Space-saving flatbed scanner
US8536513B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 20, 2001 |
| Grant date | Sep 17, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 10, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N1/00681
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A space-saving scanner assembly and method are disclosed. The scanner assembly can be manufactured with optical scanning components typical of flatbed scanners. The scanner may be enclosed within a housing a substantially vertical source-contact surface with a channel and a flap coupled to the source-contact surface. The flap having a source-backing surface substantially parallel to the source-contact surface of the housing and arranged such that the source-contact surface, the source-backing surface, and the channel form an opening for receiving an edge of a source document to be scanned. The housing and the flap are configured with a number of features, which permit an operator to easily place a source over a platen forming a portion of the source-contact surface. A method for operating a space-saving scanner is also presented. The method can be broadly summarized by the following steps: providing a scanner with a housing with a substantially vertical source-contact surface and a channel extending therefrom, the vertical source-contact surface including a transparent platen portion, the channel adjacent to a lower edge of the transparent platen; and providing a flap coupled to th…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.