U.S. patent application number 13/612662 was filed with the patent office on 2013-03-28 for media processing device and method of controlling a media processing device.
This patent application is currently assigned to Seiko Epson Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is Takahisa Komiyama. Invention is credited to Takahisa Komiyama.
Application Number | 20130077118 13/612662 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47357863 |
Filed Date | 2013-03-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130077118 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Komiyama; Takahisa |
March 28, 2013 |
MEDIA PROCESSING DEVICE AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING A MEDIA
PROCESSING DEVICE
Abstract
Maintenance requirements are reduced by using only a subset of
the functions of a media processing device having plural function
units for processing processed media. When a control unit of the
media processing device receives a command from a host computer to
disable a function of an inkjet printer unit disposed to a
conveyance path for the processed media or to disable a function of
a contact image sensor unit disposed to the conveyance path, a
function-disabled mode is entered that disables the specified
function. While in the function-disabled mode, detected operating
errors related to the disabled function are not reported to the
host computer.
Inventors: |
Komiyama; Takahisa;
(Kitasakugun Tateshinamachi, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Komiyama; Takahisa |
Kitasakugun Tateshinamachi |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
Seiko Epson Corporation
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
47357863 |
Appl. No.: |
13/612662 |
Filed: |
September 12, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
358/1.13 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06K 1/125 20130101;
B41J 3/445 20130101; G06Q 20/042 20130101; H04N 1/32673 20130101;
B41J 13/0009 20130101; H04N 1/32609 20130101; H04N 1/00925
20130101; G07D 7/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
358/1.13 |
International
Class: |
G06K 15/02 20060101
G06K015/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 28, 2011 |
JP |
2011-212332 |
Claims
1. A media processing device comprising: a conveyance path that
conveys processed media; a print unit that is disposed to the
conveyance path and has a function that prints on the processed
media; a reading unit that is disposed to the conveyance path and
has a function that reads the processed media; and a control unit
that, when a command to disable the function of the print unit or
the reading unit is received from an external device, enters a
function-disabled mode that disables the specified function and,
when an error related to the disabled function of the print unit or
the reading unit is detected, does not report the error to the
external device.
2. The media processing device described in claim 1, wherein: the
print unit includes an inkjet recording head that records by
ejecting ink stored in an ink storage unit onto the processed
media.
3. The media processing device described in claim 2, wherein: when
the command to disable the function of the print unit is received
after the ink storage unit is enabled to supply ink, the control
unit does not enter the function-disabled mode.
4. The media processing device described in claim 2, wherein: when
the command to disable the function of the print unit is received
after the ink storage unit is enabled to supply ink, the control
unit enters the function-disabled mode and enables executing
specific maintenance operations related to the print unit.
5. The media processing device described in claim 1, wherein: the
control unit considers invalid and does not report a subset of
errors related to the function disabled in the function-disabled
mode, but reports other errors related to the disabled function, to
the external device.
6. A method of controlling a media processing device that includes
a print unit disposed to a conveyance path and a reading unit
disposed to the conveyance path, the print unit having a function
that prints on a processed media, and a reading unit having a
function that reads the processed media, the method comprising:
receiving a command from an external device to disable at least one
of the function of the print unit or the function of the reading
unit; entering a function-disabled mode that disables the specified
at least one function when the command to disable the at least one
of the function of the print unit or the function of the reading
unit is received from the external device; and when an error
related to the disabled function of the print unit or the reading
unit is detected, not reporting the error to the external
device.
7. The method of controlling a media processing device described in
claim 6, wherein: the print unit includes an inkjet recording head
that records by ejecting ink stored in an ink storage unit onto the
processed media; and when a command to disable the function of the
print unit is received after the ink storage unit is enabled to
supply ink, the function-disabled mode is not entered.
8. The method of controlling a media processing device described in
claim 7, further comprising: entering the function-disabled mode
and enabling executing specific maintenance operations related to
the print unit when the command to disable the function of the
print unit is received after the ink storage unit is enabled to
supply ink.
9. The method of controlling a media processing device described in
claim 7, wherein: a subset of errors related to the function
disabled in the function-disabled mode are not reported, but other
errors related to the disabled function are reported, to the
external device.
10. A method for controlling a check processing device that
receives commands from an external device, the method comprising:
detecting an error of the check processing device; determining
whether the check processing device is in a printing-disabled mode;
if the check processing device is in the printing-disabled mode,
determining whether the error is related to printing; and if the
check processing device is in the printing-disabled mode and the
error is related to printing, ending processing of the error
without reporting the error to the external device.
11. The method for controlling a check processing device of claim
10, further comprising: if at least one of the check processing
device is in the printing-disabled mode or the error is not related
to printing, reporting the error to the external device.
12. The method for controlling a check processing device of claim
10, further comprising: receiving a set printing-disabled mode
command from the external device; and placing the check processing
device into the printing-disabled mode in response to the received
set printing-disabled mode command.
13. The method for controlling a check processing device of claim
10, further comprising: if an ink cartridge is installed in the
check processing device, setting a printing-disabled mode
prohibited flag; receiving a set printing-disabled mode command
from the external device; if the printing-disabled mode prohibited
flag is not set, placing the check processing device into the
printing-disabled mode in response to the received set
printing-disabled mode command; and if the printing-disabled mode
prohibited flag is set, ending processing of the received set
printing-disabled mode command without placing the check processing
device into the printing-disabled mode.
14. The method of controlling a check processing device of claim
13, further comprising: if the printing-disabled mode prohibited
flag is set, reporting that the check processing device cannot be
placed into the printing-disabled mode.
15. The method of controlling a check processing device of claim
10, further comprising: receiving a command from the external
device to execute a process; if the commanded process is at least
one of not a print process or the check processing device is not in
the printing-disabled mode, executing the commanded process; and if
the commanded process is a print process and the check processing
device is in the printing-disabled mode, ending processing of the
command without executing the commanded process.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to Japanese Application No.
2011-212332, filed Sep. 28, 2011, the entirety of which is
incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] The present invention relates to a media processing device
and to a method of controlling a media processing device.
[0004] 2. Related Art
[0005] Devices that perform multiple processes, such as printing
and scanning images, on media to be processed are described, for
example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Appl. Pub. JP-A-2003-248398
and Japanese Unexamined Patent Appl. Pub. JP-A-2005-94141.
[0006] Media processing devices such as these that have multiple
functions need to enable use of all functions, and being unable to
use any function is treated as a system error. As a result, because
use of the media processing device is completely disabled if an
operating error occurs in either the print unit or the scanning
unit, even functions where an error did not occur cannot be used.
This means that even if the user of the media processing device
only uses some of the available functions, the functions that are
not used must also be maintained in a usable condition and
therefore require maintenance.
SUMMARY
[0007] With consideration for the foregoing problem, the present
invention enables reducing maintenance needs when using only some
of the functions provided by a media processing device having
plural function units for processing media.
[0008] A media processing device according to one aspect of the
invention has a conveyance path that conveys processed media; a
print unit that is disposed to the conveyance path and has a
function that prints on the processed media; a reading unit that is
disposed to the conveyance path and has a function that reads the
processed media; and a control unit that, when a command to disable
the function of the print unit or the reading unit is received from
an external device, enters a function-disabled mode that disables
the specified function and, when an error related to the disabled
function of the print unit or the reading unit is detected, does
not report the error to the external device.
[0009] When the media processing device receives a command to
disable either the printing function or the reading function, and
an error related to the disabled function occurs, the media
processing device can continue to be used without resolving the
error. As a result, using only some functions of a media processing
device with multiple functions is possible, and the burden of
maintaining functions that are not used can be reduced.
[0010] In a media processing device according to another aspect of
the invention, the print unit includes an inkjet recording head
that records by ejecting ink stored in an ink storage unit onto the
processed media.
[0011] By setting the function-disabled mode that disables the
printing function when using only the reading (scanning) function
and not using the print function of the inkjet recording head, this
aspect of the invention does not report errors related to the
inkjet recording head or ink supply, and enables using the reading
function without performing ink-related maintenance tasks. As a
result, the media processing device can reduce the maintenance
load, and can suppress needless consumption of ink because ink is
not supplied just for maintenance.
[0012] In a media processing device according to another aspect of
the invention, the control unit does not enter the
function-disabled mode when the command to disable the function of
the print unit is received after the ink storage unit is enabled to
supply ink.
[0013] When ink-related maintenance is required by the system
design specifications, such as when ink is supplied from the ink
storage unit to the path that supplies ink, this aspect of the
invention enables the media processing device to enter the
function-disabled mode only if maintenance is not required. The
burden of maintenance is therefore reduced when using a function
other than the printing function, and problems arising from not
performing required maintenance after supplying ink is made
possible can be prevented.
[0014] In an media processing device according to another aspect of
the invention, when the command to disable the function of the
print unit is received after the ink storage unit is enabled to
supply ink, the control unit enters the function-disabled mode and
enables executing specific maintenance operations related to the
print unit.
[0015] When ink-related maintenance is required by the system
design specifications, such as when ink is supplied from the ink
storage unit to the path that supplies ink, this aspect of the
invention enables performing the minimum maintenance required,
thereby suppressing ink consumption and preventing problems arising
from not performing required maintenance when using functions other
than printing.
[0016] In a media processing device according to another aspect of
the invention, the control unit considers invalid and does not
report a subset of errors related to the function disabled in the
function-disabled mode, but reports other errors related to the
disabled function, to the external device.
[0017] The media processing device according to this aspect of the
invention disregards some errors detected in the function-disabled
mode and enables continued use of only functions that are not
disabled, but does not disable all errors and reports some errors
to the external device. For example, errors that are related to the
disabled function but cannot be left unresolved are reported. As a
result, the burden of maintenance can be reduced by disabling some
functions while continuing to appropriately report errors that must
be addressed to the user.
[0018] Another aspect of the invention is a method of controlling a
media processing device that includes a print unit disposed to a
conveyance path and a reading unit disposed to the conveyance path.
The print unit has a function that prints on the processed media.
The reading unit has a function that reads the processed media. The
control method includes receiving a command from an external device
to disable at least one of the function of the print unit or the
function of the reading unit. A function-disabled mode is entered
when the command to disable the at least one of the function of the
print unit or the function of the reading unit is received from the
external device. The function-disabled mode disables the specified
at least one function. When an error related to the disabled
function of the print unit or the reading unit is detected, the
error is not reported to the external device.
[0019] When the media processing device receives a command to
disable either the printing function or the reading function, and
an error related to the disabled function occurs, the media
processing device can continue to be used without resolving the
error. As a result, using only some functions of a media processing
device with multiple functions is possible, and the burden of
maintaining functions that are not used can be reduced.
EFFECT OF THE INVENTION
[0020] The invention enables using only a subset of the functions
of a media processing device having plural functions, and can
reduce the burden of maintenance related to unused functions.
[0021] 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
[0022] FIG. 1 is an external oblique view of a media processing
device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the media processing device.
[0024] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a media processing system.
[0025] FIG. 4 is a flow chart of the operation of the media
processing device.
[0026] FIG. 5 is a flow chart of the operation of the media
processing device.
[0027] FIG. 6 is a flow chart of the operation of the media
processing device.
[0028] FIG. 7A is a flow chart of the operation of the media
processing device.
[0029] FIG. 7B is a flow chart of the operation of the media
processing device.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0030] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described
below with reference to the accompanying figures.
[0031] FIG. 1 is an oblique view of a media processing device 1
according to this embodiment of the invention.
[0032] The media processing device 1 is a device that can process
media such as checks 4 and other forms (referred to herein as
"processed media") in multiple ways, including reading magnetic ink
characters printed on the processed medium, optically imaging
(scanning) both sides of the processed medium, and recording
(printing) images including text on the processed medium. The media
processing device 1 also functions as a card reader that reads
magnetic information recorded on card media such as credit cards,
and functions to produce specific types of tickets with an image
recorded thereon by recording an image to thermal roll paper and
cutting the paper.
[0033] This embodiment of the invention describes processing checks
4 as an example of the processed medium. As shown in FIG. 1, a
check 4 is a form having a payment amount, payee, serial number,
payer signature, and other information printed on a sheet (paper)
with a specific colored or patterned background. The payment
amount, payee, serial number, payer signature, and other
information are printed on the face 4a, and an endorsement area is
provided on the back 4b. An endorsement is printed with specific
text or an image in the endorsement area by the inkjet head 10
described below. An MICR (magnetic ink character recognition) line
4c is preprinted along the length of the check 4 on the face 4a.
The MICR line 4c is a line of magnetic ink characters printed with
magnetic ink, and can be read magnetically and optically.
[0034] The outside case of the media processing device 1 includes a
bottom case 11 that covers the bottom part of the media processing
device 1, and a cover 12 that covers the bottom case 11, and the
main parts of the media processing device 1 are housed inside this
outside case. An entrance 14 for inserting checks 4 is open at the
front of the media processing device 1, and a stacker 15 that can
hold a stack of plural checks 4 is provided inside the entrance 14.
The stacker 15 can be pulled out to the front, and the checks 4 can
be loaded into the stacker 15 after adjusting the stacker 15 to the
size of the checks 4 to be stored in the stacker 15.
[0035] A slot 18 that is substantially U-shaped when seen from
above and is used as the conveyance path W of the checks 4 is
formed in the cover 12, and the slot 18 ends in an exit pocket 19
at the front of the media processing device 1. Checks 4 stored in
the stacker 15 are fed one by one into the media processing device
1 as described below, are processed as they pass through the slot
18, and the processed checks 4 are discharged into the exit pocket
19. Multiple checks 4 can accumulate in the exit pocket 19.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 1, a magnetic card reader 20 is disposed
beside the stacker 15. The magnetic card reader 20 includes a card
slot 21 formed in the cover 12, and an MCR (magnetic card reader)
head 22 (FIG. 3) disposed facing the card slot 21, and reads
information magnetically recorded on cards passing through the card
slot 21 with the MCR head 22.
[0037] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the configuration of the main
unit of the media processing device 1 housed the outside case. As
shown in FIG. 2, a hopper 25 is disposed on one side of the stacker
15. The hopper 25 can pivot in the direction of the arrow by means
of a hopper drive motor 26 (FIG. 3), and pushes the checks 4 in the
stacker 15 to the other side.
[0038] A pickup roller 28 driven by an ASF (automatic sheet feeder)
motor 27 (FIG. 3) described below is disposed on the other side of
the stacker 15, and when the hopper 25 rotates toward the pickup
roller 28, one check 4 in the stacker 15 is urged by the rotating
hopper 25 to the pickup roller 28, contacts the roller, and is fed
into the conveyance path W by rotation of the pickup roller 28.
[0039] An ASF roller set 29 composed of a pair of rollers is
disposed downstream from the stacker 15. The two rollers of the ASF
roller set 29 are disposed on opposite sides of the conveyance path
W, one roller is driven by the ASF motor 27, and the other roller
is a follower roller. The check 4 in contact with the pickup roller
28 is nipped by the ASF roller set 29, and conveyed downstream
through the slot 18.
[0040] An ASF paper detector 31 (FIG. 3) is disposed to a specific
position in the stacker 15. The ASF paper detector 31 is a
transmissive photosensor in this embodiment, and detects if a check
4 is in the stacker 15.
[0041] A hopper position detector 32 (FIG. 3) is disposed at the
standby position of the hopper 25 in the stacker 15. The hopper
position detector 32 is a transmissive photosensor in this
embodiment, and detects if the hopper 25 is in the standby
position.
[0042] A MICR (magnetic ink character recognition) head 35 that
contacts the face 4a of the check 4 and magnetically reads the MICR
line 4c (FIG. 1) is disposed downstream from the ASF roller set 29.
A MICR roller 36 is disposed opposite the MICR head 35. The MICR
roller 36 is pushed to the MICR head 35 side, rotates while
pressing the check 4 against the MICR head 35, and conveys checks 4
at a constant speed suited to reading the MICR line. An assist
roller set 37 composed of a pair of rollers that guide the check 4
fed by the ASF roller set 29 to the MICR head 35 is disposed on the
upstream side of the MICR head 35.
[0043] A paper length detector 38 is disposed to the conveyance
path W between the assist roller set 37 and MICR head 35. The paper
length detector 38 is a reflective photosensor in this embodiment,
and detects the leading end and trailing end of each check 4 by
detecting if a check 4 passing through the conveyance path W is at
the detection position. The control unit 70 (control means)
acquires the output signals of the paper length detector 38 and
determines the length of the check 4 based on change in detector
output.
[0044] A first conveyance roller set 40 including a pair of rollers
disposed on opposite sides of the conveyance path W is disposed to
the conveyance path W on the downstream side of the MICR head 35,
and a second conveyance roller set 41 is disposed downstream from
the first conveyance roller set 40. The first conveyance roller set
40 and second conveyance roller set 41 are driven rotationally by a
conveyance motor 42 (FIG. 3), and these rollers convey the check 4
to the inkjet printer unit 44 (print unit).
[0045] The inkjet printer unit 44 has an inkjet head 10 (inkjet
recording head). The inkjet head 10 is an inkjet recording head
that is supplied with ink from an ink cartridge 45 (ink storage
unit) installed in the front of the media processing device 1 and
ejects ink onto the check 4. The inkjet head 10 in this embodiment
prints an endorsement including text or symbols on the back 4b of
the check 4.
[0046] An intermediate detector 46 is disposed between the inkjet
head 10 and second conveyance roller set 41. The intermediate
detector 46 is a reflective photosensor in this embodiment, and
detects if a check 4 is at the detection position.
[0047] A CIS (contact image sensor) unit for optically reading
checks 4 is disposed downstream from the inkjet head 10. This CIS
unit includes a front CIS unit 47 (reading unit) for imaging the
face 4a of the check 4, and a back CIS unit 48 (reading unit) for
imaging the back 4b, and can thus optically image both sides of
each check 4. The front CIS unit 47 and back CIS unit 48 are
disposed on opposite sides of the conveyance path W. A first CIS
roller 50 is disposed on the upstream side and a second CIS roller
51 is disposed on the downstream side of these units. The first CIS
roller 50 and second CIS roller 51 are rollers that are driven
rotationally by the conveyance motor 42, and checks 4 are conveyed
by these rollers at a constant speed while being imaged by the CIS
units.
[0048] A discharge detector 52 is located downstream from the
second CIS roller 51. The discharge detector 52 is a reflective
photosensor in this embodiment, and detects if a check 4 is at the
detection position.
[0049] The exit pocket 19 described above is located downstream
from the front CIS unit 47 and back CIS unit 48. The exit pocket 19
is divided into a main pocket 19a and a sub-pocket 19b, and the
slot 18 splits and is connected to both the main pocket 19a and
sub-pocket 19b. The main pocket 19a and sub-pocket 19b can each
hold a plurality of checks 4.
[0050] A flapper 54 that switches the exit pocket 19 into which the
check 4 is discharged to the main pocket 19a or sub-pocket 19b is
disposed at the position where the slot 18 splits. The flapper 54
is a guide that by closing the path to the main pocket 19a or the
path to the sub-pocket 19b guides the check 4 into the other
pocket, and is driven by the flapper drive motor 55. A discharge
roller 56 is disposed to the path from the flapper 54 to the main
pocket 19a, another discharge roller 57 is disposed to the path
from the flapper 54 to the sub-pocket 19b, and the checks 4 are
thus smoothly discharged by these rollers and guided by the flapper
54 into the appropriate exit pocket 19.
[0051] As described below, the media processing device 1 discharges
the check 4 into the main pocket 19a when the check 4 is determined
to have been correctly loaded based on the result of the MICR head
35 reading the MICR line 4c, and into the sub-pocket 19b when the
check 4 is determined to have not been correctly loaded.
[0052] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a thermal printer unit 60 for
printing tickets with an image recorded thereon is provided in the
middle of the media processing device 1.
[0053] A shown in FIG. 1, the thermal printer unit 60 has a printer
cover 61 covering the top of the media processing device 1. This
printer cover 61 is attached to the cover 12 so that the printer
cover 61 can open and close freely. When the printer cover 61 is
open, a roll paper compartment 62, which is a space for holding
thermal roll paper, is exposed and the thermal roll paper can be
installed or replaced. A paper exit 63 is formed in the printer
cover 61, and the thermal roll paper held in the roll paper
compartment 62 can be discharged through the paper exit 63.
[0054] The thermal printer unit 60 includes a roller platen (not
shown in the figure) that supplies and feeds thermal roll paper
from the roll paper compartment 62 through the conveyance path W, a
thermal head 65 (FIG. 3) disposed opposite the platen, and a cutter
unit 66 that cuts the thermal roll paper perpendicularly to the
conveyance direction. To produce a ticket, the thermal printer unit
60 records an image on the thermal roll paper with the thermal head
65 while driving the platen and conveying the thermal roll paper in
the conveyance direction, and then cuts the thermal roll paper at a
specific position with the cutter unit 66 to produce a ticket.
[0055] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional
configuration of a media processing system 8 composed of the media
processing device 1 connected to a host computer 5 as an external
device.
[0056] As shown in FIG. 3, the media processing device 1 has a
control unit 70 including a CPU that controls media processing
device 1 operation, RAM, and flash ROM; a printer control unit 71
that controls the inkjet printer unit 44 and thermal printer unit
60; and a head driver circuit 72, motor driver 73, reading control
circuit 74, sensor drive circuit 75, and interface unit 76, which
are connected so that they can communicate with each other.
[0057] The control unit 70 controls the other parts of the media
processing device 1 by means of the CPU reading and running a
control program stored in flash ROM. The control unit 70 also has
RAM, which is memory for temporarily storing programs run by the
CPU and process data. The control unit 70 also has memory 77 that
temporarily stores data processed by the control unit 70. This
memory 77 may be a memory device provided separately from or
rendered using an area in the RAM of the control unit 70. The
memory 77 has an area for temporarily storing control commands and
print data received from the host computer 5, and space for writing
the print image recorded by the control unit 70 on a check 4.
[0058] The printer control unit 71 supplies drive current to the
inkjet head 10 (inkjet recording head) through the head driver
circuit 72 to record on a check 4 as controlled by the control unit
70. The printer control unit 71 also supplies drive current to the
thermal head 65 through the head driver circuit 72 to record on
thermal roll paper as controlled by the control unit 70.
[0059] The motor driver 73 is connected to the hopper drive motor
26 and causes the hopper 25 to pivot as controlled by the control
unit 70.
[0060] The motor driver 73 is connected to the ASF motor 27,
conveyance motor 42, and flapper drive motor 55. The motor driver
73 outputs drive current and drive pulses to the motors. And
operates the motors as controlled by the control unit 70.
[0061] The reading control circuit 74 is connected to the MCR head
22, MICR head 35, front CIS unit 47, and back CIS unit 48.
[0062] The reading control circuit 74 causes the MCR head 22 to
read the magnetic information when a card is swiped through the
card slot 21 (FIG. 1), and digitizes and outputs the read signal
output from the MCR head 22 to the control unit 70 as controlled by
the control unit 70.
[0063] The reading control circuit 74 also reads magnetic
information with the MICR head 35, and digitizes and outputs the
read signal output from the MICR head 35 to the control unit 70 as
controlled by the control unit 70.
[0064] The reading control circuit 74 also images the face 4a and
back 4b of the check 4 with the front CIS unit 47 and back CIS unit
48 as controlled by the control unit 70, and digitizes and outputs
the signals output from the front CIS unit 47 and back CIS unit 48
to the control unit 70.
[0065] The sensor drive circuit 75 is connected to the ASF paper
detector 31, hopper position detector 32, paper length detector 38,
intermediate detector 46, and discharge detector 52, supplies
current to these detectors, gets the output values therefrom at
specific times, and digitizes and outputs the acquired detection
signals to the control unit 70.
[0066] The interface unit 76 is connected to the host computer 5 by
wire or wirelessly, and exchanges data, including control data,
with the host computer 5 as controlled by the control unit 70.
[0067] The control unit 70 receives process control commands
(commands to execute particular processes) sent from the host
computer 5, and processes checks 4 accordingly
[0068] Based on a command to process a check 4, the control unit 70
gets the output value from the ASF paper detector 31 through the
sensor drive circuit 75, and detects if a check 4 is in the stacker
15. If a check 4 is loaded, the sensor drive circuit 75 gets the
output value of the hopper position detector 32, checks if the
hopper 25 is in the initial position, controls the motor driver 73
to operate the hopper drive motor 26 and ASF motor 27, and picks
and feeds one check 4 into the conveyance path W.
[0069] The control unit 70 then controls the motor driver 73 and
operates the conveyance motor 42 to drive the ASF roller set 29,
MICR roller 36, assist roller set 37, first conveyance roller set
40, second conveyance roller set 41, first CIS roller 50, second
CIS roller 51, and discharge rollers 56, 57 to convey the check
4.
[0070] The control unit 70 also controls the motor driver 73 and
operates the flapper drive motor 55 to move the flapper 54 as
needed to set the discharge destination of the check 4 after
processing by the media processing device 1 is completed to the
main pocket 19a or sub-pocket 19b, and discharges the check 4 with
the appropriate discharge roller 56, 57. Note that the motors and
rollers that convey the check 4 as controlled by the control unit
70 function here as a conveyance means (conveyance unit).
[0071] The control unit 70 controls the reading control circuit 74
to read with the MCR head 22 according to a command to read the
MICR line 4c of the check 4, acquires and recognizes the magnetic
waveform or data output from the MCR head 22, and outputs the
recognition result to the host computer 5.
[0072] Based on a command for printing a check 4 and the print data
sent with the print command, the control unit 70 also writes a
print image of the text and images to be recorded in a print buffer
in memory 77. The control unit 70 also controls the printer control
unit 71 to print the text and images in the print image on the face
4a or back 4b of the check 4 with the inkjet head 10.
[0073] The control unit 70 also scans the face 4a and back 4b of
the check 4 with the front CIS unit 47 and back CIS unit 48
according to a command to optically scan the check 4, and outputs
the image data captured from the face 4a and back 4b of the check 4
to the host computer 5.
[0074] Based on a command to print on thermal roll paper and the
print data sent with the command, the control unit 70 also writes a
print image of the text and images to be recorded in a print buffer
in memory 77. The control unit 70 then controls the printer control
unit 71 and motor driver 73, prints the text and images in the
buffered print image to thermal roll paper with the thermal head
65, discharges the thermal roll paper after printing from the paper
exit 63, and cuts the paper with the cutter unit 66.
[0075] The media processing device 1 thus controls plural
processing units (the MICR head 35, inkjet printer unit 44, front
CIS unit 47 and back CIS unit 48, and thermal head 65) with the
control unit 70, and processes checks 4 with an MICR function,
printing function, optical reader function, and thermal roll paper
printing function according to commands sent from the host computer
5. The media processing device 1 can use plural functions together
in series, and can also use functions individually.
[0076] FIG. 4 is a flow chart of operation when applying plural
functions in series to a single check 4.
[0077] In the operation shown in FIG. 4, the MICR function,
printing function, and optical reader (scanning) function are used
in a single sequence.
[0078] When a command to start processing a check 4 is received
from the host computer 5 (step S11), the control unit 70 of the
media processing device 1 drives the hopper drive motor 26 and ASF
motor 27 and feeds a check 4 into the conveyance path W, and starts
check 4 conveyance (step S12).
[0079] Next, the control unit 70 reads the MICR line 4c of the
check 4 with the MICR head 35 while managing the position of the
check 4 by monitoring the output from the paper length detector 38
(step S13).
[0080] Based on the output from the MICR head 35, the control unit
70 determines if the check 4 was loaded correctly instead of
backwards top-bottom or front-back (step S14), based thereon
determines whether to discharge the check 4 into the main pocket
19a or sub-pocket 19b, and drives the flapper drive motor 55 to
switch the flapper 54 as required (step S15). More specifically, if
the check 4 was loaded correctly, the control unit 70 switches the
flapper 54 to the main pocket 19a side, and if the check 4 was not
loaded correctly, switches the flapper 54 to the sub-pocket 19b
side.
[0081] Next, the control unit 70 conveys the check 4 while
monitoring the position of the check 4 based on the output from the
intermediate detector 46, and records a specific image on the back
4b of the check 4 with the inkjet head 10 (step S16).
[0082] The control unit 70 then scans the face 4a of the check 4
with the front CIS unit 47 while scanning the back 4b with the back
CIS unit 48 (step S17), and outputs the scanned images to the host
computer 5. Note that if the check 4 was not loaded correctly,
scanning in step S17 may be skipped.
[0083] The control unit 70 then drives the conveyance motor 42 to
discharge the check 4 into the appropriate exit pocket 19 while
monitoring whether or not the check 4 was discharged correctly by
monitoring the output of the discharge detector 52 (step S18), and
the process ends. Note that steps S14 and S15 could run parallel to
steps S16 to S18.
[0084] The control unit 70 also performs the function of an error
detection unit 70a (FIG. 3) by running a control program stored in
flash ROM. The error detection unit 70a detects error factors in
the media processing device 1 based on the output states of
detectors detected through the sensor drive circuit 75, and
determines if an error occurred or not from the content of the
error factors. When an error is determined to have occurred, the
error detection unit 70a stops all operation of the media
processing device 1 and reports the error to the host computer
5.
[0085] The main error factors detected by the error detection unit
70a are described next. When a cover open detector (not shown in
the figure) detects that the cover 12 or printer cover 61 is open
(open cover), and the hopper position detector 32 detects that the
hopper 25 is not in the initial position when operation starts, are
examples of general errors related to the media processing device
1.
[0086] Errors related to a check 4 include no check 4 in the
stacker 15 after a command is received, and check 4 conveyance
jams. A check 4 is determined to be jammed when, for example, the
leading end or trailing end of the check 4 is not detected by the
paper length detector 38 even though the check 4 conveyance
distance exceeds a specific threshold, or detecting the leading end
or trailing end of the check 4 by the intermediate detector 46 or
discharge detector 52 takes too long relative to the conveyance
distance.
[0087] Errors related to the inkjet printer unit 44 include the ink
cartridge 45 being out of ink, the storage capacity of the waste
ink tank that holds ink discharged by inkjet head 10 cleaning or
flushing operations being exceeded, the number of defective nozzles
detected by the inkjet head 10 nozzle check exceeding the
threshold, and an abnormal temperature detected in the inkjet head
10.
[0088] Errors related to other processing units include an abnormal
temperature in the thermal head 65, buffer errors when storing the
image data from the front CIS unit 47 and back CIS unit 48 in
memory 77, and running out of paper in the roll paper compartment
62.
[0089] Of these errors, no ink in the ink cartridge 45, an abnormal
temperature in the inkjet head 10, a full waste ink tank, an
abnormal temperature in the thermal head 65, a check 4 jam, and
buffer errors require prompt correction of the problem in order to
prevent damage, or require resolving the error and repeating the
process, and are therefore considered urgent errors.
[0090] Other errors, such as no paper in the roll paper compartment
62, detecting a defective nozzle in the inkjet head 10, and open
cover errors, are unlikely to lead to irreversible damage if
unaddressed, and are therefore considered non-urgent errors.
[0091] When an error occurs, error detection unit 70a of the media
processing device 1 goes to a mode in which commands from the host
computer 5 cannot be received, or commands cannot be executed (that
is, a busy or off-line state). After entering the busy or off-line
mode, the error detection unit 70a monitors if the cause of the
error was resolved, and could automatically return on-line when the
error is resolved.
[0092] Because the media processing device 1 can also execute
processes individually by the respective processing units (MICR
head 35, inkjet printer unit 44, front CIS unit 47 and back CIS
unit 48, and thermal head 65), the media processing device 1 can
also be used without, for example, ever printing with the inkjet
printer unit 44. If the inkjet head 10 is never used after
purchasing the media processing device 1, for example, and only the
reading functions of the MICR head 35 or front CIS unit 47 and back
CIS unit 48 are used, there is no need to use ink for printing.
[0093] However, the media processing device 1 must maintain the
nozzles of the inkjet head 10. Maintenance of the inkjet head 10
includes, for example, regular flushing, wiping, and cleaning
Flushing is a function that ejects a small amount of ink from all
or some of the nozzles in the inkjet head 10 to remove ink that has
increased in viscosity due to drying and prevent nozzle clogging.
Wiping is an operation that maintains a desirable ink meniscus in
the nozzles by wiping the nozzle face with a wiper (not shown in
the figure) disposed opposite the nozzle face of the inkjet head
10, and a small amount of ink is consumed because the wiper wipes
away ink. Cleaning is a function that applies negative pressure to
an ink suction line inside a cap (not shown in the figure) that
covers the nozzle face of the inkjet head 10 and suctions ink from
inside the nozzles so that fresh ink flows into the nozzles and the
ink supply path from the ink cartridge 45 to the nozzles to unclog
the nozzles and clean the ink supply path. Because these
maintenance operations require ink and must be performed even if
the printing function of the inkjet head 10 is never used, the ink
cartridge 45 must be recharged with ink as needed.
[0094] As a result, if the ink cartridge becomes empty, or the ink
cartridge is not installed, the error detection unit in a media
processing device according to the related art reports an error
whether or not the user uses the printing function of the inkjet
head. When an error is reported, the media processing device goes
off-line and other functions also cannot be used.
[0095] The media processing device 1 according to this embodiment
of the invention therefore has a normal mode in which all functions
of the plural function units are enabled, including the MICR
function, printing function, optical reader function, and thermal
roll paper printing function, and a disabled mode
(function-disabled mode) in which using one or more of these
functions is disabled. Because a subset of the functions is
disabled in the disabled mode, those disabled functions are not
executed even if commands related to the disabled functions are
received from the host computer 5. The error detection unit 70a
also does not detect errors related to the disabled functions in
the disabled mode, errors related to the disabled functions are not
detected and the media processing device 1 does not go
off-line.
[0096] A disabled mode can be provided for each of the functions of
the media processing device 1, but for simplicity this embodiment
describes only a printing-disabled mode that disables printing with
the inkjet head 10.
[0097] FIG. 5 is a flow chart of the operation of the media
processing device 1, and describes operation until the process
starts when a process command is received from the host computer
5.
[0098] When a process command sent from the host computer 5 is
received (step S21), the control unit 70 determines if the received
command is a print command that invokes the printing function (step
S22). If the received command is not a print command (step S22
returns No), the control unit 70 executes the process called by the
received command (step S23).
[0099] If the received command is a print command (step S22 returns
Yes), the control unit 70 determines if the current operating mode
is the printing-disabled mode (step S24), and goes to step S23 and
runs the process called by the print command if the current
operating mode is not the printing-disabled mode (step S24 returns
No). If the current operating mode is the printing-disabled mode
(step S24 returns Yes), the received command is discarded (step
S25), and the process ends. Note that when the received command is
discarded, a status report indicating that the printing function
will not be executed can be sent to the host computer 5.
[0100] When in the printing-disabled mode and an error related to
the printing function occurs, the error detection unit 70a does not
detect the error even if the cause of the error is related to the
inkjet head 10.
[0101] FIG. 6 is a flow chart of the operation of the media
processing device 1, and shows particularly the error detection
operation of the error detection unit 70a.
[0102] If the error detection unit 70a receives the values or
states detected by the detectors through the sensor drive circuit
75 and determines that an error occurred (step S31), the error
detection unit 70a determines if the current operating mode is the
printing-disabled mode (step S32). If the operating mode is not the
printing-disabled mode (step S32 returns No), the error detection
unit 70a determines that an error occurred based on the detected
error factor (step S33), reports the error to the host computer 5
and goes off-line (step S34), and ends the process. When the cause
of the error is then resolved and an operation for returning from
the off-line state is performed, operation returns to the on-line
state.
[0103] If the current operating mode is the printing-disabled mode
(step S32 returns Yes), the error detection unit 70a determines if
the error factor that occurred is related to the printing function
(step S35). If the error factor was not related to printing (step
S35 returns No), the error detection unit 70a goes to step S33 and
detects the error. However, if the detected error factor was
related to the printing function (step S35 returns Yes), the error
detection unit 70a ends the process without detecting the
error.
[0104] Because the printing function is not executed when a command
that invokes the printing function is received and the error is not
detected when an error factor related to the printing function
occurs in the printing-disabled mode, the control unit 70 does not
go off-line when inkjet printer unit 44 maintenance is not
performed, and functions other than the printing function can still
be used. Maintenance related to functions that are not used can
therefore be omitted. Furthermore, because errors are detected
unless the cause of the error is related to a disabled function,
errors related to functions that are not disabled can be detected
as in the normal operating mode. Accordingly, problems such as
equipment failures and damage can be prevented. Because the inkjet
printer unit 44 is not driven in the printing-disabled mode, not
performing maintenance will not result in equipment failure.
[0105] Switching from the normal printing mode to the
printing-disabled mode can be controlled by a command sent from the
host computer 5 to the media processing device 1.
[0106] FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are flow charts of the operation of the
media processing device 1, and more particularly show the operation
related to setting the printing-disabled mode. FIG. 7A shows the
operation related to setting the printing-disabled mode during
normal operation, and FIG. 7B shows setting the printing-disabled
mode in special cases.
[0107] As shown in FIG. 7A, when a command to set the
printing-disabled mode is received from the host computer 5 (step
S41), the control unit 70 sets the operating mode of the media
processing device 1 to the printing-disabled mode according to the
command (step S42). To end the printing-disabled mode and return to
the normal operating mode, the host computer 5 sends a
printing-disabled mode cancellation command, and the control unit
70 of the media processing device 1 receives the printing-disabled
mode cancellation command and changes the operating mode to the
normal mode.
[0108] Maintenance of the inkjet head 10 by means of flushing,
wiping, or cleaning as described above, for example, is therefore
essential, but if an ink cartridge 45 has never been installed in
the media processing device 1, there is no danger of ink drying or
clogging, and related maintenance is not necessary. A problem will
therefore not result from not performing maintenance operations
that consume ink if an ink cartridge 45 has not been installed. In
other words, all maintenance operations, including replenishing the
ink cartridge 45, can be skipped and all error factors related to
the printing function, including there being no ink, can be ignored
when in the printing-disabled mode, but this is only possible if an
ink cartridge 45 has never been installed.
[0109] The media processing device 1 can therefore be configured to
enable setting the printing-disabled mode only if an ink cartridge
45 has never been installed.
[0110] As shown in FIG. 7B, the control unit 70 monitors
installation of an ink cartridge 45 after the media processing
device 1 power first turns on (step S51), and if an ink cartridge
45 is installed (step S51 returns Yes) turns the printing-disabled
mode prohibited flag ON (step S52). This printing-disabled mode
prohibited flag is stored in flash ROM in the control unit 70, for
example.
[0111] If an ink cartridge 45 is not installed (step S51 returns
No), step S52 is skipped. After an ink cartridge 45 is installed
and the printing-disabled mode prohibited flag is turned ON in step
S52, steps S51 and S52 are skipped.
[0112] When a set printing-disabled mode command is received from
the host computer 5 (step S53), the control unit 70 reads the
printing-disabled mode prohibited flag (step S54), and if the
printing-disabled mode prohibited flag is OFF (step S54 returns
No), changes the operating mode of the media processing device 1 to
the printing-disabled mode (step S55). However, if the
printing-disabled mode prohibited flag is ON (step S54 returns
Yes), the control unit 70 reports that the printing-disabled mode
cannot be set to the host computer 5 (step S56), and ends the
process in the normal operating mode. The operation of steps S53 to
S56 repeats on a regular cycle while the media processing device 1
power is on.
[0113] In the operation shown in FIG. 5 and described above, the
media processing device 1 discards the command when the received
command invokes a printing function, but the command could be
executed if the command relates to maintenance of the inkjet
printer unit 44 in step S22 in FIG. 5. This enables keeping the
inkjet printer unit 44 in a usable state by performing the
maintenance operation on the inkjet printer unit 44 when a command
related to maintenance of the inkjet printer unit 44 is sent from
the host computer 5.
[0114] A configuration that detects errors related to the printing
function that are urgent errors, such as no ink in the ink
cartridge 45, an abnormal temperature in the inkjet head 10, a full
waste ink tank, an abnormal temperature in the thermal head 65, a
check 4 jam, and buffer errors, in step S35 in FIG. 6 is also
conceivable. Because only the causes of errors that could lead to
irreversible damage to the media processing device 1 if left
unattended are reported in this case, monitoring can be limited to
the minimum required for the disabled function. By limiting error
detection to errors that are considered urgent, the maintenance for
the inkjet printer unit 44 can be reduced compared with operation
in the normal mode. This is particularly effective for users that
do not use the printing function.
[0115] Of the functions related to the inkjet printer unit 44,
execution of functions in the printing-disabled mode could be
limited to functions related to inkjet printer unit 44 maintenance.
The functions related to maintenance of the inkjet printer unit 44
can also be limited to a minimal set of functions. As described
above, inkjet printer unit 44 maintenance normally includes
flushing, wiping, and cleaning, and flushing is performed at a
specific time interval (such as several seconds) while the cap (not
shown in the figure) is removed from the nozzle face of the inkjet
head 10. Wiping is performed after removing the cap before starting
printing every time a print job starts or each time after a
specific number of print jobs. Cleaning is performed whenever the
printing time exceeds a specific threshold, or whenever a specific
period of time passes with the media processing device 1 power on.
The interval (the specific times described above) at which these
flushing, wiping, and cleaning operations are performed can be
preset for each function and stored in the flash ROM of the control
unit 70.
[0116] A configuration that stores at least two different intervals
for flushing, wiping, and cleaning, that is, an interval for the
normal mode and an interval for the printing-disabled mode, and
changes the intervals for flushing, wiping, and cleaning when the
printing-disabled mode is set by the operation shown in FIG. 7A, is
also conceivable. When the printing-disabled mode is set after an
ink cartridge 45 has been installed once, this configuration
enables maintaining the inkjet printer unit 44 in a usable state,
minimizes ink consumption and the time waiting for maintenance
operations, and can greatly reduce the maintenance load compared
with operation in the normal mode.
[0117] As described above, the media processing device 1 according
to this embodiment of the invention has an inkjet printer unit 44
with a function for printing checks 4, and a front CIS unit 47 and
back CIS unit 48 with a function for scanning checks 4, disposed to
the conveyance path W through which checks 4 are conveyed, and a
control unit 70 that, when a command disabling the function of the
inkjet printer unit 44 or the front CIS unit 47 and back CIS unit
48 (the printing function in this example) is received from the
host computer 5, enters a printing-disabled mode that disables the
function specified by the command (the printing function in this
example), and when in the printing-disabled mode stops sending
error reports to the host computer 5 for errors related to the
disabled function.
[0118] As a result, a media processing device 1 with plural
functions enables using only a subset of those functions, and
enables continuing to use the media processing device 1 when an
error related to a function that is not used is detected without
doing anything to correct the error. When the printing function of
the inkjet head 10 is not used, for example, this configuration
reduces the need for maintenance related to the printing
function.
[0119] The inkjet printer unit 44 has an inkjet head 10 that
records by ejecting ink stored in an ink cartridge 45 onto a check
4, and errors related to the inkjet head 10 and supplying ink are
not reported when the printing-disabled mode, which uses only the
front CIS unit 47 and back CIS unit 48 and does not use the inkjet
printer unit 44, is set. The front CIS unit 47 and back CIS unit 48
can therefore be used without performing any ink-related
maintenance tasks, the maintenance load can be reduced, and ink
consumption can be suppressed.
[0120] Furthermore, because the control unit 70 does not enter the
printing-disabled mode when a set printing-disabled mode command is
received after an ink cartridge 45 has once been installed and ink
supply enabled, the maintenance load can be reduced when using
functions other than the inkjet printer unit 44, and problems
resulting from omitting required maintenance after supplying ink
has been enabled can be prevented.
[0121] Further alternatively, after an ink cartridge 45 has once
been installed and ink supply enabled, the control unit 70 can
enter the function-disabled mode and enable maintenance of the
inkjet printer unit 44 when a set printing-disabled mode command is
received, and thereby prevent problems resulting from omitting
required maintenance while also suppressing ink consumption.
[0122] Furthermore, of the error factors related to the printing
function, errors related to urgent error factors are detected and
reported to the host computer 5 in the printing-disabled mode, and
other errors are ignored. Error detection related to the disabled
function can therefore be suppressed and the maintenance load
reduced while still appropriately reporting errors that cannot be
ignored to the user.
[0123] The invention is described above with reference to a
preferred embodiment of the invention, but the invention is not so
limited. For example, the media processing device 1 is described in
the foregoing embodiment as being able to switch between a
printing-disabled mode that disables the printing function of the
inkjet head 10, and a normal mode, but the invention is not so
limited. More specifically, configurations that can select a mode
disabling printing by the thermal head 65, or operating modes that
disable other functions, and do not detect errors for error factors
related to the disabled function, are also conceivable.
[0124] The causes of errors considered urgent and not-urgent above
are also used as examples only, and the specific configuration of
the media processing device 1 can be changed as desired.
[0125] The media processing device 1 is described above using as an
example a configuration in which ink is supplied to the inkjet head
10 from a stationary ink cartridge 45, but the actual configuration
of the inkjet printer unit 44 can be changed as desired, including
configurations using on-carriage ink cartridges in devices in which
the inkjet head 10 is mounted on a carriage and scans with the
carriage.
[0126] The function units shown in the block diagram in FIG. 3
simply illustrate one functional configuration, the function units
do not need to be rendered as discrete hardware devices, and the
functions of plural function units can be combined in a single
hardware device, or a single function unit can be rendered using
plural hardware devices, through the cooperation of software and
hardware.
[0127] The program run by the CPU of the control unit 70 that
executes the operations described above is not limited to being
stored in nonvolatile memory of the control unit 70, and may be
stored on a removable recording medium, or stored downloadably on
another device connected over a communication line, and the media
processing device 1 could download and run the program from the
other device. Other aspects of the configuration can also be
changed as desired.
[0128] 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.
* * * * *