JPH07319997A - Method for detecting image and medium processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To detect a blurred printed character or the adhesion of a foreign substance by dividing a prescribed area when the total number of picture elements in the prescribed area exeeds a reference value, and when the number of picture element in each area exeeds a reference value, judging the existence of an image. CONSTITUTION:In an automatic transaction device for executing a prescribed transaction based upon account information stored in a card inserted from a card inserting port, a reading start instruction is transmitted from a main MPU 31 to an image side MPU 32 through an interface 33 and the main MPU 31 carries a bankbook to a position under an image sensor 38 through a carrying control part 34. The MPU 32 stores image data read out by the image sensor 38 in an image buffer 40, detects the number of relative picture elements in each scanning of a final line (noticed line), and when the sum of relative picture element lines exceeds the number of character judging picture elements stored in a memory 39, divides the noticed line into plural parts in the height direction of the image. When the number of picture elements in each divided area exceeds the reference number of picture elements in the divided area, the existence of an image is judged.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image detecting method for detecting whether or not an image is present on a medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a device such as an automatic transaction device or a bookkeeping machine installed in a store of a financial institution such as a bank has a function for printing a transaction history on a passbook. When printing, it is essential to print on the unprinted lines of the pages of the passbook, and therefore a function is provided for detecting the lines on which the transaction history has already been printed.

This function is adapted to optically read a page of a passbook. That is, one line is scanned a plurality of times by using an optical sensor having a width such that one line is divided into a plurality of parts. As a result of this scanning, the number of pixels having a density equal to or higher than a predetermined level within one line is counted, and if the number of counted pixels is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, the next line is detected because printing is performed within that line. . Then, data such as transaction history is printed from the line where the image is not detected.

[0004]

However, since the medium such as the passbook is owned by the customer, it is placed in a place where foreign matter such as dust adheres, and the foreign matter adheres to the inside paper of the passbook to be printed. I have something to do. When detecting the presence or absence of printing on the passbook print line in which foreign matter adheres to the inside paper, foreign matter is also detected as printed characters, and it is actually printed even though it is not printed. It will be detected.

In order to avoid this, it is conceivable to set the value of the predetermined reference pixel number to be high in order to compare it with the total number of detected pixels, but if the value of the reference pixel number is increased, faint printing will occur. If there is, it will not be detected. Therefore, the present invention provides an image detection method capable of detecting faint prints and the like and detecting that foreign matter is attached.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, when the total number of pixels in a predetermined area exceeds the reference number of pixels, the predetermined area is divided into a plurality of divided areas. It is detected whether or not the number of pixels inside exceeds the number of divided area reference pixels, and if it exceeds, it is detected that an image exists.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a pixel is detected for each of a plurality of lines divided in the height direction of the image, and the total number of detected pixels in a predetermined area is equal to a predetermined reference pixel number. If it exceeds, it is detected whether or not the number of pixels in each line exceeds the line reference pixel number, and if it exceeds, it is detected that there is printing. According to a third aspect of the present invention, the detecting means for detecting an image, the first storing means for storing the number of reference pixels that should exist in the predetermined area, and the predetermined storage area are provided in a divided area obtained by dividing the predetermined area into a plurality of areas. The number of pixels in the predetermined region is compared by comparing the number of pixels in the predetermined region detected by the detection unit with the number of pixels of the reference pixel stored in the first storage unit. Exceeds the reference number of pixels, and if it exceeds, the number of pixels in each divided area of the predetermined area detected by the detection means and the divided area reference pixel stored in the second storage means When the number of pixels in the divided region exceeds the number of divided reference pixels, the control unit determines that there is an image.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the detecting means for detecting the image printed on the medium, the first storing means for storing the number of reference pixels that should exist in the predetermined area, and the plurality of predetermined areas are provided. Second storage means for storing the reference number of divided area pixels that should exist in the divided area, print means for printing on the medium, the number of pixels in the predetermined area detected by the detection means, and the first storage means. Compared with the number of reference pixels stored in
It is determined whether or not the number of pixels in the predetermined area exceeds the reference number of pixels, and if the number of pixels exceeds the reference number of pixels, the number of pixels in each divided area of the predetermined area detected by the detection means and the second storage means are stored. The control unit that compares the divided region reference pixels that have been generated, and if the number of pixels in the divided region exceeds the number of divided reference pixels, determines that there is an image and starts printing from the position where there is no image by the printing means. Have and.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, both the total number of pixels in a predetermined area and the number of pixels in each divided area obtained by dividing the predetermined area into a plurality of areas are compared with respective reference value pixel numbers. The presence or absence of an image is detected by. In other words, foreign matter such as dust will not settle and adhere within the predetermined area.
When there are more than the reference number of pixels in the predetermined area, the predetermined area is further divided, and it is determined whether the number of pixels in the divided area is greater than or equal to the reference value. Without being able to detect an image within a predetermined area,
An image detection method can be provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a pixel is detected for each line divided into a plurality of lines in the height direction of the image, and the total number of detected pixels in a predetermined area and the number of pixels in each line are used. Then, the presence or absence of the image is determined. That is, the detection of the image is performed in a plurality of divided areas in the height direction of the image, and the number of pixels in the predetermined area detected in this divided area and the number of pixels in each divided area are compared with respective reference values. Thus, the presence or absence of an image is detected. In other words, foreign matter such as dust does not adhere linearly in a predetermined linear region, and when the number of reference pixels is greater than or equal to the reference region within the predetermined region, the number of pixels in each line is greater than or equal to the reference value. By determining whether or not it is possible to detect an image in a predetermined area without making a mistake in the adhesion of foreign matter to the image, it is possible to provide an image detection method.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the detection means stores both the total number of pixels in a predetermined area and the number of pixels in each divided area obtained by dividing the predetermined area into a plurality of first and second storage means. The presence / absence of an image is detected by comparing the number of pixels with the reference value pixel number stored in the. In other words, foreign matter such as dust does not harden and adhere within the predetermined area. Therefore, if there are more than the reference number of pixels in the predetermined area, the predetermined area is further divided, and the divided area is divided. By determining whether or not the number of pixels is equal to or larger than the reference value, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus capable of detecting an image in a predetermined area without mistakenly attaching a foreign substance to an image.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the detection means stores both the total number of pixels in a predetermined area and the number of pixels in each divided area obtained by dividing the predetermined area into a plurality of first and second storage means. The presence / absence of an image is detected by comparing with the reference value pixel number stored in each. Further, printing is started from a position where an image cannot be detected. In other words, foreign matter such as dust does not harden and adhere within the predetermined area. Therefore, if there are more than the reference number of pixels in the predetermined area, the predetermined area is further divided, and the divided area is divided. By determining whether the number of pixels is greater than or equal to the reference value, it is possible to detect the presence or absence of an image in a predetermined area without mistakenly attaching foreign matter to the image, and printing can be started from a position where there is no image. It is possible to provide a body processing device that does not perform line printing without creating lines.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is an external view of an automatic transaction apparatus for reading an image according to an embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 12 is a card insertion slot into which a card storing account information in a magnetic stripe is inserted. A customer operation unit 13 is used by the customer to input a desired transaction. Reference numeral 11 is a passbook insertion slot into which a passbook is inserted.

The automatic transaction device executes a predetermined transaction on the basis of the account information stored in the card inserted through the card insertion slot, and the passbook is inserted through the passbook insertion slot 11 during transaction processing. If so, the passbook is conveyed to a passbook processing unit, which will be described later, and the image reading process of this embodiment detects the line to be printed and prints the transaction content.

Since such a passbook is carried by a customer and is stored in a place where dust and dirt easily adhere, dust and dirt adhere. FIG. 2 is an external view of a passbook processing apparatus for reading an image according to this embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 11 is a passbook insertion slot, in a state where the passbook is opened by the operator,
Alternatively, it is inserted in the closed state.

When the passbook is inserted in the closed state, the page is turned by a page turning mechanism (not shown) inside the passbook processing apparatus. FIG. 3 is an internal configuration diagram of the passbook processing unit of the automatic transaction device and the passbook processing device. Reference numeral 21 denotes a conveyance roller that conveys the inserted passbook. 22 is MS
The head, which reads the account information stored on the magnetic stripe of the passbook. An image reading unit 23 detects a line to be printed. Reference numeral 24 denotes a print head, which prints the contents of the transaction performed on the passbook.

FIG. 4 is a hardware configuration diagram of the passbook processing apparatus. A main control unit 3A controls the entire passbook processing apparatus. Reference numeral 31 is a main MPU, and the main control unit 3A
In charge of the control processing of. An image side MPU 32 is in charge of control processing of the image reading unit 23. An interface 33 transmits and receives signals between the main control unit 3A and the image reading unit 23.

Reference numeral 34 denotes a conveyance control unit, which is the conveyance roller 21.
A motor (not shown) for driving the motor is controlled. A sensor control unit 35 controls a sensor (not shown) installed in the transaction processing device. A print control unit 36 controls the print head 24. 37 is an MS control unit,
The MS head 22 is controlled. A main memory 39A stores information in the main control unit 3A.

An image sensor 38 reads an image on the front surface of the passbook. Reference numeral 39 is a memory in which values necessary for detecting the printed lines are stored. An image buffer 40 stores the image read by the image sensor. The passbook processing operation will be described with reference to FIGS. When the passbook is inserted from the passbook insertion port 11, the main MPU 31 of the main control unit 3A detects the insertion of the passbook via the sensor control unit 35, and the conveyance control unit 34
The motor is driven via the feeding roller 21 to feed the passbook into the apparatus.

When the passbook passes through the MS head, the main MPU 31 passes the MS head 2 through the MS control unit 37.
At 2, the magnetic stripe is read. Based on the account information read by the MS head 22, the main MPU 31 executes a predetermined transaction process input from an operation unit (not shown). When MS reading is performed by the MS head 22, the main MPU 31 causes the image reading unit 23 to move when the passbook is further conveyed into the apparatus and passes through the image reading unit 23.
Detects the line to be printed.

The image reading unit 23 detects the line to be printed next by sequentially searching from the last line to see if the line of the opened page has been printed. If it is determined that the last line of the opened page has been printed,
The passbook is turned to the next page by a page turning mechanism (not shown), and the image reading unit 23 searches the turned page to detect the line to be printed next.

When the line to be printed is detected from the image side MPU 32 via the interface 33, the main MPU 31 conveys the passbook to the print head 24 via the conveyance control unit 34, and via the print control unit 36. The contents of the conducted transaction are printed on the line to be printed detected by the image reading unit 23. The passbook that has completed the printing process is ejected from the passbook insertion port 11, and the passbook processing operation ends.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the print line detection processing of this embodiment. The left side shows the control on the main control section 3A side, and the right side shows the control on the image reading section 23 side. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the first stage processing of the image side MPU 32. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the second stage processing of the image side MPU 32.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the third stage processing of the image side MPU 32. The print line detection process of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 8. First, the image side MPU 32 from the main MPU 31 via the interface 33.
The read start command is transmitted to the main MPU 31, and the main MPU 31 causes the conveyance roller 21 to convey the passbook under the image sensor 38 via the conveyance control unit 34 (step 41).

The image side MPU 32 is the image sensor 3
The image data read in 8 is stored in the image buffer 40, the last line of the image data stored in the image buffer 40 is focused on (step 42), and the determination process is executed on the focused line (step 43). The line width of the passbook is n scans.

In the process of determining the target line, the MPU 32 detects the relative pixel number for each scan for the target line, and n
Total of scans (total of relative pixel rows: SN Called)
Take This is the first stage processing of the MPU 32 shown in FIG. At this time, the MPU 32 calculates the relative pixel row sum SN When,
A comparison is made with the character determination pixel number G stored in the memory 39 (step 44). Here, the character determination pixel number G is the number of pixels serving as a reference for determining that a character is printed in the line of interest.

Conventionally, the relative pixel row sum SN And the print determination pixel count G are compared, and the relative pixel row total sum SN Is larger than the print determination pixel number G, it is determined that printing is present at that time. That is, the presence / absence of printing of the target line is determined only by the first-stage processing. However, if dust adheres to the line of interest of the passbook, the dust will be detected as a pixel, and therefore the total sum of relative pixel lines SN even though it is not actually printed. May exceed the print determination pixel number G, and it may be determined that there is printing.

If the character determination pixel number G is increased, erroneous detection due to dust or the like will be reduced, but it becomes difficult to detect faint characters. Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to prevent erroneous detection without changing the character determination pixel number G, the relative pixel row number total sum SN is determined in step 44. If the number of pixels does not exceed the print determination pixel number, it is determined that there is no printing, and the line of interest is set to 1
Shift to the upper row (step 46), but sum of relative pixel rows SN Is larger than the character determination pixel number G, the image side MPU 32 executes the second stage processing as shown in FIG.

In the second stage processing, the image side MPU
32 detects whether there is a scan number C having a pixel number exceeding the expected pixel number H stored in the memory 39 (whether C> 0) (step 45). Here, the expected number of pixels H refers to the number of pixels per scan expected from the height of characters to be printed in a line (m scans).

That is, assuming that the height of the character to be printed is m scans, the expected pixel number H is the print determination pixel number G divided by the character height m scans. If there is a print character in the line of interest, there must be a scan having a pixel number exceeding the expected pixel number H, and if there is no pixel number exceeding the expected pixel number H, dirt such as dust is present. It becomes clear that the pixel was detected as a pixel.

Therefore, as in this embodiment, the image side MP is
U32 performs not only the first-stage process but also the second-stage process to determine whether or not there is a print in the line of interest, so that erroneous detection due to dust adhering to the passbook can be prevented and accurate print line detection can be performed. . A plurality of values are stored in the memory 39 so that the print determination pixel number G can be changed according to the operator's request. Therefore, it is assumed that a value corresponding to a plurality of G values is stored in the memory 39 as the expected pixel number.

When there is no scan having the number of pixels exceeding the expected number of pixels H in step 45, the image side MPU 32 determines that there is no print character in the target line and shifts the target line up by one line. (Step 46). If there is a scan having the number of pixels exceeding the expected number of pixels H in step 45, the process shifts to the third stage process shown in FIG. 7 in order to further improve the accuracy of the print line detection in this embodiment.

The third stage processing is for preventing erroneous detection of a print line when dust is attached to the image sensor 38 itself. First, the image side MPU32
Searches for pixels that are continuous for the width of two lines (2n scans) from the lower end position of the line of interest (step 47), and whether continuous pixel detection is continuous for two character heights or more (2m scans or more). Check whether (step 48).

Generally, the character height m of the characters printed in a line
Is smaller than the line width n, and the character height 2m for two characters is larger than the line width n. In other words, even if the print characters overlap for two lines (when there is overlap printing),
Two or more character heights, that is, continuous pixels of 2 m or more should not be detected. If it is detected, the image sensor 33 itself has a deposit such as dust, or in the line of interest of the passbook. It is expected that long dust will adhere to the.

Therefore, in step 48, when the continuous pixels of 2 m or more are detected, the image side MPU 32 causes the main M on the main control section 3A side via the interface 33.
The PU 31 is notified of a warning (E = 1) (step 4)
9). The main MPU 31 on the main control unit 3A side determines the next processing operation based on the information received from the MPU 32 on the image side via the interface 33. First, the MPU 31 receives the information in step 48, that is, during the third stage processing of the image side MPU 32,
The presence / absence of detection of consecutive pixels having a height of 2 characters or more, that is, 2 m or more (presence / absence of warning E issued from the image side MPU 32 in step 49) is received (step 50).

Then, the main MPU 31 executes step 45.
(2), that is, the presence or absence of the number of scans having the pixel number exceeding the expected pixel number H in the second stage processing of the image side MPU 32 (step 51). If the warning E is not received in step 50 and there is the number of scans having the number of pixels exceeding the expected number of pixels H in step 51, the main MPU 31 causes the image reading unit 23 to accurately print the print character in the line of interest. It is judged that it has been detected (step 52), and the passbook is printed on the print head 2 via the conveyance control unit 34.
4 to the print head 24 via the print control unit 36.
At, print on the line next to the detected print line.

If the detected print line is the last line, the main NPU 31 turns the page of the passbook by a page turning mechanism (not shown) and detects the print line from the last line of the turned page. Step 50 of the main MPU 31
When the warning E is received, the process returns to step 41, the reading and carrying process is performed again, and the print line is detected.

When the warning E is received in the same destination line, the main MPU 31 updates the number of retries stored in the main memory 39A each time (step 53) and repeats the reading and carrying process, but the number of retries is 2 However, if the warning E is received (step 54), dust may have adhered to the image sensor itself, so that the main MPU 31 causes the main unit MPU 31 to display a message indicating a device abnormality (not shown). Is displayed at (step 56).

Also, when the warning is not received in step 50 and the information that there is no scan having the pixel number exceeding the expected pixel number H is received in step 51, the main MP
The U31 returns to step 41, performs the reading and carrying process again, and detects the print line. Further, even when the notification that there is no scan having the number of pixels exceeding the expected number of pixels H in the same line of interest is received, the reading and carrying process is repeated while updating the number of retries in the main memory 39A (step 53). However, when the number of retries reaches 2 (step 4), since the dust adhering to the target line is detected as the number of pixels, the number of pixels G for the print determination is exceeded, and it is predicted that the characters are not actually printed. Therefore, the main MPU 31 displays a message prompting the operator to check the passbook on the display unit (not shown) (step 57).

The print line detection processing in the automatic transaction device is also performed by the above-mentioned operation. In the present embodiment, in the second stage processing (presence / absence of scan having a pixel number exceeding the expected pixel number H) and the third stage processing (presence / absence of continuous pixels having a height of 2 m or more for two characters) for the line of interest, By adding the retry operation, it is possible to more accurately prevent the printing line from being erroneously recognized due to dust.

[0041]

According to the present invention, both the total number of pixels in a predetermined region and the number of pixels in each divided region obtained by dividing the predetermined region into a plurality of regions are compared with respective reference value pixel numbers. By performing double image detection, it is possible to accurately detect an image in a predetermined area without making a mistake with foreign matter such as dust that is scattered and adheres.

Further, a pixel is detected for each of a plurality of lines divided in the height direction of the image, and the presence or absence of the image is determined by using the total number of pixels in the detected predetermined area and the number of pixels in each line. By performing the above, the degree of scattering of the detected pixels can be clarified, and even if the image in the predetermined area is faint, it is possible to perform reliable image detection without mistakenly attaching foreign matter to the image.

As described above, an image detecting method capable of performing accurate image detection becomes possible, and by the image detecting method, it is possible to realize a medium processing apparatus capable of accurately performing medium processing.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of an automatic transaction device.

FIG. 2 is an external view of a passbook processing device.

FIG. 3 is an internal configuration diagram of a passbook processing apparatus.

FIG. 4 is an internal configuration diagram of a passbook processing apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a print line detection process of this embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a first stage process of the image side MPU 32.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a second stage process of the image side MPU 32.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a third stage process of the image side MPU 32.

[Explanation of symbols]

 3A ... Main control unit 23 ... Image reading unit 31 ... Main MPU 32 ... Image side MPU 33 ... Interface 34 ... Transport control unit 35 ... Sensor control unit 36 ... Print control unit 37 ... MS control unit 38 ... Image sensor 39 ... Memory 39A ... Main memory 40 ... Image buffer

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Internal reference number FI technical display location G07D 9/00 436 A

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. When the total number of pixels in a predetermined area exceeds the reference number of pixels, the number of pixels in each divided area obtained by dividing the predetermined area into a plurality exceeds the reference number of divided areas. An image detecting method characterized by detecting whether or not there is an image, and detecting that there is an image when the amount is exceeded. 2. A pixel is detected for each of a plurality of lines divided in the height direction of an image, and when the total number of detected pixels in a predetermined area exceeds a predetermined reference pixel number, An image detecting method characterized by detecting whether or not the number of pixels in a line exceeds the number of reference pixels in the line, and detecting the presence of an image when the number of pixels exceeds the reference number of lines. 3. A detection means for detecting an image, a first storage means for storing the number of reference pixels which should exist in a predetermined area, and a divided area reference which should exist in a divided area obtained by dividing the predetermined area into a plurality of areas. A second storage means for storing the number of pixels; a first storage area for detecting the number of pixels in the predetermined area detected by the detection means;
By comparing with the reference pixel number stored in the storage means, it is determined whether the number of pixels in the predetermined region exceeds the reference pixel number,
If it exceeds, the number of pixels in each divided area of the predetermined area detected by the detection means is compared with the divided area reference pixel stored in the second storage means, and the number of pixels in the divided area is determined as the division reference. A medium processing device comprising: a control unit that determines that an image exists when the number of pixels exceeds the limit. 4. A detection means for detecting an image printed on a medium, a first storage means for storing the number of reference pixels which should exist in a predetermined area, and a divided area obtained by dividing the predetermined area into a plurality of areas. Second storage means for storing the reference number of divided area pixels to be present, printing means for printing on a medium, the number of pixels in a predetermined area detected by the detection means, and the first
By comparing with the reference pixel number stored in the storage means, it is determined whether the number of pixels in the predetermined region exceeds the reference pixel number,
If it exceeds, the number of pixels in each divided area of the predetermined area detected by the detection means is compared with the divided area reference pixel stored in the second storage means, and the number of pixels in the divided area is determined as the division reference. If it exceeds the number of pixels, it is judged that there is an image,
A medium processing apparatus comprising: a control unit that starts printing by a printing unit from a position where there is no image.