JP2008102661A - Check reading device and its control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To sort checks after reading based on the result of reading magnetic ink characters and images even in a compact check reading device short in conveyance path. <P>SOLUTION: In the check reading device 1, a distance from a reading position 54A of a magnetic head 54 to a print position 56A of a printing mechanism 56 for endorsement is set to be almost the same as the length of a check 4, and after the top of the check 4 after reading is conveyed to the print position 56A at a constant speed, the conveyance of the check 4 is temporarily stopped, and after determining the reading quality, the conveyance is restarted, and endorsement is printed to the check having been normally read, and the check is distributed to a first check discharge part 7. Printing is not applied to a defective or illegible check, and a switching board 66 is switched, and the check is sorted to a second check discharge part 8. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a check reading apparatus used for reading magnetic ink characters and images from a recording medium such as a check or bill printed with magnetic ink characters and images. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for controlling a check reading apparatus that is effective for realizing a small check reading apparatus having a short conveyance path.

  In financial institutions such as banks, check items such as checks and bills that are brought in are placed on a check reader, the double-sided image and magnetic ink characters are read, and checks are sorted according to the read results. ing. In recent years, with the spread of electronic payments, read image data and magnetic ink characters are processed by a computer, and checks are managed by a computer.

Patent Document 1 discloses such a check reading device. In the check reading device disclosed herein, a paper transport path is switched by a flapper based on a magnetic ink character reading result, and the paper is selectively discharged to one of two discharge trays. Further, the check after the reading by the magnetic head for reading the magnetic ink characters is conveyed at different conveying speeds via the reading position by the image reading sensor to read the image.
JP 2004-206362 A

  Here, since a small check reading device used at a bank counter or the like has a limited installation area, it is often impossible to lengthen the conveyance path. In this case, the trailing edge of the check is read by a magnetic head. After passing through the position, the leading end reaches a position in the vicinity of the flapper for sorting into two paper discharge trays. In such a small check reading device, it is not possible to secure the time necessary for determining the reading result of the magnetic ink character by the magnetic head and switching the flapper based on the result. In other words, the check passes through the switching position by the flapper and is fed into one of the paper discharge trays before the reading result is determined or before the flapper is switched based on the determination result.

  For this reason, the conventional small check reading apparatus has a problem to be solved that the check cannot be sorted based on the reading result by the magnetic head and the image reading sensor. For this reason, there is no conventional small check reading apparatus provided with two paper discharge trays for sorting as disclosed in Patent Document 1, and is discharged to a single paper discharge tray. Yes. Therefore, it is necessary to manually sort the checks discharged to the paper discharge tray, and there is a problem to be solved that the efficiency of the check handling work is poor.

  In view of these points, the present invention is able to distribute a check after reading to a plurality of discharge units based on the result of reading magnetic ink characters and images even in a check reading device with a short conveyance path. It is to propose a control method for a check reading device.

In order to solve the above-described problem, a method for controlling a check reading apparatus according to the present invention includes:
A recording medium such as a check on which magnetic ink characters and images are printed is conveyed along a conveyance path in which magnetic ink character reading means and image reading means are arranged,
By these reading means, the magnetic ink characters and the image of the recording medium conveyed are read,
The processing content for the recording medium in the processing unit arranged in the part of the transport path downstream from these reading means is determined based on the reading result by these reading means,
Temporarily transporting the recording medium after passing the reading position by the reading means arranged on the downstream side so that the recording medium reaches the processing unit at the time after the processing content is determined. Or the conveyance speed of the recording medium is temporarily reduced.

  In the present invention, the time for determination based on the reading result is temporarily stopped by temporarily stopping the conveyance of the check after being read by the magnetic ink character or image reading means. Is secured. Therefore, even in a small check reading device with a very short conveyance path, the processing content of a check after reading can be changed or switched based on the reading result.

  Here, it is possible to make a determination based on the reading result based on an operator's judgment. In this case, after temporarily suspending the recording medium after passing through the reading position, priority is given to instruction input by manual operation for determination of the processing content, and resumption of conveyance of the recording medium is performed manually. This can be done by

  Further, when a printing mechanism that performs endorsement is arranged on the recording medium as the processing unit, the processing content can be switched as follows. That is, when the reading result of the magnetic ink character and the image by each reading unit is appropriate, the printing medium is endured on the recording medium, and the magnetic ink character or the image is read by each reading unit. When it is impossible or reading failure occurs, it is possible to prevent the printing mechanism from lining the recording medium.

  Further, when a recording paper discharge unit including a first discharge unit and a second discharge unit is disposed on the downstream side of the printing mechanism as the processing unit, the processing contents can be switched as follows. it can. That is, the recording medium on which the endorsement has been performed can be collected in the first discharge unit, and the recording medium on which the endorsement has not been performed can be collected on the second discharge unit.

  In the case where a recording paper discharge section having a first discharge section and a second discharge section is disposed as the processing section, the magnetic ink characters and the image are read properly by each reading means. In this case, the recording medium is collected in the first discharge unit, and when the magnetic ink characters or the image cannot be read or reading failure occurs by each reading unit, the recording medium is discharged to the second discharge unit. Can be recovered.

  In this case, in order to selectively distribute the recording medium to the first and second discharge units by moving the switching member, the recording medium is moved after the switching member is moved based on the determination of the processing content. Temporarily stops the conveyance of the recording medium after passing the reading position by the reading means arranged on the downstream side on the conveying path so that the recording medium reaches the switching position of the switching member, or the recording medium It is sufficient to temporarily reduce the conveyance speed.

  Next, a transport state of the recording medium transported along the transport path, for example, a double feed state is detected, the processing content in the processing unit is determined based on the detection result of the transport state, and the determination is performed for each reading unit. It is desirable to prioritize the determination based on the reading result by.

On the other hand, the check reading device of the present invention performs a check reading operation using the above control method,
A recording paper supply unit for supplying a recording medium to be read;
A recording paper discharge unit for sorting and collecting the read recording media;
A conveyance path for guiding the recording medium fed from the recording paper supply unit to the recording paper discharge unit;
A multi-feed detector, a scanner for image reading, a magnetic head for reading magnetic ink characters, and a printing mechanism for endorsing are arranged along the transport path in order from the upstream side in the transport direction. And
The recording paper discharge section includes a first discharge section, a second discharge section, and a switching member for distributing to which of the discharge sections the recording medium is collected,
The conveyance path is a conveyance path curved in a U shape as a whole, and the conveyance path length from the reading position by the magnetic head to the printing position by the printing mechanism in the conveyance path is the conveyance direction of the recording medium to be read. It is characterized by almost the same length.

  In the check reader control method of the present invention, in order to secure time for determining the processing contents based on the magnetic ink character of the check and the result of reading the image, the conveyance of the check after reading is temporarily stopped, or The transport speed is temporarily reduced. Therefore, by appropriately setting the pause time or transport speed, even for a small check reader that cannot secure a long transport path, the processing content is changed for the check after reading based on the read result. Or it can be switched. For example, a check that is conveyed in an upside down state or an upside down state and cannot be read or has failed to be read can be collected and distributed to a discharge unit that is different from a check that has been appropriately read.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to change or switch the processing content for a check after reading based on the reading result in a small check reading apparatus having a short conveyance path. This eliminates the need to manually sort the defective checks and place them again on the check reading device, thereby improving the efficiency of the handling of the checks.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a check reading apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a check reading apparatus according to the present embodiment. The check reading device 1 includes a main body case 2 and a lid case 3 placed on the upper side of the main body case 2, and each component is incorporated therein. The cover case 3 is formed with a conveyance path 5 of a check 4 composed of a narrow vertical groove having a U shape when viewed from above, and one end of the conveyance path 5 is composed of a wide vertical groove. The other end of the conveyance path 5 branches left and right and is connected to first and second check discharge sections 7 and 8 each having a wide vertical groove.

  The check 4 has a magnetic ink character 4c printed on the lower end portion of the surface 4a thereof. The front surface 4a has a predetermined pattern background with an amount, a payer, a number, and the like, and the back surface 4b has an endorsement column. The check 4 before reading stored in the check supply unit 6 in a vertically placed state is read along the conveyance path 5 while the magnetic ink characters 4c printed on the front surface 4a, the front image and the back image are read. It is done. Checks for which information has been normally read are printed on the first check after being printed on endorsement, and are then discharged to the first check discharge unit 7 for unreadable, abnormal reading, etc. The printing is distributed to the second check discharge unit 8 without being printed on the end printing.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the internal structure of the check reading device 1. The check supply unit 6 is provided with a check feeding mechanism 10 for sending the check 4 to the transport path 5 from here. The check feeding mechanism 10 includes a feeding roller 11, a feeding roller 12, a retard roller 13 pressed against the feeding roller 12, a feeding motor 14, and a check pressing hopper 15. When the feed motor 14 is driven, the check 4 placed in the check supply unit 6 is pressed against the feed roller 11 by the hopper 15, and in this state, the feed roller 11 and the feed roller 12 rotate synchronously. The check 4 is fed between the feed roller 12 and the retard roller 13 by the feed roller 11. The retard roller 13 is given a predetermined rotational load, and only one check 4 that is in direct contact with the feed roller 12 is separated from the other checks and sent to the transport path 5.

  The conveyance path 5 includes an upstream conveyance path portion 21 connected to the check supply unit 6, a downstream conveyance path portion 23 connected to the first and second check discharge units 7 and 8, and a curve connecting the two. It is a U-shaped passage provided with a conveyance path portion 23.

  The transport mechanism 30 that transports the check 4 sent from the check supply unit 6 to the transport path 5 along the transport path 5 is pressed by the first to sixth transport rollers 31 to 36, and is driven by them. The first to sixth pressing rollers 41 to 46 and the conveying motor 37 for rotationally driving the first to sixth conveying rollers 31 to 36 are provided. The 1st-6th conveyance rollers 31-36 rotate in synchronization. A stepping motor is used as the transport motor 37.

  The first to third transport rollers 31 to 33 are respectively disposed at the upstream end of the upstream transport path portion 21, the middle position thereof, and the boundary position with the curved transport path portion 22. The fourth transport roller 34 is disposed at a downstream position in the curved transport path portion 22. The fifth and sixth transport rollers 35 and 36 are disposed at the middle position and the downstream end of the downstream transport path portion 23, respectively.

  Between the first and second transport rollers 31 and 32 in the upstream transport path portion 21, from the upstream side, a magnet 51 for magnetizing magnetic ink characters, a front-side contact image scanner 52 as a surface image reading means, and a back surface A back side contact image scanner 53 as an image reading means is arranged. Further, a magnetic head 54 for reading magnetic ink characters is disposed between the second and third transport rollers 32 and 33, and a pressure roller 55 for pressing the check 4 against the head. Are confronting each other.

  A printing mechanism 56 for endurance printing is disposed between the fifth and sixth transport rollers 35 and 36 in the downstream transport path portion 23. The printing mechanism 56 can be moved between a printing position pressed by the check 4 and a standby position retracted from the printing position by a driving motor (not shown). The printing mechanism 56 may be a stamp mechanism that prints on the check 4 by being pushed by a plunger.

  Next, various sensors are arranged on the conveyance path 5 for check conveyance control. A paper length detector 61 for detecting the length of the check to be sent out is disposed at a position on the front side of the magnet 51. Between the back side contact image scanner 53 and the second conveyance roller 32, a double feed detector 62 for detecting that the check 4 is conveyed in an overlapped state is disposed. A jam detector 63 is disposed at a position on the front side of the fourth conveying roller 34. When the check 4 is continuously detected for a predetermined time or longer by the detector, the jam detector 63 is disposed on the conveying path 5. You can see that the check is jammed. A print detector 64 for detecting the presence or absence of a check endorsed by the printing mechanism 56 is disposed at the position on the labor side of the fifth transport roller 35. Further, at the downstream side of the sixth transport roller 36, that is, at the position of the branch path 9 that branches from the transport path 5 to the first and second check discharge sections 7, 8, the check discharged to these is placed. A discharge detector 65 for detection is arranged.

  A switching plate 66 that is switched by a drive motor (not shown) is disposed in the branch path 9. The switching plate 66 is for selectively switching the downstream end of the transport path 5 with respect to the first and second check discharge sections 7 and 8 and guiding the check 4 to the selected discharge section.

  Here, the length from the reading position 54 </ b> A by the magnetic head 54 to the printing position 56 </ b> A by the printing mechanism 56 in the conveyance path 5 of this example is substantially the same as the length in the long side direction (conveyance direction) of the check 4 to be read. is there. Therefore, when the leading end of the check 4 reaches the printing position 56A, the trailing end has just passed the reading position 54A of the magnetic head 54.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing a control system of the check reading apparatus 1. The control system of the check reading apparatus 1 includes a ROM and a RAM, and includes a control unit 71 configured mainly with a CPU. The control unit 71 is connected to a host computer system 73 via a communication cable 72. The computer system 73 includes input / output devices such as an operation unit 73b such as a display 73a, a keyboard, and a mouse. A check reading operation start command is input to the control unit 71 from the computer system 73 side.

  Upon receipt of the reading operation start command, the controller 71 drives the check delivery motor 14 and the conveyance motor 37 to send the check 4 one by one to the conveyance path 5, and the sent check 4 is transferred to the conveyance path 5. Transport along. The controller 71 receives the surface image information, the back surface image information, and the magnetic ink character information of the check 4 read by the front surface side contact image scanner 52, the back surface side contact image scanner 53, and the magnetic head 54. These pieces of information are supplied to the computer system 73, where image processing, character recognition processing, and the like are performed, whether or not reading has been performed normally is determined, and the determination result is supplied to the control unit 71. The control unit 71 controls driving of the printing mechanism 56 and the switching plate 66 based on the determination result.

  The conveyance control of the check 4 by the control unit 71 is based on detection signals from the paper length detector 61, the double feed detector 62, the jam detector 63, the print detector 64, and the discharge detector 65 arranged in the conveyance path 5. Based on. The control unit 71 is connected to an operation unit 75 including an operation switch such as a power switch formed on the main body case 2.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart showing the reading operation of the check reading device 1. The reading operation will be described according to this flowchart. First, when the operator inputs a reading start command from the operation unit 73b of the host computer system 73, the check delivery mechanism 10 and the check transport mechanism 30 are started to be driven, and the check 4 put into the check supply unit 6 is one by one. It is sent out and transported along the transport path 5 (steps ST1, ST2, ST3). Here, the leading position of the check 4 to be transported is managed by the number of steps of the transport motor 37 from the time when the leading edge of the check 4 is detected by the paper length detector 61.

  The front and back images and magnetic ink characters of the check 4 being conveyed are read by the front-side contact image scanner 52, the back-side contact image scanner 53, and the magnetic head 54, respectively (step ST4).

  The read information is transmitted to the host computer system 73 via the communication cable 72 (step ST5). The front side image, the back side image, and the magnetic ink character information read on the computer system 73 side are processed to determine whether the reading has been performed normally. When the check 4 is conveyed upside down, the magnetic ink character cannot be recognized, and it is determined that the reading is defective. When the check 4 is conveyed in the reverse state, the magnetic ink character information cannot be obtained, so that it is determined that reading is impossible. Further, even when a part of the magnetic ink character cannot be read due to the check 4 being broken, torn, or skewed during conveyance, it is determined that the reading is defective. Furthermore, it is determined from the image information on the front and back sides that the check 4 is defective even when the check 4 is broken, torn, or skewed at the time of conveyance, or when predetermined information such as money amount information cannot be recognized.

  Here, at the check processing apparatus 1 side, when the leading end of the check 4 to be conveyed reaches the printing position 56A by the printing mechanism 56 for endorsement printing, the conveyance of the check 4 by the conveyance mechanism 30 is temporarily performed. Stop (step ST6). While the check 4 is stopped being transported, it waits to receive a determination result of the reading quality from the computer system 73 side (step ST7).

  After receiving the determination result, if it is determined that the reading is normal, the conveyance of the check 4 is resumed, and at the same time, the printing mechanism 56 is moved to the printing position (steps ST8 and ST9). The check 4 is conveyed while printing for endorsing is performed by the printing mechanism 56, and is discharged to the first check discharge unit 7 side by the switching plate 66 (step ST10). After the trailing edge of the check 4 is detected by the discharge detector 65, the driving of the transport mechanism 30 is stopped (steps ST11 and ST12). After that, the next check is sent out and conveyed.

  On the other hand, when a determination result such as reading failure or reading failure is obtained (step ST8), the conveyance of the check 4 is resumed (step ST13), and at the same time, the switching plate 66 is switched. The printing mechanism 56 is held at the standby position, and the check 4 is not endured. The check 4 is distributed to the second check discharge unit 8 by the switching plate 66 and discharged there (step ST14). After the trailing edge of the check 4 is detected by the discharge detector 65, the driving of the transport mechanism 30 is stopped (steps ST11 and ST12), and an operation for reading the next check is started.

  If a double feed state is detected by the double feed detector 62, an interrupt process is performed, the conveyance is immediately stopped, and an abnormality is detected via a warning lamp or the like disposed in the operation unit 75, for example. A warning is given to the effect that conveyance has occurred, and it is awaited that the check is removed from the conveyance path 5 and returned to its initial state. Similarly, similar interrupt processing occurs when the jam detector 63 detects that the check is jammed in the transport path 5.

  As described above, in the check reading apparatus 1 of the present example, when the head of the check 4 reaches the printing position 56A of the printing mechanism 56, that is, the magnetic head 54 of the reading means whose rear end is located on the downstream side. At the time when the reading position 54A has been passed, the conveyance of the check 4 is temporarily stopped, and it is waited for whether the reading state is good or bad.

  By temporarily stopping the check 4 and appropriately setting the stop time, even if the conveyance path 5 is short, based on the determination result, the check 4 is removed from the first and second check discharge units 7, 8 can be assigned. That is, the printing mechanism 56 can be moved to the printing position before the endorsement printing area of the check 4 reaches the printing position 56 </ b> A, and the top of the check 4 reaches the switching position of the switching plate 66. The switching plate 66 can be moved to a position corresponding to the determination result before.

(Other embodiments)
In the above example, the conveyance of the check 4 is temporarily stopped, and the determination time of the reading result and the moving time of the printing mechanism 56 and the switching plate 66 are secured. Instead of temporarily stopping the conveyance, it is also possible to secure such time by reducing the conveyance speed of the check. For example, the conveyance path length from the reading position 54A to the printing position 56A is set to be longer than the check length, and the time after the trailing end of the check passes the reading position 54A of the magnetic head 54 is Until the leading edge of the check reaches the printing position 56A of the printing mechanism 56, the check is conveyed at an extremely low speed, and the conveyance time between the times is determined as the determination time of the reading result, the movement time of the printing mechanism 56 and the switching plate 66. It can also be used as

  In addition, the operator may resume the conveyance of the check 4 that has stopped conveyance at the printing position 56A by a manual operation. The computer system 73 can receive the front and back images of the check 4 and the magnetic ink characters from the check processing device 1 and display the information on the screen. That is, the operator confirms the read front image, back image, magnetic ink characters, etc. on the screen of the computer system 73, determines whether or not the reading is normal, and sends the result from the operation unit 73b. input. The input judgment result is supplied to the control unit 71 of the check reading device 1, and based on this, the transport of the check 4 is resumed, and the check 4 is distributed to one of the first and second check discharge units 7 and 8. Will be.

  Further, the determination of pass / fail reading may be performed by the control unit 71 of the check processing device 1. In this case, it is not necessary to wait for the reading quality determination result to be received from the computer system 73 side (step ST7 in FIG. 4), and quick processing is possible.

1 is an external perspective view of a check reading apparatus to which the present invention is applied. It is explanatory drawing of the internal structure of the check reading apparatus of FIG. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the control system of the check reading apparatus of FIG. It is a schematic flowchart which shows operation | movement of the check reading apparatus of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Check reading device, 2 Main body case, 3 Cover case, 4 Check, 4a Front surface, 4b Back surface, 4c Magnetic ink character, 5 Transport path, 6 Check supply part, 7 1st check discharge part, 8 2nd check discharge part, 9 branch path, 10 check delivery mechanism, 11 delivery roller, 12 delivery roller, 13 retard roller, 14 delivery motor, 15 hopper, 21 upstream conveyance path part, 22 curved conveyance path part, 23 downstream conveyance path part, 30 Conveyance mechanism, 31 to 36, first to sixth conveyance rollers, 37 conveyance motor, 41 to 46, first to sixth pressing rollers, 51 magnet, 52 front surface side contact image scanner, 53 back surface side contact image scanner, 54 magnetic head , 54A reading position, 55 pressure roller, 56 printing mechanism, 56A printing position, 61 paper Detector, 62 Double feed detector, 63 Jam detector, 64 Print detector, 65 Discharge detector, 66 Switching plate, 71 Control unit, 72 Communication cable, 73 Computer system, 73a Display, 73b Operation unit, 75 operation Part

Claims (8)

A recording medium such as a check on which magnetic ink characters and images are printed is conveyed along a conveyance path in which magnetic ink character reading means and image reading means are arranged,
By these reading means, the magnetic ink characters and the image of the recording medium conveyed are read,
The processing content for the recording medium in the processing unit arranged in the part of the transport path downstream from these reading means is determined based on the reading result by these reading means,
Temporarily transporting the recording medium after passing the reading position by the reading means arranged on the downstream side so that the recording medium reaches the processing unit at the time after the processing content is determined. Or a method of controlling the check reading apparatus, characterized by temporarily reducing the conveyance speed of the recording medium. In claim 1,
Temporarily stopping the recording medium after passing the reading position;
Prioritizing the instruction input by manual operation for the determination of the processing content,
A method for controlling a check reading apparatus, wherein the conveyance of the recording medium is resumed by a manual operation. In claim 1 or 2,
As the processing unit, a printing mechanism for lining up the recording medium is arranged,
When the reading result of the magnetic ink characters and the image by each reading means is appropriate, the printing mechanism is used to endorse the recording medium,
Control of a check reading device, wherein the printing mechanism does not endorse the recording medium when the magnetic ink characters or the image cannot be read by each reading means, or when reading failure occurs. Method. In claim 3,
As the processing unit, a recording paper discharge unit including a first discharge unit and a second discharge unit is disposed downstream of the printing mechanism,
The recording medium on which the endorsement has been performed is collected in the first discharge unit,
A method for controlling a check reading apparatus, wherein the recording medium on which the endorsement has not been performed is collected in the second discharge unit. In claim 1 or 2,
As the processing unit, a recording paper discharge unit including a first discharge unit and a second discharge unit is disposed,
When the magnetic ink characters and the image are properly read by each reading unit, the recording medium is collected in the first discharge unit,
A method for controlling a check reading apparatus, wherein when the magnetic ink characters or the image cannot be read or reading failure occurs by each reading means, the recording medium is collected in the second discharge unit. In claim 5,
By selectively moving the switching member, the recording medium is selectively distributed to the first and second discharge units,
After the switching member moves based on the determination of the processing content, the recording medium passes through the reading position by the reading means arranged on the downstream side on the transport path so that the recording medium reaches the switching position by the switching member. A control method for a check reading apparatus, wherein the conveyance of the recording medium after being stopped is temporarily stopped or the conveyance speed of the recording medium is temporarily reduced. In any one of claims 1 to 6,
Detecting a conveyance state of a recording medium conveyed along the conveyance path;
Determine the processing content in the processing unit based on the detection result of the conveyance state,
A control method for a check reading apparatus, wherein the determination is prioritized over a determination based on a reading result by each reading means. A check reading apparatus using the control method according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
A recording paper supply unit for supplying a recording medium to be read;
A recording paper discharge unit for sorting and collecting the read recording media;
A conveyance path for guiding the recording medium fed from the recording paper supply unit to the recording paper discharge unit;
A multi-feed detector, a scanner for image reading, a magnetic head for reading magnetic ink characters, and a printing mechanism for endorsing are arranged along the transport path in order from the upstream side in the transport direction. And
The recording paper discharge section includes a first discharge section, a second discharge section, and a switching member for distributing to which of the discharge sections the recording medium is collected,
The conveyance path is a conveyance path curved in a U shape as a whole, and the conveyance path length from the reading position by the magnetic head to the printing position by the printing mechanism in the conveyance path is the conveyance direction of the recording medium to be read. A check reading device characterized by being substantially the same in length.

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