JP2012008282A - Card information receiving apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a compact, thin and user-friendly card information receiving apparatus that easily improves imaging accuracy.SOLUTION: The card information receiving apparatus images one surface of a card using an imaging camera to receive a card image. The card information receiving apparatus includes a plate-like device body, and a card holding part that holds a part or the whole of one side of the card using two walls at least one of which is movable to erect the card on the device body. The imaging camera images one surface of the erected card. The card is tilted forward toward the imaging camera and an optical axis of the imaging camera perpendicularly crosses the card tilted forward, preferably. The imaging camera is available when stored in the device body as well as when protruding from the device body, which is more preferable.

Description

  The present invention relates to a card information capturing device, and can be applied to, for example, capturing and managing information described on a card (business card, postcard, memo card, etc.) having a fixed size.

  Conventionally, various apparatuses for capturing and managing business card information have been proposed. Among them, there are apparatuses that capture business card information by imaging with an imaging camera or a line scanner. Patent Documents 1 to 4 each describe such an apparatus.

  Patent Document 1 describes a case-foldable mobile phone with a camera that can acquire image information of a business card. In this case-foldable mobile phone with camera, the opening and closing angles of the upper and lower casings are matched with the opening / closing angle markings provided on the hinges, and the camera is attached to the upper casing so as to be rotatable. By aligning the direction with the camera direction marking provided on the upper casing, the camera is imaged with a proper focal length and angle of view facing a business card placed on the upper surface of the lower casing.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228667 describes a housing case that is generally composed of an upper lid and a lower lid that houses an imaging camera with a PC card attached to a personal computer. A lower part of the housing case is provided with a fixing part for fixing the imaging camera in which the PC card is mounted on the personal computer and a fixing part for fixing the business card. Then, the business card image is input to the personal computer by imaging the fixed business card with the fixed imaging camera.

  Patent Document 3 describes a digital camera having a business card imaging mode. When taking a business card, the four posts that are always in the digital camera body are taken out. Then, a business card image is obtained by placing a business card in an area defined by the tips of the four pillars and taking an image.

  Patent Document 4 describes a mobile phone having a business card reading function. A slit for inserting a business card is provided on one of the left and right sides of the mobile phone, a slit for discharging the business card is provided on the other side, and the business card inserted from the insertion slit is moved to the discharge slit inside. A roller and a line sensor for reading a moving business card are provided. That is, the business card image is obtained by the line sensor repeatedly reading the business card moving along the path communicating from the insertion slit to the discharge slit.

JP-A-2005-45317 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-173968 JP 2000-10184 A JP 2002-11793 A

  However, the technology of the mobile phone described in Patent Document 1 is difficult to apply as a dedicated business card information acquisition management device. That is, since the upper housing is attached with an angle close to 60 ° with respect to the lower housing, the apparatus becomes large. Even if the above-described problems are solved by attaching the upper casing to the lower casing so as to be rotatable, the following various problems remain. Before starting imaging, it is necessary to set the upper housing at a predetermined angle with respect to the lower housing, and to set the direction of the camera at the tip of the upper housing in a predetermined direction, which makes the setting during imaging troublesome. ing. There is no method for fixing the business card to be read, and the business card is simply placed on the upper surface of the lower housing, but there is no reference for the placement position, so a predetermined angle or direction is set depending on the placed position. However, the imaging performance cannot be fully demonstrated. If a plurality of position restriction projections are provided on the upper surface of the lower housing to restrict the position of the business card to a predetermined position, the upper housing is closed with respect to the lower housing because of the position restriction protrusion. There will be a gap for dust to enter. Since the upper casing is attached at an angle close to 60 ° with respect to the lower casing, the upper casing may drop shadows due to room light and deteriorate imaging quality. Even if the display part of the upper casing is applied instead of lighting to prevent shadows, the illumination intensity must be changed depending on the distance between the upper casing and the lower casing, and such illumination is displayed in the display pattern. This is not easy. Furthermore, since the upper housing having the display unit is attached with an angle close to 60 ° with respect to the lower housing, it is inconvenient for the user to check the captured business card image.

  When the technology described in Patent Document 2 is realized as a dedicated business card information acquisition management device, the device becomes quite large. If it is realized as a device having only a reading function for miniaturization, an external device (personal computer) is required for information management. Further, in the technology described in Patent Document 2, in order to capture business card information, a PC card is mounted on an external device, the imaging camera is fixed to the camera fixing portion of the storage case, and the business card is fixed to the business card fixing portion of the storage case. The setting at the time of imaging is troublesome. Although it has a business card fixing part, the fixing part does not restrict the horizontal position even if the vertical position of the business card is restricted. possible.

  In the case where the technology of the digital camera described in Patent Document 3 is realized as a dedicated business card information capturing management device, if the device is provided with a permanent support, the device becomes large, and the support is an assembly-type device. If this is the case, it will be necessary to assemble the column during imaging. In addition, since the apparatus main body covers the top of the business card at the time of imaging, the flash becomes an essential component even when a dedicated apparatus is used, which makes the apparatus large and expensive. Also, it is assumed that the business card is located within the area defined by the tips of the four struts, but it does not indicate the optimal position within that area, depending on the position where the business card is placed The imaging quality may be degraded.

  When the technology of the mobile phone described in Patent Document 4 is realized as a dedicated business card information capture management device, the device becomes thick due to the configuration for moving the business card. In addition, the business card image obtained by applying the line sensor inevitably has a lower image quality than the business card image obtained by the imaging camera. For example, when character information is obtained from information on a business card image by an optical character recognition (OCR) function, the correct answer rate is lower as the image quality of the business card image is lower. In particular, business cards have many small characters such as addresses and telephone numbers, and even if the correct answer rate tends to be low, the problem of image quality degradation is significant.

  As a method of electronic acquisition and management of business card information, not only Patent Document 1 to Patent Document 4 described above, but many ideas have been proposed and commercialized, but all have low practicality. It is hard to say that it is accepted by the market.

  In addition, various business card reading software that can capture and process business card images obtained with an imaging camera of a mobile phone is now on sale, but there is a problem of imaging accuracy. For example, since the outline of a business card image obtained by an imaging camera of a mobile phone has a trapezoidal shape, it is necessary to apply the OCR function after correcting the trapezoid to a rectangle.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and is intended to provide a small, thin, and highly convenient card information capturing device that can easily increase the imaging accuracy.

  The present invention provides a card information capturing device that captures an image of at least one of a front surface and a back surface of a card with an imaging camera and captures an image of the card, wherein (1) a plate-shaped device body and (2) at least one of The card is sandwiched across part or all of one side of the card by two movable wall surfaces (the part near the bottom side of the card is sandwiched across part or all of the longitudinal direction of the bottom side), and the card is inserted into the device. (3) the imaging camera is provided at a position of the apparatus main body at a distance from the standing position of the card, and the one surface of the card that is standing is provided. It is possible to take an image.

  According to the present invention, since a card is set by sandwiching one side of the card between two wall surfaces, the card can be set stably, and the card that has been set stably can be imaged, so that the imaging accuracy can be easily increased. In addition, since the setting method is to sandwich the card between the two wall surfaces, the setting is easy and the convenience is high. Furthermore, since the plate-like device main body is the basic configuration, the device can be made smaller and thinner.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the business card information acquisition management apparatus of embodiment. It is a six-sided view showing the appearance of the business card information capture management device of the embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of the imaging camera part in embodiment. It is a fragmentary perspective view which shows the detail of the stopper vicinity in embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the reason which decided the front-back direction position of the holding business card in embodiment, and hold | maintained the business card leaning forward. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical constitution of the business card information acquisition management apparatus of embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows operation | movement at the time of the business card information acquisition management apparatus of embodiment acquiring business card information with a user's operation.

(A) Main Embodiment Hereinafter, an embodiment in which a card information capturing device according to the present invention is applied to a business card information capturing management device will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a business card information take-in management apparatus according to an embodiment, and shows a state in which a business card that is an information take-in target is set (held). FIG. 2 is a six-sided view illustrating an appearance of the business card information acquisition management device according to the embodiment. In the following, reference will be made to the directions of “up / down / left / right front / back”, “front side” and “back” in accordance with the up / down / left / right front / rear directions in the six-face diagram of FIG.

  In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the business card information capture management device 1 according to the embodiment generally has a thickness of about 1 cm in a rectangle that is slightly larger than a standard business card size (normal type 4; 55 × 91 mm). Having a housing shape. The business card information capture management device 1 (mainly the upper surface) is provided with a display 2, a key operation unit 3, an imaging camera unit 4, a business card holding unit 5, and the like.

  For the display 2, for example, a backlit liquid crystal display or an OLED (organic light emitting diode) display that can change the illuminance during white display is applied. The display surface 2a of the display 2 is divided into a screen display area and a toolbar area for attribute display of about one or two lines. The screen display area displays business card images that have been picked up or searched, various menu screens or guidance screens for registering or searching for business card information (hereinafter collectively referred to as menu screens). ) Is displayed. In front of such a screen display area, the correspondence between the attribute (for example, contrast) and the type of key that changes the attribute, the remaining battery capacity, whether or not a recording medium such as a micro SD card is mounted, and the like are displayed. The above-described attribute display toolbar area is provided. The display surface 2a of the display 2 has, for example, an aspect ratio substantially the same as that of a standard business card size business card, and the length in the left-right direction is selected to be longer than the length in the front-rear direction. The length of the display surface 2a in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) is selected according to the focal length in the imaging camera unit 4, for example. Alternatively, the focal length in the imaging camera unit 4 is selected according to the length of the display surface 2a in the longitudinal direction. Here, if an imaging camera 30 (see FIG. 3) to be described later in the imaging camera unit 4 is for color, color may be applied as the display 2. If the imaging camera 30 is for monochrome, the display 2 is monochrome. Apply. In the following description, it is assumed that the registered business card image is a color image and color is applied as the display 2.

  The key operation unit 3 is arranged with various keys operated by the user, and is provided on the right side of the business card information capture management device 1 together with the imaging camera unit 4. In the case of this embodiment, the key operation unit 3 includes four types of movement keys 20U, 20D, 20R, and 20L related to up, down, left, and right, selection / decision key 21, plus key 22, minus key 23, menu key 24, and back key 25. And a power switch 26 and a key lock key 27. The movement keys 20U, 20D, 20R, and 20L, the selection / decision key 21, the plus key 22, the minus key 23, the menu key 24, and the back key 25 are provided on the upper surface of the business card information capture management device 1, and the power switch 26 and The key lock key 27 is provided on the right side of the business card information capture management device 1.

  The movement keys 20U, 20D, 20R, and 20L are used for various functions, and the functions are not limited to functions related to movement. The movement keys 20U, 20D, 20R, and 20L move, for example, icons, tabs that are candidates for selection (that is, focused) up and down, left and right, among various icons and tabs on the menu screen. Used when instructing to switch to an adjacent icon or tab. Further, the movement keys 20U, 20D, 20R, and 20L are used as cursor movement keys in, for example, a search character string input operation using a 50-sound arrangement displayed on the menu screen. Further, for example, when a business card image is displayed in the screen display area, the left and right movement keys 20R and 20L are used for contrast adjustment, and the upper and lower movement keys 20U and 20D are used for brightness adjustment.

  In this specification, the term “focus” is used in connection with selection of an icon or a tab, and the term “focus” is used in association with the imaging camera unit 4.

  The selection / determination key 21 is mainly used for selection and determination of various items. The selection / determination key 21 is used, for example, to determine selection of a focused icon or tab and activate a function assigned to the icon or tab. The selection / determination key 21 is used for selection and execution related to the cursor, such as determination of selection of a Chinese character candidate where the cursor is located in a character string input operation or the like.

  The plus key 22 and the minus key 23 are mainly used for attribute change of attribute items that can be changed in binary or two kinds. For example, the plus key 22 instructs to enlarge the whole or part of the business card image displayed on the display 2, and the minus key 23 reduces the whole or part of the business card image displayed on the display 2. It is used to indicate that In the case of this embodiment, an imaging camera unit 4 that does not have an optical zoom function is applied (however, the imaging camera unit 4 that has an optical zoom function and an autofocus function is the present invention. The zoom function of the business card image can be provided by image processing, and the plus key 22 and the minus key 23 are used when instructing zooming by image processing. Further, for example, the plus key 22 is used to turn on continuous imaging, which will be described later, and the minus key 23 is used to turn off continuous imaging.

  The menu key 24 instructs display of a new menu screen (for example, pop-up display), and the back key 25 returns the display to the original menu screen that has been changed to the currently displayed menu screen. It is an instruction. In addition, the menu key 24 is used to advance the process stage by one stage, and the back key 25 is used to return the process stage by one stage.

  The power switch 26 is, for example, an automatic return type push switch, and instructs to turn on or off the business card information take-in management apparatus 1.

  The key lock key 27 can take, for example, the first or second position by sliding. When the key lock key 27 is in the first position, the control unit (see FIG. 6) described later moves the keys 20U, 20D, and 20R. , 20L, the selection / decision key 21, the plus key 22, the minus key 23, the menu key 24, the back key 25, and the power switch 26 are treated as valid. Operations of the keys 20U, 20D, 20R, 20L, the selection / decision key 21, the plus key 22, the minus key 23, the menu key 24, the back key 25, and the power switch 26 are treated as invalid.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of the imaging camera unit 4. FIG. 3A is a state when the business card information capture management device 1 is stored or carried (hereinafter referred to as an accommodation state). 3B shows a state in which imaging can be performed (hereinafter referred to as a protruding state).

  In FIG. 3, a small imaging camera (for example, a CMOS image sensor or a CCD image sensor) 30 is combined with an objective lens (or objective lens group) 31 and a cylindrical body (hereinafter described as a rectangular cylindrical body) 32. It is stored. The imaging camera 30 may be either for still images or moving images, but in the following description, the imaging camera 30 will be described for moving images.

  A rotation shaft 33 is provided at the upper right portion of the cylindrical body 32, and the cylindrical body 32 can rotate about the rotation shaft 33. The rotation shaft 33 may penetrate the cylindrical body 32, or may be suspended from the front side surface and the rear side surface of the cylindrical body 32. Although not shown, a bearing portion that rotatably receives the rotation shaft 33 is provided on the main body side of the business card information capture management device 1.

  A spring member 34 is provided that applies rotational force to the cylindrical body 32 when the imaging camera unit 4 is converted from the housed state to the protruding state. The spring member 34 may be of any type such as a helical spring or a leaf spring. For example, one end of the spring member 34 is fixed to the inner lower surface of the casing constituting the outline of the business card information capture management device 1, and an urging force is applied upward to move the cylinder 32 upward from the lower surface. However, since the rotation shaft 33 of the cylindrical body 32 is received by the bearing portion, the cylindrical body 32 is rotated around the rotational shaft 33. In the change from the projecting state of the imaging camera unit 4 to the housed state, the spring member 34 is pressed by the lower surface of the cylindrical body 32 to accumulate the urging force.

  A position regulating projection 35 is fixed to at least one of the front side surface or the back side surface of the cylindrical body 32. When the imaging camera unit 4 is in the protruding state, the position restricting protrusion 35 is in contact with the inner upper surface of the casing that forms the outline of the business card information capture management device 1 and resists the biasing force of the spring member 34. The body 32 is positioned at a predetermined position in the protruding state. A claw member 36 that can lock the position regulating protrusion 35 is provided inside the housing. The claw member 36 is slidable in the left-right direction along a guide portion (not shown). The claw member 36 is connected to a slide lever 37 depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, and slides in the left-right direction as the slide lever 37 moves. The claw member 36 is attached to one end of a spring member 38 formed of a helical spring or the like, and the other end of the spring member 38 is attached to, for example, an inner right side surface of the housing. In the accommodated state of the imaging camera unit 4, the claw 36 a of the claw member 36 locks the position regulating protrusion 35. The upper shape of the claw 36a of the claw member 36 is such that when the position restricting projection 35 comes into contact with the claw member 36 while moving downward from above, a force that moves the claw member 36 to the left works.

  Although omitted in FIG. 3, at least an imageable detection sensor (see reference numeral 58 in FIG. 6 described later) that detects that the imaging camera unit 4 is in a protruding state is provided. As this sensor, a limit switch in which the actuator moves when the cylindrical body 32 enters the projecting state, a photocoupler that can transmit and receive a light beam when the cylindrical body 32 enters the projecting state, and the like can be applied.

  In the accommodated state of the imaging camera unit 4 shown in FIG. 3A, when the slide lever 37 is slid leftward by the user's finger, the claw member 36 connected to the slide lever 37 also moves leftward. As a result, the latched state between the claw 36 a of the claw member 36 and the position restricting projection 35 is released, and the cylindrical body 32 is rotated clockwise around the rotation shaft 33 by the urging force of the spring member 34. When the position restricting projection 35 comes into contact with the inner upper surface of the casing, the rotation ends, and the cylindrical body 32 comes to be positioned at a predetermined position in the protruding state. When the protrusion of the cylindrical body 32 is confirmed, the user releases the finger from the slide lever 37. At this time, the claw member 36 moves to the right due to the pulling force of the spring member 38. At this time, the position restricting projection 35 is in contact with the inner upper surface of the housing, so that the claw member 36 is engaged with the claw 36a of the claw member 36. There is no stopping.

  In the protruding state of the imaging camera unit 4 shown in FIG. 3B, when the user presses the upper surface of the cylindrical body 32, the cylindrical body 32 rotates counterclockwise about the rotation shaft 33. By this rotation, when the position restricting projection 35 moves downward and comes into contact with the upper portion of the claw 36a of the claw member 36, the upper surface functions as a cam surface and moves the claw member 36 leftward. The position restricting projection 35 is further lowered. When the position restricting projection 35 is positioned lower than the pawl 36a of the pawl member 36 by this lowering, the pawl member 36 moves rightward by the pulling force of the spring member 38, and the pawl 36a of the pawl member 36 is moved to the position restricting position. Locks with the protrusion 35. If it will be in such a locked state, even if a user stops the press to the upper surface of the housing | casing 32, a locked state, ie, an accommodation state, will be continued.

  The business card holding unit 5 is a part that holds a business card to be imaged by the imaging camera unit 4, and is provided on the opposite side of the imaging camera unit 4 with the display 2 interposed therebetween. Today, most business cards are written horizontally, and the shape of the display surface 2a of the display 2 is selected in consideration of the ease of viewing a horizontally written business card image. On the other hand, when the focal length in the imaging camera unit 4 is short, the quality of the captured business card image is likely to deteriorate (for example, distortion), so the imaging camera unit 4 and the business card holding unit 5 are connected to the display surface 2a of the display 2. It arrange | positions so that the display surface 2a of the display 2 may be pinched | interposed along the longitudinal direction.

  The business card holding unit 5 holds the business card 6 by sandwiching one side of the business card 6 (more precisely, the vicinity of one long side) between the fixed wall surface 41 and the movable wall surface 42a of the movable wall member 42 shown in FIG. . The fixed wall surface 41 is closer to the display 2 than the movable wall surface 42 a of the movable wall surface member 42. The movable wall surface member 42 is slidable in the left-right direction. The leftward movement is possible by applying an external force that exceeds the rightward biasing force of a spring member (not shown) provided inside the casing that forms the outline of the business card information capture management device 1. The rightward movement when the external force is released is due to the rightward biasing force of a spring member (not shown). The holding method by pinching to which the biasing force is applied as described above makes it possible to hold a wide variety of business cards with non-uniform thicknesses, and attach business cards that cannot maintain their posture alone, such as being thin. It becomes possible to hold the mount. Furthermore, even if the width between which the business card is sandwiched is narrow as will be described later (for example, about 1.5 mm), it is possible to stably hold the business card.

  As the mount described above, for example, a background paper and a transparent cover that are connected on one side and a business card is sandwiched between them can be applied. The mount can handle not only thin business cards but also business cards that can see through and reduce image quality by selecting the color of the background paper, and can also handle business cards that are difficult to stand up because the outer shape is not rectangular. .

  Unlike the above, a movable wall surface may be provided near the display 2, a fixed wall surface may be provided far from the display 2, and both wall surfaces may be movable wall surfaces. However, in this case, since the distance between the business card surface and the imaging camera unit 4 changes depending on the thickness of the business card, the distance between the business card surface and the imaging camera unit 4 does not change. The above-described arrangement with the side closer to the display 2 is preferable.

  In this embodiment, the business card 6 to be registered is erected in a horizontal position, but it is needless to say that the apparatus may be configured on the basis that it is erected in a vertical position. In addition, in the case of standing vertically, the length in the front-rear direction of the business card information capture management device 1 may be selected so as to sandwich the entire lower part.

  In the case of this embodiment, in order to suppress the elevation angle of the imaging camera unit 4 in the protruding state (the angle formed by the optical axis of the imaging camera unit 4 and the upper surface of the business card information capture management device 1), the long side of the business card 6 is The side is the side to be sandwiched. As described above, the length in the front-rear direction of the display 2 that defines the length in the front-rear direction of the business card information capture management device 1 is a length close to the length of the short side of a standard business card size business card. is there. Therefore, if a business card having a standard business card size is to be held, a part of the side is not sandwiched even if the side is sandwiched. When such a portion that is not sandwiched is left to the user, the method of sandwiching may vary depending on the user, and even with the same user, depending on the time, and imaging quality may deteriorate.

  Therefore, in the case of this embodiment, a stopper 43 that abuts the side on the back side of the business card 6 is provided in the vicinity of the side surface on the back side of the housing constituting the outline of the business card information capture management device 1. When a business card of a standard business card size is sandwiched, as shown in FIG. 1, the front side of the side to be sandwiched is a portion that is not sandwiched.

  Although the fixed wall surface 41 and the movable wall surface 42a of the movable wall surface member 42 are parallel surfaces, the fixed wall surface 41 and the movable wall surface 42a hold the business card 6 tilted forward toward the imaging camera unit 4 side. Parallel planes are selected. Here, the height of the movable wall surface 42 a of the movable wall surface member 42 is set higher than the height of the fixed wall surface 41. This is to make it easier to return to a predetermined forward tilt when the force is released even if a reverse force is applied to the upper end of the business card 6 that is temporarily held. This is to reduce as much as possible the name card portion that is sandwiched and cannot be seen from the imaging camera unit 4 side. The width of the fixed wall surface 41, in other words, the width of the portion that cannot be seen by the fixed wall surface 41 is selected to be about 1.5 mm, for example, and the width of the movable wall surface 42a is selected to be about 2.5 mm, for example. Most of the business cards are located 1.5 mm or more away from the end even if the character is close to the end considering the layout of the character string. In consideration of such a reality, the width of the fixed wall surface 41 is determined.

  FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view showing details in the vicinity of the stopper 43. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the fixed wall surface 41 and the movable wall surface 42a are separated as much as possible.

  The stopper 43 protrudes from the fixed wall surface 41 toward the movable wall surface 42a, and the stopper 43 is engaged with the plate-shaped protrusion 43a from the movable wall surface 42a toward the inside of the movable wall surface member 42. And a recess 43b. The upper surface of the plate-like convex portion 43a is continuous with, for example, the upper surface on the side where the display 2 is provided in the business card information capture management device 1. With the movable wall surface 42a and the fixed wall surface 41 being most open, the tip of the plate-like convex portion 43a is located on the surface where the surface of the movable wall surface 42a exists or in the concave portion 43b. By configuring the stopper 43 with the plate-like convex portion 43a and the concave portion 43b as described above, the business card 6 of various thicknesses and the edge on the back side of the mount holding the business card are surely brought into contact with each other. Can be reliably positioned in the front-rear direction. By making the height of the movable wall surface 42a of the movable wall surface member 42 higher than the height of the fixed wall surface 41, the structure of the stopper 43 described above can be applied.

  Even when the fixed wall surface 41 and the movable wall surface 42a are in contact with each other, the display 2 is provided on the extension of the plate-like convex portion 43a so that the user can recognize the stop position of the edge of the business card 6 or the mount. A small hemispherical marker 44 is provided on the upper surface on the other side.

  Contrary to FIG. 4, a plate-like convex portion 43 a may be provided on the movable wall surface 42 a and a concave portion 43 b may be provided on the fixed wall surface 41. Further, one or a plurality of rod members can be applied as a member that functions as the plate-like convex portion 43a. However, the width (height) of the fixed wall surface 41 is about 1.5 mm, and the rod-like member provided on the fixed wall surface 41 is considerably thin and has low reliability. Therefore, the plate-like member is applied as in the embodiment. It is preferable to do.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the reason why the business card 6 is tilted forward while the position in the front-rear direction of the business card 6 is defined.

  In FIG. 5, an alternate long and short dash line AX represents the optical axis of the imaging camera unit 4. The forward tilt angle of the business card 6 is selected so that the optical axis AX of the imaging camera unit 4 intersects the business card 6 at a right angle. The position of the imaging camera unit 4 in the front-rear direction is selected so that the point P where the optical axis AX intersects the business card 6 is on a line that bisects the length A in the front-rear direction (longitudinal direction) of the business card 6. . Further, the elevation angle of the imaging camera unit 4 in the protruding state is such that the point where the optical axis AX intersects the business card 6 is the length in the vertical direction (short direction) of the business card 6 (or the length sandwiched for holding it). The length is reduced so that it is on a line that bisects B).

  The focal length of the imaging camera unit 4 (focal length of the objective lens 31) is selected so that the image of the business card 6 being held is formed on the light receiving surface of the imaging camera 30.

  1 and 2, an indicator (for example, an LED element) 8 indicating a lid 7 or a power on / off state when a recording medium (for example, a micro SD card) constituting a business card information database described later is attached or detached. Etc. are also provided at positions that are visible from the outside of the business card information capture management device 1.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the business card information import management device 1 according to the embodiment, and the same reference numerals are given to the same and corresponding parts as those in the above-described drawings.

  In FIG. 6, a program memory 51, a work memory 52, and an input / output interface 53 are connected to a control unit 50 mainly composed of a CPU via a system bus (not shown). The input / output interface 53 includes a display driver 54 that drives the display 2 described above, a camera driver 55 that drives the imaging camera 30 described above, the key operation unit 3 described above, an LED driver 56 that drives the indicator 8 described above, and business card information. A database 57 and various sensors 58 are connected.

  The program memory 51 is composed of, for example, one or a plurality of ROM chips, and the program memory 51 stores various processing programs and fixed data used by the processing programs. The program memory 51 stores, for example, a registration program (see FIG. 7 to be described later) for registering information on a taken business card and a search program for searching for desired business card information from registered business card information. Yes. The program memory 51 stores fixed data such as guidance and message data to be displayed, icon data to be displayed on a tool bar, and data for displaying a list of 50 sounds for selecting characters in the character input mode. Yes.

  The work memory 52 is composed of one or a plurality of RAM chips, flash memory chips, and the like, and is used as a work area when the control unit 50 executes any processing program stored in the program memory 51. It also stores fixed data related to user input. The work memory 52 includes a display buffer for storing a display image to be displayed on the display 2, a captured image buffer for buffering a captured image by the imaging camera 30, a keyword buffer for storing a keyword for search, and business card information for search A search information buffer or the like for storing business card information extracted from the database 57 is appropriately set by a processing program to be executed.

  The business card information database 57 includes, for example, a card adapter unit to which a micro SD card can be attached and removed and the micro SD card can be accessed when the micro SD card is mounted, and a micro SD card. An HDD (Hard Disk Drive Device) may be applied as the business card information database 57. However, if the business card information database 57 is composed of a card adapter unit for a micro SD card and a micro SD card, the business card information capture management device 1 is preferable because it can be made small and thin. In addition, by applying a micro SD card, the user can select or change the capacity of the business card information database 57. Note that the recording medium is not limited to a micro SD card, and may be a medium that is fixedly attached to the apparatus without being detachable. One record of the business card information database 57 includes, for example, a registration date, an organization name such as a corporate name in a business card (excluding a lower organization name part such as a department), a reading of the organization name, a name on the business card, The reading of the name and at least the front side business card image (for example, whether or not the back side business card image is included in the registration information is an optional item).

  The information stored in the business card information database 57 does not include the department, telephone number, FAX number, e-mail address, or URL. First, these characters are written in relatively small characters. This is because the recognition accuracy in OCR tends to be low (particularly, when a number is misrecognized by another number, the user often does not notice that it is misrecognized even if it is displayed) Secondly, it is for effective use of database capacity, and thirdly, it can be confirmed from the business card image itself if necessary.

  Examples of the various sensors 58 that supply a detection signal to the control unit 50 include an image-capable detection sensor that detects whether the imaging camera unit 4 is in a protruding state or an accommodation state. Note that the presence or absence of the micro SD card is determined by, for example, the card adapter unit for the micro SD card, but a dedicated sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the micro SD card may be provided.

  The control unit 50 uses the work memory 52 to program processing programs in the program memory 51 determined according to input signals from the key operation unit 3 and various sensors 58 and the processing stage at that time, and if necessary, program The fixed data stored in the memory 51 and the work memory 52 is used as appropriate, and the processing status and processing result are displayed on the display 2 and the business card information database 57 is accessed. . The control unit 50 is also provided with a timer that measures the date and time.

  Next, the operation when the business card information capture management device 1 of the embodiment captures business card information will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. 7 together with user operations. In the following, the operation from the state where the business card information capture management device 1 is powered off, the imaging camera unit 4 is in the accommodation state, and the micro SD card is mounted will be described.

  When the user obtains a new business card and wants to register the business card information, the user turns on the power switch 26 to turn on the business card information capture management device 1 (S1).

  Thereby, the control part 50 of the business card information acquisition management device 1 executes the processing program at the time of power-on (S2). Since the imaging camera unit 4 is in the accommodated state and the micro SD card is mounted, for example, when registering business card information, the control unit 50 sets the business card to a predetermined position and moves the imaging camera unit 4 to the predetermined position. A menu screen for requesting to operate a predetermined key is displayed on the display 2 when changing to the protruding state, or when searching for already registered business card information. If the micro SD card is not attached when the power is turned on, the initial display content prompts the user to attach the micro SD card. If the imaging camera unit 4 is already in the protruding state at the time of power-on, the control unit 50 treats that the business card information registration mode has been selected. Further, the user may turn on the power switch 26 after positioning the business card to be registered at the reading position of the imaging camera unit 4 as described later.

  When registering business card information, set the business card at a predetermined position to change the imaging camera unit 4 to a protruding state, and when searching for already registered business card information, a menu for operating a predetermined key When the screen is displayed, the user wants to register the business card information, so the user sets the business card 6 to be registered to a predetermined position and changes the protruding state of the imaging camera unit 4 (S3). . Either the setting of the business card 6 to a predetermined position or the changing operation of the imaging camera unit 4 to the protruding state may be performed first.

  For example, the movable wall member 42 is moved to the left with one hand to open the movable wall 42a and the fixed wall 41 to create a gap, and in that state, the gap between one side of the business card 6 to be registered The business card 6 is moved backward until it hits the stopper 43 in that state, and when it hits the stopper 43, one hand is released from the movable wall member 42 and the movable wall member 42 is returned to the home position. Accordingly, the lower side of the registered business card 6 is partially sandwiched between the movable wall surface 42a and the fixed wall surface 41, and the business card 6 is set to a predetermined position. The user sets a thin business card, a business card with a transparent background, a business card smaller than a standard business card size, and the like to the business card information capture management apparatus 1 after appropriately attaching it to the mount. Note that the vertical business cards are also set horizontally so that the long sides are parallel to each other in the same manner as the horizontal business cards. At this time, the user is notified of a display image for requesting setting to a predetermined position as to which side the upper position in vertical writing is directed horizontally. For example, the horizontal position is set so that the upper position in vertical writing is positioned on the left side when viewed from the imaging camera unit 4. By using one type of horizontal orientation for vertical business cards, processing by the OCR function can be simplified. That is, it becomes unnecessary to determine whether the upper position in vertical writing is located on the left side or the right side when viewed from the imaging camera unit 4 at the time of OCR.

  In order to change the imaging camera unit 4 to the protruding state, it is only necessary to move the slide lever 37 leftward with the finger of one hand and then release the finger.

  In the case of this embodiment, changing the imaging camera unit 4 to the protruding state means shifting to the business card information registration mode regardless of the immediately preceding operation mode.

  When the control unit 50 recognizes that the imaging camera unit 4 has changed to the protruding state based on the detection signal from the imaging capable detection sensor, the control unit 50 starts the imaging camera 30 and registers the captured image of the moving image obtained by the imaging camera 30 as a registration candidate image. Is displayed on the display 2 (S4). In such registration candidate image display, the image can be enlarged / reduced by operating the plus key 22 or the minus key 23 in the front toolbar area, or the contrast of the image can be operated by operating the left shift key 20L or the right shift key 20R. It is also displayed that can be changed (high and low). The user appropriately confirms that the phone number, e-mail address, URL, etc. can be sufficiently recognized even if they are small, or adjusts the contrast between the character part and the background part. Here, you may make it also have a function which can move the displayed business card image back and forth, and right and left.

  The user who has determined the displayed registration candidate image as a registered image operates the selection / determination key 21 (S5).

  At this time, the control unit 50 causes the imaging camera 30 to perform still image capturing, displays the obtained business card image, and then asks the user whether to use the business card image after a predetermined time has elapsed. An inquiry is made (S6). In the still image capturing at this time, the control unit 50 causes the entire surface of the display surface 2a of the display 2 to be displayed in white with the maximum illuminance, and the business card 6 illuminated with such white display on the display 2 is captured by the imaging camera 30. Let By displaying the entire surface in white, for example, even if the back of the business card 6 to which sunlight or room light is set is directed from the back to the front and the business card 6 such as a thin business card is transmitted, It becomes possible to capture a high quality business card image by relaxing the backlight condition, and to capture a high quality business card image even when illumination by sunlight or room light is insufficient.

  When the user requests use of a business card image taken with a still image (S7), the control unit 50 performs OCR on the business card image to obtain a character string of the organization name and name, and reads the organization name and name. And a confirmation image including a character string of the organization name and name, reading of the organization name and name, and a thumbnail of the business card image is displayed on the display 2 (S8).

  The user who is satisfied with the displayed confirmation image finally gives an instruction for registration (S9), and the control unit 50 stores the current business card information in the business card information database 57 and then sends a message indicating that the registration has been made for a predetermined time. After that, the display is returned to the display screen before the still image capturing (S10).

  In the above, the flow of the shortest course until registration was shown, but it is also possible to return to the previous processing stage by operating the back key, or to return to the previous processing stage by denying the selection toward registration it can. It is also possible to modify the organization name, name, and reading.

  Also, in the above, the case where imaging, OCR, and storage of business card information are repeated for each sheet is shown, but after only imaging is repeated for a plurality of business cards (however, the upper limit number is set), each business card is set. It is also possible to perform registration by continuous imaging in which OCR and business card information are repeatedly stored for images.

  The search from the business card information database 57 can be executed by inputting some of the organization name, the character string of the name, and the reading thereof.

  According to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

  According to the above-described embodiment, the business card for which the business card image is to be captured is set by sandwiching a part of one side (long side located at the lower side) between the two wall surfaces, so that the business card can be erected stably. be able to. The directivity of the imaging camera may be directed at a distance in the left-right direction with respect to the business card set in such a stable manner. In other words, there are no components for imaging a business card in the height direction, and the business card information capture management device can be made thinner.

  In addition, according to the above-described embodiment, the business card is tilted forward to the imaging camera unit side, and in the forward tilted state, the optical axis of the imaging camera unit is perpendicular to the center of a standard business card size business card. Since they cross each other, the imaging quality can be improved. That is, since the contour of the captured business card image does not become a trapezoid, it is unnecessary to correct it to a rectangle, and it is assumed that the business card size is not a standard business card size but is captured. Even if the contour of the image becomes trapezoidal, the difference from the rectangle is negligible, and correction to the rectangle by image processing can be performed with little correction.

  Here, the standing position of the business card can be made constant by a stopper provided in the vicinity of the rear side surface of the apparatus, and highly accurate business card imaging can be performed.

  Of the two wall surfaces on which a business card is erected, one wall surface is a movable wall surface that can move left and right, and the distance from the other fixed wall surface can be changed. In addition, a mount with a business card attached can be erected stably. By making the mount available, business cards whose business card size is significantly different from the standard business card size, business cards whose business card outline is not rectangular, and business cards whose business card background is transparent are also available. Then, it can be set as an imaging target.

  The stopper provided in the vicinity of the rear side surface of the apparatus includes a plate-like convex portion protruding from the fixed wall surface and a concave portion provided on the movable wall surface portion that engages with the plate-like convex portion. Even when the movable wall of the part is farthest away, the plate-like convex part is provided so as to cross the gap, so that the back side position of the business card can be correctly regulated regardless of the degree of opening of the movable wall .

  According to the above-described embodiment, the imaging camera unit can take either the protruding state or the housed state, and may be in the protruding state during imaging. As a result, the business card information capture management device can be reduced in size and thickness. Also, if the imaging camera unit is placed in the accommodated state, it is convenient to carry the business card information capture management device in a pocket of clothes or in a bag.

  The business card can be set by moving the movable wall and sandwiching it between the two walls. The imaging camera can be changed to the protruding state by operating the slide lever once. Easy. In order to return to the state where the business card information capture management device is not used, if the business card is erected, it is pulled up and removed (may be accompanied by movement of the movable wall surface), and the imaging camera unit is in a protruding state In this case, a downward force is applied to the upper surface of the imaging camera unit to change it to the accommodated state, and the power switch can be turned off (the order of these three types of operations does not matter). It has become.

  In addition, according to the above embodiment, a display that can change the illuminance at the time of white display is applied, and the display is used as an illuminating unit at the time of imaging for registration, so that image processing for backlight can be made unnecessary, In addition, it is possible to eliminate a component corresponding to a dark environment such as a strobe lamp.

  Furthermore, according to the above-described embodiment, the business card image at that time is displayed on the display provided between the imaging camera unit and the business card holding unit even when the business card is in the protruding state before the business card is captured. Therefore, imaging for registration can be activated while accurately estimating a registered business card image, and wasteful imaging can be reduced. Incidentally, even if a candidate image is displayed in a state where the display as described in Patent Document 1 is tilted downward, it is difficult to view. Moreover, even if a candidate image is displayed on a personal computer that is distant from the location where imaging is performed as described in Patent Document 2, it is not possible to easily perform a correction operation on a matter that is not found in the candidate image. For example, when looking at a candidate image and changing the orientation of the device in consideration of the direction of room light, the device of the embodiment can be easily performed because a display is provided between the imaging camera unit and the business card holding unit, In the technique described in Patent Document 2, the orientation of the fixing device of the imaging device is adjusted by looking at the candidate image displayed on the personal computer, and then the personal computer image is viewed again. If necessary, these devices are repeated, and the operation is complicated. Become.

(B) Other Embodiments Although various modified embodiments have been described in the description of the above-described embodiment, further modified embodiments as exemplified below can be given.

  In the above embodiment, the imaging camera unit has been shown to be able to change between the two states of the protruding state and the housed state by rotating. However, the slide can be changed between the two states of the protruding state and the housed state. Also good.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the business card information taking-in management apparatus comprised as a whole with one flat plate shape was shown, the imaging camera part and the business card holding part are in accordance with the technical idea similar to the said embodiment. If there is, the whole structure is not limited to this. For example, a two-fold configuration such as that employed in mobile phones and electronic notebooks may be applied. In this case, an imaging camera unit and a business card holding unit may be provided on the lower lid side where various keys are arranged.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, an apparatus having a business card information management function (OCR function, registration function, search function) is shown. However, the present invention is applied to an apparatus having only a business card image imaging function (capture function). The invention can be applied. In such a case, a business card information management function (OCR function, registration function, search function) is provided by an external personal computer or server connected via a cable or via a network such as the Internet. Just do it.

  In the above-described embodiment, the horizontal business card and the vertical business card are shown to be erected horizontally. However, the horizontal business card is erected horizontally and the vertical business card is erected vertically. Anyway. For example, in this case, the projecting amount of the imaging camera unit can be changed between the horizontal business card and the vertical business card, and it can be moved in the front-rear direction as a stopper that regulates the position of the back side. What can take the position for a written business card should be applied.

  In the above embodiment, the display has only a display function, but a display having a touch panel function may be applied.

  Although the case where the card is a business card has been described in the above embodiment, the present invention can be applied to other types of cards. For example, the present invention can be applied to card information capturing devices such as postcards, recipe cards, and learning cards (for example, word card cards). In addition, the present invention can also be applied to the case of capturing information on the front and back surfaces of a standard envelope, a withdrawal slip, etc., although it is not a card (the term “card” in the claims is such Including envelopes that can be handled in the same way as cards with meaningful front or back information).

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Business card information acquisition management apparatus, 2 ... Display, 3 ... Key operation part, 4 ... Imaging camera part, 5 ... Business card holding part, 30 ... Imaging camera, 41 ... Fixed wall surface, 42 ... Movable wall member, 42a ... Movable Wall surface, 43 ... stopper, 43a ... plate-like convex part, 43b ... concave part.

Claims (7)

In the card information capturing device that captures at least one surface of the front surface or the back surface of the card with an imaging camera and captures the image of the card,
A plate-like device body;
A card holding part for sandwiching the card on a part or all of one side of the card by two wall surfaces, at least one of which is movable, and for standing the card on the apparatus body;
The card information capturing device, wherein the imaging camera is provided at a position of the apparatus main body at a distance from the standing position of the card and can image one side of the standing card.   The card holding unit is configured to stand upright with the card leaning forward toward the imaging camera, and the optical axis of the imaging camera intersects the card in a tilted state perpendicularly. The card information capturing device according to 1.   A holding state that holds the imaging camera, the housing state in which the holding body is housed in the apparatus main body, and a protruding state in which the holding body protrudes from the apparatus main body and enables imaging by the imaging camera. The card information capturing device according to claim 1, further comprising a holding body state changing mechanism capable of changing a state of the holding body between the two.   The card information capturing device according to claim 1, wherein the movable amount of the movable wall surface in the card holding unit is selected to be an amount capable of holding the mount on which the card is attached.   The card information capturing device according to claim 1, wherein the card holding unit has a stopper that regulates a relative position of the one end of the sandwiched side of the card in the device main body.   The stopper has a plate-like convex portion extending from one of the wall surfaces toward the other wall surface, and a concave portion that is provided on the other wall surface and fits with the plate-like convex portion, The front end of the plate-like convex portion is located on the surface where the surface of the other wall surface exists or in the concave portion with one of the wall surfaces and the other wall surface being most open. Item 6. The card information capturing device according to Item 5.   In the surface of the device main body where the card holding unit holds the card, a display capable of changing brightness is provided at a position of the device main body between the card holding unit and the imaging camera. The card information capturing device according to claim 1.

Images