Convertible back counter / teller station document processor
View Patent ↗A compact, desktop document processor for capturing data and images from checks and other financial and payment-related documents includes a modular base unit. The modular base unit performs processing actions on financial and payment-related documents. The modular base unit is configured to operate in a teller station apparatus and is configured to operate in a back counter apparatus. The base unit includes an interface for connecting to an add-on component to match the base unit to workflow requirements. The base unit operates as the teller station apparatus when a hand feeder component is connected to the base unit at the add-on component interface. The base unit operates as the back counter apparatus when an automatic feeder component is connected to the base unit at the add-on component interface.
1. A document processor kit, comprising:
a base unit including an interface;
electronics disposed within the base unit, wherein the electronics provide
means for performing one or more document processing actions, wherein the one or more document processing actions include
endorsing, front image capturing, rear image capturing, magnetic ink character recognition reading, optical character recognition reading and bar code reading;
a first component; and
a second component, wherein one of the first component and the second component is adapted to be selectively attached to the base unit at the interface, wherein the first component provides
means for facilitating manual insertion of one document into the base unit and subsequently retaining the one document after the base unit performs the one or more document processing actions, wherein the second component provides
means for facilitating automatic insertion of one or more documents of a batch of documents into the base unit and subsequently retaining the one or more documents of the batch of documents after the base unit performs the one or more document processing actions.
2. The document processor kit of claim 1 , wherein the interface is formed by at least one aperture in the base unit, wherein each of the first component and the second component includes at least one member corresponding to the at least one aperture in order to permit one of the first component and the second component to be selectively attached to the base unit.
3. The document processor kit of claim 2 , wherein a configuration of the at least one aperture and the at least one member provides
means for snap-fit connecting one of the first component and the second component to the base unit.
4. The document processor kit of claim 1 , wherein the first component includes
a flange,
a first trough connected to the flange, and
a second trough connected to the flange, wherein the first trough forms a check entrance guide, wherein the second trough forms a check exit guide, wherein the check entrance guide provides
means for guiding the one document into the base unit, wherein the check exit guide provides
means for guiding the one document out of the base unit after the base unit performs the one or more document processing actions.
5. The document processor kit of claim 1 wherein the second component includes
a platform having a top surface,
a first sidewall extending away from the top surface,
a second sidewall extending away from the top surface,
a retaining wall extending away from the top surface, wherein the retaining wall is arranged between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, and
a spring-loaded flag extending away from the top surface, wherein the spring-loaded flag is arranged between the retaining wall and the second sidewall.
6. The document processor kit of claim 5 , wherein the one or more documents of the batch of documents are disposable upon the top surface and arranged between the spring-loaded flag and the second sidewall, wherein the spring-loaded flag is biased toward the one or more documents of the batch of documents to provide
means for pressing up against the one or more documents of the batch of documents for keeping the one or more documents of the batch of documents together.
7. The document processor kit of claim 5 wherein the first sidewall and the retaining wall form a trough that provides
means for receiving the one or more documents of the batch of document from the base unit after the base unit performs the one or more document processing actions.
8. The document processor kit of claim 5 , wherein the top surface forms at least one aperture in the second component, wherein the document processor kit further comprises:
a third component, wherein the third component is connected to the second component, wherein the third component includes
a base platform having a base surface,
an end wall extending away from the base surface, and
a divider wall extending away from the base surface, wherein the divider wall opposingly faces the first sidewall, wherein a first portion of the base surface, the first sidewall and the divider wall forms
a first pocket,
wherein the end wall opposingly faces the divider wall, wherein a second portion of the base surface, the end wall and the divider wall forms
a second pocket,
wherein the first pocket and the second pocket provides
means for sorting the one or more document of the batch of documents after the base unit performs the one or more document processing actions in view of criteria including one or more of: high value amounts, image quality and reader rejects.
9. The document processor kit of claim 8 , wherein the third component includes at least one member corresponding to at least one aperture formed in the top surface of the platform of the second component in order to permit the third component and the second component to be selectively attached, wherein a configuration of the at least one aperture and the at least one member provides
means for snap-fit connecting the third component to the second component.
10. A compact, desktop document processor for capturing data and images from checks and other financial and payment-related documents, the document processor comprising:
a modular base unit for performing processing actions on financial and payment-related documents, the modular base unit being configured to operate as a teller station apparatus and being configured to operate as a back counter apparatus, the base unit including an interface for connecting to an add-on component to match the base unit to workflow requirements; and
wherein the base unit operates as the teller station apparatus when a hand feeder component is connected to the base unit at the add-on component interface, and wherein the base unit operates as the back counter apparatus when an automatic feeder component is connected to the base unit at the add-on component interface;
an automatic feeder component attached to the base unit, thereby configuring the document processor as the back counter apparatus; and
a multiple pocket document stacker component attached to the base unit, wherein the multiple pocket document stacker component attaches to the base unit via attachment to the automatic feeder component, wherein the multiple pocket document stacker defines first and second pockets to allow documents to be sorted by the base unit based on workflow criteria.
11. A compact, desktop document processor for capturing data and images from checks and other financial and payment-related documents, the document processor comprising:
a compact, desktop, modular base unit for performing processing actions on financial and payment-related documents, the modular base unit being configured to operate as a teller station apparatus and being configured to operate as a back counter apparatus, the base unit including a connector;
an add-on component connected to the connector of the base unit, the add-on component matching the base unit to workflow requirements; and
wherein the base unit operates as the teller station apparatus when the add-on component is a hand feeder component, and wherein the base unit operates as the back counter apparatus when the add-on component is an automatic feeder component, wherein the add-on component comprises:
an automatic feeder component attached to the base unit, thereby configuring the document processor as the back counter apparatus; and
a multiple pocket document stacker component attached to the base unit, wherein the multiple pocket document stacker component attaches to the base unit via attachment to the automatic feeder component, wherein the multiple pocket document stacker defines first and second pockets to allow documents to be sorted by the base unit based on workflow criteria.
12. A document processor, comprising:
a base unit including electronics disposed within the base unit for performing one or more document processing actions including endorsing, front image capturing, rear image capturing, magnetic ink character recognition reading, optical character recognition reading and bar code reading, wherein the base unit includes a snap-fit interface in order to permit selective snap-fit attachment of one of a first component and a second component to the base unit.
13. The document processor according to claim 12 , wherein the first component provides means for facilitating manual insertion of one document into the base unit and subsequently retaining the one document after the base unit performs the one or more document processing actions, wherein the second component provides means for facilitating automatic insertion of one or more documents of a batch of documents into the base unit and subsequently retaining the one or more documents of the batch of documents after the base unit performs the one or more document processing actions.
14. The document processor of claim 12 , wherein the first component includes
a flange, a first trough connected to the flange and a second trough connected to the flange, wherein the first trough forms a check entrance guide, wherein the second trough forms a check exit guide, wherein the check entrance guide provides means for guiding the one document into the base unit, wherein the check exit guide provides means for guiding the one document out of the base unit after the base unit performs the one or more document processing actions.
15. The document processor of claim 12 , wherein the second component includes a platform having a top surface, a first sidewall extending away from the top surface, a second sidewall extending away from the top surface, a retaining wall extending away from the top surface, wherein the retaining wall is arranged between the first sidewall and the second sidewall and a spring-loaded flag extending away from the top surface, wherein the spring-loaded flag is arranged between the retaining wall and the second sidewall.
16. The document processor of claim 15 , wherein the one or more documents of the batch of documents are disposable upon the top surface and arranged between the spring-loaded flag and the second sidewall, wherein the spring-loaded flag is biased toward the one or more documents of the batch of documents to provide means for pressing up against the one or more documents of the batch of documents for keeping the one or more documents of the batch of documents together.
17. The document processor of claim 15 , wherein the first sidewall and the retaining wall form a trough that provides means for receiving the one or more documents of the batch of document from the base unit after the base unit performs the one or more document processing actions.
18. The document processor of claim 15 , wherein the top surface forms at least one aperture in the second component, wherein the document processor kit further comprises: a third component, wherein the third component is connected to the second component, wherein the third component includes a base platform having a base surface, an end wall extending away from the base surface, and a divider wall extending away from the base surface, wherein the divider wall opposingly faces the first sidewall, wherein a first portion of the base surface, the first sidewall and the divider wall forms a first pocket, wherein the end wall opposingly faces the divider wall, wherein a second portion of the base surface, the end wall and the divider wall forms a second pocket, wherein the first pocket and the second pocket provides means for sorting the one or more document of the batch of documents after the base unit performs the one or more document processing actions in view of criteria including one or more of: high value amounts, image quality and reader rejects.
19. The document processor of claim 18 , wherein the third component includes at least one member corresponding to at least one aperture formed in the top surface of the platform of the second component in order to permit the third component and the second component to be selectively attached, wherein a configuration of the at least one aperture and the at least one member provides means for snap-fit connecting the third component to the second component.