JPH0662238A - Special original discriminating device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a new paper money dealing function by storing any data or software required for discriminating whether input image data show a paper money or not in a ROM, performing discrimination control based on this information and enabling ROM exchange at the time of issuing the new paper money or adding any information. CONSTITUTION:The image data read by a scanner unit 101 are simultaneously sent to a control board 104 for paper money discrimination, and it is discriminated whether those data show the paper money or not. In this case, the discrimination is performed by detecting the watermarked part, position and four corners of the paper money, and the exact position and angle are calculated. Afterwards, similarity is calculated by performing pattern matching corresponding to the image data and pattern data previously registered on a ROM 107, and it is discriminated whether the data show the paper money or not. Next, based on this result, a CPU 109 sends a paper money signal or non-paper money signal (a) through an interface 111 to a control part at the main body of an image forming device and when the paper money signal is illegal, copy is inhibited. At the time of issuing the new paper money or adding any information, the former ROM 107 is exchanged with a new ROM.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a special document discriminating apparatus used for preventing forgery of a digital copying machine or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, due to improvements in image processing technology and image forming technology, it has become possible to perform image formation so finely that copy bills copied by a color copying machine and actual bills cannot be easily distinguished. For this reason, there has been developed an apparatus that discriminates special documents such as banknotes and prohibits illegal copying in the case of special documents.

As a device for discriminating a special document, for example, a method using a pattern matching method is generally used as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-83571 "Image recording device". In this apparatus, it is determined whether or not the original is a specific copy-inhibited original based on the input image data and the pattern data registered in advance.

There is also an image processing apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2105101/1990. This device detects the empty position of the bill by detecting the empty position of the bill, and further detects the four corners of the bill to calculate the exact position and angle of the bill, After that, pattern matching is performed based on the image data and the pattern data registered in advance to obtain the degree of similarity, and it is determined whether or not the original is a specific copy-inhibited original.

[0005]

However, according to the conventional device, although the current bills can be discriminated, when a new bill is issued, the bill discriminating device itself is replaced or the bill is discriminated. Since it is necessary to replace the board, there is a problem in that when a new bill is issued, it is costly to maintain the bill discriminating function.

There is also a problem that it takes time because the service person needs to replace the device itself or the control board.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and a first object thereof is to provide a new bill handling function at a low price.

Further, the present invention has been made in view of the above, and it is a second object of the present invention to reduce the work load of a service person when dealing with a new bill.

[0009]

In order to achieve the first object of the present invention, in a special document discriminating apparatus for discriminating whether or not the content of input image data is a bill, the input image data is A ROM that stores data or (and) software necessary for determining whether or not a bill is a bill and that is detachably mounted on the control board.
A ROM for controlling whether or not the inputted image data is a banknote based on the information stored in the ROM, and when the new bill is issued and the discrimination information is added, the ROM
The present invention provides a special document discriminating device that can be replaced.

In order to achieve the first object, the present invention is a special document discriminating apparatus for discriminating whether or not the content of input image data is a bill, and whether the input image data is a bill or not. Control for discriminating whether or not the input image data is a bill based on the bill information storage means for storing data necessary for discriminating whether or not the inputted image data is a bill. Means, a designating means for designating the new bill learning mode, and when the new bill learning mode is designated through the designating means, new bill information is automatically learned from the input image data, and stored in the bill information storage means. The present invention provides a special document discriminating apparatus provided with a new bill learning means to be stored. In addition, as the image data to be input when the new bill learning mode is specified, a test pattern prepared by extracting only the features necessary for distinguishing the new bill is prepared.
It is desirable to use a test pattern for automatic learning.

In order to achieve the second object of the present invention, in the special document discriminating apparatus for discriminating whether or not the content of the inputted image data is a bill, whether the inputted image data is a bill or not. Based on the storage means that stores data and / or software necessary for determining whether or not the input image data is a banknote, based on the information stored in the storage means It is equipped with a control means and a communication control means for inputting data or (and) software from an external device online and rewriting the contents of the storage means, and a special feature that enables remote control to load the data or (and) software from the external device. An original discriminating apparatus is provided.

[0012]

The special original discriminating apparatus of the present invention is an old ROM detachably installed on the control board when a new bill is issued.
Is replaced with a new ROM that stores the bill information of the new bill.

Further, the special document discriminating apparatus of the present invention, when a new bill is issued, in the new bill learning mode, uses the test pattern in which only the features necessary for discriminating the new bill are extracted. Automatically learn information.

When a new bill is issued, the special document discriminating apparatus of the present invention loads data or / and software from an external device online to rewrite the contents of the storage means.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An image forming apparatus to which a special document discriminating apparatus according to the present invention is applied will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings in the order of [Embodiment 1], [Embodiment 2], and [Embodiment 3]. To do.

[Embodiment 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1, in which a scanner unit 101 for reading an original and image data read by the scanner unit 101 are input to perform a shading correction process. , Γ
Image processing unit 102 for performing correction processing, gradation processing, etc.
And a printer unit 103 that outputs image data that has been subjected to image processing by the image processing unit 102, and image data input through the image processing unit 102, and bill discrimination control that determines whether or not a document is a bill And a substrate 104 (special document discriminating apparatus of the present invention).

As shown in the figure, the bill discriminating control board 104 has an image memory 106 for inputting image data via a bus 105 and data necessary for discriminating whether the inputted image data is a bill or not. (And) R which stores software and which is detachably mounted on the control board 104 through an interface 108 described later.
An interface 108 that holds the OM 107 and the ROM 107 detachably and connects to the bus 105.
And a CPU 109 that executes a program (software) stored in the ROM 107 to control whether or not the input image data is a banknote, a RAM 110 that is a work memory, and a determination result of the CPU 109. An interface 111 for outputting to a control unit (not shown) of the image forming apparatus main body.

The operation of the above configuration will be described. The image data read by the scanner unit 101 is subjected to image processing such as shading correction processing, γ correction processing and gradation processing by the image processing unit 102, and then copied on recording paper by the printer unit 103.

On the other hand, the image data read by the scanner unit 101 is simultaneously sent to the bill discriminating control board 104 to discriminate whether or not it is a bill. The discrimination control in the bill discriminating control board 104 at this time is not particularly limited. For example, the rough position where the bill is placed is detected by detecting the empty portion of the bill, and the four corners of the bill are further detected. By detecting the exact position and angle of the banknote, the pattern is matched based on the image data and the pattern data registered in advance in the ROM 107 to obtain the similarity, and the original is the banknote. Or not. Based on the determination result, the CPU 109 notifies the control unit of the image forming apparatus main body of the bill signal or the non-blank signal via the interface 111. When the banknote signal indicating that the original is a banknote is input, the control unit of the image forming apparatus main body stops the copying operation and prohibits illegal copying of the banknote. When a non-banknote signal indicating that the original is not a banknote is input, the copying operation is continued.

On the other hand, at the time of issuing a new bill and adding discrimination information, the ROM detachably mounted on the bill discrimination control board 107 by the interface 108.
By replacing the (old ROM) 107 with a new ROM (new ROM) 107 that stores bill information of the new bill, a bill discrimination control board (special document discriminating device) 1 corresponding to the new bill 1
04 can be easily constructed. Therefore, compared to the conventional case where the entire bill discriminating control board 104 is replaced when a new bill is issued, it can be dealt with only by replacing the ROM 107, so that the new bill can be dealt with at a low cost.

The ROM 107 is used except when a new bill is issued.
Since it is possible to easily add or update the discrimination information by exchanging the information, it is possible to take appropriate measures to improve the discrimination accuracy.

[Embodiment 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus to which the special document discriminating apparatus of Embodiment 2 is applied. In the second embodiment, the bill discriminating control board 10 of the first embodiment is used.
Instead of 4, the bill discriminating control board 201 is used. As shown in the figure, the bill discrimination control board 201 is input based on the VRAM 202 that stores data necessary for discriminating whether the input image data is a bill or not, and the information stored in the VRAM 202. The CPU 109 for controlling whether or not the image data is a bill and the VRAM 20 for automatically learning new bill information from the input image data.
2 and a new bill learning unit 203 to be stored. Reference numeral 204 indicates an operation unit for designating the new bill learning mode. Since the other configurations are the same as those in FIG. 1, description thereof will be omitted.

The operation of learning the new bill in the above configuration will be described. When a new bill is issued, the apparatus of the second embodiment learns the features of the new bill by using the new bill learning test pattern in the new bill learning mode. First, the operator places a new bill learning test pattern at a predetermined position of the scanner unit 101 and designates a new bill learning mode via the operation unit 204. Here, the new bill learning test pattern used is a test pattern in which only the features necessary for distinguishing the new bill are extracted. By using this test pattern, it becomes possible to input information on a new bill without reading the bill itself with the scanner unit 101. In other words, even before learning new bill information, it is possible to perform work without invading the risk of illegal copying of new bills.

When the new bill learning mode is designated, the new bill learning unit 203 obtains new bill information from the image data input by the scanner unit 101 (that is, data obtained by extracting only the features necessary for distinguishing the new bill). Automatically learns VRAM20
Store to 2. At this time, overflow may occur depending on the capacity of the VRAM 202. Therefore, if there is a risk of overflow, the oldest banknote data among the registered banknote data may be deleted and the new banknote data may be registered. In addition, the data of the cheap banknote may be selectively erased.

As described above, since the test pattern for learning new bills is scanned and the automatic learning is performed, the new bills can be dealt with at a low cost.

[Third Embodiment] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus to which the special document discriminating apparatus of the third embodiment is applied. In the third embodiment, the bill discriminating control board 10 of the first embodiment is used.
Instead of 4, the bill discriminating control board 301 is used. As shown in the figure, the bill discrimination control board 301 is input based on the VRAM 302 that stores data necessary for discriminating whether the input image data is a bill or not, and the information stored in the VRAM 302. It is provided with a CPU 109 that controls whether or not the image data is a bill, and a communication control unit 303 that inputs data or / and software from an external device online and rewrites the contents of the VRAM 302. Since the other configurations are the same as those in FIG. 1, description thereof will be omitted.

The input of new bill information at the time of issuing a new bill in the above configuration will be described. When a new bill is issued, the service person or operator can remotely control the information of the new bill by the online control to the bill discriminating control board 3
Send to 01. The communication control unit 303 rewrites the contents of the VRAM 302 when the information of the new bill is input. At this time, overflow may occur depending on the capacity of the VRAM 202. Therefore, if there is a risk of overflow, the oldest banknote data among the registered banknote data may be deleted and the new banknote data may be registered. In addition, the data of the cheap banknote may be selectively erased.

With the above-described configuration, it is possible to register information on a new bill by performing communication from a remote place via a telephone line using the communication control of the communication control unit 303.

[0029]

As described above, the special document discriminating apparatus of the present invention stores the data or / and software necessary for discriminating whether the input image data is a bill or not, and controls it. Based on the ROM removably mounted on the board and the information stored in the ROM,
It is provided with a control means for controlling whether or not the input image data is a bill, and the ROM can be exchanged at the time of issuing a new bill and adding discrimination information. Can be provided.

Further, the special document discriminating apparatus of the present invention stores the data necessary for discriminating whether the inputted image data is a bill or not, and the bill information storing means, which is stored in the bill information storing means. Based on the existing information, the control means for controlling whether the inputted image data is a bill or not, the designating means for designating the new bill learning mode, and the new bill learning mode are designated through the designating means. Since the new bill information learning means for automatically learning new bill information from the input image data and storing it in the bill information storage means when provided is provided, a new bill handling function can be provided at a low price.

Further, the special document discriminating apparatus of the present invention stores the data or / and software necessary for discriminating whether the input image data is a bill or not, and the storing means. Control means for determining whether or not the input image data is a banknote based on the stored information, and communication control for rewriting the contents of the storage means by inputting data or / and software from an external device online Since it is possible to load data or / and software from an external device by means of remote control, it is possible to reduce the work amount of a service person when dealing with a new bill.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus to which a special document determining apparatus according to a first exemplary embodiment is applied.

FIG. 2 is a block configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus to which a special document determining apparatus according to a second exemplary embodiment is applied.

FIG. 3 is a block configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus to which a special document determining apparatus according to a third exemplary embodiment is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

101 Scanner Unit 102 Image Unit 103 Printer Unit 104 Banknote Discrimination Control Board 105 Bus 106 Image Memory 107 ROM 108 Interface 109 CPU 110 R
AM 111 interface 201 bill discriminating control board 202 V
RAM 203 New bill learning unit 204 Operation unit 301 Banknote discrimination control board 302 V
RAM 303 Communication control unit

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A special document discriminating apparatus for discriminating whether or not the content of input image data is a banknote, and / or data necessary for discriminating whether or not the input image data is a banknote. ROM storing software and detachably mounted on the control board;
And a control means for controlling whether or not the inputted image data is a banknote based on the information stored in the OM, and when the new bill is issued and the discrimination information is added, the RO
A special original discriminating apparatus characterized in that M can be exchanged. 2. A banknote storing data necessary for determining whether the input image data is a banknote in a special document discriminating device for discriminating whether the content of the input image data is a banknote. Information storage means, control means for determining whether the input image data is a bill based on the information stored in the bill information storage means, and designation for designating a new bill learning mode Means and the new bill learning mode is designated through the designating means,
A special document discriminating apparatus comprising a new bill learning means for automatically learning new bill information from input image data and storing it in the bill information storage means. 3. A test pattern prepared by extracting only the features necessary for distinguishing a new bill is prepared as image data to be input when the new bill learning mode is designated, and automatic learning is performed using the test pattern. The special document discriminating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein 4. A special document discriminating apparatus for discriminating whether or not the content of input image data is a banknote, and / or data necessary for discriminating whether or not the input image data is a banknote. A storage unit that stores software, a control unit that controls whether or not the input image data is a bill based on the information stored in the storage unit, data from an external device or (and ) A special document discriminating apparatus comprising a communication control means for inputting software and rewriting the contents of the storage means, and data or / and software can be loaded from an external device by remote control.