JP5909174B2 - Document reader and document collection method in document reader - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a document reading apparatus provided with reading means for reading information recorded in a document placed on a reading unit, and a document collecting method in the document reading apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a document reading device, a voting reception device that collates voter information of a guide postcard (entrance ticket) read by an OCR and a voter list stored in advance, and extracts information of a voter list corresponding to the read information Is known (see Patent Document 1 below).

  In Patent Document 1 below, name list data that matches the voter information is extracted and displayed on the display device. The attendant compares the displayed name list data with the voter who brought the guide postcard. Visually confirm that you are a valid voter. And if it judges that it is a legitimate voter, ie, it is judged that a guidance postcard is legitimate, an attendant will operate the input device and will deliver a ballot from a ballot paper grant machine. . Then, the result of counting the number of received sheets by the computer main body is compared with the result of counting the number of issued sheets by the ballot paper issuing machine, and an alarm is generated when a mismatch occurs between the two counting results.

  Also, as a document reading device, a communication terminal device is known that reads letters and symbols of documents such as attendance slips and answer sheets with a scanner, and at the same time identifies whether or not the documents are original with an identification sensor. (See Patent Document 2 below).

  In the following Patent Document 2, the center side can quickly and accurately detect whether or not a document is original. If the document is not original, By preventing the above operation from being obtained, the system is prevented from being used illegally.

JP 2002-279115 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-17873

  By the way, in the document reading apparatus as disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, for example, after reading the information of the document, the document is usually placed on the reading unit until the document is collected. Because of this state, there is a possibility that an unauthorized operation (in this specification, this is referred to as a replacement operation) in which a document is replaced with another document before the document is collected due to a malicious operation.

  For this reason, as disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the clerk performs a reading operation, or by providing a cover member that closes the reading unit between reading the document information and collecting it. , It was necessary to take measures to prevent document replacement operations. However, in this case, there is a problem in that cost increases due to arrangement of a staff member or addition of a cover member.

  In particular, when the cover member is provided, a separate operation for opening and closing the cover member is required, which increases the burden on the operator. Furthermore, even if the reading unit is closed by the cover member, if there is a slight gap between the apparatus main body and the cover member, it becomes possible to perform a document replacement operation from there, so the cover is removed. Even if it was provided, it could not be said that the replacement operation could be reliably prevented.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-described problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a document reading apparatus capable of reliably preventing a document replacement operation while suppressing an increase in cost and burden on an operator, and a document collection method in the document reading apparatus. To do.

This invention comprises a reading means for reading information recorded on a document placed on the reading unit, provided with a collecting means for collecting the documents after the information has been read by said reading means, said reading means An abnormality detection unit that detects an abnormality of the reading unit within a period from when the information is read by the collection unit to when the document is moved to a predetermined collection processing confirmation position, and the reading unit by the abnormality detection unit A replacement operation determining means for determining whether or not the document replacement operation is performed based on whether or not the abnormality is detected, and when the replacement operation determining means determines that the document replacement operation is not performed, the collecting means determines the document. a structure as the document reading apparatus for recovering, said reading means, and shooting the reading unit the document is placed, the captured image data The reading unit photographing means to be acquired and the information recognition means for recognizing and reading the information from the photographed image data, and the abnormality detecting means based on the abnormality of the edge of the document in the photographed image data The reading unit is configured to detect an abnormality .

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reliably prevent a document replacement operation while suppressing an increase in cost and burden on the operator.

1 is a perspective view showing a document reading apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing an internal configuration of the document reading apparatus. FIG. 3 is an enlarged side sectional view showing a main part around a reading unit. The control block diagram of a document reading apparatus. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of a document reading apparatus. FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing a state where a document is placed on a reading unit. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating collection | recovery operation | movement by a collection | recovery / return arm. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating return operation | movement by a collection | recovery / return arm. The perspective view which shows the document reading apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The control block diagram of a document reading apparatus. The figure which shows an example of the display screen of a display and an input part. The figure which shows an example of the display screen of a display and an input part. The control block diagram of the document reading apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. Explanatory drawing for demonstrating the abnormality detection method of a reading part.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
First, the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 will be described. The document reading apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is, for example, an automatic contract reception apparatus installed in an unattended installation location where there is no attendant or monitoring staff.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the document reading apparatus 1 is provided with a display / input unit 2 as warning guidance means on the operator (user) side of the casing. The display / input unit 2 includes a touch panel display that can be input by an operator's touch operation. The display / input unit 2 includes an operation guide for touch operation and a warning guide related to a replacement operation described later. Etc. are displayed. The display / input unit 2 is not necessarily a touch panel display. For example, a display for display and an input operation button for input may be different.

  A document insertion slot 3 is disposed below the display / input unit 2. The document insertion port 3 is an insertion port for an operator to insert a predetermined document P (see FIG. 2) such as an application document or a contract document into a reading unit 4 formed inside the housing. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the document insertion slot 3 is provided with a sensor 5 as an abnormality detecting means for detecting an abnormality of the reading unit 4.

  The sensor 5 is, for example, an optical sensor, and the light emitted from the sensor 5 to the document insertion opening 3 is blocked by some object, so that the presence of the object in the document insertion opening 3 can be detected. . In this embodiment, it is possible to indirectly detect an abnormality in the reading unit 4 by detecting an abnormality in the document insertion port 3 that communicates the reading unit 4 with the outside.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, in addition to the above-described reading unit 4, a document image photographing unit 6 as a photographing unit photographing unit, a document lamp 7, and a power source are provided in the housing of the document reading device 1. Unit 8, information recognition unit 9 as information recognition means, document print issuing unit 10, card issuing unit 11, document collection unit 12, collection / return arm 13 as collection means, sensors 14 and 15, A control unit 16 is provided as replacement operation determination means.

  The document image photographing unit 6 is disposed above the reading unit 4, and captures image data of the reading unit 4 including the document P by photographing the reading unit 4 on which the document P is placed. have. In addition, the document lamp 7 is lit by power supply from the power supply unit 8 when the document P is photographed, and has a function of guiding and placing the document P on the reading unit 4 by this lighting.

  The information recognizing unit 9 analyzes the captured image data acquired by the document image capturing unit 6 to obtain information recorded on the document P (for example, characters written on the document P, a stamped seal, etc.). It has a function to recognize and read. In the document reading apparatus 1, the document image photographing unit 6 and the information recognition unit 9 constitute a reading unit.

  The document print issuing unit 10 has a function of issuing an application document or a contract document corresponding to the service content selected by the selection operation of the display / input unit 2 by the operator, and the card issuing unit 11 includes the document reading device 1. When a predetermined application or contract is established by this service, it has a function of issuing a predetermined card to the operator.

  The collection / return arm 13 is erected along a side wall that forms a boundary portion between the reading unit 4 and the document collection unit 12, as shown by a solid line in FIGS. As shown by the two-dot chain line, it is possible to rotate between the standby position and the operation position lying down substantially parallel to the placement surface of the reading unit 4.

  The collection / return arm 13 is provided with a transport roller 13a. The transport roller 13a can be rotated forward and backward by a motor (not shown), and the transport roller 13a is rotated forward and backward with the collection / return arm 13 in the operating position, whereby the document placed on the reading unit 4 is placed. It is possible to transport P to the document collection unit 12 side and collect the document P, or conversely transport P to the document insertion port 3 side and return the document P to the operator.

  Although not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 for the sake of convenience, as shown in FIG. 3, two sensors 14 and 15 are arranged in parallel at the boundary between the reading unit 4 and the document collection unit 12. They are arranged on the reading unit 4 side and the document collection unit 12 side, respectively. These two sensors 14 and 15 are optical sensors, for example, and the document P can be detected by blocking the light emitted from the sensors 14 and 15 by the document P.

  In addition, the sensors 14 and 15 are set so that the distance between them is narrower than that of the document P, and both are arranged at a position where the hand cannot reach even if the operator extends his / her hand from the document insertion port 3. Therefore, when the document P is conveyed to the document collection unit 12 side by the collection / return arm 13, the sensor 15 detects the document P, and the sensor 14 detects the edge of the document P. Even if the hand reaches out, it is possible to determine that the document P has reached a position where the hand cannot reach the document P. In other words, the replacement operation for replacing the document P with another document becomes impossible, and it can be determined that the shift to the collection process is confirmed. In the present specification, the position where the hand cannot reach the document P even if the operator reaches for the hand, that is, the position where the shift to the collection process is confirmed is defined as the collection process confirmed position.

  When the document P is being conveyed to the document collection unit 12 side by the collection / return arm 13, the sensor 14 does not detect the document P, and the sensor 15 detects the edge of the document P. It is possible to determine that the document has completely moved to the document collection unit 12 and that the collection has been completed. In this embodiment, the conveyance of the document P by the collection / return arm 13 is stopped based on this determination. It is like that.

  The control unit 16 is configured by hardware such as a CPU and a memory. In the memory, in addition to various programs for controlling the operation of the document reading apparatus 1, various data necessary for service are stored. For example, a display screen control program for controlling the display screen of the display / input unit 2, data related to the layout of the display screen displayed on the display / input unit 2, and the like are stored. The memory also has a function of temporarily storing photographed image data photographed by the document image photographing unit 6.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 16 includes a display / input unit 2, sensors 5, 14, and 15, a document image photographing unit 6, a document lamp 7, a power supply unit 8, an information recognition unit 9, and a document print issuance. The unit 10, the card issuing unit 11, and the collection / return arm 13 are connected to each other and are communicably connected to a center terminal (not shown) that manages and manages the plurality of document reading apparatuses 1.

Next, the operation of the document reading apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
First, the control unit 16 displays a service item selection screen for allowing the operator to select a service to be used on the display / input unit 2, and accepts a use service selection operation (step S1). In step S1, various service items that can be used in the document reading apparatus 1 are displayed on the display / input unit 2, and the service is started by touching a service item that the operator wants to use.

  When the service is started, the control unit 16 causes the document print issuing unit 10 to issue an application document or a contract document (hereinafter, document P) corresponding to the service selected in step S1 (step S2). The operator fills in the necessary items on the document P according to the guidance and instructions displayed on the display / input unit 2, and if necessary, stamps a predetermined place.

  Next, the control unit 16 turns on the document lamp 7 by supplying power from the power supply unit 8 so that the document P in which necessary information is entered is placed at a predetermined position of the reading unit 4, and the document P reading unit. 4 is guided and guided (step S3). Here, the operator inserts the document P from the document insertion slot 3 according to the guide guidance, and places the document P at a predetermined position of the reading unit 4 as shown in FIG. Then, for example, an OK button displayed on the display / input unit 2 is pressed to notify that the placement of the document P is completed.

  In step S4, the control unit 16 determines whether or not the OK button has been pressed. If it is determined in step S4 that the OK button has been pressed (step S4: YES), the process proceeds to step S5 described later, and if it is determined that the OK button has not been pressed (step S4: NO). Until the pressing operation is determined, the process of step S4 is repeated.

  In step S <b> 5, the control unit 16 operates the sensor 5 and starts monitoring the abnormality of the reading unit 4. Then, in step S6, the placement state of the document P is confirmed while the abnormality monitoring state by the sensor 5 is continued, and the reading unit 4 on which the document P is placed is photographed by the document image photographing unit 6. Then, the information recognition unit 9 recognizes the information recorded in the document P from the captured image data acquired by the document image capturing unit 6 and reads it.

  When the information of the document P is read, the photographed image data is transferred to the center terminal side. On the center terminal side, the operator examines the document with reference to the transferred captured image data (step S7). When the document examination is completed, the document reading apparatus 1 is instructed to collect the document P (step S8).

  When receiving the collection instruction from the center terminal, the control unit 16 starts the abnormality monitoring of the reading unit 4 and then, for example, the operator's hand H is detected by the sensor 5 as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. It is determined whether or not an abnormality has occurred (step S9).

  In step S9, if the above-described abnormality is not detected (step S9: NO), the recovery / return arm 13 is operated based on the recovery instruction in step S8 (step S10). In step S10, the collection / return arm 13 is rotated to the operating position as shown in FIG. 7, and the transport roller 13a is rotated clockwise as indicated by an arrow in FIG. Transport to the collection unit 12 side.

  The control unit 16 continues to determine whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the reading unit 4 even after the recovery / return arm 13 is operated in step S10 (step S11). In step S11, if the above-described abnormality is not detected (step S11: NO), the process proceeds to step S12, and it is determined whether or not the document P has reached the collection processing confirmation position.

  In step S12, when the sensor 15 detects the document P and the sensor 14 detects the edge of the document P, it is determined that the document P has reached the collection processing confirmation position. If it is determined in step S12 that the document P has reached the collection processing confirmation position (step S12: YES), the process proceeds to step S13, and the abnormality monitoring of the reading unit 4 by the sensor 5 is terminated. On the other hand, if it cannot be determined that the document P has reached the collection processing confirmation position (step S12: NO), the process returns to step S11, and the reading unit 4 by the sensor 5 until the arrival of the document P at the collection processing confirmation position can be determined. Continue monitoring for abnormalities.

  When the abnormality monitoring of the reading unit 4 is finished in step S13, the document P is continuously conveyed to the document collection unit 12 side and collected (step S14). In step S14, when the sensor 14 does not detect the document P and the sensor 15 detects the edge of the document P, it is determined that the document P is completely moved to the document collection unit 12 and the collection is completed. Then, the conveyance of the document P by the collection / return arm 13 is stopped.

  By the way, after the document image photographing unit 6 and the information recognizing unit 9 read the information of the document P, for example, the operator places the hand H into the reading unit 4 from the document insertion port 3 as indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. When it is extended, the operator may be performing an illegal operation (replacement operation) for replacing the regular document P with another document.

  Therefore, when detecting an abnormality such as detecting the hand H by the sensor 5 in step S9 (step S9: YES), the control unit 16 determines that there is a replacement operation and notifies the abnormality to the center terminal side ( Step S15), a warning guidance screen is displayed on the display / input unit 2 (Step S16).

  In step S16, a warning related to the replacement operation is given to the operator by displaying the warning guidance screen on the display / input unit 2, and the document placement is requested again. Then, the process returns to step S4.

  Even after the collection / return arm 13 is operated, until the document P reaches the collection processing confirmation position, for example, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. The document P can be replaced by extending the hand H into the reading unit 4.

  Therefore, when detecting an abnormality such as detecting the hand H by the sensor 5 in step S11 (step S11: YES), the control unit 16 determines that there is a replacement operation and collects the document P by the collection / return arm 13. The operation is stopped and the document P is returned to the operator (step S17).

  In step S17, the conveyance roller 13a is rotated counterclockwise as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 8, thereby conveying the document P to the document insertion port 3 side and returning it to the operator. After the document P is returned to the operator in this way, the control unit 16 executes the processes after step S15 described above.

  The control unit 16 can collect the document P without any abnormality after the document review in step S7, and if a predetermined application or contract is established, the card issuing unit 11 issues a card to the operator.

  In the present embodiment, the abnormality detection determination in steps S9 and S11 is a replacement operation determination step, and the document recovery in step S14 is a recovery step.

  In the present embodiment, during the period from step S5 to step S13, more specifically, after the information of the document P is read by the document image photographing unit 6 and the information recognition unit 9, the document P is moved to the predetermined collection processing confirmation position. The sensor 5 can detect an abnormality in the reading unit 4 during the period until the detection. Then, based on whether or not the sensor 5 detects an abnormality in the reading unit 4, it is determined whether or not the document P is replaced, and when it is determined that the replacement operation is not performed, the document P is recovered by the recovery / return arm 13. It is configured. This ensures that the document whose information has been read by the document image photographing unit 6 and the information recognizing unit 9 and the collected document are the same, without arranging a staff member or providing a cover member. can do. For this reason, it is possible to reliably prevent the document replacement operation while suppressing an increase in cost and burden on the operator.

  Further, by providing the sensor 5 in the document insertion port 3 that communicates the reading unit 4 with the outside, it is possible to determine the replacement operation of the document P without omission as compared with the case where the sensor is provided in the reading unit 4. Can do.

  In addition, when it is determined that there is a document replacement operation, the operator can be prompted to restrain the replacement operation by providing the display / input unit 2 that requests the operator to re-load the document. Thereafter, when the operator performs a regular operation, the document P can be collected in the same manner as in the normal time.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 to 12 will be described. 9 to 12, the same components as those in the previous embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the document reading apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a person photographing unit 20 as an operator photographing unit and a hand photographing unit on the operator (user) side of the casing. 21 is provided. The person photographing unit 20 is disposed above the display / input unit 2 and mainly has a function of photographing a moving image of the operator's face. On the other hand, the hand photographing unit 21 is disposed at the upper edge of the document insertion slot 3 and mainly has a function of photographing a moving image of the operator.

  In the present embodiment, the document image photographing unit 6 has a function of photographing a moving image of the reading unit 4 in addition to a function of photographing a still image of the reading unit 4 to read information of the document P.

  In addition, while the abnormality monitoring of the reading unit 4 by the sensor 5 is being performed, the display / input unit 2 displays the photographed image of the operator's face and hand taken by the person photographing unit 20 and the hand photographing unit 21 as shown in FIG. In addition to having a function of displaying a moving image in real time, it also has a function as display means for displaying a captured image of the reading unit 4 captured by the document image capturing unit 6 in real time as shown in FIG.

  Further, the control unit 16 has a function of recording the above-described captured image, and the display / input unit 2 displays a display unit 2a displaying a message such as “monitoring recording” as shown in the figure. It has become so.

  Note that the photographed images photographed by the person photographing unit 20, the hand photographing unit 21, and the document image photographing unit 6 are displayed at the same time by split screen display, or are sequentially rotated at predetermined time intervals.

  In the present embodiment, the operation state of the user is monitored by displaying the captured images captured by the person capturing unit 20, the hand capturing unit 21, and the document image capturing unit 6 in real time by the display / input unit 2. This can be recognized by the operator. Thereby, it is possible to prompt the operator to restrain the replacement operation, and as a result, it is possible to more reliably prevent the document replacement operation.

  Further, by using the photographed image photographed by the document image photographing unit 6, the document image photographing unit 6 not only functions as a reading unit that reads information on the document P but also functions as a unit that prompts self-control of the replacement operation. Can be made.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment shown in FIGS. 13 to 14 will be described. In FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, the same components as those in the previous embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the document reading apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes an information / edge recognition unit 30 instead of the information recognition unit 9. The information / edge recognition unit 30 has the function of recognizing and reading the information recorded in the document P by analyzing the captured image data acquired by the document image capturing unit 6, as with the information recognition unit 9. It also has a function of recognizing the edge of the document P.

  In general, when the operator extends his hand H to the document P on the reading unit 4 for the purpose of replacing the document P, the photographed image data acquired by the document image photographing unit 6 is as shown in FIG. An interrupted portion Pa (a portion surrounded by a broken line in the figure) in which the edge of the document P is interrupted occurs. The information / edge recognizing unit 30 can recognize the interrupted portion Pa described above, and can detect an abnormality of the reading unit 4 based on the detection of the interrupted portion Pa.

  Further, when the document P is grasped by the hand H, a wrinkle is generated in the document P. Therefore, in the photographed image data acquired by the document image photographing unit 6, this wrinkle appears as edge distortion. The information / edge recognition unit 30 can recognize edge distortion caused by wrinkles in addition to the above-described discontinuity Pa, and detects an abnormality of the reading unit 4 based on the detection of this distortion. You can also do that.

  In the present embodiment, the information / edge recognition unit 30 functions as an information recognition unit and an abnormality detection unit, so that the document P can be obtained without a separate sensor for detecting an abnormality of the reading unit 4. The abnormality can be detected using captured image data acquired to read the information. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 13, the sensor 5 of the document insertion slot 3 can be omitted.

(Other embodiments)
By the way, there are mainly two patterns as replacement operation patterns. Specifically, after the regular document P placed on the reading unit 4 is extracted, another document (replacement document) is placed. A pattern (first operation pattern) and an operation pattern (second operation pattern) for extracting a regular document after superimposing a replacement document on either the top or bottom (back and front) of a regular document P placed on the reading unit 4 You could think so.

  Therefore, in consideration of the above-described operation pattern, for example, the sensor 14 on the reading unit 4 side shown in FIG. 3 and the like is configured by a sensor that detects the number of documents placed on the reading unit 4 and is read by the sensor. An abnormality of the unit 4 may be detected.

  In this case, in the first operation pattern, immediately after the regular document P placed on the reading unit 4 is extracted, a state in which the document is not detected temporarily occurs. Therefore, reading is performed based on the state in which this document is not detected. An abnormality of the unit 4 can be detected. Further, in the second operation pattern, immediately after the replacement document is superimposed on the regular document P placed on the reading unit 4, a state in which two documents are detected temporarily occurs. An abnormality of the reading unit 4 can be detected based on the detected state.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Document reading apparatus 2 ... Display / input part 3 ... Document insertion port 4 ... Reading part 5 ... Sensor 6 ... Document image imaging part 9 ... Information recognition part 13 ... Collection | recovery / return arm 16 ... Control part 30 ... Information / edge Recognition part P ... Document

Claims (3)

Comprising reading means for reading information recorded on a document placed on the reading unit ;
A recovery means for recovering the document after the information is read by the reading means;
An abnormality detecting means for detecting an abnormality of the reading section in a period from when the information is read by the reading means to when the document is moved to a predetermined collection processing confirmation position by the collecting means;
A replacement operation determining means for determining the presence or absence of a replacement operation of the document based on the presence or absence of abnormality detection of the reading unit by the abnormality detection means;
A document reading device configured to collect the document by the collecting unit when the replacement operation determining unit determines that the document is not replaced ;
The reading unit, a reading unit imaging unit that images the reading unit on which the document is placed and acquires captured image data;
The information recognition means for recognizing and reading the information from the captured image data,
The document reading apparatus , wherein the abnormality detecting unit detects an abnormality of the reading unit based on an abnormality of an edge of the document in the captured image data . The document reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising warning guide means for requesting an operator to redo document placement when the replacement operation determination means determines that the document replacement operation is present. A document collection method in a document reading apparatus provided with a reading means for reading information recorded in a document placed on a reading unit,
The reading unit comprising: a reading unit photographing unit that photographs the reading unit on which the document is placed and acquires photographed image data; and an information recognition unit that recognizes and reads the information from the photographed image data. after reading the information, Oite within a period of up to move to a predetermined collecting process determined position by the collecting means the document, an abnormality of the reading unit abnormally based edge of the document in the captured image data A replacement operation determination step for detecting and determining the presence or absence of a replacement operation for the document based on the presence or absence of abnormality detection of the reading unit;
A document collection method in a document reading apparatus, comprising: a collection step of collecting the document by the collection unit when it is determined in the replacement operation determination step that the document replacement operation is not performed.

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