FR2492349A1 - Single not checking mechanism for cash dispenser - includes optical source and detectors sensing transparency of note to ensure that only one is dispensed - Google Patents

Abstract

The mechanism forms part of a cash dispenser and includes two flexible belts (1,2) running parallel for a part of their length, and carrying a note between them (11). Rollers (5-10) support the belts, and define the path along which a note is carried. In the course of its passage between the belts, the note passes between pairs of emitters and receivers (19,25) in order to measure the transparency of the note. Several such pairs of detectors may be used to ensure that notes which are dispensed are only single thickness, and not two notes stuck together. According to the result of the test, the note may be directed along one of two paths (14,15) on leaving the detector, a hinged flap (12) providing access to the appropriate path.

Description

One-by-one ticket detector
The present invention relates to devices for distributing banknotes, or other sheets, taken from a bundle. It relates more particularly to a device for distributing tickets one by one to ensure the absence of stacked tickets issued.

 The dispensing devices generally include a magazine in which bundles of banknotes are stacked. The tickets are extracted, in principle, one by one from the store by a gripping device, the successively extracted tickets being counted before being delivered to the users of such devices. However, in particular due to variations in adhesion between successive banknotes of the bundles, it happens that two adjacent banknotes are extracted at the same time and then counted for one. The dispensing devices are generally provided with a detector making it possible, before counting the tickets issued to the user, to detect the possible passage of multiple tickets due to imperfect delineation.

 The detection of superimposed tickets is based either on a measurement of the thickness of the ticket or of the superimposed tickets or on a static measure of transparency made in poiats or regions characteristic of the tickets, for example the homogeneous margin.

 However, such measures lead to results which remain uncertain, this taking into account the dispersion of characteristics between new tickets and used tickets.

 The object of the present invention is to ensure the detection of superimposed tickets in a series of tickets conveyed by a transport mechanism after delinning, also based on a measure of transparency of the successive tickets of the suite but providing results much higher than those obtained previously, this that the tickets of the suite are new or used and whatever the direction of presentation, front or back, of the successive tickets.

 The subject of the present invention is a device for distributing tickets one by one of tickets transported by a transport mechanism, the detection being based on a measure of transparency of the successive tickets transported, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of transmitter pairs photosensitive receiver, fixed mounted on the transport mechanism to be traversed each by the successive tickets and substantially symmetrically two by two with respect to the median axis of each of the tickets successively conveyed, a circuit for global measurement of the signals coming from the photosensitive receivers connected in common to this circuit, a control circuit of said triggering measurement circuit, a so-called transparency measurement phase for a continuous exploration of this ticket passing through said photosensitive transmitter-receiver pairs, over most of its dimension considered in the direction where it is conveyed and means of comparison of the measurement result carried in. ur each ticket with pre-established limits supplied to it to validate or not the distribution of the ticket depending on whether or not this result is within these limits.

 The detector device according to the invention therefore achieves an integration of the transparency measurement carried out over the major part of the length or width of each of the tickets during their movement, by means of several fixed emitter-detector pairs of light arranged so as to observe parallel zones advantageously two by two substantially symmetrical with respect to the median axis of the successive tickets conveyed.

 Other characteristics and advantages of the device will appear more clearly during the description which follows of an exemplary embodiment illustrated in the attached drawing. In this drawing - FIG. 1 represents a side view of a mechanism for transporting banknotes and shows diagrammatically the detector device for distributing the banknotes one by one during their scrolling, - FIG. 2 is a section enlarged along line II -II indicated in Figure 1, - Figure 3 shows the detector device according to the invention.

 In Figure 1, there is shown a transport mechanism one by one of banknotes.

 This transport mechanism is constituted by a set of two endless belts 1 and 2 defining between them, between an inlet access 3 and an outlet outlet 4 for access, the travel path of the successive tickets. The entry access 3 is defined between two pulleys 5 and 6. and shown diagrammatically by an entry guide on which the tickets are received one after the other. The outlet access 4 is defined between two pulleys 7 and 8 and is shown diagrammatically by two outlet guides mounted at a short distance from one and the other of these pulleys, forming a flared outlet access.

 These two sets of pulleys 5-6 and 7-8 and an additional pulley 9 occupy a triangular arrangement and are associated with another additional pulley 10 inside the defined triangular arrangement. The belt 1 is wound around the pulleys 5, 10 and 7, the belt 2 is wound around the pulleys 8, 9 and 6 and is applied, superimposed on the belt 1, on the pulley 10. The belts 1 and 2 are driven at the same constant speed in the direction of the arrows indicated, for example from the pulley 5.

 In this mechanism, we have shown schematically at 11, by a line in the interval between the belts at the level of the pulley 10, one of the tickets trapped between the belts 1 and 2, here, for example, according to its axial longitudinal zone and conveyed to the exit access 4.

This outlet access 4 is equipped with a mechanical switch 12 controlled to define a ticket distribution access to a user, shown schematically by an outlet guide 14, and a rejection access, shown schematically by a rejection store 15 closed for the 'user.

 The tickets are here considered trained according to their length; they can. just as well being tied up according to their width while being imprisoned along their transverse axis, the explanations given below referring to the longitudinal axis of each ticket will then be directly applicable by considering the transverse axis of each ticket.

 As shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1 and represented in FIG. 2, a device for the one-by-one distribution of the tickets, according to the invention, is associated with this transport mechanism. This device is mounted at the level of the pulley 10 on which the two belts 1 and 2 are applied, superimposed on each other, and well trap the ticket 11 between them. It has belts on the same side 1 and 2, two pairs of emitting diodes 16, 17, 18 and 19 mounted opposite the ticket 11, symmetrically with respect to the pulley 10 therefore with respect to the longitudinal axis of the ticket 11 and of the tickets which will be successively conveyed. These diodes are fixed inside two cylindrical bodies 20 and 21, of transparent material, respectively. These cylindrical bodies 20 and 21 are arranged fixed on either side of the pulley 10, they are of the same diameter as the pulley. 10 and have their axes coincident with that of the pulley 10. The pulley 10 and cylindrical body 20 and 21 assembly occupy substantially the width of the ticket 11 and of the successive tickets conveyed.

 In the two cylindrical bodies 20 and 22, the two pairs of fixed diodes are aligned, along a line of the pulley 10, and arranged at a relatively small distance from the ticket 11 illustrated.

 With these two pairs of diodes are associated two pairs of photosensitive receivers, 22, 23 and 24, 25, or photovoltaic cells, arranged on the other side of the belts 9 and 2, each receiver or cell being in line with one of the emitting diodes. These pairs of cells are mounted fixed and at relatively short distance from the ticket 11 in a cylindrical body 26 of transparent material, itself mounted fixed on fixed parts of the transport mechanism.

The current of each of these cells increases with the amount of light received. By way of example, the diodes adopted will be OP 131 OPTION LED light-emitting diodes, and the cells of OP 915 OPTRON cells.

 The diode-cell pairs thus formed are arranged two by two symmetrically with respect to the axis of the median plane of the transport mechanism, that is to say with respect to the median longitudinal axis of each of the tickets transported, at their passage at the level of the pulley 10. This symmetrical arrangement makes it possible to eliminate the incidence of the presentation, front or back, of the successive tickets.

 In FIG. 1, only one of these diode-cell pairs, that is, diode 19 and cell 25, has been illustrated, the diodes being aligned with each other as well as the cells.

 In Figure 3, there is shown the complete diagram of the detector device for distributing the tickets one by one, according to the invention.

 It comprises, in addition to the four diode-cell pairs, 16, 22 and 17, 23 and 18, 24 and 19, 25, between each of which pass the banknote 11 and the successive banknotes, an operational amplifier 28, the input of which is connected in common with the respective outputs of the four cells 22 to 25. This operational amplifier 28 is connected to the input of an analog-digital voltage-frequency converter 29 whose role is to transform the output voltage of the amplifier into a series frequency pulses proportional to this voltage.

This converter will be, for example, an oscillator whose frequency is controlled by the voltage signal. The output of this converter is connected, as will be seen below, to the input of a counter 30 counting the pulses coming from the converter. The amplifier 28, the voltage-frequency converter 29 and the counter 30 constitute a circuit for global measurement of the continuous signals coming from the cells, the state of the counter is representative of the integral of these signals during the counting period.

 This measurement circuit 28-30 is controlled by a control circuit essentially constituted by a microprocessor 31 with which there are associated, for the commands, the development of a clock 32 permanently applying time base signals to it and an external circuit 33 defining limits to results deduced from the measurements made by the counter 30, as will be seen below. For controlling the measurement circuit, a monostable 35 is associated with the microprocessor 31; the triggering of this monostable and the duration of the pulse delivered are determined by the microprocessor on a link 36 existing between them. This pulse of the monostable constitutes the counting authorization signal for the counter 30. For this purpose, the voltage converter -frequency 29 Ust connected to the counter 30 through an AND logic gate 37 controlled by the monostable 35.

By the way, by a link -39, the counter 30 receives a reset reset command from the microprocessor 31 and, by a link 40, smiles its counting state to the microprocessor
The microprocessor also receives, by a link 41, the successive ticket distribution orders. It also receives, by a link 42 connected to the output of the amplifier 28, the banknote arrival detection signals at the device, the banknote being detected on reception of the current (falling) front coming from cells 22 to 25 when the edge of a bill is inserted between the diodes and the cells. It issues, via a link 43, the appropriate commands successive to the switch 12 between the outlet guide 14 and the reject store 15 (FIG. 1).

 The operation of the distribution detector device and the measurements carried out are indicated below.

 Each measurement cycle carried out for each banknote, to detect the passage of a single banknote or of stacked banknotes, is broken down into two phases triggered one after the other by the microprocessor 31, called calibration calibration phase respectively and transparency measurement phase.

 The calibration measurement phase is launched by the microprocessor 31 upon receipt of a ticket distribution order on the link 41. In response to this order, the microprocessor simultaneously resets the counter 30 by zero. link 39 and the triggering of the monostable 35 by the link 36 for a duration D1.

The cells 22 to 25 receive in these conditions the light directly emitted respectively by the diodes: the output voltage of the amplifier 28, the frequency of the pulses generated by the converter 29 and counted in the counter 30 during the duration D1 and therefore l 'state of this counter, ie N1, are therefore exclusively representative of the state of dusting of the optical part of the device and of the possible drift of the diode-cell pairs. This state N1, at the end of the duration D1, is sampled by the microprocessor by the link 40, it constitutes the calibration measure of the device in the absence of a ticket at its level.

 The second phase, that is to say the transparency measurement phase, is launched by the microprocessor-31 upon receipt of a ticket detection signal on the link 42. In response to this signal, the microprocessor performs, after a time delay of low value making it possible to exclude from the measurement the marginal zone of the ticket which is often altered (by folds, tears, etc.) and is therefore not representative of the significant zone of the ticket, simultaneously the resetting of the counter -30 by the link 39 and the triggering of the monostable 35 for a duration D2 by the link 36. This duration D2 is chosen such that it corresponds to an exploration of the ticket over approximately 80% of its length, it will be significantly higher than the previous D1 duration. Under these conditions, the cellulediode couples scan longitudinal zones, symmetrical two by two, of the banknote. The light received by the cells through these respective zones, translated into current, is transformed into voltage at the output of the amplifier 28 to generate the pulses, of frequency proportional to the voltage received by the converter, which are counted for the duration D2. The state of the counter, ie N2, at the end of the duration D2, is taken by the microprocessor by the link 40, it constitutes the measure of transparency of the ticket.

 Each measurement cycle ends with a comparison of the states N1 and N2 in the microprocessor, which establishes for example the ratio N1 / N2, and a comparison of this result with the defined limits received from the external circuit 33 to deduce the suitable commands issued on link 43. These orders are as follows - normal distribution of the ticket to the user, if N1 / N2 is within the defined limits. The mechanical switch 12 (fig. 1) is then in the position shown in solid lines.

- rejection of the ticket which is not then issued to the user, if N1 / N2 is outside the defined limits. The mechanical switch 12 (FIG. 1) is then placed in the position shown in dotted lines and the ticket will be referred to the reject store for later verification.

This rejection takes place if N / N2 is lower than the low limit, it is indeed considered then that the state N2 is abnormally high therefore that the ticket is detected too transparent or can be folded or torn. This rejection also takes place if N 1 / N2 is greater than the upper limit, it is indeed considered then that the state N2 is abnormally low therefore that the ticket is abnormally opaque and can then be double.

 In this device, the clock 32 supplies the microprocessor with the time base pulses from which the durations D1, D2 and the time delay prior to the measurement phase are detected.

It will also be noted that the external circuit 33 receives the defined limits which are. fixed according to the type of tickets transported and the longitudinal zones explored by the diode-cell pairs.

 By this continuous exploration over the major part of the length of the banknotes during their scrolling at substantially constant speed and according to zones two by two symmetrical with respect to the median longitudinal axis of each of the banknotes and the initial calibration of the device, tests have shown that the probability of error, that is to say of non-detection of two stacked tickets, is of the order of 10 9 for a rejection rate of a single ticket judged to be double of the order of 10 3.

 The present invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment given in the drawings. It is obvious that one can make detailed modifications and replace certain means by other equivalent means without departing from the scope of this invention. In particular9 the microprocessor can be replaced by means ensuring respectively its various functions: command to trigger the monostable during D1 or D2, time delay prior to D2, successive resets to zero of the counter and removal of its state, comparison of the two states taken by the counter for each measurement cycle and comparison of this result with the limits defined to deduce the validation or not of distribution of the ticket conveyed to a user.

Claims (6)

1 / One-by-one dispensing detector device for tickets transported by a transport mechanism, the detection being based on a transparency measurement of the successive tickets transported, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of photosensitive transmitter-receiver pairs (16 , 22; 17r23; 18, 24; 19, 25) fixedly mounted on the transport mechanism to be traversed each by the successive tickets and substantially symmetrically two by two with respect to the median axis of each of the tickets (11) successively conveyed , a global measurement circuit (28-30) of the signals from the photosensitive receivers connected in common to this circuit, a control circuit (31-33) of said measurement circuit triggering a so-called transparency measurement phase for continuous exploration of this ticket crossing said photosensitive transmitter-receiver pairs, over most of its dimension considered in the direction in which it is conveyed and means of comparison (31) of the result of measurement made for each ticket with pre-established limits supplied to it to validate or not the distribution of the ticket depending on whether or not this result is within these limits. 2 / Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said control circuit further comprises means (36, 35, 37) for triggering, in response to each ticket distribution order that it receives, a phase called phase calibration measurement in the absence of a ticket crossing said photosensitive transmitter-receiver pairs and that said comparison means (31) compare said measurements carried out for each ticket during said calibration measurement and transparency measurement phases in order to produce the compared result with said limits. 3 / Device according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said measurement circuit comprises an analog-digital voltage-frequency converter (29) whose input is connected through an operational amplifier (28) to the outputs said receivers (22-25) and a counter (30) connected to the output of the converter for counting the pulses generated by this converter. 4 / Device according to one of claims 1, 2 and 3, characterized in that said control circuit (31-33) comprises means for defining said calibration measurement phases and transparency measurement for each ticket conveyed to from a clock '32) and a monostable (35) triggered for the durations of these phases to deliver a measurement authorization signal to said measurement circuit during each of these phases. 5 / Device according to ia claim 1, characterized in that said control circuit comprises timing means delaying said transparency measurement phase by a duration corresponding substantially to the running time of the margin of the ticket between the issuers (16- 19) and photosensitive receptors (22-25) for all couples.  6 / Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that said control circuit and said comparison means are constituted by a microprocessor (31) connected to the measurement circuit (28-30) to authorize the measurements to be made, during said phases for calibrating measurement and for transparency measurement respectively in response to an external order (41) for ticket distribution and for a detection (42) of arrival of the ticket in the device, and for taking (by 40) the measurements carried out and ensure after each measurement its reset (par 39).