Document processing device with optimised reversing track layout and single image capacity

Abstract

A document processing device and method of processing documents are disclosed. In one aspect, a document processing device includes a path of travel of documents through the document processing device, the path of travel including an approximately straight portion between a document tray and a document outlet and a return path to the document tray. The document processing device also includes a magnetic ink character recognition reader placed adjacent to the path of travel, and oriented to read magnetic characters printed on a document passing along the path of travel, the document having a front surface and a rear surface. The document processing device also includes an image capture device placed adjacent to the approximately straight portion of the path of travel and oriented to capture an image of the document passing along the path of travel. A plurality of rollers at least partially defines the path of travel, and includes a drive roller configured to route documents along the path of travel. A one-way gate defines a portion of the path of travel, the one-way gate capable of cooperating with the drive roller to reverse the orientation of the front and rear surfaces of the document within the path of travel.

1 . A document processing device comprising:
 a path of travel of documents through the document processing device, the path of travel including:
 an approximately straight portion between a document tray and a document outlet; and 
 a return path to the document tray; 
   a magnetic ink character recognition reader placed adjacent to the path of travel, the magnetic ink character recognition reader oriented to read magnetic characters printed on a document passing along the path of travel, the document having a front surface and a rear surface;   an image capture device placed adjacent to the approximately straight portion of the path of travel and oriented to capture an image of the document passing along the path of travel;   a plurality of rollers at least partially defining the path of travel, the plurality of rollers including a drive roller configured to route documents along the path of travel; and   a one-way gate capable of cooperating with the drive roller to reverse the orientation of the front and rear surfaces of the document within the path of travel.   
     
     
         2 . The document processing device of  claim 1 , wherein the one way gate, drive roller, and path of travel cooperate to allow the image capture device to capture an image of an opposite surface of the document during a subsequent passage of the document along the path of travel. 
     
     
         3 . The document processing device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of rollers further includes at least a second drive roller. 
     
     
         4 . The document processing device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of rollers further includes a plurality of pinch rollers. 
     
     
         5 . The document processing device of  claim 1 , wherein the document tray is positioned at an entry and exit opening of the document processing device, the entry and exit opening configured to receive checks and other documents into the path of travel and output at least checks from the path of travel. 
     
     
         6 . The document processing device of  claim 1 , wherein the document outlet outputs selected non-check documents from the path of travel. 
     
     
         7 . The document processing device of  claim 6 , wherein the selected non-check documents include personal identification documents. 
     
     
         8 . The document processing device of  claim 1 , further comprising a franking roller retractably positioned along the path of travel, the franking roller actuable to mark the front surface of the document. 
     
     
         9 . The document processing device of  claim 7 , wherein the franking roller is located along a side of the path of travel opposite the image capture device, and the franking roller is actuated to mark the front surface of the document after operation of the drive roller and one-way gate to reverse the orientation of the front and rear surfaces of the document. 
     
     
         10 . The document processing device of  claim 1 , wherein the image capture device is further configured to capture an image of the rear surface of the document after operation of the drive roller and one-way gate to reverse the orientation of the front and rear surfaces of the document. 
     
     
         11 . The document processing device of  claim 1 , further comprising an endorser configured to print an endorsement on the document. 
     
     
         12 . The document processing device of  claim 11 , wherein the endorser is located on the same side of the path of travel as the image capture device, and the endorser is actuated to print an endorsement on the rear surface of the document after operation of the drive roller and one-way gate to reverse the orientation of the front and rear surfaces of the document. 
     
     
         13 . The document processing device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one document sensor located along the path of travel. 
     
     
         14 . The document processing device of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one document sensor is configured to detect movement of the document by the drive roller past the one-way gate, thereby indicating that the orientation of the front and rear surfaces of the document are reversed. 
     
     
         15 . A method of processing a document in a document processing device, the method comprising:
 receiving a document into a path of travel of a document processor;   passing the document through a one-way gate along the path of travel in a first direction, the document having a front surface and a rear surface;   capturing an image of the document with an image capture device as the document passes through an approximately straight portion between a document tray and a document outlet;   activating a magnetic ink character recognition reader to scan for magnetic characters printed on the front surface of the document as the document passes through the approximately straight portion; and   selectively passing the document through the one-way gate from a return path of the path of travel, thereby reversing the orientation of the front and rear surfaces of the document.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising, after passing the document through the one-way gate from the return path:
 passing the document through the one-way gate along the path of travel toward the approximately straight portion; and   capturing an image of an opposite surface of the document with the image capture device.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising, after passing the document through the one-way gate from the return path, endorsing the rear surface of the document prior to capturing the image of the rear surface of the document. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising, after passing the document through the one-way gate from the return path, franking the front surface of the document. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising outputting the document from the document processing device. 
     
     
         20 . A document processing device comprising:
 a path of travel of documents through the document processing device, the path of travel including:
 an approximately straight portion between a document tray and a document outlet; and 
 a return path to the document tray; 
   a plurality of rollers at least partially defining the path of travel, the plurality of rollers including at least one drive roller configured and located to route documents along the path of travel;   a magnetic ink character recognition reader placed adjacent to the approximately straight portion and along a first side of the path of travel, the magnetic ink character reader oriented to read magnetic characters printed on a document passing along the path of travel, the document having a front surface and a rear surface;   an image capture device placed adjacent to the approximately straight portion, the image capture device positioned along the first side and oriented to capture an image of the document;   a franking roller retractably positioned adjacent to the return path on a second side of the path of travel opposite the first side, the franking roller actuable to mark the front surface of the document;   an endorser configured to print an endorsement on a rear surface of the document, the endorser positioned along the approximately straight portion and on the first side of the path of travel; and   a one-way gate capable of cooperating with the drive roller to reverse the orientation of the front and rear surfaces of the document within the path of travel, such that during a first pass of the document, the front surface of the document faces the magnetic ink character recognition reader and image capture device, and during a second pass of the document the front surface faces the franking roller and the rear surface of the document faces the endorser.