JPH09208087A - Paper feeder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent erroneous discrimination of paper being fed in an overlapped condition even if a position where paper passes changes during conveyance by restraining a change in light transmission amount due to a change in the position of paper during paper conveyance with a light transmission amount maintaining means. SOLUTION: On light-emitting part 29a side, a light-emitting side light shielding plate 28 is fitted, and on light-receiving part 29b side, a light-receiving side light shielding plate 27 is fitted to form a light transmission amount maintaining means. The changing amount Z between infrared ray quantity which a photo transistor 29b receives when paper passes through a position A and that when the paper passes through a position C decreases remarkably. Even if one paper which was passing through the position A happens to shifts to the position C, a resultant change in infrared ray quantity which a photo transistor 29b receives is restrained within a changing amount which is a criterion of detecting the overlapped feed of paper. It is thus possible to prevent overlapped feed from being detected erroneously in spite of paper being not fed in an overlapped condition.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a paper feeding device for an automatic document issuing machine which automatically issues various documents.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when a document is delivered from a printing device of an automatic document delivering machine, a phenomenon called so-called multiple feeding, that is, a so-called stack of plural sheets, may be discharged. In such double-feed detection, after the paper ejection sensor that detects the ejection of the document detects that the document has been ejected from the printing device, the ejected document is irradiated with infrared rays from the infrared light emitting diode in the multi-feed detection device. Then, the photodiode detects infrared rays transmitted through the document, and based on the transmittance, it is determined whether or not the document is double-fed. That is, since the transmittance of infrared rays decreases if double feeding occurs, based on that, the double feed detection device has a certain decrease in transmittance derived from the amount of infrared light detected by the photodiode. When I reached it, I had judged that it was a multifeed.

[0003]

However, in the conventional apparatus, the amount of transmitted light received by the photodiode fluctuates due to the difference in the distance from the photodiode of the paper passing through the double feed detection device portion. was there.
Then, even if the paper is not actually fed in a double feed, the distance of the paper passing through the detection area from the photodiode fluctuates by chance, and thus it may be mistakenly determined that the paper is fed in a double feed. Become. Then, the printed paper that was not actually double-fed is not ejected outside,
It will be stored in the double feed paper storage inside the automatic document delivery machine. Then, since the same document is printed again and discharged, the paper is wasted.

Such a situation will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the double feed detection device 59.

That is, the light emitting section 5 in the double feed detection device 59.
When the light shielding plate 58 is attached to the 9a side, it is assumed that the position of the sheet discharged from the printing apparatus and passing through the double feeding detection apparatus 59 may pass through the positions indicated by A, B and C in FIG. .

When the sheet passes through the position A, the infrared light emitted from the light emitting portion 59a has its light amount limited by the light emitting side light shielding plate 58 and is applied to the portion indicated by a. Further, when the sheet passes through the position B, the infrared light emitted from the light emitting section 59a is limited in amount by the light emitting side light blocking plate 58 and is applied to the portion indicated by b. Further, when the paper passes through the position C, the infrared light emitted from the light emitting portion 59a is
The light-shielding plate 58 limits the amount of light and irradiates the portion indicated by c.

The amount of infrared light emitted from the light emitting portion 59a is the same in any of A, B and C. This is because the infrared rays emitted from the point light source of the light emitting unit 59a go straight, and therefore the areas are different between a, b, and c shown in FIG. 8, but the density of the infrared rays also changes accordingly, so that the total amount of infrared rays eventually becomes equal. Because.

Next, when the sheet passes through the position A, the amount of light received by the phototransistor 59b of the light receiving portion that receives the infrared light transmitted through the sheet is indicated by the arrow aa on the right side of FIG. Similarly, when the sheet passes through the position B, the amount of light received by the phototransistor 59b of the light receiving unit is set to the arrow bb on the right side of FIG.
Indicated by Similarly, when the sheet passes through the position C, the amount of light received by the phototransistor 59b of the light receiving portion is indicated by the arrow cc on the right side of FIG.

Regarding the infrared light transmitted through the paper as described above, the infrared light does not go straight, but diffuses in each direction, and a part thereof is phototransistor 59b.
Incident on. The amount of infrared light incident on the phototransistor 59b depends on the paper and phototransistor 59b.
It is inversely proportional to the distance from b. Therefore, in the case of FIG. 8, the relationship of the amount of infrared light incident on the phototransistor 59b is aa
The relationship is <bb <cc.

The curve on the right side of FIG. 8 is a function curve of the paper position and the amount of light received by the phototransistor 59b.

Then, the variation amount of the infrared light amount received by the phototransistor 59b when the sheet passes the position A and when the sheet passes the position C is X, as shown by the arrow on the right side of FIG. Further, here, Y is a normal difference in the amount of infrared light received by the phototransistor 59b in the case where the sheets are double-fed.

At this time, if Y> X, the double feed can be detected without any problem. However, when Y <X, 1
Since the passing position of the sheet of paper has changed from C to A, the double feeding detection device 59 erroneously detects the double feeding.

In order to solve this problem, as shown in FIG. 9, the distance between the light emitting portion 59a and the light receiving portion 59b is shortened to narrow the paper passage, thereby preventing the position of the paper from fluctuating. Can be considered. However, in this method, it is necessary to pass the paper through a narrow passage, so that the paper is jammed in the passage or it is difficult to pass the paper.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and prevents misjudgment that a sheet is being double fed even though it is not actually being double fed.
An object of the present invention is to provide a paper feeding device that can reliably discharge a document desired by a user.

[0016]

In order to achieve this object, a sheet feeding device according to claim 1 is a sheet feeding device having a transmitted light amount detecting means for measuring the amount of transmitted light of a sheet. It is characterized by further comprising transmitted light amount maintaining means for suppressing a change in the transmitted light amount due to a change in the position of the sheet during conveyance. Therefore, even if the paper position changes during transport,
An erroneous determination that the transmitted light amount maintaining means is being double-fed is prevented.
The sheet feeding device according to a second aspect is the sheet feeding device according to the first aspect, wherein the transmitted light amount detecting means includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and the transmitted light amount maintaining means includes the light emitting element. It is characterized in that it is composed of two light-shielding plates installed between an element and the light receiving element. Therefore, the two light-shielding plates can prevent the variation of the transmitted light amount due to the variation of the position of the conveyed sheet, and prevent the erroneous determination that the transmitted light amount maintaining means is double-fed.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment in which the paper feeding device of the present invention is applied to a certificate automatic issuing machine for issuing a resident's card, etc. will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, the external appearance of the automatic certificate issuing machine of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

Although not shown, a magnetic tape (not shown) on the front panel of the casing 1a of the automatic certificate issuing machine 1 is recorded with various information such as a user ID identification code including a personal identification number of each user ( A card insertion slot 2a for inserting an ID card having a magnetic card) or an IC chip (in the case of an IC card) is provided, and the card reader 2 (see FIG. 4) is located behind the card insertion slot 2a. ) Is provided.

At the side of the card insertion slot 2a, when a trouble occurs in the automatic certificate issuing machine 1 such as running out of paper, a call button 22 for calling a maintenance person who solves the trouble. Is provided. Above the call button 22, a CRT display device 3 as a display means for displaying, for example, an operation method and guidance is provided, and on the upper surface of the CRT display device 3, a portion directly displayed is displayed. A touch panel 4 is provided as input means by which a user can input desired information by touching the touch panel.

On the side of the touch panel 4, a coin insertion slot 5a and a bill insertion slot 6a for paying a fee are formed, and these are a coin sorting / collecting device 5 and a bill insertion slot 6 (both shown in FIG. 4). Refer to)).
Below the coin insertion slot 5a and the bill insertion slot 6a, a take-out port 8 for taking out the change and the receipt.
Is provided. Further, a laser printer 11 (see FIG. 2), which is one component of the sheet feeding device 20 including a transmitted light amount detecting means and a transmitted light amount maintaining means according to the present invention, is printed on the side of the takeout port 8. A certificate outlet 7 is provided for discharging a certificate such as a resident card.

A paper feeding device 20 is installed inside the automatic certificate issuing machine 1 so as to communicate with the certificate outlet 7.

Below the call button 22 described above,
When a person using a wheelchair uses this automatic certificate issuing machine 1, an assist bar 42 is provided so as to be easily operated.

Further, below the assist bar 42, a part of the housing 1a is large enough to be accommodated below the knees of the person in the wheelchair so that the user of the wheelchair can easily use it. The digging 43 is formed, and a shock absorbing sheet 44 for absorbing a shock when a part of the wheelchair collides is provided on an inner surface of the digging 43. The height of the automatic certificate issuing machine 1 is set to, for example, 130 so that a user in a wheelchair can use it easily.
cm.

Also, above the touch panel described above,
An operation display 10 for displaying whether the automatic certificate issuing machine 1 is in a usable state or in an unusable state is provided.

Here, the construction of the paper feeding device 20 in the automatic certificate issuing machine 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 2 is a schematic external view of the sheet feeding device 20 as viewed from the side.

The laser printer 11 which is the main body of the paper feeding device 20 has a document 2 printed by the laser printer 11.
The paper transport path 25 for transporting 1 is connected to the paper transport path 2
Rollers (not shown) for conveying the document 21 are arranged on the sheet 5 at appropriate intervals.

A paper discharge sensor 37 for detecting that the document 21 has been discharged from the laser printer 11 and a double feed sensor 29 for detecting double feed of the paper are provided on the paper transport path 25.

Here, the paper discharge sensor 37 is composed of a micro switch, and when the switch is pressed, it is judged that the edge of the paper has passed the area detected by the paper discharge sensor 37. Then, the CPU 13 detects this and sends a signal to the double feed sensor 29.

The multi-feed sensor 29 includes a light emitting portion 29a as a light emitting element for emitting infrared light and a light receiving portion 29b as a light receiving element for receiving infrared light emitted by the light emitting portion 29a and transmitted through the document 21. It is configured. Specifically, an infrared light emitting diode is used for the light emitting section 29a, and a photodiode or a phototransistor is used for the light receiving section 29b. Also, the light emitting unit 2
9a and the light receiving portion 29b constitute a transmitted light amount detecting means.

Next, the structure of the double feed sensor 29 will be described with reference to FIG.

A light-emitting side light-shielding plate 28 is attached to the light-emitting portion 29a side, and it is constructed as a part of the paper transport path 25. The light-receiving side light-shielding plate 27 is provided on the light-receiving portion 29b side.
Although not shown, it is supported by a part of the paper transport path 25. This light-shielding side 2
8 and the light-receiving side light-shielding plate 27 constitute a transmitted light amount maintaining means, and the distance between the light-emitting side light-shielding plate 28 and the light-receiving side light-shielding plate 27 is set sufficiently wide.

Here, a case will be described in which the position when the sheet passes the double feed sensor 29 fluctuates up and down and passes through the positions indicated by A, B and C in FIG.

When the sheet passes the position A, the light emitting portion 29a
The infrared light emitted from the light-emitting side light-shielding plate 28 has a limited amount of light and is applied to the portion indicated by a. Further, when the sheet passes through the position B, the light amount of the infrared light emitted from the light emitting portion 29a is limited by the light emitting side light blocking plate 28b.
The part indicated by is irradiated. Further, when the sheet passes through the position C, the infrared light emitted from the light emitting section 29a is limited in the amount of light by the light emitting side light blocking plate 28 and is applied to the portion indicated by c.

The amount of infrared light emitted from the light emitting portion 29a is the same in any of A, B and C. This is because the infrared rays emitted from the point light source of the light emitting section 29a go straight, as shown by the arrow on the left side of FIG.
This is because the areas b and c are different, but the infrared densities are different accordingly, so that the total amount of infrared rays is eventually equal.

Next, when the sheet of paper passes through the position A, the amount of light received by the phototransistor 29b, which is the light receiving portion for receiving the infrared light transmitted through the sheet of paper, is indicated by the arrow aa in the curve on the right side of FIG. Similarly, when the sheet passes through the position B, the amount of light received by the phototransistor 29b, which is the light receiving portion, is indicated by the arrow bb in the curve on the right side of FIG. Similarly, when the sheet passes through the position C, the amount of light received by the phototransistor 29b, which is the light receiving portion, is indicated by the arrow cc on the right side of the curve on the right side of FIG.

The infrared light transmitted through the paper does not go straight, but diffuses in each direction, and a part of the light enters the phototransistor 29b. The amount of infrared light incident on the phototransistor 29b is inversely proportional to the distance between the paper and the phototransistor 29b.

In the case of FIG. 3, however, the infrared light outside the portion indicated by the dotted line on the left side of FIG. 3 is blocked by the light-receiving side light-shielding plate 27 attached to the phototransistor 29b side. It does not enter 29b.

Therefore, if the variation amount of the infrared light amount received by the phototransistor 29b when the paper passes through the position A and the position C is Z, as indicated by the arrow on the right side of FIG. The amount indicated by is markedly reduced as compared with the conventional configuration shown in FIG.

Here, it is assumed that Y is the difference in the normal amount of infrared light incident on the phototransistor 29b in the case where the sheets are double-fed. In this case, a double feed is erroneously determined Y
The possibility that the relationship <Z will occur will be significantly reduced.

As a result, even if one sheet of paper passing through the position A happens to move to the position C, the change in the amount of light received by the phototransistor 29b caused by the change is as follows.
It is possible to suppress it within the fluctuation amount Y which is a reference for detecting the double feeding of the sheets. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the erroneous detection of the double feeding even though the double feeding is not actually performed.

Further, as shown by an arrow H in FIG.
As compared with the arrow N in FIG. 9, it is possible to widen the space between the light emitting portion 29a and the light receiving portion 29b for conveying the paper.

Next, an electrical configuration diagram of the certificate issuing system including the automatic certificate issuing machine 1 in which the sheet feeding device 20 of this embodiment is mounted will be described with reference to FIG.

The automatic certificate issuing machine 1 operates according to a command from the CPU 13 connected to the host computer 31. This CPU 13 has the above-mentioned card reader 2 and C
RT display device 3, touch panel 4, coin sorting and collecting device (coin mech) 5, bill collecting device (bilberry) 6
, A call button 22, a journal printer 12 for printing a receipt, a voicing device 16 for audibly explaining an operating method, etc., and a CPU 13 to control the automatic certificate issuing machine 1 according to a predetermined process. Hard disk 17 that stores the operation program for issuing a certificate and a remote operation panel for notifying maintenance personnel of the operating status of the automatic certificate issuing machine 1 and the pressing of the call button 22. 33, the sheet feeding device 20, and the stapler 14 for binding the ends of the documents when there are a plurality of documents printed by the laser printer 11 in the sheet feeding device 40, which will be described later, and tally marks for those documents. RA which is loaded with the tallying machine 15 for attaching and the operation program for operating the automatic certificate issuing machine 1 according to a predetermined process
M19 is connected. A program for operating the automatic certificate issuing machine 1 is stored in the RAM 19 from the hard disk 17.
Be transferred to and work according to the program.

The host computer 31 is connected to the database 32.

Next, the electrical construction of the sheet feeding device 20 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

The laser printer 11 which is the main body of the paper feeding device 20 is connected to the CPU 13, and the paper discharge sensor 27 and the double feed sensor 29 are both connected to the CPU 13.
When the CPU 13 detects that the paper discharge sensor 27 has discharged the paper from the laser printer 11, it sends a control signal to the double-feed sensor 29 to detect whether or not the paper is double-fed.

The procedure for the automatic certificate issuing machine 1 in which the paper feeding device 20 of this embodiment is installed to print a document and then to detect the double feed will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. .

Next, the main operation of the automatic certificate issuing machine 1 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

For the person who normally uses the automatic certificate issuing machine 1 by the CPU 13, the automatic certificate issuing machine 1 displays a screen in the mode of "touch the screen" as a still image, although not shown. They are displayed together on the CRT display device 3 (step 1. Hereinafter, the step is simply referred to as S).
By viewing the display screen and touching the touch panel 4 (S2: YES), the card insertion screen is displayed on the CRT display device 3 (S3).

Then, the user inserts the ID card into the card insertion slot 2a of the automatic certificate issuing machine 1 (S4: YE
S), the CPU 13 detects the insertion of the ID card and instructs the card reader 2 to read data. The card reader 2 reads the data recorded on the ID card and transfers the data to the CPU 13. The CPU 13 confirms whether the inserted ID card is a card for the automatic certificate issuing machine 1 (S5). If this card is not the card for the certificate automatic issuing machine 1 (S5: NO),
The ID card is ejected from the card insertion slot 2a (S6), the fact is displayed on the CRT display device 3, and the screen returns to the first screen (S1).

On the other hand, the ID card is the certificate automatic issuing machine 1
If the card is a card (S5: YES), the CPU 13
A password input screen is displayed on the CRT display 3. In addition, a signal is also sent to the voicing device 16 to utter, for example, "Please input the personal identification number" (S7). The user touches the touch panel 4 and inputs the personal identification number (S8:
Yes). Then, the CPU 13 checks whether the personal identification number input by the user matches the personal ID data of the ID card inserted in the card reader 2 (S9). I
If the personal identification number entered by the user is incorrect as compared with the personal ID data of the D card (S9: NO), the fact is transmitted to the CPU 13, and the ID is input from the card insertion slot 2a.
The card is ejected (S6), the fact is displayed on the CRT display device 3, and the screen returns to the start screen (S1).

The personal identification number entered by the user is the ID
If it matches the personal ID data of the card (S9: YE
S), the fact is transmitted to the CPU 13. Next, the CPU 13
Displays the certificate selection screen on the CRT display device 3 (S10).

When the user selects the required certificate (S11: YES), the CPU 13 displays a copy number selection screen on the CRT display device 3. In addition, a signal is also sent to the voicing device 16 to utter, for example, "Please select the required number of copies" (S12). The user selects the required number of copies by touching the touch panel (S13: YES).

Then, the CPU 13 calculates the fee for the certificate selected by the user and displays the fee input screen on the CRT display device 3
To be displayed. In addition, a signal is also sent to the voicing device 16 to utter, for example, "the charge is XX yen. Please pay" (S14). Here, the user inputs the fee (S1
5: YES). If the charge is a coin, it is inserted from the coin insertion slot 5a and enters the coin mech 5. If it is a bill, it is inserted from the bill insertion slot 6a and enters the bill burr 6. At this time, if necessary, change is paid out from the coin mech 5 and discharged from the take-out opening 8. The hanging bill 6 is paid out from the bill burr 6 and discharged from the bill insertion slot 6a. The receipt is printed by the journal printer 12 and discharged from the outlet 8.

When the CPU 13 confirms that the charge has been collected, it sends a command to the card reader 2 to eject the ID card from the card insertion slot 2a (S16). And
Upon detecting that the ID card has been removed, a screen notifying that the certificate is being created is displayed on the CRT display device 3. Further, a signal is also sent to the utterance device 16 to utter, for example, "Certificate is being created now, please wait for a while" (S17). In addition, CPU
13 is the personal ID read in advance from the ID card
The necessary information is extracted from the data and the data such as the documents selected as described above. This is effective, for example, to leave behind the data such as to whom the certificate was issued, and this data is stored in the hard disk 17.
Can be stored.

Then, the CPU 13 sends the data required for creating the certificate to the laser printer 11 to print it (S18). At this time, if there are a plurality of certificates printed by the laser printer 11, the end portion is bound by the stapler 14 and the stamp is stamped by the stamper 15.

Then, when the certificate discharged from the laser printer 11 is detected by the paper discharge sensor 27,
The CPU 13 sends a signal to the double feed sensor 29 to detect whether or not the certificate is double fed together with the unprinted paper (S19). If it has not been double fed (S19: NO), it is discharged from the certificate discharge port 7 (S20). In addition, a signal is also sent to the voicing device 16 so that, for example, "a certificate is made. Please take it. Be careful not to forget your receipt and card."

On the other hand, if the paper has been double-fed (S1
9: YES), the multi-fed paper is stored in the automatic certificate issuing machine 1 (S21), and the laser printer 11 is again used.
Only the certificate printed by is discharged from the certificate discharge port 7 (S20).

As described above, according to the sheet feeding device 20 of the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent erroneous determination that the sheets are double fed even though the sheets are not actually double fed. Also, the width of the paper passage can be increased.

[0061]

As is apparent from the above description,
According to the paper feeding device of the first aspect, the transmitted light amount maintaining unit suppresses the change in the transmitted light amount due to the change in the position of the sheet at the time of conveying the sheet. Also, it is possible to prevent an erroneous determination that the sheets are double-fed. Further, the width of the paper passage can be increased. Further, in the paper feeding device according to claim 2, a light emitting element and a light receiving element constitute the transmitted light amount detecting means, and two light shielding plates are provided between the light emitting element and the light receiving element. Since the transmitted light amount maintaining means is configured, the two light shielding plates can prevent the transmitted light amount from changing due to the change in the position of the conveyed sheet, and the transmitted light amount maintaining means causes the sheet to be double-fed. It is possible to prevent erroneous judgment that the

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an external appearance of an automatic certificate issuing machine in which a paper feeding device of this embodiment is installed.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a sheet feeding device of the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a double feed sensor in the sheet feeding device of the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a certificate issuing system.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a paper feeding device.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the first half of the operation of the automatic certificate issuing machine in which the paper feeding device of this embodiment is installed.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the latter half of the operation of the automatic certificate issuing machine in which the paper feeding device of this embodiment is installed.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a conventional double feed sensor.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a conventional double feed sensor.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 Laser Printer 13 CPU 20 Paper Feeding Device 21 Paper 25 Paper Conveying Path 27 Light-Receiving Light-Shield Plate 28 Light-Emitting Light-Shield Plate 29 Double Feed Sensor 37 Paper Ejection Sensor 59 Double Feed Sensor

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A sheet feeding device having a transmitted light amount detecting means for measuring the transmitted light amount of a sheet, comprising a transmitted light amount maintaining means for suppressing a change in the transmitted light amount due to a change in the position of the sheet during conveyance of the sheet. A paper feeding device characterized by the above. 2. The sheet feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the transmitted light amount detecting means is composed of a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and the transmitted light amount maintaining means is provided between the light emitting element and the light receiving element. A sheet feeding device comprising two light-shielding plates that are formed.