Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of forming metal interconnects uses a direct metal etch approach to form and fill the metal gap. The method may include directly etching a metal layer to form metal patterns. The metal patterns may be spaced apart from one another by recesses. A dielectric spacer may be formed extending along the sidewalls of each of the recesses. The recesses may be filled with a conductive material to form a second set of metal patterns. By directly etching the metal film, the technique allows for reduced line width roughness. The disclosed structure may have the advantages of increased reliability, better RC performance and reduced parasitic capacitance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic sheet-feeding scanning apparatus having a movable guide rib device. The automatic sheet-feeding scanning apparatus includes a flatbed scanner and an automatic document feeder. The movable guide rib device is mounted in a housing of the flatbed scanner and includes a guide rib structure, at least one hollow portion, a plurality of elastic members and a fixing plate. The guide rib structure is movable upwardly or downwardly so as to avoid document damage even if the document is relatively large-sized.

Abstract: A double-lens optical scanning device and method of using the same. Wherein, a housing of said optical scanning device is provided with a photograph cartridge insertion slot and a negative cartridge insertion slot, that can be inserted photograph-, negative-, or slide-to-be-scanned. Said housing comprises a light source, two optical lenses, and at least an image sensor. Said two optical lenses are provided with different light paths, such that said image sensor is utilized to determine a category of an object-to-be-scanned, in selecting said optical lens to be used and a direction of said light source. A switching circuit is utilized to switch said optical lens to be used, fetch an image of said object-to-be-scanned, and then focus it onto said image sensor to form said image, and convert it into digital data for output.

Abstract: A sheet pick-up device includes a sheet pick-up arm, a driving shaft and a collar. The sheet pick-up arm has a sleeve at the outside surface thereof. The driving shaft is penetrated through the sheet pick-up arm and the sleeve. The collar is sheathed around the driving shaft and includes at least one flexible vane in contact with the inner surface of the sleeve. The height of the flexible vane relative to the outer surface of the collar is greater than the radial distance between the outer surface of the collar and the inner surface of the sleeve.

Abstract: A document feeder includes a casing, a sheet pick-up module, a stopper and a swing lever. The casing includes a sheet feeding channel therein. The sheet pick-up module is pivotally mounted above the sheet feeding channel, and movable between a sheet feeding position and a standby position. The stopper is disposed under the sheet feeding channel. The swing lever includes a first end part is pressed down by the sheet pick-up module and a second end part is pressed down by the stopper. When the sheet pick-up module is switched from the sheet feeding position to the standby position, the sheet pick-up module depresses the first end part of the swing lever, so that the stopper is raised by the second end part of the swing lever to be protruded to the sheet feeding channel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sheet-feeding scanner including an automatic document feeder and an image scanning portion. The automatic document feeder includes a U-shaped transfer path, a first scanning window and a first scanning module. The U-shaped transfer path includes a sheet pick-up section, a sheet reverse region and a scan region. The first scanning window in disposed in the sheet reverse region. The first scanning module is arranged beside the first scanning window for scanning the image of a first side of the paper sheet. The image scanning portion is disposed under the automatic paper feeder, and includes a second scanning window and a second scanning module. The second scanning window is disposed in the scan region. The second scanning module is arranged under the second scanning window for scanning the image of a second side of the paper sheet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic sheet-feeding scanning apparatus having a movable guide rib device. The automatic sheet-feeding scanning apparatus includes a flatbed scanner and an automatic document feeder. The movable guide rib device is mounted in a housing of the flatbed scanner and includes a guide rib structure, at least one hollow portion, a plurality of elastic members and a fixing plate. The guide rib structure is movable upwardly or downwardly so as to avoid document damage even if the document is relatively large-sized.

Abstract: The present invention provides an automatic document feeder having a detachable sheet-pressing slice. The automatic document feeder is mounted on a scanning apparatus having a scanning window. By means of the automatic document feeder, multiple documents are successively transported across the scanning window of the scanning apparatus to perform the scanning operation. The automatic document feeder includes a casing and a sheet-feeding mechanism. The detachable sheet-pressing slice is disposed at a lower part of the sheet-feeding mechanism. In a case that the detachable sheet-pressing slice is damaged, only the detachable sheet-pressing slice needs to be detached from the automatic document feeder and replaced with a new one. As a consequence, the maintenance of the detachable sheet-pressing slice is very easy and speedy.

Abstract: A sheet pick-up device for use in a document feeder includes a driving shaft, a sheet pick-up arm and a spring clutch. The spring clutch includes a spring and a collar. A retractable claw segment is extended from the collar and sheathed by the spring.

Abstract: A document feeder includes a casing, a sheet pick-up module, a stopper and a swing lever. The casing includes a sheet feeding channel therein. The sheet pick-up module is pivotally mounted above the sheet feeding channel, and movable between a sheet feeding position and a standby position. The stopper is disposed under the sheet feeding channel. The swing lever includes a first end part is pressed down by the sheet pick-up module and a second end part is pressed down by the stopper. When the sheet pick-up module is switched from the sheet feeding position to the standby position, the sheet pick-up module depresses the first end part of the swing lever, so that the stopper is raised by the second end part of the swing lever to be protruded to the sheet feeding channel.

Abstract: A document feeder includes a housing, a sheet pick-up arm and a stopper. The housing includes a sheet feeding path for placing paper sheets thereon. The sheet pick-up arm is movable between a first position and a second position. The sheet pick-up arm has a protrusion structure. The stopper is disposed under the sheet feeding path and includes a pivotal portion and a sheet stop portion. The sheet stop portion has a hooking part corresponding to the protrusion structure. When the sheet pick-up arm is moved to the first position, the protrusion structure is located in the swing track of the hooking part to restrain the swing range of the sheet stop portion. When the sheet pick-up arm is moved to the second position, the protrusion structure is deviated from the swing track of the hooking part to permit free swing of the sheet stop portion.

Abstract: A sheet pick-up device includes a sheet pick-up arm, a driving shaft and a collar. The sheet pick-up arm has a sleeve at the outside surface thereof. The driving shaft is penetrated through the sheet pick-up arm and the sleeve. The collar is sheathed around the driving shaft and includes at least one flexible vane in contact with the inner surface of the sleeve. The height of the flexible vane relative to the outer surface of the collar is greater than the radial distance between the outer surface of the collar and the inner surface of the sleeve.

Abstract: A sheet pick-up device for use in a document feeder includes a driving shaft, a sheet pick-up arm and a spring clutch. The spring clutch includes a spring and a collar. A retractable claw segment is extended from the collar and sheathed by the spring.

Abstract: A document feeder includes a housing, a control lever and a sheet pick-up module. The housing includes a feeding path defined by a first sidewall and a second sidewall. The control lever is mounted on the first sidewall, and includes a pivotal part, a collar and a handle part. The collar is arranged between the pivotal portion and the handle part. The sheet pick-up module includes a driving shaft mounted on the collar and the second sidewall.