EP0398517B1 - Passbook handling apparatus - Google Patents
Passbook handling apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0398517B1 EP0398517B1 EP19900304376 EP90304376A EP0398517B1 EP 0398517 B1 EP0398517 B1 EP 0398517B1 EP 19900304376 EP19900304376 EP 19900304376 EP 90304376 A EP90304376 A EP 90304376A EP 0398517 B1 EP0398517 B1 EP 0398517B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- passbook
- carriage
- magnetic
- magnetic head
- platen
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J25/00—Actions or mechanisms not otherwise provided for
- B41J25/304—Bodily-movable mechanisms for print heads or carriages movable towards or from paper surface
- B41J25/308—Bodily-movable mechanisms for print heads or carriages movable towards or from paper surface with print gap adjustment mechanisms
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J11/00—Devices or arrangements of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form
- B41J11/36—Blanking or long feeds; Feeding to a particular line, e.g. by rotation of platen or feed roller
- B41J11/42—Controlling printing material conveyance for accurate alignment of the printing material with the printhead; Print registering
- B41J11/46—Controlling printing material conveyance for accurate alignment of the printing material with the printhead; Print registering by marks or formations on the paper being fed
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J3/00—Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed
- B41J3/28—Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for printing downwardly on flat surfaces, e.g. of books, drawings, boxes, envelopes, e.g. flat-bed ink-jet printers
- B41J3/283—Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for printing downwardly on flat surfaces, e.g. of books, drawings, boxes, envelopes, e.g. flat-bed ink-jet printers on bank books or the like
Definitions
- This invention relates to passbook handling apparatus of the kind including a print head movable across said apparatus in a direction perpendicular to a passbook feed path direction and cooperating with a platen during a printing operation on said passbook; and a magnetic head adapted to cooperate with a magnetic recording region during a magnetic read/write operation on said passbook.
- the invention has a particular application where the passbook is used in a financial instruction and wherein transaction information is printed and magnetically recorded on the passbook.
- US Patent No. 3,978,964 discloses passbook handling apparatus wherein a print head is mounted in a print head carriage which is driven across the passbook and cooperates with a platen to effect a printing operation.
- the apparatus also includes a magnetic read/write head mounted in a magnetic head carriage which is driven across the passbook to effect a read/write operation in a magnetic strip which is located on the passbook.
- the physical size of the known apparatus is large in view of the need to accommodate a drivable carriage dedicated to the magnetic read/write head.
- passbook handling apparatus of the kind specified, characterized by a carriage carrying said platen and said magnetic head, wherein said print head and said carriage are adapted to be driven in synchronism in said direction during said printing operation and during said magnetic read/write operation.
- Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an arrangement for a printer 10 that includes a carriage 12, a platen 14, and an opposed print head assembly 16.
- the print head assembly 16 is driven by suitable drive means (not shown) in transverse manner on the printer 10.
- the carriage 12 is slidably carried on a guide rod 18 which is coupled to side brackets or plates 20 and 22.
- the carriage 12 is driven by a lead screw 24 which is journaled in the side brackets 20 and 22.
- the lead screw 24 has a pulley 26 secured to the left end thereof and a belt 28 is trained around the pulley 26 and around a pulley 30 secured to the end of a shaft 32 of a motor 34.
- a read/write magnetic head 36 is supported by the carriage 12 and is positioned adjacent the platen 14.
- the right and left brackets 20 and 22 are supported on respective cams 38 and 40 which are provided on a shaft 42 suitably journaled on the printer 10.
- the carriage 12 which carries the platen 14 and the magnetic head 36 is supported by means of the right and left brackets 20 and 22 engaging the cams 38 and 40 of the shaft 42.
- the shaft 42 has a gear 44 secured to the right end thereof which gear meshes with a gear 46 on the end of a shaft 48 of a stepping motor 50.
- the carriage 12 is caused to be raised and lowered by rotational driving of the shaft 42 and the cams 38 and 40 by the motor 50 wherein the gap between the print head 16 and the platen 14 is varied to adjust or compensate for passage of a record medium such as a passbook 52 (see also Fig. 3).
- a detection arm 54 is secured to the left bracket 22 and extends in one direction therefrom and is positioned to be detected by a sensor 56.
- the sensor 56 is attached to an end 58 of a support arm 60.
- the support arm 60 is carried on a shaft 62 and such arm 60 supports a lower roller 64 that is opposed to an upper roller 66 carried on a shaft 68.
- the lower roller 64 is movable and is swingable on the shaft 62 whereas the upper roller 66 is in fixed position relative to the roller 64.
- the movable roller 64 and the fixed roller 66 are arranged to grip the passbook 52 therebetween as the passbook is conveyed along the feed path in the printer 10.
- a coil spring 70 is connected to the end 58 of the arm 60 and to a suitable frame portion of the printer 10 to urge the roller 64 against the roller 66 for gripping the passbook 52.
- the upper roller 66 and the lower roller 64 in effect, operate as a passbook thickness detecting mechanism.
- the sensor 56 detects upward movement of the platen 14 and the read/write head 36 on the carriage 12.
- Fig. 4 is a plan view of the passbook 52 in the open condition and showing an upper portion 72 and a lower portion 74 of the passbook with columns provided for printing data or information relative to business transactions.
- a fold line 75 joins the portions 72 and 74.
- the column headings may include the line number, date, repayment, deposit, remarks, and balance in the account.
- Fig. 5 illustrates the passbook 52 in the open condition and in position for moving through the printer 10 in the direction of the arrow 76.
- the passbook 52 is moved into position for reading a magnetic stripe 78, oriented in the horizontal or transverse direction, or for reading a magnetic stripe 80, oriented in the vertical or passbook movement direction.
- the magnetic head 36 is applicable for reading and recording data associated with the magnetic stripe 78 and a magnetic head 82 is applicable for reading and recording data associated with the magnetic stripe 80.
- the magnetic head 36 is designed to be movable across the printer for operating with the magnetic stripe 78, whereas the magnetic head 82 is fixed in position at the left side of the passbook 52 for operating with the magnetic stripe 80.
- the magnetic head 36 which is movable in the up and down direction, is pivoted on a pin 84 coupled to upstanding portions 86 and 88 of a guide member 90 supported on the carriage 12.
- the guide member 90 is in the form of an angle-type strap and is designed to provide for adjusting the height of the magnetic head 36 in the up and down direction.
- a downwardly extending support pin 92 is engageable with and supports the guide member 90.
- the carriage 12 has an opening therein for slidably receiving the support pin 92, and a coil spring 94 is provided between a top surface of the carriage 12 and the bottom surface of the guide member 90 (Fig 2.) for biasing thereof in the upward direction.
- a roller 96 is journaled on a pin 98 secured to the bottom or lower portion of the guide member 90.
- the roller 96 engages with and rolls along a lower edge 100 of a height adjusting bar 102.
- An upward force on the guide member 90 is applied by action of the spring 94, while upward movement of such guide member 90 is limited or restricted by the roller 96 engaging with the lower edge 100 of the bar 102.
- a companion fixed bar 101 is positioned between the downwardly extending portion of the guide member 90 and the height adjusting bar 102. The companion bar 101 is secured at the ends thereof to suitable frame portions of the printer 10.
- a pin or stud 103 is secured to the bar 101 and extends through a curved slot 107 in the bar 102.
- a C-clip or the like 105 is placed on the pin 103 to retain the bar 102 on fixed bar 101.
- the curved slot 107 and the pin 103 operate to guide the bar 102 in the height adjustment of the magnetic head 36.
- Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the height adjusting bar 102 and associated parts required for the adjusting operation of the magnetic head 36.
- the length of the lower edge 100 of the bar 102 is greater than the distance moved by the carriage 12 across the printer 10.
- the carriage 12 moves in the horizontal direction across the printer 10 while the roller 96 of the guide member 90 engages with the lower edge 100 of the adjusting bar 102 (Figs. 1 and 2).
- An L-shaped arm 104 is pivoted on a pin 106 located and secured at the left side of the bar 102.
- the L-shaped arm 104 has a pin 108 fixed thereto at the other end of the arm from the pin 106.
- the central part of the L-shaped arm 104 is pivoted on a pin 110 secured to a suitable frame portion of the printer 10.
- the pin 108 of the arm 104 engages with a slot 112 which is formed in an adjacent L-shaped arm 114 at one end thereof.
- the other end of the L-shaped arm 114 is pivoted on a pin 116 which is secured to a suitable frame portion of the printer 10.
- the central part of the L-shaped arm 114 is pivotally connected by a pin 118 to one end of a link 119.
- the other end of the link 119 is pivotally connected by a pin 121 to a plunger 120 of a latching solenoid 122 which is secured in suitable manner to the printer 10.
- the link 119 enables a smooth operation of the plunger 120 relative to the arm 114.
- a U-shaped arm 124 is pivoted at one end thereof on a pin 126 located and secured at the right side of the height adjusting bar 102.
- the central part of the U-shaped arm 124 is pivoted on a pin 128 secured to a suitable frame portion of the printer 10.
- a pin 130 is attached to the other end of the U-shaped arm 124 from the pin 126 and one end of a spring 132 is connected to the pin 130.
- the other end of the spring 132 is connected to a suitable frame portion of the printer 10.
- the spring 132 operates to urge the height adjusting bar 102 toward the right or in the direction of the arrow 134. In the illustration of Fig. 2, the bar 102 is urged toward the right and the magnetic head 36 is in a raised position relative to the platen 14.
- the structure and arrangement of the L-shaped arm 104 and of the U-shaped arm 124 are designed to provide equal dimensions in certain aspects of the height adjusting mechanism.
- the distance between the pins 106 and 110 of the L-shaped arm 104 is the same as the distance between the pins 126 and 128 of the U-shaped arm 124.
- the angle 111 between a line through the pins 106 and 110 and a horizontal line through the pins 110 and 128 is the same as the angle 131 between a line through the pins 126 and 128 and the horizontal line through the pins 110 and 128.
- the equal dimensions between the pins 106, 110 and pins 126, 128 and the equal angles 111, 131 enable the height adjusting bar 102 to be raised and lowered in a straight, horizontal manner.
- the plunger 120 moves in the direction of the arrow 136 (Fig. 2) and pulls the link 119 to cause the L-shaped arm 114 to be rotated in the counterclockwise direction about the pin 116.
- the pin 108 of the adjacent L-shaped arm 104 engages with the groove 112 to cause the L-shaped arm 104 to be rotated in the clockwise direction about the pin 110. Accordingly, since the L-shaped arm 104 and the height adjusting bar 102 are coupled to each other at one end of the bar 102, the bar is moved in a direction as shown by the curved arrow 138.
- the height adjusting guide member 90 is lowered by means of the lower edge 100 of the bar 102 being engaged with the roller 96 and which motion causes the spring 94 to be compressed and thereby to lower the magnetic head 36.
- the height adjusting bar 102 When the solenoid 122 is de-energized, the height adjusting bar 102 is moved under the action of the spring 132 in the direction opposite that shown by the curved arrow 138.
- the bar 102 can be moved in a vertical direction as shown by the arrow 140 under the actions of the L-shaped arms 104 and 114 and of the U-shaped arm 124 while maintaining the lower edge 100 of the bar 102 in a substantially parallel condition. Accordingly, the carriage 12 can be moved in a horizontal direction across the printer 10 while maintaining the height or elevation of the magnetic head 36 at a predetermined value regardless of the position (upper or lower) of the height adjusting bar 102.
- Fig. 3 illustrates a drive arrangement for the print head 16 and the carriage 12.
- the carriage 12 is supported by the lead screw 24 and the guide rod 18 (Fig. 1) for transverse movement on the printer 10.
- the print head assembly 16 is supported by a lead screw 156 and a guide rod 158 for transverse movement as shown by the double-ended arrow 160.
- the passbook 52 is shown in position between the print head assembly 16 and the carriage 12 for printing operations and for read/write operations covering the business transaction.
- a print head element 162 is disposed opposite the platen 14 and the read/write head 36 is disposed adjacent the platen 14.
- a print head guide 164 is provided for guiding and placing the passbook 52 in position relative to the read/write head 36.
- a motor 142 drives a pulley 144 around which is trained a belt 152 for driving a pulley 146 and a pulley 148 on the right end of the lead screw 156.
- a belt 154 is trained around the pulley 148 for driving a pulley 150 on the right end of the lead screw 24.
- the passbook 52 is inserted into position for printing operation and for read and write operations in a business transaction.
- the carriage 12 with the platen 14 and the magnetic read/write head 36 carried thereon and the print head assembly 16 are at the left side of the printer 10 at the start of the transaction.
- the carriage 12 is lowered by means of the cams 38 and 40, as described above, so as to facilitate the passing of the passbook 52 between the print head assembly 16 and the magnetic head 36, as shown in Fig. 3.
- the print head guide 164 along with the platen 14 and the magnetic head 36 act as upper and lower guide means for the passbook 52 as it is being conveyed or transported past the printing station.
- the passbook 52 is received and gripped by the rollers 64 and 66 (Fig. 1) and the thickness of the passbook is detected.
- the cams 38 and 40 on the shaft 42 are rotated by the motor 50 through the gears 44 and 46 which action raises the brackets 20 and 22 and the carriage 12.
- the motor 50 stops and the thickness of the passbook 52 is determined by operation of the several individual elements.
- a predetermined count of the number of steps required of the stepping motor 50, under conditions when a passbook 52 is not present between the print head assembly 16 and the platen 14, is stored in memory. In this regard, the position of the detection arm 54 is associated with the predetermined count of the required steps when a passbook 52 is not present.
- the predetermined count of the steps is then compared with the actual number of steps of the stepping motor 50 when the passbook 52 is present to determine the thickness of the passbook.
- the roller 64 is lowered by an amount corresponding to the thickness of the passbook 52 and the sensor 56 is lowered by an equal amount subject to the difference in distances of the roller 64 and the sensor 56 from the pivot shaft 62. Therefore, the detection arm 54 is detected in a position which is lower by an amount which corresponds to the thickness of the passbook 52 and the amount that the carriage 12 is raised.
- the number of steps taken by the stepping motor 50 is smaller when a passbook 52 is present and is gripped by the rollers 64 and 66 when compared with the number of steps taken by the motor 50 when no passbook is present.
- the thickness of the passbook 52 is determined from the relative positions of the individual elements wherein the gap between the print head element 162 of the print head assembly 16 and the platen 14 can be adjusted to an optimum value for printing operation.
- the detecting arm 54 and the sensor 56 can be calibrated to provide for suitable gaps for a number of printing operations dependent upon the thickness of the passbook 52 at the printing station.
- the printing operation is performed.
- the printing operation is performed under the control of a control unit (not shown).
- the print head assembly 16 and the platen 14 are positioned in opposed relationship and the print head assembly 16 and the carriage 12 are driven in synchronous manner.
- the print head assembly 16 and the carriage 12 may be driven with separate drive means or the print head assembly 16 and the carriage 12 may be driven from the same motor, as 142 in Fig. 3.
- the passbook 52 is conveyed or transported in a manner and to a position wherein the magnetic stripe 78 (Fig. 5) is located directly above the magnetic head 36.
- the magnetic head 36 is located at the left side of the print station and the height or elevation of the carriage 12 with the magnetic head 36 and the platen 14 is adjusted and maintained at the value required for the correct printing gap.
- the magnetic head 36 is moved into position to contact the magnetic stripe 78.
- the head 36 is moved should be raised to a position higher for a read/write operation than for a printing operation. This assists in preventing damage to the magnetic stripe 78 by the platen 14.
- the magnetic head 36 In such read/write position, the magnetic head 36 is brought into contact with the magnetic stripe 78.
- the magnetic head 36 is raised by means of the height adjusting mechanism shown in Fig. 2.
- the passbook 52 is gripped by the rollers 64 and 66 and is confined between the print head assembly 16 and the magnetic head 36 so that the magnetic head 36 comes into contact with the magnetic stripe 78. It is noted that pressing of the passbook 52 by the print head assembly 16 on the side opposite that of contact of the magnetic head 36 with the magnetic stripe 78 and using the read/write apparatus in read/write operation, the carriage 12 and the print head assembly 16 move in synchronous manner as in printing operation (Fig. 3).
- a passbook 52 in the open condition is shown passing the printing station, as indicated by the double line 166 in Fig. 5.
- the passbook 52 includes the pages for the printed data or information and includes the magnetic stripes 78 and 80 on the back cover of the passbook.
- the print head assembly 16 moves in the direction of the arrow 168 and prints data in the lines of the passbook 52. Reading/writing or recording operations of data are magnetically performed by the magnetic head 36 which moves with the carriage 12 and operates with the magnetic stripe 78.
- the magnetic head 82 is fixed in position relative to any transverse movement and operates with the magnetic stripe 80. In the case of the two magnetic heads 36 and 82 (Fig. 5), it is seen that separate drive mechanisms would be required to drive the two magnetic heads in read/write operations of the magnetic stripes on the passbook 52.
- the present invention provides a carriage 12 that carries the platen 14 and the magnetic head 36 as a unit across the printer, so that a separate carriage or conveying mechanism is not required for the magnetic head 36.
- the magnetic head 36 moves across the printer 10 and reads data from the horizontal magnetic stripe 78 in a carriage traversing operation.
- the magnetic head 36 may also be designed and constructed to read data from a vertical magnetic stripe 80 wherein the magnetic head 36 may be oriented relative to the stripe 80 so that the head 36 can be stopped in a predetermined position to read the stripe 80. There is no need to change the reading and writing mechanism in order to accommodate different kinds of passbooks and different arrangements of magnetic stripes.
- the providing of the magnetic head 36 on the carriage 12 and along the print line 166 enables miniaturization of the overall apparatus.
- a passbook read/write mechanism having a carriage 12 that carries both the printing platen 14 and the magnetic read/write head 36 across the printer 10 and which mechanism includes an adjusting member 102 for changing the height of the read/write head 36 relative to the platen 14.
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Description
- This invention relates to passbook handling apparatus of the kind including a print head movable across said apparatus in a direction perpendicular to a passbook feed path direction and cooperating with a platen during a printing operation on said passbook; and a magnetic head adapted to cooperate with a magnetic recording region during a magnetic read/write operation on said passbook.
- The invention has a particular application where the passbook is used in a financial instruction and wherein transaction information is printed and magnetically recorded on the passbook.
- US Patent No. 3,978,964 discloses passbook handling apparatus wherein a print head is mounted in a print head carriage which is driven across the passbook and cooperates with a platen to effect a printing operation. The apparatus also includes a magnetic read/write head mounted in a magnetic head carriage which is driven across the passbook to effect a read/write operation in a magnetic strip which is located on the passbook. The physical size of the known apparatus is large in view of the need to accommodate a drivable carriage dedicated to the magnetic read/write head.
- It is an object of the present invention to provide passbook handling apparatus of the kind specified which is of compact construction.
- Therefore, according to the present invention, there is provided passbook handling apparatus of the kind specified, characterized by a carriage carrying said platen and said magnetic head, wherein said print head and said carriage are adapted to be driven in synchronism in said direction during said printing operation and during said magnetic read/write operation.
- One embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-
- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of passbook handling apparatus incorporating the subject matter of the present invention;
- Fig. 2 is an elevational view illustrating height adjusting means for the read/write mechanism;
- Fig. 3 is an illustration of a drive arrangement for the print head assembly and the read/write mechanism;
- Fig. 4 is a plan view of a passbook in the open condition; and
- Fig. 5 is a plan view of the passbook and also showing conventional read/write apparatus.
- Referring now to the drawing, Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an arrangement for a
printer 10 that includes acarriage 12, aplaten 14, and an opposedprint head assembly 16. Theprint head assembly 16 is driven by suitable drive means (not shown) in transverse manner on theprinter 10. Thecarriage 12 is slidably carried on aguide rod 18 which is coupled to side brackets orplates carriage 12 is driven by alead screw 24 which is journaled in theside brackets lead screw 24 has apulley 26 secured to the left end thereof and abelt 28 is trained around thepulley 26 and around apulley 30 secured to the end of ashaft 32 of amotor 34. A read/writemagnetic head 36 is supported by thecarriage 12 and is positioned adjacent theplaten 14. - The right and
left brackets respective cams shaft 42 suitably journaled on theprinter 10. Thecarriage 12 which carries theplaten 14 and themagnetic head 36 is supported by means of the right andleft brackets cams shaft 42. Theshaft 42 has agear 44 secured to the right end thereof which gear meshes with agear 46 on the end of ashaft 48 of astepping motor 50. Thecarriage 12 is caused to be raised and lowered by rotational driving of theshaft 42 and thecams motor 50 wherein the gap between theprint head 16 and theplaten 14 is varied to adjust or compensate for passage of a record medium such as a passbook 52 (see also Fig. 3). - A
detection arm 54 is secured to theleft bracket 22 and extends in one direction therefrom and is positioned to be detected by asensor 56. Thesensor 56 is attached to anend 58 of asupport arm 60. Thesupport arm 60 is carried on ashaft 62 andsuch arm 60 supports alower roller 64 that is opposed to anupper roller 66 carried on ashaft 68. Thelower roller 64 is movable and is swingable on theshaft 62 whereas theupper roller 66 is in fixed position relative to theroller 64. Themovable roller 64 and the fixedroller 66 are arranged to grip thepassbook 52 therebetween as the passbook is conveyed along the feed path in theprinter 10. Acoil spring 70 is connected to theend 58 of thearm 60 and to a suitable frame portion of theprinter 10 to urge theroller 64 against theroller 66 for gripping thepassbook 52. Theupper roller 66 and thelower roller 64, in effect, operate as a passbook thickness detecting mechanism. Thesensor 56 detects upward movement of theplaten 14 and the read/writehead 36 on thecarriage 12. - In order to read data from and to write data on the
passbook 52, it is necessary to have the read/writehead 36 contact a magnetic stripe on the passbook. - Fig. 4 is a plan view of the
passbook 52 in the open condition and showing anupper portion 72 and alower portion 74 of the passbook with columns provided for printing data or information relative to business transactions. Afold line 75 joins theportions - Fig. 5 illustrates the
passbook 52 in the open condition and in position for moving through theprinter 10 in the direction of thearrow 76. Thepassbook 52 is moved into position for reading amagnetic stripe 78, oriented in the horizontal or transverse direction, or for reading amagnetic stripe 80, oriented in the vertical or passbook movement direction. Themagnetic head 36 is applicable for reading and recording data associated with themagnetic stripe 78 and amagnetic head 82 is applicable for reading and recording data associated with themagnetic stripe 80. In this regard, it is seen that themagnetic head 36 is designed to be movable across the printer for operating with themagnetic stripe 78, whereas themagnetic head 82 is fixed in position at the left side of thepassbook 52 for operating with themagnetic stripe 80. In addition to the movement of thecarriage 12 and themagnetic head 36 across theprinter 10, it is necessary to move the magnetic head in a vertical or up and down direction to accommodate the thickness of thepassbook 52. - As seen in Figs. 1 and 2, the
magnetic head 36, which is movable in the up and down direction, is pivoted on apin 84 coupled toupstanding portions guide member 90 supported on thecarriage 12. Theguide member 90 is in the form of an angle-type strap and is designed to provide for adjusting the height of themagnetic head 36 in the up and down direction. A downwardly extendingsupport pin 92 is engageable with and supports theguide member 90. Thecarriage 12 has an opening therein for slidably receiving thesupport pin 92, and acoil spring 94 is provided between a top surface of thecarriage 12 and the bottom surface of the guide member 90 (Fig 2.) for biasing thereof in the upward direction. - A
roller 96 is journaled on apin 98 secured to the bottom or lower portion of theguide member 90. Theroller 96 engages with and rolls along alower edge 100 of aheight adjusting bar 102. An upward force on theguide member 90 is applied by action of thespring 94, while upward movement ofsuch guide member 90 is limited or restricted by theroller 96 engaging with thelower edge 100 of thebar 102. Accordingly, as theheight adjusting bar 102 is urged or moved in the downward direction, theguide member 90 is moved down against the action of thespring 94, thus lowering themagnetic head 36. A companion fixedbar 101 is positioned between the downwardly extending portion of theguide member 90 and theheight adjusting bar 102. Thecompanion bar 101 is secured at the ends thereof to suitable frame portions of theprinter 10. A pin orstud 103 is secured to thebar 101 and extends through acurved slot 107 in thebar 102. A C-clip or the like 105 is placed on thepin 103 to retain thebar 102 onfixed bar 101. Thecurved slot 107 and thepin 103 operate to guide thebar 102 in the height adjustment of themagnetic head 36. - Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the
height adjusting bar 102 and associated parts required for the adjusting operation of themagnetic head 36. The length of thelower edge 100 of thebar 102 is greater than the distance moved by thecarriage 12 across theprinter 10. Thecarriage 12 moves in the horizontal direction across theprinter 10 while theroller 96 of theguide member 90 engages with thelower edge 100 of the adjusting bar 102 (Figs. 1 and 2). - An L-
shaped arm 104 is pivoted on apin 106 located and secured at the left side of thebar 102. The L-shaped arm 104 has apin 108 fixed thereto at the other end of the arm from thepin 106. The central part of the L-shaped arm 104 is pivoted on apin 110 secured to a suitable frame portion of theprinter 10. Thepin 108 of thearm 104 engages with aslot 112 which is formed in an adjacent L-shaped arm 114 at one end thereof. The other end of the L-shaped arm 114 is pivoted on apin 116 which is secured to a suitable frame portion of theprinter 10. The central part of the L-shaped arm 114 is pivotally connected by apin 118 to one end of a link 119. The other end of the link 119 is pivotally connected by apin 121 to aplunger 120 of alatching solenoid 122 which is secured in suitable manner to theprinter 10. The link 119 enables a smooth operation of theplunger 120 relative to thearm 114. - A U-shaped
arm 124 is pivoted at one end thereof on apin 126 located and secured at the right side of theheight adjusting bar 102. The central part of theU-shaped arm 124 is pivoted on apin 128 secured to a suitable frame portion of theprinter 10. Apin 130 is attached to the other end of theU-shaped arm 124 from thepin 126 and one end of aspring 132 is connected to thepin 130. The other end of thespring 132 is connected to a suitable frame portion of theprinter 10. Thespring 132 operates to urge theheight adjusting bar 102 toward the right or in the direction of thearrow 134. In the illustration of Fig. 2, thebar 102 is urged toward the right and themagnetic head 36 is in a raised position relative to theplaten 14. - The structure and arrangement of the L-shaped
arm 104 and of theU-shaped arm 124 are designed to provide equal dimensions in certain aspects of the height adjusting mechanism. The distance between thepins arm 104 is the same as the distance between thepins U-shaped arm 124. The angle 111 between a line through thepins pins angle 131 between a line through thepins pins pins equal angles 111, 131 enable theheight adjusting bar 102 to be raised and lowered in a straight, horizontal manner. - When the
solenoid 122 is energized, theplunger 120 moves in the direction of the arrow 136 (Fig. 2) and pulls the link 119 to cause the L-shapedarm 114 to be rotated in the counterclockwise direction about thepin 116. In association with such counterclockwise rotation of thearm 114, thepin 108 of the adjacent L-shapedarm 104 engages with thegroove 112 to cause the L-shapedarm 104 to be rotated in the clockwise direction about thepin 110. Accordingly, since the L-shapedarm 104 and theheight adjusting bar 102 are coupled to each other at one end of thebar 102, the bar is moved in a direction as shown by thecurved arrow 138. During such movement of theheight adjusting bar 102, thelower edge 100 thereof is maintained on a substantially level plane. As a result of this motion, the height adjustingguide member 90 is lowered by means of thelower edge 100 of thebar 102 being engaged with theroller 96 and which motion causes thespring 94 to be compressed and thereby to lower themagnetic head 36. - When the
solenoid 122 is de-energized, theheight adjusting bar 102 is moved under the action of thespring 132 in the direction opposite that shown by thecurved arrow 138. Thebar 102 can be moved in a vertical direction as shown by thearrow 140 under the actions of the L-shapedarms U-shaped arm 124 while maintaining thelower edge 100 of thebar 102 in a substantially parallel condition. Accordingly, thecarriage 12 can be moved in a horizontal direction across theprinter 10 while maintaining the height or elevation of themagnetic head 36 at a predetermined value regardless of the position (upper or lower) of theheight adjusting bar 102. - Fig. 3 illustrates a drive arrangement for the
print head 16 and thecarriage 12. Thecarriage 12 is supported by thelead screw 24 and the guide rod 18 (Fig. 1) for transverse movement on theprinter 10. Theprint head assembly 16 is supported by alead screw 156 and aguide rod 158 for transverse movement as shown by the double-endedarrow 160. Thepassbook 52 is shown in position between theprint head assembly 16 and thecarriage 12 for printing operations and for read/write operations covering the business transaction. Aprint head element 162 is disposed opposite theplaten 14 and the read/write head 36 is disposed adjacent theplaten 14. Aprint head guide 164 is provided for guiding and placing thepassbook 52 in position relative to the read/write head 36. - A
motor 142 drives apulley 144 around which is trained abelt 152 for driving apulley 146 and apulley 148 on the right end of thelead screw 156. Abelt 154 is trained around thepulley 148 for driving apulley 150 on the right end of thelead screw 24. It is thus seen that the drive arrangement shown in Fig. 3 provides for synchronous movement of theprint head assembly 16 and thecarriage 12 across theprinter 10. - In the operation of the mechanism of the present invention and referring to Fig. 1, the
passbook 52 is inserted into position for printing operation and for read and write operations in a business transaction. Thecarriage 12 with theplaten 14 and the magnetic read/write head 36 carried thereon and theprint head assembly 16 are at the left side of theprinter 10 at the start of the transaction. Thecarriage 12 is lowered by means of thecams passbook 52 between theprint head assembly 16 and themagnetic head 36, as shown in Fig. 3. Theprint head guide 164 along with theplaten 14 and themagnetic head 36 act as upper and lower guide means for thepassbook 52 as it is being conveyed or transported past the printing station. - The
passbook 52 is received and gripped by therollers 64 and 66 (Fig. 1) and the thickness of the passbook is detected. Thecams shaft 42 are rotated by themotor 50 through thegears brackets carriage 12. When thedetection arm 54 on thebracket 22 is detected by thesensor 56, themotor 50 stops and the thickness of thepassbook 52 is determined by operation of the several individual elements. A predetermined count of the number of steps required of the steppingmotor 50, under conditions when apassbook 52 is not present between theprint head assembly 16 and theplaten 14, is stored in memory. In this regard, the position of thedetection arm 54 is associated with the predetermined count of the required steps when apassbook 52 is not present. The predetermined count of the steps is then compared with the actual number of steps of the steppingmotor 50 when thepassbook 52 is present to determine the thickness of the passbook. When thepassbook 52 is gripped between therollers roller 64 is lowered by an amount corresponding to the thickness of thepassbook 52 and thesensor 56 is lowered by an equal amount subject to the difference in distances of theroller 64 and thesensor 56 from thepivot shaft 62. Therefore, thedetection arm 54 is detected in a position which is lower by an amount which corresponds to the thickness of thepassbook 52 and the amount that thecarriage 12 is raised. In this regard, it is noted that the number of steps taken by the steppingmotor 50 is smaller when apassbook 52 is present and is gripped by therollers motor 50 when no passbook is present. The thickness of thepassbook 52 is determined from the relative positions of the individual elements wherein the gap between theprint head element 162 of theprint head assembly 16 and theplaten 14 can be adjusted to an optimum value for printing operation. As an alternative, the detectingarm 54 and thesensor 56 can be calibrated to provide for suitable gaps for a number of printing operations dependent upon the thickness of thepassbook 52 at the printing station. - After the gap between the
print head element 162 and theplaten 14 has been adjusted by positioning thecarriage 12, the printing operation is performed. The printing operation is performed under the control of a control unit (not shown). During the printing operation, theprint head assembly 16 and theplaten 14 are positioned in opposed relationship and theprint head assembly 16 and thecarriage 12 are driven in synchronous manner. In this, regard, theprint head assembly 16 and thecarriage 12 may be driven with separate drive means or theprint head assembly 16 and thecarriage 12 may be driven from the same motor, as 142 in Fig. 3. - In a magnetic reading/writing operation, the
passbook 52 is conveyed or transported in a manner and to a position wherein the magnetic stripe 78 (Fig. 5) is located directly above themagnetic head 36. Themagnetic head 36 is located at the left side of the print station and the height or elevation of thecarriage 12 with themagnetic head 36 and theplaten 14 is adjusted and maintained at the value required for the correct printing gap. In the reading/writing operation, themagnetic head 36 is moved into position to contact themagnetic stripe 78. In this regard, thehead 36 is moved should be raised to a position higher for a read/write operation than for a printing operation. This assists in preventing damage to themagnetic stripe 78 by theplaten 14. In such read/write position, themagnetic head 36 is brought into contact with themagnetic stripe 78. Themagnetic head 36 is raised by means of the height adjusting mechanism shown in Fig. 2. When themagnetic head 36 is raised, thepassbook 52 is gripped by therollers print head assembly 16 and themagnetic head 36 so that themagnetic head 36 comes into contact with themagnetic stripe 78. It is noted that pressing of thepassbook 52 by theprint head assembly 16 on the side opposite that of contact of themagnetic head 36 with themagnetic stripe 78 and using the read/write apparatus in read/write operation, thecarriage 12 and theprint head assembly 16 move in synchronous manner as in printing operation (Fig. 3). - Referring again to Figs. 4 and 5, a
passbook 52 in the open condition is shown passing the printing station, as indicated by thedouble line 166 in Fig. 5. As mentioned above, thepassbook 52 includes the pages for the printed data or information and includes themagnetic stripes print head assembly 16 moves in the direction of thearrow 168 and prints data in the lines of thepassbook 52. Reading/writing or recording operations of data are magnetically performed by themagnetic head 36 which moves with thecarriage 12 and operates with themagnetic stripe 78. Themagnetic head 82 is fixed in position relative to any transverse movement and operates with themagnetic stripe 80. In the case of the twomagnetic heads 36 and 82 (Fig. 5), it is seen that separate drive mechanisms would be required to drive the two magnetic heads in read/write operations of the magnetic stripes on thepassbook 52. - The present invention provides a
carriage 12 that carries theplaten 14 and themagnetic head 36 as a unit across the printer, so that a separate carriage or conveying mechanism is not required for themagnetic head 36. Themagnetic head 36 moves across theprinter 10 and reads data from the horizontalmagnetic stripe 78 in a carriage traversing operation. Themagnetic head 36 may also be designed and constructed to read data from a verticalmagnetic stripe 80 wherein themagnetic head 36 may be oriented relative to thestripe 80 so that thehead 36 can be stopped in a predetermined position to read thestripe 80. There is no need to change the reading and writing mechanism in order to accommodate different kinds of passbooks and different arrangements of magnetic stripes. The providing of themagnetic head 36 on thecarriage 12 and along theprint line 166 enables miniaturization of the overall apparatus. - It is thus seen that herein shown and described is a passbook read/write mechanism having a
carriage 12 that carries both theprinting platen 14 and the magnetic read/write head 36 across theprinter 10 and which mechanism includes an adjustingmember 102 for changing the height of the read/write head 36 relative to theplaten 14.
Claims (5)
- Passbook handling apparatus, including a print head (16) movable across said apparatus in a direction perpendicular to a passbook feed path direction and cooperating with a platen (14) during a printing operation on said passbook (52); and a magnetic head (36) adapted to cooperate with a magnetic recording region (78) during a magnetic read/write operation on said passbook (52), characterized by a carriage (12) carrying said platen (14) and said magnetic head (36), wherein said print head (16) and said carriage (12) are adapted to be driven in synchronism in said direction during said printing operation and during said magnetic read/write operation.
- Passbook handling apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said magnetic head (36) is movably mounted by mounting means (90,92) on said carriage (12) for movement in directions towards and away from said passbook feed path, and by height adjusting means cooperating with said mounting means (90,92) and adapted to control said movement, whereby the position of said magnetic head (36) relative to said platen (14) may be changed.
- Passbook handling apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that said mounting means (90,92) is provided with a roller (96) adapted to cooperate with a shiftable plate member (102) included in said height adjusting means whereby the height of said magnetic head (36) relative to said platen (14) is maintained during the synchronous driving of said print head (16) and said carriage (12) across said apparatus.
- Passbook handling apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by sensing means (54,56) adapted to sense the thickness of said passbook (52).
- Passbook handling apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that said sensing means includes a swingable member (60) carrying a sensor device (56) adapted to cooperate with a detection member (54) associated with said carriage (12), and in that said carriage (12) is movable towards said passbook (52) in dependence on the amount of movement of said swingable member (60) when said passbook (52) engages therewith during movement along said passbook feed path.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP107928/89 | 1989-04-28 | ||
JP1107928A JP2924967B2 (en) | 1989-04-28 | 1989-04-28 | Passbook handling device |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0398517A2 EP0398517A2 (en) | 1990-11-22 |
EP0398517A3 EP0398517A3 (en) | 1992-01-29 |
EP0398517B1 true EP0398517B1 (en) | 1994-08-31 |
Family
ID=14471609
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP19900304376 Expired - Lifetime EP0398517B1 (en) | 1989-04-28 | 1990-04-24 | Passbook handling apparatus |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0398517B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2924967B2 (en) |
DE (1) | DE69011949T2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP3156455B2 (en) * | 1993-08-10 | 2001-04-16 | 富士通株式会社 | Magnetic data processing mechanism for booklet medium and booklet medium processing device |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4054198A (en) * | 1974-07-31 | 1977-10-18 | Bunker Ramo Corporation | Magnetic head control assembly for a magnetic passbook printing system |
DE7613331U1 (en) * | 1976-04-28 | 1976-10-21 | Boewe Boehler & Weber Kg Maschinenfabrik, 8900 Augsburg | CARRIER FOR A SENSOR, PROBE OR DGL. |
-
1989
- 1989-04-28 JP JP1107928A patent/JP2924967B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1990
- 1990-04-24 DE DE1990611949 patent/DE69011949T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1990-04-24 EP EP19900304376 patent/EP0398517B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JPH032071A (en) | 1991-01-08 |
DE69011949T2 (en) | 1995-05-04 |
DE69011949D1 (en) | 1994-10-06 |
EP0398517A3 (en) | 1992-01-29 |
EP0398517A2 (en) | 1990-11-22 |
JP2924967B2 (en) | 1999-07-26 |
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