System and method of data entry utilizing a scanning printer

• US 20060131406A1
• Filed: 12/17/2004
• Published: 06/22/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions Holdings Corporation (Toshiba Corporation)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Cato, Robert Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 7,204,408 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/432
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 11/0035 Handling copy materials differing in thickness B41J11/20 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 11/20 Platen adjustments for varying the strength of impression, for a varying number of papers, for wear or for alignment , or for print gap adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 25/308 with print gap adjustment mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/445 Printers integrated in other types of apparatus, e.g. printers integrated in cameras

Abstract

A system and method for data input into a data processing system. The data processing system includes a host computer and a multi-function terminal that includes a non-planer document-guidance track, only one scanner for retrieving data from a document and sending the data to a host computer for processing, and a one print module, located adjacent to the document-guidance track. The print module also includes at least one print head, where the position of the print head and/or platen may be altered to accommodate documents of different thickness, sizes, and rigidity to facilitate data retrieval of said scanner.

Claims

1. A system for data input into a data processing system, said system comprising:

a host computer; and

a multi-function terminal, coupled to said host computer, wherein said multi-function terminal further includes;

a non-planer document-guidance track;

only one scanner for retrieving data from a document and sending said data to a host computer for processing; and

a print module, located adjacent to said document-guidance track, wherein said print module further includes;

at least one print head, wherein a position of said at least one print head may be altered to accommodate documents of different thickness, sizes, and rigidity to facilitate data retrieval of said scanner.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said multi-function terminal further comprises:

at least one feed roller for pulling said document through said document-guidance track.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein said non-planer document guidance track has a radial bend of at least 81.5 mm.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein said print module further comprises:

a platen for guiding said document while said document is being printed by said at least one print head, wherein a position of said platen may be altered to accommodate documents of different thickness, sizes, and rigidity to facilitate data retrieval of said scanner.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein said position of said print head is altered by adjusting said position of said platen relative to said position of said at least one print head.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein said documents are a rigid card and a flexible document.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein said rigid card is a credit-card sized card.

8. A multi-function terminal, comprising:

a non-planer document-guidance track;

a scanner for retrieving data from a document and sending said data to a host computer for processing; and

a print module, located adjacent to said document-guidance track, wherein said print module further includes;

at least one print head, wherein a position of said only one print head may be altered to accommodate documents of different thickness, sizes, and rigidity to facilitate data retrieval of said only one scanner.

9. The multi-function terminal according to claim 8, further including:

at least one feed roller for pulling said document through said document-guidance track.

10. The multi-function terminal according to claim 8, wherein said document-guidance track has a radial bend of at least 81.5 mm.

11. The multi-function terminal according to claim 8, further including:

a platen for guiding said document while said document is being printed by said at least one print head, wherein a position of said platen may be altered to accommodate documents of different thickness, sizes, and rigidity to facilitate data retrieval of said only one scanner.

12. The multi-function terminal according to claim 11, wherein said position of said print head is altered by adjusting said position of said platen relative to said position of said at least one print head.

13. The multi-function terminal according to claim 8, wherein said documents are a rigid card and a flexible document.

14. The multi-function terminal according to claim 13, wherein said rigid card is a credit-card sized card.

15. A method for data input into a data processing system, said method comprising:

in response to detecting a request to scan data from a document with a scanning printer into a data processing system, altering a position of said at least one print head of said scanning printer to accommodate documents of different thickness, sizes, and rigidity to facilitate data retrieval.

16. The method of claim 15, further including:

determining whether a document sensor of said scanning printer is blocked; and

in response to said determining, pulling said document through said scanning printer.

17. The method of claim 15, further including:

guiding said document with a platen while said document is being printed by said at least one print head, wherein a position of said platen may be altered to accommodate documents of different thickness, sizes, and rigidity to facilitate data retrieval of said scanner.

18. The method of claim 17, further including:

altering said position of said at least one print head by adjusting said position of said platen relative to said at least one print head.