JPH03171380A - Image reading device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To attain a converting operation at a high speed by reading a code after converting an original of the paper, etc., which is difficult to handle into an easy-to-handle medium. CONSTITUTION:An image recording part 1B records an original on a microfilm, i.e., a recording medium, and a reading part 1E reads a code out of the microfilm. Thus it is not required to secure continuation between both parts 1B and 1E in terms of time. As a result, a high-speed recording operation and a highly reliable reading operation are attained. Furthermore the code is read after converting an original of the paper, etc., into the easy-to-handle microfilm. Then an unmanned operation is possible with reduction of labor.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention provides a method for recording original documents such as documents to which index information such as barcodes is attached on microfilm/magnetic media, and reading this index information. This paper relates to an image reading device capable of (Prior Art) Conventionally, in order to reduce the storage space required for documents, etc., which are generated in large quantities, the image information is stored on microfilm. Magnetism/
Data is stored on magneto-optical disks, etc. From a management perspective, in order to enable easy access (search) to this information at a later date, it is necessary to input an index corresponding to each piece of information. It took a huge amount of time.
Therefore, one way to solve this problem is to attach code information that should serve as an index to the document, and scan this code information with a scanner (barcode scanner for barcodes, magnetic characters = IMICR, general characters = IOCR, etc.). It is widely known that documents can be photographed at the same time as they are being read. A simple example of wM is shown in Figure 5. In this device, a document lOO such as a document to which a barcode has been added as index information is transferred to a roller 101.
, 102 and 103, and a bell} 104, the documents are conveyed one by one toward the paper output tray 10B, and this index information is read by the barcode scanner 105, and the image of the document in the photographing section 10B is captured by the camera 107. Photographed and recorded on microfilm. At this point, the index information read out is transferred to the -1 source.8 At this time, in Figure 6 (n'!, (h)), the microphone mouth film 1090 people , Takudai piece 1 1 0 '7) L'l a % 1 1 1 k
+i< JJg −] 6i7 'f':,Q,
Xbl4'3J l 1 2, 1: is the name of the person who responds to the manuscript, and the make-1-1-: Ri-! , "Acts h. By writing in this memory and attaching the dex data, it is easy to write 0, 0, I14 + C i" 4 "
It is set to 6L, which allows you to search for 11 image frames in the i-no-ilm.

Gonoyo 6 [1i-te USP 4,283J:N is no'
),, (the problem that the invention is trying to solve) However, if you use the branch technique of Jumei, you can improve the reading speed of the code scanner and the microphone r′】7 Il...
0:} Photography is clear 1: There is a K difference, and this difference is large for document manuscripts. It also depends on the Sl spoon. i <= read like a shark (scanner) = shooting 115 sl cost ++ (7 ike "
h)/2...3.

In other words, I like it 1, and I like it. The processing speed of g-7 film is determined by the scanner8? Expert's favorite 4-! 1. How to confirm the data in the barcode table and try to confirm the data 1~1000 ■ Scan the barcode twice If the data of L7 matches 6. Sui ■ Bar ■ - V*: 34 or more screen ...and 2 times speed unification 1-t: confrontation■ Scan the bar code 3 times or more and use one of the majority decision banks etc. I7 reliability has been improved.

On the other hand, most high-speed scanners are 1, concave. ). 4. Because the data is determined by the ``yan'' (=), the reliability or correctness of the read data is low.The present invention t-A solves this drawback. The object of the present invention is to provide a healing image reading device that enables high-speed recording and island reliable index creation in tP.

(Unfortunate means to solve the problem) In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, the original image is
(Function) In the present invention having the above configuration, the present invention is characterized in that it includes a recording means for recording image information and a reading means for reading code information from the recorded image information. It is not necessary that there is a conjunction 1 in terms of Iuj.
, high-speed recording and highly reliable reading are possible.

Since the code is read after converting the original paper such as paper to a more easily handled medium, it is possible to perform continuous conversion without any problems, and labor savings can also be achieved.

(Examples) The present invention will be described below based on illustrated examples. FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of an image reading device δ according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The basic structure consists of an image recording section 1B that records the original on microfilm as a recording medium, and a reading section IE that serves as a reading means for reading codes from the microfilm. As shown in Figure 1(a), code information @J1 is included in manuscript P. Is it separated one leaf at a time in the Ma shadow? f1 Several original documents P are sequentially recorded on the same medium, microfilm 9.

That is, the image recording section IB is provided with a paper feed section 2 for stacking original documents P, and at a position adjacent to the paper feed section 2, a photographing section is provided that stacks the documents P on the six paper feed sections z one by one from the bottom. A conveyance stage is installed to convey the material to 7. This conveying means consists of rollers 4
, 5, and a (reverse rotation) roller 3 that contacts the roller 4. A photographing camera 8 is disposed on this conveyance means as an image recording means for photographing the original P in the photographing section 7 onto a microfilm 9. The lower fILgs in the conveying direction of the II conveying means. ! A paper discharge stacker IO is provided for tacking the 11% completed original P. The photographed and developed microfilm is the first
This is shown in Figure (C). A reduced image (image) l2 of the original P and a mark l3 called a grip for specifying the image position are recorded on the microfilm l1. Of course, code information 1 also has 14 recorded as a reduced image.

The microphone A7 illumination l1 which has been subjected to the m-image development process is loaded into the magazine 90 as shown in FIG. The microfilm ll loaded in the magazine 90 is attached to the code reading section IH. The reading section IE includes an image sensor 20 serving as a reading means for reading out the code information l added to the original P from the microfilm 11 on which the original image is imprinted, and an image sensor 20 as a reading means to analyze this read signal and decode the code information. a decoder 23 as decoding means; A control unit 33 such as a microprocessor serves as an index creation means for creating index information by combining the decoded information and information representing the storage location of the image corresponding to the code information l on the image recording medium. There is. The reading section IE has rollers 15a, 15 for feeding out the microfilm l1.
b, 15c, 15d, a winding rewind roller l6 for winding the film by defining a path with a glass pressure plate (not shown) or the like is provided, and a prep reading roller is further provided between the two pairs of rollers, preferably near the glass pressure plate. A film transport means provided with a photoelectric element 17, and a light source 18. It consists of a means for enlarging and projecting one line 24 of a micro image on a microfilm, which serves as a reading means, onto an image sensor 20 to approximately the same size as the original P using a condenser lens and a projection lens 19 (not shown). Figure 1 (0) is Figure 1 (e)
It is a three-dimensional representation of Here, the output of the image sensor 20 is input to the signal processing circuit 22, and waveform shaping is performed. Necessary processing such as digitization and polarity reversal is performed. The processed signal is input to the code decoder 23. The decoder 23 checks the predetermined rules and outputs the code information to the output terminal 20 if the code matches the predetermined rules.
Output to ′. The output of the grip reading element 17 is subjected to signal processing similar to that of the signal processing circuit 22 in a signal processing circuit 2l, and is outputted to an output terminal 17'. The first signal is also used as a reset signal for the decoder 23. For example, in the case of a standard barcode with a narrow bar of 0.3■, the frequency is twice as high even considering deterioration due to microfilm, 1mm ÷ 0.3mm x 2 = 8.87p.
el Even if we add the sampling theorem to this, it is 8.87pe.
It can be read at a frequency twice l. That is, in this example l6pa
It can be seen that it is fully possible to read code information from micro images using an image sensor equivalent to 1. The code information and blip mark information thus output are combined in the control unit 33 to create index information, which is stored in a memory (not shown). Furthermore, in this first embodiment, since the reading section IE is used only for reading barcodes, the film transport control may be rough. As long as there are no sudden changes, a total change of 1.5 to 2 times is acceptable. In other words, there is no need for a high-grade motor control circuit. However, if code information is not output between the blip and the prep, it will be reset by the output of the signal processing circuit 2l described above, so this point must be kept in mind. Also, the position of the added code information is
If it is limited to the right half or left half of , the tpJl diagram (
The line 24a of f) becomes the pole, and the image sensor 20 also becomes the moon, making it possible to downsize the device and lower the cost. Even if the reading range is reduced, even higher resolution reading is possible without changing the image sensor, but this naturally has its limits. For example, when taking pictures using an ordinary rotary micro camera, the current minimum narrow bar is 0.11.
Considering mm, l amount ÷ 0.13 mm x 24 yo 185
It is 1p/mm, which means it exceeds the reading limit. However, this is a technical difficulty, not a theoretical difficulty. For example, there are simple solutions such as the Chitoko camera and 35mm film. FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, and this second embodiment is an example in which a digitally recordable medium is selected as the information recording medium. Specific recording media include A&9& disks and magnetic tapes as shown in Figure 2(b). There are floppy disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, etc. The feature of this embodiment lies in the information reading method called the medium. In the first embodiment, a manuscript is treated as two-dimensional information and recorded as two-dimensional analog information. On the other hand, the wIJ2 embodiment records -dimensional digital information. Figure 2 (O) shows the image recording unit 2B that reads and records the original, and Figure 2 (C) shows the image recording unit 2B that reads and records the original. Yes, the second
In the figure, those with the same 12 functions as in Figure 1 (B) are marked with the same numbers p3- and 9I! The shadow camera 8' is basically a photoelectric g conversion element (in most cases CCD) 24, an increase vl penalty 25
, M 111 L. for transporting the original P.
1M of light per 1 line. It is read out by the conversion element 24-. The read image signal is subjected to processing such as A/D conversion, edge enhancement, and digital compression in the signal/data processing section 26.

The processed data is recorded on the recording medium 27, 743 21M (c) l. : Hey f, 30 is! <
/ B is the display device, 31 is the image memory, 32 is the data correction / expansion is r! 'I l! Reference numerals 8 and 33 denote a control unit for controlling the entire system, which is composed of a microprocessor, a control block 1''j program, etc. 34 is a printer, and 35 is a bus line.

This is explained below.

When the power is turned on and automatic index mode is selected, the index data recorded in the recording body 27 is read out. index.

The data is a combination of information that uniquely characterizes each image information (e.g. sequence number indicating the photographer) and code information (e.g. barcode) added to the manuscript to form one small index data. This is almost the same as FIG. 6(b). Here, there is no index data,
In other words, if image information that can be accessed only by the sequence number is found, the image information with that ship sequence number is read from the recording medium 27, and the data compression/expansion circuit 3
2 and expands it into the image memory 3l. All or part of the data is transferred from the f4 image memory 31 to the control section 33, where the code is decoded and sequentially combined with a:5. to form index data.

Fig. 3 shows the contents of the control section 33 in some detail.
The image memory 31 is divided into four parts A, B, C, and D.
This is because if it can be determined that food information exists in any of these locations, the decoding time can be shortened, so the area is limited. For example, if it is a manuscript such as No. 11ffl(a), the part D is illuminated)-. Become. memory 3
The smaller the area is, the shorter the decoding time is, but the chance of reading failure increases.

36 is a microprocessor, and 737 is a ROM containing control software that controls the entire system. 38 is a working memory, 39 is a H-F T for index e data.
Memory, 40 is the second statue of the ship. 41 is a decoder. 42
is a storage medium that stores data. As described with reference to FIG. 2, the original P to which the code information l4 has been added is flashed lIj from the recording medium 27 and developed in the image memory 3l. Here, the position of the code information in the document P is identified, and the document P is photographed in its normal state in the photographing section 7 without being slanted during transportation Ha (between the paper feed section 2 and the photographing section 7). Then, the location of the code 1 information on the image memory 31 can be specified with considerable accuracy. Although 100% is impossible in reality, the image data 4 in the range including the code information is transferred to the second image memory 40 with a probability of 95% or more. Range specification is the paper thickness of the original,
Since it is a function of the size, location, etc. of the code information, it is desirable to be able to reset it. If the code information is a barcode, it is preferable to scan it three or more times as described in 1.7 For example, if the height of the barcode is Roam, it is recommended to scan it once within 10/3 = 3.3m. In terms of the second image memory 40, if the image is read at 8 pels, 8X3.3=26, which is a little safe, and only needs to be scanned once every 25 lines.In the end, the image is divided from the second image memory 40. Data equivalent to scanning once every 25 lines is sent to the decoder 41. The decoder 41 checks the barcode information in the sent data and outputs confirmed data according to one of the aforementioned rules. If it cannot be determined, please send 5-data (e.g. Not read No barcode).
Outputs . The output data is combined with the sequence number of the image information (manuscript) to create a single index.
It is stored in the buffer memory 39. When one batch is completed, the contents of the buffer memory 39 are transferred to the index data recording medium 42, and an index file is created thereon. Here, an index file may be created on the recording medium 27. The former example is suitable for managing a large number of recording media at once. The latter example is suitable for managing a single recording medium. In the latter case, the second recording medium is not necessary. K/B when performing image search
3 Enter the code information from 0 that allows you to limit the manuscript to a unique or group. Find index data corresponding to code information from the index file.
The sequence number is extracted from the index data found, the target image information is accessed, the recorded information is read out, the data is decompressed and displayed on the display 30, and output from the printer 34 if requested. Figure 4 is a combination of Figures 2 (a) and (C), and is effective as a small system. Items with the same numbers as in Figure 2 have the same functions. The difference is that the control unit 33 switches the image recording/automatic index mode. It is desirable to perform this switching at K/B 3 0 when the entire system starts up. (Effects of the Invention) As explained above, according to the present invention, the code is read after converting the document from paper, etc., which is difficult to handle, to a medium that is easy to handle. You can save. Therefore, since it has been converted into a medium that is easy to handle, retrofitted indexes can be automated and even run unmanned. In particular, in the case of rotary microfilm cameras, various difficulties existed in the past in reading code information from moving documents. However, as in the present invention, photographing and code reading are separated and batch processing is performed, so the code is detected and processed on the reading side in a state equivalent to that of the document being stopped.
It is very advantageous because it can be decoded.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 shows an image reading apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is a plan view of a document, (b) is a schematic structural diagram of an image recording section, and ( C) is a plan view of microfilm as a recording medium, (d) is a cross-sectional view showing the awPJ configuration of a magazine containing microfilm, (e) is a schematic configuration diagram of a reading unit that reads code information, The figure (0 is a three-dimensional perspective view of the configuration of the reading section in figure (e), and Figure 2 shows an image reading device according to a second embodiment of the present invention; figure (a) is a schematic configuration diagram of the image recording unit, (b) is a schematic plan view of the recording medium, and (c) is a schematic diagram of the image recording unit.
3 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the code reading section.
The figure shows the configuration of the control section in slightly more detail.
Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a system that combines the configurations of Figures 2 (a) and (C), Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a conventional image reading device, and Figures 6 (a) and (b). is a diagram for explaining the correspondence between microfilm frame numbers and index information. Explanation of symbols 1...Code information 7...Photographing unit (image recording, means) 9...Micro film (recording medium) l7...Photoelectric conversion element 20...Image sensor 2l...Signal processing Circuit 33... Control unit P... Manuscript Fig. 7 (a) Fig. 2 <o>Cb> (C Fig. 4 Condolence 5 Kyo Fig. 6 Co) (b)

Claims (1)

[Claims] An image reading device comprising: an image recording device that reads and records an image of a document to which code information is added, including the code information; and a reading device that reads the code information from the recorded image information.