JP2006146328A - Reading apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a reading apparatus for starting automatically reading the information of a reading object, presence/absence thereof and an outer shape position immediately, accurately and efficiently. <P>SOLUTION: The reading apparatus has an image reading device 10 and an image data processing device processing read information and controlling the reading device 10. The reading device 10 includes a glass receiving base 4 disposed on a rack 1 to mount a reading object 20 thereon, an abutting guide 2, a detecting LED 6 provided to the guide 2, an illumination device irradiating the object 20 with a beam and a digital camera 12 reading image information of the object 20, and detects the fact that the object 20 is placed at a normal position on the basis of a fixed position by which a beam from the LED 6 irradiates the receiving glass base 4 and the brightness of the image read from the beam transmitted through the object 20 to be read. The reading device 10 is triggered by the detection to automatically start reading the image data and the reading apparatus recognizes images and characters. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention accurately and efficiently detects information on an object to be read, particularly character and image information, the presence / absence of an object to be read, and an outer shape position, and then starts reading to recognize the image and the character. About.

  A conventional reading apparatus reads an object to be read such as a passport as image data by a camera or a scanner and recognizes characters.

There are the following proposals for this type of reading apparatus.
In the passport-written character reading system described in Patent Document 1, a character recognition device, a terminal device, and a central device are connected by a communication line or the like.
The character recognition device includes an imaging start signal generation unit, an imaging unit, a character block cutout unit, a character recognition unit, and a transmission control unit, and automatically reads predetermined character information described on a passport . The central device collates and determines the storage of the passport information and the information stored in advance, and outputs the result to the terminal device.

  In the verification device described in Patent Document 2, the passport is mounted on the transparent glass surface of the insertion groove portion of the reader unit of the verification device, one end side thereof is pressed by the pressing means and set at a predetermined position, and the camera captures an image. The CCD scanner reads the characters. These data are analyzed and recognized by an image analysis unit and a character recognition unit of the control unit, and pass / fail judgment is performed, and display and warning are performed.

Furthermore, in the optical character reader described in Patent Document 3, an infrared backflash that irradiates light from the opposite side of the reading surface of the reading object to be read and a light instruction from the infrared backflash when there is a reading instruction. Based on the image read by the camera when the light is irradiated, the outer position of the reading object to be read is determined, and the position information is stored.
Then, based on the information on the outer shape position and the image image without light irradiation, an image image for character recognition is cut out and character recognition is performed.

Further, in the image reading apparatus described in Patent Document 4, an insertion port for inserting a table and an object to be read is provided on the front side surface, and an image on the object to be read inserted into the insertion port is stored inside the image reading apparatus. An image scanner for reading is installed.
When the image reading apparatus detects the object to be read inserted into the insertion slot, the image reading apparatus scans the object to be read by an image scanner and automatically reads the image.

Japanese Patent No. 2794882 Registered Utility Model No. 3021555 JP 9-305705 A JP 2002-325163 A

  However, in the example described in Patent Document 1, character information described in a passport mechanically read using a character recognition device is automatically collated with information stored in advance in a computer. Thus, there is room for improvement in order to enable more accurate reading.

  Moreover, in the example of patent document 2, when a passport is inserted in a predetermined position, a detection sensor will detect, the plate for a press will press a passport by the action | operation of a solenoid relay, a passport will be pressed on a transparent glass surface, and it will contact | connect However, the reading is not automatically started when the passport is inserted.

  Further, in the example described in Patent Document 3, in order to automatically acquire the image data of the MRP object according to the state of the MRP object, the bending angle based on the angle recognition of the outer shape image of the MRP object is Although the reading of the MRP object is automatically activated by the time control, there is a possibility that the angle recognition of the outline image of the MRP object may be failed.

In the example described in Patent Document 4, only when both of the two object detection sensors detect the insertion of the object to be read, that is, only when the inserted object to be read is not skewed. The image is read.
However, since the two object detection sensors are only arranged apart from each other in one direction and the position of the detection sensor cannot be changed, it is possible to more accurately determine whether the object to be read is skewed. There is room for improvement in order to make judgments and improve operability.

  Furthermore, in the examples described in Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 4, since image data is captured by a scanner, the scanning time becomes longer than when captured instantaneously by a camera or the like, and there is room for improvement.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and provides a reading apparatus that can instantaneously accurately and efficiently detect information to be read, the presence / absence of a read object, and an external position and start reading. The purpose is to provide.

In order to achieve the above object, a reading apparatus of the present invention includes an image reading apparatus and an image data processing apparatus that processes information read by the image reading apparatus and controls the image reading apparatus. A mounting table placed on the pedestal for mounting the object to be read; a guide disposed on the mounting table for guiding and positioning the object to be read; a light emitting device provided in the guide; and a mounting table. A lighting device for irradiating the object to be read with light, and an imaging device for reading information on the object to be read, a fixed position where the light beam emitted from the light emitting device irradiates the mounting table, and the light beam illuminating the object to be read. Based on the brightness of the transmitted and read image, it is detected that the object to be read is placed at the normal position, and the image reading apparatus automatically starts reading by using this detection as a trigger. .
With such a configuration, in the reading apparatus of the present invention, the brightness of the transmitted image of the light emitting device at a fixed position is detected by shielding the object to be read, so that the outer position of the object to be read and the presence of the object to be read are accurately determined. And automatic reading can be started.

In the reading device of the present invention, the guide is a substantially L-shaped guide, and each of the plurality of light emitting devices arranged along one side of the L shape and two adjacent sides of the L shape. It is configured to have at least one of the light emitting devices disposed on the side portion of the side.
With such a configuration, in the reading device of the present invention, since the fixed positions of at least two light emitting devices are determined, it is possible to accurately specify whether the object to be read is in the normal position.

Furthermore, the reading apparatus of the present invention has a configuration in which the guide is detachable from the mounting table and can be installed at each diagonal position of the mounting table.
With such a configuration, in the reading apparatus of the present invention, the guide can be installed according to the position of the operator who sets the object to be read, so that the operability is improved.

In the reading apparatus of the present invention, the side portion of the guide on the mounting table side is tapered.
With such a configuration, in the reading apparatus of the present invention, the edge of the object to be read is pressed when it touches the guide, so that the object to be read can be prevented from being lifted, and the object to be read is in close contact with the mounting table. Can be made.

The reading device of the present invention has a configuration in which the illumination device automatically starts illumination with either visible light or infrared light after detecting the normal position of the object to be read and before starting reading.
With such a configuration, the reading apparatus of the present invention irradiates the object to be read, so that optical information of the object to be read can be obtained.

The reader according to the present invention is configured such that the imaging device is any one of a digital camera, a line camera, an area camera, and a video camera.
With such a configuration, since the reading apparatus of the present invention uses a camera, an image can be acquired instantaneously or in an extremely short time.

The reader of the present invention has a configuration in which the imaging device is attached to a mounting plate that adjusts either or both of angle adjustment and position adjustment.
With such a configuration, the reading apparatus of the present invention can easily adjust the position and angle of the imaging apparatus, so that the adjustment time can be shortened.

The reading device of the present invention has a configuration in which irradiation light having optical information of an object to be read is condensed on the imaging device by either one mirror or a plurality of mirrors.
With such a configuration, in the reading apparatus of the present invention, the condensing position can be set, so that the position of the imaging apparatus can be arranged at an arbitrary predetermined position, and the entire apparatus can be downsized.

The reading apparatus of the present invention has a configuration in which the gantry has a concave portion, and a mirror for condensing the imaging device is provided by using the inclination of the concave portion.
With such a configuration, the reader of the present invention can secure a wide range of operator's feet, so that the operability is good and the space efficiency of the gantry is improved.

The reading apparatus of the present invention has a configuration in which an object to be read is a passport.
When the article to be read is a passport, the reader of the present invention can instantly and accurately read and recognize the face photograph and number of the passport.

According to the present invention, it is possible to read the information on the object to be read, the presence / absence of the object, and the outer shape position instantly and accurately and efficiently, and the automatic reading can be started.
Therefore, the operation of the operator can be simplified, and the possibility of reading failure of the read object can be reduced by improving the operability.

The reading device of the present invention includes an image reading device and an image data processing device that processes information read by the image reading device and controls the image reading device.
An image reading apparatus includes a mounting table that is placed on a pedestal and mounts an object to be read; a guide that is disposed on the mounting table and positions the object to be read; and a light emitting device that is provided in the guide. And an illuminating device for irradiating the object to be read placed on the mounting table with a light beam, and an imaging device for reading information on the object to be read.

  The read object is a read object such as a passport and may be any optical information, and may be a barcode or an ID card.

The mounting table may be a glass receiving table in which plate glass is arranged on a reading surface on which an object to be read is mounted.
The guide may be a right-angled and L-shaped contact guide so that the position of the object to be read can be easily determined.

  Further, the light-emitting device provided in the guide may be a light-emitting diode (hereinafter referred to as “LED”), but is not limited to this, and any light-emitting device may be used.

The illumination device may be a light source for illumination that emits various types of light according to the application, such as visible light, infrared light, and ultraviolet light.
The imaging device may be a digital camera, an area camera, a video camera, and a line camera, but is not limited to these as long as it can acquire an image as a signal in a short time.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a reading apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail using the same reference numerals for substantially the same or corresponding members based on FIGS. 1 to 8.
A reading apparatus according to a preferred embodiment includes an image reading apparatus and an image data processing apparatus.

First, the image reading apparatus will be described.
FIG. 1 is an external configuration diagram showing the configuration of the image reading apparatus of the present embodiment.
Referring to FIG. 1, an image reading apparatus 10 can be attached to and detached from a glass cradle 4 having a reading surface 3 (plate glass) on which an object 20 to be read such as a passport is placed. And a digital camera 12 capable of autofocusing on the reading surface 3, and a glass cradle 4 is installed on the top surface 5 of the gantry 1.

The contact guide 2 is configured to be detachable on the glass cradle 4 not at the position shown in FIG. 1 but at a diagonal position of the reading surface 3 opposite to the position shown in FIG.
For this reason, the contact guide 2 can be installed according to the position of the operator who sets the article 20 to be read such as a passport, which is convenient and improves operability.

Further, the contact guide 2 is for detecting the object to be read 20 on the side of the reading surface 3 on the same side and / or the other side of the L-shape of the L-shaped contact guide 2. As the light source, a plurality of detection LEDs 6 are provided at predetermined intervals.
At least one detection LED 6 may be provided on each side of the contact guide 2.

  On the upper surface of one side of the contact guide 2, a manual switch 25 for enabling manual reading, an abnormal lamp 6 indicating that the object to be read is not installed at a predetermined position, and an image reading operation are being performed. A reading lamp 27 is provided.

  In the case of the detection LED 6 arranged in this way, the light beam of the LED passes through the object to be read such as a passport, and the reading object 20 such as a passport is based on the fixed position and the brightness irradiated by the detection LED 6. Presence / absence and outer position can be accurately identified and detected.

Further, a line sensor (also called a line camera) or an area sensor (also called an area camera) may be used instead of a digital camera, and a video camera may be used.
Digital cameras, area cameras, and video cameras can obtain image data instantly.

  Although the line camera requires scanning time, it can obtain image data in a very short time and can easily realize high resolution.

The front panel 29 of the gantry 1 is provided at a position recessed from the top surface 5 so that when a person places an object to be read, his / her feet are wide and easy to operate.
Note that 15 is a power lamp, 16 is a power switch, 21 is an insertion direction of an object to be read, and 28 is a fuse.

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the object to be read.
Referring to FIG. 2, the contact guide 2 is provided with a window 22 on the reading surface 3 side for irradiating light from the detection LED 6 disposed on the substrate 24. The front surface of the window 22 is covered. A tapered portion 23 is formed in a tapered shape to prevent the reading object from floating.
In the example shown in FIG. 2, the taper portion is provided on one side of the L-shape of the contact guide 2, but may be provided on both sides.

  In the taper portion 23 of the contact guide 2, when the object to be read 20 such as a passport is pressed against the two L-shaped sides of the contact guide 2 and pressed, the object to be read 20 such as a passport does not float in the insertion direction 21 and is inserted. It is possible.

  3 is a partial perspective view of the upper surface of the image reading apparatus, FIG. 4 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing the inside of the front of the image reading apparatus, and FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the inside of the right side of the image reading apparatus. .

  3 and 4, the image reading apparatus 10 includes an illumination device 32 that irradiates a reading surface 3 on which an object 20 to be read such as a passport is placed. The illumination device 32 includes a water guide. The plate 31 and the partition wall 35 are arranged so as to be isolated from the digital camera 12.

The illumination device 32 can be irradiated by manually selecting either visible light or infrared light beforehand.
It should be noted that other light rays such as ultraviolet rays may be usable depending on the application.

4 and 5, the image reading apparatus 10 further includes a digital camera 12 fixed to the camera base 37 and a substantially concave camera angle adjustment for adjusting the position angle of the camera base 37. A mounting plate 33, a first mirror 34, a second mirror 36, and an interface control device 30 are provided.
4 and 5, 38 indicates a desk, and 17 indicates irradiation light.

  Irradiation light of the illumination device 32 is reflected by the reading surface 3 on which the object 20 to be read such as a passport is placed, then reflected after being incident on the second mirror 36, and further reflected after being incident on the first mirror 34, The light is focused on the digital camera 12 through the through hole 39 of the water guide plate 31.

By providing the mirror in this way, the position of the camera to be attached can be arranged at an arbitrary predetermined position, and the entire apparatus can be reduced in size.
Further, since the second mirror 36 can be tilted and disposed using the concave portion of the front panel 29 of the gantry 1, the space efficiency of the gantry 1 is improved.

  The camera base 37 is fixed horizontally, for example, with respect to the camera angle adjustment mounting plate 33 having a substantially concave cross section, its position angle can be adjusted, and when set to a predetermined position angle, Specifically, it is fixed with a plurality of adjusting screws 42.

If a portion fixed with the adjusting screw 42 on the mounting plate 33 is formed as a long hole in the horizontal direction, the position can be adjusted in the horizontal direction.
The substantially concave camera angle adjustment mounting plate 33 is fixed to the housing of the interface control device 30 by a U-shaped tube 41 through which wiring passes.

  The interface control device 30 performs lighting control of the reading object detection LED 6, illumination control of the illumination device 32, and image input control of the digital camera 12 at a predetermined timing based on a computer command to be described later.

Next, the image data processing apparatus will be described.
FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of the reading apparatus according to the present embodiment.
Referring to FIG. 6, an image data processing device 60 includes a computer (not shown) incorporating characters and an image recognition program corresponding to the image data processing unit 50, and a terminal device 64 that displays the processed characters and images. And a central processing unit 66 that collates the stored collation information with the processed character information or image information, transmits the collation result to the IF unit 59, and outputs the collation result to the terminal device 64.

  The image data processing unit 50 includes an imaging control unit 52, a superimpose unit 54, an image output control unit 56 that performs image recognition processing and output control, a character reading processing unit 58 that performs character recognition processing, and a character And an IF unit 59 that controls input / output of information and image information.

  The computer incorporating the character recognition program may be a general-purpose computer or a dedicated board equipped with a microprocessor.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the image reading device 10 includes an interface control device 30, a memory 51, a detection LED 6, a lighting device 32, and a digital camera 12.

Next, the operation of the reading apparatus according to this embodiment will be described.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the reading apparatus.
Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, reading device 70 first performs initial setting of each device when image reading device 10 and image data processing device 60 are turned on. A command signal is transmitted to the control unit and the image input control unit, the to-be-read object detection LED 6 lights up constantly or during the camera image input period, the illumination device 32 enters a light emission waiting state, and the digital camera 12 enters a photographing waiting state.

  At this time, either a visible ray or an infrared ray is selected as a light source of the illumination device 32 with a manual switch (step S1).

  Next, the imaging control unit 52 transmits a control signal to the interface control unit 30, and based on this control signal, the interface control unit 30 stores image data read from the digital camera 12 in a non-illuminated state in a predetermined cycle. The image pickup control unit 52 designates an address for this image data and stores it in the memory 53 (step S2).

  The imaging control unit 52 determines the brightness of the image data addressed based on the position of the read object detection LED 6 attached at a predetermined position from the input image data (hereinafter referred to as “read object detection LED address brightness”). Is less than the predetermined value, it is determined that the light beam of the detection LED 6 is shielded by the object to be read. If the brightness of all the object detection LED addresses is less than the predetermined value, the object to be read is normal. It is determined that it is set at the position (step S3).

  Then, the imaging control unit 52 transmits a control signal to the interface control unit 30 together with the predetermined periodic signal, and makes the illumination device 32 emit light (step S4). At this time, the interface control unit 30 stores the image data read from the digital camera 12 in the illumination light emission state in the memory 51, and the imaging control unit 52 addresses this image data and stores it in the memory 53. The processed image data is input to the image output control unit 56 and the character reading processing unit 58 (step S5).

  The character reading processing unit 58 binarizes the addressed image data to cut out a character block, and uses the addressed gradation image data corresponding to the character block part as image data of the multi-valued character block part. The data is stored in a memory (not shown) and a character reading process is performed (step S6).

  Then, the image data of the multi-value character block portion stored in the memory is binarized to cut out the characters, and the character pattern obtained by normalizing the cut-out characters is compared with the recognition dictionary and the word dictionary to perform the character recognition processing. Then, the read result is output to the memory buffer of the IF unit 59 (step S8).

The central processing unit 66 stores the character information transmitted from the IF unit 59, collates it with collation information stored in advance, and outputs the collation result to the terminal device 64 through the IF unit 59.
The terminal device 64 displays either or both characters and images.
If the image data is an analog signal, it can be processed in the same way by A / D conversion.

Next, position adjustment and angle of view adjustment of the imaging device will be described.
FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of position adjustment and angle of view adjustment.
The to-be-read object detection LED 6 can be used for position adjustment and field angle adjustment of the digital camera 12.

Referring to FIG. 8, first, a plurality of detection LEDs 6 are turned on in a non-illuminated state, and a real-time digital camera 12 image of a predetermined cycle is input to the superimpose unit 54.
The superimpose unit 54 cuts out the LED lighting image based on the address and brightness of the fixed position detection LED processed by the imaging control unit in synchronization with the image input in real time, and outputs it together with the lattice guide display. And displayed on the terminal device 64.

The position and angle of view of the camera base 37 are adjusted with the adjusting screw 42 so that the lighting image of the real-time detection LED 6 displayed on the terminal device 64 overlaps the LED lighting image that is cut out and displayed. .
In FIG. 8, 71 indicates a light beam of the LED for detection, and 72 indicates an LED lighting image that is cut out and displayed.

Thus, since the position adjustment and the angle of view adjustment of the digital camera 12 according to the present embodiment are based on the lighting image data of the fixed position detection LED, accurate position and angle of view adjustment can be easily performed. it can.
Therefore, the time for position adjustment and angle of view adjustment can be shortened.

  As described above, in the above embodiment, based on the address and brightness of the detection LED at a fixed position, the presence / absence of an object to be read and whether the object to be read is set at a normal position are detected, and this detection is used as a trigger. Starts automatic reading, reads image data instantly with a digital camera, processes the read image data to recognize image information and character information, compares them with previously stored verification information, and outputs verification results .

  Therefore, in this embodiment, automatic reading can be started based on the light shielding of the detection LED, and the outer position of the object to be read can be confirmed accurately.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the position adjustment and angle of view of the digital camera can be adjusted by superimposing the lighting image of the real-time detection LED and the LED lighting image based on the address and luminance of the detection LED at the fixed position. .

  The embodiment described above can be variously modified based on the technical idea of the present invention.

  As described above, the reading device according to the present invention has effects such as being able to read the information on the object to be read, the presence / absence of presence and the outer shape position instantaneously accurately and efficiently, and as an image and character recognition device. Very useful.

1 is an external configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of an image reading apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment. It is a partial cross section figure when a to-be-read object is mounted. FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the upper surface of the image reading apparatus. 2 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing the inside of the front of the image reading apparatus. FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the inside of the right side surface of the image reading apparatus. It is a functional block diagram of the reading apparatus concerning this embodiment. It is a flowchart of a reader. It is a functional block diagram of position adjustment and angle of view adjustment of an imaging device.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Stand 2 Guiding guide 3 Reading surface 4 Glass receiving stand 5 Top surface 6 LED for detection
10 Image reader
12 Digital camera
15 Power indicator
16 Power switch
20 Object to be read
21 Read object insertion direction
22 windows
23 Taper
24 substrates
25 Manual switch
26 Error lamp
27 Reading lamp
28 fuse
29 Front panel
30 Interface controller
31 Water guide board
32 Lighting equipment
33 Mounting plate
34 First mirror
36 Second mirror
35 Bulkhead
37 Camera base
38 desks
39 Through hole
41 U-tube
42 Adjustment screw
50 Image data processor
51, 53 memory
52 Imaging control unit
54 Superimpose
56 Image output controller
58 Character reader
59 IF section
60 Image data processor
64 terminal equipment
66 Central processing unit

Claims (10)

An image reading device and an image data processing device that processes information read by the image reading device and controls the image reading device;
A mounting table on which the image reading device is placed on a mounting base for placing an object to be read; a guide disposed on the mounting table for guiding and positioning the object to be read; and a light emitting device provided in the guide And an illuminating device that irradiates the object to be read placed on the mounting table with a light beam, and an imaging device that reads information on the object to be read.
Based on the fixed position where the light beam emitted from the light emitting device illuminates the mounting table and the brightness of the image that the light beam has passed through the read object and has been read, the read object has been placed in the normal position. , And the image reading apparatus automatically starts reading using the detection as a trigger.   The guide is a substantially L-shaped guide, and is disposed on a side portion of each of two adjacent sides of the plurality of light emitting devices and the L shape that are disposed along a side portion of one side of the L shape. The reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least one of the light emitting devices.   The reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the guide is detachable from the mounting table and can be installed at each diagonal position of the mounting table.   The reading device according to claim 1, wherein a side portion of the guide on the mounting table side is tapered.   The reading device according to claim 1, wherein the illumination device automatically starts illumination with visible light or infrared light after the detection and before the reading is started.   The reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging device is any one of a digital camera, a line camera, an area camera, and a video camera.   The reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging device is attached to a mounting plate that adjusts either or both of angle adjustment and position adjustment.   The reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein irradiation light having optical information of the object to be read is condensed on the imaging apparatus by one of a mirror and a plurality of mirrors.   9. The reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the gantry has a concave portion, and a mirror for condensing the imaging device is provided by using an inclination of the concave portion.   The reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the object to be read is a passport.

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