JPH03139786A - Paper money discriminator - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a paper money discriminator inexpensive and with high reliability by counting frequency at every group based on the magnitude of light from each micro area extending over the entire plane of a note to be discriminated, comparing and collating a result with reference frequency at every group by a regular note, and discriminating the truth/falsehood of the paper money and the kind of money. CONSTITUTION:The frequency by the magnitude of reflected light at all the areas divided into areas with prescribed angles, for example, around 70,000 areas are detected with a counter part 53 extending over the entire plane of the paper money, while, the distribution of the frequency detected with the regular paper money is stored in a memory part 54. Frequency distribution by the regular note is shown by taking the output value of a group as an axis of obscissa, and the frequency as an axis of coordinate. A comparative collation part 55 collates the distribution of the frequency that becomes reference stored in the memory part 54 with that of the frequency generated by reading from the note actually, and the truth/falsehood of the note and the kind of money are discriminated. Thereby, it is possible to obtain the paper money discriminator inexpensive and with high reliability.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a banknote validating device for validating banknotes in an automatic transaction device such as an automatic teller machine or an automatic teller machine (ATM).

(Prior Art) Fig. 2 is a plan view of a bill validating section of a conventional bill validating device in an automatic transaction device, particularly an automatic teller machine. 97th year
No. 704).

In the figure, T, , T2 are skew amount detection sensors arranged perpendicular to the running direction (arrow direction) of the banknote 1, and the timing of the output of these skew amount detection sensors T, , T2 determines the amount of the banknote. The amount of skew (angle θ) is calculated by the calculation unit.

Wl and W2 are sensor groups that detect the position of the banknote in the width direction with respect to the path, and detect the position of the banknote in the width direction based on a change in output due to the passage of the banknote. The sensor groups W, W2 arranged on the left and right also detect the banknote size. Note that D is a drive roller.

FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) are diagrams showing reference data contents of the memory in the conventional banknote validating device shown in FIG. 2. Third
Figures (a) and (b) show the area y in the banknote 1 in the banknote validating device shown in FIG.

Tracks in the y and y' force directions for y' (here, l
O track) and move the zone (
Here, data (reference data) based on regular banknotes are set in the form of "1°°,""0°".

When the banknote 1 arrives obliquely as shown by the diagonal lines in FIG. 2, the data from the skew amount detection sensors Tl, T2 and the banknote width direction position detection sensor groups W+, W2 are detected.
The amount of skew (angle θ) and position are detected based on the data from From this, regular reference data at the time of oblique travel is extracted. The extracted standard data values are compared with the values output by the discrimination sensors S and S' shown in FIG. 2 to determine the authenticity and denomination of the banknotes that have arrived obliquely.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, the conventional banknote validating device described above has the following problems.

(1) Sensors T, , T2 for detecting the amount of skew, a conversion calculation unit for the amount of skew, and a circuit for correcting skew due to tracks, zones, etc. are required. Moreover, four types of standard patterns for reference determination are required for one denomination: front and back, front and rear, and therefore a large memory capacity is required. Therefore, the cost becomes high.

(2) Since only the data in a certain area (hatched area) of the banknote 1 is applied to the banknote identification, the reliability of the banknote recognition is low.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of these conventional problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a banknote validating device that is inexpensive and has high reliability in banknote validating.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention provides a banknote discrimination device that detects the magnitude of light from a banknote to be discriminated and determines the authenticity, denomination, etc. of the banknote based on this. A light source that irradiates a banknote linearly in a direction perpendicular to the running direction of the banknote and at regular intervals with respect to the running direction of the banknote; a sensor having an optical system that forms an image of the light of the banknote; and a light-receiving section that can finely divide the image formed over the entire width of the banknote by this optical system into linear shapes and detect each of them; an output value determination unit that divides each signal photoelectrically converted by the unit into a plurality of blocks based on the size of the signal and sends out a signal belonging to each block; A counter unit that sequentially adds up the number of signals belonging to the corresponding block block by block until the banknote passes the irradiation position of the light source, and a counter unit that stores the number of signals for each block that is a reference for regular banknotes. The memory unit compares and verifies the number of signals for each block by the counter unit with the number of signals for each block that is a standard based on regular banknotes stored in the memory unit, and determines the authenticity, denomination, etc. of the banknote. and a comparison/verification section that performs the determination.

(Function) Therefore, the light source irradiates the banknotes to be discriminated that are being transported in a straight line in a direction perpendicular to the running direction of the banknotes and at regular intervals with respect to the running direction of the banknotes. The optical system then forms an image of the light from the bill on the light receiving section. In this case, the light receiving section can detect the image formed over the entire width of the banknote by dividing it into fine lines. Each signal photoelectrically converted by the light receiving section is divided into a plurality of blocks by the output value judgment section based on the magnitude of the signal, and the signals belonging to each block are supplied to the counter section, where each The number of signals belonging to each block is sequentially added up until the banknote passes the irradiation position by the light source. Then, the comparison and verification section compares and verifies the number of signals for each block output by the counter section and the number of signals for each block serving as a standard based on the regular banknotes stored in the memory section, and determines whether the banknote is genuine or not. , denomination, etc.

Therefore, no matter how obliquely the banknote travels, or even if the banknote is inserted into the conveyance path of the banknote validator in the opposite direction, the frequency distribution (distribution of the number of signals per block) remains the same.
Therefore, there is no need for a complicated circuit for correcting the amount of skew as in the past, and 1 is used as a standard pattern for reference judgment.
It is possible to provide an inexpensive bill validating device that requires only two denominations, front and back, and requires less memory capacity. In addition, since data on the entire banknote can be used,
It is possible to provide a banknote validating device that is more reliable and accurate than ever before.

(Example) Next, an example of the present invention will be described using the drawings. In the embodiments of the present invention, a case of a banknote validating device in an automatic transaction device, particularly an automatic deposit machine, will be described.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual plan view of the main parts of the banknote validating device of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a banknote to be discriminated, and 2 is a contact type image sensor having a reading line 4 perpendicular to an arrow A in the traveling direction of the banknote 1 on a conveyance path 3.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a cross-sectional configuration of the contact type image sensor 2 of FIG. 1. The contact image sensor 2 includes a light source 21 that illuminates the banknote 1, a focusing rod lens array 22,
It is composed of a light receiving section 25. Here, the light source 21 linearly irradiates the entire area of the reading line 4. The focusing rod lens array 22 is arranged so that one focal point is on the surface of the banknote 1 and the other focal point is on the light receiving element 24 of the light receiving section 25. This focusing rod lens array 22 transmits reflected light from the reading line 4 over the entire length of the reading line 4 on the surface of the banknote 1 to the light receiving element 24 of the light receiving unit 25.
An image is formed on top. Moreover, the light receiving unit 25
The light receiving element 24 is arranged in a straight line on the substrate 23. In this light receiving element 24, photoelectric conversion light receiving windows are arranged at intervals of, for example, 0.5 mm on the reading line 4.
The reading lines are provided in the direction corresponding to the entire length of the banknote l in the four directions. It goes without saying that the light receiving section 25 is electrically connected to a drive control circuit section (not shown). Further, the length of the reading line 4 is made to be longer than the length of the diagonal line of the largest banknote among the various banknotes.

Note that the banknote 1 is conveyed to the reading line 4 of the contact image sensor 2 at a high speed of 2 m/sec, but in this case, the position of the banknote 1 is perpendicular to the running direction A as shown in FIG. This is almost impossible with normal transportation methods.

Next, the operation will be explained using FIGS. 5 and 6 together. In addition, FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the banknote validating device of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a frequency distribution diagram of the banknote validating device of the present invention.

0 When the banknote 1 is conveyed on the conveyance path 3 and reaches the position of the reading line 4 of the contact type image sensor 2, the light emitted from the light source 21 illuminates the banknote 1 as shown in FIG. This light is reflected by the banknote 1, but the magnitude of the reflected light (the amount of reflected light) varies depending on the pattern printed on the banknote. For example, the reflected light (quantity of reflected light) at a place printed in black is small (less), and the reflected light (quantity of reflected light) at a white part is large (increased).

All of these reflected lights pass through the convergent rod lens array 22.
An image is formed on the light receiving element 24 of the light receiving section 25. The reflected light that enters the photoelectric conversion light receiving window provided in the light receiving element 24 corresponding to the entire area of the reading line 4 is photoelectrically converted by the light receiving element 24, and an electric signal corresponding to the magnitude of the reflected light from the banknote 1 is generated. Output as strength/weakness.

One line of signal data output from the contact image sensor 2 (assuming the length of one line is 200 mm, approximately 4
00) are divided into, for example, 64 groups by the output value determination unit 52, depending on the strength of the electric signal. In this case, if the location corresponding to the photoelectric conversion light-receiving window on the reading line 4 of the banknote 1 is white and the reflected light is the largest, it is set to group 64, and if that location is black and the reflected light is the smallest, then it is set to group 64. set it to group 1,
Group 2 to Group 6 depending on the size of the reflected light.
It is divided into 62 groups like 3.

Therefore, in the output value determination section 52, each line of signal data output from the contact image sensor 2 is divided into groups corresponding to any of groups 1 to 64 depending on the strength of the signal, and each The number of signals belonging to a group is counted by a counter section 53.

The banknote 1 is moved by a driving roller (not shown) in the six directions of the arrows in FIG.
The electrical signals for one line (output signals for one line from the contact image sensor 2) are divided into groups by the output determination section 52, and the counter section 53 divides the signals belonging to each group. At the next moment after counting the number of bills, the contact image sensor 2 reads the line at a position 0.5 mm off from the previously read line on the banknote 11 in the same way as described above. The magnitude of the reflected light depending on the position is converted into the strength of an electrical signal, and the output value determination section 52 distributes the signal to the corresponding group from group 1 to group 64, and the counter section 53 calculates the number of the groups for each group. are added and the number is reset.

Such operations are repeated until the banknote 1 passes the reading line 4 of the image sensor 2.

By doing the above, the entire surface of the banknote 1 will be covered by 0.5 mm.
All areas divided into corner areas (for example, approximately 70,000)
The counter unit 53 detects the frequency based on the magnitude of the reflected light.

The frequency distribution detected by the method described above using genuine banknotes is stored in the memory unit 54. The frequency distribution (reference data) of this regular banknote is illustrated as shown in FIG. 6, for example. In FIG. 6, the horizontal axis shows the groups (group 1 to group 2 64) (output value), and the vertical axis shows the frequency (the number of objects corresponding to the group). The comparison and verification unit 55 compares the standard frequency distribution stored in the memory unit 54 with the frequency distribution created by actually reading the banknote 1, and determines the authenticity and denomination of the banknote. and output the results. It goes without saying that the data stored in the memory section 54 is data on the front and back sides of various banknotes. However, compared to the prior art, there is no need for data before and after each type of banknote, so the capacity of the memory section 54 can be smaller than the conventional one, resulting in lower costs.

Furthermore, visible light, infrared light, laser light, or the like is used as the light emitted by the light source 21 that illuminates the banknote 1. , especially light source 2
When infrared light is used as the first light, the following two results will be obtained for reading the black pattern printed on the banknote L. That is, mixed colors (for example, a mixture of yellow, magenta, and cyan)
The black color reflected by infrared light is dropped out and becomes white. Furthermore, the black caused by carbon also becomes black when reflected by infrared light. Taking this into account, it goes without saying that counterfeit banknotes produced by a color copying machine or the like using a mixed color system can be easily identified using infrared light. In this case, reference data (frequency distribution) using infrared light
This is because the actual data (frequency distribution) for counterfeit banknotes obtained by infrared light and infrared light are clearly different for the above-mentioned reasons.

In addition, an infrared L E
A D (light emitting diode) light source may be used to emit infrared light, or the light source 2 may emit infrared light.
1, a composite light source consisting of an infrared LED and a visible light LED may be used, and the infrared LED light source and the visible light LED light source may be turned on alternately for each line of the banknote 1 to be read. In the latter case, the contents of the memory section 54 (frequency distribution serving as reference data) based on regular banknotes are also obtained by lighting an infrared LED light source and a visible light LED light source alternately for each line of reading. There are two types of reference data (frequency distribution) based on the light source and reference data (frequency distribution) based on the visible light LED light source. Since two types of reference data are used, the reliability of the banknote 1 identification can be further increased.

In addition, as the light receiving section 25, a line type CCD (Charg
eCoupled Diode) image sensor. The light receiving section using this line-type CCD image sensor can be applied even when using the contact-type image sensor 2 or when using a reduction-type image sensor instead of the contact-type image sensor 2.

As can be seen from the above description, in the present invention, the magnitude of the reflected light in each minute area (for example, 0.5 mm square) is detected over the entire surface of the banknote 1 to be discriminated, and the detection is performed based on the magnitude of the reflected light. The frequency of each group is counted and totaled by a counter section 53), and the count result is compared and verified with the standard frequency of each group based on regular banknotes stored in a memory section 54. Since the authenticity and denomination of the banknotes can be determined by this, no matter how diagonally the banknote 1 travels or even if the banknote 1 is inserted in the opposite direction, the frequency distribution will be the same, which is different from conventional methods. Complex circuits such as those for correcting the amount of skew are not required, and only two types (front and back) are required for one denomination as a standard pattern for standard judgment.Therefore, the memory capacity is small and the banknotes are inexpensive. A discrimination device can be obtained.

Furthermore, since data on the entire surface of the banknote 1 can be used, a banknote validating device with higher reliability and accuracy than before can be obtained.

The present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and various applications and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

For example, in this embodiment, a method for detecting the amount of light reflected from a banknote has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and can be similarly applied to a method for detecting the amount of light transmitted through a banknote. Furthermore, in this example,
Although the contact type image sensor 2 is used, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a reduction type image sensor may also be used. The present invention also provides a focusing rod lens array 22.
Any optical system may be used as long as it forms an image on the light receiving section 25 so that all data on the banknote on the reading line can be read.

6 (Effects of the Invention) As described above, if the present invention is used, the magnitude of light from each minute area (for example, 0.5 mm square) over the entire surface of the banknote to be discriminated can be detected, and the The frequency of each group is counted and totaled by a counter unit), and the count result is compared with the standard frequency of each group based on regular banknotes stored in the memory unit, and the banknote is Since the system determines the authenticity, denomination, etc. of a banknote, no matter how obliquely the banknote travels, or even if the banknote is inserted in the opposite direction, it will show the same frequency distribution. To provide an inexpensive banknote discrimination device that does not require complicated circuits such as line amount correction, only requires two types of denominations (front and back) as a standard pattern for standard judgment, and therefore requires less memory capacity. be able to. Furthermore, since data on the entire surface of the banknote can be used, it is possible to provide a more reliable and accurate banknote validating device than in the past.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

7 8 FIG. 1 is a conceptual plan view of the main parts of the banknote validating device of the present invention, and FIG.
The figure is a plan view of a bill validating section of a conventional bill validating device, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing memory data contents in a conventional bill validating device, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the structure of the contact type image sensor section of FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the bill validating device of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a frequency distribution diagram of the bill validating device of the present invention. l...Banknote, 2...Contact type image sensor, 4...
- Reading line, 21... Light source, 22... Focusing rod lens array, 25... Light receiving section, 52... Output value determination section, 53... Counter section, 54... Memory section, 55...Comparison and verification section.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In a banknote validation device that detects the magnitude of light from a banknote to be validated and determines the authenticity, denomination, etc. of the banknote based on this, the a light source that irradiates linearly in a direction perpendicular to the running direction of the bill and at regular intervals with respect to the running direction of the bill, and the light source irradiates the bill with light to form an image of the light from the bill. a sensor having an optical system that captures the image formed by the optical system over the entire width of the banknote, and a light-receiving section that can finely divide the image formed over the entire width of the banknote into linear shapes and detect each of them; Each signal is divided into multiple blocks based on the size of the signal,
an output value determination section that sends out signals belonging to each block; and a number of signals belonging to the corresponding block supplied from the output value determination section, which are sequentially divided into blocks until the banknote passes through a position irradiated by the light source. a memory section that stores the number of signals for each block as a reference based on regular banknotes; and a memory section that stores the number of signals for each block by the counter section and the regular banknotes stored in the memory section. What is claimed is: 1. A bill validating device, comprising: a comparison and collation unit that compares and collates the number of signals for each block serving as a reference, and determines the authenticity, denomination, etc. of the bill. 2. The bill validating device according to claim 1, wherein the light source is an infrared LED light source. 3. As the light source, a composite light source consisting of an infrared LED and a visible light LED is used, and the lighting of the infrared LED light source and the visible light LED is alternately switched for each line to be read on the banknote, and 2. The banknote validating device according to claim 1, wherein the number of signals for each block serving as the reference is also two types: one based on the infrared LED light source and one based on the visible light LED light source. 4. The banknote validating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a line type CCD image sensor is used as the light receiving section.