JP2000067160A - Embossed character reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a credit card swindle without using an expensive lighting device, an expensive image processor, etc., by correctly reading even embossed characters of '0', etc., even when the ground color of a credit card is close to the color of the embossed characters and then deciding whether or not the credit card is duplicated while suppressing the total cost of the system low. SOLUTION: Unevenness formed on the credit card 7 is detected by using a laser scan type two-dimensional displacement sensor 3 and according to the detection result, an A/D converter circuit 4 generates image data; and a CPU circuit 6 processes the image data to recognize the embossed characters formed on the credit card.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an embossed character reading device for reading embossed characters formed on a credit card or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a card settlement system for performing a settlement process using a credit card or the like, when a credit card is inserted, information written on a magnetic stripe of the credit card is read and transmitted to a host computer. It requests a collation process, and performs a settlement process and the like based on the result of the collation process.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of such a card settlement system.

[0004] The card settlement system 101 shown in FIG.
When a customer presents a credit card 102, a magnetic card reader device 1 reads information written on a magnetic stripe 103 of the credit card 102.
And a processing device 105 that requests the host computer device for collation based on the information read by the magnetic card reader device 104, receives the collation result, and performs settlement.

[0005] When a customer purchases a product and makes a payment with the credit card 102, the magnetic card reader 104 reads information recorded on the magnetic stripe 103 of the credit card 102, and the processing device 105 reads the information. The information is transmitted to the host computer device to determine whether or not the credit card 102 can be used and whether or not the payment can be performed. The host computer device determines that the credit card 102 can be used, and the payment is performed. When it is determined that the processing is possible, the processing device 105 setstle the price of the product and transmits the processing result to the host computer device.

[0006]

In such a credit card 102, the information recorded on the magnetic stripe 103 can be easily copied to the magnetic stripe of another credit card. When the recorded magnetic data is copied and the credit card is copied, the magnetic card reader device 104 cannot determine whether the credit card is a copied credit card or a legitimate credit card.

For this reason, when the customer
When purchasing a product using, the magnetic data recorded on the credit card 102 is read out by a person at the store, and this is written on another credit card. Card fraud frequently occurs in which a duplicate credit card is used without the customer having the created and authorized credit card 102 knowing.

As a method for solving such a problem, there has been proposed a method for improving the security of a credit card by using a smart card such as an IC card which is difficult to copy. It takes a considerable amount of time for smart cards to become widespread, during which time many card frauds can occur, causing enormous damage.

As a method of solving such a problem, a current credit card is read by using an embossed character reader for mechanically reading embossed characters or an embossed character reader for reading embossed characters by an optical system. A method has been developed in which the embossed characters formed on the credit card 102 are read to determine whether the credit card 102 is a legitimate credit card or a duplicated credit card.

However, among the embossed character reading devices, the embossed character reading device that mechanically reads the embossed character mechanically reads the embossed character formed on the credit card 102, so that the embossed character reading mechanism is complicated. In addition, there is a problem in that the credit card 102 becomes old, and when the height of the embossed character becomes less than a specified value, the embossed character cannot be read.

In an embossed character reading device for reading embossed characters formed on the credit card 102 by an optical system using an optical sensor, a line sensor, an area image processing sensor, or the like, the background color (background) of the credit card 102 is used. ) And the colors of the embossed characters are close to each other, there is a problem that when the embossed characters on the credit card 102 are read, the embossed characters are blurred or the embossed characters become thicker.

Further, in an embossed character reading apparatus for reading an embossed character by such an optical system, when the embossed character is a character having a convex portion formed around and a concave portion formed at the center, such as "0", There was a problem that the indentation could not be read.

Therefore, when reading an embossed character formed on the credit card 102 by using an embossed character reading device using an optical system, an expensive illumination device or an expensive image processing device is used. However, there is a problem that the entire system becomes expensive.

In view of the above circumstances, according to the present invention, even if the background color of the card and the color of the embossed character are close to each other without using an expensive lighting device or an expensive image processing device, Even embossed characters such as "0" can be read correctly, so that it is possible to judge whether or not a card is duplicated and to prevent card fraud while keeping the cost of the entire system low. It is an object of the present invention to provide an embossed character reading device capable of performing such a reading.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, while converging laser light on the surface of the card, fine irregularities formed on the surface of the card are also detected based on reflected light obtained by scanning. This makes it possible to read the embossed characters correctly even if the background color of the card is close to the color of the embossed characters, even if the embossed characters such as "0" are slightly worn out. It is an object of the present invention to provide an embossed character reading device capable of judging whether or not a card is duplicated while preventing the card fraud, while keeping the cost low.

[0016]

According to the present invention, there is provided an embossed character reading apparatus for reading embossed characters formed on a card, wherein a laser beam is applied to the surface of the card. While condensing, by scanning this laser light, a laser scanning displacement sensor that reads uneven information formed on the surface of the card,
An image processing unit that performs image processing on image data corresponding to the concavo-convex information detected by the laser scanning displacement sensor and recognizes embossed characters formed on the card is provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the embossed character reading device according to the first aspect, the laser scanning displacement sensor includes a semiconductor laser device for generating a laser beam, and a laser beam emitted from the semiconductor laser device. A scanner for converging light on the surface of the card while scanning, and a Z-direction semiconductor position detecting element for receiving laser light reflected on the surface of the card and generating unevenness information of the card. It is characterized by.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, while the laser light is condensed on the surface of the card by the laser scanning displacement sensor, the laser light is scanned and the unevenness information formed on the surface of the card is obtained. While reading, the image processing unit performs image processing on image data corresponding to the concavo-convex information detected by the laser scanning displacement sensor, and recognizes embossed characters formed on the card. Even if the background color of the card and the color of the embossed character are close to each other, the embossed character such as "0" can be correctly read without using a complicated image processing device, thereby keeping the overall system cost low. Meanwhile, it is determined whether or not the card is duplicated to prevent card fraud.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, as a laser scanning displacement sensor, a semiconductor laser device for generating a laser beam, and a scanner for condensing the laser beam emitted from the semiconductor laser device on the surface of the card while scanning the laser beam. By using a Z-direction semiconductor position detecting element that receives laser light reflected on the surface of the card and generates unevenness information on the card, the laser light is condensed and scanned on the surface of the card. Based on the reflected light obtained when the embossed character is detected, fine irregularities formed on the surface of the card are also detected. , Even if the embossed characters are slightly worn, the card can be read correctly while keeping the overall system cost low. To determine whether manufacturing has been one,
Prevent card fraud.

[0020]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embossed character reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The embossed character reading device 1 shown in FIG.
A card transport mechanism 2, a laser scan type two-dimensional displacement sensor 3, an A / D converter circuit 4, an image memory circuit 5, and a CPU circuit 6 are provided, and a credit card 7 as shown in FIG. Then, the surface of the credit card 7 is scanned by a laser beam, and the image data obtained by the scanning is processed into an embossed character 8.
(See FIG. 2), and supplies the recognition result to a processing device (not shown).

The card transport mechanism 2 includes a credit card 7
Is inserted, a card detection signal is generated and supplied to the CPU circuit 6. A card insertion detection sensor detects the insertion of the credit card 7 by the card insertion detection sensor. Is provided, and a card discharging unit that discharges the credit card 7 that has been transported when the CPU circuit 6 outputs a card discharging command when the credit card 7 is output at a specified speed. When the credit card 7 is inserted, the credit card 7 is detected to generate a card detection signal, which is supplied to the CPU circuit 6, and in response to this, a card transport command is output from the CPU circuit 6. When the credit card 7 is inserted, the inserted credit card 7 is conveyed at a specified speed, and then a card ejection command is output from the CPU circuit 6. , To discharge the credit card 7, which is inserted.

As shown in FIG. 3, the laser scanning type two-dimensional displacement sensor 3 has a semiconductor laser element 10 for generating a laser beam, and a laser beam emitted from the semiconductor laser element 10 for condensing the laser beam. And a scanner that scans the laser light emitted from the light projecting lens 11 and irradiates the credit card 7 conveyed by the card conveying mechanism 2 in the Y-axis direction in the figure. 12, a half mirror 13 that illuminates the light scanned by the scanner 12 into surface reflected light and transmitted light, and receives a surface reflected light from the half mirror 13 to determine a measurement point in the X direction in the figure. The laser beam reflected on the surface of the credit card 7 among the light transmitted through the direction PSD (X-direction semiconductor position detecting element) 14 and the half mirror 13 is received. A light receiving lens 15 for condensing, Z direction PSD (Z-direction semiconductor position detecting element) for detecting the position of the light collected laser light by the light receiving lens 15 1
6 is provided.

When the credit card 7 is being conveyed by the card conveying mechanism 2, the laser scanning type two-dimensional displacement sensor 3 irradiates the surface of the credit card 7 with a laser beam as shown in FIGS. While scanning this laser light, this credit card 7
The laser light reflected on the surface of the laser light is focused on the PSD 16 in the Z direction, and the change in the Z direction is measured based on the change in the position of the focused spot. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 4, an electric signal corresponding to the height shape of the embossed character 8 is generated,
This is supplied to the A / D converter circuit 4.

The A / D converter circuit 4 samples the electric signal output from the laser scanning type two-dimensional displacement sensor 3 at a predetermined cycle set in advance, generates image data, and converts this into an image memory. Supply to circuit 5.

The image memory circuit 5 includes a credit card 7
Equipped with a semiconductor memory element having a sufficient capacity to store image data obtained by reading the surface of the
Each time image data is output from the A / D converter circuit 4, it is fetched and stored sequentially from the upper address, and when a read command is output from the CPU circuit 6, the address specified by the read command is output. Is read out and supplied to the CPU circuit 6.

The CPU circuit 6 includes a microcomputer for performing various processes, a program for defining the operation of the microcomputer, and an RO for storing constant data.
M, a RAM used as a work area of a microcomputer, and the like. When a card detection signal is output from the card transport mechanism 2 based on a program stored in the ROM, the card detection signal is detected and the card is detected. A transport command is generated and supplied to the card transport mechanism 2. After that, when the image data of the entire credit card 7 is stored in the image memory circuit 5, the image data stored in the image memory circuit 5 is sequentially read, and the image data is registered in advance. The embossed character formed on the credit card 7 is recognized by performing pattern matching processing with the font data or other image processing such as vector detection and stroke detection, and the recognition result is supplied to the processing device. Then, it is determined whether the credit card 7 is a legitimate credit card. Next, when this determination processing is completed, a card ejection command is generated, and the card transport mechanism 2 is operated.
The inserted credit card 7 is ejected.

As described above, in this embodiment,
The laser scanning type two-dimensional displacement sensor 3 is used to detect irregularities formed on the credit card 7, generate image data based on the detection result, and perform image processing on the image data to obtain the credit card 7. Since the embossed characters 8 formed on the credit card 7 are close to each other without using an expensive lighting device or an expensive image processing device, However, embossed characters 8 such as "0"
However, it is possible to correctly read the embossed characters 8 and thereby to judge whether or not the credit card 7 has been duplicated and to prevent credit card fraud, while keeping the cost of the entire system low.

In this embodiment, the laser scanning type two-dimensional displacement sensor 3 scans the credit card 7 while converging the laser beam on the surface of the credit card 7, and based on the reflected light obtained by the scanning, the credit card 7 is scanned. Since the embossed characters 8 are recognized by detecting minute irregularities formed on the surface of the embossed characters, even when the background color of the credit card 7 and the color of the embossed characters 8 are close to each other, an embossed character such as “0” is displayed. Character 8 is embossed character 8
Even if is slightly worn, the embossed character 8 can be read correctly.

[0030]

As described above, according to the present invention, in the embossed character reading device of the first aspect, the background color of the card and the embossed character can be reduced without using an expensive lighting device or an expensive image processing device. Even if the color of the card is close, even embossed characters such as "0" can be read correctly, thereby determining whether or not the card has been duplicated while keeping the cost of the entire system low, Card fraud can be prevented beforehand.

Further, in the embossed character reading device of the present invention, while converging laser light on the surface of the card, fine irregularities formed on the surface of the card are determined based on the reflected light obtained by scanning. Can be detected, so that the embossed characters can be read correctly even if the background color of the card and the color of the embossed characters are close to each other, even if the embossed characters such as “0” or the embossed characters are slightly worn. Thus, it is possible to judge whether the card is duplicated and to prevent card fraud, while keeping the cost of the entire system low.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an embossed character reading device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation example of the laser scan type two-dimensional displacement sensor shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a detailed configuration of the laser scanner type two-dimensional displacement sensor shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a waveform chart showing an example of an electric signal output from the laser scan type two-dimensional displacement sensor shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of a conventionally known general card payment system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: Embossed character reading device 2: Card transport mechanism 3: Laser scan type two-dimensional displacement sensor 4: A / D converter circuit 5: Image memory circuit 6: CPU circuit (image processing unit) 7: Credit card (card) 8: Embossed characters 10: Semiconductor laser element 11: Projection lens 12: Scanner 13: Half mirror 14: X direction PSD 15: Light receiving lens 16: Z direction PSD

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Tadashi Takao 66-2 Horikawa-cho, Saiwai-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa F-term within Toshiba Engineering Corporation (reference) 5B029 AA05 BB02 BB05 BB11 BB13 CC07 5B072 AA02 CC26 CC38 DD02 DD23 LL12

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An embossed character reading device for reading an embossed character formed on a card, wherein the laser light is scanned on a surface of the card while condensing the laser light on the surface of the card. A laser scanning displacement sensor that reads unevenness information; and an image processing unit that performs image processing on image data corresponding to the unevenness information detected by the laser scanning displacement sensor to recognize embossed characters formed on the card. An embossed character reading device comprising: 2. The embossed character reading device according to claim 1, wherein the laser scan type displacement sensor scans a semiconductor laser device that generates a laser beam and a laser beam emitted from the semiconductor laser device. A scanner for condensing light on the surface of the card, and a Z-direction semiconductor position detecting element for receiving laser light reflected on the surface of the card and generating unevenness information of the card. Embossed character reading device.