JP4774576B2 - Card number measuring machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a card number measuring machine that optically measures the number of cards such as an IC card and a prepaid card.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, the number of cards has been measured by a mechanical sheet counting machine or an optical sheet counting machine. The mechanical sheet count machine mechanically measures cards one by one. The optical number counting machine irradiates light on the side of the card while relatively moving with respect to a plurality of cards to be counted, and converts the intensity of reflected light from the card into an electric signal, The electrical signal is converted into a pulse signal, and the number of pulses included in the pulse signal is counted to obtain the number of cards.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the above-described conventional mechanical number counting machine takes time to mechanically measure one card at a time, and an accurate number value may not be obtained due to a mechanical error.
In addition, when a card having a multi-layer structure is handled, the optical sheet counting machine absorbs and transmits the sensor light in a certain layer (for example, an intermediate transparent base material layer), and it is difficult to distinguish it from the gap between the cards. It was. For this reason, there is a problem in that an accurate pulse signal cannot be obtained, and as a result, an accurate number of sheets cannot be measured.
[0004]
An object of the present invention is to provide a card number measuring machine that can accurately measure the number of sheets without error even when handling a multi-layered card by making the posture of the card immediately before counting most suitable for measurement. Is to provide.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the invention of claim 1 is a measurement sensor unit having a light receiving unit that irradiates light to the side surface of a stacked card group to be measured and detects reflected light from each card edge. the provided, in the card number measuring instrument for measuring the number of the card, relatively reciprocated with respect to the card group by being driven by the drive unit, a gap extension means to widen the gap between the card each other become next wherein the gap extension means, by blowing gas to the side of the card group, the a air outlet widen the gap between the card each other become neighbor, the traveling direction of the return path of the reciprocating movement relative to said light receiving portion It is disposed in front of, in the forward and backward to relatively reciprocate relative to the card group, blown gas, the measuring sensor unit, the light receiving portion is the air outlet and et provided integrally When driven by the drive unit, the light receiving unit and the outlet are integrally reciprocated relative to the card group, and in the return path of the reciprocating movement, the light receiving unit is connected to each card edge. a number of cards measuring machine, characterized in that Nau line measurement by detecting the reflected light from the part.
[0007]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the card number measuring machine according to the first aspect, wherein the measurement sensor unit performs measurement by reciprocating in the stacking direction of the card group in a semi- fixed state. This is a sheet counting machine.
[0009]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the card number measuring machine according to the first or second aspect , the card group is stacked in a semi-fixed state by urging from one end of the card group toward the other end. It is a card number measuring machine provided with the card fixing jig which performs.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of an embodiment of a card number measuring machine according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a system diagram showing a system configuration of the embodiment of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a diagram of a card fixing jig of FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view explaining a structure.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the card number measuring machine of the present embodiment includes a box 10, a card fixing jig 20, a measurement sensor unit 50, a count display unit 60, an air supply unit 70, and the like. It has.
[0011]
The card groups 1 a, 1 b... 1 n (see FIGS. 6 to 8) to be measured are placed on a card installation stage 11 that is one step lower than the upper part of the box 10.
The card placement stage 11 is a place where cards to be counted are placed. The measurement sensor scanning path 12 is a scanning path on which the optical sensor 51 travels during measurement. The counting start button 13 is an operation button for starting a series of sheet counting operations. The count value indicator 64 is for displaying the measured count result.
[0012]
The card fixing jig 20 includes a card stopper 30 and a guide structure (hereinafter, referred to as a stopper movement guide) 40 in which a position supported by the card stopper 30 can be freely changed.
As shown in FIG. 3, the card stopper 30 includes a semi-fixed support plate 31, a card contact plate 32, and two sets of urging structures 33 and 34.
The urging structure 33 (34) includes a spring 33c (34c) for keeping the variation between the cards to be counted constant, a support bar 33b (34b) that supports the spring so as to freely expand and contract, and a support bar 33b (34b). The screw 33a (34a) is fixed to the semi-fixed support plate 31.
[0013]
The spring 33c (34c) is a member that constantly urges the spring 33c (34c) with an elastic repulsive force in a direction in which the distance between the semi-fixed support plate 31 and the card contact plate 32 is increased.
Since the card contact plate 32 presses the card with a weak biasing force of the spring, the card contact plate 32 spreads slightly while air is blown, and acts to push back the card while air is not blown.
[0014]
The stopper moving guide 40 is for moving the card stopper 30 linearly, and includes a shaft 41 that penetrates the base hole 31 a of the semi-fixed support plate 31, a cover 42, and a cover 43. The cover 42 is a member that covers the front surface and the left and right side surfaces of the shaft 41. The cover 43 is a member that covers the upper and lower surfaces and the back surface of the shaft 41. A window 42 a is provided on the front surface of the cover 42 so as to penetrate a portion near the base of the semi-fixed support plate 31.
[0015]
Since the window 42 a is formed to be long on the left and right, if the plate surface of the semi-fixed support plate 31 is perpendicular to the axis of the shaft 41, the base of the semi-fixed support plate 31 is free along the shaft 41. Can move on.
[0016]
On the other hand, as described above, the card stopper 30 is urged in a direction that widens the distance between the semi-fixed support plate 31 and the card contact plate 32. For this reason, one end of a plurality of card groups (1a, 1b,..., 1n shown in FIGS. By pushing with a weak force of the stopper 30, the card group can be supported in a semi-fixed state with some margin.
[0017]
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram (plan view and perspective view) showing the positional relationship between the optical sensor 51 and the air outlet 52 of the measurement sensor unit 50.
The measurement sensor unit 50 has an optical sensor 51 and an air outlet 52 disposed on the upper surface thereof. An arrow L ₁ in the drawing of FIG. 4 indicates the forward movement direction in a series of measurement operations of the measurement sensor unit 50. Arrow L ₂ indicates the backward movement direction in the same operation. The air outlet 52 is disposed at a position preceding the optical sensor 51 with respect to the moving direction of the return path.
[0018]
The optical sensor 51 is a sensor in which a light emitting lamp 51a that irradiates light perpendicular to the end face of the card and a light receiving sensor 51b that receives reflected light from the end face of the card are integrated. The measurement sensor unit 50 moves in parallel with the stacking direction of the cards along the measurement sensor scanning path 12 of the card setting stage 11 serving as a table on which the cards 1a, 1b,.
[0019]
The air outlet 52 blows air against the side surfaces of the card groups 1a, 1b,. During the reciprocating movement of the measurement sensor unit 50, air is always blown from the air blowing port 52. Since the reflected light during the return path travels more clearly than the reflected light during the forward path, an electrical signal waveform having a remarkably clear periodicity can be obtained. Therefore, measurement is performed only during the return path travel.
[0020]
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a waveform image of reflected light obtained during the forward movement, and FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a waveform image of reflected light obtained during the backward movement.
In order to measure the card immediately after being judged by air blowing, the air blowing port 52 is arranged so as to precede the light receiving sensor 51b at a slight interval (ΔX) during the backward movement.
[0021]
The count display unit 60 is a part for processing the electrical signal output from the light receiving sensor 51b of the measurement sensor unit 50 to count and display the number of cards 1a, 1b,. As shown in FIG. 2, the count display unit 60 includes an electric signal conversion unit 61, a pulse signal conversion unit 62, a pulse counter 63, and a count value indicator 64.
The electrical signal converter 61 is a part that converts an input signal proportional to the intensity of the reflected light read from the light receiving sensor 51b into an electrical signal. The pulse signal converter 62 is a part that converts the electrical signal into a pulse signal. The pulse counter 63 measures the number of pulses included in the input pulse signal, sends it to the number indicator 64, and displays the measurement result.
[0022]
The air supply unit 70 includes an air compressor (not shown), and sends the compressed air to the air outlet 52 of the measurement sensor unit. Although not shown, a drive mechanism that drives the movement operation of the measurement sensor unit 50 is provided inside the box 10. The box 10 also includes a control unit (not shown) that controls the operation of the drive mechanism and the air supply unit 70 together with the counting display unit 60 so as to interlock with each other.
[0023]
FIGS. 5 to 7 are explanatory diagrams modeled in order to explain the feature of the counting principle of the card number measuring machine of the present invention.
FIG. 5 shows a state where the cards 1a, 1b,..., 1n are placed on the card installation stage 11 with one end lightly held by the card stopper 30. FIG.
FIG. 6 shows the state of the cards 1a, 1b... 1n after the measurement sensor unit 50 has moved and passed the outward path.
FIG. 7 shows a state of the cards 1a, 1b,... 1n when the measurement sensor unit 50 is moving on the return path (counting the number of sheets).
[0024]
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a measurement processing procedure by the card number measuring machine of the present invention. 101 to 112 in the figure are the steps of the procedure.
When the number of cards is set on the card setting stage 11 in step 101 and the card group is supported by the card stopper 30 in step 102, as shown in FIG. The gap between the cards varies due to dust or the like adhering to the card surface.
[0025]
When the number start button 13 is pressed in step 103, the measurement sensor unit 50 moves in the forward path while blowing air from the air blowing port 52.
By blowing air from the side of the card, the card moves while widening the gap between adjacent cards, so that the gap is almost uniform as shown in FIG.
The measurement sensor unit 50 temporarily stops at a position corresponding to the card end (step 105). Subsequently, the measurement sensor unit 50 moves on the return path while blowing air (step 106).
[0026]
As shown in FIG. 7, when the measurement sensor unit 50 moves on the return path while blowing air, the card immediately after the air blowing port 52 has passed since the air expanded the gap between the cards from the state of FIG. 6 after passing the forward path. Move sufficiently away from the front and back cards one by one so as to block the light receiving sensor 51b (step 107). In this way, the card immediately after being cut by air passes in the vicinity of the light receiving sensor 51b, and the light receiving sensor 51b receives the reflected light from the card end face (step 108).
[0027]
The intensity of the reflected light received by the light receiving sensor 51b is converted into an electric signal by the electric signal converter 61 (step 109). The electric signal is converted into a pulse signal by the pulse signal converter 62 (step 110). The pulse counter 63 counts the number of pulses of the input pulse signal (step 111) and sends it to the number indicator 64, and the number indicator 64 displays the number of pulses counted by the pulse counter 63 (step 112).
[0028]
(Other embodiments)
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications or changes are possible, and these are also within the equivalent scope of the present invention.
For example, the structures and forms of the box, the card fixing jig, the measurement sensor unit, the counting display unit, and the like may be different from those shown in the drawings.
[0029]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, since the gap expanding means for counting while expanding the gap between adjacent cards by blowing gas from the side surface to the card group, etc., immediately before counting is provided. Thus, the gap between the layer that absorbs and transmits the sensor light and the card can be clearly distinguished, and the number of cards can be accurately measured without error.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a system diagram showing a system configuration of an embodiment of a card number measuring machine according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the embodiment of FIG.
3 is an explanatory view (disassembled perspective view) showing a configuration of the card fixing jig of FIG. 2. FIG.
4 is an explanatory view (a plan view and a perspective view) showing a configuration of a measurement sensor unit in FIG. 1; FIG.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram modeling the counting principle of the present invention (after card installation).
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram modeling the counting principle of the present invention (after going forward).
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram modeling the counting principle of the present invention (when moving in the backward direction).
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a waveform image of reflected light during forward movement.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a waveform image of reflected light when moving in a return path.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a processing procedure according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1a, 1b, 1n Card 10 Box 11 Card installation stage 12 Measurement sensor scanning path 13 Count start button 20 Card fixing jig 30 Card stopper 31 Semi-fixed support plate 32 Card contact plate 33, 34 Biasing structure 33c, 34c Spring 40 Stopper movement guide 50 Measurement sensor unit 51 Optical sensor 52 Air outlet 60 Count display unit 61 Electric signal conversion unit 62 Pulse signal conversion unit 63 Pulse counter 64 Count value indicator 70 Air supply unit

Claims (3)

In a card number measuring machine that includes a measurement sensor unit having a light receiving unit that irradiates light to the side of a stacked card group to be measured and detects reflected light from each card edge, and measures the number of cards ,
A gap expanding means for expanding a gap between adjacent cards while being reciprocated relative to the card group by being driven by a driving unit ;
The gap expanding means is
A blowout port that blows gas on the side of the card group to widen the gap between the adjacent cards ,
It is arranged in front of the traveling direction in the return path of the reciprocating movement with respect to the light receiving unit ,
In the forward path and the return path that reciprocate relative to the card group, gas is blown,
The measurement sensor unit is
The light receiving unit is provided integrally with the outlet, and is driven by the driving unit, whereby the light receiving unit and the outlet are integrally reciprocated relative to the card group,
Wherein in the return reciprocation, card number measuring instrument, characterized in that Nau line measurement by detecting the reflected light from the light-receiving portion each card edge. In the card number measuring machine according to claim 1,
The card number measuring machine , wherein the measurement sensor unit performs measurement by reciprocating in a stacking direction of the card group in a semi- fixed state. In the card number measuring machine according to claim 1 or 2,
A card number measuring machine, comprising a card fixing jig for stacking the card group in a semi-fixed state by urging the card group from one end to the other end.

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