JP2005277495A - Handy scanner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a handy scanner capable of reading code information in which a general pattern and specific information are coded and converted into a two-dimensional image, the handy scanner applying decode processing only to the code information if the code information is contained at the time of reading the two-dimensional image. <P>SOLUTION: If it is detected that the code information is read, the reading width of the handy scanner is changed using a means of arbitrary changing the effective image reading width of the handy scanner. Alternatively, portions other than the code information are deleted using a means capable of designating and deleting the arbitrary range of the image data acquired by reading. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a handy scanner that reads a two-dimensional image (picture) on a document by manually moving the document on the document in the sub-scanning direction using a line image sensor that performs main scanning. It is related with the handy scanner which can read.

  In a general usage form of the handy scanner, the handy scanner is moved by an operator's manual operation, and the handy scanner passes through a desired two-dimensional image, and is taken into the handy scanner as image data. The image data captured by the handy scanner is transmitted to a personal computer and inserted into a document file as image information, attached to an e-mail, or used for various other purposes.

  The mechanism for reading a desired two-dimensional image by such a handy scanner is equipped with a line image sensor that sequentially scans a one-dimensional image in units of one pixel, and the line image sensor moves in units of one pixel in the sub-scanning direction. The main scanning is performed every time, and the line image sensor passes through the two-dimensional image while repeating this, thereby reading the two-dimensional image.

  At this time, since the movement in the sub-scanning direction is a manual operation by the operator, the moving speed becomes uncertain. Then, in order to accurately detect the movement of one pixel unit in the sub-scanning direction and perform the main scanning process at that timing, a means for detecting the movement amount in the sub-scanning direction is required.

  Therefore, an encoder is generally used. The encoder is formed by a rotating member, and is mechanically connected to a roller that rotates by friction with the document as the handy scanner moves on the document. When the handy scanner moves on the document by the manual operation of the operator, the roller rotates and transmits the rotation amount to the encoder. When the encoder rotates by a certain amount, it is determined that the handy scanner has moved by one pixel unit in the sub-scanning direction, and main scanning of the line image sensor is performed at that timing. By repeating this operation, accurate two-dimensional image scanning processing is performed.

  Here, when the moving speed becomes faster than a certain value, that is, during reading, the line image sensor moves by one pixel unit or more in the sub-scanning direction before finishing the main scanning of an arbitrary one-dimensional image. This is the case. In this case, a request for the next main scanning process is made before the main scanning process is completed, so that the two-dimensional image cannot be read accurately. As a general countermeasure in such a case, there is a method of informing the operator to that effect by displaying a warning.

  For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-303385 includes means for determining whether the reading movement speed exceeds a certain value and means for determining whether the read image is a valid image. The logic of these two determination means There is a handy scanner that displays a warning to the operator by determining that the reading speed has exceeded a limit value due to the product. This is a device in which a reading error is not determined even when a reading speed is exceeded in a blank (blank) portion having no two-dimensional image on a document when reading is performed.

  Next, it is assumed that a conventional handy scanner (including a handy scanner described in JP-A-6-303385) ultimately determines whether or not the read image data has been read with the expected image quality. Yes. For example, image data read by a handy scanner is transmitted to a personal computer and displayed on an attached monitor. This is because the operator looks at the display on the monitor and determines whether the image has been read with a desired image quality. If necessary, the image data is read again. Otherwise, the read image data is used as it is.

The same applies to a handy scanner having an OCR (optical character reader) function, and it is finally necessary for the operator to check whether or not the read character is recognized as an expected character. For example, if the capital letter “I” of the alphabet is misrecognized as the number “1”, it will remain in the wrong character recognition unless corrected by the operator.
JP-A-6-303385

  However, assuming that code information drawn as a two-dimensional image that cannot be read by an operator is read by a handy scanner, it cannot be visually determined by the operator whether the code information has been read with a desired image quality after reading. become.

  Therefore, first, the code information is read as a general pattern as usual. Then, the code information detection means determines whether or not the code information is included in the image data obtained by reading. If it is determined by the detection means that the code information is included in the image data, this time, the detected code information is decoded by the decoding means to extract information.

  Here, a two-dimensional image is assumed in which the code information and general characters and designs are drawn together on the document. When the two-dimensional image is an image in which characters or designs are drawn in the immediate vicinity of the portion where the code information is drawn, not only the code information but also the reading by the handy scanner It is expected that characters and pictures will be read at the same time.

  Then, when decoding the image data obtained by reading, it is not possible to select only the code information, and the characters and pictures are also recognized as part of the code information, and the decoding process is performed together. There is a possibility that. In this case, the handy scanner not only cannot perform the decoding process correctly, but also causes a reading error, and the decoding process itself is impossible even if the reading is performed again.

  As a special method, in order to perform the decoding process of the code information portion using the conventional handy scanner, all the image data is once read and the image data is displayed on a monitor or the like. Thereafter, the coded information can be extracted by extracting the image of the code information portion from the image data by an operator's operation and performing a decoding process. Although it is possible to take out the code information by such a method, it takes time and effort and the operability deteriorates.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention described in claim 1 includes that the code information is included in the dimensional image acquired when the code information obtained by encoding arbitrary information and converting it into a two-dimensional image is read. Code information detecting means for detecting the sensor, and sensor specifying means for specifying the sensor that has read the code information among the plurality of sensors constituting the line image sensor for reading an image,
The code information is included in the two-dimensional image when the two-dimensional image on the document is read by manual operation while constantly monitoring that the moving speed detecting means is reading at an appropriate speed. When the code information detecting means detects that the code information is detected, the sensor specifying means specifies which sensor has read the code information.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the handy scanner according to the first aspect further comprises sensor selection means for individually setting whether or not to use each sensor of the line image sensor when performing the main scanning process. When the two-dimensional image on the document is read by manual operation while constantly monitoring that the moving speed detection means is reading at the appropriate speed, the code information is included in the two-dimensional image. When the code information detecting unit detects that the code is included, the sensor selecting unit controls a sensor that performs a main scanning process.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the handy scanner according to the first aspect, there is provided image data selection means for selecting image data obtained by reading an arbitrary sensor from image data obtained by image reading. When the two-dimensional image on the original is read by manual operation while constantly monitoring that the moving speed detecting means is reading at an appropriate speed, the code information is added to the two-dimensional image. Is detected by the code information detecting means, the image data selected by the image data selecting means is deleted.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when an operator reads a two-dimensional image on a document, the two-dimensional image includes code information (a code obtained by encoding arbitrary information and converting it into a two-dimensional image). Since the processing is performed so that only the code information is read at the timing when it is detected that the image data is detected, it is not possible to select only the code information when decoding the image data obtained by the reading, and the characters and the pictures are together. Has the effect of preventing it from being recognized as part of the code information and being decoded together.

  In addition, since it is possible to delete a part other than the code information from the image data obtained by reading, a decoding process is performed after an image of the code information part is extracted from the image data by an operator's operation. By doing so, there is also an effect that it is possible to decode the code information without extracting the coded information.

  Furthermore, since the moving speed of the handy scanner is also monitored at the time of reading, if the moving speed deviates from a specified value during reading, it can be recognized that reading has become an error at that time. . Therefore, there is an effect that even after the code information is normally read, the operator can be notified to recognize the error and read again.

  In addition, the code information is included in the two-dimensional image each time reading is performed without performing an operation of setting whether the operator reads the normal picture (image) or the code information before reading. The code information detection means determines whether or not it has been detected.

  Therefore, there is an effect of preventing an operator's mistake that the code information is wrongly read as a normal picture at the time of reading. On the contrary, there is an effect of preventing an operator's mistake that a normal picture is erroneously read as the code information and is judged as a reading error by the decoding processing means.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  The usage example shown in FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a usage pattern of the handy scanner in the embodiment of the present invention.

  A handy scanner 101 has a function of reading a two-dimensional image (103) drawn on a document (102) and a function of transmitting image data acquired by the reading to the database device (104). Further, at least one key input means is provided, and the reading start timing is performed by the key input. Furthermore, it has a display means for audible or visible display, and when the operator needs to be notified such as when an error occurs during reading, various displays are made on the display means.

  Reference numeral 102 denotes a document on which a two-dimensional image (103) is drawn. A magazine, a book, or other printed matter on which a two-dimensional image that can be read by the handy scanner is printed is shown.

  Reference numeral 103 denotes a two-dimensional image that is actually read by the handy scanner. A portion of the document is drawn in a size, shape, or resolution that can be read by the handy scanner. It is mainly code information obtained by coding arbitrary information, and articles and images described in magazines and books.

  A database apparatus 104 has a communication function with the handy scanner, and may be a PC, for example. The read two-dimensional image is received as image data from the handy scanner and displayed on the attached monitor device (105) according to various applications. For example, if the two-dimensional image read by the handy scanner is coded information and the information is the location information of the file or data stored in the database device, the desired file or data is Search and display on the attached monitor.

  Reference numeral 105 denotes a monitor device, which may be a television, for example. The database device has a function as a screen display device, and performs display according to the application of the database device.

  The block diagram shown in FIG. 2 is a diagram showing simple functional blocks of the handy scanner (101) in the embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the thick line arrows indicate the flow of image information (data) handled by the handy scanner, the thin line arrows (210 to 215) indicate the flow of control signals (detection signals, etc.), and the blocks (201 to 208) Shown as each functional block.

  A control unit 201 controls the operation of the handy scanner. All blocks (202 to 208) in the figure are monitored and controlled as necessary. There is a built-in clock function that notifies each block of the time, and configures a timer for use in controlling each process.

  An image reading unit 202 has a function of reading a two-dimensional image. The inside is composed of a line image sensor in which a plurality of sensors that scan an image in units of one pixel are arranged one-dimensionally, and the timing from the control unit (that the handy scanner has moved in units of one pixel in the sub-scanning direction) The line image sensor reads the two-dimensional image by repeating the main scanning. In accordance with an instruction from the control unit, the image data obtained by performing the main scanning is sequentially sent to the code information detection unit (205) for each pixel unit.

  As a first embodiment, the number of sensors in the line image sensor that performs the main scanning can be freely changed by the control unit. That is, when performing the main scanning, it is possible to arbitrarily set a sensor that performs scanning without using the line image sensor in all rows and a sensor that does not.

  A movement detection unit 203 has a function of notifying each time the handy scanner moves by a certain amount with respect to movement in the sub-scanning direction. The interior is composed of an encoder formed by a rotating member. The encoder is mechanically connected to a roller that rotates by friction with the original as the handy scanner moves on the original. When the handy scanner moves on the document by the manual operation of the operator, the roller rotates and transmits the rotation amount to the encoder. When the encoder rotates a certain amount, it is determined that the handy scanner has moved by one pixel unit in the sub-scanning direction, and the control unit is notified of the timing.

  Reference numeral 204 denotes a key I / F unit, which has a function of detecting whether or not there is an input (pressing) on an operation key provided in the handy scanner. The operation keys include a key indicating the timing for starting the reading of a two-dimensional image by the handy scanner and a key indicating the timing for ending the reading. When the input (pressing) of the operation key is detected, the control unit is notified accordingly.

  Reference numeral 205 denotes a code information detection unit, which sequentially determines whether the received image data includes code information while sequentially transmitting the image data sequentially transmitted from the line image sensor unit to the memory unit (207). It has a function to detect. The detection method uses a plurality of data patterns stored in advance inside the image data sequentially transmitted from the line image sensor unit and compares the data patterns at any time. It is a method to determine that it has been detected. Each time code information is detected, the control unit is notified of that fact.

  A decoding processing unit 206 has a function of decoding the code information and decoding the information. Receives image data temporarily stored in the memory unit in response to an instruction from the control unit, decodes code information included in the image data, extracts information, and transmits the contents to the control unit (216) It is a mechanism.

  A memory unit 207 has a function of temporarily storing image data read by the handy scanner. This is stored for each image data obtained by one reading, and is transmitted to the decoding processing unit (206) and the data transmission unit (208) as required by an instruction from the control unit. It is also possible to delete a part of the stored image data according to an instruction from the control unit.

  As a second embodiment, it is possible to perform a process of deleting the remaining part of the image data stored by the control unit, leaving only the necessary part.

  A data transmission unit 208 has a function of transmitting data to the database apparatus (104) shown in FIG. When the handy scanner reads a two-dimensional image as a character or a picture, the image data is transmitted, and when the code information is read, the information obtained by decoding the code information is transmitted.

  3 to 6 are diagrams showing characteristic operations when the handy scanner of the present invention reads characters, pictures, and code information in the usage pattern as shown in FIG. FIGS. 3 and 4 show a case where the handy scanner reads a document on which general characters and patterns are drawn, and the handy scanner reads a document on which a general pattern and code information are drawn together. The cases are shown in FIGS.

  FIG. 3 is an example of the document (102) shown in FIG. 1, and shows a state where a portion where characters and a pattern are drawn is viewed from above. These characters and pictures are objects to be read by the handy scanner, and show how the handy scanner is actually moved from the left side to the right side in FIG. 3 to read the image.

  Reference numeral 301 denotes a line image sensor built in the image reading unit (202) of the handy scanner, which is a part for reading a two-dimensional image. The internal configuration is determined as “0” to “L” when a blank (a place where an image is not drawn) portion of a two-dimensional image is read, and “1” to “H” when a portion of an image is read. It is comprised with the aggregate | assembly of the sensor (302) determined to be. The sensor is arranged on a surface in contact with the document for reading an image drawn on the document, but is shown on the line image sensor through the sensor for convenience.

  The sensors are one-dimensionally arranged in order from the 0th to the nth, and are arranged in the line image sensor. Normally, reading starts from the 0th sensor and reading ends up to the nth sensor. Scanning. In the figure, the sensor on the lower side of the figure is 0th and the sensor on the upper side of the figure is nth. Each of the sensors represents one pixel unit, which is the main scanning resolution of the handy scanner. The sensor shown in the figure is too small in actual size, so it is drawn as a large circle for convenience and easy to understand.

  Characters and designs are read by moving the line image sensor from left to right in FIG. The sub-scan is a sub-scan by repeating the main scan while moving by one pixel unit in the sub-scan arrow direction in the figure every time the main scan is performed once.

  FIG. 4 shows a screen when the image data obtained by reading the characters and pictures shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the monitor device (105). It is assumed that the original shown in FIG. 3 is read by the handy scanner from the left side of the drawing by a predetermined operation and the reading is finished at the position of the line image sensor (301) in the drawing. The image data obtained by reading is displayed on the screen of the monitor device via the database device (104).

  As described above, when the characters and patterns of FIG. 3 are drawn within the reading range of the line image sensor shown in FIG. 3, image data as shown in FIG. 4 can be obtained. That is, when a normal character or picture is read by the handy scanner, it is performed by the method described above, and as a result, image data as shown in FIG. 4 can be obtained.

  FIG. 5 is an example of the manuscript (102) shown in FIG. 1, and shows a state where a portion where the code information (103) and the pattern are drawn together is viewed from above. Then, as an object to be read by the handy scanner, the code information is actually moved from the left side to the right side in FIG. 5 to read the image. Here, the code information is expressed as a combination of black squares and white squares as shown in FIG.

  As a first embodiment, a method for reading the original will be described below.

  As in the case of FIG. 3, when reading is started while moving the line image sensor of the handy scanner from the left side in the figure, the code information is detected by the code information detection unit (205) when the left part of the code information is read. Detected as read. Then, in accordance with the timing, it is set so that main scanning is performed using only a part of the line image sensor (the sensor indicated by a white circle) in the drawing. In other words, by setting so that the sensor indicated by the black circle is not used, the pattern portion is not read even if reading is continued. In this way, the process of selecting the sensor to be used at the timing when the code information is detected is performed, and the reading is continued.

  Specifically, the sensor selection method used is to determine the sensor that has actually read the leading end portion of the code information in the code information detection unit at the time of reading, and notify the control unit (201) of the sensor. In response to this, the control unit performs processing for selecting a sensor and stopping unnecessary use of the sensor.

  For example, if it is assumed that the line image sensor is composed of 0th to 300th sensors, the code information detection unit determines that the 120th to 200th sensors read the leading end portion of the code information, and Notify the control unit. After that, the control unit sets only the 115th to 205th sensors in consideration of errors such as displacement due to the movement of the handy scanner, and performs main scanning using only the sensors in this range. There is a process to change.

  As a second embodiment, a method for reading the original will be described below.

  As in the case of FIG. 3, when reading is started while moving the line image sensor of the handy scanner from the left side in the figure, the code information is detected by the code information detection unit (205) when the left part of the code information is read. Detected as read. At this time, the code information detection unit also detects which part of the line image sensor has read the code information. Then, when the control unit receives the detection result, only the image data read by a specific sensor is selected from the image data obtained by reading, and other unnecessary image data is deleted.

  For example, if it is assumed that the line image sensor is composed of 0th to 300th sensors, the code information detection unit determines that the 120th to 200th sensors read the leading end portion of the code information, and Notify the control unit. After that, the control unit considers errors such as displacement due to movement of the handy scanner, leaves only the image data read by the 115th to 205th sensors, and deletes the other image data. 207). In the memory unit, there is a process of deleting the image data stored in accordance with an instruction from the control unit, leaving only a necessary part, and transmitting it to the decoding processing unit (206).

  FIG. 6 shows a screen when image data obtained by reading the document on which the code information and the pattern shown in FIG. 5 are read is displayed on the monitor device (105). It is assumed that the handy scanner reads the original shown in FIG. 5 from the left side to the right side of the figure by the above-described method. When the image data obtained by reading is transmitted to the database device (104), the image data is displayed on the screen of the monitor device.

  As described above, when the code information and the picture of FIG. 5 are drawn within the reading range of the line image sensor shown in FIG. 5, predetermined processing is performed to obtain the image data as shown in FIG. become. In other words, when a picture including code information is read by the handy scanner, it is read by the method described above, and as a result, only the code information can be obtained as image data as shown in FIG. ing.

  7 and 8 are flowcharts in the reading operation of the handy scanner. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a process in which the handy scanner constantly monitors the moving speed in the sub-scanning direction during the reading operation and determines an error when the handy scanner exceeds a certain speed.

701 (terminal symbol)
This terminal symbol signifies the start of this flowchart. The state of the handy scanner at this time indicates a standby state in which the power is turned on and can be operated at any time.

702 (condition judgment symbol)
This condition determination symbol means that a route is selected on the condition that the operator has performed an operation to start reading a two-dimensional image. If this operation is performed, the process proceeds to the processing symbol (703). Otherwise, the current state is maintained. Here, the operation includes, for example, an operation by inputting a reading start key provided in the handy scanner by an operator. When the key input is detected by the key I / F unit (204), a detection signal (210) is transmitted to the control unit (201). The control unit determines that the operation has been performed by receiving the detection signal (210).

703 (process symbol)
This processing symbol means processing for resetting the error flag of the reading movement speed. The error flag is a variable indicating that the reading movement speed exceeds a certain value, and exists as a register in the control unit, for example. The resetting of the error flag means updating to a value from “0” to “L”. If it is determined that the reading movement speed exceeds a certain value, the value is changed from “1” to “H”. It will be updated.

704 (condition judgment symbol)
This condition determination symbol means that the operator selects a route on the condition that reading of a two-dimensional image starts and the handy scanner starts moving in the sub-scanning direction. If the movement start is detected, the process proceeds to the processing symbol (705). Otherwise, the current state is maintained.

  The start of movement of the handy scanner means that in the movement detection unit (203), a detection signal (211) indicating that the encoder has rotated by a certain amount as the handy scanner has moved by one pixel unit in the sub-scanning direction is sent to the control unit ( 201). When the detection signal (211) is received by the control unit, it is determined that the handy scanner has moved. Since the detection signal (211) is received immediately after the error flag is reset, it is determined that the handy scanner has started moving.

705 (process symbol)
This process symbol means a process of resetting the first timer for measuring the reading movement speed. The timer is provided in the control unit (201) and is used to measure the time interval of the detection signal (211). The process of resetting the timer is updating the timer to an initial value. Further, the timer has a counter configuration in which “1” is added to the initial value “0”, and the number of stages is adjusted so that the required time can be measured.

706 (process symbol)
This processing symbol means processing for adding “1” to the first timer counter. The timer counter is incremented by “1” every time this processing symbol is passed.

707 (condition judgment symbol)
This condition judgment symbol means that a route is selected on the condition that the handy scanner has moved in the sub-scanning direction by the operator. If the movement is detected, the process proceeds to the condition determination symbol (708), and if not, the process proceeds to the processing symbol (706).

  The movement of the handy scanner refers to a detection signal (211) indicating that the encoder has rotated a certain amount by moving the handy scanner by one pixel unit in the sub-scanning direction in the movement detection unit (203). ) Is received, it is determined that the handy scanner has moved. Since the detection signal (211) is received immediately after the first timer counter is reset, it is determined that the handy scanner has moved by one pixel unit in the sub-scanning direction.

708 (condition judgment symbol)
This condition determination symbol means that a route is selected on the condition that the first timer counter exceeds a certain value. If the timer counter exceeds a certain value, the process proceeds to the processing symbol (710), and if not, the process proceeds to the processing symbol (709).

  Here, the timer counter exceeds a certain value means that the image reading unit (202) of the handy scanner performs the next main scanning process after completing any main scanning process, and is normally 2 That is, a dimensional image is being read. Conversely, if the timer counter does not exceed a certain value, the line image sensor unit must perform the next main scanning process before finishing any main scanning process. This indicates that the image is not read.

709 (process symbol)
This processing symbol means processing for setting an error flag of the reading movement speed. As described above, since it is determined that the reading movement speed has exceeded a certain value, the reading movement speed is updated to a value of “1” to “H”.

710 (condition judgment symbol)
This condition determination symbol means that a route is selected on the condition that there has been an operation or process for ending reading of a two-dimensional image. If the operation or the process is performed, the process proceeds to the terminal symbol (711), and if not, the process proceeds to the process symbol (705).

  Here, the operation includes, for example, an operation by inputting a reading end key provided in the handy scanner by an operator. When the key input is detected by the key I / F unit (204), a detection signal (210) is transmitted to the control unit (201). The control unit determines that the operation has been performed by receiving the detection signal (210).

711 (terminal symbol)
This terminal symbol means the end of this flowchart. At this time, the state of the handy scanner indicates a standby state in which no processing or operation is performed.

  FIG. 8 constantly monitors the moving speed in the sub-scanning direction during the reading operation of the handy scanner. When the reading moving speed is slower than a certain speed, or when the two-dimensional image to be read is code information, It is the figure which showed the operation process of the handy scanner.

801 (terminal symbol)
This terminal symbol signifies the start of this flowchart. The state of the handy scanner at this time indicates a standby state in which the power is turned on and can be operated at any time.

802 (condition judgment symbol)
This condition determination symbol means that a route is selected on the condition that the operator has performed an operation to start reading a two-dimensional image. If this operation is performed, the process proceeds to the processing symbol (803). If not, the current state is maintained. Here, the operation includes, for example, an operation by inputting a reading start key provided in the handy scanner by an operator. When the key input is detected by the key I / F unit (204), a detection signal (210) is transmitted to the control unit (201). The control unit determines that the operation has been performed by receiving the detection signal (210).

803 (process symbol)
This processing symbol means processing for resetting the second timer for measuring the reading movement speed. The timer is provided in the control unit (201) and is used to measure the time interval of the detection signal (211). The process of resetting the timer is updating the timer to an initial value. Further, the timer has a counter configuration in which “1” is added to the initial value “0”, and the number of stages is adjusted so that the required time can be measured.

804 (process symbol)
This processing symbol means processing for adding “1” to the second timer counter. The timer counter is incremented by “1” every time this processing symbol is passed.

805 (condition judgment symbol)
This condition judgment symbol means that a route is selected on the condition that the handy scanner has moved in the sub-scanning direction by the operator. If the movement is detected, the process proceeds to the processing symbol (807), and if not, the process proceeds to the condition determination symbol (806).

  The movement of the handy scanner refers to a detection signal (211) indicating that the encoder has rotated a certain amount by moving the handy scanner by one pixel unit in the sub-scanning direction in the movement detection unit (203). ) Is received, it is determined that the handy scanner has moved. Since the detection signal (211) is received after resetting the second timer counter, it is determined that the handy scanner has moved by one pixel unit in the sub-scanning direction.

806 (condition judgment symbol)
This condition determination symbol means that route selection is performed on the condition that the second timer counter has exceeded a certain value. If the timer counter exceeds a certain value, the process proceeds to the terminal symbol (817), and if not, the process proceeds to the processing symbol (804).

  Here, the timer counter exceeds a certain value means that, even though the handy scanner has started reading a two-dimensional image, the handy scanner has moved one pixel in the sub-scanning direction even if a certain time has passed. This means that the unit has not moved.

  On the contrary, if the timer counter does not exceed a certain value, the handy scanner starts reading a two-dimensional image, and the handy scanner has moved by one pixel unit in the sub-scanning direction within a certain time. It means that it has started.

807 (process symbol)
As a first embodiment, this processing symbol means processing for designating the sensor (302) used when the image reading unit (202) performs main scanning. The control unit (201) is configured to individually designate the sensor to be used every time main scanning is performed. Normally, it is specified to use all of the equipped sensors, but when it is detected that the code information is read, the sensor to be used is selected and specified by the control unit.

  As a second embodiment, this processing symbol means designating a range of the image data to be adopted for each image data obtained by main scanning. The control unit (201) designates a range for discarding a part of the image data for each image data obtained by main scanning. Normally, the image data selected by the image reading unit (202) performing main scanning is sent to the memory unit (207) via the code information detection unit (205) and accumulated. On the other hand, when it is detected that the code information has been read, a part of the image data sent to the memory unit is selected by the control unit, discarded, and stored.

808 (process symbol)
This processing symbol means that the image reading unit (202) performs main scanning once for the two-dimensional image on the document. Here, the image reading unit receives the control signal (212) including timing information for performing the main scanning from the control unit (201) and performs the main scanning. One-dimensional image data obtained by one main scanning is sent to the code information detection unit (205) each time.

809 (condition judgment symbol)
This condition determination symbol means that a route is selected on the condition that code information is included in image data obtained by one main scanning. If code information is included in the image data, the process proceeds to the processing symbol (810). Otherwise, the process proceeds to the processing symbol (812).

  Here, the code information detection unit recognizes the code information by detecting the head portion of the code information. There is a function of storing a plurality of data patterns in advance by setting inside the code information detection unit, and the same data pattern as the image data that appears when the head portion of the code information is read is stored. Then, the image data obtained by reading is compared with the data pattern to determine whether there is the same portion, and the control unit is notified (213).

810 (processing symbol)
As a first example, this processing symbol means processing for specifying the sensor (302) used when the image reading unit (202) performs main scanning. Since the code information is detected by the code information detection unit (205), the control unit (201) specifies the sensor to be used every time main scanning is performed.

  As a second embodiment, this processing symbol means processing for specifying a portion to be discarded of image data obtained by reading. Since the code information is detected by the code information detection unit (205), the control unit (201) specifies the portion of the image data to be discarded for each image data obtained by the main scanning.

811 (Processing symbol)
This processing symbol means processing for setting a decoding activation flag for performing decoding processing. Since the reading of the code information is detected, the value is updated to “1” to “H”.

812 (condition judgment symbol)
This condition judgment symbol means that the route selection is performed on the condition that the error flag (described in FIG. 7) of the reading movement speed is changed. If the error flag is “1” to “H”, the process proceeds to the terminal symbol (817), and if the error flag is “0” to “L”, the process proceeds to the condition determination symbol (813). .

  Here, in the series of reading operations of the handy scanner, if the error flag is “1” to “H” because the reading movement speed exceeds the limit value, the reading operation is immediately terminated. Otherwise, it is determined to be normal and reading is continued as it is.

813 (condition judgment symbol)
This condition determination symbol means that route selection is performed on the condition that there has been an operation to end reading of the two-dimensional image. If this operation is performed, the process proceeds to the process symbol (814), and if not, the process proceeds to the process symbol (803).

  Here, the operation includes, for example, an operation by inputting a reading end key provided in the handy scanner by an operator. When the key input is detected by the key I / F unit (204), a detection signal (210) is transmitted to the control unit (201). The control unit determines that the operation has been performed by receiving the detection signal (210).

814 (condition judgment symbol)
This condition determination symbol means that the route selection is performed on the condition that the decode activation flag is set. If the decode activation flag is set, the process proceeds to the processing symbol (815), and if not, the process proceeds to the processing symbol (816). Here, the decode activation flag is set indicates that the two-dimensional image that has been read is an image including code information.

815 (process symbol)
This processing symbol instructs the memory unit (207) to transmit the read image data to the decoding processing unit (206), and instructs the decoding processing unit to start the decoding process. . Thereafter, the control unit which has received the information obtained by decoding the encoded information from the decoding processing unit by the control signal (214), the data transmitting unit for transmitting the information to the database device (104) Send to (208) (215). After the information is sent to the data transmission unit, the decoding activation flag is reset to complete the processing.

816 (process symbol)
This processing symbol instructs the memory unit (207) to transmit the read image data to the data transmission unit (208), and sends the image data obtained by the reading to the database device (104).

817 (terminal symbol)
This terminal symbol means the end of this flowchart. At this time, the state of the handy scanner indicates a standby state in which no processing or operation is performed.

  9 and 10 are diagrams for explaining a method in which the handy scanner of the present invention detects code information from image data obtained by reading in the usage pattern shown in FIG.

  FIG. 9 shows code information as an example of the two-dimensional image (103) shown in FIG. 1, and shows a configuration example of the code information. The code information includes a start code (901), a header code (902), and a data code (903) as shown in FIG. In each part, points expressed in two colors of white (colorless) and black (colored) are drawn in a desired pattern.

  The start code (901) is a head portion of the code information, and is characterized by being expressed as a pattern in which the same pattern is repeatedly arranged in the sub-scanning direction. As a result, the start code can be recognized regardless of where the handy scanner starts reading from where the start code is drawn.

  The header code (902) is characterized in that the pattern is changed for each unit in the sub-scanning direction, such as 902a, 902b, 902c, 902d, and 902e. This is a configuration for confirming whether the reading direction and speed of the handy scanner are accurately performed in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction. That is, when the header codes 902a to 902e can be read in order, it can be recognized that the reading is normally performed.

  The data code (903) is a data portion, and code information obtained by coding arbitrary information is drawn. It is expressed by changing the length in the sub-scanning direction according to the original information amount. In another embodiment, a footer code indicating the end of the code information may be added to the end of the data code. In this case, it is possible to recognize that the reading of the code information has been completed by reading the footer code.

  FIG. 10 shows the inside of the code information detection unit (205) shown in FIG. 2, and shows an outline of the code information detection process. When the handy scanner (101) as shown in FIG. 1 reads the document (102) on which the code information shown in FIG. 9 is read, the code information is detected from the image data read by the code information detection unit. It is a figure for demonstrating.

  As indicated by an arrow (906), when the handy scanner starts reading an image, image data obtained each time main scanning is performed once by the image reading unit (202) is sent to the code information detecting unit. . An arrow (907) indicates that the received image data is output to the memory unit (207).

  At the time of reading, the image reading unit is configured to read a two-dimensional image as binary image data for each pixel unit. Therefore, when the image is recognized, the image data is “1”, and when the image is recognized as blank, the image data is It becomes “0”. Accordingly, the output image data is bit data represented by “1” or “0”, and is output as a serial signal for each image data obtained by one main scan.

  When the code information detection unit receives the image data as indicated by an arrow (906), it is sequentially stored as bit data as indicated by 904. On the other hand, pattern information (905) is stored in advance in the code information detection unit. For example, it is assumed that the pattern of image data expected when the above-described start code (901) is read in the pattern information is 905-1. Then, as shown in the figure, if there is a portion matching the pattern 905-1 in the bit data 904, the start code is read. For this reason, the bit data indicated by 904 is inspected while comparing for each bit whether there is a portion that matches the pattern (905-1).

  By such a method, the pattern extracted from the pattern (905) is compared with the pattern of the image data actually obtained by reading, and the start code (901) and header codes (902a to 902e) are compared. This is to detect whether there is an image data pattern expected when. As a result, when all the patterns are sequentially detected, it is determined that the reading of the code information is started.

  Next, other embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 11 shows a scanner device to which the handy scanner device according to the present invention is applied. The scanner device reads an arbitrary document. The manuscript (1102) shown in the figure shows that a pattern and a special pattern (1103) are drawn.

  Image reading of the scanner device is performed by a reading unit (1101) configured by arranging a plurality of line image sensors (1104) in the main scanning direction. This line image sensor (1104) has the same mechanism as 301 described above.

  Image reading in the main scanning direction is configured such that each line image sensor (1104) simultaneously performs main scanning processing, and image data obtained by reading for each line image sensor is output as a serial signal. Since each line image sensor simultaneously performs main scanning processing, the time required for one main scanning processing of the scanner device is the same as the time required for one line image sensor to perform main scanning processing.

  The movement in the sub-scanning direction is performed by repeating the above-described main scanning process while automatically moving the reading unit (1101) in the sub-scanning direction. Another method is to repeat the main scanning procedure in the same manner while the reading unit does not move and the table on which the document (1102) is placed is automatically moved in the direction opposite to the sub-scanning direction. Good.

  Next, when a predetermined operation is performed on the scanner device and reading of the original (1102) shown in FIG. 11 is started, the reading unit moves on the original in the sub-scanning direction from the left side of the figure. Reading is performed. Then, when the scanner device recognizes that the portion on which the special pattern (1103) is drawn has been read, the following processing is performed. However, if the special pattern (1103) is the code information described above, the detection is performed by the detection method described above.

  As a first example of the processing, processing is performed so that only a line image sensor set in advance in the reading unit (1101) can be used and other line image sensors are not used, and reading is continued. .

  Further, as a second example of the processing, setting is made so that an image data portion read by a line image sensor other than the line image sensor reading the special pattern is deleted from image data obtained by reading. and so on.

It is a figure which shows the usage type of the handy scanner which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the internal structure of the handy scanner which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the concept at the time of the reading operation | movement which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which displayed the image data at the time of completion | finish of the reading operation based on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the concept at the time of the reading operation | movement which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which displayed the image data at the time of completion | finish of the reading operation based on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the flowchart at the time of the reading operation | movement (movement speed monitoring) which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the flowchart at the time of the reading operation (code information detection) which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the code information which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the concept of the code information detection method which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the reading operation | movement which concerns on other embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

101 Handy Scanner Device 102 Document 103 Two-dimensional Image (Code Information)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 104 Database apparatus 105 Monitor apparatus 201 Control part 202 Image reading part 203 Movement detection part 204 Key I / F part 205 Code information detection part 206 Decoding processing part 207 Memory part 208 Data transmission part 301 Line image sensor 302 Sensor 901 Start code 902 Header Code 902 Data code 904 Data pattern 905 Image data

Claims (3)

A handy scanner device for manually reading a two-dimensional image on a document,
It is possible to read a two-dimensional image by performing main scanning each time a line image sensor that sequentially performs main scanning of a one-dimensional image in units of one pixel is moved in units of one pixel in the sub-scanning direction. In the handy scanner device having the moving speed detecting means for detecting the moving speed to
Detection means for detecting that code information is included when a document on which code information in which arbitrary information is encoded and converted into a two-dimensional image is read is read;
Among a plurality of sensors constituting a line image sensor that reads an image, sensor identifying means for identifying a sensor that has read the code information,
When the two-dimensional image on the original is read by manual operation while constantly monitoring that the moving speed detecting means is reading at an appropriate speed,
When the code information detecting means detects that the code information is included in the two-dimensional image, the sensor specifying means specifies which sensor has read the code information. Scanner device. The handy scanner device according to claim 1,
When performing main scanning processing, it has sensor selection means for individually setting whether to use each sensor of the line image sensor,
A handy scanner device characterized in that, when the code information detecting means detects that the code information is included in the two-dimensional image, the sensor selecting means controls a sensor for performing a main scanning process. The handy scanner device according to claim 1,
Image data selection means for selecting image data obtained by reading the arbitrary sensor from image data obtained by image reading,
A handy scanner device that deletes image data selected by the image data selection means when the code information detection means detects that the code information is included in the two-dimensional image.

Images