Image read-out and image read system, image reading method
Handling with image input, the image read-out that carries out the image input of seal, portrait, signature etc. as OCR, mainly is to transmit two kinds of mode (mode 1) that ticket reads and flat-bed scanner modes (mode 2) one by one.
In addition, in contrast, also have to use the method (mode 3) of the video camera that has assembled 2 dimension image read sensors, still, realize OCR and height reads ticket subtly, the current pixel number is also not enough, only limits to the practicability in the reading in the narrow scope.
As the mode of improving this mode 3, be to read the front configuration lens of original copy, on the face of the image imaging of original copy, the mode (mode 4) that 1 dimension image read sensor is moved along sub scanning direction.This mode 4 can with thickness that can not be corresponding in original copy ticket transmission type with change professional of the kind of ticket or to place the situation of many tickets corresponding, in addition, the situation that the original copy person of setting cannot see the original copy face that will read as the flat-bed scanner of mode 2 has not just existed yet.
In addition, in recent years, occurred image read and do not prepared special illumination light and use ceiling fluorescent light that source power supply lights etc. to carry out the trend of this mode 4.
The light source that the present invention relates to use source power supply to light carries out image read-out that image reads and the image read system that uses this image read-out, particularly use light source that commercial frequency lights to the needs in bank, the postal service carry out that public money subpoena, income payment slip etc., OCR handle, the various tickets of seal image input carry out image read-out that image reads and the image read system that uses this image read-out.
In the image read-out of the mode 4 that adopts above-mentioned prior art record, image read do not prepare special illumination light and when using ceiling fluorescent light that source power supply lights etc., the flicker of 2 frequencys multiplication of the commercial frequency that must take place because ceiling fluorescent light etc. are lighted with commercial frequency, reading images is with the deep or light figure of generating period.
Therefore, when using the ceiling fluorescent light of lighting by source power supply, do not improve image quality, just can not read correct image if do not revise illumination light quantitative changeization such as flicker.
Purpose of the present invention aims to provide can use the light source with flicker of the ceiling fluorescent light lighted with source power supply etc. more correctly to carry out the technology that image reads.
Below, the summary of representational technology in the application's invention disclosed is described simply.
In the light source that uses source power supply to light carries out image read-out that image reads, has the pedestal that reads in thing of placing above-mentioned image; Detect and export the illumination light quantity sensor over time of above-mentioned light source; At least have 2 kinds of different color combinations figures of reflectivity, be used for the illumination light quantity of the light source correction pattern of correction image over time; With read in the image that the image that reads in thing that is placed on the above-mentioned pedestal and above-mentioned correction pattern export then and read in the unit.
In addition, using that the light source lighted by commercial frequency carries out that image reads, in the image read system of pattern recognition, having image read-out, data processing equipment and recognition process unit.Over time sensor of the illumination light quantity that image read-out is provided with the pedestal that reads in thing, the detection of placing above-mentioned image and exports above-mentioned light source, at least have 2 kinds of different color combinations figures of reflectivity be used for to the illumination light quantity of light source over time the image exported then of the image that reads in thing that is placed on the above-mentioned pedestal of the correction pattern and reading in of correction image and above-mentioned correction pattern read in the unit; Data processing equipment is according to the image processing that the data of the image that reads in are revised in output of reading of the output of the sensor and above-mentioned correction pattern unit; Recognition process unit carries out pattern recognition according to the data of having been carried out the image of data processing by above-mentioned data processing equipment to be handled.
Fig. 1 is the figure that the structure of the ticket image read-out that uses in ticket image read system and this system is described.
Fig. 2 is the figure of the example of explanation flicker correction pattern.
Fig. 3 is the block diagram of the inner structure of explanation scanner portion.
Fig. 4 is the output of expression source power supply and the output curve map in time of ccd sensor 1221.
Fig. 5 is that explanation is because the figure of the relation of the output of the output of the ccd sensor that the difference of light source causes and flicker sensor.
Fig. 6 is that explanation is because the figure of the relation of the output of the output of the ccd sensor that the difference of light source causes and flicker sensor.
Fig. 7 is that explanation is because the figure of the relation of the output of the output of the ccd sensor that the difference of light source causes and flicker sensor.
Fig. 8 is that explanation is because the figure of the relation of the output of the output of the ccd sensor that the difference of light source causes and flicker sensor.
Fig. 9 is that explanation is because the figure of the relation of the output of the output of the ccd sensor that the difference of light source causes and flicker sensor.
Figure 10 is the figure that the explanation flicker is revised.
Figure 11 is the process flow diagram of processing that is used to illustrate the ticket image read system of present embodiment.
Below, use accompanying drawing to describe an embodiment of image read system of the present invention in detail as example with the ticket image read system.
Fig. 1 is the figure that is used to illustrate the structure of the ticket image read system of present embodiment and the ticket image read-out that this system uses, and Figure 1A is the figure that is used to illustrate the structure of ticket image read system, and Figure 1B is the figure that is used to illustrate the structure of ticket reading device.
Ticket image read system of the present invention, shown in Figure 1A, constitute by ticket reading device 10, data processing equipment 20, recognition process unit 30 and data line 40, ticket reading device 10 by the illumination light quantity that has flicker correction pattern 14 and the pedestal 11 of placing ticket 1 that the flicker of helping revises and have a detection light source (is the fluorescent light lighted of 50/60Hz etc. with commercial frequency) over time flicker sensor 13 and read the scanner portion 12 that is placed on the ticket 1 on this pedestal 11 and constitute; 20 pairs of view data that read of data processing equipment comprise flicker and revise image processings such as correction (shadow correction) at the brightness disproportionation of interior image, emphasizing contour, 2 values; The ticket that recognition process unit 30 carries out literal identification etc. according to the view data of having carried out data processing reads processing; The connection that data line 40 carries out between the each several part.
In the scanner portion 12 of ticket reading device 10, shown in Figure 1B, have below light source 70, be configured in the ticket person of setting 50 place above the front of the pedestal 11 that reads ticket 1 lens 121 and by these lens 121 in the position of the image imaging of ticket along the mobile read sensor portion 122 of sub scanning direction (being the ticket short side direction in Figure 1A, is normal direction in Figure 1B).
Flicker correction pattern 14 shown in Figure 1A is to arrange at the main scanning direction of read sensor portion 122 white (luminance factor is higher) figure 14a and black (luminance factor is lower) figure 14b are set, for example, as shown in Figure 2, white figure 14a and black graphics 14b alternately are set respectively.And, under the light source that flicker takes place, repeatedly read these figures.
Flicker correction pattern 14 shown in Figure 2 can be printed onto on the pedestal 11 of placing ticket 1 as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 like that, and the position of white figure 14a and black graphics 14b and ticket 1 is adjacent to dispose.In the visual field 15 when if the correction pattern of will glimmering 14 is printed onto standby, the correction of when standby, just can glimmering.In addition, this flicker correction pattern 14 can have 2 kinds of different color combinations figures of reflectivity at least, and as white figure 14a and black graphics 14b, the difference of reflectivity is big more, can carry out more accurate flicker correction more.Its reason will be explained below.
In Fig. 2, expression be with ticket long side direction design main scanning direction in read sensor portion 122, with the situation of ticket short side direction design, still, also these directions can be provided with scanner portion 12 conversely at sub scanning direction.At this moment, flicker correction pattern 14 also is arranged on the main scanning direction of read sensor portion 122.
Fig. 3 is the block diagram that is used to illustrate the inner structure of above-mentioned scanner portion 12.
The read sensor portion 122 of scanner portion 12 as shown in Figure 3, comprise sensor part 122a, the 122b of sensor drive portion and control part 122c, sensor part 122a by scioptics 121 with 1 dimension image read sensor (for example ccd sensor) 1221 of the image imaging of ticket 1 or flicker correction pattern 14, amplify the image of this imaging and carry out digitized amplifying circuit 1222 and A/D translation circuit 1223 constitutes; The 122b of sensor drive portion is by sensor drive driving circuit 1224, drive motor 1225, drive motor driver 1226 that 1 dimension image read sensor 1221 is mechanically moved along sub scanning direction and determine the alignment sensor that reads the starting position 1227 of 1 dimension image read sensor 1221 to constitute; Control part 122c control each part mentioned above 122a, 122b transmit the reading of data of ticket 1 or flicker correction pattern 14 to data processing equipment 20.
In addition, flicker sensor 13 is owing to output when 1 ties up image read sensor 1221 for ccd sensor is the action that is directly proportional with the integrated value that receives light quantity, so, have the instantaneous value of the flicker of detecting photo detector 131, amplify the instantaneous value that is detected amplifying circuit 132, carving the A/D translation circuit 134 that the identical moment carries out the integrating circuit 133 of integral action and carry out numerical dataization with the light time that is subjected to of 1 dimension image read sensor 1221.
As the opportunity that reads of the flicker correction pattern 14 of control part 122c, preferably before the reading of ticket 1, when making professional processing speed preferential, (for example, during not having client) carries out when then being preferably in certain hour and not having reading requirement.
Like this, move along sub scanning direction by making 1 dimension image read sensor 1221, for static original copy, the mode that just is equivalent to the image read sensors that use 2 dimensions is come reading images.2 dimension image read sensors for example have 1,000,000 pixels, pixel count is very many, but, as 1 dimension image read sensor 1221, if consider the utilizable for example sensor of 5000 pixels is moved along sub scanning direction, just can be equal to mutually, read thereby go for very high meticulous image with 2 dimension image read sensors of 5000 pixels * 7500 scannings=3,750 ten thousand pixels.
Therefore, the ticket reading device 10 of present embodiment, the ticket person of setting 50 can see directly that ticket 1 adjusts the position, the operability excellence, owing to have this characteristic, so, needn't use the special illumination light such as inverter fluorescent light of do not glimmer (periodic brightness changes) of in general scanner, using, can directly utilize light sources such as ceiling fluorescent light.
But, in the reading of the ticket image that uses ceiling fluorescent light (natural light), even flicker sensor 13 only is set, because the state of light source, the output that detects with flicker sensor 13 and the brightness of image are disproportionate, so, must make the output of flicker sensor 13 and the corresponding flicker correction of brightness of the image output of 1 dimension image read sensor 1221.
Below, the flicker correction of data processing equipment 20 is described.The relation of the output of the output of ccd sensor 1221 and flicker sensor 13 at first, is described.
Fig. 4 is the output of expression source power supply and the output curve map over time of ccd sensor 1221.Here, suppose that light source 70 is for example to be arranged on the such illumination of lighting with commercial frequency of fluorescent light on the ceiling.
Source power supply with Fig. 4 61 shown in 50/60Hz frequency waveform and export, and light source (fluorescent light) the 70th carries out lighting of positive and negative object, so, with Fig. 4 71 shown in waveform light.In contrast, carrying out in itself in the ccd sensor 1221 of exposure of integral action, is being exactly the value that the integrated value of the incident light quantity that begins with moment T1 before it is directly proportional with the output of the moment shown in the bullet T2 shown in Figure 4.
Fig. 5 is the figure of relation that is used to illustrate the output of the flicker of light source 70 and 1 dimension image read sensor (ccd sensor) 1221.
Ccd sensor 1221 is different with the ratio (contribution rate) that flicker sensor 13 is contributed by light source respectively, so, have the output valve of being contributed by light source 70 respectively.As shown in Figure 5, the relation of their output can be represented as the straight line of initial point in order to the S point according to the brightness (being white, black, grey here) of the image that reads.Suppose that this S point is skew.
Here, be initial point with the direct current light quantity of light source 70, suppose moving that variable quantity " L " increases.Here the γ characteristic (output is non-linear with light income) of the photodiode that uses except ccd sensor 1221 and flicker sensor 13, be illustrated.
In addition, except light source 70 as the ceiling fluorescent light, exist when being positioned at the illumination light of other distance, ccd sensor 1221 and flicker sensor 13 are changed by the ratio (contribution rate) of the output valve of each light source contribution respectively, the skew of equivalence shown in Figure 5 also changes, or the slope of characteristic straight line changes.Such example is as follows.
Fig. 6 be represent to use simultaneously the ceiling fluorescent light (interchange light) lighted as light source 70 usefulness commercial frequencies and as light source 80 usefulness high-frequency inverters (owing to the persistence characteristic of the fluorophor in the fluorescent light not have flicker: the situation of the partial illumination of lighting direct current light), be represent from light source 80 to flicker sensor 13 distance with to the ratio of the distance of ticket 1 and the different figure of situation of light source 70.
In the example of Fig. 6, make 80 when the ticket, it is big that the output of the ccd sensor 1221 of the increase comparison ticket face of flicker sensor 13 is increased (increase of the brightness of ticket face).
But, because taking place, the light source 70 (ceiling fluorescent light) of flicker is positioned at identical position, so flicker component L does not change, thus the recruitment of the output of the ccd sensor 1221 that causes by flicker promptly the slope (dotted line) of the straight line S-Q of white equate with the slope (solid line) of P-U.In addition, fully no matter the ticket face (imagination) of black is for the increase of great light quantity, and the output of CCD does not increase.In view of the above, white S-Q, the grey S-R when only light source 70 being arranged, the straight line (dotting) of black S-T detect on the straight line (representing with solid line) that characteristic moves to white P-U, grey P-V after departing from from the S point of this skew, black P-T.
In addition, Fig. 7 is such floor light and the abundant figure that the situation of light is not provided to flicker sensor 13 of this floor light of fluorescent light desk lamp (interchange light) that expression uses identical commercial frequency to light except light source 70.
At this moment, as shown in Figure 7, change under the little state in flicker component, the output of ccd sensor 1221 increases.What at this moment be not offset moves, and for example, the S-Q (dotted line) that white takes place is changed to the variation of the such slope of the straight line of S-U (solid line).
Fig. 8 represents to use simultaneously ceiling fluorescent light of lighting as light source 70 usefulness commercial frequencies (interchange light) and partial illumination and the abundant figure that the situation of light is not provided to flicker sensor of this floor light that lights as light source 80 usefulness high-frequency inverters (direct current light).
At this moment, as shown in Figure 8, do not have to change under the state of (slope of straight line S-Q, straight line S-R is identical) in flicker component, the output of ccd sensor 1221 increases.Therefore, though moving of skew taken place,, the straight line S-Q (dotted line) and the straight line P-U (solid line) of white equate with the straight line S-R (dotted line) of grey and the slope of straight line P-V (solid line).
Fig. 9 is the figure when representing to use simultaneously the ceiling fluorescent light of lighting as light source 70 usefulness commercial frequencies (interchange light) with the partial illumination of lighting as the identical commercial frequency (exchanging light) of light source 80 usefulness.
At this moment, as shown in Figure 9, compare with the ratio that flicker component increase to increase, it is very little that ticket reads the increase of output.Therefore, though the slope of the straight line S-R of the straight line S-Q of the slope ratio white of the straight line S-V of the straight line S-U of white and grey and grey is little, owing to light with identical commercial frequency, so what be not offset moves.
Like this, according to the condition that is provided with of light source and the contribution rate of thing followed flicker sensor 13 and ccd sensor 1221, output with respect to flicker sensor 13, the output characteristics of ccd sensor 1221 changes, so, when carrying out the reading of ticket 1, the situation that must be provided with according to the light source of ticket reading device 10 correction of glimmering.
Below, with concrete example this flicker correction is described.
As shown in figure 10, use the ceiling fluorescent light (interchange light) lighted as light source 70 usefulness commercial frequencies simultaneously and as light source 80 usefulness high-frequency inverters (because the persistence characteristic of the fluorophor in the fluorescent light, do not have flicker: the partial illumination of lighting direct current light), 13 distance is with different to the situation of the ratio of the distance of ticket 1 and light source 70 from light source 80 to flicker sensor.
At this moment, reading of flicker sensor 13 and ccd sensor 1221 is acyclic constantly, so along with number of times increases, white can obtain the output of this moment and the flicker corresponding C CD sensor 1221 of illumination light between U1~U2 shown in Figure 10.For black, too.Use these sampled datas to find near linear, calculate both intersection point P by these sampled points.
As computing method, use least square method, but, when needs carry out supercomputing, can be with the straight line of the mean value of the white data that links the mean value of the white data that has from 16 data of the highest output beginning order of flicker sensor 13 and have from 16 data of minimum output beginning order of flicker sensor 13 straight line U1~U2 as the distribution of expression white, equally, for black, also can obtain straight line T1~T2.In view of the above, just can obtain intersection point at an easy rate.The flicker sensor 13 and the skew of ccd sensor 1221 are subtracted each other the variation of the ticket face illumination that just can revising glimmers causes.
That is, calculate
Original brightness=(ccd sensor output-P point y composition)/(flicker sensor output-P point x composition) is as the flicker modified value.Here, owing to read the degree of employed white, black characteristic 14a, 14b or the dirty variation that causes the action of find intersection P there is not any influence.
In order to ask this mobile offset point P, the intersection point of the characteristic straight line by asking at least 2 kinds of colors carries out, and still, also contains error sometimes in the output of each sensor.Therefore, use 2 similar straight lines of slope to ask offset point P, can not obtain correct value sometimes.
Therefore, in the present invention, with big 2 kinds of colors (white figure 14a and the black graphics 14b) correction pattern 14 that is set to glimmer of difference of the slope of 2 straight lines, the absorptiometry error is obtained more accurate offset point P.
Below, all processing of the ticket image read system 1 of present embodiment are described.
Figure 11 is the process flow diagram of processing that is used to illustrate the ticket image read system 1 of present embodiment.
As shown in figure 11, the processing of ticket image read system 1 is set to assigned position with the original image of ticket 1 grade, judge whether that the ticket person of setting 50 is by reading the indication (S1101) that start button etc. reads, if not indication just judges whether to be free time (S1102).
At S1102, if sky is used the time, the data (black and white) that just obtaining glimmers revises usefulness (S1103) calculate black and white near linear (S1104) separately, and calculate the intersection point (S1105) of black and white straight line.And, this intersection point is logined (S1106) as offset data.
In addition, at S1101, when reading indication, just begin with scanner portion's 12 reading images (S1107), whether appropriate for the ticket that is provided with to business at that time, whether charged to necessary item or ticket conditions such as whether direction correct be set and be fit to verification, show the image (S1108) that once reads.
Carry out this ticket condition and be fit to verification (S1109), its result carries out follow-up image processing (S1110) for regarding as sufficient ticket, then, discern processing (S1111), and transmit (S1112), end process then from data line 40 to external unit with regard to this deal with data.At S1109, when the ticket condition is insufficient, just turn back to S1101.
Like this, using ceiling fluorescent light (natural light) to carry out the ticket image when reading, the variation of the brightness by the image that causes according to the flicker that concerns correction ceiling fluorescent light (variation of brightness) that is arranged on flicker sensor output and brightness of image on the ticket reading device 10 just can be carried out and the irrelevant flicker correction of state of light source.
Therefore, revise the data of usefulness by obtaining flicker, according to light source the condition changing offset information is set, just can remove the flicker of fluorescent light, promptly can be according to illumination light intensity correction output, thereby under the illumination of using the ceiling fluorescent light light with commercial frequency etc., can more correctly carry out ticket and read with the natural light of the light source of flicker.
In addition, in the present invention, even have a plurality of light sources or owing under the catoptrical illumination that wall etc. cause, also can correctly revise the relation of flicker sensor and the brightness of ticket face.
More than, be illustrated particularly according to the foregoing description, still, the present invention is not limited to the foregoing description, in the scope that does not break away from its purport, can carry out all changes.
If the effect that is obtained by representational invention in the invention disclosed in this application is described simply, be exactly the effect of the following stated.
Because the condition that is provided with of light source that can be when carrying out the reading of image, output according to illumination light intensity correction image reading device, so, under the illumination of using the ceiling fluorescent light light with commercial frequency etc., can more accurately carry out reading of image with the natural light of the light source of flicker.