JP2005216169A - Image reading apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image reading apparatus for reducing a load of a worker when reading an image on an addressing face of a distribution matter other than a reading specification and for realizing a cost reduction without using an expensive optical system. <P>SOLUTION: The image reading apparatus is provided with a folded mirror 20 mounted on a mount table 2 when the image of the addressing face 22a of the distribution matter 22 is read which does not fit between the mount table 2 and a scanner 3 disposed at an upper prescribed position, a sensor 5 for detecting whether or not the folded mirror 20 is mounted on the mount table 2, and an image data reversing means for reversing the image data of the image of the addressing face 22a acquired by a lens unit 12 if the sensor 5 detects the folded mirror 20 when a foot switch 6 is input to read the image of the addressing face 22a of the distribution matter 22. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus that reads an image on the address side of a distribution item such as a parcel or registered mail.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a lens unit configured by placing a distribution item such as a postal item on a mounting table and combining an optical lens and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor from above on an image of the addressed surface of the distribution item placed In a scanner that scans using, for example, the optical path length changes depending on the thickness of the placed article, the setting of the optical path length is switched by roughly classifying the thickness in addition to the focal depth of the optical system. However, when reading an image on the address side of a distribution object outside the reading specification exceeding the thickest reading specification that can be set, the focal depth of the optical system cannot be saved, and another method must be used. As another method of this, a transparent glass is provided on the placement surface on which the distribution material is placed, and the address surface of the distribution material outside the reading specification is pressed from the lower side of the placement surface to display an image of the distribution surface. What is read is known (see Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Publication No.7-13832

  However, in what is described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to insert a distribution material out of the reading specification from the bottom of the mounting table and press it against the glass surface. Don't be. In addition to such operational difficulties, because it is a configuration that reads the image of the addressed surface of the distribution from the lower side of the glass provided on the mounting table, unconditionally has a depth of focus for the thickness of the glass, or The optical system must be capable of setting the amount of change in the optical path length.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to reduce the burden on the operator when reading an image on the addressed surface of a non-reading specification and to use an expensive optical system. An object of the present invention is to provide an image reading apparatus that realizes cost reduction.

  The present invention includes a mounting table on which a distribution object is mounted, a light source that illuminates the distribution object mounted on the mounting table, an optical lens that is disposed at a predetermined position above the mounting table and reads an input image. An image reading apparatus comprising a scanner having a lens unit composed of a CCD sensor or the like and reading an image on the addressed surface of the distribution object illuminated by a light source with the scanner, the distribution object existing at a position exceeding the focal depth of the lens unit A folding mirror to be placed on the mounting table when reading an image of the addressed surface, detection means for detecting whether the image of the addressed surface of the distribution image reflected on the folding mirror is inverted, and If the detection means detects that the image on the address side of the distribution item is reversed when the image is read, the image data that reverses the image data acquired by the lens unit is detected. It is obtained by a data inverting means.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image reading apparatus that reduces the burden on the operator when reading an image on the addressed surface of the article outside the reading specification, and realizes cost reduction without using an expensive optical system.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the appearance of the image reading apparatus 1. The image reading device 1 reads an image of a mounting table 2 on which a mounting frame 2a on which a distribution item such as a registered mail or a parcel is mounted, and an address surface of the distribution item mounted on the mounting table 2. In order to detect whether or not the support unit 4 that supports the scanner 3 and the folding mirror 20 to be described later are mounted on the mounting table 2 in order to place the scanner 3 above the scanner 3 and the mounting table 2 by a predetermined distance. It has a sensor 5 as a means. In this embodiment, the sensor 5 is disposed outside the mounting frame 2 a of the mounting table 2 and between the support unit 4. In addition, a foot switch 6 is provided for giving an instruction to the image reading apparatus 1 for an operator to read an image on the address side of the distribution item.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the image reading apparatus 1. In the scanner 3, a light source 8, mirrors 9, 10 and 11, and a lens unit 12 are arranged. The mirrors 9, 10, and 11 are distributed via the mirror 9, the mirror 10, and the mirror 11 when the address surface of the distribution item 7 placed in the mounting frame 2 a of the mounting table 2 is illuminated by the light source 8. An image of the address surface of the object 7 is arranged to be input to the lens unit 12. The lens unit 12 includes a lens 12a, a CCD sensor 12b, an image processing unit (not shown), and the like, and can move the lens 12a with respect to the horizontal direction.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a main part of the control configuration of the image reading apparatus 1. The image reading apparatus 1 includes a CPU 13, a ROM 14, a RAM 15, a lens unit 12, an I / O port 16, a foot switch 6, an I / O port 17, a sensor 5, an interface 18, and the like. Further, the CPU 13, the ROM 14, the RAM 15, the lens unit 12, the I / O ports 16 and 17, and the interface 18 are electrically connected via a bus line 19.

  The CPU 13 generally controls the image reading apparatus 1. The ROM 14 stores various control programs to be executed by the CPU 13, fixed data, and the like. The RAM 15 forms a work area that is temporarily used when the CPU 13 executes the control program. The lens unit 12 reads an image captured on the mirror 11 via the lens 12a by the CCD sensor 12b, and converts the read image signal by the image processing unit to generate image data. The I / O port 16 transmits a signal indicating ON / OFF of the foot switch 6 to the CPU 13 via the bus line 19. The I / O port 17 transmits an ON / OFF signal indicating whether or not the folding mirror 20 has been detected to the CPU 13 via the bus line 19. The interface 18 outputs data or the like to an external device that is a printer, for example.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an image reading process executed by the CPU 13 in the image reading apparatus 1 configured as described above. The CPU 13 monitors the ON / OFF signal from the foot switch 6 and determines whether or not there is an input from the foot switch 6 (ST1). If it is determined that the foot switch 6 has been input, the lens unit 12 is operated to read an image reflected on the mirror 11 input to the lens unit 12 (ST2). The image signal read by the lens unit 12 is converted into image data by the image processing unit in the lens unit 12, and then stored in the RAM 15 (ST3). Subsequently, the CPU 13 determines whether or not the sensor 5 detects the folding mirror 20 based on the ON / OFF signal from the sensor 5 (ST4). If it is determined that the folding mirror 20 is detected, a process of inverting the image data stored in the RAM 15 is performed (ST5, image data inverting means). If it is determined that the return mirror 20 has not been detected, the process of step ST5 is passed. Then, the image data stored in the RAM 15 or the inverted inverted image data is output to an external device connected to the interface 18 (ST6). In this way, the image of the address surface of the distribution item 7 is read.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing the appearance of the folding mirror 20. The folding mirror 20 has two surfaces, a mounting surface 20a for mounting on the mounting table 2 and a mirror surface 20b to which the mirror 21 is attached. The mounting surface 20a and the mirror surface 20b are 45 degrees. It has become.

  Next, the operation when the folding mirror 20 is not used and when the image of the address surface 22a of the circulation 22 outside the reading specification that exceeds the focal depth of the lens unit 12 is read using the folding mirror 20 will be described.

  First, the case of the flowable material 7 that can be mounted on the mounting table 2 without using the folding mirror 20 will be described. As described above, the worker places the circulation 7 in the placement frame 2a of the placement table 2 so that the address side is on the upper side, presses the foot switch 6, and images the address side of the circulation 7 as an image. The reading device 1 is made to read. The image data generated from the read image is output to the external device as it is because the folding mirror 20 is not detected by the sensor 5.

  Next, the case of the circulation 22 outside the reading specification that cannot be mounted on the mounting table 2 using the folding mirror 20 will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a case where a folding mirror is placed on the image reading apparatus. Since the distribution material 22 is larger than the distance from the mounting table 2 to the scanner 3, it cannot be mounted on the mounting table 2 with the address surface 22 facing upward. Therefore, the worker first places the folding mirror 20 on the mounting table 2. At this time, it arrange | positions so that the rear end of the folding mirror 20 may be located between the mounting frame 2a and the support part 4 so that the sensor 5 can detect the folding mirror 20. FIG. Subsequently, the worker moves the circulation 22 while holding the circulation 22 so that the address surface 22 a is reflected on the folding mirror 20. At this time, since the mirror surface 20b of the folding mirror 20 is 45 degrees with respect to the mounting surface 20a, the address surface 22a of the circulation 22 can be easily copied to the folding mirror 20 compared to other angles. it can. Then, the worker presses the foot switch 6 to cause the image reading device 1 to read the image of the address surface 22a of the circulation 22. Since the image data generated from the read image is detected by the sensor 5 by the folding mirror 20, the image data is inverted in the image reading apparatus 1, and then the inverted image data is output to an external device.

  According to this embodiment, the folding mirror 20 is placed on the mounting table 2 so as to be detected by the sensor 5, and the circulation 22 is moved so that the address surface 22 a of the circulation 22 is reflected on the mirror 21 of the folding mirror 20. By pressing the foot switch 6, the operator can cause the image reading device 1 to read the image of the address surface 22 a of the circulation 22 outside the reading specification. Therefore, when reading the image on the address surface 22a of the circulation 22 outside the reading specification, it is not necessary to place the circulation 22 below the image reading device 1 and press it against the glass surface. The burden on the person can be reduced.

  Further, when reading the image of the address surface 22a of the circulation 22 outside the reading specification, since the image is not read through the glass, it has a depth of focus corresponding to the thickness of the glass or its optical path length changes. Since it is not necessary to add a configuration capable of setting minutes to the lens unit 12, it is not necessary to use an expensive optical system, and the cost of the image reading apparatus 1 can be reduced.

  Furthermore, since the mirror surface 20b of the folding mirror 20 is set to 45 degrees with respect to the mounting surface 20a, the operator can contact the mirror 21 of the folding mirror 20 on the mirror 21 of the folding mirror 20 with the addressed surface of the article 22 outside the reading specifications. It is easy to copy 22a.

  In the above embodiment, the case of one folding mirror 20 has been described. However, the address surface 22a of the circulation 22 is read by the image reading apparatus 1 using another mirror (not shown). You may make it let. That is, the operator places the folding mirror 20 on the mounting table 2 at a position that is not detected by the sensor 5, and uses another mirror to arrange the address surface 22 a of the circulation 22 on the folding mirror 20. After that, the foot switch 6 may be input to cause the image reading apparatus 1 to read the address surface 22a of the circulation 22. At this time, since the folding mirror 20 is not detected by the sensor 5, the image data inversion process for inverting the image data generated from the image read by the image reading apparatus 1 is not performed. Since the image on the address side is inverted twice, it is not necessary to perform image data inversion processing. In this way, when the folding mirror 20 and the mirror are used, it is not necessary to lift the circulation 22 and move it so as to be reflected on the folding mirror 20, so that the burden on the operator can be further reduced.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage, and a plurality of components disclosed in the above-described embodiment. Various inventions can be modified by appropriately combining the components.

1 is a perspective view schematically showing an external appearance of an image reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the image reading apparatus according to the same embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a main part of a control configuration of the image reading apparatus according to the embodiment. The figure which shows the image reading process in the embodiment. The figure which shows schematically the external appearance of the folding | turning mirror in the embodiment. The figure which shows the case where a folding mirror is mounted in the image reading apparatus in the embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image reading apparatus, 2 ... Mounting stand, 2a ... Mounting frame, 3 ... Scanner, 5 ... Sensor, 6 ... Foot switch, 7 ... Distribution, 9, 10, 11 ... Mirror, 12 ... Lens unit, 12a ... Lens, 12b ... CCD sensor, 20 ... Folding mirror, 20a ... Placement surface, 20b ... Mirror surface, 21 ... Mirror

Claims (2)

A mounting table for mounting the distribution material, a light source for illuminating the distribution material mounted on the mounting table, an optical lens and a CCD sensor that are arranged at a predetermined position above the mounting table and read an input image, etc. A scanner having a lens unit constituted by:
A folding mirror to be placed on the mounting table when reading an image of the addressed surface of the circulation existing at a position exceeding the focal depth of the lens unit;
Detecting means for detecting whether or not to reverse the image of the addressed surface of the distribution object reflected on the folding mirror;
If the detection means detects that the image of the address side of the distribution item is inverted when the image of the address side of the distribution item is read, the image data acquired by the lens unit is inverted. An image reading apparatus comprising: an image data reversing unit for causing the image data to be reversed.   The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the folding mirror is at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the mounting table.

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