Optical scanner assembly

Abstract

An optical scanner may be used either with or without a support stand. When operated without the support stand, the scanner may be used to acquire an image of an object in virtually any location and/or orientation, e.g., an image of a picture hanging on a wall. When used in conjunction with the support stand, the support stand may hold the scanner in a non-horizontal orientation so that the combined scanner and support stand occupy a relatively smaller footprint. The scanner may attach to the support stand such that it is able to pivot with respect to the support stand. An object to be scanned (e.g., a document) may then be placed on a support surface of the support stand and the scanner pivoted to a closed position to allow scanning of the object. In this manner, the scanner may also be used in a manner similar to a conventional flatbed scanner.

1 . A scanning assembly comprising: 
 a support structure having a support surface thereon capable of supporting said object;    an optical scanner movably supported by said support structure;    said scanning assembly being capable of assuming an open condition and a closed condition;    wherein, in said open condition: 
 said optical scanner is not substantially parallel to said support surface;  
 said optical scanner is at least partially supported by said support structure; and  
   wherein, in said closed condition: 
 said optical scanner is substantially parallel to said support surface;  
 said optical scanner is at least partially supported by said support structure; and  
   wherein said scanning assembly is maintained in both said open condition and said closed condition at least partially by the force of gravity;    
   
   
       2 . The scanning apparatus of  claim 1  and further wherein: 
 in said open condition, said optical scanner is located on a first side of a vertical plane; and    in said closed condition, said optical scanner is located on a second side of said vertical plane, said second side being opposite said first side.    
   
   
       3 . The scanning assembly of  claim 2  and further wherein said support surface is located on said second side of said vertical plane in both said open condition and said closed condition.  
   
   
       4 . The scanning assembly of  claim 1  and further wherein, said support structure comprises at least one guide member.  
   
   
       5 . The scanning assembly  claim 4  and further wherein said guide member is moveable between: 
 a recessed position in which at least a portion of said guide member is recessed within said support structure; and    an extended position in which said at least a portion of said guide member is not recessed within said support structure.    
   
   
       6 . The scanning assembly of  claim 5  and further wherein said guide member is biased toward said extended position.  
   
   
       7 . A method of scanning an object comprising: 
 providing a scanning assembly comprising a support structure having a support surface thereon capable of supporting said object and an optical scanner movably supported by said support structure;    locating said support structure on a substantially horizontal surface;    placing said scanning assembly in an open condition in which: 
 said optical scanner is not substantially parallel to said support surface;  
 said optical scanner is at least partially supported by said support structure; and  
 said optical scanner is located on a first side of a vertical plane;  
   placing said object on said support surface while said scanning assembly is in said open condition;    while maintaining supporting contact between said support structure and said optical scanner, moving said scanning assembly to a closed condition in which: 
 said optical scanner is substantially parallel to said support surface;  
 said optical scanner is at least partially supported by said support structure; and  
 said optical scanner is located on a second side of said vertical plane, said second side being opposite said first side; and  
   scanning said object with said optical scanner while said scanning assembly is in said closed condition.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7  and further wherein: 
 said support structure comprises at least one guide member; and    said placing said object on said support surface comprises contacting said object with said guide member.    
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8  and further wherein said guide member is moveable between: 
 a recessed position in which at least a portion of said guide member is recessed within said support structure; and    an extended position in which said at least a portion of said guide member is not recessed within said support structure.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9  and further wherein said guide member is biased toward said extended position.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 7  and further comprising: 
 removing said optical scanner from said support structure; and, thereafter,    using said optical scanner to scan a second object that is not located on said support surface.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 7 , and further comprising: 
 using the force of gravity to maintain said scanning assembly in said open condition; and    using the force of gravity to maintain said scanning assembly in said closed condition.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 7  and further wherein said support surface is located on said second side of said vertical plane in both said open condition and said closed condition.  
   
   
       14 . A scanning assembly for scanning an object, said scanning assembly comprising: 
 a support structure having a support surface thereon capable of supporting said object;    an optical scanner supported by said support structure; and    wherein, said optical scanner is pivotally movable relative to said support structure.    
   
   
       15 . The scanning assembly of  claim 14  and further wherein said translucent portion is transparent.  
   
   
       16 . The scanning assembly of  claim 14  and further wherein said support structure further comprises at least one guide member.  
   
   
       17 . The scanning assembly of  claim 16  and further wherein said guide member is moveable between: 
 an at least partially recessed position in which at least a portion of said guide member is recessed within said support structure; and    an extended position in which said at least a portion of said guide member is not recessed within said support structure.    
   
   
       18 . The scanning assembly of  claim 17  and further wherein said guide member is biased toward said extended position.  
   
   
       19 . The scanning assembly of  claim 14  and further comprising: 
 at least one first leg member movably attached to said support structure, said first leg member being pivotal between a retracted position and an extended position relative to said support structure.    
   
   
       20 . The scanning assembly of  claim 19  and further comprising: 
 at least one second leg member movably attached to said support structure, said second leg member being pivotal between a retracted position and an extended position relative to said support structure.