CN1347538A - Double sheet detector for automated transaction machine - Google Patents

Abstract

An automated transaction machine includes apparatus for distinguishing between single sheets and multiple sheets in a sheet path. The apparatus includes radiation emitters (14, 34) and radiation detectors (20, 40, 42). The radiation emitters are operated to emit radiation at periodic intervals. Signal conditioners (50) receive signals from the radiation detectors and generate outputs responsive to the intensities sensed by the detectors substantially only during the periodic intervals. The outputs are combined, weighed and/or compared to thresholds to distinguish single and multiple sheets. The apparatus enables reliable operation in noisy electrical environments and with a wide variety of sheet properties.

Description

Automated Transaction Machine Double Ticket Detector

  Technical field

The present invention generally relates to detection devices for use in electrically noisy environments with improved signal-to-noise ratios. More particularly, the present invention relates to a synchronous authentication detection device for ticket media in an automatic transaction machine. The automated transaction machine includes an automated teller machine or any other machine capable of making transfers representing value.

Background technique

Automatic transaction machines, especially automatic teller machines (ATMs) for banking operations, work with circuits and components including motors, transformers, relays, coils and other drives, all of which can generate unnecessary electrical signal or "noise".

An important function of an ATM is to dispense and accept coupons. Such tickets can be of various types. The most common of these is currency or notes in the form of negotiable notes. Occasionally, two or more notes (tickets) can stick to each other due to the surface condition of the notes, moisture or other weather conditions. It would be desirable to detect this condition before issuing the receipt. A similar situation occurs in currency acceptors, where two or more notes stick together causing errors in the process of accepting currency.

Various physical thickness detection methods have been studied, but the changes in the surface characteristics of bills in circulation make it difficult to detect the thickness of double bills compared with new bills. If the detection is not sensitive enough during the dispensing operation, it is possible to dispense multiple tickets and cause losses to the ATM operator. If the detection function is too sensitive, thicker single bills are redirected and cannot be dispensed, causing the ATM to need to replenish bills frequently unnecessarily.

Electrical and optical detection methods are affected by electrical noise in the ATM environment. This noise affects the sensitivity of electrical and optical methods of operation. The signal strength must be high enough to be detected above the ATM electrical noise background. Increased signal strength requires higher power, which requires higher power-rated components to operate at higher power without compromising sensitivity, and also requires avoiding operational problems such as signal saturation.

The accuracy of the radiation-type bill thickness detection device may be affected by the color difference of the bill. For example, darker-colored bills generally absorb more radiation than lighter-colored bills. Different materials used in currency in different countries have different radiation absorbing properties. This would make it difficult to distinguish between single and multiple notes. This presents a difficult problem for automated transaction machines that must distinguish between single and multiple coupons with different radiation absorbing and reflecting properties.

There is therefore a need for an improved ticket thickness detection apparatus and method for distinguishing between single and multiple tickets dispensed by an automated transaction machine.

    Contents of the Invention Disclosure

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for an automatic transaction machine that detects the thickness of a coupon medium being dispensed or received with a detection device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for an automatic transaction machine for detecting the thickness of a coupon medium being dispensed or received by a detection device comprising a light source and an optical detector.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device and method for an automatic transaction machine that uses a detection device to detect the thickness of the coupon medium being dispensed or accepted, the detection device including an infrared radiation source and an infrared radiation detection device.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for an automatic transaction machine that detects the thickness of a coupon medium being dispensed or received by a detection device that includes a pulsed light source and an optical detector.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device and method for an automatic transaction machine, which uses a detection device to detect the thickness of the coupon medium being dispensed or received. The detection device includes a pulsed light source and a pulsed light source. optical detector.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device and method for an automatic transaction machine, which uses a detection device to detect the thickness of the coupon medium being distributed or received. The detection device includes a pulse light source and a An optical detector and a discriminator that facilitates synchronization of signals with the light source and attenuates other signals.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device and method for an automatic transaction machine that detects the thickness of the coupon medium being dispensed or received by a detection device that includes a pulsed radiation source, a synchronized radiation detector and a pair of discriminators that are both frequency and phase sensitive.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for an automatic transaction machine to detect the thickness of a coupon medium being dispensed or received using a detection device comprising a pulsed radiation source, a A synchrotron radiation detector capable of detecting both a reflected radiation beam and a transmitted radiation beam and a pair of frequency and phase sensitive discriminators.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a detection apparatus and method for an automated transaction machine which reliably discriminates single and overlapping double bills having different radiation reflection and radiation absorption characteristics.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for an automatic transaction machine which can economically and reliably measure the thickness of a ticket medium.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for improving the detection accuracy of a detection device in an automatic banking machine.

Other objects of the present invention will become clearer in the following best mode for carrying out the present invention and the appended claims.

The foregoing objects of the present invention are achieved in a preferred embodiment of an automatic transaction machine. The exemplary embodiment includes a document thickness detector with a synchronous discriminator. The sync discriminator in this exemplary embodiment of the invention includes a radiation source, one or more radiation detectors, a preamplifier, a sync chopper and an integrator.

The radiation source preferably comprises a light emitting diode (LED) pulsed by a driver circuit in a selected sequence. The LED preferably includes an infrared emitter (IR LED). The infrared emitter (IR LED) illuminates a first side of a bill, such as a currency bill, on which part of the infrared signal is emitted and part passes through the bill. The intensity of the reflected beam is directly proportional to the thickness of the document, while the intensity of the transmitted beam is inversely proportional to the thickness of the document. That is, as the number of ticket media comprising the test increases, more light beams will be reflected from the media and less light beams will be transmitted through the media. In addition, the intensity of the reflected beam and the intensity of the transmitted beam are generally inversely proportional to the darkness (color type) of the document being tested.

The radiation detectors for the reflected and transmitted components are preferably photodiodes or phototriodes. In one exemplary embodiment, the output of each detector is amplified and fed to the input of a synchronous chopping circuit, also referred to herein as a chopper. The chopper is synchronized with the pulse pattern driving the LED to process only the signal synchronized with the LED. The synchronous chopper output is processed by an integrator circuit to produce a signal representative of the thickness of the document being detected.

Other embodiments of the invention may include multiple radiation sources located on opposite sides of the ticket media. These embodiments may also include detectors to detect the amount of transmitted and reflected radiation from each radiation source. The radiation sources are preferably driven in a synchronous manner at different times, and the signal processed by the detector is in a coordinated relationship to the period (period) of operation of the relevant radiation source. The signals corresponding to the amount of transmitted and reflected radiation from the radiation sources on each side of the document media may be combined or otherwise processed to distinguish between single and multiple documents having different transmission and reflection characteristics. Some embodiments in which radiation sources can be detected separately without interference may operate in overlapping intervals (intervals). The principles of the present invention can also be used with other types of detectors.

A brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a radiation source and a radiation detector that detects radiation reflected from the surface of a document medium.

Figure 2 is a schematic side view of a radiation source, a first radiation detector for detecting radiation reflected from the surface of a ticket and a second radiation detector for detecting transmitted radiation through the ticket Wire.

Figure 3 is an exemplary circuit schematic diagram of a synchronous discriminator having a radiation source driver stage, a preamplifier stage, a synchronous chopper stage and an integrator stage.

Figure 4 is a drive signal having a high state and a low state for pulsing the radiation source and detector of Figures 1-3.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary automatic transaction machine including the ticket detection device of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a first alternative embodiment of the present invention comprising two radiation emitters, a first radiator generating radiation directed at a document.

Figure 7 is a schematic view of the alternative embodiment shown in Figure 6 with the other transmitter shown transmitting.

Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the waveforms used to drive the emitters in the embodiment shown in Fig. 6, the waveforms showing the periodic intervals at which the emitters generate radiation.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing signal conditioning, weighting, combining and comparison of components used in the embodiment of FIG. 6. FIG.

Fig. 10 is a schematic view showing exemplary signal conditioning of components used in another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of an emitter and detector used in yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention.

The preferred mode of carrying out the invention

Referring now to the drawings, first to Figure 1. There is shown a radiation source and reflected radiation detector assembly 10 and a ticket medium 12 to be detected. Instrument 12 is typically a negotiable note, note, coupon, note or other instrument of value. A radiation source 14 directs radiation indicated at 16 onto one side of the document 12 . The reflected radiation 18 is detected by a detector 20 or by other means. The signal from detector 20 corresponds to the intensity of the reflected radiation.

Figure 2 shows another embodiment of the invention. This embodiment includes a radiation detector assembly 30 including a radiation source 34, a reflected radiation detector 40, a transmitted radiation detector 44 and a security ticket medium 12 to be detected. A radiation source 34 directs radiation 36 , shown schematically, onto one side of the document 12 . A portion of the radiation 36 is reflected by an adjacent surface of the document 12 and a portion is transmitted through the document. It is to be understood herein that the intensity or density of radiation 38 reflected from a particular area to which the radiation is directed is generally proportional to the thickness of the document 12 being detected. The intensity of transmitted radiation 42 is generally inversely proportional to the thickness of the document. The intensity of both reflected radiation 38 and transmitted radiation 42 is generally inversely proportional to the "darkness" or radiation absorbing properties of document 12 in the area being inspected.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 , reflected radiation 38 is detected by reflection detector 40 . The transmitted rays 42 are detected by a transmission detector 44 . Reflection detector 40 and transmission detector 42 each generate a signal representative of the measured radiation intensity. The two signals are combined or otherwise processed to improve detection of the thickness of the document 12, thereby distinguishing a single document from double or other overlapping documents.

Preferably, the radiation sources 14, 34 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are infrared emitting light emitting diodes (IR LEDs). The radiation beams 18 , 38 reflected by the radiation beams 16 , 36 and the transmitted beam 42 are therefore preferably also infrared. The radiation detectors 20, 40, 44 are preferably photodiodes or phototransistors adapted to detect red lines. It should be understood that other types of radiation sources and other types of detectors may be used in other embodiments, including radiation sources in the visible and invisible light range.

As shown in FIG. 3 , an exemplary embodiment of a synchronous discriminator includes a signal conditioner including a driver 60 , a preamplifier 70 , a synchronous chopper 80 and an integrator 90 .

The driver includes, for example, a drive circuit with a transistor 65 and resistors 66,68. Driver 60 also includes a radiation source 62, which is preferably an IR LED. Radiation source 62 emits pulsed radiation in response to synchronization signal 100 having a selected pattern. A sync signal 100 is applied to the sync signal input 69 of the driver. The waveform of a preferred synchronization signal 100 having a high state and a low state is shown in FIG. 4, but other synchronization signals may be used. For example, a pulse train with a 50% duty cycle is one such waveform. As described above with respect to FIG. 2 , a part of the radiation generated by the radiation source 62 will be reflected by the medium 12 to form the reflected beam 38 and a part will pass through the medium 12 to become the transmitted beam 42 .

Preamplifier stage 70 includes the amplifier circuit shown. It includes a photodiode 72 . Photodiode 72 generates a signal corresponding to the intensity of the detected radiation. Diode 72 then generates a signal in response to reflected beam 38 or transmitted beam 42 . The preamplifier stage also includes an operational amplifier 74 . A phototransistor or other sensing element capable of generating a signal may also be used in place of photodiode 72 . The output of the operational amplifier 74 is input to a synchronous chopper 80 .

In the exemplary embodiment, synchronous chopper 80 includes an operational amplifier 82 with positive input resistance 87 , negative input resistance 88 , and feedback resistance 89 . An analog switch 84 is connected to the positive input of operational amplifier 82 . The analog switch 84 is driven by a synchronization signal 100 at the synchronization signal input 86 . When the sync signal 100 is high, the analog switch 84 is turned on, shorting the positive input of the operational amplifier 82 to ground. Shorting the positive input to ground makes operational amplifier 82 an analog converter with a gain of -1. When the sync signal 100 is low, the analog switch 84 is turned off and the operational amplifier 82 becomes a unity gain follower with a gain of +1. The output of the operational amplifier 82 is input to an integrator stage 90 .

Integrator 90 in the exemplary embodiment includes operational amplifier 92 having positive input resistance 93 , negative input resistance 94 and feedback capacitor 95 . The output 110 of the integrator 90 is produced by signal conditioning corresponding to a calculation such that it forms a signal which is generally synchronized with the synchronization signal 100 . In other embodiments, a bandpass filter can be used instead of an integrator 90 .

A useful aspect of the sync discriminator in embodiments of the present invention is that any signal not normally in sync with sync signal 100 will be attenuated. The sync discriminator 50 in the exemplary embodiment is both frequency and phase sensitive. Unlike a single band pass filter that cannot remove noise in the band pass, the sync discriminator 50 of the exemplary embodiment attenuates noise signals that are generally different in frequency and phase from the sync signal 100 .

In the exemplary sync discriminator 50, a reset signal 98 across a discharge switch 96 across a capacitor 95 is used to reset the integrator 90. A reset signal is generally provided in order to reset the integrator used to analyze each document or part of a document.

The output 110 of the integrator 90 provides an output of a sync discriminator 50 whose output function can be expressed as: $\mathrm{the\; y}\left(t\right)=k{\∫}_0^{1}f\left(t\right)g\left(t\right)\mathrm{dt}$

where g(t) is a synchronous signal, f(t) is a signal detected by the photodiode 72, which includes noise, and k is a constant. When the sync signal is a square wave of sync signal 100 as shown in FIG. 4, g(t) is +1 or -1 in sync discriminator 50. Thus for each document passed, the synchronized discriminator 50 provides a signal which amplifies signals from the photodiodes 72 which are synchronized in frequency and phase with the radiation output from the radiation source 62. Other signals representing noise are attenuated.

It should be understood that the circuit of the synchronization discriminator 50 is an exemplary circuit. In other embodiments, other forms of circuits and signal processing devices can also be used to identify synchronous signals that are synchronous with relevant signal sources in terms of frequency and phase. detector signal and attenuates other signals. The signals generated by radiation detectors 20, 40, 42 may each be conditioned by a sync discriminator. This produces output signals respectively representative of the transmission and reflection properties of the document in an area of the document impinged by radiation. In preferred forms of the invention as used in automated transaction machine aspects, the transmission and reflection characteristics of a ticket are detected as the ticket moves along the ticket path relative to the radiation source and detector. The tickets may be moved one at a time along the ticket path by any suitable ticket moving means, such as belts, wheels, picking mechanisms or combinations thereof.

The signals output by the synchronous discriminator representing the transmissive and reflective properties of the documents may be combined or otherwise processed to together determine those for which not a single document, but two or more documents, have passed the detector Condition. In automated transaction machines, it is often desirable to detect multiple tickets. In automated transaction machines, banknotes or other tickets are typically delivered to users one at a time by a picker from a supply source. However, due to malfunctions or other ticket characteristics, sometimes more than one ticket is picked at a time. Detection of such multiple tickets may cause the tickets to be returned or diverted within the machine, or otherwise prevented from being distributed to the user.

As described above in connection with FIG. 2, the intensity of reflected radiation 38 is proportional to the thickness of the document 12, while the intensity of transmitted radiation 42 is inversely proportional to the thickness of the document 12. Furthermore, the intensity of both the reflected radiation 38 and the transmitted radiation beam 42 are inversely proportional to the darkness of the document 12 . By combining these signals corresponding to the intensities of the reflected beam 38 and the transmitted beam 42 through a weighted difference, the detection of single documents and double or other multiple documents including the detected documents 12 are improved. discriminative power for comparison between ticket detections.

The intensity of the reflected beam 38 helps to distinguish the color and pattern of the surface of the bill (eg, the relative darkness of the color of the detected bill) and enhance the ability to identify double bills. As a result, relying on the combined signal to determine whether a document under test is single or double can be more sensitive to thickness and less affected by color.

It can be seen that the synchronous discriminator and method of operation described here can also be used in other sensor applications to achieve better signal-to-noise ratio, higher detection sensitivity and lower power requirements. The principles of the present invention are particularly useful where ambient noise or signal corruption is an issue.

The signals representing the transmitted and reflected intensities can be combined or otherwise processed separately or together in different ways and used to make a determination of whether a document is single or double. The method used depends on the nature of the document being tested and the analysis being performed. For example, each signal corresponding to transmission and reflection values output by a synchronous discriminator may be converted to a digital signal by an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter. These data signals may then be combined, compared or otherwise processed together on a weighted basis in response to program instructions by a processor or other signal processing device. By a processor, according to comparing the detection value corresponding to the detection radiation data with one or several fixed or programmatically changeable thresholds, it can be made that the checked ticket is single or double (or multiple) determination. Typically, the method of combining or evaluating the signals and the thresholds for making the decision whether the test document is single or multiple is determined experimentally using one or several types of documents processed by the machine. The reflection and transmission signals generated by the same kind of bills in single or multiple cases can form the weight coefficient applied to the signal and the threshold data indicating the status of the bills, so that the bills used for detection are single or double or multiple judgments.

The advantage of programming the transmitted and reflected signals into digital signals is that different weighting of the signals, different methods of combining the signals, and comparisons with thresholds can be easily performed in the same machine in response to different programming instructions. The use of the above instructions may be triggered by inputs indicating the type of ticket, including, for example, an input indicating the source of the ticket within the machine, means for determining the type of the ticket from the symbols on the ticket in its path input, or user input.

It should be understood that while methods of converting the reflected and transmitted radiation signals representing detection into digital signals are discussed, other methods may be used. Circuitry may be provided for weighting and combining the analog signals output by the synchronous discriminator and for comparing these measured output signal values to one or more thresholds representative of the detection of double or other multiple bills of a given type. It should be understood that the detection value generated in response to the measured ticket data mentioned here may be one value or several values, and the threshold value mentioned here may be one or several threshold values.

In some embodiments of the invention, the output of the sync discriminators may be combined or processed over virtually the entire length of a passing ticket. This is accomplished by resetting the integrator in response to detection of the leading edge of the document. It can be triggered in response to a drop in transmission value, a rise in reflectance value or by a separate detection mechanism indicating the presence of a document in the vicinity of the detection assembly. Likewise, when the document to be detected stops, the signal is no longer integrated. Stated another way, the signals representing transmission and reflection may not be processed over the entire length of the document but only individual portions or selected portions. Alternatively, the signal corresponding to the radiation intensity of each detector may be accumulated for a document or a portion thereof and the accumulated values weighted, combined or otherwise processed. The method used depends on whether it is considered most appropriate for a particular ticket to distinguish a single ticket or multiple tickets.

While in the described embodiment the signals from the radiation detectors are processed by a signal conditioner including a sync discriminator to produce an output signal which is combined while applying weighting factors to the output signal, other embodiments Work may differ from this. For example, the signals generated by the intensity of radiation reflected by a bill or transmitted by a bill can be weighted and combined before being passed to a signal conditioner whose response and period The intervals are synchronized to provide an output. Here, although the signal conditioner described herein includes chopper, amplifier and integrator parts, other forms of signal conditioners may be used in other embodiments.

In some preferred embodiments, the signal-to-noise ratio from the radiation detector can be increased by a factor of 100. However, when the signal-to-noise ratio increases, the integration time increases accordingly. The longer the integration time, the higher the signal-to-noise ratio. This signal-to-noise ratio is limited by the time that the ticket media can be detected for a particular item and by the saturation of the integrator.

The present invention is more suitable for automatic trading machines. The invention includes an automated transaction machine including any device that can be used to conduct a transaction involving a transfer of value. An exemplary automated transaction machine in which the present invention can be used is an automated teller machine (ATM). FIG. 5 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary transaction machine 112 that includes an embodiment of the present invention. The transaction machine includes a source 114 of tickets. The coupons are placed in a box or jar 116. Tickets are typically removed from the jar one at a time by a picking mechanism 118. The pick mechanism 118 can be of the type shown in US Patent No. 4,494,747, but any different type of pick mechanism could be used.

The picking mechanism 118 selectively sends the tickets onto the ticket path 120 one at a time. A drive mechanism comprising opposing belts 122 moves the documents in this path. The drive mechanism 122 is driven by an electric motor 124 or similar drive means.

The ticket detection mechanism in this example machine of the invention is indicated schematically at 126 . The document detection mechanism 126 extends proximate the path of the document and detects reflected and transmitted radiation from documents passing through the detection zone therein. The document detection mechanism 126 is in operative communication with a processor indicated generally at 128 in the figure. The processor 128 has a data memory 130 operatively connected thereto. In the exemplary embodiment, the processor receives output signals corresponding to radiation intensity values. The processor calculates a detection value corresponding to the output signal which may include one or more values. The detected value is compared to one or more threshold values determined from data stored in the data memory.

Responsive to the relationship between at least one detected value and at least one threshold value, processor 128 operates according to its programming to make a determination whether the tested ticket is a single ticket suitable for delivery to the user or should be diverted and Double or multiple tickets kept on board. The processor 128 is in operative connection with a diverter which includes a door member generally indicated at 132 in the drawings. When the detected ticket is a single sheet, the position of the diverter gate is as shown in Figure 5. As a result, the ticket is directed onto a second portion of the ticket path indicated by reference number 134 in the figure. The second portion 134 of the path ends in a transmission area 136 . Tickets are sent from this delivery area to the user of the machine.

If the ticket detecting mechanism shows that the ticket moving in the ticket path is a double or multiple ticket according to the detection value measured by the radiation intensity, or a kind of unsuitable ticket, then the processor 128 just starts to act to make The diverter gate 132 is moved to a position where the ticket exits the second portion of the ticket path. The diverter door guides the bills to a diverter bin 138 . Tickets are stored in the divert bin until they are removed by a person authorized to have access to the interior of the automated transaction machine.

It should be understood that while the embodiment of the automated transaction machine is described as an automated teller machine, the present invention may be used with automated transaction machines that dispense or accept coupon material whose radiation characteristics vary with thickness. Furthermore, while the described embodiment uses radiation to determine the thickness of the document, other types of detectors may be used in other embodiments. Acoustic, optical or other types of emitters and detectors may also provide an indication of the status of a proper ticket, such as for the proper ticket. Furthermore, the principles of the present invention can also be used to attenuate external signals from mechanical type detectors, including those that detect the thickness of a document with a member in contact with the document.

Fig. 6 shows the configuration of the radiation emitter and the detector in another exemplary embodiment of the ticket detection device of the present invention. This alternative arrangement is shown generally at 140 and includes a first radiation source shown at emitter 142 in the drawing. The radiation emitter 142 is located on a first side of the document 144 . A first radiation detector 146 is located on the same side of the document as the emitter 142 . Another radiation detector 148 is located on the opposite side of the document 144 from the emitter 142 .

As shown in FIG. 6 , when the emitter 142 emits radiation, the radiation strikes one side of the bill, and a part of the radiation is reflected to be detected by the detector 146 . Another portion of the radiation passes through the document and is detected by detector 148 . The radiation emitter 142 is driven to emit radiation at periodic intervals. This periodic interval is represented by the positive pulse of the waveform represented by numeral 150 in FIG. 8 .

Embodiment 140 also includes another radiation source, represented by emitter 152 . The transmitter 152 is located on the opposite side of the document 144 from the transmitter 142 . Radiation from emitter 152 is arranged to emit therefrom onto an opposite face of document 144 as the document travels along a document path. A portion of the radiation from emitter 152 is reflected to detector 148 . A small portion of the radiation from the emitter 152 is also transmitted through the ticket 144 . However, due to the angle of incidence of the radiation from emitter 152 configured as shown, less radiation passes through the document and transmitted radiation from this emitter is not analyzed in this embodiment.

The emitter 152 is driven by a driving signal to emit radiation at a second periodic interval, which is represented by the waveform of FIG. 8 . It should be noted that waveform 154 is preferably not in phase with waveform 150, so emitter 142 and emitter 152 generally do not emit radiation at the same time. In other embodiments, however, the emitters emit different types of radiation such that a detector for one emitter is not affected by radiation from another emitter, and the waveforms may overlap.

FIG. 9 schematically shows components of a signal conditioning and analysis device used in another embodiment 140 . The detector 146 is in operative connection with a first signal conditioner 156 . The signal conditioner 156 may include similar components to the aforementioned sync discriminator or other suitable signal conditioning circuitry. The signal conditioner may include or be connected to a driver that drives emitter 142 to emit radiation at a first periodic interval shown by waveform 150 . The signal conditioner 156 synchronizes the detection signal from the detector 146 with the emission of radiation from the emitter 142 using a chopper or other means. The signal conditioner 156 may also include an amplifier section and an integrator section similar to the previously described sync discriminator for amplifying and integrating signals responsive to radiation detected by the detector 146 . In some embodiments of the invention, the signal conditioner 156 is operable to integrate a signal corresponding to the detected radiation signal from a detector during these periodic intervals which span the document 144 is the period of time in the detection zone of the ticket path adjacent to the testers and transmitters in the path of the ticket. Of course, in other embodiments, coupons that are less than the entire length can also be used for points.

While the signal conditioner 156 may include components similar to or having the same function as the sync discriminator, the signal conditioner 156 may include other components as well. Such components include, for example, an analog-to-digital converter, a processor or other circuits or components which, during operation, sample the signal and pass only the signal corresponding to the radiation emitted and detected by the emitter 142 during the radiation period, while attenuating or ignoring other signals. The components of the signal conditioner 156 also depend on the nature of the emitters and detectors used and perhaps on the characteristics of the document. It should be noted that the actual sampling and analysis period of the radiation signal from detector 146 or other detectors does not necessarily correspond exactly to the periodic interval when the emitter is emitting radiation. It is sufficient that the signal from the detector is analyzed substantially during the time period during which the relevant emitter is radiating. Acceptable results can still be obtained when the signal analysis time is shorter than the transmitter launch time and/or is not perfectly aligned in phase.

As shown in FIG. 9 , the detector 148 is in operative connection with a signal conditioner 158 . Signal conditioner 158 may be similar to signal conditioner 156 in the illustrated embodiment. Signal conditioner 158 may generate an output responsive to radiation detected by detector 148 during the interval in which emitter 142 emits radiation. Like signal conditioner 156, signal conditioner 158 may generate an output corresponding to the radiation detected by detector 148 for a selected period of time.

Emitter 152 and detector 148 are also operatively connected to a signal conditioner 160 . Signal conditioner 160 may generate a drive signal or otherwise be in operative connection with a drive signal source that causes emitter 152 to generate radiation in the form of waveform 154 shown in FIG. 8 . Signal conditioner 160 is substantially similar to signal conditioners 156 and 158 . However, the output it produces is representative of the light reflected from the document by the emitter 152 during the second periodic interval during which the emitter 152 can generate radiation.

It should be appreciated that the document detector arrangement 140 can provide an indication of the "darkness" or radiation absorbance on both sides of the document, since the amount of reflected radiation is proportional to the darkness of the document medium. inversely proportional. Effective data obtained from reflections from each side of the document is useful for detecting doubles of certain types of documents.

In the exemplary embodiment, the outputs of the signal conditioners 156, 158, 160 are in operative connection with a combination device, shown schematically at 162 in the figure. The combining means applies weighting coefficients to the output signal and/or combines the signals in various ways suitable for the detection of double notes on the basis of the data stored in the data memory indicated by reference numeral 164 . Combining means 162 is included in the exemplary embodiment as a functional unit in software that operates within a processor, indicated generally at 166 in the figure. Of course, it should be understood that other types of signal combining and weighting arrangements may be used in other embodiments.

The combining means uses the output signal information to generate a sensed value comprising one or more values or signals which are the result of combining the outputs of the signal conditioners. The sensed value is then sent to a comparator block 168 . The comparator means may determine the relationship of the sensed value to a threshold, which may include one or more thresholds indicating conditions such as single ticket, double ticket, triple ticket, and the like. In other embodiments, the threshold may be used to distinguish a single ticket from multiple tickets. It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the combination device and comparator may work together to adjust the detection value and the threshold in response to an output signal from a signal conditioner. For example, an output indicating high "darkness" on both sides of a document may adjust a threshold so that the lower amount of radiation detected passing the document under these conditions does not indicate a double document. Conversely, a similar amount of radiation indicates a double when a ticket with a lower "darkness" passes through. Combining the outputs from the signal conditioners and adjusting the relationship between the detected value and the threshold can be used in various ways, depending on the specific instrument being detected and the programming of the system. These methods of combining and weighting outputs and setting and adjusting thresholds are best based on experiments with the device for various single or multiple ticket types to be detected to determine acceptable single or multiple ticket types. The range and type of signals obtained on or overlapping tickets.

The comparator 168 outputs a signal in response to the comparison of the relationship between the detected value and the threshold. If the comparator determines that a possible double ticket exists, then the signal output from the comparator acts to generate the appropriate action within the machine to be taken. This may include, for example, actuating the diverter 132 shown in FIG. 5 to direct the double notes into the diverter bin 138.

It should be understood that the configuration and types of components shown in FIG. 9 are exemplary and that other configurations of hardware and software may be used in other embodiments of the invention. It should also be understood that the form of the invention described herein (the form with one emitter and two detectors) could also be of the form shown in FIG. 9 . Of course the third conditioner 160 would not be used in these embodiments, but the combining means could combine the synchronization signals output by the two other signal conditioners. It should also be understood that while in the embodiments herein the radiation output by the emitter is sometimes described as a beam and is generally linear, the radiation source and radiation output pattern can take many forms, including Conical, fan-shaped or other suitable shape so that the radial rays strike the passing document in the path of the document. It should be understood that in embodiments of the present invention, the emitters used may generate radiation at a single frequency or at multiple frequencies. In other embodiments, emitters generating different types of detection signals may also be used so that they can operate simultaneously, and different or additional detectors may be provided on each side of the document to detect signals from the respective emitters. out signal.

FIG. 10 shows a system 180 that is generally similar to system 140 shown in FIG. 9, but employs another signal conditioning device and technique. In system 180, radiation sources 142 and 152 are typically driven by non-overlapping drive signals 150 and 154, respectively. As with the previous embodiments, when source 142 is driven in response to drive signal 150, detector 148 detects the amount of transmitted radiation from source 142 passing through the document. The detector 148 also detects the intensity of radiation from the source 152 reflected from an opposite side of the document when the source 152 is driven by the drive signal 154 . When source 142 is driven in response to drive signal 150, detector 146 on the same side of the document path as source 142 detects the intensity of radiation reflected from an adjacent face of the document.

In system 180, a preamplifier 182 amplifies and converts the current signal generated by the photodiode used as detector 148 into a voltage signal. Likewise, a preamplifier 184 amplifies and converts the current signal from the photodiode used as detector 146 and generates a corresponding voltage signal.

The output of the preamplifier 182 is sent to a correlation discriminator 186 . The correlation discriminator 186 operates in a switching manner to filter out noise and frequency and phase interference. The mode of switching is accomplished in response to an associated pulse waveform 188 corresponding to the combination of waveforms 150 and 154 . The switching pattern of the correlation discriminator 186 responsive to the correlation pulse waveform 188 separates the transmitted and reflected signals generated in response to the transmitted and reflected radiation pairs detected by the detector 148 .

A signal corresponding to the amount of radiation detected by the detector 148 transmitted through the document is sent to a low pass filter/amplifier 190 . A signal corresponding to the amount of radiation detected by the detector 148 reflected from the document is sent to a low pass filter amplifier 192 . The outputs of filter amplifiers 190 and 192 are input to one or more analog-to-digital converters in the exemplary embodiment. This produces at least one numerical value representing the amount of radiation detected by detector 148 which is compared, weighted or further processed to distinguish single from multiple documents.

The output of the preamplifier 184 corresponding to the amount of radiation detected by the detector 146 is sent to a correlation discriminator 194 . The correlation discriminator 194 is driven in a switching manner by the pulse waveform 188 and preferably provides a corresponding signal in frequency and phase to the pulse drive source 142 . This filters out noise since only those signals that are synchronous in frequency and phase with the drive waveform are passed.

The output of sync discriminator 194 is sent to a low pass filter amplifier 196 . The output of filter amplifier 196 representing the amount of radiation reflected from the face of the document adjacent source 142 is then sent to one or more analog-to-digital converters in this embodiment. The corresponding digital signals are then combined, weighted and/or processed with other signals to determine whether the detected document is a single document or a plurality of documents.

In this exemplary embodiment, the respective signals representing the amount of transmission through the document are accumulated to produce a transmission value representing the cumulative transmission of radiation transmitted through the document or through the analyzed portion thereof. Likewise, each value reflected from the document surface is combined to produce a respective cumulative reflectance value. These values represent the reflection values of the document surface in the part being analyzed.

These accumulated values are then processed by applying a weighting factor, applying the principle that when the document is darker, less radiation will be transmitted through the document according to the measured reflectance values. A weighting factor is preferably also used to realize the principle that as the thickness of the document increases, representing multiple documents, the degree of reflection from the document is higher. After applying the weight coefficients using the above principles, these values can be compared with the thresholds respectively or combined into one or more values, and compared with one or more thresholds to complete the identification of whether the detected bills are single or multiple.

Other methods may include weighting and combining groups of individual transmission and reflection values to compensate for each detected local area of the document. This may involve weighting and combining the values within a group consisting of a single transmission value and two reflection values. Or it may involve combining and weighting sets of reflection and transmission values. Using these methods it is possible to generate values that can be compared to thresholds many times during the detection of a document. The results of these comparisons can be used to make a determination as to whether a ticket is a single or multiple tickets, which is obvious. There are various methods for combining, weighting and processing the signals from the detectors for comparison with thresholds to determine whether the detected document is a single document or multiple documents.

It should be noted that there are many embodiments within the scope of the invention. Embodiments of the present invention may be used to pass a single ticket while diverting fully or partially overlapping multiple tickets or otherwise preventing them from being conveyed. Since embodiments of the present invention can be used to give an indication of the thickness of a document, some embodiments of the present invention can be used to pass a deterministic number of documents where this is permitted. This can be done in a manner similar to that previously done with mechanical thickness detectors such as those described in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,464,369 and 4,462,587 owned by the assignee of the present invention, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference .

Fig. 11 shows another arrangement of emitters and detectors in the bill detection device of the present invention. The alternative configuration, indicated generally at 170 , includes a transmitter 172 and a transmitter 174 . This alternative configuration also includes a detector 176 on the same side of the ticket path as the transmitter 172 . A detector 178 is placed on the same side of the ticket path as the transmitter 174 . A detected document is schematically indicated by reference number 179 . Emitters 172 and 174 are actuated to emit radiation at first and second non-overlapping periodic intervals as a document passes between the emitters and detectors in the document path. When emitter 172 emits radiation, the signals of detectors 176 and 178 are adjusted and synchronized with it to analyze the transmission and reflection of the document due to radiation impinging on the document away from the first side of the document path. characteristic. When emitter 174 emits radiation during a second, generally non-overlapping, periodic interval, detectors 178 and 176 detect the intensity of reflected and transmitted radiation, respectively, from emitter 174 on the opposite side of the ticket path from emitter 172 .

It will be appreciated that this alternative configuration 170 produces four output signals that can be weighted, combined, or otherwise analyzed to determine whether an adjacent document has a Corresponding performance. Signal weighting and threshold determination for determining the status of the bills are preferably performed based on data obtained using experiments with the bills.

Of course, it is understood that other numbers and types of detectors and other arrangements of emitters and detectors may be used in other embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, as described in the other embodiments, if the emitters used are of the type that emit radiation of substantially different frequencies or emit other signals, it may be possible to detect when the periods in which the emitters are operated and detected overlap to a large extent. accepted.

In this way, the device and method of the present invention achieve the above objectives, eliminate the difficulties encountered in the process of using the previous devices and systems, solve the problems, and achieve the ideal results described above.

In the foregoing description, some terminology has been used for the sake of clarity and understanding, but it is not necessary to limit their meaning, since such terminology is for the purpose of description and for broad interpretation. Furthermore, the descriptions and illustrations herein are by way of example and the invention is not limited to the exact details described and illustrated herein.

In the following claims, any device described as a device for performing a certain function should be understood to include any device for performing the function known to those skilled in the art, and should not be limited to the structures described herein Or only limited to its equivalent devices.

The characteristics, findings and principles of the present invention have been described above, the structure and operation mode of the present invention, as well as advantages and useful results achieved, and all new and useful structures, devices, elements, configurations, parts, combinations, systems, The devices, operations and interrelationships thereof are set forth in the appended claims.

Claims (36)

1. In a ticket path individual ticket and many devices that ticket distinguishes, this device comprises:

   One first radiation source is positioned at first side in this ticket path, and wherein in fact only at some period 1 emitted radiation line at interval, wherein the radiant rays of this first radiation source is drawn towards on the ticket that shines in this ticket path this radiation source;

   One first detecting device, wherein this first detecting device is positioned and detects radiant rays from this first radiation source, it is the ticket radiation reflected line in this ticket path or passes the radiant rays of a ticket transmission, the detected radiant rays of this first detector response and produce some first signals;

   One first signal conditioner, it becomes to be operatively connected with these first signals, wherein these first signals of in fact only taking place at interval in these period 1 of this first signal conditioner response and produce one first output; A comparer that becomes to be operatively connected with this first signal conditioner, wherein this comparer compares one first detected value and a threshold value, the relation of wherein said detected value and this threshold value respond this first output and change, thereby actually or the relation of this detected value and this threshold value can point out individual ticket of many of a detected ticket.
2. 2. device as claimed in claim 1, it also comprises:

   One second detecting device, wherein this second detecting device is arranged on the opposite side of this first detecting device in this ticket path, wherein this second detecting device is positioned to detect the radiant rays from this first radiation source, detected radiant rays can be a ticket radiation reflected line in this ticket path, or see through the radiant rays of the transmission of a ticket, the radiant rays that this second detector response is detected and produce some secondary signals;

   A secondary signal regulator that becomes to be operatively connected with these secondary signals, wherein this secondary signal regulator can respond these secondary signals that in fact only just take place at these period 1 intervals and produce one second output, wherein this second output becomes to be operatively connected with this comparer, and wherein the relation of this detected value and this threshold value also responds this second output and changes.
3. 3. device as claimed in claim 1, wherein this first signal conditioner comprises one first chopper circuit part, described first chopper circuit part is in fact only amplified these first signals and in fact at these first signals of decaying of every other time, this first copped wave partly produces some first chopping signals at interval in these period 1.
4. 4. device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said first signal conditioner also comprises a first integral circuit part, described first integral circuit part can carry out integration for during the cycle very first time these first chopping signals, and described first integral circuit part produces some the first integral signals corresponding to this first output.
5. 5. device as claimed in claim 4, it also is included in the drive unit that moves a ticket in this ticket path, and wherein a ticket that moves extends in this cycle very first time between this first radiation source and this first detecting device or second detecting device in this ticket path.
6. 6. device as claimed in claim 2, it comprises that also one and described first and second is output into a composite set that is operatively connected, wherein this composite set responds described first and second outputs and produces this detected value.
7. 7. device as claimed in claim 6, it also comprises a data-carrier store, wherein said data-carrier store comprises the data of representing weight coefficient, this composite set becomes to be operatively connected with this data-carrier store, and this composite set is added to weight coefficient this first and second output producing under the situation of this detected value.
8. 8. device as claimed in claim 1, it also comprises a processor, wherein said processor comprises this comparer.
9. 9. device as claimed in claim 7, it also comprises a processor that becomes to be operatively connected with a data-carrier store of wherein storing data, wherein this processor comprises described composite set, and the weight coefficient that puts on described first and second output is corresponding to these data that are stored in this storer.
10. 10. device as claimed in claim 2, it also comprises:

    One second radiation source, it leaves second side that this first radiation source is arranged in this ticket path, wherein this second side is relative with this first side, this second radiation source in fact only not corresponding to second round at interval this period 1 at interval in the emitted radiation line, ticket on this ticket path of the radiant rays directive of this second radiation source, this second detecting device are in this second side in this ticket path; And

    One the 3rd signal conditioner that becomes to be operatively connected with these secondary signals, wherein these secondary signals of only producing in these interims second round of the 3rd signal conditioner response are to produce one the 3rd output, the 3rd output becomes to be operatively connected with this comparer, and wherein the relativeness of this detected value and this threshold value is to respond the 3rd output and change.
11. 11. an operational rights requires the method for 1 described device, this method comprises the following steps:

    (a) in these very first times intervals, send radiant rays from this first radiation source;

    (b) with the radiant rays of this first detecting device detection from this first radiation source, this radiant rays or one ticket reflection from this ticket path, or transmission crosses ticket and arrives this first detecting device, radiant rays that this first detector response detected and produce these first signals;

    (c) by some first values being included in one of this first output calculates, these first values be with in fact only these very first times at interval in these first signals big or small corresponding of generation, produce this with this first signal conditioner and first export;

    (d) respond this first output and change relation between this detected value and this threshold value; And

    (e) with this comparison means mutual relationship between this detected value and this threshold value relatively.
12. 12. method as claimed in claim 11 wherein in step (C), is carried out integration to these first values during this first calculating is included in a very first time.
13. 13. method as claimed in claim 12, it is further comprising the steps of:

    Move this ticket in this ticket path; And

    In fact in this cycle very first time, will guide this first detecting device into from the radiant rays of this first ticket.
14. 14. an operational rights requires the method for the device described in 2, it may further comprise the steps:

    (a) send radiant rays from this first radiation source at interval in this very first time;

    (b) detect radiant rays from first radiation source with this first detecting device, this radiant rays can be that the ticket in this ticket path reflexes to or is transmitted to this first detecting device through ticket, responds the radiant rays of this detection and produces these first signals;

    (c) detect from the next radiant rays of this second radiation source with this second detecting device, this radiant rays can be that this ticket reflexes to or is transmitted to this second detecting device by this ticket in the ticket path, the detected radiant rays of described second detector response and produce these secondary signals;

    (d) by some first values being included in one of this first output calculates, these first values be with in fact only these very first times at interval in these first signals big or small corresponding of generation, produce this with this first signal conditioner and first export;

    (e) by some second values being included in one of this second output calculates, these second values be with in fact only these very first times at interval in these secondary signals big or small corresponding of generation, produce this with this secondary signal regulator and second export;

    (f) respond this first output and this second output, change the relation between this first detected value and this threshold value; And

    (g) with this comparison means relation between this detected value and this threshold value relatively.
15. 15. method as claimed in claim 14, wherein step (f) comprise to this first and this second output apply different weight coefficients and change this detected value and this threshold value between relation.
16. 16. an operational rights requires the method for 10 described devices, this method comprises the following steps:

    (a) send radiant rays in these interims very first time from this first radiation source;

    (b) with the radiant rays of this first detecting device detection from this first radiation source, this radiant rays is that the ticket from this ticket path reflexes to or is transmitted to this first detecting device by ticket, the radiant rays that this first detector response detected and produce these first signals;

    (c) with the radiant rays of second detecting device detection from this first radiation source, this ray is that this ticket reflexes to or is transmitted to this second detecting device by this ticket in this ticket path, the radiant rays that this second detector response detected and produce these secondary signals;

    (d) by some first values being included in one of this first output calculates, these first values be with in fact only these very first times at interval in these first signals big or small corresponding of generation, produce this with this first signal conditioner and first export;

    (e) by some second values being included in one of this second output calculates, these second values be with in fact only these very first times at interval in these secondary signals big or small corresponding of generation, produce this with this secondary signal regulator and second export;

    (f) during these second time intervals, send radiant rays from this second radiation source;

    (g) with the radiant rays of this second detecting device detection from this second radiation source, this radiant rays is that this ticket from this ticket path reflexes to this second detecting device;

    (h) by some the 3rd values being included in one of the 3rd output calculates, these the 3rd values are big or small corresponding with these secondary signals that produce in these second time intervals in fact, produce one the 3rd output with one the 3rd signal conditioner;

    (i) respond this first, second, third output and change this detected value with respect to the relation between this threshold value; And

    (j) with this comparison means relation of this detected value and this threshold value relatively.
17. 17. the method that individual ticket and many tickets being made up of many overlapping tickets are distinguished, this method may further comprise the steps:

    (a) with first of first radiation source irradiates, one ticket who is positioned at this ticket first side,

    (b) detecting device that is used in first side of this ticket detect from this first radiation source and from the first radiant rays amount of first reflection of this ticket;

    (c) use the second radiant rays amount that see through this ticket of the detecting device detection of second side that is positioned at this ticket from this first radiation source

    (d) with second of second this ticket of radiation source irradiates who is positioned at this ticket second side;

    (e) detect from this second radiation source and by the 3rd radiant rays amount of second offside reflection of this ticket with a detecting device that is positioned at this ticket second side;

    (f) respond this first, second, third radiant rays amount and produce at least one value;

    (g) this at least one value and at least one threshold value are compared, actually or wherein the relation table between this at least one value and this at least one threshold value illustrates many tickets of this ticket one individual ticket.
18. 18. method as claimed in claim 17, wherein in step (c), detecting this detecting device of the described second radiant rays amount is identical detecting device with the detecting device that detects the 3rd radiant rays amount in step (e).
19. 19. method as claimed in claim 17, step (b) and (c) carry out wherein in the interim very first time, step (c) was carried out during second time interval.
20. 20. method as claimed in claim 19 should be a non-overlapping copies with this second time interval the very first time at interval wherein.
21. 21. method as claimed in claim 17, wherein this ticket has inconsistent sign and is printed on each this first and each this second, and may further comprise the steps:

    Move this ticket by a surveyed area in a ticket path, wherein each is repeatedly carried out step (a) when this ticket moves through this surveyed area to step (e).
22. 22. method as claimed in claim 21, it also comprises the following steps:

    In many first radiant rays amounts that response is detected during carrying out step (b) each and produce one first reflected value, and make up accumulation first reflected value of many first reflected values to produce this ticket.
23. 23. method as claimed in claim 21 is further comprising the steps of:

    In many second radiant rays amounts that response is produced during carrying out step (c) each and generate a transmission value, and make up many transmission values to produce an accumulation transmission value of this ticket.
24. 24. method as claimed in claim 22, it is further comprising the steps of:

    In many second radiant rays amounts that response produces during execution in step (c) each and produce a transmission value, make up many transmission values to produce an accumulation transmission value of this ticket, wherein step (f) comprises at least a weight coefficient is put among this integrated reflection value and the accumulation transmission value at least one.
25. 25. method as claimed in claim 22, it is further comprising the steps of:

    In many second radiant rays amounts that response produces during execution in step (c) each and generate a transmission value; Make up many transmission values and accumulate transmission value to produce one of this ticket,

    In many 3rd radiant rays amounts that response produces during execution in step (e) each and generate one second reflected value;

    Make up many second reflected values to produce second reflected value of accumulating of this ticket.
26. 26. method as claimed in claim 25, wherein step (f) comprises first reflected value to this accumulation, and at least one among second reflected value of this accumulation and the transmission value of this accumulation applies a weight coefficient.
27. 27. method as claimed in claim 26, wherein in step (f), apply this weight coefficient and make in second reflected value of first reflected value of this accumulation and accumulation the increase of at least one value that the pass of this at least one value and at least one threshold value is tied up to compare in the step (g) and indicate to trend towards more than one ticket.
28. 28. method as claimed in claim 21, step (b) and (c) be to carry out at interval wherein in many period 1 each period 1 at interval, step (e) was carried out in many interims second round, and wherein these period 1 are non-overlapping at interval with these second rounds at interval.
29. 29. method as claimed in claim 17, wherein in step (f), this at least one value is by at least one weight coefficient being put on and this first radiant rays amount, and corresponding at least one output of at least one amount forms in this second radiant rays amount and the 3rd radiant rays amount.
30. 30. method as claimed in claim 29, wherein this at least one weight coefficient be applied in cause with this first radiant quantity in one increase or the 3rd radiant quantity in one increase a corresponding output and increase many tickets indication changes of this relation in the step (g).
31. 31. method as claimed in claim 17, wherein this first radiation source comprises an infrared origin.
32. 32. method as claimed in claim 17, wherein this second radiation source comprises an infrared origin.
33. 33. method as claimed in claim 17, it is further comprising the steps of:

    Along this ticket of ticket path movement; And response this ticket of indication be in the step (g) of many tickets relatively the relation of this at least one value and this at least one threshold value and this ticket from this ticket path call away to.
34. 34. a device, it comprises:

    One ticket;

    At least one is at first radiation source of this ticket first side;

    At least one is at first detecting device of this ticket first side;

    At least one second radiation source, it is positioned at second side of this ticket on this first side opposite;

    At least one is positioned at second detecting device of this second side of this ticket;

    At least one and this first radiation source, this first detecting device, the processor that this second radiation source and this second detecting device become to be operatively connected, wherein this processor is carried out step (a) to the step (g) in the claim (1).
35. 35. device as claimed in claim 34, it also comprises:

    One ticket path, wherein this ticket moves in this ticket path;

    One steering gear relevant with this ticket path, described steering gear becomes to be operatively connected with described processor;

    Wherein step (g) is carried out in response to the work of this processor, and wherein this processor responds the comparison in the step (g) that this ticket of expression is many tickets and works so that this steering gear action is produced this ticket path to this ticket.
36. 36. the method that individual ticket and many tickets being made up of many overlapping tickets are distinguished, this method may further comprise the steps:

    (a) with one first of one first radiation source irradiates, one ticket who is positioned at this ticket first side;

    (b) detect one first radiant rays amount with one at the detecting device of this ticket first side from first reflection of this ticket from this first radiation source;

    (c) with the one second radiant rays amount that see through this ticket of the detecting device detection that is positioned at this ticket second side from this first radiation source;

    (d) with one second of this ticket of radiation source irradiates who is positioned at this ticket second side;

    (e) be used in one three radiant quantity from this ticket second offside reflection of the detecting device detection of this ticket second side from this second radiation source; And

    (f) respond this first, the second and the 3rd amount and judge that this ticket is individual ticket or many tickets.

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