Abstract:
An optical scanner may be used either with or without a support stand. When operated without the support stand, the scanner may be used to acquire an image of an object in virtually any location and/or orientation, e.g., an image of a picture hanging on a wall. When used in conjunction with the support stand, the scanner may attach to the support stand such that it is able to pivot with respect to the support stand. An object to be scanned (e.g., a document) may then be placed on a support surface of the support stand and the scanner pivoted to a closed position to allow scanning of the object. In this manner, the scanner may also be used in a manner similar to a conventional flatbed scanner.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/461,261, filed Apr. 7, 2003, for OPTICAL SCANNER ASSEMBLY of Modest Khovaylo which is hereby incorporated by reference for all that is disclosed therein. 
   U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/461,273, filed Apr. 7, 2003, for OPTICAL SCANNER ASSEMBLY of Modest Khovaylo and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/819,805 filed Apr. 6, 2004, for OPTICAL SCANNER ASSEMBLY of Modest Khovaylo et al. are hereby incorporated by reference for all that is disclosed therein. 

   BACKGROUND 
   Scanner devices, such as flatbed scanners, are well-known in the art and produce machine-readable image data signals that are representative of a scanned object, such as a photograph or a page of printed text. In a typical scanner application, the image data signals produced by a scanner may be used by a personal computer to reproduce an image of the scanned object on a suitable display device, such as a CRT or a printer. A typical flatbed scanner may include illumination and optical systems to accomplish scanning of the object. The illumination system illuminates a portion of the object (commonly referred to as a “scan region”), whereas the optical system collects light reflected by the illuminated scan and focuses a small area of the illuminated scan region (commonly referred to as a “scan line”) onto the surface of a photosensitive detector positioned within the scanner. Image data representative of the entire object then may be obtained by sweeping the scan line across the entire object, usually by moving the illumination and optical systems with respect to the object. 
   SUMMARY 
   An optical scanner may be used either with or without a support stand. When operated without the support stand, the scanner may be used to acquire an image of an object in virtually any location and/or orientation, e.g., an image of a picture hanging on a wall. 
   When used in conjunction with the support stand, the scanner may attach to the support stand such that it is able to pivot with respect to the support stand. An object to be scanned (e.g., a document) may then be placed on a support surface of the support stand and the scanner pivoted to a closed position to allow scanning of the object. In this manner, the scanner may also be used in a manner similar to a conventional flatbed scanner. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of an optical scanner. 
       FIG. 2  is a back perspective view of the optical scanner of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the optical scanner of  FIG. 1  showing certain internal structure thereof in hidden lines. 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic cross sectional view of the optical scanner of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of an exemplary scanning assembly in a closed condition. 
       FIG. 6  is a top perspective view of the exemplary scanning assembly of  FIG. 5  in an open condition. 
       FIG. 7  is a top plan view of an exemplary base assembly of the exemplary optical scanning assembly of  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
       FIG. 8  is top perspective view of the exemplary base assembly of  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 9  is a bottom plan view of the exemplary base assembly of  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 10  is side elevation view of the exemplary base assembly of  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 11  is a detail perspective view of the exemplary base assembly of  FIG. 7  showing the connection between an exemplary connection member and an exemplary attachment portion thereof. 
       FIG. 12  is a detail view similar to  FIG. 11  but viewed from a different perspective. 
       FIG. 13  is bottom plan view of an exemplary optical scanner of the exemplary optical scanning assembly of  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
       FIG. 14  is detail perspective view of a portion of the exemplary optical scanner of  FIG. 13 . 
       FIG. 15  is a top perspective view of the exemplary base portion of  FIG. 7  and the exemplary optical scanner of  FIG. 13 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1  illustrates an optical scanner  10  having a thin rectangular housing  12 . The housing has a front face portion  14 , back face portion  16  ( FIG. 2 ); a top portion  18 ; a bottom portion  20 ; a left side portion  22 ; and a right side portion  24 . It is to be understood that the designations top, bottom, front, rear, left side and right side are arbitrary and are merely for the purpose of establishing a frame of reference for description of the scanner. 
   The scanner housing  12  in one embodiment comprises a front housing member  26  attached to a rear housing member  40 . The front housing member  26  may comprise a opaque peripheral structure  28  having a transparent plate  30  mounted thereon with the upper surface of the opaque peripheral structure  28  and transparent plate positioned in substantially coplanar relationship. Resilient guard members  32  may be mounted at corner portions of the transparent plate  30  the resilient guard members  32  act to prevent the surface of the transparent plate  30  from coming into contact with an adjacent flat surface. 
   Rear housing member  40 ,  FIG. 2 , comprises a peripheral opaque structure  42  within which is mounted a plate member  44  in generally coplanar relationship with the adjacent surface of the peripheral structure  42 . The plate member  44  comprises a rectangular transparent portion  46  aligned with the transparent plate  30  on the front housing member  26 . Transparent portion  46  comprises a scanning face which is positioned in engagement or near engagement with an object, such as a document, which is to be scanned. Plate member  44  also comprises a black peripheral portion  48  which encompasses the transparent portion  46 . Transparent longitudinal strips  52   54  are also defined within the opaque portion  48 . The longitudinal strips extend in the direction of scanner head displacement as described in further detail below. Resilient corner guard members  56  (only one shown) extend a short distance outwardly from peripheral opaque structure  42  to help prevent abrasion of the rectangular plate member  46  when the scanner rear face is positioned against a flat object, for example when it is laid on a desk top. The front and rear housing members  26 ,  40  may be connected by screws, bolts, rivets, adhesive or other attachment means. In one embodiment the opposed interior peripheral edges of the front and rear housing members  26 ,  40  are separated by spacers e.g., tubular sleeves held in position by screws  58  extending there through. In one embodiment the gap  59 ,  FIG. 4 , formed by the spacers may be about 5 mm and may be sealed with a resilient grommet  60 . Control surfaces such as push button  62 ,  64 , etc. may be positioned in the gap  59  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Support stand registration tabs  66  may be mounted in the gap  59  and extend outwardly a short distance e.g., 3 mm from the bottom portion of the scanner housing  12 . 
   As illustrated by  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a displaceable scanning head  80  is position within the enclosure  70  defined by the housing front and rear members  26 ,  40 . Scanning head  80  may comprise a contact image sensor assembly or other type sensor assembly capable of being provided in a small thickness configuration. The displaceable scanning head also comprises an illumination source such as LED&#39;s, one or more flourescent bulbs, or other illumination means. Scanning head  80  extends from the top portion  18  to the bottom portion  20  of the scanner terminating near the transparent strips  52 , 54 . The scanning head  80  is displaceably supported on support rails  82 , 84  which extend in the direction of scanning movement. A sleeve  96  (only one shown) is slidingly mounted on each rail  82   84  and is attached by a connection member  98  to scanning head  80 . One or more electric drive motors  86  are also mounted within the housing enclosure  70  at a lateral end of the enclosure. In one embodiment there is only one drive motor  86  having a single endless belt  88  connected. The belt extends in alignment with one of the drive rails e.g.,  82 . The drive belt  88  may be connected to a drive pulley (not shown) on the motor  86  and may be connected to an idler pulley near the end of support shaft  82  opposite to the end where the motor  86  is located. The belt  88  comprises a first portion  90  and a second portion  92 . In one embodiment the first and second portions of the belt  90 , 92  and the shaft  82  are positioned in front to rear alignment in the space  94  between opposite opaque portions of the front and rear housing member  26 ,  40 . The sleeve  96  is connected to the adjacent belt portion  92  by any appropriate connector such as a clip, strap, rivet, adhesive or other connector. Rotational displacement of the drive motor  86  causes linear displacement of the portions  90 ,  92  of the endless belt which in turn causes linear displacement of the sleeve  96  and attached scanning head  80 . 
   Prior to a scanning operation the displaceable scanning head  80  is parked at a location at one lateral end e.g., end portion  22  of the housing below the opaque portion thereof. During a scanning operation the displaceable scanning head  80  moves in a path defined by support rails  82 ,  84 , passing between the front transparent plate  30  and the rear transparent plate portion  46 . At the end of the scanning operation the scanning head returns to its parked position between opaque portions of the front and rear housing members  26 ,  40  at end  22 . In a alternative embodiment rather than having a single motor  86 , two drive motors could be provided, one associated with each guide rail  82 ,  84 . In this alternative embodiment the motors may be locked in a phase locked loop to provide synchronous operation. In another embodiment a single drive motor  82  rotates a drive shaft (not shown) having a drive pulley mounted in association with each of the support rails  82   84  and a separate endless build  88  is operably connected to these drive pulleys and also to the separate support sleeves to which the scanning head is connected. 
   In further alternative embodiments the endless belt is positioned between the scanning head  80  and shaft  82  and only one guide shaft  82  is used. The side of the scan head located opposite the shaft  82  is supported by spring wheels (not shown) which engage the interior glass panel surfaces of both the front and rear housing members  26 ,  40 . 
   Various electronic components and interfaces  110  may be mounted at one end portion, e.g.,  24  of the housing and connected to the scanning head as by electrical cables (not shown). An exterior cable  112  connected to the electronic components  110  may in turn be connected to a scanner input receiving device such as a computer or printer (not shown). The cable  112  may be a power cable such as a Firewire connector, a universal serial bus connector or any other appropriate type of electrical connector in current use or developed in the future. In an alternative embodiment a transmitter is provided either in electronic components  110  or directly on the scanning head  80  which transmits data signals wirelessly to a receiver in a computer, scanner, etc. Power to the unit may be provided from an external power source as through cable  112  or other power cable or alternatively may be provided by batteries or other onboard power source. 
     FIGS. 5 and 6  generally illustrate an optical scanning assembly  200  that may include an optical scanner  210  and a base assembly  300 . Except as noted below, optical scanner  210  may, for example, be substantially identical to the optical scanner  10  previously described herein. Optical scanner  210  may also, for example, be substantially identical to that disclosed in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/461273, of Modest Khovaylo for OPTICAL SCANNER ASSEMBLY, filed on Apr. 7, 2003, which is hereby specifically incorporated by reference for all that is disclosed therein. 
   As will be described in further detail herein, optical scanner  210  may be removably attached to the base assembly  300  in order to allow the optical scanner  210  to optionally function in a manner similar to a conventional flatbed scanner when desired.  FIG. 5  illustrates the scanning assembly  200  in a closed condition; whereas, in  FIG. 6 , the scanning assembly is shown in an open condition in which an object  202  to be scanned may be inserted in a conventional manner. 
     FIGS. 7–10  illustrate the base assembly  300  with the optical scanner  210  removed for illustrative clarity purposes. Referring now to  FIG. 7 , base assembly  300  may include a support member  320  and a connection member  380 . Support member  320  may include an upper surface  322  and an oppositely disposed lower surface  324 ,  FIG. 9 . A plurality of side surfaces  326 ,  FIG. 8 , may generally extend between the upper surface  322  and the lower surface  324 . Referring again to  FIG. 7 , a pad  328  may be attached, e.g., via an adhesive, to the upper surface  322 , as shown. Pad  328  may have a white or other light color finish in order to provide a suitable background for scanning operations. Pad  328  may also have a foam or other resilient backing to provide cushioning during scanning operations. 
   A plurality of guide members  330 ,  332 ,  334  may extend upwardly from the pad  328  as shown in  FIG. 7 . These guide members may be sized and located such that they may serve to locate an object to be scanned, e.g., a standard 8.5 by 11 inch document. Guide members  330 ,  332 ,  334  may be spring-loaded so that when pressure is applied thereto, the members will recess from their extended condition (as shown in  FIG. 8 ) to a position in which they are at least partially recessed within the support member  320 . 
   With reference to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the support member  320  may include an attachment portion  340  located at one end thereof. The attachment portion  340  may, for example, be integrally formed, e.g., from a plastic material, with the remainder of the support member  320 . A plurality of foot members  336  may be located on the support member lower surface  324  as shown. Foot members  336  may, for example, be formed from a rubber material that is adhered to the lower surface  324  and may be provided to increase the friction between the scanning assembly  200  and a surface upon which it is supported during use, e.g., the surface of a table or desk. In this manner, the foot members  336  tend to reduce any tendency for the scanning assembly  200  to shift relative to the supporting surface. Foot members  336  may also tend to protect the supporting surface from being scratched or otherwise marred by contact with the scanning assembly. 
   With reference to  FIG. 10 , it can be seen that the connection member  380  may be hingedly attached to the support member attachment portion  340  via two hinged connections  342 ,  344 .  FIG. 11  shows, in further detail, the hinged connection  344 , it being understood that the hinged connection  342  may be configured in substantially the same manner. With reference now to  FIG. 11 , the attachment portion  340  may be provided with a slot  346  that receives a pin  382  formed on the connection member  380 . As can be appreciated, this connection between the connection member  380  and the attachment portion  340  allows the connection member  380  to translate in the directions indicated by the arrow  350  as well as rotate about the axis A–A relative to the attachment portion  340 . In other words, the rotation axis A–A is able to translate in the directions indicated by the arrow  344 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , connection member  380  may include a pair of oppositely disposed latch members  390 ,  400  and a pair of projections  410 ,  412 , as shown.  FIG. 12  shows, in further detail, the latch member  390  and projection  410 , it being understood that the latch member  400  and projection  412  may be configured in substantially the same manner. With reference now to  FIG. 12 , the latch member  390  may be integrally formed (e.g., from a plastic material) with the remainder of the connection member  380 . Latch member  390  may include a finger or thumb engageable portion  394 . Portion  394  may include a plurality of ridges  396  formed thereon to facilitate engagement by a finger or thumb. A lip  397  may be formed generally opposite the portion  394  as shown. A slot  392  may be formed as shown partially separating the latch member  390  from the remainder of the connection member  380 . In this manner, pressure may be applied by a finger or thumb to the portion  394  thus causing the latch member  394  to move in the direction generally indicated by the arrow  398 . Upon release of this pressure, the latch member  394  will resile in a direction opposite the arrow  398  to the position shown in  FIG. 12 . 
   As noted previously, the optical scanner  210  may be constructed in a substantially identical manner to the optical scanner  10  previously described herein. Optical scanner  210  may, however, include various additional features to facilitate attachment to the base assembly  300  as will now be described in detail. Referring to  FIG. 13 , the optical scanner  210  may include an oppositely disposed pair of catch members  212 ,  214 , as shown. The catch members  212 ,  214  may, for example, be formed from a relatively hard plastic material and may be attached to the optical scanner  210  in any conventional manner.  FIG. 14  illustrates the catch member  214  in greater detail. 
   Referring again to  FIG. 13 , optical scanner  210  may further be provided with a pair of recesses  220 ,  222  formed in the back face portion  216  thereof. 
   Having described the optical scanner  210  and the base assembly  300 , an exemplary manner of selectively mounting the optical scanner  210  to the base assembly  300  will now be described. To attach the optical scanner  210  to the base assembly  300 , the optical scanner  210  may first be positioned so that the optical scanner back face portion  216 ,  FIG. 11 , is facing the upper surface  322  of the base assembly support member  320  and the optical scanner catch members  212 ,  214 ,  FIG. 13  are adjacent the latch members  390 ,  400 , respectively, of the base assembly connection member  380 ,  FIGS. 7 and 8 . Thereafter, the optical scanner  210  may be moved toward the support member  320  causing the optical scanner catch members  212 ,  214  to force apart the latch member lips (the lip  397  of the latch member  390 , for example, will move in the direction  398 ,  FIG. 12 ). After the catch members clear the latch member lips, the lips will return to their original position to retain the optical scanner  210  within the connection member  380 . Installed in this manner, the projections  410 ,  412  of the connection member  380 ,  FIG. 8 , will also be engaged within the optical scanner recesses  220 ,  222 , respectively,  FIG. 13 , thus further restraining the optical scanner  210  from movement relative to the connection member  380 . 
   To disengage the optical scanner  210  from the base assembly  300 , the finger or thumb engageable portions of the latch members  390 ,  400  (e.g., the portion  394  of the latch member  390 ,  FIG. 12 ) may be depressed, causing the latch members  390 ,  400  to release the optical scanner catch members  212 ,  214 . 
   In the manner described above, the optical scanner  210  may be easily attached to the base assembly  300  when it is desired to operate the scanner as a flatbed scanner as illustrated, for example, in  FIG. 6 . The optical scanner  210  may also, however, readily be removed from the base assembly  300  when it is desired to use the scanner in a freehand manner, as generally illustrated in  FIG. 15 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 7 , when the scanning assembly is operated in a flatbed mode, the guide members  330 ,  332 ,  334 , provide a locating mechanism for locating an object to be scanned, e.g., a paper document, on the pad  328 . The see-through design of the optical scanner  210  facilitates locating such a document by allowing a user to visually verify that the document is properly located and oriented even when the scanning assembly is in the closed position as illustrated, for example, in  FIG. 5 . 
   Because the guide members  330 ,  332 ,  334  are spring-loaded, as previously described, they may serve to locate a document on the pad  328 , as described above, but will also retract due to contact with the optical scanner  210  as it is moved to the closed position. In this manner, the guide members  330 ,  332 ,  334  will not interfere with movement of the scanning assembly  200  to the closed position. 
   The scanning assembly  200  is also capable of scanning relatively thicker objects, such as books. Referring to  FIG. 11 , it can be appreciated that the ability of the connection member pins, e.g., the pin  382 , to move in the directions  350  will allow the scanning assembly  200  to accommodate objects of varying thicknesses. 
   While an illustrative and presently preferred embodiment of the invention has been described in detail herein, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts may be otherwise variously embodied and employed and that the appended claims are intended to be construed to include such variations except insofar as limited by the prior art.