Granted Patent B1

US 8,083,143 · App. 11/893,642 · Granted Dec 27, 2011

Abstract

Claims (50)

1. A hand-operated document processor comprising:

a base for receiving a document containing magnetic ink character data to be read and recognized;

a manually operated moving magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) subsystem, the subsystem including a MICR read head and being attached to the base such that movement of the subsystem causes the MICR read head to pass over the magnetic ink character data on the document;

MICR reading and recognition logic receiving the signal from the MICR read head;

an inertial wheel arrangement including a clutch and an inertia wheel, the inertia wheel being connected through the clutch to drive the moving MICR subsystem

a recoil starter mechanism;

and a one-way clutch mechanism connecting the recoil starter mechanism to the inertia wheel.

2. The hand-operated document processor of claim 1 wherein the inertia wheel arrangement provides speed feedback information as the MICR read head passes over the magnetic ink character data on the document, the MICR reading and recognition logic further receiving the speed feedback information for use during character data recognition.

3. The hand-operated document processor of claim 1 wherein the moving MICR subsystem further comprises:

an image sensor that passes over the document as the MICR read head passes over the magnetic ink character data on the document.

4. The hand-operated document processor of claim 1 further comprising:

a speed reduction mechanism; and

wherein the inertia wheel is connected through the clutch to the speed reduction mechanism which drives the moving MICR subsystem.

5. The hand-operated document processor of claim 1 further comprising:

a tachometer connected to the inertia wheel and providing speed feedback information as the MICR read head passes over the magnetic ink character data on the document, the MICR reading and recognition logic further receiving the speed feedback information for use during character data recognition.

6. The hand-operated document processor of claim 5 further comprising:

a series of display elements that are illuminated based on the speed feedback to provide feedback to an operator indicative of inertia wheel speed.

7. The hand-operated document processor of claim 1 further comprising:

a linear guide shaft engaging the moving MICR subsystem for guiding the motion of the moving MICR subsystem as the MICR subsystem is driven by the inertia wheel.

8. The hand-operated document processor of claim 1 further comprising:

a belt and pulley arrangement that is driven by the inertia wheel when the clutch is engaged, the MICR subsystem being attached to the belt.

9. The hand-operated document processor of claim 1 further comprising:

a clutch engagement mechanism for engaging/disengaging the clutch to drive the moving MICR subsystem.

10. A method of operating the hand-operated document processor of claim 9 , the method comprising:

spinning up the inertia wheel; and

engaging the clutch to cause the inertia wheel to drive the moving MICR subsystem.

11. A hand-operated document processor comprising:

a base for receiving a document containing magnetic ink character data to be read and recognized;

a manually operated moving magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) subsystem, the subsystem including a MICR read head and being attached to the base such that movement of the subsystem causes the MICR read head to pass over the magnetic ink character data on the document, the subsystem further including an image sensor that passes over the document as the MICR read head passes over the magnetic ink character data on the document;

MICR reading and recognition logic receiving the signal from the MICR read head;

an inertial wheel arrangement including a clutch and an inertia wheel, the inertia wheel being connected through the clutch to drive the moving MICR subsystem;

wherein the inertia wheel arrangement provides speed feedback information as the MICR read head passes over the magnetic ink character data on the document, the MICR reading and recognition logic further receiving the speed feedback information for use during character data recognition;

a recoil starter mechanism; and

a one-way clutch mechanism connecting the recoil starter mechanism to the inertia wheel.

12. The hand-operated document processor of claim 11 further comprising:

a speed reduction mechanism; and

wherein the inertia wheel is connected through the clutch to the speed reduction mechanism which drives the moving MICR subsystem.

13. The hand-operated document processor of claim 11 further comprising:

a tachometer connected to the inertia wheel and providing the speed feedback information.

14. The hand-operated document processor of claim 13 further comprising:

a series of display elements that are illuminated based on the speed feedback to provide feedback to an operator indicative of inertia wheel speed.

15. The hand-operated document processor of claim 11 further comprising:

a linear guide shaft engaging the moving MICR subsystem for guiding the motion of the moving MICR subsystem as the MICR subsystem is driven by the inertia wheel.

16. The hand-operated document processor of claim 11 further comprising:

a belt and pulley arrangement that is driven by the inertia wheel when the clutch is engaged, the MICR subsystem being attached to the belt.

17. The hand-operated document processor of claim 11 further comprising:

a clutch engagement mechanism for engaging/disengaging the clutch to drive the moving MICR subsystem.

18. A method of operating the hand-operated document processor of claim 17 , the method comprising:

spinning up the inertia wheel; and

engaging the clutch to cause the inertia wheel to drive the moving MICR subsystem.

Assignments (16)