JPH10247262A - Fast reader of micro-code character for discriminating forged paper money - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain picture data of high resolution even with respect to a subject in moving by oppositely arranging subjects with tight adhesion or at a remarkably short distance, parallelly moving them so as to judge authentication by pattern recognition analyzing a subject image obtained by an optical reading sensor under a situation where a relative moving velocity between these is low. SOLUTION: The bottom part of a stocker 2 integrating paper moneys 1 as an object to be inspected is partially opened and the friction face of a kicker roller 3 is made to face this open part to send the lowest one of the integrated paper moneys 1 between the field roller 4 and a gate roller 5 of a reel-out port. This gate roller 5 is constituted to turn its peripheral face oppositely to the reeling-out direction of the paper moneys 1 to send out only one lowest paper toward a pinch roller group 6 arranged by following. A transferring roller group 7 rotating by insert-holding a both-side edge in the direction of moving the paper money 1 is provided to move at a low speed in a moving area which the paper money 1 is sent to. Then each roller of these is intermittently rotated based on a synchronizing signal by a pulse motor, etc.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is capable of determining the presence or absence of a proper printing portion by recognizing a printing pattern while moving a test object on which microcode printing has been performed at a high speed. The present invention relates to a high-speed microcode character reading device effective for discrimination.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Banknotes (for example, US dollar bills, German mark bills, Japanese yen bills) and the like printed using a microcode printing technique are checked for the presence or absence of a microcode printing portion in a state where the bills are conveyed at high speed. If the judgment can be made, the authenticity of the bill can be determined, and a bill processing device with high reliability and high-speed processing can be realized.

[0003] The transport speed of a currently used high-speed bill validator is in the range of 500 to 3000 mm / sec. In order to read the printed pattern of these bills with a stationary camera while maintaining such a conventional processing capability, taking into account the function of a normal optical camera, 1/500 sec. The subject is between 6mm and 0.17m between shutter openings (between film exposures)
m.

On the other hand, in a banknote printed with microcode, about 3 to 5 microcodes having a width of 10 to 50 microns are present at a width of 1 mm. In order to accurately determine this with the optical photographic means described above, 1
A resolution of more than a micrometer is required, and such high-speed imaging is generally not obtained.

[0005] Incidentally, the value required as a microcode reading condition in the course of a currently used high-speed banknote transfer device is that the transfer speed is 500 to 3000 mm / sec.
c. The size of one pixel is 1 mm × 1 mm, and the discrimination of pattern recognition is up to 40 sheets / sec. Have some degree of ability. On the other hand, the size of a microcode which is a character or a special figure to be recognized is a pattern of a character or a figure made of a pattern line having a size of 50 to 100 microns. For this reason, the conventional sensor cannot even catch such a fine target.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a high-speed reading device capable of accurately determining the reading of a microcode printing section while being conveyed by a currently used high-speed bill conveying device. is there. In order to read fine characters, a method of relatively enlarging a picture by reducing pixels or a method of optically enlarging an image can be considered. In addition, since the transport speed is too fast, it is necessary to solve a recognition failure due to subject blurring caused by the subject moving while scanning the light receiving image sensor.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION For this purpose, the present invention provides a method in which a banknote to be inspected and a sensor for reading the banknote are closely contacted or opposed to each other at a short distance, and the relative speed between them is low. Another object of the present invention is to apply the method to the determination of the authenticity of a bill by pattern recognition which analyzes an image of a bill surface obtained by an optical reading sensor. In order to reduce the relative movement speed between these, a region is provided for moving the optical reading sensor in parallel at a speed lower than the bill insertion speed along the bill conveyance path, and during this parallel movement, Then, the entire area of the bill is scanned and read. As the optical sensor in this case, a one-dimensional imaging device such as a CCD line sensor or a diode photo array, or an image reading unit including a two-dimensional imaging device such as a CCD two-dimensional image element or a phototransistor secondary element is applied. Then, in order to take the timing between the paper money to be intermittently sent and the optical reading sensor, a plurality of passage sensing elements arranged in the movement area of the optical reading sensor are used. Further, the relative movement speed is restricted to a low-speed movement condition under the condition of different parallel movement speeds in the same direction.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An optical reading sensor orbits regularly in a bill transport area by continuous movement. The travel position of the optical reading sensor that reaches the parallel running area is detected by a detection element, and the banknote 1 is fed out in synchronization with the travel position, and both are translated. By causing a difference in the moving speed between the two, the bill surface can be scanned by the optical reading sensor with a slow moving difference while both are moving at a high speed. In this situation, the bill surface (subject) is photographed by the optical reading sensor (imaging body).

If either the subject or the imaging body is in a stationary state (a state in which the relative speed is other than zero), the subject image moves on the imaging surface during the opening time of the shutter of the imaging body. A shift occurs, the captured image is disturbed, and the resolution of the image is reduced. In this case, the higher the moving speed of the other party (the higher the relative speed), the more disturbed the image becomes, the lower the resolution becomes, and the image cannot be identified. Therefore, during the shutter opening time of the imaging body, when the relative speed is low within a condition in which a reduction in the resolution of a recognizable range is acceptable, the imaging body can capture an image while scanning the subject at a slow speed. Done
Including the case where the relative speed is zero, a practically effective image can be obtained. Using this image as a target, the presence of a search image, that is, the microcode printing unit, and the authenticity of the microcode printing unit can be determined by pattern recognition.

In this case, a CCD applied as an image pickup body
(Charge Coupled Device) According to a one-dimensional imaging device including a solid-state imaging device such as a line sensor, a photodiode array, a phototransistor array, or an imaging tube, information is electrically scanned while sequentially scanning images moving at a slow speed difference. Can be taken out. Further, even in a two-dimensional imaging apparatus, an image can be similarly captured even when the relative speed difference is extremely low near zero.

In the acquisition of screen information, the distortion and enlargement or reduction of the image can be adjusted by optical means and electrical means. However, in order to stabilize the image, it is necessary to arrange the subject and the imaging body in this case close to each other. It is also preferable that the subject and the imaging body move in parallel when the vehicle moves at a relatively low relative speed to simplify the subsequent processing mechanism. For example, a CCD device is used as an image line scanner, and the output is input to an AD converter. Then, the output digital signal is represented by R
Temporarily store in AM memory. This RAM memory is 3
A type is provided and set to those during data input, data waiting, and data comparison. The pattern recognition is performed by extracting the processing / data from the RAM memory and comparing it with the output data from the comparison reference data pattern storage ROM memory placed under the control of the high-speed central control unit (for example, 16 to 32 bit class). Can be performed.

[0012]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention, wherein a stocker 2 for stacking bills 1 as an object to be inspected has a partially open bottom portion. One of the lowermost sheets of the stacked banknotes 1 is fed out between the field roller 4 and the gate roller 5 at the feeding port with the friction surface facing. The gate roller 5 is configured so that its peripheral surface turns in a direction opposite to the feeding direction of the banknote 1, and sends out only one lowermost sheet of paper toward a pinch roller group 6 arranged in a rear row. A transfer roller group 7 that rotates while sandwiching both side edges in the moving direction of the bill 1 is provided in a moving area ahead of the sent bill 1 so as to move at a low speed. Each of these rollers is intermittently rotated by a pulse motor or the like based on a synchronization signal to be described later, thereby forming a bill feeding section. A bill length L ₂ , a reading section L _3, and play distances L ₄ and L ₅ are shown with respect to a moving distance L ₁ of the bill 1 in the feeding section.

[0013] standing turn driving portion of the optical to such bill feeding unit reading sensor H ₁ and H ₂ are flat location. A right side view showing this is shown in FIG. The upright turning drive unit is a pair of endless belts (or chains) 8 arranged in parallel at different levels.
And consists 9, supported by an optical reading sensor (identification heads) H ₁ and H ₂ of the supporting member 10 and 11 to the relative two positions, configured such that they parallel move along a portion bill transfer zone while standing I have. Then, this parallel transfer zone, the optical reading sensor H ₁ and H ₂ to Fusetsu the rail guide 12 slid by placing, which like the parallel movement of the optical reading sensor H ₁ and H ₂ to keep a stable It is. The endless belts 8 and 9 and the pulleys 13 and 14 at both ends have pins 15 and 1 at their relative positions.
5 'and pins 16 and 16' Yes and the then respectively implanted, which are fixedly arranged to pass the sensing element S _1, S _2, S ₃ to pass to move. In addition, 17 and 18 are drive shafts of pulleys 13 and 14 at both ends, 19 and 20 are timing belts,
Reference numeral 1 denotes a constant speed motor.

Under such a configuration, the passage detecting element S
₁ functions as a proximity sensor for the pin 16, and the passage detecting element S ₂ detects arrival of the pin 15 and detects the optical reading sensor H _1.
Function as a generator of an instruction signal to start identification by
Furthermore passage detection element S ₃ of one more function as generator of the identification completion indication signal by detecting the arrival of the pin 15. Similarly, when the passing detection element S ₁ pin 16 having reached the 'pin 15 into and passage detection elements S ₂ and S ₃ when it reaches', works for other optical reading sensor H _2. Therefore, the time when the pin 16 moves from the point A to the point B on FIG. 1 is set equal to the time when the bill 1 moves from the point C to the point B, and when the pin 16 reaches the passage detecting element S ₁ . to initiate the bill feeding, the note 1 is to move occupied position to point D when the optical reading sensor H ₁ came to relative positions in the B point. A play distance L ₄ between the point D and the relative position of the point B.
Reading was is given provided, the banknote 1 when the optical reading sensor H ₁ or H _2, even if the feeding error of the banknote 1 has occurred came to the B point position tip of which such an optical reading sensor H ₁ or H ₂ This is to ensure safety so that they do not pass through the position.

During the time required for the optical reading sensor H ₁ or H ₂ to move from the point B relative position to the point E relative position, the trailing end of the bill 1 at the point F moves to the point G. This allows the optical reading sensor H ₁ or H _{2 to determine} the overall reading and identification of the bill 1 in the transport direction.
It can be carried out in _one or H _2. This operation is performed sequentially repeated by the two optical reading sensor H ₁ or H ₂ coming alternately bill conveyance zone.

[0016]

As described above, according to the present invention, an optical reading sensor comprising a solid-state image pickup device or a high-speed image pickup tube or the like and a subject such as a banknote or a very fine pattern or their images are brought into close contact or extremely close proximity. By displacing and translating in opposition to the distance, and under a situation where the relative movement speed between them is low, by performing pattern recognition to analyze the subject image obtained by the optical reading sensor, by making a true / false determination,
High-resolution image data can be easily obtained even for a moving subject, and pattern recognition using an electrical information signal can be performed at a high speed by a relatively simple mechanism. In addition, it is possible to perform the preceding pattern recognition while scanning the subject using a one-dimensional image pickup device including a solid-state image pickup device, and to perform a wide area by temporary scanning or repetitive scanning even under the configuration of the two-dimensional image pickup device using these devices. Pattern recognition can be performed. Further, the temporary right or two-dimensional image pattern recognition can be performed by the difference between the parallel movement of the subject and the imaging body, and this is extremely effective in simplifying the entire apparatus.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a right side view of the above.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 bill 15 pin 15 'pin 16 pin 16' Pin L ₁ moving distance L ₂ bill length L ₃ read length L ₄ play distance L ₅ play distance H ₁ optical reading sensor H ₂ optical reading sensor S ₁ passes through the sensing element S ₂ Passage detection element S ₃ Passage detection element

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A bill delivery section for receiving a stack of bills to be inspected and delivering the bills one by one at intervals, a bill delivery section for transporting the delivered bills at a constant speed, and a bill delivery section. An optical reading sensor that moves in parallel and slower than the transport speed of the bills, such that the optical reading sensor operates in its entirety in the transport direction of the bills while moving in parallel with the bills being transported. A high speed reading device for microcode characters for discriminating forged banknotes, wherein a moving speed and a moving distance of the optical reading sensor are set. 2. A passage detecting element of the optical reading sensor is provided in a moving area of the optical reading sensor which moves in parallel with the bill to be conveyed, and the optical reading sensor detects a time when the bill reaches the bill reading position and reads the bill. The apparatus for reading microcode characters for identifying forged banknotes according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to be sent to a position. 3. The one-dimensional imaging device such as a CCD line sensor, a diode photo array, a transistor photo array, or a CCD two-dimensional image device, a diode photo two-dimensional array device, a phototransistor two-dimensional array device, and the optical reading sensor. 2. The high-speed reading device for microcode characters for discriminating forged banknotes according to claim 1, comprising image reading means including a two-dimensional imaging device such as an imaging tube.