JP5715022B2 - Medium processing apparatus and medium processing method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a medium processing apparatus and a medium processing method, such as an ATM or a payment machine, for conveying a medium such as inserted money and identifying the authenticity of the medium.

  In a media processing device that transports inserted media such as money and identifies the authenticity of the media, sometimes it is deliberately introduced for foreign matters that are mistakenly inserted with media that can be processed, or for mischief or criminal purposes. The foreign matter thrown into the container sometimes became a problem.

  Specifically, if foreign matter enters the media processing device, the media processing device may become clogged in the conveyance path or the storage unit and stop abnormally, or the sensor or drive unit may be damaged and cause a failure. There is. Furthermore, when foreign matter is stored together with the medium in the medium processing apparatus, the foreign matter is discharged together with the medium to the user, and the user may be injured.

In order to solve such a problem, there has been proposed a technique for detecting a mixed foreign substance or separating the foreign substance from a processable medium and discharging it.
For example, in the coin residue detection device described in Patent Document 1, a coin-type remaining in the coin passage or a coin withdrawal port is inserted by a capacitance-type non-contact sensor provided in the coin passage connected to the coin withdrawal port. It is supposed to detect foreign objects such as fingers and sticks.

  Moreover, in the automatic transaction apparatus of patent document 2, while isolate | separating the foreign material thrown in with the banknote, it image | photographs and displays a foreign material on a screen, and confirms the necessity of return to a user. It is said that foreign substances necessary for the user are safely returned and unnecessary foreign substances are stored inside.

However, even if the capacitance-type non-contact sensor in the coin residual detection device described in Patent Document 1 is provided on the coin inlet side, there is a problem that foreign matters that do not react with the capacitance-type non-contact sensor cannot be detected. .
Moreover, since the automatic transaction apparatus described in Patent Document 2 needs to separate foreign matter, there is a problem that foreign matter that could not be separated is mixed into the conveyance path.

  When the foreign matter is clogged in the conveyance path or the like, the medium processing apparatus stops abnormally, and it is necessary for the attendant to search for and remove the foreign matter that caused the clogging each time. However, since it is unclear what kind of foreign matter is clogged, there is a problem that it takes time and effort for the clerk to remove the foreign matter.

JP 2009-193090 A JP 2007-34936 A

  In view of the above-described problems, the present invention provides a medium processing apparatus and a medium processing method capable of more reliably detecting a foreign object from an input charged by a user and facilitating the removal of the detected foreign object. For the purpose.

The present invention includes a transport unit that transports an input material that has been thrown in, a light emitting unit that emits illumination light toward the transported product that has been transported, and a reflected light in which the illumination light of the light emitting unit is reflected by the input material. Receiving means for photographing the input material, storage means for storing a photographed image of the input material photographed by the photographing means, and the input material based on the outline of the input material extracted from the photographed image. Foreign matter identifying means for determining whether the medium is a processable medium, and for identifying the input substance as a foreign object and outputting a foreign object image indicating the shape of the foreign object if the input is not the processable medium And a foreign substance size calculating means for calculating the size of the foreign substance based on the foreign substance image, and the display means together with the foreign substance image Display Characterized in that it is a formed with the media processing device.
In addition, a transport unit that transports the input material that has been thrown in, a light emitting unit that emits illumination light toward the transported product that has been transported, and a reflected light reflected by the input material by the illumination light of the light emitting unit Then, the image pickup means for photographing the input material, the storage means for storing the photographed image of the input material photographed by the photographing means, and the input material can be processed based on the outline of the input material extracted from the photographed image. Foreign matter identifying means for determining whether or not the input material is a processable medium, and identifying the input material as a foreign material and outputting a foreign material image indicating the shape of the foreign material; Display means for displaying the foreign object image, and a second threshold value indicating that the storage means is close to a perfect circle and a second threshold value indicating a perfect circle with respect to a perfect circle index indicating the true circularity. A threshold value, and the foreign matter identifying means , An index calculation process for calculating the perfect circle index of the input based on the outline of the input extracted from the captured image, at least one of the first threshold and the second threshold, and the input of the input Compared with the perfect circle index to determine whether or not the input is a processable medium, and if the input is not a processable medium, the determination process that the input is a foreign object, When the input is not a processable medium, the medium processing apparatus is configured to execute a foreign object shape output process for outputting a foreign object image indicating the shape of the foreign object.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a medium processing apparatus and a medium processing method that can detect foreign matter more reliably from the input material that is put in by the user and can easily remove the detected foreign matter.

The block diagram which shows the structure of a money handling apparatus. The block diagram which shows the internal structure of a money handling apparatus. The top view which shows the planar view of the optical detection part in a money identification part. The side view which shows the side view of the light emission part and imaging | photography part in a money identification part. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of a coin process. The flowchart which shows the operation | movement of an input identification process. Explanatory drawing explaining a 1st picked-up image. Explanatory drawing explaining a 2nd picked-up image. Explanatory drawing explaining a 3rd picked-up image. A foreign matter guidance screen showing a screen on which a foreign matter image is displayed on the second operation / display unit. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of a banknote process. The flowchart which shows the operation | movement of an input identification process.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  1 shows a configuration diagram of the money processing apparatus 10 (medium processing apparatus), FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the internal configuration of the money processing apparatus 10, and FIG. 3 is a plan view of the optical detection unit 21 in the money identification unit 12. FIG. 4 shows a side view of the light emitting unit 22 (light emitting unit) and the imaging unit 23 (imaging unit) in the money identifying unit 12.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the money handling apparatus 10 connects a deposit / withdrawal mechanism unit 11, a currency identification unit 12, a denomination storage unit 13, a collective currency storage unit 14, a detachable money storage unit 15, and each unit. Thus, the transport path 16 (transport means) for transporting money (processable medium) is configured. In addition, the conveyance path 16 is conveying money in the conveyance direction C shown by the arrow in FIG.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the money handling apparatus 10 includes a deposit / withdrawal mechanism unit 11, a currency identification unit 12, a denomination storage unit 13, a collective currency storage unit 14, a detachable money storage unit 15, a transporter. The mechanism unit 17, the storage unit 18 (storage unit), the first operation / display unit 19, the second operation / display unit 25 (display unit), and the control unit 20 (foreign substance identification unit).

The deposit / withdrawal mechanism unit 11 has a function of accepting the input of money and sending it to the transport path 16 and a function of discharging the money transported from the transport path 16.
The money identifying unit 12 includes an optical detecting unit 21, a light emitting unit 22, a photographing unit 23, and a magnetic detecting unit 24, and acquires and controls information for identifying the authenticity of the inserted money and the denomination. The function of outputting to the unit 20 is provided.

  The optical detection unit 21 is configured by a transmissive optical sensor, and sandwiches the light-emitting unit 21a and the light-receiving unit 21b between the conveyance path 16 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the conveyance direction C of the conveyance path 16 as shown in FIG. The sensor light S is emitted from the light emitting unit 21a toward the light receiving unit 21b. The optical detection unit 21 has a function of detecting the passage of money and outputting a detection signal to the control unit 20.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the light emitting units 22 are configured in pairs, and are arranged above the transport path 16 so as to be able to irradiate illumination light La (illumination light) toward substantially the same position on the transport path 16. At the same time, it has a function of emitting the illumination light La toward the money on the transport path 16 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 20.

  The imaging unit 23 is composed of a CCD camera, and is disposed between the light emitting units 22 and above the light emitting units 22 as shown in FIG. 4, and the reflection of the illumination light La reflected by money on the transport path 16. It has a function of receiving light Lb (reflected light) and photographing money on the conveyance path 16.

The magnetic detection unit 24 includes a magnetic sensor or the like, and has a function of detecting the magnetism of money on the conveyance path 16.
Note that the light emitting unit 22, the imaging unit 23, and the magnetic detection unit 24 are arranged at positions separated from the optical detection unit 21 in the transport direction C.

The denomination accommodation unit 13 has a function of separating money for each denomination according to instructions from the control unit 20 and a function of sending out money to the transport path 16 for each denomination.
The money batch storage unit 14 has a function of batch storing money that cannot be stored in the denomination storage unit 13 without sorting by denomination, and a function of sending money to the transport path 16 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 20. have.

  The detachable money storage unit 15 is detachable from the money handling apparatus 10 and has a function of storing money for replenishment and money to be collected and sending money to the transport path 16 according to an instruction from the control unit 20. doing.

  The transport mechanism unit 17 appropriately controls a drive motor or the like according to a transport destination in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 20 on the transport path 16 configured by a plurality of transport belts, transport rollers, and drive motors. It has a function to switch.

  The storage unit 18 stores various programs such as various programs such as a control program for each unit and a currency identification program, denomination data, a reference template image for each denomination described later, and a threshold value for a perfect circle index.

  The first operation / display unit 19 includes a touch panel and the like, and has a function of displaying operation guidance and a menu for the user of the money handling apparatus 10 and a function of receiving a user's operation.

  The second operation / display unit 25 is configured by a touch panel or the like, and is disposed in a maintenance door of the money handling apparatus 10. The second operation / display unit 25 has a function of displaying information indicating an operation status, various error information, and the like, and a staff member's operation. It has a receiving mechanism.

  The control unit 20 includes a CPU and a memory, and has a function of executing various programs read from the storage unit 18 and a function of controlling each unit connected via a predetermined bus.

With the money handling apparatus 10 having the above-described configuration, it is possible to more reliably detect a foreign object from an input charged by a user and to easily remove the detected foreign object.
Specifically, the case where the money that can be processed in the money handling apparatus 10 is the coin 30 (measurable medium) will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  5 shows a flowchart of the coin processing operation, FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of the input identification processing operation, and FIG. 7 shows an explanatory diagram for explaining the first captured image 51 (captured image). 8 shows an explanatory diagram for explaining the second photographed image 52, FIG. 9 shows an explanatory diagram for explaining the third photographed image 53, and FIG. 10 shows a foreign object image 55 (foreign substance image) as a second operation / display unit. 25 shows the foreign matter guidance screen 54 displayed on the screen.

  7, 8, and 9, (a) shows a photographed image of the input material photographed by the photographing unit 23, and (b) shows a contour image of the input material extracted by the contour extraction processing. .

  First, when the deposit / withdrawal mechanism unit 11 receives an input charged by the user, the control unit 20 starts a coin process as shown in FIG. 5 and controls the transport mechanism unit 17 to identify the input currency. While being conveyed to the unit 12, an imaging process is performed in which the imaging unit 23 images the input detected by the optical detection unit 21 (step S101).

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, when an input material (here, the coin 30 is illustrated) on the conveyance path 16 reaches the optical detection unit 21, the light emitting unit 21 a is directed toward the light receiving unit 21 b. The irradiating sensor light S is blocked. Thereby, the optical detection part 21 detects arrival of an input.

  When the optical detection unit 21 detects the input, the light emitting unit 22 emits the illumination light La toward the input according to an instruction from the control unit 20. Further, according to an instruction from the control unit 20, the imaging unit 23 receives the reflected light Lb and images the input item. And according to the instruction | indication of the control part 20, the memory | storage part 18 memorize | stores the picked-up image which image | photographed the input material.

Here, it is assumed that three types of photographed images as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 are obtained as photographed images obtained by photographing the input material introduced by the user.
As shown in FIG. 7A, the first captured image 51 is not a coin 30 that can be processed by the money handling apparatus 10, but a clip 40 (foreign matter) that stops a document or the like is oblique to the conveyance direction C. Shooting in a tilted state.

As shown in FIG. 8A, the second photographed image 52 is photographed in a state where a part of the clip 40 is overlapped so as to protrude from the coin 30.
As shown in FIG. 9A, the third photographed image 53 is photographed in a state where the clip 40 overlaps without protruding from the coin 30.

  Next, the control unit 20 determines whether or not the input is a processable coin 30 based on the outline of the input extracted from the photographed image, and executes an input identification process for identifying the presence or absence of a foreign object ( Step S102).

First, as shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 20 executes a contour extraction process for extracting the contour of the input product from the captured image (step S <b> 201).
Specifically, the control unit 20 converts the photographed image into a binarized image, traces the boundary between the binarized image input and the conveyance path 16 as the background, and extracts the outline of the input Create the contour image.

For example, the first contour image 51a obtained by extracting the contour of the input from the first photographed image 51 displays a substantially rectangular contour 41 as shown in FIG.
Further, the second contour image 52a obtained by extracting the contour of the input material from the second photographed image 52 includes a substantially circular contour line 32 and a part of the contour line 32, as shown in FIG. Shows a contour line 42 protruding in a substantially convex shape.
Further, the third contour image 53a obtained by extracting the contour of the input from the third photographed image 53 displays a substantially circular contour line 33 as shown in FIG. 9B.

Thereafter, the control unit 20 calculates a perfect circle index indicating how close the input material is to the perfect circle based on the contour line extracted from the contour image (step S202).
Specifically, first, virtual plane coordinates are formed on the contour image with the horizontal direction (conveying direction C) of the contour image as the X axis and the direction orthogonal to the X axis, that is, the vertical direction of the contour image as the Y axis. .

  Then, a midpoint of a line connecting two outermost points having the same Y coordinate with respect to the extracted contour line is calculated. Similarly, a midpoint at a plurality of different Y coordinates is calculated. After that, the mode value of the X coordinate is calculated from the X coordinate of each midpoint, and the value obtained by dividing the frequency at the mode value of the X coordinate by the number of outermost points from which the midpoint is calculated is obtained. Use as an indicator.

  In addition, when the middle point group having the mode value of the X coordinate is illustrated, in the case of the first contour image 51a, the diagonal of the contour 41 is substantially crank-shaped as shown by the broken line in FIG. It is illustrated in a line shape connected to Further, in the case of the second contour image 52a, as shown by a broken line in FIG. 8B, the second contour image 52a is illustrated as a line extending slightly longer than the radius in the Y-axis direction through the approximate center of the contour line 32. . Further, in the case of the third contour image 53a, as shown by a broken line in FIG. 9B, the third contour image 53a is illustrated as a line extending in the Y-axis direction with a length substantially equal to the diameter of the contour line 33.

  Further, the Y-coordinate perfect circle index is calculated in the same manner as the X-coordinate perfect circle index. A value obtained by adding the true circle index of the Y coordinate to the true circle index of the X coordinate is set as the true circle index of the input. Note that the perfect circle index of the input is maximized when the outline of the input is a perfect circle.

  Here, the perfect circle index of the input in the first captured image 51 is temporarily set to “0.1”, the perfect circle index of the input in the second captured image 52 is temporarily set to “0.6”, and the third The perfect circle index of the input in the photographed image 53 is assumed to be “0.9”.

When the true circle index is calculated, the control unit 20 reads the first threshold value and the second threshold value for the true circle index from the storage unit 18 and compares them with the true circle index of the input.
The first threshold is a value indicating that the perfect circle index is far from the perfect circle, and is assumed to be “0.5” here. On the other hand, the second threshold value is a value indicating that the true circle index is close to a perfect circle, and is substantially equal to the true circle index of the processable coin 30, and is assumed to be “0.8” here.

  First, the control unit 20 compares and determines the first threshold value and the true circle index of the input (step S203). If the true circle index of the input is less than or equal to the first threshold “0.5” (step S203: Yes), it is determined that the input of the captured image is not a coin 30 that can be processed but a foreign object (step S204). Thereafter, the control unit 20 outputs the captured image as a foreign object image (step S205), and ends the identification process.

  That is, since the true circle index of the input in the first captured image 51 is “0.1”, the clip 40 that is the input in the first captured image 51 is determined as a foreign object. And the control part 20 outputs the 1st picked-up image 51 as a foreign material image.

  On the other hand, if the true circle index of the input is larger than the first threshold value “0.5” in step S203 (step S203: No), the control unit 20 compares and determines the true circle index of the input and the second threshold value. (Step S206).

  If the true circle index of the input is equal to or less than the second threshold “0.8” (step S206: Yes), the control unit 20 is an input including foreign matter such as overlapping in a state of protruding from the coin 30. It identifies and determines as a foreign material (step S207).

  That is, since the true circle index of the input in the second captured image 52 is “0.6”, the input in the second captured image 52 includes the coin 30 but is identified as a foreign object.

Thereafter, the control unit 20 extracts a foreign object shape from the captured image and executes a foreign object shape extraction process for outputting the foreign object shape as a foreign object image (step S208).
Specifically, in the contour image, the connection point between the contour line constituted by the outermost point that has become the mode value of the middle point and the contour line constituted by the outermost point other than the mode value of the middle point, There is a high possibility that it is an inflection point in the outline of the input and a connection point between the coin 30 and the foreign object.

  Therefore, the control unit 20 performs edge extraction processing on the captured image using an edge extraction filter, and traces from the point having a high edge component toward the center of the captured image, starting from the connection point, and extracts the shape of the foreign matter. . Thereafter, the control unit 20 outputs the extracted shape of the foreign matter as a foreign matter image, and ends the identification process.

  For example, in the case of the second captured image 52 determined to be a foreign object, as shown in FIG. 8B, an outline 32a indicated by a solid line with the outermost point group having the most frequent value of the middle point; Two points where the outermost point group other than the mode value at the middle point is in contact with the contour line 32b indicated by a one-dot chain line are defined as connection points P1 and P2.

  The two connection points P1 and P2 are set as the trace start point candidates, and the center of the photographed image starts at the connection point P2 on the side where the change rate of the contour direction is large, that is, the side where the clip 40 protrudes from the coin 30. The edge component is traced to extract the shape of the clip 40 that is a foreign object.

  On the other hand, if the perfect circle index of the input is larger than the second threshold value “0.8” in step S206 (step S206: No), the control unit 20 in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction from the outline of the input. The length of the input is acquired, and the length in the X-axis direction is compared with the length in the Y-axis direction (step S209).

  This is because even if the true circle index of the input is a value close to a perfect circle, it may not be a coin 30 that can be processed. For example, if the target is a rectangle or an ellipse in the X-axis and Y-axis directions, the perfect circle index shows a value close to a perfect circle. Therefore, by comparing the lengths in the X-axis and Y-axis directions, it is determined whether or not the coin 30 can be processed.

  If the difference between the length in the X-axis direction and the length in the Y-axis direction is large (step S209: Yes), the control unit 20 identifies that the input image of the captured image is not circular and determines it as a foreign object (step S204). . And the control part 20 outputs a picked-up image as a foreign material image (step S205), and complete | finishes an input material identification process.

  On the other hand, if the difference between the length in the X-axis direction and the length in the Y-axis direction is small (step S209: No), the control unit 20 has a circular shape that is substantially equivalent to the coin 30 that can process the shape of the input. judge.

  That is, since the perfect circle index of the input in the third captured image 53 is “0.9” and the difference between the length in the X-axis direction and the length in the Y-axis direction is small, the control unit 20 determines the input It is determined that the circle shape is equivalent to the coin 30.

  And the control part 20 performs the money type identification process by template matching with the reference | standard template image memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 18, and a picked-up image (step S210).

  Specifically, the control unit 20 selects a reference template image that approximates the lengths in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. Then, template matching is performed so that the angle of the reference template is sequentially changed with respect to the photographed image so as to be superimposed. Thereafter, the control unit 20 determines whether or not there is a denomination corresponding to the input of the captured image (step S211).

  If there is no corresponding denomination (step S211: No), the control unit 20 determines that there is no corresponding denomination in the photographed image, and ends the input identifying process.

  On the other hand, if there is a corresponding denomination (step S211: Yes), the control unit 20 executes a difference amount calculation process for calculating a difference amount of pixels in the reference template image of the corresponding denomination and the captured image (step S21). S212).

Specifically, the control unit 20 matches the front and back of the reference template image of the corresponding denomination and the angle with the photographed image, obtains the absolute value of the difference in each pixel, and calculates the sum of the absolute values as the difference amount. To do. Thereafter, the control unit 20 determines based on the difference amount (step S213).
If the difference amount is large (step S213: No), the control unit 20 identifies that the foreign matter is mixed in the input of the captured image, and determines that the input of the captured image is a foreign matter (step S214). And the control part 20 traces the pixel component with a large difference amount from a picked-up image, and extracts the shape of a foreign material (step S215). Thereafter, the control unit 20 outputs the extracted shape of the foreign matter as a foreign matter image, and ends the identification process.

  That is, in the case of the third captured image 53 that is determined to have a substantially equivalent circular shape to the coin 30, the area of the coin 30 that is hidden by the clip 40 is small, so the denomination is determined by the denomination identifying process. However, in the difference amount calculation process, since the difference amount increases by the amount of the clip 40, the control unit 20 determines that foreign matter is mixed in the input of the captured image, and from the difference amount, the clip 40 that is a foreign matter is determined. Extract the shape.

  On the other hand, if the difference amount is small in step S213 (step S213: Yes), the control unit 20 determines that the input of the captured image is a coin 30 that can be processed by the money handling apparatus 10 (step S216). Then, the input identification process is terminated.

  Returning to step S102 of FIG. 5, when the input identification process is completed, the control unit 20 determines the result of the input identification process (step S103). When it is determined in the input identification process that the input is not a foreign object (step S103: No), the control unit 20 is a coin 30 that can be processed if it is an input with the corresponding denomination. Then, the input is stored in the denomination storage unit 13, and if the input does not have the corresponding denomination, a normal process such as returning it as a coin that cannot be processed is performed (step S104).

  On the other hand, when the input is determined to be a foreign object (step S103: Yes), the control unit 20 outputs a control signal for stopping the processing and stopping the transfer of the input to each unit. In response to an instruction from the control unit 20, the transport mechanism unit 17 controls the drive motor and the like to stop the transfer of the input material. Further, in response to an instruction from the control unit 20, the first operation / display unit 19 displays a message instructing the user to call an attendant together with a message indicating an abnormality.

  Further, the control unit 20 calculates the length of the foreign matter in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction based on the foreign matter image output in the input identification process (step S106). Then, according to an instruction from the control unit 20, the second operation / display unit 25 displays the foreign object image 55 and the foreign object guidance screen 54 displaying the length of the foreign object (step S107). Thereafter, the control unit 20 ends the coin process.

  The foreign object guide screen 54 includes a foreign object image 55 showing the shape of the clip 40 that is a foreign object, the length of the clip 40 in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, and “the possibility that foreign objects are mixed in the apparatus. Please remove it as it may cause a failure. Please search the above and outside of the transport path referring to the shape and size of the above figure.

  Then, the clerk confirms the foreign matter guidance screen 54 displayed on the second operation / display unit 25 and removes the foreign matter corresponding to the displayed shape and size, that is, the clip 40 from the money handling apparatus 10. Note that the control unit 20 resumes the coin processing when the staff presses the reset button or the like.

  The money handling apparatus 10 and the money handling method that realize the above-described operation make it possible to reliably detect a clip 40 that is a foreign object from an input material that a user has thrown in and to easily remove the detected clip 40. Can do.

  Specifically, the light emitting unit 22, the photographing unit 23, and the storage unit 18 can record as a photographed image no matter what input is conveyed. That is, even when the clip 40 itself that cannot be processed by the money handling apparatus 10 or when the processable coin 30 and the clip 40 are simultaneously conveyed, the input can be stored as a photographed image.

  And in order to determine whether it is the coin 30 which can be processed based on the outline of an input by the input identification process which the control part 20 performs, the money processing apparatus 10 is based on the input which the user injected. The clip 40 can be reliably detected as a foreign object. Thereby, the money handling apparatus 10 can stop conveyance of an input material, and can prevent that a clogging or damage to an apparatus arises in the conveyance path 16 grade | etc.,.

  Then, by displaying the foreign object image 55 on the second operation / display unit 25, the shape of the clip 40 mixed into the attendant can be easily transmitted. That is, the attendant can easily remove the clip 40 from the money handling apparatus 10.

  Furthermore, even if the clip 40 is dropped from the transport path 16 or the like, the attendant can easily determine whether or not the dropped clip 40 is a foreign matter that has caused the transport to stop.

  Therefore, the money handling apparatus 10 can reliably detect the clip 40 that is a foreign object from the input material that the user has input, and can easily remove the detected clip 40.

  Further, by displaying the foreign object image 55 and the size of the clip 40 on the second operation / display unit 25, the money handling apparatus 10 can notify not only the shape of the clip 40 but also the size of the clip 40 to the staff. it can. Thereby, the clerk can more easily search for the clip 40 from the shape and size displayed on the second operation / display unit 25, and can quickly remove the clip 40 which is a foreign object.

  Therefore, the money handling apparatus 10 reliably detects the clip 40 from the input that the user has inserted, and displays the shape and size of the clip 40 on the second operation / display unit 25, thereby detecting the detected clip 40. Can be more easily removed.

  Further, the true circle index of the input is compared with at least one of the first threshold and the second threshold to determine whether or not the input is a processable coin 30 and the input can be processed. If it is not the coin 30, the clip 40 can be reliably detected from the input by determining the input as a foreign object and outputting the foreign object image 55 indicating the shape of the foreign object.

  Specifically, when the money that can be processed is the coin 30, the possibility that the input image of the captured image is a foreign object increases as it is not circular. That is, by comparing the perfect circle index of the input with at least one of the first threshold value and the second threshold value, and determining how close the input is to a circular shape, It can be determined whether or not the coin 30 can be processed.

  Therefore, when the money that can be processed is the coin 30, the money handling apparatus 10 determines whether or not the coin 30 can be processed from the true circle index of the input, so that the money input from the user can be determined. The clip 40 can be reliably detected, and removal of the detected clip 40 can be facilitated.

  More specifically, the true circle index of the input is compared with the first threshold, and if the true circle index is equal to or less than the first threshold, it is determined that the foreign object is not the processable coin 30 and the input By outputting the captured image as the foreign object image 55, the foreign object can be reliably detected from the input.

  For example, in the case of the first photographed image 51, since the true circle index of the input is less than or equal to the first threshold value, the money handling apparatus 10 is not likely to be a circular shape and is not a processable coin 30. Can be determined. Thereby, the money handling apparatus 10 can identify the clip 40 which is the input in the first captured image 51 as a foreign object.

  Therefore, the money handling apparatus 10 can reliably detect the clip 40 from the input of the first photographed image 51 and can easily remove the detected clip 40.

  If the true circle index of the input is between the first threshold value and the second threshold value, the input object is set as a foreign object, and a foreign object image 55 obtained by extracting the shape of the foreign object by performing edge processing on the captured image is output. By doing so, it is possible to reliably detect an input that has a certain circular outline but is not a treatable coin 30 as a foreign object.

  For example, in the case of the second photographed image 52, since the true circle index of the input is between the first threshold value and the second threshold value, the money handling apparatus 10 has a circular outline with a certain amount of input. However, since it is different from the true circle index of the coin 30, it can be determined that the coin 30 is not processable.

  Then, edge processing is performed on the photographed image, and a portion having a high edge component is traced from the connection point of the contour line to extract the shape of the clip 40, whereby the clip 40 that is a foreign object like the second photographed image 52 is obtained. The clip 40 can be reliably detected as a foreign object even in a state where it overlaps the coin 30 so that a part of the clip protrudes.

  Thereby, the money handling apparatus 10 can display the shape of the clip 40 on the second operation / display unit 25. Then, the clerk can easily remove the clip 40 based on the shape of the clip 40 displayed on the second operation / display unit 25.

Moreover, since the coin 30 partially deformed can be similarly detected as a foreign object, it is possible to prevent clogging or damage to equipment in the money handling apparatus 10.
Therefore, the money handling apparatus 10 can reliably detect the clip 40 from the input in a state of being overlapped with the coin 30 so that a part of the clip 40 that is a foreign object protrudes, and can easily remove the clip 40. .

  In addition, if the perfect circle index of the input is compared with the second threshold, and the true circle index is equal to or less than the second threshold and the difference between the photographed image of the input and the reference template is large, the input is determined. By determining the foreign object and outputting the foreign object image 55 obtained by extracting the shape of the foreign object from the reference template image and the difference between the pixels in the captured image, the money handling apparatus 10 overlaps the processable coin 30 and the foreign object. Even in the case of being transported in a state where it is conveyed, it is possible to reliably detect foreign matter.

  For example, in the case of the third photographed image 53, since the true circle index of the input is less than or equal to the second threshold value, the input may be a coin 30 that has a circular shape close to a perfect circle and can be processed. high. However, there is also a possibility of a metal plate having the same size, or an input in which foreign matter overlaps the coin 30.

  Therefore, the money handling apparatus 10 determines whether or not the input is a coin 30 that can be processed by so-called template matching, which compares the photographed image with the reference template image, and determines whether or not foreign matter is overlapped. Can be determined. Thereby, the overlapping clip 40 can be detected without protruding from the coin 30.

  Then, by tracing the pixels having a large difference amount and extracting the shape of the clip 40, the money handling apparatus 10 clips the second operation / display unit 25 even if the clip 40 overlaps the processable coin 30. 40 shapes can be displayed. Therefore, the clerk can easily remove the clip 40 based on the shape of the clip 40 displayed on the second operation / display unit 25.

  Therefore, the money handling apparatus 10 can reliably detect the clip 40 from the input material conveyed in a state where the processable coin 30 and the clip 40 overlap each other, and can easily remove the detected clip 40. .

  In Example 1 described above, the true circle index of the input is a value obtained by adding the true circle index of the Y coordinate to the true circle index of the X coordinate. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the maximum diameter of the input The roundness that is the difference between the minimum diameters may be set, the first threshold value may be a value that makes the roundness high, and the second threshold value may be a value that makes the roundness small. At this time, the second threshold value is preferably set to a value substantially equal to the roundness of the processable coin 30.

  Accordingly, if the true circle index is greater than or equal to the first threshold value in step S203 of FIG. 6, the input is determined to be a foreign object, and if the true circle index is greater than or equal to the second threshold value in step S206, the input is determined to be a foreign object. Can be determined.

  Further, the magnetic detection unit 24 detects the magnetic output of the input determined to be a foreign object, and a foreign object that may cause a failure such as clogging, such as a clip 40, and a foreign object that does not cause a failure such as cotton dust. In the case of a foreign object that does not cause a failure, the money handling apparatus 10 may not be stopped or another process may be performed.

Moreover, although the foreign material is the clip 40, the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be a deformed coin, a metal piece, or a paper piece, which may cause a trouble such as clogging.
Further, although the first threshold value is “0.5” and the second threshold value is “0.8”, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be an appropriate numerical value according to a processable medium. Note that the second threshold value is preferably substantially equal to the perfect circle index of the processable medium.

As another example, the case where the money that can be processed in the money handling apparatus 10 is a banknote (processable medium) will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12.
11 shows a flowchart of the bill processing operation, and FIG. 12 shows a flowchart of the input identification processing operation.

The money handling apparatus 10 has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and the same reference numerals are given and detailed description thereof is omitted.
First, when the deposit / withdrawal mechanism unit 11 receives an input charged by the user, the control unit 20 starts a bill process as shown in FIG. 11 and executes an input photographing process (step S301). Since this input photographing process is the same as that in step S201 in FIG.

  Next, the control unit 20 determines whether or not the input is a bill that can be processed based on the outline of the input extracted from the photographed image, and executes an input identification process for identifying the presence or absence of a foreign object (step). S302).

  First, as shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 20 executes a contour extraction process for extracting the contour of the input product from the photographed image (step S <b> 401). The contour extraction process is the same as that in step S201 in FIG.

Thereafter, the control unit 20 calculates the size of the input of the captured image based on the contour extracted from the captured image (step S402).
Specifically, first, virtual plane coordinates are formed on the contour image with the horizontal direction (conveying direction C) of the contour image as the X axis and the direction orthogonal to the X axis, that is, the vertical direction of the contour image as the Y axis. . Then, the absolute value of the length of the extracted contour in the X-axis direction and the absolute value of the length in the Y-axis direction are calculated. That is, the size of a rectangle circumscribing the input is calculated.

  Then, the control unit 20 makes a determination based on the calculated lengths in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction (step S403). If the length in the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction is smaller than a bill that can be processed (step S403: No), the control unit 20 detects the magnetic output of the input by the magnetic detection unit 24 (step S404).

  If the magnetic output of the input is smaller than the bill that can be processed (step S404: No), the control unit 20 identifies that the input is not a bill but a foreign matter such as a receipt or a sticky note. And according to the instruction | indication of the control part 20, while the conveyance mechanism part 17 reverses the conveyance direction C, the deposit or withdrawal mechanism part 11 discharge | releases an input as a foreign material (step S405). Thereafter, the control unit 20 ends the input product identification process.

  On the other hand, if the magnetic output of the input is larger than the bill that can be processed (step S404: Yes), the control unit 20 determines that the object is a foreign object such as the clip 40 (step S406). Thereafter, the control unit 20 outputs the captured image as a foreign object image and ends the identification process.

  In step S403, if the length in the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction is larger than the bill that can be processed (step S403: Yes), the control unit 20 executes denomination identification processing as normal processing (step S407). . And the control part 20 determines the authenticity of an input based on the result of a money type identification process (step S408).

  If there is no corresponding denomination (step S408: No), the control part 20 will determine with it not being a banknote which can process an input, and will complete | finish an input identification process.

  On the other hand, if there is a corresponding denomination (step S408: Yes), the control unit 20 determines that the banknote can be processed (step S409), and ends the input identification process.

  Returning to step S302 of FIG. 11, when the input identification process is completed, the control unit 20 determines the result of the input identification process (step S303). If it is determined in the input identification process that the input is not a foreign object (step S303: No), the control unit 20 sorts the denomination for each denomination and stores the banknote in the denomination storage unit 13 if the banknote can be processed. If it is a banknote that cannot be processed without the corresponding denomination, normal processing such as return is performed (step S304).

  On the other hand, when the input is determined to be a foreign object (step S303: Yes), the control unit 20 outputs a control signal for stopping the processing and stopping the transfer of the input to each unit. In response to an instruction from the control unit 20, the transport mechanism unit 17 controls the drive motor and the like to stop the transfer of the input material. Further, in response to an instruction from the control unit 20, the first operation / display unit 19 displays a message instructing the user to call an attendant together with a message indicating an abnormality.

  Further, according to an instruction from the control unit 20, the second operation / display unit 25 displays a foreign object image and a foreign object guidance screen displaying the length of the foreign object (step S306). Thereafter, the control unit 20 ends the bill processing.

  Then, the clerk confirms the foreign matter guidance screen displayed on the second display / operation unit, and removes the foreign matter corresponding to the displayed shape and size from the money handling apparatus 10. In addition, the control part 20 restarts a banknote process because an attendant presses a reset button etc. FIG.

  The money handling apparatus 10 and the money handling method that realize the above-described operation can reliably detect a foreign substance from an input charged by a user and can easily remove the detected foreign substance.

  Specifically, the light emitting unit 22, the photographing unit 23, and the storage unit 18 can record as a photographed image no matter what input is conveyed. That is, even if the foreign material itself that cannot be processed by the money handling apparatus 10 or the banknote and foreign material that can be processed are conveyed simultaneously, the input can be stored as a photographed image.

  And by the input identification process which the control part 20 performs, an input is compared by comparing the length of the X-axis direction of the input extracted from a picked-up image and the Y-axis direction, and the length of the banknote which can be processed. In order to determine whether or not it is a bill that can be processed, the money handling apparatus 10 can reliably detect a foreign object from the input material that the user has input. Thereby, the money handling apparatus 10 can stop conveyance of an input material, and can prevent that a clogging or damage to an apparatus arises in the conveyance path 16 grade | etc.,.

  Then, by displaying the foreign object image on the second operation / display unit 25, the shape of the foreign object mixed in the staff can be easily transmitted. That is, the clerk can easily remove foreign substances from the money handling apparatus 10.

  Furthermore, even if a foreign object falls from the conveyance path 16 or the like, the attendant can easily determine whether or not the dropped foreign object is the foreign material that caused the transportation to stop.

  Therefore, the money handling apparatus 10 can reliably detect foreign matter from the input material that the user has thrown in and can easily remove the detected foreign matter.

  Further, by displaying the foreign object image and the size of the foreign object on the second operation / display unit 25, the money handling apparatus 10 can transmit not only the shape of the foreign object but also the size of the foreign object to the attendant. As a result, the clerk can more easily find a foreign object from the shape and size displayed on the second operation / display unit 25, and can quickly remove the foreign object.

  Therefore, the money handling apparatus 10 reliably detects the foreign matter from the input thrown by the user, and displays the shape and size of the foreign matter on the second operation / display unit 25, thereby removing the detected foreign matter. It can be made easier.

In the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above, the money processing apparatus 10 in which the processable medium is money is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the processable medium is a circle like a medal of a gaming machine. It may be a rectangular medium such as a shaped medium or a passport ticket.
Moreover, although it divided into the processable coin 30 and the banknote and demonstrated, it is not limited to this, The medium processing apparatus which uses both a circular shaped medium and a rectangular medium as a processable medium may be sufficient.

  Further, the currency identification unit 12 is a conveyance path 16 (conveyance mechanism unit 17), a light emitting unit 22, a photographing unit 23, a second operation / display unit 25, a storage unit 18 is a different storage unit, and a control unit that controls these units. It is good also as a structure built into conveyance paths, such as an automatic transaction apparatus, as a medium processing apparatus comprised.

  Further, the outline of the input outline image extracted from the photographed image may be emphasized and displayed on the second operation / display unit 25 as a foreign object image. Alternatively, the shape of the extracted foreign matter may be emphasized or displayed on the second operation / display unit 25 in color. In addition, the foreign object image may be displayed on the second operation / display unit 25 while being superimposed on the captured image.

Moreover, although the optical detection part 21 which detects a coin was used as the transmission optical sensor, a reflection optical sensor, a proximity sensor, etc. may be sufficient. Furthermore, the optical detection unit 21 may be arranged above the conveyance path 16 to detect the input from above.
Moreover, although the light emission part 22 was set as the structure which light-emits when the optical detection part 21 detects an input material, it is not limited to this, It is good also as a structure which always light-emits.

  Further, although the CCD camera is used as the photographing unit 23, the present invention is not limited to this, and other image sensors may be used. Further, instead of the two-dimensional image sensor, a one-dimensional image sensor may be used to obtain a two-dimensional image by photographing at every fixed conveyance distance.

  The present invention can be applied to various apparatuses such as an automatic transaction apparatus and a fee settlement apparatus that accept and process a substantially circular medium or a substantially rectangular medium.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Money processing apparatus 16 ... Conveyance path 18 ... Memory | storage part 20 ... Control part 22 ... Light emission part 23 ... Shooting part 25 ... 2nd operation and display part 30 ... Coin 40 ... Clip 51 ... 1st picked-up image 52 ... 2nd The third captured image 55 ... Foreign object image La ... Illumination light Lb ... Reflected light

Claims (7)

Transport means for transporting the input material,
A light emitting means for emitting illumination light toward the transported article,
Imaging means for photographing the input by receiving the reflected light reflected by the input by the illumination light of the light emitting means;
Storage means for storing a photographed image of the input object photographed by the photographing means;
It is determined whether the input is a processable medium based on the outline of the input extracted from the photographed image. If the input is not the processable medium, the input is identified as a foreign object. And foreign matter identifying means for outputting a foreign matter image indicating the shape of the foreign matter,
Display means for displaying the foreign object image ;
A foreign matter size calculating means for calculating the size of the foreign matter based on the foreign matter image,
The display means;
A medium processing apparatus configured to display a size of the foreign matter together with the foreign matter image . Transport means for transporting the input material,
A light emitting means for emitting illumination light toward the transported article,
Imaging means for photographing the input by receiving the reflected light reflected by the input by the illumination light of the light emitting means;
Storage means for storing a photographed image of the input object photographed by the photographing means;
It is determined whether the input is a processable medium based on the outline of the input extracted from the photographed image. If the input is not the processable medium, the input is identified as a foreign object. And foreign matter identifying means for outputting a foreign matter image indicating the shape of the foreign matter,
Display means for displaying the foreign object image ,
In the storage means,
Storing a first threshold value indicating that it is far from a perfect circle and a second threshold value indicating that it is close to a perfect circle with respect to a true circle index indicating the trueness of a perfect circle;
The foreign matter identifying means,
An index calculation process for calculating the perfect circle index of the input based on the outline of the input extracted from the captured image;
By comparing at least one of the first threshold value and the second threshold value and the perfect circle index of the input material, it is determined whether the input material is a processable medium, and the input material is If it is not a processable medium, a determination process in which the input is a foreign object,
A medium processing apparatus configured to execute a foreign object shape output process of outputting a foreign object image indicating the shape of the foreign object when the input is not a processable medium. The determination process is
The true circle index of the input is compared with the first threshold, and if the true circle index is a value indicating that the true circle index is farther from the perfect circle than the first threshold, it is determined that the medium is not a processable medium. And a configuration in which the input is a foreign substance,
The foreign object shape output process,
The medium processing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein a photographed image of the input is output as a foreign object image. The determination process is
If the true circle index of the input is compared with the first threshold value and the second threshold value and the true circle index is between the first threshold value and the second threshold value, the medium is not a processable medium. And having the input as a foreign substance,
The foreign object shape output process,
4. The medium processing according to claim 2 , wherein edge processing is performed on the captured image, and a foreign object image obtained by tracing a portion having a high edge component from the inflection point of the contour and extracting the shape of the foreign object is output. apparatus. In the storage means,
Storing a reference template image taken of at least one of the processable media;
The determination process is
If the true circle index of the input is compared with the second threshold and the true circle index is a value indicating that it is closer to a perfect circle than the second threshold,
The captured image of the input and the reference template image are compared for each pixel, and if the difference amount of the pixel is large, it is determined that the medium is not a processable medium, and the input is a foreign object.
The foreign object shape output process,
5. The medium processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a foreign object image obtained by tracing a pixel having a large difference amount between the reference template image and the photographed image and extracting a foreign substance shape is output. A photographed image is obtained by transporting the thrown-in charge, emitting illumination light toward the carried charge, and receiving the reflected light reflected by the thrown light and photographing the throw-in. Remember,
It is determined whether the input is a processable medium based on the outline of the input extracted from the photographed image. If the input is not the processable medium, the input is identified as a foreign object. And a medium processing method for outputting and displaying a foreign object image indicating the shape of the foreign object together with the size of the foreign object calculated based on the foreign object image . A photographed image is obtained by transporting the thrown-in charge, emitting illumination light toward the carried charge, and receiving the reflected light reflected by the thrown light and photographing the throw-in. Remember,
It is determined whether the input is a processable medium based on the outline of the input extracted from the photographed image. If the input is not the processable medium, the input is identified as a foreign object. In addition, a foreign object image indicating the shape of the foreign object is output and displayed.
A medium processing method comprising:
When storing the captured image,
Storing a first threshold value indicating that it is far from a perfect circle and a second threshold value indicating that it is close to a perfect circle with respect to a true circle index indicating the trueness of a perfect circle;
When identifying the input as a foreign object,
Calculate the perfect circle index of the input based on the outline of the input extracted from the captured image,
By comparing at least one of the first threshold value and the second threshold value and the perfect circle index of the input material, it is determined whether the input material is a processable medium, and the input material is If the medium is not processable, determine that the input is a foreign object,
A medium processing method for outputting a foreign object image indicating the shape of the foreign object when the input is not a processable medium.

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