JP6704325B2 - Card-shaped medium number counting method and card-shaped medium number counting device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a card-shaped medium number counting method for counting the number of card-shaped mediums overlapping in the thickness direction, and a card-shaped medium number counting device for counting the number of card-shaped mediums overlapping in the thickness direction.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a device for counting the number of card-shaped media stored in a storage unit in a stacked state has been used. Patent Document 1 discloses a paper sheet coefficient device that calculates the number of volumes of passbooks stored in a storage unit. The paper sheet coefficient device of Patent Document 1 includes a reflective optical sensor having a light emitting element and a light receiving element. By processing the output signal of the optical sensor when the optical sensor moves in the stacking direction of the passbooks accommodated in the accommodating unit, the number of passbooks accommodated in the accommodating unit is calculated.

The paper sheet coefficient device of Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of optical sensors and is configured to improve the detection accuracy by using the detection results of the plurality of optical sensors. For example, it is determined whether the output pattern of the optical sensor is normal or abnormal, and if abnormal, the output of another optical sensor is switched. Then, the count value is obtained based on the output obtained from the optical sensor determined to be normal.

JP, 2011-65378, A

In Patent Document 1, when the output of the optical sensor is abnormal, it can be switched to the output of another optical sensor. However, since the sensor is not switched unless it is determined to be abnormal, the output of the optical sensor with high accuracy May not be adopted. Therefore, it may not be possible to accurately count the number of card-shaped media.

In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to propose a configuration capable of counting the number of card-shaped media with high accuracy in an apparatus and method for counting the number of card-shaped media based on an output signal of an optical sensor. is there.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is a card-shaped medium number counting method for counting the number of card-shaped mediums overlapping in the thickness direction, by emitting light toward the end surface of the card-shaped medium A measurement operation is performed in which an optical sensor that receives reflected light is moved in the thickness direction of the card-shaped medium, and based on the output signal output from the optical sensor, a count value of the number of the card-shaped medium is calculated, Ranked the count value based on the certainty of the counted value, each of the plurality of count values are weighted based on the ranking result for the count value, based on the weighting result. , Any one of the plurality of the count values is selected.

Further, the present invention is a card-shaped medium number counting device for counting the number of card-shaped media overlapping in the thickness direction, the medium-accommodating portion for accommodating the card-shaped media overlapping in the thickness direction, and the card-shaped medium. An optical sensor that emits light toward the end face of the card and receives the reflected light, a sensor moving mechanism that moves the optical sensor in the thickness direction of the card-shaped medium, and an output signal of the optical sensor are input. A control unit, wherein the control unit calculates a count value of the number of the card-shaped medium based on the output signal output from the optical sensor, and based on the certainty of the calculated count value. A process of ranking the count values, a process of weighting each of the plurality of count values based on a result of the ranking of the count values, and a result of the weighting, the plurality of count values. And a process of selecting any of the above.

The card-shaped medium number counting method and the card-shaped medium number counting device of the present invention calculate a count value of the number of card-shaped media based on the output signal of the optical sensor, rank the calculated count values, and rank The count value is weighted based on the result of the addition. Then, any one of the plurality of count values is determined based on the weighting result. By doing so, a count value having a high rank can be selected from the plurality of count values. Moreover, when a plurality of count values match, the count value is likely to be selected. Therefore, since it is highly possible to select a count value close to an accurate number of sheets, it is possible to accurately count the number of card-shaped media.

In the present invention, the measurement operation is an operation of moving the plurality of optical sensors in a thickness direction of a card-shaped medium, and based on the output signals output from each of the plurality of optical sensors, A count value of the number of media is calculated for each of the optical sensors, each of the plurality of count values calculated for each of the optical sensors is weighted based on a result of the ranking for the count value, and the weighting is performed. Any one of the plurality of the count values can be selected based on the result of 1. In this way, when calculating the count value for each sensor based on the output signal output from each of the plurality of optical sensors, the count value with the highest rank among the count values obtained from all the optical sensors Can be selected. Further, when the count values of a plurality of optical sensors match, the count value is likely to be selected. Therefore, since it is highly possible to select a count value close to an accurate number of sheets, it is possible to accurately count the number of card-shaped media.

In the present invention, the measurement operation includes a first measurement operation of moving the optical sensor to one side in the thickness direction of the card-shaped medium, and the optical sensor on the other side in the thickness direction of the card-shaped medium. It is desirable that the second measurement operation is to move. By doing so, a count value that is twice the number of optical sensors can be obtained by one reciprocating measurement operation. Therefore, a highly reliable count value can be selected from a large number of count values, so that the number of card-shaped media can be accurately counted.

In the present invention, when some of the plurality of count values match, the weighting of the matched count value can be increased, or the matched count value can be selected. By doing so, there is a high possibility that a count value close to an accurate number value can be selected. Therefore, it is possible to accurately count the number of card-shaped media.

In the present invention, the certainty is a first certainty that is the certainty of the calculated number of the card-shaped medium, a second certainty that is the certainty that the type or shape of the card-shaped medium is correct, The third probability, which is the probability that the card-shaped medium is correctly stored in the medium storage portion, is included, and the first certainty, the second certainty, and the third certainty are all ranks. A highest A rank, and a B rank in which the first likelihood is about the same as the A rank, and at least one of the second likelihood and the third likelihood is lower than the A rank, The first probability is lower than the A rank, and at least one of the second probability and the third probability is a C rank lower than the A rank. A ranking configuration can be employed. Thus, in addition to the certainty of the number of sheets, the certainty of the type and shape of the card-shaped medium and the certainty of the accommodation state of the card-shaped medium can be taken into consideration, so that an appropriate ranking can be performed. Therefore, it is possible to accurately count the number of card-shaped media.

According to the present invention, the count value of the number of card-shaped media is calculated based on the output signal of the optical sensor, the calculated count values are ranked, and the count values are weighted based on the ranking result. .. Since any one of the plurality of count values is selected based on the weighting result, the count value having a high rank can be selected from the plurality of count values. Moreover, when a plurality of count values match, the count value is likely to be selected. Therefore, since it is highly possible to select a count value close to an accurate number of sheets, it is possible to accurately count the number of card-shaped media.

1 is a perspective view of a card-shaped medium number counting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic block diagram of a card issuing device in which the card-shaped medium number counting device of FIG. 1 is mounted. It is a partial top view of the card-shaped medium number counting device of FIG. It is a perspective view of a card-shaped medium number counting mechanism. It is a block diagram of a control system of a card-shaped medium number counting device. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the output signal of a sensor, and its differential signal. It is explanatory drawing of the process which pinpoints the peak of an output signal. It is a flowchart of the process which pinpoints the peak of an output signal. 6 is a flowchart of a process of counting the number of cards and a ranking process thereof. It is explanatory drawing which shows the waveform of an output signal typically. It is explanatory drawing of the weighting with respect to a count value. It is a flowchart of the process which selects a count value based on the result of ranking.

Hereinafter, embodiments of a card-shaped medium number counting device and a card-shaped medium number counting method to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the drawings.

(overall structure)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a card-shaped medium number counting device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a card issuing device 10 in which the card-shaped medium number counting device 1 is mounted. Further, FIG. 3 is a partial plan view of the card-shaped medium number counting device 1. The card-shaped medium number counting device 1 is a device for counting the number of card-shaped mediums 2 (see FIG. 3) accommodated so as to be overlapped in the thickness direction. The card-shaped medium 2 is, for example, a rectangular card having a thickness of about 0.7 to 0.8 mm. Hereinafter, in this specification, the card-shaped medium 2 is referred to as a "card 2", and the card-shaped medium number counting device 1 is referred to as a "card counting device 1".

The card counting device 1 is mounted on, for example, the card issuing device 10 shown in FIG. The card issuing device 10 is installed in a bank or the like and issues a new card 2 to be given to a customer. The card issuing device 10 includes a card reader 6 for recording data on the issued card 2, a card accommodation device 7 for accommodating a plurality of cards 2 before issuance, and a card accommodation device 7 to the card reader 6 for a card. A card carrier 8 for carrying 2 is provided. The card issuing device 10 includes a plurality of card accommodation devices 7, and the card counting device 1 is incorporated in each of the card accommodation devices 7.

When the card 2 is issued in the card issuing device 10, first, the card 2 is sent from the card accommodation device 7 in which the issued card 2 is accommodated to the card carrying device 8, and the card carrying device 8 sends it to the card reader 6. Card 2 is sent. The card reader 6 performs predetermined processing such as recording data and printing on the surface of the card, and ejects the card 2.

(Card-shaped medium number counting device)
As shown in FIG. 1, a card counting device 1 (card-shaped medium number counting device) includes a card holding portion 3 which is a medium holding portion which holds a card 2, a card counting mechanism 4 which is a card-shaped medium counting mechanism, A card delivery mechanism 5 which is a card-shaped medium delivery mechanism is provided. A plurality of cards 2 are stacked and stored in the card storage portion 3 in the thickness direction. The card counting mechanism 4 performs a counting operation and a counting process for counting the number of cards 2 stored in the card storage unit 3. The card sending mechanism 5 sends out the cards 2 housed in the card housing unit 3 one by one.

In this specification, the direction in which the cards 2 are stacked is the vertical direction Z, and the two directions orthogonal to the vertical direction and orthogonal to each other are the front-back direction X and the left-right direction Y. The +Z direction is upward and the −Z direction is downward. The +X direction is the front side, the -X direction is the rear side, the +Y direction is the right side, and the -Y direction is the left side.

As shown in FIG. 1, the card storage unit 3 includes a box-shaped card cassette 3a that is open at the top (+Z direction) and rear (-X direction), and a support unit 3b that supports the card cassette 3a from below. .. The outer shape of the card cassette 3a when viewed in the vertical direction Z is a substantially rectangular shape with the longitudinal direction X in the longitudinal direction. The card cassette 3a includes a right side wall portion 3c, a left side wall portion 3d, a front side wall portion 3e, and a rear side wall portion 3f that surround the front and rear direction X and the left and right direction Y of the space in which the card 2 is stored. The left side of the rear side wall 3f of the card cassette 3a and the rear side of the left side wall 3d are openings. The card cassette 3a also includes a bottom surface portion 3g that surrounds the lower side of the space in which the card 2 is stored.

As shown in FIG. 3, the card 2 is housed in the card cassette 3a in a posture in which the long side direction of the card 2 matches the front-back direction X. The plurality of cards 2 are stacked in the vertical direction Z in the card cassette 3a. As shown in FIG. 1, a weight 9 that is movable in the up-down direction Z along the right side wall portion 3c of the card cassette 3a is attached to the card storage portion 3. The weight 9 is placed on the card 2 housed in the card cassette 3a, and its center of gravity is approximately at the center in the short side direction of the stacked cards 2. In FIG. 1, the weight 9 is shown retracted to the upper end of the card cassette 3a.

As shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 3, the card 2 is, for example, a magnetic card and includes a magnetic stripe 2a. The card 2 has a rectangular shape, and the magnetic stripe 2a extends in the long side direction of the card 2. The card 2 may have an IC chip built therein.

As shown in FIG. 1, the card sending mechanism 5 is arranged inside the support portion 3b. The card delivery mechanism 5 drives the delivery claw 5a that engages with the rear end of the card 2 arranged at the bottom of the plurality of cards 2 stacked in the card cassette 3a, and the delivery claw 5a. A claw driving mechanism (not shown) is provided. At the lower end of the front side wall portion 3e of the card cassette 3a, a gate (not shown) through which the card 2 passes is formed. The card delivery mechanism 5 delivers the card 2 arranged at the bottom to the front side (+X direction) from the gate.

The card counting mechanism 4 is attached to the right side wall portion 3c of the card cassette 3a. The card cassette 3a is formed with a through hole 3k penetrating the right side wall portion 3c in the left-right direction Y. The through hole 3k is a rectangle having the up-down direction Z as a longitudinal direction, and is located substantially at the center of the card cassette 3a in the front-rear direction X. The card counting mechanism 4 includes sensors 16 to 18 arranged in the through hole 3k. A transparent cover member (not shown) is attached to the card cassette 3a so as to close the through hole 3k. Therefore, the sensors 16 to 18 face the end surface 2b (see FIG. 3) of the card 2 housed in the card cassette 3a via the translucent cover member.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a card-shaped medium number counting mechanism (card counting mechanism 4). The card counting mechanism 4 includes sensors 16 to 18, a carriage 19 on which the sensors 16 to 18 are mounted, and a carriage drive mechanism 20 that moves the carriage 19 in the vertical direction Z. The carriage 19 and the carriage driving mechanism 20 form a sensor moving mechanism. Further, the card counting mechanism 4 holds the carriage 19 movably in the up-and-down direction Z, and a frame portion 21 on which the carriage drive mechanism 20 is supported, a circuit board 22 fixed to the carriage 19, and a frame portion 21. And a circuit board 23.

The frame portion 21 includes an upper frame 26 forming an upper end portion of the card counting mechanism 4, a lower frame 27 forming a lower end portion of the card counting mechanism 4, and two guide shafts connecting the upper frame 26 and the lower frame 27. 28, and a vertical frame 29 that connects the upper frame 26 and the lower frame 27. The two guide shafts 28 are arranged so that the axial direction of the guide shaft 28 and the vertical direction Z coincide with each other. Further, the two guide shafts 28 are arranged in the front-rear direction X with a predetermined space therebetween. A cylindrical guide bush 30 into which the guide shaft 28 is inserted is attached to both ends of the carriage 19 in the front-rear direction X.

The carriage drive mechanism 20 includes a motor 32 fixed to the lower frame 27, and a lead screw 33 that is rotated by the driving force of the motor 32. The lead screw 33 is rotatably held by the frame portion 21 so that the axial direction of the lead screw 33 and the vertical direction Z coincide with each other. The lead screw 33 is engaged with a nut member (illustrated by R house) held by the carriage 19. Therefore, when the motor 32 is driven, the carriage 19 moves up and down along the guide shaft 28.

The carriage 19 has a flat plate shape and has an arrangement hole 19a in which the sensors 16 to 18 are arranged. The arrangement hole 19a penetrates the carriage 19. The circuit board 22 on which the sensors 16 to 18 are mounted is arranged between the carriage 19 and the vertical frame 29 and fixed to the carriage 19. Therefore, the sensors 16 to 18 are mounted on the carriage 19 via the circuit board 22.

The sensors 16 to 18 are reflection type optical sensors including a light emitting element that emits light toward the card 2 and a light receiving element that receives the reflected light reflected by the card 2. The sensors 16 to 18 output an output signal SG (see FIG. 6) whose signal level varies according to the amount of light received by the light receiving element. Specifically, the light receiving portions of the sensors 16 to 18 output the output signal SG that the signal level becomes high when the light receiving amount is large and becomes low when the light receiving amount is small.

The sensors 17 and 18 have the same position in the vertical direction Z and are adjacent to each other in the front-back direction X. Further, the sensor 16 is arranged above the sensors 17 and 18 (+Z direction), and is arranged at an intermediate position between the sensor 17 and the sensor 18 in the front-rear direction X. That is, the three sensors 16 to 18 are mounted on the carriage 19 with their positions in the front-rear direction X displaced from each other.

The sensors 16 to 18 move in the vertical direction Z, which is the thickness direction of the card 2, along the end surface 2b of the card 2 housed in the card cassette 3a. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the sensors 16 to 18 are located at the lower limit position H1 of the moving range in the vertical direction Z. The lower limit position H1 of the sensors 16 to 18 is located below the bottom surface portion 3g of the card cassette 3a. For this reason, when the sensors 16 to 18 are at the lower limit position H1, the sensors 16 to 18 are located below the card 2 arranged at the lowest side in the card housing portion 3. On the other hand, the upper limit position H2, which is the upper end of the vertical movement range of the sensors 16 to 18, is higher than the uppermost card 2 in the state where the maximum number of cards 2 that can be accommodated in the card cassette 3a are accommodated. Located in.

Before measuring the number of cards 2 stored in the card cassette 3a, the carriage 19 waits at the home position HP where the sensors 16 to 18 are arranged at the lower limit position H1. The card housing portion 3 is provided with a correction mark at a position facing the sensors 16 to 18 located at the lower limit position H1. The circuit board 22 includes an automatic correction circuit that emits light from the sensors 16 to 18 toward the correction mark and automatically corrects the sensitivity of the sensors 16 to 18 based on the detection result of the light reflected by the correction mark. It is implemented. The automatic correction adjusts the light emission amount of the light emitting elements of the sensors 16 to 18, the gain of the amplifier circuit 41 described later, and the like.

(Control system)
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a control system of the card counting device 1 (card-shaped medium number counting device). The card counting device 1 includes a controller 40 that controls the card counting mechanism 4 and the card sending mechanism 5. The processing circuit constituting the control unit 40 is mounted on the circuit board 22 on which the sensors 16 to 18 are mounted, and the circuit board 44 (see FIG. 1) arranged below the left side wall portion 3d of the card cassette 3a. It A signal output from the processing circuit provided on the circuit board 22 is input to the circuit board 44 via the cable 43 and the circuit board 23.

The control unit 40 includes an amplifier circuit 41 for processing the output signals SG from the sensors 16 to 18, an A/D conversion circuit 42, and a CPU 45. The amplifier circuit 41, the A/D conversion circuit 42, and the CPU 45 are mounted on the circuit board 22. The control unit 40 also includes a drive circuit 46 that drives the motor 32 of the carriage drive mechanism 20. The drive circuit 46 is mounted on the circuit board 44.

The card counting mechanism 4 performs a measurement operation of moving the sensors 16 to 18 in the vertical direction Z along the end surface 2b of the cards 2 stacked in the vertical direction Z when counting the cards 2 housed in the card cassette 3a. Specifically, an ascending operation, which is the first measuring operation to move from the lower limit position H1 to the upper limit position H2, or a descending operation, which is the second measuring operation to move the sensors 16 to 18 from the upper limit position H2 to the lower limit position H1. I do. When the carriage 19 is moved in the up-down direction Z while the card 2 is housed in the card cassette 3a, the output signals SG which are analog signals as shown in FIG. 6 are obtained from the sensors 16 to 18, respectively.

The output signal SG shown in FIG. 6 is an analog signal after being corrected by the amplifier circuit 41. The differential signal DF shown in FIG. 6 is a signal obtained by differentiating the output signal SG. The process of generating the differential signal DF is performed by inputting the output signal SG to the differentiating circuit or by executing a program for performing the differentiating process. The control unit 40 performs a process of identifying the peak positions Pv and Bv of the output signal SG based on the output signal SG and the differential signal DF thereof shown in FIG. The peak position Pv is a peak position on the maximum side where the output signal SG is convex on the + side. Further, the peak position Bv is a minimum-side peak position (that is, a bottom position) at which the output signal SG is convex toward the − side. As shown in FIG. 6, the waveform of the output signal SG is a waveform having a number of peaks corresponding to the number of cards 2 as a whole, but there is a fine waveform disturbance due to unevenness of the end surface of the card 2. There is a case. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 6, there may be a plurality of fine peaks near the peak of a large waveform that is convex on the + side. The control unit 40 performs a process of specifying peak positions Pv and Bv to be counted in the process of counting the number of cards 2 from these fine peaks.

(Process to identify the peak position of the output signal)
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the process of identifying the peak position of the output signal SG, and is a partially enlarged view of the area A in FIG. 7A and 7C are partially enlarged views of the output signal SG, and FIG. 7B is a partially enlarged view of the differential signal DF. Further, FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the process of identifying the peak position of the output signal SG. As shown in FIG. 6, the absolute value of the differential signal DF becomes zero at the position where the maximum value and the minimum value of the output signal SG appear. Hereinafter, a position where the absolute value of the differential signal DF becomes zero is called a zero cross point.

In the first half of the output signal SG in the area A in FIG. 6, there is one large waveform that is convex toward the + side as a whole. However, as shown in FIG. 7A, the peak of this waveform is disturbed, and there are two fine peaks. Therefore, in the first half of the differential signal DF of the area A, as shown in FIG. 7B, there are a plurality of zero cross points DF1, DF2, DF3. Further, in the latter half of the output signal SG in the area A of FIG. 6, there is one large waveform that is convex on the negative side as a whole, and the waveform is not disturbed. Therefore, one zero-cross point DF4 exists in the latter half of the differential signal DF in the area A.

The zero-cross points DF1 and DF3 are positions where the differential signal DF switches from − to +, while the zero-cross points DF2 and DF4 are positions where the differential signal DF switches from + to −. That is, the zero-cross points DF1 and DF3 and the zero-cross points DF2 and DF4 exist at positions where the gradient of the differential signal DF is opposite. The zero-cross points DF1 and DF3 correspond to the maximum values (peak positions SG1 and SG3) of the output signal SG, while the zero-cross points DF2 and DF4 correspond to the minimum values (peak positions SG2 and SG4) of the output signal SG. .. That is, the direction of the peak of the output signal SG corresponding to the zero-cross points DF1 and DF3 is opposite to the direction of the peak of the output signal SG corresponding to the zero-cross points DF2 and DF4.

Hereinafter, the process of identifying the peak position Pv of the area A will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. The control unit 40 first detects a zero-cross point of the differential signal DF in the area A (step ST1). Next, the peak position (candidate position) corresponding to the zero-cross point DF1 is detected from the output signal SG, and the integration processing of the output signal SG is started with the candidate position as the starting point (step ST2). Specifically, when the zero-cross point DF1 (see FIG. 7B) that switches from − to + is detected in step ST1, the peak position SG1 corresponding to the detected zero-cross point DF1 is detected in step ST2 (see FIG. 7). (See (b)), and this peak position SG1 is set as a candidate position. Then, the integration processing of the output signal SG is started with the candidate position (peak position SG1) as the starting point. The integration process is performed by inputting the output signal SG to the integration circuit or by executing a program for performing the integration process.

In steps ST3 to ST5, the control unit 40 obtains an integrated value from the candidate position (peak position SG1) to another peak position whose peak direction is opposite. Then, the integration is continued until a peak position at which the integrated value becomes equal to or larger than the reference value SV appears. Then, when the integrated value up to another peak position with the opposite peak direction is equal to or greater than the reference value SV (step ST5: Yes), it is determined that the peak position Pv to be counted is present (step ST6). .. As described above, when there is a peak due to a fine disturbance of the output signal SG, the integrated value from one peak position to the next opposite peak position is small within the range of this disturbance. Therefore, by determining whether or not the integrated value is equal to or greater than the reference value SV, it is possible to reduce the possibility that a small disturbance of the output signal SG is erroneously determined to be the peak position Pv corresponding to the number of cards 2. ..

Specifically, when starting the integration process in step ST2, the control unit 40 detects whether or not a zero-cross point whose slope of the differential signal DF is opposite to the zero-cross point corresponding to the candidate position (peak position SG1) is detected. Is monitored (step ST3). The candidate position is the peak position SG1 on the maximum side, and the differential signal DF switches from + to − at the zero-cross point DF1. Therefore, in step ST3, the zero-cross point at which the differential signal DF switches from − to + is detected. When it is detected (step ST3: Yes), the process proceeds to step ST4. For example, when the control unit 40 detects the zero-cross point DF2 at which the differential signal DF switches from − to +, the control unit 40 proceeds to step ST4. If not detected (step ST3: No), integration is continued (step ST5).

In step ST4, the control unit 40 determines whether the integrated value is the reference value SV or more. The reference value SV is a preset value. For example, assuming a large waveform in which the fine disturbance of the output signal SG is removed, the peak interval (that is, the section corresponding to one waveform) is used as an integration section, and the output signal SG is integrated by a predetermined coefficient (for example, The reference value SV can be determined by multiplying by 0.5). Alternatively, the control unit 40 may calculate the reference value SV each time the output signal SG is acquired from the sensors 16 to 18. For example, each time the output signal SG is acquired, its peak value can be detected, and the reference value SV can be calculated based on the peak value.

When the integrated value is not greater than or equal to the reference value SV (step ST4: No), the control unit 40 continues the integration (step ST5). For example, in the example shown in FIG. 7A, although the zero-cross point DF2 in which the slope of the differential signal DF is opposite to the zero-cross point DF1 is detected, the integral value INT1 up to the peak position SG2 corresponding to the zero-cross point DF2 is the reference value. It is less than the value SV. Therefore, in this case, the integration is continued, and the integration is continued until the next zero-cross point DF4 having a slope opposite to that of the zero-cross point DF1 is detected. As shown in FIG. 7C, the integral value INT2 up to the peak position SG4 corresponding to the next zero cross point DF4 is equal to or greater than the reference value SV (step ST5: Yes). Therefore, in this case, the process proceeds to step ST6 and it is determined that the peak position Pv to be counted exists.

In step ST7, the control unit 40 identifies the peak position Pv to be counted. For example, the candidate position (peak position SG1) that is the starting point of the integration process is specified as the peak position Pv. Alternatively, another position can be specified as the peak position Pv. For example, in the example shown in FIGS. 7A and 7C, another peak position SG3 is provided between the candidate position (peak position SG1) and the position (peak position SG4) where the integrated value is equal to or greater than the reference value SV. Exists. Therefore, in this case, either one of the two peak positions SG1 and SG3 or an intermediate position between the two peak positions SG1 and SG3 can be set as the peak position Pv. For example, from the coordinate L1 of the peak position SG1 and the coordinate L3 of the peak position SG3, the intermediate position (L1+L3)/2 can be calculated and used as the coordinate of the peak position Pv.

After specifying the peak position Pv, the control unit 40 proceeds to the process of specifying the peak position Bv (bottom position). For example, the control unit 40 resets the integrated value and starts the integration with the next candidate position as the starting point (step ST8). For example, the integration is started with the peak position SG4 for which the previous integration processing has been completed as the next candidate position. Then, the process returns to step ST3 and the processes of steps ST3 to ST7 are performed. Thereby, the peak position Bv is specified. Hereinafter, the peak positions Pv and Bv are alternately specified by repeating the processing of steps ST3 to ST8.

In the above process, the integration is continued until the integrated value becomes equal to or larger than the reference value SV, but when the integrated value up to the peak position SG2 corresponding to the next zero cross point DF2 is less than the reference value SV, You can also terminate the integration. In this case, the integration processing is started with the peak position SG2 corresponding to the zero-cross point DF2 as the next candidate position. Alternatively, it is determined that the peak position SG2 corresponding to the zero cross point DF2 is not the peak position Bv (bottom position), the next zero cross point DF3 is detected, and the peak position SG3 corresponding to the next zero cross point DF3 is set as the next candidate position. Start the integration process. Then, if the integrated value up to the next zero-cross point DF4 is equal to or greater than the reference value SV, the control unit 40 determines that the peak position Pv to be counted exists. Then, the process of identifying the peak position Pv is performed.

In this case, the peak position SG3 is determined to be the peak position Pv to be counted. Alternatively, a predetermined position between the previous candidate position (peak position SG1) where the integrated value is less than the reference value SV and the current candidate position (peak position SG3) where the integrated value is equal to or larger than the reference value SV is set. It can also be determined to be the peak position Pv to be counted. For example, the intermediate position (L1+L3)/2 can be calculated from the coordinate L1 of the peak position SG1 and the coordinate L3 of the peak position SG3 to obtain the coordinate of the peak position Pv to be counted.

As described above, when a plurality of peak positions exist in the section until the integrated value becomes equal to or larger than the reference value SV, a predetermined position calculated from the plurality of peak positions is adopted as the peak position Pv to be counted. You can By doing this, when calculating the peak interval, it is possible to reduce variations in the peak interval.

(Ranking of the count value of the number of cards)
The control unit 40 performs a process of counting the number of cards 2 stored in the card cassette 3a based on the output signal SG obtained from each of the sensors 16 to 18. That is, the process of specifying the peak positions Pv and Bv is performed on the output signals SG obtained from the sensors 16 to 18, and the count value of the number of cards is calculated based on the specified peak positions Pv and Bv. Further, the control unit 40 performs a process of ranking the calculated count value into four stages of A rank to D rank based on the “probability” of the calculated count value.

(Criteria for ranking)
In the present embodiment, as the “probability” used in the process of ranking the count value of the card 2 into the A rank to the D rank, the “first probabilities”, “second probabilities”, and “third probabilities” are used. Three types are used. As will be described in detail later, the “first certainty” is the “certainty of the calculated number of cards 2”. The "second certainty" is "certainty that the type and shape of the card 2 are correct". The "third certainty" is "certainty that the card 2 is correctly stored in the card cassette 3a".

The criteria for A rank to D rank are as shown in the following (1) to (4).
(1) A rank is high in "first probability", "second probability", and "third probability". (2) In B rank, "first probability" is about the same as A rank and "first probability". At least one of "2 Probability" and "3rd Probability" is lower than A rank (3) In C rank, "1st Probability" is lower than A rank, "2nd Probability" and "3rd Probability" At least one of "is lower than A rank (4) In D rank, "first probability", "second probability" and "third probability" are all lower than C rank.

(Card number counting process and its ranking process)
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a process of counting the number of cards 2 and a ranking process thereof. Further, FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the waveform of the output signal SG shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the actual output signal SG has a disturbance in the peak portion of the waveform, but the waveform shown in FIG. 10 omits the disturbance in the peak portion. The control unit 40 performs the processing illustrated in FIG. 9 on the output signals SG of the sensors 16 to 18 to calculate the same number of count values as the sensors 16 to 18 and the rank information thereof.

The process of counting the number of cards 2 and the ranking process will be described below with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. As described above, the output signal SG is an analog signal. The control unit 40 first determines whether or not the output signal SG exceeds a predetermined threshold th0 (step ST11). The threshold value th0 is set to about 0.3 to 0.6 which is the maximum value of the output signal SG.
As a result, it is determined whether or not the card 2 is stored in the card cassette 3a.

Next, the control unit 40 specifies the peak position Pv and the peak position Bv (bottom position) of the output signal SG of the sensor 16 (step ST12). In this embodiment, a process of counting the number of cards 2 is performed based on the peak positions Pv and Bv. That is, the peak positions Pv and Bv are positions to be counted. As described above, the specific content of the process of step ST12 is based on the integrated value obtained by detecting the zero-cross point from the differential signal DF obtained by differentiating the output signal SG and integrating the output signal SG with the zero-cross point as the starting point. This is a process of identifying the peak positions Pv and Bv.

Following step ST12, the control unit 40 determines whether or not there is a peak position Pv on the maximum side that exceeds a predetermined threshold value th1 that is greater than the threshold value th0 (step ST13). When there is a peak position Pv exceeding the threshold th1 (step ST13: Yes), it is determined whether or not there is only one peak position Pv exceeding the threshold th1 (step ST14). When there are two or more peak positions Pv that exceed the threshold th1 (step ST14: No), the interval ti is calculated (step ST15). In the example shown in FIG. 9, t1 to t9 are calculated as the interval ti.

In addition, the control unit 40 has two or more peak positions Pv on the maximum side that exceed the threshold value th1 (step ST14: No), and the peak position Bv( on the minimum value side that is less than the predetermined threshold value th2 smaller than the threshold value th1). That is, when the number of bottom positions) is two or more, in step ST15, the interval Ti between the peak positions Bv (bottom positions) on the minimum side below the threshold th2 is calculated. In the example shown in FIG. 9, T1 to T8 are calculated as the interval Ti.

The control unit 40 determines whether the intervals ti and Ti calculated in step ST15 are normal based on the reference value RV (step ST16). For example, as the reference value RV, a value obtained by dividing the thickness of the card 2 to be counted by the moving speed of the sensors 16 to 18 is used. The control unit 40 determines that the interval ti is normal when the interval ti is within the first reference range (for example, 0.8RV to 1.2RV). If the interval Ti is within the second reference range (for example, 0.8RV to 1.2RV), it is determined that the interval Ti is normal.

(A rank judgment)
When it is determined in step ST16 that the intervals ti and Ti are normal (step ST16: Yes), the control unit 40 calculates the total time interval W and the average interval Wa (step ST17). The total time interval W is a time interval from when the output signal SG exceeds the threshold value th1 to when the output signal SG becomes equal to or less than the threshold value th1, and the average interval Wa is the number of peak positions Pv on the maximum side exceeding the threshold value th1. It is the divided value. Then, the control unit 40 determines whether or not the average interval Wa is normal based on the reference value RV (step ST18). In step ST18, if the average interval Wa is within the third reference range (for example, 0.8RV to 1.2RV), it is determined that the average interval Wa is normal.

When it is determined in step ST18 that the average interval Wa is normal (step ST18: Yes), the control unit 40 sets the number of peak positions Pv on the maximum side exceeding the threshold th1 to the number of the cards 2 stored in the card cassette 3a. As the count value (number of sheets), a process of determining this count value as the A rank is performed (step ST19). In the example shown in FIG. 10, there are 10 peak positions Pv exceeding the threshold th1. Therefore, the count value of the number of cards 2 is 10, and the rank information is A rank.

(B rank judgment)
In step ST16, the control unit 40 determines that at least one of the maximum-side peak intervals ti is out of the first reference range, and the minimum-side peak interval Ti (bottom interval).
In at least one of the two cases where at least one of them is outside the second reference range, or both, the peak interval ti outside the first reference range is equal to or less than a predetermined first reference value RV1, and It is determined whether or not the peak interval Ti (bottom interval) that is out of the two reference ranges is equal to or less than a predetermined second reference value RV2 (step ST21). For example, the first reference value RV1 is in the range of 1.6RV to 1.7RV, and the second reference value RV2 is in the range of 1.6RV to 1.7RV.

In step ST21, the peak interval ti on the maximum side deviating from the first reference range is less than or equal to the first reference value RV1, and the peak interval Ti on the minimum side deviating from the second reference range (bottom interval). Is less than or equal to the predetermined second reference value RV2 (step ST21: Yes), the control unit 40 determines the count value of the cards 2 accommodated in the card cassette 3a as the maximum peak position Pv exceeding the threshold th1. As the (number of sheets), a process of determining this count value as the B rank is performed (step ST22).

That is, in this case, the control unit 40 has the first certainty (the certainty of the number of the cards 2) that is about the same as the A rank, but, for example, the type in the cards 2 stored in the card cassette 3a It is judged that the second certainty (the certainty of the type and shape of the card 2) is lower than the A rank, and the cards are ranked as the B rank. Alternatively, in this case, the control unit 40 has the first certainty level similar to that of the A rank, but for example, the card 2 accommodated in the card cassette 3a is accommodated in an inclined state or the card 2 is accommodated. It is determined that the third certainty (the certainty of the housed state of the card 2) is lower than the A rank because there is dust trapped between the two, and it is ranked as the B rank.

In addition, when the average interval Wa is out of the third reference range in step ST18 (step ST18: No), the control section 40 proceeds to step S22. Then, as described above, the number of peak positions Pv on the maximum side exceeding the threshold value th1 is set as the count value (the number of cards) of the cards 2 accommodated in the card cassette 3a, and the process of determining this count value as the B rank is performed ( Step ST22).

That is, in this case, the control unit 40 has the first certainty (the certainty of the number of cards 2) that is about the same as the A rank, but the type and shape of the card 2 accommodated in the card cassette 3a. It is judged that the second probability is lower than the A rank, and a large number of cards 2 having different Nos.

(C rank judgment)
In step ST21, the control unit 40 determines that the maximum peak interval ti outside the first reference range exceeds the first reference value RV1, and that the minimum side outside the second reference range falls on the minimum side. In at least one of the case where the peak interval Ti (bottom interval) exceeds the second reference value RV2, the control unit 40 determines whether or not the maximum peak interval ti exceeds the first reference value RV1. Yes (step ST23).

In step ST23, if the maximum-side peak interval ti is less than or equal to the first reference value RV1, and the minimum-side peak interval Ti (bottom interval) exceeds the second reference value RV2, the process proceeds to step ST24. Calculate the correction value. That is, an integer closest to a value obtained by subtracting 1 from the value obtained by dividing the peak interval Ti (bottom interval) on the minimum side by the reference value RV is calculated as the correction value. Then, the number obtained by adding the correction value to the number of peak positions Pv on the maximum side exceeding the threshold th1 is set as the count value (the number of cards) of the cards 2 accommodated in the card cassette 3a, and this count value is determined as the C rank. (Step ST25).

That is, in this case, the control unit 40 determines that the first certainty (certainty of the number of cards 2) is lower than the A rank because the calculated count value of the number of cards 2 includes the correction value. In addition to the determination, for example, it is determined that the cards 2 accommodated in the card cassette 3a include cards 2 of different types and shapes, and the second probability is lower than A rank, or the card cassette 3a It is determined that the cards 2 accommodated in 1 are accommodated in an obliquely inclined state and the third probability is lower than the A rank, and the cards are ranked as the C rank.

On the other hand, in step ST23, when the maximum-side peak interval ti exceeds the first reference value RV1, the process proceeds to step ST26, and it is determined whether the minimum-side peak position Bv (bottom position) is equal to or less than the threshold th0. judge. If it is determined in step ST26 that the peak position Bv (bottom position) on the minimum side exceeds the threshold th0, the process proceeds to steps ST24 and ST25. Therefore, the number obtained by adding the correction value to the number of peak positions Pv on the maximum side exceeding the threshold value th1 is set as the count value (the number of cards) of the cards 2 accommodated in the card cassette 3a, and this count value is determined as C rank. ..

If the minimum peak position Bv (bottom position) is equal to or smaller than the threshold value th0 in step ST26, for example, it is determined that a gap is formed between the cards 2 stored in the card cassette 3a, and the process proceeds to step ST27. The number of peak positions Pv on the maximum side exceeding the threshold value th1 is set as the count value (the number of cards) of the cards 2 accommodated in the card cassette 3a, and this count value is determined as C rank.

That is, in this case, the control unit 40 determines that the first likelihood is lower than the A rank, and at least one of the second likelihood and the third likelihood is lower than the A rank, and C Rank and rank.

As described above, the control unit 40 calculates based on the comparison result between the first reference range and the first reference value RV1 calculated based on the reference value RV and the peak interval ti on the maximum side, or the reference value RV. Based on the result of comparison between the second reference range and the second reference value RV2 and the peak interval Ti (bottom interval) on the minimum side, the number of cards 2 accommodated in the card cassette 3a is counted and the A rank is set. , B rank, and C rank.

That is, in the control unit 40, all the peak intervals ti on the maximum side of the output signal SG are within the first reference range, and all the peak intervals Ti (bottom interval) on the minimum side are within the second reference range. Further, when the average interval Wa is within the third reference range, the count value obtained from the peak position Pv of the output signal SG is determined to be A rank.

Moreover, when at least one of the peak intervals ti on the maximum side deviates from the first reference range and the peak interval ti deviating from the first reference range is the first reference value RV1 or less, the control unit 40 minimizes the minimum. If at least one of the peak intervals Ti (bottom interval) on the side is outside the second reference range and the peak interval Ti outside the second reference range is equal to or less than the second reference value RV2, and the average interval Wa Is outside the third reference range, and in at least one of the cases, the count value obtained from the peak position Pv of the output signal SG is determined to be the B rank.

Then, the control unit 40 determines that the maximum-side peak interval ti is out of the first reference range and the maximum-side peak interval ti outside the first reference range exceeds the first reference value RV1, and At least one of the case where the minimum-side peak interval Ti (bottom interval) is out of the second reference range and is outside the second reference range, and the minimum-side peak interval Ti exceeds the second reference value RV2. Then, the count value obtained from the peak position Pv of the output signal SG is ranked C rank.

(A rank and D rank judgment other than the above)
In step ST14, when the number of peak positions Pv on the maximum side exceeding the threshold value th1 is “1” (step ST14: Yes), it is determined whether the total time interval W is equal to or less than a predetermined third reference value RV3. Yes (step ST29). When the total time interval W is equal to or less than the third reference value RV3 in step ST29 (step ST29: Yes), the control unit 40 sets the number of cards 2 accommodated in the card cassette 3a to "1" and ranks A. Rank (step ST30).

On the other hand, when the total time interval W exceeds the third reference value RV3 (step ST29: No), the control unit 40 calculates a value obtained by dividing the total time interval W by the reference value RV (step ST31). The value is set to the number of cards 2 accommodated in the card cassette 3a and ranked D rank (step ST32). That is, in this case, the control unit 40 determines that the first probability is lower than the C rank because the calculated number of cards 2 is a completely estimated value based on the total time interval W and the reference value RV. At the same time, it is determined that at least one of the second likelihood and the third likelihood is lower than the C rank, and is ranked as the D rank. For example, when the reflectivity of the card 2 is low and the peak positions Pv and Bv of the output signal SG are not clear, it is ranked D rank.

Further, in step ST13, when all the peak positions Pv of the output signal SG do not exceed the threshold value th1 (step ST13: No), the control unit 40 calculates a value obtained by dividing the total time interval W by the reference value RV ( In step ST33), this value is set as the number of cards 2 stored in the card cassette 3a and is ranked D rank (step ST34). That is, in this case, the control unit 40 determines that the first probability is lower than the C rank because the calculated number of cards 2 is a completely estimated value based on the total time interval W and the reference value RV. At the same time, it is determined that at least one of the second likelihood and the third likelihood is lower than the C rank, and is ranked as the D rank.

When the output signal SG does not exceed the threshold value th0 in step ST11 (step ST11: No), the control unit 40 sets the number of the cards 2 accommodated in the card cassette 3a to "0" and sets this value to "0". It is ranked A rank (step ST36). For example, when the output signal SG does not change at all, the number of cards 2 is determined to be 0, and the card is ranked A.

(Weighting the count value obtained from multiple sensors)
In this embodiment, the card counting mechanism 4 includes a plurality of sensors 16-18. The control unit 40 drives the card counting mechanism 4 to move the sensors 16 to 18 from the lower limit position H1 to the upper limit position H2, which is a first measurement operation, and the sensors 16 to 18 from the upper limit position H2 to the lower limit. The descending operation which is the second measuring operation of moving to the position H1 is performed. By one measurement operation (ascending operation or descending operation), the same number of count values as the number of sensors 16 to 18 are obtained, and rank information for each count value is obtained.

The control unit 40 performs a process of weighting a plurality of count values obtained by one measurement operation based on the rank information of each count value, and which count value is selected based on the weighting result. Is performed. Then, a process of outputting the selected count value to the upper control unit is performed. For example, the control unit 40 performs a process of outputting the count value selected based on the weighting result to the control unit of the card issuing device 10 in which the card counting device 1 is mounted. The control unit 40 outputs a plurality of count values and rank information to the control unit of the card issuing device 10, and the control unit of the card issuing device 10 selects the count value based on the weighting result. It is also possible to perform a process for determining whether or not.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of weighting for the count value. As shown in FIG. 11A, weighting points NA, NB, NC, and ND are associated with the A rank to the D rank, respectively. This score is determined in advance and stored in the control unit 40. Further, FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a process of selecting a count value based on the ranking result. The control unit 40 performs the process of FIG. 12 every time one measurement operation (the upward movement or the downward movement of the sensors 16 to 18) is performed. First, in step ST41, the count value of the number of cards 2 is calculated for each sensor based on the output signals SG of the sensors 16 to 18, and the count value is ranked based on the accuracy of the calculated count value. I do. The details of the process of step S41 are as already described.

In step ST42, the control unit 40 performs a process of associating each count value with a weighting score based on the ranking result. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 11B, since the count values of the sensors 16, 17, and 18 are ranked in ranks A, B, and D, respectively, the weighting points for these count values are NA and NB. , ND. Next, in steps ST43 to ST44, a process of selecting any of the plurality of count values based on the weighting result is performed. Then, the process proceeds to step ST45, and the process of outputting the selected count value to the upper control unit is performed.

In step ST43, the control unit 40 performs a process of totaling points for each count value. For example, as shown in FIG. 11B, when the count values of the sensors 16 and 17 are N1 and the count value of the sensor 18 is N2, the total of the weighting points for each of the count values N1 and N2. Calculate the value. The total points for the count values N1 and N2 are calculated as shown in FIG. That is, the total value of the weighting points for the count value N1 is NA+NB, and the total value of the weighting points for the count value N2 is ND. In step ST44, the control unit 40 selects the count value having the largest total value of the weighted points. For example, the magnitude of NA+NB and ND is determined, and when NA+NB>ND, the count value N1 is selected.

As described above, the control unit 40 can perform a process of selecting a count value to be adopted from the obtained count values every time one measurement operation (a rising operation or a descending operation) is performed. It is also possible to perform a process of selecting a count value to be adopted from the count values obtained by performing the measurement operation once. For example, when the card counting mechanism 4 is driven to reciprocate the sensors 16 to 18 between the lower limit position H1 and the upper limit position H2, two sensors are provided for each sensor from the output signals SG of the sensors 16 to 18. Is obtained. Therefore, the control unit 40 ranks each of the six count values in total to any of the above A rank to D rank, and weights each count value based on the rank information NA, NB, NC. , ND, and a process of selecting the count value to be adopted can be performed based on the result of the weighting.

As a result of summing up the weighting points for each count value, if the total values for a plurality of count values become the same, the count value to be adopted cannot be determined. In such a case, for example, the measurement operation is performed again, the count value obtained by the additional measurement operation is added, or the count value obtained by the additional measurement operation is weighted. The results can be aggregated and the count value to be adopted can be determined.

Further, although the present embodiment includes a plurality of sensors, the number of sensors is not limited to three and may be two or four or more. Further, the number of sensors may be one. When the number of sensors is one, the measurement operation is performed a plurality of times, the obtained count values are ranked, the count values are weighted, and the weighting points are set for each count value. It is also possible to perform a process of selecting the count value to be adopted by totaling. Further, the number of ranks for ranking and the criteria for ranking are not limited to the above-described form, but can be changed as appropriate.

Moreover, when the same count value is obtained from a plurality of sensors, the weighting score for the count value can be increased. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 11B, the count values of the sensors 16 and 17 are N1 and coincide with each other. Then, only one count value N2 different from N1 is calculated. Therefore, in this case, the weighted score can be increased with respect to the count values of the sensors 16 and 17. Alternatively, when the same count value is obtained from a plurality of sensors, it can be decided to select the count value. For example, the count values obtained from a plurality of sensors can be adopted by performing processing such as weighting other count values to 0.

(Main effects of this embodiment)
As described above, the method of counting the number of cards 2 by the card counting device 1 of the present embodiment performs the measurement operation of moving the carriage 19 on which the sensors 16 to 18 are mounted in the vertical direction Z, and outputs the output signals of the sensors 16 to 18. Based on SG, a count value obtained by counting the number of cards 2 is calculated for each sensor. Then, the calculated count value is ranked in any one of A rank to D rank based on the "probability", a plurality of count values are weighted based on the ranking result, and based on the weighting result, A process of selecting one of the plurality of count values is performed. Thereby, the count value to be adopted can be determined in consideration of the ranks of all the count values. Therefore, it is highly possible that a count value having a high rank is adopted. Further, when the count values of a plurality of sensors match, the count value is likely to be adopted. Therefore, since it is highly possible to select a count value close to the accurate number of sheets, it is possible to accurately count the number of card-shaped media.

In this embodiment, the carriage 19 on which the sensors 16 to 18 are mounted is moved up from the lower limit position H1 to the upper limit position H2 (first measurement operation), and the sensors 16 to 18 are moved from the upper limit position H2 to the lower limit position H1. One or both of the descending operation (second measurement operation) to be performed is performed, and the processing of determining the count value to be adopted from the count values obtained by the measurement operation once or plural times is performed. When the measurement operation is performed a plurality of times, the weighted results for a large number of count values can be aggregated. Therefore, since there is a high possibility that a count value close to the accurate number value can be adopted, the number of card-shaped media can be accurately counted.

In the present embodiment, when the count values obtained from the plurality of sensors match, the weight of the count value can be increased. Alternatively, when a plurality of count values match, it is possible to determine that the count value is selected. By doing so, it is highly possible that a count value close to an accurate number value can be adopted. Therefore, it is possible to accurately count the number of card-shaped media.

In this embodiment, the count values are ranked based on the certainty of the count values. The certainty of the count value includes the certainty of the number of sheets, the certainty of the type and shape of the card 2, and the certainty of the accommodation state of the card 2. As a result, appropriate ranking can be performed. Therefore, it is possible to accurately count the number of card-shaped media.

Further, in the method of counting the number of cards 2 by the card counting device 1 of the present embodiment, the peak position of the waveform based on the fact that the boundaries between the end faces 2b of the cards 2 and the end faces 2b appear alternately from the output signals of the sensors 16-18. In order to detect Bv and Bv, a differential signal DF obtained by differentiating the output signal SG is generated, and a zero-cross point at which the absolute value of the differential signal DF becomes zero is detected. Then, when the zero-cross point is detected, the output signal SG is integrated with the peak position (candidate position: eg, peak position SG1) corresponding to the detected zero-cross point as the starting point, and when the integrated value becomes the reference value SV or more, the counting target It is determined that the peak position Pv (or peak position Bv) exists, and the peak position Pv (or peak position Bv) to be counted is specified. By doing so, it is less likely that the fine maximum value and the minimum value due to the unevenness of the end surface 2b of the card 2 will be the counting target. Therefore, since it is not necessary to increase the gap between the cards 2 by a mechanism such as blowing an air flow, it is possible to accurately count the number of cards 2 with a device having a simple structure.

In this embodiment, if the integrated value does not exceed the reference value SV, it is determined that the peak positions Pv and Bv to be counted do not exist. Then, the integration is continued until the integrated value becomes the reference value SV or more. Alternatively, the integration value can be reset, a new candidate position can be set, and the integration can be started from the new candidate position. For example, when the integrated value up to the peak position SG2 is less than the reference value SV, the integration is continued up to the next peak position SG4. Alternatively, the integrated value is reset and integration is started with the peak position SG2 or SG3 as a new candidate position. In any case, when the integration is performed up to the peak position SG4, it is determined that the integrated value is equal to or greater than the reference value SV, and thus it is determined that the peak position Pv to be counted exists. In this way, by making the integrated value equal to or greater than the reference value SV as the determination reference, the fine maximum and minimum values due to the unevenness of the end surface 2b of the card 2 are the peak positions Pv and Bv to be counted. There is little risk of misjudgment. Therefore, it is possible to accurately count the number of cards 2.

In the present embodiment, when the integrated value becomes equal to or larger than the reference value SV, the candidate position can be set as the peak position Pv (or peak position Bv) to be counted. Alternatively, a predetermined peak position different from the candidate position can be set as the peak position Pv (or peak position Bv) to be counted. Further, an intermediate position between the candidate position and another predetermined peak position can be set as the peak position Pv (or peak position Bv). For example, either the peak position SG1 or the peak position SG3 shown in FIGS. 7A and 7C can be set as the peak position Pv to be counted. Further, an intermediate position between the peak positions SG1 and SG3 can be set as the peak position Pv to be counted. By doing this, when the waveform is disturbed, the peak position Pv can be set at the intermediate position in the range where the waveform is disturbed.

In the present embodiment, the reference value SV for determining the integrated value is set in advance, but every time the measurement operation by the sensors 16 to 18 is performed, the output signal SG of the sensors 16 to 18 obtained by the measurement operation is set. Based on this, the reference value SV can be determined. For example, if the reference value SV is determined based on the peak value of the output signals SG of the sensors 16 to 18, the peak positions Pv and Bv to be counted can be accurately specified.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Card-shaped medium number counting device (card counting device), 2... Card-shaped medium (card), 2a... Magnetic stripe, 2b... End face, 3... Card storage part, 3a... Card cassette, 3b... Support part, 3c... Right side wall, 3d... Left side wall, 3e... Front side wall, 3f... Rear side wall, 3g... Bottom part, 3k... Through hole, 4... Card counting mechanism, 5... Card sending mechanism, 5a... Sending pawl, 6 ... card reader, 7... card accommodating device, 8... card conveying device, 9... weight, 10... card issuing device, 16-18... sensor, 19... carriage, 19a... arranging hole, 20... carriage drive mechanism, 21... frame Part, 22... Circuit board, 23... Circuit board, 26... Upper frame, 27... Lower frame, 28... Guide shaft, 29... Vertical frame, 30... Guide bush, 32... Motor, 33... Lead screw, 40... Control section , 41... Amplifying circuit, 42... Conversion circuit, 43... Cable, 44... Circuit board, 45... CPU, 46... Driving circuit, Pv, Bv... Peak position, DF... Differential signal, DF1-DF4... Zero cross point, H1... Lower limit position, H2... Upper limit position, HP... Home position, SG... Output signal, SG1 to SG4... Peak position, th0, th1, th2... Output signal SG threshold value, W... Total time interval, X... Front-rear direction, +X... Front side, -X... rear side, Y... left/right direction, +Y... right side, -Y... left side, Z... up/down direction, +Z... up, -Z... down.

Claims (6)

A method for counting the number of card-shaped media that counts the number of card-shaped media that overlap in the thickness direction,
Performing a measurement operation of moving an optical sensor that emits light toward the end surface of the card-shaped medium and receives the reflected light in the thickness direction of the card-shaped medium,
Based on the output signal output from the optical sensor, calculate the count value of the number of the card-shaped medium,
Rank the count values based on the probability of the calculated count value,
A card characterized in that each of the plurality of count values is weighted based on a result of the ranking with respect to the count value, and one of the plurality of count values is selected based on a result of the weighting. Method for counting the number of sheet media. The measurement operation is an operation of moving the plurality of optical sensors in a thickness direction of a card-shaped medium,
Based on the output signal output from each of the plurality of optical sensors, a count value of the number of the card-shaped medium is calculated for each optical sensor,
Each of the plurality of count values calculated for each of the optical sensors is weighted based on a result of the ranking with respect to the count value, and based on the result of the weighting, one of the plurality of count values. 2. The method for counting the number of card-shaped mediums according to claim 1, wherein is selected. The measurement operation is a first measurement operation of moving the optical sensor to one side in the thickness direction of the card-shaped medium, and a second measurement operation of moving the optical sensor to the other side in the thickness direction of the card-shaped medium. 3. The method for counting the number of card-shaped media according to claim 1, wherein one or both of the measurement operations are performed. When a part of the plurality of the count values match, the weighting of the matched count value is increased, or the matched count value is selected. The method for counting the number of card-shaped media according to any one of claims. The certainty is the first certainty that is the certainty of the calculated number of the card-shaped medium, the second certainty that is the certainty that the type or shape of the card-shaped medium is correct, and the card-shaped medium is Including the third certainty which is the certainty that the medium is accommodated in the correct state,
The first likelihood, the second likelihood, and the third likelihood have the highest A rank among all ranks, the first likelihood has the same degree as the A rank, and the second likelihood At least one of the certainty and the third certainty is lower than the A rank, the first certainty is lower than the A rank, and at least the second certainty and the third certainty. 5. The card-shaped medium number counting method according to claim 1, wherein the count value is ranked into a plurality of ranks, one of which is a C rank lower than the A rank. A card-shaped medium number counting device for counting the number of card-shaped mediums overlapping in the thickness direction,
A medium accommodating portion for accommodating the card-shaped medium overlapping in the thickness direction,
An optical sensor that emits light toward the end face of the card-shaped medium and receives the reflected light,
A sensor moving mechanism for moving the optical sensor in the thickness direction of the card-shaped medium,
A control unit to which an output signal of the optical sensor is input,
The control unit is
A process of calculating the count value of the number of the card-shaped medium based on the output signal output from the optical sensor, and a process of ranking the count value based on the certainty of the calculated count value,
A process of weighting each of the plurality of count values based on a result of the ranking of the count values;
A card-shaped medium number counting device, which performs a process of selecting one of the plurality of count values based on a result of the weighting.

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