Multi-function peripherals

The invention relates to multi-function peripherals that integrate copying, printing, facsimiling and scanning devices to perform copying, printing, facsimiling and scanning functions.

Nowadays business and administrative tasks in offices are closely tied to business devices such as copiers, printers, facsimile machines and scanners. These business devices have become indispensable information equipment in modern office environments.

Each business device needs an installation space. There is always a space allocation problem for these devices. Each business device has different utilization. Some business devices may have a low utilization, but they still have to be purchased to meet possible requirements.

In order to remedy the problems set forth above, Multi-Function Peripherals (MFP) have been developed and introduced. These MFPs integrate the functions of copying, printing, FAX, scanning, etc. Thus merely one MFP can process multiple office tasks. It can save a lot of space and cost

However, most conventional MFPs now being used merely distribute a variety of functional modules throughout various locations in the MFP to perform each function individually. In short, they merely put various modules together rather than adopt a new design in an integrated fashion. FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional printing module and a scanning module. These two sets are located on two sites of the MFP. The printing module has a panel to guide paper to a flat glass board. The printing module performs printing functions and discharges the paper. The scanning module also has a panel to guide paper. After having finished the scanning function, the scanner module discharges the paper. The MFP adopting such a design has the following disadvantages:

• • 1. The inkjet cartridge used in the printing module is difficult to replace.
  • 2. It has larger dimensions. As it uses more elements (including redundant components), it needs more space
  • 3. The element costs are higher. As it uses more elements (including redundant to components), the cost for the elements is higher.
  • 4. The design of the mechanism is more complicated. Since it does not integrate various modules, many elements are redundant.

In view of the aforesaid disadvantages, the primary object of the invention is to provide a multi-function peripheral (MFP) that disposes a scanning module and a printing module on a recording media path to reduce redundant elements and thereby simplify replacement of the inkjet cartridge, reduce the dimensions, lower the element cost and diminish the complexity of the mechanisms.

The MFP of the invention includes a casing, a transparent board, a scanning module and a printing module. The casing has a recording media path with two ends forming respectively a recording media inlet and a recording media exit located on the exterior of the casing for receiving media into the casing and discharging the media out of the casing. The transparent board is located on the recording media path and is adjacent to the recording media inlet. The scanning module is located on the transparent board for scanning the recording media. The printing module is located on the recording media path and is adjacent to the recording media exit for printing the recording media. The recording media moves on the recording media path and is discharged outs of the casing through the recording media exit.

Thus when the invention performs scanning and printing functions, i.e. processes scanning on a recording medium then prints the scanning result on another recording medium, the recording medium may be fed through the recording media inlet into the casing and to be moved to the transparent board corresponding to the scanning module. The scanning module scans the recording medium, and the recording medium is moved on the recording media path to the recording media exit to be discharged out of the casing. Thereafter, another recording medium is fed into the casing through the recording media inlet on the recording media path and is printed upon by the printing module. Finally, another recording medium is discharged out of the casing through the recording media exit.

The foregoing, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.