Registers – Coded record sensors – Particular sensor structure
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-13
2001-02-06
Lee, Michael G (Department: 2876)
Registers
Coded record sensors
Particular sensor structure
C235S439000, C235S475000, C235S486000, C235S493000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06182896
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for detecting information recorded on a recording media and to an information detection method for processing recording media. The present invention relates particularly to an apparatus and method for reading content recorded with magnetic ink on recording media such as checks and negotiable instruments, and printing to the recording media.
2. Description of the Related Art
Personal checks are commonly used in place of cash or credit cards to pay for purchases made at retail establishments. Personal checks are issued by financial institutions such as, banks, and are generally imprinted on one side with the account number of the user, a serial tracking number, routing codes, and other information. The validity or invalidity of a personal check can be confirmed by referring to this data.
MICR codes are classified as E13B or CMC7 codes based on differences in character shape, print quality and other standards, and the MICR printing position on the check is also standardized. Because the MICR codes are printed using a magnetic ink, the MICR codes can be converted to a current waveform by passing the check over the magnetic head magnetized by a magnet. Because the waveforms differ according to the character represented, the characters can be recognized by analyzing the current waveforms.
Apparatuses for reading these MICR codes have been commonly used for many years, and are known as magnetic ink character readers (also MICR). The MICR reads the imprinted MICR codes as a personal check is passed over the magnetic head. The magnetic head output is then interpreted and converted to character data, which is then output through an interface to the POS terminal controller.
When a store receives a check from a customer and the check is confirmed valid using the MICR, the check is then endorsed by printing check approval, the store name, store account number, and/or other information on the back of the check. Because this endorsement is commonly printed by a printer, the operator must remove the check from the MICR and set it into the printer. The check is then stored after being endorsed to complete personal check processing.
To process a personal check at a POS station in a retail establishment, the personal check must be passed through the MICR and then set into the printer, and the operator must therefore repeatedly set each personal check into plural devices installed at the POS station, i.e., the MICR and the printer. If the personal check is inserted to either device with the front and back of the check improperly positioned, MICR character recognition will fail or the endorsement will be printed to the wrong side of the check.
Furthermore, this process can be inherently confusing because the insertion direction and orientation of the check front and back differ, and the processing time per customer is inevitably increased.
To simplify this sequence of operations the inventor has previously developed a device for sequentially accomplishing MICR text reading and endorsement printing using a magnetic head and print head disposed to a single transportation path. This device is described and claimed in parent application Ser. No. 08/544,528. This device is described briefly below with reference to
FIG. 31
, a simplified side view of a data detection means for processing checks as the recording medium. As shown in
FIG. 31
this data detection means comprises a print head
1105
and a magnetic head
1106
. In this data detection means the opening
1107
to which the check is inserted is provided in the space
1104
at the front of the device, and the check is inserted horizontally from opening
1107
.
Transport roller
1108
is disposed between opening
1107
and paper transport path
1110
. When the leading edge of the check inserted from opening
1107
reaches the bottom of transport roller
1108
, presser roller
1109
lifts to press the check against transport roller
1108
. When a drive mechanism not shown in the figure then operates, transport roller
1108
rotates in the direction transporting the check into paper transport path
1110
.
Magnetic head
1106
is disposed on the back side of paper transport path
1110
. Transport roller
1112
, which is driven by belt
1111
to rotate in synchronization with transport roller
1108
, is disposed opposing magnetic head
1106
from the other side of paper transport path
1110
such that the check (recording medium) passes therebetween. When the leading edge of the check reaches magnetic head
1106
, transport roller
1112
is moved against the check to press the check against magnetic head
1106
while continuing to transport the check through the paper transport path
1110
. Magnetic head
106
is thus able to detect the magnetic ink in contact with the check, and can thus read the information printed using magnetic ink characters with good precision.
Paper transport path
1110
is formed curving gently upward with print head
1105
disposed at the top end of the path. Another transport roller
1113
, which rotates synchronized to presser roller
1109
and transport roller
1112
, is disposed between print head
1105
and magnetic head
1106
. After the check is transported by presser roller
1109
and transport roller
1112
through the paper transport path
1110
and is read by magnetic head
1106
, it is transported further upward by transport roller
1113
. After the entire check is advanced to a vertical position, specific information is printed by the print head
1105
, and the check is then ejected from opening
1114
at the top of the data detection means to complete check processing.
This type of recording media information detection apparatus is widely used because it enables checks to be processed without using separate reading and printing devices.
With the check transported by synchronously rotating transport rollers
1108
,
1112
, and
1113
, however, there is no tension applied by the transport rollers to stretch and straighten the check. This means that the pressure applied by the transport roller
1112
to the check must be high in order to assure positive contact against magnetic head
1106
when the check is wrinkled or creased. Because of the high pressure required, the apparatus tends to become larger and more expensive because of the measures that must be taken to assure sufficient durability in the bearings of transport roller
1112
and the detection surface of magnetic head
1106
.
Furthermore, when this type of information detection apparatus is used for check processing, the operator's eyes and hands must travel back and forth between space
1104
at the front of the apparatus and opening
1114
at the top of the apparatus. As a result, the inconvenience of check processing is not completely resolved.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an integrated processing apparatus comprising both MICR and printer (simply an integrated processing apparatus below) whereby the operations required of the operator can be simplified and the entire personal check processing operation from MICR reading to endorsement can be continuously executed.
It is a further object of the present invention to further improve the prior art as described above by providing a compact, low-cost, information detection apparatus for recording media processing with improved operability, and a processing method therefor.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Personal check processing can be accomplished in a short period of time without errors by means of an integrated processing apparatus of the present invention, and customer service can therefore be improved and operator fatigue reduced.
Many functions are required of POS stations installed in retail stores, and the area occupied by such POS stations has a tendency to grow as new apparatuses are added to achieve these various functions. Because conventional printer and MICR units are separate devices, sufficient space must be provided to accommodate the
Lee Michael G
Seiko Epson Corporation
LandOfFree
Information detection apparatus and information detection... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Information detection apparatus and information detection..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Information detection apparatus and information detection... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2590179