WO2021141075A1

WO2021141075A1 - Reading device and reading stage

Info

Publication number: WO2021141075A1
Application number: PCT/JP2021/000289
Authority: WO
Inventors: 鈴木　規之
Original assignee: 株式会社アスタリスク
Priority date: 2020-01-11
Filing date: 2021-01-07
Publication date: 2021-07-15

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a reading device and a reading stage with which it is possible to read information of an object being read easily. [Solution] This reader is provided with a reading stage 10 on which a passport P is placed, and a camera module 52 of a smartphone 50 installed on the outside of the reading stage 10 to capture an image of the face of the passport P. The reading stage 10 has a first window 14 provided in an upper portion 22 thereof and over which the face is placed facing downward, and an opening 28 at which the camera module 52 is disposed. The reader is characterized in that the camera module 52 captures an image of the face to be read through the inside of the case 12.

Description

Reader and reader

The present invention relates to a reading device and a reading stand that read information on a reading object.

When checking in at a facility such as an accommodation facility or an airport, the user is required to show a passport or ID card, and the user's personal information may be confirmed.

Patent Document 1 describes a reading device that reads an object to be read such as a passport. This reading device is provided with a transparent glass plate on which the surface to be read of the passport is placed on the upper surface of the housing, and a built-in camera is provided in the housing. A mirror is provided below the transparent glass plate and in the imaging direction of the built-in camera, and the image of the surface to be read reflected by the mirror is captured by the built-in camera. The image generated by the built-in camera is transmitted to a computer, and a predetermined reading process is executed.

Patent No. 4473933

By the way, there are stores that accept visits using portable information processing terminals such as smartphones and personal computers, and there is a desire to easily read passports etc. using portable information processing terminals and personal computers at such stores. There is.

An object of the present invention is to provide a reading device and a reading stand capable of easily reading information on a reading object.

In order to achieve the above object, the reading table of the present invention includes a case in which the object to be read is arranged, and the case is provided above the case and the surface to be read of the object to be read is directed downward. It is characterized by having a first window arranged in, and a second window in which an external camera for photographing the surface to be read is arranged through the inside thereof.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, the reading device of the present invention is an external device that is installed outside the reading table on which the reading object is arranged and the surface to be read of the reading object. A camera is provided, and the reading table has a first window provided on the upper part and arranged with the read surface facing downward, and a second window on which the external camera is arranged. A reading device including a case, wherein the external camera images the reading surface through the inside of the case.

The reader and reader of the present invention can easily read the information of the object to be read.

(A) plan view and (b) XX cross-sectional view of the reading table which show the reading apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. (A) plan view, (b) XX cross-sectional view of the reading table, (c) right side view showing the reading device according to the second embodiment. (A) plan view, (b) XX cross-sectional view of the reading table, (c) YY cross-sectional view of the reading table, (d) bottom view showing the reading device according to the third embodiment. (A) Hardware configuration diagram of a smartphone included in the reader of each of the above embodiments, (b) Functional block diagram of the smartphone. The figure which shows the installation mode of the reading apparatus which concerns on 4th Embodiment (A) Hardware configuration diagram of the external camera according to the fourth embodiment, (b) Hardware configuration diagram of the tablet terminal according to the fourth embodiment.

Hereinafter, the reading device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the reading device 1 of the first embodiment is a device that reads the face of a passport P or the like, for example, an identification card using a perspective port when checking in to an accommodation facility, or a duty-free shop. It is used when verifying your identity with your passport. The reading device 1 includes a reading stand 10 on which a passport P to be read is placed, and a known smartphone 50 installed on the reading stand 10.

The reading table 10 is a portable size table placed on a cash register or a counter, and has a rectangular parallelepiped case 12 with a window 14 (first window), an opening 28 (second window), and a positioning unit. 16 is formed. The case 12 is composed of a square bottom portion 18, a wall portion 20 extending upward from each edge of the bottom portion 18, and an upper portion 22 extending inward from the upper end of the wall portion 20. An internal space surrounded by the bottom 18, the wall 20, and the top 22 is formed.

The window 14 formed in the upper portion 22 of the case is a portion on which the face of the passport P is arranged, and is fitted into a square through hole 24 formed in the same size as the face of the passport P and the through hole 24. It is composed of a transparent plate 26 and is provided in an exposed state on the upper part of the case 12. In the present embodiment, a window 14 is provided on one side (left side in FIG. 1) of the upper portion 22 of the case, and a transparent glass or a transparent plastic plate is used as the transparent plate 26.

In the upper part 22 of the case, an opening 28 is formed on the opposite side of the window 14. The opening 28 is provided on a straight line that crosses the center of the window 14 (also referred to as a center line that crosses the upper portion 22 of the case, which is an XX line in FIG. 1). The opening 28 is formed in a circular shape slightly larger than the aperture of the lens of the camera module 52 of the smartphone 50, and the camera module 52 is aligned with the opening 28. As a result, the field of view of the camera module 52 is directed to the internal space of the case 12 through the opening 28.

In order to align the camera module 52 with the opening 28, a first convex portion 30 to a fourth convex portion 36 (hereinafter, these are collectively referred to as “

convex portions

30, 32, 34, 36”) are provided on the case upper portion 22. Has been done. The

convex portions

30, 32, 34, and 36 are portions that protrude from the upper portion 22 of the case in the thickness direction (upward) of the smartphone 50 and extend linearly along the upper portion 22 of the case. The first convex portion 30 and the second convex portion 32 extend in parallel with each other, and the distance between them is the width dimension of the smartphone 50. The third convex portion 34 and the fourth convex portion 36 extend in parallel with each other, and the distance between them is the length dimension of the smartphone 50. By installing the smartphone 50 in accordance with these

convex portions

30, 32, 34, 36, the positions of the camera module 52 and the opening 28 are aligned. In this way, the

convex portions

30, 32, 34, and 36 function as positioning portions 16 for positioning the smartphone 50.

Here, in the present embodiment, the face of the passport P is placed toward the window 14, and the face of the passport arranged on the window 14 is reflected through the inside of the case 12 (reflected in the internal space of the case 12) by the camera of the smartphone 50. The image is taken by the module 52. Specifically, the reading table 1 is provided with two

mirrors

38 and 40 in the internal space of the case 12. These two

mirrors

38 and 40 are square plate-shaped mirrors that reflect the image of the face of the ticket arranged on the window 14 toward the opening, and one mirror 38 is arranged directly under the window 14 and the other mirror 40. Is arranged directly below the opening 28. One mirror 38 is provided in a state of being inclined so as to reflect the image of the face of the ticket arranged on the window 14 toward the other mirror 40, and the other mirror 40 has been reflected by the one mirror 38. The image on the face of the ticket is provided in an inclined state so as to be reflected toward the opening 28. Although two

mirrors

38 and 40 are used in the present embodiment, even if a single mirror provided so that the reflecting surface is horizontal, the image on the face of the ticket is reflected toward the opening 28. Good.

In the above aspect, the reading process is executed by the CPU 56 (FIG. 4) of the smartphone 50 executing the reading program stored in advance in the memory 58 (FIG. 4). The reading process includes an imaging process, an acquisition process, a display process, and an analysis process.
(1) The image pickup process is a process in which the CPU 56 transmits an image pickup command to the camera module 52, and the camera module 52 that receives the image pickup command is reflected by the

mirrors

38 and 40 and is reflected on the sensor surface of the image sensor. Generates an image of the imaged face of the ticket. In this way, the camera module 52 of the smartphone 50 functions as an imaging unit 60 (FIG. 4) that captures an image of the face of the ticket reflected by the

mirrors

38 and 40.
(2) When the image is generated, the CPU 56 executes an acquisition process of acquiring the image from the camera module 52. In this way, the CPU 56 of the smartphone 50 functions as an acquisition unit 62 (FIG. 4) for acquiring an image of the face of the ticket.
(3) When the image is acquired, the CPU 56 of the smartphone 50 executes a display process of displaying the acquired image (image of the face of the ticket) on the touch panel display 54. As described above, the touch panel display 54 of the smartphone 50 functions as a display unit 64 (FIG. 4) for displaying the image of the face of the ticket.
(4) Further, the CPU 56 of the smartphone 50 analyzes the acquired image (image of the face of the ticket) and executes an analysis process to extract predetermined information included in the image, that is, each information displayed on the face of the passport P. To do. In this way, the CPU 56 of the smartphone 50 functions as an analysis unit 66 (FIG. 4) that analyzes the image of the face of the passport P set on the reading table 10 and acquires the information displayed on the face of the passport P.

The smartphone 50 includes a network module 59 that connects to a network and functions as a network communication unit 68 that communicates with a system connected to the network, and the network module 59 uses the information read by the reading process as a system. Send to.

The reading device 1 of the present embodiment can image the face of the passport P using the smartphone 50. Further, since the passport P may be arranged in the window 14 at the upper part of the case 12, the reading target (passport P) can be easily handled.

Further, since the reading device 1 of the present embodiment includes the smartphone 50, the information extracted from the face of the passport P can be transmitted to, for example, a system managed by the National Tax Agency through the network.

For example, when a smartphone 50 is used as a POS cash register at a duty-free shop, when a foreign traveler purchases a product, the first face of the passport P (passport number information, the owner of the passport P) Personal information such as name, nationality, date of birth, date of birth, gender, information such as date of issue and expiration date of passport P, owner's signature, passport information internationally standardized by ICAO as machine reading information Hold the written passport) over the window 26 and read the information written on the first passport with the smartphone 50. In addition, the second face of the passport (the face on which the date of entry and the length of stay are indicated by a seal or a landing permit sticker) is held over the window 26, and the information written on the second face is read by the smartphone 50. Then, the smartphone 50 transmits the purchase information such as the product information and the price information acquired as the function of the POS cash register to the National Taxation Bureau in addition to the information on the first ticket and the information on the second ticket. As described above, the smartphone 50 used as the POS cash register can also be used as the reading device 1 for reading the information of the passport P.

The arrangement posture of the smartphone 50 is not limited to the horizontal orientation (longitudinal direction of the reading table 10) shown in FIG. 1, and may be the vertical orientation (shortward direction of the reading table 10).

In the reading device 100 of the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the smartphone 50 is installed on the wall portion 120 of the reading table 110, and only one of the mirrors 138 is used to image the face of the ticket arranged on the window 114. In that respect, it is different from the first embodiment. As in the first embodiment, the window 114 has a structure in which the transparent plate 126 is fitted into the square hole 124 provided in the upper portion 122 of the rectangular parallelepiped case 112. Hereinafter, the points different from those of the first embodiment will be mainly described.

Specifically, in order to image the face of the ticket arranged on the window 114 through the inside of the case 112, the case 112 of the reading table 110 is formed with a circular opening 128 on the wall portion 120 thereof. The opening 128 is formed at a position where a vertical line passing through the center of the wall portion 120 and a horizontal line passing through the center of one mirror 138 intersect. A positioning portion 116 is formed so that the position of the camera module 52 (FIG. 2) of the smartphone 50 is aligned with the opening 128.

The positioning portion 116 of the present embodiment is composed of

convex portions

130, 132, 134 protruding laterally from the wall portion 120 in a U shape. The first convex portion 130 and the second convex portion 132 extend parallel to each other from the upper side to the lower side of the wall portion, and the third convex portion 134 connects the lower ends of the respective

convex portions

130 and 132. It extends horizontally. The distance between the first convex portion 130 and the second convex portion 132 extending parallel to each other is the same as the width dimension of the smartphone 50. When the smartphone 50 is installed along the

convex portions

130, 132, 134 with the smartphone 50 turned upside down, the camera module 52 of the smartphone 50 and the opening 128 are aligned with each other.

In the present embodiment, the mirror 138 provided inside the case 112 reflects the image of the face of the ticket arranged in the window 114 toward the opening 128, so that the face of the face is reflected by the camera module 52 aligned with the opening 128. It is possible to take an image.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the reading device 200 of the third embodiment, the smartphone 50 is installed on the bottom 218 of the reading table 210 and is not provided with a mirror. It is different from the form. The window 214 has a configuration in which the transparent plate 226 is fitted into the square hole 224 provided in the upper portion 222, as in the first embodiment.

Specifically, a circular opening 228 is formed in the bottom 218 of the case 212 in order to image the face of the ticket arranged on the window 214 through the inside of the case 212. The opening 228 is formed at a position (directly below the window 214) where the horizontal line passing through the center of the bottom 218 and the vertical line passing through the center of the window 214 intersect. The smartphone 50 is installed so that its camera module 52 (FIG. 1) is aligned with the position of the opening 228, and in the present embodiment, the smartphone 50 is positioned by being housed in a storage box 230 which is a positioning unit 216. There is.

The storage box 230 accommodates the smartphone 50 along the bottom 218, and is provided below the bottom 218. The storage box 230 has an opening 232 formed on the side surface into which the smartphone 50 can be slid and inserted, and the inserted smartphone 50 is positioned in close contact with the bottom 218 of the case 212. When the camera module 52 of the smartphone 50 is inserted into the storage box 230 with the camera module 52 facing upward, the camera module 52 of the smartphone 50 and the opening 228 are aligned with each other. The feet 248 are provided at the four corners of the bottom 218 of the case 212 so that the reading table 210 used on the table is stable.

In the present embodiment, the face of the ticket arranged in the window 214 can be imaged through the opening 228 provided in the bottom of the case 218.

As shown in FIG. 5, the reading device 300 according to the fourth embodiment cooperates with the POS cash register, and the external camera 350 wirelessly connected to the tablet terminal 370 functioning as the POS cash register is outside the reading table 10. It differs from the above embodiment in that it is used as an attached external camera. Hereinafter, a configuration different from the above embodiment will be mainly described. The tablet terminal 370 is connected to the cashier 380 and a bar code reader (not shown) that reads the product code from the bar code attached to the product so that the product code can be read by the bar code reader. Based on the registration process and accounting process.

As shown in FIG. 6, the external camera 350 includes a camera module 352 that functions as an imaging unit 60, a Bluetooth (registered trademark) module 351 that functions as a wireless communication unit that establishes wireless communication with the tablet terminal 370, and the camera. It includes a CPU 356 and a memory 358 that control the module 352 and the Bluetooth module 351 and a power supply that supplies power to the camera module 352, the Bluetooth module 351 and the CPU 356, and the memory 358.

The shape of the external camera 350 is not particularly limited, and the positioning portion 16 on the reading table 10 is formed so as to match the outer diameter shape of the external camera 350 and the camera module 352 of the external camera 350 to be located at the opening 28. Will be done.

The tablet terminal 370 of the present embodiment has a Bluetooth module 371 that functions as a wireless communication unit for establishing wireless communication with the external camera 350, and a network module that functions as a network communication unit that communicates with a system connected to the network. It includes a 372, a liquid crystal display 373 that functions as a display unit 64, a CPU 374, and a memory 375.

The reading program is stored in the memory 375 of the tablet terminal 370, and the imaging program is stored in the memory 358 of the external camera 350. The CPU 374 of the tablet terminal 370 executes the reading program, and the CPU 356 of the external camera 350 executes the imaging program, so that the information on the face of the passport P held over the reading table 10 is read.

Specifically, (1) the acquisition process is executed by the CPU 374 of the tablet terminal 370 executing the reading program. The acquisition process is a process of acquiring an image of the face of the ticket from the external camera 350, and transmits an image request to the external camera 350 via the Bluetooth module 371.
(2) When the CPU 356 of the external camera 350 receives the request via the Bluetooth module 351, the CPU 356 inputs an imaging command to the camera module 352. The camera module 352 takes an image based on the input imaging command, and generates an image of the face of the passport P reflected on the

mirrors

38 and 40. The CPU 356 of the external camera 350 transmits the image generated by the camera module 352 to the tablet terminal 370 via the Bluetooth module 351.
(3) When the CPU of the tablet terminal 370 receives the image of the face of the ticket via the Bluetooth module 371, the CPU executes the analysis process. The analysis process analyzes the received image of the face of the ticket and extracts the information contained in the image, that is, the information of the face of the passport P.

When the tablet terminal 370 acquires the information on the face of the ticket, the tablet terminal 370 registers the information on the face of the ticket in association with the accounting information. According to the reading device 300 of the present embodiment, it is possible to register customer information in a store such as a duty-free shop simply by holding the customer's passport P over the reading table 10.

Although the tablet terminal 370 was used in the above-mentioned fourth embodiment, a personal computer typified by a notebook personal computer or a desktop personal computer may be used instead of the tablet terminal 370.

Although the present invention has been described based on the first to fourth embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and may be modified as follows, for example. Absent.

<Modification example 1>
The

openings

28, 128, 228 formed in the reading table are not limited to the mode of penetrating the

cases

12, 112, 212, and may be a mode in which a transparent member such as a plastic transparent plate is fitted. That is, any window (second window) capable of capturing the inside of the

cases

12, 112, and 212 by the camera module 52 of the smartphone 50 may be used.

<Modification 2>
The

cases

12, 112, 212 of the reading tables 10, 110, 210 are molded from a light-shielding material, and a light source that irradiates light toward the

windows

14, 114, 214 is provided inside the

cases

12, 112, 212. It doesn't matter. As the light source, a visible light light emitting diode or an infrared light emitting diode can be used. Since the face of the ticket to be read is brightened by the light source, a clearer image can be obtained.

<Modification example 3>
Further, the above-mentioned light source is not limited to one, and a plurality of light sources may be provided in the

cases

12, 112 and 212. At this time, a plurality of light sources may be emitted at the same time, or each of the light sources may be emitted in sequence. When each of the light sources is made to emit light in sequence, the face of the passport P is imaged by the smartphone 50 each time the light source is made to emit light, and the obtained plurality of images are combined to obtain white due to the reflection of light on the face. The jumping part can be corrected.

<Modification example 4>
Further, the reading bases 10, 110 and 210 may be provided with a secondary battery that supplies electric power to the light source. Further, the reading bases 10, 110 and 210 may be provided with a solar panel that supplies charging power to the secondary battery. The solar panel is installed on the wall or upper part of the

cases

12, 112, 212.

<Modification 5>
Further, the reading tables 10, 110, 210 include a brightness sensor such as a phototransistor provided below the

windows

14, 114, 214, and a microcomputer into which an output signal from the brightness sensor is input. The above light source may be controlled by a microcomputer. In such an embodiment, when the microcomputer periodically checks the output signal from the brightness sensor and detects a change in the signal, it is assumed that the face of the passport P is arranged in the

windows

14, 114, 214 and the light source. Lighting control. Further, when the output signal from the brightness sensor is further changed, the light source is controlled to be turned off, assuming that the face of the ticket is separated from the

windows

14, 114, 214. In this way, the microcomputer functions as a control unit that controls the light source based on the output from the brightness sensor. Then, according to this aspect, the light source is turned on only when the face of the passport P is arranged in the

windows

14, 114, 214, so that the power consumption can be reduced. Not limited to the brightness sensor, various sensors such as a switch for detecting that the face of the passport P is arranged on the

windows

14, 114, 214 can be used.

<Modification 6>
Further, the reading bases 10, 110 and 210 may emit a built-in light source based on a signal from the smartphone 50. For example, the reading bases 10, 110, and 210 include a microcomputer that controls a light source and a wireless communication module connected to the microcomputer. The wireless communication module is, for example, a Bluetooth module, and communicates with a wireless communication module (Bluetooth module) built in the smartphone 50. When the smartphone 50 captures the face of the ticket, the smartphone 50 transmits a light emission command to the microcomputers of the reading tables 10, 110, 210 via the Bluetooth module, and the microcomputer causes the light source to emit light when the light emission command is received. The signal transmitted from the smartphone 50 to the reading tables 10, 110, 210 may be an optical signal generated by a flash provided in the vicinity of the camera of the smartphone 50. In this case, the reading tables 10, 110, 210, The 210 includes a light receiving sensor that receives an optical signal.

<Modification 7>
In the first to third embodiments, the

reading devices

1, 100, and 200 include the smartphone 50, but the

reading device

1, 100, and 200 are not limited to the smartphone 50, and may be a tablet terminal having a camera module. That is, it may be a portable information processing terminal having a camera module.

<Modification 8>
Further, in the above embodiment, the plate-shaped

mirrors

38, 40, and 138 are used, but a convex mirror having a convex reflecting surface may be used. The convex mirror can be arranged in the vicinity of the

windows

14, 114 and the

openings

28, 128, and the case can be formed more compactly.

Further, the case is not limited to the mirror, and a prism for reflecting the image of the object to be read arranged in the

windows

14 and 114 toward the

openings

28 and 128 may be provided in the

cases

12 and 112.

<Modification example 9>
Further, the

reading devices

1, 100, 200 are not limited to those that read the face of the passport P. For example, it may be a device that reads the face of an ID card or a card. In this aspect, the

windows

14, 114, 214 (first window) are formed to have the same size as the face of the ticket. That is, it does not matter as long as the face (read surface) of the object to be read such as a passport P or a card can be arranged.

<Modification example 10>
Further, the reading bases 10, 110 and 210 may be provided with a positioning unit for determining the position of the reading object to be arranged with respect to the

windows

14, 114 and 214. The positioning portion is, for example, a convex portion formed along the

windows

14, 114, 214 at the

upper portions

22, 122, and 222 of the case. The convex portion is formed so as to project upward from the

upper portions

22, 122, 222 of the case so as to border the through

holes

24, 124, 224. The convex portions may be formed on three sides of the peripheral edges of the

windows

14, 114, 214 so that the object to be read can be slid and arranged on the

windows

14, 114, 214.

<Modification 11>
Further, the reading tables 10, 110 and 210 may be provided with a covering portion provided so as to cover the reading target arranged on the

windows

14, 114 and 214. The shape of the covering portion is not particularly limited, but for example, an inclined portion that descends in the sliding direction of the object to be read, and a pair of side walls that extend from each of the inclined sides of the inclined portion to the

upper portions

22, 122, and 222 of the case. It has a part and. The space surrounded by the hypotenuse portion and the pair of side wall portions functions as a space for inserting the reading object.

<Modification example 12>
In each of the above embodiments, the reading tables 10, 110, and 210 are portable, but they may be installed in a cash register permanently installed in a store or the like and used as a fixed type. For example, as in the fourth embodiment, it can be installed in a fixed POS cash register using a tablet terminal. Further, the POS cash register in the fourth embodiment can be used as a self-checkout, and the user can be made to read the face of the ticket.

The present invention can also be carried out in a mode in which various improvements, modifications, or modifications are added based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Further, within the range in which the same action or effect is produced, any of the invention-specific matters may be replaced with another technique.

1,100,200,300 ... Reading device 10,110,210 ... Reading table 12,112,212 ... Case 14,114,214 ... Window (first window)
16,116,216 ... Positioning unit 28,128,228 ... Aperture (second window)
38,138 ... One mirror 40 ... The other mirror 50 ... Smartphone (portable information processing terminal)
52 ... Camera module (external camera)
P ... Passport (reading object)

Claims

With a case where the object to be read is arranged
The case is
A first window provided above the object and arranged with the read surface of the object to be read facing down, and a first window.
A second window in which an external camera that images the surface to be read is arranged through the inside, and
A reading table, characterized in that it has.
The reading table according to claim 1, wherein the case has a positioning unit for positioning the external camera.
The reading table according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the case has a positioning unit for determining the position of the reading object with respect to the first window.
Any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a mirror arranged inside the case and reflecting an image of the surface to be read arranged in the first window toward the second window. The reader described in.
The reader according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a light source arranged inside the case.
A sensor that detects that the reading surface is arranged on the first window, and
A control unit that controls the light source based on the output from the sensor,
5. The reading table according to claim 5.
The reader according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the external camera is a camera of a portable information processing terminal or a camera connected to a personal computer.
The reading table on which the object to be read is arranged and
An external camera installed outside the reading table and capturing the surface to be read of the object to be read, and an external camera.
With
The reading table
It comprises a case provided at the top and having a first window in which the read surface is arranged downward and a second window in which the external camera is arranged.
The external camera is a reading device characterized in that the reading surface is imaged through the inside of the case.