Leafing mechanism

1. A method of automatically opening a closed, multiple sheet bound book in a machine for subsequent processing on a desired page of the book, one sheet of the book defining a front cover sheet and another sheet of the book defining a back cover sheet, comprising:

introducing the multiple sheet book in a closed configuration into the machine;

inserting a pin between two adjacent sheets of the book to define a first book portion and a second book portion; and

using the pin to assist in moving the first book portion away from the second book portion to expose the desired page for subsequent processing.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the book is introduced into the machine in a vertical orientation with its binding facing downward, top edges of the sheets facing upward, and opposite side edges of the sheets facing sideways.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the pin is inserted between the two adjacent sheets through the top edges of the sheets.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the pin is inserted proximate the centers of the adjacent sheets.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the book is a passport and the desired page is on the front cover sheet, the back cover sheet, or a page on a sheet that is next to the front cover sheet or the back cover sheet.

6. A method of opening a closed, multiple sheet bound book in a machine for subsequent processing on a desired page of the book, one sheet of the book defining a front cover sheet and another sheet of the book defining a back cover sheet, comprising:

introducing the multiple sheet book in a closed configuration into the machine;

manipulating the closed book to spread the sheets apart;

locating the desired page to be processed;

inserting a pin between the sheet that contains the desired page and the sheet that contains the page that faces the desired page to define a first book portion and a second book portion; and

using the pin to assist in moving the first book portion away from the second book portion and expose the desired page to be processed.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the book is introduced into the machine in a vertical orientation with its binding facing downward, top edges of the sheets facing upward, and opposite side edges of the sheets facing sideways.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the pin is inserted through the top edges of the sheets.

9. The method of claim 6 , wherein the pin is inserted proximate the centers of the sheets.

10. The method of claim 6 , further comprising counting the sheets in the book.

11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising verifying that the correct book is present in the machine based on the number of sheets counted.

12. The method of claim 6 , wherein manipulating the book comprises bending the binding of the book thereby bending the entire book.

13. The method of claim 6 , further comprising fixing the second book portion while the first book portion is moved away from the second book portion.

14. The method of claim 6 , wherein the book is a passport and the desired page is on the front cover sheet, the back cover sheet, or a page on a sheet that is next to the front cover sheet or the back cover sheet.

15. A machine for automatically opening a closed, multiple sheet bound book that is inserted into the machine for subsequent processing on a desired page of the book, comprising:

an input through which a closed, multiple sheet bound book is introduced into the machine; and

an opening station at which the book is opened, the opening station including:

i) a manipulating mechanism that manipulates the book in a manner to spread the sheets apart;

ii) a sensor positioned to sense the spread apart sheets of the book; and

iii) an extensible and retractable pin positioned to be inserted between the sheet that contains the desired page and the sheet that contains the page that faces the desired page to define a first book portion and a second book portion.

16. The machine of claim 15 , further comprising an actuation mechanism connected to the pin for actuating the pin in a manner to assist in moving the first book portion away from the second book portion and expose the desired page to be processed.

17. The machine of claim 16 , further comprising a fixing mechanism that is configured to fix the second book portion as the first book portion is moved away therefrom.

18. The machine of claim 15 , wherein the book is introduced into the machine in a vertical orientation with its binding facing downward, top edges of the sheets facing upward, and opposite side edges of the sheets facing sideways, and when the book is at the opening station, the sensor and the pin are positionable above the upwardly facing top edges of the sheets.

19. The machine of claim 15 , wherein the book is a passport and the desired page is on a front cover sheet, a back cover sheet, or a page on a sheet that is next to the front cover sheet or the back cover sheet.