JP5496764B2 - Scanner device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a scanner device that optically scans a scan target and obtains image information from the surface of the scan target.

  For example, a scanner device is used in a barcode verification machine for verifying the suitability of a barcode printed on a label (see Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2). In this barcode verification machine, a sensor element (imaging device) scans the surface of a label on which a barcode is formed in a line shape in a direction crossing the barcode, and optically reads the surface of the label. Then, the suitability of the barcode printed on the label is determined based on a read signal corresponding to the density of the barcode output from the sensor element (imaging device).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 08-96062 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 08-96065

  In the scanner device used in such a barcode verification machine, when it is possible to acquire an image of barcodes formed on labels of various sizes, an image with a relatively wide reading range is assumed assuming the maximum size label. An element is used. Furthermore, when the relative positional relationship between the label and the scanner device (imaging device) can be variously changed, it is possible to reliably acquire a barcode image even if there is a maximum assumed relative positional variation. In addition, the image acquisition range by the imaging element having a relatively wide reading range is set to be relatively wide. For this reason, an image portion other than the originally required barcode image is acquired, and efficient processing is impaired.

  In addition, an image sensor mounted on a scanner unit in which a barcode of a label conveyed on a support plate (support part) by a conveyance mechanism is set in a predetermined positional relationship with respect to the support plate crosses the conveyance direction. A scanner device having a structure for scanning in a direction is also known. In this type of scanner device, even if the label is correctly conveyed on the support plate, the set position of the scanner unit with respect to the support plate may deviate from the normal position. Assuming such a case, as described above, the image acquisition range by the image sensor must be set relatively wide, and efficient processing is impaired.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides a scanner device capable of acquiring an appropriate image portion even when the relative positional relationship with a scan target can fluctuate. To do.

In the scanner device according to the present invention, an image sensor provided in a scanner unit set to be opposed to a support unit that supports a scan object on which an image is formed has a surface on which the image of the object is formed. A scanner device that scans the image in a line in a predetermined direction and optically reads the surface of the scan object, and is provided at a predetermined position in the scan direction of the support unit that supports the scan object. Reference position determining means for determining a reading position of the formed mark by the image sensor as a reference position, and the scanning of the image sensor capable of acquiring the image formed on the scan object based on the reference position Image acquisition range determining means for determining an image acquisition range in the direction, and optically reading in the determined image acquisition range of the imaging device Configuration and composed to obtain an image.

  With such a configuration, a reference position on the image sensor corresponding to a predetermined position in the scanning direction of the scan target object is determined, and the image sensor capable of acquiring an image formed on the scan target object based on the reference position Since the image acquisition range in the scanning direction is determined, for example, even if the set position of the scanner unit with respect to the support portion fluctuates and the relative positional relationship between the scan target and the imaging device fluctuates, always, A reference position determined on the image sensor that corresponds to a predetermined range including an image formed on the scan object that can be specified with a predetermined position in the scanning direction of the scan object as a reference Can be determined as an image acquisition range.

  With such a configuration, the position on the image sensor corresponding to the position in the scanning direction of the scan object corresponding to the mark formed on the support portion is determined as the reference position.

    In the scanner device according to the present invention, the scan target is a label on which a barcode is printed as the image, and the imaging element crosses the barcode on the surface of the label on which the barcode is printed. The label can be scanned in a line to read the surface of the label optically.

  With such a configuration, even if the relative positional relationship between the barcode-printed label and the scanner device changes, printing is always performed on the label that can be specified with reference to a predetermined position in the scanning direction of the label. The range on the image sensor corresponding to the predetermined range including the barcode that has been read can be determined as the image acquisition range based on the reference position determined on the image sensor.

  In the scanner device according to the present invention, the label is transported by a transport mechanism while being supported by a support portion, the scanner unit is opposed to the support portion, and the imaging element crosses the label in the transport direction. The configuration may be set so as to scan in the direction.

  With such a configuration, even if the relative positional relationship between the transported label and the scanner unit in the direction crossing the transport direction varies, the label can always be specified based on a predetermined position in the scanning direction of the label. A range on the image sensor corresponding to a predetermined range including the barcode printed on the label can be determined as an image acquisition range based on a reference position determined on the image sensor.

  In the scanner device according to the present invention, the reference position determination unit may use, as the reference position, a reading position of the mark formed at a position corresponding to the center of the support portion in the scanning direction of the label. It can be set as the structure to determine.

  With such a configuration, even if the relative positional relationship between the barcode printed label and the scanner unit varies, the mark always formed at a position corresponding to the center of the support in the scanning direction of the label. A predetermined range including the barcode printed on the label can be determined as the image acquisition range based on the reading position by the image sensor.

  Further, in the scanner device according to the present invention, the image acquisition range determination means may determine an image acquisition range of the image sensor corresponding to a predetermined image range including the barcode of the label.

  With such a configuration, an image of a predetermined range including the barcode of the label can be acquired by the image sensor.

  According to the scanning device of the present invention, even when the relative positional relationship between the scanning object and the image sensor varies, the scanning can always be specified with reference to a predetermined position in the scanning direction of the scanning object. Since the range on the image sensor corresponding to the predetermined range including the image formed on the object can be determined as the image acquisition range based on the reference position determined on the image sensor, the image sensor and the scan object Even if the relative positional relationship with the can vary, an appropriate image portion can be acquired.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the mechanism part of the barcode verification machine to which the scanner apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention was applied. It is a figure which shows the structural example of a scanner unit. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the control part of a barcode verification machine. It is a figure which shows the positional relationship of the center mark formed in the support plate to which the conveyed label moves, and CCD (imaging element) provided in the scanner unit. It is a figure which shows the label on which the barcode supplied to the barcode verification machine from a printer was printed. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process in the control part shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the positional relationship (the 1) with the label and CCD (image pick-up element) which printed the barcode supplied to the barcode verification machine from a printer. It is a figure which shows the positional relationship (the 2) with the label and CCD (image sensor) which printed the barcode supplied to the barcode verification machine from a printer.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  A mechanism unit of a bar code verifier to which a scanner device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied is configured as shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 1, a scanner unit 10, a transport mechanism 20, and a stamper 30 are provided in the device casing 110 of the barcode verifier 100. The transport mechanism 20 has a motor 21 as a drive source, and is driven by a drive pulley 22 fixed to the rotating shaft of the motor 21, and a first driven pulley 23a, a second driven pulley 23b, and a third driven pulley 23c. A timing belt 24 is wound around the pulley, and the rotation of the driving pulley 22 that is rotated by driving the motor 21 is transmitted to the three driven pulleys 23a, 23b, and 23c via the timing belt 24. In addition, the transport mechanism 20 includes a support plate 28 (support portion) extending from the inlet IN to the outlet OUT of the device housing 110, and the first transport roller group 25 a and the second transport roller group along the support plate 28. 25b and a third transport roller group 25c are arranged. Each of the three transport roller groups 25a, 25b, and 25c is connected to a corresponding driven roller of the three driven rollers 23a, 23b, and 23c by a belt or the like, and each transport roller 23a, 23b, and 23c is transported by rotation of each driven roller 23a, 23b, and 23c The roller groups 25a, 25b, and 25c are configured to rotate.

  A stage 111 and a side guide 112 are provided outside the entrance IN of the device casing 110, and a sheet S on which labels printed with barcodes discharged from the printer 200 are arranged is guided by the stage 111 and the guide 112. While being done, it is supplied onto the support plate 28 from the inlet IN. The sheet S supplied to the support plate 28 is transported on the support plate 28 by the first transport roller 25a, the second transport roller 25b, and the third transport roller 25c, and is discharged from the outlet OUT.

  The scanner unit 10 is detachably set at a predetermined position in the device casing 110 so as to face the support plate 28 of the transport mechanism 20. Specifically, the scanner unit 10 is configured as shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, for example, a light source 12, a mirror 13, a lens system 14, and a one-dimensional CCD 15 (imaging device) having a configuration in which a plurality of LEDs are arranged are provided in a housing 11. An opening 11 a is formed at a predetermined portion of the housing 11 that faces the support plate 28. The light source 12, the mirror 13, the lens system 14, and the CCD 15 receive light from the light source 12 on the sheet S (label L) that passes through the reading position RP set at a position on the support plate 28 that has a predetermined relationship with the housing 11. When the light is irradiated through the opening 11a of the housing 11, the reflected light from the sheet S (label L) entering the housing 11 through the opening 11a is guided to the CCD 15 through the mirror 13 and the lens system 14. It is arranged to be.

  The control unit of the bar code verifier 100 having such a mechanism unit is configured as shown in FIG.

  3, the control unit 50 includes a CPU (processing unit) 51, a ROM 52, a RAM 53, a flash memory 54, IF (interface circuits) 55a and 55b, a transfer control circuit 56, input circuits 57a and 57b, and a drive circuit 58 on a bus. It is a connected configuration. The conveyance control circuit 56 performs drive control of the motor 21 (see FIG. 1) of the conveyance mechanism 20 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 51. The input circuit 57a is a sheet S on which a pulse signal is conveyed from an encoder 26 (not shown in FIG. 1) provided coaxially with one of the three conveyance roller groups 25a, 25b, and 25c of the conveyance mechanism 20. Input as a signal indicating the position of (label L). The input circuit 57b inputs an output signal from the CCD 15 as a read signal. The drive circuit 58 drives the stamper 30 according to an instruction from the CPU 51.

The ROM 52, the RAM 53, and the flash memory 54 store programs to be executed by the CPU 51 and various information obtained in the course of processing. The operation unit 121 and the display unit 122 provided on the operation panel 120 (see FIG. 1) are connected to the bus via the IF 55b, and various information is displayed on the display unit 122 under the control of the CPU 51. The operation information according to the operation on the operation unit 121 is taken into the CPU 51 through the IF 55b. Further, an external PC (computer) 300 is connected to the IF 55a, and the control unit 50 can transmit / receive information to / from the external PC 300. From PC 300, the position of the bar code to be printed on the label information and the label L which represents the shape of the label L to be processed by the printer 200 or the like, to the RAM 5 3 via the bar code print information indicating the size or the like IF55a It is captured. CPU51 performs verification processing of the bar code printed on the label L by the label information and the barcode printing information captured in the RAM 5 3 as a reference.

The CCD 15 of the scanner unit 10 has a structure in which a predetermined number, for example, 1024 pixels (light receiving elements) are arranged in a line. Then, the scanner unit 10 has the center of a predetermined number (for example, 1024) of pixels (P _{0 to} P ₁₀₂₄ ) of the CCD 15 extending in a direction (for example, orthogonal direction) across the conveyance direction A of the sheet S (label L). Pixel = P ₅₁₂ is set so as to coincide with the center line mark M _CL formed at the center position in the width direction of the support plate 28 serving as the transport path (reading the straight line mark M _CL ).

As shown in FIG. 5, the sheet S on which the barcode-printed labels L discharged from the printer 200 are arranged are supplied to the barcode verifier 100 while being guided by the stage 111 and the side guide 112. At this time, the side guide 112 causes the sheet S (label L) to be in a state in which the center CL in the width direction matches the center in the width direction of the conveyance path. Thus, the sheet S supplied from the printer 200 to the bar code verifier 100 (labeled L) are usually the center CL in the width direction of the center line mark M _CL of the support plate 28 _(see FIG. 4) is formed It matches the center position in the width direction. That is, normally, the center CL in the width direction of the sheet S matches the center pixel P ₅₁₂ of the CCD 15 in the scanner unit 10. Then, the CCD 15 optically scans the label L in a direction (for example, an orthogonal direction) across the bar code printed thereon, and reads an image on the surface of the label L.

  In this way, prior to the verification process for the barcode printed on the label L supplied from the printer 200, the control unit 50 (mainly the CPU 51) of the barcode verification machine 100 starts from the label L according to the procedure shown in FIG. Processing for determining the pixel range of the CCD 15 for obtaining the barcode image to be verified as the image acquisition range is executed.

In FIG. 6, the control unit 50 acquires label information representing the shape of the label L and the like and barcode printing information representing the position and shape of the barcode printed on the label L from the PC 300 (S1). Next, the control unit 50 turns on the light source 12 (S2), and detects the center line mark _MCL formed on the support plate 28 serving as the conveyance path of the sheet S based on the output signal from the CCD 15 (S3). Then, the control unit 50 determines the pixel positions on the CCD15 corresponding to the detected center line mark _{M CL} as a reference position Pc (S4). Usually, since the center pixel _{P 512} in the CCD 15 is the scanner unit 10 so as to match the center line mark _{M CL} is set, the reference position Pc becomes the center pixel _P 512 in CCD15 (Pc _{= P 512).} Further, since the sheet S (label L) is transported so that the center mark _CL in the width direction matches the center mark _McL on the support plate 28, the reference position Pc in the CCD 15 is usually at the transported sheet S. This also matches the center CL in the width direction.

When the reference position Pc (= P ₅₁₂ ) in the CCD 15 is determined, the control unit 50 uses the reference position Pc to obtain a barcode image to be verified from the label L as follows. Is determined as an image acquisition range (S5).

As shown in FIG. 7, a coordinate system set for the label L based on the label information (the shape of the label L) and the barcode printing information (the printing position of the barcode within the label L) acquired from the PC 300. Both end coordinate values Xs 2 and Xe 2 of a predetermined range in the width direction (scanning direction) set with a predetermined margin value at both ends of the barcode in the width direction (X coordinate) are calculated. The distance D _{Xs 2} from the center CL of the label L (center line mark M _CL on the support plate 28) to one end (Xs 2 ) of the predetermined range and the distance D _{Xe 2} from the other end (Xe 2 ). Is calculated. Further, the number of pixels ΔP _{DXs 2} on the CCD 15 corresponding to the distance D _{Xs 2} on the label L and the number of pixels P _{DX e2} on the CCD 15 corresponding to the distance D _{Xe 2} on the label L are calculated.

In this way, the number of pixels ΔP _{DXs 2} on the CCD 15 corresponding to the distance D _{Xs 2} from the center CL of the label L to one end Xs 2 of the predetermined range including the barcode, and the barcode from the center CL of the label L When the number of pixels ΔP _{DXe 2} on the CCD 15 corresponding to the distance D _{Xe 2} to the other end Xe 2 of the predetermined range is obtained, based on the reference position Pc on the CCD 15 corresponding to the center CL of the label L. , Pixel positions Ps1, Pe1 are
_{Ps1 = Pc (P 512) -ΔP} DXs 2
_{Pe1 = Pc (P 512) +} ΔP DXe 2
Is calculated according to

Pixel positions Ps1 that is calculated as described above corresponds to one end Xs 2 in a predetermined range including a bar code label L, then the pixel position Pe1 corresponds to the other end Xe 2 of the predetermined range of the label L. That is, among all the pixels arranged in the CCD 15, the pixel signal from the pixel position Ps1 to the pixel position Pe1 represents an image in the predetermined range (Xs 2 to Xe 2 ) including the barcode on the label. Therefore, the pixel range from the pixel position Ps1 to the pixel position Pe1 of the CCD 15 is determined as the image acquisition range.

Due to the mounting error of the scanner unit 10 installed in the device casing 110 of the bar code verifier 100 or the mounting error of the CCD 15 fixed in the casing 11 of the scanner unit 10, the CCD 15 and the transport path are transported. Even when the relative positional relationship with the label L is deviated as shown in FIG. 8, for example, the image acquisition range of the CCD 15 can be determined according to the same procedure as described above. That is, the reference position Pc on the CCD 15 corresponding to the center position CL in the width direction of the label L (center line mark M _CL on the support plate 28) is the center pixel of the CCD 15 due to the relative displacement between the CCD 15 and the label L. This is offset from P ₅₁₂ (Offset). Thus, even if the reference position Pc on the CCD 15 corresponding to the center position CL of the label L is offset from the center pixel P _{512 of the} CCD 15, the center CL of the label L is specified based on the reference position Pc. A range (Ps to Pe) on the CCD 15 corresponding to a predetermined range (a range of distance Dxs from the center CL to Xs and a range of distance Dxe from the center CL to Xe) including the barcode formed on the label L The
Ps = Pc−ΔP _DXs
Pe = Pc + ΔP _DXe
Can be obtained according to. The range (Ps to Pe) on the CCD 15 is determined as the image acquisition range.

Returning to FIG. 6, as described above, when the image acquisition range (Ps, Pe) of the CCD 15 is determined (S5), the control unit 50 determines the determined image acquisition range (Ps, Pe) of the CCD 15, for example, And stored in the flash memory 54. (S6) When the image acquisition range (Ps, Pe) of the CCD 15 is stored in the flash memory 54 as described above, the control unit 15 ends the process.

  The actual verification process is performed as follows.

  In the process in which the sheet S on which the label L is arranged is conveyed on the support plate 28 and the label L passes the reading position RP (see FIG. 2), the CPU 51 converts the pulse signal from the encoder 26 inputted by the input circuit 57a. In synchronism, the signals output from the respective light receiving elements (pixels) of the CCD 15 are taken in as read signals at the timing when the reflected light from the barcode printed on the label L enters the CCD 15. Of this read signal, the read signal from the image acquisition range (pixel position Ps to pixel position Pe) of the CCD 15 stored in the flash memory 54 is stored in the RAM 53 as image information including a barcode to be verified. The CPU 51 determines the suitability of the barcode printed on the label L based on the image information including the barcode stored in the RAM 53 according to a predetermined algorithm. The stamper 30 attaches a predetermined mark to a label printed with a bar code that is not appropriate (unclear, misprinted, printed, etc.) under the control of the CPU 51. In this way, the barcode printed on each label L on the sheet S is verified.

  According to such a barcode verification apparatus 100 (scanner apparatus), it is not necessary to process image information for the entire width of the label L including the barcode, and from the light receiving elements (pixels) in a predetermined image acquisition range of the CCD 15. Since only the read signal is processed, an efficient barcode verification process can be performed.

  Further, even if the relative positional relationship between the label L and the CCD 15 included in the scanner unit 10 fluctuates (such as an attachment error of the scanner unit 10), the label CL is always specified with the center CL in the scanning direction as a reference. A range (Ps to Pe) on the CCD 15 corresponding to a predetermined range (Xs to Xe: see FIGS. 4, 6, and 7) including a barcode printed on the label L that can be determined is determined on the CCD 15. Since the image acquisition range can be determined based on the reference position Pc, even if the relative positional relationship between the label L and the CCD 15 can fluctuate, an image other than the originally necessary image (barcode image) is possible. Therefore, it is possible to acquire an appropriate image portion with as few acquisitions as possible.

In the scanner unit 10 described above, the position of the read pixel in CCD15 for scanning the object to become sheet center line mark M _CL formed in the center position in the width direction of the support plate 28 corresponding to the center in the width direction of the S Although the reference position Pc is used, the center of the sheet S (scan target) in the width direction may be directly detected, and the position of the reading pixel of the CCD 15 with respect to the center of the sheet S in the width direction may be set as the reference position Pc. Further, the present invention can be applied to a scanner of a handy type as disclosed in Patent Document 1 as well as a scanner device other than the label verification machine described above.

  In the barcode verifier described above, the position of the reading pixel of the CCD 15 corresponding to the center position (center line mark MCL) of the support plate 28 is set as the reference position Pc. However, the support plate 28 and the sheet S that is the scan target are known. The position of the read pixel of the CCD 15 corresponding to the position in the width direction (scanning direction) can be set as the reference position Pc.

  As described above, the scanner device according to the present invention has an effect that an appropriate image portion can be acquired even when the relative positional relationship with the scan target can fluctuate. The present invention is useful as a scanner device that optically scans a scan object to obtain image information from the surface of the scan object.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Scanner unit 11 Case 11a Aperture 12 Light source 13 Mirror 14 Lens system 15 CCD (Image sensor)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 Conveyance mechanism 21 Motor 22 Drive pulley 23a 1st driven pulley, 23b 2nd driven pulley, 23c 3rd driven pulley 24 Timing belt 25a 1st conveyance roller group, 25b 2nd conveyance roller group, 25c 3rd conveyance roller group 26 Encoder 28 Support Plate 50 Control Unit 51 CPU (Processing Unit)
52 ROM
53 RAM
54 Flash memory 55a, 55b IF (interface circuit)
56 Transport control circuit 57a, 57b Input circuit 58 Drive circuit

Claims (5)

An image sensor provided in a scanner unit that is set to face a support unit that supports a scan object on which an image is formed has a surface on which the image is formed on the object in a predetermined direction with respect to the image. A scanner device that scans in a line and optically reads the surface of the scan object,
Reference position determining means for determining, as a reference position, a reading position by the image sensor of a mark formed at a predetermined position in the scanning direction of the support unit that supports the scan object;
Image acquisition range determination means for determining an image acquisition range in the scanning direction of the imaging element capable of acquiring the image formed on the scan object based on the reference position;
A scanner device that acquires an optically read image in the determined image acquisition range of the imaging element. The scan object is a label on which a barcode is printed as the image,
The imaging device, the printed surface of the bar code label is scanned in a line shape in a direction transverse to the bar code, claim 1 Symbol placement of the scanning device reads the surface of the label optically. The label is transported by a transport mechanism while being supported by the support unit,
The scanner device according to claim 2, wherein the scanner unit is set to face the support portion, and the image pickup device is set to scan the label in a direction crossing a conveyance direction thereof. The reference position determining means, the scanner according to claim 2 or 3, wherein determining the reading position by the image pickup element of the mark formed at a position corresponding to the center in the scanning direction of the label of the support unit as the reference position apparatus. Wherein the image acquiring range determining means, a scanner device according to any one of claims 2 to 4 for determining the image acquisition range of the image sensor corresponding to a predetermined range including the bar code of the label.

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