JPH04340180A - Optical mark reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make it possible to read out the same document plural times at respectively different timing and to efficiently utilize a mark sheet by providing this optical mark reader with a reading start timing changeover switch capable of setting up the time required before the start of reading of a data mark to a required value. CONSTITUTION:The density of a mark entered in a document is detected by a photosensor and converted into an electric signal and amplified by a mark head 2, a timing mark is detected by a timing mark detecting circuit 3 based upon a signal inputted from the mark head 2 and a reading start signal 6 is sent from a timer 4 to a mark data gate circuit 8 based upon a value of timer set up by the reading start timing changeover switch 5. At the time of inputting the signal 6, the circuit 8 is opened and data mark reading operation is started. The switch 5 is operated by an operator and plural values of timer can be set up and continuously changed by the switch 5.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical mark reading device for optically reading marks written on a form.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional optical mark reading device that optically reads marks written on a form detects a timing mark provided at the edge of the form with a gate for reading data marks. The light and shade of the mark written on the form is detected by an optical sensor during the time the gate is open, and converted into an electrical signal.By detecting the peak value, the presence or absence of the mark can be determined. The method is to set a column in which a data mark is written corresponding to each timing mark, and to read data from the column corresponding to each timing mark.

0003

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In the conventional optical mark reading device as described above, since the time from detecting a timing mark to starting reading a data mark is fixed, it is difficult to read one timing mark. The disadvantage is that only one column of data can be read by the method. Therefore, in order to have data marks written on the same question at different times, there is a problem in that two mark sheets in different formats must be printed.

0004

[Means for Solving the Problems] The optical mark reading device of the present invention includes a mark head that detects the density of a mark written on a form using an optical sensor, converts it into an electrical signal, and amplifies it, and the mark head. a timing mark detection circuit that detects a timing mark from a signal input from a reading start timing changeover switch 5 that can set a plurality of timer values or change the timer value continuously by an operator's operation; , a timer that sends out a reading start signal at a timer value set by the reading start timing changeover switch, and a mark data gate circuit that inputs the reading start signal and starts a data mark reading operation.

[0005]

Embodiments Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention.

The optical mark reading device 1 of this embodiment is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the light and shade of the mark written on the form by the mark head 2 is detected by an optical sensor, converted into an electrical signal and amplified, and the timing mark detection circuit 3 detects the timing using the signal input from the mark head 2. When a mark is detected and the timing mark detection circuit 3 detects the timing mark, a read start signal 6 is sent from the timer 4 to the mark data gate circuit 8 at the timer value set by the read start timing changeover switch 5. When the read start signal 6 is input, the mark data gate circuit 8 is opened and the data mark read operation is started. The mark data 9 read by the mark data gate circuit 8 undergoes code conversion and data editing in the mark data processing section 10, and is sent to an external storage device 11 and recorded therein. The reading start timing changeover switch 5 can be operated by an operator to set multiple timer values.
Alternatively, the timer value can be changed continuously.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of the form layout of the mark sheet used in the embodiment shown in FIG.

In FIG. 2, a mark sheet (form) 12
provides two mark data columns, a first mark data column 16 and a second mark data column 17, for the same question (part 1) 18, to be filled in at different times, for example, in the first half and second half. There is. The first reading start position 14 and the second reading start position 15 are from the timing mark 13 to the first mark data column 16, respectively.
and the distance to read the second mark data column 17. Using the form 12 configured in this way,
When reading data for the first half, the reading start timing changeover switch 5 is set to a timer value corresponding to the first reading start position 14, and the form 12 is read. Same form 12
When reading data for the second half of the period, the reading start timing changeover switch 5 is set to the timer value corresponding to the second reading start position 15, and the form 12 is read. In this way, the same document can be read multiple times at different timings.

0010

Effects of the Invention As explained above, the optical mark reading device of the present invention can set the time required to start reading a data mark to a desired value, so it can read data marks multiple times at different times for the same form. This has the effect of allowing multiple readings, and therefore allows efficient use of mark sheets (forms).

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of a form layout of a mark sheet used in the embodiment of FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Optical mark reading device 2 Mark head 3 Timing mark detection circuit 4 Timer 5 Reading start timing changeover switch 6
Reading start signal 8 Mark data gate circuit 9 Mark data 10 Mark data processing section 11 External storage device 12 Mark sheet (form) 13 Timing mark 14 First reading start position 15 Second reading start position 16 First mark data column 17 Second mark Data Column 18 Question (Part 1)

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A mark head that detects the density of a mark written on a form using an optical sensor, converts it into an electrical signal, and amplifies it, and a timing mark detection device that detects a timing mark of a signal input from the mark head. circuit and
A reading start timing changeover switch 5 that can set a plurality of timer values or change the timer value continuously by an operator's operation, and a reading start timing changeover switch 5 that starts reading at the timer value set by the reading start timing changeover switch. An optical mark reading device comprising: a timer that sends out a signal; and a mark data gate circuit that inputs the reading start signal and starts a data mark reading operation.