Patent ID: 8424864

Claim:
An apparatus for separating a stack of sheets into sets of sheets, comprising: (a) an input area for receiving the stack of sheets to be processed; (b) a feeder for processing the stack of sheets, wherein the feeder includes: (i) a sheet separator for separating a first portion of a first sheet from the stack of sheets while a second portion of the first sheet maintains contact with the stack; (ii) a reader for detecting data displayed on the first sheet, wherein the reader detects data on the first portion of the first sheet while the second portion of the first sheet is substantially covered by one or more preceding sheets; and (iii) an accumulator operable to separate a pre-determined number of sheets from the stack to form a set of sheets, wherein the pre-determined number of sheets includes the first sheet; and (c) a discharger for removing the set of sheets from the feeder.