Apparatus and method for printing on media and detecting information magnetically recorded on the media

Abstract

An information detection apparatus and information detection method for processing recording media to ascertain validity of checks and other negotiable instruments and print as necessary on the recording media. The information detection apparatus for processing recording media comprises in sequence along transportation path 1009 from the insertion opening 1006 a recording medium transportation mechanism 1003 , printing mechanism 1004, and reading mechanism 1005. When a recording medium 1008 is transported by transportation mechanism 1003 along transportation path 1009 to a predetermined position, the check is positioned between presser roller 1051 and a detector 1052 of reading mechanism 1005. Presser roller 1051 then presses recording medium 1008 against detector 1052 while transportation mechanism 1003 pulls the recording medium and particular information recorded to the recording medium is detected. This operation straightens wrinkles and removes slack from recording medium 1008 to reduce reading errors. Based on the read information, a printing process is then executed by printing mechanism 4 and the recording medium is ejected from insertion opening 1006.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An information detection apparatus for recording media processing comprising: 
 data detection means for detecting information recorded on a recording medium while proximate to the recording medium;    a presser for pressing the recording medium against said data detection means;    presser moving means for holding and setting said presser selectively to one of 
 (1) a pressing position at which said presser presses against the recording medium, and  
 (2) an open position at which said presser does not press against the recording medium; and  
   a transportation mechanism for transporting the recording medium in 
 (1) a first direction in which the recording medium travels from said transportation mechanism toward said data detection means,  
 (2) and a second direction that is opposite the first direction,  
   wherein said presser is set 
 (1) to the open position when the recording medium is transported in the first direction, and  
 (2) to the pressing position at least while the recording medium is transported in the second direction during detection of the information recorded on the recording medium by said data detection means.  
   
     
     
         2 . The information detection apparatus for recording media processing according to    claim 1   , further comprising a printing mechanism disposed between said data detection means and said transportation mechanism for printing on the recording medium, 
 wherein said presser is set to the pressing position when the recording medium is transported in the second direction for printing by said printing mechanism.    
     
     
         3 . An information detection apparatus for processing a recording medium having particular information recorded in a particular area on a first side thereof comprising: 
 an insertion opening through which the recording medium is inserted to a transportation path;    a transportation mechanism for transporting the recording medium inserted through said insertion opening through the transportation path in a selected one of first and second directions, wherein said transportation mechanism is arranged after said insertion opening in the first direction;    a printing mechanism to print on the recording medium, wherein said printing mechanism is arranged after said transportation mechanism in the first direction; and    a reading mechanism to read the particular information recorded on the recording medium, wherein said reading mechanism is arranged after said printing mechanism in the first direction;    a presser roller disposed with respect to said reading mechanism such that 
 (1) when the recording medium is transported in the first direction said presser roller separates from said reading mechanism; and  
 (2) when the recording medium is transported in the second direction the recording medium is pressed by said presser roller against said reading mechanism to read the particular information, and said printing mechanism executes a printing process for printing on the recording medium.  
   
     
     
         4 . The information detection apparatus for recording media processing according to    claim 3   , wherein a printing process by said printing mechanism is executed to a second side of the recording medium.  
     
     
         5 . The information detection apparatus for recording media processing according to    claim 3   , wherein the transportation path is substantially straight.  
     
     
         6 . The information detection apparatus according to claims  3 , wherein the particular information is recorded in magnetic ink, and 
 said reading mechanism comprises a magnetic head.    
     
     
         7 . The information detection apparatus according to    claim 3   , wherein the particular information is printed on the recording medium and said reading mechanism comprises an optical detector.  
     
     
         8 . The information detection apparatus for recording media processing according to    claim 6   , further comprising a self hold solenoid, wherein contact between said presser roller and the recording medium is established by said self hold solenoid such that magnetic noise is substantially absent while reading the particular information by said recording mechanism.  
     
     
         9 . The information detection apparatus according to    claim 3   , wherein said transportation mechanism comprises; 
 a single transport roller for holding and transporting the recording medium;    a drive mechanism for driving said single transport roller; and    a transfer mechanism for transferring drive power from said drive mechanism to the transport roller.    
     
     
         10 . An information detection apparatus for recording media processing comprising: 
 data detection means for detecting information recorded on a recording medium while proximate to the recording medium;    a transportation mechanism for transporting the recording medium in a first direction in which the recording medium travels from said transportation mechanism toward said data detection means, and a second direction that is opposite the first direction, and    holding means positioned on a side of said data detection means opposite said transportation mechanism for holding the recording medium;    wherein said data detection means is positioned at a height different from that of said transportation mechanism and said holding means;    wherein said holding means does not hold the recording medium when the recording medium is transported by said transportation mechanism in the first direction, and    wherein said holding means holds the recording medium at least while the recording medium is transported by said transportation mechanism in the second direction during detection of the information recorded to the recording medium.    
     
     
         11 . An information detection method for recording medium processing in which particular information is recorded on at least one side of a recording medium, comprising the steps of: 
 inserting through an insertion opening the recording medium;    transporting the recording medium inserted through the insertion opening through a paper transportation path in a first direction to a reading mechanism;    positioning the recording medium between a detector and a presser roller of the reading mechanism;    pressing the recording medium toward the detector by means of the presser roller;    reading the particular information from the recording medium by the detector while pulling the recording medium in a second direction opposite the first direction as the recording medium is held in contact with the detector;    printing on the recording medium based on the content of the information read by the detector; and    ejecting the recording medium from the insertion opening after said printing step is completed.    
     
     
         12 . An information detection method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) inserting through an opening a first end of a recording medium having information recorded thereon at a predetermined location;    (b) after step(a) positioning recording medium such that the predetermined location containing the recorded information is opposite a detector;    (c) after step(b) directly applying pressure to recording medium at the detector:    (d) pulling the first end of the recording medium while performing step(c) so that the detector reads the recorded information from the recording medium.    
     
     
         13 . An information detection apparatus for recording media processing comprising: 
 data detection means for detecting information recorded on a recording medium while proximate to the recording medium, wherein the information is recorded at a predetermined position on the recording medium;    a presser for pressing the recording medium against said data detection means;    presser moving means for holding and setting said presser selectively to one of 
 (1) a pressing position at which the presser presses against the recording medium, and  
 (2) an open position at which the presser does not press against the recording medium; and  
   a transportation mechanism for transporting the recording medium 
 (1) to first position so that a start portion of the predetermined position is arranged proximate to said data detection means; and  
 (2) towards an outlet of said detection apparatus,  
   wherein said presser is set 
 (1) to the open position until the recording medium is transported to the first position by said transportation mechanism; and  
 (2) to the pressing position after the recording medium is transported in the first position by said transportation mechanism as said transportation mechanism transports the recording medium towards the outlet so that the information recorded on the recording medium is detected by said data detection means.