JP2001134717A - Reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the normal read result at all times. SOLUTION: A reading part 231 reads a two-dimensional code 31 printed on a card 3. A conveyer roller 233 conveys the card 3 by transmitting a rotational force to the card 3. Guide parts 232-1 and 232-2 press the card 3 with the conveyer roller 233 while warping the card 3 and form a route for passing the card 3 so that the card 3 can pass a prescribed position away from the reading part 231.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a reading device, and more particularly to a reading device for reading an image printed on a medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional image transporting a medium such as a paper or plastic film and optically reading an image or a code (a bar code, a two-dimensional code, a dot code, etc.) printed on the medium. The reading device 1 is shown in FIG. The image reading apparatus 1 includes a contact sensor (CIS (Contact Image Senser)) including a photo sensor and a SELFOC lens (trademark), or a reduction optical system image sensor using a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device). It has a reading sensor 11. The transport roller 12 is pressed against a reading window of the reading sensor 11.

[0003] Reading sensor 11 and transport roller 12
When the medium is inserted between the rollers, the transport roller 12 rotates in a predetermined direction and transports the medium in the direction indicated by the arrow in the figure. The image reading device 1 causes the conveying roller 12 to convey the medium by its rotational force, and causes the medium reading sensor 11 to read an image or a code printed on the medium.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a reading device 2 for reading a two-dimensional code 31 printed on a medium which is a card 3. The card 3 is formed of paper or a plastic film. The reading unit 21 prints 2 on the card 3 transported by the transport roller 22.
The dimensional code 31 is read. Since the optical system that reads high-resolution images has a small depth of field (the range where focus is achieved),
When reading the two-dimensional code 31, the card 3 is prevented from fluttering (the reading unit 21 for the two-dimensional code 31).
Reader 2 so that the distance of
Reading unit 21 presses the card 3 against the transport roller 22.

The transport roller 22 is rotated by a predetermined motor (not shown) and transports the card 3 in the direction shown by the arrow in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a more detailed configuration of the reading unit 21 and the transport roller 22. The coil spring 23 presses the reading window 52 of the reading unit 21 against the transport roller 22 by the urging force. The light source 51 including a laser diode or an LED (Light-Emitting Diode) emits predetermined light or laser light so that reflected light from the two-dimensional code 31 of the card 3 reaches the CCD 54 via the lens 53. The card 3 is irradiated through the reading window 52.

The reading window 52 is formed of transparent resin or glass or the like, and presses the card 3 against the transport roller 22 by the urging force of the coil spring 23. The reading window 52 allows the light or laser light emitted from the light source 51 to pass therethrough, and the two-dimensional code 3 of the card 3.
The reflected light from 1 is also passed.

When the reading window 52 presses the card 3 against the transport roller 22, the mutual positional relationship among the light source 51, the two-dimensional code 31, the lens 53, and the CCD 54 of the card 3 is kept constant.

The lens 53 is a two-dimensional code 3 of the card 3
The reflected light from 1 is converged on the CCD 54. That is,
The lens 53 forms an image corresponding to the pattern of the two-dimensional code 31 on the CCD 54. The CCD 54 outputs a signal corresponding to the pattern of the two-dimensional code 31 based on the light intensity of the image corresponding to the pattern of the two-dimensional code 31 formed on the CCD 54.

[0010]

However, in the image reading apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 or the reading apparatus 2 shown in FIG. 2, the medium or the card 3 to which ink or toner has adhered is read by the reading sensor 11 or the reading section 2.
1 is conveyed while being pressed by one of the reading windows 52, so that when reading is performed, ink or toner adheres to either the reading sensor 11 or the reading unit 21 (reading window 52), and the image reading device 1 Alternatively, the reading device 2 has a problem that a normal reading result may not be obtained.

The transport roller 12 or the transport roller 2
2 may rotate while rubbing either the reading sensor 11 or the reading window 52 of the reading unit 21, so that the rotational force for driving the transport roller 12 or the transport roller 22 may simply transport the medium or the card 3. Has to be made larger than the required rotational force, and the manufacturing cost of the image reading device 1 or the reading device 2 increases.

Further, since a component such as a coil spring 23 for pressing the reading unit 21 against the conveying roller 22 is required, the image reading device 1 or the reading device 2 is required.
Has a problem that the structure becomes complicated and the manufacturing cost increases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and has a simple structure, a rotating force for conveyance can be reduced, and a normal reading result can always be obtained. With the goal.

[0014]

A reading device according to the present invention reads out an image (for example, a two-dimensional code 31) printed on a medium (for example, a card 3) (for example, a reading unit 231 in FIG. 8). ) And conveying means for transmitting a rotational force to the medium to convey the medium (for example, FIG.
And a path forming means (for example, a guide) that deflects the medium and presses the medium against the conveying means, and forms a path through which the medium passes so as to pass a predetermined position away from the reading means. Parts 232-1 and 23
2-2).

In order to clarify the correspondence between each means of the invention described in the claims and the following embodiments, the corresponding embodiments are shown in parentheses after each means (however, an example).
Is added to describe the features of the present invention as described above. However, of course, this description does not mean that each means is limited to those described. The same applies to the following.

The medium is paper or film-like plastic on which images or codes are printed. The medium can be expressed using terms such as a card.

The image is a character, a still image, or a code such as a bar code, a two-dimensional code, or a dot code.

According to the present invention, since the ink or toner forming the image does not adhere to the reading means, the image is not erroneously read due to the adhesion of the ink or toner. Further, since the reading unit and the transporting unit are not in contact with each other, it is possible to further reduce the rotational force required to transport the medium. Furthermore, since a component for pressing the transporting means is not required for the reading means, a simpler structure can be achieved.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the reading means (for example, the reading unit 111 in FIG. 5) is provided with a path forming means (for example, the convex parts 134a and 134 in FIG. 5).
It can be formed integrally with b). In this case, the reading device can have a simpler structure.

However, the reading means and the path forming means need not always be integrated. For example, a part of the housing of the reading device may be used as a path forming unit.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the path forming means (for example, the guide portions 232-1 and 232-2 in FIG. 8) may be formed integrally with the housing of the reader. it can. In this case, the reading device can have a simpler structure.

However, the path forming means need not be formed integrally with the housing of the reading device. For example, the path forming means may be a separate component from the housing of the reading device.

[0023]

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a reading apparatus 101 according to the present invention. The reading unit 111 reads the two-dimensional code 31 printed on the card 3 transported by the transport roller 112.
The transport roller 112 is rotated by a predetermined motor (not shown) or the like, and transports the card 3 in a direction indicated by an arrow in FIG. The two-dimensional code 31 of the card 3 is read by the reading unit 11 so that the reading unit 111 can read the two-dimensional code 31 when the card 3 is transported to the transport roller 112.
Move a predetermined position relative to 1.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of an embodiment of the reading apparatus 101. In FIG. 5, card 3
Is conveyed from the front side to the rear side in the figure.

A light source 131 composed of a laser diode or an LED emits a predetermined light through a reading window 134 so that the reflected light from the two-dimensional code 31 of the card 3 reaches the CCD 133 via the lens 132. Alternatively, the card 3 is irradiated with a laser beam.

The convex portions 134a and 1 of the reading window 134
The edge of 34b is the reading window 1 on the outer periphery of the conveyance roller 112.
Since the card 3 conveyed to the conveyance roller 112 is located on the right side in FIG. 5 with respect to the portion closest to the side 34 (the leftmost edge in FIG. 5), the reading window 134 as shown in FIG. (The card 3) along the convex portion 134a, the conveying roller 112, and the convex portion 134b of the reading window 134.
Is the projection 134a of the reading window 134, the transport roller 11
2, and the projection 134b of the reading window 134).

The card 3 is inserted into the projection 13 of the reading window 134.
4a, the conveying roller 112, and the convex portion 134b of the reading window 134, the flexure is performed, so that the mutual positional relationship among the light source 131, the two-dimensional code 31, the lens 132, and the CCD 133 of the card 3 is kept constant.

The card 3 is a projection 134 of the reading window 134.
a, when the card 3 is bent along the convex portion 134b of the reading window 134, a repulsive force is generated to return the card 3 straight because of the stiffness of the card 3. A frictional force is generated between the card 3 and the card 3 as the transport roller 112 rotates.
Is transported.

The recess 134c of the reading window 134 allows the light or laser light emitted from the light source 131 to pass therethrough without contacting the card 3, and the two-dimensional code 31 of the card 3 (in the drawing of the recess 134c of the reading window 134). (Moving on the right side of the light source) (the light emitted from the light source 131 or the reflected light of the laser light).

The lens 132 causes the reflected light from the two-dimensional code 31 of the card 3 to converge on the photosensitive portion of the CCD 133.
That is, the lens 132 forms an image corresponding to the pattern of the two-dimensional code 31 on the photosensitive portion of the CCD 133. CCD
133 outputs a signal corresponding to the pattern of the two-dimensional code 31 based on the light intensity of the image corresponding to the pattern of the two-dimensional code 31 formed on the photosensitive portion.

As described above, the concave portion 13 of the reading window 134
The light source 131, the two-dimensional code 31 of the card 3, the lens 132, and the CCD 1 do not come into contact with each other.
While maintaining the mutual positional relationship of the cards 33 constant, the card 3
Is transported, so that ink or toner does not adhere to the concave portion 134c of the reading window 134. Therefore, the reading device 101 does not mistakenly read due to contamination of ink or toner.

Since the transport roller 112 does not contact the reading window 134, the reading device 101 can further reduce the rotational force (driving force) for transporting the card 3. Further, since no component is required for pressing the transport roller 112 and the reading window 134, the reading device 101 can have a simpler structure.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of another embodiment of the reading device 101. In FIG. 6, the card 3 is conveyed from the front side to the rear side in the figure. The same parts as those shown in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

The convex portion 171a of the reading window 171 is located on the right side in FIG. 6 with respect to the portion (the leftmost edge in FIG. 6) of the outer periphery of the rollers 152a and 152b of the transport roller 152 which is closest to the reading window 171. To position.

The transport roller 152 is integrally formed with the rollers 152a and 152b. Roller 1
52a and reading window 171 on the outer periphery of roller 152b
(The leftmost edge in FIG. 6) is located on the left side in FIG. 6 with respect to the convex portion 171a of the reading window 171.

Card 3 conveyed by conveying roller 152
Is the roller 152a of the transport roller 152, the reading window 1
71, and bends along the rollers 152b of the transport rollers 152. That is, the card 3 is
The corner contacts the corner of the roller 152a on the 71a side, the corner of the protrusion 171a on the roller 152a side, the corner of the protrusion 171a on the roller 152b side, and the corner of the roller 152b on the protrusion 171a side.

The card 3 has a convex portion 17 on the roller 152a side.
Since it is bent in a circular shape in contact with the corner of 1a and the corner of the convex portion 171a on the roller 152b side, it does not contact the entire surface of the reading window 171 through which light or laser light passes.

The card 3 is placed on the roller 15 on the side of the convex portion 171a.
2a, the corner of the protrusion 171a on the roller 152a side, the corner of the protrusion 171a on the roller 152b side, and the roller 152
The light source 131, the two-dimensional code 31 of the card 3, the lens 132,
And the relative position of the CCD 133 is kept constant.

The roller 152 on the side of the convex portion 171a of the card 3
a, the corner of the protrusion 171a on the roller 152a side, the corner of the protrusion 171a on the roller 152b side, and the roller 152b.
When flexing along the corner on the side of the convex portion 171a of the card 3, the repulsive force of the card 3 trying to return straight due to the strength of the waist of the card 3
, A frictional force is generated between the card 3 and the rollers 152a and 152b.
The card 3 is conveyed with the rotation of a and the roller 152b.

The entire surface of the reading window 171 allows the light or laser light emitted from the light source 131 to pass therethrough without contacting the card 3 and the two-dimensional code 31 of the card 3 (the projection 171a of the reading window 171). The reflected light (the light emitted from the light source 131 or the reflected light of the laser light) from the light source (moving on the right side of the inside) is also allowed to pass.

As described above, when the card 3 is transported,
Light source 131, two-dimensional code 31 of card 3, lens 13
2, and the entire positional relationship between the CCD 133 and the CCD 133 is kept constant, and the entire surface of the reading window 171 does not come into contact with the card 3. Therefore, the ink or toner does not adhere to the convex portion 171a (portion through which light or laser light passes) of the reading window 171 and the reading device 101 may erroneously read the two-dimensional code 31 due to contamination of the ink or toner. Absent.

The transport roller 152 is connected to the reading window 1.
Since the reading device 101 does not come into contact with the card 71, the reading device 101 can further reduce the rotational force (driving force) for transporting the card 3. The transport roller 152 and the reading window 17
The reading device 101 can have a simpler structure because no component is required for pressing the reading device 101.

Note that, as shown in FIG.
2-1 and 192-2 may be formed separately.

Further, the reading window 211 and the transport roller 1
The reading window 211 having no convex portion of the reading portion 191 is disposed so that the positional relationship between the scanning portions 92-1 and 192-2 is similar to that of the convex portion 171a and the rollers 152a and 152b in FIG. Even if it is arranged between the transport rollers 192-1 and 192-2, the same effect as that of the reading apparatus 101 described with reference to FIG. 6 can be obtained.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of still another embodiment of the reading apparatus 101. In FIG. 8, the card 3 is conveyed from the front side to the rear side in the figure. The same parts as those shown in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

The guide portions 232-1 and 232-2 are
It is formed integrally with the housing of the reading device 101. The rightmost edges of the guide portions 232-1 and 232-2 in FIG.
The portion closest to 51 (the leftmost edge in FIG. 8) is located on the right side in FIG.

The reading window 25 on the outer periphery of the transport roller 233
8 (the leftmost edge in FIG. 8) is located on the left side in FIG. 8 with respect to the rightmost edges of the guide portions 232-1 and 232-2 in FIG. The reading window 251 of the reading unit 231 is arranged at a position separated by a predetermined distance from the card 3 conveyed by the conveying rollers 233.

The edges of the guide portions 232-1 and 232-2 are positioned on the right side in FIG. 8 with respect to the portion closest to the reading window 251 on the outer periphery of the transport roller 233 (the leftmost edge in FIG. 8). As shown in FIG. 8, the card 3 conveyed to the conveying rollers 233 is
The card 3 bends along the transport roller 233 and the guide portion 232-2 (the card 3 is guided by the guide portion 232-1 and the transport roller 2).
33 and the guide portion 232-2).

When the card 3 is bent along the guide portion 232-1, the transport roller 233, and the guide portion 232-2, the light source 131, the two-dimensional code 31 of the card 3,
The mutual positional relationship between the lens 132 and the CCD 133 is
Be kept constant.

When the card 3 is bent along the guide portion 232-1, the conveying roller 233, and the guide portion 232-2, a repulsive force is generated on the card 3 to return straight to the card 3 due to the strength of the waist of the card 3. Therefore, a frictional force is generated between the card 3 and the transport roller 233, and the transport roller 23
As the card 3 rotates, the card 3 is conveyed.

The reading window 251 allows the light or laser light emitted from the light source 131 to pass therethrough without touching the card 3 and the two-dimensional code 31 of the card 3.
The reflected light (the light emitted from the light source 131 or the reflected light of the laser light) from the light source (moving on the right side of the reading window 251 in the drawing) is also passed.

As described above, when the card 3 is transported,
Light source 131, two-dimensional code 31 of card 3, lens 13
The reading window 251 does not come into contact with the card 3 while the positional relationship between the CCD 2 and the CCD 133 is kept constant, and therefore ink or toner does not adhere to the reading window 251. There is no mistake in reading due to adhesion.

Since the transport roller 233 does not contact the reading window 251, the reading device 101 can further reduce the rotational force (driving force) for transport. Further, since no component is required for pressing the transport roller 233 and the reading window 251, the reading device 101 is not required.
Can have a simpler structure.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a reading apparatus 101 according to still another embodiment. In FIG. 9, the card 3 is transported from the front side to the rear side in the figure. The same parts as those shown in FIG. 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

The guide section 272 is formed integrally with the housing of the reading device 101. The edge of the guide portion 272 located on the rightmost side in FIG. 9 is located on the right side in FIG. 9 with respect to the leftmost portion (the leftmost edge in FIG. 9) of the outer periphery of the transport roller 273.

The leftmost portion (the leftmost edge in FIG. 9) of the outer periphery of the conveying roller 273 is located on the left side in FIG. 9 with respect to the rightmost edge in FIG. 9 of the guide portion 272. I do. The reading window 291 of the reading unit 271 is located on the right side in FIG. 9 with respect to the portion located on the leftmost side of the outer periphery of the transport roller 273.

The edge of the guide portion 272 is
9, the reading window 291 of the reading unit 271 is positioned on the right side in FIG.
9 is located on the right side in FIG. 9 with respect to the leftmost portion of the outer periphery of the card 3, the card 3 conveyed by the conveying roller 273 is, as shown in FIG. And the transport roller 27 of the reading window 291
The card 3 is bent along the corner on the third side (the card 3 is
(It comes into contact with the transport roller 273 and the corner of the reading window 291 on the transport roller 273 side.)

The card 3 is bent in a circular shape in contact with the guide portion 272, the conveying roller 273, and the corner of the reading window 291 on the side of the conveying roller 273, so that the surface of the reading window 291 through which light or laser light passes. Do not touch the whole.

When the card 3 is bent along the guide portion 272, the conveying roller 273, and the corner of the reading window 291 on the side of the conveying roller 273, the light source 131, the two-dimensional code 31 of the card 3, the lens 132, and the CCD 133 Are kept constant.

When the card 3 bends along the corners of the guide portion 272, the conveying roller 273, and the reading window 291 on the side of the conveying roller 273, the repulsive force of the card 3 to return straight due to the stiffness of the card 3 increases. 3 occurs,
A frictional force is generated between the card 3 and the transport roller 273, and the card 3 is transported as the transport roller 273 rotates.

The entire surface of the reading window 291 allows the light or laser light emitted from the light source 131 to pass therethrough without touching the card 3 and reflects the light reflected from the two-dimensional code 31 of the card 3 (the light emitted from the light source 131). Light or reflected light of laser light).

As described above, when the card 3 is transported,
Light source 131, two-dimensional code 31 of card 3, lens 13
2 and the CCD 133 are kept in a constant positional relationship, and the entire surface of the reading window 291 does not come into contact with the card 3. Therefore, ink or toner does not adhere to a portion of the surface of the reading window 291 through which light or laser light passes, and the reading device 101 does not mistakenly read due to the adhesion of ink or toner.

Since the transport roller 273 does not contact the reading window 291, the reading device 101 can further reduce the rotational force for transport. In addition, since a component for pressing the transport roller 273 and the reading window 291 is not required, the reading device 101 can have a simpler structure.

[0064]

According to the reading apparatus of the present invention, an image printed on a medium is read, a rotational force is transmitted to the medium, the medium is conveyed, and the medium is bent and pressed by the conveying means. In addition, since a path through which the medium passes is formed so that the medium passes through a predetermined position apart from the reading unit, the rotating force for conveyance can be reduced with a simple structure, Normal reading results are always obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a conventional image reading apparatus 1.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a conventional reading device 2.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a more detailed configuration of a reading unit 21 and a conveyance roller 22.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a reading device 101 according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an embodiment of a reading apparatus 101 according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a reading apparatus according to another embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a reading apparatus according to yet another embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a reading apparatus according to yet another embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a reading apparatus 101 according to still another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 3 Card 31 Two-dimensional code 101 Reader 111 Reading part 112 Conveying roller 134 Reading window 134a and 134b Convex part 134c Concave part 151 Reading part 152 Conveyance roller 152a and 152b Roller 171 Reading window 171a Convex part 191 Reading part 192-1 and 192- 2 Transport Roller 211 Reading Window 231 Reading Section 232-1 and 232-2 Guide Section 233 Transport Roller 251 Reading Window 271 Reading Section 272 Guide Section 273 Transport Roller 291 Reading Window

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A reading device for reading an image printed on a medium, reading means for reading the image printed on the medium, and conveying means for transmitting a rotational force to the medium to convey the medium. And path forming means for forming a path through which the medium passes so that the medium passes through a predetermined position distant from the reading means while bending the medium and pressing the medium. A reading device characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. The reading device according to claim 1, wherein the reading unit is formed integrally with the path forming unit. 3. The reading device according to claim 1, wherein the path forming unit is formed integrally with a housing of the reading device.