JP6555751B2 - Banknote processing apparatus and banknote processing method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a banknote processing apparatus and a banknote processing method for reading a serial number of a banknote.

  Conventionally, banknote processing apparatuses that read serial numbers from banknotes have been used. Even if it is the same kind of banknote, since each banknote can be distinguished based on a serial number, the serial number read from each banknote can be utilized for banknote processing. For example, in Patent Document 1, a bill manufacturing factory and a manufacturing time are recognized from information included in a serial number read from a bill, the feature of the bill is specified, and authenticity identification processing is performed based on the specified feature. A method is disclosed.

  For example, the serial number is read by identifying a partial area including characters of each digit forming the serial number and recognizing the characters of each digit on an image obtained by imaging a banknote so as to include the serial number. Is done by. Although the printing position of the serial number may differ depending on the type of banknote, for example, in Patent Document 2, after the banknote identification process is performed and the type of banknote is specified, the description on the banknote is determined according to the type of banknote. A method for reading a number is disclosed.

JP 2003-272018 A Japanese Patent No. 5133348

  However, in the above-described conventional technology, the banknote serial number may not be read correctly. For example, as a result of the banknote revision, the banknote before the revision and the banknote after the revision have substantially the same appearance, but the serial number printed on the banknote before the revision and the revision The serial number format, such as the size of the characters of each digit forming the serial number, may be changed with the serial number printed on the banknote after printing. In such a case, on the banknote image obtained by imaging the banknote after the revision, even if the serial number is read based on the format of the serial number of the banknote before the revision, the serial number printed on the banknote after the revision The position of each digit cannot be specified, and a correct character recognition result cannot be obtained.

  Moreover, even if the information for specifying the position of the character of each serial number is prepared as the serial number template based on the serial number format for each of the banknote before and after the revision, the appearance of the banknote Are substantially the same, it is impossible to correctly identify whether the banknote is the one before or after the revision, and the selection of the serial number template performed based on the identification result is incorrect. The serial number may not be read correctly.

  The present invention was made to solve the above-described problems caused by the prior art, and correctly reads the serial number of each banknote even when there are multiple types of banknotes having the same appearance but different serial number formats. An object is to provide a banknote processing apparatus and a banknote processing method.

In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention is a banknote processing apparatus that reads a serial number of a banknote, and for each banknote of the same denomination with a different serial number format, a serial number obtained by imaging the serial number A storage unit storing a plurality of types of serial number templates prepared in accordance with each serial number format in order to specify the position of each character forming the serial number on the image, an identification unit for identifying banknotes, A serial number template determining unit that determines a serial number template corresponding to the serial number format of the banknote from a plurality of types of serial number templates corresponding to the banknote identification result by the identifying unit, and the serial number template determining unit And a character recognizing unit for recognizing the serial number of the bill using the determined serial number template.

  Further, according to the present invention, in the above invention, the storage unit determines whether or not it is necessary to execute a serial number template determination process for determining a serial number template for character recognition from a plurality of types of serial number templates. The serial number recognition conditions set in association with the identification result by the identification unit are stored in the information indicating and the information indicating the type of the serial number template to be processed in the serial number template determination process. The number template determination unit executes the serial number template determination process based on the identification result by the identification unit and the serial number recognition condition.

  Also, in the present invention, in the above invention, the serial number recognition condition includes designation information that specifies an execution method of a process for evaluating each of a plurality of types of serial number templates, and the serial number template determination unit includes: A process of evaluating each serial number template based on the designation information is executed.

  Further, the present invention is the above invention, wherein the serial number template includes a plurality of character frames set so as to include each character forming the serial number on the serial number image, and the serial number template determination The unit scans the serial number image with the serial number template, calculates a template evaluation value that evaluates that each character forming the serial number is included in the corresponding character frame, and the serial number A serial number template used for character recognition is determined.

  Further, the present invention is the above invention, wherein the serial number template is a partial area that does not include a character at a position where each character forming a serial number is included in the corresponding character frame on the serial number image. The serial number template determining unit evaluates that no character is included in the background frame with the template evaluation value.

Moreover, this invention is based on the money type of the banknote identified by the said identification part in the said invention, and the kind of serial number template determined to correspond to the said banknote by the said serial number template determination part. The denomination identification result is determined.

Moreover, this invention is a banknote processing method which reads the serial number of a banknote with a banknote processing apparatus, Comprising: The identification part forms the said serial number on the identification number image which imaged the serial number, and the identification process which identifies a banknote Among a plurality of types of serial number templates corresponding to banknote identification results obtained in the identification process , prepared in accordance with the serial number format in order to specify the position of each character, the serial number template determination unit, Using the serial number template determination step for determining the serial number template corresponding to the serial number format of the banknote and the serial number template determined in the serial number template determination step , the character recognition unit uses the serial number of the banknote. And a character recognition step for recognizing characters.

  According to the present invention, for example, when there are banknotes of the same denomination that have substantially the same external appearance and different serial number formats such as serial number character size and character spacing, each serial number on the image obtained by imaging the serial number Prepare multiple serial number templates including information that can specify the character position of the digit according to each serial number format, and when reading the serial number of banknotes, from among the multiple serial number templates, Since the serial number template corresponding to the serial number format is selected, the serial number of each banknote can be read correctly.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the banknote handling apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a banknote whose serial number format has been changed before and after the reprinting. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for reading the serial number of the banknote by the banknote processing apparatus. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of serial number recognition conditions. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a method for acquiring a character image using a serial number template. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of the serial number template determination process. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a serial number template. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a serial number template determination process performed on the banknote after the revision shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a serial number template determination process performed for the banknote before the revision shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of serial number recognition conditions.

  Below, with reference to an accompanying drawing, a bill processing device and a bill processing method concerning the present invention are explained in detail. First, the outline of the banknote processing method performed in the banknote processing apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. In the banknote processing apparatus, for example, banknotes having the same denomination and different serial number formats have the same denomination identification result. Regardless of whether there are multiple types of banknotes with different serial number formats, the position of the character of each serial number is specified on the serial number image obtained by imaging the serial number according to the serial number format of each banknote. A serial number template is prepared in advance. And when reading the serial number of a banknote, as a result of identifying a banknote, when multiple types of serial number templates are prepared corresponding to the identification result, it corresponds to the serial number format of a banknote from these. A serial number template can be selected and a serial number can be read by the serial number template. The serial number template is selected by evaluating whether each serial number template can identify the position of the character in each digit of the serial number. The number template evaluation process can be specified to be executed in parallel, and the serial number template evaluation process execution method can be specified.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a banknote handling apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. The banknote processing apparatus 1 includes a banknote image capturing unit 10, an identification unit 20, a storage unit 30, and a control unit 40. In addition, about the banknote image imaging part 10 and the identification part 20, the banknote processing apparatus 1 does not have these, The image which imaged the serial number of the banknote, and the identification result of a banknote are input into the banknote processing apparatus 1 from an external device. Although it can also be set as an aspect, in this embodiment, it demonstrates as what the banknote image imaging part 10 and the identification part 20 are incorporated in the banknote processing apparatus 1. FIG.

  The banknote image capturing unit 10 includes, for example, a transport unit that transports banknotes and a line sensor that captures banknotes transported by the transport unit, and has a function of capturing an image of the entire front surface and an entire back surface of the banknote. .

  The identification unit 20 has a function of identifying the denomination of the banknote using the banknote image captured by the banknote image capturing unit 10. Further, the identification unit 20 uses various sensors in addition to the line sensor of the banknote image capturing unit 10 to acquire banknote characteristics related to banknote thickness, magnetism, ultraviolet light, infrared light, and the like, thereby identifying the banknote. Although it has a function to perform processing, since these can use conventional techniques, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  The storage unit 30 includes a non-volatile storage device, and the storage unit 30 stores a serial number recognition condition 31, a serial number template data 32, and character recognition data 33. Moreover, the memory | storage part 30 is the banknote image imaged by the banknote image imaging part 10, the serial number image which cut out the serial number part from the banknote image, the character image which cut out the character part of each serial number from the serial number image, etc. It is also used for temporarily storing images generated during processing and various data generated when the control unit 40 operates. The serial number recognition condition 31 includes information regarding each process performed when reading the serial number included in the banknote image. The serial number template data 32 includes a serial number template prepared in accordance with the serial number format for each type of banknote in order to specify the position of the character of each serial number included in the banknote image. The character recognition data 33 includes information such as dictionary data for character recognition of the characters of each digit of the serial number. Details of these will be described later.

  The control unit 40 includes a serial number image acquisition unit 41, a serial number template determination unit 42, and a character recognition unit 43. The serial number image acquiring unit 41 has a function of acquiring a serial number image obtained by cutting out an image of a partial region including the entire serial number from the image of the entire banknote imaged by the banknote image capturing unit 10. Moreover, the serial number image acquisition part 41 has a function which acquires the character image which cut out the image of the partial area | region which contains one character of each digit of a serial number from a serial number image using a serial number template. The serial number template determination unit 42 has a function of determining a serial number template corresponding to a serial number image when there are a plurality of types of serial number templates corresponding to the serial number image cut out by the serial number image acquisition unit 41. The character recognition unit 43 has a function of recognizing characters included in each character image acquired by the serial number image acquisition unit 41. Details of the functions and operations of these units will be described later.

  Next, the operation of the banknote processing apparatus 1 that reads the serial number will be described by taking as an example the case where the format of the serial number printed on the banknote of the same denomination is changed by reprinting. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a banknote whose serial number format has been changed before and after the reprinting. FIG. 2A shows a banknote image 100 obtained by imaging a banknote before reprinting, and FIG. 2B shows a banknote image 200 obtained by imaging a banknote after reprinting. Two types of banknotes of the same denomination have different serial number formats before and after the reprinting, but the appearance is substantially the same, and even when they are identified by the identification unit 20, an identification result that is the same denomination is obtained.

  As shown to Fig.2 (a), as for the serial number 110 currently printed on the banknote before revision, the character of all the digits is printed by the same character size. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2B, the serial number 210 printed on the banknote after the revision includes digits with different character sizes. Specifically, the left end of the serial number 210 is the first digit, and the character size of each digit is gradually increased from the fourth digit to the ninth digit.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for reading the serial number of the banknote by the banknote processing apparatus 1. First, the banknote image imaging part 10 acquires the banknote image which imaged the whole banknote on which the serial number is printed (step S1). If a banknote image is acquired, the identification part 20 will identify the money type of a banknote using a banknote image etc. (step S2).

  When the denomination of the banknote is identified, the serial number template determination unit 42 refers to the serial number recognition condition 31 in the storage unit 30 (step S3), and the character position of each serial number on the image including the serial number It is determined whether or not it is necessary to select a serial number template to be used for specifying the serial number from a plurality of types of serial number templates (step S4).

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the serial number recognition condition 31. The serial number recognition condition 31 includes items of an identification result, serial number template evaluation necessity, and evaluation target serial number template. The item of the identification result indicates the identification result of the denomination obtained by identifying the banknote by the identification unit 20. The serial number template evaluation necessity item indicates whether or not a process for selecting a serial number template is required for each identification result. The item of the evaluation target serial number template indicates the type of serial number template to be evaluated in the process of selecting the serial number template. However, if it is not necessary to select a serial number template, one type of serial number template corresponding to the identification result is indicated in the item of the evaluation target serial number template.

  In the serial number recognition condition 31, for each denomination that may be processed by the banknote processing apparatus 1, the serial number template evaluation necessity and the information of the evaluation target serial number template are set in advance. Each serial number template shown in the item of the evaluation target serial number template is stored in the storage unit 30 as serial number template data 32.

  For example, when the banknote images 100 and 200 shown in FIG. 2 are images of banknotes of the same denomination B, the format of the serial number 110 of the banknote before the revision and the format of the serial number 210 of the banknote after the revision are as follows. Since they are different, it is necessary to determine which serial number format is used to read the serial number. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 4, the serial number template evaluation necessity item of the serial number recognition condition 31 is set to “necessary” for the banknote of denomination B. In addition, the item of the evaluation target serial number template includes a serial number template Y1 prepared in advance according to the serial number format of the banknote before the revision, and a serial number prepared in advance according to the serial number format of the banknote after the revision. Information indicating two types of serial number templates of the template Y2 is set.

  Further, for example, when the banknote identified by the identifying unit 20 as the denomination C includes three types of banknotes having different serial number formats, as shown in FIG. “Necessary” is set. In addition, information indicating three types of serial number templates Z1, Z2, and Z3 prepared in advance corresponding to the serial number format of each banknote is set in the item of the evaluation target serial number template of the denomination C. On the other hand, when there is only one type of serial number format of the banknote identified by the identifying unit 20 as the denomination A, there is no need to select a serial number template. For this reason, the serial number template evaluation necessity item of the denomination A is set as “unnecessary”, and the serial number template prepared in advance corresponding to the serial number format of the denomination A is included in the item of the evaluation target serial number template. Only information indicating X is set.

  When the processing target of serial number reading is a banknote of denomination A, the banknote identification result by the identification unit 20 is denomination A. Based on the identification result, the serial number template determination unit 42 that refers to the serial number recognition condition 31 shown in FIG. 4 determines that the processing for selecting the serial number template is not required for the banknote of denomination A ( FIG. 3 step S4; No). And the serial number template determination part 42 reads the serial number template X corresponding to the money type A from the serial number template data 32 of the memory | storage part 30 (step S6).

  Then, the serial number image acquisition part 41 acquires the serial number image which cut out the partial area | region containing a serial number from the banknote image which imaged the banknote whole surface of the money type A (step S7). And the serial number image acquisition part 41 pinpoints the position of the serial number on a serial number image using the serial number template X of the money type A read previously (step S8), and forms a serial number A character image of each digit to be acquired is acquired (step S9). When a character image including one character for each digit is obtained, the character recognition unit 43 recognizes characters included in each character image (step S10) and ends the process.

  The process of steps S7 to S10 for recognizing the character of each digit of the serial number using the serial number template will be described with a specific example. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a method of acquiring a character image using the serial number template X (320). 5A shows a serial number template X (320), FIG. 5B shows a banknote image 300 of denomination A, and FIG. 5C shows a partial area including the serial number 310 from the banknote image 300. The cut out serial number image 301 is shown. FIG. 5D uses the serial number template X (320) shown in FIG. 5A to identify the position of the serial number 310 on the serial number image 301 shown in FIG. Indicates the state. FIG. 5 (e) shows an example of a character image 302 obtained by cutting out characters of each serial number 310 from the serial number image 301 based on the identification result of the serial number position shown in FIG. 5 (d). Show. 5B shows a part of the banknote image 300. The banknote image 300 is an image obtained by capturing the entire banknote.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the serial number template X (320) includes three blank frames (background frames) 321 to 323 indicated by broken lines and eight character frames 324 to 331 indicated by solid lines. It is out. The serial number template X (320) is prepared in advance according to the serial number format of the serial number 310 included in the serial number image 301, as shown in FIG.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5D, the margin frames 321 to 323 have the serial number 310 in each frame when the position of the serial number 310 is specified by the serial number template X (320). It is set not to include characters to be formed. On the other hand, when the position of the serial number 310 is specified by the serial number template X (320), the character frames 324 to 331 indicate that the character of each digit forming the serial number 310 is 1 in the corresponding character frame 324 to 331. It is set to include characters. The margin frame is a kind of background frame set for the background of the serial number. As a background frame, in addition to a frame set as a margin, a frame set to include characters other than a serial number, a frame set to include a mark or a pattern, and the like can also be used.

  If the banknote which acquired the banknote image 300 is identified by the identification part 20 as a banknote of the money type A, the serial number image acquisition part 41 will be described from the banknote image 300, as shown in FIG.5 (c). The serial number image 301 obtained by cutting out the partial area where the number 310 is printed is acquired (step S7 in FIG. 3). The serial number image 301 is cut out from the banknote image 300 so as not to include extra portions such as patterns and characters around the serial number 310 as much as possible, but information indicating the position and size of the partial area to be cut out as the serial number image 301 Is included in the serial number recognition condition 31.

  The size and positional relationship of each frame forming the serial number template are fixed. The serial number image acquisition unit 41 uses the serial number template X (320) shown in FIG. 5A to scan the serial number image 301 shown in FIG. A template evaluation value for evaluating the template X (320) is calculated. Then, the serial number image acquisition unit 41, based on the calculated template evaluation value, displays the corresponding characters in the character frames 324 to 331 of the serial number template X (320) as shown in FIG. Is specified (step S8 in FIG. 3).

  As shown in FIG. 5D, the background frame evaluation values for evaluating the margin frames 321 to 323 indicate the maximum value when the inside of the frame becomes a margin, and the serial number 310 is formed in the frame. The evaluation value is set to decrease when a part of the character is included. On the other hand, the character frame evaluation value for evaluating the character frames 324 to 331 shows the maximum value when a character is included in the frame as shown in FIG. 5D, and a part of the character protrudes from the frame. And the evaluation value is set to decrease. The serial number image acquisition unit 41 uses the total value of the evaluation values of the frames 321 to 331 as a template evaluation value for evaluating the serial number template X (320), and the template evaluation value indicates the maximum value on the serial number image 301. Search for a location. As a result, the position where the template evaluation value shows the maximum value is the position of the serial number template X (320) shown in FIG.

  When calculating the template evaluation value, for example, each of the background frame and the character frame is divided into a character part having a size surrounding the character forming the serial number and an outer peripheral part of the annular region in contact with the character part. The evaluation value can be calculated from the average density value of the pixel values in each area of the character portion and the outer peripheral portion, but the evaluation value is scanned while scanning the image including the serial number using the background frame and the character frame. Since the method for calculating the position of the serial number by calculating the value is described in International Publication No. 2012/120587, the details are omitted.

  When the position of the serial number 310 is specified on the serial number image 301 as shown in FIG. 5D by using the serial number template X (320), the serial number image acquisition unit 41 reads the serial number template X (320). ) Included in each character frame 324 to 331 is cut out to form a character image 302 as shown in FIG. FIG. 5E shows an example of the character image 302 of the first digit “P” of the serial number 310, but the serial number image acquisition unit 41 includes each of the serial numbers 310 shown in FIG. A digit character image 302 is acquired. Each of the eight character images 302 obtained from the eight-digit serial number 310 includes only one character.

  In the character recognition data 33 of the storage unit 30, dictionary data corresponding to the character of each digit of the serial number is prepared in advance, and the character recognition unit 43 uses the dictionary data corresponding to each character image 302, Character recognition of characters included in each character image 302 is performed (step S10 in FIG. 3). Information indicating the relationship between the character of each serial number of the banknote of each denomination and the dictionary data for character recognition is included in the serial number recognition condition 31 of the storage unit 30.

  On the other hand, when the processing target of serial number reading is the banknote after reprinting of the denomination B shown in FIG. 2B, the banknote image 200 of the banknote after reprinting is acquired (step S1 in FIG. 3) and identified. The identification result that it is the banknote of the denomination B is obtained by the part 20 (step S2). The serial number template determination unit 42 refers to the serial number recognition condition 31 shown in FIG. 4 based on the identification result (step S3), and for the banknote of the denomination B, among the two types of serial number templates Y1 and Y2. It is determined that the process of selecting one from the above is necessary (step S4; Yes). And the serial number template determination part 42 performs the serial number template determination process for selecting the serial number template corresponding to the banknote after revision in FIG.2 (b) from two types of serial number templates Y1 and Y2. Start (step S5).

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of the serial number template determination process. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a serial number template. Fig.7 (a) shows the serial number template Y1 (120) prepared according to the serial number format of the banknote before revision of the money type B shown to Fig.2 (a), FIG.7 (b) is FIG. The serial number template Y2 (220) prepared according to the serial number format of the banknote after reprinting of the denomination B shown in 2 (b) is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, the serial number template Y1 (120) includes three blank frames 121 to 123 indicated by broken lines and nine character frames 124 to 132 indicated by solid lines. As shown in FIG. 7B, the serial number template Y2 (220) includes three blank frames 221 to 223 indicated by broken lines and nine character frames 224 to 232 indicated by solid lines. In the serial number template Y1 (120), all the character frames 124 to 132 have the same size in accordance with the serial number format of the banknote before the revision shown in FIG. On the other hand, in the serial number template Y2 (220), the sizes of some of the character frames 228 to 232 are different in accordance with the serial number format of the banknote after the revision shown in FIG. Specifically, the four character frames 224 to 227 of the serial number template Y2 (220) have the same size, but the vertical and horizontal sizes of the five character frames 228 to 232 gradually increase toward the right digit.

  In the serial number template determination process, each of the two serial number templates Y1 and Y2 set as the evaluation target serial number template is evaluated, and the serial number template corresponding to the serial number format of the banknote is determined. In the banknote handling apparatus 1, when evaluating a plurality of serial number templates, it is possible to set whether or not serial number template processing is performed in parallel, a processing order when serial number template processing is sequentially performed, and the like. However, in the following, after describing the evaluation process of the serial number template Y2, the evaluation process of the serial number template Y1 will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a serial number template determination process performed on the banknote after the revision shown in FIG. FIG. 8A shows a banknote image 200 of a banknote after renovation of denomination B, and FIG. 8B shows a serial number image 201 obtained by cutting out a partial region including the serial number 210 from the banknote image 200. . FIG. 8C shows a state in which the position of the serial number 210 is specified on the serial number image 201 shown in FIG. 8B using the serial number template Y2. FIG. 8D shows a state where the position of the serial number 210 is specified on the serial number image 201 shown in FIG. 8B using the serial number template Y1. 8A shows a part of the banknote image 200, the banknote image 200 is an image obtained by imaging the entire banknote as shown in FIG. 2B.

  The serial number template determination unit 42 that has started the serial number template determination process first cuts out a partial area on which the serial number 210 is printed from the banknote image 200 shown in FIG. The serial number image 201 shown is acquired (step S11 in FIG. 6). The serial number image 201 is cut out from the banknote image 200 so as not to include extra portions such as patterns and characters around the serial number 210 as much as possible, but information indicating the position and size of the partial area to be cut out as the serial number image 201 Is included in the serial number recognition condition 31.

  Based on the information set in the serial number recognition condition 31, the serial number template determination unit 42 uses the first serial number template Y <b> 2 (FIG. 7B) from the serial number template data 32 in the storage unit 30. 220) is read (step S12 in FIG. 6). Then, the serial number template determining unit 42 scans the serial number image 201 shown in FIG. 8B with the serial number template Y2 (220), and as shown in FIG. The position is specified (step S13). That is, the position where the template evaluation value of the serial number template Y2 (220) shows the maximum value is specified. Then, the serial number template determination unit 42 sets the template evaluation value (maximum value) obtained at the position shown in FIG. 8C as the template evaluation value E1 of the serial number template Y2 (220). These processes are performed in the same manner as the process by the serial number image acquisition unit 41 described in FIG.

  When the template evaluation value E1 of the serial number template Y2 is acquired, the serial number template determination unit 42 determines whether or not the serial number template to be evaluated remains (step S14 in FIG. 6). As shown in FIG. 4, in the serial number recognition condition 31, the serial number template Y <b> 1 is also set as the evaluation target for the banknote of the denomination B. Therefore, the serial number template determination unit 42 determines that the serial number template Y1 to be evaluated remains (step S14; No), and from the serial number template data 32 in the storage unit 30, FIG. The second serial number template Y1 (120) shown in FIG. 6 is read (step S12 in FIG. 6).

  The serial number template determination unit 42 that has read the serial number template Y1 (120) scans the serial number image 201 shown in FIG. 8B with the serial number template Y1 (120), and displays FIG. 8D. As shown, the position of serial number 210 is specified (step S13 in FIG. 6). That is, the position where the template evaluation value of the serial number template Y1 (120) shows the maximum value is specified. The serial number template determination unit 42 sets the template evaluation value (maximum value) obtained at the position shown in FIG. 8D as the template evaluation value E2 of the serial number template Y1 (120). As shown in FIG. 8D, using the serial number template Y1 (120) prepared for the banknote before the reprint of the denomination B, the serial number 210 of the serial number image 201 of the banknote after the reform is used. When the position is specified, the characters of some digits of the serial number 210 are shifted from the character frame of the serial number template Y1 (120).

  When the template evaluation value E2 of the serial number template Y1 is acquired, the serial number template determination unit 42 determines whether or not the serial number template to be evaluated remains (step S14 in FIG. 6). And if it recognizes from the serial number recognition conditions 31 shown in FIG. 4 that the evaluation of two types of serial number templates Y1 and Y2 set as the evaluation object for the banknote of the denomination B is completed (step S14; Yes), The serial number template determination unit 42 determines a serial number template to be used for character recognition of the serial number 210 from the two types of serial number templates Y1 and Y2 for which evaluation values have been obtained (step S15).

  Specifically, the template evaluation value E1 of the serial number template Y2 is compared with the template evaluation value E2 of the serial number template Y1, and a serial number template having a large evaluation value (high evaluation) is recognized by the character of the serial number 210. Decide to use.

  The template evaluation value is maximum when no character is included in each margin frame forming the serial number template, and each character frame includes characters of the corresponding serial number. This value is set so that the evaluation value decreases when the margin frame contains a character or the character falls outside the character frame. For this reason, in the serial number image 201 of the banknote after revision shown in FIG. 8 (b), the template evaluation value E1 of the serial number template Y2 (220) shown in FIG. 8 (c) is shown in FIG. 8 (d). It becomes larger than the template evaluation value E2 of the serial number template Y1 (120) shown. As a result, the serial number template determination unit 42 determines that the serial number template used for character recognition of the serial number 210 of the banknote after reprinting is the serial number template Y2 (220) (step S15 in FIG. 6). The number template determination process ends.

  Thus, when the serial number template determining unit 42 determines the serial number template to be used for character recognition of the serial number 210 (step S5 in FIG. 3), the serial number image acquiring unit 41 determines the serial number template Y2 ( 220), a character image obtained by cutting out a partial region including one character of each digit forming the serial number 210 is obtained (step S9).

  Specifically, the portion surrounded by the character frames 224 to 232 at the position shown in FIG. 8C in which the position of the serial number 210 is specified on the serial number image 201 using the serial number template Y2 (220). The region is cut out to obtain nine character images. Then, the character recognition unit 43 performs character recognition of characters included in each character image (step S10 in FIG. 3). Since the character recognition data 33 in the storage unit 30 is prepared in advance with dictionary data corresponding to the character of each serial number, the character recognition unit 43 uses the dictionary data corresponding to each character image, Character recognition of each character image 302 is performed. Information indicating the relationship between the character of each serial number of the banknote of each denomination and the dictionary data for character recognition is included in the serial number recognition condition 31 of the storage unit 30.

  In this way, by evaluating the two types of serial number templates Y1 and Y2 and determining the serial number template Y2 for character recognition of the serial number 210, the banknotes after reprinting shown in FIG. On the number image 201, the position of the serial number 210 can be specified as shown in FIG. An accurate character recognition can be performed by acquiring a character image including one character of each digit forming the serial number 210.

  Similarly, when the banknote before reprinting of the denomination B shown in FIG. 2A is the processing target for reading the serial number, the banknote image 100 is acquired and the identification unit 20 determines that the banknote is of the denomination B. After identification, based on the serial number recognition condition 31 shown in FIG. 4, a serial number template determination process for selecting a serial number template corresponding to the banknote before revision from two types of serial number templates Y1 and Y2. Is done.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a serial number template determination process performed for the banknote before the revision shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 9A, when the position of the serial number 110 is specified on the serial number image 101 of the banknote before revision using the serial number template Y1 (120), the serial number 110 is formed. The character of each digit to be included is included in each corresponding character frame of the serial number template Y1 (120). On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9B, when the position of the serial number 110 is specified using the serial number template Y2 (220), the characters of some digits of the serial number 110 are converted into the serial number template. The state is shifted from the character frame of Y2 (220).

  For this reason, the template evaluation value of the serial number template Y1 (120) shown in FIG. 9A is larger than the evaluation value of the serial number template Y2 (220) shown in FIG. 9B. As a result, the serial number template determining unit 42 determines that the serial number template used for character recognition of the serial number 110 of the banknote before reprinting is the serial number template Y1 (120). When the serial number template is determined, the serial number image acquisition unit 41 uses the determined serial number template Y1 (120) to include one character for each digit forming the serial number 210. Two character images are acquired, and the character recognition unit 43 performs character recognition of the characters included in each character image. As a result, a character can be accurately recognized using a character image including one character of each digit forming the serial number 110.

  Thus, in the banknote processing apparatus 1, using the serial number recognition condition 31, a plurality of serial number templates are assigned to one denomination identification result by the identification unit 20, and each serial number template is set to be evaluated. be able to. Moreover, on the image which imaged the serial number of a banknote, while each serial number template is moved, each character which forms a serial number searches for the position included in each character frame corresponding to the serial number template, A template evaluation value for evaluating the correspondence between each character frame of the serial number template and each character forming the serial number can be calculated. And the serial number template utilized for the character recognition of a serial number can be determined by comparing the template evaluation value calculated about each serial number template. If the determined serial number template is used, a character image including one character of each digit of the serial number can be acquired from the serial number image, so that the character recognition of the serial number can be performed accurately.

  Note that in the banknote handling apparatus 1, when there are a plurality of types of serial number templates to be evaluated, it is also possible to specify the evaluation order of the serial number templates in the serial number recognition condition 31. Moreover, although the template evaluation value was calculated about all the serial number templates and the serial number template used for character recognition was determined, the serial number template in which a template evaluation value exceeded the preset threshold value appeared In this case, the remaining serial number templates may not be evaluated, and the serial number template exceeding the threshold may be determined to be used for character recognition.

  For example, when most of the banknotes distributed in the market are banknotes before reprinting and distribution of banknotes after reprinting has just started, the serial number template for banknotes before reprinting is first set according to the serial number recognition condition 31. The processing order is set so that the serial number template for banknotes after reprinting is evaluated later. If the evaluation value of the serial number template for the banknote before the revision exceeds the predetermined threshold and it is clear that the serial number is that of the banknote before the revision, the template after the revision is evaluated. Set to omit. Thereby, the processing load concerning the selection processing of a serial number template can be reduced.

  Moreover, the identification part 20 of the banknote processing apparatus 1 is not limited to the aspect which identifies both the banknote before reprinting shown in FIG. 2 and the banknote after reprinting as the same denomination B, for example, Even when the discriminating unit 20 distinguishes between new and old banknotes such as a denomination B1 for a banknote before reprinting and a denomination B2 for a banknote after reprinting, a plurality of serial number templates are evaluated and characters The serial number recognition condition 31 can be set so as to determine the serial number template used for recognition.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of the serial number recognition condition 31. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, when the identification unit 20 distinguishes and identifies the banknotes before denomination of the denomination B as B1 banknotes and the banknotes after denomination of the denomination B as B2 banknotes, identification by the identification unit 20 If the result is B1, serial number template determination processing is performed for the serial number template Y1 prepared according to the serial number format of the B1 banknote and the serial number template Y2 prepared according to the serial number format of the B2 banknote. Execute and set to determine the serial number template to be used for serial number character recognition. Further, even when the identification result by the identification unit 20 is B2, the serial number template determination process is executed for the serial number template Y1 for the B1 banknote and the serial number template Y2 for the B2 banknote, and the serial number character recognition is performed. Set to determine the serial number template to be used. By executing the serial number template determination process based on this setting, the serial number template corresponding to each banknote is determined and the serial number is accurately read regardless of whether the B1 banknote or the B2 banknote is to be processed. Can do.

  For example, although the serial number template determination process is performed on the banknote identified as the B1 banknote by the identification unit 20, the serial number template Y2 for the B2 banknote is determined based on the template evaluation value of the serial number template Y1 for the B1 banknote. When the template evaluation value is higher, the serial number template determination unit 42 outputs a signal notifying that the identification result by the identification unit 20 and the evaluation result of the template evaluation value contradict each other. In response to this, the banknote processing apparatus 1 that has recognized that the identification result by the identification unit 20 may be incorrect can execute a predetermined process. For example, a process of adding information indicating the possibility that the identification result for the B1 banknote is incorrect to the identification result by the identification unit 20, a process for correcting the identification result by the identification unit 20 from the B1 banknote to the B2 banknote, the identification unit 20 It is possible to set so as to execute a process of re-identifying the denomination by changing the denomination identifying process content and the threshold for determination.

  Specifically, for example, when the identification unit 20 performs denomination identification of banknotes using an image with low resolution, the serial number template determination unit is more than the result of denomination identification by the identification unit 20. 42 is set so that the result of the serial number template determination processing by 42 is prioritized. When set in this way, for example, the serial number template determination process is performed on the banknote identified by the identifying unit 20 as a B1 banknote, and the serial number template determining unit 42 corresponds to the banknote as the serial number template. If it determines that it is the serial number template Y1 for use, the denomination identification result of the identification part 20 that this banknote is a B1 banknote will be maintained. On the other hand, when the identification number template determination unit 42 determines that the serial number template corresponding to the banknote is the serial number template Y2 for the B2 banknote, even though the identification unit 20 has identified it as a B1 banknote. The serial number template determination unit 42 outputs a notification signal indicating that there is a contradiction in processing results between the identification unit 20 and the serial number template determination unit 42. When this notification signal is output, the control unit 40 prioritizes the processing result by the serial number template determination unit 42 over the processing result by the identification unit 20, and determines that the denomination of the banknote is B2. As described above, in the banknote processing apparatus 1, the banknote is based on the denomination of the banknote identified by the identification unit 20 and the type of the serial number template determined by the serial number template determination unit 42 to correspond to this banknote. It is also possible to determine the identification result of the denomination.

  Moreover, in serial number recognition conditions 31, about the C1 banknote-C3 banknote which may be indistinguishable by the identification part 20, for example like the banknote of the money type C shown in FIG. Serial number template Z1 prepared according to serial number format, serial number template Z2 prepared according to serial number format of C2 banknote, and serial number template Z3 prepared according to serial number format of C3 banknote For C4 banknotes, which are set to select a serial number template to be used for character recognition of numbers and can be clearly distinguished from other banknotes by the identification unit 20, the process of selecting the serial number template is not performed. It can be set to use the serial number template Z4 prepared according to the serial number format of C4 banknotes. That.

  In addition, the serial number template determination process can be set to perform a plurality of processes in parallel in addition to sequentially performing the process of calculating the template evaluation value of each serial number template. Also in this case, the serial number recognition condition 31 allows the type of serial number template to be processed in parallel to be specified.

  For example, a plurality of control units 40 are provided in the banknote processing apparatus 1 to realize parallel processing of serial number template determination processing. Then, as shown in FIG. 10, the execution method of the serial number template evaluation process is specified in the item (specification information) of the evaluation processing method of the serial number recognition condition 31. For example, when the two control units 40 of the first control unit and the second control unit are provided and the identification result by the identification unit 20 is a B1 banknote or a B2 banknote as shown in FIG. 10, the first control is performed. It is possible to specify that the serial number template Y1 is evaluated by the unit and in parallel with this process, the second control unit evaluates the serial number template Y2. Moreover, when the identification result by the identification part 20 is a C1 banknote, a C2 banknote, or a C3 banknote, the process which evaluates the serial number template Z1 in a 1st control part is performed, and 2nd control is performed in parallel with this process. Can be specified to perform the process of evaluating the serial number templates Z2 and Z3. At this time, in the second control unit, the processing order may be specified so that the serial number template Z3 is evaluated after the serial number template Z2 is first evaluated. The serial number template determination unit 42 executes serial number template determination processing as set in the item of the evaluation processing method. If the process which evaluates each serial number template is performed as a parallel process by providing the some control part 40, the processing time concerning the character recognition of a serial number can be shortened.

  Note that the number of parallel processes is not particularly limited, and three or more processes may be performed in parallel according to the function of the control unit 40. Although a plurality of control units 40 are provided, one control unit includes a serial number image acquisition unit 41, a serial number template determination unit 42, and a character recognition unit 43, while the other control unit includes a serial number template determination unit. It is possible to have only 42.

  In the present embodiment, as an example in which the serial number format printed on the banknote is different, an example in which the serial number has a different character size is shown, but the difference in the serial number format is not limited to this, and the serial number Similarly, when the character spacing of each digit forming the character number is different, or when the character color of each digit forming the serial number is different, a serial number template corresponding to each serial number format is prepared in advance. The serial number format used for character recognition of serial numbers can be selected. For example, if the color of the characters forming the serial number is different in each serial number format, a pixel of a color different from the background is extracted from the character frame included in the serial number template, and the color of this pixel is the character frame. The evaluation value calculation method may be set so that the evaluation value of the character frame becomes high when the color matches the color set for.

  As described above, in the banknote handling apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the serial number template used for character recognition of the characters of each serial number printed on the banknote from the image obtained by imaging the banknote is the banknote number. A plurality of serial number templates can be assigned to one identification result by the identification unit 20 by preparing for each type. When a plurality of types of serial number templates are assigned to the identification result when the identification result by the identification unit 20 is obtained, it is used for character recognition of the serial number from these serial number templates. The serial number template to be determined can be determined. For example, even when there are a plurality of types of banknotes having the same appearance but different serial number formats, by preparing in advance a serial number template corresponding to the serial number format of each banknote, based on the external appearance of the banknotes, etc. After identifying the type of banknote, the serial number template prepared for the banknote is determined, and the serial number can be accurately recognized.

  As described above, the banknote processing apparatus and the banknote processing method according to the present invention are useful for correctly reading the serial number of each banknote even when there are a plurality of types of banknotes having the same appearance but different serial number formats. is there.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Banknote processing apparatus 10 Banknote image imaging part 20 Identification part 30 Storage part 40 Control part 41 Serial number image acquisition part 42 Serial number template determination part 43 Character recognition part

Claims (7)

A bill processing apparatus for reading a serial number of a bill,
For each banknote of the same denomination with a different serial number format, a plurality of types prepared according to each serial number format in order to identify the position of each character forming the serial number on the serial number image obtained by imaging the serial number A storage unit storing a serial number template;
An identification unit for identifying bills;
A serial number template determination unit that determines a serial number template corresponding to the serial number format of the banknote from a plurality of types of serial number templates corresponding to the banknote identification result by the identification unit;
A banknote processing apparatus comprising: a character recognition unit that recognizes the serial number of the banknote using the serial number template determined by the serial number template determination unit. In the storage unit, information indicating whether it is necessary to execute a serial number template determination process for determining a serial number template for character recognition from a plurality of types of serial number templates, and the serial number template determination process Information indicating the type of the serial number template to be processed is stored as a serial number recognition condition set in association with the identification result by the identification unit,
The banknote processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the serial number template determination unit executes the serial number template determination process based on an identification result by the identification unit and the serial number recognition condition. The serial number recognition condition includes designation information for designating an execution method of a process for evaluating each of a plurality of types of serial number templates.
The banknote processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the serial number template determination unit executes a process of evaluating each serial number template based on the designation information. The serial number template includes a plurality of character frames set to include each character forming the serial number on the serial number image,
The serial number template determining unit scans a serial number image with the serial number template and calculates a template evaluation value for evaluating that each character forming the serial number is included in a corresponding character frame. And the serial number template utilized for the character recognition of the said serial number is determined, The banknote processing apparatus of any one of Claims 1-3 characterized by the above-mentioned. The serial number template includes a background frame set in a partial area that does not include a character at a position where each character forming a serial number is included in the corresponding character frame on the serial number image,
The banknote processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the serial number template determination unit evaluates that the character is not included in the background frame with the template evaluation value. Determining the identification result of the denomination of the banknote based on the denomination of the banknote identified by the identification unit and the type of the serial number template determined to correspond to the banknote by the serial number template determination unit. The banknote processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5. A banknote processing method for reading a banknote serial number with a banknote processing apparatus,
An identification step in which the identification unit identifies the banknote;
A plurality corresponding to banknote identification results obtained in the identification step , prepared in accordance with the serial number format to identify the position of each character forming the serial number on the serial number image obtained by imaging the serial number from the kind of the serial number template, serial number template determination unit, and a serial number template determination step of determining a serial number template corresponding to the serial number format of the bill,
The banknote processing method characterized by including the character recognition process in which a character recognition part recognizes the serial number of the said banknote using the serial number template determined at the said serial number template determination process.

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