Securities processing system, settlement system, and securities processing method

Abstract

This helps to reduce the time it takes to remove unacceptable securities from the aircraft. [Solution] The securities processing device 10 includes an input unit 110, a transport unit 160 for transporting gift certificates GT, an image reading unit 120 for generating image information of an identifiable target, which is an image of the gift certificates GT, an identification unit 154 for determining whether or not to accept the gift certificates GT by identifying them based on the image information of the identifiable target, an operation control unit 152 for controlling the transport operation of the gift certificates GT by the transport unit 160 according to the determination result of the identification unit 154, and a storage unit 140 for storing the gift certificates GT that can be accepted. If the identification unit 154 determines that the gift certificates GT can be accepted, the operation control unit 152 transports the gift certificates GT to the storage unit 140, and if the identification unit 154 determines that the gift certificates GT cannot be accepted, it reverses the flow of the gift certificates GT and transports them to the input unit 110, thereby discharging the gift certificates GT from the input unit 110 to the outside.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a securities processing apparatus, a settlement processing system, and a securities processing method.

Background Art

[0002] In retail stores such as supermarkets, securities such as gift certificates may be handled in addition to currency. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a mode in which a coin changer and a POS register are communicatively connected to each other, and a currency processing unit in which the POS register and a gift certificate processor are also communicatively connected to each other is installed at a cashier's desk in the front area of a store. The gift certificate processor disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes an insertion unit for inserting a gift certificate from the outside of the machine body into the inside, a conveyance unit for conveying the inserted gift certificate, an identification unit for identifying the conveyed gift certificate and obtaining information related to the gift certificate, and a deposit rejection unit. The deposit rejection unit is connected to the conveyance unit, and a gift certificate that could not be identified by the identification unit or a gift certificate that was identified by the identification unit but was determined to be unacceptable for acceptance is sent from the conveyance unit to the deposit rejection unit. The gift certificate sent to the deposit rejection unit can be taken out of the machine body by an operator.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the case of the gift certificate processing machine described in Patent Document 1, unacceptable gift certificates are sent to the deposit rejection section via the transport section, which increases the time it takes to remove the gift certificates from the machine. This increased waiting time means that customers wishing to use the gift certificates have to wait, reducing the customer turnover rate in retail stores. Furthermore, it creates a mental health issue by causing customer stress. Therefore, it is desirable to suppress the time it takes to remove unacceptable securities from the machine. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A securities processing device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is a securities processing device for determining whether or not to accept a security that has been inserted, comprising: an insertion unit into which the security is inserted; a transport unit for transporting the security inserted into the insertion unit; an image reading unit for generating first image information showing a first image which is an image of the security; an identification unit for determining whether or not to accept the security by identifying the security based on the first image information; an operation control unit for controlling the transport operation of the security by the transport unit according to the determination result of the identification unit; and a storage unit for storing the acceptable security, wherein if the identification unit determines that the security is acceptable, the operation control unit causes the transport unit to execute the transport operation to transport the security to the storage unit, thereby storing the security in the storage unit; and if the identification unit determines that the security is not acceptable, the operation control unit causes the transport unit to execute the transport operation to move the security in reverse and transport it to the insertion unit, thereby discharging the security from the insertion unit to the outside.

[0006] Furthermore, a settlement processing system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is a settlement processing system having at least a POS register, a settlement processing device, and a securities processing device, wherein the securities processing device includes an input unit into which securities are inserted, a transport unit for transporting the securities inserted into the input unit, an image reading unit for generating first image information showing a first image which is an image of the securities, an identification unit for determining whether or not to accept the securities by identifying the securities based on the first image information, an operation control unit for controlling the transport operation of the securities by the transport unit according to the determination result of the identification unit, and a storage unit for storing the acceptable securities. The operation control unit, when the identification unit determines that the security can be accepted, causes the transport unit to perform the transport operation to transport the security to the storage unit, thereby storing the security in the storage unit; when the identification unit determines that the security cannot be accepted, causes the transport unit to perform the transport operation to reverse the security and transport it to the input unit, thereby discharging the security from the input unit to the outside; and when the identification unit determines that the security can be accepted, the POS register and the settlement processing device perform settlement processing for the products that the customer wishes to purchase, according to the identification result in the identification unit.

[0007] Furthermore, a securities processing method according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is a securities processing method executed by a securities processing apparatus comprising: an input unit into which securities are inserted; a transport unit for transporting the securities inserted into the input unit; an image reading unit for generating first image information showing a first image which is an image of the securities; an identification unit for determining whether or not the securities can be accepted by identifying the securities based on the first image information; an operation control unit for controlling the transport operation of the securities by the transport unit according to the determination result of the identification unit; and a storage unit for storing the acceptable securities, wherein the operation control unit stores the securities in the storage unit by causing the transport unit to perform the transport operation to transport the securities to the storage unit when the identification unit determines that the securities can be accepted, and discharges the securities from the input unit to the outside by causing the transport unit to perform the transport operation to move the securities in reverse and transport them to the input unit when the identification unit determines that the securities cannot be accepted. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the time required to remove unacceptable securities from the machine. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a conceptual diagram illustrating the outline of the settlement processing system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of a securities processing unit. [Figure 3] This is a diagram showing the configuration of a securities processing unit. [Figure 4] Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a ticket type table. [Figure 5] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a confirmation screen used to verify the identification result of a gift certificate inserted into the input section of a securities processing device. [Figure 6] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating another example of a confirmation screen. [Figure 7] This flowchart shows an example of the operation of a securities processing device when performing settlement processing using gift certificates. [Figure 8] This is a flowchart showing an example of the identification process. [Figure 9] Here is another example of the identification process, shown in the flowchart. [Figure 10] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the outline of the securities processing device related to the first modified example. [Figure 11] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the outline of the securities processing device related to the second modified example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensions and scale of each part in each drawing have been appropriately changed from the actual ones. Furthermore, the embodiments described below are preferred specific examples of the present invention and are subject to various technically preferred limitations, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments unless otherwise stated in the following description.

[0011] [1. Embodiments] First, with reference to Figure 1, an example of the outline of the settlement processing system 1 according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0012] [First Embodiment] Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the outline of the settlement processing system 1 according to the first embodiment. In Figure 1, the settlement processing system 1 includes a securities processing device 10 for processing securities such as gift certificates GT and service vouchers, a POS register 20 (including self-checkout and semi-self-checkout registers), and a change dispenser 30 which is a settlement processing device.

[0013] The securities processing device 10 is connected to the POS register 20 in a communicative manner, and the POS register 20 is connected to the change dispenser 30 in a communicative manner. The connection between the securities processing device 10 and the POS register 20, and the connection between the POS register 20 and the change dispenser 30, may be a wired connection or a wireless connection, or a connection using both wired and wireless connections. Furthermore, the connection between the multiple elements, including the securities processing device 10, etc., may be a connection that enables communication between the multiple elements, and may be a connection via a network. The network may include the Internet and a local area network. In this embodiment, for example, it is assumed that the securities processing device 10, the POS register 20, and the change dispenser 30 are installed in a retail store such as a supermarket that handles gift certificates GT.

[0014] Details will be described later with reference to FIG. 3. The securities processing apparatus 10 has, for example, an input unit 110, a temporary storage unit outlet 131, a storage unit outlet 141, and the like. In the present embodiment, the input unit 110 serves as both an insertion port into which the commodity ticket GT is inserted and a discharge (reject) port for discharging the commodity ticket GT inserted into the securities processing apparatus 10. Further, the securities inserted into the securities processing apparatus 10 can be taken out from the temporary storage unit outlet 131 or the storage unit outlet 141 as needed.

[0015] The POS register 20 has, for example, a display operation unit 21 and is used when performing settlement processing for goods purchased by a customer at a store such as a supermarket. The display operation unit 21 is an output device such as a display and also functions as an operation panel that is an input device of the POS register 20. Thus, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the display operation unit 21 is configured as an integrated operation device (for example, a touch panel) that receives operations by an administrator or the like of the settlement processing system 1.

[0016] Further, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the POS register 20 communicates with and cooperates with the securities processing apparatus 10 and the change dispenser 30, and the securities processing apparatus 10 identifies securities such as the commodity ticket GT that the customer wishes to use and determines whether the securities can be used at the store, and the POS register 20 and the change dispenser 30 perform settlement processing. Note that the securities processed by the settlement processing system 1 in the present invention are not limited to the commodity ticket GT, and may be valuable securities such as regional revitalization tickets, or non-valuable securities such as service tickets, coupon tickets, and discount tickets. Further, the settlement processing apparatus is not limited to the change dispenser 30, and may be a settlement processing apparatus other than the change dispenser 30.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram schematically showing the internal structure of the securities processing apparatus 10. In FIG. 2, for the sake of easy understanding, a number (any one of 1, 2, 3, and 4) is attached to the end of the reference numeral of the commodity ticket GT. However, the commodity tickets GT1, GT2, GT3, and GT4 are also referred to as the commodity ticket GT without any particular distinction. Further, in FIG. 2, the internal structure of the securities processing apparatus 10 is described by taking as an example the case where the securities processing apparatus 10 is installed on a plane (horizontal plane) perpendicular to the gravitational direction.

[0018] Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis orthogonal to each other shown in FIG. 2 will be used for explanation as appropriate. Also, the direction indicated by the arrow of the X-axis is referred to as the +X direction, and the opposite direction of the +X direction is referred to as the -X direction. Similarly, the direction indicated by the arrow of the Y-axis is referred to as the +Y direction, and the opposite direction of the +Y direction is referred to as the -Y direction. And the direction indicated by the arrow of the Z-axis is referred to as the +Z direction, and the opposite direction of the +Z direction is referred to as the -Z direction. For example, FIG. 2 schematically shows the internal structure of the securities processing apparatus 10 when viewed from the +X direction to the -X direction. In the present embodiment, the plane grasped when the securities processing apparatus 10 is viewed from the +X direction to the -X direction corresponds to the front. Also, in the present embodiment, the -Z direction corresponds to the direction of gravity. Hereinafter, the +Z direction may be referred to as upward and the -Z direction may be referred to as downward.

[0019] The securities processing apparatus 10 includes an input unit 110 into which the gift ticket GT is inserted, an image reading unit 120 that reads an image of the gift ticket GT inserted from the input unit 110, a temporary storage unit 130 that temporarily stores the gift ticket GT for which the image reading has ended, a storage unit 140 that stores the gift ticket GT for which the settlement process has been completed, and a processing device 150. Further, the securities processing apparatus 10 includes a conveyance unit 160 that conveys the gift ticket GT inserted into the input unit 110. The conveyance unit 160 has, for example, a plurality of conveyance rollers ROL driven by a motor (not shown). Hereinafter, when conveying the gift ticket GT in the direction from the input unit 110 to the temporary storage unit 130 (in FIG. 2, the direction from above to below), the rotation of the conveyance roller ROL may be referred to as forward rotation, and the rotation opposite to the forward rotation may be referred to as reverse rotation. Also, in FIG. 2, although not clearly shown, the conveyance path from the image reading unit 120 to the storage unit 140 is also part of the conveyance unit 160.

[0020] For example, a store clerk or customer of a retail store where the securities processing device 10 is installed will insert a gift certificate GT1 into the input section 110. The input section 110 then inserts the inserted gift certificate GT1 into the securities processing device 10. In other words, the securities processing device 10 can take in the gift certificate GT1 inserted into the input section 110. If the identification process described later determines that the gift certificate GT1 inserted into the input section 110 is unacceptable, the gift certificate GT1 is returned from the input section 110 to the store clerk or customer. In other words, the input section 110 serves as both an input and output slot for gift certificates GT.

[0021] The image reading unit 120 is, for example, an optical device such as a camera and an image scanner. In this embodiment, the image reading unit 120 has an end ED1 (first end) that is closer to the input unit 110 than the storage unit 140, and an end ED2 (second end) that is closer to the storage unit 140 than the input unit 110. For example, a gift certificate GT1 inserted from the input unit 110 passes through the end ED1 of the image reading unit 120 by the transport roller ROL. The image reading unit 120 then generates image information representing the image by reading the image of one or both of the front and back surfaces of the gift certificate GT that has passed through the end ED1. Reading the image of the gift certificate GT is achieved, for example, by imaging the gift certificate GT. For example, the image reading unit 120 shown in Figure 2 can read the images of the front and back surfaces of the gift certificate GT by imaging the gift certificate GT from the +Y direction and the -Y direction, respectively.

[0022] Based on the image information generated by the image reading unit 120, an identification process for identifying the gift certificate GT is performed by the processing unit 150 (more specifically, the identification unit 154 shown in Figure 3), which will be described later. For example, a gift certificate GT inserted into the input unit 110 is the target of the identification process. Hereinafter, the gift certificate GT inserted into the input unit 110 may be referred to as the gift certificate GT to be identified.

[0023] In this embodiment, the transport unit 160 waits while the identification unit 154 determines whether or not to accept the gift certificate GT, holding the gift certificate GT so that it can move in reverse from the image reading unit 120 to the input unit 110. The state in which the gift certificate GT can move in reverse from the image reading unit 120 to the input unit 110 is, for example, the state before the gift certificate GT passes the transport roller ROL closest to the end ED2 of the image reading unit 120 among the multiple transport roller ROLs located within the image reading unit 120. The state before the gift certificate GT passes the transport roller ROL closest to the end ED2 of the image reading unit 120 among the multiple transport roller ROLs located within the image reading unit 120 is, for example, the state after a part of the gift certificate GT has passed the end ED2 of the image reading unit 120. In this embodiment, we assume that the state of the gift certificate GT, which can be reversed from the image reading unit 120 to the input unit 110, is such that a portion of the gift certificate GT has passed the end ED2 of the image reading unit 120 (the state of gift certificate GT2 in Figure 2).

[0024] For example, the transport unit 160 waits with the gift certificate GT held so that it extends from the end ED2 (second end) toward the storage unit 140 until the result of the identification process is known (the state of gift certificate GT2 in Figure 2). As a result, for example, in the gift certificate GT2 in Figure 2, a portion of the gift certificate GT2 is maintained in a state where it has passed the end ED2 of the image reading unit 120 until the result of the identification process is known. When the result of the identification process is known and the gift certificate GT2 is to be accepted, the transport roller ROL rotates forward, releasing the gift certificate GT2 from being held at the end ED2 of the image reading unit 120, and it is stored in the temporary storage unit 130. If the gift certificate GT2 is not to be accepted, the transport roller ROL rotates backward, causing the gift certificate GT2 to move backward from the state where it was held at the end ED2 of the image reading unit 120, and it is discharged (rejected) from the input unit 110. Furthermore, reverse transport of gift certificates GT refers to, for example, transporting gift certificates GT in the opposite direction to the transport direction when they are being loaded into the securities processing device 10, within the transport path for loading gift certificates GT into the securities processing device 10.

[0025] Thus, in this embodiment, the transport path from the input section 110 to the end ED2 of the image reading section 120 is also used as a transport path for discharging the gift certificate GT2 to the outside. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is not necessary to provide a separate transport path for discharging the gift certificate GT2 to the outside from the transport path for inputting the gift certificate GT into the securities processing device 10, thus preventing the transport path for the gift certificate GT from becoming complicated. As a result, in this embodiment, the configuration of the securities processing device 10 can be kept from becoming complicated. This prevents an increase in the cost of the securities processing device 10 in this embodiment.

[0026] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since unacceptable gift certificates GT are returned to the input section 110, it is possible to prevent store clerks or customers from forgetting to take their gift certificates GT. Also, in this embodiment, since there is no need to provide a separate discharge port from the input section 110, as described above, the transport path of gift certificates GT inside the securities processing device 10 is simplified, so it is possible to suppress the time it takes to remove unacceptable gift certificates GT from the machine. Moreover, in this embodiment, the gift certificates GT are held in a waiting state so that a portion of them is located between end ED1 and end ED2, so the time it takes to remove unacceptable gift certificates GT from the machine can be shortened. From the viewpoint of shortening the time it takes to remove unacceptable gift certificates GT from the machine, it is preferable that the image reading unit 120 be located close to the input section 110.

[0027] The temporary storage unit 130 includes a temporary storage unit outlet 131 provided on the side of the temporary storage unit 130, an opening / closing plate 132, a support part 133 that rotatably supports the opening / closing plate 132, and a stopper 134. The temporary storage unit outlet 131 can be opened and closed, for example, using an axis along the direction of gravity (-Z direction) as the axis of rotation. The opening / closing plate 132 can be rotated around the support part 133 by a motor (not shown), and can be switched between an inclined state shown by a solid line and a vertical state shown by a dotted line in Figure 2.

[0028] The inclined state shown by the solid line in Figure 2 is the closed state, where the transport path from the temporary storage section 130 to the storage section 140 is closed, for example, when the opening / closing plate 132 is inclined with respect to the direction of gravity (-Z direction). On the inclined opening / closing plate 132, the gift certificates GT2 transported from the image reading section 120 are temporarily stored as gift certificates GT3. The stopper 134 is a stopper for securing the gift certificates GT3 on the inclined opening / closing plate 132. The vertical state shown by the dotted line in Figure 2 is the open state, where the transport path from the temporary storage section 130 to the storage section 140 is opened. When the opening / closing plate 132 transitions from the inclined state to the vertical state, the gift certificates GT3 temporarily stored on the opening / closing plate 132 are transported to the storage section 140.

[0029] For example, the gift certificate GT transported from the image reading unit 120 is temporarily stored on the inclined opening / closing plate 132. Once the settlement process by the POS register 20 is complete, the opening / closing plate 132 transitions from an inclined state to a vertical state, and the gift certificate GT is transported to the storage unit 140. If there are multiple gift certificates GT inserted by the store clerk or customer, the multiple gift certificates GT are stored in the temporary storage unit 130, and once the settlement process is complete, all of the multiple gift certificates GT are transported to the storage unit 140. Furthermore, if any problem occurs during the settlement process, the temporary storage unit outlet 131 can be opened, and the gift certificates GT GT stored in the temporary storage unit 130 can be taken out of the securities processing device 10.

[0030] Thus, in this embodiment, a temporary storage unit 130 is provided in the middle of the transport path from the image reading unit 120 to the storage unit 140. Therefore, the temporary storage unit 130 can also be considered as part of the transport unit 160.

[0031] The storage unit 140 has a storage unit outlet 141 provided on the side of the storage unit 140 and a collection box 142 for storing the gift certificates GT3 transported from the temporary storage unit 130 as gift certificates GT4. The storage unit outlet 141 can be opened and closed, for example, with an axis along the direction of gravity (-Z direction) as the axis of rotation. By opening the storage unit outlet 141, the collection box 142 can be removed from the securities processing device 10. That is, the gift certificates GT4 stored in the storage unit 140 can be removed from the securities processing device 10 through the storage unit outlet 141. For example, a store employee or security personnel can unlock the storage unit outlet 141 of the storage unit 140 and retrieve the gift certificates GT4 stored in the storage unit 140.

[0032] The processing unit 150 controls the identification process using image information indicating the image read by the image reading unit 120, and the overall operation of the securities processing unit 10.

[0033] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the securities processing device 10.

[0034] The securities processing device 10 includes, for example, the elements described in Figure 2 (the input unit 110, the image reading unit 120, the temporary storage unit 130, the storage unit 140, and the processing device 150), as well as a storage device 156 for storing various information and a communication device 170. The securities processing device 10 also has a plurality of sensors (not shown) corresponding to the image reading unit 120, the temporary storage unit 130, the storage unit 140, and the transport unit 160. For example, each sensor outputs a signal to the processing device 150 for detecting the state of the element corresponding to that sensor (any of the image reading unit 120, the temporary storage unit 130, the storage unit 140, and the transport unit 160).

[0035] The storage device 156 includes, for example, one or both of the following: a volatile memory such as RAM (Random Access Memory) that functions as a work area for the processing unit 150, and a non-volatile memory such as EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) that stores various information such as the control program PG1. The storage device 156 may be detachable from the securities processing unit 10. Specifically, the storage device 156 may be a storage medium such as a memory card that is detachable from the securities processing unit 10. Furthermore, the storage device 156 may be a storage device (e.g., online storage) that is communicably connected to the securities processing unit 10 via a network or the like.

[0036] In this embodiment, the storage device 156 stores not only the control program PG1 executed in the identification process, but also the ticket type table TBL which is referenced during the identification process. The ticket type table TBL will be explained in Figure 4, which will be described later.

[0037] The communication device 170 is hardware for communicating with external devices such as a POS register 20 located outside the securities processing device 10. For example, the communication device 170 can send and receive signals with the POS register 20 located outside the securities processing device 10. The communication device 170 is not limited to the POS register 20; it can also be connected to communicate with a change dispenser 30, a server device, a cloud device, and the like.

[0038] The processing unit 150 is a processor that controls the entire securities processing unit 10 and is configured, for example, to include one or more CPUs (Central Processing Units). For example, the processing unit 150 functions as an operation control unit 152 and an identification unit 154 by executing a control program PG1 stored in the storage device 156. The control program PG1 may be transmitted from another device via a network.

[0039] Based on the identification result by the securities processing device 10, the POS register 20 processes the settlement of the customer's purchased goods. For example, when a store clerk or customer settles the payment using a gift certificate GT, the processing device 150 causes the image reading unit 120 to read the gift certificate GT (the gift certificate GT to be identified) inserted into the input unit 110. The image reading unit 120 generates image information showing the image of the read gift certificate GT (the image of the gift certificate GT to be identified) and transmits the generated image information to the processing device 150. The image reading unit 120 may also store the image information in the storage device 156. In this case, the processing device 150 may read the image information from the storage device 156.

[0040] Furthermore, for example, if the processing unit 150 is configured to include multiple CPUs, some or all of the functions of the processing unit 150 may be realized by these multiple CPUs cooperating and operating according to a program such as a control program PG1. Also, the processing unit 150 may be configured to include hardware such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) in addition to one or more CPUs, or in place of some or all of the one or more CPUs. In this case, some or all of the functions of the processing unit 150 may be realized by hardware such as a DSP.

[0041] Thus, in this embodiment, the control program PG1 includes an application program for causing the processing unit 150 to function as an operation control unit 152 and an identification unit 154. The control program PG1 may also include, for example, an operating system program for the processing unit 150 to control each part of the securities processing unit 10.

[0042] The motion control unit 152 controls the operation of each of the input unit 110, image reading unit 120, temporary storage unit 130, storage unit 140, and transport unit 160 based on signals from sensors and the like that are provided corresponding to each element. For example, the motion control unit 152 controls the timing and speed of the transport operation of the transport unit 160, the opening and closing operation of the opening / closing plate 132 of the temporary storage unit 130, the opening and closing operation of the temporary storage unit outlet 131, and the opening and closing operation of the storage unit outlet 141. The transport operation of the transport unit 160 may include, for example, the operation of rotating the transport roller ROL forward or backward. In addition, the opening and closing operation of the opening / closing plate 132 of the temporary storage unit 130 may be included in the transport operation of the transport unit 160.

[0043] Furthermore, the identification unit 154 obtains image information from the image reading unit 120 that shows the image of the gift certificate GT (the gift certificate GT to be identified) inserted into the input unit 110. Then, the identification unit 154 performs an identification process to determine whether or not to accept the gift certificate GT to be identified based on the image information obtained from the image reading unit 120 (image information showing the image of the gift certificate GT to be identified). Hereafter, the image information showing the image of the gift certificate GT may be referred to as the image information of the gift certificate GT. Note that if the image reading unit 120 stores the image information of the gift certificate GT to be identified in the storage device 156, the identification unit 154 may obtain the image information of the gift certificate GT to be identified from the storage device 156. The image of the gift certificate GT to be identified is an example of the "first image," and the image information showing the image of the gift certificate GT to be identified is an example of the "first image information."

[0044] The identification process performed by the identification unit 154 will be explained in Figure 8 below, but the identification process includes at least image processing and OCR (Optical Character Recognition) processing. Therefore, the identification unit 154 may be considered to include at least an image processing unit and an OCR processing unit.

[0045] The configuration of the settlement processing system 1 is not limited to the example shown in Figure 3. For example, the processing unit 150 and storage device 156 of the securities processing device 10 may be installed in a separate device from the main body of the securities processing device 10 and may be connected to the image reading unit 120 etc. via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network). In this case, the device including the processing unit 150 and storage device 156 (a device installed in a separate device from the main body of the securities processing device 10) may function as a server for identifying gift certificates GT.

[0046] Next, we will explain an example of a ticket type table (TBL) with reference to Figure 4.

[0047] Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the voucher type table TBL shown in Figure 3. The voucher type table TBL has, for example, one or more records. In the example shown in Figure 4, the voucher type table TBL has multiple records that correspond one-to-one with multiple types of gift certificates GT registered in the voucher type table TBL.

[0048] For example, each record in the voucher type table (TBL) stores voucher type information, including identification information, information indicating the voucher type name, and information indicating the face value, and also stores image information indicating the reference image (RIMG) as the reference image (RIMG). Furthermore, each record in the voucher type table (TBL) stores information indicating the location of the expiration date area (NAR) on the voucher GT, where the expiration date of the voucher GT is written, as the expiration date area (NAR), and also stores the results of the color analysis on the image of the voucher GT as the color analysis result.

[0049] The identification information is information used to identify each type of gift certificate GT from among several types. The certificate type name is the name of the type of gift certificate GT that corresponds to the identification information. For example, the certificate type name is displayed on the confirmation screen SC shown in Figure 5 or Figure 6, described later, so that employees of a retail store where a POS register 20 is installed can easily recognize the type of gift certificate GT inserted into the input section 110 of the securities processing device 10. The face value is the price of the gift certificate GT as a monetary voucher, as written on it.

[0050] Here, the types of gift certificates (GT) are distinguished by, for example, the combination of the issuer and face value of the gift certificate. For example, three gift certificates (GT) corresponding to three different types of certificates with identification information "001", "002", and "003" are issued by the same company, but are considered different types because their face values ​​are different. Similarly, three gift certificates (GT) corresponding to three different types of certificates with identification information "003", "006", and "022" are issued by different companies, but are considered different types because their face values ​​are the same.

[0051] Furthermore, the types of gift certificates (GT) are not limited to combinations of issuer and face value. For example, gift certificates (GT) may be classified by their issuer. Alternatively, if a single company issues multiple different brands of gift certificates (GT), the types of gift certificates (GT) may be classified by combinations of issuer, face value, and brand. The brands of gift certificates (GT) may include nationwide gift certificates (GT) and regionally limited gift certificates (GT), etc.

[0052] Furthermore, the reference image RIMG is, for example, an image of the front of an acceptable gift certificate GT. The reference image RIMG is an example of a "second image," and the image information indicating the reference image RIMG is an example of "second image information." Note that the reference image RIMG may also be images of the front and back of an acceptable gift certificate GT. In addition, the storage location of the image information indicating the reference image RIMG may be stored in each record of the gift certificate type table TBL. The storage location of the image information is, for example, an address indicating the storage area where the image information is stored. Note that the image information may be stored in the storage device 156 where the gift certificate type table TBL is stored, or it may be stored in a storage device different from the storage device 156. Hereinafter, the image information indicating the reference image RIMG may be referred to as the image information of the reference image RIMG.

[0053] The location of the expiration date area NAR varies depending on the type of gift certificate GT. For example, in the gift certificate type table TBL shown in Figure 4, the expiration date area NAR for gift certificate GTs with identification information "001" to "006" is located in a portion of the back of the gift certificate GT, while the expiration date area NAR for gift certificate GTs with identification information "022" is located in a portion of the front of the gift certificate GT.

[0054] The color analysis results are, for example, the results of a color analysis of the surface of the gift certificate GT against the reference image RIMG. Color analysis involves, for example, analysis using the hue, lightness, and saturation of the image. Known color analysis methods can be employed.

[0055] In this way, the voucher type table TBL associates the voucher type, image, expiration date area NAR, and color analysis results with each other. A voucher registered in the voucher type table TBL as an acceptable voucher is an example of a "reference security".

[0056] Note that the configuration of the voucher type table TBL is not limited to the example shown in Figure 4. For example, the card company that issued the voucher GT may store information in each record of the voucher type table TBL indicating the location of the area containing the voucher number for managing the voucher GT. Also, for example, in the case of a voucher GT without an expiration date, information indicating that no expiration date is set may be stored instead of information indicating the location of the expiration date area NAR in the voucher GT. Furthermore, for example, the color analysis results do not necessarily have to be stored in the voucher type table TBL.

[0057] The voucher type table TBL is referenced, for example, by the processing unit 150 of the securities processing unit 10 when the settlement processing system 1 performs settlement processing using voucher GT. For example, the processing unit 150 compares the image of the voucher TG to be identified, which is inserted into the input unit 110 of the securities processing unit 10, with the reference image RIMG, and determines whether or not there is a reference image RIMG that matches the image of the voucher TG to be identified. The program for determining whether or not there is a reference image RIMG that matches the image of the voucher TG to be identified is included, for example, in the control program PG1 stored in the storage device 156. When the settlement processing system 1 performs settlement processing using voucher GT, for example, the confirmation screen SC shown in Figure 5 or Figure 6 is displayed on the display operation unit 21 of the POS register 20.

[0058] Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a confirmation screen SC for confirming the identification result of a gift certificate GT inserted into the input section 110 of the securities processing device 10. The confirmation screen SC shown in Figure 5 is displayed on the display operation unit 21 of the POS register 20 when a store employee confirms the gift certificate GT that the customer wishes to use, when the POS register 20 is a regular counter-type register or a semi-self-service register. If the POS register 20 is a self-service register, the confirmation screen SC is not displayed on the display operation unit 21. The display operation unit 21 displays the confirmation screen SC when the securities processing device 10 performs an operation as shown in Figure 7, which will be described later. The confirmation screen SC shown in Figure 5 displays the identification result of one gift certificate GT.

[0059] The confirmation screen SC displays, for example, the reading order, ticket type name, face value, reference image RIMG, read image, and multiple buttons BT for the GUI (Graphical User Interface).

[0060] The reading order is, for example, the reading order when the image reading unit 120 reads multiple gift certificates GT to be identified. The certificate type name is the name of the type of gift certificate GT to be identified. For example, among the multiple certificate types registered in the certificate type table TBL, the certificate type indicated by the reference image RIMG that is determined to match the image of the gift certificate GT to be identified is identified as the certificate type name of the gift certificate GT to be identified. Note that "match" includes not only cases where there is a strict match, but also cases where there is a degree of similarity that can be considered a match.

[0061] The face value is the face value of the gift certificate GT being identified. For example, among the face values ​​of multiple gift certificate types registered in the gift certificate type table TBL, the face value of the same gift certificate type as the gift certificate GT being identified is identified as the face value of the gift certificate GT being identified. The reference image RIMG is the image of the front of the gift certificate GT corresponding to the same gift certificate type as the gift certificate GT being identified, among the multiple gift certificate types registered in the gift certificate type table TBL. In other words, the reference image RIMG displayed on the confirmation screen SC is the reference image RIMG that has been determined to match the image of the gift certificate GT being identified, among the multiple reference images RIMG registered in the gift certificate type table TBL.

[0062] The image to be read is the image of the gift certificate GT to be identified (the image of the gift certificate GT read by the image reading unit 120). In the example shown in Figure 5, the image of the front of the gift certificate GT to be identified, IIMGf, and the image of the back of the gift certificate GT, IIMGb, are displayed on the confirmation screen SC.

[0063] Store employees who identify gift certificates GT can easily confirm whether the gift certificate GT has been correctly identified by checking the confirmation screen SC. For example, if an employee confirms on the confirmation screen SC that the gift certificate GT has been correctly identified, they may press the "Start Settlement" button BT on the confirmation screen SC to have the settlement system 1 execute the settlement process using the gift certificate GT. For example, if an employee has another gift certificate GT to insert into the input section 110 of the securities processing device 10 (a second gift certificate GT in the example shown in Figure 5), they may press the "Next" button BT on the confirmation screen SC. Also, for example, if an employee wants to cancel the settlement process currently being processed, they may press the "Cancel" button BT on the confirmation screen SC.

[0064] Next, referring to Figure 6, we will explain the confirmation screen SC that appears when multiple gift certificates GT are sequentially inserted into the input section 110 of the securities processing device 10.

[0065] Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating another example of the confirmation screen SC. The confirmation screen SC shown in Figure 6 is similar to the confirmation screen SC shown in Figure 5, except for the number of gift certificates GT displayed as identified gift certificates GT. For example, the confirmation screen SC shown in Figure 5 displays the identification result of one gift certificate GT, while the confirmation screen SC shown in Figure 6 displays the identification result of four gift certificates GT.

[0066] In the example shown in Figure 6, the gift certificate GT with reading order "1", the gift certificate GT with reading order "2", and the gift certificate GT with reading order "3" are determined to be acceptable by the processing unit 150 (more specifically, the identification unit 154) of the securities processing device 10 and are stored in the temporary storage unit 130. The gift certificate GT with reading order "4" is a gift certificate GT that is determined not to correspond to any of the multiple gift certificate types registered in the gift certificate type table TBL. Therefore, there is no reference image corresponding to the gift certificate GT with reading order "4", and the gift certificate type name is "unknown".

[0067] Gift certificates GT with a reading order of "4" are unacceptable, and are therefore held at the end ED2 of the image reading unit 120, reversed direction toward the input unit 110, and discharged from the input unit 110. Gift certificates GT with a reading order of "1", "2", and "3" are stored in the temporary storage unit 130 and can be retrieved by unlocking the temporary storage unit outlet 131 of the temporary storage unit 130. To cancel a settlement process using gift certificates GT stored in the temporary storage unit 130 (gift certificates GT currently being processed), if the POS register 20 is a self-checkout register, an input screen indicating the cancellation of the settlement process may be displayed on the display operation unit 21. If the POS register 20 is a regular counter-type register or a semi-self-checkout register, the "Cancel" button BT on the confirmation screen SC may be pressed, as explained in Figure 5.

[0068] Note that the confirmation screen SC is not limited to the examples shown in Figures 5 and 6. For example, a button BT for continuing the settlement process using a gift certificate GT other than the one whose type has been determined to be unknown may be displayed on the confirmation screen SC.

[0069] Next, with reference to Figure 7, we will explain the general operation of the securities processing device 10 when a store clerk or customer uses a gift certificate GT to settle a purchase.

[0070] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the securities processing device 10 when performing settlement processing using gift certificates GT. The process in step S100 is executed, for example, when a store clerk or customer inserts gift certificates GT into the input unit 110. In this embodiment, when settlement processing for purchased goods is performed using multiple gift certificates GT, it is assumed that the gift certificates GT are inserted into the input unit 110 one by one.

[0071] First, in step S100, the processing unit 150 functions as an operation control unit 152 and controls the transport unit 160 to feed the gift certificate GT inserted into the input unit 110 into the securities processing unit 10 (more specifically, the image reading unit 120). As a result, the gift certificate GT inserted into the input unit 110 passes through the image reading unit 120 in step S120.

[0072] In step S120, the image reading unit 120 reads the image of the gift certificate GT as it passes through the image reading unit 120. As a result, the image information of the gift certificate GT is generated by the image reading unit 120.

[0073] Next, in step S140, the processing unit 150 functions as an identification unit 154 and determines whether or not it can accept the gift certificate GT inserted into the input unit 110. The process in step S140 is the identification process of the gift certificate GT. Details will be described later in Figure 8 or Figure 9, but in this embodiment, the identification process (i.e., the process in step S140) includes a plurality of determination processes. Until the result of the determination by the process in step S140 (the result of the identification process) is determined, the gift certificate GT is maintained in a state where a part of the gift certificate GT has passed the end ED2 of the image reading unit 120, as explained in Figure 2.

[0074] If the result of the determination in step S140 is negative, that is, if it is determined that the gift certificate GT cannot be accepted, the processing device 150 functions as the operation control unit 152 in step S162 and returns the gift certificate GT to the input unit 110. For example, in step S162, the operation control unit 152 reverses the transport roller ROL to transport the gift certificate GT held at the end ED2 of the image reading unit 120 to the input unit 110 and discharges it to the outside from the input unit 110. After executing the process in step S162, the processing device 150 proceeds to step S180.

[0075] On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S140 is positive, that is, if it is determined that the gift certificate GT can be accepted, the processing device 150 proceeds to step S160.

[0076] In step S160, the processing unit 150 functions as an operation control unit 152 and controls the transport unit 160 to transport the gift certificate GT held at the end ED2 of the image reading unit 120 to the temporary storage unit 130. For example, the operation control unit 152 rotates the transport roller ROL in the forward direction to release the gift certificate GT held at the end ED2 of the image reading unit 120 and transport it to the temporary storage unit 130. As a result, the gift certificate GT determined to be acceptable is stored in the temporary storage unit 130. After executing the process in step S160, the processing unit 150 proceeds to step S180.

[0077] In step S180, the processing unit 150 functions as an operation control unit 152 and determines whether or not there is another gift certificate GT (a gift certificate GT to be inserted into the input unit 110).

[0078] For example, if the POS register 20 is a self-checkout register, the processing unit 150 may display a selection screen on the display operation unit 21 of the POS register 20 to select whether or not there is a gift certificate GT to be inserted next. If it is selected via the selection screen that there is a gift certificate GT to be inserted next, the operation control unit 152 may determine that there is another gift certificate GT. In this case, the processing unit 150 may display an input screen on the display operation unit 21 instructing the insertion of the next gift certificate GT. Alternatively, if it is selected via the selection screen that there is no gift certificate GT to be inserted next, the operation control unit 152 may determine that there is no next gift certificate GT. In this case, the processing unit 150 may display an input screen on the display operation unit 21 instructing the execution of the settlement process.

[0079] Furthermore, for example, if the POS register 20 is a regular counter-type register or a semi-self-service register, the confirmation screen SC is displayed on the display operation unit 21 of the POS register 20, as explained in Figures 5 and 6. The operation control unit 152 may, for example, determine that there is a next gift certificate GT when the "Next" button BT on the confirmation screen SC is pressed, and determine that there is no next gift certificate GT when the "Start Payment" button BT on the confirmation screen SC is pressed.

[0080] If the result of the determination in step S180 is positive, that is, if there is another gift certificate GT to be inserted, the processing unit 150 returns to step S100. For example, if a store clerk or customer inserts the next gift certificate GT into the insertion unit 110, the series of processes from step S100 to step S140 are executed on the gift certificate GT inserted into the insertion unit 110 (the next gift certificate GT). Then, the series of processes in steps S160 and S180, or the series of processes in steps S162 and S180 are executed.

[0081] In this manner, when a store clerk or customer inserts n gift certificates GT consecutively (where n is a natural number greater than or equal to 2), after the mth gift certificate GT (where m is a natural number greater than or equal to 1 and less than n) is determined to be acceptable, in step S180, the presence or absence of the next gift certificate GT to be inserted is selected, and the (m+1)th gift certificate GT is inserted into the insertion unit 110. For example, if the first to third gift certificates GT were accepted, but the fourth gift certificate GT was determined to be unacceptable, a different gift certificate GT from the one returned (the fourth gift certificate GT) may be inserted into the insertion unit 110.

[0082] On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S180 is negative, that is, if there are no more gift certificates GT to insert, the processing unit 150 proceeds to step S200. Also, if the result of the determination in step S180 is negative, the store clerk or customer performs the settlement process via the POS register 20. If the POS register 20 is a self-checkout register, as described above, an input screen indicating that the settlement process will be performed may be displayed on the display operation unit 21 of the POS register 20. Here, for example, if the first to third gift certificates GT were accepted, but the fourth gift certificate GT was determined to be unacceptable, the settlement process using the first to third gift certificates GT may be performed.

[0083] In step S200, the processing unit 150 functions as an operation control unit 152 and determines whether the settlement process has been completed. For example, if the store clerk or customer has completed the settlement process, the operation control unit 152 receives a notification from the POS register 20 via the communication device 170 indicating that the settlement process has been completed. Therefore, if the operation control unit 152 receives a notification from the POS register 20 via the communication device 170 indicating that the settlement process has been completed, it determines that the settlement process has been completed and proceeds to step S220. On the other hand, if the operation control unit 152 has not received a notification from the POS register 20 via the communication device 170 indicating that the settlement process has been completed, it determines that the settlement process has not been completed and returns to step S200.

[0084] Thus, if the result of the determination in step S200 is positive, the operation control unit 152 proceeds to step S220, and if the result of the determination in step S200 is negative, it returns to step S200. In other words, the operation control unit 152 waits to execute the process in step S220 until the settlement process is completed.

[0085] In step S220, the processing unit 150 functions as an operation control unit 152 and controls the opening / closing plate 132 of the temporary storage unit 130 to transport the gift certificates GT stored in the temporary storage unit 130 to the storage unit 140. For example, the operation control unit 152 changes the state of the opening / closing plate 132 of the temporary storage unit 130 from an inclined state to a vertical state, thereby opening the transport path from the temporary storage unit 130 to the storage unit 140 and transporting the gift certificates GT stored on the opening / closing plate 132 to the storage unit 140. As a result, the gift certificates GT (gift certificates GT used in the settlement process) temporarily stored in the temporary storage unit 130 are stored in the storage unit 140.

[0086] The operation shown in Figure 7 is completed when the process in step S220 is executed.

[0087] Note that the operation of the securities processing device 10 is not limited to the example shown in Figure 7. For example, when the process in step S162 is executed (when the gift certificate GT is returned), it may be possible to choose whether to continue or cancel the settlement process using the gift certificate GT. For example, if the first to third gift certificates GT were accepted, but the fourth gift certificate GT was determined to be unacceptable, it is conceivable that the user would wish to cancel the use of the first to third gift certificates GT. If the user chooses to cancel the use of the first to third gift certificates GT, the first to third gift certificates GT are stored in the temporary storage unit 130 and can be retrieved by unlocking the temporary storage unit outlet 131 of the temporary storage unit 130.

[0088] Alternatively, for example, the processing device 150 may terminate the operation shown in Figure 7 after executing the process in step S162. In this case as well, the gift certificates GT stored in the temporary storage unit 130 can be retrieved by unlocking the temporary storage unit outlet 131 of the temporary storage unit 130.

[0089] Next, an example of the identification process will be explained with reference to Figure 8.

[0090] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the identification process. The identification process shown in Figure 8 is executed as the process in step S140 of Figure 7 after the process in step S120 of Figure 7 has been executed. Therefore, the series of processes (identification process) from step S142 to step S146 is executed by the processing device 150, which functions as the identification unit 154.

[0091] First, in step S142, the identification unit 154 determines whether a reference image RIMG (an image of an acceptable gift certificate GT) that matches the image of the gift certificate GT (the gift certificate GT to be identified) inserted into the input unit 110 is stored in the gift certificate type table TBL. For example, the identification unit 154 compares each of the multiple reference image RIMGs stored in the gift certificate type table TBL with the image of the gift certificate GT to be identified. Then, based on the comparison result, the identification unit 154 determines whether there is a reference image RIMG among the multiple reference image RIMGs stored in the gift certificate type table TBL that matches the image of the gift certificate GT to be identified.

[0092] Furthermore, "match" as described above includes not only cases of exact matching, but also cases where images are similar enough to be considered identical. For example, if the similarity between two images is above a predetermined value, the two images may be considered to be identical. A known method can be used to calculate the similarity between two images.

[0093] For example, the identification unit 154 calculates the similarity between the image of the gift certificate GT to be identified and each reference image RIMG based on the image information of the gift certificate GT to be identified and each reference image RIMG. The identification unit 154 then determines whether there is a reference image RIMG among the multiple reference image RIMGs stored in the gift certificate table TBL whose similarity to the image of the gift certificate GT to be identified is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

[0094] The identification unit 154 determines that there is a reference image RIMG that matches the image of the gift certificate GT to be identified if there is a reference image RIMG among the multiple reference image RIMGs whose similarity to the image of the gift certificate GT to be identified is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. Conversely, the identification unit 154 determines that there is no reference image RIMG that matches the image of the gift certificate GT to be identified if there is no reference image RIMG among the multiple reference image RIMGs whose similarity to the image of the gift certificate GT to be identified is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

[0095] Here, a reference image RIMG whose similarity to the image of the gift certificate GT to be identified is greater than or equal to a predetermined value is a reference image RIMG that has been determined to match the image of the gift certificate GT to be identified. In the following, a reference image RIMG that has been determined to match the image of the gift certificate GT to be identified may simply be referred to as a reference image RIMG that matches the image of the gift certificate GT to be identified. In this embodiment, if there are multiple reference image RIMGs whose similarity to the image of the gift certificate GT to be identified is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, it is assumed that the reference image RIMG with the highest similarity is designated as the reference image RIMG that matches the image of the gift certificate GT to be identified.

[0096] If the result of the determination in step S142 is negative, that is, if it is determined that there is no reference image RIMG that matches the image of the gift certificate GT to be identified, the identification unit 154 determines that the gift certificate GT cannot be accepted and proceeds to step S162 in Figure 7. Therefore, if there is no reference image RIMG that matches the image of the gift certificate GT to be identified, the gift certificate GT held at the end ED2 of the image reading unit 120 is returned to the input unit 110 in step S162.

[0097] On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S142 is positive, that is, if it is determined that there is a reference image RIMG that matches the image of the gift certificate GT to be identified, the identification unit 154 proceeds to step S144.

[0098] In step S144, the identification unit 154 performs character recognition processing, such as OCR processing, on the image of the gift certificate GT to be identified. For example, the identification unit 154 performs OCR processing on the expiration date area NAR within the image of the gift certificate GT to be identified. The information indicating the location of the expiration date area NAR within the image of the gift certificate GT is stored in the gift certificate type table TBL, corresponding to the type of gift certificate GT, as explained in Figure 4. For example, the identification unit 154 refers to the gift certificate type table TBL and identifies the location of the expiration date area NAR of the gift certificate type corresponding to the reference image RIMG that matches the image of the gift certificate GT to be identified as the location of the expiration date area NAR within the image of the gift certificate GT to be identified. Then, the identification unit 154 extracts the characters contained within the expiration date area NAR within the image of the gift certificate GT by performing known OCR processing on the expiration date area NAR identified by referring to the gift certificate type table TBL within the image of the gift certificate GT to be identified. For example, the identification unit 154 extracts the string printed in the expiration date area NAR of the gift certificate GT to be identified as text data. This allows the expiration date of the identified gift certificate GT to be determined.

[0099] The type of data extracted from the expiration date area NAR can be determined by the matching data used to compare the extracted data with the NAR data. For example, if the data is date data such as an expiration date, it is sufficient to match the numbers with "year", "month", "day", " / ", and ".".

[0100] After executing the process in step S144, the identification unit 154 proceeds to step S145.

[0101] In step S145, the identification unit 154 determines whether the gift certificate GT to be identified is a gift certificate GT that is within its validity period. For example, the identification unit 154 determines whether the gift certificate GT to be identified is a gift certificate GT that is within its validity period by comparing the date of the expiration date (the expiration date of the gift certificate GT to be identified) identified in the character recognition process in step S144 with today's date on which the settlement process is executed.

[0102] If the result of the determination in step S145 is negative, that is, if it is determined that the gift certificate GT to be identified is not a gift certificate GT within its validity period, the identification unit 154 determines that the gift certificate GT cannot be accepted and proceeds to step S162 in Figure 7. Therefore, if the gift certificate GT to be identified is not a gift certificate GT within its validity period, the gift certificate GT held at the end ED2 of the image reading unit 120 is returned to the input unit 110 in step S162.

[0103] On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S145 is positive, that is, if the identified gift certificate GT is determined to be a gift certificate GT that is within its validity period, the identification unit 154 proceeds to step S146.

[0104] In step S146, the identification unit 154 determines whether the gift certificate GT to be identified is a genuine gift certificate. A genuine gift certificate is a legitimate gift certificate GT that is not counterfeit. Hereafter, gift certificates GT that have been counterfeited by copying, etc., may be referred to as counterfeit. For example, the identification unit 154 performs a counterfeit detection process to determine whether the gift certificate GT to be identified is a counterfeit (a counterfeit gift certificate GT). That is, in step S146, the identification unit 154 determines that a gift certificate GT that has been determined not to be counterfeit in the counterfeit detection process is a genuine gift certificate.

[0105] For example, the identification unit 154 performs color analysis on the image of the gift certificate GT to be identified and determines whether the gift certificate GT is counterfeit or not. Here, for example, the color analysis results of each reference image RIMG are stored in the gift certificate type table TBL, corresponding to the type of gift certificate GT, as explained in Figure 4. For example, the identification unit 154 obtains the color analysis result of the reference image RIMG that matches the image of the gift certificate GT to be identified from the gift certificate type table TBL. By comparing the color analysis result of the reference image RIMG that matches the image of the gift certificate GT to be identified with the color analysis result of the image of the gift certificate GT to be identified, the identification unit 154 can determine whether the gift certificate GT to be identified is counterfeit or not. For example, by performing color analysis using the hue, brightness, and saturation of the image, it is possible to distinguish between simple fading and discoloration due to copying. Furthermore, by using AI (Artificial Intelligence), more accurate analysis is possible.

[0106] Furthermore, in the counterfeit detection process, in addition to detection by color, it is also possible to determine whether the target gift certificate GT is counterfeit by comparing a specific part of the image of the gift certificate GT and identifying the degradation of the image resolution due to copying.

[0107] If the result of the determination in step S146 is negative, that is, if the gift certificate GT to be identified is determined not to be a genuine gift certificate, the identification unit 154 determines that the gift certificate GT cannot be accepted and proceeds to step S162 in Figure 7. Therefore, if the gift certificate GT to be identified is determined not to be a genuine gift certificate, that is, if the gift certificate GT to be identified is determined to be a counterfeit gift certificate, the gift certificate GT held at the end ED2 of the image reading unit 120 is returned to the input unit 110 in step S162.

[0108] On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S146 is positive, that is, if the gift certificate GT to be identified is determined to be genuine, the identification unit 154 proceeds to step S160 in Figure 7. Therefore, if the gift certificate GT to be identified is determined to be genuine, that is, if the gift certificate GT to be identified is determined not to be counterfeit, the gift certificate GT held at the end ED2 of the image reading unit 120 is transported to the temporary storage unit 130 in step S160.

[0109] Here, the process in step S142 is an example of "image matching determination processing," the series of processes in steps S144 and S145 is an example of "character information determination processing," and the process in step S146 is an example of "counterfeiting determination processing." Hereafter, the processes in step S142, the series of processes in steps S144 and S145, and the process in step S146 may each be referred to as determination processing.

[0110] As described above, in the identification process shown in Figure 8, multiple determination processes determine whether or not the gift certificate GT to be identified is acceptable, thus preventing an unacceptable gift certificate GT from being mistakenly identified as acceptable. Furthermore, in the identification process shown in Figure 8, each of the multiple determination processes is executed sequentially, and as soon as it is determined that the gift certificate GT is unacceptable, the process proceeds to step S162 in Figure 7. In other words, when the identification process shown in Figure 8 is executed, each determination process is executed sequentially, and as soon as it is determined that the gift certificate GT is unacceptable, the operation control unit 152 causes the transport unit 160 to perform a transport operation to move the gift certificate GT in reverse and transport it to the input unit 110, thereby discharging the gift certificate GT from the input unit 110 to the outside. For this reason, in this embodiment, compared to a configuration in which an unacceptable gift certificate GT is returned after all of the multiple determination processes have been completed, it is possible to suppress the time it takes to remove an unacceptable gift certificate GT from the machine.

[0111] Note that the identification process is not limited to the example shown in Figure 8. For example, at least two of the determination processes in step S142, steps S144 and S145, and step S146 may be executed in parallel. Specifically, for example, the determination processes in steps S144 and S145 and the determination process in step S146 may be executed in parallel. Executing multiple processes in parallel includes not only switching between processes but also executing multiple processes simultaneously. For example, the determination processes in steps S144 and S145 may be executed after the determination process in step S146.

[0112] Furthermore, Figure 8 illustrates a case where three determination processes are executed as identification: the determination process in step S142, the determination processes in steps S144 and S145, and the determination process in step S146. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, in addition to the three determination processes described above, one or more of the following may be executed: a determination process based on the degree of notch and scale of the gift certificate GT identified by image processing, a determination process based on the thickness of the gift certificate GT, and a determination process using magnetism. Alternatively, instead of one or more of the three determination processes described above, one or more of the following may be executed: a determination process based on the degree of notch and scale of the gift certificate GT identified by image processing, a determination process based on the thickness of the gift certificate GT, and a determination process using magnetism. Alternatively, only one of the three determination processes described above may be executed, or only two of the three determination processes may be executed.

[0113] Next, we will describe another example of the identification process, referring to Figure 9.

[0114] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the identification process. Note that the identification process shown in Figure 9 is an example in which at least two of the following processes—the determination process in step S142, the determination processes in steps S144 and S145, and the determination process in step S146—are executed in parallel. For example, in the identification process shown in Figure 9, the determination processes in steps S144 and S145 and the determination process in step S146 are executed in parallel. The identification process shown in Figure 9 is similar to the identification process shown in Figure 8, except that the determination processes in steps S144 and S145 and the determination process in step S146 are executed in parallel, and the processes in steps S148 and S149 are added to the identification process shown in Figure 8. A detailed explanation of the processes described in Figure 8 is omitted.

[0115] The identification process shown in Figure 9 is executed as the process in step S140 of Figure 7, after the process in step S120 of Figure 7 has been executed, similar to the identification process shown in Figure 8. Therefore, the series of processes (identification processes) from step S142 to step S149 are executed by the processing device 150, which functions as the identification unit 154.

[0116] First, in step S142, the identification unit 154 determines whether a reference image RIMG that matches the image of the gift certificate GT to be identified is stored in the gift certificate type table TBL.

[0117] If the result of the determination in step S142 is negative, the identification unit 154 proceeds to step S162 in Figure 7. On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S142 is positive, the identification unit 154 executes the series of processes in steps S144 and S145 and the process in step S146 in parallel.

[0118] If the result of the determination in step S145 is negative, that is, if it is determined that the gift certificate GT to be identified is not a gift certificate GT that is within its expiration date, the identification unit 154 terminates the other determination process in step S149 and proceeds to step S162 in Figure 7. In this case, the other determination process is, for example, the determination process in step S146 and the process in step S148 that is currently being executed.

[0119] On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S145 is positive, that is, if the identified gift certificate GT is determined to be a gift certificate GT that is within its validity period, the identification unit 154 proceeds to step S148.

[0120] Furthermore, if the result of the determination in step S146 is negative, that is, if the identified gift certificate GT is determined not to be a genuine gift certificate, the identification unit 154 terminates the other determination processes in step S149 and proceeds to step S162 in Figure 7. In this case, the other determination processes are, for example, the determination processes in steps S144 and S145 and the process in step S148 that is currently being executed.

[0121] On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S146 is positive, that is, if the identified gift certificate GT is determined to be a genuine gift certificate, the identification unit 154 proceeds to step S148.

[0122] In step S148, the identification unit 154 waits until the results of all determination processes are positive. For example, the identification unit 154 waits until it is determined that both the determination results in step S145 and step S146 are positive. If it is determined that both the determination results in step S145 and step S146 are positive, the identification unit 154 proceeds to step S160 in Figure 7. If one of the determination results in step S145 or step S146 is positive and the other is negative, the process in step S149 is executed, and the process proceeds to step S162 in Figure 7.

[0123] Thus, in the identification process shown in Figure 9, multiple determination processes determine whether or not the gift certificate GT to be identified is acceptable, thus preventing an unacceptable gift certificate GT from being mistakenly identified as acceptable. Furthermore, in the identification process shown in Figure 9, when any of the multiple determination processes determines that the gift certificate GT is unacceptable, the process proceeds to step S162 in Figure 7. That is, when the identification process shown in Figure 9 is executed, when any of the multiple determination processes determines that the gift certificate GT is unacceptable, the operation control unit 152 causes the transport unit 160 to perform a transport operation to move the gift certificate GT in reverse and transport it to the input unit 110, thereby discharging the gift certificate GT from the input unit 110 to the outside. For this reason, in this embodiment, compared to a configuration in which an unacceptable gift certificate GT is returned after the determination results have been determined in all of the multiple determination processes, it is possible to suppress the time it takes to remove an unacceptable gift certificate GT from the machine.

[0124] Note that the identification process in which at least two of the determination processes in step S142, steps S144 and S145, and step S146 are executed in parallel is not limited to the example shown in Figure 9. For example, at least a part of the determination process in step S146 (e.g., color analysis of the image of the gift certificate GT to be identified) may be executed in parallel with the determination process in step S142. Also, for example, three determination processes, such as the determination process in step S142, steps S144 and S145, and step S146, may be executed in parallel. In this case, for example, the character recognition process (e.g., OCR processing) that extracts text data indicating the expiration date from the image of the gift certificate GT may be performed on the entire image of the gift certificate GT.

[0125] In this embodiment, the settlement processing system 1 includes at least a POS register 20, a change dispenser 30, and a securities processing device 10. The securities processing device 10 determines whether or not to accept the inserted gift certificate GT (the gift certificate GT to be identified). Hereinafter, the image of the gift certificate GT to be identified will be referred to as the image to be identified, and the image information of the gift certificate GT to be identified will be referred to as the image information to be identified. The securities processing device 10 includes an input unit 110 into which the gift certificate GT is inserted, a transport unit 160 that transports the gift certificate GT inserted into the input unit 110, an image reading unit 120 that generates image information to be identified showing the image to be identified, which is the image of the gift certificate GT, an identification unit 154 that determines whether or not to accept the gift certificate GT by identifying the gift certificate GT based on the image information to be identified, an operation control unit 152 that controls the transport operation of the gift certificate GT by the transport unit 160 according to the determination result of the identification unit 154, and a storage unit 140 that stores the gift certificate GT that can be accepted. If the identification unit 154 determines that the gift certificate GT is acceptable, the operation control unit 152 causes the transport unit 160 to perform a transport operation to transport the gift certificate GT to the storage unit 140, thereby storing the gift certificate GT in the storage unit 140. If the identification unit 154 determines that the gift certificate GT is unacceptable, the operation control unit 152 causes the transport unit 160 to perform a transport operation to transport the gift certificate GT in reverse to the input unit 110, thereby discharging the gift certificate GT from the input unit 110 to the outside.

[0126] In this embodiment, the identification unit 154 determines whether or not the gift certificate GT inserted into the input unit 110 by a store clerk or customer is acceptable by identifying the gift certificate GT based on the image information of the gift certificate GT inserted into the input unit 110. If the identification unit 154 determines that the gift certificate GT inserted into the input unit 110 is unacceptable, the operation control unit 152 reverses the movement of the gift certificate GT to transport it back to the input unit 110 and discharges the gift certificate GT to the outside of the securities processing device 10. In other words, in this embodiment, there is no need to provide a separate discharge port from the input unit 110. As a result, in this embodiment, the transport path of the gift certificate GT inside the securities processing device 10 can be simplified, and the time required to remove unacceptable gift certificate GT from the machine can be reduced. Therefore, in this embodiment, gift certificate GT determined to be unacceptable can be returned to the store clerk or customer in a short time. For this reason, in this embodiment, the waiting time of the store clerk or customer can be reduced, and efficient settlement processing can be performed. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the gift certificate GT that is deemed unacceptable is returned to the store clerk or customer in a short time, stress on the clerk or customer can be reduced. Thus, this embodiment also provides mental health benefits.

[0127] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the identification unit 154 may sequentially execute a plurality of determination processes, including: an image matching determination process that determines whether there is an image that matches the image to be identified among a plurality of reference images RIMG corresponding to a plurality of pre-registered acceptable gift certificates GT, based on the image information of the reference image RIMG which is the image of each of the plurality of accepted gift certificates GT that has been registered in advance and the image information of the item to be identified; a character recognition process that recognizes characters contained in the image to be identified and determines whether the gift certificate GT can be accepted based on the expiration date specified by the plurality of characters recognized by the character recognition process; and a counterfeit determination process that determines whether the gift certificate GT is a counterfeit based on the image information of the item to be identified, and in each determination process, it may determine whether the gift certificate GT can be accepted. The operation control unit 152, when each determination process is executed in order and it is first determined that the gift certificate GT cannot be accepted, causes the transport unit 160 to execute a transport operation that moves the gift certificate GT in reverse and transports it to the input unit 110, thereby discharging the gift certificate GT from the input unit 110 to the outside.

[0128] Thus, in this embodiment, whether or not the gift certificate GT to be identified can be accepted may be determined by multiple types of determination processes. In the embodiment in which multiple types of determination processes are executed, it is possible to suppress the erroneous determination that an unacceptable gift certificate GT can be accepted. Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the securities processing device 10 executes multiple types of determination processes, it does not wait for all determination processes to be completed, but immediately reverses the flow of the gift certificate GT and transports it to the input unit 110 as soon as it is determined to be unacceptable by at least one determination process. As a result, in this embodiment, even when multiple types of determination processes are executed, the gift certificate GT is immediately discharged from the securities processing device 10 as soon as it is determined to be unacceptable by at least one determination process, without waiting for all determination processes to be completed. Consequently, in this embodiment, the processing time until an unacceptable gift certificate GT is discharged from the securities processing device 10 can be shortened, and the settlement process can be made more efficient.

[0129] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the identification unit 154 may execute at least two of a plurality of determination processes in parallel, including: an image matching determination process that determines whether there is an image that matches the image to be identified among a plurality of reference images RIMG corresponding to a plurality of pre-registered acceptable gift certificates GT, based on the image information of the reference image RIMG which is the image of each of the plurality of accepted gift certificates GT that has been registered in advance and the image information of the item to be identified; a character recognition process that recognizes characters contained in the image to be identified and determines whether the gift certificate GT can be accepted based on the expiration date specified by the plurality of characters recognized by the character recognition process; and a counterfeit determination process that determines whether the gift certificate GT is a counterfeit based on the image information of the item to be identified, and in each determination process, it may determine whether the gift certificate GT can be accepted. When the operation control unit 152 determines that the gift certificate GT cannot be accepted in any of the plurality of determination processes, it causes the transport unit 160 to execute a transport operation that moves the gift certificate GT in reverse and transports it to the input unit 110, thereby discharging the gift certificate GT from the input unit 110 to the outside. In this embodiment as well, the processing time until the unacceptable gift certificates GT are discharged outside the securities processing device 10 can be shortened, and the settlement process can be made more efficient.

[0130] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the transport unit 160 may wait while the identification unit 154 determines whether or not to accept the gift certificate GT, holding the gift certificate GT so that it can move in reverse from the image reading unit 120 to the input unit 110. For example, if the image reading unit 120 includes an end ED1 closer to the input unit 110 than the storage unit 140, and an end ED2 closer to the storage unit 140 than the input unit 110, the transport unit 160 may wait while holding the gift certificate GT so that it extends from end ED2 toward the storage unit 140. In this embodiment, since a gift certificate GT determined to be unacceptable can be immediately moved in reverse from the image reading unit 120 to the input unit 110, the time until the unacceptable gift certificate GT is removed from the machine can be shortened.

[0131] [2. Variant] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments illustrated above. Specific variations are illustrated below. Two or more embodiments arbitrarily selected from the following examples may be combined.

[0132] [First variation] In the embodiment described above, an example was illustrated in which the opening / closing plate 132 of the temporary storage section 130 transitions from an inclined state to a vertical state, thereby transporting the gift certificates GT temporarily stored on the opening / closing plate 132 to the storage section 140. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, as shown in Figure 10, the temporary storage section 130A may have an opening / closing plate 135 that can slide horizontally instead of an opening / closing plate 132 that switches between an inclined state and a vertical state.

[0133] Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the outline of the securities processing device 10A according to the first modified example. Elements similar to those described in Figures 1 to 9 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed explanations are omitted. The settlement processing system 1 according to this modified example is the same as the settlement processing system 1 shown in Figure 1, except that it has a securities processing device 10A instead of the securities processing device 10 shown in Figure 2.

[0134] The securities processing device 10A is the same as the securities processing device 10 shown in Figure 2, except that it has a temporary storage unit 130A and a storage unit 140A instead of the temporary storage unit 130 and storage unit 140 shown in Figure 2.

[0135] The temporary storage section 130A includes a temporary storage section outlet 131A provided on the side of the temporary storage section 130, an opening / closing plate 135 that opens and closes the opening HL, and a side wall 136 that allows gift certificates GT to be stacked on the opening / closing plate 135 when the opening HL is closed. The temporary storage section outlet 131 is, for example, slidable along the direction of gravity (-Z direction) and opens and closes by sliding along the direction of gravity. The opening / closing plate 135 is, for example, slidable along the horizontal direction (+Y direction) and opens and closes the opening HL by sliding along the horizontal direction. When the opening HL is closed by the opening / closing plate 135, gift certificates GT are stacked on the opening / closing plate 135 between the side walls 136. When the opening / closing plate 135 slides along the horizontal direction and opens the opening HL, the gift certificates GT on the opening / closing plate 135 are transported to the storage section 140A. The side wall 136 may be provided in a movable manner so as not to obstruct the retrieval of gift certificates GT temporarily stored in the temporary storage section 130A from the temporary storage section outlet 131A.

[0136] The storage compartment 140A is the same as the storage compartment 140 shown in Figure 2, except that it has a storage compartment outlet 141A instead of the storage compartment outlet 141 shown in Figure 2. The storage compartment outlet 141A is, for example, slidable along the direction of gravity (-Z direction) and opens and closes by sliding along the direction of gravity.

[0137] In this modified example, the same effects as those of the embodiment described above can be obtained.

[0138] [Second variation] In the embodiments and modifications described above, the input section 110 is provided on the upper surface of the securities processing device 10 (the surface that is grasped when viewing the securities processing device 10 from the +Z direction), but the present invention is not limited to this form. For example, as shown in Figure 11, the input section 110A may be provided on the front surface of the securities processing device 10 (the surface that is grasped when viewing the securities processing device 10 from the +X direction).

[0139] Figure 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the outline of the securities processing device 10B according to the second modified example. Elements similar to those described in Figures 1 to 10 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed explanations are omitted. The settlement processing system 1 according to this modified example is the same as the settlement processing system 1 shown in Figure 1, except that it has a securities processing device 10B instead of the securities processing device 10 shown in Figure 2.

[0140] The securities processing device 10B is the same as the securities processing device 10 shown in Figure 2, except that it has an input unit 110B, an image reading unit 120B, and a transport unit 160B instead of the input unit 110, an image reading unit 120, and a transport unit 160 shown in Figure 2. However, the orientation of the temporary storage unit 130 and the storage unit 140 differs from that of the securities processing device 10 shown in Figure 2. In this modified example, the temporary storage unit 130 and the storage unit 140 are arranged so that the temporary storage unit outlet 131 and the storage unit outlet 141 are located in front of the securities processing device 10B.

[0141] The input section 110A is located on the front of the securities processing device 10B. The gift certificate GT inserted into the input section 110A is transported, for example, in the -X direction and fed into the image reading section 120A.

[0142] The image reading unit 120A is the same as the image reading unit 120 shown in Figure 2, except that it reads the image of the gift certificate GT being transported in the -X direction. For example, the image reading unit 120B can read images of the front and back sides of the gift certificate GT by capturing images of the gift certificate GT from the +Z direction and the -Z direction, respectively.

[0143] The transport unit 160B includes, for example, a plurality of transport rollers ROL driven by a motor (not shown), and a transparent plate TPL on which the gift certificate GT is transported. For example, the gift certificate GT inserted from the input unit 110 into the image reading unit 120A moves on the plate TPL located inside the image reading unit 120 by the transport rollers ROL. In this modified example, the rotation of the transport rollers ROL when transporting the gift certificate GT in the direction from end ED1 to end ED2 of the image reading unit 120 (from the +X direction to the -X direction in Figure 11) corresponds to forward rotation.

[0144] In this modified example, the transport unit 160B waits while the identification unit 154 determines whether or not to accept the gift certificate GT, holding the gift certificate GT so that it can be moved in reverse from the image reading unit 120B to the input unit 110B. In this modified example, the state in which the gift certificate GT can be moved in reverse from the image reading unit 120B to the input unit 110B is, for example, the state in which the gift certificate GT is positioned on the plate TPL.

[0145] In this modified example, the same effects as those of the embodiment described above can be obtained.

[0146] [Third variation] In the embodiments and modifications described above, the determination process (character information determination process) in steps S144 and S145 shown in Figure 8 or 9 does not need to be performed for gift certificates GT that do not have an expiration date set. For example, among the multiple gift certificates GT stored in the gift certificate table TBL, for gift certificates GT that do not have an expiration date set, information indicating that no expiration date is set may be stored instead of information indicating the position of the gift certificate GT in the expiration date area NAR. In this case, for example, the identification unit 154 can determine whether or not an expiration date is set for the gift certificate GT to be identified by referring to the field in the expiration date area NAR corresponding to the reference image RIMG that matches the image of the gift certificate GT to be identified in the gift certificate table TBL. Thus, the same effects as in the embodiments described above can be obtained in this modification as well. Furthermore, in this modification, settlement processing using gift certificates GT that do not have an expiration date set can be easily performed.

[0147] [Fourth variation] In the embodiments and modifications described above, multiple reference image RIMGs for multiple gift certificate GTs may be associated with a single gift certificate type information. In this case, for example, the expiration date area NAR and color analysis results are stored in the gift certificate type table TBL, associated with each of the multiple reference image RIMGs for multiple gift certificate GTs. In this modification, even if there are multiple gift certificate GTs with different designs for the same gift certificate type due to design changes, for example, it is possible to identify each gift certificate GT by type while suppressing the complexity of managing the reference gift certificate GTs. Thus, the same effects as in the embodiments and modifications described above can be obtained in this modification as well. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0148] 1...Settlement processing system, 10, 10A, 10B...Securities processing device, 20...POS register, 21...Display operation unit, 30...Change dispenser, 110, 110B...Input unit, 120, 120B...Image reading unit, 130, 130A...Temporary storage unit, 140, 140A...Storage unit, 150...Processing device, 152...Operation control unit, 154...Identification unit, 156...Storage device, 160...Transport unit, 170...Communication device, GT...Gift certificate.

Claims

1. In a securities processing system that determines whether or not to accept the securities that have been submitted, The input section into which the aforementioned securities are inserted, A transport unit for transporting the securities that have been inserted into the input unit, An image reading unit that generates first image information showing a first image which is an image of the security, An identification unit that identifies the security based on the first image information and determines whether or not to accept the security, An operation control unit controls the transport operation of the securities by the transport unit according to the determination result of the identification unit, A storage compartment for storing the aforementioned securities that can be accepted, Equipped with, The aforementioned operation control unit, If the identification unit determines that the security can be accepted, the transport unit is instructed to perform the transport operation to transport the security to the storage unit, thereby storing the security in the storage unit. If the identification unit determines that the security cannot be accepted, the transport unit is instructed to perform the transport operation of moving the security in reverse and transporting it to the input unit, thereby discharging the security from the input unit to the outside. A securities processing device characterized by the following:

2. The aforementioned identification unit is An image matching determination process determines whether or not there is an image among the multiple second images corresponding to the multiple reference securities that is determined to match the first image, based on second image information which shows a second image which is an image of each of the multiple reference securities that have been registered in advance and the first image information. A character recognition process is performed to recognize characters contained in the first image, and a character information determination process is performed to determine whether or not to accept the securities based on the information identified by the multiple characters recognized by the character recognition process. A counterfeit certificate detection process that determines whether the security is counterfeit or not based on the first image information, Each of the multiple judgment processes, including the one mentioned above, is executed in order. In each of the aforementioned determination processes, a determination is made as to whether or not the securities can be accepted. The aforementioned operation control unit, Each of the aforementioned determination processes is executed in order, and first, when it is determined that the security cannot be accepted, the transport unit is made to perform the transport operation of moving the security in reverse and transporting it to the input unit, thereby discharging the security from the input unit to the outside. The securities processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned identification unit is An image matching determination process determines whether or not there is an image among the multiple second images corresponding to the multiple reference securities that is determined to match the first image, based on second image information which shows a second image which is an image of each of the multiple reference securities that have been registered in advance and the first image information. A character recognition process is performed to recognize characters contained in the first image, and a character information determination process is performed to determine whether or not to accept the securities based on the information identified by the multiple characters recognized by the character recognition process. A counterfeit certificate detection process that determines whether the security is counterfeit or not based on the first image information, At least two of the following multiple determination processes are executed in parallel: In each of the aforementioned determination processes, a determination is made as to whether or not the securities can be accepted. The aforementioned operation control unit, When any of the above-mentioned determination processes determines that the security cannot be accepted, the transport unit is made to perform the transport operation of moving the security in reverse and transporting it to the input unit, thereby discharging the security from the input unit to the outside. The securities processing apparatus according to claim 1.

4. The image reading unit includes a first end closer to the input section than the storage section, and a second end closer to the storage section than the input section. The aforementioned transport unit is While the identification unit determines whether or not to accept the security, the security remains in a state of being held so as to extend from the second end toward the storage unit. A securities processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A settlement processing system having at least a POS register, a settlement processing device, and a securities processing device, The securities processing device is The input section into which securities are inserted, A transport unit for transporting the securities that have been inserted into the input unit, An image reading unit that generates first image information showing a first image which is an image of the security, An identification unit that identifies the security based on the first image information and determines whether or not to accept the security, An operation control unit controls the transport operation of the securities by the transport unit according to the determination result of the identification unit, A storage compartment for storing the aforementioned securities that can be accepted, Equipped with, The aforementioned operation control unit, If the identification unit determines that the security can be accepted, the transport unit is instructed to perform the transport operation to transport the security to the storage unit, thereby storing the security in the storage unit. If the identification unit determines that the security cannot be accepted, the transport unit is instructed to perform the transport operation of moving the security in reverse and transporting it to the input unit, thereby discharging the security from the input unit to the outside. The POS register and the settlement processing device are If the identification unit determines that the security is acceptable, it will execute the settlement process for the product the customer wishes to purchase, according to the identification result in the identification unit. A settlement processing system characterized by the following:

6. The aforementioned identification unit is An image matching determination process determines whether or not there is an image among the multiple second images corresponding to the multiple reference securities that is determined to match the first image, based on second image information which shows a second image which is an image of each of the multiple reference securities that have been registered in advance and the first image information. A character recognition process is performed to recognize characters contained in the first image, and a character information determination process is performed to determine whether or not to accept the securities based on the information identified by the multiple characters recognized by the character recognition process. A counterfeit certificate detection process that determines whether the security is counterfeit or not based on the first image information, Each of the multiple judgment processes, including the one mentioned above, is executed in order. In each of the aforementioned determination processes, a determination is made as to whether or not the securities can be accepted. The aforementioned operation control unit, Each of the aforementioned determination processes is executed in order, and first, when it is determined that the security cannot be accepted, the transport unit is made to perform the transport operation of moving the security in reverse and transporting it to the input unit, thereby discharging the security from the input unit to the outside. The settlement processing system according to feature 5.

7. The aforementioned identification unit is An image matching determination process determines whether or not there is an image among the multiple second images corresponding to the multiple reference securities that is determined to match the first image, based on second image information which shows a second image which is an image of each of the multiple reference securities that have been registered in advance and the first image information. A character recognition process is performed to recognize characters contained in the first image, and a character information determination process is performed to determine whether or not to accept the securities based on the information identified by the multiple characters recognized by the character recognition process. A counterfeit certificate detection process that determines whether the security is counterfeit or not based on the first image information, At least two of the following multiple determination processes are executed in parallel: In each of the aforementioned determination processes, a determination is made as to whether or not the securities can be accepted. The aforementioned operation control unit, When any of the above-mentioned determination processes determines that the security cannot be accepted, the transport unit is made to perform the transport operation of moving the security in reverse and transporting it to the input unit, thereby discharging the security from the input unit to the outside. The settlement processing system according to feature 5.

8. The image reading unit includes a first end closer to the input section than the storage section, and a second end closer to the storage section than the input section. The aforementioned transport unit is While the identification unit determines whether or not to accept the security, the security remains in a state of being held so as to extend from the second end toward the storage unit. The settlement processing system according to any one of claims 5 to 7.

9. A securities processing method executed by a securities processing apparatus comprising: an input unit into which securities are inserted; a transport unit for transporting the securities inserted into the input unit; an image reading unit for generating first image information showing a first image which is an image of the securities; an identification unit for determining whether or not to accept the securities by identifying the securities based on the first image information; an operation control unit for controlling the transport operation of the securities by the transport unit according to the determination result of the identification unit; and a storage unit for storing the securities that are acceptable, wherein the securities processing apparatus is performed by the securities processing apparatus, The aforementioned operation control unit, If the identification unit determines that the security can be accepted, the transport unit is instructed to perform the transport operation to transport the security to the storage unit, thereby storing the security in the storage unit. If the identification unit determines that the security cannot be accepted, the transport unit is instructed to perform the transport operation of moving the security in reverse and transporting it to the input unit, thereby discharging the security from the input unit to the outside. A method for processing securities, characterized by the following:

Images