JP2005225659A - Double feed sensing device, complex processing device, and double feed sensing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a double feed sensing device and a method capable of sensing accurately a double feed of paper sheets and reducing the memory use amount and the treatment load. <P>SOLUTION: A complex processing device 1 is equipped with image reading sensors 11, 12, and MICR 13 to read the information from a check CK transported on a first sheet transport path P1, a paper thickness sensor 40 to produce a thickness value by sensing the thickness of the check transported on the first sheet transport path P1 at a plurality of points in the sheet transporting direction, a memory 42 to store the thickness value, a TOF sensor 10 to sense existence or none of the check CK, and a control part 60 to calculate the length of the check CK based on the sensing result of the TOF sensor 10 and judge existence or none of a double feed. The control part 60 reads from the memory 42 the paper thickness value in the position corresponding to 1/2 of the calculated length of the check and judges as a double feed when the paper thickness value in the position corresponding to 1/2 of the calculated length of the check is larger than the reference value t. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a double feed detection device, a composite processing device, and a double feed detection method.

  In general, the medium transport type check processing apparatus includes, for example, a so-called double feed problem that is transported on a paper transport path in a state where two checks overlap. If a check is double-fed, the check will not be read or printed correctly, and the check will jam in the transport path of the check processing device, and in some cases the check will get caught in the transport path and damage the check. There is also a fear.

  In order to solve this problem, in general, a paper transport processing apparatus is provided with a double feed detector for detecting double feed of paper. When double feed occurs, paper transport is interrupted and a warning sound is generated. Or a warning lamp is lit to notify the user of the occurrence of double feed and prompt the user to take appropriate measures.

  As a specific multifeed discrimination method, for example, the length of the paper is detected by a TOF detector, and the thickness of the paper at a half position of the detected paper length is directly measured by an optical paper thickness sensor. There is a method of determining double feeding by measuring using a paper or by measuring the displacement of a paper pressing lever by a paper thickness sensor such as a micro displacement sensor (see Patent Document 1).

  In the case of the above method, the length of the sheet detected by the TOF detector is, for example, as shown in FIG. 12, the length L in a state where two sheets are stacked and conveyed in a state shifted in the sheet conveying direction. As understood from FIG. 12, when double feeding is performed, the length L of the sheet detected by the TOF detector, that is, the length L in a state where two sheets are connected in a state shifted in the sheet conveying direction. Of the two sheets (position L / 2 from the leading edge), two sheets are always overlaid.

Therefore, first, the length L of the entire sheet (in the case of double feeding, the length in a state where two sheets are connected) is obtained, and the thickness of the sheet is measured at a position 1/2 of the entire length L of the sheet. By comparing with a predetermined threshold value, it is possible to detect the occurrence of double feeding of paper with the minimum number of thickness measurement points without detecting the thickness from the leading edge of the paper. Therefore, the amount of memory required for double feed detection is only required to prepare a memory having a relatively small capacity capable of storing the thickness data of the above-mentioned minimum number of measurement points, and can suppress an increase in parts cost. . In addition, since the amount of data to be processed is small compared to the case where the thickness is finely detected from the leading edge of the sheet to the trailing edge of the sheet, the load on the apparatus is small and the double feed detection can be performed efficiently. There is also.
Japanese Patent No. 3328446

  However, in the case of double feed detection, the leading edge and the trailing edge of the paper are first detected by the TOF detector (in the case of double feed, the leading edge of the paper in the front of the paper traveling direction and the rear of the paper traveling direction in the state where two sheets are connected) It is necessary to detect the rear end of the sheet on the side, and obtain the length of the entire sheet based on the detected data, and specify the position of half the length L of the entire sheet. That is, in the case of the double feed detection, a position that is ½ of the length L of the entire sheet cannot be specified until at least the entire sheet completely passes through the TOF detector.

  Therefore, if the distance between the TOF detector and the paper thickness sensor is short due to the structure of the apparatus and the paper passes in front of the paper thickness sensor before the paper passes through the TOF detector, the entire paper When the position of 1/2 of the length L is specified, the position of L / 2 of the paper may already pass in front of the paper thickness sensor. Therefore, when the distance between the TOF detector and the paper thickness sensor is short, the above method cannot be applied, and the paper thickness must be measured in order at a predetermined interval from the leading edge of the paper. There is a problem that the number of measurement points of the thickness data increases, leading to an increase in memory usage and an increase in processing load on the apparatus.

  In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a double feed detection device and a double feed detection method capable of accurately detecting double feed of paper with a simple configuration and reducing the amount of memory used and the processing load. For the purpose.

The above object of the present invention is achieved by the following means.
(1) a sheet thickness detector that detects the thickness of a sheet conveyed on the sheet conveyance path at a plurality of points in the sheet conveyance direction and generates a plurality of thickness data;
A data storage unit for storing the plurality of thickness data;
A paper detector disposed along the paper transport path for detecting the presence or absence of the paper transported through the paper transport path;
A control unit that calculates the length of the paper based on the detection result of the paper detector and determines the presence or absence of double feeding;
The control unit reads the thickness data at a position corresponding to 1/2 of the paper length from the data storage unit, and the thickness data at a position corresponding to 1/2 of the paper length is the paper thickness. A double feed detection device, characterized in that it is judged as double feed when it is larger than a reference value.
(2) The paper thickness detector starts detecting the paper after the paper detector detects the paper, and detects the thickness of the paper when the paper passes the paper detector. The multifeed detection device according to (1), wherein
(3) The multi-feed detection according to (1) or (2), wherein the paper thickness detector and the paper detector are arranged at an interval shorter than a length of a paper to be conveyed in a paper conveyance direction. apparatus.
(4) The sheet thickness detector is disposed on one side of the sheet conveyance path and presses the sheet against a rigid surface of a non-movable member disposed on the other side of the sheet conveyance path; and A paper thickness sensor for detecting the amount of displacement,
Any one of (1) to (3), wherein the paper thickness sensor detects the thickness of the paper according to a displacement amount of the pressing member that is displaced according to the thickness of the paper. The double feed detection device described in 1.
(5) a paper feeding unit for feeding a plurality of papers one by one;
A paper transport path for transporting paper fed from the paper feed unit;
A reading unit that reads information from the paper transported through the paper transport path;
A paper thickness detector that detects the thickness of the paper transported through the paper transport path at a plurality of points in the paper transport direction and generates a plurality of thickness data;
A data storage unit for storing the plurality of thickness data;
A paper detector disposed along the paper transport path for detecting the presence or absence of the paper transported through the paper transport path;
A control unit for calculating the length of the paper based on the detection result of the paper detector and determining the presence or absence of double feeding,
The control unit reads the thickness data at a position corresponding to 1/2 of the paper length from the data storage unit, and the thickness data at a position corresponding to 1/2 of the paper length is the paper thickness. A composite processing apparatus, characterized in that when it is larger than a reference value, it is judged as double feeding.
(6) The paper thickness detector starts detecting the paper after the paper detector detects the paper, and detects the thickness of the paper when the paper passes the paper detector. (5) The combined processing apparatus according to (5).
(7) The composite processing apparatus according to (5) or (6), wherein the paper thickness detector and the paper detector are arranged at an interval shorter than a length in a paper conveyance direction of the paper to be conveyed. .
(8) The sheet thickness detector is disposed on one side of the sheet conveyance path and a pressing member that presses the sheet against a rigid surface of a non-movable member disposed on the other side of the sheet conveyance path; A paper thickness sensor for detecting the amount of displacement,
Any one of (5) to (7), wherein the paper thickness sensor detects the thickness of the paper according to a displacement amount of the pressing member that is displaced according to the thickness of the paper. A combined processing apparatus according to 1.
(9) a sheet thickness detecting step for detecting a thickness of a sheet conveyed on the sheet conveying path at a plurality of points in the sheet conveying direction and generating a plurality of thickness data;
Storing the plurality of thickness data in a data storage unit;
A paper detection step for detecting the presence or absence of the paper transported through the paper transport path;
A paper length calculating step for calculating the length of the paper based on the detection result in the paper detecting step;
A determination step of determining whether or not the paper is double fed,
In the determination step, the thickness data at a position corresponding to 1/2 of the paper length is read from the data storage unit, and the thickness data at a position corresponding to 1/2 of the paper length is the paper thickness. A double feed detection method, characterized in that a double feed is determined when it is larger than a reference value.
(10) In the paper thickness detection step, the detection of the thickness of the paper is started after the paper is detected, and the detection of the thickness of the paper is finished when the paper passes the paper detector. (9) The double feed detection method according to (9).

  According to the present invention, the thickness data at the position corresponding to 1/2 of the paper length is read from the data storage unit, and the multi-feed determination is performed only for the paper thickness value at the position corresponding to 1/2 of the paper length. It is configured as follows. Therefore, even when the paper thickness detector and the paper detector are arranged at an interval shorter than the length of the paper in the paper conveyance direction, the double feed determination is performed for all the detected paper thickness values. There is no need. Therefore, compared to the case where the double feed determination is performed for all the detected paper thickness values, the load on the determination process for the presence or absence of double feed is reduced, and the time until the determination process is completed is shortened. Therefore, there is no need for an expensive processing system having a very high computing capacity for determination, and a multi-feed detection device and a multi-processing device equipped with a multi-feed detection device that can withstand practical use using an inexpensive processing circuit. Can be provided.

  According to the invention, the paper thickness detector starts detecting the paper after the paper detector detects the paper, and finishes detecting the thickness of the paper when the paper passes the paper detector. Therefore, it is possible to detect the presence or absence of double feeding without measuring the total length (about two sheets) of the paper that is double-fed and conveyed in the overlapped state. Accordingly, it is possible to always keep the number of measurement points of the sheet thickness to the minimum amount regardless of the presence or absence of double feeding, and it is possible to reduce the amount of data stored in the data storage unit as compared with the conventional case.

  Next, with reference to the drawings, an embodiment of a composite processing apparatus provided with a multifeed detection apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail.

(About compound processing equipment)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a combined processing apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a sheet conveyance path in the combined processing apparatus, and FIG. 3 is an internal structure of the combined processing apparatus. FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are perspective views of the composite processing apparatus with the housing removed.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the composite processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment conveys a check CK, which is a first reading medium loaded in the sheet feeding unit 3, along a sheet conveyance path P1 formed in the housing 1a. The card C, which is the second reading medium inserted from the card insertion slot 20, can be conveyed along the sheet conveyance path P2 formed in the housing 1a. Specifically, the composite processing apparatus 1 reads the image on the check CK while reading the check CK while conveying the check CK along the paper conveyance path P1, reads the magnetic character printed on the check CK, and prints on the check CK. And an image reading device / magnetic character reading device / printing device capable of reading an image on the card C while conveying the card C along the paper conveyance path P2.

First, a specific structure of the composite processing apparatus 1 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 2, the first paper transport path P <b> 1 has a substantially U shape, and the second paper transport path P <b> 2 has a linear shape for transporting the card C. The first paper transport path P1 and the second paper transport path P2 are common in a portion corresponding to the bottom portion of the U shape, and this portion will be referred to as an intermediate transport path M in the following description. Various reading devices are provided in the intermediate conveyance path M. Details of the various reading devices will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the first paper transport path P1 is defined by an outer guide 2a and an inner guide 2b. A check CK is placed in the transport section 2c, which is a space between the outer guide 2a and the inner guide 2b. It is configured to be conveyed. The check CK is inserted into the first paper transport path P1 via the paper feed unit 3 from the direction of arrow A in FIG. The paper feed unit 3 is configured to be able to load a plurality of checks CK, and can send out the plurality of checks CK one by one into the first paper transport path P1.

The first paper transport path P1 has a first transport roller 6 upstream of the intermediate transport path M, an intermediate transport roller 16 in the intermediate transport path M, and an intermediate transport path M as a transport mechanism for transporting the check CK. The 2nd conveyance roller 7 is provided in the downstream of this.
The first transport roller 6 includes a drive roller 6a and a pressing roller 6b disposed to face the drive roller 6a via the first paper transport path P1. The second transport roller 7 includes a drive roller 7a and a pressing roller 7b disposed to face the drive roller 7a via the first paper transport path P1.
Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the intermediate conveying roller 16 includes a lower pressing roller 16a disposed below the first sheet conveying path P1, an upper pressing roller 16b disposed above the lower pressing roller 16a, and an intermediate pressing roller 16a. The upper presser roller 16a and the lower presser roller 16b are disposed to face the upper presser roller 16a via the transport path M.

As shown in FIG. 3, the check CK fed into the first paper transport path P1 is transported through the intermediate transport path M by the first transport roller 6, the intermediate transport roller 16, and the second transport roller 7, and is discharged. It is discharged from the discharge port 4 in the direction of arrow B through the roller 8. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the bottom position of the first paper transport path P1 is maintained at the height H1, and the check CK is the bottom of the first paper transport path P1 including the intermediate transport path M. Are conveyed in a state based on the height H1.
Here, regarding the intermediate conveyance roller 16, if the width (height) of the check CK is shorter than a predetermined length, the lower presser roller 16b and the driving roller 17 contribute to the conveyance of the check CK, while the width of the check CK is a predetermined length. If it is more than that, the check CK is conveyed by both the upper pressing roller 16 a and the lower pressing roller 16 b and the driving roller 17.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the second paper transport path P2 includes an intermediate transport path M, and a card insertion slot 20 and a card reverse path 21 communicating with both ends thereof.

  The card insertion slot 20 is an insertion slot for inserting the card C into the intermediate transport path M. Below the card insertion slot 20, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, lower guides 24 and 24a are provided. The lower guides 24 and 24a constitute a part of the outer guide 2a, and the height of the lower end portion of the card C is kept at H2. The card C is guided by the lower guide 24 and enters the intermediate transport path M. Inserted and transported in a state based on the height H2. That is, the lower position of the second paper transport path P2 is maintained at the height H2 with respect to the lower guides 24 and 24a. Note that the check CK, which is kept at the height H1 and is conveyed along the first paper conveyance path P1, is bent toward the discharge port 4 by the lower guide 24a.

  The upper presser roller 16a is mounted above the height H2 of the second paper transport path P2, and the card C transported into the intermediate transport path M is intermediately transported by the upper presser roller 16a and the drive roller 17. It is conveyed in the path M.

  The card reverse path 21 is formed by linear guides 21a and 21b formed along the left extension line of the intermediate conveyance path M in FIG. In the vicinity of the end 21c of the card reverse path 21, a forward / reverse conveyance roller 22 is provided. The forward / reverse conveyance roller 22 conveys the card C conveyed from the intermediate conveyance path M so as to protrude from the end 21c of the card reverse rotation path 21 for a predetermined length, and again the card C protruding from the end 21c. Transport to the intermediate transport path M.

  Specifically, when the card C is inserted into the intermediate transport path M from the card insertion port 20, the card C is transported to the card reverse path 21 by the upper pressing roller 16 a and the driving roller 17. Then, the card C is reversely conveyed from the card reverse path 21 by the forward / reverse conveyance roller 22, passes through the intermediate conveyance path M, and is discharged from the card insertion slot 20. At this time, the card C is transported in the second paper transport path P2 with the lower end portion maintained at the height H2. In the present embodiment, the height H2 of the second paper transport path P2 is arranged at a position higher than the height H1 of the first paper transport path P1. In summary, the card C is transported through the intermediate transport path M above the check CK.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, by changing the conveyance height of the check CK and the card C, a U-shaped first sheet conveyance path and a straight second line can be provided without providing a special switching device or the like. Different types of reading media can be transported to the paper transport path. This completes the description of the conveyance of the check CK and the card C.

  In the intermediate conveyance path M, a first image reading sensor 11 and a second image reading sensor 12 that perform image reading are installed. Each of the first image reading sensor 11 and the second image reading sensor 12 is a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) type image reading sensor, and emits light to one surface of the check CK or the card C conveyed on the intermediate conveyance path M. Irradiate and receive light reflected on check CK or card C. The first image reading sensor 11 and the second image reading sensor 12 read the image on the check CK or the card C conveyed in the intermediate conveyance path M line by line, so that the two-dimensional of the check CK or the card C is obtained. Get an image.

  A BOF (Bottom Of Form) detector 9 and a TOF (Top Of Form) detector 10 for detecting the trailing edge of the check CK are provided in the first paper transport path P1. The BOF detector 9 is provided between the paper feed unit 3 and the first transport roller 6, detects the check CK inserted from the paper feed unit 3, and when the check CK passes through the BOF detector 9 And the trailing edge of the check CK is detected. The TOF detector 10 is provided between the first transport roller 6 and the first image reading sensor 11, and is configured to detect the tip of the check CK. Thus, the length of the check CK can be accurately measured by detecting the leading edge and the trailing edge of the check CK with the BOF detector 9 and the TOF detector 10. The composite processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is configured to operate according to the check CK detection by the BOF detector 9 and the TOF detector 10. That is, the start / stop of the reading of the check CK by the image reading sensors 11 and 12 is controlled based on the outputs of the BOF detector 9 and the TOF detector 10. Note that one of the image reading sensors 11 and 12 may be used as a detector for detecting the tip of the check CK. In this case, the TOF detector 10 can be omitted.

  In addition, the print head 14 is disposed in a linear region between the second transport roller 7 and the discharge roller 8 and along the first paper transport path P1. The print head 14 is for executing endorsement on the check CK, and performs printing on the check CK as necessary.

  Further, a BOC (Bottom Of Card) detector 25 and a TOC (Top Of Card) detector 26 for detecting the rear end of the card C are provided in the second paper transport path P2. The BOC detector 25 is provided in the vicinity of the card insertion slot 20, detects the card C inserted from here, detects the time when the card C passes through the BOC detector 9, and detects the rear end of the card C. Is detected. The TOC detector 26 is provided between the intermediate conveyance roller 16 and the second image reading sensor 12 and is configured to detect the leading end of the card C. Thus, the length of the card C can be accurately measured by detecting the leading edge and the trailing edge of the card C by the BOC detector 25 and the TOC detector 26. The composite processing apparatus 1 of this embodiment is configured to operate in response to the detection of the card C by the BOC detector 25 and the TOC detector 26. That is, the start / stop of reading of the card C by the image reading sensor 11 or 12 is controlled based on the outputs of the BOC detector 25 and the TOC detector 26. Note that either one of the image reading sensors 11 and 12 may be used as a detector for detecting the leading end of the card C. In this case, the TOC detector 26 can be omitted.

  A MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Reader) 13 is installed below the drive roller 17. The MICR 13 is a sensor for reading information written in magnetic ink on the check CK. The MICR 13 performs reading in a state where the check CK is pressed against the surface of the MICR 13 by the pressing lever 30 disposed opposite to the MICR 13 via the intermediate conveyance path M.

(Structure of thickness detector)
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the thickness detection device 50 of the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 6, the thickness detection device 50 has the pressing lever 30 described above. The pressing lever 30 has a main body 31 which is a longitudinal member, and rotates in a plane perpendicular to the check conveyance surface of the intermediate conveyance path M via a rotation shaft 32 provided at one end of the main body 31. It is possible to move. The main body 31 is integrally formed with a pressing projection 33 projecting toward the intermediate conveyance path, and the pressing projection 33 is biased toward the MICR 13 by a biasing force by a pressing spring (not shown), and there is no check CK. In this state, the surface 13a of the MICR 13 and the contact surface 33a of the pressing protrusion 33 are in contact with each other.

  In the present embodiment, the contact surface 33a of the MICR 13 is formed of a rigid body that is not displaced or deformed by the pressing of the pressing protrusion 33. The main body 31 of the MICR 13 is always fixed in a state in which the longitudinal direction of the main body 31 is substantially parallel to the intermediate conveyance path M that conveys the check CK, with the tip surface 33a of the pressing protrusion 33 in contact with the MICR 13. Maintained.

  Further, the other end of the main body 31 is bent by approximately 90 degrees on the side opposite to the intermediate conveyance path M to form a bent portion 34. A paper thickness sensor 40 is disposed at a position facing the end surface 34a of the bent portion 34 at a predetermined distance.

  The paper thickness sensor 40 is a sensor that detects the displacement of the end surface 34a of the bent portion 34 that is a detection surface. For example, by irradiating the end surface 34a with light and receiving the reflected light on the light receiving surface 40a, It is an optical sensor that measures the distance.

The pressing protrusion 33 detects the distance L1 from the rotation center of the rotating shaft 32 to a straight line passing through the tip of the pressing protrusion 33 and parallel to the protruding direction of the pressing protrusion 33, and the end surface 34a of the bent portion 34 from the rotating center of the rotating shaft 32. The relationship with the distance L2 to the straight line passing through the part and parallel to the protruding direction of the pressing protrusion 33 is formed so as to satisfy the following.

L2 = L1 × N (N> 1) (1)
That is, L2> L1 (2)

In this embodiment, as shown in Formula (2), the pressing lever 30 is formed so that the distance L2 is longer than the distance L1.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the thickness detection device 50 is configured by the MICR 13, the pressing lever 30, and the paper thickness sensor 40. Hereinafter, the operation of the thickness detection device 50 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b).

FIG. 7A is a diagram showing a state in which a single check CK is transported in the intermediate transport path M (normal state), and FIG. 7B is a diagram in which two of check CK1 and check CK2 overlap. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a state (multi-feed state) in which the inside of the intermediate transport path M is transported.
As shown in FIG. 7A, when one check CK is transported in the intermediate transport path M and transported between the MICR 13 and the pressing protrusion 33 of the pressing lever 30, the pressing lever 30 is turned into the check. According to the thickness d of CK, the pressing protrusion 33 is pushed back against the urging force of the pressing spring, and the pressing lever 30 rotates (in FIG. 7A, it rotates clockwise).

When the pressing lever 30 rotates, the end surface 34a of the pressing lever 30 is displaced, and the paper thickness sensor 40 detects the distance between the end surface 34a and the detection surface 40a of the paper thickness sensor 40. Here, the displacement amount D1 of the end surface 34a of the pressing lever 30 changes according to the distance L1 and the distance L2, and is configured to satisfy the following relationship.

D1≈d × (L2 / L1) (3)

That is, the displacement amount D1 of the end surface 34a of the pressing lever 30 is larger than the thickness d of the check CK disposed between the MICR 13 and the pressing protrusion 33 of the pressing lever 30. The paper thickness sensor 40 detects the displacement amount D1, and the combined processing apparatus 1 determines that only one check CK is being conveyed.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7 (b), the two checks CK1 and the check CK2 are transported in the intermediate transport path M with at least partly overlapped, and between the MICR 13 and the pressing protrusion 33 of the pressing lever 30. , The pressing lever 30 is pushed back against the urging force of the pressing spring according to the overlap thickness 2d of the checks CK1 and CK2, and the pressing lever 30 rotates (FIG. 7). (B) rotates clockwise). The amount of rotation of the pressing lever 30 is larger than when only one check CK is conveyed.

When the pressing lever 30 rotates, the end surface 34a of the pressing lever 30 is displaced, and the paper thickness sensor 40 detects the distance between the end surface 34a and the detection surface 40a of the paper thickness sensor 40. Here, the displacement amount D2 of the end surface 34a of the pressing lever 30 changes according to the distance L1 and the distance L2, and is configured to satisfy the following relationship.

D2≈2d × (L2 / L1) (4)
D2≈2D1 (5)

  That is, the displacement amount D2 of the end surface 34a of the pressing lever 30 is larger than the overlap thickness 2d of the checks CK1 and CK2 passing between the MICR 13 and the pressing protrusion 33 of the pressing lever 30, and of course only one check CK passes. It will be displaced more than if you do. The paper thickness sensor 40 detects the amount of displacement D2, so that the composite processing apparatus 1 determines that two checks CK are being conveyed, that is, the checks CK are being double-fed.

(Control of double feed detection)
Next, an embodiment of control related to double feed detection of the composite processing apparatus 1 including the thickness detection apparatus 50 of the present embodiment will be described. In the following description, the distance between the paper detector (here, the TOF detector 10) for detecting the length of the check CK and the paper thickness sensor 40 is shorter than the length of one check CK. A case where the position of L / 2 of the check CK passes in front of the paper thickness sensor 40 before CK completely passes through the TOF detector will be described.

FIG. 8 is a control block diagram showing double feed control using the thickness detection device 50, and FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining a main part of the double feed detection method of the present embodiment.
The double feed detection control circuit of this embodiment mainly includes a paper thickness sensor 40, an A / D converter 41, a memory 42, a control unit 60, a sampling pulse generation unit 70, a paper detection unit 80, and a paper. And a transport unit 90.

  The control unit 60 is a control center that controls the entire complex processing apparatus 1. Based on various instructions from the control unit 60, the sampling pulse generation unit 70, the sheet conveyance unit 90, various reading devices, and the like are driven. Operate.

  The sampling pulse generation unit 70 is a circuit that generates a sampling pulse for operating the paper thickness sensor 40 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 60 and outputs the sampling pulse to the paper thickness sensor 40. When the paper thickness sensor 40 receives the sampling pulse from the sampling pulse generator 70, the paper thickness sensor 40 irradiates light onto the end surface 34a of the pressing lever 30, receives the reflected light at the light receiving surface 40a, and outputs an electric signal corresponding to the reflected light as A. / D output to D converter 41.

  The A / D converter 41 A / D converts the electrical signal output from the paper thickness sensor 40 to generate a digital paper thickness value corresponding to the electrical signal. The generated paper thickness value is sent to the memory 42 and stored in a predetermined storage area in the memory 42. In the memory 42, the paper thickness values are sequentially stored according to the detection timing, and which paper thickness value is obtained by measuring which part of the check CK can be referred to in later processing. Yes.

  The paper detection unit 80 detects the length of the check CK conveyed on the first paper conveyance path P1 via the BOF detector 9 and / or the TOF detector 10, and the paper leading edge and the paper trailing edge. It is a check edge part detection part which detects an edge. The paper detection unit 80 sends an end detection signal indicating the front end and the rear end of the check CK to the control unit 60 via the BOF detector 9 and / or the TOF detector 10. In the following description, for simplification of the description, it is assumed that the sheet length is detected using only the TOF detector 10.

  The paper transport unit 90 is a transport control unit that controls the transport of the check CK by rotationally driving the first transport roller 6, the intermediate transport roller 16, the second transport roller 7 and the like via a stepping motor (not shown). The paper transport unit 90 outputs the number of rotation steps of the stepping motor to the control unit 60 and notifies the transport amount of the check CK.

The control unit 60 includes a paper length calculation unit 61, a paper thickness comparison unit 62, and a double feed determination unit 63, and determines the presence or absence of double feed by these.
Specifically, the paper length calculation unit 61 determines the paper length of the check CK based on the edge detection signal indicating the leading and trailing edges of the check CK and the number of rotation steps of the stepping motor output from the paper transport unit 90. (In the case of double feed, the length of the state in which two checks are connected) is calculated. Since the edge detection signal indicating the leading edge and the trailing edge of the check CK is output to the control unit 60 after the trailing edge of the check CK passes through the TOF detector 10, the paper length calculation unit 61 determines the length of the check CK. Is calculated after at least the trailing edge of the check CK has passed through the TOF detector 10.

  The paper thickness comparison unit 62 compares the paper thickness value stored in the memory 42 with a predetermined paper thickness reference value t, and determines whether or not the paper thickness value is less than or equal to the paper thickness reference value. If the paper thickness value is larger than the paper thickness reference value t, the multi-feed determination unit 63 is notified of the paper thickness abnormality.

  The double feed determination unit 63 determines the presence or absence of double feed based on the notification from the paper thickness comparison unit 62. Specifically, when a notice of paper thickness abnormality is received from the paper thickness comparison unit 62, it is determined that double feed has occurred, and a double feed detection signal is output. Based on this, the complex processing apparatus 1 performs error processing such as stopping the conveyance of the check CK, turning on the warning lamp, and outputting a warning sound.

  In the composite processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, before the check CK completely passes through the TOF detector, the position of L / 2 of the check CK passes in front of the paper thickness sensor 40 in front of the paper thickness sensor 40. End up. Therefore, in this embodiment, after detecting the length of the check CK, it is not possible to detect the thickness of only the L / 2 position of the check CK by pinpointing. The increase is suppressed.

  In the present embodiment, the sampling pulse generator 70 receives the check CK of a predetermined length after the TOF detector 10 detects the leading edge of the check CK, and the check CK reaches the detection site of the thickness detection device 50. When the TOF detector 10 detects the trailing edge of the check CK, that is, when the check CK completely passes through the TOF detector 10, the sampling pulse output is stopped. It is configured as follows. Then, the paper thickness comparison unit 62, at a half position of the length L of the check CK, among a plurality of paper thickness values (paper thickness data) detected according to the sampling pulse output from the sampling pulse generation unit 70. Only the corresponding paper thickness value is read out, and the paper thickness value is compared with a predetermined paper thickness reference value to detect a paper thickness abnormality.

  The paper thickness detection of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. In FIG. 9, arrows schematically indicate the thickness detection positions by the paper thickness sensor 40, and □ drawn below the arrows indicate the paper thickness values stored in the memory 42. When two checks CK1 and CK2 are double-fed, the sampling pulse generator 70 starts outputting the sampling pulse when the tip of the check CK1 reaches the detection site of the thickness detection device 50, and the paper thickness sensor Detection of the paper thickness value by 40 is performed. When the check CK has completely passed through the TOF detector 10, the sampling pulse generator 70 stops outputting the sampling pulse, and the acquisition of the paper thickness value is stopped.

  After the acquisition of the paper thickness value is stopped, the paper length calculation unit 61 determines the entire check CK1, CK2 based on the edge detection signal indicating the leading edge and the trailing edge of the check CK and the number of rotation steps of the stepping motor. The length is calculated, and the half length position of the paper length L is specified. When the ½ length position of the paper length L is specified, which paper thickness value among the paper thickness values stored in the memory 42 is data corresponding to the ½ length position of the paper length L. It is specified whether there is. Then, the paper thickness comparison unit 62 reads out the paper thickness value γ corresponding to the ½ length position from the paper thickness values stored in the memory 42, and corresponds to the ½ length position. Only the paper thickness value γ is compared with a predetermined paper thickness reference value t, and it is determined whether the paper thickness value γ is equal to or smaller than the paper thickness reference value t.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, before the check CK completely passes through the TOF detector 10, the position L / 2 of the check CK passes in front of the paper thickness sensor 40 in front of the paper thickness sensor 40. Even so, the number of acquired paper thickness values is minimized, and the amount of paper thickness values used for the double feed determination process is kept to a minimum. In FIG. 9, the paper thickness value at three points is illustrated as the paper thickness value γ corresponding to the 1/2 length position for convenience, but at least at one point before and after the L / 2 position of the check CK. If the paper thickness value is analyzed as the paper thickness value γ corresponding to the ½ length position, it is theoretically possible to detect double feed. In practice, in order to increase the accuracy of double feed detection, it is preferable to perform determination using paper thickness values at several points before and after the L / 2 position.

Next, the flow of double feed detection in this embodiment will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG.
First, the check CK is fed to the paper feeding unit 3 and a check CK conveyance instruction is awaited. When the processing command of the check CK is transmitted from the host computer to the composite processing apparatus 1, the composite processing apparatus 1 drives the stepping motor via the paper transport unit 90 based on the processing command to perform the first transport. The rotation of the roller 6, the second conveyance roller 7, the intermediate conveyance roller 16, and the like is started, and the check CK is conveyed into the first sheet conveyance path P1 (step S1). When the leading edge of the check CK reaches the TOF detector 10, the TOF detector 10 detects the check CK and transmits an end detection signal corresponding to this detection to the control unit 60 via the paper detection unit 80. (Step S2).

  The check CK is fed between the MICR 13 and the pressing lever 30 while the image reading sensors 11 and 12 perform image reading on the front and back surfaces. During this time, the control unit 60 counts the number of steps of the stepping motor after receiving the detection signal from the TOF detector 10, and at the timing when the check CK is sent between the MICR 13 and the pressing lever 30, the sampling pulse generating unit 70 is instructed to output a sampling pulse. The sampling pulse generator 70 outputs a sampling pulse to the paper thickness sensor 40 in response to an instruction from the controller 60. Then, the paper thickness sensor 40 measures the paper thickness of the check CK by detecting the displacement amount of the pressing lever 30 according to the thickness of the check CK at a predetermined sampling rate in accordance with the sampling pulse (step S3). ). The measured data is stored as a paper thickness value in the memory 42 via the A / D converter 41 (step S5).

  The control unit 60 preferably drives the sampling pulse generation unit 70 so that the paper thickness sensor 40 detects the thickness slightly before the tip of the check CK is fed between the MICR 13 and the pressing lever 30. Here, driving the sampling pulse generator 70 from a short time before being sent between the MICR 13 and the pressing lever 30 is a process for surely detecting the check CK, and suppressing an unnecessary increase in the amount of data. Considering this, it is preferable that the thickness is detected about one to several points before the check CK arrives.

  The paper thickness measurement by the paper thickness sensor 40, that is, the processing of step S3 and step S4 is repeated until the TOF detector 10 no longer detects the check CK (step S5). When the TOF detector 10 no longer detects the check CK, the control unit 60 instructs the sampling pulse generation unit 70 to stop outputting the sampling pulse and ends the paper thickness measurement of the check CK (step S6). The check CK that has passed through the TOF detector 10 is sequentially transported through the first paper transport path P1, and after being subjected to predetermined processing such as MICR character reading and printing, the check CK is discharged out of the composite processing apparatus 1 from the discharge unit 4. The

  The paper length calculation unit 61 calculates the length of the check CK based on the number of steps of the stepping motor engraved between the leading edge of the check CK and the trailing edge of the check CK detected by the TOF detector 10. (Step S7).

  Then, the paper thickness comparison unit 62 specifies the paper thickness value γ corresponding to the position of ½ of the length L based on the measured length L of the check CK and reads it from the memory 42 (step S8). . In step S9, the read paper thickness value γ is compared with the paper thickness reference value t (step S9). If the measured paper thickness value is larger than the paper thickness reference value t, the double feed determination unit 63 is notified of the abnormal paper thickness, and the double feed determination unit 63 receives the abnormal paper thickness from the paper thickness comparison unit 62. In response to this notification, a double feed detection signal is output (step S10). Then, in response to the double feed detection signal, the composite processing apparatus 1 performs error display, check conveyance stop, notification to the host computer, etc., and ends the processing (step S11).

If there is no abnormality in the paper thickness as a result of the comparison in step S9, the process proceeds to step S12, where it is determined that there is no double feed of the check CK, and the presence or absence of the next check processing is confirmed (step S12). If there is a check CK to be further processed, the process returns to step S1, and if there is no check CK to be processed, the processing of the composite processing apparatus 1 is terminated.
Through the above steps S1 to S12, double feed detection is performed simultaneously with various processes of the check CK.

  As described above, the composite processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes the paper feed unit 3 that feeds a plurality of checks CK one by one, and the first paper transport path P1 that transports the check CK sent from the paper feed unit 3. And the image reading sensors 11 and 12 and MICR 13 which are various reading units for reading information from the check CK conveyed on the first paper conveyance path P1, and the thickness of the check conveyed on the first paper conveyance path P1. A paper thickness sensor 40 that is a paper thickness detector that detects a plurality of points in the direction and generates a plurality of paper thickness values (paper thickness data), and a memory 42 as a data storage unit that stores the plurality of paper thickness values. And a detection result of the TOF detector 10 that is a paper detector that is arranged along the first paper transport path P1 and detects the presence or absence of the check CK transported along the first paper transport path P1. Calculate check CK length based on As well as, and a control unit 60 determines the presence or absence of double feeding, a. Then, the control unit 60 reads the paper thickness value at the position corresponding to 1/2 of the calculated check length from the memory 42, and the paper thickness at the position corresponding to 1/2 of the calculated check length. When the value is larger than the paper thickness reference value t, it is determined that double feeding is performed.

  According to the present embodiment, the multi-feed determination is made only for the paper thickness value at the position corresponding to 1/2 of the calculated check length. Therefore, even when the paper thickness sensor 40 and the TOF sensor 10 are arranged at an interval shorter than the paper conveyance direction length of the check CK, the double feed determination is performed for all the detected paper thickness values. There is no need. Therefore, compared to the case where the double feed determination is performed for all the detected paper thickness values, the load on the determination process for the presence or absence of double feed is reduced, and the time until the determination process is completed is shortened. Therefore, there is no need for an expensive processing system having a very high computing capacity for determination, and a multi-feed detecting device and a multi-processing device equipped with a multi-feed detecting device that can withstand practical use by using an inexpensive processing circuit. Can be provided.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the paper thickness sensor 40 starts detecting the thickness of the check after the TOF detector 10 detects the check, and when the check passes the TOF detector 10, the thickness of the check is checked. Therefore, the presence / absence of double feeding can be detected without measuring the total length of the checks that are double-fed and conveyed in an overlapped state (about two checks).

  Therefore, it is possible to always keep the number of measurement points of the thickness of the check CK to the minimum amount regardless of the presence or absence of double feeding, and it is possible to reduce the amount of data stored in the memory as compared with the conventional case.

  In the above-described embodiment, the composite processing apparatus 1 is pressed to press the check CK against the surface 13a of the MICR 13 that is disposed on one side of the intermediate transport path M that is a paper transport path and that is disposed on the other side of the intermediate transport path M. A double feed detection device 50 having a pressing lever 30 as a member and a paper thickness sensor 40 for detecting a displacement amount of the pressing lever 30 is provided. The paper thickness sensor 40 detects the thickness of the check CK by detecting the amount of displacement of the pressing lever 30 that is displaced according to the thickness of the check CK.

  Here, since the MICR 13 is a non-movable member and the surface 13 a of the MICR 13 is a rigid surface, the MICR 13 is not displaced by the pressing of the pressing lever 30, and no deformation or the like occurs on the surface 13 a of the MICR 13. Therefore, the surface 13a of the MICR 13 can be regarded as a stable displacement reference for the pressing lever 30, and the thickness of the check CK can be reliably detected by detecting the amount of displacement of the pressing lever 30.

  Therefore, even when the check is double-fed by feeding two checks CK as shown in FIG. 7B, the sheet feeding unit 3 uses the double-feed detection device 50 to increase the thickness of the check. By detecting this, it is possible to reliably detect double feeding of checks and to prevent reading failures and writing failures associated with double feeding of checks.

  The pressing lever 30 has been described as being pressed against the surface 13a of the MICR 13. However, the pressing lever 30 is not limited to this, and may be pressed against a non-movable fixed object that does not cause displacement or deformation. For example, the pressing lever 30 may be pressed against the inner wall that divides the paper conveyance path M or the image reading sensors 11 and 12 for image reading.

  The paper thickness sensor 40 has been described as an optical sensor. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various displacement sensors that can detect the displacement of the pressing lever 30 (eg, magnetism, potential detection sensor, etc.) are used. May be.

  Further, the indirect measurement type thickness detecting device 50 for measuring the displacement of the pressing lever 30 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the thickness of the paper is directly measured using an optical paper detector. Even if the measurement is performed, the same effect can be obtained.

  In the above description, the special case where the L / 2 position of the check CK passes in front of the paper thickness sensor 40 before the check CK completely passes through the TOF detector 10 has been described. More generalized as follows.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a positional relationship between the TOF detector 10 and the paper thickness sensor 40 and a paper thickness measurement site in consideration of the length of the check CK.
As shown in FIG. 11A, when the sensor interval R between the TOF detector 10 and the paper thickness sensor 40 is shorter than ½ of the length L of the check CK, the TOF detector 10 is at the rear end of the check CK. Since the half position of the length L of the check CK has already been measured by the paper thickness sensor 10 at the time of detecting this, double feed detection can be performed by performing processing as in the above embodiment. It is.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11B, when the sensor interval R between the TOF detector 10 and the paper thickness sensor 40 is longer than ½ of the length L of the check CK and shorter than the length L of the check CK. When the TOF detector 10 detects the trailing edge of the check CK, detection of the paper thickness by the paper thickness sensor 10 is started. However, the position ½ of the length L of the check CK is still detected by the paper thickness sensor 10. Not measured. In such a case, when the TOF detector 10 detects the trailing edge of the check CK, the paper thickness detection is temporarily stopped, and before the half position of the check CK passes the paper thickness sensor 40, It is good to comprise so that 1/2 position of check CK may be calculated | required and the thickness of 1/2 position (and several points of the vicinity) of check CK may be measured additionally. With this configuration, the ½ position of the check CK can be measured in any case where the sensor interval R between the TOF detector 10 and the paper thickness sensor 40 is shorter than the length of the check CK. it can.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 11C, when the sensor interval R between the TOF detector 10 and the paper thickness sensor 40 is longer than the check length L, the 1/2 position of the check CK is the same as in the prior art. Before passing through the paper thickness sensor 40, the 1/2 position of the check CK may be determined and the thickness of the 1/2 position of the check CK (and several nearby points) may be additionally measured.

  As described above, in addition to the conventional method, when the length of the check CK is not known when the check CK reaches the measurement position of the paper thickness sensor 40, the paper thickness measurement of the check CK is started for the time being. When the TOF detector 10 detects the trailing edge of the check CK, the measurement of the paper thickness of the check CK is completed, and if necessary, the length L of the check CK and the TOF detector 10 Whatever the relationship of the sensor interval R of the paper thickness sensor 40, it is possible to constitute a point that always measures the 1/2 position of the check CK.

It is a perspective view which shows the compound processing apparatus of embodiment which concerns on this invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a sheet conveyance path in a composite processing apparatus. It is a schematic diagram which shows the internal structure of a composite processing apparatus. It is a perspective view of the compound processing apparatus which removed the housing | casing. It is a perspective view of the compound processing apparatus which removed the housing | casing. It is a schematic diagram which shows the double feed detection apparatus of embodiment which concerns on this invention. (A) is a figure which shows the state (normal state) in which one check is conveyed in an intermediate conveyance path, (b) is the state in which two checks overlap and are conveyed in an intermediate conveyance path It is a figure which shows (double feed state). It is a control block diagram which shows one Embodiment of the double feed control which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the double feed detection of embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of double feed detection. It is a schematic diagram which shows the paper thickness measurement site | part which considered the arrangement | positioning relationship of a detector, and the length of a check. It is a schematic diagram explaining the conventional double feed detection.

Explanation of symbols

1. ・ Composite processing device 2a ・ ・ Outside guide 2b ・ ・ Inside guide 3 ・ ・ Paper feed unit 4 ・ ・ Discharge port 11, 12 ・ ・ Image reading sensor 13 ・ ・ MICR 30 ・ ・ Pressing lever 40 ・ ・ Paper thickness sensor 50 .. Thickness detection device 60 .. Control unit 70 .. Sampling pulse generator 80 .. Paper detection unit 90 .. Paper transport unit

Claims (10)

A paper thickness detector that detects the thickness of the paper transported on the paper transport path at a plurality of points in the paper transport direction and generates a plurality of thickness data; and
A data storage unit for storing the plurality of thickness data;
A paper detector disposed along the paper transport path for detecting the presence or absence of the paper transported through the paper transport path;
A control unit that calculates the length of the paper based on the detection result of the paper detector and determines the presence or absence of double feeding;
The control unit reads the thickness data at a position corresponding to 1/2 of the paper length from the data storage unit, and the thickness data at a position corresponding to 1/2 of the paper length is the paper thickness. A double feed detection device, characterized in that it is judged as double feed when it is larger than a reference value. The paper thickness detector starts detecting the paper after the paper detector detects the paper, and finishes detecting the thickness of the paper when the paper passes the paper detector. The multifeed detection device according to claim 1. The multi-feed detection device according to claim 1, wherein the paper thickness detector and the paper detector are arranged at an interval shorter than a length of a paper to be conveyed in a paper conveyance direction. The sheet thickness detector is disposed on one side of the sheet conveyance path and a pressing member that presses the sheet against a rigid surface of a non-movable member disposed on the other side of the sheet conveyance path, and a displacement amount of the pressing member. A paper thickness sensor to detect,
The said paper thickness sensor detects the thickness of the said sheet | seat according to the displacement amount of the said pressing member displaced according to the thickness of the said sheet | seat, The any one of Claims 1-3 characterized by the above-mentioned. Double feed detection device. A paper feeder that feeds multiple sheets one by one;
A paper transport path for transporting paper fed from the paper feed unit;
A reading unit that reads information from the paper transported through the paper transport path;
A paper thickness detector that detects the thickness of the paper transported through the paper transport path at a plurality of points in the paper transport direction and generates a plurality of thickness data;
A data storage unit for storing the plurality of thickness data;
A paper detector disposed along the paper transport path for detecting the presence or absence of the paper transported through the paper transport path;
A control unit that calculates the length of the paper based on the detection result of the paper detector and determines the presence or absence of double feeding;
The control unit reads the thickness data at a position corresponding to 1/2 of the paper length from the data storage unit, and the thickness data at a position corresponding to 1/2 of the paper length is the paper thickness. A composite processing apparatus, characterized in that when it is larger than a reference value, it is determined to be double feeding. The paper thickness detector starts detecting the paper after the paper detector detects the paper, and finishes detecting the thickness of the paper when the paper passes the paper detector. 6. The composite processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein: The composite processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the sheet thickness detector and the sheet detector are arranged at an interval shorter than a length in a sheet conveyance direction of a sheet to be conveyed. The sheet thickness detector is disposed on one side of the sheet conveyance path and a pressing member that presses the sheet against a rigid surface of a non-movable member disposed on the other side of the sheet conveyance path, and a displacement amount of the pressing member. A paper thickness sensor to detect,
The said paper thickness sensor detects the thickness of the said paper according to the displacement amount of the said pressing member displaced according to the thickness of the said paper, The any one of Claims 5-7 characterized by the above-mentioned. Combined processing equipment. A paper thickness detection step for detecting the thickness of the paper transported on the paper transport path at a plurality of points in the paper transport direction and generating a plurality of thickness data;
Storing the plurality of thickness data in a data storage unit;
A paper detection step for detecting the presence or absence of the paper transported through the paper transport path;
A paper length calculating step for calculating the length of the paper based on the detection result in the paper detecting step;
A determination step of determining whether or not the paper is double-fed,
In the determination step, the thickness data at a position corresponding to 1/2 of the paper length is read from the data storage unit, and the thickness data at a position corresponding to 1/2 of the paper length is the paper thickness. A double feed detection method, characterized in that a double feed is determined when it is larger than a reference value. In the paper thickness detection step, detection of the thickness of the paper is started after the detection of the paper, and detection of the thickness of the paper is ended when the paper passes the paper detector. The double feed detection method according to claim 9, wherein: