Method of scanning documents
View Patent ↗A document scanner ( 10 ) includes an input tray ( 30 ) for holding documents ( 20 ) prior to imaging; an output tray ( 150 ) for holding documents after the documents exit the scanner; an output image capture device ( 140 ) for capturing images of the output tray; an image processor for determining characteristics of the output tray or characteristic of the documents after the documents exit the scanner; and scanner functions are modified based on the output tray characteristics or the document characteristics.
1. A method of scanning documents comprising:
providing an input tray for holding documents prior to imaging;
providing an output tray for holding documents after the documents exit the scanner;
capturing images of the output tray with an output image capture device;
determining characteristics of the output tray or characteristics of the documents after the documents exit the scanner; and
modifying scanner functions based on said output tray characteristics or said document characteristics.
2. The method as in claim 1 comprising capturing images of documents in the input tray.
3. The method as in claim 1 wherein images of documents are captured as they exit the scanner.
4. The method as in claim 1 wherein images of the documents are captured after they exit the scanner.
5. The method as in claim 1 wherein one characteristic is whether or not the output tray is empty.
6. The method as in claim 1 wherein one characteristic is a level of documents in the output tray.
7. The method as in claim 1 wherein one characteristic is whether the documents are improperly stacked.
8. The method as in claim 7 comprising alerting an operator if the documents are improperly stacked.
9. The method as in claim 7 comprising determining if the documents are improperly stacked due to output tray side guides or end stop.
10. The method as in claim 1 comprising comparing the input condition of the document to the output condition of the document.