A document processing system includes an input receptacle for receiving
documents. A transport mechanism receives the documents from the input
receptacle and transports the documents past an image scanner and a
discrimination unit. An output receptacle receives the documents from the
transport mechanism after being transported past the full image scanner
and the discrimination unit. The image scanner operates to obtain images
of the documents and further operates to obtain images of selected
portions of the documents, and further can obtain information contained
in the selected portions. The discrimination unit operates to determine
document authenticity. A system controller directs the flow of documents
over the transport mechanism.