JP3346865B2 - Paper sheet identification device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a paper sheet processing apparatus for automatically classifying paper sheets, such as securities, for identifying whether paper sheets, such as securities, are normal. The present invention relates to a paper sheet identification device for performing the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, for example, securities are supplied and conveyed one by one, and the conveyed securities are checked one by one. There has been developed a paper sheet processing apparatus that automatically classifies and processes a second normal ticket having a remarkable amount and an abnormal ticket created by using unauthorized means.

Here, as an abnormal ticket, for example, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, there is a type in which two securities that have been intentionally cut are stuck together using an adhesive tape T and reproduced as if they were one security S.

In such a sheet processing apparatus, a sheet identification apparatus for detecting an abnormal ticket as described above includes:
The thickness of the entire security to be identified is measured. Then, by this measurement, a portion having a thickness larger than the thickness of the original security is detected as a portion to which the tape is attached, and the adhesive tape T which is attached from one end to the other end of the security is detected by the detection. Identified as an abnormal ticket.

[0005]

However, in such a conventional paper sheet discriminating apparatus, all the adhesive tapes applied from end to end of the securities are recognized as abnormal notes. For this reason, there has been a problem that since one security was originally completely cut, even the second normal ticket repaired using an adhesive tape was identified as an abnormal ticket.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a paper sheet identification apparatus capable of correctly distinguishing an abnormal paper sheet prepared by using an unauthorized means from a normal paper sheet repaired by using an adhesive tape. The purpose is to provide.

[0007]

According to the present invention, there is provided a paper sheet identifying apparatus for detecting a thickness of an entire surface of a paper sheet, and an image of a character printed on two places of the paper sheet. The image input means and the thickness detecting means divide the sheet at least into two and detect a portion exceeding a predetermined thickness. Comparing means for comparing the image of the character at a location, and determining means for determining that the sheet is abnormal when the image of the character at the two locations does not match as a result of the comparison by the comparing means. ing.

Further, the paper sheet identification apparatus of the present invention has a transportation means for transporting the paper sheet and a thickness of the paper sheet which comes into contact with one surface of the paper sheet transported by the transportation means. And a sensor for outputting a signal corresponding to the amount of movement of the roller, a thickness detecting means for detecting the thickness of the entire surface of the sheet, and two positions of the sheet. Image input means for taking in an image of a character printed on the paper sheet, and the thickness input means, when a portion exceeding at least a predetermined thickness is detected by dividing the paper sheet into at least two parts, the image input means Comparing means for comparing the image of the two characters captured by the above-described method, and determining that the sheet is abnormal when the image of the two characters does not match as a result of the comparison by the comparing means. Determining means for performing the determination.

Further, the paper sheet identification apparatus of the present invention comprises a thickness detecting means for outputting a voltage corresponding to the thickness over the entire surface of the paper sheet, and a paper sheet for detecting the presence of the paper sheet. Reference voltage generating means for generating a detection reference voltage and a tape detection reference voltage for detecting a tape attached to a sheet,
By comparing the voltage output from the thickness detecting means with the paper sheet detection reference voltage and the tape detection reference voltage generated from the reference voltage generation means, respectively, the tape attached to the paper sheet Storage means for storing the data, reading the data stored in the storage means, detecting the presence of a tape based on the data, Tape detecting means for detecting whether or not the sheet is stuck from end to end so as to be bisected, image input means for inputting an image of the sheet, and an image input by the image input means Extracting means for extracting two character images printed on the first part and the second part where the paper sheet is divided into two, and the tape detecting means, whereby the paper sheet is divided into two. When it is detected that the tape is stuck so that the two character images extracted by the extraction unit are the same or not, the comparison unit compares the two character images with each other. Determining means for determining that the paper sheet is abnormal when the two character images are not the same;

[0010] Further, the paper sheet identification device of the present invention comprises a transport means for transporting the paper sheet, and a thickness of the paper sheet which comes into contact with one surface of the paper sheet transported by the transport means. And a sensor for outputting a voltage corresponding to the amount of movement of the roller, a thickness detecting means for outputting a voltage corresponding to the thickness of the sheet over the entire surface of the sheet, Reference voltage generating means for generating a sheet detection reference voltage for detecting the presence of a class and a tape detection reference voltage for detecting a tape attached to the sheet, and the thickness detecting means. By comparing the output voltage with the sheet detection reference voltage and the tape detection reference voltage generated by the reference voltage generation means, data corresponding to the pattern of the tape attached to the sheet is obtained. And record the data. Reading the data stored in the storage means, detecting the presence of the tape based on the data, and affixing the tape across the sheet so that the tape bisects the sheet. A tape detecting unit for detecting whether or not the sheet has been inserted; an image input unit for inputting an image of the sheet; and a first portion where the sheet is bisected from the image input by the image input unit. And extracting means for extracting two character images printed on the second part, and when the tape detecting means detects that a tape is stuck so that the paper sheet is divided into two, 2 extracted by the extraction means
Comparing means for comparing whether or not two character images are the same, and determining means for determining that the sheet is abnormal when the two character images are not the same as a result of the comparison by the comparing means. ing.

[0011]

A second normal sheet and an abnormal sheet repaired by using a tape by comparing whether or not images of two characters printed on two places of the sheet coincide with each other. Class can be correctly identified, and the identification accuracy can be improved.

[0012]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an overall configuration of a sheet processing apparatus to which the sheet identification apparatus according to the present embodiment is applied. That is, reference numeral 1 denotes a ticket taking-in unit, which takes in securities (sheets) S one by one into the apparatus. Reference numeral 2 denotes a transport path in the apparatus, and securities S taken in from the ticket taking-in section 1
Is transported through the transport path 2. Securities S are
The sheet is transported to the detection unit 3 by the transport path 2. The securities S are subjected to the detection processing by the detection unit 3 and guided to the ticket classifying unit 5. The configuration of the detection unit 3 will be described later.

The ticket classifying unit 5 includes a transport path switching unit 6 and a ticket stacking unit 7. The ticket accumulation unit 7 is divided into a normal ticket accumulation unit 7a for accumulating normal securities and an abnormal ticket accumulation unit 7b for accumulating abnormal securities. The transport path switching unit 6
In accordance with the information output from the detection unit 3 indicating the result of determining whether the securities S are normal or abnormal, an operation of switching the transport destination of the securities S between the normal ticket accumulation unit 7a and the abnormal ticket accumulation unit 7b is performed. . That is, the switching operation of the gate 8 provided in the transport path 2 is performed.

Next, the configuration of the detection unit 3 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 denotes a thickness detector such as a displacement sensor, which detects the thickness of the securities S over the entire surface. The thickness detector 11 is configured, for example, as shown in FIGS.

That is, at a position facing the fixed roller 21 provided along the transport path 2, for example, eight displacement rollers 221 to 228 are provided in a line along the axial direction of the fixed roller 21. ing. These displacement rollers 22
1 to 228 are respectively attached to one free ends of the leaf springs 231 to 238, and the other ends of the leaf springs 231 to 238 are attached to the support block 24.

As described above, the displacement rollers 221 to 228
Are attached to the free ends of the leaf springs 231 to 238, respectively, so that the displacement rollers 221 to 228 can move in the directions of the arrows (up and down directions) as shown in FIG. Has become.

Above the displacement rollers 221 to 228, the displacement sensors 251 to 258 are opposed to the respective displacement rollers 221 to 228 and at a predetermined distance therefrom.
Are arranged. The displacement sensors 251 to 258 are attached to the support block 24, respectively, and output electric signals (voltages) corresponding to the moving amounts (vertical moving amounts) of the displacement rollers 221 to 228.

The transported securities S are transported by the fixed rollers 21
The leaf springs 231 to 238 bend in accordance with the thickness of the securities S, and accordingly the displacement rollers 221 to 228 move upward. Here, this movement amount is the displacement sensors 251 to 258.
Is measured as an electrical signal.

For example, FIG. 4 shows output waveforms of the displacement sensors 251 to 258 when the security S having the adhesive tape T affixed over its entire width at the center thereof passes through the thickness detecting unit 3. That is, the offset voltage a (V) indicating that the security S does not exist, the voltage b (V) corresponding to the thickness of the security exceeding the security detection reference voltage, and the security exceeding the tape detection reference voltage. And a voltage c (V) corresponding to the total thickness of the tape thickness and the tape thickness are shown.

Returning to FIG. 1, the reference voltage generator 12 generates a voltage which is used as a reference for determining the state of the thickness of the securities S. The reference voltage for detecting securities and the reference voltage for detecting tapes shown in FIG. Is output. The tape detection reference voltage output from the reference voltage generator 12 is
The security detection reference voltage that is input to the inversion terminal of “a” is connected to be input to the inversion terminal of the second comparator 13b. Further, the thickness detector 11 is provided with the first comparator 13 so that the detected thickness voltage is input.
a and the non-inverting terminal of the second comparator 13b.

The output terminals of the first comparator 13a and the second comparator 13b are connected to a thickness information storage unit 14. That is, the voltage corresponding to the thickness detected by the thickness detector 11 and the reference voltage generated by the reference voltage generator 12 are compared by the first comparator 13a and the second comparator 13b. The information on the thickness of each part of the securities S obtained by each comparison is stored in the thickness information storage unit 14.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the contents of the thickness information storage section 14 in a state where the thickness information is stored. That is, securities S
Is stored as information “0”, the state where the securities S are present is information “1”, and the state where the tape is attached is “2”, respectively. Storage unit 14 corresponding to missing portion Sp of securities S
Stores information “0”.

Here, a1 to a8 are the respective displacement rollers 221 to 221.
228, and b1 to b18 indicate the transport distance of the securities S. Returning to FIG. 1, the output terminal of the thickness information storage unit 14 is connected to the tape sticking detection unit 15. That is, for example, the tape attachment detection unit 15
The thickness information stored in the thickness information storage unit 14 is read using a data processor or the like, and the shape of the tape T affixed to the securities S is recognized based on the read thickness information. Based on the recognition result, it is determined whether or not the tape T is stuck from one end of the security S to the other in a form that bisects the security S. The result of this determination is determined by the overall determination unit 19 to which the tape application detection unit 15 is connected.
Is input to

Reference numeral 16 denotes an image input device for photographing and capturing an image of a part or the whole of the securities S. The image input device 16 is constituted by, for example, a CCD camera and is connected to an image information storage unit 17. I have.

That is, the image information of the securities S taken from the image input device 16 is stored in the image information storage unit 17. The image information storage unit 17 is connected to the image comparison unit 18, and the image information of the securities S stored in the image information storage unit 17 is read using the processor in the image comparison unit 18. From the read image information, as shown in FIG. 6, the images of the numbers (characters) P1 and P2 printed on the upper left and lower right of the securities S are extracted using the processor. The image may be extracted by extracting a fixed position with respect to the end face of the securities S,
May be taken out on the basis of another pattern printed on the image.

In the image comparing section 18, the extracted number P1
The image of P2 is compared with the image of P2, and it is determined whether or not these two numbers P1 and P2 are the same.

The overall judging section 19 includes a tape sticking detecting section 1
The determination result regarding the tape application on the security S is input from 5, and the comparison result of the two numbers on the security S is input from the image comparison unit 18. The comprehensive judgment unit 19 determines whether the security S is an abnormal ticket created by improperly laminating the securities S based on the result of the determination of the tape stuck on the securities S and the comparison result of the two numbers on the securities S. Is determined. This determination result is input to the transport path switching unit 6.

Next, the operation of the paper sheet identification apparatus of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. For example, the securities S inserted from the ticket taking-in section 1 by hand are conveyed on the conveyance path 2, and during the conveyance, the detection unit 3 performs the discriminating operation on the securities S as follows.

First, the thickness is detected by the thickness detector 11 over the entire surface of the securities S, and a voltage corresponding to the thickness is output. This output voltage is input to each inverting terminal of the first comparator 13a and the second comparator 13b, and the tape detection input from the reference voltage generator 12 to the non-inverting terminals of the first comparator 13a and the second comparator 13b. The reference voltage and the security detection reference voltage are respectively compared. By this comparison, information on the presence or absence of the tape stuck on the entire surface of the securities S can be obtained.

The information on whether or not the tape is attached is stored in the thickness information storage unit 14. Also, the image input device 1
The image information of the whole or the required portion of the securities S is captured by the imaging in step 6. This image information is stored in the image information storage unit 17 (Step S1).

Next, the tape sticking detection unit 15 reads the information on the presence or absence of the tape sticking stored in the thickness information storage unit 14 and checks the presence of the tape (step S).
2). Then, the check result of the presence / absence of the tape is input to the comprehensive judgment unit 19.

In addition, when there is a tape, the tape adhering detection unit 15 analyzes the shape of the tape, and affixes the tape across the end of the securities S so as to divide the securities S into two. It is checked whether or not it has been performed (step S3). This check, as shown in FIG.
The information "2" stored in the thickness information storage unit 14 corresponds to the position a2 corresponding to the portion where the displacement rollers 222-227 are arranged.
When the tape T is present over the length of the security T, it is determined that the tape T is stuck from end to end of the security S. The result of this check is also input to the overall judgment unit 19.

As a result of the check in step S3, when the tape T is stuck so as to bisect the securities S,
The comprehensive determination unit 19 determines that the security S has a possibility of being abnormal, and the comprehensive determination unit 19 outputs an operation command to the image comparison unit 18. Thereby, the image comparison unit 1
8 extracts the images of the numbers P1 and P2 printed at two places of the securities S from the image information of the securities S stored in the image storage unit 17 (step S4).

Next, the image comparing section 18 compares the extracted numbers P1 and P2 with each other (step S5). In this comparison, the image comparison unit 18 determines whether the numbers P1 and P2 match (step S6). This determination result is input to the overall determination unit 19.

Originally, the numbers P1 and P2 printed at two places of the securities S are the same for each security S. Therefore, when it is determined in the comparison result by the image comparison unit 18 that there is no match (step S
6), the comprehensive judgment unit 19 finally judges that the securities S are abnormal. Then, the comprehensive judgment unit 19 gives a command to the conveyance path switching unit 6 to set the conveyance destination to the abnormal ticket accumulation unit 7b (step S7).

If it is determined in the comparison by the image comparing section 18 that the two are coincident (step S6),
The comprehensive determination unit 19 finally determines that the security S is the second normal ticket, and gives an instruction to the transport path switching unit 6 to set the transport destination to the normal ticket stacking unit 7a (step S).
8).

In the thickness detection at step S2,
The portion larger than the thickness of the original security S is the security S
Is not detected, the comprehensive determination unit 19 determines that the security S is the first normal ticket, and instructs the transport path switching unit 6 to set the transport destination to the normal ticket stacking unit 7a. (Step S9).

As described above, according to the above embodiment,
Even if the security S has a tape T affixed from one end to the other, the two numbers P1 and P2 printed on the security S
If P2 is the same, this securities S is identified as a normal ticket. Therefore, originally 1
Even if the second security note is repaired with tape or the like because the piece of securities S has been torn, it can be correctly identified without being identified as an abnormal ticket.

In the above-described embodiment, the images of the two numbers printed on the two places of the securities S are compared as they are. If only the character component of the number is extracted from, and this is to be compared, it is possible to make a more accurate determination.

Alternatively, characters may be recognized from the image of each number, and the recognition results may be compared on a character basis. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the numbers printed on the two places of the security S to be identified are compared is described. However, the present invention can be similarly applied even when a plurality of alphabetic characters are printed instead of the numbers.

[0041]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, abnormal paper sheets prepared by using illegal means and normal paper sheets repaired by using an adhesive tape are correctly distinguished. The present invention can provide a paper sheet identification device capable of performing such operations.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a detection unit in a sheet processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram schematically illustrating an overall configuration of a sheet processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3A and 3B show the configuration of a thickness detector in the detection unit in detail, and FIG.
(B) The figure is a partial front view.

FIG. 4 is a waveform chart for explaining an output waveform of a displacement sensor in the thickness detector.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a storage example of thickness information stored in a thickness information storage unit.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of securities showing a state where numbers are printed at two places.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the operation.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a specific example of an abnormal ticket.

[Description of Signs] 3 ... Detection unit 11 ... Thickness detector 12 ... Reference voltage generating unit 13a ... Comparator 13b ... Comparator 14 ... Thickness information storage unit 15 ... Tape sticking detection unit 16 ... Image Input device 17 Image information storage unit 18 Image comparison unit 19 Comprehensive determination unit 21 Fixed rollers 221 to 228 Displacement rollers 231 to 238 Leaf springs 251 to 258 Displacement sensors

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A thickness detecting means for detecting the thickness of the entire surface of a sheet, an image inputting means for taking in an image of a character printed on two places of the sheet, and the thickness detecting means , At least bisecting the paper sheet, and when a portion exceeding a predetermined thickness is detected,
Comparing means for comparing the two character images captured by the image input means; and as a result of the comparison means, when the two character images do not match, the sheet is abnormal. And a determination means for determining that the paper sheet is a paper sheet identification apparatus. 2. A conveying means for conveying paper sheets, a roller which contacts one surface of the paper sheets conveyed by the conveying means and moves according to the thickness of the paper sheets,
A thickness detecting means for detecting a thickness of the entire surface of the sheet, comprising a sensor for outputting a signal corresponding to the amount of movement of the roller; and a character image printed on two places of the sheet. The image input means to be taken, and the thickness detecting means, when the sheet is at least bisected, and when a portion exceeding a predetermined thickness is detected,
Comparing means for comparing the two character images captured by the image input means; and as a result of the comparison means, when the two character images do not match, the sheet is abnormal. And a determination means for determining that the paper sheet is a paper sheet identification apparatus. 3. A thickness detecting means for outputting a voltage corresponding to the thickness over the entire surface of a sheet, a sheet detection reference voltage for detecting the presence of the sheet, and affixing to the sheet. A reference voltage generating means for generating a tape detection reference voltage when detecting the attached tape; a voltage output from the thickness detecting means; and a paper sheet detection reference voltage generated from the reference voltage generating means. And a tape detection reference voltage, respectively, to generate data corresponding to the pattern of the tape attached to the paper sheet, and to store the data, and the data stored in the storage means. Read out, based on the data to detect the presence of the tape, tape detection means for detecting whether or not the tape is stuck across the sheet so as to bisect the sheet, Previous Image input means for inputting an image of a paper sheet; and from the image input by the image input means, two character images printed on a first portion and a second portion where the paper sheet is bisected. Extracting means for extracting, when the tape detecting means detects that the tape is stuck so that the paper sheet is bisected,
Comparing means for comparing whether or not the two character images extracted by the extracting means are the same; and as a result of the comparison by the comparing means, when the two character images are not the same, the sheet is considered abnormal. A paper sheet identification device, comprising: a determination unit; 4. A transport means for transporting paper sheets, a roller which contacts one surface of the paper sheets transported by the transport means and moves according to the thickness of the paper sheets,
A thickness detector that outputs a voltage corresponding to the amount of movement of the roller, a thickness detector that outputs a voltage corresponding to the thickness over the entire surface of the sheet, and a sensor for detecting the presence of the sheet. Paper sheet detection reference voltage, reference voltage generation means for generating a tape detection reference voltage for detecting a tape attached to a paper sheet, a voltage output from the thickness detection means, By comparing the paper sheet detection reference voltage and the tape detection reference voltage generated from the voltage generation means with each other, data corresponding to the pattern of the tape attached to the paper sheet is generated, and the data is stored. Reading the data stored in the storage means, detecting the presence of the tape based on the data, and affixing the tape so that the tape bisects the sheet. A tape detecting unit for detecting whether or not the sheet has been inserted; an image input unit for inputting an image of the sheet; and a first portion where the sheet is bisected from the image input by the image input unit. And extracting means for extracting two character images printed on the second portion, and when the tape detecting means detects that a tape is stuck so that the paper sheet is bisected,
Comparing means for comparing whether or not the two character images extracted by the extracting means are the same; and as a result of the comparison by the comparing means, when the two character images are not the same, the sheet is considered abnormal. A paper sheet identification device, comprising: a determination unit;