JP2859280B2 - Optical character reader - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention] (Industrial application field) The present invention relates to an optical character reading device having a printing function for a form to be subjected to a character reading process.

(Prior Art) In general, an optical character reading device that reads characters written on a form has a numbering printing mechanism for assigning a continuous number to the form on which the character reading process has been completed. This numbering printing mechanism, when confirming the contents of the file that stores the character reading result read from the form,
This function is provided to easily determine to which form the read data stored in the file corresponds, and to facilitate the organization of the processed form.

Usually, in an optical character reading device, a numbering printing mechanism is provided in a form transport path in order to optically scan while transporting the form. That is, the numbering printing mechanism includes a sensor for detecting that a form is conveyed on the form conveyance path, and a printing unit for performing printing on the form. The numbering printing mechanism is configured such that, when the sensor detects the leading end of the form on which the character reading process has been completed, the printing unit is driven after transporting a certain distance from the detection position to perform numbering printing on the form.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) In general, the specification of the printing position where numbering printing is performed on a form is determined by the distance from the rear end of the form. For this reason, in the case where forms of the same size are processed as a batch, numbering printing is performed at a predetermined print position of the form by driving the printing unit after transporting a certain distance corresponding to the form size. However, when processing a batch in which forms of various sizes are mixed, if printing is performed after the front end of the form is detected by a sensor and then a predetermined distance is conveyed, a predetermined size based on the form size with respect to the rear end is used. Could not be numbered at the print position.

In order to cope with this, there is a method of performing numbering printing at a predetermined printing position regardless of the form size by detecting the trailing edge of the form with a sensor, and then printing after transporting a certain distance. However,
The distance between the sensor for detecting the form and the printing unit for performing the numbering printing is shorter than the distance from the trailing end of the form to the numbering printing start position for reasons such as shortening the form transport path. For this reason, in this method, numbering printing cannot be performed at a predetermined position with respect to the rear end. In addition, if the arrangement distance between the sensor and the printing unit is increased, it is possible to carry out printing after a certain distance after detecting the rear end and to perform numbering printing at a predetermined printing position. It is not practical because the path becomes long and the size of the entire device increases.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and even when forms of various sizes are simultaneously processed as a batch, a predetermined predetermined form can be set for each form without increasing the size of the apparatus. An object of the present invention is to provide an optical character reading device capable of performing numbering printing at a printing position.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention detects a form image by optically scanning a form to be subjected to a character reading process on a reading line while transporting the form on a transport path. The form size of the form is detected by the form size detecting means from the image. Form detection means for detecting the form and printing means for printing on the form are provided on the transport path. On the basis of the form size detected by the form size detecting means, from the position of the form detected by the form detecting means to the printing position of the form where printing is to be performed by the printing means. Calculating the transport distance of the form, when the form detected by the form detection means is transported by the transport distance calculated by the form transport distance calculation means, drive the printing means to the form In this case, printing is performed.

(Operation) In the optical character reading device configured as described above, the form size is detected from the form image obtained by optical scanning, and the printing position where the numbering printing of the form is performed is determined according to the form size. The transport distance to reach the printing means (printing unit) is determined. Therefore, even when batches of forms having different sizes are processed, the printing unit is driven after transporting the transport distance suitable for each form.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an optical character reading apparatus according to the embodiment. In FIG. 1, a hopper 11 loads a plurality of forms 12 to be subjected to a character reading process. It is assumed that forms 12 of various sizes are loaded on the hopper 11 as a batch. Feed roller
The numeral 13 takes out the forms stacked on the hopper 11 one by one and sends them out onto a form transport path 14. The photoelectric conversion unit 15 includes a form transport path 14
Image information is read by optically scanning the form 12 which is sent out and conveyed by a plurality of conveying rollers (not shown) on a reading line. Quantizer 17
Converts the image signal from the photoelectric conversion unit 15 into binary data corresponding to white / black of the form 12. The recognition unit 18 stores the binarized data (form image) from the quantization unit 17 in a sheet buffer (not shown), detects a character pattern from the form image, and performs a character recognition process for each character. The form detection unit 19 detects the presence or absence of the form 12 on the read line based on the binarized data from the quantization unit 17. When detecting that the leading end of the form 12 has reached the reading line, the form detecting unit 19 outputs a form detection signal indicating that the form 21 exists on the reading line to the control unit 20 described later. Control unit 20
Is responsible for the entire optical character reading device, and controls each part of the device. Transfer motor 21
Drives the transport roller provided in the form transport path 14 to transport the form 12 in response to a form transport drive signal (transport pulse) from the control unit 20. The sensor 22 detects that the form 12 that has passed the reading line and has completed the optical scanning has been conveyed along the form conveyance path 14, and notifies the control unit 20. The numbering printing unit 23 performs numbering printing on the form 12 detected by the sensor 22 under the control of the control unit 20. The stackers 24 and 25 are for stacking the forms 12 after the processing, and one of them is selected according to the type of the forms 12 and the like. The stacker selector 26 is provided in the form transport path 24 and switches the stacker from which the form 12 is discharged.

 Next, the operation of the embodiment will be described.

The optical character reading apparatus according to the present embodiment handles forms of various sizes as batches and performs reading processing of characters written on each form 12. First, the hopper
A sheet bundle of a form 12 to be processed (a plurality of forms 12 of different sizes) is placed on the object 11. When the character reading process is started, the feed roller 13 is pressed against the sheet bundle placed on the hopper 11 while rotating, and sends the uppermost form 12 to the form transport path 14 by the frictional force. The form 12 sent out on the form transport path 14 is transported on the form transport path 14 by a transport roller (not shown) that is driven to rotate by a transport motor 21. The reading line on the form transport path 14 is irradiated with light from a light source (not shown), and the light reflected on the reading line is received by the photoelectric conversion unit 15. The photoelectric conversion unit 15 performs photoelectric conversion according to the amount of received light. That is, when the form 12 carries the reading line, the reading of the image information is sequentially performed for each scanning line. The quantization unit 17 includes a photoelectric conversion unit 15
Is quantized into binarized data (form image) corresponding to white / black of the form 12 based on a preset threshold value. The form image obtained by the quantization unit 17 is output to the recognition unit 18 and the form detection unit 19. The recognition unit 18 stores the form image from the quantization unit 17 in a sheet buffer (not shown).

On the other hand, a form detection unit 19 forms a form based on the binary data of one scan line scanned by the photoelectric conversion unit 15.
Performs 12 tip detections. That is, the form detection unit 19
The white bits included in the binary data for the scanning lines are counted, and when the number of bits reaches a predetermined number, it is determined that the form 12 has been conveyed to the reading line. This is because, when the form 12 does not exist in the reading line, only the black bit is output according to the color (usually black painted) of the transport surface in the reading line of the form transport path 14, and when the form 12 reaches the reading line. This is because a white bit is output. When detecting the leading end of the form 12, the form detection unit 19 outputs a form detection signal indicating that the form 12 exists on the reading line to the control unit 20. The form detection signal is output until the form detection unit 19 detects the trailing end (until the number of white bits included in the binary data for one scan line becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value). The control unit 20 counts driving pulses for the transport motor 21 while the form detection signal from the form detection unit 19 is being input. As a result, the form passing through the reading line
Find the length of 12. The control unit 20 uses the sensor 22 to generate the form 12 based on the information indicating the length of the form 12 and the information indicating the distance between the sensor 22 and the numbering printing unit 23 (preset because it is a fixed value). The transport distance of the form 12 from the position where the leading end of the form is detected to the position where the numbering printing of the form 12 is performed by the numbering printing unit 23 is calculated. The control unit 20 sends the numbering printing unit 23
Information indicating the transport distance up to (hereinafter referred to as transport information)
Hold.

Batches placed on the hopper 11 include forms of various different sizes, and some forms are small in size, so that a plurality of forms may be successively and simultaneously conveyed to the form conveying path 14. For this reason, the control unit 20
14 Form and numbering print section corresponding to the same form
Up to 23 pieces of transport information are stored in association with each other. For example, 2
When one sheet is conveyed on the form conveyance path 14, the control unit 20 holds the conveyance information corresponding to each of the first and second forms. The tip of the first form is the sensor 22.
Is detected by the control unit 20, the control unit 20 sets the transfer distance specified by the transfer information corresponding to the first form to the transfer motor 21.
Is counted based on the form transport drive signal for the. Control unit 20
When recognizing that the first form has been transported by the transport distance specified by the transport information, the numbering printing unit 23
To print a predetermined character (number) for the first form. When the numbering printing for the first form is completed, the transport information corresponding to the first form is cleared. Next, when the leading end of the second form is detected by the sensor 22, a predetermined number for the second form (for example, a predetermined number is printed on the first form) by the same control as that for the first form. (The value obtained by adding the increment value of). As described above, when a plurality of forms are continuously and simultaneously conveyed on the form conveyance path 14, the control unit 20 holds the conveyance information corresponding to each form, and based on the conveyance information, Is performed according to the numbering.

On the other hand, the recognizing unit 18 stores 1 in a sheet buffer (not shown).
When the form images corresponding to the form are stored, the recognition processing of the characters written in the form 12 is performed. First, the recognizing unit 18 reads, for example, the number (ID number) of a form identification signal written in the form 12 to determine whether the form image stored in the seed buffer is to be subjected to character reading processing. Judge by doing. If the ID number designates the form 12 to be subjected to the character reading processing, a character pattern is detected and cut out from the form image stored in the sheet buffer, and the character recognition processing is performed for each character. If the ID number designates a form (rejected form) that is not subjected to the character reading process due to end registration or the like, the control unit 20 is notified of this fact.

When the form 12 is conveyed on the form conveyance path 14 and detected by the sensor 22, the control unit 20 switches the stacker selector 26. That is, when the form 12 is to be subjected to the character reading process, the stacker selector 26
Side, and if the form 12 is a rejected form not subjected to the character reading process, the stacker selector 26 is switched to the rejected form stacker 25 side. By this switching, the form 12 with the numbering printing is changed to the stacker.
24, or discharged to the stacker 25.

It should be noted that the control unit 20 may not drive the numbering print 23 for a form determined to be a rejected form by the recognition unit 18.

[Effect of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, the form size of each form is detected based on the form image obtained by optical scanning, and the leading end of the form is detected by the sensor according to the form size of each form. Since the transfer distance to the numbering printing unit is calculated after the processing, even if a plurality of forms of different sizes are handled as a batch, the size of the entire device is not increased and the specified printing position is This makes it possible to perform numbering printing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an optical character reading device according to one embodiment of the present invention. 12… Form, 15… Photoelectric conversion part, 17… Quantization part, 18…
... Recognition unit, 19 ... Form detection unit (form size detection means),
20: control unit, 21: transport motor, 22: sensor (form detecting means), 23: numbering printing unit (printing means).

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G06K 9/20 G06F 3/12 B41J 29/48 B41J 13/00 B65H 5/06

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A form transport means for continuously transporting a form to be subjected to a character reading process on a transport path, and the form continuously transported by the form transport means is optically read by a read line on the transport path. Form image detecting means for detecting a form image by scanning the form, form size detecting means for detecting the form size of the form from the form image detected by the form image detecting means, and carrying the form by the form carrying means A form detecting means for detecting a leading end of the form conveyed ahead of the reading line on a road; a printing means arranged on the conveying path for performing printing on the form; a form size detecting means for detecting the form size Based on the determined form size, printing is performed by the printing unit from the position of the form detected by the form detection unit. Transport distance calculating means for calculating a transport distance of the form up to a printing position where the form to be printed is to be performed; and transporting when a plurality of forms are simultaneously transported on a transport path by the form transport means. Holding means for holding the form on the road and the transport distance calculated by the transport distance calculating means in association with each other; and the form detected by the form detecting means, in association with this form, by the holding means When the transport distance calculated by the held form transport distance calculating means is conveyed, a print driving means for driving the printing means, and based on the form image detected by the form image detecting means. An optical character reading device, comprising: character reading processing means for reading characters written on the form.