WO1995011492A1

WO1995011492A1 - Character input system capable of inputting characters in two ways and ocr used therefor

Info

Publication number: WO1995011492A1
Application number: PCT/JP1994/001774
Authority: WO
Inventors: Masashi Sugimoto; Yuji Ohashi; Seigo Inamine; Hideki Chujo; Hiroki Tabata
Original assignee: Omron Corporation
Priority date: 1993-10-21
Filing date: 1994-10-21
Publication date: 1995-04-27

Abstract

A host computer and a keyboard are connected to an image processing unit which recognizes characters in image information read by an image reader so that characters can be selectively entered in one of two ways. One is such that characters recognized based on image information read by the image reader are entered; and the other is such that characters are entered through the keyboard connected to the host computer as ordinarily. When characters are entered through the keyboard, the keyboard is connected to the host computer through the image processing unit. Contrarily, when the image reader is operated, signals representing the character recognition results are transmitted to the host computer so that the signals can be distinguished from the signals from the keyboard. Since the image reader has a grip section suitable for manual operation, the reader can smoothly scan an original.

Description

-Akira Akira

Character input system capable of two types of character input and 0CR device used for this system

The present invention relates to a character input system that allows a host computer to selectively perform character input by an OCR device and character input from a keyboard, and an OCR device suitable for the character input system.

Technology

2. Description of the Related Art An OCR device that reads characters using an image reading device such as a hand scanner and performs character recognition by performing image processing on an obtained character image has been conventionally known. In such an OCR device, since similar characters exist, a plurality of characters are selected with respective likelihoods. If the first candidate is not the correct answer, the correct character is sequentially selected as the second candidate, the third candidate, and so on. You can look for it. However, sometimes the correct answer cannot be reached.

In consideration of such a case, it is conventionally known that an OCR device and a keyboard are separately connected to a host computer so that a character can be input from the keyboard. In such a character input system, as described above, when a correct answer is not obtained in the character recognition processing by the 0CR device, the correct answer can be input using a keyboard. However, in such a conventional character input system, it is necessary to provide a host computer with a connection port for an OCR device in addition to a connection port for a keyboard, which makes it difficult to use a general-purpose personal computer.

In this regard, if the character code obtained by the OCR device is sent to the host computer via the keyboard interface, the dedicated connection for the OCR device can be obtained. There is no need to provide special connection boats. However, in that case, the following problems arise. That is, it is assumed that a certain character is recognized by the OCR device, and a character code (3DH, 50H) (where H represents a hexadecimal notation) is obtained, and this character code is stored in the memory. When this character code is transmitted to the host computer via the keyboard interface, "3", "5" and "0" are input by the keyboard. Key input code (03H.83H) corresponding to key input "3", key input code (1FH, 9FH) corresponding to, key input code (05H.85H) corresponding to "5", "0" The key input code (0 AH, 8 AH) corresponding to the above is converted into a total of 8 bytes of key input code and sent to the host computer. Therefore, in this case, the character code originally represented by 2 bytes is converted into 8-byte data and processed. In other words, the amount of data is quadrupled, which increases transmission time and processing time. In addition, when processing one sentence of text (one scan) as a unit, the memory capacity of the keyboard buffer memory for storing key input codes is large. Things are needed.

On the other hand, a so-called handy image scanner used for this type of OCR device originally has an image reading mechanism and a scanning movement amount detection mechanism built in at the bottom of the case, and has an image reading window on the lower end surface of the main body case. The main body case A of the conventional image reading device is configured in a vertically long rectangular parallelepiped shape, for example, as shown in Fig. 28, and moves horizontally. It was designed to scan.

Therefore, in order to manually move and scan a conventional image scanner over a document, for example, in the case of a right-handed operator, the thumb is applied to the left side of the main body case A to operate the start button B, and the other finger is used for the main body case. A Hold the body case A from the left and right, and attach it to the right side of A. It was necessary to perform an operation of moving the vertically standing main body case A parallel to the side of the character string while positioning it with the monitoring window C.

As described above, conventionally, since the operation is performed with the body case A held from above and the wrist extended, force is applied to the hand and arm, and skill is required to scan successfully. There was a problem in operability such that when a large amount of manuscripts were picked up, they were easily fatigued.

Technical communication of the invention

A first technical problem of the present invention is that a general-purpose personal computer can be used as a host computer, and that a character input by an OCR device and a character input by a keyboard can be selectively and efficiently performed. It is to provide a character input system.

A second technical problem of the present invention is to provide an image scanner (image reading device) that can easily and smoothly perform reading scanning, and to significantly improve the practicality of this type of OCR device.

The third technical problem of the present invention is to review the character input system including an OCR device including an image scanner, a host computer and a keyboard as basic components as a whole, and to enhance the organic relevance of these basic components. An object of the present invention is to provide a character input system having excellent operability.

Disclosure of the invention

The first technical problem of the present invention is basically achieved by the following configuration: an image reading device; extracting characters from an image read by the image reading device to perform character recognition; Image processing unit for generating a character code corresponding to the selected character, a host computer connected to a first connection port provided on the image processing unit, and a second connection port provided on the image processing unit The image processing unit sends the generated character code to the host computer in the character recognition operation mode, and directly connects the keyboard and the host computer in the keyboard input mode. A character input system that includes a transmission control unit for connecting and transmitting a key input code to a host computer, and the host computer generates a character string by processing the input character code or key input code.

That is, in the character input system according to the present invention, the image gun, the host computer, and the keyboard are brought into contact with each other around the image processing unit of the OCR apparatus, and the image processing unit uses the image gun. In this case, the character code obtained as a result of the OCR process is sent to the host computer in an identifiable state, and when keyboard input is used, the key input code is directly transferred to the host computer.

When using the host computer as a personal computer exclusively by keyboard operation without using the OCR device, for example, when using the host computer as a single processor, there is no need to turn on the power of the OCR device. However, it is preferable that the host computer can be used immediately as long as the power supply of the host computer is turned on.

For this reason, it is preferable that the above-mentioned processing unit also has the following functions as a repeater.

Characters are extracted and extracted from the first connection port for connecting to the host computer and the second connection port for connecting the input device, the image reading unit, and the image input from the image reading unit. A conversion unit that changes the character code corresponding to the converted character, the input signal received through the second connection port is transmitted through the first connection port, and the character code converted by the conversion unit The first connection port in a state where it can be distinguished from the input signal. Image processing unit transmitted through the network.

The second technical object of the present invention is basically achieved by an image reading device having the following structure;

An image reading mechanism and a scanning movement amount detecting mechanism are built in the main body case, and an image reading window for reading an image by the image reading frame and a roller for shooting the scanning movement amount are provided on a lower end surface of the main body case. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein the grip portion of the main body case is formed obliquely upward and rearward with respect to the lower end surface.

This type of image reading device includes a scanning movement amount detecting device, and in that case, the following configuration is preferable.

In an image reading apparatus in which an image reading mechanism and a scanning movement amount detecting mechanism are provided in a main body case and a roller for reading a scanning movement amount is provided on a lower end surface of the main body case, the roller and the scanning movement amount detecting mechanism are provided in a unit case. An image reading apparatus that is configured to be internally mounted and to expose only a part of the roller from a lower end of the unit case.

A third technical problem of the present invention is achieved by configuring a character input system by incorporating the above-described components.

According to the character input system of the present invention, the image reading device, the host computer, and the keyboard are interconnected around the image processing unit, and the character input by the image gun and the character input by the keyboard can be selectively performed. It can be carried out.

In addition, since the image processing apparatus and the keyboard are connected to the host computer by a common connection cable, there is no need to provide a special connection port in the host computer, and a general-purpose host computer can be used. Two types of character input can be performed by slightly changing the software on the host computer.

Furthermore, for example, in the case of kanji, the character code obtained by the OCR process is shorter than the key input code obtained by the Kana character input or alphabet input from the keyboard, and can be processed as it is, so that efficient data Data processing.

Next, in the above-described character input system, if an identification code is added or a processing switching command is generated, the host computer can perform the processing in the case of a character code and the key input code. In some cases, the process can be performed without confusion.

Furthermore, if the image processing unit extracts a plurality of candidate characters, the correct character can be selected from among the candidates for the number of characters. Ru can be easily modified to ₀

According to the image processing unit according to the present invention, the image processing unit can selectively transmit a character code or an input signal input from an input device to the host computer via the first connection port. Therefore, the above-mentioned character input system can be constructed for the first time.

In addition, if a line feed is instructed by operating the operation switch of the image processing apparatus, it is not necessary to operate a line feed key on the keyboard every time a line feed is performed, thereby simplifying and speeding up the line feed operation.

Next, when the image processing unit according to the present invention has a function as a transponder and uses only a keyboard, the keyboard can be operated by the power supply of the host computer. there is no need to turn on a dedicated power-up side, after which the operability can be improved, the power consumption amount of S can be alleviated _c Next, according to the image reading apparatus of the present invention, since the grip portion of the main body case is inclined obliquely upward and rearward, the grip portion is held by the thumb, the index finger, and the middle finger so as to hold the pen. As a result, the posture of the main body case can be easily and finely controlled by operating the fingertip, and the moving scan along the character string or the like can be easily performed with less fatigue.

In this case, if the angle of inclination of the grip part is in the range of 40 ° to 85 °, a large space can be formed at the front of the lower part of the main body case in use, and the degree of freedom of the grip can be increased. As a result, the operability is further improved, and even when the size of the hand and the thickness of the grip are variously varied, the grip portion can be held without discomfort, and the operability is further improved.

In addition, by supporting the scanning amount reading roller in the front-rear direction of the main body case, the scanning direction on the document can be set to the horizontal direction, and the operability is improved. Furthermore, if the start button is arranged on the front of the main body case and above the lower end face of the main body case, when the start button is pressed down, the force is applied to the lower end face of the main body case, and the lower end face and the target image Since the surface does not separate, scanning can be performed stably and reading can be performed reliably.

Also, if a step for finger contact is provided, the presence of the step portion allows the finger of the operet to closely adhere to the main body case, and the main body case can be pressed downward during operation using the step portion, The main body case can be stably held, and the main body case can be stably scanned so as not to separate from the target image, and reading can be performed reliably.

In addition, by providing marks for confirming the image position on each of the image gun window and the monitoring window, positioning of the characters on the document and the main body case becomes easy, and the operability is excellent and the reading is performed reliably.

Furthermore, if a positioning arm is provided on the image gun window, it is a small part. The image reading window can be stably temporarily fixed in a predetermined posture, and the mounting structure of the reading window is stabilized, and the assembling property is improved.

Next, in the image reading apparatus according to the present invention, if the scanning movement amount detection mechanism is built in the unit case and only a part of the scanning movement amount detection roller is exposed from the lower end of the unit case, There is almost no possibility that dust entering the main body case provided with the detection device and dust generated in the main body case may enter the unit case. In addition, since the movement amount detection device is completed as a single unit by assembling the components into the unit case, inspection can be performed before assembling into the main body case, and the incorporation of defective products can be avoided. In addition, repair of the displacement detector e can be performed as a unit.

If the interior of the unit case is divided into two compartments and the gears are stored in one compartment, even if lubricating grease is applied to the gear group, the grease scatters and the detection light of the rotary encoder is detected. The partition wall prevents the slits for passing through the photo interface from adhering to the light emitting and receiving parts in the evening. In addition, when the image reading unit is not used, if the supporting part for supporting the image reading unit is provided in the main body case of the image processing unit, a separate storage member is not required. If a cover is provided on the support for covering the rollers, dust and dust do not adhere to the image reading window and the rollers or the rollers during storage, and the image can be read through the image gun window reliably, and / or The rotation of the roller is performed smoothly, and the movement amount is detected with high accuracy.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a character input system according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the character input system according to the present invention; FIG. 3 is a configuration of an image processing unit according to the present invention; FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of an image processing unit according to the present invention: Fig. 5 Fig. 6 Fig. 7 is a flowchart of a program executed in the character input system according to the present invention, Fig. 5 is a main routine of the processing unit, and Fig. 6 is a line feed processing in the processing unit. Routine, Figure 7 shows the main routine of the host computer:

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a use state of the image gun shooting device;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view from below of the image shooting device;

FIG. 10 is an overall side view of the image reading apparatus:

Fig. 11 is a bottom view of the main part of the main body case;

FIG. 12 is an overall front view of the image reading apparatus;

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the activation button;

Fig. 14 shows a side view of the image reading device with a partial cutout:

Figure 15 is a bottom view showing the procedure for assembling the image reading window:

FIG. 16 is a bottom view of the image reading device;

Fig. 17 is a vertical rear view of the image reading mechanism;

Fig. 18 is an exploded perspective view of the image reading window;

Fig. 19 is a longitudinal side view of the scanning movement detection mechanism;

FIGS. 20 (A) and (B) show the internal configuration of the scanning movement amount detection mechanism. FIG. 20 (A) shows the internal configuration of the transmission chamber, and FIG. 20 (B) shows the rotary encoder. Internal drawing of the storage room:

Fig. 21 is an exploded view of the scanning movement detection mechanism:

FIG. 22 is an overall side view of another embodiment of the image shooting device;

FIG. 23 is an overall front view of another embodiment of the image reading apparatus;

Fig. 24 is an overall plan view of the image processing system.

Fig. 25 is an overall front view of the image processing system.

Fig. 26 is an overall side view of the image processing system. FIG. 27 is an entire front cutaway sectional view taken along the line Y--Y of FIG. 24; FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a conventional example of an image shooting device.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, examples of the present invention will be described in detail.

(a) System configuration

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a system configuration of a character input device according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of this system.

As shown in FIG. 1, the present character input device includes a pen-type image scanner 1, a processing unit 2 that performs character recognition by performing data processing on a character image read by the image scanner 1, and a CRT or the like. It comprises a host computer 4 having a display device 3 and a keyboard 5 for computer operation which is normally directly connected to the host computer 4. One of the features of this system is that the processing unit 2 has two connection ports 6.7, and one connection port 6 and the keyboard connection port 8 of the host computer 4 are connected by a gun connection cable 9. The keyboard 5 is connected to the other connection boat 7 by a connection cable 10. That is, in this system, the image scanner 1, the host computer 4, and the keyboard 5 are connected by the processing unit 2 constituting the OCR device body. Then, a character code obtained as a result of the character recognition processing of the character image read by the image scanner 1 and a key input code input by a key operation of the keyboard 5 are selectively input to the host computer 4. It has become so. An AC adapter 11 is connected to the processing unit 2 as a DC power supply.

As shown in the block diagram of this system in Fig. 2, the processing unit 2 composed of a microcomputer A character code conversion unit 24 that extracts character images from the image and outputs the characters recognized by the character recognition process as a character code data format, for example, a 2-byte character code, and the operation switch 12 of the image scanner 1 is turned on. If the operation switch 12 is not operated, a processing switching command is generated, and the processing switching command and the character code obtained by the character code conversion unit 24 are output. The key input code input from the host computer 4 is functionally blocked by the transmission control unit 26 for transmitting the key input code to the host computer 4. Instead of the process switching command, an identification code may be generated for each character code, and the identification code may be added to the character code and sent to the host computer 4.

The host computer 4 has a buffer memory 42 for temporarily storing a character code or key input code selectively transmitted from the processing unit 2, and a character code when a processing switching command is input from the processing unit 2. When there is no process switching command input, the key input code is selected and output, and when the key input code is selected in the data selection unit 44, the key input code is selected. And a character code conversion processing unit 46 that decodes the character string and converts it into a character code. Although not specifically shown, the display device 3 has a built-in character generator, generates a character corresponding to the input character code, and displays it on a screen.

(b) Composition of treatment unit

FIG. 3 shows the circuit configuration of the processing unit 2. The processing unit 2 includes a switching connection unit 25, a CPU 27 as a control unit, and a memory 28. The switching connection section 25 is supplied with power from the host computer 4 via a power supply line 29. The switching connection section 25 includes a pair of selector elements 31.32 and a pair of three-state buffers 34,34. Consists of 3 5 those Is operated by the power supplied through the power line 29. The selector ports 3 1 and 3 2 are connected to switch input boats A and B to output port Y, respectively.When the voltage of selector port S is at H level, input boat B is at output boat Y and when selector port S is at L level, Input port A is connected to output port Y. The input signal from the keyboard 2 is input to the input port A of the selector element 31 on the one side, and the control unit is input to the input port B.

27, and a selector port S is supplied with a control signal from the controller 27. Also, the selector element on the other side

A command signal from the host computer 4 is supplied to the input port 32 of 2, a signal from the control section 27 is supplied to the input port B, and a control signal from the control section 27 is supplied to the selector port S. Is to be given.

The three-state buffer 34 on one side is supplied with a command signal from the host computer 4 and a control signal from the control section 27. When the control signal is at the H level, the three-state buffer 34 is turned on to turn on the host computer 4. The input signal from the keyboard 5 and the control signal from the control unit 27 are supplied to the three-state buffer 35 on the other side, and the control signal is set to H. When it is at the level, it is turned on to operate so as to give input signals from the keyboard 5 to the control unit 27.

The control unit 27 is composed of a CPU, and when the power switch 45 is turned on, DC power is supplied from the AC adapter 11 to be in an operating state. The control unit 27 controls the switching operation of the switching connection unit 25, converts the image signal from the image scanner 1 into a character code signal, and converts the character code signal into the character code signal. A control operation for sending to the host computer 4 is performed in accordance with the switching connection operation. The memory 28 has an operation program of the control unit 27, and conversion data for converting an image signal into a character code signal. Is indicated.

Each of 60 and 61 is a pull-up resistor for noise cancellation, and one end is connected to the brass side negative electrode of the control unit 27. Each of 62, 63, 64, and 65 is a bull-down resistor, and one end is connected to the GND side of the processing unit 2. Each of the pull-down resistors 62 and 63 functions so that the input ports B of the selector elements 31 and 32 maintain the L level without becoming unstable when the control unit 27 is turned off. The pull-down resistor 64 functions so that the selector port S of each of the selector elements 31 and 32 maintains the L level without becoming unstable when the control unit 27 is turned off, and the bull-down resistor 65 functions as the three-state buffer 34, 35 control inputs function to maintain the L level without instability.

Hereinafter, the operation of the processing unit 2 will be described.

(1) When the power to the control unit 27 is turned off and only the keyboard 5 is used

In this state, only the switching connection unit 25 is operated by receiving power from the host computer 4. That is, since the power supply to the control unit 27 is 0 FF, the control signal to the selector port S of each of the selector elements 31 and 32 is not output from the control unit 27, and the voltage level of the selector port S is reduced. It goes to GND level (L level) via resistor 64. In addition, since the power of the selector elements 31 and 32 is supplied from the host computer 4, the input port A is connected to the output port Y and the input signal from the keyboard 5 is connected via the selector 31 in the connected state. Sent directly to host computer 4. Also, a command signal such as a lighting display from the host computer 4 is sent directly to the keyboard 5 via the selector 32. In this state, the power to the control unit 27 is off. The control signal from the control unit 27 to the three-state buffer 34 is at the L level as in the selector port described above. Therefore, the three-state buffer 34 is in the 0FF state and the command signal from the host computer 4 is controlled. The three-state buffer 35 is not sent to the control unit 27, and the input signal from the keyboard 5 is not sent to the control unit 27.

(2) When the power supply to the control unit 27 is ON and the image scanner 1 is used

In this state, the switching connection section 25 is supplied with power from the host computer 4, and the control section 27 is supplied with power from the AC adapter 11 and is operating. Then, when the power of the control unit 27 is turned on, the selector ports S of the selector elements 3 1 and 3 2 are both at the H level, and the input ports B are connected to the output port Y of the selector elements 3 1 and 3 2. In the connected state, an input signal from the control unit 27 is sent to the keyboard 5 and the host computer 4 via the selector elements 31 and 32. Also, when the control unit 27 is powered on, the control signals from the control unit 27 to the three-state buffers 34 and 35 are at the H level, so that the three-state buffers 34 and 35 are ON and the host computer The command signal from 4 and the input signal from keyboard 5 are both sent to control unit 27.

Then, the controller 27 selectively sends a character code signal based on the image signal from the image scanner 1 or a key input code signal from the keyboard 5 to the input port B of the selector element 31. In other words, when a character code signal from the image scanner 1 is generated in the control unit 27, a character code signal is sent, and when a key input code signal from the keyboard 5 is input to the control unit 27, Send key input code signal. Also, connect the input port B of the selector element 32 to Sends the command signal from the strike computer 4. In this way, a character code signal based on the image signal from the image scanner 1 or a key input code signal from the keyboard 5 is given to the host computer 4, and a command signal from the host computer 4 is given to the keyboard 5. It is like that. As in the operation (1) above, when the power to the control unit 27 using only the keyboard 5 is turned off, the switching control unit 25 is operated independently by the power supplied from the host computer 4, and the switching from the keyboard 5 is performed. The input signal is sent to the host computer 4 and the command signal from the host computer 4 is sent to the keyboard 5, so that the power consumption of the processing unit 2 when only the keyboard 5 is used is reduced. In addition to the reduction, the labor for operating the power switch 45 can be omitted. Also, the trouble of connecting and replacing the keyboard 5 directly to the host computer 4 is eliminated.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining a character recognition process which is an original function of the processing unit 2.

In the figure, reference numeral 30 denotes an interface for taking in image data from the image scanner 1; 32, an image processing unit for binarizing image data input via the interface 30 to extract characters; 4 is a character data storage unit composed of a work RAM that stores the character image data extracted by the image processing unit 3 and character codes obtained as a result of character recognition from the character image data, and 36 is a character data recording unit 3 A character recognition processing unit that recognizes characters based on the character image data recorded in 4 and generates a character code corresponding to the sentence Φ, 27 consists of a microcomputer that controls the entire operation of the processing unit 2 Reference numeral 40 denotes an interface for receiving a key input code input from the keyboard 5. Further, the control unit 27 generates a process switching command in response to the pressing operation of the operation switch 12 provided in the image scanner 1, and operates the operation switch 12 multiple times within a predetermined time (for example, (2 times) When pressed, a key input code corresponding to the line feed code is generated and transmitted to the host computer 4.

The image processing unit 32, character data storage unit 34, and character recognition processing unit 36 in FIG. 3 correspond to the character code conversion unit 24 in FIG. The connection section 25 and the control section 27 correspond to the transmission control section 26 in FIG.

(c) System processing routine

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing in the processing unit 2. When the operation switch 12 of the image scanner 1 is turned on while the power switch 45 of the processing unit 2 is turned on, an OCR start command is transmitted to the host computer, and the OCR processing is started. The image is read by the image scanner 1 and input from the interface 30 to the image processing unit 32.The image data is binarized by the image processing unit 32, and character data is extracted. The data is stored in the data storage unit 34. Then, when reading of one line of a sentence by the image scanner 1 is completed and the user releases the operation switch 12, a conversion process into a character code, that is, an OCR process is executed in step S 2.

When the operation switch 12 is turned off, the control section 27 recognizes that the reading of the character image has been completed, and the character recognition processing section 36 receives the command from the control section 27 to cause the character recognition processing section 36 to perform the operation. The character image stored in the data storage unit 34 is recognized and converted to a corresponding character code. The character code in this case is In the example, the data format is a 2-byte code, for example, a JIS code.

The control unit 27 adds the identification code to the character code generated as described above in step S3, and transmits the character code with the identification code added to the host computer 4 in step S4. . When all the character codes for one line have been transmitted, an end command is transmitted to the host computer 4 to terminate one OCR process.

Note that the character recognition processing itself is performed using a conventionally known method. As is well known, in the character recognition process, when there is not only a single recognition result but also a plurality of possible characters, all of these characters are used as character codes and sent to the host computer 4 side. When the first candidate is not correct, the cursor is moved by a key operation so that the next candidate can be sequentially selected.

Fig. 6 shows the flow of line feed processing.

When the operation switch 12 of the image scanner 1 is turned off once (step S11) and then turned on again (YES in step S12), control is performed in step S14. The unit 27 generates a key input code corresponding to the line feed code, and transmits it to the host computer 4 in step S15. The host computer 4 performs a line feed process according to the line feed code, and moves the cursor indicating the next character input position to the next line. If one line ends in the middle, the line can be broken by operating the operation switch 12 twice, for example, so that the line can be easily broken in the OCR processing.

<Process on host computer side> In the host computer 4, when the power is turned on and the processing is started, in step S21, it is checked whether or not something has been transmitted from the processing unit 2 side. Determine whether the identification code is added. If the identification code is added, since the character code is obtained by the OCR process, the character code is sent to the display device 3 as a character code in step S23, and the character corresponding to the character code is displayed on the display device 3. To be displayed. If no identification code is added, it means a key input code input from the keyboard 5, and in step S24, the key input code received by the character code conversion processing unit 46 is converted to a character input code. The character code is converted into a code, and the obtained character code is transmitted to the display device 3 and displayed.

Also, as described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 6, when the operation switch 12 of the image scanner 1 is operated twice within a predetermined time, and a line feed code is generated as a key input code on the processing unit 2 side. In step S24, a process of sending a line feed instruction to the display device 3 is performed.

(d) Image scanner structure

FIGS. 8, 9, 10, and 12 show the appearance of an image reading apparatus using the movement amount detecting device of the present invention, and FIG. 14 shows the internal configuration thereof. Have been.

The image scanner 1 has an image reading mechanism 102 and a scanning movement amount detecting mechanism 103 at a lower part of a main body case 101, and a main circuit board 104 at an upper part of the main body case 101. In addition, a start button (operation switch) 12 is provided on the front near the lower end of the main body case 101, and the code 106 is derived from the upper end of the main body case 101 as a basic structure. The detailed configuration of each unit is described below.

The main body case 101 is a pair of left and right split cases 1 O la. The door split case 101a.101b is fitted around the entire circumference of the door, and it is engaged with nails in place and connected together. Screws are connected. The main body case 101 includes a base B rising vertically to the lower end surface and a grip portion G connected to the base B. The base B scans with the image reading mechanism 102. Although the left and right widths are set relatively large to accommodate the movement amount detection mechanism 103, the upper part, which is the grip section G that is gripped by the operator, is set small so that the left and right widths are easy to grasp, and the front and rear widths are wide. It is thin on both sides. The main circuit board 104 is vertically and compactly accommodated in the left and right thin grip portions G.

The grip portion G is tilted obliquely rearward, that is, obliquely upward toward the operet, with the hand gripping the grip portion G. In this embodiment, the tilt angle α is as shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, it is 52.5 °. The inclination angle α is set so that the lower end surface of the main body case 101 becomes the navy at the angle of the naturally bent wrist when the grip part G is held in the manner of holding the pen. I have. The space S formed between the document surface に and the front side of the grip portion G is wide when the inclination angle α is large and narrow when the inclination angle α is small. It is preferable that α is large (max 85 °) and the inclination angle α is small (min 40.) for use by people with small hands. If the inclination angle α is set to about 52.5 ° as described above, both large and small hands can be used without any trouble. In addition, as a product, an appropriate one having an inclination angle α of 40 ° to 85 ° may be provided from the viewpoint of earthwork. Further, the grip portion G preferably has a large inclination angle when the grip portion is thick, and preferably has a small inclination angle when the grip portion G is thin. The inclination angle α is appropriately set to 40 ° to 85 ° according to the thickness of the grip portion G. FIGS. 22 and 23 show another embodiment. In this embodiment, the entire body case 101 is inclined obliquely upward and rearward with respect to the lower end face without bending the body case 101 halfway. It is formed. The main body case 101 may have such a configuration, but it is more preferable to form the grip portion G by bending the main body case 101 upward and backward with respect to the lower portion, as in the above embodiment. The above space S can be obtained more widely, which is convenient for use.

Returning to the first embodiment, the grip portion G is biased to one side as viewed from the entire body case 101 (the embodiment is biased to the right for right-handed use). An upwardly directed finger contact step 107 is formed at the boundary between the base portion B and the grip portion G of FIG. The step 107 for finger rest is formed horizontally and is formed into a smooth concave curved surface, so that the belly of the thumb holding the grip G can be stably received horizontally. In addition, the main body case 101 is pressed downward with the thumb, so that the lower end surface of the main body case 101 can be stably brought into close contact with the document surface.

As shown in FIG. 17, the image reading mechanism 102 is internally provided so as to face a transparent plastic image reading window 110 provided on the lower end face of the main body case 101. An optical unit holder 111 fixed in the case, a light source 111 for irradiating illumination light on the original through the image reading window 110, and a lens for forming an image on the original on the line sensor 113 1 14 and the auxiliary board 1 15, are attached. On the left side of the lower end of the body case 101, a transparent plastic monitoring window 116 is fixed by caulking so as to be continuous with the left end of the image reading window 110. Arrow X indicates the reading direction of the image reading device.

The image reading window 110 is fitted and supported on the periphery of the opening 117 formed on the lower end surface of the main body case 101 and one end of the monitoring window 1 16. As shown in the figure, one (right) split case 101 b is temporarily fixed and supported in the opening 1 117, and then the other (left) split case 101 a is attached to one split case 10 By fitting and connecting to 1b, the entire periphery of the image reading window 110 is supported and fixed. Then, when the image gun window 110 was temporarily fixed to one of the split cases 110 lb opening 117, as shown in Fig. 18, it was protruded from the front end of the image reading window 110. The configuration and the position of the image reading window 110 are determined by engaging the positioning arm 110a with the concave portion 118 formed in the split case 101b.

Also, on the inner surface of the image reading window 110, three image position confirmation marks 1 19 are formed in parallel in front and back, and on the outer surface of the monitoring window 116, the marks 1 19 are also formed. Three image position confirmation marks 120 are formed right next to each other, and as shown in Fig. 8, the mark 120 on the monitoring window 116 is directly compared with the original text as shown in Fig. 8. At the same time, the marks on the monitoring window 1 16 and the marks on the image reading window 1 10 are seen through the monitoring window 1 16 through the internal image reading window 110. By comparing this with 1 19, the operator's eyes can be placed right beside the monitoring window 1 16 and the front and back of the main body case 101 is set at a right angle to the character string of the original. The main unit case 101 can be moved and scanned in parallel along the character string while monitoring this condition. Can be.

During the image reading operation, the start button 12 provided on the front of the main body case 101 must be pushed with the forefinger. In this case, the start button 12 is pushed too far and the start switch 12 is pressed. In order not to damage 1, small protrusions 12 b are provided at each corner of the inner surface of the flange 1 2 a connected to the start button 12 (see Fig. 13), and this is The pressing limit of the activation button 1 2 is restricted by contacting the button holding wall 1 2 2. Also, as shown in FIG. 10, the activation button 12 is positioned above the lower end surface of the main body case 101. Therefore, when the activation button 12 is pressed downward during scanning, the force is reduced. It extends to the lower end face of 101, and the lower end face is always separated from the document surface.

(e) Scanning movement S detection mechanism

As shown in FIG. 19, FIG. 20 (A), FIG. 20 (B), and FIG. 21, the scanning movement amount detecting mechanism 103 includes a pair of split cases 130a and 13 Ob before and after joining. A unit is formed by incorporating various components into a split unit case 130, and its lower end is adjacent to an opening 123 formed in the lower end surface of the main body case 101.

In other words, five support shafts 131, 132, 1 33. 134. 135 protrude rearward from the front split case 130a, and a geared roller that contacts the original surface is mounted on the bottom support shaft 131. 136 is loosely fitted, and gears 138. 139, 140 that sequentially transmit the rotation of the roller 136 upward through the gear 137 are loosely fitted to the upper support shafts 132. 133, 134, respectively. Further, a rotary encoder 142 having a gear 141 that meshes with the gear 140 is loosely supported on the uppermost support shaft 135. On the lower surface of the board 144 connected to the upper end of the unit case 130 by screws 143, mounted are a plurality of radial slits 145 formed on the periphery of the rotary encoder 142, and a plurality of radial interleavers 146 facing from both sides. The configuration is such that the amount of rotation of the roller 136 that rotates in contact with the document is detected as the number of output pulses of the photointerrupter 146.

A partition member 147 is provided inside the unit case 130 for partitioning the gear transmission chamber and the rotary encoder storage chamber. The grease applied to the gears and dust entering the case with the rotation of the rollers 136 are provided. etc Function as a partition wall to prevent the intrusion into the space where the rotary encoders 142 are arranged, and have the ability to support the gears 1338 and 139.140.

The scanning movement amount detecting mechanism 103 is urged downward by the interior panel so that the roller 1336 slightly projects from the lower end surface of the main body case 101, and the main body case 101 Of the scanning movement amount detecting mechanism 103 is elastically retracted upward by a certain amount by pressing the roller 136 on the original surface, so that the contact pressure of the roller 136 with respect to the original surface can be stabilized. .

FIGS. 24, 25, and 26 show the configuration of an image processing system including the above-described image scanner 1 and an image processing unit 2 that performs image processing on an image signal from the image scanner 1. FIG. On the upper surface of the processing unit 2, as shown in FIG. 27, a storage recess 155 having an inclined cover portion 153 on one side is formed, and the storage recess 155 is formed in the storage recess 155. The image scanner 1 is housed so that the start button 12 is set to the upper side and the lower end face on which the image reading window 110 is formed is abutted on the cover part 15 3. By storing and holding the image scanner 1 in the processing unit 2 in this manner, the image scanner 1 can be stably stored and held without using a separate holding member of the image scanner 1, and in particular, the image reading window is provided. With a configuration in which the cover 110 covers the cover 110, the image reading window 110 and the roller 1336 have a configuration in which dust and dust do not adhere.

As described above, the following effects can be expected with the scanning movement amount detection device according to the present invention.

(1) Since the scanning movement amount detection unit is united and incorporated into the main body case, dust that has entered the main body case (2) Dirt generated in the main body case adheres to the slit of the rotary encoder (2) adheres to the light emitting and receiving area of the photointerrupter, gear It does not stick to the mating part and causes locking, and the rotation of the roller is reliably transmitted to the rotary encoder for accurate detection.

(2) Since the scanning movement amount detection device is completed as a single unit, it is possible to evaluate the performance before assembling it into the main body case, improving assembly workability and avoiding the incorporation of defective products. The yield of non-defective products can be improved.

(3) Maintenance of the scanning movement amount detection device alone can be performed, so that maintainability can be improved.

④Especially, by adopting a configuration in which the opening of the unit case is covered by the board, the opening of the unit case can be closed by the necessary parts for forming the movement amount detection device, so that the configuration is not wasted and the wiring from the photo interrupter to the inside of the main unit case is possible. Can also be easily performed via the substrate.

⑤Especially, if the interior of the unit case is divided into two chambers by a partition wall and the gears are housed in one of the chambers, problems caused by grease scattering can be avoided by the partition members, so grease can be applied with peace of mind. It can detect gear movement lock, backlash, gear noise, etc., and detect the exact amount of movement.

Claims

The scope of the claims

1. an image reading device,

An image processing unit that extracts characters from an image read by the image reading device, performs character recognition, and generates a character code corresponding to the recognized characters;

A host computer connected to the connection port (1) provided in the image processing unit;

And a keyboard connected to a second connection port provided in the image processing unit.

The image processing unit sends the generated character code to the host computer in the character recognition operation mode, and sends the key input code to the host computer by directly connecting the keyboard and the host computer in the keyboard input mode. Equipped with a control unit,

The host computer is a character input system that processes the input character code or key input code to generate a character string.

2. The character input system according to claim 1, wherein the image reading device is a manual scanning type image reading device.

3. The image processing unit further includes an identification code adding unit that adds an identification code for identifying the generated character code from a key input code input from a keyboard. Character input system.

4. The character input device according to claim 1, wherein the image processing unit generates a processing switching command in response to a switch operation of the image reading device, and the host computer processes the input data in response to the processing switching command. system.

5. If the image processing unit cannot extract characters uniquely, 2. The character input system according to claim 1, wherein a number of candidates is selected, and character codes respectively corresponding to the plurality of candidates are transmitted to a host computer.

6. The character input system according to claim 5, wherein the host computer includes a selection unit that selects a correct character from a plurality of candidates.

7. Characters are extracted and extracted from the first connection port for connecting to the host computer and the second connection port for connecting the input device, the image reading unit, and the image input from the image reading unit. A conversion unit that converts the characters into character codes corresponding to the characters;

An input signal received through the second connection port is transmitted through the first connection port;

The image processing unit, wherein the character code converted by the conversion unit is transmitted through the first connection port in a state where the character code can be distinguished from an input signal.

8. Characters are extracted from the first connection port for connecting to the host computer and the second connection port for connecting the input device, the image reading unit, and the ii image input from the image reading unit. And a conversion unit for converting to a character code corresponding to the extracted character,

The image reading unit includes a line feed instructing unit that instructs a line feed,

The image processing unit, wherein the conversion unit creates a character code of a line feed according to a line feed instruction from the line feed instruction unit.

9. Characters are extracted and extracted from the first connection port for connecting to the host computer and the second connection port for connecting input concealment, the image reading unit, and the image input from the image reading unit. A conversion unit for converting to a character code corresponding to the converted character, The image processing unit includes switching means for switching which of a character code from the conversion unit and an input signal from the second connection port is output to the first connection port,

The power for driving the switching means is supplied through the first or second connection port, and the power for driving other mechanisms inside the image shooting device is supplied from another power source. Characteristic image processing unit. .

10. An image reading mechanism and a scanning movement detecting mechanism are installed in the main body case, and an image reading window for reading an image by the image reading mechanism and a roller for reading the scanning movement amount are provided on the lower end surface of the main body case. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein the grip portion of the main body case is inclined obliquely upward and rearward with respect to the lower end surface.

11. The image reading apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the angle at which the grip portion of the main body case is inclined is in an angle range of 40 ° to 85 ° with respect to the lower end surface.

10. The image reading apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a rotation axis direction of the roller for reading the scanning movement amount is a front-rear direction of the main body case.

1 3. An image reading start button for starting reading of the target image from the image reading window is mounted on the front of the main body case, and the image reading start button is located above the lower end face of the main body case. 10. The image reading device according to 10.

10. The image reading device according to claim 10, wherein an upward finger contact step is formed on one lateral side of the main body case at a boundary position between the grip portion and a lower end portion of the main body case.

1 5. An image reading mechanism and a scanning movement amount detection mechanism are installed in the main body case, and an image reading window for reading an image by the image reading mechanism and a roller for reading the scanning movement amount are provided on the lower end surface of the main body case. An image reading apparatus comprising: At the lower end of the side surface of the main body case, there is provided a monitoring window through which the inner surface of the image reading window can be seen,

An image reading apparatus, wherein a mark for confirming an image position is provided on each of the image gun window and the monitoring window.

1 6. An image reading mechanism and a scanning movement amount detection mechanism are installed in the main body case, and an image reading window for reading an image with the image reading mechanism and a roller for reading the scanning movement amount are provided on the lower end surface of the main body case. In the image reading apparatus, the image gun window is fitted and supported between the joining portions of the left and right split main body cases, and a positioning arm is protrudingly provided at a front end of the image reading window to constitute the main body case. An image reading apparatus, wherein an engaging portion for engaging the positioning arm is formed in the split case.

1 7. In an image reading device that has an image reading mechanism and a scanning movement amount detection mechanism inside the body case, and has a roller that reads the scanning movement amount on the lower end surface of the body case,

An image reading apparatus in which the roller and the scanning movement amount detection mechanism are provided inside a unit case, and only a part of the roller is exposed from a lower end of the unit case.

1 8. The scanning movement amount detection mechanism includes a gear for transmitting the rotation of the roller,

The image reading device according to claim 17, wherein the unit case is divided into two chambers by a partition wall, and the gear is housed in one of the compartments.

1 9. An image reading window and a roller for reading the scanning movement amount are provided on the lower end surface of the body case, together with the image reading replacement mechanism and the scanning movement amount detection mechanism inside the body case. An image reading device comprising: / 11492

An image processing unit that performs image processing on an image signal from the image reading device.

An image processing apparatus characterized in that a support portion for supporting a main body case of the image gun shooting device is formed on an upper surface of a main body case of the image processing unit.

20. A support portion formed on the upper surface of the main body case of the image processing unit is provided with an image reading window provided on the lower end surface of the main body case of the image pick-up device and a roller for reading Z or a scanning movement amount. 30. The image processing apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising: a cover portion for covering the image.