Data reading apparatus

Abstract

A data reading apparatus for reading and/or scanning data from a first and second scanned medium comprising a first transportation path P 1 , along which the first scanned medium is conveyed and a second transportation path P 2 , along which the second scanned medium is conveyed and wherein the first and second transportation paths each have a common mutually shared middle transportation path through which both scanned media must pass and a common data reader reading data from each scanned medium respectively. Checks S are conveyed on the first transportation path P 1 , cards C are conveyed on the second transportation path P 2 at a different transportation height from that of the first transportation path P 1 with data read from the respective media as they are being conveyed. Because the transportation heights differ, scanned media can be transported on different transportation paths without involving special switching devices.

1. A data reading apparatus for reading data from and/or scanning data from a first and second scanned medium, the first medium being bendable and the second medium being substantially rigid, the reading apparatus comprising:
 a first transportation path having an inlet end and an exit end; 
 a second transportation path having an inlet end separate from the inlet end of the first transportation path; and 
 a data reader for reading data from and/or scanning data from either the first or the second scanned medium, respectively, 
 wherein the first transportation path and the second transportation path have a common mutually shared middle transportation path through which both the first scanned medium and the second scanned medium pass when being transported with the data reader being disposed along said middle transportation path. 
 
     
     
       2. A data reading apparatus as described in  claim 1 , wherein the first and second transportation path comprises:
 the first transportation path has a first straight transportation path section; 
 a first curved transportation path section connected between the first straight transportation path section and a the middle transportation path, 
 a second curved transportation path section connected to the middle transportation path, and 
 a second straight transportation path section connected to the second curved transportation path section,  
 wherein the second transportation path has a third straight transportation path section including the middle transportation path. 
 
     
     
       3. A data reading apparatus as described in  claim 1 , wherein the inlet end of the second transportation path is adapted:
 for inserting the second scanned medium into the middle transportation path;, and the second transportation path further comprising 
 a reversing transportation path connected to the middle transportation path for reversing the direction of transportation of the second scanned medium such that the an inlet end thereof of the reversing transportation path also serves as the a discharge end for thereof with respect to the second scanned medium from. 
 
     
     
       4. A data reading apparatus as described in  claim 1 , wherein the first transportation path and the second transportation path each have a reference bottom with the reference bottom of the second transportation path being disposed at a height different from the height of the first transportation path reference bottom such that the transportation height heights of the first and second scanned medium is are different when read by said data reader. 
     
     
       5. A data reading apparatus as described in  claim 4 , further comprising a guide for guiding the change in transportation direction of the first scanned medium along the second curved transportation path section, with said guide being disposed at a height spaced from the reference bottom of the second transportation path. 
     
     
       6. A data reading apparatus as described in  claim 4 , comprising: 
 a first pressure member disposed above the reference bottom of the second transportation path for pressing the first or the second scanned medium to the data reader; and 
 a second pressure member disposed below the reference bottom of the second transportation path for pressing the first scanned medium to the data reader. 
 
     
     
       7. A data reading apparatus as described in  claim 6 , wherein the lower second pressure member is a dropping prevention member preventing the second scanned medium from dropping below the reference bottom of the second transportation path. 
     
     
       8. A data reading apparatus as described in  claim 4 , comprising: 
 a first pressure roller disposed above the reference bottom of the second transportation path for transporting the first or the second scanned medium; and 
 a second pressure roller disposed below the reference bottom of the second transportation path for transporting the first scanned medium. 
 
     
     
       9. A data reading apparatus as described in  claim 1 , comprising a print head disposed along the first transportation path for printing to the first scanned medium. 
     
     
       10. A data reading apparatus as described in  claim 1 , wherein the data reader is an image scanning sensor for capturing an image of the first or the second scanned medium. 
     
     
       11. A data reading apparatus as described in  claim 1 , wherein the data reader is a magnetic sensor for reading magnetic data on the first or the second scanned medium. 
     
     
       12. A data reading apparatus as described in  claim 1 , wherein the first scanned medium is a check and the second scanned medium is a card. 
     
     
       13. A data reading apparatus as described in  claim 1 , comprising a medium detector disposed along the second transportation path for detecting the leading edge and trailing edge of the second scanned medium respectively;
 wherein transportation of the second scanned medium is controlled according to a detection signal from the medium detector. 
 
     
     
       14. A data reading apparatus for reading data from and/or scanning data from a first and second scanned medium, the first medium being bendable and the second medium being substantially rigid, the reading apparatus comprising:
 a first transportation path having an inlet end and an exit end; 
 a second transportation path having an exit end separate from the exit end of the first transportation path; and 
 a data reader for reading data from and/or scanning data from either the first or the second scanned medium, respectively, 
 wherein the first transportation path and the second transportation path have a common mutually shared middle transportation path through which both the first scanned medium and the second scanned medium pass when being transported with the data reader being disposed along said middle transportation path. 
 
     
     
       15. A data reading apparatus for reading data from and/or scanning data from a first and second scanned medium, comprising:
 a first transportation path having a curved section, an inlet end and an exit end; 
 a second transportation path having a straight section and an inlet end separate from the inlet end of the first transportation path; and 
 a data reader for reading data from and/or scanning data from either the first or the second scanned medium, respectively, 
 wherein the first transportation path and the second transportation path have a common mutually shared middle transportation path through which both the first scanned medium and the second scanned medium pass when being transported with the data reader being disposed along said middle transportation path.