JP3861043B2 - Multiple types of bankbook reading method and automatic transaction apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an automatic transaction apparatus that handles a passbook such as an automatic cash transaction apparatus or a passbook entry machine used in a financial institution such as a bank, and more particularly to a method of handling a plurality of types of passbooks by the automatic transaction apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, there are various methods for handling a plurality of types of passbooks in an automatic transaction apparatus. As an example, A method to E method are shown below.
[0003]
As the A method, there is a method of reading / writing magnetic stripes of a plurality of banks by providing a plurality of read heads at positions corresponding to the respective track positions with respect to magnetic stripes having different numbers of tracks (see Patent Document 1). .
[0004]
As the B method, when the customer selects one of a plurality of banks on the screen, it connects to the selected bank's host (center), reads the data on the magnetic stripe of the inserted bankbook, and connects to the connected center. There is a method of printing, updating data in a passbook according to data sent from the center and returning it to the customer (see Patent Document 2).
[0005]
As the C method, the bank has a magnetic head that reads / writes different types of magnetic stripes for each bank and a printing printer, and reads the read data via the relay center to the bank center that can read the magnetic stripe of the bankbook. There is a method of printing on a passbook based on data transmitted and returned from the center (see Patent Document 3).
[0006]
As the D method, when the magnetic stripe information cannot be read, the customer information printed in the passbook is recognized by the OCR and sent to the host computer. When the matching information is confirmed by the host computer, the information is returned based on the returned data. There is a method of printing the transaction details and returning them to the customer (see Patent Document 4).
[0007]
As the E method, when the magnetic stripe cannot be read, the card is inserted, the transaction bank is determined from the card information, transmitted to the bank's host computer, and printed on the passbook based on the returned data. There is a method (see Patent Document 5).
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-63-44355 [Patent Document 2]
JP-A-5-204954 [Patent Document 3]
JP-A-6-274519 [Patent Document 4]
JP 2001-101482 A [Patent Document 5]
JP 2001-101482 A
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the above A to E methods have the following problems.
[0009]
That is, in the A method, it is necessary to provide a plurality of types of magnetic heads having different types of data written to the magnetic stripe, a format of the write signal, a write density, and the number of tracks. It is necessary to read sequentially until it can be determined whether they match, and it takes a considerable time to determine. In the B method, the customer first needs to select one of a plurality of banks on the ATM screen, which increases the number of customers. In the C method, as in the A method, it is necessary to sequentially read by a plurality of types of magnetic stripe read / write heads to determine whether or not reading is possible. It is necessary to provide a new one. Further, in the D method, it is necessary to read customer information printed in the passbook by OCR and transmit it to the center of the bank, so that extra facilities are required. In the E method, it is not possible to determine which bank's bankbook is not inserted unless a card is inserted, and it is necessary to insert a card in spite of transactions that do not require a card, which increases the number of customers.
[0010]
In other words, conventionally, in order to correctly read the magnetic stripes of a plurality of types of bankbooks using a method suitable for the bankbook, it takes time and requires extra operations and equipment.
[0011]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a plurality of types of bankbook handling methods and ATMs that can solve the conventional problems and can efficiently process a plurality of types of bankbooks.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention employs the following means.
[0013]
A method of reading a plurality of types of passbooks in an automatic transaction apparatus that reads information of a passbook inserted from an insertion slot 201 that takes in a passbook, and acquires an image of the passbook taken from the insertion slot 201 and stores the image in the memory 210. The barcode 301 is tried to be recognized from the stored image in the processing mode corresponding to the first passbook. If it can be recognized here, the passbook is identified as the first passbook, and the magnetic stripe 302 is read in the processing mode of the first passbook. If the barcode cannot be recognized in the processing mode corresponding to the first passbook, the software switches to the second passbook processing mode on the software and tries to recognize the barcode 501. From 502, magnetic information is read in the processing mode of the second passbook.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be applied to an automatic transaction apparatus that handles a passbook such as an automatic cash transaction apparatus or a passbook recorder used in a financial institution such as a bank that handles the passbook.
[0015]
FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a first page of a first passbook (also referred to as a first passbook) and front and back covers handled by the automatic transaction apparatus.
[0016]
Reference numeral 301 denotes a bar code (also referred to as BC) recorded on the inner paper with the passbook opened. The barcode 301 has different patterns such as position, length, number, direction (vertical direction or horizontal direction) depending on the type of passbook. The bar code 301 includes page number, information indicating a stripe to be read when there are a plurality of magnetic stripes, and the like.
[0017]
Reference numeral 302 denotes a magnetic stripe (also referred to as MS) printed on the back cover. The magnetic stripe 302 differs in position, format written to the magnetic stripe, write signal format, write density, number of tracks, etc., depending on the type of bankbook. Here, the written format is, for example, the vertical or horizontal stripe format, and the write signal format is the NRZ1 method or the F2F method. The magnetic stripe 302 includes financial institution code, branch code, account number, subject, final print page and line, information indicating transaction information, and the like.
[0018]
FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a spread page and front and back covers of a second passbook (also referred to as a second passbook) handled by the automatic transaction apparatus. Compared with the first bankbook of FIG. 4, the position and direction of the barcode 501 are different, and are the upper right and the vertical direction, respectively. Also, the magnetic stripe 502 is different in position, format written in the magnetic stripe, write signal format, write density, and number of tracks.
[0019]
Note that the position and area of the a × b region 303 indicated by the dotted line are the same as those in FIG. 4, where a is a length longer than the vertical length of the barcodes 301 and 501, and b is the passbook. The length should be about the lateral length.
[0020]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional structure diagram of a passbook processing mechanism provided in an automatic transaction apparatus. 201 is an insertion port for taking in a passbook (including a function for discharging a passbook), 202 is a hopper before stocking a passbook for carryover (for example, the first passbook), 203 is a control unit for controlling the entire passbook processing mechanism, 204 is a print head for printing on a passbook, 205 is a post hopper that stores a passbook for another type of carryover (for example, the second passbook) different from the front hopper 204, and 206 is printed on a new passbook when carrying over the passbook. 207 is a bar code read head (also referred to as a bar code acquisition unit) that acquires an image of the bar code 301 of the passbook, and 208 reads and writes the magnetic stripe 302 of the passbook. Magnetic stripe read / write head (also referred to as magnetic reading unit), 209 is a bankbook storage forgotten, 210 is a memory in the control unit 203, 211 is a bankbook Page turning is a turn-page unit that performs. The control unit 203 includes a barcode recognition function and a processing mode order setting function as software.
[0021]
It is desirable that one barcode read head 207 can acquire images of barcodes 301 and 501 in common. Although it is possible to make the barcode read head 207 movable, it is more preferable to display an image of an area including all positions of barcodes (for example, barcodes 301 and 501) printed on a passbook handled by the automatic handling apparatus. It is desirable to obtain all at once. This is because moving the bar code read head 207 complicates the mechanism and takes time to acquire an image of the bar code 301. A plurality of barcode read heads 207 may be provided. The acquired image is stored in a memory 210 (also referred to as an image storage unit) in the control unit 203. The image stored in the image storage unit is recognized by the barcode recognition function of the control unit 203.
[0022]
The above-described “region including all barcode positions printed on a plurality of types of passbooks” will be supplementarily described. 4 and 5, barcodes 301 and 501 are printed on the upper left and upper right of the spread page of the passbook, respectively. In this case, it is possible to obtain both barcode images by collectively obtaining the image of the a × b area 303 at the top of the spread page of the passbook. The area includes all the barcode positions printed on a plurality of types of passbooks.
[0023]
Similarly, it is desirable that the magnetic stripe read / write head 208 and the print head 204 can share a plurality of kinds of passbook heads, each of which can be moved and read or written (printed) at an optimum position depending on the processing mode for each bank. ) Is possible. Further, when reading or writing (printing), since the command format is different depending on the processing mode for each bank, the corresponding software is switched by the control unit 203.
[0024]
FIG. 2 is a processing sequence chart showing processing of the automatic transaction apparatus and exchanges with the center of the bank. Hereinafter, an outline of a method for determining a plurality of types of passbooks executed by the control unit 203 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0025]
When a passbook is inserted by the customer from the insertion / discharge port 201, the passbook is sucked by a conveying means (not shown) (S401), and first, the barcode read head 207 (all the positions of barcodes printed on a plurality of types of passbooks are displayed). The image of the area 303 is acquired, and the acquired barcode image is stored in the memory 210 in the control unit 203 (S402).
[0026]
The stored barcode image is recognized by a barcode recognition function such as OCR (S403). At this time, the type of passbook can be specified by recognizing the barcode 301. Because, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, since the position and direction of the bar code differ depending on the type of bankbook, if the bar code can be recognized in the processing mode (method) according to the type of bankbook, This is because it is possible to specify the type of passbook corresponding to the processing mode. This processing mode is a rule in which a method for various handling processes such as bar code, magnetic stripe, printing, etc. corresponding to a bankbook is defined, and exists for each bankbook.
[0027]
When the type of passbook is specified, the read / write head 208 is then moved to the position specified in the processing mode corresponding to the specified type of passbook, and the magnetic stripe is read in that processing mode (S404). . Here, the advantage of reading the magnetic stripe after specifying the passbook type by the bar code is that the number of times of moving the read / write head 208 of the magnetic stripe can be reduced as compared with the prior art. In particular, when the barcode read head 207 that collectively obtains an image of an area including all barcode positions printed on a plurality of types of passbooks as described above is used, the image obtained once Since the barcode image can be recognized by switching the processing mode on the software and trying to recognize it, and the barcode read head 207 is not mechanically moved, not only the magnetic stripe read / write head 208 but also the bar The number of mechanical movements of the mechanism including the code read / write head 207 can be reduced as compared with the prior art, and the passbook processing can be made more efficient and faster.
[0028]
If the barcode cannot be recognized in S403 and the type of bankbook cannot be specified, an attempt is made to read the magnetic stripe in S404. If the information cannot be read from the magnetic stripe in S404, the magnetic stripe is read by sequentially switching to a processing mode corresponding to another type of passbook regardless of the result of specifying the passbook type in S403. Try. Details of S403 and S404 will be described later with reference to FIG. In S404, if the information cannot be read from the magnetic stripe even if the processing mode is switched, the passbook is discharged from the insertion slot 201.
[0029]
When the information is recognized from the magnetic stripe, the information is transmitted to the bank center corresponding to the specified passbook type (S405).
[0030]
When the server or host computer of the relevant bank center receives information from the automatic transaction apparatus (S406), the database is searched (S407), the corresponding account is detected (S408), and the transaction balance data of the account is obtained. Calling (S409), a frame containing the data is assembled and returned to the automatic transaction apparatus (S410).
[0031]
When the frame is received (S412), transaction processing such as withdrawal, deposit, and passbook printing is executed based on the frame (S413), and update information based on the transaction is written in the magnetic stripe 302 (S414). Is discharged (S415). When the passbook printing space is full, the old passbook is evacuated to the book evacuation path 206, one passbook is taken out from the front hopper 202 or the rear hopper 205, transaction information is printed by the print head 204, and A magnetic stripe is written by a magnetic stripe read / write head 208 and newly issued.
[0032]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a plurality of types of passbook determination processing showing details of processing executed by the control unit 203 in S403 and S404. Hereinafter, FIG. 3 will be described.
[0033]
When the barcode image acquired by the barcode read head 207 and stored in the memory 210 is recognized by the barcode recognition function, the order of processing modes (methods) used for recognition is first processed. Obtained from the mode order setting function (S101). Here, the faster the order of processing mode is, the faster the order of recognition is, the faster the order in which recognition is attempted. Although the processing mode can be set arbitrarily, setting a high priority for bankbooks that are frequently used (generally bankbooks with a large number of copies issued by the bank) shortens the transaction time of the automatic transaction device and improves efficiency. It is desirable in terms of enhancing
[0034]
Assuming that the priority order of the processing modes is the first passbook, the second passbook,..., The processing mode (first processing mode) corresponding to the first passbook is first set in the control unit 203. In the image stored in the memory 210, an attempt is made to recognize an area where the barcode image 301 will be printed (S102). When the conditions of the first passbook such as the length, number, direction, etc. of the bar code are matched, recognition is possible, and the first passbook is specified.
[0035]
This condition will be described supplementarily. The software determines whether the barcode length, number, and barcode direction match the pattern of the bank, and if they match, it is determined that the bank A bank pass. When analyzing the bar code 301 shown in FIG. 4, the length of the bar code is determined based on the position where the bar code is first detected from the left end of the bankbook (the left end of the bar code) and the position where the bar code is not detected (the right end of the bar code). By discriminating and scanning along the barcode, it is determined that the barcode is in the horizontal direction (or vertical direction), and by scanning the barcode in the vertical direction and counting the number of barcodes, Determine the number.
[0036]
If the information can be recognized from the barcode image (Yes in S103) and specified as the first passbook, the magnetic stripe read / write head 208 can read the magnetic stripe 302 according to the processing mode corresponding to the first passbook. It moves to a position where it can, and tries to read the magnetic stripe 302 (S104). As described above, the magnetic stripe of the passbook differs depending on the type of passbook, as well as its position, the format written to the magnetic stripe, the format of the write signal, the write density, the number of tracks, etc. Is also switched to match the first passbook.
[0037]
If the magnetic stripe 302 can be read in S104 (Yes in S105), the processing is continued as the first passbook. As a result of reading the magnetic stripe 302, if the page number to be printed is different from the page number indicated in the bar code 301 of the open bankbook page, the page number specified by the magnetic stripe 302 is changed to the page number. In order to turn , the passbook is sent to the turn page unit 211 by a conveying means (not shown).
[0038]
If the conditions of the first passbook and the barcode 301 do not match and the information cannot be recognized (No in S103), the processing mode corresponding to the second type (second processing mode) according to the order acquired in S101. ) And set (S106).
[0039]
Then, similarly to S102, an attempt is made to recognize an area where the barcode 501 will be printed from the image stored in the memory 210 (S107).
[0040]
If the barcode 501 can be recognized in S107 (Yes in S108), or if the barcode 302 cannot be read in S104 (No in S105), it corresponds to the second passbook as in S104. Depending on the processing mode to be performed, the magnetic stripe read / write head 208 is moved to a position where the magnetic stripe 502 can be read, and reading of the magnetic stripe 502 is attempted (S108).
[0041]
In S109 and subsequent steps, as in S102 to S108, barcode image recognition or magnetic stripe reading is attempted until the processing mode switching order preset by the processing mode order setting function is completed. If the bankbook does not correspond to all processing modes, the bankbook is rejected and discharged from the outlet 201.
[0042]
FIG. 6 shows a modification of FIG. 3, and the same reference numerals as those in FIG. Hereinafter, this modification will be described.
[0043]
In the embodiment described above, the magnetic stripe 302 is read after first attempting to recognize the barcode 301. On the other hand, in the modified example, as shown in FIG. 6, first, the processing mode of the first passbook is set, and both the recognition of the barcode 301 and the reading of the magnetic stripe 302 are tried (S601). This is because, with the first passbook (which is preferably the passbook with the highest use frequency), the barcode 301 can be recognized and the magnetic stripe 302 can be read at almost the same timing. It is because it can go to. That is, according to this method, the transaction for the first bankbook is faster than that in the above-described embodiment.
[0044]
In the first passbook processing mode, when the magnetic stripe 302 cannot be recognized (S105), the steps after S106 in FIG. 3 are executed on the barcode image acquired and stored in the memory 210. . As described above, according to the modified example, although there is a possibility that the mechanical operation may be increased as compared with the above-described embodiment, it is less than the conventional one, and further speeding-up of a plurality of types of passbook processing in the automatic transaction apparatus can be achieved. .
[0045]
As described above, according to the present invention, the number of times the magnetic stripe read / write head 208 is mechanically moved is suppressed by recognizing the bar code image of the passbook and specifying the type of passbook. That is, since the barcode 301 has been acquired once by the barcode reader 207 even if the processing mode first tried for recognition is incorrect, the barcode 301 is recognized in the memory 210 later. The stored barcode image may be executed by switching a plurality of processing modes on software having a barcode recognition function, and the mechanical operation can be reduced as compared with the prior art. In particular, by acquiring images of areas including all barcode positions printed on multiple types of passbooks, the number of mechanical operations can be further reduced, and passbook processing efficiency in automatic transaction equipment can be reduced. Will improve.
[0046]
Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be applied to various other forms.
[0047]
【The invention's effect】
Various passbooks can be processed in a short time.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a sectional structural view of a passbook printing mechanism to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is an operation sequence chart of an exchange between an automatic transaction apparatus and a bank center according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an operation flowchart of a plurality of types of bankbook determination methods according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a pattern diagram of a bar code recorded on a spread page of a first passbook to which the present invention is applied and a magnetic stripe recorded on a back cover.
FIG. 5 is a pattern diagram of a bar code recorded on a facing page of a second passbook to which the present invention is applied and a magnetic stripe recorded on a back cover.
FIG. 6 is an operation flowchart of a plurality of types of bankbook determination methods showing a modification of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 201 ... Insertion port, 202 ... Front hopper, 203 ... Control part, 204 ... Print head, 205 ... Rear hopper, 206 ... Retraction path, 207 ... Bar code read head, 208 ... Magnetic stripe read / write head, 209 ... Forgetting Passbook storage, 210 ... Control unit memory, 301 ... Bar code, 302 ... Magnetic stripe, 211 ... Turn page unit

Claims (5)

A method of reading a plurality of types of passbooks in an automatic transaction apparatus having a barcode acquisition unit that acquires an image of a barcode printed on a passbook and a magnetic reading unit that reads a magnetic stripe of the passbook,
A first step of attempting to recognize a barcode image acquired by the barcode acquisition unit and read a magnetic stripe by the magnetic reading unit in a processing mode suitable for the first passbook set in advance;
When the magnetic stripe can be read in the first step, a second step of determining the first passbook and processing the passbook reading using the barcode image recognition result;
When the magnetic stripe cannot be read in the second step, the third step tries to recognize the barcode image acquired by the barcode acquisition unit by the processing mode suitable for the second passbook;
When the barcode is recognized in the third step, the magnetic reading unit reads the magnetic stripe by the processing mode suitable for the second passbook;
A method for reading a plurality of types of passbooks. A transport section for inhaling the bankbook;
A barcode acquisition unit that acquires the image of the barcode of the passbook;
A magnetic reading unit for reading the magnetic stripe of the bankbook;
When the passbook is inhaled by the transport unit, the barcode image acquired by the barcode acquisition unit is recognized and the magnetic stripe is read by the magnetic reading unit, and the processing mode corresponding to the first passbook is used. Determine if you can read the magnetic stripe,
When reading is possible, the reading of the passbook is processed using the recognition result of the barcode image as the first passbook,
If reading is not possible, determine whether the barcode image can be recognized using the processing mode corresponding to the second passbook,
A controller that reads the passbook as a second passbook if it can be recognized;
A passbook handling device characterized by comprising: In the bankbook handling device according to claim 2,
The said control part performs recognition of the barcode image acquired by the said barcode acquisition part, and reading of the magnetic stripe by the said magnetic reading part at the same timing, The bankbook handling apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. In the bankbook handling device according to claim 2 or 3,
The control unit stores the priority of the processing mode corresponding to the first passbook and the priority of the processing mode corresponding to the second passbook, and determines the order of executing the processing mode according to the priority. A passbook handling device. In the bankbook handling device according to claim 2 to 4,
It has a turn page that turns the page of the bankbook,
The control unit compares the page number obtained from the recognition of the barcode image acquired by the barcode acquisition unit and the page number obtained from the reading of the magnetic stripe by the magnetic reading unit, when they are different, A bankbook handling apparatus for sending a bankbook to the turn page section by the transport section.

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