Patent Description:
Automated and semi-automated machines have been employed for processing documents. Further, in many instances it is desirable to obtain image data of the documents. However, documents may be organized either individually, in packets or in large stacks. If the documents are in packets or stacks the individual documents need to be separated to be scanned. Although advances have been made in the processing of such packets, it is desirable to have an improved system for feeding packets and larger stacks with minimal manual preparation.

Document <CIT> teaches an apparatus for scanning documents according to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

In light of the foregoing, an apparatus is provided for improving the semi- automated processing of packets of documents. The apparatus includes a feeder operable to receive a packet of a plurality of documents and separate the documents to serially feed the documents away from the feeder. The present invention propose an apparatus for processing documents according to claim <NUM>. The apparatus comprises:.

The drive mechanism is configured to further advance the packet into the feed slot as the feeder feeds documents from the packet to reduce the thickness of the packet.

In light of the foregoing, the present invention addresses various shortcomings of the prior art. For instance, according one aspect not part of the claimed invention, the present invention provides an apparatus for scanning packets of documents. The apparatus may include a feeder operable to receive a packet of documents wherein the feeder comprises an entry gap. A sensor detects a characteristic of the documents in a packet indicative of whether the number of documents in a packet exceeds a predetermined threshold. A drive mechanism controls the distance that the packet is advanced into the feeder in response to the detected characteristic of the packet. The apparatus may comprise a scanner for scanning the documents to obtain image data for the documents and it may comprise a generally horizontal conveyor for conveying packets of documents to the drive mechanism.

According to another aspect not part of the claimed invention, an apparatus for processing documents is provided that includes a feeder a pre-singulator and a sensor. The feeder may be operable to receive a packet of a plurality of documents and separate the documents to serially feed the documents away from the feeder. The pre- singulator may be disposed adjacent the feeder. The pre-singulator may comprise a first roller and a second roller forming a first nip for receiving a packet of documents. The first roller may be displaceable away from the second roller to form a gap having a height between the first and second rollers. The sensor may be operable to detect a characteristic of the transaction indicative of whether the number of documents in the transaction exceeds a predetermined threshold. A controller may be provided which independent controls the operation of the two pre-feeders. Optionally, the controller controls the position of the first roller to control the height of the first gap.

According to another aspect not part of the claimed invention, an apparatus for processing documents having a controller a sensor array and either a sorter or a scanner is provided. The controller may control the processing of the documents being processed by the sorter or scanner. The sensor array may comprise a plurality of sensors. Optionally, the sensors may be spaced apart from one another and the sensors may be positioned to allow an operator to displace a document over one or more sensors of the array. The controller may receive signals from the sensor array indicative of which sensor or sensors the document was passed over and the order in which the document passed over the sensor(s). The sensor array may be configured so that passing a document over the sensors from a first direction identifies the document as a first type of document and passing the document over the sensors from a second direction identifies the document as a second type of document. The controller may electronically tag the document based on the document type identified using the sensor array.

According to another aspect not part of the claimed invention, the present invention provides a method for processing documents. The method may include the step of passing a first document over a sensor array having a plurality of sensors, wherein the step of passing the first document over the sensor array comprises displacing the document in a first direction. The method may include the step of electronically tagging the first document as being a first document type based on the step of passing the first document in the first direction over the sensor array. The method may also include the step of passing a second document over the sensor array by displacing the document in a second direction and the method may also include the step of electronically tagging the second document as being a second document type based on the step of passing the second document in the second direction over the sensor array. The method may also include the step of controlling the processing of either a scanner or a sorter to process the first document type differently from the second document type.

According to a further aspect not part of the claimed invention, the invention provides a method for processing documents, comprising the steps of displacing a document relative to a sensor in a first direction to identify the document as a first document type and the step of displacing the document in a second direction relative to the sensor array to identify the document as a second document type. The method may also include the step of controlling the first processing of the document based on whether the document is identified as a first document type or a second document type. For instance, the document may be electronically tagged as the first document type. Alternatively, the document may be sorted to a first area if the document is identified as a first document type or the document may be sorted to a second area if the document is identified as a second document type. Alternatively, the document may be scanned by a scanner in a first manner if the document is identified as a first document type or the document may be scanned in a second manner if the document is identified as a second document type.

According to a further aspect not part of the claimed invention, the present invention provides an apparatus for scanning documents, comprising a generally horizontal conveyor, a scanner for scanning the documents dropped onto the conveyor a first support and a second support. In a first orientation the first and second supports are spaced apart from one another with the conveyor between the first support and the second support so that the conveyor is spaced off the ground. In a second orientation the first and second supports pivot to collapse the apparatus for transportation.

According to another aspect not part of the claimed invention, the present invention provides a method for scanning documents. The method may include the step of providing a scanner workstation that may have a generally horizontal conveyor, a scanner for scanning the documents, a first support that is displaceable, and a second support that is displaceable. The method may include the step of displacing the first and second supports into a first orientation in which the first and second supports are spaced apart from one another with the conveyor between the first support and the second support so that the conveyor is spaced off the ground and provides an open area between the conveyor and the ground. The method may also include the step of inserting a portion of the scanning workstation onto a vehicle and then displacing the first and second supports into a second orientation to collapse the apparatus for transportation while the portion of the scanning workstation supports the scanning workstation.

The foregoing summary and the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be best understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which:.

Referring now to the figures in general and to <FIG> in particular, a document scanning workstation <NUM> is illustrated. The workstation <NUM> processes documents by dropping the documents individually or in stacks onto a conveyor that conveys the documents to an imaging station. The imaging station separates the documents, serially feeding the documents to an imager that obtains image data for the documents. The documents are then sorted into one or more output bins.

The present system is directed to improving the flow of documents in a document processing system. The system has particular application to workstations directed to processing documents, and has particular application to processing packets of documents to scan the documents to obtain image data. In an exemplary embodiment, the workstation is configured as a semi-automated system for processing documents of a variety of types, including documents of varying size as well as folded documents, such as documents extracted from envelopes. The system may be incorporated into a larger system that includes elements such as a cutting station for cutting open envelopes and an extraction station for opening the envelopes to present the documents to the user for extraction. However, it should be understood that the present system has application to systems that do not incorporate document extraction features, but are instead directed to processing documents generally. For instance, features of the present system may be incorporated into a system that does not include the extraction features, but includes the horizontal conveyor, scanning station and sorting station. Further still, features of the system may have application generally in a document processing system in which it is desirable to manually feed packets of documents into the system without organizing or otherwise preparing the packets for feeding into the system.

With the foregoing in mind, a general overview of the flow of documents in an exemplary system for processing mail is as follows. Initially, a stack of envelopes containing documents, referred to as a job, is placed into an input bin. A feeder <NUM> removes the lead envelope <NUM> from the front of the stack and transfers the envelope to a feed tray.

The envelope <NUM> in the feed tray is edge-justified by a plurality of opposing rollers. From the feed tray, the envelope <NUM> drops into a side cutter, which severs the side edge of the envelope if desired. From the side cutter, the envelope drops into a shuttle. The shuttle moves vertically to adjust the height of the top edge of the envelope to account for variations in the height of the different envelopes in the job. The shuttle moves vertically until the height of the top edge of the envelope <NUM> is within an acceptable range for advancing the envelope into a top cutter. The envelope is then transported to the top cutter, which severs the top edge of the envelope <NUM>.

From the top cutter the envelope is advanced to an extraction station <NUM>. The extraction station <NUM> pulls apart the front and back faces of the envelope to present the contents of the envelope for removal. An operator then manually removes the contents from the envelope <NUM>.

After the operator removes the documents from the envelope <NUM>, the apparatus <NUM> automatically advances the envelope to a verifier <NUM>. The verifier <NUM> verifies that all of the documents were removed from the envelope before the envelope is discarded. From the verifier <NUM> the envelope is conveyed into a waste container. Alternatively, the envelope <NUM> may be manually removed and imaged at the imaging station <NUM>.

After the documents are extracted at the extraction station, the operator unfolds as needed and drops or places the extracted documents onto a drop conveyor <NUM> that transports the documents toward an imaging station <NUM>. An imaging entry feeder <NUM> receives the documents from the drop conveyor <NUM> and controls the feeding of the documents into the imaging station <NUM>. The image entry feeder <NUM> is configured to receive and feed documents of various sizes and condition. For instance, frequently documents are folded in an envelope. When the documents are extracted and opened up, the documents are creased or folded so that they do not lie flat. The feeder <NUM> is preferably configured to receive such creased or folded documents and serially feed the folded documents into the imaging station <NUM> with minimal manual preparation by the operator.

The imaging station <NUM> includes an imager <NUM> that obtains image data for each document as the document is conveyed past the device. For instance, preferably the imager <NUM> is a scanner that obtains gray scale or color image data representing an image of each document. The scanner scans each document at a plurality of points as the document is conveyed past the scanner. The information for each document is stored in a data file for each document so that the image data can be accessed at a later time.

From the imaging device, preferably an imaging transport conveys the documents to a sorting station <NUM> that sorts the documents into a plurality of output bins <NUM>. The documents can be sorted in a variety of ways. For instance, the documents can be sorted based on document information obtained from the image data received at the imaging station <NUM>. Alternatively, the operator may indicate information regarding a document before it is scanned, so that the document is sorted according to the information indicated by the operator. Yet another alternative is that the documents may be stacked into one or more bins simply based on the order in which the documents are processed.

Since many of the documents may be creased, ordinarily the documents will not readily stack in a compact manner so that relatively fewer creased documents can be discharged into a bin before the bin is full. Accordingly, the documents may be processed by an uncreaser, which is an element that reduces the creasing or folds in the documents. The uncreaser flattens or straightens the documents so that they lay more flatly in the output bins so that more documents can be discharged into a bin before the bin is full.

A controller controls the processing of the mail in response to signals received from various sensors at various locations of the workstation <NUM> and in response to parameters set for the job by the operator. For instance, in response to an indication from a sensor in the feed tray that there is no envelope in the feed tray, the controller sends a signal to the feeder envelope <NUM> indicating that an envelope should be fed from the input bin to the feed tray. Similarly, in response to an indication from a sensor in the shuttle that there is no envelope in the shuttle, the controller sends a signal to the feed tray indicating that an envelope should be dropped from the feed tray into the shuttle.

The workstation is divided into numerous functionally separate sections, which include: a feeding station <NUM>, a side cutting station, a top cutting station, the extraction station <NUM>, the verification station <NUM>, the imaging station <NUM>, and the sorting station <NUM>. In most cases, the controller controls the operation of the various sections independently from each other. This independence allows several operations to proceed simultaneously or asynchronously as required. As a result, a slow down in one section does not necessarily slow down all of the other sections.

In addition, preferably the operations of the apparatus from the drop conveyor through the sorting station are controlled separately from the operation of the other stations. Further, preferably, an operator interface is provided so that the operator can intervene to control the processing of the documents. Specifically, preferably a touch screen display <NUM> is provided that allows the operator to enter various information regarding the documents.

In the foregoing description, the imaging work station <NUM> is described as including a variety of stations for opening envelopes so that documents can be extracted from the envelopes and then scanned. Alternatively, an alternative embodiment is illustrated in <FIG> in which the imaging work station is designated <NUM>'. In this alternative embodiment, the work station includes a substantially similar drop conveyor <NUM>, imaging station <NUM> and sorting station <NUM>. However, the alternative work station <NUM>' does not include the envelope feeding, cutting and opening stations as illustrated in <FIG>. Therefore, it should be understood that the following description of the drop conveyor, image entry station, imaging station and sorting station are applicable for both the first and second embodiments illustrated in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the drop conveyor <NUM> is configured to receive a variety of documents, including, but not limited to documents extracted from the envelopes. The conveyor <NUM> is disposed along the front edge of the work station <NUM>, such that the conveyor is operable to convey documents adjacent to and parallel to the front edge of the work station. In addition, the conveyor preferably conveys the dropped documents toward the left hand side of the workstation from the perspective of <FIG>.

The conveyor is configured to receive documents that are dropped onto the conveyor in a generally horizontal or substantially horizontal orientation and then convey the dropped documents to the imaging station <NUM>. In this way, the operator can readily extract and, if necessary, unfold documents and simply drop a document or packet of documents onto the conveyor with minimal preprocessing of the documents to prepare the documents for scanning.

Although the operator preferably drops the documents onto the drop zone of the conveyor, the drop zone is a substantial area that is much larger than the documents. Accordingly, the operator does not need to be precise with the location and orientation that the documents are dropped onto on the conveyor. However, preferably the operator drops the documents so that the documents are front face up on the conveyor.

To this end, referring to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, preferably the conveyor <NUM> is a roller bed conveyor. The bed of rollers provides a generally horizontal surface onto which documents can be dropped. The roller bed comprises a plurality of horizontally disposed cylindrical rollers driven by a belt engaging the bottom of the rollers, which in turn is driven by a motor controlled by the system controller. The rollers <NUM> may be parallel to each other and perpendicular to the direction of travel so that the documents move straight along the roller bed <NUM>. However, preferably, the rollers are skewed so that the rollers drive the documents forwardly along the roller bed and laterally toward a justification rail <NUM>. In this way, the skewed rollers <NUM> drive the documents against the rail <NUM> to edge-align or justify an edge of the documents against the rail.

Each of the rollers <NUM> comprises a plurality of grooves sized to receive O-rings. The O-rings have a higher coefficient of friction than the surface of the rollers, to provide an area of increased friction between the roller bed and the documents, thereby improving the justification of the documents. As mentioned previously, the document rests on the rollers. Therefore, as the rollers <NUM> rotate, the rollers move the documents forwardly.

Although, the drop conveyor <NUM> has been described as a roller bed conveyor, alternative types of conveyors can be utilized as the drop conveyor. For instance, the drop conveyor may comprise a horizontal conveyor belt. If a conveyor belt is used, preferably the belt is skewed toward the rail <NUM> so that the belt justifies the documents against the rail. Alternatively, rather than a single conveyor belt, the drop conveyor may comprises a plurality of smaller conveyor belts onto which the documents may be dropped.

Although the conveyor <NUM> is referred to as a horizontal conveyor, preferably the drop conveyor is angled downwardly so that gravity urges the documents toward the guide rail <NUM>. Preferably the conveyor <NUM> is angled at approximately five degrees, however, the angle may be higher, and in fact, the angle of the conveyor may be increased to a point that the conveyor is vertical rather than horizontal. In addition, preferably the imaging station and sorting station are angled downwardly similarly to the drop conveyor.

As an operator processes documents, the operator may notice characteristics of various documents that would affect the processing of the document or transaction. Since the system is configured to process a wide variety of documents, there may be numerous characteristics that could affect how a document is processed. Therefore, the system provides an interface that allows the operator to input information about numerous characteristics of a document.

The system includes an interface, such as a touch screen <NUM>, which the operator may use to identify the document-type prior to dropping the document onto the conveyor <NUM> for processing. Additionally, the system may include a gesture-based document identification assembly <NUM> for readily identifying the document-type prior to dropping the document. The document ID assembly <NUM> is configured to identify several different document-types by simply inserting the document into the document ID assembly in a particular manner so that the operator can quickly and easily identify the document-type.

The document ID assembly <NUM> is a small tower that includes a plurality of sensor arrays 60a, 60b, 60c. Each sensor array is separately operable to identify a particular characteristic of the document to signal how the document is to be processed. For instance, each sensor array is operable to identify the document-type, which then may be used to determine how the scanned image data for the document is to be processed. The number of sensor arrays and the orientation of the sensor arrays may vary, however, in the present instance, the document ID assembly <NUM> includes three generally horizontal slots <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. More specifically, the three slots are spaced apart from one another and are oriented in a vertical column so that the upper slot <NUM> is above the middle slot <NUM>, which is above the lower slot <NUM>. The document ID assembly housing is configured to provide access from the right and left sides of the document ID assembly and from the front of the assembly. Accordingly, the slots are configured so that the operator can easily insert a document into any of the three slots <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to identify the document-type.

A sensor array 60a, 60b or 50c is disposed within each of the three slots. The sensor arrays may be configured in a variety of orientations. In the present instance, each sensor array includes three separate document sensors. For instance, referring to <FIG>, sensor array 60a is disposed within upper slot and sensor array 60a includes three sensors spaced apart from one another. For example, the sensors may be positioned so that all three sensors are in a line from the right side of the upper slot toward the left side of the upper slot or from the front opening of the slot toward the rear wall of the upper slot. However, in the present instance, the sensors are oriented so that the three sensors 62a, 62b, 62c form an offset configuration. In particular, the first sensor 62a is positioned adjacent the left edge about halfway toward the rear wall of the upper slot <NUM>. The second sensor 62b is located adjacent the front edge of the upper slot <NUM> about halfway across the width of the upper slot. The third sensor 62c is located adjacent the right edge of the upper slot about halfway toward the rear wall. Positioned in this way, the three sensors form a triangular pattern.

The sensors may be any of a variety of sensors for detecting the presence of a document in the respective slot of the document ID assembly. However, in the present instance, each sensor comprises an emitter positioned in the lower wall of the respective slot and a receiver positioned in the upper wall of the slot. The sensor operate as beam break sensors so that when a documents is placed between the emitter and the receiver, the document blocks the signal from the emitter so that the receiver does not receive the signal from the emitter. In this way, when the document blocks the sensor, a controller, such as a microprocessor receives a signal from the sensor and interprets the signal to indicate that a document has been inserted into the respective slot. One exemplary type of sensor to be used in the sensor arrays is an infra red emitter and receiver pair. However, it should be understood that a variety of alternate document detectors can be used to detect the presence of a document.

Although each slot of the document identification assembly can be configured differently, in the present instance, the layout of the sensors in each of the arrays is substantially similar. Specifically, in each array 60a, 60b, 60c, the sensors 62a, 62bb 62c are spaced apart from one another in an offset pattern to form a triangular configuration.

By using multiple sensors in each array, the same array can be used to automatically identify several different document types. For example, if the operator inserts the document into the upper slot by inserting the document into the upper slot <NUM> from right to left-in essence swiping the document through the slot-the right sensor 62c will first detect the document, then the middle sensor 62b will detect the document, then the left sensor will detect the document. The system controller receives the signals from the sensor array and identifies the document as a first document-type when the signals from the sensors are: right, middle, left. The system controller then controls the processing of the document image and/or sorts the document accordingly. Conversely, if the document is swiped through the upper slot from left to right, the order of signals from the sensors will be reversed (i.e. left 62a, middle 62b then right 62c). When the system controller receives such a sequence of signals, the system controller identifies the document as a second document-type and processes the document images and/or sorts the document accordingly. Further still, since the middle sensor 62b is offset from the left and right sensor 62a, 62c, the sensor array can be used to identify a third document-type in response to inserting the document straight into the upper slot <NUM> rather than swiping the document through the slot from right to left or from left to right. When the document is inserted straight (or generally straight) into the upper slot <NUM>, the middle sensor 62b will first detect the presence of the document. As the document is inserted further, the left and/or right sensor(s) will then detect the presence of the document, depending on whether the document is skewed. When the system controller receives a sequence of signals in which the middle sensor first detects the document and then receives a signal from one or both of the right and left sensors, the system identifies the document or documents as being a third document-type and processes the images and/or sorts the document(s) accordingly.

As mentioned above, the document identification assembly <NUM> includes three insertion slots <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, each having an array of multiple sensors. In the present instance, each sensor array 60a. 60b, 60c is operable to identify three different document types based on the manner in which the document is inserted into the insertion slot. Configured as such, the system is capable of identifying nine unique document types. Since each different document-type can be identified by swiping the document over a sensor array in the identification assembly, the system allows rapid identification of numerous document-types so that the operator does not need to waste time inputting information into the system to identify the document type for documents that require special or separate processing.

Although the document identification system has been described as having three input slots each having an array of three sensors, it should be understood that the number of sensor arrays and the number of sensors in each array may be varied depending on the application. For instance, identifying three document-types may be sufficient for many applications. In such an instance, the document identification assembly <NUM> may only include a single array of three sensors. Similarly, rather than including three sensors, each array may include just two sensors so that each array is only capable of detecting swiping in two directions rather than three. Accordingly, it should be understood that the document identification assembly can be varied to provide different configurations of arrays that use different motions for distinguishing between document-types. Further still, the document-type identification can be determined based on only one or more of the sensors in an array. For instance, the operator may insert a document into one of the slots so that only the left sensors is blocked and then the document is pulled back out without covering any of the other sensors. As long as no other document is inserted into the same sensor array within a pre-determined time frame, the system will determine the document-type based on the signal from the one sensor. In this way, the number of gestures can be increased to increase the number of different document types that can be identified by a gesture.

For instance, returning again to the embodiment in which the document identification assembly <NUM> includes three array of three sensors, in the above-description, each array is able to identify three document types based on the gesture used (e.g. left to right swipe, right to left swipe or in and out swipe). By combining multi-sensor gestures with gestures that swipe fewer sensors, the number of gestures could be more than doubled: a) left to right in-and-out swipe in which only the left sensor is swiped, b) right to left in-and-out swipe in which only the right sensor is swiped, c) in-and-out swipe of the front sensor; d) right to left swipe in which the right and center sensor are swiped but not the left sensor; (e) left to right swipe in which the left and center sensors are swiped but not the right sensor; (f) skewed right in-and-out swipe in which the center sensor and then the right sensor is swiped but not the left sensor; and skewed left in-and-out swipe in which the center and then the left sensor are swiped but not the right sensor.

Utilizing this method, the system can be used to identify a variety of document characteristics, and process the documents accordingly. Although a primary purpose for identifying the document-type is to control processing of the scanned image(s) of the identified document or packet of documents, it may be desirable to identify certain documents and sort those documents to a particular bin. Accordingly, the document-type determination can be used to control any of a variety of subsequent processing steps for the identified document(s). However, identifying the document-type is typically done to identify a characteristic of the document to process the scanned image in a particular manner. For example, a characteristic may be to identify whether the document is printed in a landscape orientation. If a standard <NUM>-<NUM>/<NUM> x <NUM> sheet of paper is identified as being in a landscape orientation, the system can auto-rotate the image appropriately so it can be displayed in a landscape orientation rather than in a portrait orientation.

Accordingly, the system can be used to identify numerous features, such as the following:.

This list of document features illustrates some of the different characteristics that can be identified by the operator. In addition, numerous other characteristics can be identified for different type of documents and different applications. Accordingly, the above list is not an exhaustive list of all of the features that can be used to tag documents for different processing.

Referring to <FIG>, the details of the image entry feeder <NUM> will be described in greater detail. The image entry feeder is positioned adjacent the end of the drop conveyor <NUM>, so that the drop feeder conveys the documents to the image entry feeder, which in turn feeds the documents to the imaging station <NUM>. As the documents are conveyed to the image entry feeder <NUM>, the documents are generally horizontally disposed, riding on top of the drop conveyor <NUM> and are edge-aligned against the justification rail <NUM>.

The image entry feeder <NUM> is operable to serially feed documents from the drop conveyor <NUM> to the imaging station <NUM> so that the documents can be individually imaged. The image entry feeder <NUM> is operable to receive a number of different types of documents, including individual documents, envelopes, and packets of envelopes. In the following discussion, a packet of documents should be understood to mean a group of two or more documents that are in overlapping relation, as opposed to a number of documents that may be related, but which are conveyed serially to the image entry feeder. A packet may be as few as two documents, but may be substantially more. Specifically, as discussed further below, the system may be configured to process large packets of <NUM>, <NUM> or even <NUM> documents. When a group of documents becomes large it is commonly referred to as a stack. However, for ease of discussion, it should be understood that a packet includes any group of two or more documents, including large packets commonly referred to as a stack.

When processing packets, the image entry feeder <NUM> separates and serially feeds each document in a packet to the imaging station <NUM>. The image entry feeder <NUM> includes a pre-feeder assembly <NUM> and a feeder <NUM>. The pre-feeder assembly <NUM> is configured to prepare packets for entry into the feeder <NUM>, thereby reducing the likelihood of a jam occurring as a packet enters or is processed by the feeder.

The pre-feeder assembly <NUM> comprises a first pre-feeder <NUM> and a second pre-feeder <NUM> that control the packet of documents travelling from the drop conveyor <NUM> to the feeder <NUM>. The first pre-feeder assembly <NUM> includes a pair of opposing rollers <NUM> and <NUM> that form a nip. An angled guide at the end of the justification rail <NUM> overhangs the conveyor <NUM> and directs the documents downwardly toward the nip of the first pre-feeder assembly <NUM>. More specifically, for folded documents that were unfolded but remained creased or documents that are otherwise not flat, an upper edge of the documents tends to be spaced off the surface of the drop conveyor. The justification rail <NUM> has a lip overhanging the drop conveyor <NUM>, so that this upper edge of the documents tends to be displaced under the lip of the justification rail as the conveyor tends to move the documents toward the justification rail. The angled guide interacts with the justification rail <NUM>, so that the upper edge of the folded documents is flattened downwardly toward the conveyor so that the leading edge of the document can enter the nip of the first pre-feeder assembly rather than folding over.

As mentioned above, the first pre-feeder assembly includes an upper roller <NUM> and a lower roller <NUM> that form a nip. The upper roller <NUM> is a drive roller, and the lower roller <NUM> is a driven roller. The upper roller <NUM> is mounted on a pivoting arm <NUM> that pivots about a pivot shaft at a pivot axis <NUM>. A biasing element biases the pivot shaft to urge the upper roller <NUM> toward the lower roller <NUM>. As documents enter the first pre-feeder assembly <NUM>, the roller and pivoting arm pivot away from the lower roller against the bias of the biasing element to form a gap large enough to accommodate the document or packet of documents entering the first pre-feeder assembly. As the trailing end of the document or packet of documents exits the first pre-feeder assembly <NUM>, the upper roller <NUM> pivots into engagement with the driven roller <NUM> until the subsequent document or packet enters the first pre-feeder assembly. Alternatively, if the packet includes numerous documents, an actuator may pivot the upper roller <NUM> upwardly (counter-clockwise from the perspective of <FIG>) to reduce the likelihood that the first pre-feeder <NUM> pushes the top documents off the packet as the packet enters the first pre-feeder. The details of driving the pre-feeders upwardly are discussed further below.

The lower roller <NUM> of the first pre-feeder <NUM> is rotatably mounted on a fixed shaft, and may operate simply as an idler roller. In the present instance, the lower roller is coupled to the fixed shaft via a torque limiting device <NUM>. A variety of torque limiting devices can be utilized, and in the present instance, the lower roller is connected with the shaft via a magnetic torque limiter.

From the first pre-feeder assembly <NUM>, the documents enter the second pre-feeder assembly <NUM>. The second pre-feeder also includes a driven upper roller <NUM> biased toward a driven lower roller <NUM> to form a nip.

As discussed above, the first and second pre-feeders <NUM>, <NUM> comprise drive rollers that are biased toward opposing driven rollers. Although the upper drive rollers <NUM>, <NUM> are pivotable to accommodate thick packets of documents, the upper rollers may tend to push the upper documents in the stack rearwardly (i.e. upstream toward the drop conveyor) as the packet enters the pre-feeders. To maintain the packets in a neat stack, it may be desirable to automatically lift the upper rollers <NUM>, <NUM> of the pre-feeders prior to the packet entering the first pre-feeder <NUM>.

A variety of actuators may be used to drive the pre-feeder pivot arms upwardly, such as a linear drive element (e.g. a solenoid) or a rotary drive mechanism (a motor with a rotary output shaft). In the present instance, a first motor <NUM> is operably linked with the pivot arm <NUM> of the first pre-feeder <NUM>. Specifically, motor <NUM> is a servo motor that drives an arm <NUM> clockwise or counter-clockwise (from the perspective of <FIG>). In the present instance, the connecting linkage is a biasing element, such as a spring. The spring extends from the arm <NUM> to a rod extending through post <NUM> that projects away from pivot arm <NUM> (shown in <FIG>). In this way, when the controller actuates the servo motor <NUM> to lift the arm <NUM> of the first pre-feeder <NUM>, the servo motor rotates arm <NUM> counter-clockwise, which in turn pulls down post <NUM>, which in turn rotates pivot arm <NUM> counter-clockwise (from the perspective of <FIG>) thereby raising the pivots arms. In this way, the upper roller <NUM> of the first pre-feeder <NUM> is raised so that the bottom edge of the upper roller is near or above the top surface of the packet of documents. The same actuator may be used to lift both the first and the second pre-feed arms. However, in the present instance, the second pre-feeder <NUM> is actuated independently by a separate actuator. Specifically, the second pre-feeder includes a second servo motor and linkage configured similarly to the servo motor <NUM> and linkage described above.

The pre-feeder assembly <NUM> may be controlled so that the pre-feeder arms are pivoted upwardly before each document or packet of documents enters the pre-feeder assembly. However, lifting the pre-feed roller <NUM> and <NUM> is primarily beneficial when the packet is a thick packet of a significant number of documents. Accordingly, a thickness detector positioned along the drop conveyor <NUM> detects the thickness of documents as they are conveyed along the drop conveyor <NUM>. If a packet of documents exceeds a threshold, the pre-feeder arms are lifted before the packet enters the pre-feeder assembly.

A variety of sensors can be used to measure the thickness of packets on the conveyor <NUM>. In the present instance, one or more reflective sensors are mounted on the justification rail <NUM> at the front edge of the machine. If a sensor adjacent the end of the conveyor (adjacent the pre-feeder assembly <NUM>) detects a thickness exceeding a threshold, the controller sends signals to the servo motors connected to the pre-feed arms <NUM>, <NUM>. In response to the signals, the servo motors drive the linkages to lift the arms.

Once the pivots arms <NUM>, <NUM> are raised, the drop conveyor <NUM> continues to drive the packet forwardly into the pre-feeder assembly. A first sensor between the first and second pre-feeder is operable to detect the leading edge of the packet. For instance, the first sensor may be a beam break sensor, such as an emitter and receiver pair. If the first sensor detects the leading edge of the thick packet, the leading edge of the packet has entered the first pre-feeder <NUM>. Therefore, the servo motor <NUM> de-actuates, pivoting arm <NUM> clockwise (from the perspective of <FIG>) which reduces the spring force pulling on post <NUM> of pivot arm <NUM>. As a result, the first pre-feed arm pivots downwardly so that drive roller <NUM> contacts the top document in the packet. The second servo motor may also be de-actuated to allow the second pre-feed arm to lower at the same time. However, to limit the likelihood that the second pre-feeder lowers before the packet enters the pre-feeder, the second servo motor is de-actuated after the first servo motor. Specifically, a second sensor downstream from the first sensor may control de-actuation of the second servo motor. Specifically, the second sensor may be positioned closer to the second pre-feeder assembly <NUM> and when the leading edge of the packet is detected by the second sensor, the controller controls the second servo motor to lower the second pre-feeder arm <NUM> so that the upper wheel of the second pre-feeder lowers into contact with the top document in the packet of documents.

As described above, the first pre-feeder <NUM> and the second pre-feeder <NUM> cooperate to drive documents toward the feeder <NUM>. The first and second pre-feeders may be controlled in tandem, however, in the present instance, the first pre-feeder <NUM> is controlled independently of the second pre-feeder. For example, a first clutch <NUM> may control engagement of the first pre-feeder. More specifically, a first drive belt <NUM> may drive the driven roller <NUM> of the first pre-feeder. The first clutch <NUM> is operable to engage and disengage the first drive belt with the drive motor. Similarly, a second clutch <NUM> may control engagement of the second pre-feeder. Specifically, a second drive belt <NUM> may drive the driven roller <NUM> of the second pre-feeder. The second clutch <NUM> is operable to engage and disengage the second drive belt with the drive motor. Additionally, rather than a single drive motor for both the first and second pre-feeders, the pre-feeder assembly <NUM> may include two separate drive motors to drive the drive rollers <NUM>, <NUM>. Further still, in the present instance, the drive motor that drives the first and second pre-feeders <NUM>, <NUM>, may also drive the feeder <NUM>. If a single drive motor is used to drive both pre-feeders and the feeder, the system may include a third clutch that selectively engages and disengages the feeder with the drive motor.

As shown in <FIG>, a packet detector <NUM> is positioned between the first pre-feeder assembly <NUM> and the second pre-feeder assembly <NUM>. The packet detector may be configured to provide indicia of the number of documents being conveyed from the first pre-feeder assembly <NUM> to the second pre-feeder assembly. In one manner, the thickness detector may determine the thickness of the document or packet of documents and then estimates the number of documents based on the assumed thickness for an individual document. However, in the present instance, the thickness detector <NUM> does not directly measure the thickness of the document or packet. Instead, the thickness detector <NUM> is an ultrasonic detector that uses ultrasound waves emitted from a transmitter and received by a receiver. Based on the signals received by the receiver, the number of transitions between sheets of papers can be determined to evaluate how many documents are in a stack. More specifically, the packet detector <NUM> detects whether the transaction in the pre-feeder is a packet of two or more documents as opposed to a single document.

The feeder <NUM> includes a plurality of feedbelts <NUM> spaced apart from one another across the width of the image entry feeder module <NUM>. Although a single wide belt could be used, in the present instance, the feeder incorporates parallel belts mounted about a plurality of rollers. Specifically, in the present instance, the feeder <NUM> includes a drive roller <NUM> mounted on a drive shaft <NUM>. The feedbelts <NUM> are also entrained about a pair of driven rollers 164a, 164b as shown in <FIG>. Roller 164a, 164b may be aligned with the drive roller <NUM> to create an upper belt run and a parallel lower belt run. However, in the present instance roller 164b is offset from a line passing through the axis of drive roller <NUM> and driven roller 164a. In this way, the lower run of feed belts <NUM> have a first portion angled downward and a second portion angled upwardly as shown in <FIG>. The rollers <NUM>, <NUM> are rotatably mounted between a pair of mounting brackets. The front mounting bracket is a flat arm, whereas the rear mounting bracket includes an attached lifting arm for pivoting the feeder.

The feeder <NUM> is driven by drive shaft <NUM>, and is also pivotable about the drive shaft. For instance, in <FIG> the feeder <NUM> is pivoted downwardly into an operation position in which the feeder can feed documents. However, the feeder <NUM> may be pivoted upwardly about drive shaft <NUM> (clockwise from the perspective of <FIG>) to allow removal of documents that may be jammed in the feeder.

A retard mechanism <NUM> is disposed below the feeder <NUM> opposing the feeder to selectively impede the entrance of documents into the feeder. The retard mechanism <NUM> selectively cooperates with the feed belts <NUM> to separate the documents in a packet. An angled ramp guides documents exiting the nip of the second pre-feeder assembly <NUM>, and directs the documents toward the area between the feeder belts <NUM> and the retard assembly <NUM>. The retard mechanism <NUM> includes a high friction retard pad <NUM>.

If the packet detector <NUM> determines that the transaction is only a single document, the transaction does not need to be singulated by the feeder, so the document continues through the pre-feeder assembly <NUM> without being stopped. In contrast, if the packet detector determines that the transaction travelling from the first pre-feeder <NUM> to the second pre-feeder <NUM> has two or more documents then the packet is advanced to the feeder <NUM> and stopped at the feeder so that the feeder can singulate the documents in the packet.

As discussed further below, once the system determines that a transaction is a packet, the system may control the advancement of the packet based on the number of documents in the packet. More specifically, the distance that the packet advances before being stopped at the feeder may be controlled based on the thickness of the packet,.

As discussed previously, in addition to the packet detector <NUM>, a pre-feed sensor is also provided, which senses the leading edge of a document or packet as the document or packet is conveyed through the pre-feeder assembly <NUM>. The pre-feed sensor may be any of a variety of sensors, and the functionality of the pre-feed sensor may be combined with the functionality of the packet detector <NUM>. However, in the present instance, the pre-feed sensor is a separate sensor in the form of an infrared transmitter and receiver disposed between the first pre-feed assembly and the second pre-feed assembly. More specifically, the pre-feed sensor is mounted on the circuit board on which the ultra sound detector <NUM> is mounted, which is disposed between the first pre-feed assembly <NUM> and the second pre-feed assembly <NUM>. Further still, a second pre-feed sensor is also provided. The first pre-feed sensor is disposed upstream from the packet detector <NUM> while the second pre-feed sensor is positioned along the document path downstream from the packet detector. Both pre-feed sensors are the same type of sensors and are located along the paper path so that the system can track the leading edge of the packet as the packet exits the first pre-feeder <NUM> and enters the second pre-feeder <NUM>.

From the second pre-feeder assembly <NUM>, the documents enter the feeder <NUM>. Specifically, a feed slot is formed between the feeder <NUM> and a retard assembly <NUM> below the feeder. An angled ramp <NUM> guides documents exiting the nip of the second pre-feeder assembly <NUM>, and directs the documents toward the area between the feeder belts <NUM> and the retard assembly <NUM>. As discussed further below, the angled ramp <NUM> and the feeder <NUM> combine to form a convexly angled or tapered entrance slot to the feeder. In this way, the height of the entrance slot (i.e. the distance between the ramp <NUM> and the feed belts <NUM>) tapers down as the document path progresses downstream through the entrance to the feeder until the height of the entrance slot reaches a minimum about midway along the length of the feeder.

If a packet of documents is fed through the pre-feeder assembly <NUM>, the feeder operates to singulate the documents in the packet so that each document is serially fed into the imaging station <NUM>. If instead of a packet, a single document is fed through the pre-feeder assembly <NUM>, the single document simply passes through the pre-feeder and is fed by the feeder <NUM> to the imaging station <NUM>.

By incorporating a tapered entrance slot, the feeder can accommodate a wider variety of packet thickness without having to pivot the feeder to create a feed slot thick enough to accommodate packets having numerous documents while at the same time being able to control single document transactions and/or transactions having only a few documents.

Specifically, the system controls the advancement of packets through the pre-feeder <NUM> based on the thickness of the packet. In particular, the distance a packet is advanced into the entry slot of the feeder is inversely related to the thickness of the packet. For instance, a packet of <NUM> sheets has a packet thickness of roughly <NUM>" whereas a packet of <NUM> sheets has a packet thickness of roughly <NUM>"". Since the entrance slots tapers, the packet of <NUM> sheets can advance farther into the feed slot until the upper sheet contacts the feed belts, which form the upper surface of the entry slot. In contrast, the packet of <NUM> documents will not have to advance as far into the entry slot before the upper sheet in the packet contacts the feed belt.

Accordingly, in order to control the advancement of the packets, the system detects the thickness of the stack and monitors the advancement of the packet to stop the stack at the appropriate location relative to the feeder. A variety of sensors or detectors can be used to detect the thickness of the packet. However, in the present instance the system determines the thickness of the packet based on the displacement of the pivot arm of the first pre-feeder <NUM>. Specifically, a pair of optical sensors is provided, with each having an emitter and a corresponding receiver. The optical sensors are positioned next to one another with the first being positioned vertically above the second pair. The optical sensors detect the movement of an indicator attached to the upper pivot arm <NUM> of the first pre-feeder. The optical sensors straddle the indicator to monitor the movement of the thickness indicator as the upper pivot arm pivots to accommodate the thickness of the packet. Since the displacement of the pivot arm <NUM> is proportional to the thickness of the stack, monitoring the displacement of the pivot arm can roughly determine the thickness of the packet.

Referring to <FIG>, the details of the thickness indicator <NUM> are illustrated. The thickness indicator <NUM> comprises a series of teeth <NUM> separated by notches <NUM>. A single optical sensor could be used to detect the movement of the thickness indicator <NUM>. Specifically, in the instance of an infrared optical sensor having an emitter and a corresponding receiver, the emitter is positioned on a first side of the thickness indicator <NUM> while the receiver is positioned on the other side of the thickness indicator so that the thickness indicator passes between the emitter and the receiver (i.e., the optical sensor straddles the thickness indicator). The sensor is positioned so that the sensor is blocked when a tooth <NUM> is aligned with the sensor and so that the sensor is unblocked when a notch <NUM> is aligned with the sensor. In this way, the sensor detects the number of translations from blocked to unblocked and from unblocked to blocked as the pivot arm <NUM> pivots to accommodate the thickness of the packets-as previously mentioned, the thicker the packet, the further the pivot arm pivots to accommodate the packet.

Although a single sensor can be used to detect the packet thickness, in the present instance a pair of optical sensor are aligned in a stacked formation. By way of example, if upper tooth 136a blocks both optical sensors when no packet is in the first pre-feeder <NUM>, the pivot arm <NUM> will pivot upwardly (counter-clockwise) as the packet pushes the pivot arm upwardly. As the pivot arm <NUM> pivots, the lower sensor will first detect a transition from blocked to unblocked as when the upper edge of the first notch aligns with the lower sensor. As the pivot arm continues to pivot upwardly, the upper sensor will detect the transition from the first tooth 136a to the first notch 137a. This detection of transitions will continue for the two sensors as the pivot arm pivots upwardly so that the sensors detect the transition from the first notch 137a to the second tooth 136b then to the second notch 137b until sensing the transition from the second notch 137b to the third tooth 136c. In this way, the thickness of the packet is related to the number of transitions detected by each of the optical sensors.

Conversely, as the feeder <NUM> singulates the documents in the packet, the thickness of the packet will reduce, thereby causing the pivot arm <NUM> to pivot downwardly, which in turn will cause the optical sensors to detect the opposite transitions from when the pivot arm move upward to accommodate the thickness of the packet. Accordingly, the system is operable to continuously monitor a characteristic indicative of the thickness of the packet while a portion of the packet is in the first pre-feeder.

As discussed previously, when processing a packet, particularly a thick packet, it may be desirable to pivot the pivot arms <NUM>, <NUM> of the prefeeders upwardly so that the front edge of the packet does not collide with the drive rollers <NUM>, <NUM>, which could disrupt the packet of documents and cause the packet to shingle or unstuck prematurely. If the arms are raised before receiving the packet, the packet thickness described above can still be used. Specifically, when the pivot arm of the first pre-feeder is raised up, the thickness indicator will be pivoted upwardly so that the sensors will detects the pivoting of the pivot arm similar to that described above when the packet pushes the pivot arm upwardly. After the arms are lifted and the packet enters the pre-feeder <NUM>, the servo <NUM> reverses direction thereby driving arm <NUM> clockwise. Raising arm <NUM> relaxes the spring thereby decreasing the biasing force that lifts the pre-feed arm <NUM> (i.e. the tension force between arm <NUM> and post <NUM> of arm <NUM>). In response, the pre-feed arm <NUM> pivots downwardly toward the stack. Specifically, in the present instance, a biasing element is disposed between the frame of the pre-feeder and the end <NUM> of arm <NUM> opposite post <NUM>. The biasing element biases the pre-feeder arm <NUM> against counter-clockwise rotation, so that the biasing element biases the first pre-feed roller <NUM> downwardly toward the opposing roller <NUM>. After the pivots arm is released, the sensors will detect the downward pivoting of the arm <NUM> similar to when the arm pivots downward when the packet height is reduced as the feeder singulates the documents. Accordingly, regardless of whether the packet pushes the pivot arms up or whether the system drives the pivots arms up and then releases them, the thickness detector made up of the thickness indicator and the optical sensor(s) can continuously detect and monitor the packet thickness in the first pre-feeder. As the height of the packet reduces, the servo motor <NUM> raise arm <NUM> to decrease the bias force that tends to lift the arm <NUM>. In this way, as the documents are fed from the packet, the system controls the displacement of arm <NUM> to balance the tension force lifting roller <NUM> away from the top of the packet and the tension force pulling the roller <NUM> down toward the top of the packet to maintain the force of roller <NUM> against the packet at a substantially constant rate.

The system also tracks the leading edge of the packet as the packet advances through the pre-feeder assembly <NUM> toward the feeder <NUM>. For instance, the system may include a series of sensor 190a, 190b, 190c, 190d, 190e, 190f aligned along the document path adjacent the feeder <NUM>. As the packet advances toward and into the feeder the leading edge of the packet sequentially blocks the sensors 190a-f. For instance, as the packet advances toward the feeder, the leading edge of the packet first blocks sensor 190a. If the packet is advanced further, the leading edge of the packet blocks sensor 190b. This continues until the packet is stopped at the feeder to stage the packet for singulation.

Accordingly, after determining the thickness of the packet, the pre-feeder assembly <NUM> advances the packet toward the feeder. The distance that the packet is advanced toward the feeder correlates with the thickness determined for the packet. For instance, if the system determines that the packet has a thickness similar to a packet of <NUM> documents, the packet may be advanced until the leading edge of the packet covers feeder sensor 190a, at which point the packet is stopped to stage the packet at the feeder. If the system detects a packet having a lower thickness, such as a thickness similar to a packet of <NUM> documents, the packet may be advanced farther into the feeder, such as until the leading edge of the packet covers sensor 190c, at which point the packet is stopped to stage the packet at the feeder for singulation. Additionally, after the packet is staged and the feeder begins singulating the packet, the height of the packet will reduce. When the detected thickness of the packet reduces below a threshold, the packet may be advanced further into the feeder. For instance, turning to the example described above, once the packet of <NUM> documents is reduced down to <NUM> documents, the packet may be advanced until the leading edge of the packet covers sensor 190c.

In the foregoing discussion, the advancement of the packet through the pre-feeder assembly <NUM> is controlled based on the detected thickness of the packet as well as the position of the leading edge of the packet. However, it should be understood that other factors may also affect the advancement of the packet through the pre-feeder assembly. For instance, the system tracks the trailing edge of a first packet and the leading edge of the following packet. In order to ensure a proper gap between successive packets, the advancement of a packet may also depend on the detected gap between the packet and the preceding packet.

In addition to the elements described above, the flow of documents through the image entry feeder module <NUM> may also be controlled based on signals received from sensors in the imaging station <NUM>. For instance, the imaging station <NUM> may include a feeder exit sensor <NUM> positioned downstream from the feeder <NUM>, but upstream of crusher rollers <NUM> that engage the documents to control the transport of the documents through the imaging station <NUM>. The feeder exit sensor <NUM> may be any of a variety of sensors that are operable to detect the leading and/or trailing edge of a document. In the present instance, the image entry sensor <NUM> is an infrared transmitter/receiver sensor.

As discussed above, when processing a packet, the system detects whether the transaction is a packet or a single document. If the transaction is a packet of documents, the system evaluates a measurement of the packet thickness. The packet is then advanced until the leading edge of the packet is positioned at the appropriate location relative to the feeder. Specifically, the leading edge of the packet is advanced into the feeder entry slot. The distance that the packet advances into the feeder entry slot may determined based in part on the packet thickness. Once the leading edge of the packet is advanced to the desired position in the feeder, one or both of the pre-feeders is disengaged. As discussed above, each pre-feeder is controlled by a separate clutch <NUM>, <NUM> so that they pre-feeders can be independently engaged and disengaged.

By way of example, if the leading edge of the packet blocks the third sensor 190c, the first clutch may be disengaged to disengage the drive force provided to drive roller <NUM> of the first pre-feeder. However, the second pre-feeder may remain actuated to urge the top document in the packet toward the feeder. The feeder <NUM> will continue to serially feed documents from the packet as long as the downstream documents continue to advance.

If the leading edge of the packet covers the fourth feeder sensor 190d, the second clutch <NUM> may be disengaged to disengage the drive force provided by the drive roller <NUM> of the second pre-feeder. The feeder <NUM> may continue to serially feed documents from the packet as long as the downstream documents continue to advance. If there is an insufficient gap between the leading edge of the top document in the packet and the trailing edge of the preceding document, the drive motor may be turned off so that the feeder does not feed further documents from the stack. When the preceding piece advances sufficiently, the motor is re-started, but only the feeder is actuated; both pre-feeders remain disengaged. The second pre-feeder may be re-engaged once the third feeder sensor 190c is no longer covered by the leading edge of the packet. Additionally, once the feeder <NUM> feeds a sufficient number of documents from the packet that the first feeder sensor 190a is uncovered, the first clutch may be re-actuated to re-engage the first pre-feeder <NUM> so that both pre-feeders drive the packet toward the feeder as described previously. This process can iteratively proceed until the feeder feeds all of the documents in the packet, at which time the next packet is advanced.

Additionally, the imaging station <NUM> may include a sensor that detects the leading edge of documents downstream from the crusher roller prior to the documents entering the imager. At this point, the documents are entrained by the crusher roller <NUM> and no longer controlled by the image entry feeder module <NUM>. The sensor may also be operable to detect the thickness profile of a document. The thickness profile can then be evaluated to determine a characteristic about the document. For instance, the profile for two documents as detected by the ultrasound sensor <NUM> is similar to the profile for an envelope. However, the thickness profile for an envelope has characteristics that distinguish the envelope from two sheets of paper due to the changes in thickness over the length of the envelope resulting from the seams of the envelope.

Configured as described above, the image entry feeder module <NUM> operates as follows. The drop conveyor <NUM> conveys one or more documents to the image entry feeder module <NUM> to feed the document(s) to the imaging station <NUM>. If the document(s) is creased or otherwise sticking up from the drop transport <NUM>, the entry guide <NUM> deflects the document(s) toward the first pre-feed assembly <NUM>. The document(s) enter the nip between the drive roller <NUM> and the driven roller <NUM>. As the documents enter the nip, the drive roller or upper roller <NUM> is displaced away from the lower driven roller <NUM> to provide clearance of the document(s). A thickness detector detects the displacement of the pivot arm <NUM> as the upper roller moves away when the documents enter the nip of the first pre-feed assembly. Alternatively, rather than thickness detector, a signal from ultrasonic detector <NUM> indicative of a thick packet of documents may be used. The signal from the thickness detector or ultrasonic detector is communicated with the central controller, and if the thickness detected exceeds a predetermined threshold, then the packet is considered a thick packet, and the drop conveyor <NUM> is stopped until the thick packet has been fed to the imaging station by the image entry feeder module <NUM>. Specifically, the system does not advance documents into the first pre-feed assembly <NUM> until the document(s) being fed from the second pre-feed assembly <NUM> to the feeder <NUM> are finished being fed. For instance, if the feeder <NUM> is feeding a packet of five documents to the imaging station <NUM>, it is desirable to maintain the grouping of the packet, without mixing the documents in the packet with other documents. Therefore, no further documents are advanced into the second prefeed assembly while that feeder <NUM> is finishing singulating the documents in the packet. Once the final document in a packet clears the second pre-feed assembly, the system sends a signal to the document transport to advance the next document or packet of documents from the drop feeder <NUM> to the pre-feed assembly <NUM>.

The image entry feeder <NUM> module processes single document differently than a packet. Specifically, as the single document passes the ultrasonic thickness detector <NUM> the detector determines whether the transaction is a single document or a packet. If the detector <NUM> determines that the transaction is a single document, the document continues through the second pre-feed roller without stopping.

In contrast to the example of a single document, when a packet of documents is fed to the pre-feeders, the ultrasound detector <NUM> detects a transaction profile that is indicative of a packet rather than an individual document. In response to a signal from the system that the transaction is a packet, the brake may be energized. Specifically, once the transaction is determined to be a packet, the brake may be energized a predetermined time delay after the time that the leading edge of the packet is detected by the pre-feed sensor. However, it may be desirable to energize the brake for each transaction regardless of the whether the transaction is a single document or multiple documents.

The timing of braking is independent from the timing of the determination that the transaction is a packet. In other words, the timing of the brake is not measured from the time that the system determines that the transaction is a packet. In fact, in typical operation, the pre-feed sensor may detect the leading edge of a transaction before the system determines whether or not the transaction is a packet in response to the signals from the ultrasound detector <NUM>. Nonetheless, once the determination is made, the timing of the brake actuation is measured from the time that the leading edge passed the pre-feed sensor.

Since the brake is connected to the drive shafts for the lower rollers of pre-feeders <NUM>, <NUM>, actuating the brake impedes displacement of the lower rollers of the pre-feeders <NUM>, <NUM>. By braking the lower rollers and continuing to drive the upper rollers to drive the packet forward, the top documents in the packet are shifted forwardly relative to the lower documents. In this way, the upper rollers tends to shift the documents in the packet forwardly relative to the bottom documents, causing the packet to shingle so that the leading edge of the top document overhangs the lead edge of the second document in the packet, which overhangs the lead edge of the third document in the packet, and so on, down to the bottom document in the packet. Shifting the top document(s) forwardly facilitates improved singulation of the packet relative to a packet in which the top document in a packet is disposed rearwardly of the documents below in the packet.

Once the top document in a packet enters the feeder <NUM>, the feeder belts <NUM> drive the document through the feeder toward the imaging station <NUM>. In this way, the feeder separates the lead document from the remaining documents in the packet, thereby singulating the document. As the leading edge of the document leaves the feeder <NUM>, the feeder exit sensor <NUM> senses the leading edge of the document. In response, the pre-feed clutch <NUM> may disengage the driving force transmitted to the upper pre-feed rollers via the pre-feed drive belts <NUM>, <NUM>. Disengaging the pre-feed upper rollers, reduces the tendency of the rollers to buckle the documents, which can occur in response to driving the packet forward toward the feeder while the retard holds the documents back.

After the lead document passes the feeder exit sensor <NUM>, the leading edge of the document enters the nip formed between the crusher rollers <NUM>. The crusher rollers <NUM> positively entrain the document and have greater frictional control over the document than the frictional force between the feeder <NUM> and the document. Therefore, the feeder <NUM> does not need to drive the document forwardly in order to continue to advance the document. Accordingly, once the leading edge of the document is detected by the sensor downstream from the crusher rollers <NUM>, such as the thickness detector (or a separate sensor detector similar to the feeder exit sensor <NUM>), it is known that the document is entrained by and therefore controlled by the crusher rollers. Therefore, to reduce the likelihood of the feeder <NUM> feeding the second document in the packet before the first document is completely fed (commonly referred to as a double-feed), the controller may turn off the drive motor, thereby stopping the feeder <NUM>. Despite the fact that the feeder is stopped, the crusher rollers <NUM> entrain the document with sufficient frictional force that the crusher rollers drive the document forwardly, pulling it out of the feeder. A one-way overrun clutch allows the belt roller to spin while the feeder motor is stopped while the crusher rollers pull the document out. Once the feeder exit sensor <NUM> senses the trailing edge of the document, the controller then actuates the drive motor <NUM> to re-start the feeder to feed the next document in the packet in the same way that the previous document was fed. Additionally, the clutch <NUM> is actuated to re-connect the pre-feed drive belts <NUM>, <NUM> with the motor <NUM>, so that the upper rollers of the pre-feed assemblies <NUM>, <NUM> urge the packet toward the feeder <NUM>.

From the image entry feeder module <NUM>, the documents serially enter a nip formed between a pair of crusher rollers <NUM>. Although the entry feeder holds the documents down, it does not flatten the documents; it generally just holds an edge of the document flat against the base plate of the feeder. In contrast, the crusher attempts to flatten the creased documents.

The crusher rollers <NUM> are elongated cylindrical aluminum rollers <NUM> having a smooth surface. A plurality of elastomeric gripping rings <NUM> are formed around the circumference of the roller <NUM>, and spaced apart from one another. Preferably, a first gripping ring is positioned at the end of the roller <NUM> closest to the entry feeder <NUM>, and a second gripping ring is positioned on the roller a couple inches away. More specifically, preferably the second gripping ring is spaced inwardly less than the width of the feeder <NUM>. In addition, preferably a third gripping ring is positioned adjacent the opposite end of the roller. The first and second gripping rings <NUM> provide nips that drive the paper from the entry feeder to the imager <NUM>. The third gripping rings are positioned so that they are not in the paper path (i.e. the third gripping rings do not engage the documents. Instead, the third gripping rings provide spacing to maintain the rollers parallel with a constant gap.

Preferably, the first two gripping rings <NUM> on the rollers <NUM> are positioned so that both rollers engage a single fold for documents that are tri-folded with the fold lines disposed parallel to the paper path. In this way, the gripping rings engage the edge-justified third of the tri-folded document, while the rest of the document can slide across the width of the crusher roller since the remaining width of the crusher roller in the paper path is aluminum. In this way, the crusher roller flattens the documents without buckling the documents.

Referring now to <FIG>, a crusher slot <NUM> is provided. As discussed above, the feeder <NUM> feeds documents to the crusher roller <NUM>. A cover <NUM> covers the document path. The cover <NUM> is spaced off of the base plate of the machine so that the feeder pulls the documents under the cover and through the gap to feed the documents to the crusher rollers <NUM>. As discussed previously, the documents are in a horizontal relationship as the feeder <NUM> drives the documents toward the crusher rollers <NUM>.

The crusher slot <NUM> is formed in the cover <NUM> adjacent the crusher rollers <NUM>. Specifically, the crusher slot <NUM> extends through the cover <NUM> to direct documents to the nip of the crusher rollers <NUM>. The crusher slot extends into the gap between the cover <NUM> and the base plate of the paper path. In this way, the crusher slot is disposed immediately downstream from the feeder <NUM>. Documents can be dropped into the crusher slot <NUM> and an angled ramp in the crusher slot will direct the leading edge of the document into the nip of the crusher rollers so that the document is pulled into a substantially horizontal orientation so that the document can be processed through the imager <NUM> and then sorted by the sorting station <NUM>.

A plurality of feeder exit sensors are disposed in the feeder between the image entry feeder module <NUM> and the crusher roller <NUM>. After passing the feeder exit sensors and the crusher roller <NUM>, the document passes through a thickness detector that measures the document at a plurality of points along the length of the document.

From the thickness detector, the document enters the imager <NUM>. Preferably the imager comprises a pair of scanners for scanning both sides of the document. Specifically, preferably the imager <NUM> includes a lower plate in which the lower scanner <NUM> is located, and an upper plate in which the upper scanner is located. The lower scanner <NUM> scans the bottom face of the document, and the upper scanner scans the upper face of the document. As shown in <FIG> preferably the upper plate of the scanner is pivotable upwardly away from the lower plate to allow access into the imaging station <NUM> in the event of a jam in the imaging station.

Although the scanners may be black and white or gray scale, preferably, the scanners <NUM> are color scanners. More specifically, preferably the scanners <NUM> are contact image sensor (CIS) modules formed of arrays of photodiodes that operate as scanning elements, and LED light sources.

Referring to <FIG>, details of an imaging assembly <NUM> are illustrated. The imaging assembly <NUM> may be incorporated into the imager <NUM> of the imaging station <NUM>.

The imaging assembly <NUM> comprises an elongated housing <NUM> that extends across the width of the document path. The housing <NUM> is shaped similar to an elongated channel having side walls <NUM>. It should be noted that <FIG> is a cross-sectional view along the length of the channel. A central slot in the base of the housing forms a socket into which the imaging sensor <NUM> is positioned. It should be understood that the imaging sensor comprises a series of elements extending along the length of the channel so that the imaging sensor is able to obtain image data along the width of the paper path.

A pair of angled shoulders in the housing provide support surfaces onto which illumination elements are mounted. For instance, LED arrays <NUM> are mounted onto the angled shoulders to illuminate the documents as the documents are conveyed over the imaging assembly <NUM>. A lens <NUM> may be positioned over the imaging sensor <NUM>. For instance, in the present instance, a focusing rod lens array is provided. The imaging sensor is in electrical communication with the contact image sensor PCB circuit.

A glass covering or lens <NUM> encloses the upper end of the housing <NUM>. In the present instance, the glass <NUM> is a generally planar element forming a flat plate. The light elements <NUM> are disposed at angle to the surface of the glass, while the imaging sensor <NUM> is substantially perpendicular to the glass covering.

A cap <NUM> overlies the glass covering <NUM>. The cap <NUM> comprises an elongated channel formed of two spaced apart legs <NUM>. The legs <NUM> are spaced apart a distance corresponding to the width of the imaging housing <NUM> so that the cap can clip onto the housing to fix the position and orientation of the cap relative to the housing, which in turn fixes the position of the cap relative to the imaging sensor <NUM>.

The cap <NUM> further includes a top face <NUM> that overlies the glass lens <NUM>. A slot <NUM> through the thickness of the top face of the cap provides an aperture through which the imaging sensor can obtain image data for the documents to be scanned. As shown by the arrow in <FIG> extending from right to left, the arrow indicates the direction of travel for the documents as the documents pass over the imaging assembly <NUM>. A tapered surface or ramp <NUM> guides the documents onto the top surface <NUM> of the cap <NUM> as the documents pass over the imaging assembly. Additionally, the trailing edge of the slot <NUM> in the cap <NUM> tends to direct the document along the paper path when the leading edge spans the slot <NUM>. More specifically, the tapered lip <NUM> impedes the leading edge from curling down into the slot and potentially buckling down into the slot.

The top surface of the cap <NUM> forms the focal plane for the imaging sensor <NUM>. However, the top surface of the cap is spaced apart from the glass and dust will tend to settle onto the glass. Since the upper surface of the cap is the focal plane and since the upper surface is spaced apart from the glass by a gap, the dust is outside of the depth of view of the imaging sensors. Therefore, the duct will have reduced impact, if any impact at all, on the image quality.

As the document passes between the scanners, the scanners scan the faces of the document to obtain image data representing a color image of the document faces. The image is communicated with the system computer and the image data is stored in a data file associated with the document.

From the scanner, the document is conveyed to a MICR detector, which attempts to read any MICR markings on the document. Specifically, MICR markings are printed in magnetizable ink. The MICR detector includes a magnet that exposes the document to a magnetic field. The MICR detector also includes a MICR reader that scans the document for magnetic fluctuations indicative of MICR characters. If the apparatus detects the presence of a MICR line, the MICR detector attempts to read the MICR line. The data representing the MICR information is then communicated with the system computer, which stores the MICR data in a data file associated with the document.

The imaging transport extends between the imaging station <NUM> and the sorting station <NUM>. Preferably the imaging transport is formed of two halves, and the upper half is pivotable away from the lower half to provide access to the transport path to remove any paper jam in the transport, or perform service on the interior element, as shown in <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, the document path between the imaging station <NUM> and the sorting station <NUM> is preferably not a straight horizontal path. Instead, preferably, the imaging transport turns upwardly and curves backwardly toward the seating area <NUM>. Between the imaging station <NUM> and the sorting station <NUM>, an optional uncreasing station and a printer may be disposed along the transport path. The uncreasing station is a guide having a sharp edge that the documents pass over as the documents turn along the transport path. If included, the printer is disposed along the transport so that the printer can print markings on the documents as they are conveyed to the sorting station <NUM>.

The printer includes at least one ink jet printer. The printer is disposed behind covers in the imaging transport. More specifically, a first printer is preferably disposed behind a plate in the upper portion and preferably the second printer is disposed behind a plate in the lower portion. In response to signals from the computer, the printer(s) prints audit trail data onto each document. The audit trail information printed on a document includes data particular to the document, such as the document type for each document, the batch number for the document, the document number, the transaction number for the transaction of which the document is a member, and the date on which the document was processed. The audit trail information can be used to subsequently locate a particular document within a stack of documents.

The sorting station <NUM> is disposed at the end of the imaging transport, and the sorting station includes a plurality of gates operable to sort the documents into one of a plurality of bins <NUM>. The sorting station includes a plurality of gates that are operable to direct the documents to the appropriate bin <NUM>. The sorting can be based on a number of criteria. For instance, the documents can be sorted according to information determined from the image data.

The documents follow a generally vertical paper path as the documents are conveyed up to the output bins <NUM>. When the documents are directed into one of the bins, the gate re-directs the document from a generally vertical direction headed upward to a generally horizontal path over a series of output roller s <NUM> mounted on a rotatable axle <NUM>. The document is the directed generally downwardly toward the output bin <NUM>. In this way, the documents curl over the output rollers <NUM>. As such, the leading edge of the document frequently tends to buckle under when it contacts the bottom of the output bin or the other documents in the output bin. When the documents buckle under the document fold and often deflect subsequent preventing the documents from forming a neat and compact stack in the output bin.

Referring to <FIG>, in the present instance, a pair of guide elements may be provided to guide the documents into the output bin and impede the document from buckling under. Specifically, a plurality of support fingers <NUM> are spaced apart across the width of the output bin. The guide finger <NUM> form guide ramps that guide the leading edge of the documents down toward the output bin at a relatively shallow angle to prevent the lead edge from buckling under.

Each support finger <NUM> has a proximal end mounted adjacent the discharge slot through which the document is discharge into the output bin. The distal end of each support finger extend downwardly into a guide slot <NUM> formed in the base of the output bin <NUM>. In the present instance the distal end of the support fingers form an oblique angle with the base of the output bin to impede the document from buckling under.

Additionally, a plurality of hold down fingers <NUM> oppose the support fingers to form a slot through which the documents are discharged. Specifically, the proximal ends of the support fingers <NUM> are spaced apart to provide and opening through which the documents are discharged. The support fingers support the lower face of the documents to keep the document from buckling under while the hold down fingers press against the top surface of the document impeding the document from curling upwardly. The distal end of the hold down fingers <NUM> rest against the support fingers when the output bin is empty or against the top document when there is a document in the output bin. Additionally, the upper or proximal end of each hold down finger <NUM> is pivotally connected to a support rod adjacent the discharge rollers <NUM>. In this way, as the pile in the bin grows, the distal end of the hold down fingers are pushed upwardly and supported by the stack.

In order to promote the flow of documents into the bin, the support fingers are pressed downwardly from the weight of the documents in the bin. Specifically, as noted above, the proximal end of the hold down fingers hang from a support adjacent the discharge slot for the bin. A gap is formed between the support fingers <NUM> and the hold down fingers <NUM>. In order to maintain the gap to accommodate documents being discharged into the bin, the proximal end of the support fingers move downwardly away from the proximal end of the hold down fingers <NUM> as more documents are sorted to the output bin.

The proximal ends of the support fingers <NUM> may be mounted on a horizontal rod that extends across the width of the output bin. The horizontal rod may be vertically displaceable in response to the weight of the documents pressing down against the support fingers. More specifically, one or more biasing elements may bias the horizontal support rod upwardly. As documents are discharged into the output bin <NUM>, the weight of the documents pushes down against the support fingers <NUM>, which in turn will tend to displace the support rod downwardly against the bias of the biasing elements.

Alternatively, rather than mounting the support fingers on a common horizontal support rod, the fingers may be independently mounted on a guide that allows the proximal end of the support fingers to be displaced vertically. Each finger may also be biased upwardly to provide the upwardly force that will support the support fingers while allowing the support fingers to move downwardly in response to an increasing weight of the stack of documents.

When configured as described above, the displaceable support fingers provide a generally constant shallow discharge angle for the documents as the documents enter the output bin. Specifically, as the documents stack up in the bin, the support fingers move downwardly so that the position of the top documents in the output bin relative to the hold down fingers stays relatively constant as documents stack up in the bin.

Referring now to <FIG> a scanning station work station <NUM> is illustrated in which the work station comprises a horizontal drop conveyor <NUM> similar to the drop conveyor <NUM> discussed above. The work station further includes an image entry assembly <NUM> substantially similar to the image entry assembly <NUM> described above. The work station further includes an imaging station <NUM> and a sorting station substantially similar to the imaging station <NUM> and sorting station <NUM> described above.

The work station <NUM> includes a first vertical support <NUM> and a second vertical support <NUM> spaced apart from the first vertical support. The horizontal drop conveyor <NUM> spans between the two vertical supports <NUM>, <NUM>.

The work station further includes a pivoting outrigger <NUM> adjacent the first vertical support <NUM>. The outrigger comprises a pair of roller or wheels. In <FIG> the outrigger is illustrated in the retracted position. In <FIG> the outrigger is pivoted up into the deployed position.

As shown in the drawings, the first and second vertical supports <NUM>, <NUM> pivot upwardly to collapse the support structure for the work station. A series of latching elements releasably lock the vertical supports in the deployed position in which the work station is shown in <FIG>. Additionally, the outrigger includes a pair of locking pins that lock the outrigger <NUM> in the deployed position shown in <FIG>. In this position, the outrigger supports the front edge of the work station as the work station is stowed away. For instance, the outrigger may engage the floor of a transportation vehicle, such as the bed of a van. The first and second vertical supports can then be unlocked and the vertical support collapse as the work station in stowed.

Referring again to <FIG>, the device <NUM> comprises a generally horizontal frame <NUM> extending across the width of the device. The First and second vertical supports <NUM>, <NUM> extend downwardly from the horizontal frame <NUM>. Additionally, the outrigger <NUM> is pivotably connected with the horizontal frame <NUM>.

The outrigger <NUM> comprises a pivotable frame <NUM> having a pair of generally parallel spaced apart arms. The upper ends of the arms are rotatably connected with the upper frame <NUM> of the device. An axle connected to the lower end of the frame <NUM> spans between the lower ends of the arms. A pair of rollers or wheels <NUM> are rotatably mounted on the axle.

A locking yoke <NUM> is rigidly connected with the horizontal frame member <NUM> for locking the outrigger in the upper position. The locking yoke comprises a pair of spaced apart locking blocks having locking apertures <NUM>. The locking blocks are spaced apart a distance related to the distance between the arms of the outrigger frame. In this way, when the outrigger <NUM> is pivoted upwardly into a deployed position, the arms of the outrigger frame <NUM> straddle the mounting blocks of the locking yoke <NUM>. The outrigger frame comprises a pair of locking pins <NUM> mounted in locking holes. A stop bar <NUM> fixed to the horizontal frame <NUM> forms a stop for positioning the outrigger in the deployed position. Specifically, when the outrigger is pivoted upwardly (clockwise from the perspective of <FIG>. ) until the arms of the outrigger frame <NUM> contact the stop bar <NUM>, the locking holes of the outrigger arms align with the locking holes <NUM> in the locking yoke <NUM>. Inserting the locking pins <NUM> into the aligned holes in the outrigger frame <NUM> and the locking yoke <NUM> locks the outrigger <NUM> in the deployed position.

As shown in <FIG>, when locked in the deployed position, the outrigger <NUM> extends generally horizontally. However, in the present instance, when the outrigger is deployed, the outrigger forms an angle with the horizontal frame <NUM>. More specifically, the wheels <NUM> of the outrigger <NUM> extend below the bottom edge of the horizontal frame <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, the details of the first vertical support <NUM> will be described in greater detail. The first vertical support comprises a first pillar <NUM> having a pair of inner legs <NUM> that telescope within outer support <NUM>. In the present instance, coopering gears drive the inner legs <NUM> relative to the outer support <NUM> to extend or retract the length of the first pillar <NUM>. The gear box <NUM> mounted at the top of the first pillar <NUM> drives the cooperating gears for extending the first pillar. Specifically, a drive axle <NUM> cooperates with the gear box <NUM>. Rotating the drive axle <NUM> drives the gears in the gear box <NUM>, thereby actuating the extension and retraction of the first pillar. In this way, the length of the first pillar can be extended or retracted to raise or lower the height of the work station <NUM>.

First vertical support <NUM> is pivotably connected with the horizontal frame <NUM> to collapse the device for transportation. As shown in <FIG>, in the present instance the first vertical support is pivotable between an extended position shown in <FIG> and a collapsed position as shown in <FIG>. The first vertical support <NUM> pivots counter-clockwise (from the perspective of <FIG>) to collapse the first vertical support.

The first vertical support <NUM> may also include an angle bracket <NUM> to support the first vertical support to impede displacement of the first pillar from the vertical position to the collapsed position. Specifically, the angle bracket <NUM> impedes pivoting of the pillar <NUM> in a counter-clockwise direction (from the perspective of <FIG>). However, the angle bracket <NUM> is a collapsible to permit displacement of the first vertical support <NUM>. Specifically, the angle bracket <NUM> comprises two hinged elements that permit the angle bracket to fold, thereby allowing folding of the first vertical support. A locking element impedes folding of the angle bracket. For instance, as shown in <FIG>, a locking pin <NUM> may extend across the hinged parts of the angle bracket to impede relative rotation of the hinged parts. Alternatively, a spring-loaded latching element may span the hinged elements to impede folding of the support bracket <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, after the locking element <NUM> is released, the angle bracket <NUM> is folded, thereby allowing the first vertical support <NUM> to pivot the vertical support upwardly into the collapsed position. In the collapsed position, the first vertical support is generally horizontal up against the horizontal frame <NUM>.

In the present instance, a pair of rollers or wheels <NUM> are mounted on an axle <NUM> attached to the lower end of the first vertical support <NUM>. In particular, the wheels <NUM> may have a diameter large enough that in the collapsed position the lower edges of the wheels extend below the side of the first vertical support. In this way, the lower wheels <NUM> provide rolling elements along the midpoint of the horizontal frame <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, the horizontal frame <NUM> may include extension slides <NUM> to expand the width of the horizontal frame. More specifically, the extension slides <NUM> comprises horizontal rails that extend and retract with cooperating horizontal rails of the horizontal frame <NUM>. In this way, the extension slides can be pulled out horizontal to expand the frame. A work surface, such as a counter surface or other horizontal element can be placed on the extension slides to expand the work surface of the work station <NUM>.

In the present instance, the second vertical pillar <NUM> is connected to the extension slides <NUM>. The second vertical pillar is configured similarly to the first vertical pillar <NUM> described above. Specifically, the second vertical pillar <NUM> comprises a second pillar <NUM> having an outer support <NUM> and a pair of telescoping inner legs <NUM> to extend and retract the length of the second vertical support <NUM> to raise and lower the height of the upper frame <NUM>. The second vertical support <NUM> also includes an axle <NUM> connected to the lower end of the second vertical support <NUM> and a pair of rollers or wheels <NUM> rotatably mounted on the axle.

The second vertical support <NUM> also includes cooperating gears or other drive elements for extending and retracting the inner legs <NUM> relative to the outer support <NUM>. A gear box <NUM> connected to the upper end of the second vertical support <NUM> is operable to drive the inner legs relative to the outer support, thereby extending or retracting the vertical support. Similar to the first vertical support, the second vertical support includes a drive axle <NUM> cooperable with the gear box to extend and retract the telescoping legs. As shown in <FIG>, a crank arm <NUM> is detachably connected with the drive axle <NUM> The crank arm <NUM> is manually operable to rotate the drive axle to raise and lower the height of the work station.

As shown in <FIG>, the second vertical support is pivotable between a vertical position and a collapsed position. In the present instance, a locking bracket impedes the vertical support from pivoting into the collapsed position. By releasing the locking bracket, the second vertical support pivots upwardly to collapse the leg. In the present instance, the second vertical support is pivotable in a counter-clockwise direction (from the perspective of <FIG>) to collapse the second vertical support. After the second vertical leg is collapsed, the wheels on the bottom of the second vertical support project below the horizontal surface of the second vertical support and below the upper frame <NUM>. In this way, the wheels <NUM> provide a rotatable support at the right end of the work station when the work station is collapsed. Further still, as shown in <FIG>, after the upper end of the second vertical support is pivotable connected to a support bracket attached to the upper frame. More specifically, the mounting bracket is slideable within a channel in the upper frame <NUM>. In this way, after the second vertical support <NUM> is collapsed, the second vertical support can be translated along the length of the upper frame <NUM> to reduce the overall length of the work station in the collapsed configuration.

Configured as described above, the work station can be readily collapsed and stowed into a vehicle or transport element. For instance, the work station can be stowed as follows. The work station can be rolled to the opening in a vehicle having a generally flat bed or floor. The outrigger <NUM> is pivoted upwardly into a deployed position and locked in the deployed position as shown in <FIG>. The work station is then partially loaded onto the floor of the vehicle by rolling the outrigger wheels on the floor of the vehicle. The angle bracket <NUM> is then folded allowing to the first vertical support <NUM> to be pivoted upwardly. After the first vertical support is released, the workstation can be loaded further into the vehicle by continuing to roll the outrigger wheels further on the vehicle floor. As the work station is further loaded onto the vehicle, the first vertical support contacts the rear end of the vehicle thereby pushing against the first vertical support to pivot the first vertical support upwardly. Once the first vertical support is pivoted into a generally horizontal orientation, the wheels on the bottom of the second vertical support provide rolling support for the work station so that the partially collapsed work station is supported by the outrigger wheels and the wheels of the collapsed first vertical support. The partially collapsed work station can then be rolled further onto the vehicle support at the front end by the outrigger wheels and support at the midpoint by the wheel on the first vertical support. The work station is further loaded onto the vehicle until the second vertical support reaches the vehicle.

By releasing the locking bracket for the second vertical support the second vertical support can be pivoted upwardly into the collapsed position.

Specifically, after the second vertical support is unlocked the second vertical support can be collapsed by pushing the work station further onto the vehicle so that the edge of the vehicle pushes against the second vertical support pivoting the second vertical support upwardly as the work station is loaded onto the vehicle. If desired, the second vertical leg can then be translated to shorten the overall length of the collapsed device.

Claim 1:
An apparatus for processing documents, comprising:
a feeder (<NUM>) operable to receive a packet of a plurality of documents and separate the documents to serially feed the documents away from the feeder, wherein the feeder comprises a feed slot;
a sensor (<NUM>) for detecting a characteristic of the documents in a packet indicative of whether the number of documents in a packet exceeds a predetermined threshold;
a drive mechanism (<NUM>) for controlling the distance that the packet of documents is
advanced into the feeder in response to the detected characteristic of the packet; characterized in that
the drive mechanism (<NUM>) is configured to further advance the packet into the feed slot as the feeder feeds documents from the packet to reduce the thickness of the packet.