JP2020155797A - Reading device, reading method, and information processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

To make it possible to cope with media printed with a wide variety of color tones.SOLUTION: A reading device 10 comprises three-color light sources 16, 17, a line sensor 12, and a control unit 11. The control unit 11 makes red light sources 16r, 17r, green light sources 16g, 17g, and blue light sources 16b, 17b emit light with the same light emission amount to irradiate a medium 30 to be read with first incident light 21a, 22a; using an RGB sensor 14, receives first reflection light 20a from the medium 30; minutely transports the medium 30; makes the red light sources 16r, 17r, the green light sources 16g, 17g, and the blue light sources 16b, 17b individually emit light with an adjusted light emission amount calculated on the basis of the first reflection light 20a to irradiate the medium 30 with second incident light 21b, 22b; using a monochromatic sensor 13, receives second reflection light 20b from the medium 30; and outputs image data based on the second reflection light 20b received by the monochromatic sensor 13.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a reader, a reading method and an information processing system.

When inputting items described on paper media (documents, forms, slips, passbooks, etc., hereinafter referred to as media) into a computer, an image is captured using a scanner and a computer system, and OCR (Optical Character Recognition) is performed. ) Character recognition processing is performed by software. The medium often has a base of various colors and patterns, and it is necessary to devise a method for removing the base when reading an image.

For example, when obtaining binarized image data of a manuscript, in order to obtain data with less bleeding and a clear outline, three primary color light sources are projected in a combination with the lowest or highest reflectance of the background. A technique for obtaining black-and-white image data by binarizing the image data obtained by lighting is known.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 8-77416

However, in the prior art, the medium to be processed is certificates such as a resident's card, and the purpose is to obtain black and white image data by performing black and white binarization processing on the image data of the medium. Little consideration was given to the medium in which the color was present.

Financial institutions, companies, etc. handle a wide variety of media, and there are not only letters but also withdrawal slips with stamps. Since the seal is stamped with red or vermilion vermilion, if the background of the medium is not white, the background may not drop out and the imprint matching may fail. Further, in recent years, the mode of the medium has been diversified as compared with the conventional medium, the shade of color and the range of colors have become wide, and the design has become abundant. In the conventional image processing technology, the background color is noisy. May remain.

Therefore, when acquiring image data of a medium, more accurate image processing corresponding to a wide variety of media printed in a wide range of colors is desired.
On the one hand, it is an object of the present invention to provide a reader, a reading method and an information processing system capable of supporting a medium printed in a wide range of colors.

In order to achieve the above object, a reading device as shown below is provided. The reading device includes a three-color light source, a line sensor, and a control unit. The three-color light source has a red light source, a green light source, and a blue light source. The line sensor includes a monochrome sensor and an RGB sensor. The control unit emits the red light source, the green light source, and the blue light source with the same amount of light emission, irradiates the medium to be read with the first incident light, and receives the first reflected light from the medium with the RGB sensor. , The medium is micro-conveyed, the red light source, the green light source, and the blue light source are each emitted with the adjusted light emission amount calculated based on the first reflected light, and the medium is irradiated with the second incident light, and the second incident light from the medium is emitted. The reflected light is received by the monochrome sensor, and the image data based on the second reflected light received by the monochrome sensor is output.

According to one aspect, it can be used for media printed in a wide range of colors.

It is a figure which shows an example of the reading apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the information processing system of the 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware configuration of the host of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware configuration of the printer of the 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the arrangement structure of the main part of the printer of the 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the scanner part and reflected light of the 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the sequence of the 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the flowchart of the printer scan process of 2nd Embodiment (the 1). It is a figure which shows an example of the flowchart of the printer scan process of 2nd Embodiment (the 2). It is a figure which shows an example of the image of the normal transport and the micro transport of the second embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[First Embodiment]
First, the reading device of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a reading device according to the first embodiment.

The reading device 10 is a device that reads a medium such as a slip or a passbook, and is, for example, a scanner. The reading device 10 is a device that can be built into a printer, a copier, a multifunction device, or the like.

The reading device 10 includes three-color light sources 16 and 17, a line sensor 12, and a control unit 11. The three-color light sources 16 and 17 have a red light source 16r and 17r, a green light source 16g and 17g, and a blue light source 16b and 17b, respectively. The light source is, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode). The red light sources 16r and 17r are red LEDs, the green light sources 16g and 17g are green LEDs, and the blue light sources 16b and 17b are blue LEDs. The LED is an example of a light emitting element, and may be another LED.

The position where the first incident lights 21a and 22a are irradiated by the three-color light sources 16 and 17 is the medium reading position 40a. The position where the second incident lights 21b and 22b are irradiated by the three-color light sources 16 and 17 is the medium reading position 40b. The medium reading position 40b is a position where the medium reading position 40a is moved to the right because the medium 30 is micro-conveyed in the right direction (the direction from the monochrome sensor 13 side to the RGB sensor 14 side).

The line sensor 12 has a monochrome sensor 13 and an RGB sensor 14. The line sensor 12 is a sensor in which image pickup devices are arranged in one row or a plurality of rows (lines). Since the line sensor 12 acquires one-dimensional image data from the stationary medium 30, the line sensor 12 acquires the two-dimensional image data by transporting the medium 30.

The monochrome sensor 13 has a function of recognizing the difference in brightness between white and black and acquiring monochrome (black and white) image data. The RGB sensor 14 has a function of acquiring image data of colors (colors in which three primary colors of red (Red), green (Green), and blue (Blue) are mixed). The line sensor 12 outputs the image data acquired by the monochrome sensor 13 and the RGB sensor 14 to the control unit 11. The reading device 10 is supposed to convey the medium 30 to be read from the monochrome sensor 13 side to the RGB sensor 14 side in a certain direction (right direction in FIG. 1).

The control unit 11 controls the entire reading device 10, and is, for example, a processor or the like. The control unit 11 has a function of instructing the three-color light sources 16 and 17 to irradiate the medium 30 with incident light, acquiring image data based on the reflected light from the medium 30 received by the line sensor 12, and outputting the image data. Be prepared. The control unit 11 includes a storage unit such as a memory for storing the acquired image data, but the storage unit is not shown.

Here, the reading method executed by the reading device 10 will be described. The reading device 10 receives the insertion of the medium 30 from the staff and conveys the medium 30 to a readable position. The readable position is a position where the control unit 11 irradiates the medium 30 with incident light using the three-color light sources 16 and 17, and the line sensor 12 can receive the reflected light from the medium 30.

The control unit 11 causes the red light sources 16r and 17r, the green light sources 16g and 17g, and the blue light sources 16b and 17b to emit light with the same amount of light emission, and irradiates the medium 30 to be read with the first incident light 21a and 22a. .. The control unit 11 receives the first reflected light 20a from the medium 30 with the RGB sensor 14. Here, the control unit 11 irradiates the medium reading position 40a on the medium 30 with the first incident light 21a and 22a, and receives the first reflected light 20a from the medium reading position 40a with the RGB sensor 14. To do.

The control unit 11 instructs the transfer mechanism to transfer the medium 30 in a minute amount. The control unit 11 moves the irradiation position of the incident light from the medium reading position 40a to the medium reading position 40b by performing the minute transfer of the medium 30, and guides the reflected light received by the RGB sensor 14 to the monochrome sensor 13.

The control unit 11 causes the red light sources 16r and 17r, the green light sources 16g and 17g, and the blue light sources 16b and 17b to emit light with the adjusted light emission amount calculated based on the first reflected light 20a, respectively, and causes the medium 30 to emit the second incident light 21b. , 22b is irradiated. That is, the control unit 11 can set the amount of light emitted from the second incident lights 21b and 22b based on the first reflected light 20a from the medium 30 each time the image scan of the medium 30 is performed.

The control unit 11 receives the second reflected light 20b from the medium 30 by the monochrome sensor 13, and outputs image data based on the second reflected light 20b received by the monochrome sensor 13. Another device (for example, a computer) receives image data from the control unit 11 and performs character recognition processing and seal stamp verification processing of the medium 30.

In this way, the reading device 10 controls the three-color light sources 16 and 17 to emit light with the adjusted light emission amount calculated based on the reflected light from the medium 30 while carrying the medium 30. In the reading device 10, the direction of reading the medium 30 using the line sensor 12 and the direction of minute transport of the medium 30 for guiding the reflected light are the same direction (right direction in FIG. 1. From the monochrome sensor 13 side to RGB. The direction toward the sensor 14 side.). As a result, the reading device 10 adjusts the amount of light emitted from the second incident lights 21b and 22b while reducing the delay in executing the process of receiving the second reflected light 20b by the monochrome sensor 13 and reading the medium 30. It becomes possible to receive the first reflected light 20a for the purpose.

In this way, the reading device 10 makes it easy to remove the tints of the red, green, and blue components from the medium 30 from the medium 30. The reading device 10 corresponds to a wide range of colors imparted to the medium 30, and can drop out the underlying color more precisely than before. The reading device 10 can reduce the generation of noise that interferes with the character recognition process and the seal stamp verification process.

In this way, the reading device 10 can set the amount of light emission for each of the color components contained in the three-color light sources 16 and 17 based on the reflected light from the medium 30 each time the image scan of the medium 30 is performed. Compatible with media printed in color.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, as a second embodiment, the information processing system will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the information processing system of the second embodiment.

The information processing system 400 is a system used by financial institutions and the like, and includes one or more hosts 300 and a printer 100. The host 300 communicates information with the printer 100 via the network 410. The network 410 may be a wired network or a wireless network. Further, it may be a dedicated line between devices.

The printer 100 is a device having a function of reading a medium such as a form or a passbook and printing the form. The person in charge (hereinafter, also referred to as an operator) inserts the medium into the printer, reads the medium by using the reading function of the printer, and confirms the read data on the host 300. Details of the printer 100 will be described later with reference to FIG.

The host 300 is an information processing device such as a computer that transmits / receives information to / from the printer 100, receives image data of a medium, and executes a program that performs image processing, character recognition processing, and seal verification processing on the received image data. Is.

Next, the hardware configuration of the host of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the host according to the second embodiment.
The host 300 includes a host control unit 310. The host control unit 310 includes a processor 311, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 312, an HDD 313, an image signal processing unit 314, an input signal processing unit 315, a medium reader 316, and a communication interface 317. The entire device of the host 300 is controlled by the processor 311. A RAM 312 and a plurality of peripheral devices are connected to the processor 311 via a bus 318. The processor 311 may be a multiprocessor. The processor 311 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or a PLD (Programmable Logic Device). Further, the processor 311 may be a combination of two or more elements of the CPU, MPU, DSP, ASIC, and PLD.

The RAM 312 is used as the main storage device of the host 300. At least a part of an OS (Operating System) program or an application program to be executed by the processor 311 is temporarily stored in the RAM 312. In addition, various data required for processing by the processor 311 are stored in the RAM 312.

Peripheral devices connected to the bus 318 include an HDD 313, an image signal processing unit 314, an input signal processing unit 315, a medium reader 316, and a communication interface 317.
The HDD 313 magnetically writes and reads data to and from the built-in disk. The HDD 313 is used as an auxiliary storage device for the host 300. The OS program, application program, and various data are stored in the HDD 313. Not limited to HDD 313, SSD (Solid State Drive) can also be used. As the auxiliary storage device, a semiconductor storage device such as a flash memory can also be used.

The image signal processing unit 314 outputs an image to the display 314a connected to the host 300 in accordance with a command from the processor 311. As the display 314a, any kind of display such as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display, a liquid crystal display (LCD: Liquid Crystal Display), a plasma display, and an organic EL (OEL: Organic Electro-Luminescence) display can be used.

The input signal processing unit 315 acquires an input signal from the input device 315a connected to the host 300 and outputs the input signal to the processor 311. As the input device 315a, any kind of input device such as a mouse, a touch panel, a touch pad, a trackball, a keyboard, a remote controller, and a button switch can be used. Further, a plurality of types of input devices may be connected to the host 300.

The medium reader 316 is a reading device that reads programs and data recorded on the recording medium 319. As the recording medium 319, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk (MO), a semiconductor memory, or the like can be used. The magnetic disk includes a flexible disk (FD) and an HDD. Optical discs include CDs (Compact Discs) and DVDs (Digital Versatile Discs).

The medium reader 316 copies, for example, a program or data read from the recording medium 319 to another recording medium such as the RAM 312 or the HDD 313. The read program is executed by, for example, processor 311. The recording medium 319 may be a portable recording medium, and may be used for distribution of programs and data. Further, the recording medium 319 or HDD 313 may be referred to as a computer-readable recording medium.

The communication interface 317 is connected to the network 410. The communication interface 317 transmits / receives data to / from another computer, storage device, or communication device.

With the hardware configuration as described above, the processing function of the host 300 of the second embodiment can be realized. The above configuration is an example, and the combination of the components can be appropriately determined. For example, the unnecessary configuration may be deleted.

The host 300 realizes the processing function of the second embodiment, for example, by executing a program recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. The program that describes the processing content to be executed by the host 300 can be recorded on various recording media. For example, a program to be executed by the host 300 can be stored in the HDD 313. The processor 311 loads at least a part of the program in the HDD 313 into the RAM 312 and executes the program. Further, the program to be executed by the host 300 can be recorded on a portable recording medium such as an optical disk, a memory device, or a memory card. The program stored in the portable recording medium can be executed after being installed in the HDD 313 by control from the processor 311 for example. The processor 311 can also read and execute the program directly from the portable recording medium.

Next, the printer of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the printer of the second embodiment.
The printer 100 includes a printer control unit 110, a rear unit 120, an inserter unit 130, an operation panel 140, and a power supply unit 150. The rear unit 120, the inserter unit 130, and the operation panel 140 are connected to the printer control unit 110 so as to be able to communicate (control).

The printer control unit 110 has a processor 111, a RAM 112, a driver circuit 113, and a communication interface 114, each of which is communicably connected. The processor 111 controls the overall operation of the printer 100. The processor 111 is, for example, a CPU, an MPU, or the like. The processor 111 has a function of performing information communication with the host 300 via the communication interface 114. Further, the processor 111 has a function of reading and executing a program stored in the RAM 112. In addition, the processor 111 has a function of reading definition information and the like required for executing a program from the RAM 112. Further, the processor stores the image data acquired by the scanner unit 121 in a storage unit such as the RAM 112.

The RAM 112 is a variety of memories, such as a Flash-ROM (Read Only Memory) and an SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory). The RAM 112 stores the firmware to be executed by the processor 111. Further, the RAM 112 stores various data necessary for processing by the processor 111. The communication interface 114 is connected to the network 410 and transmits / receives data to / from the host 300 and the like.

The driver circuit 113 is a circuit that drives each mechanism unit of the inserter unit 130 and the rear unit 120, and a motor, a magnet, and the like of the passbook processing unit 124. The driver circuit 113 has a function of appropriately cooperating with the processor 111 and controlling the drive of each mechanical unit in the printer 100.

The rear unit 120 has a scanner unit 121, a printer mechanism unit 122, a common transfer mechanism unit 123, and a passbook processing unit 124, each of which is connected to the printer control unit 110. The scanner unit 121 has a function of reading a medium. The scanner unit 121 will be described later with reference to FIG. The printer mechanism unit 122 has a function of printing on a medium inserted in the printer, and includes a print head, a platen, and the like. The common transport mechanism unit 123 has a function of transporting the inserted medium to the printer mechanism unit 122 and the scanner unit 121. The passbook processing unit 124 has a function of turning the pages of the passbook when the inserted medium is a passbook.

The inserter unit 130 has a slip transfer mechanism unit 131, a passbook transfer mechanism unit 132, and an MS read / write unit 133, each of which is connected to the printer control unit 110.
The slip transfer mechanism unit 131 has a function of accepting, transporting, and discharging the inserted slip when the medium inserted into the printer 100 is a slip. The slip is a paper medium to be read, and may be one sheet or a plurality of sheets.

The passbook transport mechanism unit 132 has a function of accepting, transporting, and ejecting the inserted passbook when the medium inserted into the printer 100 is a passbook (paper medium in the shape of a booklet).
When the inserted medium is a passbook, the MS read / write unit 133 has a function of reading and writing data to the MS (Magnetic Stripe) unit (also referred to as magnetic stripe) attached to the back surface of the passbook. Be prepared.

The operation panel 140 is a device including a touch key and a display panel that can be operated from the outside of the printer 100, and has a function of receiving an operation input and notifying the printer control unit 110. The power supply unit 150 has a function of supplying electric power to the printer 100.

With the hardware configuration as described above, the processing function of the present embodiment can be realized. The above configuration is an example, and the conditions of the constituent parts of the printer 100 can be appropriately determined. The device incorporating the reading device 10 of the first embodiment can also be realized with the same configuration as the printer 100.

Next, an example of the arrangement configuration of the main part of the printer of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement configuration of the main part of the printer according to the second embodiment.
The printer 100 has an arrangement configuration in which the inserter unit 130 and the rear unit 120 are adjacently joined to each other, and the printer control unit 110 and the power supply unit 150 are located below the rear unit 120. It should be noted that these arrangement configurations are merely examples, and other arrangement configurations may be used.

In FIG. 5, the direction in which the printer 100 receives the medium from the insertion slot, sucks the medium, and conveys the medium to the scanner unit 121 is illustrated by a right arrow. The insertion port is an end portion of the slip transfer mechanism unit 131 and the passbook transfer mechanism unit 132, and is an opening for receiving a medium. The direction of rotation of the rollers included in the slip transfer mechanism unit 131, the passbook transfer mechanism unit 132, and the common transfer mechanism unit 123 (the direction of the arrow indicated in the roller shown in the round shape) also accepts and sucks the medium. , Indicates the direction in which the medium is conveyed to the scanner unit 121. When the printer 100 ejects the medium, the transport direction of the medium is opposite to the arrow shown in the drawing.

The printer 100 conveys the medium received via the slip transfer mechanism unit 131 or the passbook transfer mechanism unit 132 along the arrow. The printer 100 conveys the medium through the common transfer mechanism unit 123, passes under the printer mechanism unit 122 (and above the platen 129), and moves under the scanner unit 121. The platen 129 is a mechanism that supports the medium when the printer mechanism unit 122 prints on the medium. The printer 100 reads the medium by the scanner unit 121.

When the medium is a slip, the clerk inserts the medium into the slip transfer mechanism unit 131. Further, when the medium is a passbook, the clerk inserts the medium into the passbook transport mechanism unit 132. The clerk inserts the medium so that the surface to be read faces the scanner unit 121 (upward).

The slip transfer mechanism unit 131, the passbook transfer mechanism unit 132, and the common transfer mechanism unit 123 are provided with a transfer path and rollers for transporting the medium, and the rollers are provided based on an instruction (control command) from the printer control unit 110. Drive to transport the medium. After the medium is read by the scanner unit 121, the printer control unit 110 transmits an instruction to transport the medium to the left and discharge the medium, via the common transfer mechanism unit 123, the slip transfer mechanism unit 131, and the passbook transfer mechanism unit 132. And eject the medium.

Next, the scanner unit of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the scanner unit and the reflected light of the second embodiment.
FIG. 6A shows an example in which the RGB sensor unit 212 included in the line sensor 210 included in the scanner unit 121 receives the reflected light 260 (also referred to as the first reflected light 260) to the RGB sensor unit 212. It is a figure which shows.

The scanner unit 121 includes a scanner control unit 200, a line sensor 210, an optical lens 220, and an LED cover 230.
The scanner control unit 200 has a function of controlling the scanner unit 121. The scanner control unit 200 controls the LED light sources 231 and 232 based on the instructions received from the printer control unit 110, turns on the red light sources 231r and 232r, the green light sources 231g and 232g, and the blue light sources 231b and 232b, and causes the first incident. Irradiate (project) light 261,262. The scanner control unit 200 turns on the LED light sources 231,232 and emits the first incident light 261,262, receives the reflected light from the medium 250 by the line sensor 210, and receives the image data of the reading surface of the medium 250. To get. The scanner control unit 200 transmits the acquired image data to the printer control unit 110.

The line sensor 210 is a sensor in which an image sensor is arranged in a line, and has a monochrome sensor unit 211 and an RGB sensor unit 212. The monochrome sensor unit 211 has a function of recognizing the difference in brightness between white and black and acquiring monochrome (black and white) image data. The RGB sensor unit 212 has a function of acquiring image data of colors (colors in which three primary colors of red (Red), green (Green), and blue (Blue) are mixed).

Unlike the monochrome sensor unit 211, which recognizes the gradation in both the white and black poles, the RGB sensor unit 212 decomposes the received light information into three primary colors and recognizes each gradation. It is possible to distinguish even colors with little difference. For example, the medium to be read by the scanner unit 121 is a slip, the pattern on the base of the slip includes the shape of a vertical bar "|" in blue, and the number "1" is written in black on the slip. The case will be described. When the vertical bar "|" of the pattern on the base of the slip and the number "1" described are substantially the same shape, and the blue and black shades are substantially the same, the monochrome sensor unit Since there is no difference in shade in 211, it cannot be discriminated. However, since the RGB sensor unit 212 separates the received light into the three primary colors and recognizes the light, even if there is no difference in shade or there is little difference in shade, it can be discriminated by the difference between blue and black. It is possible.

The optical lens 220 has a function of guiding the reflected light emitted by the LED light sources 231 and 232 to the medium 250 to the monochrome sensor unit 211 and the RGB sensor unit 212 included in the line sensor 210.

The LED cover 230 includes LED light sources 231,232. The LED light source 231 includes a red light source 231r, a green light source 231g, and a blue light source 231b, and receives instructions from the scanner control unit 200 to emit the red light source 231r, the green light source 231g, and the blue light source 231b. The LED light source 232 includes a red light source 232r, a green light source 232g, and a blue light source 232b, and emits a red light source 232r, a green light source 232g, and a blue light source 232b in response to an instruction from the scanner control unit 200.

The reading device 10 of the first embodiment can also be realized with the same configuration as the scanner unit 121.
FIG. 6B shows an example in which the monochrome sensor unit 211 included in the line sensor 210 included in the scanner unit 121 receives the reflected light 270 (also referred to as the second reflected light 270) to the monochrome sensor unit 211. It is a figure which shows. Since FIG. 6B has the same structure as the scanner unit 121 shown in FIG. 6A, the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. FIG. 6B shows a state in which the medium 250 read in FIG. 6A is micro-conveyed to the right by the common transport mechanism unit 123. The difference in FIG. 6B is that the monochrome sensor unit 211 receives the reflected light. The medium reading position 251 is in a state of being moved to the right of FIG. 6 (A) in FIG. 6 (B) as the medium 250 is micro-conveyed to the right.

The scanner control unit 200 controls the LED light sources 231 and 232 based on the instructions received from the printer control unit 110, turns on the red light sources 231r and 232r, the green light sources 231g and 232g, and the blue light sources 231b and 232b, and causes the second incident. Light 271,272 is irradiated (projected). The amount of light of the second incident light 271,272 is an adjusted light emission amount calculated for each light source of each of the three colors based on the first reflected light 260.

The scanner control unit 200 turns on the LED light sources 231,232 and irradiates the second incident light 271,272, receives the second reflected light 270 by the monochrome sensor unit 211, and image data of the reading surface of the medium 250. To get. The scanner control unit 200 transmits the acquired image data to the printer control unit 110.

Here, the micro-transportation will be described. The micro-conveyance is an operation of guiding the reflected light received by the RGB sensor unit 212 to the monochrome sensor unit 211 by transporting the medium 250 in a minute-sized manner. In other words, the scanner control unit 200 can move the reflected light at a distance (for example, in μm units) between the monochrome sensor unit 211 and the RGB sensor unit 212 by performing minute transfer of the medium 250. .. The micro-conveyance is an operation used when performing an image scan (acquisition process of image data of the medium 250) based on the reflected light analysis. The process in which the scanner unit 121 operates using the minute transfer will be described later with reference to FIG.

In the printer 100, the medium 250 to be read is conveyed in a certain direction (right arrow in FIG. 6B, the direction in which the medium is minutely conveyed) and is read by the scanner unit 121. In other words, the medium 250 is conveyed from the monochrome sensor unit 211 side to the RGB sensor unit 212 side. The scanner control unit 200 controls the LED light sources 231 and 232 to emit light with the adjusted light emission amount calculated based on the reflected light from the medium 250. In the printer 100, the direction in which the medium 250 is sucked from the insertion slot and read by the scanner unit 121 (normal transport direction) and the minute transport direction of the medium 250 for guiding the reflected light are set to be the same direction.

Here, the directions of the normal transport and the micro transport are the directions indicated by the right arrows in FIG. 6B, and are the directions from the monochrome sensor unit 211 side to the RGB sensor unit 212 side. When the direction of the normal transport of the medium 250 is the direction of the right arrow in FIG. 6 (B), the monochrome sensor unit 211 is arranged on the left side of the line sensor 210, and the RGB sensor unit 212 is arranged on the right side. It is possible to make the micro-transportation in the same direction. In FIG. 6B, the left side of the line sensor 210 is the inserter unit 130 side (insertion port side of the printer 100) with respect to the scanner unit 121. Further, in FIG. 6B, the right side of the line sensor 210 is the passbook processing unit 124 side (the back side of the printer 100) with respect to the scanner unit 121. In other words, the monochrome sensor unit 211 is arranged on the front side with respect to the traveling direction when the medium 250 is sucked into the insertion slot of the printer 100, and the RGB sensor unit 212 is arranged on the back side with respect to the traveling direction.

If the direction of the minute transfer in the printer 100 is opposite to the direction of the normal transfer, it becomes necessary to move the medium 250 extra in order to execute the minute transfer. However, by setting the directions of the normal transfer and the minute transfer in the printer 100 to be the same direction, it is possible to reduce the delay in executing the normal scan process.

In this way, the scanner unit 121 receives the second reflected light 270 by the monochrome sensor unit 211 and reads the medium 250 (normal scanning process) while reducing the delay in executing the second incident light 271,272. It is possible to receive the first reflected light 260 for adjusting the amount of light emitted from the light.

Next, the sequence of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the sequence of the second embodiment.
A sequence of processes executed by the host 300 and the printer 100 in the information processing system 400 will be described. The process executed by the host 300 is executed by the host control unit 310 (processor 311). The process executed by the printer 100 is executed by the printer control unit 110 (processor 111). The printer control unit 110 shall appropriately cooperate with the scanner control unit 200 to execute the process.

[Step S11] The host 300 receives a media reading process start instruction from a staff member via the input device 315a. The host 300 transmits an image read (reading of image data) instruction using a red light source to the printer 100.

[Step S12] The printer 100 receives a start instruction from the host 300 and maintains a state of waiting for insertion of the medium.
[Step S13] The printer 100 receives the insertion of the medium via the slip transfer mechanism unit 131 or the passbook transfer mechanism unit 132, sucks the medium, and conveys the medium to a position readable by the scanner unit 121. When the medium is a slip, the printer 100 accepts the insertion of the medium via the slip transfer mechanism unit 131. Further, when the medium is a passbook, the printer 100 accepts the insertion of the medium via the passbook transfer mechanism unit 132. Hereinafter, the accepted medium will be described as a slip.

[Step S14] The printer 100 instructs the scanner control unit 200 to control the LED light sources 231,232 and turn on the red light sources 231r and 232r.
[Step S15] The printer 100 instructs the scanner control unit 200 to perform an image scan from the upper end to the lower end of the medium by the monochrome sensor unit 211. The printer 100 transmits the image data of the medium acquired by the image scan to the host 300. In other words, the printer 100 projects (irradiates) the detection light (incident light) generated by turning on the red light sources 231r and 232r onto the medium, and detects the reflected light by the monochrome sensor unit 211 as the host 300. Send to.

[Step S16] The printer 100 puts the medium on which the image scan is performed on standby.
[Step S17] The host 300 receives the image data of the medium from the printer 100.

[Step S18] The host 300 recognizes the form ID from the received image data. The form ID is identification information for identifying the medium, and is a number or symbol written at a predetermined position on the medium. In addition, the host 300 previously stores the form management information in which the form ID, the position information to be executed the character recognition process (OCR process), and the position information to be recognized for imprint are associated with each other in a storage unit such as HDD 313. I remember.

[Step S19] The host 300 transmits an image read instruction (media reading instruction) using a three-color light source to the printer 100.
[Step S20] The printer 100 receives the image read instruction, conveys the medium, and conveys the medium to a position that can be read by the scanner unit 121.

[Step S21] The printer 100 instructs the scanner control unit 200 to control the LED light sources 231,232 and turn on the three color light sources (red light source 231r, 232r, green light source 231g, 232g, blue light source 231b, 232b). To do.

[Step S22] The printer 100 instructs the scanner control unit 200 to perform an image scan based on the reflected light analysis. The image scan based on the reflected light analysis will be described later with reference to FIG. The printer 100 transmits the image data of the medium acquired by the image scan to the host 300. In other words, the printer 100 projects (irradiates) the detection light (incident light) generated by turning on the light sources of three colors onto the medium, and detects the reflected light by the monochrome sensor unit 211 to the host 300. Send.

[Step S23] The printer 100 ejects the image-scanned medium and ends the process.
[Step S24] The host 300 receives the image data of the medium from the printer 100.

[Step S25] The host 300 executes OCR processing based on the image data received in step S24. The host 300 reads the information corresponding to the form ID recognized in step S18 from the form management information, identifies the position where character recognition is performed, and executes the OCR process.

[Step S26] The host 300 displays the character data recognized by the OCR process and the image data received in step S24 on the display 314a.
[Step S27] The host 300 executes the seal stamp verification based on the image data received in step S24. The host 300 reads the information corresponding to the form ID recognized in step S18 from the form management information, identifies the position where the image of the imprint is acquired, and performs the seal stamp verification.

The host 300 displays the result of the seal stamp verification on the display 314a together with the character data and the image data displayed in step S26, and receives the confirmation input from the staff via the input device 315a.

[Step S28] The host 300 stores the image data received in step S24, the character data recognized by the OCR process, the image data of the imprint, and the data of the result of the seal stamp collation in the storage unit, and ends the process.

Next, the printer scan process of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a flowchart of the printer scan process of the second embodiment (No. 1). FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a flowchart of the printer scan process of the second embodiment (No. 2).

The printer scan process is a process in which the printer 100 receives a start instruction from the host 300, accepts the medium, acquires the image data of the medium by the scanner unit 121, and transmits the image data to the host 300. The printer control unit 110 (processor 111) of the printer 100 receives a start instruction from the host 300 and starts the printer scan process. The printer control unit 110 shall appropriately cooperate with the scanner control unit 200 to execute the process.

[Step S31] The printer control unit 110 receives the start instruction from the host 300 and keeps the media insertion waiting state.
[Step S32] The printer control unit 110 determines whether or not the medium has been inserted via the slip transfer mechanism unit 131 or the passbook transfer mechanism unit 132. The printer control unit 110 proceeds to step S33 when the medium is inserted, and returns to step S32 otherwise.

[Step S33] The printer control unit 110 sucks the medium. Specifically, the printer control unit 110 gives an instruction to transfer the medium to the common transfer mechanism unit 123 so that the upper end of the medium can be read by the scanner unit 121.

[Step S34] The printer control unit 110 instructs the LED light sources 231,232 via the scanner control unit 200 to turn on the red light sources 231r and 232r.
[Step S35] The printer control unit 110 transports the medium (normal transport) in units of scans of the line sensor 210. The moving distance of the medium in normal transport is the imaging range for one line of the line sensor 210, and can be set according to the scan rate and resolution of the scanner unit 121. The normal transport will be described later with reference to FIG.

[Step S36] The printer control unit 110 instructs the line sensor 210 via the scanner control unit 200, and the monochrome sensor unit 211 scans the image of the medium (the monochrome sensor unit 211 receives the reflected light from the medium and receives the medium. The process of optically reading and converting to digital data) is executed. The printer control unit 110 takes images from the upper end to the lower end of the medium in order with the line sensor 210, executes an image scan, and acquires image data of the entire medium.

[Step S37] The printer control unit 110 transmits the image data of the medium acquired by the image scan in step S36 to the host 300.
[Step S38] The printer control unit 110 determines whether or not the image is at the lower end of the medium (whether the image scan is performed to the lower end of the medium). The printer control unit 110 proceeds to step S39 when the image scan is performed to the lower end of the medium, and proceeds to step S35 otherwise.

[Step S39] The printer control unit 110 puts the medium on standby.
[Step S40] The printer control unit 110 receives an image read instruction using a three-color light source from the host 300.

[Step S41] The printer control unit 110 sucks the medium. Specifically, the printer control unit 110 gives an instruction to transfer the medium to the common transfer mechanism unit 123 so that the upper end of the medium can be read by the scanner unit 121.

[Step S42] The printer control unit 110 transports the medium in scan units of the line sensor 210. The printer control unit 110 conveys the medium at a speed that is ½ of the normal transfer speed in step S35. The speed of 1/2 of the normal transport speed is an example, and may be another speed. The printer control unit 110 can appropriately set the speed according to the distance between the monochrome sensor unit 211 and the RGB sensor 212, the scan rate, and the like. The speed will be described later with reference to FIG.

The printer control unit 110 executes steps S43 to S48 from the following steps S43 while transporting the medium.
[Step S43] The printer control unit 110 instructs the LED light sources 231 and 232 via the scanner control unit 200 to turn on the red light sources 231r and 232r, the green light sources 231g and 232g, and the blue light sources 231b and 232b. Here, the scanner control unit 200 has the same predetermined amount of light for all of the red light sources 231r and 232r, the green light sources 231g and 232g, and the blue light sources 231b and 232b (for example, 50 of the amount of light that can be emitted by all three color light sources). %) Is emitted, and it is emitted as white light.

[Step S44] The printer control unit 110 instructs the line sensor 210 via the scanner control unit 200, and the RGB sensor unit 212 scans the image of the medium (the RGB sensor unit 212 receives the reflected light from the medium and receives the medium. The process of optically reading and converting to digital data) is executed. An example of the embodiment in this step is shown in FIG. 6 (A).

[Step S45] The scanner control unit 200 analyzes the reflected light received by the RGB sensor unit 212. Here, it is assumed that the gradation of the received reflected light is indicated by (x1, y1, z1) in the order of red, green, and blue for the three color light sources.

[Step S46] The scanner control unit 200 calculates an adjusted light emission amount for emitting three color light sources (red light source 231r, 232r, green light source 231g, 232g, blue light source 231b, 232b) based on the reflected light received in step S44. To do. The adjusted light emission amount is obtained as follows as a result (product) of multiplying the light emission amount emitted in step S43 by the light emission level based on the reflected light received in step S45.

Adjusted light emission amount = light emission amount x light emission level light emission level = (red light emission level, green light emission level, blue light emission level)
= (Α / x1, α / y1, α / z1)
The process of this step is a process of adjusting the amount of light emitted from the three color light sources. The scanner control unit 200 is a process of raising (or lowering) the reflected light from the medium to the reference level (reference value) α of each gradation by adjusting the amount of light emitted from the light sources of the three colors. The value of α can be determined arbitrarily. For example, the value of α can be determined as "127" (value at the center of 256 gradations).

Here, the process of this step will be specifically described. Regarding the gradation of the reflected light, it is assumed that the gradation of the result analyzed in step S45 is (x1, y1, z1) = (120, 100, 70). Further, it is assumed that the value of α is “127”. Further, it is assumed that the amount of light emitted in step S43 is 50% (= 0.5) of the amount of light that can be emitted by the LED light sources 231,232. Further, it is assumed that the amount of light emitted by the LED light sources 231,232 is indicated by (Lr, Lg, Lb) in the order of red, green, and blue for the three color light sources. In this case, the adjusted emission amount (red adjustment emission amount, green adjustment emission amount, blue adjustment emission amount) of the three color light sources is calculated by the following formula.

Red adjusted light emission amount = Lr × 0.5 × (127/120)
Green adjustment light emission amount = Lg × 0.5 × (127/100)
Blue adjustment light emission amount = Lb × 0.5 × (127/70)
As described above, the red adjusted light emission amount (adjusted light emission amount in the red light sources 231r and 232r) is the light emission amount in the incident light from the red light source (light emission amount emitted in step S43) and the reflected light (reflected light received in step S45). ) Is a value obtained by multiplying the value of the red gradation included in the denominator with the coefficient (light emission level) included in the denominator. Similarly, the green adjusted light emission amount (adjusted light emission amount in the green light sources 231 g and 232 g) is the light emission amount in the incident light from the green light source (light emission amount emitted in step S43) and the reflected light (reflected light received in step S45). It is a value obtained by multiplying the value of the green gradation included in the denominator with the coefficient included in the denominator. Similarly, the blue adjusted light emission amount (adjusted light emission amount in the blue light sources 231b and 232b) is the light emission amount in the incident light from the blue light source (light emission amount emitted in step S43) and the reflected light (reflected light received in step S45). It is a value obtained by multiplying the value of the blue gradation included in the denominator with the coefficient included in the denominator.

Here, a supplementary explanation will be given to the minute transfer executed by the printer control unit 110. The printer control unit 110 conveys the medium in a minute amount and guides the reflected light from the RGB sensor unit 212 to the monochrome sensor unit 211. In other words, the printer control unit 110 moves the reflected light from the medium between the RGB sensor unit 212 and the monochrome sensor unit 211 by minutely transporting the medium. That is, the printer control unit 110 performs the scan process by the RGB sensor unit 212 (steps S43 and S44), then micro-transports the medium, and executes the scan process by the monochrome sensor unit 211 (steps S47 and S48).

An example of the mode of micro-transportation is shown in FIG. 6, and FIG. 6 (B) shows the state after the medium 250 of FIG. 6 (A) is micro-conveyed. Further, normal transport and micro transport will be described later with reference to FIG.

[Step S47] The scanner control unit 200 lights the LED light sources 231,232 with the adjusted light emission amount calculated in step S46.
[Step S48] The scanner control unit 200 executes an image scan of the medium by the monochrome sensor unit 211 (a process of receiving the reflected light from the medium by the monochrome sensor unit 211, optically reading the medium, and converting it into digital data). An example of the embodiment in this step is shown in FIG. 6 (B).

[Step S49] The printer control unit 110 transmits the image data of the medium acquired by the image scan in step S48 to the host 300.
[Step S50] The printer control unit 110 determines whether or not the image is at the lower end of the medium (whether the image scan is performed to the lower end of the medium). When the printer control unit 110 performs the processes from step S42 to step S49 (image scan process based on reflected light analysis) to the lower end of the medium, the printer control unit 110 proceeds to step S51. If the printer control unit 110 has not performed the image scan based on the reflected light analysis to the lower end of the medium, the printer control unit 110 proceeds to step S42. When proceeding to step S42, the printer control unit 110 continues the image scan based on the reflected light analysis from the position where the medium is conveyed.

[Step S51] The printer control unit 110 ejects the medium and ends the process.
In this way, the printer 100 controls the LED light sources 231,232 to emit light sources of three colors so as to raise (or lower) the reflected light from the medium to the reference level of each gradation. This makes it easier for the printer 100 to drop out the tint of each of the red, green, and blue components. The printer 100 corresponds to a wide range of colors imparted to the base of the medium, and can finely drop out the color of the base. Therefore, in the printer 100, even when a light-colored pattern is used as the base pattern of the medium, or when a dark-colored pattern equivalent to the imprint of a writing instrument or a seal is used, the base material is used. It is possible to remove the handle of the paper more precisely than before. In this way, the printer 100 can reduce the generation of noise that interferes with the character recognition process and the seal stamp verification process.

Further, since the printer 100 can set the light emission level based on the reflected light from the medium each time the image scan of the medium is performed, the amount of light can be controlled regardless of the design of the base of the medium. In other words, it is not necessary to set the light intensity of the printer 100 in advance for each medium. Therefore, when the customer newly creates the medium, it is not necessary to set the light amount control for the medium, so that the labor and cost for creating the medium can be reduced.

Next, the normal transport and the micro transport of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of images of normal transport and micro transport according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 10A is a diagram showing an example of an image in which the medium 250 into which the printer 100 is inserted is normally conveyed. FIG. 10A is an example of an image of transport in step S35 of the printer scan process. In FIG. 10A, it is assumed that the time elapses in the order of time t11 and time t12, and the medium 250 is conveyed to the right.

In FIG. 10A, the black circle symbol indicates a point (media reading position) at which the monochrome sensor unit 211 scans (monochrome scan) at time t11 (current time). Further, in FIG. 10A, the triangular symbol indicates a point (media reading position) at which a monochrome scan is performed at time t12 (next time). The medium 250 is transported in the transport direction (right direction) at a transport speed A (normal transport speed). The medium 250 travels a distance (L μm) of one unit in normal transport between time t11 and time t12.

FIG. 10B is a diagram showing an example of an image in which the medium 250 into which the printer 100 is inserted is micro-conveyed. FIG. 10B is an example of an image of transport in step S42 of the printer scan process. In FIG. 10B, it is assumed that time elapses in the order of time t21, time t22, time t23, and time t24, and the medium 250 is conveyed to the right.

In FIG. 10B, the black circle symbol indicates a point (media reading position) where the RGB sensor unit 212 scans (RGB scan) at time t21 and the monochrome sensor unit 211 scans (monochrome scan) at time t22. .. Further, in FIG. 10B, the triangular symbol indicates a point (media reading position) where RGB scanning is performed at time t23 and monochrome scanning is performed at time t24. The medium 250 is transported in the transport direction (rightward direction) at a transport speed B (a speed of about half of the transport speed A). The medium 250 travels a distance (L × 1/2 μm) of one unit in the minute transport between the time t21 and the time t22. In the minute transfer, the transfer speed is set to half of the normal transfer and the transfer distance is set to half of the normal transfer. These are examples, and the RGB sensor unit 212 and the monochrome sensor unit 211 scan each. It can be set according to the position.

In this way, the printer 100 can perform an image scan based on the reflected light analysis by performing the scan by changing the speed and the distance of carrying the medium 250 according to the sensor.

In this way, the printer 100 can easily drop out the colors of the red, green, and blue components and control the amount of light to support a medium printed with a wide range of colors.
The above processing function can be realized by a computer. In that case, a program that describes the processing contents of the functions that the reading device 10, the printer 100, and the host 300 should have is provided. By executing the program on a computer, the above processing function is realized on the computer. The program that describes the processing content can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Computer-readable recording media include magnetic storage devices, optical disks, opto-magnetic recording media, semiconductor memories, and the like. Magnetic storage devices include hard disk devices (HDD), flexible disks (FD), magnetic tapes, and the like. Optical discs include DVDs, DVD-RAMs, CD-ROMs (Compact Disc Read Only Memory) / RWs (ReWritable), and the like. The magneto-optical recording medium includes MO and the like.

When a program is distributed, for example, a portable recording medium such as a DVD or a CD-ROM on which the program is recorded is sold. It is also possible to store the program in the storage device of the server computer and transfer the program from the server computer to another computer via the network.

The computer that executes the program stores, for example, the program recorded on the portable recording medium or the program transferred from the server computer in its own storage device. The computer reads the program from its own storage device and executes the processing according to the program. The computer can also read the program directly from the portable recording medium and execute the processing according to the program. In addition, the computer can sequentially execute processing according to the received program each time the program is transferred from the server computer connected via the network.

Further, at least a part of the above processing functions can be realized by an electronic circuit such as a DSP, ASIC, or PLD.

10 Reader 11 Control unit 12 Line sensor 13 Monochrome sensor 14 RGB sensor 16,17 Three-color light source 16r, 17r Red light source 16g, 17g Green light source 16b, 17b Blue light source 20a First reflected light 20b Second reflected light 21a, 22a First incident light 21b, 22b Second incident light 30 Medium 40a, 40b Medium reading position

Claims (5)

A three-color light source having a red light source, a green light source, and a blue light source,
A line sensor having a monochrome sensor and an RGB sensor,
The red light source, the green light source, and the blue light source are made to emit light with the same amount of light emission, the medium to be read is irradiated with the first incident light, and the first reflected light from the medium is received by the RGB sensor. Then, the medium is micro-conveyed, and the red light source, the green light source, and the blue light source are made to emit light with an adjusted light emission amount calculated based on the first reflected light, and the medium is irradiated with the second incident light. A control unit that receives the second reflected light from the medium by the monochrome sensor and outputs image data based on the second reflected light received by the monochrome sensor.
A reader comprising. The control unit
Instructing the transport mechanism unit to carry out the minute transfer of the medium, and guiding the reflected light from the medium from the RGB sensor to the monochrome sensor.
The reading device according to claim 1. The control unit
The product of the amount of light emitted from the red light source in the first incident light and the coefficient including the value of the red gradation contained in the first reflected light in the denominator is defined as the adjusted amount of light emitted in the red light source.
The product of the amount of light emitted from the green light source in the first incident light and the coefficient including the value of the green gradation contained in the first reflected light in the denominator is defined as the adjusted amount of light emitted in the green light source.
The product of the amount of light emitted from the blue light source in the first incident light and the coefficient including the value of the blue gradation contained in the first reflected light in the denominator is defined as the adjusted amount of light emitted in the blue light source.
The reading device according to claim 1. It is a reading method in a reading device.
The reading device includes a three-color light source having a red light source, a green light source, and a blue light source, a line sensor having a monochrome sensor and an RGB sensor, and a control unit.
The control unit
The red light source, the green light source, and the blue light source are made to emit light with the same amount of light emission, and the medium to be read is irradiated with the first incident light.
The first reflected light from the medium is received by the RGB sensor, and the light is received by the RGB sensor.
The medium is micro-conveyed and
The red light source, the green light source, and the blue light source are made to emit light with the adjusted light emission amount calculated based on the first reflected light, and the medium is irradiated with the second incident light.
The second reflected light from the medium is received by the monochrome sensor, and the light is received by the monochrome sensor.
Outputs image data based on the second reflected light received by the monochrome sensor.
Reading method. An information processing system that includes a reader and an information processing device.
The reading device is
A three-color light source having a red light source, a green light source, and a blue light source,
A line sensor having a monochrome sensor and an RGB sensor,
The red light source, the green light source, and the blue light source are made to emit light with the same amount of light emission, the medium to be read is irradiated with the first incident light, and the first reflected light from the medium is received by the RGB sensor. Then, the medium is micro-conveyed, and the red light source, the green light source, and the blue light source are made to emit light with an adjusted light emission amount calculated based on the first reflected light, and the medium is irradiated with the second incident light. A control unit that receives the second reflected light from the medium by the monochrome sensor and outputs image data based on the second reflected light received by the monochrome sensor.
The information processing device
It has a function of receiving the image data and performing character recognition processing and stamp verification processing based on the image data.
Information processing system.

Images