JP2007299154A - Paper money discriminating device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify the configuration of a paper money discriminating device for discriminating paper money using reflected light and transmitted light so as to provide it as a device capable of discriminating paper money reliably. <P>SOLUTION: In the device, a light source for the transmitted light 56 arranged at an opposite side to the side where the light source for the reflected light and a light receiving part are arranged to a reference reflecting plate 58, and a transmission hole 58a for receiving the light of the transmitted light for the paper money by the inspection light of the light source for the transmitted light by the light receiving part is provided in the reference reflecting plate 58, and the device is equipped with, as a discrimination means, a floodlight timing control means for controlling so that the floodlight timing of the light source for the reflected light and the light source for the transmitted light will not match, and a determining means for determining the paper money by comparing an output pattern of the reflected light and the output pattern of the transmitted light detected by a detection part with the reflected light pattern and the transmitted light pattern of criteria, respectively. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a banknote recognition apparatus, and more particularly to a banknote identification apparatus provided with a sensor that inspects a banknote using reflected light and transmitted light from a banknote.

There is a product provided with means for detecting reflected light from a banknote and transmitted light transmitted through the banknote as means for optically identifying a banknote in the banknote identification apparatus.
FIG. 5 shows a configuration example of a conventional banknote identification device that detects reflected light from a banknote and identifies the banknote. The banknote recognition apparatus includes a reflected light source 12 that projects inspection light toward the banknote 10, a light receiving unit 14 that receives reflected light from the banknote, and a transport mechanism 16 that transports the banknote 10. By projecting the inspection light from the reflected light source 12 to the banknote 10 while transporting the banknote 10 by 16, the banknote 10 is identified by detecting the reflected light from the banknote 10 while scanning the banknote 10 with the inspection light.

Thus, when identifying a banknote using the reflected light from the banknote 10, the emitted light intensity of the light source 12 for reflected light may fluctuate, or the detection characteristic of the light-receiving part 14 may change over time. Therefore, the reference reflector 18 is arranged at a position facing the reflected light source 12 and the light receiver 14, and the reflected light from the reference reflector 18 is detected when a bill is not inserted, and the light reception level is a predetermined output. The control unit 19 is provided with a means for correcting the light amount of the reflected light source 12 so that the level is reached (Patent Document 1).
In FIG. 5, the reflected light source 12 and the light receiving unit 14 are arranged separately, but a configuration in which the reflected light source 12 and the light receiving unit 14 are incorporated in one sensor is also possible. Yes (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

Moreover, when the light-shielding substance is sealed in the banknote or the watermark pattern is included, the banknote is identified by detecting the transmitted light of the banknote. As described above, when transmitted light is used, a light source for transmitted light and a light receiving unit are disposed in an arrangement that sandwiches the banknote, and the light transmitted through the banknote is detected by the light receiving unit when the banknote is transported by the transport mechanism. Identify. Also in this case, the characteristics of the light source for transmitted light and the light receiving unit may change over time, so that when the bill is not inserted, the transmitted light of the light source for transmitted light is detected and the received light level becomes the predetermined output level. The banknotes are identified with correction (see, for example, Patent Document 3).
JP 2001-209839 A JP 2005-208904 A JP-A-2005-208907

  In the conventional banknote discriminating apparatus provided with the means for identifying the bill by detecting the reflected light and the transmitted light from the bill as described above, the light receiving unit for detecting the reflected light and the light receiving unit for detecting the transmitted light are separated. The output pattern of the reflected light and the output pattern of the transmitted light detected by the light receiving unit are used as the reflected light output pattern (referred to as “reference reflected light pattern”) and transmitted in advance for the banknote to be inspected. A bill is identified by comparing each with an output pattern of light (referred to as “reference transmitted light pattern”). Therefore, when increasing the number of inspection points in order to increase the bill detection accuracy, it is necessary to provide separate light receiving parts for reflected light and transmitted light, and when using reflected light, a reference reflector Therefore, there is a problem that it becomes difficult to place the inspection point at an appropriate position in the bill passage area. There is also a problem that the structure of the apparatus is complicated because the components for reflected light and transmitted light are arranged.

  The present invention makes it possible to identify banknotes without complicating the configuration of the apparatus even when the number of inspection points for inspecting banknotes is increased in order to improve the identification accuracy of banknotes, and the apparatus is compact. An object of the present invention is to provide a bill discriminating apparatus that can be formed into a bill.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention comprises the following arrangement.
That is, a reflected light source that projects inspection light for detecting reflected light from a bill, a transmitted light source that projects inspection light for detecting transmitted light from a bill, the reflected light, and the transmitted light A light receiving unit that receives light in common, a detection unit that includes the light source for reflected light and a reference reflector disposed to face the light receiving unit, and a bill transport mechanism that controls the bill transport mechanism to transport bills And a bill recognition device having a control unit comprising a discriminating means for discriminating a bill from an output pattern of reflected light and transmitted light detected by the detection unit when the bill passes through the detection unit. A light source for light is disposed on a side opposite to the side where the light source for reflected light and the light receiving unit are disposed with respect to the reference reflecting plate, and the light source for transmitting light is disposed on the reference reflecting plate by the light receiving unit. The transmitted light of banknotes by the inspection light of the light source A light-transmitting hole is provided, and as the identification means, a light projection timing control means for controlling the light projection timing of the reflected light source and the light source of the transmitted light so as not to coincide with each other, and detected by the detection unit It comprises a discriminating means for discriminating a bill by comparing the reflected light output pattern and the transmitted light output pattern with a reference reflected light pattern and a transmitted light pattern, respectively.

  The identification means adjusts the output level of the light receiving unit to a reference level by receiving the reflected light reflected by the reference reflecting plate of the inspection light projected from the reflected light source by the light receiving unit. And the identification means receives the inspection light projected from the light source for transmitted light and passing through the through hole by the light receiving section, and adjusts the output level of the light receiving section to a reference level. By providing the adjusting means, it is possible to identify bills with high accuracy. Moreover, the said light source for reflected light and the said light-receiving part are incorporated in one component as a light projection / reception sensor, The said detection part can be formed further compactly, The apparatus structure of a banknote identification device is provided. It can be simplified.

  According to the banknote identification device according to the present invention, the light receiving unit arranged on one side of the reference reflecting plate is configured to commonly detect the reflected light from the banknote and the transmitted light from the banknote. It becomes possible to detect the output pattern by reflected light and the output pattern by transmitted light, and it becomes possible to identify banknotes with higher accuracy without complicating the configuration of the banknote recognition apparatus. Moreover, in the banknote identification device according to the present invention, by controlling so that the light projection timings of the reflected light source and the transmitted light source do not coincide with each other, the output pattern by the reflected light of the banknote and the output by the transmitted light can be easily and reliably. The banknote can be identified by detecting the pattern, and the banknote identification apparatus can be identified with high reliability while suppressing the manufacturing cost of the banknote identification apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a bill identifying device according to the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
(Configuration of banknote identification device)
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of a banknote recognition apparatus according to the present invention. The overall configuration of the banknote recognition apparatus is not fundamentally different from the conventional banknote identification apparatus shown in FIG. That is, a banknote insertion slot 22 for inserting the banknote 10 is provided on the front surface of the apparatus body 20 formed in a box shape, and along the conveyance path A from the banknote insertion slot 22 toward the back side of the apparatus body 20. A transport mechanism 16 that transports the banknote 10 is provided. The transport mechanism 16 is provided with a feed belt 36 extending in parallel between two rows between a first pulley 32 and a second pulley 34, and the second pulley 34 is rotationally driven by an electric motor, whereby the bill 10 Is carried out.

A receiving roller 38 is disposed between the first pulley 32 and the second pulley 34, and pressing rollers 40 a and 40 b are provided facing the first pulley 32 and the receiving roller 38. The pressing rollers 40 a and 40 b elastically clamp the feed belt 36 between the first pulley 32 and the receiving roller 38.
On the back side of the second pulley 34, a reversing guide 42 having a cross-sectional shape formed in a semicircular arc shape with a gap for allowing the bill 10 to pass therethrough is provided. A stocker 44 for storing the bills 10 so as to be stacked is provided on the outlet side of the bills 10 from the reversing guide 42.

A characteristic configuration in the banknote identification device of the present embodiment is the configuration of the detection unit 50 for identifying a banknote. That is, the detection unit 50 detects the reflected light source 52 that projects the inspection light onto the banknote 10 that is transported along the transport path A, and the reflected light from the banknote 10 that is the inspection light projected from the reflected light source 52. A light receiving portion 54, a transmitted light source 56 disposed at a position facing the light receiving portion 54 across the banknote 10, and a reference reflector 58 disposed between the light receiving portion 54 and the transmitted light source 56. Is provided.
The reference reflector 58 is provided to perform a process of correcting (calibrating) the output level of the light receiving unit 54 to the reference level. In this embodiment, the transmitted light source 56 (for example, LED) and the light receiving unit 54 are used. It is characteristic that a through hole is provided at a position between the two. By providing the reference reflector 58 with a through hole, the light receiving unit 54 identifies the banknote using the reflected light from the banknote 10 by the projection light from the reflected light source 52 and projects from the transmitted light source 56. The bill can be identified using light transmitted from the bill 10 by light.

FIG. 2 shows a configuration of the detection unit 50 provided in the actual banknote recognition apparatus. In the conveyance path A in which the banknote 10 is transported, the support plate 24 provided in the apparatus main body 20 and the guide plate 25 provided on the upper cover are opposed to each other, and the banknote 10 is placed between the support plate 24 and the guide plate 25. It is formed by making a space to pass through.
The reference reflector 58 is attached to the guide plate 25 on the upper lid side along the inner surface of the transport path A. The reference reflecting plate 58 has a white surface (reflecting surface) facing the support plate 24 formed in white. The through hole 58 a is provided so as to open at a position slightly deviated from the center of the reference reflector 58. In the present embodiment, the transmitted light source 56 is disposed on the back side (upper side in the drawing) of the reference reflector 58 with the optical axis aligned with the center line of the through hole 58a.

  A light projecting / receiving sensor 60 is attached to one side of the reference reflector 58 along the inner surface of the transport path A of the support plate 24 so as to face the reference reflector 58. The light projecting / receiving sensor 60 used in the present embodiment is one in which a reflected light source 52 and a light receiving unit 54 are incorporated in one case. A case surface facing the reference reflector 58 of the light projecting / receiving sensor 60 is formed in the transmission window 62.

3A is a plan view of the reference reflector 58 used in the present embodiment, and FIG. 3B shows a state in which the positional relationship between the reference reflector 58 and the light projecting / receiving sensor 60 is viewed from the side. . As shown in FIG. 3A, the reference reflecting plate 58 is formed in a flat plate having a circular planar shape, and a D-cut portion 58b is provided on a part of the outer periphery so that the reference reflecting plate 58 can be positioned.
The through-hole 58a is offset from the center of the reference reflector 58 to one side, and the center position of the through-hole 58a coincides with the optical axis of the light receiving unit 54 incorporated in the light projecting / receiving sensor 60. In addition, the optical axis of the transmitted light source 56 and the optical axis of the light receiving unit 54 are arranged to coincide with each other.

  FIG. 4 shows another example of forming the reference reflector 58 and the light projecting / receiving sensor 60. That is, the reference reflector 58 shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b) is an example in which the diameter dimension of the through hole 58a is formed larger than the example shown in FIG. 3, and FIGS. The reference reflector 58 shown in FIG. 5 is an example in which the through hole 58a is further expanded in diameter. In the example shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the through hole 58a is formed in one half of the reference reflector 58, but in the example shown in FIGS. 4C and 4D, the through hole 58a is not formed. It is in a form that partially enters the other half from one half. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the center of the through hole 58 a is not aligned with the optical axis of the light receiving portion 54 of the light projecting / receiving sensor 60.

  The transport mechanism 16 and the detection unit 50 described above are controlled by the control unit 70. The control unit 70 drives and controls the transport mechanism 16 to pull the banknote 10 inserted from the banknote insertion slot 22 into the apparatus main body 20 and store it in the stocker 44 and the banknote detected by the detection unit 50. And identifying means for identifying a banknote based on the output pattern of reflected light and transmitted light.

(Banknote identification method)
Next, a method for identifying the banknote 10 in the banknote identification apparatus of the present embodiment will be described. The banknote 10 is identified by the detection unit 50 when the transport mechanism 16 is controlled by the transport control unit of the control unit 70 and passes in one direction along the transport path A from the banknote insertion slot 22.
When the banknote 10 passes through the conveyance path A, the detection unit 50 identifies the banknote 10 by projecting inspection light from the reflected light source 52 of the light projecting / receiving sensor 60 toward the banknote 10 to reflect the reflected light from the banknote 10. The light receiving unit 54 of the light projecting / receiving sensor 60 receives the transmitted light that is received by the light receiving unit 54 of the light projecting / receiving sensor 60 and that projects the inspection light from the transmitted light source 56 toward the banknote 10 and passes through the banknote 10. This is done by discriminating the output pattern of reflected light and the output pattern of transmitted light at the light receiving section 54.

A method of discriminating a banknote based on an output pattern of reflected light and an output pattern of transmitted light at the light receiving unit 54 includes a reflected light pattern and a transmitted light pattern serving as a reference obtained by measuring in advance about the banknote to be inspected, This is done by comparing the output pattern of reflected light and the output pattern of transmitted light obtained by the light receiving unit 54.
In the present embodiment, the light receiving unit 54 is used in common for reflected light and transmitted light. Even when the light receiving unit 54 is used in common, when the inspection light is projected at a periodic timing or a predetermined timing from the reflected light source 52 and the transmitted light source 56 while conveying the banknote 10, the reflected light source The output pattern of reflected light and the output pattern of transmitted light can be obtained separately by controlling by means of the light projection timing control so that the light projection timing from 52 and the light source 56 for transmitted light do not match. The banknote is identified by comparing the output pattern of the reflected light and the output pattern of the transmitted light obtained by the separation with the reflected light pattern and the transmitted light pattern as a reference obtained by measuring in advance by the discriminating means. Is done.

The meaning that the light projection timings of the reflected light source 52 and the transmitted light source 56 do not coincide with each other means that the reflected light output pattern and the transmitted light output pattern are obtained as separate patterns. This means that the optical timing is changed and set. For example, even if the light projection timings of the reflected light source 52 and the transmitted light source 56 partially overlap, if the light projection timings do not match, the sampling timing of the light receiving unit 54 is controlled. The output pattern of reflected light and the output pattern of transmitted light can be obtained separately.
Even when the light projection timings of the reflected light source 52 and the transmitted light source 56 completely overlap (match), for example, the reflected light source 52 and the transmitted light source 56 have different wavelengths. And separating the reflected light and transmitted light patterns by optical means or electric circuit means to separate and detect the reflected light output pattern and the transmitted light output pattern to identify the bill. Is possible.
In addition, the output pattern of the reflected light and the output pattern of the transmitted light are not separated, but the output pattern is detected as a combined pattern in which both patterns are combined (overlaid), and this output pattern is combined with the reflected light and the transmitted light. It is also possible to identify a bill by comparing it with an output pattern obtained by measuring in advance as a pattern.

  In this embodiment, the light receiving unit 54 is used in common for the reflected light and the transmitted light. However, the reflected light receiving unit and the transmitted light receiving unit are provided separately to receive the reflected light and the transmitted light separately. Even if it is set to receive light at the light source, the output pattern of the reflected light and the output pattern of the transmitted light are separated so that the light projection timings of the reflected light source and the transmitted light source do not match as described above. And a method of using the light of different wavelengths as the light source for reflected light and the light source for transmitted light, and separating and detecting the pattern of reflected light and transmitted light by optical means or electric circuit means, A method of identifying a bill by detecting a pattern obtained by combining an output pattern of reflected light and an output pattern of transmitted light can be used.

(Detector adjustment method)
When identifying a bill, a process is performed in which the output pattern of reflected light and the output pattern of transmitted light obtained by the light receiving unit 54 are compared with a reference reflected light pattern and transmitted light pattern. The reference reflected light pattern and transmitted light pattern are obtained by setting the light amount projected from the reflected light source 52 and the transmitted light source 56 to a predetermined value and setting the output level from the light receiving unit 54 to a reference level. It is what was done. Therefore, when the light amount of the reflected light source 52 and the light amount of the transmitted light source 56 fluctuate or the characteristics of the light receiving unit 54 fluctuate, the output level of the light receiving unit 54 fluctuates from the reference level. When a banknote is identified from the output pattern, it may occur that it is mistakenly identified. For this reason, in the banknote identification device, the output level at the light receiving unit 54 is corrected to the reference level so that the banknote can be accurately identified from the output pattern of reflected light and the output pattern of transmitted light obtained at the light receiving unit 54. Adjustment means are provided.

  The reference reflecting plate 58 is used as an adjusting means for adjusting the output level of the light receiving unit 54 by reflected light to the standard level. The method of correcting the output level of the reflected light to the reference level using the reference reflector 58 is the method already presented by the present applicant (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-209839). In this method, before starting to identify the bill, the reflected light from the reference reflector 58 by the projection light of the reflected light source 52 is received by the light receiving unit 54 without passing the bill, and the light receiving unit 54 at that time The output level is made to coincide with a preset reference level of the light receiving unit 54. That is, when the reference level is not reached, the light level of the reflected light source 52 is increased or the gain of the light receiving unit 54 (amplification degree of the received light signal) is increased so that the output level of the light receiving unit 54 becomes the reference level. Correct so that

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the light projected from the reflected light source 52 is irregularly reflected on the surface of the reference reflector 58, and the light incident on the light receiving unit 54 among the light irregularly reflected by the reference reflector 58 is captured. It is done. Therefore, it is not necessary to accurately determine the position of the reference reflector 58 in consideration of the incident angle and the reflection angle of the light projected from the reflected light source 52. In addition, since the projected area of the light projected from the reflected light source 52 toward the reference reflector 58 is not so large, the amount of light received by the light receiver 54 is greatly influenced by the reflection area of the reference reflector 58. Absent. FIG. 4 shows an example in which the reference reflector 58 is provided with a relatively large through hole 58a. This is because the output of the light receiving unit 54 is not significantly affected by the size of the through hole 58a.

Further, when a bill is identified from an output pattern by transmitted light, when the bill is started to be identified, the inspection light is projected from the transmitted light source 56 and the light passing through the through hole 58a of the reference reflector 58 is received by the light receiving unit. 54, it is determined whether the output level of the light receiving unit 54 matches the reference level, and the light level of the transmitted light source 56 is adjusted, or the gain of the light receiving unit 54 is adjusted to adjust the output level of the light receiving unit 54. Adjust so that becomes the reference level. About this adjustment method, the method similar to the method (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-208907) previously filed by the present applicant may be used.
As described above, also for the transmitted light, the output pattern of the transmitted light can be used with high accuracy by correcting the output level of the light receiving unit 54 to an appropriate value by the adjusting means. As shown in FIG. 4, even when the center of the through hole 58 a and the optical axis of the light receiving portion 54 of the light projecting / receiving sensor 60 are not aligned, the output of the light receiving portion 54 by the transmitted light source 56. The process of adjusting the level to the reference level can be performed without problems.

Since the banknote identification device of this embodiment recognizes a banknote based on the output pattern by the reflected light from a banknote, and the output pattern by transmitted light, it is accurate also when the light-shielding object is sealed on the banknote. Identification becomes possible, and it becomes possible to identify banknotes with higher accuracy than when only reflected light is used. In the present embodiment, since the light receiving unit 54 provided in the light projecting / receiving sensor 60 is commonly used for receiving reflected light and for receiving transmitted light, the light receiving unit 54 receives light separately for reflected light and transmitted light. The number of light receiving parts can be reduced as compared with the method of providing the parts. In addition, since the reference reflector 58 is provided with the through holes 58a, the detection unit 50 using the reflected light and the transmitted light can be formed in a compact manner.
Moreover, in the said embodiment, by using the light projection / reception sensor 60 which incorporated the light source 52 for reflected light and the light-receiving part 54 in one case, the structure of the detection part 50 becomes still more compact, a number of parts is reduced, Assembly work can be facilitated.

  In the banknote identification device, in order to enhance the banknote identification capability, a plurality of detection points for detecting the output pattern of reflected light from the banknote and the output pattern of transmitted light are set. As in the detection unit 50 of the present embodiment, when a reflected light output pattern and a transmitted light output pattern are obtained for each arrangement position of one reference reflector 58, detection points in the banknote are Even in the case of setting a large number, it is possible to easily set detection points, thereby further improving the identification accuracy of banknotes.

  Moreover, as a detection part with which a banknote identification apparatus is mounted | worn, the detection part 50 which detects the data by the reflected light and transmitted light which consist of the light source 52 for reflected light mentioned above, the light-receiving part 54, the light source 56 for transmitted light, and the reference reflector 58. In addition, a conventional detection unit that obtains an output pattern of only reflected light and a detection unit of a conventional configuration that obtains an output pattern only of transmitted light can be used in combination. This is because depending on the detection point of the banknote, there are places where it is sufficient to detect only the reflected light, and it may be more effective to provide a transmitted light detection portion for a place where it is particularly effective to detect the transmitted light. .

It is explanatory drawing which shows the whole structure of one Embodiment of the banknote identification device which concerns on this invention. It is sectional drawing which expands and shows the structure of the detection part of the banknote identification device which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows arrangement | positioning of a reference reflecting plate and a light projection / reception sensor. It is explanatory drawing which shows the other example of arrangement | positioning of a reference reflecting plate and a light projection / reception sensor. It is explanatory drawing which shows the conventional structure of the banknote identification device which identifies a banknote using reflected light.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Bill 16 Conveyance mechanism 20 Apparatus main body 22 Bill insertion slot 24 Support plate 25 Guide plate 44 Stocker 50 Detection part 52 Light source for reflected light 54 Light receiving part 56 Light source for transmission 58 Reference reflection plate 58a Through hole 60 Projection / reception sensor 70 Control part

Claims (4)

A reflected light source for projecting inspection light for detecting reflected light from a bill, a transmitted light source for projecting inspection light for detecting transmitted light from a bill, the reflected light and the transmitted light A light receiving unit that receives light in common; a detection unit that includes the reflected light source and a reference reflector disposed to face the light receiving unit;
Control which comprises a discriminating means which discriminates a bill from an output pattern of reflected light and transmitted light detected by the detection part when a bill passes through the detection part while driving and controlling a bill conveyance mechanism A bill discriminating device having a portion,
The light source for transmitted light is disposed on the side opposite to the side where the light source for reflected light and the light receiving unit are disposed with respect to the reference reflecting plate, and the light transmitting unit transmits the light to the reference reflecting plate. A through hole for receiving the transmitted light of the banknote by the inspection light of the light source is provided,
As the identification means, a light projection timing control means for controlling the light projection timings of the reflected light source and the transmitted light source so as not to coincide with each other, an output pattern of the reflected light detected by the detection unit, and the A bill discriminating apparatus comprising discriminating means for discriminating a bill by comparing an output pattern of transmitted light with a reference reflected light pattern and a transmitted light pattern, respectively.   The discriminating means receives the reflected light reflected by the reference reflector of the inspection light projected from the reflected light source by the light receiving section, and adjusts the output level of the light receiving section to a reference level. The banknote identification device according to claim 1, further comprising:   The identification means includes adjustment means for receiving inspection light projected from the light source for transmitted light and passing through the through hole by the light receiving unit, and adjusting an output level of the light receiving unit to a reference level. The bill identifying apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.   The bill identifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the reflected light source and the light receiving unit are incorporated in one component as a light projecting / receiving sensor.

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