JP2718792B2 - Paper sheet counting machine - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention examines the same kind of paper sheets (hereinafter referred to as genuine bills) while checking the presence or absence of mixing of different kinds of paper sheets (hereinafter referred to as different kinds of bills). The present invention relates to a paper sheet counting machine that automatically counts, and is particularly suitable for counting bills.

[Conventional technology]

As a paper sheet counting machine that automatically counts bound genuine bills while checking for the presence or absence of mixed foreign bills, a real paper sho 63-
What is described in 43566 is known. In this apparatus, as shown in FIG. 6, a set of banknote bundles P is rotated while rotating using a plurality of suction shafts 7 revolving by the rotation of a rotor 9, and a different kind of bill detecting device (shown in FIG. When a different type of ticket is detected in step (2), a stopper (not shown) for preventing turning over of the bill is driven by a solenoid and counting is stopped immediately. And
The back surface of the last paper sheet that has been turned off is copied by the mirror M, and the attendant OP visually checks it. If it is confirmed by this visual check that the bill is a similar foreign bill (genuine bill), the counting and the foreign bill detection are continued by operating the restart button.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

However, since the above-described different kind ticket detection is performed during early turning, erroneous determination often occurs. Therefore, in order to surely remove different kinds of bills, a strict judgment standard is likely to be applied, and as a result, a genuine bill is detected as a different kind of bill, which often causes an operation stop. Then, every time the operation stops, it is necessary to visually check by a person in charge and restart manually each time, which is a very complicated operation and causes a decrease in counting efficiency.

The present invention has been made in order to solve such a problem, and performs a reliable detection of different kinds of bills and a subsequent counting when a sheet once detected as a different kind of bill is found to be a genuine bill. An object of the present invention is to provide a paper sheet counter capable of quickly returning to operation.

[Means for solving the problem]

The present invention relates to a sheet counting machine that counts sheets while turning them one by one by a sheet turning means including a plurality of suction shafts that revolves while rotating while adsorbing the sheets loaded in the holder. Color pattern signal output means for detecting as a color pattern signal a pattern on one side of a sheet which is sequentially turned over and counted, and a monochrome reference pattern and a color reference pattern on one side for a plurality of types of sheets. The stored reference pattern signal storage means, a monochrome pattern signal obtained from the color pattern signal output from the color pattern signal output means, and a monochrome reference pattern signal obtained from the reference pattern signal storage means are compared to obtain a different type of ticket. Detecting means for detecting paper sheets which may be different from each other, and detecting paper sheets which may be foreign And turning over means for preventing the subsequent unturned-off sheets from being turned off, and the color pattern signal of the sheet detected as a sheet having a possibility of a different kind of ticket. A checking means for comparing the color reference pattern signal from the reference pattern signal storing means to determine whether the sheet is a different kind of paper; and that the sheet is a similar different kind of paper (original note) by this checking means. A control means is provided for canceling the turn-over preventing means when the determination is made, and for continuing counting, detection, and confirmation of subsequent sheets.

As the monochrome pattern signal, a green signal of the color pattern signals is preferably used.

(Operation)

When turning over a paper sheet with the suction shaft, a paper sheet that has the possibility of a different type of paper is detected using the monochrome pattern signal obtained from the color pattern signal obtained by detecting the pattern etc. on the paper sheet surface. When the sheet is detected, a confirmation judgment is made as to whether or not the ticket is a different type of ticket by using the color pattern signal in a state where the next sheet is not turned over by the turn-over preventing means. Then, when it is determined that the ticket is not a foreign ticket, the turning-over preventing means is released, and the counting operation is automatically restarted. By using a monochrome pattern, the pattern comparison operation and the like can be performed with a small number of operations, so that the speed is increased, and the heterogeneous ticket detection operation can be performed extremely quickly. On the other hand, if a color pattern is used when a sheet having a possibility of a different kind of ticket is detected, the confirmation can be performed accurately because there is a lot of comparison information. Therefore, the genuine bill is unlikely to be erroneously detected as a heterogeneous ticket, and if it is determined that the detected sheet is not a heterogeneous ticket, the counting is automatically restarted without any trouble of the operator. The counting efficiency is improved.

〔Example〕

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

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a bill counter as one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram describing a part of the configuration of FIG. 1 in more detail.

The bills to be counted are sequentially flipped one by one by the bill turning means 30, and at that time, a pattern signal corresponding to the kind of the bill is obtained from the surface of each bill by the color pattern signal output means as described later.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the state of the mechanism constituting the bill turning means 30. When the bill bundle P is loaded into the holder 1 at the bill loading position and a start button (not shown) is pressed, the vacuum pump starts rotating and the holder 1 starts rotating along the guide 6, and the counting start position A Stop when it reaches. At this time, the holder 1 is urged by a spring or the like so that a part of the foremost part of the bill contacts the suction shaft 7. The fifth
In the figure, reference numeral 4 denotes a paper holding rod for facilitating turning over the bill bundle P one by one. Next, the banknote P comes into contact with the suction port of the suction shaft 7 to close the suction port, and when the suction pressure inside the suction shaft 7 exceeds a predetermined value, the vacuum switch operates to generate an output signal. By the rotation, the roller 9 starts to rotate, and the suction shaft 7 revolves while rotating, adsorbs and flips the bills one by one, and moves to the position B. Further, when the bill P comes into contact with the suction port of the suction shaft 7 and closes the suction port, an irradiation light beam 12 is emitted from the light emitting device 10 provided near the bill P toward the designated area QR on the bill face. The light reflected from this region QR is received by the light receiver 11.

Furthermore, a stopper 18 is provided as a turning-over preventing means for preventing a non-sucked banknote from being sucked and turned off when a banknote that is considered to be a foreign banknote is found. The excitation of 16 rotates around the fulcrum 17 so that the tip of the stopper 18 presses the end of the unsucked bill.

FIG. 4 shows a designated area QR as an identification range for specifying a denomination of a bill. As described above, the irradiation light beam 12 irradiates at least the designated area, the reflected light from the designated area is received by the light receiver 11, and a pattern signal is obtained. In this embodiment, the light receiver 11 is a color area sensor having color pixels in a matrix.
The color area sensor 41 outputs signals of three colors, yellow (Y), cyan (C), and magenta (M). G), red (R) and blue (B) signals are obtained. The signals of these three colors are respectively compared with predetermined reference values by pattern detection means 43 _G , 43 _R , and 43 _B and are coded according to levels to be binarized. Further, this designated area is divided into a plurality of sections, and The binarized signals are summed for each time to obtain a pattern signal. The color pattern signals thus obtained are stored in the storage means 44 _G , 44 _R , 44 _B
Is stored. Storage means 4 from color area sensor 41
Configurations up to 4 _G , 44 _R , 44 _B are color pattern signal output means
It is part of 40.

The green pattern signal of the obtained color pattern signals is output from the color pattern signal output means 40 to the detection means.
Sent to 60.

The detecting means 60 determines the denomination by comparing the green pattern signal with a monochrome reference pattern among patterns (reference patterns) preset for each denomination in the reference pattern signal storage means 50.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the reference pattern signal storage means 50 has storage areas 50 _G , 50 _R , and 50 _B for each of the color signals G, R, and B, and each of the storage areas 50 _G , 50 _R , and 50 _B. Reference pattern signals are stored for four types of banknotes, front and back, and reversal. As is well known, the signal of green G is the same as the monochrome signal, and this signal is used for normal abnormal bill detection.

In this embodiment, the monochrome reference pattern specially used for identifying the denomination in a situation where there are many misjudgments, such as the first and 99th sheets, is different from the normal monochrome reference pattern used for normal denomination determination. A monochrome reference pattern is used. This is determined in consideration of the fact that the first set state and the suction state are generally unstable, and the possibility of erroneous determination is high if a strict standard is applied. Also set loose judgment conditions. Therefore, the reference pattern signal storage means 50G
Has a normal reference pattern storage area 50Ga and a special reference pattern storage area 50Gb. As a result, when collated with the pattern signal of the first bill, a plurality of denominations are often output as matching candidates. When a plurality of denominations are thus extracted as the first banknote, the plurality of denomination information is stored in the first banknote denomination storage means 70.

For the second bill, unlike the first bill, a normal reference pattern is extracted from the storage area 50Ga of the reference pattern signal storage means 50 to perform denomination identification. Therefore, the second denomination is usually specified as one type. The detection means determines again whether the denomination specified in this manner matches any of the denominations registered in the first banknote denomination storage means 70 described above.
The determination is made by 60, and if it exists, it is determined to be the denomination of the banknote bundle, and the determined denomination information is stored in the determined denomination storage means 80. The denomination of the third and subsequent denominations is performed while comparing with the reference pattern stored in the reference pattern signal storage means 50 corresponding to the denomination stored in the determined denomination storage means 80, and the denominations are different. Therefore, if the pattern signals do not match, a command to stop counting of bills is issued to the control means 100, and the control means 100
To stop the counting operation of the different kinds of banknotes. On the other hand, at this time, the stopper 18 serving as the turning-off preventing means 20 is rotated about the fulcrum 17 by the operation of the solenoid 16 by a command from the control means 100, and presses and turns the succeeding bill immediately before being turned off by the suction shaft 7. Prevent it from being taken.

At this time, since the possibility of a different kind of ticket has come out, the red and blue color pattern obtained from the color pattern signal output means and the red and blue color reference pattern read from the reference pattern signal storage means 50 are confirmed by the confirmation means 90R. And 90B, and the comparison result is sent to the control means 100.

The counting operation is performed when the counting contact 2 provided around the roller 9 passes near the counting proximity switch 3 provided near the roller 9. When a bill of a different denomination is detected, a stop signal from the control means 100 is transmitted to the proximity switch 3, and counting of the different denomination is stopped. Therefore, only bills of the correct denomination are counted.

Next, the counting operation in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5 will be described.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the counting operation of the above-described bill counter.

First, the denomination of the first bill is determined using the monochrome reference pattern (step S41). In this denomination determination, as described above, a special reference pattern different from the normal reference pattern may be prepared as the determination pattern, and this special reference pattern may be used only when it does not match the normal reference pattern. As the special reference pattern, various types can be selected, such as a pattern having a gradual reference than the normal reference pattern, a pattern using a determination formula that provides a rough determination, and the like.

In the case of the present embodiment, initially, the denomination is determined using the normal reference pattern (step S41). If the denomination cannot be determined (step S42), the process proceeds to the special determination (step S42). S43). This special determination can be made (step S44), and when a plurality of denominations of the first bill are designated (step S4).
5) Flag those multiple denominations on (Step S4
6). Note that as a result of the determination in steps S42, S44 and S45,
When the denomination of the first banknote is determined to be one, this denomination is determined as the denomination of the banknote bundle, and the process proceeds to step S51.

If the determination is two or more denominations, a determination operation for the second bill is performed next (step S47). The determination of the second and subsequent banknotes is usually made using a reference pattern, and the denomination can be determined, and if it is only one denomination (step
(S48, S49), it is determined whether or not the denomination matches the denomination flag already turned on as the first bill (step S50). That is, since a plurality of denomination flags are set as denomination candidates for the first banknote, it is determined whether or not the denomination of the second banknote corresponds to any of the denominations that are flagged on.

In the above steps S44 and S48 to S50, if the determination result is negative, that is, if the detecting means 60 determines in FIG. 2 that the denomination is a different kind, the counting operation is stopped and the process proceeds to the confirmation determination. That is, the solenoid 16 moves the stopper 18 from the position shown by the dashed line to the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 5 to prevent the bill next to the bill determined to be abnormal from being attracted, The rotor 9 is stopped at a fixed position (step S71). At this time, the vacuum valve is released to lower the suction pressure inside the suction shaft to stop the suction. Here, when the fixed position is also used as a position where the suction port of the suction shaft at the start of counting faces the bill, it is convenient because the position detecting means of the rotor 9 can also be used for the fixed position detection. In addition, as a method of stopping at this fixed position, for example, Japanese Utility Model Publication No.
A known method disclosed in, for example, JP-A-6117 can be used.

It should be noted that the banknote P 'determined to be abnormal is once in the state shown by the broken line in FIG. 5, and the suction shaft 7 sucks the abnormal banknote P' and moves it to the position B, as shown by the solid line. It is preferable to stop when at least the second suction shaft faces the bill.

The confirmation determination is performed by the storage unit 5 of the reference pattern signal storage unit 50.
The color signal R and the color signal B are respectively extracted from 0 _R and 50 _B , and the coincidence with the color pattern R and the color pattern B already obtained by the pattern signal output means 40 is checked by the confirmation means 90 _R and 90 _B. This is performed (step S72). Specify one denomination by this confirmation judgment (step S73)
If the specified denomination is the first banknote (step S74), the denomination may be used as the denomination of the banknote bundle, so that the stopper is released and the counting is automatically restarted. (Step S76). On the other hand, when the specified denomination is not the first banknote, it is checked whether the specified denomination is included in the denomination flag turned on as the first banknote (step S75). If so, the denomination is determined, and the process proceeds to step S76 to automatically restart counting, and to step S51 to determine the denomination of the banknote bundle.

Also, the judgment result is not only for one denomination (step S7
3) If the denomination of the specified banknote does not match the first denomination (step S75), the control means 100 determines that a real foreign or dirty ticket is mixed, and issues a warning to the operator. Is notified of the abnormal ticket (step S65).

When the denomination of the banknote bundle is determined in this way (step S51), the denomination is stored in the determined denomination storage means 80,
The operation of determining the third and subsequent bills is performed. The operation of judging the third and subsequent bills is based on the normal reference pattern of the denomination stored in the determined denomination storage means 80 assuming that the denomination of the first bill matches the denomination of the second bill. This is performed while reading out and comparing from the pattern signal storage means 50 (step S52). Then, the denomination can be determined (step S53), and if there are not two or more denominations based on the determination result (step S57).
It is determined whether or not the determined denomination matches the denomination stored in the determined denomination storage means 80 (step S58), and a counting operation is sequentially performed until the counting of banknotes is completed (step S5).
9).

As described above, a normal banknote bundle is configured in units of 100, and when the counting operation approaches the end of the banknote and reaches around the 99th banknote, the denomination of the banknote is performed in the same manner as the determination of the first banknote. The judgment operation tends to be unstable. Therefore, if the denomination cannot be determined in step S53,
In 54, it is checked whether or not the bill is the 99th bill or later, and if it is the 99th bill or later, the determination condition is changed from the determination based on the normal reference pattern to the determination based on the special reference pattern (step S55). . As a result of the determination based on the special reference pattern, if the denomination can be determined (step S56), it is determined that the determination is normal unless the determination result in step S57 is two or more denominations.
Move on to determination in S58.

When the judgment is two or more denominations in step S57, or when the denominations do not match in step S58, the stopper 18 is indicated by a solid line from the position indicated by the dashed line in FIG. To prevent the next bill after the bill determined to be abnormal from being sucked, and to stop the rotor 9 at the fixed position (step S60). At this time, a confirmation determination using the same color pattern signal as described above is performed (step S61). It is checked whether or not the money has been identified as one denomination in this confirmation judgment (step S62)
If specified, it is checked whether the specified denomination matches the denomination of the banknote bundle determined in step S51 (step S63). If they match, the solenoid is de-energized to release the stopper, not shown. When the suction pressure exceeds a predetermined value by closing the vacuum valve, the vacuum switch operates,
The rotor rotates forward to automatically restart the counting operation (step S64).

On the other hand, if the denomination cannot be identified as one denomination by the confirmation determination (step S62), or if the identified denomination does not match the denomination of the banknote bundle (step S63), a real heterogeneous note or a stained note is mixed. And an alarm is issued to notify the operator of the entry of the abnormal ticket (step S65).

In the flowchart of FIG. 3, a normal reference pattern is initially used as the first determination pattern, and a determination is made using a special reference pattern only when the normal reference pattern is not satisfied. A reference pattern may be prepared, and only this may be used to determine the first bill. Although the determined denomination storage unit 80 stores only the determined denomination, not only the denomination but also a reference pattern signal of the denomination may be stored.

Also, a special reference pattern similar to the monochrome reference pattern may be prepared for the color reference pattern and compared.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the denomination of the bill bundle is automatically determined, and then the mixing of different types of bills is determined. However, the denomination of the bill bundle may be manually set separately.

Further, although the confirmation determination after the abnormality determination is performed individually, the determination may be made comprehensively. For example, if the pattern matches two or more denominations in the normal judgment, the confirmation judgment using the color pattern signal also matches two or more denominations, and there is only one denomination common to both. May be restarted when coincidence with the already determined denomination.

Further, in the embodiment, the confirmation judgment is performed simultaneously for two colors other than green, and the coincidence is confirmed. First, when one of the remaining two colors can be confirmed, a denomination is determined based on the confirmation. When the color cannot be confirmed, the confirmation determination may be performed for the other color.

In the embodiment, the green signal is used as the monochrome signal. However, a monochrome signal may be directly obtained from the YCM signal obtained from the color area sensor.

〔The invention's effect〕

According to the present invention, as described in detail above based on the embodiment, when a different kind of ticket is detected by the detecting means using the monochrome pattern signal, the turning-off preventing means prevents the next sheet from being turned off. A confirmation judgment is performed using the color pattern signal detected in the state where the original bill is detected, and when it is determined that the bill is not a foreign bill, the counting operation is automatically restarted. If it is found that the detected sheets are not different kinds of sheets, the counting is automatically restarted without any trouble of the operator, so that the counting efficiency is improved. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the basic structure of the main part of the apparatus of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the structure of the main part in FIG. 1 in more detail, and FIG. 3 is an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation, FIG. 4 is a view showing a designated area of a bill used for bill identification, FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a structure of a mechanism of a bill counter used in the present invention, and FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the structure for performing the conventional confirmation determination. 10 ... Light emitter, 11 ... Receiver, 18 ... Stopper, 20 ...
Turn-over prevention means, 30 ... Bill turning means, 40 ... Color pattern signal output means, 41 ... Color area sensor, 42
...... RGB signal generating _{means, 43 G, 43 R, 43} B ...... pattern detecting _{means, 44 G, 44 R, 44} B ...... storage means, 50 ...... reference pattern signal storage unit, 50Ga ...... normal reference pattern memory Area, 50Gb
…… Special reference pattern storage area, 50R, 50B …… Color reference pattern storage area, 60 …… Detection means, 70 …… First banknote denomination storage means, 80 …… Decision denomination storage means, 90 …… Confirmation Means, 100 ... Control means.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-54-71673 (JP, A) JP-A-55-143686 (JP, A) JP-A-64-65683 (JP, A) JP-A 64-64 76398 (JP, A) JP-A-56-101282 (JP, A) JP-A-63-263594 (JP, A)

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A sheet counting machine for counting sheets while turning over one by one by means of a sheet turning means including a plurality of suction shafts revolving while rotating while adsorbing the sheets loaded in the holder. Color pattern signal output means for detecting as a color pattern signal a pattern on one side of a sheet which is sequentially turned over and counted, and a monochrome reference pattern and a color reference pattern on one side for a plurality of types of sheets. A monochrome pattern signal obtained from the color pattern signal output from the color pattern signal output means and a monochrome reference pattern signal extracted from the reference pattern signal storage means. A detecting means for detecting a sheet which may be a ticket, and a sheet which may be a foreign ticket by the detecting means. Turning-off preventing means for preventing the subsequent unturned-off sheet from being turned off when detected, and the color pattern of the sheet detected as a sheet possibly having a different kind of ticket Checking means for comparing the signal with the color reference pattern signal from the reference pattern signal storage means to check whether or not the sheet is a different type of paper; A sheet counting machine, characterized in that the sheet counting machine is provided with control means for canceling the turning-over preventing means and continuing counting, detection and confirmation of the following sheets when it is found. 2. The paper sheet counter according to claim 1, wherein a green signal of the color pattern signal and the color reference signal is used as the monochrome pattern signal and the monochrome reference pattern signal, respectively.