JP6875867B2 - Printer - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to printers.

A financial information processing device (eg, ATM) often includes a printer that prints information on a print medium (eg, paper, passbook). This type of printer is provided with a collection mechanism for collecting the print medium left behind in the discharge port in case the user forgets to remove the print medium discharged to the discharge port.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-78206 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-173436 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-357258

Problems such as jams (paper jams) may occur in the collection mechanism. A printer equipped with both a printing mechanism and a collecting mechanism has a complicated mechanism. Therefore, it is not easy to solve the problems that occur in the collection mechanism.

An object to be solved by the present invention is to make it possible to easily solve a defect generated in the collection mechanism.

The printer of the embodiment is arranged so as to face the printing unit that prints on the print medium, the first roller that conveys the print medium toward the discharge port, and the passage of the print medium, and holds the print medium at the discharge port. A printing mechanism including a pair of second rollers, a collection box for accommodating the printing medium, a third roller for transporting the printing medium toward the discharge port, and a printing medium held by the second roller as a second roller. It includes a transport mechanism including a fourth roller that cooperates with the rollers to transport the print medium toward the collection box, and includes a collection mechanism for collecting the print medium in the collection box. The collection mechanism side of the printing mechanism is open, and the collection box of the collection mechanism is open on the printing mechanism side. The printing mechanism is separably or rotatably fixed to the collection mechanism so as to cover the open portion of the collection box of the collection mechanism. The fourth roller is located closer to the discharge port than the first roller and the third roller, and is provided below the transfer path of the print medium of the printing mechanism.

It is a perspective view which shows the financial information processing apparatus which comprises the printer of embodiment. It is a figure which shows the inside of the financial information processing apparatus. It is a block diagram of the printer of an embodiment. It is a side view of the printer of an embodiment. It is a figure which shows the state that the printing mechanism and the collecting mechanism are separated into the upper and lower parts. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of the printer of an embodiment. It is a figure which shows how the print medium is collected by the collection mechanism. It is a figure which shows the state which the jam occurred in the recovery mechanism. It is a figure which shows the state that the printing mechanism and the collecting mechanism are separated into the upper and lower parts. It is a figure which shows the modification of the printer of an embodiment.

Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the figure, the same or equivalent parts are designated by the same reference numerals.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a financial information processing apparatus 1 including the printer 10 of the embodiment. The financial information processing device 1 is, for example, an ATM (Automated Teller Machine). The financial information processing device 1 is connected to a server (not shown) via a network. The printer 10 is fixed or built in the financial information processing apparatus 1.

In the following description, a Cartesian coordinate system composed of the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis is used. In the figure, the direction indicated by the arrow is the plus direction. The positive direction of the X-axis is the right direction, and the negative direction of the X-axis is the left direction. Further, the Y-axis plus direction is the back direction (rear side), and the Y-axis minus direction is the front direction (front side). Further, the Z-axis plus direction is the upward direction, and the Z-axis minus direction is the downward direction. The front is the side where the user who operates the financial information processing apparatus 1 is located. In the example of FIG. 1, the front surface is in the direction of the white arrow.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the inside of the financial information processing apparatus 1. The financial information processing device 1 includes a housing 20. The housing 20 is provided with a discharge port 21 for discharging transaction details and the like. A printer 10 and a cutting portion 30 are arranged inside the housing 20.

The cutting unit 30 is a cutting mechanism that separates a sheet (for example, a sheet that becomes a transaction statement) from the roll paper PR. The cut portion 30 is arranged upstream of the printer 10. Here, the “upstream” refers to the side close to the supply source of the print medium S (in the case of the present embodiment, the roll paper PR). The sheet separated by the cut portion 30 is conveyed to the printer 10. The roll paper PR is a roll-shaped printing medium in which continuous paper is wound. The roll paper PR can be attached to and detached from the printer 10. When the continuous paper runs out from the roll paper PR, the maintenance personnel replace the roll paper PR. The continuous paper is a strip-shaped paper. In the following description, it is assumed that the print medium S is continuous paper taken out from the roll paper PR.

The printer 10 is a device that prints information such as transaction details. The printer 10 is arranged so that its discharge port E2 is close to the discharge port 21 of the financial information processing apparatus 1. The printer 10 prints information on the sheet conveyed from the cut portion 30, and conveys the information toward the discharge port E2 (discharge port 21). The appearance and internal structure shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are merely examples, and various modifications are possible.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the printer 10. The printer 10 includes a control unit 11, a communication interface 12, an output unit 13, a detection unit 14, a printing mechanism 15, and a collection mechanism 16.

The control unit 11 is a processing device such as a processor and an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The control unit 11 functions as a control means for the printer 10. The control unit 11 controls each unit of the printer 10.

The communication interface 12 is a communication interface that communicates with a control device (for example, a processor) of the financial information processing device 1. The communication interface may be a serial interface such as RS-232c or Serial ATA, or a parallel interface such as ISA (Industrial Standard Architecture bus) or PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect). The communication interface 12 acquires various data from the financial information processing device 1. For example, the communication interface 12 acquires information (for example, transaction information such as transaction details) to be printed on the continuous paper S by the printing unit 15a from the financial information processing apparatus 1.

Further, the communication interface 12 transmits various information to the control device of the financial information processing device 1 under the control of the control unit. The financial information processing device 1 may notify the user of the information acquired via the communication interface 12. The communication interface 12 functions as a notification means for the printer 10.

The output unit 13 is an output device for notifying the user of information. The output unit 13 is, for example, a sound generator such as a speaker or a buzzer, or a lighting device such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) lamp. Of course, the output unit 13 is not limited to the sound generator and the lighting device. For example, the output unit 13 may be a display device such as a liquid crystal display (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL display (Organic Electroluminescence Display). The output unit 13 outputs various information to the user based on the control of the control unit 11. The output unit 13 functions as a notification means for the printer 10.

The detection unit 14 is a sensor for detecting whether or not there is a recovered print medium S. For example, the detection unit 14 is an optical sensor. The detection unit 14 is attached to the collection mechanism 16 and detects whether or not the print medium S is stored in the collection box described later.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the printer 10. The mechanism of the printer 10 is roughly divided into a printing mechanism 15 and a collection mechanism 16. The printing mechanism 15 and the collecting mechanism 16 are each one structure. During normal use, the printing mechanism 15 and the collecting mechanism 16 are united and integrated. The printing mechanism 15 and the collecting mechanism 16 are separable. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which the printing mechanism 15 and the collecting mechanism 16 are separated into upper and lower parts.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the internal structure of the printer 10. In order to make the structure of the printer 10 easier to understand, the structure of the printer 10 is simplified in FIG. In addition, the structure is partially deformed.

The printing mechanism 15 is a mechanism for printing information on the printing medium S. The printing mechanism 15 includes a guide 15p, rollers 15b1 to 15b3, rollers 15c, rollers 15d1 to 15d2, a printing unit 15a, and a switching unit 15e.

The guide 15p is a paper guide that guides the print medium S to the printing unit 15a. The guide 15p is a plate-like body extending from the insertion port E1 to the front upstream of the printing portion 15a. The print medium S is conveyed along the surface of the guide 15p (hereinafter, referred to as a conveying surface).

The rollers 15b1 to 15b3 and 15c are transport rollers for transporting the print medium S toward the printing unit 15a. The rollers 15b1 to 15b3 and 15c function as a transport unit (transport means) for transporting the print medium S. The rollers 15b1 to 15b3 and 15c are rotated by a drive device (for example, a motor) (not shown). The rollers 15b1 to 15b3 are arranged along the transport surface of the guide 15p. The roller 15c is arranged near the downstream end of the guide 15p. Here, "downstream" means the side close to the discharge port E2 (or the discharge port 21). The roller 15c is arranged at a position facing the roller 18c included in the collection mechanism 16. The print medium S passes between the rollers 15c and the rollers 18c and reaches the printing unit 15a.

The printing unit 15a is a printing unit that prints various information such as transaction details on continuous paper S. The printing unit 15a is a thermal printing unit. The printing unit 15a includes a roller 15a1 and a print head 15a2. The print head 15a2 is a thermal head. The roller 15a1 is a platen roller arranged so as to face the print head 15a2. The roller 15a1 also functions as a transport unit (transport means) for transporting the print medium S. The rollers 15a1 and the print head 15a2 face each other with the transport path of the print medium S interposed therebetween. The printing unit 15a prints information on the printing medium S under the control of the control unit 11.

The rollers 15d1 and 15d2 are holding rollers for holding the print medium S at the discharge port E2 (discharge port 21). The rollers 15d1 and 15d2 are arranged in front of the upstream of the discharge port E2. The rollers 15d1 and 15d2 are arranged so as to face each other with the transport path of the print medium S interposed therebetween. The print medium S on which the information is printed by the printing unit 15a is held by the rollers 15d1 and 15d2 in a state where a part thereof is exposed from the discharge port 21.

The switching unit 15e is a switching device that switches the transport path connected to the discharge port E2 (discharge port 21). The switching unit 15e is, for example, a flapper. The switching unit 15e is arranged between the printing unit 15a and the discharge port E2. More specifically, they are arranged on the upstream side of the rollers 15d1 and 15d2. The switching unit 15e switches the transport path connected to the discharge port E2 (discharge port 21) to either the printing unit 15a side or the collection mechanism 16 side according to the control of the control unit 11.

The collection mechanism 16 is a mechanism for collecting the print medium S left behind in the discharge port 21 by the user forgotten to remove it. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing how the print medium S is collected by the collection mechanism 16. The collection mechanism 16 includes a collection box 17 and a transport mechanism 18.

The collection box 17 is a box body for storing the print medium S collected from the discharge port 21. At least one of the collection boxes 17 is open. Here, "open" means a state in which the user can access the inside. The collection box 17 of the present embodiment has an opening (open portion) at the top. The upper opening is covered by the printing mechanism 15. On the side surface (the surface on the X-axis direction side) of the collection box 17, a take-out port (not shown) for maintenance personnel to take out the print medium S is provided. The collection box 17 is provided with a detection unit 14 for detecting that the print medium S is stored inside. The detection unit 14 is an optical sensor including, for example, a light emitting body that emits light toward the inside of the box (for example, a metal portion at the bottom of the box) and a light receiving body that receives the reflected light from the box. The detection unit 14 detects the presence or absence of the print medium S, for example, based on the intensity of the light received by the light receiver. Of course, the method by which the detection unit 14 detects the presence or absence of the print medium S is not limited to this.

The transport mechanism 18 is a mechanism for transporting the print medium S in the discharge port 21 toward the collection box. At least one of the transport mechanisms 18 is open. The collection box 17 of the present embodiment has an opening (open portion) at the top. The upper opening is covered by the printing mechanism 15. If the upper opening is not covered by the printing mechanism 15, the user can access the internal mechanism of the transport mechanism 18 through the upper opening.

The transport mechanism 18 includes rollers 18a, rollers 18b, and rollers 18c. The roller 18a is a gear roller driven by a driving device (for example, a motor) (not shown). The roller 18b is a pinch roller arranged so as to face the roller 18a with the transport path of the print medium S interposed therebetween. Further, the roller 18c is a gear roller arranged to face the roller 15c. The transport mechanism 18 transports the print medium S to the collection box 17 under the control of the control unit 11.

Next, the collection operation of the print medium S will be described. When the print medium S is held by the rollers 15d1 and 15d2 and a certain period of time elapses, the control unit 11 controls the switching unit 15e to switch the transport path connected to the discharge port 21 to the collection mechanism 16 side. Then, the control unit 11 controls the rollers 15d1 and 15d2 to convey the print medium S toward the conveying mechanism 18, and rotates the rollers 18a counterclockwise in the drawing. At this time, the control unit 11 may rotate the roller 18c clockwise in the drawing. The print medium S is conveyed to the collection box 17 through between the rollers 18a and 18b.

In addition, a problem such as jam may occur in the collection mechanism 16. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state in which jam is generated in the recovery mechanism 16. At this time, it is difficult for the maintenance personnel to remove the print medium S from the transport mechanism 18 while the collection mechanism 16 covers the upper portion of the transport mechanism 18. However, in the printer 10 of this embodiment, the printing mechanism 15 and the collecting mechanism 16 can be separated.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state in which the printing mechanism 15 and the collecting mechanism 16 are separated into upper and lower parts. As described above, the upper part of the transport mechanism 18 is open. In the example of FIG. 9, the portion indicated by P1 is an open portion. When the printing mechanism 15 is separated from the collecting mechanism 16, the transport mechanism 18 is in a state where the user can easily access the inside from the open portion P1. The maintenance personnel can remove the print medium S from the open portion P1.

In addition to the upper part of the transport mechanism 18, the upper part of the collection box 17 is also open. In the example of FIG. 9, the portion shown by P2 is an open portion. Therefore, when the printing mechanism 15 is separated from the collection mechanism 16, the collection box 17 is in a state where the user can easily access the inside from the open portion P2. Therefore, even if the print medium S cannot be taken out from the take-out port, the maintenance personnel can easily take out the print medium S from the open portion P2.

According to the present embodiment, by separating the printing mechanism 15 from the collection mechanism 16, a part of the collection mechanism 16 (the upper part of the transport mechanism 18 and the upper part of the collection box 17) is opened. Therefore, even if a problem such as a jam occurs in the collection mechanism 16, the maintenance personnel can easily solve the problem.

Further, in the printer 10, the printing mechanism 15 and the collecting mechanism 16 have an integrated structure. Therefore, the installation of not only the printing mechanism 15 but also the collection mechanism 16 is completed only by installing the printer 10 in the financial information processing apparatus 1. Further, since the printing mechanism 15 and the collecting mechanism 16 are integrated, the printing mechanism 15 and the collecting mechanism 16 do not occupy a large space in the financial information processing apparatus 1. Even if the printing mechanism 15 and the collecting mechanism 16 are integrated, the printing mechanism 15 and the collecting mechanism 16 can be separated, so that maintenance of the printer 10 by maintenance personnel (for example, elimination of jam) is easy.

Each of the above embodiments shows an example, and various modifications and applications are possible.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the upper part of the transport mechanism 18 and the upper part of the collection box 17 are assumed to be open. In addition to this, the lower part (recovery mechanism 16 side) of the printing unit 15a may also be open as shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 9, the portion indicated by P3 at the bottom of the printing portion 15a is an open portion. During normal use, the open portion P3 may be covered by a recovery mechanism 16. Then, when the printing mechanism 15 is separated from the collection mechanism 16, the open portion P3 may be opened. Even if a jam occurs in the printing unit 15a, the maintenance personnel can easily eliminate the jam.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the printing mechanism 15 is separably fixed to the collection mechanism 16. However, the printing mechanism 15 may be rotatably fixed to the collection mechanism 16. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a printer 10 in which a printing mechanism 15 and a collecting mechanism 16 are rotatably fixed. In the example of FIG. 10, the printing mechanism 15 and the collecting mechanism 16 are fixed by a shaft 19 parallel to the width direction (X-axis direction) of the printing medium S. During normal use, the open portions P1 and P2 are covered by the printing mechanism 15, and the open portions P3 are covered by the collection mechanism 16. The open portions P1 to P3 are opened by rotating the printing mechanism 15 around the shaft 19. Even with such a configuration, the printer 10 can obtain the same effect as when the printing mechanism 15 and the collecting mechanism 16 are separable.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the detection unit 14 is assumed to be an optical sensor, but the detection unit 14 is not limited to the optical sensor. For example, the detection unit 14 may be a pressure sensor. At this time, the detection unit 14 may be installed at the bottom of the collection box 17 and detect whether or not the print medium S is inside the collection box 17 by detecting the weight of the print medium S.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the print medium S is assumed to be the paper taken out from the roll paper PR, but the print medium S is not limited to the sheet taken out from the roll paper PR. For example, the print medium S may be a passbook or foldable continuous paper.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the printing unit 15a is assumed to be a thermal printing unit, but the printing unit 15a is not limited to the thermal printing unit. For example, the printing unit 15a may be a dot impact type, an inkjet type, or an electrophotographic type print unit.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the printer 10 is fixed or built in the financial information processing device 1, but the printer 10 may be configured to be externally attached to the financial information processing device 1. For example, the printer 10 may be provided with a connection interface such as USB (Universal Serial Bus) and may be configured to be connected to the product information processing device 1 by a communication cable such as a USB cable.

Further, the printer 10 may be provided with a user interface and may be configured to operate independently of the financial information processing apparatus 1. Further, the printer 10 may be connected to a personal computer and configured to operate based on the instructions of the personal computer. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the printer 10 is provided with the output unit 13, but the printer 10 may not be provided with the output unit 13.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the printer 10 is installed in the financial information processing apparatus, but the apparatus in which the printer 10 is installed is not limited to this. For example, the device on which the printer 10 is installed may be a product information processing device. The product information processing device may be a POS (Point of sales) terminal, or may be a stand-alone cash register that does not have a network connection function. In this case, the financial information processing device 1 can be rephrased as the product information processing device 1. Of course, the device on which the printer 10 is installed may be a device other than the financial information processing device and the product information processing device.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the printer 10 is fixed or built in the financial information processing device 1 or the product information processing device 1. However, the financial information processing device 1 or the product information processing device 1 may be configured so that it can print directly on the print medium S without going through the printer 10. For example, even if the financial information processing device 1 or the product information processing device 1 includes a control unit 11, a communication interface 12, an output unit 13, a detection unit 14, a printing mechanism 15, and a collection mechanism 16. Good. The control unit 11 may be shared with a control device (for example, a processor) that controls each unit of the product information processing device 1 or the financial information processing device 1. It is also possible to regard the product information processing device 1 or the financial information processing device 1 as the printer 10 itself.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This novel embodiment can be implemented in various other embodiments, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. This embodiment and its modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

The above-described embodiment may also be described as the following appendix. Of course, the above-described embodiment is not limited to the following appendices.

(Appendix 1)
A printing mechanism that prints on print media and transports it toward the discharge port,
A collection mechanism for collecting the print medium discharged to the discharge port in a collection box is provided.
The collection mechanism is partially open.
The printing mechanism is separably or rotatably fixed to the collection mechanism so as to cover the open portion of the collection mechanism.
Printer.

(Appendix 2)
The collection mechanism includes a transport mechanism for transporting the print medium at the discharge port toward the collection box.
At least one of the transport mechanisms is open.
The printing mechanism is fixed to the collection mechanism so as to cover the open portion of the transport mechanism.
The printer according to Appendix 1.

(Appendix 3)
The printing mechanism is separably fixed to the collection mechanism, and when the printing mechanism is separated from the collection mechanism, the open portion of the transport mechanism is opened.
The printer according to Appendix 2.

(Appendix 4)
The printing mechanism is rotatably fixed to the collection mechanism, and when the printing mechanism rotates with respect to the collection mechanism, the open portion of the transport mechanism is opened.
The printer according to Appendix 2.

(Appendix 5)
The collection mechanism includes the collection box.
At least one of the collection boxes is open.
The printing mechanism is fixed to the collection mechanism so as to cover the open portion of the collection box.
The printer according to Appendix 1.

(Appendix 6)
The printing mechanism is separably fixed to the collection mechanism, and when the printing mechanism is separated from the collection mechanism, the open portion of the collection box is opened.
The printer according to Appendix 5.

(Appendix 7)
The printing mechanism is rotatably fixed to the collection mechanism, and when the printing mechanism rotates with respect to the collection mechanism, the open portion of the collection box is opened.
The printer according to Appendix 5.

(Appendix 8)
The collection mechanism includes the collection box.
At least one of the collection boxes is open.
The printing mechanism is fixed to the collection mechanism so as to cover both the open portion of the transport mechanism and the open portion of the collection box.
The printer according to Appendix 2.

(Appendix 9)
The printing mechanism is rotatably fixed to the collection mechanism, and when the printing mechanism is separated from the collection mechanism, both the open portion of the transport mechanism and the open portion of the collection box are opened.
The printer according to Appendix 8.

(Appendix 10)
The printing mechanism is rotatably fixed to the collection mechanism, and when the printing mechanism rotates with respect to the collection mechanism, both the open portion of the transport mechanism and the open portion of the collection box are opened. ,
The printer according to Appendix 8.

(Appendix 11)
The printing mechanism includes a printing unit including a print head and a platen roller.
When the printing mechanism is a single unit, the collection mechanism side of the printing unit is open.
The collection mechanism side of the printing unit is covered by the collection mechanism, and when the printing mechanism is separated from the collection mechanism, the collection mechanism side of the printing unit is opened.
The printer according to any one of Appendix 1 to 10.

(Appendix 12)
The printing mechanism includes a printing unit including a print head and a platen roller.
When the printing mechanism is a single unit, the collection mechanism side of the printing unit is open.
The collection mechanism side of the printing unit is covered by the collection mechanism, and when the printing mechanism rotates with respect to the collection mechanism, the collection mechanism side of the printing unit is opened.
The printer according to any one of Appendix 1 to 10.

(Appendix 13)
The printer according to any one of Supplementary note 1 to 12 is provided.
Financial information processing equipment.

(Appendix 14)
The printer according to any one of Supplementary note 1 to 12 is provided.
Product information processing device.

1 ... Financial information processing equipment (commodity information processing equipment)
10 ... Printer 11 ... Control unit 12 ... Communication interface 13 ... Output unit 14 ... Detection unit 15 ... Printing mechanism 15a ... Printing unit 15a1, 15b1 to 15b3, 15c, 15d1 to 15d2 ... Roller 15a2 ... Print head 15e ... Switching unit 15p ... Guide 16 ... Recovery mechanism 17 ... Recovery box 18 ... Conveyance mechanism 18a, 18b, 18c ... Roller 19 ... Shaft 20 ... Housing 21 ... Discharge port 30 ... Cut part E1 ... Insert port E2 ... Discharge port PR ... Roll paper P1 to P3 … Open part S… Print medium

Claims (4)

A pair of a printing unit that prints on a print medium, a first roller that conveys the print medium toward an ejection port, and a pair of rollers that are arranged so as to face each other across a passage of the print medium and hold the print medium at the ejection port. A printing mechanism that includes a second roller,
The collection box that houses the print medium, the third roller that conveys the print medium toward the discharge port, and the print medium held by the second roller cooperate with the second roller. A transport mechanism including a fourth roller for transporting the print medium toward the collection box, and a recovery mechanism for collecting the print medium in the collection box.
The printing mechanism is open on the collection mechanism side.
The collection box of the collection mechanism is open on the printing mechanism side.
The printing mechanism is separably or rotatably fixed to the collection mechanism so as to cover the open portion of the collection box of the collection mechanism.
The fourth roller is located closer to the discharge port than the first roller and the third roller, and is provided below the transport path of the print medium of the printing mechanism.
Printer. The printing mechanism side of the transport mechanism is released.
The printing mechanism is fixed to the collection mechanism so as to cover both the open portion of the transport mechanism and the open portion of the collection box.
The printer according to claim 1. The printing mechanism side of the transport mechanism is released.
The printing mechanism is rotatably fixed to the collection mechanism, and when the printing mechanism rotates with respect to the collection mechanism, both the open portion of the transport mechanism and the open portion of the collection box are opened. ,
The printer according to claim 1 or 2. The printing unit includes a print head and a platen roller.
The collection mechanism side of the printing unit is covered by the collection mechanism, and when the printing mechanism is separated from the collection mechanism or rotated with respect to the collection mechanism, the collection mechanism side of the printing unit is opened. Be done,
The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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