Check-processing device with conditionally-reversible track direction

An apparatus for capturing images from checks and other financial and payment-related documents, the apparatus comprising:

• a compact, desktop document processor base unit including an input slot for receiving a document to be processed;
• a transport stage located within the base unit and receiving the document from the input slot, the transport stage including a document track, a processing device located along the document track, and a selector gate located along the document track after the processing device;
• the document track including a second, return path extending from a location at the selector gate to a location before the processing device;
• a bi-directional drive mechanism for receiving the document as the document passes through the selector gate in the forward direction;
• and
• a gate actuator for selectively moving the selector gate between a first position and a second position, wherein upon the bi-directional drive mechanism reversing direction after receiving the document to drive the document in the reverse direction, when the selector gate is in the first position, the selector gate diverts the document traveling in the reverse direction into the second, return path and re-introduces the document to the processing device with the document now in a reverse orientation, and when the selector gate is in the second position, the selector gate allows the document traveling in the reverse direction to be re-introduced, in reverse, to the processing device.