JP4269417B2 - Image reading apparatus with authentication printing function - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus having an authentication printing function.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in an image reading apparatus in a financial institution or the like, an image of a form such as a seal registration slip or a transfer request slip is acquired, and image data is transmitted based on the acquired image data, that is, character recognition, etc. Various processes are performed. In the case of an image reading apparatus equipped with a non-contact type scanner device, for example, since an image of a form set on a desk is acquired by the scanner device, the form is inserted into an insertion port of the scanner device. There is no need, and the operability is high (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-9102).
[0003]
By the way, in order to authenticate that the image has been acquired, when an authentication character such as an authentication number is printed on the form, that is, when authentication printing is to be performed, the operator, for example, after taking out the form from the scanner device Insert it into the passbook slip printer. In the passbook slip printer, authentication printing is performed for each form by serial numbers.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional image reading apparatus, since the operator must take out the form from the scanner apparatus and insert it into the passbook slip printer to perform authentication printing, the authentication printing is performed after the image is acquired. In some cases, a mix of forms may occur.
[0005]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image reading apparatus having an authentication printing function that can solve the problems of the conventional image reading apparatus and prevent the occurrence of slips in a form.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
For this purpose, in the image reading apparatus having the authentication printing function of the present invention, a mat for setting a form, an image acquisition unit arranged to face the mat, and obtaining an image of the form, and the mat A printing unit that is arranged adjacent to the printing unit for performing authentication printing on the form, a detection unit that detects the form set on the mat, and an image of the form obtained by the image obtaining unit, If the detection means continues to detect the form, it is determined that the form is not extracted, and if the detection means does not continue to detect the form, it is determined that the form has been extracted. And a printing unit that performs authentication printing by the printing unit when it is determined that the form has not been extracted.
[0007]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0008]
FIG. 1 is a plan view of an image reading apparatus having an authentication printing function according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the image reading apparatus having an authentication printing function according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG.
[0009]
In the figure, reference numeral 26 denotes a form as a medium such as a seal registration form and a transfer request form, and 21 denotes a form facing the mat 25 for setting the form 26, and an image of the form 26, for example, a predetermined reading range. A scanner unit as an image acquisition unit for acquiring images such as a recipient column, a requester column, and an authentication print column, 51 is a scanner table that supports the scanner unit 21, and 22 is disposed adjacent to the mat 25. A printer unit serving as a printing unit having one end connected to the scanner base 51. The scanner unit 21 and the printer unit 22 constitute an authentication printing device. The scanner unit 21 is supported by a pillar 52, and a predetermined distance is placed between the form 26 and the scanner unit 21.
[0010]
After the image is acquired, the printer unit 22 performs authentication printing on the form 26 in order to authenticate that the image has been acquired. In the present embodiment, authentication characters are printed with serial numbers in an authentication print field set at a predetermined location of the form 26. For example, the authentication character includes a date on which a transaction was performed, a branch number, a series of authentication numbers since the transaction was started on the day, and the authentication number is a predetermined digit set in advance. It consists of (digits) numbers and letters.
[0011]
The mat 25 is made of a black material, and a form 26 is placed on the mat 25. When the form 26 is abutted against the abutment guide 24 formed on the mat 25, the form 26 is placed in alignment with a reference line (not shown). Note that the mat 25 can be replaced as necessary.
[0012]
Reference numeral 35 denotes a print head, and 36 denotes a line feed motor that moves the form 26 in the sub-scanning direction and conveys it. The rotation generated by driving the motor 36 is via a drive assembly (not shown). To the shafts 61 and 62. Conveying rollers 64 and 65 for conveying the form 26 are attached to the shafts 61 and 62. Accordingly, the form 26 can be conveyed by driving the motor 36.
[0013]
A medium detection sensor 39 as a first detection means is disposed on the mat 25 before the printer unit 22, and the medium detection sensor 39 detects a form 26 set on the mat 25 and detects a detection signal. Is generated. A reflection type sensor can be used as the medium detection sensor 39. Further, a medium detection sensor 37 as a second detection unit is disposed adjacent to the shaft 61 in the printer unit 22, and the medium detection sensor 37 detects the front end of the form 26 and generates a detection signal.
[0014]
Next, a control device of the image reading apparatus having the authentication printing function will be described.
[0015]
FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the image reading apparatus having the authentication printing function according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0016]
In the figure, 21 is a scanner unit, 22 is a printer unit, 30 is a control unit, and 34 is a host device. The control unit 30 includes a scanner control unit 31 that controls the scanner unit 21, a printer control unit 32 that controls the printer unit 22, and a main control unit 33 that controls the scanner control unit 31 and the printer control unit 32. Prepare. The main control unit 33 is connected to the host device 34 and performs image acquisition, authentication printing, and the like according to instructions from the host device 34, and the mat 25 (FIG. 1) based on the detection signal of the medium detection sensor 39. It is determined whether or not the form 26 is set on the top.
[0017]
The printer unit 22 includes a print head 35, a line feed motor 36, a medium detection sensor 37, and a printer controller 40. The print controller 40 controls the print head 35, the motor 36, and the like.
[0018]
Next, the operation of the image reading apparatus having the authentication printing function with the above configuration will be described.
[0019]
First, when the operator places the form 26 against the abutment guide 24 and sets it on the image reading device, places it on the mat 25, and operates a keyboard (not shown) connected to the host device 34, the host device A reading instruction is sent from 34 to the main controller 33. When receiving the reading instruction, the main control unit 33 determines whether or not the form 26 is set on the mat 25 according to the detection signal of the medium detection sensor 39, and when the form 26 is set on the mat 25. The scanner unit 21 is operated via the scanner control unit 31 in accordance with the reading instruction, and the scanner unit 21 acquires an image on the form 26. The main control unit 33 reads the image data from the scanner unit 21 and transfers it to the host device 34. The host device 34 recognizes characters in the reading range according to the image data by a recognition unit (not shown) and displays the characters on a display unit (not shown) or transmits an image.
[0020]
Subsequently, the operator confirms the content displayed on the display unit, determines whether or not the recognized character is correct, and if the recognized character is correct, presses the “confirm” key on the keyboard to display the form 26. Insert into the printer unit 22. The host device 34 sends a transport instruction to the main control unit 33.
[0021]
Subsequently, the main control unit 33 reads the detection signal of the medium detection sensor 37, determines whether the front end of the form 26 is inserted into the printer unit 22 according to the detection signal, and the front end of the form 26 is the printer unit 22. When inserted in the printer, the motor 36 is driven by the transport means (not shown) via the printer controller 32 and the printer controller 40, the transport rollers 64 and 65 are rotated, and the form 26 is transported and sent to the print head 35. The main control unit 33 drives the print head 35 via the printer control unit 32 and the printer controller 40 by a printing unit (not shown), and performs authentication printing according to the print data sent from the host device 34.
[0022]
If the recognized character is not correct, when the operator sets the form 26 again on the mat 25 and operates the keyboard, a reading instruction is sent from the host device 34 to the main control unit 33.
[0023]
By the way, a period from when the image of the form 26 is acquired until it is determined that the front end of the form 26 is inserted into the printer unit 22 according to the detection signal of the medium detection sensor 37 is set as the monitoring time required. The medium monitoring means (not shown) of the unit 33 monitors the detection signal of the medium detection sensor 39 during the required monitoring time, and it is determined whether or not the form 26 is extracted by the extraction determining means (not shown) of the main control unit 33. If the form 26 is not extracted, the main control unit 33 permits authentication printing. When the form 26 is extracted, the main control unit 33 does not permit the authentication printing and displays on the display unit that the authentication printing is not performed.
[0024]
When the authentication printing is completed, the conveying means drives the motor 36 in the reverse direction via the printer control unit 32 and the printer controller 40, rotates the conveying rollers 64 and 65 in the reverse direction, and moves the form 26 onto the mat 25. To discharge.
[0025]
In this way, the detection signal of the medium detection sensor 39 is monitored during the time required for monitoring, and it is determined whether or not the form 26 has been extracted. Thus, after the image is acquired, the form is printed until authentication printing is performed. It is possible to prevent 26 differences from occurring.
[0026]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, about the thing which has the same structure as 1st Embodiment, the description is abbreviate | omitted by providing the same code | symbol.
[0027]
4 is a plan view of an image reading apparatus having an authentication printing function according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a control of the image reading apparatus having an authentication printing function according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a form in the second embodiment of the present invention.
[0028]
In this case, the medium detection sensor is not provided in front of the printer unit 22 as the printing unit on the mat 25. Then, a feature recognition area AR is set at a predetermined location on the form 26, for example, a position close to a corner P1 selected in advance among the corners.
[0029]
In the image reading apparatus having the above-described configuration, an operator sets the form 26 on the image reading apparatus by abutting against the abutment guide 24 and places the form 26 on the mat 25, and is connected to the host apparatus 34 and is not shown. Is operated, the host device 34 sends a reading instruction to the main control unit 33. Upon receiving the reading instruction, the main control unit 33 operates the scanner unit 21 as an image acquisition unit via the scanner control unit 31 in accordance with the reading instruction, and the scanner unit 21 has a predetermined reading range on the form 26. Images in the receiver column, client column, authentication print column, etc. are acquired. The main control unit 33 reads the image data from the scanner unit 21 and transfers it to the host device 34. The host device 34 takes the image data into an image memory (not shown) as a storage means, recognizes characters in the reading range according to the image data by a recognition means (not shown), and displays the characters on a display unit (not shown). Or transfer images.
[0030]
Also, feature extraction means (not shown) in the host device 34 extracts the features of the image in the feature recognition area AR based on the image data in the image memory, and stores the features in a buffer (not shown). In the present embodiment, as the feature, any character, symbol or the like written in the transaction is used, and the feature recognition area AR is a portion where characters, symbols, etc. are always written on the form 26. Is set.
[0031]
Subsequently, the operator confirms the content displayed on the display unit, determines whether or not the recognized character is correct, and if the recognized character is correct, presses the “confirm” key on the keyboard to display the form 26. Insert into the printer unit 22. The host device 34 sends a transport instruction to the main control unit 33.
[0032]
Next, the main control unit 33 reads the detection signal of the medium detection sensor 37, determines whether the front end of the form 26 is inserted into the printer unit 22 according to the detection signal, and the front end of the form 26 is the printer unit 22. If it is inserted, it notifies the host device 34 to that effect.
[0033]
At this time, the host device 34 sends a reading instruction to the main control unit 33 again, and the main control unit 33 operates the scanner unit 21 via the scanner control unit 31 in accordance with the reading instruction. Acquires an image on the form 26 in a state of being inserted into the printer unit 22. The main control unit 33 reads the image data generated by the scanner unit 21 and transfers it to the host device 34. The host device 34 loads the image data into the image memory, and the feature extraction means The feature of the image in the feature recognition area AR is extracted again.
[0034]
Subsequently, the host device 34 compares the feature stored in the buffer by the comparison unit (not shown) with the feature extracted again, and whether the form 26 is extracted based on the comparison result by the extraction determination unit (not shown). And the determination result is notified to the main control unit 33. That is, when the feature stored in the buffer matches the feature extracted again, it is determined that the form 26 has not been extracted.
[0035]
When the form 26 is not extracted, the main control unit 33 permits authentication printing, drives the motor 36 via the printer control unit 32 and the printer controller 40 by a conveyance unit (not shown), The form 26 is conveyed by rotating 65 and sent to the print head 35. Subsequently, the main control unit 33 drives the print head 35 via the printer control unit 32 and the printer controller 40 by a printing unit (not shown), and performs authentication printing according to the print data sent from the host device 34.
[0036]
When the form 26 is extracted, the main control unit 33 does not permit the authentication printing and displays on the display unit that the authentication printing is not performed. In this case, the transport means drives the motor 36 in the reverse direction, rotates the transport rollers 64 and 65 in the reverse direction, and discharges the form 26 onto the mat 25.
[0037]
In this way, when the image is acquired and when authentication printing is performed, the characteristics of the image are extracted and compared to determine whether the form 26 has been extracted. It is possible to prevent the slip of the form 26 from occurring until the authentication printing is performed.
[0038]
If the recognized character is not correct, when the operator sets the form 26 again on the mat 25 and operates the keyboard, a reading instruction is sent from the host device 34 to the main control unit 33. When the authentication printing is completed, the transport unit drives the motor 36 in the reverse direction, rotates the transport rollers 64 and 65 in the reverse direction, and discharges the form 26 onto the mat 25.
[0039]
By the way, an image of a predetermined document may be acquired in addition to the image of the form 26 for one transaction business. In this case, if the form 26 or the document is extracted after the image is acquired and before the authentication printing is performed, a difference between the form 26 or the document occurs. Therefore, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described that prevents the form 26 or the document from being mixed. In addition, about the thing which has the same structure as 1st Embodiment, the description is abbreviate | omitted by providing the same code | symbol.
[0040]
FIG. 7 is a plan view of an image reading apparatus having an authentication printing function according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a control of the image reading apparatus having an authentication printing function according to the third embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram.
[0041]
In this case, a medium detection sensor 78 as a third detection unit for detecting the form 26 and a fourth for detecting another document 77 before the printer unit 22 as a printing unit on the mat 25 are detected. A medium detection sensor 79 is provided as detection means. When there are a plurality of other documents 77, medium detection sensors are arranged correspondingly.
[0042]
In the image reading apparatus having the above-described configuration, the operator sets the form 26 and the other document 77 against the abutment guide 24 so as to be set on the image reading apparatus, placed on the mat 25, and connected to the host apparatus 34. When a keyboard (not shown) is operated, a reading instruction is sent from the host device 34 to the main control unit 33. Upon receiving the reading instruction, the main control unit 33 determines whether the form 26 and other documents 77 are set on the mat 25 according to the detection signals of the medium detection sensors 78 and 79, and the form 25 is placed on the mat 25. 26 and other documents 77 are set, the scanner unit 21 as an image acquisition unit is operated via the scanner control unit 31 according to the reading instruction, and the scanner unit 21 has a predetermined reading range on the form 26. Images in the recipient field, client field, authentication print field, etc., and images on other documents 77 are acquired. The main control unit 33 reads the image data from the scanner unit 21 and transfers it to the host device 34. Then, the host device 34 recognizes the characters on the form 26 within the reading range and the characters on the other document 77 according to the image data by a recognition unit (not shown), and displays it on a display unit (not shown). Or transfer images.
[0043]
Subsequently, the operator confirms the content displayed on the display unit, determines whether or not the recognized character is correct, and if the recognized character is correct, presses the “confirm” key on the keyboard to display the form 26. Insert into the printer unit 22. The host device 34 sends a transport instruction to the main control unit 33.
[0044]
Subsequently, the main control unit 33 reads the detection signal of the medium detection sensor 37 as the second detection means, determines whether the front end of the form 26 is inserted into the printer unit 22 according to the detection signal, and the form. 26 is inserted into the printer section 22, the motor 36 is driven via the printer control section 32 and the printer controller 40 by transport means (not shown), and the transport rollers 64 and 65 are rotated to transport the form 26. To the print head 35. The main control unit 33 drives the print head 35 via the printer control unit 32 and the printer controller 40 by a printing unit (not shown), and performs authentication printing according to the print data sent from the host device 34.
[0045]
If the recognized character is not correct, when the operator sets the form 26 and another document 77 on the mat 25 again and operates the keyboard, a reading instruction is sent from the host device 34 to the main control unit 33.
[0046]
By the way, a period from when the image of the form 26 is acquired until it is determined that the front end of the form 26 is inserted into the printer unit 22 according to the detection signal of the medium detection sensor 37 is set as the monitoring time required. The unit 33 monitors the detection signals of the medium detection sensors 78 and 79 by the medium monitoring unit (not shown) during the monitoring time, and determines whether the form 26 and other documents 77 are extracted by the sampling determination unit (not shown). To do. If the form 26 and other documents 77 are not extracted, the main control unit 33 permits authentication printing. When at least one of the form 26 and the other documents 77 is extracted, the main control unit 33 does not permit the authentication printing and displays that the authentication printing is not performed on the display unit.
[0047]
When the authentication printing is completed, the conveying means drives the motor 36 in the reverse direction via the printer control unit 32 and the printer controller 40, rotates the conveying rollers 64 and 65 in the reverse direction, and moves the form 26 onto the mat 25. To discharge.
[0048]
In this way, the detection signals of the medium detection sensors 78 and 79 are monitored during the monitoring time required to determine whether the form 26 and other documents 77 have been extracted. Thus, it is possible to prevent the slip of the form 26 and the other document 77 from occurring before the process is performed.
[0049]
The scanner unit 21 may be a digital camera, for example. In that case, since an image can be acquired without scanning the form 26 and the other document 77, it is possible to easily determine whether at least one of the form 26 and the other document 77 has been extracted.
[0050]
In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, It can change variously based on the meaning of this invention, and does not exclude them from the scope of the present invention.
[0051]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, in an image reading apparatus having an authentication printing function, a mat for setting a form is disposed opposite to the mat, and an image of the form is acquired. An image acquisition unit that is disposed adjacent to the mat, performs authentication printing on the form, a detection unit that detects a form set on the mat, and the image acquisition unit If the detection means continues to detect the form after the image is acquired, it is determined that the form has not been removed, and if the detection means does not continue to detect the form, Has a sampling determination unit for determining that the form has been extracted, and a printing unit for performing authentication printing by the printing unit when it is determined that the form has not been extracted.
[0052]
In this case, after a form is set on the mat and an image of the form is acquired by the image acquisition unit, authentication printing is performed by the printing unit to authenticate that the image has been acquired.
[0053]
The sampling determination unit determines whether the form has been extracted after the image is acquired and before the authentication printing is performed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the form from being mixed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view of an image reading apparatus having an authentication printing function according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an image reading apparatus having an authentication printing function according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the image reading apparatus having an authentication printing function according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a plan view of an image reading apparatus having an authentication printing function according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a control block diagram of an image reading apparatus provided with an authentication printing function according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a form according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a plan view of an image reading apparatus having an authentication printing function according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a control block diagram of an image reading apparatus having an authentication printing function according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
21 Scanner unit 22 Printer unit 25 Mat 26 Form 33 Main control unit 34 Host device 39, 78, 79 Medium detection sensor 77 Other documents

Claims (3)

(A) a mat for setting a form;
(B) an image acquisition unit arranged to face the mat and acquiring a form image;
(C) a printing unit that is disposed adjacent to the mat and performs authentication printing on the form;
(D) detecting means for detecting a form set on the mat;
(E) After the image of the form is acquired by the image acquisition unit, when the detecting unit continuously detects the form, it is determined that the form is not extracted, and the detecting unit continues Sampling judgment means for judging that the form has been extracted when the form is not detected ;
(F) An image reading apparatus having an authentication printing function , comprising: a printing unit that performs authentication printing by the printing unit when it is determined that the form has not been removed . (A) a mat for setting a form;
(B) an image acquisition unit arranged to face the mat and acquiring a form image;
(C) a printing unit that is disposed adjacent to the mat and performs authentication printing on the form;
(D) feature extraction means for extracting features in the feature recognition area set in the form;
(E) Based on the image of the form acquired by the image acquisition unit when the form is set, the first feature extracted by the feature extraction unit and the image acquisition unit when performing authentication printing Based on the acquired form image, the second feature extracted by the feature extraction unit is compared, and if the first and second features match, it is determined that the form has not been extracted, Sampling determination means for determining that the form has been extracted when the first and second characteristics do not match;
(F) An image reading apparatus having an authentication printing function, comprising: a printing unit that performs authentication printing by the printing unit when it is determined that the form has not been removed. (A) a mat for setting a form;
(B) an image acquisition unit arranged to face the mat and acquiring a form image;
(C) a printing unit that is disposed adjacent to the mat and performs authentication printing on the form;
(D) a plurality of detection means for detecting a form and other documents set on the mat;
(E) The form and other documents are extracted when all of the detecting means continuously detect the form and other documents after the images of the form and other documents are acquired by the image acquisition unit. Sampling determination means for determining that the form has been extracted if any one of the detection means has not detected the form and other documents continuously;
(F) An image reading apparatus having an authentication printing function, comprising: a printing unit that performs authentication printing by the printing unit when it is determined that the form has not been removed.

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