JPH03189893A - Paper sheet counter - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce detection recognizing a correct ticket as a ticket of different kind accidentally by performing confirmation judgement by using a color pattern signal which performs the detection at a state to prevent the turn-over of the next paper sheet when detecting the ticket of different kind by using a monochromatic pattern signal. CONSTITUTION:When paper sheet possible to be the ticket of different kind is detected by using the monochromatic pattern signal from a color pattern signal output means 40, a confirmation means 90 performs the confirmation judgement whether or not the ticket is the one of different kind at a state where the turn-over of the next paper sheet is blocked with a turn-over blocking means 20. When it is judged that the ticket is not the one of different kind, the turn-over blocking means 20 is released, and a count operation is automatically restarted. Meanwhile, by using a color pattern when the paper sheet possible to be the one of different kind is detected, confirmation can be accurately performed since many pieces of comparison information exist. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the detection to judge the correct ticket as the one of different kind.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention involves inspecting paper sheets of the same type (hereinafter referred to as regular notes) for the presence or absence of paper sheets of different types (hereinafter referred to as different types). This relates to a paper sheet counting machine that automatically counts paper sheets, and is particularly suitable for counting banknotes.

[Conventional technology]

As a paper sheet counting machine that automatically counts bundled genuine bills while checking whether there are mixed bills of different types,
The one described in Japanese Patent No. 43566 is known. In this device, as shown in FIG. 6, a dissimilar bill detection device (see FIG. When a different type of banknote is detected by a banknote (not shown), a stopper (not shown) for preventing the banknote from being turned over is driven by a solenoid and counting is immediately stopped.

Then, mirror the back side of the last leaf that was turned over
The staff OP will take a photo and visually check it. If it is confirmed through this visual check that the ticket is a pseudo-different kind of bill (genuine bill), the counting and the different kind of bill detection are continued by operating the restart button.

[Problems that the invention attempts to solve]

However, since the above-mentioned detection of different types of bills is performed during early flipping, misjudgment often occurs.

Therefore, in order to reliably remove foreign tickets, strict criteria tend to be applied, and as a result, a normal bill is detected as a foreign ticket, often resulting in a stoppage of operation. And each time this operation stoppage occurs,
The system requires visual confirmation by staff and manual restart, which is extremely complicated work and reduces counting efficiency.

The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and is capable of reliably detecting different types of notes, and also performing subsequent counting when a paper sheet that has been detected as a different type of note turns out to be a genuine note. It is an object of the present invention to provide a paper sheet counting machine that can quickly return to operation.

[Means to solve the problem]

The present invention provides a paper sheet counting machine that counts paper sheets loaded in a holder while turning them one by one using a paper sheet turning means that includes a plurality of suction shafts that rotate and revolve while adsorbing the paper sheets. A color pattern signal output means for detecting a pattern on one side of paper sheets that are sequentially turned over and counted as a color pattern signal, and a monochrome reference pattern and a color reference pattern on one side of multiple types of paper sheets. The stored reference pattern signal storage means compares the monochrome pattern signal obtained from the color pattern signal outputted from the color pattern signal output means with the monochrome reference pattern signal obtained from the reference pattern signal storage means to detect different kinds of tickets. a detection means for detecting a paper sheet that may be a different type of ticket, and when this detection means detects a paper sheet that may be a different type of ticket, subsequent paper sheets that have not yet been turned over are turned over; and a turning prevention means for preventing the turning of a different kind of ticket by comparing the color pattern signal of the paper sheet detected as a paper sheet that may be a different kind of ticket with the color reference pattern signal from the reference pattern signal storage means. When it is determined by this confirmation means that the paper sheet is a pseudo-different type bill (genuine bill), the above-mentioned turning-over prevention means is released and the subsequent paper sheet is It is characterized by comprising a control means for continuing counting, detection, and confirmation.

As the monochrome pattern signal, it is preferable to use a green signal among the color pattern signals.

[For production]

When paper sheets are turned over with a suction shaft, paper sheets that may be different types of tickets are detected using a monochrome pattern signal obtained from a color pattern signal obtained by detecting patterns on the surface of the paper sheet. When it is detected, the color pattern signal is used to confirm whether or not the ticket is of a different type, with the next sheet being prevented from being turned over by the turning-up prevention means. If it is determined that the ticket is not of a different type, the flipping prevention means is released and the counting operation is automatically restarted. By using monochrome patterns, pattern comparison operations require fewer calculations and are therefore faster, and different ticket detection operations can be performed extremely quickly.

On the other hand, if a color pattern is used when a paper sheet that may be a different type of ticket is detected, there is a large amount of comparison information, so confirmation can be performed accurately. Therefore, it is rare for a normal bill to be mistakenly detected as a different type of bill, and if it turns out that a paper sheet for which a star has been detected is not a different type of bill, counting is automatically restarted without any operator intervention. Therefore, counting efficiency is improved.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the basic configuration of a banknote counting machine as an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a part of the configuration shown in FIG. 1 in more detail.

The banknotes to be counted are sequentially turned over one by one by the banknote turning means 30, and at this time, a pattern signal corresponding to the type of banknote is obtained from the surface of each banknote by the color pattern signal output means, as will be described later.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the state of a mechanical section forming such a banknote flipping means 30. As shown in FIG. When a banknote bundle P is loaded into the holder 1 at the banknote loading position and a start button (not shown) is pressed, the vacuum pump begins to rotate and the holder 1 begins to rotate along the guide 6, reaching the counting start position A. It will stop when it reaches that point. At this time, the holder 1 is biased by a spring or the like so that a portion of the frontmost part of the banknote comes into contact with the suction shaft 7. Furthermore, the fifth
In the figure, reference numeral 4 denotes a paper presser bar for making it easier to turn over the banknote bundle P one by one. Next, the banknote P comes into contact with the suction port of the suction shaft 7 and blocks the suction port, and when the suction pressure inside the suction shaft 7 exceeds a certain specified value, the vacuum switch operates and outputs an output signal, and this signal causes the motor to start. As the rotor 9 rotates, the rotor 9 starts rotating, and the suction shaft 7 rotates on its own axis and revolves around it, attracts and flips off the banknotes one by one, and moves them to position B. Further, when the banknote P contacts the suction port of the suction shaft 7 and blocks the suction port, the irradiation light beam 12 is emitted from the light emitter 10 provided near the banknote P toward the designated area QR on the banknote surface, The reflected light from this area QR is reflected by the receiver 1.
The light is received by 1.

Furthermore, a stopper 18 is provided as a turning-over prevention means to prevent unsucked banknotes from being attracted and turned over when a banknote of a different type is found. The stopper 18 is rotated about a fulcrum 17 by excitation of the stopper 16, and the tip of the stopper 18 presses the end of the banknote that has not been attracted.

FIG. 4 shows a designated area QR as an identification range for specifying the denomination of a banknote. As described above, the irradiation light beam 12 irradiates at least this designated area, and the light receiver 11 receives the reflected light beam from this designated area to obtain a pattern signal. In this embodiment, the light receiver 11 is a color area sensor 41 having color pixels arranged in a matrix, and the color area sensor 41 outputs three color signals of yellow (Y), cyan (C), and magenta (M). Green (G), red (
Three color signals of R) and blue (B) are obtained. These 3
The color signals are detected by pattern detection means 436, 43, 4, respectively.
At step 38, the designated area is compared with a predetermined reference value, encoded and binarized based on the level, and further divided into a plurality of sections, and the binarized signals for each section are summed to obtain a pattern signal. The color pattern signal thus obtained is stored in storage means 446.44.44B. The configuration from the color area sensor 41 to the storage means 44G, 44R, and 44B forms part of the color pattern signal output means 40.

The green pattern signal among the obtained color pattern signals is sent from the color pattern signal output means 40 to the detection means 60.

The detection means 60 determines the denomination by comparing this green pattern signal with a monochrome reference pattern among patterns (reference patterns) preset for each denomination in the reference pattern signal storage means 50.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the reference pattern signal storage means 50 stores color signals G and R.

Each of the storage areas 506 and 50R150B is provided with a storage area 506, 50R150B, each of which stores reference pattern signals for four cases of front and back and reversed banknotes of a plurality of denominations. Note that, as is well known, the green G signal is the same as a monochrome signal, so this signal is used for normal abnormal banknote detection.

In this example, a special monochrome reference pattern that is different from the normal monochrome reference pattern used for normal denomination determination is used as a monochrome reference pattern that is specially used to identify denominations in situations where there are many erroneous judgments, such as for the first coin or after the 99th coin. A monochrome reference pattern is used.

This was established in consideration of the fact that the first set state and suction state are generally unstable, and applying strict standards is likely to result in erroneous judgments. They also set loose criteria. Therefore, the reference pattern signal storage means 50G has a normal reference pattern storage area 500a and a special reference pattern storage area 50G.
b. As a result, when the pattern signal of the first banknote is compared, a plurality of denominations are often output as matching candidates. When a plurality of denominations are extracted as the first banknote in this manner, information on the plurality of denominations is stored in the first banknote denomination storage means 70.

For the second bill, unlike the first bill, a normal reference pattern is extracted from the storage area 50Ga of the reference pattern signal storage means 50 and the denomination is identified.

Therefore, the denomination of the second coin is usually specified to one type.

The detection means 60 again determines whether or not the denomination identified in this way matches any of the denominations registered in the first banknote denomination storage means 70 described above. This is determined to be the denomination of the bill bundle, and the determined denomination information is stored in the determined denomination storage means 80. The denomination identification of the third and subsequent coins is performed while comparing the denomination stored in the determined denomination storage means 80 with the reference pattern stored in the reference pattern signal storage means 50, and the denominations are different. Therefore, if the pattern signals do not match, a command is issued to the control means 100 to stop counting banknotes, and the control means 100 gives a stop command to the banknote turning means 30 to stop the counting operation of different types of banknotes. do. On the other hand, at this time, in response to a command from the control means 100, the stopper 18 constituting the turning-over prevention means 20 is moved to the fulcrum 1 by the operation of the solenoid 16.
7, the suction shaft 7 holds down the succeeding banknotes that are about to be turned over to prevent them from being turned over.

At this point, the possibility of different types of tickets has emerged, so the red and blue color patterns obtained from the color pattern signal output means and the red and blue color reference patterns read from the reference pattern signal storage means 50 are confirmed by the confirmation means 90R. and 90B, and the comparison results are sent to the control means 100.

The counting operation is performed when the counting contact 2 provided around the rotor 9 passes near the counting proximity switch 3 provided near the rotor 9. Note that when bills of different denominations are detected, a stop signal from the control means 100 is transmitted to the proximity switch 3, and counting of different denominations is stopped. Therefore, only banknotes of the correct denomination will be counted.

Next, the counting operation in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5 will be explained.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the counting operation of the bill counting machine described above.

First, the denomination of the first banknote is determined using a monochrome reference pattern (step 541). In this denomination determination, as described above, it is preferable to prepare a special reference pattern different from the normal reference pattern as a judgment pattern, and to use this special reference pattern only when the denomination does not match the normal reference pattern. This special reference pattern can be selected from various types, such as one that has a looser standard than the normal reference pattern, or one that uses a judgment formula that makes a rough judgment.

In the case of this embodiment, the denomination is initially determined using the normal reference pattern (step 541), and when the denomination cannot be determined as a result (step 542), a special determination is made (step 542). 543). This special judgment can be made (step 544), and when multiple denominations of the first banknote are specified (step 545), those multiple denominations are flagged on (
step 546). Note that if the denomination of the first banknote is determined to be one type as a result of the determinations in steps S42, S44, and S45, this denomination is determined as the denomination of the banknote bundle, and the process proceeds to step S51.

If the determination is two or more denominations, then a determination operation is performed for the second bill (step 547).

Determination of the second and subsequent banknotes is usually performed by determination using a reference pattern, and if the denomination can be determined and the denomination is - (steps 548 and 549), the denomination is already 1.
It is determined whether the denomination flag matches the turned-on denomination flag for the th banknote (step 550). That is, since a plurality of denomination flags are set as denomination candidates for the first bill, it is determined whether the denomination of the second bill corresponds to any of the flagged denominations.

If the determination result in steps S44, S48 to S50 is negative, that is, if the detection means 60 in FIG. 2 determines that the denomination is a different denomination, the counting operation is stopped and the process moves to confirmation determination. That is, the solenoid 16 moves the stopper 18 from the position shown by the dashed line in FIG. 5 to the position shown by the solid line to prevent the next banknote from being adsorbed after the banknote determined to be abnormal. The rotor 9 is stopped at a fixed position (step 571). At this time, the vacuum valve is opened to reduce the suction pressure inside the suction shaft to prevent adsorption. Here, it is convenient to use the position where the suction port of the suction shaft faces the banknotes at the time of starting counting as the regular position, since the position detection means of the rotor 9 can also be used for regular position detection. As a method for stopping at this fixed position, for example, a known method disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 56-88372 or Japanese Patent Publication No. 1-26117 can be used.

Note that the banknote P' that has been determined to be abnormal is temporarily in the state shown by the broken line in FIG. It is preferable to stop the suction shaft when at least the second suction shaft faces the bill.

Confirmation judgment is made in the storage section 50 of the reference pattern signal storage means 50.
The color signal R and the color R-signal B are respectively taken out from the pattern signal output means 4.
The confirmation means 90R190B checks whether the color pattern R and the color pattern B match with the color pattern R and the color pattern B that have already been obtained at 0 (step 572). In this confirmation judgment, it is possible to identify one denomination (step 873), and furthermore, if the identified denomination is the first bill (step 57).
4) Since the denomination can be used as the denomination of the banknote bundle, the stopper is released and counting is automatically restarted (step 576).
. On the other hand, if the specified denomination is not the first banknote, it is checked whether the specified denomination is included in the denomination flag that is turned on as the first banknote (step 57).
5), if they match, decide on that denomination and proceed to step S.
76 to automatically restart counting and step S.
51, the denomination of the banknote bundle is determined.

In addition, the determination result is not limited to only one denomination (step 573).
), when the denomination of the specified banknote does not match the denomination of the first banknote (step 575), the control means 100 determines that a genuine foreign banknote or a defaced banknote is mixed in, and issues an alarm to notify the operator. The inclusion of an abnormal ticket is notified (step 565).

When the denomination of the banknote bundle is determined in this manner (step 551), this denomination is stored in the determined denomination storage means 80, and the determination operation for the third and subsequent banknotes is performed. The judgment operation for the third and subsequent banknotes is based on the normal reference pattern of the denomination stored in the denomination storage means 80, which determines that the denomination of the first banknote matches the denomination of the second banknote. The pattern signal storage means 50 is read out and compared (step 55).
2). Then, the denomination can be determined (step 553), and if the determined denomination is not two or more types (step 557), the determined denomination matches the denomination stored in the determined denomination storage means 80. Step 3 to determine whether
58), the counting operation is performed sequentially until the counting of banknotes is completed (step 559).

As mentioned above, a normal banknote bundle is made up of 100 banknotes, and when the counting operation approaches the end and reaches around the 99th banknote, the denomination may change due to misalignment of the banknotes, etc. Judgment operation tends to become unstable. Therefore, if the denomination cannot be determined in step S53, it is checked in step 854 whether or not the banknote is the 99th or later banknote, and if it is the 99th or later banknote, the determination condition is changed to the normal standard pattern. The judgment is changed from the judgment based on the special reference pattern to the judgment based on the special reference pattern (step 555). If the denomination is successfully determined as a result of the determination using this special reference pattern (step 556), the determination is determined to be normal unless the determination result is determined to be two or more denominations in step S57, and the determination is made in step S58. Move.

Note that if the determination in step S57 is two or more denominations, or if the denominations do not match in step S58, the stopper 18 is moved from the position shown by the dashed line in FIG. The rotor 9 is moved to the normal position to prevent the next banknote from being adsorbed after the banknote determined to be abnormal, and the rotor 9 is stopped at the normal position (step 560).

At this point as well, a confirmation determination using a color pattern signal similar to that described above is performed (step 561).

It is checked whether one denomination has been identified in this confirmation judgment (step 562), and when it has been identified, it is checked whether the specified denomination matches the denomination of the banknote bundle determined in step S51 ( Step 863) When they match, the solenoid is de-energized to release the stopper, the vacuum valve (not shown) is closed, and when the suction pressure reaches a predetermined value or higher,
The vacuum switch is activated, the rotor rotates forward, and the counting operation is automatically resumed (step 36.4).

On the other hand, if it cannot be identified as one denomination by the confirmation judgment (step 562), or if the identified denomination does not match the denomination of the bundle of banknotes (step 863), it is determined that a genuine different type of banknote or a defaced banknote is mixed in. It is determined that this is the case, and an alarm is issued to notify the operator that an abnormal note has been mixed in (step 565).

Note that the flowchart in Figure 3 initially uses a normal reference pattern as the first judgment pattern, and then makes a judgment using a special reference pattern that occurs when the normal reference pattern does not match. A special reference pattern may be prepared and the first banknote may be determined using only this pattern. Further, although the determined denomination storage means 80 stores only the determined denomination, it may also store not only the denomination but also the reference pattern signal of the denomination.

Further, a special reference pattern similar to the monochrome reference pattern may be prepared for the color reference pattern and compared.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the denomination of the banknote bundle is automatically determined and then it is determined whether different types of bills are mixed, but the denomination of the banknote bundle may be separately set manually.

Further, although the confirmation determination after determining the abnormality was performed individually, the determination may be performed comprehensively.

For example, if the normal judgment matches the pattern of two or more denominations, the confirmation judgment using the color pattern signal also matches the pattern of two or more denominations, and there is only one denomination common to both; The counting may be restarted when the denomination matches the already determined denomination.

Furthermore, in the example, confirmation judgment was performed for two colors other than green at the same time and the match was confirmed, but first the remaining two colors were checked.
When one of the colors can be confirmed, the denomination may be determined based on it, and when that color cannot be confirmed, the other color may also be confirmed.

Further, in the embodiment, the green signal is used as the monochrome signal, but the monochrome signal may be obtained directly from the YCM signal obtained from the color area sensor.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above in detail based on the embodiments, according to the present invention, when a different type of ticket is detected by the detection means using a monochrome pattern signal, the turning prevention means prevents the next sheet from being turned over. Confirmation judgment is performed using the color pattern signal detected in the prevented state, and if it is determined that the ticket is not a different type, the counting operation is dynamically restarted. In addition, if it turns out that a paper sheet for which a negative star has been detected is not a different type of ticket, counting is automatically restarted without any operator intervention, which improves counting efficiency. improves.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the basic configuration of the main parts of the device of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the structure of the main parts in Fig. 1 in more detail, and Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. Flowchart for explaining the operation, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing designated areas of banknotes used for banknote identification, FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the structure of the mechanical part of the banknote counting machine used in the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration for performing a conventional confirmation determination. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Light emitter, 11... Light receiver, 18... Stopper, 20... Turning prevention means, 3o... Banknote turning means, 40... Color pattern signal output means, 41
...-Color area sensor, 42... RGB signal generation means, 43G, 43R, 43B... Pattern detection means, 44 G, 44 R, 44B-Storing means, 50-...
Reference pattern signal storage means, 50Ga... Normal reference pattern storage area, 50Gb... Special reference pattern storage area, 50R, 50B... Color reference pattern storage area, 60... Detection means, 7o... 1 1st banknote denomination storage means, 80... Determined denomination storage means, 9o... Confirmation means, 100... Control means.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A paper sheet counting machine that counts paper sheets loaded in a holder while turning them one by one using a paper sheet turning means that includes a plurality of suction shafts that revolve while rotating on their own axis. , a color pattern signal output means for detecting, as a color pattern signal, a pattern on one side of paper sheets that are sequentially turned over and counted one by one, and a monochrome reference pattern on one side of multiple types of paper sheets; Comparing a monochrome pattern signal obtained from a color pattern signal outputted from a reference pattern signal storage means storing a color reference pattern and the color pattern signal outputting means with a monochrome reference pattern signal taken out from the reference pattern signal storage means. and a turning-up prevention means for preventing subsequent paper sheets that have not yet been turned over from being turned over when a paper sheet that may be a different type of ticket is detected by the detection means; confirmation means for comparing the color pattern signal of the paper sheet detected as a different type of paper sheet with a color reference pattern signal from the reference pattern signal storage means to confirm whether or not the paper sheet is a different type of ticket; control means for canceling the turning-over prevention means and continuing counting, detection, and confirmation of subsequent paper sheets when the confirmation means determines that the paper sheet is a pseudo-different type bill (genuine bill); A paper sheet counting machine featuring the following features. 2. The paper sheet counter according to claim 1, wherein a green signal of the color pattern signal and the color reference signal is used as the monochrome pattern signal and the monochrome reference pattern signal, respectively.