Scanning system and method with file folder apparatus

A device configured for handling a paper holder comprising an upper cover and a lower cover, the device comprising:

• control circuitry including at least a CPU and associated memory;
• a platform for receiving the paper holder, the platform having detecting means for detecting the presence of the paper holder;
• a lifting mechanism controlled by the control circuitry, the lifting mechanism comprising an adhesive member;
• a paper pusher positioned above the paper holder and having a height greater than a total thickness of at least one paper;
• a first roller moveable in multiple directions;
• and
• a second roller moveable in multiple directions;
• wherein
• the lifting mechanism is configured to move in X, Y, and Z directions in response to an instruction from the control circuitry,
• the adhesive member is configured to removably attach to the upper cover of the paper holder,
• the lifting mechanism is configured to flip the upper cover of the paper holder open when the adhesive member is attached to the upper cover,
• the lifting mechanism is configured to detach from the paper holder and return to its original position away from the paper holder after the upper cover is flipped open,
• the paper pusher is configured to push at least one paper to a predetermined position on the platform,
• the first roller is configured to drive the folder forward and to push the at least one paper pushed to the predetermined position by the paper pusher to the scanner entrance, and
• the second roller is configured to push the folder to a separate channel away from a scanner entrance channel.

In a device configured for handling a paper holder comprising an upper cover and a lower cover, the device including a platform for receiving the paper holder, the platform having detecting means for detecting the presence of the paper holder, and the device including control circuitry having at least a CPU and associated memory, a method for automatically opening a paper holder and pushing documents contained in the paper holder onto a platform of a device for processing, the method executed by the control circuitry as configured by a program in the memory, and comprising:

• detecting with the detecting means the paper holder on the platform;
• activating a lifting mechanism;
• moving the lifting mechanism from its original position to a position above an upper cover of the paper holder;
• attaching the lifting mechanism to the upper cover of the paper holder;
• rotating the lifting mechanism to flip open the upper cover of the paper holder;
• detaching the lifting mechanism from the upper cover of the paper holder;
• moving the lifting mechanism to the original position, the original position being away from the paper holder;
• activating a first roller in said device, the first roller drives the paper holder and the documents to a predetermined position;
• activating a second roller in said device, the second roller drives the paper holder to a second predetermined position;
• lowering the first roller to a position that it contacts a top surface of the documents;
• activating the second roller to drive the folder to a third predetermined position;
• lowering a paper pusher and then driving the documents in a lateral direction to the first roller with the paper pusher;
• activating the first roller to drive the documents to a scanner entrance;
• and
• activating the second roller to drive the paper holder to another location.