Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
229 words
A multi-mode document handling system for selectively permitting either simplex mode scanning wherein a first side of a document (16) is scanned or duplex mode scanning wherein both first and second sides of the document are scanned, said system including at least one scanning array (12) and a slit-like viewing area (18) through which said document (16) is viewed by said array, characterized by: a) a document supply tray (32) for supporting one or more documents to be scanned; b) document transport means (50) for moving the document to be scanned from said tray (32) and across said viewing area (18) for scanning of said document first side by said array; c) mode selection means (100) selectively operable to permit either simplex or duplex scanning of said document, said mode selection means including movable simplex and duplex pinch elements (80, 81) on each side of said viewing area (18), each of said pinch elements being adapted when moved to an operative position to cooperate with said document transport means (50) to form a nip permitting said transport means to engage said document and move said document across said viewing area for scanning by said array; and d) control means for selectively moving one or the other of said simplex and duplex pinch elements (80, 81) to said operative position to provide either simplex or duplex scanning of said document.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
229 words
A multi-mode document handling system for selectively permitting either simplex mode scanning wherein a first side of a document (16) is scanned or duplex mode scanning wherein both first and second sides of the document are scanned, said system including at least one scanning array (12) and a slit-like viewing area (18) through which said document (16) is viewed by said array, characterized by: a) a document supply tray (32) for supporting one or more documents to be scanned; b) document transport means (50) for moving the document to be scanned from said tray (32) and across said viewing area (18) for scanning of said document first side by said array; c) mode selection means (100) selectively operable to permit either simplex or duplex scanning of said document, said mode selection means including movable simplex and duplex pinch elements (80, 81) on each side of said viewing area (18), each of said pinch elements being adapted when moved to an operative position to cooperate with said document transport means (50) to form a nip permitting said transport means to engage said document and move said document across said viewing area for scanning by said array; and d) control means for selectively moving one or the other of said simplex and duplex pinch elements (80, 81) to said operative position to provide either simplex or duplex scanning of said document.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system according to claim 1 including means (55) forming a duplex path for inverting and returning said document to said viewing area (18) for scanning of said document second side by said array.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
104 words
A system according to claim 2 including means (55) forming a simplex path for returning said document (16) to said tray (32) following scanning of said document first side by said array; said mode selection means (100) including gate means (74) effective in a first position to route said document in said duplex path to said viewing area (18) for scanning of said document second side by said array and in a second position to route said document in said simplex path for return to said tray (32); said control means actuating said gate means (74) selectively to provide either simplex or duplex scanning.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
70 words
A system according to claim 1 in which said mode selection means (100) includes: drive means (92) adapted when actuated to move said simplex pinch element (80) from said operative position and said duplex pinch element (81) to said operative position, said control means actuating said drive means (92) in said duplex mode whereby to move said pinch elements (80, 81) and switch (74) from simplex mode to duplex mode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
152 words
. A system according to claim 1 in which said transport means (50) includes at least one document feed roll in operative relation with said viewing area (18) and said simplex and duplex pinch elements (80, 81); motor means (52) for driving said feed roll to move said document across said viewing area for scanning of said document first side; said control means including a first document sensor (104) for actuating said motor means (52) in response to the presence of said document at said viewirg area (16); said motor means (52) being reversible to drive said feed roll (50) in the reverse direction to move said document across said viewing area for scanning of said document second side in said duplex mode; said control means including a second document sensor (110) for actuating said motor means (52) in reverse in response to the return of said document to said viewing alea.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
159 words
Apparatus permitting either simplex or duplex scanning of a document comprising in co nbination: a) a document supply tray (32); b) a docurr Ent feed roll (50) for transporting a document (16) from said tray (32) past a scan point; c) a first document guide (80) on one side of said scan point (18) to guide said document (16) into driving contact with said feed roll (50) whereby to enable said roll to engage and transport said document past said scan point; d) a document return path (55) for selectively returning said document to said tray (32) on simplex scanning or returning said document to said scan point (18) for duplex scanning, said document return path (55) having an inlet (97) for said document downstream of said scan point; and e) a second document guide (81) on the side of said scan point opposite said first document guide (80) for guiding said document to said document return path inlet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
159 words
Apparatus permitting either simplex or duplex scanning of a document comprising in co nbination: a) a document supply tray (32); b) a docurr Ent feed roll (50) for transporting a document (16) from said tray (32) past a scan point; c) a first document guide (80) on one side of said scan point (18) to guide said document (16) into driving contact with said feed roll (50) whereby to enable said roll to engage and transport said document past said scan point; d) a document return path (55) for selectively returning said document to said tray (32) on simplex scanning or returning said document to said scan point (18) for duplex scanning, said document return path (55) having an inlet (97) for said document downstream of said scan point; and e) a second document guide (81) on the side of said scan point opposite said first document guide (80) for guiding said document to said document return path inlet.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
141 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 including a) a discharge tray (56) for receiving said document following duplex scanning, said discharge tray (56) having an inlet on the side of said scan point adjacent said first document guide; b) means (80, 92) for moving said second document guide (81) to a position where said second document guide guides said document from said document return path into driving contact with said feed roll (50) to enable said feed roll to engage and transport said document past said scan point; c) means (52) for reversing said feed roll (50) to transport said document past said scan point in the opposite direction for duplex scanning; and d) means (87, 92) for moving said first guide (80) to a position where said first guide guides said document to said discharge tray inlet (97) during duplex scanning.