JPH0359788A - Optical reading card and its reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make it possible to record the large volume of data in a small space and to prevent the generation of an error at the time of reading out information by recording 1-bit information in a dot formation part and arranging plural dot formation parts on a dot code strip like a matrix. CONSTITUTION:The rectangular dot code strip 2 is formed along one major side of an optical reading card 1. The dot code strip 2 is formed by printing out 24 dots by a dot printer and one dot formation part 3 is constituted of 4 dots in total consisting of 2 dots in the longitudinal direction and 2 dots in the width direction. Identification spaces 4 each of which consists of the width of one dot are formed between respective dot formation parts 3, 3... and reading marks 5 each of which consists of 2-dot width are formed on both ends of the strip 2 in the longitudinal direction. Consequently, the large volume of information can be recorded in the small space, the discrimination or inclination of the start and end terminals of the dot code strip 2 can be discriminated and the generation of a reading error can be prevented.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to an optical reading card using a dot code and a reading device thereof.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, various magnetic cards provided with a magnetic recording section have been widely used in various cards such as cash cards, prepaid cards, and commuter passes.

Furthermore, IC cards with large storage capacities are also being put into practical use.

On the other hand, barcodes are widely used in product management and the like. In other words, barcodes can be printed directly on product packaging, or stickers with barcodes printed on them can be pasted on products or their packaging, and then read with a barcode reader at the time of receiving, shipping, or selling products, allowing for product management and sales management. It is used for such things.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) By the way, magnetic cards and IC cards require special writing and reading devices, which are costly, so they cannot be used as customer cards for small stores or consultation cards for hospitals and clinics. There was a problem in that it was difficult to use it easily.

On the other hand, it is possible to use optical reading type barcodes for various cards, but since the amount of information that can be recorded with barcodes is small, it is not possible to use them for information management of objects with a large amount of information such as the various cards mentioned above. Further, there are problems such as barcodes cannot be easily used because they must be drawn using a special device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide an optical reading card and a reading device thereof, which can record a large amount of information and have a large recording density, and which can be used easily and at low cost.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The optical reading card of the present invention is a tontocoat card in which dot forming portions are arranged in a matrix in an elongated rectangular area, and reading marks are formed over the entire width at both ends of the longitudinal direction. The card is characterized in that the strip is arranged along the long side of the card.

Further, the optical reading card reading device of the present invention includes means for movably guiding the optical reading card in a direction perpendicular to the long side direction thereof, and a means for guiding the optical reading card so as to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the long side direction thereof, and a means for guiding the optical reading card so as to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the long side direction thereof. It is characterized by comprising a light projecting means for illuminating almost the entire length in the side direction, a line image sensor, and an optical system for projecting an image of the illuminated portion of the optical reading card onto the line image sensor.

(Function) According to the optical reading card of the present invention, 1 bit of information can be recorded in I dot forming parts, and since the dot forming parts are arranged in a matrix on the dot code strip, it is possible to record one bit of information in one dot forming part. A large amount of information can be recorded in a small space compared to a code, and the reading marks provided at both ends of the dot code strip can be used to identify the start and end of the dot code strip and the slanted state, preventing errors during reading. There's nothing to do. Furthermore, since it can be written using a general-purpose dot printer such as a personal computer, it can be easily used by simply adding software for writing and reading dot code strips and a relatively simple reading device to the personal computer. can do.

Further, according to the reading device of the present invention, by moving the optical reading card in a guided state, the line image sensor performs main scanning in the longitudinal direction of the dot code strip at high speed, and the card is moved. Since the dot code strips are sub-scanned in the width direction and sold, the dot code strips can be read in a short time using a simple line image sensor, and the code can be read by bit detection. Therefore, reading and analysis can be performed in a short time using a simple processing circuit and software.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.

The optical reading card 1 of this embodiment, as shown in FIG.
The case where this is applied to a hospital ticket is shown, and the information that should be recorded may include information such as the patient's name and address, information regarding the health card, information regarding the medical record, etc. An elongated rectangular dot code strip 2 is provided along one long side of the optical reading card 1.

As shown in FIG.
It is formed by printing with a 4-dot printer, and one dot forming section 3 is composed of 2 dots in the longitudinal direction and the width direction of this dot code strip 2, a total of 4 dots. Between portions 3 and 3, an identification space 4 is formed in the shape of a grid with a width of one bit.

Also, at both ends of the dot cord strip 2 in the longitudinal direction,
A leading mark 5 is formed with a width of 2 bits.

Although FIG. 2 schematically shows the relationship between the dot positions of the printer and each dot forming section 3, in actual printing conditions, adjacent dots are printed so as to partially overlap each other.

The optical reading card 1 described above is written and read by a system using a personal computer 6 as shown in FIG. Writing on the optical reading card 1, that is, forming the print strip 1, is performed by a dot printer 7 controlled by a personal computer 6.

The recorded information is entered manually from the keyboard 8 while checking it on the display device 9, and the information is converted into a dot code by the personal computer 6 and sent to the dot printer 7.
is printed on the optical reading card 1.

Further, reading of the optical reading card 1 is performed by inserting the optical reading card 1 into the reading device 10. The reading device 10 is configured to read the dot code strip 2 with a line image sensor as described later, and the read signal is input to the personal computer 6 where appropriate information processing is performed, and the results are displayed on the display device 9. At the same time, it is printed out using the dot printer 7 as necessary.

Next, the reading device 10 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5.

Reference numeral 11 denotes an optical reading card 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as card 1).

), 12 is a reflective optical sensor that detects the tip of the inserted card 1, and 13 has an appropriate width in the feeding direction of the card 1 and illuminates the top surface of the card 1 over almost the entire length in the long side direction. A light projecting means (light source 18 in FIG. 5) and a reflecting mirror 1 that projects an image of the illuminated portion of the card toward the rear.
14 is a feed roller, 15 is a guide roller, and 16 is a reflective optical sensor for detecting the end of insertion of the card 1. These are arranged in sequence in the direction of insertion of the card 1. There is. Reference numeral 17 denotes a camera head into which the image projected backward by the reflecting mirror 13a of the light projecting and reflecting means 13 enters, and includes an imaging lens 19 and a line image sensor 2o shown in FIG.

The feed roller 14 can be driven by a drive motor 21 via a worm gear mechanism 22 connected to one end thereof.
and the encoder 2 via a gear train 24 connected to the other end.
3, the rotational position can be detected. 23
a is a code plate of the encoder 23, and 23b is a photodetector. Further, a card holding roller mechanism 25 is provided below the feed roller 14 and the guide roller 15, and includes holding rollers 25a and 25b corresponding thereto.

A display panel 26 displays that the card 1 is being read, and is configured to display this while the optical sensor 12 is detecting the card 1.

In FIG. 5, 27 is a drive circuit for the line image sensor 20, and the drive motor 21 of the feed roller 14 is feedback-controlled based on a position detection signal from an encoder 23 so as to be synchronized with this drive circuit 27. Driven. Further, the output signal of the line image sensor 20 is amplified by an amplifier 28, converted to a digital signal by an A/D converter 29, and input to the personal computer 6.

In the reading device 10 having the above configuration, when reading the card 1, the card 1 is inserted through the insertion slot 11 with its long side on its side and the card strip 2 on the rear side. At this time, both longitudinal ends of the card 1 are guided through the insertion slot 11. When the leading edge of the card 1 is detected by the optical sensor 12, the drive motor 21 is activated and the light source 18 of the light projection/reflection means 13 is turned on. When the leading edge of the card 1 reaches the feed roller 14, the card 1 is automatically fed thereafter.

While the card 1 is being fed by the feed roller 14, the surface of the card is illuminated by the light projecting means, and an image of the reflected light is projected onto the camera head 17 via the reflecting mirror 13a. The image incident on the camera head 17 is formed on the line image sensor 20 by the imaging lens 19, and the projected image is detected in a line based on the main scanning by the sensor drive circuit 27, and is sequentially detected by feeding the card 1. The image on the front surface of the card 1 is detected by the sub-scanning.

The detection signal is converted into a digital signal and inputted to the personal combination unitaro, whereby the dot code strip 2 is identified and recognized, and the dot code is read by performing appropriate data processing, and the result is read. It is displayed on the display device 9 and printed out if necessary. Incidentally, the sub-scanning, that is, the feeding of the card I by the drive motor 21 is performed in synchronization with the main scanning of the line image sensor 20 as described above.

On the other hand, when the leading edge of the card 1 is detected by the optical sensor 16, since the reading of the dot code strip 2 has been completed before that, the drive motor 21 is driven in the reverse direction and the card 1 is detected by the optical sensor 16.
is discharged from the insertion port 11.

In the above embodiment, the optical reading card 1 is moved and driven in synchronization with the main scanning of the line image sensor 20, so that information processing after reading the dot code strip 2 is simplified. It may be moved.

Further, in the above embodiment, the dot printer 7 has 24 dots, but the same can be applied to 32 dots or 48 dots.

(Effects of the Invention) According to the optical reading card of the present invention, one bit of information can be recorded in one dot forming part, and since the dot forming parts are arranged in a matrix on the dot code strip, A large amount of information can be recorded in a smaller space than a barcode, and the reading marks provided at both ends of the dot code strip can identify the start and end of the dot code strip and determine the slope, helping to avoid errors when reading. Moreover, since it can be recorded using a general-purpose dot printer such as a personal computer, a personal computer is equipped with writing and reading software and a relatively simple reading device. It can be easily used by simply adding it.

Further, according to the reading device of the present invention, by moving the optical reading card while being guided, the line image sensor scans the dot code strip at high speed in the longitudinal direction, and as the card moves, Since the dot code strip is read by sub-scanning in the width direction, the dot code strip can be read in a short time using a simple line image sensor, and the code can only be read by bit detection. It has great effects, such as being able to perform reading and analysis in a short time using a simple processing circuit and software.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 to 6 show an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a plan view of an optical reading card, FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged plan view of the dot code strip, and FIG. 3 is a plan view of an optical reading card. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional plan view of the reading device, FIG. 4 is a longitudinal side view, FIG. 5 is a functional explanatory diagram of the reading device, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an optical reading card writing and reading system. 1・・−１−−−−−−・−・・−・−１−−−−−・
−Optical reading card 2・−1−−−−−・−・・−−−−
1--------Dot code strip 3--
−・−・−・−−−−1−−−····Dot forming part 5
−・−・−−−−−−−1−−−−−−−−・Reading mark 10・−・・ −・−Reading device 11・−・−・−−−−−・−− −−−−111・−11−−Insertion port 13−・−・−・・−・−・−・・・−
・-Light projection and reflection means 14--・---1---------
−・・・・・・Feed roller ■ Camera head 0 Line image sensor

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A dot code strip is arranged along the long side of the card, in which dot formation parts are arranged in a matrix in an elongated rectangular area, and reading marks are formed over the entire width at both longitudinal ends of the dot code strip. optical reading card. (2) Means for movably guiding the optical reading card according to claim 1 in a direction perpendicular to the long side direction thereof, and a means having an appropriate width in the moving direction and approximately the entire length in the long side direction with respect to the optical reading card. 1. A reading device for an optical reading card, comprising: a light projecting means for illuminating the entire area; a line image sensor; and an optical system projecting an image of the illuminated portion of the optical reading card onto the line image sensor.