Service access for a scanner

Details Service access for a scanner Service access for a scanner

2000-05-17

2001-11-27

Gaffin, Jeffrey (Department: 2841)

Electricity: electrical systems and devices

Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...

For electronic systems and devices

C361S760000, C235S470000, C235S375000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06324070

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to document scanner systems. More particularly, this invention relates to production document scanners having circuit board assemblies.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A typical production document scanner system has a scanner and a scanner host workstation with a scanner user interface. The scanner is installed on a table adjacent or in close proximity to the scanner host station. The scanner weighs on the order of 200 pounds. When installed, the back of the scanner usually is positioned against a wall, thus limiting any access to the rear of the scanner.
The control circuitry of most scanner designs is located in the rear of the scanner. The control circuitry includes electrical test points and light emitting diode (LED) status indicators. With the scanner against the wall, it is virtually impossible to view and access the test points and LED indicators. To provide service, the scanner must be moved. This situation is compounded because the scanner usually needs to be shifted multiple times during a diagnostic procedure to gain access to key electrical components.
To further complicate matters, recent scanner designs now have horizontal circuit boards. While horizontal circuit boards reduce the size of the scanner, they further limit the access and view of the LED indicators and test points. Even if the circuit boards were vertical, the overlapping nature of circuit board assemblies makes it difficult to view and access test points and LED indicators on circuit boards “obstructed” by another circuit board.
Accordingly, there is a need for a scanner permitting diagnostic test points and LED status indicators to be viewed and accessed without moving the scanner.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a scanner having a serviceable circuit board assembly. The scanner permits the diagnostic testing of test points and light emitting diodes from the same external location without moving the scanner. The diagnostic testing may be done from the front or sides of the scanner.
The scanner has a card cage for mounting circuit boards in the rear of the scanner. The card cage has an access opening. A first circuit board and a second circuit board are mounted inside the card cage. The first circuit board forms a notch. The second circuit board has a viewable portion that is viewable and accessible through the access opening and the notch. The test points and light emitting diodes are positioned within the viewable portion of the second circuit board. The test points are accessible for connection to a test probe. The combination of the notch on the first circuit board and the viewable portion on the second circuit board creates a stair-stepping configuration that is applicable to assemblies having more than two circuit boards.
The following drawings and description set forth additional advantages and benefits of the invention. More advantages and benefits are obvious from the description and may be learned by practice of the invention.


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