Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for taking flexible sheets off a delivery belt, such as from a scanner or copier, and restacking them in the order and orientation (face) they were originally scanned in. This requires flipping over such sheets by use of a spindle wheel with a plurality of fingers defining slots therebetween for receiving the sheets and reversing their face (flipping). By knowing the speed of the delivery belt and using a continuously spinning spindle wheel it is possible to avoid the effects of momentum on the fingers which distorts their position during stopping and starting action. Instead, the spindle wheel is in constant rotation but the speed of rotation is adjusted from a first speed, then a second tapering speed, to a third speed which is adapted to ensure that the slot between fingers is accurately presented to the leading edge as it enters the slot and does not get rejected by an accidental encounter with a finger.

Abstract: A document feeder includes a feed belt, a vacuum system, a drive system, and a separator arrangement. The feed belt defines multiple openings through the feed belt and the vacuum system provides a vacuum through the openings of the feed belt to draw a top document into contact with the feed belt. The separator arrangement provides a gas flow directed toward at least a first edge region of the top document to separate at least the first edge region of the top document from one or more documents immediately below the top document. Preferably, the separator arrangement utilizes the Coanda effect to separate the top document. The drive system rotates the feed belt.

Abstract: A system for recognizing magnetic ink characters includes at least one write head configured and arranged to scan over the magnetic ink characters while generating a modulated magnetic field to produce a magnetic response in the magnetic ink characters. The modulation of the magnetic field produces spatial modulation in the magnetic response. The system also includes at least one read head configured and arranged to scan over the magnetic ink characters after the write head and to detect the magnetic response. The system further includes a recognition module to receive the magnetic response from the read head(s) and recognize the magnetic ink characters thereby.

Abstract: A system for scanning more than one type of document, including documents on generally opaque media such as plain paper, and those on semi-transparent media such as exposed X-ray film. For scanning a document on generally opaque media, a light source in front of the document is activated as the document is scanned. For scanning a document on semi-transparent media, a light source behind the document is activate as the document is scanned. The scanning can preferably be performed at a selectable one of a plurality of resolutions. The selection of the light source and/or scanning resolution can be done automatically by detecting the type of medium of the document being processed.

Abstract: A method and system that allows organizations that deal with a substantial volume of incoming mail to digitally capture, organize, prioritize and deliver incoming mail to users more quickly and efficiently than with conventional approaches. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a unique tag is applied to each piece of incoming mail (including parcels). Each piece of mail is then processed, scanned, electronically delivered, and viewed. Relevant information relating to each piece of mail is extracted. The unique tag is used to track the corresponding piece of mail and its related information. Scanning each piece allows users to retrieve and view their mail from any location that allows access to the organization's network. By obtaining relevant information at various points of processing (e.g., from the envelope), the incoming mail can be monitored, released and processed in a controlled and intelligent manner.