JPH01169687A - Embossed character reader - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention is applicable to, for example, the rationalization of copy slips for cash withdrawal statements in automatic cash dispensers for cash cards and other cash dispensing machines that are widely used in banks and various financial institutions. This invention relates to an optical system for a device that reads embossed characters (engraved characters) on cash cards for image processing.

[Summary of the invention]

The cash cards that are currently in use at banks and various financial institutions have a magnetic tape affixed to them that records a PIN number and other information, as well as the owner's name, account number, and signature. Displayed. Further, in most cases, these displayed characters and numbers are embossed for convenience in creating slips. When the PIN number recorded on the magnetic tape or information related to the PIN number recorded on the magnetic tape of these cash card automatic teller machines is compared with the number or information entered by the user using the keypad, and the two match, the use is considered legitimate. The cash payment will be made on the assumption that the At that time, the payment information, the separately provided date, year, month, and day, and the embossed characters on the cashier card are superimposed and printed on a slip using an imprinter, and are used as storage data for the statement and copy handed over to the user along with the cash. However, if these slips are used as stored data, the amount of slips becomes enormous as the number of uses increases. Therefore, there has been a demand for rationalization of the stored data.

In order to solve this problem, the present invention is capable of optically reading embossed characters on cards, typically cash cards used in automatic teller machines, etc., and inputting that information into a processing device. It is. That is, the embossed character reading device of the present invention focuses and irradiates the surface of the embossed character with projection light from a light source, and detects and reads the light reflected from the surface of the embossed character.

[Conventional technology]

An image sensor that optically scans the image displayed on a magnetic card and extracts the image information as an electrical signal, and a series of systems that store that information in memory and print it out using a regular printer are already being used as automatic transaction processing devices. It is publicly known (for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 62-54.8i Automatic Transaction Processing Device). In this series of systems, an image on the surface of a magnetic card is read by an optical scanning method in which the card is passed under a sensor with a predetermined resolution to generate a quantized signal of the image.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

The surface reflectance of an optical system is usually defined by the amount of light reflected when a light source illuminates the surface. Furthermore, considering the radiation characteristics of reflected light from the surface of an object, the maximum amount of reflected light can be obtained when the angle of incidence and the angle of reflection are equal at mutually symmetrical positions. In image processing as well, the larger the difference in light reflectance between the image pattern and the surrounding background, the clearer the image can be obtained. Therefore, in ordinary image processing, it is important to ensure a high contrast between the image pattern and the background. However, since the main purpose of the embossed characters on cash cards is to be printed on the slip using an imprinter, there is no particular color specification, so it is easy to see that the embossed characters on the cash card are similar to the base (JJ color, etc.). may be the same color.Also, when monochromatic light is used as the light source, it is very difficult to clearly read the character pattern if the embossed character is the same color.For example, if a red light emitting diode ○ [Means for solving the problems] In order to solve these problems, the present invention provides a card, exemplified by a cash card used in automatic teller machines, etc. In a device for optically reading embossed characters on a card, the relative position of the optical system and the card is moved, while the light projected from the light source is directed through a cylindrical lens onto the surface of the embossed characters at an effective projection angle. When focused and irradiated, the projected light illuminates the surface of the embossed letters, i.e.
It is set so that at least one elongated line is formed in the convex portion or concave portion of the card. On the other hand, the light-receiving element is a line-type sensor in which the light reflected from the surface of the embossed characters forms reflected light at the same angle at a symmetrical position to the projected light, and passes through a linear rod lens array (for example, a selfoc lens) to the line. The light-receiving element of the mold sensor was focused and set so that no reflected light from the card surface other than the 9-emboss letters would enter.

[Effect]

As a result, the projection light from the light source is focused and irradiated onto the surface of the embossed characters in the form of a long and thin line. The projected light at this time is on the surface of the embossed characters, that is.

It is reflected by the convex or concave parts and enters the line sensor.

converted into an electrical signal. On the other hand, the reflection position of light reflected from the card surface other than the embossed characters is shifted.

It does not enter the line type sensor.

〔Example〕

Examples will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows the external configuration of an optical system of an embossed character reading device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The light source of the present device is not particularly limited, and may be either visible light such as a gasoline lamp or monochromatic light such as a light emitting diode or laser.

FIG. 1 shows the case of a light source in which several light emitting diodes are arranged in a row. 1 is a book, card 2 is placed on the card guide rail 3
It is equipped with a drive system (not shown) that allows it to move freely from side to side.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a light source of a light emitting diode array, and the light passes through a dark box 5 and passes through a cylindrical lens 6. The incident light 7 is set so as to be focused on the surface of the embossed characters on the card 2 at an angle of incidence. When using visible light such as a halogen lamp as the light source 4, the image of the slit is focused on the surface of the embossed letters through a rod lens array (for example, a Selfoc lens) through a slit as narrow as the amount of reflected light allows. Set so that they are connected.

This is to prevent an increase in the amount of reflected light and the influence of extraneous light and secondary reflected light, and to ensure sufficient contrast between the character pattern and its surroundings. In addition, in the case of a single light emitting diode array, the light sources are arranged in spots, but by passing through the cylindrical lens 6, the amount of light is focused and made uniform, and a long one-dimensional linear beam can be easily obtained. It is not necessary and extremely convenient. On the other hand, the light receiving element of the line type sensor 12 receives the incident light 7 on the surface of the embossed character.
The reflected light 9 at the same angle at a symmetrical position is passed through the dark box 11 by the SELFOC lens 1o to the line type sensor 12.
Set to focus on the light receiving element.

FIG. 2 is a side view for explaining the embossed character reading mechanism of this embodiment, showing the relationship between the card 2, the cross section of the embossed characters 2, and the incident light 7 and reflected light 9. Considering the internal structure of a line sensor, the pixel size of this type of sensor is generally 2 to 3 microns square.
They are formed by lining up 1,000 pieces in a row. Therefore, the light receiving element 13
As shown in Figure 2, the width is about 10 microns and the length is 20 microns.
It can be assumed that the light is received through the elongated slit 12' of ~3Qmm. That is, the incident light 7 in FIG.
It is reflected from the surface of ' and is imaged as reflected light 9 at the same angle on the surface of the light-receiving element 13 through a slit 12' with a width of 10-odd microns by a SELFOC lens 10 of equal magnification (not shown because it has equal magnification). . The light reaching the pixels (not shown) of the light receiving element undergoes photoelectric conversion according to its intensity. Next, while keeping the optical system fixed, move the card 2 little by little in the direction of arrow A. Eventually, the incident light 7 will leave the surface of the embossed letters 2' and hit the side. When it reaches the 17= position, the reflected light will pass through the light receiving element. It will be reflected in a direction that is far off. Further, as the card 2 moves, the light reflected from the surface of the card 2 at a position completely removed from the embossed characters 2' follows the path of the reflected light 9' shown by the dotted line, and cannot pass through the slit 12' and cant. be done. That is, even if the same human incident light 7 is reflected at different positional levels, it will not be able to pass through the slit 12' due to the difference in optical path and will be all cut off. At the same time, the effect of the depth of focus of the lens is also effectively utilized.In addition, the influence of extra light from the outside and secondary reflected light can be prevented at the same time.In this way, the entire surface of the card or its A clear image of the embossed characters can be obtained by sequentially scanning parts optically.

The thing to keep in mind here is that when the reflective surface of the embossed letters is glossy, if the angle of the incident light is set too close to the vertical direction, the reflection will be too strong, like a mirror surface, and conversely, the incident light will try to increase the optical path difference. If the angle of the light is set too close to the horizontal direction, the amount of reflected light will decrease. Therefore, it is desirable to set the angle of the incident light effectively.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the invention. As is clear from the figure, this is the case with a concave stamp, which is the opposite of the convex stamp in FIG. The optical system and its adjustment method are also exactly the same as in the case of FIG. The incident light 7 is set to be focused on the bottom surface 14 of the concave stamp on the card 2, and the reflected light 9 is passed through a slit 12' by a SELFOC lens 10 (not shown because the magnification is equal) to a light receiving element. The setting to form an image on the surface of 13 is the same as before.

Therefore, if the optical system is fixed and optical scanning is performed by moving the card 2 in the direction of the arrow, a clear image will be obtained as before due to the effects of both the optical path difference of the reflected light and the focal depth of the lens. . As another example of application, it is also possible to use a similar operation to check the perforation holes carved in slips and the like.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the embossed character reading device of the present invention, it is possible to read similar colors or white that are difficult to contrast due to the effects of both the optical path difference of the reflected light and the depth of focus of the lens, or to use monochromatic light as a light source. When used, it can be confirmed as a clear image even if the embossed characters are of the same color.

In addition, line-type sensors have pixel widths of 10-odd microns and 1
Since they are arranged in rows, optical scanning can be performed with precision, which is advantageous for improving resolution, and even clearer images can be expected.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view showing an embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 3 is a side view showing another embodiment of the invention. 2: Card, 2': Embossed characters, 4: Light source, 7: Incident light, 9,9': Reflected light, 12 line type sensor, X

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A device for optically reading embossed characters on a card, comprising: a means for moving the relative position of the optical system and the card; a means for irradiating the embossed characters with light in a linear manner; and a device for optically reading the embossed characters. An embossed character reading device comprising a light receiving means arranged at a position capable of receiving only reflected light from a character surface.