JPH03119491A - Device for displaying required processing time of slip read-out device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To execute the replenishment of a slip by calculating the required processing time for slips which have not been processed yet, and displaying same. CONSTITUTION:An initial number MT, which is the initial number of slip F placed on a hopper 31, is obtained by an initial number detecting means 11, and a processed number MS, which is the number of the slips F which the read-out processing have been executed, is obtained by a processed number detecting means 12. Also, a read-out processing time TY for one slip is obtained by a processing time detecting means 13, and based on this, an average processing time TH is calculated by an average processing time calculating means 14. Further, from these values, the required processing time TR of the slips F which have not been processed yet is calculated by a required processing time calculating means, and the obtained required processing time TR is displayed on a displaying means 28. Thus, the operator can know the accurate required processing time of the slips easily, and can execute the replenishing of the slips surely and with good timing.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Summary] #! With regard to the required processing time display device that displays the time required to process unprocessed forms, the system allows operators to easily know the exact processing time required for a form and replenishes forms in a timely and accurate manner. Initial sheet number detection means for determining the initial sheet number MT, which is the initial number of sheets placed in the hopper, and processed sheet number MS, which is the number of sheets that have been read and processed.
processing number detection means for calculating the reading processing time 1'Y of one sheet; an average processing time calculation means for calculating an average processing time TH, which is an average value of MT;
Required processing time calculation means for calculating the required processing time 1"l'? of unprocessed forms from S and the average processing time TH;
The present invention is characterized by comprising a display means for displaying the required processing time '1'R.

[Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a required processing time display device that displays the time required to process an unprocessed form placed on a form reading device.

In a form reading device, each time the reading process for a form placed in a hopper is completed, the operator must newly insert a form to be processed next. Therefore, knowing the time required to process the currently set form as accurately as possible will improve the operating rate of the form reading device and reduce the labor of the operator.

[Conventional technology]

In conventional form reading devices (or form input devices), when an operator places and sets an appropriate number of forms in a hopper and gives a command to start the reading process using a manual key, the placed forms are read. The sheets are automatically sent into the device one by one, and the reading process is performed in sequence.

After the form reader starts processing, the operator can perform other tasks and is away from the form reader during that time, but returns when the previously set form is finished processing. I have to set up a new form for replenishment.

Therefore, when a form is set, the time required to process the form (required processing time) is estimated and the approximate time of the next return is calculated.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, since the operator calculates the required processing time for the set form based on the number of forms visually judged and the processing time per sheet learned from experience, there is a problem of extremely large errors. there were.

For example, even if the form is of the same type, the time required for character recognition varies greatly depending on how the characters are written on the form or how dirty the form is, so the processing time per form can vary significantly. However, it is extremely difficult for the operator to predict this variation factor to IEit.

As a result, the operator's replenishment of forms may be delayed and the form reading device may be stopped for a long time, or the operator may not be able to replenish the form because the previously set form has not yet been processed.
A situation arose in which I had to go there three times.

Therefore, it was not possible to input the form data in a planned manner, and the operating rate of the form reading device decreased.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned problems, an object of the present invention is to enable an operator to easily know the exact processing time required for a form, and to replenish the form in a timely and accurate manner.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention, as shown in FIG. Processing number detection means 12 calculates the processing number MS, which is the number of processed forms F; Processing time detection means 13 calculates the reading processing time TY of one form F; and each time n forms F are read and processed. The average processing time calculation means 14 calculates the average processing time TH which is the average value of the reading processing time TY for the n documents F, and calculates the unprocessed number from the initial number MT of sheets, the number of processed sheets MS, and the average processing time TH. Required processing time calculation means 1 for calculating the required processing time TR of form F
5 and display means 28 for displaying the required processing time TR.

[Function] The initial sheet number detection means 11 determines the initial sheet number MT, which is the initial number of sheets placed on the hopper 31.

The number of processed sheets MS, which is the number of forms F that have been read, is determined by the number of processed sheets detection means 12.

The processing time detecting means 13 calculates the reading processing time 'FY of one form F, and based on the processing time TY during processing 11.1, the processing time 'FY' is calculated every time n forms F are read and processed.
The average processing time 1゛II, which is the average value of the reading processing time TY for the sheets of form F, is determined by the average processing time calculating means 14.
It is determined by

From these initial number of sheets MT, number of processed sheets MS, and average processing time TH, the required processing time TR of the unprocessed form F is determined by the required processing time calculation stage 15, and the obtained required processing time TR is displayed on the display means. 28.

〔Example〕

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

FIG. 2 is a front view showing a schematic configuration of the form reading device 1 according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an enlarged front view showing the paper feeding section 6 of the form reading device 1. As shown in FIG.

The form reading device l includes a reading section 5 that takes in the forms F at the paper feeding position one by one, reads the contents, and outputs the read data to a terminal device, etc., and a reading section 5 for lifting the forms F to the paper feeding position. It is composed of a hopper section 6.

The reading unit 5 includes a pick roller 21 for feeding the forms F one by one, rollers 22 to 24 for transporting the forms F sent by the pinocrawler 21, a transport motor 25 for driving these, and the tip of the form F. An optical detection sensor 26 that detects and outputs a detection signal S1, a form F
It consists of a reading head 27 for reading the contents of the system, and a display panel 28 having a liquid crystal panel and operation switches for displaying the operating status of the device, errors, etc., and displaying the required processing time TR, which will be described later. .

The pick roller 21 is itself rotationally driven, and is also rotatable in the vertical direction about the axis of the upper roller 22 . In order to detect the vertical position of the pick roller 2, an optical detection sensor 29 is fixedly provided to the reading section 5, and a light shielding plate 30 that moves together with the pick roller 21 is provided.

The hopper section 6 includes a hopper 31 for placing the form F, a lifting device 32 for raising or lowering the hopper 31, a lifting motor 33 for driving the lifting device 32, and the like.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a hardware circuit of the control section 7 of the form reading device 1 according to the present invention.

The form reading device I includes a ROM 42 that stores processing programs and data, a battery-backed RAM 43 that stores work areas for processing, etc., and a reading head 27.
, interfaces 44, 45, 46 with display panel 28, detection sensor 26, etc., interface 47 for transmitting and receiving data with character recognition control device 4 connected to terminal device 3, and ROM 42 or RAM 43.
The CPU 41 executes programs stored in the CPU 41 and controls the entire processing operation described below.

Note that the terminal device 3 and the character recognition control device 4 are provided with a console for operation, and when various commands and data are input from the console, they are sent to the form reading device 1 as necessary.

Next, the flow of the form F in the above-mentioned form reading device 1 will be explained.

There are many types of forms F depending on their size, thickness, and format, and a format number NF is determined for each form.

While the hopper 21 is at the lowest reference position LS, the operator places an appropriate number of forms F on the hopper 21 and inputs the format number NF of the form F from the console of the character recognition control device 4. The corresponding size, thickness, and format data will then be sent to you.

When the operator presses the start switch on the display panel 28, the lifting motor 33 rotates at a constant speed and lifts the hopper 31.
rises. As the hopper 31 rises, the form F also rises, and the uppermost surface of the form F comes into contact with the lower part of the outer peripheral surface of the pick roller 21, pushing the pick roller 21 upward. When the pick roller 21 rises and the top surface of the form F reaches the paper feeding position LK, which is the optimal position for paper feeding, the light shielding plate 30 blocks the light from the detection sensor 29 (a state shown by the chain line in FIG. 3). The detection sensor 29 outputs a detection signal S2.

When the detection signal S2 is output, the M lowering motor 33 stops rotating, and the hopper 31 and the form F stop at that position.

In this state, when a command to start reading is sent from the character recognition control device 4, the conveyance motor 25 rotates at an appropriate timing, and the form F is transferred into the reading section 5 by rotation of the pick roller 21 and rollers 22 to 24. The sheets are transported one by one, and their contents are sequentially read by the reading head 27.

The read data is output to the character recognition control device 4, and character recognition is performed by the character recognition control device 4. If character recognition is performed normally, an accept signal is output to the form reading device 1, and the form reading device 1 starts processing the next form F in response to this signal. Therefore, the processing speed of the form reading device 1 depends on the character recognition processing speed of the character recognition control device 4.

Now, every time the form F is transported inside the reading section 5,
The tip blocks the light from the detection sensor 26, and the detection sensor 26 outputs a detection signal S1.

By counting the number of times the detection signal S1 is output, the number MS of processed forms F is detected. In addition, by measuring the interval at which the detection signal S1 is output, 1
The processing time TY for the sheet F is detected. The detected processing number MS and processing time TY are stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 43. These correspond to the processing number detection means 12 and 1 and the processing time detection means 13 in FIG.

Incidentally, in order to count the number of times of the detection signal S1, a software sheet number counter is used, and this sheet number counter is provided corresponding to each format number NF. Further, a soft timer is provided to time the interval of the detection signal Sl.

While the processing of the form F is being carried out sequentially, the rotation of the elevating motor 33 is controlled at appropriate times to raise the hopper 31 and process the form F.
The upper surface of is held at the paper feed position LK.

Next, the processing operation of the CPU 41 for determining the required processing time TR required for reading the form F placed on the hopper 31 will be described.

First, a processing operation for calculating the initial number MT, which is the initial number of sheets F placed on the hopper 31, will be described.

In particular, with reference to FIG. 3, the total height HI of the form F placed in the hopper 31? is the reference position [LS and paper feed position LK
It is the value obtained by subtracting the distance NHJ by which the hopper 31 has risen from the distance HM between the two. That is, 2 HF=HM-HJ (1).

Since the lifting motor 33 rotates at a constant speed and the hopper 31 rises at a constant speed Vo, the distance #11J that the hopper 31 has risen is the product of the time TM from start to stop of the lifting motor 33 and the speed Vo. It is.

Also, since the distance HM is constant, the above equation (1) can be expressed as HF
=HM-TMXVo (2).

Since the thickness B of one sheet of form F can be obtained as data from the character recognition control device 4 by specifying the format number NF, the initial number MT of sheets of form F is MT=HF/B... It is obtained as (3).

These calculations are executed by the CI) U41, and the calculation results are stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 43.

By the way, it was explained earlier that each time one form F is processed, the processing time TY is detected, but every time n forms F are processed, the average processing time, which is the average value, is detected. T
I( is required.

In other words, the processing time TY for n sheets of form F is TY
1. TY2.・, i″Yn, TH−(TY1
+TY2+・+TYn)/n (4).

A processing time register for adding the processing time TY and a set number register for storing the value of the number of sheets n are provided inside the RAM 43, and the obtained average processing time TH is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 43. is stored in

Here, n is an appropriate integer smaller than 1/10 of the total number of forms F, and can be set by the operator. If it is too small, the calculation results will fluctuate greatly due to variations in individual forms F, so take this into consideration and
For example, it is set to n-10.

Now, the required processing time TR is calculated from the initial number of sheets MT, the number of processed sheets MS, and the average processing time TH using the following equation (5).

TR= (MT-MS)XTH (5) The calculation result is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 43 and displayed on the display panel 28 at the same time.

The display panel 28 displays, in addition to the required processing time TR, the number of sheets of form F to be processed, the number of remaining sheets, the average processing time TH, etc. at appropriate times.

If the reading process for the form F is the very first time, the average processing time TH cannot be obtained until n sheets of the form F are processed. The processing time TR is displayed.

However, for the form F with format number NF that has been processed previously, the last average processing time TH is stored in the RAM 43, so that data is used to calculate the initial number of sheets MT. At the same time, that is, at the same time as the setting of form F is completed, the average processing time T
l( is displayed.

Thereafter, the average processing time TH is calculated every time one form F is processed, and the latest required processing time 5 TR is displayed on the display panel 28. In addition, the average processing time TH is updated every time n forms F are processed, and an appropriate required processing time '1'R is calculated according to changes in processing speed due to changes in the state of the form F. Is displayed.

Therefore, the operator can see the number of sheets to be processed in the required processing time TR1, the number of remaining sheets, etc. displayed on the display panel 28, and accurately know the timing at which the form F should be replenished next.

Next, the processing operation for determining the above-mentioned average processing time 1'11 will be explained based on the flowchart 1 in FIG. 5.

First, find the address in the RAM 43 where the number counter corresponding to the format number NF exists (step #11)
.

It is determined whether the contents of the number of sheets counter has reached the value of n stored in the set number of sheets register (step #
12).

If no, add 1 to the number of sheets counter in step #
13) Add the processing time TY of the form F read just before to the time processing 6 register provided in the RAM 43 (step #14).

If YES in step #12, calculate the average processing time TH by dividing the contents of the processing time register by n (step #12).
15), and stores it in a predetermined area of the RAM 43 (step #16).

Then, the contents of the sheet number counter and processing time register are cleared (step #17).

According to the embodiment described above, when the form F is placed on the hopper 31 and set at the paper feed position LK, the accurate required processing time TR required for the processing is displayed on the display panel 28, so that the accurate required processing time TR is displayed on the display panel 28. The operator can easily know the processing time TR and can replenish the form accurately. Therefore, inputting work of form data can be performed in a planned manner, and the form reading device l and character recognition control device f4
The utilization rate will improve.

In addition, even while processing of form F is being carried out sequentially,
Each time one form F is processed, the required processing time TR required for processing the remaining forms F is displayed, so that the operator can replenish the forms F in a more timely manner by using this information at the appropriate time. can.

In calculating the required processing time TR, the average processing time 'rH is calculated and updated every time n forms F are processed, and based on this, the required processing time TR for the remaining forms F is calculated.
Therefore, the required processing time TR corresponding to fluctuations in the reading processing time due to variations in the form F is determined, and the reliability of the required processing time TR is high.

In the embodiment described above, the format number -qNF may be input from the terminal device 3 or the form reading device l. Furthermore, if the format number NF is automatically input by reading the form F, the operator does not need to be aware of the format number NF.

In the embodiments described above, various types of detection sensors 26, 29, installation positions, detection methods, etc. other than those described above can be adopted.

The hardware configuration of the control unit 7 can be various configurations other than those described above. Although the various processing operations for determining the required processing time TR are realized by software, all or part of them may be realized by a hardware circuit. Instructions, commands, and the like may be input from any of the form reading device 1, the terminal device 3, and the character recognition control device 4. The document F can be applied to various types of documents that undergo reading processing. Big roller 21, roller 22~
24, the structure, shape, dimensions, material, etc. of the hopper 31, the lifting device 32, and other parts of the reading section 5 or the hopper section 6,
It can be of various types.

All or part of the form reading device W1, the terminal device 3, and the character recognition control device 4 may be configured integrally.

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to the present invention, an operator can easily know the exact processing time required for a form, and can replenish the form in a timely and accurate manner.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

9. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a front view showing the general structure of the form reading device according to the present invention, and Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the paper feeding section of the form reading device. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the hardware circuit of the control section of the form reading device according to the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the processing operation for determining the average processing time TH. 0 In the figure, 1 is a form reading device, 11 is an initial number of sheets detection means, 12 is a processed number of sheets detection means, 13 is a processing time detection means, 14 is an average processing time detection means, 15 is a required processing time calculation means, 28 is a display A panel (display means), 31 is a hopper, and F is a form.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) Initial sheet number detection means (1
1), and the number of processed sheets M, which is the number of sheets (F) that have been read and processed.
processing time detection means (13) for obtaining the reading processing time TY of one form (F), each time n forms (F) are read and processed; Average processing time calculation means (14
), Required processing time calculation means (15) for calculating the required processing time TR of the unprocessed form (F) from the initial number of sheets MT, the number of processed sheets MS, and the average processing time TH, and a display for displaying the required processing time TR. A required processing time display device for a form reading device, comprising means (28).