JPH09319919A - Paper sheets discriminating device and its method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a paper sheets discriminating device and method capable of accurately discriminating the state of a paper sheet carried in an abnormal state, in addition to the discrimination of a paper sheet carried in a normal state. SOLUTION: A paper sheet 2 is carried on a carrier 1 rotated through a rotary shaft connected to an encoder 3, a reading means 4 detects the sheet 2 by scanning the entire width of the carrier 1 synchronously with a pulse generated from the encoder 3, to read out an image, and then a feature detecting means 5 detects the feature of the image. A 1st storing means 6 stores the detection timing of the sheet 2 by the means 4, and a 2nd storing means 7 stores the detection timing of the sheet 2 by the means 5. A combining means 8 superposes the feature on the image, based on the a difference of timing respectively stored in the 1st and 2nd storing means and an installation interval between the reading means 4 and the detecting means 5. A discriminating means discriminates the state of the sheet 2, based on the image generated by the combining means 8.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a reading means for scanning an entire width of a conveying path to read an image of a sheet conveyed on the conveying path and a detecting means for detecting characteristics of the sheet conveyed on the conveying path. The present invention relates to a sheet discriminating apparatus and a discriminating method for discriminating a sheet conveyed on a conveying path.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional sheet discriminating apparatus mounted on an automatic teller machine or the like, it is possible to detect a plurality of characteristics of a sheet conveyed on a conveying path. The state of the paper sheet is discriminated by comparing the detection result of each detection means with the discrimination criterion of each characteristic. On the other hand, like the discrimination device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-272041, the characteristics of at least two types of paper sheets are sequentially detected and each is divided into predetermined areas of the paper sheets. Therefore, the discrimination accuracy is improved by referring to the discrimination table for each feature and correlating each area for discriminating the paper sheets.

Further, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-87673 discloses that
It is shown that an encoder for obtaining the moving distance on the transport path and a detecting means for detecting the paper sheet are provided to detect a jam of the paper sheet.

[0004]

In the paper sheet discriminating apparatus mounted on the automatic teller machine or the like installed in a bank or the like, the state of the paper sheets conveyed in a normal state (number of sheets, kind, The presence or absence of damage, etc.) can be determined with high accuracy, and in order to manage the inventory of paper sheets in the automated teller machine, it is possible to detect abnormalities such as double feed as well as paper sheets conveyed in a normal state. It is necessary to determine the number of paper sheets conveyed in the state, and for that purpose, it is necessary to associate the detected characteristic with the detection position in the mass of paper sheets. However, in the above-mentioned conventional technique, the detected characteristic data of the paper sheet is divided into predetermined areas of the paper sheet and stored in the table, and when the paper sheet is conveyed in a normal state, it is possible to determine. However, if the paper sheet is conveyed in an abnormal state, it is not clear in which part of the conveyed sheet mass the characteristic data was detected, so the state of the paper sheet must be accurately determined. There was a problem that I could not do it.

An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet discriminating apparatus and a sheet discriminating apparatus capable of accurately discriminating not only the state of a sheet conveyed in a normal state but also the state of a sheet conveyed in an abnormal state. It is to provide a discrimination method.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a paper sheet conveyed on a conveying path by scanning the entire width of the conveying path in synchronization with a pulse of an encoder attached to a rotary shaft of the conveying path. In a paper sheet discriminating apparatus and a discriminating method including a reading unit for detecting an image and reading an image and a characteristic detecting unit for detecting a characteristic of a sheet conveyed on a conveying path, the reading unit is based on a pulse of an encoder. First storage means for storing a first timing at which the paper sheet is detected, and second storage means for storing a second timing at which the characteristic detection means detects the characteristic of the paper sheet based on the pulse of the encoder. An image of a paper sheet read by the reading unit based on the first timing stored in the first storing unit, the second timing stored in the second storing unit, and the installation interval of the reading unit and the feature detecting unit. The fusing means for superposing the features of the paper sheets detected by the feature detection means, and the discrimination means for discriminating the paper sheets based on the image in which the features of the paper sheets generated by the fusion means are superposed are provided. is there.

Further, the reading means always stores the data one line before the line scanned by the reading means or the data up to a plurality of lines before the reading means detects the paper sheet, and the reading means. When the type is detected, the data stored in the temporary storage means and the data read by the reading means are combined with each other to synthesize an image of the sheet, and the data one line before the reading means detects the sheet based on the pulse of the encoder. Alternatively, a third storage unit that stores the third timing of reading the data of a plurality of lines before, and a second storage unit that stores the second timing of the feature detection unit detecting the feature of the paper sheet based on the pulse of the encoder. Storage means,
Feature detection in the image of the paper sheet synthesized by the synthesizing unit from the third timing stored in the third storage unit, the second timing stored in the second storage unit, and the installation interval of the reading unit and the feature detecting unit. The fusing means for superposing the features of the paper sheets detected by the means and the discriminating means for discriminating the paper sheets based on the image in which the features of the paper sheets generated by the fusing means are superposed.

As a result, the first storage means stores the first timing at which the reading means detects the paper sheet based on the pulse of the encoder, and the second storage means stores the first timing of the paper based on the pulse of the encoder. The second timing for detecting the characteristics of the leaves is stored, and the fusing means stores the first timing stored in the first storage means, the second timing stored in the second storage means, the reading means, and the feature detection means. The image of the paper sheet detected by the feature detection means is superposed on the image of the paper sheet read by the reading means from the installation interval of The paper sheets can be discriminated based on the.

The temporary storage means always stores the data one line before the line scanned by the reading means or the data up to a plurality of lines before the reading means detects a sheet, and the synthesizing means stores the data. When the paper sheet is detected, the image of the paper sheet is synthesized from the data stored in the temporary storage means and the data read by the reading means, and the third storage means detects the paper sheet based on the pulse of the encoder. The third timing of reading the data of one line before or the data of a plurality of lines before is stored, and the second storage means is the second timing at which the characteristic detection means detects the characteristic of the paper sheet based on the pulse of the encoder. The fusion means stores the third timing stored in the third storage means, the second timing stored in the second storage means, the reading means, and the feature detection means. The feature of the paper sheet detected by the feature detecting means is superimposed on the image of the paper sheet synthesized by the synthesizing means from the distance, and the discriminating means is based on the image in which the features of the paper sheets generated by the fusing means are superimposed. Since the paper sheet can be discriminated, it is possible to accurately discriminate the paper sheet by grasping the position on the image of the paper sheet having the detected characteristic even if the paper sheet is conveyed in an abnormal state.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to embodiments. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a paper sheet discriminating apparatus according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied. The paper sheet 2 is conveyed on the conveying path 1 in the direction of the arrow, and the encoder 3 is connected to the rotary shaft of the conveying path 1. The reading unit 4 scans the entire width of the conveyance path 1 in synchronization with the pulse of the encoder 3 to detect the sheet 2 conveyed on the conveyance path 1 to read the image, and the feature detection unit 5 detects the pulse of the encoder 3. The characteristics of the paper sheet 2 conveyed on the conveyance path 1 are detected in synchronism with.

Here, the characteristic of the paper sheet 2 refers to a state relating to the thickness and the like of the paper sheet in addition to the pattern and the luminescent color on the paper sheet, the watermark and the magnetic printing portion. As a sensor for detecting the characteristics, in addition to a transmission or reflection type optical sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a magnetic sensor, etc., the thickness of the paper sheet is configured to detect the displacement using a roller or the like. You may use what was done.

The first storage means 6 stores the timing when the reading means 4 detects the paper sheet 2, and the second storage means 7 stores the timing when the characteristic detection means 5 detects the characteristic of the paper sheet 2. To do. The fusing means 8 is based on the timing difference stored in the first storage means 6 and the second storage means 7 and the installation interval of the reading means 4 and the feature detecting means 5 on the image of the paper sheet 2 read by the reading means 4. The features of the paper sheet 2 detected by the feature detection means 5 are superposed on. The discrimination means 9 is the fusion means 8
The state of the paper sheet 2 is determined based on the image generated by. Here, the state of paper sheets refers to, for example, the type and number of paper sheets, the state of deterioration of paper sheets, and the like.

The operation of the apparatus of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 constructed in this way will be described with reference to the process flow chart of FIG.
When the paper sheet 2 is unwound from a paper sheet stacking unit such as an automated teller machine (not shown) and conveyed on the conveying path 1 in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 1, the reading means 4 scans the entire width of the conveying path 1. Is started (step 100), and the scanning is repeated until the paper sheet 2 is detected (step 101). When the reading means 4 detects the paper sheet 2, the first storage means 6 causes the reading means 4 to read.
The count value of the pulse number of the encoder 3 is stored as the timing when the paper sheet 2 is detected by (step 102), and the reading means 4 scans the transport path 1 to read the image of the paper sheet 2 (step 103). ).

The counting of the number of pulses of the encoder 3 is performed by the overall control means (not shown). Further, when the paper sheet 2 is conveyed in the direction of the arrow and the characteristic detection unit 5 detects the characteristic of the paper sheet 2 (step 104), the second storage unit 7 is provided.
Stores the count value of the pulse number of the encoder 3 as the timing at which the characteristic detection unit 5 detects the characteristic of the paper sheet 2 (step 105). After that, the timing at which the reading unit 4 stored in the first storage unit 6 by the fusing unit 8 detects the sheet 2 and the characteristic detection unit 5 stored in the second storage unit 7 detects the characteristic of the sheet 2. The difference between the timings and the interval between the reading means 4 and the feature detecting means 5 being installed are the paper sheets 2
The image of the sheet 2 read by the reading unit 4 by obtaining the position where the reading unit 4 detects the characteristic from the position where the reading unit 4 detects the sheet based on the time required to convey the sheet 2. The features of the paper sheet 2 detected by the feature detection means 5 are superimposed on the top (step 106).

This outline will be described with reference to the examples shown in FIGS. FIG. 3 shows an example in which the sheet 2 has fluorescent light emission or magnetic printing that cannot be detected by the reading unit 4. (A)
Is an image of the paper sheet 2 read by the reading means 4,
(B) is a feature of the paper sheet 2 detected by the feature detection means 5. (C) is a conceptual diagram when the feature is superimposed on the position of the design of the paper sheet 2, and the actual information stores where the feature is present in the image. Further, FIG. 4 shows an example in which the paper sheets 2 and the paper sheets 20 are conveyed in an overlapping manner.

(A) is a sheet 2 read by the reading means 4.
And (b) is information on the thickness of the lump of paper sheets (in this example, when there is one paper sheet, the output of this detector is It is set so that no output will be generated as well. (C) is a conceptual diagram when the thickness information is superimposed on the image of the lump of paper sheets, and as actual information, the thickness from where on the image to the thick is shown. Remember that the thickness is thick. Next, the discrimination unit 9 discriminates the paper sheet 2 based on the image of the paper sheet 2 on which the features detected by the feature detection unit 5 generated by the fusion unit 8 are superimposed (step 107). In step 104, the feature detecting means 5 causes the paper sheet 2
When the characteristic of No. 2 cannot be detected, nothing is superposed on the image of the paper sheet 2 read by the reading means 4 and the state of the paper sheet 2 is discriminated in step 107.

According to this embodiment, it is possible to grasp the position where the feature exists on the image of the paper sheet, so that the feature predicted to exist based on the image and the actually detected feature are compared. With this, it is possible to accurately determine the state of the paper sheet (whether it is a normal state or an abnormal state).

Next, the present invention will be described with reference to another embodiment. FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a paper sheet discriminating apparatus of another embodiment to which the present invention is applied. 1 having the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 have the same functions as those in FIG.

The temporary storage means 10 always stores the data one line before the line scanned by the reading means 4 or the data up to a plurality of lines before the reading means 4 detects the sheet 2 and the synthesizing means 11 The reading means 4 is the paper sheet 2
Is detected, the image of the paper sheet 2 is synthesized from the data stored in the temporary storage means 10 and the data read by the reading means 4. In the third storage means 12, the reading means 4 has the paper sheets 2
The timing at which the data of one line before or the data of a plurality of lines before is read is stored. The second storage means 7 stores that the characteristic detection means 5 has detected the characteristic of the paper sheet 2, and the fusing means 8 stores the third storage means 12 and the second storage means.
Difference between the timing stored in the storage means 7 and the reading means 4
The feature of the paper sheet 2 detected by the feature detecting unit 5 is superimposed on the image of the paper sheet 2 synthesized by the synthesizing unit 11 from the setting interval of the feature detecting unit 5. The discriminating means 9 discriminates the paper sheet 2 based on the image generated by the fusing means 8. The operation of the apparatus of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 configured in this way will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. . When the paper sheets 2 are unwound from a paper sheet stacking unit such as an automated teller machine (not shown) and conveyed on the conveying path 1 in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 5, the reading means 4 scans the entire width of the conveying path 1. (Step 200), the temporary storage means 10 always stores the data one line before the line scanned by the reading means 4 or the data up to a plurality of lines before (step 201).

This is repeated until the reading means 4 detects the sheet 2 (step 202). When the reading means 4 detects the paper sheet 2, the third storage means 12 causes the reading means 4 to read.
Stores the count value of the pulse number of the encoder 3 as the timing of reading the data one line before or the data before a plurality of lines when the paper sheet 2 is detected (step 20).
3), the reading means 4 scans the conveyance path 1 to read the image of the paper sheet 2 (step 204).

The counting of the number of pulses of the encoder 3 is performed by the overall control means (not shown). Next, the synthesizing means 1
1 synthesizes the image of the paper sheet 2 from the data stored in the temporary storage means 10 by the reading means 4 and the data read by the reading means 4 (step 205). An outline of this reading and combining will be described using the example shown in FIG. Reading means 4
Is a paper sheet 2 if there is a paper of length L or more on the scanning line.
Is judged to have been transported. When the paper sheet 2 is conveyed obliquely, even if the paper sheet 2 exists on the scanning line, the leading edge of the paper sheet 2 is not detected until the length existing on the scanning line becomes L.

Therefore, the data of the paper sheet 21 stored in the temporary storage means 10 is the data which is the number of lines before the quotient + 1 obtained by dividing the interval of the maximum neglected length L / 2 scan by W. An accurate image of the paper sheet 2 is generated by synthesizing the data of the paper sheet 2 read after the reading means 4 detects the paper sheet 2 by the synthesizing means 11.

Further, when the paper sheet 2 is conveyed in the direction of the arrow and the detecting means 5 detects the characteristic of the paper sheet 2 (step 2
06), the second storage means 7 has the feature detection means 5 for the paper sheet 2
The count value of the number of pulses of the encoder 3 is stored as the timing at which the characteristic of is detected (step 207).

Thereafter, the fusing means 8 causes the third storage means 12 to operate.
The reading timing stored in the second storage means 7 and the timing at which the reading means 4 stored in the first reading data of one line before the paper sheet 2 or the data of a plurality of lines before is read
From the tip of the paper sheet 2 from the difference in the timing at which the paper sheet 2 detects the characteristic of the paper sheet 2 and the time required to convey the paper sheet 2 while the reading unit 4 and the feature detection unit 5 are installed. The position of detecting the characteristic of the sheet 2 is obtained, and the characteristic of the sheet 2 detected by the characteristic detecting unit 5 is superimposed on the image of the sheet 2 combined by the combining unit 11 (step 208).

The outline is the same as in the case of FIG. Next, the discrimination means 9 is the feature detection means 5 generated by the fusion means 8.
The paper sheet 2 is discriminated based on the image of the paper sheet 2 in which the features detected by are overlapped (step 209). If the feature detection unit 5 cannot detect the feature of the paper sheet 2 in step 206, nothing is superposed on the image of the paper sheet 2 synthesized by the synthesizing unit 11 and the paper sheet 2 is synthesized in step 209.
Is determined.

According to this embodiment, since all the images of the paper sheets that can be read by the reading means can be read reliably, it is possible to grasp the exact position where the feature exists on the image of the paper sheets. Therefore, there is an effect that it is possible to accurately discriminate a paper sheet by collating a feature predicted to exist based on an image with a feature actually detected.

Further, according to this embodiment, there is an effect that it can be discriminated whether the sheet is one abnormal sheet or a plurality of sheets are abnormally conveyed.

Although the count value of the pulse number of the encoder is stored as each timing of this embodiment, the counter is cleared to 0 at the first timing or the third timing, and the count value of the pulse number thereafter is set to the second value. It may be stored as the timing, and it is sufficient to know the distance that the paper sheet has been conveyed from when the leading edge of the paper sheet reaches the feature detection means to when the feature is detected.

The reading means may be a transmissive type or a reflective type, and it is desirable to install it on the upstream side of the feature detecting means in the transport direction, but it may also be installed on the downstream side. By reversing the characteristic detection process and calculating the position where the characteristic is detected by back-calculating from the position where the paper is detected by the reading means, the sheet can be accurately discriminated.

Further, in the present embodiment, the number of the characteristic detecting means is one, but the number is not limited to this, and in the case of a plurality of the characteristic detecting means, the timing at which the characteristic is detected is similarly stored and displayed on the image of the paper sheet. By superimposing them, the paper sheets can be accurately discriminated.

Further, the whole processing of the present embodiment can be started at any timing if it is started from the time when the paper sheet is fed from the paper sheet stacking unit to the time when the paper sheet reaches the paper sheet discrimination apparatus. Good.

[0032]

According to the present invention, the characteristics of the sheet are superposed on the accurate position on the image of the sheet based on the pulse of the encoder, so that the sheet conveyed in the normal state is determined. In addition, it is possible to accurately discriminate paper sheets conveyed in an abnormal state.

Further, since the image of the sheet that can be read by the reading means can be surely read, it is possible to accurately determine the state of the sheet.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a paper sheet discriminating apparatus according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a processing flow of a paper sheet discriminating apparatus according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of images and characteristics of paper sheets.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another example of images and characteristics of paper sheets.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a paper sheet discriminating apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a processing flow of a paper sheet discriminating apparatus of another embodiment to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an image of paper sheets.

[Explanation of symbols]

3 ... encoder, 4 ... reading means, 5 ... feature detecting means,
6 ... 1st storage means, 7 ... 2nd storage means, 8 ... Fusion means, 10 ... Temporary storage means, 11 ... Compositing means, 12 ... 3rd
Storage means.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Yutaka Kako 1 Ikegami, Haruoka-cho, Owariasahi-shi, Aichi Prefectural Office Office Systems Division, Hitachi, Ltd. (72) Yasuo Okuma 1 Ikegami, Haruka-cho, Owariasahi, Aichi Stock Association (72) Inventor Yoshiharu Konishi 1st Ikegami Ikegami, Haruoka-cho, Owariasahi-shi, Aichi Stock Company, Hitachi, Ltd. Office Systems Division

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A paper sheet discriminating apparatus comprising: an encoder attached to a rotary shaft of a conveying path; and a characteristic detecting means for detecting a characteristic of a sheet conveyed on the conveying path in synchronization with a pulse of the encoder. In the apparatus, a reading unit that scans the entire width of the conveyance path based on the pulse of the encoder to detect the paper sheet conveyed on the conveyance path to read an image is provided, and the first reading unit detects the paper sheet. First storage means for storing the second timing, second characteristic storage means for storing the second timing at which the characteristic detection means detects the characteristic of the paper sheet, and first storage means for the first storage means. The characteristic detecting means on the image of the paper sheet read by the reading means based on the timing 1 and the second timing stored in the second storage means, and the installation interval of the reading means and the characteristic detecting means. 2. A paper sheet discriminating apparatus comprising: a fusing means for superposing the features of the paper sheets detected by 1. and a discriminating means for discriminating the state of the paper sheets based on the image generated by the fusing means. 2. A paper sheet discriminating device comprising: an encoder attached to a rotary shaft of a conveying path; and a characteristic detecting means for detecting a characteristic of a sheet conveyed on the conveying path in synchronization with a pulse of the encoder. In the apparatus, a reading unit that scans the entire width of the conveyance path based on the pulse of the encoder to detect the paper sheet conveyed on the conveyance path and reads an image is provided until the reading unit detects the paper sheet. A temporary storage means for always storing the data one line before the line scanned by the reading means or the data up to a plurality of lines before; and the data stored in the temporary storage means when the reading means detects a sheet. A synthesizing unit for synthesizing the image of the paper sheet from the data read by the reading unit, and data or a plurality of lines before one line in which the reading unit detects the paper sheet. A third storage means for storing a third timing at which the data before reading is stored; a second storage means for storing a second timing at which the characteristic detection means detects the characteristic of the paper sheet; Third
From the third timing stored in the storage means, the second timing stored in the second storage means, and the installation interval of the reading means and the feature detection means, the image of the paper sheet synthesized by the synthesis means is described above. Paper sheet discrimination characterized by having a fusing means for superposing the features of the paper sheets detected by the feature detection means, and a discrimination means for discriminating the state of the paper sheets based on the image generated by the fusing means. apparatus. 3. The paper sheet discriminating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the count value of the pulse number of the encoder is stored as timing. 4. A paper sheet discriminating apparatus for discriminating the state of a paper sheet by detecting the characteristics of the paper sheet conveyed on the conveying path in synchronization with a pulse of an encoder attached to the rotary shaft of the conveying path. In the determination method, the reading unit detects the sheet and the image is read based on the pulse of the encoder, and the first timing when the reading unit detects the previous sheet and the characteristic of the sheet are detected. In addition to the second timing described above, the interval from the reading of the image to the feature detection is used to superimpose the read image of the paper sheet on the detected feature of the paper sheet, and based on the superimposed image. A determination method for a sheet determination apparatus, comprising determining the state of the sheet. 5. A sheet discriminating apparatus for discriminating the state of a sheet by detecting the characteristics of the sheet conveyed on the conveying path in synchronization with a pulse of an encoder attached to the rotary shaft of the conveying path. In the determination method, the reading unit detects the sheet and the image is read based on the pulse of the encoder, and the image data of one line before the line scanned until the reading unit detects the sheet or The third timing of reading the image data of a plurality of lines before and the image data of one line before or a plurality of lines before are stored, and the image of the paper sheet is synthesized from the stored image data and the currently read image data. , The second timing and the third timing at which the feature is detected, and the combination from the interval between the image reading and the detection of the feature. A method for discriminating a paper sheet discriminating apparatus, characterized in that the detected feature is superposed on the detected image and the state of the paper sheet is discriminated based on the image in which the feature is superposed.