U.S. patent application number 12/470544 was filed with the patent office on 2010-11-25 for document processing device with optimised reversing track layout and single image capacity.
Invention is credited to Johan P. Bakker, J. Michael Spall.
Application Number | 20100295232 12/470544 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43124061 |
Filed Date | 2010-11-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100295232 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Spall; J. Michael ; et
al. |
November 25, 2010 |
DOCUMENT PROCESSING DEVICE WITH OPTIMISED REVERSING TRACK LAYOUT
AND SINGLE IMAGE CAPACITY
Abstract
A document processing device and method of processing documents
are disclosed. In one aspect, a document processing device includes
a path of travel of documents through the document processing
device, the path of travel including an approximately straight
portion between a document tray and a document outlet and a return
path to the document tray. The document processing device also
includes a magnetic ink character recognition reader placed
adjacent to the path of travel, and oriented to read magnetic
characters printed on a document passing along the path of travel,
the document having a front surface and a rear surface. The
document processing device also includes an image capture device
placed adjacent to the approximately straight portion of the path
of travel and oriented to capture an image of the document passing
along the path of travel. A plurality of rollers at least partially
defines the path of travel, and includes a drive roller configured
to route documents along the path of travel. A one-way gate defines
a portion of the path of travel, the one-way gate capable of
cooperating with the drive roller to reverse the orientation of the
front and rear surfaces of the document within the path of
travel.
Inventors: |
Spall; J. Michael; (Oakland,
MI) ; Bakker; Johan P.; (Brighton, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
UNISYS CORPORATION;Office of the General Counsel
801 Lakeview Drive, Suite 100, MailStop: 2NW
BLUE BELL
PA
19422
US
|
Family ID: |
43124061 |
Appl. No.: |
12/470544 |
Filed: |
May 22, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
271/3.14 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06K 13/16 20130101;
B65H 2513/41 20130101; B65H 2511/514 20130101; B65H 2301/33312
20130101; B65H 2513/41 20130101; B65H 5/26 20130101; B65H 2301/5111
20130101; B65H 2511/514 20130101; B65H 2220/01 20130101; B65H
2701/1313 20130101; B65H 2701/1912 20130101; B65H 2220/02
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
271/3.14 |
International
Class: |
B65H 85/00 20060101
B65H085/00 |
Claims
1. A document processing device comprising: a path of travel of
documents through the document processing device, the path of
travel including: an approximately straight portion between a
document tray and a document outlet; and a return path to the
document tray; a magnetic ink character recognition reader placed
adjacent to the path of travel, the magnetic ink character
recognition reader oriented to read magnetic characters printed on
a document passing along the path of travel, the document having a
front surface and a rear surface; an image capture device placed
adjacent to the approximately straight portion of the path of
travel and oriented to capture an image of the document passing
along the path of travel; a plurality of rollers at least partially
defining the path of travel, the plurality of rollers including a
drive roller configured to route documents along the path of
travel; and a one-way gate capable of cooperating with the drive
roller to reverse the orientation of the front and rear surfaces of
the document within the path of travel.
2. The document processing device of claim 1, wherein the one way
gate, drive roller, and path of travel cooperate to allow the image
capture device to capture an image of an opposite surface of the
document during a subsequent passage of the document along the path
of travel.
3. The document processing device of claim 1, wherein the plurality
of rollers further includes at least a second drive roller.
4. The document processing device of claim 1, wherein the plurality
of rollers further includes a plurality of pinch rollers.
5. The document processing device of claim 1, wherein the document
tray is positioned at an entry and exit opening of the document
processing device, the entry and exit opening configured to receive
checks and other documents into the path of travel and output at
least checks from the path of travel.
6. The document processing device of claim 1, wherein the document
outlet outputs selected non-check documents from the path of
travel.
7. The document processing device of claim 6, wherein the selected
non-check documents include personal identification documents.
8. The document processing device of claim 1, further comprising a
franking roller retractably positioned along the path of travel,
the franking roller actuable to mark the front surface of the
document.
9. The document processing device of claim 7, wherein the franking
roller is located along a side of the path of travel opposite the
image capture device, and the franking roller is actuated to mark
the front surface of the document after operation of the drive
roller and one-way gate to reverse the orientation of the front and
rear surfaces of the document.
10. The document processing device of claim 1, wherein the image
capture device is further configured to capture an image of the
rear surface of the document after operation of the drive roller
and one-way gate to reverse the orientation of the front and rear
surfaces of the document.
11. The document processing device of claim 1, further comprising
an endorser configured to print an endorsement on the document.
12. The document processing device of claim 11, wherein the
endorser is located on the same side of the path of travel as the
image capture device, and the endorser is actuated to print an
endorsement on the rear surface of the document after operation of
the drive roller and one-way gate to reverse the orientation of the
front and rear surfaces of the document.
13. The document processing device of claim 1, further comprising
at least one document sensor located along the path of travel.
14. The document processing device of claim 13, wherein the at
least one document sensor is configured to detect movement of the
document by the drive roller past the one-way gate, thereby
indicating that the orientation of the front and rear surfaces of
the document are reversed.
15. A method of processing a document in a document processing
device, the method comprising: receiving a document into a path of
travel of a document processor; passing the document through a
one-way gate along the path of travel in a first direction, the
document having a front surface and a rear surface; capturing an
image of the document with an image capture device as the document
passes through an approximately straight portion between a document
tray and a document outlet; activating a magnetic ink character
recognition reader to scan for magnetic characters printed on the
front surface of the document as the document passes through the
approximately straight portion; and selectively passing the
document through the one-way gate from a return path of the path of
travel, thereby reversing the orientation of the front and rear
surfaces of the document.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising, after passing the
document through the one-way gate from the return path: passing the
document through the one-way gate along the path of travel toward
the approximately straight portion; and capturing an image of an
opposite surface of the document with the image capture device.
17. The method of claim 16, further comprising, after passing the
document through the one-way gate from the return path, endorsing
the rear surface of the document prior to capturing the image of
the rear surface of the document.
18. The method of claim 16, further comprising, after passing the
document through the one-way gate from the return path, franking
the front surface of the document.
19. The method of claim 16, further comprising outputting the
document from the document processing device.
20. A document processing device comprising: a path of travel of
documents through the document processing device, the path of
travel including: an approximately straight portion between a
document tray and a document outlet; and a return path to the
document tray; a plurality of rollers at least partially defining
the path of travel, the plurality of rollers including at least one
drive roller configured and located to route documents along the
path of travel; a magnetic ink character recognition reader placed
adjacent to the approximately straight portion and along a first
side of the path of travel, the magnetic ink character reader
oriented to read magnetic characters printed on a document passing
along the path of travel, the document having a front surface and a
rear surface; an image capture device placed adjacent to the
approximately straight portion, the image capture device positioned
along the first side and oriented to capture an image of the
document; a franking roller retractably positioned adjacent to the
return path on a second side of the path of travel opposite the
first side, the franking roller actuable to mark the front surface
of the document; an endorser configured to print an endorsement on
a rear surface of the document, the endorser positioned along the
approximately straight portion and on the first side of the path of
travel; and a one-way gate capable of cooperating with the drive
roller to reverse the orientation of the front and rear surfaces of
the document within the path of travel, such that during a first
pass of the document, the front surface of the document faces the
magnetic ink character recognition reader and image capture device,
and during a second pass of the document the front surface faces
the franking roller and the rear surface of the document faces the
endorser.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure is directed to a document processing
device, such as a check processing device. In particular, the
present disclosure is directed to a document processing device
having an optimized, reversing track layout and single image
capacity.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A transfer of funds can lag a business transaction, such as
a purchase, by many days if a check or other negotiable instrument
is used. This is because routing and payment information must be
read and processed, and the document must be transferred to a bank
for funds to be exchanged. It is advantageous to companies or
institutions accepting checks as a form of payment to process those
checks as soon as possible after a transaction occurs, so that
those companies can obtain and use the funds related to that
transaction. There is therefore an increasing desire to place check
processing systems at places of business, thereby allowing the
business to digitize the information on the check. This eliminates
the requirement that the business send the physical check to the
source bank or other financial institution prior to getting paid,
reducing transport delays. The drive to `truncation`, or reduction
in transport time, has been accelerated by legislative measures in
the United States and other nations. For example, the U.S. Check
Clearing for the 21st Century Act 2003 (HR 1474 S1334), or `The
Check 21 Act`, which went into full effect in October 2004, enacted
legal frameworks and standards for the electronic interchange of
digital facsimiles of original financial instruments within the
U.S.
[0003] Check processing systems operating in accordance with the
Check 21 Act are typically required to read the routing and account
number information printed on a check and scan an image of the
front side of the check or other negotiable instrument. Routing and
account number information is typically captured by reading
characters printed on the check with a magnetic ink character
reader, and images are typically captured using an image scanner.
These two operations generally are performed on a document as the
document is passed through a document processor, at a predefined
speed, past a stationary magnetic ink character reader and image
scanner.
[0004] Additionally, certain check processing systems developed for
use under the Check 21 Act are intended to be small and low-cost,
to encourage their use and adoption by businesses. However, these
check processing systems can also be relatively low speed, due to
the lower volume of checks processed at a business as compared to
the number of checks processed at a financial institution. For
example, a rate of 2-3 checks per minute would be unacceptable at a
financial institution, but may be more than sufficient for a
business.
[0005] Businesses desiring use of document processing systems for
truncation may require different types of document processing
operations, depending upon the requirements for a particular
truncation operation. At a minimum, the magnetic characters printed
on a check (e.g. the routing and account information) are read, and
an image of the front surface of the check is captured. However,
other types of operations might be desired as well. For example,
endorsing or franking the check may be desired, and images of front
and rear surfaces after such endorsing and/or franking of the check
may be desired. Furthermore, imaging other types of documents, such
as a driver's license or other identification, may be required
Document processing machines typically lack the capability of
capturing this secondary identification information or performing
other processing operations, and therefore businesses may require
separate devices for performing these additional functions.
[0006] For these and other reasons, improvements are desirable.
SUMMARY
[0007] In accordance with the present disclosure, the above and
other problems are solved by the following:
[0008] In a first aspect, a document processing device includes a
path of travel of documents through the document processing device,
the path of travel including an approximately straight portion
between a document tray and a document outlet and a return path to
the document tray. The document processing device also includes a
magnetic ink character recognition reader placed adjacent to the
path of travel, and oriented to read magnetic characters printed on
a document passing along the path of travel. The document
processing device also includes an image capture device placed
adjacent to the approximately straight portion of the path of
travel and oriented to capture an image of the document passing
along the path of travel. A plurality of rollers at least partially
defines the path of travel, and includes a drive roller configured
to route documents along the path of travel. A one-way gate defines
a portion of the path of travel, the one-way gate capable of
cooperating with the drive roller to reverse the orientation of the
front and rear surfaces of the document within the path of
travel.
[0009] In a second aspect, a method of processing a document in a
document processing device is disclosed. The method includes
receiving a document into a path of travel of a document processor.
The method also includes passing the document through a one-way
gate along the path of travel in a first direction, the document
having a front surface and a rear surface; capturing an image of
the document with an image capture device as the document passes
through an approximately straight portion between a document tray
and a document outlet. The method further includes activating a
magnetic ink character recognition reader to scan for magnetic
characters printed on the front surface of the document as the
document passes through the approximately straight portion. The
method includes selectively passing the document through the
one-way gate from a return path of the path of travel, thereby
reversing the orientation of the front and rear surfaces of the
document.
[0010] In a third aspect, a document processing device is
disclosed. The document processing device includes a path of travel
of documents through the document processing device, the path of
travel including an approximately straight portion between a
document tray and a document outlet and a return path to the
document tray. The document processing device also includes a
plurality of rollers at least partially defining the path of
travel, the plurality of rollers including at least one drive
roller configured and located to route documents along the path of
travel, and a magnetic ink character recognition reader placed
adjacent to the approximately straight portion and along a first
side of the path of travel and oriented to read magnetic characters
printed on a document passing along the path of travel, the
document having a front surface and a rear surface. The document
processing device further includes an image capture device placed
adjacent to the approximately straight portion, the image capture
device positioned along the first side and oriented to capture an
image of the document, a franking roller retractably positioned
adjacent to the return path on a second side of the path of travel
opposite the first side, the franking roller actuable to mark the
front surface of the document, and an endorser configured to print
an endorsement on a rear surface of the document, the endorser
positioned along the approximately straight portion and on the
first side of the path of travel. The document processing device
also includes a one-way gate capable of cooperating with the drive
roller to reverse the orientation of the front and rear surfaces of
the document within the path of travel, such that during a first
pass of the document, the front surface of the document faces the
magnetic ink character recognition reader and image capture device,
and during a second pass of the document the front surface faces
the franking roller and the rear surface of the document faces the
endorser.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic depiction of a network in which an
electronic financial transaction may be placed, in accordance with
the present disclosure;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of components included within a
document processor according to a possible embodiment of the
present disclosure;
[0013] FIG. 3A is a close-up schematic view of a one-way gate
included within the document processor of FIG. 2;
[0014] FIG. 3B is a close-up schematic view of the one-way gate of
FIG. 3A illustrating an example position of a document being
received into the document processor;
[0015] FIG. 3C is a close-up schematic view of the one-way gate of
FIG. 3A illustrating an example position of a document returning to
the one-way gate portion of the document processor after partial
processing;
[0016] FIG. 3D is a close-up schematic view of the one-way gate of
FIG. 3A illustrating an example position of a document passing
through the one-way gate portion of the document processor after
partial processing;
[0017] FIG. 3E is a close-up schematic view of the one-way gate of
FIG. 3A illustrating an example position of a document exiting the
return path of the document processor after partial processing;
[0018] FIG. 3F is a close-up schematic view of the one-way gate of
FIG. 3A illustrating an example position of a document after
exiting the return path of the document processor after partial
processing;
[0019] FIG. 3G is a close-up schematic view of the one-way gate of
FIG. 3A illustrating an example position of a document after
exiting the return path and passing a document sensor;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a first portion of a flowchart illustrating
methods and systems for performing a first set of document
processing operations, according to a possible embodiment of the
present disclosure;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a second portion of the flowchart of FIG. 4
illustrating methods and systems for performing a second set of
document processing operations;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a third portion of the flowchart of FIGS. 4-5
illustrating methods and systems for performing a third set of
document processing operations; and
[0023] FIG. 7 is a fourth portion of the flowchart of FIG. 4-6
illustrating methods and systems for performing a fourth set of
document processing operations.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] Various embodiments of the present disclosure will be
described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like
reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout
the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit
the scope of the invention, which is limited only by the scope of
the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in
this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set
forth some of the many possible embodiments for the claimed
invention.
[0025] In general, the present disclosure relates to a document
processor, such as a check scanner. Specifically, the present
disclosure relates to a document processor that provides
configurable, multiple-pass capabilities useable with a variety of
document types, and can reverse the orientation of a check (i.e.
reversing the positions of the front and rear surfaces) within the
document processor. In various embodiments of the present
disclosure, the configurable multiple passes can be used to:
capture an image of unmarked front and rear surfaces of the
document; read magnetic ink characters on a front surface of the
document; frank a front surface of the document; endorse a rear
surface of the document; capture an image of a franked front
surface of the document; and/or capture an image of an endorsed
rear surface of the document. By allowing (1) configurable multiple
passes of a document (e.g. a check) through the document processor,
in conjunction with (2) reversible orientation of the document, the
document processor of the present disclosure can provide a number
of selectable, configurable document processing operations
depending upon the particular requirements of the application to
which it is directed, while using a reduced number of document
processing components within the device itself. Additional features
in the document processor allow processing of different types of
documents, such as drivers' licenses or other forms of
identification.
[0026] The various embodiments of the present disclosure are
discussed as related to a document processor. As used in this
disclosure, a document processor (also known as a document
processing system) is intended to relate to a system that is
capable of processing checks, and optionally capable of processing
other types of documents, depending upon the particular
configuration of the system. In certain embodiments, a document
processor can be referred to as a check processor, in that it is
only configured to process checks or various types (e.g. payroll or
personal checks).
[0027] One specific example of a system in which such a document
processor may be used is shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 illustrates a
schematic view of a network 10 in which a financial transaction may
take place, according to a possible embodiment of the present
disclosure. The network 10 generally includes one or more
transaction locations 12 and financial institutions 14,
communicatively connected by a network, shown as the internet 16. A
transaction location 12 may be any of a number of places of
business at which a financial transaction may take place, such as
for purchase or sale of goods and services. Example transaction
locations may include restaurants, supermarkets, bank teller
windows, ATM's or other places of business or monetary exchange.
Each transaction location 12 includes a document processor 17
interconnected with a computing system 18. The document processor
17 is arranged to provide the transaction location with the ability
to electronically acquire information about a printed document,
such as a check used for payment in exchange for goods and/or
services. In certain embodiments, the document processor 17 can be
a check scanner, which is sized and designed to be a low cost
solution to read account information on personal checks and scan
images of one or both sides of the check. Example document
processing systems and functionality useable in the network 10 is
described below in conjunction with FIGS. 2-7.
[0028] The computing system 18 provides control instructions to the
document processor 17, and receives data captured by the document
processor for management and organization. The computing system 18
can be any of a number of types of computing systems, such as a
general purpose personal computer, or a specialized computer such
as a cash register or inventory system. The computing system 18 can
interconnect with the document processor 17 by any of a number of
standard or specialized communication interfaces, such as a USB,
802.11 a/b/g network, RF, infrared, serial, or other data
connection. In certain embodiments, the computing system 18 runs an
application configured to control the document processor 17; in
further embodiments, the computing system 18 receives data from the
document scanner and stores and/or communicates the data (images,
text, or other information) to other systems to which it is
interconnected. In still other embodiments, the computing system 18
can be integrated into the document processor, and can provide a
programmable control system for that document processor.
[0029] Each of the financial institutions 14 generally includes a
computing system 20, which is configured to receive electronic
records of financial transactions relevant to the financial
institutions. The computing system 20 can be any of a number of
types of computing systems capable of storing and managing
financial transactions; in the embodiment shown, the computing
system is a server system comprising one or more discrete computing
units interconnected, as is known in the art.
[0030] The electronic records can be electronic transaction
records, and can include scanned copies of documents memorializing
financial transactions. In a particular example, an electronic
record can reflect a purchase made with a check, in which the
electronic record includes the relevant information on the face of
the check, the routing and institution number printed on the check,
and an image of one or more sides of the check, used to validate
the other information and to display relevant endorsements of the
check. Other electronically captured transactions, such as credit
card transactions, contracts, or other negotiable instrument
transactions may be tracked using the network 10 as well.
[0031] The internet connection 16 depicted can be any of a number
of WAN, LAN, or other packet based communication networks such that
data can be shared among a number of computing systems or other
networked devices. Furthermore, although in the embodiment shown
two computing systems 18, 20 at different, specific locations are
depicted, the computing devices and/or the document processor 17
may be located at the same location or within the same network.
[0032] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of components included within a
document processor 100 according to a possible embodiment of the
present disclosure. The document processor 100 is, in the
embodiment shown, a multi-pass, document-reversing document
processor configurable to provide a flexible set of document
processing operations.
[0033] The document processor 100 generally includes a housing 102,
through which a path of travel 104 is defined. The housing can be
any of a number of sizes, shapes, or orientations. In the
embodiment shown, the housing 102 is generally rectangular and
sized to fit compactly on a desk, table or sales station at a point
of sale or other business location. The path of travel 104
(illustrated by broken lines and bounded by track lines) represents
the path documents traverse while being processed by the document
processor 100. The path of travel 104 starts at an entry and exit
opening 106 (e.g. a document tray), and includes both a
substantially straight portion 108 and a return path 110.
[0034] The substantially straight portion 108 leads between the
entry and exit opening 106 and a track exit 112 (e.g. a document
outlet), and is configured to receive and perform certain
processing operations on certain non-check documents that are
relevant to financial transactions such as identification documents
(e.g. driver's licenses or other government-issued identification).
These documents are typically thicker than checks and other paper
documents, and cannot be bent to travel along the return path 110
portion of the path of travel 104.
[0035] By substantially straight, it is intended that the portion
108 of the path of travel 104 be approximately linear or at least
have only slight curvature or angling, such that the portion 108
can accommodate passage of a semi-rigid document, such as one made
from plastic or other resilient material, along that portion of the
track.
[0036] The return path 110 can, by contrast, include various
corners or bends in the path of travel 104, and leads back to the
entry and exit opening 106, rejoining the substantially straight
portion 108 at a one-way gate 114, the operation of which is
described in further detail in conjunction with FIGS. 3A-3G,
below.
[0037] The track exit 112 can optionally include a gate that is
actuable by pressure of a sufficiently non-resilient document, or
electronically actuable in the instance a non-flexible (e.g.
non-check) document passes through the substantially straight
portion 108 of the path of travel 104. The track exit 112 can
therefore allow output of documents that cannot pass along the
return path 108, or where errors in MICR read or image capture are
detected, or other reasons.
[0038] The path of travel 104 is also at least partially defined by
a plurality of rollers, including drive rollers 116a-c and pinch
rollers 118. The drive rollers 116a-c guide movement of documents
through the document processor 100, and can be driven by a stepper
motor or other electronically or mechanically controlled motor. As
explained in further detail below, the drive rollers are capable of
rotating in different directions at various times during use of the
document processing system; therefore, the drive rollers can be
independently controlled. The drive rollers 116a-c are configured
to rotate at related rates, such that all rollers impart the same
linear velocity to a document moving through the path of travel
104. In the embodiment shown, the drive rollers 116a-b are the same
size, so can be rotated at the same rotational velocity to achieve
an equal linear velocity. Drive roller 116c, which is smaller in
diameter than drive rollers 116a-b, is driven by a linkage to drive
roller 116b and is geared to rotate at a faster rate to impart a
same linear velocity to documents as rollers 116a-b.
[0039] The pinch rollers 118 operate to bias documents against the
drive rollers, and are spaced along the path of travel to ensure
that documents remain oriented along the path. Additionally, other
guides (e.g. stationary guides) can be used to assist in defining
the path of travel and encourage documents to move along that path
of travel.
[0040] In certain embodiments, the path of travel 104 is arranged
such that the distance around the path of travel accommodates
various sizes of documents. A minimum sized document must be
engaged by at least one drive roller at all times. Therefore in the
embodiment shown which accepts personal identification cards, the
drive rollers 116a-c included in the document processor 100 are
spaced approximately 3.5 inches (approximately 89 mm) apart, to
accommodate a minimum document size of approximately the same
length. Specifically, driver's licenses and other rigid plastic
documents exiting the document outlet 112 will only travel along
the substantially straight portion 108 of the path of travel 104,
and therefore this minimum distance is optionally only maintained
in that location, and a longer distance between drive rollers can
be allowed on the return path 110. Depending upon the type of
document intended to be accommodated, this distance and
configuration can be varied, e.g. to incorporate additional drive
rollers or other document guiding mechanisms. Conversely, the
maximum sized document must be able to pass through the path of
travel so that it will not overlap at the one-way gate. Therefore,
in the embodiment shown, the distance around the loop formed by the
portion of the substantially straight portion 108 following the
one-way gate 114 leading around the return path 110 defines the
maximum size document accepted by the document processor 100.
Preferably, this length is approximately 9.25 inches (approximately
235 mm); however, in other embodiments, this distance can be
varied.
[0041] Along the path of travel 104, a number of document
processing components can be located such that the document
processor 100 can efficiently perform various combinations of
processing tasks. In the embodiment shown, the document processor
includes an endorser 120, an image capture device 122, a magnetic
ink character recognition (MICR) reader 124, and a franking roller
126. The endorser 120 is a printing mechanism configured to print a
programmable, unique endorsement on documents (e.g. checks) passing
along the path of travel. In the embodiment shown, the endorser 120
is located adjacent to the one-way gate 114 along the substantially
straight portion 108 of the path of travel 104; however, in other
embodiments, its location may vary. Furthermore, the endorser 120
can be any of a number of types of printing mechanisms, such as an
inkjet, bubble jet, or laser printing system.
[0042] The image capture device 122 is also located along the
substantially straight portion 108 of the path of travel, and is
configured to capture images of a surface of a document as the
document passes the device along the path of travel. In the
embodiment shown, the image capture device 122 is located along the
same side of the path of travel as the endorser 120, and is located
at a position "downstream" of the endorser along the path of
travel, such that a document could be endorsed and that endorsement
scanned during a single pass of the document through the document
processor 100. In certain embodiments, the image capture device 122
is a contact image sensor; however, other scanning or image capture
devices could be used as well.
[0043] The MICR reader 124 is located along the substantially
straight portion 108 of the path of travel 104, and is configured
to scan for magnetic ink characters on documents passing through
the path of travel. In the embodiment shown, the MICR reader 124 is
located along the same side of the path of travel as the endorser
and the image capture device 122, such that an image of the surface
of a document and magnetic ink characters can be read during a
single pass of the document, if desired. In the embodiment shown,
the MICR reader 124 is located at a position "downstream" of the
image capture device 122 and at a position adjacent a drive roller
116, to ensure that the document passes sufficiently close to the
MICR reader 124 to provide reliable reading of the magnetic ink
characters.
[0044] The franking roller 126 is located along the return path 110
of the path of travel, and is intended to mark processed checks to
indicate that the check has been successfully processed. In the
embodiment shown, the franking roller 126 is located adjacent a
drive roller 116 and along a side of the path of travel opposite
the endorser 120, image capture device 122, and MICR reader 124. In
certain embodiments, the franking roller 126 is used to mark a
front surface of checks passing along the path of travel 104;
therefore, the roller can be placed along the return path 110,
because non-check documents will preferably not be franked.
Furthermore, there are occasions where checks will pass through the
document processor 100 without being franked. Therefore the
franking roller can be actuated to be moved adjacent to the path of
travel 104, or can be withdrawn from the path of travel to prevent
franking of certain documents while those documents are being
processed. An actuator 128 connected to the franking roller 126 by
an actuator arm (not shown) can be pivotally moved to move the
franking roller toward the path of travel 104 such that it is
adjacent to an opposed pinch roller 118. The actuator 128 can be
reversed to withdraw the franking roller from the path of travel as
well. Reasons and timing for franking checks are discussed in
greater detail below in conjunction with FIGS. 4-7, which discuss
methods of processing documents using a document processor such as
the processor 100 shown.
[0045] The one-way gate 114 is located at the intersection of the
substantially straight portion 108 and the return path 110 of the
path of travel, and is used, in conjunction with the drive rollers
116, to guide documents along the path of travel and to reverse the
orientation of the front and rear surfaces of a document as that
document is passed through the document processor. Documents
passing through the path of travel 104 are received by and pass
through the substantially straight portion 108, and then are either
output at the track exit 112 or routed along the return path 110.
If the document is routed along the return path, then it will pass
back through the one way gate 114, at least pulled by the adjacent
drive roller 116a (and possibly also by roller 116b depending upon
document length). Once the document has completely passed the
one-way gate 114, the drive roller 116a can be actuated to reverse
direction, thereby feeding the document back into the substantially
straight portion 108 of the path of travel for subsequent document
processing operations. However, during these subsequent document
processing operations, the document passes through the document
processor 100 "back to front" (i.e. with the orientation of the
front and rear faces reversed) as compared to the orientation of
the document when it was initially inserted into the document
processor. For example, if a document is first inserted into the
document processor such that the front surface of the document is
facing in a first direction, that document will, after a single
pass (or other odd number of passes), have its front surface facing
the opposite direction. After a second pass along the path of
travel 104 (or subsequent even number of passes) the document would
return to its original orientation, i.e., having its front surface
facing its original direction.
[0046] To provide feedback regarding the position of documents in
the document processor 100, one or more document sensors 130 can be
included along the path of travel to detect either a front edge or
trailing edge of a document. In the embodiment shown, two document
sensors 130a-b are included in the document processor. A first
document sensor 130a can be used to detect the presence of a
document at the entry and exit opening 106, to activate the drive
rollers 116a-b and draw the document into the path of travel 104. A
second document sensor 130b can be configured to detect a trailing
edge of a document exiting the return path 110 past the one-way
gate 114, such that the document processor 100 could selectively
either (1) reverse the direction of rotation of the drive roller
116a, if a subsequent pass through the path of travel is required
to complete desired document processing operations, or (2) continue
rotation of the drive roller 116a to expel the document through the
entry and exit opening 106. Other sensors could be included as
well, and other locations for the sensors 130a-b are also
possible.
[0047] Additional arrangements of sensors, gates, and document
processing components are possible beyond those shown, which can
accomplish certain aspects of the document reversal and/or
multi-pass document processing operations as described herein.
Certain examples of reversible-document systems are described in
U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed Aug. 29, 2008 and
entitled "Check-Processing Device with Single Image Camera", Unisys
Ref. No. PM 143; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed
Aug. 29, 2008 and entitled "Check-Processing Device With
Conditionally-Reversible Track Direction", Unisys Ref. No. PM144.
Examples of other multiple pass document processing systems are
also described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed
______ and entitled "Compact Multipass Document Processor", Unisys
Ref. No. PM136, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed
and entitled "Document Processing System Having A Turn-Around Loop
With Component Repositioning", Unisys Ref. No. PM108. The
disclosures of all four of these applications are hereby
incorporated by reference in their entireties.
[0048] Although document processor 100 generally is shown from a
plan view, such that the housing generally receives documents
standing on an edge to provide self-alignment of those documents,
the orientation of the document processor could be altered such
that documents are received into the entry and exit opening 106
while flat. Other orientations and arrangements of the document
processor are possible as well. Furthermore, additional details
regarding methods and systems for operation of a document processor
such as document processor 100 are described in further detail
below in conjunction with FIGS. 4-7.
[0049] Referring now to FIGS. 3A-3G, various views of a portion of
the document processing system 100 are shown to illustrate passage
of a document 150 therethrough. In particular, the views illustrate
operation of (1) the drive roller 116a and (2) the one-way gate 114
joining the substantially straight portion 108 and the return path
110 of the path of travel 104, such that documents are routed
through the document processor in a single, consistent, repeatable
manner.
[0050] FIG. 3A illustrates the portion of the document processor
100 in the absence of a document in the path of travel 104. As
illustrated, the one-way gate 114 resides adjacent to the drive
roller 116a, and separates the substantially straight portion 108
from the return path 110. Sensor 130b is located toward the entry
and exit opening 106 of the path of travel 104 from the one-way
gate 114.
[0051] In the embodiment shown, the one-way gate 114 preferably has
a wedge-shaped or curved surface 140 forming a portion of the
substantially straight portion 108 of the path of travel 104, to
encourage the documents received into the path of travel are guided
into the substantially straight portion. The one-way gate 114 also
preferably has a curved surface 142 on the portion adjacent the
drive roller 116a to form the return path 110, such that documents
passing along the return path are bent toward the drive roller and
back toward the entry and exit opening 106.
[0052] FIGS. 3B-3G illustrate a sequence in which a document passes
through the document processor. FIG. 3B illustrates a document 150
first received into the document processor. The document is
received at an entry and exit opening 106, into the path of travel
104 past the sensor 130b and drive roller 116a, and is urged by the
surface 140 toward the substantially straight portion 108 of the
path of travel. The drive roller 116a rotates to pull the document
into the document processor. In the side orientation shown, the
drive roller 116a rotates in a counterclockwise direction to draw
documents into the path of travel.
[0053] FIG. 3C illustrates the portion of the document processing
system 100 with the document 150 returning toward the one-way gate
114 in the return path 110. In this figure, the document 150
engages the surface 142, and is driven by drive roller 116b (not
shown) along the indicated direction of travel. During movement of
the document as illustrated in FIG. 3C, drive roller 116a is moving
clockwise, i.e. in an opposite direction from that illustrated in
FIG. 3B. Therefore, drive roller 116a acts to pull the document
from the return path 110 toward the entry and exit opening 106.
[0054] FIG. 3D illustrates the portion of the document processing
system 100 with the document 150 continuing past the one-way gate
114 in the path of travel 104, such that it is partially in the
return path 110 and partially in the substantially straight portion
108. The document passes by the sensor 130b, which detects that the
document is present and attempts to detect a trailing edge of the
document. The drive roller 116a continues to rotate in a clockwise
direction, pulling the document toward the entry and exit opening
106.
[0055] FIG. 3E illustrates the portion of the document processing
system 100 just before the document 150 has passed the one-way
gate. As shown, the natural resilience of the document has caused
it to straighten substantially, even while engaged with surface
142. The drive roller 116a continues to rotate in a clockwise
direction, pulling the document toward the entry and exit opening
106, while the sensor 130b continues to monitor for a trailing edge
of the document.
[0056] FIG. 3F illustrates the portion of the document processing
system 100 after the document 150 has passed the one-way gate 114.
Because the end of the document has not yet reached the sensor
130b, the drive roller 116a continues rotation in a clockwise
direction. The natural resilience of the document causes it to
straighten within the path of travel once it has cleared the
one-way gate 114, such that it will not naturally feed back into
the return path 110 upon reversal of the drive roller 116a.
[0057] FIG. 3G illustrates the portion of the document processing
system 100 after the document 150 has exited the one-way gate
portion of the document processor after processing. In this figure,
the document has passed the sensor 130b, and therefore the document
processor 100 knows that the document has passed the one-way gate.
The document processor 100 optionally can either (1) continue
clockwise rotation of the drive roller 116a, causing the document
to be expelled to a document tray through the entry and exit
opening 106, or (2) reverse direction of the drive roller 116a,
thereby causing counterclockwise rotation and pulling the document
into the substantially straight portion 108 of the path of travel
104 for further processing of the document (i.e. thereby repeating
FIGS. 3B-3G, of the document returns on return path 110).
[0058] FIGS. 4-7 illustrate a flowchart for a system 200 for
document processing, according to various embodiments of the
present disclosure. The system 200 represents functionality that
occurs in a document processor, as directed by a control system of
that processor. For example, the control system can correspond to
control circuitry of the document processor, or the document
processor can be communicatively connected to a computing system
executing software for directing the processor to perform various
steps. The various modules described in the system 200 can
therefore correspond to functional software and/or hardware blocks,
such as software instructions stored in a memory, specific or
programmed general purpose integrated circuits, or other computing
or control systems. The system 200 is particularly directed to use
in conjunction with a multi-pass, document reorienting document
processor, such as the one described above in conjunction with
FIGS. 2 and 3A-3F. Each of FIGS. 4-7 represents example document
processing operations that can take place in sequential passes of a
document through a document processor, as described in further
detail below.
[0059] Now referring to FIG. 4, the system 200 is instantiated at a
start operation 202, which corresponds generally to initialization
of the document processor and providing a document to an input
opening and take-up of the document processor. The document
provided to the document processor can be any of a number of items
for which processing is desired, such as a check, driver's license,
or other similar document capable of receipt by the document
processor. Operational flow proceeds to a receive document module
204, which corresponds to receipt and take-up of the document by
the document processor. In a possible embodiment, the receive
document module 204 is activated by a sensor detecting the presence
of a check or other document (e.g. as shown in FIG. 2, above), and
subsequent actuation of a drive roller (e.g. drive roller 116a) to
draw the document into the document processor. In the present
embodiment, the receive document module 204 is preconfigured to
receive documents oriented such that the front surface of the
document faces toward the side of the path of travel containing an
imaging device and MICR reader (e.g. imaging device 122 and MICR
reader 124).
[0060] Operational flow proceeds to a front image module 206, which
captures an image of the front surface of the document, including
the information printed on the document. The front image module 206
activates an imaging device, such as a contact image sensor, to
capture data representative of an image of the document. A MICR
module 208 detects and reads (if present) magnetic ink characters
printed on the front surface of the document, such as check routing
information and account information. The MICR module 208 activates
a MICR reader, for example the MICR reader 124 of the document
processor 100, as the document passes along the path of travel to
capture any available magnetic character information on the
document.
[0061] A completion operation 210 determines whether the check
processing is now complete. Check processing may be complete after
capturing an image and attempting MICR reading, for example, if
that is all of the required information for truncation in a
particular truncation operation, or if the document is not a check.
If, for example, the document is personal identification, no
franking or endorsing is required, and capturing a front surface
image may be sufficient.
[0062] In certain embodiments, the completion operation 210
includes stalling drive rollers in a document processing system, or
otherwise stalling movement of a document along a path of travel to
allow time for the control system 200 to determine whether
information was successfully captured and whether a secondary
operation is necessary. In these embodiments, the length of time
that the document is stalled may vary according to the computing
operation required. For example, a complex image or character
recognition process may be applied to the image and character
information captured during the first pass of the document through
the system 100. Or, databases may need to be consulted to compare
data captured from the check with stored data. In the such
embodiments, the stalling performed by the completion operation 210
can occur with the document partially expelled toward the entry and
exit opening 106, as illustrated in FIG. 3G. This configuration
allows the document processor to pause a check without requiring an
empty portion of a path of travel (i.e. of at least the length of
the maximum document size, e.g. 9.25 inches) in which a document
could reside while document processing decisions are made.
[0063] If the completion operation 210 determines that the document
processing is complete, operational flow branches "yes" to a
document ejection module 212, which can eject the document from the
document processor. Depending upon the type of document (i.e.
whether the document can pass along a return path in the document
processor) the document can be ejected at any of a plurality of
openings, such as an entry and exit opening 106 or a document
outlet 112, as described above with respect to document processor
100. From the eject module 212, operational flow proceeds to an end
operation 214, which corresponds to completed processing of a
single document by a document processor controlled by the system
200.
[0064] If the completion operation 210 determines that the document
processing is not complete, operational flow proceeds to FIG. 5
(via off-page reference "A"), and to a reverse document module 216.
The reverse document module 216 corresponds to passage of a
document through a path of travel such that the orientation of the
front surface and the rear surface are reversed. In an embodiment
of the system 200 operating on the document processor 100 of FIG.
2, the reverse document module 216 performs the document reversal
operation illustrated in FIGS. 3B-3G.
[0065] Operational flow proceeds to an endorsement determination
operation 218. The endorsement determination operation 218
determines whether the system is configured to capture an image of
an unendorsed rear surface of the document. If the endorsement
determination operation 218 determines that an endorsement should
be applied (e.g. the check is being processed by a payee, there is
no requirement to capture an image of an unendorsed rear surface of
a check, and the check has successfully had the necessary
information captured, etc.) operational flow branches "yes" to an
endorsement module 220 where an endorser (e.g. endorser 120) can
print on the check in a location set to receive endorsements. The
endorsement module 220 activates an endorser typically when the
rear surface of the check is facing the endorser; therefore, the
endorsement module 220 will typically not operate during the same
pass of a check in which the front surface is scanned and MICR
characters are read.
[0066] If the endorsement determination operation 218 determines
that the document should not be endorsed, operational flow branches
"no" to a rear image module 222. Additionally, operational flow
proceeds from the endorsement module 220 to the rear image module
222. The rear image module 222 generally performs the same
functionality as front image module 206, but because the
orientation of the front and rear surfaces is reversed, the
captured image is of a rear surface of the document. Furthermore,
depending upon whether the endorsement module 220 is executed, the
rear image captured can be of either an unendorsed or an endorsed
document.
[0067] Operational flow proceeds to a franking module 224. The
franking module 224 selectively actuates a franking roller (e.g.
franking roller 126 of FIG. 2), moving the franking roller between
a marking position and a retracted position. In the marking
position, the franking roller is positioned to engage a document
passing by the roller along a path of travel, to frank the
document, i.e. printing an indication on the document to indicate
that it has been considered and its image successfully captured. In
the retracted position, the franking roller is withdrawn from the
path of travel to prevent unwanted marking of a document. In
certain embodiments, the franking module 224 actuates a motor
configured to move an actuating arm connected to the franking
roller, on order to move the roller. Other roller actuation
arrangements are possible as well.
[0068] A completion operation 226 determines whether the check
processing is now complete. Check processing may be complete after
two passes, if the desired operations for processing are (1) image
and MICR capture (pass 1), and (2) franking, capturing a rear
image, and optionally endorsing a rear surface of the document
(pass 2). If the completion operation 226 determines that the
document processing is complete, operational flow branches "yes" to
a document ejection module 228, which can eject the document from
the document processor at entry and exit opening 106. From the
eject module 228, operational flow proceeds to an end operation
230, which corresponds to completed two-pass processing of a single
document by a document processor controlled by the system 200.
[0069] If the completion operation 226 determines that the document
processing is not complete (e.g. endorsement is desired but not yet
occurred), operational flow proceeds to FIG. 6 (via off-page
reference "B"), and to a reverse document module 232. The reverse
document module 232 generally corresponds to the reverse document
module 216, in that it corresponds to passage of a document through
a path of travel such that the orientation of the front surface and
the rear surface are reversed. However, because the reverse
document module 232 reverses the document a second time, it returns
the document to its original orientation.
[0070] Operational flow proceeds from the reverse document module
232 to a front image module 234, which captures a further image of
a front surface of the document. The front image module 234
activates the image capture device to capture a subsequent image of
the front surface of the document during this third pass of the
document through the document processor. The front surface of the
document has been franked at this point, as compared to the front
surface image captured during operation of the front image module
206 of FIG. 4.
[0071] A completion operation 236 determines whether the check
processing is now complete. Check processing may be complete after
three passes if the rear image was already captured with an
endorsement printed thereon. If, during the second pass of the
document, the system 200 did not endorse the document, a fourth
pass can be added to endorse the document and capture an image of
the endorsed document. Therefore if the completion operation 236
determines that the document processing is complete (i.e. the
endorsement was already performed and captured during the second
pass, as shown in FIG. 5), operational flow branches "yes" to a
document ejection module 238, which can eject the document from the
document processor at entry and exit opening 106. From the eject
module 238, operational flow proceeds to an end operation 240,
which corresponds to completed three-pass processing of a single
document by a document processor controlled by the system 200.
[0072] If the completion operation 236 determines that the document
processing is not complete, operational flow proceeds to FIG. 7
(via off-page reference "C"), and to a reverse document module 242.
The reverse document module 242 corresponds to passage of a
document through a path of travel such that the orientation of the
front surface and the rear surface are again reversed. Because the
reverse document module 242 reverses the document a third time, it
returns the document to its inverted orientation, i.e. the same
orientation as after the first pass of the document (following
reverse document module 216).
[0073] Operational flow proceeds to an endorsement module 244,
which endorses the rear surface of the document, and a rear image
module 246 captures an image of the endorsed rear surface. These
modules correspond to analogous modules described above in FIG. 5;
however, the endorsement and imaging on a fourth pass of the
document through the document processor occurs in the instance
where no endorsement occurred during the second pass of the
document. Operational flow proceeds to a document ejection module
248, which can eject the document from the document processor at
entry and exit opening 106. From the eject module 248, operational
flow proceeds to an end operation 250, which corresponds to
completed four-pass processing of a single document by a document
processor controlled by the system 200.
[0074] Following completed processing of a document by a document
processor (e.g. by a one-pass, two-pass, three-pass, four-pass, or
other document processing operation), the captured image and
character information related to the document can be stored in a
memory of the document processor or related computing system, or
transmitted to a financial institution for settlement (e.g. as
illustrated in FIG. 1).
[0075] Although the present disclosure relates to certain
particular configurations and uses of a document processor and
related system for controlling a document processor, it is
understood that additional arrangements of components and types of
document processing operations can be included in document
processors in a manner consistent with the present disclosure.
Furthermore, the order of operations and arrangement of components
in the present disclosure is intended to be exemplary of an
advantageous combination and functionality, while other
arrangements and orders of operations may provide similar
advantages.
[0076] The above specification, examples and data provide a
complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition
of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be
made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention,
the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.
* * * * *