Scanner Cover Device with Segmented Slits for Light Blocking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image acquisition apparatuses for tangible documents lack a cover that effectively handles multiple sized documents, leading to issues with light escape and inefficient document removal, particularly when scanning documents of different dimensions like passports and business cards.

Innovation Solution

A cover device with an opaque wall and strategically positioned slits for document insertion and removal, including a finger groove for easy extraction of small form documents, which blocks light escape and facilitates handling of both large and small form documents by forming a gap with the transparent window, allowing for secure scanning and easy document handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a fixed cover is used to block light escape, then light blocking is improved, but document removal becomes difficult requiring apparatus inversion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight escapeVSAvoiddocument removal

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cover is segmented with slits (first slit for insertion, second slit for removal) that allow document access while maintaining light blocking. The cover wall is divided into sections with strategic openings that separate insertion and removal functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of requiring apparatus inversion for document removal, the patent provides a dedicated second slit in the cover wall that enables direct removal. This inverts the conventional approach by making removal as easy as insertion without manipulating the entire apparatus.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If the transparent window is used for document placement, then imaging is enabled, but light rays escape around small form documents

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedocument placementVSAvoidlight escape

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cover device acts as an intermediary element placed between the light source and the external environment. It mediates the light path by blocking escaping rays while allowing document placement on the transparent window, solving the conflict between imaging accessibility and light containment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The cover provides localized light blocking exactly where needed - around the perimeter of the transparent window where light escapes. The opaque cover wall is positioned strategically to block light only in the escape zones while maintaining full transparency for document placement and imaging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a cover is added to block light, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight escapeVSAvoidcover structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cover device performs multiple functions simultaneously: it blocks escaping light rays, provides structural support for the transparent window, enables document insertion and removal through slits, and maintains the optical path for imaging. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution ensures that light is effectively blocked during scanning, preventing user exposure and simplifies the process of inserting and removing documents of varying sizes, enhancing the usability and safety of the image acquisition apparatus.

Implementation Method 1

an opaque cover device for blocking light from escaping the internal space of the housing through the transparent window

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight blocking: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS8274713B2Cover device for an image scanner

Publication Date: 2012.09.25 ACUANT

AI summary

An image acquisition apparatus for acquiring an image of a document including a housing having an internal space, a substantially transparent window, a CCD sensor array, a light source for illuminating the document and an opaque cover device for blocking light from escaping the internal space of the housing through the transparent window. The cover device includes an opaque wall that combined with the document, operationally blocks the escaping of light from the internal space of the housing. The cover device further includes a primary insertion slit, a document removing mechanism and a removal slit for removing a small form document through the removal slit. Optionally, the cover device further includes a second insertion slit for inserting the small form document. The width of the second insertion slit is smaller than the width of the first insertion slit.