JP2017111705A - Medium identification device and medium identification method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a medium identification device capable of properly determining shooting timing depending on the size of a medium, and a medium identification method.SOLUTION: The medium identification device includes: a magnetic sensor that detects the size of plural types of media; a camera for acquiring an image of each of media; and an identification part that changes a start point of time up to the shooting timing of the camera on the basis of the output value from the magnetic sensor with respect to each of media.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

  The present invention relates to a medium identification apparatus and a medium identification method that are mounted on an automatic transaction apparatus such as an ATM (Automated Teller Machine) or a money changer and that conveys inserted money or the like as a medium.

  Garbage and foreign matter that are sometimes mistakenly inserted together with the handleable money in a medium identification device that conveys the inserted money as a medium inside and identifies whether the medium is a handleable money or not Or, a foreign object that is intentionally thrown in for mischief or criminal purposes may be a problem.

  Specifically, when foreign matter is inserted into the medium identification device together with money, the conveyance path and each storage section inside the medium identification device are clogged, or the sensor and the drive part are damaged, or the medium identification sensor is erroneous. There were problems such as detecting and causing failure.

  For such a problem, for example, in Patent Document 1, by disposing a detection sensor capable of detecting the presence of a coin and a member other than a coin in a coin passage through which a coin dispensed from an automatic machine passes, The presence of foreign coins and foreign matter remaining in the coin passage are detected.

JP 2009-080618 A

  As described above, there are cases where dust or foreign matter is transferred to the medium identification device when dust or foreign matter is introduced into the automatic teller machine (ATM) together with the medium. In addition, the medium identification unit is equipped with an imaging unit such as a camera in order to perform identification based on the pattern of the medium.

  In the conventional method, when the medium has been transported, the image capturing timing of the camera uses an optical sensor composed of a light projecting / receiving element provided separately in the medium identifying unit. Since the optical sensor reacts to dust and foreign matter, and the camera images dust and foreign matter, and a normal medium cannot be picked up, a rejection signal is sent back to the higher-level medium identification device. However, the number of storage boxes for collecting rejected media, garbage, foreign objects, etc. is limited by the size, so if the number of rejects exceeds a certain value, an error indicating that the collection box is full will be displayed. Notice. For this reason, when the number of rejects by the reject signal increases, a failure of transaction stoppage occurs due to a collection box full error.

  For this reason, even when dust or foreign matter is thrown into the medium, the camera's imaging timing is detected by the magnetic sensor, so that the camera can only be picked up by normal media without reacting to dust or foreign matter. Can do.

  However, since the detection position of the camera's imaging timing based on the magnetic sensor changes depending on the size (outer diameter) of the medium, it is difficult to grasp the exact position of the medium, and the camera's severe imaging timing is determined. It was difficult to do. That is, there is a problem that it is difficult to appropriately determine the imaging timing according to the size of the medium.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a medium identification device and a medium identification method capable of appropriately determining an imaging timing according to the size of a medium.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a medium identification device according to the present invention includes a magnetic sensor that detects the sizes of a plurality of types of media, a camera that acquires images of the media, An identification unit that changes a starting point of time until the imaging timing of the camera based on an output value of the magnetic sensor for each of the media.

  The present invention is also grasped as a medium identification method performed by the medium identification device.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately determine the imaging timing according to the size of the medium.

The external appearance perspective view which shows the external appearance of ATM. The block diagram which shows the internal structure of ATM. The block diagram which shows the internal structure of a coin deposit or withdrawal mechanism part. The block diagram which shows the internal structure of a coin deposit or withdrawal mechanism part. The block diagram which shows the internal structure of a coin identification part. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of a conveyance identification process. Explanatory drawing explaining the imaging timing of a magnetic sensor and a camera.

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

  First, ATM1 used for description of this form is demonstrated using FIG.1 and FIG.2.

  1 is an external perspective view of the ATM 1, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the internal configuration of the ATM 1.

  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 a user's operation. An operation / display unit 2, a banknote depositing / dispensing mechanism unit 3, and a coin depositing / dispensing mechanism unit 4 (medium identification device) are arranged on a horizontal operation surface at a middle height. Further, a passbook mechanism unit 5 and a card mechanism unit / detail slip mechanism unit 6 are arranged on a vertical operation surface that is substantially vertical upward from the horizontal operation surface.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the ATM 1 includes an operation / display unit 2, a banknote deposit / withdrawal mechanism unit 3, a coin deposit / withdrawal mechanism unit 4, a passbook mechanism unit 5, a card mechanism unit / detail slip mechanism unit 6, The voice guidance output unit 7, the line connection unit 8, and the main body control unit 9 are configured.

  The operation / display unit 2 is composed of a touch panel having both a function of accepting a user's operation and a function of displaying various operation guides.

  The banknote deposit / withdrawal mechanism unit 3 has a banknote deposit / withdrawal function, an identification function, a storage function, and the like.

  The coin deposit / withdrawal mechanism 4 has a deposit / withdrawal function of coins (conveyed items), an identification function, a storage function, and the like.

  The passbook mechanism unit 5 has a function of inserting / extracting the passbook of the user, a function of reading information of the passbook, and a printing function of printing transaction contents on the passbook.

  The card mechanism unit / detail slip mechanism unit 6 has a card mechanism unit having a function of inserting and ejecting a user's cash card and a function of reading and writing cash card information, and a function of printing transaction contents on a statement slip, A statement slip mechanism having a function of discharging the printed statement slip is integrally formed.

  The voice guidance output unit 7 has a function of voice guidance for operations and errors related to transactions.

  The line connection unit 8 has a function of connecting the ATM 1 to a communication line and a function of receiving and transmitting various information related to transactions with a host computer (not shown) connected via a communication line (not shown). ing.

  The main body control unit 9 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, a hard configuration such as a hard disk for storing various information, and a software configuration such as a program and data, and a user operates the ATM 1 to perform transactions. Various processing functions such as transaction operations, and control functions for controlling the operation of each unit connected via a predetermined bus.

  Next, a coin deposit / withdrawal mechanism unit 4 that can prevent erroneous detection due to thrown-in dust or foreign matter and improve convenience for the user in such an ATM 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

  3 shows a block diagram of the internal configuration of the coin deposit / withdrawal mechanism unit 4, and FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of the internal configuration of the coin deposit / withdrawal mechanism unit 4.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the coin deposit / withdrawal mechanism unit 4 includes a coin deposit / withdrawal port 401, a feeding unit 402, a coin identifying unit 403 (passage identifying means), a denomination storing unit 404, a collecting unit 405, and an operation cartridge. 406, a batch stacker 407, a conveyance path 408 (conveyance path), a withdrawal determination unit 409, an abnormality notification unit 410 (notification unit), and a control unit 411 (control unit, storage unit).

  The coin deposit / withdrawal port 401 has a function as an input port that accepts the insertion of coins by the user and a function as a withdrawal port that stores and delivers coins discharged to the user. The coin deposit / withdrawal port 401 is provided with a rotatable bucket 401a for storing coins and rotating the coins downward to discharge coins.

  The feeding unit 402 has a function of separating coins that are discharged downward from the rotated bucket and conveyed by a feeding conveyance unit 481 described later one by one.

  The coin identifying unit 403 provides the control unit 411 with a function for identifying the denomination, number, and authenticity of the coins separated one by one by the feeding unit 402, and a signal for detecting the passage of the identified coin and controlling each unit. It has a function to output. The coin identifying unit 403 will be described in detail later.

  The denomination storage unit 404 is configured to be divided into a plurality of sections, and has a function of storing, for each denomination, coins each identified as a genuine coin by the coin identification unit 403.

  The collection unit 405 has a function of storing coins that cannot be identified by the coin identifying unit 403 and coins that the user has forgotten to remove.

  The operation cartridge 406 has a function of collectively storing coins to be replenished in the denomination storage unit 404 regardless of the denomination.

  The collective stacker 407 has a function of collectively storing coins that cannot be stored regardless of the denomination when the number of sheets that can be stored in the denomination storing unit 404 is exceeded.

  The conveyance path 408 includes a feeding conveyance section 481, an identification conveyance section 482 (conveyance path), a deposit conveyance section 483, a lateral feed conveyance section 484, a withdrawal conveyance section 485, and a vertical feed conveyance section 486, and a control section 411. In response to this instruction, the coins are conveyed to a predetermined conveyance destination by switching the conveyance direction or the switching flap.

  The feeding and conveying unit 481 is arranged below the coin deposit / withdrawal port 401 and has a function of conveying coins discharged from the coin deposit / withdrawal port 401 to the coin identifying unit 403.

  The identification conveyance unit 482 is disposed inside the coin identification unit 403 and has a function of conveying coins inside the coin identification unit 403.

  The deposit conveyance unit 483 is disposed above the denomination storage unit 404 and has a function of conveying the coins identified as genuine coins by the coin identification unit 403 to the denomination storage unit 404.

  The transverse feed transport unit 484 is disposed below the denomination storage unit 404 and has a function of transporting coins discharged from the denomination storage unit 404 to the withdrawal transport unit 485.

  The withdrawal / conveyance unit 485 is disposed so as to connect the lateral feed conveyance unit 484 and the vertical feed conveyance unit 486 to the coin deposit / withdrawal port 401, and is conveyed from the horizontal feed conveyance unit 484 or the vertical feed conveyance unit 486. It has a function of conveying coins to the coin deposit / withdrawal port 401.

  The vertical feed conveyance unit 486 is disposed so as to connect the operation cartridge 406 and the withdrawal conveyance unit 485 and has a function of conveying coins discharged from the operation cartridge 406 to the withdrawal conveyance unit 485.

  The withdrawal determination unit 409 is configured by a magnetic sensor or the like, and has a function of determining the denomination and number of coins conveyed from the withdrawal transport unit 485 to the coin deposit / withdrawal port 401.

  The abnormality notification unit 410 includes a plurality of lamps such as LEDs (light emitting diodes), and has a function of notifying the portion where the abnormality has occurred in the coin deposit / withdrawal mechanism unit 4 by lighting it.

  The control unit 411 includes a hardware configuration such as a CPU, a memory, and a hard disk that stores various types of information, and a software configuration such as a program and data, and controls the operation of each unit connected via a predetermined bus. It has a control function.

  Next, the above-described coin identifying unit 403 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5 shows a configuration diagram of the internal configuration of the coin identifying unit 403.

  The coin identifying unit 403 includes three coin identifying sensors 432, 433, and 434 arranged along the conveying direction X of the identifying and conveying unit 482.

  The identification transport unit 482 includes, for example, a roller 482a (see FIG. 5) connected to a drive motor (not shown), a substantially belt-shaped transport belt 482b (see FIG. 5) that circulates and drives coins by the roller 482a, and It comprises a switching flap (not shown) that switches the coin conveyance direction, and has a function of conveying inserted coins or coins to be discharged to the user.

  The coin identification sensor 432 is a magnetic sensor that outputs a signal corresponding to the size (for example, outer diameter) of the coin. The coin identification sensor 433 has a function of a camera that captures an image of a coin. The sensor 434 has a function of outputting a signal corresponding to the characteristic (for example, material) of the coin. As shown in FIG. 5, the coin identification sensor 432 is arranged on the upstream side of the conveyance path from the center of the camera included in the coin identification sensor 433, and, as will be described later, according to the output value from the coin identification sensor 432, The start point of the imaging timing of the camera included in the coin identification sensor 433 can be determined.

  The coin identifying unit 403 having such a configuration identifies whether the transported object is the coin C or a foreign object based on the value of the signal output from the coin identifying sensors 432, 433, and 434 along with the transport of the coin, It has the function of identifying the authenticity of C and the denomination. Further, the coin identifying unit 403 has a function of outputting a signal corresponding to the conveyed product to the control unit 411.

  In the ATM 1 configured as described above, the operation of the coin deposit / withdrawal mechanism unit 4 when a deposit transaction is started between the ATM 1 and the user will be described in detail.

  6 shows a flowchart of the operation of the conveyance identification process, and FIG. 7 shows an explanatory diagram for explaining the signal output from the magnetic sensor 432 and the imaging timing of the camera unit 433.

  First, when the user operates the operation / display unit 2 of the ATM 1 and starts a deposit transaction, the control unit 411 of the coin deposit / withdrawal mechanism unit 4 starts a conveyance identification process in accordance with an instruction from the main body control unit 9.

  When the conveyance identification process is started, the control unit 411 executes an initialization process for confirming whether or not there is an abnormality in the conveyance path 408 and each unit sensor, as shown in FIG. 6 (step S101).

  At this time, according to an instruction from the control unit 411, each unit performs a process of confirming the operation of the drive motor, the presence or absence of coins remaining on the transport path 408, and whether various signals are normally output. And each part of the coin depositing / withdrawing mechanism part 4 will output the check signal which shows that it is normal if there is no abnormality with respect to the control part 411. FIG.

  For example, in the coin identification unit 403, if there is no abnormality in the coin identification sensors 432, 433, and 434, the coin identification unit 403 checks that each unit is normal with respect to the control unit 411 as shown in FIG. Outputs signal normal.

  Thereafter, the control unit 411 determines whether or not the transaction is in a normal state based on the check signal acquired from each unit (step S102). When there is an abnormality in any of the parts constituting the coin deposit / withdrawal mechanism unit 4 (step S102: No), the control unit 411 executes a transaction stop process (step S103), and the main body control unit 9 receives coins. The acceptance is stopped and the conveyance identification process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if each part which comprises the coin depositing / withdrawing mechanism part 4 is normal (step S102: Yes), the control part 411 will perform a conveyance process (step S104). At this time, the control unit 411 circulates the conveyance path 408 to enable conveyance, and rotates the bucket 401a of the coin deposit / withdrawal port 401 to discharge the input material such as coins onto the delivery conveyance unit 481. Let

  When the conveyance of the conveyed product is started, the control unit 411 executes identification processing for identifying the authenticity of the conveyed item, the denomination, and the like by the coin identifying unit 403 (step S105).

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, when the identification process is started and the coins are conveyed, the magnetic sensor 432 configured inside the coin identification unit 403 corresponds to the size (outer diameter) of a plurality of types of coins. Output the signal. Furthermore, the camera unit 433 performs imaging after a time corresponding to the value of the signal output of the magnetic sensor 432 from the timing at which the signal is output. For example, when the magnetic sensor 432 outputs a signal corresponding to the size of a large coin, the camera unit 433 determines a starting point of time to be counted before the large coin is imaged. When the magnetic sensor 432 outputs a signal corresponding to the size of the small coin, the coin identifying unit 403 outputs a signal value corresponding to the size of the large coin output from the magnetic sensor 432 and a signal corresponding to the size of the small coin. A difference D from the above value is calculated, and the time T is delayed from the start point by a time T corresponding to the magnitude of the difference D, and the start point of time to be measured before the timing of imaging the small coin is determined. That is, as the difference D is larger, the starting point of the time measured before the imaging timing of the small coin is delayed. By doing so, the center of the coin and the image of the camera unit are captured without being shifted, and the imaging timing can always be made constant regardless of the type of coin.

  FIG. 7 shows the difference between a large coin and a small coin. In the above example, the case where the start point of the time measured until the timing of imaging a small coin is delayed from the start point of the time measured until the timing of imaging a large coin has been described, but conversely, the camera unit The start point of the time to be timed until the timing of imaging a large coin is determined by accelerating by the time T according to the magnitude of the difference D from the start point of the time to be timed until 433 captures the small coin. Also good. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the camera 433 is delayed (or advanced) by a time T1 with respect to a time T0 which is a reference timing for determining a starting point of a time to be timed until the time when the camera 433 images a coin. A starting point of time to be measured until the timing of imaging a large coin (or a small coin) is determined, and further, a small coin (or an earlier time) is delayed (or advanced) by adding the difference D to the time T1. You may determine the starting point of the time measured by the timing which images a big coin). Of course, the timing may be determined by combining these methods. Further, the coin identifying unit 403 determines whether it is a genuine coin from the signal output results of the magnetic sensor 432, the camera unit 433, and the coin identifying sensor 434, transmits a signal to the control unit 411, and ends the identifying process.

  When the identification process is completed, if the control unit 411 has acquired a genuine coin signal (step S106: Yes), the control unit 411 stores the transported item identified as a genuine coin in the denomination storing unit 404 for each denomination. The storing process to store is executed (step S107). At this time, according to an instruction from the control unit 411, the conveyance path 408 appropriately switches the switching flap so as to convey the coin from the identification conveyance unit 482 to the deposit conveyance unit 483 to the denomination storage unit.

  And the control part 411 determines whether conveyance of all the coins was complete | finished (step S109). If all the coins have not been transported (step S109: No), the control unit 411 returns the process to step S105. On the other hand, if the conveyance of all coins has been completed (step S109: Yes), the control unit 411 notifies the main body control unit 9 that the handling process for the conveyed product has been completed, and the conveyance identification process is terminated. .

  If it is determined in step S106 that a signal that is not a genuine coin has been acquired (step S106: No), the control unit 411 executes a reject process for conveying the conveyed product to the collection unit 405 (step S108). At this time, in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 411, the conveyance path 408 appropriately switches a switching flap or the like in order to enable conveyance of the conveyed item from the identification conveyance unit 482 to the collection unit 405 as indicated by an arrow in FIG. . Thereafter, the control unit 411 advances the process to step S109. If the transfer of all coins has not been completed (step S109: No), the control unit 411 returns the process to step S105, If the transfer of the coin has been completed (step S109: Yes), the control unit 411 notifies the main body control unit 9 that the handling process for the conveyed product has ended, and ends the transfer identification process.

  As described above, the present invention detects the imaging timing of the camera with a magnetic sensor even when dust or foreign matter is introduced together with coins, and changes the imaging timing in accordance with the output of the magnetic sensor, thereby It is possible to prevent erroneous imaging of the camera, prevent rejection, and suppress the stop of the coin identification device. In other words, it is possible to provide a medium identification device and a medium identification method that prevent erroneous detection of the camera due to dust or foreign matter, hold the high identification function of the camera, and minimize the stoppage of the apparatus. Specifically, by changing the imaging timing of the camera according to the output of the magnetic sensor corresponding to the size of the medium, the camera can be imaged at an optimal timing regardless of the size of the medium, even with the medium. Even if dust or foreign matter is thrown in, by preventing erroneous detection of the camera and avoiding rejection, it is possible to prevent a transaction stop and provide a stable medium identification device and medium identification method.

  In the present embodiment, the coin identification device in the coin processor has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to any structure in which not only coins but also ordinary coins and medals are transported by a transport belt. is there.

4 ... Coin deposit / withdrawal mechanism unit 403 ... Coin identification unit 408 ... Conveyance path 410 ... Abnormality notification unit 411 ... Control unit 482 ... Identification conveyance unit C ... Coin.

Claims (7)

A magnetic sensor for detecting the size of multiple types of media;
A camera for acquiring respective images of the medium;
Based on the output value of the magnetic sensor for each of the media, an identification unit that changes the starting point of time until the imaging timing of the camera;
A medium identification device comprising: The identification unit changes a starting point of time until the imaging timing according to the difference in the output value.
The medium identification device according to claim 1, wherein: The identification unit delays the starting point of time until the imaging timing of a small-sized medium from the starting point of time until the imaging timing of a large-sized medium,
The medium identification device according to claim 1, wherein: The identification unit advances the starting point of time until the imaging timing of a large-sized medium earlier than the starting point of time until the imaging timing of a small-sized medium.
The medium identification device according to claim 1, wherein: The identification unit determines a start point of time until the imaging timing for each of the small size medium and the large size medium based on a predetermined reference timing and a difference between the output values.
The medium identification apparatus according to claim 2, wherein The magnetic sensor is disposed upstream from the center of the camera.
The medium identification device according to claim 1, wherein: Magnetic sensor detects the size of multiple types of media,
Based on the output value of the magnetic sensor for each of the media, the identification unit changes the starting point of time until the imaging timing of the camera that acquires each image of the media,
The camera acquires an image of the medium after a lapse of time from the start point;
And a medium identification method.

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