Abstract: A novel apparatus for handling sheets of paper is disclosed, in which a plurality of transaction medium processing sections are provided as corresponding to a plurality of transaction ports operated by the customer or the teller. When transactions are proceeeding simultaneously at the transaction ports, the operations of the transaction medium processing sections are controlled at the same time. Also, the operations of a plurality of carriers disposed between the transaction ports and a counter and between the counter and an accommodation section for transporting sheets of paper are controlled at a time independently of each other, thereby saving the transaction time. Simultaneous transactions conducted at the transaction ports in this configuration makes it possible to shorten the time of processing each transaction.

Abstract: An optical bar code scanner uses an improved deflector which deflects a scanning beam along different path lengths within the scanner. The beam is focused at different focal points outside a scanning window of said scanner. The different focal points provide a continuous depth of field with significant range. In one design the rotating deflector is configured as an asymmetrical polygon having a plurality of flat mirrors mounted on a support structure.