Abstract: An apparatus for providing pinch force control to an entrance transport element in a document handling system. The entrance transport element includes a drive roller element and a pinch roller element and a pinch force relief mechanism coupled to the pinch roller element. The pinch force relief mechanism is positionable between a pinch force mode and a non-pinch force mode. A control element is adapted to control actuation of the pinch force relief mechanism between the pinch force mode and the non-pinch force mode. When the control element places the pinch force relief mechanism in the pinch force mode, the pinch roller element is positioned such that a pinch force is exerted on a document. Conversely, when the control element places the pinch force relief mechanism in the non-pinch force mode, the pinch roller element is positioned such that a pinch force is prevented from being exerted on the document.

Abstract: A document transport for moving documents past a document processing station utilizes a drive roller having a mass sufficient to provide a flywheel effect to stabilize speed of documents passing between the drive roller and a pinch belt in contact with a portion of the circumference of the drive wheel. The drive wheel may additionally have a circumference large enough to prevent document slippage between the drive wheel and the pinch belt.

Abstract: A method of tracking a document in a system for feeding and transporting documents includes detecting a document trailing edge at a fixed location upstream of a feeder. The system includes a feeder stage and a transport stage downstream of the feeder stage. The feeder stage includes the feeder and a separator. The method further includes tracking a position of the document trailing edge as the document trailing edge moves between the fixed location and the feeder, and performing an operation dependent on the document trailing edge position when the document trailing edge is between the fixed location and the feeder.

Abstract: A document transport utilizes a pneumatic pinch force generator in lieu of a conventional spring-loaded pinch roller, thereby minimizing problems associated with pinch roller inertia and debris collection.

Abstract: A method of document overlap/gap error detection and correction includes detecting a trailing edge of a first document at a feeder, and detecting a leading edge of a second document at an edge detector between the feeder and a transport stage. An overlap/gap error is determined and the feeder is controlled to correct the overlap/gap error, when the error is present. An overlap may be measured before the first document trailing edge arrives at the edge detector, providing a greater remaining length of the second document left in the feeder with which to perform the necessary feeder motions to correct the overlap/gap error.

Abstract: A method and system provide for generating a predetermined feed spacing between a first document and a second document. The method includes the steps of determining an adjustment time period, and reducing a feed wheel speed to an adjustment speed. The feed wheel transports the documents between a document stack and a transport wheel. The method further provides for increasing the feed wheel speed after the adjustment time period has expired such that the trailing edge of the first document and the leading edge of the second document have the predetermined feed spacing. Determining the adjustment time period in conjunction with variable control of the feed wheel provides and enhanced approach to feed spacing unachievable through conventional approaches.

Abstract: A method of detecting a document in a system for feeding and transporting documents includes detecting an acceleration of an accelerator idler indicating when the document trailing edge exits a feeder and a separator. The system includes a feeder stage including the feeder and the separator for receiving a document therebetween and gripping the document with a first grip, and a transport stage downstream of the feeder stage. The transport stage includes an accelerator driver and the accelerator idler for receiving the document therebetween and gripping the document with a second grip that is less than the first grip. When the document is simultaneously gripped by the feeder and separator and gripped by the accelerator driver and accelerator idler, the document slips at the accelerator driver until the document trailing edge exits the feeder and separator. The acceleration of the accelerator idler is detected to indicate when the document trailing edge exits the feeder and separator.

Abstract: A document jogger jogs unit records such as checks and like value documents. The jogger has a bin for receiving the documents, and a vibrator coupled to the bin to vibrate it. A liner is adapted to be removably attached to the bin. The liner has an impact absorbing flexible material attached to the liner to absorb the shock of the documents as the bin is vibrated. A thin abrasion resistant, low friction layer covers the flexible material to prevent documents from damaging the flexible material and allows the documents to slide easily. The thin abrasion resistant, low friction layer is also soft enough to permit the flexible material to absorb the shock of said documents.

Abstract: A dynamic friction measurement apparatus includes a load cell, accelerometer, and a computational device for determining the coefficient of friction corrected for inertial forces which otherwise cause an error in the calculation. The calculation device has the functions of simultaneously receiving the signals, conditioning the signals, creating output in digital or analog electrical signals, and storing or providing a value for the coefficient of friction from the dynamic measurements. A method for detecting and processing the coefficient of friction during dynamic condition is also provided.

Abstract: A document feeder with overlap protection that prevents the overlap of successive documents moving from a document stack and that utilizes a nudger. An independent motor selectively drives the nudger. Document edge detectors sense the location of documents at the nudger and at other locations fed from the document stack and send control signals to the independent motor so that a proper distance is maintained between successive documents. A document edge detector can be placed at various locations along the path of document travel.

Abstract: A document feed arrangement has a nip between a feeder and a separator where documents in a stack are urged, singly into the nip and advanced therebeyond by the feeder. A continuously rotating nudger urges the documents into the nip. The nudger has an open space separation from the nip and feeder. In addition, the nudger is disposed adjacent the end document in the stack and arranged to periodically thrust the end document across the separation into the nip. As soon as the end document leaves the nudger it immediately contacts the next-to-the-end document in the stack and begins to thrust it forward. The feeder surface is defined by a large radius at the point of the nip so that the surface of the feeder bends away from the nip. The feeder advances the end document from the stack through the nip without simultaneously advancing a second document. The separator surface is defined by a smaller radius than the feeder for restraining the remaining documents of the stack.

Abstract: A document feeder includes a nudger located at a first side of a document stack. The nudger applies a nudger force to the first side of the document stack. An adjustable hopper positions the document stack next to the nudger. The adjustable hopper has a hopper floor that is an inclined plane supporting a flag. The flag adjustably rests against a side of the document stack opposite the nudger and applies a variable flag force to the document stack. The flag force changes according to the incline angle of the hopper floor. The flag has a weight, and as the incline of the hopper floor increases, the flag applies an increasing force caused by the weight to the document stack. The flag force is transmitted through the document stack. The document stack applies a force to the nudger and the nudger applies a reactionary force normal to the nudger. A feedback control is coupled between the nudger and adjustable hopper so that the nudger force can be changed by adjusting the incline of the hopper floor.

Abstract: A document jogger having an adjustable bin for receiving document stacks of variable length.

Abstract: A linkage couples a pair of rotatable shafts so that the rotation of one the shafts causes rotation of the other said shaft about the some axis. The linkage includes a pair of thin flexure strips disposed in parallel between the pair of parallel rotatable shafts One end of the pair of flexure strips is coupled to one of the rotatable shafts and the other end of the pair of flexure strips is coupled to the other rotatable shaft. The pair of thin flexure strips is coupled to the shafts so that the rotation of one of the shafts will cause the flexure strips to rotate the other of the shafts. The rotatable shafts rotate around parallel axes. The flexure strips flex and bend together as the rotatable shafts rotate. The rotational motion transmitted by the flexure strips has the same axis as the rotation axis of the shafts.

Abstract: A machine for processing documents has a document feeder adapted to selectively adjust document feed rate and interdocument separation. The document feeder has a feeder surface for feeding documents into the machine. There is a nip between the feeder surface and a separator surface. The end document of a stack is urged, singly into the nip and advanced therebeyond by the feeder surface. The separator surface restrains the remaining documents of the stack. A control adjusts the speed of the separator surface to be continuously variable and independent of the speed of said feeder surface, with the separator surface speed adjusted to optimize the document feed rate, optimize interdocument separation, and minimize damage to the documents being fed into the machine.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for automatically adjusting a rate at which a document decelerates when entering a sort pocket of a document processing machine. The apparatus includes a track adapted for transporting the document, a guide wall, and a stacker flag spaced away from the guide wall to define the sort pocket therebetween. The sort pocket communicates with the track so that the document exits the track to enter the sort pocket. A wave spring is disposed proximate the guide wall so that the document engages the wave spring and is decelerated by the wave spring when the document enters the sort pocket. The weight of the document is calculated, and a signal is produced that represents the weight of the document. The wave spring is distorted according to this signal to vary a configuration of the wave spring depending on the weight of the document to decelerate the document at an optimal rate.

Abstract: An arrangement for automatically, selectably diverting, different-weight checks being transported along a prescribed track with divert-blade means at a prescribed divert-station therealong, said checks comprising "standard" and "non-standard", heavier versions, this arrangement comprising, in combination with the foregoing:weight sense means, disposed along said track, upstream of said divert station, for sensing at least a mass characteristic of passing checks and outputting mass-indicating signals SS representative thereof; actuate means arranged to thrust said blade means across said track and associated actuate-adjust means for adjusting actuation-torque of said actuate means responsive to associated torque-adjust signals AA input thereto; and control means arranged to receive said mass-indicating signals SS, manipulating them and applying associated torque-adjust signals AA to said actuate-adjust means whereby to automatically adjust and control the torque applied to said blade means according to the sen

Abstract: A document feed array comprising a pinch-roll mounted to rotate about its center to engage documents, being mounted on a cantilever-arm pivoted at a point distal from the roll-center and including an elastomeric sleeve which, alone, couples the arm to its pivot point (in operation), the sleeve comprising high-damping, durable elastomeric material adapted to accommodate thickness anomalies in the documents, yet to maximize driving contact therewith.

Abstract: A system can detect leading and trailing edges of documents, and document thickness with a single transducer. The transducer operates to measure the displacement of an idler pinch roller by a passing document.

Abstract: A circuit for controlling a servomotor while minimizing a steady-state velocity error being associated with the servomotor. A velocity transducer is coupled to the servomotor to provide a first signal representing an angular velocity of a servomotor shaft. A comparator receives as input the first signal and a second signal representing a desired angular velocity of the servomotor shaft. The comparator produces a comparator output signal representing the steady-state velocity error as defined by a difference between the angular velocity of a servomotor shaft and the desired angular velocity of the servomotor shaft. Means are provided for deriving a value of a current flowing through the servomotor and for producing a third signal representing that current. The third signal represents a frictional torque applied to the servomotor shaft. An adder receives as input the comparator output signal and the third signal.