KR100481606B1 - Print medium processing apparatus and method for controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

It aims at performing suitably the position control of the scanner feed roller in the print medium processing apparatus provided with the scanner feed roller which conveys a press of a print medium to an image scanner.

In the check processing apparatus 1, the scanner feed roller 21 is arrange | positioned at the opposing position of the image scanner 20 arrange | positioned at the vertical conveyance path 8b which conveys the check 3, and the roller retreat mechanism 22 This scanner feed roller 21 is movable to the closed position pushed by the scanner reading surface 20a and the open position retracted from it. After the completion of scanning, the roller 21 retreats to the open position after a predetermined time has elapsed. If the roller 21 is opened immediately after the end of scanning, the check 3 sent to the discharge port 5 side may slip and fall into the vertical conveyance path 8b between the roller 21 and the image scanner 20. This damage can be avoided by delaying the retraction operation of the roller 21.

Description

PRINT MEDIUM PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME}

The present invention relates to a print media processing apparatus having an image scanner for scanning print media such as checks, and a control method thereof.

Recently, a print media processing apparatus for adding a processing apparatus such as an image scanner to a printer to perform a complex process has been proposed. For example, a check processing apparatus having a printhead, an image scanner and a magnetic head has been proposed. In such a check processing apparatus, a check processing of a check is performed by exchanging the transaction contents as electronic data by performing printing processing of a necessary matter to a check, scanning processing of a printed check, transmission processing of a scanning image to a payment institution as necessary. It is convenient because online payment is made on the spot.

In such a check processing apparatus, it is necessary to keep the check in close contact with the reading surface so that the printing surface of the check does not lift from the reading surface of the image scanner during scanning in order to ensure the quality of the scanning image. For this purpose, it is preferable to convey a check while pressing the check to the scanner reading surface by a roller. By the way, if the roller is pressed against the scanner reading surface even at the time of non-scanning, the smooth conveyance of the check may be disturbed by the roller.

In view of this, the scanner feed roller for conveying the check while pressing the scanner reading surface is disposed opposite the scanner reading surface, and the closed position where the scanner feed roller is pressed against the scanner reading surface and the open position retracted therefrom. It is preferable to employ a mechanism that enables movement to the.

Here, it is necessary to appropriately execute which of the scanner feed rollers is placed in the closed position and the open position. For example, the check after scanning is conveyed by the scanner feed roller and discharged to the discharge port side. The check after being discharged between the scanner reading surface and the scanner conveyance roller is kept in a state where the tip side protrudes from the discharge port, and is drawn out by the operator. In this case, if the scanner feed roller is retracted to its open position immediately after the end of scanning, there is a fear that the check waiting to be taken out slips between the open scanner feed roller and the scanner reading surface into the conveying path.

In order to avoid such a problem, it is considered to always keep the scanner feed roller in the closed position in the standby state. In this case, however, the scanner conveying roller, which is closed when the opening / closing cover for maintenance formed in the outer case, for example, is removed from the paper jam or the ink ribbon is replaced, obstructs the operation. Done.

Of course, it is also contemplated to mount a detector near the outlet, to detect that the check is withdrawn from the outlet, and to retract the scanner feed roller to the open position after the check is withdrawn. However, in this method, since the dedicated sensor needs to be mounted separately, the number of parts increases by that amount, which is not preferable because of the high cost.

Moreover, in the check processing apparatus which performs such a complex process, when an image scanner is arrange | positioned in the vicinity of the discharge port of a check, there exists a possibility that external light, such as direct sunlight and a spotlight, may enter a scanner reading surface through an exit port. If external light penetrates the scanner reading surface, the reading quality by the image scanner is degraded.

In particular, in a check processing apparatus or the like, an insertion opening for inserting a check horizontally in the front portion of the apparatus is formed for convenient insertion and withdrawal operation of the check, and withdraws the processed check upwards from the discharge opening opened to the upper surface of the apparatus. There is one configured. In such a case, since the discharge port is opened upward, external light such as direct sunlight can easily enter the inside from the discharge port. Therefore, the degradation of scanner reading quality due to external light incident is likely to occur.

Such a problem may arise not only in the check processing apparatus but also in the print media processing apparatus provided with the image scanner which handles print media other than a check, and the printer with a general scanner.

Disclosure of the Invention An object of the present invention is to propose a print media processing apparatus and a control method thereof capable of appropriately performing position control of a scanner feed roller.

Another object of the present invention is to propose a print media processing apparatus having a configuration capable of preventing external light from invading the scanner reading surface without causing a problem to the conveyance of the print media.

In order to solve the above problems, the print media processing apparatus of the present invention includes an insertion port for inserting a print medium, a discharge port for discharging the print medium, a conveyance path for guiding the print medium from the insert port to the discharge port, and the conveyance path. An image scanner for scanning a print image of a print medium conveyed along the surface, a scanner feed roller for conveying the print medium while pressing the print surface to the reading surface of the image scanner, and pressing the scanner feed roller to the reading surface of the image scanner. And a roller opening / closing mechanism for moving to one closed position and an open position away from the reading surface, and roller position control means for driving control of the roller opening and closing mechanism and controlling the position of the scanner feed roller.

The said roller position control means of this invention is characterized by moving the said scanner feed roller to the said closed position, when a print medium reaches the scanning start position by the said image scanner.

Here, in order to detect that a printing medium has reached the scanning start position, the detector which detects the printing medium conveyed along the said conveyance path is arrange | positioned at the position of a conveyance direction upstream with respect to the said image scanner, and the detection signal of this detector Based on this, it is sufficient to detect that the print medium has reached the scanning start position.

Moreover, the said roller position control means of this invention is characterized by moving the said scanner feed roller to the said open position, when the cover which can be opened and provided in an exterior case is opened. According to this structure, the trouble that a scanner feed roller interrupts a work at the time of maintenance can be avoided.

In this case, the opening and closing detection of the cover may be performed by arranging a detector that detects the opening of the cover and performing the detection signal based on the detection signal of the detector.

Moreover, the said roller position control means of this invention is characterized by moving the said scanner feed roller to the said open position after predetermined time elapses after the completion | finish of scanning by the said image scanner. By appropriately setting the time from the end of the scanning to the movement of the scanner feed roller, it is possible to avoid a problem that the print medium slips into the conveying path from between the scanner feed roller and the scanner reading surface that have been retracted to the open position.

The elapsed time from the end of scanning by the image scanner is counted by a timer, and the timer may be reset when the scanner feed roller moves to the open position.

In this case, when the image scanner and the scanner feed roller are disposed opposite the discharge port, the print medium tends to fall into the conveying path, and thus the position where the scanner feed roller is not moved immediately after scanning in this way. Control is particularly effective.

Next, the roller position control means of the present invention is characterized in that the scanner feed roller is held in the open position when scanning of a print medium is not performed. By doing in this way, the trouble that the conveyed print medium hits the scanner feed roller in a closed position, and smooth conveyance is prevented is avoided.

In addition, the print media processing apparatus of the present invention may be configured to include a magnetic head that reads magnetic data recorded in a print medium conveyed along the conveyance path in addition to the image scanner.

Moreover, in the typical structure of the printing media processing apparatus of this invention, in addition to an image scanner, the printing head which carries out printing to the printing medium conveyed along the said conveyance path is provided.

In this case, at least one of a first processing mode for performing printing to the print medium and scanning the print medium, a second processing mode for performing only printing to the print medium, and a third processing mode for performing only scanning of the print medium; It is possible to have a configuration having mode selection means for alternatively selecting two processing modes. Based on the processing mode selected by this mode selecting means, the roller position control means can determine whether or not scanning of the print medium is executed, and can control the position of the scanner feed roller.

Here, the mode selection means can be configured to include a mode switch button of a manual operation type.

The mode selection means may be configured to select a processing mode based on a mode selection command input from an external device such as a host computer.

Here, the insertion port is a print medium can be inserted in a substantially horizontal direction, and the conveyance path is a horizontal conveyance path that is continuous to the insertion hole, a curved path that is curved upwardly in succession to the horizontal conveyance path, and And a vertical conveying path extending upwardly in succession to the curved path, wherein the print head and the image scanner are arranged in this order from the lower side in the vertical conveying path, and the discharge port is disposed at the upper end of the vertical conveying path. Positioned configuration can be employed.

Next, the control method of the print media processing apparatus of the present invention includes a conveyance path for guiding the print medium inserted from the insertion port to the discharge port, an image scanner for scanning the print medium conveyed along the conveyance path, and a print medium. The control method of the printing media processing apparatus provided with the scanner conveyance roller for conveyance, and the roller opening / closing mechanism which moves this scanner conveyance roller to the closed position which pressed the said reading surface of the said image scanner to the open position away from the said reading surface. To

With the scanner feed roller held in the open position, the first waiting step of waiting for the print medium to be inserted into the insertion opening, and if the print medium is inserted into the insertion opening and receiving a predetermined command, the image from the insertion opening. Conveying the print medium to the reading position by the scanner, and after the print medium reaches the reading position, the scanner conveying roller is moved to the closed position and conveyed while pressing the print medium to the reading surface, A process of scanning an image printed on a print medium by an image scanner, and waiting for the next print medium to be inserted into an insertion slot while keeping the scanner feed roller in a closed position after completion of the scanning process by the image scanner. It is characterized by having 2 atmospheric processes.

Here, after a predetermined time has elapsed from the end of the scanning process by the image scanner, the scanner feed roller may be moved to the open position to shift to the first waiting process. In addition, when it is detected that the openable and closed cover formed in the outer case of the print media processing apparatus is opened during the second waiting step, the scanner feed roller may be moved to the open position.

Further, when the print media processing apparatus has a print head for performing printing on the print medium, it is further detected that the print medium is inserted into the insertion port, and upon receiving a predetermined command, the print medium is transferred from the insertion port to the print head. And a printing step of carrying out printing on the printing medium by the print head in a state in which the printing medium is conveyed to the printing position by the printing head and the scanner feed roller is held in the open position.

In addition, when the print media processing apparatus has a magnetic head for reading magnetic data previously recorded in the print media, it is detected that a print medium is inserted in the insertion opening, and when the predetermined instruction is received, A process of conveying the print medium to a magnetic data reading position by a magnetic head, and a process of reading the magnetic data by the magnetic head while the scanner feed roller is held in an open position may be provided.

In addition, the print media processing apparatus of the present invention includes an insertion port for inserting a print medium, a discharge port for discharging the print medium, a conveyance path for guiding the print medium from the insertion port to the discharge port, and a conveyance along the conveyance path. And an image scanner for reading a print image of a print medium, and shielding means for blocking external light incident on the reading position by the image scanner via the discharge port. As a result, it is possible to block external light incident at the discharge port by the shielding means during scanning, thereby avoiding the deterioration of the quality of the read image by the image scanner due to external light incident.

Here, the shielding means may be provided with the internal shielding plate which sealably seals the discharge side conveyance path part located between the said reading position in the said conveyance path, and the said discharge port.

In this case, the said shielding means can be set as the structure provided with the internal shielding plate moving mechanism for moving the said internal shielding plate to the closed position which sealed the said discharge side conveyance path part, and the retracted position which retracted from the said closed position. have. According to this configuration, by virtue of retreating the inner shielding plate to the retracted position at the time of non-scanning, it is possible to avoid the damaging effect of the printing medium to which the inner shielding plate is conveyed.

In addition, in order to smoothly convey the print media even when the inner shielding plate is in the closed position, the inner shielding plate has a print media guide surface having a contact surface that can contact the image scanner in the closed position. It is desirable to have.

In addition, in order to stably hold the inner shielding plate in its closed position, the shielding means is formed by pressing the inner shielding plate against the image scanner by an elastic force while the inner shielding plate is in the closed position. It is preferable to have 1 pressing member.

Similarly, in order to stably hold the inner shield plate in its retracted position, the shielding means is provided with an elastic force for holding the inner shield plate in the retracted position while the inner shield plate is in the retracted position. It is preferable to provide the 2nd pressing member.

Here, such first and second pressing members can be densely constructed using a single torsion spring. For this reason, what is necessary is just to arrange | position so that the 1st end part of a torsion spring may function as a said 1st press member, and the 2nd end part of the torsion spring may function as a said 2nd press member.

Next, the shielding means may be configured to include an external shielding plate for blocking external light incident on the discharge port. In this way, by blocking the external light incident on the discharge port, even if the internal shielding plate is moved and there is a gap in which external light enters, depending on the state of the conveyed print medium, such as folded paper, for example, external light enters the scanner reading position. You can certainly prevent that.

Here, in order to reliably block external light incident on the discharge port, the external shield plate is preferably a size including the discharge port when viewed along the discharge direction of the print medium.

In addition, in order not to interfere with the discharge of the print medium discharged from the discharge port by the external shield plate, the external shield plate has a guide surface composed of a smooth surface or a curved surface with respect to the discharge direction of the print medium. It is desirable to do it.

In addition, in order to ensure that external light from an oblique direction with respect to the outlet is not incident to the scanner reading position, it is preferable to arrange the outer shield plate so as to extend from an opening edge portion located on the side opposite to the image scanner at the outlet. desirable.

In addition, the print media processing apparatus of the present invention includes an insertion port for inserting a print medium, a discharge port for discharging the print medium, a conveyance path for guiding the print medium from the insertion port to the discharge port, and a conveyance along the conveyance path. An image scanner for scanning an image printed on a print medium, a scanner conveyance roller for conveying the print medium while pressing the reading surface of the image scanner, and a closed position where the scanner conveying roller is pressed against the reading surface of the image scanner And an internal shielding plate which opens and closes a roller opening / closing mechanism for moving to an open position away from the reading surface, and an opening and closing closure portion of the discharge-side conveying path located between the reading position by the image scanner and the discharge opening. A plate interlocks with the said scanner feed roller, and closes the said discharge side conveyance path part. And wherein the closed position and moved to a retracted position retracted from said closed position. In this case, since the dedicated internal shield plate moving mechanism for moving the internal shield plate can be omitted, it is suitable for compact and compact apparatus.

In this case, the roller opening / closing mechanism is in opposition to the pressing member which constantly presses the support shaft of the scanner feed roller in the direction in which the scanner feed roller is pressed against the reading surface of the image scanner, and the pressing force of the pressing member The solenoid which slides the said support shaft in the direction which retracts the said scanner feed roller can be comprised, and what is necessary is just to make the said inner shield plate slide with the support shaft of the said scanner feed roller.

Also in this case, when the inner shielding plate slides to the closed position, the inner shielding plate is pressed to maintain the closed position, and when the inner shielding plate slides to the retracted position, the inner shielding plate is retracted. It is preferable to have the shielding plate pressurizing member which presses so that it may hold | maintain in a position.

Here, the said inner shielding plate is a shielding board main body part which can contact the said reading surface of the said image scanner in the said closed position, the leg part extended substantially perpendicularly from the both ends of this shielding board main body part, and each leg It can be set as the structure provided with the shaft penetrating part which penetrates the said support shaft of the said scanner feed roller formed in the part in the rotatable state, and the engaging leg part extended substantially perpendicularly from the said shielding plate main-body part. In this case, what is necessary is just to press | press the site | part on the side which is symmetrical with the said shielding plate main body with respect to the said through-shaft part in the said coupling leg part with the said shielding plate press member. Moreover, the said shielding board press member can be made into a torsion spring, and what is necessary is just to position the said engagement leg part between the both ends.

In addition, the print media processing apparatus including the image scanner, the front and back print heads, and the magnetic head can be used as a check processing apparatus for processing a check in which a writing area, an easter area, and a magnetic recording area are formed.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Below, the check processing apparatus which is an example of the print media processing apparatus to which this invention is applied is demonstrated with reference to drawings.

(Overall configurations)

1 is an external perspective view of the check processing apparatus of this example. Referring to this drawing, the check processing apparatus 1 includes an outer cover 2 made of resin, and the check 3 is manually placed in the substantially horizontal direction on the front portion of the outer cover 2. An insertion opening 4 for insertion is formed, and an outlet 5 for discharging the check 3 is formed in the upper surface portion thereof. As for the exterior cover 2 of this example, the back side part becomes the opening-closing cover 2a for maintenance rather than the discharge port 5 in the upper surface part, This opening-closing cover 2a is the side surface of the exterior cover 2 By operating the sliding lock button 2b disposed at the upper end portion, the upper end portion can be opened and opened upwardly.

Here, with reference to FIG. 9, the structure of the check 3 which is one of the process targets of the check processing apparatus 1 of this example is demonstrated. The check 3 is rectangular, and a MICR recording area 131 in which magnetic ink characters are written is formed along the lower edge of the surface 3a, where information such as the account number of the check 3 is recorded. have. In addition, on the surface 3a of the check 3, a written document area 132 for printing a written matter such as a payment destination, a date, and an amount of money is formed. On the other hand, in the upper corner of the back surface 3b of the check 3, an e-book area 133 for printing the necessary e-mail items on the store side receiving the check, such as the purchaser's authentication number, date, and use amount, is formed. have.

The check processing apparatus 1 of this example has a function of reading the magnetic characters recorded in the MICR recording area 131 of the check 3 having such a configuration, a writing function which executes printing on the writing area 132, It has an Eser function for printing in the Eser area 133 and a scanning (scanning) function for reading the print information in the essays area 132.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the check processing apparatus 1 of this example is also provided with a roll paper printing unit 6 at its rear portion. The roll paper printing unit 6 unloads the roll paper from the roll paper housing which accommodates the roll paper, the printing part which prints on the roll paper, and the roll paper storage part and conveys it via the printing part, and forms the roll paper after printing on the exterior cover 2. The roll paper conveyance mechanism which discharges from the roll paper discharge part 7 which is provided is provided. As such a roll paper printing unit 6, the mechanism of a general roll paper printer can be used as it is. Therefore, the illustration of such a part is omitted, and the description thereof is also omitted.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the internal structure of the check processing apparatus 1 when the internal structure is removed from the rear side, and FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the check processing apparatus 1. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a part cut by the IV-IV line in FIG. 2. With reference to these drawings, the internal structure of the check processing apparatus 1 is demonstrated.

In the check processing apparatus 1, the conveyance path 8 of the check 3 from the insertion port 4 to the discharge port 5 is formed. As for the conveyance path 8, the insertion port 4 side becomes a horizontal conveyance path 8a, and the part of the discharge port 5 side becomes a vertical conveyance path 8b, and between these curved conveyance paths 8c of circular arc shape. It is continued by.

Along the conveyance path 8, the paper rear end detector 11, the MICR head (magnetic head) 12, the first feed roller pair 13, the paper front end detector 14, and the like from the insertion port 4 side are sequentially. The paper positioning member 15, the back printing head 16, the second feed roller pair 17, the surface printing head 18, the paper ejection detector 19, and the image scanner 20 are disposed. On the reading surface 20a of the image scanner 20, scanner conveyance rollers 21 for conveying the check 3 while pressing the scanner 3 on the scanner reading surface 20a are disposed to face each other. The scanner feed roller 21 is a closed position pressed to the reading surface 20a of the image scanner 20 by an roller retracting mechanism 22 (roller opening / closing mechanism) which will be described later in detail, and an open position retracted from the pressing position. It becomes possible to move to.

Here, in this example, the inner shielding plate 23 for external light shielding is disposed at a position adjacent to the downstream side of the conveying direction with respect to the scanner conveying roller 21, that is, above the scanner conveying roller 21. This inner shielding plate 23 is also movable to a contact position in contact with the reading surface 20a of the image scanner 20 and a retracted position retracted from the contact position. In this example, the roller retracting mechanism 22 is moved. It is configured to interlock with the scanner feed roller 21 by the. Of course, it is also possible to arrange a dedicated drive mechanism for moving the inner shielding plate 23. When the inner shield plate 23 is moved to the contact position, the external light from the discharge port 5 is blocked by the inner shield plate 23, thereby preventing entry into the read position by the lower image scanner 20. Can be.

In addition, in this example, the outer shielding plate 24 for external light shielding is attached to the outer side of the discharge port 5, too. This outer shielding plate 24 is attached to the outer surface of the outer case 2 and prevents external light from invading from the outlet 5.

Next, the paper rear end detector 11, the paper front end detector 14, and the paper discharge detector 19 are constituted by, for example, a transmissive or reflective photo sensor, and checks 3 at each position of the conveyance path 8 are provided. Detects the presence or absence of).

The paper positioning member 15 is for stopping the check 3 inserted from the insertion opening 4 at a predetermined position once. For example, the paper positioning member 15 protrudes into the conveying path 8 in accordance with the driving of an actuator such as a solenoid. It is comprised so that it may move between the retreat positions which retracted from the conveyance path 8.

The 1st feed roller pair 13 consists of a pair of rollers 13a and 13b which oppose the horizontal conveyance path 8a of the conveyance path 8, and inserts the check 3 by driving either roller. In the forward direction from (4) toward the discharge port 5, it can convey also in the reverse direction opposite to this. Moreover, one roller is comprised so that advance and retraction is possible with respect to the other roller, and the horizontal conveyance path 8a of the conveyance path 8 can be opened and closed by advancing and retracting one roller with a drive mechanism, such as a solenoid, for example. .

Similarly, the 2nd feed roller pair 17 consists of a pair of roller 17a, 17b which opposes by inserting the vertical conveyance path 8b of the conveyance path 8, and drives either roller, and the check 3 ) Can be conveyed in the forward and reverse directions. Moreover, one roller is comprised so that advancing and retreating with respect to the other roller, and it is possible to open and close the vertical conveyance path 8b of the conveyance path 8 by advancing and retracting one roller with a drive mechanism, such as a solenoid, for example. .

The MICR head 12 reads the magnetic ink characters recorded on the surface of the check 3, and the validity and invalidation of the check 3 is determined based on the read data of the MICR head 12. Although the pressing member (not shown) which presses the check 3 to the MICR head 12 at the time of a read operation | movement is provided in the opposing position of this MICR head 12, the pressing member is a MICR head 12 normally. It retreats from and the horizontal conveyance path 8a is open | released.

The surface print head 18 is for printing a written matter such as a payment destination, a date, and an amount of money, on the written area 132 of the surface 3a of the check 3. The surface print head 18 of this example is a serial type print head mounted on the carriage 18b, and realizes dot matrix printing every one or a plurality of rows while moving in the width direction of the check 3. In addition, in this example, although the printhead of the dot impact system which transfers the ink on an ink ribbon to the check 3 is employ | adopted as the surface printhead 18, the printhead of another system can also be employ | adopted.

The back print head 16 is for printing a book item necessary as a shop side such as an authentication number, a date, and a use amount of a purchaser on the book area 133 of the check box 3 back. The back printing head 16 of this example is of a shuttle type, and has a plurality of heads at predetermined intervals in the width direction of the check 3, and prints one or a plurality of rows of dot matrices by moving the head within the interval width. To realize. In addition, in this example, although the printhead of the dot impact system which transfers the ink on an ink ribbon to the check 3 is employ | adopted as the back printing head 16, the printing head of another system can also be employ | adopted.

The image scanner 20 is for scanning the surface 3a of the printed check 3, and the scanned image data is compressed and then stored in the host computer (see FIG. 10) and used for electronic payment. In this example, a close contact type image sensor (CIS: Contact Image Sensor) is employed as the image scanner 20, and the scanning operation is performed in a state in which the check 3 is in close contact with the reading surface 20a. In order to form such a close state at the time of scanning, the scanner feed roller 21 is used.

At the time of scanning by the image scanner 20, the scanner feed roller 21 conveys the check 3 upward along the vertical conveying path 8b, and checks the check 3 from the discharge port 5 opened at the upper end thereof. Send the part on the tip side. At the end of scanning, the check 3 is held perpendicular to the portion of the vertical conveyance path 8b higher than the scanner feed roller 21, and a state in which the majority of the tip side in the conveying direction protrudes from the discharge port 5. Becomes If the length from the scanner feed roller 21 to the discharge port 5 in this vertical conveyance path 8b is set to a sufficient dimension, for example, about 1/6 or more of the conveying direction length of the check 3, the discharged check 3 ) Can be held in the vertical conveyance path 8b as it is, and the check 3 after discharge does not fall from the check processing apparatus 1.

(Scanner transfer unit)

Here, the movable frame 28 is attached to the apparatus frame 25 in which each said component part is mounted so that rotation is possible about the support shaft 27, and this movable frame 28 has the scanner conveyance unit 30 ) Is mounted. As can be seen from FIG. 4, the scanner conveying unit 30 has a plate disposed opposite to the scanner conveying roller 21, the roller retracting mechanism 22, the inner shielding plate 23, and the surface print head 18. One roller 17b constituting the platen 18a and the second feed roller pair 17 is mounted.

As shown in FIG. 2, on the outer surface of the left and right side plate parts 28a and 28b of the movable frame 28, the lock lever 31 extended in an up-down direction is rotatably mounted back and forth centering about the intermediate position. It is. The operation part 31a is attached to the upper end of each lock lever 31, and the hook 31b which can be locked is formed in the engaging part (not shown) formed in the apparatus frame 25 at the lower end part. By pressing the operating portion 31a in the direction opposite to the scanner (the arrow direction indicated on the upper surface of the operating portion 31a in FIG. 2 and the arrow 31A in FIG. 4), the lock of the lock lever 31 is released, The scanner transfer unit 30 mounted on the movable frame 28 can be rotated rearward with respect to the support shaft 27 as shown by the arrow 32 in FIG. 4. For example, it can be rotated up to 90 °.

In this way, when the scanner transport unit 30 is retracted, the portion of the vertical conveyance path 8b is greatly opened, and therefore, when cleaning the reading surface 20a of the image scanner 20 or when the print heads 16 and 18 are used. Workability when the ink ribbon is replaced or the paper jam generated between the image scanner 20 and the scanner feed roller 21 is removed.

(Roller retraction mechanism)

FIG. 5: is a side block diagram which shows the arrangement relationship of the roller retraction mechanism 22, the inner shielding plate 23, and the outer shielding plate 24. As shown in FIG. The structure of the scanner feed roller 21 and the roller retracting mechanism 22 of this example is demonstrated with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG.

First, roller support shafts 34 are arranged between the left and right side plate portions 28c and 28d of the movable frame 28 in the apparatus width direction, and a pair of scanners are transported to the roller support shafts 34 at regular intervals. The roller 21 is mounted in the coaxial state. The roller support shaft 34 is supported by the guide groove 33 long in the apparatus front-back direction formed in the side plate part 28c, 28d, and can slide horizontally along the guide groove 33 toward the front-back direction. . Moreover, the roller support shaft 34 is connected to the roller retraction mechanism 22 in the center position of the width direction.

The roller retracting mechanism 22 has a solenoid 35 and a pressure lever 36 connected to the actuating rod 35a. The pressure lever 36 is driven by the solenoid 35 about the lever rotation shaft 37. It can rotate in the front and rear direction of the device. The pressurizing lever 36 has a shaft groove 38 in which the roller support shaft 34 is rotatable in the vertical conveying path 8b side portion, and is a pressurizing spring 39 composed of a torsion spring. Is always pressed toward the scanner reading surface 20a.

6A and 6B show the operation of the roller retraction mechanism 22. When the solenoid 35 of the roller retracting mechanism 22 is in the on state, the actuating rod 35a is in the retracted position, and as shown in FIG. 6B, the pressing lever 36 is the pressing spring 39. In response to the spring force of the X-axis), it is held at the position retracted from the reading surface 20a of the image scanner 20 about the lever rotation shaft 37. Since the roller support shaft 34 is held in the shaft groove 38 of the pressure lever 36, the roller support shaft 34 is also located at the rear end side of the apparatus in the guide groove 33. As a result, the pair of scanner feed rollers 21 attached to the roller support shaft 34 are in the open position away from the image scanner 20, and the vertical conveyance path 8b is opened. At the time of non-scanning, the scanner feed roller 21 is maintained in an open position, and the latching of the check 3 against the scanner feed roller 21 is avoided.

When the solenoid 35 is turned off, the actuating rod 35a returns to the protruding position, and the pressure lever 36 connected to this tip is rotated by the spring force of the pressure spring 39. 37) and rotates toward the image scanner 20 side. As a result, the roller support shaft 34 slides along the guide groove 33 toward the front of the apparatus. As a result, the scanner feed roller 21 mounted on the roller support shaft 34 is pressed by the spring force of the pressing spring 39 against the reading surface 20a of the image scanner 20 (closed position). It becomes

In addition, although the structure which used the solenoid was demonstrated in this example, the roller retracting mechanism 22 is comprised using the keep solenoid which maintains the inlet position of the operating rod 35a, and performs a suction / opening operation by energization. Of course it is possible.

At the time of scanning, after the check 3 is conveyed to the scanning start position by the 1st feed roller pair 13 and the 2nd feed roller pair 17, the scanner feed roller 21 is closed as mentioned above. The check 3 is pressed against the reading surface 20a of the image scanner 20, the scanner feed roller 21 is rotated in this state, and the conveyance of the check 3 is performed.

In the roller retraction mechanism 22 of this example comprised in this way, the roller support shaft 34 of the scanner feed roller 21 is slid back and forth by the pressure lever 36 which rotates back and forth with the lever rotating shaft 37 as a support point. I'm trying to. Therefore, the roller retraction mechanism 22 can be densely constituted, and the advancing / removing operation of the roller 21 can be performed smoothly.

In addition, the pressure lever 36 rotatably supports the roller support shaft 34 between the left and right pair of scanner feed rollers 21. Therefore, the pair of rollers 21 can be pressurized substantially evenly with a single press spring 39, and at the time of the retreat operation, the pair of rollers 21 are kept substantially in parallel to each other so that the vertical conveying path ( 8b) can be surely opened.

Here, the drive system which drives the scanner feed roller 21 is provided in the roller retraction mechanism 22 of this example. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the drive system of the scanner feed roller 21 is the 1st gear 41 integrally attached to the roller support shaft 34 between a pair of scanner feed rollers 21. As shown in FIG. And a second gear 42 which is provided at the pressure lever 36 and is always engaged with the first gear 41, and a gear train which transmits the driving force of the scanner feed motor 43 to the second gear 42. 44).

Thus, since the transmission path of the roller drive force is comprised in the support part of the roller support shaft 34, power transmission to the scanner feed roller 21 can be reliably performed. In addition, by adjoining the press position of the roller support shaft 34 by the press spring 39 and the power transmission position with respect to the roller support shaft 34, the scanner feed roller 21 is removed without destroying the pressurization balance. It becomes possible to rotate.

(Internal shield)

Next, the internal shielding plate 23 which cooperates with the scanner feed roller 21 by the roller retraction mechanism 22 of the said structure is demonstrated. It is a perspective view which takes out and shows an internal shielding board. The inner shield plate 23 of this example includes an elongated rectangular shield plate body portion 231, support leg portions 232 and 233 extending vertically from both ends of the shield plate body portion 231, and the shield plate body. A guide plate portion 234 formed at the front edge of the portion 231 is provided. Reinforcing ribs 235 are formed on the upper surface of the shield plate body portion 231 at predetermined intervals. Shaft grooves 232a and 233a are formed in the lower end portions of the support leg portions 232 and 233 to insert the roller support shaft 34 in a rotatable state from below. The inner shielding plate 23 is attached to the roller support shaft 34 by inserting the roller support shaft 34 into the respective shaft grooves 232a and 233a from the lower side, and is centered on the roller support shaft 34. It can rotate in the front and rear direction of the device.

The guide plate portion 234 is opposed to the scanner reading surface 20a, and is perpendicular to the shielding plate body portion 231 and in a direction away from the scanner reading surface 20a in succession to the lower end. The inclined inclined portion 234b is provided. The check 3 which conveys the vertical conveyance path 8b is guided by this guide plate part 234.

Here, a spring engaging leg 236 is formed at the left end of the shielding plate body portion 231 which extends vertically from an inner position than the support leg portion 232. Under this spring engagement leg 236, the torsion spring 237 is horizontally supported by the movable frame 28. As shown in FIG. That is, one end 237a of the torsion spring 237 is located at the front side of the apparatus, and the other end 237b is located at the rear side of the apparatus. The lower end portion of the spring engaging leg 236 is inserted between these ends 237a and 237b.

Since the inner shielding plate 23 of this example is supported by the roller support shaft 34 sliding in the front-rear direction, when the roller support shaft 34 slides back and forth, it integrally moves with it and moves back and forth. That is, as shown in FIG. 6A, in the state where the scanner feed roller 21 is in a pressurized position pressed against the scanner reading surface 20a, the inner shielding plate 23 also has its front side guide plate portion 234. The vertical portion 234a is brought into contact position in contact with the scanner reading surface 20a.

In this state, the front edge 236a of the spring engaging leg 236 is pressed against the front end 237a of the torsion spring 237 from the rear side. As a result, a state in which the spring engaging leg 236 is pressed backward by the spring force is formed. Since the position at which the spring force acts is at a position lower than the rotation center of the inner shielding plate 23, the guide plate portion 234 side positioned above the rotation center is pressed against the scanner reading surface 20a side. .

At the time of scanning the check by the image scanner 20, the internal shield plate 23 is in this state. Therefore, with respect to the back surface 3b of the check 3 which is scanned and conveyed toward the upper discharge port 5 along the vertical conveyance path 8b by the scanner feed roller 21, it is internally shielded by predetermined spring force. The guide plate portion 234 of the plate 23 is pressed. As a result, since the check 3 is conveyed between the guide plate portion 234 and the scanner reading surface 20a without a gap, even if external light penetrates from the discharge port 5, the internal shielding plate body portion ( The external light is blocked by 231 and does not reach the reading position of the lower image scanner 20. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the harmful effects such as external light penetrating into the reading position and the quality of the read image deteriorates.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the scanner feed roller 21 retreats to the retreat position at the time of non-scanning, the inner shield plate 23 also retreats to the retreat position. As a result, the trouble that the check 3 conveyed along the vertical conveyance path 8b collides with the said internal shielding plate 23 and the smooth conveyance operation | movement is inhibited can be avoided.

In this state, the rear edge 236b of the spring engaging leg 236 is pressed from the front side to the rear end 237b of the torsion spring 237. As a result, the spring engaging leg 236 is pressed forward, and the upper guide plate portion 234 is pressed to the retracted position side. Therefore, the inner shielding plate 23 can be reliably held in its retracted position by the spring force, and the damage that the inner shielding plate 23 blocks the vertical conveying path 8b by the external vibration or the like can be reliably prevented.

In this example, the inner shielding plate 23 is moved by the roller retracting mechanism 22, but the inner shielding plate moving mechanism can be provided separately. Instead of the torsion spring 237, a spring member having another shape such as a leaf spring may be used, or a plurality of spring members may be used.

(External shield)

Next, the external shielding plate 24 will be described. Incident of external light from the discharge port 5 to the scanner reading position can be blocked by the internal shielding plate 23 of the above configuration, but, for example, when the check to be conveyed is not flat and there are large fold lines or wrinkles, etc., When such a check 3 passes between the inner shielding plate 23 and the scanner reading surface 20a, the inner shielding plate 23 is pressed against the spring force, and the inner shielding plate 23 and the scanner reading surface are pressed. It is assumed that a gap occurs between 20a. If a gap is formed, it is not preferable because the external light passes through the excitation and enters the lower scanner reading position.

In view of this point, in this example, the external shield plate 24 is disposed in addition to the internal shield plate 23. 1 and 5, the outer shield plate 24 has a cross-sectional shape that is bent in an "a" shape at an angle greater than 90 degrees, and extends in the width direction of the apparatus. The outer shielding plate 24 includes a mounting plate portion 241 fixed to the outer surface portion 2a of the outer case 2 and a shielding plate portion inclined toward the front and upward from the front end of the mounting plate portion 241. 242 is provided, and a triangular side plate portion 243 bent at right angles from the shield plate portion 242 is formed at the right end portion thereof.

The inner inclined surface 244 of the shield plate portion 242 functions as a guide surface for guiding the check 3 discharged upwardly vertically from the discharge port 5 in the transverse direction. In order to smoothly discharge the check 3, the inclined surface 244 is in the direction of the vertical conveying path 8b (of the printing medium) so as to face the horizontal direction gradually without suddenly changing the discharge direction of the check conveyed vertically. It is a gentle slope (slope) about 30 ° with respect to the discharge direction). The inclination angle of this guide surface should be set appropriately. Instead of the inclined surface, concave curved surfaces such as arcs or convex curved surfaces (curved surfaces) may be used.

In addition, in order to prevent external light from entering the inside of the discharge port 5, when viewed along the direction of the vertical conveying path 8b, the shield plate so that the discharge port 5 is completely covered by the shield plate portion 242. The width of the portion 242 is set. That is, the width W1 at the time of looking at the conveyance path direction of the shielding plate part 242 is set to the dimension including the width W2 of the discharge port 5 completely.

In addition, in order to prevent the external light incident at an angle through the outlet 5 from the opening 245 defined by the shielding plate portion 242 and the outer surface portion 2a of the outer case not reaching the scanner reading position. The shielding plate 24 is arrange | positioned on the opposite side to the image scanner 20 with respect to the vertical conveyance path 8b.

In addition, in this example, the outer shielding plate 24 is fixed to the outer case 2 with an adhesive or the like, but the outer shielding plate 24 can be detachably attached to the outer case 2. Alternatively, the outer case 2 may be mounted in a movable state around the rear end portion of the mounting plate portion 241.

(About scanner reading position)

Here, with reference to FIG. 8, the reading position of the image scanner 20 is demonstrated. As shown in the figure, the scanner feed roller 21 is slightly at the scanner focus position A without pressing the check 3 to the reading position of the image scanner 20, in other words, the focus position A. FIG. The position is set so that the check 3 may be pressed to the shifted position. That is, the scanner focus position A is offset on the conveyance upstream side or the conveyance downstream side with respect to the scanner contact position B of the scanner conveyance roller 21. In this example, the scanner focus position A is set at the position offset 0.8 mm from the scanner contact position B of the scanner feed roller 21 to the downstream direction (the discharge port 5 side) in the conveying direction.

Thereby, it can avoid that the pressing force of the scanner feed roller 21 directly acts on the scanner focus position A. FIG. Therefore, at the time of scanning the check 3 immediately after printing, the ink adhesion amount to the scanner focal position A can be reduced, and the degradation of the quality of the scanned image due to the adhesion of ink can be suppressed or prevented. In addition, in this example, since the scanner focus position A is offset to the scanner contact position B of the scanner feed roller 21 downstream of the conveyance direction, the front end side scanable area | region of the check 3 is expanded. It becomes possible.

In addition, when the scanner focus position A is greatly offset with respect to the scanner contact position B of the scanner feed roller 21, the check 3 may rise from the reading surface 20a at the scanner focus position A. However, as described above, since the offset amount is about 0.8 mm, the floating of the check 3 on the reading surface 20a is suppressed to 0.2 mm or less, and there is no fear of causing a deterioration in the quality of the scanned image.

(Control system)

10 is a schematic block diagram showing a control system of the check processing apparatus 1 of the present example. As shown in this figure, the check processing apparatus 1 includes a control unit 50 composed of a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The control unit 50 includes the above paper rear end detector 11, the MICR head 12, the paper front end detector 14, the back print head 16, the surface print head 18, the paper discharge detector 19, and the image scanner. A conveying motor 51 for driving the first conveying roller pair 13 and the second conveying roller pair 17 in addition to the scanner feed roller solenoid 35 and the scanner conveying motor 43, Opening / closing actuator 52 for the first conveying roller pair for opening and closing the first conveying roller pair 13, opening and closing actuator 53 for the second conveying roller pair for opening and closing the second conveying roller pair 17, the paper positioning member Opening / closing actuator 54 for the paper positioning member for opening / closing operation 15, mode switching switch 55 for setting the processing mode by the check processing apparatus, and cover opening for detecting that the opening / closing cover 2a is open. Detector 56 and the like are connected.

The control unit 50 is also connected to the host computer 58 of the upper level via the communication line 57 or the like, and is capable of exchanging various types of information between the host computers 58. The control part 50 drives and controls each part based on the detection signal from each detector according to the control program previously stored in ROM, and processes by the operation mode set by the mode changeover switch 55, Alternatively, processing in the operation mode based on the command from the host computer 58 is executed.

Here, the control part 50 of this example drives the roller retraction mechanism 22, and functions as roller position control means which controls the position of the scanner feed roller 21. As shown in FIG. That is, when the check 3 reaches the scanner reading position A (see Fig. 8), the scanner feed roller 21 in the open position is moved to the closed position. Moreover, since the timer 60 is incorporated and the elapsed time at the end of the scanner is counted and the elapsed time reaches the preset time T, the scanner feed roller 21 is moved from the closed position to the open position. Let's do it. In addition, when the print only command is generated as the operation mode by the mode changeover switch 55 or the host computer 58 (for example, in the print mode to a single front cover), the scanner feed roller 21 is opened. The roller retraction mechanism 22 is controlled to hold in position.

(Processing action)

Next, various processing operations in the check processing apparatus 1 of the present example will be described. 11 is a state transition diagram of the check processing apparatus 1 of the present example. The waiting state of the check processing apparatus 1 includes a first waiting state 61 and a second waiting state 62. In the first waiting state 61, the first conveying roller pair 13 and the second conveying roller are used. The pair 17 is in the open state, and the scanner feed roller 21 is in the open position. That is, it is in the open state which opened the conveyance path 8. In the second waiting state 62, although the first roller pair 13 and the second roller pair 17 are in an open state, the closed position where the scanner feed roller 21 contacts the scanner reading surface 20a, that is, conveyance The path 8 is in a closed state.

In the operation state of the check processing apparatus 1, the sheet conveying state 63, the MICR processing state 64 in which the reading by the MICR head 12 is executed, the MICR post-processing state 65 which is the processing state after the reading, The print processing state 66 by the print heads 16 and 18 and the image reading processing state 67 where scanning by the image scanner 20 are executed are included.

In the sheet conveying state 63, the first conveying roller pair 13 and the second conveying roller pair 17 are closed and in the rotational driving state (closed / driven), and the scanner conveying roller 21 is in the open position. (Opening). In this state, the check 3 can be conveyed by the 1st roller pair 13 and / or the 2nd roller pair 17 along the conveyance path 8.

In the MICR processing state 64, the check 3 conveyed by the said 1st conveyance roller pair 13 in the state (close / drive) in which the check 3 can be conveyed only by the 1st conveyance roller pair 13 is carried out. ) Can be read by the MICR head 12. The MICR post-processing state 65 is a transition state after the reading of the check 3 by the MICR head 12 is finished, and similarly to the paper conveying state 63, the first conveying roller pair 13 and the second conveying state. The check 3 can be conveyed by the roller pair 17.

The print processing state 66 is also a state in which the check 3 can be conveyed by the first and second feed roller pairs 13 and 17, similar to the paper conveyance state 63, and in the above state, the print head 16 , 18), it is possible to print on the back or the surface of the check 3.

In contrast, the image reading processing state 67 is a state in which the check 3 can be conveyed by the first and second conveying roller pairs 13 and 17 and the scanner conveying roller 21, and in this state, the image scanner 20 It is possible to read the printed image of the check 3 conveyed by).

State transitions are caused by the following triggers: In the first waiting state 61, which is the initial state, when an image reading command is generated and the front end of the check 3 inserted from the insertion port 4 is detected by the paper front end detector 14, an arrow 71 is indicated. As shown in the figure, the state transitions to the image reading processing state 67 as shown by the arrow 72 via the sheet conveying state 63. When the image reading process by the image scanner 20 is complete | finished, it transfers to the 2nd standby state 62 from the image reading process state 67 as shown by the arrow 73. As shown in FIG.

In this second waiting state 62, when an image reading command is generated and the front end of the check 3 inserted from the insertion port 4 is detected, the paper conveying state (as shown by the arrow 74) ( Go to 63). By the way, when the predetermined time T has passed in the second waiting state and when it is detected by the detector 56 that the opening / closing cover 2a is opened, the first waiting state is indicated by an arrow 75. Return to (61). On the other hand, when a MICR command is generated and the leading edge of the paper is detected, the process shifts to the MICR processing state 64 as shown by the arrow 84. When a print command has been generated and the leading edge of the paper is detected, the process proceeds to the print processing 66 as shown by the dotted line 85.

In the first waiting state 61, when a print command occurs and the front end of the check 3 is detected, the process proceeds to the print processing state 66 as shown by the arrow 76. When printing is finished in the print processing state 66 and the rear end of the check 3 is detected by the discharge detector 19, the process returns to the standby state 61 as shown by the arrow 77. By the way, when an image reading command has occurred in the print processing state 66, the process shifts to the image reading processing state 67 after the print process, as shown by the arrow 78.

On the other hand, in the first waiting state 61, when the MICR command is generated and the front end of the check 3 is detected by the sheet leading detector 14, the MICR processing state as shown by the arrow 79 is shown. Proceed to (64). After that, it automatically transitions to the MICR post-processing state 65 as shown by arrow 80. After that, when an image reading command is generated, the process shifts to the image reading processing state 67 as shown by arrow 81, and when a print command is generated, as shown by arrow 82. The processing advances to the print processing state 66. By the way, when the processing is finished or when it is determined that the check is invalid, after detecting that the discharge of the check 3 is finished (that is, after the detectors 11, 14, and 19 are turned off), the arrow 83 As shown by), the process returns to the first waiting state 61.

(Example of processing operation mode)

Next, FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of typical processing operations in the check processing apparatus 1 of the present example. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a conveyance position of the check 3 at each time point of the processing operation, and FIGS. 14 to 17 are explanatory diagrams showing the state of each part at each time point of the processing operation. to be.

The operation mode of this example is a case where a check processing instruction is received in the second waiting state 62 (step S1201 in FIG. 12), and the MICR processing state 64 (steps S1202 to S1207) and the post-MICR processing state. (65) (steps S1208 to S1211), the print processing state 66 (steps S1212 to S1218) and the image reading state 67 (steps S1219 to S1225) return to the second standby state 62 again. On the inserted check 3, the reading by the MICR head 12, the printing by the print heads 16 and 18, and the reading by the image scanner 20 are executed.

Referring to these drawings, first, the insertion of the check 3 is awaited (S1201). At this time, the first and second feed roller pairs 13 and 17 remain open, and the sheet positioning member 15 and the scanner feed roller 21 remain closed. When the check 3 is inserted from the insertion port 4, the insertion of the check 3 is detected based on the detection signals of the paper rear end detector 11 and the paper front end detector 14. The position of the check 3 at this time is shown by the check position [(1)] of FIG. 13, and the state of each part is shown in FIG.

When the insertion of the check 3 is detected, the process shifts to the MICR processing state 64, where the first conveying roller pair 13 is in a closed state (step S1202), the scanner conveying roller 21 is opened (step S1203), After the paper positioning member 15 is in the open state (step S1204), the magnetic ink characters by the MICR head 12 are driven while driving the conveying motor 51 in the discharge port 5 direction (forward direction) (step S1205). Is read (step S1206). The position of the check 3 at this time is shown by the check positions [(2), (3)] of FIG. 13, and the state of each part is shown in FIG. After completion of the MICR reading, the drive of the carrier motor 51 is stopped (step S1207).

At the same time, the 2nd feed roller pair 17 is made into the closed state (step S1208), and it will transition to the post-CRCR processing state 65. FIG. The read data of the MICR head 12 is transmitted to the host computer 58, and the validity and the invalidity of the check 3 are determined. When the determination result is received from the host computer 58, it is judged whether or not the determination result is valid (S1209). If the check 3 is invalid, the invalid check discharge process (step S1210) is executed, and the process returns to the first waiting state 61 to end the process. If the check 3 is valid, the conveying motor 51 is driven in the discharge port direction to convey the check 3 in the forward direction (step S1211).

After that, the process proceeds to the print processing state 66, and first, the back printing position setting of the check 3 is executed (step S1212). The check position at this time is shown as the check positions [(4) and (5)] of FIG. 13, and the state of each part is shown in FIG. Back printing position setting and each position setting mentioned later are performed based on the detection position by predetermined | prescribed detectors 11, 14, and 19 based on the conveyance step number from the said reference position (including conveyance stop). ). When the back printing position setting is completed, the conveying motor 51 is rotated in reverse to convey the check 3 in the reverse direction (step S1213), and the back printing process by the back printing head 16 is executed (step S1214). . The check position at this time is shown as the check positions [(6), (7)] in FIG.

When the printing process is completed, the surface printing position setting is continued (step S1215). At this time, the check position is shown as the check positions [(8), (9)] in FIG. Thereafter, the conveying motor 51 is rotated in the forward direction, and the surface printing process by the surface print head 18 is executed while conveying the check 3 in the forward direction (step S1216). At this time, the check position is shown as the check positions ((10) and (11)) in FIG. When surface printing process is complete | finished, the conveyance motor 51 is rotated reversely and the check 3 is conveyed in the reverse direction (step S1218).

After that, the process proceeds to the image reading processing state 67, and first the scanning start position setting of the check 3 is executed (step S1219). The check position at this time is shown as a check position ((12), (13)) in FIG. After the tip of the check 3 has been positioned at the scanning start position A, the scanner feed roller 21 is placed in the closed state (step S1220), and the scanner feed roller motor 43 is rotated in the forward direction to check the check ( The scanning process is executed (step S1221) while conveying 3) in the forward direction (step S1221). The check position at this time is shown as the check position [14] in FIG. 13, and the state of each part is shown in FIG.

After the end of the scanning process, it is determined whether or not the check 3 is to be discharged (step S1223). In the case of discharging, the driving of the scanner transport motor 43 is stopped at the check position 15 in FIG. (Step S1224), the paper positioning member 15 is made into the closed state (step S1225). This returns to the second waiting state 62.

Here, in this example, the elapsed time after the end of scanning is counted by the timer 60 of the controller 50, and the scanner feed roller 21 is held in the closed position until the predetermined time T elapses. This intermediate process will be described later (see FIG. 23).

After the end of scanning, since the scanner feed roller 21 is not immediately opened and the closed state is maintained for a predetermined time, before the ejected check 3 is ejected by the operator, it is recommended that the scanner convey roller 21 fall down along the vertical conveying path 8b. It can prevent.

In addition, since the check 3 is held in the upper portion of the roller 21 in the vertical conveying path 8b, the check 3 is also prevented from falling from the check processing apparatus 1.

(Another example of processing operation mode)

Next, FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing another operation mode by the check processing apparatus 1 of the present example, FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing the check position at each time point in the operation mode, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state of each part at the time of check discharge. The operation mode of this example is from the standby state 62 to the MICR processing state 64 (steps S1801 to S1807 in Fig. 18), the post-MICR processing state 65 (steps S1808 to S1811), and the print processing state 66 ( A mode for returning to the standby state 61 via steps S1812 to S1817, and in the standby state 62, a check processing instruction for instructing reading of the check by the MICR head and printing of the check by the print head is received. It is one case. Since each state is the same as in the case of the operation mode described with reference to Figs. 12 to 17, only different processing operations will be described below.

That is, in the operation mode of this example, after the print processing state 66, the process returns directly to the standby state 61 without shifting to the image reading processing state 67. In this operation mode, the scanner feed roller 21 is held in the open position. That is, after completion of the surface printing process (step S1817), the check 3 is continuously conveyed in the forward direction in that state, and it is detected whether the check 3 has been discharged (step S1818), and when it is detected that the discharge motor is carried out, the transfer motor (51) is stopped (step S1819). The position of the check 3 at this time is shown by the check position [11] in FIG. In addition, the paper positioning member 15 is placed in the closed state (step S1820). Thereafter, the removal operation of the check 3 is judged based on the detection signal of the sheet discharge detector 19 (step S1821), and after the removal operation determination, the first and second transfer roller pairs 13 and 17 are opened. It is set as a state (step S1822). At this time, the state of each part is shown in FIG. As a result, the process returns to the standby state 61 and the process ends.

(Example of Print Mode for Single Cover)

Here, the respective operation modes are for the case where the check 3 is processed. However, the check processing apparatus 1 of the present example is not limited to the check 3, and printing of another single front cover can also be performed. Fig. 21 shows a flowchart of the operation mode in this case.

In this case, when it is detected in the waiting state 62 that paper is inserted (step S2101), the first feed roller pair 13 is closed and the second feed roller pair 17 is closed (step S2102). , Step S2103). In addition, since the image scanner 20 is not used in this operation mode, the scanner feed roller 21 is moved to its open position and kept in the open position. In addition, the paper positioning member 15 is opened (step S2104, step S2105).

Thereafter, the conveying motor 51 is rotated in the forward direction, the sheet is conveyed in the forward direction, the setting of the surface print position of the sheet (chapter search) is performed (step S2106, step S2107), and the surface print position is set. Thereafter, the conveying motor 51 is driven again, the sheet is conveyed in the forward direction and printed on the sheet by the surface print head 18 (steps S2108 and S2109).

Next, after the end of printing, it is detected whether the discharge of the paper is completed (step S2110), and after detecting that the discharge of the paper is completed, the conveying motor 51 is stopped to close the paper positioning member 15. Returning to the state (step S2111, step S2112), when it is detected that the paper is removed (step S2113), the first and second feed roller pairs 13, 17 are opened (step S2114), and the standby state 61 Return to.

(Transition from the second waiting state to the first waiting state)

Here, in the check processing apparatus 1 of the present example, when it is detected that the opening / closing cover 2a is opened and when the standby state 62 continues for a predetermined time T or more, the intermediate processing occurs automatically. State transition from the standby state 62 to the standby state 61 occurs.

FIG. 22 shows an intermediate process when it is detected that the open / close cover 2a is opened. When it is detected that the opening / closing cover 2a is opened (step S2201), the scanner transfer roller 21 is brought into the open state, and the state is shifted to the standby state 61 (step S2202), and the display in the cover open state is displayed (step S2201). S2203). When it is detected that the opening / closing cover 2a is closed, the intermediate processing is terminated, and the check processing apparatus 1 enters the standby state 61.

In addition, FIG. 23 shows an intermediate process when a predetermined time T has elapsed. In this case, at the time after the scanning operation by the image scanner 20 ends, the count of the elapsed time is started (step S2301), and when the elapsed time exceeds the predetermined set time T, the scanner feed roller 21 is opened (step S2302, step S2303). After that, the count of the elapsed time is stopped, and after resetting the timer 60 (step S2304), the process shifts to the standby state 61 and the intermediate processing ends.

(Effect of Example)

As described above, in the check processing apparatus 1 of the present example, the print heads 16 and 18 which print the check 3 along the conveyance path 8 leading the check 3 and the check ( An image scanner 20 for scanning the printing surface of 3) and a MICR head 12 are disposed, and the scanner conveys the press 3 to the image scanner 20 while pressing the check 3 at an opposite position of the image scanner 20. The roller 21 is arrange | positioned, and the roller retracting mechanism 22 which retracts the said roller 21 from the image scanner 20, and opens the conveyance path 8 is arrange | positioned. In addition, the position control of the scanner feed roller 21 by the roller retraction mechanism 22 is performed by the control part 50. As shown in FIG.

When conveying checks, single marks, etc. at the time of non-scanning, since the roller 21 is retracted from a conveyance path | route, the tip of a check etc. is caught by the roller 21, and a jam generate | occur | produces and the difference of a conveyance pitch It can prevent the damage that occurs.

In addition, when the opening / closing cover 2a for maintenance is opened, the scanner feed roller 21 is to be retracted to the open position, so that the removal or maintenance of the jam is carried out in the scanner feed roller ( 21) are not disturbed.

In this example, the scanner feed roller 21 is held in the closed position until the predetermined time elapses without opening the scanner feed roller 21 immediately after the end of the scanner. For this reason, the discharged check 3 is kept in the vertical conveyance path 8b connected to the discharge port, and can prevent slipping inside. In addition, since the checks discharged using the vertical conveying path 8b and the scanner feed roller 21 are held at the discharge ports in this way, the number of parts is reduced compared to the case where a dedicated holding member is installed for the checks after discharge. And the structure can be simplified.

In addition, in this example, the inner shielding plate 23 which can block the conveyance path | route between the image scanner 20 and the discharge port 5 is arrange | positioned, and this is made to interlock with the roller 21. As shown in FIG. Therefore, at the time of scanning, since the portion of the conveyance path between the reading position of the image scanner 20 and the discharge port 5 is shielded by the internal shield plate 23 by the internal shield plate 23, external light is emitted from the discharge port 5. Incidents that enter the read position and cause deterioration of the quality of the read image and the like can be prevented. Since the inner shielding plate 23 is in the retracted position at the time of non-scanning, there is also an advantage that a check or the like to be conveyed hits the inner shielding plate 23 so that smooth conveyance is not impaired.

In addition, in this example, in addition to the internal shielding plate 23, the external shielding plate 24 which covers the discharge port 5 is arrange | positioned. Therefore, even when the inner shielding plate is expanded by the folded crack, the wrinkled check or the like during scanning, since the outer light is blocked by the outer shielding plate 24, the outer light enters the reading position of the image scanner 20. You can certainly prevent that. That is, by the synergistic effect of the shielding function by each of these internal shielding plates 23 and the external shielding plates 24, incidence of external light can be prevented reliably.

In addition to this, the inner shielding plate of this example is pressed to the image scanner side during scanning by a pressing member such as a torsion spring, and is held in the retracted position during biscanning. Therefore, during scanning, it is possible to form a state of being in close contact with the check to be conveyed, thereby preventing the intrusion of external light. In addition, at the time of non-scanning, an internal shielding plate protrudes to the conveyance path side by vibration, etc., and does not inhibit conveyance of the check etc. conveyed.

In addition, since the focal position A of the image scanner 20 is offset on the upstream side or the conveyance downstream side of the conveying direction with respect to the scanner contact position B of the roller 21, the focal position of the image scanner 20. The direct action of the pressing force of the roller 21 on (A) is avoided. Therefore, in the scanning process after printing, the ink adhesion amount to the scanner focal position A can be reduced, and as a result, the deterioration of the quality of the scanning image due to the adhesion of ink can be suppressed or prevented.

The roller retracting mechanism 22 further includes a rotatable pressing lever 36 for advancing and supporting the support shaft 34 of the roller 21 with respect to the image scanner 20, and pressing the pressing lever 36 in the check pressing direction. Torsion spring (39), the solenoid (35) for retracting the pressure lever (36) against the spring force of the torsion spring (39), and the driving force transmission mechanism of the roller (21) provided on the pressure lever (36). Equipped. Accordingly, by supporting the roller 21 in a retractable manner with the pressure lever 36, the roller retracting mechanism 22 can be compactly configured, and the retracting operation can be smoothed. In addition, since the driving force transmission mechanism of the roller 21 is provided in the lever 36, power transmission to the roller 21 can be ensured.

Moreover, since the roller retraction mechanism 22 is arrange | positioned between the pair of rollers 21 provided in the roller support shaft 34, the pair of rollers 21 are pressurized substantially equally, and the sheet conveyance by the error of the pressing force is carried out. A defect can be prevented and a pair of rollers 21 can be moved in parallel at the time of a retraction operation, and the conveyance path 8 can be reliably opened.

In addition to this, the roller 21 and the roller retraction mechanism 22 are comprised as the scanner conveyance unit 30 mounted in the movable side frame 28 rotatably mounted with respect to the apparatus frame 25, and scanner conveyance The unit 30 is configured to be retractable from the image scanner 20 as a whole. Therefore, by retracting the entire scanner transport unit 30, the space between the image scanner 20 and the scanner feed roller 21 can be widened, and as a result, the removal of the jam paper in the site of the image scanner 20 This facilitates the cleaning of the reading surface 20a of the image scanner 20.

Moreover, since the platen 18a arrange | positioned at the opposing position of the surface print head 18 is provided in the scanner conveyance unit 30, the surface print head 18 is accompanied with retraction of the scanner conveyance unit 30. As shown in FIG. The gap between the platen 18a and the platen 18a is also widened to facilitate removal of the jam paper at the surface print head 18.

In addition, since the scanner conveying unit 30 is also provided with one roller member 17b constituting the second conveying roller pair 17 disposed upstream of the image scanner 20, the scanner conveying unit 30 With retreat, the space | interval between the 2nd feed roller pair 17 is also wide open, and the removal of the jam paper in the 2nd feed roller pair 17 site | part is also easy.

(Other Embodiments)

Although the above example applies the present invention to a check processing apparatus, the present invention can be similarly applied to a print media processing apparatus having only an image scanner.

In addition, of course, this invention can be applied also to the printer with a general scanner which is not equipped with the MICR head like a check processing apparatus.

As described above, in the print media processing apparatus of the present invention, the scanner feed roller for conveying the print medium while pressing the print media on the reading surface is moved to the closed position pressurized on the scanner reading surface and the open position retracted there. At the same time, the position of the scanning feed roller is controlled by roller position control means. By this roller position control means, when the print medium reaches the scanning start position by the image scanner, the scanner feed roller moves to the closed position, so that the print medium is conveyed in close contact with the scanning reading surface to improve the reading quality. do.

Further, in the present invention, after a predetermined time has elapsed after the end of scanning, the scanner feed roller moves to the open position. If this time is made long enough for a print medium to be taken out from an outlet by an operator, the trouble that the print medium sent to an outlet may slide in a conveyance path between a scanner feed roller and an image scanner can be avoided. In this way, if the timing of opening the scanner feed roller is delayed after the scanning is finished, it is possible to prevent the print media sent to the discharge port from falling into the conveying path without having to install a dedicated sensor or the like for detecting that the print media has been discharged from the discharge port. You can prevent it. Therefore, the number of parts is increased to prevent the print medium delivered to the discharge port from slipping into the conveying path, thereby avoiding an increase in cost.

Moreover, in this invention, when the maintenance opening / closing cover formed in the exterior case is opened, the scanning feed roller is moved to an open position. In this way, the paper jam removal operation, the ink ribbon exchange operation of the print head, and the like performed by opening and closing the cover can be performed without being disturbed by the scanning feed roller.

In addition, in the present invention, in the case of the operation mode in which the scanning by the image scanner is not performed, the scanner feed roller is kept in the open position, so that the conveyed print media collides with the scanning feed roller to prevent smooth conveyance. It is possible to prevent the deterioration such as being caused.

Further, the printing media processing apparatus of the present invention includes an insertion port for inserting a print medium, a discharge port for discharging the print medium, a conveyance path for guiding the print medium from the insertion port to the discharge port, and a print medium conveyed along the conveyance path. It has a scanner which scans a printing surface, and the shielding means which interrupts the external light which penetrates into the scanning position by a scanner via an exhaust port. Therefore, since external light can be prevented from entering the scanner reading position via the discharge port, the quality deterioration of the scanner read image due to the external light incident can be prevented.

1 is an external perspective view of a check processing apparatus as a print media processing apparatus to which the present invention is applied;

2 is a perspective view showing an internal structure of the check processing apparatus of FIG. 1;

3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the check processing apparatus of FIG.

4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a portion of a scanner transport unit of the check processing apparatus of FIG. 1;

Fig. 5 is a side configuration diagram showing the arrangement relationship of the roller retracting mechanism, the inner shielding plate and the outer shielding plate;

6 is an explanatory view showing the operation of the scanner feed roller and the operation of the inner shielding plate by the roller retracting mechanism;

7 is a perspective view showing an inner shielding plate;

8 is an explanatory diagram showing a reading position by an image scanner;

9 is a plan view showing an example of a check;

10 is a schematic block diagram showing a control system of a check processing apparatus;

11 is a state transition diagram of the check processing apparatus;

12 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing operation of a check processing apparatus;

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a conveyance position of a check at each time point in the processing operation shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of each part of the check processing apparatus at the check insertion point in the processing operation shown in FIG. 12; FIG.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of each part of the check processing apparatus in the MICR read operation in the processing operation shown in FIG. 12; FIG.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of each part of the check processing apparatus in the printing operation in the processing operation shown in FIG. 12; FIG.

17 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of each part of the check processing apparatus at the time of scanning in the processing operation shown in FIG. 12;

18 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing operation of the check processing apparatus;

19 is an explanatory diagram showing a conveyance position of a check at each time point in the processing operation shown in FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of each part of the check processing apparatus at the time of check discharge in the processing operation of FIG. 18;

21 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing operation of a single mark by the check processing apparatus;

22 is a flowchart showing an intermediate process when the opening and closing cover in the check processing apparatus is opened;

Fig. 23 is a flowchart showing an intermediate process after a predetermined time has elapsed in the check processing apparatus.

Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings

1: check processing device 2: outer case

3: check 4: insertion hole

5: outlet 8: conveying path

8a: horizontal conveying path 8b: vertical conveying path

8c: curved conveying path 11: paper trailing detector

12 MICR head 13 first feed roller pair

14: paper leading detector 15: paper positioning member

16: back side printing head 17: second feed roller pair

18: surface print head 19: paper discharge detector

20: image scanner 20a: reading surface

21: scanner feed roller 22: roller retraction mechanism (roller opening and closing mechanism)

23: inner shield plate 231: shield body part

232, 233: support leg portion 234: guide plate portion

235: reinforcing rib 232a, 233a: shaft groove

234a: vertical portion 234b: inclined portion

236: spring coupling leg 237: torsion spring

237a, 237b: end 24: outer shield plate

241: mounting plate portion 242: shielding plate body portion

243: side plate portion 244: inclined surface

245: opening 25: device frame

27: support shaft 28: movable frame

30: scanner transport unit 31: lock lever

34: roller support shaft 33: guide groove

35 solenoid 36 pressure lever

37: lever rotation shaft 38: shaft groove (shaft through portion)

39: pressure spring 41: first gear

42: second gear 43: scanner transport motor

44: gear column 50: control unit

55: mode changeover switch 56: cover open detector

57: communication line 58: host computer

60: timer

Claims (37)

An insertion opening for inserting a printing medium, an discharge opening for discharging the printing medium, a conveying path for guiding the printing medium from the insertion opening to the discharge opening, An image scanner for scanning an image printed on a print medium conveyed along the conveyance path; With a pressing member, An opening / closing mechanism for moving the pressing member to a closed position pressed on the reading surface of the image scanner and an open position separated from the reading surface; With the cover which can open and close, A position control means for controlling the position of the pressing member by driving control of the opening and closing mechanism, The position control means moves the pressing member to the closed position when the print medium reaches the scanning start position by the image scanner, and moves the pressing member to the open position after the scanning by the image scanner ends. When the cover is opened, the pressing member is moved to the open position, characterized in that Print Media Processing Unit. delete The method of claim 1, It has a detector which is arrange | positioned in the conveyance direction upstream with respect to the said image scanner, and detects the printing medium conveyed along the said conveyance path, The said position control means is based on the detection signal of the said detector, Detecting that the scanning start position has been reached Print media processing unit. The method of claim 1, And an exterior case in which the outlet and the cover are formed. Print Media Processing Unit. The method of claim 1, And a detector for detecting that the cover is open, and the position control means detects an open / closed state of the cover based on a detection signal of the detector. Print media processing unit. The method of claim 1, The position control means moves the pressing member to the open position after a predetermined time has elapsed after the scanning by the image scanner is finished. Print media processing unit. The method of claim 6, An elapsed time from after the end of scanning by the image scanner is counted, and has a timer that is reset when the urging member moves to the open position, and the position control means based on the count value of the timer, the predetermined time Detecting the elapsed time Print media processing unit. The method of claim 1, The image scanner and the pressing member are disposed opposite the discharge port, characterized in that Print media processing unit. The method of claim 1, The position control means keeps the pressing member in the open position when scanning of a print medium is not performed. Print Media Processing Unit. The method of claim 1, And a magnetic head for reading magnetic data recorded on a print medium conveyed along the conveyance path. Print media processing unit. The method of claim 1, And a printhead for performing printing on the print medium conveyed along the conveyance path. Print media processing unit. The method of claim 11, At least two processes: a first processing mode for performing printing to the print medium and scanning the print medium, a second processing mode for performing only printing to the print medium, and a third processing mode for performing only scanning of the print medium; Characterized in that it has a mode selection means for alternatively selecting a mode. Print media processing unit. The method of claim 12, The mode selection means includes a mode switch button of a manual operation type. Print media processing unit. The method of claim 12, The mode selection means selects a processing mode based on a mode selection command input from an external device. Print media processing unit. The method of claim 11, The insertion hole is capable of inserting the print medium in the approximately horizontal direction, The conveying path includes a horizontal conveying path that is continuous to the insertion opening, a curved path that is bent upwardly in succession to the horizontal conveying path, and a vertical conveying path that extends upwardly in succession to the curved path, The print head and the image scanner are arranged in this order from the lower side in the vertical conveying path, and the discharge port is located at the upper end of the vertical conveying path. Print media processing unit. A conveyance path for guiding the print medium inserted from the insertion port to the discharge port, an image scanner for scanning the print medium conveyed along the conveyance path, a pressurizing member, and a closing of the pressurizing member pressed against the reading surface of the image scanner A control method of a print media processing apparatus having a position and an opening and closing mechanism for moving to an open position separated from the reading surface, A first waiting step of waiting for the print medium to be inserted into the insertion opening while the pressing member is kept in the open position; Conveying the print medium from the insertion port to a reading position by the image scanner when it is detected that a print medium is inserted in the insertion port and receives a predetermined command; After the print medium reaches the reading position, moving the pressing member to the closed position, conveying the print medium while pressing the reading surface, and scanning an image printed on the print medium by an image scanner; After completion of the scanning process by the image scanner, with the pressing member held in the closed position, a second waiting step for waiting for the next print medium to be inserted into the insertion opening; When it is detected that the openable and closed cover formed in the outer case of the print media processing apparatus is opened during the second waiting step, the pressing member is moved to an open position. Control method of the print media processing apparatus. The method of claim 16, After a predetermined time elapses from the end of the scanning process by the image scanner, the pressing member is moved to an open position, and the process shifts to the first waiting process. Control method of the print media processing apparatus. delete The method of claim 16, The print media processing apparatus includes a print head for performing printing on the print media, and the control method further includes: A step of conveying the print medium from the insertion port to the printing position by the print head upon detecting that a print medium is inserted in the insertion port and receiving a predetermined command; And a printing step of performing printing on the print medium by the print head while keeping the pressing member in an open position. Control method of the print media processing apparatus. The method of claim 16, The printing medium processing apparatus includes a magnetic head for reading magnetic data previously recorded in the printing medium, and the control method further includes: Conveying the print medium from the insertion port to the magnetic data reading position by the magnetic head upon detecting that a print medium is inserted in the insertion port and receiving a predetermined command; And a step of reading the magnetic data by the magnetic head while holding the pressing member in an open position. Control method of the print media processing apparatus. An insertion opening for inserting a printing medium, an discharge opening for discharging the printing medium, a conveying path for guiding the printing medium from the insertion opening to the discharge opening, An image scanner for reading a print image of a print medium conveyed along the conveyance path; And shielding means for blocking external light from entering the reading position by the image scanner via the discharge port. Print media processing unit. The method of claim 21, The said shielding means is provided with the internal shielding board which sealably closes and closes the discharge side conveyance path part located between the said reading position in the said conveyance path, and the said discharge port, It is characterized by the above-mentioned. Print media processing unit. The method of claim 22, The shielding means includes an inner shielding plate moving mechanism for moving the inner shielding plate to a closed position in which the discharge-side conveying path portion is sealed and a retracted position retracted from the closed position. Print media processing unit. The method of claim 23, The inner shielding plate has a print media guide surface having a contact surface that is in contact with the image scanner when in the closed position; Print media processing unit. The method of claim 24, The said shielding means is equipped with the 1st press member which presses the said internal shielding plate with the elastic force with respect to the said image scanner in the state in which the said internal shielding plate is in the said closed position, It is characterized by the above-mentioned. Print media processing unit. The method of claim 25, The said shielding means is equipped with the 2nd press member which provides the elastic force for holding the said internal shielding plate in the said retracted position in the state in which the said internal shielding plate is in the said retracted position, It is characterized by the above-mentioned. Print media processing unit. The method of claim 26, The shielding means has a torsion spring, the first end of the torsion spring functions as the first pressing member, and the second end of the torsion spring functions as the second pressing member. Print media processing unit. The method of claim 21, The shielding means is provided with an external shielding plate for blocking external light incident on the discharge port. Print media processing unit. The method of claim 28, The outer shield plate, when viewed along the discharge direction of the print medium, characterized in that the size including the discharge port Print media processing unit. The method of claim 29, The outer shielding plate has a guide surface composed of a smooth surface or a curved surface with respect to the discharge direction of the print medium. Print media processing unit. The method of claim 30, And the outer shield plate extends from an opening edge portion which is located opposite to the image scanner at the discharge port. Print media processing unit. An insertion opening for inserting a printing medium, an discharge opening for discharging the printing medium, a conveying path for guiding the printing medium from the insertion opening to the discharge opening, An image scanner for scanning an image printed on a print medium conveyed along the conveyance path; A pressing member for conveying the printing medium while pressing the reading surface of the image scanner; An opening / closing mechanism for moving the pressing member to a closed position pressed on the reading surface of the image scanner and an open position separated from the reading surface; It has an internal shielding plate which sealably closes and closes the discharge side conveyance path part located between the reading position by the said image scanner, and the said discharge port, The inner shielding plate is interlocked with the pressing member and moved to a closed position in which the discharge side conveyance path portion is sealed and a retracted position retracted from the closed position. Print media processing unit. The method of claim 32, The opening / closing mechanism is a pressing member that constantly presses the support shaft of the pressing member in the direction in which the pressing member is pressed against the reading surface of the image scanner, and a direction in which the pressing member is retracted in response to the pressing force of the pressing member. Is provided with a solenoid for sliding the support shaft, The inner shield plate is slid in cooperation with the support shaft of the pressing member Print media processing unit. The method of claim 33, wherein A shield that presses the inner shield plate to hold it in the closed position when the inner shield plate slides to the closed position, and presses the inner shield plate to hold the retracted position when the inner shield plate slides to the retracted position Characterized by having a plate pressing member Print media processing unit. The method of claim 34, wherein The inner shielding plate is formed in each of the shielding plate body portions that are in contact with the reading surface of the image scanner in the closed position, leg portions extending substantially vertically from both ends of the shielding plate body portion, and each of the leg portions. A shaft through portion through which the support shaft of the pressing member is rotatable, and a coupling leg portion extending substantially perpendicularly from the shield plate main body portion, The coupling leg portion is pressed by the shielding plate pressing member at a portion on a side of the side opposite to the shielding plate body with respect to the through shaft portion. Print media processing unit. 36. The method of claim 35 wherein The shielding plate pressurizing member is a torsion spring, and the coupling leg portion is located between both ends thereof. Print media processing unit. The method of claim 32, And a print head for performing printing on the print medium conveyed along the conveyance path. Print media processing unit.