Patent US5240116A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5240116A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for determining the orientation of a document
Assignee: Opex Corp
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Filing: 1991-06-25
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Granted: 1993-08-31
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Expires: 2011-06-25
Abstract
Abstract To identify the orientation of specified documents, such as checks bearing magnetic ink markings, steps are taken to magnetize ink markings associated with the document, and to then detect magnetized ink markings on the document to develop electrical signals which can then be subjected to processing for identifying the orientation of the document based upon certain preestablished criteria. The result is a stand-alone device adapted to operate upon documents which are contained within envelopes to be subjected to an extraction procedure, prior to extraction from the envelopes, achieving a pre-processing of envelopes to identify those which contain the specified documents, and the orientation of the identified documents. The device is similarly adapted to operate upon the extracted documents, to identify those requiring special handling, and their orientation.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark A. Stevens
- 👤 William R. Lile
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 18:16
CPC Classifications
B; B07; B07C; B07C3/00; B07C3/02; B07C1/00; B07C1/20; B43; B43M; B43M7/00; B43M7/02; B65; B65H; B65H2553/00; B65H2553/40; B65H2553/41
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 55
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
An apparatus for determining the orientation of a document receivable in differing orientations relative to said apparatus, said document including magnetic ink markings on a surface of the document, and said apparatus comprising: means for magnetizing the magnetic ink markings on said document; a pair of heads for detecting magnetized ink markings on said document; and means for determining the orientation of said document based upon the location of detected magnetic ink markings on said document; wherein said magnetizing means and said detecting means are configured for magnetizing and detecting magnetic ink markings separated from said magnetizing means and said detecting means by at least one paper thickness.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
108 words
An apparatus for determining the orientation of a document receivable in differing orientations relative to said apparatus, said document including magnetic ink markings on a surface of the document, and said apparatus comprising: means for magnetizing the magnetic ink markings on said document; a pair of heads for detecting magnetized ink markings on said document; and means for determining the orientation of said document based upon the location of detected magnetic ink markings on said document; wherein said magnetizing means and said detecting means are configured for magnetizing and detecting magnetic ink markings separated from said magnetizing means and said detecting means by at least one paper thickness.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said document is a check.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said paper thickness comprises paper forming the check.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said paper thickness comprises paper forming an envelope containing said check.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said magnetizing means and said detecting means are magnetic heads associated with fixtures positioned in alignment with the passage of documents through said orientation determining apparatus.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein a pair of magnetizing heads are coupled with said pair of detecting heads.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein a paired couple of magnetizing and detecting heads are positioned in alignment with lower portions of said documents.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the lower portions of said documents include a magnetic ink character recognition data line.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein a paired couple of magnetizing and detecting heads are positioned in alignment with upper portions of said documents.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the upper portions of said documents include account identifying indicia.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said documents are symmetrically received by said paired couples of magnetizing and detecting heads.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
106 words
A method for determining the orientation of a document receivable in differing orientations, said document including magnetic ink markings on a surface of the document, and said method comprising the steps of: magnetizing the magnetic ink markings on said document as said document proceeds longitudinally along a transport path; detecting magnetized ink markings on said document at two separate locations spaced transversely relative to each other and to said longitudinal transport path; and determining the orientation of said document based upon the location of detected magnetic ink markings on said document; wherein said magnetic ink markings are magnetizable and detectable through at least one paper thickness.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
106 words
A method for determining the orientation of a document receivable in differing orientations, said document including magnetic ink markings on a surface of the document, and said method comprising the steps of: magnetizing the magnetic ink markings on said document as said document proceeds longitudinally along a transport path; detecting magnetized ink markings on said document at two separate locations spaced transversely relative to each other and to said longitudinal transport path; and determining the orientation of said document based upon the location of detected magnetic ink markings on said document; wherein said magnetic ink markings are magnetizable and detectable through at least one paper thickness.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 12 which further comprises the step of transporting a check along said longitudinal transport path.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said magnetizing and said detecting through said paper thickness includes magnetizing and detecting through paper forming the check.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said magnetizing and said detecting through said paper thickness includes magnetizing and detecting through paper forming an envelope containing said check.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 13 wherein lower portions of said check include a magnetic ink character recognition data line, for magnetizing and detecting.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 16 wherein upper portions of said check include account identifying indicia, for magnetizing and detecting.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
139 words
An apparatus for determining the orientation of a document receivable in differing orientations relative to said apparatus, said document including magnetic ink markings on a surface of the document, and said apparatus comprising: means for magnetizing the magnetic ink markings on said document, and means for detecting magnetized ink markings on said document, wherein said magnetizing means and said detecting means are capable of magnetizing and detecting magnetic ink markings separated from said magnetizing means and said detecting means by at least one paper thickness; and means for determining that said document is in a first defined orientation, or that said document is in a second defined orientation different from the first orientation, and for identifying documents in said first orientation and documents in said second orientation based upon the location of detected magnetic ink markings on said documents.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
139 words
An apparatus for determining the orientation of a document receivable in differing orientations relative to said apparatus, said document including magnetic ink markings on a surface of the document, and said apparatus comprising: means for magnetizing the magnetic ink markings on said document, and means for detecting magnetized ink markings on said document, wherein said magnetizing means and said detecting means are capable of magnetizing and detecting magnetic ink markings separated from said magnetizing means and said detecting means by at least one paper thickness; and means for determining that said document is in a first defined orientation, or that said document is in a second defined orientation different from the first orientation, and for identifying documents in said first orientation and documents in said second orientation based upon the location of detected magnetic ink markings on said documents.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said detecting means includes a magnetic head for providing electrical signals to a circuit for interpreting said signals and for providing an indication of the orientation of said document in accordance with said electrical signals.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said circuit includes means for determining indicia-defined features located on said document.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said indicia defined features include continuous groups of markings, and gaps separating said marking groups.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said gaps include spacings which exceed a defined length, and wherein said marking groups include spacings which do not exceed said defined length.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said detecting means include a pair of magnetic heads, and wherein a separate count of marking groups and gaps is maintained for signals received from each of said magnetic heads.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said indicia defined features further include gaps separating edges of said document and said marking groups.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said indicia are monitored responsive to passage of a leading edge of a document to said detecting means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said circuit includes microprocessor means for receiving said electrical signals, and for determining the orientation of said document based upon defined criteria selected according to the normal location of the indicia-defined features on said document.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 18 which further comprises means for orienting said document responsive to signals received from said orientation determining means.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the first orientation for said document is assumed by a document which is inverted and facing toward the magnetizing means and the detecting means, and the second orientation for said document is assumed by a document which is inverted and facing away from the magnetizing means and the detecting means.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 28 wherein the document is a check which, in said first orientation and in said second orientation, has a magnetically encodable data line disposed along top portions of the check.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the first orientation for said document is assumed by a document which is upright and facing toward the magnetizing means and the detecting means, and the second orientation for said document is assumed by a document which is upright and facing away from the magnetizing means and the detecting means.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 30 wherein said apparatus further includes means for determining that said document is in a third defined orientation different from the first and second orientations, and for identifying documents in said third orientation based upon the location of detected magnetic ink markings on said documents.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 31 wherein said apparatus further includes means for determining that said document is in a fourth defined orientation different from the first, second and third orientations, and for identifying documents in said fourth orientation based upon the location of detected magnetic ink markings on said documents.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus of claim 32 wherein the third orientation for said document is assumed by a document which is inverted and facing toward the magnetizing means and the detecting means, and the fourth orientation for said document is assumed by a document which is inverted and facing away from the magnetizing means and the detecting means.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the document is a check which, in said first orientation and in said second orientation, has a magnetically encodable data line disposed along bottom portions of the check.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
113 words
A method for determining the orientation of a document receivable in differing orientations, said document including magnetic ink markings on a surface of the document, and said method comprising the steps of: magnetizing the magnetic ink markings on said document; detecting magnetized ink markings on said document; wherein said magnetizing and said detecting are capable or operating through at least one paper thickness; and determining that said document is in a first defined orientation, or that said document is in a second defined orientation different from the first orientation, identifying documents in said first orientation and documents in said second orientation based upon the location of detected magnetic ink markings on said documents.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
113 words
A method for determining the orientation of a document receivable in differing orientations, said document including magnetic ink markings on a surface of the document, and said method comprising the steps of: magnetizing the magnetic ink markings on said document; detecting magnetized ink markings on said document; wherein said magnetizing and said detecting are capable or operating through at least one paper thickness; and determining that said document is in a first defined orientation, or that said document is in a second defined orientation different from the first orientation, identifying documents in said first orientation and documents in said second orientation based upon the location of detected magnetic ink markings on said documents.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 35 which further comprises the steps of: deriving electrical signals responsive to said detecting step; and interpreting said signals and providing an indication of the orientation of said document in accordance with said derived electrical signals.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 36 wherein said interpreting includes the step of determining indicia-defined features located on said document.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 37 wherein said indicia defined features include continuous groups of markings, and gaps separating said marking groups.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 38 wherein said gaps include spacings which exceed a defined length, and wherein said marking groups include spacings which do not exceed said defined length.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 38 which further comprises the step of counting the marking groups and gaps of the derived electrical signal.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 38 which further comprises the step of counting gaps separating edges of said document and said marking groups.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 38 which further comprises the step of monitoring said indicia responsive to passage of a leading edge of a document.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 38 which further comprises the steps of introducing said electrical signals to microprocessor means; and determining the orientation of said document based upon defined criteria selected according to the normal location of the indicia-defined features on said document.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 35 which further comprises the step of orienting said document according to the orientation defined by said determining step.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method of claim 35 wherein the first orientation for said document is assumed by a document which is inverted and facing toward means for magnetizing and means for detecting the magnetic ink markings on the document, and the second orientation for said document is assumed by a document which is inverted and facing away from the magnetizing means and the detecting means.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 45 wherein the document is a check which, in said first orientation and in said second orientation, has a magnetically encodable data line disposed along top portions of the check.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method of claim 35 wherein the first orientation for said document is assumed by a document which is upright and facing toward means for magnetizing and means for detecting the magnetic ink markings on the document, and the second orientation for said document is assumed by a document which is upright and facing away from the magnetizing means and the detecting means.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 47 which further comprises the step of determining that said document is in a third defined orientation different from the first and second orientations, identifying documents in said third orientation based upon the location of detected magnetic ink markings on said documents.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 48 which further comprises the step of determining that said document is in a fourth defined orientation different from the first, second and third orientations, identifying documents in said fourth orientation based upon the location of detected magnetic ink markings on said documents.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 49 wherein the third orientation for said document is assumed by a document which is inverted and facing toward the magnetizing means and the detecting means, and the fourth orientation for said document is assumed by a document which is inverted and facing away from the magnetizing means and the detecting means.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 50 wherein the document is a check which, in said first orientation and in said second orientation, has a magnetically encodable data line disposed along bottom portions of the check.
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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) | 1996-08-30 | 1997-03-01 | 1997-08-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-08-30 | 2001-03-01 | 2001-08-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-08-30 | 2005-03-01 | 2005-08-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |