JPH09319853A - Paper sheet batch counting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To correctly count paper sheets in cases where a count value of each time is not equal, even if the illuminance on an end surface of a paper sheet group is uneven or decreases by amplifying a waveform signal and repeating a counting process. SOLUTION: A card group A is fixed in a stocker 20 while the cards are standing, and respective LEDs 30 are turned on to irradiate an end surface D of the card group A with light. The light reflected by the end surface D of the card group A is reflected by total reflecting mirrors 31 and 32 to project an image of the end surface D of the card group A on the photodetection surface of a CCD line sensor 33 by an image forming lens 34. The image of this striped pattern is converted by a line sensor 33 into an electric signal, which is supplied consecutively to a counting circuit 40. The counting circuit 40 counts the cards three times, when unless these count values are not equal to one another the amplification factor of an amplifying circuit is increased, to count the cards three times again.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a paper sheet batch counting apparatus for stacking and optically counting banknotes such as cards, banknotes and securities.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional paper sheet batch counting apparatus includes an LED for illuminating an end face of a stack of paper sheets, a photosensor for detecting the intensity of incident light, and a paper sheet stacking direction. A drive mechanism for moving the photo sensor and a counting circuit for inputting a signal output from the photo sensor and counting the number of sheets are provided.

Here, the illuminance at the end face of the paper sheet group is
The end surface of each paper sheet in the paper sheet group is high, and the distance between the paper sheets is low. Therefore, when the photo sensor is moved in the parallel direction of the paper sheets using the drive mechanism, the photo sensor outputs a waveform signal having a high illuminance level for each end face of each paper sheet.
In this way, the waveform signal output from the photosensor is input to the counting circuit, and the counting circuit counts the number of pulses of the waveform signal using a predetermined threshold value, so that the number of sheets can be easily counted. .

[0004]

However, in the conventional paper sheet batch counting device, when the illumination of the end surface of the paper sheet group is not uniform, the counted value of the pulse number may be shifted, which is a problem. . That is, when the illumination of the end surface of the paper sheet is not uniform, the pulse amplitude of the waveform signal in the weak illumination portion becomes small, and as a result, this pulse cannot be counted and the number of pulses is deviated. is there.

Further, even when the illuminance at the end face of the paper sheet group is lowered due to the change with time or the change in temperature of the LED, there is a problem that the counted value of the pulse number may be deviated for the same reason.

The present invention solves such a problem, and when the illuminance at the end face of the paper sheet group is not uniform or when the illuminance at the end face of the paper sheet group is reduced, the number of sheets of paper sheet is reduced. It is an object of the present invention to provide a paper sheet batch counting apparatus capable of counting correctly.

[0007]

A paper sheet batch counting apparatus according to claim 1 is a paper sheet batch counting apparatus for collectively counting the number of paper sheets in a stack of paper sheets arranged in a stack. Illuminating means for illuminating the end face of the paper sheet group, a line sensor for reading the illuminance in the parallel direction on the end face of the paper sheet group illuminated by the illuminating device a plurality of times, and a plurality of waveform signals output from the line sensor are sequentially input. Then, a counting process for counting the number of pulses of each of these waveform signals is performed, and when the count values obtained in each counting process are not the same, the repeating counting means that amplifies the waveform signal and repeats the counting process. And is provided.

According to the paper sheet batch counting apparatus having the above structure, the illuminance in the parallel direction on the end face of the paper sheet group illuminated by the illumination means is read by the line sensor a plurality of times. A plurality of waveform signals from the line sensor are sequentially input to the counting means repeatedly, and a counting process for counting the number of pulses of these waveform signals is performed. If the count values obtained by the counting process are not the same, the waveform signal is amplified and the counting process is repeated.

The count values obtained by the repeat counting means are not the same for each time, for example, when the illuminance on the end face of the paper sheet group is not uniform. That is, if the illuminance on the end surface of the paper sheet group is not uniform, the pulse amplitude of the waveform signal in the portion where the illuminance is low becomes small and it becomes difficult to detect this pulse.
Therefore, there are cases where this pulse can be detected and counted, and cases where it cannot be counted, and the count value at each time becomes a different value.

The repeat counting means repeats the counting process after increasing the amplitude of the waveform signal when the count value at each time is different. Therefore, it becomes possible to reliably count the pulses, and the count values obtained by the counting process at each time become the same. Therefore, the number of paper sheets can be correctly counted even when the illumination on the end surface of the paper sheet group is not uniform or when the illumination on the end surface of the paper sheet group is deteriorated due to a change with time or the like.

The paper sheet batch counting device according to a second aspect of the invention is a paper sheet batch counting device for collectively counting the number of paper sheets in a stack of paper sheets arranged in a stack. Illuminating means for illuminating the end face, a line sensor for reading the illuminance in the parallel direction on the end face of the paper sheet group illuminated by the illuminating device a plurality of times, and a plurality of waveform signals output from the line sensor are sequentially input, and these When the counting process of counting the number of pulses of the waveform signal is performed, and when the count values obtained in each counting process are not the same, the light amount of the illuminating means is increased, and the counting process is repeated. It is characterized by including.

According to the paper sheet batch counting apparatus having the above structure, the illuminance in the parallel direction on the end face of the paper sheet group illuminated by the illumination means is read by the line sensor a plurality of times. A plurality of waveform signals from the line sensor are sequentially input to the counting means repeatedly, and a counting process for counting the number of pulses of these waveform signals is performed. Then, if the count values obtained by the counting process are not the same, the counting process is repeated after increasing the light quantity of the illumination means.

In the repeat counting means, when the count value of each time is different, the light quantity of the illuminating means is increased to increase the illuminance of the end surface of the paper sheet group, so that the end surface of the paper sheet group read by the line sensor is detected. The image becomes a clear image with clear light and dark. For this reason, the pulse amplitude of the waveform signal given to the repetitive counting means becomes large, and the pulses can be reliably counted. Therefore, the count value obtained each time by the counting process becomes the same, even if the illumination of the end surface of the paper sheet group is not uniform or the illumination of the end surface of the paper sheet group decreases due to aging, etc. The number of sheets can be counted correctly.

Here, the counting process of the repeating counting means is as follows.
The flag is reset when the amplitude amount of the waveform signal per unit time exceeds the first reference value, and the second value is set.
It is preferable that the flag is set when the value is less than the reference value and the number of times the flag changes from the reset state to the set state is counted as the number of pulses.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of a paper sheet batch counting apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the outer appearance of a paper sheet batch counting apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the paper sheet batch counting apparatus 1. Further, FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the paper sheet batch counting apparatus 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the paper sheet batch counting apparatus 1 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped case 10, and a card (paper sheet) A1 conforming to the ISO standard, for example, is provided on the front end 10a side of the upper part of the case 10. A stocker 20 for stacking a plurality of sheets is provided.

The stocker 20 stores the card A1 in the left-right direction B
The storage recess 21 has a rectangular cross-section that can be stored in a stacked manner, and one wall surface of the storage recess 21 in the left-right direction B is a pressing wall surface C that holds the card group A in an upright state. Further, the stocker 20 has the accommodation recess 2
1 is provided with a pressing tool 22 that is slidable in the left-right direction B, and the pressing tool 22 is provided at the other end of the accommodation recess 21 in the left-right direction B. And card group A
The card group A can be pressed against the pressing wall surface C and fixed by sliding the pressing tool 22 toward the pressing wall surface C in the state of housing.

A reading window 23 extending in the left-right direction B is provided on the bottom surface of the accommodating recess 21, and a plurality of LEDs (illuminating means) for illuminating the end face D of the card group A are provided inside the case 10.
30 are incorporated, and the LEDs 30 are located on both sides of the reading window 23. Further, inside the case 10 and below the reading window 23, a rectangular-shaped total reflection mirror 31 is provided which is obliquely raised toward the front end 10a. Further, at the front end 10a inside the case 10, a rectangular total reflection mirror 32 is provided which stands up toward the rear end 10b.

At the rear end 10b inside the case 10, a rectangular CCD line sensor (line sensor) 33 facing the front end 10a is arranged with its extending direction aligned with the left-right direction B. The CCD line sensor 33 makes one line of light reflected by the total reflection mirror 32 incident, and collectively outputs an analog signal according to the light intensity of this light. In addition, the reflector 32 and the CCD line sensor 33
An imaging lens 34 that focuses the light is disposed on the optical path between and. Further, above the CCD line sensor 33, a counting circuit 40 (repetitive counting means) for inputting an analog signal output from the CCD line sensor 33 and performing a counting process for counting the number of pulses of this analog signal.
And a liquid crystal display 50 for displaying the count value output from the counting circuit 40 and the determination result.

As shown in FIG. 4, the counting circuit 40 has a CC
A sample hold circuit 41 that inputs an analog signal (waveform signal) output from the D line sensor 33 and samples the analog signal, and an amplifier circuit 42 that variably amplifies the analog signal output from the sampling hold circuit 41. , And an AD converter 43 for converting the analog signal amplified by the amplifier circuit 42 into digital data. The counting circuit 40 also includes a clock oscillator 44 that supplies clock pulses to the CCD line sensor 33, the sample hold circuit 41, and the AD converter 43.
And a counter circuit 45 for counting the number of cards A1 based on the digital data output from the AD converter 43.

Further, the counting circuit 40 includes the counter circuit 4
5, a CPU 46 for counting the number of cards A1 and determining whether or not the obtained count value is correct, and a RAM 47 for storing various data and flags. Then, the count value and the determination result output from the counting circuit 40 are given to the liquid crystal display 50 via the driver 51, and the count value (that is, the number of cards A1) or the error message is displayed.

The sample and hold circuit 41 is a circuit for sampling the analog signal output from the CCD line sensor 33 at a constant cycle, and is capable of performing stepwise output according to the brightness.

Further, the amplifier circuit 42 comprises a resistor 42a having a resistance value R1 and an amplifier 42b, and the resistor 42a and the amplifier 42b are connected in series between the sample hold circuit 41 and the AD converter 43. Further, the amplifier circuit 42 includes an analog switch 42c and a resistor 42d having a resistance value R2. The analog switch 42c and the resistor 42d are connected in series with each other, and the resistor 42d is provided.
It is connected in parallel with a. Furthermore, the amplifier circuit 42 includes a resistor 42e, which is connected in parallel to the amplifier 42b. Then, the analog switch 42c performs a switching operation according to a control signal from the CPU 46, and the amplification degree of the amplifier circuit 42 changes due to this switching operation.

Further, the AD converter 43 converts the analog signal output from the sample hold circuit 41 into 8-bit digital data according to its value ([00000000] for the brightest and [11] for the darkest.
111111] and converts it into digital data of 256 gradations.

Furthermore, the RAM 47 includes a plurality of memories 1 (47a) to 9 (47i) and a flag 47j. Memory 1 (47a) and memory 2 (47
In b), the digital data output from the AD converter 43 is temporarily stored. In addition, the memory 3 (47
In c), memory 1 (47a) and memory 2 (47b).
The difference between the two data stored in is stored. further,
The memory 4 (47d) to the memory 6 (47f) have set levels (first to third times) in the counting process of each time (1 to 3 times).
The reference value) and the reset level (second reference value) are stored in advance. Furthermore, the memory 7 (47g) to the memory 9 (47i) store the count values of the counting process each time (1 to 3 times).

The counting circuit 40 counts the number of analog signal pulses output from the CCD line sensor 33 using the set level and the reset level. That is,
As shown in FIG. 5, the sampling value output from the sample hold circuit 41 is sequentially compared with the previous sampling value, and the flag 47j is set when the difference between these sampling values is larger than the set level. If the difference between the sampling values is larger than the reset level, the flag 47j is reset. Then, the counter circuit 45 indicates the number of repetitions of setting and resetting with the flag 47j.
By counting with, the number of pulses of the analog signal is counted.

Next, the operation of the paper sheet batch counting apparatus 1 will be described. First, the accommodation recess 21 of the stocker 20 shown in FIG.
The card group A is filled up in the standing state, and the pressing tool 22
The card group A is fixed in the stocker 20 by pressing the card group A to one side with. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, by turning on each LED 30 and irradiating the end surface D of the card group A with light, the light reflected by the end surface D of the card group A is reflected by the total reflection mirrors 31, 32. And goes straight toward the CCD line sensor 33. In this way, by using the two total reflection mirrors 31 and 32 to cause the reflected light to reciprocate at the front end 10a of the case 10, the optical path of the reflected light can be increased, and as a result, the case 10 can be downsized. be able to.

The light reflected by the total reflection mirror 32 enters the light receiving surface of the CCD line sensor 33 through the image forming lens 34. Then, on the light receiving surface of the CCD line sensor 33, the image of the end surface D of the card group A imaged by the imaging lens 34 is projected. The illuminance on the end face D of the card group A is high on the end face D1 of each card A1,
The interval between 1 is low. Therefore, the image obtained by the CCD line sensor 33 is the CCD as shown in FIGS.
It becomes a striped pattern in which light and dark are repeated in the extending direction of the line sensor 33. This image is converted into an electric signal by the CCD line sensor 33 and given to the counting circuit 40 shown in FIG. The reading of the illuminance on the end surface D of the card group A is performed a plurality of times, and the obtained electric signals are sequentially given to the counting circuit 40.

Next, the counting process performed by the counting circuit 40 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 6 and 7.
First, the CCD line sensor 33 reads the illuminance for the first time, and the CCD line sensor 33 supplies an electric signal to the sample hold circuit 41. The sample hold circuit 41 converts this electric signal into a stepwise waveform signal according to the brightness (step 100). This waveform signal is given to the amplifier circuit 42, and the waveform signal is amplified with a predetermined amplification degree (step 101). At this stage, the analog switch 42c is kept in the off state under the control of the CPU 46, and as a result, the waveform signal flows only through the resistor 42a having the resistance value R1 and is given to the amplifier 42b.

The waveform signal amplified by the amplifier circuit 42 is AD
The data is supplied to the conversion converter 43 and converted into digital data at the same timing as the sample hold (step 102). Then, the digital data is given to the CPU 46, and this data is stored in the memory 1 (47a) (step 103).

Under the synchronous control by the clock oscillator 44,
The electric signal output from the CCD line sensor 33 at the next clock timing is sampled by the sample hold circuit 41 (step 104) and then amplified by the amplifier circuit 4.
It is amplified by 2 (step 105). The amplified signal is converted into digital data by the AD converter 43 (step 106), and the memory 2 (47) is controlled under the control of the CPU 46.
It is stored in b) (step 107).

Next, the digital data stored in the memory 1 (47a) is subtracted from the digital data stored in the memory 2 (47b), and the subtraction result is stored in the memory 3 (47c).
(Step 108). And memory 3
It is determined whether the digital data stored in (47c) is smaller than 0 and the absolute value of the digital data stored in the memory 3 (47c) is larger than the absolute value of the digital data stored in the memory 4 (47d) ( Step 10
9). As a result of the judgment, this condition is satisfied, and the flag 47
If j is reset (step 110),
The CPU 46 sets the flag 47j and adds 1 to the counter value of the counter circuit 45 (step 11).
1).

If the conditions are not satisfied in the determinations in steps 109 and 110, and if the processing in step 111 is completed, the digital data stored in the memory 3 (47c) is larger than 0 and the memory 3 (47c). )
The absolute value of the digital data stored in the memory 4 (47
It is determined whether it is larger than the absolute value of the digital data stored in d) (step 112). As a result of the determination, when this condition is satisfied and the flag 47j is set (step 113), the CPU 46 resets the flag 47j (step 114).

If the conditions are not satisfied in the judgments of steps 112 and 113, and if the process of step 114 is completed, it is checked whether the first reading of the CCD line sensor 33 is completed (step 115), and If the reading is not completed, the memory 2 (47
The digital data stored in b) is read out and stored in the memory 1
It is stored in (47a) (step 116). afterwards,
The process is returned to step 104.

When the first reading from the CCD line sensor 33 is completed, the flag 47j is checked (step 117). If the flag 47j is set, an error signal indicating a reading failure is displayed on the liquid crystal display. It outputs to 50 (step 118), and a process is complete | finished. As a result, an error message is displayed on the display 50, and the user who sees this display reloads the card group A into the stocker 20 so that the end surfaces D of the card group A are aligned.

If the flag 47j is reset in step 117, the count value of the counter circuit 45 is stored in the memory 7 (47g) (step 119).
Then, the process is returned to step 100, and step 10
The process from 0 to step 119 is repeated twice more, and the second and third pulse counting is performed.

In the second pulse counting, step 109
The memory 5 (47e) is used in place of the memory 4 (47d) in the determination condition of 1) and the determination condition of step 112. That is, in step 109, the digital data stored in the memory 3 (47c) is smaller than 0, and the absolute value of the digital data stored in the memory 3 (47c) is the same as that of the digital data stored in the memory 5 (47e). Determine if it is greater than the absolute value. In step 112, the digital data stored in the memory 3 (47c) is larger than 0, and the absolute value of the digital data stored in the memory 3 (47c) is the same as the digital data stored in the memory 5 (47e). Determine if it is greater than the absolute value. In addition, 2
In the process of step 119, the memory 8 (47h) is used instead of the memory 7 (47g) in the pulse counting for the second time.
Is used. That is, the count value of the counter circuit 45 is stored in the memory 8 (47h).

Then, in the third pulse counting, the memory 6 (47d) is replaced by the memory 6 (47d) in the determination conditions of step 109 and step 112.
f) is used. In addition, in the processing of step 119,
The memory 9 (47i) is used instead of the memory 7 (47g).

After the third pulse counting is completed (step 120), the count value stored in the memory 7 (47g), the count value stored in the memory 8 (47h), and the memory 9 (47i) are stored. It is judged whether the counted values are the same (step 121), and if they are all the same, these counted values are output to the liquid crystal display 50 (step 1).
22), end the process. As a result, the number of cards A1 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 50.

When it is determined in step 121 that the count values are not the same, it is checked whether the amplification degree of the amplifier circuit 40 has already been increased (step 123). Specifically, the state of the analog switch 40a is being checked, and when the analog switch 40a is in the on state, it is determined that the amplification degree of the amplifier circuit 40 has already been increased. Further, when the analog switch 40a is off, it is determined that the amplification degree of the amplifier circuit 40 has not been increased yet.

That is, the analog switch 4 of the amplifier circuit 40
While 0a is in the off state, the waveform signal flows only through the resistor 42a having the resistance value R1 and is given to the amplifier 42b. Therefore, the input resistance of the amplifier 42b is R1. On the other hand, when the analog switch 40a of the amplifier circuit 40 is turned on, the waveform signal flows in parallel through the resistor 42a having the resistance value R1 and the resistor 42d having the resistance value R2, and the amplifier 42b.
Given to. Therefore, the input resistance of the amplifier 42b is 1 /
(1 / R1 + 1 / R2). Here, the input resistance R1
The input resistance 1 / (1 / R1 + 1 / R2) has a smaller resistance value than the input resistance 1 / (1 / R1 + 1 / R2).
Therefore, by switching the analog switch 40a from the off state to the on state, the input resistance of the amplifier 42b is reduced, and as a result, the amplification degree of the amplifier circuit 42 is increased. Therefore, by checking the state of the analog switch 40a, it is possible to easily determine whether or not the amplification degree of the amplifier circuit 40 has been increased.

If it is determined in step 123 that the amplification factor of the amplifier circuit 40 has already been increased,
An error signal of read failure is output to the liquid crystal display 50 (step 124), and the process ends. As a result, an error message is displayed on the liquid crystal display 50. Then, the user who sees this error message adjusts the stocker 2 so that the end faces D of the card group A are aligned.
Card group A is reloaded to 0.

When it is determined in step 123 that the amplification degree of the amplifier circuit 40 has not been increased yet, the analog switch 4 is controlled under the control of the CPU 46.
0a is turned on to increase the amplification degree of the amplifier circuit 40. Then, the process is returned to step 100.

As described above, the counting circuit 40 counts the number of the cards A1 three times, and when the count values do not match, the amplification degree of the amplifier circuit 42 is increased and the card is again read. The number of A1 sheets is counted three times. Since the amplification of the waveform signal is increased in this way, the LED3
If the illumination of the end surface B of the card group A by 0 is not uniform,
Alternatively, even when the illuminance on the end surface B of the card group A is lowered due to the change of the LED 30 with time or the like, the count values of three times can be perfectly matched.

That is, as shown in FIG.
When the illumination of the end surface B of the card group A due to 0 is not uniform, etc., the set or reset waveform change amount decreases,
These changes are almost the same as the set level or the reset level. Therefore, the setting in the counting circuit 40,
The reset judgment becomes subtle, and the count values of three times do not match. If the count values do not match three times in this way, as shown in FIG. 9B, the amplification degree of the waveform signal is increased and the counting process is performed again. In the second counting process, the set or reset waveform change amount becomes large, and these change amounts can be easily distinguished from the set level or the reset level. For this reason, it is possible to reliably perform the determination of setting and resetting, and the count values of the three times completely match. Therefore, the count value of the card obtained by the counting circuit 40 has a very high accuracy.

Further, since the illuminance distribution is collectively read by using the CCD line sensor 33, a mechanism for moving the photo sensor in the direction in which the cards A1 are stacked is unnecessary. Therefore, the mechanism of the paper sheet batch counting apparatus 1 can be simplified.

Furthermore, by reading the illuminance distribution on the end face D of the card group A for one line at a time, when the number of cards A1 is counted, it is less likely to be affected by the change in the light amount of the LED 30.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a paper sheet batch counting apparatus according to a second embodiment will be described. FIG.
3 is a block diagram showing a counting circuit 140 included in the paper sheet batch counting apparatus according to the embodiment of FIG. The counting circuit 140 is different from the counting circuit 40 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4 in that an amplifier circuit is not provided between the sample hold circuit 41 and the AD converter 43, and the CPU 46 is LE.
That is, the light amount of D30 is controlled. Therefore, as shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 11 and 12, the counting circuit 140 operates partially differently from the counting circuit 40.
The operation of the counting circuit 140 will be described below. The configuration other than the counting circuit 140 of the paper sheet batch counting apparatus according to the second embodiment is the same as or equivalent to that of the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 11, the CCD line sensor 33 reads the illuminance for the first time, and the CCD
An electric signal is given from the line sensor 33 to the sample hold circuit 41. The sample hold circuit 41 converts this electric signal into a stepwise waveform signal according to the brightness (step 200). This waveform signal is given to the AD conversion converter 43 and converted into digital data at the same timing as the sample hold (step 201).
Then, the digital data is given to the CPU 46, and this data is stored in the memory 1 (47a) (step 2).
02).

Under the synchronous control by the clock oscillator 44,
The electrical signal output from the CCD line sensor 33 at the next clock timing is sampled by the sample hold circuit 41 (step 203) and then converted into digital data by the AD converter 43 (step 20).
4) is stored in the memory 2 (47b) under the control of the CPU 46 (step 205).

Next, the digital data stored in the memory 1 (47a) is subtracted from the digital data stored in the memory 2 (47b), and the subtraction result is stored in the memory 3 (47c).
(Step 206). And memory 3
It is determined whether the digital data stored in (47c) is smaller than 0 and the absolute value of the digital data stored in the memory 3 (47c) is larger than the absolute value of the digital data stored in the memory 4 (47d) ( Step 20
7). As a result of the judgment, this condition is satisfied, and the flag 47
If j is reset (step 208),
The CPU 46 sets the flag 47j and adds 1 to the counter value of the counter circuit 45 (step 20).
9).

When the conditions are not satisfied in the determinations in step 207 and step 208, and when the processing in step 209 is completed, the digital data stored in the memory 3 (47c) is larger than 0 and the memory 3 (47c). )
The absolute value of the digital data stored in the memory 4 (47
It is determined whether it is larger than the absolute value of the digital data stored in d) (step 210). As a result of the determination, when this condition is satisfied and the flag 47j is set (step 211), the CPU 46 resets the flag 47j (step 212).

If the conditions are not satisfied in the judgments in steps 210 and 211, and if the processing in step 212 is completed, it is checked whether the first reading of the CCD line sensor 33 is completed (step 213), and If the reading is not completed, the memory 2 (47
The digital data stored in b) is read out and stored in the memory 1
It is stored in (47a) (step 214). afterwards,
The process returns to step 203.

When the first reading from the CCD line sensor 33 is completed, the flag 47j is checked (step 215). If the flag 47j is set, an error signal indicating a reading failure is displayed on the liquid crystal display. The data is output to 50 (step 216), and the process ends. As a result, an error message is displayed on the display 50, and the user who sees this display reloads the card group A into the stocker 20 so that the end surfaces D of the card group A are aligned.

If the flag 47j is reset in step 215, the count value of the counter circuit 45 is stored in the memory 7 (47g) (step 217).
Then, the process is returned to step 200, and step 20
The process from 0 to step 217 is repeated twice more, and the second and third pulse counting is performed.

In the second pulse counting, step 207
The memory 5 (47e) is used in place of the memory 4 (47d) in the determination condition of 1) and the determination condition of step 210. That is, in step 207, the digital data stored in the memory 3 (47c) is smaller than 0, and the absolute value of the digital data stored in the memory 3 (47c) is the same as that of the digital data stored in the memory 5 (47e). Determine if it is greater than the absolute value. In step 210, the digital data stored in the memory 3 (47c) is larger than 0, and the absolute value of the digital data stored in the memory 3 (47c) is the absolute value of the digital data stored in the memory 5 (47e). Determine if it is greater than the absolute value. In addition, 2
In the second pulse counting, in the process of step 217, the memory 8 (47h) is used instead of the memory 7 (47g).
Is used. That is, the count value of the counter circuit 45 is stored in the memory 8 (47h).

Then, in the third pulse counting, the memory 6 (47d) is replaced by the memory 6 (47d) in the determination conditions of step 207 and step 210.
f) is used. In addition, in the processing of step 217,
The memory 9 (47i) is used instead of the memory 7 (47g).

After the third pulse counting is completed (step 218), the count value stored in the memory 7 (47g), the count value stored in the memory 8 (47h), and the memory 9 (47i) are stored. It is determined whether the counted values are the same (step 219), and if they are all the same, these counted values are output to the liquid crystal display 50 (step 2).
20), the process ends. As a result, the number of cards A1 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 50.

When it is determined in step 219 that the count values are not the same, it is determined whether the light quantity of the LED 30 has already been increased (step 221). As a result of this determination, when it is determined that the light amount of the LED 30 has already been increased, an error signal of read failure is output to the liquid crystal display 50 (step 222), and the process is ended. As a result, an error message is displayed on the liquid crystal display 50. Then, by the user who sees this error message, the end faces D of the card group A are aligned,
The card group A is reloaded in the stocker 20.

If it is determined in step 221 that the light amount of the LED 30 has not been increased yet, the light amount of the LED 30 is increased under the control of the CPU 46. Then, the process is returned to step 200.

As described above, the counting circuit 40 counts the number of the cards A1 three times, and when the count values do not match, the light amount of the LED 30 is increased,
Again, the number of cards A1 is counted three times. Since the light quantity of the LED 30 is increased in this way, the pulse amplitude of the waveform signal output from the CCD line sensor 33 becomes large. As a result, even when the illumination of the end surface B of the card group A by the LED 30 is not uniform, or even when the illuminance on the end surface B of the card group A is reduced due to the change of the LED 30 with time or the like, the count value of three times is calculated. You can match exactly. Therefore, the count value of the card obtained by the counting circuit 40 has a very high accuracy.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but may be modified as follows without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

(1) In the above first and second embodiments,
Although the card A1 is used as an example of paper sheets, other types of cards made of plastic or paper, such as credit cards, cash cards, prepaid cards, bills,
Stamps, securities, etc. may be used.

(2) In the above first and second embodiments,
Although the optical reduction type CCD line sensor 33 is used, a contact type CCD line sensor may be used.

(3) In the first and second embodiments,
The counting circuits 40 and 140 compare the count values three times, but the count circuits 40 and 140 are not limited to three times, and other counts (for example, 4
You may compare the count value of 5 times.

(4) In the first embodiment, the amplification degree of the amplifier circuit 42 is switched in two steps by using the analog switch 42a. However, for example, a circuit in which a plurality of analog switches are combined is used to amplify the amplifier circuit. 42 amplification of 3
You may switch in steps or more.

(5) In the second embodiment, the LED 3
Although the light amount of 0 is switched in two steps, it may be switched in three or more steps.

[0068]

Since the batch counting apparatus for paper sheets according to the present invention is constructed as described above, the following effects can be obtained. That is, when the amplitude of the waveform signal output from the line sensor is small and it is difficult to count the number of pulses, the waveform signal is amplified or the light quantity of the illumination means is increased,
After that, the number of pulses is counted. Therefore, if the illumination of the end face of the paper sheet group is not uniform, if the illumination of the end face of the paper sheet group decreases over time, or if the reflectance of the paper sheet is low, correct the number of paper sheets Can be counted. Further, it is not easily affected by the temporal change or temperature change of the illuminating means, and is not easily affected by coloring of paper sheets or stains.

Further, since the line sensor is used to detect the illuminance on the end surface of the paper sheet and there are no mechanically movable parts, the mechanism of the apparatus can be simplified. Therefore, the reliability of the device is high. Furthermore, since the line sensor has a short reading time, it is possible to count the paper sheets in a short time.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of a paper sheet batch counting apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an internal structure of the paper sheet batch counting apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the paper sheet batch counting apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a counting circuit.

FIG. 5 is a waveform diagram showing an analog signal output from a CCD line sensor.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the first half of the counting process performed by the counting circuit.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a second half flow of the counting process performed by the counting circuit.

FIG. 8A is a waveform diagram showing a CCD image waveform of a telephone card. (B) is a credit card CC
It is a waveform diagram showing a D video waveform.

FIG. 9A is a waveform diagram showing a waveform signal having a small amplitude. (B) is a waveform diagram showing a waveform signal with increased amplitude.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a counting circuit included in the paper sheet batch counting apparatus according to the second embodiment.

11 is a flowchart showing a first half flow of a counting process performed by the counting circuit of FIG.

12 is a flowchart showing a latter half flow of the counting process performed by the counting circuit of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Paper sheet batch counting device, 10 ... Case, 20 ... Stocker, 30 ... LED (illuminating means), 31, 32 ... Total reflection mirror, 33 ... CCD line sensor (line sensor), 3
4 ... Imaging lens, 40, 140 ... Counting circuit (repetitive counting means), 41 ... Sampling hold circuit, 42 ... Amplifying circuit, 43 ... AD converter, 44 ... Clock oscillator, 45 ... Counter circuit, 46 ... CPU, 47 ... RA
M, 50 ... Liquid crystal display (display means), A ... Card group (paper sheet group), A1 ... Card (paper sheet), D, D1 ...
End face.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A paper sheet batch counting apparatus for collectively counting the number of paper sheets in a stack of paper sheets, the lighting means illuminating an end face of the paper sheet group, and the lighting means. A line sensor that reads the illuminance in the parallel direction on the end surface of the illuminated sheet group a plurality of times, and a plurality of waveform signals output from the line sensor are sequentially input, and the number of pulses of these waveform signals is counted respectively. A paper sheet characterized by comprising a repetitive counting means for performing a counting process and amplifying the waveform signal and repeating the counting process when the count values obtained at each counting process are not the same. Collective counting device. 2. A paper sheet batch counting apparatus for collectively counting the number of paper sheets in a paper sheet group arranged in an overlapping manner, comprising: illumination means for illuminating an end face of the paper sheet group, and the illumination means. A line sensor that reads the illuminance in the parallel direction on the end surface of the illuminated sheet group a plurality of times, and a plurality of waveform signals output from the line sensor are sequentially input, and the number of pulses of these waveform signals is counted respectively. When the counting process is performed, and when the count value of each time obtained by this counting process is not the same, the light amount of the illuminating means is increased, and a repeating counting means for repeating the counting process is provided. Paper sheet batch counting device. 3. The counting process of the repetitive counting means resets the flag when the amplitude amount of the waveform signal per unit time exceeds a first reference value and resets the flag when the amplitude amount decreases below a second reference value. The paper sheet batch counting apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the flag is set, and the number of times the flag changes from the reset state to the set state is counted as the number of pulses.