JPS63292373A - Shading correcting system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To simplify a shading correction by reading image data out of the white and black areas of a correction card to store it in a memory as correction data and reading said correction data out of a memory in a transaction mode and in response to a reading action of an emboss part to apply the prescribed shading correction to the correction data. CONSTITUTION:A correction card 1 is put into an automatic transaction device and identification data 60 is read out. Thus the automatic transaction device is set in a correction mode. Then the image data on the line directions are read in a white area 61 and a black area 62 of the card 1 and stored in a memory 15 as the correction data 55. In a transaction mode the data 55 is read out in response to a line reading action of an emboss part 2b. Then a white level is corrected and at the same time a dynamic range is increased so as to be controlled by a black level. The corrected emboss read data is binarized in a prescribed level and printed by a print head. Thus the easy and accurate shading correction is realized.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Summary] This is a method in which shading correction is performed when reading the embossed part of a transaction card using a correction card on which predetermined areas are printed in white and black, respectively. When insertion is identified, the automatic transaction device is set to correction mode, and image data is read from the white and black areas and stored in memory as white and black level correction data, respectively.

In the transaction mode, correction data is read from the memory in response to reading of the embossed portion, and predetermined shading correction is performed.

[Industrial application field]

The present invention relates to shading correction in an automatic transaction device that optically reads the embossed portion of a transaction card.

For transaction devices such as automated teller machines (hereinafter referred to as ATMs), the embossed part (embossed part with the name 2 account number etc. engraved) of the transaction card used for the transaction is displayed on the statement issued after the transaction is processed. recorded.

To record this embossed part, a mechanical method is used in which the transaction card and statement paper are overlapped and pressed with a roller, etc., but this method is structurally complex and expensive, so the embossed part is optically recorded. A method is being considered in which the image data is read and printed.

In optical reading, shading occurs due to variations in the light source and image sensor, and changes in these factors over time, so it is usually necessary to correct this, but many of the transaction cards issued have patterns, and the white part of the transaction card The problem with the method of performing shading correction by reading the shading is that it is difficult to perform accurate correction.

Therefore, there is a need for a simple shading correction method for reading the embossed portion of transaction cards.

[Conventional technology]

Optical reading of the embossed part in an ATM will be explained below.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the specification issuing unit, and FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the emboss reading method.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a statement issuing unit in an ATM, and the inserted transaction card 2 (see FIG. 5 for details) is conveyed to the magnetic recording reading section 3 by a feed roller ruff.
After the contents of the magnetic stripe section 2a provided on the transaction card 2 are read, the transaction is carried out according to a predetermined procedure.

After the transaction processing is completed, a transaction statement is issued. At this time, the image data on the embossed part 2b of the transaction card 2 is optically read, and the read image data is printed along with the transaction statement on the copy of the transaction statement. It is wound up on the winding roller 5.

FIG. 5 shows a method of reading the embossed portion 2b.

As shown in the layout diagram (1), the transaction card 2 is irradiated diagonally from above by the lamp 21 while being conveyed inside the embossed reading section 4, and is placed in a one-dimensional direction perpendicular to the feeding direction (referred to as the line direction). Reflected light in the line direction is accumulated on the image sensor 11 .

This image sensor 11 is read by a reading crofter corresponding to the print density, and then compared with a predetermined level and converted into a binary value.

The transaction card 2 is fed and scanned at a predetermined speed, and the image data of the embossed portion 2b is read along with the line scanning.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

When reading the embossed part optically, due to locational variations due to light sources, sensors, etc., and their changes over time,
Shading occurs in the line direction. [Figure 5 (n
)] For this reason, it is necessary to read the white level and apply shading correction periodically, but the method of applying shading correction to the inserted transaction card is difficult if the transaction card is dirty or if the card has a pattern. Because it exists, it cannot be adopted.

Furthermore, since emboss reading involves reading the shadow of the emboss, there is also the problem that the dynamic range will be narrowed unless the black level is corrected along with the white level.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a simple and convenient siniding correction method when optically reading the embossed portion of a transaction card.

Means for Solving Problem C] For the above purpose, the shading correction method of the present invention is as follows:
As shown in FIG. 1, a diagram explaining the principle of the present invention, identification data (
A correction card (1) comprising a magnetic stripe section (1a) on which a magnetic stripe (60) is recorded, and predetermined areas (61, 62) printed in white and black along the shading correction direction, respectively; The identification data (60) from 1a)
A determination unit (10a) that sets the correction mode when reading
), when the correction mode is set, the image data of the white area (61) and black area (62) of the correction card (1) is read, and each image data is converted into white level and black level correction data ( 55) as memory (15
); and when in transaction mode, the embossed portion (2b) of the transaction card.
Corresponding to the reading, the correction data (55) is stored in the memory (
15) and a correction processing section (19) for correcting the reading level of the image data of the embossed portion (2b).

[Effect]

Two sets of predetermined areas (61, 62) along the shading correction direction, that is, the reading line direction of the one-dimensional image sensor
) are printed in white and black respectively on correction card 1.
is provided and read by the emboss reading section to be corrected to obtain correction data 55, and shading correction of the transaction card 2 is performed based on this correction data 55.

The correction card 1 is provided with a magnetic stripe section 1a,
Identification data 60 for identifying whether the inserted card is the correction card 1 is recorded.

When the correction card 1 is inserted into the automatic transaction device and the identification data 60 is read by the magnetic recording reader, the automatic transaction device is set to the correction mode, and the line direction in the white area 6e and black area 62 of the correction card 1 is read. Each image data is read and stored in the memory 15 as correction data 55.

In the transaction mode, correction data 55 is read out in response to line reading of the embossed portion 2b, the white level is corrected, and the dynamic range is controlled to be expanded by the black level.

The corrected emboss read data is binarized at a predetermined level and printed by the print head.

By providing the correction Y card 1 printed in white and black as described above, it becomes possible to perform simple and accurate shading correction.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a correction card of the embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an emboss reading section of the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2, the correction card 1 has a magnetic stripe section 1a similar to that of the transaction card 2 used, and has identification data 6 that identifies it as the correction card 1.
0 is recorded, and two sets of predetermined areas 61 and 62 corresponding to the embossed portion 2b and along the shading correction direction (line reading direction) are printed in white and black.

In the emboss reading section 25 shown in FIG. 3, 11 is a one-dimensional sensor arranged in the reading line direction (shading correction direction) shown in FIG. It has an input terminal for setting Vrb, and converts the input analog voltage into a digital value using Vrt-Vrb as a comparison voltage.

Reference numeral 13 denotes a mode switching section, which, together with the switching section 16, switches from the transaction mode to the correction mode when the identification data 60 is detected by the magnetic recording reading section 10.

Reference numeral 14 denotes a correction data acquisition section which, in the correction mode, determines the white level and black level from the input image data, and stores the average value of each of a plurality of lines in the memory 15 as correction data 55.

A memory 15 stores correction data 55 consisting of a white level and a black level, and is an electrically erasable nonvolatile memory.

A correction processing section 19 reads correction data 55 in synchronization with line reading of the transaction card 1 in the transaction mode, and outputs it to the D/A conversion section 18.

18 is a D/A converter, which converts the white level correction data to V
- The black level correction data is converted into a VB lightning voltage, and the comparison voltages Vrt and Vrb of the A/D converter 12 are respectively
Output as .

A comparison section 17 compares the corrected image data 50 and the slice voltage 23 (both are digital values) and outputs binary data 56.

The operation will be explained below based on the above configuration.

(Obtaining correction data) (1) Insert the correction card l from the insertion slot of the automatic transaction device.

(2) It is transported to the magnetic recording reading section 10, and the magnetic stripe section 1a is read.

The mode switching section 13 is normally set to the transaction mode, and when the identification data 60 is read, the discrimination section 10a determines that the card is a correction card 1, and the mode switching section 13 and the switching section 16 are switched to the correction mode.

(3) Subsequently, the correction card 1 is conveyed to the emboss reading section 25, where the white area 61 and the black area 62 are read.

A reference voltage 20 is given to the comparison voltage of the ^/D converter 12, and the emboss read data amplified to a predetermined level is A/D converted in clock units in the line reading direction based on the reference voltage 20. The data is sequentially input to the correction data acquisition section 14.

(4) The correction data acquisition unit 14 averages the corresponding white level data and black level data of a plurality of line data, and stores the average value at a predetermined address in the memory 15.

(5) After acquiring the correction data, the correction card 1 is returned to the insertion slot and switched to transaction mode.

(Correction Processing) (11) When the transaction card 2 is inserted and the transaction data is read by the magnetic recording reading section 1°, a predetermined transaction processing is started, and after the transaction processing, the card is conveyed to the embossed reading section 25.

(2) The emboss reading section 25 sequentially reads data in the line direction using a predetermined clock while transporting the transaction card 2. At this time, the white level and black level correction data 55 are read in the order of line reading and converted into analog data. Thereafter, as described above, it is input as a comparison voltage to the ^10 converter 12.

(3) As a result, the white level and black level of the emboss read data input to the A/D converters 1 and 2 are corrected, and the data is input to the comparator 17 and binarized by the slice voltage 23.

(4) The binary l data 56, which has been subjected to shading correction in the line direction and has been binarized, is supplied to the print head and printed.

As described above, the correction cards printed in white and black correct the shading when reading the emboss in an automatic transaction device so as to easily and expand the dynamic range.

Note that the above correction processing method is just one example, and there are also methods such as using a variable amplifier, and depending on the correction processing method, the reading order (arrangement order) of white and black may be reversed.
The correction processing method and the black and white order of the correction cards 1 are not limited to the above embodiments.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, the present invention provides an automatic transaction device that includes:
Since this method provides a method for shading correction for emboss reading using a correction card with identification information printed on the magnetic stripe and printed in white and black, the effect of easily and accurately shading correction is extremely large. be.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the principle of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a correction card according to the embodiment, FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the emboss reading section of the embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the statement issuing unit. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an emboss reading method, (1) is a layout diagram, and (n) is an explanatory diagram of shading correction. In the figure, l is a correction card, 1a is a magnetic stripe section, 2 is a transaction card, 2a is a magnetic stripe section, 2b is an embossed section, 8 is a print head, 10 is a magnetic recording reading section, 11 is an image sensor, 12 is a A/D conversion section, 13 is a mode switching section, 14 is a corrected field data acquisition section, 15 is a memory, 16 is a switching section, 17 is a comparison section,
18 is a D/A conversion section, 19 is a correction processing section, 20
is a reference voltage, 21 is a lamp, 23 is a slice voltage, 50 is corrected image data, 61 is a white area, and 62 is a black area.

Claims (1)

[Claims] A transaction card (2) comprising an embossed reading section in which a light source and an image sensor for reading the reflected light are disposed at a predetermined position, and a magnetic stripe section (2a) and an embossed section (2b). In an automatic transaction device that reads the image data of the embossed part (2b) while transmitting it under the light source, the magnetic stripe part (1a) on which identification data (60) is recorded;
) and predetermined areas (61, 62) printed in white and black along the shading correction direction, respectively, and the identification data (60) from the magnetic stripe portion (1a).
Discrimination unit (10a) that sets the correction mode when reading
When the correction mode is set, the image data of the white area (61) and black area (62) of the correction card (1) is read, and each image data is converted into white level and black level correction data (55). ) as memory (15)
a correction data acquisition unit (14) to be stored in the embossed part (2b) of the transaction card when in the transaction mode;
The correction data (55) is stored in the memory (1) in response to reading.
5) and a correction processing unit (19) for correcting the reading level of the image data of the embossed part (2b), and a correction card (19) printed in white and black.
) as correction data (55) for shading correction.