EP2196421B1 - Bill position adjustment method and system for bill acceptor - Google Patents
Bill position adjustment method and system for bill acceptor Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2196421B1 EP2196421B1 EP08021751.6A EP08021751A EP2196421B1 EP 2196421 B1 EP2196421 B1 EP 2196421B1 EP 08021751 A EP08021751 A EP 08021751A EP 2196421 B1 EP2196421 B1 EP 2196421B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- bill
- adjustment
- sensor
- passage
- impression
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Not-in-force
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H9/00—Registering, e.g. orientating, articles; Devices therefor
- B65H9/10—Pusher and like movable registers; Pusher or gripper devices which move articles into registered position
- B65H9/101—Pusher and like movable registers; Pusher or gripper devices which move articles into registered position acting on the edge of the article
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2220/00—Function indicators
- B65H2220/09—Function indicators indicating that several of an entity are present
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2404/00—Parts for transporting or guiding the handled material
- B65H2404/10—Rollers
- B65H2404/14—Roller pairs
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2404/00—Parts for transporting or guiding the handled material
- B65H2404/10—Rollers
- B65H2404/14—Roller pairs
- B65H2404/144—Roller pairs with relative movement of the rollers to / from each other
- B65H2404/1442—Tripping arrangements
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2511/00—Dimensions; Position; Numbers; Identification; Occurrences
- B65H2511/10—Size; Dimensions
- B65H2511/12—Width
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2511/00—Dimensions; Position; Numbers; Identification; Occurrences
- B65H2511/20—Location in space
- B65H2511/24—Irregularities, e.g. in orientation or skewness
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2701/00—Handled material; Storage means
- B65H2701/10—Handled articles or webs
- B65H2701/19—Specific article or web
- B65H2701/1912—Banknotes, bills and cheques or the like
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a bill acceptor for use with an automatic vending machine and more particularly, to a bill position adjustment method and system for a bill acceptor, which automatically adjust the width of the bill passage to correct the direction of an inserted bill into accurate alignment with a recognition device for accurate recognition.
- a bill acceptor has recognition means to recognize the authenticity of a bill before receiving it.
- the bill passage of a bill acceptor is specifically designed for a particular bill of one specific width. Because different bills issued from different countries have different sizes (length, width and thickness) and different anti-counterfeit characteristics at different locations. A bill that is inserted into a bill acceptor must be kept in accurate alignment with the recognition device so that the recognition device can accurate recognize the anti-counterfeit characteristics. If an inserted bill is biased, the recognition device may reject the bill due to a recognition error. In this case, the user must insert the bill again, causing inconvenience.
- a transmission mechanism is controlled to transfer the bill to a bill box. If a bill is biased when it is being transferred to the bill box, it may be curved in the bill box, lowering the available space of the bill box, or jammed in the bill entrance of the bill box, causing a machine failure.
- the present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is therefore one object of the present invention to provide a bill position adjustment method and system for a bill acceptor, which automatically adjusts the width of the bill passage to correct the direction of an inserted bill into accurate alignment with a recognition device for accurate recognition. It is another object of the present invention to provide a bill position adjustment method and system for bill acceptor, which automatically corrects the direction of an inserted bill without wrinkling the bill. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a bill position adjustment method and system for bill acceptor, which fits different kinds of bills having different sizes and different anti-counterfeit designs.
- the bill position adjustment system for bill acceptor comprises a body with an insertion slot and a bill passage, a transmission mechanism for transferring an inserted bill, a recognition device for recognizing the authenticity and value of an inserted bill, an entrance sensor and a stoppage sensor mounted in the bill passage for controlling the transmission mechanism to transfer the inserted bill into position for recognition, a bill passage adjustment mechanism for adjusting the width of the bill passage to correct the direction of an inserted bill into accurate alignment with the recognition device, and a bill sensor mounted in a sensor zone in the bill insertion slot for detecting the width of an inserted bill and controlling the bill passage adjustment mechanism to adjust the width of the bill passage subject to the detection result.
- the bill passage adjustment mechanism comprises at least one first adjustment device and at least one second adjustment device arranged at two opposite lateral sides of the bill passage and movable transversely relative to the bill passage to adjust the width between the at least one first adjustment device and the at least one second adjustment device, and a plurality of driving devices controllable to move the at least one first adjustment device and the at least one second adjustment device separately. Because the at least one first adjustment device and the at least one second adjustment device are separately moved to correct the direction of an inserted bill, correcting the direction of an inserted bill does not wrinkle or deform the bill.
- a bill acceptor comprising a body 1, a bill passage adjustment mechanism 2, a transmission mechanism 3, a movable bill impression mechanism 4 and a recognition device 5.
- the body 1 comprises a bill passage 11 for allowing a bill 6 to pass, an insertion slot 12 extending to the outside and disposed in communication with the bill passage 11 for the insertion of a bill 6 into the bill passage 11, at least one, for example, a sensor zone 13 defined in an inner side of the insertion slot 12, at least one bill sensor 131 installed in the sensor zone 13 and adapted to detect the width and position of a bill 6 being inserted into the insertion slot 12, an entrance sensor 14 mounted in the rear side of the insertion slot 12 in front of the bill passage 11 and adapted to detect the presence of a bill 6, and a stoppage sensor 15 installed in a rear side of the bill passage 11 and adapted to detect stoppage of a bill 6.
- the bill passage adjustment mechanism 2 is mounted in the body 1 between the entrance sensor 14 and the stoppage sensor 15 and adapted to adjust the width of the bill passage 11 subject to the control of the at least one sensor zone 13.
- the bill passage adjustment mechanism 2 comprises a plurality of driving devices 21 operable subject to the control of the at least one bill sensor 131, and a plurality of adjustment devices 2222' respectively coupled to and movable by the driving devices 21 to adjust the width of the bill passage 11 subject to the control of the at least one bill sensor 131.
- the driving devices 21 are mounted in the bottom side of the bill passage 1, each comprising a rotary member 211 and two arms 2111 that are perpendicularly extended from the rotary member 211 and define therebetween a sliding way 2112.
- the adjustment devices 22 are respectively coupled to the driving devices 21 and suspending in the bill passage 11 at two opposite lateral sides of the bill passage 11, each comprising a plurality of sliding members 221 movable along fixed guide rods 23 in the bottom side of the bill passage 11, a barrel 222 vertically disposed on the middle, an axle 223 inserted through the barrel 222, and a bearing 224 mounted on the bottom end of the axle 223 and coupled to the sliding way 2112 between the two arms 211 of one associating driving device 21. Further, spring members 24 are respectively sleeved onto one of the fixed guide rods 23 and stopped against the adjustment devices 22,22'.
- the transmission mechanism 3 is mounted in the body 1 at one side, namely, the bottom side of the bill passage 11 behind the sensor zone 13 and at an inner side relative to the adjustment devices 2222' of the bill passage adjustment mechanism 2, comprising a plurality of bill-transfer members 31 for transferring a bill 6 being inserted into the insertion slot 12.
- the bill-transfer members 31 can be rollers, rolling balls, transmission belts or any other devices capable for transferring a bill 6.
- the movable bill impression mechanism 4 is mounted in the body 1 at the other side, namely, the top side of the bill passage 11, comprised of a rotary shaft 41, an electromagnetic valve 42, a plurality of impression wheel brackets 43 arranged at two sides relative to the electromagnetic valve 42, two sensor switches 44 and a cover 45.
- the rotary shaft 41 has two opposite coupling portions 411 respectively axially extended from the two distal ends thereof and pivotally coupled to the inside of the body 1, a plurality of coupling frames 412 extended from the periphery, a plurality of pressure arms 413 extended from the periphery and facing the impression wheel brackets 43, and a shield plate 414 perpendicularly extended from one coupling portion 411.
- the coupling frames 412 define therebetween a receiving space 4121.
- each two adjacent coupling frames 412 have a notch 4122.
- the electromagnetic valve 42 comprises a reciprocating valve rod 421 inserted into the receiving space 4121 between the coupling frames 412 of the rotary shaft 41, a pin 422 transversely inserted through the reciprocating valve rod 421 and coupled to the notches 4122 of the two associating coupling frames 412, and a spring member 423 mounted on the reciprocating valve rod 421.
- Each impression wheel bracket 43 comprises two coupling rods 431 respectively pivotally coupled to the inside of the body 1, two suspension arms 432 respectively extended from the coupling rods 431, an impression wheel 433 pivotally coupled between the suspension arms 432 and suspending in the bill passage 11 inside the body 1, a bearing portion 434 extended in direction away from the suspension arms 432 for pressing by one pressure arm 413 of the rotary shaft 41, a locating member 435, and a spring member 436 connected with its one end to the locating member 435.
- the two sensor switches 44 are disposed at two sides relative to the shield plate 414 of the rotary shaft 41, and inducible by the shield plate 414 to control the operation of the electromagnetic valve 42.
- the cover 45 defines an accommodation space 450 for accommodating the rotary shaft 41, the electromagnetic valve 42 and the impression wheel brackets 43, and has locating members 451 for the connection of the other ends of the spring members 436 of the impression wheel brackets 43.
- the recognition device 5 is installed in the body 1 behind the bill passage adjustment mechanism 2, having sensor means for detecting the anti-counterfeit characteristics of an inserted bill 6.
- the bill position adjustment method runs subject to the following steps:
- the entrance sensor 14 when a bill 6 is inserted into the insertion slot 12 to touch the entrance sensor 14, the entrance sensor 14 outputs a signal, causing the transmission mechanism 3 to move the bill-transfer members 31 in transferring the bill 6 forwards.
- the stoppage sensor 15 When the bill 6 touches the stoppage sensor 15, the stoppage sensor 15 outputs a signal to stop the transmission mechanism 3.
- the transmission mechanism 3 is stopped, the bill 6 is kept between two adjustment devices 22, and the at least one bill sensor 131 in the sensor zone 13 detects the width and biasing direction of the bill 6 and provides the detection data to the control circuit (not shown) that controls the operation of the bill passage adjustment mechanism 2.
- the movable bill impression mechanism 4 moves the impression wheels 433 away from the bill 6, and the bill passage adjustment mechanism 2 drives the driving devices 21 to move the adjustment devices 2222' that are arranged at one lateral side in the bill passage 11 subject to the detection of the at least one bill sensor 131 (in case the bill 6 is biased rightwards, the right-sided adjustment device 22 is moved at first). Thereafter, the bill passage adjustment mechanism 2 drives the driving devices 21 to move the adjustment device 22' that is arranged at the other lateral side in the bill passage 11, thereby correcting the direction of the bill 6 into accurate alignment with the recognition device 5 for authenticity recognition.
- the movable bill impression mechanism 4 is driven to move the impression wheels 433 toward the bill 6, pressing the impression wheels 433 on the bill 6 against the bill-transfer members 31, and then the transmission mechanism 3 is driven to move the bill-transfer members 31 and to further transfer the bill 6 forwards, enabling the recognition device 5 to detect the authenticity of the bill 6.
- one driving device 21 When one driving device 21 is started, it rotates the rotary member 211, causing the two arms 2111 to move the bearing 224 of the associating adjustment device 22, and therefore the associating adjustment device 22 is forced to move with its sliding members 221 along the associating fixed guide rods 23.
- the adjustment device 22 When the adjustment device 22 is moving along the associating fixed guide rods 23 in one direction, the spring members 24 are compressed.
- the spring members 24 force the associating adjustment device 2222' back to its former position.
- the electromagnetic valve 42 is driven to retract the reciprocating valve rod 421 and the pin 422, causing the coupling frames 412 to be moved by the pin 422 in one direction, and therefore the rotary shaft 41 is biased in one direction.
- the pressure arms 413 are biased with the rotary shaft 41 in direction toward the bill passage 11 and pressed on the bearing portions 434 of the impression wheel brackets 43, thereby causing each impression wheel bracket 43 to turn in one direction, and therefore the impression wheel 433 is moved with the associating suspension arms 432 away from the bill passage 11.
- the bill 6 is released from the constraint of the bill-transfer members 31 and the impression wheel 433, and can be corrected to the accurate position by the adjustment devices 2222'.
- the spring member 423 When retracting the reciprocating valve rod 421 and the pin 422 to bias the rotary shaft 41, the spring member 423 is compressed. When the impression wheel brackets 43 are biased to move the associating impression wheels 433 away from the bill passage 11, the spring members 436 are compressed. After the adjustment devices 2222' pushed the bill 6 into the accurate position, the electromagnetic valve 42 is stopped, the spring member 423 returns the rotary shaft 4 to its former position, and the spring members 436 return the impression wheel brackets 43 to their former position. At this time, the bill-transfer members 31 and the impression wheel 433 are respectively pressed on the top and bottom sides of the bill 6, enabling the bill 6 to be transferred forwards by the bill-transfer members 31.
- the at least one bill sensor 131 in the sensor zone 13 is induced to detect the width of the bill 6, causing the bill passage adjustment mechanism 2 to adjust the width of the bill passage 11 subject to the detection of the at least one bill sensor 131.
- a database may be linked to the sensor zone 13. The database has stored therein data of widths, location of anti-counterfeit characteristics and location of value of different bills issued by a government or different governments. Subject to the data stored in the database, the at least one bill sensor 131 in the sensor zone 13 can accurately detect the width of a bill 6 being inserted into the insertion slot 12 so that the bill passage adjustment mechanism 2 can accurately adjust the width of the bill passage 11, avoiding a bill jam.
- the at least one bill sensor 131 in the sensor zone 13 can be a reflective sensor, penetrative sensor, contact image sensor (CIS), linear sensor or any other optical sensing device.
- the at least one bill sensor 131 can be installed in the bill passage 11 on the top, bottom, or one or both lateral sides, capable of accurately detecting the width and direction of the inserted bill 6.
- the invention effectively eliminates the problem of using multiple recognition devices to detect different kinds of bill.
- the adjustment devices 2222' are accurately controlled to move the bill 6 into accurate alignment with the recognition device 5 for accurate recognition of the authenticity of the bill 6. Therefore, only one single recognition device 5 is necessary, saving much the manufacturing cost of the bill acceptor.
- the invention provides a bill position adjustment method and system for bill acceptor that has the following advantages and features:
Landscapes
- Inspection Of Paper Currency And Valuable Securities (AREA)
- Registering Or Overturning Sheets (AREA)
Description
- The present invention relates to a bill acceptor for use with an automatic vending machine and more particularly, to a bill position adjustment method and system for a bill acceptor, which automatically adjust the width of the bill passage to correct the direction of an inserted bill into accurate alignment with a recognition device for accurate recognition.
- Following fast development of technology, the distance among people has been greatly shortened, our mode of living has been changed, requesting convenience and rapidness. In consequence, different automatic vending machines, auto teller machines, bill acceptors and many other automatic service machines are developed and intensively used public places to serve people without serviceman. These automatic machines are highly invited for the advantage of saving much labor and bringing convenience to people.
- Further, to avoid direct loss due to counterfeiting and to avoid inadvertently passing counterfeit bills to consumers, a bill acceptor has recognition means to recognize the authenticity of a bill before receiving it. However, the bill passage of a bill acceptor is specifically designed for a particular bill of one specific width. Because different bills issued from different countries have different sizes (length, width and thickness) and different anti-counterfeit characteristics at different locations. A bill that is inserted into a bill acceptor must be kept in accurate alignment with the recognition device so that the recognition device can accurate recognize the anti-counterfeit characteristics. If an inserted bill is biased, the recognition device may reject the bill due to a recognition error. In this case, the user must insert the bill again, causing inconvenience.
- Further, after recognition of a bill to be a true bill, a transmission mechanism is controlled to transfer the bill to a bill box. If a bill is biased when it is being transferred to the bill box, it may be curved in the bill box, lowering the available space of the bill box, or jammed in the bill entrance of the bill box, causing a machine failure.
- An apparatus for discriminating valuable papers with centering means is known from
US 2005/0077215 A1 . - There is known a bill acceptor that has two clamping arms arranged at two opposite lateral sides of the bill passage and movable relative to each other for holding an inserted bill in accurate alignment with the recognition device. However, this design is still not satisfactory in function because of the following drawbacks:
- 1. The bill acceptor fits only one specific kind of bills having a specific width.
- 2. When a wrinkled and softened bill is inserted into the bill acceptor, the bill will be deformed after clamped by the two clamping arms, causing the recognition device unable to accurate recognize the anti-counterfeit characteristics of the bill or the transmission mechanism unable to transfer the bill positively.
- Therefore, it is desirable to provide a bill acceptor that eliminates the aforesaid problems.
- The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is therefore one object of the present invention to provide a bill position adjustment method and system for a bill acceptor, which automatically adjusts the width of the bill passage to correct the direction of an inserted bill into accurate alignment with a recognition device for accurate recognition. It is another object of the present invention to provide a bill position adjustment method and system for bill acceptor, which automatically corrects the direction of an inserted bill without wrinkling the bill. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a bill position adjustment method and system for bill acceptor, which fits different kinds of bills having different sizes and different anti-counterfeit designs.
- To achieve these and other objects of the present invention, the bill position adjustment system for bill acceptor comprises a body with an insertion slot and a bill passage, a transmission mechanism for transferring an inserted bill, a recognition device for recognizing the authenticity and value of an inserted bill, an entrance sensor and a stoppage sensor mounted in the bill passage for controlling the transmission mechanism to transfer the inserted bill into position for recognition, a bill passage adjustment mechanism for adjusting the width of the bill passage to correct the direction of an inserted bill into accurate alignment with the recognition device, and a bill sensor mounted in a sensor zone in the bill insertion slot for detecting the width of an inserted bill and controlling the bill passage adjustment mechanism to adjust the width of the bill passage subject to the detection result.
- Further, the bill passage adjustment mechanism comprises at least one first adjustment device and at least one second adjustment device arranged at two opposite lateral sides of the bill passage and movable transversely relative to the bill passage to adjust the width between the at least one first adjustment device and the at least one second adjustment device, and a plurality of driving devices controllable to move the at least one first adjustment device and the at least one second adjustment device separately. Because the at least one first adjustment device and the at least one second adjustment device are separately moved to correct the direction of an inserted bill, correcting the direction of an inserted bill does not wrinkle or deform the bill.
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FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a bill acceptor equipped with a bill position adjustment system in accordance with the present invention. -
FIG. 2 is an exploded view in an enlarged scale of a part of the bill position adjustment method and system in accordance with the present invention. -
FIG. 3 is an exploded view in an enlarged scale of the movable bill impression mechanism of the bill position adjustment method and system in accordance with the present invention. -
FIG. 4 is schematic top view of the bill position adjustment system in accordance with the present invention. -
FIG. 5 is a schematic front view of the bill position adjustment system in accordance with the present invention. -
FIG. 6 is a sectional side view, in an enlarged scale, of the bill acceptor shown inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 7 is an operation flow chart of the bill position adjustment system in accordance with the present invention. -
FIG. 8 is a schematic top view of the present invention, showing the bill position adjustment system in operation (I). -
FIG. 9 is a schematic top view of the present invention, showing the bill position adjustment system in operation (II). -
FIG. 10 is a schematic top view of the present invention, showing the bill position adjustment system in operation (III). - Referring to
FIGS. 1-6 , a bill acceptor is shown comprising abody 1, a billpassage adjustment mechanism 2, atransmission mechanism 3, a movablebill impression mechanism 4 and arecognition device 5. - The
body 1 comprises abill passage 11 for allowing abill 6 to pass, aninsertion slot 12 extending to the outside and disposed in communication with thebill passage 11 for the insertion of abill 6 into thebill passage 11, at least one, for example, asensor zone 13 defined in an inner side of theinsertion slot 12, at least onebill sensor 131 installed in thesensor zone 13 and adapted to detect the width and position of abill 6 being inserted into theinsertion slot 12, anentrance sensor 14 mounted in the rear side of theinsertion slot 12 in front of thebill passage 11 and adapted to detect the presence of abill 6, and astoppage sensor 15 installed in a rear side of thebill passage 11 and adapted to detect stoppage of abill 6. - The bill
passage adjustment mechanism 2 is mounted in thebody 1 between theentrance sensor 14 and thestoppage sensor 15 and adapted to adjust the width of thebill passage 11 subject to the control of the at least onesensor zone 13. The billpassage adjustment mechanism 2 comprises a plurality ofdriving devices 21 operable subject to the control of the at least onebill sensor 131, and a plurality of adjustment devices 2222' respectively coupled to and movable by thedriving devices 21 to adjust the width of thebill passage 11 subject to the control of the at least onebill sensor 131. Thedriving devices 21 are mounted in the bottom side of thebill passage 1, each comprising arotary member 211 and twoarms 2111 that are perpendicularly extended from therotary member 211 and define therebetween asliding way 2112. Theadjustment devices 22 are respectively coupled to thedriving devices 21 and suspending in thebill passage 11 at two opposite lateral sides of thebill passage 11, each comprising a plurality of slidingmembers 221 movable alongfixed guide rods 23 in the bottom side of thebill passage 11, abarrel 222 vertically disposed on the middle, anaxle 223 inserted through thebarrel 222, and abearing 224 mounted on the bottom end of theaxle 223 and coupled to the slidingway 2112 between the twoarms 211 of one associatingdriving device 21. Further,spring members 24 are respectively sleeved onto one of thefixed guide rods 23 and stopped against theadjustment devices 22,22'. - The
transmission mechanism 3 is mounted in thebody 1 at one side, namely, the bottom side of thebill passage 11 behind thesensor zone 13 and at an inner side relative to the adjustment devices 2222' of the billpassage adjustment mechanism 2, comprising a plurality of bill-transfer members 31 for transferring abill 6 being inserted into theinsertion slot 12. The bill-transfer members 31 can be rollers, rolling balls, transmission belts or any other devices capable for transferring abill 6. - The movable
bill impression mechanism 4 is mounted in thebody 1 at the other side, namely, the top side of thebill passage 11, comprised of arotary shaft 41, anelectromagnetic valve 42, a plurality ofimpression wheel brackets 43 arranged at two sides relative to theelectromagnetic valve 42, twosensor switches 44 and acover 45. Therotary shaft 41 has twoopposite coupling portions 411 respectively axially extended from the two distal ends thereof and pivotally coupled to the inside of thebody 1, a plurality ofcoupling frames 412 extended from the periphery, a plurality ofpressure arms 413 extended from the periphery and facing theimpression wheel brackets 43, and ashield plate 414 perpendicularly extended from onecoupling portion 411. Thecoupling frames 412 define therebetween areceiving space 4121. Further, each twoadjacent coupling frames 412 have anotch 4122. Theelectromagnetic valve 42 comprises a reciprocatingvalve rod 421 inserted into thereceiving space 4121 between thecoupling frames 412 of therotary shaft 41, apin 422 transversely inserted through the reciprocatingvalve rod 421 and coupled to thenotches 4122 of the two associatingcoupling frames 412, and aspring member 423 mounted on the reciprocatingvalve rod 421. Eachimpression wheel bracket 43 comprises twocoupling rods 431 respectively pivotally coupled to the inside of thebody 1, twosuspension arms 432 respectively extended from thecoupling rods 431, animpression wheel 433 pivotally coupled between thesuspension arms 432 and suspending in thebill passage 11 inside thebody 1, abearing portion 434 extended in direction away from thesuspension arms 432 for pressing by onepressure arm 413 of therotary shaft 41, a locatingmember 435, and aspring member 436 connected with its one end to the locatingmember 435. The twosensor switches 44 are disposed at two sides relative to theshield plate 414 of therotary shaft 41, and inducible by theshield plate 414 to control the operation of theelectromagnetic valve 42. Thecover 45 defines anaccommodation space 450 for accommodating therotary shaft 41, theelectromagnetic valve 42 and theimpression wheel brackets 43, and has locatingmembers 451 for the connection of the other ends of thespring members 436 of theimpression wheel brackets 43. - The
recognition device 5 is installed in thebody 1 behind the billpassage adjustment mechanism 2, having sensor means for detecting the anti-counterfeit characteristics of an insertedbill 6. - Referring to
FIG. 7 andFIGS. 1-6 again, the bill position adjustment method runs subject to the following steps: - (100) Insert a
bill 6 through theinsertion slot 12 into thebill passage 11. - (101) The
bill 6 touches theentrance sensor 14, and thetransmission mechanism 3 is driven to move the bill-transfer members 31, transferring thebill 6 forwards toward the inside. - (102) The
bill 6 triggers thestoppage sensor 15 to stop thetransmission mechanism 3, keeping thebill 6 between twoadjustment devices 22,22'. - (103) The at least one
bill sensor 131 in thesensor zone 13 detects the width and biasing direction of thebill 6. - (104) The movable
bill impression mechanism 4 moves theimpression wheels 433 away from thebill 6. - (105) The bill
passage adjustment mechanism 2 drives the drivingdevices 21 to move theadjustment devices 22 that are arranged at one lateral side in thebill passage 11 subject to the detection of the at least onebill sensor 131. - (106) The bill
passage adjustment mechanism 2 drives the drivingdevices 21 to move the adjustment devices 2222' that are arranged at the other lateral side in thebill passage 11, thereby correcting the direction of thebill 6 into accurate alignment with therecognition device 5 for authenticity recognition. - (107) The movable
bill impression mechanism 4 moves theimpression wheels 433 toward thebill 6, pressing theimpression wheels 433 on thebill 6 against the bill-transfer members 31. - (108) The
transmission mechanism 3 drives the bill-transfer members 31 to transfer thebill 6 forwards, and at the same time therecognition device 5 detects the authenticity of thebill 6, and then proceed to step (109) if thebill 6 is recognized to be a true bill, or step (111) if thebill 6 is a counterfeit. - (109) The
transmission mechanism 3 drives the bill-transfer members 31 to transfer thebill 6 further forwards to a bill box (not shown). - (110) The bill
passage adjustment mechanism 2 drives the drivingdevices 21 to return the adjustment devices 2222' to their former position where thebill passage 11 is in the widest condition. Thereafter proceed to step (113). - (111) The bill
passage adjustment mechanism 2 drives the drivingdevices 21 to return the adjustment devices 2222' to their former position where thebill passage 11 is in the widest condition. - (112) The
transmission mechanism 3 reverses the bill-transfer members 31 to transfer thebill 6 backwards to theinsertion slot 12. - (113) End.
- Referring to
FIGS. 8-10 andFIGS. 1-4 again, when abill 6 is inserted into theinsertion slot 12 to touch theentrance sensor 14, theentrance sensor 14 outputs a signal, causing thetransmission mechanism 3 to move the bill-transfer members 31 in transferring thebill 6 forwards. When thebill 6 touches thestoppage sensor 15, thestoppage sensor 15 outputs a signal to stop thetransmission mechanism 3. When thetransmission mechanism 3 is stopped, thebill 6 is kept between twoadjustment devices 22, and the at least onebill sensor 131 in thesensor zone 13 detects the width and biasing direction of thebill 6 and provides the detection data to the control circuit (not shown) that controls the operation of the billpassage adjustment mechanism 2. At this time, the movablebill impression mechanism 4 moves theimpression wheels 433 away from thebill 6, and the billpassage adjustment mechanism 2 drives the drivingdevices 21 to move the adjustment devices 2222' that are arranged at one lateral side in thebill passage 11 subject to the detection of the at least one bill sensor 131 (in case thebill 6 is biased rightwards, the right-sided adjustment device 22 is moved at first). Thereafter, the billpassage adjustment mechanism 2 drives the drivingdevices 21 to move the adjustment device 22' that is arranged at the other lateral side in thebill passage 11, thereby correcting the direction of thebill 6 into accurate alignment with therecognition device 5 for authenticity recognition. After the direction of thebill 6 has been corrected and stopped between the adjustment devices 2222' in accurate alignment with therecognition device 5, the movablebill impression mechanism 4 is driven to move theimpression wheels 433 toward thebill 6, pressing theimpression wheels 433 on thebill 6 against the bill-transfer members 31, and then thetransmission mechanism 3 is driven to move the bill-transfer members 31 and to further transfer thebill 6 forwards, enabling therecognition device 5 to detect the authenticity of thebill 6. - When one
driving device 21 is started, it rotates therotary member 211, causing the twoarms 2111 to move the bearing 224 of the associatingadjustment device 22, and therefore the associatingadjustment device 22 is forced to move with its slidingmembers 221 along the associating fixedguide rods 23. When theadjustment device 22 is moving along the associating fixedguide rods 23 in one direction, thespring members 24 are compressed. When thebill 6 is moved away from the space between the right-sided and left-sided adjustment devices 2222', thespring members 24 force the associating adjustment device 2222' back to its former position. - During the operation of the movable
bill impression mechanism 4, theelectromagnetic valve 42 is driven to retract thereciprocating valve rod 421 and thepin 422, causing the coupling frames 412 to be moved by thepin 422 in one direction, and therefore therotary shaft 41 is biased in one direction. At this time, thepressure arms 413 are biased with therotary shaft 41 in direction toward thebill passage 11 and pressed on the bearingportions 434 of theimpression wheel brackets 43, thereby causing eachimpression wheel bracket 43 to turn in one direction, and therefore theimpression wheel 433 is moved with the associatingsuspension arms 432 away from thebill passage 11. At this time, thebill 6 is released from the constraint of the bill-transfer members 31 and theimpression wheel 433, and can be corrected to the accurate position by the adjustment devices 2222'. - When retracting the
reciprocating valve rod 421 and thepin 422 to bias therotary shaft 41, thespring member 423 is compressed. When theimpression wheel brackets 43 are biased to move the associatingimpression wheels 433 away from thebill passage 11, thespring members 436 are compressed. After the adjustment devices 2222' pushed thebill 6 into the accurate position, theelectromagnetic valve 42 is stopped, thespring member 423 returns therotary shaft 4 to its former position, and thespring members 436 return theimpression wheel brackets 43 to their former position. At this time, the bill-transfer members 31 and theimpression wheel 433 are respectively pressed on the top and bottom sides of thebill 6, enabling thebill 6 to be transferred forwards by the bill-transfer members 31. - As stated above, when a
bill 6 is inserted into theinsertion slot 12, the at least onebill sensor 131 in thesensor zone 13 is induced to detect the width of thebill 6, causing the billpassage adjustment mechanism 2 to adjust the width of thebill passage 11 subject to the detection of the at least onebill sensor 131. A database may be linked to thesensor zone 13. The database has stored therein data of widths, location of anti-counterfeit characteristics and location of value of different bills issued by a government or different governments. Subject to the data stored in the database, the at least onebill sensor 131 in thesensor zone 13 can accurately detect the width of abill 6 being inserted into theinsertion slot 12 so that the billpassage adjustment mechanism 2 can accurately adjust the width of thebill passage 11, avoiding a bill jam. - Further, the at least one
bill sensor 131 in thesensor zone 13 can be a reflective sensor, penetrative sensor, contact image sensor (CIS), linear sensor or any other optical sensing device. The at least onebill sensor 131 can be installed in thebill passage 11 on the top, bottom, or one or both lateral sides, capable of accurately detecting the width and direction of the insertedbill 6. - Because the locations of the anti-counterfeit characteristics and value of different kinds of bills are different, different recognition devices may be necessary to detect the authenticity and value of different kinds of bills. The invention effectively eliminates the problem of using multiple recognition devices to detect different kinds of bill. By means of the at least one
bill sensor 131 in thesensor zone 13 to detect the kind of each insertedbill 6 and to compare the detected data with storage data in the database, the adjustment devices 2222' are accurately controlled to move thebill 6 into accurate alignment with therecognition device 5 for accurate recognition of the authenticity of thebill 6. Therefore, only onesingle recognition device 5 is necessary, saving much the manufacturing cost of the bill acceptor. - In conclusion, the invention provides a bill position adjustment method and system for bill acceptor that has the following advantages and features:
- 1. By means of the at least one
bill sensor 131 in thesensor zone 13 to detect the width and biasing direction, the adjustment devices 2222' are moved subject to the detection of the at least onebill sensor 131, thereby correcting the direction of thebill 6 into accurate alignment with therecognition device 5 for accurate recognition. - 2. The bill
passage adjustment mechanism 2 is controlled to move theadjustment device 22 that is arranged at one lateral side in thebill passage 11 subject to the detection of the at least onebill sensor 131 in thesensor zone 13, and then to move the adjustment device 22' that is arranged at the other lateral side in thebill passage 11, thereby correcting the direction of thebill 6 into accurate alignment with therecognition device 5 for authenticity recognition, avoiding wrinkling or biasing of thebill 6.. - 3. By means of the at least one
bill sensor 131 in thesensor zone 13 to detect the width and biasing direction of an insertedbill 6 and the billpassage adjustment mechanism 2 to correct the direction of thebill 6 subject to the detection of the at least onebill sensor 131, onesingle recognition device 5 is sufficient to recognize different kinds ofbill 6, saving much the cost of the bill acceptor.
Claims (15)
- A bill position adjustment method for a bill acceptor for correcting the direction of an inserted bill (6), comprising the steps of:(1) inserting a bill into an insertion slot (12) of a bill acceptor;(2) an entrance sensor (14) being induced to drive a transmission mechanism upon inserting of said bill into said insertion slot, causing said transmission mechanism to transfer said bill forwards;(3) a stoppage sensor (15) being triggered to stop said transmission mechanism after said bill has been transferred forwards by said bill-transfer members through a predetermined distance;(4) at least one bill sensor (131) in a sensor zone (13) in said insertion slot being driven to detect the width and biasing direction of said bill;(5) a movable bill impression mechanism (4) being driven to move impression wheels (433) away from said bill;(6) a bill passage adjustment mechanism (2) controlling driving devices to move first adjustment device (22) subject to the detection of said at least one bill sensor; and(7) said bill passage adjustment mechanism controlling said driving devices to move second adjustment device (22') opposite to said first adjustment device to correct the direction of said bill into alignment with a recognition device.
- The bill position adjustment method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one bill sensor in said sensor zone controls said bill passage adjustment mechanism to move said first and second adjustment devices subject to the bill width data detected.
- The bill position adjustment method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one bill sensor in said sensor zone compares the detected bill width data with a storage data in a database to obtain the data of a predetermined bill width, location of bill anti-counterfeit characteristics and location of bill value of a predetermined bill, and then controls said bill passage adjustment mechanism to move said first and second adjustment devices in correcting the position of the inserted bill into accurate alignment with said recognition device subject to the data of the comparison result obtained.
- The bill position adjustment method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said transmission mechanism is controlled to transfer said bill forwards by means of a plurality of bill-transfer members.
- The bill position adjustment method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said movable bill impression mechanism is driven to press impression wheels on said bill against bill-transfer members of said transmission mechanism and then said transmission mechanism is driven to move said bill-transfer members in transferring said bill forwards for recognition by said recognition device after said bill passage adjustment mechanism has moved said first and second adjustment devices to correct the direction of said bill into alignment with said recognition device.
- The bill position adjustment method as claimed in claim 5, wherein said transmission mechanism is controlled to transfer said bill forwards to a bill box and then said bill passage adjustment mechanism is controlled to return said first and second adjustment devices to a maximum bill width position when said recognition device recognized said bill to be a true bill; said bill passage adjustment mechanism is controlled to return said first and second adjustment devices to a maximum bill width position and said transmission mechanism is controlled to reversely transfer said bill to said insertion slot when said recognition device recognized said bill to be a counterfeit.
- A bill position adjustment system for a bill acceptor, comprising:a body (1), said body (1) comprising an insertion slot (12) for the insertion of a bill (6), a bill passage (11) in communication with said insertion slot (12) for the passing of the inserted bill (6) toward a bill box, a sensor zone (13) in an inner side of said insertion slot (12), an entrance sensor (14) and a stoppage sensor (15) respectively installed in a front and rear side in said bill passage (11) and adapted to detect the presence of a bill (6) and to control operation of a transmission mechanism (3);wherein said sensor zone (13) has installed therein at least one bill sensor (131) adapted to detect the width and direction of a bill (6) being inserted into said insertion slot (12);a bill passage adjustment mechanism (2) mounted in said body (1) between said entrance sensor (14) and said stoppage sensor (15) and adapted to adjust the width of said bill passage (11) subject to the width of the bill (6) that is inserted into said insertion slot (12), said bill passage adjustment mechanism (2) comprising at least one first adjustment device (22) and at least one second adjustment device (22') arranged at two opposite lateral sides of said bill passage (11) and movable transversely relative to said bill passage (11) to adjust the width between said at least one first adjustment device (22) and said at least one second adjustment device (22'), and a plurality of driving devices (21) controllable to move said at least one first adjustment device (22) and said at least one second adjustment (22) device separately;a transmission mechanism (3) installed in said body (1) in one side relative to said bill passage (11) between said at least one first adjustment device (22) and said at least one second adjustment device (22'), said transmission mechanism (3) comprising a plurality of bill-transfer members (31) movable to transfer a bill (6) being inserted through said insertion slot (12) into said bill passage (11);a moveable bill impression mechanism (4) mounted in said body (1) in an opposite side relative to said bill passage (11) and opposite to said transmission mechanism (3) and controllable to press a bill (6) on said bill-transfer members (31) of said transmission mechanism (3), said moveable bill impression mechanism (4) comprising an electromagnetic valve (42), a rotary shaft coupled (41) to and biasable in a first direction by said electromagnetic valve (42), and a plurality of impression wheel brackets (43) pivotally mounted in said body (1) and biasable by said rotary shaft (41) in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction; anda recognition device (5) mounted in said body (1) behind said stoppage sensor (15) and said bill passage adjustment mechanism (2) and adapted to recognize the anti-counterfeit characteristics and value of a bill (6) by at least one sensor means thereof.
- The bill position adjustment system as claimed in claim 7, wherein each said bill sensor (131) is selected from a group of reflective sensor, penetrative sensor, contact image sensor (CIS) and linear sensor.
- The bill position adjustment system as claimed in claim 7, wherein each said driving device (21) of said bill passage adjustment mechanism (2) comprises a rotary member (211) and two arms (2111) perpendicularly extended from said rotary member (211), said two arms (2111) defining therebetween a sliding way (2112); each said adjustment device (22) of said bill passage adjustment mechanism (2) comprises a barrel (222), an axle (223) inserted through said barrel (222), and a bearing (224) mounted on a bottom side of said axle (223) and coupled to the two arms (211) of one said driving device (21) and movable along said sliding way (2112) between said two arms (2111) upon rotation of said rotary member (211) of said associating driving device (21).
- The bill position adjustment system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said at least one first adjustment device (22) and at least one second adjustment device (22') each comprise a plurality of fixed guide rods (23) disposed in a bottom side of said bill passage (11) and one of said fixed guide rods (23) sleeved with a spring member (24), and a plurality of sliding members (221) movable along said fixed guide rods (23).
- The bill position adjustment system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the bill-transfer members (31) of said transmission mechanism (3) are mounted in said bill passage (11) in front and rear sides relative to said adjustment devices (22).
- The bill position adjustment system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said rotary shaft (41) of said movable bill impression mechanism (4) comprises a front coupling portion (411) and a rear coupling portion (411) respectively pivotally mounted in said body (1), a plurality of coupling frames (412) and pressure arms (413) protruded from the periphery of said rotary shaft (41); said electronic magnetic valve (42) comprising a reciprocating valve rod (421) coupled to said coupling frames (412) and movable forwards/backwards to bias said rotary shaft (41); each said impression wheel bracket (43) comprises two coupling rods (431) pivotally mounted in said body (1), two suspension arms (432) respectively extended from said coupling rods (431) and biasable with said coupling rods (431) relative to said body (1), and an impression wheel (433) coupled between said suspension arms (432) for pressing a bill (6) in one said bill-transfer member (31).
- The bill position adjustment system as claimed in claim 12, wherein said coupling frames (412) define a receiving space (4121) therebetween and two said adjacent coupling frame (412) comprises a notch (4122); said reciprocating valve rod (421) is inserted through said receiving space (4121) and coupled to said notches (4122) of said coupling frames (412) with a pin (422) for enabling said rotary shaft (41) to be biased upon a reciprocating motion of said reciprocating valve rod (421).
- The bill position adjustment system as claimed in claim 13, wherein said rotary shaft (41) further comprises a shield plate (414) extended from said rear coupling portion (411); said movable bill impression mechanism (4) further comprises two sensor switches (44) arranged at two opposite lateral sides relative to said rear coupling portion (411) of said rotary shaft (41) and inducible by said shield plate (414) to control the operation of said electromagnetic valve (42).
- The bill position adjustment system as claimed in claim 12, wherein said movable bill impression mechanism (4) further comprises a first spring member (423) mounted on said reciprocating valve rod (421) of said electromagnetic valve (42), a cover (45) covering said rotary shaft (41), said electromagnetic valve (42) and said impression wheel brackets (43), and two second spring members (436) respectively connected between a respective locating member (435) at each said impression wheel bracket (43) and respective locating member (451) at said cover.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP08021751.6A EP2196421B1 (en) | 2008-12-15 | 2008-12-15 | Bill position adjustment method and system for bill acceptor |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP08021751.6A EP2196421B1 (en) | 2008-12-15 | 2008-12-15 | Bill position adjustment method and system for bill acceptor |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP2196421A1 EP2196421A1 (en) | 2010-06-16 |
EP2196421B1 true EP2196421B1 (en) | 2014-03-05 |
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EP08021751.6A Not-in-force EP2196421B1 (en) | 2008-12-15 | 2008-12-15 | Bill position adjustment method and system for bill acceptor |
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EP2793198A1 (en) * | 2013-04-15 | 2014-10-22 | International Currency Technologies Corporation | Bill position correction method using the characteristic of step loss of step motor |
US9284144B2 (en) | 2014-01-29 | 2016-03-15 | Crane Payment Innovations, Inc. | Validator with a dynamic document path height |
CN110544338B (en) * | 2019-10-10 | 2024-03-29 | 维融科技股份有限公司 | Width adjusting mechanism and automatic banknote receiving hopper thereof |
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BR9917017A (en) * | 1999-02-02 | 2002-01-15 | Cashcode Co Inc | Banknote centralizing device |
JP2002316745A (en) * | 2001-04-20 | 2002-10-31 | Toshiba Corp | Paper sheet handling device |
JP4566543B2 (en) * | 2003-10-10 | 2010-10-20 | 日本金銭機械株式会社 | Valuable paper sheet identification device |
US7648138B2 (en) * | 2004-09-14 | 2010-01-19 | Hitachi-Omron Terminal Solutions, Corp. | Sheet handling apparatus |
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