EP2229329B1 - Method and device for monitoring the separation of sheet product - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method and a device for monitoring the separation of sheet material, in particular banknotes.

For the processing of sheet material, in particular banknotes, it is provided that the banknotes are entered as a loose stack in an input area and separated by a singler. The individual banknotes are transferred from the separator to a transport system and fed to the processing. Common forms of processing banknotes are the acceptance, checking and recognition of banknotes by means of sensors, where authenticity, type (currency, denomination), state (contamination, damage), etc. are detected. Based on the results of the examination and recognition, the banknotes are subsequently z. B. sorted, stacked, bundled, destroyed, etc.

For the processing of the banknotes in the banknote processing machines, it is of fundamental importance that the banknotes actually be present individually after the separation by the singler. In the past, therefore, a large number of improvements has been proposed which should improve the quality of the singulation and ensure that only one banknote is singled out of the singler, and in particular the simultaneous singling of two or more banknotes is prevented.

For this purpose, for example, complex mechanical improvements of the separator itself have been proposed. Likewise, it has been proposed to attach a sensor immediately after the singler, in order to determine whether the singler has detected more than one banknote during singulation.

Further problems occur in singling, when in the input area next to normal banknotes changed banknotes are available. The changes are mainly folds of banknotes. Such folded banknotes cause problems in further processing because they lead to congestion in the transport system or can not be detected and tested by the sensors. In this context, it is off US 4,160,546 and WO 2004/080865 A1 to know if there is more than one document. It reveals US 4,160,546 a method according to the preamble of claim 1 and a device according to the preamble of claim 4.

Additional problems in the processing of the separated singler banknotes occur if the separator does not evenly detect the banknotes to be separated during singulation. The banknotes are in this case obliquely transferred to the transport system and can also lead to congestion or problems in detection and testing by the sensors. In this context, it is off US 5,527,031 to determine if transported banknotes are properly aligned.

Based on the cited prior art and the associated problems, the invention has for its object to provide a method and apparatus for monitoring the separation of sheet material, in particular banknotes, by means of a separator, which without elaborate mechanical improvements of the singler itself the quality significantly improve the isolation.

The solution to this problem arises from the features of the independent claims. Further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

The advantage of the invention is that can be reliably detected by the monitoring of place, time, location and condition of the isolated sheet immediately after separation, whether occur in the separation of sheet material with the separator according to the invention errors, especially if double or Multiple deductions of sheet material or whether changed banknotes, z. B. folded banknotes are detected by the separator or whether the sheet material is separated uniformly and with good quality.

In a further development, it is provided that in two opposite edge regions of the available width for the transport of sheet material arranged sensors are formed by light barriers, and that an interposed sensor is formed by an ultrasonic sensor.

The development has the advantage that a particularly simple and cost-effective structure for the monitoring of location, time, location and condition of the separated sheet material is provided.

Further embodiments and advantages of the invention are explained below with reference to the figures and their description.

Figur 1

einen prinzipiellen Aufbau eines Vereinzelers, für die Vereinzelung von Blattgut, insbesondere von Banknoten,

Figur 2

eine Ansicht von Bereichen vor und nach der die Vereinzelung bewirkenden Stelle des Vereinzelers nach Figur 1,

Figur 3

einen prinzipiellen Aufbau von Sensoren für die Überwachung des Vereinzelers nach Figur 1, und

Figuren 4 bis 9

die Ansicht nach Figur 2, bei unterschiedlichen Vereinzelungsvorgängen.

Show it

FIG. 1

a basic structure of a singler, for the separation of sheet material, in particular banknotes,

FIG. 2

a view of areas before and after the singling effect of the location of the singler FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3

a basic structure of sensors for monitoring the singler after FIG. 1 , and

FIGS. 4 to 9

the view after FIG. 2 , with different singulation processes.

FIG. 1 shows a basic structure of a singler, for the separation of sheet material, in particular banknotes.

The exemplary singler 1, 2, 3 is constructed as a so-called friction-wheel singler, which has a singling element 1 with a friction element 2 and a retaining element 3. The separating element 1 is constructed in a wheel-shaped or roller-shaped manner and has the friction element 2 within a specific part of its circumference. The friction element 2 has a higher coefficient of friction compared to the remaining surface of the separating element 1. This ensures that to be separated banknotes BN, which are entered in an input area 6 for the singling, are detected and separated only by the friction element 2, when the separating element 1 is rotated by a drive 4, 7 in a predetermined first direction 5. As a result, only one banknote BN _{1 is} detected by the friction element 2 and separated during a complete revolution of the separating element ₁ .

The drive 4, 7 consists of a motor 4 and a speedometer 7, for example, an optical encoder. To set a desired speed, the signals of the speedometer 7 are evaluated by a control device 8 and the motor 4 is controlled.

In order to retain further banknotes BN, which are located in the input area 6 together with the banknote BN ₁ just registered by the separating element 1 or its friction element 2, the retaining element 3 is provided. The retaining element 3 has an over its entire circumference increased friction coefficient. By choosing the coefficients of friction and / or by geometric definitions of retaining element 3 and separating element 1, with associated friction element 2, it is achieved that upon rotation of the separating element 1 power relationships result, which the separation of a banknote BN ₁ and the retention of other banknotes BN enable. It is also possible that the retaining element 3 is driven. For this, however, we selected a direction of rotation, which counteracts the direction of rotation 5 of the separating element 1 in order to bring about the retention of the further bank notes BN.

The structure of such a separating element 1 with associated friction element 2 and retaining element 3 is z. B. in the DE 102 24 486 A1 described. The retaining element 3 may also have another, for example runner-like shape. It is obvious that in addition to the Reibradvereinzeler described by way of example each other singler can be used for the separation of banknotes and their monitoring according to the invention.

After the separation of the banknote BN ₁ , this is transferred to a not shown transport system, which is part of a banknote processing machine, also not shown, and the individual banknotes are transported in a transport direction T for further processing by the banknote processing machine, where they, for example checked by other sensors 9 and edited in the manner described above.

Immediately after the singler 1, 2, 3 sensors 10 are arranged, which check the separated by the singler 1, 2, 3 and separated banknote BN ₁ , whether a faulty separation is present, ie whether in particular more than one banknote was isolated, whether the isolated Banknote is a modified banknote, in particular whether the banknote is folded, and whether the banknote was separated from singler 1, 2, 3 with good quality, in particular whether the banknote was passed obliquely to the transport system. For this purpose, the control device 8 determines from the signals of the sensors 10 at which location, at which time, in which state and in which position the bank note is recognized by the sensors 10. The control unit 8 combines the information about the location, time, condition and location of the banknote and deduces whether there is a single, well-isolated banknote or whether an error has occurred during the separation or whether the banknote is faulty. In this case, the place is to be understood at which point perpendicular to the width B of the transport system, as seen in the transport direction T, the banknote is recognized by the sensors 10. By time is to be understood when the bill is detected by the sensors 10. State is understood to mean whether the sensors 10 detect one or more banknotes, including the detection of folded banknotes. Position is to be understood as meaning whether the banknote is transported past the sensors 10 parallel or obliquely to its edges, as seen in the transporting direction T.

How out FIG. 2 to recognize, it is at the sensors 10 to three sensors 11,12,13. The sensors 11 and 12 detect the presence or absence of banknotes and can be formed by light barriers. They are in the area of the edges within the width B of the transport system, seen in the transport direction T. The sensors 11 and 12 determine in particular location, time and location of the bill. The sensor 13 in particular determines the state of the banknote, but also serves to determine the location, time and location of the banknote. The sensor 13 may be formed by a thickness sensor, in particular an ultrasonic sensor, and is arranged between the sensors 11 and 12, in particular centrally between the sensors 11 and 12. Preferably, the sensors 11,12,13 are arranged along a line which is perpendicular extends to the transport direction T.

In FIG. 3 a structure of the sensors 10 is shown. The sensors 10 are constructed compactly on two printed circuit boards 20, 20 '. On one of the circuit boards 20 are transmitter 11 'and 12' of the photoelectric sensors 11 and 12, z. As light emitting diodes, and a transmitter 13 'of the ultrasonic sensor 13, z. B. a piezo converter. On a second circuit board 20 'are opposite receiver 11 "and 12" of the photoelectric sensors 11 and 12, z. B. Photodiodes, and a receiver 13 "of the ultrasonic sensor 13, eg., A piezoelectric transducer, arranged .. The circuit boards 20, 20 'are electrically connected to each other 21 and a control and evaluation electronics 22, for example, on the first circuit board 20, controls the light barriers 11 and 12 as well as the ultrasonic sensor 13 and evaluates their signals For further evaluation of the signals of the sensors 10, the sensors 10 are connected to the control device 8.

Based on FIGS. 4 to 9 the operation of the sensors 10 will be explained below. The FIGS. 4 to 9 correspond FIG. 2 , wherein in each case the state immediately after the separation of correct or faulty separation of one or more banknotes is shown. To improve clarity, the retaining element 3 is not shown.

In the following table, the respective states are indicated immediately after the separation by the separator, ie how a banknote or several banknotes from the separator 1, 2, 3, were detected and separated. In addition, it is indicated in which of FIGS. 4 to 9 the respective separation state is shown. Furthermore, the table contains the signals respectively generated by the sensors 10, ie the signals of the light barriers 11 and 12 (LS 11, LS 12) and of the ultrasonic sensor 13 (US 13). In the result column is found by the control device 8 from the signals of the sensors 10, derived by the above-described logic operation inference about the singler performed by the singler, ie whether the respective separation is correct or incorrect. figure Status LS 11 US 13 LS 12 Result FIG. 4 folded banknote in the middle no double no error FIG. 4 folded banknote in the middle, single-ply no easy no error FIG. 5 folded banknote right present no no error folded banknote on the left no no present error FIG. 6 folded banknote left and right present no present error FIG. 7 more than a banknote no or present double no or present error FIG. 8 Banknote left no easy present correctly Banknote right present easy no correctly wide banknote present easy present correctly FIG. 9 Banknote at an angle present, time t ₁ easy, time to present, time t ₂ correct / error

The in FIG. 4 shown state shows a bill BN ₁ , which is folded along its long axis in the middle. The folded banknote BN ₁ is transported in the middle of the width B of the transport system. At the time after singulation, the ultrasound sensor 13 detects the presence of the folded banknote, ie, more than one banknote, which is why a signal is generated, after which a double trigger is present. The light barriers 11 and 12 are not interrupted, so that they generate a signal, after which there is no banknote. By the logical combination of the signals of the sensors, the control unit 8 generates the result, according to which an erroneous separation has taken place. This results from the fact that a double trigger was detected. In addition, the separated bill is too narrow due to the folding, that is, it has a width which is smaller than the width of the smallest allowable bill.

Analogous to previously with reference to FIG. 4 In the case described, in which a banknote BN ₁ is folded along its long axis in the middle, a torn, ie half banknote, along this line may also have been singulated. At the time after the singulation, the presence of the half banknote, but only one single banknote, is determined by the ultrasonic sensor 13, which is why a signal is generated, according to which there is a simple deduction. The light barriers 11 and 12 are not interrupted, so that they generate a signal, after which there is no banknote. By the logical combination of the signals of the sensors, the control unit 8 generates the result, according to which an erroneous separation has taken place. Although the signal of the ultrasonic sensor 13 indicates a single banknote, this does not have the required minimum width.

As a further special case, the banknote can not be folded exactly in the middle of the banknote BN ₁ along its long axis, so that the banknote BN ₁ is single-layered along a region and double-layered along the remainder. At the time of singulation, the ultrasonic sensor 13 detects the presence of either a single-ply or double-ply banknote, and therefore generates a signal indicating a single or double deduction. The light barriers 11 and 12 are not interrupted, so that they generate a signal, after which there is no banknote. By the logical combination of the signals of the sensors, the control unit 8 generates the result, according to which an erroneous separation has taken place.

The in FIG. 5 shown state shows a bill BN ₁ , which is folded along its long axis in the middle. The folded banknote BN ₁ is transported, as seen in the transport direction T, at the right edge of the width B of the transport system. At the time of singulation, no bill is detected by the ultrasonic sensor 13, which is why a signal is generated, according to which there is no banknote. The light barrier 11 is interrupted, but not the light barrier 12. Light barrier 12 therefore generates a signal, according to which no banknote is present, whereas the signal of the light barrier 11 indicates the presence of a banknote. By the logical combination of the signals of the sensors, the control unit 8 generates the result, according to which an erroneous separation has taken place. The banknote BN ₁ does not have the required minimum width.

Analogous erroneous separation is determined when the folded bill BN ₁ , seen in the transport direction T, is transported to the left edge of the width B of the transport system.

The in FIG. 6 shown state shows two banknotes BN ₁ and BN ₂ , which is folded along its long axis in the middle. The folded banknotes BN ₁ and BN ₂ are, as seen in the transport direction T, on the right and left Transported edge of the width B of the transport system. At the time of singulation, no bill is detected by the ultrasonic sensor 13, which is why a signal is generated, according to which there is no banknote. The light barriers 11 and 12 are interrupted, which is why both light barriers 11 and 12 generate signals, after which a banknote is present. By the logical combination of the signals of the sensors, the control unit 8 generates the result, according to which an erroneous separation has taken place. If it is a broad banknote, the ultrasonic sensor 13 would have generated a signal that indicates the presence of a banknote.

The in FIG. 7 shown state shows two banknotes BN ₁ and BN ₂ , which were jointly detected by the singler 1, 2, 3 and separated, so they overlap. For a better understanding, the photocell 12 hidden by the banknotes BN ₁ and BN ₂ and the ultrasonic sensor 13 are shown with dotted lines. The banknotes BN ₁ and BN ₂ , as seen in the transport direction T, transported on the left edge of the width B of the transport system. At the time of singulation, two banknotes are detected by the ultrasonic sensor 13, so that a signal is generated, according to which there is more than one banknote. The light barrier 11 is not interrupted, whereas the light barrier 12 is interrupted. Accordingly, light barrier 11 generates a signal, after which there is no banknote, and light barrier 12 generates a signal, after which a banknote is present. By the logical combination of the signals of the sensors, the control unit 8 generates the result, according to which an erroneous separation has taken place. Since a double trigger was detected.

Analogous erroneous separation is determined when the banknotes BN ₁ and BN ₂ , as seen in the transport direction T, are transported to the right edge of the width B of the transport system.

The in FIG. 8 shown state shows a banknote BN ₁ , which was detected by singler 1, 2, 3 and separated. The banknote BN ₁ is transported, as seen in the transport direction T, at the left edge of the width B of the transport system. At the time after the singulation, a bill is detected by the ultrasound sensor 13, which is why a signal is generated, after which a single bill is present. The light barrier 11 is not interrupted, whereas the light barrier 12 is interrupted. Accordingly, light barrier 11 generates a signal, after which there is no banknote, and light barrier 12 generates a signal, after which a banknote is present. By the logical combination of the signals of the sensors, the control unit 8 generates the result, after which a correct separation has taken place, since a simple banknote of sufficient width has been determined.

Analogously, a correct separation is determined when the banknote BN ₁ , seen in the transport direction T, is transported at the right-hand edge of the width B of the transport system. Then, the photocell 11 generates a signal, after which a bill is present, whereas the photocell 12 generates a signal, after which no bill is present. The ultrasonic sensor 13 generates a signal that a single bill is present.

Correct singulation is also detected when the bill BN ₁ occupies the entire width B of the transport system. Then the light barriers 11 and 12 generate a signal, after which a bill is present. The ultrasonic sensor 13 generates a signal that a single bill is present.

The in FIG. 9 shown state shows a banknote BN ₁ , which was unevenly detected by the singler 1, 2, 3 and is therefore transported obliquely. The obliquely transported banknote BN ₁ conceals the ultrasonic sensor 13 at the instant t 0, which then determines the presence of the banknote BN ₁ and generates a signal, according to which a single banknote is present. The light barriers 11 and 12 are interrupted, but only with a time offset. The light barrier 11 is interrupted at the time t ₁ , whereas the light barrier 12 is interrupted at the time t ₂ . At the respective times t ₁ and t ₂ , the light barriers 11 and 12 therefore generate signals, according to which a banknote is present. By the logical combination of the signals of the sensors 10 and the evaluation of the time differences between the times t ₀ , t ₁ and t ₂ , the control unit 8 generates the result, after which an erroneous separation has taken place. It is also possible that a correct separation has taken place. The decision between correct or incorrect singulation in this case depends on the time differences between the times to, t ₁ and t ₂ . The maximum allowable for correct separation time differences resulting from the geometric dimensions of the banknotes to be processed and thus the width B of the transport system, the distances of the sensors 11,12 and 13 from each other and the transport or separation speed.

The above-described, performed by the controller 8 logic operations of the signals of the sensors 10 have been in the FIGS. 4 to 9 explained on the basis of their dimensions forth smallest banknote to be processed. It is obvious that when larger banknotes are processed, different conditions at the sensors 10 occur, in particular, when banknotes folded along their longitudinal axis are singled out. However, such cases behave as those in the table as "more than one banknote" and referred to by FIG. 7 described state. It is also obvious that the banknotes, which in the examples shown are transported parallel to their long edges, can also be transported parallel to their short edges. The dimensioning and arrangement of the separator 1, 2, 3 of the sensors 10 and the transport system are adapted accordingly in this case.

The sensors 10 are arranged as close as possible to the singler 1, 2, 3, at a point where the singling process is completed. The distance between the sensors 10 and the singler 1, 2, 3 is advantageously selected so that after the detection of faulty separation processes sufficient time is available to stop the singler 1, 2, 3 so that erroneously isolated banknotes the area of the singler 1, 2, 3 have not yet completely left, d. H. the allowable distance between sensors 10 and singler 1, 2, 3, seen in the transport direction T, results essentially from the speed of the transport system or singler 1, 2, 3 and the size of the smallest banknotes to be processed, seen in transport direction T.

If a faulty separation process was detected by the control device 8, the control device 8 can initiate measures in order to prevent disruptions in the processing of the bank notes.

For this purpose, it may be provided that the control device 8 stops the motor 4. The erroneously fed banknotes can then be removed by an operator from the separator 1, 2, 3.

It is also possible that the control device 8 controls the motor 4 such that it rotates the separating element 1 for a certain period of time in a second direction of rotation, which is opposite to the first direction of rotation 5, and then stops. In this case, the incorrectly fed banknotes are moved back out of the singler 1, 2, 3 out into the input area 6 and can be removed there by the operator.

On a display device, not shown, the banknote processing machine notes can also be displayed for the operator, which are generated by the control device 8. If, due to the monitoring described above, closed by the control device 8 to a faulty separation, an indication can be displayed, which causes the operator to remove the banknotes from the input area 6, loosen them so that z. B. adherent banknotes are separated, and insert the notes again in the input area 6. Subsequently, the separation or processing of the banknotes can be restarted.

So far, the sensors 11 and 12 have been described as individual light barriers. It is obvious that in each case a plurality of light barriers can be used for the sensors 11 and 12, which can be distributed in each case over the distance from the edges of the width B of the transport system to the ultrasonic sensor 13. Instead of individual light barriers, it is also possible to use linear arrays, so-called line arrays. Instead of the ultrasonic sensor for the sensors 13, any other sensor can be used, which determines the thickness of the separated bill, z. B. a mechanical or an optical thickness sensor.

Claims (10)

1. A method for monitoring the singling of sheet material, in particular of bank notes, by means of a singler (1, 2, 3) having a drive (4, 7) and a control device (8) for a monitoring and controlling of the singler (1, 2, 3), wherein a monitoring (11, 12, 13) of place, time, orientation and state of the singled sheet material (BN₁) is effected immediately after the singling, in which place, time and orientation of the singled sheet material (BN₁) are determined by means of sensors (11, 12, 13), wherein signals of the sensors (11, 12, 13) are evaluated with respect to the time of the presence or absence of sheet material (BN₁) at the sensors (11, 12, 13), and that the state of the singled sheet material (BN₁) is determined by means of a sensor (13), wherein signals of the sensor (13) are evaluated with respect to the presence of one or a plurality of pieces of sheet material (BN₁),
   characterized by three sensors (11, 12, 13) which are disposed immediately after the singler (1, 2, 3), wherein two of the sensors (11, 12) are disposed in opposite edge areas of the width (B) provided for the transport of the bank notes and the third sensor (13) is disposed between the two sensors (11, 12) and determine place, time and orientation of the singled sheet material (BN₁), wherein signals of the sensors (11, 12, 13) are evaluated by the control device (8) with respect to the time of the presence or absence of sheet material (BN₁) at the sensors (11, 12, 13), and that the state of the singled sheet material (BN₁) is determined by means of the middle sensor (13), wherein signals of the middle sensor (13) are evaluated by the control device (8) with respect to the presence of one or a plurality of pieces of sheet material (BN₁), wherein a correct singling of sheet material (BN₁) is ascertained, if at least two of the sensors (11, 12, 13) determine the presence of the singled sheet material (BN₁) within a predetermined time difference, and wherein for determining the presence of one or a plurality of pieces of sheet material (BN₁) the presence of one piece of sheet material (BN₁) is determined by the sensor (13), whereas a faulty singling of sheet material (BN₁) is ascertained, if the sensors (11, 12, 13) do not determine the presence of the singled sheet material (BN₁) within a predetermined time difference, or wherein for determining the presence of one or a plurality of pieces of sheet material (BN₁) the presence of several pieces of sheet material (BN₁) is determined by the sensor (13).
2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the singling of sheet material is stopped after the detection of a faulty singling of sheet material (BN₁).
3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the faultily singled sheet material (BN₁) is transported back.
4. An apparatus for monitoring the singling of sheet material, in particular of bank notes, having a singler (1, 2, 3), a drive (4, 7) and a control device (8) for a monitoring and controlling the singler (1, 2, 3), having sensors (11, 12, 13) for a monitoring of place, time, orientation and state of the singled sheet material (BN₁) immediately after the singling, characterized by three sensors (11, 12, 13) which are disposed immediately after the singler (1,2, 3), wherein two of the sensors (11, 12) are disposed in opposite edge areas of the width (B) provided for the transport of the bank notes and the third sensor (13) is disposed between the two sensors (11, 12) and determine place, time and orientation of the singled sheet material (BN₁), wherein signals of the sensors (11, 12, 13) are evaluated by the control device (8) with respect to the time of the presence or absence of sheet material (BN₁) at the sensors (11, 12, 13), and that the state of the singled sheet material (BN₁) is determined by means of the middle sensor (13), wherein signals of the middle sensor (13) are evaluated by the control device (8) with respect to the presence of one or a plurality of pieces of sheet material (BN₁).
5. The apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the control device (8) determines a correct singling of sheet material (BN₁), if the signals of at least two of the sensors (11, 12, 13) are present at the control device (8) within a predetermined time difference, and if the signal of the middle sensor (13) for determining the presence of one or a plurality of pieces of sheet material (BN₁) indicates the presence of one piece of sheet material (BN₁).
6. The apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the control device (8) determines a faulty singling of sheet material (BN₁), if the signals of the sensors (11, 12, 13) are not present at the control device (8) within a predetermined time difference, or if the signal of the middle sensor (13) for determining the presence of one or a plurality of pieces of sheet material (BN₁) indicates the presence of a plurality of pieces of sheet material (BN₁).
7. The apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the control device (8) stops the drive (4, 7), and thus the singling of sheet material, after a faulty singling of sheet material (BN₁) has been ascertained.
8. The apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the control device (8) reverses the direction of rotation of the drive (4, 7) and the faultily singled sheet material (BN₁) is transported back into an input area (6) by the singler (1, 2, 3).
9. The apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the sensors (11, 12, 13) are disposed substantially along a line extending perpendicular to a transport direction (T), which is located immediately after the singler (1, 2, 3), but at maximum in a distance in which singled sheet material (BN₁) is still clamped by the singler (1, 2, 3) after the stop of the singling.
10. The apparatus according to any of claims 4 to 9, characterized in that the two sensors (11, 12) disposed in opposite edge areas are formed by light barriers, and that the middle sensor (13) is formed by an ultrasonic sensor.

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