Print media processing apparatus and control method for the same

• US 20030047609A1
• Filed: 09/04/2002
• Published: 03/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Furihata, Hideki, Endo, Katsuyuki, Murata, Sadao
• Granted Patent: US 6,983,885 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/454
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00588 to the scanning position H04N1/00572, H04N1/00594 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00591 from the scanning position H04N1/00572 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00602 Feed rollers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00681 Detecting the presence, position or size of a sheet or correcting its position before scanning H04N1/047 takes precedence; mode signalling H04N1/333; skew detection or correction in image signals H04N1/3878
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00705 at a plurality of spaced apart locations, e.g. as a sheet is fed through the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00734 Optical detectors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00745 Detecting the leading or trailing ends of a moving sheet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0075 Detecting a change in reflectivity
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00755 Detecting an interruption of light
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00782 Initiating operations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/121 Feeding arrangements transporting sheets to or from the scanning position H04N1/0057; control or error compensation of sub-scanning velocity H04N1/0473
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/1215 Feeding using one or more cylindrical platens or rollers in the immediate vicinity of the main scanning line

Abstract

A print media processing apparatus having scanner feed rollers for holding and transporting print media against an image scanner appropriately controls the scanner feed roller position. The scanner feed rollers are opposite the image scanner, which is disposed along a vertical segment of a transportation path along which a check or form is transported. A roller retraction mechanism moves the scanner feed rollers between a closed position in which the rollers press against the scanning surface, and an open position in which the rollers are retracted therefrom. The scanner feed rollers retract to the open position a specific time after scanning ends. By delaying retraction of the rollers in this manner, the present invention solves the problem of a check or other print media, after having been processed and transported to the exit side of the rollers, from slipping down between the rollers and the image scanner into the vertical transportation path because the rollers opened as soon as scanning ends.

Claims

1. A print media processing apparatus, comprising:

an insertion opening adapted to receive a print medium;

an exit opening through which a print medium can be ejected;

a transportation path adapted to transport a print medium from the insertion opening to the exit opening;

an image scanner having a scanning surface and configured to scan an image on a print medium transported along the transportation path;

a scanner feed roller configured to transport a print medium while pressing it against the scanning surface;

an opening/closing mechanism configured to move the scanner feed roller between a closed position in which it is urged toward the scanning surface so as to press a print medium against the scanning surface and an open position in which the scanner feed roller is separated from the scanning surface; and

a roller position controller configured to control driving of the opening/closing mechanism to control the scanner feed roller position, wherein the roller position controller is configured

to move the scanner feed roller to the closed position when a print medium reaches a start scanning position on the transportation path and

then, after a predetermined period of time elapses, the predetermined period of time starting from the time that scanning by the image scanner ends, to move the scanner feed roller to the open position.

2. A print media processing apparatus as described in claim 1, further comprising a detector disposed upstream of the image scanner, the detector being configured to detect a print medium transported along the transportation path;

wherein the roller position controller is configured to determine when a print medium reaches the start scanning position based on a detection signal from the detector.

3. A print media processing apparatus as described in claim 1, further comprising an external case in which the exit opening is formed;

and a releasable cover formed in the external case;

wherein the roller position controller is configured to move the scanner feed roller to the open position when the cover is opened.

4. A print media processing apparatus as described in claim 3, further comprising a detector configured to detect if the cover is open;

wherein the roller position controller is configured to control the open or closed state of the cover based on a detection signal from the detector.

5. A print media processing apparatus as described in claim 1, further comprising a timer configured to measure the predetermined period of time and to be reset when the scanner feed roller moves to the open position;

wherein the roller position controller is configured to determine when the predetermined time has passed based on information provided by the timer.

6. A print media processing apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the image scanner and scanner feed roller are disposed in opposing positions with respect to the transportation path at a position below the exit opening.

7. A print media processing apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the roller position controller is configured to hold the scanner feed roller in the open position when a print medium is not being scanned.

8. A print media processing apparatus as described in claim 1, further comprising a magnetic head configured to read magnetic data recorded on a print medium.

9. A print media processing apparatus as described in claim 1, further comprising a print head configured to print on a print medium.

10. A print media processing apparatus as described in claim 9, further comprising a mode selector configured to alternatively select from at least three processing modes including a first processing mode for printing on, and scanning, a print medium, a second processing mode for only printing on a print medium, and a third processing mode for only scanning a print medium.

11. A print media processing apparatus as described in claim 10, wherein the mode selector includes a manually operable mode switching button.

12. A print media processing apparatus as described in claim 10, wherein the mode selector is configured to select a processing mode based on an externally-originated mode selection command input to the print media processing apparatus.

13. A print media processing apparatus as described in claim 10, wherein

the insertion opening is adapted to receive a print medium in a substantially horizontal direction;

the transportation path has a horizontal path extending from the insertion opening, a curved path extending and curving upward from the horizontal path, and a vertical path extending upwardly from the curved path to the exit opening; and

the print head and the image scanner are disposed along the vertical path, the image scanner being located closer to the exit opening than the print head.

14. A control method for a print media processing apparatus that includes a transportation path adapted to transport a print medium inserted through an insertion opening to an exit opening, an image scanner configured to scan an image on a print medium transported along the transportation path, a scanner feed roller configured to transport a print medium, and an opening/closing mechanism configured to move the scanner feed roller between a closed position in which it is urged toward a scanner surface of the image scanner so as to press a print medium against the scanning surface and an open position in which the scanner feed roller is separated from the scanning surface, the control method comprising the steps of:

awaiting insertion of a print medium into the insertion opening, during which time the scanner feed roller is held in the open position (first standby step);

transporting a print medium from the insertion opening to a scanning position, when insertion of such print medium into the insertion opening is detected and a specific command is received;

moving the scanner feed roller to the closed position after a print medium reaches the scanning position, transporting such print medium while pressing it against the scanning surface, and scanning an image printed on such print medium; and

awaiting insertion of a next print medium into the insertion opening, during which time the scanner feed roller is held in the closed position, after scanning of a previous print medium ends (second standby step).

15. A print media processing apparatus control method as described in claim 14, wherein the scanner feed roller moves to the open position and the first standby step begins after a predetermined period of time elapses, the predetermined period of time starting from a time that a previous scanning operation ends.

16. A print media processing apparatus control method as described in claim 14, wherein the scanner feed roller moves to the open position when it is detected that a releasable cover formed in an external case of the print media processing apparatus is open during the second standby step.

17. A print media processing apparatus control method as described in claim 14, wherein the print media processing apparatus includes a print head for printing on print media, and the control method further comprises the steps of:

transporting a print medium from the insertion opening to a printing position when insertion of such print medium into the insertion opening is detected and a specific command is received; and

printing on a print medium while the scanner feed roller is held in the open position.

18. A print media processing apparatus control method as described in claim 14, wherein the print media processing apparatus further includes a magnetic head for reading magnetic data prerecorded on print media, and the control method further comprises the steps of:

transporting a print medium from the insertion opening to a magnetic data reading position, when insertion of such print medium into the insertion opening is detected and a specific command is received; and

reading the magnetic data while the scanner feed roller is held in the open position.

19. A print media processing apparatus, comprising:

an insertion opening adapted to receive a print medium;

an exit opening through which a print medium can be ejected;

a transportation path adapted to transport a print medium from the insertion opening to the exit opening;

an image scanner configured to scan an image on a print medium transported along the transportation path; and

a shield adapted to block external light from entering through the exit opening and impinging on a scanning position relative to the image scanner.

20. A print media processing apparatus as described in claim 19, wherein the shield comprises an internal shield movable between an open position and a closed position in which the internal shield blocks an ejection side of the transportation path between a scanning position and the exit opening.

21. A print media processing apparatus as described in claim 20, wherein the internal shield comprises a moving mechanism adapted to move the internal shield between the closed position and the open position.

22. A print media processing apparatus as described in claim 21, wherein the internal shield comprises a print medium guide surface having a contact surface adapted to contact the image scanner when the internal shield is in the closed position.

23. A print media processing apparatus as described in claim 22, wherein the internal shield comprises a first urging member adapted to forcibly urge the internal shield toward the image scanner when the internal shield is in the closed position.

24. A print media processing apparatus as described in claim 23, wherein the internal shield comprises a second urging member adapted to hold the internal shield in the open position.

25. A print media processing apparatus as described in claim 24, wherein the first and second urging members form parts of a torsion spring.

26. A print media processing apparatus as described in claim 19, wherein the shield comprises an external shield adapted to block external light from entering through the exit opening.

27. A print media processing apparatus as described in claim 26, wherein the external shield is sized to enclose the exit opening.

28. A print media processing apparatus as described in claim 27, wherein the external shield has a guide surface that is inclined or curved relative to an ejection direction.

29. A print media processing apparatus as described in claim 28, wherein the external shield extends from an open edge part of the exit opening on a side opposite the image scanner.

30. A print media processing apparatus comprising:

an insertion opening adapted to receive a print medium;

an exit opening through which a print medium can be ejected;

a transportation path adapted to transport a print medium from the insertion opening to the exit opening;

an image scanner configured to scan an image on a print medium transported along the transportation path, the image scanner having a scanning surface;

a scanner feed roller configured to transport a print medium while pressing it against the scanning surface;

an opening/closing mechanism configured to move the scanner feed roller between a closed position in which it is urged toward the scanning surface so to press a print medium against the scanning surface and an open position in which the scanner feed roller is separated from the scanning surface; and

an internal shield movable between an open position and a closed position in which the internal shield blocks an ejection side of the transportation path between a scanning position and the exit opening, the internal shield moving between the closed position and the open position in conjunction with the scanner feed roller.

31. A print media processing apparatus as described in claim 30, wherein the scanner feed roller comprises a support shaft, and the opening/closing mechanism comprises

a scanner roller urging member adapted to urge the scanner feed roller support shaft in a direction in which the scanner feed roller is in the closed position, and

a solenoid configured to slide the support shaft in a direction against the urging force of the scanner roller urging member so as to move the scanner feed roller to the open position, and

wherein the internal shield moves in conjunction with the scanner feed roller support shaft.

32. A print media processing apparatus as described in claim 31, further comprising a shield urging member adapted to selectively hold the internal shield in one of the closed position or the open position.

33. A print media processing apparatus as described in claim 32, wherein the internal shield comprises:

a main shield part adapted to contact the scanning surface when the internal shield is in the closed position;

a leg part projecting substantially perpendicularly from each end of the main shield part;

a support structure formed in each leg part for rotatably supporting the scanner feed roller shaft; and

an engaging part projecting substantially perpendicularly from the main shield part, the engaging part urged by the shield urging member at a place on a side symmetrical to the main shield part with respect to the scanner feed roller shaft.

34. A print media processing apparatus as described in claim 33, wherein the shield urging member is a torsion spring and the engaging part is positioned between the ends thereof.

35. A print media processing apparatus as described in claim 34, further comprising a print head configured to print on print media transported along the transportation path.

36. A print media processing apparatus, comprising:

an insertion opening adapted to receive a print medium;

an exit opening through which a print medium can be ejected;

a transportation path adapted to transport a print medium from the insertion opening to the exit opening;

an image scanner having a scanning surface and configured to scan an image on a print medium transported along the transportation path;

a scanner feed roller configured to transport a print medium while pressing it against the scanning surface;

an opening/closing mechanism configured to move the scanner feed roller between a closed position in which it is urged toward the scanning surface so as to press a print medium against the scanning surface and an open position in which the scanner feed roller is separated from the scanning surface; and

a roller position controller configured to control driving of the opening/closing mechanism to control the scanner feed roller position, wherein the roller position controller is configured

to move the scanner feed roller to the closed position when a first command is received and a print medium reaches a start scanning position on the transportation path,

then, after scanning by the image scanner ends, to hold the scanner feed roller in the closed position until receiving a second command, and to move the scanner feed roller to the open position upon receipt of the second command.

37. A print media processing apparatus as described in claim 36, further comprising a detector disposed upstream of the image scanner, the detector being configured to detect a print medium transported along the transportation path;

wherein the roller position controller is configured to determine when a print medium reaches the start scanning position based on a detection signal from the detector.

38. A print media processing apparatus as described in claim 36, further comprising an external case in which the exit opening is formed;

and a releasable cover formed in the external case;

wherein the roller position controller is configured to move the scanner feed roller to the open position when the cover is opened whether or not the second command has been received.

39. A print media processing apparatus as described in claim 38, further comprising a detector configured to detect if the cover is open;

wherein the roller position controller is configured to control the open or closed state of the cover based on a detection signal from the detector.

40. A print media processing apparatus as described in claim 36, further comprising a magnetic head configured to read magnetic data recorded on a print medium and a print head configured to print on a print medium.

41. A print media processing apparatus as described in claim 40, wherein the first command is an image scanning command for scanning an image on a print medium by the image scanner, and the second command includes one of the following commands:

a successive image scanning command,

a printing command for printing on the print medium by the print head, and

a MICR command for reading magnetic data recorded on a print medium by the magnetic head.