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EP3509041B1 - Papierblatterfassungsvorrichtung - Google Patents

Papierblatterfassungsvorrichtung Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3509041B1
EP3509041B1 EP17845899.8A EP17845899A EP3509041B1 EP 3509041 B1 EP3509041 B1 EP 3509041B1 EP 17845899 A EP17845899 A EP 17845899A EP 3509041 B1 EP3509041 B1 EP 3509041B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
sheet
ultraviolet light
photodetector
detection device
light source
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Not-in-force
Application number
EP17845899.8A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3509041A1 (de
EP3509041A4 (de
Inventor
Tomohiro Mimura
Masayuki Akagi
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Glory Ltd
Original Assignee
Glory Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Glory Ltd filed Critical Glory Ltd
Publication of EP3509041A1 publication Critical patent/EP3509041A1/de
Publication of EP3509041A4 publication Critical patent/EP3509041A4/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3509041B1 publication Critical patent/EP3509041B1/de
Not-in-force legal-status Critical Current
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07D—HANDLING OF COINS OR VALUABLE PAPERS, e.g. TESTING, SORTING BY DENOMINATIONS, COUNTING, DISPENSING, CHANGING OR DEPOSITING
    • G07D7/00—Testing specially adapted to determine the identity or genuineness of valuable papers or for segregating those which are unacceptable, e.g. banknotes that are alien to a currency
    • G07D7/06—Testing specially adapted to determine the identity or genuineness of valuable papers or for segregating those which are unacceptable, e.g. banknotes that are alien to a currency using wave or particle radiation
    • G07D7/12—Visible light, infrared or ultraviolet radiation
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07D—HANDLING OF COINS OR VALUABLE PAPERS, e.g. TESTING, SORTING BY DENOMINATIONS, COUNTING, DISPENSING, CHANGING OR DEPOSITING
    • G07D7/00—Testing specially adapted to determine the identity or genuineness of valuable papers or for segregating those which are unacceptable, e.g. banknotes that are alien to a currency
    • G07D7/06—Testing specially adapted to determine the identity or genuineness of valuable papers or for segregating those which are unacceptable, e.g. banknotes that are alien to a currency using wave or particle radiation
    • G07D7/12—Visible light, infrared or ultraviolet radiation
    • G07D7/121—Apparatus characterised by sensor details

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to sheet detection devices.
  • the present invention more specifically relates to a sheet detection device suitable for detection of a sheet transported.
  • Typical sheet detection devices configured to detect a sheet transported in a device such as a sheet handling machine utilize a transmissive optical sensor (for example, Patent Literatures 1 to 3).
  • Paper used for sheets such as banknotes is commonly made from vegetable fibers. Yet, paper made from synthetic fibers or a polymer sheet, which is a sheet made from a synthetic resin, may be used in order to improve the properties such as durability, water resistance, and security. Banknotes made from polymer sheets are called polymer banknotes. Sheets may have a variety of security characteristics. For example, some polymer banknotes have a clear window (transparent window) for anti-counterfeiting.
  • Patent Literature 4 discloses a banknote detection device that reflects light emitted by an emitter element of an emission sensor on a side face of a case so as to obliquely transmit the light through the transport path for banknotes, and detects the transmitted light using a photodetector element.
  • this device light emitted by the emitter element reaches the transparent portion of a banknote obliquely, so that part of the light is reflected by the transparent portion. This causes attenuation of light transmitted through the transparent portion, reducing the amount of light detected by the photodetector element.
  • the device recognizes the transparent portion based on this amount of light.
  • Patent Literature 5 discloses a banknote detection device comprising a passage determination portion that comprises a through rate limiter, a sample hold circuit, a low-pass filter, and a comparator.
  • the comparator compares a value of a processing signal generated by the through rate limiter with a second threshold based on a threshold reference value output from the low-pass filter so as to detect the presence or absence of a polymer banknote or a card.
  • Document US 2001/035603 A1 discloses a doubles detection system for detecting doubled documents.
  • the system comprises one or more light sources disposed on a first side of a test document and one or more reflected light sensors disposed along the first side of the test document.
  • Document US 5,640,463 A discloses a method and device for authenticating documents comprising an ultraviolet light source illuminating a document to be tested.
  • Document WO 99/48042 A1 discloses a document handling system for processing a variety of different documents.
  • Document US 2002/015145 A1 discloses a bank note processing machine in which a discrimination sensor can be formed compactly even when bank notes are discriminated using a light source having a plurality of wavelengths and in which the bank note transport path is shortened to achieve compactness.
  • a transmissive optical sensor used as a sheet detection device typically comprises an emitter element configured to emit infrared light and a photodetector element configured to detect the infrared light emitted by the emitter element, from the viewpoints of availability and cost, for example.
  • Such an optical sensor shows a transmissive state when no sheet is present, and shows a light-shielding state when a sheet blocks infrared light emitted by the emitter element. This mechanism is utilized to detect a sheet transported. However, in the case of a sheet comprising a transparent portion such as a clear window, infrared light passes through the transparent portion, and thus the optical sensor does not show a light-shielding state in response to the transparent portion.
  • polymer banknotes are typically made from a polypropylene sheet, and the polymer banknotes have an infrared light transmittance of approximately 90% in their clear windows.
  • the polymer banknotes are therefore difficult to detect by the conventional regulation method for the optical sensor and the detection method utilizing transmission or blocking of infrared light. This is because conditions need to be considered, including output variation due to dust adhering to the optical sensor, regulation variation in regulating the optical sensor, and changes in environment such as the temperature.
  • the optical sensor utilizing infrared light may falsely recognize one sheet as two sheets. This may cause defects such as a fake jam.
  • the fake jam is a phenomenon caused by a factor such as abnormality of the optical sensor itself, where the sheet handling machine determines that a jam occurred and stops even when a sheet is not actually jammed.
  • One measure to prevent such defects is, for example, to increase the number of the optical sensors.
  • more countries issue polymer banknotes.
  • the polymer banknotes comprise a clear window at various positions, and some comprise a larger clear window than before.
  • some polymer banknotes comprise two or more clear windows. It has therefore been difficult to handle such various polymer banknotes of the individual countries by increasing the number of the optical sensors or improving the method of controlling the optical sensors. The same applies to cases of using the technique disclosed in Patent Literature 4 or 5.
  • an object of the present invention is to provide a sheet detection device capable of detecting a variety of sheets comprising a variety of transparent portions.
  • One aspect of the present invention is a sheet detection device as claimed in claim 1.
  • the at least one ultraviolet light source applies light having a peak wavelength in an ultraviolet range.
  • the at least one ultraviolet light source applies only ultraviolet light having a peak wavelength in an ultraviolet range.
  • the peak wavelength is 350 nm or shorter.
  • the peak wavelength is 280 nm or shorter.
  • the at least one ultraviolet light source comprises an ultraviolet LED as an emitter element.
  • the sheet to be detected is a sheet comprising a transparent portion that transmits light in a visible range.
  • the sheet detection device functions as a timing sensor of a sheet recognition device.
  • the sheet detection device is configured to detect a sheet transported inside a sheet handling machine.
  • the at least one ultraviolet light source comprises a plurality of ultraviolet light sources
  • the at least one photodetector comprises a plurality of photodetectors paired with the plurality of ultraviolet light sources
  • the detector is configured to detect the sheet based on output signals from the plurality of photodetectors.
  • the at least one photodetector faces the at least one ultraviolet light source, and the sheet is transported between the at least one ultraviolet light source and the at least one photodetector.
  • the sheet detection device further comprises a reflector facing the at least one ultraviolet light source and the at least one photodetector, wherein the reflector is configured to reflect the ultraviolet light applied by the at least one ultraviolet light source to the at least one photodetector, and the sheet is transported between the at least one ultraviolet light source and the reflector and between the at least one photodetector and the reflector.
  • the reflector comprises at least one of fluorite or quartz glass.
  • the at least one ultraviolet light source comprises an emitter element configured to emit the ultraviolet light, and a protector containing at least one of fluorite or quartz glass and facing an emission surface of the emitter element.
  • the at least one photodetector contains a phosphor to be excited by the ultraviolet light applied by the ultraviolet light source and thereby emit visible light, and a photodetector element configured to detect the visible light emitted by the phosphor.
  • the sheet detection device of the present invention can detect a variety of sheets comprising a variety of transparent portions.
  • the sheet detection device of the present embodiment is used to detect sheets long-edge fed along a transport path.
  • Non-limiting examples of sheets to be detected by the sheet detection device of the present embodiment comprise banknotes, vouchers, checks, documents of value, and card-like media.
  • the paper used for banknotes is mainly paper made from vegetable fibers. Still, in order to improve characteristics such as durability, water resistance, and security performance, paper made from synthetic fibers or a sheet of a synthetic resin, i.e., a polymer sheet, may be used. Banknotes made from a polymer sheet are called polymer banknotes.
  • the sheets to be detected may each comprise an opaque portion blocking light. Yet, the sheet at least partially comprises a transparent portion transmitting at least light in the visible range (visible light). Such a transparent portion is preferably made from a synthetic resin such as polypropylene. Thus, the sheet to be detected is preferably formed from a polymer sheet.
  • the sheet to be detected may also be a sheet (hybrid sheet) whose transparent portion is a polymer sheet and whose opaque portion is paper made from vegetable fibers or synthetic fibers.
  • Fig. 1 shows that a sheet 1 has clear windows 2a and 2b as transparent portions 2 transmitting visible light at its lower left portion and right portion, respectively.
  • the clear window 2a has an island shape and is surrounded by an opaque portion 3 blocking light.
  • the clear window 2b has a belt shape and extends from one edge to the other edge of the sheet 1 in the short edge direction (corresponding to the transport direction in the present embodiment).
  • Each transparent portion 2 has a lower transmittance in the ultraviolet range (wavelength range of ultraviolet light) than in the visible range (wavelength range of visible light) and the infrared range (wavelength range of ultraviolet light).
  • the spectral transmittance of the transparent portion 2 usually gradually decreases in the visible range and longer wavelength ranges than the visible range as the wavelength becomes shorter, but significantly decreases in a range from a wavelength of about 400 nm to a shorter wavelength (e.g., wavelength of substantially 250 nm) as the wavelength becomes shorter.
  • the transmittance of the transparent portion 2 at a wavelength of 280 nm is usually 0% or higher and about 70% or lower.
  • the transmittance of the transparent portion 2 transmitting visible light is usually 60% or higher and 95% or lower in the visible range.
  • the transparent portion 2 may be coated with a material blocking infrared light.
  • the spectral transmittance of the transparent portion 2 may have a negative peak (valley) with a depth of about 10 to 20% in the infrared range.
  • the transparent portion 2 may partially include an optically variable element such as a rainbow hologram. Yet, the transmittance characteristics described above are preferably of a region without such an optically variable element.
  • the ultraviolet light as used herein means light having a wavelength in the ultraviolet range.
  • the ultraviolet range is preferably a wavelength range of about 200 nm or longer and about 400 nm or shorter.
  • the sheet detection device 10 of the present embodiment detects the sheet 1 comprising the transparent portion 2 based on the characteristic that, as described above, the sheet 1 has a significantly low ultraviolet light transmittance in the transparent portion 2.
  • the sheet detection device 10 comprises an ultraviolet light source 20 configured to apply ultraviolet light to a transparent path 11 along which the sheet 1 is transported; a photodetector 30 configured to detect the ultraviolet light applied by the ultraviolet light source 20; a detector 40 configured to detect the sheet based on an output signal from the photodetector 30; and a memory 41 configured to store data such as a variety of thresholds.
  • the ultraviolet light source 20 applies ultraviolet light to the transport path 11, and usually emits ultraviolet light within a predetermined angle range.
  • the ultraviolet light source 20 configured to emit ultraviolet light comprises an emitter element 21, a substrate (not illustrated) on which the emitter element 21 is mounted, a case 22 housing these members and protecting them, and a terminal 23 provided at an edge of the case 22.
  • the emitter element 21 comprise , but are not particularly limited to, light emitting diodes (LEDs), black light, mercury lamps, deuterium lamps, and plasma discharge tubes. Preferred are light emitting diodes, with ultraviolet light emitting diodes (ultraviolet LEDs), which have a peak wavelength ⁇ P in the ultraviolet range, being particularly preferred. Also, in the case where a laser diode (semiconductor laser) having a peak wavelength ⁇ P in the ultraviolet range is developed in the future, such a laser diode is also preferred as the emitter element 21.
  • the peak wavelength ⁇ P as used herein means a wavelength at which the emission intensity is the maximum in the emission spectrum.
  • the case 22 comprises a substantially quadrilateral member 22a having a circular opening in its front part, a cylindrical member 22b coupled to the opening, and a protector 22c covering an opening in the cylindrical member 22b.
  • the emission surface of the emitter element 21 faces the center of the protector 22c. Ultraviolet light emitted by the emitter element 21 travels to the outside through the protector 22c.
  • the substantially quadrilateral member 22a may be made of any material such as a resin, a metal, or a composite of these materials.
  • the cylindrical member 22b and the protector 22c, which are to be irradiated with ultraviolet light, are preferably made of a material less likely to deteriorate under ultraviolet light.
  • the cylindrical member 22b is preferably made of a metal
  • the protector 22c is preferably made of fluorite mainly containing CaF 2 (calcium fluoride) or quartz glass containing substantially only SiO 2 (glass with approximately 100% SiO 2 content).
  • Applying or emitting ultraviolet light herein means applying or emitting light comprising at least ultraviolet light.
  • the ultraviolet light source 20 and the emitter element 21 may or may not apply or emit light other than ultraviolet light, such as visible light or infrared light, together with ultraviolet light.
  • the ultraviolet light source 20 preferably applies light having a peak wavelength ⁇ P in the ultraviolet range, more preferably only ultraviolet light having a peak wavelength ⁇ P in the ultraviolet range.
  • Applying only ultraviolet light having a peak wavelength ⁇ P in the ultraviolet range means applying substantially only the ultraviolet light (ultraviolet light having a peak wavelength ⁇ P in the ultraviolet range).
  • applying only ultraviolet light having a peak wavelength ⁇ P in the ultraviolet range means, as shown in Fig.
  • the light having a peak wavelength ⁇ P in the ultraviolet range may include light other than ultraviolet light, such as visible light or infrared light, but preferably has no emission peak in wavelength ranges other than the ultraviolet range.
  • the peak wavelength ⁇ P is preferably 350 nm or shorter, more preferably 280 nm or shorter. With a peak wavelength ⁇ P of 350 nm or shorter, polymer banknotes of some countries can be detected with a higher degree of accuracy. With a peak wavelength ⁇ P of 280 nm or shorter, all the polymer banknotes available as of the filing date of the present application can be detected with a higher degree of accuracy.
  • the ultraviolet light source 20 therefore preferably applies ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 350 nm or shorter, more preferably ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 280 nm or shorter.
  • the lower limit of the peak wavelength ⁇ P may be, but is not particularly limited to, 200 nm or longer.
  • the emitter element 21 is preferably the above-described ultraviolet LED.
  • the photodetector 30 detects ultraviolet light emitted by the ultraviolet light source 20.
  • the photodetector 30 comprises a photodetector element 31, a substrate on which the photodetector element 31 is mounted (not shown ), a case 32 housing these members and protecting them, and a terminal 33 provided at an edge of the case 32.
  • the photodetector element 31 detects ultraviolet light and output a signal corresponding to the detected amount of ultraviolet light.
  • Specific examples of the photodetector element 31 comprise , but are not particularly limited to, photodiodes (PDs), phototransistors (PTrs), and solar cells. Preferred are photodiodes.
  • Output signals (output current) from a photodiode detecting the applied ultraviolet light have high linearity, enabling detection of the sheet 1 comprising the transparent portion 2 with a higher degree of accuracy.
  • the case 32 has substantially the same shape and size as the case 22 of the ultraviolet light source 20, and comprises a substantially quadrilateral member 32a having a circular opening in its front part, a cylindrical member 32b coupled to the opening, and a protector 32c covering an opening in the cylindrical member 32b.
  • the detection surface of the photodetector element 31 faces the center of the protector 32c. Ultraviolet light emitted by the emitter element 21 reaches the photodetector element 31 through the protector 32c.
  • the substantially quadrilateral member 32a may be made of any material such as a resin, a metal, or a mixture of these materials.
  • the cylindrical member 32b and the protector 32c, which are to be irradiated with ultraviolet light, are preferably made of a material less likely to deteriorate under ultraviolet light.
  • the cylindrical member 32b is preferably made of a metal
  • the protector 32c is preferably made of fluorite mainly containing CaF 2 (calcium fluoride) or quartz glass containing substantially only SiO 2 (glass with approximately 100% SiO 2 content).
  • the photodetector 30 faces the ultraviolet light source 20 with a predetermined space (e.g., 1 mm or more) in between. Each sheet 1 is transported between the ultraviolet light source 20 and the photodetector 30.
  • the photodetector element 31 is preferably positioned on the optical axis of ultraviolet light emitted by the ultraviolet light source 20, but may not be positioned on the optical axis as long as the sheet 1 can be detected.
  • the detector 40 detects the sheet 1 based on the output signal from the photodetector 30. Specifically, when no sheet 1 is present in the direction in which ultraviolet light emitted by the ultraviolet light source 20 travels, the ultraviolet light is transmitted through the transport path 11 and detected by the photodetector 30 without being attenuated. When the transparent portion 2 or the opaque portion 3 of the sheet 1 is present in the direction in which ultraviolet light emitted by the ultraviolet light source 20 travels, at least part of the ultraviolet light is absorbed (blocked) by the transparent portion 2 or the opaque portion 3 of the sheet 1. The ultraviolet light transmitted through the transparent portion 2 or the opaque portion 3 is attenuated, and the attenuated ultraviolet light is detected by the photodetector 30.
  • the amount of light detected by the photodetector 30 is smaller in the case where the transparent portion 2 or the opaque portion 3 of the sheet 1 is present in the direction in which ultraviolet light travels than in the case where no sheet 1 is present in the direction in which ultraviolet light travels.
  • the output value, e.g., output current, from the photodetector 30 is lower in the former case than in the latter case.
  • the detector 40 therefore can detect the sheet 1 based on the amount of light detected by the photodetector 30, i.e., the output signal from the photodetector 30.
  • the sheet detection device 10 utilizing ultraviolet light, can detect the sheet 1 comprising the transparent portion 2, regardless of the position, size, shape, or other conditions of the transparent portion 2. In other words, the sheet detection device 10 can detect a variety of sheets 1 comprising a variety of transparent portions 2.
  • the present embodiment enables detection of the sheet 1 as described above while eliminating the need to dispose a plurality of pairs of the ultraviolet light sources 20 and the photodetectors 30 at positions other than the positions where the transparent portion 2 of the sheet 1 passes. This can minimize the number of sensors used to detect the sheet 1.
  • the detector 40 detects the sheet 1 by determining that the sheet 1 is present when the attenuation rate is equal to or higher than the threshold stored in the memory 41, and determining that no sheet 1 is present when the attenuation rate is lower than the threshold.
  • the detector 40 may detect the sheet 1 based on the attenuation rate of ultraviolet light applied by the ultraviolet light source 20.
  • the attenuation rate of ultraviolet light can be calculated using the transmittance of ultraviolet light as with the attenuation rate of the output signal from the photodetector 30.
  • the sheet detection device 10 comprises , as well as the members described above, members such as a known light source controller (not illustrated) configured to control emission from the ultraviolet light source 20, and a known output controller (not illustrated) configured to control the output from the photodetector 30.
  • members such as a known light source controller (not illustrated) configured to control emission from the ultraviolet light source 20, and a known output controller (not illustrated) configured to control the output from the photodetector 30.
  • Preferred examples of the application of the sheet detection device 10 comprise , but are not particularly limited to, timing sensors for a sheet recognition device, i.e., sensors used to determine when the sheet recognition device performs the recognition process. This can prevent the sheet recognition device from performing the recognition process for the sheet comprising a transparent portion at a wrong time.
  • the preferred examples also comprise sensors configured to detect sheets transported in the sheet handling machine. With such a sensor, defects such as a fake jam in the sheet handling machine can be prevented.
  • the sheet detection device 10 is configured to detect at least one of passage, arrival, or presence of the sheet.
  • the recognition process performed by the sheet recognition device may be any process such as recognition of the type of a sheet (denomination in the case of a banknote), authentication of the sheet, determination of the fitness of the sheet, or reading of symbols, comprising numbers and characters printed on the sheet.
  • the spectral transmittances of the clear windows of polymer banknotes available as of the filing date of the present application were measured using a spectrophotometer (U-4000 from Hitachi, Ltd.), and the results are described using Figs. 6-1 , 6-2 , and 7 .
  • the transmittances of polymer banknotes A and B from Country A and polymer banknotes C and D from Country B are each approximately 90% from the infrared range to around 400 nm in the ultraviolet range and attenuated significantly at a wavelength of 400 nm or shorter.
  • the spectral transmittance of the clear window of each of the polymer banknotes A to D is similar to the spectral transmittance of polypropylene, which is a common material of polymer banknotes.
  • the transmittances of a polymer banknote E from Country C and polymer banknotes F to I from Country D are each attenuated gradually from the infrared range, and significantly around from 400 nm. This is presumably because the polymer banknotes E to I are made of a composite material, not of pure polypropylene.
  • results show that changing the emission wavelength of the emitter element of the optical sensor from the infrared range to the ultraviolet range enables detection of the sheet using the inexpensive, simple configuration, which is a feature of the optical sensor technique, and the conventional control method, without being influenced by the transparent portion transmitting visible light.
  • results also show that with light having a wavelength of 400 nm or shorter, i.e., light in the ultraviolet range, the sheet can be detected based on transmission or blocking of light.
  • the transmittance of the clear window at the center of the polymer banknote F is attenuated at some wavelengths in the infrared range because the clear window is coated to block infrared light.
  • the transmittance of the transparent portion is approximately 70% or lower in consideration of factors such as fluctuation attributed to the material of the sheet, sticking of dust, environmental changes, and adjustment errors of the optical sensor.
  • Figs. 6-1 , 6-2 and 7 show that use of light having a wavelength of 350 nm or shorter in the ultraviolet range enables detection of polymer banknotes from some countries with a higher degree of accuracy.
  • the present inventors found that with light having a wavelength of 280 nm or shorter in the ultraviolet range, the transmittance of the clear window of every polymer banknote available as of the filing date of the present application, comprising the polymer banknotes shown in Figs. 6-1 , 6-2 , and 7 , is approximately 70% or lower, allowing detection with a higher degree of accuracy.
  • a sheet handling machine 100 of the present embodiment comprises a hopper 101, two rejectors 102, an operation unit 103, a first overall display 104, a second overall display 105, four stackers 106, and four individual displays 107.
  • the hopper 101 receives a stack of sheets placed by an operator.
  • the sheets placed on the hopper 101 are supposed to be fed into the sheet handling machine 100 by the later-described sheet feeding mechanism 110.
  • Each rejector 102 is configured to feed out a sheet fed from the hopper 101 when the sheet is determined as a reject sheet (e.g., counterfeit note).
  • One of the two rejectors 102 disposed at the lower position may be used to feed out a reject sheet such as a counterfeit note, for example, while the other rejector 102 disposed at the upper position may be used to keep a sheet which is recognized by the later-described sheet recognition device (recognition unit) 220 but fails to be classified.
  • the operation unit 103 has an input key used to receive commands from the operator.
  • the first overall display 104 and the second overall display 105 are configured to display predetermined data (e.g., graphic data).
  • Each stacker 106 is configured to stack a sheet that is fed from the hopper 101 by the sheet feeding mechanism 110 and has a certain attribute (e.g., denomination).
  • Each individual display 107 is disposed for the corresponding stacker 106, and configured to display the number of sheets stacked in the corresponding stacker 106.
  • Fig. 8 shows two rejectors 102, four stackers 106, and four individual displays 107, the numbers of these members are not limited to these and can be changed.
  • Fig. 9 mainly shows a transport system and a sensor system of the sheet handling machine 100.
  • the sheet handling machine 100 is provided inside with a transport path 201 configured to transport the sheets from the hopper 101 to the corresponding stackers 106.
  • This transport path 201 is usually constituted by a combination of belt transport mechanisms.
  • Various sensors 202 to 214 are placed along the transport path 201.
  • the sensor 202 which is a sheet feed detection sensor, placed on the outlet of the hopper 101 and the sensor 203 placed on the inlet of a sheet recognition device 220 are configured to detect secure feeding of the sheets.
  • the sheet recognition device 220 provided to the transport path 201 is constituted by a variety of detectors and configured to identify the characteristics such as the newness/oldness, fitness, authenticity, type (denomination in the case of banknotes), orientation, and face/back of the sheets fed from the hopper 101.
  • the transport path 201 is provided with a timing sensor 204 in the sheet recognition device 220.
  • Two diverters 231 are disposed in series downstream of the sheet recognition device 220 in the transport path 201.
  • Each diverter 231 is configured to deliver, to the corresponding rejector 102, a sheet such as a sheet which fails to be recognized by the sheet recognition device 220 or a sheet which is recognized but fails to be classified.
  • the sensors 205 and 206 are each configured to detect delivery of a sheet from the corresponding diverter 231 to the corresponding rejector 102.
  • the transport conditions of a sheet to be classified are detected by the sensor 207, and this sheet is further transported in the transport path 201.
  • Three diverters 232 to 234 are disposed in series downstream of the diverters 231 in the transport path 201.
  • the diverters 232 to 234 are each configured to deliver, for example, the sheets transported from the diverters 231 to the corresponding stackers 106 among the four stackers 106 in accordance with characteristics of the sheets such as the denomination. Thereby, a sheet whose characteristic such as the denomination is recognized by the sheet recognition device 220 is stored in the corresponding stacker 106 among the four stackers 106.
  • the sensors 208 to 214 are configured to detect whether or not the sheets are correctly classified into the corresponding stackers 106 from the transport path 201. Further, as shown in Fig. 9 , the hopper 101 is provided with a sensor 215. This sensor 215 is configured to detect storage of a sheet in the hopper 101. The storage conditions of sheets in the stackers 106 are to be detected by residual sheet detection sensors 221 to 224.
  • the sheet feeding mechanism 110 is configured to deliver sheets stored in the hopper 101 one by one to the transport path 201 in the sheet handling machine 100.
  • the hopper 101 is configured to store sheets such that the sheets are stacked on the bottom of the hopper. As shown in Figs. 8 and 9 , the hopper 101 is open at the top and the front (the right side in Fig. 9 ). Further, as mentioned above, the hopper 101 is provided with the sensor 215 configured to detect storage of even only a single sheet in the hopper 101.
  • the sheet feeding mechanism 110 comprises first kicker rollers 116 that are to be in contact with a face of a sheet at the bottom among a plurality of sheets stacked in the hopper 101, second kicker rollers 118 that are upstream of the first kicker rollers 116 in the direction of feeding the sheets, and feed rollers 112 that are downstream of the first kicker rollers 116 in the direction of feeding the sheets and are configured to feed the sheets discharged by the first kicker rollers 116.
  • Gate rollers (reverse rollers) 114 are also disposed opposite to the feed rollers 112, and the feed rollers 112 and the gate rollers 114 constitute a gate therebetween. The sheets discharged by the first kicker rollers 116 are to be fed one by one through the gate into the transport path 201.
  • the sheet feed detection sensor 202 disposed at the outlet of the sheet feeding mechanism 110 is configured to detect a trouble such as a jam in feeding of sheets by the sheet feeding mechanism 110.
  • this sheet feed detection sensor 202 is configured to detect occurrence of a trouble such as a jam in feeding of sheets by the sheet feeding mechanism 110 when the sheet feed detection sensor 202 fails to detect feeding of a sheet even after a predetermined feeding error detection period has passed from when it detected feeding of the previous sheet during feeding of sheets by the sheet feeding mechanism 110.
  • the sensors 202 to 214 and 221 to 224 are each constituted by the sheet detection device 10 described above, and therefore can detect a sheet even when the sheet comprises a transparent portion transmitting visible light.
  • Embodiment 1 the features unique to the present embodiment are mainly described, and the same contents as those in Embodiment 1 are not elaborated upon here.
  • the components having a similar or the same function in both the present embodiment and Embodiment 1 are provided with the same reference sign, and these components are not elaborated upon in the present embodiment.
  • the present embodiment is substantially the same as Embodiment 1, except for the following points.
  • the sheet detection device of the present embodiment comprises a plurality of pairs of the ultraviolet light sources 20 and the photodetectors 30, and the detector 40 is configured to detect the sheets 1 based on the output signals from the photodetectors 30.
  • the sheet detection device of the present embodiment therefore can properly detect arrival of the sheet 1 even when the sheet 1 is delivered with a significantly high degree of skew.
  • Embodiment 1 the features unique to the present embodiment are mainly described, and the same contents as those in Embodiment 1 are not elaborated upon here.
  • the components having a similar or the same function in both the present embodiment and Embodiment 1 are provided with the same reference sign, and these components are not elaborated upon in the present embodiment.
  • the present embodiment is substantially the same as Embodiment 1, except for the following points.
  • the ultraviolet light source 20 and the photodetector 30 are disposed on the same side of the transport path 11 with a predetermined space in between along the transport direction of the sheets 1.
  • a reflector 50 is disposed on the opposite side of the transport path 11. The sheets 1 are sequentially transported between the ultraviolet light source 20 and the reflector 50 and between the photodetector 30 and the reflector 50.
  • the reflector 50 is a prism and has a first face 50a on which ultraviolet light emitted by the ultraviolet light source 20 is to be incident, a second face 50b configured to reflect the ultraviolet light incident on the first face 50a toward a third face 50c, and the third face 50c configured to reflect the ultraviolet light reflected on the second face 50b toward the first face.
  • the ultraviolet light emitted by the ultraviolet light source 20 passes through the transport path 11, travels within the reflector 50, passes through the transport path 11 again, and eventually reaches the photodetector 30.
  • the present embodiment also enables detection of the sheet 1 based on transmission or blocking of ultraviolet light as in Embodiment 1.
  • the reflector 50 which is to be irradiated with ultraviolet light, is preferably made of a material less likely to deteriorate under ultraviolet light.
  • the reflector 50 is preferably made of fluorite mainly containing CaF 2 (calcium fluoride) or quartz glass containing substantially only SiO 2 (glass with approximately 100% SiO 2 content).
  • the sheet 1 may be transported from the photodetector 30 side to the ultraviolet light source 20 side as shown in Fig. 11 or may be transported in the opposite direction.
  • the ultraviolet light source 20 and the photodetector 30 may be disposed in the direction crossing the transport direction of the sheet 1, or in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the sheets 1, i.e., in the width direction of the transport path 11. This enables detection of arrival of the sheet 1 transported with a significantly high degree of skew as in Embodiment 2 using only one pair of the ultraviolet light source 20 and the photodetector 30.
  • the reflector 50 may not be a prism and may be constituted by a mirror.
  • Embodiment 1 the features unique to the present embodiment are mainly described, and the same contents as those in Embodiment 1 are not elaborated upon here.
  • the components having a similar or the same function in both the present embodiment and Embodiment 1 are provided with the same reference sign, and these components are not elaborated upon in the present embodiment.
  • the present embodiment is substantially the same as Embodiment 1, except for the following points.
  • the photodetector 30 contains a phosphor to be excited by ultraviolet light applied by the ultraviolet light source 20 and thereby emit visible light.
  • the photodetector element 31 is configured to detect the visible light emitted by the phosphor and output a signal corresponding to the detected amount of the visible light.
  • the present embodiment also enables detection of the sheet 1 based on transmission or blocking of ultraviolet light as in Embodiment 1. This provides more options for the photodetector element 31 since any material reactive to visible light is usable as the photodetector element 31.
  • the sheet detection devices 10 of the above embodiments each comprise at least one ultraviolet light source 20 configured to apply ultraviolet light to the transport path 11 or 201; at least one photodetector 30 configured to detect the ultraviolet light applied by the ultraviolet light source 20; and the detector 40 configured to detect the sheet based on an output signal from the photodetector 30.
  • This enables detection of a sheet that is to be detected and transported along the transport path 11 or 201 even when the sheet includes a transparent portion transmitting visible light. This is because ultraviolet light can be blocked by the transparent portion as well as the opaque portion of the sheet.
  • the sheet detection device 10 therefore can detect the sheet including a transparent portion regardless of the position, size, shape, or other conditions of the transparent portion. In other words, the sheet detection device 10 can detect a variety of sheets including a variety of transparent portions.
  • the ultraviolet light source 20 applies light having a peak wavelength ⁇ P in the ultraviolet range or only ultraviolet light having a peak wavelength ⁇ P in the ultraviolet range. This can increase the detection accuracy of the sheets.
  • the peak wavelength ⁇ P is 350 nm or shorter. This enables detection of polymer banknotes from some countries with a higher degree of accuracy.
  • the peak wavelength ⁇ P is 280 nm or shorter. This enables detection of all the polymer banknotes available as of the filing date of the present application with a higher degree of accuracy.
  • the ultraviolet light source 20 includes an ultraviolet LED as an emitter element. This enables easy embodiment of these preferred configurations.
  • the sheet detection device 10 functions as a timing sensor of the sheet recognition device 220. This can prevent the sheet recognition device 220 from performing the recognition process for a sheet to be detected at a wrong time even when the sheet includes a transparent portion transmitting visible light.
  • the sheet detection device 10 detects a sheet transported inside the sheet handling machine 100. This can prevent defects such as a fake jam in the sheet handling machine 100.
  • the sheet detection device 10 comprises a plurality of pairs of the ultraviolet light sources 20 and the photodetectors 30, and the detector 40 detects sheets based on the output signals from the photodetectors 30. This enables detection of arrival of a sheet even when the sheet is transported with a significantly high degree of skew.
  • the ultraviolet light source 20 comprises the emitter element 21 configured to emit ultraviolet light and the protector 22c containing at least one of fluorite or quartz glass and facing the emission surface of the emitter element 21. This enables protection of the emitter element 21 using the protector 22c while reducing or eliminating deterioration of the protector 22c due to ultraviolet light.
  • the photodetector 30 contains a phosphor to be excited by the ultraviolet light applied by the ultraviolet light source 20 and thereby emit visible light, and the photodetector element 31 configured to detect the visible light emitted by the phosphor. This provides more options for the photodetector element 31 since any material reactive to visible light is usable as the photodetector element 31.
  • the sheets 1 may be short edge fed. This embodiment is preferred in the case where the transparent portion 2 is provided from one edge to the other edge of each sheet 1 in the transport direction (long edge direction).
  • the present invention provides a useful technique to detect a sheet including a transparent portion transmitting visible light.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Toxicology (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Inspection Of Paper Currency And Valuable Securities (AREA)
  • Investigating Or Analysing Materials By Optical Means (AREA)

Claims (13)

  1. Blatterfassungsvorrichtung (10), die so konfiguriert ist, dass sie ein Blatt (1) erfasst, das einen transparenten Abschnitt (2) umfasst und entlang eines Transportwegs (11) transportiert wird, wobei die Vorrichtung (10) umfasst:
    mindestens eine Ultraviolettlichtquelle (20), die so konfiguriert ist, dass sie ultraviolettes Licht auf den Transportweg (11) aufbringt;
    mindestens einen Fotodetektor (30), der so konfiguriert ist, dass er das von der mindestens einen Ultraviolettlichtquelle (20) aufgebrachte und durch die Folie (1) übertragene ultraviolette Licht erfasst; und
    einen Detektor (40), der so konfiguriert ist, dass er auf der Grundlage eines Ausgangssignals des Fotodetektors (30) den Durchgang, die Ankunft oder das Vorhandensein der Folie (1) erkennt,
    der Detektor (40) so konfiguriert ist, dass er das Blatt (1) auf der Grundlage einer Abschwächungsrate des Ausgangssignals von dem Photodetektor (30) erkennt, auf der Grundlage von Merkmalen, dass das Blatt (1) eine niedrige Durchlässigkeit für ultraviolettes Licht in dem transparenten Abschnitt (2) in der Richtung aufweist, in der sich ultraviolettes Licht ausbreitet, verglichen mit einem Fall, in dem kein Blatt (1) in der Richtung vorhanden ist, in der sich ultraviolettes Licht ausbreitet, und dass die Folie (2) in dem transparenten Abschnitt (2) in der Richtung, in der sich das ultraviolette Licht ausbreitet, eine Durchlässigkeit für ultraviolettes Licht mit einer Wellenlänge von 280 nm von 0 % oder mehr und etwa 70 % oder weniger aufweist.
  2. Die Blatterkennungsvorrichtung (10) nach 1,
    wobei die mindestens eine ultraviolette Lichtquelle (20) so konfiguriert ist, dass sie Licht mit einer Spitzenwellenlänge im ultravioletten Bereich anwendet.
  3. Die Blatterkennungsvorrichtung (10) nach 1 oder 2,
    wobei die mindestens eine Ultraviolettlichtquelle (20) so konfiguriert ist, dass sie nur Ultraviolettlicht mit einer Spitzenwellenlänge im Ultraviolettbereich anwendet.
  4. Die Blatterkennungsvorrichtung (10) nach 2 oder 3,
    wobei die Peak-Wellenlänge 350 nm oder kürzer ist.
  5. Die Blatterkennungsvorrichtung (10) nach 4,
    wobei die Peak-Wellenlänge 280 nm oder kürzer ist.
  6. Blatterkennungsvorrichtung (10) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, die als Taktgeber einer Blatterkennungsvorrichtung (220) ausgebildet ist.
  7. Bogenerkennungsvorrichtung (10) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, die dazu ausgebildet ist, einen in einer Bogenverarbeitungsmaschine (100) transportierten Bogen (1) zu erkennen.
  8. Blatterkennungsvorrichtung (10) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 7,
    wobei die mindestens eine Ultraviolettlichtquelle (20) eine Vielzahl von Ultraviolettlichtquellen umfasst,
    der mindestens eine Photodetektor (30) eine Vielzahl von Photodetektoren umfasst, die mit der Vielzahl von ultravioletten Lichtquellen gepaart sind, und
    der Detektor (40) so konfiguriert ist, dass er das Blatt (1) auf der Grundlage von Ausgangssignalen aus der Vielzahl von Fotodetektoren erkennt.
  9. Blatterkennungsvorrichtung (10) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 8,
    wobei der mindestens eine Photodetektor (30) der mindestens einen ultravioletten Lichtquelle (20) zugewandt ist, und
    das Blatt (1) zwischen der mindestens einen ultravioletten Lichtquelle (20) und dem mindestens einen Photodetektor (30) transportiert wird.
  10. Blattdetektionsvorrichtung (10) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 8, die ferner einen Reflektor (50) umfasst, der der mindestens einen ultravioletten Lichtquelle (20) und dem mindestens einen Photodetektor (30) gegenüberliegt,
    wobei der Reflektor (50) so konfiguriert ist, dass er das von der mindestens einen Ultraviolettlichtquelle (20) zugeführte ultraviolette Licht zu dem mindestens einen Photodetektor (30) reflektiert, und
    das Blatt (1) zwischen der mindestens einen ultravioletten Lichtquelle (20) und dem Reflektor (50) und zwischen dem mindestens einen Photodetektor (30) und dem Reflektor (50) transportiert wird.
  11. Die Blatterkennungsvorrichtung (10) nach 10,
    wobei der Reflektor (50) mindestens eines von Fluorit oder Quarzglas umfasst.
  12. Blatterkennungsvorrichtung (10) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 11,
    wobei die mindestens eine Ultraviolettlichtquelle (20) Folgendes umfasst
    ein Emitterelement (21), das so konfiguriert ist, dass es das ultraviolette Licht emittiert, und
    eine Schutzvorrichtung (22c), die mindestens eines von Fluorit oder Quarzglas enthält und einer Emissionsfläche des Emitterelements (21) zugewandt ist.
  13. Blatterkennungsvorrichtung (10) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 12,
    wobei der mindestens eine Fotodetektor (30) Folgendes umfasst
    einen Leuchtstoff, der durch das von der Ultraviolettlichtquelle (20) zugeführte ultraviolette Licht angeregt wird und dadurch sichtbares Licht aussendet, und
    ein Fotodetektorelement (31), das so konfiguriert ist, dass es das von dem Leuchtstoff emittierte sichtbare Licht erfasst.
EP17845899.8A 2016-08-31 2017-07-10 Papierblatterfassungsvorrichtung Not-in-force EP3509041B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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JP2016169738A JP2018036874A (ja) 2016-08-31 2016-08-31 紙葉類検知装置
PCT/JP2017/025116 WO2018042889A1 (ja) 2016-08-31 2017-07-10 紙葉類検知装置

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EP3509041A1 EP3509041A1 (de) 2019-07-10
EP3509041A4 EP3509041A4 (de) 2020-04-01
EP3509041B1 true EP3509041B1 (de) 2022-05-18

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JP7134435B2 (ja) * 2019-03-14 2022-09-12 ローレルバンクマシン株式会社 紙葉類検知装置、紙葉類検知方法および紙葉類処理装置
JP7371866B2 (ja) * 2020-03-13 2023-10-31 ローレルバンクマシン株式会社 識別ユニット

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AU2017320410B2 (en) 2021-01-14
JP2018036874A (ja) 2018-03-08
EP3509041A1 (de) 2019-07-10
WO2018042889A1 (ja) 2018-03-08
EP3509041A4 (de) 2020-04-01
AU2017320410A1 (en) 2019-04-18

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