System and methods for imaging employing a levitating conveyor

Abstract

A system and methodology for conveying generally planar substrates such as printed circuit board, flat panel display and interconnect device substrates, in a levitated state, to and from a scanning or imaging location, including an air flow conveyor having a substrate flattening functionality, and a scanning or imaging device, and scanning and imaging systems and methodologies employing such article conveying systems and methodologies.

1 - 32 . (canceled).  
   
   
       33 . A method for scanning generally planar substrates, comprising: 
 conveying a generally planar substrate to be scanned with an air flow conveyor, to at least a scanning location, said planar substrate being selected from the group consisting of printed circuit board, flat panel display and interconnect device substrates;    flattening said planar substrate with an air flow substrate flattener at least at said scanning location; and    scanning said planar substrate with a scanner located at said scanning location, when flattened by said air flow substrate flattener, to acquire an image.    
   
   
       34 . A scanning methodology according to  claim 33  and wherein said air flow conveyor comprises an air flow levitator.  
   
   
       35 . A scanning methodology according to  claim 33  and wherein said air flow conveyor comprises an air flow hold down.  
   
   
       36 . A scanning methodology according to  claim 33  and wherein said air flow substrate flattening functionality comprises a suction hold down.  
   
   
       37 . A scanning methodology according to  claim 33  and wherein said air flow substrate flattening functionality comprises an air cushion hold down.  
   
   
       38 . A scanning methodology according to  claim 33  and wherein said conveying also comprises conveying said planar substrates away from said imaging location.  
   
   
       39 . A scanning methodology according to  claim 33  and wherein said air flow conveyor includes a displacer for displacing said planar substrates at least towards said imaging location.  
   
   
       40 . A scanning methodology according to  claim 33  and wherein said air flow conveyor includes a displacer for displacing said planar substrates away from said imaging location.  
   
   
       41  to  82 . (canceled).  
   
   
       83 . A flat bed scanner system comprising: 
 an air flow conveyor operative to convey printed circuit board substrate to be scanned at least to a scanning location, said air flow conveyor having an air flow substrate flattening functionality at least at said scanning location; and    a scanner located at said scanning location for scanning said printed circuit board substrate when flattened by said air flow substrate flattening functionality.    
   
   
       84 . A flat bed scanner system according to  claim 83  and wherein said scanner forms part of an image acquirer.  
   
   
       85 . A flat bed scanner system according to  claim 83  and wherein said scanner forms part of an image creator.  
   
   
       86 . A flat bed scanner system according to  claim 85  and wherein said planar substrates include a photosensitive layer.  
   
   
       87 . A flat bed scanner system according to  claim 86  and wherein said image creator comprises a modulated laser beam device operative to expose a desired pattern on said photosensitive layer.  
   
   
       88 . A flat bed scanner system according to  claim 83  and wherein said air flow conveyor comprises an air flow levitator.  
   
   
       89 . A flat bed scanner system according to  claim 83  and wherein said air flow conveyor comprises an air flow hold down.  
   
   
       90 . A flat bed scanner system according to  claim 83  and wherein said air flow substrate flattening functionality comprises an air cushion.  
   
   
       91 . A flat bed scanner system according to  claim 83  and wherein said air flow substrate flattening functionality comprises a suction hold down.  
   
   
       92 . A flat bed scanner system according to  claim 83  and wherein said air flow conveyor is also operative to convey said planar substrates away from said imaging location.  
   
   
       93 . A flat bed scanner system according to  claim 83  and wherein said air flow conveyor includes a displacer for displacing said planar substrates at least towards said imaging location.  
   
   
       94 . A flat bed scanner system according to  claim 83  and wherein said air flow conveyor includes a displacer for displacing said planar substrates away from said imaging location.  
   
   
       95 - 110 . (canceled).  
   
   
       111 . A method for scanning printed circuit board substrates, comprising: 
 conveying a printed circuit board substrate to be scanned with an air flow conveyor, to at least a scanning location;    flattening said printed circuit board substrate with an air flow substrate flattener at least at said scanning location; and    scanning said planar substrate with a scanner located at said scanning location, when flattened by said air flow substrate flattener, to create an image of a portion of an electrical circuit.    
   
   
       112 . A scanning methodology according to  claim 111  and wherein said air flow conveyor comprises an air flow levitator.  
   
   
       113 . A scanning methodology according to  claim 111  and wherein said air flow conveyor comprises an air flow hold down.  
   
   
       114 . A scanning methodology according to  claim 111  and wherein said air flow substrate flattening functionality comprises a suction hold down.  
   
   
       115 . A scanning methodology according to  claim 111  and wherein said air flow substrate flattening functionality comprises an air cushion hold down.  
   
   
       116 . A scanning methodology according to  claim 111  and wherein said conveying also comprises conveying said printed circuit board substrate away from said imaging location.  
   
   
       117 . A scanning methodology according to  claim 111  and wherein said air flow conveyor includes a displacer for displacing said printed circuit board substrate at least towards said imaging location.  
   
   
       118 . A scanning methodology according to  claim 111  and wherein said air flow conveyor includes a displacer for displacing said printed circuit board substrate away from said imaging location.  
   
   
       119 - 138 . (canceled).  
   
   
       139 . A flat bed scanner system comprising: 
 an air flow conveyor operative to convey planar substrates to be scanned at least to a scanning location, said air flow conveyor having an air flow substrate flattening functionality at least at said scanning location; and    a scanner located at said scanning location for scanning said planar substrates when flattened by said air flow substrate flattening functionality.    
   
   
       140 . A flat bed scanner system according to  claim 139  and wherein said scanner forms part of an image acquirer.  
   
   
       141 . A flat bed scanner system according to  claim 139  and wherein said scanner forms part of an image creator.  
   
   
       142 . A flat bed scanner system according to  claim 141  and wherein said planar substrates include a photosensitive layer.  
   
   
       143 . A flat bed scanner system according to  claim 142  and wherein said image creator comprises a modulated laser beam device operative to expose a desired pattern on said photosensitive layer.  
   
   
       144 . A flat bed scanner system according to  claim 139  and wherein said air flow conveyor comprises an air flow levitator.  
   
   
       145 . A flat bed scanner system according to  claim 139  and wherein said air flow conveyor comprises an air flow hold down.  
   
   
       146 . A flat bed scanner system according to  claim 139  and wherein said air flow substrate flattening functionality comprises an air flow levitator.  
   
   
       147 . A flat bed scanner system according to  claim 139  and wherein said air flow substrate flattening functionality comprises an air flow hold down.  
   
   
       148 . A flat bed scanner system according to  claim 139  and wherein said air flow conveyor is also operative to convey said planar substrates away from said imaging location.  
   
   
       149 . A flat bed scanner system according to  claim 139  and wherein said air flow conveyor includes a displacer for displacing said planar substrates at least towards said imaging location.  
   
   
       150 . A flat bed scanner system according to  claim 139  and wherein said air flow conveyor includes a displacer for displacing said planar substrates away from said imaging location.  
   
   
       151 - 201 . (canceled).