Paper Sheet Handling Machine Serial Number Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional paper sheet handling machines burden users with manual input operations for unidentified characters in serial numbers, risking unclear information registration in databases.

Innovation Solution

A paper sheet handling machine equipped with an imaging unit, identification unit, output unit, display unit, and input unit that takes images of paper sheets, identifies characters in serial numbers, outputs unclear regions, displays identified characters, and allows user input for unidentified characters, while storing all identified characters with associated images.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual input operation is required for each error character, then the burden on the user increases, but the accuracy of serial number registration improves

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveserial number identification accuracyVSAvoiduser operation burden
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent displays an image copy of the serial number region from the original document alongside the identified characters. This allows users to visually verify and manually input correct characters for unidentified positions, combining automated recognition with human verification to maintain accuracy while reducing the burden of complete manual entry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary display interface that shows both the automatically identified characters and the corresponding image region. This intermediary layer facilitates efficient manual correction by providing visual context, reducing the cognitive load and time required for users to verify and correct identification errors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If unaccepted characters are registered without manual input, then the user burden is reduced, but the risk of unclear information registration increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser operation burdenVSAvoidserial number data reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides visual feedback by displaying the image region corresponding to each unidentified character position. This feedback mechanism allows users to verify the actual character in the original document and make accurate corrections, ensuring data reliability while maintaining ease of operation through automated identification of clearly visible characters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs partial automated identification of characters that are clearly visible in the image, and only requires manual input for positions where identification is uncertain. This partial action approach balances automation efficiency with data accuracy, avoiding both complete manual entry and complete automated registration of potentially erroneous data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Productivity

If complete automated identification is implemented, then productivity increases, but the risk of identification errors increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveserial number processing speedVSAvoidcharacter identification accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary automated identification of all characters before requiring any manual input. This preliminary action processes clearly visible characters automatically, and only flags positions where identification confidence is low, thereby maximizing productivity while maintaining accuracy through selective manual verification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3174017B1Paper sheet handling machine and paper sheet handling method
Publication Date: 2019.10.02 GLORY LTD
  • EP3174017B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3174017B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3174017B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A paper sheet handling machine (10) according to the present invention includes: an imaging unit (21) configured to take an image of a paper sheet and generate a paper sheet image; an identification unit (26) configured to identify a character of each digit position included in a serial number, from a serial number region of the paper sheet image; an output unit (28) configured to output the image of a part corresponding to the serial number region of the paper sheet image, when there is a digit position whose character therein cannot be identified by the identification unit (26); a display unit (62) configured to display each character identified by the identification unit (26) as well as the image outputted from the output unit (28); and an input unit (62b) configured to accept input of each character corresponding to the digit position whose character therein cannot be identified by the identification unit (26).