JP2001086303A - Sheet reader and sheet sorting system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] The present invention can restore a read signal to a reference level without using a measuring instrument and without soiling a calibration plate for a human error or a deteriorated read signal. Work can be simplified. SOLUTION: The present invention judges a level difference between a reference level value of two series signals of an even-numbered row signal and an odd-numbered row signal from a CCD linear sensor 25 and, when there is a level difference, a specified value ( D) Output from signal processing unit 27a (A) Difference (α) between signal (fa) and the sum of digitally converted values, and (B) output from signal processing unit 27b for specified value (D) A difference (β) from the sum of values obtained by digitally converting the signal (fb) is detected, and the signal processing unit 2 detects the difference (β) based on an analog value corresponding to a correction amount of the difference.
At 7a and 27b, the digitalized reference voltage is changed and multiplied to restore the signal.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a paper sheet reading apparatus and a paper sheet sorting system for reading information such as an address written on a paper sheet such as a postal matter such as a sealed letter or a postcard.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in a sheet reading apparatus for reading information written on a sheet, an illumination (light source) for irradiating the sheet with light and a reflection from the sheet are used. A CCD linear sensor is used as an optical reading element that converts light into an electric signal (read signal). This CCD linear sensor has two output forms of an odd-numbered column signal and an even-numbered column signal of pixels for one line.

In such a paper sheet reading apparatus, as a technique for restoring a deteriorated read signal, a calibration plate for calibrating the signal is installed, and a CCD linear device is used by using a measuring device for reading the signal amplitude of the calibration plate. Shading correction is performed to adjust two signal levels from two output forms of the odd-numbered row / even-numbered row of the sensor to the calibration value of the calibration plate to correct distortion such as uneven illumination.

As described above, in order to adjust (repair) a read signal, a measuring instrument is used to perform the adjustment, thereby causing a mistake or the like, and it is impossible to perform the operation in a short time. was there.

In the paper sheet reading apparatus, when the reading rate is lowered, it may be due to dust on the detection surface (on the paper sheet to be read) or to two odd / even rows of the CCD linear sensor. When judging whether the difference is due to a difference between two signal levels, the above judgment is made by placing a calibration plate on the detection surface and observing the signal amplitude (waveform) of the calibration plate read by a measuring instrument. . According to this determination, the readjustment work is performed, but it is not a series of maintenance work, and it is easy to make an error.

In addition, since the position at which the calibration plate is installed on the detection surface is artificially changed, the installation position changes every time, so that the signal amplitude of the calibration plate read by the measuring instrument changes.

Therefore, there is no means for detecting whether the signal difference in the signal amplitude of the calibration plate by the measuring instrument is caused by inexperience in handling the measuring instrument or by human error. The signal is used as a read signal with a signal difference in amplitude.

[0008] As a result, there is a demand for a device capable of restoring a read signal to a reference level without using a measuring instrument for a read signal that has been degraded due to human error or deterioration and without soiling the calibration plate.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a method for restoring a read signal to a reference level without using a measuring instrument and without causing a human error or a deteriorated read signal to be used, and without soiling a calibration plate. It is a demanded one, and it is possible to restore the read signal to the reference level without using a measuring instrument for the human error or the deteriorated read signal without using a measuring instrument, and to simplify the repair work. It is an object of the present invention to provide a sheet reader and a sheet sorting system.

[0010]

According to the present invention, there is provided a paper sheet reading apparatus comprising: photoelectric conversion means for converting reflected light of one line from a reading target position with respect to a light source into two series of signals; Instructing means for instructing the correction of the output two-series signal, and the instructing means instructing the correction,
Output means for outputting, by the photoelectric conversion means, two series of signals from the light source to the calibration plate when the calibration plate is located at the reading target position;
Determining means for determining whether or not the level difference of the series signal from the reference level is different; and, when the determining means determines that the level difference is different, the level between the reference level for the two series signals is determined. Correction means for correcting two series of signals output by the photoelectric conversion means with a correction value for the difference.

A sheet sorting system according to the present invention comprises: photoelectric conversion means for converting one line of reflected light from a sheet passing a reading position with respect to a light source into two series of signals; and the photoelectric conversion means. A reading device having reading means for reading the written content of the paper sheet based on the output signal, a recognition device for recognizing the sorting information based on the written content of the paper sheet read by the reading device stage, And a sorting device for sorting corresponding paper sheets based on the sorting information recognized by the recognition device, wherein the reading device instructs correction of two series of signals output by the photoelectric conversion means. Instructing means and an instruction to perform correction by the instructing means, and when the calibration plate is located at the reading target position, the photoelectric conversion means outputs two series of signals from the light source to the calibration plate. Output means, determining means for determining whether or not the level difference between the two series signals output from the output means from the reference level is different, and when the determining means determines that the level difference is different, And correcting means for correcting the two series of signals output by the photoelectric conversion means with a correction value for a level difference between the two series of signals and a reference level.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a sheet sorting apparatus (sheet sorting system) 1 incorporating a sheet reading apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows a configuration of a control circuit of the sheet sorting apparatus 1 of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the paper sheet sorting apparatus 1 comprises:
A plurality of sheets on which sorting information is written or printed on the first side are stored in an upright position with one end aligned so that the first side faces in the same direction, and these sheets are taken out in a predetermined manner. A supply unit 2 is provided for sequentially supplying the liquid to a position. A take-out unit 4 is provided at the take-out position for taking out the sheets supplied by the supply unit 2 one by one along the main transport path 3.

The paper sheets taken out by the take-out section 4 are conveyed through a main conveyance path 3 having a conveyance belt running at a constant speed. A foreign matter / hardness detecting unit 5 is provided on the main transport path 3 for detecting foreign matter in a sheet and detecting the hardness of the sheet itself when the sheet contains foreign matter. On the transport path branched off from the main transport path 3 on the downstream side in the transport direction of the foreign matter / hardness detecting unit 5, paper sheets determined to be impossible to machine by the foreign matter / hardness detecting unit 5 are excluded. Elimination and accumulation section 5a is provided.

On the main transport path 3 on the downstream side in the transport direction of the foreign matter / hardness detector 5, the first surface is optically scanned in order to read the sorting information (destination information) of the sheets, and the image is read. A reading unit (sheet reading device) 6 for reading is provided.

At the end of the main transport path 3 on the downstream side of the reading unit 6, a sorting and stacking unit 7 (sorting and stacking means) for sorting and stacking paper sheets into a predetermined sorting pocket (sorting destination) is connected. I have. The sorting destination refers to a position of a sorting pocket where sheets are sorted and accumulated.

The section stacking section 7 has a plurality of section pockets 8 divided into a plurality of steps and a plurality of rows. For example, it is constituted by 200 section pockets 8 in 8 rows and 25 rows. Above each section pocket 8, a section gate (not shown) is provided. By selectively switching these section gates, paper sheets are sorted into predetermined section pockets 8. I have. This division is instructed by a division designation control unit 14 described later.

In FIG. 1, a plurality of switching gates 10 are provided near the end of the main transport path 3 toward the sorting / stacking section 7 so as to correspond to each stage pass section 9 of the sorting / stacking section 7. By selectively switching, the main transport path 3 is selectively connected to any of a plurality of stages through each stage path unit 9.

Further, on the left front side of the sheet sorting apparatus 1 in the figure, an operation panel 11 on which various input operations are performed by a staff member is provided, and on the right side of the sheet sorting apparatus 1 in the figure, the sheet sorting apparatus. A main control unit 12 that controls the sorting operation of the device 1 is provided.

The main control section 12 controls the entire sheet sorting apparatus 1 and, as shown in FIG. 2, uses the image data from the reading section 6 to sort the sheet sorting information. A place recognition device 13 for performing recognition, a destination of sorting of sheets in the sorting and stacking unit 14 in accordance with a recognition result from the recognition device 13,
That is, the section designation control section 14 as section destination designation means for designating the section pocket 8, the take-out section 4, and the reading section 6 are connected.

The sorting designation control unit 14 designates a sorting destination of sheets based on the sorting information supplied from the recognizing device 13, that is, a sorting pocket 8 in which sheets are to be sorted and accumulated.

As shown in FIG. 3, the reading section 6 includes a scanning section 20 for optically scanning the sheet and a scanning section 20 for scanning the sheet.
And a signal processing unit 21 for processing a read signal from the CPU.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the scanning unit 20 illuminates a light (light source) 2 that irradiates light to a reading scanning unit 22 that reads and scans the paper conveyed by the main conveyance path 3.
3, a lens 24 for guiding the reflected light from the scanning section 22 to the subsequent stage, and an optical reading element as an optical reading element for converting the reflected light from the sheets guided by the lens 24 to an electric signal (read signal). It comprises a CCD linear sensor 25.

The CCD linear sensor 25 has two output forms, that is, an odd-numbered row signal and an even-numbered row signal for one line of pixels.

As shown in FIG. 3, the signal processing unit 21 amplifies the odd-numbered column signal and the even-numbered column signal from the CCD linear sensor 25, respectively.
b, signal processing units 27a, 27b, signal processing units 28, 2
9. It is composed of an adjustment switch 30 which is turned on when adjusting a signal.

The signal processor 27a converts the odd-numbered amplified signals fa from the amplifier 26a into digital signals and outputs the digital signals (A: D1).

The signal processing section 27b converts the even-numbered amplified signal fb from the amplifying section 26b into a digital signal and outputs the digital signal (B: D2).

The signal processing section 27a operates as a multiplier by changing the reference voltage for digitization based on the analog value corresponding to the correction amount from the signal processing section 29, and operates as a multiplier. It is to be repaired.

The signal processing unit 27b operates as a multiplier by changing the reference voltage for digitization based on the analog value corresponding to the correction amount from the signal processing unit 29, and operates as a multiplier. It is to be repaired.

When the adjustment switch 30 is turned on, the signal processing section 28 converts each output (A, B) signal (fa, fb) from the signal processing section 27 The stored reference level value (specified value D) for the calibration plate 34 is compared. If there is a level difference (α, β) as a result of the comparison, a difference from the specified value is detected. Is calculated and output to the signal processing unit 29.

The signal processing section 29 converts the correction amount (α) from the signal processing section 28 into an analog value and outputs the analog value.
To convert the correction amount (β) from the signal processing unit 28 into an analog value, and output the analog value to the signal processing unit 27b.

That is, when the adjustment switch 30 is turned on in a state in which a calibration plate 34 described later is set in the reading scanning unit 22, the light from the light source 23 is reflected by the calibration plate 34, It is guided to the linear sensor 25.

As a result, the odd-row signals output from the CCD linear sensor 25 are amplified by the amplifier 26a and supplied to the signal processor 28 via the signal processor 27a. The signals in the even columns output from the CCD linear sensor 25 are amplified by the amplifier 26b and supplied to the signal processor 28 via the signal processor 27b.

The signal processing section 28 outputs a sum of values obtained by digitally converting the output (A) signal (fa) from the signal processing section 27a, a reference level value (prescribed value D) for the calibration plate 34 stored in advance, and The output (B) signal from the signal processing unit 27b is compared with the sum of digitally converted values of the signal (fb) and a previously stored reference level value (prescribed value D) for the calibration plate 34.

As a result of this comparison, when there is no level difference, the signal processing section 28 ends the adjustment mode.

As a result of the above comparison, when there is a level difference,
The signal processing unit 28 calculates the difference (α) between the output (A) from the signal processing unit 27a and the sum of values obtained by digitally converting the signal (fa) with respect to the specified value (D) and the difference (α) with respect to the specified value (D). Output (B) signal (fb) from the signal processing unit 27b
Is detected as a difference (β) from the sum of the digitally converted values, the amounts of correction of these differences are calculated and output to the signal processing unit 29. Thereby, the signal processing unit 2
9, the correction amount from the signal processing unit 28 is converted into an analog value and output to the signal processing units 27a and 27b.

The theory on which the signal levels are adjusted can be realized by multiplying image data that has undergone shading (sensitivity unevenness) by image data that has undergone shading distortion by a correction coefficient. Further, among the correction coefficients, a constant image can always be obtained by correcting the brightness of the light source or the deteriorated signal in inverse proportion.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, a flat plate 31 provided with a slit 30 facing the scanning section 22 is movably disposed on the bottom 20a of the scanning section 20. At one end (the right end shown in FIG. 6) of the flat plate 31, there is provided a magnet 31 a for detecting that the slit 30 faces the scanning section 22.

The slit 30 of the flat plate 31 is provided to be elongated in parallel with the scanning direction of the CCD line sensor 25.

As shown in FIG. 4, an opening / closing member 32 of a calibration plate 34, which will be described later, is
3 fixedly provided.

A flat plate 35 having a calibration plate 34 as a white reference plate is connected to an end of the flat plate 31 and is movably disposed together with the flat plate 31. At one end (the left end shown in FIG. 7) of the flat plate 35, a magnet 35a for detecting that the calibration plate 34 faces the reading scanning unit 22 is provided.

The calibration plate 34 of the flat plate 35 is provided to be elongated in parallel with the scanning direction of the CCD line sensor 25, similarly to the slit 30.

On both sides of the calibration plate 34 on the flat plate 35, slide members 36 and 37 are erected in parallel with the calibration plate 34, and these guide members 36 and 37 and a dustproof plate 38 for the calibration plate 34 are provided. Are provided so as to be slidable.

The dust-proof plate 38 is fixed to the opening / closing member 32 or the main body 33. When the slit 30 of the flat plate 31 faces the scanning section 22, as shown in FIG. When the calibration plate 34 of the flat plate 34 is located in the scanning section 22, the dust prevention plate 38 is opened and the light from the light source 23 is applied to the calibration plate 34 as shown in FIG. Is irradiated.

When the slit 30 of the flat plate 31 faces the scanning section 22 (FIG. 6), a detector 39 which is turned on by a magnet 31a is provided above the other end of the flat plate 31. (FIG. 4).

The calibration plate 34 of the flat plate 35 is used for the reading scanning unit 2.
A detector 40 which is turned on by a magnet 35a is provided above one end of the flat plate 35 when facing the plate 2 (FIG. 7) (FIG. 4).

The detection outputs of the detectors 39 and 40 are displayed on a display (not shown) provided in the reading unit 6 or on the operation panel 11 connected to the main control unit 12. May be.

Next, the signal restoration processing in the reading section 6 in the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 and the signal waveforms shown in FIGS.

For example, when the reading rate of the reading unit 6 of the sorting machine is reduced, a signal restoration process is started by a maintenance person such as a serviceman or an operator.

That is, the flat plate 3 on the bottom 20a of the reading unit 6
1 is pulled (ST1), the state shown in FIG. 6 changes to the state shown in FIG. 7, the detector 40 is turned on by the magnet 35a, and guidance is displayed on a display (not shown). Thereby, it can be confirmed that the calibration plate 34 faces the scanning section 22. Further, the adjustment switch 30 is turned on (S
T2).

As a result, the light from the light source 23 is
4 and the reflected light from the calibration plate 34
The light is guided to the CCD linear sensor 25 through the line 4.

Accordingly, the CCD linear sensor 25 converts the signals of the odd-numbered columns and the signals of the even-numbered columns of the pixels for one line based on the reflected light from the calibration plate 34 into the amplifiers 26a and 26a, respectively.
6b, is converted into a digital signal by the signal processing units 27a and 27b, and supplied to the signal processing unit 28 (ST
3).

The signal processing unit 28 is connected to the signal processing unit 2
7A, the sum of the values obtained by digitally converting the output (A) signal (fa), the reference level value (prescribed value D) for the calibration plate 34 stored in advance, and the output (B) signal (B) from the signal processing unit 27b. fb) is compared with the sum of the digitally converted values and a previously stored reference level value (prescribed value D) for the calibration plate 34, and it is determined whether or not there is a level difference (ST4).

As a result of this comparison, when there is no level difference, the signal processing section 28 ends the adjustment mode.

As a result of the above comparison, when there is a level difference,
The signal processing unit 28 calculates the difference (α) between the output (A) from the signal processing unit 27a and the sum of values obtained by digitally converting the signal (fa) with respect to the specified value (D) and the difference (α) with respect to the specified value (D). Output (B) signal (fb) from the signal processing unit 27b
The difference (β) from the sum of the digitally converted values is detected (ST 5), the amounts of correction of these differences are calculated and output to the signal processing unit 29.

Then, the signal processing unit 29 is connected to the signal processing unit 2
8 is converted into an analog value and output to the signal processing unit 27a, and the correction amount (β) from the signal processing unit 28 is converted.
Is converted to an analog value and output to the signal processing unit 27b (see FIG. 9).

As a result, the signal processing unit 27a operates as a multiplier by changing the digitized reference voltage based on the analog value corresponding to the correction amount (α) from the signal processing unit 29, as shown in FIG. Thus, the odd-numbered amplified signal fa
Is restored (ST6).

The signal processing unit 27b includes the signal processing unit 2
The reference voltage for digitization is changed based on the analog value corresponding to the correction amount (β) from No. 9 to operate as a multiplier, and as shown in FIG. 10, the digital signal of the amplified signal fb in the even-numbered column is restored. (ST6).

After this restoration, the adjustment switch 30 is turned off, the flat plate 31 at the bottom 20a of the reading unit 6 is pushed back, and the state shown in FIG. 7 is changed to the state shown in FIG. 4, the detector 39 is turned on by the magnet 31a, and the display is performed. A guidance display is provided by a container (not shown). Thereby, the slit 30 is connected to the reading / scanning unit 2.
2 can be confirmed.

As described above, the CCD linear sensor 25
, The level difference from the reference level value of the two series of signals of the even-numbered column and the odd-numbered column is determined, and if there is a level difference, the output (A ) The difference (α) between the sum of values obtained by digitally converting the signal (fa) and the sum of values obtained by digitally converting the output (B) signal (fb) from the signal processing unit 27b with respect to the specified value (D) And the signal processing units 27a and 27b change and multiply the digitized reference voltage by the signal processing units 27a and 27b based on the analog value corresponding to the correction amount of the difference to restore the signal. It was done.

As a result, the read signal can be restored to the reference level without using a measuring instrument and without causing contamination of the calibration plate, and the restoration work can be simplified.

[0063]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the read signal is restored to the reference level without using a measuring instrument and without causing contamination of the calibration plate, due to a human error or a deteriorated read signal. Thus, it is possible to provide a paper sheet reading device capable of simplifying the repair work and a sorting device using the paper sheet reading device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a paper sheet sorting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a paper sheet reading device.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a scanning unit and a schematic configuration of a signal processing unit in the reading unit.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of a scanning unit.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a main part of a scanning unit from the bottom.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a bottom part in a scanning unit.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a bottom portion of the scanning unit.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining signal restoration processing.

FIG. 9 is a signal waveform diagram for explaining a signal restoration process.

FIG. 10 is a signal waveform diagram for explaining a signal restoration process.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Sheet sorting apparatus 6 ... Reading part (sheet reading apparatus) 21 ... Signal processing part 22 ... Reading position 23 ... Light source (illumination) 25 ... CCD linear sensor (photoelectric conversion means) 27a, 27b, 28, 29: signal processing unit 30: adjustment switch (instruction means) 34: calibration plate

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F-term (reference) PP10 PP28 PP47 PQ03 PQ08 SS01

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A photoelectric conversion means for converting one line of reflected light from a reading target position with respect to a light source into two series of signals, and an instruction means for instructing correction of the two series of signals output by the photoelectric conversion means. Output means for outputting, by the photoelectric conversion means, two series of signals from the light source to the calibration plate when correction is instructed by the instructing means and the calibration plate is located at the read target position; Means for judging whether or not the level difference from the reference level of the two series of signals output from is different from each other; and when the judgment means judges that the level difference is different, A correction unit for correcting a two-series signal output by the photoelectric conversion unit based on a correction value for a level difference from a reference level. 2. A photoelectric conversion unit converts reflected light of one line from a reading target position with respect to a light source into two series of signals, and instructs correction of the two series of signals output by the photoelectric conversion unit. When a correction is instructed and the calibration plate is located at the reading target position, two series of signals from the light source to the calibration plate are output by the photoelectric conversion means, and the reference level of the output two series signals is It is determined whether or not the level difference is different. When it is determined that the level difference is different, the signal is output by the photoelectric conversion means with a correction value for the level difference from the reference level for the two series of signals. A signal correction method for a paper sheet reading device, comprising correcting two series of signals. 3. A photoelectric conversion means for converting one line of reflected light from a paper sheet passing through a reading target position with respect to a light source into two series of signals, and paper based on a signal output by the photoelectric conversion means. A reading device comprising reading means for reading the written contents of the leaves, a recognition device for recognizing the sort information based on the written contents of the paper sheets read by the reading device, and a sort recognized by the recognition device A sheet sorting system having a sorting device for sorting corresponding sheets based on information, wherein the reading device instructs a correction of a two-series signal output by the photoelectric conversion unit; Output means for outputting a two-series signal from the light source to the calibration plate by the photoelectric conversion means when correction is instructed by the instructing means and the calibration plate is located at the reading target position; Judging means for judging whether or not the level difference from the reference level of the two series of signals output from the output means is different; and when the judging means judges that the level difference is different, the two series Correction means for correcting the two series of signals output by the photoelectric conversion means with a correction value for a level difference between the signal and the reference level. 4. A photoelectric conversion means for converting one line of reflected light from a paper sheet passing through a reading target position with respect to a light source into two series of signals, and paper based on a signal output by the photoelectric conversion means. A reading device having reading means for reading the written content of a leaf, a recognition device for recognizing sorting information based on the written content of a sheet read by the reading device, and a sorting information recognized by the recognizing device A sheet sorting system having a sorting device for sorting corresponding sheets on the basis of the following: instructing correction of two-series signals output by the photoelectric conversion means; When the calibration plate is located at the position to be read, two series of signals from the light source to the calibration plate are output by the photoelectric conversion means, and the output two series of signals are measured from the reference level. It is determined whether the level difference is different. When the level difference is determined to be different, the photoelectric conversion means outputs the correction value for the level difference from the reference level for the two series of signals. 2
Correction means for correcting a series signal, wherein the signal correction method in the paper sheet sorting system is provided. 5. A photoelectric conversion means converts reflected light for one line from a calibration plate at a reading target position with respect to a light source into two series of signals, and converts one of the two series of converted signals into a first digital signal. And converting the converted odd-numbered sequence signal into a second digital signal. The sum of the first digital signal, a level difference between a reference level based on the calibration plate, and the first digital signal It is determined whether or not the total sum is different from the level difference of the reference level based on the calibration plate. When it is determined that the level difference is different, the sum of the first digital signal and the calibration plate are compared. One of the two series of signals from the photoelectric conversion means is corrected based on the level difference between the reference levels based on the sum of the second digital signals and the level difference between the reference levels based on the calibration plate. the above A signal correction method, wherein the other of the two series of signals from the photoelectric conversion means is corrected.