Reader

Abstract

This makes it less likely for passports to fall out of the retrieval slot. [Solution] A reading device comprising: a placement surface on which an application form is placed; an imaging unit for imaging the application form placed on the placement surface; a collection cassette for storing the application form inserted from a collection opening; and a set surface that is inclined to become lower towards the front as seen from the operator, and a passport reader located behind the collection opening as seen from the operator, for reading the information of a passport placed on the set surface, wherein the passport reader has a media stopper for supporting the passport at the front end of the set surface, the front end of the media stopper is located behind a vertical line virtually drawn at the position of the collection opening, and a virtual inclined surface horizontal to the set surface that passes through the front end of the media stopper and intersects with the placement surface at a position in front of the collection opening.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a reading device.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, a calligraphy table device and a passport reader device have been used. FIG. 1 shows an example of a calligraphy table device 80. The calligraphy table device 80 has a mounting table 82 on which application forms and the like are placed, a calligraphy camera 84 that images the application form placed on the mounting table 82, and a collection port 86 into which the imaged application form is inserted. The calligraphy table device is also disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1.

[0003] FIG. 2 shows an example of a passport reader device 90. The passport reader device 90 reads information on a passport set in the passport reader device 90.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The above-described calligraphy table device and passport reader device have been used as separate devices. Although it is conceivable to integrate the calligraphy table device and the passport reader device, in that case, there is a concern that the passport may accidentally fall from the collection port.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technology that can make it difficult for a passport to fall from the collection port.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To solve the above problems, according to one aspect of the present invention, a reading device is provided comprising: a placement surface on which an application form is placed; an imaging unit for imaging the application form placed on the placement surface; a collection cassette for storing the application form inserted from a collection opening; and a passport reader located behind the collection opening from the operator, having a set surface that slopes downward towards the front from the operator's perspective, and reading the information of a passport placed on the set surface, wherein the passport reader has a media stopper for supporting the passport at the front end of the set surface, the front end of the media stopper is located behind a hypothetical vertical line drawn at the position of the collection opening, and a hypothetical inclined surface horizontal to the set surface that passes through the front end of the media stopper and intersects with the placement surface at a position in front of the collection opening.

[0008] The collection port may be located inside the imaging range of the imaging unit.

[0009] The passport reader may be positioned outside the imaging range of the imaging unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention described above, it is possible to make it less likely for passports to fall out of the collection slot. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] An example of a drawing stand device 80 is shown. [Figure 2] An example of a passport reader device 90 is shown. [Figure 3] This is an explanatory diagram showing the external configuration of a railway ticket vending machine 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the cross-sectional configuration of a reading device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is an explanatory diagram mainly showing the peripheral area of ​​the media stopper 156. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. In this specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions will be omitted.

[0013] One embodiment of the present invention relates to a reader device that integrates the functions of capturing an image of an application form and reading passport information. The configuration of a railway ticket vending machine according to one embodiment of the present invention, which includes the reader device, will be described below with reference to Figures 3 and 4.

[0014] <Configuration of railway ticket vending machine 1> Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the external configuration of a railway ticket vending machine 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 3, the railway ticket vending machine 1 includes an operation display unit 2, a coin slot 3a, a coin outlet 3b, a banknote slot 4a, a banknote outlet 4b, an IC (Integrated Circuit) card slot 5, a ticket issuing slot 6, and a reader 10. In this specification, the side on which the railway ticket vending machine 1 is located, as viewed from the operator facing the railway ticket vending machine 1, may be referred to as the back side, and the side on which the operator is located, as viewed from the railway ticket vending machine 1 and the reader 10, may be referred to as the front side.

[0015] The operation display unit 2 is located on the upper side of the housing of the railway ticket vending machine 1 and displays menu screens, ticket vending screens, etc. The operation display unit 2 also has a function to detect the operator's actions on the display screen and functions as an operation input unit. The operation display unit 2 is implemented, for example, by a touch panel display.

[0016] The lower side of the operation display unit 2 protrudes forward as shown in FIG. 3, and a recess that is open upward and forward is formed over substantially the entire protruding portion. On the vertical surface on the back side of this recess, a banknote insertion slot 4a, a banknote ejection slot 4b, an IC card insertion slot 5, and a ticket issuing slot 6 are provided. Also, on the bottom surface of this recess, a coin ejection slot 3b integrated with a change tray is provided. Further, a coin insertion slot 3a is provided on the upper surface of the right protruding portion of this recess.

[0017] The railway ticket vending machine 1 settles the fare based on coins inserted through the coin insertion slot 3a, banknotes inserted through the banknote insertion slot 4a, or credit cards or contactless IC cards inserted through the IC card insertion slot 5. Note that an information reading unit for contactless IC cards, mobile terminals, or smartphones may be provided on the protruding portion of the railway ticket vending machine 1. By the operator holding a contactless IC card or the like over the information reading unit, the electronic money information is read, and the railway ticket vending machine 1 can settle the fare based on the read electronic money information.

[0018] When the settlement of the fare is completed, the railway ticket vending machine 1 ejects tickets such as boarding tickets, limited express tickets, and reserved seat tickets from the ticket issuing slot 6, and ejects change from the coin ejection slot 3b / banknote ejection slot 4b if there is change. Also, credit cards or contactless IC cards inserted through the IC card insertion slot 5 are ejected from the IC card insertion slot 5 and returned to the operator.

[0019] The reading device 10 is used when a certificate such as an application form and a passport is required when the operator purchases a railway ticket. As shown in FIG. 3, the reading device 10 has a writing table 110 having a placement surface 112, a collection port 130, and a passport reader 150. Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 4, the configuration of the reading device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0020] <Configuration of the reading device 10> FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a cross-sectional configuration of a reading device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, a reading device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a writing desk 110, an imaging unit 120, a collection port 130, a storage unit 140, and a passport reader 150.

[0021] (Writing desk 110) The writing desk 110 has a placement surface 112, and an application form S is placed on the placement surface 112.

[0022] (Imaging unit 120) The imaging unit 120 images the application form S placed on the placement surface 112 and acquires an image of the application form S. As shown in FIG. 4, the imaging unit 120 is located above the placement surface 112. The imaging range C of the imaging unit 120 includes the collection port 130 and does not include the passport reader 150.

[0023] (Collection port 130) The collection port 130 is an opening connected to the storage unit 140. The collection port 130 is provided on the back side of the placement surface 112. An operator inserts the application form S imaged by the imaging unit 120 into the collection port 130. The application form S inserted into the collection port 130 falls into the storage unit 140 as indicated by an arrow A1.

[0024] (Storage unit 140) The storage unit 140 is a collection cassette that stores the application form S inserted from the collection port 130.

[0025] (Passport reader 150) The passport reader 150 is a unit that reads information of a passport P. The passport reader 150 is provided on the back side of the writing desk 110. As shown in FIG. 4, the passport reader 150 has a setting surface 152, a stopper portion 154, and a medium stopper 156.

[0026] The setting surface 152 is a surface on which the passport P is set. The setting surface 152 is inclined so as to become lower toward the front side.

[0027] The stopper portion 154 is located on the rear side of the setting surface 152 and protrudes upward. The operator sets the passport P on the setting surface 152 by abutting the passport P against the stopper portion 154, as indicated by arrow A2.

[0028] The media stopper 156 is located at the front end of the setting surface 152 and protrudes upward. The media stopper 156 supports the passport P and other media. The arrangement of the media stopper 156 will be described in more detail with reference to Figure 5.

[0029] Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram mainly showing the area around the media stopper 156. As shown in Figure 5, the front end of the media stopper 156 is located behind the vertical line L1 that is hypothetically drawn at the location of the collection port 130.

[0030] Furthermore, the virtual inclined surface L2, which is horizontal to the setting surface 152 and passes through the front end of the media stopper 156, and the mounting surface 112 intersect at a position in front of the collection port 130, as shown in Figure 5.

[0031] <Operation Flow> The operation flow using the reading device 10 described above is as follows as an example. First, the operator places the application form S on the placement surface 112, and the imaging unit 120 captures an image of the application form S. Then, the operator checks the image of the application form S acquired by the imaging unit 120. Once the operator confirms that there are no problems, the operator puts the application form S into the collection slot 130.

[0032] Next, the operator, as indicated by arrow A2, pushes the passport P toward the stopper section 154 and sets the passport P on the setting surface 152. Then, the passport reader 150 reads the information from the passport P.

[0033] <Effects and Effects> According to the embodiment of the present invention described above, various effects and advantages can be obtained. For example, in the reading device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the passport reader 150 is positioned at the back of the book stand 110, and a media stopper 156 is provided at the front end of the setting surface 152. Therefore, it becomes difficult for passports P placed on the setting surface 152 to fall from the passport reader 150. As a result, it is difficult for passports P to fall from the collection opening 130.

[0034] Furthermore, the front end of the media stopper 156 is located behind the vertical line L1 that is hypothetically drawn at the position of the collection port 130. The hypothetical inclined surface L2, which is horizontal to the setting surface 152 and passes through the front end of the media stopper 156, and the mounting surface 112 intersect at a position in front of the collection port 130, as shown in Figure 5. Therefore, even if the passport P were to fall over the media stopper 156, it is considered that the passport P would fall in front of the collection port 130 of the drawing stand 110, thus further reducing the risk of the passport P falling from the collection port 130.

[0035] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present invention, the collection slot 130 is located inside the imaging range C of the imaging unit 120. On the other hand, the passport reader 150 is located outside the imaging range C of the imaging unit 120. Therefore, the imaging unit 120 captures the entire sequence of steps up to the point where the application form S is inserted into the collection slot 130, and the operator can confirm the image. This has the effect of deterring fraud by preventing the operator from pretending to insert the application form S into the collection slot 130.

[0036] <Supplement> Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the attached drawings, the present invention is not limited to these examples. It is clear to any person with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs that various modifications or alterations can be conceived within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims, and these are also understood to fall within the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0037] 1. Railway ticket vending machine 10. Reader 110 Calligraphy stand 112 Mounting surface 120 Imaging Unit 130 Collection port 140 Storage compartment 150 Passport Reader 152 sets 154 Stopper section 156 Media Stopper 2 Operation display section 3a Coin slot 3b Coin ejection port 4a Bill slot 4b Bill ejection port 5 IC card slot 6 Ticket Counter

Claims

1. The surface on which the application form is placed, An imaging unit for imaging the application form placed on the mounting surface, A collection cassette for storing the application form inserted through the collection slot, A passport reader is provided on the far side of the retrieval slot from the operator's perspective, having a setting surface that slopes downwards towards the front from the operator's perspective, and reading the information of the passport placed on the setting surface, Equipped with, The passport reader has a media stopper for supporting the passport at the front end of the setting surface, The front end of the media stopper is located behind a hypothetical vertical line drawn at the location of the collection port. A reading device wherein a virtual inclined surface horizontal to the setting surface, passing through the front end of the media stopper, and the aforementioned placement surface intersect at a position in front of the collection opening.

2. The reading device according to claim 1, wherein the collection port is located inside the imaging range of the imaging unit.

3. The reading device according to claim 2, wherein the passport reader is positioned outside the imaging range of the imaging unit.

Images