Abstract: In an MICR encoder of a point-of-sale transaction printer, the MICR characters must be printed at a precise distance to the right edge of the check in order to place the MICR in the proper field site. In order to accomplish this, an optical sensor is provided in a check processing mechanism of a point-of-sale printer, to detect the edge of the check and stage it at a known location from a thermal, MICR printhead. It then becomes an easy matter to advance the check by a stepper, drive and print motor a fixed number of step increments in order to start the printing sequence.

Abstract: A transaction printer includes the MICR encoding of indicia at a precise location called the amount field. In order to accomplish this, an optical sensor is provided in a check processing machine at a point-of-sale to detect the edge of the check and stage it at a known location from the thermal, MICR print head. A clutch mechanism is used to engage the print head with a platen and to engage a read head with the check, so that indicia can be sequentially imprinted and read within the check processing machine in a single, sequential operation that moves the check from a home position to a MICR print position, and subsequently to a MICR read position.

Abstract: A transaction printer includes the MICR encoding and reading of indicia at the point-of-sale. The printer reads the imprinted MICR indicia and determines whether the MICR indicia are verifiable. Unverified checks may be marked. An operator may be asked to determine whether a "bad" check (i.e., wrinkled, folded, torn, etc.) is the probable cause of the verification failure. If the check appears to be good, the MICR encoding function of the transaction printer may be disabled until a service technician is available to isolate the problem.

Abstract: A compact ribbon cassette for dispensing and storing a ribbon or tape. The supply and take-up rolls of ribbon or tape are disposed upon a common rotatable shaft mounted for rotation within the housing. A unique chevron disposed adjacent the take-up roll and on the post-printing portion of the cassette causes the dispensed ribbon to reverse direction and change level and be presented for storage upon the take-up roll. The supply roll is under tension because a plurality of spring fingers push against a friction plate, thereby pressing the supply roll against an inner partition plate. The ribbon moves straight off the supply roll without bunching. A spring-loaded ribbon tensioner reduces slack in the ribbon by applying tension to the ribbon.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for dispensing tickets in the form of segments cut off from a single paid-out strip, the device comprising a two-portion container, each portion of the container carrying a cutter blade, the portions of the container being movable relative to each other between a first relative position in which the blades are in a position to cooperate with each other for cutting off a ticket, and a second relative position in which the blades are remote from each other so as to leave sufficient space between them to give easy access to the path of the strip.

Abstract: A new receipt printer and method for negotiating transactions at the point of sale in retail establishments. The POS printer includes means for reading the account and bank information from existing magnetic characters on a check. The apparatus of this invention flips the check over and reverses its feed direction, in order to change its facial and directional orientation so that the amount of the transaction or other accounting information can be printed on the check, with one check presentation operation. The clamshell design of the printer, with the transport mechanism disposed in a pivotable door, allows for ease of clearing paper jams, should they occur. The door itself has a window through which the user and customer can view the check at all times, as it is read, flipped, and printed on.

Abstract: A transaction printer includes the MICR encoding of indicia. A diagnostic test procedure reads a printed test document and determines whether the MICR indicia are within specifications. A test document found to be out of specifications, prompts the adjustment of the print parameters of the printing system of the check processing machine.

Abstract: A compact ribbon cassette for dispensing and storing a ribbon or tape. The supply and take-up rolls of ribbon and tape are disposed upon a common rotatable shaft mounted for rotation within the housing. A unique chevron disposed adjacent the take-up roll and on the post-printing portion of the cassette causes the dispensed ribbon to reverse direction and change level and be presented for storage upon the take-up roll. Ink particles are removed by a wiper from the ribbon prior to printing.

Abstract: A printer and method for negotiating transactions at the point of sale in retail establishments. The POS printer includes a check feeding mechanism that feeds a check into receipt printer with a face-up orientation. The mechanism includes a magnet to magnetize magnetic characters on a check and a read head to read and analyze the signal waveform from each character. The check is pressed up against the read head and the MICR is read only after the printing carriage of the receipt printer has moved to a position outside the print zone, within the printer housing. In this position, a tab, riding on the printing carriage, releases a spring-biased pivot plug. The pivot plug becomes free to pivot, thus releasing a spring-biased plunger, the face of which, in turn, forces the check and its indicia against the read head.

Abstract: A printer for negotiating transactions at the point of sale in retail establishments. The POS printer includes a selective check reading mechanism that converts the receipt printer into a check reader. The mechanism includes a magnet to magnetize magnetic characters on a check and a read head to read and analyze the signal waveform from each character. The check is pressed up against the read head and the magnetic characters are read only after the printing carriage of the receipt printer has moved to a dead zone within the printer housing. In the dead zone, a tab, riding on the printing carriage, releases a spring-biased pivot arm. The pivot arm becomes free to pivot, thus releasing a spring-biased plunger, the face of which, in turn, forces the check and its indicia against the read head.

Abstract: A method for using a POS printer that includes means for magnetizing and reading the ON-US and ROUTING information from preprinted magnetic characters on a check. The characters are printed with an ink having magnetizable particles embedded therein. First, the ROUTING and ON-US fields of the check are magnetized, either by a fixed magnet, or within the read head itself. Next, the characters within the ROUTING and ON-US fields are read by the read head, and the signals analyzed by the electronics of the POS printer. This is followed by a verification, in which the printer electronically verifies that the account is not a "bad" account. If the account is good, the printer continues to endorse the check on its back and/or encode the check by printing MICR characters in the AMOUNT field on the face of the check. The POS printer may magnetize and read these characters after they are printed, in order to verify that the correct amount has been encoded onto the check.

Abstract: A printer device for printing on a strip medium, the device comprising a body (1), a carriage (5) movable in translation along a guide (2) secured to the body (1) and carrying a pivoting print head (7), and resilient means (9) disposed between the carriage (5) and the print head (7), a cover carrying a platen and pivotally connected to the body (1) to pivot between an open position and a closed position in which the print head (7) is held pressed against the platen by the resilient means (9), a locking member carried by the body (1) in retractable manner between a first position in which it co-operates with an abutment secured to the cover and a second position in which it escapes from the abutment, the locking member (17) being secured to a lever (19) hinged to the body (1), the lever (19) having an end that co-operates with the print head in such a manner that during the movement of the locking member (17) between its first and second positions, the end of the lever (19) causes the print head (7) to pivot a

Abstract: A compact ribbon cassette for dispensing and storing a ribbon or tape. The supply and take-up rolls of ribbon or tape are disposed upon a common rotatable shaft mounted for rotation within the housing. A unique chevron disposed adjacent the take-up roll and on the post-printing portion of the cassette causes the dispensed ribbon to change level and reverse direction and be presented for storage upon the take-up roll. A partitioning plate in the ribbon cassette separates the supply roll from the take-up region of the cassette. Ink particles are thereby prevented from migrating from the post-printing, take-up region of the cassette to the pre-printing, supply region thereof.

Abstract: A media presenting device that allows for the presenting of various media, such as receipts, slips, forms, labels, tickets, tags, etc. The media are introduced into the device by an adjacently disposed printer or supply roll of paper. The web of the paper enters a curved raceway of a presenting device and is folded upon itself, thereby changing its direction by ninety degrees with respect to the normal flow direction.

Abstract: A compact ribbon cassette for dispensing and storing a ribbon or tape upon integrally formed dispensing and storage spools. The dispensing and storage spools are disposed upon a common rotatable shaft mounted for rotation within the housing. An integral, self-adjusting friction plate bears upon the ribbon on the dispensing spool and provides a predetermined, varying drag to maintain uniform ribbon taughtness.

Abstract: An improved ribbon cassette is provided for a receipt printer of the impact printing type. The ribbon cassette has two raised areas disposed on the distal ends of the ribbon presenting arms, about the print area defining the ribbon window. These raised areas act as pressure bumps or spring-like retaining pads that bias the paper against the platen. In accomplishing the bias, a paper bubble commonly formed in the ribbon window area is substantially reduced or eliminated. This has the effect of reducing the noise generated by the impact wires of the print head striking the paper.

Abstract: A compact ribbon cassette for dispensing and storing a ribbon or tape upon integrally formed dispensing and storage spools. The dispensing and storage spools are disposed upon a common rotatable shaft mounted for rotation within the housing. A pair of meshing gears provide a positive ribbon drive that ensures that fresh ribbon is in place at the thermal print head for each MICR encode operation. The meshing gear positive ribbon drive system provides the optimum amount of ribbon for the print cycle to assure that MICR encode characters meet accepted industry quality standards.

Abstract: The present invention features a new type of spring-loaded axle. The spring-loaded axle of this invention has a single element. The single component of this invention has a specially-designed spring that acts both as a detent and an axle, all in one. The spring includes an elongated, flexible, coiled, spring portion that has a compressible, coiled midsection that is flanked by a generally non-compressible, coiled section on either side of the compressible, coiled midsection. At the distal end of each of the non-compressible, coiled sections is located a flexible, generally non-compressible, curvilinear, coiled end section. Each of the conically-shaped, coiled end sections acts like a detent; further, because of their conical shape, they can automatically adjust to the bores of the supporting frame. The elongated, coiled spring portion acts like an axle.

Abstract: A point-of-sale printer including a facility for encoding MICR indicia at a precise location called the amount field. A single stepper motor in combination with a unique bi-direction clutch mechanism is used to engage the print head with a platen, and to engage a read head with the check, so that indicia can be sequentially imprinted and read within the transaction printer.

Abstract: A new, miniaturized guillotine blade cutting mechanism is for cutting the paper web of the supply roll of a receipt printer. The miniaturized cutting mechanism features a direct drive mechanism and home switch which are both integral with the cutting blade holder.