U.S. patent application number 10/658713 was filed with the patent office on 2005-03-31 for system and method for de-skewing media when using an automatic media feeder.
Invention is credited to Connor, Thomas J., Hanson, David B., Long, Kenneth W..
Application Number | 20050067768 10/658713 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34375772 |
Filed Date | 2005-03-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050067768 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Connor, Thomas J. ; et
al. |
March 31, 2005 |
System and method for de-skewing media when using an automatic
media feeder
Abstract
Disclosed are systems and methods for de-skewing media when
using an automatic media feeder comprising a registration guide and
a registration tab disposed to cooperate with the registration
guide in providing de-skewing of media when an edge of the media
passes over the registration tab and is deflected thereby toward
the registration guide.
Inventors: |
Connor, Thomas J.;
(Longmont, CO) ; Hanson, David B.; (Fort Collins,
CO) ; Long, Kenneth W.; (Longmont, CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HEWLETT PACKARD COMPANY
P O BOX 272400, 3404 E. HARMONY ROAD
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ADMINISTRATION
FORT COLLINS
CO
80527-2400
US
|
Family ID: |
34375772 |
Appl. No.: |
10/658713 |
Filed: |
September 9, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
271/226 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 9/00 20130101; B65H
2801/39 20130101; B65H 2404/268 20130101; B65H 5/021 20130101; B65H
5/36 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
271/226 |
International
Class: |
B65H 009/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A system for de-skewing media when using an automatic media
feeder, said system comprising: a registration guide; and a
registration tab disposed to deflect an edge of said media toward
said registration guide when the media passes over the registration
tab.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein said registration guide comprises
an edge of a platen.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein said registration guide comprises
a registration guide utilized for manual registration of media.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein said registration tab comprises a
member presenting a sloped surface to said edge of said media when
the media moves by said registration tab toward said registration
guide.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein said registration tab is movable
to retract when said media is moved past said registration tab away
from said registration guide and to remain extended when said media
is moved past said registration tab toward said registration
guide.
6. The system of claim 5, wherein said registration tab moves about
a pivot when said media passes over the registration tab away from
said registration guide.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein said registration tab deflects
upward when said media moves in a first direction and locks in
position to deflect said media when said media moves in a second
direction.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein said registration tab is not
movable independent of moving a component of a host system to which
said registration tab is attached.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein said registration tab is disposed
in a lid portion of a host system.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein said host system comprises an
optical scanner.
11. The system of claim 1, wherein said media comprises
photographic media.
12. The system of claim 1, wherein said registration tab has a
smooth outer surface to slidingly direct said media.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein said registration tab has a
triangular shape.
14. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a feed belt to
provide translation of said media and thereby move said media past
said registration guide in a direction of said registration
guide.
15. The system of claim 14, further comprising: a vacuum orifice
providing a reduced pressure area to cooperate with said feed belt
in providing translation of said media.
16. A method for de-skewing media when using an automatic media
feeder, said method comprising: disposing a registration tab to
cooperate with a registration guide in providing de-skewing of
media; translating said media in a first direction to pass a first
edge of said media by said registration tab; deflecting with said
registration tab said first edge toward said registration guide;
and continuing to apply a translation force to said media after at
least a portion of said first edge engages said registration guide,
thereby de-skewing said media.
17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: translating said
media in a second direction to pass a second edge of said media and
said first edge over said registration tab.
18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: allowing said
registration tab to retract when said media is translated in said
second direction; and locking said registration tab in an extended
position when said media is translated in said first direction.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein said translating in said second
direction is provided prior to said translation in said first
direction, and wherein said second edge is not passed over said
registration tab by said providing translation in said first
direction.
20. The method of claim 16, wherein said registration guide
comprises an edge for use in manually registering media.
21. An automatic photograph feeder comprising: a photographic media
input tray; a media singulator disposed to draw photographic media
from said input tray and introduce said media in an imaging area of
a host system; a registration tab; and a media translation
mechanism disposed to accept said photographic media from said
singulator and to cause an edge of the media to engage said
registration tab, wherein engaging said registration tab by said
edge causes said edge to deflect towards a registration guide.
22 The automatic photograph feeder of claim 21, wherein said
registration tab is disposed in a movable lid portion of said host
system.
23. The automatic photograph feeder of claim 22, wherein said
registration tab is cast as a monolithic member of said movable lid
portion of said host system.
24. The automatic photograph feeder of claim 22, wherein said input
tray, said singulator, and said translation mechanism are also
disposed in said movable lid portion of said host system.
25. The automatic photograph feeder of claim 21, wherein said
photographic media input tray disposes said media at an angle such
that when translated by said singulator a leading edge of said
media does not engage said registration tab.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] It is common today for imaging and printing devices to
employ automated means for feeding media to be scanned or printed.
For example, automatic document feeders (ADFs) have been used with
respect to printers and optical scanners for a number of years to
facilitate the automated handling of a plurality of documents
serially, such as for scanning or printing images. Such ADFs
typically provide a configuration in which an image surface of the
media being imaged is never fully in view to the device (i.e., only
a small portion of a medium is exposed to a print head or an
optical array at any point in time with the remainder of the medium
being engaged by the ADF mechanism).
[0002] For example, ADFs in scanner implementations often implement
a "C-shaped" feed path in which an optical array is disposed
approximately at the middle of the outer edge of the "C-shaped"
feed path. As a medium is moved through the "C-shaped" feed path,
the optical array may be exposed to an image surface of the medium
over time. Such ADF configurations have been found to work
adequately with respect to typical paper stock, such as 20# bond
paper, but are typically unacceptable for use with other media,
such as photo stock or photographic media. Photographic media, for
example, is generally more rigid than typical paper stock.
Moreover, photographic media is prone to surface scratching, which
can seriously degrade the quality of the image thereon. Further,
the thick and rigid nature of the photographic media results in
jams and misfeeds, and the photographic image surface results in
increased friction when in contact with surfaces (particularly in
high humidity environments). Photographic media has been discovered
to suffer from less surface scratching when held with an image
surface thereof fully or substantially fully exposed to a passing
imaging mechanism, for example, by laying the image surface against
a transparent platen for a traditional scan pass. Unfortunately,
the aforementioned ADFs do not accommodate such a technique in an
automated fashion.
[0003] Accordingly, ADFs that are well suited for use with respect
to photographic media and similar stock have heretofore not been
widely available. A further requirement for suitable automated
document handling with respect to photographic media is that, not
only should the mechanism be adapted to accommodate the relatively
rigid nature of the stock without introducing surface scratches on
the media, the mechanism should ensure that the photographic media
will be square to the optical carriage or other imaging
apparatus.
SUMMARY
[0004] A system for de-skewing media when using an automatic media
feeder, the system comprising, a registration guide, and a
registration tab disposed to deflect an edge of the media toward
the registration guide when the media passes over the registration
tab.
[0005] A method for de-skewing media when using an automatic media
feeder comprising disposing a registration tab to cooperate with a
registration guide in providing de-skewing of media, translating
the media in a first direction to pass a first edge of the media by
the registration tab, deflecting with the registration tab the
first edge toward the registration guide, and continuing to apply a
translation force to the media after at least a portion of the
first edge engages the registration guide, thereby de-skewing the
media.
[0006] An automatic photograph feeder comprising, a photographic
media input tray, a media singulator disposed to draw photographic
media from the input tray and introduce the media in an imaging
area of a host system, a registration tab, and a media translation
mechanism disposed to accept the photographic media from the
singulator and to cause an edge of the media to engage the
registration tab, wherein engaging the registration tab by the edge
causes the edge to deflect towards a registration guide.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIGS. 1A and 1B show one embodiment of an automatic
photograph feeder configured according to the present
invention;
[0008] FIGS. 2A-2D show operation of an automatic photograph feeder
according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0009] FIG. 3 shows detail with respect to one embodiment of a tab
utilized in media registration; and
[0010] FIGS. 4A-4C show detail with respect to an alternative
embodiment of a tab utilized in media registration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] Embodiments of the present invention provide an automatic
photograph feeder (APF) configuration that is adapted to draw one
piece of photographic media at a time from a queue and to place the
photographic media with an image surface thereof fully or
substantially fully exposed to a passing imaging mechanism.
Registration of such media (i.e., placing the media in
correspondence or alignment with a reference) for imaging is
addressed according to embodiments of the present invention using
registration guides that require a minimum number of parts. In
particular configurations, the registration guides comprise
inexpensive to manufacture and install non-moving parts.
Accordingly, APFs configured according to the present invention
provide automated media handling for imaging functions that are
adapted both to handle the relatively thick and rigid attributes of
photographic media and to avoid or minimize scratching or other
degradation of the image surface.
[0012] Although embodiments are described herein with reference to
photographic media and APF configurations, the concepts of the
present invention are not limited to use with respect to
photographic media. Accordingly, embodiments of the present
invention may be utilized in providing automated handling of any of
a number of media types, including common paper stock.
[0013] FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrates one embodiment of an APF
configured according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1A,
scanner 100 includes lid 105 and transparent platen 104, such that
a document may be placed against platen 104 and optical carriage
101 moved past to allow optical array 103 to capture an image of
the document illuminated by lamp 102. APF 150 facilitates automated
handling of media into and out of the imaging area of scanner
100.
[0014] APF 150 of the illustrated embodiment is disposed in lid 105
of scanner 100. APF 150 includes document singulator and take-up
mechanism 151, such as may comprise a rubberized take-up roller, to
move documents 110 from input tray 152 through feed slot 153 into
an imaging area associated with platen 104. Feed belts 154 are
disposed to provide controlled movement of documents in the imaging
area of scanner 100. For example, vacuum orifices 156 (FIG. 1B) may
provide a reduced pressure area next to lid 105 to draw media in
the imaging area of scanner 100 towards lid 105, thereby
cooperating with feed belts 154 to provide controlled movement of
documents in the imaging area of scanner 100. Tabs 155 are disposed
to provide registration of media handled by APF 150. Specifically,
tabs 155 of preferred embodiments cooperate with registration guide
106 formed along an edge of platen 104 to square (align or place in
correspondence) media fed by APF 150 with an imaging mechanism,
such as optical array 103 of scanner 100. Registration guide 106
may be present in the scanner configuration to provide assistance
in manual registration of media, the use of which is leveraged
according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0015] FIGS. 2A-2D illustrate the operation of APF 150 in providing
automated handling of photographic media for scanning according to
one embodiment. In operation, singulator and take-up mechanism 151
draws a next document (here document 110a) of documents 110 from
the queue of documents in input tray 152 into an imaging area of
scanner 100 between lid 105 and platen 104, as shown in FIG. 2A.
Input tray 152 is preferably disposed at a slight angle with
respect to the plane of lid 105 and platen 104, such as on the
order of 5.degree.. Accordingly, as a leading edge of document 110a
is brought into the imaging area of scanner 100, the leading edge
easily passes tabs 155, without catching thereon. Of course, lesser
input feed angles may be supported by embodiments of the present
invention, even 0.degree., by properly adapting tabs 155. For
example, tabs 155 may be provided in a configuration that retracts
when pressure is applied from one direction, but remain extended
from another direction, to accommodate a particular input feed
angle. Additionally or alternatively, tabs 155 may incorporate
ramped or sloped surfaces, as shown in the embodiment of FIGS.
2A-2D, to assist the leading edge of the medium to pass the tabs
without catching thereon.
[0016] In the embodiment of FIGS. 2A-2D, document 110a is fed
sufficiently far into the imaging area of scanner 100 by singulator
and take-up mechanism 151 for feed belts 154 to engage the
document, as shown in FIG. 2B. Initially, feed belts 154 are
feeding in a same direction, and providing a similar rate of
translation, as singulator and take-up mechanism 151 to facilitate
a transition from document 110a being propelled by singulator and
take-up mechanism 151 to document 110a being propelled by belts
154.
[0017] In the illustrated embodiment, a reduced pressure area
between document 110a and lid 105, such as may be created using
vacuum orifices 156 (FIG. 1B), is employed to assist feed belts 154
engagement of the surface of document 110a. Of course, other
techniques for assuring that feed belts 154, or any other
translation mechanism, reliably engage media may be employed. For
example, the orientation of scanner 100 may be inverted from that
illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B such that lid 105 is beneath
document 110a when in the imaging area of scanner 100. In such a
configuration, gravity may be relied upon to assist feed belts 154
engage a surface of document 110a. Additionally or alternatively,
the space between feed belts 154 and platen 104 may be reduced such
that a surface of document 110a engages platen 104 while another
surface of document 110a engages feed belts 154, thereby providing
a configuration in which platen 104 assists feed belts 154
engagement of a surface of document 110a. However, this latter
technique may not be preferred where document 110a comprises
photographic media. Specifically, photographic media has been found
to experience undesirable levels of friction when a surface thereof
is slid along another relatively smooth surface, such as the
transparent surface of platen 104, particularly in high humidity
conditions. Moreover, the sliding of the image surface of
photographic media over another surface is preferably minimized to
reduce scratching on the image surface. Accordingly, preferred
embodiments of the present invention are adapted to minimize
sliding contact between an image surface of the media and other
surfaces, such as platen 104.
[0018] After feed belts 154 have propelled a trailing edge of
document 110a past tabs 155, the direction of travel is preferably
reversed, as shown in FIG. 2C. Accordingly, the now leading edge
(formerly trailing edge) of document 110a is again brought into the
area of tabs 155. However, the now leading edge of document 110a
this time engages a surface of tabs 155 and is deflected in the
direction of platen 104. As feed belts 154 continue to propel
document 110a in this reverse direction the now leading edge of
document 110a engages registration guide 106, formed along an edge
of platen 104, to square document 110a with optical array 103, as
shown in FIG. 2D. Specifically, if the now leading edge of document
110a was askew from the take-up and feed process, as this edge
comes into contact with registration guide 106, the length of the
edge of the document is flushed against the registration guide,
thereby providing a document which is squared with the mechanisms
of scanner 100.
[0019] Document 110a may be held in place while an imaging function
is performed. For example, optical carriage 101 may traverse the
length of document 110a to allow optical array 103 to capture an
image thereof as illuminated by lamp 102. The tabs of the
illustrated embodiment are obscured from view of the imaging
function by the body of document 110a. Accordingly, no image
processing need be implemented with respect to the present
invention's use of such tabs to prevent their impacting an imaging
function. For example, in a scanning operation, no subsequent image
cropping or alteration is required to address the automated media
handling mechanism.
[0020] After such an imaging function, feed belts 154 preferably
resume operation in their initial direction of travel to propel
document 110a away from registration guide 106 and out of the
imaging area of scanner 100. Thereafter, the above process may be
repeated by singulator and take-up mechanism 151 feeding a next
document of documents 110 into the imaging area of scanner 100.
[0021] The illustration of FIG. 2D shows an exaggerated rendition
of the planar distortion of document 110a when engaging tabs 155
and registration guide 106 to more readily convey the concepts
herein. Embodiments of the present invention are expected to employ
relatively small distances, e.g., tabs 155 may be less than 5
millimeters, perhaps 2-3 millimeters, and the space between lid 105
and platen 104 on the order of 5 millimeters in a scanner
implementation of the present invention. Accordingly, appreciably
less surface distortion would be experienced in such an embodiment
than is illustrated in the figures.
[0022] However, there is expected to be some planar distortion with
respect to media positioned for imaging functions according to
embodiments of the present invention. It is expected that the focal
depth of typical scanners will sufficiently accommodate any such
planar distortion. In cases where such planar distortion is
undesirable, embodiments of the present invention may be adapted to
minimize planar distortion, such as by disengaging a reduced
pressure which holds document 110a against lid 105 and thereby
allows the media to fall against platen 104. The reduced pressure
may again be applied after an imaging function to facilitate feed
belts 154 again engaging the media for its removal from the imaging
area.
[0023] Registration of automatically handled documents according to
embodiments of the present invention employs inexpensive
components, as well as aspects of the imaging system otherwise
already available. For example, the embodiment of the figures
described in detail above utilizes registration guide 106 formed by
the interface of platen 104 and the case of scanner 100.
[0024] Moreover, embodiments of tabs 155 may be manufactured very
easily and with little added cost. For example, tabs 155 may be
cast of the same material (e.g., plastics, resins, polymers, and/or
the like) and in the same forming process (e.g., injection molding)
as is lid 105, thereby providing a monolithic member of the lid.
Accordingly, non-movable tab configurations may be easily
incorporated into a scanner design.
[0025] Tabs 155 of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2D
comprise a triangular shape presenting relatively smooth surfaces
where it is expected media will engage the tabs. Specifically, tabs
155 of the illustrated embodiment include a first smooth edge
tapering away from the plane of lid 105 to facilitate media passing
tabs 155 as the media is singulated and brought into an imaging
area. Tabs 155 of the illustrated embodiment further include a
second smooth edge tapering away from the plane of lid 105 the
plane of lid 105 to facilitate media being deflected by tabs 155
toward platen 104 as the media is moved toward a registration
position. The illustrated embodiment provides a relatively gentle
slope with respect to the taper of the first smooth edge (document
in-take edge) to minimize document input resistance associated with
tabs 155, and a relatively acute slope with respect to the taper of
the second smooth edge (document registration deflection edge) to
ensure that the media is sufficiently deflected to engage
registration guide 106.
[0026] Of course, configurations of tabs utilized according to the
present invention may take shapes or otherwise be configured
different than illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2D. For example, embodiments
may present a gentler slope (slope of edge 301) to the forward feed
direction (document in-take) and a more acute slope (slope of edge
302) to the reverse feed direction (document registration), as
shown with respect to tab 355 in FIG. 3. Alternatively, embodiments
may present a sloped surface only with respect to the reverse feed
direction (document registration), and rely upon an input angle of
the media to avoid interfacing with a forward feed direction
(document in-take) edge, such as may be perpendicular to the plane
of lid 104.
[0027] The surfaces of tabs utilized according to embodiments of
the present invention are not limited to relatively straight or
flat surfaces. Accordingly, a tab edge disposed to be presented in
a document in-take direction according to embodiments can take any
shape suitable for allowing media to pass easily. Likewise, a tab
edge disposed to be presented in a document registration direction
according to embodiments can take any shape suitable for
sufficiently deflecting media for engaging a registration guide.
Embodiments of the present invention may implement curvilinear
surfaces, for example. According to one embodiment a hemispherical
tab shape is implemented.
[0028] Additionally or alternatively, embodiments of the invention
may implement movable tabs, such as to facilitate a document
passing over the tabs in the forward feed direction and/or to
retract the tabs after registration to minimize planar distortion.
Directing attention to FIGS. 4A-4C, tab 455 is adapted to move
about pivot 410. The placement of pivot 410 is intended to be
exemplary and, therefore, a variety of pivoting configurations may
be implemented according to embodiments of the invention. As
document 110a is fed past tab 455 in the forward feed direction,
tab 455 is allowed to swing up and out of the path of document
110a. After document 110a has passed tab 455, the tab again moves
about pivot 410 to again descend below lid 105. As the direction of
document 110a is reversed for registration, latch 420 engages tab
455 to prevent its moving about pivot 410. Accordingly, as document
110a is reversed into tab 455, the edge thereof deflects the
document toward the platen, substantially as discussed above.
[0029] Even when employing moving parts, as in the embodiment of
FIGS. 4A-4C, embodiments of the present invention provide a
relatively inexpensive solution to registering a document,
utilizing relatively few parts. Specifically, as the registration
guide of the device is relied upon by these embodiments, the tabs
and associated components need not be precision manufactured or
composed of particularly structurally stable parts. Moreover,
mechanisms, such as the above mentioned latches, may be readily
manipulated using systems deployed for other uses, such as
utilizing the reversing of feed belts 104 to engage/disengage latch
420.
[0030] Although embodiments have been described herein with
reference to tabs that present a relatively thin endwise profile,
there is no limitation to such a configuration according to the
present invention. For example, embodiments of the invention may
implement tabs which are considerably thicker than those
illustrated in FIG. 1B, such as may occupy substantially the entire
space between adjacent ones of belts 154. Alternatively, a tab of
the present invention may be provided in a configuration which runs
substantially the length of a leading edge of media to interface
therewith, such as where belts 154 are disposed to run under the
tab or where belts 154 are not utilized. Although such thicker tab
embodiments may present a tab configuration which is less likely to
suffer from damage or removal from rough handling, thinner tab
configurations may be more desirable with respect to many
implementations due to their decreased cost of material and/or
decreased surface area engaging the media.
* * * * *