US 12,138,662 B2
Document imaging apparatus with leading edge engagement for improved performance
Michael Sullivan, Moorestown, NJ (US); Kerry O'Mara, Moorestown, NJ (US); John Allen, Moorestown, NJ (US); James Walsh, Moorestown, NJ (US); Dobromir Kamburov, Moorestown, NJ (US); Michael Sparango, Moorestown, NJ (US); David Helmlinger, Moorestown, NJ (US); and Peter Patrick, Moorestown, NJ (US)
Assigned to OPEX Corporation, Moorestown, NJ (US)
Filed by OPEX Corporation, Moorestown, NJ (US)
Filed on Sep. 19, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/370,229.
Application 18/370,229 is a continuation of application No. 18/129,063, filed on Mar. 30, 2023, granted, now 11,985,280.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/325,605, filed on Mar. 30, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0024921 A1, Jan. 25, 2024
Int. Cl. B07C 3/08 (2006.01); H04N 1/00 (2006.01)
CPC B07C 3/08 (2013.01) [H04N 1/00588 (2013.01); H04N 1/00602 (2013.01); H04N 1/00633 (2013.01); H04N 1/00793 (2013.01)] 6 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus for processing documents, comprising:
a scanner for scanning a document to obtain image data, wherein the scanner comprises a cover through which the scanner scans the document and the scanner has a depth a field that includes a surface of the cover and a field of view of a camera,
wherein elements within the field of view are scanned and elements within the depth of field are generally in focus and elements outside the depth of field are generally not in focus;
a document transport for conveying the document along a document path over the cover, wherein the scanner is operable to scan the document as the transport conveys the document over the cover;
a housing opposing the cover for guiding the document toward the cover as the document transport conveys the document past the scanner, wherein the housing comprises an opening opposing the cover, wherein the opening is configured so that portions of the housing exposed to the scanner are positioned outside the depth of field of the scanner;
a roller assembly opposing the scanner biased toward the cover wherein a gap is formed between the roller assembly and the cover so that a document can pass between the cover and the roller assembly, comprising:
a first roller extending across the document path configured to engage the leading edge of the document and guide the leading edge downwardly toward the cover; and
a second roller parallel with the first roller and spaced apart from the first roller to provide a gap that is wider than the field of view of the camera wherein the second roller is configured to engage the leading edge of the document and guide the leading edge downwardly toward the cover.