JP2010116256A - Image reader - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image reader executing the pre-processing of simply dividing a plurality of documents such as checks into documents having an MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition) character string to satisfy specified conditions and documents having no MICR character string. <P>SOLUTION: The image reader conveys documents such as checks simply by the image reader without any connection of a host computer such as a PC, has a mode of reading an MICR character string, and sorts the documents such as checks based on the reading result of the MICR character string. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus that conveys a document such as a check having a MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition) character string such as E-13B or CMC7, and performs image reading of the conveyed document.

  FIG. 7 shows a schematic configuration diagram of an image reading apparatus such as a check scanner that conveys a document such as a conventional check and reads an image of the conveyed document. Reference numeral 100 in FIG. 7 denotes a document such as a check, and reference numeral 104 denotes a separation feeding unit for feeding a plurality of documents 100 such as a check one by one. Reference numeral 105 in FIG. 7 denotes a magnetic head for reading the MICR character string printed on the original 100 such as a check, and reference numeral 106 denotes an image sensor for reading an image of the original 100 such as a check.

Reference numeral 107 in FIG. 7 denotes a flapper that switches a paper discharge pocket to perform sorting when the original 100 such as a check is discharged. Reference numeral 102 denotes a paper that is subjected to processing such as MICR reading or image reading. This is a first paper discharge pocket for stacking a plurality of originals such as checks. Reference numeral 103 in FIG. 7 denotes a second paper discharge pocket for stacking a plurality of documents such as checks to be discharged after processing such as MICR reading and image reading is performed in the same manner as the first paper discharge pocket 102. . FIG. 8 shows an original 100 such as a check. 90 in FIG. 8 is a MICR character string printed on a document such as a check.

An image reading apparatus such as a check scanner is used connected to a host computer such as a personal computer. When an execution start command is input from a host computer connected to the image reading apparatus via a USB or LAN cable, the motor of the image reading apparatus (not shown) is driven and loaded in the paper feed pocket. A plurality of documents 100 such as checks are separated and conveyed one by one by a separation feeding unit 104. The MICR character string 90 printed on the document 100 such as a check is read by the magnetic head 105 provided in the conveyance path. The information of the MICR character read signal is transmitted to the connected host computer via a USB or LAN cable. The host computer receives and analyzes the information of the MICR read signal, and transmits a paper discharge sorting instruction to the image reading apparatus. In the image reading apparatus, the image sensor 106 reads an image of the document 100 such as a check. After that, by switching the flapper 107 in accordance with the paper discharge distribution instruction transmitted from the connected host computer, the original 100 such as a check is distributed to the first paper discharge pocket 102 or the second paper discharge pocket 103 and discharged. Paper. Such an image reading apparatus is disclosed in Patent Document 1.
JP 2005-035698 A

As shown in FIG. 8, in order to read the MICR character string 90 printed on the lower part of the document 100 such as a check, the magnetic head 105 prints on the document 100 such as a check as shown in FIG. The MICR character string 90 is arranged in the conveyance path so as to coincide with the height. Therefore, when the original document 100 such as a check placed so that the MICR character string 90 printed on the original document such as a check passes a position different from the position of the magnetic head 107 is read, the MICR character string 90 is read. Cannot be performed, and a read error of the MICR character string 90 occurs. Similarly, even when the original 100 such as a check is transported upside down, a normal MICR reading signal cannot be obtained, so that the MICR character string 90 fails to be identified and a MICR character string 90 reading error occurs. Therefore, when reading a MICR character string and reading an image by transporting a plurality of checks and the like, it is necessary to visually align the direction of the document such as the check beforehand so that no MICR character string reading error occurs. was there.

Even when a document such as a check is normally conveyed so that the MICR character string 90 is in contact with the magnetic head 105, the MICR character string 90 is not printed due to blurring or dispersion of magnetic ink in the printed MICR character string 90. If the identification fails, a read error of the MICR character string 90 occurs. There is a case in which an original having an MICR character string reading error is sorted at the time of image reading, and after the image reading is finished, the image of the original that has been classified as an error is read again. However, rereading is troublesome. It was.

An object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the above-mentioned problems and other problems. For example, a reading error of a MICR character string occurs due to the reason that the direction of the document is upside down. An image that can be prepared simply by using the MICR character string reading function before the start of the main read-out operation for sorting and distinguishing between the original to be read and the original from which the MICR character string can be read normally. To provide a reader.

In order to achieve the above object, an image reading apparatus of the present invention includes a conveying unit that separates and conveys originals one by one, an MICR reading unit that reads an MICR character string printed on the conveyed original, and the MICR A MICR character string reading signal analyzing means output by the reading means, an image reading means for reading the image of the conveyed document, a plurality of paper discharge pockets for discharging the conveyed document, and a MICR by the analyzing means Judgment means for judging to which paper discharge pocket a document transported based on a character string reading result is discharged, transports the document without being controlled by an external control device, and performs MICR reading. Based on the read result of the MICR character string, a document sorting process such as a check is performed.

The image reading apparatus of the present invention reads an MICR character string of a document having an MICR character string such as a check alone without requiring control from a host computer, and outputs the MICR character string reading result. Based on this, it is possible to sort documents such as checks. For example, a check in which reading of a MICR character string causes an error from a bundle of originals such as an irregular check, such as a check with a MICR character string having a MICR character string mixed upside down, etc. Checks and the like that can normally read MICR character strings can be easily distributed. In another embodiment of the present invention, the document is sorted according to the printing contents such as the bank code included in the printed MICR character string before the start of reading without requiring control from the host computer. be able to. As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to improve the operator's image reading work efficiency.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration diagram of an image reading apparatus according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, 100 is a document such as a check, 101 is a paper feed pocket for placing a bundle of documents composed of a plurality of documents, and 104 is for conveying the documents one by one from the placed document bundle. , A separation / feed unit 105, a magnetic head for reading a MICR character string printed on a document, and an image sensor 106 for reading an image of the document. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 102 denotes a first paper discharge pocket for storing a plurality of documents subjected to processing such as MICR character string reading and image reading, and 103 denotes a MICR character string as in the first paper discharge pocket 102. A second paper discharge pocket 107 for storing a plurality of originals subjected to processing such as reading and image reading, 107 is a paper discharge pocket for sorting when the original 100 such as a check is discharged. A flapper for switching.

Here, when the original on which processing such as MICR character string reading and image reading has been performed is discharged, the flapper 107 is switched based on the reading result of the MICR character string read by the magnetic head 105. The document 100 such as a check is distributed to the first discharge pocket 102 and the second discharge pocket 103. FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of the internal configuration of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention. In FIG. 2, the image reading apparatus includes a CPU 201 that performs overall processing, a MICR reading unit 105, an image sensor 106, an EEPROM 202 that stores various settings, and a RAM 203 that stores image data and MICR data. Are connected to each other.

FIG. 3A illustrates a processing flowchart on the host computer side showing an operation in the case where only the paper discharge distribution setting is performed using a host computer (external control device) such as a PC. Further, FIG. 3B illustrates a processing flowchart on the image reading apparatus side showing a series of operations at this time. First, an operation for setting a paper discharge distribution of a check or the like is performed on a host computer connected to the image reading apparatus via a USB or LAN cable (step S101). Note that the operator operation for setting the paper discharge distribution is not necessary when the setting information stored in the image reading apparatus in advance or the previous setting is used as it is.

FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 show an example of a paper discharge sorting setting screen displayed on a display unit of a host computer such as a PC. Here, a case will be described in which the paper discharge sorting setting is performed using the bank code printed in the MICR character string. When execution of the paper discharge distribution setting is selected from the menu of the scanner application of the host computer or the like, the paper discharge distribution setting screen of FIG. 4 is displayed. In the screen shown in FIG. 4, the operator designates a paper discharge pocket for setting paper discharge conditions with a mouse, a keyboard, or the like. When the OK button 60 is selected with a mouse, a keyboard, or the like, the screen shown in FIG. 5 for inputting the designated paper discharge sorting setting for the first paper discharge pocket is displayed. When the screen of FIG. 4 is displayed and the sorting and discharge setting has already been performed for the discharge pocket, the set discharge sheet is displayed on the display unit 61 on the right side of the set discharge pocket. The distribution settings are displayed.

The screen in FIG. 5 is an example of a screen for inputting and correcting the paper discharge sorting setting of the first paper discharge pocket. In this screen, for example, the operator sets the document in which the MICR character string is normally read to be stored in the first paper discharge pocket, or stores the document on which the designated bank code is printed in the first paper discharge pocket. Such a setting is used to set what kind of MICR character string is to be sorted in the first paper discharge pocket. In order to sort out a document such as a check by the bank code printed in the MICR character string, the bank code button 72 is selected, and the designated bank code is input from a keyboard or the like. Input character string information such as a bank code is stored in the EEPROM 202 or the like which is an internal memory.

When this setting is made, if it is determined that the bank code printed on the document such as a check is equal to the entered bank code at the time of reading, the bank code is sorted and discharged to the first paper discharge pocket and printed on the document such as a check. If the entered bank code does not match the entered bank code, the paper is sorted and discharged to the second paper discharge pocket. After the input of the paper discharge distribution setting is completed, by selecting the setting button 70 with a mouse or a keyboard, the paper discharge distribution setting information input on the setting screen of FIG. 5 is stored and transmitted to the image reading apparatus. The If the cancel button 71 is selected here, the paper discharge sorting setting information input on the setting screen of FIG. 5 is not transmitted to the image reading apparatus, and the screen shown in FIG. 4 is displayed.

When the image reading apparatus receives the paper discharge distribution setting information set on the setting screen of FIG. 5 by the host computer, the image reading apparatus stores the paper discharge distribution setting information in the EEPROM 202 which is a nonvolatile memory inside the image reading apparatus. And After executing the above-described paper discharge distribution setting (step S101), when executing the distribution process of the present invention, it is not necessary to connect to a host computer such as a PC, but it may be left connected. This is because the distribution processing of the present invention does not require control from the host computer and can be executed by the image reading apparatus alone.

FIG. 3B is a flowchart when the CPU 201 of the image reading apparatus controls and executes the sorting process in the image reading apparatus of the present invention. When a mode for executing sorting of documents such as checks is selected from the operation panel or the like of the image reading apparatus (step S202), and it is recognized that a start command for starting processing is input from the operation panel or the like (step S203), the image is displayed. A motor (not shown) of the reading device is driven, and conveyance of the originals 100 separated by the separation / feed unit 104 from a plurality of originals such as a check placed in the paper feed pocket 101 is started. (Step S204).

The MICR character string 90 printed on the original 100 such as a check moves at a constant speed while contacting the magnetic head 105 installed in the conveyance path, so that the MICR character string read signal output from the magnetic head 105 is read. Are converted into digital signals by an AD converter (not shown) and stored in the RAM 203 inside the image reading apparatus (step S205). The CPU 201 of the image reading apparatus analyzes whether or not the MICR character read signal converted into the digital signal matches the dictionary data of each MICR character registered in advance in order to identify the MICR character being printed. (Step S206).

Thereafter, a document such as a check passes through the image sensor 106 installed in the conveyance path, but the image sensor 106 does not read an image of the document in the processing in the mode for executing document distribution in the flowchart. . When the document 100 such as a check is discharged, it is discharged into the first discharge pocket and the second discharge pocket according to the discharge distribution setting stored in the EEPROM 202 which is a nonvolatile memory inside the image reading apparatus. Paper. In the MICR read signal analysis in step S206, it is determined that the MICR character string is normally read (YES in step S207), and it is determined that the bank code is present in the read MICR character string (YES in step S208). ) When it is determined that the bank code printed on the document such as a check matches the bank code (specific character string) transmitted from the host computer and received by the image reading device in step S101 (YES in step S209). Then, the flapper 107 is switched to the first paper discharge pocket side, and a document such as a check is discharged to the first paper discharge pocket 102 (step S210). The received bank code (specific character string) information may be text data or signal waveform data.

Further, when a MICR character string reading error occurs in the MICR reading signal analysis (step S206) (NO in step S207), or when the bank code does not exist in the read MICR character string (NO in step S208). If the bank code printed on the original such as a check does not match the bank code transmitted from the host computer in step S101 (NO in step S209), the flapper 107 is switched to the second paper discharge pocket side. A document such as a check is discharged to the second discharge pocket 103 (step S211).

The image reading apparatus is loaded in the paper feed pocket 101 from the above-described conveyance process (step S204) to the paper discharge process (steps S210 and S211) to the first paper discharge pocket 102 and the second paper discharge pocket 103. The process is repeated until it is determined that there are no more documents 100 such as a plurality of checks (YES in step S212).

Note that when paper discharge is performed with the same setting as the paper discharge distribution setting that has already been set, an operator operation (step S101) of paper discharge distribution setting performed from the host computer connected to a host computer such as a PC is performed again. There is no need to perform this operation. A plurality of originals to be subjected to paper output sorting are stacked in the paper feed pocket, and if necessary, a paper sorting mode such as a check is selected from the operation panel of the image reading apparatus (step S202). This process is executed by inputting a start execution command such as pressing a button (step S203).

As described above, the image reading apparatus according to the present invention does not require control from the host computer, conveys a document such as a check, and reads a check or the like based on the reading result of the MICR character string printed on the document such as the check. Documents can be sorted and documents such as checks can be easily distinguished.

In the above embodiment, when a new setting or change of the paper discharge distribution setting information is performed, it is connected to a host computer such as a PC. However, if the image reading apparatus has an operation panel as shown in FIG. New setting and changing of the paper distribution setting information can be performed on the image reading apparatus side without being connected to the host computer. FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic configuration diagram of an operation panel of the image reading apparatus. The operation panel includes a display unit 80 and a button operation unit 81. The button operation unit 81 includes a start button 82, a numeric keypad 83, a stop button 84, and a distribution mode button 85. When the paper discharge distribution setting is selected from the menu, a screen similar to the screen shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the display unit 80 on the operation panel, and the paper output distribution setting can be performed by the image reading apparatus. .

  Further, in the above embodiment, the paper discharge sorting of the document 100 such as a check is performed by the two paper discharge pockets (the first paper discharge pocket 102 and the second paper discharge pocket 103). It is also possible to sort out documents such as checks by using three or more paper discharge pockets.

Further, in the above embodiment, as the paper output sorting setting for a document such as a check, the paper delivery sorting setting based on whether or not the MICR character string printed on the document such as the check is normal, and the bank code are designated. However, this is not a limitation, and it is possible to set the paper discharge distribution setting based on the print contents of the MICR character string other than the bank code printed on the document such as a check. Is also possible.

In the above-described embodiment, one discharge distribution setting information is stored in the EEPROM which is a non-volatile memory inside the image reading apparatus. However, a plurality of discharge sheet distribution setting information is stored in the EEPROM which is a non-volatile memory inside the image reading apparatus. May be selected from a plurality of stored paper discharge distribution setting information before executing the document distribution process. Instead of analyzing the MICR read signal, the image read by the image sensor is analyzed inside the image reading apparatus to determine the orientation and size of the document, and the distribution process is performed without being controlled by the host computer. Also good.

Top view showing schematic configuration of image reading apparatus The figure which shows schematic structure of the control system of an image reading apparatus The flowchart explaining a series of operations in the embodiment of the present invention. Diagram showing the paper output sorting setting screen on the host computer Diagram showing the paper output sorting setting screen on the host computer The figure which shows the operation panel of an image reading apparatus A perspective view showing a schematic configuration of an image reading apparatus Figure illustrating a manuscript

Explanation of symbols

90 MICR character string 100 Document 101 Paper feed pocket 102 First paper discharge pocket 103 Second paper discharge pocket 104 Separating and feeding unit 105 Magnetic head 106 Image sensor 107 Flapper

Claims (5)

Conveying means for separating and conveying originals one by one;
MICR reading means for reading a MICR character string printed on the conveyed document;
Means for analyzing the read signal of the MICR character string output by the MICR reading means;
Image reading means for reading an image of the conveyed document;
A plurality of paper discharge pockets for discharging the conveyed document;
A determination unit for determining which discharge pocket the discharged document is to be discharged based on the result of reading the MICR character string by the analysis unit;
An image reading apparatus that conveys the original without being controlled by an external control device, executes MICR reading, and performs processing for sorting originals such as checks based on the reading result of the MICR character string. 2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a sorting process is performed on a document in which reading of the MICR character string is normally performed and a document in which reading of the MICR character string is in error. 2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a sorting process is performed between a document on which a specific MICR character string is printed and a document on which a specific MICR character string is not printed. The image reading apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the specific character string transmitted from the external control apparatus is received. 4. The image reading apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the specific character string is stored in an internal memory of the image reading apparatus.

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