Portable electronic faxing, scanning, copying, and printing device

• US 7,443,547 B2
• Filed: 07/03/2004
• Issued: 10/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Science Park Corporation
• Original Assignee: Science Park Corporation
• Inventors: Moreno, Mario, Cichielo, Robert, Keating, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Haskins; Twyler L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Guillermety; Fred
• Application Number:
  US10/884,594
• Publication Number:
  US 20060001920A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,578 Days
• Field of Search: 358/417, 358/472, 358/498
• US Class Current: 358/472
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00 Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0081 Image reader H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0082 Image hardcopy reproducer H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0093 Facsimile machine H04N2201/0094 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0096 Portable devices

Abstract

A lightweight, battery operated, portable, personal electronic device capable of faxing, scanning, printing and copying media as a standalone device or in cooperation with other electronic devices including PCs, mobile telephones, PDAs, etc. is provided. The device automatically detects the presence of fax-capable devices and reconfigures the software for compatibility with the fax-capable device eliminating the need for user programming. The device'"'"'s ergonomic design, intrinsic physical stability, and same side paper feeds and user interface provide use in work areas having limited space. The device includes unidirectional, independent pathways for original and recording media such that paper jams are minimized. Portability is maximized through innovative power management software and hardware.

Claims

1. An apparatus for processing media, wherein said apparatus comprises:

two rollers;

at least one rotation mechanism coupled to at least one of said two rollers;

an actuator;

a mechanical trigger located between said actuator and a first of said two rollers;

at least one circuit coupled to said rotation mechanism for control of said rotation mechanism, said at least one circuit coupled to said actuator for control of said actuator, said control of said actuator indexing said actuator to one of two positions via a temporary power pulse; and

a housing enclosing said two rollers, said rotation mechanism, said mechanical trigger, said actuator, and said circuit;

wherein said housing has at least one of the group consisting of a width less than 16 inches, a depth less than 12 inches, a height less than 12 inches, and a weight less than 6 pounds;

wherein said rotation mechanism rotates at least one of said two rollers;

wherein said rotation transports said media through said housing;

wherein indexing said actuator to a first of said two positions causes a spring force of said mechanical trigger to couple said first of said two rollers with a second of said two rollers; and

wherein indexing said actuator to a second of said two positions causes said spring force of said mechanical trigger to uncouple said first of said two rollers from said second of said two rollers.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, said apparatus further comprising:

at least one sensor coupled to at least one of said circuits and located internal to said housing;

wherein said sensor senses at least one of the group consisting of presence and alignment of said media.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, said apparatus further comprising:

at least one communication port coupled to at least one of said circuits wherein at least a portion of said communication port is located internal to said housing.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said communication port is at least one of the group consisting of a PSTN port, a serial port, an Infrared Data Association®

port, a Universal Serial Bus port, a Bluetooth®

port, an Ethernet port, and an Ultra Wide Band port.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1, said apparatus further comprising:

at least five communication ports coupled to at least one of said circuits wherein at least a portion of each of said communication ports is located internal to said housing.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein each of said communication ports is one of the group consisting of a PSTN port, a serial port, an Infrared Data Association®

port, a Universal Serial Bus port, a Bluetooth®

port, an Ethernet port, and an Ultra Wide Band port.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1, said apparatus further comprising:

a bay coupled to at least one of said circuits wherein at least a portion of said bay is located internal to said housing;

wherein said bay couples a module to at least one of said circuits.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said module includes one of the group consisting of a PSTN port, a serial port, an Infrared Data Association®

port, a Universal Serial Bus port, a Bluetooth®

port, an Ethernet port, and an Ultra Wide Band port.

9. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein at least one of said circuits performs at least one of the group consisting of automatically sensing said module and automatically determining a communication protocol associated with said module.

10. An apparatus according to claim 7, said apparatus further comprising:

a programmable device.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein at least one of said circuits performs at least one of the group consisting of automatically sensing said module, automatically determining a communication protocol associated with said module, and automatically programming said programmable device to communicate with said module.

12. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus performs at least one of the group consisting of scanning media, faxing media, printing media, copying media, transmitting media via telefacsimile, and receiving telefacsimiles.

13. An apparatus according to claim 1, said apparatus further comprising:

at least one battery located internal to said housing;

wherein said battery allows said apparatus to operate via battery power.

14. An apparatus according to claim 1, said apparatus further comprising:

at least two apertures through said housing;

wherein at least one of said apertures allows at least one of said media to be inserted through said aperture until at least one of said media couples to at least one of said two rollers; and

wherein each of said apertures is located at a distinct vertical height with respect to a forward facing surface of said apparatus.

15. An apparatus according to claim 14, said apparatus further comprising:

at least one user interface located on an angled, upward and forward facing surface of said apparatus;

wherein insertion of at least one of said media into at least one of said apertures does not obstruct said user interface.

16. An apparatus according to claim 14, said apparatus further comprising:

at least one user interface located on an angled, upward and forward facing surface of said apparatus;

wherein simultaneous insertion of one of said media into each of said apertures does not obstruct said user interface.

17. An apparatus according to claim 1, said apparatus further comprising:

a print head for printing data on media transported by a first of said two rollers; and

a scan head for scanning data present on said media transported by a second of said two rollers.

18. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said apparatus transfers said data scanned by said scan head directly to said print head for printing on said media transported by said first of said two rollers.

19. An apparatus according to claim 14, said apparatus further comprising:

at least two rear apertures through a rear facing surface of said housing;

wherein at least one of said apertures allows at least one of said media to exit said apparatus through said aperture; and

wherein each of said rear apertures is located at a distinct vertical height with respect to a rear facing surface of said apparatus.

20. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus includes two independent paper paths.