In order to efficiently acquire an optical characteristic from partial areas on the paper sheet, a paper sheet recognition apparatus (1) that recognizes a paper sheet by using an optical spectrum acquired from the paper sheet on a transport path (60) includes, a light source unit (31) including light sources arranged corresponding to the partial areas on the paper sheet, a reading unit (32) having a light receiving surface to receive reflected lights from the partial areas, a sensor unit (34) that acquires an optical spectrum from light received by the light receiving surface, a memory (80) that stores an optical spectrum measurement condition for acquiring an optical spectrum from a predetermined partial area on the paper sheet. The optical spectrum measurement condition includes information for identifying at least one light source corresponding to the predetermined partial area among the light sources of the light source unit (31), information for identifying a timing for turning on the identified light source, and information for identifying a timing for turning off the light source turned on at the timing for turning on; and a light-source control unit (72) that controls the light source unit (31) based on the optical spectrum measurement condition.

The SACOS apparatus solves counterfeiting issues instantaneously and develops new security features in order to improve the role that international regulatory commissions, governments, and central banks play to effectively fight counterfeiting.

A method for evaluating sensor data for a value document includes a memory and a multi-core processor arranged to access the memory. A management sub-group of the cores comprises at least one of the cores, and at least one evaluation subgroup of the cores comprises at least one other of the cores. The management subgroup manages the memory regarding the storing of at least the sensor data and generates evaluation information for carrying out the evaluation. At least one evaluation subgroup carries out at least one part of the evaluation in dependence on the evaluation information and stores the result in the memory.

A banknote is irradiated with lights of plural wavelengths. Images of the banknote for each wavelength are acquired. An IR ratio image having a pixel value that is a ratio of a pixel value of the image acquired by the visible light to a corresponding pixel value of the image acquired by the infrared light is generated. The banknote image and the IR ratio image are corrected by a coefficient corresponding to the banknote type, the banknote orientation, and the wavelength. From the banknote image or the IR ratio image, by using the information pertaining to the banknote type, the banknote orientation, and the wavelength, intermediate evaluation values are calculated for each wavelength. Mahalanobis distance is calculated based on the intermediate evaluation values, an average value and a variance-covariance matrix of the intermediate evaluation values, and a degree of soiling is determined based on the Mahalanobis distance.

A banknote is irradiated with lights of plural wavelengths. Images of the banknote for each wavelength are acquired. An IR ratio image having a pixel value that is a ratio of a pixel value of the image acquired by the visible light to a corresponding pixel value of the image acquired by the infrared light is generated. The banknote image and the IR ratio image are corrected by a coefficient corresponding to the banknote type, the banknote orientation, and the wavelength. From the banknote image or the IR ratio image, by using the information pertaining to the banknote type, the banknote orientation, and the wavelength, intermediate evaluation values are calculated for each wavelength. Mahalanobis distance is calculated based on the intermediate evaluation values, an average value and a variance-covariance matrix of the intermediate evaluation values, and a degree of soiling is determined based on the Mahalanobis distance.

An image processing device that acquires an image from an object includes an illuminator having a plurality of light sources, a sensor unit, and a controller. The plurality of light sources irradiates light of respectively different colors onto an object. The sensor unit outputs luminance data for one line obtained by photoelectrically converting light is reflected from the object of that was irradiated by the illuminator onto the object. The controller acquires a random number, and acquires luminance data for one line output by the sensor unit, while causing one light source selected from the plurality of light sources based on the acquired random number to emit light.

An image processing device that acquires an image from an object includes an illuminator having a plurality of light sources, a sensor unit, and a controller. The plurality of light sources irradiates light of respectively different colors onto an object. The sensor unit outputs luminance data for one line obtained by photoelectrically converting light is reflected from the object of that was irradiated by the illuminator onto the object. The controller acquires a random number, and acquires luminance data for one line output by the sensor unit, while causing one light source selected from the plurality of light sources based on the acquired random number to emit light.

By overlapping lighting timings of light sources that emit lights of a plurality of different wavelength bands including a wavelength band of at least a visible light region and an infrared light region, the lights of the plurality of the different wavelength bands including the wavelength band of at least the visible light region and the infrared light region are emitted on a banknote while securing an overlap in timings thereof. Moreover, by using light receiving elements each including a bandpass filter that allows only light of a wavelength range that corresponds to the wavelength band of each of the light sources, received light intensities of the light of the wavelength range that corresponds to the wavelength band of each of the light sources are acquired simultaneously, and image data are formed based on the received light intensity of every acquired wavelength band.

A paper currency number recognition apparatus and method. The apparatus comprises: a contact-type sensor (10) for acquiring paper currency image data; a white-light LED transmission light source board (20); an image acquisition processing board (40) which is integrated with an FPGA and a DSP, the FPGA being used for controlling ON/OFF of the white-light LED transmission light source board (20) and driving the contact-type sensor (10) to acquire an image, and the DSP being used for processing and recognizing the paper currency image data; and two pairs of position sensors (30) for detecting whether there is a paper currency entering the paper currency number recognition apparatus, wherein the white-light LED transmission light source board (20) has two light source modes which are strong and weak, and the two light source modes alternately provide a transmission light source for the contact-type sensor (10) to acquire the paper currency image data. The apparatus can acquire two white-light transmission images with different brightness of one and the same paper currency each time; therefore, the numbers of both new and old paper currencies can be effectively recognized, and the accuracy rate of paper currency number recognition is improved.

A paper currency number recognition apparatus and method. The apparatus comprises: a contact-type sensor (10) for acquiring paper currency image data; a white-light LED transmission light source board (20); an image acquisition processing board (40) which is integrated with an FPGA and a DSP, the FPGA being used for controlling ON/OFF of the white-light LED transmission light source board (20) and driving the contact-type sensor (10) to acquire an image, and the DSP being used for processing and recognizing the paper currency image data; and two pairs of position sensors (30) for detecting whether there is a paper currency entering the paper currency number recognition apparatus, wherein the white-light LED transmission light source board (20) has two light source modes which are strong and weak, and the two light source modes alternately provide a transmission light source for the contact-type sensor (10) to acquire the paper currency image data. The apparatus can acquire two white-light transmission images with different brightness of one and the same paper currency each time; therefore, the numbers of both new and old paper currencies can be effectively recognized, and the accuracy rate of paper currency number recognition is improved.