JP2019193091A - Information reading apparatus and control method of the same - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an information reading apparatus capable of efficiently reading information by accurately determining that an information recording medium is placed in a state suitable for reading and a control method of the same.SOLUTION: An information reading device 1 detects a placement of an information recording medium 2 when it is determined that brightness of image data 3GC (or 3GD) is greater than a reference value by a threshold value or more of the image data 3GC, 3GD of each of a first sub-determination area 3C and a second sub-determination area 3D set at a back end 3Ey in a front-rear direction of a glass plate 3 of captured image data obtained by imaging the glass plate 3 with an imaging element 8, and starts a process of reading information from the information recording medium 2 when it is determined that a position of the information recording medium 2 is held on the basis of a difference between image data 3GC (or 3GD) newly acquired after the detection and image data 3GC (or 3GD) acquired immediately before the image data 3GC (or 3GD).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

  The present invention relates to an information reading apparatus capable of optically reading information recorded on an information recording medium such as a passport or an ID card, and a control method thereof.

  Patent Document 1 describes an apparatus that images an information recording surface of a passport and reads information from the passport by an imaging means. This device determines whether or not the passport is placed by determining whether or not the light emitting means is disposed above the surface on which the passport is placed, and whether or not the light from the light emitting means is imaged by the imaging means. ing.

  Patent Document 2 describes a system including an image reading apparatus and a computer that controls the image reading apparatus. This computer acquires at least three frames of pre-scan image data captured by the image reading device in real time, and whether or not the imaging unit vibrates with respect to the object to be imaged by comparing these pre-scan image data. Is detected, and when it is detected that there is no vibration, the image reading apparatus is caused to execute the main scan.

JP 2010-136149 A JP 2011-109585 A

  In order to optically read information from the information recording medium, it is necessary to image the information recording medium with an image sensor. Imaging for this information reading needs to be performed in a state where the information recording medium is placed at a position where imaging is possible and does not move.

  Patent Document 1 describes a method for detecting that an information recording medium has been placed, but if the information recording medium has been moved after the placement of the information recording medium has been detected, There is a possibility that reading of information on the information recording medium may fail.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a method for detecting the vibration of the apparatus, and does not determine whether the position of the medium to be read is placed at an appropriate position, whether the medium is moving, or the like. .

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an information reading apparatus capable of efficiently reading information by determining that the information recording medium is in a loading state suitable for reading, and the information reading apparatus It aims to provide a control method.

  The information reading apparatus of the present invention is an information reading apparatus that has a medium insertion portion in which an opening into which an information recording medium is inserted is formed and optically reads information from the information recording medium inserted in the medium insertion portion. The medium insertion portion includes a placement portion on which the information recording medium is placed, and the imaging device that images the placement portion and the imaging device that images the placement portion by the imaging device. First, image data of a first determination region set at an end portion of the placement section opposite to the opening in the insertion direction of the information recording medium is acquired from the captured image data output from the element. The information recording medium is placed on the placement section when it is determined that the brightness of the image data in the first judgment area is greater than a reference value by a threshold value or more. A medium placement detector for detecting the medium placement; When placement of the information recording medium is detected by the detection unit, the image data of the first determination area newly acquired by the first image data acquisition unit and the image data immediately before the image data Based on the difference from the image data of the first determination area acquired by the first image data acquisition unit, it is determined whether the position of the information recording medium is held in the mounting unit for a predetermined time. And the medium holding determining unit and the medium holding determining unit determine that the position of the information recording medium is held for the predetermined time based on the captured image data output from the image sensor. And an information reading processing unit for reading information from the recording medium.

  The control method of the information reading apparatus of the present invention includes a medium insertion portion in which an opening into which an information recording medium is inserted is formed, and information for optically reading information from the information recording medium inserted in the medium insertion portion. A method for controlling a reading apparatus, wherein the medium insertion unit includes a mounting unit on which the information recording medium is mounted, and the imaging unit outputs an image of the mounting unit that is output by the imaging device. A first image data acquisition step of acquiring image data of a first determination area set at an end portion of the placement section opposite to the opening in the insertion direction of the information recording medium in the placement section; A medium insertion detection step of detecting that the information recording medium is placed on the placement section when it is determined that the brightness of the image data in the first determination area is greater than a reference value by a threshold value or more And the medium insertion inspection When it is detected that the information recording medium is placed by the step, the image data of the first determination area newly acquired by the first image data acquisition step and immediately before the image data Whether or not the position of the information recording medium is held in the placement unit for a predetermined time based on a difference from the image data of the first determination area acquired in the first image data acquisition step. Based on the captured image data output from the image sensor when it is determined by the medium retention determination step and the medium retention determination step that the position of the information recording medium is retained for the predetermined time. An information reading process step for reading information from the information recording medium.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it can determine that the information recording medium was set in the mounting state suitable for reading, and can provide the information reader which can read information efficiently, and its control method.

1 is a perspective view of an information reading apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view which extracts and shows the glass plate 3, the cover member 15, and the illuminations 4 and 5 of the information reading apparatus 1 shown in FIG. It is a front view of the glass plate 3, the cover member 15, and the illuminations 4 and 5 shown in FIG. It is a side view for demonstrating the optical path inside the information reader 1 shown in FIG. It is a side view for demonstrating operation | movement of the shutter mechanism 14 of the information reader 1 shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the medium press mechanism shown in FIG. 2 from another direction. FIG. 3 is a front view of the medium pressing mechanism shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the medium pressing mechanism shown in FIG. 2. It is a perspective view for demonstrating the state by which the information recording medium was inserted in the information reader shown in FIG. It is a side view for demonstrating operation | movement of a pressing member and a contact member when the 1st information recording medium is inserted in the information reading apparatus shown in FIG. It is the plane schematic diagram which looked at the glass plate 3 shown in FIG. 2 from the up-down direction and the upper surface part 15a side. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the information reader 1 shown in FIG. It is a functional block diagram of the system control part 40 shown in FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the information reading operation | movement by the system control part 40 shown in FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the information reading operation | movement by the system control part 40 shown in FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the information reading operation | movement by the system control part 40 shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows another example of the area | region for determination set to the glass plate. 13 is a flowchart for explaining a modification of the information reading operation by the system control unit 40 shown in FIG.

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

(Schematic configuration of information reader)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an information reading apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a perspective view showing the glass plate 3, the cover member 15, and the illuminations 4 and 5 extracted from the information reading apparatus 1 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a front view of the glass plate 3, the cover member 15, and the illuminations 4 and 5 shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a side view for explaining an optical path inside the information reading apparatus 1 shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a side view for explaining the operation of the shutter mechanism 14 of the information reading apparatus 1 shown in FIG.

  The information reading device 1 is a device that optically reads information recorded on the information recording medium 2. That is, the information reading device 1 is a device that reads characters, figures, and the like printed on the information recording medium 2. The information reader 1 is a manual reader, and the information recording medium 2 is inserted into the information reader 1 and the information recording medium 2 is removed from the information reader 1 manually. The information reader 1 is a relatively small desktop reader. The information recording medium 2 read by the information reading device 1 is a passport 2A (see FIG. 1) as a first information recording medium and an ID card 2B (see FIG. 3) as a second information recording medium. The passport 2A and the ID card 2B are provided with an information recording surface on which personal information including the owner's face photo and date of birth are printed.

  The passport 2A is a booklet in which a plurality of sheets are bound. As shown in FIG. 1, the passport 2A is an information recording surface 2sa which is the back surface of the cover 2s, and an information recording surface 2sa of the cover 2s which is a page adjacent to the cover 2s. Information (face photograph, personal information, etc.) recorded on the information recording surface 2sa of the spread pages constituted by the page surface 2sb facing each other is optically read by the information reading device 1.

  The back cover 2b of the passport 2A includes a non-contact communication IC (Integrated Circuit) that can read information by non-contact communication and a non-contact communication antenna. The passport 2A is a passport created in accordance with guidelines published by, for example, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Characters used for character recognition are recorded at the back end of the information recording surface 2sa of the cover 2s of the passport 2A in the insertion direction.

  The ID card 2B is a rectangular and plate-shaped card-like medium. In the ID card 2B, both surfaces of the ID card 2B are information recording surfaces, and information (face photograph and personal information) recorded on the information recording surface is optically read by the information reading device 1.

  The passport 2A is inserted into the information reading apparatus 1 with the front cover 2s opened and the above-described facing surface visible. The thickness direction of the cover 2s of the passport 2A inserted into the information reading device 1 in the opened state and the thickness direction of the ID card 2B inserted into the information reading device 1 are respectively referred to as the vertical direction. In FIG. 4, for convenience of explanation, the passport 2A and the ID card 2B are inserted together in the information reading device 1, but actually, either the passport 2A or the ID card 2B is the information reading device 1. Inserted into.

  In the following description, the information recording medium 2 from the information reading device 1 is defined with the insertion direction side of the information recording medium 2 to the information reading device 1 (the direction Y2 side in FIG. The extraction direction side (direction Y1 side in FIG. 1 and the like) is the “front” side. In addition, the insertion / extraction direction of the information recording medium 2 with respect to the information reading apparatus 1 (direction Y in FIG. 1 and the like) is referred to as “front-rear direction”, and the direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and the front-rear direction (direction X in FIG. 1) is “ Left and right direction ”.

  The information reading apparatus 1 includes a transparent glass plate 3 that constitutes a placement unit on which the information recording medium 2 is placed, and an illumination 4 that irradiates light on the lower surface of the information recording medium 2 placed on the glass plate 3 ( 2 and 3), illumination 5 for irradiating light on the upper surface of the information recording medium 2 placed on the glass plate 3 (see FIGS. 2 and 3), and information recording placed on the glass plate 3 An optical system 6 (see FIG. 4) for reading information recorded on the lower surface of the medium 2 and an optical system 7 (for reading information recorded on the upper surface of the information recording medium 2 placed on the glass plate 3). 4), an imaging device 8 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) such as a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor or a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor, and an optical device. An imaging optical system 9 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) for imaging the light that has passed through the system 6 on the imaging device 8 and an image of the light that has passed through the optical system 7 on the imaging device 8, and these components And a housing 10 (see FIG. 1).

  The information reading apparatus 1 also includes a medium pressing mechanism 12 for pressing both ends in the left-right direction of the passport 2A placed on the glass plate 3 from above. The medium pressing mechanism 12 constitutes a guide mechanism. 1 and 4, the illustration of the medium pressing mechanism 12 is omitted.

  Further, the information reading apparatus 1 transmits part of the light that has passed through the optical system 6 toward the imaging optical system 9 and reflects part of the light that has passed through the optical system 7 toward the imaging optical system 9. A beam splitter 13 (see FIG. 4) that shields light incident on the beam splitter 13 from the optical system 7 when reading information recorded on the lower surface of the information recording medium 2 placed on the glass plate 3, and A shutter mechanism 14 (see FIG. 5) is provided that blocks light incident on the beam splitter 13 from the optical system 6 when reading information recorded on the upper surface of the information recording medium 2 placed on the glass plate 3. The beam splitter 13 and the shutter mechanism 14 are accommodated in the housing 10.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the information reading apparatus 1 includes an upper surface portion 15a disposed above the information recording medium 2 placed on the glass plate 3, and both left and right ends of the upper surface portion 15a. A cover member 15 having two side surface portions 15b connected to each other and a back surface portion 15c connected to the back end side of the upper surface portion 15a is provided. The cover member 15 is made of, for example, a transparent acrylic resin. For example, a light-shielding coating material is applied to the back surface portion 15c to form a light-shielding portion that blocks light. On the other hand, the upper surface portion 15a and the side surface portion 15b are transparent.

  The upper surface portion 15a is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape, and is arranged so that the thickness direction of the upper surface portion 15a matches the vertical direction. The upper surface portion 15a is arranged so that the end surface of the upper surface portion 15a is parallel to the front-rear direction or the left-right direction. The side surface portion 15b is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape, and is arranged so that the thickness direction of the side surface portion 15b matches the left-right direction. The back surface portion 15c is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape, and is arranged so that the thickness direction of the back surface portion 15c matches the front-rear direction. Both ends of the back surface portion 15c in the left-right direction are connected to the back end of the side surface portion 15b.

  The glass plate 3 is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape, and is arranged so that the thickness direction of the glass plate 3 coincides with the vertical direction. Moreover, the glass plate 3 is arrange | positioned so that the end surface of the glass plate 3 may become in parallel with the front-back direction or the left-right direction. The lower end of each of the two side surface portions 15 b and the lower end of the back surface portion 15 c are in contact with the upper surface of the glass plate 3. The glass plate 3 and the cover member 15 form a box-shaped medium insertion portion 16 on which the front surface is opened and at least a part of the information recording medium 2 is placed. As shown in FIG. 1, a portion of the medium insertion portion 16 other than the front opening is covered with a housing 10.

  In front of the glass plate 3 in the housing 10, as shown in FIG. 1, there is formed an inclined surface 17a containing an antenna 17 for communicating with a non-contact communication antenna built in the passport 2A. Yes. The inclined surface 17 a is inclined downward with respect to the glass plate 3.

  Further, the information reading apparatus 1 includes a camera 18 as shown in FIG. The camera 18 is disposed above the medium insertion unit 16. The optical axis of the camera 18 is inclined so as to go upward as it goes to the front side. For example, the camera 18 photographs the face of the person who performs the reading operation of the information recording medium 2.

(Configuration and arrangement of lighting)
As shown in FIG. 3, the illuminations 4 and 5 include a substrate 24 on which a plurality of light sources are mounted, and an illumination lens 25 on which light emitted from the light sources is incident. The illuminations 4 and 5 include, as light sources, a plurality of white LEDs that emit white light, a plurality of infrared LEDs that emit infrared light, and a plurality of ultraviolet LEDs that emit ultraviolet light. The substrate 24 is formed in an elongated rectangular flat plate shape. The illumination lens 25 is formed in an elongated and substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The illumination lens 25 is fixed to the surface of the substrate 24 on which the light source is mounted.

  White light emitted from the white LED, infrared light emitted from the infrared LED, and ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet LED are incident on the illumination lens 25, and light transmitted through the illumination lens 25 is irradiated onto the information recording medium 2. The The infrared light emitted from the illuminations 4 and 5 is used for reading machine-readable printing information such as OCR characters. The ultraviolet light emitted from the illuminations 4 and 5 is used for reading print information necessary for authenticity determination of the information recording medium 2. Specifically, the ultraviolet light emitted from the illuminations 4 and 5 is used for reading print information with an invisible fluorescent coloring ink.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the illumination 4 is disposed below the glass plate 3. Moreover, the information reading apparatus 1 is provided with the two illuminations 4, and the illumination 4 is arrange | positioned at each of the both outer sides of the glass plate 3 in the left-right direction. The illumination 4 irradiates light from the outside in the left-right direction toward the information recording medium 2 placed on the glass plate 3 and obliquely from below. Further, the light emitted from the illumination 4 and transmitted through the glass plate 3 is irradiated on the lower surface of the information recording medium 2 placed on the glass plate 3.

  The illumination 5 is disposed above the information recording medium 2 placed on the glass plate 3. Further, the information reading apparatus 1 includes two illuminations 5, and the illuminations 5 are disposed on both outer sides of the medium insertion unit 16 in the left-right direction. That is, one of the two lights 5 is arranged on the right side of the side part 15b arranged on the right side, and the other of the two lights 5 is arranged on the left side. It is arranged on the left side of the part 15b. The illumination 5 irradiates light from the outside in the left-right direction toward the information recording medium 2 placed on the glass plate 3 and obliquely from above. Further, the light emitted from the illumination 5 and transmitted through the side surface portion 15 b is irradiated on the upper surface of the information recording medium 2 placed on the glass plate 3.

(Configuration and arrangement of optical system, imaging optical system, beam splitter, image sensor)
As shown in FIG. 4, the optical system 6 includes three reflection mirrors (total reflection mirrors) 30, 31 and 32 formed in a rectangular flat plate shape. The reflection mirror 30 is larger than the reflection mirror 31, and the reflection mirror 31 is larger than the reflection mirror 32. The reflection mirrors 30 and 31 are disposed below the glass plate 3. Specifically, the reflection mirror 30 is disposed below the passport 2 </ b> A placed on the glass plate 3. Further, the reflection mirror 31 is arranged at substantially the same height as the reflection mirror 30 and is arranged behind the reflection mirror 30. The reflection mirror 32 is disposed behind the medium insertion portion 16. The reflection mirror 32 is disposed on the upper side of the reflection mirror 31.

The reflection mirrors 30 to 32 are arranged in a state inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical direction.
Specifically, the reflection mirrors 30 to 32 are arranged in a state inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical direction when viewed from the left-right direction. The reflection mirror 30 is inclined so as to go downward as it goes back, and the reflection mirrors 31 and 32 are inclined so as to go upward as it goes back. The inclination angle of the reflection mirrors 30 to 32 with respect to the vertical direction is approximately 45 °.

  Light reflected by the lower surface of the information recording medium 2 placed on the glass plate 3 enters the reflection mirror 30. The light reflected by the reflection mirror 30 enters the reflection mirror 31, and the light reflected by the reflection mirror 31 enters the reflection mirror 32. In the reflection mirror 30, the optical axis of the light that is reflected by the lower surface of the information recording medium 2 and goes downward is bent backward. Further, in the reflection mirror 31, the optical axis of the light reflected by the reflection mirror 30 toward the rear side is bent upward, and in the reflection mirror 32, the optical axis of the light reflected by the reflection mirror 31 and directed upward is the rear side. Can be folded.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the optical system 7 includes two reflection mirrors (total reflection mirrors) 33 and 34 formed in a rectangular flat plate shape. The reflection mirror 33 is larger than the reflection mirror 34. The reflection mirrors 33 and 34 are arranged above the information recording medium 2 placed on the glass plate 3. Specifically, the reflection mirror 33 is disposed on the upper side of the ID card 2 </ b> B placed on the glass plate 3. The reflection mirror 34 is disposed at substantially the same height as the reflection mirror 33 and is disposed behind the glass plate 3 (that is, behind the medium insertion portion 16). Further, the reflection mirrors 33 and 34 are disposed above the upper surface portion 15a of the cover member 15 (that is, above the medium insertion portion 16).

  The reflection mirrors 33 and 34 are arranged in a state inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical direction. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the reflection mirrors 33 and 34 are arranged in a state inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical direction when viewed from the left and right direction. The reflection mirror 33 is inclined so as to be directed upward as it goes to the rear side, and the reflection mirror 34 is inclined so as to be directed downward as it is directed to the rear side. The inclination angle of the reflection mirrors 33 and 34 with respect to the vertical direction is approximately 45 °.

  Light reflected from the upper surface of the information recording medium 2 placed on the glass plate 3 is incident on the reflection mirror 33. The light reflected by the reflection mirror 33 is incident on the reflection mirror 34. In the reflection mirror 33, the optical axis of the light reflected from the upper surface of the information recording medium 2 and going upward is bent backward, and in the reflection mirror 34, the optical axis of the light reflected by the reflection mirror 33 and going backward is changed. Folded down.

  The imaging optical system 9 includes an imaging lens 35. The imaging lens 35 is disposed behind the reflection mirror 32. Further, the imaging lens 35 is disposed behind the reflecting mirror 34. The image sensor 8 is disposed behind the imaging lens 35. The image sensor 8 is arranged so that the imaging surface faces the front side.

  The beam splitter 13 is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape. The beam splitter 13 is a half mirror having the same light transmittance and reflectance. The beam splitter 13 is disposed between the reflection mirror 32 and the imaging lens 35 in the front-rear direction. That is, the beam splitter 13 is disposed behind the reflecting mirror 32 and in front of the imaging lens 35. Further, the beam splitter 13 is disposed below the reflection mirror 34.

  The beam splitter 13 is disposed in a state inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical direction. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the beam splitter 13 is disposed in a state inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical direction when viewed from the left-right direction. The beam splitter 13 is inclined so as to go down as it goes back. The inclination angle of the beam splitter 13 with respect to the vertical direction is approximately 45 °. The beam splitter 13 transmits half of the light reflected by the reflection mirror 32 toward the imaging lens 35 and reflects half of the light reflected by the reflection mirror 34 toward the imaging lens 35.

  The light path length to the image sensor 8 of the light reflected by the lower surface of the information recording medium 2 placed on the glass plate 3 and the light reflected by the upper surface of the information recording medium 2 placed on the glass plate 3 The optical path length to the image sensor 8 is substantially equal. As shown in FIG. 4, the imaging range of imaging performed by the imaging device 8 via the optical system 6 is the entire glass plate 3, and the imaging range of imaging performed by the imaging device 8 via the optical system 7 is the glass plate 3. It has been a part of.

(Configuration of shutter mechanism)
As shown in FIG. 5, the shutter mechanism 14 includes a first light shielding position 37 </ b> A (see FIG. 5B) that blocks the optical path between the reflection mirror 32 of the optical system 6 and the beam splitter 13, and the reflection of the optical system 7. A shutter 37 is provided that can move between a second light shielding position 37B (see FIG. 5A) that blocks an optical path between the mirror 34 and the beam splitter 13. The shutter 37 includes a light blocking portion 37 a that blocks an optical path between the reflection mirrors 32 and 34 and the beam splitter 13.

  The shutter mechanism 14 includes a shutter drive mechanism that moves the shutter 37 between the first light shielding position 37A and the second light shielding position 37B. The shutter drive mechanism includes a lever member 39 to which the shutter 37 is fixed, a solenoid (not shown) that rotates the lever member 39, and the like. The lever member 39 is rotatable with the left-right direction as the axis direction of rotation.

When the shutter 37 of the shutter mechanism 14 is driven, in a state where the shutter 37 is in the second light shielding position 37B (see FIG. 5A), the imaging element 8 images the glass plate 3 from the lower surface side, and the shutter 37 Is in the first light-shielding position 37A (see FIG. 5B), the image sensor 8 images the glass plate 3 from the upper surface side.
(Configuration of media press mechanism)
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the medium pressing mechanism 12 shown in FIG. 2 from another direction. FIG. 7 is a front view of the medium pressing mechanism 12 shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the medium pressing mechanism 12 shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a perspective view for explaining a state in which the information recording medium 2 is inserted into the information reading apparatus 1 shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a side view for explaining the operation of the pressing member 41 and the contact member 42 when the passport 2A is inserted into the information reading device 1 shown in FIG.

  The medium pressing mechanism 12 is disposed inside the medium insertion portion 16. The medium pressing mechanism 12 includes a pressing member 41 having two pressing portions 41a that press both ends in the left-right direction of the passport 2A from the upper side, and a contact portion 42a that contacts the rear end (back end) of the ID card 2B. A contact member 42, a pressing member 41, and a holding member 43 that holds the contact member 42 are provided. The medium presser mechanism 12 includes compression coil springs 44 and 45 as urging members that urge the presser member 41 downward with respect to the holding member 43. The medium pressing mechanism 12 includes a total of four compression coil springs 44, 45 including two compression coil springs 44 and two compression coil springs 45.

  The holding member 43 is made of resin. The holding member 43 includes an upper surface portion 43a that constitutes the upper surface of the medium pressing mechanism 12, a rear surface portion 43b that constitutes the rear surface of the medium pressing mechanism 12, and side portions that constitute the left and right side surfaces on the rear end side of the medium pressing mechanism 12. 43c. The upper surface portion 43a includes a base portion 43d formed in a substantially rectangular flat plate shape having a long left and right length, and two protruding portions 43e that protrude from the left and right ends of the base portion 43d toward the front side. Yes. The base 43d is disposed so that the thickness direction of the base 43d coincides with the vertical direction. The protruding portion 43e is formed in a substantially rectangular flat plate shape having a long length in the front-rear direction, and is arranged so that the thickness direction of the protruding portion 43e coincides with the vertical direction.

  The rear surface portion 43b is formed in a substantially rectangular flat plate shape having a long length in the left-right direction, and is arranged so that the thickness direction of the rear surface portion 43b matches the front-rear direction. The upper end of the rear surface portion 43b is connected to the rear end of the base portion 43d. The side surface portion 43c is formed in a substantially rectangular flat plate shape, and is arranged so that the thickness direction of the side surface portion 43c matches the left-right direction. The upper end of the side surface portion 43c is connected to each of the left and right ends of the base portion 43d, and the rear end of the side surface portion 43c is connected to each of the left and right ends of the rear surface portion 43b.

  Two protrusions 43f and two protrusions 43g projecting upward are formed on the upper surface of the upper surface portion 43a. The protrusion 43f is formed on the front end side portion of each of the two protrusions 43e. The protrusions 43g are formed on both ends of the base 43d in the left-right direction. The upper surface of the protrusion 43f is a plane orthogonal to the vertical direction. The protrusion 43g is formed in a hemispherical shape. The upper surface of the protrusion 43 f and the upper end of the protrusion 43 g are in contact with the lower surface of the upper surface portion 15 a of the cover member 15. That is, the holding member 43 is in contact with the lower surface of the upper surface portion 15a.

  On the front end side of the protruding portion 43e, a cylindrical spring holding portion 43h that protrudes downward is formed. The spring holding portion 43 h is inserted on the inner peripheral side of the compression coil spring 44. A spring holding member 47 is fixed to the base portion 43d. The spring holding member 47 is formed with a shaft portion 47a inserted on the inner peripheral side of the compression coil spring 45. The spring holding member 47 is fixed to the upper surface side of the base portion 43d so that the shaft portion 47a protrudes downward from the base portion 43d. The spring holding member 47 has two shaft portions 47a.

  A guide groove 43j for guiding the pressing member 41 in the vertical direction with respect to the holding member 43 is formed in the side surface portion 43c. The guide groove 43j penetrates the side surface portion 43c in the left-right direction, and is formed in a long hole shape with the vertical direction as the longitudinal direction. Further, the side surface portion 43c is formed with a notch portion 43k for fitting a guide pin 41g, which will be described later, formed on the pressing member 41 into the guide groove 43j. The notch 43k is formed between the upper end portion of the guide groove 43j and the front end surface of the side surface portion 43c.

  Further, the side surface portion 43c is formed with a concave portion 43n that holds a pin 42d described later formed on the contact member 42 (see FIG. 11). The recess 43n is formed to be recessed from the inner side surface of the side surface portion 43c in the left-right direction toward the outer side in the left-right direction. The shape of the recess 43n when viewed from the left-right direction is circular. The recess 43n is disposed on the rear side of the guide groove 43j. Further, the recess 43n is disposed below the lower end of the guide groove 43j.

  The pressing member 41 is made of resin. As described above, the pressing member 41 includes the two pressing portions 41a. The pressing portion 41a is formed in a straight line having a long length in the front-rear direction. That is, the presser portion 41a is formed in a straight line parallel to the front-rear direction. Specifically, the presser portion 41a is formed in a plate shape having a long length in the front-rear direction. The pressing member 41 includes a guide portion 41b that is connected to the front ends of the two pressing portions 41a, and a connection portion 41c that connects the rear ends (back end portions) of the two pressing portions 41a. The connection part 41c has connected the upper side of the rear-end part of the pressing part 41a.

  The lower surface of the pressing portion 41a is a plane orthogonal to the vertical direction. However, a meat stealing portion 41d that is recessed upward is formed on the lower surface of the pressing portion 41a (see FIG. 6). The upper surface 41e of the pressing portion 41a is an inclined surface that inclines toward the lower side toward the inner side in the left-right direction. That is, the upper surface 41e of the presser portion 41a disposed on the right side is an inclined surface that is inclined downward toward the left side, and the upper surface 41e of the presser portion 41a disposed on the left side is on the right side. It becomes the inclined surface which inclines so that it may go to the lower side as it goes.

  The presser 41a comes into contact with at least a part of each of the left and right ends of the passport 2A placed on the glass plate 3 (specifically, both ends in the left and right direction of the cover of the passport 2A) from above. The function of pressing at least a part of both ends in the left-right direction of 2A from above is achieved. The pressing portion 41a is in contact with almost the entire left and right ends of the passport 2A placed on the glass plate 3 (both ends in the left and right direction of the cover of the passport 2A) from the upper side, and the left and right ends of the passport 2A. Almost all of the ends are pressed from above. That is, the pressing portion 41a also contacts the back end portions of both end portions in the left-right direction of the passport 2A from above, and presses the back end portions of both end portions in the left-right direction of the passport 2A from above.

  Therefore, the distance between the two pressing portions 41a in the left-right direction is narrower than the width in the left-right direction of the passport 2A (see FIG. 9A). On the other hand, the distance in the left-right direction between the two pressing portions 41a is wider than the width in the left-right direction of the ID card 2B (see FIGS. 3B and 9B). That is, the width in the left-right direction of the ID card 2B placed on the glass plate 3 is narrower than the distance in the left-right direction of the two pressing portions 41a.

  At the rear end portion of the presser portion 41a, a push-up portion 41f that contacts the contact member 42 from below and pushes up the contact portion 42a is formed. In other words, the pressing portion 41f is formed on each of the left and right ends of the pressing member 41. Further, a push-up portion 41 f is formed at the rear end portion of the presser member 41. The push-up portion 41f is disposed below the connection portion 41c. The upper surface of the push-up portion 41f is formed in a convex curved surface having a circular arc when viewed from the left-right direction.

  The width in the left-right direction of the guide portion 41b is equal to the width in the left-right direction of the presser portion 41a. The lower surface of the guide portion 41b is formed in a convex curved surface having a circular shape when viewed from the left-right direction. Further, the lower surface of the guide portion 41b is inclined so as to go upward as it goes to the front side. The inner side surface in the left-right direction of the guide portion 41b is formed in a concave curved surface shape having a circular arc when viewed from the up-down direction. Moreover, the inner side surface of the guide part 41b in the left-right direction extends outward in the left-right direction as it goes to the front side. The guide part 41b has a function of guiding the passport 2A inserted into the information reading apparatus 1 to the lower side of the presser part 41a. In addition, the guide part 41b has a function of guiding the ID card 2B inserted into the information reading device 1 between the two pressing parts 41a.

  The rear end portion of the guide portion 41 b and the presser portion 41 a are disposed below the protruding portion 43 e of the holding member 43. The connection portion 41 c is disposed below the base portion 43 d of the holding member 43. The lower end of the compression coil spring 44 is in contact with the upper surface of the rear end portion of the guide portion 41b, and the lower end of the compression coil spring 45 is in contact with the upper surface of the connection portion 41c. That is, the pressing member 41 is urged downward with respect to the holding member 43 by the compression coil springs 44 and 45, and can be moved up and down with respect to the holding member 43. When the passport 2 </ b> A is not inserted into the information reading device 1, the lower surface of the pressing portion 41 a is in contact with the upper surface of the glass plate 3 by the urging force of the compression coil springs 44 and 45. That is, when the passport 2 </ b> A is not inserted into the information reading device 1, the pressing member 41 is in contact with the upper surface of the glass plate 3.

  Guide pins 41g projecting outward in the left-right direction are formed on the left and right side surfaces of the connecting portion 41c. The guide pin 41g is formed in a cylindrical shape. The guide pin 41g is disposed outside the push-up portion 41f in the left-right direction. Further, when viewed from the left-right direction, the guide pin 41g is disposed immediately above the push-up portion 41f, as indicated by a solid line in FIG. That is, when viewed from the left-right direction, the push-up portion 41f is disposed directly below the guide pin 41g.

  The guide pin 41 g is engaged with the guide groove 43 j of the holding member 43. Specifically, each of the two guide pins 41g is engaged with each of the two guide grooves 43j from the inner side in the left-right direction. The pressing member 41 is guided in the vertical direction with respect to the holding member 43 by the guide pin 41g and the guide groove 43j. The pressing member 41 is rotatable with respect to the holding member 43 with the guide pin 41g as the center and the horizontal direction as the axial direction of rotation.

  A gap is formed between the pressing portion 41a and the protruding portion 43e in the vertical direction. Between the pressing portion 41a and the protruding portion 43e in the vertical direction, a light passage portion 48 through which light emitted from the illumination 5 passes is provided. That is, on the upper surface of the information recording medium 2 on the glass plate 3, the light emitted from the illumination 5 and transmitted through the side surface portion 15 b is above the pressing portion 41 a and below the protruding portion 43 e. It becomes the light passage part 48 which passes toward.

  The contact member 42 is made of resin. Further, the contact member 42 is formed separately from the presser member 41 and is disposed below the connection portion 41 c of the presser member 41. As described above, the contact member 42 includes the contact portion 42a. The contact member 42 includes a support part 42b that supports the contact part 42a. The contact part 42a is formed in a flat plate shape having a long length in the left-right direction, and is arranged so that the thickness direction of the contact part 42a and the front-rear direction substantially coincide with each other. The support portion 42b is formed in a substantially flat plate shape having a long length in the left-right direction, and is arranged so that the thickness direction of the support portion 42b is substantially coincident with the vertical direction. The contact part 42a is connected to the front end of the support part 42b. The contact portion 42a extends downward from the front end of the support portion 42b.

  The width in the left-right direction of the contact part 42a is narrower than the distance in the left-right direction between the two pressing parts 41a. The contact portion 42a is disposed between the two presser portions 41a when viewed from the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 7, a concave portion 42 c that is recessed upward is formed in the central portion of the lower surface of the contact portion 42 a in the left-right direction. The concave portion 42c is formed in a concave curved surface shape having a circular arc when viewed from the front-rear direction. The lateral width H of the recess 42c is narrower than the lateral width of the ID card 2B (specifically, the lateral width of the ID card 2B placed on the glass plate 3). The outer side in the left-right direction of the recess 42c is a plane substantially orthogonal to the up-down direction. That is, the lower end surface of the contact portion 42a is a plane that is substantially orthogonal to the vertical direction.

  Pins 42d projecting outward in the left-right direction are formed on both left and right end faces of the support portion 42b. The pin 42d is formed at the rear end portion of the support portion 42b. The pin 42d is formed in a cylindrical shape. As shown in FIG. 11, the pin 42 d is engaged with the recess 43 n of the holding member 43. Specifically, each of the two pins 42d is inserted into each of the two recesses 43n from the inner side in the left-right direction. The contact member 42 is rotatable with respect to the holding member 43 with the pin 42d as the center and the horizontal direction as the axial direction of rotation. That is, the contact member 42 is held by the holding member 43 so that the contact member 42 can be rotated with the left-right direction as the axis direction of the rotation.

  A push-up portion 41f of the presser member 41 is in contact with the both ends in the left-right direction of the support portion 42b from below. The push-up portion 41f is disposed in front of the pin 42d. That is, the center of rotation of the contact member 42 with respect to the holding member 43 is disposed on the rear side (back side) of the push-up portion 41f. Further, the push-up portion 41f is disposed on the rear side (back side) of the contact portion 42a.

  In a state where the information recording medium 2 is not inserted into the information reading device 1, the lower end surface of the contact portion 42 a is a plane orthogonal to the vertical direction and is in contact with the upper surface of the glass plate 3. In this state, the front surface of the contact portion 42a is a plane orthogonal to the front-rear direction. Further, in this state, the front surface of the contact portion 42 a is disposed slightly in front of the front end of the connection portion 41 c of the pressing member 41. The distance (front-rear direction distance) between the front end surface of the glass plate 3 and the front surface of the contact portion 42a is shorter than the front-rear width of the cover of the passport 2A placed on the glass plate 3 (FIG. 9 ( A)). In addition, the distance between the front end surface of the glass plate 3 and the front surface of the contact portion 42a is longer than the width in the front-rear direction of the ID card 2B placed on the glass plate 3 (see FIG. 9B).

  When the passport 2A starts to be inserted into the information reading apparatus 1, the passport 2A enters the lower side of the presser portion 41a of the presser member 41 and the front end side of the presser portion 41a is lifted (see FIG. 10A). That is, when the passport 2A starts to be inserted into the information reading device 1, the front end side of the pressing member 41 is lifted. Further, when the passport 2A enters the predetermined position of the information reading apparatus 1, the push-up portion 41f is lifted as shown in FIG. Therefore, when the passport 2A is inserted into the information reading device 1 and enters the predetermined position, the support portion 42b is pushed up by the push-up portion 41f, and the contact member 42 rotates around the pin 42d. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10B, the contact member 42 rotates in the clockwise direction of FIG. 10, and the contact portion 42a is lifted.

  As described above, the push-up portion 41f is disposed on the front side with respect to the rotation center of the contact member 42 with respect to the holding member 43, and the contact portion 42a is disposed on the front side with respect to the push-up portion 41f. The lift amount of the contact portion 42a when lifted is larger than the lift amount of the push-up portion 41f lifted by the passport 2A. That is, when the passport 2A is inserted into the information reading apparatus 1, the amount of rise of the contact portion 42a is larger than the amount of rise of the presser portion 41a lifted by the passport 2A, and is larger than the thickness of the cover of the passport 2A. It has become. In this embodiment, when the passport 2A is inserted into the information reading apparatus 1, the amount of rise of the contact portion 42a is about three times the amount of rise of the presser portion 41a. Therefore, when the passport 2A is inserted into the information reading apparatus 1, the back end of the passport 2A (the back end of the cover 2s) passes below the contact portion 42a and enters the back side from the contact portion 42a.

  As described above, when the passport 2A is inserted into the information reading device 1, the holding portion 41a is lifted by the passport 2A to hold both the left and right ends of the passport 2A from the upper side, and the contact portion 42a is lifted. The back end of 2A passes below the contact portion 42a. When the passport 2A is inserted into the information reading device 1, the contact portion 42a is lifted in conjunction with the lifting operation of the presser portion 41a. Specifically, when the passport 2A is inserted into the information reading apparatus 1, the contact member 42 is pushed upward by the pressing member 41 and the contact portion 42a is lifted.

  On the other hand, as described above, the width in the left-right direction of the ID card 2B placed on the glass plate 3 is narrower than the distance in the left-right direction of the two pressing portions 41a. For this reason, even if the ID card 2B is inserted into the information reading apparatus 1, the pressing portion 41a is not lifted (that is, the pressing member 41 is not lifted), and the pressing portion 41f is not lifted. Therefore, even if the ID card 2B is inserted into the information reading device 1, the contact portion 42a does not lift. Therefore, when the ID card 2B is inserted into the information reading device 1, the inner end of the ID card 2B comes into contact with the contact portion 42a (see FIGS. 3B and 9B). Specifically, the inner end of the ID card 2B contacts the front surface of the contact portion 42a.

(Description of the area set on the glass plate)
FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view of the glass plate 3 shown in FIG. 2 as viewed from the up-down direction and the upper surface portion 15a side. As shown in FIG. 11, the glass plate 3 includes an overlapping region 3 a that overlaps the medium pressing mechanism 12 and a non-overlapping region 3 b that does not overlap the medium pressing mechanism 12.

  The overlapping region 3a is a linear and substantially rectangular first region AR1 extending along the left-right direction at the end 3Ey on the far side in the front-rear direction of the glass plate 3, and both end portions in the left-right direction of the first region AR1. This is a substantially C-shaped region constituted by a pair of linear and substantially rectangular second regions AR2 and AR3 extending from each of 3Exa and 3Exb toward the front side in the front-rear direction. The non-overlapping area 3b is a rectangular area surrounded by the overlapping area 3a.

  When the glass plate 3 is imaged via the optical system 6, the imaging range of the imaging device 8 of the information reading apparatus 1 is a range that combines the overlapping region 3 a and the non-overlapping region 3 b shown in FIG. When the glass plate 3 is imaged via the non-overlapping region 3b shown in FIG.

  A first sub determination area 3 </ b> A and a second sub determination area 3 </ b> B are set in an end 3 </ b> Ey on the far side in the front-rear direction of the glass plate 3. Specifically, the end 3Ey is a divided area on the innermost side (the side opposite to the opening of the medium insertion portion 16) when the glass plate 3 is equally divided into three in the front-rear direction, or the glass plate 3 in the front-rear direction. This is the innermost divided area or the like when equally dividing into four directions.

  The first sub-determination area 3A is set to the first area AR1 in the end 3Ey. The first sub-determination area 3A is a linear and rectangular area extending in the left-right direction in the example of FIG. The width in the left-right direction of the first sub determination region 3A is equal to or smaller than the width in the left-right direction of the passport 2A.

  The second sub-determination area 3B is set in front of the first sub-determination area 3A at the end 3Ey, and is set at the end on the far side of the non-overlapping area 3b. The second sub determination region 3B is a linear and rectangular region extending in the left-right direction in the example of FIG. The width in the left-right direction of the second sub determination region 3B is equal to or smaller than the width in the left-right direction of the ID card 2B.

  In the example of FIG. 11, the first sub determination region 3A and the second sub determination region 3B have the same position in the left-right direction and have the same shape. The first determination area 3A and the second sub determination area 3B constitute a first determination area.

  A second determination region 3L is set in a region in front of the second sub determination region 3B in the second region AR2 of the overlapping region 3a. The second determination region 3L is a linear and rectangular region extending in the front-rear direction in the example of FIG.

  A second determination region 3R is set in a region in front of the second sub determination region 3B in the second region AR3 of the overlapping region 3a. The second determination region 3R is a linear and rectangular region extending in the front-rear direction in the example of FIG. In the example of FIG. 11, the second determination region 3R and the second determination region 3L have the same position in the front-rear direction and the same shape.

(Internal block configuration of information reader)
FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the information reading apparatus 1 shown in FIG. The information reading apparatus 1 includes a driver 4d for driving the illumination 4 and a driver 5d for driving the illumination 5 in addition to the above-described components (camera 18, illuminations 4, 5, imaging device 8, shutter mechanism 14, etc.). And a driver 8d that drives the image pickup device 8, a driver 14d that drives a solenoid that rotates the lever member 39 of the shutter mechanism 14, and a system control unit 40 that performs overall control.

  The system control unit 40 includes various processors that execute processes by executing a program, a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a ROM (Read Only Memory). As various processors, a programmable logic that is a processor whose circuit configuration can be changed after manufacturing, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), which are general-purpose processors that execute programs and perform various processes. Examples include a dedicated electric circuit that is a processor having a circuit configuration specifically designed to execute a specific process such as a device (Programmable Logic Device (PLD)) or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). More specifically, the structures of these various processors are electric circuits in which circuit elements such as semiconductor elements are combined. The system control unit 40 may be configured by one of various processors, or by a combination of two or more processors of the same type or different types (for example, a combination of a plurality of FPGAs or a combination of a CPU and an FPGA). May be.

(Functional block of the system controller of the information reader)
FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram of the system control unit 40 shown in FIG. The system control unit 40 executes a program stored in the ROM and cooperates with each unit, whereby the first image data acquisition unit 40A, the second image data acquisition unit 40B, the medium placement detection unit 40C, and the medium It functions as a holding determination unit 40D and an information reading processing unit 40E.

  The first image data acquisition unit 40 </ b> A includes glass in the imaged image data output from the image sensor 8 by imaging the lower surface of the glass plate 3 with the image sensor 8 in a state where infrared light is irradiated from the illumination 4. Image data of the first sub determination area 3A or the second sub determination area 3B set on the plate 3 is acquired.

  The second image data acquisition unit 40 </ b> B includes glass in the imaged image data output from the image sensor 8 by imaging the lower surface of the glass plate 3 with the image sensor 8 in a state where infrared light is irradiated from the illumination 4. Image data of the second determination areas 3R and 3L set on the plate 3 is acquired.

  When the medium placement detection unit 40C determines that the brightness of the image data in the first sub-determination area 3A acquired by the first image data acquisition unit 40A is larger than the reference value K1 by the threshold value TH1, First detection processing for detecting that the information recording medium 2 is placed at an appropriate position on the glass plate 3, and image data of the second sub-determination area 3B acquired by the first image data acquisition unit 40A Is selected as a second detection process for detecting that the information recording medium 2 is placed at an appropriate position on the glass plate 3 when it is determined that the brightness of the information recording medium 2 is greater than the reference value K1 by the threshold value TH1. Do it.

  The reference value K1 is obtained by imaging the lower surface of the glass plate 3 with the imaging element 8 in a state where the information recording medium 2 is not placed on the glass plate 3 and irradiating infrared light from the illumination 4. This is a value indicating the brightness of the image data in the first sub determination area 3A or the second sub determination area 3B in the output captured image data. As the reference value K1, for example, an average value of pixel values of the image data is obtained in advance and stored in the ROM of the system control unit 40. The reference value K1 may be updated.

  The reference value K1 indicates the brightness of the image when the transparent first sub determination region 3A or the second sub determination region 3B is imaged. Further, the casing 10 surrounding the glass plate 3 and the medium presser mechanism 12 disposed inside the medium insertion portion 16 have a color close to black. For this reason, the reference value K1 is a very small value.

  The threshold value TH1 is determined based on a state in which an object containing many colors other than black overlaps the first sub determination area 3A or the second sub determination area 3B, and the first sub determination area 3A or the second sub determination area 3B. A value that can be distinguished from a state in which no object overlaps the sub determination region 3B is determined in advance.

  The medium placement detection unit 40C determines which of the first detection process and the second detection process is to be executed based on the brightness of the image data acquired by the second image data acquisition unit 40B. To do. Specifically, the medium placement detection unit 40C performs the first detection process when the brightness of the image data in each of the second determination areas 3R and 3L is greater than the reference value K2 by the threshold value TH1. And when the brightness of the image data in each of the second determination areas 3R and 3L is not greater than the reference value K2 by the threshold value TH1, the second detection process is performed.

  The reference value K2 is obtained by causing the imaging device 8 to image the lower surface of the glass plate 3 when the information recording medium 2 is not placed on the glass plate 3 and irradiating infrared light from the illumination 4. This is a value indicating the brightness of the image data in the second determination region 3R and the second determination region 3L in the output captured image data. For the reference value K2, for example, an average value of all pixel values of the image data in the second determination region 3R and the second determination region 3L is obtained in advance and stored in the ROM of the system control unit 40.

  The reference value K2 is a very small value like the reference value K1. The threshold TH2 is a state in which an object containing many colors other than black overlaps the second determination areas 3R and 3L and a state in which no object overlaps the second determination areas 3R and 3L. Is determined in advance.

  If the proper mounting position of the information recording medium 2 on the glass plate 3 is the passport 2A, the end on the back side of the passport 2A contacts the end on the back side of the first area AR1 in FIG. In the case of the ID card 2B, the rear end of the ID card 2B is in contact with the front end of the first area AR1 in FIG.

  The medium holding determination unit 40D has a first sub-determination area 3A newly acquired by the first image data acquisition unit 40A when the mounting of the information recording medium 2 is detected by the medium mounting detection unit 40C. Alternatively, the image data of the second sub determination area 3B and the first sub determination area 3A or the second sub determination area 3B acquired by the first image data acquisition unit 40A immediately before the image data. Based on the difference from the image data, it is determined whether or not the position of the information recording medium 2 is held in the glass plate 3 for a predetermined time.

  In order to accurately read information from the information recording medium 2, the information recording medium 2 needs to be placed stationary at a desired position on the glass plate 3 for a certain period of time. This predetermined time is a predetermined time required for accurately reading information.

  When the medium holding determination unit 40D determines that the position of the information recording medium 2 is held for a predetermined time, the information reading processing unit 40E causes the image pickup device 8 to pick up an image of the glass plate 3, and the image pickup element is obtained by this image pickup. Based on the picked-up image data output from 8, information is read from the information recording medium 2.

  In the case of the passport 2A, the information reading process is, for example, from the captured image data obtained by imaging the lower surface of the glass plate 3 to the back end portion of the end of the information recording surface 2sa of the passport 2A in the insertion direction. It is a series of processes for recognizing a certain character and outputting information of the recognized character to the host device as an information reading result.

  In the case of the ID card 2B, the information reading process is, for example, an image obtained by trimming a portion of the ID card 2B from captured image data obtained by imaging the lower surface of the glass plate 3, and the upper surface of the glass plate 3. Are combined with an image obtained by trimming the portion of the ID card 2B from the captured image data obtained by capturing the image, and the combined image is output to the host device as an information reading result.

(Information reading operation of the information reading device)
14 to 16 are flowcharts for explaining the information reading operation by the system control unit 40 shown in FIG. The operation shown in FIGS. 14 to 16 is started in response to an instruction from a host device such as a personal computer connected to the information reading device 1.

  First, the system control unit 40 causes the imaging device 8 to capture an image of the lower surface of the glass plate 3 in a state where infrared light is irradiated from the illumination 4 (step S1). When captured image data is output from the image sensor 8 by this imaging, the second image data acquisition unit 40B of the system control unit 40 uses the second determination data set in the glass plate 3 among the captured image data. Image data of the areas 3R and 3L is acquired (step S2). The image data of the second determination area 3R acquired here is referred to as image data 3GR, and the image data of the second determination area 3L acquired here is referred to as image data 3GL.

  Next, the medium placement detection unit 40C of the system control unit 40 calculates the brightness (average pixel value) of the image data 3GL acquired in step S2, and the difference between the calculated brightness and the reference value K2 is a threshold value TH1. It is determined whether or not this is the case (step S3). If the determination in step S3 is YES, the medium placement detection unit 40C of the system control unit 40 calculates the brightness (average pixel value) of the image data 3GR acquired in step S2, and determines the calculated brightness. It is determined whether or not the difference between the reference value K1 and the reference value K1 is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH1 (step S4).

  When the determination in step S4 is YES, the medium placement detection unit 40C of the system control unit 40 selects the first detection process in step S5, and the determination in step S4 is NO. If the determination in step S3 is NO, the second detection process is selected in step S6.

  When the first detection process is selected in step S5 in FIG. 14, as shown in FIG. 15, the first image data acquisition unit 40A of the system control unit 40 captures an image by “imaging in step S1” in FIG. Image data of the first sub determination region 3A set on the glass plate 3 is acquired from the captured image data output from the element 8 (step S40), which is acquired by the first image data acquisition unit 40A. The image data in the first sub-determination area 3A is hereinafter referred to as image data 3GA.

  Next, the medium placement detection unit 40C of the system control unit 40 obtains the brightness (average pixel value) of the image data 3GA acquired in step S40, and the difference between the obtained brightness and the reference value K1 is a threshold value. It is determined whether or not it is greater than TH1 (step S41). If the determination in step S41 is no, the process returns to step S1.

  When the determination in step S41 is YES, the medium placement detection unit 40C of the system control unit 40 detects that the passport 2A is placed at an appropriate position on the glass plate 3 (step S42).

  After step S <b> 42, the system control unit 40 causes the imaging device 8 to capture an image of the lower surface of the glass plate 3 in a state where infrared light is irradiated from the illumination 4. Then, when captured image data is output from the image sensor 8 by this imaging, the first image data acquisition unit 40A of the system control unit 40 sets the first image data set to the glass plate 3 among the captured image data. The image data 3GA of the sub determination area 3A is acquired again (step S43).

  The medium holding determination unit 40D of the system control unit 40 determines the brightness of the image data 3GA acquired in step S43 and the brightness of the image data 3GA acquired by the first image data acquisition unit 40A immediately before step S43. It is determined whether or not the difference is equal to or less than the threshold value TH2 (step S44).

  If the passport 2A is placed on the first sub-determination area 3A and the position of the passport 2A is hardly moved, the first sub-determination area 3A is continuously imaged. There should be almost no change in the brightness of the two obtained image data 3GA. The threshold value TH2 is an arbitrary value set in advance to determine whether or not a change has occurred in the position of the passport 2A, that is, whether or not the passport 2A is not moved.

  When the determination in step S44 is NO, the medium holding determination unit 40D of the system control unit 40 resets the count value of the built-in counter (the initial value in the reset state is set to “0”) (step S46), the process is returned to step S1.

  If the determination in step S44 is YES, the medium holding determination unit 40D of the system control unit 40 increments the count value of the built-in counter by one (step S45), and this count value is a predetermined value (2 or more). It is determined whether or not a predetermined value has been reached (step S47).

  If the count value has not reached the predetermined value (step S47: NO), the medium holding determination unit 40D of the system control unit 40 returns the process to step S43, and if the count value has reached the predetermined value (step S47). : YES), it is determined that the passport 2A is held at an appropriate position (step S48).

  After step S48, information reading processing is started by the information reading processing unit 40E of the system control unit 40 (step S49). For example, the information reading processing unit 40E of the system control unit 40 causes the imaging element 8 to capture an image of the lower surface of the glass plate 3 in a state where white light and ultraviolet light are irradiated from the illumination 4. The information reading processing unit 40E of the system control unit 40 recognizes characters from the captured image data obtained by this imaging, and outputs the recognized character information to the host device.

  When the second detection process is selected in step S6 of FIG. 14, as shown in FIG. 16, the first image data acquisition unit 40A of the system control unit 40 performs the imaging element by imaging in step S1 of FIG. 14. Among the captured image data output from 8, image data of the second sub-determination area 3B set on the glass plate 3 is acquired (step S50). The image data of the second sub determination region 3B acquired by the first image data acquisition unit 40A is hereinafter referred to as image data 3GB.

  Next, the medium placement detection unit 40C of the system control unit 40 obtains the brightness (average pixel value) of the image data 3GB, and whether or not the difference between the obtained brightness and the reference value K1 is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH1. Is determined (step S51). If the determination in step S51 is no, the process returns to step S1.

  When the determination in step S51 is YES, the medium placement detection unit 40C of the system control unit 40 detects that the ID card 2B is placed at an appropriate position on the glass plate 3 (step S52).

  After step S <b> 52, the system control unit 40 causes the imaging device 8 to capture an image of the lower surface of the glass plate 3 in a state where infrared light is irradiated from the illumination 4. When the captured image data is output from the image sensor 8 by this imaging, the first image data acquisition unit 40A of the system control unit 40 sets the second image data set to the glass plate 3 among the captured image data. The image data 3GB of the sub determination area 3B is acquired again (step S53).

  The medium holding determination unit 40D of the system control unit 40 determines the brightness of the image data 3GB acquired in step S53 and the brightness of the image data 3GB acquired by the first image data acquisition unit 40A immediately before step S53. It is determined whether or not the difference is equal to or less than the threshold value TH2 (step S54).

  If the determination in step S54 is NO, the medium holding determination unit 40D of the system control unit 40 resets the count value of the built-in counter (step S56), and returns the process to step S1.

  If the determination in step S54 is YES, the medium holding determination unit 40D of the system control unit 40 increments the count value of the built-in counter by one (step S55), and this count value becomes the above predetermined value. It is determined whether it has been reached (step S57).

  When the count value has not reached the predetermined value (step S57: NO), the medium holding determination unit 40D of the system control unit 40 returns the process to step S53, and when the count value has reached the predetermined value ( In step S57: YES, it is determined that the ID card 2B is held at an appropriate position (step S58).

  After step S58, the information reading processing unit 40E starts information reading processing (step S59). For example, the information reading processing unit 40E causes the imaging device 8 to capture an image of the lower surface of the glass plate 3 in a state in which the illumination 4 emits white light and ultraviolet light, and then causes the illumination 5 to emit white light and ultraviolet light. In this state, the upper surface of the glass plate 3 is imaged by the image sensor 8. The information reading processing unit 40E trims and combines the image data of the ID card 2B from the two captured image data obtained by the two imaging operations, and outputs the combined data to the host device.

(Effect of the information reading device of the embodiment)
As described above, according to the information reading device 1, information recording is performed based on the image data of the first sub determination area 3A or the second sub determination area 3B set at the end 3Ey of the glass plate 3. It can be determined whether or not the medium 2 is placed at an appropriate position on the glass plate 3 and whether or not this state is maintained. For this reason, it is possible to easily and accurately determine that the information recording medium 2 is in a state suitable for reading information, and to read information efficiently.

  Further, according to the information reading apparatus 1, the first detection process and the second detection process are selectively performed according to the brightness of the image data in the second determination areas 3R and 3L. For example, when the information recording medium 2 is the passport 2A, a range for recognizing characters recorded on the information recording surface 2sa in the captured image data obtained by imaging with the imaging element 8 is set in advance. In addition, the information recording surface 2sa needs to be placed up to the back side of the glass plate 3. When the brightness of the image data in the second determination areas 3R and 3L is large, it can be determined that the passport 2A is inserted. In such a case, the first detection process is performed. Thus, it is possible to accurately determine whether or not the passport 2A is placed at an appropriate position on the back side. On the other hand, when the information recording medium 2 is the ID card 2B, the brightness of the image data in the second determination areas 3R and 3L is small. In this case, it is possible to determine whether or not the ID card 2B has been inserted to an appropriate position by performing the second detection process.

  Further, in the information reading apparatus 1, as shown in FIG. 11, the second determination areas 3R and 3L are set as the overlapping area 3a. For this reason, when the passport 2A is inserted between the glass plate 3 and the medium pressing mechanism 12, the passport 2A and the second determination areas 3R and 3L always overlap. Therefore, it can be accurately determined that the passport 2A is inserted.

  Further, according to the information reading apparatus 1, the predetermined value used for the determination in step S47 of FIG. 15 or step S57 of FIG. 16 is arbitrarily set. It can be loosened and can be used flexibly according to the usage situation.

  For example, when it is assumed that the information reading device 1 is used for immigration, etc., and a large number of subjects are waiting, by setting the above predetermined value to a small value, It is possible to shorten the time required for the information reading operation and to realize efficient immigration control.

  Further, according to the information reading apparatus 1, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated light source or the like as in the prior art in order to detect proper placement of the information recording medium 2 and determine whether or not to hold the information recording medium 2. For this reason, the manufacturing cost and maintenance cost of the apparatus can be reduced.

  Further, according to the information reading apparatus 1, since the type of the inserted information recording medium 2 can be determined, it is possible to cope with changing the imaging range of the imaging element 8 in accordance with the type of the information recording medium 2. Become. Therefore, the amount of data used for the information reading process can be optimized, and the information reading speed can be improved and the amount of data transferred to the host device can be reduced.

(First Modification of Information Reading Device of Embodiment)
A mode setting in which the information recording medium 2 is limited to the passport 2A in advance may be possible. When this mode is set, it is not necessary to set the second sub determination area 3B and the second determination areas 3R and 3L shown in FIG. In the operation of the system control unit 40 in this case, the processing after step S40 is performed after step S1 in FIG. 14, and the processing returns to step S1 in FIG. 14 when the determination in step S41 is NO and after step S46. It becomes contents.

  Further, from the same idea, a mode setting in which the information recording medium 2 is limited to the ID card 2B in advance may be possible. When this mode is set, it is not necessary to set the first sub determination area 3A and the second determination areas 3R and 3L in FIG. In the operation of the system control unit 40 in this case, the processing after step S50 is performed after step S1 in FIG. 14, and the processing returns to step S1 in FIG. 14 when the determination in step S51 is NO and after step S56. It becomes contents.

  As described above, the information reading apparatus 1 can also limit the types of information recording media 2 to be read. In this case, the reading operation can be speeded up.

(Second Modification of Information Reading Device of Embodiment)
In the information reading apparatus 1, the medium pressing mechanism 12 is not essential and may be omitted. Even in this case, when the passport 2A is inserted into the medium insertion unit 16, the passport 2A overlaps both the second determination areas 3R and 3L, and the ID card 2B is inserted into the medium insertion unit 16. The ID card 2B does not overlap both the second determination areas 3R and 3L. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether or not the information recording medium 2 inserted in the medium insertion unit 16 is the passport 2A.

  When the medium pressing mechanism 12 is omitted, the ID card 2B can be placed up to a position overlapping the first sub determination area 3A in FIG. 11, for example. Therefore, the system control unit 40 performs the processing of step S40 of FIG. 15, step S41 of FIG. 15, step S50 of FIG. 16, and step S51 of FIG. 16 after step S6 of FIG. Is NO, and if the determination in step S51 is YES, it may be detected in step S22 that the ID card 2B has been placed at an appropriate position.

  According to the second modification, even in the information reading apparatus 1 that does not have the medium pressing mechanism 12, it can be determined with high accuracy that the information recording medium 2 is placed in an appropriate state.

  In the second modification, it is also possible to obtain image data 3GL, image data 3GR, image data 3GA, and image data 3GB by imaging the glass plate 3 from the upper surface side.

(Third Modification of Information Reading Device of Embodiment)
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating another example of the determination region set in the glass plate 3. In FIG. 17, the same components as those in FIG. 11 are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the example shown in FIG. 17, a first sub determination region 3 </ b> C and a second sub determination region 3 </ b> D are set in the non-overlapping region 3 b of the glass plate 3.

  The first sub determination region 3 </ b> C is set at the end 3 </ b> Ey of the glass plate 3. The first sub determination region 3C is a linear and rectangular region extending in the left-right direction in the example of FIG.

  The second sub determination region 3D is set in front of the first sub determination region 3C at the end 3Ey of the glass plate 3. The second sub determination region 3D is a linear and rectangular region extending in the left-right direction in the example of FIG.

  In the example of FIG. 17, the first sub determination region 3C and the second sub determination region 3D have the same position in the left-right direction and the same shape. The first determination region is constituted by the first sub determination region 3C and the second sub determination region 3D.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart for explaining a modification of the information reading operation by the system control unit 40 shown in FIG. Here, it is assumed that the ID card 2B is inserted as the information recording medium 2.

  First, the system control unit 40 causes the imaging device 8 to capture an image of the lower surface of the glass plate 3 in a state where infrared light is irradiated from the illumination 4 (step S10). In step S <b> 10, the upper surface of the glass plate 3 may be imaged by the imaging element 8 in a state where infrared light is irradiated from the illumination 5.

  When the captured image data is output from the image sensor 8 by the imaging in step S10, the first image data acquisition unit 40A of the system control unit 40 sets the first image data set in the glass plate 3 among the captured image data. Image data of the sub determination area 3C is acquired (step S11). The image data of the first sub-determination area 3C acquired by the first image data acquisition unit 40A is hereinafter referred to as image data 3GC.

  Next, the medium placement detection unit 40C of the system control unit 40 calculates the brightness (average pixel value) of the image data 3GC, and determines whether or not the difference between the calculated brightness and the reference value K1 is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH1. Is determined (step S12).

  If the determination in step S12 is NO, the first image data acquisition unit 40A of the system control unit 40 uses the second sub determination region 3D set on the glass plate 3 in the captured image data. Image data is acquired (step S12). The image data of the second sub determination area 3D acquired by the first image data acquisition unit 40A is hereinafter referred to as image data 3GD.

  After step S13, the medium placement detection unit 40C of the system control unit 40 calculates the brightness (average pixel value) of the image data 3GD, and whether the difference between the calculated brightness and the reference value K1 is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH1. It is determined whether or not (step S14). If the determination in step S14 is no, the process returns to step S10.

  When the determination of step S12 is YES and when the determination of step S14 is YES, the medium placement detection unit 40C of the system control unit 40 causes the information recording medium 2 to be at an appropriate position on the glass plate 3. The placement is detected (step S15).

  After step S <b> 15, the system control unit 40 causes the imaging device 8 to capture an image of the lower surface of the glass plate 3 in a state where infrared light is irradiated from the illumination 4. Here, the upper surface of the glass plate 3 may be imaged by the imaging element 8 in a state where infrared light is irradiated from the illumination 5. Then, when captured image data is output from the image sensor 8 by this imaging, the first image data acquisition unit 40A of the system control unit 40 sets the first image data set to the glass plate 3 among the captured image data. The image data 3GC of the sub determination area 3C or the image data 3GD of the second sub determination area 3D set on the glass plate 3 is acquired again (step S16).

  In addition, when the process of step S16 is performed after the determination of step S12 becomes YES, image data 3GC is acquired in this step S16. When the process in step S16 is performed after the determination in step S14 is YES, image data 3GD is acquired in step S16.

  After step S16, the medium holding determination unit 40D of the system control unit 40 determines the brightness of the image data 3GC (or image data 3GD) acquired in step S16 and the first image data acquisition unit 40A immediately before step S16. It is determined whether or not the difference between the brightness of the image data 3GC (or the image data 3GD) acquired by the above is equal to or less than the threshold value TH2 (step S17).

  If the determination in step S17 is NO, the medium holding determination unit 40D of the system control unit 40 resets the count value of the built-in counter (step S19), and returns the process to step S10.

  If the determination in step S17 is YES, the medium holding determination unit 40D of the system control unit 40 increments the count value of the built-in counter by one (step S18), and this count value becomes the above predetermined value. It is determined whether it has been reached (step S20).

  When the count value has not reached the predetermined value (step S20: NO), the medium holding determination unit 40D of the system control unit 40 returns the process to step S16, and the count value has reached the predetermined value. In the case (step S20: YES), it is determined that the information recording medium 2 is held at an appropriate position (step S21).

  After step S21, information reading processing is started by the information reading processing unit 40E of the system control unit 40 (step S22).

  As described above, in the second modification, the ID card 2B is placed at an appropriate position when the difference between the brightness of one of the image data 3GC and the image data 3GD and the reference value K1 is equal to or greater than the threshold value TH1. It is determined that

  In some cases, a black portion such as a magnetic stripe or a dense barcode is printed on the information recording surface of the ID card 2B. Even if the portion of the ID card 2B overlaps the second sub determination area 3D and the difference between the brightness of the image data 3GD and the reference value K1 is less than the threshold value TH1, the first sub determination area Since 3C and the second sub determination region 3D are arranged apart from each other, the brightness of the image data 3GC in the first sub determination region 3C where the portion does not overlap increases. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether or not the ID card 2B is placed at an appropriate position based on the brightness of the image data 3GC. Thus, according to the second modification, even if the ID card 2B including a magnetic stripe or a dense barcode is inserted, whether or not the ID card 2B is placed at an appropriate position is determined. Judgment can be made accurately.

  Further, according to the second modified example, it is not necessary to perform the processing from step S2 to step S6 in FIG. 14, and thus the processing load for reading information can be reduced. In addition, the information reading speed can be increased.

(Fourth Modification of Information Reading Device of Embodiment)
Each of the first sub-determination area 3A and the second sub-determination area 3B shown in FIG. 11 does not have to be a single area, and may be divided into a plurality of areas arranged in the left-right direction. By doing in this way, the amount of calculation at the time of calculating | requiring the brightness of image data GA and the brightness of image data GB can be reduced, and a high-speed process is attained.

  Similarly, the second determination areas 3R and 3L shown in FIG. 11 do not have to be separate areas, and may be divided into a plurality of areas arranged in the front-rear direction. By doing in this way, the amount of calculation at the time of calculating | requiring the brightness of image data 3GR and the brightness of image data 3GL can be reduced, and a high-speed process is attained.

  Further, the second determination regions 3R and 3L shown in FIG. 11 may be, for example, square regions instead of linear shapes. By doing in this way, the amount of calculation at the time of calculating | requiring the brightness of image data 3GR and the brightness of image data 3GL can be reduced, and a high-speed process is attained.

  In the description of the embodiment and the modification so far, the lower surface and the upper surface of the glass plate 3 can be imaged by one image sensor 8. An image pickup device for picking up images may be provided separately.

  As described above, the following items are disclosed in this specification.

(1)
An information reading device that has a medium insertion portion in which an opening into which an information recording medium is inserted is formed, and optically reads information from the information recording medium inserted in the medium insertion portion,
The medium insertion portion has a placement portion on which the information recording medium is placed,
An image sensor for imaging the placement unit;
Of the captured image data output from the imaging device by imaging the mounting unit with the imaging device, the setting unit is set to the end of the mounting unit opposite to the opening in the insertion direction of the information recording medium. A first image data acquisition unit for acquiring image data of the first determination region;
A medium placement detection unit that detects that the information recording medium is placed on the placement unit when it is determined that the brightness of the image data in the first determination region is greater than a reference value by a threshold value or more. When,
When the placement of the information recording medium is detected by the medium placement detection unit, the image data of the first determination area newly acquired by the first image data acquisition unit, and the image data Whether the position of the information recording medium is held in the placement unit for a predetermined time based on a difference from the image data of the first determination area acquired by the first image data acquisition unit immediately before A medium holding determination unit for determining whether or not,
When the medium holding determination unit determines that the position of the information recording medium is held for the predetermined time, reading information from the information recording medium based on the captured image data output from the image sensor An information reading apparatus comprising: an information reading processing unit that performs processing.

  According to this configuration, the detection of the insertion of the information recording medium and the determination of holding of the mounted position can be performed based on the image data of the first determination area set at the end of the mounting unit. it can. For this reason, it is possible to easily and accurately determine that the information recording medium is in a state suitable for reading, and to read information efficiently.

(2)
(1) The information reading device according to
The medium holding determination unit determines that the position of the information recording medium is held for the predetermined time when the difference is equal to or less than a threshold value a plurality of times.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to accurately determine the state in which the position of the information recording medium is held.

(3)
The information reading device according to (1) or (2),
The first determination area includes an information reading apparatus including a first sub determination area and a second sub determination area set on the opening side of the first sub determination area.

  According to this configuration, since the first determination area includes the first sub determination area and the second sub determination area, the accuracy of detection by the medium placement detection unit can be increased.

(4)
(3) An information reading apparatus according to (1),
The medium placement detection unit includes a case where the brightness of the image data in the first sub determination region acquired by the first image data acquisition unit is greater than the threshold value by the threshold value, and the first In the case where the brightness of the image data of the second sub determination region acquired by one image data acquisition unit is greater than the threshold value by the threshold value, the placement unit includes the An information reading device that detects that an information recording medium is placed.

  According to this configuration, for example, the information recording surface of the information recording medium includes a portion where the image becomes dark when an image such as a magnetic stripe or a dense barcode is captured, and the first sub determination region and the second sub determination region Even if this part overlaps one of the determination areas, the brightness of the other image data of the first sub-determination area and the second sub-determination area where this part does not overlap increases. Therefore, it is possible to accurately detect the placement of the information recording medium.

(5)
(3) An information reading apparatus according to (1),
Of the captured image data output from the imaging device by imaging the mounting unit with the imaging device, set at both ends of the mounting unit in the direction orthogonal to the insertion direction of the mounting unit and the thickness direction of the information recording medium And a second image data acquisition unit for acquiring image data of a second determination region set on the opening side of the second sub determination region,
The medium placement detection unit detects the placement of the information recording medium when the brightness of the image data in the first sub determination region is determined to be greater than the reference value by the threshold value or more. Detection processing, and second detection processing for detecting placement of the information recording medium when it is determined that the brightness of the image data in the second sub determination region is greater than the threshold value by the threshold value, Any one of the above is selected and executed based on the brightness of the image data in the second determination area.

  According to this configuration, the first detection process and the second detection process are selectively performed according to the brightness of the image data in the second determination region. For example, when the size of the information recording medium is large and the information recording medium overlaps the second determination area, the brightness of the image data in the second determination area increases. For this reason, for example, by performing the first detection process, it is possible to determine whether or not the information recording medium has been inserted all the way. On the other hand, when the size of the information recording medium is small and the information recording medium does not overlap the second determination area, the brightness of the image data in the second determination area decreases. Therefore, for example, by performing the second detection process, it is possible to efficiently determine whether or not the information recording medium has been inserted to the proper position. In this way, the detection process can be changed depending on the size of the information recording medium, and the insertion of the information recording medium can be detected accurately and efficiently.

(6)
(5) The information reading device according to (1),
The medium placement detection unit performs a first detection process when the brightness of the image data in the second determination area is greater than a reference value by a threshold value or more. An information reading apparatus that performs a second detection process when the brightness of the image data is not greater than the threshold value by more than the threshold value.

  According to this configuration, the first detection process and the second detection process are selectively performed depending on whether the brightness of the image data in the second determination region is greater than the reference value by a threshold value or more. For this reason, an information recording medium such as a passport that has a large width in the direction orthogonal to the insertion direction and the thickness direction of the placement section and is required to be placed on the back side of the medium insertion section is inserted. Can be efficiently detected. In addition, an information recording medium such as an ID card that has a small width in the direction perpendicular to the insertion direction and the thickness direction of the placement unit and is not required to be placed on the back side of the medium insertion unit. Insertion can be detected efficiently.

(7)
(5) or (6) information reading apparatus,
A guide mechanism disposed inside the medium insertion portion;
The mounting portion is an overlapping region that overlaps the guide mechanism in a state viewed from the thickness direction of the information recording medium, and is in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction at an end opposite to the opening in the insertion direction. An overlapping region formed by a first region extending along the first region and a pair of second regions extending from both ends of the first region in the vertical direction toward the opening side in the insertion direction in the mounting portion. A non-overlapping region that does not overlap with the guide mechanism surrounded by the overlapping region,
The medium insertion portion is inserted between the guide mechanism and the placement portion and is pressed toward the placement portion by the guide mechanism, and is applied to the overlap region and the non-overlap region of the placement portion. Any one of the first information recording medium to be placed and the second information recording medium to be placed in the non-overlapping region of the placement portion is inserted,
The information reading apparatus in which the second determination area is set in the overlapping area of the placement unit.

  According to this configuration, when the first information recording medium is inserted, the first information recording medium overlaps the second determination area, and when the second information recording medium is inserted, The second information recording medium does not overlap the second determination area. Thus, by setting the second determination area in relation to the guide mechanism, it is possible to accurately determine the size of the information recording medium, which is either the first detection process or the second detection process. Can be accurately determined.

(8)
(7) The information reading device according to
The first sub determination area is set in the overlap area of the placement section, and the second sub determination area is set in the non-overlap area of the placement section. apparatus.

  According to this configuration, when the first information recording medium is inserted, the first information recording medium overlaps the second determination area and the first sub determination area, and the second information recording medium Is inserted, the second information recording medium overlaps only in the second sub-determination area. Therefore, when the first information recording medium is inserted, the first information recording medium is inserted at an appropriate position by the first detection process based on the brightness of the image data in the first sub determination area. Can be detected. In addition, when the second information recording medium is inserted, the second information recording medium is inserted at an appropriate position by the second detection process based on the brightness of the image data in the second sub determination area. Can be detected.

(9)
A method for controlling an information reading apparatus, which has a medium insertion portion in which an opening into which an information recording medium is inserted is formed, and optically reads information from the information recording medium inserted in the medium insertion portion,
The medium insertion portion has a placement portion on which the information recording medium is placed,
Of the imaged image data output from the image pickup device by picking up the image of the placement section with the image pickup device, the first set at the end opposite to the opening in the insertion direction of the information recording medium in the placement section. A first image data acquisition step of acquiring image data of one determination region;
A medium insertion detection step of detecting that the information recording medium is placed on the placement section when it is determined that the brightness of the image data in the first determination area is greater than a threshold value by a threshold value; ,
When it is detected that the information recording medium is placed by the medium insertion detection step, the image data of the first determination area newly acquired by the first image data acquisition step, and Based on the difference from the image data of the first determination area acquired by the first image data acquisition step immediately before the image data, the position of the information recording medium is held in the mounting unit for a predetermined time. A medium holding determination step for determining whether or not
When the medium holding determination step determines that the position of the information recording medium is held for the predetermined time, reading of information from the information recording medium is performed based on the captured image data output from the image sensor. An information reading apparatus control method comprising: an information reading processing step for performing processing.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information reader 2 Information recording medium 3 Glass plate (mounting part)
3C First sub-determination area 3D Second sub-determination area 8 Image sensor 16 Medium insertion unit 40 System control unit

Claims (9)

An information reading device that has a medium insertion portion in which an opening into which an information recording medium is inserted is formed, and optically reads information from the information recording medium inserted in the medium insertion portion,
The medium insertion portion has a placement portion on which the information recording medium is placed,
An image sensor for imaging the placement unit;
Of the captured image data output from the imaging device by imaging the mounting unit with the imaging device, the setting unit is set to the end of the mounting unit opposite to the opening in the insertion direction of the information recording medium. A first image data acquisition unit for acquiring image data of the first determination region;
A medium placement detection unit that detects that the information recording medium is placed on the placement unit when it is determined that the brightness of the image data in the first determination region is greater than a reference value by a threshold value or more. When,
When the placement of the information recording medium is detected by the medium placement detection unit, the image data of the first determination area newly acquired by the first image data acquisition unit, and the image data Whether the position of the information recording medium is held in the placement unit for a predetermined time based on a difference from the image data of the first determination area acquired by the first image data acquisition unit immediately before A medium holding determination unit for determining whether or not,
When the medium holding determination unit determines that the position of the information recording medium is held for the predetermined time, reading information from the information recording medium based on the captured image data output from the image sensor An information reading apparatus comprising: an information reading processing unit that performs processing. The information reading device according to claim 1,
The medium holding determination unit determines that the position of the information recording medium is held for the predetermined time when the difference is equal to or less than a threshold value a plurality of times. The information reading device according to claim 1 or 2,
The first determination area includes an information reading apparatus including a first sub determination area and a second sub determination area set on the opening side of the first sub determination area. The information reading device according to claim 3,
The medium placement detection unit includes a case where the brightness of the image data in the first sub determination region acquired by the first image data acquisition unit is greater than the threshold value by the threshold value, and the first In the case where the brightness of the image data of the second sub determination region acquired by one image data acquisition unit is greater than the threshold value by the threshold value, the placement unit includes the An information reading device that detects that an information recording medium is placed. The information reading device according to claim 3,
Of the captured image data output from the imaging device by imaging the mounting unit with the imaging device, set at both ends of the mounting unit in the direction orthogonal to the insertion direction of the mounting unit and the thickness direction of the information recording medium And a second image data acquisition unit for acquiring image data of a second determination region set on the opening side of the second sub determination region,
The medium placement detection unit detects the placement of the information recording medium when the brightness of the image data in the first sub determination region is determined to be greater than the reference value by the threshold value or more. Detection processing, and second detection processing for detecting placement of the information recording medium when it is determined that the brightness of the image data in the second sub determination region is greater than the threshold value by the threshold value, Any one of the above is selected and executed based on the brightness of the image data in the second determination area. The information reading device according to claim 5,
The medium placement detection unit performs a first detection process when the brightness of the image data in the second determination area is greater than a reference value by a threshold value or more. An information reading apparatus that performs a second detection process when the brightness of the image data is not greater than the threshold value by more than the threshold value. The information reader according to claim 5 or 6,
A guide mechanism disposed inside the medium insertion portion;
The mounting portion is an overlapping region that overlaps the guide mechanism in a state viewed from the thickness direction of the information recording medium, and is in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction at an end opposite to the opening in the insertion direction. An overlapping region formed by a first region extending along the first region and a pair of second regions extending from both ends of the first region in the vertical direction toward the opening side in the insertion direction in the mounting portion. A non-overlapping region that does not overlap with the guide mechanism surrounded by the overlapping region,
The medium insertion portion is inserted between the guide mechanism and the placement portion and is pressed toward the placement portion by the guide mechanism, and is applied to the overlap region and the non-overlap region of the placement portion. Any one of the first information recording medium to be placed and the second information recording medium to be placed in the non-overlapping region of the placement portion is inserted,
The information reading apparatus in which the second determination area is set in the overlapping area of the placement unit. The information reading device according to claim 7,
The first sub determination area is set in the overlap area of the placement section, and the second sub determination area is set in the non-overlap area of the placement section. apparatus. A method for controlling an information reading apparatus, which has a medium insertion portion in which an opening into which an information recording medium is inserted is formed, and optically reads information from the information recording medium inserted in the medium insertion portion,
The medium insertion portion has a placement portion on which the information recording medium is placed,
Of the imaged image data output from the image pickup device by picking up the image of the placement section with the image pickup device, the first set at the end opposite to the opening in the insertion direction of the information recording medium in the placement section. A first image data acquisition step of acquiring image data of one determination region;
A medium insertion detection step of detecting that the information recording medium is placed on the placement section when it is determined that the brightness of the image data in the first determination area is greater than a threshold value by a threshold value; ,
When it is detected that the information recording medium is placed by the medium insertion detection step, the image data of the first determination area newly acquired by the first image data acquisition step, and Based on the difference from the image data of the first determination area acquired by the first image data acquisition step immediately before the image data, the position of the information recording medium is held in the mounting unit for a predetermined time. A medium holding determination step for determining whether or not
When the medium holding determination step determines that the position of the information recording medium is held for the predetermined time, reading of information from the information recording medium is performed based on the captured image data output from the image sensor. An information reading apparatus control method comprising: an information reading processing step for performing processing.