Agfa Division, Bayer Corporation

Agfa Corporation

David M Leclerc

Mark E Tellam

Mark G Brook, Iii

John F Omvik

Christopher R Duval

Joseph A Wheeler

Roger L Audet

Marc L Cresens

Joseph Benassi, Jr

A switch detects a vacuum that is created by suctioning air through a port hole in a media support surface. The switch includes a first layer having (i) a first hole therein which is at least partially aligned with the port hole in the media support surface and (ii) a conductive region, and a second layer, which is disposed above the first layer relative to the media support surface and which is substantially non-conductive. The second layer has a second hole therein which aligns, at least in part, to the first hole in the first layer and to the port hole in the media support surface so as to allow air to flow through the port hole, the first hole, and the second hole. A third layer, which is disposed above the second layer relative to the media support surface, comprises a printed circuit pattern that aligns, at least in part, to the second hole. The printed circuit pattern on the third layer comprises an open circuit. When air is suctioned through the port hole, the first hole and the second hole, a vacuum is created which draws at least a part of the printed circuit pattern through the second hole and into contact with at least a part of the conductive region of the first layer such that the at least part of the conductive region of the first layer completes the open circuit of the printed circuit pattern.

Vacuum detection switch

A scanning apparatus providing separate fixed focal planes for transmissive and reflective original documents to be scanned, wherein a scan carriage containing illumination, sensor, and optical elements is moved together to scan an original document and to obtain a digitized representation thereof. The movable scan carriage has an illumination source disposed between the reflective and transmissive object focal planes, with the object focal plane to be used selected by changing the position of one or more optical elements within the scan carriage. The resolution of the digitized representation of the scanned original document can be determined by rotation of at least one lens about an axis substantially perpendicular to its optic axis.

Scanning system

A scanning apparatus providing an object focal plane for original documents to be scanned, wherein a scan carriage containing illumination, sensor, and optical elements is moved together to scan an original document and to obtain a digitized representation thereof. The movable carnage further includes an automatically-positioned alignment grid for aligning original documents, such that the grid is visible at the surface and moves with the scan carriage.

Apparatus for alignment of material to be scanned in a flat-bed scanner

Growing community of inventors

Peabody, MA, United States of America

David M Leclerc