Patents by Inventor Alan Stoddard

Alan Stoddard has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20170341897
    Abstract: Some examples of a document scanning system can include a scanner and a sheet output stacker. The stacker includes an upper surface configured to mate with the scanner configured to scan and transfer contents of a paper document. The stacker is configured to receive paper sheets from the scanner. The stacker includes multiple, upward extending interface housings positioned on the upper surface. The multiple interface housings are configured to be received in respective multiple receiving structures in the scanner, and are configured to mechanically and electrically couple the sheet output stacker and the scanner. The interface housings allow care-free electrical and mechanical pairing of a scanner to a stacker with no tools or adjustments. Simply positioning the scanner on the stacker such that the interface housings are aligned with the receiving structures results in the scanner being automatically guided into place and connected to the stacker through gravity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Shawn Hunter, Steve Olson, Bill Kantos, Alan Stoddard
  • Patent number: 9828204
    Abstract: Some examples of a document scanning system can include a scanner and a sheet output stacker. The stacker includes an upper surface configured to mate with the scanner configured to scan and transfer contents of a paper document. The stacker is configured to receive paper sheets from the scanner. The stacker includes multiple, upward extending interface housings positioned on the upper surface. The multiple interface housings are configured to be received in respective multiple receiving structures in the scanner, and are configured to mechanically and electrically couple the sheet output stacker and the scanner. The interface housings allow care-free electrical and mechanical pairing of a scanner to a stacker with no tools or adjustments. Simply positioning the scanner on the stacker such that the interface housings are aligned with the receiving structures results in the scanner being automatically guided into place and connected to the stacker through gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Scantron Corporation
    Inventors: Shawn Hunter, Steve Olson, Bill Kantos, Alan Stoddard