Abstract:
Provided is a medium treating device comprising hairbrush rollers ( 40 A and  40 B) having hairs implanted on their surfaces. Between the hairbrush rollers ( 40 A and  40 B) and the reading faces of scanners ( 30 A and  30 B), there are formed clearances for allowing the passage of a medium ( 2 ). When transfer rollers ( 20 A and  20 B) transfer the medium ( 2 ) in a medium direction, the hairbrush rollers ( 40 A and  40 B) guide the medium ( 2 ) while regulating the face of the medium ( 2 ) on the side opposite to the read face.

Description:
[0001]    The present application claims priority from PCT Patent Application No. PCT/JP2008/001361 filed on May 30, 2008, which claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-144408 filed on May 31, 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to an image reader for reading character information and image information described or printed on a thin sheet medium, such as a check. Moreover, the present invention relates to a medium processor for processing a thin sheet medium, such as a check. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    As an image reading apparatus for character information and image information (hereinafter called character information and the like) described or printed on a sheet medium, such as paper and so on, an image reader mounted on a copying machine, etc. is well known. In general, such an image reader is equipped with a scanner, which reads image information, and a platen roller placed at a position facing to the scanner. The platen roller, being formed with soft resin or foamed resin, is usually so placed as to press a read manuscript against a reading surface of the scanner and to hold the read manuscript there. 
         [0006]    Patent Document 1 mentioned below proposes an image reader, in which a bristle brush roller is used as a platen roller and the bristle brush roller presses a read manuscript against a reading surface of a scanner and holds the read manuscript there. It is said that the bristle brush roller enables a transfer of any read manuscript in the image reader, regardless of the type of read manuscript; and also improves the quality of reading operation. Furthermore the bristle brush roller can have an electrically-neutralization effect against static electricity when it is formed with a conductive material. 
         [0007]    Conventionally well known is a card reader that carries out reproducing operation etc. of magnetic information recorded in a card-like medium while transferring the medium. In the card reader, a datum surface for transfer motion, which works as a datum position in a shorter width-wise direction of the medium being transferred, is formed in a card path in order to correct any tilt of the medium in relation to a transfer direction and to take an appropriate action required for the medium being transferred. Such a card reader, in which a medium is smoothly moved toward the datum surface for transfer motion so as not to suffer damage even if the medium is a weak one, is proposed by the applicant of the present invention (For example, refer to Patent Document 2). 
         [0008]    In a card reader described in Patent Document 2, an endless belt is hung over a plurality of drive rollers, and a medium is transferred by the endless belt. Namely, a medium path is formed along the endless belt, and the medium path is composed of a flat surface section formed among the drive rollers and a curved surface section formed along outer circumferences of the drive rollers. Furthermore, in the proximity of a border between the flat surface section and the curved surface section, there are placed transfer rollers whose portions opposite from the datum surface for transfer motion are so supported as to be movable in a transfer direction. 
         [0009]    In the card reader, the medium keeps circulating along the medium path, until a scanner appropriately finishes reading character information and the like, on a surface of the medium as well as reproducing magnetic information recorded in the medium. Furthermore, when circulating along the medium path, the medium moves toward the datum surface for transfer motion by an action of the transfer rollers. 
         [0010]    Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. H03-26172; and 
         [0011]    Patent Document 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006-282366. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Problems to Be Solved 
       [0012]    However, in the case of an image reader in which platen rollers made of soft resin or foamed resin are used, it is needed to press the platen rollers against a reading surface of a scanner for accurately reading character information and the like described on a medium within a predefined depth of field. Therefore, if a medium having a staple or a clip attached to it is introduced and transferred, a reading surface of the scanner (usually a glass surface) is so bruised as to occasionally cause a problem to accurate reading operation. 
         [0013]    Furthermore, even in the case of the image reader described in Patent Document 1 mentioned above, in which the bristle brush roller is used as a platen roller, a similar problem of bruising the reading surface as explained above is still caused, depending on a bristle material. Moreover, there is a chance that a medium is introduced into a space between a guide surface for guiding the medium being transferred and the bristle brush roller (for example, a gap between a guide plate and the bristle brush roller in the case of Patent Document 1) so that a jam may be caused (a problem of the medium being jammed and crushed). Especially when the medium is thin and sheet-like, such as a once-folded check or bill, a problem is that the medium has already become less elastic and a jam easily happens. 
         [0014]    In the case of the card reader described in Patent Document 2, a medium can be moved smoothly toward the datum surface for transfer motion by the action of the transfer rollers placed in the proximity of the border between the flat surface section and the curved surface section, and even a medium that is weak in strength can avoid a damage in course of transfer motion. However, unfortunately in the case of the card reader, the medium path is formed along the endless belt for the purpose of circulating the medium for transfer operation so that an installation space for the medium path is large and an apparatus of the card reader becomes large-sized. 
         [0015]    Thus, a first problem of the present invention is to provide an image reader that reads character information and image information described or printed on a thin sheet medium such as a check, while the image reader being able to accurately read the character information and the like within a predefined depth of field without bruising a reading surface of a scanner. Furthermore, a second problem of the present invention is to provide an image reader in which a jam is less likely to happen. 
         [0016]    Still further, a third problem of the present invention is to provide a medium processor in which a medium can be moved smoothly toward a datum surface for transfer motion, and causing damage onto the medium during transfer can be avoided even if the medium being weak in strength, and the medium processor being able to be downsized. 
       2. Means to Solve the Problems 
       [0017]    To solve the first and second problems described above, an image reader according to the present invention includes: a transfer path through which a sheet medium is transferred; a transfer means for transferring the medium through the transfer path; a scanner for reading image data printed on the medium by scanning mainly in a medium-width-wise direction, perpendicular to a medium transfer direction in which the medium is transferred, and by sub-scanning in the medium transfer direction; and a bristle brush roller facing the scanner across the transfer path and having bristles implanted on a surface of the roller; wherein a gap exists between the bristle brush roller and a reading surface of the scanner for allowing the medium to pass through; and when the transfer means transfers the medium in the medium transfer direction, the bristle brush roller regulates a surface opposite to a to-be-read surface of the medium in order to guide the medium. 
         [0018]    According to the present invention; a gap exists between the bristle brush roller and the reading surface of the scanner for allowing the medium to pass through; and when the transfer means transfers the medium in the medium transfer direction, the bristle brush roller regulates a surface opposite to a to-be-read surface of the medium in order to guide the medium. Thus, character information and the like of the medium can be held within a depth of field of the scanner without bruising the reading surface of the scanner so that the first problem described above can be solved. Furthermore, the medium can be transferred, even if it is less-elastic, without causing a jam (a problem of the medium being jammed and crushed) so that the second problem described above can be solved. Still further, by using the bristle brush roller, it becomes possible to catch and hold a clip and a staple, attached to the medium, within the bristle brush roller so as to avoid causing damage on the reading surface of the scanner. 
         [0019]    According to the present invention; it is preferable that the transfer path includes a flat guide for regulating the transfer path at a side of the bristle brush roller; and the guide further includes, an aperture through which the bristle brush roller faces the transfer path, and a plurality of protrusions protruding out of an edge of the aperture toward the bristle brush roller in a direction parallel with the medium transfer direction so as to push through bristles of the bristle brush roller. 
         [0020]    According to the structure described above, the bristle brush roller is so assembled as to face the transfer path through the aperture of the guide; and a plurality of protrusions are so placed as to push through bristles of the bristle brush roller. Therefore, between the guide and the bristle brush roller, there exists no gap into which the medium being transferred can enter, so that it is possible to prevent the medium being transferred from entering the gap to cause a jam. In particular, according to the structure, a jam is unlikely to happen even when the medium is thin and sheet-like, such as a once-folded check or bill. 
         [0021]    According to the present invention; it is preferable that each of the protrusions is shaped so as to have a triangle ship-prow form that gradually becomes thinner in section toward the bristle brush roller. According to the structure described above, since each of the protrusions is shaped so as to have a triangle ship-prow form, the bristle brush roller is not likely to have a trail (trace mark) of the protrusions, and the whole surface of the medium can have a brushing effect by the bristle brush. 
         [0022]    According to the present invention; it is preferable that a neighboring part of the guide adjacent to the aperture is formed with a slope that becomes gradually distant from the transfer path toward the bristle brush roller in the medium transfer direction. According to the structure described above, a point of the neighboring part at the edge of the aperture is most distant from the transfer path. Therefore, the medium does not get hooked at the edge so as to enable reducing a chance of jamming. 
         [0023]    According to the present invention; it is preferable that bristles of the bristle brush roller are made of an electrically-conductive material. According to the structure described above, static electricity that the medium may have can be removed. 
         [0024]    According to the present invention; for example, the image reader is used for handling a thin sheet medium such as a check. In this case, the image reader can be used for handling a thin sheet medium, such as a once-folded less-elastic check or bill. 
         [0025]    Furthermore, to solve the third problem described above, a medium processor according to the present invention includes: a transfer path through which a sheet medium is transferred; a transfer means for transferring the medium; and an evacuation path, connected to the transfer path, for evacuating the medium out of the transfer path, at least in a certain case; wherein a datum surface for transfer motion, providing a datum position in the medium-width-wise direction for the medium during its transfer motion, is formed at an end in the medium-width-wise direction of the transfer path, perpendicular to a transfer direction of the medium; the transfer means includes a transfer roller positioned in the transfer path for transferring the medium, and an opposing roller placed so as to oppose to the transfer roller and biased against the transfer roller; the opposing roller is supported in such a way that, in the pad roller, the opposite side from the datum surface for transfer motion is displace-able in the medium transfer direction; and the transfer means reciprocates the medium internally by using the evacuation path for shifting the medium toward the datum surface for transfer motion. 
         [0026]    The medium processor according to the present invention includes, for example, a tilt detection means for detecting a tilt of the medium in the medium transfer direction; and the transfer means reciprocates the medium internally by using the evacuation path if the tilt detection means detects a tilt of the medium. 
         [0027]    In the medium processor according to the present invention; the opposing roller opposing to the transfer roller is supported in such a way that, in the opposing roller, the opposite side from the datum surface for transfer motion is displace-able in the medium transfer direction. Therefore, when the medium being transferred comes in contact with the opposing roller, the opposing roller is tilted in such a direction to shift the medium toward the datum surface for transfer motion while using the side of the datum surface for transfer motion as a fulcrum. Accordingly, by the action of the opposing roller, the medium being transferred can smoothly be shifted toward the datum surface for transfer motion. Then, if the medium is tilted in the medium transfer direction, the tilt can be corrected by making the medium contact with the datum surface for transfer motion. Furthermore, by setting the displacement amount of the opposing roller appropriately, it is possible to avoid an excessive load on the medium moving toward the datum surface for transfer motion. Therefore, it becomes possible to protect the medium, even if being with less strength, from damage during transfer operation. 
         [0028]    Furthermore, in the medium processor according to the present invention; the transfer means reciprocates the medium internally by using the evacuation path for shifting the medium toward the datum surface for transfer motion. Namely, according to the present invention; for correcting the tilt of the medium, if required, in the medium transfer direction by shifting the medium toward the datum surface for transfer motion; the evacuation path is prepared in order to reciprocate the medium. Therefore, in comparison with a structure of a conventional art in which a transfer path is so formed as to circulate the medium, an installation space for the transfer path and the evacuation path can be reduced. As a result, the apparatus according to the present invention can be downsized. 
         [0029]    Still further, in the medium processor according to the present invention; in order to shift the medium toward the datum surface for transfer motion, the transfer means reciprocates the medium internally by using the evacuation path. Therefore, in comparison with a case where the medium is circulated, a transfer distance of the medium for shifting the medium toward the datum surface for transfer motion can be shortened. Then, in accordance with the present invention, handling time for the medium can be shortened. Moreover, according to the present invention, the transfer roller as well as the opposing roller are placed in the transfer path; and therefore, installing an appropriate number of transfer rollers and opposing rollers makes it possible to shift the medium toward the datum surface for transfer motion in a short time, in comparison with a structure of a conventional art in which transfer rollers are placed in proximity to a border between a flat surface part and a curved surface part. 
         [0030]    According to the present invention; it is preferable that the transfer path is so formed almost on the straight as to allow the medium being transferred to move straight; and the evacuation path is so formed as to be branched from the transfer path and to curve toward one of upward and downward directions from the transfer path. In this case, for example, the medium processor includes a medium insertion section for inserting the medium; and the evacuation path is so formed as to be branched from a side of the medium insertion section in the transfer path. According to the structure described above, the apparatus can be downsized in the medium transfer direction. Furthermore, since the transfer path is formed to be almost linear, the medium to be transferred through the transfer path can easily be protected from damage. 
         [0031]    According to the present invention; it is preferable that the medium processor includes a transfer direction changing means at a border between the transfer path and the evacuation path for enabling transfer operation of the medium from the transfer path to one of the medium insertion section and the evacuation path. According to the structure described above, the medium to be reciprocated can be guided into the evacuation path for sure. 
         [0032]    According to the present invention; it is preferable that the opposing roller is supported in such a way that, in the opposing roller, the opposite side from the datum surface for transfer motion is displace-able in both the back-and-forth directions of the medium transfer direction from a condition where the medium-width-wise direction is almost in line with an axis direction of the opposing roller. According to the structure described above, through transfer operation in either direction, the medium to be reciprocated is shifted toward the datum surface for transfer motion by the action of the opposing roller. Accordingly, the medium can be shifted to the datum surface for transfer motion in a short time for correcting the tilt of the medium. 
         [0033]    According to the present invention; it is preferable that the medium processor includes the medium insertion section for inserting the medium; the medium insertion section further includes a medium passage through which the medium passes, a shutter for opening and blocking the medium passage, and an insertion detection means placed at a side of the datum surface for transfer motion for detecting the medium being inserted; and when the insertion detection means detects the medium, the shutter opens the medium insertion section and/or the transfer means starts operation for taking in the medium into the medium processor. According to the structure described above; insertion of the medium into the medium processor can be done under condition where an edge of the medium is positioned in proximity to the datum surface for transfer motion in the medium-width-wise direction. Therefore, the medium inserted can be shifted to the datum surface for transfer motion in a short time. 
         [0034]    According to the present invention; it is preferable that the medium processor includes a displacement amount adjusting means for adjusting the displacement amount of the opposing roller at its side opposite from the datum surface for transfer motion. According to the structure described above; the displacement amount of the opposing roller can be set according to the strength of the medium. In other words, the tilt of the opposing roller can be set in accordance with the strength of the medium. Accordingly, it is possible to avoid an excessive load on the medium moving toward the datum surface for transfer motion. Therefore, it becomes possible to protect the medium with less strength from damage during transfer operation for sure. Furthermore, the medium having a fairly high strength can be shifted to the datum surface for transfer motion in a short time. 
       3. Advantageous Effect of the Invention 
       [0035]    As described above, an image reader according to the preset invention can hold character information and the like of a medium within a depth of field of a scanner without bruising a reading surface of the scanner, and furthermore the image reader can transfer a medium, even if it is less-elastic, without causing a jam (a problem of the medium being jammed and crushed). Still further, by using a bristle brush roller, it becomes possible to catch and hold a clip and a staple, attached to the medium, within the bristle brush roller so as to avoid causing damage on the reading surface of the scanner. 
         [0036]    Moreover, between a guide member and the bristle brush roller, there exists no gap that a medium being transferred may enter. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the medium from entering the gap to cause a jam. Especially, even when the medium is thin and sheet-like, such as a once-folded check or bill, a jam is less likely to happen. 
         [0037]    Furthermore, in a medium processor according to the preset invention, a medium can be moved smoothly toward a datum surface for transfer motion, and causing damage onto the medium during transfer can be avoided even if the medium is weak in strength. Still further, the medium processor according to the preset invention can be downsized. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0038]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing an image reader according to an embodiment of the present invention; and the drawing shows a condition where an upper transfer block constituting a transfer path is lifted up; 
           [0039]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional structural drawing of the image reader shown in  FIG. 1 , wherein the upper transfer block is closed under the condition; 
           [0040]      FIG. 3  is a schematic plan view explaining a layout location of insertion detection sensors in a medium insertion section shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing a guide member of a lower transfer stage constituting the image reader shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0042]      FIG. 5  is a schematic plan view showing a structure of a pad roller shown in  FIG. 1  and its surrounding part; 
           [0043]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are drawings for explaining an action of the pad roller shown in  FIG. 5 , wherein  FIG. 6A  and  FIG. 6B  show conditions where a medium is transferred toward a backside and a front side, respectively; 
           [0044]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional schematic view showing a positional relationship between a scanner and a bristle brush roller shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0045]      FIG. 8  is a schematic view showing a protrusion that pushes through bristles of the bristle brush roller shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0046]      FIG. 9  is a drawing that explains a shifting operation of the medium in a width-wise direction in the image reader shown in  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0047]      FIG. 10  is a flowchart showing a flow of control operation at the time when the medium is taken into the image reader shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0048]    It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of the present invention have been simplified to illustrate elements that are relevant for a clear understanding of the present invention, while eliminating, for purposes of clarity, many other elements which are conventional in this art. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other elements are desirable for implementing the present invention. However, because such elements are well known in the art, and because they do not facilitate a better understanding of the present invention, a discussion of such elements is not provided herein. 
         [0049]    The present invention will now be described in detail on the basis of exemplary embodiments. 
         [0050]    An embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       1. General Structure of Image Reader 
       [0051]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing an image reader  1  according to an embodiment of the present invention; and the drawing shows a condition where an upper transfer block  9  constituting a transfer path  10  is lifted up.  FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional structural drawing of the image reader  1  shown in  FIG. 1 , wherein the upper transfer block  9  is closed under the condition. 
         [0052]    In the image reader  1  according to the present embodiment, a sheet medium  2  inserted through a medium insertion section  3  is led into a transfer path  10 , and then a scanner  30  placed in the transfer path  10  reads character information and the like described or printed on the medium  2 . After the reading operation, the medium  2  is either transferred further by transfer rollers  20  to another apparatus (a printer etc.) placed still behind the image reader, or unloaded through the medium insertion section  3 . In other words, the image reader  1  according to the present embodiment is a medium processor that carries out a prescribed process for the medium  2 . Incidentally, in the present description, “front side” and “backside” mean a side of the medium insertion section  3  of the image reader  1  and the other side opposite to the front side (i.e., a backside of the image reader  1 ), respectively. 
         [0053]    As shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the image reader  1  according to the present embodiment includes: the transfer path  10  through which the sheet medium  2  is transferred; a transfer means that transfers the medium  2  in the image reader  1 ; scanners  30  that read image data printed on the medium  2  by scanning mainly in a medium-width-wise direction “Y”, perpendicular to a medium transfer direction (transfer direction) “X” in which the medium  2  is transferred, and by sub-scanning in the medium transfer direction “X”; and bristle brush rollers  40  that face the scanners  30  across the transfer path  10  and have bristles implanted on surfaces of the rollers (bristle-implanted). 
         [0054]    Furthermore, the image reader  1  according to the present embodiment has a gap “G” between the bristle brush rollers  40  and reading surfaces  31  of the scanners  30 , the gap “G” allowing the medium  2  to pass through. The image reader  1  is structured in such a way that; when the transfer means transfers the medium  2  in the medium transfer direction “X” through around a front-side neighboring section of the transfer path  10 , a bristle brush roller  40 A regulates a surface  2 A opposite to a to-be-read surface  2 B of the medium  2  in order to guide the medium  2 ; and meanwhile, when the transfer means transfers the medium  2  in the medium transfer direction “X” through around a backside neighboring section of the transfer path  10 , a bristle brush roller  40 B regulates a surface  2 B opposite to a to-be-read surface  2 A of the medium  2  in order to guide the medium  2 . 
         [0055]    In the following explanation as well as the reference drawings, an alphabetical capital letter is added to follow a reference numeral for the purpose of identifying each of a multiple members when there exist the multiple members identically corresponding to the reference numeral. When all of the multiple members are named generically, only the reference numeral is used for explanation without the alphabetical capital letter. Each structure in the image reader  1  is explained below 
       2. Medium 
       [0056]    The sheet medium  2  is a thin sheet, being such as a check or bill, made of paper; and it is an object to be read in the image reader  1 . Such a paper medium like a check, etc. is thin (for example, 0.05 mm to 0.20 mm in thickness), and it is used and stored while being folded or in a similar condition so that it is occasionally less elastic. However, the image reader  1  according to the present embodiment can appropriately treat the sheet medium  2 , even being in such a condition. 
       3. Structure Overview of the Medium Insertion Section 
       [0057]      FIG. 3  is a schematic plan view explaining a layout location of insertion detection sensors  13  in the medium insertion section  3  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0058]    As shown in  FIG. 2 ; a medium passage  11 , through which the medium  2  passes, is formed in the medium insertion section  3 . The medium insertion section  3  includes a shutter  12 , which opens and blocks the medium passage  11  (Refer to  FIG. 2 ), and two insertion detection sensors  13  for detecting the medium  2  being inserted (Refer to  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0059]    Each of the insertion detection sensors  13  is, for example, an optical sensor (photo-interrupter) including a light emitting element (not shown) and a light acceptance element (not shown), wherein the light emitting element and the light acceptance element are placed so as to face each other across the medium passage  11 . 
         [0060]    An insertion detection sensor  13 A, one of the two insertion detection sensors  13 , is located at a side of one end of the medium insertion section  3  in the medium-width-wise direction “Y”, as shown in  FIG. 3 . Concretely to describe, the insertion detection sensor  13 A is located at a side of a datum surface for transfer motion  15 , which is described later, formed in the transfer path  10 . In the present embodiment, the insertion detection sensor  13 A is located at a position neighboring to a place, where the datum surface for transfer motion  15  is formed, in the medium-width-wise direction “Y”. Then, the insertion detection sensor  13 A in the present embodiment works as an insertion detection means located at the side of the datum surface for transfer motion  15 . 
         [0061]    The other of the two sensors (i.e., an insertion detection sensor  13 B) is placed to have a prescribed distance in the medium-width-wise direction “Y” away from the insertion detection sensor  13 A. Concretely to describe, insertion detection sensor  13 B is placed to have the prescribed distance away from the insertion detection sensor  13 A in such a way that a medium  2   a  having a minimum width  2   a  to be treated by the image reader  1  can be detected by using the two sensors (i.e., insertion detection sensors  13 A and  13 B). 
         [0062]    In the present embodiment; when the image reader  1  is in standby condition waiting for insertion of the medium  2 , the shutter  12  blocks the medium passage  11 . Under the condition, if the insertion detection sensor  13 B detects the medium  2 , the shutter  12  opens the medium passage  11 . On the other hand, if the insertion detection sensor  13 A detects the medium  2  under the condition, the transfer rollers  20 , constituting the transfer means and to be described later, start turning operation to take the medium  2  into the image reader  1 . In other words, unless both of the two sensors (i.e., insertion detection sensors  13 A and  13 B) detect the medium  2 , the image reader  1  cannot take in the medium  2  in the present embodiment. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the shutter  12  is so connected to a solenoid  14  (Refer to  FIG. 1 ) via a predetermined link mechanism (not shown) as to open/close the medium passage  11  under power of the solenoid  14 . 
         [0063]    Incidentally, it is also possible that detecting the medium  2  by the insertion detection sensor  13 A makes the shutter  12  open the medium passage  11 , and meanwhile detecting the medium  2  by the insertion detection sensor  13 B makes the transfer rollers  20 , constituting the transfer means and to be described later, start turning operation. Furthermore, it is also possible that the shutter  12  opens the medium passage  11  and the transfer rollers  20  start turning operation, after a higher-level host computer or a control unit of the image reader  1  recognizes that both of the two sensors (i.e., insertion detection sensors  13 A and  13 B) have detected the medium  2 . 
       4. Structure Overview of the Transfer Path 
       [0064]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing a guide  80  of a lower transfer stage  8  constituting the image reader  1  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0065]    The transfer path  10  is a carrier track for the medium  2 ; and as shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the transfer path  10  includes: a guide  90  of the upper transfer block  9  and the guide  80  of the lower transfer stage  8 , wherein the guide  90  and the guide  80  facing each other in a vertical direction; and two side plates constituting side sections of the image reader  1 . To enable the medium  2  to travel straight, the transfer path  10  extends on the straight in a horizontal direction of  FIG. 2 . Namely, the transfer path  10  is so formed almost on the straight as to allow the medium  2  being transferred to move straight. 
         [0066]    In the transfer path  10 , the medium  2  is transferred in the medium transfer direction “X” by transfer rollers  20 A to  20 D and pad rollers  22 A to  22 D facing the transfer rollers  20 A to  20 D; wherein the transfer rollers  20 A to  20 D and the pad rollers  22 A to  22 D constituting the transfer means. Although the transfer rollers  20 A to  20 D are placed in the lower transfer stage  8  and the pad rollers  22 A to  22 D are placed in the upper transfer block  9  in the present embodiment, their layout are not necessarily limited to the arrangement described above. All or part of the transfer rollers  20 A to  20 D may be placed in the upper transfer block  9 , while all or part of the pad rollers  22 A to  22 D may be placed in the lower transfer stage  8 . 
         [0067]    Formed at an end of the transfer path  10  in the medium-width-wise direction “Y” is the datum surface for transfer motion  15 , which provides a datum position in the medium-width-wise direction “Y” for the medium  2  during its transfer motion. In the present embodiment, a part of a side plate placed at a backside in the drawing of  FIG. 1  works as the datum surface for transfer motion  15 . Then, the transfer path  10  is structured, for example, to have its width of 65 mm to 110 mm in order to cope with various types of the medium  2  with different width. In the meantime, height “H” of the transfer path  10  (Gap; refer to  FIG. 7 ) is usually around 1 mm to 3 mm, since the gap should preferably make it possible for even a media having a wrinkle caused through handling to easily move through. 
         [0068]    The guide  80  of the lower transfer stage  8 , which constitutes the transfer path  10 , is a guiding member that is so placed at a lower side of the transfer path  10  as to face the guide  90  of the upper transfer block  9 . Preferably, the guide  80  should be a resin-made molded component as shown in  FIG. 4 , but any other type of component may be used. On a surface of the guide  80  at a side of the transfer path  10 , there are placed a plurality of slit guides  84  extending along the medium transfer direction “X” (Refer to  FIG. 4 ). The slit guides  84  work for helping the medium  2  to move along the medium transfer direction “X”, being formed at arbitrary intervals on a flat surface  85  so as to be protrusions with prescribed height. 
         [0069]    Meanwhile, the guide  90  of the upper transfer block  9 , which constitutes the transfer path  10 , is so placed as to face the guide  80  of the lower transfer stage  8 , and the upper transfer block  9  is open-able. Preferably, the guide  90  should also be a resin-made molded component as the guide  80  described above is, but any other type of component may be used. Furthermore, on a surface of the guide  90  at a side of the transfer path  10  as well, there are also placed a plurality of slit guides extending along the medium transfer direction “X” (Refer to  FIG. 1 ), in the same manner as the guide  80  have slit guides. 
         [0070]    Opening and closing the upper transfer block  9  is carried out by using a support shaft  91  as a fulcrum, the support shaft  91  being also used as a shaft for a pulley  122  constituting the transfer means. Positions of the upper transfer block  9 , when it is opened and closed, are called “an open position” (See  FIG. 1 ) and “a closed position” (See  FIG. 2 ), respectively. Then, the image reader  1  includes: a retaining means (Reference numerals  94  to  96 ), for retaining the upper transfer block  9  at the open position; and a locking means (Reference numeral  92 ), for holding the upper transfer block  9  at the closed position. 
         [0071]    Although no specific limitation exists for the retaining means (Reference numerals  94  to  96 ), an example of  FIG. 1  shows a support bar  94  equipped with a latch pin  95  at a tip of the support bar  94 , and a plate  97  having engaging parts  96  with which the latch pin  95  is engaged at several positions, as elements of the retaining means. Namely, when the latch pin  95  at the tip of the support bar  94  is engaged with a prescribed one of the engaging parts  96 , the upper transfer block  9  is retained at the prescribed open position. In the meantime, for changing from the open position to the closed position, the latch pin  95  is shifted so as to be engaged with another prescribed one of the engaging parts  96 , while the upper transfer block  9  being held by hand. 
         [0072]    The upper transfer block  9  is locked at the closed position by using lock levers  92 A and  92 B placed at both sides of the upper transfer block  9 , and lock pins, not shown, which are engaged with recessed parts formed in the lock levers  92 A and  92 B. Incidentally, one end of each of the lock levers  92 A and  92 B is assembled together with a spring mechanism (not shown), with which a corresponding one of the lock levers  92 A and  92 B is biased, to the upper transfer block  9 . 
         [0073]    The lower transfer stage  8  and the upper transfer block  9  are equipped with sensor mechanisms for detecting a position of the medium  2 . The image reader  1  shown in  FIG. 1  includes light emitting elements  60  ( 60 A,  60 B, and  60 C), which the lower transfer stage  8  has, and light acceptance elements  61  ( 61 A,  61 B, and  61 C), which the upper transfer block  9  has. Cited as an example of the sensor mechanisms can be a system of photo-interrupters, in which each of the light emitting elements  60  ( 60 A,  60 B, and  60 C) and each corresponding one of the light acceptance elements  61  ( 61 A,  61 B, and  61 C) are placed face to face so that the light acceptance elements  61  detect the medium  2 , intercepting light beams launched from the light emitting elements  60 , to judge the presence of the medium  2  and its position. 
         [0074]    Furthermore, the upper transfer block  9  includes a magnetizing head  71  for magnetizing MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition) data to be described on a surface of the medium  2 , and a magnetic head  70  for reproducing the MICR data described by the magnetizing head  71 . Meanwhile, the lower transfer stage  8  includes a pad roller  24  placed side by side with the transfer roller  20 B, at a position facing the magnetizing head  71 . Furthermore, the lower transfer stage  8  includes a pad roller  23  placed side by side with the transfer roller  20 C, at a position facing the magnetic head  70 . 
       5. Structure Overview of Evacuation Path 
       [0075]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the image reader  1  according to the present embodiment includes an evacuation path  52  for evacuating the medium  2  from the transfer path  10 , at least in a certain case, without exposing the medium  2  through the medium insertion section  3 . The evacuation path  52  is connected to the transfer path  10 . In the present embodiment, the evacuation path  52  is so formed as to be branched from a front side of the transfer path  10 . Then, the evacuation path  52  includes: a curved part  52   a  whose top end is connected to the transfer path  10 ; a flat part  52   b  connected to a bottom end of the curved part  52   a ; and a sloped flat part  52   c  connected to a bottom end of the flat part  52   b . Thus, the evacuation path  52 , as a whole, is so formed as to curve downward from the transfer path  10 . 
         [0076]    The curved part  52   a  is so formed as to have a curved surface bulging toward the front side. The flat part  52   b  is formed to have a flat surface in parallel with a vertical direction in  FIG. 2 . The sloped flat part  52   c  is formed to have a flat surface that slopes downward in a direction to the backside. Therefore, when being introduced into the evacuation path  52 , the medium  2  is transferred toward the front side at first, and subsequently transferred toward the backside. Incidentally, the evacuation path  52  may be formed only with a curved section whose top end is connected to the transfer path  10 . 
         [0077]    Positioned at a border between the transfer path  10  and the evacuation path  52  is a change lever  51  as a transfer direction changing means that enables transfer operation of the medium  2  from the transfer path  10  to either the medium insertion section  3  or the evacuation path  52 . The change lever  51  is connected to the solenoid  14  via a predetermined link mechanism (not shown), and it operates in conjunction with opening/closing operation of the shutter  12 . Concretely to describe, when the change lever  51  has its open position  51 A that allows the medium  2  to be transferred from the transfer path  10  to the medium insertion section  3 , the shutter  12  opens the medium passage  11 . Meanwhile, when the change lever  51  has its closed position  51 B that allows the medium  2  to be transferred from the transfer path  10  to the evacuation path  52 , the shutter  12  closes the medium passage  11 . 
         [0078]    In the present embodiment, for shifting the medium  2  toward the datum surface for transfer motion  15 , the medium  2  is reciprocated back and forth in the image reader  1  by using the evacuation path  52 , as described later. In other words, when the medium  2  is shifted toward the datum surface for transfer motion  15 , the change lever  51  has its closed position  51 B. 
         [0079]    Furthermore, the evacuation path  52  also functions as a recovery transfer path for recovering the medium  2 , when it is judged that the medium  2  should be recovered as a result of information reading operation by the scanner  30 . Concretely to describe, the medium  2  inserted through the medium insertion section  3  is transferred toward the backside by turning operation of the transfer rollers  20 E,  20 A,  20 B,  20 C, and  20 D, in order to read the character information and the like of the medium  2 , as described later. Then, if once the higher-level host computer judges that it is needed to recover the medium  2 , the transfer rollers  20 A to  20 D rotate in a counter direction to return the medium  2  back toward the front side. At that time, the change lever  51  has its closed position  51 B so that the medium  2  coming back toward the front side is guided into the evacuation path  52 , and eventually it is distributed to a recovery area  53  by transfer rollers  20 F and  20 G in the evacuation path  52 . 
       6. Structure of the Transfer Means 
       [0080]      FIG. 5  is a schematic plan view showing a structure of the pad roller  22 A shown in  FIG. 1  and its surrounding part. Meanwhile,  FIGS. 6A and 6B  are drawings for explaining an action of the pad roller  22 A shown in  FIG. 5 ; wherein  FIG. 6A  and  FIG. 6B  show conditions where the medium  2  is transferred toward the backside and the front side, respectively. 
         [0081]    The transfer means for transferring the medium  2  includes the transfer rollers  20  that are drive rollers to be rotated by means of a drive motor  120  (Refer to  FIG. 2 ) as a drive source, and the pad rollers  22  that are driven rollers placed so as to face the transfer rollers  20 . Operation of transferring the media  2  is carried out by a drive force of the transfer rollers  20 , while the media  2  is sandwiched between the transfer rollers  20  and the pad rollers  22 . 
         [0082]    In the present embodiment, the four transfer rollers  20 A to  20 D and the pad rollers  22 A to  22 D are placed in the transfer path  10 . Concretely to describe, the transfer rollers  20 A to  20 D and the pad rollers  22 A to  22 D are placed in this order from the front side toward the backside. Furthermore, between the transfer path  10  and the medium insertion section  3 , a transfer roller  20 E and a pad roller  22 E are positioned, and meanwhile two transfer rollers  20 F and  20 G as well as pad rollers  22 F and  22 G are positioned in the evacuation path  52 . 
         [0083]    There are various applicable methods as a transmission means of a drive force of the drive motor  120  to the transfer rollers  20 . For example, in the present embodiment, the drive force of the drive motor  120  is transmitted from a pulley  121  placed on a shaft of the drive motor  120  to pulleys  128  and  130  through a belt  129  in order to turn each of the transfer rollers  20 C and  20 D that is placed on the same shaft as each corresponding one of the pulleys  128  and  130 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . Moreover, also for the other transfer rollers  20 A and  20 B; the drive force of the drive motor  120  is transmitted through a similar transmission means in order to turn the transfer rollers  20 A and  20 B. 
         [0084]    Furthermore, also for the transfer roller  20 E positioned between the transfer path  10  and the medium insertion section  3 , as well as the transfer rollers  20 F and  20 G positioned in the evacuation path  52 ; the drive force of the drive motor  120  is transmitted through a similar transmission means in order to turn the transfer rollers  20 E,  20 F, and  20 G. Incidentally, another drive motor beside the drive motor  120  may be prepared separately as a drive source for the transfer rollers  20 F and  20 G. In such a case, a drive force of the drive motor separately prepared is transmitted through, for example, pulleys  131 ,  132 , and  133  as well as a belt  134  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0085]    Each of the pad rollers  22 A to  22 G is biased against each corresponding one of the transfer rollers  20 A and  20 G so that the pad rollers rotate while following the drive force of the transfer rollers  20 . Although no specific limitation exists with regard to the biasing means, usually a spring, etc. is used for the purpose. In the present embodiment, the pad rollers  22 A to  22 D are opposing rollers that oppose to the transfer rollers  20 A and  20 D placed in the transfer path  10 . 
         [0086]    The pad roller  22 A is coaxially fixed to a turning shaft  25 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . One end (i.e., a first end) of the turning shaft  25  is so supported by a bearing unit  26  as to be rotatable. Meanwhile, the other end (i.e., a second end) of the turning shaft  25  is so supported by a bearing unit  27  as to be rotatable. The bearing unit  26  is located at a side of the datum surface for transfer motion  15  (at a backside in the drawing of  FIG. 1 ), while the bearing unit  27  is located at an opposite side from the datum surface for transfer motion  15  (at a front side in the drawing of  FIG. 1 ). Then, the bearing unit  26  and the bearing unit  27  are fixed to a bearing unit fixing part  98  formed in the guide  90 . 
         [0087]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , two shaft support parts  28  are so formed in the bearing unit  26  as to support the turning shaft  25  in the medium transfer direction “X”. Meanwhile, two shaft support parts  29  are so formed in the bearing unit  27  as to support the turning shaft  25  in the medium transfer direction “X”. 
         [0088]    A space between the two shaft support parts  28  in the medium transfer direction “X” is almost the same as, or a litter larger than, a diameter of the turning shaft  25 . In the meantime, a space between the two shaft support parts  29  in the medium transfer direction “X” is larger than the diameter of the turning shaft  25 . Therefore, the turning shaft  25  can tilt by using the first end side as a fulcrum. In other words, the second end side of the turning shaft  25  is displace-able in the medium transfer direction “X” by using the first end side as a fulcrum. Thus, the pad roller  22 A is supported through the turning shaft  25  by using the bearing units  26  and  27  in such a way that, in the pad roller  22 A, the opposite side from the datum surface for transfer motion  15  is displace-able in the medium transfer direction “X”. 
         [0089]    In the present embodiment; under a condition in which an axis direction of the pad roller  22 A (namely, an axis direction of the turning shaft  25 ) is almost in line with the medium-width-wise direction “Y”, a space is made between one of the two shaft support parts  29  placed at the front side and the turning shaft  25 , while another space is also made between the other of the two shaft support parts  29  placed at the backside and the turning shaft  25 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . Therefore, the second end side of the turning shaft  25  (namely, a second end side of the of the pad roller  22 A) is displace-able in both the back-and-forth directions of the medium transfer direction “X” from a condition where an axis direction of the pad roller  22 A is almost in line with the medium-width-wise direction “Y”. 
         [0090]    Concretely to describe; in a condition shown in  FIG. 5 , the space between one of the two shaft support parts  29  placed at the front side and the turning shaft  25  is almost the same as the space between the other of the two shaft support parts  29  placed at the backside and the turning shaft  25 . Then, the second end side of the turning shaft  25  is displace-able for almost the same distance in both the back-and-forth directions of the medium transfer direction “X” from a condition where the axis direction of the pad roller  22 A is almost in line with the medium-width-wise direction “Y”. 
         [0091]    When the media  2  is transferred toward the backside while being sandwiched between the transfer roller  20 A and the pad roller  22 A, the second end side of the turning shaft  25  is displaced toward the backside by a frictional force generated between the media  2  and the pad roller  22 A until the turning shaft  25  contacts one shaft support part  29  placed at the backside by using the first end side of the turning shaft  25  (a side of the datum surface for transfer motion  15 ) as a fulcrum, as  FIG. 6A  shows. In other words, the second end side of the pad roller  22 A is displaced toward the backside, and the pad roller  22 A is tilted in a direction for shifting the media  2 , being transferred toward the backend, toward the first end side (the side of the datum surface for transfer motion  15 ). 
         [0092]    When the media  2  is transferred toward the front side while being sandwiched between the transfer roller  20 A and the pad roller  22 A, the second end side of the turning shaft  25  is displaced toward the front side by a frictional force generated between the media  2  and the pad roller  22 A until the turning shaft  25  contacts one shaft support part  29  placed at the front side by using the first end side of the turning shaft  25  (a side of the datum surface for transfer motion  15 ) as a fulcrum, as  FIG. 6B  shows. In other words, the second end side of the pad roller  22 A is displaced toward the front side, and the pad roller  22 A is tilted in a direction for shifting the media  2 , being transferred toward the front end, toward the first end side (the side of the datum surface for transfer motion  15 ). 
         [0093]    In the same way as the pad roller  22 A, each of the pad rollers  22 B to  22 E is also coaxially fixed to the turning shaft  25  that is so supported by the bearing units  26  and  27  as to be rotatable. Therefore, in the same manner as the pad roller  22 A, the pad rollers  22 B to  22 E are also tilted in accordance with a direction in which the media  2  is transferred. 
         [0094]    In the present embodiment, the space between the two shaft support parts  29  is set in such a way that; the further the position of a pad roller is in the direction from the front side toward the backside, the less the tilt angle of the pad rollers  22 A to  22 E becomes. Namely, further the position of a pad roller is in the direction from the front side toward the backside, the narrower the space between the two shaft support parts  29  of the pad roller becomes. However, the space between the two shaft support parts  29  may also be set in such a way that the pad rollers  22 A to  22 E have the same tilt angle. Furthermore, the space between the two shaft support parts  29  may be set in such a way as well that a group of the pad rollers  22 A,  22 B, and  22 E, or a group of the pad rollers  22 A and  22 E has a larger tilt angle, while a group of the pad rollers  22 C and  22 D, or a group of the pad rollers  22 B to  22 D has a smaller tilt angle. 
         [0095]    On the other hand, each of the pad rollers  22 F and  22 G is coaxially fixed to the turning shaft  25  that is so supported at its both ends by the bearing units  26  as to be rotatable. Therefore, when the media  2  is transferred while being sandwiched between the transfer rollers  20 F and  20 G and the pad rollers  22 F and  22 G, the pad rollers  22 F and  22 G are not tilted. Incidentally, each of the pad rollers  22 F and  22 G may also be coaxially fixed to the turning shaft  25  that is so supported by the bearing units  26  and  27  as to be rotatable, in the same way as the pad roller  22 A. 
       7. Structure of the Scanner 
       [0096]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional schematic view showing a positional relationship between one of the scanners  30  and one of the bristle brush rollers  40  shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0097]    In the example shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , two scanners  30  in total are placed; with one placed at an upper side and the other at a lower side of the transfer path  10 . However, only one of the two sides may have the scanner. The scanner  30  functions to read image data (character information and image information) printed on the medium  2  by scanning mainly in a medium-width-wise direction “Y”, perpendicular to a medium transfer direction “X” in which the medium  2  is transferred, and by sub-scanning in the medium transfer direction “X”. A surface of the scanner  30  (i.e., the surface being at a side of the transfer path  10 ) is a reading surface  31  (as  FIG. 7  shows), and the surface is usually made of glass. Image data captured by the scanner  30  is sent to the higher-level host computer for controlling subsequent operations, etc. Incidentally, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the reading surface  31  of the scanner  30  should preferably be provided with tapered parts  32 A and  32 B before and after the reading surface  31  in the medium transfer direction “X” for not interfering with the medium  2  being transferred. 
       8. Structure of the Bristle Brush Roller 
       [0098]    As shown in  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 7 , and others, the bristle brush roller  40  is so placed as to face the reading surface  31  of the scanner  30  described above. Though the bristle brush roller  40  can be illustrated by an example in a popular form that bristles  41  are implanted in a bristle implantation base  42  around a shaft  43  (Refer to  FIG. 4 ), it is not limited to the form. For example; in a different form that can be named, another bristle implantation base  42  of a bristle-implanted sheet is wrapped onto the shaft  43  in a spiral manner, and then it is glued by using adhesive or equivalent. 
         [0099]    As a material for “bristles” for making up the bristle brush roller  40 ; a resin fiber of polyester (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate), acrylic, nylon, and the like, for example, can be used. Preferably, the bristle brush roller  40  should be electrically-conductive, and therefore a material for the brush may be a hybrid one, for example, including the resin fiber described above and an electrically-conductive fiber (e.g., a carbon fiber); or the brush may also be made of a resin fiber containing an electrically-conductive material (such as carbon particles, and conductive metal particles). The bristle brush roller  40  with electrical-conductivity enables removal of static electricity that the medium  2  may have. Preferably, electrical resistance of the bristles  41  of the bristle brush should be within a range of 1 to 1×10 8  Ω-cm or less. 
         [0100]    More concretely to describe, it is preferable to use the bristles having specifications with; a single fiber fineness of 200 to 400 dtex (where, 1 dtex (degi-tex) corresponds to 1 g with 1.0×10 4  m in length), a density of 50 to 100 single fibers/mm 2 , and [fiber fineness]×[density] within a range of 1.0×10 4  to 4.0×10 4 . Using the bristles having specifications within these ranges can achieve an effect of guiding the medium  2  to the reading surface  31  safely while curbing a jam of the medium  2 , being less elastic. Preferably named as an example are the bristles with a fiber fineness of 260 dtex, and a density of 80 single fibers/mm 2  (fiber fineness×density=2.1×10 4 ). 
         [0101]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , between the bristle brush roller  40  and the reading surface  31  (glass surface) of the scanner  30 , there is a gap “G” that allows the medium  2  to pass through. The gap “G” is so set as to be narrower than the thickness of medium  2  that the image reader  1  handles. As the gap “G” is so set as described above, the bristle brush roller  40  regulates a surface  2 B (or  2 A) opposite to a to-be-read surface  2 A ( 2 B) of the medium  2  in order to guide the medium  2  being transferred by the transfer rollers  20 . 
         [0102]    It is preferable to adjust the gap “G” according to the type of medium  2  to be handled. For example, it is preferable that the gap “G” is adjusted for two cases separately (i.e., one case for the image reader  1  for handling exclusively less-elastic paper media such as a check, and the like; and the other for the image reader  1  for handling exclusively paper media that are thicker and more elastic than a check, and the like). 
         [0103]    A bristle brush roller  40 B assembled in the upper transfer block  9  rotates by using a drive force of the drive motor  120 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the drive force of the drive motor  120  is transmitted from pulley  121  to the pulley  122  through a belt  123 , then further transmitted from a pulley  124  placed on the same shaft as the pulley  122  to another pulley (placed on the same shaft as a gear  126 , but not shown in the drawing) through a belt  125 , and still further transmitted to a gear  127  gearing with the gear  126  placed on the same shaft as the pulley. The bristle brush roller  40 B is placed onto the same shaft as the gear  127 , and thus it rotates by using the drive force of the drive motor  120  transmitted to the gear  127 . Moreover, the drive force of the drive motor  120  is also transmitted to a bristle brush roller  40 A assembled in the lower transfer stage  8  in a similar manner so that the bristle brush roller  40 A is also turned by the drive force of the drive motor  120 . 
       9. Structure of the Guide 
       [0104]      FIG. 8  is a schematic view showing a protrusion  81  that pushes through bristles  41  of the bristle brush roller  40  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0105]    As shown in  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 7 , and  FIG. 8 ; constituting one of characteristic structures of the present embodiment, the guides  80  and  90  operate in cooperation with the bristle brush rollers  40  described above. Concretely to describe, the guide  80  is assembled in the lower transfer stage  8  in which the bristle brush roller  40 A is placed. The guide  80  includes: the flat surface  85  that regulates the transfer path  10  at a side of the bristle brush roller  40 , and the plurality of slit guides  84  extending along the medium transfer direction “X” on the flat surface  85  at a side of the transfer path  10 . The slit guides  84  work for helping the medium  2  to move along the medium transfer direction “X”, being formed at arbitrary intervals on the flat surface  85  so as to be protrusions with prescribed height. 
         [0106]    The guide  80  includes: an aperture  88 , at which the bristle brush roller  40  is assembled so as to face the transfer path  10  through the aperture; and a plurality of protrusions  81 A and  81 B that protrude out of an edge  89  of the aperture  88  toward the bristle brush roller  40  in a direction parallel with the medium transfer direction “X” so as to push through bristles  41  of the bristle brush roller  40 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , each of the protrusions  81 A and  81 B is shaped so as to have a triangle ship-prow form that gradually becomes thinner in section toward the bristle brush roller  40 . Incidentally, the length of a part of each of the protrusions  81 A and  81 B entering into the bristle brush roller  40  should preferably be, for example, about 1 to 2 mm. 
         [0107]    A neighboring part of the guide  80  adjacent to the aperture  88  (which is namely a part between the edge  89  of the aperture  88  and the flat surface  85  in the medium transfer direction “X”) is formed with a slope  82  that becomes gradually distant from the transfer path  10  toward the bristle brush roller  40  in the medium transfer direction “X”, as shown in  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 . On the slope  82 , slit guides  83  are formed. 
         [0108]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , formed in the guide  80  are a scanner mounting part  86  as well as roller installation parts  87  ( 87 A to  87 C). 
         [0109]    The guide  90  is assembled in the upper transfer block  9  in which the bristle brush roller  40 B is placed. The guide  90  is structured in a similar manner as the guide  80 , and therefore explanation on the guide  90  is omitted. 
       10. Operation of Taking in the Medium 
       [0110]      FIG. 9  is a drawing that explains a shifting operation of the medium  2  in a width-wise direction in the image reader  1  shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 10  is a flowchart showing a flow of control operation at the time when the medium  2  is taken into the image reader  1  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0111]    In the image reader  1  structured as described above, the medium  2  is taken into the apparatus in such a manner as explained below. 
         [0112]    At first, when being in standby condition waiting for insertion of the medium  2  according to a control command from the higher-level host computer, a control unit of the image reader  1  (hereinafter, called the control unit) judges whether or not both the insertion detection sensors  13 A and  13 B have detected the medium  2  (Step S 1 ). 
         [0113]    If the insertion detection sensor  13 B detects the medium  2 , the control unit moves the shutter  12  to open the medium passage  11 . On the other hand, if the insertion detection sensor  13 A detects the medium  2 , the control unit operates the transfer means, such as the transfer rollers  20 , in order to transfer the medium  2  toward the backside up to a prescribed position in the image reader  1  (Step S 2 ). Also, in Step S 2 , the scanner  30  reads the character information and the like of the medium  2 . Furthermore, in Step S 2 , the magnetizing head  71  magnetizes MICR data to be described on a surface of the medium  2 , and then the magnetic head  70  reproduces the magnetized MICR data. Incidentally, when the medium  2  has been transferred up to the prescribed position in the image reader  1 , the shutter  12  closes the medium passage  11  and the change lever  51  operates to have its closed position  51 B. 
         [0114]    Subsequently, the control unit or the host computer judges (Step S 3 ) whether or not the scanner  30  has appropriately read the character information and the like in Step S 2 . If a tilt of the medium  2 , transferred up to the prescribed position, in the medium transfer direction “X” is small at this time, a tilt of the character information and the like read by the scanner  30  is also small so that the scanner  30  can appropriately read the character information and the like. Therefore, when the tilt of the medium  2 , transferred up to the prescribed position, in the medium transfer direction “X” was small and the scanner  30  could appropriately read the character information and the like (Step S 3 :Yes), the image reader  1  completes operation of taking in the medium  2 . 
         [0115]    On the other hand, if the tilt of the medium  2 , transferred up to the prescribed position, in the medium transfer direction “X” is large, the tilt of the character information and the like read by the scanner  30  is also large so that the scanner  30  cannot appropriately read the character information and the like. Therefore, when the tilt of the medium  2 , transferred up to the prescribed position, in the medium transfer direction “X” is large and the scanner  30  cannot appropriately read the character information and the like (Step S 3 : No), the medium  2  is reciprocated for correcting its tilt by shifting the medium  2  toward the datum surface for transfer motion  15  (Step S 4 ). 
         [0116]    Concretely to describe, the medium  2  is once reciprocated inside the image reader  1  by using the evacuation path  52 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . Namely, the medium  2  is once reciprocated in a direction of arrows shown in  FIG. 9 . At this time, the change lever  51  has its closed position  51 B. The medium  2  reciprocated in Step S 4  is shifted toward the datum surface for transfer motion  15  by the action of the pad rollers  22 A and  22 D to contact the datum surface for transfer motion  15 . When the medium  2  contacts the datum surface for transfer motion  15 , the tilt of the medium  2  is corrected by the datum surface for transfer motion  15 . Then, in Step S 4 , the scanner  30  reads the character information and the like of the medium  2 . Moreover, in Step S 4 , the magnetizing head  71  magnetizes MICR data to be described on a surface of the medium  2 , and then the magnetic head  70  reproduces the magnetized MICR data. 
         [0117]    After the reciprocating motion in Step S 4 , operation returns to Step S 3  to judge whether or not the scanner  30  has appropriately read the character information and the like. As a result, if the scanner  30  has appropriately read the character information and the like, operation of taking in the medium  2  completes. If the scanner  30  has not appropriately read the character information and the like, operation returns to Step S 4  again to reciprocate the medium  2  furthermore for correcting the tilt of the medium  2 . 
         [0118]    In the present embodiment, the tilt of the medium  2  in the medium transfer direction “X” is detected through reading the character information and the like by using the scanner  30  as the tilt detection means. Furthermore, also at the time when the medium  2  is transferred in Step S 2 , the medium  2  is shifted toward the datum surface for transfer motion  15  by the action of the pad rollers  22 A and  22 E for correcting the tilt of the medium  2 . 
       11. Primary Advantageous Effect of the Present Embodiment 
       [0119]    As described above, in the present embodiment, between the bristle brush roller  40  and the reading surface  31  of the scanner  30  there exists the gap “G” that allows the medium  2  to pass through. Furthermore, when the transfer rollers  20  transfers the medium  2  in the medium transfer direction “X”, the bristle brush roller  40  regulates the surface  2 B (or  2 A) opposite to the to-be-read surface  2 A ( 2 B) of the medium  2  in order to guide the medium  2 . Therefore, the character information and the like of the medium  2  can be held within a depth of field of the scanner  30  without bruising the reading surface  31  of the scanner  30  by the bristles  41 . Furthermore, even if the medium  2  is less elastic, the medium  2  can be transferred without causing a jam. 
         [0120]    Not found in any conventional art are the structure of having the gap “G” between the bristle brush roller  40  and the reading surface  31  of the scanner  30  as well as the effect according to the structure as described above. Furthermore, since the bristles  41  and the reading surface  31  (glass surface) do not contact each other, it is possible to achieve a new effect, not have been observed conventionally, that a turning load caused by the bristle brush roller  40  due to contacting the reading surface  31  can be reduced, and a transferring load caused by the bristles  41  at the time of transferring the medium  2  being less elastic can be reduced. 
         [0121]    When the medium  2  has any solid foreign material attached to it, such as a clip, a staple, etc., the bristle brush roller  40  can catch those solid foreign materials by using the bristles  41  made of flexible material. In other words, since the bristle brush roller  40  is used in the present embodiment, the bristle brush roller  40  can hold any solid foreign material, such as a clip, a staple, etc., attached to the medium  2  within the bristle brush roller  40 . Therefore, the reading surface  31  of the scanner  30  can be protected from having damage due to any solid foreign material. Furthermore, since there exists the gap “G” between the bristle brush roller  40  and the reading surface  31  of the scanner  30 , the reading surface  31  of the scanner  30  can be protected from having any damage even when the bristle brush roller  40  holds the solid foreign material. 
         [0122]    Preferably, the bristle brush roller  40  to be used should be provided with the bristles  41  colored in black, or the bristle brush roller  40  including much black fiber should be used. Then, if the bristle brush roller  40  has any solid foreign material attached to it, such as paper, a clip, a staple, etc., colored in white or silver, the material can be recognized easily as a foreign material. 
         [0123]    Furthermore, each of the lower transfer stage  8  and the upper transfer block  9  is equipped with the bristle brush roller  40  as shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , and therefore the to-be-read surfaces  2 A and  2 B of the medium  2  can also be cleaned by the bristle brush roller  40 . 
         [0124]    In the present embodiment, each of the guides  80  and  90  includes the plurality of protrusions  81 A and  81 B that protrude out of the edge  89  of the aperture  88  toward the bristle brush roller  40  in a direction parallel with the medium transfer direction “X” so as to push through bristles  41  of the bristle brush roller  40 . Accordingly, there exists no gap between the guide  80 / 90  and the bristle brush roller  40  into which the medium  2  being transferred can enter, so that it is possible to prevent the medium  2  from entering the gap to cause a jam. In particular, according to the structure described above, an effect of reducing a chance of jamming can be achieved even when the medium  2  is thin and sheet-like, such as a once-folded less-elastic check or bill. 
         [0125]    In the present embodiment, each of the protrusions  81 A and  81 B is shaped so as to have a triangle ship-prow form that gradually becomes thinner in section toward the bristle brush roller  40 . Therefore, the bristle brush roller  40  is not likely to have a trail (trace mark) of the protrusions  81 , and the whole surface of the medium  2  can have a brushing effect by the bristles  41 . Furthermore, such a triangle ship-prow form makes it easy to push through bristles  41 , and accordingly an effect of raking out foreign materials collected in the bristles  41  can also be achieved. 
         [0126]    In the present embodiment, the neighboring part of each of the guides  80  and  90  adjacent to the aperture  88  is formed with the slope  82  that becomes gradually distant from the transfer path  10  toward the bristle brush roller  40  in the medium transfer direction “X”. As a result, a point of the neighboring part at the edge  89  of the aperture  88  is most distant from the transfer path  10 . Therefore, the medium  2  does not get hooked at the slope  82  or the edge  89  so as to enable reducing a chance of jamming. 
         [0127]    In the present embodiment, each of the pad rollers  22 A to  22 D is supported by using the bearing units  26  and  27  in such a way that the second end side of the pad roller (the opposite side from the datum surface for transfer motion  15 ) is displace-able in the medium transfer direction “X”. Therefore, when the medium  2  being transferred comes in contact with the corresponding one(s) of the pad rollers  22 A to  22 D, those of the pad rollers  22 A to  22 D are tilted by a friction force generated between the medium  2  and those of the pad rollers  22 A to  22 D in such a direction to shift the medium  2  toward the datum surface for transfer motion  15  while using the side of the datum surface for transfer motion  15  as a fulcrum. Accordingly, by the action of the pad rollers  22 A to  22 D, the medium  2  being transferred can smoothly be shifted toward the datum surface for transfer motion  15 . Then, if the medium  2  is tilted in the medium transfer direction “X”, the tilt can be corrected by making the medium  2  contact with the datum surface for transfer motion  15 . 
         [0128]    Furthermore, by setting the displacement amount of the pad rollers  22 A to  22 D appropriately (concretely to describe, by setting the space between the two shaft support parts  29  appropriately), it is possible to avoid an excessive load on the medium  2  moving toward the datum surface for transfer motion  15 . Therefore, it becomes possible to protect the medium  2 , even if being with less strength, from damage during transfer operation. 
         [0129]    In the present embodiment, when being shifted toward the datum surface for transfer motion  15 , the medium  2  is reciprocated inside the image reader  1  by using the evacuation path  52 . Namely, in the present embodiment, for correcting the tilt of the medium  2  in the medium transfer direction “X” by shifting the medium  2  toward the datum surface for transfer motion  15 , the evacuation path  52  is prepared in order to reciprocate the medium  2 . Therefore, in comparison with a structure of a conventional art in which a transfer path is so formed as to circulate the medium  2 , an installation space for the transfer path  10  and the evacuation path  52  in the present embodiment can be reduced. As a result, the image reader  1  of the present embodiment can be downsized. 
         [0130]    Furthermore, even though the image reader  1  is compact, none of the medium  2  is exposed from the medium insertion section  3  so that erroneous operation by user can be avoided. 
         [0131]    Moreover, in the present embodiment, when being shifted toward the datum surface for transfer motion  15 , the medium  2  is reciprocated by using the evacuation path  52 . Therefore, in comparison with a case where the medium  2  is circulated, a transfer distance of the medium  2  for shifting it toward the datum surface for transfer motion  15  can be shortened. Accordingly, handling time for the medium  2  can be shortened. Moreover, in the present embodiment, the 4 transfer rollers  20 A to  20 D as well as the pad rollers  22 A to  22 D are placed in the transfer path  10 ; and therefore, in comparison with a structure of a conventional art in which transfer rollers are placed in proximity to a border between a flat surface part and a curved surface part, the medium  2  can be shifted toward the datum surface for transfer motion  15  in a short time in the present embodiment. 
         [0132]    In the present embodiment, the transfer path  10  is so formed as to be almost linear in order to allow the medium  2  being transferred to move linearly, and meanwhile the evacuation path  52  is so formed as to curve downward from the transfer path  10 . Therefore, the image reader  1  can be downsized in the medium transfer direction “X”; and furthermore, since the transfer path  10  is formed to be almost linear, the medium  2  to be transferred through the transfer path  10  can easily be protected from damage. 
         [0133]    In the present embodiment, the change lever  51  is positioned at the border between the transfer path  10  and the evacuation path  52 . Therefore, the medium  2  to be reciprocated by the transfer means can be guided into the evacuation path  52  for sure. 
         [0134]    In the present embodiment, the second end side of each of the pad rollers  22 A to  22 D is displace-able in both the back-and-forth directions of the medium transfer direction “X” from a condition where the axis direction of the corresponding one of the pad roller  22 A to  22 D is almost in line with the medium-width-wise direction “Y”. Therefore, in both cases where the medium  2  is transferred toward the backside and also toward the front side, the medium  2  can be shifted toward the datum surface for transfer motion  15  by the action of the pad roller  22 A to  22 D. Accordingly, the medium  2  can be shifted to the datum surface for transfer motion  15  in a short time for correcting the tilt of the medium  2 . 
         [0135]    In the present embodiment, when both the insertion detection sensors  13 A and  13 B detect the medium  2 , the shutter  12  opens the medium passage  11  and the transfer means starts operation. In other words, when both the insertion detection sensors  13 A and  13 B detect the medium  2 , the image reader  1  becomes prepared to take in the medium  2 . Thus, the image reader  1  takes in the medium  2  under condition where an edge of the medium  2  is positioned in proximity to the datum surface for transfer motion  15  in the medium-width-wise direction “Y”. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the medium  2  taken in can be shifted to the datum surface for transfer motion  15  in a short time. 
       12. Other Embodiments 
       [0136]    Described above is an example of a preferred embodiment according to the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and various variations and modifications may be made without changing the concept of the present invention. 
         [0137]    In the embodiment described above, the second end side of the turning shaft  25  is displace-able for almost the same distance in both the back-and-forth directions of the medium transfer direction “X” from a condition where the axis direction of the corresponding one of the pad rollers  22 A to  22 E is almost in line with the medium-width-wise direction “Y”. However, otherwise for example, the second end side of the turning shaft  25  may be displace-able for inequable distances in directions toward the front side and the backside from a condition where the axis direction of the corresponding one of the pad rollers  22 A to  22 E is almost in line with the medium-width-wise direction “Y”. 
         [0138]    Moreover, in the embodiment described above, the second end side of the turning shaft  25  is displace-able in both the back-and-forth directions of the medium transfer direction “X” from a condition where the axis direction of the corresponding one of the pad rollers  22 A to  22 E is almost in line with the medium-width-wise direction “Y”. However, the second end side of the turning shaft  25  may be displace-able only in one direction of the medium transfer direction “X” (toward either the front side or the backside) from a condition where the axis direction of the corresponding one of the pad rollers  22 A to  22 E is almost in line with the medium-width-wise direction “Y”. 
         [0139]    In the embodiment described above, a space between the two shaft support parts  29  formed in the bearing unit  27  is constant and unchangeable. However, otherwise for example, the image reader  1  may include a displacement amount adjusting means for each of the pad rollers  22 A to  22 E, wherein the displacement amount adjusting means adjust the space between the two shaft support parts  29  of the pad roller in order to adjust the displacement amount of the pad roller at its side opposite from the datum surface for transfer motion  15 . In this case, the displacement amount of the pad rollers  22 A to  22 E can be set according to the strength of the medium  2 . In other words, the tilt of the pad rollers  22 A to  22 E can be set in accordance with the strength of the medium  2 . Accordingly, it is possible to avoid an excessive load on the medium  2  moving toward the datum surface for transfer motion  15 . Therefore, it becomes possible to protect the medium  2  with less strength from damage during transfer operation for sure. Furthermore, the medium  2  having a fairly high strength can be shifted to the datum surface for transfer motion  15  in a short time. 
         [0140]    In the embodiment described above, the evacuation path  52  is so formed as to be branched from the front side of the transfer path  10 . However, otherwise for example, the evacuation path  52  may be as well so formed as to be branched from the backside of the transfer path  10 . Furthermore, though the evacuation path  52  in the embodiment described above is so formed as to curve downward from the transfer path  10 , it may be as well be so formed as to curve upward from the transfer path  10 . 
         [0141]    In the descriptions above, the embodiment according to the present invention is explained by an example of the image reader  1 . However, configuration of the invention with respect to claims  7  to  14  can be applied to various medium processors besides the image reader  1 . For example, the configuration of the invention with respect to claims  7  to  14  can be used in a medium processor as well that includes the magnetizing head  71  and the magnetic head  70  but does not include the scanner  30 . 
         [0142]    Incidentally, a printing unit (a printer), a stamping unit, and the like may be installed at a backside of the image reader  1 . Such a printing unit and the like can be connected by using fastening members such as a connection flange, bolts, nuts, etc. that the image reader  1  has. 
         [0143]    While this invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention as set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventions as defined in the following claims. 
       REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       [0000]    
       
           1  Image reader (Medium processor) 
           2  Medium 
           3  Medium insertion section 
           10  Transfer path 
           11  Medium passage 
           12  Shutter 
           13 A Insertion detection sensor (Insertion detection means) 
           15  Datum surface for transfer motion 
           20  ( 20 A to  20 D) Transfer roller 
           22 A to  22 D Pad roller (Opposing roller) 
           30  Scanner (Tilt detection means) 
           31  Reading surface 
           40  Bristle brush roller 
           41  Bristle 
           51  Change lever (Transfer direction changing means) 
           52  Evacuation path 
           80  and  90  Guide 
           81  ( 81 A and  81 B) Protrusion 
           82  Slope 
           88  Aperture 
           89  Aperture rim 
         G Gap 
         X Medium transfer direction 
         Y Medium-width-wise direction