JP2009061425A - Paper sheets treating apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a paper sheets treating apparatus using a control system effective for a prevention of system-down due to sensor abnormality. <P>SOLUTION: The control system applied for the paper sheets treating apparatus includes an upper-rank control apparatus, which removes, from a sampling object, a sensor signal from an abnormal sensor in accordance with a detection of the sensor abnormality, changes a sampling period of the sensor signal from a determined normal sensor, determines a selection indication for selecting the sensor signal to be contained in each transmitting frame from a plurality of sensor signals in accordance with the changed sampling period, and transmits the selection indication to a unit control apparatus constituting the control system. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a host controller connected to a unit controller via a serial line, and a plurality of sensor signals by a transmission frame that receives a plurality of sensor signals from a plurality of sensors and is transmitted at a predetermined transmission cycle via the serial line. The present invention relates to a paper sheet processing apparatus using a control system configured by a unit control device that transmits a message to a host control device.

  As an example of a control system, a medium conveying apparatus that conveys a medium such as paper sheets is known. The media transport device controls multiple unit units (conveying unit, take-in unit, stacking unit) equipped with multiple pulse motors and actuators for media separation and movement, and the operation of the pulse motors and actuators in these unit units. It is comprised by the main control part which issues the control command to perform (refer patent document 1).

  In serial communication performed between the main control unit (high-order control device) and the unit unit (unit control device), cyclic communication using a total frame method is employed. By this communication method, a command (COMMAND) sent from the main control unit to the unit unit, a response (RESPONSE) as a processing result of this command sent from the unit unit to the main control unit, and between the main control unit and the unit unit Input / output data (DATA-INPUT / OUTPUT) to be transmitted is transmitted and received.

  For example, a fixed sampling period is set for a plurality of sensor signals from a plurality of sensors transmitted from the unit unit to the main control unit. Of course, the communication capacity between the two is limited, and the number of sensors (number of sensor signals that can be transmitted) is greatly limited by setting a fixed sampling period (for example, an extremely short sampling period). Sometimes. In other words, the sampling frequency may be limited by the communication capacity.

Further, in a control system composed of a plurality of sensors, the system may go down even if only a few sensor abnormalities occur. There is a demand for improvement against a decrease in processing efficiency due to such a system down. On the other hand, a technology has been proposed to prevent system failure by degrading monitoring of a failed sensor, processing the output of the failed sensor based on the output information of the previous normal sensor, and using it as a dummy output. (See Patent Document 2)
JP2001-202588 JP-A-10-139214

  The dummy output described above is an ideal value based on the output information of the normal sensor in the previous stage, and the actual measurement is only the output information of the normal sensor in the previous stage. Therefore, the position detection accuracy of a conveyed product falls and the possibility of causing a jam increases.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems, and is to provide a paper sheet processing apparatus using a control system that is effective in preventing a system down due to a sensor abnormality.

  A sheet processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention receives a plurality of sensor signals from a plurality of sensors for detecting a sheet conveyed on a conveyance path, and transmits the signals through a serial line at a predetermined transmission cycle. A unit control device for controlling the driving of the sorting gate for transmitting the plurality of sensor signals to the host control device by the transmission frame, receiving the gate drive control signal from the host control device, and sorting the sheet transport destination; A sheet processing apparatus using a control system configured by a host controller that receives the plurality of sensor signals and transmits a gate drive control signal to a unit controller, the host controller including the plurality of sensors Setting means for setting the sampling period for each of the sensor signals, and excluding the sensor signal from the abnormality sensor based on the sensor abnormality detection from the sampling target, A change means for changing a sampling period of a sensor signal from a predetermined normal sensor, and a sensor included in each transmission frame from a plurality of sensor signals based on the sampling period set by the setting means and the transmission period of the transmission frame A first selection instruction for selecting a signal is determined, and the first selection instruction is transmitted to the unit control device, or the sampling period changed by the changing unit and the transmission period of the transmission frame A second selection instruction for selecting a sensor signal to be included in each transmission frame from a plurality of sensor signals, and applying the second selection instruction to the unit control device instead of the first selection instruction Selection instruction transmission means for transmitting the second selection instruction; and a sensor signal selected based on the first selection instruction. Transmission frame receiving means for sequentially receiving the second transmission frame group including the sensor signal selected based on the second selection instruction, and the first selection instruction. Analyzing means for analyzing a sensor signal included in the first transmission frame group, or analyzing a sensor signal included in the second transmission frame group based on the second selection instruction.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the paper sheet processing apparatus using the control system effective in the system down prevention by sensor abnormality can be provided.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  The control system according to an example of the present invention is a distributed processing type control system including a host control device and a lower control device (unit control device).

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a control system according to an example of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the control system includes a main control unit 100A and a unit unit 100B. The main control unit 100 </ b> A includes a control upper CPU 101 and a communication master side LSI 102 (main) as a higher control device, and the control upper CPU 101 issues various instructions to the communication master side LSI 102. One unit unit 100B includes a plurality of slave LSIs 103 (UNIT # 1, UNIT # 2, UNIT # 3, UNIT # 4,...), A plurality of photointerrupters 109, a plurality of solenoids 110, and the like as lower-level control devices. ing.

  The communication master side LSI 102 of the main control unit 100A and each slave side LSI 103 of the unit unit 100B are connected by a serial cable having a transmission line 105 and a reception line 106, and serial communication is performed between the communication master side LSI 102 and the slave side LSI 103. Is controlled.

  A processor is mounted on each LSI. The upper control CPU 101 gives a general command to drive the photo interrupter 109 and the solenoid 110 of the unit unit 100B. In accordance with this command value, the slave-side LSI 103 performs detailed control such as driving of the photo interrupter 109 and the solenoid 110.

  The transmission line 105 transmits commands (multiple control signals) and output data from the communication master side LSI 102 to each slave side LSI 103. The reception line 106 receives the response and input data (multiple sensor signals) from each slave side LSI 103 by the communication master side LSI 102.

  2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a transmission circuit that connects the slave-side LSI 103 and the transmission line 105, and FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a reception circuit that connects the slave-side LSI 103 and the reception line 106. is there. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, both the transmission circuit and the reception circuit are floating circuits including a pulse transformer 202 as a countermeasure against normal mode noise. Transmission data from the communication master side LSI 102 propagates on the transmission line 105 and is received by the receiver 203 of the transmission circuit. On the other hand, the receiving circuit includes a transceiver 205 and a receiver 206.

  Next, a communication method (signal transmission method) will be described. 4 is a diagram showing a connection example between the communication master side LSI 102 and the slave side LSI 103 (UNIT # n) of the control system shown in FIG.

  For example, the communication master side LSI 102 and the slave side LSI 103 (UNIT # n) are connected by a serial cable having a transmission line 105 and a reception line 106, and the slave side LSI 103 (UNIT # n) has ten photo interrupters 109 ( sen.1 to sen.10) are connected. On the other hand, it is assumed that the communication capacity on the serial cable is up to 8 bits per 1 ms (transmission frames sequentially transmitted at a transmission period of 1 ms include 8 slots (capacity 8 bits)). That is, the input signals (10 sensor signals) of all the photo interrupters 109 cannot be transferred in a 1 ms cycle.

  Here, the number of photo interrupters 109 that need to be sampled at a cycle of 1 ms is 6 (sen. 1 to sen. 6) out of 10 photo interrupters (sen. 1 to sen. 10), and the remaining 4 ( sen.7 to sen.10) can be applied to a data transfer method as shown in FIG.

  That is, the input signal (sensor signal) sent in the first communication is sen. 1, sen. 2, sen. 3, sen. 4, sen. 5, sen. 6, sen. 7, sen. 8 8 bits, the input signal sent in the second communication is sen. 1, sen. 2, sen. 3, sen. 4, sen. 5, sen. 6, sen. 9, sen. 10, the input signal sent in the third communication is the same as the input signal sent in the first communication, and the input signal sent in the fourth communication is the same as the input signal sent in the second communication. repeat. That is, the first input signal and the second input signal are transmitted alternately.

  In other words, the transmission frame transmitted in the first communication is sen. 1, sen. 2, sen. 3, sen. 4, sen. 5, sen. 6, sen. 7, sen. 8 including 8 bits (8 slots), the transmission frame transmitted in the second communication is sen. 1, sen. 2, sen. 3, sen. 4, sen. 5, sen. 6, sen. 9, sen. It contains 10 8 bits (8 slots). That is, the first to sixth bits are always sen. 1-sen. 6 and the 7th bit is sent to sen. 7 and sen. 9 are transmitted alternately, the 8th bit is sen. 8 and sen. 10 is transmitted alternately. In other words, sen. 1-sen. 6 transmission period and sen. 7-sen. Ten transmission cycles are set to different transmission cycles. That is, sen. 1-sen. 6 is transmitted at a transmission cycle T1 that is n times (n = 1) the transmission cycle T0 of the transmission frame. 7-sen. 10 is transmitted at a transmission cycle T2 that is m times (m = 2) the transmission cycle T0 of the transmission frame.

  Thereby, it becomes possible to transmit more sensor signals under a small communication capacity.

  Although it is conceivable to increase the communication capacity by increasing the communication frequency between the slave-side LSI 103 (UNIT # n) and the communication master-side LSI 102, it is susceptible to noise. According to the communication method according to the present embodiment, since the communication capacity is not increased by increasing the communication frequency, more sensor signals can be transmitted without deteriorating the noise performance.

  Here, the theory of transmitting a plurality of input signals at different transmission periods as described above will be described.

The number of sensors that must be sampled in the minimum unit period T is a ₁ , the number of sensors that must be sampled in the period 2T or less is a ₂ , a ₃ ,. NT (the period T N times) the number of sensors that must be sampled at a period NT to _{a N.} If the number of sensor signals that can be transferred in time T is S bits, the following equation (1) needs to hold in order for all sensors to be able to transfer within a specified period.

_{a 1 + a 2/2 +} a 3/3 + ... + a N-1 / (N-1) + a N / N ≦ S ... (1)
For example, when N = 2, the expression (1) becomes the following expression (2).

_{a 1 + a 2/2 ≦} S ... is (2).

  When the number of all sensors is m, the following equation (3) is obtained.

a ₁ + a ₂ = m (3).

  Therefore, the following equation (4) is derived from the equations (2) and (3).

a ₁ ≦ 2S−m (4)
That is, assuming that the number of sensor signals that can be transferred per minimum unit period T is S bits and the number of all sensors is m, the number of sensors a ₁ that can be sampled in the minimum unit period T does not satisfy Expression (4). Don't be.

  Next, use of empty bits will be described.

  When the equal sign of equation (1) is satisfied (that is, the state shown in FIG. 5), all the bits of the transmission signal are filled with valid sensor data (that is, all the transmission slots included in the transmission frame are valid). Filled with sensor data).

  On the other hand, when the inequality sign in Expression (1) is satisfied, a space is generated in the communication path (that is, a transmission slot included in the transmission frame has a margin). Therefore, a sensor signal that may require a longer sampling period is transmitted at a period shorter than the required sampling period (that is, the sensor signal is transmitted redundantly).

  For example, consider the case of N = 2.

_{a 1 + a 2/2 <} S ... (5)
If k holds that equation (6) holds when equation (5) holds, k out of _two sensors a that may be cycle 2T can be sampled at cycle T.

(A ₁ + k) + (a ₂ −k) / 2 <S, where k is a positive integer less than or equal to a ₂ (6)
If k sensors out of _two sensors a which may have a period of 2T are sampled with a period of T, those signals can be doubled in redundancy, and signal filtering (noise removal and averaging) is possible. Become.

  Next, the sensor map will be described. Before transmitting and receiving sensor signals between the communication master side LSI 102 and the slave side LSI 103, it is necessary to determine the transmission order of the sensor signals. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining management of the transmission order of sensor signals.

  The communication master side LSI 102 sets a plurality of sampling periods (for example, sen.1 to sen.6: 1 ms period, sen.7 to sen.10: 2 ms period) for a plurality of sensor signals (for example, sen.1 to sen.10). Further, a sensor map is set (ST1).

  The sensor map is an instruction determined based on a plurality of sampling periods set for a plurality of sensor signals and a transmission period of a transmission frame, and the selection of sensor signals to be included in each transmission frame from the plurality of sensor signals. An instruction (that is, an instruction indicating which sensor signal is included in which transmission frame) is included. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the sensor map is a sen. 1-sen. 6, sen. 7, sen. 8 and the second (n + 1) th transmission frame. 1-sen. 6, sen. 9, sen. This is an instruction to include 10.

  The communication master side LSI 102 issues a sensor map setting command to the slave side LSI 103 (ST2). FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sensor map setting command. The sensor map setting command includes, for example, a command type (8 bits), a maximum sensor period (8 bits), and a sensor map (variable length: depending on the maximum sensor period).

  The command type is a code indicating that the command is an initial setting command. The command code is, for example, 0xA. The maximum sensor period indicates the period of the sensor having the longest sensor transmission period. In the present embodiment, the maximum sensor cycle = 2 transmission frames. As shown in FIG. 5, the sensor map defines the transmission order of sensor signals.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 8, a number is associated with each sensor signal for the maximum sensor period (2 transmission frames). That is, as shown in FIG. 1 → 0, sen. 2 → 1, sen. 3 → 2, sen. 4 → 3, sen. 5 → 4, sen. 6 → 5, sen. 7 → 6, sen. 8 → 7, sen. 9 → 8, sen. Correspond to 10 → 9. As shown in FIG. 9, the sensor map is obtained by rearranging numbers associated with each sensor signal in order.

  Subsequently, the communication master side LSI 102 issues an operation start command to the slave side LSI 103 (ST3). As shown in FIG. 10, a command serving as a trigger for starting communication of the sensor signal is issued. The command code is, for example, 0xB. The slave side LSI 103 selects a sensor signal to be included in each transmission frame from a plurality of sensor signals based on the sensor map, and sequentially transmits each transmission frame including the selected sensor signal to the communication master side LSI 102. To do. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, sen. 1, sen. 2, sen. 3, sen. 4, sen. 5, sen. 6, sen. 7, sen. 8 including 8 bits (8 slots), the transmission frame transmitted in the second communication includes sen. 1, sen. 2, sen. 3, sen. 4, sen. 5, sen. 6, sen. 9, sen. These transmission frames are transmitted sequentially, including 10 8 bits (8 slots).

  The communication master side LSI 102 sequentially receives transmission frames including the sensor signal selected based on the sensor map. Further, the communication master side LSI 102 monitors the sensor signal included in the transmission frame based on the sensor map (ST4). That is, which sensor signal is a signal from which sensor is analyzed.

  Next, a case where sensor signals are transmitted redundantly will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 11, when the transmission slot in the transmission frame has a vacancy (margin), the sensor signal reliability can be improved by intentionally shortening the sampling period of the sensor signal. In the case of FIG. 11, the slot of the 8th bit of the transmission frame transmitted for the second time (the fourth time) is vacant.

  For example, sen. 10, as described above, a transmission cycle twice as long as the transmission cycle T0 of the transmission frame is sufficient (transmits once every two transmissions of the transmission frame), but as shown in FIG. 10 are transmitted redundantly at the same transmission cycle as the transmission cycle T0 of the transmission frame (transmitted every transmission frame). In addition, sen. Sending 10 redundantly is indicated in the sensor map.

  That is, the sensor map is a signal included in a plurality of sensor signals, and a predetermined sensor signal (sen.10) sampled at a predetermined sampling period TS is multiplied by n times the transmission period T0 (T0 <Ts) of the transmission frame ( It includes a redundancy instruction for redundant transmission at a transmission cycle T1 (T1 <Ts) of n: natural number.

  As a result, the slave-side LSI 103 redundantly transmits a predetermined sensor signal (sen.10) at a transmission cycle T1 (T1 <Ts) that is n times (n: a natural number) the transmission cycle T0 (T0 <Ts) of the transmission frame. Send. Specifically, the transmission is performed as shown in FIG.

  Further, the communication master side LSI 102 checks the authenticity of the predetermined sensor signal from the redundancy of the predetermined sensor signal (sen.10) included in the transmission frame based on the redundancy instruction included in the sensor map, and Reliability can be ensured.

  Next, improvement in reliability by redundant transmission of sensor signals will be described. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating another example of the main control unit 100A for realizing improvement in reliability by redundant transmission of sensor signals.

  The sensor signal transmitted from the slave side LSI 103 is received by the communication master side LSI 102. The communication master side LSI 102 analyzes the sensor signal included in the transmission frame based on the sensor map, and distributes the sensor signal included in the transmission frame. At this time, for example, sen. 1-sen. 9 is sent directly to the control upper CPU 101. On the other hand, sen. 10 is sent to the noise removal circuit NRC. Sen. from which noise has been removed by the noise removal circuit NRC. 10 is sent to the upper CPU 101 for control.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the noise removal circuit NRC. The D-FF (D-flip-flop) holds the sensor signal (sen. 10) one cycle before. The clock is a clock signal having a frequency equal to the sensor monitoring period. The XOR circuit compares the sensor signal (sen. 10) of the previous cycle with the current sensor signal (sen. 10). When the sensor signal (sen. 10) of the previous cycle and the current sensor signal (sen. 10) are the same signal, the gate of the LATCH circuit is opened and the output signal is updated to the current sensor signal. When the sensor signal (sen. 10) of the previous cycle is different from the current sensor signal (sen. 10), the output signal is not updated and the previous output value is held as it is. That is, if the signal values are equal for two or more consecutive periods, the output signal is updated for the first time, and a single pulse of only one period can be removed.

  In the above, transmission of sensor signals (sen. 1 to sen. 6: 1 ms cycle, sen. 7 to sen. 10: 2 ms cycle) that require two different sampling frequencies has been described. It is not limited.

  For example, as described below, it is possible to efficiently transmit a sensor signal that requires a large number of different sampling frequencies.

  The preconditions are as follows.

-Transmission frame: 8 transmission slots (8 bits) / transmission cycle 1 ms,
・ Sen. 1-sen. 7: Required sampling frequency 2 ms
・ Sen. 8-sen. 10: Required sampling frequency 20 ms
・ Sen. 11-sen. 12: Requested sampling frequency 100 ms
For example, the transmission method is as follows.

・ Sen. 1-sen. 7: Transmit in at least an even-numbered (or odd-numbered) transmission frame. You may make it transmit redundantly by all the transmission frames of even number and odd number.

・ Sen. It is transmitted in the 8th, 11, 21,... Transmission frame. sen. 1-sen. If redundant transmission is not performed, an empty slot is generated. 8 may be transmitted redundantly.

・ Sen. 9: 2, 12, 22... Is transmitted in the transmission frame. sen. 1-sen. If redundant transmission is not performed, an empty slot is generated. 8 may be transmitted redundantly.

・ Sen. 10: 3, 13, 23... Are transmitted in the transmission frame. sen. 1-sen. If redundant transmission is not performed, an empty slot is generated. 8 may be transmitted redundantly.

・ Sen. 11: 4, 104, 204... Are transmitted in the transmission frame. sen. 1-sen. If redundant transmission is not performed, an empty slot is generated. 8 may be transmitted redundantly.

・ Sen. 12: 5, 105, 205... sen. 1-sen. If redundant transmission is not performed, an empty slot is generated. 8 may be transmitted redundantly.

  According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

  Even in a communication path with a small communication capacity, by optimizing the sampling period of each sensor, more sensor signals can be communicated than when sampling at a uniform constant period. Further, since the communication capacity is not increased by increasing the communication frequency, the anti-noise performance is not deteriorated.

  For example, in a control device such as a paper sheet processor, hundreds of input signals (sensor signals) may be transmitted and received. The required sensor sampling cycle varies. For example, a sensor or the like for confirming the transport position of a paper sheet is required to sample at a high frequency (for example, 1 ms) because it relates to the recognition position accuracy of the paper sheet. On the other hand, for a sensor used for a human I / F part such as a sensor for recognizing opening / closing of a door, sampling at a low frequency (several hundred ms to several s) is often sufficient.

  In such a case, by optimizing the sampling period according to the required specifications (sampling frequency) of each sensor, more sensor signals than a communication system that samples at a uniform sampling period under a certain communication capacity. Can be communicated.

  In addition, when communication is performed using the above communication method, there may be a case where there is a free time (margin) on the communication path. In such a sensor signal communication system, by providing redundancy to some of the sensor signals, the sensor signals can be filtered (noise removal and smoothing), and the reliability of the sensor signals can be improved. Become.

  That is, in a field network system with a small communication capacity, by setting sampling periods individually for a plurality of sensor signals, the communication amount can be reduced and the overall performance can be reduced.

  Although the above has described the transmission of the sensor signal transmitted from the slave side LSI 103 to the communication master side LSI 102, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can also be applied to transmission of a control signal transmitted from the communication master side LSI 102 to the slave side LSI 103. That is, it is possible to efficiently transmit a plurality of control signals for controlling a plurality of control devices at different periods instead of transmitting all of them at the same period. Further, the reliability of the control signal can be improved by applying the above-described redundant transmission.

  That is, the communication master side LSI 102 sets a plurality of control cycles for a plurality of control devices (such as the solenoid 110). For example, a control signal is transmitted to a certain solenoid 110 at a control cycle T1, and a control signal is transmitted to another solenoid 110 at a control cycle T2 (T2 = T1 × 2). The communication master side LSI 102 selects a control signal selection instruction (control map) to be included in each transmission frame from among the plurality of control signals based on the plurality of control periods (T1, T2) and the transmission frame transmission period (T0). The control signal selection instruction is transmitted to the slave LSI 103, and each transmission frame including the control signal selected based on the selection instruction is sequentially transmitted.

  The slave-side LSI 103 receives the selection instruction, sequentially receives the transmission frame, analyzes the control signal included in the transmission frame based on the selection instruction (analyzes which control signal is for which control device), Each control device is controlled based on the analyzed control signal.

  Next, an example of a paper sheet processing apparatus (mail processing apparatus) to which the present invention can be applied will be described.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a mail processing apparatus (postal mail address automatic reading sorter). Here, the operation of the mail processing apparatus will be briefly described. A plurality of postal items P such as postcards, sealed letters and the like set in the supply unit 1 in a standing state are sequentially taken out and conveyed one by one from the frontmost postal matter P by the take-out unit 2, and taken-in conveyance path 3. The address address as the address information given to the postal matter P is read by the reading unit 4 arranged in the middle of the mail.

  The reading unit 4 includes a photoelectric conversion unit 4a that photoelectrically converts an entire image on the surface of the postal matter P, and an address recognition unit 4b that recognizes a destination address according to an output (black and white image B / W) of the photoelectric conversion unit 4a. The transfer address recognition unit 4c recognizes the transfer destination address according to the output (red image R) of the photoelectric conversion unit 4a.

  Then, the postal matter P that has passed through the reading unit 4 passes through the take-in conveyance path 3 and is conveyed by the sorting gate 20 to the first division unit 11 at the front or the second division unit 21 at the rear. ing. The distribution gate 20 performs a distribution operation corresponding to the solenoid 110 shown in FIG.

  The postal matter P transported to the first sorting section 11 is sent to the sorting transport paths 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d provided in a plurality of stages in the vertical direction by a gate mechanism section including a sorting gate and a transport mechanism section (not shown). Based on the result of reading by the reading unit 4, it is selectively distributed. The sorting gate performs sorting operation corresponding to the solenoid 110 shown in FIG.

  Below the sorting conveyance paths 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d, a plurality of pockets (accumulation boxes) 6... Are arranged in a plurality of stages (A stage, B stage, C stage, D stage) along the lower surface side. It is arranged. Then, the postal matter P sent to the sorting transport paths 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d is sorted and accumulated in a predetermined pocket 6 based on the recognition result of the address recognition unit 4b or the forwarding address recognition unit 4c. ing.

  The postal matter P transported to the second sorting section 21 is sent to the sorting transport paths 22a, 22b, 22c, and 22d provided in a plurality of stages in the vertical direction by a gate mechanism section including a sorting gate and a transport mechanism section (not shown). Based on the result of reading by the reading unit 4, it is selectively distributed.

  Below the sorting conveyance paths 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d, a plurality of pockets (stacking boxes) 23 are arranged in a plurality of stages (A stage, B stage, C stage, D stage) along the lower surface side. It is arranged. Then, the postal matter P sent to the sorting transport paths 22a, 22b, 22c, and 22d is sorted and accumulated in a predetermined pocket 23 based on the recognition result of the address recognition unit 4b or the forwarding address recognition unit 4c. ing.

  In addition, the said 1st division part 11 is provided with 200 pockets 6, for example, and the said 2nd division part 21 is provided with 150 pockets 23, for example. Further, on the transport paths 3, 5a to 5d and 22a to 22d, a transport detector group (for example, the photo interrupter 109 shown in FIG. 1) for detecting the transport of the postal matter P on the transport path is provided.

  Further, an operator panel 7 as an operation panel is provided in the vicinity of the supply unit 1. The operator panel 7 is provided with a start switch for instructing the start of a processing operation, a selection switch for selecting a segment designation (none of which are shown), and the like.

  Next, the extraction unit 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The take-out unit 2 is provided with a conveyance supply unit 70 that conveys the postal matter P. The conveyance supply unit 70 includes a supply base 71, two supply belts 73 movably provided in slits on the supply base 71, a side plate 74 standing on the supply base 71, and the side plate 74. A plurality of supply pins 76 provided at predetermined intervals so as to be movable in the parallel slit 75 are provided. The postal matter P is conveyed by the supply belt 73 and the supply pin 76 and is accumulated in the accumulation unit 77 with the rear end (lower end) being aligned.

  The take-out unit 2 includes a take-out belt 78 disposed perpendicular to the moving direction of the supply belt 73, that is, the conveyance direction of the postal matter P by the supply unit 70. A number of holes (not shown) are formed in the take-out belt 78. For example, four holes are formed at predetermined intervals. The take-out belt 78 is stretched over a drive roller 80 and two rollers 81c and 81d, and is driven by the rotation of the drive roller 80. When the postal matter P contacts the take-out belt 78, the postal matter P is conveyed upward. The drive mechanism of the take-out belt 78 can be changed at a variable speed by the control unit.

  Inside the take-out belt 78, a main suction portion 82 that is sucked by the suction device 94 in a state of being opposed to the inner surface of the take-out belt 78 is provided. Further, an auxiliary suction portion 83 that is sucked by the suction device 94 is provided on the downstream side of the take-out belt 78 with respect to the conveying direction of the take-out belt 78. The auxiliary suction portion 83 is for preventing two or more mail items P from being taken out by the take-out belt 78 at a time.

  A suction slit hole (not shown) is provided on the front surface side of the auxiliary suction part 83, and the tip of the pressure detection lever 83 b is provided so as to face the accumulation part 77 of the supply part 70. The pressure detection lever 83b is a transmission type provided behind the auxiliary suction portion 83 by the rear end of the lever 83b by moving by the pressing force when the postal matter P is accumulated in the accumulation portion 78. The pressure detector 84 is turned on. The pressure detector 84 is turned on when the light emitted from the light emitting element constituting the photo interrupter 109 to the light receiving element is blocked by the rear end of the lever 83b when the postal matter P is accumulated in the accumulating unit 77. It is like that.

  A transmissive belt hole detector 85 (e.g., corresponding to the photo interrupter 109 shown in FIG. 1) is provided between the pinch rollers 81c and 81d. The belt hole detector 85 detects the passage of the belt hole, whereby the transport position of the take-out belt 78 is detected. When the light from the light emitting element of the belt hole detector 85 reaches the light receiving element through the belt hole, the switch is turned on.

  Further, a tip detector 87 (e.g., corresponding to the photo interrupter 109 shown in FIG. 1) is provided on the front side portion of the main suction portion 82. The leading edge detector 87 is a transmissive optical sensor that detects the passage of the leading edge (upper part) of the postal matter P taken out by the take-out belt 78. A rear end detector 88 (e.g., corresponding to the photo interrupter 109 shown in FIG. 1) is provided to detect the passage of the rear end (lower part) of the postal matter P taken out by the take-out belt 78. This rear end detector 88 is also a transmissive optical sensor. Note that the rear end detector 88 is not limited to one place, and may be provided at a plurality of places.

  The postal matter P taken out by the take-out belt 78 passes through the front end detector 87 and the rear end detector 88 and is then guided to the upper conveyance path 48. The conveyance path 48 is formed by a conveyance belt 91 that is stretched around the rollers 90 a and 90 b and a conveyance belt 93 that is stretched around the roller 92.

  Next, the pocket (stacking box) 6 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The pocket (stacking box) 6 is configured to receive and stack the postal matter P from the upper opening portion. The position of the displacement plate 52 that is displaced by the change in the weight of the postal matter P provided in the pocket 6 is detected by a full detection sensor 53 (e.g., corresponding to the photo interrupter 109 shown in FIG. 1).

  Next, the control system will be described with reference to FIG.

  For example, the first sorting unit 11 includes an MP-CPU 40 corresponding to the control upper CPU 101. The MP-CPU 40 is a CPU (hereinafter referred to as CM-CPU) that communicates with the SP-CPUs 41a to 41d corresponding to the slave-side LSI 103 (UNIT # 1, UNIT # 2, UNIT # 3, UNIT # 4,...). 42. The SP-CPUs 41a to 41d have CPUs (CM-CPUs 43a to 43d) for communicating with the CM-CPU 42 of the MP-CPU 40. The SP-CPUs 41a to 41d have CPUs (CM-CPUs 44a to 44d, 45a to 45d) for communicating with each other and checking the position information of the other party. The CM-CPUs 44a to 44d communicate with their downstream MP-CPUs, and the CM-CPUs 45a to 45d communicate with their upstream MP-CPUs.

  That is, the sensor signal from the belt hole detector 85, the front end detector 87, the rear end detector 88, and the conveyance detector group shown in FIG. 15 and the sensor signal from the full detection sensor 53 shown in FIG. ˜41d to the MP-CPU 40. In order to appropriately detect the postal matter P conveyed at high speed, a very short sampling period is required for the sensor signals from the front end detector 87, the rear end detector 88, and the transport detector group. On the other hand, a relatively long sampling period is sufficient for the sensor signal from the full detection sensor 53. According to this embodiment, for example, such sensor signals from the leading edge detector 87 and the trailing edge detector 88 can be transmitted in a short cycle, and the sensor signal from the full detection sensor 53 can be transmitted in a long cycle. (Transmission can be performed at different periods), and the efficiency of signal transmission can be improved within a predetermined communication capacity range. Moreover, the reliability of a sensor signal can also be improved by transmitting several sensor signals redundantly.

  Next, degeneration at the time of failure of the gate driving sensor will be described.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a branch example of the conveyance path of the mail processing apparatus (paper sheet processing apparatus) illustrated in FIG. 15. As shown in FIG. 19, the intake conveyance path 3 branches into conveyance paths 31 and 32. Paper sheets (the above-mentioned postal matter P) conveyed through the take-in conveyance path 3 are detected by the detection unit D1. The detection result by the detection unit D1 is notified from the slave side LSI 103 of the unit unit 100B to the main control unit 100A. The main control unit 100A transmits a gate drive control signal for controlling the drive of the gate G based on the detection result. The slave LSI 103 receives the gate drive control signal and controls the drive of the gate G. That is, based on the detection result, one of the conveyance paths 31 and 32 is selected, and the paper sheet is distributed to one of the conveyance paths 31 and 32.

  For example, 16 photointerrupters (sen.A to D, sen.1 to sen.12) are assumed, and two of them, that is, sensors A and B (sen.A, sen.B) are transported. It is assumed that it is installed corresponding to the road 31. That is, the conveyance on the conveyance path 31 is monitored by the sensors A and B (sen.A, sen.B). Based on the detection result of the detection unit D1, the transport destination (the transport path 31 and the transport path 32) of the paper sheet is determined, and after confirming the transported object with the sensor B arranged on the downstream side of the sensor A, at the gate G Branching to the conveyance path 31 and the conveyance path 32 is controlled.

  Here, it is assumed that the apparatus (mail processing apparatus) is required to have a conveyance throughput. In this case, the system down is the most important event to be avoided. For example, when the sensor B fails, the sensor map is dynamically changed from the diagnosis abnormality of the sensor B. Due to this change, the failed sensor B is removed from the system, so that system down can be prevented.

  If the sensor B is simply degenerated, only the sensor A arranged upstream of the sensor B has a long sampling interval, resulting in poor paper sheet position detection accuracy. As a result, the paper jam occurrence rate at the gate G is increased. Therefore, the sampling timing of the failed sensor B is used by the sensor A. Thereby, the sampling period of the sensor A can be doubled, and the deterioration of the position detection accuracy of the paper sheet is prevented.

  The above will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. First, an initial state before dynamic change of the sampling map will be described. For example, it is assumed that one transmission frame sequentially transmitted at a transmission period of 1 ms includes 8 slots (capacity 8 bits), and further 16 photo interrupters (sen.A to sen.D, sen.1 to sen). Assuming that sampling at a cycle of 2 ms is required, the transfer method as shown in the first and second transmission frames shown in FIG. 20 can be applied. All sensor signals are completely transmitted in the first and second transmission frames (first and second transmission frames). The first and second transmission frames are collectively referred to as a first transmission frame group.

  As shown in FIG. 21, the communication master side LSI 102 sets a sampling cycle (2 ms cycle) for a plurality of sensor signals (for example, sen.A to sen.D, sen.1 to sen.12), and further sensor maps. (First selection instruction) is set (ST11). The sensor map (first selection instruction) is an instruction determined based on the sampling period and the transmission period of the transmission frame set for the plurality of sensor signals, and is included in each transmission frame from the plurality of sensor signals. This includes a sensor signal selection instruction (that is, an instruction as to which sensor signal is included in which transmission frame). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 20, the sensor map (first selection instruction) is sen. A, sen. C, sen. 1, sen. 3, sen. 5, sen. 7, sen. 9, sen. 11 and the second (n + 1) th transmission frame. B, sen. D, sen. 2, sen. 4, sen. 6, sen. 8, sen. 10, sen. 12 is included. The communication master side LSI 102 issues a sensor map setting command to the slave side LSI 103 (ST12), and then the communication master side LSI 102 issues an operation start command to the slave side LSI 103 (ST13).

  The slave side LSI 103 selects a sensor signal to be included in each transmission frame (first transmission frame group) from a plurality of sensor signals based on the sensor map (first selection instruction), and Then, each transmission frame (first transmission frame group) including the selected sensor signal is sequentially transmitted. That is, the first transmission frame transmitted in the first communication includes sen. A, sen. C, sen. 1, sen. 3, sen. 5, sen. 7, sen. 9, sen. 11 including 8 bits (8 slots), the second transmission frame transmitted in the second communication includes sen. B, sen. D, sen. 2, sen. 4, sen. 6, sen. 8, sen. 10, sen. Each of these transmission frames (first transmission frame group) is sequentially transmitted including twelve 8 bits (eight slots).

  The communication master side LSI 102 sequentially receives each transmission frame (first transmission frame group) including the sensor signal selected based on the sensor map (first selection instruction). Further, the communication master side LSI 102 monitors the sensor signal included in each transmission frame (first transmission frame group) based on the sensor map (first selection instruction) (ST14). That is, which sensor signal is a signal from which sensor is analyzed.

  As described above, in a situation where the communication master side LSI 102 is receiving each transmission frame (first transmission frame group), the communication master side LSI 102 is based on the sensor abnormality detection (ST15, YES), and from the abnormality sensor. Sensor signal (for example, sen.B) is excluded from the sampling target, the sampling period of the sensor signal (for example, sen.A) from a predetermined normal sensor is changed (ST16), and a sensor map (second selection instruction) is displayed. Set. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 20, the sensor map (second selection instruction) is sent to the sen. A, sen. C, sen. 1, sen. 3, sen. 5, sen. 7, sen. 9, sen. 11 for the second (n + 1) -th second transmission frame. A, sen. D, sen. 2, sen. 4, sen. 6, sen. 8, sen. 10, sen. 12 is included. The communication master side LSI 102 issues a sampling change command (including a second selection instruction) to the slave side LSI 103 (ST17).

  The slave-side LSI 103 selects a sensor signal to be included in each transmission frame (second transmission frame group) from a plurality of sensor signals based on the sensor map (second selection instruction), and sends it to the communication master-side LSI 102. Then, each transmission frame (second transmission frame group) including the selected sensor signal is sequentially transmitted. That is, the first transmission frame transmitted in the first communication includes sen. A, sen. C, sen. 1, sen. 3, sen. 5, sen. 7, sen. 9, sen. 11 and the second transmission frame transmitted in the second communication include sen. A, sen. D, sen. 2, sen. 4, sen. 6, sen. 8, sen. 10, sen. 12 and these transmission frames (second transmission frame group) are sequentially transmitted.

  The communication master side LSI 102 sequentially receives each transmission frame (second transmission frame group) including the sensor signal selected based on the sensor map (second selection instruction). Further, the communication master side LSI 102 monitors the sensor signal included in each transmission frame (second transmission frame group) based on the sensor map (second selection instruction) (ST18). That is, which sensor signal is a signal from which sensor is analyzed. When all the paper sheets have been processed (ST19, YES), the process ends.

  Note that the timing of returning each transmission frame (second transmission frame group) including the sensor signal selected based on the changed sensor map (second selection instruction) can be controlled as follows. As a premise, the slave-side LSI 103 uses the maximum sensor cycle (for example, maximum sensor cycle = 2) in the command shown in FIG. 7 as a count value, and the timing at which the sensor map makes a round (the timing at which all sensor signals have been transmitted). To check. That is, the slave side LSI 103 receives the change command, sets the change request flag to 1 (FLG = 1), and includes the data (multiple sensor signals (sen.A to D, sen.1 to sen. The selection instruction indicating which sensor signal of 12) is included in which transmission frame is taken into the buffer. The change request flag is set to 1 (FLG = 1), and a transmission frame group including all sensor signals (sen.A to D, sen.1 to sen.12) (for example, the first transmission frame for the first time and When the count value indicating the completion of transmission of one transmission frame group constituted by the second transmission frame for the second time is 0 (count = 0), it is based on the data included in the change command captured in the buffer. Apply an array.

  Furthermore, in addition to the above-described degeneration processing, the position detection system can be improved by reducing the transport speed, jamming at the gate can be prevented, and system down can also be prevented. That is, the communication master side LSI 102 transmits a conveyance control signal for reducing the sheet conveyance speed based on the detection of the sensor abnormality, and the slave side LSI 103 controls the sheet conveyance motor based on the conveyance control signal. Decrease the leaf transport speed.

  Furthermore, in addition to the above-described degeneration processing, the take-out gap (interval between paper sheets) can be lengthened, the gate operation timing can be shifted accordingly, jamming at the gate can be prevented, and system down can also be prevented. . That is, the communication master side LSI 102 transmits a paper sheet take-out control signal for increasing the paper take-out interval based on the sensor abnormality detection, and the slave side LSI 103 controls the take-out mechanism based on the paper sheet take-out control signal. Increase the paper sheet removal interval.

  Note that the above-described jam prevention by reducing the conveyance speed and the jam prevention by extending the paper sheet take-out interval may be combined to prevent system down.

  Next, degeneration at the time of failure of the skew detection sensor will be described.

  FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating a conveyance path of the mail processing apparatus (paper sheet processing apparatus) illustrated in FIG. 15. FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a branch example of the conveyance path of the mail processing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 15. As shown in FIG. 23, the intake conveyance path 3 branches into conveyance paths 31 and 32. As shown in FIG. 22 and FIG. 23, the paper sheet (postal matter P described above) conveyed through the take-in conveyance path 3 is detected by sensors C and D constituting the skew detection unit D2. The detection results by the sensors C and D are notified from the slave LSI 103 of the unit unit 100B to the main control unit 100A. The main control unit 100A detects the skew of the paper sheet based on the detection result, and transmits a gate drive control signal for controlling the drive of the gate G. The slave LSI 103 receives the gate drive control signal and controls the drive of the gate G. That is, based on the detection result, one of the conveyance paths 31 and 32 is selected, and the paper sheet is distributed to one of the conveyance paths 31 and 32.

  For example, 16 photointerrupters (sen.A to D, sen.1 to sen.12) are assumed, and two of them, that is, sensors C and D (sen.C, sen.D) are transported. It is assumed that it is installed corresponding to the road 31. That is, the skew of the paper sheet conveyed on the conveyance path 31 is monitored by the sensors C and D (sen.C, sen.D) installed in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of the paper sheet. Based on the detection results of the sensors C and D, the transport destination (the transport path 31 and the transport path 32) of the paper sheets is determined, and branching to the transport path 31 and the transport path 32 is controlled by the gate G.

  For example, when sensor D fails, skew detection does not work and the system goes down. In order to prevent system down, skew detection is stopped and the sensor signal (sen.D) corresponding to the sensor D is excluded from the sampling target as shown in FIG. Accordingly, the entire system is prevented from being down, and the driving timing of the gate G is controlled based on the position detection of the conveyed object by the sensor C, thereby preventing the system from being down.

  Alternatively, when the sensor D fails, the skew detection does not work and the system goes down. In order to prevent system down, skew detection is stopped and the sampling timing is changed as shown in FIG. That is, the sensor signal (sen.D) corresponding to the sensor D is excluded from the sampling target, and the sensor signal (sen.C) corresponding to the sensor C is added instead. Accordingly, the entire system is prevented from being down, and the driving timing of the gate G is controlled based on the highly accurate detection of the position of the conveyed object by the sensor C, thereby preventing the system from being down.

  The above will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. The initial state before the dynamic change of the sampling map is the same as in FIG. As shown in FIG. 26, the communication master side LSI 102 sets a sampling cycle (2 ms cycle) for a plurality of sensor signals (for example, sen.A to sen.D, sen.1 to sen.12), and further sensor maps. (First selection instruction) is set (ST21). The sensor map (first selection instruction) is an instruction determined based on the sampling period and the transmission period of the transmission frame set for the plurality of sensor signals, and is included in each transmission frame from the plurality of sensor signals. This includes a sensor signal selection instruction (that is, an instruction indicating which sensor signal is included in which transmission frame). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 24 or FIG. 25, the sensor map (first selection instruction) is sent to the sen. A, sen. C, sen. 1, sen. 3, sen. 5, sen. 7, sen. 9, sen. 11 for the second (n + 1) th second transmission frame. B, sen. D, sen. 2, sen. 4, sen. 6, sen. 8, sen. 10, sen. 12 is included. The communication master side LSI 102 issues a sensor map setting command to the slave side LSI 103 (ST22), and then the communication master side LSI 102 issues an operation start command to the slave side LSI 103 (ST23).

  The slave side LSI 103 selects a sensor signal to be included in each transmission frame (first transmission frame group) from a plurality of sensor signals based on the sensor map (first selection instruction), and Then, each transmission frame (first transmission frame group) including the selected sensor signal is sequentially transmitted. That is, the first transmission frame transmitted in the first communication includes sen. A, sen. C, sen. 1, sen. 3, sen. 5, sen. 7, sen. 9, sen. 11 including 8 bits (8 slots), the second transmission frame in the second communication includes sen. B, sen. D, sen. 2, sen. 4, sen. 6, sen. 8, sen. 10, sen. These transmission frames (first transmission frame group) are sequentially transmitted including twelve 8-bits (eight slots).

  The communication master side LSI 102 sequentially receives each transmission frame (first transmission frame group) including the sensor signal selected based on the sensor map (first selection instruction). Further, the communication master side LSI 102 monitors the sensor signal included in each transmission frame (first transmission frame group) based on the sensor map (first selection instruction) (ST24). That is, which sensor signal is a signal from which sensor is analyzed.

  As described above, in a situation where the communication master side LSI 102 receives each transmission frame (first transmission frame group), the communication master side LSI 102 determines whether the sensor D of the sensors C and D for skew detection is the same. Based on the abnormality detection (ST25, YES), the skew detection is stopped (ST26), the sensor signal (for example, sen.D) from the abnormality sensor is excluded from the sampling target, and the sensor signal from the predetermined normal sensor (for example, sen) (C) is changed (ST27), and a sensor map (second selection instruction) is set. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 25, the sensor map (second selection instruction) is sent to the sen. A, sen. C, sen. 1, sen. 3, sen. 5, sen. 7, sen. 9, sen. 11 for the second (n + 1) -th second transmission frame. B, sen. C, sen. 2, sen. 4, sen. 6, sen. 8, sen. 10, sen. 12 is included. The communication master side LSI 102 issues a sampling change command (including a second selection instruction) to the slave side LSI 103 (ST28).

  The slave-side LSI 103 selects a sensor signal to be included in each transmission frame (second transmission frame group) from a plurality of sensor signals based on the sensor map (second selection instruction), and sends it to the communication master-side LSI 102. Then, each transmission frame (second transmission frame group) including the selected sensor signal is sequentially transmitted. That is, the first transmission frame transmitted in the first communication includes sen. A, sen. C, sen. 1, sen. 3, sen. 5, sen. 7, sen. 9, sen. 11 and the second transmission frame transmitted in the second communication include sen. B, sen. C, sen. 2, sen. 4, sen. 6, sen. 8, sen. 10, sen. 12 and these transmission frames (second transmission frame group) are sequentially transmitted.

  The communication master side LSI 102 sequentially receives each transmission frame (second transmission frame group) including the sensor signal selected based on the sensor map (second selection instruction). Further, the communication master side LSI 102 monitors the sensor signal included in each transmission frame (second transmission frame group) based on the sensor map (second selection instruction) (ST29). That is, which sensor signal is a signal from which sensor is analyzed. When all the paper sheets have been processed (ST30, YES), the process ends.

  Note that the timing for returning each transmission frame (second transmission frame group) including the sensor signal selected based on the changed sensor map (second selection instruction) is as described above. After the transmission is completed (after the transmission of the first transmission frame group).

  Furthermore, in addition to the above-described degeneration processing, the position detection system can be improved by reducing the transport speed, jamming at the gate can be prevented, and system down can also be prevented. That is, the communication master side LSI 102 transmits a conveyance control signal for reducing the sheet conveyance speed based on the detection of the sensor abnormality, and the slave side LSI 103 controls the sheet conveyance motor based on the conveyance control signal. Reduce the leaf transport speed.

  Furthermore, in addition to the above-described degeneration processing, the take-out gap (interval between paper sheets) can be lengthened, the gate operation timing can be shifted accordingly, jamming at the gate can be prevented, and system down can also be prevented. . That is, the communication master side LSI 102 transmits a paper sheet take-out control signal for increasing the paper take-out interval based on the sensor abnormality detection, and the slave side LSI 103 controls the take-out mechanism based on the paper sheet take-out control signal. Increase the paper sheet removal interval.

  Note that the above-described jam prevention by reducing the conveyance speed and the jam prevention by extending the paper sheet take-out interval may be combined to prevent system down.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 27, the above-described degeneration at the time of failure of the gate driving sensor and degeneration at the time of failure of the skew detection sensor may be combined. The flowchart shown in FIG. 27 is a combination of the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 21 and 26, and common step numbers are given to common steps, and detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  The following summarizes the effects of degeneration when a sensor failure occurs.

(1) Degeneration at the time of failure of the gate driving sensor By excluding the sensor signal from the failure sensor by changing the sensor map (degeneration operation), it is possible to prevent errors in the entire system. In addition, the sensor signal sampling from the normal sensor can be set high by transmitting / receiving the sensor signal from the normal sensor instead of transmitting / receiving the sensor signal from the failure sensor. Thereby, the fall of the positioning accuracy of paper sheets by a sensor failure can be reduced, and generation | occurrence | production of jam by a sensor failure can be reduced.

  Furthermore, the paper sheet positioning accuracy can be increased by reducing the conveyance speed, and jamming due to sensor failure can be reduced. Furthermore, by increasing the paper sheet take-out gap (interval between the paper sheet and the paper sheet) and shifting the gate operation timing accordingly, the occurrence of jamming due to sensor failure can be reduced. Note that the occurrence of jam may be reduced by using the conveyance speed reduction process described above and the paper sheet take-out gap expansion process in combination.

(2) Degeneration at the time of failure of the sensor for skew detection By removing the sensor signal from the failure sensor by changing the sensor map and degeneracy of the skew detection, an error of the entire system can be prevented. In addition, the sensor signal sampling from the normal sensor can be set high by transmitting / receiving the sensor signal from the normal sensor instead of transmitting / receiving the sensor signal from the failure sensor. Thereby, the fall of the positioning accuracy of paper sheets by a sensor failure can be reduced, and generation | occurrence | production of jam by a sensor failure can be reduced.

  Furthermore, the paper sheet positioning accuracy can be increased by reducing the conveyance speed, and jamming due to sensor failure can be reduced. Furthermore, by increasing the paper sheet take-out gap (interval between the paper sheet and the paper sheet) and shifting the gate operation timing accordingly, the occurrence of jamming due to sensor failure can be reduced. Note that the occurrence of jam may be reduced by using the conveyance speed reduction process described above and the paper sheet take-out gap expansion process in combination.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, the embodiments may be appropriately combined as much as possible, and in that case, the combined effect can be obtained. Further, the above embodiments include inventions at various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent elements. For example, even if some constituent requirements are deleted from all the constituent requirements shown in the embodiment, the problem described in the column of the problem to be solved by the invention can be solved, and the effect described in the column of the effect of the invention Can be obtained as an invention.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the control system which concerns on an example of this invention. 2 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a transmission circuit that connects a slave-side LSI 103 and a transmission line 105. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a receiving circuit that connects a slave-side LSI 103 and a receiving line 106. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a connection of the communication master side LSI102 and slave side LSI103 (UNIT # n) of the control system shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the data transmission which transmits a some sensor signal with a different period. It is a flowchart for demonstrating management of the transmission order of a sensor signal. It is a figure which shows an example of a sensor map setting command. It is a figure which shows an example of allocation of the number with respect to each sensor signal. It is a figure which shows an example of a sensor map. It is a figure which shows an example of an operation start command. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the empty of the transmission slot in a transmission frame. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the redundant signal transmission using the empty of the transmission slot in a transmission frame. It is a figure which shows another example of 100 A of main control parts for implement | achieving the improvement of the reliability by redundant transmission of a sensor signal. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the noise removal circuit NRC. It is a figure which shows an example of a mail processing apparatus (mail address automatic reading sorter). It is a figure which shows an example of the extraction part 2 of the mail processing apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the pocket 6 of the mail processing apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the control system corresponding to the mail processing apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a branch of the conveyance path of the mail processing apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a dynamic change of the sampling map based on the sensor abnormality for a gate drive. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a dynamic change of the sampling map based on the sensor abnormality for a gate drive. It is a figure which shows the conveyance path of the mail processing apparatus (paper sheet processing apparatus) shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a branch of the conveyance path of the mail processing apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the 1st example of the dynamic change of the sampling map based on the sensor abnormality for skew detection. It is a figure which shows the 2nd example of the dynamic change of the sampling map based on the sensor abnormality for skew detection. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a dynamic change of the sampling map based on the sensor abnormality for skew detection. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a dynamic change of the sampling map based on the sensor abnormality for a gate drive, or the sensor abnormality for a skew detection.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100A ... Main control part, 100B ... Unit part, 101 ... Control upper CPU, 102 ... Communication master side CPU, 103 ... Slave side LSI, 105 ... Transmission line, 106 ... Reception line, 109 ... Photo interrupter, 110 ... Solenoid

Claims (9)

A plurality of sensor signals from a plurality of sensors for detecting paper sheets conveyed on the conveyance path are received, and the plurality of sensor signals are transmitted to the host controller by a transmission frame transmitted at a predetermined transmission cycle via a serial line. A unit control device that transmits and receives a gate drive control signal from the host control device and controls the drive of the sorting gate that distributes the paper sheet transport destination; and a gate drive for the unit control device that receives the multiple sensor signals A paper sheet processing apparatus using a control system configured with a host controller that transmits a control signal,
The host controller is
Setting means for setting a sampling period for each of the plurality of sensor signals;
Changing means for excluding the sensor signal from the abnormality sensor based on the detection of the sensor abnormality from the sampling target and changing the sampling period of the sensor signal from the predetermined normal sensor;
Based on the sampling period set by the setting means and the transmission period of the transmission frame, a first selection instruction for selecting a sensor signal to be included in each transmission frame from a plurality of sensor signals is determined, and the unit control A sensor signal to be included in each transmission frame is selected from a plurality of sensor signals based on the sampling period changed by the changing unit and the transmission period of the transmission frame. A selection instruction transmitting means for determining a second selection instruction for performing, and transmitting the second selection instruction for applying to the unit control device instead of the first selection instruction;
A first transmission frame group that sequentially receives a first transmission frame group that includes sensor signals selected based on the first selection instruction, or a second transmission frame group that includes a sensor signal selected based on the second selection instruction. Transmitting frame receiving means for sequentially receiving,
A sensor signal included in the first transmission frame group is analyzed based on the first selection instruction, or a sensor signal included in the second transmission frame group is analyzed based on the second selection instruction. Analysis means;
A paper sheet processing apparatus comprising: The first selection instruction includes an instruction to transmit a first sensor signal included in the plurality of sensor signals in a first transmission frame included in the first transmission frame group, and a second sensor signal as the first sensor signal. Including an instruction to transmit in a second transmission frame included in one transmission frame group,
The second selection instruction includes an instruction to transmit the first sensor signal in a first transmission frame included in the second transmission frame group, and the second sensor signal from an abnormal sensor to the second Including an instruction to transmit the first sensor signal in the second transmission frame included in the second transmission frame group instead of the second transmission frame included in the second transmission frame group. The paper sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1. A plurality of sensor signals from a plurality of sensors for detecting paper sheets conveyed on the conveyance path are received, and the plurality of sensor signals are transmitted to the host controller by a transmission frame transmitted at a predetermined transmission cycle via a serial line. A unit control device that transmits and receives a gate drive control signal from the host control device and controls the drive of the sorting gate that distributes the paper sheet transport destination; and a gate drive for the unit control device that receives the multiple sensor signals A paper sheet processing apparatus using a control system configured with a host controller that transmits a control signal,
The host controller is
Setting means for setting a sampling period for each of the plurality of sensor signals;
Based on the abnormality detection of the sensor for skew detection, the skew detection is stopped, and changing means for excluding the sensor signal from the abnormality sensor from the sampling target,
Based on the sampling period set by the setting means and the transmission period of the transmission frame, a first selection instruction for selecting a sensor signal to be included in each transmission frame from a plurality of sensor signals is determined, and the unit control A first selection instruction is transmitted to the apparatus, or a sensor signal to be included in each transmission frame is selected from a plurality of sensor signals based on the exclusion of the sensor signal from the abnormal sensor by the changing means. Selection instruction transmitting means for determining the selection instruction of 2 and transmitting the second selection instruction to be applied to the unit control device instead of the first selection instruction;
A first transmission frame group that sequentially receives a first transmission frame group that includes sensor signals selected based on the first selection instruction, or a second transmission frame group that includes a sensor signal selected based on the second selection instruction. Transmitting frame receiving means for sequentially receiving,
A sensor signal included in the first transmission frame group is analyzed based on the first selection instruction, or a sensor signal included in the second transmission frame group is analyzed based on the second selection instruction. Analysis means;
A paper sheet processing apparatus comprising: The first selection instruction includes an instruction to transmit a first sensor signal included in the plurality of sensor signals in a first transmission frame included in the first transmission frame group, and a second sensor signal as the first sensor signal. Including an instruction to transmit in a second transmission frame included in one transmission frame group,
The second selection instruction includes an instruction to transmit the first sensor signal in a first transmission frame included in the second transmission frame group, and the second sensor signal from an abnormal sensor to the second The paper sheet processing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising an instruction to exclude the second transmission frame included in the transmission frame group. A plurality of sensor signals from a plurality of sensors for detecting paper sheets conveyed on the conveyance path are received, and the plurality of sensor signals are transmitted to the host controller by a transmission frame transmitted at a predetermined transmission cycle via a serial line. A unit control device that transmits and receives a gate drive control signal from the host control device and controls the drive of the sorting gate that distributes the paper sheet transport destination; and a gate drive for the unit control device that receives the multiple sensor signals A paper sheet processing apparatus using a control system configured with a host controller that transmits a control signal,
The host controller is
Setting means for setting a sampling period for each of the plurality of sensor signals;
Based on the abnormality detection of the second sensor of the first and second sensors for skew detection, the skew detection is stopped and the second sensor signal from the second sensor is excluded from the sampling target, Changing means for changing a sampling period of the first sensor signal from the normal first sensor;
Based on the sampling period set by the setting means and the transmission period of the transmission frame, a first selection instruction for selecting a sensor signal to be included in each transmission frame from a plurality of sensor signals is determined, and the unit control A sensor signal to be included in each transmission frame is selected from a plurality of sensor signals based on the sampling period changed by the changing unit and the transmission period of the transmission frame. A selection instruction transmitting means for determining a second selection instruction for performing, and transmitting the second selection instruction for applying to the unit control device instead of the first selection instruction;
A first transmission frame group that sequentially receives a first transmission frame group that includes sensor signals selected based on the first selection instruction, or a second transmission frame group that includes a sensor signal selected based on the second selection instruction. Transmitting frame receiving means for sequentially receiving,
A sensor signal included in the first transmission frame group is analyzed based on the first selection instruction, or a sensor signal included in the second transmission frame group is analyzed based on the second selection instruction. Analysis means;
A paper sheet processing apparatus comprising: The first selection instruction includes an instruction to transmit the first sensor signal included in the plurality of sensor signals in a first transmission frame included in the first transmission frame group, and the second sensor signal. Including an instruction to transmit in a second transmission frame included in the first transmission frame group,
The second selection instruction includes an instruction to transmit the first sensor signal in a first transmission frame included in the second transmission frame group, and the second sensor signal to the second transmission frame group. And an instruction to transmit the first sensor signal also in the second transmission frame included in the second transmission frame group instead of the second transmission frame included in the second transmission frame group. 5. The paper sheet processing apparatus according to 5. The unit controller is
Selection instruction receiving means for receiving the first selection instruction or the second selection instruction;
Based on the first selection instruction, a sensor signal to be included in the first transmission frame group is selected from the plurality of sensor signals, and the selected sensor signal is included with respect to the host controller. The first transmission frame group is sequentially transmitted, and a sensor signal to be included in the second transmission frame group is selected from the plurality of sensor signals based on the second selection instruction, On the other hand, transmission frame group transmission means for sequentially transmitting the second transmission frame group including the selected sensor signal;
The paper sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the paper sheet processing apparatus is provided. The host control device transmits a transport control signal for decelerating the paper sheet transport speed based on sensor abnormality detection,
6. The sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the unit control device decelerates a sheet conveying speed based on the conveyance control signal. The upper control device transmits a paper sheet take-out control signal for extending the paper take-out interval based on sensor abnormality detection,
The paper sheet processing apparatus according to claim 1, 3, 5, or 8, wherein the unit control device lengthens a paper sheet take-out interval based on the paper sheet take-out control signal.

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