Scanner apparatus for scanning bank checks and other paper documents

A scanner apparatus for scanning paper documents, of the type comprising a first device for scanning bank checks, wherein the first device includes:

• a first input receptacle for receiving at least one check to be scanned, the check includind a front face and a rear face;
• at least one first image-scanner unit for scanning at least one of the faces of the check,
• a first output receptacle for receiving the check after it has been scanned by the first scanner unit, and
• a first conveyor mechanism for conveying checks, one at a time, from the first input receptacle to the first output receptacle, passing in front of the first scanner unit;
• and
• the apparatus further comprising a second device for scanning other paper documents, wherein the second device includes:
• a second input receptacle for receiving at least one paper document to be scanned, the paper document including a front face and a rear face,
• at least one second image-scanner unit for scanning at least one of the faces of the paper document,
• at least one second output receptacle for receiving the paper document after it has been scanned by the second scanner unit, and
• a second conveyor mechanism for conveying paper documents, one at a time, from the second input receptacle to the second output receptacle, passing in front of the second scanner unit;
• the scanner apparatus being characterized in that;
• the second image-scanner unit is mounted so as to be rotatable about an axis perpendiccular to a path of movement of the paper document in order to be able to adopt a first angular position in which the second image-scanner unit is situated on one side of the path of movement in order to scan one face of the paper document and a second angular position to which the second image-scanner unit is rotated from the first angular position and in which the second image-scanner unit is situated on an opposite side of the path of movement in order to scan the other face of the document, and
• the second conveyor mechanism comprises a pair of motor-driven rollers which are adapted to be rotated selectively and alternatively in two opposite directions of rotation in order to move the paper document in a first direction or in a second direction opposite the first direction.