JP2022026482A - Paper sheet discrimination device, paper sheet processing machine and paper sheet discrimination method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a paper sheet discrimination device, a paper sheet processing machine and a paper sheet discrimination method, capable of discriminating paper sheets being conveyed in a chain state.SOLUTION: A paper sheet discrimination device includes image sensors 21 and 22 that acquire an image of paper sheets being conveyed in a chain state, a detection unit 62 that detects an overlapping portion of the paper sheets, and a discrimination unit 63 that discriminates the paper sheets on the basis of a region obtained by excluding the overlapping portion detected by the detection unit 62 from the image of the paper sheets acquired by the image sensors 21 and 22.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a paper leaf discriminating device, a paper leaf processing machine, and a paper leaf discriminating method.

In a conventional paper leaf discrimination device, an optical transmission type paper leaf detection sensor may be used to detect paper leaves moving along a transport path (see, for example, Patent Document 1). .. Specifically, when the detection state of the paper leaf detection sensor changes from the light-transmitting state to the light-shielding state, the tip of the arrived paper leaf is detected, and when the detection state changes from the light-shielding state to the light-shielding state, the paper leaves Detect the trailing edge. This information is used as a sampling trigger for various sensors.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 8-96201

When a paper leaf is detected by using a transmissive paper leaf detection sensor, it cannot be detected correctly unless the paper leaves are separated and transported one by one. For this reason, if a plurality of sheets of paper are transported in a chained state without being separated into individual sheets, they will not be discriminated and will be rejected uniformly.

An object of the present invention is to provide a paper leaf discriminating device, a paper leaf processing machine, and a paper leaf discriminating method capable of discriminating paper leaves transported in a chained state.

In order to achieve the above object, the paper leaf discriminating device according to the present invention has an image sensor that acquires an image of paper leaves transported in a chained state and a detection that detects an overlapping portion of the paper leaves. A unit and a discriminating unit for discriminating the paper sheets based on a region excluding the overlapping portion detected by the detection unit in the image of the paper sheets acquired by the image sensor. ..

The paper leaf processing machine according to the present invention is conveyed in a state of being chained from a storage unit for storing paper sheets so that the paper sheets can be fed out, a transport unit for transporting the paper leaves fed out from the storage section, and a transport section. Of the image sensor that acquires the image of the coming paper leaves, the detection unit that detects the overlapping portion of the paper leaves, and the image of the paper leaves acquired by the image sensor, the detection unit detects it. It is provided with a discriminating unit for discriminating the paper leaves based on the region excluding the overlapping portion, and a payout unit for paying out the paper leaves discriminated by the discriminating unit.

In the method for discriminating paper leaves according to the present invention, an image of paper leaves transported in a chained state is acquired by an image sensor, an overlapping portion of the paper leaves is detected by a detection unit, and the discrimination unit is described. Among the images of the paper leaves acquired by the image sensor, the paper leaves are discriminated based on the region excluding the overlapping portion detected by the detection unit.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a paper leaf discriminating device, a paper leaf processing machine, and a paper leaf discriminating method capable of discriminating paper sheets transported in a chained state.

It is a side view which shows the structure of the paper leaf discrimination apparatus of 1st Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram of the structure which includes the software mounted on the apparatus control part of the paper sheet discriminating apparatus of 1st Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control content of the paper leaf discrimination apparatus of 1st Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the control content of the paper leaf discrimination apparatus of 1st Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the control content of the paper leaf discrimination apparatus of 1st Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the control content of the paper leaf discrimination apparatus of 1st Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the control content of the paper leaf discrimination apparatus of 1st Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the control content of the paper leaf discrimination apparatus of 1st Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram schematically showing the paper leaf processing machine including the paper leaf type discriminating apparatus of the 1st Embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the control content of the paper leaf discriminating apparatus of the 2nd Embodiment which concerns on this invention.

[First Embodiment]
The first embodiment according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9.

As shown in FIG. 1, the paper leaf discrimination device 11 of the first embodiment has a transport unit 12 for transporting the paper leaves S, and the transport unit 12 discriminates the paper leaves S being transported. Count. Here, for example, the paper leaf S, which is a banknote, is taken in and out of the paper leaf discrimination device 11 in a posture in which the short side portion thereof is along the entry / exit direction, and the transport unit 12 transfers the paper leaf S. The short side portion is transported in a posture along the transport direction. Of course, in the paper leaf discrimination device 11, the paper leaf S is moved in and out in a posture in which the long side portion thereof is along the in / out direction, and the transport unit 12 causes the paper leaf S to be along the long side portion in the transport direction. It may be transported in a posture.

The transport unit 12 includes a plurality of pairs of transport rollers, specifically four pairs of transport rollers 15A, 15B, 15C, 15D, which are transported by rotating while sandwiching the paper sheets S, and a drive motor (not shown) for driving these. And a rotary encoder 17 for detecting the rotation amount and the rotation speed of the transfer roller pair 15A. Here, the transport roller pairs 15A, 15B, 15C, and 15D transport the paper leaves S at the same transport speed, and the rotary encoder 17 uses the transport distance and transport speed (conveyance speed) of the paper leaves S by the transport unit 12. The amount of movement per unit time) is detected. The rotary encoder 17 can also be provided on the transfer roller pairs 15B, 15C, 15D other than the transfer roller pair 15A.

The transfer roller pairs 15A to 15D are fixed in position in the paper leaf discrimination device 11, and the transfer roller pairs 15A, 15B, 15C, and 15D are arranged in this order so that the sandwiching positions for sandwiching the paper leaves S are on the same plane. They are arranged so that the paper leaves S can be moved in the same plane. The transport unit 12 can transport the paper sheets S in both forward and reverse directions by means of the transport roller pairs 15A to 15D. Here, among these transport roller pairs 15A to 15D, the transport direction in which the paper leaves S are transported in the order of the transport roller pair 15A at one end, the transport roller pair 15B, the transport roller pair 15C, and the transport roller pair 15D at the other end is defined. The forward direction is defined as the reverse direction in which the paper sheets S are transported in the order of the transport roller pair 15D at the other end, the transport roller pair 15C, the transport roller pair 15B, and the transport roller pair 15A at one end.

An image sensor 21 is provided so as to face one side surface of the paper sheets S transported by the transport unit 12 at substantially the center of the paper leaf transport direction, which is the transport direction of the paper sheets S in the transport unit 12. Further, an image sensor 22 is provided so as to face the other side surface of the paper sheet S. These image sensors 21 and 22 are fixed in position in the paper leaf discrimination device 11, and are both provided between the central two pairs of transport rollers 15B and 15C among the transport roller pairs 15A to 15D. These image sensors 21 and 22 are aligned in the paper leaf transport direction.

These image sensors 21 and 22 acquire two-dimensional image data of the surfaces of the paper sheets S transported by the transport unit 12 facing each other. In the image sensors 21 and 22, for example, a combination of a light source such as an LED, a light receiving lens, and an image sensor main body such as a CMOS image sensor is transported by the transport unit 12 in a direction orthogonal to the paper leaf transport direction. It is a contact image sensor (CIS) configured by arranging a large number of sheets in a line in a direction parallel to the paper sheets S. The image sensors 21 and 22 acquire the transmission image of one paper leaf S as a set, the upper image sensor 21 acquires the image of the upper reflection of the paper leaf S, and the lower image sensor 22 acquires the paper leaf. The image of the lower reflection of the kind S is acquired. Therefore, the image sensors 21 and 22 can acquire three types of two-dimensional images.

The characteristic information of the paper leaves S is used as an element sensor for acquiring the characteristic information indicating the characteristics of the paper leaves S on the upstream side of the image sensors 21 and 22 when the paper leaves are conveyed in the positive direction of the transport unit 12. A thickness sensor 31 is provided to detect and acquire the thickness. The thickness sensor 31 has a base roller 32 and a movable roller 33 for sandwiching the paper sheets S transported by the transport unit 12, and a support arm 35 for supporting the movable roller 33. The base roller 32 and the movable roller 33 are rotatable and are provided between the transfer rollers 15A and 15B.

The base roller 32 is fixed in position in the paper leaf discrimination device 11. The support arm 35 is rotatable about a support shaft 36 whose position is fixed in the paper leaf discrimination device 11, and extends from the support shaft 36 to the downstream side when the paper leaves are transported in the positive direction of the transport unit 12. It is out. The support arm 35 rotatably supports the movable roller 33 on the side opposite to the support shaft 36, and the movable roller 33 can be brought into contact with the base roller 32. The base roller 32 and the movable roller 33 are arranged so that the holding position for holding the paper sheets S is flush with the holding position of the paper sheets S of the transport rollers 15A to 15D.

When the paper leaves S pass between the movable roller 33 and the base roller 32, the movable roller 33 moves so as to move away from the base roller 32 in the radial direction while swinging the support arm 35 around the support shaft 36. .. The movable roller 33 changes its radial distance from the base roller 32 according to the thickness of the paper sheets S passing between the movable roller 33 and the base roller 32. The thickness sensor 31 is arranged on the side opposite to the base roller 32 of the movable roller 33, and is a thickness detection sensor main body 38 such as a proximity sensor that detects the thickness of the paper sheets S by detecting the moving distance of the movable roller 33. have. The thickness sensor 31 is arranged at a position different from the image sensors 21 and 22, and is characteristic information indicating the characteristics of the paper leaves S different from the two-dimensional image data of the paper leaves S acquired by the image sensors 21 and 22. Acquire a certain thickness information as sensor data.

A UV sensor module 41 is provided on the downstream side of the image sensors 21 and 22 when the paper sheets are transported in the positive direction of the transport unit 12 so as to face one side surface of the paper sheets S transported by the transport unit 12. In addition, a UV sensor module 42 is provided so as to face the other side surface of the paper sheet S. These UV sensor modules 41 and 42 are provided between the transport roller pairs 15C and 15D so as to be aligned in the paper leaf transport direction.

Each of these UV sensor modules 41 and 42 is an element sensor that acquires the characteristic information of the paper leaf S, and irradiates the opposite surface of the paper leaf S with ultraviolet rays to irradiate the reflected light, that is, the paper leaf S. Acquires ultraviolet reflection information, which is the characteristic information of. All of these UV sensor modules 41 and 42 are arranged at positions different from those of the image sensors 21 and 22, and are different from the two-dimensional image data of the paper sheets S acquired by the image sensors 21 and 22. The ultraviolet reflection information, which is the feature information indicating the feature, is acquired as sensor data.

On the downstream side of the UV sensor modules 41 and 42 when the paper sheets are transported in the positive direction of the transport unit 12, the magnetic sensor array 51 is capable of facing one side surface of the paper sheets S transported by the transport unit 12. In addition, a pressing roller 52 that can face the other side surface of the paper sheet S and brings the paper sheet S closer to the magnetic sensor array 51 is provided. The magnetic sensor array 51 and the pressing roller 52 are provided between the transport roller pairs 15C and 15D.

The magnetic sensor array 51 is an element sensor for acquiring the characteristic information of the paper sheets S, and acquires the magnetic information which is the characteristic information of the paper sheets S. The magnetic sensor array 51 is arranged at a position different from the image sensors 21 and 22, and is characteristic information showing the characteristics of the paper leaves S different from the two-dimensional image data of the paper leaves S acquired by the image sensors 21 and 22. The magnetic information is acquired as sensor data.

A travel detection sensor that detects the presence or absence of paper sheets S when the paper sheets are transported in the forward direction of the transport unit 12 on the upstream side of the thickness sensor 31 when the paper leaves are transported in the forward direction of the transport unit 12. 54 is provided. The travel detection sensor 54 is an optical transmissive sensor having a light emitting element 55 and a light receiving element 56. The light emitting element 55 and the light receiving element 56 are aligned with each other in the paper leaf transport direction, and face each other with the transport portion 12 interposed therebetween.

The travel detection sensor 54 detects that the paper sheets S are not at the position of the travel detection sensor 54 when the light receiving element 56 receives the light emitted from the light emitting element 55. Further, when the traveling detection sensor 54 changes from the state in which the light receiving element 56 receives the light emitted by the light emitting element 55 to the state in which the light emitting element 56 receives the light emitted from the light emitting element 55 when the paper leaves are conveyed in the positive direction of the transporting unit 12, the tip portion of the paper leaves S travels. It detects that it is located at the position of the detection sensor 54. Further, the travel detection sensor 54 detects that the paper sheets S are at the position of the travel detection sensor 54 in a state where the light receiving element 56 does not receive the light emitted from the light emitting element 55. Further, when the traveling detection sensor 54 receives the light emitted from the light emitting element 55 from the state in which the light receiving element 56 does not receive light when the paper leaves are conveyed in the positive direction of the transport unit 12, the rear end portion of the paper leaves S receives light. It detects that it is located at the position of the travel detection sensor 54. The travel detection sensor 54 is arranged between the transport roller pair 15A and the thickness sensor 31.

Travel detection to detect the presence or absence of paper sheets S when transporting paper sheets in the opposite direction of the transport unit 12 on the downstream side of the magnetic sensor array 51 when transporting paper leaves in the forward direction of the transport unit 12. A sensor 57 is provided. The travel detection sensor 57 is an optical transmissive sensor having a light emitting element 58 and a light receiving element 59. The light emitting element 58 and the light receiving element 59 are aligned with each other in the paper leaf transport direction, and face each other with the transport portion 12 interposed therebetween.

The travel detection sensor 57 detects that the paper sheets S are not at the position of the travel detection sensor 57 when the light receiving element 59 receives the light emitted from the light emitting element 58. Further, when the traveling detection sensor 57 changes from the state in which the light receiving element 59 receives the light emitted by the light emitting element 58 to the state in which the light emitting element 59 receives the light emitted by the light emitting element 58 when the paper leaves are conveyed in the opposite direction of the transporting unit 12, the tip portion of the paper leaves S travels. It detects that it is located at the position of the detection sensor 57. Further, the travel detection sensor 57 detects that the paper sheets S are at the position of the travel detection sensor 57 when the light receiving element 59 does not receive the light emitted from the light emitting element 58. Further, when the traveling detection sensor 57 receives the light emitted from the light emitting element 58 from the state in which the light receiving element 59 does not receive light when the paper leaves are conveyed in the opposite direction of the transport unit 12, the rear end portion of the paper sheets S receives light. It detects that it is located at the position of the travel detection sensor 57. The travel detection sensor 57 is arranged between the transport roller pair 15D and the magnetic sensor array 51 and the pressing roller 52.

The paper leaf discrimination device 11 has a control device unit 61 on which software for controlling each part is mounted, and the control device unit 61 includes an image sensor 21, an image sensor 22, a thickness sensor 31, and a UV sensor module 41. , UV sensor module 42, magnetic sensor array 51, travel detection sensor 54, and travel detection sensor 57 perform discrimination processing of paper sheets S based on the information acquired.

The control device unit 61 is composed of, for example, a CPU board, a DSP board, or the like. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a configuration including software mounted on the control device unit 61. The control device unit 61 has a control unit 62 (detection unit) and a discrimination unit 63, and the control unit 62 has an image memory unit 71, a plurality of memory units 72, 73, 74, and a determination memory unit 81. ing.

The image memory unit 71 stores the two-dimensional image data acquired by the image sensors 21 and 22. The image memory unit 71 is composed of a ring buffer having a memory area capable of storing two-dimensional image data for a predetermined plurality of sheets such as three or four sheets of paper sheets S acquired by the image sensors 21 and 22. ing.

The memory unit 72 stores the ultraviolet reflection information which is the characteristic information of the paper sheets S acquired by the UV sensor modules 41 and 42 which are element sensors. The memory unit 72 is composed of a ring buffer having a memory area capable of storing ultraviolet reflection information for a predetermined plurality of sheets such as three or four sheets of paper sheets S.

The memory unit 73 stores magnetic information which is characteristic information of the paper sheets S acquired by the magnetic sensor array 51 which is an element sensor. The memory unit 73 is composed of a ring buffer having a memory area capable of storing magnetic information for a predetermined plurality of sheets such as three or four sheets of paper sheets S.

The memory unit 74 stores the thickness information which is the characteristic information of the paper sheets S acquired by the thickness sensor 31 which is an element sensor. The memory unit 74 is composed of a ring buffer having a memory area capable of storing thickness information for a predetermined plurality of sheets such as three or four sheets of paper sheets S.

The determination memory unit 81 stores image data, thickness information, ultraviolet reflection information, and magnetic information of the paper sheet S to be discriminated. The determination memory unit 81 includes a ring buffer having a memory area capable of storing image data, thickness information, ultraviolet reflection information, and magnetic information for a predetermined plurality of sheets such as three or four sheets of paper sheets S. There is.

The discrimination unit 63 stores the UV reflection information for judgment for discriminating the denomination, authenticity, degree of damage (correct loss), etc. of the paper leaf S, and the judgment reference data such as the threshold value of the magnetic information and the reference image. is doing.

The paper leaf discrimination device 11 discriminates the paper leaves S even when a plurality of sheets of paper leaves S are continuously transported, and adjacent objects are partially overlapped with each other and transported in a chained manner. It is designed to count while. That is, in the paper leaf discrimination device 11, the image sensors 21 and 22 acquire the image data of the paper leaves S transported in a chained state, and the thickness sensor 31 is transported in a chained state. The thickness data of the coming paper sheets S will be acquired, and the UV sensor modules 41 and 42 will acquire the ultraviolet reflection information of the paper sheets S transported in a chained state, and the magnetic sensor array. 51 acquires the magnetic information of the paper sheets S transported in a chained state.

A signal (timing pulse) related to the amount of rotation is input from the rotary encoder 17 to the control unit 62. The control unit 62 determines the sampling intervals of the thickness sensor 31, the UV sensor modules 41, 42, and the magnetic sensor array 51 from the amount of paper leaf movement per unit time calculated from the rotation amount acquired by the rotary encoder 17. decide. Further, among the travel detection sensors 54 and 57 and the image sensors 21 and 22, one of the image sensors 21 and 22 used for detecting the tip of the paper leaf S also determines the sampling interval from the movement amount of the paper leaves. Here, it is assumed that the traveling detection sensors 54 and 57 detect the tip of the paper sheet S.

As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 62 causes the thickness sensor 31 to sample the thickness data at a constant sampling interval determined as described above, and stores the sampled thickness data in the memory unit 74 (. Step Sa1). Further, in parallel with this, the control unit 62 causes the UV sensor modules 41 and 42 to sample the ultraviolet reflection information at a constant sampling interval determined as described above, and the sampled ultraviolet reflection information is stored in the memory unit 72. (Step Sa2). Further, in parallel with these, the control unit 62 causes the magnetic sensor array 51 to sample the magnetic information at a constant sampling interval determined as described above, and stores the sampled magnetic information in the memory unit 73 ( Step Sa3).

In parallel with these, the control unit 62 causes the travel detection sensors 54 and 57 to perform sampling at a constant sampling interval determined as described above, and one of the predetermined ones of the travel detection sensors 54 and 57 is a paper sheet. When the tip of the paper S is detected (step Sa4: YES), the timing at which the tip of the paper leaf S reaches the image sensors 21 and 22 is detected based on the amount of movement of the paper leaves. If one of the predetermined ones of the travel detection sensors 54 and 57 does not detect the tip of the paper sheet S (step Sa4: NO), other processing is performed (step Sa5), and the process returns to step Sa4.

In the control unit 62, for example, during forward transport by the transport unit 12, the light receiving element 56 of the travel detection sensor 54 is in a state of not receiving light from the light emitting element 55, and the travel detection sensor 54 is in a state of not receiving light. The tip of the paper leaf S reaches the image sensors 21 and 22 from the timing at which the tip of the paper leaf is detected, the amount of movement of the paper leaves described above, and the specified distance between the travel detection sensor 54 and the image sensors 21 and 22. The timing to be performed is determined, the sampling process of the image sensors 21 and 22 is performed at the sampling interval set based on the above-mentioned movement amount of paper sheets from this timing, and the image data is stored in the image memory unit 71 (step Sa6). ).

Further, in the control unit 62, for example, when the vehicle is transported in the reverse direction by the transport unit 12, the light receiving element 59 of the travel detection sensor 57 is in a state of not receiving light from the light emitting element 58, and the travel detection sensor 57 is in a state of not receiving light. From the timing at which the tip of the paper leaf S is detected, the amount of movement of the leaflets described above, and the specified distance between the travel detection sensor 57 and the image sensors 21 and 22, the tip of the paper sheet S is the image sensor 21 and 22. The timing to reach is determined, the sampling process of the image sensors 21 and 22 is performed at the sampling interval set based on the above-mentioned movement amount of paper sheets from this timing, and the image data is stored in the image memory unit 71 (. Step Sa6).

It should be noted that the control unit 62 does not detect the traveling detection sensors 54 and 57, but the image sensors 21 and 22 at a constant sampling interval set based on the above-mentioned amount of movement of paper sheets in both forward and reverse transportation. It is determined whether or not the tip of the paper leaves S has reached the image sensors 21 and 22, and the above-mentioned movement of the paper leaves is performed from the timing when the tip of the paper leaves S reaches the image sensors 21 and 22. The sampling process of the image sensors 21 and 22 may be performed at the sampling interval set based on the amount, and the image data may be stored in the image memory unit 71. In this case, if there is a portion on the line of the image sensors 21 and 22 that becomes darker than the preset length (or number of pixels), it is determined that the image sensors 21 and 22 have detected the tip of the paper leaf S. If there is no portion that becomes darker than the preset length (or number of pixels) of the image sensors 21 and 22, it is determined that the image sensors 21 and 22 have not detected the tip of the paper leaf S.

Then, the control unit 62 has a specified value in which the sampling length of the image sensors 21 and 22 is the maximum length that can be taken by one sheet of paper sheets S in consideration of skewing in both forward and reverse transportation. If the above is not achieved (step Sa7: NO), the sampling process of the image sensors 21 and 22 is continued (step Sa6), and as shown in FIG. 4, the sampling length L1 of the image sensors 21 and 22 exceeds the specified value. Then (step Sa7: YES), the paper leaf data presence flag is turned on (step Sa8). The sampling process of the image sensors 21 and 22 is continued until the paper sheets S disappear on the image sensors 21 and 22 (steps Sa6 to Sa8). In other words, the sampling process of the image sensors 21 and 22 is continued until the state in which the paper sheets S are not detected by the image sensors 21 and 22 continues for a certain section. As a result, image data of a plurality of paper sheets S transported in a chained state are continuously sampled. Here, the above-mentioned specified value is set to the length in the paper leaf transport direction when one sheet of paper S is slanted at the maximum value of the allowable angle.

When the paper leaf data presence flag is turned ON (step Sa9: YES), the control unit 62 is determined from the specified positional relationship between the image sensors 21 and 22 and the thickness sensor 31 and the amount of paper leaves transported. The thickness data detected by the thickness sensor 31 corresponding to the range of the image data for the above-mentioned specified values acquired by the image sensors 21 and 22 is cut out from the memory unit 74 (step Sa10).

That is, when the paper sheets S are transported in a chained state, as shown in FIG. 5A, the thickness sensor 31 determines that the thickness T1 of one sheet of the preceding paper leaves S without overlapping. The thickness T2 that can be determined to be the thickness T2 of two sheets in which the range a1 having the first predetermined thickness or more and less than the second predetermined thickness and the succeeding paper leaves S of the preceding paper leaves S overlaps with each other is equal to or more than the second predetermined thickness. Range a2 and is detected. The range a1 + a2, which is the sum of these ranges a1 and a2, is the range for one sheet of the actual preceding paper sheets S. The control unit 62 is surrounded by a broken line in the image data in the range a1 (in FIG. 5B), which can be determined to be the thickness T1 of one sheet of the preceding paper sheets S without overlapping among the image data of the specified value. Image data in the range a2 (enclosed by a broken line in FIG. 5B) that can be determined to be the thickness T2 of two sheets in which the preceding paper leaf S and the succeeding paper leaf S overlap with each other. (Image of the specified range) and separate it. In other words, the control unit 62 determines the length of the overlapping portion of the paper sheets S from the image data for the specified value based on the thickness information of the paper sheets S acquired by the thickness sensor 31. The position and the length and position of the non-overlapping portion of the paper sheets S that do not overlap are detected.

Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 62 has the image data of the non-overlapping portion between the broken lines, which does not overlap with the succeeding paper leaf S of the preceding paper leaf S, among the image data of the specified value. The skew angle of the short side of the paper leaves S is calculated from, and the preceding paper leaves S included in the range of the image data for the specified value, the thickness data, and the skew angle are included in the image data for the specified value. The outer shape (edge) of one sheet is determined and the area inside the outer shape (edge) is specified (step Sa11).

At that time, in the control unit 62, for example, as shown in FIG. 7A, when the tip portion of the paper leaf S does not overlap with the paper leaf S preceding it and is clear from the image data. From the position of this tip, the oblique angle of the short side, the specified length of the long side and the length of the short side, the area for one sheet of paper leaves S including this tip. Identify A1.

Next, the control unit 62 is shown in FIG. 7B of the area A1 for one sheet of the paper sheets S based on the thickness information of the paper sheets S acquired by the thickness sensor 31. In addition, a region A2 that does not overlap with the other paper sheets S is determined, and the sampling section detected by the UV sensor module 41 in this region A2 is the specified position between the image sensors 21 and 22 and the UV sensor module 41. Determined from the relationship and the amount of paper leaves transported. At the same time, the sampling section detected by the magnetic sensor array 51 in this region A2 is determined from the specified positional relationship between the image sensors 21 and 22 and the magnetic sensor array 51 and the amount of paper leaves transported (step Sa12). .. Then, the control unit 62 cuts out the ultraviolet reflection information and the magnetic information stored in the memory units 72 and 73, which are detected in these sampling sections, and out of the area A1 for one sheet of the paper sheets S. It is stored in the determination memory unit 81 together with the image data and the thickness information of the region A2 that does not overlap with the other paper sheets S (step Sa13). That is, the control unit 62 has the image data of the area A2 of the area A1 for one sheet of the paper sheets S that does not overlap with the other paper sheets S, the thickness information of the area A2, and this area. The ultraviolet reflection information of A2 and the magnetic information of this area A2 are stored in the determination memory unit 81.

Then, the discrimination unit 63 uses the image data of the region A2, the thickness information of the region A2, the ultraviolet reflection information of the region A2, and the magnetic information of the region A2 stored in the determination memory unit 81 for the paper sheets S. A paper leaf discrimination process for discriminating the type of paper leaf S is performed (step Sa14). When the determination unit 63 determines that the paper sheets S are 10,000 yen tickets, for example, from the image data of the region A2, the thickness information of the region A2, the ultraviolet reflection information of the region A2, and the magnetic information of the region A2. , The paper leaf S is determined to be a 10,000-yen ticket and counted as one 10,000-yen ticket, while other than that, the type of the paper leaf S is determined to be indistinguishable and is not counted. That is, the discriminating unit 63 uses the paper based on the region A2 of the images of the paper sheets S acquired by the image sensors 21 and 22 excluding the overlapping portion between the paper sheets S detected by the thickness sensor 31. The leaves S are discriminated.

Next, the control unit 62 displays the image data of the area A1 for one sheet of the discriminated paper sheets S, including the image data of the area A2 stored in the determination memory unit 81 as described above, in FIG. Mask as shown by the alternate long and short dash line in a) (step Sa15), and the discrimination result of the paper leaf discrimination processing of step Sa14 for this paper leaf S is the processing machine control unit of the paper leaf processing machine 101 described later. It is transmitted to the 121 side (step Sa16).

If there is bill data in the remaining image data after masking (step Sa9: YES), the control unit 62 performs the same steps Sa10 to Sa13 as above for the remaining image data, and leaves the paper. The area for one sheet of S is determined, and the image data in the range that does not overlap with other paper sheets S in this area, the ultraviolet reflection information detected in this range, and the magnetic information detected in this range are obtained. It will be stored in the determination memory unit 81. Then, in step Sa14, the discriminating unit 63 discriminates the type of the paper leaf S from these image data, the ultraviolet reflection information, and the magnetic information about the paper leaf S.

At that time, as shown in FIG. 8A, when the tip of the succeeding paper sheet S overlaps with the preceding paper leaf S and is unknown from the image data, the control unit 62 starts from the thickness data. The position where the thickness of two sheets starts with the preceding paper leaf S is defined as the tip portion of the succeeding paper leaf S, and from the tip portion and the oblique angle, this tip portion is defined as shown in FIG. 8 (b). The outer shape of one sheet of paper leaves S including the outer shape is determined, and the area A3 for one sheet of this paper leaf S is specified.

Then, the control unit 62 includes image data of an area of the area A3 for one sheet of the paper sheets S that does not overlap with the other paper sheets S, ultraviolet reflection information of this area, and the area of this area. The magnetic information is stored in the determination memory unit 81, and the determination unit 63 stores the image data in this region, the ultraviolet reflection information in this region, and the ultraviolet reflection information in this region stored in the determination memory unit 81 for the paper sheets S. From the magnetic information in this region, a paper leaf type discrimination process for discriminating the type of the paper leaf type S is performed.

The control unit 62 sequentially acquires the data of the paper sheets S transported in a chained state in the same manner as described above and stores the data in the determination memory unit 81, and the determination unit 63 sequentially acquires the data in the determination memory unit 81. Based on the image data, ultraviolet reflection information, and magnetic information of the paper sheets S stored in the determination memory unit 81, the types of the paper sheets S transported in a chained state are sequentially determined and described later. It is transmitted to the processing machine control unit 121 side of the paper sheet processing machine 101.

That is, in the method for discriminating paper leaves according to the first embodiment, images of paper leaves S transported in a chained state are acquired by image sensors 21 and 22, and the control unit 62 controls the overlapping portion of the paper leaves S. Detection is performed based on the detection result of the thickness sensor 31. Then, the discriminating unit 63 excludes the overlapping portion of the paper sheets S detected by the control unit 62 based on the detection result of the thickness sensor 31 from the images of the paper sheets S acquired by the image sensors 21 and 22. Paper leaves S are discriminated based on the region.

According to the paper leaf discrimination device 11 and the paper leaf discrimination method of the first embodiment described above, the images of the paper leaves S transported in a chained state are acquired by the image sensors 21 and 22, and the paper is obtained. The control unit 62 detects the overlapping portion of the leaves S based on the detection result of the thickness sensor 31. Then, the discriminating unit 63 is based on the region of the images of the paper sheets S acquired by the image sensors 21 and 22 excluding the overlapping portion of the paper sheets S detected by the control unit 62. Determine S. Therefore, it is possible to discriminate and count a plurality of paper sheets S transported in a chained state.

Further, since the control unit 62 detects the position and length of the overlapping portion of the paper sheets S based on the thickness information acquired by the thickness sensor 31 that detects the thickness of the paper sheets S, it is easy and accurate. The overlapping portion of the paper leaves S can be detected.

Next, the paper leaf processing machine 101 incorporating the above-mentioned paper leaf type discriminating device 11 will be described. The paper leaf processing machine 101 processes banknotes as paper sheets.

As shown in FIG. 9, the paper leaf processing machine 101 has an input section 111 in which banknotes for deposit are inserted from outside the machine, an unacceptable deposit reject banknote among the banknotes for deposit, and a deposit reject banknote on the front side of the machine. Banknotes for withdrawal are drawn out from the inside, and have a payout unit 112 that allows them to be taken out of the machine.

Further, the paper leaf processing machine 101 is provided with the above-mentioned paper leaf discriminating device 11 for discriminating and counting banknotes behind the charging unit 111. Further, the paper leaf processing machine 101 is provided with a temporary storage unit 113 for temporarily storing banknotes discriminated by the paper leaf discriminating device 11 behind the paper leaf discriminating device 11. The temporary storage unit 113 stores the bill S so that it can be paid out. The temporary storage unit 113 is, for example, a drum-type winding storage type, and can temporarily store banknotes in a chained state in a chained state.

The paper leaf processing machine 101 cannot distinguish between a separation mechanism 115 that separates chained banknotes by increasing the transport speed on the downstream side rather than the upstream side, and a plurality of withdrawal storage units 116 (storage units). It has a storage unit 117 for bills. Each of the plurality of withdrawal storage units 116 stores banknotes S of a single denomination. Each of the plurality of withdrawal storage units 116 stores the bill S so that the bill S can be paid out. The storage unit 117 stores the banknote S so that it cannot be paid out.

The paper leaf processing machine 101 has a processing machine control unit 121. In the deposit processing, the processing machine control unit 121 separates the banknotes inserted into the insertion unit 111 one by one from the insertion unit 111 and feeds them out. Transported in the positive direction. At this time, the paper leaf discriminating device 11 discriminates and counts each banknote as described above even if the banknotes are transported in a chained state. Although the processing machine control unit 121 rejects and conveys the banknotes that cannot be discriminated by the paper sheet discriminating device 11 to the payout unit 112, the paper leaf discriminating device 11 can discriminate even the banknotes in a chained state as described above. The bills are received and temporarily stored in the drum-type winding storage type temporary storage unit 113. From the discrimination result transmitted from the discrimination unit 63 of the paper leaf discrimination device 11, the processing machine control unit 121 grasps the denomination and the number of banknotes received and temporarily stored in the temporary storage unit 113. That is, in the deposit processing, the temporary storage unit 113 serves as a receiving unit that accepts the banknotes that the discriminating unit 63 of the paper leaf discriminating device 11 can discriminate. Further, in the deposit processing, the payout unit 112 becomes a reject unit that accepts the banknotes that the discriminating unit 63 of the paper leaf discriminating device 11 could not discriminate.

When an approval operation is input to the operation unit (not shown) for the number of banknotes by denomination stored in the temporary storage unit 113 in the deposit process, the processing machine control unit 121 performs the storage process. In this storage process, the banknotes are fed out from the temporary storage unit 113, and then the banknotes are conveyed in the reverse direction described above by the paper leaf discrimination device 11. The processing machine control unit 121 classifies the paper sheets into denominations based on the discrimination result of the discrimination unit 63 of the paper leaf discrimination device 11 and stores the paper leaves in the withdrawal storage unit 116. At this time, even if the banknotes are transported in a chained state, the paper leaf discrimination device 11 discriminates and counts each banknote one by one as described above, and the unidentifiable banknotes are transported to the storage unit 117. However, even if the banknotes are in a chained state, the banknotes that can be identified as described above are separated by the separation mechanism 115 and stored in the withdrawal storage unit 116 for the corresponding denomination. That is, in the storage process, the plurality of withdrawal storage units 116 serve as receiving units for receiving the bills that the discriminating unit 63 of the paper leaf discriminating device 11 can discriminate, and the storage unit 117 serves as the discriminating unit of the paper leaf discriminating device 11. 63 is a reject unit that accepts the bills that could not be identified.

In the withdrawal process, the processing machine control unit 121 causes the banknotes to be withdrawn from the withdrawal storage unit 116 based on the withdrawal information input to the operation unit (not shown), and is withdrawn from the withdrawal storage unit 116. The banknotes are transported in the positive direction described above by the transport unit 12 of the paper leaf discrimination device 11. At this time, even if the banknotes are transported in a chained state, the paper leaf discrimination device 11 discriminates each banknote as described above, and after the discrimination, the banknotes are transported to the payout unit 112 for withdrawal.

In the paper leaf processing machine 101 described above, even for the banknotes transported in a chained state in the deposit processing, the banknotes that can be discriminated by the discriminating unit 63 of the paper leaf discriminating device 11 are not rejected by the payout unit 112. Can be accepted by the temporary storage unit 113. Further, regarding the banknotes transported in a chained state in the storage process, the banknotes that can be discriminated by the discriminating unit 63 of the paper leaf discriminating device 11 can be received by the withdrawal storage unit 116 without being rejected by the storage unit 117. can. Further, the banknotes transported in a chained state in the withdrawal process can also be paid out to the payout unit 112 after being discriminated by the discriminating unit 63 of the paper leaf discriminating device 11. Therefore, the processing efficiency is higher than the case where the banknotes transported in a chained state are uniformly rejected.

That is, conventionally, the paper leaves S transported in a chained state are uniformly rejected as a transport abnormality, but according to the above-mentioned paper leaf species discriminating device 11, the paper leaves S are in a chained state. Even if there is, it can be discriminated and counted. Therefore, the paper leaf processing machine 101 including the paper leaf discrimination device 11 can carry the paper leaves at close intervals, whereby the paper leaves can be conveyed without increasing the transport speed of the transport system. The processing speed of S (the number of sheets processed per unit time) can be increased. In other words, the paper leaf processing machine 101 can reduce the transport speed while maintaining the processing speed of the paper leaves S, thereby improving the durability of the transport system (conveyor belt or motor). can. In particular, it is suitable for cases where only simple discrimination and counting are sufficient, such as discrimination at the time of withdrawal processing.

[Second Embodiment]
The second embodiment according to the present invention will be described below with reference mainly to FIG. 10, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

In the paper leaf discrimination device 11 of the second embodiment, the control unit 62 uses the transmission image of the paper leaves S acquired by the image sensors 21 and 22 instead of the thickness information acquired by the thickness sensor 31. The overlapping portion of the paper leaves S is detected. For example, as shown by hatching in FIG. 10, the range B that is darker than the surroundings in the transparent image is defined as the overlapping portion of the paper sheets S. With this configuration, the overlapping portion can be detected without the thickness information acquired by the thickness sensor 31. Since the overlapping portion of the paper leaves S is a triangle or a quadrangle, the range B is the overlapping portion of the paper leaves S in the case where the range B darker than the surroundings is a triangle and the case where the quadrangle is used in the transparent image. It is also good.

[Third Embodiment]
The third embodiment according to the present invention will be described below, focusing on the differences from the first and second embodiments.

In the paper leaf discrimination device 11 of the third embodiment, the control unit 62 obtains the thickness information acquired by the thickness sensor 31 of the first embodiment and the paper leaves acquired by the image sensors 21 and 22 of the second embodiment. The overlapping portion of the paper leaf S is detected based on both the transparent image of the class S and the transparent image of the class S. For example, in a transparent image, as shown by hatching in FIG. 10, when a range B darker than the surroundings is detected and the thickness of this range B is equivalent to two sheets of paper sheets S, this range B is used as paper leaves. It is an overlapping part of class S. With this configuration, it is possible to improve the detection accuracy of the overlapping portion of the paper sheets S.

[Modification example]
It is also possible to change the first to third embodiments as follows. For example, it is possible to provide a switching means for switching on / off of the chain discrimination function for discriminating the paper sheets S transported in the chained state as described above. When the chain discrimination function is off, the paper leaves transported in a chained state shall be treated as rejected paper leaves as before. This switching may be manually set by the operator, the chain discrimination function may be switched on only in the discrimination counting mode, or it may be automatically switched between the deposit processing and the withdrawal processing. For example, at the time of deposit processing, the chain discrimination function is turned off in order to tighten the acceptance judgment criteria, and at the time of withdrawal processing, the chain discrimination function is turned on with priority given to the processing speed.

11 Paper leaf discrimination device 12 Transport unit 21 and 22 Image sensor 31 Thickness sensor 62 Control unit (detection unit)
63 Discrimination section 101 Paper leaf processing machine 112 Dispensing section 113 Temporary storage section 116 Withdrawal storage section (storage section)
S paper leaves

Claims (5)

An image sensor that acquires images of paper leaves transported in a chained state, and
A detection unit that detects the overlapping portion of the paper sheets,
Paper leaves having a discriminating unit for discriminating the paper leaves based on a region excluding the overlapping portion detected by the detection unit among the images of the paper leaves acquired by the image sensor. Discriminating device. Further equipped with a thickness sensor for detecting the thickness of the paper sheets,
The paper leaf discrimination device according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit detects an overlapping portion of the paper leaves based on the thickness information acquired by the thickness sensor. The image sensor acquires a transparent image of the paper sheet and obtains a transparent image.
The paper leaf discrimination device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the detection unit detects an overlapping portion of the paper leaves based on the transmitted image. A storage unit for storing paper leaves so that they can be fed out,
A transport unit for transporting paper leaves fed from the storage unit, and a transport unit.
An image sensor that acquires an image of paper sheets transported in a chained state from the transport unit, and an image sensor.
A detection unit that detects the overlapping portion of the paper sheets,
Of the images of the paper sheets acquired by the image sensor, a discriminating unit for discriminating the paper sheets based on the region excluding the overlapping portion detected by the detection unit, and
A paper leaf processing machine including a payout unit for paying out the paper leaves discriminated by the discriminating unit. Images of paper leaves transported in a chained state are acquired by an image sensor, and
The overlapping portion of the paper sheets is detected by the detection unit, and the overlapped portion is detected.
A method for discriminating paper sheets based on a region of the images of the paper sheets acquired by the image sensor excluding the overlapping portion detected by the detection unit. ..

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