JP2006014139A - Contactless image reader and image reading system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image reading system wherein a plurality of host terminals share one contactless image reader via a network. <P>SOLUTION: A contactless image reader 100 mainly comprises a scanner section 104 and a scanner control device 101. The scanner section 104 comprises: a rectangular original platen 107 onto which a document 106 can be placed from both right and left sides so that two operators can share the original platen; two start buttons 105A and 105B provided on both end portions of one side terminal of the original platen 107; a stand 108 mounted on an opposite side of the one side terminal where the start buttons 105A and 105B are provided; and a scanner 109 supported on an upper part of the stand 108. The control device 101 comprises a control part 102 for receiving an image reading instruction and controlling the operation of the scanner section 104, and a storage part 103 for holding control information and temporarily storing image data read from the document 106 by the scanner section 104. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a non-contact type image reading apparatus that can be shared by a plurality of upper terminals, and further relates to a system that reads a form by sharing a single non-contact type image reading apparatus among a plurality of upper apparatuses.

  As described in Patent Document 1, the non-contact type image scanner includes a mat part for placing a form that is symmetrical to be read and a scanner part that optically reads the form. Conventionally, in order to perform image processing of exchange forms (non-established forms) such as salary transfer forms brought into corporations and local governments by banks and forms designated by banks (established forms), image scanners that read forms, For example, an image is read using a desktop non-contact type image scanner, and the accounting control terminal device and the image scanner use a PCI connection, a USB connection, or the like. Since a one-to-one connection is assumed, operation at a bank or the like uses one desktop image scanner connected to one accounting control terminal device.

JP 2002-344739 JP 2001-225991 A

  In the conventional operation where one desktop image scanner is used for one account control terminal device, image scanners are required for the number of account control device terminals, and the cost performance is poor. It was.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a non-contact type image reading apparatus that can be shared by a plurality of upper terminals.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an image reading system in which a plurality of upper terminals share one non-contact type image reading apparatus via a network.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the non-contact type image reading apparatus of the present invention, a document table on which a document can be placed from both the left and right sides, and a side different from the side of the document table in which the document is placed. The scanner is supported on the top of the stand attached to the scanner, and at least two activation buttons provided on the opposite side of the platen to the side on which the stand is attached. And a control device that receives the button number and controls the scanner.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the non-contact type image reading apparatus of the present invention, a document table on which a document can be placed from both the left and right sides, and a side different from the side of the document table in which the document is placed. The scanner is supported by the upper part of the stand attached to the scanner and at least two activation buttons provided on the side opposite to the side of the original table on which the stand is attached. And a start button for outputting a signal for specifying a host terminal to which the image data is to be transmitted.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the non-contact type image reading apparatus of the present invention, a document table on which a document can be placed from both the left and right sides, and a side different from the side of the document table in which the document is placed. The scanner is supported on the top of the stand attached to the scanner, and at least two activation buttons provided on the opposite side of the platen to the side on which the stand is attached. A storage unit for storing a start button for outputting the image, a correspondence table between the button number and the address of at least two upper terminals, a correspondence table of the terminal number and address of the upper terminal, and image data read by the scanner And a control device.

  The storage unit has a table for setting a flag indicating whether the scanner is being activated or is waiting to be activated.

  The document table has a rectangular shape, and two activation buttons are arranged at both ends of the document table.

In order to achieve the other object, in the image reading system of the present invention,
At least two upper terminals,
A document table on which a document can be placed from both the left and right sides, a scanner supported on an upper part of a stand attached to a side of the document table different from the direction in which the document is placed, and the stand of the document table An at least two activation buttons provided on the side opposite to the side to which the button is attached, the activation button outputting a unique button number when pressed, and the address of the button number and the at least two upper terminals The first correspondence table to the terminal, the second correspondence table of the terminal number and address of the upper terminal, the table for setting the flag indicating whether the scanner is being activated or waiting for activation, and the image read by the scanner A non-contact type image reading apparatus having a control unit having a storage unit for storing data is connected via a network;
When the control device receives an image reading instruction, it determines from the terminal number or button number included in the image reading instruction whether the image reading instruction is from the upper terminal or from the activation button of the non-contact type image reading device. If the activation button is used, the upper terminal to which image data is to be transmitted is specified with reference to the first correspondence table, and if the image reading instruction is from any of the upper terminals, the second A high-order terminal to which image data is to be transmitted is specified with reference to the correspondence table.

  The control device stores the button number included in the image reading instruction when the image reading instruction is determined by the activation button of the non-contact type image reading device, and instructs the scanner to read a form, The image data read by the scanner is stored in the storage unit, and it is checked whether or not the scanner is waiting for activation by referring to the table. If the scanner is waiting for activation, a flag indicating activation is set in the table. Then, referring to the first correspondence table, the address of the upper terminal to which the image data is to be transmitted is acquired from the button number, and the image data stored in the storage unit is transmitted to the acquired address.

  When determining that the image reading instruction is from the host terminal, the control device stores a terminal number included in the image reading instruction, and confirms whether the scanner is waiting for activation by referring to the table In the case of waiting for activation, a flag indicating activation is set in the table, the scanner is instructed to read a form, the image data read by the scanner is stored in the storage unit, and the second With reference to the correspondence table, the address of the upper terminal to which image data is to be transmitted is acquired from the terminal number, and the image data stored in the storage unit is transmitted to the acquired address.

  The network is a LAN, and the address is an IP address.

In order to achieve the other object, in the image reading system of the present invention,
At least two upper terminals,
A document table on which a document can be placed from both the left and right sides, a scanner supported on an upper part of a stand attached to a side of the document table different from the direction in which the document is placed, and the stand of the document table An at least two activation buttons provided on the side opposite to the side where the scanner is attached, and an activation button for outputting a signal for specifying a host terminal to which image data read by the scanner is to be transmitted when pressed. A non-contact type image reading apparatus having a network connection via a line switch,
The line switch connects the non-contact type image reading device with the upper level terminal that is activated when the non-contact type image reading device is activated from any of the upper terminals,
The line switch connects the non-contact type image reading apparatus with the host terminal specified by the output of the activation button when activated from any of the activation buttons.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a non-contact type image reading apparatus that can be shared by a plurality of host terminals. In addition, since a plurality of host terminals can share a single non-contact type image reading device via a network, cost performance is improved.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first embodiment. In a form using a financial institution such as a bank or other non-contact type image reading device, a left and right desktop combined with a plurality of branch office terminals (hereinafter referred to as upper terminals). It is a figure which shows the system which shares a non-contact type image reading apparatus (henceforth non-contact type image reading apparatus).

  The non-contact type image reading apparatus 100 is mainly composed of a scanner unit 104 and a scanner control apparatus 101. The scanner unit 104 has a rectangular document table 107 on which the form 106 can be placed from both the left and right sides, and two activations provided at both ends of one side of the document table 107 so that two operators can share it. It comprises a button 105A, 105B, a stand 108 attached to the side opposite to the one end where the activation buttons 105A, 105B are provided, and a scanner 109 supported on the top of the stand 108. The scanner control device 101 receives an image reading instruction and controls the operation of the scanner unit 104, and temporarily stores image data (image data) held by the scanner unit 104 from the form 106 that holds control information. And a storage unit 103.

  The non-contact type image reading apparatus 100 is connected to a local area network (LAN) through a control apparatus 101, and two (plural) branch office terminals (upper terminals) 111A and 111B are connected to the LAN. Thus, the two branch office terminals (upper terminals) 111A and 111B can share the non-contact type image reading apparatus 100.

  The branch office terminal (upper terminal) 111A includes a control unit 114A composed of a processor, a storage unit 115A, an input device (such as a mouse) 112A for requesting activation of the control unit 114A, and a display control unit 113A. It is a terminal. The store terminal (upper terminal) 111B has the same configuration as the store terminal (upper terminal) 111A.

  An example of activation by the activation button 105A or 105B from the scanner unit 104 side, which is a procedure of an operation example of the non-contact type image reading apparatus 100, will be described using the flowcharts of FIGS. When the control device 101 of the non-contact type image reading apparatus 100 connected to the accounting system control terminals (upper terminals) 111A and 111B of the branch office in a financial institution such as a bank via a LAN or the like receives an image reading instruction (step 201) It is determined whether the image reading instruction is from the upper terminal 111A or 111B, or is activated by pressing the activation button 105A or 105B from the scanner unit 104 side (step 202). When the activation is performed with the activation button from the scanner unit 104 side, the process proceeds to the flowchart of FIG.

The control unit 102 of the scanner control apparatus 101 stores the button number included in the image reading instruction (step 301), instructs the scanner 109 to read the form 106, and temporarily stores the read image data in the storage unit 103. (Step 302). After temporarily storing the image data, the control unit 102 confirms whether or not the image is being read in the storage unit 103 (step 303). Specifically, the control unit 102 refers to the occupancy flag held by the storage unit 103 and confirms whether the scanner is waiting for activation or is being activated. (Refer to the table in FIG. 5.)
When there is an occupied flag (in the case of FLAG = 1), the button number of FIG. 6 held in the storage unit 103 and the IP address (Internet protocol address) table (first correspondence table) of the activation upper terminal ), The presence of the upper-level terminal being occupied is returned to the upper-level terminal that has issued the read instruction (step 311). When there is no occupied flag (when FLAG = 0), FLAG = 1 is set in the flag of FIG. 5 held in the storage unit 103 and FLAG in the state table, and the scanner unit 104 is set in the occupied state (step 304). ). By performing exclusive processing so that the scanner unit 104 cannot be activated from the other host terminal 111A or 111B or the activation button 105A or 105B of the scanner unit 104 by the occupation processing of the scanner unit 104, double reading during image acquisition processing is performed. And prevent misoperation of other host devices and start buttons.

  After setting the occupancy flag, use the button number in Fig. 6 and the IP address table of the starting host terminal from the button number included in the image read instruction message to obtain the IP address of the host terminal that sends the image data. (Step 305) The image data is transmitted to the acquired IP address (Step 306). After transmitting the image data, the upper terminal 111A or 111B performs an image data reception process (step 307), and if the upper terminal 111A or 111B fails in the data reception completion process, the storage unit 103 of the control device 101 in step 302 Is temporarily erased, the scanner occupation flag set in step 304 is set to FLAG = 0, and the scanner unit 104 is returned to the non-occupied state (returns to the scanner activation waiting state) (step 312).

  After transmitting the image data in step 306, the upper terminal 111A or 111B performs an image data reception process (step 307), and if the upper terminal succeeds in the data reception completion process, the image data reception completion message from the upper terminal. Is received, the terminal number stored in the control unit 102 of the control device 101 is deleted (step 309), the scanner occupation flag set in step 304 is set to FLAG = 0 (step 308), and the scanner unit 104 At the same time, the image data temporarily stored in the storage unit 103 of the control device 101 is erased.

Next, a processing procedure when it is determined in step 202 of FIG. 2 that the image reading instruction is transmitted from the upper terminal 111A or 111B side will be described with reference to FIG. When the determination result in step 202 is from the upper terminal 111A or 111B side, the control unit 102 of the control apparatus 101 stores the terminal number included in the image reading instruction from the upper terminal (step 401), and the control unit of the control apparatus 101 102 confirms whether or not an image is being read to the storage unit 103 (step 402). Specifically, referring to the occupancy flag held by the storage unit 103, it is confirmed whether the scanner is waiting for activation or the scanner is being activated. (Refer to the table in FIG. 5.)
When there is an occupied flag (when FLAG = 1), read by referring to the terminal number of FIG. 7 held in the storage unit 103 and the IP address table (second correspondence table) of the starting upper terminal The presence of the occupied upper terminal is returned to the upper terminal that has given the instruction (step 421). If there is no occupied flag (in the case of FLAG = 0), FLAG = 1 is set in the flag of FIG. 5 and the flag in the state table, and the scanner unit 104 is set in the occupied state (step 403). By performing exclusive processing so that the scanner 109 cannot be activated from the other host terminal 111A or 111B or the activation button 105A or 105B of the scanner unit 104 by the occupation processing of the scanner unit 104, double reading during image acquisition processing is performed. Prevents other host devices and buttons from being operated.

  After setting the occupancy flag, the control device 101 confirms the connection of the scanner unit 104 (step 404), and if it is not connected or there is a connection failure, returns no scanner response to the upper terminal 111A or 111B. The scanner occupation flag set in step 403 is set to FLAG = 0, the scanner unit 104 is returned to the non-occupied state (scanner activation waiting state) (step 422), and the process is terminated.

  When the connection of the scanner unit 104 is confirmed and the response of the scanner unit 104 is received, the control apparatus 101 performs image acquisition processing (step 405). When the image is not acquired, the host terminal 111A or 111B cannot acquire the image. , The scanner occupation flag set in step 403 is set to FLAG = 0, the image reading scanner is returned to the non-occupied state (scanner activation waiting state) (step 423), and the process ends.

  If the image acquisition is successful in step 405, the control device 101 temporarily stores the read image data in the storage unit 103 (step 406), and starts from the terminal number included in the image reading instruction message and the terminal number in FIG. Using the IP address table of the host terminal, the IP address of the host terminal that transmits the image data is acquired (step 407), and the image data is transmitted to the acquired IP address (step 408).

  After transmitting the image data, the upper terminal performs image data reception processing (step 409). If the upper terminal fails in the data reception completion processing, the image data temporarily stored in the storage unit 103 in step 406 is stored. The scanner occupation flag set in step 403 is set to FLAG = 0, and the scanner unit 104 is returned to the non-occupied state (scanner activation waiting state) (step 424).

  After transmitting the image data in step 408, the upper terminal 111A or 111B performs an image data reception process (step 409). If the upper terminal succeeds in the data reception completion process, an image data reception completion message is sent from the upper terminal. After acceptance, the terminal number stored in the storage unit 103 is deleted (step 411), the scanner occupation flag set in step 403 is set to FLAG = 0 (step 410), and the scanner unit 104 is not occupied. At the same time, the image temporarily stored in the storage unit 103 in step 407 is erased (step 412).

  In the above embodiment, the line control by the IP address (software) has been described. In addition to this control method, the upper terminal of the line can be switched by switching the hardware. This example will be described below as a second embodiment with reference to FIG. The system shown in FIG. 8 has a configuration in which host devices 121A and 121B are connected to a LAN, and a non-contact type image reading device 123 is connected to the host devices 121A and 121B via a line switch 122 inserted in the LAN.

  When activation is performed from the upper terminal 121A or 121B, the line switch 122 switches on the upper terminal side that has been activated. As a result, the image scanner 125 of the non-contact type image reading device 123 reads an image and transmits the image data to the upper terminal according to the line switch.

  When the activation is performed from the activation button 124A or 124B of the non-contact type image reading device 123 in FIG. 8, the line switch 122 switches on the activated higher-level terminal side. As a result, the image scanner 125 of the non-contact type image reading device 123 reads an image and transmits the image data to the upper terminal according to the line switch.

1 is a configuration diagram of a non-contact type image reading apparatus and an image reading system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart showing processing when the non-contact type image reading apparatus in the image reading system according to the embodiment of the present invention receives an image reading instruction; 3 is a flowchart showing processing when it is determined in step 202 of FIG. 2 that an image reading instruction is from the scanner unit side. 3 is a flowchart showing processing when it is determined in step 202 of FIG. 2 that an image reading instruction is from the upper terminal side. It is a table which shows the relationship between the starting flag and state of the control part of the control apparatus of a scanner. It is a table which shows a response | compatibility with a button number and the IP address of a starting high-order terminal. It is a table which shows a response | compatibility with a terminal number and the IP address of a starting high-order terminal. It is a block diagram of an image reading system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

100, 123 ... left and right installation and desktop non-contact type image reading device (non-contact type image reading device),
101 ... Scanner control device,
102 ... control unit,
103 ... storage part,
104 ... scanner unit,
105A, 105B, 124A, 124B ... start button,
106 ... Forms,
107: Document table,
108 ... stand,
109, 125 ... scanner,
111A, 111B, 121A, 121B ... branch terminal (higher-level device)
122: Line switch.

Claims (10)

  A document table on which a document can be placed from both the left and right sides, a scanner supported on an upper part of a stand attached to a side of the document table different from the side on which the document is placed, and the stand of the document table An activation button that outputs at least two activation buttons provided on the side opposite to the side on which the button is attached and outputs a unique button number, and a control device that receives the button number and controls the scanner And a non-contact type image reading apparatus.   A document table on which a document can be placed from both the left and right sides, a scanner supported on an upper part of a stand attached to a side of the document table different from the side on which the document is placed, and the stand of the document table An at least two activation buttons provided on the side opposite to the side where the scanner is attached, and an activation button for outputting a signal for specifying a host terminal to which image data read by the scanner is to be transmitted when pressed. A non-contact type image reading apparatus comprising:   A document table on which a document can be placed from both the left and right sides, a scanner supported on an upper part of a stand attached to a side of the document table different from the side on which the document is placed, and the stand of the document table And at least two activation buttons provided on the side opposite to the side on which the button is attached, the activation button outputting a unique button number when pressed, the button number, and the addresses of at least two upper terminals, A non-contact type image reading apparatus, comprising: a correspondence table of the above; a correspondence table of terminal numbers and addresses of the host terminal; and a control device having a storage unit for storing image data read by the scanner.   4. The non-contact type image reading apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the storage unit has a table for setting a flag indicating whether the scanner is being activated or is waiting for activation.   5. The non-contact type image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the document table has a rectangular shape, and two start buttons are arranged at both ends of the document table. 6. At least two upper terminals,
A document table on which a document can be placed from both the left and right sides, a scanner supported on an upper part of a stand attached to a side of the document table different from the direction in which the document is placed, and the stand of the document table An at least two activation buttons provided on the side opposite to the side to which the button is attached, the activation button outputting a unique button number when pressed, and the address of the button number and the at least two upper terminals The first correspondence table to the terminal, the second correspondence table of the terminal number and address of the upper terminal, the table for setting the flag indicating whether the scanner is being activated or waiting for activation, and the image read by the scanner An image reading system in which a non-contact type image reading device having a control unit having a storage unit for storing data is connected via a network. ,
When the control device receives an image reading instruction, it determines from the terminal number or button number included in the image reading instruction whether the image reading instruction is from the upper terminal or from the activation button of the non-contact type image reading device. If the activation button is used, the upper terminal to which image data is to be transmitted is specified with reference to the first correspondence table, and if the image reading instruction is from any of the upper terminals, the second An image reading system, characterized in that an upper terminal to which image data is to be transmitted is specified with reference to a correspondence table.   The control device stores the button number included in the image reading instruction when the image reading instruction is determined by the activation button of the non-contact type image reading device, and instructs the scanner to read a form, The image data read by the scanner is stored in the storage unit, and it is checked whether or not the scanner is waiting for activation by referring to the table. If the scanner is waiting for activation, a flag indicating activation is set in the table. Then, referring to the first correspondence table, an address of an upper terminal to which image data is to be transmitted is acquired from the button number, and the image data stored in the storage unit is transmitted to the acquired address. The image reading system according to claim 6.   When determining that the image reading instruction is from the host terminal, the control device stores a terminal number included in the image reading instruction, and confirms whether the scanner is waiting for activation by referring to the table In the case of waiting for activation, a flag indicating activation is set in the table, the scanner is instructed to read a form, the image data read by the scanner is stored in the storage unit, and the second 7. The address of an upper terminal to which image data is to be transmitted is acquired from the terminal number with reference to a correspondence table, and the image data stored in the storage unit is transmitted to the acquired address. Image reading system.   9. The image reading system according to claim 6, wherein the network is a local area network (LAN), and the address is an Internet protocol address (IP address). At least two upper terminals,
A document table on which a document can be placed from both the left and right sides, a scanner supported on an upper part of a stand attached to a side of the document table different from the side on which the document is placed, and the stand of the document table An at least two activation buttons provided on the side opposite to the side where the scanner is attached, and an activation button for outputting a signal for specifying a host terminal to which image data read by the scanner is to be transmitted when pressed. A non-contact type image reading apparatus having an image reading system connected to a network via a line switch,
The line switch connects the non-contact type image reading device with the upper level terminal that is activated when the non-contact type image reading device is activated from any of the upper terminals,
The line switch connects the host terminal specified by the output of the start button and the non-contact type image reader when activated from any of the start buttons.

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