JP2010086286A - Engraved mark reading device - Google Patents

Engraved mark reading device Download PDF

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JP2010086286A
JP2010086286A JP2008254744A JP2008254744A JP2010086286A JP 2010086286 A JP2010086286 A JP 2010086286A JP 2008254744 A JP2008254744 A JP 2008254744A JP 2008254744 A JP2008254744 A JP 2008254744A JP 2010086286 A JP2010086286 A JP 2010086286A
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light
reading
imaging
reading object
illumination
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JP5230327B2 (en
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Kazunori Hirose
和則 廣瀬
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Nidec Precision Corp
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Nidec Copal Corp
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Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an engraved mark reading device allowing easy, as well as, sure detection of the normality or abnormality of the device. <P>SOLUTION: This engraved mark reading device 1 makes the lights emitted from LEDs 15 be reflected by a reading object, and images the reading object by a CCD camera. Here, a non-used light which does not contribute to the illumination of the reading object is present in the light emitted from the LEDs 15. Since the engraved mark reading device 1 has a light guide 30, having a light extracting port 30a disposed in a radial direction to the outward side of a light-emitting surface of the LEDs 15, taking in the non-used light, and a light extracting port 30b disposed inside a reading ineffective area X, the engraved mark reading device captures the non-used light from the light extracting port 30a, leads it into the reading ineffective area X disposed by the light extracting port 30b, and images the light extracting port 30b inside the reading invalid region X by the CCD camera. As a result, because the device can detect the luminance of the light emitted from the LEDs 15, without exerting adverse effects on the imaging of the reading object, while effectively using the non-used light which does not affect the luminance of the reading object, normality or abnormality of the device can be detected without fail by image processing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

本発明は、硬貨、メダル或いはカード等に形成した刻印を読み取るための刻印読取り装置に関するものである。   The present invention relates to a stamp reading device for reading a stamp formed on a coin, medal, card or the like.

従来、このような分野の技術として、特開平１１−３１６８６１号公報に記載された光学式読取装置がある。この光学式読取装置は、環状に配置した各ＬＥＤで発生させた照射光をプリズム及び拡散板を介して被写体に照射し、その反射光をレンズ群によって取り込み、被写体をＣＣＤで撮像するものである。
特開平１１−３１６８６１号公報 Conventionally, as a technique in such a field, there is an optical reader described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-316861. This optical reader irradiates a subject with irradiation light generated by each LED arranged in an annular shape through a prism and a diffusion plate, captures the reflected light by a lens group, and images the subject with a CCD. .
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-316861

しかしながら、前述した従来の光学式読取装置では、ＬＥＤの故障や劣化等に起因して装置に異常が生じて、正規の被写体を偽物と判定する等の誤作動が生じても、装置の異常がＬＥＤの異常に起因したものであるか否かの判断が難しいといった問題点があった。   However, in the conventional optical reader described above, even if a malfunction occurs in the apparatus due to a failure or deterioration of the LED, and a malfunction occurs such as determining a legitimate subject as a fake, the apparatus malfunctions. There is a problem that it is difficult to determine whether or not it is caused by an abnormality of the LED.

そこで、本発明は、照明部の正常又は異常を簡易かつ確実に検知できる刻印読取り装置を提供することを目的とする。   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a marking reading device that can easily and reliably detect normality or abnormality of an illumination unit.

本発明に係る刻印読取り装置は、撮像領域内における読取り有効領域で照らし出された読取対象物を撮像するための刻印読取り装置において、読取り有効領域の外に環状に配置されて読取対象物を照らし出すための光を出射する照明部と、読取対象物で反射した光を受光して読取対象物を撮像する撮像部と、照明部と撮像部との間に配置され、撮像領域の光を撮像部に集光させる集光レンズ部と、照明部の発光面より径方向外方側に配置されて読取対象物の照明に寄与しない光を取り込む光取込口と、撮像領域内における読取り有効領域外の読取り無効領域内に配置された光取出口とを有するライトガイドと、を備えたことを特徴とする。   The marking reading device according to the present invention is a marking reading device for imaging a reading object illuminated in a reading effective area in an imaging area, and is arranged in an annular shape outside the reading effective area to illuminate the reading object. An illumination unit that emits light to be emitted, an imaging unit that receives light reflected by the reading object and images the reading object, and is disposed between the illumination unit and the imaging unit, and images light in the imaging region A condensing lens unit that collects light on the light source, a light intake port that is arranged radially outward from the light emitting surface of the illuminating unit and takes in light that does not contribute to illumination of the reading object, and a reading effective region in the imaging region And a light guide having a light outlet disposed in an outside reading invalid area.

この刻印読取り装置では、照明部から出射した光が読取対象物で反射し、読取対象物が撮像部によって撮像される。ここで、照明部から出射される光には、読取対象物の照明に寄与しない光（以下、「非利用光」とも言う。）が存在する。この刻印読取り装置は、照明部の発光面より径方向外方側に配置されて非利用光を取り込む光取込口と、撮像領域における読取り有効領域外の読取り無効領域内に配置された光取出口とを有するライトガイドを備えているため、非利用光は、このライトガイドの光取出口より取り込まれ、光取出口が配置された読取り無効領域内に誘導される。このようにして誘導された非利用光は、集光レンズ部によって撮像部に集光され、撮像部による画像では、読取り無効領域内にライトガイドの光取出口が撮像される。これによって、読取対象物の照明に影響を与えない非利用光の有効利用を図りつつ、読取対象物の画像に悪影響を及ぼすことなく、照明部から出射される光の輝度を検出できるため、画像処理によって照明部の正常又は異常を簡易かつ確実に検知でき、読取対象物の撮像と同時に照明部の光の状態を監視することができる。   In this marking reader, the light emitted from the illumination unit is reflected by the reading object, and the reading object is imaged by the imaging unit. Here, the light emitted from the illumination unit includes light that does not contribute to illumination of the reading object (hereinafter also referred to as “unused light”). This marking reading device is arranged on the radially outer side from the light emitting surface of the illumination unit to take in unused light, and the light capturing device arranged in the reading invalid region outside the reading effective region in the imaging region. Since the light guide having the outlet is provided, the unused light is taken in from the light outlet of the light guide and guided to the reading invalid area where the light outlet is arranged. The non-use light thus guided is condensed on the imaging unit by the condensing lens unit, and in the image by the imaging unit, the light outlet of the light guide is imaged in the reading invalid area. As a result, it is possible to detect the luminance of the light emitted from the illumination unit without adversely affecting the image of the reading object while effectively using the non-use light that does not affect the illumination of the reading object. By processing, normality or abnormality of the illumination unit can be detected easily and reliably, and the light state of the illumination unit can be monitored simultaneously with imaging of the reading object.

また、照明部を取り囲むように配置されて、照明部からの光を読取り有効領域に向けて反射させる反射鏡と、照明部が環状に配置された回路基板とを備え、ライトガイドの光取込口は、反射鏡の近傍で回路基板から覗いて、読取対象物の照明に寄与しない光を取り込む位置に配置されていると好適である。このような反射鏡を備えることで、照明部から出射した光を反射鏡で一旦反射させてから読取対象物を照明するいわゆる間接照明が達成される。そして、この間接照明において、上述したのと同様に非利用光が存在し、反射鏡の近傍に光取込口を配置させることで、非利用光を取り込み易くでき、しかも画像に光取込口が映り込むことを容易に防止することができる。   The light guide includes a reflecting mirror that is disposed so as to surround the illuminating unit and reflects the light from the illuminating unit toward the reading effective area, and a circuit board in which the illuminating unit is arranged in an annular shape. It is preferable that the mouth is arranged at a position to take in light that does not contribute to illumination of the reading object when viewed from the circuit board in the vicinity of the reflecting mirror. By providing such a reflecting mirror, so-called indirect illumination is achieved in which the light emitted from the illumination unit is once reflected by the reflecting mirror and then the reading object is illuminated. In this indirect illumination, there is unusable light in the same manner as described above, and by arranging the light intake near the reflecting mirror, it is easy to capture the unusable light, and the light intake is in the image. Can be easily prevented from being reflected.

また、ライトガイドの光取出口は、撮像部の矩形の画像の隅部に映り込むような位置に配置されていると好適である。撮像部の矩形の画像において、隅部は、円形の読取り有効領域の外に常に位置することになるので、上記構成の光取出口によれば、撮像部における画像の有効利用を図ることができ、読取対象物の撮像と同時に照明部の光の状態を監視することができる。なお、通常のＣＣＤ等の撮像部の画像は、一般的に矩形の画像が多いので、本発明は汎用性が高いと言える。   In addition, it is preferable that the light outlet of the light guide is arranged at a position where it is reflected in the corner of the rectangular image of the imaging unit. In the rectangular image of the imaging unit, the corner is always located outside the circular effective reading area. Therefore, according to the light outlet having the above configuration, the image can be effectively used in the imaging unit. The light state of the illumination unit can be monitored simultaneously with the imaging of the reading object. In addition, since the image of an imaging unit such as a normal CCD is generally a rectangular image, it can be said that the present invention is highly versatile.

本発明の刻印読取り装置によれば、照明部の正常又は異常を簡易かつ確実に検知できる。   According to the marking reading device of the present invention, normality or abnormality of the illumination unit can be detected easily and reliably.

以下、図面を参照して本発明の好適な実施形態について詳細に説明する。   DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

図１及び図２に示すように、刻印読取り装置１は、樹脂からなる直方体形状の筺体１０を有しており、この筺体１０の下面には円形状の開口部１１が形成され、この開口部１１は、サファイアガラス等で成形された透明板１２によって塞がれている。そして、読取対象物（例えば５００円硬貨）Ｃは、透明板１２上における読取り有効領域Ｓにて透明板１２に押し付けられた状態で撮像される。   As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the marking reading device 1 has a rectangular parallelepiped housing 10 made of resin, and a circular opening 11 is formed on the lower surface of the housing 10. 11 is closed by a transparent plate 12 formed of sapphire glass or the like. The reading object (for example, a 500 yen coin) C is imaged in a state where it is pressed against the transparent plate 12 in the reading effective area S on the transparent plate 12.

さらに、筺体１０の下方には、透明板１２上まで読取対象物Ｃを搬送させるための搬送装置２０が設けられている。この搬送装置２０は、刻印読取り装置１の下面に隣接して読取対象物Ｃの搬送方向Ａに延びる搬送テーブル２１と、搬送テーブル２１上において読取対象物Ｃを搬送方向Ａに向けて搬送するための図示しない搬送機構とを有している。この搬送装置２０の作動によって、読取対象物Ｃを透明板１２上における読取り有効領域Ｓまで自動搬送させることができる。   Further, a transport device 20 for transporting the reading object C to the transparent plate 12 is provided below the housing 10. The conveying device 20 is adjacent to the lower surface of the marking reading device 1 and extends in the conveying direction A of the reading object C, and for conveying the reading object C toward the conveying direction A on the conveying table 21. And a transport mechanism (not shown). By the operation of the conveying device 20, the reading object C can be automatically conveyed to the reading effective area S on the transparent plate 12.

また、筺体１０の内部には、透明板１２に近接する照明部１４が配置されている。この照明部１４は、ドーナツ状の回路基板１８と、読取り有効領域Ｓの外において回路基板１８上で環状に配列させるように固定されて、径方向外方に向けて発散光を出射する複数のＬＥＤ１５（例えば面実装タイプ又はリードタイプのＬＥＤ）と、を有している。また、各ＬＥＤ１５を取り囲むように配置されたリング状の反射鏡１６は、各ＬＥＤ１５からの出射光を透明板１２上における読取り有効領域Ｓに向けて反射させている。よって、各ＬＥＤ１５から出射した光は、反射鏡１６で一旦反射された後、読取対象物Ｃを照らし出し、これにより間接照明が達成され、照明ムラを少なくしている。   An illumination unit 14 that is close to the transparent plate 12 is disposed inside the housing 10. The illumination unit 14 is fixed to be arranged in a ring shape on the circuit board 18 outside the effective reading area S and the donut-shaped circuit board 18, and emits diverging light radially outward. LED 15 (for example, surface mount type or lead type LED). Further, the ring-shaped reflecting mirror 16 arranged so as to surround each LED 15 reflects the emitted light from each LED 15 toward the effective reading area S on the transparent plate 12. Therefore, the light emitted from each LED 15 is once reflected by the reflecting mirror 16 and then illuminates the reading object C, whereby indirect illumination is achieved and illumination unevenness is reduced.

さらに、筺体１０の内部には、読取対象物Ｃで反射した光を受光して読取対象物Ｃを撮像するＣＣＤカメラ（撮像部）２３と、照明部１４とＣＣＤカメラ２３との間に配置されて、撮像領域Ｔの光をＣＣＤカメラ２３に集光させるための集光レンズ部２４とが設けられている。また、筺体１０の外部には、透明板１２を挟むようにして、筺体１０から突出させた回路基板１８の両端部に吊り下げられた投光素子２６と受光素子２７とが設けられている。そして、投光素子２６及び受光素子２７は、読取対象物Ｃが読取り有効領域Ｓに到来したことを検出するためのタイミングセンサとして利用され、読取対象物Ｃが読取り有効領域Ｓ内に入った瞬間に、この受光素子２７からの硬貨検出信号はＬＥＤ１５及びＣＣＤカメラ２３に付与され、この信号によってＬＥＤ１５及びＣＣＤカメラ２３が作動する。このＬＥＤ１５及びＣＣＤカメラ２３の作動により、搬送中の読取対象物Ｃの一瞬を捕らえた静止画像がＣＣＤカメラ２３によって撮像される。   Further, the housing 10 is arranged between a CCD camera (imaging unit) 23 that receives light reflected by the reading object C and images the reading object C, and between the illumination unit 14 and the CCD camera 23. In addition, a condensing lens unit 24 for condensing the light in the imaging region T on the CCD camera 23 is provided. Further, a light projecting element 26 and a light receiving element 27 suspended from both ends of the circuit board 18 projecting from the housing 10 are provided outside the housing 10 with the transparent plate 12 interposed therebetween. The light projecting element 26 and the light receiving element 27 are used as timing sensors for detecting that the reading object C has arrived at the reading effective area S, and the moment when the reading object C enters the reading effective area S. The coin detection signal from the light receiving element 27 is applied to the LED 15 and the CCD camera 23, and the LED 15 and the CCD camera 23 are operated by this signal. By the operation of the LED 15 and the CCD camera 23, a still image capturing an instant of the reading object C being conveyed is captured by the CCD camera 23.

各ＬＥＤ１５は、リング状の反射鏡１６に対面するように回路基板１８上に環状に配列され、半田付けされている。この回路基板１８は、筺体１０内に設けられた図示しない支持部材によって固定され、透明板１２に対して平行に配置されると共に、中央に円形の撮像用の開口部１８ａを有している。この開口部１８ａの内側には、ＣＣＤカメラ２３側から透明板１２側へ向けて僅かに内径が広がるような円錐台形状の読取り枠２８が、読取り有効領域Ｓを規定するために設けられている。この読取り枠２８は、透明板１２に対して平行なフランジ部２８ａを透明板１２側に有している。また、各ＬＥＤ１５は、回路基板１８の透明板１２側と読取り枠２８のフランジ部２８ａとの間において発光面が径方向外方を向くように等間隔でかつ環状に配列され、径方向外方に向けて放射状に光を出射する。さらに、各ＬＥＤ１５を取り囲むように配置される反射鏡１６は、回路基板１８と透明板１２との間で、筺体１０の内壁面に固着させるように取り付けられている。   Each LED 15 is annularly arranged on the circuit board 18 so as to face the ring-shaped reflecting mirror 16 and soldered. The circuit board 18 is fixed by a support member (not shown) provided in the housing 10, is arranged in parallel to the transparent plate 12, and has a circular imaging opening 18a at the center. Inside the opening 18a, a frustoconical reading frame 28 whose inner diameter slightly widens from the CCD camera 23 side toward the transparent plate 12 side is provided in order to define the reading effective area S. . The reading frame 28 has a flange portion 28 a parallel to the transparent plate 12 on the transparent plate 12 side. The LEDs 15 are arranged in an annular manner at equal intervals between the transparent plate 12 side of the circuit board 18 and the flange portion 28a of the reading frame 28 so that the light emitting surfaces face radially outward. Light is emitted radially toward the. Further, the reflecting mirror 16 disposed so as to surround each LED 15 is attached between the circuit board 18 and the transparent plate 12 so as to be fixed to the inner wall surface of the housing 10.

このような刻印読取り装置１において、ＬＥＤ１５は、読取り有効領域Ｓの外に配置されると共に回路基板１８と読取り枠２８とで取り囲まれているため、ＬＥＤ１５から出射した光は、撮像領域Ｔに漏れ出ることがない。さらに、読取り有効領域Ｓが読取り枠２８によって規定されており、透明板１２上の読取り有効領域Ｓに到来した読取対象物Ｃで反射した光のみが集光レンズ部２４によって集光され、ＣＣＤカメラ２３によって受光される。このように、読取り枠２８によりＣＣＤカメラ２３で受光される光を規制することによって、読取対象物Ｃで反射した光以外の光が画像へ映り込むことを防止し、読取対象物Ｃ表面の刻印を鮮明に撮像する。また、得られた画像に画像処理を施すことによって読取対象物Ｃの真偽は判定される。   In such a marking reader 1, the LED 15 is disposed outside the effective reading area S and is surrounded by the circuit board 18 and the reading frame 28, so that the light emitted from the LED 15 leaks into the imaging area T. I don't get out. Further, the reading effective area S is defined by the reading frame 28, and only the light reflected by the reading object C that has arrived at the reading effective area S on the transparent plate 12 is condensed by the condenser lens unit 24, and is then charged into the CCD camera. 23 receives light. In this way, by restricting the light received by the CCD camera 23 by the reading frame 28, it is possible to prevent light other than the light reflected by the reading object C from being reflected in the image, and to mark the surface of the reading object C. Take a clear picture. Further, the authenticity of the reading object C is determined by performing image processing on the obtained image.

ここで、刻印読取り装置１にあっては、読取対象物Ｃの照明に寄与しない光、すなわち非利用光を取り込むライトガイド３０が更に設けられている。このライトガイド３０は、図３に示すように、ＬＥＤ１５の発光面より径方向外方であってかつ反射鏡１６の近傍で回路基板１８から覗いて非利用光を取り込む光取込口３０ａと、撮像領域Ｔ内における読取り有効領域Ｓ外の読取り無効領域Ｘに配置された光取出口３０ｂとを有している。   Here, the marking reading device 1 is further provided with a light guide 30 that takes in light that does not contribute to illumination of the reading object C, that is, unused light. As shown in FIG. 3, the light guide 30 has a light inlet 30 a that takes in unused light by looking through the circuit board 18 in the radial direction outside the light emitting surface of the LED 15 and in the vicinity of the reflecting mirror 16. A light extraction port 30b disposed in a reading invalid area X outside the reading effective area S in the imaging area T.

このライトガイド３０は、例えば、アクリル系樹脂等の導光性を有する部材で成形されており、光取込口３０ａは、回路基板１８の端部と反射鏡１６の隙間から覗くように固定され、光取出口３０ｂは、読取り枠２８上に載置されて固定されている。ライトガイド３０の固定は、接着剤によって回路基板１８及び読取り枠２８に固定してもよいし、回路基板１８を固定するための支持部材に固定してもよい。   The light guide 30 is formed of a light-guiding member such as an acrylic resin, for example, and the light inlet 30a is fixed so that it can be seen from the gap between the end of the circuit board 18 and the reflecting mirror 16. The light outlet 30b is placed on and fixed to the reading frame 28. The light guide 30 may be fixed to the circuit board 18 and the reading frame 28 with an adhesive, or may be fixed to a support member for fixing the circuit board 18.

この刻印読取り装置１では、放射状に出射するＬＥＤ１５からの光のうち、透明板１２以外へ向かう非利用光が、ライトガイド３０の光取込口３０ａより取り込まれる。そして、取り込まれた非利用光は、導光性を有するライトガイド３０を通して、撮像領域Ｔ内であって読取り有効領域Ｓ外の読取り無効領域Ｘに配置された光取出口３０ｂに誘導される。このようにして誘導された非利用光は、集光レンズ部２４によってＣＣＤカメラ２３に集光され、ＣＣＤカメラ２３による画像では、読取り有効領域Ｓの読取対象物Ｃが撮像されると同時に、読取り無効領域Ｘ内にライトガイド３０の光取出口３０ｂが撮像される。   In the marking reader 1, out of the light from the LEDs 15 that are emitted radially, unused light that is directed to other than the transparent plate 12 is taken in from the light inlet 30 a of the light guide 30. Then, the taken-in unused light is guided through the light guide 30 having a light guide property to the light outlet 30b disposed in the imaging invalid area X inside the imaging area T and outside the effective reading area S. The non-use light thus guided is condensed on the CCD camera 23 by the condensing lens unit 24, and in the image by the CCD camera 23, the reading object C in the reading effective area S is imaged and read at the same time. The light outlet 30b of the light guide 30 is imaged in the invalid area X.

読取り無効領域Ｘは、従来、撮像の範囲内であるが読取対象物Ｃの読取りには利用されなかった領域であり、読取り無効領域Ｘには、上述した読取り枠２８による光の規制等のために光が入射し得ない構成となっていた。しかしながら、本発明の刻印読取り装置１では、ライトガイド３０が設けられることにより、この読取り無効領域Ｘに非利用光が誘導されて光取出口３０ｂが撮像される。このため、読取対象物Ｃの照明に影響を与えない非利用光の有効利用を図りつつ、読取対象物Ｃの撮像に悪影響を及ぼすことなく、ＬＥＤ１５から出射される光の輝度を検出できるため、画像処理によってＬＥＤ１５の正常又は異常を簡易かつ確実に検知することができる。   The reading invalid area X is an area that is conventionally within the imaging range but has not been used for reading the object C to be read. The reading invalid area X is for light restriction by the reading frame 28 described above. In this configuration, light cannot enter. However, in the marking reading device 1 of the present invention, the light guide 30 is provided, whereby non-use light is guided to the reading invalid area X and the light extraction port 30b is imaged. For this reason, it is possible to detect the luminance of the light emitted from the LED 15 without adversely affecting the imaging of the reading object C while effectively using the non-use light that does not affect the illumination of the reading object C. The normality or abnormality of the LED 15 can be detected easily and reliably by image processing.

さらに、読取対象物Ｃ及び光取出口３０ｂの撮像において、ＣＣＤカメラ２３の画像は矩形の画像となるが、ライトガイド３０の光取出口３０ｂは、当該画像の隅部に映り込むような位置に配置されている。この矩形の画像の隅部は、円形の読取り有効領域Ｓの外に常に位置するので、このような構成の光取出口３０ｂによれば、ＣＣＤカメラ２３における画像の有効利用を図ることができ、読取対象物Ｃの撮像と同時にＬＥＤ１５の光の状態を監視することができる。また、読取り有効領域Ｓ内で撮像される読取対象物Ｃの位置に多少の偏りがある場合でも、読取対象物Ｃに光取出口３０ｂが映り込むことを防止できる。なお、通常のＣＣＤカメラ２３等の画像は、一般的に矩形の場合が多いので、この構成は汎用性が高いと言える。   Further, in the imaging of the reading object C and the light outlet 30b, the image of the CCD camera 23 becomes a rectangular image, but the light outlet 30b of the light guide 30 is positioned so as to be reflected in the corner of the image. Is arranged. Since the corner of the rectangular image is always located outside the circular effective reading area S, the light outlet 30b having such a configuration can effectively use the image in the CCD camera 23. The state of the light of the LED 15 can be monitored simultaneously with the imaging of the reading object C. Further, even when there is a slight deviation in the position of the reading target C imaged in the reading effective area S, it is possible to prevent the light outlet 30b from being reflected on the reading target C. It should be noted that since an image of a normal CCD camera 23 or the like is generally rectangular, this configuration is highly versatile.

また、ライトガイド３０の光取込口３０ａは、反射鏡１６の近傍に配置されているため、非利用光を取り込み易くでき、しかも光取込口３０ａから読取り有効領域Ｓ内に入射される光を無くして、読取対象物Ｃの画像に光取込口３０ａからの光が映り込むことを容易に防止している。   In addition, since the light intake 30a of the light guide 30 is disposed in the vicinity of the reflecting mirror 16, it is easy to capture unused light, and light that enters the effective reading area S from the light intake 30a. The light from the light inlet 30a is easily prevented from being reflected in the image of the reading object C.

図４に、従来の刻印読取り装置による撮像画像と、本実施形態の刻印読取り装置１による撮像画像とを例示する。図４（ａ）に示される従来の撮像例では、ＣＣＤカメラ２３によって撮像された矩形の画像Ｇ１は、読取り有効領域Ｓの画像Ｓ１内に読取対象物Ｃの画像Ｃ１を有している。さらに、図４（ｂ）に示される刻印読取り装置１による撮像例では、画像Ｇ２における読取り無効領域Ｘの画像Ｘ１の隅部に、ライトガイド３０の光取出口３０ｂの画像３０ｂａが出現している。   FIG. 4 illustrates an image captured by a conventional marking reader and a captured image captured by the stamp reader 1 of the present embodiment. In the conventional imaging example shown in FIG. 4A, the rectangular image G1 captured by the CCD camera 23 has an image C1 of the reading object C in the image S1 of the reading effective area S. Furthermore, in the imaging example by the marking reading device 1 shown in FIG. 4B, an image 30ba of the light outlet 30b of the light guide 30 appears at the corner of the image X1 of the reading invalid area X in the image G2. .

従来の刻印読取り装置においては、読取対象物の読取りを開始する前に、読取り有効領域内に白色基準板を挿入して撮像する等の方法によって、照明部の輝度の検出を行う必要があった。この方法では、白色基準板の劣化による精度の悪化や、白色基準板が２次光源となり、読取り有効範囲内の画像へ悪影響を与えることがあった。しかしながら、上記構成の刻印読取り装置１によれば、読取り無効領域Ｘに撮像される光取出口３０ｂの状態は読取り有効領域Ｓ内の光の状態とは独立しているため、読取り有効領域Ｓの撮像を行うまでもなく、装置の起動時においてＬＥＤ１５から出射される光の輝度を検出できる。さらに、実際に装置を稼働させて読取対象物Ｃの撮像を継続的に行いながらであっても、ＬＥＤ１５からの光の状態を監視することができる。   In the conventional marking reading device, it is necessary to detect the luminance of the illumination unit by a method such as inserting a white reference plate in the reading effective area and taking an image before starting reading the reading object. . In this method, accuracy may be deteriorated due to deterioration of the white reference plate, and the white reference plate may become a secondary light source, which may adversely affect an image within the effective reading range. However, according to the marking reading device 1 having the above configuration, the state of the light outlet 30b imaged in the reading invalid region X is independent of the light state in the reading effective region S. It is possible to detect the luminance of the light emitted from the LED 15 at the time of starting the apparatus without imaging. Furthermore, the state of the light from the LED 15 can be monitored even when the apparatus is actually operated and the reading object C is continuously imaged.

また、上述した起動時におけるＬＥＤ１５の輝度検出結果や稼働時における監視結果に基づいて、ＬＥＤ１５からの光量をフィードバック制御することにより、間接照明を所望の状態に調整することもできる。   Moreover, based on the brightness | luminance detection result of LED15 at the time of starting mentioned above, or the monitoring result at the time of operation | movement, feedback control of the light quantity from LED15 can also adjust indirect illumination to a desired state.

以上、本発明の好適な実施形態について詳述したが、本発明は上記実施形態に限定されるものではない。例えば、図５に示すように、他の実施形態に係る刻印読取り装置４０においては、反射板を用いずに直接照明によって読取対象物を照射しており、ライトガイド３５の光取込口３５ａは、回路基板１８から突出してＬＥＤ１５を覗くように配置され、ＬＥＤ１５から出射される光のうち読取対象物の照明に寄与しない光を取り込む。そして、読取り無効領域Ｘに配置された光取出口３５ｂへ非利用光を誘導する。本実施形態のライトガイド３５が、先の実施形態と同様の作用効果を奏することは言うまでもない。   The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, in the marking reading device 40 according to another embodiment, the reading object is irradiated by direct illumination without using a reflecting plate, and the light inlet 35 a of the light guide 35 is The LED 15 is arranged so as to protrude from the circuit board 18 and look into the LED 15, and takes in the light emitted from the LED 15 that does not contribute to the illumination of the reading object. Then, the unused light is guided to the light outlet 35b disposed in the reading invalid area X. It goes without saying that the light guide 35 of the present embodiment has the same effects as the previous embodiment.

なお、ライトガイド３０，３５の光取出口３０ｂ，３５ｂの位置は、読取り無効領域Ｘ内であっても、集光レンズ部２４の焦点である読取対象物Ｃの位置から離れすぎない位置、すなわち回路基板１８のＣＣＤカメラ２３側で回路基板１８に近接した位置に配置することが好ましい。光取出口３０ｂ，３５ｂをできるだけ焦点に近づけることで、光取出口３０ｂ，３５ｂの光を鮮明に撮像することができる。また、ライトガイド３０，３５の形状は、誘導する光が途中で外に漏れ難いように、内部反射を考慮して設計することが好ましい。ライトガイド３０，３５としては、アクリル系樹脂から成る部材に限られず、例えば光ファイバであってもよいことは言うまでもない。   It should be noted that the positions of the light outlets 30b and 35b of the light guides 30 and 35 are positions that are not too far from the position of the reading object C that is the focal point of the condensing lens unit 24 even in the reading invalid area X, that is, It is preferable to dispose the circuit board 18 at a position close to the circuit board 18 on the CCD camera 23 side. By making the light outlets 30b and 35b as close to the focal point as possible, the light from the light outlets 30b and 35b can be clearly imaged. Moreover, it is preferable that the shape of the light guides 30 and 35 is designed in consideration of internal reflection so that the guided light hardly leaks out in the middle. Needless to say, the light guides 30 and 35 are not limited to members made of acrylic resin, and may be optical fibers, for example.

本発明に係る刻印読取り装置の一実施形態を示す斜視図である。It is a perspective view which shows one Embodiment of the marking reader which concerns on this invention. 本発明に係る刻印読取り装置の断面図である。It is sectional drawing of the marking reader which concerns on this invention. 刻印読取り装置の要部拡大断面図である。It is a principal part expanded sectional view of a marking reading apparatus. （ａ）は従来の刻印読取り装置による画像であり、（ｂ）は本発明に係る刻印読取り装置による画像である。(A) is an image by a conventional marking reader, and (b) is an image by a marking reader according to the present invention. 本発明に係る刻印読取り装置の他の実施形態を示す断面図である。It is sectional drawing which shows other embodiment of the marking reader which concerns on this invention.

符号の説明Explanation of symbols

１，４０…刻印読取り装置、１５…ＬＥＤ（照明部）、１６…反射鏡、１８…回路基板、２３…ＣＣＤカメラ（撮像部）、２４…集光レンズ部、３０，３５…ライトガイド、３０ａ，３５ａ…光取込口、３０ｂ，３５ｂ…光取出口、Ｃ…読取対象物、Ｇ１，Ｇ２…画像、Ｓ…読取り有効領域、Ｔ…撮像領域、Ｘ…読取り無効領域。   DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,40 ... Marking reader, 15 ... LED (illumination part), 16 ... Reflector, 18 ... Circuit board, 23 ... CCD camera (imaging part), 24 ... Condensing lens part, 30, 35 ... Light guide, 30a , 35a ... light inlet, 30b, 35b ... light outlet, C ... read object, G1, G2 ... image, S ... read effective area, T ... imaging area, X ... read invalid area.

Claims (3)

撮像領域内における読取り有効領域で照らし出された読取対象物を撮像するための刻印読取り装置において、
前記読取り有効領域の外に環状に配置されて前記読取対象物を照らし出すための光を出射する照明部と、
前記読取対象物で反射した光を受光して前記読取対象物を撮像する撮像部と、
前記照明部と前記撮像部との間に配置され、前記撮像領域の光を前記撮像部に集光させる集光レンズ部と、
前記照明部の発光面より径方向外方側に配置されて前記読取対象物の照明に寄与しない光を取り込む光取込口と、前記撮像領域内における前記読取り有効領域外の読取り無効領域内に配置された光取出口とを有するライトガイドと、を備えたことを特徴とする刻印読取り装置。 In a marking reader for imaging a reading object illuminated in a reading effective area in an imaging area,
An illumination unit that is arranged in an annular shape outside the effective reading area and emits light for illuminating the reading object;
An imaging unit that receives the light reflected by the reading object and images the reading object;
A condensing lens unit that is disposed between the illumination unit and the imaging unit and collects the light of the imaging region on the imaging unit;
A light intake port that is arranged radially outward from the light emitting surface of the illumination unit and takes in light that does not contribute to illumination of the reading object, and in a reading invalid region outside the reading effective region in the imaging region And a light guide having a light outlet disposed therein. 前記照明部を取り囲むように配置されて、前記照明部からの光を前記読取り有効領域に向けて反射させる反射鏡と、
前記照明部が環状に配列された回路基板とを備え、
前記ライトガイドの前記光取込口は、前記反射鏡の近傍で前記回路基板から覗いて、前記読取対象物の照明に寄与しない光を取り込む位置に配置されていることを特徴とする請求項１記載の刻印読取り装置。 A reflector that is disposed so as to surround the illumination unit and reflects light from the illumination unit toward the reading effective area;
A circuit board in which the illumination unit is arranged in an annular shape,
2. The light intake port of the light guide is disposed at a position for taking in light that does not contribute to illumination of the reading object when viewed from the circuit board in the vicinity of the reflecting mirror. The engraved reading device described. 前記ライトガイドの前記光取出口は、前記撮像部の矩形の画像の隅部に映り込むような位置に配置されていることを特徴とする請求項１又は２記載の刻印読取り装置。   The marking reading device according to claim 1, wherein the light extraction port of the light guide is disposed at a position where the light guide is reflected in a corner of a rectangular image of the imaging unit.
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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN102332187A (en) * 2011-09-30 2012-01-25 中钞长城金融设备控股有限公司 Coin detection equipment
JP2015060564A (en) * 2013-09-20 2015-03-30 グローリー株式会社 Coin identification device and coin identification method

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS6120190A (en) * 1984-07-06 1986-01-28 グローリー工業株式会社 Detector for circular object such as coin
JP2006164178A (en) * 2004-12-10 2006-06-22 Nidec Copal Corp Mark reading device

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS6120190A (en) * 1984-07-06 1986-01-28 グローリー工業株式会社 Detector for circular object such as coin
JP2006164178A (en) * 2004-12-10 2006-06-22 Nidec Copal Corp Mark reading device

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN102332187A (en) * 2011-09-30 2012-01-25 中钞长城金融设备控股有限公司 Coin detection equipment
JP2015060564A (en) * 2013-09-20 2015-03-30 グローリー株式会社 Coin identification device and coin identification method

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