JP3637579B2 - Automatic transaction equipment - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention recognizes various form such as a payment paper is about the automatic transaction equipment possible, in particular, the recognition by automatic or attendant at the center system side with respect to the form that is not registered in the automatic transaction apparatus, automatic a shall relates to a automated teller machine provided in the next and subsequent transactions by which learning the transaction device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Examples of automatic transaction apparatuses that require recognition of various forms include a fee acceptance machine that stores public charges such as taxes, association fees, and various loan transfers. For example, in an automatic payment machine for charges described in JP-A-2-242371, a bill (form) in which charges are entered is read by a charge reception machine (automatic transaction apparatus), and the recognition result of amount data and the like is obtained. By displaying on a CRT (display unit) and prompting the user to deposit cash based on the amount data, payment of the fee is accepted. As a result, it has become possible to mechanize the receipt of forms and streamline the window business.
However, in this case, by setting the upper limit of the deposit amount only for the payment paper that has already been registered, the time for change preparation work can be reduced, and the decline in cash operational efficiency can be prevented. doing.
Therefore, in the case of an automatic payment machine with a small memory capacity for registering a form format, it is possible to accept only a very limited type of utility charges.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As in the automatic payment machine described in the above publication, in the conventional automatic transaction apparatus, it is necessary to register a recognition algorithm, a character dictionary, etc. for recognizing the form to be handled in advance in the apparatus. The form could not be accepted.
Therefore, it is conceivable to prepare a large-capacity memory in the automatic transaction apparatus so that as many types of utility charges as possible can be received. In addition, the installation area is increased, the allowable number of installations is reduced, the cost is increased, and it is extremely difficult to register all the forms in advance, which is not practical.
[0004]
The object of the present invention is to solve such a conventional problem, and can accept utility bills etc. with a relatively small amount of memory, and with the support of the center system even when the form cannot be automatically recognized. It is to provide an automatic transaction apparatus that can recognize this and prepare for the next time.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an automatic transaction apparatus according to the present invention comprises: ( 1) a form reading unit for reading character information described in a form inserted from an insertion slot, and a character information read by the form reading unit. Connects a line to a form recognition unit that automatically recognizes using a recognition algorithm or character dictionary, etc., a display unit that displays a result recognized by the form recognition unit, and displays a guidance for selecting a card or cash payment method. And a line interface unit for transmitting and receiving image information of the form read by the form reading unit and information of the unregistered form with the center.
(2) Further, when the form recognition unit does not recognize the inserted form, the line interface unit transmits the image information of the unrecognized form read by the form reading unit to the center, and Result The recognition result of the form transmitted from the center is also displayed on the display unit.
(3) In addition, when there is a table for storing the format data or recognition algorithm of a plurality of forms, and the form recognition unit does not recognize the inserted form, the format data or recognition algorithm of the form that has not been recognized. Is requested to the center via the line interface unit, and the format data or recognition algorithm of a new form transmitted from the center is registered in the table.
(4) According to the guidance displayed on the display unit, when a card is selected, a transfer process using the card is executed, and when cash is selected, a cash process using cash input by the user is executed. It is also a feature.
[0006]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an automatic transaction system showing an embodiment of the present invention. The automatic transaction system of the present invention comprises an automatic transaction apparatus 1 and a center system 12 connected via a network such as a LAN 20 and an ISDN 21. The center system 12 includes a recognition server 15 connected to a LAN 19, a display unit 16, an input unit 18, and a printing unit 17.
The center system 12 has a function to support the case where the form format of the automatic transaction apparatus 1 is not registered. When the automatic transaction apparatus 1 cannot automatically recognize the form, When it is notified, the recognition server 15 automatically recognizes it, or the operator member recognizes it, so that the recognition algorithm and characters necessary for recognizing the format information and character information of the form from the input unit 18 such as a keyboard. A dictionary or the like is input and registered in a table in the recognition server 15, and the recognition algorithm or character dictionary is transmitted to the automatic transaction apparatus 1 that has been notified. The automatic transaction apparatus 1 that has received these can register the information in an internal table, thereby accepting the form and making a payment at and after this time.
[0007]
2 is an external perspective view of the automatic transaction apparatus in FIG.
This automatic transaction apparatus 1 has a form acceptance function for inputting various forms such as utility bills, reads the amount of payment of the entered form, displays the amount on a display, and displays cash or a card to the user. Select which of the payment is to be performed. In addition, when a form that is not registered in the automatic transaction apparatus 1 is input, a recognition necessary for automatically notifying and recognizing the center system (see FIG. 1) connected via the network. Send information such as algorithms and character dictionaries. This makes it possible to recognize forms of the same format from the next time. If the automatic transaction apparatus 1 cannot recognize the current time, an expected waiting time is displayed and the user is allowed to wait or input again after the scheduled time.
In FIG. 2, 2 is a display unit for displaying operation guidance for a customer, 3 is an input unit comprising a touch panel for inputting selection / confirmation, etc., 4 is a form reading unit for receiving a form and reading an image, A card reading unit for reading and writing the magnetic stripe of the magnetic stripe card, 6 is a cash processing unit for depositing / withdrawing banknotes or coins, and 7 is a print output unit for printing a description, a receipt, and the like. The automatic transaction apparatus 1 is not provided with a bank passbook reading unit or a passbook recording unit, but can be attached as necessary.
[0008]
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram inside the automatic transaction apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention.
In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about what has the same function as the function demonstrated in FIG. Since the display unit 2, the input unit 3, the form reading unit 4, the card reading unit 5, the cash processing unit 6, and the print output unit 7 have been described with reference to FIG. 8 is a line I / F unit for communicating with the center system and the like, 9 is a form recognition algorithm, a character dictionary, etc. that are considered necessary in the area where the automatic transaction apparatus 1 is installed. A form recognition unit for recognizing 10 is a main control unit for controlling the whole, and 11 is a power supply unit for supplying necessary power to each unit.
As is apparent from FIG. 2, a portion that is also used for depositing / withdrawing or transferring money from / to a bank account (display unit 2, input unit 3, card reading) Unit 5, cash processing unit 6, print output unit 7, line I / F unit 8, and power supply unit 11), a form reading unit 4 that reads an input utility fee payment form, and an input form A form recognition unit 9 for recognizing the contents is newly installed. The line I / F unit 8 notifies the center system of a form that could not be recognized by the automatic transaction apparatus 1 via the line, and requests information for recognizing the form.
In this automatic transaction apparatus 1, only basic ones of all the forms, for example, resident tax payment slip, withholding tax payment slip, electricity charge, water charge, telephone charge, broadcast charge, gas charge, various newspaper charges, And the like, and a registration table of only a character dictionary, and for these, automatically recognizes the form format, prompts automatic payment, receives it, and issues a receipt. For other items, exchange information with the server of the center system.
[0009]
FIG. 4 is an operation flowchart when using the automatic transaction system according to the present invention, FIG. 5 is a format diagram showing an example of a payment form, and FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C are respectively automatic transactions. It is a figure of the storage information of the registration table in the case of a device, a recognition server, and a new form, and FIG.
Hereinafter, an operation procedure will be described along the flowchart.
The main control unit 10 of the automatic transaction apparatus 1 displays a transaction selection on the display unit 2 in a transaction selection waiting state (step 101). In this transaction selection display, as shown in FIG. 10A, a form payment button 34 is prepared in addition to deposit / payment 32, transfer 33, etc., which are normal transactions. When the form pay button 34 is pressed by the customer who pays the form (step 102), the main control unit 10 displays the form acceptance on the display unit 2 (step 103) and waits for the insertion of the form. When the customer inserts the form into the form reading unit 4 (step 104), the form reading unit 4 reads the form image (step 105), and the image is recognized by the form recognition unit 9 in the automatic transaction apparatus 1 through the main control unit 10. And collation is performed based on the stored recognition algorithm (step 106).
[0010]
For example, when an electricity bill payment form of A electric power company as shown in FIG. 5 is received, the form code number * (in this case, “20”) is first read to determine the form format corresponding to the number. A registration table as shown in FIG. 6A is prepared in the form recognition unit 9. Each item display coordinate such as form type, subscriber name and payment amount, display range, etc. are collated from the code number, and the position where information on the form is written is determined and read (3000 here). In the electricity bill payment form in FIG. 5, it is determined that it is a form of A electric power company from the code number 20 based on the format data in FIG. 6A, and the payment amount is written in the range of 10 digits from the coordinates (50, 10). Therefore, the form recognition unit 9 reads the character information “3000” and recognizes it as a paid-in amount of 3000 yen from the character dictionary.
When each item on the form can be read and automatically recognized in this way, a form image 37 is displayed as shown in FIG. 10 (b), and information necessary for a transaction in the automatic transaction apparatus is displayed from the recognition result ( (Payment account number 38, payment amount 39, payment person name 40, etc.) are displayed on the display unit 2 (step 107), and the customer is confirmed whether the information is correct. If cancel 41 is pressed, the transaction is stopped. When the confirmation 42 is pressed, as shown in FIG. 10E, the payment method for the card 51 or the cash 52 is selected and displayed (step 108). When the card payment 51 is pressed (step 109), the card is transferred from the card account by card insertion / password input / transfer confirmation (steps 110, 111, 112). When the cash payment 52 is pressed (step 115), as shown in FIG. 10 (g), after displaying the display 60 prompting the input of the name and telephone number, the cash input / transfer confirmation / change receipt (FIG. 10 (h)) (steps 116, 117, 118, and 119), transfer is performed. When the payment processing is completed, as shown in FIG. 10 (f), the receipt of receipt should be displayed, and the receipt is issued from the print output unit 7 (steps 113 and 120). Returns the card (step 114) and ends the transaction.
[0011]
Next, an embodiment in the case where the form recognition unit in the automatic transaction apparatus cannot be recognized will be described. FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram inside the center system in FIG.
In FIG. 7, 13 is an I / F unit connected to the line I / F unit 8 on the automatic transaction apparatus 1 side shown in FIG. 3 by a LAN, 14 is a main control unit for controlling the entire center system, and 15 is nationwide. A recognition server for storing a generally used form recognition algorithm and the like and recognizing the form, 16 a display unit for recognizing an image on a display by an operator, 17 a printing unit for printing out the image, Reference numeral 18 denotes an input unit for inputting form information.
A form that could not be recognized by the automatic transaction apparatus 1 is transmitted to the recognition server 15 of the center system 12 via a line, and a notification that recognition is impossible is performed. As described above, since the information on the nationwide form is registered in the server 15, it is searched whether or not the form that has become unrecognizable is in the registration table in the server 15 (see FIG. 6B). And check. If it exists in the table, the registered information is transferred from the I / F unit 13 to the automatic transaction apparatus 1. If it does not exist in the table, as shown in FIG. 10 (c), a form image 42 is displayed and a guidance display indicating that the form information should be input is displayed. 10 (d), by inputting information such as code number 46, subscriber name 47, payment amount coordinates (x, y) 47, amount display range 48, etc. from the input unit 18, Display on the screen. The input information is registered in the table in the recognition server 15 as new form format data as shown in FIG. 6C and is also transferred from the I / F unit 13 to the automatic transaction apparatus 1.
[0012]
FIG. 8 is an operation flowchart in the case where the automatic transaction apparatus cannot recognize and collates with the center system recognition server.
Hereinafter, it demonstrates along this flowchart. Assume that the format data of the form recognition unit 9 of the automatic transaction apparatus 1 stores only data 1 to 20 as shown in FIG. At this time, when the automatic transaction apparatus 1 accepts the form with the form code number 50, even if the automatic transaction apparatus 1 can read the code number by the form recognition unit 9, the form format cannot be determined and cannot be recognized (step). 121). Thereby, the main control unit 10 of the automatic transaction apparatus 1 transmits the read form image itself from the line I / F unit 8 to the recognition server 15 in the center system 12 through a network line such as a LAN (step 122). For example, as shown in FIG. 6B, the recognition server 15 stores a nationwide form recognition algorithm from 1 to 100 so that more forms can be recognized. As a result, when a form not stored in the automatic transaction apparatus 1 itself is received (step 151), it can be automatically recognized through the recognition server 15. In the recognition server 15, as described above, the form data number is read from the form image in the same manner as the collation in the form recognizing unit 9 in the automatic transaction apparatus 1, and the form format is determined (step 152). Based on the format data, the display position is determined and character information is read and recognized.
[0013]
If the recognition server 15 can automatically recognize, the main control unit 14 in the center system 12 returns information necessary for the transaction from the recognition result to the automatic transaction apparatus 1 (step 153), and the received automatic transaction apparatus 1 The recognition result is displayed on the display unit 2 (steps 123 and 124), and the customer is confirmed whether the information is correct. When the confirmation is pressed, the payment method is selected and displayed as described above (step 125), and the transaction is continued.
If the payment method is a card (step 126), the card is inserted, the PIN is entered, the transfer is confirmed (steps 127, 128, and 129) as in FIG. 4, a receipt is issued (step 130), and the card is inserted. Return (step 131). If the payment method is cash (step 132), input the name and telephone number, cash input, transfer confirmation and change receipt (steps 133, 134, 135, 136) as in FIG. 4 and issue a receipt. (Step 137) and the transaction is terminated (step 138). After the transaction is completed, a transmission request for the recognition algorithm is made to the center system 12 (step 139). When the center system 12 receives the request (step 154), the recognition algorithm is read from the table and transmitted to the automatic transaction apparatus 1 (step 155). The automatic transaction apparatus 1 that has received it stores this information in the table of the form recognition unit 9 (step 142).
[0014]
FIG. 9 is an operation flowchart when the operator recognizes the form in the center system when the recognition server cannot recognize the form.
Hereinafter, an operation when the recognition server 15 in the center system 12 is not recognized will be described. When the form code number itself cannot be read by the recognition server 15 and the form format cannot be determined, or when the position of the predetermined character information is determined based on the recognition algorithm but cannot be recognized due to handwritten characters, or When a code number is not registered in the table in the recognition server 15 for a new form, the form is recognized by operator input.
When the recognition server cannot automatically recognize and input by the operator (step 161), the main control unit 14 of the center system 12 displays the form image on the display 16 or prints it out with the printer 17 (step 162). The operator looks at the image on the display 16 and inputs each item information (subscriber name, payment account number, payment amount, payer name / address / phone number, payment date, etc.) (step 163). ).
The main control unit 14 in the center system 12 returns information necessary for the transaction in the input item information to the automatic transaction apparatus 1 (step 164), and the received automatic transaction apparatus 1 displays the operator on the display unit 2. Are displayed (steps 98 and 99), and the customer is confirmed whether the information is correct. If cancel is pressed, the transaction is canceled. When the confirmation is pressed, the automatic transaction apparatus 1 displays the payment method selection and continues the transaction.
[0015]
If the form recognition unit 9 in the automatic transaction apparatus 1 cannot automatically recognize it, the recognition server 15 in the center system 12 performs collation, and if it can be recognized here, the recognition result has already been returned to the automatic transaction apparatus 1. As described above, as shown after the transaction end 138 in the flowchart of FIG. 8, after the transaction with the customer is completed, the automatic transaction apparatus 1 requests the center system to transmit a recognition algorithm for the form that could not be recognized by itself. To do. Upon receiving the request, the center system 12 transmits the form recognition algorithm held by the recognition server 15 to the automatic transaction apparatus 1. The received automatic transaction apparatus 1 stores it in its own form recognition unit 9. For example, as shown in FIG. 6B, the format data of the code number 50 stored in the recognition server 15 is stored in the table FIG. 6A of the form recognition unit 9 of the automatic transaction apparatus 1 that has not been stored. Will be added. With this learning function, even when the form is inserted into the automatic transaction apparatus 1 from the next time, the automatic transaction apparatus 1 itself can automatically recognize it.
Further, when the recognition server 15 cannot automatically recognize and the form information is inputted by the operator, the input result is transmitted to the automatic transaction apparatus 1 as shown in FIG. 9 (step 164), and then the center system 12 makes the operator information. By specifying format information such as the origin of the form and the display position of each item (step 165), a new recognition algorithm that has not been stored so far is created (step 166). This new recognition algorithm is added to the format data of the recognition server 15 and stored (step 167).
[0016]
For example, as shown in FIG. 6B, it is assumed that the recognition server 15 has previously stored 100 form format data and has received the form of the D telephone company for the first time. The display position and the like are specified by recognizing the D telephone company payment form by the operator, and data such as the payment amount coordinates (20, 10) and the display range (10) as shown in FIG. To do. On the other hand, the automatic transaction apparatus 1 requests the center system to transmit a new recognition algorithm for the form after the end of the transaction with the customer (step 138) (step 139). The center system 12 that has received the request transmits the recognition algorithm from the previously stored recognition server 15 to the automatic transaction apparatus 1 (steps 168 and 169). As a result, even when a form that is not stored in the form recognition unit 9 or the recognition server 15 is received, the automatic transaction apparatus 1 itself becomes an entry terminal, creates a new recognition algorithm in the center system 12, and determines the recognition algorithm. By having a learning function of sending to the automatic transaction apparatus 1 and the recognition server 15 and newly storing it, even when the form is inserted into the automatic transaction apparatus 1 from the next time, automatic recognition is performed through the automatic transaction apparatus 1 itself or the recognition server 15. I can do it.
[0017]
Note that the paid-in amount coordinates registered in the table as form information are represented by the distance on the horizontal line from the upper left corner to the head of the amount column and the distance on the vertical line from the upper end to the amount column. Other indications are acceptable. In addition, the amount display range is also expressed by the number of digits, but if the size of one digit is different, the total length is different even if the number of digits is the same. A numerical value other than may be expressed.
In addition, instead of having the recognition algorithm and character dictionary transferred from the center system 12, only the form code number is transferred, and it is determined that the form with the form code number has been input to the automatic transaction apparatus 1. It can also be transferred to the center system 12. Thereby, it is not necessary to update the registration contents on the automatic transaction apparatus 1 side or increase the capacity.
[0018]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, when the automatic transaction apparatus cannot automatically recognize the form, it is registered in advance in the automatic transaction apparatus by automatically recognizing the form on the center system side or by the operator member. It is possible to accept forms that have not been received. Furthermore, if the center system automatically recognizes the form or the operator member can recognize it, the automatic transaction device learns the recognition algorithm and character dictionary necessary for recognizing the form. In the transaction, the form can be automatically recognized by the automatic transaction apparatus. Thus, the automatic transaction apparatus can recognize not only a nationwide form but also a form newly issued only in a specific area.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an automatic transaction system showing an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is an external view of an automatic transaction apparatus having a form acceptance function in FIG.
FIG. 3 is an internal functional block diagram of the automatic transaction apparatus with a form acceptance function in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is an operation flowchart of the automatic transaction apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a payment form format diagram of an electric power company A, which is an example of a form to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 6 is a storage information diagram of a form format data table showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is an internal functional block diagram of a center system showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart of automatic recognition through a recognition server of the center system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of form recognition by an operator of the center system showing another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a screen view of the display unit of the automatic transaction apparatus and the center system showing an embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1: Automatic transaction device with form acceptance function, 2: Display unit, 3: Input unit,
4: form reading unit, 5: card reading unit, 6: cash processing unit, 7: print output unit,
8: Line I / F unit, 9: Form recognition unit, 10: Main control unit, 11: Power supply unit,
12: Center system, 13: I / F section, 14: Center system main control section,
15: recognition server, 16: display unit, 17: printing unit, 18: input unit,
19: LAN in center system, 20: LAN, 21: ISDN,
37, 42, 45: Form image,
31, 43, 50, 60, 56, 70: Guidance display column,
35, 41, 53, 57, 72: Cancel button,
36, 42, 54, 58, 73: Confirmation buttons.

Claims (4)

In an automatic transaction device that performs transactions by reading a form code number and causing a customer to operate it,
A form reading unit that automatically reads the form code number written on the form inserted from the insertion slot;
A form that uses a form code number read by the form reading unit to determine a form format based on a plurality of pre-registered form format data tables, and automatically recognizes character information at a position defined by the confirmed form format using a character dictionary A recognition unit;
A display unit for displaying a result recognized by the form recognition unit and displaying a guidance for selecting a card or cash payment method;
When it is determined that the form code number read by the form reading unit is not registered in the form format data table of the form recognition unit and the form format cannot be determined, the unregistered form image is transmitted to the center. A main control unit ;
A line interface unit for transmitting / receiving image information of a form read by the form reading unit and information of an unregistered form to / from a center connected to a line ;
An automatic transaction apparatus comprising: The automatic transaction apparatus according to claim 1,
Receiving a recognition result automatically recognized by the recognition server of the center that has registered the form format data not registered in the form recognition unit via the line interface unit, and displaying the recognition result on the display unit; An automatic transaction device characterized. The automatic transaction apparatus according to claim 2,
Request the form format data registered in the recognition server and not registered in the form recognition unit to the center, and receive the requested form format data from the center via the line interface unit. An automatic transaction apparatus characterized by registering in In the automatic transaction apparatus in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 3,
In accordance with the guidance for selecting a card or cash payment method displayed on the display unit, when a card is selected, a transfer process using the card is executed, and when cash is selected, An automatic transaction apparatus characterized by executing cash processing using cash to be inserted.

Images