JP7021744B2 - Printer, transfer control device, transfer control method and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a printer, a transfer control device, a transfer control method and a program, and more particularly to a transfer control device for controlling the delivery of a print medium to a printer and a printer, and a transfer control method and a program for that purpose.

Some printers handled by financial institutions such as banks and agricultural cooperatives print on print media such as passbooks and forms. In this type of printer, generally, when an operator inserts a part of a print medium into a predetermined insertion slot or the like, the insertion of a part of the print medium is detected and the print medium is carried into the printer.

In print media such as passbooks and forms, a print area corresponding to the print content such as amount of money and date is often predetermined. Therefore, in a printer that prints print contents on such a print medium, it is usually necessary to accurately print the print contents on the print area. However, for example, when the print medium is carried in in a state of being tilted diagonally with respect to a predetermined correct carry-in direction, the print contents may be printed outside the print area.

Various techniques for preventing skewing of the print medium in a printer have been proposed.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an automatic print processing apparatus including a print medium detection sensor, a timer, and a transport unit. The print medium detection sensor detects that the print medium has been inserted through the insertion slot. The timer arbitrarily sets the delay time from the detection of the print medium to the start of the transfer. The transport unit starts transporting the print medium when the delay time has elapsed.

Patent Document 1 describes that the orientation of the print medium can be corrected by setting the optimum time as the delay time according to the familiarity of the operation by each operator.

For example, Patent Document 2 discloses a technique in which, when skew is detected by the skew detector, the feeding operation is temporarily stopped, and then the paper is reversely run to stop.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 05-0088470 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 62-259944

In the automatic printing processing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, even if the operator can correct the orientation of the print medium to the correct carry-in direction by the time the delay time elapses, there is a possibility that the operator is still in contact with the print medium. There is. In such a case, the automatic print processing device may carry in a print medium tilted diagonally due to the influence of the force from the operator when the carry-in is started, and as a result, print out of the print area.

To prevent this, it is conceivable that the operator should be careful to take his / her hand off the print medium at the start of carrying in the print medium. However, this may hinder the smooth execution of business by the operator. As described above, the automatic printing processing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 has poor operability when the printing medium is carried in.

Further, it is conceivable to apply the above-mentioned technique described in Patent Document 2 to a printer in which a print medium is carried into the inside through an insertion slot. Specifically, when the skew of the print medium carried into the inside through the insertion slot is detected by the skew detector, the print medium may be run backward and carried out from the insertion slot after the carry-in operation is temporarily stopped. Conceivable.

When the operator inserts the print medium into the insertion slot in a state of being tilted at an angle, the printer to which the technique described in Patent Document 2 is applied carries the print medium to the position detected by the skew detector and then detects the skew . The device detects the skew of the print medium and carries out the print medium. If the operator keeps touching the print medium in the state at the time of initial insertion from the loading to the unloading of the print medium, it is considered that the print medium is flexed and carried out while being inserted into the insertion slot. Therefore, the print medium is carried out after being carried in again. In this way, the loading and unloading of the print medium may be repeated through the insertion slot.

Further, if the operator pulls the print medium in an attempt to correct the direction of the print medium during the carry-in operation while the print medium is repeatedly carried in and out, the print medium may be damaged.

In order to prevent such repeated loading and unloading of the print medium and damage, the operator pulls out the print medium from the insertion slot at the timing when the print medium is carried out, and then again in the correct loading direction. Needs to be inserted into the insertion slot . Such an operation is likely to hinder the smooth execution of business by the operator. As described above, even if the above technique described in Patent Document 2 is applied to the above printer, the operability when the print medium is carried in is poor.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a printer or the like capable of improving operability when a print medium is carried in.

In order to achieve the above object, the printer according to the first aspect of the present invention is
A first insertion section into which the first print medium is inserted by the operator,
When a part of the first print medium is inserted into the first insertion unit, an image pickup unit that captures an image pickup region including an uninserted portion of the first print medium, and an image pickup unit.
A contact determination unit that determines whether or not the operator is in contact with the first print medium based on the image information of the image pickup region captured by the image pickup unit.
A first transport unit that carries in the first print medium inserted into the first insertion unit from the first insertion unit, and a first transport unit.
When the contact determination unit determines that the operator is in contact with the first print medium, the transfer control unit that controls the first transfer unit so as not to carry in the first print medium. Be prepared.

In order to achieve the above object, the transfer control device according to the second aspect of the present invention is
A first insertion section into which a first print medium is inserted by an operator, and a first transfer section for carrying in the first print medium inserted into the first insertion section from the first insertion section. A transport control device for controlling the carry-in of the first print medium by a printer including the above.
An image acquisition unit that acquires image information of an imaging region including an uninserted portion of the first print medium when a part of the first print medium is inserted into the first insertion unit.
A contact determination unit that determines whether or not the operator is in contact with the first print medium based on the image information acquired by the image acquisition unit.
When the contact determination unit determines that the operator is in contact with the first print medium, the transfer control unit that controls the first transfer unit so as not to carry in the first print medium. Be prepared.

In order to achieve the above object, the transport control method according to the third aspect of the present invention is
A first insertion section into which a first print medium is inserted by an operator, and a first transfer section for carrying in the first print medium inserted into the first insertion section from the first insertion section. A carry-in control method for controlling the carry-in of the first print medium by a printer comprising the above.
When a part of the first print medium is inserted into the first insertion portion, the image information of the imaging region including the uninserted portion of the first print medium is acquired.
Based on the acquired image information, it is determined whether or not the operator is in contact with the first print medium.
When it is determined that the operator is in contact with the first print medium, the operation includes controlling the first transport unit so as not to carry in the first print medium.

In order to achieve the above object, the program according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is
A first insertion section into which a first print medium is inserted by an operator, and a first transfer section for carrying in the first print medium inserted into the first insertion section from the first insertion section. To a computer for controlling the carry-in of the first print medium by a printer including
When a part of the first print medium is inserted into the first insertion portion, the image information of the imaging region including the uninserted portion of the first print medium is acquired.
Based on the acquired image information, it is determined whether or not the operator is in contact with the first print medium.
When it is determined that the operator is in contact with the first print medium, it is a program for controlling the first transport unit so as not to carry in the first print medium. ..

According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the operability when the print medium is carried in.

It is a top view of the printer which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a side sectional view in line II-II of FIG. It is a figure which shows the functional structure of the printer main body which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the physical structure of a printer control part. It is a figure which shows the functional structure of the image pickup unit which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the print medium information. It is a figure which shows an example of a reference information. It is a figure which shows an example of the physical structure of an image pickup unit. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the transfer control processing which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a side sectional view of an operator and a printer immediately after the passbook is held in the passbook holding part. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a passbook transport process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a passbook transport process. It is a top view of the operator and the printer immediately after the passbook is held in the passbook holding part. It is a top view of the operator and the printer when the operator releases the passbook after the passbook is held by the passbook holder. It is a top view which shows the example which the passbook is tilted and inserted into the passbook holding part. It is a side sectional view of an operator and a printer immediately after a slip is held in a slip holding part. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a slip transfer process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a slip transfer process. It is a side sectional view of an operator and a printer immediately after a slip is inserted in a slip insertion part. It is a top view of the operator and the printer when the operator releases the hand after the slip is held in the slip holding part. It is a top view which shows the example which the slip was tilted and inserted into the passbook holding part. It is a figure which shows an example of the structure of the transfer control apparatus which concerns on modification 2.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the terms indicating the front, back, up, down, left, and right directions are used for explanation and are not intended to limit the present invention.

<Configuration of printer 100>
The printer 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a transmission printer installed at a customer service counter of a financial institution such as a bank or an agricultural cooperative, and prints on a passbook or slip used there. The passbook and the slip used in the description of the present embodiment are examples of a first print medium and a second print medium as two types of predetermined print media, respectively.

The printing medium may be any medium as long as it is printed by the printer 100, and is not limited to passbooks and slips. For example, a passbook, a booklet other than a slip, paper, or the like may be appropriately adopted for each of the first printing medium and the second printing medium. Further, the first print medium and the second print medium may be the same type of print medium or the same print medium, unlike the present embodiment.

The printer 100 includes a printer main body 101, an image pickup unit 102, and a support portion 144, as shown in FIG. 1 which is a plan view and FIG. 2 which is a side sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG.

The printer main body 101 is a device for printing on a passbook or a slip. The printer main body 101 includes a housing 103. Further, the printer main body 101 has rollers FR1 to FR6, TR1 to TR6, guides G1 to G6, a gate GT, light emitting elements S1 and S2, light receiving elements S3 and S4, a print head PH, and a turning roller PTR inside the housing 103. And a printer control unit 104.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the housing 103 includes a passbook insertion unit 105, a slip insertion unit 106, a passbook placement unit 107, and a slip placement unit 108. The housing 103 may be made of an appropriate material such as resin or metal.

The passbook insertion unit 105 is a portion where the operator inserts the passbook when the passbook is carried into the housing 103. Further, the passbook insertion unit 105 is also a portion through which the passbook passes when the passbook is carried out of the housing 103. The passbook insertion portion 105 corresponds to the first insertion portion.

The slip insertion unit 106 is a portion where the operator inserts the slip when the slip is carried into the housing 103. The slip insertion unit 106 is also a portion through which the slip passes when the slip is carried out of the housing 103. The slip insertion unit 106 corresponds to the second insertion unit.

In the present embodiment, each of the passbook insertion unit 105 and the slip insertion unit 106 forms a rectangular slit that is substantially long to the left and right when viewed from the rear.

The passbook placing section 107 is a portion for placing the passbook when inserting the passbook into the passbook inserting section 105. Further, the passbook placing portion 107 is also a portion for receiving the passbook carried out from the housing 103 through the passbook inserting portion 105. The passbook mounting unit 107 corresponds to the first mounting unit.

The passbook placing portion 107 is provided with a predetermined pattern. As shown in FIG. 1, the passbook placing portion 107 according to the present embodiment is provided with a grid-like pattern.

The slip placing unit 108 is a part for placing a slip when inserting the slip into the slip inserting unit 106. Further, the slip placing unit 108 is also a portion for receiving a slip carried out from the housing 103 through the slip inserting unit 106. The slip mounting unit 108 corresponds to the second mounting unit.

The slip placing portion 108 is provided with a predetermined pattern. As shown in FIG. 1, the slip placing portion 108 according to the present embodiment has a dot-shaped pattern different from that of the passbook placing portion 107 .

The pattern attached to each of the passbook placing portion 107 and the slip placing portion 108 may be provided by printing, a sticker, or the like, or may be provided three-dimensionally by unevenness of the surface or the like. A geometrically repeating pattern is preferably adopted as the pattern provided in each of the passbook placing portion 107 and the slip placing portion 108. The passbook placing unit 107 and the slip placing unit 108 may be provided with the same pattern, unlike the present embodiment.

Further, functionally, as shown in FIG. 3, the printer main body 101 functionally has a passbook detection unit 109, a passbook holding unit 110, a passbook transport unit 111, a slip detection unit 112, a slip holding unit 113, a slip transport unit 114, and a switching unit 115. , The printing unit 116 and the printer control unit 104 are provided. These are the functions exhibited by the above-mentioned configuration physically provided inside the housing 103. Hereinafter, the physical configuration inside the housing 103 and the functional configuration exhibited by the physical configuration will be described in association with each other.

In addition, in FIG. 3, among the functional configurations provided in the printer main body 101, the passbook insertion unit 105, the slip insertion unit 106, the passbook placement unit 107, and the slip placement unit 108 have information between the printer control unit 104 and the printer control unit 104. Is not shown because it does not give or receive.

The passbook detection unit 109 detects the insertion of a part of the passbook into the passbook insertion unit 105. The passbook detection unit 109 outputs the passbook detection information including the detected result to the printer control unit 104. The passbook detection unit 109 corresponds to the first detection unit.

As shown in FIG. 2, the passbook detection unit 109 is physically composed of a light emitting element S1 which is an element that emits infrared rays, a light receiving element S3 that outputs a signal depending on whether or not infrared rays are received, and the like. .. As shown in FIG. 2, the light emitting element S1 and the light receiving element S3 are arranged in association with each other in the vicinity of the passbook insertion portion 105.

If the passbook is not inserted inside the housing 103 through the passbook insertion portion 105, the light receiving element S3 receives infrared rays from the light emitting element S1. When the passbook is inserted from the passbook insertion unit 105, the infrared rays from the light emitting element S1 are blocked by the passbook, and the light receiving element S3 cannot receive the infrared rays. Therefore, the insertion of the passbook can be detected depending on whether or not the light receiving element S3 receives infrared rays.

The passbook detection unit 109 is not limited to this, and may be composed of, for example, a touch sensor that detects contact.

See again in FIG.
When the passbook detection unit 109 detects the insertion of the passbook, the passbook holding unit 110 holds the passbook inserted in the passbook insertion unit 105 under the control of the printer control unit 104.

As shown in FIG. 2, the passbook holding unit 110 is physically provided between the passbook inserting unit 105 and the passbook detecting unit 109 in the passbook transport path, which is a transport path in which the passbook is transported in the housing 103. It is composed of the rollers TR1 and FR1 and the like.

The roller TR1 is a so-called tension roller. Under the control of the printer control unit 104, the roller TR1 can change its position between a position far from the roller FR1 and a position close to the roller FR1 by receiving a force such as a motor (not shown). In FIG. 2, the roller TR1_R located far from the roller FR1 is shown by a solid line, and the roller TR1_H located near the roller FR1 is shown by a dotted line.

The roller FR1 is a so-called forward roller that rotates about an axis in the left-right direction under the control of the printer control unit 104 by receiving a force from a motor or the like (not shown).

When the roller TR1 is located far away from the roller FR1, the roller TR1_R and the roller FR1 are separated by a distance sufficiently longer than the thickness of the passbook. Therefore, in this case, when the operator inserts the passbook from the passbook insertion unit 105, the passbook can be inserted through between the rollers TR1 and FR1 and further to the passbook detection unit 109 in front of the roller TR1 and FR1.

When the roller TR1 is located near the roller FR1, the roller TR1_H and the roller FR1 are close to each other or in close contact with each other at a distance sufficiently shorter than the thickness of the passbook. Therefore, in this case, the passbook located between the roller TR1_H and the roller FR1 is sandwiched between the rollers TR1_H and FR1, and the movement of the passbook follows the rotational operation of the roller FR1.

For example, when the passbook detection unit 109 detects the insertion of a passbook, the roller TR1 moves from far (roller TR1_R) to near (roller TR1_H) of the roller FR1. At this time, the rotation axis of the roller FR1 is fixed so as not to rotate. As a result, the roller TR1_H and the roller FR1 can hold the passbook inserted in the passbook insertion unit 105 so as not to move. After that, when the roller FR1 rotates, the passbook sandwiched between the roller FR1 and the roller TR1_H is conveyed along with the rotation of the roller FR1.

See again in FIG.
The passbook transport unit 111 transports the passbook along the passbook transport path under the control of the printer control unit 104. Specifically, the passbook transport unit 111 carries the passbook inserted into the passbook insertion unit 105 into the housing 103 from the passbook insertion unit 105. Further, the passbook transport unit 111 carries out the passbook to the outside of the housing 103 when printing is completed. The passbook transport unit 111 corresponds to the first transport unit.

As shown in FIG. 2, the passbook transport unit 111 is physically composed of rollers TR1 to TR2, FR1 to FR2, and the like. Further, the passbook transport path is composed of a guide G1, a part of the guide G2, rollers TR1 to TR2, FR1 to FR2, and the like.

Each of the guides G1 and G2 is composed of, for example, plate-shaped members extending in front, back, left and right substantially parallel to each other at predetermined intervals, and forms a transport path between these members. The plate-shaped members constituting each of the guides G1 and G2 may be made of metal or resin.

The guide G1 includes a slit provided in the vicinity of the passbook insertion portion 105. The light emitting element S1 and the light receiving element S3 described above are opposed to each other via a slit provided in the guide G1. As a result, the light receiving element S3 can receive infrared rays from the light emitting element S1 through the slit provided in the guide G1 as described above.

One of the plate-shaped members constituting the guide G2 (the member provided above in FIG. 2) is provided with a slit SL extending to the left and right. The transport path formed by the guide G1 and the portion of the guide G2 provided behind the slit SL is the passbook transport path.

The rollers TR1 and FR1 are located between the passbook insertion portion 105 and the rear end of the guide G1 in the direction along the passbook transport path, and have the above-described configuration. Under the control of the printer control unit 104, the roller FR1 rotates with the passbook sandwiched between the roller TR1_H and the roller TR1_H located near the roller FR1 to convey the passbook along the passbook transfer path.

The rollers TR2 and FR2 are located between the front end of the guide G1 and the rear end of the guide G2 in the direction along the passbook transport path. The roller TR2 is a so-called tension roller. The roller FR2 is a so-called forward roller that rotates about an axis in the left-right direction under the control of the printer control unit 104 by receiving a force from a motor or the like (not shown). The rollers TR2 and FR2 are configured so as to be able to sandwich the passbook with a predetermined pressure. The roller FR2 transports the passbook along the passbook transport path by rotating with the passbook sandwiched between the roller FR2 and the roller TR2.

See again in FIG.
The slip detection unit 112 detects the insertion of a part of the slip into the slip insertion unit 106. The slip detection unit 112 outputs the slip detection information including the detected result to the printer control unit 104. The slip detection unit 112 corresponds to the second detection unit.

As shown in FIG. 2, the slip detection unit 112 is physically composed of a light emitting element S2 which is an element that emits infrared rays, a light receiving element S4 that outputs a signal depending on whether or not infrared rays are received, and the like. .. As shown in FIG. 2, the light emitting element S2 and the light receiving element S4 are arranged in association with each other in the vicinity of the slip insertion unit 106.

If the slip is not inserted inside the housing 103 through the slip insertion unit 106, the light receiving element S4 receives infrared rays from the light emitting element S2. When the slip is inserted from the slip insertion unit 106, the infrared rays from the light emitting element S2 are blocked by the slip, and the light receiving element S4 cannot receive the infrared rays. Therefore, the insertion of the slip can be detected depending on whether or not the light receiving element S4 receives infrared rays.

The slip detection unit 112 is not limited to this, and may be composed of, for example, a touch sensor that detects contact.

See again in FIG.
When the slip detection unit 112 detects the insertion of a slip, the slip holding unit 113 holds the slip inserted in the slip insertion unit 106 under the control of the printer control unit 104.

As shown in FIG. 2, the slip holding section 113 is physically provided between the slip inserting section 106 and the slip detecting section 112 in the slip transport path, which is a transport path in which the slip is transported in the housing 103. It is composed of the rollers TR3, FR3 and the like.

The roller TR3 is a so-called tension roller. Under the control of the printer control unit 104, the roller TR3 can change its position between a position far from the roller FR3 and a position close to the roller FR3 by receiving a force such as a motor (not shown). In FIG. 2, the roller TR3_R located far from the roller FR3 is shown by a solid line, and the roller TR3_H located near the roller FR3 is shown by a dotted line.

The roller FR3 is a so-called forward roller that rotates about an axis in the left-right direction under the control of the printer control unit 104 by receiving a force from a motor or the like (not shown).

When the roller TR3 is located far away from the roller FR3, the roller TR3_R and the roller FR3 are separated by a distance sufficiently longer than the thickness of the slip. Therefore, in this case, when the operator inserts the slip from the slip insertion unit 106, the slip can be inserted between the rollers TR3 and FR3 and further to the slip detection unit 112 in front of the roller TR3 and FR3.

When the roller TR3 is located near the roller FR3, the roller TR3_H and the roller FR3 are close to each other or in close contact with each other at a distance sufficiently shorter than the thickness of the slip. Therefore, in this case, the slip located between the roller TR3_H and the roller FR3 is sandwiched between the rollers TR3_H and FR3, and the movement of the slip follows the rotational operation of the roller FR3.

For example, when the slip detection unit 112 detects the insertion of a slip, the roller TR3 moves from far (roller TR3_R) to near (roller TR3_H) of the roller FR3. At this time, the rotation axis of the roller FR 3 is fixed so as not to rotate. As a result, the roller TR3_H and the roller FR3 can hold the slip inserted in the slip insertion unit 106 so that the slip does not move. After that, when the roller FR3 rotates, the passbook sandwiched between the roller FR3 and the roller TR3_H is conveyed along with the rotation of the roller FR3.

See again in FIG.
The slip transport unit 114 transports slips along the slip transport path under the control of the printer control unit 104. Specifically, the slip transfer unit 114 carries the slip inserted into the slip insertion unit 106 into the housing 103. Further, the slip transfer unit 114 carries out the slip to the outside of the housing 103 when printing is completed. The slip transport unit 114 corresponds to the second transport unit.

As shown in FIG. 2, the slip transfer unit 114 is physically composed of rollers TR3, FR3, and the like. Further, the slip transport path is composed of a guide G3, rollers TR3 and FR3, a gate GT and the like.

The guide G3 is composed of plate-shaped members extending in the left-right direction and forward and downward, for example, inclined substantially parallel to each other at predetermined intervals, and forms a slip transport path between these members. The plate-shaped member constituting the guide G3 may be made of metal or resin.

The guide G3 includes a slit provided in the vicinity of the slip insertion portion 106. The light emitting element S2 and the light receiving element S4 described above are opposed to each other via a slit provided in the guide G3. As a result, the light receiving element S4 can receive infrared rays from the light emitting element S2 through the slit provided in the guide G3 as described above.

The rollers TR3 and FR3 are located between the slip insertion portion 106 and the rear end of the guide G3 in the direction along the slip transport path, and have the above-described configuration. The roller FR3 transports the slip along the slip transport path by rotating the roller FR3 with the slip sandwiched between the roller TR3_H and the roller TR3_H located near the roller FR3.

See again in FIG.
Under the control of the printer control unit 104, the switching unit 115 switches whether to connect the passbook transport path or the slip transport path to the print transport path on which the passbook or the slip is transported for printing.

As shown in FIG. 2, the switching unit 115 is physically composed of a gate GT, a solenoid (not shown), and the like.

The gate GT operates under the control of the printer control unit 104 under the force of a solenoid, so that the position of the tip thereof is switched between the inside and the outside of the slit SL of the guide G2. Specifically, when the tip of the gate GT is positioned in the slit SL, the passbook transport path and the print transport path are blocked, and the slip transport path and the print transport path are connected. When the tip of the gate GT is positioned outside the slit SL, the passbook transport path and the print transport path are connected, and the slip transport path and the print transport path are cut off.

See again in FIG.
Under the control of the printer control unit 104, the print unit 116 prints on the passbook or slip carried into the print transfer path. Specifically, the printing unit 116 moves the passbook or slip along the print transfer path under the control of the printer control unit 104, turns the pages of the passbook as necessary, and prints on the passbook or slip. As a result, it is possible to print the contents according to the instruction from the printer control unit 104 at an appropriately determined place on the passbook or slip.

As shown in FIG. 2, the printing unit 116 includes rollers FR4 to FR6 and TR4 to TR6, a printing head PH, a turning roller PTR , and the like. Further, the print transfer path is composed of the rest of the guide G2, the guide G4, the guide G5, the rollers FR4 to FR6, TR4 to TR6, and the like.

The rest of the guide G2 is a portion of the guide G2 in front of the slit SL configured as described above. Each of the guides G4 and G5 is composed of, for example, plate-shaped members extending in front, back, left and right substantially parallel to each other at predetermined intervals, and forms a transport path between these members. The plate-shaped members constituting each of the guides G4 and G5 may be made of metal or resin. The transport path formed by the rest of the guide G2, the guide G4, and the guide G5 serves as a print transport path.

The rollers FR4 and TR4 are located between the front end of the guide G2 and the rear end of the guide G4 in the direction along the print transfer path. The rollers FR5 and TR5 are located between the front end of the guide G4 and the rear end of the guide G5. The rollers FR6 and TR6 are located near the front end of the guide G5 in the direction along the print transfer path.

Each of the rollers TR4 to TR6 is a so-called tension roller. Each of the rollers FR4 to FR6 is a so-called forward roller that rotates about an axis in the left-right direction by receiving a force from a motor (not shown) or the like. Each of the rollers TR4 to TR6 and the rollers FR4 to FR6 are configured so as to be able to sandwich the passbook or slip with a predetermined pressure. Then, the rollers FR4, FR5 and FR6 rotate with the rollers TR4, TR5 and TR6 sandwiching a passbook or slip under the control of the printer control unit 104, so that the passbooks are printed along the print transfer path. Or transport the slip.

The print head PH is a portion for printing on a passbook or slip passing through a print transfer path formed by the guide G4 under the control of the printer control unit 104. As shown in FIG. 2, the guide G4 is provided with a slit for the print head PH to come into contact with the passbook or the slip when printing.

The turning roller PTR is a roller that turns the pages of the passbook passing through the print transfer path formed by the guide G5 under the control of the printer control unit 104. The turning roller PTR turns the pages of the passbook, for example, by rotating under the force of a motor (not shown). The guide G5 is provided with a slit for the turning roller PTR to come into contact with the passbook when turning pages.

See again in FIG.
The printer control unit 104 controls the printer main body 101 by exchanging information with and from the image pickup unit 102 as needed.

Physically, as shown in FIG. 4, the printer control unit 104 is connected to a processor 117_a, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 118_a, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 119_a, a storage device 120_a, a communication I / F (interface) 121_a, and the like. It is composed.

The processor 117_a is hardware for executing a software program stored in a storage device 120_a or the like, and is composed of an arithmetic processing unit, registers, peripheral circuits, and the like.

The ROM 118_a is a non-volatile memory that holds data referred to when the processor 117_a executes processing. The RAM 119_a is a memory used as a work area of the processor 117_a. The storage device 120_a is a device that stores a relatively large amount of data, and is composed of, for example, an SSD (Solid State Drive), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or the like. The communication I / F121_a may be either for wired or wireless, or may be both.

The printer control unit 104 exerts the function shown in FIG. 3, for example, by executing a software program embedded in advance. Specifically, the printer control unit 104 functionally includes an insertion determination unit 122, a holding control unit 123, a switching control unit 124, an image pickup instruction output unit 125, a determination result acquisition unit 126, and a transfer control unit 127. , A print control unit 128 is provided.

The insertion determination unit 122 determines whether or not the passbook insertion is detected and whether or not the slip insertion is detected based on the passbook detection information from the passbook detection unit 109 and the slip detection information from the slip detection unit 112. do.

The holding control unit 123 controls the passbook holding unit 110 or the slip holding unit 113 based on the result of the determination by the insertion determination unit 122.

Specifically, when the passbook detection unit 109 detects the insertion of the passbook, the holding control unit 123 causes the passbook holding unit 110 to hold the passbook inserted in the passbook insertion unit 105. Further, the holding control unit 123 causes the slip holding unit 113 to hold the slip inserted in the slip insertion unit 106 when the slip detection unit 112 detects the insertion of the slip.

The switching control unit 124 controls the switching unit 115 based on the result of the determination by the insertion determination unit 122.

Specifically, the switching control unit 124 connects the passbook transport path and the print transport path to the switching section 115 when the passbook detection unit 109 detects the insertion of the passbook. When the slip detection unit 112 detects the insertion of a slip, the switching control unit 124 connects the slip transport path and the print transport path to the switching unit 115.

The image pickup instruction output unit 125 outputs an image pickup instruction to the image pickup unit 102 based on the result of the determination by the insertion determination unit 122. The imaging instruction is an instruction for the imaging unit 102 to start imaging. Specifically, the image pickup instruction output unit 125 outputs an image pickup instruction to the image pickup unit 102 when the insertion of a passbook or a slip is detected.

The determination result acquisition unit 126 acquires determination information including the determination result by the image pickup unit 102 from the image pickup unit 102.

The determination information according to the present embodiment includes whether or not the operator is touching the passbook or slip and whether or not the passbook or slip is facing in the correct direction, as will be described in detail later. Here, the correct direction means that the direction of the passbook or slip is within a predetermined range with respect to a predetermined reference direction.

The transfer control unit 127 controls the passbook transfer unit 111 or the slip transfer unit 114 based on the determination result by the insertion determination unit 122 and the determination information acquired by the determination result acquisition unit 126.

Specifically, when the passbook detection unit 109 detects the insertion of the passbook, the transfer control unit 127 causes the passbook transfer unit 111 to convey the passbook based on the determination information acquired by the determination result acquisition unit 126.

The details of the control by the transport control unit 127 when the insertion of the passbook is detected are as follows.

When the determination information includes that the operator is in contact with the passbook or the passbook is not facing in the correct direction, the transport control unit 127 does not carry in the passbook partially inserted in the passbook insertion unit 105. Controls the passbook transfer unit 111. When the determination information includes that the operator is not in contact with the passbook and that the passbook is facing in the correct direction, the transport control unit 127 carries in the passbook partially inserted into the passbook insertion unit 105. The passbook transport unit 111 is controlled so as to do so.

Further, when the slip detection unit 112 detects the insertion of the slip, the transport control unit 127 causes the slip transport unit 114 to transport the slip based on the determination information acquired by the determination result acquisition unit 126.

The details of the control by the transport control unit 127 when the insertion of the slip is detected are as follows.

When the determination information includes that the operator is in contact with the slip or the slip is not oriented in the correct direction, the transport control unit 127 transfers the slip partially inserted into the slip insertion unit 106 to the slip transport unit. Do not let it carry in to 114. When the determination information includes that the operator is not in contact with the slip and that the slip is facing in the correct direction, the transport control unit 127 inserts a slip partially inserted into the slip insertion unit 106 into the slip. It is carried into the transport unit 114.

When the passbook or slip is brought in, the print control unit 128 controls the print unit 116 to print on the passbook or slip. In detail, the information indicating the content and position to be printed on the passbook or slip may be appropriately acquired from other devices (not shown) based on the input of the operator, for example. Then, the print control unit 128 may print on the passbook or slip by controlling the print unit 116 based on the information acquired from other devices or the like.

See again in FIGS. 1 and 2.
When a part of the passbook or slip is inserted, the image pickup unit 102 takes an image of the uninserted part. Then, the image pickup unit 102 determines whether or not the operator is in contact with the passbook or the slip based on the captured image.

The image pickup unit 102 functionally includes an image pickup unit 129 and a unit control unit 130, as shown in FIG.

When a part of the passbook is inserted into the passbook insertion unit 105, the image pickup unit 129 takes an image of the image pickup region IA including the non-inserted portion of the passbook. Further, when a part of the slip is inserted into the slip insertion unit 106, the image pickup unit 129 takes an image of the image pickup region IA including the image of the non-inserted portion of the slip. Then, the image pickup unit 129 outputs image information including an image obtained by imaging the image pickup region IA.

The imaging region IA according to the present embodiment is a region surrounded by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. The imaging area IA includes an uninserted portion of the passbook when a part of the passbook is inserted into the passbook insertion section 105 and an uninserted portion of the slip when a part of the slip is inserted into the slip insertion section 106. including.

The non-inserted portion is a portion of the passbook or slip that has not yet been inserted into the housing 103.

More specifically, the non-inserted portion of the passbook in the present embodiment is a portion of the passbook that has not yet been inserted into the housing 103 when the passbook detection unit 109 detects the insertion of the passbook. be. Further, the non-inserted portion of the slip in the present embodiment is a portion of the slip that has not yet been inserted into the housing 103 when the slip detection unit 112 detects the insertion of the slip.

The unit control unit 130 transfers information to and from the printer main body 101 as needed, and controls the image pickup unit 129. The unit control unit 130 includes a timer 131, an image pickup control unit 132, an image acquisition unit 133, a contact determination unit 134, a tilt determination unit 135, and a determination result output unit 136. Further, the unit control unit 130 includes a print medium storage unit 137 and a reference storage unit 138.

The timer 131 measures the elapsed time from the time of reset.

The image pickup control unit 132 controls the shooting of the image pickup unit 129. Specifically, when the image pickup control unit 132 acquires an image pickup instruction, the image pickup unit 129 causes the image pickup unit 129 to start image pickup. The image pickup control unit 132 causes the image pickup unit 129 to continue imaging until the operator inserts the passbook or slip in the correct direction and leaves the passbook or slip for a predetermined monitoring time.

The image acquisition unit 133 acquires the image information output from the image pickup unit 129.

The contact determination unit 134 determines whether or not the operator is in contact with the passbook or slip based on the image information acquired by the image acquisition unit 133. That is, it is determined whether or not the operator is in contact with the passbook or slip based on the image information including the image of the image pickup region IA taken by the image pickup unit 129.

Specifically, the contact determination unit 134 has a first region estimation unit 139, a second region estimation unit 140, and an overlap determination unit 141.

The first area estimation unit 139 estimates a medium area, which is an area occupied by the entire uninserted portion of the passbook or slip, based on the image information acquired by the image acquisition unit 133 and the print medium information 142.

Here, the print medium information 142 is held in advance in the print medium storage unit 137. The print medium information 142 is information indicating the shape of a passbook or a slip. Generally, when a part of a passbook or a slip is inserted into the passbook insertion unit 105 or the slip insertion part 106, a part of the uninserted part of the passbook or the slip is hidden by the operator's hand when viewed from the image pickup unit 129. May be The print medium information 142 is information for estimating the entire uninserted portion of the passbook or slip including the hidden portion in such a case.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the print medium information 142 according to the present embodiment includes information for estimating the area occupied by each of the passbook and the slip. The print medium information 142 according to the present embodiment is different between the passbook and the slip. The print medium information 142 may be information common to the passbook and the slip.

The second area estimation unit 140 estimates an operator area, which is an area occupied by the operator, when the image indicated by the image information includes an operator, based on the image information acquired by the image acquisition unit 133. .. The operator area is typically the operator's hand, wrist, forearm, and the like.

The overlap determination unit 141 determines whether or not the operator is in contact with the passbook or slip based on whether or not the operator area and the medium area overlap each other.

The tilt determination unit 135 determines whether or not the passbook or the slip is in the correct direction based on the image information acquired by the image acquisition unit 133 and the reference information 143.

Here, the reference information 143 is stored in advance in the reference storage unit 138. The reference information 143 includes a criterion for determining whether or not the passbook or the slip is in the correct direction. In the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the passbook and the slip are common to include the reference direction information 143_a and the allowable angle information 143_b. The reference information 143 may be different between the passbook and the slip.

The reference direction information 143_a is information for defining a reference direction in which the passbook or the slip is not oriented diagonally. The permissible angle information 143_b is information for defining, when the passbook or the slip is not facing the reference direction, the correct direction is set regardless of how much the passbook or the slip is facing diagonally from the reference direction.

The determination result output unit 136 outputs the determination information including the determination result by each of the overlap determination unit 141 and the tilt determination unit 135 to the printer main body 101. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the determination information is output to the printer main body 101 via the image pickup control unit 132.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, such an image pickup unit 102 is physically fixed to a columnar support portion 144 attached to the printer main body 101 and extending upward, whereby the printer main body 101 is fixed. Cameras, scanners, etc. placed above.

The image pickup unit 129 of the image pickup unit 102 is physically composed of an image pickup element 145, a light source 146, and the like, as shown in FIG. 8, which is a block diagram.

The image pickup device 145 is a CCD (Charge Coupled Devices) image sensor, a CMOS (Complementary MOS) image sensor, or the like. The MOS image sensor is a solid-state image sensor using CMOS, which is a circuit that complementarily uses P-type and N-type MOSFETs. Here, MOSFET is an abbreviation for Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effective Transistor.

The light source 146 is typically composed of an LED (Light Emitting Diode) or the like. The light source 146 may be provided as needed and may not be included in the image pickup unit 102.

As shown in FIG. 8, the unit control unit 130 is physically composed of a processor 117_b, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 118_b, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 119_b, a storage device 120_b, a communication I / F (interface) 121_b, and the like. Will be done.

The processor 117_b is hardware for executing a software program stored in the storage device 120_b , and is composed of an arithmetic processing unit, registers, peripheral circuits, and the like. A plurality of processors 117_b may be provided in the image pickup unit 102.

The ROM 118_b is a non-volatile memory that holds data referred to when the processor 117_b executes processing. The RAM 119_b is a memory used as a work area of the processor 117_b. The storage device 120_b is a device that stores a relatively large amount of data, and is composed of, for example, an SSD (Solid State Drive), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or the like. The communication I / F121_b may be either for wired or wireless, or may be both.

The printer control unit 104 exerts the functions described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7 by executing the software program.

So far, the configuration of the printer 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described. From here, the operation of the printer 100 according to this embodiment will be described.

<Operation of printer 100>
The printer control unit 104 and the unit control unit 130 communicate with each other as appropriate to execute the transfer control process shown in the flowchart of FIG. The transport control process is a process for transporting a passbook or a slip, and is repeatedly executed while, for example, the printer 100 and the image pickup unit 102 are turned on.

At the start of the transfer control process, the rollers TR1 and TR3 are positioned at positions far from the rollers FR1 and FR3 (rollers TR1_R and TR3_R), respectively.

The insertion determination unit 122 determines whether or not the insertion of the passbook D1 is detected based on the passbook detection information from the passbook detection unit 109 (step S101).

Specifically, when the operator OP puts the passbook D1 on the passbook mounting unit 107 and presents it forward, a part of the passbook D1 passes between the passbook insertion unit 105 and the rollers TR1_R and FR1 to form the housing 103. Inserted inside. Then, as shown in FIG. 10, when the vicinity of the tip of the passbook D1 reaches the passbook detection unit 109, the passbook detection unit 109 outputs the passbook detection information indicating that the passbook D1 has been inserted.

The insertion determination unit 122 determines that the insertion of the passbook D1 has been detected when the passbook detection information indicating that the passbook D1 has been inserted is acquired from the passbook detection unit 109. Further, the insertion determination unit 122 determines that the insertion of the passbook D1 has not been detected when the passbook detection information indicating that the passbook D1 has been inserted is not acquired from the passbook detection unit 109.

When it is determined by the insertion determination unit 122 that the insertion of the passbook D1 is detected (step S101; Yes), the holding control unit 123 causes the passbook holding unit 110 to hold the passbook D1 (step S102).

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the holding control unit 123 moves the roller TR1 closer to the roller FR1 (roller TR1_H) while stopping the rotation of the roller FR1. As a result, the passbook D1 is held by the passbook holding unit 110 so as not to move.

The switching control unit 124 connects the passbook transfer path and the print transfer path to the switching unit 115 (step S103).

The image pickup instruction output unit 125 outputs an image pickup instruction to the image pickup unit 102 (step S104).

Subsequently, the passbook transfer process (step S105), which is a process involving the transfer of the passbook D1, is executed. The flow of the passbook transport process is shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B.

When the image pickup control unit 132 acquires an image pickup instruction, it resets the timer 131 as shown in FIG. 11A (step S201). Then, the image pickup control unit 132 causes the image pickup unit 129 to start image pickup (step S202). The image pickup control unit 132 monitors the shooting by the image pickup unit 129 while referring to the time measured by the timer 131. As a result, the image pickup unit 129 continues shooting in the image pickup region IA, and continuously outputs image information including the captured image.

Here, the passbook D1 is still held by the passbook holding unit 110 as a result of the passbook holding process (step S102). Therefore, when the imaging process (step S202) starts, the uninserted portion of the passbook D1 is included in the imaging region IA.

Further, the time required for the processing of steps S103 to S104 and S201 performed from holding the passbook D1 to starting shooting (that is, between steps S102 and S202) is usually extremely short. In other words, the image pickup process (step S202) usually starts immediately after the passbook D1 is held. Therefore, at the start of the imaging process (step S202), the operator OP usually keeps his hand on the passbook D1 as shown in FIG. In FIG. 12, the image pickup unit 102 and the support portion 144 are not shown.

Therefore, at the start of the imaging process (step S202), the operator OP's hand and the passbook D1 usually overlap each other in the imaging region IA, for example, as illustrated in FIG. That is, at the start of the imaging process (step S202), an image in which the hand of the operator OP and the passbook D1 are usually overlapped is taken.

The image acquisition unit 133 acquires image information from the image pickup unit 129 (step S203). Specifically, the image acquisition unit 133 continuously acquires the image information output from the image pickup unit 129.

Subsequently, the contact determination unit 134 executes the processes of steps S204 to S206 shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B. The contact determination unit 134 determines whether or not the operator OP is in contact with the passbook D1 based on the image information acquired by the image acquisition unit 133 in the processes of steps S204 to S206.

Specifically, the first area estimation unit 139 estimates the passbook area based on the image information acquired in step S203 and the print medium information 142 (step S204). The passbook area is a medium area related to the passbook D1 and is an area occupied by the entire uninserted portion of the passbook D1.

More specifically, the first area estimation unit 139 refers to the print medium information 142 regarding the passbook when the insertion of the passbook D1 is detected by the passbook detection unit 109. Further, the first area estimation unit 139 detects the contour of the passbook D1 excluding the portion hidden by the operator OP's hand or the like based on the image information. Here, the passbook placing portion 107 is provided with the above-mentioned pattern. As a result, the contour of the passbook D1 can be easily and accurately detected. Therefore, the possibility of erroneously detecting the contour of the passbook D1 can be reduced.

The first area estimation unit 139 estimates the contour of the passbook D1 hidden by the operator OP or the like based on the referenced print medium information 142 and the detected contour of the passbook D1.

For example, in the contour of the passbook D1, the straight line portions D1_B, D1_R, and D1_L included in the contour are detected from the image (see FIG. 6). The straight line portions D1_B, D1_R, and D1_L correspond to the three sides included in the non-inserted portion of the passbook D1. With reference to the print medium information 142 exemplified in FIG. 6, a rectangle composed of three straight lines extending each of the straight line portions D1_B, D1_R, and D1_L and the passbook insertion portion 105 is created.

Here, different patterns are provided in the passbook placing section 107 and the slip placing section 108. Therefore, the passbook insertion unit 105 can be easily and accurately detected as a boundary portion between the passbook placement unit 107 and the slip placement unit 108.

By correcting the corner of the created rectangle as a circle having a radius R [mm], the contour of the uninserted portion of the passbook D1 including the portion hidden by the operator OP's hand or the like is estimated. The estimated contour is shown in FIG. 12 by a dotted line overlapping the hand of the operator OP. The passbook area is estimated as the area surrounded by this estimated contour.

The second area estimation unit 140 estimates the operator area based on the image information acquired by the image acquisition unit 133 (step S205).

For example, the operator area may be appropriately estimated as a skin-colored portion, a preset pattern of the passbook mounting portion 107, a portion different from the color of the passbook D1, and the like in the image included in the image information.

As shown in FIG. 11B, the overlap determination unit 141 determines whether or not the operator OP is in contact with the passbook D1 based on whether or not the passbook area and the operator area overlap each other (step S206).

Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 12, when the passbook area estimated in step S204 and the operator area estimated in step S205 overlap each other, the overlap determination unit 141 determines that they are in contact with each other. do. Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 13, when the passbook area estimated in step S204 and the operator area estimated in step S205 do not overlap each other, the overlap determination unit 141 determines that they are not in contact with each other. Note that FIG. 13 omits the illustration of the image pickup unit 102 and the support portion 144.

When it is determined that they are in contact (step S206; Yes), the image pickup control unit 132 determines whether or not the time measured by the timer 131 is within the monitoring time (step S207). Here, the monitoring time is a time set as a time for continuing imaging by the imaging unit 129, and is held in advance by, for example, the imaging control unit 132.

At this time, the holding control unit 123 maintains the state in which the passbook holding unit 110 holds the passbook D1 by the process of step S102. Further, the transfer control unit 127 controls the passbook transfer unit 111 so as not to carry in the passbook D1. In the present embodiment, the transfer control unit 127 controls the passbook transfer unit 111 so as not to carry in the passbook D1 by not rotating the roller FR1 in the direction in which the passbook D1 is carried in.

When it is determined that the time is within the monitoring time (step S207; Yes), the passbook transport unit 111 is controlled so that the passbook D1 is not carried in, and as shown in FIG. 11A, after step S202. The process is executed again.

Again, see FIG. 11B.
When it is determined that they are not in contact (step S206; No), the tilt determination unit 135 executes the tilt determination process (step S208). In the tilt determination process (step S208), the direction of the passbook D1 inserted into the passbook insertion unit 105 is the correct direction based on the image information acquired in step S203 and the reference information 143 held in the reference storage unit 138. It is determined whether or not it is.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, the passbook D1 is correct by pressing the right end D1_R of the passbook D1 against the inner surface of the right wall portion of the housing 103 and placing the passbook D1 on the passbook mounting portion 107. It is configured to face the direction. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in the reference direction information 143_a in FIG. 7, the direction in which the left end D1_L of the passbook D1, which is the printing medium, faces the front and back is used as a reference. Then, as shown in the permissible angle information 143_b in FIG. 7, the α degree is set as the permissible range. It should be noted that a configuration for inserting the passbook D1 in the correct direction may be appropriately provided, for example, a member for pressing the front end of the passbook D1 inserted into the passbook insertion unit 105.

Therefore, in the image included in the image information, if the left end D1_L of the passbook D1 faces the front-back direction, or even if it is tilted with respect to the front-back direction, if the tilt is within α degrees, the passbook It is determined that the direction of D1 is the correct direction. Further, in the image included in the image information, when the left end D1_L of the passbook D1 is tilted more than α degrees with respect to the front-back direction (see FIG. 14), it is determined that the direction of the passbook D1 is not the correct direction. In FIG. 14, the image pickup unit 102 and the support portion 144 are not shown.

Again, see FIG. 11B.
If it is determined that it is not within the monitoring time (step S207; No), or if it is determined that the direction is not correct (step S208; No), the transfer control unit 127 causes the passbook transfer unit 111 to carry out the passbook D1. (Step S209).

Specifically, the transfer control unit 127 rotates the roller FR1 in the direction of carrying out the passbook D1 from the housing 103 with the passbook D1 sandwiched between the roller FR1 and the roller TR1_H. As a result, a part of the passbook D1 inserted into the housing 103 through the passbook insertion unit 105 is carried out of the housing 103 through the passbook insertion unit 105.

When it is determined that the direction is correct (step S208; Yes), the transfer control unit 127 carries the passbook D1 into the passbook transfer unit 111 (step S210).

Specifically, the transfer control unit 127 rotates the roller FR1 in the direction of carrying the passbook D1 into the housing 103 with the passbook D1 sandwiched between the roller FR1 and the roller TR1_H. As a result, the uninserted portion of the passbook D1 is carried into the housing 103 from the passbook insertion portion 105.

In this way, when the direction of the passbook D1 is the correct direction, the passbook D1 is carried in. As a result, the passbook D1 can be reliably carried in in the correct direction. Further, whether or not the direction of the passbook D1 is the correct direction is determined based on the image information from the image pickup unit 102. Therefore, there is almost no need to physically add a configuration for this determination. Therefore, with a compact configuration, it is possible to reliably carry in the passbook D1 in the correct direction.

When the passbook D1 is conveyed to the print delivery path, the print control unit 128 causes the print unit 116 to appropriately convey the passbook D1 and print the passbook D1 based on the information acquired from, for example, an external device. (Step S211). At this time, it is advisable to turn the page of the passbook D1 as appropriate. Then, when printing is completed, the print control unit 128 causes the print unit 116 to convey the passbook D1 to the passbook transport path.

When the passbook D1 is transported to the passbook transport path, the transport control unit 127 causes the passbook transport unit 111 to carry out the passbook D1 (step S212).

Specifically, the transfer control unit 127 has a state in which the passbook D1 is sequentially sandwiched between the rollers FR2 and TR2 and the rollers FR1 and TR1_H, and each of the rollers FR2 and FR1 is carried out from the housing 103 in the direction of carrying out the passbook D1. Rotate. As a result, the passbook D1 is carried out of the housing 103 through the passbook insertion unit 105.

As a result, the passbook transfer process (step S105) is completed, and the process returns to the transfer control process. As shown in FIG. 9, the holding control unit 123 causes the passbook holding unit 110 to release the passbook holding state (step S106).

The passbook holding state is a state in which the passbook holding unit 110 holds or conveys the passbook D1. The release of the passbook holding state in the present embodiment is a state in which the roller TR1 is positioned at a position far from the roller FR1 (roller TR1_R).

That is, in the present embodiment, in step S106, the holding control unit 123 moves the roller TR1 from the position near the roller FR1 (roller TR1_H) to the position far from the roller FR1 (roller TR1_R). As a result, the passbook holding state is released, and the printer control unit 104 ends the transfer control process.

The insertion determination unit 122 determines whether or not the insertion of the slip D2 is detected based on the slip detection information from the slip detection unit 112 when the insertion of the passbook D1 is not detected (step S101; No). (Step S107).

Specifically, when the operator OP places the slip D2 on the slip mounting unit 108 and presents it forward, a part of the slip D2 passes between the slip inserting unit 106 and the rollers TR3_R and FR3, and the housing 103. It is inserted in. Then, as shown in FIG. 15, when the vicinity of the tip of the slip D2 reaches the slip detection unit 112, the slip detection unit 112 outputs the slip detection information indicating that the slip D2 has been inserted.

The insertion determination unit 122 determines that the insertion of the slip D2 has been detected when the slip detection information indicating that the slip D2 has been inserted is acquired from the slip detection unit 112. Further, the insertion determination unit 122 determines that the insertion of the slip D2 is not detected when the slip detection information indicating that the slip D2 has been inserted is not acquired from the slip detection unit 112.

If the insertion of the slip D2 is not detected (step S107; No), the insertion determination unit 122 re-executes the process of step S101 as shown in FIG.

When it is determined by the insertion determination unit 122 that the insertion of the slip D2 is detected (step S107; Yes), the holding control unit 123 causes the slip holding unit 113 to hold the slip D2 (step S108).

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, the holding control unit 123 moves the roller TR3 closer to the roller FR3 (roller TR3_H) while stopping the rotation of the roller FR3. As a result, the slip D2 is held in the slip holding unit 113 so as not to move.

The switching control unit 124 connects the slip transfer path and the print transfer path to the switching unit 115 (step S 109 ).

The image pickup instruction output unit 125 outputs an image pickup instruction to the image pickup unit 102 (step S110).

Subsequently, the slip transfer process (step S111), which is a process involving the transfer of the slip D2, is executed. The flow of the slip transfer process is shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B.

When the image pickup control unit 132 acquires the image pickup instruction, the image pickup control unit 132 performs the process of steps S201 to S203 similar to the passbook transfer process (step S105). For the sake of simplicity, the detailed description of the processes of steps S201 to S203 in the slip transfer process (step S111) will be omitted.

Here, the slip D2 is still held by the slip holding unit 113 as a result of the slip holding process (step S108). Therefore, as in the case where the passbook D1 is inserted, when the image pickup process (step S202) starts, the uninserted portion of the slip D2 is included in the image pickup area IA.

Further, the time required for the processing of steps S109 to S110 and S201 performed from holding the slip D2 to starting shooting (that is, between steps S108 and S202) is usually extremely short. In other words, the imaging process (step S202) usually starts immediately after the slip D2 is held. Therefore, at the start of the imaging process (step S202), the operator OP usually keeps his hand on the slip D2 as shown in FIG. In FIG. 17, the image pickup unit 102 and the support portion 144 are not shown.

Therefore, at the start of the imaging process (step S202), the operator OP's hand and the slip D2 usually overlap each other in the imaging region IA, for example, as illustrated in FIG. That is, at the start of the imaging process (step S202), an image in which the operator OP's hand and the slip D2 overlap is usually taken.

As described above with respect to the image taken immediately after the passbook D1 is held, the imaging region IA according to the present embodiment is not the passbook D1 when a part of the passbook D1 is inserted into the passbook insertion unit 105. Including the insertion part. In addition to this, the imaging region IA includes an uninserted portion of the slip D2 when a part of the slip D2 is inserted into the slip insertion unit 106.

The imaging unit 129 having such an imaging region IA can be physically composed of one camera, a scanner, and the like. Therefore, for example, the image pickup unit 102 can be configured more compactly than when a plurality of image pickup units 129 having different image pickup areas IA are provided.

Following the image information acquisition process (step S203), the contact determination unit 134 executes the processes of steps S304, S205, and S306 shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B. In these processes, the contact determination unit 134 determines whether or not the operator OP is in contact with the slip D2 based on the image information acquired by the image acquisition unit 133.

Specifically, the first area estimation unit 139 estimates the slip area based on the image information acquired in step S203 and the print medium information 142 (step S 304 ). The slip area is a medium area related to the slip D2, and is an area occupied by the entire uninserted portion of the slip D2.

More specifically, the first area estimation unit 139 refers to the print medium information 142 regarding the slip D2 when the insertion of the slip D2 is detected by the slip detection unit 112. Further, the first area estimation unit 139 detects the contour of the slip D2 excluding the portion hidden by the operator OP's hand based on the image information. Here, the slip placing portion 108 is provided with the above-mentioned pattern. As a result, the contour of the slip D2 can be easily and accurately detected. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility of erroneously detecting the contour of the slip D2.

The first area estimation unit 139 estimates the contour of the slip D2 hidden by the operator OP's hand based on the referenced print medium information 142 and the detected contour of the slip D2.

For example, in the contour of the slip D2, the straight line portions D2_B, D2_R, and D2_L included in the contour are detected from the image. The straight line portions D2_B, D2_R, and D2_L correspond to the three sides included in the non-inserted portion of the slip D2. With reference to the print medium information 142 exemplified in FIG. 6, a rectangle composed of three straight lines extending each of the straight line portions D2_B, D2_R, and D2_L and the slip insertion portion 106 is created.

Here, the slip placing portion 108 is provided with the above-mentioned pattern. Therefore, the slip insertion unit 106 can be easily and accurately detected as the front end portion of the slip placement unit 108.

The created rectangle is estimated as the contour of the uninserted portion of the slip D2 including the portion hidden by the operator OP's hand. The estimated contour is shown in FIG. 17 by a dotted line overlapping the operator OP's hand. As a result, the slip area is estimated as the area surrounded by this estimated contour.

The second area estimation unit 140 executes the operator area estimation process (step S205) in the same manner as the passbook transfer process (step S105).

As shown in FIG. 16B, the overlap determination unit 141 determines whether or not the operator OP is in contact with the slip D2 based on whether or not the slip area and the operator area overlap each other (step S306).

Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 17, when the slip area estimated in step S304 and the operator area estimated in step S205 overlap each other, the overlap determination unit 141 determines that they are in contact with each other. do. Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 18, when the passbook area estimated in step S304 and the operator area estimated in step S205 do not overlap each other, the overlap determination unit 141 determines that they are not in contact with each other. Note that FIG. 18 omits the illustration of the image pickup unit 102 and the support portion 144.

When it is determined that they are in contact (step S306; Yes), the image pickup control unit 132 executes the monitoring time determination process (step S207) in the same manner as the passbook transfer process (step S105).

At this time, the holding control unit 123 maintains the state in which the slip holding unit 113 holds the slip D2 by the process of step S108. Further, the transport control unit 127 controls the slip transport unit 114 so as not to carry in the slip D2. In the present embodiment, the transport control unit 127 controls the slip transport unit 114 so as not to carry the slip D2 by not rotating the roller FR3 in the direction of carrying the slip D2.

Then, when it is determined that the monitoring time is within (step S207; Yes), the transfer control unit 127 controls the slip transfer unit 114 so as not to carry in the slip D2, and as shown in FIG. 16A, step S202. Subsequent processing is executed again.

Again, see FIG. 16B.
When it is determined that they are not in contact (step S306; No), the tilt determination unit 135 executes the tilt determination process (step S308). In the tilt determination process (step S308), the direction of the slip D2 inserted into the slip insertion unit 106 is the correct direction based on the image information acquired in step S203 and the reference information 143 held in the reference storage unit 138. It is determined whether or not it is.

In the present embodiment, the direction of the slip D2 is also determined in the same manner as in the case of the passbook D1 with reference to the reference direction information 143_a and the allowable angle information 143_b.

That is, in the image included in the image information, if the left end D2_L of the slip D2 faces the front-back direction, or even if it is tilted with respect to the front-back direction, the tilt is within α degrees, the slip. It is determined that the direction of D2 is the correct direction. Further, in the image included in the image information, when the left end D2_L of the slip D2 is tilted more than α degrees with respect to the front-back direction (see FIG. 19), it is determined that the direction of the slip D2 is not the correct direction. Note that FIG. 19 omits the illustration of the image pickup unit 102 and the support portion 144.

Again, see FIG. 16B.
If it is determined that the monitoring time is not within (step S207; No), or if it is determined that the direction is not correct (step S308; No), the transfer control unit 127 causes the slip transfer unit 114 to carry out the slip D2. (Step S309).

Specifically, the transfer control unit 127 rotates the roller FR3 in the direction of carrying out the slip D2 from the housing 103 with the slip D2 sandwiched between the roller FR3 and the roller TR3_H. As a result, a part of the slip D2 inserted into the housing 103 through the slip inserting unit 106 is carried out of the housing 103 through the slip inserting unit 106.

When it is determined that the direction is correct (step S308; Yes), the transport control unit 127 carries the slip D2 into the slip transport unit 114 (step S310).

Specifically, the transfer control unit 127 rotates the roller FR1 in the direction of carrying the slip D2 into the housing 103 with the slip D2 sandwiched between the roller FR3 and the roller TR3_H. As a result, the uninserted portion of the slip D2 is carried into the housing 103 from the passbook insertion unit 105.

In this way, when the direction of the slip D2 is the correct direction, the slip D2 is carried in. As a result, the slip D2 can be reliably carried in in the correct direction. Further, whether or not the direction of the slip D2 is the correct direction is determined based on the image information from the image pickup unit 102. Therefore, there is almost no need to physically add a configuration for this determination. Therefore, with a compact configuration, it is possible to reliably carry in the slip D2 in the correct direction.

When the slip D2 is transported to the print delivery route, the print control unit 128 causes the print unit 116 to appropriately transport the slip D2 and print the slip D2 based on the information acquired from, for example, an external device. (Step S311). Then, when printing is completed, the print control unit 128 causes the print unit 116 to convey the slip D2 to the slip transport path.

When the slip D2 is transported to the slip transport path, the transport control unit 127 causes the slip transport unit 114 to carry out the slip D2 (step S312).

Specifically, the transfer control unit 127 rotates the roller FR3 in the direction of carrying out the slip D2 from the housing 103 with the slip D2 sandwiched between the roller FR3 and TR3_H. As a result, the slip D2 is carried out of the housing 103 through the slip insertion unit 106.

As a result, the slip transfer process (step S111) ends, and the process returns to the transfer control process. As shown in FIG. 9, the holding control unit 123 causes the slip holding unit 113 to release the slip holding state (step S112).

The slip holding state is a state for the slip holding unit 113 to hold or transport the slip D2. The release of the slip holding state in the present embodiment is a state in which the roller TR3 is positioned at a position far from the roller FR3 (roller TR3_R).

That is, in the present embodiment, in step S112, the holding control unit 123 moves the roller TR3 from a position close to the roller FR3 (roller TR3_H) to a position far from the roller FR1 (roller TR3_R). As a result, the passbook holding state is released, and the printer control unit 104 ends the transfer control process.

So far, one embodiment of the present invention has been described.

According to the present embodiment, when a part of the passbook D1 is inserted into the passbook insertion unit 105, the operator OP contacts the passbook D1 based on the image information of the imaging region IA including the uninserted portion of the passbook D1. It is determined whether or not it is. Then, when it is determined that the passbook D1 and the operator OP are in contact with each other, the passbook transport unit 111 is controlled so as not to carry in the passbook D1.

The same applies to the slip D2. That is, when a part of the slip D2 is inserted into the slip insertion unit 106, it is determined whether or not the operator OP is in contact with the slip D2 based on the image information of the imaging region IA including the uninserted portion of the slip D2. Will be done. Then, when it is determined that the slip D2 and the operator OP are in contact with each other, the slip transport unit 114 is controlled so as not to carry in the slip D2.

As a result, the passbook D1 or the slip D2 is not carried in while the operator OP holds the passbook D1 or the slip D2. Therefore, the direction of the passbook D1 or the slip D2 is hardly tilted due to the operator OP holding the passbook D or the slip D21 when the passbook D1 or the slip D2 is carried in. Further, the operator OP does not need to be particularly careful not to hold the passbook D1 or the slip D2 at the start of carrying in the passbook D1 or the slip D2.

Therefore, it is possible to improve the operability for the operator OP to carry in the passbook D1 or the slip D2.

Further, in the printer 100 according to the embodiment, the printer main body 101 housed in the housing 103 and the image pickup unit 102 may be physically configured separately. In this case, the printer main body 101 and the image pickup unit 102 may be connected by a general-purpose cable or the like. However, many printers 100 that print on passbooks and slips generally include an image pickup unit 129. In this type of printer 100, it is almost unnecessary to physically add a configuration to the printer 100 in order to improve the operability of the operator OP as described above. Therefore, with a compact configuration, it is possible to improve the operability for the operator OP to carry in the passbook D1 or the slip D2.

According to the present embodiment, when it is determined that the passbook D1 and the operator OP are not in contact with each other, the passbook D1 is carried in by the passbook transport unit 111. Similarly for the slip D2, when it is determined that the slip D2 and the operator OP are not in contact with each other, the slip D2 is carried in by the slip transport unit 114.

As a result, the passbook D1 or the slip D2 is carried in with the operator OP away from the passbook D1 or the slip D2. Therefore, the direction of the passbook D1 or the slip D2 is hardly tilted due to the operator OP holding the passbook D or the slip D21 when the passbook D1 or the slip D2 is carried in. Further, the operator OP does not need to be particularly careful not to hold the passbook D1 or the slip D2 at the start of carrying in the passbook D1 or the slip D2.

Therefore, it is possible to improve the operability for the operator OP to carry in the passbook D1 or the slip D2.

According to the present embodiment, the medium area and the operator area are estimated based on the image information including the image taken by the image pickup unit 129 and the print medium information 142. Then, it is determined whether or not the operator OP is in contact with the passbook D1 or the slip D2 based on whether or not the estimated medium area and the operator area overlap each other.

According to such a method, it is possible to easily determine whether or not the operator OP is in contact with the passbook D1 or the slip D2 based on the image captured by the fixed imaging unit 102. Therefore, with a simple configuration, it is possible to easily improve the operability for the operator OP to carry in the passbook D1 or the slip D2.

The image information including the image of the uninserted portion of the passbook D1 or the slip D2 is output when the insertion of the passbook D1 or the slip D2 is detected by the passbook detection unit 109 or the slip detection unit 112. As a result, it is possible to take an image when it is necessary to determine whether or not the operator OP is in contact with the passbook D1 or the slip D2, and stop the image pickup during other times. Therefore, it is possible to save power.

The passbook holding unit 110 holds the passbook D1 inserted in the passbook inserting unit 105 when the insertion of the passbook D1 is detected by the passbook detecting unit 109. Further, the slip holding unit 113 holds the slip D2 inserted in the slip insertion unit 106 when the slip detection unit 112 detects the insertion of the slip D2.

As a result, when the operator OP releases the passbook D1 or the slip D2 inserted into the passbook holding unit 110 or the slip holding unit 113, the passbook D1 or the slip D2 can be prevented from moving and tilting. Therefore, it becomes possible to further improve the operability for the operator OP to carry in the passbook D1 or the slip D2.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the following modifications may be made to the present embodiment.

(Modification 1)
For example, the tilt determination unit 135 may not be included in the unit control unit 130 of the photographing unit 102 . In this case, whether or not the passbook D1 or the slip D2 is facing in the correct direction is not included in the determination information.

In the first modification, when the insertion of the passbook D1 is detected and the determination information includes that the operator OP is in contact with the passbook D1, the transfer control unit 127 does not carry in the passbook D1. It is preferable to control the transport unit 111 . Further, when the determination information includes that the operator OP is not in contact with the passbook D1 when the insertion of the passbook D1 is detected, the transfer control unit 127 carries in the passbook D1 so as to carry in the passbook D1. It is good to control.

Even when the insertion of the slip D2 is detected, the transport control unit 127 may control the slip transport unit 114 in the same manner. That is, when the determination information includes that the operator OP is in contact with the slip D2 when the insertion of the slip D2 is detected, the transport control unit 127 does not carry in the slip D2. It is good to control. Further , when the determination information includes that the operator OP is not in contact with the slip D2 when the insertion of the slip D2 is detected, the transport control unit 127 so as to carry in the slip D2. It is good to control.

As a result, the same effect as that of the embodiment is obtained except for the one determined by the inclination determination unit 135.

(Modification 2)
A transport control device including a part or all of the functions of the printer control unit 104 and the unit control unit 130 according to the embodiment may be provided separately from the printer main body and the image pickup unit. In this case, the image pickup unit may be supported separately from the housing by an appropriate indicating member. Further, in this case, the transport control device, the printer main body, and the image pickup unit may be configured so as to be able to communicate with each other via a wired or wireless line. As a result, it operates in the same manner as in the embodiment and has the same effect.

FIG. 20 shows an example of the transport control device 247 according to the modification 2. As shown in FIG. 20, the transport control device 247 includes all the functions of the printer control unit 104 and the unit control unit 130 described with reference to each of FIGS. 3 and 5. The transport control device 247 is, for example, a general computer, and functionally has the same configuration as the printer control unit 104 or the unit control unit 130 shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. This function is exerted, for example, by preliminarily incorporating a software program into a computer.

In this case, the printer 200 does not have to include the image pickup unit 102 and the support portion 144 according to the embodiment, and may have only the configuration corresponding to the printer main body 101 according to the embodiment. The printer 200 includes a printer control unit 204 instead of the printer control unit 104 according to the embodiment. Except for these points, the printer 200 has substantially the same configuration as the printer 100 according to the embodiment.

FIG. 20 shows only the printer control unit 204, which is characteristic of this modification, among the configurations included in the printer 200, and the other configurations are omitted for the sake of simplicity. The printer control unit 204 controls the printer main body according to the instruction from the transfer control device 247.

The image pickup unit 202 includes a unit control unit 230 instead of the unit control unit 130 according to the embodiment. Except for this point, the image pickup unit 202 has substantially the same configuration as the image pickup unit 102 according to the embodiment. FIG. 20 shows only the unit control unit 230, which is characteristic of this modification, among the configurations included in the image pickup unit 202, and the other configurations are omitted for the sake of simplicity. The unit control unit 230 controls the image pickup unit 129 according to the instruction from the transfer control device 247.

This modification also has the same effect as that of the embodiment.

Further, by incorporating software for managing each of the printer 200 and the image pickup unit 202 into the transport control device 247, the printer 200 and the image pickup unit 202 can be managed in a unified manner. Therefore, it becomes possible to easily manage the printer 200 and the image pickup unit 202.

Although one embodiment and modifications of the present invention have been described, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the present invention also includes a form in which a part or all of the embodiments described above and a modification thereof are appropriately combined, and a form in which the form is appropriately modified.

Some or all of the above embodiments may also be described, but not limited to:
(Appendix 1)
A first insertion section into which the first print medium is inserted by the operator,
When a part of the first print medium is inserted into the first insertion unit, an image pickup unit that captures an image pickup region including an uninserted portion of the first print medium, and an image pickup unit.
A contact determination unit that determines whether or not the operator is in contact with the first print medium based on the image information of the image pickup region captured by the image pickup unit.
A first transport unit that carries in the first print medium inserted into the first insertion unit from the first insertion unit, and a first transport unit.
When the contact determination unit determines that the operator is in contact with the first print medium, the transfer control unit that controls the first transfer unit so as not to carry in the first print medium. A printer characterized by being equipped.
(Appendix 2)
When the contact determination unit determines that the first print medium and the operator are not in contact with each other, the transfer control unit carries in the first print medium. The printer according to Appendix 1, characterized in that the printer is controlled.
(Appendix 3)
Further, a print medium storage unit for holding print medium information indicating the shape of the first print medium is provided.
The contact determination unit is
A first area estimation unit that estimates a medium area that is an area occupied by the non-inserted portion of the first print medium based on the image information and the print medium information held in the print medium storage unit. ,
When the operator is included in the image indicated by the image information, a second area estimation unit that estimates an operator area, which is an area occupied by the operator, and a second area estimation unit.
It has an overlap determination unit for determining whether or not the operator is in contact with the first print medium based on whether or not the estimated operator region and the estimated medium region overlap each other. The printer according to Appendix 1 or 2, wherein the printer is characterized by the above.
(Appendix 4)
A first detection unit for detecting the insertion of a part of the first print medium into the first insertion unit is further provided.
The printer according to any one of Supplementary note 1 to 3, wherein the image pickup unit captures the image pickup region when the insertion of the first print medium is detected by the first detection unit.
(Appendix 5)
When the insertion of the first print medium is detected by the first detection unit, the first holding unit for holding the first print medium inserted in the first insertion unit is further provided. The printer according to any one of Supplementary note 1 to 4, which is a feature.
(Appendix 6)
A second insertion section into which the second print medium is inserted by the operator,
Further provided with a second transport section for carrying the second print medium inserted into the second insertion section from the second insertion section.
The image pickup unit photographs the image pickup region including a non-inserted portion of the second print medium when a part of the second print medium is inserted into the second insertion unit.
The contact determination unit further determines whether or not the operator is in contact with the second print medium based on the image information of the image pickup region captured by the image pickup unit.
Further, when the contact determination unit determines that the operator is in contact with the second print medium, the transfer control unit further prevents the second print medium from being carried in. The printer according to any one of Supplementary Provisions 1 to 5, characterized in that the printer is controlled.
(Appendix 7)
When the first print medium is inserted into the first insertion portion, the first mounting portion on which the first print medium is placed and the first mounting portion.
When the second print medium is inserted into the second insertion portion, a second mounting portion on which the second print medium is placed is further provided.
The printer according to Appendix 6 , wherein the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion are provided with different predetermined patterns.
(Appendix 8)
The printer according to any one of Supplementary note 1 to 7, wherein the image pickup unit is one camera or scanner having the image pickup region.
(Appendix 9)
A tilt determination unit for determining whether or not the orientation of the first print medium is within a predetermined range with respect to a predetermined reference direction based on the image information is further provided.
The first transport unit further carries out the first print medium inserted in the first insertion unit from the first insertion unit.
When the tilt determination unit determines that the orientation of the first print medium is not within the predetermined range, the transport control unit further carries out the first print medium. The printer according to any one of Supplementary note 1 to 8, wherein the transport unit of 1 is controlled.
(Appendix 10)
A first insertion section into which a first print medium is inserted by an operator, and a first transfer section for carrying in the first print medium inserted into the first insertion section from the first insertion section. A transport control device for controlling the carry-in of the first print medium by a printer including the above.
An image acquisition unit that acquires image information of an imaging region including an uninserted portion of the first print medium when a part of the first print medium is inserted into the first insertion unit.
A contact determination unit that determines whether or not the operator is in contact with the first print medium based on the image information acquired by the image acquisition unit.
When the contact determination unit determines that the operator is in contact with the first print medium, the transfer control unit that controls the first transfer unit so as not to carry in the first print medium. A transport control device characterized by being provided.
(Appendix 11)
A first insertion section into which a first print medium is inserted by an operator, and a first transfer section for carrying in the first print medium inserted into the first insertion section from the first insertion section. A carry-in control method for controlling the carry-in of the first print medium by a printer comprising the above.
When a part of the first print medium is inserted into the first insertion portion, the image information of the imaging region including the uninserted portion of the first print medium is acquired.
Based on the acquired image information, it is determined whether or not the operator is in contact with the first print medium.
When it is determined that the operator is in contact with the first print medium, the first transport unit is controlled so as not to carry in the first print medium. Control method.
(Appendix 12)
A first insertion section into which a first print medium is inserted by an operator, and a first transfer section for carrying in the first print medium inserted into the first insertion section from the first insertion section. To a computer for controlling the carry-in of the first print medium by a printer including
When a part of the first print medium is inserted into the first insertion portion, the image information of the imaging region including the uninserted portion of the first print medium is acquired.
Based on the acquired image information, it is determined whether or not the operator is in contact with the first print medium.
A program for controlling the first transport unit so that the operator does not carry in the first print medium when it is determined that the operator is in contact with the first print medium.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be usefully used for a printer that captures print media such as passbooks, various forms, and various types of paper handled by financial institutions such as banks and agricultural cooperatives according to the operation of an operator. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be particularly usefully used for a printer that prints on a print medium in which an area to be printed according to a print content is predetermined. Further, the present invention can be usefully used for a transfer device and a transfer method for controlling the delivery of a print medium to such a printer, a program for causing a computer to execute the transfer device, and the like.

100,200 Printer 101 Printer body 102, 202 Imaging unit 103 Housing 104, 204 Printer control unit 105 Passbook insertion unit 106 Passbook insertion unit 107 Passbook mounting unit 108 Passbook mounting unit 109 Passbook detection unit 110 Passbook holding unit 111 Passbook transfer Unit 112 Slip detection unit 113 Slip holding unit 114 Slip transfer unit 115 Switching unit 116 Printing unit 122 Insertion judgment unit 123 Holding control unit 124 Switching control unit 125 Imaging instruction output unit 126 Judgment result acquisition unit 127 Transfer control unit 128 Printing control unit 129 Imaging unit 130, 230 Unit control unit 131 Timer 132 Imaging control unit 133 Image acquisition unit 134 Contact determination unit 135 Tilt determination unit 136 Judgment result output unit 137 Printing medium storage unit 138 Reference storage unit 139 First area estimation unit 140 Second Area estimation unit 141 Overlap determination unit 142 Print media information 143 Reference information 143_a Reference direction information 143_b Allowable angle information 247 Conveyance control device

Claims (10)

A first insertion section into which the first print medium is inserted by the operator,
When a part of the first print medium is inserted into the first insertion unit, an image pickup unit that captures an image pickup region including an uninserted portion of the first print medium, and an image pickup unit.
A contact determination unit that determines whether or not the operator is in contact with the first print medium based on the image information of the image pickup region captured by the image pickup unit.
A first transport unit that carries in the first print medium inserted into the first insertion unit from the first insertion unit, and a first transport unit.
When the contact determination unit determines that the operator is in contact with the first print medium, the transfer control unit that controls the first transfer unit so as not to carry in the first print medium. A printer characterized by being equipped. When the contact determination unit determines that the first print medium and the operator are not in contact with each other, the transport control unit carries in the first print medium. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the printer is controlled. Further, a print medium storage unit for holding print medium information indicating the shape of the first print medium is provided.
The contact determination unit is
A first area estimation unit that estimates a medium area that is an area occupied by the non-inserted portion of the first print medium based on the image information and the print medium information held in the print medium storage unit. ,
When the operator is included in the image indicated by the image information, a second area estimation unit that estimates an operator area, which is an area occupied by the operator, and a second area estimation unit.
It has an overlap determination unit for determining whether or not the operator is in contact with the first print medium based on whether or not the estimated operator region and the estimated medium region overlap each other. The printer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the printer is characterized by the above. Further, a first detection unit for detecting the insertion of a part of the first print medium into the first insertion unit is provided.
The aspect according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the image pickup unit captures the image pickup region when the insertion of the first print medium is detected by the first detection unit. Printer. A second insertion section into which the second print medium is inserted by the operator,
Further provided with a second transport section for carrying the second print medium inserted into the second insertion section from the second insertion section.
The image pickup unit photographs the image pickup region including a non-inserted portion of the second print medium when a part of the second print medium is inserted into the second insertion unit.
The contact determination unit further determines whether or not the operator is in contact with the second print medium based on the image information of the image pickup region captured by the image pickup unit.
Further, when the contact determination unit determines that the operator is in contact with the second print medium, the transfer control unit further prevents the second print medium from being carried in. The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the printer is controlled. When the first print medium is inserted into the first insertion portion, the first mounting portion on which the first print medium is placed and the first mounting portion.
When the second print medium is inserted into the second insertion portion, a second mounting portion on which the second print medium is placed is further provided.
The printer according to claim 5 , wherein the first mounting portion and the second mounting portion are provided with different predetermined patterns. The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the image pickup unit is one camera or scanner having the image pickup region. A first insertion section into which a first print medium is inserted by an operator, and a first transfer section for carrying in the first print medium inserted into the first insertion section from the first insertion section. A transport control device for controlling the carry-in of the first print medium by a printer including the above.
An image acquisition unit that acquires image information of an imaging region including an uninserted portion of the first print medium when a part of the first print medium is inserted into the first insertion unit.
A contact determination unit that determines whether or not the operator is in contact with the first print medium based on the image information acquired by the image acquisition unit.
When the contact determination unit determines that the operator is in contact with the first print medium, the transfer control unit that controls the first transfer unit so as not to carry in the first print medium. A transport control device characterized by being provided. A first insertion section into which a first print medium is inserted by an operator, and a first transfer section for carrying in the first print medium inserted into the first insertion section from the first insertion section. A carry-in control method for controlling the carry-in of the first print medium by a printer comprising the above.
When a part of the first print medium is inserted into the first insertion portion, the image information of the imaging region including the uninserted portion of the first print medium is acquired.
Based on the acquired image information, it is determined whether or not the operator is in contact with the first print medium.
When it is determined that the operator is in contact with the first print medium, the first transport unit is controlled so as not to carry in the first print medium. Control method. A first insertion section into which a first print medium is inserted by an operator, and a first transfer section for carrying in the first print medium inserted into the first insertion section from the first insertion section. To a computer for controlling the carry-in of the first print medium by a printer including
When a part of the first print medium is inserted into the first insertion portion, the image information of the imaging region including the uninserted portion of the first print medium is acquired.
Based on the acquired image information, it is determined whether or not the operator is in contact with the first print medium.
A program for controlling the first transport unit so that the operator does not carry in the first print medium when it is determined that the operator is in contact with the first print medium.

Images