JP2019040523A - Reader unit, settlement machine and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a reader unit that can deal with even papers from which electronic data cannot be directly read, or to provide a settlement machine that is equipped with the reader unit.SOLUTION: A reader unit (40), which optically reads reading objects (50) held by users, comprises: a scanner device (41) that is equipped with a light source and an image sensor; a transmission plate (42) that transmits light; alignment means that helps the user fix the reading object to a prescribed position; frame recognition means that detects a prescribed frame from reading data read by the scanner device (41); in-frame data transmission means that transmits the reading data in the frame to a processing server for converting the reading data into text; processed data reception means that receives data processed by the processing server; and output means that conducts an output, using the processed data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

The present invention is suitable for application to, for example, a fee payment device in a store such as a convenience store or a department store, a vending machine, an automatic ticket vending machine, an entrance / exit management device, and a centralized payment fee adjustment machine or an advance fee adjustment machine. The present invention relates to a reader unit.
In particular, a reader unit capable of easily identifying a corresponding reader / writer device corresponding to a non-contact IC card of a different non-contact wireless communication system, a settlement machine using the reader unit, and a computer program for controlling the settlement machine About.

Today, so-called “neighbor type” non-contact IC cards are known. The “neighboring type” non-contact IC card has a communication distance of about 10 cm which operates in accordance with an international standard of ISO 14443 (ISO: International Organization for Standardization). The “neighboring type” non-contact IC cards are classified into type A (Type A) represented by Mifare (registered trademark) and type B (Type B) represented by Basic Resident Register card and digital ticket. ing.
Felica card (Felica: registered trademark), watermelon card (Suica: registered trademark), and Eddy card (Edy: registered trademark) that are widely used in Japan are “neighboring type” non-contact IC cards. And type C (Type C).

  As described above, the contactless IC cards of type A, type B, and type C have a common carrier frequency of 13.56 MHz and have different modulation methods and encoding methods. It has become established.

In the non-contact IC card, deposit amount data received by the user, expense amount data used for shopping, boarding / departure record data when using a public transportation service, and the like are recorded on the IC chip. Businesses that offer complex services by using such data secondarily have also appeared.
For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the parking fee is discounted by proving that public transportation has been used. In order to realize this service, for example, there is a technique disclosed in Patent Document 1.

The parking fee settlement machine disclosed in Patent Document 1 is devised so that an IC card used for getting on and off public transportation can also be used in the settlement of parking fees.
With this technology, data can be read from both a parking lot use ticket that uses a magnetic card that records simple data such as the start time of parking lot use, and an IC card that is used to get on and off public transportation. When the public transportation boarding / alighting data satisfies a predetermined condition, the parking fee can be discounted and settled. A service in which parking fees are discounted when public transportation and parking are used together is called “park and ride”, and has a certain effect on mitigating traffic congestion in urban areas.

In Patent Document 2, in order to make it easy to understand the information processing procedure for a user who receives a discount, the procedure of the checkout procedure is output to the display panel to improve the usability of the user.

JP 2010-33566 A JP 2011-28565 A

In recent years, interest in protecting personal information has increased. For example, the entry / exit record data in an IC card used for getting on and off public transportation is also used beyond the range expected by the user. Criticism of this situation has increased, and railway companies that operate transportation IC cards have come to restrict the provision of boarding / exiting record data to third parties.

On the other hand, the above-mentioned park & ride is already established, but discount application etc. cannot be operated unless boarding / recording data on the IC card is provided. Therefore, in order to continue the service of park and ride, another means for reading and inputting the boarding / exiting record data is required.
In addition, it is expected that a fee settlement machine that can handle various documents such as various certificates that cannot directly read electronic data will be required.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a reader unit that can read information printed on tickets, certificates and the like that cannot directly read electronic data, and a computer program that controls the reader unit. is there.

(First invention)
A first invention in the present application relates to a reader unit (40) that optically reads a reading object (50) that a user grasps with a finger.
The reader unit (40) includes a photographing means (41) including a light source and an image sensor,
A transmission plate (42) that transmits light emitted from the light source of the imaging means (41) located on the user side from the imaging means (41);
Positioning means that makes it easy for the user to fix the reading object (50) to a predetermined position suitable for photographing with respect to the transmission plate (42),
Frame recognition means for recognizing a predetermined frame from the read data of the reading object (50) captured by the imaging means (41) and digitized by being fixed by the alignment means;
In-frame data transmission means for transmitting to the processing server for converting the read data in the frame recognized by the frame recognition means to text,
Is provided.

(Glossary)
"Reading (50)" means a ticket with letters or numbers printed or stamped on paper or resin sheet (eg Shinkansen boarding ticket, parking ticket for parking lot), resin card with a number or symbol These are various stamped cards (credit cards, membership cards, etc.), liquid crystal screens of portable information terminals (eg, smart phones), codes displayed on paper and liquid crystal screens (eg, two-dimensional barcodes), and the like.
The “image sensor” is also referred to as an image identification device, an image authentication device, or the like, and examples thereof include a CCD image sensor and a CMOS image sensor.

The “read target” includes an invariable area printed in advance and a variable area in which different characters are printed for each boarding slip. The “frame recognition means” that is a means for finding a frame surrounded by a variable area is a frame printed as an invariable area, and recognizes a frame in which the inside of the frame becomes a variable area.
The “alignment means” is intended to fix the reading surface (51) of the reading object (50). For example, the depth dimension of the storage space is set in accordance with the dimension of the reading object (50).
When the reading target (50) is a card of a standard size, it is a groove or a recess formed according to the standard size.

(Function)
The user fixes the reading object (50) at a predetermined position suitable for photographing based on the alignment means and the transmission plate (42).
The fixed reading object (50) is photographed by the photographing means (41), and the reader unit (40) acquires image data. The acquired image data recognizes a predetermined frame by the frame recognition means.
Then, the in-frame data transmitting unit transmits the data read in the frame recognized by the frame recognizing unit to a processing server for converting it into text.
As a result, it is possible to read data printed on tickets, certificates, etc. that cannot directly read electronic data, thereby contributing to the realization of a settlement machine that can handle various discount systems.

(Variation of the first invention)
The first invention in the present application is a processing data receiving means for receiving processing data converted into text by the processing server;
Output means for performing a predetermined output using the processing data may be provided.

(Glossary)
"Processing server" executes bi-directional communication with a settlement machine incorporating the first invention (second invention to be described later), remotely controls the settlement machine, and transmits necessary data. To receive.
“Processing data” differs depending on the function of the processing server. For example, when the processing server executes text conversion, the text data is text data, and when the processing server calculates up to the settlement amount based on the text conversion data, it is production amount data.
“Output means” is, for example, a display panel that displays a settlement amount. In the case where the processing data is converted into text by the processing server and the processing data receiving unit receives the text data converted into processing data, the processing server includes a calculation unit that calculates the settlement amount based on the character data.

(Function)
The processing data receiving means receives the processing data converted into text by the processing server. The output means outputs a predetermined output using the received processing data.

(Variation 2 of the first invention)
The first invention may be formed as follows.
That is, the positioning means, the insertion port (46) larger than the thickness dimension of the reading object (50) with reference to the transmission plate (42),
A right and left restricting member (44) capable of storing the width of the reading object (50) inserted from the insertion port (46);
An upper restricting member (45) for restricting the upward movement of the reading target (50) inserted from the insertion port (46);
A front cover plate (43) for restricting the reading object (50) inserted from the insertion port (46) from moving toward the near side may be provided.

(Function)
The user inserts the reading target (50) from below into the insertion slot (46). The inserted reading object (50) is regulated by the left / right regulating member (44) in the left / right direction, and the upper regulating member (45) regulates the unnecessary movement in the upward direction. Is restricted by the front cover plate (43).
As a result, the reading target (50) is less likely to be shaken at the timing of shooting, and plays a role of reducing large deviations and errors in image data processing by the frame recognition means and the like.

(Second invention)
The second invention relates to a settlement machine including the reader unit (40B) according to the first invention.
That is, it is a payment machine that forms a housing having a front panel (11) facing a user, and includes a reader unit (40) embedded and fixed in the front panel (11).
The reader unit (40) includes a photographing means (41) including a light source and an image sensor,
The imaging means (transmission plate (42) that transmits light emitted from the light source of the imaging means (41) located on the user side from 419,
Positioning means that makes it easy for the user to fix the reading object (50) to a predetermined position suitable for photographing with respect to the transmission plate (42),
Frame recognition means for recognizing a predetermined frame from the read data of the reading object (50) captured by the imaging means (41) and digitized by being fixed by the alignment means;
The present invention relates to a settlement machine comprising: an in-frame data transmission unit that transmits to a processing server for converting the read data in the frame recognized by the frame recognition unit into text.

  “Checkout machine” means a machine that pays for the value of goods and services, for example, a fee payment device at a store such as a convenience store or department store, a vending machine, a ticket vending machine, an entrance / exit management device, and a concentration of parking fees. It is a settlement machine or advance fee settlement machine. Payment methods include banknotes and currency combinations as cash, credit cards, prepaid cards, electronic money, and the like.

  Variations of the second invention are based on variations 1 and 2 of the first invention.

(Third invention)
The third invention relates to a computer program for controlling the settlement machine according to the second invention.
That is, a photographing procedure for photographing the reading object by controlling a light source and an image sensor provided in the reader unit;
A frame recognition procedure for recognizing a predetermined frame from the read data to be read that has been imaged and digitized in the shooting procedure;
In-frame data transmission procedure for transmitting to the processing server for converting the read data in the frame recognized in the frame recognition procedure to text,
A processing data reception procedure for receiving processing data that has undergone processing such as text processing in the processing server;
Is a computer program that causes the control means of the settlement machine to execute.

(Function)
The computer program according to the third aspect of the invention is executed by input means provided in the settlement machine, storage means such as a random access memory, arithmetic means by a central processing unit (CPU), and the like.
The computer program according to the third invention can be provided by being recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-R, DVD-R, or hard disk, or can be provided via a communication line.

(Variation 1 of the third invention)
In the third invention, the processing data received by the processing data receiving procedure may be a settlement amount for which a settlement amount has been calculated by the processing server.

(Variation 2 of the third invention)
Unlike the variation 1 described above, the third invention may be formed as follows.
That is, a settlement amount calculation procedure for calculating a settlement amount using the processed data received in the processing data reception procedure, and an output for performing a predetermined output based on the settlement amount calculated in the settlement amount calculation procedure Procedure and
May be executed by the control means of the settlement machine.

(Variation 3 of the third invention)
The third invention may be formed as follows.
In other words, the settlement machine includes preferential data storage means for preliminarily storing preferential data used when calculating the settlement amount in the settlement amount calculation procedure,
In the settlement amount calculation procedure, the settlement amount may be calculated by using the preferential data stored in the preferential data storage unit.

(Processing server variations)
The processing server described above may serve as a management server that manages a plurality of payment machines.
The “management server” generally obtains data acquired by a plurality of settlement machines (40, 40,...) Through bidirectional communication with the plurality of settlement machines (40, 40,...). The control program for controlling the scanner device can be updated, and the control programs for various control devices built in the settlement machine can be updated.

According to the first and second aspects of the invention, it is possible to provide a reader unit and a settlement machine that can handle documents that cannot directly read electronic data.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a computer program for controlling a settlement machine having a reader unit that can handle documents that cannot directly read electronic data.

It is a conceptual diagram which shows the park and ride which uses together public transport, such as a railroad, and a parking lot. It is a perspective view which shows the account machine incorporating the reader unit which concerns on 1st embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the principal part of the reader unit in 1st embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure which settles by 1st embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the procedure which reads and processes a boarding ticket. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the procedure which reads and processes a traffic type | system | group IC card. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the function of a payment machine and a processing server. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the function of a payment machine and a processing server. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of a reader unit. It is a figure which shows the external appearance of a reader unit. It is a figure which shows the variation regarding arrangement | positioning of a reader unit and a display panel. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the relationship between a processing server and several payment machines.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail based on embodiments and drawings.
The drawings used here are FIGS. 2 to 12, and FIG. 1 showing the prior art is also referred to for comparison.

(Figure 2)
The settlement machine shown in FIG. 2 is a settlement machine 10 for a user who uses a parking lot to settle a parking fee, and is a settlement machine 10A with a pressing reader unit.
The settlement machine 10 (10A) has a vertically long rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the front panel 11 serving as a surface facing the user is provided with various devices for user operations.

The front panel 11 includes, in order from the top, a display panel 12 that outputs a screen such as an instruction to the user, a ticket discharge machine 13 that discharges a ticket such as a parking ticket, and a coin insertion machine 20 that receives coins that the user inserts for payment. , A banknote loading / unloading machine 30 in which a user inserts banknotes or a credit card for payment or receives a fishing tag or a credit card, a card reader 40 for reading a reading target necessary for payment of a parking fee, a coin as change Or a coin return port 14 through which unacceptable coins are discharged.
“To be read” means a ticket with letters or numbers printed or stamped on paper or a resin sheet (for example, a Shinkansen boarding ticket, a parking lot parking ticket, etc.), or a number or symbol stamped on a resin card. It is a liquid crystal screen of various cards (a credit card, a membership card, etc.), a barcode (mainly a two-dimensional barcode), and a portable information terminal (for example, a smart phone).

The card reader 40 is an optical device for optically reading a print or number to be read, and is not provided in the conventional settlement machine for park and ride shown in FIG.
The card reader 40 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3, FIG. 9, FIG.

(Figure 3)
3 is a boarding ticket for the Tokaido Shinkansen. The above-described reader unit 40 reads information such as the boarding date, boarding station, and getting-off station printed on the ticket. Based on the read information, the combination state of the Shinkansen usage history and the parking lot usage is judged, and the payment amount of the parking fee is output to the display panel 11 along with whether or not a discount system is applied to the parking fee.
The user pays the parking fee output to the display panel 11 using banknotes or coins.

With the reader unit 40 and the payment machine 10A in which the reader unit 40 is incorporated, it is possible to read information printed on tickets, certificates, etc., in which electronic data cannot be read directly, and to handle various discount systems. It becomes a machine.
As a result, the park and ride service can be operated even when the entry / exit record data is not provided from the traffic-related electronic money (IC card).

(Fig. 4)
FIG. 4 shows a procedure in which a user operates a procedure for whether or not to apply a park-and-ride having a privilege such as a discount on a parking fee for a user who uses both public transportation and a parking lot. FIG.
A user who wants to settle the parking fee starts settlement (S1). For example, the user inserts a parking ticket into a predetermined slot.

The display panel of the checkout machine asks the user, “Have you used transportation” (S2). When the user selects “No” in response to the inquiry, the parking fee is normally settled (S7).
If the user selects “Yes”, the checkout machine requests selection of “Shinkansen or conventional line?”.

When the user selects “Shinkansen”, the checkout machine prompts the user to touch the leader unit (shown in FIG. 3 or the like) with a boarding ticket for the Shinkansen (S4).
When the user selects “conventional line”, the checkout machine prompts the user to touch the predetermined IC card with the traffic IC card (S5).

The checkout machine reading the boarding record of the Shinkansen or the conventional line calculates whether there is a discount rule for park and ride, and if so, what discount amount is applied, and calculates the production value (S6). ).
If the user does not touch the Shinkansen boarding slip on the reader unit (shown in FIG. 3 or the like), or does not touch the traffic IC card on which the conventional boarding record is recorded, on the predetermined reader, The process proceeds to selection of a payment method by the user (indicated by a broken line from S4 or S5 to S7).
When the discount is applied, the user adjusts the applied discount amount, and when the discount is not applied, the user settles the normal settlement amount, and the settlement ends (S8).

  In S6 described above, the processing server executes only the processing for converting the text data of the image data by the reader unit when the processing server receiving the necessary data from the settlement machine calculates the discount amount and transmits it to the settlement machine. There is a possibility of doing.

(Fig. 5)
FIG. 5 shows a procedure for reading and processing a boarding ticket (not a traffic IC card). That is, the user is asked in advance whether public transportation has been used (S2 in FIG. 4), and the user selects the Shinkansen (S3 in FIG. 4).
The display panel 11 instructs the user to present a bulletin boarding ticket (1). The special treatment processing terminal that executes the special treatment starts the reader unit (2).

When the user holds a Shinkansen boarding ticket over the reader unit 40, the reader unit 40 takes an image and acquires the image data (3). The acquired image data is transmitted to the processing server via the preferential processing terminal (4).
The processing server converts a necessary part from the received image data into text, and transmits the text data to the preferential processing terminal (5).
Based on the received text data, the preferential treatment terminal determines the presence / absence of the preferential treatment, calculates a settlement amount according to the presence / absence of the preferential treatment, and instructs the display panel 12 to present the settlement amount (6).

(Fig. 6)
FIG. 6 shows a procedure for reading and processing a traffic IC card (not a boarding card). That is, the user is asked in advance whether public transportation has been used (S2 in FIG. 4), and the user selects a conventional line (S3 in FIG. 4).
The difference from FIG. 5 is that the user does not use the Shinkansen boarding slip, but instead places the transportation IC card over the IC card reader (2, 3), and the IC card reader is not an image data but an electronic data. Since the boarding record data concerning the user is read, image processing in the processing server is unnecessary (3, 4).

  In addition, this processing server determines whether or not there is a special treatment for boarding / exiting data, and transmits the result data (5). For this reason, the settlement processing terminal calculates the settlement amount based on the presence / absence of the preferential treatment based on the result data, and instructs the display of the calculated settlement amount on the display panel (6).

(Fig. 7)
FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the respective functions of the settlement machine and the boarding / alighting data processing server installed at a location physically separated from the settlement machine.
The settlement machine includes an alignment means for executing alignment including focusing with the camera to be photographed in order to reduce errors when photographing data obtained by photographing the reading target is converted into text. The reading target that has been focused for photographing based on the positioning means is photographed by the photographing means.

  For photographed image data, a place where information necessary for application of the preferential treatment service exists is specified. This is executed by a frame recognizing means, which confirms the frame in which the necessary information is present. The in-frame data transmitting unit transmits image data (not text data at this stage) existing in the frame specified by the frame recognizing unit to the boarding / alighting data processing server.

In the boarding / alighting data processing server, the data receiving means receives the in-frame data, and the received in-frame data is converted into text by the text converting means.
For text conversion, data stored in advance in a processing database (in the figure, the database is abbreviated as “DB”) is used.
The processing database includes a station name database in which station names related to the preferential treatment service are stored, and a processing history database in which processing history data, which is data obtained by converting in-frame data in the past, is stored.

Using the various data stored in the processing database, the station name matching means executes matching with candidate station names using the text data converted into text.
There is a high possibility that text data that does not match is a station name that is not the target of the preferential treatment service. The matched text data is the name of the station that is the target of the preferential treatment service.
The matching result by the station name matching means is transmitted as processing data by the processing data transmitting means to the settlement machine.

The processing data received from the boarding / alighting data processing server is received by the processing data receiving means.
Then, the settlement amount calculation means determines and calculates the preferential application of the preferential database stored in advance using the received processing data. Then, the settlement amount output means outputs the settlement amount.

(Fig. 8)
FIG. 8 shows a variation of FIG. 7, which is a conceptual diagram for explaining each function of a settlement machine and a boarding / alighting data processing server installed at a location physically separated from the settlement machine. is there.
The difference from FIG. 7 is that the preferential treatment database provided in the settlement machine and the settlement amount calculation means are provided in the boarding / alighting data processing server. In this way, the boarding / alighting data processing server determines whether or not the preferential treatment service is applied, and transmits the processing data for which the settlement amount has been calculated to the settlement machine.

  In the checkout machine, when the parking fee is calculated based on the entering time and the leaving time, the above-described processing data is data of a discount amount from the parking fee. However, when the settlement machine transmits the in-frame data, the settlement amount is received as the processing data when the parking fee data before discount is also transmitted.

(Fig. 9)
FIG. 9 shows a reader unit 40 that is a main part in the first embodiment, a display panel 12 that plays a role such as outputting and instructing a user to operate the reader unit 40, and the reader unit. The Shinkansen boarding slip as a reading object 50 read at 40 is shown.
The user causes the camera (scanner device) 41 in the reader unit 40 to read the reading surface 51 on which the boarding station or the getting-off station is displayed.

(Fig. 10)
FIG. 10 shows details of the reader unit 40. FIG. 10A is a front view, and FIG. 10B is a perspective view.
The reader unit 40 is provided with a positioning means in order to improve the accuracy of the photographing data in the reading target 50. This alignment means determines the width dimension of the reading object 50 inserted through the insertion port 46 and the insertion port 46 having a thickness slightly larger than the thickness dimension of the reading object 50 with the transmission plate 42 as a reference. A left and right restricting member 44 that can be stored, an upper restricting member 45 for restricting upward movement of the reading target 50 inserted from the insertion port 46, and a reading target inserted from the insertion port 46 And a front cover plate 43 for restricting the movement of 50 toward the front side.
The right and left restricting member 44 has a shape in which the lower portion thereof slightly expands in the left and right direction. This is to facilitate insertion of the reading object 50.

The user inserts the reading target 50 into the insertion port 46 from below. The inserted reading object 50 is restricted in the left and right direction by the left and right restricting member 44, and the upper restricting member 45 restricts the movement more than necessary in the upper direction, and the front cover plate prevents the unnecessary movement in the near side direction. 43.
As a result, the reading object 50 is less likely to be shaken at the timing of shooting, and plays a role of reducing large deviations and errors in image data processing by the frame recognition means and the like.

The insertion slot 46 of the reader unit 40 is located below the center of the reader unit 40 when viewed from the front. This is because the reader unit 40 and the display panel 12 are adjacent to each other in the left-right direction, and the user can easily use the object 50 to be read with either the left or right hand.
The reason why the reader unit 40 is arranged adjacent to the display panel 12 is as follows. That is, since the output display by the display panel 12 instructs the user as to how to read the reading target 50 into the reader unit 40, the closer to the user unit, the less the operation error by the user. Because.

(Fig. 11)
FIG. 11 shows a case where the reader unit 40 and the display panel 12 are arranged adjacent to each other in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 11, the display panel 12 can be arranged above the reader unit 40.
The insertion port 46 of the reading target 50 in the reader unit 40 is positioned on the right side with respect to the user. This is because the user is more right-handed and the reader unit 40 and the display panel 12 are arranged in the vertical direction, so that it may be difficult for the user to move the reading target 50 in the vertical direction.

(Fig. 12)
FIG. 12 conceptually shows a case where a processing server manages a large number of settlement machines α, β,... According to the above-described embodiment.
The checkout machines α, β,... According to the above-described embodiment are configured to be capable of data communication with the processing server.
When the processing server updates software for controlling the reader unit 40 provided in each of the checkout machines α, β,..., It can be collectively executed using a data communication network.

Further, the read data read by the reader units of the respective settlement machines α, β,... Is sucked and processed data converted into text (further data processing and calculation of the settlement amount) is transmitted.
In addition, when parking lot management data, vehicle management data, etc. can also be received from each settlement machine α, β,... .

The present invention manufactures service and product fee settlement machines (especially parking fee settlement devices), software development business for settlement machines, communication service industry for central control of settlement machines, rental fee settlement machines It can be used in the rental industry, the agency service industry that acts as a fee settlement machine.

10; Settlement machine 11; Front panel 12; Display panel 13; Ticket ejector 14; Coin return slot 20; Coin slot machine 21; Front panel 22; Slot slot 23; Depth part 30; Insertion port 33; Depth part 40; Reader unit 41; Scanner device (camera) 42; Transmission plate 43; Front cover plate 44; Left and right restriction member 45; Upper restriction member 46; Insert port 50; Reading object (boarding slip) 51; Reading surface

Claims (10)

A reader unit that optically reads a reading target gripped by a user with a finger,
Photographing means comprising a light source and an image sensor;
A transmission plate that transmits light emitted from the light source of the imaging unit located on the user side from the imaging unit;
Alignment means for making it easier for the user to fix the reading object to a predetermined position suitable for shooting with respect to the transmission plate;
Frame recognition means for recognizing a predetermined frame from the read data to be read, which is fixed by the alignment means and photographed by the photographing means and digitized;
In-frame data transmission means for transmitting to the processing server for converting the read data in the frame recognized by the frame recognition means to text,
Reader unit equipped with. Processing data receiving means for receiving processing data converted into text in the processing server;
Output means for performing a predetermined output using the processed data;
The reader unit according to claim 1, comprising: The alignment means is
An insertion opening larger than the thickness dimension of the reading object with reference to the transmission plate,
A right and left restricting member capable of storing a width dimension of a reading target inserted from the insertion port;
An upper regulating member for regulating upward movement of the reading target inserted from the insertion port;
A front cover plate for restricting the reading object inserted from the insertion port from moving to the near side;
The reader unit according to claim 1, wherein the reader unit is provided. A checkout machine with a housing with a front panel facing the user,
Comprising a reader unit embedded and fixed in the front panel,
The reader unit includes photographing means including a light source and an image sensor,
A transmission plate that transmits light emitted from the light source of the imaging unit located on the user side from the imaging unit;
Alignment means for making it easier for the user to fix the reading object to a predetermined position suitable for shooting with respect to the transmission plate;
Frame recognition means for recognizing a predetermined frame from the read data to be read, which is fixed by the alignment means and photographed by the photographing means and digitized;
A settlement machine comprising: in-frame data transmission means for transmitting the read data in the frame recognized by the frame recognition means to a processing server for converting the text into text. Processing data receiving means for receiving processing data converted into text in the processing server;
Output means for performing a predetermined output using the processed data;
The settlement machine according to claim 4, comprising: The alignment means is
An insertion opening larger than the thickness dimension of the reading object with reference to the transmission plate,
A right and left restricting member capable of storing a width dimension of a reading target inserted from the insertion port;
An upper regulating member for regulating upward movement of the reading target inserted from the insertion port;
A front cover plate for restricting the reading object inserted from the insertion port from moving to the near side;
The settlement machine according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the settlement machine is provided. A computer program for controlling a settlement machine provided with a reader unit for optically reading a reading target grasped by a user with a finger,
The program includes a shooting procedure for controlling the light source and the image sensor provided in the reader unit and shooting the reading target;
A frame recognition procedure for recognizing a predetermined frame from the read data to be read that has been imaged and digitized in the shooting procedure;
In-frame data transmission procedure for transmitting to the processing server for converting the read data in the frame recognized in the frame recognition procedure to text,
A processing data reception procedure for receiving processing data that has undergone processing such as text processing in the processing server;
Is a computer program that causes the control means of the settlement machine to execute. The computer program according to claim 7, wherein the processing data received by the processing data reception procedure is a settlement amount whose settlement amount has been calculated by the processing server. A settlement amount calculation procedure for calculating a settlement amount using the processed data received in the processing data reception procedure;
An output procedure for performing a predetermined output based on the settlement amount calculated in the settlement amount calculation procedure;
The computer program according to claim 7, wherein the control means of the settlement machine is executed. The payment machine includes preferential data storage means for preliminarily storing preferential data used when calculating the payment amount in the payment amount calculation procedure,
The computer program according to claim 7 or 9, wherein, in the settlement amount calculation procedure, the settlement amount is calculated using the preferential data stored in the preferential data storage means.

Images