Banknote Recognition Apparatus Segmentation for Speed

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing paper-sheet recognition apparatuses face challenges in processing speed and total processing amount due to the need to evaluate the entire surface of banknotes and repeat recognition processes for multiple templates, leading to inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus narrows down candidate types based on image data, performing type determination and authenticity recognition concurrently, using partial images and unique codes, and handling data in blocks to reduce processing time and amount.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the entire surface of the banknote is evaluated with a template for recognition, then the recognition accuracy is improved, but the processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecognition accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The banknote evaluation process is segmented into two stages: first evaluating a specific region (such as a corner or edge portion) to narrow down candidate types, and then performing detailed recognition only on the identified type. This segmentation reduces the overall processing time while maintaining recognition accuracy by avoiding unnecessary evaluation of the entire surface for all possible types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of performing complete template matching on the entire banknote surface for all candidate types, the system performs partial evaluation on a specific region to narrow down candidates first. This partial action approach reduces processing time while still achieving accurate recognition through subsequent focused evaluation on the narrowed-down candidates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Measurement precision

If recognition process is repeated for each of a plurality of templates to identify denomination, then the recognition accuracy is improved, but the total processing amount increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecognition accuracyVSAvoidprocessing speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The recognition process is segmented into a two-stage approach: first narrowing down candidate types by evaluating specific regions, and then performing detailed template matching only for the narrowed-down candidates. This segmentation reduces the total number of template comparisons needed, thereby improving processing speed while maintaining recognition accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary evaluation of specific regions to narrow down candidate types before conducting the full recognition process. This preliminary action reduces the number of templates that need to be fully processed, improving processing speed without sacrificing the accuracy that would result from complete template matching of all candidates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If a narrow aperture sensor is used to sample the banknote, then the device complexity is reduced, but the processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor configuration simplicityVSAvoidsampling time
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The sampling process is segmented into evaluating specific regions of the banknote rather than requiring complete sampling of the entire surface. By focusing on key regions to narrow down candidate types first, the system reduces the effective sampling time needed while maintaining recognition accuracy, thereby reducing the time penalty associated with using a narrow aperture sensor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2525332B1Paper sheet identification device and paper sheet identification method
Publication Date: 2019.03.06 GLORY LTD
  • EP2525332B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2525332B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP2525332B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A paper-sheet recognition apparatus includes a paper-sheet information acquisition unit that acquires paper-sheet information including an image data of the paper sheet; a candidate narrowing-down unit that narrows down a number of type candidates of the paper sheet to a small number of types based on the image data included in the paper-sheet information; a type determining unit that determines one type from the type candidates narrowed down by the candidate narrowing-down unit based on the image data included in the paper-sheet information; authenticity recognition unit that recognizes authenticity of the paper sheet as to each type candidate narrowed down by the candidate narrowing-down unit; an execution instructing unit that issues an instruction such that the type determining unit and the authenticity recognition unit are operated concurrently; and a final judgment unit that performs a final judgment on the paper sheet by combining the type determined by the type determining unit and authenticity recognition result corresponding to the type from among authenticity recognition results of the candidate types recognized by the authenticity recognition unit.