US5021676A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Document-skew detection with photosensors
Assignee: Unisys Corp
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Filing: 1989-10-10
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Granted: 1991-06-04
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Expires: 2009-10-10
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed are Power Encoder means for imprinting MICR characters on checks, with optical check-sensing means disposed along a check-transport path, including optical skew-sensor means including a pair of area-photo-sensor means, one on each side of the check whereby the differential output thereof indicates "degree of skew".
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas Dragon
- 👤 John Hylan
- 👤 Robert Reynolds
- 👤 Paul McCarthy
- 👤 Paul Merchant
- 👤 Kenneth Berkoben
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 11:35
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J9/00; B41J9/44; B41J9/46; B41J13/00; B41J13/26; B41J13/32; B41J15/00; B41J9/48
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
In a document-transport array for advancing prescribed documents along a prescribed path past one or several Process-Stations, in combination therewith, "document-skew" sensing means disposed at one or more of said stations, each said sensing means comprising a spaced pair of like area-photo sensors separated by the approximate document-length along said path and associated irradiation means bracketing the position of documents at said station, whereby each photosensor is arranged and adapted to output a prescribed signal whose magnitude is a measure of the degree to which an intervening document obscures it; and processing means adapted to receive said pairs of signals and indicate the difference therebetween.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
In a document-transport array for advancing prescribed documents along a prescribed path past one or several Process-Stations, in combination therewith, "document-skew" sensing means disposed at one or more of said stations, each said sensing means comprising a spaced pair of like area-photo sensors separated by the approximate document-length along said path and associated irradiation means bracketing the position of documents at said station, whereby each photosensor is arranged and adapted to output a prescribed signal whose magnitude is a measure of the degree to which an intervening document obscures it; and processing means adapted to receive said pairs of signals and indicate the difference therebetween.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said sensors are essentially identical; wherein each said sensor is selected and adapted to output, to said processing means, a voltage proportional to its area which is left uncovered by a said intervening document.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein the two voltages outputted for a given document are algebraically summed to yield a voltage-difference as a measure of document skew.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention of claim 3 wherein said processing means is adapted to translate the voltage difference into skew-angle aa°.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention of claim 4 wherein an associated computer means is provided to operate said sensing means and to so translate voltage difference into skew-angle aa°.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention of claim 5 wherein said computer means is also adapted to output a PASS/ACCEPT signal to utilizing means, according to preset criteria regarding what maximum skew angle aa° is acceptable to ACCEPT a document.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention of claim 6 wherein said documents have a height dimension extending above said path, and wherein said computer means is also adapted to output average document height as a result of receiving said voltages.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention of claim 7 wherein said transport path is part of a document-transport in a Check Encoder arrangement.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention of claim 8 wherein said path is part of a Power-Encode module inserted into a Document Processor.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-06-03 | 1994-12-03 | 1995-06-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-06-03 | 1998-12-03 | 1999-06-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-06-03 | 2002-12-03 | 2003-06-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |