Abstract: A method and apparatus for document imaging is disclosed. The apparatus uses a flatbed scanner with a selectively opaque/transparent liquid crystal platen. The platen is divided into controllable segments defined by an electrode pattern formed within the platen itself. These segments can each be selectively made transmissive or opaque by applying appropriate voltages to the segment electrodes. An advantage of the invention is that it can operate without a platen cover, since the area of the platen not covered by the original can be made opaque. The opaque part of the platen directs imaging light back into the system, shielding a user's eyes and helping to create a white background if the platen is imaged.

Abstract: A cover for holding a document to be scanned against the transparent scanning surface of a scanning system. The cover includes at least one hinged "bending axis" about which a portion of the cover may be pivotally displaced without affecting the remaining portion(s) of the cover. Preferably, the bending axes are such that the cover may be pivoted about either of two lines corresponding to the diagonal axes of the rectangular cover.

Abstract: A masking device for use in photographic printing, disposed between a photographic printing light source and a lengthwise sheet of photosensitive medium and adapted to define the printing area, in which a pair of widthwise-end mask members are supported on a pair of moving bases capable of moving in the widthwise direction of the photosensitive medium so that the widthwise-end mask members can move toward or away from each other to a predetermined extent, thereby enabling printing of either of framed and non-framed images.

Abstract: There is described an improved vacuum sheet for use in contact vacuum frames, the sheet including at least two planar sheets of material joined together to form a seam therebetween, and a third planar sheet of material applied to one side of said at least two sheets to be substantially centered over the seam formed therebetween.

Abstract: A document hold-down device in a copying apparatus includes a rectangular relatively stiff plate and a relatively stiff anchoring bar spaced from and parallel to the plate rear edge, the bar and plate being sandwiched between flexible synthetic resin sheets which envelope the bar and plate and are bonded to each other along their coinciding borders and preferrably along a hinge defining line intermediate the proximate edges of the sheet and bar. Fastening members releasably anchor the bar to the apparatus proximate the document support plate. Advantageously, to accommodate thick documents, a second bar is disposed between the anchoring bar and plate and enveloped between the flexible sheets which are bonded to each other along hinge lines along opposite sides of the second bar. A resilient sponge sheet may underlie the plate to accommodate uneven documents.