JP3912465B2 - Recording medium processing apparatus, control method thereof, and recording medium recording the program - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus for processing a recording medium, and in particular, has a recording medium processing function such as printing processing on a cut sheet, and a function of remagnetizing and reading a magnetic pattern attached to the cut sheet. The present invention relates to a combined processing apparatus, a control method thereof, and a recording medium on which a program for realizing the control method is recorded.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Along with cash and cards, personal checks (hereinafter simply referred to as “checks”) are used for processing at the point of sale (POS processing). In this check, data such as a customer account and a check serial number is written on the surface using MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition) characters. By checking these data, the validity / invalidity of the check can be confirmed.
[0003]
Conventionally, in POS processing, MICR characters are read using a MICR reader, and then set on a printer for endorsement. However, a magnetic head for reading MICR characters that can be read by a single device. And an apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a composite printer) having a print head for printing have been developed.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Normally, when printing on cut paper with a printer, a form stopper is provided at the insertion slot to determine the printing position on the cut paper, and the cut paper is placed at a fixed position defined by the form stopper. When it is inserted, this is detected, and the sheet paper is gripped by a paper feed device such as a transport roller, and the paper is automatically fed on the paper path toward the print head. Even in a multi-function printer equipped with a function to read MICR characters, this paper feeding device is also used for printing on normal sheet paper and processing for checking, and paper is fed along a magnetic head installed in the paper path. There are things that you can do. In such a composite printer, before the paper is fed to the magnetic head, the MICR character is re-magnetized with a permanent magnet to prepare for the MICR character reading process by the magnetic head.
[0005]
By the way, how to insert a cut sheet such as a check varies depending on the operator. For example, there is a case where a check is inserted from a lateral direction or an oblique direction where the check should be inserted straight toward the foam stopper while the guide is provided on the printer. Therefore, if a magnet for remagnetization is provided at the insertion slot, the check is inserted without the MICR character on the tip side of the check passing over the remagnetization magnet, and remagnetization processing of these characters may not be possible. There is sex. As a result, reading MICR characters was unsuccessful, and the validity / invalidity of the cut sheet paper could not be confirmed, or it was necessary to insert it again to perform the reading operation, which was complicated.
[0006]
In view of the above points, in the present invention, regardless of the skill level of the operator or the way of inserting the cut sheet, the magnetic pattern is surely re-magnetized by re-magnetizing all the magnetic patterns of the cut sheet. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a recording medium processing apparatus that is excellent in handling and reliability, a control method thereof, and a recording medium recording the control program.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
For this reason, in the present invention, the cut sheet set in the insertion slot is fed back so that the leading portion of the magnetic pattern is located in the magnetized portion so that the magnetic pattern surely passes through the magnetized portion. ing. That is, the recording medium processing apparatus of the present invention is an insertion slot for inserting a cut sheet recording medium, the insertion slot configured to position the leading end of the cut sheet recording medium at a predetermined position, and the cut sheet A printing mechanism for printing on a recording medium, and the predetermined position of the insertion port in a first direction from the insertion port toward the printing mechanism when printing on the cut sheet recording medium by the printing mechanism; And a transport mechanism capable of transporting the cut sheet recording medium set in the second direction opposite to the first direction, and the first direction from the predetermined position of the insertion port. A magnetized portion disposed upstream and capable of remagnetizing a magnetic pattern attached to the cut sheet recording medium, a magnetic head capable of reading the magnetic pattern remagnetized by the magnetized portion, and the transport mechanism Control the insertion slot And a control unit capable of transporting the cut single-sheet recording medium in the second direction until a leading portion of the magnetic pattern reaches a position where the magnetized portion can be remagnetized. .
[0008]
Further, the control method of the recording medium processing apparatus of the present invention is capable of transporting the cut sheet recording medium set at a predetermined position of the insertion slot in the first direction toward the printing mechanism and vice versa. The magnetic pattern attached to the single-sheet recording medium is re-magnetized by a magnetized portion installed on the upstream side in the first direction from the predetermined position of the insertion slot, and then directed toward the magnetic head. A method for controlling a printing apparatus that can be conveyed and read in a direction, wherein the leading portion of the magnetic pattern reaches a position where the leading portion of the magnetic pattern can be remagnetized by the magnetized portion of the cut sheet recording medium set in the insertion slot. A step of conveying in the second direction.
[0009]
According to the recording medium processing apparatus and the control method of the recording medium processing apparatus of the present invention, a sheet paper whose insertion position with respect to the insertion slot is defined by a configuration in which the sheet paper such as a stopper is positioned at a predetermined position is used as the leading portion of the magnetic pattern. Is conveyed in the reverse direction until it reaches a position where it can be remagnetized by the magnetized portion. The leading part of the magnetic pattern of the cut sheet thus fed enters the area (effective magnetization area) where the magnetic flux density necessary for remagnetization is obtained, and this leading part is surely remagnetized (magnetization process). Is done. When the cut sheet is fed from the state where the leading portion of the magnetic pattern is located at the magnetized portion, all of the magnetic pattern passes through the effective magnetization region of the magnetized portion. For this reason, it is possible to reliably remagnetize all the magnetic patterns attached to the cut sheet. In this way, the magnetic sheet magnetization process is performed after the cut sheet paper is once reversely fed so that the leading portion of the magnetic pattern is located at the magnetized portion. The magnetic pattern can be reliably remagnetized regardless of whether the sheet is inserted, that is, regardless of the skill level of the operator or the way of inserting the cut sheet. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the disadvantage that a part of the MICR characters is not remagnetized and a waveform signal corresponding to the magnetic pattern cannot be obtained, and the handling and reliability are excellent.
[0010]
In the magnetizing process, the cut sheet is transported in the second direction, that is, in the reverse direction until the leading portion of the magnetic pattern reaches at least the approximate center of the magnetized part in the control unit or the transporting process in the reverse direction. desirable. In this way, the head portion of the magnetic pattern is set up at a position where the magnetic flux density is highest due to the magnetized portion. For this reason, when the cut sheet is fed forward from this state, all of the magnetic pattern passes through the region having the highest magnetic flux density, and the reliability of the remagnetization process can be further improved. In addition, since the distance (conveyance distance) for feeding the cut sheet paper is shorter than the reverse feeding so that the leading portion of the magnetic pattern exceeds the magnetized portion, it is advantageous for speeding up the processing.
[0011]
In addition, it further includes a medium detector capable of detecting a leading portion of the cut sheet recording medium set at the predetermined position of the insertion slot, and the control unit is configured to detect the cut sheet recording medium set in the insertion slot. After the leading portion is transported in the second direction until it is detected by the medium detector, it is further transported in the second direction until the leading portion of the magnetic pattern reaches a position where it can be remagnetized by the magnetized portion. It is desirable to provide a configuration or a process. There are various ways of inserting the cut sheet into the insertion slot depending on the operator. If the cut sheet is inserted so as to strongly hit the stopper, the cut sheet may be bent in the insertion slot. Assuming that the leading edge of the cut sheet is in contact with the stopper in an appropriate state, the cut sheet is fed back by a predetermined amount so that the leading portion of the magnetic pattern is located at the magnetized portion. When the cut sheet is curved in the insertion slot as described above, the reverse feed amount is insufficient and the magnetic pattern is not positioned at the magnetized portion. On the other hand, in the recording medium processing apparatus and the control method of the recording medium processing apparatus of the present invention, the cut sheet is reversely fed until the leading portion of the cut sheet is once detected by the paper detector. Therefore, it is possible to reversely feed the cut sheet so that the magnetic pattern is always located at the magnetized portion regardless of the state of the cut sheet in the insertion slot.
[0012]
In the recording medium processing apparatus and the control method for the recording medium processing apparatus of the present invention, the recording medium processing apparatus further includes a medium detector capable of detecting the cut sheet recording medium set at the predetermined position of the insertion slot, and the insertion slot includes After detecting the set single-cut recording medium, it has a configuration or a process of transporting in the second direction until the leading portion of the magnetic pattern reaches a position where it can be remagnetized by the magnetized portion. In this way, according to the detection result of the paper detector, the sheet feeding of the cut sheet can be started immediately to perform the remagnetization process of the magnetic pattern, and the remagnetization process can be speeded up. .
[0013]
Further, in the recording medium processing apparatus and the control method for the recording medium processing apparatus of the present invention, the leading portion of the magnetic pattern is fed before the cut recording medium set in the insertion slot is sequentially fed toward the magnetic head. It is also possible to have a configuration or a process of conveying in the second direction until it reaches a position where it can be remagnetized by the magnetized portion. By doing so, since reading is performed continuously after remagnetization of the magnetic pattern, demagnetization of the magnetic pattern can be minimized, and the reliability of the reading process of the magnetic pattern can be improved.
[0014]
Furthermore, in the recording medium processing device and the control method for the recording medium processing device of the present invention, after identifying that the magnetic recording pattern is attached to the single-sheet recording medium, the leading portion of the magnetic pattern is reproduced by the magnetized portion. It is possible to have a configuration or a process of transporting in the second direction until a magnetizable position is reached. For example, if it is a cut sheet without a magnetic pattern, the host does not issue a magnetic pattern reading command, so the remagnetization processing and reading processing are omitted and only necessary processing such as printing is performed. be able to. In this way, it is possible to realize a printing apparatus that is easy to use and can perform quick processing.
[0015]
The above-described control method of the recording medium processing apparatus can be supplied as a control program including instructions that can be executed by a control unit that can perform processing corresponding to each process, and a recording medium on which the control program is recorded is provided. Can be provided through. Alternatively, it is also possible to supply a control program via a computer network such as the Internet and use it by recording it on a recording medium provided in a personal computer or recording medium processing apparatus on the operator side.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A recording medium processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an appearance of a recording medium processing apparatus (composite printer) 1 according to the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of the composite printer 1 centering on the arrangement of the devices along the paper path 11.
[0017]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the composite printer 1 of this example includes a base portion 2 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape whose upper surface is a table 3, and an upper cover 4 attached to a substantially central portion of the base portion 2. The paper path 11 and the insertion slot 10 for the cut sheet (check) 5 are provided in a gap provided between them. The insertion slot 10 can insert the cut sheet 5 from the direction along the paper path 11 (X direction), and can also insert the cut sheet 5 from the direction orthogonal to the paper path 11 (Y direction). Yes. This is to enable printing on a single sheet having a width larger than the width of the table 3. Also, as will be described later, printing is performed while the print head reciprocates in the Y direction. Therefore, if the desired position of the cut sheet is aligned with the position of the print head and inserted from the side, printing is performed at the desired position. It can be performed. In order to perform such so-called “target printing”, it is convenient to be able to insert in the Y direction.
[0018]
In the composite printer 1 of this example, an operation panel 6 for performing a local operation is provided on the right side in the drawing of the table 3, and a power switch 7 is provided on the base unit 2. Further, the composite printer 1 is provided with a CPU 20 that controls each function of the composite printer 1 in accordance with an instruction on the operation panel 6 and a control program. The CPU 20 includes a ROM 21 capable of storing control programs and various setting values, and a RAM 23 for temporarily storing MICR data and print data.
[0019]
Furthermore, the composite printer 1 is connected to a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) 40 or a POS terminal as a host by an interface cable 42 or an infrared interface, and print data and control between the host 1 and the host. Information can be sent and received. The composite printer 1 can also be controlled by sending control commands and print data from an application program running on a host such as the PC 40.
[0020]
When a rewritable nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM is used as the ROM 21, a control program can be received from the host side via the interface 22 and written into the ROM 21. The PC 40 or POS terminal as a host can supply a control program supplied via a movable recording medium such as a floppy disk 43 or a ROM to the composite printer 1. Also, the PC 40 has a function of communicating with a computer network 44 such as the Internet, receives a control program supplied via the network, temporarily stores it in a built-in recording medium such as the hard disk 45, and then supplies it to the composite printer 1. Is also possible. Of course, it is also possible to provide a LAN driver in the composite printer 1, connect the composite printer 1 directly to the network, and supply control programs, print data, and the like to the composite printer 1 via the network.
[0021]
As shown in detail in FIG. 2, in the composite printer 1 of this example, an insertion port 10 is configured by the base portion 2 and the upper cover 4, and a paper path 11 extending horizontally is connected to the insertion port 10. . The insertion port 10 has a TOF that can detect the paper feeding device 14 including the paper feeding roller 12 and the paper pressing roller 13, the platen 15, the cut sheet 5 and the leading portion 5b from the insertion side to the paper discharge side. Opening and closing type foam stoppers 16 which can define the insertion position of the cut sheet 5 by contacting the leading edge of the cut sheet 5 inserted into the detector 24 and the insertion slot 10 are arranged in this order. In addition, a magnetizing magnet 17 for remagnetizing (magnetizing) the MICR characters 5 a of the cut sheet 5 is embedded on the front side of the platen 15, and a print head 18 is disposed so as to face the platen 15. Yes. Further, a magnetic head 19 capable of reading the MICR characters 5a (FIG. 1) is disposed on the paper path 11 that is downstream of the form stopper 16 in the cut sheet insertion direction (X direction).
[0022]
In addition, the composite printer 1 of this example includes a platen drive mechanism 30 that moves the platen 15 up and down. As a result, reading of the MICR characters 5a is completed, and the cut sheet 5 is placed at a predetermined position on the insertion slot 10 side. After the sheet is returned, the platen 15 is pushed out toward the print head 18 so that the cut sheet 5 can be printed. The platen drive mechanism 30 includes a platen frame 32 that functions to push the platen 15 upward by a spring 31, and a platen opening / closing shaft 33 that abuts against an inclined portion 32 a of the platen frame 32 to control the vertical movement of the platen frame 32. An opening / closing solenoid 34 for moving the position of the platen opening / closing shaft 33 is provided. When the platen opening / closing shaft 33 is moved in the left-right direction of the drawing by the opening / closing solenoid 34, the platen frame 32 is moved downward and upward, so that the platen 15 can be taken in and out of the sheet conveyance path communicating with the insertion port 10. Further, in conjunction with the platen frame 32, the cut sheet 5 is sandwiched between the paper pressing roller 13 and the paper feed roller 12 constituting the paper feed device 14, and the cut sheet 5 can be conveyed by the paper feed device 14. Become. As described above, in the composite printer 1, the paper feeding device 14 enters the non-operating state and the operating state in conjunction with the opening and closing of the platen 15.
[0023]
Further, the platen opening / closing shaft 33 is also in contact with an inclined portion 35a of a stopper frame 35 that supports the foam stopper 16 so as to be rotatable, and the inclined portion 35a is inclined in the opposite direction to the inclined portion 32a of the platen frame 32. . For this reason, the plate stopper 15 protrudes upward by the movement of the platen opening / closing shaft 33, and at the same time, the foam stopper 16 sinks downward to open the conveying path. In this way, the preparation for printing the cut sheet 5 is completed, the cut sheet 5 is fed to an appropriate position by the paper feed roller 12, and the print head 18 is fed by the drive mechanism (not shown). Printing is performed at a predetermined position on the cut sheet 5 by moving in the scanning direction orthogonal to the direction (Y direction in FIG. 1 and the opposite direction).
[0024]
The composite printer 1 of this example is a personally usable check used for payment at a store as a printable cut sheet 5 and can handle checks issued by a bank. For the check, the user's account number, check serial number, etc. are printed on the surface using MICR characters 5a which are one of the magnetic patterns. The MICR character 5a has a standardized character shape and print quality, and a standard printing position on a cut sheet. Therefore, a waveform corresponding to the MICR character 5a is obtained by remagnetizing the MICR character 5a of the cut sheet 5 and then scanning with the magnetic head 19, and the printed data can be read by analyzing the waveform. .
[0025]
In the composite printer 1 of this example, when such a cut sheet 5 is inserted, the cut sheet 5 is read by the magnetic head 19 after the MICR characters 5 a are remagnetized by the magnetizing magnet 17. It is supposed to be.
[0026]
However, since the operator inserts the cut sheet 5, it is not inserted as intended by the designer. The process of inserting the cut sheet 5 into the insertion slot 10 depends on the operator's skill level, the insertion direction of the cut sheet, and the like. The inserted state is not necessarily appropriate. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, when the cut sheet 5 is thin, the form stopper 16 cannot be touched with the cut sheet 5, so that the cut sheet 5 is pushed indefinitely. The sheet 5 is curved inside the conveyance path. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, when the cut sheet 5 is inserted from the lateral direction (Y direction) with respect to the transport path, a part 5d of the MICR character 5a does not pass through the magnetizing magnet 17. Almost no magnetic flux is applied and remagnetization is not sufficient.
[0027]
Therefore, in the composite printer 1 of this example, the MICR characters 5a attached to the cut sheet 5 are read after being reliably remagnetized by the control method described below with reference to FIGS. I have to. FIG. 5 shows a procedure for remagnetizing the MICR characters 5a of the cut sheet 5 using a flowchart, and FIG. 6 shows a single slot in the insertion slot 10 and the conveyance path communicating therewith in the main stage. The state of the slip sheet 5 is schematically shown.
[0028]
First, in step ST1, it waits for a command to perform processing for reading MICR characters from a host such as a PC. That is, the host waits for an instruction for identifying whether or not the MICR character 5a is attached to the cut sheet 5 to be inserted, and when receiving an instruction to read the MICR character 5a, the process proceeds to ST2 and subsequent steps. That is, when the cut sheet 5 is inserted, the MICR character 5a is remagnetized and read on the assumption that the MICR character 5a is attached to the cut sheet 5. On the other hand, if the MICR character read command is not issued, the process proceeds to ST9, and the remagnetization process and the read process when the cut sheet 5 is inserted are omitted so that only necessary processes such as printing are performed. .
[0029]
As described above, in the composite printer 1 of this example, it is determined whether or not the magnetic sheet is attached to the cut sheet based on the MICR reading command transmitted from the host, and the processing described below is performed. ing. Of course, if a MICR character pattern is detected by prefetching a place where an MICR character is expected to be attached, it is possible to adopt a method of performing processing assuming that there is an MICR character.
[0030]
Next, it waits for the cut sheet 5 to be inserted into the insertion slot 10 in step ST2. When the cut sheet 5 is inserted from the X direction or the Y direction in FIG. 1, the leading portion 5b of the cut sheet 5 comes into contact with the foam stopper 16 as shown in FIG. The approximate insertion position of the cut sheet 5 in the X direction is defined. The position of the cut sheet 5 in the Y direction is defined by bringing the right end of the cut sheet 5 into contact with the cut sheet guide provided at the right end of the table 3 shown in FIG. In this state, the head portion 5c of the MICR character 5a attached to the cut sheet 5 is located behind the magnetizing magnet 17, that is, on the foam stopper 16 side. This is because the magnetizing magnet 17 is a permanent magnet, and iron foreign matters such as paper clips and staples are likely to be adsorbed. Therefore, it is desirable that the magnetizing magnet 17 be provided in a place where it can be easily operated from the outside of the apparatus in consideration of maintainability. .
[0031]
Next, when the cut sheet 5 is detected by the TOF detector 24 in step ST3, the cut sheet 5 is conveyed to the inlet side of the insertion port 10 by the paper feeding device 14 in step ST4, that is, reversely fed. Then, in step ST5, the backward feeding of the cut sheet 5 is continued until the front end portion 5b of the cut sheet 5 is detected by the TOF detector 24. The leading edge portion 5b is detected by a transition from “with cut sheet paper” to “without cut sheet paper” of the output of the TOF detector 24. Here, although the positional relationship between the foam stopper 16 and the TOF detector is known, the leading end portion 5b is detected when the cut sheet 5 is inserted as shown in FIG. The cut sheet 5 may be slackened in the path. In this case, even if the cut sheet 5 is conveyed in the reverse direction by a certain amount obtained from the positional relationship, the leading end portion 5b is transferred to the TOF detector 24. Because it does not reach.
[0032]
As shown in FIG. 6 (B), when the leading edge portion 5b of the cut sheet 5 is detected by the TOF detector 24 in step ST5, the process proceeds to step ST6, and as shown in FIG. The single-sheet paper 5 is further fed back so that the leading portion 5c of the MICR character 5a attached to the paper sheet 5 is positioned at the approximate center of the magnetizing magnet 17. That is, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the distance between the TOF detector 24 and the magnetizing magnet 17 is d2, and the distance from the leading edge 5b of the cut sheet 5 to the leading 5c of the MICR character 5a is d1, It is further reversely fed by d2-d1).
[0033]
As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the magnetic flux density is highest at the approximate center of the magnetizing magnet 17, and in this example, the leading portion 5c of the MICR character 5a is set at this position. ing. The head portion 5c of the MICR character 5a may be within the effective magnetic flux density range of the magnetizing magnet 17, that is, a range having a magnetic flux density that can sufficiently remagnetize the MICR character 5a. That is, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, assuming that the magnetic flux density required for remagnetization of the MICR character 5a is Φ0, between P0 and P1 including the center 17a of the magnetizing magnet 17 It is sufficient to reversely feed the cut sheet 5 so that the MICR character 5a is positioned. This range is preferably determined in advance by measurement or the like and reflected in the value of d2.
[0034]
Next, in step ST7, the form stopper 16 is released and retracted from the conveyance path, and the cut sheet 5 is conveyed toward the magnetic head 19 by the paper feeding device 14 (forwardly fed). As a result, all of the MICR characters 5a recorded on the cut sheet 5 pass through the effective magnetic flux density region, and all of the MICR characters 5a are reliably remagnetized.
[0035]
After this remagnetization process, the MICR character 5a is read by the magnetic head 19 in step ST8. When the MICR character 5a is read by the magnetic head 19, the current waveform obtained corresponding to the MICR character 5a is analyzed, and data represented by the MICR character is reproduced. The reproduction data is transmitted from the printer to the host device, and the host device determines the validity of the check based on the data, and transmits the determination result to the printer again.
[0036]
In the composite printer, if the validity of the check is positive, in step ST9, the cut sheet 5 is again fed back to the insertion port 10 side by the paper feeding device 14, and again in the X direction using the TOF detector 24. Positioning is performed. This is because the positional deviation due to slippage between the paper feeding device 14 and the cut sheet 5 in the above MICR character reading process is adjusted, and when it is determined in ST1 that it is a normal cut sheet that does not perform MICR character reading. , A process performed to remove the slack. Thereafter, in accordance with the print data and control commands from the host device, the print head 18 performs printing such as lining on a predetermined place of the cut sheet 5. Thereafter, the cut sheet 5 is discharged from the insertion port 10 or a discharge port defined at the end of the conveyance path on the opposite side.
[0037]
Note that such a control method is supplied as a control program including instructions that can be executed by the CPU 20 that can perform processing corresponding to each process. For example, the control program can be provided via a recording medium on which the control program is recorded, or the control program can be supplied via a computer network such as the Internet, and recorded on a recording medium of a PC or recording medium processing apparatus on the operator side. It is possible.
[0038]
In this way, in the composite printer 1 of this example, the cut sheet 5 set in the insertion slot 10 is fed back so that the leading portion 5c of the MICR character 5a is positioned on the magnetizing magnet 17, and the cut sheet is formed. All of the MICR characters 5a always pass through the magnetizing magnet 17 when 5 is fed forward. Therefore, it is suitable for re-magnetizing the MICR characters 5a even if the cut sheet 5 is not set in an appropriate state with respect to the insertion slot 10 depending on the skill level of the operator and how the cut sheet 5 is inserted. The cut sheet 5 can be automatically reinserted so as to be in the mounted state. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, even when the leading portion of the MICR character 5a is not re-magnetized when the cut sheet 5 is inserted into the insertion slot 10, the composite printer 1 of this example After the position of the cut sheet 5 is automatically corrected so as to be in a state suitable for remagnetizing the cut sheet 5, re-magnetization of the MICR character 5a is started. For this reason, since all the MICR characters 5a of the cut sheet 5a fed in the forward direction can be reliably remagnetized, it is possible to avoid the adverse effect that the waveform signal corresponding to the MICR characters 5a cannot be obtained. However, a complex printer that can be easily handled and can read highly reliable MICR characters can be realized.
[0039]
Further, the composite printer 1 of this example feeds backward so that the leading portion 5c of the MICR character 5a is positioned at the approximate center of the magnetizing magnet 17, so that all of the MICR characters 5a have an effective magnetic flux density range of the magnet 17. Therefore, the remagnetization process of the MICR character 5a is highly reliable. Furthermore, compared to the case where the leading portion 5c of the MICR character 5a is fed backward so as to exceed the magnetizing magnet 17, the transport distance of the cut sheet 5 is short, which is advantageous in speeding up the processing.
[0040]
Further, in the composite printer 1 of this example, the front end portion 5b of the cut sheet 5 is fed before the cut sheet 5 is fed back so that the leading portion 5c of the MICR character 5a is positioned on the magnetizing magnet 17. Until it is detected by the TOF detector 24. Assuming that the leading edge of the cut sheet 5 is in contact with the foam stopper 16 in an appropriate state, the leading portion 5c of the MICR character 5a is positioned at the magnetizing magnet 17, so that the cut sheet When 5 is curved at the insertion slot 10 (see FIG. 3), the reverse feed amount is insufficient and the MICR character 5a does not reach the magnetizing magnet 17. On the other hand, in the composite printer 1 of this example, the cut sheet 5 is once fed backward until the leading end portion 5b is detected by the TOF detector 24, and the mounting state of the cut sheet 5 is corrected. Regardless of the state in which the cut sheet 5 is inserted into the insertion slot 10, the MICR character 5 a can be fed back so that the leading portion 5 c of the MICR character 5 a is positioned on the magnetizing magnet 17.
[0041]
Further, in the composite printer 1 of this example, the single-sheet paper 5 is started to be fed back immediately after the single-sheet paper 5 is detected by the TOF detection unit 24, so that the MICR character 5a is remagnetized. The conversion to the processing to be performed is quick and the processing is speeded up. In the composite printer 1 of this example, since the character is read continuously after the remagnetization process of the MICR character 5a, demagnetization of the MICR character 5a can be minimized. Also, the reliability of the MICR character reading process is high.
[0042]
Further, in the composite printer 1 of this example, when a command indicating that the MICR character 5a is not attached to the cut sheet 5 is received from the host or when the MICR character reading command is not received, in other words, When the mode for printing on the cut sheet is selected, only necessary processing such as printing can be performed without the remagnetization processing and reading processing of the MICR character 5a. For example, if the cut sheet is not attached with MICR characters 5a, a command to select a magnetic pattern reading command or a MICR character reading mode is not transmitted from the host, and therefore, remagnetization processing and reading processing are omitted, printing, etc. It is possible to perform only necessary processing. In this way, it is possible to realize a recording medium processing apparatus that is easy to use and can perform quick processing.
[0043]
In the above-described composite printer 1, the cut sheet 5 is reversely fed after receiving the MICR reading command from the host side. Further, the TOF detector 24 reversely feeds the cut sheet 5 set in the insertion slot 10 immediately after it is detected. Further, the remagnetization process is performed immediately before reading the MICR character 5a. Instead of this, the MICR read command may be received from the host side after the cut sheet 5 is set in the insertion slot 10. In this case, the remagnetization process may be performed immediately after the cut sheet 5 is set in the insertion slot. Alternatively, the remagnetization process may be performed immediately before receiving the MICR read command and performing the read process.
[0044]
In the above-described composite printer 1, the TOF detection unit 24 detects both the cut sheet 5 set in the insertion slot 10 and the leading end portion 5 b of the reversely fed cut sheet 5. Instead of this, a detection unit for detecting the cut sheet 5 set in the insertion slot 10 may be configured separately. The place where the detection unit is installed is not limited to a specific place, and may be closer to the foam stopper 16 than the magnetizing magnet 17, or may be closer to the entrance side of the insertion port 10 than the magnetizing magnet 17. .
[0045]
The composite printer of this example has a form stopper 16 and has a structure in which the sheet paper inserted into the insertion slot 10 abuts against the form stopper 16 for positioning. However, the present invention is limited to this structure. For example, a structure in which the leading edge of the cut sheet is brought into contact with the abutting portions where a pair of transport rollers are in contact with each other, or insertion of a cut sheet with a marker indicating the set position of the cut sheet is used. The present invention can also be implemented by a structure that instructs the worker to perform the cut sheet position. That is, it is sufficient if the cut sheet is guided to be positioned at a predetermined position when it is inserted into the insertion slot. In this case, in the above example, it is possible to omit the process of allowing the cut sheet paper to be conveyed by retracting the form stopper 16 from the conveyance path. That is, when contacting the set of transport rollers, the transport can be performed by rotating the transport rollers as they are. In the example using the marker, a known transport mechanism such as a transport roller is used. By using it and sandwiching the cut sheet, the sheet can be conveyed.
[0046]
Furthermore, the present invention can also be applied when no guide mechanism such as a foam stopper or a marker is used. This is because the above guide mechanism is provided only for improving the operability of the operator. In this case, when the cut sheet is detected continuously for a predetermined time by the TOF detector, it is gripped by the transport mechanism. Other processes are the same as those in the above embodiment.
[0047]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the recording medium processing apparatus and the control method for the recording medium processing apparatus of the present invention, the magnetic sheet has a magnetic flux density required for remagnetization by reversely feeding the cut sheet set in the insertion slot. A magnetic pattern is set in the obtained region. Therefore, by feeding the cut sheet in the forward direction from this state, all the magnetic patterns can be remagnetized. According to the present invention, the magnetic pattern is remagnetized by reversing the cut sheet paper, even if the mounting state of the cut sheet is different from the insertion slot depending on the skill level of the operator and the way of inserting the cut sheet. It can be corrected to a wearing state suitable for. For this reason, it is possible to avoid the disadvantage that a waveform signal corresponding to the magnetic pattern cannot be obtained without re-magnetizing a part of the characters of the magnetic pattern, and a recording medium processing apparatus excellent in handling and reliability can be realized.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a composite printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a schematic configuration of the composite printer illustrated in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a cut sheet is curved in an insertion slot.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a cut sheet is inserted into the insertion slot from the lateral direction.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing control of an operation for remagnetizing MICR characters attached to a cut sheet by the composite printer shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing a state of a cut sheet in an insertion slot in a process of remagnetizing MICR characters attached to the cut sheet.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between a position to move a cut sheet and a magnetic flux density by a magnetizing magnet.
[Explanation of symbols]
1. Composite printer
5. Cut sheet paper
5a ・ ・ MICR characters
5b .. Leading part (on single sheet)
5c .. First part (of MICR character)
10..Insertion slot
11. Paper path
14. Paper feeder
15. Platen
16. Foam stopper
17. ・ Magnetizing magnet
18. Print head
19. Magnetic head
20..CPU
24..TOF detector
30 .. Platen drive mechanism

Claims (12)

An insertion slot for inserting a recording medium;
A printing mechanism for performing printing on the recording medium inserted into the insertion port;
Magnetizing means for remagnetizing the magnetic pattern on the recording medium inserted into the insertion slot;
A magnetic pattern detector for detecting the magnetic pattern remagnetized by the magnetizing means;
A recording medium detector that is disposed between the magnetizing means and the magnetic pattern detector and detects the recording medium inserted into the insertion slot;
A transport mechanism for transporting the recording medium detected by the recording medium detector in a first direction from the recording medium detector toward the magnetic pattern detector, and in a second direction opposite thereto;
A recording medium selecting means for determining whether the recording medium is a first recording medium not having the magnetic pattern or a second recording medium having the magnetic pattern;
When the transport mechanism is controlled and the recording medium selection unit determines that the recording medium is the first recording medium, the recording medium detected by the recording medium detector is transported in the first direction to the first recording medium. When a predetermined process is performed and the recording medium selection unit determines that the recording medium is a second recording medium, the magnetic pattern starts in the second direction until the leading portion of the magnetic pattern reaches a position where it can be remagnetized by the magnetizing unit. And a control unit capable of transporting the recording medium.   The recording medium processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined process includes a printing process.   2. The recording medium processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit conveys the recording medium in the second direction until a leading portion of a magnetic pattern reaches at least approximately the center of the magnetizing unit.   The control unit further conveys the recording medium in the second direction by a predetermined amount after conveying the recording medium inserted in the insertion port in the second direction until the tip of the recording medium is detected by the medium detector. The recording medium processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:   After the control unit detects the recording medium set in the insertion slot, the control unit conveys the recording medium in the second direction until the leading portion of the magnetic pattern reaches a position where it can be remagnetized by the magnetizing means. The recording medium processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:   Prior to transporting the recording medium set in the insertion slot toward the magnetic pattern detector, the control unit until the head portion of the magnetic pattern reaches a position where it can be remagnetized by the magnetizing means. The recording medium processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium processing apparatus is conveyed in a second direction. At least an insertion slot for inserting a recording medium, magnetizing means for remagnetizing a magnetic pattern on the recording medium inserted into the insertion slot, and magnetism for detecting the magnetic pattern remagnetized by the magnetizing means A method of controlling a recording medium processing apparatus having a pattern detector,
(A) a recording medium detection step of detecting a recording medium inserted into the insertion slot between the magnetizing means and the magnetic pattern detector;
(B) a recording medium determination step of determining whether the recording medium is a first recording medium not having the magnetic pattern or a second recording medium having the magnetic pattern;
(C) When the recording medium is determined as the first recording medium in the recording medium determining step (b), the recording medium is transported in the first direction from the magnetizing means to the magnetic pattern detector. And a processing step for performing a predetermined processing on this,
(D) When the recording medium is determined as the second recording medium in the recording medium determining step (b), the recording medium is moved in the second direction opposite to the first direction. A reverse conveying step of conveying until the leading portion of the magnetic material reaches a position where it can be remagnetized by the magnetizing means;
(E) A forward conveyance / reading step of conveying the recording medium in the first direction, remagnetizing the magnetization pattern on the recording medium by the magnetization means, and then reading the magnetic pattern by the magnetic pattern detector. A control method for a recording medium processing apparatus.   8. The method of controlling a recording medium processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined process in the recording medium determining step (c) includes a printing process.   8. The recording medium according to claim 7, wherein in the reverse direction transport step (d), the recording medium is transported in the second direction until at least a leading portion of the magnetic pattern reaches substantially the center of the magnetizing means. Control method for a recording medium processing apparatus. The reverse conveying step (d)
(D1) a first reverse conveyance step of conveying the recording medium in the second direction until the leading edge of the recording medium is detected;
(D2) The recording medium processing apparatus control method according to claim 7, further comprising a second reverse conveyance step of further conveying the recording medium by a predetermined amount in the second direction.   8. The recording medium processing according to claim 7, wherein the recording medium determination step (c) and the reverse transport step (d) are performed after the recording medium is detected in the recording medium detection step (a). Control method of the device.   A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for causing a computer to execute each step of the control method of the recording medium processing apparatus according to claim 7.

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