formed between the imaging window and the second frame section. The media holder further includes a fibrous layer adhesively attached to the frame, wherein the second frame section engages a media sheet inserted in the media sheet slot with frictional force to hold the inserted media sheet against the imaging window.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention generally relates to imaging devices and, more particularly, to imaging devices that perform multi-item scanning during a single scanning operation. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    An imaging device, for example, a scanner, is typically used in a traditional mode where a lid of the imaging device is opened and a document, having images therein, is placed on a scan glass of the imaging device. The images of the document facing the scan glass are imaged/scanned by a scanning unit disposed within the imaging device. The scanned images may be printed on a print media as desired by a user or transmitted to an external device or host. 
         [0005]    Image scanners are used to optically scan and convert images, such as photos, text, or the like into digital images. Examples of image scanners are flatbed scanners and vertical scanners, where documents are placed on a glass, imaging window for scanning In both scanner types, media sheets to be scanned are placed face-down on the glass beneath a cover and a light source and one or more sensor arrays capture substantially the entire area of the glass imaging window. In a flatbed scanner, sheets of media can be placed simultaneously on the glass window relying on gravity to hold the media sheets in place. The entire scan area is thus made available to the user. In a vertical scanner having a substantially vertically oriented glass imaging window, however, sheets of media typically sit on a ledge along the bottom edge of the window. 
         [0006]    When scanning multiple smaller sized sheets of media, such as photographs, simultaneously, it is difficult to make use of the upper portion of the scanned area since the smaller media occupy the lower portion thereof. This precludes a user from using more of the available scan window in a single scan operation. A variety of mechanisms exist for holding objects against a substantially vertical surface. X-ray film grips, for example, provide film engagements for holding x-ray films firmly in place against a back-lighted viewing screen. In a similar manner, some holding devices provide channels or pockets with complex mechanisms that physically capture a portion of the object to hold it in place. Most of these mechanisms are bulky structures which protrude relatively far from the perimeter of the surface to form a rigid structure to brace and clamp the objects. However, these devices are subject to a number of disadvantages, including the fact that they are difficult and expensive to assemble. Also, some of these devices exert excessive forces that can possibly permanently mark or damage the held object. Based upon the foregoing, there is a need for an improved media holder which is simple in construction and inexpensive to manufacture. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    Embodiments of the present disclosure overcome shortcomings associated with existing holding mechanisms and thereby satisfy a significant need for a media holder for a vertically originated scanning device which is unobtrusive, possesses a low-profile, and effectively holds media in place against an upper portion of the scan area of the scanning device. According to example embodiments, there is shown a media holder that conveniently is allows simultaneous scanning of multiple smaller sized originals without tearing, bending, or leaving impression marks on the media. 
         [0008]    In an example embodiment, an image scanning device includes a substantially vertical imaging window; and a media holder for holding a media sheet against the imaging window. The media holder includes a frame having a first frame section and a second frame section, the first frame section having a first end mounted along an upper edge of the imaging window, and the second frame section extending from a second end of the first frame section at an angle with respect to the first frame section such that a media sheet slot is formed between the imaging window and the second frame section. The media holder further includes a fibrous layer adhesively attached to the frame, wherein the second frame section engages a media sheet inserted in the media sheet slot with frictional force to hold the inserted media sheet against the imaging window. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of the various embodiments of the invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent will be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a vertically oriented imaging device including an example embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the imaging device of  FIG. 1  with a scan lid in the open position showing sheets of relatively small media suspended from a media holder according to an example embodiment; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  shows a cross sectional view of the imaging device of  FIGS. 1 and 2  taken along the  3 - 3  line of  FIG. 2 ; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram depicting components of the imaging device of FIG. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiment(s) of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. 
         [0015]      FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate perspective views of an embodiment of an imaging is device  100  according to an exemplary embodiment. Imaging device  100 , which may be a standalone imaging device, includes a housing  102  having a front portion  104  including an imaging window  106  ( FIG. 2 ). Imaging window  106  may be constructed from a rigid, transparent and/or translucent material, such as glass. 
         [0016]    Further, the imaging device  100  includes a lid  108  pivotally connected to the front portion  104  of the housing  102 . The lid  114  may be pivotably connected along a bottom edge thereof to housing  102  via hinges or the like (not shown) to allow the lid  114  to move between a closed position as shown in  FIG. 1  and an open position as shown in  FIG. 2 . The back portion of the imaging device  100  may have an input media tray  110  that may retain one or more print media sheets therein. A media output area  112  may be positioned along a lower part of front portion  104 . 
         [0017]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram depicting at least some of the main components of imaging device  100 . Imaging device  100  may include a scanning unit  118  disposed within housing  102  which captures an image from one or more documents disposed against imaging window  106 . Scanning unit  118  may be coupled to and controlled by a controller  116  of imaging device  100 . 
         [0018]    Imaging device  100  may include a print engine  122 , controlled by controller  116 , for printing an image onto a sheet of media. Print engine  122  may include any of a variety of different types of printing mechanisms including dye-sublimation, dot-matrix, ink-jet or laser printing. For ease of description, print engine  112  may be an inkjet printing device although such description should not be considered limiting. Print engine  122  may include a carriage (not shown) for holding at least one print cartridge  124 . According to the exemplary embodiment, two print cartridges  124  may be utilized wherein, by way of example, a color cartridge is utilized for color printing and a black cartridge for text or other monochrome printing. As one skilled in the art will recognize, the color cartridge may include three inks, i.e., cyan, magenta and yellow inks. As an alternative, a single black cartridge may be used. 
         [0019]    In another alternative embodiment, one or more printheads (not shown) may be disposed in the movable carriage and one or more stationary ink containers may be in fluid communication with the one or more printheads. In yet another alternative embodiment, at is least one stationary printhead assembly is disposed substantially entirely across the media path of imaging device  100  and at least one ink container may be in fluid communication with the printhead assembly, for providing page-wide printing. 
         [0020]    Imaging device  100  may include one or more mechanisms (not shown) for picking a sheet of media from input media tray  110 , moving the picked sheet to be adjacent print engine  122  for printing an image thereon, and moving the picked sheet having the printed image to output area  112 . During advancement, the picked media sheet moves from the input media tray  110  to the media output area  112  along a substantially L-shaped media path. 
         [0021]    Imaging device  100  may include a user interface, such as a graphical user interface, for receiving user input concerning printing operations performed or to be performed by imaging device  100 , and for providing to the user information concerning same. The user interface may include firmware maintained in memory  120  within housing  102  which is performed by controller  116  or other processing element. In an example embodiment, the graphical user interface may include a display panel  114 , which may be a touch screen display in which user input is provided by the user touching or otherwise making contact with panel  114 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , display panel  114  may be disposed along the outer surface of lid  108  and sized for providing graphic images that allow for convenient communication of information between imaging device  100  and the user. Display panel  114  may include a liquid crystal display, a light emitting diode display or the like. 
         [0022]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of the imaging device  100  with lid  108  disposed in the open position and imaging window  106  exposed. With lid  108  being in the open position, one or more sheets S of media may be disposed against imaging window  106  so that the images may be captured by a scan operation. Imaging window  106  is disposed in an inclined position at an acute angle relative to the horizontal. In one embodiment, imaging window  106  may be inclined at an angle between about 65 and about 71 degrees to the horizontal. Front portion  104  of housing  102  may also include a ledge  114  against which a sheet of media to be scanned may rest when positioned against imaging window  106 . 
         [0023]    Scanning unit  118  may include a reciprocating scan bar (not shown) and scan-related components disposed within the housing  102 . The reciprocating scan bar and the scan related components are disposed adjacent to the inner surface of imaging window  106  and are in imaging relationship thereto. Further, the scan bar may reciprocate laterally in side-to-side is directions with respect to the imaging window  106  to perform a scanning operation on one or more sheets S of media positioned against imaging window  106 . During an imaging operation, the scan bar may capture images of media sheets S and store the captured images in a memory of a controller  116  or other processor of imaging device  100 . 
         [0024]    Alternatively, instead of utilizing a scan bar for capturing an image of one or more media sheets S a few scan lines at a time, scanning unit  118  may capture substantially the entire image of the media sheets S at one time. By capturing an entire image substantially simultaneously, the scan bar and its corresponding drive mechanism are not utilized. In this alternative embodiment, imaging device  100  may include light sources of sufficient number and placement to generate and direct light towards the one or more media sheets S disposed against imaging window  106  so that light reflections may be captured by one or more image sensors within housing  102  (not shown). 
         [0025]    According to an example embodiment, imaging device  100  may include a media holding mechanism  300  for supporting one or more sheets S of media against imaging window  106 . Media holding mechanism  300  may be disposed along the upper portion of imaging window  106  so that sheets S of media may be suspended therefrom. In this way, a majority surface of imaging window  106  may be available for capturing images from multiple sheets S of media in a single image capture operation. 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , media holding mechanism  300  may include a frame member  310  disposed along the upper edge of imaging window  106 . Frame member  310  may include a first frame section  312  and second frame section  314  which in one example embodiment may form a substantially L-shaped cross section. Alternatively, first frame section  312  and second frame section  314  may be positioned at an acute angle relative to each other. Frame member  310  may be formed from a material such as plastic. First frame member  312  and second frame member  314  serve to bias a sheet S of media against imaging window  106  when a portion of the sheet S is inserted between imaging window  106  and second frame section  314 . In an example embodiment, a cross-sectional length of first frame section  312  may be between about 0.25 inches and about 0.5 inches, and a length of second frame section  314  may be between about 0.12 inches and about 0.25 inches. 
         [0027]    An end of first frame section  312  may be disposed within housing  102  and particularly between cover members  315  of housing  102  in a substantially fixed position. Second frame section  314  extends from the outwardly extending end of first frame section  312  and is positioned adjacent the upper, outer surface of imaging window  106  at a distance therefrom so as to form a slot. Second frame section  314  is sized so that second frame section  312  extends sufficiently in front of the upper, outer surface of imaging window  106  by an amount to temporarily secure a media sheet S in the slot between second frame section  314  and imaging window  106  when inserted therein. The slot may be sized to accommodate media sheets up to about 0.5 mm thick. 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , media holding mechanism  300  may further include a stopper member  316  disposed between second frame section  314  and the upper, outer surface of imaging window  106  so as to limit the amount of insertion of a media sheet S between second frame section  314  and imaging window  106 . Alternatively, media holding mechanism  300  does not include a stopper member  316  in which case a portion of first frame section  312  may be used to limit the amount of media sheet insertion. 
         [0029]    Media holding mechanism  300  may include a sheet of material  318  disposed about a portion of frame member  310  and which serves to substantially prevent a media sheet S from slipping out of a desired position when a portion of sheet S is inserted between imaging window  106  and second frame section  314 . Material  318  may be wrapped around and secured to frame member  310  using an adhesive (not shown). In one embodiment, material  318  may be secured to at least a portion of the upper surface of first frame section  312  and the outer surface, bottom surface and a portion of the inner surface of second frame section  314 , as shown  FIG. 3 . By securing material  318  to frame member  310  in this way, material  318  will be substantially less likely to be inadvertently moved over time from the insertion of media sheets S within the gap between imaging window  106  and second frame section  314 . 
         [0030]    According to an example embodiment, the sheet of material  318  may be flock paper having relatively short or crushed fibers secured to the sheet to form a textured surface, such as a velvet like surface. The fibers may be any of a number of different compositions, including wool or cotton. It is understood, however, that the sheet of material  318  may be constructed from other material. 
         [0031]    As described above, the scanning unit  118  of imaging device  100  captures an image appearing on at least one sheet S of media that is disposed against imaging window  106  during a scan operation. In an example embodiment, the extent of the image captured corresponds to substantially the entire area of imaging window  106 , including the area of imaging window  106  disposed adjacent and/or behind second frame section  314 . In this embodiment, controller  116  or other processor of imaging device  100  may receive the image captured during a scan operation and determine whether the portion of the captured image corresponding to the area of imaging window  106  behind second frame section  314  includes image content. This determination may, for example, include detecting a pixel value in the captured image corresponding to such area which is different from a pixel value when no sheet is inserted between imaging window  106  and second frame section  314 , or detecting varying pixel values in the captured image corresponding to such area. Upon a determination that the portion of the image corresponding to the area of imaging window  106  behind second frame section  314  fails to include any content, then the captured image is cropped to remove such image portion. Otherwise, if content is detected, then the captured image is not cropped. In this way, the resulting image better matches the intended image captured. 
         [0032]    It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.