JPH0682568A - Sensor having automatic adjusting function - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To realize cost reduction by providing a mode switch for switching between automatic adjusting mode and normal operation mode, thereby regulating fluatuation of detecting elements easily. CONSTITUTION:When an automatic regulation mode is set through a mode switch 11, a CPU 7 reads out control data from an EEPROM 10, operates a light emitting element 4 and subject the output from a light receiving element 5 to digital conversion, thus making a decision whether preset values read out from the ROM 10 has been obtained. The CPU 7 repeats the procedures automatically until the output from the element 5 reaches the preset value, thus determining the control data and then notifies a worker of the determination of control data through lighting of a LED 12. When a reference paper or the like is set and a threshold set switch 13 is depressed, the CPU 7 writes the output from the element 5 into the ROM 10. Upon subsequent switching to normal operation mode, the sensor starts normal operation based on a data in the ROM 10 determined for the automatic mode thus allowing quite easy adjusting of sensor.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sensor for irradiating a detected object with a signal emitted from a transmitting element and receiving a signal reflected or transmitted by the receiving element to detect the presence or absence of the detected object.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an automatic bill dispenser, an automatic depositing device, etc., bills are moved from a storage container or a bill slot through a conveying means such as a belt,
It was paid out to the outlet or held in the safe built into the device. In such an apparatus, a sensor for detecting the presence / absence of banknotes on the banknote transportation path is arranged at a predetermined position in order to control the transportation means, and a predetermined number of sensors are sequentially positioned on the transportation path. In general, it is determined whether or not the transfer means is controlled.

FIG. 2 shows a sensor of a reflected light type which uses the reflection of light arranged on the banknote transport path to detect the position of the banknote 2 which is on the belt 1 and moves with the rotation of the belt 1. 3 shows the detection unit 3. In the figure, reference numeral 4 denotes a light emitting element such as an LED, which is controlled by a control unit (not shown) so as to output a light beam having a constant light amount. The light beam emitted by the light emitting element 4 is reflected on the surface of the belt 1 or the banknote 2 that moves with the rotation of the belt 1, and is incident on the light receiving surface of the light receiving element 5 arranged at the position where the reflected light reaches. To do. The light receiving element 5 changes the electric signal according to the amount of incident light and outputs it, like a phototransistor, and outputs the difference in the amount of reflected light from the belt 1 and the bill 2 as a difference in voltage value, for example. Then, the output is judged by the control unit to detect the presence or absence of banknotes.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the structure of the sensor. The CPU 7 reads out the control data N stored in the EPROM 6 in advance, and based on this, the D / A converter 8 is used to make the light emitting element 4 constant. By supplying the current, the light emitting element 4 is controlled to emit a constant amount of light. On the other hand, the output of the light receiving element 5 is converted into a digital signal at the A / D port of the CPU 7, and the CPU 7 reads out the threshold data T stored in the EPROM 6 in advance and compares it with the threshold data T. The presence / absence of banknotes in the detection unit 3 is determined.

In the sensor having the above-mentioned configuration, the light emitting element 4 and the light receiving element 5 forming the detecting section 3 have characteristic variations which cannot be ignored, and in reality, the control data N and the threshold value are different for each sensor. It was necessary to determine hold data T and make initial adjustments to store it in EPROM 6. As for the procedure, first, the data obtained from the catalog values of the light emitting element 4 and the light receiving element 5 is stored in advance as the control data N in the EPROM 6. Next, the operator operates the sensor in a state in which there is no bill, that is, a state in which the belt 1 is detected, and the output of the light receiving element 5 at that time is measured by using the voltage measuring device 9 to determine whether or not a prescribed output is obtained. do. If it does not reach the specified value, the operator rewrites the control data N in the EPROM 6 with the ROM writer according to the deviation from the specified value, and operates the sensor again. This procedure is repeated until the output of the light receiving element 5 reaches the specified value, and the control data N is determined.

Further, after determining the control data N, the operator sets the bill 2 or the reference bill paper at the detection position to operate the sensor, and the output of the light receiving element 5 at that time is measured by the voltage measuring device 9. , The measured value is written as threshold data T in the EPROM 6 by the ROM writer. Here, the reference bill paper is a pseudo bill having a reflectance between the belt 1 and the bill 2, and it is common to use a paper that is relatively close to that of the bill 2. This is because when the banknote 2 is actually detected, the difference from the belt 1 is increased to facilitate the determination, and the output from the light receiving element 5 surely exceeds the threshold data T.

However, a considerable number of the above-mentioned sensors are mounted on the automatic bill dispenser or the automatic deposit device, and in practice, the EPROM 6 is rewritten about 3 to 4 times for each sensor before the control data N is determined. However, it is extremely complicated to perform the above-mentioned adjustment for each sensor, and there is a defect that the cost increases due to an increase in the number of adjustment steps.

[0008]

An object of the present invention is to eliminate the defects of the conventional sensor as described above, and it is possible to easily adjust the variation of the detecting element without special operation. The purpose is to provide.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a sensor with an automatic adjustment function according to the present invention includes a detection unit including a transmission element and a reception element for receiving a signal emitted from the transmission element, a mode changeover switch, and a rewritable device. When the mode changeover switch is in the automatic adjustment mode, the control unit changes the signal emitted by the transmission element so that the output of the reception element reaches a predetermined value. The control data when the output of the receiving element reaches a predetermined value is stored in the memory, while the control data stored in the memory is used as a reference when the switch is in the normal operation mode. is there.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings showing the embodiments. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of a sensor with an automatic adjustment function according to the present invention, and the case of application to the one for detecting the presence or absence of banknotes in the banknote transport path shown in FIG. 2 will be described below.

In the sensor with automatic adjustment function shown in FIG.
The CPU 7 reads out the control data N stored in the EEPROM 10 in advance, and based on this, controls the D / A converter 8 to supply a constant current to the light emitting element 4 so that the light emitting element 4 emits a constant amount of light. On the other hand, the light receiving element 5
Is digitized by the A / D port of the CPU 7, and the CPU 7 reads out the threshold data T stored in the EPROM 6 in advance and compares it with the threshold data T. It is to determine whether or not there is a banknote. That is, the operation as a sensor is equivalent to that of the conventional one shown in FIG. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 is a DIP switch for mode switching, and the mode switching switch 11 is a switch for switching between two modes of a normal operation mode and an automatic adjustment mode, and in the normal operation mode, as described above. When an operation for detecting the presence or absence of banknotes is performed and the mode changeover switch 11 is set to the automatic adjustment mode side, automatic adjustment is started.

First, the operator selects the mode 1 without the banknote, that is, the state in which the belt 1 is detected.
To the automatic adjustment mode side. Then, the control data N obtained in advance from the catalog values of the light emitting element 4 and the light receiving element 5
Then, the CPU 7 reads the control data N from the EEPROM 10 which has stored the specified value of the output of the light receiving element 5 in the state without the bill, and operates the light emitting element 4 based on this, and the light receiving element 5 at that time is read. Is converted into a digital value at the A / D port, and it is compared whether or not the specified value read from the EEPROM 10 is obtained. Here, the specified value does not have to be a point, and may have a predetermined width. If it does not match the specified value, the CPU 7 causes the EEPROM to change according to the deviation from the specified value.
The control data N in 10 is slightly shifted and rewritten, and the sensor is operated again. The CPU 7 automatically repeats this procedure to determine the control data N until the output of the light receiving element 5 reaches a specified value. When the control data N is determined, the CPU 7 operates the LED display unit 12 and turns on the LED for notifying the operator of the determination of the control data N. Further, the operator who confirms the determination of the control data N by turning on the LED sets the banknote 2 or the reference banknote paper at the detection position and then sets the threshold setting switch 1
When 3 is pressed, the CPU 7 automatically writes the output of the light receiving element 5 when the switch 13 is pressed as the threshold data T to the EEPROM 10 and ends the automatic adjustment mode.

When the operator sets the mode changeover switch 11 to the normal operation mode side, the sensor starts normal operation based on the data determined in the automatic adjustment mode and written in the EEPROM 10. Therefore, the operator can adjust the sensor very easily only by operating the switch, and the rewriting process by the ROM writer is omitted, so that the adjusting time is remarkably shortened.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to a sensor having a reflected light type detecting portion utilizing the reflection of light, the present invention is not limited to this, and both light emitting and light receiving elements are provided. May face each other, it may be one that utilizes the transmitted light arranged so that the bills pass between them, for example ultrasonic waves other than optical elements as the element of the detection unit,
Transmitting element that emits electromagnetic waves or infrared rays,
Also, it is obvious that the present invention can be applied to a sensor having a detection unit formed of a combination of receiving elements for receiving the same. Further, the present invention can be applied not only to detect the presence or absence of banknotes but also to those that detect the authenticity of a banknote and determine its authenticity, and can be applied to a sensor that detects passage of articles other than banknotes. The present invention may be applied not only to passage but also to so-called proximity sensor, displacement sensor, length measuring sensor, or the like. In addition, rewritable E with relatively low power
Although the one using EPROM as the memory is shown, CP
For example, a RAM may be used as long as it is a rewritable memory only by control from U.

[0015]

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION Since the present invention is configured as described above, it is possible to easily adjust the variation of the detection element without performing a special operation and also reduce the number of steps required for the adjustment process. It has a remarkable effect on shortening and cost reduction.

[0016]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of a sensor with an automatic adjustment function according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a detection unit of a reflection sensor that uses reflection of light, which is arranged in a bill conveyance path.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional sensor.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 ... Banknote 3 ... Detection part 4 ... Light emitting element 5 ... Light receiving element 6 ... EPROM 7 ... CPU 10 ... EEPROM 11 ... Mode change switch 13 ... Threshold Hold setting switch

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A detection unit comprising a transmission element and a reception element for receiving a signal emitted from the transmission element, a mode changeover switch, a rewritable memory and a control section for controlling these, and the switch is automatically adjusted. When the mode is set, the control unit changes the signal emitted by the transmitting element so that the output of the receiving element reaches a predetermined value, and outputs the control data when the output of the receiving element reaches a predetermined value. A sensor with an automatic adjustment function, which is stored in a memory while operating based on the control data stored in the memory when the switch is set to a normal operation mode. 2. The transmitting element and the receiving element are a light emitting element and a light receiving element, respectively. The detection object placed at a predetermined position is irradiated with a light beam from the light emitting element, and the reflected light or the transmitted light is received. The sensor with an automatic adjustment function according to claim 1, wherein the light receiving element is arranged so as to do so. 3. When detecting two different states of an object to be measured, after performing the above-described automatic adjustment in one of the states, the object to be measured is set in the other state as predetermined by the control unit. 3. The sensor with automatic adjustment function according to claim 1, wherein the output value of the receiving element in this state is stored as a threshold value in the memory by externally applying the signal of FIG.