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.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

For these and other reasons, improvements are desirable.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present disclosure, the above and other problems are solved by the following:

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.

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.

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

FIG. 1 is a schematic depiction of a network in which an electronic financial transaction may be placed, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of components included within a document processor according to a possible embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3A is a close-up schematic view of a one-way gate included within the document processor of FIG. 2;

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;

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;

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;

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;

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;

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;

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;

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;

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

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

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.