JP2011166474A - Image reading method and image reading device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image reading device which efficiently transports a medium and reads an image regardless of the position on a medium transport path of the medium when an image reading processing is started. <P>SOLUTION: The image reading device 9, when receiving a scan command (step ST3), acquires positions on the medium transport path 6 of an end 2h on the back of the device and an end 2i in the front of the device of a scan region 2g specified by the scan command, based on a position on the medium transport path 6 of an end edge 2e on the back of the device of an acquired check 2 (step ST6), determines which end is a read start end closer to an image read position C (step ST7), and positions the read start end in the image read position C (step ST8, step ST10). Then, the check 2 is transported so that the scan region 2g passes through the image read position C, and an image in the scan region 2g is read (step ST9, step ST11). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus that conveys a medium along a medium conveyance path extending via an image reading position by an image sensor and reads an image on the surface of the medium. More specifically, the present invention relates to an image reading method and an image reading apparatus that can efficiently convey a medium and read an image regardless of the position of the medium on the medium conveyance path when the image reading process is started. .

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a medium processing apparatus that performs an image reading process for reading an image on the surface of a medium by carrying a sheet-like medium along a medium conveyance path and performing printing. In the medium processing apparatus disclosed in this document, the medium conveyance path extends in the front-rear direction of the apparatus, and the medium conveyance path includes a medium insertion port for inserting a medium into the medium conveyance path, an image reading position by the image reading apparatus, and a printing apparatus. Are provided in this order from the front side of the apparatus. The medium inserted from the medium insertion port is conveyed toward the rear side of the apparatus along the medium conveyance path, and the image reading process is performed at the image reading position, and the printing process is performed at the printing position.

JP 2008-102661 A

  In the above medium processing apparatus, when the image reading process is performed using an image sensor, if the processing order of the image reading process and the printing process is changed, the conveyance distance of the medium in the image reading process is increased. There arises a problem that throughput decreases.

  Specifically, if the printing process is performed prior to the image reading process, the medium has reached the printing position on the rear side of the apparatus from the image reading position at the start of the image reading process. First, the medium must be pulled back so as to pass the image reading position toward the front of the apparatus and set at the image reading position. Next, the medium must be transported toward the rear side of the apparatus so as to pass through the medium image reading position to read the image on the medium surface. That is, during the image reading process, the entire scan area of the medium must be transported so as to pass twice in different directions on the image reading position, so that the transport distance of the medium is extended and throughput is reduced. .

  In view of these points, an object of the present invention is to efficiently convey a medium and read an image regardless of the position of the medium on the medium conveyance path at the time of starting the image reading process. Another object is to propose an image reading method and an image reading apparatus.

In order to solve the above problems, an image reading method of the present invention includes:
When a scan command for the medium sent to the medium transport path extending through the image reading position by the image sensor is received, any of the front end and the rear end in the medium transport direction in the medium scan area is at the image reading position. A reading start end determination step for determining whether the reading start end is on the near side;
A positioning step of conveying the medium in a direction in which the reading start end approaches the image reading position and positioning the reading start end at the image reading position;
A reading step of reading an image by the image sensor while conveying the medium in a direction in which the scan region passes the image reading position from the side of the reading start end;
It is characterized by including.

  According to the present invention, when the scan command is received, the end closer to the image reading position of the front end and the rear end of the scan area of the medium is set as the reading start end, and the reading start end is positioned at the image reading position. Therefore, when the medium is set at the image reading position, the conveyance distance of the medium can be shortened. In addition, since the image sensor can read the image on the surface of the medium regardless of the moving direction of the medium passing the image reading position, after the reading start end is positioned at the image reading position, the reading start end is the front end of the scan area. Regardless of whether it is the rear end or the rear end, the image is read while conveying the medium in the direction in which the scan area passes the image reading position from the reading start end side. Accordingly, it is possible to avoid conveying the entire scan area of the medium so as to pass twice in different directions on the image reading position during the image reading process. As a result, since the conveyance distance of the medium can be shortened regardless of the position of the medium on the medium conveyance path at the time of starting the image reading process, the medium can be efficiently conveyed, and the throughput of the image reading process is increased. Will improve.

  In the present invention, in order to determine which of the front end and the rear end of the scan area of the medium is the reading start end, each time the medium is transported along the medium transport path, A medium position acquisition step of acquiring the position of the front edge of the medium in the medium conveyance direction on the medium conveyance path as the medium front edge position, and the reading start edge determination step includes the medium front edge position and the scan Based on the command, a scan area position acquisition step of acquiring the positions of the front end and the rear end of the scan area on the medium conveyance path as a scan area front end position and a scan area rear end position; and the scan area front end position and the scan area Based on the rear end position of the scan area, either the front end or the rear end of the scan area is at the image reading position. It is desirable to include a determination step of determining that whether a read start end of the stomach side.

  In the present invention, in order to determine which of the front end and the rear end of the scan area of the medium is the reading start end, every time the medium is transported along the medium transport path The position of the front edge of the medium in the medium conveyance direction on the medium conveyance path is acquired as the medium front edge position, and the position of the rear edge of the medium in the medium conveyance direction on the medium conveyance path is determined as the medium rear edge position. In the reading start end determining step, the position of the front end of the scan area on the medium transport path is acquired as the scan area front end position based on the medium front end edge position. Scan that acquires the position of the rear end of the scan area on the medium transport path as the rear end position of the scan area based on the position of the rear edge of the medium Based on the area position acquisition step and the scan area front end position and the scan area rear end position, any one of the front end and the rear end of the scan area is a reading start end closer to the image reading position. And a determination step for determining whether or not.

  In the present invention, in order to reliably set the medium at the image reading position, when the reading start end cannot be determined in the reading start end determining step, the front end of the scan area is set before the positioning step. It is desirable to include a reading start end setting step for setting as the reading start end. Here, the case where the reading start end cannot be determined in the reading start end determining step includes, for example, the case where the front end and the rear end of the scan area of the medium are at an equal distance from the image reading position. In addition, a case where the reading start end cannot be determined because the rear end position of the scan area cannot be acquired is included.

Next, the image reading apparatus according to the present invention includes:
An image sensor,
A medium conveyance path extending via an image reading position by the image sensor;
A medium transport mechanism for transporting a medium along the medium transport path;
When the scan command is received, it is determined which of the front end and the rear end in the medium transport direction in the scan area of the medium sent to the medium transport path is the reading start end closer to the image reading position. Reading start end judging means;
When the reading start end is determined, positioning means for conveying the medium in a direction in which the reading start end approaches the image reading position and positioning the reading start end at the image reading position;
When the reading start end is positioned, reading means for reading an image by the image sensor while transporting the medium from the side of the reading start end in a direction in which the scan region passes the image reading position;
It is characterized by having.

  According to the present invention, when the image reading process is started, the positioning means uses the end closer to the image reading position among the front end and the rear end of the scan area of the medium as a reading start end, and uses the reading start end as an image. Position at the reading position. Therefore, when the medium is set at the image reading position, the conveyance distance of the medium can be shortened. In addition, since the image sensor can read the image on the surface of the medium regardless of the moving direction of the medium passing through the image reading position, the reading unit has the reading start end positioned after the reading start end is positioned at the image reading position. Regardless of whether it is the front end or the rear end of the scan area, the image is read while conveying the medium from the reading start end side in the direction in which the scan area passes the image reading position. Accordingly, it is possible to avoid conveying the entire scan area of the medium so as to pass twice in different directions on the image reading position during the image reading process. As a result, since the conveyance distance of the medium can be shortened regardless of the position of the medium on the medium conveyance path at the time of starting the image reading process, the medium can be efficiently conveyed, and the throughput of the image reading process is increased. Will improve.

  In the present invention, in order to determine which of the front end and the rear end of the scan area of the medium is the reading start end, each time the medium is transported along the medium transport path, Medium position acquisition means for acquiring the position of the front edge of the medium in the medium conveyance direction on the medium conveyance path as the medium front edge position, and the reading start edge determination means includes the medium front edge position and the medium Based on a scan command, a scan area position acquisition unit that acquires positions of the front end and the rear end of the scan area on the medium transport path as a scan area front end position and a scan area rear end position; and the scan area front end position; Based on the rear end position of the scan area, either the front end or the rear end of the scan area is at the image reading position. It preferably includes a determining means for determining a is whether the read start end of the stomach side.

  In the present invention, in order to determine which of the front end and the rear end of the scan area of the medium is the reading start end, every time the medium is transported along the medium transport path The position of the front edge of the medium in the medium conveyance direction on the medium conveyance path is acquired as the medium front edge position, and the position of the rear edge of the medium in the medium conveyance direction on the medium conveyance path is determined as the medium rear edge position. And the reading start end determining means acquires the position of the front end of the scan area on the medium transport path as the scan area front end position based on the medium front end edge position. Scan that acquires the position of the rear end of the scan area on the medium transport path as the rear end position of the scan area based on the position of the rear edge of the medium Based on the area position acquisition means, the scan area front end position, and the scan area rear end position, any one of the front end and the rear end of the scan area is a reading start end closer to the image reading position. It is desirable to include determination means for determining whether or not.

  In the present invention, in order to reliably set the medium at the image reading position, when the reading start end determination unit cannot determine the reading start end, the front end of the scan area is set as the reading start end, It is desirable to have second positioning means for transporting the medium in a direction in which the reading start end approaches the image reading position and positioning the reading start end at the image reading position. Here, the case where the reading start end determination unit cannot determine the reading start end includes, for example, the case where the front end and the rear end of the scan area of the medium are at an equal distance from the image reading position. In addition, a case where the reading start end cannot be determined because the rear end position of the scan area cannot be acquired is included.

  According to the present invention, when the scan command is received, the end closer to the image reading position of the front end and the rear end of the scan area of the medium is set as the reading start end, and the reading start end is positioned at the image reading position. Therefore, when the medium is set at the image reading position, the conveyance distance of the medium can be shortened. In addition, since the image sensor can read the image on the surface of the medium regardless of the moving direction of the medium passing the image reading position, after the reading start end is positioned at the image reading position, the reading start end is the front end of the scan area. Regardless of whether it is the rear end or the rear end, the image is read while conveying the medium in the direction in which the scan area passes the image reading position from the reading start end side. Accordingly, it is possible to avoid conveying the entire scan area of the medium so as to pass twice in different directions on the image reading position during the image reading process. As a result, since the conveyance distance of the medium can be shortened regardless of the position of the medium on the medium conveyance path at the time of starting the image reading process, the medium can be efficiently conveyed, and the throughput of the image reading process is increased. Will improve.

1 is an external perspective view of a check processing device equipped with an image reading device. It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a check processing apparatus. It is a perspective view of the lower case of a check processing device. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the control system of a check processing apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows image reading operation | movement. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating an image reading process. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating an image reading process.

  Hereinafter, a check processing apparatus and an image reading method equipped with an image reading apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Check processing equipment)
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a check processing apparatus equipped with an image reading apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing the internal structure of the check processing apparatus. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a lower case of the check processing device. FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram showing a control system of the check processing apparatus. The check processing apparatus 1 of this example is installed at a counter of a financial institution such as a bank, and is used when the check 2 is settled. The check processing device 1 reads magnetic ink characters from magnetic ink characters 2b printed on a predetermined printing portion 2a of the check 2, and also prints endorsement on the check 2 and optically reads the front and back surfaces of the check 2. .

  As shown in FIG. 1, the check processing device 1 includes an upper case 3 having an operation panel 3 a provided on a front side portion, and a rectangular parallelepiped lower case 4 disposed below the upper case 3. The front end portion of the lower case 4 protrudes forward from the front surface of the upper case 3, and a check 2 is provided at the central portion in the apparatus width direction at a portion between the front end portion of the lower case 4 and the front surface of the upper case 3. A medium insertion slot 5 for insertion is opened with a predetermined width.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the check processing apparatus 1 is configured such that a medium transport path 6 for transporting the check 2 inserted from the medium insertion slot 5 extends linearly in the longitudinal direction of the apparatus. Has been. The medium conveyance path 6 extends with a constant width along the upper surface of the lower case 4, and the width dimension thereof is the same as the width of the medium insertion port 5. The medium transport path 6 is provided with a magnetic ink character reading position A, a printing position B, and an image reading position C in this order from the front side of the apparatus. A magnetic ink character reading device 7 is arranged at the magnetic ink character reading position A, a printing device 8 is arranged at the printing position B, and an image reading device 9 is arranged at the image reading position C.

  The magnetic ink character reading device 7 reciprocates the magnetic head 10 in the device width direction at the magnetic ink character reading position A, and the magnetic ink character 2b printed on the check 2 disposed on the medium conveyance path 6 in the forward path. The magnetizing process is performed, and the magnetic ink character 2b magnetized in the return path is read. The magnetic ink character reading device 7 maintains the contact state between the magnetic head 10, the magnetic head moving mechanism 12 for reciprocating the magnetic head 10 along the scanning path 11, and the moving magnetic head 10 and the check 2. A medium support mechanism 13 is provided. The scanning path 11 extends in the apparatus width direction (direction perpendicular to the medium conveyance direction) at the magnetic ink character reading position A. The magnetic head 10, the scanning path 11, and the magnetic head moving mechanism 12 are configured in the lower case 4, and the medium support mechanism 13 is mounted on the upper case 3.

  The printing apparatus 8 performs printing such as endorsement on the upper surface (back surface) of the check 2 conveyed along the medium conveyance path 6 at the printing position B. The printing apparatus 8 includes a print head 14, a platen 15 that defines a printing position B by the print head 14, and a print head transport mechanism 16 that reciprocates the print head 14 along the platen 15 in the apparatus width direction. I have. The print head 14 is a serial impact dot matrix (SIDM) print head that prints by applying a recording wire to the ink ribbon and causing the ink of the ink ribbon to adhere to the check 2. The print head 14 and the print head transport mechanism 16 are mounted on the upper case 3, and the platen 15 is mounted on the lower case 4. Here, the print head 14 reciprocates along the platen 15 while being mounted on a carriage 17 constituting the print head transport mechanism 16. The carriage 17 is equipped with a medium width direction position detector 18 for detecting the position of the check 2 conveyed in the medium conveyance path 6 in the apparatus width direction. The medium width direction position detector 18 is a reflection type photosensor, and when the carriage 17 reciprocates along the platen 15 so as to cross the medium conveyance path 6, the left and right edges of the check 2 in the apparatus width direction. The positions 2c and 2d (see FIG. 1) are detected.

  The image reading device 9 optically reads the upper surface (back surface) and the lower surface (front surface) of the check 2 conveyed along the medium conveyance path 6 at the image reading position C, and obtains image information on the front and back surfaces of the check 2. obtain. The image reading device 9 includes a first image sensor 19 mounted on the upper case 3 for reading the upper surface and a second image sensor 20 mounted on the lower case 4 for reading the lower surface. As shown in FIG. 3, the image sensor 20 is arranged so as to cross the medium conveyance path 6 in the apparatus width direction, and when the check 2 passes any position in the apparatus width direction when passing the image reading position C. However, it is possible to read the image on the lower surface. The first image sensor 19 faces the second image sensor 20 with the medium conveyance path 6 interposed therebetween, and is arranged so as to cross the medium conveyance path 6 in the apparatus width direction, similarly to the image sensor 20. Therefore, when the check 2 passes through any position in the apparatus width direction when passing the image reading position C, the first image sensor 19 can read the image on the upper surface.

  A check 2 is placed along the medium conveyance path 6 between the magnetic ink character reading position A and the printing position B, between the printing position B and the image reading position C, and behind the image reading position C in the medium conveyance path 6. First to third transport roller pairs 22, 23, and 24 of the medium transport mechanism 21 for transport are arranged. Each pair of transport rollers includes first to third upper rollers 22a, 23a, 24a mounted on the upper case 3, and first to third lower rollers 22b, 23b, 24b mounted on the lower case 4.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of medium insertions for detecting the insertion of the check 2 into the medium insertion slot 5 between the magnetic ink character reading position A and the first transport roller pair 22 located at the foremost position. A detector 25 is provided. The medium insertion detector 25 is a light transmission type photosensor having a light emitting part and a light receiving part that are opposed to each other with the medium conveyance path 6 interposed therebetween, and detects insertion of the check 2 by being shielded from light. Further, the medium insertion detector 25 includes an edge (front edge) 2e on the apparatus rear side and an edge (rear edge) 2f on the apparatus front side in the longitudinal direction of the apparatus of the check 2 inserted into the medium insertion port 5 (see FIG. 1), the position of the front edge 2f on the medium conveyance path 6 is detected. That is, when the edge 2f on the apparatus front side of the check 2 passes through the medium insertion detector 25, the light shielding is released. Thus, the position of the edge 2f on the apparatus front side of the check 2 on the medium conveyance path 6 is detected.

  Between the first conveyance roller pair 22 and the printing position B in the lower case 4, a plurality of alignment plates 26 are arranged in a straight line in the apparatus width direction. Each alignment plate 26 has a rectangular end surface orthogonal to the medium conveying direction. The rectangular end surface of each alignment plate 26 has advanced into the medium conveyance path 6 and the advance position shown in FIGS. The rectangular end face can move back and forth between the retracted position retracted from the medium conveyance path 6.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a pair of medium alignment detectors 27 are arranged on both sides of each alignment plate 26 in the apparatus width direction. The pair of medium alignment detectors 27 are light transmission type photosensors each including a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit that face each other with the medium conveyance path 6 interposed therebetween. As will be described later, the medium alignment detector 27 detects that the check 2 has been corrected to an appropriate posture by the alignment plate 26 by shielding the medium insertion detector 25 with the edge 2e on the rear side of the check 2 from the apparatus. To detect. Further, when the edge 2e on the rear side of the check 2 passes through the medium insertion detector 25, the position of the edge 2e on the rear side of the check 2 on the medium conveyance path 6 is detected.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the control system of the check processing device 1 is mainly configured by a main control unit 28 including a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. Signals from the medium width direction position detector 18, the medium insertion detector 25 and the medium alignment detector 27 are input to the main control unit 28. The main control unit 28 controls driving of the magnetic ink character reading device 7, the printing device 8, the image reading device 9, the medium transport mechanism 21 and the alignment plate 26 in cooperation with each other based on these signals. A storage unit 29 is connected to the main control unit 28, and the main control unit 28 stores the magnetic ink character information and image information read from the check 2 by the magnetic ink character reading device 7 and the image reading device 9. The information is stored in the unit 29. Further, the main control unit 28 transmits the magnetic ink character and image information read from the check 2 to a host computer (not shown) connected to the check processing device 1.

(Check processing operation)
Next, typical processing operations performed on the check 2 in the settlement process will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, in the settlement process, the check 2 is inserted into the medium insertion slot 5 with the surface on which the magnetic ink characters 2b are printed facing down. When the insertion of the check 2 is detected by the medium insertion detector 25, the alignment plate 26 is advanced from the retracted position to the advanced position. Further, the first transport roller pair 22 is driven, and the check 2 is transported in the medium transport direction along the medium transport path 6 toward the rear of the apparatus. Here, the edge 2e on the rear side of the check 2 conveyed toward the rear side of the apparatus comes into contact with the alignment plate 26, so that the inclination (skew) with respect to the medium conveyance direction is corrected to an appropriate state. When the check 2 is no longer tilted, the pair of medium alignment detectors 27 provided on both sides of the alignment plate 26 with which the check 2 abuts are shielded from light by the check 2, so that the check 2 is moved in the medium transport direction. On the other hand, it is detected that the posture is appropriate.

  When the check 2 is in an appropriate posture with respect to the medium conveyance direction, the alignment plate 26 is returned to the retracted position. Thereafter, the check 2 is conveyed to the magnetic ink character reading position A and stops. When the check 2 is set at the magnetic ink character reading position A, the printed portion 2 a of the magnetic ink character 2 b of the check 2 is in a state of being positioned on the scanning path 11.

  Next, the magnetic ink character reading device 7 performs a magnetizing process on the magnetic ink characters 2b printed on the check 2 arranged in the medium conveyance path 6 while moving the magnetic head 10 along the scanning path 11. Then, the magnetic ink character 2b magnetized is read while moving backward. Here, while the magnetic ink character 2b is magnetized and read, the medium support mechanism 13 maintains the contact state between the moving magnetic head 10 and the check 2.

  Thereafter, the check 2 is set at the image reading position C, and then conveyed so as to pass through the image reading position C. The image reading device 9 reads the front and back surfaces of the check 2 while passing the image reading position C to obtain image information. Here, the magnetic ink character information and the image information read from the check 2 are transmitted to a host computer connected to the check processing device 1. The host computer uses the magnetic ink characters and image information from the check processing device 1 to perform the check processing for the check 2.

  Thereafter, the check 2 is set at the printing position B and conveyed so as to pass the printing position B. During this time, the check 2 is printed on the endorsement by the printing device 8. When the endorsement printing is finished, the check 2 is conveyed and discharged from the back side of the check processing device 1 or from the medium insertion slot 5.

(Image reading device)
Next, the image reading device 9 will be described in detail. The image reading device 9 includes first and second image sensors 19 and 20, a medium conveyance path 6 for conveying the check 2, and a medium conveyance mechanism 21 for conveying the check 2 along the medium conveyance path 6. Yes. The medium conveyance path 6 and the medium conveyance mechanism 21 also serve as the medium conveyance path 6 and the medium conveyance mechanism 21 of the check processing device 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the control system of the image reading device 9 is configured around a control unit 30 including a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM.

  The control unit 30 receives a scan command from the main control unit 28 of the check processing device 1. The scan command includes a full scan command that commands reading of the entire front and back surfaces of the check 2 and a partial scan command that commands reading of a portion of the front and back surfaces of the check 2. In the partial scan command, the apparatus rear side end (front end) 2h and the apparatus front side end (rear end) 2i of the scan area 2g on the check 2 are based on the apparatus rear side edge (front end edge) 2e of the check 2. (Refer to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7). Further, signals from the medium width direction position detector 18, the medium insertion detector 25, and the medium alignment detector 27 are input to the control unit 30 via the main control unit 28. , Based on these signals, drives and controls the first and second image sensors 19 and 20 and the medium transport mechanism 21 to read images on the front and back surfaces of the check 2.

  The control unit 30 includes a medium position acquisition unit 31, a reading start end determination unit 32, a first positioning unit (positioning unit) 33, a second positioning unit (second positioning unit) 34, and a reading unit 35. ing.

  The medium position acquisition unit 31 acquires the position of the edge 2e on the apparatus rear side of the check 2 on the medium conveyance path 6 every time the check 2 is conveyed on the medium conveyance path 6. That is, the medium position acquisition unit 31 detects the medium alignment when it is detected that the edge 2e on the rear side of the check 2 is in contact with the alignment plate 26 and is in an appropriate posture with respect to the medium conveyance direction. The position of the edge 2e on the rear side of the check 2 on the medium conveyance path 6 is acquired by the device 27. Thereafter, each time the medium is transported by the medium transport mechanism 21, the position on the medium transport path 6 of the edge 2e on the apparatus rear side of the check 2 is calculated and acquired based on the transport amount.

  The medium position acquisition unit 31 acquires the position on the medium conveyance path 6 of the edge 2f on the front side of the apparatus of the check 2 in the medium conveyance direction every time the check 2 is conveyed on the medium conveyance path 6. That is, the medium position acquisition means 31 acquires the position of the front edge 2f of the check 2 on the medium conveyance path 6 when the front edge 2f of the check 2 is detected by the medium insertion detector 25. To do. Thereafter, every time the medium is transported by the medium transport mechanism 21, the position of the edge 2f on the front side of the check 2 on the medium transport path 6 is calculated and acquired based on the transport amount. In the state before the edge 2f on the apparatus front side of the check 2 passes through the medium insertion detector 25, the medium position acquisition means 31 cannot acquire the position of the edge 2f on the apparatus front side of the check 2.

  Upon receipt of the scan command, the reading start end determination unit 32 receives the scan area 2b of the check 2 sent to the medium conveyance path 6 and the end 2h on the rear side of the apparatus and the end 2i on the front side of the apparatus are in the image reading position C. It is determined whether the reading start end is closer to. The reading start end determination unit 32 includes a scan area position acquisition unit 36 and a determination unit 37.

  The scan area position acquisition unit 36 acquires the positions on the medium transport path 6 of the apparatus rear side end 2h and the apparatus front side end 2i of the scan area 2g as the scan area front end position and the scan area rear end position.

  More specifically, when the scan command is a partial scan command, the coordinates on the check 2 of the scan area 2g specified by the partial scan command and the device of the check 2 acquired by the medium position acquisition unit 31 From the position of the rear edge 2e on the medium conveyance path 6, the position of the scanning area 2g on the apparatus conveyance side 2h and the position of the apparatus front side edge 2i on the medium conveyance path 6 are calculated, and the respective scanning area front edge positions are calculated. And acquired as the rear end position of the scan area.

  If the scan command is a full scan command, the position of the edge 2e on the rear side of the check 2 acquired by the medium position acquisition unit 31 on the medium conveyance path 6 is acquired as the front end position of the scan area. At the same time, the position on the medium transport path 6 of the edge 2f on the apparatus front side of the check 2 acquired by the medium position acquisition unit 31 is acquired as the rear end position of the scan region. In the state before the edge 2f on the front side of the check 2 passes through the medium insertion detector 25, the medium position acquisition means 31 does not acquire the position of the edge 2f on the front side of the apparatus of the check 2. The area position acquisition unit 36 cannot acquire the rear end position of the scan area.

  When the scan area front end position and the scan area rear end position are acquired by the scan area position acquisition unit 36, the determination unit 37 determines which of the rear end 2 h and the front end 2 i of the apparatus is the image reading position C. It is determined whether it is the reading start end on the near side.

  More specifically, based on the scanning region front end position and the scanning region rear end position, a distance L (see FIGS. 6 and 7) from the image reading position C to the rear end 2h of the scanning region 2g, and A distance M (see FIGS. 6 and 7) from the image reading position C to the rear end 2h of the scanning region 2g is calculated, and the determination is performed by comparing these distances.

  When the reading start end is determined by the reading start end determination unit 32, the first positioning unit 33 determines whether the end 2h on the apparatus rear side or the end 2i on the apparatus front side of the scan area 2g determined as the reading start end is the image reading position. The check 2 is conveyed so as to approach C, and is positioned at the image reading position C.

  When the reading start end determination unit 32 cannot determine the reading start end, the second positioning unit 34 sets the rear end 2h of the scan region 2g as the reading start end, and also sets the scanning region 2g on the rear side of the device. The check 2 is conveyed so that the end 2h approaches the image reading position C and positioned at the image reading position C. Here, when the reading start end determination unit 32 cannot determine the reading start end, the rear end 2h and the front end 2i of the scanning region 2g may be equidistant from the image reading position C, respectively. included. Further, when the scan command is a scan command, and the control unit 30 receives the scan command, the edge 2f of the check 2 on the front side of the apparatus does not pass through the medium insertion detector 25, and the scan region rear end position The case where cannot be acquired is included.

  When the reading start end is positioned by the first and second positioning means 33 and 34, the reading unit 35 conveys the check 2 in the direction in which the scan region 2g passes the image reading position C from the reading start end side. The image reading is performed by the first and second image sensors 19 and 20.

(Image reading operation)
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the image reading operation. 6 and 7 are explanatory diagrams for explaining the reading process. In this example, an image reading operation when a partial scan command is received as a scan command will be described.

  When the check 2 is inserted from the medium insertion slot 5 (step ST1) and the check 2 is corrected to an appropriate posture with respect to the medium conveyance direction by the alignment plate 26, the medium position acquisition unit 31 causes the check 2 on the rear side of the apparatus. The position of the edge 2e on the medium conveyance path 6 is acquired. Thereafter, every time the check 2 is conveyed, the position of the edge 2e on the rear side of the apparatus 2 on the medium conveyance path 6 is calculated and acquired (step ST2).

  When the control unit 30 receives a scan command from the main control unit 28 (step ST3), it checks whether or not the position of the check 2 in the apparatus width direction has already been acquired (step ST4). Obtains the positions of the left and right edges 2c, 2d of the check 2 by the medium width direction position detector 18 (step ST5), and thereafter, the end 2h on the rear side of the apparatus in the scanning region 2g of the check 2 and the front side of the apparatus The position of the end 2i on the medium conveyance path 6 is acquired (step ST6). If the position of the check 2 in the apparatus width direction has already been acquired at the stage before the image reading operation is started, the process proceeds from step ST4 to step ST6.

  In step ST6, the scan area position acquisition unit 36 determines the position of the edge 2e on the rear side of the check 2 on the medium conveyance path 6 and the coordinates of the scan area 2g on the check 2 specified by the partial scan command. From the above, the positions of the rear end 2h and the front end 2i of the scanning area 2g on the medium transport path 6 are calculated.

  Next, the determination unit 37 determines which one of the end 2h on the apparatus rear side and the end 2i on the apparatus front side of the scan region 2g is the reading start end closer to the image reading position C (step ST7). . That is, the determination is made by comparing the distance L from the image reading position C to the rear end 2h of the scanning region 2g and the distance M from the image reading position C to the front end 2i of the scanning region 2g. .

  In step ST7, when the distance L is shorter than the distance M and it is determined that the rear end 2h of the scanning region 2g is close to the image reading position C, the first positioning unit 33 performs scanning. The rear end 2h of the area 2g is positioned at the image reading position C (step ST8). Thereafter, the reading unit 35 conveys the check 2 in the direction in which the scan area 2g passes the image reading position C, and reads the image of the scan area 2g (step ST9).

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6A, when a scan command is received, the rear end 2h of the scan area 2g of the check 2 is located on the rear side of the apparatus with respect to the image reading position C, and the scan area 2g When the end 2i on the front side of the apparatus is located on the front side of the apparatus with respect to the image reading position C, and the distance L is shorter than the distance M, the end 2h on the rear side of the apparatus in the scanning region 2g is the reading start end. Determined. Accordingly, in step ST8, as shown in FIG. 6B, the check 2 is conveyed through the medium conveyance path 6 to the front side of the apparatus, and the rear end 2h of the scanning area 2g is positioned at the image reading position C. . Thereafter, in step ST9, as shown in FIG. 6C, the check 2 is conveyed to the rear side of the apparatus through the medium conveyance path 6, and an image is read while the scan region 2g passes the image reading position C. .

  In step ST7, when the distance M is shorter than the distance L and the end 2i on the front side of the scanning area 2g is determined to be the reading start end close to the image reading position C, the first positioning means 33 determines the scanning area 2 The 2g apparatus front side end 2i is positioned at the image reading position C (step ST10). Thereafter, the reading unit 35 conveys the check 2 in the direction in which the scan area 2g passes the image reading position C, and reads the image of the scan area 2g (step ST11).

  For example, as shown in FIG. 7A, when a scan command is received, the rear end 2h of the scan area 2g of the check 2 is located on the rear side of the apparatus with respect to the image reading position C, and the scan area 2g When the end 2i on the front side of the apparatus is located on the front side of the apparatus with respect to the image reading position C and the distance M is shorter than the distance L, it is determined that the end 2i on the front side of the apparatus in the scan region 2g is the reading start end. Is done. Accordingly, in step ST10, as shown in FIG. 7B, the check 2 is conveyed through the medium conveyance path 6 to the rear side of the apparatus, and the front end 2i of the scanning region 2g is positioned at the image reading position C. Thereafter, in step ST11, as shown in FIG. 7C, the check 2 is conveyed to the front side of the apparatus, and an image is read while the scan region 2g passes the image reading position C.

  Here, when the distance L and the distance M are equal, in step ST7, the reading start end determination unit 32 determines which one of the end 2h on the apparatus rear side and the end 2i on the apparatus front side of the scan region 2g is an image. It cannot be determined whether the reading start end is closer to the reading position C. In this case, the second positioning means 34 sets the rear end 2h of the scanning area 2g as the reading start end, and positions the rear end 2h of the scanning position at the image reading position C (step ST12). Thereafter, the reading means 35 conveys the check 2 in the direction in which the scan area 2g passes the image reading position C, and reads the image of the scan area 2g (step ST13). That is, the same operations as in steps ST8 and ST9 are performed.

  If the scan command is a full scan command, in step ST6, the scan area position acquisition unit 36 determines the positions of the edge 2e on the apparatus rear side and the edge 2f on the medium front side of the check 2 on the medium conveyance path 6. Are acquired as the positions on the medium conveyance path 6 of the rear end 2h and the front end 2i of the scanning area 2g.

  Here, if the edge 2f on the front side of the check 2 passes the medium insertion detector 25 when the scan command is received, the scan area position acquisition means 36 is connected to the end 2i on the front side of the apparatus in the scan area 2g. Since the position on the medium conveyance path 6 can be acquired, the process proceeds to step ST7, and thereafter, the same processing operation as in the case of the partial scan command is performed.

  On the other hand, when the control unit 30 receives the scan command and the edge 2f on the apparatus front side of the check 2 has not passed through the medium insertion detector 25, the scan area position acquisition means 36 scans the scan area. The position of the 2g apparatus front side end 2i on the medium conveyance path 6 cannot be acquired. As a result, in step ST7, the reading start end determination unit 32 determines which of the scanning rear end 2h and the front end 2i of the scanning region 2g is the reading start end closer to the image reading position C. Cannot be determined. In this case, the second positioning means 34 sets the end 2h on the apparatus rear side of the scan area 2g (the edge 2e on the apparatus rear side of the check 2) as the reading start end, and sets the end 2h on the apparatus rear side as the reading start end. Positioning is performed at the image reading position C (step ST12). Thereafter, the reading means 35 conveys the check 2 in the direction in which the scan area 2g passes the image reading position C, and reads the image of the scan area 2g (step ST13).

  As described above, according to this example, when the scan command is received, the positions of the scanning area 2g of the check 2 on the medium conveyance path 6 at the rear end (front end) 2h and the front end (rear end) 2i of the apparatus are determined. Acquired, and the end of the scan region 2g closer to the image reading position C is used as a reading start end, and this reading start end is positioned at the image reading position C. Therefore, when the check 2 is set at the image reading position C, the conveyance distance of the check 2 can be shortened. Further, since the image sensor can read the image on the surface of the check 2 regardless of the movement direction of the check 2 passing the image reading position C, after the reading start end is positioned at the image reading position C, the reading start end is Regardless of whether the scan area 2g of the scan area 2g is the end 2h on the rear side of the apparatus or the end (rear end) 2i on the front side of the apparatus, after the reading start end is positioned at the image reading position C, the scan area 2g The image is read by conveying the check 2 in the direction passing through the image reading position C. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the entire scanning area 2g of the check 2 being conveyed so as to pass twice over the image reading position C in different directions during the image reading process.

  As a result, a change occurs in the processing sequence of the magnetic ink character reading process, the image reading process, and the printing process performed in the check processing apparatus 1, and how the check 2 is received on the medium conveyance path 6 when the scan command is received. Even if the check 2 is placed at a proper position, the conveyance distance of the check 2 can be shortened, so that the check 2 can be efficiently conveyed and the throughput of the image reading process is improved.

(Other embodiments)
In the above example, the control unit 30 of the image reading device 9 includes the medium position acquisition unit 31. However, when the medium position acquisition unit 31 is provided in the main control unit 28 of the check processing device 1 and a scan command is received. The scan area position acquisition means 36 inquires of the main controller 28 about the position of the edge 2e on the rear side of the check 2 on the medium conveyance path 6 and the position of the edge 2f on the front side of the apparatus on the medium conveyance path 6. You can also

1. Check processing device, 2. Check (medium), 2a, printing part, 2b, magnetic ink character, 2c, 2d, edge in the device width direction of the check, 2e, edge on the back side of the device (front edge) ) 2f · edge of the check device front side (rear edge), 2g · scan region, 2h · scan region end of the device (front end), 2i · scan region end of the device front side (rear end), 3. Upper case, 3a, operation panel, 4. lower case, 5. medium insertion port, 6. medium transport path, 7. magnetic ink character reading device, 8. printing device, 9. image reading device, 10. magnetic head 11. Scan path, 12. Magnetic head moving mechanism, 13. Medium support mechanism, 14. Print head, 15. Platen, 16. Print head transport mechanism, 17. Carriage, 18. Media width direction position detector, 19. 20. Image sensor, 21 Media transport mechanism, 22, 23, 24, transport roller pair, 22a, 23a, 24a, upper roller, 22b, 23b, 24b, lower roller, 25, media insertion detector, 26, alignment plate, 27, media alignment detection , 28-main control unit, 29-storage unit, 30-control unit, 31-medium position acquisition means, 32-reading start end determination means, 33-first positioning means (positioning means), 34-second positioning means (Second positioning means), 35 / reading means, 36 / scan area position acquisition means, 37 / determination means, A / magnetic ink character reading position, B / print position, C / image reading position, L / scan area Distance from the rear end (front end) of the apparatus to the image reading position, distance from the front end (rear end) of the M / scan area to the image reading position

Claims (8)

When a scan command for the medium sent to the medium transport path extending through the image reading position by the image sensor is received, any of the front end and the rear end in the medium transport direction in the medium scan area is at the image reading position. A reading start end determination step for determining whether the reading start end is on the near side;
A positioning step of conveying the medium in a direction in which the reading start end approaches the image reading position and positioning the reading start end at the image reading position;
A reading step of reading an image by the image sensor while conveying the medium in a direction in which the scan region passes the image reading position from the side of the reading start end;
An image reading method comprising: In claim 1,
A medium position acquisition step of acquiring, as the medium front edge position, the position of the front edge of the medium in the medium conveyance direction on the medium conveyance path every time the medium is conveyed along the medium conveyance path; ,
In the reading start end determination step, based on the medium front edge position and the scan command, the positions of the front end and the rear end of the scan area on the medium conveyance path are set as a scan area front end position and a scan area rear end position. Based on the scan region position acquisition step to be acquired, the scan region front end position, and the scan region rear end position, reading of which one of the front end and the rear end of the scan region is closer to the image reading position is started. And a determination step of determining whether the image is at the end. In claim 1,
Each time the medium is transported along the medium transport path, the position of the front edge of the medium in the medium transport direction on the medium transport path is acquired as the medium front edge position, and the rear of the medium in the medium transport direction is acquired. A medium position acquisition step of acquiring a position of the edge on the medium conveyance path as a medium rear edge position;
In the reading start end determination step, the position of the front end of the scan area on the medium conveyance path is acquired as the scan area front end position based on the medium front end edge position, and the scan is performed based on the medium rear end edge position. A scan region position acquisition step of acquiring a position of the rear end of the region on the medium transport path as a scan region rear end position, and the front end of the scan region based on the scan region front end position and the scan region rear end position And a determination step of determining which of the rear ends is the reading start end closer to the image reading position. In any one of claims 1 to 3,
When the reading start end cannot be determined in the reading start end determining step, a reading start end setting step of setting the front end of the scan area as the reading start end is included before the positioning step. Image reading method. An image sensor,
A medium conveyance path extending via an image reading position by the image sensor;
A medium transport mechanism for transporting a medium along the medium transport path;
When the scan command is received, it is determined which of the front end and the rear end in the medium transport direction in the scan area of the medium sent to the medium transport path is the reading start end closer to the image reading position. Reading start end judging means;
When the reading start end is determined, positioning means for conveying the medium in a direction in which the reading start end approaches the image reading position and positioning the reading start end at the image reading position;
When the reading start end is positioned, reading means for reading an image by the image sensor while transporting the medium from the side of the reading start end in a direction in which the scan region passes the image reading position;
An image reading apparatus comprising: In claim 5,
Each time the medium is transported along the medium transport path, a medium position acquisition unit that acquires the position of the front edge of the medium in the medium transport direction on the medium transport path as the medium front edge position. And
The reading start end determining means sets the front end position and the rear end position of the scan area on the medium conveyance path as the scan area front end position and the scan area rear end position based on the medium front end edge position and the scan command. Based on the scan area position acquisition means to acquire, the scan area front end position, and the scan area rear end position, one of the front end and the rear end of the scan area starts reading closer to the image reading position An image reading apparatus comprising: a determination unit that determines whether the image is at the end. In claim 5,
Each time the medium is transported along the medium transport path, the position of the front edge of the medium in the medium transport direction on the medium transport path is acquired as the medium front edge position, and the rear of the medium in the medium transport direction is acquired. Medium position acquisition means for acquiring the position of the edge on the medium conveyance path as the medium rear edge position;
The reading start end determination unit obtains the position of the front end of the scan area on the medium conveyance path as the scan area front end position based on the medium front end edge position, and the scan based on the medium rear end edge position. A scan area position acquisition means for acquiring a position of the rear end of the area on the medium conveyance path as a scan area rear end position, and the front end of the scan area based on the scan area front end position and the scan area rear end position. An image reading apparatus comprising: a determination unit that determines which of the rear ends is a reading start end closer to the image reading position. In any one of claims 5 to 7,
When the reading start end determining unit cannot determine the reading start end, the front end of the scan area is set as the reading start end, and the medium is transported in a direction approaching the image reading position. The image reading apparatus further comprises second positioning means for positioning the reading start end at the image reading position.

Images