Media processing equipment

Abstract

This invention provides a media processing device that can suppress misjudgments of media width. [Solution] The media processing device includes an insertion port into which a medium B1 is inserted, a transport path through which the inserted medium B1 is transported, a transport unit that transports the medium B1 along the transport path in the transport direction, a width adjustment unit that brings the medium B1 to one side of the transport path, a width detection sensor S4 installed on the transport path that detects the width of the medium B1, and a control unit that controls the transport of the medium. After bringing the medium B1 to one side, the control unit transports the medium B1 from the position where it has been brought to the side toward the insertion port, and determines the width of the medium based on the result of the width detection sensor S4 during or after transport.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a medium processing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] As a take-in control for a medium processing apparatus that processes media (examples include slips, passbooks, and certificates), there is an approach where a width-aligning operation is performed first, and after the width-aligning operation, the medium is conveyed in a conveying direction and taken in. The width-aligning operation is an operation of conveying the medium in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction, and abutting either the left or right edge of the medium against an abutting surface (for example, a side surface of a conveying path). Even when the medium is taken in while being inclined with respect to the conveying direction, the inclination of the medium can be eliminated by performing the width-aligning operation.

[0003] Further, there is an apparatus that detects the medium width (the length in the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction on the conveying surface) with a sensor provided at a position separated by a predetermined distance from the abutting surface during the width-aligning operation (see, for example, Patent Document 1). For example, when the sensor is "ON", it is determined that the medium width is equal to or larger than a predetermined value (a large medium), and when the sensor is "OFF", it is determined that the medium width is smaller than the predetermined value (a small medium).

Prior Art Literature

Patent Literature

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Here, we assume a configuration and control that determines the media width using the rear end of the media. In this case, there is a problem that the media width cannot be correctly determined if the rear end is not perpendicular to the abutment surface for some reason. Reasons why the rear end of the media is not perpendicular to the abutment surface include, for example, cutting errors in the media or the media riding up onto the abutment surface. Cutting errors are dimensional errors that occur when the media is cut by the cutting machine.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and provides a media processing device that can suppress misjudgment of media width. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the aforementioned problems, a media processing apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: an insertion port into which a medium is inserted; a transport path through which the inserted medium is transported; a transport unit that transports the medium along the transport path in the transport direction; a width-shifting unit that moves the medium to one side of the transport path; a width detection sensor installed in the transport path for detecting the width of the medium; and a control unit that controls the transport of the medium, wherein the control unit, after moving the medium to one side, transports the medium from the shifted position toward the insertion port, and determines the width of the medium based on the results of the width detection sensor during or after transport. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, misjudgment of media width can be suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a plan view of a passbook and slip printer (media processing device) according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram of a passbook and slip printer (media processing device) according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and is a cross-sectional view corresponding to line II-II in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram showing the lower inserter section near the lower insertion / discharge port, viewed from above. [Figure 4] This is an example of a medium that has cutting errors. [Figure 5] This is an example flowchart illustrating the media acquisition operation according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This diagram shows the position of the media during the media intake operation according to the first embodiment, and indicates the state in which the media has been inserted into the media processing device (the state in which the insertion detection sensor has detected the media). [Figure 7] This diagram shows the position of the media during the media acquisition operation according to the first embodiment, and indicates the state where the media is at the starting position for width adjustment (the state in which the reference sensor detects the media). [Figure 8] This diagram shows the position of the media during the media intake operation according to the first embodiment, indicating that the media is at the position where the width adjustment is complete (the width adjustment detection sensor has detected the media). [Figure 9] This diagram shows the position of the media during the media acquisition operation according to the first embodiment, indicating that the media is at the media width determination position (a state in which the media can be detected by the width detection sensor). [Figure 10] This is an example flowchart illustrating the media acquisition operation according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] This diagram shows the position of the media during the media intake operation according to the second embodiment, indicating that the media is at the position where the width adjustment is complete (the width adjustment detection sensor has detected the media). [Figure 12] This diagram shows the position of the media during the media acquisition operation according to the second embodiment, indicating that the media is at the media width determination position (a state in which the media can be detected by the width detection sensor). [Figure 13] This is a diagram illustrating the media acquisition operation related to the comparative example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Each drawing is only a schematic representation to the extent that the present invention can be fully understood. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated examples. In addition, the dimensions of the components constituting the present invention in the reference drawings may be exaggerated or otherwise represented to clarify the explanation. In addition, common or similar components in each drawing are denoted by the same reference numeral, and their redundant explanations may be omitted.

[0011] [First Embodiment] <Configuration of the media processing apparatus according to the first embodiment> The configuration of the media processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a plan view of the media processing apparatus 1. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to line II-II in Figure 1. In the description of the media processing apparatus 1, "up and down," "front and back," and "left and right" refer to the arrows in Figures 1 and 2. These directions are defined for the convenience of explanation and do not limit the present invention.

[0012] The media processing device 1 is a device that processes media. The media includes, for example, passbooks, slips, certificates, cards, tickets, etc. In this embodiment, the media processing device 1 is assumed to be a passbook / slip printer. A passbook / slip printer is a device that prints on multiple types of media with different shapes and sizes (for example, passbooks, slips, and certificates). The media assumed in this embodiment is rectangular in shape. The passbook / slip printer is operated, for example, by a person (operator) in charge of counter services at a financial institution.

[0013] The medium processing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 2 (a passbook slip printer is assumed in the present embodiment) mainly includes an inserter unit 2, a printing unit 3, and an automatic turn page (ATP) unit 4. These units are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction within a housing 1a. The medium processing apparatus 1 also includes a control unit 20 that controls the operations of the inserter unit 2, the printing unit 3, and the automatic turn page unit 4. The control performed by the control unit 20 includes control related to medium conveyance, control related to width-shifting operation, control related to medium width detection operation, and the like.

[0014] The width-shifting operation is an operation of conveying the medium in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction (width-shifting direction) and abutting either the left or right edge of the medium against an abutting surface (one example is either the left or right side surface of the conveyance path). Even when the medium is taken in while being inclined with respect to the conveyance direction, the inclination of the medium can be eliminated by performing the width-shifting operation.

[0015] The medium width detection operation is an operation of conveying the medium to a position where a sensor capable of detecting the presence of the medium is provided, and determining the medium width based on the detection result of the sensor. The medium width detection operation according to the present embodiment is performed after the width-shifting operation is performed.

[0016] A conveyance path 9 through which a medium is conveyed is provided inside the medium processing apparatus 1. The conveyance path 9 is composed of upper and lower guide portions 12 (an upper guide portion 12a and a lower guide portion 12b) that guide the medium, and the like. The conveyance path 9 is provided across the inserter unit 2, the printing unit 3, and the automatic turn page unit 4, and the medium can move between the units via the conveyance path 9.

[0017] A plurality of conveyance rollers 10 for conveying the medium are installed on the conveyance path 9. The conveyance rollers 10 are arranged to face each other with the conveyance path 9 interposed therebetween. The conveyance rollers 10 are connected to a pulse motor for conveyance (not shown), and rotate by the driving force of the pulse motor. The conveyance roller 10 is an example of a "conveyance unit".

[0018] Furthermore, the transport path 9 is equipped with multiple sensors S for detecting the presence of the medium. The sensors S are, for example, photoelectric sensors that can detect the presence of the medium by changes in light intensity. The sensors S detect the presence or absence of the medium based on, for example, the light / dark state. In this embodiment, the sensors S are set to be ON when they detect the presence of the medium and OFF when they do not detect the presence of the medium. The sensors S transmit a signal corresponding to the ON / OFF state to the control unit 20.

[0019] The inserter unit 2 shown in Figure 1 is mounted on the front side of the media processing device 1. The inserter unit 2 has the function of receiving the setting of media such as passbooks, certificates, and slips by the operator, taking in the set media, and ejecting the media after the printing process is completed. The inserter unit 2 has an upper inserter section 2a and a lower inserter section 2b. The upper inserter section 2a and the lower inserter section 2b are arranged side by side in the vertical direction.

[0020] The upper inserter section 2a is configured to receive slips and includes an upper stage 2c (see Figure 1) for setting slips and an upper insertion / discharge port 5 for inserting slips into and discharging them from the device. The lower inserter section 2b is configured to receive passbooks and certificates, and includes a lower stage 2d (see Figure 1) for setting passbooks and certificates, and a lower insertion / discharge port 6 for inserting passbooks and certificates into and discharging them from the device. The passbook is inserted into the lower insertion / discharge port 6 in an open state with the binding portion as the center, and the binding portion perpendicular to the insertion direction.

[0021] As shown in Figure 2, the transport path 9a of the upper inserter section 2a and the transport path 9b of the lower inserter section 2b merge in front of (upstream of) the reading unit 7 of the printing unit 3. As a result, slips inserted from the upper insertion / discharge port 5 and passbooks and certificates inserted from the lower insertion / discharge port 6, although inserted at different locations, pass through the same transport path 9 on the rear (downstream) side of the device from the point where the transport paths merge.

[0022] The printing unit 3 shown in Figure 2 is mounted behind the inserter unit 2. The printing unit 3 has a function for printing onto the medium and a function for detecting printed lines for printing. Specifically, the printing unit 3 has a reading unit 7 and a print head 8. The reading unit 7 reads the page marks and completed lines of the passbook, which is the medium, as well as the printed lines of the slips. The print head 8 prints on the passbook or slips, which are the medium.

[0023] The auto-turn-page unit 4 shown in Figure 2 is mounted behind the printing unit 3. The auto-turn-page unit 4 has a page-turning function for the passbook. When it is determined that a page turn is necessary, the passbook is transported from the printing unit 3 to the auto-turn-page unit 4, and after the auto-turn-page unit 4 performs the page turn, it sends the passbook back to the printing unit 3.

[0024] Referring to Figure 3 (and Figures 1 and 2 as appropriate), the components related to the width adjustment operation and the media width detection operation will be described. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the area around the lower insertion / discharge port 6 of the lower inserter section 2b as viewed from above. In Figure 3, the upper guide section 12a is omitted from the description.

[0025] As shown in Figure 3, the transport path 9b of the lower inserter section 2b is equipped with transport rollers 10 and width-adjusting rollers 21. Furthermore, multiple sensors S (insertion detection sensor S1, reference sensor S2, width-adjusting detection sensor S3 (first width-adjusting detection sensor S3a, second width-adjusting detection sensor S3b), width detection sensor S4 (first width-adjusting sensor S4a to fourth width-adjusting sensor S4d)) are also arranged along the transport path 9b of the lower inserter section 2b. Note that sensors other than those shown in Figure 3 may also be arranged along the transport path 9b.

[0026] The width-shifting roller 21 transports the medium in a direction perpendicular to the intake direction (width-shifting direction). In this embodiment, the intake direction is assumed to be the rear direction (towards the back of the device), and the width-shifting direction is assumed to be the left direction. The pivot axis 21a of the width-shifting roller 21 is the same as the intake direction and rotates around the front-rear direction. A stopper surface 22 is provided on the left side of the width-shifting roller 21. The stopper surface 22 is, for example, the side of the transport path 9 (the left side in this embodiment) and is a plane perpendicular to the width-shifting direction (a plane composed of front-rear, up-down, and down). During the width-shifting operation, the medium is brought into contact with the stopper surface 22. Note that a stopper surface 22 may also be provided on the right side of the width-shifting roller 21. The width-shifting roller 21 is an example of a "width-shifting section".

[0027] The insertion detection sensor S1 is a sensor that detects when a medium (for example, a passbook or certificate) is inserted from the lower insertion / discharge port 6 (see Figure 2). The insertion detection sensor S1 is positioned behind (towards the back of the device) the reference sensor S2, the width detection sensor S3, the width detection sensor S4, and the width roller 21.

[0028] The reference sensor S2 is a sensor that detects the state of the medium (including information about the length and position of the medium). For example, the reference sensor S2 detects the rear end (the end on the front side of the device) of the medium (one example being a passbook or certificate) during a width-shifting operation. The reference sensor S2 is positioned near the lower insertion / discharge port 6 (see Figure 2). The reference sensor S2 is positioned in front of (towards the front of the device) the insertion detection sensor S1 and the width-shifting roller 21. In the front-to-back direction, the reference sensor S2 is positioned at the same position as the first width-shifting detection sensor S3a (the width-shifting detection sensor S3 closest to the front of the device), or in front of (towards the front of the device) the first width-shifting detection sensor S3a. In this embodiment, the reference sensor S2 and the first width-shifting detection sensor S3a are positioned side by side. The reference sensor S2 is also positioned between the width-shifting roller 21 and the abutment surface 22 in the left-to-right direction.

[0029] The width-shift detection sensor S3 is a sensor for detecting the completion of the width-shift operation. The number and position of the width-shift detection sensors S3 should be such that they can accurately detect when the medium being conveyed in the width-shift direction by the width-shift roller 21 has reached the abutment surface 22. In this embodiment, two width-shift detection sensors S3 are placed near the abutment surface 22. When both width-shift detection sensors S3, which are placed side by side on the abutment surface 22, are "ON", it can be confirmed that the medium, which is long in the front-to-back direction (vertical direction), has become parallel to the abutment surface 22. The first width-shift detection sensor S3a on the front side of the device is placed side by side with the reference sensor S2. The second width-shift detection sensor S3b on the rear side of the device is placed side by side with the width-shift roller 21. Note that the number of width-shift detection sensors S3 may be one instead of multiple.

[0030] The width detection sensor S4 is a sensor for detecting the width (length in the left-right direction) of a medium (for example, a passbook or certificate). The width detection sensors S4 are located near the lower insertion / discharge port 6 (see Figure 2) and are arranged in a row in the left-right direction (four in this embodiment). The width detection sensors S4 are arranged at intervals that allow for identification of the size of the medium being handled. For example, the position of each width detection sensor S4 corresponds to the width of the medium that the medium processing device 1 can process, and the approximate length in the width direction of the medium can be determined by the number of times the width detection sensor S4 switches "ON / OFF" (the boundary where "ON / OFF" switches). In this embodiment, the width detection sensors S4 are arranged side by side with the reference sensor S2 and the first width-alignment detection sensor S3a.

[0031] Referring to Figure 4, the medium B1 that may be inserted into the medium processing device 1 is described. Figure 4 is an example of a medium B1 with cutting errors. The medium B1 shown in Figure 4 is originally rectangular in shape (it is rectangular in shape according to the design), but when cut by the cutting machine, some of the sides are cut diagonally.

[0032] The medium B1 shown in Figure 4 has four edges B1a, B1b, B1c, and B1d. Edges B1c and B1d are parallel, and edge B1a is perpendicular to edges B1c and B1d. Edge B1b is the part with cutting error and is inclined at an angle θ1 with respect to a straight line C1b (shown as a dashed line) parallel to edge B1a. In other words, the angle between edges B1c and B1b, and the angle between edges B1d and B1b, are not right angles. As a result, the length L1d of edge B1d is shorter by a distance N1 than the length L1c of edge B1c, and the medium B1 exhibits a trapezoidal shape.

[0033] In this embodiment, it is assumed that the media is inserted into the inserter unit 2 from edge B1a. Therefore, when considering transport toward the back of the device, edge B1a becomes the leading edge and edge B1b becomes the trailing edge. Note that the length of the media corresponding to the direction perpendicular to the transport direction toward the back of the device (i.e., the length in the left-right direction (lateral direction) when being transported) is sometimes called the "media width". The media width M1 of media B1 varies depending on the type of media.

[0034] <Regarding the media intake operation of the media processing device according to the first embodiment> The media loading operation in the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 9 (and Figures 1 to 4 as appropriate). Figure 5 is an example of a flowchart showing the media loading operation according to the first embodiment. Figures 6 to 9 show the position of the media during the media loading operation of the media processing device according to the first embodiment. Note that the transport roller 10 and the width adjustment roller 21 are omitted from Figures 6 to 9.

[0035] The media intake operation here includes media alignment and media width determination. When media is taken in, the control unit 20 performs control in the order of media alignment and media width determination. In this embodiment, we will focus on the intake of media (for example, a passbook or certificate) through the lower insertion / discharge port 6 (that is, we will focus on the intake operation at the lower inserter unit 2b). According to the media width determination operation of this embodiment, even if media B1 has a cutting error at the rear end as shown in Figure 4, the media width M1 can be determined.

[0036] When the user manually inserts the medium B1 into the lower insertion / discharge port 6, the medium B1 moves towards the back of the device. The control unit 20 detects the insertion of the medium B1 when the insertion detection sensor S1 turns "ON" and clamps the transport roller 10 (step T11). In other words, the control unit 20 waits with the transport roller 10 clamped OFF until the edge B1a (tip) of the medium B1 reaches the insertion detection sensor S1 (see Figure 6).

[0037] Next, the control unit 20 rotates the transport roller 10 to transport the medium B1 to the front of the device (step T12). The control unit 20 detects that the medium B1 has moved to the starting position for width adjustment by turning on the reference sensor S2, and stops transporting the medium B1 to the front of the device (step T12). In other words, the control unit 20 transports the medium B1 to the front of the device until the edge B1b (rear end) of the medium B1 reaches the reference sensor S2 (see Figure 7).

[0038] Next, the control unit 20 rotates the width-aligning roller 21 to transport the medium B1 in the direction of the abutment surface 22 (step T13). The control unit 20 detects that the medium B1 has been properly abutted against the abutment surface 22 (completion of width-alignment) when the medium B1 turns on all the width-alignment detection sensors S3, and stops transporting the medium B1 in the direction of the abutment surface 22 (step T13). In other words, the control unit 20 transports the medium B1 until its edge B1c reaches the abutment surface 22 (see Figure 8).

[0039] Next, the control unit 20 drives the pulse motor for a fixed number of pulses to transport the medium B1 from the completed position of width adjustment to the front of the device (step T14). As a result, as shown in Figure 9, the medium B1 moves a predetermined distance H1 to the front of the device from the completed position of width adjustment (the position shown by the dashed line in Figure 9). The predetermined distance H1 is to transport the medium B1, which has a cutting error, to a position where it can be detected by the width detection sensor S4. The predetermined distance H1 is preferably determined by, for example, the maximum amount of cutting error (one example being the maximum amount of angle θ1), the medium width M1, and the position of the width detection sensor S4 (the deviation in the front-rear direction relative to the reference sensor S2 and the distance from the abutment surface 22).

[0040] The control unit 20 transports the medium B1 to the front of the device for a fixed number of pulses, and then acquires the detection results of the width detection sensors (step T14). In Figure 9, the medium B1 covers the first width detection sensor S4a and the second width detection sensor S4b, but not the third width detection sensor S4c and the fourth width detection sensor S4d. Therefore, the control unit 20 acquires "ON" for the first width detection sensor S4a and the second width detection sensor S4b, and "OFF" for the third width detection sensor S4c and the fourth width detection sensor S4d.

[0041] Next, the control unit 20 determines the media width M1 based on the detection result of the width detection sensor S4 (step T15). The control unit 20 can determine the approximate length of the media B1 in the width direction based on the number of times the width detection sensor S4 turns "ON / OFF" (the boundary where "ON / OFF" switches). In the example in Figure 9, the control unit 20 determines that the media width M1 of the media B1 (see Figure 4) is greater than or equal to the length corresponding to the second width detection sensor S4b, and shorter than the length corresponding to the third width detection sensor S4c. The control unit 20 may also determine the type of media B1 based on the determined media width M1. In that case, the control unit 20 may further determine the specific media width M1 from the type of media B1.

[0042] <Regarding the effects of the media processing apparatus according to the first embodiment> As described above, according to the media processing apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, before determining the media width M1, the media B1 is transported in the direction of the lower insertion / discharge port 6 (towards the front of the apparatus) for a fixed number of pulses. This makes it possible to correctly determine the width even when the rear end of the media B1 is not perpendicular to the abutment surface 22 due to cutting errors or riding up.

[0043] [Second Embodiment] <Configuration of the media processing apparatus according to the second embodiment> The configuration of the media processing apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment (see Figures 1 to 3), but the media intake operation differs from that of the first embodiment. Therefore, the description of the apparatus configuration will be omitted, and the media intake operation will be described.

[0044] <Regarding the media intake operation of the media processing device according to the second embodiment> The media intake operation in the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 10 to 12 (and Figures 1 to 3 as appropriate). Figure 10 is an example of a flowchart showing the media intake operation according to the second embodiment. Figures 11 and 12 show the position of the media during the media intake operation of the media processing device according to the second embodiment.

[0045] The media intake operation here includes media alignment and media width determination. When media is taken in, the control unit 20 performs control in the order of media alignment and media width determination. In this embodiment, we will focus on the intake of media (for example, a passbook or certificate) through the lower insertion / discharge port 6 (that is, we will focus on the intake operation at the lower inserter unit 2b). In the second embodiment, we assume media B2, which has a larger cutting error at the rear end compared to media B1 (see Figure 4) described in the first embodiment, as shown in Figure 11.

[0046] The process related to the media alignment operation (steps T11 to T13) is the same as in the first embodiment. When the user manually inserts the media B2 into the lower insertion / discharge port 6, the media B2 moves towards the back of the device. The control unit 20 detects the insertion of the media B2 when the insertion detection sensor S1 turns "ON" and clamps the transport roller 10 (step T11). Next, the control unit 20 transports the media B2 towards the front of the device until the edge B2b (rear end) of the media B2 reaches the reference sensor S2 (step T12). Subsequently, the control unit 20 transports the media B2 in the direction of the abutment surface 22 and abuts the media B2 against the abutment surface 22 (step T13).

[0047] Next, the control unit 20 transports the medium B2 in the direction of the lower insertion / discharge port 6 (towards the front of the device) until the reference sensor S2 turns "OFF" (step T24). In other words, the medium B2 is transported in the direction of the lower insertion / discharge port 6 (towards the front of the device) from the transport start position (the position where the width adjustment is completed) shown in Figure 11 to the transport end position (the position where the reference sensor S2 detects the edge B2a (tip) of the medium B2) shown in Figure 12. If the reference sensor S2 is "OFF" during the width adjustment operation, the medium B2 is transported in the direction of the lower insertion / discharge port 6 (towards the front of the device) until it is detected that it has turned "ON" once and then turned "OFF".

[0048] Furthermore, while the medium B2 is being transported in the direction of the lower insertion / discharge port 6 (towards the front of the device), the control unit 20 monitors the "ON / OFF" status of the width detection sensor S4 and stores the sensors that are "ON" among the width detection sensor S4 from the start to the end of transport. In Figure 12, the control unit 20 obtains the "ON" status of the first width detection sensor S4a and the second width detection sensor S4b, and the "OFF" status of the third width detection sensor S4c and the fourth width detection sensor S4d by monitoring the width detection sensor S4 during transport.

[0049] Next, the control unit 20 determines the media width M2 based on the detection results of the width detection sensor S4 monitored during transport (step T25). The control unit 20 can determine the approximate length of the media B2 in the width direction based on the number of times the width detection sensor S4 turns "ON / OFF" (the boundary where "ON / OFF" switches). In the example in Figure 12, the control unit 20 determines that the media width M2 of media B2 is greater than or equal to the length corresponding to the second width detection sensor S4b, and shorter than the length corresponding to the third width detection sensor S4c. The control unit 20 may also determine the type of media B2 based on the determined media width M2. In that case, the control unit 20 may further determine the specific media width M2 from the type of media B2.

[0050] <Regarding the effects of the media processing apparatus according to the second embodiment> As described above, the media processing apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment provides the same effects as the first embodiment. That is, before determining the media width M2, the media B2 is transported in the direction of the lower insertion / discharge port 6 (towards the front of the device), and the "ON / OFF" status of the width detection sensor S4 during transport is monitored. This makes it possible to correctly determine the width even when the rear end of the media B2 is not perpendicular to the abutment surface 22 due to cutting errors or riding up.

[0051] In particular, the larger the amount of media transported from the completed position of width adjustment towards the lower insertion / discharge port 6 (towards the front of the device), the more accurate width determination that can accommodate larger cutting errors can be achieved. In the second embodiment, by maximizing the transport distance H2 (see Figure 12) towards the front of the device, width determination that can accommodate the largest conceivable cutting error can be achieved.

[0052] [Differentiation] In each embodiment, a passbook and slip printer was assumed to be the media processing device 1, but the present invention can be applied to any device that processes media, not limited to passbook and slip printers.

[0053] Furthermore, although each embodiment has been described assuming the lower inserter portion 2b, the present invention can also be applied to the upper inserter portion 2a.

[0054] Furthermore, although each embodiment illustrates a case where four width detection sensors S4 are provided in the lower inserter section 2b, the present invention can be applied as long as one or more width detection sensors S4 are installed.

[0055] Furthermore, although width determination control when inserting media into the inserter unit 2 of a passbook printer has been described in each embodiment, the present invention is applicable not only to the inserter unit 2 of a passbook printer but also to other devices.

[0056] Furthermore, in each embodiment, the sensor arrangement in which the reference sensor S2 and the width detection sensor S4 are placed side by side was illustrated and explained as an example. However, the reference sensor S2 and the width detection sensor S4 do not need to be placed side by side, and the present invention can be applied even if the reference sensor S2 and the width detection sensor S4 are mounted at different positions on the transport path.

[0057] [Comparative Example] Referring to Figure 13, the media loading operation as a comparative example will be explained. In the comparative example, the media width is determined at the completion position of the width adjustment. As shown in Figure 13, in this case, the first width detection sensor S4a and the second width detection sensor S4b are not "ON" due to a cutting error at the edge B1b (rear end) of the media B1. Therefore, the control unit incorrectly determines that the media width M1 of the media B1 is shorter than the length M0 corresponding to the first width detection sensor S4a. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0058] 1. Media processing device 1a Enclosure 2 Inserter Units 2a Upper inserter section 2b Lower inserter section 3 Printing Unit 4 Auto-Turn Page Units 5. Upper insertion / extraction port (insertion port) 6. Lower insertion / extraction port (insertion port) 7. Reading Unit 8. Print head 9,9a,9b Conveyor paths 10. Conveyor roller (conveyor section) 20 Control Unit 21. Width-adjusting roller (width-adjusting section) 22 Buttock surface S sensor S1 Insertion detection sensor S2 Reference Sensor S3 Width Detection Sensor S4 Width Detection Sensor B1,B2 Medium M1,M2 Media width

Claims

1. An insertion slot into which the media is inserted, A transport path through which the inserted medium is transported, A conveying unit that conveys the medium along the conveying path in the conveying direction, A width adjustment section that moves the medium towards one side of the transport path, A width detection sensor installed in the transport path for detecting the width of the medium, The system comprises a control unit that controls the transport of the medium, The control unit moves the medium to one side, then transports the medium from that position toward the insertion opening, and determines the width of the medium based on the results of the width detection sensor during or after transport. A media processing apparatus characterized by the following:

2. The control unit moves the medium to one side, then transports the medium a predetermined distance from that position toward the insertion opening, and then determines the width of the medium based on the result of the width detection sensor. The media processing apparatus according to feature 1.

3. The system further comprises a reference sensor installed between the width detection sensor and the one side surface, The control unit moves the medium to one side, then transports the medium from that position toward the insertion opening until the reference sensor detects the leading edge of the medium, and determines the width of the medium based on the results of the width detection sensor monitored during transport. The media processing apparatus according to feature 1.

4. The width detection sensors are arranged in a plurality on orthogonal lines perpendicular to one side surface. The media processing apparatus according to feature 1.

Images