Patent ID: 7210630

Claim:
An image scanning apparatus for scanning and imaging at least a first and second medium of different thicknesses comprising: a first transportation path for transporting the first medium; a second transportation path for transporting the second medium; with each transportation path having a common section defining a common transportation path lying contiguous to at least a portion of the first transportation path and the second transportation path; an image sensor disposed along the common transportation path relative to both the first transportation path and the second transportation path; a first pressure mechanism for pressing the first medium and second medium to the image sensor; and a second pressure mechanism for pressing the second medium to the image sensor; wherein the first pressure mechanism comprises a first pressure member for pressing the first medium and second medium to the scanning surface of the image sensor; a first elastic member for urging the first pressure member to the scanning surface when a medium thickness is less than or equal to a specified value; and a second elastic member for urging the first pressure member to the scanning surface when a medium thickness exceeds the specified value; wherein the second pressure mechanism comprises a second pressure member for pressing the second medium to the scanning surface of the image sensor; and a third elastic member for urging the second pressure member to the scanning surface; wherein the first pressure member imposes a force upon the scanning surface due to the first elastic member which is substantially equal to the force imposed on the scanning surface by the second pressure member due to the third elastic member and wherein the first medium has a thickness greater than the thickness of the second medium.