Abstract:
A transaction printer includes the MICR encoding of indicia at a precise location called the amount field. In order to accomplish this, an optical sensor is provided in a transaction printer at a point-of-sale to detect the edge of the check and stage it at a known location from the thermal, MICR print head. A clutch mechanism is used to engage the print head with a platen, and to engage a read head with the check, so that indicia can be sequentially imprinted and read within the check processing machine in a single, sequential operation. During the MICR encoding operation, the main paper feed rolls are disengaged and moved away from the paper path to help provide a clear paper path.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a point-of-sale (POS) transaction printer and, more particularly, to a point-of-sale transaction printer having a thermal printer for imprinting a check with MICR characters, which are placed within the amount field of the check. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In present day point-of-sale (POS) operations, the MICR indicia that are to appear in the amount field on the check of a customer are added after the sale, and at a remote location (i.e., either at the bank, or in a separate, back room, retail site). 
     For the first time, this invention seeks to eliminate the post-operative role of supplying the required MICR indicia on a check presented for POS payment at a retail establishment. Owing to its new function, machines now being designed by the present assignee of this invention, must be able to encode and read MICR located in a specific field of the check (i.e., the amount field) at the point-of-sale. 
     In a MICR encoder of the new machine, the MICR characters must be printed at a precise distance to the right edge of the check in order to place the MICR in the proper field site. In order to accomplish this, an optical sensor is provided to detect the edge of the check and stage it at a known location from the thermal, MICR print head. It then becomes an easy matter to advance the check by a stepper, drive and print motor a fixed number of step increments in order to start the printing sequence. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a transaction printer for encoding and subsequently reading MICR indicia upon a check presented for payment at a point-of-sale. The machine comprises a presenting zone, where the check is presented to the machine with a specific facial orientation. The check is fed into the machine by a pair of selectively engagable drive rollers. The check passes an encoding MICR read head and printing zone. A reflective optical sensor disposed at the presenting zone, stages the check for various positions with respect to MICR printing and reading. As the check is fed backwardly towards the presenting zone, the lead edge of the check is sensed by the optical sensor. The sensor generates a signal in response to the sensing of the lead edge. This signal is sent to the drive rollers, commanding them to stop feeding the check. The check is now positioned for printing (encoding) the MICR characters in the amount field of the check. After the MICR indicia has been encoded by a thermal transfer printer, the drive rollers clamp and grip the check, and the check is driven past a read head of the check processing machine. The edge of the check is again sensed by the optical sensor, which sends a signal to stop the drive rollers. The MICR indicia are then read by the read head. After reading and verifying the MICR characters, the check is driven out of the check processing machine, and presented to the operator. The drive rollers are then opened to allow the operator to remove the check. 
     Novel to the thermal transfer printer of the check processing machine, is a bi-directional clutch, which provides proper sequencing of indicia printing and reading. The bi-directional clutch comprises an internal pawl that engages a detent notch in a cam that raises and lowers a platen lift arm controlling the print platen, as the check is positioned for MICR imprinting and reading operations. 
     Another novel feature of this invention resides in the single stepper motor drive for the bi-directional clutch. All the sequencing between printing of the MICR indicia, and the reading and verifying of the MICR, can be accomplished in one sequential operation. This is due to the novel single stepper drive and bi-directional clutch, which allow the check to be processed in one continuous back-and-forth motion along the feed path of the check processing machine. The check is first introduced into the machine, and the bi-directional clutch is rotated clockwise from a home position to a MICR encode position. Then, the clutch is rotated clockwise again to a MICR read position. The clutch is then further rotated clockwise to the home position. The check is then driven from the machine by the drive rollers. 
     Another novel feature of the present invention is a selectively engagable drive system which moves the check in and out of the printer/MICR encoder. A special drive is employed only for the MICR encoding operation. During the MICR encoding operation, the main drive rolls are disengaged and moved out of the paper path so as to avoid paper jams. 
     It is an object of this invention to provide a check processing machine for encoding and verifying MICR indicia on a check at a point-of-sale. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide an improved check processing machine wherein a check is imprinted with MICR indicia in the amount field of the check at the point-of-sale. 
     It is a further object of this invention to provide a check processing machine that can imprint MICR indicia and read the MICR indicia in one sequential operation. 
     It is yet another object of the invention to provide a check processing machine that can process a check in a single, sequential operation as a result of a novel bi-directional clutch that is driven by a single stepper drive motor. 
     It is a still further object of the invention to provide a transaction printer wherein the main drive rollers may be disengaged and moved out of the paper path during the MICR encoding operation. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent detailed description, in which: 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of a check processing apparatus in a first check handling position corresponding to the insertion of a check; 
     FIG. 2 depicts a schematic view of a check processing apparatus in a second check handling position corresponding to the MICR encoding of indicia thereupon; 
     FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of a check processing apparatus in a third check handling position corresponding to reading of the imprinted MICR characters on the check; 
     FIGS. 4 a  and  4   b  illustrate respective, front cut-away and side views of a bi-directional clutch for driving the platen and print head arm lift cam, shown in FIGS. 1 through 3; and 
     FIG. 5 depicts a perspective, exploded view of the check processing apparatus shown schematically in FIGS. 1 through 3, and including the bi-directional clutch illustrated in cutaway in FIGS. 4 a  and  4   b.    
     For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and components will bear the same designation and numbering throughout the figures. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Generally speaking, the invention features a check processing machine that encodes and reads MICR indicia at a point-of-sale. A sensor is provided in the MICR encoding machine to detect the edge of the check and allow precise registration of the check for subsequent printing of the MICR characters. The sensor also provides check location information to the control electronics for reading and verifying the encoded indicia. 
     Referring to FIG. 1, a check processing apparatus  10  is shown. A check (not shown) is inserted into the check processing apparatus  10  at point A with a face down orientation. The check is fed into the apparatus  10 , along the check feed path  11 . The apparatus  10  is designed to encode the check with MICR indicia at the point-of-sale. To provide the MICR characters, a MICR encoder print head  16  and a MICR verifying reader  19  are disposed along feed path  11 . 
     A pressure pad  20  is located above the MICR read head  19 . This pressure pad presses the check, or other printed media, against the read head  19  to ensure good contact. A link  22  is connected to the pressure pad  20  through a pivot pin  21 . A slot  12  at the distal end of the link  22 , causes the link to be guided by link pin  24 , which is fixedly attached to the end of the print head arm  14 . The print head arm  14  is biased upwardly (arrow  33 , FIG. 2) via spring  18  that is anchored to the housing pin  26 . The pin  24  which rides in slot  12 , is biased against the upper end of slot  12  by the tension spring  23  that is attached at its other end to pin  25 . The spring  23  provides the contact force for pressure pad  20 , as pin  24  moves away from pin  25  guided by the slot in link  22 . The check, or other media, is driven by feed rollers  27  and  28 , which are part of the point-of-sale printer (not shown), which is positioned to the rear of the check processing apparatus  10 . 
     A reflective optical sensor  29  disposed at point A stages the check for the various positions of the MICR print mechanism. In the home position  1 , shown in FIG. 1, the cam  6  holds the print head  16  away from the platen  30  by bearing against pin  15 . Pressure pad  20  is also held away from the MICR read head  19  in the home position, as previously mentioned. Therefore, a check or other media can now be inserted into the print zone B of the check processing apparatus  10 . Feed rollers  27  and  28 , which are normally separated, are now clamped together to grip the inserted check, and to feed it into the main printer unit for validation of account information on the check. The feed rollers  27  and  28  are rotated by a stepper motor (not shown). The check is driven back out (arrow  32 ) when the account validation operation is complete. The feed rollers  27  and  28  stop feeding the check when the lead edge of the check is detected by the reflective optical sensor  29  at point A. The check is now positioned for printing (encoding) of the MICR characters in the amount field of the check. 
     Referring to FIG. 2, the second position of the transaction printer  10  is illustrated. In this position, also known as the MICR encode position, cam  6  rotates clockwise (arrow  34 ), so that there is now clearance between the cam  6  and pin  15 . This allows the print head  16  to press a print ribbon (not shown) and the check against platen  30 . A detent spring  7  engages in a suitable notch  6 B in the cam to hold the cam position. The cam  6  and platen  30  are both rotatively fixed upon the power input shaft  1 . The cam  6  or platen  30  are selectively driven by the shaft  1 , when the shaft  1  rotates either clockwise (arrow  34 ) to drive cam  6 , or counter-clockwise (arrow  36 , FIG. 2) to drive the platen  30 . This is accomplished by a bi-directional clutch mechanism  50  disposed within the cam  6 , as explained hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 4 a,    4   b,  and  5 . Shaft  1  is driven in the counter-clockwise direction  36 , in order to drive the platen  30  in the same direction. The edge of the check is detected by the reflective optical sensor  29  at point A. This commands the control electronics of the transaction printer  10  to start energizing the heater elements on the print head  16 , which melts and transfers a wax-based ink from the ribbon to the check, thereby forming the MICR characters. It should be noted that feed rollers  27  and  28  are disengaged (opened), before platen  30  starts rotating. The disengaging of feed rollers  27 ,  28  helps provide a clear paper path during the time the check (not shown) is being moved by a stepper motor (not shown). Pressure pad  20  and MICR read head  19  are also held apart. 
     Referring to FIG. 3, the third position of apparatus  10  is shown. In this position, the MICR indicia printed upon the check are read. Feed rollers  27  and  28  are clamped together and grip the check, after the MICR indicia has been printed. Power input shaft  1  rotates clockwise and drives the cam  6  half-way to its high point. In this position, there is clearance between the print head  16  and platen  30 , and also between pressure pad  20  and the MICR read head  19 . The check is then driven back out of the apparatus  10 , where it is detected by the reflective optical sensor  29 , which stops the feed rollers  27  and  28 . Shaft  1  continues rotating clockwise and drives cam  6  to its high point against pin  15 , and stops. This allows pressure pad  20  to contact and press the check against the MICR read head  19 . Feed rollers  27  and  28  then drive the check past the MICR read head  19 , which verifies the printed MICR characters. Cam  6  is then rotated clockwise back to position  1 , so that there is again clearance between print head  16  and platen  30  and pressure pad  20  and the MICR read head  19 . Feed rollers  27  and  28  then drive the check back out of the check processing apparatus  10  and present it to the operator. Feed rollers  27  and  28  open to allow removal of the check. The mechanism is now back at the home position (FIG.  1 ), and is now ready for another point-of-sale transaction. 
     It can be observed that the optical sensor  29  plays a very important role in the processing of MICR imprinting and reading. The amount field must be precisely and accurately ascertained for both operations. Sensing the leading edge of the check precisely locates the amount field upon the check being processed. It then becomes an easy matter to advance the check by a stepper drive and print motor a fixed number of step increments in order to start the printing or read sequences. 
     Now referring to FIGS. 4 a  and  4   b,  respective frontal cut-away and side views are shown of the bi-directional clutch  50 , which drives cam  6  and platen  30 . A drive dog  2  is fixedly coupled to the input shaft  1  via set screws  3 . A drive pawl  4  is pivotally attached to the drive dog  2  via pivot pin  5 . The pawl tooth  4   a  ramps away from the angular detent surface of notch  8   a  disposed in clutch surface  8 , when the shaft  1  is rotated in the clockwise direction (arrow  34 , FIG.  2 ). The tooth  4   a  then engages in notch  6   a  disposed on cam  6 . The cam  6  is normally held in position by leaf spring  7 , which engages detent notch  6   b.  As the drive dog  2  continues to rotate in the clockwise direction (arrow  34 ), the detent force of leaf spring  7  is overcome, and the cam  6  rotates to the MICR encode position shown in FIG.  2 . 
     The pawl tooth  4   b  ramps away from the angular detent surface  6   a  in cam  6 , when the shaft  1  rotates in the counterclockwise direction (arrow  36 , FIG.  2 ). The leaf spring  9  normally disposed in the detent  8   b  of the clutch surface  8 , and which holds same in position, is overcome by the counter-rotative force, allowing the check processing apparatus  10  to achieve the MICR read position, shown in FIG.  3 . The clutch  50  is driven by a stepper motor  40 , the shaft  1  of which supports platen  30  via bearings  41 , shown in FIG. 4 b.  An arm  42  attached to shaft  1  passes through an optical sensor  43 , as shown. The optical sensor  43  detects a home position of stepper motor  40 , and hence the position of the cam  6 . 
     Referring to FIG. 5, an exploded, perspective view of the actual check processing apparatus  10  is shown. A cassette  70  contains a roll  71  of thermal ribbon  72 . The ribbon  72  is moved across the surface  73  of cassette  70 , as the roll  71  is rotated by shaft  1 . The ribbon  72  is threaded through the printing stage  74 . 
     Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention. 
     Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims. 
     The present invention is particularly directed to use in a transaction printer which will employ varying features and functions, described in differing aspects, in any one or more of the following group of copending patent applications, all filed concurrently on Aug. 7, 1998: AXI-126 to Martinez et al for “COMPACT RIBBON CASSETTE”, Ser. No. 09/130,598; AXI-139 to Martinez et al for “THERMAL TRANSFER MICR POINT-OF-SALE PRINTER”, Ser. No. 09/131,109; AXI-140 to Martinez for “RIBBON CASSETTE HAVING END OF RIBBON SENSING”, Ser. No. 09/130,716; AXI-141 to Rowlands for “POINT-OF-SALE MICR PRINTING AND READING”, Ser. No. 09/130,811; AXI-143 to Turner for “RIBBON CASSETTE FOR IMPACT PRINTER”, Ser. No. 09,130,699; AXI-145 to Martinez et al for “COMPACT RIBBON CASSETTE WITH INTEGRAL FRICTION PLATE”, Ser. No. 09/131,189; AXI-146 to Martinez et al for “COMPACT RIBBON CASSETTE WITH MESHING GEAR POSITIVE DRIVE”, Ser. No. 09/130,715; AXI-148 to Martinez et al for “THERMAL TRANSFER MICR PRINTER”, Ser. No. 09/131,112; AXI-149 to Walls et al for “CHECK PROCESSING”, Ser. No. 09/131,111; AXI-150 to Martinez et al for “CHECK PROCESSING MICR PRINTER AND ENCODER”, Ser. No. 09/130,700.