WO2005031662A1

WO2005031662A1 - Sheet handling

Info

Publication number: WO2005031662A1
Application number: PCT/SE2004/001376
Authority: WO
Inventors: Maxim MINERSKJÖLD
Original assignee: Axlon International Ab
Priority date: 2003-09-26
Filing date: 2004-09-24
Publication date: 2005-04-07
Also published as: SE0302557D0; EP1668607A1; SE527009C2; SE0302557L

Abstract

The invention refers to a banknote reader for at least one of denomination, value or authenticity determination of a value document through the physical size of the value document, whereby it comprises a reading head (10) with electronic components for the reading of a value document, and means (32) for processing the data that is read. The means (32) corrects for angular error and for horizontal displacements during the reading of value documents (40) fed in through a banknote/feed arrangement. The invention also concerns a method that is used by a banknote reader for the correction of angular errors and horizontal displacements.

Description

Sheet handling Technical Area The present invention relates to a banknote reader, which reads value documents, for at least one of denomination, value or authenticity determination. It comprises a reading head with electronic components for reading a value document and means for processing the banknote information that is read. The means corrects for angular errors and position/it is independent of horizontal position when reading banknotes. The invention also concerns a method that is used by a banknote reader for correcting angular errors and position/that is independent of position in the horizontal direction. The Prior Art

The reading of banknotes can be classified into two categories. The first category is the determination of denomination and value, while the second category is the control of authenticity. Either one category or both categories may be used, depending of the area of application and the requirements of the customer. A common method for determining the denomination of a banknote comprises measuring its length and breadth. Swedish banknotes have different formats for each individual denomination, as do other European banknotes. There are also currencies, such as the US dollar, in which all banknotes have the same physical format. In those cases in which the banknotes of particular currencies have different formats, measurements of the length and breadth provide a unique signature for the different denominations. An investigation of the currencies SEK, NOK, DDK, EUR and GBP shows that banknotes belonging to these currencies can be used in the same banknote reader with respect to measurement of the physical dimensions of the banknotes. A problem arises at this stage with crooked or oblique feed of banknotes into the input arrangement of the banknote reader. Compensation for this is to be achieved in order to be able to determine the denomination and the authenticity of banknotes that are fed in obliquely. Current feed arrangements for banknote readers reject banknotes that have been fed in obliquely. High-speed banknote readers with banknote transporters that transport banknotes with, for example, speeds of 1 m/s and higher are referred to here. Common deposit machines that are provided by, for example, banks for deposits into personal accounts have delays of many seconds before the acceptance of a single banknote, whereby time-consuming determination of denomination and authenticity can be carried out. A measurement technique is specified in patent US-A-4,741 ,526 by Reed for measuring the lengths of banknotes and double feed of these, together with equipment for

RECORD COPY - TRANSLATION (Rule J2.4) the same. In order to achieve the aim using the invention according to Reed, only two sensors are used, where the distance between them constitutes the reference plane for oblique feed. In this case, no scanning of the complete banknote line-by-line is carried out, and the sensors at only two points determine oblique feed of a banknote. The patent according to Reed does not measure the breadth of a banknote, it only measures the obliqueness relative to the sensors, and makes comparisons based on known values of the breadths of banknotes. The patent US-A-4,944,505 by Sherman, III, specifies a similar detection as that in the patent according to Reed, with two sensors that specify a reference plane, and where a time difference between the recording of, for example, the edge of a banknote at the sensors determines oblique feed. No scanning of a complete banknote line-by-line is carried out. The patent according to Sherman, III, does not either measure the breadth of a banknote, it only measures obliqueness relative to the sensors and comparisons based on known values of the breadths of banknotes. Also the document GB, A, 2 129 126 specifies two sensors for the detection of oblique feed of, for example, banknotes, and two sensors forming the reference for oblique feed and for the detection of what are known as "dog ears" or folded banknotes. The time difference between detection at the sensors specifies oblique feed. The document GB, A, 2 129 126 does not either measure the breadth of a banknote, it only measures obliqueness relative to the sensors and makes comparisons based on known values of the breadths of banknotes. In the technology according to the prior art, no subtraction is carried out between the breadth measured obliquely and a function of a particular distance that increases with increasing obliqueness in order to determine the actual breadth of the banknote. The "look-up"-table in the patent according to Reed thus contains prepared values of the breadths of, for example, a banknote, based on the obliqueness recorded via the sensors. Furthermore, the few fixed sensors that are used according to the prior art as has been taught by Reed, Sherman, III, and GB, A, 2 129 126 may, in certain cases, detect what are known as "dog ears" but not defective banknotes. The term "defective banknotes" is here used to denote banknotes that are torn or partially torn. The documents of Reed, Sherman, III, and GB, A, 2 129 126 do not teach any protection or any means of determining whether the breadth has been correctly calculated since it is probable that they calculate incorrect breadths if a tear or hole in the banknote passes just where one of the sensors is located. Summary of the Invention The invention according to the present description concerns the specification of a banknote reader with correction of angular error and is independent of the horizontal position, and a method for the same during the feed of banknotes into a banknote feed. The concept "banknote reader" according to the present invention is broader than solely comprising the reading of a banknote in the form of money, it is also to comprise an arrangement for reading value coupons, bar-codes and other documents having a value, whereby the banknote reader data processes the input signal and specifies as an output signal what the type of the denomination of the document is. In the same manner, the concept of "banknote" comprises also other value documents than money, such as value coupons, bar-codes, deposit receipts and similar documents, when it is used according to the present invention. In this respect the present invention specifies a banknote reader with the determination of denomination of a value document through the physical size of the value document, whereby it comprises a reading head with electronic components for reading a value document and means for the processing of the data that is read. The said means corrects for angular errors and the position of value documents fed into a banknote feed arrangement/feed arrangement in that the reading head measures the breadth of the value document at at least two points located at a distance from each other with respect to a reference, whereby two different breadths are obtained in the event of an angular error. The difference between the two breadths specifies the breadth with angular error. The actual breadth of the value document is obtained as the breadth with angular error from which a predetermined function of the said difference is subtracted. The means determines the denomination of the value document using the actual breadth of the value document as a reference. In one embodiment, the predetermined function is specified by tabulated values for a finite number of differences between the two breadths that are measured. One embodiment uses a LUT in an FPGA in order to realise the value of the said function. The present invention specifies also a method that is associated with the embodiments of the banknote reader specified above and that is specified in the attached claims describing the method. Brief Description of Drawings The text below will refer to the attached drawings in order to give a better understanding of the invention and its embodiments and the examples given, whereby: Fig. 1 illustrates schematically a banknote reader with conventional data processing, image processing with a DSP/CPU and software, in a side elevation and as a block diagram. Fig. 2 illustrates schematically a banknote reader according to a new and unique concept, in side elevation. Fig. 3 illustrates schematically how oblique feed of a banknote is measured according to the present invention. Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments Fig. 1 illustrates schematically the prior art for banknote readers. The concept of "banknote reader" according to the present invention is broader than only comprising the reading of a banknote in the form of money, it also comprises an arrangement for reading value coupons, bar-codes, deposit receipts and other documents that have a value. The banknote reader data processes the input signal and specifies as its output signal the type of document that is present. In the same manner, the concept of "banknote" comprises also other value documents than money, such as value coupons, bar-codes, deposit receipts and similar, when it is used according to the present invention. The concept of "banknote" will in the further description in the present case include a value document, preferably of paper or a material similar to paper. The banknote reader in Fig. 1 comprises an image reader/reading head 10, with an electronic circuit board 12 integrated with the reading head 10 as is commercially available, for the reading and digitising of banknotes/value documents. The reading head 10 is connected to the circuit board 12 through a contact 14. According to the prior art, the banknote reader has a data processing/image processing means 18 that consists of an input and output circuit board I/O 20 and a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) or CPU (Central Processing Unit) 22. The reading head 10 with the circuit board 12 is shown schematically connected to the I/O circuit board 20 through a flat cable 26. The data processing/image processing means 18 is connected to, for example, a PC 24 for display and for other data processing during the reading of banknotes. The reading head 10 with the circuit board 12 in Fig. 1 have actual dimensions of 128 mm in length, 25 mm in breadth, and 15 mm in height. Fig. 2 illustrates schematically a banknote reader according to the present invention where the data processing/image processing means 18 has been replaced by a gate logic unit 32, preferably an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), that is supported by a circuit board 30, which is connected to the electronic circuit board 12 of the reading head through a board-to-board contact 28. An FPGA is an integrated circuit consisting of logical building blocks such as logic gates, memory cells, LUTs (look-up tables), inputs and outputs, etc. It is possible to construct a tailored circuit using these building blocks by connecting building blocks to each other. This has the advantage that the design is very flexible and it is easy to modify the design at a later stage. The circuit board 30 with the gate logic unit 32 may essentially conform to the size of the electronic part or circuit board 12 of the reading head, whereby the logic circuits of the circuit board 30 are also located within the boundaries of the reading head 10, as is the circuit board 12. The banknote reader has in one embodiment the dimensions 128 mm in length, 25 mm in breadth and 25 to 26 mm in height, which comprises the reading head 10, the circuit board 12 and the circuit board 30 with the gate logic unit. Thus, the banknote reader has only increased its dimensions by approximately 10 mm in height, in comparison with the prior art. The embodiment of the image reader/reading head 10 that has been used to specify embodiments in the current description is of a linear type, but other types of reading head are not excluded. A linear reading head reads one line at a time, and all the lines are added in order to obtain a 2-dimensional image. Naturally, one skilled in the arts in this technical area will understand that the boundaries of the reading head 10 do not have to be followed closely in all embodiments; such a person skilled in the arts will realise that other embodiments with respect to dimensions and design, which exploit the integration of the reading head 10 and the gate logic unit 32 on the circuit board 30, can be used. A person skilled in the arts will also realise that other connections between the reading head and the circuit boards 12 and 32 than the connectors 14, 16, 28, which have been specified in this description and which have been schematically drawn on the attached drawings, can be used. Other embodiments of the reading head 10 that are commercially available are not excluded from being used to realise the present invention. The banknote reader has at least two functions to perform. It is to determine the denomination, such as SEK 20 or SEK 50, etc., of the banknote, depending on how many types of banknote a country or a community has, and it is to determine whether the banknote is authentic. Feed of banknotes into a banknote feed arrangement according to the present invention does not depend on horizontal position, nor does it depend on angle. This means that a banknote 40 is fed in by hand, without for that reason it being necessary that the banknote should make contact with an edge. The banknote can thus be fed in crooked or oblique, and at a horizontal displacement from a reference point. The algorithm/the electronic components for determination of the denomination and currency correct for horizontal displacement and for all angular errors up to a value of +/- 15 degrees. Measurements for the determination of authenticity of banknotes are divided into determination of denomination and control of authenticity. The determination of denomination is based on the physical size of a banknote. Measurement of a banknote according to the present invention corrects for any angular errors present if a banknote is fed in obliquely, and it corrects for any horizontal displacement from a reference point, reference edge, reference plane, or another suitable reference. Oblique feed of a banknote, see Fig. 3 according to the present invention, is determined by measuring the breadth of a banknote 40 at two locations or points separated by a distance x from each other based on a suitable reference plane 42. If the banknote is placed obliquely, the distance a will increase. The actual/correct breadth is B and this can be calculated using the equation B = B' - f(a), where f is a function of a. The function f is constituted in one embodiment by a table with tabulated values for different values of a. It will be realised that trigonometric calculations are preferably used in order to calculate the tabulated values. The scope of the attached patent claims specifies further embodiments for one skilled in the arts in this technical area.

Claims

Claims 1. A banknote reader for at least one of denomination, value and authenticity determination of a value document (40), whereby it comprises a reading head (10) with electronic components for the reading of a banknote (40) and means (32) for processing the data that is read, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the said means (32) corrects for angular error and is independent of the horizontal location of the value documents fed in through a feed arrangement, in that the reading head (10) measures the breadth of the value document at two locations separated from each other by a distance relative to a reference (42), whereby two different breadths are obtained in the event of an angular error and where the difference (a) between these two breadths specifies the breadth (B') with angular error present, whereby the actual breadth (B) of the value document is obtained as the breadth measured with angular error present from which a predetermined function f(a) of the said difference (a) has been subtracted, and whereby the said means (32) determines the denomination of the value document using the actual width (B) of the value document as a reference.

2. The banknote reader according to claim 1 , c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the predetermined function f(a) is provided by tabulated values for a finite number of differences (a) between the two breadths that are measured.

3. The banknote reader according to claim 2, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that a LUT in an FPGA is used to realise the values of the said function f(a).

4. A method in a banknote reader for at least one of denomination, value and authenticity determination of a value document (40), whereby it comprises a reading head (10) with electronic components for the reading of a banknote (40) and means (32) for processing the data that is read, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the said means (32) corrects for angular error and is independent of the horizontal location of the value documents (40) fed in through a feed arrangement, in that the reading head (10) measures the breadth of the value document at two locations separated from each other by a distance relative to a reference (42), whereby two different breadths are obtained in the event of an angular error and where the difference (a) between these two breadths specifies the breadth (B') with angular error present, whereby the actual breadth (B) of the value document is obtained as the breadth measured with angular error present from which a predetermined function f(a) of the said difference (a) has been subtracted, and whereby the said means (32) determines the denomination of the value document using the actual width (B) of the value document as a reference.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterised in that the predetermined function f(a) is provided by tabulated values for a finite number of differences (a) between the two breadths that are measured.

6. The method according to claim 5, ch aracte rised in that a LUT is used to realise the values of the said function f(a).