Patent ID: 8432540

Claim:
A support mechanism to support panels for an optical scan by a scanner in an inspection system, the support mechanism comprising: a first work frame to provide a first scanning area for a first scanner; a second work frame, extending in parallel with the first work frame, to provide a second scanning area for the first scanner; a first frame to support a first panel, the first frame pivotably coupled to the first work frame near a first end of the first work frame so that the first frame is rotatable about the first work frame between a folded position that the first frame is folded parallel to the first scanning area and an unfolded position that the first frame is away from the first scanning area; a second frame to support a second panel, the second frame pivotably coupled to the second work frame near a first end of the second work frame, so that the second frame is rotatable about the second work frame between a folded position that the second frame is folded parallel to the second scanning area and an unfolded position that the second frame is away from the second scanning area, or pivotably coupled to the first work frame near a second end of the first work frame, so that the second frame is rotatable about the first work frame between a folded position that the second frame is folded parallel to the first scanning area and an unfolded position that the second frame is away from the first scanning area, and given that the second frame is pivotably coupled to the first work frame, the first scanner is adapted to scan across the first frame in one direction and scan across the second frame in the reverse direction, or given that the second frame is pivotably coupled to the second work frame, the support mechanism further comprising a rotator to rotate the first scanner so that the first scanner is adapted to scan across the first frame in one direction when the first frame is at the folded position, and scan across the second frame in the reverse direction when the second frame is at the folded position; a rail extending in a direction from the first end to the second end, wherein the rail allows the first scanner to move between the first and second ends of the first work frame; and a third frame to support a third panel, the third frame pivotably coupled to the second work frame near the first end of the second work frame so that the third frame is rotatable about the second work frame between a folded position that the third frame is folded toward the second scanning area and an unfolded position that the third frame is away from the second scanning area, wherein the rotator rotates the first scanner so that the first scanner is adapted to scan across one of the first and second frames when moves in one direction and scan across the third frame when moves in the reverse direction.