JP4547938B2 - Imprint input device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an improvement of an imprint input device that extracts an imprint of a seal stamp and registers it as digital data.

  In the case where a seal stamp is extracted and registered as digital data, it is common to stamp the seal stamped on the paper and scan the paper with an optical scanner to extract the seal stamp. However, such a method has a disadvantage that the same shadow cannot always be obtained even with the same seal due to the difference in the thickness of the outline due to the adhesion of the vermilion and the occurrence of bleeding. In addition, since it is necessary to wait for the paper with red meat to dry before scanning with an optical scanner, it is difficult to shorten the time required for registering a seal, and the paper as an intermediate medium is also wasted. .

On the other hand, as a means for extracting the seal impression of a seal without using paper and registering it as digital data, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a pressure-sensitive sheet that temporarily changes color upon receiving a pressing force is used. It is well known that it is installed on an optical scanner, and a color change portion generated in a pressure-sensitive sheet when the tip of a seal is pressed is read by an optical scanner and converted into digital data.
However, in order to appropriately read the color-changed portion from the pressure-sensitive sheet, it is necessary to eliminate the pressure-sensitive sheet from becoming a disturbance. Therefore, the vermilion at the tip of the seal must be wiped clean and then stamped onto the pressure-sensitive sheet, resulting in a troublesome pretreatment for cleaning the seal. In addition, if the pressure-sensitive sheet is scratched, the refractive index of light in the part changes, and this scratch may be mistakenly recognized as a color change part. There are restrictions that must be done carefully.

Further, as another means for extracting the seal impression of a seal without using paper and registering it as digital data, as disclosed in Patent Document 2, the tip of a seal installed through a transparent guide There is disclosed a technique for reading an imprint from a surface in a non-contact manner.
However, this is a non-contact type reader that detects the shape of the tip of the seal, for example, an optical reader. Extraction may not be possible, and inconvenience remains in terms of the complexity of preprocessing such as cleaning the seal.

JP-A-4-247484 (paragraph number 0004) Japanese Patent Application No. Sho 61-290580 (page 2, upper left column, lines 14-16)

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to improve the inconveniences of the prior art, extract an imprint of a seal in a short time, and register it as digital data without requiring an intermediate medium such as paper or a troublesome cleaning operation. An object of the present invention is to provide an imprint input device capable of performing the above.

The present invention is an imprint input device for extracting an imprint engraved in a seal and registering it as digital data.
The pressure sensor group is formed by assembling a plurality of pressure sensors that function as minute sensitive areas that change the output according to the pressure received from the tip of the seal stamp pressed in the stamp extraction process on substantially the same plane. Outer shape detection means,
The output from each sensitive area forming the outer shape detection means is read, and a preset condition is compared with the output. When the condition is satisfied, the tip of the seal is detected in the sensitive area. On the other hand, when the condition is not satisfied, a determination unit that determines that the tip of the seal is not detected in the sensitive region,
Imprint digitizing means for assigning presence / absence of the front end of a seal to a two-dimensional matrix on the memory and making digital data of the impression based on the arrangement of the sensitive areas in the outer shape detection means and the determination result by the determination means; ,
Holding means for detachably holding the seal with the tip of the seal facing the outer shape detection means ;
A seal stamping / separating / moving unit for moving one of the outer shape detecting unit and the holding unit relative to the other in relation to the holding unit ;
The outer shape detection means, the determination means, and the imprint digitizing means are repeatedly operated to temporarily store the presence of the tip of the seal in the two-dimensional matrix on the memory by logical sum, and temporarily stored in the two-dimensional matrix on the memory. When the logical sum of the presence of the stored leading edge of the seal exceeds the set value, the digital data on the memory is output to the host device, while the stamp contacting / separating / moving means is driven, When the set pressure does not come into contact with the outer shape detection means, and the outer shape detection means, the determination means, and the imprint digitizing means are repeatedly operated to logically determine the presence of the tip of the seal in the two-dimensional matrix on the memory. An error occurs if the logical sum of the tip of the seal stamp temporarily stored in the two-dimensional matrix on the memory does not exceed the set value even if temporarily stored as a sum. Outputs No., has a configuration, wherein a seal is reversed driving the seal contact and separation movement means and a control unit which is separated from said contour detection means.

With the above configuration, when the control unit is operated while holding the seal stamp in the holding means, first, the seal contact / separation moving unit is driven by a command from the control unit until the tip of the seal stamp contacts the outer shape detection unit with the set pressure. Then, the tip of the seal stamp is pressed by the outer shape detection means comprising the pressure sensor group .
Next, the outer shape detecting means, the judging means, and the imprint digitizing means comprising the pressure sensor group operate in this order, and the signals outputted from the respective pressure sensors which are minute sensitive areas are read by the judging means. After the judging means compares the signal output from each sensitive area with a preset condition to judge whether or not the tip of the seal is detected in each sensitive area, the imprint digitizing means Based on the arrangement of the sensitive areas (pressure sensors) in the detection means (pressure sensor group) and the determination result by the determination means, the presence or absence of the tip of the seal is assigned on the two-dimensional matrix on the memory, and the tip shape of the seal To create digital data of the seal .
At this time, until the total area of the tip shape of the seal reaches a set value, that is, to the extent that the reliability of the digital data of the seal stamp is ensured to a minimum, a plurality of tip shapes of the seal are formed by the outer shape detection means and the determination means. Since it is extracted over time and the presence of the tip of the seal is temporarily stored as a logical sum in a two-dimensional matrix on the memory, even if there is a shape that cannot be detected by one extraction operation, it is executed at another timing. The possibility that the tip shape of the part can be extracted by the extraction operation is increased .
Accordingly, the reliability of the digital data of the seal stamp, which is the final output, is significantly improved as compared with the case where the tip shape of the seal stamp is extracted by only one extraction operation .
The imprint digitizing means finally creates digital data of the imprint by assigning the presence or absence of the tip of the seal stamp to the two-dimensional matrix on the memory and reconstructing the tip shape of the seal stamp.
As described above, the tip shape of the seal is directly recognized using the outer shape detection means formed by assembling a large number of pressure sensors functioning as minute sensitive areas on substantially the same plane. Therefore, it is possible to accurately extract the seal imprint, that is, the shape of the tip of the seal regardless of the stain on the tip of the seal.
In addition, since this outer shape detection means directly recognizes the shape of the tip of the seal, an intermediate medium such as paper for transferring the shape of the tip of the seal is unnecessary, and as described above, it is related to the stain on the tip of the seal. Since the seal stamp can be extracted without any trouble, the troublesome work of cleaning the seal in advance becomes unnecessary.
In addition, since the tip of the seal is always pressed by the outer shape detection means at the set pressure, the magnitude of the signal output from each pressure sensor constituting the pressure sensor group is stabilized, and as a result, the seal stamp in each sensitive region is obtained. It is possible to determine the presence or absence of the tip portion of the image very accurately, and the reliability of the digital data of the seal impression as the final output is remarkably improved .
In addition, if the seal tip is not properly in contact with the outer shape detection means due to a mistake in attaching the seal to the holding means, or if the seal imprint cannot be extracted properly, the seal contact / separation moving means automatically Since the gripping means is returned to the standby position by being driven in reverse, it is possible to reliably prevent the abnormal end of the processing operation .
Therefore, it is possible to install the seal input device at the store and let the user use it for self-service, and the user can display the error of seal installation or reading error based on the error signal. It is also possible to prompt a retry operation based on the determination .

  When a pressure sensor group is used as the outer shape detection means, the pressure sensor group is coated with a pressure transfer sheet that absorbs minute deformation at the tip of the seal and transmits the pressing force of the seal to the pressure sensor group. Is desirable.

  Depending on the seal's wear, etc., the tip of the seal may not be located on a completely flat surface, but the surface of the pressure sensor group is covered with a pressure transfer sheet to absorb minute deformation at the tip of the seal. Thus, it is possible to acquire appropriate digital data by transmitting the pressing force of each part of the tip corresponding to the tip shape of the seal to the pressure sensor group.

  The pressure transmission sheet is preferably made of a material having sufficient elasticity and toughness to protect the pressure sensor group.

  Since the pressure transfer sheet can prevent damage to the pressure sensor group due to the impact of the seal at the time of stamping or contact with each other, the durability of the entire apparatus is improved.

  Furthermore, a support body that supports the pressure sensor group may be provided, and the support body may be held by an impact buffer mechanism that can be shifted in the pressure receiving direction.

When such a configuration is applied, the support itself supporting the pressure sensor group changes in the pressure receiving direction before an excessive external force that cannot be dealt with by the above-described pressure transmission sheet acts on the pressure sensor group. The shock absorbing mechanism absorbs an external force acting on the pressure sensor group to prevent the pressure sensor group from being damaged.
As the shock absorbing mechanism, for example, a coil spring, an oil damper, or the like that holds the support in a compressible state in the pressure receiving direction can be used.

  Further, a support body that supports the pressure sensor group may be provided, and the support body may be held by a posture adjustment mechanism.

Since the support body is allowed to change the posture following the front end surface of the seal, it is possible to accurately press the front end surface of the seal against the pressure sensor group by suppressing the contact of the seal on the seal. Is possible.
As the posture adjustment mechanism, for example, a coil spring or an oil damper that allows the posture change of the support body can be used.

  Further, it is possible to provide an impact buffering posture adjusting mechanism that allows both the change in the pressure receiving direction and the posture change of the support.

Before the excessive external force acts on the pressure sensor group, the support body supporting the pressure sensor group itself changes in the pressure receiving direction, and the support body is allowed to change its posture following the tip surface of the seal. Therefore, it is effective for preventing damage to the pressure sensor group and suppressing the contact of the seal at the time of stamping.
As the shock buffering posture adjusting mechanism, for example, a coil spring, an oil damper, or the like that holds the support so that its posture can be changed while being compressible in the pressure receiving direction can be used.

  The imprint input device of the present invention collects on the same plane minute sensitive regions that change output in response to an external physical stimulus that changes depending on the presence or absence of the tip of the seal in the stamp extraction process. The outer shape detecting means is configured, and the output from each sensitive area constituting the outer shape detecting means is read to determine whether or not the tip of the seal is detected in the sensitive area. Since the digital stamp data is generated by assigning the presence or absence of the tip of the seal on the two-dimensional matrix based on the arrangement of the sensitive areas in the outer shape detection means, such as paper for transferring the tip shape of the seal An intermediate medium becomes unnecessary, and the imprint can be accurately extracted regardless of the stain on the front end surface of the seal.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be illustrated. FIG. 1 is a simplified sectional view showing an example of an imprint input device to which the present invention is applied.

  The main part of the seal stamp input apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 is composed of a pressure sensor group 2 and a conversion circuit 3 that function as outer shape detection means.

  Among these, the pressure sensor group 2 is an outer shape formed by gathering pressure sensors 4 functioning as minute sensitive regions that change output according to pressure, which is a kind of physical stimulus given from the outside, on a substantially same plane. As shown in FIG. 2, the detection means is configured by arranging a number of pressure sensors 4 in a two-dimensional matrix.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the conversion circuit 3 reads the outputs from the individual pressure sensors 4 forming the pressure sensor group 2, compares the output with preset conditions, and sets the preset values. When the condition is satisfied, the pressure sensor 4 determines that the tip of the seal 5 has been detected. On the other hand, when the preset condition is not satisfied, the pressure sensor 4 detects the tip of the seal. Determining means 6 for determining that the image has not been made, a memory 8a constituted by a frame memory or the like for temporarily storing an image composed of digital data of two gradations of black and white, and an arrangement and determining means for the pressure sensor 4 in the pressure sensor group 6 is provided with imprint digitizing means 7 that assigns the presence or absence of the tip of the seal 5 to the two-dimensional matrix on the memory 8a based on the determination result of No. 6 to obtain digital data of the imprint. That.

The determination means 6 is set with a threshold value for determining whether or not the pressure sensor 4 detects a pressure acting from the seal 5, and for example, the seal 5 is applied to the pressure sensor group 2 with a normal force. When the pressure is pressed, the signal output from the pressure sensor 4 located at the portion where the tip of the seal 5 exists, that is, the sculpture crest is X1, and the portion where the tip of the seal 5 does not exist, ie, the portion of the sculpture valley If the signal output from the pressure sensor 4 located at is X2, for example, the intermediate value (X1 + X2) / 2 can be used as the threshold value.
Here, if X1> X2, if the signal output X from the pressure sensor 4 is greater than (X1 + X2) / 2, the pressure sensor 4 detects the presence of the tip of the seal 5, that is, the sculpture crest. If the signal output X from the pressure sensor 4 is less than (X1 + X2) / 2, it is determined that the pressure sensor 4 has detected the valley portion of the engraving in the seal 5 To.

  In this embodiment, the arrangement of the pressure sensors 4 in the pressure sensor group 2 is a two-dimensional matrix, and the storage position of each pixel of the two-dimensional matrix on the memory 8a and the arrangement of the pressure sensors 4 are substantially the same. Since it corresponds one-to-one, as shown in FIG. 3, the imprint digitizing means 7 simply determines whether or not the tip of the seal 5 exists at a corresponding position on the memory 8a based on the determination result by the determination means 6. Can be assigned. That is, when the signal output X from the pressure sensor 4 is (X1 + X2) / 2 or more, the pixel at the position corresponding to the pressure sensor 4 is set to black, and the signal output X from the pressure sensor 4 is (X1 + X2) / 2. If it is less than that, the pixel at the position corresponding to the pressure sensor 4 is set to white.

  However, the arrangement of the pressure sensors 4 in the pressure sensor group 2 is not necessarily a two-dimensional matrix. When the arrangement of the pressure sensors 4 in the pressure sensor group 2 is different from the two-dimensional matrix on the memory 8a, the arrangement of the two-dimensional matrix on the pressure sensor 4 and the memory 8a is based on the arrangement of the pressure sensors 4 in the pressure sensor group 2. An arithmetic expression for specifying the correspondence relationship of the array is obtained in advance, and this arithmetic expression is stored in the imprint digitizing means 7, and the imprint digitizing means 7 stores the seal 5 in the two-dimensional matrix on the memory 8a according to the arithmetic expression. The presence / absence of the tip portion may be assigned.

  When the tip of the seal stamp 5 is pressed against the pressure sensor group 2 in the stamp extraction process, the pressure sensor 4 of the pressure sensor group 2 acts from the outside depending on the presence or absence of the tip of the seal stamp 5, that is, the presence or absence of a sculpture crest. Since the pressure, which is a physical stimulus, changes, and the signal output X from each pressure sensor 4 varies according to this pressure, the signal output X is compared with the threshold value (X1 + X2) / 2 described above. The pixel at the position corresponding to the pressure sensor 4 with the signal output X of (X1 + X2) / 2 or more is set to black, and the pixel at the position corresponding to the pressure sensor 4 with the signal output X of less than (X1 + X2) / 2 is set. By setting it to white, digital data of an imprint can be formed on the memory 8a.

  The arrangement density of the pressure sensors 4 in the pressure sensor group 2 is preferably set to 240 DPI or more in consideration of the accuracy of checking the seal.

  In the stamp input device 1 in this embodiment, a pressure transfer sheet 9 for absorbing a minute deformation of the tip of the seal 5 and transmitting the pressing force to the pressure sensor group 2 is further shown in FIG. In this way, the surface of the pressure sensor group 2 is covered.

  The material of the pressure transfer sheet 9 is preferably a material having both elasticity and toughness sufficient to protect the pressure sensor group 2, and in this embodiment, a seal made of silicon material of about 0.5 mm is used. When the pressure sheet 9 is deteriorated such as damage or dirt, the pressure transfer sheet 9 is peeled off from the pressure sensor group 2 and a new pressure transfer sheet 9 is simply attached and attached.

  Here, the operation principle of the pressure transfer sheet 9 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a seal 5 having a minute deformation at the tip portion. In this example, a worn portion 5b due to secular change or the like is formed on a part of a sculpture mountain of the seal 5. Thus, a case where a step is generated between the outer contour portion 5a and the wear portion 5b at the tip of the seal 5 is shown.

  When imprinting the seal 5 with vermilion, as shown in FIG. 4 (b), the vermilion 10 adheres sufficiently to the worn portion 5 b, so that the vermilion 10 has a gap with the paper 11. It can be filled to obtain an appropriate seal.

  However, when a stamping operation is performed on the pressure sensor group 2 without the pressure transfer sheet 9 without applying vermilion to the seal 5, it is shown in FIG. 4C between the wear part 5 b and the surface of the pressure sensor group 2. Such a gap occurs, and there arises a disadvantage that the pressure sensor 4 located at the position facing the worn portion 5b does not detect a part of the sculpture crest.

Therefore, in order to eliminate such inconvenience, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4 (d), the pressure transfer sheet 9 is covered on the upper surface of the pressure sensor group 2, and the tip of the seal 5 is covered. The minute deformation is absorbed and the pressing force is transmitted to the pressure sensor group 2. Since this pressure transfer sheet 9 has appropriate elasticity and toughness, as shown in FIG. 4 (d), it fills the gap between the wear part 5 b and the pressure sensor group 2 and acts from the seal 5. The pressing force to be transmitted can be transmitted to the pressure sensor 4 at a position facing the wear portion 5b.
At this time, the pressing force received by the pressure sensor 4 at the position facing the wear portion 5b is weaker than the pressing force received by the pressure sensor 4 at the position facing the outer contour portion 5a, but the above-described threshold value is adjusted appropriately. Thus, it can be determined that the pressure sensor 4 located at a position facing the worn portion 5b detects a sculpture crest. In this case, it may be desirable to set the threshold value to be smaller than (X1 + X2) / 2 described above.

  In addition, when performing a manual stamping operation, the edge of the stamp 5 may be caused to hit one side against the surface to be pressed, or the tip of the stamp 5 may be brought into contact with the surface to be pressed with an excessive force. Although there is a possibility, the impact is buffered by the pressure transfer sheet 9, so that the pressure sensor 4 in the pressure sensor group 2 can be prevented from being damaged.

  The imprint input device 1 according to this embodiment further includes an impact buffering posture adjusting mechanism 12 that holds a support 11 that supports the pressure sensor group 2.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the shock buffering posture adjusting mechanism 12 includes a plurality of coil springs 13 installed on the lower surface of the support 11 so as to support the support 11. These coil springs 13 function as an impact buffering mechanism that elastically deforms all at once when an equal pressing force acts on the support 11 and shifts the support 11 in the pressure receiving direction, and the support 11. For example, in a situation where the tip of the seal 5 obliquely hits the pressure sensor group 2 as shown in FIG. It also functions as a posture adjusting mechanism that allows the support 11 to change its posture following the tip surface of the seal 5 by being elastically deformed.

  Since the coil spring 13 is elastically deformed and moves the support 11 in the pressure receiving direction before an excessive external force that cannot be dealt with by the elastic deformation of the pressure transfer sheet 9 acts on the pressure sensor group 2, the pressure sensor It is possible to prevent the pressure sensor group 2 from being damaged by absorbing an excessive external force acting on the group 2, and in a situation where the tip of the seal 5 hits one side, a support that supports the pressure sensor group 2 11 can be changed in posture following the front end surface of the seal 5, and is particularly effective in the seal input device 1 that extracts the seal by pressing the front end of the seal 5 against the pressure sensor group 2 by manual operation. .

  When the tip of the seal 5 comes into contact with one side and the posture of the support 11 changes, as shown in FIG. 5, there is a variation for each part in the pressing force of the tip of the seal 5 against the pressure sensor group 2. Although this occurs, this can be dealt with by appropriately setting a threshold value in the determination means 6.

  As the shock buffering posture adjusting mechanism 12, an oil damper or the like can be used in addition to the coil spring 13.

  FIG. 6 shows that the pressure sensor group 2, the determination means 6 and the seal digitizing means 7 are operated a plurality of times while the tip of the seal 5 is pressed against the pressure sensor group 2, and the seal is displayed on the two-dimensional matrix on the memory 8a. 5 is a functional block diagram showing a configuration of an imprint input device 15 provided with a control unit 14 that temporarily stores the presence of the tip of 5 by logical sum. The mechanical configuration related to the seal impression input device 15, that is, the pressure transmission sheet 9, the support 11, the shock buffering posture adjusting mechanism 12, and the like are the same as those in the embodiment shown in FIG.

  In the first embodiment, digital data of an imprint is temporarily stored as an image of two gradations of black and white on the memory 8b using the conversion circuit 3 provided with the judging means 6 and the imprint digitizing means 7 in the same processing procedure as described above. After that, the logical sum of the digital data in the memory 8b and the digital data in the memory 8a is taken with reference to the black data in the pixel, and the logical sum is updated and stored in the memory 8a. An operation such as resetting is repeatedly executed a set number of times, and finally, the digital data obtained in the memory 8a is recognized as a mountain shape at the tip of the seal 5.

  When such a processing operation is performed, since the data in the memory 8a are all reset to white at the initial stage, when the pressure sensor group 2, the determination unit 6, and the imprint digitizing unit 7 are first activated, First, the content of the memory 8b, that is, the shape of the crest at the tip of the seal stamp 5 detected by the first detection operation is transferred to the memory 8a as it is, and the memory 8b is reset.

  Then, when the pressure sensor group 2, the determination means 6, and the imprint digitizing means 7 are actuated by the second detection operation, the peak at the tip of the seal 5 detected by the current detection operation, that is, the second detection operation. Is temporarily stored in the memory 8b, the logical sum of the digital data in the memory 8b and the digital data in the memory 8a is obtained, and this logical sum is updated and stored in the memory 8a. Therefore, if there is a mountain shape detected in the second detection operation without being detected in the first detection operation, it is detected in the second detection operation in addition to the mountain shape detected in the first detection operation. The formed mountain shape is stored in the memory 8a as a logical sum.

  Thereafter, the digital data stored in the memory 8a is finally recognized as a mountain shape at the tip of the seal 5 by repeating the same processing operations as described above for the set number of times.

  FIG. 7 is an operation principle diagram illustrating the operation principle of the control unit 14 and the memories 8a and 8b by setting the repeating operation of the detection operation to four times. In this way, each time the pressure sensor group 2, the determination means 6, and the imprint digitizing means 7 are operated once, new digital data is fetched once in the memory 8b, while the memory 8a is reset in the initial stage. Each time the pressure sensor group 2, the determination means 6, and the imprint digitizing means 7 are operated once, new digital data corresponding to black is additionally taken in one after another while holding the previous black pixels. Therefore, even if there is some deficiency in the pressing operation of the seal stamp 5, it is finally possible to appropriately recognize the shape of the mountain at the tip portion of the seal stamp 5.

  In the first embodiment, new digital data corresponding to black is additionally stored in the memory 8a so as to obtain a logical sum. However, the memories 8b1, 8b2, 8b3,. It is also possible to store the digital data in... And take the logical sum of the memories 8b1, 8b2, 8b3,.

  Next, a gripping means for detachably holding the seal 5 in a state where the tip of the seal 5 is opposed to the pressure sensor group 2 and a seal contact / separation moving means for moving the gripping means toward and away from the pressure sensor group 2 are provided. A second embodiment in which acquisition of digital data of an imprint is automated will be described with reference to FIGS.

  8 includes a pressure sensor group 2, a pressure transfer sheet 9, a support 11, an impact buffering posture adjusting mechanism 12, and the like as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. 17, a gripping means 18 disposed on the casing 17, and a seal contact / separation moving means 19 that drives the gripping means 18 in the vertical direction. A control unit 20 that functions as a determination unit and an imprint digitization unit is provided.

  Among these, as shown in FIG. 8, the gripping means 18 includes a slider 24 in which a main gripping portion 23 in which a V-groove 22 is engraved and a tail-shaped projection 21 are integrally formed, and a V facing the V-groove 22. The auxiliary holding portion 26 is provided with a groove 25 and is pivotally supported on a slider 24 by a pin 27 on a slider 24.

9A is a cross-sectional view showing the holding means 18 divided by the arrow AA in FIG. 8, and FIG. 9B is a sectional view showing the holding means 18 in the arrow BB in FIG. 9A. It is sectional drawing divided and shown.
The auxiliary holding portion 26 is directed toward the main holding portion 23 by bringing each end of the torsion coil spring 28 mounted around the pin 27 into contact with the cutout portion 24a of the slider 24 and the cutout portion 26a of the auxiliary holding portion 26. 9 (a), the rocking limit in the clockwise direction in FIG. 9 (a) is due to the interference between the quadrature part 26b of the auxiliary gripping part 26 and the contact surface 24b of the slider 24. It is restricted to the position shown in a).
Further, the swinging of the auxiliary gripping portion 26 in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 9A is allowed to be approximately 90 ° from the illustrated state.
Sheet-like non-slip members 29, 29 made of synthetic rubber or the like are fixed to the V groove 22 of the main holding part 23 and the V groove 25 of the auxiliary holding part 26, and the seal 5 is held between the V grooves 22, 25. Slipping is prevented.
And the female screw 31 which penetrates this protrusion 21 to an up-down direction is threaded by the tail-like protrusion 21. As shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, the seal contact / separation moving means 19 for driving the gripping means 18 in the up-down direction is fitted into a tail-like protrusion 21 formed on the slider 24 to move the gripping means 18 up and down. A column 33 provided with a dovetail groove 30 for guiding the screw, a feed screw 32 threadedly engaged with a female screw 31 threaded through the tail-like projection 21, and a rotational drive for driving the feed screw 32 It is comprised by step motor M1.

FIG. 10 is a simplified block diagram showing the structure of the control unit 20 built in the seal stamp input device 16.
The control unit 20 includes a CPU 34 functioning as a main part of the drive control unit, the determination unit, and the imprint digitizing unit of the seal contact / separation moving unit 19, a ROM 35 storing a control program of the CPU 34, and a temporary calculation data. It has a RAM 36 that functions as frame memories 8a and 8b for storing and storing digital data of two gradations of black and white, and an interface 37 for exchanging data between a host device 38 such as a bankbook entry device and the CPU 34. Is provided. The memories 8a and 8b are configured by allocating a part of the storage area in the RAM 36, but their substantial functions are the same as those of the memories 8a and 8b described in the first embodiment with reference to FIG.
The input / output circuit 39 of the CPU 34 drives an A / D conversion circuit 40 for A / D converting and reading signals from a large number of sensors 4 forming the sensor group 2 and the above-described step motor M1. In addition, a driver 41 is connected, and signals from the start switch SW1 and the cancel switch SW2 disposed on the casing 17 are read into the CPU 34 via the input / output circuit 39. The display 42 provided on the body 17 is driven and controlled by the CPU 34 via the driver 43.

  Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG. 11, the CPU 34 functions as a drive control means, a determination means, a seal imprint digitizing means, a function realizing means for an automatic retry function and an automatic recovery function, etc. The processing operation will be specifically described.

  When the imprint input device 16 is turned on, the CPU 34 first displays a guidance message such as “Set the seal and operate the start switch” on the display 42, and then the control program stored in the ROM 35. 11 is started, and a standby state is entered in which the user waits for the start switch SW1 to be operated (step S1).

  Here, the user opens the auxiliary holding portion 26 of the holding means 18 against the urging force of the torsion coil spring 28, and puts the seal 5 between the V groove 22 of the main holding portion 23 and the V groove 25 of the auxiliary holding portion 26. When the hand is released, the seal 5 is held between the main holder 23 and the auxiliary holder 26 by the swinging biasing force of the torsion coil spring 28.

  Next, when the user operates the start switch SW1 on the casing 17, the CPU 34 detects the operation of the start switch SW1 in the determination process of step S1, and starts the forward rotation driving of the step motor M1 in the seal contact / separation moving means 19. Then, the feed screw 32 is rotated to start the lowering operation of the holding means 18 (step S2), and the timer T that regulates the allowable drive time of the step motor M1 is restarted, and after the lowering operation of the holding means 18 starts. Measurement of the elapsed time is started (step S3).

  Next, the CPU 34 detects the current value of the drive current I of the step motor M1 via the driver 41 (step S4), and whether or not the drive current I has reached the set value i, that is, the tip of the seal 5 is appropriate. It is determined whether or not the surface of the pressure sensor group 2 is pressed with a strong force (step S5).

  If the drive current I has not reached the set value i, it means that the tip of the stamp 5 has not yet been pressed against the surface of the pressure sensor group 2 with an appropriate force at this stage. It is determined whether or not the time count has reached the set value t (step S6). If not, the step motor M1 is continuously driven and the gripping means 18 is continuously fed with the lowering operation.

  In this way, when the determination result in step S6 becomes true while repeatedly executing the processing of step S4 to step S6, the tip of the seal 5 has an appropriate force (setting) even if the gripping means 18 is lowered. Pressure) is not pressed against the surface of the pressure sensor group 2, that is, the user has made an error in the installation operation of the seal 5. After displaying an error message such as “Attachment of seal stamp is abnormal” and temporarily stopping the drive of the step motor M1 (steps S24 and S25), the reverse rotation drive of the step motor M1 is started again and the holding means 18 is moved upward. A feed is applied (step S20).

  In this case, the CPU 34 functioning as the automatic recovery function realizing unit waits until the gripping unit 18 reaches the in-position range of the retracted position (step S21), and then confirms that the gripping unit 18 has returned to the retracted position. At that time, the driving of the step motor M1 is stopped (step S22), the error display “Attachment of seal stamp is abnormal” on the display 42 is erased, and the initial standby state is restored (step S23).

  On the other hand, if the determination result in step S5 becomes true while the processes in steps S4 to S6 are repeated, the tip of the seal 5 is pressed against the surface of the pressure sensor group 2 with an appropriate force (set pressure). Therefore, the CPU 34 functioning as the control means of the seal contact / separation moving means 19 stops the driving of the step motor M1 to secure the pressing state of the tip of the seal 5 against the pressure sensor group 2 (step S7). ) A message such as “Starting imprint extraction started” indicating the start of the imprint extraction process is displayed on the display 42 (step S8), and the value of the retry counter C is once initialized to 0 (step S9). ).

  Next, the CPU 34 increments the value of the retry counter C by 1 and stores the start of the first imprint extraction operation (step S10), and the CPU 34 functioning as the determining means and the imprint digitizing means performs A / D conversion. The output X from each sensor 4 constituting the sensor group 2 is read via the device 40 and the input / output circuit 39 (step S11), and whether or not this value exceeds a preset threshold, for example (X1 + X2) / 2 If the signal output X from the pressure sensor 4 is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the value “1” indicating black is set in the pixel storage position on the memory 8 b corresponding to the pressure sensor 4. If the signal output X is less than the threshold value, a value “0” indicating white is set in the pixel storage position on the memory 8b corresponding to the pressure sensor 4 (step S12).

  Next, the CPU 34 calculates the logical sum of the digital data in the memory 8b and the digital data in the memory 8a with reference to the data “1” indicating black, updates the logical sum in the memory 8a, and stores it (step S13). Then, it is determined whether or not the ratio of the data “1” indicating black in the memory 8a, that is, the logical sum indicating the black pixel has reached the set value (step S14).

  Here, when the ratio of the black data “1” does not reach the set value and the determination result in step S14 is false, the shape of the sculpture crest at the tip of the seal 5 is still sufficient at that time. Therefore, the CPU 34 further determines whether or not the value of the retry counter C exceeds the set value C0, that is, whether or not an allowable number of stamp extraction operations have already been repeatedly performed. It is determined whether or not (step S15).

  If the value of the retry counter C does not exceed the set value C0, there is a possibility that the shape of the sculpture crest at the tip of the seal 5 may be sufficiently extracted by repeatedly performing the stamp extraction operation. Further, it is determined whether or not the cancel switch SW2 is operated by the user (step S16).

  If the cancel switch SW2 has not been operated, the CPU 34 functioning as an automatic retry function realizing unit repeatedly executes the processes of steps S10 to S16 in the same manner as described above.

  Thus, when the determination result of step S14 becomes true while the retry process of steps S10 to S16 is repeatedly executed by the CPU 34 functioning as the automatic retry function realizing means, the sculpture crest at the tip of the seal 5 is obtained. Since it means that the shape has been extracted to the memory 8a to the extent that it can be registered, the CPU 34 indicates the digital data currently stored in the memory 8a, that is, “1” indicating the shape of the sculpture crest at the tip of the seal 5. ”And“ 0 ”are transferred to the host device 38 via the interface 37 (step S 17), and a message such as“ Starting imprint extraction started ”is deleted from the display 42, and the extraction operation is normal. After displaying a message such as “Process completed successfully” on the display 42 (step S18), the contents of the memory 8a are all initialized to “0” (step S19), and the processing of steps S20 to S23 is executed in the same manner as described above to return the gripping means 18 to the retracted position, thereby step motor M1. Is stopped, the message “processing completed normally” on the display 42 is deleted, and the initial standby state is restored.

The data format for transferring the digital data stored in the memory 8a to the host device 38 is not particularly limited. However, the compression rate is high and deteriorates due to the communication speed with the host device 38 and the memory capacity in each device. It is desirable to use a format with few.
Further, since the digital data stored in the memory 8a is substantially the same as the image data having two gradations, processing such as monitor display and printout output is naturally possible.

  On the other hand, if the determination result in step S15 becomes true while the retry processing in steps S10 to S16 is repeatedly executed as described above, the stamp extraction operation is repeatedly executed as many times as possible. This also means that the shape of the sculpture crest at the tip of the seal 5 cannot be extracted to the extent that it can be registered, so the CPU 34 functioning as a means for realizing the automatic recovery function will display a message such as “Starting extraction of seals” Is deleted from the display 42, and an error display such as "failed to extract the stamp" is displayed on the display 42 indicating that the stamp extraction operation has failed (step S26), and all the contents of the memory 8a are "0". (Step S19), the processes of steps S20 to S23 are executed in the same manner as described above, and the gripping means 18 is returned to the retracted position. It is separated from the pressure sensor group 2, to return after stopping the driving of the stepping motor M1, to clear the error message "Failed to extract imprint" in the display 42 to the initial standby state.

  In addition, when the determination result in step S16 is true and the operation of the cancel switch SW2 by the user is detected, it means that the user has requested the interruption of the extraction operation, so that the automatic recovery function is realized. The CPU 34 functioning as a means deletes a message such as “Starting stamp extraction” from the display 42, and displays a message “Processing canceled” indicating the forced termination of the stamp extraction operation on the display 42. After the display (step S27), all the contents of the memory 8a are initialized to “0” (step S19), and the processing of steps S20 to S23 is executed in the same manner as described above to move the gripping means 18 to the retracted position. After returning to the pressure sensor group 2 and stopping the driving of the step motor M1, To return to clear the message display has been canceled "to the initial standby state.

  As described above, the seal impression input device 16 according to the second embodiment has the gripper 18 and the pressure sensor group 2 that hold the seal 5 in a detachable manner with the tip of the seal 5 facing the pressure sensor group 2. The seal stamp input / output device 19 includes a seal stamp contact / separation moving means 19 for moving the gripping means 18 toward and away from each other, and the tip portion of the seal stamp 5 is represented by the drive current i of the step motor M1 by the processing in steps S1 to S7. The seal contact / separation moving means 19 is driven by the CPU 34 which is a substantial control means until the set pressure is reached.

  Further, the pressure sensor group 2 which is the outer shape detection means, the determination means constituted by the CPU 34, and the imprint digitizing means are driven C0 times at the maximum according to the value of the set value C0 by the processing of step S9 to step S16. The tip shape of the seal stamp 5 extracted during this time, that is, the peak portion of the sculpture, is updated and stored as an integrated logical sum in the memory 8a as a value “1” indicating black, and finally this content is digital data of the seal impression. To the host device 38.

  If the tip shape sufficient to evaluate as an appropriate imprint is not extracted even if the pressure sensor group 2, the determination unit, and the imprint digitizing unit are driven a set number of times, the processing of step S15 and steps S19 to S23 is performed. As a result, the data in the memory 8a is abandoned as it is, and is not transferred to the host device 38, the seal contact / separation moving means 19 is driven in reverse, the gripping means 18 is returned to the initial standby position, and the imprint input device 16 Each department is automatically paid in the initial state.

  Similarly, when the stamp contact / separation moving means 19 is driven only for the allowable time t, the tip of the seal stamp 5 is not brought into contact with the pressure sensor group 2, similarly, the process of step S 6 and steps S 19 to S 23 is performed. The transfer to the apparatus 38 is not performed, the seal contact / separation moving means 19 is reversely driven, the gripping means 18 is returned to the initial standby position, and each part of the seal input apparatus 16 is automatically paid to the initial state. . However, in this case, the stamp extraction process is not started, so the reset process of the memory 8a is not necessary.

  The information obtained in the memory 8a by repeatedly performing the extraction operations in steps S10 to S16 as a retry process is the same as that in the first embodiment described with reference to FIG.

  In the second embodiment, since the tip of the seal 5 is always pressed against the pressure sensor group 2 with a set pressure, the magnitude of the signal output from each pressure sensor 4 constituting the pressure sensor group 2 is stable, As a result, the presence / absence of the tip of the seal 5 in each pressure sensor 4 can be determined better than in the case of manual operation, and the reliability of the digital data of the imprint as the final output is remarkably improved. improves. Accordingly, in this case, the posture of the pressure sensor group 2 is adjusted in accordance with the posture of the shock buffer posture adjusting mechanism 12 or the seal 5 that functions as a shock buffer mechanism for buffering excessive external force to protect the pressure sensor group 2. The shock absorbing posture adjusting mechanism 12 that functions as the posture adjusting mechanism is not necessarily provided. In the second embodiment, an error such as an installation error or reading error (an imprint extraction error) of the seal 5 is displayed on the display 42 based on the error signal, and each part of the imprint input device 16 is automatically initialized when an abnormality occurs. Since it returns to the state, it is particularly suitable when the user is required to perform seal registration by self-service.

  The specific configurations of the seal impression input devices 1, 15, and 16 have been described with reference to the embodiments and examples. However, an intermediate medium such as paper for transferring the tip shape of the seal stamp 5 is not necessary, and the seal stamp 5 As for the point that the imprint can be accurately extracted regardless of the dirt on the front end surface, all of them have the same effect.

  As an application example of the present invention, in a financial institution such as a bank, instead of stamping a paper slip, it is possible to reduce the number of paper media in various cases where the stamp is an electronic slip or a seal is used.

It is the figure which simplified and showed the standing cross section about an example of the seal stamp input apparatus to which this invention is applied. (Best form) It is the top view which showed the outline of the structure of the pressure sensor group which functions as an external shape detection means. (Best form) It is the functional block diagram shown about the conversion circuit provided with the determination means and the seal impression digitization means. (Best form) FIG. 4A is a conceptual diagram showing the working principle of a pressure transfer sheet, FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a seal with a minute deformation at the tip, and FIG. 4B is a paper with vermilion on the seal 4C is a cross-sectional view when a seal is imprinted on the pressure sensor group without using the pressure transfer sheet, and FIG. 4D is a pressure sensor group provided with the pressure transfer sheet. It is sectional drawing at the time of stamping a stamp on top. (Best form) It is the figure which showed the attitude | position change of the support body when the front-end | tip of a seal stamp hits a pressure sensor group. (Best form) It is the functional block diagram shown about the structure of the imprint input device which provided the control part which act | operates a pressure sensor group, a determination means, and an imprint digitalization means several times. Example 1 It is an action principle diagram explaining the operation principle of the impression input device that operates the pressure sensor group, the determination means, and the impression digitization means a plurality of times to extract the impression. Example 1 It is the perspective view shown about the seal stamp input device which provided the holding means and the seal stamp contact / separation moving means side by side. (Example 2) It is the figure which showed the structure of the clamping means concretely, FIG.9 (a) is sectional drawing which divided and showed the clamping means by arrow AA of FIG. 8, FIG.9 (b) is FIG.9 (a). It is sectional drawing which divided and showed the holding means by arrow BB. (Example 2) It is the block diagram which simplified and showed the structure of the control part incorporated in the seal stamp input apparatus. (Example 2) It is the flowchart which showed concretely about the processing operation performed by CPU of a control part. (Example 2)

Explanation of symbols

1 Imprint input device 2 Pressure sensor group (outline detection means)
3 Conversion circuit 4 Pressure sensor (Small sensitive area)
5 Seal 5a Outer outline part 5b Wear part 6 Determination means 7 Imprint digitizing means 8a Memory 8b Memory 9 Pressure transfer sheet 10 Red meat 11 Support body 12 Shock absorbing posture adjusting mechanism (shock absorbing mechanism, posture adjusting mechanism)
13 Coil spring 14 Control unit 15 Imprint input device 16 Imprint input device 17 Housing 18 Gripping means 19 Sealing contact / separation moving means 20 Control unit 21 Spear-shaped protrusion 22 V groove 23 Main gripping part 24 Slider 24a Notch part 24b Contact surface 25 V-groove 26 Sub-holding portion 26a Notch portion 26b Caddy portion 27 Pin 28 Torsion coil spring 29 Non-slip member 30 Dovetail groove 31 Female screw 32 Feed screw 33 Column 34 CPU (automatic retry function realization means, automatic recovery function realization means)
35 ROM
36 RAM
37 Interface 38 Host device 39 Input / output circuit 40 A / D conversion circuit 41 Driver 42 Display M1 Step motor SW1 Start switch SW2 Cancel switch

Claims (6)

An imprint input device for extracting an imprint engraved on a seal and registering it as digital data,
The pressure sensor group is formed by assembling a plurality of pressure sensors that function as minute sensitive areas that change the output according to the pressure received from the tip of the seal stamp pressed in the stamp extraction process on substantially the same plane. Outer shape detection means,
The output from each sensitive area forming the outer shape detection means is read, and a preset condition is compared with the output. When the condition is satisfied, the tip of the seal is detected in the sensitive area. On the other hand, when the condition is not satisfied, a determination unit that determines that the tip of the seal is not detected in the sensitive region,
Imprint digitizing means for assigning presence / absence of the front end of a seal to a two-dimensional matrix on the memory and making digital data of the impression based on the arrangement of the sensitive areas in the outer shape detection means and the determination result by the determination means; ,
Holding means for detachably holding the seal with the tip of the seal facing the outer shape detection means ;
A seal stamping / separating / moving unit for moving one of the outer shape detecting unit and the holding unit relative to the other in relation to the holding unit ;
The outer shape detection means, the determination means, and the imprint digitizing means are repeatedly operated to temporarily store the presence of the tip of the seal in the two-dimensional matrix on the memory by logical sum, and temporarily stored in the two-dimensional matrix on the memory. When the logical sum of the presence of the stored leading edge of the seal exceeds the set value, the digital data on the memory is output to the host device, while the stamp contacting / separating / moving means is driven, When the set pressure does not come into contact with the contour detection means, and the contour detection means, the determination means, and the seal digitization means are repeatedly operated to logically determine the presence of the tip of the seal in the two-dimensional matrix on the memory. An error occurs if the logical sum of the tip of the seal stamp temporarily stored in the two-dimensional matrix on the memory does not exceed the set value even if temporarily stored as a sum. No. outputs, imprint input device, wherein a seal is reversed driving the seal contact and separation movement means and a control unit which is separated from said contour detection means. 2. The pressure sensor sheet according to claim 1 , wherein a surface of the pressure sensor group is coated with a pressure transfer sheet that absorbs minute deformation of the tip of the seal and transmits the pressing force of the seal to the pressure sensor group . Imprint input device. The impression input device according to claim 2 , wherein the pressure transfer sheet has elasticity and toughness for protecting the pressure sensor group. 4. The impression input device according to claim 1, further comprising a support body that supports the pressure sensor group, and the support body is held by an impact buffering mechanism that can be shifted in a pressure receiving direction. . A support member for supporting the pressure sensors, according to claim 1, the support is characterized in that it is held by the posture adjusting mechanism for changing the posture following the front end surface of the seal, according to claim 2 or claim 3 The seal stamp input device described . Claims wherein a supporting member for supporting the pressure sensors, the support is characterized in that it is held by the shock absorbing posture adjusting mechanism for changing the posture following the front end surface of and seal can transition to the pressure receiving direction The stamp input device according to claim 1 or claim 2 .

Images