JP2003203203A - Processor for check or the like, processing method for check or the like, and processing system for check or the like - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress the information quantity of image data of a check or the like acquired for the electronic settlement processing of the check or the like. <P>SOLUTION: A scan processing condition set command from a host device 200 received by a transmitting and receiving part 11 is analyzed in a command analyzing part 25, and set information of a designated read range 43 and/or clopping areas 51-54 is stored in a control information storage part 32. An image read part 14 is drive-controlled by an operation control part 31, and the designated read range 43 is scanned, whereby the image of the check or the like is read. Further, only the image data in the designated clopping areas 51-54 are extracted by an image selection part 35. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a check processing device, a check processing method, and a check processing system for acquiring image data of securities such as checks used for settlement.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In commercial transactions, shopping at stores, payments at restaurants, etc., payments may be made using securities such as checks. Hereinafter, this settlement process will be described by taking a check as an example. Generally, the account number is printed on the surface of a check using a magnetic ink character.
It is printed as data, and the validity or invalidity of the check is confirmed by inquiring these data.

When a check is received at a store or the like, after confirming the validity of the check, a printout of the payee, date, amount, etc., and endorsement items, such as the certification number, date, amount, etc., is printed by the printer. Made by The check, which has been processed at the store or the like, is brought to a payment institution such as a bank and finally processed for payment. On the other hand, in recent years, electronic payment has been proposed to improve the efficiency of the payment process by transmitting electronic data of transaction details and image data of a check in which front cover / endorsement items are printed to a payment institution. The clearing house stores the received image data of the check so as to be searchable, and prepares for the case where verification is necessary when a problem occurs.

[0004]

When the size of the image data of the check is large, it takes a long time to transmit and receive the image data and to store the data, and a storage device having a large capacity and high speed access is required. There is an inconvenience. For example,
In the case of communication by RS232C which is one of serial interfaces, it takes several tens of seconds to transmit 100 kilobytes of image data. Although these problems are alleviated to some extent by compressing the image data, it is desirable that the image data be as compact as possible.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a check processing device, a check processing method, and a check processing system capable of suppressing the amount of information of image data such as checks acquired during electronic payment processing. It is in.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a check processing device of the present invention is based on an image reading section for scanning a check or the like to read an image and outputting image data, and a first input. The image reading unit includes a reading range setting unit that sets a reading range to be scanned, and a scanning control unit that drives and controls the image reading unit based on the reading range. By scanning only the designated reading range and reading the image data of a check or the like, it is possible to shorten the reading processing time and reduce the amount of image data.

In this case, the first input may be an input from a switch, a key or the like provided in a check processing device or a first control command from a host device.

Further, the reading range set by the reading range setting unit is a rectangular parallelepiped, and is defined by the first input at a start point which is one of the diagonals of the rectangular parallelepiped and an end point which is the other. On the basis of the above, the reading range setting unit sets the reading range. Further, the start point and the end point designated by the first input are the relative movement direction of the check or the like with respect to the image reading unit as a first axis,
Further, it is specified as a coordinate of an orthogonal coordinate system having a second axis in a direction orthogonal to the relative movement direction. In this case, since the reading range is rectangular, the reading range can be easily designated and set.

Further, the reading range setting section further includes a size detecting section for detecting the size of the check or the like, and the reading range setting section automatically sets the reading range based on the size of the check or the like detected by the size detecting section. It is characterized by being possible. In this case, the reading range setting operation by the operator or the reading range setting process by the host device becomes easy.

Further, the size detecting section detects at least the length of the check or the like in a direction orthogonal to the relative movement direction based on the image data output from the image reading section. . Further, a conveyance unit that conveys the check or the like along a conveyance path, and first and second sheets that are arranged on the conveyance path with a predetermined interval and that detect the presence or absence of the check or the like in the conveyance path. The size detection unit further includes a detection unit, and the size detection unit determines the length of the check or the like in the conveyance direction based on the predetermined interval, the information regarding the conveyance amount from the conveyance unit, and the detection information from the sheet detection unit. Is detected.

The check processing device of the present invention is the second aspect.
A cropping area setting unit that sets at least one cropping area for acquiring a part of the image data based on the input, and an image discarding unit that acquires the data in the cropping area from the image data are further included. It is characterized by being provided. Further, the cropping area setting unit erases the cropping area based on a third input. In this case, it is possible to further reduce the image data amount by extracting only the necessary image data from the image data and removing the unnecessary image data.

The second input and the third input may be inputs from a switch, a key or the like provided in a check processing device, or may be second and third control commands from a host device. Good.

The cropping area set by the cropping area setting unit is a rectangular parallelepiped, and is defined by the second input at a start point which is one of the diagonals of the rectangular parallelepiped and an end point which is the other. The cropping area setting unit sets the cropping area based on the above. The start point and the end point designated by the second input are a relative movement direction of the check or the like with respect to the image reading unit as a first axis, and a direction orthogonal to the relative movement direction as a second axis. It is characterized in that it is specified as a coordinate in an orthogonal coordinate system. In this case, since the cropping area is rectangular, the cropping area can be easily designated and set.

The check processing method according to the present invention includes a first input step for accepting an input of a reading range setting value for designating a reading range for reading an image of a check, and the reading input in the first input step. A reading range setting step of setting the reading range based on the range setting value, and scanning the check or the like based on the reading range set in the reading range setting step to read an image and output image data And an image reading step.

Further, a size detecting step for detecting the size of the check or the like is further provided, and the reading range setting step automatically sets the reading range based on the size of the check or the like detected in the size detecting step. It is characterized by being possible.

A second input step for receiving an input of a cropping area setting value designating at least one cropping area for acquiring a part of the image data output in the image reading step, and the second input step. Based on the cropping area setting value input in the input step, a cropping area setting step for setting the cropping area, and an image discarding method for acquiring data in the cropping area from the image data output in the image reading step. And further comprising steps.

A third aspect of accepting an input of a cropping area erasing instruction for erasing the cropping area
The method further comprises an input step and a cropping area deletion step of deleting the cropping area based on the cropping area deletion instruction input in the third input step.

The check processing system of the present invention is
A check processing system comprising a check processing device and a host device for controlling the check processing device,
The check or the like processing device sets an image reading unit that scans a check or the like to read an image and outputs image data, and a reading range to be scanned by the image reading unit based on a reading range setting command from the host device. A reading range setting unit, a scanning control unit that drives and controls the image reading unit based on the reading range set in the reading range setting unit, and a magnetic head that reads magnetic ink characters printed on the check or the like. A receiver for transmitting the magnetic ink character read data by the magnetic head to the host device, the host device receiving the magnetic ink character read data; and the receiver received by the receiver. Based on the magnetic ink character read data, a size specifying unit for specifying the size of the check and the like, and a size specifying unit for specifying the size A reading range determination unit that determines the reading range based on the size of the check, etc., and the reading range setting command is generated based on the reading range determined by the reading range determination unit. And a reading range setting command transmitting unit for transmitting the reading range setting command to the processing device. As a result, the host device can instruct to set a more appropriate reading range.

The check processing method of the present invention is also described in A.
A reading range setting command receiving step for receiving a reading range setting command for specifying a reading range for reading an image of a check or the like on a check processing device side, and a reading received in the reading range setting command receiving step. Based on a range setting command, a reading range setting step for setting the reading range, and based on the reading range set in the reading range setting step, the check or the like is scanned to read an image and output image data. An image reading step, a magnetic ink character reading step of reading magnetic ink characters printed on the check or the like, and a transmitting step of transmitting the magnetic ink character read data read in the magnetic ink character reading step to the host device. , B. A receiving step of receiving the magnetic ink character read data on the host device side; a size specifying step of specifying the size of the check or the like based on the magnetic ink character read data received in the receiving step; Based on the size of the check or the like identified in the size identifying step, the reading range determining step for determining the reading range, and the reading range setting command based on the reading range determined in the reading range determining step. A read range setting command transmitting step for generating and transmitting the check range processing device to the check processing device. This enables efficient acquisition of image data.

[0020]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a check processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in this figure, the check processing device 110 is covered with a resin cover 111, and an insertion port 112 for inserting a check by hand is formed on the front surface portion of the check processing device 110, while the top surface portion is formed. A discharge port 113 for discharging a check is formed. Furthermore, the check processing device 110 of the present embodiment is provided with a roll paper storage unit (not shown) for storing roll paper at its rear part.
The roll paper stored in the roll paper storage unit passes through the printing unit and is drawn out from the roll paper discharge port 114 on the upper surface of the apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing the internal structure of the check processing apparatus. As shown in this figure, inside the check processing device 110, from the insertion port 112 to the ejection port 11
A check conveyance path 115 is formed up to 3. The transport path 115 has the insertion port 112 side facing the horizontal direction and the discharge port 113 side facing the vertical direction, and is bent into an L shape in a side view. On the transport path 115, the insertion port 11
The paper trailing edge detector 116 and the magnetic head 11 are arranged in order from the second side.
7, first feed roller pair 118, paper leading edge detector 119,
A paper positioning member 120, a back print head 121, a second feed roller pair 122, a front print head 123, a paper ejection detector 124, and a scanner 125 are arranged. Further, a scanner feed roller 12 is provided at a position facing the scanner 125.
6 is provided.

Paper trailing edge detector 116, paper leading edge detector 1
The sheet discharge detector 19 and the sheet discharge detector 124 are, for example, transmissive or reflective photosensors, and detect the presence or absence of a check at each position of the transport path 115 without contact. The sheet positioning member 120 is used to temporarily stop the check inserted from the insertion port 112 at a predetermined position. For example, the sheet positioning member 120 projects into the conveyance path 115 according to the driving of an actuator such as a solenoid, and the conveyance path 115. It is configured so that it transforms into a posture of retracting from. The first feed roller pair 118 and the second feed roller pair 122 are composed of a pair of roller members that face each other with the conveyance path 115 interposed therebetween, and convey the check in both forward and reverse directions by driving one of the rollers. Further, one of the roller members is configured to be movable back and forth with respect to the other roller member, and opens and closes the conveyance path 115 by a moving back and forth operation according to the driving of an actuator such as a solenoid.

The magnetic head 117 is for reading magnetic ink characters (hereinafter also referred to as MIC) recorded on the surface of the check, and the validity / invalidity of the check is determined based on the read data of the magnetic head 117. . As shown in FIG. 3, the magnetic ink characters are recorded in the magnetic ink character recording area 127 on the surface of the check, and the recorded data includes the account number of the check and the like.
A pressing member 11 for pressing a check against the magnetic head 117 during a reading operation is provided at a position facing the magnetic head 117.
7a is provided, the pressing member 117a is normally retracted from the magnetic head 117 and the transport path 115 is opened.

The front print head 123 is provided on the surface of the check.
It is used to print out a written matter such as a payee, a date, and an amount of money. The written matter is printed in a written area 128 shown in FIG. The front print head 123 is a serial print head supported by a carriage, and realizes dot matrix printing for each one or plural rows while moving in the width direction of the check. In this embodiment, a dot impact type print head that transfers the ink on the ink ribbon to the check is used as the front print head 123, but another type of print head may be used.

The back print head 121 is for printing the endorsement items necessary for the shop side such as the shopper's authentication number, date, amount of money, etc. on the back side of the check.
It is printed in the endorsement area 129 shown in FIG. The back print head 121 is of a shuttle type, and is provided with a plurality of heads at predetermined intervals in the width direction of the check, and one or more rows of dot matrix printing are realized by moving the heads within the interval width. To do. In the present embodiment, a dot impact type print head that transfers the ink on the ink ribbon to a check is used as the back print head 121, but another type of print head may be used.

The scanner 125 is for scanning the surface of a printed check, and the scanned image data is stored in the host computer 200 and used for electronic payment and verification of electronic payment. In this embodiment, as the scanner 125, a contact image sensor (CIS: Contact Image Sensor) capable of outputting grayscale image data of 256 gradations is adopted, and a check is brought into close contact with the reading surface. Scan operation is performed.

The scanner feed roller 126 is for carrying a check during a scanning operation, and is a scanner 125.
The check is conveyed to the discharge port 113 side while pressing the check against the reading surface of the check. On the other hand, at the time of non-scan, the scanner feed roller 126 retracts from the scanner 125, and the conveyance path 115 is opened. In the above scanning operation, the scanner feed roller 126 conveys the check upward while reading the image, and the check is ejected from the ejection port 113 as it is. Further, during the scanning operation, after the check is conveyed to the scan start position by the first feed roller pair 118 and the second feed roller pair 122, the withdrawal of the scanner feed roller 126 is released and the check is pressed against the scanner 125. In this state, the scanner feed roller 126 is driven to carry the check.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the input / output of the control unit. As shown in this figure, the check processor 11
0 is a control unit 1 including a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc.
30 is provided. The control unit 130 includes the paper trailing edge detector 116, the magnetic head 117, and the paper leading edge detector 11 described above.
9, a back print head 121, a front print head 123, a paper ejection detector 124, a scanner 125, a scanner feed roller solenoid 131 for opening and closing the scanner feed roller 126, and a scanner feed motor 132 for driving the scanner feed roller 126. , The first feed roller pair 11
8 and the second feed roller pair 122, a conveyance motor 133 for conveying operation, a first feed roller pair opening / closing actuator 134 for opening / closing the first feed roller pair 118, a second
A second feed roller pair opening / closing actuator 135 for opening and closing the feed roller pair 122, and a sheet positioning member 120
Opening / closing actuator 136 for sheet positioning member for opening / closing the sheet, first processing control mode (with scan) and second
A mode switching switch 137 and the like for switching between the processing control mode (no scanning) is connected. Hereinafter, the control unit 13
The control procedure of the first processing control mode executed at 0 will be described with reference to the flowchart.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the control procedure of the first processing control mode, and FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory view of the first processing control mode. The circled numbers in FIG. 6 correspond to the same numbers in FIG. 2 and indicate the respective positions in the transport path 115 with respect to the check P. As shown in these figures, in the first processing control mode, first, the check is waited for (S501). At this time, the first and second feed roller pairs 118 and 122 maintain the open state, and the paper positioning member 120 and the scanner feed roller 126.
Keeps the closed state (when the previous time is the second processing control mode (no scan), the scanner feed roller 126 keeps the opened state). When a check is inserted through the insertion slot 112, the paper trailing edge detector 116 and the paper leading edge detector 119 are inserted.
The check insertion is determined based on the detection signal of FIG.
(1)).

When the check is inserted, the first feed roller pair 118 is closed (S502), the scanner feed roller 126 is opened (S503), and the paper positioning member 120 is opened.
Is opened (S504), the magnetic head 1 is moved while the transport motor 133 is driven toward the outlet (S505).
Reading of magnetic ink characters by 17 (S506, FIG.
(2) and (3)) are performed. After the reading of the magnetic ink characters is completed, the driving of the carry motor 133 is stopped (S507) and the second feed roller pair 122 is closed. The read data of the magnetic head 117 is transmitted to the host computer 200, and it is determined whether the check is valid or invalid. When the determination result is received from the host computer 200, it is determined whether the determination result is valid (S50
8) If the check is invalid, the invalid check ejection process (S509) is executed and the first process control mode is ended.

On the other hand, if the check is valid, while the conveyance motor 133 is driven in the discharge port direction (S510),
The back print position setting (S511, FIG. 6 (4), (5)) is performed. The back print position setting and each position setting described later are performed based on the detection positions of the predetermined detectors 116, 119, and 124 based on the number of conveyance steps from the reference position (including conveyance stop). After setting the back print position,
The back printing process by the back printing head 121 (S51) is performed while driving the conveyance motor 133 toward the insertion port (S512).
3, FIG. 6 (6), (7)) is executed.

When the back side printing process is completed, the front side printing position is set (S514, FIGS. 6 (8) and 6 (9)), and then the carry motor 133 is driven toward the discharge port (S515).
However, the front surface printing process by the front surface printing head 123 (S5
16, FIG. 6 (10), (11)) is executed.

When the front printing process is completed, the transport motor 13
3 is driven in the insertion opening direction (S517), the scan start position is set (S518, FIG. 6 (12), (13)), and then the scanner feed roller 126 is closed (S).
519) and the first and second feed roller pairs 118, 1
22 is set to an open state (S520). Next, the scanning process (S522, FIG. 6 (14)) is executed while driving the scanner feed motor 132 in the discharge port direction (S521). Details of the scanning process will be described later.

After the scanning process is completed, the check discharge determination (S523) is performed, and when the discharge is determined (see FIG.
In 5)), the driving of the scanner feed motor 132 is stopped (S
At the same time, the sheet positioning member 120 is closed (S525) and the first processing control mode is ended.
In the first processing control mode, the conveyance motor 133 is controlled in synchronism with the scanner feed speed, so that the first and second feed roller pairs 11 can be operated until the scan processing is completed.
Checks may be carried with 8, 122 closed.

The second processing control mode is as described above.
This is different from the first processing control mode in that scanning processing is not performed. That is, in the second processing control mode, after the front surface printing processing is completed, the conveyance drive in the discharge port direction is continued as it is, the check discharge determination is performed, and the drive of the conveyance motor 133 is stopped when the discharge is determined. The paper positioning member 120 is closed. Thereafter, the check removing operation is determined based on the detection signal of the paper discharge detector 124, and after the removal operation determination, the first and second feed roller pairs 118 and 122 are opened and the second processing control mode is ended. .

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram relating to the scanning operation of the control unit. The check processing device 110, in response to a control command or print data from the host computer 200 (hereinafter, also referred to as a host device) received by the transmission / reception unit 11, the MICR reading unit 12, the printing unit 13,
The image reading unit 14 is controlled to perform various operations. MIC
The R reading unit 12 includes the magnetic head 117 and the pressing member 1 described above.
17a, first / second feed roller pair 118/122, first
/ Open / close actuator for second feed roller pair 134/13
5 and the like, and the printing unit 13 includes the back print head 12 described above.
1, front print head 123, first / second feed roller pair 11
8/122, first / second feed roller pair opening / closing actuators 134/135, and the like. The image reading unit 14 includes the scanner 125, the scanner feed roller 126, the scanner feed roller solenoid 131,
The scanner feed motor 132 and the like are provided.

The control unit 130 includes image acquisition processing units 21 and 2.
The value conversion processing unit 22, the image file generation unit 23, the input / output control unit 24, and the control command analysis unit 25 are provided. The image acquisition processing unit 21 controls the image reading unit 14 to scan the reading range and read the image of the check. Also, only the grayscale image data in the cropping area is extracted and acquired from the grayscale image data output from the image reading unit 14. The binarization processing unit 22 converts the grayscale image data into binary image data. The image file generation unit 23 compresses the binary image data, converts it into an image file format, and stores it in the image storage unit 15. The input / output control unit 24 controls the transmission / reception unit 11 to perform data communication between the check processing device 110 and the host device 200. The command analysis unit 25 analyzes various control commands from the host device 200. Host device 200
Sends a control command, such as a basic operating condition setting command, a MICR read command, a check image read command, to the check processing device 110. Hereinafter, details of the image acquisition processing unit 21 will be described.

FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of the image acquisition processing section. The image acquisition processing unit 21 includes a scan control unit 31, a control information storage unit 32, a size detection unit 33, a temporary storage unit 34, and an image discarding unit 35. In the control information storage unit 32,
As will be described later, operation range setting values related to the scanning operation such as the reading range from the command analysis section 25 and the cropping area are stored. The scan control unit 31 sets the scan start position (S518) and scan processing (S5).
22), the operating condition set value stored in the control information storage unit 32 is read out, and the carry motor 133 is drive-controlled based on the set value to drive the first and second feed roller pairs 11
The check is conveyed to the scan start position by 8, 122, the image reading unit 14 is drive-controlled to read the image of the check, and the image data is stored in the temporary storage unit 34. In the scanning process (S522), the image sorting unit 35 reads the operating condition setting value stored in the control information storage unit 32, and based on the setting value, the check region image data stored in the temporary storage unit 34 is cropped from the image data. Only the image data inside is extracted and stored again in the temporary storage unit 34.

Further, the scanning control section 31 can automatically set the reading range based on the size information from the size detection section 33 which detects the size of the check. If the scanner feed roller 126 facing the reading surface of the scanner 125 is set in a black color, the outer circumference of the check (outer side)
Since the image is black data, the size of the check can be detected from the image data stored in the temporary storage unit 34. That is, when there is a change point from white to black data and a change point from black to white data, and the white / black data are continuous for a predetermined length or more, the change point is the end of the check. The check position and the check size in the image data can be detected.
In particular, due to the structure of the check processing device 110, the upper end and one side end of the check can be made to substantially match the readable area of the corresponding image reading unit 14.
When the white / black data change points are continuous for a predetermined length or longer, the change point in the carrying direction is used as the lower end of the check and in the direction perpendicular to the carrying direction. The change point can be regarded as the other end of the check. When the size of a check is detected by this method and the reading range is automatically set, an image reading process for size detection is required. Further, the detection of the length of the check in the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction can be simultaneously performed in this process, for example, in the temporary scanning process (S201) described later.

The size detector 33 may also detect the length of the check in the carrying direction based on the detection signals from the paper trailing edge detector 116 and the paper leading edge detector 119 and the number of driving steps of the carry motor 133. it can. That is, the paper length detector 119 detects the leading edge of the check and the trailing edge detector 116 detects the trailing edge of the check, the trailing edge detector 116 and the leading edge detector 1 of the paper.
The length of the check in the transport direction can be detected by obtaining the sum of the transport path lengths of the check pieces 19. The length of a check in the carrying direction can be detected by this method, for example, using MICR.
It can be executed simultaneously during the reading process (S506).

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the scan processing condition setting command. The scan processing condition setting command 60 is
It is composed of a command code (“FS (g”)) 61, a parameter length (“pLpH”) 62, a function code (“fn”) 63 and a parameter 64. Command code 6
1 is the ASCII notation of the character code <1C 28 67> and represents that it is a command for setting the processing method of image data. The parameter length 62 specifies the total data length of the following function code 63 and parameter 64.
The total data length is represented by (pl + ph × 256) bytes. The function code 63 specifies various functions of the scan processing condition setting command 60, and the parameter 64 specifies necessary parameters according to each function specified by the function code 63. Hereinafter, each function of the scan processing condition setting command 60 will be described.

When the function code fn = 41, the reading range is set. The parameters x1 and y1 specify the starting points of the reading range in the x direction and the y direction.
2, y2 designate the end points in the x and y directions. The parameters x1, x2, y1 and y2 are 1-byte data, respectively, and specify the reading range in units of length mm, for example. Note that the check carrying direction is y, and the direction orthogonal to the carrying direction is x. x2 = 0 or y2
When = 0, the end point in the x direction or the y direction is set based on the size information by the size detection unit 33.
However, when x2 = 0 or y2 = 0, the end point in the x direction or the y direction may be set as the maximum value of the readable area. When x2 or y2 is specified beyond the readable area, the end point in the x or y direction is the maximum value of the readable area. The reading range setting value is stored in the control information storage unit 32. Figure 10
FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a reading range. The relationship between the readable area 41 of the image reading unit 14, the check size 42, and the reading range 43 set by the scan processing condition setting command 60 is shown. a is one end of the readable area 41 and the read range setting values x1, x2, y
The reference points are 1 and y2, and are determined according to the structure of the check processing device 110. The check processor 110 is preferably configured so that one end a'of the check coincides with the reference point a. However, it is also possible to use one end a ′ of the read check or the like as the reference point a. As shown in this figure, the reading range has coordinates (x1, y1), (x2,
It is set as a range (shaded portion) surrounded by y1), (x1, y2), and (x2, y2).

When the function code fn = 42, the cropping area is set. Cropping refers to leaving only the data in the designated area and removing the data outside the area. However, conversely, the data in the designated area may be removed and only the data outside the area may be left.
The amount of data can be reduced by such cropping processing. The parameter n specifies the area number of the cropping area, and the parameters (x1, y1) and parameter (x2, y2) are the start point and the end point of the cropping area, respectively, as in the case of setting the reading range. It is specified by the distance (mm) from a. x2
Alternatively, when y2 is specified beyond the readable area, the end point in the x direction or the y direction is the maximum value of the readable area. When a part of the cropping area is designated outside the reading range, it is desirable to set only the part overlapping the reading range as the effective cropping area. The cropping area setting value is stored in the control information storage unit 32 in association with the area number and the area. If the specified area number already exists, that setting is rewritten. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the cropping region. An example is shown in which the magnetic ink character recording area 127 and the front writing area 128 are designated as cropping areas. That is, the magnetic ink character portion 51 (area number n = 1), the payer display portion 52 (area number n = 2), the payment amount display portion 53 (area number n = 3), and the signature portion 54.
(Region number n = 4) is set as a cropping region.

When the function code fn = 43, the area number n
Periphery the cropping area specified by. When the region number n = 0, all cropping regions are peripheral.

When the function code fn = 44, the compression method of the image data is set. The parameter m specifies the type of compression method (including no compression), and the parameter n specifies the file format of image data or details of the compression method. The types of compression methods specified by the parameter m include, for example, compression processing not performed, compression processing by CCITT, compression processing by JPEG, and the like.
The file format specified by parameter n is
For example, no format (raster data), BMP format, TI
There are FF format and the like. In addition, JPEG is set by the parameter m
When the compression processing by is specified, the parameter n specifies the compression rate (high / standard / low). The compression method setting value is stored in the control information storage unit 32.

When the function code is fn = 45 to 47, the set value related to the reading range, the set value related to the cropping area, and the set value related to the compression method are respectively set.
It is transmitted to the host device 200 according to a predetermined transmission data format.

(Scan processing condition setting processing) FIG.
9 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of scan processing condition setting processing. As described above, the scan processing condition is the scan processing condition setting command 60 from the host device 200.
It is set based on. When the transmitting / receiving unit 11 receives the scan processing condition setting command 60 from the host device 200 (S101), the command analyzing unit 25 analyzes the scan processing condition setting command 60 (S10).
2). As a result of the analysis, if the function code is fn = 41,
The reading range is set according to the parameters x1, x2, y1, and y2 (S103). If the function code is fn = 42, the cropping area is set according to the parameters x1, x2, y1 and y2 (S104). If the function code is fn = 43, the setting of the cropping area having the area number designated by the parameter n is peripherally performed (S10).
5). Although illustration is omitted, in the same manner as described below, a compression method setting process is performed according to the function code fn, and a setting value transmission process of reading a specified setting value from the control information storage unit 32 and transmitting it to the host device 200. Is done.

(Scan Processing) FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the control procedure of the scan processing. First, a part of the check (temporary scanning area) is scanned to obtain the grayscale image data of the check of the temporary scanning area, and the threshold value for the binarization process is determined based on the grayscale image data. (S201). Next, the reading range set by the scan processing condition setting command 60 is scanned to obtain grayscale image data on the surface of the check (S
202). Grayscale image data in the cropping area set by the scan processing condition setting command 60 is extracted from the acquired grayscale image data in the reading area (S203), and binarization processing using the threshold value determined in the provisional scanning processing is performed. Then, binary image data is generated by performing (S204). The generated binary image data is converted into an image file based on the compression method and file format set by the scan processing condition setting command 60 (S205), and transmitted to the host device 200. The host device 200 stores the received image data together with the electronic payment data in an image storage device included in the host device 200 in a searchable manner, and transmits the received image data to the payment institution. The temporary scanning process (S201) and the binarization process (S204) by the binarization processing unit and the binarization processing unit 22 are necessary only when the binary image data is generated.

(Check image reading process by main scanning)
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the control procedure of the check image reading processing by the main scanning. As described above, the scan control unit 31 of the image acquisition processing unit 21 reads the read range setting value from the control information storage unit 32 (S30).
1) It is determined whether or not the set value is automatic setting (S
302). If it is not the automatic setting, the image reading unit 14 is controlled to scan the reading range designated by the reading range setting value to read the image data (S303). On the other hand, if the read range setting value is set automatically, the size detection unit 33 detects the check size and sets the check size as the read range (S304).
Then, the image reading unit 14 is controlled to scan the automatically set reading range to read the image data (S30).
5). The image data read in steps S303 and S305 is temporarily stored in the temporary storage unit 34. The check size detection process in step S304 is performed simultaneously with the provisional scanning process (S201) and the MICR reading process (S506) as described above, and the main scanning process (S201).
202) can be detected in advance.

(Cropping Process) FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the control procedure of the cropping process. As described above, the image retrieving unit 35 of the image acquisition processing unit 21 reads the cropping region setting value from the control information storage unit 32 (S401), and the region number n of the cropping region.
Detects the maximum value of and sets it in the counter (S40
2). Then, the image data stored in the temporary storage unit 34 is read by the above-described check image reading process, and the image data in the cropping area corresponding to the area number n indicated by the counter is acquired from the image data (S40).
3), the counter is decremented by 1 (S404). Until n = 0 (S405), that is, until the image data in all the set cropping areas is acquired, step S
The processes of 403 to S404 are repeated. The image data acquired in S403 is temporarily stored in the temporary storage unit 34 together with the area number n.

(Embodiment as Image Acquisition System) FIG. 16 is a functional block diagram of the reading range setting process in the host device, and FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the control procedure of the reading range setting process in the host device. As described above, the host device 200 causes the receiving unit 202 to execute the MIC executed by the check processing device 110.
The read data of the magnetic ink character data of the check obtained by the R reading process (S506) is received (S).
601). The host device 200 determines whether the check is valid or invalid based on the received read data, and
The size specifying unit 204 specifies the size of the check (S602). Checks are roughly classified into two types, one for personal use and one for business use, and their sizes are different. Also, the format of magnetic ink character data recorded on a check is standardized and is composed of a plurality of fields.
Whether the check used is for personal use or business use depends on the specific field (specifically, Auxiliar
y On Us Field) can be determined whether or not it exists, and the case where the predetermined field exists is for business use, and the case where it does not exist is for personal use. And
The reading range determining unit 206 determines an appropriate reading range according to the size of the identified check (S603), and the command transmitting unit 208 specifies the reading range with the function code fn = 41 and sets the scan processing condition setting command 6
0 is transmitted to the check processing device 110 (S604). In this case, the host device 200 may set the reading range to be the same as the check size, or may be the check size without the margin.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the matters shown in the above embodiment, and the claims and the detailed description of the invention, and It includes a range in which those skilled in the art can make changes and applications based on well-known techniques. For example,
In the above embodiment, the necessary range is set in setting the reading range and the cropping area, but an unnecessary range may be set. Also,
The reading range and the cropping area are set by a control command from the host device, but can be set by a switch, a key, or the like included in the check processing device. The scanner may be self-propelled, and the output from the scanner may be any of color data, gray scale data, and binary data.

[0053]

As described above, according to the present invention, the image of the check is read by scanning only the designated reading range.
Further, by extracting only the image data of the designated cropping area, it is possible to shorten the reading processing time and reduce the image data amount. By binarizing and compressing the image data, the amount of image data can be further reduced.

[0054]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a check processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing the internal structure of the check processing device.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a check.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing input / output of a control unit.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control procedure in a first processing control mode.

FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory view of a first processing control mode.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram related to a scan operation of a control unit.

FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of an image acquisition processing unit.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a scan processing condition setting command.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a reading range.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a cropping region.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of scan processing condition setting processing.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of scan processing.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure of check image reading processing.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of cropping processing.

FIG. 16 is a functional block diagram relating to a reading range setting process in the host device.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of a reading range setting process in the host device.

[Explanation of symbols]

14 Image reading section 15 Image storage 21 Image acquisition processor 31 Scan Control Unit 32 control information storage unit 33 Size detector 34 Temporary storage 35 Image sorting section 41 Readable area 42 Check size 43 Reading range 51-53 Cropping area 110 Check processor 112 insertion slot 113 outlet 115 Transport route 117 Magnetic head 118 first feed roller pair 121 Back print head 122 Second feed roller pair 123 Front print head 125 scanner 126 Scanner feed roller 130 control unit 133 Scanner Feed Roller Solenoid 138 Scanner feed motor 200 Host computer (host device) 202 Receiver 204 size specification section 206 Reading range determination unit 208 Command transmitter

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) G07D 7/20 G07D 7/20 H04N 1/04 106 H04N 1/04 106D F term (reference) 3E041 AA01 BA20 BB03 BC06 5B029 BB07 CC16 CC25 CC27 5B047 AA01 AB02 BA01 BB02 BC14 BC23 CA04 CA14 CB09 DC13 5B072 CC38 DD04 DD21 5C072 AA01 BA05 DA25 EA07 RA06 XA10

Claims (19)

[Claims] 1. An image reading unit that scans a check or the like to read an image and output image data; a reading range setting unit that sets a reading range to be scanned by the image reading unit based on a first input; A processing device for processing a check or the like, comprising: a scanning control unit that drives and controls the image reading unit based on a reading range. 2. The first input is a first input from a host device.
The check processing device according to claim 1, wherein the check processing device is a control command. 3. The reading range set by the reading range setting unit is a rectangular parallelepiped and is designated by the first input.
2. The check processing device according to claim 1, wherein the reading range setting unit sets the reading range based on a start point which is one of the diagonals of the rectangular parallelepiped and an end point which is the other. 4. The start point and the end point designated by the first input are a relative movement direction of the check or the like with respect to the image reading unit as a first axis, and a direction orthogonal to the relative movement direction as a first axis. 4. The check processing device according to claim 3, wherein the check processing device is specified as coordinates of an orthogonal coordinate system having two axes. 5. A size detection unit that detects the size of the check or the like is further provided, and the read range setting unit automatically sets the read range based on the size of the check or the like detected by the size detection unit. The check processing device according to claim 1, which is possible. 6. The size detecting section detects at least the length of the check or the like in a direction orthogonal to the relative movement direction based on the image data output from the image reading section. The check processing device according to claim 5. 7. A transport unit for transporting the check or the like along a transport path, a first unit disposed on the transport path with a predetermined interval, and detecting the presence or absence of the check or the like in the transport path. Second
A paper detection unit is further provided, and the size detection unit is configured to determine the length of the check or the like in the conveyance direction based on the predetermined interval, the information regarding the conveyance amount from the conveyance unit, and the detection information from the paper detection unit. 6. The check processing device according to claim 5, wherein the check amount is detected. 8. A cropping area setting unit for setting at least one cropping area for acquiring a part of the image data based on a second input; and acquiring data in the cropping area from the image data. The check processing device according to claim 1, further comprising: an image sorting unit. 9. The second input is a second input from a host device.
9. The check processing device according to claim 8, wherein the check processing device is a control command. 10. The cropping area set by the cropping area setting unit is a rectangular parallelepiped, and is defined by the second input at a start point which is one of the diagonals of the rectangular parallelepiped and an end point which is the other diagonal. 9. The check processing device according to claim 8, wherein the cropping area setting unit sets the cropping area based on the cropping area. 11. The start point and end point designated by the second input are a first axis of a relative movement direction of the check or the like with respect to the image reading unit, and a first axis of a direction orthogonal to the relative movement direction. 9. The check processing device according to claim 8, wherein the check processing device is specified as coordinates of an orthogonal coordinate system having two axes. 12. The cropping area setting unit includes a third
9. The check processing device according to claim 8, wherein the cropping area is erased based on an input. 13. The check processing device according to claim 12, wherein the third input is a third control command from a host device. 14. A first accepting input of a reading range setting value designating a reading range for reading an image of a check or the like.
An input step, based on the read range setting value input in the first input step, a read range setting step for setting the read range; and based on the read range set in the read range setting step, An image reading step of scanning the check or the like to read an image and output image data, the check or the like processing method. 15. A size detecting step for detecting the size of the check or the like is further provided, and the reading range setting step is based on the size of the check or the like detected in the size detecting step.
15. The check processing method according to claim 14, wherein the reading range can be automatically set. 16. A second input step for receiving an input of a cropping area setting value designating at least one cropping area for acquiring a part of the image data output in the image reading step, and the second input step. Based on the cropping area setting value input in the input step, a cropping area setting step for setting the cropping area, and an image discarding method for acquiring data in the cropping area from the image data output in the image reading step. The check processing method according to claim 14, further comprising a step. 17. A third input step for receiving an input of a cropping area erasing instruction for erasing the cropping area, and erasing the cropping area based on the cropping area erasing instruction input in the third input step. The check processing method according to claim 16, further comprising a cropping area erasing step. 18. A check processing system comprising a check processing device and a host device for controlling the check processing device, wherein the check processing device scans a check and reads an image to read image data. An image reading unit that outputs a reading range, a reading range setting unit that sets a reading range to be scanned by the image reading unit based on a reading range setting command from the host device, and the reading range set by the reading range setting unit Based on the above, a scan control unit that drives and controls the image reading unit, a magnetic head that reads magnetic ink characters printed on the check, and magnetic ink character read data by the magnetic head are transmitted to the host device. The host device includes a receiving unit that receives the magnetic ink character read data, and a receiving unit that receives the magnetic ink character reading data. Based on the read data of the magnetic ink characters, a size specifying unit for specifying the size of the check or the like, and a reading range for determining the reading range based on the size of the check or the like specified by the size specifying unit. A read range setting command transmission unit that generates the read range setting command based on the read range determined by the read range determination unit and transmits the read range setting command to the check processing device. A check processing system. 19. A check processing method for processing a check, etc., comprising: A reading range setting command receiving step of receiving a reading range setting command for specifying a reading range for reading an image of a check or the like on the side of the check processing device, and a reading received in the reading range setting command receiving step. Based on a range setting command, a reading range setting step for setting the reading range, and based on the reading range set in the reading range setting step, the check or the like is scanned to read an image and output image data. An image reading step, a magnetic ink character reading step of reading magnetic ink characters printed on the check, etc., and a transmitting step of transmitting the magnetic ink character read data read in the magnetic ink character reading step to the host device. , B. A receiving step of receiving the magnetic ink character read data on the host device side; a size specifying step of specifying a size of the check or the like based on the magnetic ink character read data received in the receiving step; Based on the size of the check or the like identified in the size identifying step, a reading range determining step for determining the reading range, and the reading range setting command based on the reading range determined in the reading range determining step. Generate,
A check range setting command transmitting step for transmitting the check range setting command to the check processing unit.