Securities processing device, settlement system, securities processing method, and settlement method

Abstract

Gift certificates and scratch cards are processed within the same device. [Solution] The securities processing device 10 includes an input unit 110 into which securities ST are inserted, an image reading unit 120 that reads an image IIMG of the securities ST inserted into the input unit 110, and an identification unit 154 that determines whether or not to accept the securities ST inserted into the input unit 110. The identification unit 154 identifies whether the securities ST is a scratch card SC or a gift certificate GT, and if it identifies the securities ST as a scratch card SC, it determines whether or not to accept the securities ST by executing a scratch card identification process on the image IIMG of the securities ST to identify a scratch card SC, and if it identifies the securities ST as a gift certificate GT, it determines whether or not to accept the securities ST by executing a gift certificate identification process on the image IIMG of the securities ST to identify a gift certificate GT.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In retail stores such as supermarkets, securities such as gift certificates may be handled in addition to currency (see Patent Document 1). Further, it is known that in self-checkout or semi-self-checkout, by reading and identifying an image of a valuable security such as a gift certificate, settlement processing is automatically performed in the same manner as currency or the like.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in addition to gift certificates, scratch cards are often used as coupon cards, and it is desired that scratch cards can also be automatically processed for settlement in the same manner as gift certificates. However, in the case of a scratch card where only one location in a plurality of scratch areas is scratched and the available amount is determined according to the amount at the scratched location, the area where the amount is displayed varies depending on the card. Therefore, in order to recognize the validity of the scratch card and the correct available amount, it is necessary to execute a different process from the process of identifying a gift certificate. It is also desired that a scratch card for which a different process from that of a gift certificate is executed can be processed by the same apparatus as the apparatus for processing gift certificates. That is, it is desired that gift certificates and scratch cards can be processed within the same apparatus.

Means for Solving the Problems

[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 reading an image of the security inserted into the insertion unit; an identification unit for determining whether or not to accept the security inserted into the insertion unit by identifying the security inserted into the insertion unit based on the image of the security; and 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, wherein the identification unit identifies whether or not the security is a scratch card or a gift certificate, and if the security is identified as a scratch card, it determines whether or not to accept the security by performing a scratch card identification process on the image of the security to identify the scratch card, and if the security is identified as a gift certificate, it determines whether or not to accept the security by performing a gift certificate identification process on the image of the security to identify the gift certificate.

[0006] Furthermore, a settlement processing system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is a settlement processing system having a POS register, a settlement processing device, and a securities processing device, wherein the securities processing device comprises: 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 reading an image of the securities inserted into the input unit; an identification unit for determining whether or not to accept the securities inserted into the input unit by identifying the securities inserted into the input unit based on the image of the securities; 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 identification unit identifies whether the securities are scratch cards or gift certificates, and if the securities are scratch cards If the security is identified as a card, a scratch card identification process is performed on the image of the security to identify the scratch card, thereby determining whether the security can be accepted. If the security is identified as a gift certificate, a gift certificate identification process is performed on the image of the security to identify the gift certificate, thereby determining whether the security can be accepted. If the identification unit determines that the security can be accepted, the operation control unit transports the security to the storage unit. If the identification unit determines that the security cannot be accepted, the security is ejected to the outside. If the identification unit determines that the security can be accepted, the POS register and the settlement processing device perform settlement processing for the products the customer wishes to purchase, according to the identification result in the identification unit.

[0007] Furthermore, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is a securities processing method for determining whether or not to accept a securities inserted into a securities processing device, the method comprising: reading an image of the securities inserted into the securities processing device; identifying whether or not the securities are scratch cards or gift certificates; determining whether or not to accept the securities by performing a scratch card identification process on the image of the securities if the securities are identified as scratch cards; and determining whether or not to accept the securities by performing a gift certificate identification process on the image of the securities if the securities are identified as gift certificates.

[0008] Furthermore, a settlement processing method according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is a settlement processing method that performs settlement processing according to the identification result of a security inserted into a security processing device, wherein the method reads an image of the security inserted into the security processing device, identifies whether the security is a scratch card or a gift certificate, determines whether the security can be accepted by performing a scratch card identification process on the image of the security if the security is identified as a scratch card, determines whether the security can be accepted by performing a gift certificate identification process on the image of the security if the security is identified as a gift certificate, determines whether the security can be accepted by performing a gift certificate identification process on the image of the security, if the security is deemed acceptable, performs settlement processing for the goods the customer wishes to purchase according to the identification result of the security, and discharges the security to the outside of the security processing device if the security is deemed unacceptable.

[0009] Furthermore, a settlement processing system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is a settlement processing system comprising a POS register including a display unit that displays an input screen for receiving input from an external source, a settlement processing device, and a securities processing device, wherein, upon insertion of a security into the securities processing device, the display unit displays the input screen on which the user can select whether the security is a scratch card or a gift certificate, and if the user selects via the input screen that the security is a scratch card, the system determines whether the security can be accepted by performing a scratch card identification process on an image of the security to identify the scratch card, and if the user selects via the input screen that the security is a gift certificate, the system determines whether the security can be accepted by performing a gift certificate identification process on an image of the security to identify the gift certificate, and if the system determines that the security can be accepted, the system performs settlement processing for the goods the customer wishes to purchase according to the identification result of the security, and if the system determines that the security cannot be accepted, the system discharges the security to the outside of the securities processing device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, gift certificates and scratch cards can be processed in the same device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [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] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a gift certificate type table. [Figure 5] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a scratch card ticket type table. [Figure 6] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the process of identifying which of the multiple scratch areas on a scratch card has been scratched. [Figure 7] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the result of determining whether or not a scratch area has been scratched. [Figure 8] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating examples of scratch cards that are candidates for acceptance and examples of scratch cards that are returned. [Figure 9] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a comparison image. [Figure 10] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the process for identifying the underlying image of the scratched area. [Figure 11] This flowchart shows an example of the operation of a securities processing device when performing settlement processing using securities. [Figure 12] A flowchart illustrating an example of the process for determining whether a gift certificate is accepted. [Figure 13] This is a flowchart showing an example of the scratch card acceptance determination process. [Figure 14] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an exposed image related to the first modified example. [Figure 15]It is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a process of identifying a base image of a scratched area using an exposed image. [Figure 16] It is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of an exposed image when the printing position within the scratch area of the base image is deviated from the original printing position. [Figure 17] It is a flowchart showing an example of a scratch card acceptance determination process using an exposed image. [Figure 18] It is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a selection screen according to a second modification example.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each figure, the dimensions and scales of each part are appropriately different from the actual ones. Further, the embodiments described below are preferred specific examples of the present invention, and thus various technically preferable limitations are imposed. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments unless there is a description to specifically limit the present invention in the following description.

[0013] [1. Embodiment] First, an example of the outline of the settlement processing system 1 according to the first embodiment will be described while referring to FIG. 1.

[0014] [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 that processes securities ST such as gift certificates GT and scratch cards SC, a POS register 20 (including self-checkout and semi-self-checkout registers), and a change dispenser 30 which is a settlement processing device. A scratch card SC is a card in which a scratch area SA, on which images such as characters are printed, is covered with a removable shielding layer SL (for example, a silver coating). For example, the shielding layer SL can be removed by scratching it with a coin or the like. Note that the scratch card SC is not limited to a card, and may also be a scratch sheet or scratch label in which the scratch area SA is covered with a removable shielding layer SL.

[0015] 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.

[0016] As will be described in detail in Figure 3, the securities processing device 10 includes, for example, an input unit 110, a temporary storage unit outlet 131, and a storage unit outlet 141. In this embodiment, the input unit 110 serves as both an input port into which securities ST are inserted and an output (reject) port for ejecting securities ST inserted into the securities processing device 10. Whether or not to eject securities ST inserted into the securities processing device 10 is determined by an identification process that identifies the securities ST based on, for example, an image of the securities ST IIMG. For example, the identification process for identifying gift certificates GT is performed based on an image of gift certificates GT IIMGgt, and the identification process for identifying scratch cards SC is performed based on an image of scratch cards SC IIMGsc. In addition, securities ST inserted into the securities processing device 10 can be removed from the temporary storage unit outlet 131 or the storage unit outlet 141 as needed.

[0017] The POS register 20, for example, has a display and operation unit 21 and is used to process payments for goods purchased by customers in stores such as supermarkets. The display and operation unit 21 functions as both an output device such as a display and an operation panel, which is an input device for the POS register 20. Thus, in this embodiment, it is assumed that the display and operation unit 21 is configured to be integrated with an operation device (for example, a touch panel) that accepts operations from an administrator of the settlement processing system 1.

[0018] Furthermore, in this embodiment, it is assumed that the POS register 20 communicates with the securities processing device 10 and the change dispenser 30, and the securities processing device 10 identifies the securities ST, such as gift certificates GT or scratch cards SC, that the customer wishes to use, and determines whether the securities ST can be used at the store, and the POS register 20 and the change dispenser 30 perform the settlement process. Note that the securities ST processed by the settlement processing system 1 in the present invention are not limited to gift certificates GT or scratch cards SC, but may also be securities such as regional development vouchers, or non-securities such as service vouchers, coupons, and discount vouchers. Also, the settlement processing device is not limited to the change dispenser 30, but may be a settlement processing device other than the change dispenser 30.

[0019] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the internal structure of the securities processing device 10. In Figure 2, for clarity, the securities STs are denoted by a number (1, 2, 3, or 4). However, securities ST1, ST2, ST3, and ST4 are also referred to simply as securities ST. Furthermore, Figure 2 illustrates the internal structure of the securities processing device 10 using the example of a case where the device is installed on a plane perpendicular to the direction of gravity (horizontal plane).

[0020] In the following explanation, for convenience, we will use the mutually orthogonal X, Y, and Z axes shown in Figure 2 as appropriate. The direction indicated by the arrow on the X axis will be referred to as the +X direction, and the opposite direction of the +X direction will be referred to as the -X direction. Similarly, the direction indicated by the arrow on the Y axis will be referred to as the +Y direction, and the opposite direction of the +Y direction will be referred to as the -Y direction. The direction indicated by the arrow on the Z axis will be referred to as the +Z direction, and the opposite direction of the +Z direction will be referred to as the -Z direction. For example, Figure 2 schematically shows the internal structure of the securities processing device 10 when viewed from the +X direction to the -X direction. In this embodiment, the surface grasped when viewing the securities processing device 10 from the +X direction to the -X direction corresponds to the front. In this embodiment, the -Z direction corresponds to the direction of gravity. In the following explanation, the +Z direction may be referred to as upward, and the -Z direction may be referred to as downward.

[0021] The securities processing device 10 includes an input section 110 into which securities ST such as gift certificates GT and scratch cards SC are inserted, an image reading section 120 that reads an image IIMG of the securities ST inserted from the input section 110, a temporary storage section 130 that temporarily stores securities ST after the image IIMG has been read, a storage section 140 that stores securities ST after settlement processing has been completed, and a processing device 150. Furthermore, the securities processing device 10 includes a transport section 160 that transports the securities ST inserted into the input section 110. The transport section 160 has, for example, a plurality of transport rollers ROL driven by a motor (not shown). Hereinafter, the rotation of the transport rollers ROL when transporting securities ST in the direction from the input section 110 to the temporary storage section 130 (from top to bottom in Figure 2) may be referred to as forward rotation, and the rotation in the opposite direction to forward rotation may be referred to as reverse rotation. Furthermore, although not clearly shown in Figure 2, the transport path from the image reading unit 120 to the storage unit 140 is also part of the transport unit 160.

[0022] For example, securities ST1 that an employee or customer of a retail store where the securities processing device 10 is installed wishes to have processed are inserted into the input unit 110. The input unit 110 then loads the inserted securities ST1 into the securities processing device 10. In other words, the securities processing device 10 can take in the securities ST1 that are loaded into the input unit 110. If the identification process determines that the securities ST1 loaded into the input unit 110 are unacceptable, the securities ST1 are returned from the input unit 110 to the employee or customer. In other words, the input unit 110 serves as both an input and output port for securities ST.

[0023] 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 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. For example, a security ST1 inserted from the input unit 110 passes through the end ED1 of the image reading unit 120 by a transport roller ROL. The image reading unit 120 then generates image information representing the image IIMG by reading one or both of the front and back surfaces of the security ST that has passed through the end ED1. Reading the image IIMG of the security ST is achieved, for example, by imaging the security ST. For example, the image reading unit 120 shown in Figure 2 can read the image IIMG of the front and back surfaces of the security ST by imaging the security ST from the +Y direction and the -Y direction, respectively.

[0024] Based on the image information generated by the image reading unit 120, an identification process for identifying securities ST is performed by the processing unit 150 (more specifically, the identification unit 154 shown in Figure 3), which will be described later. For example, securities ST inserted into the input unit 110 are the target of the identification process. Hereinafter, securities ST inserted into the input unit 110 may be referred to as the securities ST to be identified.

[0025] In this embodiment, the transport unit 160 waits while the identification unit 154 determines whether or not to accept the security ST, holding the security ST so that it can move in reverse from the image reading unit 120 to the input unit 110. The state in which the security ST can move in reverse from the image reading unit 120 to the input unit 110 is, for example, the state before the security ST 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. Specifically, the state in which the security ST can move in reverse is, for example, the state in which a part of the security ST has passed the end ED2 of the image reading unit 120, and the area of ​​the security ST that has not passed the end ED2 is held by the transport roller ROL closest to the end ED2 of the security ST (state of security ST2 in Figure 2). That is, the transport unit 160 waits until the result of the identification process is known, with the security ST held so that it extends from the end ED2 toward the storage unit 140 (state of security ST2 in Figure 2).

[0026] If the identification process is completed and the security ST2 is to be accepted, the transport roller ROL rotates forward, releasing the security ST2 from its position at the end ED2 of the image reading unit 120, and it is stored in the temporary storage unit 130. If the security ST2 is not to be accepted, the transport roller ROL rotates backward, causing the security ST2 to move in reverse from its position at the end ED2 of the image reading unit 120 and be discharged (rejected) from the input unit 110. Reverse movement of the security ST refers to, for example, transporting the security ST in the opposite direction to the transport direction when the security ST is being fed into the security processing unit 10, in the transport path for feeding the security ST into the security processing unit 10.

[0027] 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 security ST2 to the outside. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is not necessary to provide a separate transport path for discharging the security ST2 to the outside from the transport path for inputting the security ST into the security processing device 10, thus preventing the transport path for the security ST from becoming complicated. As a result, in this embodiment, the configuration of the security processing device 10 can be kept from becoming complicated. This prevents an increase in the cost of the security processing device 10 in this embodiment.

[0028] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since unacceptable securities ST are returned to the input unit 110, it is possible to prevent employees or customers from forgetting to take the securities ST. Also, in this embodiment, since there is no need to provide a separate discharge port from the input unit 110, as described above, the transport path of securities ST inside the securities processing device 10 is simplified, so it is possible to suppress the time it takes to remove unacceptable securities ST from the machine. Moreover, in this embodiment, since the securities ST is held in a waiting state so that a part of the securities ST is located between end ED1 and end ED2, the time it takes to remove unacceptable securities ST from the machine can be shortened. From the viewpoint of shortening the time it takes to remove unacceptable securities ST from the machine, it is preferable that the image reading unit 120 be located close to the input unit 110.

[0029] 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 dashed line in Figure 2.

[0030] The inclined state shown by the solid line in Figure 2 is a closed state in which 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 security ST2 transported from the image reading section 120 is temporarily stored as security ST3. The stopper 134 is a stopper for securing security ST3 on the inclined opening / closing plate 132. The vertical state shown by the dashed line in Figure 2 is an open state in which 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, security ST3 temporarily stored on the opening / closing plate 132 is transported to the storage section 140.

[0031] For example, securities ST transported from the image reading unit 120 are temporarily stored on the inclined opening / closing plate 132. Once settlement processing by the POS register 20 is complete, the opening / closing plate 132 transitions from an inclined state to a vertical state, and the securities ST are transported to the storage unit 140. If an employee or customer has multiple securities STs to insert, the multiple securities STs are stored in the temporary storage unit 130, and once settlement processing is complete, all of the securities STs are transported to the storage unit 140. Furthermore, if any problems occur during the settlement processing stage, the temporary storage unit outlet 131 can be opened, and the securities STs ST stored in the temporary storage unit 130 can be removed from the securities processing device 10.

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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 securities ST3 transported from the temporary storage unit 130 as securities ST4. 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, securities ST4 stored in the storage unit 140 can be removed from the securities processing device 10 through the storage unit outlet 141. For example, an employee or security transport personnel can unlock the storage unit outlet 141 of the storage unit 140 and retrieve the securities ST4 stored in the storage unit 140.

[0034] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to a configuration in which, if the security ST2 is not accepted, the transport roller ROL rotates in reverse, causing the security ST2 to move in reverse from a state in which it is held to extend from the end ED2 toward the storage section 140, and to be discharged (rejected) to the outside from the input section 110. For example, instead of holding the security ST so as to extend from the end ED2 toward the storage section 140, all security STs may be transported to the temporary storage section 130, and if the security ST2 is not accepted, the temporary storage section outlet 131 may be opened to remove it to the outside. Alternatively, the temporary storage section 130 may be omitted, and the security may be transported directly from the image reading section 120 to the storage section 140. This makes it possible to miniaturize the security processing device 10.

[0035] Furthermore, for example, two temporary storage sections 130 corresponding to gift certificates GT and scratch cards SC may be provided. Similarly, the storage section 140 may have two collection boxes 142 corresponding to gift certificates GT and scratch cards SC. In a securities processing device 10 having two temporary storage sections 130 and two collection boxes 142, for example, gift certificates GT and scratch cards SC are stored in two different temporary storage sections 130 and stored in two different collection boxes 142.

[0036] 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.

[0037] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the securities processing device 10.

[0038] 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).

[0039] 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.

[0040] In this embodiment, the storage device 156 stores, in addition to the control program PG1 executed in the identification process, a voucher type table TBL1 that is referenced during the identification process of gift certificates GT, and a voucher type table TBL2 that is referenced during the identification process of scratch cards SC. The voucher type table TBL1 will be explained in Figure 4 below, and the voucher type table TBL2 will be explained in Figure 5 below.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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 a display control unit 151, 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.

[0043] 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 an employee or customer settles using securities ST, the processing device 150 causes the image reading unit 120 to read the securities ST (the securities ST to be identified) inserted into the input unit 110. The image reading unit 120 generates image information showing the image IIMG (image IIMG of the securities ST to be identified) of the read securities ST 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.

[0044] 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.

[0045] Thus, in this embodiment, the control program PG1 includes an application program for causing the processing unit 150 to function as a display control unit 151, 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.

[0046] The display control unit 151 can control the display operation unit 21 of the POS register 20. For example, the display control unit 151 can cause the display operation unit 21 to display a confirmation screen or the like for confirming the identification result of securities ST inserted into the input unit 110 of the securities processing device 10.

[0047] 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.

[0048] Furthermore, the identification unit 154 obtains image information from the image reading unit 120 that shows an image of the security ST (security ST to be identified) inserted into the input unit 110. Then, the identification unit 154 performs identification processing to determine whether or not to accept the security ST to be identified based on the image information obtained from the image reading unit 120 (image information showing image IIMG of the security ST to be identified). Hereafter, the image information showing image IIMG of the security ST may be referred to as the image information of the security ST. Note that if the image reading unit 120 stores the image information of the security ST to be identified in the storage device 156, the identification unit 154 may obtain the image information of the security ST to be identified from the storage device 156.

[0049] The identification process for gift certificates GT performed by the identification unit 154 will be explained in Figure 12 below, but the identification process for gift certificates GT 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. The identification process for scratch cards SC performed by the identification unit 154 will be explained in Figure 13 below.

[0050] 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 securities ST. For example, the image may be sent to an API (Application Programming Interface) on the cloud such as AWS (Amazon Web Services) to obtain the determination result. Note that AWS is a registered trademark. Amazon is a registered trademark.

[0051] Next, referring to Figure 4, we will explain an example of the gift certificate type table TBL1 for gift certificates GT.

[0052] Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a gift certificate type table TBL1. The gift certificate type table TBL1 has, for example, one or more records. In the example shown in Figure 4, the gift certificate type table TBL1 has multiple records that correspond one-to-one with multiple types of gift certificates GT registered in the gift certificate type table TBL1.

[0053] For example, each record in the voucher type table TBL1 stores information about the voucher type GT, including identification information, information indicating the voucher type name, and information indicating the face value. It also stores image information indicating the reference voucher image RIMG. Furthermore, each record in the voucher type table TBL1 stores information indicating the location of the expiration date area NAR within the voucher GT, where the voucher GT's expiration date is written, as the expiration date area NAR. Finally, it stores the color analysis results for the image IIMGgt of the voucher GT. In the following, the storage of image information such as the reference voucher image RIMG may be referred to as "the image being stored."

[0054] 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 display operation unit 21 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 unit 110 of the securities processing device 10. The face value is the price of the gift certificate GT as a monetary voucher, as indicated on the gift certificate GT.

[0055] Here, the types of gift certificates (GT) are distinguished by combinations of, for example, the design, face value, and issuer of the gift certificate. For example, three gift certificates (GT) corresponding to three different types of identification information, "001," "002," and "003," have the same design and issuer, but are stored as different types because their face values ​​are different. Similarly, three gift certificates (GT) corresponding to three different types of identification information, "003," "006," and "022," have the same face value, but are stored as different types because their design and issuer are different. Furthermore, even if the issuer and face value are the same, gift certificates (GT) with different designs are stored as different types.

[0056] Furthermore, the reference gift certificate image RIMG is, for example, an image of the front of an acceptable gift certificate GT. The reference gift certificate image RIMG may also be images of both the front and back of an acceptable gift certificate GT. Additionally, the storage location for the image information indicating the reference gift certificate image RIMG may be stored in each record of the gift certificate type table TBL1. The storage location for the image information is, for example, an address indicating the storage area where the image information is stored. The image information may be stored in the storage device 156 where the gift certificate type table TBL1 is stored, or it may be stored in a storage device different from storage device 156. Hereinafter, the image information indicating the reference gift certificate image RIMG may be referred to as the image information of the reference gift certificate image RIMG.

[0057] 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 TBL1 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.

[0058] The color analysis results are, for example, the results of a color analysis of the surface of the gift certificate GT against the reference gift certificate image RIMG. Color analysis involves, for example, analysis using the hue, lightness, and saturation of the image. Known color analysis methods can be employed.

[0059] Thus, in the voucher type table TBL1, the type of gift certificate GT, image, expiration date area NAR, and color analysis results are associated with each other. In the following, gift certificate GTs registered in the voucher type table TBL1 may be referred to as reference gift certificate GTs.

[0060] Note that the configuration of the voucher type table TBL1 is not limited to the example shown in Figure 4. For example, information indicating the location of the area where the voucher number (serial number) for managing the voucher GT is written may be stored in each record of the voucher type table TBL1. 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. Furthermore, for example, the color analysis results do not necessarily have to be stored in the voucher type table TBL1.

[0061] The voucher type table TBL1 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 functions as an identification unit 154 and performs voucher type identification processing to identify the voucher type of the voucher GT to be identified based on the image information of the reference voucher image RIMG and the image information of the voucher GT to be identified, IIMGgt. The voucher type identification processing of the voucher GT searches for a reference voucher image RIMG that matches the image IIMGgt of the voucher GT to be identified from among multiple reference voucher images RIMG stored in the voucher type table TBL1. Note that "match" includes not only cases where there is an exact match, but also cases where there is a degree of similarity that can be considered a match. Furthermore, the voucher type identification processing of the voucher GT is included in the voucher acceptance determination processing for determining whether or not to accept the voucher GT to be identified. The program that performs the voucher acceptance determination processing, which includes the voucher type identification processing of the voucher GT, 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 gift certificates GT, various information identified by, for example, the gift certificate acceptance determination process (such as the gift certificate name, face value, and reference gift certificate image RIMG) and the image of the gift certificate GT IIMGgt may be displayed on the display operation unit 21 of the POS register 20.

[0062] Next, with reference to Figure 5, we will explain an example of the scratch card type table TBL2 for scratch cards.

[0063] Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a scratch card type table TBL2 for scratch cards. The scratch card type table TBL2 has, for example, one or more records. In the example shown in Figure 5, the scratch card type table TBL2 has multiple records that correspond one-to-one with multiple types of scratch cards registered in the scratch card type table TBL2. As an example, Figure 5 shows two records corresponding to two types of scratch cards (SCa and SCb) from among the multiple types of scratch cards registered in the scratch card type table TBL2.

[0064] For example, each record in the ticket type table TBL2 stores scratch card information, including identification information, image information showing the ticket type identification image TIMG, information showing the scratch area SA, and image information showing the background image BIMG.

[0065] The identification information is used to identify each type of scratch card (SC) from among several different types.

[0066] The ticket type identification image TIMG is, for example, an image of the area on the scratch card SC where the ticket type is printed, and is used to identify the ticket type of the scratch card SC to be identified. In this embodiment, for example, the identification unit 154 identifies the ticket type of the scratch card SC to be identified by performing template matching in the scratch card SC identification process. Template matching is, for example, a process that detects the position of an image that matches a template image in the image to be template matched. In this embodiment, the image IIMGsc of the scratch card SC to be identified is the image to be template matched, and the ticket type identification image TIMG corresponds to the template image.

[0067] For example, the type of scratch card SCa is "Member-only scratch card," and the words "Member-only scratch card" and a logo are printed in the upper area of ​​the scratch card SCa. Therefore, in the case of scratch card SCa, the image of the area where the words "Member-only scratch card" are printed (the upper area of ​​scratch card SCa) corresponds to the type identification image TIMG. Also, for example, the type of scratch card SCb is "New Year scratch card," and the words "New Year scratch card" and a logo are printed in the upper area of ​​scratch card SCb. Therefore, in the case of scratch card SCb, the image of the area where the words "New Year scratch card" are printed (the upper area of ​​scratch card SCb) corresponds to the type identification image TIMG. In the following, in the case of scratch card SC, the part where the type identification image TIMG is printed (the area where the type of scratch card SC is printed) may be referred to as the type printing area. Furthermore, the image information showing the ticket type identification image TIMG may include information indicating the position of the ticket type identification image TIMG on the scratch card SC (the position of the ticket type printed area).

[0068] Information indicating a scratch area SA includes, for example, information indicating the shape, size, and position of the scratch area SA. In the example shown in Figure 5, the image information indicating the mask image MIMG used to identify the scratch area SA of the scratch card SC corresponds to information indicating the scratch area SA. For example, the mask image MIMG is an image in which each of the multiple parts corresponding to the multiple scratch areas SA of the scratch card SC is a transparent part TP that allows the image to pass through. A transparent part TP is, for example, the part that allows the image IIMGsc of the scratch card SC to pass through when the mask image MIMG is superimposed on the image IIMGsc of the scratch card SC. For example, a transparent part TP may be an opening in the mask image MIMG that allows the image to pass through. The parts other than the transparent part TP are the parts that mask the image IIMGsc of the scratch card SC without allowing it to pass through when the mask image MIMG is superimposed on the image IIMGsc of the scratch card SC. Hereinafter, in the mask image MIMG, the parts other than the transparent part TP will also be referred to as the mask part.

[0069] Furthermore, since the shielding layer SL needs to conceal the underlying image BIMG printed in the scratch area SA, it is often made slightly larger than the scratch area SA. For this reason, it is preferable that the transparent area TP of the mask image MIMG be the scratch area SA, which is slightly smaller than the shielding layer SL, rather than the area of ​​the shielding layer SL.

[0070] The background image BIMG is an image printed on one of the multiple scratch areas SA. In the example shown in Figure 5, one of five background image BIMGs is printed on each scratch area SA of scratch card SCa: an image indicating "loser," an image indicating "50 yen," an image indicating "100 yen," an image indicating "200 yen," and an image indicating "500 yen." Alternatively, one of five background image BIMGs is printed on each scratch area SA of scratch card SCb: an image indicating "loser," an image indicating "100 yen," an image indicating "200 yen," an image indicating "400 yen," and an image indicating "600 yen."

[0071] Thus, in the ticket type table TBL2, the scratch card type SC, the ticket type identification image TIMG, the scratch area SA, and the background image BIMG are associated with each other. In the following, the ticket type of scratch card SC registered in the ticket type table TBL2 may be referred to as the reference ticket type.

[0072] Note that the configuration of the ticket type table TBL2 is not limited to the example shown in Figure 5. For example, information indicating the name of the ticket type of scratch card SC may be stored in each record of the ticket type table TBL2. Also, for example, in the case of a ticket type of scratch card SC that has an expiration date set, information indicating the location of the expiration date area NAR where the expiration date is written may be stored in each record of the ticket type table TBL2. Furthermore, for example, the information indicating the scratch area SA is not limited to image information indicating the mask image MIMG, but may also be coordinate information indicating the shape, size, and position of the scratch area SA.

[0073] The denomination table TBL2 is referenced, for example, by the processing unit 150 of the securities processing device 10 when the settlement processing system 1 performs settlement processing using a scratch card SC. For example, the processing unit 150 functions as an identification unit 154 and performs denomination identification processing to identify the denomination of the scratch card SC to be identified based on the image information of the image IIMGsc of the scratch card SC to be identified and the scratch card information stored in the denomination table TBL2. The denomination identification processing of the scratch card SC is included in the scratch card identification processing that identifies the scratch card SC to be identified. The program that performs the scratch card identification processing 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 a scratch card SC, for example, various information identified by the scratch card identification processing, etc. (such as the price to be settled with the scratch card SC) and the image IIMGsc of the scratch card SC may be displayed on the display operation unit 21 of the POS register 20.

[0074] Next, an overview of the scratch card identification process will be explained with reference to Figures 6 to 10. In the scratch card identification process, for example, the validity of the scratch card (SC) is checked, and the correct usable amount of the scratch card (SC) is recognized. In the following, the generation of image information that shows an image may be referred to as "generating an image."

[0075] First, referring to Figure 6, we will explain the process of identifying which of the multiple scratch areas SA of the scratch card SC has had its shielding layer SL scratched off. In the following, the scratching of the shielding layer SL of a scratch area SA may be referred to as the scratch area SA being scratched off.

[0076] Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a process for identifying which of the multiple scratch areas SA on a scratch card SC has been scratched. In Figure 6, using the scratch card SCa shown in Figure 5 as an example, an example of the process for identifying which of the multiple scratch areas SA on the scratch card SCa has been scratched is explained. In the example shown in Figure 6, the shielding layer SL of the uppermost of the six scratch areas SA on the scratch card SCa has been scratched. By scratching off the shielding layer SL, the background image BIMG showing "500 yen" is exposed.

[0077] The processing unit 150 functions as an identification unit 154 and performs a process to identify which of the multiple scratch areas SA of the scratch card SCa has been scratched. For example, the identification unit 154 uses an image IIMGsc of the scratch card SCa to be identified and a mask image MIMG associated with the type of scratch card SCa to identify each image of the multiple scratch areas SA of the scratch card SCa. In the example shown in Figure 6, the identification unit 154 generates an extracted image EIMG of the multiple scratch areas SA by superimposing the mask image MIMG associated with the type of scratch card SCa onto the image IIMGsc of the scratch card SCa to be identified. Hereinafter, in each of the extracted image EIMG and the image IIMGsc of the scratch card SCa, the portion corresponding to the transparent portion TP of the mask image MIMG will also be referred to as the transparent portion. That is, the transparent portion of each of the extracted image EIMG and the image IIMGsc of the scratch card SCa is the portion corresponding to the scratch area SA of the scratch card SCa.

[0078] The transparent portion of the extracted image EIMG corresponds to the transparent portion of the image IIMGsc of scratch card SCa (i.e., the scratch region SA). In the example shown in Figure 6, the portion of the extracted image EIMG other than the transparent portion becomes a white image. This allows for the identification of each of the multiple scratch regions SA of the scratch card SCa being identified. Hereafter, each transparent portion of the extracted image EIMG (each of the multiple scratch regions SA in the extracted image EIMG) may be referred to as the extracted image EIMG of the scratch region SA.

[0079] Furthermore, the extracted image EIMG is binarized to facilitate the determination of whether or not the scratch region SA has been scratched. For example, the identification unit 154 generates a binarized image BEIMG of the scratch region SA by binarizing the extracted image EIMG. The threshold for binarizing the extracted image EIMG (hereinafter also referred to as the binarization threshold) is preferably set so that the image of the occlusion layer SL and the background image BIMG have different pixel values. For example, the binarization threshold is preferably set so that the image of the occlusion layer SL and the background image BIMG are separated into black and white. Specifically, for example, if the background image BIMG is a lighter color than the image of the occlusion layer SL, the binarization threshold is preferably set so that the image of the occlusion layer SL becomes black and the background image BIMG becomes white. Note that even if the background image BIMG is a darker color than the image of the occlusion layer SL, the extracted image EIMG may be binarized so that the image of the occlusion layer SL becomes black and the background image BIMG becomes white. For example, the extracted image EIMG may be binarized such that areas that are approximately the same color as the image of the occluding layer SL become black, and areas of other colors become white. Here, "approximately the same color" includes not only the same color but also colors that can be considered the same color.

[0080] The identification unit 154 uses the binarized image BEIMG (binarized extracted image EIMG) of the scratch region SA to identify the removed portion, which is the scratched part of each scratch region SA. The identification unit 154 then calculates the area of ​​the removed portion of each scratch region SA.

[0081] Furthermore, the identification unit 154 determines whether a scratch area SA has been scratched based on the area of ​​the removed portion of the scratch area SA. For example, the identification unit 154 determines that a scratch area SA has been scratched if the area of ​​the removed portion of the scratch area SA is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold. That is, for example, if the area of ​​the removed portion of the scratch area SA is greater than or equal to the threshold, it is considered to have been scratched, and if the area of ​​the removed portion of the scratch area SA is less than the threshold, it is not considered to have been scratched. Alternatively, the identification unit 154 may determine whether a scratch area SA has been scratched based on the ratio of the area of ​​the removed portion to the area of ​​the scratch area SA. In this case, for example, if the ratio of the area of ​​the removed portion to the area of ​​the scratch area SA is greater than or equal to a predetermined ratio, it is considered to have been scratched, and if the ratio of the area of ​​the removed portion to the area of ​​the scratch area SA is less than the predetermined ratio, it is not considered to have been scratched. In addition, common parts of multiple scratch areas SA where the background image BIMG is not printed may be excluded from the calculation of the area of ​​the removed portion. Alternatively, the ratio of the area of ​​the removed portion to the scratch area SA may be calculated without including common areas in multiple scratch areas SA where the background image BIMG is not printed.

[0082] The method for generating the extracted image EIMG is not limited to using the mask image MIMG. For example, if the information indicating the scratch area SA is coordinate information indicating the shape, size, and position of the scratch area SA, the identification unit 154 may generate the extracted image EIMG by extracting images of the parts identified by the coordinate information indicating each scratch area SA from the image IIMGsc of the scratch card SCa. Furthermore, since the extracted image EIMG is also used in the process of identifying the background image BIMG printed on the scratched scratch area SA, it is stored in the storage device 156 or the like.

[0083] Alternatively, for example, the identification unit 154 may determine the area of ​​the removed portion of each scratch region SA based on the extracted image EIMG without binarizing the extracted image EIMG.

[0084] Next, referring to Figure 7, we will explain examples of cases where it is determined that the scratch card SC has been scratched and cases where it is determined that the scratch card SC has not been scratched.

[0085] Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the determination result of whether or not the scratch area SA has been scratched. In Figure 7, it is assumed that the scratch area SA is determined to have been scratched if the area of ​​the removed portion is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold (hereinafter also referred to as the threshold area).

[0086] Figure 7 shows an example where "scratch detected" indicates that the scratch area SA has been scratched, while Figure 7 shows an example where "no scratch detected" indicates that the scratch area SA has not been scratched.

[0087] First, let's explain an example of when the scratch area SA is determined to have been removed.

[0088] For example, the "clean scratching" in Figure 7 shows an example of a binarized image BEIMG of a scratch region SA where most of the shielding layer SL has been scratched off. In a scratch region SA where most of the shielding layer SL has been scratched off, the area of ​​the removed portion exceeds the threshold area, so it is determined that the scratch region SA has been scratched off.

[0089] Furthermore, for example, the “typical scratching” in Figure 7 shows an example of a binarized image BEIMG of a scratch area SA where the shielding layer SL has been scratched to the extent that the contents of the underlying image BIMG can be easily identified. When the shielding layer SL of a scratch area SA has been scratched to the extent that the contents of the underlying image BIMG can be identified, the area of ​​the removed portion becomes greater than or equal to the threshold area, and therefore the scratch area SA is determined to have been scratched. Accordingly, in this embodiment, even if a scratch card SC has a portion of the shielding layer SL of the scratch area SA remaining, the contents of the underlying image BIMG of the scratch card SC (such as the amount used printed on the scratch area SA) can be identified, and the customer can use it.

[0090] Furthermore, for example, the “test scratching (fraudulent)” in Figure 7 shows an example of a binarized image BEIMG of a scratch region SA where the shielding layer SL has been scraped to the extent that the contents of the underlying image BIMG can be inferred. For example, if the shielding layer SL of the underlying image BIMG is scraped to the extent that the contents of the underlying image BIMG can be inferred, and the shielding layer SL of other scratch regions SA is scraped to the extent that the contents of the underlying image BIMG can be easily determined, then fraudulent activity is likely to have occurred. For this reason, for example, it is preferable that the threshold area be set to be less than or equal to the area of ​​the removed portion when the shielding layer SL is scraped to the extent that the contents of the underlying image BIMG can be inferred. As a result, when the shielding layer SL is scraped to the extent that the contents of the underlying image BIMG can be inferred, the area of ​​the removed portion will be greater than or equal to the threshold area. Therefore, a scratch region SA in which the shielding layer SL has been fraudulently scraped to the extent that the contents of the underlying image BIMG can be inferred is determined to be a scratched area SA.

[0091] Next, we will explain an example in which the scratch area SA is determined not to have been scratched.

[0092] For example, the “clean, unscratched” image in Figure 7 shows an example of a binarized image BEIMG of a scratch region SA where most of the shielding layer SL remains untouched. In a scratch region SA where most of the shielding layer SL remains untouched, the area of ​​the removed portion is smaller than the threshold area, and therefore the scratch region SA is determined to be unscratched. Hereafter, the state in which most of the shielding layer SL remains untouched may be referred to as a clean coating state.

[0093] Furthermore, for example, "minor scratches" in Figure 7 shows an example of a binarized image BEIMG of a scratch region SA in the shielding layer SL where the contents of the underlying image BIMG cannot be confirmed. In a scratch region SA where the contents of the underlying image BIMG cannot be confirmed, if the area of ​​the removed portion including the scratch is smaller than the threshold area, the scratch region SA is determined to have not been scratched.

[0094] Next, with reference to Figure 8, we will explain examples of candidate scratch card SCs that the securities processing device 10 can accept (hereinafter also referred to as candidate scratch card SCs) and examples of scratch card SCs that are returned.

[0095] Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating examples of scratch cards SC that are candidates for acceptance and scratch cards SC that are returned. A scratch card SC that is a candidate for acceptance is, for example, a scratch card SC in which the number of scratch areas SA determined to be scratched out of a plurality of scratch areas SA is between 1 and a predetermined number. The predetermined number is, for example, a number determined by the rules of the scratch card SC (the upper limit of the number of times it can be scratched). In this embodiment, we assume that the predetermined number is 1. That is, in this embodiment, we assume that a scratch card SC in which the number of scratch areas SA determined to be scratched out of a plurality of scratch areas SA is determined to be a candidate for acceptance. Whether or not a scratch card SC is a candidate for acceptance is determined by the identification unit 154.

[0096] In the example shown in Figure 8, the scratch cards SC in Case 1 and Case 2 are determined to be candidates for acceptance, while the scratch cards SC in Cases 3 through 10 are determined to be returned.

[0097] For example, in the first case, of the six scratch areas SA on the scratch card SC, one scratch area SA is cleanly scratched, while the other five scratch areas SA remain clean and covered. In this case, it is determined that only one of the six scratch areas SA has been scratched. Therefore, in the first case, the scratch card SC is determined to be a candidate for acceptance.

[0098] In the second case, of the six scratch areas SA on the scratch card SC, one scratch area SA is scratched to the extent that the content of the background image BIMG can be inferred, while the other five scratch areas SA remain clean. In this case, it is determined that only one of the six scratch areas SA has been scratched. Therefore, in the second case, the scratch card SC is determined to be a candidate for acceptance.

[0099] Furthermore, in the third case, all six scratch areas SA on the scratch card SC are in a clean, covered state. In this case, all six scratch areas SA are determined to be untouched. That is, in the third case, the number of scratch areas SA determined to be untouched is 0, not 1. Therefore, in the third case, the scratch card SC is determined not to be a candidate for acceptance. That is, in the third case, the scratch card SC is determined to be a scratch card SC that will be returned.

[0100] Furthermore, in the fourth case, of the six scratch areas SA on the scratch card SC, two scratch areas SA have scratches that prevent the content of the underlying image BIMG from being seen, while the other four scratch areas SA are in a clean, covered state. In this case, all six scratch areas SA are determined to be untouched. That is, in the fourth case, the number of scratch areas SA determined to be untouched is 0, not 1. Therefore, in the fourth case, the scratch card SC is determined to be a scratch card SC that should be returned.

[0101] Furthermore, in the fifth case, of the six scratch areas SA on the scratch card SC, two scratch areas SA are cleanly scratched, while the other four scratch areas SA remain clean and covered. In this case, it is determined that only two of the six scratch areas SA have been scratched. That is, in the fifth case, the number of scratch areas SA that are determined to be scratched is two, not one. Therefore, in the fifth case, the scratch card SC is determined to be a scratch card SC that should be returned.

[0102] Furthermore, in the sixth case, of the six scratch areas SA on the scratch card SC, one scratch area SA is completely scratched, and of the other five scratch areas SA, one is scratched to the extent that the area of ​​the removed portion exceeds the threshold area. Of the four scratch areas SA other than the two mentioned above, one has a scratch with an area of ​​the removed portion less than the threshold area, and the other three scratch areas SA are in a clean, covered state. For example, the scratch marks on the one scratch area SA that is scratched to the extent that the area of ​​the removed portion exceeds the threshold area are small scratches that appear to have been made to illegally verify the contents of the background image BIMG. In this case, it is determined that only two of the six scratch areas SA have been scratched. That is, in the sixth case, the number of scratch areas SA that are determined to have been scratched is two, not one. Therefore, in the sixth case, it is determined that the scratch card SC is a scratch card SC that should be returned.

[0103] Furthermore, in the seventh case, of the six scratch areas SA on the scratch card SC, two scratch areas SA have been scratched to the extent that the area of ​​the removed portion exceeds the threshold area, while three of the other four scratch areas SA are in a clean, covered state. The remaining one scratch area SA has a scratch where the area of ​​the removed portion is less than the threshold area. For example, the scratch mark on one of the two scratch areas SA that has been scratched to the extent that the area of ​​the removed portion exceeds the threshold area is a small scratch mark that appears to have been made to illegally verify the contents of the background image BIMG. In this case, it is determined that only two of the six scratch areas SA have been scratched. In other words, in the seventh case, the number of scratch areas SA that are determined to be scratched is two, not one. Therefore, in the seventh case, it is determined that the scratch card SC is a scratch card SC that should be returned.

[0104] Furthermore, in the eighth case, of the six scratch areas SA on the scratch card SC, two scratch areas SA have been scratched to the extent that the area of ​​the removed portion exceeds the threshold area, while three of the other four scratch areas SA are in a clean, covered state. The remaining one scratch area SA has a scratch where the area of ​​the removed portion is less than the threshold area. For example, the scratch mark on one of the two scratch areas SA that has been scratched to the extent that the area of ​​the removed portion exceeds the threshold area is a small scratch mark, suggesting it was scratched in order to illegally verify the contents of the background image BIMG. In this case, it is determined that only two of the six scratch areas SA have been scratched. That is, in the eighth case, the number of scratch areas SA that are determined to be scratched is two, not one. Therefore, in the eighth case, it is determined that the scratch card SC is a scratch card SC that should be returned.

[0105] In the ninth case, of the six scratch areas SA on the scratch card SC, two scratch areas SA have been scratched to the extent that the area of ​​the removed portion is greater than or equal to the threshold area, while three of the other four scratch areas SA are in a clean, covered state. The remaining one scratch area SA has a scratch where the area of ​​the removed portion is less than the threshold area. Note that each of the two scratch areas SA that have been scratched to the extent that the area of ​​the removed portion is greater than or equal to the threshold area has been scratched to the extent that the content of the background image BIMG can be inferred. In this case, it is determined that only two of the six scratch areas SA have been scratched. That is, in the ninth case, the number of scratch areas SA that are determined to be scratched is two, not one. Therefore, in the ninth case, it is determined that the scratch card SC is a scratch card SC that should be returned.

[0106] Furthermore, in the 10th case, of the six scratch areas SA on the scratch card SC, four scratch areas SA have been scratched to the extent that the area of ​​the removed portion exceeds the threshold area, while the other two scratch areas SA remain clean. For example, the scratches on three of the four scratch areas SA that have been scratched to the extent that the area of ​​the removed portion exceeds the threshold area are small scratches that appear to have been made to illegally verify the contents of the background image BIMG. In this case, it is determined that only four of the six scratch areas SA have been scratched. That is, in the 10th case, the number of scratch areas SA that are determined to have been scratched is four, not one. Therefore, in the 10th case, it is determined that the scratch card SC is a scratch card SC that should be returned.

[0107] Thus, in this embodiment, the securities processing device 10 can automatically identify whether or not a scratch card SC inserted into the device is a scratch card SC in which the scratch area SA has been properly scratched. A scratch card SC in which the scratch area SA has been properly scratched is a scratch card SC in which the number of substantially scratched scratch areas SA out of multiple scratch areas SA is 1 or more and less than or equal to a predetermined number (a predetermined upper limit of the number of scratches).

[0108] Next, referring to Figure 9, we will explain the comparison image RSIMG, which is compared with the extracted image EIMG of the scratched area SA.

[0109] Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a comparative image RSIMG.

[0110] The comparison image RSIMG is generated, for example, when a scratch card SC is determined to be a candidate scratch card SC for acceptance. For example, the comparison image RSIMG is generated based on multiple background images BIMG corresponding to the type of scratch card SC for acceptance, and a residual image RCIMG, which is an image of the remaining portion (unscratched portion) of the occlusion layer SL in the scratched scratch area SA. For example, the residual image RCIMG of the scratched scratch area SA may be generated by extracting an image of the remaining portion of the occlusion layer SL from the extracted image EIMG of the scratch area SA. Alternatively, the residual image RCIMG of the scratched scratch area SA may be generated by converting the color of the binarized image BEIMG of the scratch area SA to the color of the occlusion layer SL. The color of the occlusion layer SL used for the conversion may be a representative color of the occlusion layer SL in the extracted image EIMG (for example, a color corresponding to the average value of the pixel values ​​of the occlusion layer SL). The residual image RCIMG is associated with information indicating the position of the remaining portion within the scratch area SA.

[0111] The identification unit 154 generates a comparison image RSIMG corresponding to each background image BIMG by, for example, adding a residual image RCIMG of the scratched scratch area SA to each of the multiple background images BIMG corresponding to the type of scratch card SC of the candidate to be accepted. Specifically, for example, the identification unit 154 generates a comparison image RSIMG corresponding to each background image BIMG by superimposing the residual image RCIMG onto each background image BIMG. Note that superimposing the residual image RCIMG onto the background image BIMG is equivalent to superimposing the remaining portion of the shielding layer SL onto the background image BIMG.

[0112] Next, referring to Figure 10, we will explain the process for identifying the underlying image BIMG of the scratched area SA.

[0113] Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the process for identifying the underlying image BIMG of the scratched area SA. Hereafter, the extracted image EIMG of the scratched area SA may be referred to as the scratch image SAIMG.

[0114] For example, the identification unit 154 compares the scratch image SAIMG with each of the multiple comparison images RSIMG corresponding to the multiple background images BIMG. The identification unit 154 then determines that there is a comparison image RSIMG that matches the scratch image SAIMG if there is a comparison image RSIMG among the multiple comparison images RSIMG that has a similarity to the scratch image SAIMG or higher. In this case, for example, the identification unit 154 identifies the comparison image RSIMG with the highest similarity to the scratch image SAIMG among the multiple comparison images RSIMG as the comparison image RSIMG that matches the scratch image SAIMG. The identification unit 154 also identifies the background image BIMG corresponding to the comparison image RSIMG that has been identified as matching the scratch image SAIMG as the background image BIMG of the scratched area SA.

[0115] In the example shown in Figure 10, the background image BIMG of the scratched area SA is an image showing "500 yen". In this case, among the multiple comparison images RSIMG corresponding to multiple background image BIMGs showing "loser", "50 yen", "100 yen", "200 yen", and "500 yen", the comparison image RSIMG corresponding to the background image BIMG showing "500 yen" is identified as the comparison image RSIMG that matches the scratched image SAIMG. Then, the background image BIMG showing "500 yen" that corresponds to the comparison image RSIMG that matches the scratched image SAIMG is identified as the background image BIMG of the scratched area SA.

[0116] Thus, in this embodiment, a scratch card SC in which the scratch area SA has been properly scratched can be automatically identified, and the background image BIMG of the scratched scratch area SA on the scratch card SC can be automatically identified. As a result, in this embodiment, it is possible to automatically determine whether or not to accept the scratch card SC inserted into the securities processing device 10.

[0117] Next, with reference to Figure 11, we will describe the general operation of the securities processing device 10 when an employee or customer processes a settlement for purchased goods using securities ST such as gift certificates GT and scratch cards SC.

[0118] Figure 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the securities processing device 10 when performing settlement processing using securities ST. The process in step S100 is executed, for example, when an employee or customer inserts securities ST into the input unit 110. In this embodiment, when settlement processing of purchased goods is performed using multiple securities ST, it is assumed that securities ST are inserted into the input unit 110 one at a time. Also, in the operation shown in Figure 11, for the sake of clarity, it is assumed that the securities ST are either gift certificates GT or scratch cards SC.

[0119] First, in step S100, the processing unit 150 functions as an operation control unit 152 and controls the transport unit 160 to load the security ST loaded into the input unit 110 into the security processing unit 10 (more specifically, the image reading unit 120). As a result, the security ST loaded into the input unit 110 (the security ST to be identified) passes through the image reading unit 120 in step S120.

[0120] In step S120, the image reading unit 120 reads the image IIMG of the security ST passing through the image reading unit 120. As a result, the image reading unit 120 generates image information of the security ST to be identified.

[0121] Next, in step S130, the processing unit 150 functions as an identification unit 154 and determines whether the security ST to be identified is a scratch card SC. For example, the identification unit 154 uses each of the multiple security type discrimination images TIMG stored in the security type table TBL2 as a template image and performs template matching on the image IIMG of the security ST to be identified. This detects whether an image matching any of the multiple security type discrimination images TIMG exists within the image IIMG of the security ST to be identified.

[0122] Here, for example, if an image matching one of the multiple denomination identification images TIMG exists within the image IIMG of the security ST to be identified, the security ST to be identified is a scratch card SC. Therefore, if an image matching one of the multiple denomination identification images TIMG exists within the image IIMG of the security ST to be identified, the image of the denomination printed portion within the image IIMG of the scratch card SC, which is the security ST to be identified, will match one of the multiple denomination identification images TIMG. In this case, the denomination of the scratch card SC corresponding to the denomination identification image TIMG that matches the image of the denomination printed portion within the image IIMG of the scratch card SC, which is the security ST to be identified, is identified as the denomination of the scratch card SC to be identified.

[0123] The identification unit 154 determines that the security ST to be identified is a scratch card SC if it detects that an image matching one of the multiple ticket type identification images TIMG exists within the image IIMG of the security ST to be identified. In this case, the identification unit 154 identifies the ticket type of the scratch card SC that corresponds to the ticket type identification image TIMG that matches the image of the ticket type printed portion within the image IIMG of the scratch card SC, which is the security ST to be identified, as the ticket type of the scratch card SC to be identified.

[0124] Furthermore, if the identification unit 154 does not detect that an image matching any of the multiple ticket type identification images TIMG exists within the security ST image IIMG, it determines that the security ST to be identified is not a scratch card SC. In this case, the security ST to be identified is treated as a gift certificate GT.

[0125] Thus, in step S130, it is determined whether the security ST to be identified is a scratch card SC by template matching, using each of the multiple ticket type identification images TIMG as a template image.

[0126] If the result of the determination in step S130 is negative, that is, if it is determined that the security ST to be identified is not a scratch card SC, the processing unit 150 executes a gift certificate acceptance determination process in step S140. As will be described in detail in Figure 12, in the gift certificate acceptance determination process, the identification unit 154 determines whether the security processing unit 10 can accept the gift certificate GT (gift certificate GT inserted into the input unit 110), which is the security ST to be identified. Gift certificate GT that is determined to be unacceptable is returned to the input unit 110. In this embodiment, until the result of the determination by the gift certificate acceptance determination process (the result of the determination of whether or not it can be accepted) is known, the gift certificate GT is maintained with a portion of it passing through the end ED2 of the image reading unit 120, as explained in Figure 2.

[0127] On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S130 is affirmative, that is, if the security ST to be identified is determined to be a scratch card SC, the processing unit 150 executes a scratch card acceptance determination process in step S150. As will be described in detail in Figure 13, in the scratch card acceptance determination process, the identification unit 154 determines whether the security processing unit 10 can accept the scratch card SC (scratch card SC inserted into the input unit 110), which is the security ST to be identified. Scratch card SC that is determined to be unacceptable is returned to the input unit 110. In this embodiment, until the result of the determination by the scratch card acceptance determination process (the determination result of whether or not it can be accepted) is known, the scratch card SC is maintained with a part of it passing through the end ED2 of the image reading unit 120, as explained in Figure 2.

[0128] After the processing unit 150 performs the gift certificate acceptance determination process in step S140 or the scratch card acceptance determination process in step S150, it proceeds to step S180.

[0129] In step S180, the processing unit 150 functions as an operation control unit 152 and determines whether or not there is another security ST (security ST to be inserted into the input unit 110).

[0130] For example, if the POS register 20 is a self-checkout register, the processing unit 150 may function as a display control unit 151 and display a selection screen on the display operation unit 21 of the POS register 20 to select whether or not there is a security ST to be inserted next. If it is selected via the selection screen that there is a security ST to be inserted next, the operation control unit 152 may determine that there is another security ST. In this case, the display control unit 151 may display an input screen on the display operation unit 21 instructing the insertion of the next security ST. Alternatively, if it is selected via the selection screen that there is no security ST to be inserted next, the operation control unit 152 may determine that there is no next security ST. In this case, the display control unit 151 may display an input screen on the display operation unit 21 instructing the execution of the settlement process.

[0131] Furthermore, for example, if the POS register 20 is a regular counter-type register or a semi-self-service register, the processing unit 150 may function as a display control unit 151 and display a confirmation screen on the display operation unit 21 of the POS register 20 to confirm the identification result of the securities ST to be identified. The confirmation screen may display, for example, several buttons for the GUI (Graphical User Interface), such as a "continue input" button pressed when there is another securities ST to be inserted, and a "start settlement" button pressed when the settlement process is to begin. In this case, the operation control unit 152 may, for example, determine that there is another securities ST when the "continue input" button on the confirmation screen is pressed, and determine that there is no next securities ST when the "start settlement" button on the confirmation screen is pressed.

[0132] If the result of the determination in step S180 is positive, that is, if there is another security ST to be inserted, the processing unit 150 returns to step S100. For example, if an employee or customer inserts the next security ST into the input unit 110, the series of processes from step S100 to step S130 are executed on the security ST inserted into the input unit 110 (the next security ST). Then, the process in step S140 or S150 is executed.

[0133] On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S180 is negative, that is, if there are no securities ST to be inserted next, the processing unit 150 proceeds to step S200. Also, if the result of the determination in step S180 is negative, the employee 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 securities STs were deemed acceptable, but the fourth securities ST was deemed unacceptable, the settlement process using the first to third securities STs may be performed.

[0134] 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 an employee 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.

[0135] 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.

[0136] 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 securities ST 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 securities ST stored on the opening / closing plate 132 to the storage unit 140. As a result, the securities ST (securities ST used in settlement processing) temporarily stored in the temporary storage unit 130 are stored in the storage unit 140.

[0137] The process in step S220 is executed, and the operation shown in Figure 11 is completed.

[0138] The operation of the securities processing device 10 is not limited to the example shown in Figure 11. For example, if a securities ST is returned that has been determined to be unacceptable by the gift certificate acceptance determination process in step S140 or the scratch card acceptance determination process in step S150, it may be possible to choose whether to continue or cancel the settlement process using the securities ST. For example, if the first to third securities STs were accepted, but the fourth securities ST was determined to be unacceptable, it is conceivable that the user would want to cancel the use of the first to third securities STs. If the user chooses to cancel the use of the first to third securities STs, the first to third securities STs 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.

[0139] Furthermore, for example, if a security ST that has been determined to be unacceptable in the gift certificate acceptance determination process of step S140 or the scratch card acceptance determination process of step S150 is returned, the processing device 150 may terminate the operation shown in Figure 11. In this case as well, the security ST stored in the temporary storage unit 130 can be retrieved by unlocking the temporary storage unit outlet 131 of the temporary storage unit 130.

[0140] Thus, in this embodiment, since the securities processing device 10 into which the security ST is inserted determines whether or not the security ST is a scratch card SC, both scratch cards SC and gift certificates GT can be processed by the same securities processing device 10.

[0141] Next, we will explain an example of the process for determining whether a gift certificate is accepted, referring to Figure 12.

[0142] Figure 12 is a flowchart of an example of the gift certificate acceptance determination process. The gift certificate acceptance determination process shown in Figure 12 is executed as the process in step S140 of Figure 11 if the determination result in step S130 of Figure 11 is negative. In the gift certificate acceptance determination process, the image IIMG of security ST read by the image reading unit 120 in step S120 of Figure 11 is the image IIMGgt of the gift certificate GT to be identified. The processing unit 150 functions as an identification unit 154 in each of steps S142 to S146, and functions as an operation control unit 152 in each of steps S148 and S149. The series of processes from step S142 to step S146 is an example of the "gift certificate identification process".

[0143] First, in step S142, the identification unit 154 determines whether a reference gift certificate image RIMG (an acceptable gift certificate image IIMGgt) that matches the image IIMGgt of the gift certificate GT to be identified is stored in the gift certificate type table TBL1. For example, the identification unit 154 compares each of the multiple reference gift certificate images RIMG stored in the gift certificate type table TBL1 with the image IIMGgt of the gift certificate GT to be identified. Then, based on the comparison result, the identification unit 154 determines whether there is a reference gift certificate image RIMG that matches the image IIMGgt of the gift certificate GT to be identified among the multiple reference gift certificate images RIMG stored in the gift certificate type table TBL1.

[0144] 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 certain threshold, the two images may be considered identical. Known methods can be used to calculate the similarity between two images.

[0145] For example, the identification unit 154 uses AI (Artificial Intelligence) to calculate the similarity between two images to calculate the similarity between each of the multiple reference gift certificate images RIMG and the image IIMGgt of the gift certificate GT to be identified. Then, if there is a reference gift certificate image RIMG among the multiple reference gift certificate images RIMG that has a similarity to the image IIMGgt of the gift certificate GT to be identified that is equal to or greater than a certain threshold, the identification unit 154 determines that there is a reference gift certificate image RIMG that matches the image IIMGgt of the gift certificate GT to be identified. In this case, for example, the reference gift certificate image RIMG with the highest similarity to the image IIMGgt of the gift certificate GT to be identified is identified as the reference gift certificate image RIMG that matches the image IIMGgt of the gift certificate GT to be identified. As a result, the gift certificate type corresponding to the reference gift certificate image RIMG that matches the image IIMGgt of the gift certificate GT to be identified is identified as the gift certificate type of the gift certificate GT to be identified. Thus, the process in step S142 is a gift certificate type identification process that identifies the gift certificate type of the gift certificate GT to be identified.

[0146] Here, we will briefly explain an example of a process for calculating the similarity between two images using AI. For example, the identification unit 154 generates a feature vector for image IIMGgt by performing a process to generate a feature vector representing the features of the image IIMGgt for the image IIMGgt of the gift certificate GT to be identified. The process for generating the feature vector includes, for example, multiple convolutional layers and pooling layers in a convolutional neural network. For example, the identification unit 154 generates the feature vector for image IIMGgt using an AI model that has been trained (metric learning) to reduce the distance between feature vectors of multiple images of the same gift certificate type and increase the distance between feature vectors of multiple images of different gift certificate types. Then, the identification unit 154 calculates the similarity between image IIMGgt and each reference gift certificate image RIMG based on the inter-vector distance, which is the distance between the feature vector of image IIMGgt and the feature vector of each reference gift certificate image RIMG. Note that, as in the example above, when a distance-learned model is used, for example, the feature information representing the feature vector of the reference gift certificate image RIMG is stored in the gift certificate type table TBL1, associated with the reference gift certificate image RIMG.

[0147] Thus, the voucher type identification process for gift certificates (GT) uses an AI model generated by distance learning specifically for gift certificates (GT) and coupons. However, while the aforementioned AI model is very effective for gift certificates (GT) and coupons, which have many types and many similar vouchers, the AI ​​model used for voucher type identification is not limited to the distance learning model described above; it is possible to use any generally known AI model.

[0148] If the result of the determination in step S142 is negative, that is, if it is determined that there is no reference gift certificate image RIMG that matches the image IIMGgt 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 S149.

[0149] 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 gift certificate image RIMG that matches the image IIMGgt of the gift certificate GT to be identified, the identification unit 154 determines that the gift certificate GT to be identified is a gift certificate GT that is a candidate for acceptance, and proceeds to step S144.

[0150] In step S144, the identification unit 154 performs character recognition processing, such as OCR processing, on the image IIMGgt 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 IIMGgt of the gift certificate GT to be identified. The information indicating the location of the expiration date area NAR within the image IIMGgt of the gift certificate GT is stored in the gift certificate type table TBL1, 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 TBL1 and identifies the location of the expiration date area NAR of the gift certificate type corresponding to the reference gift certificate image RIMG that matches the image IIMGgt of the gift certificate GT to be identified as the location of the expiration date area NAR within the image IIMGgt 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 IIMGgt of the gift certificate GT by performing OCR processing on the expiration date area NAR identified by referring to the gift certificate type table TBL1 within the image IIMGgt 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 identifies the expiration date of the gift certificate GT to be identified.

[0151] 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 ".".

[0152] After executing the process in step S144, the identification unit 154 proceeds to step S145.

[0153] 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. The identification unit 154 may also determine that the gift certificate GT to be identified is not a gift certificate GT that is within its validity period if the expiration date is not printed in the expiration date area NAR identified by referring to the gift certificate type table TBL1 in the image IIMGgt of the gift certificate GT to be identified. In other words, the identification unit 154 may determine that the gift certificate GT to be identified is not a gift certificate GT that is within its validity period if the expiration date is not identified in the character recognition process in step S144.

[0154] 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 validity period, the identification unit 154 determines that the gift certificate GT cannot be accepted and proceeds to step S149.

[0155] 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. In this way, the characters printed in the validity period area NAR of the gift certificate GT are identified through the series of processes in steps S144 and S145. Hereafter, the series of processes in steps S144 and S145 will also be referred to as the character information identification process.

[0156] 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 identification 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 by the counterfeit identification process is a genuine gift certificate.

[0157] For example, the identification unit 154 performs color analysis on the image IIMGgt 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 gift certificate image RIMG are stored in the gift certificate type table TBL1, 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 gift certificate image RIMG that matches the image IIMGgt of the gift certificate GT to be identified from the gift certificate type table TBL1. By comparing the color analysis result of the reference gift certificate image RIMG that matches the image IIMGgt of the gift certificate GT to be identified with the color analysis result of the image IIMGgt 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, more accurate analysis is possible.

[0158] Furthermore, in the counterfeit identification process, in addition to judgment based on color, it is also possible to determine whether the target gift certificate GT is counterfeit by comparing a specific part within the image IIMGgt of the gift certificate GT and identifying the degradation of image resolution due to copying.

[0159] 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 determines that the gift certificate GT cannot be accepted and proceeds to step S149.

[0160] 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.

[0161] In step S148, the operation control unit 152 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.

[0162] Thus, if the gift certificate GT to be identified is determined to be a gift certificate GT within its validity period and is determined to be a genuine gift certificate, the gift certificate GT held at the end ED2 of the image reading unit 120 is transported to the temporary storage unit 130. After executing the process in step S148, the processing unit 150 proceeds to step S180 in Figure 11.

[0163] Furthermore, in step S149, the operation control unit 152 controls the transport unit 160 to return the gift certificate GT held at the end ED2 of the image reading unit 120 to the input unit 110. For example, the operation control unit 152 reverses the transport roller ROL to transport the security ST held at the end ED2 of the image reading unit 120 to the input unit 110 and discharge it from the input unit 110 to the outside. As a result, the gift certificate GT that has been determined to be unacceptable is returned to the input unit 110.

[0164] Thus, if it is determined that there is no reference gift certificate image RIMG that matches the image IIMGgt of the gift certificate GT to be identified, if it is determined that the gift certificate GT to be identified is not a gift certificate GT within its expiration date, or if it is determined that the gift certificate GT to be identified is not a genuine gift certificate, the gift certificate GT is returned to the input unit 110. After executing the process in step S149, the processing unit 150 proceeds to step S180 in Figure 11.

[0165] In this way, the process of determining whether a gift certificate is accepted is completed when the process in step S148 or step S149 is executed.

[0166] In this embodiment, in addition to the voucher type identification process (processing in step S142), character information identification (a series of processes in steps S144 and S145) and counterfeit voucher identification (processing in step S142) are performed, so that vouchers GT that have expired or counterfeit vouchers can also be identified. In other words, in this embodiment, for example, the probability that a voucher GT that cannot be used at a retail store where a POS register 20 is installed will be judged as acceptable can be reduced. As a result, in this embodiment, the number of times staff are called to a retail store such as a supermarket can be reduced, and the customer turnover rate can be improved. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the probability that a voucher GT that cannot be used at a retail store will be judged as acceptable is reduced, it is also effective in reducing customer stress.

[0167] Note that the gift certificate acceptance determination process is not limited to the example shown in Figure 12. For example, in step S142, the image reading unit 120 may acquire image information of both sides of the gift certificate GT and perform a determination of which side is which. Also, for example, the series of processes in steps S144 and S145 may be executed in parallel with the process in step S146, or after the process in step S146.

[0168] Furthermore, for example, of the three identification processes—the voucher type identification process, the character information identification process, and the counterfeit voucher identification process—only the voucher type identification process for the voucher GT may be executed, or only two of the identification processes, including the voucher type identification process for the voucher GT, may be executed.

[0169] Furthermore, for example, the identification unit 154 may read the encrypted barcode of the JAN (Japanese Article Number) code printed on the gift certificate GT and perform barcode processing to confirm the validity of the gift certificate GT based on the information read from the barcode. For example, in barcode processing, if the type of gift certificate identified based on the JAN code matches the type of gift certificate GT identified in the gift certificate type identification processing of the gift certificate GT, it is determined that the gift certificate GT identified in the gift certificate type identification processing of the gift certificate GT is valid. Furthermore, for example, the identification unit 154 may perform one or more of the following: shape identification processing based on the degree of notches and scale of the gift certificate GT identified by image processing, thickness identification processing based on the thickness of the gift certificate GT, and magnetic identification processing using magnetism. One or more of the barcode processing, shape identification processing, thickness identification processing, and magnetic identification processing may be performed in addition to, or in place of, character information identification processing and counterfeit identification processing, or one or both of character information identification processing and counterfeit identification processing.

[0170] Furthermore, for example, in step S142, if the identification unit 154 detects two or more reference gift certificate image RIMGs whose similarity to the image IIMGgt of the gift certificate GT to be identified is equal to or greater than a standard value, it may perform template matching. For example, the identification unit 154 uses a predetermined feature image (such as the logo of the gift certificate GT) of the two or more reference gift certificate image RIMGs as a template image and performs template matching on the image IIMGgt of the gift certificate GT to be identified. If a portion matching the template image is detected in the image IIMGgt of the gift certificate GT to be identified, the reference gift certificate image RIMG containing the feature image used as the template image is identified as a reference gift certificate image RIMG that matches the image IIMGgt of the gift certificate GT to be identified.

[0171] Next, an example of the scratch card acceptance determination process will be explained with reference to Figure 13.

[0172] Figure 13 is a flowchart of an example of the scratch card acceptance determination process. The scratch card acceptance determination process shown in Figure 13 is executed as the process in step S150 of Figure 11 if the result of the determination in step S130 of Figure 11 is positive. In the scratch card acceptance determination process, the image IIMG of security ST read by the image reading unit 120 in step S120 of Figure 11 is the image IIMGsc of the scratch card SC to be identified. The type of scratch card SC to be identified is determined by the process (template matching) in step S130 of Figure 11. Also, in Figure 13, it is assumed that scratch cards SC with more than one scratched area SA are not accepted.

[0173] The series of processes from step S151 to step S156 is the scratch card identification process described in Figures 6 to 10. Note that the series of processes from step S151 to step S156 is an example of the "scratch card identification process". Detailed explanations of processes similar to those described in Figures 6 to 10 are omitted. The processing unit 150 functions as an identification unit 154 in each of steps S151 to S156, and as an operation control unit 152 in each of steps S160 and S161.

[0174] First, in step S151, the identification unit 154 identifies the scratch area SA of the scratch card SC to be identified. For example, as explained in Figure 6, the identification unit 154 generates an extracted image EIMG of multiple scratch areas SA by superimposing a mask image MIMG associated with the type of scratch card SC onto the image IIMGsc of the scratch card SC to be identified.

[0175] Next, in step S152, the identification unit 154 binarizes the extracted image EIMG of the scratch region SA identified in step S151. For example, as explained in Figure 6, the identification unit 154 generates a binarized image BEIMG of the scratch region SA by binarizing the extracted image EIMG of the scratch region SA.

[0176] Next, in step S153, the identification unit 154 determines whether or not the number of scratched areas SA is one. For example, as explained in Figures 7 and 8, the identification unit 154 determines whether or not each scratched area SA has been scratched based on the area of ​​the removed portion of each scratched area SA, and determines whether or not the number of scratched areas SA is one.

[0177] If the result of the determination in step S153 is negative, that is, if it is determined that the number of scratched areas SA is not one, the identification unit 154 determines that the scratch card SC cannot be accepted and proceeds to step S161.

[0178] If the result of the determination in step S153 is positive, that is, if it is determined that the number of scratched areas SA is 1, the identification unit 154 determines that the scratch card SC to be identified is a candidate scratch card SC for acceptance, and proceeds to step S154.

[0179] In step S154, the identification unit 154 generates multiple comparison images RSIMG corresponding to multiple background images BIMG associated with the type of scratch card SC to be identified. For example, as explained in Figure 9, the identification unit 154 generates multiple comparison images RSIMG based on the residual image RCIMG of the remaining portion of the shielding layer SL in the scratched area SA and the multiple background images BIMG.

[0180] Next, in step S155, the identification unit 154 compares each of the multiple comparison images RSIMG with the scratch image SAIMG (extracted image EIMG of the scratched scratch region SA), as explained in Figure 10.

[0181] Next, in step S156, the identification unit 154 determines whether or not there is a comparison image RSIMG among the multiple comparison images RSIMG that matches the scratch image SAIMG. For example, as explained in Figure 10, the identification unit 154 determines that there is a comparison image RSIMG that matches the scratch image SAIMG if there is a comparison image RSIMG among the multiple comparison images RSIMG whose similarity to the scratch image SAIMG is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. In this case, the background image BIMG corresponding to the comparison image RSIMG that matches the scratch image SAIMG is identified as the background image BIMG of the scratched scratch area SA. Also, if there is no comparison image RSIMG among the multiple comparison images RSIMG whose similarity to the scratch image SAIMG is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the identification unit 154 determines that there is no comparison image RSIMG that matches the scratch image SAIMG.

[0182] If the result of the determination in step S156 is negative, that is, if it is determined that there is no comparison image RSIMG that matches the scratch image SAIMG, the identification unit 154 determines that the scratch card SC cannot be accepted and proceeds to step S161.

[0183] On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S156 is positive, that is, if it is determined that there is a comparison image RSIMG that matches the scratch image SAIMG, the identification unit 154 proceeds to step S160.

[0184] In step S160, the operation control unit 152 controls the transport unit 160 to transport the scratch card SC held at the end ED2 of the image reading unit 120 to the temporary storage unit 130. For example, the operation control unit 152 releases the scratch card SC held at the end ED2 of the image reading unit 120 and transports it to the temporary storage unit 130 by rotating the transport roller ROL in the forward direction. As a result, the scratch card SC determined to be acceptable is stored in the temporary storage unit 130.

[0185] Thus, if it is determined that there is one scratched area SA and that there is a comparison image RSIMG that matches the scratch image SAIMG, the scratch card SC held at the end ED2 of the image reading unit 120 is transported to the temporary storage unit 130. After executing the process in step S160, the processing unit 150 proceeds to step S180 in Figure 11.

[0186] Furthermore, in step S161, the operation control unit 152 controls the transport unit 160 to return the scratch card SC held at the end ED2 of the image reading unit 120 to the input unit 110. For example, the operation control unit 152 reverses the rotation of the transport roller ROL to transport the scratch card SC held at the end ED2 of the image reading unit 120 to the input unit 110 and discharge it from the input unit 110 to the outside. As a result, the scratch card SC that has been determined to be unacceptable is returned to the input unit 110.

[0187] Thus, if it is determined that there is more than one scratched area SA, or if it is determined that there is no comparison image RSIMG that matches the scratch image SAIMG, the scratch card SC is returned to the input unit 110. After executing the process in step S161, the processing unit 150 proceeds to step S180 in Figure 11.

[0188] In this way, the scratch card acceptance determination process is completed when the process in step S160 or the process in step S161 is executed.

[0189] Note that the scratch card acceptance determination process is not limited to the example shown in Figure 13. For example, if the upper limit of the number of scratches determined by the rules of the scratch card SC is n times (where n is a natural number of 2 or more and less than or equal to the number of scratch areas SA), the identification unit 154 determines in step S153 whether the number of scratched scratch areas SA is 1 or more and n or less. If the number of scratched scratch areas SA is 1 or more and n or less, the identification unit 154 proceeds to step S154, and if the number of scratched scratch areas SA is not 1 or more and n or less, the process proceeds to step S161.

[0190] In this embodiment, the settlement processing system 1 includes 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 securities ST. The securities processing device 10 includes an input unit 110 into which securities ST are inserted, a transport unit 160 for transporting the securities ST inserted into the input unit 110, an image reading unit 120 for reading an image IIMG of the securities ST inserted into the input unit 110, an identification unit 154 for determining whether or not to accept the securities ST by identifying the securities ST inserted into the input unit 110 based on the image IIMG of the securities ST, and an operation control unit 152 for controlling the transport operation of the securities ST by the transport unit 160 according to the determination result of the identification unit 154. The identification unit 154 identifies whether the security ST is a scratch card SC or a gift certificate GT. If the security ST is identified as a scratch card SC, it performs a scratch card identification process on the image IIMG of the security ST to identify a scratch card SC, thereby determining whether the security ST can be accepted. If the security ST is identified as a gift certificate GT, it performs a gift certificate identification process on the image IIMG of the security ST to identify a gift certificate GT, thereby determining whether the security ST can be accepted.

[0191] Thus, in this embodiment, the security ST inserted into the security processing device 10 is identified as either a scratch card SC or a gift certificate GT. Therefore, in this embodiment, scratch cards SC and gift certificates GT can be processed by the same security processing device. As a result, in this embodiment, for example, when settling a purchase for a customer, the work of an employee visually checking the scratch card SC can be eliminated. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the validity of the scratch card SC and the correct usable amount can be recognized by the scratch card identification process, the time required for settlement processing using scratch cards SC can be significantly reduced.

[0192] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the securities processing device 10 further includes a storage unit 140 for storing acceptable securities ST. The operation control unit 152 transports the securities ST to the storage unit when the identification unit 154 determines that the securities ST is acceptable, and discharges the securities ST to the outside when the identification unit 154 determines that the securities ST is unacceptable. The POS register 20 and the change dispenser 30 execute the settlement process for the goods the customer wishes to purchase, according to the identification result of the identification unit 154, when the identification unit 154 determines that the securities ST is acceptable. As a result, in this embodiment, scratch cards SC or gift certificates GT that have been determined to be unacceptable by the securities processing device 10 can be promptly returned to the employee or customer. In addition, in this embodiment, since scratch cards SC that have been determined to be acceptable by the securities processing device 10 are used for settlement, settlement processing using scratch cards SC can be automatically executed without the employee having to visually check the scratch cards SC. For example, in this embodiment, if the POS register 20 is a regular counter-type register or a semi-self-service register, the payment process using the scratch card SC can be automatically executed without the employee visually checking the scratch card SC. Also, for example, if the POS register 20 is a self-service register, the customer can complete the payment process by themselves. In this way, since the payment process using the scratch card SC can be executed automatically in this embodiment, the time required for payment processing using the scratch card SC can be significantly reduced. As a result, the efficiency of payment operations using the scratch card SC can be dramatically improved in this embodiment.

[0193] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a type identification image TIMG for identifying each of the multiple types of scratch cards SC is stored in advance, associated with each type of scratch card SC. The identification unit 154 determines whether a security ST is a scratch card SC by performing template matching on the security ST using the type identification image TIMG corresponding to each type of scratch card SC as a template image. If it determines that the security ST is a scratch card SC, it performs scratch card identification processing. If it determines that the security ST is not a scratch card SC, it performs gift certificate identification processing. Thus, in this embodiment, the determination of whether a security ST is a scratch card SC is made by performing template matching to identify the type of scratch card SC on the security ST that has been fed into the security processing device 10. For example, if the type of scratch card SC is identified by template matching on the security ST, the security ST is determined to be a scratch card SC. If the type of scratch card SC is not identified by template matching on the security ST, the security ST is determined to be not a scratch card SC. In this embodiment, since it is determined whether a security ST is a scratch card SC or not based on the result of template matching that identifies the type of scratch card SC, it is possible to determine with high accuracy whether a security ST is a scratch card SC or not.

[0194] [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.

[0195] [First variation] In the embodiments described above, an example was given in which a comparison image RSIMG, generated based on the remaining image RCIMG of the scratched area SA and the background image BIMG, is compared with a scratch image SAIMG (extracted image EIMG of the scratched area SA). However, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments. For example, as shown in Figures 14 and 15, an exposed image EXIMG, generated based on the remaining image RCIMG of the scratched area SA and the scratch image SAIMG, may be compared with the background image BIMG.

[0196] Figure 14 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an exposed image EXIMG related to the first modified example.

[0197] The exposure image EXIMG is generated, for example, when a scratch card SC is determined to be a candidate for acceptance. For example, the exposure image EXIMG is generated based on the scratch image SAIMG (extracted image EIMG of the scratched scratch region SA) of the candidate for acceptance scratch card SC and the residual image RCIMG of the remaining portion of the shielding layer SL in the scratched scratch region SA.

[0198] For example, the identification unit 154 extracts only the background image BIMG of the removed portion of the scratched scratch area SA by removing the residual image RCIMG of the scratched scratch area SA from the scratch image SAIMG. Removing the residual image RCIMG from the scratch image SAIMG is equivalent to removing the residual portion from the scratch image SAIMG. By removing the residual portion from the scratch image SAIMG, an exposed image EXIMG is generated that shows only the background image BIMG of the removed portion (the portion where the shielding layer SL has been scraped) from the extracted image EIMG (scratch image SAIMG) of the scratched scratch area SA. As shown in Figure 15, the exposed image EXIMG is compared with multiple background images BIMG corresponding to the type of scratch card SC of the candidate to be accepted.

[0199] Figure 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a process for identifying the scratched area SA (background image BIMG) using the exposed image EXIMG.

[0200] For example, the identification unit 154 compares the exposed image EXIMG of the scratched scratch area SA with each of the multiple background images BIMG corresponding to the type of scratch card SC of the candidate to be accepted. The identification unit 154 then determines that there is a background image BIMG that matches the exposed image EXIMG if there is an exposed image EXIMG among the multiple background images BIMG whose similarity to the exposed image EXIMG is greater than a predetermined value. In this case, for example, the identification unit 154 identifies the background image BIMG with the highest similarity to the exposed image EXIMG among the multiple background images BIMG as the background image BIMG that matches the exposed image EXIMG. The identification unit 154 also identifies the background image BIMG that matches the exposed image EXIMG as the background image BIMG of the scratched scratch area SA.

[0201] In the example shown in Figure 15, the background image BIMG of the scratched area SA is an image showing "500 yen". In this case, among the multiple background image BIMGs showing "miss", "50 yen", "100 yen", "200 yen", and "500 yen", the background image BIMG showing "500 yen" is identified as the background image BIMG that matches the exposed image EXIMG. That is, the background image BIMG showing "500 yen" is identified as the background image BIMG of the scratched area SA.

[0202] In some cases, with scratch cards SC, the printing position of the background image BIMG, which displays information such as "loser" and "50 yen," within the scratch area SA may be shifted from its original printing position. In this modified example, even if the printing position of the background image BIMG within the scratch area SA is shifted from its original printing position, the scratched background image BIMG of the scratch area SA can be identified, as shown in Figure 16.

[0203] Figure 16 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an exposed image EXIMG when the printing position within the scratch area SA of the background image BIMG is shifted from the original printing position. Figure 16 also shows, in proportion to the difference, a comparison image RSIMG generated based on the remaining image RCIMG of the scratched area SA and the background image BIMG. In the example shown in Figure 6, the printing position within the scratch area SA of the background image BIMG is shifted downwards from the original printing position.

[0204] Even if the printing position within the scratch area SA of the background image BIMG is shifted from the original printing position, the scratch area SA is usually scratched to a degree that allows the contents of the background image BIMG (e.g., information such as "500 yen") to be discernible. Therefore, the exposed image EXIMG, generated by removing the remaining portion of the shielding layer SL (the remaining image RCIMG of the scratched scratch area SA) from the scratch image SAIMG, becomes an image that allows the contents of the background image BIMG to be discernible, as shown in Figure 16. The exposed image EXIMG, which allows the contents of the background image BIMG to be discernible, can be expected to have a similarity of at least a predetermined value to the background image BIMG of the scratched scratch area SA among multiple background image BIMGs corresponding to the type of scratch card SC of the candidate for acceptance. Therefore, in this modified example comparing the exposed image EXIMG and the background image BIMG, even if the printing position within the scratch area SA of the background image BIMG is shifted from the original printing position, the background image BIMG of the scratched scratch area SA can be identified.

[0205] Furthermore, for example, in a scratch area SA of the background image BIMG where the printing position is shifted lower than the original printing position, nearly half of the upper part of the scratch area SA may remain unscratched. In this case, nearly half of the upper part of the scratch area SA becomes the remaining portion of the scratch area SA. Therefore, in a proportional relationship where a comparison image RSIMG is generated by adding the remaining image RCIMG of the scratched scratch area SA to the background image BIMG, a large portion of the information portion showing the content of the background image BIMG (for example, information such as "500 yen") may overlap with the remaining image RCIMG. In the proportional relationship shown in Figure 16, the comparison image RSIMG corresponding to "miss" can determine the content of the background image BIMG, but in the other comparison images RSIMG, a large portion of the information portion of the background image BIMG overlaps with the remaining image RCIMG, making it impossible to determine the content of the background image BIMG. In this case, it may become difficult to detect a comparison image RSIMG that matches the scratch image SAIMG. Therefore, in a proportional relationship, if the printing position of the background image BIMG within the scratch area SA is shifted from its original printing position, it may not be possible to identify the background image BIMG of the scratched area SA.

[0206] In contrast, this modified version, as described above, can suppress the issue where the scratched scratch area SA's background image BIMG is not identified when the printing position of the background image BIMG within the scratch area SA is shifted from the original printing position.

[0207] Next, with reference to Figure 17, an example of scratch card acceptance determination processing using the exposed image EXIMG will be described.

[0208] Figure 17 is a flowchart showing an example of a scratch card acceptance determination process using the exposed image EXIMG. The scratch card acceptance determination process shown in Figure 17 is the same as the scratch card acceptance determination process shown in Figure 13, except that a series of processes from steps S157 to S159 are executed instead of a series of processes from steps S154 to S156 shown in Figure 13. Therefore, the scratch card acceptance determination process shown in Figure 17 is executed as the process of step S150 in Figure 11 if the result of the determination in step S130 in Figure 11 is positive. The processing unit 150 functions as an identification unit 154 in each of steps S151 to S159, and functions as an operation control unit 152 in each of steps S160 and S161.

[0209] Figure 17 will focus on explaining the series of processes from step S157 to step S159, which are differences from the scratch card acceptance determination process shown in Figure 13. For example, if the result of the determination in step S153 is negative, step S154 is executed in the scratch card acceptance determination process shown in Figure 13, but in the scratch card acceptance determination process shown in Figure 17, the process in step S157 is executed.

[0210] In step S157, the identification unit 154 generates an exposed image EXIMG of the scratched area SA on the scratch card SC to be identified. For example, as explained in Figure 14, the identification unit 154 generates the exposed image EXIMG by removing the remaining image RCIMG of the scratched area SA on the scratch card SC to be identified from the scratch image SAIMG.

[0211] Next, in step S158, the identification unit 154 compares each of the multiple background images BIMG corresponding to the type of scratch card SC to be identified with the exposed image EXIMG of the scratched area SA, as explained in Figure 15.

[0212] Next, in step S159, the identification unit 154 determines whether or not there is a background image BIMG among the multiple background image BIMGs that matches the exposed image EXIMG. For example, as explained in Figure 15, the identification unit 154 determines that there is a background image BIMG that matches the exposed image EXIMG if there is a background image BIMG among the multiple background image BIMGs that has a similarity to the exposed image EXIMG of a predetermined value or higher. In this case, the background image BIMG that matches the exposed image EXIMG is identified as the background image BIMG of the scratched area SA. Also, if there is no background image BIMG among the multiple background image BIMGs that has a similarity to the exposed image EXIMG of a predetermined value or higher, the identification unit 154 determines that there is no background image BIMG that matches the exposed image EXIMG.

[0213] If the result of the determination in step S159 is negative, that is, if it is determined that there is no background image BIMG that matches the exposed image EXIMG, the identification unit 154 determines that the scratch card SC cannot be accepted and proceeds to step S161. Therefore, if it is determined that there is no background image BIMG that matches the exposed image EXIMG of the scratched scratch area SA, the scratch card SC held at the end ED2 of the image reading unit 120 is returned to the insertion unit 110 in step S161.

[0214] On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S159 is positive, that is, if it is determined that there is a comparison image RSIMG that matches the exposed image EXIMG, the identification unit 154 proceeds to step S160. Therefore, if it is determined that there is a background image BIMG that matches the exposed image EXIMG of the scratched area SA, the scratch card SC held at the end ED2 of the image reading unit 120 is transported to the temporary storage unit 130 in step S160.

[0215] The scratch card acceptance determination process shown in Figure 17 is completed when the process in step S160 or the process in step S161 is executed.

[0216] Thus, in this modified example, the identification unit 154 generates an exposed image EXIMG from the extracted image EIMG of the scratched scratch area SA, excluding the remaining portion of the scratched scratch area SA. By comparing the exposed image EXIMG with each of the multiple reference background images BIMG, the unit determines whether or not to accept the scratch card SC. Note that the series of processes from step S151 to step S159 is another example of the "scratch card identification process".

[0217] As described above, the same effects as those of the embodiments and modifications described can be obtained in this modified version as well. Furthermore, in this modified version, the exposed image EXIMG obtained by removing the remaining portion from the extracted image EIMG of the scratched scratch area SA is compared with each of the multiple reference background images BIMG that are stored in advance. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to easily determine whether or not there is a background image BIMG among the multiple reference background images BIMG that matches the background image BIMG of the scratched scratch area SA. As a result, in this embodiment, it is possible to easily determine whether or not to accept the scratch card SC based on the determination result of whether or not there is a reference background image BIMG that matches the background image BIMG of the scratched scratch area SA.

[0218] Furthermore, in this modified example, the exposed image EXIMG, obtained by removing the remaining portion from the extracted image EIMG of the scratched area SA, is an image that shows only the background image BIMG of the removed portion of the scratched area SA. Therefore, even if the printing position of the background image BIMG within the scratched area SA is shifted from the original printing position, it can be expected that the contents of the background image BIMG of the scratched area SA can be identified from the exposed image EXIMG. Thus, in this modified example, it is possible to suppress the failure to identify the background image BIMG of the scratched area SA when the printing position of the background image BIMG within the scratched area SA is shifted from the original printing position.

[0219] [Second variation] In the embodiments and modifications described above, the case in which it is automatically determined in step S130 of Figure 11 whether the security ST inserted into the input unit 110 is a scratch card SC is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to such embodiments. For example, whether the security ST is a scratch card SC or a gift certificate GT may be selected by an employee or customer via the display operation unit 21.

[0220] Figure 18 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a selection screen SS relating to a second modified example. Figure 18 shows an example of a selection screen SS for selecting a settlement means. For example, the selection screen SS is displayed on the display operation unit 21 of the POS register 20 before the securities ST are inserted into the input unit 110 when settlement processing is performed. The display operation unit 21 displays the selection screen SS in response to control from the processing unit 150 (more specifically, the display control unit 151) when the securities processing device 10 performs the operation shown in Figure 11. The selection screen SS is an example of an "input screen," and the display operation unit 21 is an example of a "display unit."

[0221] The selection screen SS displays text TX instructing the user to select a payment method, as well as multiple selection buttons BT for the GUI (Graphical User Interface) to select the payment method. In the example shown in Figure 18, in addition to scratch cards SC and gift certificates GT, cash, credit cards, and electronic money can also be selected as payment methods using the selection buttons BT. For example, an employee or customer can select a payment method by pressing one of the multiple selection buttons BT displayed on the selection screen SS. For example, information indicating that the "scratch card" selection button BT has been pressed indicates that the security ST is a scratch card SC. Also, for example, information indicating that the "gift certificate" selection button BT has been pressed indicates that the security ST is a gift certificate GT, that is, information indicating that the security ST is not a scratch card SC.

[0222] In this modified example, for instance, in step S130 of Figure 11, the processing unit 150 functions as an identification unit 154 and determines whether the selection button BT for selecting a scratch card SC or the selection button BT for selecting a gift certificate GT has been pressed. The identification unit 154 then proceeds to step S150 if the selection button BT for selecting a scratch card SC has been pressed, and proceeds to step S140 if the selection button BT for selecting a gift certificate GT has been pressed. In this modified example, when the identification unit 154 executes the scratch card acceptance determination process in step S150 of Figure 11, it performs template matching to identify the type of scratch card SC before executing the process in step S151 of Figure 13 or Figure 17.

[0223] Note that the selection screen SS is not limited to the example shown in Figure 18. For example, the selection screen SS may display only two selection buttons BT for selecting the payment method: a selection button BT for selecting a scratch card SC, and a selection button BT for selecting a gift certificate GT.

[0224] In this modified example, the identification unit 154 determines whether a security ST inserted into the input unit 110 is a scratch card SC based on external input of information indicating whether the security ST is a scratch card SC (for example, pressing the selection button BT). For example, the display control unit 151 displays a selection screen SS on the display operation unit 21 that allows the user to select whether the security ST inserted into the security processing device 10 is a scratch card SC or a gift certificate GT. If the identification unit 154 selects via the selection screen SS that the security ST is a scratch card SC, it performs scratch card identification processing on the image IIMG of the security ST to determine whether the security ST can be accepted. If the selection screen SS selects that the security ST is a gift certificate GT, it performs gift certificate identification processing on the image IIMG of the security ST to determine whether the security ST can be accepted. In this modified example as well, if the identification unit 154 determines that the security ST can be accepted, the operation control unit 152 stores the security ST in the storage unit 140, and if the identification unit 154 determines that the security ST cannot be accepted, it discharges the security ST to the outside. Furthermore, if the identification unit 154 determines that the POS register 20 and the change dispenser 30 can accept securities ST, they will perform settlement processing for the goods the customer wishes to purchase, according to the identification result of the securities ST.

[0225] As described above, the same effects as those of the embodiments and modifications described can be obtained in this modified version as well. Furthermore, in this modified version, for example, since the settlement method is selected by the employee or customer before the security ST is inserted into the input unit 110, the gift certificate acceptance determination process or the scratch card acceptance determination process can be started quickly. As a result, in this modified version, the waiting time in the settlement process for employees and customers can be reduced.

[0226] [Third variation] In the embodiments and modifications described above, examples were given in which a residual image RCIMG is used as information regarding the remaining portion, but the present invention is not limited to such embodiments. For example, the information regarding the remaining portion of the scratched scratch area SA may be information indicating the shape of the remaining portion (for example, information indicating the boundary line between the remaining portion and other portions). In this case as well, the information indicating the shape of the remaining portion is associated with, for example, information indicating the position of the remaining portion within the scratch area SA. In this modification as well, the same effects as in the embodiments and modifications described above can be obtained.

[0227] [Fourth variation] In the embodiments and modifications described above, if an expiration date is set for the scratch card SC, the identification unit 154 may determine whether the scratch card SC to be identified is within its expiration date by a process similar to the character information identification process for the gift certificate GT. Specifically, for example, the identification unit 154 performs OCR processing on the expiration date area NAR in the image IIMGsc of the scratch card SC to be identified. The identification unit 154 then compares the expiration date (the expiration date of the scratch card SC to be identified) identified by the OCR processing with today's date on which the settlement process is performed to determine whether the scratch card SC to be identified is within its expiration date. If the scratch card SC to be identified is not within its expiration date, the scratch card SC to be identified is returned to the input unit 110. The expiration date determination of whether the scratch card SC to be identified is within its expiration date may be performed at any point in the scratch card acceptance determination process, as long as it is before the process of step S160 is executed. For example, the expiration date determination may be performed at the beginning of the scratch card acceptance determination process, i.e., before step S151, or after step S156. In this modified example, the same effects as the embodiments and modifications described above can be obtained. Furthermore, in this modified example, it is possible to suppress the use of scratch cards SC that have not yet expired in the settlement process.

[0228] [Fifth variation] In the embodiments and modifications described above, the series of processes (character information identification processing) in steps S144 and S145 shown in Figure 12 do not need to be executed 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 TBL1, 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 gift certificate image RIMG that matches the image IIMGgt of the gift certificate GT to be identified in the gift certificate table TBL1. Thus, the same effects as the embodiments and modifications 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.

[0229] [Sixth variation] In the embodiments 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 embodiment. For example, in the embodiments and modifications described above, the input section 110 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). In this modification as well, the same effects as in the embodiments and modifications described above can be obtained.

[0230] [7th variation] In the embodiments described above, the input section 110 is shown as serving as both an input port for inserting securities ST and an output port for discharging securities ST inserted into the securities processing device 10. However, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments. For example, in the embodiments and modifications described above, the output port for discharging securities ST inserted into the securities processing device 10 may be provided separately from the input section 110. In this modification as well, the same effects as in the embodiments and modifications described above can be obtained.

[0231] [8th variation] In the embodiments and modifications described above, multiple reference gift certificate image RIMGs may be associated with one gift certificate type information as reference gift certificate image RIMGs for gift certificates of the same type. In this case, for example, the expiration date area NAR and color analysis results are associated with each of the multiple reference gift certificate image RIMGs and stored in the gift certificate type table TBL1. 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 gift certificate GTs by type while suppressing the complexity of managing reference gift certificate GTs. Thus, the same effects as in the embodiments and modifications described above can be obtained in this modification as well.

[0232] [9th variation] In the embodiments and modifications described above, an example was given in which the same securities processing device 10 processes both scratch cards SC and gift certificates GT. However, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments. For example, a scratch card processing device that receives a scratch card SC and performs a scratch card acceptance determination process for the scratch card SC, and a gift certificate processing device that receives a gift certificate GT and performs a gift certificate acceptance determination process for the gift certificate GT may be configured separately. In this modification, the device including the scratch card processing device and the gift certificate processing device may be considered as a securities processing device. For example, the scratch card processing device and the gift certificate processing device are linked in a way that allows them to communicate with the POS register 20. The scratch card processing device and the gift certificate processing device may also be linked in a way that allows them to communicate with each other. In this modification as well, the same effects as in the embodiments and modifications described above can be obtained. [Explanation of symbols]

[0233] 1...Settlement processing system, 10...Securities processing device, 20...POS register, 21...Display operation unit, 30...Change dispenser, 110...Input unit, 120...Image reading unit, 130...Temporary storage unit, 140...Storage unit, 150...Processing device, 151...Display control unit, 152...Operation control unit, 154...Identification unit, 156...Storage device, 160...Transport unit, 170...Communication device, GT...Gift certificate, SC...Scratch card, ST...Securities, TBL1, TBL2...Ticket type table.

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 reads an image of the security inserted into the input section, An identification unit that determines whether or not to accept the security inserted into the input unit by identifying the security inserted into the input unit based on an image of 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, Equipped with, The aforementioned identification unit is Identify whether the security is a scratch card or a gift certificate, If the security is identified as the scratch card, a scratch card identification process is performed on the image of the security to identify the scratch card, thereby determining whether the security is acceptable or not. If the security is identified as a gift certificate, a gift certificate identification process is performed on the image of the security to determine whether or not the security is acceptable. A securities processing device characterized by the following:

2. It further has a storage section for storing the aforementioned securities that can be accepted, The aforementioned operation control unit, If the identification unit determines that the security can be accepted, the security is transported to the storage unit. If the identification unit determines that the security is unacceptable, the security is discharged to the outside. The securities processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. A ticket type identification image for identifying each of the multiple ticket types of the scratch card is stored in advance, associated with each ticket type of the scratch card. The aforementioned identification unit is By performing template matching on the security using the type identification image corresponding to each type of scratch card as a template image, it is determined whether or not the security is the scratch card. If it is determined that the security is the scratch card, the scratch card identification process is executed; if it is determined that the security is not the scratch card, the gift certificate identification process is executed. The securities processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A settlement processing system having 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 reads an image of the security inserted into the input section, An identification unit that determines whether or not to accept the security inserted into the input unit by identifying the security inserted into the input unit based on an image of 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 identification unit is Identify whether the security is a scratch card or a gift certificate, If the security is identified as the scratch card, a scratch card identification process is performed on the image of the security to identify the scratch card, thereby determining whether the security is acceptable or not. If the security is identified as the gift certificate, a gift certificate identification process is performed on the image of the security to identify the gift certificate, thereby determining whether the security is acceptable. The aforementioned operation control unit, If the identification unit determines that the security can be accepted, the security is transported to the storage unit. If the identification unit determines that the security cannot be accepted, it discharges the security 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:

5. A ticket type identification image for identifying each of the multiple ticket types of the scratch card is stored in advance, associated with each ticket type of the scratch card. The aforementioned identification unit is By performing template matching on the security using the type identification image corresponding to each type of scratch card as a template image, it is determined whether or not the security is the scratch card. If it is determined that the security is the scratch card, the scratch card identification process is executed; if it is determined that the security is not the scratch card, the gift certificate identification process is executed. The settlement processing system according to feature 4.

6. The aforementioned identification unit is The determination of whether the security is a scratch card is made by receiving external input of information indicating whether the security is a scratch card. The settlement processing system according to feature 4.

7. A securities processing method for determining whether or not to accept securities placed into a securities processing device, The image of the security that has been inserted into the security processing device is read, Identify whether the security is a scratch card or a gift certificate, If the security is identified as the scratch card, a scratch card identification process is performed on the image of the security to identify the scratch card, thereby determining whether the security is acceptable or not. If the security is identified as a gift certificate, a gift certificate identification process is performed on the image of the security to determine whether or not the security is acceptable. A method for processing securities, characterized by the following:

8. In a settlement processing method that performs settlement processing according to the identification result of securities placed in a securities processing device, The image of the security that has been inserted into the security processing device is read, Identify whether the security is a scratch card or a gift certificate, If the security is identified as the scratch card, a scratch card identification process is performed on the image of the security to identify the scratch card, thereby determining whether the security is acceptable or not. If the security is identified as the gift certificate, a gift certificate identification process is performed on the image of the security to identify the gift certificate, thereby determining whether the security is acceptable. If it is determined that the security is acceptable, the settlement process for the product the customer wishes to purchase will be executed according to the identification result of the security. If it is determined that the security cannot be accepted, the security is discharged to the outside of the security processing device. A settlement processing method characterized by the following.

9. A settlement processing system comprising a POS register, a settlement processing device, and a securities processing device, including a display unit that shows an input screen for receiving input from an external source, Upon insertion of a security into the security processing device, the display unit displays the input screen that allows the user to select whether the security is a scratch card or a gift certificate. If the security is selected as a scratch card via the input screen, a scratch card identification process is performed on the image of the security to identify the scratch card, thereby determining whether the security is acceptable or not. If the security is selected to be a gift certificate via the input screen, a gift certificate identification process is performed on the image of the security to identify the gift certificate, thereby determining whether the security is acceptable or not. If it is determined that the security is acceptable, the settlement process for the product the customer wishes to purchase will be executed according to the identification result of the security. If it is determined that the security cannot be accepted, the security is discharged to the outside of the security processing device. A settlement processing system characterized by the following:

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