Raster input scanners

Claim 2

A dual mode raster input scanner (10) having a first mode of operation for scanning either side or both sides of a moving document (D) passing through a scanning station (32), and a second mode of operation for scanning one side of a stationary document on a platen (112), comprising: a scanning station (32), for scanning in a first mode, comprising first and second scanning elements (34, 36), each element including a scanning array (38, 64) of photosensitive sensors for detecting light reflected from a document; a scanning platen (112) for supporting a document for scanning in a second mode; a document inlet (80) document transport means for moving a document to be scanned from the inlet to the scanning station, and to an outlet (102) during the first mode of operation; the first and second scanning elements supported closely adjacent each other and on either side of the document path in the first mode, for scanning substantially simultaneously both sides of the document, and means (110) for supporting one of the scanning elements in scanning position closely adjacent the other scanning element in the first mode of operation, and for scanning movement past the platen in the second mode of operation.

Claim 3

The scanner as defined in claim 1, wherein each scanning elements includes an illumination source for illuminating the document path, and a lens (46, 70) directing and focusing light from the document onto the sensors.

Claim 4

The scanner as defined in claim 1 or 2, wherein the scanning arrays are comprised of a linear array supported parallel and transverse to the direction of document travel through the scanning station.

Claim 5

The scanner as defined in any preceding claim, wherein the scanning arrays are slightly offset from one another, to avoid show- through images from the opposing face of documents being scanned.

Claim 6

The scanner as defined in any preceding claim, wherein the scanning element for scanning movement is movable to a first mode scanning position slightly offset from the other scanning element.

Claim 7

The scanner as defined in claim 1 wherein the transport means further comprises a constant velocity transport for advancing documents therethrough past the scanning arrays at a controlled speed.

Claim 8

The scanner as defined in claim 6, wherein the constant velocity transport comprises two nip roll pairs each including a driver and idler arranged along and across the document path on either side of the scanning station.

Claim 9

A raster input scanner adapted to scan either side or both sides of a moving document, comprising: a scanning station, comprising first and second scanning elements each including a scanning array of photosensitive sensors for detecting light reflected from a document; a document inlet; a document path for conducting a document to be scanned from the input to the scan station and to an outlet; a document transport for moving documents from the inlet along the document path and to an outlet; the scanning elements arranged to support the scanning arrays parallel and across the document path, and arranged closely adjacent each other and on opposite sides of the document path.

Claim 10

A raster input scanner adapted to scan either side or both sides of a moving document, comprising: a scanning station, comprising first and second scanning elements each including a scanning array of photosensitive sensors for detecting light reflected from a document; a document inlet; a document path for conducting a document to be scanned from the input to the scan station and to an outlet; a document transport for moving documents from the inlet along the document path and to an outlet; the scanning elements arranged to support the scanning arrays parallel and across the document path, and arranged closely adjacent each other and on opposite sides of the document path.

Claim 11

The scanner as defined in claim 8 including a document support platen, and means supporting one of the scanning elements in position with respect to the document path and the other scanning element, and for supporting the same scanning element for scanning movement past the platen.

Claim 12

A raster input scanner for scanning either side or both sides of a moving document passing through a scanning station, and for scanning one side of a stationary document on a scanning platen, comprising: a scanning station, comprising first and second scanning elements, each element including a scanning array of photosensitive sensors for detecting light reflected from a document, a light source for illuminating a document and a lens for directing light reflected from a document to the scanning arrays; a scanning platen arranged generally adjacent the scanning station for supporting a stationary document for scanning; a document input tray for supporting a stack of documents for scanning; a document path for conducting a document to be scanned from the input tray to the scanning station and to an outlet; a document transport for advancing documents from the tray along the document path to the outlet; the first and second scanning elements being supported closely adjacent each other and on opposite sides of the document path in opposed relationship for scanning substantially simultaneously both sides of the document, and a scanning support member supporting one of the scanning elements in a fixed scanning position closely adjacent the other scanning element for scanning advancing documents, and for scanning movement past the scanning platen.

Claim 13

A raster input scanner for scanning either side or both sides of a moving document passing through a scanning station, and for scanning one side of a stationary document on a scanning platen, comprising: a scanning station, comprising first and second scanning elements, each element including a scanning array of photosensitive sensors for detecting light reflected from a document, a light source for illuminating a document and a lens for directing light reflected from a document to the scanning arrays; a scanning platen arranged generally adjacent the scanning station for supporting a stationary document for scanning; a document input tray for supporting a stack of documents for scanning; a document path for conducting a document to be scanned from the input tray to the scanning station and to an outlet; a document transport for advancing documents from the tray along the document path to the outlet; the first and second scanning elements being supported closely adjacent each other and on opposite sides of the document path in opposed relationship for scanning substantially simultaneously both sides of the document, and a scanning support member supporting one of the scanning elements in a fixed scanning position closely adjacent the other scanning element for scanning advancing documents, and for scanning movement past the scanning platen.

Claim 14

The scanner as defined in claim 10, including a single document inlet along the document path, for advancing single documents through the scanning station.