Mark sheet reading apparatus and mark sheet reading program

Abstract

To reduce the risk of misreading a mark sheet even if the image data of the mark sheet are distorted.SOLUTION: When a mark sheet 2 cannot be normally read, a mark sheet reading apparatus 1 obtains distorted image data such as a mark sheet image 2b. At this time, the mark sheet reading apparatus 1 searches a mark 15 along a reading line 17 based on a timing mark included in the mark sheet image 2b, and detects a frame line 16 at a detection position 18. The mark sheet reading apparatus 1 searches a mark end (an end part of the frame line 16) about the detected frame line 16 in a direction along the frame line 16 (a direction along a search line 19). The mark sheet reading apparatus 1 executes abnormality determination from the fact that it is not possible to determine whether the frame line 16 is normal information recorded in a prescribed region at a prescribed size since the mark end is not detected in a range according to a determination criterion 8.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a mark sheet reading device and a mark sheet reading program. [Background technology]

[0002] A position mark determination mark sheet input method has been proposed in which, when a mark sheet is read to determine the position at which to detect the mark that will be the input information, the position at which two or more position marks have approximately equal numbers of black dots vertically and horizontally within the position mark zone is taken as the reference position, and the position of the information mark is calculated from the reference position. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-62000 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, mark sheets may be designed with borders, letters, etc., prioritizing ease of viewing and understanding for users. In addition, image data of the mark sheet may be distorted due to poor transport to the image sensor, and there is a risk that the design of the borders, letters, etc. may be mistakenly recognized as an information mark.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention aims to reduce the risk of misreading a mark sheet even if distortion occurs in the image data of the mark sheet. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, a mark sheet reading device is provided as described below. The mark sheet reading device has an optical reading unit capable of optically reading image data while the mark sheet is transported by a transport mechanism, a storage unit that stores layout information related to the mark layout on the mark sheet and a judgment criterion used to judge the marks, and a control unit that searches for a mark location in the image data in a predetermined search direction based on the layout information, searches for a mark end in the predetermined search direction while tracing the mark at the detected mark location, and judges a reading abnormality when the mark end is not detected within a search range according to the judgment criterion. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to one aspect, the risk of misreading the mark sheet is reduced even if the image data of the mark sheet is distorted. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a mark sheet reading device according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a voting system according to a second embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a lottery terminal according to a second embodiment. [Figure 4] 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a control unit in the lottery terminal of the second embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a flowchart of a reading process according to the second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a mark sheet according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a normal mark sheet image according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a reading line of a normal mark sheet image according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example (part 1) of a search process image of a marked portion according to the second embodiment; [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example (part 2) of a search process image of a marked portion according to the second embodiment; [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example (part 3) of a search process image of a marked portion according to the second embodiment; [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a distorted mark sheet image in the second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a reading line of a distorted mark sheet image in the second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a search line in a distorted marksheet image in the second embodiment; [Figure 15] FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a flowchart of a reading process according to a third embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a distorted mark sheet image according to the third embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a search extension line of a distorted mark sheet image in the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that each embodiment can be implemented in combination with a plurality of other embodiments within a range that does not cause inconsistency. [First embodiment] First, the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a mark sheet reading device according to the first embodiment. The mark sheet reading device 1 is a device that reads information recorded on a mark sheet 2.

[0010] The mark sheet reading device 1 includes a transport mechanism 3, an optical reading unit 4, a control unit 5, and a storage unit 6. The mark sheet reading device 1 optically reads information recorded on the mark sheet 2 by the optical reading unit 4 while transporting the mark sheet 2 by the transport mechanism 3.

[0011] The conveying mechanism 3 is capable of conveying the mark sheet 2 to a position where it can be optically read by the optical reading unit 4, and for example, takes in the mark sheet 2 from the set position by rotating a conveying roller, and conveys it to the discharge unit or recovery unit via the conveying path where the optical reading unit 4 is located.

[0012] The optical reading unit 4 is capable of optically reading the mark sheet 2, and is, for example, a line sensor camera or a line scanner that is located on the conveying path and can capture an image of the mark sheet 2 in a line perpendicular to the conveying direction. The optical reading unit 4 generates an overall image of the mark sheet 2 by synthesizing the images captured in a linear manner.

[0013] The storage unit 6 stores image data 7 obtained by reading the mark sheet 2 by the optical reading unit 4, a judgment criterion 8, and layout information 9. The judgment criterion 8 is information used to judge a mark, and includes information used to judge whether a mark is normal or not (abnormal), such as the size of the mark. The layout information 9 is information related to the mark layout on the mark sheet 2, and includes, for example, position information of the mark location on the mark sheet 2.

[0014] The control unit 5 searches for the mark location in the image data 7 in a predetermined search direction based on the layout information 9. For example, the control unit 5 searches for the mark location in the image data 7 from timing marks aligned in the transport direction in the image data 7, with a direction perpendicular to the transport direction being the search direction.

[0015] The control unit 5 searches for the mark end in a predetermined search direction while tracing the mark at the detected mark location. If the control unit 5 does not detect the mark end within a search range according to the judgment criterion 8, it judges that a read abnormality has occurred.

[0016] For example, when the mark sheet reader 1 can read the mark sheet 2 normally, it obtains image data with no or small distortion, such as the mark sheet image 2a. At this time, the mark sheet reader 1 searches for the mark 10 along the reading line 12 based on the timing mark included in the mark sheet image 2a, and detects the mark 10 at the detection position. The mark sheet reader 1 searches for the mark end (end of the mark 10) of the detected mark 10 in a direction along the mark 10 (direction along the search line 14). When the mark sheet reader 1 detects the mark end within a range according to the judgment criterion 8, it can judge that the mark 10 is normal information recorded in a predetermined area with a predetermined size. Note that although there is a frame line 11 near the mark 10, it does not overlap with the reading line 12, so there is no risk of the frame line 11 being mistaken for the mark 10 or another mark near the mark 10.

[0017] On the other hand, when the mark sheet reading device 1 cannot read the mark sheet 2 normally, it obtains image data that is distorted or largely distorted, such as the mark sheet image 2b. At this time, the mark sheet reading device 1 searches for the mark 15 along the reading line 17 based on the timing mark included in the mark sheet image 2b, and detects the frame line 16 at the detection position 18. However, the mark sheet reading device 1 cannot distinguish between the mark 15 and the frame line 16. The mark sheet reading device 1 searches for the mark end (the end of the frame line 16) in the direction along the frame line 16 (the direction along the search line 19) for the detected frame line 16. Since the mark sheet reading device 1 does not detect the mark end within the range according to the judgment criterion 8, it cannot judge that the frame line 16 is normal information recorded in a predetermined area with a predetermined size. In other words, the mark sheet reading device 1 performs an abnormality judgment.

[0018] This allows the mark sheet reader 1 to reduce the risk of misreading the mark sheet even if the image data of the mark sheet is distorted. Incidentally, the mark sheet reading device 1 may obtain an abnormal image such as the mark sheet image 2b due to the mark sheet 2 moving obliquely on the conveying path. The mark sheet 2 may move obliquely on the conveying path due to, for example, the mark sheet 2 not being set correctly in the mark sheet reading device 1, the presence of dirt or foreign matter on the conveying path, slippage of the conveying rollers, imbalance of driving forces, uneven wear of the rollers, etc.

[0019] Also, the mark sheet 2 may have designs such as borders and letters in a dropout color, but this is not always the case. Therefore, the mark sheet 2 includes the risk of erroneously recognizing designs such as borders and letters as marks due to abnormal image data. Also, the mark sheet 2 can reduce the risk of misrecognition by ensuring sufficient gaps (clearance) between each mark, but there are cases where the clearance is insufficient due to restrictions on the paper size or the amount of information to be recorded, or prioritizing ease of viewing and understanding for users.

[0020] Even when a mark sheet 2 that is not suitable for the mark sheet reader 1 is to be read, the mark sheet reader 1 can more reliably determine anomalies, thereby reducing the risk of misreading the mark sheet.

[0021] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described. The second embodiment relates to a voting system for lotteries and the like. First, the system configuration of the voting system will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the voting system of the second embodiment.

[0022] The voting system 20 includes a network 30, a voting server 200, and lottery terminals 100(a), 100(b), 100(c), .... The voting server 200 and the lottery terminals 100(a), 100(b), 100(c), ... are connected via the network 30 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0023] The voting system 20 enables the lottery terminals 100(a), 100(b), 100(c), ... provided at lottery outlets and the like to provide voting services such as sports result prediction lotteries, lottery ticket voting (purchase), winning result inquiries, refunds, etc., from the lottery terminals 100(a), 100(b), 100(c), ... which are installed by an application running on the voting server 200. The lottery terminals 100(a), 100(b), 100(c), ... can read mark-sheet type ballot papers, ballot tickets, or voting receipts.

[0024] The lottery terminal 100 is one form of the mark sheet reading device 1 shown in the first embodiment. The mark sheet reading device 1 is not limited to the lottery terminal 100, but can be applied to any reading device that reads a mark sheet.

[0025] Next, the hardware configuration of the lottery terminal 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the lottery terminal of the second embodiment. The lottery terminal 100 includes a control unit 110, a storage unit 120, a mark sheet / lottery ticket reading device 130, a lottery ticket printer 101, a receipt printer 102, a QR (Quick Response) code reader 103, a store clerk monitor 104, a customer monitor 105, and a magnetic card reading device 106.

[0026] The control unit 110 realizes the function of the control unit 5 of the mark sheet reading device 1 shown in the first embodiment, and the memory unit 120 realizes the function of the memory unit 6 of the mark sheet reading device 1 shown in the first embodiment.

[0027] The mark sheet / lottery ticket reading device 130 includes an optical reading device 131 and a transport mechanism 132. The optical reading device 131 realizes the function of the optical reading unit 4 of the mark sheet reading device 1 shown in the first embodiment, and the transport mechanism 132 realizes the function of the transport mechanism 3 of the mark sheet reading device 1 shown in the first embodiment. The mark sheet / lottery ticket reading device 130 can read marks printed on mark sheets or lottery tickets issued by the lottery terminal 100. The mark sheet / lottery ticket reading device 130 can also read marks printed on lottery tickets issued by other devices.

[0028] The mark sheet / lottery ticket reader 130 conveys the mark sheet (including lottery tickets, etc.) received from the conveying mechanism 132 to the optical reader 131 , which obtains image data of the mark sheet and stores it in the memory unit 120 .

[0029] The control unit 110 performs mark reading judgment of the image data according to the layout information and judgment criteria stored in advance in the storage unit 120. The control unit 110 also controls the lottery terminal 100 overall.

[0030] The lottery ticket printer 101 prints and issues a lottery ticket according to the voting contents. The lottery ticket may display a mark on a mark sheet, or may display a QR code (registered trademark) or other markings.

[0031] The receipt printer 102 prints and issues the transaction details based on the voting details, inquiry details, and refund details. The receipt displays the details using letters and numbers, but may also display a QR code or marks on a mark sheet.

[0032] QR code reader 103 reads information from QR codes displayed on lottery tickets, receipts, mobile devices of lottery purchasers, etc. Staff monitor 104 is a monitor for checking information related to operation and maintenance at the store where lottery terminal 100 is installed. Staff monitor 104 makes it possible to check the operating status, maintenance information, transaction details, etc. of lottery terminal 100. Customer monitor 105 displays transaction guides and transaction details to users who receive services from lottery terminal 100.

[0033] The magnetic card reader 106 makes it possible to obtain member information from a magnetic stripe attached to a member card or the like. The lottery terminal 100 makes it possible to provide services for members, such as reference to a transaction history linked to the member information. Note that the lottery terminal 100 may be provided with an IC (Integrated Circuit) card reader or an RFID (Radio Frequency Identifier) ​​scanner instead of or in addition to the magnetic card reader 106.

[0034] Next, the hardware configuration of the control unit of the lottery terminal 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the control unit in the lottery terminal of the second embodiment. The control unit 110 is controlled as a whole by a processor 111. A memory 112 and a plurality of peripheral devices are connected to the processor 111 via a bus 116. The processor 111 may be a multiprocessor. The processor 111 is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a micro processing unit (MPU), or a digital signal processor (DSP). At least a part of the functions realized by the processor 111 executing a program may be realized by an electronic circuit such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD).

[0035] The memory 112 is used as a main storage device for the control unit 110. The memory 112 temporarily stores at least a part of the OS (Operating System) program and application programs to be executed by the processor 111. The memory 112 also stores various data used for processing by the processor 111. As the memory 112, for example, a volatile semiconductor storage device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) is used.

[0036] The peripheral devices connected to the bus 116 include a network interface 113 , a graphics interface 114 , and an input / output interface 115 . The network interface 113 is connected to the network 30. The network interface 113 transmits and receives data to and from other computers or communication devices via the network 30.

[0037] Monitors (staff monitor 104, customer monitor 105) are connected to the graphic interface 114. The graphic interface 114 displays images on the screen of the monitor according to instructions from the processor 111. Examples of the monitor include a display device using an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display device and a liquid crystal display device.

[0038] Required input devices and output devices (such as a mark sheet / lottery ticket reader 130, a lottery ticket printer 101, a receipt printer 102, a QR code reader 103, and a magnetic card reader 106) are connected to the input / output interface 115. The input / output interface 115 also transmits signals sent from the input devices to the processor 111. The input / output interface 115 also transmits signals sent from the processor 111 to the output devices.

[0039] The control unit 110 can realize the processing function of the second embodiment by the above hardware configuration. The control unit 5 shown in the first embodiment and the control unit included in the voting server 200 shown in the second embodiment can also be realized by the same hardware as the control unit 110 shown in FIG.

[0040] The control unit 110 realizes the processing function of the second embodiment by, for example, executing a program recorded in a computer-readable recording medium. The program describing the processing contents to be executed by the control unit 110 can be recorded in various recording media. For example, the program to be executed by the control unit 110 can be stored in a storage device (not shown). The processor 111 loads at least a part of the program in the storage device into the memory 112 and executes the program. The program to be executed by the control unit 110 can also be recorded in a portable recording medium (not shown), such as an optical disk, a memory device, or a memory card. The program stored in the portable recording medium becomes executable after being installed in the storage device, for example, under the control of the processor 111. The processor 111 can also read out the program directly from the portable recording medium and execute it.

[0041] Next, the reading process executed by the lottery terminal 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a flowchart of the reading process of the second embodiment. The reading process determines whether the mark reading is normal / abnormal for the image data acquired by the mark sheet / lottery ticket reading device 130. The reading process is a process executed by the control unit 110 when the lottery terminal 100 acquires the image data from the mark sheet / lottery ticket reading device 130.

[0042] [Step S11] The control unit 110 acquires layout information from the storage unit 120 based on the image data acquired by the mark sheet / lottery ticket reading device 130. The image data of the mark sheet includes an identification mark that allows the type of the mark sheet to be identified. From the identification mark, the control unit 110 can identify the layout information stored in the storage unit 120 that corresponds to the image data acquired by the mark sheet / lottery ticket reading device 130. The layout information includes information that allows the position of the mark on each mark sheet to be identified.

[0043] [Step S12] The control unit 110 obtains a reading line reference from a reference mark included in the image data. The reading line reference indicates the reference for reading scanning. [Step S13] The control unit 110 scans the image data while updating the reading area corresponding to the layout information in accordance with the reading line reference and the timing mark.

[0044] [Step S14] The control unit 110 determines whether or not there is a mark in the reading area. If there is a mark in the reading area, the control unit 110 proceeds to step S15, and if there is no mark in the reading area, the control unit 110 proceeds to step S18.

[0045] [Step S15] The control unit 110 searches for the end of the detected mark within a predetermined range. Normally, a mark is marked within a range of a predetermined size, and therefore has an end of the mark within the predetermined range.

[0046] [Step S16] If the control unit 110 does not detect the mark end, the process proceeds to step S17. If the control unit 110 detects the mark end, the process proceeds to step S18. [Step S17] The control unit 110 performs an abnormal reading determination on the image data acquired by the mark sheet / lottery ticket reading device 130 (determines an abnormality as the result of the determination), and ends the reading process.

[0047] [Step S18] The control unit 110 determines whether or not there is an unread area corresponding to the layout information. If there is an unread area, the process proceeds to step S13. If there is no unread area, the process proceeds to step S19.

[0048] [Step S19] The control unit 110 determines whether the mark has been read normally on the image data acquired by the mark sheet / lottery ticket reading device 130 (determines that the result is normal), and ends the reading process.

[0049] In this manner, the lottery terminal 100 can determine whether the mark reading is normal or abnormal based on the image data acquired by the mark sheet / lottery ticket reading device 130. Next, the mark sheet to be read by the lottery terminal 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a mark sheet of the second embodiment. Mark sheet 300 is one of the mark sheets to be read by the lottery terminal 100. Mark sheet 300 includes an identification mark 301, a reference mark 302, a timing mark 303, a mark field 304, a frame line 305, and character information 306 on the paper surface.

[0050] The identification mark 301 displays information (type identification information) that allows the type of the mark sheet to be identified. The type identification information corresponds to layout information that is stored in advance in the storage unit 120. The lottery terminal 100 can read the mark when the type identification information corresponds to the layout information stored in the storage unit 120, and cannot read the mark when it does not correspond.

[0051] The reference mark 302 indicates the reading line reference (reference for reading scan) in the image data of the mark sheet. The timing marks 303 are lined up on one side of the paper surface along the transport direction. The timing marks 303 make it possible to identify a row of mark reading positions lined up in the search direction (direction along the reading line). The mark column 304 indicates the mark reading position, and makes it possible to identify the meaning of the mark from the layout information. The frame lines 305 and character information 306 make it easy for the user to understand the mark position.

[0052] The mark sheets from which the lottery terminal 100 reads marks are not limited to the standard format prepared in advance. Therefore, the mark sheets from which the lottery terminal 100 reads marks may not use dropout colors thoroughly or may not have sufficient gaps around the marks, and the safety margin against abnormalities in the image data due to the mark sheet being skewed may not be large.

[0053] Next, normal reading of a mark sheet by the lottery terminal 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 7 and Fig. 8. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a normal mark sheet image in the second embodiment. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a reading line of a normal mark sheet image in the second embodiment.

[0054] The mark sheet image 310 is image data acquired by the mark sheet / lottery ticket reader 130 from the mark sheet 300 on which a mark indicating the number "7" is affixed. The mark sheet image 310 is an example of image data without distortion. The mark sheet image 314 is a portion of the mark sheet image 310.

[0055] The lottery terminal 100 detects a mark 313 by scanning a reading line 312 from a timing mark 311, which is one of the timing marks 303 aligned in the conveyance direction from a reference mark 302. The mark 313 is a mark in which an area corresponding to the number of tickets "7" is filled in. The reading line 312 is in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction.

[0056] The layout information includes information capable of identifying mark areas 315, 316, 317, 318, and 319 aligned on a reading line 312 corresponding to a timing mark 311. The mark areas 315, 316, 317, 318, and 319 are arranged with gaps between each other.

[0057] Since the position of the mark 313 is in a position corresponding to the mark area 316 on the reading line 312, the lottery terminal 100 can determine by referring to the layout information that the mark 313 is a mark indicating the number of tickets "7".

[0058] Next, the mark end search described in step S15 of the reading process will be described with reference to Figs. 9 to 11. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example (part 1) of a search process image of a marked location in the second embodiment. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example (part 2) of a search process image of a marked location in the second embodiment. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example (part 3) of a search process image of a marked location in the second embodiment.

[0059] The search image shown in Fig. 9(1) shows an image of searching from top to bottom for a mark 350. The mark 350 is a solidly painted, approximately rectangular shape with a portion of the left side cut out in the image data.

[0060] In the search image shown in FIG. 9(2), the upper left corner of mark 350 is set as reference pixel 351. Reference pixel 351 is one of the end points of mark 350. Lottery terminal 100 searches for a filled pixel in search range 352 located in the search direction from reference pixel 351. Search range 352 includes one pixel in the search direction from reference pixel 351 and one pixel on either side of it, for a total of three pixels. In search range 352, one pixel in the lower left direction is not a filled pixel, but the remaining pixels are filled pixels. As search range 352 includes a filled pixel, lottery terminal 100 updates reference pixel 351 and continues searching for the mark end.

[0061] In the search image shown in FIG. 9(3), reference pixel 351 is updated by one pixel in the search direction, and reference pixel 353 becomes the new reference pixel. Lottery terminal 100 searches for a filled pixel in search range 354 located in the search direction from reference pixel 353. Search range 354 includes one pixel in the search direction from reference pixel 353 and one pixel on either side of it, for a total of three pixels. In search range 354, one pixel in the lower left direction is not a filled pixel, but the remaining pixels are filled pixels. As search range 354 includes a filled pixel, lottery terminal 100 updates reference pixel 353 and continues searching for the mark end.

[0062] In the search image shown in FIG. 10(1), reference pixel 353 is updated by one pixel in the search direction, and reference pixel 355 becomes the new reference pixel. Lottery terminal 100 searches for a filled pixel in search range 356 located in the search direction from reference pixel 355. Search range 356 includes one pixel in the search direction from reference pixel 355 and one pixel on either side of it, for a total of three pixels. In search range 356, one pixel in the search direction from reference pixel 355 and one pixel to the lower left are not filled pixels, but one pixel to the lower right is a filled pixel. Since search range 356 includes a filled pixel, lottery terminal 100 updates reference pixel 355 and continues searching for the mark end.

[0063] In the search image shown in FIG. 10(2), the reference pixel 355 is updated by one pixel in the search direction, and the reference pixel 357 is set as the new reference pixel. The updated reference pixel may or may not be a filled pixel. This allows the lottery terminal 100 to perform an appropriate search even if there is a missing dot or noise in the search direction of the reference pixel. The lottery terminal 100 searches for a filled pixel in a search range 358 located in the search direction from the reference pixel 357. The search range 358 includes one pixel in the search direction from the reference pixel 357 and one pixel on both sides of the pixel, for a total of three pixels. In the search range 358, one pixel in the lower left direction is not a filled pixel, but the remaining pixels are filled pixels. Since the search range 358 includes a filled pixel, the lottery terminal 100 updates the reference pixel 357 and continues the mark end search.

[0064] In the search image shown in FIG. 10(3), reference pixel 357 is updated by one pixel in the search direction, and reference pixel 359 becomes the new reference pixel. Lottery terminal 100 searches for a filled pixel in search range 360 ​​located in the search direction from reference pixel 359. Search range 360 ​​includes one pixel in the search direction from reference pixel 359 and one pixel on either side of it, for a total of three pixels. In search range 360, one pixel in the lower left direction is not a filled pixel, but the remaining pixels are filled pixels. As search range 360 ​​includes a filled pixel, lottery terminal 100 updates reference pixel 359 and continues searching for the mark end.

[0065] In the search image shown in FIG. 11(1), reference pixel 359 is updated by one pixel in the search direction, and reference pixel 361 becomes the new reference pixel. Lottery terminal 100 searches for a filled pixel in search range 362 located in the search direction from reference pixel 361. Search range 362 includes one pixel in the search direction from reference pixel 361 and one pixel on either side of that, for a total of three pixels. None of the pixels in search range 362 are filled pixels. Although search range 362 does not include a filled pixel, lottery terminal 100 updates reference pixel 361 and continues searching for the mark end because there is a possibility of a missing dot or line.

[0066] In the search image shown in FIG. 11(2), reference pixel 361 is updated by one pixel in the search direction, and reference pixel 363 becomes the new reference pixel. The lottery terminal 100 searches for a filled pixel in search range 364 located in the search direction from reference pixel 363. Search range 364 includes one pixel in the search direction from reference pixel 363 and one pixel on either side of it, for a total of three pixels. In search range 364, not all pixels are filled pixels. Although search range 364 does not include a filled pixel, the lottery terminal 100 updates reference pixel 363 and continues searching for the mark end because there is a possibility of continuous missing dots or lines in the search direction.

[0067] In the search image shown in FIG. 11(3), the reference pixel 363 is updated by one pixel in the search direction, and the reference pixel 365 is set as the new reference pixel. The lottery terminal 100 searches for a filled pixel in a search range 366 located in the search direction from the reference pixel 365. The search range 366 includes one pixel in the search direction from the reference pixel 365 and one pixel on either side of it, for a total of three pixels. In the search range 366, not all pixels are filled pixels. Since the search range 366 does not include a filled pixel, the lottery terminal 100 ends the mark end search without updating the reference pixel 365, since consecutive missing dots or missing lines in the search direction exceed a threshold value (for example, three consecutive). The lottery terminal 100 can set the end point 367 as the mark end.

[0068] In this way, the lottery terminal 100 can suitably search for the mark end even if there is a missing dot, missing line, or noise in the search direction of the reference pixel. Although the lottery terminal 100 updates the reference pixel in the search direction, it may update the reference pixel by providing an offset in a direction in which there is no missing dot or missing line. For example, when there are filled pixels and unfilled pixels in the search range, the lottery terminal 100 may select the reference pixel from among the filled pixels. Furthermore, the lottery terminal 100 may not provide an offset in updating the reference pixel from the result of one search, but may provide an offset in updating the reference pixel when there is a missing dot, missing line, or noise exceeding a threshold value.

[0069] Next, the reading of an abnormal mark sheet by the lottery terminal 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 12 and Fig. 13. Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a distorted mark sheet image in the second embodiment. Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a reading line of a distorted mark sheet image in the second embodiment.

[0070] The mark sheet image 320 is image data acquired by the mark sheet / lottery ticket reader 130 from the mark sheet 300 on which a mark indicating the number "7" is affixed. The mark sheet image 320 is an example of distorted image data. The mark sheet image 326 is a portion of the mark sheet image 320.

[0071] The lottery terminal 100 scans the reading line 322 from the timing mark 321, which is one of the timing marks 303 aligned in the conveyance direction from the reference mark 302, to detect the misread portion 324. The misread portion 324 is a reading error caused by the frame line 323 being positioned on the scanning line of the reading line 322 due to distortion of the mark sheet image 320. The mark 327 is a mark in which the area corresponding to the number "7" is filled in, and is the mark that should have been read.

[0072] The layout information includes information capable of identifying mark areas 328, 329, 330, 331, and 332 aligned on a reading line 322 corresponding to a timing mark 321. The mark areas 328, 329, 330, 331, and 332 are arranged with gaps between each other.

[0073] Since the position of the misread portion 324 corresponds to the mark area 328 on the reading line 322, the lottery terminal 100 has a risk of erroneously determining that the misread portion 324 is a mark indicating the number "6" by referring to the layout information. Note that there is a risk that the mark 327 will not be detected because it is not on the scanning line of the reading line 322. Such a mark sheet image 320 can be generated by the mark sheet 300 moving obliquely on the conveying mechanism 132. The mark sheet 300 that has moved obliquely on the conveying mechanism 132 can be digitized by the optical reading device 131 as a distorted mark sheet image 320.

[0074] The lottery terminal 100 makes it possible to eliminate the risk of misreading a mark from a distorted mark sheet image 320 by searching for the mark edge as described in step S15 of the reading process. Next, a mark end search for a distorted mark sheet image will be described with reference to Fig. 14. Fig. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a search line for a distorted mark sheet image in the second embodiment.

[0075] The lottery terminal 100 sets a search starting point 333 at the misread location 324. The lottery terminal 100 searches for the mark end downward from the search starting point 333 along a search line 334. Alternatively, the lottery terminal 100 searches for the mark end upward from the search starting point 333 along a search line 335. Alternatively, the lottery terminal 100 searches for the mark end in both directions, downward from the search starting point 333 along the search line 334 and upward along the search line 335.

[0076] The lottery terminal 100 searches for the mark edge beyond the mark area by detecting the frame line 323. The lottery terminal 100 can detect the risk of misreading the mark by failing to search for a mark edge that can be regarded as a mark.

[0077] This eliminates the risk that the lottery terminal 100 will erroneously determine that the misread portion 324 is a mark indicating the number of characters "6." The lottery terminal 100 determines an abnormality based on the failure to search for the mark end, and can guide the user to re-read the mark sheet 300.

[0078] Such misreading of marks is not limited to frame lines, but can also occur due to displays other than marks, such as characters, illustrations, etc. The lottery terminal 100 can guide the user to reread the mark sheet 300 in response to misreading factors other than marks.

[0079] Third embodiment Next, a third embodiment will be described. The third embodiment is different from the second embodiment in that a mark end extension search is performed instead of the mark end search in the reading process, but otherwise is similar. The reading process of the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 15. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a flowchart of the reading process of the third embodiment. The reading process determines whether mark reading is normal / abnormal for image data acquired by the mark sheet / lottery ticket reading device 130. The reading process is executed by the control unit 110 when the lottery terminal 100 acquires image data from the mark sheet / lottery ticket reading device 130.

[0080] [Step S11] The control unit 110 obtains layout information from the storage unit 120 based on the image data obtained by the mark sheet / lottery ticket reading device 130. [Step S12] The control unit 110 obtains a reading line reference from a reference mark included in the image data. The reading line reference indicates the reference for reading scanning.

[0081] [Step S13] The control unit 110 scans the image data while updating the reading area corresponding to the layout information in accordance with the reading line reference and the timing mark. [Step S14] The control unit 110 determines whether or not there is a mark in the reading area. If there is a mark in the reading area, the control unit 110 proceeds to step S20, and if there is no mark in the reading area, the control unit 110 proceeds to step S18.

[0082] [Step S20] The control unit 110 searches for the mark end within a predetermined range for the detected mark, and searches from the search start point to the extension direction of the mark end up to the position of the timing mark. [Step S21] The control unit 110 detects an error (return error) between the position of the timing mark searched for in the extension direction of the mark end from the search start point and the timing mark referenced in step S13, and determines whether there is an error exceeding a predetermined threshold value. If there is a return error, the control unit 110 proceeds to step S17, and if there is no return error, the control unit 110 proceeds to step S18.

[0083] [Step S17] The control unit 110 performs an abnormal reading determination on the image data acquired by the mark sheet / lottery ticket reading device 130 (determines an abnormality as the result of the determination), and ends the reading process.

[0084] [Step S18] The control unit 110 determines whether or not there is an unread area corresponding to the layout information. If there is an unread area, the process proceeds to step S13. If there is no unread area, the process proceeds to step S19.

[0085] [Step S19] The control unit 110 determines whether the mark has been read normally on the image data acquired by the mark sheet / lottery ticket reading device 130 (determines that the result is normal), and ends the reading process.

[0086] In this manner, the lottery terminal 100 can determine whether the mark reading is normal or abnormal based on the image data acquired by the mark sheet / lottery ticket reading device 130. Next, the mark end search for the distorted mark sheet image will be described with reference to Fig. 16 and Fig. 17. Fig. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the distorted mark sheet image of the third embodiment. Fig. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the search extension line of the distorted mark sheet image of the third embodiment.

[0087] The mark sheet image 320 is image data acquired by the mark sheet / lottery ticket reader 130 from the mark sheet 300 on which a mark indicating the number of tickets “7” is affixed. The mark sheet image 340 is a portion of the mark sheet image 320.

[0088] The lottery terminal 100 scans the reading line 322 from the timing mark 321, which is one of the timing marks 303 aligned in the conveyance direction from the reference mark 302, to detect the misread portion 341. The misread portion 341 is a reading error caused by the frame line 323 being positioned on the scanning line of the reading line 322 due to distortion of the mark sheet image 320. The mark 343 is a mark in which the area corresponding to the number "7" is filled in, and is the mark that should have been read.

[0089] The lottery terminal 100 sets a search extension line 342 in the extension direction of the frame line 323. The search extension line 342 corresponds to an extension line of a path tracing the misread portion 341 to the end of the mark. The lottery terminal 100 extends the search extension line 342 in the direction of the timing mark 303 aligned in the feed direction. The search extension line 342 should normally return to the timing mark 321 which is the starting point of the read line 322. However, if there is a distortion in the mark sheet image 340, the search extension line 342 moves away from the timing mark 321 which is the starting point of the read line 322. The return error 336 corresponds to the amount (deviation) by which the search extension line 342 moves away from the timing mark 321. The lottery terminal 100 can detect an abnormality when the return error 336 exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

[0090] This eliminates the risk of misreading the mark in the lottery terminal 100. The lottery terminal 100 determines an abnormality based on the mark end extension search, and makes it possible to guide the user to re-read the mark sheet 300.

[0091] It should be noted that the disclosed embodiments are illustrative in all respects and should not be considered as limiting. In addition, the above-mentioned embodiments and each configuration of the modified examples may be combined and applied. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, not the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 1. Mark sheet reader 2. Mark Sheet 3. Conveyor mechanism 4 Optical reading unit 5. Control section 6 Memory section 7 Image Data 8 Criteria 9 Layout Information

Claims

1. an optical reading unit capable of optically reading image data while conveying the mark sheet by a conveying mechanism; A storage unit that stores layout information regarding a mark layout in the mark sheet and a judgment criterion used for judging the marks; searching for a mark location in the image data in a predetermined search direction based on the layout information; searching for a mark end in a predetermined search direction while tracing the mark at the detected mark location; a control unit that determines a reading abnormality when the mark end is not detected within a search range according to the determination criterion; A mark sheet reading device having the above structure.

2. the mark sheet includes timing marks aligned in a conveying direction, the control unit searches for the mark location from the image data in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction, starting from the timing mark.

2. The mark sheet reader according to claim 1.

3. the control unit searches for the mark end from the mark location along a direction perpendicular to the transport direction; 3. The mark sheet reader according to claim 2.

4. the control unit searches for the mark end in two directions, a forward direction and a reverse direction, which are perpendicular to the transport direction.

4. The mark sheet reader according to claim 3.

5. an optical reading unit capable of optically reading image data while conveying the mark sheet including timing marks arranged in the conveying direction by a conveying mechanism; A storage unit that stores layout information regarding a mark layout in the mark sheet and a judgment criterion used for judging the marks; searching for a mark location in the image data from a predetermined timing mark in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction based on the layout information; a control unit that determines a reading abnormality based on a deviation between an extension line of a path tracing the detected mark at the mark location to an end of the mark and the predetermined timing mark; A mark sheet reading device having the above structure.

6. On the computer, acquiring image data of the mark sheet conveyed by the conveying mechanism by an optical reading unit capable of optically reading image data of the mark sheet; searching for a mark location in the image data in a predetermined search direction based on layout information relating to a mark layout in the mark sheet stored in a storage unit; searching for a mark end of the detected mark location in a predetermined search direction; performing a reading abnormality determination when the mark end is not detected within a search range according to a determination criterion used for determining the mark stored in the storage unit; A mark sheet reading program that executes the processing.

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