Image reading device
The image reading device addresses the complexity of handling passports with and without covers by using a guided slit design, ensuring accurate imaging and exposure of critical zones.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- PFU LTD
- Filing Date
- 2022-03-17
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-24
AI Technical Summary
Existing image reading devices face complexity due to the need to accommodate passports with and without covers, as their varying sizes complicate the structural design requiring multiple guides and movable parts.
An image reading device with a placement table featuring a slit between a first and second part, guided by guide sections that accommodate different media sizes, ensuring proper alignment and imaging of booklet media.
The device effectively captures images from passports with or without covers by guiding and positioning the media accurately, preventing shifting and ensuring complete exposure of critical zones like the MRZ and VIZ.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0006] , , before , has , , , , Ta
[0001] The technology of the present disclosure relates to an image reading device.
Background Art
[0002] Image reading devices that read images of media of various sizes or read images of booklet media exemplified by passports are known (Patent Documents 1 to 3).
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Patent Document 2
Patent Document 3
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] Passports, for example, may have a cover or no cover, and the size varies depending on whether there is a cover or not. Such image reading devices have a problem that the structure becomes complicated because a plurality of guides or movable parts are provided to guide a plurality of media having different sizes to an appropriate position.
[0005] The disclosed technology has been made in view of such points, and an object thereof is to provide an image reading device that appropriately images an image of a booklet medium.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0006] An image reading device according to an aspect of the present disclosure is An image reading device for reading an image from a medium comprising a first part and a second part different from the first part, wherein the medium is placed on a device a placement surface has a placement table, and before placed on the placement table Ta front Media body The aforementioned Side end face of the first part To guide Guide section, Placed before Media body The aforementioned 2nd part of The photography department that takes the pictures and 、 The guide part and The aforementioned mounting surface Between , 1 A slit is formed. [Effects of the Invention]
[0007] The disclosed image reading device can appropriately capture images from booklet media. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an image reading device of an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the mounting base, the left guide member, and the right guide member. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the left-side guide member. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a front cross-sectional view showing the mounting base, the left guide member, and the right guide member. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is another front cross-sectional view showing the mounting base, the left guide member, and the right guide member. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing an ICAO passport used in the image reading device of the embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is an enlarged perspective view showing the binding section of an ICAO passport. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a plan view showing the ticket surface. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is an enlarged perspective view showing the binding portion of a German passport used in the image reading device of this embodiment. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a perspective view showing an ICAO passport with the far end of the thin section in contact with the left-side connection section. [Figure 11]FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an ICAO passport when the tip of the thin portion approaches the thin portion facing area. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing an ICAO passport when the thin portion is disposed between the left pressing portion and the mounting table main body. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing an ICAO passport when the ICAO passport is properly placed on the mounting table main body. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing the thick portion and the right side guide portion when the ICAO passport is properly placed on the mounting table main body. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is an enlarged perspective cross-sectional view showing the thin portion when the ICAO passport is properly placed on the mounting table main body. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing the thin portion when the ICAO passport is properly placed on the mounting table main body. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a view showing an image taken by the imaging unit when the ICAO passport is properly placed on the mounting table main body. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing a German passport when the German passport is properly placed on the mounting table main body. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing the thick portion and the right side guide portion when the German passport is properly placed on the mounting table main body. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is an enlarged perspective cross-sectional view showing the thin portion when the German passport is properly placed on the mounting table main body. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing the thin portion when the German passport is properly placed on the mounting table main body. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing an ICAO passport placed on the mounting table main body of an image reading device of a comparative example.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The image reading device according to the embodiments disclosed herein will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the technology of this disclosure is not limited by the following description. Furthermore, the same reference numerals are used for identical components, and redundant explanations are omitted. [Examples]
[0010] The image reading device 1 of this embodiment comprises a mounting base 2, a housing 3, a left-side guide member 5, and a right-side guide member 6, as shown in Figure 1. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the image reading device 1 of this embodiment. The mounting base 2 is placed on the mounting surface on which the image reading device 1 is installed. The housing 3 is formed from a material that does not easily transmit light and is box-shaped. The housing 3 is placed on the mounting base 2 and fixed to the mounting base 2. Inside the housing 3, an internal space 7 is formed, surrounded by the mounting base 2 and the housing 3. An opening 8 is further formed in the front part of the housing 3. The internal space 7 is connected to the outside of the housing 3 through the opening 8.
[0011] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the mounting base 2, the left guide member 5, and the right guide member 6. The mounting base 2 comprises a mounting base body 11 and a stopper portion 12. The mounting base body 11 is formed in a generally plate shape. The mounting base body 11 has a generally flat mounting surface 14. The mounting surface 14 includes a thin portion opposing region 15 and a thick portion opposing region 16. The thin portion opposing region 15 and the thick portion opposing region 16 are aligned in an insertion direction 18 parallel to the plane along which the mounting surface 14 is aligned, and the thick portion opposing region 16 is positioned in front of the thin portion opposing region 15. At this time, the housing 3 is positioned relative to the mounting base body 11 such that the thin portion opposing region 15 is positioned in the internal space 7, and a part of the thick portion opposing region 16 is positioned outside the housing 3 through the opening 8.
[0012] The abutment portion 12 is formed in a strip shape. The abutment portion 12 has a flat abutment surface 17. The abutment portion 12 is positioned on the rear side of the mounting surface 14 such that the plane along which the abutment surface 17 is aligned is perpendicular to the insertion direction 18, and the abutment surface 17 faces towards the front. The abutment portion 12 is formed integrally with the mounting base body 11 and is fixed to the mounting base body 11.
[0013] The left guide member 5 is positioned at the left end of the width direction 19 of the mounting surface 14. The width direction 19 is parallel to the plane along which the mounting surface 14 is aligned and perpendicular to the insertion direction 18. The right guide member 6 is positioned at the right end of the mounting surface 14.
[0014] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the left-side guide member 5. The left-side guide member 5 comprises a left-side guide portion 21, a left-side retaining portion 22, a left-side upper guide portion 23, and a left-side connecting portion 24. The left-side guide portion 21 has a flat left-side guide surface 25 formed thereon. The left-side guide portion 21 is positioned at the lower left end of the internal space 7 such that the left-side guide surface 25 faces to the right, and the plane along which the left-side guide surface 25 is aligned is perpendicular to the width direction 19. The left-side guide portion 21 is fixed to the mounting base body 11.
[0015] The left-side pressing portion 22 is formed in a plate shape. The left-side pressing portion 22 has a flat left-side pressing surface 26. The left-side pressing portion 22 is positioned on the thin-part opposing region 15 such that the left-side pressing surface 26 faces the thin-part opposing region 15, and the left-side pressing surface 26 is aligned with another plane parallel to the plane along which the mounting surface 14 is aligned. The left-side pressing portion 22 is further positioned to the left of the thin-part opposing region 15 of the mounting surface 14, away from the abutment surface 17, such that the distance between the rear end of the left-side pressing portion 22 and the abutment surface 17 of the abutment portion 12 is equal to length L. The left-side pressing portion 22 is integrally formed with the left-side side guide portion 21 so as to protrude from the left-side side guide surface 25, is fixed to the left-side side guide portion 21, and is fixed to the mounting base body 11 via the left-side side guide portion 21.
[0016] The left upper guide portion 23 is formed in a flat, strip-like shape. A flat left upper guide surface 27 is formed on the left upper guide portion 23. The left upper guide portion 23 is positioned in front of the left pressing portion 22 such that the left upper guide surface 27 faces the thin portion opposing region 15, and the left upper guide surface 27 is aligned with another plane parallel to the plane along which the mounting surface 14 is aligned. The left upper guide portion 23 is further positioned above the left pressing portion 22 such that the distance between the left upper guide surface 27 and the thin portion opposing region 15 is longer than the distance between the left pressing surface 26 and the thin portion opposing region 15. The front end of the left upper guide portion 23 is positioned near the opening 8. The left upper guide portion 23 is integrally formed with the left side guide portion 21 so as to protrude from the left side guide surface 25, is fixed to the left side guide portion 21, and is fixed to the mounting base body 11 via the left side guide portion 21.
[0017] The left-side connecting portion 24 is formed in a curved strip shape. The left-side connecting portion 24 is positioned between the left-side retaining portion 22 and the left-side upper guide portion 23 such that the rear end of the left-side connecting portion 24 connects to the front end of the left-side retaining portion 22, and the front end of the left-side connecting portion 24 connects to the rear end of the left-side upper guide portion 23. A left-side curved surface 28 is formed on the left-side connecting portion 24. One end of the left-side curved surface 28 is adjacent to the left-side retaining surface 26, and the other end of the left-side curved surface 28 is adjacent to the left-side upper guide surface 27. The left-side curved surface 28 is further formed such that the distance between the left-side curved surface 28 and the mounting surface 14 increases monotonically as it moves away from the left-side retaining portion 22. The left-side curved surface 28 is further formed as a gently curved surface so as not to be angular at the boundary between the left-side curved surface 28 and the left-side retaining surface 26, and so as not to be angular at the boundary between the left-side curved surface 28 and the left-side upper guide surface 27. The left-side connecting portion 24 is integrally formed with the left-side guide portion 21 so as to protrude from the left-side guide surface 25, is fixed to the left-side guide portion 21, and is fixed to the mounting base body 11 via the left-side guide portion 21.
[0018] The lower end of the left side guide portion 21 of the left guide member 5 is separated from the mounting surface 14, and a left cover slit 29 is further formed at the end of the left side guide portion 21 that is closer to the mounting surface 14. The left cover slit 29 is formed to be recessed from the left side guide surface 25.
[0019] Figure 4 is a front cross-sectional view showing the mounting base 2, the left guide member 5, and the right guide member 6. The right guide member 6 is formed mirror-image symmetrically to the left guide member 5. That is, the right guide member 6 comprises a right side guide portion 31, a right pressing portion 32, a right upper guide portion 33, and a right connecting portion 34. The right side guide portion 31 has a right side guide surface 35. The right pressing portion 32 has a right pressing surface 36. The right upper guide portion 33 has a right upper guide surface 37. The right connecting portion 34 has a right curved surface 38.
[0020] The right-side guide member 6 is positioned such that its right-side guide surface 35 faces the left-side guide surface 25, that is, symmetrical to the left-side guide member 5 with respect to a mirror surface 40 that is perpendicular to the width direction 19, and is fixed to the mounting base body 11 of the mounting base 2. The mirror surface 40 is perpendicular to the width direction 19. A right-side cover slit 39 is further formed at the end of the right-side guide portion 31 of the right-side guide member 6 that is closer to the mounting surface 14. The right-side cover slit 39 is formed to be recessed from the right-side guide surface 35.
[0021] The image reading device 1 further comprises an imaging unit 41. The imaging unit 41 is formed from a camera that captures an image of a subject. The imaging unit 41 is positioned on the thin-part facing region 15 of the internal space 7 and intersects with the mirror surface 40. The imaging unit 41 is fixed to the housing 3 and fixed to the mounting base 2 via the housing 3. The imaging unit 41 is further directed toward the thin-part facing region 15 so that an image of a subject placed on the mounting base body 11 and positioned near the thin-part facing region 15 is captured. At this time, the left upper guide portion 23 is positioned at a position sufficiently far from the thin-part facing region 15 so as not to intersect with a line segment connecting the imaging unit 41 and any point included in the thin-part facing region 15. The right upper guide portion 33 is positioned at a position sufficiently far from the thin-part facing region 15, similar to the left upper guide portion 23, so as not to intersect with a line segment connecting the imaging unit 41 and any point included in the thin-part facing region 15.
[0022] Figure 5 is another front cross-sectional view showing the mounting base 2, the left guide member 5, and the right guide member 6. The thin portion opposing region 15 includes a left non-photographing region 42 and a right non-photographing region 43. The left pressing portion 22 of the left guide member 5 intersects with a line segment connecting any point in the left non-photographing region 42 to the imaging section 41. The right pressing portion 32 of the right guide member 6 intersects with a line segment connecting any point in the right non-photographing region 43 to the imaging section 41.
[0023] Image reading device 1 is used to capture images of predetermined pages of a passport. The ICAO passport 61 shown in Figure 6 is made from a booklet bound according to specifications set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the ICAO passport 61 used in the image reading device 1 of this embodiment. The ICAO passport 61 is made up of multiple sheets 62 bound together by a binding portion 63. The binding portion 63 is formed in a straight line. The ICAO passport 61 has a ticket surface 64 formed on it. The ICAO passport 61 is constructed so that the ticket surface 64 is not exposed when the ICAO passport 61 is closed. The multiple sheets 62 are distinguished into a thin portion 65 and a thick portion 66 when the ICAO passport 61 is opened so that the ticket surface 64 is exposed. The thin portion 65 is made from one of the multiple sheets 62. The thick portion 66 is made from multiple sheets 62 excluding the thin portion 65. The thick portion 66 is joined to the thin portion 65 via the binding portion 63. The ticket surface 64 is formed on the thin portion 65. The width of the ICAO passport 61 is equal to the distance between two planes when the ICAO passport 61 is sandwiched between two planes perpendicular to the straight line along which the binding portion 63 is aligned, and is equal to the width W.
[0024] Figure 7 is an enlarged perspective view showing the binding portion 63 of the ICAO passport 61. The thickness of the thick portion 66 is greater than the thickness of the thin portion 65. A right end face 67 is formed on the thick portion 66. The right end face 67 is formed to align with a plane perpendicular to the straight line along which the binding portion 63 aligns. On the opposite side of the thick portion 66 from where the right end face 67 is formed, a left end face is formed. The left end face faces in the opposite direction to the direction in which the right end face 67 aligns. The plane along which the left end face aligns is parallel to the plane along which the right end face 67 aligns.
[0025] Figure 8 is a plan view showing the passport surface 64. The passport surface 64 comprises a VIZ68 (Visual Inspection Zone) and an MRZ69 (Machine Readable Zone). The VIZ68 contains a string of characters indicating information about the person identified by the ICAO passport 61, and further contains a photograph of the person identified by the ICAO passport 61. The MRZ69 contains a string of characters. The MRZ69 is located on the side of the VIZ68 furthest from the binding portion 63. The length of the VIZ68 is equal to the distance from the boundary line 75 where the MRZ69 and VIZ68 are adjacent to the binding portion 63, and is equal to its length L1. The length of the MRZ69 is equal to the distance from the end 77 of the thin portion 65 opposite to the binding portion 63 to the boundary line 75, and is equal to its length L2. The length L2 of the MRZ69 is shorter than the length L1 of the VIZ68.
[0026] The German passport 71 shown in Figure 9 is a passport issued in Germany before 2017. Figure 9 is an enlarged perspective view showing the binding portion 63 of the German passport 71 used in the image reading device 1 of the embodiment. The German passport 71 is the same as the ICAO passport 61 described above, with a cover 72 added, and the other parts are the same as the ICAO passport 61 described above. That is, when the German passport 71 is opened so that the ticket surface 64 is exposed, the German passport 71 has a thin portion 65 and a thick portion 66, similar to the ICAO passport 61.
[0027] The cover 72 comprises a thin side cover 73 and a thick side cover 74. The thin side cover 73 follows the thin portion 65 when the German passport 71 is opened so that the ticket surface 64 is exposed. The thin side cover 73 is larger than the thin portion 65, and the edges of the thin side cover 73 protrude outward from the edges of the thin portion 65. The thick side cover 74 follows the thick portion 66 when the German passport 71 is opened so that the ticket surface 64 is exposed. The thick side cover 74 is larger than the thick portion 66, and the edges of the thick side cover 74 protrude outward from the edges of the thin portion 65. That is, one edge of the thick side cover 74 protrudes outward from the plane along which the right end face 67 follows, and the other edge of the thick side cover 74 similarly protrudes outward from the plane along which the left end face follows.
[0028] At this time, the left guide member 5 of the image reading device 1 is positioned such that the length L between the rear end of the left pressing portion 22 and the abutment surface 17 of the abutment portion 12 is equal to the length L2 of the MRZ 69, or the length L is slightly longer than the length L2. The right guide member 6 is positioned such that the distance between the rear end of the right pressing portion 32 and the abutment surface 17 of the abutment portion 12 is equal to the length L2, or the distance between the right pressing portion 32 and the abutment surface 17 is slightly longer than the length L2. The image reading device 1 is formed such that the distance between the left side guide surface 25 and the right side guide surface 35 is equal to the width W of the passport, or the distance between the left side guide surface 25 and the right side guide surface 35 is slightly longer than the width W. The image reading device 1 is formed such that the width of the left cover slit 29 is greater than the thickness of the cover 72, and the width of the left cover slit 29 is less than the thickness of the thick portion 66. The image reading device 1 is further formed such that the depth of the left cover slit 29 is greater than the length by which the cover 72 protrudes from the left end face. The image reading device 1 is further formed such that the width of the right cover slit 39 is greater than the thickness of the cover 72, and the width of the right cover slit 39 is less than the thickness of the thick portion 66. The image reading device 1 is further formed such that the depth of the right cover slit 39 is greater than the length by which the cover 72 protrudes from the right end face 67.
[0029] [Operation of Image Reader 1] When the user wants to read the image of the ICAO passport 61's surface 64 using the image reading device 1, the user opens the ICAO passport 61 so that the surface 64 faces upwards. The user then orients the thin portion 65 towards the back of the image reading device 1 so that the thin portion 65 is positioned behind the thick portion 66, and inserts the thin portion 65 into the image reading device 1 through the opening 8. The user then positions the thin portion 65 so that it is positioned between the left upper guide portion 23 and the mounting base body 11, and between the right upper guide portion 33 and the mounting base body 11. After the thin portion 65 is positioned between the left upper guide portion 23 and the mounting base body 11, and between the right upper guide portion 33 and the mounting base body 11, the user moves the ICAO passport 61 towards the back.
[0030] The left portion of the rear end 77 of the thin portion 65 may come into contact with the left connection portion 24 when the ICAO passport 61 moves to the rear after the thin portion 65 is positioned between the left upper guide portion 23 and the mounting base body 11, as shown in Figure 10. Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the ICAO passport 61 when the rear end 77 of the thin portion 65 comes into contact with the left connection portion 24. The end 77 of the thin portion 65 moves along the left curved surface 28 as the ICAO passport 61 moves further to the rear after the end 77 comes into contact with the left connection portion 24, and approaches the thin portion opposing region 15 of the mounting surface 14, as shown in Figure 11. Figure 11 is a perspective view showing the ICAO passport 61 when the end 77 of the thin portion 65 approaches the thin portion opposing region 15. The thin portion 65 is smoothly positioned between the left-side retaining portion 22 and the mounting base body 11, as shown in Figure 12, after the tip 77 approaches the thin portion opposing area 15 and the ICAO passport 61 moves further inward. Figure 12 is a perspective view showing the ICAO passport 61 when the thin portion 65 is positioned between the left-side retaining portion 22 and the mounting base body 11.
[0031] The right portion of the rear end 77 of the thin portion 65 is positioned between the right-side retaining portion 32 and the mounting base body 11, similar to the left portion of the rear end 77 of the thin portion 65, when the ICAO passport 61 moves to the rear. In other words, the image reading device 1 can guide the thin portion 65 under the left-side retaining portion 22 and the right-side retaining portion 32 even when the thin portion 65 is curved, and can facilitate the user's operation to position the thin portion 65 under the left-side retaining portion 22 and the right-side retaining portion 32.
[0032] The user moves the ICAO passport 61 further inward until the tip 77 of the ICAO passport 61 is aligned with the abutment surface 17 of the abutment portion 12, as shown in Figure 13. Figure 13 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing the ICAO passport 61 when it is properly placed on the mounting base body 11. The ICAO passport 61 is properly placed on the mounting base body 11 by the tip 77 being aligned with the abutment surface 17 of the abutment portion 12. When the ICAO passport 61 is properly placed on the mounting base body 11, the thin portion 65 is positioned so as to face the thin portion opposing area 15, and the thick portion 66 is positioned so as to face the thick portion opposing area 16. The thin portion 65 is positioned at a predetermined shooting position when the ICAO passport 61 is properly placed on the mounting base body 11.
[0033] The thin portion 65 is pressed down from above by the left-side pressing portion 22 and the right-side pressing portion 32 when the ICAO passport 61 is properly placed on the mounting base body 11. In other words, even if the thin portion 65 is warped, the image reading device 1 can prevent the thin portion 65 from separating too far from the mounting surface 14 by having the thin portion 65 pressed down by the left-side pressing portion 22 and the right-side pressing portion 32.
[0034] The right end face 67 of the thick portion 66 of the ICAO passport 61 faces the right side guide surface 35 of the right side guide portion 31 when the ICAO passport 61 is properly placed on the mounting base body 11, as shown in Figure 14. Figure 14 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing the thick portion 66 and the right side guide portion 31 when the ICAO passport 61 is properly placed on the mounting base body 11. When the thick portion 66 of the ICAO passport 61 shifts to the right, the right end face 67 contacts the right side guide surface 35, preventing it from shifting to the right from its proper position. The left end face of the thick portion 66 of the ICAO passport 61 faces the left side guide surface 25 of the left side guide portion 21 when the ICAO passport 61 is properly placed on the mounting base body 11. The ICAO passport 61 is restricted from shifting to the left from its proper position by the contact of its left end surface with the left side guide surface 25 when the thick portion 66 shifts to the left from its proper position. In other words, the image reading device 1 can support the thick portion 66 so that the ICAO passport 61 does not move in the width direction 19 when the ICAO passport 61 is properly placed on the mounting base body 11.
[0035] The left end face of the thin portion 65 does not come into contact with anything when the ICAO passport 61 is properly placed on the mounting base body 11, as shown in Figure 15. Figure 15 is an enlarged perspective cross-sectional view showing the thin portion 65 when the ICAO passport 61 is properly placed on the mounting base body 11. The right end face of the thin portion 65 does not come into contact with anything when the ICAO passport 61 is properly placed on the mounting base body 11, similar to the left end face of the thin portion 65. The thin portion 65 is supported so as not to move in the width direction 19 from the shooting position, even when there are no members that come into contact with the left and right end faces of the thin portion 65, because the thick portion 66 supports the ICAO passport 61 so as not to move in the width direction 19 from the shooting position. In other words, the image reading device 1 can support the ICAO passport 61 so that the thin portion 65 does not move in the width direction 19 from the shooting position when the ICAO passport 61 is properly placed on the mounting base body 11.
[0036] When the thin portion 65 of the ICAO passport 61 is positioned for shooting, the tip 77 of the passport 61 aligns with the abutment surface 17, as shown in Figure 16, correcting the ICAO passport 61 from an inclined state to an upright state and restricting its movement to prevent inclination. Figure 16 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing the thin portion 65 when the ICAO passport 61 is properly placed on the mounting base body 11.
[0037] The portion of the thin section 65 in which the VIZ 68 is located is held down by the left-side retaining portion 22 and the right-side retaining portion 32 when the thin section 65 is in the shooting position. The MRZ 69 is not held down by the left-side retaining portion 22 and the right-side retaining portion 32 when the thin section 65 is in the shooting position, because the left-side retaining portion 22 and the right-side retaining portion 32 are separated by a length L from the abutment portion 12. In other words, the image reading device 1 can expose the entire MRZ 69 so that when the ICAO passport 61 is properly placed on the mounting base body 11, no part of the MRZ 69 is hidden by the left-side retaining portion 22 and the right-side retaining portion 32.
[0038] The imaging unit 41 captures an image of the passport face 64 when the ICAO passport 61 is properly placed on the mounting base 11. The image 81 captured by the imaging unit 41 when the ICAO passport 61 is properly placed on the mounting base 11 shows the MRZ image 82, the VIZ image 83, the left guide member image 84, and the right guide member image 85, as shown in Figure 17. Figure 17 is a diagram showing the image 81 captured by the imaging unit 41 when the ICAO passport 61 is properly placed on the mounting base 11. The MRZ image 82 captures the entire MRZ 69 of the passport face 64. In other words, the image reading device 1 can capture the entire MRZ 69 in the image 81 because the MRZ 69 is not hidden by the left guide member 5 and the right guide member 6 when the ICAO passport 61 is properly placed on the mounting base 11.
[0039] VIZ image 83 captures the portion of VIZ 68 on the ticket surface 64 that is not covered by the left guide member 5 and the right guide member 6. Left guide member image 84 captures the left pressing portion 22 and part of the left connecting portion 24 of the left guide member 5. Right guide member image 85 captures the right pressing portion 32 and part of the right connecting portion 34 of the right guide member 6. In other words, the image reading device 1 can prevent the left upper guide portion 23 and the right upper guide portion 33 from being captured in image 81 by having the left upper guide portion 23 and the right upper guide portion 33 separated from the mounting surface 14. When the ICAO passport 61 is properly placed on the mounting base body 11, the image reading device 1 can reduce the portion of VIZ 68 that is not captured in image 81 by preventing the left upper guide portion 23 and the right upper guide portion 33 from being captured in image 81.
[0040] When a user wants to read the image of the face 64 of a German passport 71 using the image reading device 1, they place the German passport 71 appropriately on the mounting base body 11, just as they would with an ICAO passport 61. That is, the user opens the German passport 71 so that the face 64 faces upwards, and inserts the German passport 71 into the image reading device 1 through the opening 8 until the tip 77 of the thin portion 65 opposite the binding portion 63 contacts the abutment surface 17 of the abutment portion 12. The German passport 71 is properly placed on the mounting base body 11 by aligning the tip of the German passport 71 with the abutment surface 17 of the abutment portion 12.
[0041] Figure 18 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing the German passport 71 when it is properly placed on the mounting base body 11. When the German passport 71 is properly placed on the mounting base body 11, it is positioned similarly to the ICAO passport 61, with the thin portion 65 facing the thin portion opposing area 15 and the thick portion 66 facing the thick portion opposing area 16. The thin portion 65 is positioned at the shooting position when the German passport 71 is properly placed on the mounting base body 11.
[0042] The thin portion 65 is pressed down from above by the left-side pressing portion 22 and the right-side pressing portion 32 when the German passport 71 is properly placed on the mounting base body 11. In other words, even if the thin portion 65 is warped, the image reading device 1 can prevent the thin portion 65 from separating too far from the mounting surface 14 by having the thin portion 65 pressed down by the left-side pressing portion 22 and the right-side pressing portion 32.
[0043] The portion protruding from the right end face 67 of the thick side cover 74 of the German passport 71 is positioned in the right cover slit 39, as shown in Figure 19, when the German passport 71 is properly placed on the mounting base body 11. Figure 19 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing the thick portion 66 and the right side guide portion 31 when the German passport 71 is properly placed on the mounting base body 11. The portion protruding from the left end face of the thick side cover 74 is positioned in the left cover slit 29, similar to the portion protruding from the right end face 67, when the German passport 71 is properly placed on the mounting base body 11.
[0044] The right end face 67 of the thick portion 66 of the German passport 71 faces the right side guide surface 35 of the right side guide portion 31 when the German passport 71 is properly placed on the mounting base body 11. The left end face of the thick portion 66 of the German passport 71 faces the left side guide surface 25 of the left side guide portion 21, similar to the right end face 67 of the thick portion 66 when the German passport 71 is properly placed on the mounting base body 11. In other words, the thick portion side cover 74 does not interfere with the left end face of the thick portion 66 aligning with the left side guide surface 25 when the German passport 71 is properly positioned on the mounting base body 11. Therefore, the image reading device 1 of the embodiment can support the thick portion 66 so that the German passport 71 does not move in the width direction 19 when the German passport 71 is properly positioned on the mounting base body 11.
[0045] The portion of the German passport 71's thin side cover 73 that protrudes to the left from the thin portion 65 is positioned in the left cover slit 29, as shown in Figure 20, when the German passport 71 is properly placed on the mounting base 11. Figure 20 is an enlarged perspective cross-sectional view showing the thin portion 65 when the German passport 71 is properly placed on the mounting base 11. The portion of the German passport 71's thin side cover 73 that protrudes to the right from the thin portion 65 is positioned in the right cover slit 39, similar to the portion that protrudes to the left from the thin portion 65, when the German passport 71 is properly placed on the mounting base 11. In other words, when the German passport 71 is properly placed on the mounting base 11, the image reading device 1 can properly position the thin portion 65 at the shooting position without interference from the thin side cover 73.
[0046] When the thin portion 65 of the German passport 71 is positioned for photography, as shown in Figure 21, the tip 77 of the German passport 71 is aligned with the abutment surface 17, correcting the German passport 71 from an inclined state to an upright state and restricting its movement to prevent inclination. Figure 21 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing the thin portion 65 when the German passport 71 is properly placed on the mounting base body 11.
[0047] The portion of the thin section 65 in which VIZ 68 is located is held down by the left-side retaining portion 22 and the right-side retaining portion 32 when the thin section 65 is in the shooting position. The MRZ 69 is not held down by the left-side retaining portion 22 and the right-side retaining portion 32 when the thin section 65 is in the shooting position, because the left-side retaining portion 22 and the right-side retaining portion 32 are separated by a length L from the abutment portion 12. In other words, the image reading device 1 can expose the entire MRZ 69 so that when the German passport 71 is properly placed on the mounting base body 11, no part of the MRZ 69 is hidden by the left-side retaining portion 22 and the right-side retaining portion 32.
[0048] In other words, the image reading device 1 can properly position the thin portion 65 of the German passport 71 in the shooting position even when the German passport 71 is inserted through the opening 8. The image reading device 1 can properly capture an image of the face 64 of the German passport 71 because the thin portion 65 of the German passport 71 is properly positioned in the shooting position.
[0049] The comparative image reading device omits the left cover slit 29 and the right cover slit 39 of the image reading device 1 of the previously described embodiment, and the distance between the left side guide surface 25 and the right side guide surface 35 is equal to the width of the cover 72 of the German passport 71. Other parts of the comparative image reading device are the same as those of the image reading device 1 of the previously described embodiment. The comparative image reading device prevents the German passport 71 from shifting in the width direction 19 by having the cover 72 come into contact with the left side guide surface 25 and the right side guide surface 35 when the German passport 71 is placed on the mounting base body 11 with the tip 77 aligned with the abutment surface 17.
[0050] When the ICAO passport 61 is properly placed on the mounting base body 11, the sum of the gap between the left end face and the left side guide surface 25 of the thick portion 66 of the ICAO passport 61 and the gap between the right end face 67 and the right side guide surface 35 is relatively large. For this reason, in the comparative example image reader, as shown in Figure 22, the thin portion 65 of the ICAO passport 61 may shift in the width direction 19 from the shooting position. Figure 22 is a perspective cross-sectional view showing the ICAO passport 61 placed on the mounting base body 11 of the comparative example image reader. In other words, compared to the comparative example image reader, the image reader 1 can properly position the thin portion 65 of the ICAO passport 61 at the shooting position and can properly capture an image of the ICAO passport 61's surface 64.
[0051] [Effects of the image reading device 1 in the embodiment] The image reading device 1 of this embodiment comprises a mounting base body 11, a left side guide portion 21, and a shooting unit 41. The mounting base body 11 has a mounting surface 14. The left side guide portion 21 has a left side guide surface 25 that faces the left end surface of the thick portion 66 of the passport placed on the mounting base body 11, such that the mounting surface 14 faces the passport. The shooting unit 41 takes an image of the thin portion 65 of the passport, which is different from the thick portion 66. A left cover slit 29 is formed at the end of the left side guide portion 21 closest to the mounting surface 14.
[0052] The image reading device 1 of the embodiment can prevent the thick portion 66 of the passport from shifting to the left, and can prevent the thin portion 65 of the passport from shifting to the left, thereby positioning the thin portion 65 in the appropriate location. Furthermore, even when a German passport 71 is placed on the mounting base body 11, the cover 72 is inserted into the left cover slit 29, so the cover 72 does not obstruct the left end surface of the thick portion 66 from aligning with the left side guide surface 25. Therefore, the image reading device 1 of the embodiment can position the ticket surface 64 of the thin portion 65 in the appropriate location, whether it is an ICAO passport 61 without a cover 72 or a German passport 71 with a cover 72. Because the thin portion 65 is positioned appropriately, the image reading device 1 of the embodiment can properly capture the image 81 of the ticket surface 64 formed on the thin portion 65.
[0053] Furthermore, the image reading device 1 of the embodiment further includes a stopper portion 12 on which a stopper surface 17 is formed, facing the tip 77 opposite to the binding end of the thin portion 65 that is connected to the thick portion 66. The image reading device 1 of the embodiment can position the thin portion 65 appropriately so that the tip 77 is aligned with the stopper surface 17, thereby optimizing the position of the thin portion 65 in the insertion direction 18 and preventing the thin portion 65 from tilting.
[0054] Furthermore, the image reading device 1 of the embodiment further includes a left-side pressing portion 22 on which a left-side pressing surface 26 is formed, facing a thin portion facing region 15 that faces the thin portion 65 of the mounting surface 14. The left-side pressing portion 22 is separated from the abutment portion 12. The image reading device 1 of the embodiment can press down on the thin portion 65 from above so that the thin portion 65 does not move far away from the mounting surface 14. The image reading device 1 of the embodiment can further appropriately capture an image 81 of the passport surface 64 such that the entire MRZ 69 located on the side of the passport surface 64 closest to the left-side pressing surface 26 is captured in the image 81.
[0055] Furthermore, the image reading device 1 of the embodiment further includes a left upper guide portion 23 on which a left upper guide surface 27 facing the thin portion facing area 15 is formed, and a left connecting portion 24 on which a left curved surface 28 is formed. The distance between the thin portion facing area 15 and the left upper guide surface 27 is longer than the distance between the thin portion facing area 15 and the left pressing surface 26. The left upper guide surface 27 is connected to the left pressing surface 26 via the left curved surface 28. The left curved surface 28 is formed to move away from the mounting surface 14 as it moves away from the left pressing portion 22. The image reading device 1 of the embodiment can facilitate the user's work of positioning the thin portion 65 between the mounting surface 14 and the left pressing portion 22. The image reading device 1 of the embodiment can further appropriately capture an image 81 of the ticket surface 64 such that the left upper guide portion 23 does not appear in the image 81, thereby reducing the portion of the ticket surface 64 that does not appear in the image 81.
[0056] Furthermore, the image reading device 1 of the embodiment further includes a right side guide portion 31 on which a right side guide surface 35 is formed, facing the right end surface 67 opposite to the left end surface of the thick portion 66. A right cover slit 39 is formed at the end of the right side guide portion 31 on the side closer to the mounting surface 14. The image reading device 1 of the embodiment can prevent the thick portion 66 of the passport from shifting to the right, prevent the thin portion 65 of the passport from shifting to the right, and position the thin portion 65 in the appropriate location. In addition, even when the German passport 71 is placed on the mounting base body 11, the cover 72 is inserted into the right cover slit 39, so the cover 72 does not obstruct the right end surface 67 of the thick portion 66 from aligning with the right side guide surface 35. For this reason, the image reading device 1 of the embodiment can position the ticket surface 64 of the thin portion 65 in the appropriate location, whether it is an ICAO passport 61 without a cover 72 or a German passport 71 with a cover 72. In this embodiment, the image reading device 1 can properly capture an image 81 of the ticket surface 64 formed on the thin portion 65 by positioning the thin portion 65 appropriately.
[0057] By the way, although the image reading device 1 of the embodiment described above is provided with both a left guide member 5 and a right guide member 6, one of the left guide member 5 or the right guide member 6 may be omitted. For example, when the left guide member 5 is omitted, the image reading device 1 can position the thick portion 66 in the appropriate position and the thin portion 65 in the appropriate position by placing the passport on the mounting base body 11 such that the right end surface 67 of the thick portion 66 is aligned with the left side guide surface 25.
[0058] Incidentally, although the image reading device 1 in the embodiment described above is used to read the image of the passport face 64, it may also be used to read the image of a specific page in a booklet medium other than a passport. A bank passbook is an example of such a booklet medium. In this case as well, the image reading device 1 can position the booklet medium appropriately and read the image of a specific page of the booklet medium appropriately, regardless of whether the booklet medium has a cover or not.
[0059] Although examples have been described above, the examples are not limited to those described above. Furthermore, the components described above include those that can be easily imagined by a person skilled in the art, those that are substantially the same, and those that fall within the so-called equivalent range. Moreover, the components described above can be combined as appropriate. Furthermore, at least one of various omissions, substitutions, and modifications of the components can be made without departing from the gist of the examples. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0060] 1: Image reading device 11: Mounting platform body 12: Buttocks 14: Mounting surface 15: Thin part opposing area 16: Thick part opposing area 17: Buttocks 21: Left side guide section 22: Left side retaining part 23: Upper left guide section 24: Left side connection section 25: Left side guide surface 26: Left side pressing surface 27: Left upper guide surface 28: Left curved surface 29: Slit for left-side cover 31: Right side guide section 32: Right side retaining part 33: Right upper guide section 34: Right side connection part 35: Right side guide surface 36: Right side pressing surface 37: Right upper guide surface 38: Right curved surface 39: Slit for the right-side cover 41: Photography Department 61: ICAO Passport 63: Binding section 64: Ticket Face 65: Thin part 66: Thick part 67: Right end surface 68:VIZ 69: MRZ 71: German Passport 72: Cover 77: Tip
Claims
1. An image reading device that reads an image from a medium comprising a first part and a second part different from the first part, A mounting platform having a mounting surface for placing the aforementioned medium, A guide portion for guiding the side end face of the first portion of the medium placed on the mounting platform, A shooting unit for capturing an image of the second portion of the placed medium, Equipped with, A first slit is formed between the guide portion and the aforementioned mounting surface. Image reading device.
2. A first medium and a mounting surface for placing a second medium smaller in size than the first medium, A shooting unit that captures an image of the placed first medium or second medium, The left and right ends of the first medium are inserted into two slit portions that guide the first medium to the shooting position, A guide portion that contacts the end of the second medium and guides the second medium to the shooting position, Equipped with, The guide portion is positioned between the two slit portions. Image reading device.
3. The medium further comprises a stopper portion having a stopper surface facing the leading edge of the medium. The image reading device according to claim 1.
4. A stopper portion having a stopper surface facing the tip of the medium, A pressing portion having a pressing surface facing the region of the mounting surface that faces the second portion, Furthermore, The aforementioned pressing portion is separated from the aforementioned abutting portion. The image reading device according to claim 1.
5. An upper guide portion having an upper guide surface facing the aforementioned region, A connecting part having a curved surface, Furthermore, The distance between the region and the upper guide surface is longer than the distance between the region and the pressing surface. The upper guide surface is connected to the pressing surface via the curved surface, The curved surface is formed such that it moves away from the aforementioned mounting surface as it moves away from the pressing portion. The image reading device according to claim 4.
6. The first portion further comprises an opposite side guide portion on which an opposite side guide surface is formed that faces the other side end surface opposite to the side end surface of the first portion, A second slit is formed between the opposite guide portion and the previously described mounting surface. The image reading device according to claim 1, 4, or 5.
7. The housing is further provided, which is placed on the aforementioned mounting base and has an opening, A portion of the aforementioned mounting surface is positioned outside the housing through the opening. The image reading device according to any one of claims 1, 3 to 6.
8. An image reading device for reading an image from a medium comprising a first part and a second part different from the first part, A mounting surface for placing the aforementioned medium, A guide portion for guiding the side end face of the first portion of the medium placed on the mounting surface, A shooting unit for capturing an image of the second portion of the placed medium, Equipped with, A first slit is formed between the guide portion and the aforementioned mounting surface. Image reading device.