JP2006106877A - Form reading device and form reading method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a form reading device and a form reading method for performing reliable form processing by setting a non-contact IC tag in a form so as to enable information to be communicated with the non-contact IC tag set, storing information written in a form subjected to character recognition processing into the non-contact IC tag and performing conveyance processing or the management of the distributed form based on the stored information. <P>SOLUTION: A reader/writer 24 is set at the downstream side of the form conveyance direction of a reading part 22, so that predetermined information based on character-recognized information can be written in the non-contact IC tag 40 attached to the form W. Thus, it is possible to easily acquire information for each batch and to simplify management when the form W is managed for each batch. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a form reading apparatus and a form reading method used for business processing of forms, and more particularly to a form reading apparatus and a form reading method having an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) function for non-contact communication using electromagnetic waves as a medium. .

  A conventional form reading device measures the position of the character frame of the form with a ruler, inputs a numerical value, reads the form with a scanner, etc., and automatically generates character frame position information from the image data. The data had to be digitized to create layout data, and that information had to be registered in advance. Further, in this conventional form reading apparatus, it is necessary to select in advance the type of form to be read. In particular, when reading various types of forms, it is necessary to select each type.

Therefore, in order to eliminate the reading load in the above-described form reading apparatus, the form is provided with a barcode or non-contact IC tag having layout data information in advance, and the layout format is determined and processed by reading the information. A form reading device is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 1).
JP 2003-157407 A

  However, the disclosed form reading apparatus reads layout information and performs form reading processing based on the read layout information. For example, the information described in the form subjected to character recognition processing is contactless provided in the form. It has not been stored in an IC tag or the like, nor is it intended to perform form transport control based on the stored information.

  Accordingly, the present invention provides a non-contact IC tag in a form, enables information to be communicated with the non-contact IC tag, stores information and the like described in the form subjected to character recognition processing in the non-contact IC tag, It is an object of the present invention to provide a form reading apparatus and a form reading method capable of performing reliable form processing by performing conveyance processing and managing distributed forms based on information.

  In order to achieve the above object, a form reading apparatus according to the present invention communicates with a character reading recognition means for optically reading character information entered in a form and recognizing the character, and a non-contact IC chip attached to the form. It is possible to include at least first information communication means for writing predetermined information based on the character-recognized information to the non-contact IC chip.

  The form reading method of the present invention is a form reading apparatus comprising a character reading recognition means for recognizing characters entered in a form and a first information communication means capable of communicating with a non-contact IC chip attached to the form. A form reading method, wherein the character reading and recognizing means optically reads the character information entered in the form to recognize characters and the first information communicating means includes at least the character recognition And a first information communication step of writing predetermined information based on the written information on the non-contact IC chip attached to the form.

  According to this form reading apparatus and form reading method, it is possible to write predetermined information based on character-recognized information to a non-contact IC tag attached to the form, so that the form is managed for each batch. Information for each batch can be easily obtained, and management can be simplified. Furthermore, when the number of types of forms to be classified is larger than the number of stacking units to be classified, the first information communication means applies the predetermined classification to the non-contact IC tag of the form based on the character-recognized information. Information is written in the first process, there is no stacking unit to be classified, and in the second and subsequent processing for the form accommodated in the predetermined stacking unit, it is written to the non-contact IC tag without performing the character recognition process. Based on the information, the form can be guided to a predetermined stacking unit, so that the sorting process can be performed quickly.

  According to the form reading apparatus and form reading method of the present invention, a non-contact IC tag is provided in the form, information can be communicated with the non-contact IC tag, and information described in the form subjected to character recognition processing is not stored. Reliable form processing can be performed by storing the information in the contact IC tag and managing the distributed form based on the information.

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

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a form reading apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 shows an example of a front view of the form W to which the non-contact IC tag 40 is attached.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the form reading apparatus 10 includes a hopper table 11, a feed roller 12, a separation roller 13, a driving roller 14, a pinch roller 15, a conveyance guide 16, a sorting unit 17, a gate. A section 18 and a stacker 19 are provided. In addition, the form reading device 10 includes a multifeed (double feed) detection unit 21, a reading unit 22, a printing unit 23, and a reader / writer 24 at predetermined intervals in order from the upstream side of the conveyance path of the form W. And. Further, the form reading apparatus 10 includes a control unit 30, and the control unit 30 drives the double feed detection unit 21, the reading unit 22, the printing unit 23, the reader / writer 24, and the hopper table 11 (not shown). ), A rotation drive unit (not shown) that rotates each of the rollers 12, 13, and 14, a drive unit (not shown) that drives the sorting unit 17 and the gate unit 18, and the like. Is controlling.

  In FIG. 1, the connection lines that electrically connect the control unit 30 and the respective components are shown with only main connection lines for the sake of clarity, and the others are omitted. In addition, here, an example in which each component and the control unit 30 are electrically connected by wire is shown, but a configuration in which information between each component and the control unit 30 is communicated wirelessly may be included.

Next, main components will be described.
As shown in FIG. 2, the form W is configured, for example, by attaching a non-contact IC tag 40 to a predetermined position of a form provided with description columns such as a reception date, a name, and an address. The non-contact IC tag 40 will be described in detail later. The non-contact IC tag 40 is a non-contact type information storage medium having an IC chip and an antenna part surrounding the IC chip. The non-contact IC tag 40 is connected to the IC chip via the antenna part. Can read and write information.

  The hopper table 11 is a table that stacks and arranges the forms W to which the non-contact IC tags 40 are attached, and can move in the vertical direction depending on the remaining amount of the forms W that are stacked.

  The feed roller 12 is in sliding contact with the surface (upper surface) of the form W stacked on the hopper table 11 and takes the form W into the apparatus. The separation roller 13 is inserted into the apparatus by the feed roller 12. It contacts the back surface (lower surface) of the captured form W and cooperates with the feed roller 12 to separate the forms W one by one.

  The driving roller 14 is arranged to face the pinch roller 15 and conveys the front and back surfaces of the form W separated one by one with the pinch roller 15. Note that no driving force is applied to the pinch roller 15 from the outside, and the pinch roller 15 rotates by being in sliding contact with the conveyed form W. In addition, a predetermined pressing force is applied to the pinch roller 15 in the direction of the driving roller 14 by, for example, a spring, and the conveyed form W is sandwiched between the driving roller 14 and the pinch roller 15 with a predetermined pressure. Yes. Further, a conveyance guide 16 is disposed between the pair of drive rollers 14 and the pinch rollers 15 and the pair of drive rollers 14 and the pinch rollers 15 installed adjacent to the pair of drive rollers 14 and the pinch rollers 15, and guides the document W to be conveyed. is doing.

  The sorting unit 17 switches the conveyance path of the form W, and is operated by, for example, a solenoid. The gate unit 18 is a gate for guiding the conveyed form W to the stacker 19 and is operated by, for example, a solenoid. The distribution unit 17 and the gate unit 18 function as a switching guide unit.

  The double feed detection unit 21 functions as a thickness detection unit, and detects the thickness of the form W taken into the apparatus by the feed roller 12 and the separation roller 13. Based on the detection result, the control unit 30 determines whether or not a plurality of forms W are being conveyed in an abnormal conveyance state in which the multiple forms W are double-fed. For the double feed detection unit 21, for example, a displacement sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, or the like is used.

  The reading unit 22 inputs image data of characters handwritten on the form W, and is composed of, for example, a CCD camera. The image data input by the reading unit 22 is recognized by the character recognition unit 25 and converted into text data. Here, the configuration of the reading unit 22 and the character recognition unit 25 functions as a character reading recognition unit.

  The printing unit 23 prints, for example, a serial number on the form W that has been subjected to the character recognition process.

  The reader / writer 24 functions as a first information communication means and will be described in detail later. The reader / writer 24 is composed of an IC chip, an antenna unit, and the like, and is a non-contact IC tag attached to the form W at a predetermined communication frequency. 40 to communicate information. The reader / writer 24 can write, for example, predetermined information based on character recognition processing on the non-contact IC tag 40 attached to the form W. Here, as the predetermined information written in the non-contact IC tag 40, for example, information such as address, name, financial institution name, financial institution code, amount of money, etc., information on the stacker 19 to be conveyed, footer Examples include information based on character recognition processing such as information as a sheet, but are not limited thereto, and can be appropriately set as necessary. The reader / writer 24 can also read various information stored in the non-contact IC tag 40. Various information stored in the non-contact IC tag 40 includes, for example, ID information for individually recognizing each form W. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is appropriately set as necessary. be able to.

  In addition, the reader / writer 24 can communicate with the non-contact IC tag 40 attached to the form W in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the form W is conveyed, that is, in the main scanning direction of the image scan in the reading unit 22. Is installed. Further, the conveyance guide 16 in the area around the reader / writer 24 and facing the reader / writer 24 that affects the directivity of the RFID function prevents communication between the reader / writer 24 and the non-contact IC tag 40, or reduces communication capability. For example, it is preferably made of a non-metallic material such as a resin so as not to be lowered. Moreover, you may comprise by mixing glass etc. with high abrasion resistance in resin etc.

  The control unit 30 is mainly composed of an arithmetic unit (CPU), a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), and a data management memory, and the CPU uses programs and data stored in the ROM and RAM. Various arithmetic processes. The data management memory stores information such as text data subjected to character recognition processing, information read from the reader / writer 24, and the like. In addition, as described above, the control unit 30 can communicate information with each component configuring the form reading apparatus 10 and controls the operation of each component. The control unit 30 can be connected to a display unit such as a monitor and an input unit such as a keyboard.

  Next, an example of a communication operation between the non-contact IC tag 40 attached to the form W and the reader / writer 24 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 shows an outline of the configuration of the interrogator 100 as the reader / writer 24 and the responder 200 as the non-contact IC tag 40.

  The interrogator 100 is a main control unit 101 that performs overall control of the interrogator 100, an interface unit 102 that controls input / output of information with the control unit 30, and reading and writing that accumulate information received from the responder 200. A storage unit 103 such as a RAM, a signal conversion unit 104 that converts transmission information from a parallel signal to a serial signal, and converts a reception signal from the responder 200 from a serial signal to a parallel signal, and a transmission signal for transmission A modulation unit 105 that modulates the received signal, a demodulation unit 106 that demodulates the received signal, a transmission antenna 107, and a reception antenna 108.

  The transponder 200 includes a main control unit 201 that performs overall control of the transponder 200, a storage unit 202 that does not require power backup such as an EEPROM that stores information, a transmission signal that is converted from a parallel signal to a serial signal, and a query A signal conversion unit 203 that converts a reception signal from the transmitter 100 from a serial signal to a parallel signal, a modulation unit 204 that modulates a transmission signal into a signal for transmission, a demodulation unit 205 that demodulates the reception signal, a transmission antenna 206, The receiving antenna 207 is provided.

Next, an example of a basic communication procedure will be described.
The interrogator 100 first transmits an interrogation signal for reading information for the responder 200. When the responder 200 enters a range where the interrogation signal can be received, the responder 200 receives this and transmits information stored in the storage unit 202 as a response signal. The interrogator 100 receives this response signal, performs signal processing, and outputs it to the control unit 30.

  Next, the operation of the form reading apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the form reading apparatus 10.

  First, the control unit 30 drives the feed roller 12 and the separation roller 13 to take the uppermost form W stacked on the hopper table 11 into the apparatus. Subsequently, the double feed detection unit 21 detects the thickness of the conveyed form W and outputs the information to the control unit 30. Based on the detection information from the double feed detection unit 21, the control unit 30 compares the thickness of the form W set in advance with each other, and determines whether or not a plurality of forms W are being conveyed in an overlapping double feed state ( Step S301). In this determination, when it is determined that the form W is being conveyed in a double feed state, the control unit 30 conveys the form W to a predetermined stacker 19 in, for example, the distribution process of the form W in the subsequent process. In this manner, each distribution unit 17 and each gate unit 18 are controlled.

  Subsequently, the reading unit 22 inputs image data of characters handwritten on the form W and outputs the image data to the character recognition unit 25. And the character recognition part 25 performs a character recognition process based on the image data, and converts it into text data. This text data is output to the control unit 30 and stored in the data management memory of the control unit 30 (step S302).

  Subsequently, the control unit 30 transmits predetermined information among the information recognized in step S302 to the non-contact IC tag 40 attached to the form W via the reader / writer 24. The information is written into (step S303).

  Here, as an example in which predetermined information is transmitted to the non-contact IC tag 40 based on the character-recognized information, the following cases can be cited.

  There is a case where the number of form batches that have been character-recognized is transmitted to a form W that functions as a footer sheet. In this case, the total number of sheets in the form batch is written in the non-contact IC tag 40 of the form W that functions as a footer sheet. As a result, when managing the form W for each batch, the information of the form W that functions as the footer sheet is read by a handy type reader / writer, etc., so that the information for each batch can be easily obtained. Simplify. As another example, when the amount described in the form W is totaled for each batch, the total amount is written in the non-contact IC tag 40 of the form W functioning as a footer sheet.

  As yet another example, when the number of types of forms W to be classified is larger than the number of stackers 19 to be classified, the non-contact IC tag 40 of the form W is assigned to, for example, each region based on the character-recognized information. There are cases where the classification information for each branch of a financial institution is written. As a result, when there is a stacker 19 corresponding to the classification information, the form W is guided to the corresponding stacker 19, and the one without the corresponding stacker 19 is accommodated in one stacker 19 in the second and subsequent processing. It is accommodated in the stacker 19 corresponding to the sorting information. In this case, character recognition is performed in the first process, and the classification information based on the recognition is written in the non-contact IC tag 40. Therefore, in the second and subsequent processes, the character recognition process is not performed and the non-contact IC tag is performed. Since the form W is guided to the predetermined stacker 19 based on the information written in 40, the sorting process can be performed quickly.

  Further, the reader / writer 24 reads, for example, non-contact IC tag specifying information for specifying the non-contact IC tag 40 such as an ID from the non-contact IC tag 40 that has transmitted the above information, and the non-contact IC tag. Tag identification information and form identification information may be output to the control unit 30 (step S403). The control unit 30 may manage the character-recognized information in association with the non-contact IC tag specifying information. Further, the above classification information may be managed based on the non-contact IC tag specifying information. Here, an example is shown in which contactless IC tag specifying information is used to specify individual forms W, but a form for specifying a form W such as a form ID stored in the noncontact IC tag 40 is shown. The specific information may be used as information for specifying individual forms W.

  Here, based on the character-recognized information, the printing unit 23 may print, for example, a serial number on the form W and add visible information.

  Subsequently, the control unit 30 distributes each conveyed form W to the predetermined stacker 19 based on the information recognized by the character and the information read from the non-contact IC tag 40 of the form W by the reader / writer 24. In this manner, each distribution unit 17 and each gate unit 18 are controlled (step S304).

  In the form reading apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment described above, the reader / writer 24 is installed on the downstream side of the reading unit 22 in the form conveying direction, so that information based on character-recognized information is pasted on the form W. The contact IC tag 40 can be written. Thereby, for example, when the form W is managed for each batch, information for each batch can be easily obtained, and management can be further simplified. Further, by writing information to the non-contact IC tag 40, it is possible to provide a large amount of information as compared with the information amount obtained by printing so far.

  Further, when the number of types of the form W to be classified is larger than the number of the stackers 19 to be classified, the non-contact IC tag 40 of the form W is assigned to the contactless IC tag 40 of the form W, for example, for each region. The classification information for each branch is written by the reader / writer 24 in the first process, there is no stacker 19 to be classified, and the character recognition process is not performed in the second and subsequent processes for the form W accommodated in the predetermined stacker 19. In addition, since the form W can be guided to the predetermined stacker 19 based on the information written in the non-contact IC tag 40, the sorting process can be performed quickly.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of the form reading apparatus 50 according to the second embodiment. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same part as the structure of 1st Embodiment, and the description is simplified or abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the form reading device 50 according to the second embodiment is arranged on the downstream side in the form conveying direction of the sorting unit 17 and each gate unit 18 in the form reading device 10 according to the first embodiment. The reader / writers 51 and 52 functioning as the third information communication means are arranged.

  Similar to the reader / writer 24 described in the first embodiment, the reader / writers 51 and 52 are configured by an IC chip, an antenna unit, and the like, and are contactless IC tags 40 attached to the form W at a predetermined communication frequency. And information exchange. The reader / writers 51 and 52 are communicably connected to the control unit 30. Further, the reader / writer 51 is electrically connected directly to the gate unit 18 disposed on the downstream side of the reader / writer 51 in the form conveyance direction. Based on the information read by the reader / writer 51, the reader / writer 51 It may be configured to control. The reader / writer 52 is electrically connected directly to the sorting unit 17 disposed downstream of the reader / writer 52 in the form transport direction, and based on the information read by the reader / writer 52, the direct sorting unit is directly connected. 17 may be configured to control.

  Next, the operation of the form reading apparatus 50 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the form reading device 50.

  First, the control unit 30 drives the feed roller 12 and the separation roller 13 to take the uppermost form W stacked on the hopper table 11 into the apparatus. Subsequently, the double feed detection unit 21 detects the thickness of the conveyed form W and outputs the information to the control unit 30. In the control unit 30, based on the detection information from the double feed detection unit 21, it is compared with a preset thickness of the form W to determine whether or not a plurality of forms W are being conveyed in an overlapped state. The determination information is stored (step S401).

  Subsequently, the reading unit 22 inputs image data of characters handwritten on the form W and outputs the image data to the character recognition unit 25. And the character recognition part 25 performs a character recognition process based on the image data, and converts it into text data. This text data is output to the control unit 30 and stored in the data management memory of the control unit 30 (step S402).

  Subsequently, the control unit 30 transmits predetermined information among the information recognized in step S <b> 402 to the non-contact IC tag 40 attached to the form W via the reader / writer 24. The information is written into (step S403).

  Here, as an example in which predetermined information is transmitted to the non-contact IC tag 40 based on the character-recognized information, the following cases can be cited.

  There is a case where the number of batches of the form W recognized as characters is transmitted to the form W functioning as a footer sheet. In this case, the total number of sheets in the batch of forms W is written in the non-contact IC tag 40 of the form W that functions as a footer sheet. As a result, when managing the form W for each batch, it is possible to easily obtain the information for each batch by reading the information of the form W functioning as the footer sheet with a handy type reader / writer, and the management is simple. Turn into. As another example, when the amount described in the form W is totaled for each batch, the total amount is written in the non-contact IC tag 40 of the form W functioning as a footer sheet.

  As yet another example, when the number of types of forms W to be classified is larger than the number of stackers 19 to be classified, for example, the non-contact IC tag 40 of the form W is assigned to, for example, a region For example, the classification information for each branch of a financial institution may be written. As a result, when there is a stacker 19 corresponding to the classification information, the form W is guided to the corresponding stacker 19, and the one without the corresponding stacker 19 is accommodated in one stacker 19 in the second and subsequent processing. It is accommodated in the stacker 19 corresponding to the sorting information. In this case, character recognition is performed in the first process, and the classification information based on the recognition is written in the non-contact IC tag 40. Therefore, in the second and subsequent processes, the character recognition process is not performed and the non-contact IC tag is performed. Since the form W is guided to the predetermined stacker 19 based on the information written in 40, the sorting process can be performed quickly.

  In addition to the predetermined information exemplified in the first embodiment, the predetermined information transmitted to the non-contact IC tag 40 attached to the form W based on the character-recognized information includes, for example, a form. For example, information corresponding to the stacker 19 is included to accommodate W. The information corresponding to the stacker 19 to accommodate this form W includes, for example, drive information of the gate unit 18 of the stacker 19 to be accommodated, drive information of the distribution unit 17 for guiding to the stacker 19, and the like. It is.

  Further, the reader / writer 24 reads, for example, non-contact IC tag specifying information for specifying the non-contact IC tag 40 such as an ID from the non-contact IC tag 40 that has transmitted the above information, and the non-contact IC tag. Tag identification information and form identification information can also be output to the control unit 30 (step S403). The control unit 30 can also manage the character-recognized information in association with the non-contact IC tag specifying information. Here, an example is shown in which contactless IC tag specifying information is used to specify individual forms W, but a form for specifying a form W such as a form ID stored in the noncontact IC tag 40 is shown. The specific information may be used as information for specifying individual forms W.

  Here, based on the character-recognized information, the printing unit 23 may print, for example, a serial number on the form W and add visible information.

  Next, in the processing after step S403, (1) when the distribution unit 17 and the gate unit 18 are directly controlled based on the information read from the non-contact IC tag 40 by the reader / writers 51 and 52, (2) Each processing operation when the control unit 30 controls the distribution unit 17 and the gate unit 18 based on information read by the reader / writers 51 and 52 from the non-contact IC tag 40 will be described.

(1) When directly controlling the sorting unit 17 and the gate unit 18 based on the information read by the reader / writers 51 and 52 from the non-contact IC tag 40 In this case, first, the form transport of the sorting unit 17 The reader / writer 52 on the upstream side in the direction reads information corresponding to the stacker 19 to be accommodated, for example, from the non-contact IC tag 40 affixed to the form W, and outputs the read information to the sorting unit 17. Then, based on the information from the reader / writer 52, the driving unit that drives the allocating unit 17 drives the allocating unit 17 to guide it to the stacker 19 to be accommodated (step S404).

  Subsequently, the reader / writer 51 on the upstream side in the form transport direction of the stacker 19 reads information corresponding to the stacker 19 to be accommodated from the non-contact IC tag 40 attached to the form W, and the read information is output to the gate unit 18. Output to. Then, the drive unit that drives the gate unit 18, based on the information from the reader / writer 51, if it corresponds to the gate unit 18 of the stacker 19 to be accommodated, the gate unit 18 guides the form W to the stacker 19. open. On the other hand, when it does not correspond to the gate part 18 of the stacker 19 to be accommodated, the gate part remains closed (step S405).

(2) When the control unit 30 controls the distribution unit 17 and the gate unit 18 based on information read by the reader / writers 51 and 52 from the non-contact IC tag 40. In this case, first, the distribution unit 17 The reader / writer 52 on the upstream side in the form conveyance direction reads, for example, non-contact IC tag identification information from the non-contact IC tag 40 attached to the form W, and outputs the read non-contact IC tag identification information to the control unit 30. To do. Then, based on the non-contact IC tag specifying information and the information stored in the data management memory, the control unit 30 controls the sorting unit 17 to guide the form W to the stacker 19 to be transported (step S30). S404).

  Subsequently, the reader / writer 51 on the upstream side in the form transport direction of the stacker 19 reads the non-contact IC tag specifying information from the non-contact IC tag 40 attached to the form W, and uses the read non-contact IC tag specifying information as a control unit. Output to 30. Then, based on the non-contact IC tag specifying information and information stored in the data management memory, the control unit 30 controls the gate unit 18 to guide the form W to the stacker 19 to be transported (step S405). ).

  In the form reading device 50 according to the second embodiment described above, in addition to the effects of the form reading device 10 according to the first embodiment, the distribution unit 17 and the gate unit 18 further upstream in the form conveyance direction. By providing the reader / writers 51 and 52, the information written in the non-contact IC tag 40 attached to the form W can be read by the respective reader / writers 51 and 52. The dividing portion 17 and each gate portion 18 can be controlled.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of the form reading device 60 according to the third embodiment. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same part as the structure of 1st Embodiment, and the description is simplified or abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the form reading device 60 according to the third embodiment is provided as a second information communication means on the upstream side in the form conveying direction of the feed roller 12 in the form reading device 10 according to the first embodiment. A functioning reader / writer 61 is arranged. Further, the feed roller 12 has a form W stacked on the hopper table 11, the separation roller 13 has a form W conveyed thereabove, and each pinch roller 15 has a A pressing force load portion 62 that variably applies a pressing force to the driving roller 14 disposed so as to be opposed is disposed.

  Similar to the reader / writer 24 described in the first embodiment, the reader / writer 61 is composed of an IC chip, an antenna unit, and the like, and is connected to the non-contact IC tag 40 attached to the form W at a predetermined communication frequency. To communicate. The reader / writer 61 is connected to the control unit 30 so as to be communicable. The reader / writer 61 reads at least the specification information of the form W among the information written in the non-contact IC tag 40 attached to the form W and outputs it to the control unit 30. The specification information of the form W includes, for example, the thickness of the form W, the surface friction coefficient, the aspect ratio, and the like. The surface friction coefficient is determined by the material and the number of times of paper passing. The surface friction coefficient also changes depending on the number of paper passing, as well as the surface friction coefficient. Becomes smaller. The information written in the non-contact IC tag 40 includes, for example, the ID information of the form W, the ID information of the non-contact IC tag 40, and the layout information of the entry field of the form W in addition to the specification information of the form W described above. Or the like may be stored in the non-contact IC tag 40, and can be set as necessary. Further, information read from the non-contact IC tag 40 by the reader / writer 61 can be set as appropriate.

  The pressing force load unit 62 is connected so as to be communicable with the control unit 30 and varies the pressing force to be loaded based on information from the control unit 30, and can be configured by, for example, a solenoid.

  Next, the operation of the form reading apparatus 60 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the form reading device 60.

  First, the control unit 30 drives the feed roller 12 and the separation roller 13 to take the uppermost form W stacked on the hopper table 11 into the apparatus. Subsequently, the reader / writer 61 reads at least the specification information of the form W with respect to the thickness, surface friction coefficient, and aspect ratio of the form W from the non-contact IC tag 40 attached to the form W, and outputs it to the control unit 30 ( Step S501).

  Based on the specification information of the form W, the control unit 30 presses the pressing load unit 62 provided on the feed roller 12, the separation roller 13, and the pinch roller 15 with the predetermined pressing force. (Step S502).

  Furthermore, the control unit 30 controls the pressing force load unit 62 in step S502, and at the same time, sets the rotation speeds of the feed roller 12, the separation roller 13, and the driving roller 14 to predetermined speeds based on the specification information of the form W. Control is performed (step S503).

  Here, the control in step S502 and step S503 will be described.

  The pressing force is controlled based on the specification information of the read form W on the basis of the pressing force of the A4 form (210 mm long × 297 mm wide), the thickness is 70 kg continuous, and the surface friction coefficient is equivalent to OCR paper. The Here, the kg continuous quantity is the weight per 1000 sheets (one series) of each size. The rotation speed of each roller is controlled based on the specification information of the read form W with reference to the rotation speed determined corresponding to the maximum scan speed per line of the CCD camera constituting the reading unit 22. The

  An example of controlling the pressing force and the rotation speed of each roller from the specification information of the read form W with respect to the reference pressing force and the reference rotation speed will be described below.

(A) When the thickness of the read form W is thicker than the thickness of the reference form In this case, the control unit 30 performs control to reduce the pressing force of the separation roller 13. Thus, when the form W is conveyed while being sandwiched between the drive roller 14 and the pinch roller 15, the rear end of the form W can be easily removed from the separation roller 13, and the image quality can be stabilized particularly with respect to image expansion.

(B) When the thickness of the read form W is smaller than the thickness of the reference form In this case, the control unit 30 performs control to reduce the rotation speed of the feed roller 12 and the drive roller 14. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the form W from being torn.

(C) When the surface friction coefficient of the read form W is larger than the surface friction coefficient of the reference form In this case, the control unit 30 reduces the pressing force of the feed roller 12 and changes the rotation speed of the feed roller 12. Control to reduce. Further, the control unit 30 performs control to increase the pressing force of the separation roller 13. By reducing the pressing force of the feed roller 12, reducing the rotation speed of the feed roller 12, and further increasing the pressing force of the separation roller 13, a plurality of forms W stacked on the hopper table 11 are taken together. Can be prevented.

(D) When the surface friction coefficient of the read form W is smaller than the surface friction coefficient of the reference form In this case, the control unit 30 performs control to reduce the pressing force of the pinch roller 15. As a result, slip of the form W can be prevented.

(E) When the read form W is horizontally long In this case, the control unit 30 performs control to reduce the rotation speed of the feed roller 12. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the form W from being conveyed obliquely (skew).

  Subsequently, the double feed detection unit 21 detects the thickness of the conveyed form W and outputs the information to the control unit 30. The control unit 30 compares the thickness of the form W read in step S501 based on the detection information from the double feed detection unit 21 and determines whether or not a plurality of forms W are being conveyed in the overlapping double feed state. (Step S504). In this determination, when it is determined that the form W is being conveyed in a double feed state, the control unit 30 conveys the form W to a predetermined stacker 19 in, for example, the distribution process of the form W in the subsequent process. In this manner, each distribution unit 17 and each gate unit 18 are controlled.

  Here, for example, when a dry sealing postcard is used as a form W and this form W is detected by the double feed detection unit 21 using an ultrasonic sensor, an air layer in a region crimped in half is detected, and a double layer is detected. It may be detected as a sending state. However, in the form reading device 60, by adding information indicating that the dry sealing postcard is added to the specification information of the read form W, the control unit 30 performs double feeding within a predetermined detection range based on the information. It is also possible not to determine the state.

  Subsequently, the reading unit 22 inputs image data of characters handwritten on the form W and outputs the image data to the character recognition unit 25. And the character recognition part 25 performs a character recognition process based on the image data, and converts it into text data. This text data is output to the control unit 30 and stored in the data management memory of the control unit 30 (step S505).

  Subsequently, the control unit 30 transmits predetermined information out of the information recognized in step S505 to the non-contact IC tag 40 attached to the form W via the reader / writer 24. The information is written in (Step S506).

  An example in which predetermined information is transmitted to the non-contact IC tag 40 based on character-recognized information is the same as that exemplified in the form reading device 10 of the first embodiment.

  Here, based on the character-recognized information, the printing unit 23 may print, for example, a serial number on the form W and add visible information.

  Subsequently, the control unit 30 distributes each conveyed form W to the predetermined stacker 19 based on the information recognized by the character and the information read from the non-contact IC tag 40 of the form W by the reader / writer 24. In this manner, each distribution unit 17 and each gate unit 18 are controlled (step S507).

  In the form reading device 60 according to the third embodiment described above, in addition to the effects of the form reading device 10 according to the first embodiment, a reader / writer 61 is installed on the upstream side of the feed roller 12 in the form conveying direction. The reader / writer 61 reads the specification information of the form W written on the non-contact IC tag 40 attached to the form W, and based on the form specification information, the pressing force applied by the pressing force load unit 62 and each By controlling the rotational speed of the rollers, it is possible to process a wide variety of forms W. Further, since the sheet can be conveyed while changing the pressing force applied by the pressing force load unit 62 and the rotation speed of each roller based on the specifications of the conveyed form W, the damage to the form W in the conveying process can be prevented. Reliable form processing can be performed. In addition, for example, the ID information of the form W can be stored in the non-contact IC tag 40 and read by the reader / writer 61 without being printed. For example, erroneous recognition of characters due to dirt or bending of the form W, etc. Will not cause.

  In addition, although the structure which added the reader / writer 61 and the pressing force load part 62 to the form reading apparatus 10 of 1st Embodiment as the form reading apparatus 50 of 3rd Embodiment was shown, 2nd implementation is shown. These functions may be added to the form reading apparatus 50 of the form. In this case, in addition to the effect of the form reading device 50 of the second embodiment, the same effect as the effect of the form reading device 50 of the third embodiment obtained by adding these functions is obtained. be able to.

The figure which shows an outline | summary of the structure of the form reading apparatus of 1st Embodiment. The front view of the form | form with the non-contact IC tag stuck. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a configuration of a reader / writer and a non-contact IC tag. The flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of a form reading apparatus. The figure which shows an outline | summary of the structure of the form reading apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. The flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of a form reading apparatus. The figure which shows an outline | summary of the structure of the form reading apparatus of 3rd Embodiment. The flowchart which shows an example of operation | movement of a form reading apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Form reading apparatus, 11 ... Hopper table, 12 ... Feed roller, 13 ... Separation roller, 14 ... Drive roller, 15 ... Pinch roller, 16 ... Conveyance guide, 17 ... Sorting part, 18 ... Gate part, 19 ... Stacker , 21 ... double feed detection unit, 22 ... reading unit, 23 ... printing unit, 24 ... reader / writer.

Claims (13)

Character reading recognition means for optically reading the character information entered in the form and recognizing characters;
A first information communication means capable of communicating with the non-contact IC chip affixed to the form, and writing at least predetermined information based on the character-recognized information to the non-contact IC chip. A form reading device.   2. The form reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first information communication unit is installed downstream of the reading unit that optically reads the character information of the character reading recognition unit.   3. The form reading apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a second information communication unit that is installed upstream of the reading unit in the form conveying direction and is capable of communicating with the non-contact IC chip. A thickness detecting unit that is installed between the reading unit and the second information communication unit and detects the thickness of the form;
The conveyance abnormality of the form is detected based on the detection result from the thickness detection unit and the specification information of the form read from the non-contact IC chip by the second information communication unit. The form reading apparatus according to claim 3. Further comprising a pressing force load section that variably applies a pressing force to the form on a predetermined roller that conveys the form;
Based on the specification information of the form read from the non-contact IC chip by the second information communication means, the pressing force applied by the pressing load portion and / or the rotation speed of a predetermined roller is controlled. The form reading apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the form reading apparatus is provided.   Third information communication means capable of communicating with the non-contact IC chip is further provided on the upstream side in the form conveyance direction of each switching guiding unit installed in the conveyance path for guiding the form to each accumulation unit in which the form is accumulated. The form reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:   7. The form reading apparatus according to claim 6, wherein each of the switching guide sections is controlled based on information read from the form by a third information communication unit.   8. The information communication unit according to claim 1, wherein the information communication means is installed so as to be able to communicate over an entire area in a direction perpendicular to a conveyance direction in which the form is conveyed in a conveyance path in which the form is conveyed. The form reading device according to any one of the preceding claims.   9. The form reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a periphery of the information communication unit and a region of the conveyance path facing the information communication unit are formed of a non-metal. A form reading method in a form reading apparatus comprising a character reading recognition means for recognizing characters entered in a form, and a first information communication means capable of communicating with a non-contact IC chip attached to the form,
A character reading recognition step for optically reading the character information entered in the form and recognizing characters.
The first information communication means includes at least a first information communication step of writing predetermined information based on the character-recognized information on a non-contact IC chip attached to the form. Form reading method.   The detection result from the thickness detection means for detecting the thickness of the form, and the second information communication means installed on the upstream side in the form transport direction from the reading unit for optically reading the character information of the character reading recognition means The form reading method according to claim 10, further comprising a conveyance abnormality detection step of detecting a conveyance abnormality of the form based on the specification information of the form read from the non-contact IC chip by .   Based on the specification information of the form read from the non-contact IC chip by the second information communication means, the pressing force is variably applied to the form provided on a predetermined roller that conveys the form. 12. The form reading method according to claim 11, further comprising a pressing force rotation speed control step for controlling a pressing force applied by the pressing force load section and / or a rotation speed of a predetermined roller.   The information read from the form by the third information communication means installed on the upstream side in the form transport direction of each switching guide section installed in the transport path for guiding the form to each stacking part in which the form is stacked. The form reading method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, further comprising a switching guide section control step for controlling each switching guide section based on the switching guide section.

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