SCANNER AND PRINTER UNIT FOR PAYMENT INSTRUMENTS

The present invention regards a printer and scanner unit for payment instruments having a flat shape, such as checks or credit cards for example.

In the commerce sector, the use of payment instruments realized on sheets of paper is also known.

Checks carry, on a first side, a space for the client's signature and a space destined to be filled out with the amount, the date and the payee. In addition, checks carry on a second side, opposite to the first, a space destined to be filled out with data regarding the endorsement of the check.

The operations of filling out a check with the amount and the payee and the subsequent endorsement of the check itself require a predetermined time and generate queues of waiting clients.

The use of point of sale check printers is known of in order to render the service of payment by check efficient. In particular, these printers automatically print the amount, date and name of payee on the first side and information concerning check endorsement on the second side .

After this, the check is handed to the client so that he/she can sign it.

Alternatively, the check is signed by the client before it is inserted in the said printer.

In order to automate and further accelerate payment, printers are known of that are able to print both sides of the check, such as in patent US-B-6296405 for example.

In greater detail, these printers include a print head and one or more motorized rollers to guide the check along a transport path.

In particular, the check, while describing the transport path, presents its first side to the print head so that

this side can be printed.

The shape of the transport path is such that, successively to printing the first side, the check is inverted 180° with respect to the print head so as to present its second side to the same print head, which performs the printing operation for the second side.

In order to allow the printing of checks just on the first side, the printer described in patent US-B-6296405 includes a selectively operable deviator, which after printing the first side, deviates the check from the transport path and conveys it to an output station of the printer.

Likewise, scanner and printer units for one or both sides of the check are also known of, such as in patent

US-B-6257783. In addition to the print operations on one or both sides of the check, these units allow the optical storage of significant check data for fiscal purposes.

In greater detail, these units include a print head, a scanner and one or more motorized rollers to guide the check along a transport path. In particular, the check is guided along the transport path so that it sequentially .presents the first side initially to the print head and then to the scanner.

The transport path is shaped in a manner such that after printing on the first side, the check is first rotated 180° with respect to the print head and the scanner and then the second side is sequentially presented to the same print head and scanner.

In this way, it is possible to print both sides of the check and optically store them. Alternatively, once the first side has been printed and optically stored, the check is conveyed to an output station of the printer.

The applicant has observed that the use of printers of the type illustrated in patent US-B-6296405 causes a particularly high client service time when it is required

to scan at least one side of the check for the aforementioned fiscal purposes.

In fact, the operator must carry out printing on one or both sides of the check and manually scan one or both sides of the same check on a station isolated from the printer.

The applicant has also observed that units of the type illustrated in patent US-B-6257783 are not very versatile, limiting the range of operations that the operator can perform.

In fact, by means of these units, it is not possible to scan one or both sides of the checks without presenting them to the print head or to print one or both sides without presenting them to the scanner. Furthermore, it is not possible to print both sides of the check and present only one to the scanner or to scan both sides of the check and present only one to the print head. Units of the type illustrated in patent US-B-6257783 are also found to be sub-optimal with regard to the time needed to perform check scanning and printing operations.

This time is, in fact, associated with the length of the path described by the check inside the unit . This length is sub-optimal insomuch that at least one side of the check is presented to the scanner even when scanning is not necessary.

Similarly, at least one side of the check is presented to the print head even when check printing is not necessary. Therefore, the length of the path described by the check is independent of the operations to be performed on the check itself, causing a pointless increase in client service time for checks that need to be printed or scanned. In addition, since at least one side of the check is, in any case, presented to the scanner, there can be phenomena of wear and accumulation of dust particles on the scanner, with obvious damage to the latter.

The object of the present invention is the embodiment of a printer and scanner unit for payment instruments having a flat shape, which is simple and functional and which allows the drawbacks associated with the above-described known types of unit to be overcome.

The applicant has found that by arranging a print device along a first transport path of the payment instrument, a scanner device along a second path different from the first, and a deviator device able to connect the two paths in a first deviator position and separate them in a second deviator position, it is possible to achieve a number of operational conditions for the machine, of which that of just printing, that of just scanning, and that of printing and scanning. Usefully, an inversion body is present at the point of connection between the first and the second path that is able, in an operational condition of the machine, to invert the payment instrument arriving from the first path and reinsert it in the first path, allowing printing on two sides of the same document with a single print head. The payment instrument can be inserted from the printer side or the scanner side, according to the type of operation or sequence of operations that it is intended to perform. An auxiliary way out connected selectively to the first path can also be present to allow ejection of the payment instrument when it only needs printing, thereby avoiding pointless lengthening of the path.

The scanner and printer unit of the present invention is particularly suited to processing payment instruments such as checks and credit cards (the latter limited to the second path), but it is obvious that the unit, possible with opportune dimensional modifications, is able to handle other types of flat, flexible elements (typically of paper) to be subjected to printing and/or scanning, and other types of semi-rigid objects to be subjected to scanning.

The said objective is achieved by the present invention, in that it regards a scanner and printer unit for a payment instrument, including a printer assembly, a scanner assembly and a frame carrying said assemblies and defining a first transport path for the payment instrument. The first path is shaped in a manner to present at least one side of the payment instrument to the printer assembly. The unit is characterized in that the frame defines a second transport path for the payment instrument, disti-nct from the first path and shaped in a way to present at least one side of the payment instrument to the scanner assembly. In addition, the unit includes a deviator assembly available in a first configuration, in which it connects the first and the second paths in correspondence to a common region between the first and second paths, so as to allow passage of the payment instrument from the first to the second path and vice versa, and in a second configuration, in which it prevents connection between the first and second paths and allows the payment instrument to complete the first path. Preferably, the second path includes an input station separate from the first path and placed at the opposite end of second path with respect to the region, and the second path can be traversed by the payment instrument starting from the input station in the direction of the region. The frame can define an end stop for the payment instrument once the same payment instrument has completely described the second path starting from the input station.

Preferably, the frame includes a first space that is traversed by the payment instrument along the first path and a second space that is traversed by the payment instrument along the second path and opens to the first space in correspondence to the said common region between the first and second paths. The deviator assembly preferably includes a first element that can move between a first position, in which it at least partially occupies the

second space preventing complete crossing by the payment instrument and leaves the first space free, and a second position, in which it at least partially occupies the first space and leaves the second space free. The first element can be elastically connected to the frame and be operatively connected to a first cam; the first element is elastically loaded to the second position and is movable, under the action of the first cam, to the first position. The first element can also be supported from the frame in a way such that it can turn around a first axis and include a first portion movable from the first to turn the first element itself with respect to the frame; the first element also includes a second portion arranged on the opposite side of the first axis with respect to the first portion and selectively occupying, at least in part, the first space or the second space.

The first transport path includes a printing portion during which at least a first side of the payment instrument is printed. The deviator assembly, when arranged in one of the first or second configurations, connects the printing portion with a third path for the withdrawal of the payment instrument, separate from the first path, and prevents connection of the printing portion with a further portion of the first path; when arranged in the other of the first or second configurations, the deviator assembly connects the printing portion with the further portion and prevents connection between the printing portion and the third path. When arranged in the first configuration, the deviator assembly prevents connection between the printing portion and the residual portion and allows connection between the printing portion and the third path. When arranged in the second configuration, the deviator assembly allows connection between the printing portion and the further portion and prevents connection between the printing

portion and the third path.

Preferably, the printer assembly includes at least one print head, the first space includes an initial section facing the print head, and the frame includes a third space defining the third path and having a first and second end respectively facing the initial section and open to the outside. The deviator assembly also includes a second element movable between a first position, in which it occupies the initial section of the first space and leaves the first end of the third space free, and a second position, in which it occupies the first end of the third space and leaves the initial section of the first space free. Preferably, the second element is supported in a rotating manner by the frame with respect to the second axis and includes a first wall that can be operated by a second cam to cause the rotation of the second element around the second axis; the second element also includes a second wall arranged on the opposite side of the second axis with respect to the first wall and selectively occupying the first end of the third space or the initial section of the first space.

Preferably, the scanner and printer unit includes a slide having a first and a second portion respectively cooperating with the first wall and with the second cam.

The slide can be supported by the frame in a sliding manner along a plane inclined with respect to the direction of the weight force; the slide is placed in a rest position under its own weight, in which the second element is arranged in the first position, and it can be moved by the second cam, against the action of its own weight, to an operational position, in which the second element is arranged in the second position. Preferably, the scanner and printer unit includes a drive member carrying the first and the second cam.

The first and the second cam can be angularly integral with each other.

The first and the second cam can be integral with each other.

Preferably, the further portion of the first path includes an inversion member able to turn the payment instrument over with respect to the printer assembly and reinsert the payment instrument in the printing portion. The region in which the deviator assembly acts is preferably shared between the second path and the further portion of the first path.

The scanner and printer unit includes at least a first roller able to interact with the payment instrument to guide it along the printing portion of the path and at least a second roller able to interact with the payment instrument to guide it along the further portion of the first path. The second roller preferably includes an expansion elastically connected to a portion of the frame, which can be moved away from the said portion of the frame under the action of the payment instrument, and is able to block the payment instrument itself in a predetermined position inside the frame. Preferably, the scanner assembly includes a pair of scanners that face one another from opposite sides of the payment instrument along the second path; one of the scanners is elastically supported by the frame. The inversion member preferable includes a roller having an external surface that delimits the further portion of the first path.

For a better understanding of the present invention, a preferred embodiment is now described, purely by way of a non-limitative example and with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a cross-section view of a scanner and printer unit made according to the invention,

- Figure 2 illustrates certain details of Figure 1 on an enlarged scale with parts removed for clarity, - Figure 3 illustrates the unit in Figure 2 on an enlarged scale in a different operational configuration from that illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, and with parts removed for clarity,

- Figure 4 illustrates certain details of Figure 3, - Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of some components of a scanner assembly forming part of the unit in Figure 1 ,

- Figure 6 illustrates a perspective view, with an open arrangement, of the components of the scanner assembly in Figure 1 and a payment instrument inversion assembly,

- Figure 7 illustrates a perspective and enlarged-scale view of certain details in Figure 6, and

- Figure 8 is a further enlarged perspective view of Figure 7 with parts removed for clarity. With reference to the attached figures, reference 1 indicates a printer and scanner unit for payment instruments having a flat shape, such as checks or credit cards for example . In greater detail, the unit 1 includes a frame 2 (Figures 1 to 6) housing a printer assembly 29 and a scanner assembly 4 (Figures 1 to 4) . The printer assembly 29 includes a print head 3 (only visible in Figure 1) .

The frame 2 defines a closed and directed path P for transporting a check (Figures 1 to 4) . Along the path P, the check presents at least one of its faces to the print head 3 , which can be operated to print information on the side of the check that faces it. In greater detail, the frame 2 is shaped so that the path P includes a portion Pl of straight travel, along which a first side of the check faces the print head 3. The path P

also includes a portion P2 shaped like a closed curve, along which the check is turned 180° with respect to the print head 3, and a straight portion P3 superimposed on the portion Pl and traversed by the check in the opposite direction to this very portion Pl such that the second side faces the same print head.

The frame 2 comprises two bodies 5 and 6 connected in a releasable manner to a body 7, which in use is arranged beneath these bodies 5 and 6. In particular, body 6 carries the print head 3 while body 7 carries the scanner assembly 4.

The bodies 5 and 6 are only described as far as necessary for understanding the present invention. In extreme synthesis, body 5 has (Figures 1 and 2) a lateral side 14 facing a lateral side 15 of body 6. The sides 14 and 15 are mutually parallel and define a passage 16 having an opening 17 (only visible in Figure 1) at the opposite end from body 7. The opening 17 allows a check to be inserted in the frame 2 next to an initial station of portion Pl of path P. Similarly, the opening 17 allows the extraction of the check from frame 2 next to a terminal station of portion P3 of path P. In addition, bodies 5 and 6 respectively include a number of rollers 8 and 9 cooperating with each other in counter- rotation to guide the check along portion Pl (in a first direction) or along portion P3 (in the opposite direction) . Rollers 8 rotate around a common axis 100 orthogonal to the plane of the figure, while rollers 9 rotate in counter- rotation with respect to the corresponding rollers 8 around an axis 101 parallel to and staggered with respect to axis 100.

More precisely, the rollers 8 and 9 rotate clockwise and counterclockwise respectively when the check is moved along portion Pl, and rotate counterclockwise and clockwise

respectively when the check is moved along portion P3. In addition, body 6 includes a wall 10 connected to the side 15, and a wall 11 that extends away from wall 10. Wall 11 has a main section orthogonal to the sides 14 and 15, and a curved section facing the connection zone between wall 10 and side 15.

The walls 10 and 11 define a space 12 between themselves that allows the check to exit from the frame 2 with just one side printed. More precisely, the space 12 comprises opposite openings 13 and 18 facing towards the passage 16 and the outside of the unit 1 respectively.

Body 6 includes a number of rollers 19a rotating around a common axis extending parallel to axis 100, projecting inside the space 12 and cooperating in counter-rotation with corresponding rollers 19b to guide the check inside the space 12.

More precisely, rollers 19b rotate around a common axis parallel and staggered with respect to axes 100 and 101, projecting inside the space 12 from the opposite side to rollers 19a, and are also carried by body 6. Body 7 includes a bed 20 suitable for defining a base plate for the unit 1, a structure 22 fixed to the top of the bed 20 and carrying, on opposite sides, a scanner 23 forming part of the scanner assembly 4 and a rotation assembly 25 able to guide the check along portion P2 of path P, and a plate 21 carrying a further scanner 24 forming part of the scanner assembly 4 and positioned between the bed 20 and the structure 22. In use, the bed 20 extends horizontally and includes opposite lateral sides to which structure 22 is fixed. In addition, in a position next to its end opposite to the scanners 23 and 24, the bed 20 includes a wall 26 that extends between the lateral sides of the bed 20 itself and lies on a plane parallel to the sides 14 and 15.

The rotation assembly 25 is able to turn the check 180° with respect to the print head 3 and includes a wall 27 that is parallel to, at least in its own portion, and faces wall 26, a pair of substantially triangular lateral sides constituting an extension of the side of the bed 20, and a wall 28 facing wall 27 with respect to wall 26. In particular, wall 28 has a curved shape. The frame defines a passage 30 constituting a rectilinear extension of passage 16. More precisely, passage 30 is defined between the opposing appendages 52 of body 5 and wall 27.

In particular, each appendage 52 extends into the space defined between an associated roller 31 and wall 26. In addition, the rotation assembly 25 includes a number of rollers 31 (Figures 1 to 4 and 7) , four being shown in the case in point (Figure 7) , fitted in an axially equidistant manner on a shaft rotating around an axis 102. In particular, axis 102 is parallel to and staggered with respect to axes 100 and 101.

Rollers 31 are driven in rotation by a motor 37 (with just its power terminals shown in Figure 6) , which is operationally connected (in a manner not shown) to a cogwheel 38 placed at the end of the shaft on which rollers 31 are fitted.

Rollers 31 cooperate, via their first portions that project into passage 30, with corresponding rollers 32 supported by wall 26 in a manner such that they rotate with respect to a common- axis 103 parallel to axes 100, 101 and 102. Rollers 31 and 32 cooperate in counter-rotation in order to feed the check inside passage 30 along an initial section of portion P2.

In addition, rollers 31 cooperate, in correspondence to their second portions that project towards the bed 20, with corresponding rollers 33 supported by plate 21 such that

they rotate with respect to a common axis 104 parallel to and staggered with respect to axes 100, 101, 102 and 103. Rollers 31 and 33 cooperate in counter-rotation in order to withdraw the check from one end of passage 30 and guide it in rotation around axis 100, along an intermediate section of portion P2.

Finally, rollers 31 cooperate, via their respective third portions that project towards wall 28, with corresponding rollers 34 supported by wall 28 such that they rotate around a common axis 105 parallel to and staggered with respect to axes 100, 101, 102, 103 and 104.

Rollers 31 and 34 rotate in counter-rotation to complete the rotation of the check around axis 100 and guide it inside a passage 35. In greater detail, passage 35 comprises an initial section defined by an outer edge of rollers 31 and a surface of wall 28 facing these rollers 31, and a terminal section defined by said surface of wall 28 and a surface of wall 27 facing towards wall 28. In particular, passage 35 includes opposite ends facing the bed ^' 20 and facing passage 16.

In this way, rollers 31 and 34 guide the check along a terminal section of portion P2, at the end of which it is inserted into passage 16 so as to allow printing on the second side of the check.

Usefully, the frame 2 defines a check transport path Q, distinct from path P and shaped such that at least one side of the check is presented to the scanner assembly 4. The unit 1 includes a deviator assembly 40 available in a first configuration, in which it connects paths P and Q in a region R shared between these paths P and Q to allow the check to reach the scanner assembly 4. In addition, the deviator assembly 40 is available in a second configuration, in which it prevents connection between paths P and Q and allows the check to complete path P.

In greater detail, path Q extends orthogonally to portions Pl and P3 and in use it is horizontally oriented, and region R is arranged downstream of the zone of interaction of rollers 31 and 33. Path Q is defined by a passage 41 extending between plate 21 and a surface of structure 22 facing towards this plate 21.

The scanners 23 and 24 have respective active surfaces facing passage 41. In this way, the payment instrument, in the form of a check or semi-rigid payment card, moves along path Q presenting its first and second side to scanners 23 and 24 respectively.

Passage 41 includes a first end facing rollers 31 in region R. In addition, passage 41 includes an opening 42 defining a second end, opposite to the first end and open to the outside of the unit 1. Opening 42 allows the insertion or extraction of the payment instrument, in particular a check or semi-rigid payment card, into/from passage 41. Advancement of the payment instrument along path Q and inside passage 41 is caused by the interaction of rollers 31 and 33 and by the interaction of a number of further rollers 43 carried on plate 21 with corresponding rollers 44 carried on structure 22. Rollers 43 and 44 are positioned on the opposite side of scanners 23 and 24 with respect to rollers 31 and 33.

More precisely, rollers 43 are fitted on their own shaft, supported at a first end by plate 21 such that they can rotate with respect to a common axis, parallel and staggered with respect to axis 100. The shaft on which rollers 43 are fitted carries, on its second end, opposite to the first, a cogwheel 45 (only visible in Figure 6) operationally connected to rollers 31 and projecting from frame 2. More precisely, the shaft on which rollers 31 are fitted carries, on its axial end externally protruding from frame

2 and opposite to cogwheel 38, a cogwheel 46 (only visible in Figure 6) . The cogwheels 45 and 46 are connected via a toothed belt 47 (also only visible in Figure 6) , which ensures that rollers 43 and, consequently, rollers 44 are driven in the same direction of rotation as rollers 31 and, consequently, rollers 33.

Depending oh the direction of rotation of rollers 31, 33, 43 and 44, the payment instrument is transported inside passage 41 from region R to opening 42 or vice versa. Plate 21 is elastically supported by the bed 20 via two pairs of springs 50 (Figures 1 to 5) , provided to allow the distance between the active surfaces of the scanners 23 and 24 to be adapted to the thickness of the payment instrument inserted in passage 41. In this way, focusing on the payment instrument and, therefore, the image stored by the scanners 23 and 24 are optimized.

This becomes especially important when the payment instrument, indicated as 55 in Figure 4, is of the semirigid type, such as a credit card for example, and can consequently have thicknesses comparable to the distance between the active surfaces of the scanners 23 and 24. In particular, the springs 50 are of the coiled type and have their respective axes arranged orthogonally to the plane on which the bed 20 lies, i.e. vertically orientated when in use .

More precisely, scanner 24 is inserted along path Q between a first pair of springs 50 and a second pair of springs 50. Each of the rollers 33 positioned next to the sides of the bed 20 have a lever 51 (Figures 1 to 5) facing the associated appendage 52 of body 5.

Each lever 51 is angularly integral with the associated roller 33 and is elastically connected to wall 26 via a coil spring 53 (Figures 1 and 4) having an oblique axis with respect to plane on which the bed 20 lies. The springs 53 load the levers 51 to an angular position

illustrated in Figure 3.

The levers 51 are turned in a counterclockwise direction against the action of the springs 53 when the semi-rigid payment instrument 55 completely describes path Q, starting from opening 42 to the point of bringing one of its ends into position between rollers 31 and 33. ^■

The rotation of levers 51 allows a further advancement of the payment instrument 55, until the said end stops against wall 26, which in this way defines an end stop for the payment instrument 55.

Once the payment instrument 55 stops against wall 26, it is held by levers 51 in a position in which its magnetic stripe is facing the scanners 23 and 24 (Figure 4) . Considering path P again, the deviator assembly 40, when it is arranged in the first configuration (Figure 3) , allows connection between portion Pl of path P and a path S defined by, space 12, and prevents connection between portions Pl and P2 of path P. In this way, the check is printed on one side in portion Pl and successively moved along path S until it comes out from the frame 2 via opening 18 in space 12.

Otherwise, when the deviator assembly 40 is arranged in the second configuration (Figures 1 and 2), it prevents connection between portion Pl and path S, and connects portions Pl and P2. In this way, after being printed on a first side along portion Pl, the checks are inverted 180° with respect to the print head 3 in portion P2 and are printed on the second side in portion P3. With reference to Figures 6 to 8, the deviator assembly 40 includes a control shaft 60, a pair of deviators 61 and 62

(deviator 61 being visible in Figures 1 to 3 and deviator

62. being visible in Figures 2, 4 and 7) operationally connected to the shaft 60, and a drive member 63 controlled by the shaft 60 and operating the deviators 61 and 62. In greater detail, shaft 60 has a first axial end connected

to a motor 64 (Figure S) that can be operated independently of motor 37, extends along an axis parallel and staggered with respect to axis 102 and carries a cogwheel 66 (Figures 6 and 8) on the opposite end to motor 64. With reference to Figures 6 and 8, cogwheel 66 engages with a cogwheel 67 integral with drive member 63. Consequently, cogwheel 67 and drive member 63 can rotate as one around an axis 111 parallel to axis 102. Drive member 63 is equipped with a cam 69 operationally connected to deviator 61 via a slide 70 and a cam 71 cooperating directly with deviator 62.

The cams 69 and 71 are axially next to each other, having their respective operating lobes angularly out of step with one other by approximately 90°, and are integrally derived from drive member 63.

The slide 70 includes a projection 75 at one end that can be operated by cam 69 and, on the opposite end, a pair of projections 76 able to cooperate with deviator 61. In addition, the slide 70 includes an intermediate section 77 between projections 75 and 76 that cooperates with the surface of wall 28 opposite to roller 31.

The slide 70 is supported in a manner such that it can slide with respect to wall 28, as section 77 has an oblong seat 74 engaged in a sliding manner by a guide pin 107 integral with the frame 2, and projections 76 include respective oblong seats 73 engaged in a sliding manner by respective pins fixed to the outer surface of wall 28. Deviator 61 is hinged to the frame 2 along its own axis 120, parallel to axis 100. In addition, deviator 61 includes (Figure 2) a wall 84 housed in passage 16 and a wall 85, positioned on the opposite end from wall 84 with respect to axis 120 and able to cooperate with the projections 76 of the slide 70. Wall 85 is housed in a space defined between the outer surface of wall 28 and a surface 72 of wall 11 facing the

slide 70 .

In particular, the slide 70 is normally positioned under its own weight in a rest configuration (Figure 3) , in correspondence to which wall 84 of deviator 61 cooperates with side 14 and wall 85 cooperates with surface 72 of wall 11. Since wall 84 leaves opening 13 of space 12 open, connection between portion Pl and path S is allowed and connection between portions Pl and P2 blocked. Under the action of cam 69, the slide 70 slides with respect to wall 28 causing the clockwise rotation of deviator 61.

More precisely, the projections 76 cooperate with the wall 85 and deviator 61 turns around axis 120 until it arrives in a subsequent angular position in which wall 84 stops against side 14, obstructing opening 13 of space 12 (Figure 2) .

In this subsequent angular position, the connection between portion Pl and path S is blocked, while the connection between portions Pl and P2 is allowed. Deviator 62 comprises a shaft 90 supported by structure 22 such that it can turn around an axis parallel to and staggered with respect to axis 102, a projection 92 extending from shaft 90 that cooperates with cam 71 to cause the rotation of deviator 62 around its own axis, and a pair of projections 91 carried on shaft 90, extending from opposite lateral parts of shaft 90 itself towards the drive member 63 and elastically connected to structure 22 via respective coil springs 93. In addition, deviator 62 includes a number of projections 94, four in the case in point, on parts opposite to projections 91 and 92. Each projection 94 includes, on its opposite sides, a concave edge 95 with an arc-like shape and a convex edge 96, on the opposite side to edge 95. Edges 95 are suitable for stopping against the end surfaces of the respective separators 98 (Figure 6) defined by a

root section of wall 28 of the rotation assembly 25. In particular, two separators 98 are inserted between respective pairs of mutually adjacent rollers 31 and two separators 98 are inserted between the two end rollers 31 and the respective sides of structure 22.

Deviator 62 is loaded by springs 93 to assume an angular position (Figures 3 and 4) , in which edges 95 stop against the end surfaces of the respective separators 98 and edges 96 are at a distance from a plate surface 21 delimiting the bottom of path Q.

Therefore, in this angular position, projections 94 prevent the check moving from portion P2 to portion P3 of path P and, via edge 96, guide the movement of this check in region R, from portion P2 to path Q. Under the action of cam 71, deviator 62 is angularly mobile in the counterclockwise direction with respect to the axis of shaft 90 until a subsequent angular position is reached

(Figure 2) , in which edges 95 are at a predetermined distance from the end surfaces of the respective separators 98 and edges 96 stop against plate 21 in a position in between scanner 24 and rollers 31.

In this subsequent angular position, projections 94 prevent the check moving from portion P2 of path P to path Q and, via edge 95, guide the check from portion P2 to portion P3. In order to print on both sides of the check without performing a scanning operation on the sides themselves, it is sufficient to operate motor 64 so as to place deviator assembly 40 in the second configuration (Figure 2) . The check is inserted into passage 16 through opening 17 and guided by rollers 8 and 9 along portion Pl of path P. The print head 3 is operated to print on the side of the check positioned to face it.

Since deviator 61 is set in the angular position illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the check reaches passage 30 and describes portion P2 of path P, along which it is

inverted 180° with respect to the print head 3.

More precisely, rollers 31 cooperate with the corresponding rollers 32, 33 and 34 so that the check wraps itself around rollers 31 and turns around axis 102. Since the deviator assembly 40 is in the second configuration, projections 94 of deviator 62 are at a distance from separators 98 of wall 28.

Therefore, the check can freely wrap itself around rollers

31 in correspondence to region R. When portion P2 is completed, the check returns in passage

16 and describes portion P3 of path P, along which its second side faces the print head 3.

The print head 3 can thus print the second side of the check. Following this, the check comes out of the frame 2 thanks to opening 17.

The unit 1 can be efficaciously employed for printing on just one side of the check.

In this case, the check is inserted in opening 17 and printed, on one side, by the print head 3 as previously described.

Unlike that performed for printing on both sides of the check, the deviator assembly 40 is arranged in the first configuration before the check has completed portion Pl of path P and while it is still in passage 16.

Since the deviator assembly 40 is arranged in the first configuration, deviator 61 is placed in the angular position illustrated in Figure 3 , in which it prevent the check from reaching passage 30 and deviates it inside space 12.

In this way, the check with only one printed side describes path S and leaves the unit 1 (Figure 3) .

The unit 1 can be efficaciously employed for printing on both sides of the check and scanning just one of them. In this case, the check is inserted in opening 17 and

printed, on one side, as previously described.

The deviator assembly 40 is arranged in the second configuration until the check has completed portion Pl of the path and is in passage 30. The deviator assembly 40 is then arranged in the first configuration, in which projections 94 of deviator 61 stop against separators 98 of wall 28.

In this way, the check cannot complete portion P2 of path P and is guided along path Q. In particular, the check moves along path Q inside passage 41 and towards opening 42.

Rollers 31 and 33 and rollers 43 and 44 guide the check inside passage 41 so that the opposite sides of the check face the scanners 23 and 24.

Once the scanners 23 and 24 have acquired the image of both sides of the check, the direction of rotation of motor 37 is inverted so as to invert the direction of rotation of rollers 31 and 33, and 43 and 44.

The check describes path Q in the opposite direction, i.e. moving away from passage 42 until it partially wraps itself in the clockwise direction on rollers 31 again.

At this point, motor 64 is operated to move the deviator assembly 40 from the first to the second configuration.

Inverting the direction of rotation of rollers 31 and 33 again, the check is wrapped in the counterclockwise direction on rollers 31 completely describing portion P2 of path P.

Then, as previously described, the check enters passage 16 and describes portion P3 of path P, with its second side facing the print head 3. The print head 3 prints on the second side of the check, which subsequently comes out from opening 17.

The unit 1 can be efficaciously employed for scanning both sides of the check, whether in the case of printing on one or both sides or in the case of a handwritten check. To this end, it is sufficient to just insert the check,

printed or not, in opening 42 of passage 41. Rollers 31 and 33 and rollers 43 and 44 are rotated so as to take the check in from opening 42 and present its opposite sides to the scanners 23 and 24. Once scanning is completed, the direction of rotation of motor 37 is inverted so that rollers 31 and 33 and rollers 43 and 44 guide the check in the opposite direction inside passage 41 until they cause it to come out from opening 42. The unit 1 can be efficaciously employed for scanning a predetermined area of payment instruments of the semi-rigid type 55 (Figure 4), such as credit or debit cards. To this end, the semi-rigid payment instrument 55 is inserted in passage 41 through opening 42. Rollers 31 and 33 and rollers 43 and 44 guide the payment instrument 55 until its innermost end inserts itself between rollers 31 and 33. The said end advances further, turning levers 51 in the counterclockwise direction against springs 53 until they stop against wall 26. At this point, rollers 31 and 33 and rollers 43 and 44 are halted. The action of springs 53 presses levers 51 against the bottom side of the payment instrument (namely the side facing scanner 24) blocking said payment instrument in a position in which the scanners 23 and 24 are facing the area to be scanned. The presence of springs 50 allows the distance between the active surfaces of the scanners 23 and 24 to be adapted to the thickness of the semi-rigid payment instrument 55, so as to optimize focusing for the image acquired by said scanners 23 and 24. Operating rollers 31 and 33 and rollers 43 and 44 in opposite directions, the payment instrument is guided inside passage 41 towards opening 42, from where it comes out. From an examination of the characteristics of the unit 1 according to the present invention, the advantages that can

be achieved with it are evident .

In particular, the unit 1 allows a much wider range of operations to be performed than that possible with the unit described in patent US-B-6257783. In fact, the unit 1 allows printing on both sides of the check without scanning the sides themselves by simply arranging the deviator assembly 40 in the second configuration and making the check traverse the entire path P. The unit 1 also allows the scanning of one or both sides of the check without printing it by simply making the check describe just path Q, starting from opening 42 in the direction of the region R. Lastly, the unit 1 allows printing on both sides of the check and their scanning, by simply acting on the deviator assembly 40 so that the check describes portion Pl of path P, path Q in two opposite directions, and then continues along portions P2 and P3 of the same path P. Each of these additional operations that the unit 1 allows with respect to the unit described in patent US-B-6257783 is carried out optimizing the path described by the check. Therefore, the time needed to perform the required operations on the check is reduced, with an obvious reduction in client service time. In fact, unlike what happens in the unit described in patent US-B-6257783, the check that needs to be printed on both sides describes path P, necessary only for presenting the sides to the print head 3, without having to describe path Q. Similarly, the check that needs to be scanned on both sides describes just path Q, without having to describe path P. The check that needs to be printed on just one side describes portion Pl of path P, necessary for presenting the said side to the print head 3, without having to describe portions P2 and P3 and path Q.

Since path Q is only described by checks that must be scanned on at least one side, the utilization of scanners

23 and 24 is optimized and phenomena of wear and dust depositing on the active surfaces of the scanners 23 and 24 themselves is reduced.

Finally, since scanner 24 is mounted on the bed 20 via springs 50, the height of passage 41 and, therefore, the distance between the active surfaces of the scanners 23 and

24 is adjustable, depending on the thickness of the semi- rigid payment instrument 55 employed.

In this way, semi-rigid payment instruments 55 of different thicknesses can be inserted in passage 41 and be correctly focused by the scanners 23 and 24.

In conclusion, it is obvious that changes and variants can be made to the unit 1 that do not leave the scope of protection defined by the claims.