Double side scanner module

Abstract

A double side scanner module which consists of a U-shaped inversion device and two image information reading devices is provided for reading images on the two sides of an original in a single pass. The U-shaped inversion device has two ends for providing a paper feeding path and a paper output path respectively. The two ends are at the same side for the convenience of operation. At both of the two ends, there is a glass window. Beneath each of the glass windows, there is an image information reading device. When an original is fed into the paper feeding end and conveyed through the first glass window, the first image information reading device starts to read the image on the first side of the original. When the original is conveyed through the U-shaped inversion device, the scanned side will be inverted to the other side. Consequently, when the original is conveyed through the second glass window, the second image information reading device can read the image on the second side of the original and complete the double side scanning.

1. A double side scanner module comprising:
 a U-shaped inversion means for turning an original from one side to the other side by guiding said original from a paper feeding path to a paper output path, wherein said paper feeding path is an inlet end of said U-shaped inversion means and said paper output path is a outlet end of said U-shaped inversion means;  
 a first glass window adjacent to said paper feeding path of said U-shaped inversion means;  
 a first image information reading means located beneath said first glass window for reading an image on the first side of said original while said original is fed into said paper feeding path and said original is driven progressively through said first glass window said first image information reading means scanning said original at said inlet end of said U-shaped inversion means;  
 a second glass window adjacent to said paper output path of said U-shaped inversion means; and  
 a second image information reading means located beneath said second glass window for reading an image on the second side of said original while said original is inverted already by said U-shaped inversion means and said original is driven progressively through said second glass window, said second image information reading means scanning said original at said outlet end of said U-shaped inversion means,  
 wherein the first image information reading means and the second image information reading means face toward to  the same direction, in that case, the illumination caused by said second image information reading means projecting to the back of said first image information reading means, instead of projecting into said first image information reading means.  
 
     
     
       2. The module as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said U-shaped inversion means comprises:
 a plurality of rollers for guiding said original from said paper feeding path to said paper output path.  
 
     
     
       3. The module as claimed in  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a first roller disposed against said first glass window; and  
 a second roller disposed against said second glass window.  
 
     
     
       4. The module as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said first image information reading means is a contact image sensor module. 
     
     
       5. The module as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said second image information reading means is a contact image sensor module. 
     
     
       6. The module as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said first image information reading means is a charge coupled device. 
     
     
       7. The module as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said second image information reading means is a charge coupled device. 
     
     
       8. The module as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 first memory means coupled to said first image information reading means for storing image data read by said first image information reading means;  
 second memory means coupled to said second image information reading means for storing image data read by said second image information reading means;  
 an image process unit for reading said image data stored in said first memory means and said image data stored in said second memory means according to a predetermined order, and converting said image data into digital signals; and  
 a modulation/demodulation module coupled to said image process unit for transferring said digital signals to a telephone network.  
 
     
     
       9. A scanning device, comprising:
   an inversion device capable of turning an original from one side to another side by guiding said original from an inlet end of said inversion device to an outlet end of said inversion device;        a first image reading device adjacent said inlet end of said inversion device, capable of scanning a first side of said original; and        a second image reading device adjacent said outlet end of said inversion device, capable of scanning a second side of said original,        wherein said first image reading device and said second image reading device generally face the same direction, and wherein during operation, the illumination from said second image reading device projects generally toward the back of said first imaging device.     
     
     
       10. The scanning device of  claim 9 , wherein said inversion device comprises a generally U- shaped structure.   
     
     
       11. The scanning device of  claim 9 , further comprising a first window adjacent to said inlet end of said inversion device, and a second window adjacent to said outlet end of said inversion device. 
     
     
       12. The scanning device of  claim 11 , further comprising:
   a first roller disposed adjacent said first window; and        a second roller disposed adjacent said second window.     
     
     
       13. The scanning device of  claim 9 , wherein said first image reading device comprises a contact image sensor module. 
     
     
       14. The scanning device of  claim 9 , wherein said second image reading device comprises a contact image sensor module. 
     
     
       15. The scanning device of  claim 9  wherein said first image reading device comprises a charge coupled device. 
     
     
       16. The scanning device of  claim 9 , wherein said second image reading device comprises a charge coupled device. 
     
     
       17. The scanning device of  claim 9 , further comprising:
   a first memory device coupled to said first image reading device capable of storing data read by said first image reading device; and        a second memory device coupled to said second image reading device capable of storing data read by said second image reading device.     
     
     
       18. The scanning device of  claim 17 , further comprising:
   an image process unit capable of reading data stored in said first memory device and data stored in said second memory device, and capable of converting said data into digital signals; and        a modulation/demodulation module coupled to said image process unit capable of transferring said digital signals to a network.     
     
     
       19. A method, comprising:
   scanning a first side of an original utilizing a first image reading device, generally at an inlet end of an inversion device;        inverting said original utilizing said inversion device; and        scanning a second side of said original, utilizing a second image reading device, generally at an outlet end of said inversion device,        wherein said first image reading device and said second image reading device are facing in substantially the same direction.     
     
     
       20. The method according to  claim 19 , further comprising storing data from said first image reading device. 
     
     
       21. The method according to  claim 19 , further comprising storing data from said second image reading device. 
     
     
       22. The method according to  claim 19 , further comprising converting data from said first and second image reading devices to digital signals. 
     
     
       23. The method according to  claim 22 , further comprising transferring said digital signals to a network. 
     
     
       24. The method according to  claim 19  wherein the first image reading device is facing in a first direction and the second image reading device is facing in a second direction substantially parallel with the first direction. 
     
     
       25. An apparatus, comprising:
   means for inverting an original;        means for scanning a first side of said original, generally at an inlet end of said means for inverting; and        means for scanning a second side of said original, generally at an outlet end of said means for inverting,        wherein said means for scanning a first side and said means for scanning a second side are facing in substantially the same direction.     
     
     
       26. The apparatus according to  claim 25 , further comprising means for storing data from said means for scanning a first side. 
     
     
       27. The apparatus according to  claim 25 , further comprising means for storing data from said means for scanning a second side. 
     
     
       28. The apparatus according to  claim 25 , further comprising means for converting data to digital signals, said data from said means for scanning a first side and said means for scanning a second side. 
     
     
       29. The apparatus according to  claim 28 , further comprising means for transferring said digital signals to a network. 
     
     
       30. A double side scanner module comprising:
   an inversion means being substantially U - shaped for guiding an original from a paper feeding path at an inlet end of said inversion means to a paper output path at an outlet end of said inversion means;        a first transparent window adjacent to said paper feeding path of said inversion means;        a first image information reading means adjacent said first transparent window opposite said paper feeding path for scanning an image on a first side of said original while said original travels in said paper feeding path and said original is driven across said first transparent window;        a second transparent window adjacent to said paper output path of said inversion means; and        a second image information reading means adjacent said second transparent window opposite said paper output path for scanning an image on an opposite side of said original while said original travels in said paper output path across said second transparent window, wherein the first image information reading means and the second image information reading means face toward substantially the same direction so that illumination caused by said second image information reading means projects to a back side of said first image information reading means.     
     
     
       31. The module as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein said inversion means comprises:
   a plurality of rollers for guiding said original from said paper feeding path to said paper output path.     
     
     
       32. The module as claimed in  claim 31 , further comprising:
   a first roller disposed against said first transparent window; and        a second roller disposed against said second transparent window.     
     
     
       33. The module as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein said first image information reading means includes a contact image sensor module. 
     
     
       34. The module as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein said second image information reading means includes a contact image sensor module. 
     
     
       35. The module as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein said first image information reading means includes a charge coupled device. 
     
     
       36. The module as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein said second image information reading means includes a charge coupled device. 
     
     
       37. The module as claimed in  claim 30 , further comprising:
   first memory means coupled to said first image information reading means for storing image data scanned by said first image information reading means;        second memory means coupled to said second image information reading means for storing image data scanned by said second image information reading means;        an image process unit for reading said image data from said first memory means and said image data from said second memory means in a predetermined order, and said image process unit for converting said image data into digital signals; and        a modulation/demodulation module coupled to said image process unit for transferring said digital signals to a network.     
     
     
       38. The apparatus according to  claim 30  wherein the means for scanning a first side is oriented in a first direction and the means for scanning a second side is oriented in a second direction substantially parallel with the first direction. 
     
     
       39. A facsimile device, comprising:
   an inversion device capable of turning an original from one side to another side by guiding said original from an inlet end of said inversion device to an outlet end of said inversion device;        a first image reading device adjacent said inlet end of said inversion device, capable of scanning a first side of said original; and        a second image reading device adjacent said outlet end of said inversion device, capable of scanning a second side of said original,        wherein said first image reading device and said second image reading device generally face the same direction, and wherein during operation, the illumination from said second image reading device projects generally toward the back of said first imaging device.     
     
     
       40. The facsimile device of  claim 39 , wherein said inversion device comprises a generally U- shaped structure.   
     
     
       41. The facsimile device of  claim 39 , further comprising a first window adjacent to said inlet end of said inversion device, and a second window adjacent to said outlet end of said inversion device. 
     
     
       42. The facsimile device of  claim 41 , further comprising:
   a first roller disposed adjacent said first window; and        a second roller disposed adjacent said second window.