MODULAR DOCUMENT SORTING APPARATUS AND METHOD
First Claim
1. A method of processing documents comprising:
- providing a modular document sorting apparatus having;
a plurality of modules functionally and releasably connected to one another to scan documents for information and sort the documents according to the information,the plurality of modules including a scanning module;
a sorting module for sorting documents according to scanned information;
wherein at least one-of the plurality of modules includes a document feeder at least one of the plurality of modules includes a document singulator; and
at least one of the plurality of modules includes at least one transport belt, the width of which is disposed substantially horizontally such that documents when carried on the at least one belt are transported in a flat manner on the at least one transport belt;
wherein two or more modules are configured to be powered by separate power supplies; and
wherein the apparatus is controlled by a transport computer and an imaging computer;
wherein the transport computer governs image capturing, document transport and document sorting;
wherein the imaging computer processes image information to determine sorting requirements;
the apparatus stores images;
such that the apparatus can operate by releasing one or more modules not necessary for either scanning or sorting when scanning or sorting; and
choosing to scan, sort or both with the modular document sorting apparatus by using the apparatus as configured;
or releasing one or more modules not necessary for either scanning or sorting to choose between scanning or sorting documents.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods using a modular document sorting apparatus are disclosed. A plurality of modules are functionally connected to one another to enable them to scan documents for information and sort the documents according to the scanned information. Each module performs at least one function. Functions can include, feeding documents into the apparatus, singulating documents, transporting documents through at least a portion of the apparatus, scanning documents, printing on documents and sorting documents according to scanned information. Each module may be powered by a separate power supply. A single on/off switch can control a plurality of modules.
24 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of processing documents comprising:
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providing a modular document sorting apparatus having; a plurality of modules functionally and releasably connected to one another to scan documents for information and sort the documents according to the information, the plurality of modules including a scanning module; a sorting module for sorting documents according to scanned information; wherein at least one-of the plurality of modules includes a document feeder at least one of the plurality of modules includes a document singulator; and at least one of the plurality of modules includes at least one transport belt, the width of which is disposed substantially horizontally such that documents when carried on the at least one belt are transported in a flat manner on the at least one transport belt; wherein two or more modules are configured to be powered by separate power supplies; and wherein the apparatus is controlled by a transport computer and an imaging computer; wherein the transport computer governs image capturing, document transport and document sorting; wherein the imaging computer processes image information to determine sorting requirements; the apparatus stores images; such that the apparatus can operate by releasing one or more modules not necessary for either scanning or sorting when scanning or sorting; and choosing to scan, sort or both with the modular document sorting apparatus by using the apparatus as configured;
or releasing one or more modules not necessary for either scanning or sorting to choose between scanning or sorting documents. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification