JPH04181386A - Optical character reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To process plural kinds of document by reading the documents by using plural kinds of filter. CONSTITUTION:A circular filter base 48 which is rotated on a rotary shaft 46 is fitted on the front side of a lens base 40, holes for fitting filters are formed in the filter base 38, and, for example, two filters 50 and 52 are provided. The filter 50 drops out a specific color recorded on documents 20 and the filter 52 reduce light converged on a CCD sensor so as to reduce energy which is electrically outputted. Consequently, plural kinds of document can be read.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention (Industrial Field of Application) The present invention relates to an optical character reading device that reads characters recorded in a plurality of colors.

(Prior Art) Generally, some optical character reading devices are provided with a filter in the reading section that detects an image, and others are not provided with a filter. Optical character reading devices with filters installed in the reading section are used to drop out specific colors recorded on forms, or to adjust the energy level of the detected signal within the range of the wavelength band to be read. A filter is used. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, it is used to detect an image only in the band of the first part of the filter and drop out other colors, or to adjust the level of energy as in the second part of the filter.

In addition, optical character reading devices without filters are
It detects and reads all colors.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) As described above, in conventional optical character reading devices, the reading section is provided with a filter or is not provided with a filter. In other words, the presence or absence of a filter and, if there is a filter, its type are fixed depending on II. Therefore, since the type of form to be processed is specified depending on the device, versatility is poor. Additionally, if a device with a filter is modified to one without, removing the filter changes the optical path length and prevents the image from being correctly formed on the sensor, resulting in a deterioration in the quality of the detected image and poor reading performance. There were times when I ended up.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned points, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a highly versatile optical character reading device that does not specify a document to be processed.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention guides the light reflected on the form surface to a sensor through a predetermined optical path, and records the image on the form based on the image detected by the sensor. An optical character reading device for reading written characters, etc. includes a filter base to which at least two filters having different characteristics are attached, and the filter base is operated so that the filter provided on the filter base is located in the optical path. The image detection apparatus is equipped with a driving means for detecting an image using a filter corresponding to a form to be processed.

(Operation) According to such a configuration, it is possible to detect images using a plurality of filters with one device, and it is possible to read a plurality of types of forms (for example, different dropout colors).

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the conveyance system, optical system, and reading section 38 in the optical character reading device according to the same embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, a form 20 to be processed in which data is written is placed on a hopper table 22. As shown in FIG.

The form 20 on the hopper table 22 is taken out from the hopper table 22 by the paper feeding section 24 that presses against it while rotating, and taken into the conveyance path. A separator roller 2B is provided on the lower surface of the conveyance path so as to be in pressure contact with the paper feed section 24. If two or more sheets of forms 20 taken into the conveyance path by the paper feed section 24 overlap, they are separated one by one by the separator roller 2B. A plurality of drive rollers 28 for conveying the form 20 in a predetermined direction are provided on five sides of the conveyance path. Furthermore, a plurality of tension rollers 30 are provided on the upper surface of the conveyance path, corresponding to each drive roller 28. A storage section 32 for storing processed forms 20 is provided in the transport path light. Note that the paper feed section 24 and the drive roller 28
is rotationally driven by a drive motor 72 controlled by a control section 70 (see FIG. 3).

Further, the conveyance path is irradiated with light from a fluorescent lamp 34. The optical path of the reflected light from the form conveyed on the conveyance path is changed by the mirror 38 and guided to the reading section 38 .

The detailed configuration of the reading section 38 is shown in FIG.

1(a) is a front view from the mirror 36 side, FIG. 1(b) is a right side view, and FIG. 1(c) is a bottom side view. As shown in FIG. 1, a lens 42 for condensing light from the mirror 36 is attached to the lens base 40. Further, a CCD substrate 44 is attached to the lens base 40 so that a CCD sensor that performs photoelectric conversion is located at a focal point coaxial with the lens 42. A rotation shaft 46 is provided on the front side (mirror 36 side) of the lens base 40.
A circular filter base 48 is attached which is rotated.

The filter base 48 has holes for attaching filters, for example two filters 50, 52. The filter 50 is for dropping out a specific color recorded on the form 20, and the filter 52
is for attenuating the light focused on the CCD sensor in order to reduce the electrically output energy. The filters 50, 52 are provided on the filter base 48 so as to pass through an axis connecting the lens 42 and the CCD sensor when the filter base 4g rotates. A gear for transmitting the rotational power of the filter motor 54 is provided on the outer periphery of the filter base 48 . The filter motor 54 is fixed to the lens base 40 , and a gear provided on its rotation shaft is engaged with a gear on the filter base 48 . The filter motor 54 rotates the filter base 48 as shown by the arrow in the figure.

Further, the filter base 48 is provided with a flange portion 60 that allows the rotational position of the filter base 48 to be detected by the sensors 5B and 5g. The sensors 56 and 58 have filters 50 and 52 respectively, a lens 42 and a CCD.
When the axis position where the sensor is connected is reached, the filter base 48
It is provided at a position to detect the flange portion 60 of.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a control system for controlling the various functional units shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 70 transfers the form 20 to the hopper table 2.
The filter motor 54 is controlled in accordance with the detection results of the drive motor 72, the fluorescent lamp 34, and the sensors 58, 58 for taking out the paper from the filter 2 and transporting it along the transport path. The control unit 70 also receives signals from the CCD sensor and controls character reading processing. Note that information (FC information) indicating which of the filters provided in the filter base 48 is required for the form to be processed is registered in the control unit 70, and is used to control the drive of the filter motor 54. Referenced.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained.

The documents 20 on the hopper table 22 are taken in one by one by the paper feeding section 24 being driven by the drive motor 72 . The captured form 20 is conveyed by a drive roller 28. During this transportation, the fluorescent lamp 3
4 emits light, and the reflected light is guided to a reading section 38 by a mirror 36.

The CCD sensor performs photoelectric conversion according to the light input through the filter 50 or 52 and the lens 42, and outputs the signal to the control unit 70. This signal is
Provided for character reading processing. The processed form 20 is
It is further transported and stored in the storage section 32.

Next, the operation of switching the filters 50 and 52 in the reading section 38 will be described. Usually, the filter base 48 is set at a position where the filter 52 overlaps the lens 42. At this time, the flange 60 provided on the filter base 4g
is located at the position of the sensor 58, so the position of the filter 52 is confirmed.

In addition, if the form to be processed requires dropping out a specific color corresponding to the filter 50,
The filter motor 54 is driven by the control unit 70,
Filter base 48 is rotated.

Then, the collar θO of the filter base 4B is connected to the sensor 56.
When detected, the control unit 7o controls the filter motor 5.
4 is stopped, and the position of the filter base 48 is determined. At this time, the filter 50 is set at a position overlapping the lens 42. This completes the setting of the reading section 38 and enables reading processing.

In this way, it is possible to use a plurality of filters 50, 52 for reading, so that even if there are a plurality of types of forms to be processed, one device can handle them. That is, it is possible to drop out multiple types of colors and adjust the energy level of the signal. Further, even if a filter is not required for reading processing, by providing a dummy filter, the optical path length will not change, so the quality of the detected image will not deteriorate and the reading performance will not deteriorate.

In the above embodiment, two filters 50 and 52 are provided on the filter base 48, but it is of course possible to provide three or more filters.

Further, although the rotational position of the filter base 48 is set according to the detection results from the sensors 5B and 5g corresponding to each filter 50, 52, the method is not limited.

Furthermore, in the above embodiments, the configuration in which the filters 50 and 52 are attached to the circular filter base 48 has been described, but the shape of the filter base is not limited to this, and other configurations, for example, linear filter bases may be used. A configuration may also be provided in which a filter is provided.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, multiple types of forms can be processed by reading using multiple types of filters, thereby increasing the versatility of the device. be.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a reading section in an optical character reading device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a conveyance system, an optical system, and a reading section 38 in the optical character reading device. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control system for controlling various functional units, and FIG. 4 is a characteristic diagram of detected signals to explain a conventional optical character reading device. 20... Ledger, 22... Hopper table, 24...
・Paper feed section, 26...Separator roller, 28...Drive roller, 30...Tension roller, 32...
・Storage department, 34...Fluorescent lamp, 36...Mirror, 38.
...reading unit, 40...lens base, 42...lens, 44...CCD board, 48...filter base,
50.52...Filter, 54...Filter motor, 56, 58...Sensor, 60...Brim portion, 70...
- Control unit, 72... drive motor.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) In an optical character reading device that guides light reflected from the form surface to a sensor through a predetermined optical path and reads characters, etc. recorded on the form based on the image detected by the sensor, the characteristics a filter base to which at least two filters having different values are attached; and a driving means for operating the filter base so that the filter provided on the filter base is positioned in the optical path, An optical character reading device characterized in that an image is detected using a corresponding filter. (2) The optical system according to claim 1, wherein the driving means includes: filter switching means for switching the filter base; and detection means for detecting that the filter base has come to a predetermined position. Character reading device.