An apparatus and method for scanning documents such as ID cards and bank checks that includes hinged cover and base assemblies. The base includes motor driven drive rollers for conveying a document along a paper path defined between the cover and base. The cover includes a plurality of pinch rollers forming part of a floating deck that is carried by cover structure and which is spring biased towards the base assembly. Two side-by-side scanning regions are provided, one of which is configured to scan flexible documents, the other of which is configured to scan rigid media such ID cards. Sensors detect the position of the document. A solenoid driven, replaceable ink stamp imprints a document to indicate that it has been scanned. A weight biased diverter is deflected by rigid documents to enable exit through a slot. An entrance guide includes an offset guide wall to improve feeding.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to scanning and document verification/authentication and in particular, to a method and apparatus for scanning and verifying/authenticating paper documents such as checks as well as rigid cards such as ID cards, driver licenses, credit cards, etc.

BACKGROUND ART

Historically, consumer checks presented to purchase an item(s) in a store, or, other small business required considerable handling. A presented check often required the store owner to be called upon (rather than the clerk) to authenticate. Accepted checks, then, at the end of the day were taken to the bank for deposit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a new and improved apparatus and method for scanning and/or verifying/authenticating paper documents such as checks as well as rigid cards such as ID cards, driver licenses, credit cards, etc. The illustrated apparatus comprises a compact/stand-alone scanner/imager that can scan both sides of a document in a single pass. The apparatus may also include MICR read capability and/or magnetic stripe read capability. In addition, the apparatus may optionally include an ink stamp mechanism for stamping indicia on the document being scanned to, in effect, “cancel” the document or, in other words, mark it with indicia to indicate that it has been processed. The illustrated apparatus may function in conjunction with a host system and can handle IDs, checks, driver licenses, credit cards and other paper/card based media.

According to a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes a cover assembly and a base assembly hingedly connected at one end to provide a clam shell type configuration. The base assembly includes at least one motor driven roller for conveying a document to be scanned along a paper path defined between the cover assembly and the base assembly. The cover assembly includes at least one pinch roller associated with the drive roller. When the cover is closed, the pinch roller confrontingly engages the drive roller in order to grip and drive a document along the paper path.

In the preferred and illustrated embodiment, the paper path defines two side-by-side scanning regions, one of which is configured to scan flexible documents such as bank checks, whereas the other of the regions is configured to scan rigid media such as ID cards. A plurality of sensors located in the scan regions are operative to detect the position of the document being scanned whereby movement of the document through a given scan region is controlled.

According to a feature of the invention, the base assembly includes a plurality of concurrently driven drive rollers and the cover assembly includes a plurality of associated pinch rollers. Preferably, the pinch rollers are mounted in a floating deck assembly that is carried by cover structure forming part of the cover assembly and which includes biasing elements such as springs for urging the deck assembly towards the assembly when the cover is closed.

The disclosed apparatus or machine can provide for the remote, automatic, deposit of a check to a bank electronically. Electronic image data can be created from the inserted document(s), and, forwarded for processing, authenticating, printing, etc. Preferably, the machine connects to a host through a USB, or alternatively through an ethernet interface. The host may be an on-line service or the regional office of a franchise, or the bank itself. The apparatus can forward ID and/or check images to the host when requested, or, optionally, it can directly forward data to a hub-connected printer. In addition the apparatus can identify inserted documents, detect and report scan errors, re-scan documents as necessary, store image data, and, return documents to the operator. It is feasible to combine the apparatus electrically and mechanically with an auto-feeder at the front and a document sorter to handle documents in volume. Alternatively, the unit can incorporate through its optional com-ports, peripherals such as a pin-pad, a keypad and/or a signature-pad.

Mechanically, the enclosed mechanism has optional mounting configurations available to the user: in a cradle, mounted on edge, on the wall, and, with alternative independent, paper-paths available. This machine can be a vital part of an improved system to receive presented checks for payment in a store, verify their authenticity, and, then instantly, and electronically deposit the checks in the store's bank. Efficiency is improved; fraud is reduced.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the apparatus may include an ink stamping mechanism for stamping indicia on the document being scanned. For example, the ink stamp mechanism may place a check “canceling” indicia on the check as it is being scanned. This indicia permanently marks the check and indicates to anyone handling the check that it has been processed.

According to another feature of the invention, the machine has an improved exit configuration to accommodate both rigid and semi-rigid documents. When a check is processed by the machine, it is deflected upwardly and discharged into a stacking tray. When rigid media, i.e., ID cards are processed, they are ejected from the machine and are not deflected or bent.

Additional features of the invention will become apparent and a fuller understanding obtained in reading the following detailed description made in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-3, illustrate the overall construction of a scanner/imager constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. InFIGS. 1 and 2, the unit10is shown schematically.

Referring first toFIGS. 1 and 2, the scanner/imager10is preferably a compact, stand-alone unit that is capable of scanning both sides of a document in a single pass. In addition, the unit preferably has MICR read capability and may also be capable of reading a magnetic stripe forming part of an ID card. The unit10is intended to function in conjunction with a host system to handle ID's, checks, driver licenses, credit cards, as well as other documents. In some configurations, the unit, in conjunction with a host computer or system, may provide for the remote, automatic deposit of a check to a bank electronically. It is also capable of creating electronic image data scanned from the document, which may be forwarded for processing, authentication, printing, etc. The unit is preferably connected to a host system through a USB, Ethernet or other interface. The host system may be an online service, a financial institution, i.e. bank or the regional office of a franchise.

The unit10includes a base10aand a cover assembly10bpivotally connected to the base. Referring toFIG. 2, the unit10is capable of reading a paper document such as a14check or a rigid card16such as an ID card, driver license, credit card, etc.

In the illustrated embodiment, the unit define two scan regions. A check14is intended to be read in a right-justified region (as viewed inFIG. 2) of the scanner/imager10. The rigid ID card16is intended to be read in a left-justified region of the scanner. In accordance with this feature, an input slot, indicated generally by the reference character20is defined between the cover10band the base10a.

As seen best inFIG. 2, the base10amounts a number of sensors used to detect documents and document movement. A sensor30and a sensor31are mounted at the input slot to detect insertion of a paper document or a rigid card, respectively. A sensor34is preferably longitudinally aligned with the sensor30and is operative to sense the leading edge of a check14being transported through the unit. A sensor33controls the positioning of a rigid ID card. A midfield sensor32is positioned to sense both a check and a rigid card. It should be noted that in the preferred embodiment, and as seen best inFIG. 2, a lower edge of the rigid ID card and an upper edge of the check overlap, or in other words, pass over the same region where the midfield sensor32is located. With this configuration, the midfield sensor may serve to detect skew in the document being scanned by monitoring the inner edge (the edge opposite the edge in contact with the guide) of the document or card being scanned.

According to the invention, the unit10is capable of scanning both sides of a check or ID card as it is transported between the base10aand cover10bby a transport mechanism to be described. Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, the base10amounts a contact image scanner (CIS)40and the cover10bmounts a substantially similar CIS42so that both sides of a document14or ID card16can be scanned in a single pass through the unit.

In the preferred and illustrated embodiment, the base10aalso mounts a MICR reader44which is operative to detect and read the magnetic based characters printed along the bottom of a check. These MICR readable characters are indicated schematically by the reference character46inFIGS. 2 and 3.

For purposes of explanation, the document read by the right region (as viewed inFIG. 2) of the unit10shall be referred to as a check. The rigid ID card which is capable of being read on the left region of the unit shall be referred to as an ID card. It should be noted, that the disclosed scanner/imager unit10is capable of reading various other types of paper documents and rigid cards, including credit cards, and should not be limited to checks or specific types of ID cards.

According to the invention, both sides of the check14or ID card16that is inserted into the entry slot20is scanned and read in a single pass through the machine. The check/ID card is conveyed through the unit by a transport mechanism shown schematically inFIG. 1. The transport mechanism includes a servo/stepper motor50that concurrently drives entrance and exit pulleys52,54by means of a drive belt56. The pulley52is operatively connected to a drive roller60(shown best inFIG. 2) whereas the exit pulley54is operatively connected to an exit drive roller62. The cover assembly10brotatably mounts a pressure roller64that is confrontingly engageable with the drive roller60when the cover is closed. Similarly, the cover assembly10balso rotatably mounts a pressure roller68that confrontingly engages the exit drive roller62when the cover is closed. In other words, the drive roller60, in conjunction with the pressure roller64, defines a pinch roller assembly for gripping and moving a check/ID card from the entry slot20into the machine. Similarly, the exit drive roller62, in combination with the pressure roller68, defines a pinch roller assembly for conveying the check/ID card to an exit slot/exit tray.

The base10balso mounts a pressure roller70which presses the check/ID card into scanning contact with the CIS42mounted in the cover10b. Similarly, the cover10bmounts a pressure roller72which presses the check/ID card into scanning contact with the CIS40mounted in the base.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 6B, a pressure roller69a(SeeFIG. 1) also presses a check14into scanning contact with the optional MICR reader44. The servo/stepper motor50is reversible so that a check/ID card may be reverse transported through the unit in order to re-scan the check/ID card or to discharge the check/ID card through the entry slot20rather than the exit slot.

FIGS. 3 and 4illustrate an image/scanner10that incorporates the features disclosed and described in connection with the schematic representations shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. The unit shown inFIG. 3includes an entrance guide80which helps direct a check and/or ID card into the entrance slot20that is defined between the cover10band base10a. InFIGS. 2 and 9, both an ID card16and a check14are shown as entering the scanner/imager10. In actual operation, either a check14or an ID card16, but not both, is inserted into the unit. The guide80includes upstanding guide walls80a,80bwhich aid in the alignment of the check/ID card with the entry slot20. As seen inFIG. 3, a check to be scanned is oriented so its right edge (as viewed inFIG. 3) abuts the guide wall80a. An ID card, on the other hand, is oriented so its left edge abuts the guide wall80b.

In the illustrated embodiment, the unit10also includes a discharge tray84for receiving and stacking checks14that are conveyed through the unit. As seen inFIG. 4, the unit10includes an opening defined generally by the reference character86which allows an ID card16(which is normally not bendable) to exit straight out the back of the scanner/imagery unit10.

According to a feature of the invention, a check14inserted into the entry slot20tends to be automatically aligned so that its longitudinal axis is orthogonal to the drive roller60. In accordance with this feature, the guide wall80ais offset in the range of 0.25° to 3° with respect to the intended direction of movement of the check as it moves through the unit10. In the illustrated construction, the guide wall80ais offset by 0.25°. If the right edge of the check14is placed in abutting contact with the guide80aas it is inserted into the unit, it has been found that as the check is engaged between the drive roller60and the pressure roller64(shown inFIG. 6) it tends to be rotated so that the longitudinal axis of the check D1is coincident with the desired direction of travel F1through the machine i.e. the longitudinal axis D1of the check14is orthogonal to the axis of rotation of the drive roll60. In effect, the check14pivots about a pivot point indicated by the reference character86which is a point where the inner end of the guide wall80ajoins the entry slot20.

Turning now toFIG. 6, the construction of the cover assembly10bis illustrated.FIG. 6illustrates an upper deck90that is loosely held within a cover shell92. As a result, the deck90floats with respect to the base10aand in particular, floats with respect to the lower deck91that forms part of the base10a. Referring to bothFIGS. 6 and 6B, the pressure rollers64and68are held in slot structure indicated generally by the reference character96. The slot structure96allows the pressure rolls64,68to move towards and away from their associated drive rollers60,62, respectively. The pressure roller64is urged towards pressure contact with its associated drive roller60by a plurality of springs98, preferably wire-form springs. The pressure roller68is also urged into pressure contact with its associated drive roller64by opposite ends of the springs98. The roller72which presses the item being scanned against the CIS40, is rotatably supported on an axle shaft that is preferably formed from a garter spring73. The ends of the garter spring73are captured in retaining structure97formed in the upper deck90. The use of a garter spring as the axle for the pressure roll72allows individual rollers72ato move independently of the other rollers as an item is being scanned. The “axle” urges each individual roller72ainto scanning contact with the CIS40. A similar axle arrangement and gather spring73are preferably used with the pressure roller70which is rotatably mounted within the base10a(seeFIG. 6C).

The deck91also mounts the spring biased pressure roller69which is used to press a document against the optional MICR sensor44(shown inFIG. 2). Referring in particular toFIG. 6B(new) the upper deck91reciprocally mounts a pressure roller assembly69that includes the roller69a(shown schematically inFIG. 1). The pressure roller assembly69is biased downwardly (as viewed inFIG. 6B) by a leaf spring99. The pressure roller assembly69is mounted for reciprocating movement in a holder69bforming part of the upper deck91.

The cover assembly10bincludes an outer shell or lid92which is attached to an upper frame member100. The upper frame member100rigidly supports the lid92. The deck90is floatingly attached to the upper frame100. To provide an overall downward bias for the deck90when the cover assembly10ais closed, a plurality of coil springs93are held in associated pockets104defined in the deck90. The coil springs93act between the pockets104and an underside of the upper frame100and apply a force to the deck90which urges it towards abutting contact with the lower deck91when the cover assembly10ais closed. With the disclosed floating arrangement of the upper deck components, a parting or reveal line between the cover assembly10band base10a, indicated generally by the reference character106, remains uniform and constant regardless of the position of the upper deck90or the thickness of items conveyed through the unit10.

Referring in particular toFIGS. 6 and 6B, the alignment or registration of the upper deck90with the lower deck91is achieved as follows. Referring in particular toFIG. 6B, the deck90includes a pair of integrally formed tabs or lugs110which are received in recesses or pockets defined by the lower deck91, when the cover assembly10bis closed. In addition, the deck includes integrally formed register pins111which engage and rest on lower frame segments114, which form part of the base10a(shown inFIG. 6D).

The cover assembly10bis pivotally connected to the base10a. In particular, the upper frame member100(shown inFIG. 6) includes a pair of spaced apart extension arms120(FIG. 4) which are releasably engageable with hinge structure defined by and carried within the base10aand indicated generally by the reference character122.

According to a feature of the invention, the top cover assembly10bcan be rotated more than 100° with respect to the base10a. Referring toFIG. 8, it can be seen that the check stacking tray84extends through an opening130in the lid92. In accordance with a feature of the invention, although the cover assembly10bcan be rotated through a rather large arc, the exit tray84is limited to rotation in a smaller arc so that the cover assembly10bcan be opened while checks are stacked in the exit tray84. This is achieved by configuring the opening130in the top cover assembly to provide clearance for the tray as well as providing an abutment or stop for the exit tray so that when the top cover is opened to a predetermined arc, i.e., 60°, the abutment preferably defined by the lower deck91prevents further movement in the exit tray84. The opening130provides clearance between the tray and the cover so that the cover assembly10bcan continue to rotate to its fully open position, even though the exit tray84remains stationary after engaging the abutment.

FIG. 9illustrates the path of movement for a check14and an ID card16. When a check14is scanned by the imager/scanner10, it preferably passes through the unit and is stacked in the exit tray84. As should be apparent inFIG. 9, as the check is driven toward the left as viewed inFIG. 9, a leading edge14aof the check14contacts the exit tray, and due the angular orientation of the tray, the leading edge14aof the check is deflected upwardly. When the check fully exits the unit, a trailing edge14bdrops into a trough indicated generally by the reference character110. The trough110is arranged such that multiple checks can be received and stacked in the exit tray84before being removed by an operator.

An ID card, on the other hand, is generally rigid and does not bend easily. Accordingly, an ID card is either discharged through the entry slot by reversing the transport direction or is discharged out the back of the machine through the slot or opening86defined by the check stacking tray84.

Referring toFIG. 5, a diverter140is located near the exit of the unit10and is pivotably movable to allow the unobstructed exit of a rigid card through the exit opening86. The diverter or deflector140is pivotally mounted in an “over center” configuration so that its own weight tends to maintain the deflector140in an upper or deflecting position. The deflecting position is best shown inFIG. 9. In this position, a flexible document such as a check does not have sufficient rigidity to cause downward movement of the deflector140and, hence, the deflector aids in diverting the flexible document upwardly into the stacking tray84. However, when a rigid document such as an ID card is scanned, its rigidity causes the deflector140to rotate downwardly against its weight bias, allowing the rigid document, i.e., ID card to exit directly out of the back of the machine through the slot86. As a consequence of this feature, flexible documents such as checks can be easily stacked in the output tray during bulk processing without compromising the ability of the unit to handle rigid ID cards. Once the rigid document is discharged, the deflector140returns to its upper, deflecting position due to its weight biased mounting.

According to a feature of the invention, the scanner/imager unit10may include an ink stamp for “cancelling” or otherwise permanently marking a document that has been scanned to indicate that the document has been processed. Referring toFIGS. 2,5,12and13, in the preferred and illustrated embodiment, an ink stamp mechanism150is mounted to and forms part of the lower deck91. As seen best inFIG. 2, after the document, i.e., check, passes the scan module40, it passes over the ink stamp150. According to the invention, if the document is to be stamped, it is paused at a predetermined position above the stamp and then the ink stamp is actuated to place indicia on the check.

Referring in particular toFIG. 12, the mechanism is shown in detail. In particular, the ink stamp150is mounted to the underside of the lower deck91. A lever arm assembly154is also mounted to the underside of the deck91. An electrically operated actuator or solenoid156, mounted to the underside of the lower deck91, is connected to one end of the lever arm154. The opposite end of the lever arm is operatively connected to the ink stamp150.

When the solenoid156is energized, a plunger156amoves downwardly, pulling with it, one end154aof the lever arm154. The opposite end154bof the lever arm pivots upwardly, thus causing the ink stamp150to move upwardly in order to contact and mark a document located above the ink stamp.

The ink stamp150is preferably of the self-inking type so that a separate ink supply is not required. When the ink is depleted, the ink stamp150is easily replaced. The ink stamp150is mounted for reciprocating movement in a holder158forming part of the lower deck91.

Referring also toFIGS. 5 and 13, the ink stamp150is easily replaceable. In particular, an access opening160(shown inFIG. 5) is provided to manually depress, using a suitable implement such as a pen, the outboard end154aof the lever154. Inserting the implement into the hole160, causes the downward movement of the lever end154awhich, in turn, causes the ink stamp150to be raised upwardly. The ink stamp element or module is best shown inFIG. 13. According to the invention, the ink stamp150includes a laterally extending alignment lug162and a pair of grippers164engageable with associated bosses/pins formed on legs166that extend laterally from an inner end154bof the lever154. Referring also toFIG. 12A, to install an ink stamp150into the unit, the ink stamp150is oriented such that its lug162is placed in an installed position as the ink stamp is inserted into the holder158. (The ink stamp150is inserted into the holder158from the top surface of the lower deck91.) The ink stamp is then rotated 90° so that the alignment lug162is received in a slot158a. As the ink stamp150is rotated, the grippers164engage pin/boss structure on the laterally extending legs166, thus coupling the ink stamp150to the lever arm154. Once coupled to the lever arm154, the ink stamp150is held in its operative position. The engagement of the lug162with the slot158ainhibits rotation of the ink stamp. As indicated above, activation of the solenoid156causes the upward movement of the ink stamp to place indicia on a document positioned above the ink stamp. To remove the ink stamp150, the above described procedure is reversed.

According to a feature of the invention, the signals generated by the continuous image scanners40,42are duplexed or multiplexed. By multiplexing the signals, both surfaces of the check/ID card can be scanned concurrently as the check/ID card moves through the unit. Consequently, only a single pass through the unit is required to fully scan both sides of the item.

The imaging data obtained by the scanners40,42may result in a graphics file such as a “tiff” file. The invention, however, contemplates using software (or hardware) to retrieve text from the imaging data. Specifically, optical character recognition technology (OCR) can be used to recognize and retrieve textual information from the graphical data.

According to a feature of the invention, the scanner/imager10may be oriented vertically to, for example, reduce its footprint on a desktop.FIGS. 10 and 11illustrate a vertical configuration for the imager/scanner10. In the preferred and illustrated embodiment, the scanner10includes a cradle indicated generally by the reference character120which defines an entry slot122and an exit slot124. In the illustrated configuration, the unit10is intended to scan bendable, sheet documents such as checks. In this configuration, an operator inserts a check into the slot122and into the guide80from where it enters the unit10through the entry slot20, i.e., is engaged by the driver roller60/pressure roller64assembly. The check is transported in a vertical plane through the vertically corrected scan region and is discharged into the exit slot124from where it drops into a receptacle or into an operator's hand.

Additional features and details of the invention can be found in the appendix attached hereto.

Although the foregoing has been described in conjunction with a preferred embodiment, it is to be appreciated that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.