JP2016030691A - Device and method for detecting paper existence - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device for detecting paper existence and a method for the device, in which an appropriate threshold of paper existence can be set even when light-emitting elements and light-receiving elements are arranged in proximity to each other.SOLUTION: An optimal output voltage of light-receiving elements is obtained as a paper existence threshold on the basis of: a first characteristic of output voltage outputted by light-receiving elements 61p when receiving operation current of light-emitting elements 61a that is gradually increased at a first sampling interval in a state that paper exists in a conveyance path; and a second characteristic of output voltage outputted by the light-receiving elements when receiving operation current of the light-emitting elements 61a that is gradually reduced from a predetermined value at the first sampling interval in a state that paper does not exist in the conveyance path. Further, an optimal output voltage of the light-receiving elements is obtained on the basis of a detailed characteristic which is an output voltage characteristic of the light-receiving elements at a second sampling interval, when a change point of an ON/OFF state of the light-receiving elements at the first characteristic is smaller than a predetermined current value of the light-emitting elements.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a paper sheet presence / absence detection apparatus and a paper sheet presence / absence detection method for optically detecting the presence or absence of paper sheets.

  A printing apparatus that prints on a paper sheet includes a paper sheet sensor that optically detects the paper sheet in order to detect that the paper sheet has been set.

  This type of paper sheet sensor is composed of a light emitting element and a light receiving element that face each other across a conveyance path, and whether or not light emitted from the light emitting element passes through the paper and reaches the light receiving element. The presence or absence of paper sheets is detected by looking at the change in the output voltage of the light receiving element.

  While the paper sheet is between the light emitting element and the light receiving element, the operating current of the light emitting element is increased, and the output voltage of the light receiving element is examined, and the operating current of the light emitting element without the paper sheet A method for adjusting a paper sheet sensor is known in which a threshold value for detecting the presence or absence of a paper sheet is appropriately set based on characteristics obtained by examining the change in the output voltage of the light receiving element at that time.

JP 2010-215375 A

  Provided are a paper sheet presence / absence detection device and a paper sheet presence / absence detection method capable of setting an appropriate threshold value for the presence / absence of paper sheets even when a light emitting element and a light receiving element are provided close to each other.

  An example of the present invention is a first sampling of the operating current of the light emitting element in a state where there are a light emitting element and a light receiving element provided opposite to each other with a paper sheet conveyance path interposed therebetween, and a paper sheet in the conveyance path. The first characteristic of the output voltage received and output by the light receiving element when increased at intervals, and the operating current of the light emitting element with a predetermined value in a state where there is no paper sheet in the transport path From the second characteristic of the output voltage received and output by the light receiving element when being decreased at the first sampling interval, the optimum output voltage of the light receiving element as a threshold value for the presence or absence of paper sheets A paper sheet presence / absence detecting device having a control unit for obtaining a first current characteristic when the change point of the on / off state of the light receiving element is smaller than a predetermined current value of the light emitting element in the first characteristic. , The operating current of the light emitting element is the first Than sampling interval is sheet presence detecting apparatus for determining an optimum output voltage of the light receiving element based on the detailed characteristics of the output voltage characteristic of the photodiode in the smaller second sampling interval spaced.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the printer apparatus of one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the whole control circuit of one Embodiment. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a sheet sensor. FIG. FIG. 10 is a characteristic curve diagram for explaining a process of setting a threshold value for the presence or absence of paper sheets of the paper sensor. It is a characteristic curve figure when a light emitting element and a light receiving element adjoin. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the paper sheet presence or absence detection apparatus of one Embodiment. FIG. 7 is a partial characteristic curve diagram for explaining the operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6. It is a figure which shows the flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of one Embodiment shown in FIG.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The mechanical configuration of the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1, the entire control circuit configuration will be described with reference to FIG. 2, a specific example of a sensor circuit will be described with reference to FIG. 4 will be described. Prior to these descriptions, the concept of the embodiment of the present invention will be briefly described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 4 is a characteristic diagram of the paper sensor. The operation (input) current (mA) of a light emitting element (for example, a light emitting diode) facing each other across the paper conveyance path and the output voltage (V) of the light receiving element (for example, phototransistor). Indicates. First, paper is set. In this state, the output voltage of the light receiving element when the operating current of the light emitting element is almost zero is measured. At this time, the light receiving element (eg, phototransistor) is in an off state, and when the current of the light emitting element is gradually increased, the state of the light receiving element changes from off to on in a predetermined state, as shown in FIG. A characteristic curve 51 is obtained. This characteristic curve is referred to as an input current increase-output voltage decrease characteristic curve 51 (or a first characteristic).

  Next, there is no paper between the light receiving elements of the opposing light emitting elements. Then, the operating current of the light emitting element is gradually decreased from a large value. When the operating current of the light emitting element is large, sufficient light reaches the light receiving element, and the light receiving element is initially in the on state. However, when the operating current of the light emitting element is lowered, light cannot reach the light receiving element. Therefore, the light receiving element shifts to an OFF state from the middle, and the output voltage increases as shown by the characteristic curve 52 in FIG. This characteristic is referred to as an input current decrease-output voltage increase characteristic curve 52 (or a second characteristic).

  Therefore, if these two characteristic curves 51 and 52 detect the presence / absence of paper based on the threshold value at the position where the output voltage of the light receiving element becomes the central voltage value Vm with respect to the central operating current value Im of the light emitting element. The most appropriate paper detection becomes possible.

  These characteristic curves are usually obtained digitally by plotting the output voltage at a relatively wide predetermined sampling interval (every constant current change). The above-mentioned input current increase-output voltage decrease curve is digitally obtained by placing a sheet, and the input current decrease-output voltage increase characteristic curve is digitally obtained at the same predetermined sampling interval except for the sheet. In the characteristic curves 51 and 52, the characteristic can be detected efficiently by increasing the sampling interval in the middle of the characteristic as indicated by the black dots 53 and 54. These two characteristic curves are measured after the light emitting element and the light receiving element are installed, and the threshold value is set.

  However, when the characteristic curve is similarly obtained at the predetermined sampling interval in an apparatus in which the light emitting element and the light receiving element are close to each other, the on / off state of the light receiving element occurs in a state where the operating current to the light emitting element is small. As shown by the characteristic curve 55, the characteristic curve 56, and the black dots 57 and 58, both characteristic curves cannot be sufficiently grasped.

  Embodiments of the present invention solve this problem. First, the configuration of a printing apparatus to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG. The printing apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 has a fascia part 2 serving as an entrance / exit of the bankbook T and an exit of statement paper at the front part, and a paper setting part 3 at the rear part.

  Thermal paper wound in a roll shape is set on the paper setting unit 3. The set thermal paper 4 has its leading end pulled out by the first transport section 5 and guided to the transport path 6a. A thermal printing unit 7 and a cutting unit 8 are disposed on the transport path 6a.

  Further, a second transport unit 10 is provided following the first transport unit 5. The second transport unit 10 includes a transport path 6b connected to the transport path 6a, transport roller pairs 11a to 11e, an entrance / exit roller pair 12, and a feed roller pair 15 disposed along the transport path 6b. The passbook T inserted into the paper is transported, and the thermal paper 4 sent from the transport path 6 a is transported toward the fascia section 2.

  A dot printer section 9 having a 24-pin dot matrix head 9a is disposed between the transport roller pairs 11a and 11b in the transport path 6b. The pair of entrance / exit rollers 12 takes in the passbook T inserted into the fascia unit 2 and sends out the printed passbook T and statement paper out of the fascia unit 2.

  Furthermore, a paper sensor 28 is provided as a paper sheet sensor on the thermal paper introduction side of the second transport unit 10. The paper sensor 28 optically detects the thermal paper 4 that is the paper sheet to be printed.

  In the vicinity of the entrance / exit roller pair 12 in the second transport unit 10, a passbook sensor 29 is provided as a paper sheet sensor. The passbook sensor 29 optically detects the passbook T, which is a paper sheet to be printed.

  The thermal printing unit 7 includes a thermal head 17 for back side printing and a thermal head 18 for front side printing at positions at predetermined intervals along the conveyance direction of the thermal paper 4. Platen rollers 20 and 21 are pressed against these thermal heads 17 and 18 so as to be rotatable.

  Information is printed on both sides of the thermal paper 4 by the thermal heads 17 and 18 while being sandwiched between the thermal heads 17 and 18 and the platen rollers 20 and 21. The cutting unit 8 has a rotary cutter 23 and cuts the thermal paper by rotating the rotary cutter 23. This cut piece becomes a statement sheet. The statement sheet is sent to the second transport unit 10 by the feed roller pair 14.

  A motor 25 is provided for driving the platen rollers 20 and 21, the rotary cutter 23, and the feed roller pair 14. A motor 26 is provided for driving the transport roller pairs 11 a to 11 e, the entrance / exit roller pair 12, and the feed roller pair 15.

  In such a printing apparatus 1, a statement printer ST that performs printing on the thermal paper while conveying the thermal paper 4 by the paper setting unit 3, the first conveyance unit 5, and its peripheral part is configured.

  A passbook printer PB is configured that performs printing on the passbook T while carrying the passbook T by the feed roller pair 15, the second transport unit 10, and its peripheral part, and also transporting thermal paper when the statement printer ST prints. The

  A configuration example of the control circuit of the printing apparatus 1 is shown in FIG. A control unit 30 is provided for controlling the statement printer ST and for controlling the passbook printer PB. The control unit 30 is connected to the component parts of the statement printer ST and the component parts of the passbook printer PB. Furthermore, a host device 31 is connected to the control unit 30.

  The control unit 30 includes, for example, a sensor circuit shown in FIG. 3 for driving control of the paper sensor 28. In this sensor circuit, the CPU 40 operates a ROM 41 for storing a control program, a RAM 42 for storing data, a D / A (digital / analog) converter 43 for outputting a driving signal to the paper sensor 28, and a driving signal for the paper sensor 28. An operation unit 44 is connected.

  The D / A converter 43 outputs a DC voltage for setting an operating current for the paper sensor 28 in accordance with a command from the CPU 40 and outputs a reference voltage Vs for paper determination in response to a command from the CPU 40. The DC voltage for setting the operating current is amplified by the operational amplifier 44 and applied between the base and emitter of the NPN transistor 46 via the resistor 45.

  The paper sensor 28 includes a light emitting element, for example, a light emitting diode 28a and a light receiving element, for example, a phototransistor 28b, which face each other across the conveyance path 6b through which the thermal paper 4 is conveyed. The anode of the light emitting diode 28 a is connected to the positive terminal of the DC voltage 5 V, and the cathode of the light emitting diode 28 a is grounded between the collector and emitter of the transistor 46 and the resistor 47.

  The collector of the phototransistor 28b is connected to the positive terminal of the DC voltage 5V through the resistor 48, and the emitter of the phototransistor 28b is grounded. The voltage generated at the collector of the phototransistor 28b is input to the negative input terminal of the comparator 49 as the output voltage V of the phototransistor 28b and supplied to the CPU 40.

  A predetermined reference voltage Vs (not shown) output from the CPU 40 is input to the positive side input terminal of the comparator 49. The output terminal of the comparator 49 is connected to the positive terminal of the DC voltage 3.5V through the resistor 50, and the interconnection point between the output terminal and the resistor 50 is connected to the CPU 40. The comparator 49 compares the output voltage V of the phototransistor 28b with the reference voltage Vs, and outputs a low level voltage signal indicating that the thermal paper 4 is present when the output voltage V drops below the reference voltage Vs.

  Next, a method for adjusting the paper sensor 28 will be described. In the above description, an example in which the input current of the light emitting element and the output voltage of the light receiving element are sampled at a predetermined interval has been described. Here, a specific description will be given based on the circuit configuration shown in FIG.

  First, the thermal paper 4 is set between the light emitting diode 28 a and the phototransistor 28 b, and the adjustment mode is set by operating the operation unit 44. Then, in response to a command from the CPU 40 to the D / A converter 43, a DC voltage for setting an operating current is output from the D / A converter 43, and the voltage level gradually increases. This DC voltage is amplified by the operational amplifier 44 and applied between the base and emitter of the transistor 46. The conductivity of the transistor 46 increases as the applied base-emitter voltage increases. As the conductivity of the transistor 46 increases, the operating current I flowing through the light emitting diode 28a gradually increases from zero. A change in the output voltage V of the phototransistor 28b with the increase in the operating current I at this time is shown in a characteristic curve 51 in FIG. This is called an operating current increase-output voltage decrease curve or a first characteristic.

  That is, as the operating current I (mA) flowing through the light emitting diode 28a gradually increases from zero, the light emission amount of the light emitting diode 28a increases. As the amount of emitted light increases, the light eventually passes through the thermal paper 4, and the transmitted light reaches the phototransistor 28b.

  While the light does not pass through the thermal paper 4, the light does not reach the phototransistor 28b. Therefore, the phototransistor 28b is in an off state, and the output voltage V is maintained at a high level. This output voltage V is higher than the reference voltage Vm, so that the output of the comparator 49 is at a low level.

  When the light transmitted through the thermal paper 4 reaches the phototransistor 28b, the phototransistor 28b is turned on, and the output voltage V of the phototransistor 28b decreases. When the output voltage V becomes equal to or lower than the reference voltage Vm, the output of the comparator 49 becomes high level.

  The CPU 40 monitors the output voltage V of the comparator 49, and when the output voltage V starts to decrease and falls below a predetermined light receiving level Vx, the operating current I at that time is converted to the DC voltage for setting the operating current. The operating current I obtained from the output control is stored in the RAM 42 as I1 (not shown) (first procedure). Further, the CPU 40 stores the output voltage V immediately before the output voltage V becomes equal to or lower than the light reception level Vx in the RAM 42 as V1 (second procedure).

  Subsequently, the thermal paper 4 is removed from between the light emitting diode 28a and the phototransistor 28b, and the continuation of the adjustment mode is set by operating the operation unit 44 in that state. Then, in response to a command sent from the CPU 40 to the D / A converter 43, the operating current setting DC voltage output from the D / A converter 43 gradually decreases. As a result, the conductivity of the transistor 46 decreases, and the operating current I flowing through the light emitting diode 28a gradually decreases. A change in the output voltage V of the phototransistor 28b accompanying the decrease in the operating current I at this time (input current decrease output voltage increase curve or second characteristic) is shown in a characteristic curve 52 of FIG.

  That is, as the operating current I flowing through the light emitting diode 28a gradually decreases, the light emission amount of the light emitting diode 28a decreases. As the amount of light emission decreases, the light eventually reaches the phototransistor 28b.

  While the light reaches the phototransistor 28b, the phototransistor 28b is in an on state, and the output voltage of the phototransistor 28b maintains a low level.

  When light does not reach the phototransistor 28b, the phototransistor 28b is turned off, and the output voltage of the phototransistor 28b becomes high.

  The CPU 40 monitors the output voltage V, and stores the relationship between the operating current I of the light emitting diode and the output voltage V at that time in the RAM 42.

  When the output voltage V becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined non-light receiving level Vy, the operating current I at that time is grasped from the output control of the direct current voltage for setting the operating current, and the grasped operating current I is I2 (not shown). To the RAM 42. Further, the CPU 40 stores the output voltage V immediately before the output voltage V becomes equal to or higher than the non-light receiving level Vy in the RAM 42 as V2.

  When I1, V1, I2, and V2 are stored in this way, the CPU 40 sets the operating current I during the normal operation of the light emitting diode 28a within the range of I1 and I2, and for paper determination with respect to the output voltage V of the phototransistor 28b. Is set within the range of V1 and V2. Specifically, the operating current I during normal operation of the light emitting diode 28a is set to (I1 + I2) / 2, which is an intermediate value between I1 and I2, and the reference voltage Vs for paper determination with respect to the output voltage V of the phototransistor 28b. Is set to (V1 + V2) / 2, which is an intermediate value between V1 and V2.

  With this setting, whether or not the thermal paper 4 is present between the light emitting diode 28a and the phototransistor 28b can be properly detected according to the thickness of the thermal paper 4.

  The CPU 40 associates the set data of the operating current I during normal operation and the reference voltage Vs for paper determination with the type, name, model number, etc. of the thermal paper 4 set when setting the adjustment mode. Register in the paper database. With this registration, the adjustment mode ends.

  In the paper database, a set of operating current I and reference voltage Vs can be registered according to a plurality of paper sheets including various thermal papers 4.

  On the other hand, when a specific paper sheet is designated from the host device 31 in a normal state, the CPU 40 reads out the operating current I and the reference voltage Vs corresponding to the designated paper sheet from the paper database, and reads them from the paper sensor. 28 is set.

  Next, a case where the characteristics shown in FIG. 5 are obtained, that is, a case where the characteristics (detailed characteristics) shown in FIG. 5 are obtained because the light receiving element and the light emitting element are close to each other will be described.

  A block configuration example of the printing apparatus in this case is shown in FIG. A light emitting element 61a and a light receiving element 61p are provided facing each other across the conveyance path of the thermal paper 4. The current supplied to the light emitting element 61a is controlled by the operating current changing unit 62. With the thermal paper 4 set, the operating current of the light emitting element 61a is gradually increased. In practice, a digital value of 0 to 255 is sent to the light emitting element 61a to flow a corresponding current. Then, this digital value is added every 8 levels to increase the operating current.

  The output voltage detection unit 63 detects a voltage corresponding to the light received by the light receiving element 61p and sends it to the characteristic storage unit 64. The operating current of the light emitting element 61a is also input to the characteristic storage unit 64, and the operating current I of the light emitting element 61a and the output voltage V of the light receiving element 61p are stored in the characteristic storing unit 64.

  With the thermal paper 4 interposed, the operating current of the operating current changing unit 62 is controlled by the CPU 65, and when the operating current of the light emitting element 61a is sent to the light emitting element 61a in a direction that sequentially increases at a predetermined sampling interval, The characteristic curve 51 of the input current increase-output voltage decrease of FIG. 4 is obtained.

  Next, the thermal paper 4 between the light emitting element 61a and the light receiving element 61p is removed. The CPU 65 is controlled by the operation unit 60. Under the control of the CPU 65, the operating current changing unit 62 decreases the operating current of the light emitting element 61a at a predetermined sampling interval, and the output voltage detecting unit 63 detects the output voltage of the light receiving element 61p. The characteristics of the output voltages of the light emitting element 61a and the light receiving element 61p at this time are stored in the characteristic storage unit 64. This characteristic is stored in the characteristic storage unit 64 as sampling data of the input current decrease-output voltage increase characteristic curve 52 shown in FIG. These input current increase-output voltage decrease curve (first characteristic curve or first characteristic) 51 and input current decrease-output voltage increase curve (second characteristic curve or second characteristic) 52 are referred to as basic characteristic curves. .

  When the light emitting element 61a and the light receiving element 61p of the printing apparatus are provided close to each other, sampling data having characteristics (detailed characteristics) as shown in FIG. 5 is obtained. The sampling operation at this time will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  In A801 in FIG. 8, a section where the difference between adjacent output voltage values is large is examined, and the operating current of the light emitting element 61a in the section is obtained. The section where the difference between adjacent output voltage values is large is, for example, between the sample point 71 and the sample point 72 shown in FIG. In this section SPG, the output voltage value difference OVD is relatively large.

  The operating current of the light emitting element in that interval is examined. As understood from a comparison between FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, it is examined whether or not the change point of the light receiving element is turned off and on is at a position where the operating current of the light emitting element is small. Intuitively, since the light emitting element and the light receiving element are close to each other, it means that the light receiving element is turned on as soon as the operating current of the light emitting element is increased.

  Actually, it is compared with a predetermined operating current threshold value Ish to check whether it is lower than this threshold value. A low operating current value means that the characteristics are as shown in FIG. The operating current value Ish may be a change start point or a change end point from OFF to ON or ON to OFF of the light receiving element.

  In this case, if the sampling interval is narrowed and the characteristics of the operating current of the light emitting element and the output voltage of the light receiving element are not examined, characteristics sufficient and sufficient for detecting the presence or absence of paper cannot be obtained.

  The output voltage comparison unit 66 detects the magnitude of change in the value of the adjacent output voltage (OVD). This value is input to the characteristic detector 67, and the operating current value of the light emitting element at that time is examined. If the operating current value is smaller than the predetermined current threshold value Ish, it is detected that the characteristic is as shown in FIG.

  At this time, the characteristic detecting unit 67 detects that the characteristic as shown in FIG. 5 has been obtained. In this case, the CPU 65 determines the sampling interval and direction by the sampling interval direction determination unit 68 and gives an instruction of the current value from the CPU 65 to the operating current changing unit 62 again. The output voltage comparison unit 66, the characteristic detection unit 67, and the sampling interval direction determination unit 68 constitute a characteristic complementing unit. The detailed characteristics are obtained by complementing the first characteristics and the second characteristics.

  If it is found that the operating current of the light emitting element is small (Y in A802), in A803, an intermediate value of the operating current is set as the operating current of the light emitting element. In the case shown in FIG. 7, if the operating current difference between the sample point 71 and the sample point 72 is SPG, the value obtained by adding the value of SPG / 2 to the operating current value of the sample point 71 is used as the operating current of the light emitting element. The current changing unit 62 sends the light to the light emitting element 61a. Actually, if the operating current of the light emitting element is controlled by a digital value from 0 to 255, it means that +4 which is half of +8 is added to the digital value.

  In A804, the output voltage of the light receiving element 61p at this time is obtained by the output voltage detection unit 63 and stored in the characteristic storage unit 64. This means that the operating current and output voltage of the middle point (sample point 73 in FIG. 7) of the characteristic curve previously stored in the characteristic storage unit are plotted.

  Next, in A805, the difference between the output voltage values on both sides with the sample point 73 as the center is compared. Looking at the difference in output voltage value between the sample point 73 and the sample point 71 and between the sample point 73 and the sample point 72, the latter is larger, that is, the voltage value difference on the right side is larger (Y in A805). Therefore, the current value of SPG / 4 is further added at the next A806, and at the next A807, the output voltage detector 63 obtains the output voltage value of the light receiving element at that time.

  If the output voltage difference between the sample point 73 and the sample point 71 and between the sample point 73 and the sample point 72 is compared, and the former, that is, the left output voltage difference is larger, the left side of the sample point 73. This means that the light-emitting element starts to change from off to on. In this case, in A808, the value of SPG / 4 is subtracted from the operating current value of the light emitting element at the sample point 73 to obtain an output voltage value corresponding to the operating current value (A807).

  In the next A809, when the characteristic curve is plotted to the required accuracy especially from the OFF state to the ON state of the light emitting element, the operation for obtaining the characteristic curve ends. If the accuracy has not been reached, the process returns to A803 and the same process proceeds.

  In this way, a detailed characteristic curve can be obtained efficiently and in a necessary part by plotting in detail the characteristics when the characteristics of the light emitting element change from off to on by the so-called binary tree method.

  In the above embodiment, the case of the input current increase-output voltage decrease curve 55 of FIG. 5 has been described. However, the same applies to the case of the input current decrease-output voltage increase curve 56 in the same manner. In this case as well, a detailed characteristic curve can be obtained by examining the side where the difference in output voltage value is large. This is called a detailed characteristic curve.

  Accordingly, even when various paper sheets having different thicknesses, such as passbook, thermal paper, and plain paper, are used as detection targets of the paper sensor 28, appropriate paper sheet presence / absence detection without erroneous detection is always performed. Is possible.

  According to the embodiment, even when the light emitting element and the light receiving element are provided close to each other, a paper sheet presence / absence detection device and a paper sheet presence / absence detection method capable of setting an appropriate threshold for the presence / absence of paper sheets are obtained. .

  Although only the adjustment of the paper sensor has been described in the above embodiment, the adjustment of the passbook sensor can be similarly performed. Further, an example in which printing is performed on thermal paper by a printing apparatus including the statement printer ST and the passbook printer PB has been described.

  However, it is not limited to thermal paper, but can be applied to other devices and devices as long as it has a paper sheet sensor that optically detects paper sheets, such as copying machines and facsimile machines. It is.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the second sampling interval is ½ of the first sampling interval has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is generally sufficient that the second sampling interval is smaller than the first sampling interval.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

61a ··· Light emitting element 61p ··· Light receiving element 63 ··· Output voltage detection unit 62 ··· Operation current changing unit 64 ··· Characteristic storage unit 65 ··· CPU
66... Output voltage comparison section 67... Characteristic detection section 68... Sampling interval direction determination section

Claims (5)

A light-emitting element and a light-receiving element provided opposite to each other across a paper sheet conveyance path;
A first characteristic of an output voltage received and output by the light receiving element when the operating current of the light emitting element is increased at a first sampling interval in a state where there is a sheet in the transport path. When the operating current of the light emitting element is decreased from a predetermined value at a first sampling interval with no paper sheet in the transport path, the output voltage received and output by the light receiving element is In the paper sheet presence / absence detection device having a control unit for obtaining an optimum output voltage of the light receiving element as a threshold value of the presence / absence of paper sheets based on the second characteristic,
In the first characteristic, when the change point of the on / off state of the light receiving element is smaller than a predetermined current value of the light emitting element, the control unit causes the operating current of the light emitting element to be spaced from the first sampling interval. A paper sheet presence / absence detection device that obtains an optimum output voltage of the light receiving element based on a detailed characteristic that is an output voltage characteristic of the light receiving element at a second sampling interval with a small value.   The paper sheet presence / absence detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detailed characteristic is obtained by complementing the first characteristic and the second characteristic.   The paper sheet presence / absence detection device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit obtains an optimum operating current of the light emitting element from the detailed characteristics.   The paper sheet presence / absence detecting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second sampling interval is ½ of the first sampling interval. When the operating current of the light emitting element is increased at a first sampling interval in a state where the paper is in a paper sheet conveyance path in which the light emitting element and the light receiving element are provided to face each other, the light receiving element To obtain the first characteristic of the output voltage received and output by
A second output voltage received and output by the light receiving element when the operating current of the light emitting element is decreased from a predetermined value at a first sampling interval in a state where there is no paper sheet in the transport path. In the paper sheet presence / absence detection method for obtaining the optimum output voltage of the light receiving element as a threshold value for the presence or absence of paper sheets,
When the change point of the on / off state of the light receiving element in the first characteristic is smaller than a predetermined current value of the light emitting element, the operating current of the light emitting element is changed to a second value smaller than the first sampling interval. A paper sheet presence / absence detection method for obtaining an optimum output voltage of the light receiving element based on a detailed characteristic which is an output voltage characteristic of the light receiving element at a sampling interval.

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