JP2003169192A - Document floating prevention device for non-contact optical reader - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To normally read a wavy original having curls or foldings in a upright reader. <P>SOLUTION: The original is mounted on an original-mounting base and the upright reader optically reads the mounted original. The upright reader has a device formed by spreading transparent thin strings on the opening of a frame. The frame is closed through hinges installed on the original-mounting base to inhibit waviness by means of the strings. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for placing an original on an original placing table and optically reading the placed original, and more particularly to a stand type optical reading apparatus having a distance between the original and the reading portion. It is related to the technology effectively applied to.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a device (hereinafter referred to as a reading device) for optically reading a document such as a slip, a form, or handwritten characters as image data, there is a stand-type reading device as shown in FIG. In the stand-type reading device shown in FIG. 1, a pedestal portion 4 having a control unit and a driving circuit board (not shown) built in is placed on a document table 1 for placement on a desk or the like. On the pedestal portion 4, a mechanism portion 3 for reading a document is attached via a pillar 5 such as a pipe. The mechanical unit 3 has a control unit built in the pedestal unit 4 and an optical image reading element (not shown) controlled by the circuit board, and a lens (not shown) provided on the lower surface of the mechanical unit 3. ), The optical image of the document 2 placed on the document table 1 can be read. In this reading device, since there is a distance between the document 2 placed on the document table 1 and the mechanism section 3 having the optical image reading element built therein, the document 2 is moved back and forth within a plane on the document table 1. It is important to position right and left so that the mechanical unit 3 can read the image within a readable range. As shown in FIG. 1, in the positioning on the original table 1 on the flat surface, as shown in FIG. 7
Is provided and the upper end and the left end of the original 2 are pressed against the upper end and the left end protrusion 7, respectively, so that it can be easily performed.

However, the normal original 2 may have a crease or curl due to moisture or heat. In the case of such an original 2, the height direction for holding the original 2 so as to be flat is also included. Three-dimensional positioning becomes necessary. As a countermeasure against this, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-200844 discloses a method in which an original 2 placed on an original table 1 is covered with a single plate made of a resin or glass which is transparent or has a matte finish to reduce reflection on the surface so that the original 2 is not lifted. It is a tool to hold down.

[0004]

However, the above-mentioned conventional resin sheet and a single plate of glass or the like cannot completely prevent reflection even if matte processing is applied, and the brightness of the illumination which is the installation environment of the apparatus. Depending on the direction of the illuminating light, the illuminating light may be reflected on the surface of the board, resulting in extremely bad character recognition. Further, in matte processing, since fine irregularities are formed on the surface of a transparent plate, the characters on the original are blurred and the character recognition is deteriorated.

Ordinary manuscript 2 may have a crease or curl due to moisture or heat. In the case of curled manuscript 8 or manuscript 9 having such a crease, three-dimensional including the height direction is also included. Positioning becomes necessary. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, when the original made of paper with a strong elasticity has a curl or a crease and it does not return even if it is folded back, it is positioned as it is within the readable field of view of the mechanism unit 3. However, the whole original cannot be adjusted to the focal length of the mechanism section 3, and the whole original cannot read a clear image. There was a problem that the characters described in were distorted and unreadable.

In such a case, the curled original 8 or the original 9 having a crease must be pressed against the original table 1 to be read by using a weight such as a hand or a writing instrument, and the hand within the reading field of view must be read. There was also the problem that the characters in the shadow of the weight could not be read.

[0007]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention particularly relates to a document placed on a document table in a device for optically reading a document placed on the document table from a remote position. A document floating prevention device for preventing the floating of the document is provided, and the part of the device for preventing the document floating is formed by a plurality of transparent thin threads.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of a document floating prevention device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a non-contact type stand-type optical reader before mounting the instrument of the present invention, and the outline of the structure will be described. Figure 1 shows the device installed on the table,
A flat original 2 is placed on the original table 1, and the original 2 is optically read by a mechanism section 3 having a CCD (image reading element) and a lens. The document holder 1 and the mechanism unit 3 are the pedestal unit 4
When a switch 6 provided in the front of the pedestal portion 4 has a built-in control board and is pressed down, a signal is sent to the mechanism portion 3 by a cable passing through the support column 4 to start reading. The document table 1 has an upper end and a left end aligning protrusion 7 for pressing the document against a flat surface and positioning it left and right and front and back, and has a black coating process that does not reflect on the surface.

The purpose of the black coating process that does not reflect on the original surface is that the reading surface becomes brighter than the original to be read and the image is read on the basis of the bright area. Further, if reflected, there is no difference in light and shade from the original, and the parting of the end surface (peripheral edge) of the original cannot be detected, and the reading range may be erroneously recognized. The non-reflective black coating process on the surface of the document holder 1 may be a dark color other than black as long as the above-mentioned antireflection purpose can be satisfied.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a document floating prevention device according to the present invention, showing a state in which the device is attached to the reading device of FIG.

The apparatus for preventing the document from floating is constructed by a frame 10 coated with black that does not reflect on the surface, and a transparent thin thread 11 is attached to the opening of the frame 10 via a hinge 12. And attaches it to the document table 1 (detailed attachment structure will be described with reference to FIG. 4), and opens and closes around the hinge portion 12.

The originals to be read are of various sizes, and not only the flat original 2 in FIG. 1 but also the curled original 8
There are many manuscripts 9 with creases. These 8 and 9
If the original document is simply placed on the reading table 1 of the reading device in FIG. 1, the characters and figures marked on the uneven surface of the curled original document 8 and the original document 9 with creases are deformed and read. It becomes unreadable / misrecognized. When reading such an original 8 or an original 9, the original is placed on the original table 1 and abutted on the positioning projection 7 and then covered with a floating prevention device as shown in FIG.
The original 8 and the original 9 are straightened and can be read correctly.

A transparent thin thread 1 attached to the frame body 10
In No. 1, since it is read in close contact with the original, it is necessary to have a transmittance that allows characters to be seen through, and when overlapping with the characters on the original, the overlapping part becomes unreadable.
It is desirable that the overlapping part is thin. 0.2m in the present invention
A transparent thread made of resin with a thickness of about m and a tensile strength of 30 Newton was used. However, if it does not affect the reading and the strength during use, the thinner the better, the better the material Metals, rubbers, and synthetic fibers other than resin may be used. Further, the frame body 10 is made of synthetic resin, wood, sheet metal or the like and has a strength that does not cause distortion. If distortion occurs, these components may be combined to have strength.

For manuscripts that have a crease, if they are sent by mail, fold them in two or three in accordance with the envelope size.
Because it is folded in half, it becomes a deformed original when reading. Many of the fold lines of this document are located substantially parallel to the periphery of the document. In addition, the corners of the original may curl due to dampness or touch with the hand, and the original will be deformed immediately by normal handling.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the attachment structure of the document floating prevention device according to the present invention.

In order to attach the document floating prevention device, first, the hinge parts 15 in which the hinge pins 14 are press-fitted at the two ends of the hinge fitting 13 are butted against the end surface 1A of the document holder 1. By inserting and attaching the pin insertion hole 10A of the frame body 10 to the hinge pin 14, the hinge portion 12 is opened and closed.

The reason why the hinge is used to open and close to prevent the floating of the paper is that the operation of placing the original on the original table 1 can be easily performed only by the opening and closing operation. Here, the open state means that the frame body 10 and the support column 5 are in close contact with each other, and the closed state means that the frame body 10 is locked to the document table 1. Further, peeling tape 15 is attached to the upper surface of the frame body 10 and the side surface of the support column 5, and when the frame body 10 is opened, the peeling tapes 15 are in close contact with each other and the open state can be maintained (state of FIG. 2).
It does not interfere with the operation of placing the document on the document table 1.
The release tape used here can be easily attached and detached with a certain amount of human power.

When the flat original 2 as shown in FIG. 1 is read, the floating prevention device is read while holding it in the open state, and the curled original 8 or the original 9 with a crease shown in FIG. 2 is read. Only when it is necessary to close it to prevent it from floating. Although the peeling tape is used to hold the open state, other magnets, hooks or the like may be used as long as the peeling tape is held in the open state and can be easily attached and detached. Regarding the opening / closing direction of the frame body 10, since the document placing operation of the reading device is performed from the right side toward the projection on the upper left side, the left side is made into the hinge part and the right side is opened / closed.

Further, since the opened state of the frame is erected along the periphery of the column, it does not obstruct the field of view when the apparatus is to be used in face-to-face operation. The opening / closing direction may be changed according to the document operation / usage conditions of the reading device.

FIG. 5 is an external view of a method of attaching a transparent thin thread 11 to the opening portion of the frame body 10 of the document floating prevention apparatus according to the present invention, and FIGS. FIG. 6 is a view for explaining the influence of the thread sticking direction by placing a document on the opening of FIG.

Grooves 10B (see FIG. 4) are provided on the peripheral height of the frame body 10, and the groove 1 is formed on the surface facing the original reading.
A plurality of transparent threading holes 10C (not shown) are provided from 0B. Frame 1 is made by passing a transparent thin thread 11 through the hole.
The thread can be attached to 0. This transparent thin thread 1
No. 1 is stretched around the side of the frame 10 that is in close contact with the original, and the thin thread that is transparent from the operation upper surface is visible only through the opening. The reason why the frame 10 is attached to the original reading surface is that if there is a space between the original and the transparent thread, that portion becomes a shadow when reading and affects the image. However, there may be a space between the transparent thread and the document as long as it does not affect the read image.

There are two methods for attaching the transparent thin thread 11, that is, a method of attaching to the horizontal / vertical lattice (FIG. 5A) and a method of attaching to the diagonal lattice (FIG. 5B). It can be roughly divided,
In the present invention, the method of sticking to the diagonal grid is adopted, but it may be stuck to the horizontal / vertical grid depending on the conditions of the document to be read.

As shown in FIG. 6A, a transparent thin thread 1
When the character entry manuscript 17 is suppressed by the frame body 10 in which 1 is attached by the horizontal and vertical lattices, the characters written on the manuscript are transparent and thin at the part such as the number "1" and the hiragana character "ni". When the threads overlap, the transparent thin thread is applied to most of the characters, and the characters may be missing, resulting in unreadable / erroneous recognition. Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, when a transparent thin thread 11 is held by a frame body 10 which is stretched by horizontal and vertical lattices on an original 9 having a crease, a crease depending on the size of the original. Since the part comes in an arbitrary position, the tension is applied only in one direction horizontally or vertically, and it is not possible to prevent the folding tendency of the document from rising.

Therefore, if the diagonal grids are attached, first of all, regarding character recognition, only a part of the character and the frame of the manuscript 17 are overlapped, and the character can be recognized (FIGS. 6C and 6D).
reference). Further, regarding the folding tendency, tension is applied in two directions of the oblique lattice at any position, and the original can be straightened.

Regarding the distance (pitch) between the transparent thin threads, the pitch widths in the two directions are changed to make the distance equal to 20 to 25 mm, and when the document sizes A4, B5 and B6 are read, the edges of the document are read. The yarn was arranged so that the yarn could pass in one direction within 10 mm. The reason why the document sizes of A4, B5, and B6 are mainly corresponded is the result of the investigation of the document size of the usage destination of the apparatus. If the originals to be suppressed can be limited in this way, the arrangement of the transparent thread may be changed.
If the interval (pitch) of the transparent thin threads is narrowed, the number of parts holding the document is increased and the floating can be suppressed, but it cannot be recognized as a character or a figure, resulting in unreadable / erroneous recognition. If this interval also does not affect the read image, the interval is not specified.

Further, as a method of tensioning the yarns attached to the diagonal / horizontal / vertical lattice, transparent yarns are alternately stretched so as to suppress twisting of the yarns. If it does not affect the read image, the tension method is not specified.

FIG. 7 is an apparatus for preventing the original from floating according to the present invention. FIG. 7 is an external view (in an open state) when it is desired to apply a tension of a thin transparent thread, and FIG. 8 shows a curled original 8 or a crease. FIG. 4 is an external view in which the original 9 is suppressed (closed state).

There are a plurality of manuscripts such as those with a backing sheet such as a bank seal registration certificate or a contract such as insurance, and the height of these manuscripts becomes thick and the manuscript has a crease. Strongly, it is not possible to hold the original down to a flat surface with the above-described thread holding. Therefore, by closing the floating prevention device composed of the frame body 10 larger than the document table 1 and the hinge component size 19 with the hinge portion 12 from the position of the document placed on the document table 1 in the height direction. It can be sunk downward, and the transparent thread 11 stretched around the frame 10 stretches, applying a great amount of tension to the creases and curls of the document,
The bent part and the curled part are corrected to a flat surface and can be read normally. Further, the peeling tape 16 or the magnet 20 is attached to the hinge component size so as to face the document reading surface (inside) of the frame body 10, and the floating can be easily suppressed by closely adhering.

The peeling tape 16 or the magnet 20 used here can be easily attached and detached by a certain amount of human power. Although the peeling tape 16 is used to hold the open state, other magnets, hooks or the like may be used as long as the peeling tape 16 is held in the open state and can be easily attached and detached. Also, the frame 10
It is also possible to use only the component that is transparent and is stretched with the thin thread 11 in the opening portion of the frame body, and to use the floating prevention device without using the hinge portion.

[0031]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In an optical reading device, even if the original is deformed by curling or folding, the original can be easily corrected and flattened.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a non-contact stand type optical reader.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view (open state) in which a document floating prevention device is attached to the reading device.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an operation of holding a document in the reading device by a document floating prevention device.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a reading device and a document floating prevention device.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of thread tensioning of a frame body portion of a document floating prevention device.

FIG. 6 is a diagram comparing the directions of the threads stretched over the frame of the document floating prevention device.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view (open state) in which a document floating prevention device is attached to the reading device.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating an operation of holding a document by a document floating prevention device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: Document holder, 1A: End surface of document holder, 2: Original,
3: mechanical part, 4: pedestal part, 5: strut, 6: switch,
7: top and left edge alignment protrusion, 8: curled original,
9: Original with creases, 10: Frame, 10A: Pin insertion hole, 10B: Groove, 10C: Threading hole, 11: Transparent thin thread, 12: Hinge part, 13: Hinge metal fitting, 14: Hinge pin , 15: Hinge parts, 16: Velcro (registered trademark), 17: Documents with characters, 18: Large hinge parts,
19: Magnet

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F term (reference) 5B047 AA01 AB02 BA02 BB04 BC05                       BC14 BC30                 5C022 AC21 AC42 AC77 AC78 CA07                 5C062 AA18 AB02 AB30 AD02 AD06                       BD07                 5C072 AA01 DA02 EA08 LA04 LA08                       LA12 XA10

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An original placing table on which an original is placed, and an optical reading device for optically reading the original from a position above without contact, a frame body is provided on the original placing base, and the frame body is provided. A document floating prevention device for a non-contact optical reading device, characterized in that a device in which a transparent thin thread is stretched and locked at an opening is formed. 2. The document floating prevention device according to claim 1, wherein the frame body is matte black in which reflection is prevented.