Apparatus for validating processed documents

Claim 2

For use with a document reader which transports a document past a read head, an apparatus for marking the document subsequent to reading, said apparatus comprising: a stationary frame including a document support member defining a support surface, a lever pivotally mounted to said frame for movement about a first axis and disposed above said support surface, said lever being movable between a raised position and a lowered position, a circular marking element rotatably carried by said lever for rotation about a second axis, said marking element carrying a transferrable marking substance, and actuator means for effecting movement of said lever to said lowered position to bring said marking element into engagement with a document on said support surface.

Claim 3

The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said second axis is closer to said support surface than said first axis when said lever is in said lowered position, whereby said marking element is caused to rotate slightly upon contact with a stationary document.

Claim 4

The apparatus set forth in claim 2 wherein at least a portion of said marking element is of soft, flexible material which engages a document during each marking operation.

Claim 5

The apparatus set forth in claim 3 including friction brake means connected to said lever and operatively engaging said marking element to limit the rotation imparted thereto during each marking operation, whereby usage of the marking substance is evenly distributed around the circumference of the marking element.

Claim 6

The apparatus set forth in claim 4 wherein said brake means includes means for selectively adjusting the frictional forces limiting rotation of said marking element.

Claim 7

The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein movement of said lever toward said lowered position by said actuator means effects rotational movement of said marking element relative to said lever.

Claim 8

In combination: a document transport and marking apparatus, said document transport comprising a document support member defining a support surface, and motive means for moving a document in a predetermined direction of travel over said support surface, said marking apparatus comprising a marking element generally disposed above said support surface and normally spaced therefrom a sufficient distance to provide clearance for a document to pass between said marking element and said support surface, said marking element being of circular configuration and mounted for rotation about an axis generally transverse of said direction of document travel, and actuation means operatively connected to said marking element for selectively lowering such from said normal position to a marking position in engagement with an underlying document, said marking member carrying a readily transferrable marking substance for deposit on the document.

Claim 9

In combination: a document transport and marking apparatus, said document transport comprising a document support member defining a support surface, and motive means for moving a document in a predetermined direction of travel over said support surface, said marking apparatus comprising a marking element generally disposed above said support surface and normally spaced therefrom a sufficient distance to provide clearance for a document to pass between said marking element and said support surface, said marking element being of circular configuration and mounted for rotation about an axis generally transverse of said direction of document travel, and actuation means operatively connected to said marking element for selectively lowering such from said normal position to a marking position in engagement with an underlying document, said marking member carrying a readily transferrable marking substance for deposit on the document.

Claim 10

The combination set forth in claim 7 wherein said actuation means lowers said marking member in response to electrical signals representative of a predetermined condition.

Claim 11

The combination set forth in claim 7 wherein said motive means is moving the document when the document is engaged by said marking element whereby a mark of predetermined length is made on the document.

Claim 12

In combination: a document transport and marking apparatus, said document transport comprising a document support member defining a support surface, and motive means for moving a document in a predetermined direction of travel over said support surface, said marking apparatus comprising a marking element generally disposed above said support surface and normally spaced therefrom a sufficient distance to provide clearance for a document to pass between said marking element and said support surface, and actuation means operatively connected to said marking element for selectively lowering such from said normal position to a marking position in engagement with an underlying document, said marking member carrying a readily transferrable marking substance for deposit on the document, said motive means moving the document when the document is engaged by said marking element whereby a mark of predetermined length is made on the document, said marking element being of circular configuration and mounted for rotation about an axis generally transverse of said predetermined direction of document travel, movement of the document during said engagement imparting rotation to said circular marking element whereby usage of said marking substances is evenly distributed around the circumference of said marking element over several marking operations.

Claim 13

In combination: a document transport and marking apparatus, said document transport comprising a document support member defining a support surface, and motive means for moving a document in a predetermined direction of travel over said support surface, said marking apparatus comprising a marking element generally disposed above said support surface and normally spaced therefrom a sufficient distance to provide clearance for a document to pass between said marking element and said support surface, and actuation means operatively connected to said marking element for selectively lowering such from said normal position to a marking position in engagement with an underlying document, said marking member carrying a readily transferrable marking substance for deposit on the document, said motive means moving the document when the document is engaged by said marking element whereby a mark of predetermined length is made on the document, said marking element being of circular configuration and mounted for rotation about an axis generally transverse of said predetermined direction of document travel, movement of the document during said engagement imparting rotation to said circular marking element whereby usage of said marking substances is evenly distributed around the circumference of said marking element over several marking operations.

Claim 14

The combination set forth in claim 10 wherein said marking apparatus includes brake means associated with said marking element for limiting the amount of free rotation thereof caused by each marking operation.

Claim 15

The combination set forth in claim 11 wherein said actuation means includes a lever which carries said marking element and a reciprocal actuator operatively connected to said lever to effect movement thereof between first and second pivotal positions corresponding to said normal and marking positions of said marking element, respectively.

Claim 16

The combination set foRth in claim 12 wherein said actuator comprises a solenoid operative in response to electrical signals representative of a predetermined condition.