Table top image based document processing machine and methods of processing documents

Claim 2

A document processing machine for use with a computer having a keyboard, display, and control means for controlling the operation of said computer; said document processing machine being used for processing a document having a first side and a second side, said document processing machine comprising: a document track having a first end and a second end with said first end being used for entering and exiting said document, and with said end being used for exiting said document; programmable transport means for moving said document along first and second feeding directions within said document track, with said first and second directions being towards said second and first ends, respectively; imaging means for imaging substantially all of one of said first and second sides at said document is moved along one of said first and second feeding directions in imaging relationship with said imaging means; a printer positioned along said document track for printing on substantially all of one of said first and second sides of said document; a control board operatively coupled to said transport means, imaging means, and printer, and input means for coupling said control board to said control means of said computer; said control board comprising: an image processing system controlling said imaging means; a track encoder system controlling said transport means; and an operating system coupled to said image processing system and said track encoder system; said operating system having storing means storing operating softward downloaded from said computer, and also having an imbedded processor executing said operating software.

Claim 3

A document processing machine for use with a computer having a keyboard, display, and control means for controlling the operation of said computer; said document processing machine being used for processing a document having a first side and a second side, said document processing machine comprising: a document track having a first end and a second end with said first end being used for entering and exiting said document, and with said second end being used for exiting said document; programmable transport means for moving said document along first and second feeding directions within said document track, with said first and second directions being towards said second and first ends, respectively; imaging means for imaging substantially all of one of said first and second sides as said document is moved along one of said first and second feeding directions in imaging relationship with said imaging means; a printer positioned along said document track for printing on substantially all of one of said first and second sides of said document; a magnetic card reader; an encrypter; a control board operatively coupled to said transport means, imaging means, printer, magnetic card reader, and said encrypter; and input means for coupling said control board to said control means of said computer; said control board comprising: an image processing system controlling said imaging means; a track encoder system controlling said transport means; a magnetic card reader system controlling said magnetic reader; an encryption system controlling said encrypter; and an operating system operatively coupled to said image processing system, said track encoder system, said image processing system, said magnetic card reader system, and said encryption system; said operating system having storing means storing operating software downloaded from said computer, and also having an embedded processor executing said operating software.

Claim 4

A document processing machine for use with a computer having a keyboard, display, and control means for controlling the operation of said computer; said document processing machine being used for processing a document having a first side and a second side, said document processing machine comprising: a document track having a first end and a second end with said first end being used for entering and exiting said document, and with said second end being used for exiting said document; programmable transport means for moving said document along first and second feeding directions within said document track, with said first and second directions being towards said second and first ends, respectively; imaging means for imaging substantially all of one of said first and second sides as said document is moved along one of said first and second feeding directions in imaging relationship with said imaging means; a printer positioned along said document track for printing on substantially all of one of said first and second sides of said document; a magnetic card reader; an encrypter; a control board operatively coupled to said transport means, imaging means, printer, magnetic card reader, and said encrypter; and input means for coupling said control board to said control means of said computer; said control board comprising: an image processing system controlling said imaging means; a track encoder system controlling said transport means; a magnetic card reader system controlling said magnetic reader; an encryption system controlling said encrypter; and an operating system operatively coupled to said image processing system, said track encoder system, said image processing system, said magnetic card reader system, and said encryption system; said operating system having storing means storing operating software downloaded from said computer, and also having an embedded processor executing said operating software.

Claim 5

A document processing machine for use with a computer having a keyboard, display, and control means for controlling the operation of said computer; said document processing machine being used for processing a document having a first side and a second side, said document processing machine comprising: a document track having a first end and a second end with said first end being used for entering and exiting said document, and with said second end being used for exiting said document; programmable transport means for moving said document along first and second feeding directions within said document track, with said first and second directions being towards said second and first ends, respectively; imaging means for imaging one of said first and second sides as said document is moved along one of said first and second feeding directions in imaging relationship with said imaging means; a printer positioned along said document track for printing on one of said first and second sides of said document; a magnetic card reader; an encrypter; a control board operatively coupled to said transport means, imaging means, printer, magnetic card reader, and said encrypter; and input means for coupling said control board to said control means of said computer; said control board comprising: an image processing system controlling said imaging means; a track encoder system controlling said transport means; a magnetic card reader system controlling said magnetic reader; an encryption system controlling said encrypter; and an operating system operatively coupled to said image processing system, said track encoder system, said imaging processing system, said magnetic card reader system, and said encryption system; said operating system having storing means storing operating software downloaded from said computer, and also having an embedded processor executing said operating software; said imaging processing system, said track encoder system, and said magnetic card reader system each have a RAM storing running software and an embedded processor for executing the associated said running software, with said running software being downloaded from said computer via said operating system.

Claim 6

A document processing machine for use with a computer having a keyboard, display, and control means for controlling the operation of said computer; said document processing machine being used for processing a document having a first side and a second side, said document processing machine comprising: a document track having a first end and a second end with said first end being used for entering and exiting said document, and with said second end being used for exiting said document; programmable transport means for moving said document along first and second feeding directions within said document track, with said first and second directions being towards said second and first ends, respectively; imaging means for imaging one of said first and second sides as said document is moved along one of said first and second feeding directions in imaging relationship with said imaging means; a printer positioned along said document track for printing on one of said first and second sides of said document; a magnetic card reader; an encrypter; a control board operatively coupled to said transport means, imaging means, printer, magnetic card reader, and said encrypter; and input means for coupling said control board to said control means of said computer; said control board comprising: an image processing system controlling said imaging means; a track encoder system controlling said transport means; a magnetic card reader system controlling said magnetic reader; an encryption system controlling said encrypter; and an operating system operatively coupled to said image processing system, said track encoder system, said imaging processing system, said magnetic card reader system, and said encryption system; said operating system having storing means storing operating software downloaded from said computer, and also having an embedded processor executing said operating software; said imaging processing system, said track encoder system, and said magnetic card reader system each have a RAM storing running software and an embedded processor for executing the associated said running software, with said running software being downloaded from said computer via said operating system.

Claim 7

The document processing machine as claimed in claim 3 in which aid input means includes a SCSI interface.

Claim 8

The document processing machine as claimed in claim 3 in which said RAM of said image processing system stores image data received from said imaging means; and in which said image processing system includes: means for selecting zones of said image data; and means for performing optical character recognition on said zones of image data.

Claim 9

The document processing system as claimed in claim 5 in which said image data is stored in said RAM of said image processing system as gray level data and bi-level data.

Claim 10

The document processing machine as claimed in claim 6 in which said magnetic card reader generates customer data when a customer's card is read thereby, and said customer data is used by said control means for designating zones on said document for processing by said image processing system, said track encoder system, and said printer.

Claim 11

The document processing machine as claimed in claim 6 in which said printer is a printer for printing MICR data on the first side of said document.

Claim 12

A table top document processing machine for use with a computer having a keyboard, display, and control means for controlling the operation of said computer; said document processing machine being used for processing a document having a first side and a second side, said document processing machine comprising: an image processing system including running software for imaging the first and second sides of said document moved in a document track; a track encoder system including running software for printing graphics and alpha-numerics on said first and second sides and also for printing MICR data on said first side of said document; a magnetic card reader system including running software and a magnetic reader for reading customer data from a card inserted in said magnetic reader; an encryption system including running software for encryption of data processed by said machine; and an operating system including operating system software and a PC chip set for executing said operating system software; said document processing machine having an architecture enabling said operating system software and said running software to be stored in said control means of said computer and to be downloaded to said operating system, with said running software being downloaded by said operating system to the associated image processing system, track encoder system, magnetic card reader system, and encryption system.

Claim 13

A table top document processing machine for use with a computer having a keyboard, display, and control means for controlling the operation of said computer; said document processing machine being used for processing a document having a first side and a second side, said document processing machine comprising: an image processing system including running software for imaging the first and second sides of said document moved in a document track; a track encoder system including running software for printing graphics and alpha-numerics on said first and second sides and also for printing MICR data on said first side of said document; a magnetic card reader system including running software and a magnetic reader for reading customer data from a card inserted in said magnetic reader; an encryption system including running software for encryption of data processed by said machine; and an operating system including operating system software and a PC chip set for executing said operating system software; said document processing machine having an architecture enabling said operating system software and said running software to be stored in said control means of said computer and to be downloaded to said operating system, with said running software being downloaded by said operating system to the associated image processing system, track encoder system, magnetic card reader system, and encryption system.

Claim 14

The document processing machine as claimed in claim 9 in which said track encoder system includes a document transport for moving the document bi-directionally within a document track included in the document processing machine.

Claim 15

The document processing machine as claimed in claim 10 in which said image processing system includes a first imager and a second imager for imaging said first and second sides of said document to generate image data therefor.

Claim 16

The document processing machine as claimed in claim 11 in which said running software associated with said image processing system performs optical character recognition on said image data.

Claim 17

The document processing machine as claimed in claim 12 in which said track encoder system includes first and second printers for printing on said first and second sides of said document, and also includes a MICR printer for printing on said first side of said document.

Claim 18

A document processing machine for use with a computer having a keyboard, display, and control means for controlling the operation of said computer, said document processing machine comprising: a document track having a first end and a second end; programmable transport means for moving a document having a front side and a rear side, with said programmable transport means moving said document along first and second feeding directions within said document track, and with said first and second directions being towards said second and first ends, respectively; first imaging means for imaging said front side and second imaging means for imaging said rear side as said document is moved along said feeding directions in imaging relationship with said first and second imaging means, respectively; a first printer positioned along said document track for printing on said front side; a second printer positioned along said document track for printing on said rear side; a third printer positioned along said document track for printing MICR data on said front side; a control board operatively coupled to said transport means, first and second imaging means, and first, second, and third printers; and input means for coupling said control board to said control means of said computer.

Claim 19

A document processing machine for use with a computer having a keyboard, display, and control means for controlling the operation of said computer, said document processing machine comprising: a document track having a first end and a second end; programmable transport means for moving a document having a front side and a rear side, with said programmable transport means moving said document along first and second feeding directions within said document track, and with said first and second directions being towards said second and first ends, respectively; first imaging means for imaging said front side and second imaging means for imaging said rear side as said document is moved along said feeding directions in imaging relationship with said first and second imaging means, respectively; a first printer positioned along said document track for printing on said front side; a second printer positioned along said document track for printing on said rear side; a third printer positioned along said document track for printing MICR data on said front side; a control board operatively coupled to said transport means, first and second imaging means, and first, second, and third printers; and input means for coupling said control board to said control means of said computer.

Claim 20

The document processing machine as claimed in claim 14 in which said first and second printers are text and graphics printers and said third printer is a MICR printer and in which said transport means includes a bi-directional motor for moving said document and also includes sensor means for outputting a control signal to said control board to enable said bi-directional motor to be energized only when the document is properly positioned in said first end of said document track.

Claim 21

The document processing machine as claimed in claim 14 in which each of said first and second printers comprises: a frame; a carriage mounted on said frame for movement in directions perpendicular to said first and second feeding directions; a print head mounted on said carriage; and means for moving said carriage with the print head thereon in said directions perpendicular to said first and second directions to enable said print head to print alpha-numerics and graphics on said document.

Claim 22

The document processing machine as claimed in claim 16 in which each said print head of said first and second printers is a replaceable ink jet print head.

Claim 23

The document processing machine as claimed in claim 17 in which said machine has a chassis and in which said document track, transport means, first and second imaging means and first, second, and third printers are mounted on said chassis, and in which said control board is mounted under said chassis.

Claim 24

The document processing machine as claimed in claim 10 in which said control board comprises: an image processing system controlling said first and second imaging means; a track encoder system controlling said programmable transport means; and an operating system coupled to said image processing system and said track encoder system and including operating system software and a PC chip set for executing said operating system software; said operating system software being downloaded from said control means of said computer.

Claim 33

The system as claimed in claim 23 in which said programmable transport means includes a bi-directional motor for moving said document and also includes sensor means for outputting a control signal to said control board to enable said bi-directional motor to be energized only when the document is properly positioned in said first end of said document track.

Claim 34

The system as claimed in claim 24 in which each of said first and second printers comprises: a frame mounted on the topside of said chassis; a carriage mounted on said frame for movement in directions perpendicular to said first and second feeding directions; a print head mounted on said carriage; and means for moving said carriage with the print head thereon in said directions perpendicular to said first and second directions to enable said print head to print alpha-numerics and graphics on said document.

Claim 35

The system as claimed in claim 25 in which each said print head of said first and second printers is a replaceable ink jet print head.

Claim 36

The system as claimed in claim 26 in which said document track, programmable transport means, first and second imaging means and first, second, and third printers are mounted on said topside of said chassis, and in which said control board is mounted on the underside of said chassis.

Claim 37

The system as claimed in claim 27 in which said control board comprises: an image processing system controlling said first and second imaging means; a track encoder system controlling said transport means; and an operating system coupled to said image processing system and said track encoder system; said operating system including operating system software and a PC chip set for executing said operating system software, with said operating system software being downloaded from said control means of said computer.

Claim 38

The system as claimed in claim 28 in which said first and second printers are graphics printers.

Claim 39

The system as claimed in claim 29 in which said first and second imaging means and said first and second printers have associated plug-in contacts to enable said imaging means and said printer to be mounted on the topside of said chassis with the associated plug-in contacts passing through said chassis to operatively engage said control board.

Claim 40

The system as claimed in claim 30 in which said computer has storing means and in which said control means of said computer has editing means for editing image data from said imaging means to generate a graphic which may be stored in said storing means for use in selectively printing said graphic on a said document by said first and second printers.

Claim 41

The system as claimed in claim 31 in which said third printer is a MICR printer.

Claim 42

The system as claimed in claim 32 in which said document is a financial document, and said graphic is an endorsement printed on said financial document.

Claim 43

The system as claimed in claim 33 in which said editing means in said control means of said computer includes a Windows(™) program, a Paint(™) program, and a Clipboard(™) storage associated with said Windows(™) and Paint(™) programs.

Claim 44

The system as claimed in claim 31 in which said storing means includes a plurality of graphics and said control mans has means for selecting a graphic to be printed on said document by said first and second printers.

Claim 45

The system as claimed in claim 35 in which said document processing machine also includes a magnetic card reader coupled to said control board for entering data into said document processing machine.

Claim 48

The method as claimed in claim 37 in which said printing step is effected while a print head in said printer is moved along a direction which is perpendicular to said feeding directions.

Claim 49

The method as claimed in claim 37 in which said step of inputting is effected by actuating a key on said keyboard.

Claim 50

The method as claimed in claim 37 in which said printing step is initiated only after said document is properly positioned in said document track in response to a favorable signal from alignment sensors positioned in said document track.

Claim 51

The method as claimed in claim 37 in which said printing is effected on said second side which is the rear side of said document.

Claim 52

The method as claimed in claim 37 further comprising the steps of: (e) imaging at least one of said first and second sides using said imaging means to generate an image of said document; and (f) storing said image in said storing means.

Claim 57

The method as claimed in claim 44 in which said step of inputting is effected by actuating a key on said keyboard.

Claim 58

The method as claimed in claim 44 in which said step of inputting is effected by using said imaging means to read a code on said document to generate said selection signal.

Claim 67

The method as claimed in claim 50 in which said said using step (c) comprises: (cl) using said track encoder system for ejecting said document from either side of said document track.

Claim 68

The method as claimed in claim 50 in which said said using step (c) comprises: (cl) using said image processing system for performing character recognition on image data generated by said image processing system.

Claim 69

The method as claimed in claim 50 in which said said using step (c) comprises: (cl) using said track encoder system for printing a form.

Claim 70

The method as claimed in claim 50 in which said said using step (c) comprises: (cl) using said track encoder system for issuing a check.

Claim 71

The method as claimed in claim 50 in which said said using step (c) comprises: (cl) using said track encoder system for issuing a receipt-type document.

Claim 72

The method as claimed in claim 50 in which said said using step (c) comprises: (cl) using said image processing system for viewing zones of image data generated by said image processing system.

Claim 73

The method as claimed in claim 50 in which said using step (c) comprises: (cl) using said image processing system for performing character recognition on image data generated for a document by said image processing system, with said step of performing character recognition being effected by selecting a zone of said image data, with said zone being anywhere on said document.