WO2013077042A1

WO2013077042A1 - Image capturing apparatus, image capturing method, and image capturing program

Info

Publication number: WO2013077042A1
Application number: PCT/JP2012/070674
Authority: WO
Inventors: 嘉幸松本
Original assignee: 日立オムロンターミナルソリューションズ株式会社
Priority date: 2011-11-24
Filing date: 2012-08-14
Publication date: 2013-05-30
Also published as: JP5823832B2; JP2013109727A

Abstract

Provided are an ATM (1), an image capturing method, and an image capturing program. The ATM (1) is provided with an image capturing unit (22) that captures and outputs a still image of a customer (M), a storage unit (14) that stores various information, and a control unit (11) that controls each unit. The control unit (11) is provided with: compressed image creation processing for creating a JPEG image from the still image of the customer (M) acquired by the image capturing unit (22); and compressed image evaluation processing for evaluating whether the file size of the JPEG image is larger than or equal to a reference file size, storing the JPEG image in the storage unit (14) when the file size of the JPEG image is larger than or equal to the reference file size, and outputting non-acquisition information when the file size of the JPEG image is less than the reference file size, said non-acquisition information indicating that the JPEG image is not stored in the storage unit (14).

Description

Imaging apparatus, imaging method, and imaging program

Import by reference

This application claims the priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-256536 filed on November 24, 2011, and is incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention relates to a photographing apparatus, a photographing method, and a photographing program which are incorporated in, for example, an automatic transaction apparatus such as an ATM, and which photograph and store a user who makes a transaction using the automatic transaction apparatus.

Conventionally, an automatic transaction apparatus such as an ATM has a built-in photographing apparatus for photographing a user who makes a transaction with a financial institution, and photographs the user at various timings and stores them as photographed images. Such a photographing device not only serves as evidence that the user has made a transaction, but also serves as a security camera. For this reason, the photographed image is required to be identified at least by the user, that is, the user's face can be identified.

However, since automatic transaction apparatuses are installed in various places such as financial institutions and retail stores, the shooting environment is not constant and a desired shot image may not be stored. In particular, when installed near the outer wall where the glass surface occupies a high proportion even in the room, the user's face is identified by overexposure due to strong external light such as the West, and overexposure. There was a problem that a photographed image that could not be stored.

In view of this, there has been proposed a technique for taking an image while suppressing the influence of the incident external light.
For example, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, an ATM including an iris recognition device that photographs a user's iris and identifies the user is installed in an ATM box made of polarizing glass. Thereby, it is said that the user's iris can be photographed while suppressing the influence of external light, and a desired image can be obtained.

However, the technique described in Patent Document 1 has a problem that the area required for installing the ATM becomes large because the ATM is installed in the ATM box.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-21392

In view of the above-described problems, the present invention provides an imaging device, an imaging method, and an imaging program that can determine whether or not an image can identify a user and store only an image that can identify the user. With the goal.

The present invention is an imaging apparatus including at least one imaging unit that images a user and outputs a still image, a storage unit that stores various information, and a control unit that controls each unit, and the control unit In addition, a compressed image creation process for creating a compressed image by compressing the still image of the user acquired by the photographing unit in a predetermined compression format, and whether the file size of the compressed image is equal to or larger than a predetermined file size If the file size of the compressed image is equal to or larger than the predetermined file size, the compressed image is stored in the storage unit, and the file size of the compressed image is less than the predetermined file size. For example, a compressed image determination process for outputting non-acquisition information indicating that the compressed image is not stored in the storage unit is provided.

The present invention can provide an imaging apparatus, an imaging method, and an imaging program that can determine whether or not an image can identify a user and store only an image that can identify the user.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The external appearance perspective view which shows the external appearance of ATM from the front side. The block diagram which shows the internal structure of ATM. The block diagram which shows the internal structure of an imaging | photography part. Explanatory drawing explaining a JPEG image. Explanatory drawing explaining a JPEG image. Explanatory drawing explaining a JPEG image. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of ATM. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of photographing processing. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of a failure diagnosis process. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a photographing unit according to a second embodiment. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of ATM in the second embodiment.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1 shows an external perspective view of the ATM 1 (imaging device) from the front side, FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the internal configuration of the ATM 1, and FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of the internal configuration of the imaging unit 22 (imaging unit). 4A to 4C are explanatory views for explaining a JPEG image (compressed image).

4A shows a normal image 31 that can identify the face of the customer (user), FIG. 4B shows a whiteout image 32 in which a part of the customer's face is whiteout, and FIG. 4C shows the first camera unit 23. Or, the occlusion image 33 taken with the second camera unit 24 occluded is shown.

As shown in FIG. 1, the ATM 1 is an automatic transaction apparatus that is installed in a bank or the like and can perform transactions such as cash deposits and withdrawals by customer operations. The banknote depositing / dispensing mechanism part 18, the coin depositing / dispensing mechanism part 19, and the operation / display part 20 (output part) are arrange | positioned at the horizontal operation surface in moderate height. Further, a customer detection sensor 21 is disposed at a position facing the user at the front end of the horizontal operation surface.

Furthermore, a passbook mechanism unit 16 and a card mechanism unit / detail slip mechanism unit 17 are arranged on a vertical operation surface that is substantially vertical upward from the horizontal operation surface. In addition, the half mirror 3 is disposed on the upper part of the vertical operation surface, and the first camera unit 23 and the second camera unit 24 are placed at both ends in the horizontal direction inside the housing 2 via the half mirror 3. The face is arranged so that it can be photographed. The half mirror 3 has a configuration in which a surface facing the customer is formed in a mirror shape so that the outside can be seen from the inside of the housing 2.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the ATM 1 includes a power supply unit 15, a passbook mechanism unit 16, a card mechanism unit / detail slip mechanism unit 17, a banknote deposit / withdrawal mechanism unit 18, a coin deposit / withdrawal mechanism unit 19, The display unit 20, the customer detection sensor 21, the photographing unit 22, and the control unit 11 (control unit) are included.

The control unit 11 includes a hardware configuration such as a CPU 12, a memory 13, and a storage unit 14 (storage unit) that stores various information, and a software configuration such as a program and data stored in the storage unit 14. It has various processing functions such as a transaction operation for performing a transaction by operating the ATM 1, and a control function for controlling the operation of each unit connected via a predetermined bus.

Also, the storage unit 14 stores a reference file size (predetermined file size) indicating the minimum file size of a JPEG image that can identify the customer's face. The reference file size will be described in detail later.

The power supply unit 15 has a function of supplying power to each part inside the ATM 1.
The bankbook mechanism unit 16 has a function of inserting / extracting the bankbook of the customer, a function of reading information on the bankbook, and a printing function of printing transaction contents on the bankbook.

The card mechanism unit / detail slip mechanism unit 17 has a card mechanism unit having a function of inserting / extracting a customer's cash card and a function of reading / writing cash card information, a function of printing transaction contents on a statement slip, and printing. The statement slip mechanism unit having the function of discharging the statement slip is integrally configured.

The banknote deposit / withdrawal mechanism unit 18 has a banknote deposit / withdrawal function, an identification function, a storage function, and the like.
The coin deposit / withdrawal mechanism unit 19 has a coin deposit / withdrawal function, an identification function, a storage function, and the like.
The operation / display unit 20 is composed of a touch panel that has both a function of accepting customer operations and a function of displaying various operation guides.
The customer detection sensor 21 has a function of detecting a customer located in front of the ATM 1.

As shown in FIG. 3, the photographing unit 22 includes a first camera unit 23, a second camera unit 24, a camera switching unit 25, and a capture unit 26.
As shown in FIG. 1, the first camera unit 23 is arranged near the left end with respect to the ATM 1 and has a function of photographing a customer's face located in front of the ATM 1 and outputting it as a video signal. ing. Further, the first camera unit 23 includes a rotation drive unit 23a (drive unit).

The rotation drive unit 23a has a function of changing the shooting direction with respect to the customer by rotating the first camera unit 23 in the vertical and horizontal directions (predetermined direction) within a predetermined angle range.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the second camera unit 24 has the same configuration as the first camera unit 23 except that the second camera unit 24 is arranged in the vicinity of the right end toward the ATM 1, and detailed description thereof will be given. Omitted.

The camera switching unit 25 has a function of switching a video signal output from the first camera unit 23 or the second camera unit 24 and inputting the video signal to the capture unit 26.
The capture unit 26 has a function of creating and outputting a still image from the video signal output from the first camera unit 23 or the second camera unit 24.

Here, the reference file size described above will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4A to 4C.
As an example of a JPEG image created by compressing a still image captured and output by the imaging unit 22 in a JPEG format (predetermined compression format) described later, as shown in FIGS. It is assumed that the flying image 32 or the shielding image 33 is obtained.

The normal image 31 is a JPEG image that can identify the face of the customer M.
The whiteout image 32 is a JPEG image in which a part of the face of the customer M cannot be identified due to a whiteout region W that is whitened by external light incident from behind the customer M or the like.
The occlusion image 33 is a JPEG image in which the face of the customer M cannot be identified at all because the first camera unit 23 or the second camera unit 24 is occluded.

When a still image is compressed and converted into a JPEG image in the JPEG format, the ratio of the file size of the JPEG image to the file size of the still image, that is, the compression rate increases as the still image has less color change. That is, the file size decreases in the order of the normal image 31, the skipped image 32, and the shielding image 33.

For example, if the file size of the normal image 31 is about 20 kbytes, the file size of the whiteout image 32 is about 15 kbytes, and the file size of the occlusion image 33 is about 6 kbytes.

Thus, the reference file size is set by using the difference in the file size of the JPEG image due to the difference in color change in the still image.
Specifically, in the JPEG image obtained by compressing the still image in the JPEG format, the minimum file size of the JPEG image that can identify the face of the customer M is set and stored in the storage unit 14 as the reference file size. For example, if the normal image 31 described above is the minimum file size that can identify the face of the customer M, the reference file size is set to 20 kbytes.

In ATM1 of the above structure, operation | movement of ATM1 when a customer comes to a transaction is demonstrated using FIG.5 and FIG.6.
5 shows a flowchart of the operation in the ATM 1, and FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of the photographing process.

First, as shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 11 of the ATM 1 determines whether or not the customer detection sensor 21 has detected a customer (step S101). If the customer detection sensor 21 has not detected a customer (step S101: No), the control unit 11 determines that the customer is in a standby state and executes a failure diagnosis process for diagnosing the presence or absence of a failure in the photographing unit 22 (step S102). ). The failure diagnosis process will be described in detail later.

On the other hand, when the customer detection sensor 21 detects a customer (step S101: Yes), the operation / display unit 20 displays operation guidance according to an instruction from the control unit 11 (step S103). Then, the control part 11 performs the imaging | photography process which image | photographs a customer's face (step S104).

When the photographing process is executed, the control unit 11 sets the number N of photographings to “0” as shown in FIG. 6 (step S201). And according to the instruction | indication of the control part 11, the 1st camera part 23 of the imaging | photography part 22 starts imaging | photography of a customer's face (step S202).

At this time, the capture unit 26 creates and outputs a still image (still image) from the video signal output by the first camera unit 23 at a predetermined timing, for example, at a pace of 3 frames per second, according to an instruction from the control unit 11. To do. Then, the control unit 11 compresses the acquired still image in the JPEG format and outputs it as a JPEG image (step S203), and temporarily stores it in the storage unit 14 (step S204).

After that, the control unit 11 adds “1” to the number N of photographing (step S205), and then compares and determines the file size of the JPEG image and the reference file size (step S206).

If the file size of the JPEG image is equal to or larger than the reference file size (step S206: Yes), the control unit 11 determines that the JPEG image can identify the customer's face like the normal image 31 illustrated in FIG. 4A, for example. The JPEG image is stored in the storage unit 14 (step S207). Thereafter, the control unit 11 ends the photographing process and returns the process to step S104 in FIG.

On the other hand, if the file size of the JPEG image is smaller than the reference file size (step S206: No), the control unit 11 detects the customer's face, such as the overexposure image 32 or the occlusion image 33 shown in FIGS. The JPEG image that is temporarily stored in the storage unit 14 is deleted (step S208).

Then, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the number N of photographing is larger than two times (predetermined number) (step S209). If the number N of shootings is 2 or less (step S209: No), the control unit 11 returns the process to step S202, once again shoots the customer's face, outputs a JPEG image, and temporarily stores it in the storage unit 14. Remember.

In step S209, if the number N of photographing is greater than 2 (step S209: Yes), the control unit 11 does not acquire JPEG images that can identify the customer's face in the storage unit 14 (non-acquisition information (non- (Acquired information) is temporarily stored in the memory 13 (step S210). Thereafter, the control unit 11 ends the photographing process and returns the process to step S104 in FIG.

When the photographing process is finished and the process returns to step S104 in FIG. 5, the control unit 11 determines whether or not non-acquired information is temporarily stored in the memory 13 (step S105). If the non-acquired information is temporarily stored (step S105: Yes), the control unit 11 determines whether the video signal input to the capture unit 26 is the video signal of the second camera unit 24 (step S106). ).

If it is not the video signal of the second camera unit 24 (step S106: No), according to the instruction of the control unit 11, the camera switching unit 25 sends the video signal to be input to the capture unit 26 from the first camera unit 23 to the second camera unit. The video signal is switched to 24 video signals (step S107). Thereafter, the control unit 11 deletes the non-acquisition information temporarily stored in the memory 13, returns the process to step S104, and executes the photographing process.

On the other hand, if the video signal is from the second camera unit 24 (step S106: Yes), the control unit 11 identifies the customer's face regardless of whether the first camera unit 23 or the second camera unit 24 captures the image. It is determined that a JPEG image that can be stored cannot be stored, and it is determined whether or not the transaction with the customer has ended while retaining the non-acquisition information temporarily stored in the memory 13 (step S108).
In step S105, if the non-acquired information is not temporarily stored (step S105: No), the control unit advances the process to step S108.

If the transaction has not ended in step S108 (step S108: No), the control unit 11 returns the process to step S103, and executes the photographing process when the next operation guide is displayed on the operation / display unit 20. .

On the other hand, if the transaction has ended (step S108: Yes), the control unit 11 determines whether or not the non-acquired information is temporarily stored in the memory 13 (step S109). If the non-acquired information is not temporarily stored (step S109: No), the control unit 11 determines that a JPEG image that can identify the customer's face can be stored for each customer transaction operation, and ends the process.

In step 109, if non-acquired information is temporarily stored (step S109: Yes), the control unit 11 determines that there is a possibility that the photographing unit 22 has a failure, and determines whether or not the photographing unit 22 has failed. The failure diagnosis mode for self-diagnosis is turned on (step S110), and the process is terminated.

Next, the failure diagnosis process in step S102 of FIG. 5 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
The failure diagnosis process is executed for the first camera unit 23 and the second camera unit 24. Here, a case where the failure diagnosis process is executed for the first camera unit 23 will be described.
FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of the operation of the failure diagnosis process.

When the failure diagnosis process is started in step S102 of FIG. 5, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the failure diagnosis mode is ON as shown in FIG. 7 (step S301). If the failure diagnosis mode is not ON (step S301: No), the control unit 11 determines that there is no possibility of failure or the like, and ends the failure diagnosis process.

On the other hand, if the failure diagnosis mode is ON (step S301: Yes), the control unit 11 sets the diagnosis count N to “0” (step S302). And according to the instruction | indication of the control part 11, the 1st camera part 23 of the imaging | photography part 22 image | photographs the front space (space of an imaging | photography direction) where a customer is absent (step S303).

At this time, the capture unit 26 acquires and outputs a still image (spatial image) from the video signal output by the first camera unit 23 according to an instruction from the control unit 11. Then, the control unit 11 compresses the acquired still image in the JPEG format (predetermined diagnostic compression format), outputs it as a diagnostic JPEG image (diagnostic compressed image), and temporarily stores it in the storage unit 14 (step S304).

Then, after adding “1” to the number of diagnoses N (step S305), the control unit 11 determines whether or not the current number of diagnoses N is greater than two (step S306). If the number of diagnoses N is 2 or less (step S306: No), the control unit 11 returns the process to step S303 and captures the front space again.

On the other hand, if the number of diagnoses N is greater than 2 (step S306: Yes), the control unit 11 determines the file size and reference file size (predetermined diagnostic file size) of the three diagnostic JPEG images obtained by photographing the front space. Are compared and determined (step S307).

If the file size of all the diagnostic JPEG images is smaller than the reference file size (step S307: No), the control unit 11 operates failure information (failure information) indicating that a failure has occurred in the imaging unit 22. It outputs to the display part 20 (step S308). Then, according to an instruction from the control unit 11, the operation / display unit 20 displays a screen that prompts an inspection of the imaging unit 22 based on the failure information. Thereafter, the control unit 11 turns off the failure diagnosis mode (step S309), stops accepting subsequent transactions, and ends the failure diagnosis process.

In step S307, if the file size of all diagnostic JPEG images is equal to or larger than the reference file size (step S307: Yes), the control unit 11 determines that there is no failure in the imaging unit 22, and sets the failure diagnosis mode to OFF. (Step S309), the fault diagnosis process is terminated.

The ATM 1, the photographing method, and the photographing program that realize the operation as described above can determine whether or not the JPEG image can identify the customer's face, and can store only the JPEG image that can identify the customer's face.

Specifically, the JPEG image created and output by photographing the customer's face by the photographing unit 22 is a whiteout image 32 that has been blown out beyond the brightness adjustment range of the photographing unit 22 due to strong external light incidence, or a photographed image. It is not always a JPEG image that can identify the customer's face like the normal image 31, such as the black shielded image 33 taken in a state where the part 22 is shielded and no external light enters.

Therefore, by comparing and determining the file size of the temporarily stored JPEG image and the reference file size, it is possible to determine whether or not the temporarily stored JPEG image is a JPEG image that can identify the customer's face.

That is, if the file size of the temporarily stored JPEG image is equal to or larger than the reference file size, it can be determined that the JPEG image can identify the customer's face. On the other hand, if the temporarily stored JPEG image is smaller than the reference file size, it can be determined that it is a JPEG image that cannot identify the customer's face, such as a whiteout image 32 or a shielded image 33.

Thus, only the JPEG image that can identify the customer's face can be stored in the storage unit 14. Furthermore, even the JPEG image that cannot identify the customer's face is stored in the storage unit 14, and there is no risk of pressing the limited storage capacity of the storage unit 14.

Therefore, ATM1, the photographing method, and the photographing program can determine whether or not the JPEG image can identify the customer's face, and can store only the JPEG image that can identify the customer's face.

If the file size of the temporarily stored JPEG image is less than the reference file size, the temporarily stored JPEG image is deleted, and the customer's face is captured again. It is possible to prevent a JPEG image that can identify the face of the user from being stored.

Specifically, when the ATM 1 detects the customer with the customer detection sensor 21, the ATM 1 starts photographing the customer's face. However, the ATM 1 cannot always photograph the customer stationary while facing the photographing unit 22. For this reason, depending on the shooting timing, strong external light may be incident from behind or from the side of the customer due to the movement of the customer, resulting in a whiteout image 32.

Or, depending on the shooting timing, there is a risk of shooting where the customer has shielded the shooting unit 22 or shooting where the customer has gone out of the shooting range. For this reason, the output JPEG image becomes an image such as a whiteout image 32 or a shield image 33, and ATM 1 cannot store a JPEG image that can identify the customer's face like the normal image 31.

Therefore, when the file size of the temporarily stored JPEG image is smaller than the reference file size, the JPEG image that can reliably identify the customer's face can be stored in the storage unit 14 by photographing the customer again. If the file size of the temporarily stored JPEG image is smaller than the reference file size, the ATM 1 deletes the temporarily stored JPEG image, so that the ATM 1 stores only the JPEG image that can identify the customer's face like the normal image 31. Can be memorized.

Accordingly, the ATM 1 determines whether or not the JPEG image can identify the customer's face, and if the JPEG image file size is smaller than the reference file size, the customer's face is reliably captured by photographing the customer's face again. Can be stored.

In addition, if non-acquired information is stored in the memory 13, the customer intentionally moves the first camera unit 23 by hand or the like by switching the video signal input to the capture unit 26 to the video signal of the second camera unit 24. Even if it is shielded, the second camera unit 24 can reliably photograph the customer. Thereby, the JPEG image which can identify a customer's face more reliably can be memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 14. FIG.

Further, since the shooting direction is changed and the influence of external light or the like is changed by switching to the video signal of the second camera unit 24, a JPEG image that can identify the customer's face more reliably can be stored in the storage unit 14. it can.

Furthermore, even if non-acquired information is output due to the failure of the first camera unit 23, the ATM 1 can switch to the video signal of the second camera unit 24 and photograph the customer's face.

Therefore, if the non-acquired information is stored in the memory 13, the ATM 1 can store a JPEG image that can more reliably identify the customer's face by switching to the video signal of the second camera unit 24.

Further, through the failure diagnosis process, the ATM 1 can self-diagnose the presence or absence of a failure of the photographing unit 22 from the diagnostic JPEG image in the front space where there is no customer.
Specifically, if all of the three diagnostic JPEG images are larger than the standard file size, the image has been captured normally, so it is not acquired due to external factors such as customer movement and external light incidents. It can be determined that information has been output. That is, the ATM 1 can make a self-diagnosis when there is no problem in the photographing unit 22.

On the other hand, if the file sizes of the diagnostic JPEG images are all smaller than the reference file size, it is determined that non-acquired information has been output due to a failure of the photographing unit 22 rather than an external factor such as customer movement or external light incident. be able to. That is, the ATM 1 can make a self-diagnosis that a failure has occurred in the photographing unit 22.

Further, for example, the file size of the diagnostic JPEG image captured by the first camera unit 23 is less than the reference file size, and the file size of the diagnostic JPEG image captured by the second camera unit 24 is greater than or equal to the reference file size. For example, it is possible to make a self-diagnosis that a failure has occurred in the first camera unit 23.

Alternatively, if the file size of the diagnostic JPEG image is smaller than the reference file size in both the first camera unit 23 and the second camera unit 24, the photographing unit 22, particularly the camera switching unit 25 and the capture unit 26 have failed. Can self-diagnose. That is, the ATM 1 can specify not only the presence / absence of a failure of the imaging unit 22, but also the failure location.

Thereby, not only the presence / absence of the failure of the photographing unit 22, but also the failure part can be output to the operation / display unit 20 as failure information. Then, the clerk can check the operation / display unit 20 and repair it quickly.

Further, by outputting the diagnostic JPEG image three times, it is possible to prevent the presence or absence of a failure from being diagnosed by the overexposure image 32 or the shielding image 33 that is accidentally output at the photographing timing or the like. Thereby, it is possible to self-diagnose the presence or absence of a failure in the photographing unit 22 with higher accuracy.
Therefore, ATM1 can prevent leaving the JPEG image which can identify a customer's face in the state which cannot always be image | photographed.

Also, by taking a picture of the customer's face for each transaction operation, it is possible to store a cash card or banknote extraction operation as a JPEG image. Thereby, even if there is an inquiry from a customer who has forgotten to remove the banknote, the identity verification and the confirmation of the extraction operation can be easily performed.

Further, since the customer's face is photographed through the half mirror 3, the first camera unit 23 and the second camera unit 24 are difficult to see from the customer. Thereby, the customer is not conscious of the existence of the first camera unit 23 and the second camera unit 24. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the first camera unit 23 and the second camera unit 24 from being intentionally shielded.

In the first embodiment, the first camera unit 23 and the second camera unit 24 are switched in this order. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the second camera unit 24 and the first camera unit 23 may be switched in this order. Good.

In the failure diagnosis process, the file size of the diagnostic JPEG image obtained by photographing the front space is compared with the reference file size. However, a failure diagnosis reference file size may be set in advance. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the control unit 11 from erroneously diagnosing a failure of the photographing unit 22 due to a difference in the file size of the JPEG image caused by the presence or absence of a customer.

If the non-acquisition information is temporarily stored in at least one memory 13, the failure diagnosis mode is turned on. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and all non-acquisition information until the end of the transaction with the customer is temporarily stored. In addition, if the number of non-acquired information matches the number of all temporarily stored JPEG images, that is, if a JPEG image that can identify the customer's face cannot always be stored, the failure diagnosis mode may be turned on. Good.

Next, as another embodiment, ATM 1 having a different configuration of the photographing unit 22 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the photographing unit 22 in the second embodiment.
In addition, since the same configuration as that of the first embodiment is different except that the internal configuration of the photographing unit 22 is different, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof is omitted.

The imaging unit 22 includes a camera unit 27 and a capture unit 26 as shown in FIG.
The camera unit 27 is disposed at the position of the first camera unit 23 in the above-described first embodiment and has the same function as the first camera unit 23, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted. Further, the camera unit 27 includes a rotation drive unit 27a (drive unit) and a slide drive unit 27b (drive unit).

Since the rotation drive part 27a has the same function as the rotation drive part 23a in the above-mentioned Example 1, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.
The slide drive unit 27b has a function of changing the shooting direction with respect to the customer by sliding the camera unit 27 in the left-right direction (predetermined direction) within a predetermined movement range.

In ATM1 of such a structure, operation | movement of ATM1 when a customer comes to a transaction is demonstrated using FIG.
FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of the operation of the ATM 1 in the second embodiment.

First, as shown in FIG. 9, the control unit 11 of the ATM 1 determines whether or not the customer detection sensor 21 has detected a customer (step S401). If the customer detection sensor 21 has not detected a customer (step S401: No), the control unit 11 determines that the customer detection sensor 21 is in a standby state waiting for a customer, and waits until the customer detection sensor 21 detects a customer.

On the other hand, when the customer detection sensor 21 detects a customer (step S401: Yes), the operation / display unit 20 displays an operation guidance according to an instruction from the control unit 11 (step S402). Thereafter, the control unit 11 executes a photographing process for photographing the customer's face (step S403).
Note that the photographing process is the same as the photographing process shown in FIG.

When the photographing process is completed, the control unit 11 determines whether or not non-acquired information is temporarily stored in the memory 13 (step S404). If the non-acquired information is temporarily stored (step S404: Yes), the control unit 11 determines whether or not the camera unit 27 has been slid (step S405).

If the camera unit 27 has not been slid (step S405: No), according to the instruction from the control unit 11, the slide drive unit 27b slides the camera unit 27 from the current position to the other end in the left-right direction (step S406). ). Thereafter, the control unit 11 deletes the non-acquisition information temporarily stored in the memory 13, returns the process to step S403, and executes the photographing process.

On the other hand, if the camera unit 27 is slid (step S405: Yes), the control unit 11 cannot store a JPEG image that can identify the customer's face like the normal image 31 even if the camera unit 27 is slid. It is determined whether or not the transaction with the customer is terminated while the non-acquisition information temporarily stored in the memory 13 is held, or whether or not the transaction is terminated by the customer operation (step S407). .

In step S404, if the non-acquisition information is not temporarily stored (step S404: No), the control unit advances the process to step S407.

If the transaction has not ended in step S407 (step S407: No), the control unit 11 returns the process to step S402, and executes a photographing process when the next operation guidance is displayed on the operation / display unit 20. .

If the transaction is ended in step S407 (step S407: Yes), the control unit 11 determines whether or not non-acquired information is temporarily stored in the memory 13 (step S408). If the non-acquired information is not temporarily stored (step S408: No), the control unit 11 terminates the process on the assumption that a JPEG image that can identify the customer's face is stored for each customer transaction operation.

On the other hand, if the non-acquired information is temporarily stored (step S408: Yes), the control unit 11 outputs failure information indicating that a failure has occurred in the photographing unit 22 to the operation / display unit 20 (step S409). ). Then, according to an instruction from the control unit 11, the operation / display unit 20 displays a screen that prompts an inspection of the imaging unit 22 based on the failure information. Thereafter, the control unit 11 stops accepting subsequent transactions and ends the process.

In addition, since the camera unit 27 includes the slide drive unit 27b, even if the camera unit 27 is intentionally shielded or a shooting environment in which strong external light is incident and the whiteout is likely to occur, one camera unit 27, the customer's face can be photographed more reliably. Thereby, the JPEG image which can identify a customer's face more reliably can be memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 14. FIG.

Specifically, the camera unit 27 can change the shooting direction with respect to the customer by sliding in the left-right direction by the slide drive unit 27b. That is, even in a shooting environment in which strong external light is incident and the whitening is likely to occur, the influence of external light or the like can be made difficult by changing the shooting direction.

Furthermore, even if the camera unit 27 is intentionally shielded, the customer's face can be reliably photographed by moving the camera unit 27.
Therefore, ATM1 can memorize | store the JPEG image which can identify a customer's face more reliably in the memory | storage part 14 by changing the imaging | photography direction with respect to a customer.

In Example 2 described above, the customer's face was photographed after the camera unit 27 was slid. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of customer faces may be photographed while the camera unit 27 is slid. Good. Furthermore, the camera unit 27 may be moved to a slide position where a JPEG image having the largest file size can be acquired among the JPEG images captured while moving the slide.

Thereby, the camera unit 27 can photograph the customer's face at the slide position where the influence of outside light or the like is the least. Therefore, a JPEG image that can more reliably identify the customer's face can be stored in the storage unit 14.
The slide drive unit 27b is configured to move the camera unit 27 in the left-right direction, but is not limited thereto, and may be configured to move the camera unit 27 in the vertical direction.

Further, in step S408 in FIG. 9, if the non-acquired information is temporarily stored in the memory 13, the failure information is output. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the failure diagnosis mode is turned on as in the first embodiment. At the same time, the failure diagnosis process may be executed by the ATM 1 in a standby state.

Moreover, in the above-mentioned Example 1 and Example 2, although demonstrated using ATM1, it is not limited to this, Automatic transaction apparatuses, such as a change machine and a cash dispenser, or the face and operation | movement of the user who performs operation It may be a device that is preferably stored. Further, it may be installed outside an automatic transaction apparatus or the like, and may be operated in conjunction with or independently of the automatic transaction apparatus.

Moreover, although the customer's face was image | photographed, it is good not only for this but for the purpose of image | photographing a customer's transaction operation.
In addition, the half mirror 3 is provided on the upper part of the housing 2, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the customer visually recognizes the first camera unit 23, the second camera unit 24, or the camera unit 27 inside the housing 2. It is good also as a difficult smoke board.

Moreover, although the imaging | photography part 22 was controlled by the control part 11 of ATM1, it is not limited to this, The control part which controls the 1st camera part 23 and the capture part 26 is comprised integrally with the imaging | photography part 22, an automatic transaction apparatus etc. It may be incorporated into.
Further, although the customer is detected by the customer detection sensor 21, the present invention is not limited to this, and the presence or absence of the customer may be detected by the customer operating the operation / display unit 20.

Further, when a customer is detected by the customer detection sensor 21, a test photograph of the customer's face may be taken, and the file size of the test photographed JPEG image and the reference file size may be compared. Based on the determination result, the shooting direction is changed by controlling the first camera unit 23, the second camera unit 24, or the camera unit 27 to a position where a JPEG image that can identify the customer's face can be acquired before starting the transaction. May be.

Further, the JPEG image compressed in the JPEG format has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and still images can be converted into other compression formats, for example, a lossy compression format such as a JPEG image, or a lossless compression format such as a PNG image. You may compress. However, a compression format in which the compression rate is higher as the color change is smaller is preferable.

Further, although the output JPEG image is temporarily stored in the storage unit 14, the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be temporarily stored in the memory 13.
Further, although the upper limit of the number of times of imaging N and the number of times of diagnosis N is set to 3, the present invention is not limited to this and may be set arbitrarily.
Further, the reference file size is appropriately set in consideration of the installation state of the ATM 1, the performance of the imaging unit 22 such as the number of imaging pixels of the first camera unit 23, the second camera unit 24, or the camera unit 27, and the compression format. May be.

Alternatively, a plurality of JPEG images may be created and output, and only the JPEG image having the largest file size may be stored in the storage unit 14. This means that the possibility that the customer's face can be identified more reliably increases as the JPEG image has a larger file size. For this reason, only the JPEG image that can identify the customer's face more reliably can be stored in the storage unit 14.

If the file size of the temporarily stored JPEG image is equal to or smaller than the reference file size, the

rotation drive units

23a, 24a, and 27a are controlled to rotate the first camera unit 23, the second camera unit 24, or the camera unit 27. You may rotate in the vertical and horizontal directions as much as possible. This makes it possible to reliably shoot a JPEG image that can identify the customer's face. At this time, an appropriate rotation angle may be derived by recognizing the customer's face from the temporarily stored JPEG image.

Further, the failure information is output to the operation / display unit 20, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a maintenance monitor provided separately from the operation / display unit 20 may be used. Further, the failure information may be stored in the storage unit 14, and the failure information may be displayed on the operation / display unit 20 or the maintenance monitor by the operation of the staff.
While the above description has been made with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited thereto and that various changes and modifications can be made within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

1 ATM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Control part 14 Memory | storage part 20 Operation / display part 22 Image | photographing part 23a Rotation drive part 24a Rotation drive part 27a Rotation drive part 27b Slide drive part 31 Normal image 32 White-out image 34 Shielding image M Customer

Claims

At least one photographing unit for photographing a user and outputting a still image;
A storage unit for storing various information;
An imaging device including a control unit for controlling each unit;
In the control unit,
A compressed image creation process for creating a compressed image by compressing the still image of the user acquired by the photographing unit in a predetermined compression format;
It is determined whether or not the file size of the compressed image is equal to or larger than a predetermined file size. If the file size of the compressed image is equal to or larger than the predetermined file size, the compressed image is stored in the storage unit, An imaging apparatus comprising: a compressed image determination process that outputs non-acquisition information indicating that the compressed image is not stored in the storage unit if the file size of the compressed image is less than the predetermined file size.
In the control unit,
In the compressed image determination process, when the file size of the compressed image is less than the predetermined file size, the compressed image is deleted, and the compressed image creation process and the iterative process for executing the compressed image determination process are provided. ,
The compressed image determination process is
The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the non-acquisition information is output when the repetition process is executed a predetermined number of times.
A plurality of the photographing units are provided,
In the control unit,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an imaging unit switching process for switching to another imaging unit and executing the compressed image creation process and the compressed image determination process when the non-acquisition information is acquired.
A plurality of the photographing units are provided,
In the control unit,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising an imaging unit switching process for switching to another imaging unit and executing the compressed image creation process and the compressed image determination process when the non-acquisition information is acquired.
A driving unit for driving the imaging unit in a predetermined direction to change the imaging direction for the user;
In the control unit,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an imaging unit driving process that, when acquiring the non-acquisition information, drives the imaging unit in the predetermined direction to execute the compressed image creation process and the compressed image determination process. .
A driving unit for driving the imaging unit in a predetermined direction to change the imaging direction for the user;
In the control unit,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: an imaging unit driving process that, when acquiring the non-acquisition information, drives the imaging unit in the predetermined direction to execute the compressed image creation process and the compressed image determination process. .
Equipped with an output unit that allows output of various information,
In the control unit,
A spatial image obtained by capturing a space in the imaging direction is acquired by the imaging unit, and a diagnostic compressed image is created by compressing the spatial image in a predetermined diagnostic compression format, and a file size of the diagnostic compressed image is a predetermined diagnosis If the file size of the diagnostic compressed image is smaller than the diagnostic file size, a failure diagnosis process for outputting failure information indicating a failure of the imaging unit to the output unit is performed. The imaging device according to claim 1 provided.
Equipped with an output unit that allows output of various information,
In the control unit,
A spatial image obtained by capturing a space in the imaging direction is acquired by the imaging unit, and a diagnostic compressed image is created by compressing the spatial image in a predetermined diagnostic compression format, and a file size of the diagnostic compressed image is a predetermined diagnosis If the file size of the diagnostic compressed image is smaller than the diagnostic file size, a failure diagnosis process for outputting failure information indicating a failure of the imaging unit to the output unit is performed. The imaging device according to claim 2 provided.
Equipped with an output unit that allows output of various information,
In the control unit,
A spatial image obtained by capturing a space in the imaging direction is acquired by the imaging unit, and a diagnostic compressed image is created by compressing the spatial image in a predetermined diagnostic compression format, and a file size of the diagnostic compressed image is a predetermined diagnosis If the file size of the diagnostic compressed image is smaller than the diagnostic file size, a failure diagnosis process for outputting failure information indicating a failure of the imaging unit to the output unit is performed. The imaging device according to claim 3 provided.
Equipped with an output unit that allows output of various information,
In the control unit,
A spatial image obtained by capturing a space in the imaging direction is acquired by the imaging unit, and a diagnostic compressed image is created by compressing the spatial image in a predetermined diagnostic compression format, and a file size of the diagnostic compressed image is a predetermined diagnosis If the file size of the diagnostic compressed image is smaller than the diagnostic file size, a failure diagnosis process for outputting failure information indicating a failure of the imaging unit to the output unit is performed. The imaging device according to claim 4 provided.
Equipped with an output unit that allows output of various information,
In the control unit,
A spatial image obtained by capturing a space in the imaging direction is acquired by the imaging unit, and a diagnostic compressed image is created by compressing the spatial image in a predetermined diagnostic compression format, and a file size of the diagnostic compressed image is a predetermined diagnosis If the file size of the diagnostic compressed image is smaller than the diagnostic file size, a failure diagnosis process for outputting failure information indicating a failure of the imaging unit to the output unit is performed. The imaging device according to claim 5 provided.
Equipped with an output unit that allows output of various information,
In the control unit,
A spatial image obtained by capturing a space in the imaging direction is acquired by the imaging unit, and a diagnostic compressed image is created by compressing the spatial image in a predetermined diagnostic compression format, and a file size of the diagnostic compressed image is a predetermined diagnosis If the file size of the diagnostic compressed image is smaller than the diagnostic file size, a failure diagnosis process for outputting failure information indicating a failure of the imaging unit to the output unit is performed. The imaging device according to claim 6 provided.
An imaging method using an imaging device including at least one imaging unit that images a user and outputs a still image, a storage unit that stores various types of information, and a control unit that controls each unit,
The compressed image creation process of the control unit creates the compressed image by compressing the still image of the user acquired by the photographing unit in a predetermined compression format,
By the compressed image determination process, it is determined whether or not the file size of the compressed image is equal to or larger than a predetermined file size. If the file size of the compressed image is equal to or larger than the predetermined file size, the compressed image is An image capturing method that stores in a storage unit and outputs non-acquisition information indicating that the compressed image is not stored in the storage unit if the file size of the compressed image is less than the predetermined file size.
An imaging program using an imaging apparatus including at least one imaging unit that images a user and outputs a still image, a storage unit that stores various types of information, and a control unit that controls each unit, Part
Compressing the still image of the user acquired by the imaging unit in a predetermined compression format to create a compressed image;
It is determined whether or not the file size of the compressed image is equal to or larger than a predetermined file size. If the file size of the compressed image is equal to or larger than the predetermined file size, the compressed image is stored in the storage unit, And a step of outputting non-acquisition information indicating that the compressed image is not stored in the storage unit if the file size of the compressed image is less than the predetermined file size.