U.S. patent application number 14/066347 was filed with the patent office on 2014-02-20 for document guide systems and methods employing a document platen.
This patent application is currently assigned to De La Rue North America Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is De La Rue North America Inc.. Invention is credited to Thang Doan.
Application Number | 20140049002 14/066347 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48609331 |
Filed Date | 2014-02-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140049002 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Doan; Thang |
February 20, 2014 |
DOCUMENT GUIDE SYSTEMS AND METHODS EMPLOYING A DOCUMENT PLATEN
Abstract
Document guide systems and methods employing a document platen
are provided. According to an illustrative embodiment, a document
guide system employing a document platen includes a document plates
having a first, document-faceable side and a second, opposing side,
and a document support sub-system adjacent the first side of the
document platen. The document support sub-system and the first side
of the document platen are adapted to receive a document
therebetween, and the document platen forms an aperture adapted to
allow electromagnetic radiation therethrough.
Inventors: |
Doan; Thang; (Garland,
TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
De La Rue North America Inc. |
Irving |
TX |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
De La Rue North America
Inc.
Irving
TX
|
Family ID: |
48609331 |
Appl. No.: |
14/066347 |
Filed: |
October 29, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13327430 |
Dec 15, 2011 |
8585053 |
|
|
14066347 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
271/240 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 2553/414 20130101;
B65H 7/14 20130101; B65H 9/04 20130101; B65H 2553/412 20130101;
H04N 1/123 20130101; B65H 5/38 20130101; B65H 2701/1912 20130101;
G07D 7/121 20130101; H04N 1/122 20130101; B65H 2404/268 20130101;
B65H 43/00 20130101; B65H 2404/611 20130101; B65H 5/026 20130101;
H04N 1/1215 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
271/240 |
International
Class: |
B65H 9/04 20060101
B65H009/04 |
Claims
1. A bank note guide system employing a platen, the bank note guide
system comprising: a platen having a first, document-faceable side
and a second, opposing side; and a bank note support sub-system
adjacent the first side of the platen; wherein the bank note
support sub-system and the first side of the platen are adapted to
receive a bank note therebetween; and wherein the platen forms an
aperture adapted to allow electromagnetic radiation therethrough.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/327,430 filed on Dec. 15, 2011 entitled,
"DOCUMENT GUIDE SYSTEMS AND METHODS EMPLOYING A DOCUMENT PLATEN,"
which is incorporated herein for all purposes.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The illustrative embodiments relate generally to document
guide systems, and more particularly, to document guide systems and
methods employing a document platen.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Documents, such as banknotes (e.g., paper money, plastic
money, etc.), checks, legal-related documents, or any other type of
document, may need to be processed or analyzed for a wide variety
of purposes. Guide systems may be employed to guide or position a
document while it is being processed or analyzed. Such guide
systems may be used in conjunction with machines that move
documents through a series of processing steps using, e.g., belts,
rings, rollers, or other means of moving a document. However,
currently available document guide systems may fail to properly
position or flatten a document, thus decreasing the effectiveness
of its processing or analysis capabilities. For example, current
document guide systems may fail to properly flatten or straighten a
document against, a surface to minimize folds, wrinkles, or
waviness that may adversely affect document processing or analysis.
Also, the shape or size of some current document guide systems may
be inappropriate for placement in certain locations within a
document processing machine, thus limiting the ability of those
current systems from being employed in current document processing
machines. Indeed, these and other issues have limited the
effectiveness of some current document guide systems.
SUMMARY
[0004] According to an illustrative embodiment, a document guide
system employing a document platen includes a document platen
having a first, document-faceable side and a second, opposing side,
and a document support sub-system adjacent the first side of the
document platen. The document support sub-system and the first side
of the document platen are adapted to receive a document
therebetween, and the document platen forms an aperture adapted to
allow electromagnetic radiation therethrough.
[0005] According to another illustrative embodiment, a document
guide system employing a document platen includes a document platen
having a first, document-faceable side and a second, opposing side.
The document platen has an entry portion and an exit portion. The
document platen further includes a first roller at least partially
within the entry portion of the document platen, and a second
roller at least partially within the exit portion of the document
platen. The document guide system includes a document support
sub-system adjacent the first side of the document platen. The
document support sub-system and the first side of the document
platen are adapted to receive a document therebetween. The document
has a direction of travel from the entry portion to the exit
portion of the document platen. The document platen forms an
aperture adapted to allow electromagnetic radiation therethrough,
and the first roller and the second roller are rotatable to
facilitate movement of document in the document direction of
travel.
[0006] According' to another illustrative embodiment, a document
guide system employing a document platen includes a document platen
having a first, document-faceable side and a second, opposing side.
The document platen has an entry edge and an exit edge. The
document guide system includes a document support subsystem
adjacent the first side of the document platen. The document
support sub-system and the first side of the document platen are
positioned to allow a document to pass between the document support
sub-system and the first side of document platen. The document
platen forms an aperture located at approximately a midpoint
between the entry edge and the exit edge. The document guide system
includes one or more electromagnetic radiation sources aimed at the
aperture of the document platen to illuminate at least a portion of
the document at the aperture of the document platen, and an imaging
device aimed at the aperture of the document platen to capture an
image of at least a portion of the document at the aperture of the
document platen. The imaging device is positioned on an opposite
side of the document platen than the document support sub-system.
The imaging device has a line of sight substantially perpendicular
to the first side of the document platen.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1A is a schematic, perspective view of the
document-faceable side of a document platen according to an
illustrative embodiment;
[0008] FIG. 1B is a schematic, perspective view of the opposite
side of the document platen shown in FIG. 1A;
[0009] FIG. 1C is a schematic, cross-sectional view of the document
platen in FIG. 1B taken along line 1C-1C;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a schematic, perspective view of a document guide
system including a document platen with a document support
sub-system having an upper band and a lower band according to an
illustrative embodiment;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a schematic, plan view of a document guide system
using transmissive illumination, and a document support sub-system
having one or more bands, to capture one or more images of a
document according to an illustrative embodiment;
[0012] FIG. 4A is a schematic, perspective view of a document guide
system using transmissive illumination to capture one or more
images of the document, including several belts and rollers to
motivate various components in the document guide system, according
to an illustrative embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 4B is a schematic, plan view of the document guide
system in FIG. 4A;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a schematic, plan view of a document guide system
using reflective illumination to capture one or more images of the
document, including one or more bands being used as the document
support sub-system, according to an illustrative embodiment;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a schematic, perspective view of a document guide
system using reflective illumination to capture one or more images
of a document, including one or more bands being used as the
document support sub-system and several belts and rollers to
motivate various components in the document guide system, according
to an illustrative embodiment;
[0016] FIG. 7A is a schematic, perspective view of a guide plate
coupled to a document platen according to an illustrative
embodiment;
[0017] FIG. 7B is a schematic, side view of the guide plate and
document platen shown in FIG. 7A;
[0018] FIG. 7C is a schematic, cross-sectional view of the guide
plate and document platen shown in FIG. 7A taken along line
7C-7C;
[0019] FIG. 8 is a schematic, plan view of a document guide system
using reflective illumination to capture one or more images of a
document, including a guide plate coupled to a document platen,
according to an illustrative embodiment;
[0020] FIG. 9A is a schematic, perspective view of a document guide
system using reflective illumination to capture one or more images
of a document, including a guide plate coupled to a document platen
and several belts and rollers to motivate various components within
the document guide system, according to an illustrative
embodiment;
[0021] FIG. 9B is a schematic, plan view of the document guide
system shown in FIG. 9A;
[0022] FIG. 10 is a schematic, plan view of a document guide system
utilizing transmissive illumination to capture one or more images
of a document, including a guide plate coupled to a document
platen, according to an illustrative embodiment; and
[0023] FIG. 11 is a schematic, perspective view of a document guide
system using transmissive illumination to capture one or more
images of a document, including a guide plate coupled to a document
platen and several belts and rollers to move one or more components
in the document guide system, according to an illustrative
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] In the following detailed description of the illustrative
embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that
form a part hereof. These embodiments are described in sufficient
detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the
invention, and it is understood that other embodiments may be
utilized and that logical structural, mechanical, electrical, and
chemical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or
scope of the invention. To avoid detail not necessary to enable
those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments described
herein, the description may omit certain information known to those
skilled in the art. The following detailed description is,
therefore, not to be taken in limiting sense, and the scope of the
illustrative embodiments are defined only by the appended
claims.
[0025] Referring to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, an illustrative
embodiment of a document platen 100, against which a document 102
may be held or moved, is shown. The document 102 may be any type of
document on which processing or analysis may be performed,
including, but not limited to, banknotes from any country of
origin, financial documents (e.g., checks, money orders, travelers
checks, etc.), legal related documents, etc. Unless otherwise
indicated, as used herein, "or" does not require mutual
exclusivity. The document 102 may also be formed from any material,
including paper, plastic, synthetic materials, etc.
[0026] The document 102 has a direction of travel 103 from an entry
edge 104 to an exit edge 105 of the document platen 100. As the
document 102 moves past an aperture 106 formed by the document
platen 100, the document 102 may be analyzed or processed in any
manner, including using the systems described herein. The document
102 may move across a first, document-faceable side 107 of the
document platen 100. The document 102 may be held or moved across
the first side 107 of the document platen 100 using a document
support sub-system, which is not shown in FIGS. 1A-C, but is shown
and described in more detail below. The document 102 may move
between the first side 107 of the document platen 100 and the
document support sub-system (not shown) as the document 102 moves
in its direction of travel 103.
[0027] In one embodiment, the first side 107 of the document platen
100 may be a substantially flat surface against which the document
102 may be held or moved. However, the first side 107 of the
document platen 102 is not limited to flat surfaces only, as the
first side 10 may form a curve or arc that is either concave or
convex, depending on the embodiment. Other shapes of the first side
107 of the document platen 100 are also possible in the
embodiments.
[0028] The document platen 100 also has a second side 108 that
opposes the first, document-faceable side 107. In one embodiment,
the second side 108 of the document platen 100 may form an indent
110. The aperture 106 may be located at approximately the apex 111
of the indent 110. In one embodiment, the indent 110 may also have
angled sides 112, 113. The angled sides 112, 113 of the indent 110
may form angles 114, 115 with the first side 107 of the document
platen 100, respectively. In one embodiment, each of the first
angle 114 and the second angle 115 may be in a range from 5 to 85
(e.g., 15, 30, 45, 60, 70, etc.). While the first and second angles
114, 115 are shown as being substantially the same as one another
in FIGS. 1A-C, the first angle 114 may differ from the second angle
115, in one embodiment. In yet another embodiment, either or both
of the first and second angles 114, 115 may be 90, or approximate
thereto, in which case the indent 110 has straight, as opposed to
angled, sides. As will be discussed in more detail below, the
angled sides 112, 113 of the indent 110 may allow lines of sight
from various components (e.g., camera, electromagnetic radiation
sources, etc.) aimed at the aperture 106 from multiple or various
angles or positions. In another embodiment, the document platen 100
may not have the indent 110, either on the first or second side
107, 108 of the document platen 100; in this embodiment, the second
side 108 of the document platen 100 may be substantially flat or
curved. In yet another embodiment, the aperture 106 may be located
anywhere within the indent 110, including locations other than the
apex 111. Indeed, the aperture 106 may also be present if the
document platen 100 does not have an indent 110.
[0029] The aperture 106 formed by the document platen 100 may be
any space, hole, or gap that allows electromagnetic radiation
therethrough, or allows a line of sight to a passing document 102.
The aperture 106 may be located at approximately a midpoint between
the entry edge 104 and the exit edge 105 of the document platen
100. The aperture 106 may be an elongated slit, as shown in FIGS.
1A-C. The elongated slit may be substantially perpendicular to the
direction of travel 103 of the document 102. While the aperture 106
is shown to be an elongated slit, the aperture 106 may have any
shape (e.g., circle, oval, polygonal, irregular, adjustable, etc.),
and may also be elongated along different directions (e.g.,
parallel with document direction of travel 103, diagonally, etc.)
than that shown in FIGS. 1A-C. The elongated slit may have a top
end 118 that is adjacent or near the top side 120 of the document
platen 100 and a bottom end 119 that is adjacent or near the bottom
side 121 of the document platen 100. In some illustrative
embodiments, as will be described in more detail below, the
aperture 106 may allow a electromagnetic radiation source to
transmit electromagnetic radiation to or through the document 102,
and may also allow an imaging device (e.g., camera) to capture one
or more images of the document 102 as it passes by the aperture
106. The length 116 of the aperture 106 may also meet or exceed the
height 117 of the document 102; as a result, the entire height of
the document 102 may be processed or analyzed using the aperture
106, according to one embodiment. In yet another embodiment, the
length 116 of the aperture 106 may be less than the height 117 of
the document 102.
[0030] The document platen 100 may also include a first roller 122
and a second roller 123 that are rotatable to facilitate movement
of the document 102 in its direction of travel 103. Regarding
location of the rollers 122, 123, if the document platen 100 is
considered to have an entry portion 124 and an exit portion 125
such that the document 102 has a direction of travel 103 from the
entry portion 124 toward the exit portion 125, the first roller 122
may be at, within, or at least partially within the first portion
124 of the document platen 100. The second roller 123 may be
located at, within, or at least partially within the exit portion
125 of the document platen 100. The roller 122 may be located
substantially within a cutout portion 126 of the entry portion 124
of the document platen 100, and the second roller 123 may be
located substantially within a cutout portion 127 of the exit
portion 125 of the document platen 100. While the first and second
rollers 122, 123 are shown to be substantially located and
rotatable within their respective portions 124, 125 of the document
platen 100, the rollers 122, 123 are not limited to being embedded
within the structure of the document platen 100 and may protrude
therefrom more than is shown in FIGS. 1A-C. Also, the first and
second rollers 122, 123 may be substantially cylindrical and rotate
in the direction of travel 103 of the document 102. The rollers
122, 123 may be located anywhere that permits contact with the
document 102 such that they may facilitate movement of the document
102 in the direction of travel 103.
[0031] Though the rollers 122, 123 may be freely rotatable, without
the use of a motivating force, to facilitate movement of the
document 102 in its direction of travel 103, the rollers 122, 123
may also be subjected to a motivating force that rotates the
rollers 122, 123 such that they move the document 102 in its
direction of travel 103. Rotation of the rollers 122, 123 may be
accomplished using any motivating means, such as a motor, or, as
shown below, one or more belts.
[0032] While the document platen 100 is shown to have two rollers
122, 123, the document platen 100 may have any number of rollers to
facilitate movement of the document 102, and these rollers may be
placed at various positions on the document platen 100. For
example, the document platen 100 may have one or more rollers
located only on either the entry portion 124 or the exit portion
125 of the document platen 100. In yet another embodiment, the
document platen 100 may have no rollers at all.
[0033] The entry portion 124 of the document platen 100 may also
have a tapered entry edge 128 that guides the document 102 into a
space between the first side 107 of the document platen 100 and the
document support sub-system (not shown in FIGS. 1A-C, but shown
below). The tapered entry edge 128 may help to ensure that the
document 102 is properly positioned and moved along the first side
107 of the document platen 100, and help to prevent document
jamming. The angle or degree of the taper of the tapered entry edge
128 may vary.
[0034] The document platen 100 may be formed from any material,
including, but not limited to, metal, plastic, synthetic material,
rubber, etc. In one non-limiting example, the document platen 100
may be formed from aluminum 6061-T6 or other equivalent material.
Indeed, any of the parts or elements described herein may be formed
from the aforementioned materials, including aluminum 6061-T6 or
other equivalent material. In one illustrative embodiment, the
document platen 100 may also have a finish or coating. For example,
the first side 107 of the document platen 100, the second side 108
of the document platen 100, apex 111, angled sides 112, 113, or any
other portion of the indent 110, the edges of the aperture 106, the
side(s) of the document platen 100, or any other portion of the
document platen 100 may be coated or covered with a finish or
coating. Non-limiting examples of the finish or coating include
black anodized or any other non-reflective material (e.g., paint,
adhesive material, or any other substance that will not reflect
electromagnetic radiation or light). In yet another embodiment, the
coating or finish may be a reflective material. The document platen
100 may be anchored to a surface in any manner, including by the
use of one or more anchor tabs 130, 131.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 2, an illustrative embodiment of a
document guide system 236 includes the document platen 200, a
document support sub-system 238, and a document 202 traveling
therebetween in its direction of travel 203. Elements of Figure
that are analogous to elements in FIGS. 1A-C have been shown by
indexing the reference numerals by 100. The document support
sub-system 238 includes an upper band 240 and a lower band 241 that
hold the document 202 against the first side 207 of the document
platen 200 when the document 202 moves along the first side 207 of
the document platen 200 and between the bands 240, 241 and the
first side 207 of the document platen 200.
[0036] The upper and lower bands 240, 241 are supported by a first
post 242, located adjacent the entry edge 204 of the document
platen 200, and a second post 243, located adjacent the exit edge
205 of the document platen 200. It is noted that, in this
embodiment, the document 202 has a direction of travel 203 from the
entry edge 204 to the exit edge 205. The first post 242 may have an
upper portion 244 and a lower portion 245. Likewise, the second
post 243 may have an upper portion 246 and a lower portion 247. The
upper and lower portions 244, 245, 246, 247 of the first and second
posts 242, 243 may be enlarged, or have a greater diameter or
circumference, as compared to other portions of the posts 242, 243.
However, it will be appreciated that the upper and lower portions
244, 245, 246, 247 need not be enlarged as shown in FIG. 2.
[0037] The upper band 240 is wrapped partially around the upper
portion 244 of the first post 242 and partially around the upper
portion 246 of the second post 243 so as to be elongated, or
stretched, from the first post 242 to the second post 243. The
lower band 241 is wrapped partially around the lower portion 245 of
the first post 242 and partially around the lower portion 247 of
second post 243 so as to be elongated, or stretched, from the first
post 242 to the second post 243. The upper and lower bands 240, 241
are also adjacent the first side 207 of the document platen 200 so
as to at least partially press the document 202 against the first
side 207 of the document platen 200 when the document 202 passes
between the first side 207 of the document platen 200 and the bands
240, 241.
[0038] As seen in FIG. 2, the upper and lower bands 240, 241 are
spaced from one another such that they make contact with upper and
lower portions of the document 202. However, the spacing may vary
depending on the embodiment. The upper and lower bands 240, 241 may
be made from any material, such as plastic, rubber, synthetic
materials, etc. In one embodiment, each of the upper and lower
bands 240, 241 are 0-rings that axe stretched so as to wrap around
the first and second posts 242, 243 as shown in FIG. 2. Also,
although two bands are shown in FIG. 2, the document guide system
236 may include any number of bands (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 5, 10,
etc.).
[0039] The first and second post 242, 243 may be rotatable to cause
rotation of the upper and lower bands 240, 241, thus facilitating
movement of the document 202 in its direction of travel 203. Either
or both of the first and second posts 242, 243 may be motivated to
rotate using, for example, a motor or belts, so that the upper and
lower bands 240, 241 impart force or motion upon the document 202
in its direction of travel 203. In one embodiment, belts 243, 249
may partially wrap around middle portions 250, 251 of the first and
second posts 242, 243, respectively. When the belts 248, 249 are
put into motion, they may rotate the first and second posts 242,
243 in a clockwise direction (from the perspective shown in FIG.
2), thereby imparting motion upon the upper and lower bands 240,
241, ultimately the document 202 in its direction of travel 203.
The middle portions 250, 251 of the first and second posts 242,
243, respectively, may also be enlarged in a similar fashion as the
upper and lower portions 244, 245, 246, 247 of the first and second
posts 242, 243. In another embodiment, either or both of the first,
and second posts 242, 243 may be motivated to rotate in a more
direct fashion using one or more motors (without the use of an
intervening belt). In yet another embodiment, the first and second
posts 242, 243 may not be motivated to rotate at all, and may
either freely rotate or be stationary; in this embodiment, the
upper and lower bands 240, 241 may still serve the function of
holding the document 202 against first side 207 of the document
platen 200.
[0040] Referring to FIGS. 3, 4A, and 4B, an illustrative embodiment
of the document guide system 336 includes the document platen 300,
the document support sub-system 338 and the document 302 passing
between the document support sub-system 338 and the first side 307
of the document platen 300 in the direction of travel 303. Elements
of FIGS. 3, 4A, and 4B that are analogous to elements in FIGS. 1A-C
or 2 have been shown by indexing the reference numerals by a
multiple of 100. The document guide system 336 may be used to
capture one or more images of the document 302 using illumination
that is transmitted through the document 302.
[0041] The document guide system 336 includes an imaging device 354
that is positioned on an opposite side of the document platen 300
as the document support sub-system 338. The imaging device 354 is
aimed at the aperture 306 of the document platen 300, and has a
line of sight 355 that is substantially perpendicular to the first
side 307 of the document platen 300, as indicated by angle 356. The
imaging device 354 may capture an image of at least a portion of
the document 302 at the aperture 306 of the document platen 300 as
the document 302 moves in its direction of travel 303.
[0042] It will be appreciated that the imaging device 354 may be a
frame camera or line scan camera in some of the illustrative
embodiments. Furthermore, any suitable imaging device capable of
capturing any suitable image (frame, line, or otherwise) of the
document 302, or portion thereof, may be employed and remain within
the scope of the present disclosure. For example, and without
limitation, the imaging device 354 may be a TDI camera, a frame
camera, an x-ray imaging device, an infrared camera, etc.
[0043] The document guide system 336 also may include an
electromagnetic radiation source 358 aimed at the aperture 306 of
the document platen 300 so as to form an angle 359 that is
approximately 90.degree.. In particular, the electromagnetic
radiation source 358 may have a line of sight 360 that forms the
angle 359 with the first side 307 of the document platen 300 that
is approximately 90. The electromagnetic radiation source 358 may
emit any type of electromagnetic radiation (e.g., ultraviolet,
infrared, white, green, blue, x-ray, visible, etc.) or other
suitable electromagnetic radiation, including light.
[0044] In the particular embodiment, the imaging device 354 is on
an opposite side of the document platen 300 as the electromagnetic
radiation source 358. Using this configuration, the imaging device
354 may capture one or more images of at least a portion of the
document 302 at or near the aperture 306 that is illuminated by
transmissive electromagnetic radiation or light from the
electromagnetic radiation source 358. In particular,
electromagnetic radiation from the electromagnetic radiation source
358 may illuminate and pass through the portion of the document 302
that is in front of the aperture 306, thereby allowing the imaging
device 354 to capture an image of that portion of the document 302
using the electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the
document 302.
[0045] It will be appreciated that, in the embodiment represented
by FIGS. 3, 4A, and 4B, the document 302 is moved in its direction
of travel 303 along, the first side 307 of the document platen 300
as the imaging device 354 captures one or more images of the
document 302 using electromagnetic radiation transmitted from the
electromagnetic radiation source 358 and through the document 302
in FIGS. 3, 4A, and 4F, belts 362 and 363 are used in conjunction
with multiple rollers to motivate the document 302 through the
document guide system 336. In particular, the document 302 arrives
at an entry side 364 sandwiched between the belts 362 and 363. The
belts 362 and 363, upon arriving at or near the entry side 364 of
the document guide system 336, each diverge into separate paths so
as to feed the document 302 into a space between the document
support sub-system 338 and the first side 307 of the document
platen 300. The belt 362 is routed behind the electromagnetic
radiation source 358 via roller 366a, the first post. 342, rollers
366b-e, the second post 343, and the roller 366f. The belt 363,
upon arrival at the entry side 364 of the document guide system
336, is routed behind the imaging device 354 via roller 366g, the
first roller 322, the rollers 366h-k, the second roller 323, and
the roller 366l.
[0046] After the belts 362 and 363 diverge at the entry side 364 of
the document guide system 336, the document 302 is fed between the
document support sub-system 338 and the first side 307 of the
documentation 300. In a manner that may be similar to that
described in FIG. 2, the belt 362 may move to rotate both the first
and second posts 342 and 343 so as to rotate the upper and lower
bands 340, 341, thereby moving the document 302 in its direction of
travel 303. The document 302 may be moved across the first side 307
of the document platen 300 and across the aperture 306 as the
electromagnetic radiation source 358 transmits electromagnetic
radiation through the document 302 and the aperture 306 so that the
imaging device 354 may capture one or more images of the document
302, or portions thereof. After the document 302 leaves the space
between the document support sub system 338 and the first side 307
of the document platen, 300, the document 302 may again be
sandwiched between the belts 362 and 363 at the exit site 367 of
the document guide system 336, where the belts 362 and 363 converge
once again after being routed through the rollers 366a-l.
[0047] It is noted that the belt 363 is weaved, and makes contact
with, the first and second rollers 322, 323 in the document platen
300, thereby rotating these rollers 322, 323 to motivate the
document 302 in its direction of travel 303. The imaging device 354
and the electromagnetic radiation source 358 may be any distance
from the document platen 300, as desired by the needs of the
system. Also, the angles 356 and 359 may vary, and thus are not
limited to being perpendicular angles. Any number of documents may
be fed through the document guide system 336, and these documents
may be analyzed or processed as needed using the images captured by
the imaging device 354.
[0048] While the document platen 300 is shown to have two rollers
322, 323, the document platen 300 may have any number of rollers to
facilitate movement of the document 302, and these rollers may be
placed at various positions on the document platen 300. For
example, the document platen 300 may have one or more rollers
located only on either the entry portion or the exit portion of the
document platen 300. In yet another embodiment, document platen 300
may have no rollers at all.
[0049] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, an illustrative embodiment of
the document guide system 436 includes the imaging device 454 and
the electromagnetic radiation sources 458a and 458b on the same
side of the document platen 400 as one another. Elements of FIGS. 5
and 6 that are analogous to elements in FIGS. 1A-C, 2, 3, 4A, and
4B have been shown by indexing the reference numerals by multiples
of 100. The imaging device 454 and the electromagnetic radiation
sources 458a and 458b are also all on the side of the document
platen 400 that is opposite than the document, support sub-system
438. In contrast to the document guide system 336 in FIGS. 3, 4A,
and 4B, the document guide system 436 uses electromagnetic
radiation reflected off the surface of the document 402, as opposed
to electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the document 402,
to capture images of the document 402 using the imaging device
454.
[0050] The imaging device 454 has a line of sight 455 that forms an
angle 456 with the first side 407 of the document platen 400 that
is approximately 90. The electromagnetic radiation sources 458a and
458b also have respective lines of sight 460a and 460b; these lines
of sight 460a and 460b are aimed toward the aperture 406. The line
of sight 460a of the electromagnetic radiation source 458a forms an
angle 468 with the line of sight 455 of the imaging device 454. The
line of sight 460b of the electromagnetic radiation source 458b
forms an angle 469 with line of sight 455 of the imaging device
454. The angles 468 and 469 are shown to be approximately the same,
although, in other embodiments, they may differ from one another.
Also, the angles 468 and 469 may each be an angle greater than 0
and less than 90 (e.g., 10, 25, 30, 45.degree., 55, 60, 75, etc.).
Either or both of the electromagnetic radiation sources 458a and
458b may be activated at any given time in order to illuminate a
surface of the document 402 for image capturing by the imaging
device 454. The imaging devices 458a and 458b may also emit
different types of electromagnetic radiation, including light. In
yet another embodiment, the electromagnetic radiation sources 458a
and 458b may be sequentially illuminated in order for a line scan
camera, which may be the imaging device 454, to capture a composite
or interleaved image of the document 402 through the aperture
406.
[0051] In contrast to the document guide system 336 in FIGS. 3, 4A,
and 4B, the belt 462 moves across the first side 407 of the
document platen 400 to hold and move the document 402 across the
first side 407 of the document platen 400 so that the document 402
moves across the aperture 406. Thus, in the embodiment of FIGS. 5
and 6, either or both of the belt 462 and the bands 440 and 441 may
be used to motivate the document 402 across the first side 407 of
the document platen 400 and its direction of travel.
[0052] While the document platen 400 is shown to have two rollers
therein, the document platen 400 may have any number of rollers to
facilitate movement of the document 402, and these rollers may be
placed at various positions platen 400 may have one or more rollers
located only on either the entry portion or the exit portion of the
document platen 400. In yet another embodiment, the document platen
400 may have no rollers at all.
[0053] Referring FIGS. 7B, and 70, an illustrative embodiment of a
guide plate 572 coupled to the document platen 500 is shown. The
guide plate 572 is one non-limiting example of a document support
sub-system. Elements of FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 70 that are analogous to
elements in FIG. 1 have been shown by indexing the reference
numerals by 400. The guide plate 572 is positionable adjacent the
first side 507 of the document platen 500 to form a document
passage 574 between the guide plate 572 and the first side 507 of
the document platen 500. The document 502 may pass through the
document passage 574 as, the document 502 moves in its direction of
travel 503.
[0054] To facilitate or guide entry of the document 502 into the
document passage 574, the guide plate 572 may have an entry side
575 that curves away from the document platen 500. This curved
entry side 575 may provide a tapered transition into the document
passage 574, and help prevent the document 502 from being jammed or
blocked from entering the document passage 574. Entry of the
document 502 into the document passage 574 may be further
facilitated by the tapered entry edge 528, which has been described
above.
[0055] In one embodiment, the guide plate 572 is coupled or
attached to the document platen 500. For example, the guide plate
572 may include a support lip 576 that protrudes from the top side
577 of the guide plate 572. The support lip 575 may protrude toward
the document platen 500 when the guide plate 572 is in position
adjacent the first side 507 of the document platen 500, as shown in
FIGS. 7A-C. The support lip 576 may be attachable to the top side
578 of the document platen 500 in any manner, including, but not
limited to, using bolts, screws, glue, welding, interference fits,
etc. While an example is given in which the guide plate 572 is
attachable to the top side 578 of the document platen 500, the
guide plate 572 may be attached to any portion of the document
platen 500 that still allows for a document passage 574. In yet
another embodiment, the guide plate 572 may not be attached to the
document platen 500 at all while still creating a document passage
574.
[0056] As used herein, the term "coupled" may include coupling via
a separate object and may also include direct coupling. The term
"coupled" may also encompass two or more components that are
continuous with one another by virtue of each of the components
being formed from the same piece of material. Also, the term
"coupled" may include chemical, such as via a chemical bond,
mechanical, thermal, magnetic, or electrical coupling.
[0057] The guide plate 572 may also include an entry roller cutaway
580 on the entry side 575 of the guide plate 572, as well as an
exit roller cutaway 531 on the exit side 582. The entry and exit
roller cutaways 580, 581 may each be adapted to receive at least a
portion of a roller located on the outer side 583 of the guide
plate 572. Although such rollers are not shown in FIG. 7A-C,
non-limiting examples of such rollers are shown in FIGS. 8 through
11. The rollers that are at least partially received by the entry
and exit roller cutaways 580, 581 may be used to motivate the
document 502 through the document passage 574 in the document's
direction of travel 503. Such rollers may supplement the
motivational force provided by the first and second rollers 522,
523 that are located in the document platen 500. The entry and exit
roller partial entry of an object that provides a motivating force
to the document 502, and may be located anywhere on the guide plate
572 where such motivating force to the document 502 may be
applied.
[0058] While the document platen 500 is shown to have two rollers
522, 523, the document platen 500 may have any number of rollers so
facilitate movement of the document 502, and these rollers may be
placed at various positions on the document platen 500. For
example, the document platen 500 may have one or more rollers
located only on either the entry portion or the exit portion of the
document platen 500. In yet another embodiment, the document platen
500 may have no rollers at all.
[0059] The guide plate 572 may also include a guide plate aperture
584 that may allow electromagnetic radiation therethrough or allow
an imaging device to take an image of at least a portion of the
document 502 within the document passage 574. The guide plate
aperture 584 may be substantially coincident with the aperture 506
of the document platen 500. The guide plate aperture 584 may also
have a substantially similar shape and orientation as the aperture
506 of the document platen 500. In another embodiment, the guide
plate aperture 584 may be offset from the aperture 506 of the
document platen 500, or may have a different shape. In yet another
embodiment, the guide plate 572 may have no aperture at all.
[0060] The guide plate 572 may be formed from any material,
including, but not limited to, metal, plastic, synthetics, rubber,
etc. In one non-limiting example, the guide plate 572 may be formed
from aluminum 6061-T6 or other equivalent material. Indeed, any of
the parts or elements described herein may be formed from
aforementioned materials, including aluminum 6061-T6 or other
equivalent material in one illustrative embodiment, the guide plate
572 may also have a finish or coating. For example, the outer side
583 or inner side (which forms part of the document passage 574) of
the guide plate 572, the curved entry side 575, exit side 582, the
support lip 576, the edges of the guide plate aperture 584, or any
other portion of the guide plate 572 may be coated or covered with
a finish or coating. Non-limiting examples of the finish or coating
include black anodized or any other non-reflective material (e.g.,
paint, adhesive material, or any other substance that will not
reflect electromagnetic radiation or light). In yet another
embodiment, the coating or finish may be a reflective material. The
guide plate 572 may also be stabilized or mounted using mounting
tabs 585a, 585b.
[0061] Referring to FIGS. 8, 9A, and 9B, an illustrative embodiment
of the document guide system 636 includes two electromagnetic
radiation sources 658a, and the imaging device 654 arranged in a
reflective illumination and image capturing system similar to that
described in FIGS. 5 and 6. Elements of FIGS. 8, 9A, and 9B that
are analogous to elements in FIGS. 1-7 have been shown by indexing
the reference numerals by multiples of 100. The imaging device 654
may capture one or more images of at least a portion of the
document 602 as it moves in its direction of travel 603 using
electromagnetic radiation emitted from either or both of the first
and second electromagnetic radiation sources 658a, 658b and
reflected off a surface of the document 602. The varying angles,
positions, and configurations for the electromagnetic radiation
sources 658a, 658b and the imaging device 654 described in FIGS. 5
and 6 may also apply to this embodiment.
[0062] As the document 602 approaches the entry side 664 of the
document guide system 636, the document 602 may be sandwiched
between belts 662 and 663. The belt 663 may diverge behind the
electromagnetic radiation sources 658a, 658b and the imaging device
654 is roller 666g, the first roller 622, rollers 666h-k, the
second roller 623, and the roller 666l. At the exit side 667 of the
document guide system 636, the belt 663 may again converge with the
belt 662.
[0063] The belt 662 passes through the document passage 674 formed
by the guide plate 672 and the document platen 600, which has been
described above in FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C. The belt 662 may also be
motivated to move in the same direction of travel 603 as the
document 602 by the rollers 666a, 666m, 666n, and 666f. As the belt
662 moves through the document passage 674, the belt 662 holds the
document 602 against the first side 607 of the document platen 600
while the rollers 666a, 666m, 666n, and 666f move the belt 662
through the document passage 674 to cause the document 602 to move
through the document passage 674 in its direction of travel
603.
[0064] It is noted that the rollers 666m and 666n are at least
partially received by the entry roller cutaway 680 and the exit
roller cutaway 681, respectively, thus allowing the rollers 666m
and 666n to make contact with the belt 662. In another embodiment,
the rollers 666m and 666n may make direct contact with the document
602, instead of via the belt 662, to motivate the document 602
through the document passage 674. It is also noted that the rollers
622 and 623 may be used to motivate the document 602 in its
direction of travel 603.
[0065] While the document platen 600 is shown to have two rollers
622, 623, the document platen 600 may have any number of rollers to
facilitate movement of the document 602, and these rollers may be
placed at various positions on the document platen 600. For
example, the document platen 600 may have one or more rollers
located only on either the entry portion or the exit portion of the
document platen 600. In yet another embodiment, the document platen
600 may have no rollers at all.
[0066] It will be appreciated that, although FIGS. 8, 9A, and 9F
show the guide plate 672 to have a guide plate aperture, in another
embodiment the guide plate 672 may lack the guide plate aperture.
For example, the aperture in the guide plate 672 may not be needed
due to the utilization of reflective illumination and image
capturing on the same side of the document platen 600, as shown in
FIGS. 8, 9A, 9B.
[0067] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, an illustrative embodiment of
the document guide system 736 includes the imaging device 754 and
the electromagnetic radiation source 758 used to capture one or
more images of the document 702 as it moves in its direction of
travel 703 between the guide plate 772 and the document platen 700.
The document guide system 736 uses electromagnetic radiation
emitted from the electromagnetic radiation source 758 and
transmitted through the document 702 to the imaging device 754 so
that the imaging device 754 can take one or more images of the
document 702 as it passes through the document passage 774 formed
by the guide plate 772 and the document platen 700 indeed, the use
of transmissive illumination may be similar, in some respects, to
the transmissive document guide system 336 described in FIGS. 3,
4A, and 4B.
[0068] It is noted that the guide plate 772 has the guide plate
aperture 784 that is coincident with the aperture 706 of the
document platen 700 so that electromagnetic radiation transmitted
by the electromagnetic radiation source 758 is able to travel to
the imaging device 754. Also, as in FIGS. 8, 9A, and 9B, the roller
766m and 766n may be partially received by the entry and exit
roller cutaways 780, 781, respectively, to motivate the document
702 through the document passage 774. It is noted that, in this
embodiment, in contrast to the embodiment of FIGS. 8, 9A, and 9B,
the belt 762 does not move fully through the document passage 774,
and is instead diverted behind the electromagnetic radiation source
75$ using multiple rollers.
[0069] While the document platen 700 is shown to have two rollers
therein, the document platen. 700 may have any number of rollers to
facilitate movement of the document 702, and these rollers may be
placed at various positions on the document platen 700. For
example, the document platen 700 may have one or more rollers
located only on either the entry portion or the exit portion of the
document platen 700. In yet another embodiment, the document platen
700 may have no rollers at all.
[0070] Although the illustrative embodiments described herein have
been disclosed in the context of certain illustrative, non-limiting
embodiments, should be understood that various changes,
substitutions, permutations, and alterations can be made without
departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the
appended claims. It will be appreciated that any, feature that is
described in a connection to any one embodiment may also be
applicable to any other embodiment.
* * * * *