Typewriting machines – Sheet or web
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-30
2001-07-10
Hilten, John S. (Department: 2854)
Typewriting machines
Sheet or web
C400S188000, C400S582000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06257783
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a printer having an image scanner, and more particularly to a printer for printing and processing checks.
BACKGROUND
Payment systems capable of handling personal checks are commonly used in supermarkets and other retailers. As shown in
FIG. 24
(A), these checks have a payment information area
240
on the front of the check for writing the amount, payee (store name), and the check writer's signature, and magnetic ink character text
241
for recording a unique check verification number. An endorsement area
242
is further provided on the back of the check as shown in
FIG. 24
(B) for endorsement by the payee.
When a check is used in a supermarket, for example, the amount, store name, and customer's signature are written to payment information area
240
, check validity is verified using magnetic ink character text
241
, and the check is then endorsed in endorsement area
242
. These tasks are typically accomplished by a process similar to the following.
First, the check issuer or user (referred to below as the customer) handwrites the amount and store name, and signs the check in payment information area
240
. An MICR scanner at the checkout register then scans the magnetic ink character text
241
to obtain the bank and account number information. This information is then sent to the bank for check verification. If the check is verified, a printer at the checkout register prints the store's endorsement information to the endorsement area
242
on the back of the check. The check is then sent via the store's bank to the customer's bank where an image of the check is captured to microfilm and stored for a period of time.
A problem with this common process is that different devices are required for each step of the process and many of the steps are manually performed. The check must therefore be manually transferred between steps, and completing the transaction thus becomes timeconsuming. While printers having an integral MICR reader are now also available, the operator must still turn the check over between MICR scanning and endorsement printing steps.
Furthermore, the conventional transaction process requires the bank issuing the check to recover the physical check and record an image thereof to microfilm. There is, therefore, the danger of the check becoming lost or stolen during the transfer from retailer to issuing bank.
SUMMARY
In one aspect, a printer has a transportation path for transporting a check or other print medium from a form insertion opening to an ejection opening; a form transport device for moving the print medium through the transportation path; an image reader for capturing an image of the print medium transported through the transportation path; a printing mechanism for printing to the print medium transported through the transportation path; a reverse feed mechanism disposed to the transportation path upstream of the ejection opening for reversing to the upstream side a print medium transported to the downstream side of the transportation path; and a return path for guiding a print medium reverse fed by the reverse feed mechanism to a position on the transportation path on the upstream side of the image reader is featured.
In an implementation, the printer further has a path divider disposed at the junction between the downstream end of the transportation path and the return path. The path divider guides to the ejection opening a print medium advanced from the upstream side of the transportation path to the path junction, and guides to the return path a print medium reversed by the reverse feed mechanism from a downstream side of the transportation path to the path junction.
In an implementation, the path divider is a path switch supported so that it can pivot on a shaft. The path switch is normally urged in a direction closing the transportation path at the path junction, and can be opened by the force of the leading edge of a print medium advanced toward the ejection opening and contacting the path switch.
Furthermore, the form transport device comprises two drive side transport rollers disposed at mutually separated positions. In addition, a circulation path formed by the transportation path and return path is disposed around these two rollers.
In yet another implementation, the printer additionally comprises a third transport roller driven in forward and reverse directions and disposed to the transportation path upstream of the ejection opening. The reverse feed mechanism in this case is achieved by driving the third transport roller in reverse.
In another implementation, a printer further has a reversible motor; a first gear set for driving the third transport roller forward or reverse according to the direction of motor rotation; and a second gear set for driving the two transport rollers of the form transport device forward regardless of the direction of motor rotation.
In this implementation, the second gear set comprises two one-way clutches supported on a rotating shaft of one transport roller to alternately transfer torque in the same direction of rotation to the transport roller, a third gear set for transferring drive force from the motor during forward motor drive to the transport roller by way of one intervening oneway clutch, and a fourth gear set for transferring drive force from the motor during reverse motor drive to the transport roller by way of the other intervening one-way clutch.
In this implementation, the printing mechanism of this printer has a print head, and a print head transport mechanism for moving the print head substantially orthogonal to the print medium transport direction.
In still another implementation, the printer has a magnetic ink character reader for reading magnetic ink characters on the print medium. The magnetic ink character reader is disposed to the transportation path downstream of the image reader.
In this implementation, the magnetic ink character reader has a magnetic head; and a magnetic head transport mechanism for moving the magnetic head substantially orthogonal to the print medium transport direction.
In another implementation, the magnetic head transport mechanism is achieved by the print head transport mechanism.
In another implementation, the printer comprises a character recognition device for recognizing magnetic ink characters on the print medium as character information, the magnetic ink characters being detected in the image of the print medium captured by the image reader.
In another implementation, the printer comprises a data capturing device for obtaining information relating to a print area of the print medium from the print medium image captured by the image reader. This captured data is then used to control the printing mechanism.
In another implementation, the printer comprises a form length detector for detecting a length of a print medium guided through the transportation path, and a reverse feed controller for prohibiting reverse feed of the print medium by the reverse feed mechanism when the print medium length detected by the length detector is longer than a length of the form circulation path formed by the transportation path and return path.
In another aspect, a control method for a printer having the printing mechanism thereof disposed downstream of an image reader disposed to a transportation path is featured. This control method includes reading an image of a print medium, printing to a first side of the print medium, feeding the print medium to the return path by reversing the print medium transport direction, and printing to a second side of the print medium by the printing mechanism.
In an implementation, the control method further features feeding the print medium to the return path by reversing the print medium transport direction by the reverse feed mechanism, capturing an image of the print medium during form transportation, and ejecting the print medium from the ejection opening.
In still another aspect, a control method for a printer having the printing mechanism thereof disposed upstream of
Endo Takeshi
Hanaoka Yukihiro
Hilten John S.
Nixon & Vanderhye P.C.
Nolan, Jr. Charles H.
Seiko Epson Corporation
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