Patent Publication Number: US-8109502-B2

Title: Media feeding device with open/close member

Description:
This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-040320, filed Feb. 24, 2009, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of Technology 
     The present invention relates to a media feeding device that is used in media processing devices such as check processing devices, printers, scanners, and magnetic reading devices to feed sheet media such as checks and recording paper one sheet at a time. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     In banks and other financial institutions, checks, promissory notes, and other check-like negotiable instruments (collectively referred to as “checks” herein) submitted for payment or processing are loaded into a check processing device to capture an image of the front, read the magnetic ink character line, and sort the checks according to the reading result. As electronic processing of such instruments has become more common, the captured image data and magnetic ink character data is processed by computer, and the check information is managed by computer. A media feeding device that is used to feed sheet media to such check processing devices is taught in Japanese Unexamined Patent Appl. Pub. JP-A-2009-018892. 
     In the media feeding device taught in JP-A-2009-018892, the multiple checks inserted to a check insertion unit are delivered into a check feed path by a delivery roller, and a check separation mechanism disposed to the check feed path separates and sequentially feeds the delivered checks one by one to the check transportation path. When the checks are loaded into the check insertion unit, the path is blocked by the check separation mechanism so that the checks are not set in the check insertion unit deeply to the downstream side of the check separation mechanism. As a result, the timing at which the check is passed to the transportation roller on the transportation path side after passing the check separation mechanism is not too early and the checks are not fed at an inconsistent feed rate by the transportation roller before it reaches the constant speed of rotation. 
     A media separation mechanism is not needed in a media feeding device to which checks are inserted one at a time to the check insertion unit and are fed by the delivery roller into the transportation path. Because the check feed path between the check insertion unit and the check transportation path is therefore always open, there is a danger that a check may be inserted deeply to the check transportation path side when a check is inserted to the check insertion unit. To solve this problem, the check feed path can be blocked so that the checks can be loaded without entering deeply to the check transportation path side, and the check feed path can be opened when a check is fed. 
     However, the delivery roller and drive source therefor, and a pressure member for pressing the check to the delivery roller and a drive source therefor, are disposed to the check insertion unit and the check feed path. If a mechanism for opening and closing the check feed path is provided in addition to these parts, additional space must be provided to accommodate said mechanism, and the device size may therefore increase. The parts count also increases and device cost therefore increases. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A media feeding device according to the present invention enables rendering an opening and closing mechanism to the media delivery path for feeding sheet media from a media insertion unit using few parts and without requiring a large installation space, and by means of this opening and closing mechanism prevents passing the sheet medium to the transportation roller before the transportation roller reaches the specified constant speed. 
     A media feeding device according to a first aspect of the invention includes a media insertion unit to which a sheet medium is inserted; a media feed path to which the sheet medium is fed from the media insertion unit; a delivery roller that feeds the sheet medium from the media insertion unit toward the media feed path; a pressure member that can move between a pressure position pressing the sheet medium to the outside surface of the delivery roller, and a retracted position retracted from the outside surface; an open/close member that can move between a closed position intruding into the media feed path, and an open position retracted from the media feed path; and an urging member that urges the open/close member to the closed position side or the open position side. The pressure member moves the open/close member to the open position in resistance to the urging force of the urging member when moving from the retracted position to the pressure position, or moves the open/close member to the closed position in resistance to the urging force of the urging member when moving from the pressure position to the retracted position. 
     Because an open/close member that can open and close the media feed path is disposed in this aspect of the invention, when the open/close member is in the closed position, setting the sheet medium further to the inside of the media feed path from the media insertion unit can be prevented. The time until the sheet medium is passed to the transportation mechanism of the transportation path continuing downstream from the media feed path can therefore be prevented from becoming shorter than expected. In addition, because the open/close member that opens and closes the media feed path can be pushed and moved by the pressure member that presses the sheet medium to the delivery roller, a dedicated drive source for moving the open/close member does not need to be provided. The parts count can therefore be reduced and the device cost can be reduced. 
     Further preferably, this aspect of the invention also has a drive unit for moving the pressure member to the pressure position and the retracted position, and a detector that detects the sheet medium at the media insertion unit. The media feed path is a path for conveying the sheet medium through a media transportation path that passes a reading position for reading information recorded on the sheet medium. The drive unit stops driving when the pressure member is moved to the retracted position when the detector does not detect the sheet medium at the media insertion unit. When the detector detects the sheet medium at the media insertion unit, the drive unit starts driving the drive unit, moves the pressure mechanism to the pressure position, and starts transportation by the delivery roller at a timing when the sheet medium can be passed to the transportation mechanism of the media transportation path that starts driving based on detection of the sheet medium in the media insertion unit after the transportation speed of the transportation mechanism reaches a rated speed. 
     If transportation by the delivery roller can be started at a timing when the sheet medium is passed to the transportation mechanism after the transportation mechanism on the media transportation path has reached a condition in which it can convey the sheet medium at a constant speed, the sheet medium can be prevented from being passed to the transportation mechanism before it has reached a stable speed and transportation at an unstable speed can be prevented. Reading errors and a drop in reading accuracy by a reading device on the downstream side can therefore be suppressed. 
     In another aspect of the invention the media feed path has a pair of opposing walls disposed in opposition for guiding the sheet medium; the open/close member is an opening and closing lever that is supported so that one end thereof can pivot in a direction crossing the media feed path; the urging member is a spring member that urges the opening and closing lever in a first pivot direction causing said one end to enter the media feed path from an opening formed in one of the pair of opposing walls; and the pressure member pushes the other end of the opening and closing lever and causes the opening and closing lever to rotate opposite the first pivot direction when the pressure member moves to the pressure position. 
     Further preferably in this aspect of the invention, the pressure member is a lever member that pivots in the same pivot plane as the opening and closing lever; and as a result of the pivoting operation opposite the first pivot direction of the lever member, the distal end part of the lever member moves toward the delivery roller, and another part of the lever member pushes the other end of the opening and closing lever and causes the opening and closing lever to pivot opposite the first pivot direction. 
     By thus urging a pivotably disposed opening and closing lever in a specific pivot direction by means of a spring member, the opening and closing lever can be made to pivot in the pressure direction when the opening and closing lever is pressed by the pressure member, and when the pressure member retracts, the opening and closing lever can be returned to the original position by means of the urging force of the opening and closing lever. The opening and closing lever can therefore be moved in conjunction with movement of the pressure member. 
     Another aspect of the invention is media processing device having a reading device that reads information on a sheet medium at a reading position, and the media feeding device described herein. 
     Effect of the Invention 
     By having an open/close member that can open and close the media feed path, the invention can prevent setting the sheet medium further inside from the media feed path, and can prevent the time until the sheet medium is passed to the transportation mechanism of the transportation path continuing downstream from the media feed path from becoming shorter than expected. In addition, because the open/close member can be pushed and moved by the pressure member that presses the sheet medium to the delivery roller, a dedicated drive source for moving the open/close member does not need to be provided. The parts count can therefore be reduced and the device cost can be reduced. 
     Other objects and attainments together with a fuller understanding of the invention will become apparent and appreciated by referring to the following description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an oblique view of a check processing device according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view of the check processing device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic block diagram showing the control system of the check processing device in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a flow chart describing the check processing operation of the check processing device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  schematically describes the configuration and operation of the check feeding device. 
         FIG. 6  is a flow chart of the check feeding process. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A preferred embodiment of a check processing device according to the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying figures. 
     General Configuration 
       FIG. 1  is an oblique view of a check processing device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, and  FIG. 2  is a plan view of the check processing device. 
     The check processing device  1  (media processing device) has a main case  2  and a cover case  3  covering the top thereof, and is configured with various other parts thereinside. A check  4  (sheet medium) transportation path  5  rendered by a narrow vertical channel is formed in the cover case  3 . The transportation path  5  is generally U-shaped when seen from above, and includes a straight upstream-side transportation path portion  6 , a curved transportation path portion  7  continuing from the upstream-side transportation path portion  6 , and a slightly curving downstream-side transportation path portion  8  continuing from the curved transportation path portion  7 . 
     A check feeding device  9  (media feeding device) is disposed on the upstream side of the upstream-side transportation path portion  6 . The check feeding device  9  has a check insertion unit  10  that is a wide vertical pocket, and feeds the checks  4  inserted to the check insertion unit  10  one at a time to the upstream-side transportation path portion  6 . The downstream end of the downstream-side transportation path portion  8  is connected to first and second check discharge units  12  and  13 , which are wide vertical channels, through diversion paths  11   a  and  11   b  that branch left and right. A flapper  11   c  is disposed to the junction of the diversion paths  11   a  and  11   b , and the checks  4  are sorted by switching the position of this flapper  11   c . A sensor not shown for detecting insertion of a check  4  is disposed to the check insertion unit  10 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , a front scanner  14  as a front image reading means and a back scanner  15  as a back image reading means are disposed to the upstream-side transportation path portion  6 . The magnetic head  16  for magnetic ink character reading is disposed on the downstream side of the back scanner  15 . A printing mechanism  17  is disposed to the downstream-side transportation path portion  8 . The printing mechanism  17  is a configuration that can be moved by a drive motor (not shown in the figure) between a printing position pressed to the check  4  and a retracted position removed from the printing position. 
     Various sensors for check transportation control are disposed to the transportation path  5 . A paper length detector  111  for detecting the length of the fed check  4  is disposed to a position at the upstream side of the upstream-side transportation path portion  6 . A multifeed detector for detecting check  4  multifeeding is disposed opposite the magnetic head  16 . 
     A jam detector  113  is disposed at a position on the downstream side of the curved transportation path portion  7 , and when a check  4  is detected for at least a specified time by the jam detector  113 , a check is known to be jammed in the transportation path  5 . 
     A print detector  114  for detecting the presence of a check  4  printed by the printing mechanism  17  is disposed at a position in the middle of the downstream-side transportation path portion  8 . A discharge detector  115  for detecting checks discharged to the diversion paths  11   a  and  11   b  to the first and second check discharge units  12  and  13  is disposed at the junction therebetween. 
     Control System 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic block diagram showing the control system of the check processing device  1 . The control system of the check processing device  1  includes a control unit  101  having ROM and RAM and configured around a CPU. The control unit  101  is connected to a host computer system  103  through a communication cable  102 . 
     The computer system  103  has input and output devices such as a display device  103   a , and a operating unit  103   b  such as a keyboard and mouse. Commands such as for starting the check reading operation are input from the computer system  103  to the control unit  101 . 
     When the control unit  101  receives a reading operation start command, the control unit  101  drives the transportation motor  18  to cause the transportation rollers (not shown in the figure) disposed to the transportation path  5  to turn while driving the drive motor  30  and drive motor  31  of the check feeding device  9  to feed the checks  4  one at a time from the check insertion unit  10  to the transportation path  5  and conveying the fed check  4  through the transportation path  5 . The front image information, back image information, and magnetic ink character information of the check  4  read by the front scanner  14 , the back scanner  15 , and the magnetic head  16  are input to the control unit  101 . This information is supplied to the computer system  103 , image processing and character recognition processing operations are executed, whether the check was read correctly is determined, and the result of the decision is supplied to the control unit  101 . Based on this result, the control unit  101  controls driving the printing mechanism  17  and flapper  11   c.    
     The control unit  101  controls check  4  feeding and transportation through the transportation path  5  based on detection signals from the check detection sensor  112  disposed to the check insertion unit  10 , and detection signals from the paper length detector  111 , multifeed detector, jam detector  113 , jam detector  113 , and discharge detector  115  disposed to the transportation path  5 . Note that an operating unit  105  including a power switch and operating switches rendered in the main case  2  is connected to the control unit  101 . 
     Check Processing Operation 
       FIG. 4  is a flow chart describing the processing operation of the check processing device  1 . When a start reading command is input as a result of the operator operating the operating unit  103   b  of the host computer system  103 , or operating the operating unit  105 , whether or not a check  4  was inserted is determined based on the check detection sensor  112  of the check insertion unit  10  (step ST 1 ). If a check  4  was detected, the feed operation that delivers a check  4  from the check insertion unit  10  to the transportation path  5  is executed (step ST 2 ). This check feeding operation is further described in detail below. 
     The fed check  4  is then conveyed through the transportation path  5  (step ST 3 ). The front image, back image, and magnetic ink characters on the conveyed check  4  are read by the front scanner  14 , the back scanner  15 , and the magnetic head  16 , respectively (step ST 4 ). 
     The read information is sent through the communication cable  102  to the host computer system  103  (step ST 5 ). The read front image, back image, and magnetic ink character information is processed on the computer system  103  side, and whether the check was read normally is determined. 
     A read error occurs if the check  4  is conveyed with the top and bottom upside down because the magnetic ink characters cannot be read. A read error also occurs if the check  4  is conveyed with the front and back reversed because the magnetic ink character information cannot be read. A read error may also occur if the check  4  is folded, torn, or skewed and a part of the magnetic ink characters cannot be read. A read error also occurs if specific information such as the check amount cannot be recognized from the front and back image data because the check  4  is creased, torn, or conveyed in a skewed position. 
     If it is determined that the check was read normally, the printing mechanism  17  is moved to the printing position (step ST 8 , ST 10 ). The check  4  is printed with an endorsement, for example, by the printing mechanism  17  while being conveyed, discharged into the first discharge unit  12  by the flapper  11   c , and the transportation operation then ends (step ST 10 , ST 11 , ST 12 ). 
     However, if it is determined that a read error occurred or reading is not possible (step ST 8 ), the flapper  11   c  is switched (step ST 14 ). The printing mechanism  17  is held in the standby position, and does not print on the check  4 . The check  4  is then diverted to the second discharge unit  13  by the flapper  11   c  and discharged thereinto, and the transportation operation then ends (step ST 14 , ST 11 , ST 12 ). 
     Check Feeding Device 
       FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 5B  describe the configuration and operation of the check feeding device  9 . 
     The check insertion unit  10  (media insertion unit) of the check feeding device  9  is basically defined by a left and right pair of a first media guide surface  21  and second media guide surface  22 , and a bottom  20 . 
     The first media guide surface  21  is a straight, flat vertical surface. 
     The second media guide surface  22  includes a parallel guide surface part  22   a  disposed parallel to the first media guide surface  21  with a specific gap therebetween, an inclined guide surface part  22   b  that extends at an angle from the front end of the parallel guide surface part  22   a  to the first media guide surface  21  side, and a delivery-side parallel guide surface part  22   c  disposed from the end of the inclined guide surface part  22   b  opposite and parallel to the first media guide surface  21  with a narrow gap therebetween. 
     A wide check storage part  10   a  for inserting the checks  4  is defined by the parallel guide surface part  22   a  of the second media guide surface  22  and the first media guide surface  21  opposite thereto. The width of the part of the check storage part  10   a  at the downstream side in the transportation direction is gradually narrowed by the inclined guide surface part  22   b , and is connected to a narrow check feed opening  23   a  of a constant width. The check feed opening  23   a  is defined by a delivery-side parallel guide surface part  22   c  (opposing wall) and the part of the first media guide surface  21  (opposing wall) opposite thereto. The end of this check feed path  23  is a check feed opening  23   a  connected to the transportation path  5 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 5 , the check feeding device  9  has a delivery roller  25  for feeding the checks  4 , a paper pressure member  26  (pressure member, lever member) for pressing the checks  4  to the delivery roller  25  side, and an open/close lever  27  (opening and closing member) for opening and closing the entrance from the check storage part  10   a  to the check feed path  23  in conjunction with operation of the paper pressure member  26 . The open/close lever  27  is shaded in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 5  so that the contour of the open/close lever  27  is more easily discernible. The check feeding device  9  also has a drive motor  30  for rotationally driving the delivery roller  25 , and a drive motor  31  (see  FIG. 3 ) for operating the paper pressure member  26  between the pressure position A 1  and refracted position A 2  further described below. 
     The delivery roller  25  is disposed along the first media guide surface  21 , and the outside surface  25   a  thereof protrudes slightly from the first media guide surface  21  into the check storage part  10   a . An opening  22   e  (see  FIG. 1 ) is formed in the parallel guide surface part  22   a  of the second media guide surface  22  opposite the delivery roller  25 . 
     The paper pressure member  26  is attached so that it can pivot horizontally on a first vertical support shaft  32  disposed beside the check feed opening  23   a  (the top side in  FIG. 5 ). The paper pressure member  26  extends from the first vertical support shaft  32  to the entrance side of the check storage part  10   a  (the left side in  FIG. 5 ), and a balloon part  26   b  that balloons out to the delivery roller  25  side (the bottom in  FIG. 5 ) is formed on the end of the distal end part  26   a . This balloon part  26   b  can move in and out of the check storage part  10   a  through the opening  22   e  in the second media guide surface  22  in conjunction with the pivoting action of the paper pressure member  26  on the first vertical support shaft  32 . 
     The open/close lever  27  is attached so that it can pivot horizontally on a second vertical support shaft  33  disposed between the inclined guide surface part  22   b  and the paper pressure member  26 . The open/close lever  27  is urged by the spring force of a torsion spring  28  (spring member) attached to the second vertical support shaft  33  in the pivoting direction (clockwise in  FIG. 5 ) causing the front end part  27   a  extending to the check feed opening  23   a  side (the right in  FIG. 5 ) to enter the check feed path  23 . The back end part  27   b  of the open/close lever  27  is urged by this spring force to the paper pressure member  26  side, and is stopped at a position in contact with a recessed part  26   c  formed at a corner part of the balloon part  26   b  on the first vertical support shaft  32  side. 
       FIG. 5A  shows the pressure position A 1  of the paper pressure member  26  where the balloon part  26   b  protrudes into the check storage part  10   a , and the open position B 1  of the open/close lever  27  where the front end part  27   a  is retracted from the check feed path  23 . At the pressure position A 1  the balloon part  26   b  of the paper pressure member  26  protrudes to a position applying pressure to the outside surface  25   a  of the delivery roller  25  protruding from the first media guide surface  21  into the check storage part  10   a . Because the recessed part  26   c  at the balloon part  26   b  is proximal to the check storage part  10   a  in this position, the back end part  27   b  of the open/close lever  27  being pushed by the recessed part  26   c  pivots to the check storage part  10   a  side against the spring force of the torsion spring  28 , and the front end part  27   a  moves to the open position B 1  retracted from the check feed path  23 . More specifically, closing of the check feed path  23  by the front end part  27   a  of the open/close lever  27  is cancelled in the open position B 1 . 
       FIG. 5B  shows the retracted position A 2  of the paper pressure member  26  where the balloon part  26   b  is retracted from inside the check storage part  10   a , and the closed position B 2  of the open/close lever  27  where the front end part  27   a  closes the check feed path  23 . The paper pressure member  26  is substantially parallel to the check storage part  10   a , and the balloon part  26   b  and the recessed part  26   c  formed at the corner thereof are separated from the check storage part  10   a , at the retracted position A 2 . In this position, the open/close lever  27  moves to the closed position B 2  where the back end part  27   b  pivots to a position touching the recessed part  26   c  removed from the check storage part  10   a  by the spring force, and the front end part  27   a  is inserted to the check feed path  23 . When in the closed position B 2 , the open/close lever  27  closes the check feed path  23  by means of the part curled into a hook shape at the distal end of the front end part  27   a.    
     The check feeding device  9  according to this embodiment of the invention is configured premised on checks being inserted to the check insertion unit  10  and read one at a time, and a media separation mechanism such as provided in a device according to the related art is not provided. As a result, the open/close lever  27  is disposed so that the check feed path  23  can be closed to prevent a check  4  from being set deeply into the transportation path  5  side. 
     Check Feeding Operation 
       FIG. 6  is a flow chart of the check feeding process executed in step ST 2  in the flow chart shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     When a check  4  is not detected in step ST 1  in  FIG. 4 , the drive motor  30  is driven and stopped after the paper pressure member  26  is moved to the retracted position A 2 . Because the open/close lever  27  is stopped at the closed position B 2  at this time, the entrance to the check feed path  23  is closed by the front end part  27   a  of the open/close lever  27 . As a result, the distal end of a check  4  will not be set to a position deeper than the open/close lever  27 . 
     When the check detection sensor  112  detects a check  4  inserted to the check insertion unit  10 , the control unit  101  first starts driving the transportation motor  18  to cause the transportation rollers (not shown in the figure) disposed along the transportation path  5  to start turning (step ST 21 ). The control unit  101  then determines if the speed of rotation of the transportation motor  18  has reached the rated speed (step ST 22 ), and repeats this decision step until the speed of the transportation motor  18  reaches the rated speed. When it is determined that the rotational speed of the transportation motor  18  reached the rated speed, driving the drive motors  30  and  31  starts (step ST 23 ). 
     In step ST 23  the control unit  101  rotates the paper pressure member  26  to the pressure position A 1  by rotationally driving the drive motor  31   a  specific amount. As a result, the check  4  is pressed to the delivery roller  25  side by the balloon part  26   b  of the paper pressure member  26 . Because driving the drive motor  30  also starts at this time and the delivery roller  25  starts turning, the check  4  pressed to the delivery roller  25  is fed to the check feed path  23  side. Note that the timing when driving the drive motor  30  starts may be the timing when movement of the paper pressure member  26  to the pressure position A 1  is completed, or a later time. 
     When feeding the check  4  by means of the delivery roller  25  starts, the open/close lever  27  that closes the entrance to the check feed path  23  by means of the front end part  27   a  has already moved completely to the open position B 1  in conjunction with the rotation of the paper pressure member  26  to the pressure position A 1 . As a result, the check  4  advanced by the delivery roller  25  is not blocked by the open/close lever  27 , and enters the transportation path  5  through the check feed path  23 . 
     The check  4  fed into the transportation path  5  is passed to the transportation roller that is driven by the transportation motor  18 , which has already reached the rated constant speed, and is rotating at the rated speed. The check  4  therefore passes the reading positions of the front scanner  14 , back scanner  15 , and magnetic head  16  at the rated speed. 
     Because a open/close lever  27  that closes the check feed path  23  is disposed in this embodiment of the invention, setting the check  4  deeply into the transportation path  5  side can be prevented. The leading end of the check  4  fed by the delivery roller  25  is therefore prevented from reaching the transportation rollers of the transportation path  5  sooner than expected, and the check  4  can be prevented from being gripped by the transportation rollers and conveyed before the transportation rollers reach the rated speed. 
     Furthermore, because this embodiment of the invention is configured so that the open/close lever  27  is driven to the open position B 1  by the paper pressure member  26  that presses the check  4  to the delivery roller  25 , and is returned to the closed position B 2  by the spring force when the paper pressure member  26  returns to the retracted position A 2 , pressing the check  4  to the delivery roller  25  and opening and closing the entrance to the check feed path  23  can be linked using a single drive power source. A common drive source can therefore be used to operate two members, the parts count can be reduced, and device cost can be reduced. 
     In addition, when insertion of a check  4  is detected in this embodiment of the invention, driving the transportation motor  18  that is the drive source of the transportation rollers disposed at various positions along the transportation path  5  starts first, and driving the drive motors  30  and  31  of the check feeding device  9  starts after the rotational speed of the transportation motor  18  reaches a substantially constant speed. Therefore, the check  4  fed into the transportation path  5  can be passed to transportation rollers that have already reached the rated speed, and can be read consistently by the front scanner  14 , back scanner  15 , and magnetic head  16 . The occurrence of read errors and a drop in reading precision can therefore be prevented. 
     Other Embodiments 
     The paper pressure member  26  of the check feeding device  9  is driven by a drive motor  31  that is separate from the drive motor  30  that rotationally drives the delivery roller  25 , but a configuration in which the drive power of the drive motor  30  is transferred through a transmission mechanism to the paper pressure member  26 , and the drive motor  30  is used as a common drive source for driving three members, that is, the delivery roller  25 , the paper pressure member  26 , and the open/close lever  27 , is also conceivable. 
     Driving the drive motors  30  and  31  starts after a rotary encoder or other sensor detects that the rotational speed of the transportation motor  18  has reached the rated speed in the embodiment described above, but the rise time required for the stepping motor or other type of transportation motor  18  to reach the rated rotational speed may be stored, and driving the drive motors  30  and  31  may be started immediately after this rise time passes. A sensor for detecting the rotational speed of the transportation motor  18  does not need to be used with this configuration. In this configuration, the timing when driving the drive motors  30  and  31  starts can be set with consideration for the time required for a check  4  loaded into the check feeding device  9  to be advanced by the delivery roller  25  to the position where it is passed to the transportation rollers in the transportation path  5 . 
     For example, this required time may be subtracted from the rise time of the transportation motor  18  and stored, and the driving the drive motors  30  and  31  may start immediately after this specified time passes after driving the transportation motor  18  starts. This enables increasing the check  4  processing speed as much as possible within the range where read errors or a drop in reading precision do not occur. 
     APPLICATION IN INDUSTRY 
     A media feeding device according to the invention can be used in the same way in other types of devices for processing sheet media other than check processing devices, including printers, scanners, and magnetic reading devices. 
     Although the present invention has been described in connection with the preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted that various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are to be understood as included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims, unless they depart therefrom.