Paper feed tray with image scanning function and printer thereof

Abstract

A paper feed tray with the image scanning function of a printer includes a set of paper feed rollers, a set of paper exit rollers, and an optical scanning module. The optical scanning module is located between the set of paper feed rollers and the set of paper exit rollers, wherein the paper feed rollers grab documents waiting for being scanned and transfer the documents through the image scanning module. Each of the documents is scanned by the image scanning module and then transferred out of the printer by the paper exit rollers. Hence the printer with the paper feed tray may serve as an image scanning apparatus.

1 . A multi-function printer, comprising: 
 a main body, which has a paper feed track, a plurality of paper supply rollers, a printing module, a first containing space, a second containing space, a first paper grabbing roller, and a second paper grabbing roller; wherein the paper supply rollers are disposed on both sides of the paper feed track, the paper feed track is connected to the first containing space, the second containing space, and the exterior of the main body, the first paper grabbing roller is disposed at the junction between the first containing space and the paper feed track, and the second paper grabbing roller is disposed at the junction between the second containing space and the paper feed track;    a first paper feed tray for accommodating documents to be scanned, which is disposed in the first containing space and has a set of paper feed rollers, a set of paper exit rollers, and an optical scanning module on one side; wherein the paper exit rollers are disposed corresponding to the first paper grabbing roller, the optical scanning module is disposed between the paper feed rollers and the paper exit rollers, the paper feed rollers grab and transfer the documents to be scanned through the optical scanning module for scanning, and the documents are grabbed and pushed by the first paper grabbing roller and the paper exit rollers into the paper feed track and transferred out of the main body; and    a second paper feed tray for accommodating plain papers, which is disposed in the second containing space and whose one side corresponds to the second paper grabbing roller for transferring the plain paper into the paper feed track, pushing it through the printing module for printing, and transferring it out of the main body.    
   
   
       2 . The multi-function printer of  claim 1 , wherein the paper feed rollers are grouped in pairs.  
   
   
       3 . The multi-function printer of  claim 1 , wherein the paper exit rollers are grouped in pairs.  
   
   
       4 . The multi-function printer of  claim 1 , wherein the optical scanning module contains an image capture device and a scanning light source.  
   
   
       5 . The multi-function printer of  claim 1 , wherein the first paper feed tray is disposed with a paper control block for adjusting the distance between the document to be scanned and the image capture device.  
   
   
       6 . The multi-function printer of  claim 1 , wherein the main body has a control circuit to connect with the paper supply rollers, the printing module, the paper feed rollers, the paper exit rollers, and the image capture device for controlling.  
   
   
       7 . The multi-function printer of  claim 5 , wherein the first paper feed tray further includes a connecting terminal connected to the paper feed rollers, the paper exit rollers, and the image capture device, the main body is disposed with an extension terminal connected to the control circuit, and the connecting terminal and the extension terminal are connected to each other.  
   
   
       8 . The multi-function printer of  claim 6 , wherein the main body has an operating interface connected to the control circuit and containing a display unit and an input unit for the user to set functional modes and to understand operation status.  
   
   
       9 . The multi-function printer of  claim 6 , further comprising a buffer memory connected to the control circuit.  
   
   
       10 . A paper feed tray with the scanning function for a printer, comprising: 
 a paper feed tray for accommodating documents to be scanned;    a set of paper exit rollers disposed on one side of the paper feed tray;    a set of paper feed rollers disposed between the paper feed tray and the paper exit rollers; and    an optical scanning module disposed between the set of paper feed rollers and the set of paper exit rollers;    wherein the paper feed rollers grab and push the documents to be scanned through the optical scanning module for scanning, and the paper exit rollers transfer the documents out.    
   
   
       11 . The paper tray with the scanning function of  claim 10 , wherein the paper feed rollers are grouped in pairs.  
   
   
       12 . The paper tray with the scanning function of  claim 10 , wherein the paper exit rollers are grouped in pairs.  
   
   
       13 . The paper tray with the scanning function of  claim 10 , wherein the optical scanning module includes an image capture device and a scanning light source.  
   
   
       14 . The paper tray with the scanning function of  claim 10 , wherein the paper feed tray is provided with a paper control block for adjusting the gap between a paper and the image capture device.  
   
   
       15 . The paper tray with the scanning function of  claim 10 , wherein the paper feed tray further includes a connecting terminal for receiving electrical power and control signals.  
   
   
       16 . A scanning method, comprising the steps of: 
 disposing documents to be scanned in a paper feed tray with an optical scanning module, paper feed rollers, and paper exit rollers;    disposing the paper feed tray in a printer to be powered and controlled by the printer;    pushing the documents to be scanned through the optical scanning module for scanning by the paper feed rollers, thereby capturing image data thereof; and    pushing the documents to the printer by the paper exit rollers and transferring the documents out of the printer.    
   
   
       17 . The scanning method of  claim 16 , wherein the image data captured by the optical scanning module are stored in a buffer memory.  
   
   
       18 . The scanning method of  claim 17 , wherein the image data are transferred from the buffer memory to a printing module for printing.  
   
   
       19 . The scanning method of  claim 16 , wherein the printing job is performed after each time one of the documents is scanned.  
   
   
       20 . The scanning method of  claim 16 , wherein the printing job is performed after all of the documents are scanned.