Apparatus and method for inspecting large bundle of banknotes

Abstract

To provide a large bundle bill inspection device and method capable of easily and stably inspecting a band interval between a small bundle and a large bundle.SOLUTION: The large-bundle-of-banknotes inspection device 1 includes the image capturing unit 20 that captures the appearance image 600 of the large bundle of banknotes 2 in which the small band 5 and the short-side large band 6b appear, the length calculating unit 55 that calculates the banknote long-edge length L1 of the large bundle of banknotes 2, the first edge length 2C from the left-side edge L2 of the large bundle of banknotes 2 to the small band 5, and the second edge length 2D from the right-side edge 6b of the large bundle of banknotes 2 to the short-side large band L3 from the appearance image 600, and the band interval calculating unit 56 that calculates the band interval L2 based on the banknote long-edge length L1, the first edge length, the second edge length, and the band width size of the small band 5 and the band width size of the short-side large band stored in advance. L3 L6 L4 L5 6b.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a large-bundle banknote validation apparatus and method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a large-bundle banknote inspection device has been known that inspects a large bundle of banknotes that is formed by stacking and bundling a predetermined number of loose banknotes into small bundles, and then further stacking and bundling a predetermined number of these bundles (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The large-bundle banknote inspection device described in Patent Document 1 performs a tape spacing check to check whether the band spacing between the short hand-wound tape (large band) and each small-bundle banknote bundling tape (small band) is appropriate, based on an image taken by a camera of the appearance of the large bundle of banknotes. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-088978 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, in the tape spacing check performed by the large bundle banknote inspection device described in Patent Document 1, the boundaries between the small bands and banknotes and the boundaries between the large bands and banknotes are detected, and then the band spacing between the small bands and the large bands is measured. However, if the banknotes have a design in which a mirrored object such as a hologram is placed near the boundary with the small bands, or a design in which a pattern similar to the small bands is placed near the boundary with the small bands, it is difficult to detect the boundary between the small bands and banknotes, and it is necessary to appropriately change the position of the camera or the light that illuminates the camera's field of view each time.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a large-bundle banknote inspection device and method that can easily and stably inspect the band spacing between small bands and large bands. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the large-bundle banknote inspection device of the present invention is a large-bundle banknote inspection device that inspects the band spacing between small bands and large bands that are positioned with a gap between them in the longitudinal direction of the large bundle of banknotes, and is equipped with an imaging unit that captures an external image of the large bundle of banknotes in which the small bands and the large band appear, a length calculation unit that calculates the longitudinal length of the large bundle of banknotes, a first end length from one longitudinal end of the large bundle of banknotes to the small band, and a second end length from the other longitudinal end of the large bundle of banknotes to the large band from the external image, and a band spacing calculation unit that calculates the band spacing based on the longitudinal length of the banknotes, the first end length, the second end length, and pre-stored band width dimensions of the large band and the small band.

[0008] In addition, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the large-bundle banknote inspection method of the present invention is a large-bundle banknote inspection method for inspecting the band spacing between small bands and large bands positioned with a gap between them in the longitudinal direction of the large bundle of banknotes, and includes the steps of: a photographing unit capturing an external image of the large bundle of banknotes in which the small bands and the large band appear; a length calculation unit calculating from the external image the longitudinal length of the large bundle of banknotes, a first end length from one longitudinal end of the large bundle of banknotes to the small band, and a second end length from the other longitudinal end of the large bundle of banknotes to the large band; and a band spacing calculation unit calculating the band spacing based on the longitudinal length of the large bundle of banknotes, the first end length, the second end length, and pre-stored band width dimensions of the large band and the small band. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The present invention makes it possible to easily and stably check the band spacing between the small band and the large band even in the case of banknotes for which it is difficult to detect the boundary between the small band and the large band. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view showing a large-bundle banknote inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2]1 is a side view showing a large-bundle banknote inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the main parts of the large-bundle banknote inspection device. [Figure 4] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a large bundle of banknotes to be inspected by a large bundle banknote inspection device, in which (a) is a top view of the large bundle of banknotes, (b) is a view of the front side of the banknotes, (c) is a view of the back side of the banknotes, (d) is a side view seen from the upstream side in the conveying direction, and (e) is a side view seen from the downstream side in the conveying direction. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the contents of a setting screen displayed on the first monitor. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the contents of the operation screen displayed on the first monitor. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is an enlarged view of a large stack of banknotes viewed from the front side. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is an enlarged view of a large stack of banknotes viewed from the back side. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the contents of the normal full display screen displayed on the second monitor. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the contents of an abnormality screen displayed on the first monitor. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the contents of the full abnormality display screen displayed on the second monitor. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an image captured by the second camera showing the front side of a large bundle of banknotes. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an image captured by the first camera showing the top surface of a large bundle of banknotes. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] An embodiment of a large-bundle banknote inspection device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that, hereinafter, when referring to the number, value, amount, range, etc. of components, unless otherwise specified or when the number is clearly limited to a specific number in principle, the number is not limited to that specific number and may be greater than or less than the specific number.

[0012] Furthermore, when referring to the shape or positional relationship of components, etc., it includes things that are substantially similar or approximate to those shapes, etc., unless otherwise specified or when it is clearly considered otherwise in principle.

[0013] In addition, the drawings may exaggerate characteristic parts to make the features easier to understand, and the dimensional ratios of the components may not be the same as in reality.

[0014] <Configuration of large-bundle banknote inspection device> Figures 1 and 2 show a large-bundle banknote inspection device 1 of this embodiment. Figure 3 is a functional block diagram of the main parts of the large-bundle banknote inspection device 1. The large-bundle banknote inspection device 1 includes a conveying unit 10 that conveys a large bundle of banknotes 2, which are to be checked for appearance check and which have been manually loaded by an operator, in a horizontal and linear direction from the upstream side to the downstream side in the conveying direction, and an imaging unit 20 that captures an image of the appearance of the large bundle of banknotes 2 conveyed by the conveying unit 10.

[0015] A roller conveyor 11 is provided at the most upstream position of the conveying unit 10. The roller conveyor 11 is driven by a conveyor motor 11a. The roller conveyor 11 is provided with a pair of side walls 12 standing on the left and right sides in the conveying direction of the roller conveyor 11. A plurality of large bundles of banknotes 2 are placed on the roller conveyor 11 between the pair of side walls 12 in a state of being lined up in series in the conveying direction, and the conveyor motor 11a drives the roller conveyor 11, thereby conveying the large bundles of banknotes 2 placed on the roller conveyor 11. The spacing between the side walls 12 is set, for example, so as to prevent a plurality of large bundles of banknotes 2 from being lined up in parallel on the left and right sides in the conveying direction of the roller conveyor 11.

[0016] The conveying unit 10 includes a belt conveyor 13 disposed horizontally downstream of the roller conveyor 11 in the conveying direction of the roller conveyor 11, and a free roller conveyor 14 disposed horizontally downstream of the belt conveyor 13 in the conveying direction of the belt conveyor 13. The belt conveyor 13 is driven by a conveyor motor 13a. The roller conveyor 11, the belt conveyor 13, and the free roller conveyor 14 are arranged to convey the large bundle of banknotes 2 in the same straight line.

[0017] The transport unit 10 is provided with a regulating member 15 that can protrude upward from below between the roller conveyor 11 and the belt conveyor 13. The regulating member 15 is configured to be movable up and down by a regulating drive unit 15a.

[0018] The regulating member 15 abuts against the large bundle of banknotes 2 being sent from the roller conveyor 11 to the belt conveyor 13 from the downstream side, and regulates the sending of the large bundle of banknotes 2 to the belt conveyor 13. For example, when a large bundle of banknotes 2 on the roller conveyor 11 abuts against the regulating member 15 and a sensor (not shown) detects that a preceding large bundle of banknotes 2 on the belt conveyor 13 has reached a predetermined position, the regulating member 15 retracts downward, and the succeeding large bundle of banknotes 2 on the roller conveyor 11 is sent toward the belt conveyor 13. In this way, the regulating member 15 cooperates with the roller conveyor 11 and the belt conveyor 13 to regulate the spacing between the large bundles of banknotes 2 on the belt conveyor 13 to a predetermined amount.

[0019] The conveying unit 10 includes a free roller conveyor 16 that branches off laterally from a downstream terminal position 13b located downstream of the imaging unit 20 on the belt conveyor 13, and an extrusion mechanism 17 that pushes out a large stack of banknotes 2 that has stopped at the downstream terminal position 13b of the belt conveyor 13 onto the free roller conveyor 16 and removes it from the belt conveyor 13.

[0020] The imaging unit 20 is provided at a predetermined position on the belt conveyor 13. The imaging unit 20 includes five cameras 21 to 25 that capture images of the appearance of the large bundle of banknotes 2 being placed on and transported on the belt conveyor 13. The number of cameras may be four or less or six or more.

[0021] Camera 21 captures an image of the top surface 2a of the large bundle of banknotes 2. Cameras 22 and 23 capture an image of the left side surface 2b of the large bundle of banknotes 2. Cameras 24 and 25 capture an image of the right side surface 2c of the large bundle of banknotes 2. Note that the top surface 2a refers to the top surface in the posture during transport, the left side surface 2b refers to the left side surface when viewed from the downstream side in the transport direction in the posture during transport, and the right side surface 2c refers to the right side surface when viewed from the downstream side in the transport direction in the posture during transport.

[0022] The cameras 22, 23 and the cameras 24, 25, two of which are provided on the same side, capture images at different resolutions and capture images of different areas. That is, camera 22 captures an image of a wide area, and camera 23 captures an image of a narrower area at a higher resolution than camera 22. Also, camera 24 captures an image of a wide area, and camera 25 captures an image of a narrower area at a higher resolution than camera 24. Lights 26 that irradiate the large bundle of banknotes 2 with light are provided near each of the cameras 21 to 25.

[0023] The large-bundle banknote inspection device 1 includes a posture changer 30. When a posture determination unit 53 (described later) determines that the posture of the large-bundle banknotes 2 being conveyed on the belt conveyor 13 is different from a predetermined check posture, the posture changer 30 changes the posture of the large-bundle banknotes 2 to a check posture. The posture changer 30 includes a posture changer 31 about an orthogonal horizontal axis, a posture changer 32 about a vertical axis, and a posture changer 33 about a conveyance horizontal axis, which are arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the conveyance direction.

[0024] The orthogonal-direction-horizontal-axis attitude changer 31 changes the attitude of the large bundle of banknotes 2 by 90 degrees around a horizontal axis perpendicular to the conveying direction. The vertical-axis attitude changer 32 is provided downstream in the conveying direction from the orthogonal-direction-horizontal-axis attitude changer 31 and changes the attitude of the large bundle of banknotes 2 by 90 degrees around the vertical axis. The conveying-direction-horizontal-axis attitude changer 33 is provided downstream in the conveying direction from the vertical-axis attitude changer 32 and changes the attitude of the large bundle of banknotes 2 by 90 degrees around a horizontal axis along the conveying direction. The orthogonal-direction-horizontal-axis attitude changer 31, the vertical-axis attitude changer 32 and the conveying-direction-horizontal-axis attitude changer 33 have the same configuration as those described in, for example, JP 2005-088978 A, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0025] The large-bundle banknote inspection device 1 includes an operation and display unit 40, a control device 50, and a memory unit 60.

[0026] The operation display unit 40 includes a first monitor 41 and a second monitor 42. The first monitor 41 is a touch panel monitor that displays a setting screen for setting and inputting check items such as the denomination of the large bundle of banknotes 2, and accepts operation inputs from an operator regarding the setting screen. The first monitor 41 and the second monitor 42 also display a screen that displays the check results of the appearance check, etc.

[0027] The control device 50 controls each device that constitutes the large-bundle banknote inspection device 1. The control device 50 includes a display control unit 51, an operation control unit 52, a posture determination unit 53, and a check unit 54. The display control unit 51 controls the screens displayed on the first monitor 41 and the second monitor 42. The operation control unit 52 controls various operations of the large-bundle banknote inspection device 1 in response to touch (press) operation input by the operator received by the first monitor 41. The memory unit 60 stores various information necessary for the operation of the large-bundle banknote inspection device 1.

[0028] The check unit 54 is functionally divided into a length calculation unit 55, a band spacing calculation unit 56, a determination unit 57, and a denomination identification unit 58. The check unit 54 will be described in detail later. Reference numeral 59 in Fig. 2 denotes an indicator lamp including a normal indicator lamp unit 59a that emits green light and is turned on when normal, an abnormal indicator lamp unit 59b that emits red light and is turned on when an abnormality occurs, and a full indicator lamp unit 59c that emits orange light and is turned on when the stack of banknotes is full after checking.

[0029] <Procedure for creating large bundles of banknotes> Next, a procedure for producing a large bundle of banknotes 2 to be visually checked by the large-bundle banknote inspection device 1 will be described. In the following description, in the proper large bundle of banknotes 2 shown in FIGS. 4(a) to 4(e), the side on which the figure 3a is drawn will be referred to as the banknote obverse 2A, and the side opposite the banknote obverse 2A will be referred to as the banknote reverse 2B. The banknote longitudinal direction will be referred to as the longitudinal direction of the loose banknotes 3 (the left-right direction when the figure 3a is viewed properly), and the banknote transverse direction will be referred to as the transverse direction of the loose banknotes 3 (the up-down direction when the figure 3a is viewed properly). The left side of the loose banknote 3 when the figure 3a is viewed properly will be referred to as the banknote left-hand side 2C, the right side of the loose banknote 3 when the figure 3a is viewed properly will be referred to as the banknote right-hand side 2D, the top side of the loose banknote 3 when the figure 3a is viewed properly will be referred to as the banknote head side 2E, and the bottom side of the loose banknote 3 when the figure 3a is viewed properly will be referred to as the banknote bottom side 2F. The same applies to small bundles of banknotes 4, which will be described later.

[0030] First, a predetermined number (for example, 100) of loose banknotes 3 of the same denomination are stacked with the front and back and top and bottom aligned (all banknotes with their fronts facing the same side and all facing up) and then bound together with a narrow banknote bundling tape (small band) 5 to create a small banknote bundle 4. The small band 5 is wound along the left-hand side 4C and right-hand side 4D of the banknote so that it passes closer to the left-hand side 4C of the banknote than the center in the longitudinal direction of the banknote on the banknote surface 4A on which the human image 3a is drawn.

[0031] Then, a predetermined number of bundles (for example, 10 bundles) of small banknotes 4 of the same denomination are stacked in the front-to-back and top-to-bottom direction (all small banknotes 4 with their front faces 4A facing the same side, all small banknotes 4 with their back faces 4B facing the same side, all small banknotes 4 with their top faces 4E facing the same side, and all small banknotes 4 with their bottom faces 4F facing the same side), and these are bundled together with a large banknote bundle bundling tape 6 that is wider than the small band 5.

[0032] The large-bundle banknote bundling tape 6 is composed of a long wound tape (long large band) 6a wound along the longitudinal direction of the banknote on the front 2A and back 2B at the center of the short edge of the banknote, and a short wound tape (short large band) 6b wound along the longitudinal direction of the banknote on the front 2A and back 2B at the center of the long edge of the banknote. The long large band 6a and the short large band 6b are wound perpendicular to each other on the front 2A and back 2B of the banknote. The short large band 6b is wound at a position offset in the longitudinal direction of the banknote from the small band 5 without overlapping with the small band 5.

[0033] A financial institution stamp 7, which is financial institution identification information, is stamped approximately in the center of the short large band 6b on the front surface 2A of the large bundle of banknotes 2, and an attendant stamp 8 is stamped approximately in the center in the short edge direction of the banknotes at the boundary between the short large band 6b on the front surface 2A of the large bundle of banknotes 2 and the long large band 6a on the side of the person image 3a. In addition, a damaged note stamp 9, which indicates a damaged note, is stamped, as necessary, at the overlapping portion of the long large band 6a on the front surface 2A of the large bundle of banknotes 2 with the small band 5.

[0034] In the large bundle of banknotes 2 thus produced, the front side 2A has an appearance that is completely different from the other five sides, and the back side 2B also has an appearance that is completely different from the other five sides. In addition, the left-hand side 2C and the right-hand side 2D, which are located on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the banknote, have the same appearance as each other but have an appearance that is completely different from the other four sides. Furthermore, the top side 2E and the bottom side 2F, which are located on both sides in the transverse direction of the banknote, have the same appearance as each other but have an appearance that is completely different from the other four sides.

[0035] <Large bundle banknote inspection method> Next, an example of the appearance check performed by the large-bundle banknote inspection device will be described.

[0036] <Setting> First, before starting the appearance check of the large bundle of banknotes 2 using the large bundle of banknotes inspection device 1, the operator selects and inputs the check items via the setting screen 100 shown in Figure 5 displayed on the first monitor 41.

[0037] The setting screen 100 is laid out with a denomination setting display area 110 which displays information for selecting and inputting the denomination of the large bundle of banknotes 2 to be checked as input information, a financial institution code setting display area 120 which displays information for selecting and inputting the financial institution code such as a bank code which is information about the financial institution to which the large bundle of banknotes 2 to be checked belongs as input information, a new / old setting display area 130 which displays information for selecting and inputting as input information whether the large bundle of banknotes 2 to be checked are new notes of a new type or old notes of an old type, a fitness setting display area 140 which displays information for selecting and inputting as input information whether the large bundle of banknotes 2 to be checked are good notes with no damage or unfit notes with damage, a clear display unit 150 which displays information for canceling input, and an input confirmation display unit 160 which displays information for confirming input information.

[0038] The denomination setting display area 110 has the word "denomination" displayed at the top to indicate that this is an area for setting the denomination, and is configured by arranging 10,000 yen note display section 111 that displays the words "10,000 yen note," 5,000 yen note display section 112 that displays the words "5,000 yen note," 2,000 yen note display section 113 that displays the words "2,000 yen note," and 1,000 yen note display section 114 that displays the words "1,000 yen note." The first monitor 41 determines that "10,000 yen note" has been set and input when the position of 10,000 yen note display section 111 is pressed and contacted, determines that "5,000 yen note" has been set and input when the position of 5,000 yen note display section 112 is pressed and contacted, determines that "2,000 yen note" has been set and input when the position of 2,000 yen note display section 113 is pressed and contacted, and determines that "1,000 yen note" has been set and input when the position of 1,000 yen note display section 114 is pressed and contacted.

[0039] The financial institution code setting display area 120 has the words "financial institution code" displayed above it to indicate that this is an area for setting a financial institution code, and is configured with multiple financial institution code setting display units 121 arranged side by side, each displaying the financial institution code of a financial institution, for example, a three-digit number, if the large bundle of banknotes 2 to be checked belongs to multiple financial institutions.The first monitor 41 then determines that the financial institution code displayed on the financial institution code setting display unit 121 that was pressed and input has been set and input.Note that if the large bundle of banknotes 2 to be checked belongs to only one financial institution, the financial institution code setting display area 120 may only display the corresponding financial institution code for confirmation, or may omit displaying the corresponding financial institution code altogether.

[0040] The new / old note setting display area 130 has the words "new / old" displayed above it to indicate that it is an area for setting new / old notes, and is configured with an old note display section 131 that displays the words "old note" and a new note display section 132 that displays the words "new note" side by side. The first monitor 41 determines that an old note has been set when the position of the old note display section 131 is pressed or touched, and determines that a new note has been set or input when the position of the new note display section 132 is pressed or touched.

[0041] The fitness setting display area 140 has the words "fit / damaged" displayed above it to indicate that this is an area for setting fit / damaged notes, and is configured by arranging a fit note display section 141 that displays the words "fit note" and a damaged note display section 142 that displays the words "damaged note." The first monitor 41 determines that a fit note has been set and input when the position of the fit note display section 141 is pressed and contacted, and determines that a damaged note has been set and input when the position of the damaged note display section 123 is pressed and contacted.

[0042] The clear display section 150 displays the word "clear" to indicate that this is an area for clear input, and when the position of the clear display section 150 is pressed and contact input, the first monitor 41 determines that a setting has been input to return all of the above settings that have been input up to that point but not yet confirmed to the state before input, for example.

[0043] The input confirmation display unit 160 displays the letters "ENT" to indicate that this is the area for final input. When the operator presses and touches the input confirmation display unit 160 after the denomination, financial institution code, fitness and new / old have been set, the input settings are finalized as basic data and stored in the memory unit 60.

[0044] The old / new setting display area 130 does not need to be provided during periods other than when new and old notes are in simultaneous circulation, such as when old notes are no longer in circulation. On the other hand, during periods when new banknotes are issued, or when reprinting is carried out, it is possible that three or more banknote designs coexist. In such cases, the display may be configured to allow selection of a banknote type, such as note D, note E, or note F.

[0045] When the settings are properly made on the setting screen 100 and the input confirmation operation is performed on the input confirmation display unit 160, the control device 50 confirms the basic data, and further, the display control unit 51 displays the operation screen 200 shown in Figure 6 on the first monitor 41.

[0046] The operation screen 200 includes a denomination display unit 210 that displays the denomination that has been alternatively set on the setting screen 100, a financial institution code display unit 220 that displays the financial institution code that has been alternatively set on the setting screen 100, a fitness display unit 230 that displays whether the note is good or bad that has been alternatively set on the setting screen 100, a new / old display unit 240 that displays whether the note is new or old that has been alternatively set on the setting screen 100, an operation start display unit 250 that displays to prompt the user to input an operation to start the check operation, an operation stop display unit 260 that displays to prompt the user to input an operation to stop the check operation, a setting screen return display unit 270 that prompts the user to input an operation to return to the setting screen 100, and a counter display unit 280 that displays the number of banknotes 2 that have been checked that are normal. The operation screen 200 shown in Figure 6 illustrates an example in which the denomination display section 210 displays "1,000 yen note," the financial institution code display section 220 displays "001," the fitness display section 230 displays "fit note," and the old / new note display section 240 displays "old note."

[0047] The denomination display section 210 has the word "denomination" displayed on the side to indicate that it is an area for displaying the set denomination; if the set denomination is a 10,000 yen note, the words "10,000 yen note" are displayed; if the set denomination is a 5,000 yen note, the words "5,000 yen note" are displayed; if the set denomination is a 2,000 yen note, the words "2,000 yen note" are displayed; and if the set denomination is a 1,000 yen note, the words "1,000 yen note" are displayed.

[0048] The financial institution code display section 220 has the words "financial institution code" displayed on the side thereof to indicate that it is an area for displaying the set financial institution code, and displays the numbers of the set financial institution code.

[0049] The fitness display section 230 has the characters "fit / damaged" displayed on the side to indicate that it is an area for displaying fitness, and when a fitness note is set, the characters "fit" are displayed, and when a damage note is set, the characters "damaged note" are displayed.

[0050] The new / old display section 240 has the characters "new / old" displayed on the side to indicate that it is an area for displaying new and old notes, and when a new note is set, the characters "new note" are displayed, and when an old note is set, the characters "old note" are displayed.

[0051] The operation start display unit 250 displays the word "operation" to indicate that this is an area for inputting the start of operation, and when the first monitor 41 receives a press contact input at the position of the operation start display unit 250, it determines that an instruction input to start an appearance check has been made, and outputs a signal to that effect to the control device 50. Based on this, the control device 50 starts an appearance check of the large bundle of banknotes 2.

[0052] The operation stop display unit 260 displays the word "Stop" to indicate that this is an area for inputting an operation stop. When the first monitor 41 receives a press-contact input at the position of the operation stop display unit 260, it determines that an instruction to stop the appearance check has been input, and outputs a signal to that effect to the control device 50. Based on this, the control device 50 stops the appearance check of the large bundle of banknotes 2 at an appropriate timing. For example, when it determines that an instruction to stop the check operation has been input, the operation control unit 52 of the control device 50 stops the delivery of the large bundle of banknotes 2 from the roller conveyor 11, and then stops the entire transport unit 10 when the large bundle of banknotes 2 being checked moves to the downstream terminal position 13b.

[0053] The setting screen return display section 270 displays the word "Settings" indicating that this is an area for inputting to return to the setting screen, and when the position of the setting screen return display section 270 is pressed and touched, the first monitor 41 determines that an operation to return to the setting screen 100 has been input, and the display control section 51 displays the setting screen 100 on the first monitor 41, for example, on the condition that the check operation is stopped. In this case, the settings are in a state where they can be changed before being confirmed.

[0054] The counter display unit 280 has the words "Normal Bundle Number" displayed on the side thereof to indicate that this is the number of normal bundles of banknotes 2, and displays the number of large bundles of banknotes 2 that have been determined to be normal by the check unit 54 between the time an input confirmation operation is performed on the input confirmation display unit 160 and the time the next input confirmation operation is performed on the input confirmation display unit 160.

[0055] <Posture check> When a large bundle of banknotes 2 to be checked is placed on the roller conveyor 11 and the first monitor 41 receives a press contact input to the operation start display unit 250 on the operation screen 200, it determines that an instruction to start operation has been input and outputs a signal indicating this to the control device 50. Next, the operation control unit 52 drives the roller conveyor 11 and the belt conveyor 13 and controls the elevation of the regulating member 15 to send the large bundle of banknotes 2 from the roller conveyor 11 to the belt conveyor 13 at predetermined conveying intervals. The conveying interval of the large bundle of banknotes 2 is set, for example, so that only one large bundle of banknotes 2 is present on the belt conveyor 13.

[0056] Then, at the first timing when the large stack of banknotes 2 being transported by the transport unit 10 is detected by a sensor not shown, the posture determination unit 53 determines whether the posture of the large stack of banknotes 2 is a predetermined check posture based on the image captured by the imaging unit 20 that captures the large stack of banknotes 2, and the operation control unit 52 changes the posture of the large stack of banknotes 2 using the posture change unit 30 as necessary.

[0057] Specifically, the posture determination unit 53 detects the posture of the large bundle of banknotes 2 based on one of the image captured by the camera 21 looking at the top surface 2a of the large bundle of banknotes 2, the image captured by the camera 22 looking at the left side surface 2b of the large bundle of banknotes 2, or the image captured by the camera 24 looking at the right side surface 2c of the large bundle of banknotes 2. In the following, the image captured by the camera 21 looking at the top surface 2a of the large bundle of banknotes 2 is used.

[0058] The posture change unit 30 places the large-bundle of banknotes 2, the posture of which has been determined by the posture determination unit 53, in a predetermined check posture. The "check posture" refers to a posture in which the banknote obverse 2A is either the left side 2b or the right side 2c, the banknote reverse 2B is the other of the left side 2b or the right side 2c, one of the banknote head side 2E or the banknote bottom side 2F is the top side 2a, the other of the banknote head side 2E or the banknote bottom side 2F is the bottom side 2d, the banknote left-hand side 2C is either the downstream side 2e or the upstream side 2f, and the banknote right-hand side 2D is the other of the downstream side 2e or the upstream side 2f, i.e., a posture in which the banknote longitudinal direction of the large-bundle of banknotes 2 is along the conveying direction and the banknote short-edge direction is along the up-down direction. The bottom side 2d refers to the bottom side in the posture during conveying, the downstream side 2e refers to the surface downstream in the conveying direction in the posture during conveying, and the upstream side 2f refers to the surface upstream in the conveying direction in the posture during conveying.

[0059] When the longitudinal direction of the large bundle of banknotes 2 transported by the belt conveyor 13 coincides with the up-down direction, the orthogonal horizontal axis attitude change unit 31 changes the attitude of the large bundle of banknotes 2 by 90 degrees around a horizontal axis that is perpendicular to the transport direction. However, when the longitudinal direction of the large bundle of banknotes 2 does not coincide with the up-down direction, the large bundle of banknotes 2 passes through the orthogonal horizontal axis attitude change unit 31 without having its attitude changed by the orthogonal horizontal axis attitude change unit 31.

[0060] When the longitudinal direction of the large bundle of banknotes 2 transported by the belt conveyor 13 coincides with the horizontal direction perpendicular to the transport direction, the vertical-axis attitude changing unit 32 changes the attitude of the large bundle of banknotes 2 by 90 degrees around the vertical axis. However, when the longitudinal direction of the large bundle of banknotes 2 does not coincide with the horizontal direction perpendicular to the transport direction, the large bundle of banknotes 2 passes through the vertical-axis attitude changing unit 32 without having its attitude changed by the vertical-axis attitude changing unit 32.

[0061] In this way, the large bundle of banknotes 2 that has passed through the orthogonal horizontal axis attitude changing section 31 and the vertical axis attitude changing section 32 is oriented so that the banknote length direction is along the conveyance direction.

[0062] Then, the attitude determination unit 53 detects the attitude of the large bundle of banknotes 2 at a first timing after they have passed through the orthogonal horizontal-axis attitude change unit 31 and the vertical-axis attitude change unit 32. That is, the attitude determination unit 53 detects the lengths of the four sides of the large bundle of banknotes 2 from an image captured by the camera 21 in which the top surface 2a of the large bundle of banknotes 2 appears, and compares each length with master data corresponding to the denomination and new / old of the basic data to detect the banknote longitudinal direction, banknote lateral direction, and banknote obverse / reverse direction of the large bundle of banknotes 2. Then, based on the detection result of the attitude determination unit 53, the operation control unit 52 causes the conveying direction horizontal-axis attitude change unit 33 to change the attitude of the large bundle of banknotes 2 by 90 degrees around the horizontal axis along the conveying direction only for large bundle of banknotes 2 whose obverse / reverse directions match the up-down direction. When the position of the large bundle of banknotes 2 is changed by the position change unit 33 about the horizontal axis in the conveying direction, the large bundle of banknotes 2 has already been conveyed to the photographing position of the camera 21, so after the photograph is taken by the camera 21, the belt conveyor 13 is made to run in reverse once, and the large bundle of banknotes 2 is moved to the position change unit 33 about the horizontal axis in the conveying direction and stopped, and after the position of the large bundle of banknotes 2 is changed, the belt conveyor 13 is made to convey in the forward direction. In this way, regardless of the position in which the large bundle of banknotes 2 is loaded on the roller conveyor 11, the large bundle of banknotes 2 that has passed through the position change unit 30 will be in a predetermined check position.

[0063] <Appearance check> Next, at a second timing (later than the first timing and different from the first timing) when the check unit 54 detects the large stack of banknotes 2 being transported by the transport unit 10 using a sensor not shown, the check unit 54 checks the appearance of the large stack of banknotes 2, i.e., determines whether the large stack of banknotes 2 has been produced normally, based on an image captured by the imaging unit 20 showing the large stack of banknotes 2 in a predetermined checking posture.

[0064] The appearance check by the checking unit 54 uses either camera 21, which takes an image of the top surface 2a of the large stack of banknotes 2, camera 22 and camera 23, which take an image of the left side surface 2b of the large stack of banknotes 2, and camera 24 and camera 25, which take an image of the right side surface 2c of the large stack of banknotes 2, or all but camera 23 and camera 25, or either camera 23 or camera 25.

[0065] Camera 21, which images the top surface 2a of the large-bundle banknotes 2, captures an image showing the appearance of either the banknote head surface 2E or the banknote bottom surface 2F, which have the same shape. Cameras 22 and 23, which image the left side surface 2b of the large-bundle banknotes 2, capture an image showing the appearance of either the banknote front surface 2A or the banknote back surface 2B, which have different shapes. Cameras 24 and 25, which image the right side surface 2c of the large-bundle banknotes 2, capture an image showing the appearance of the other of the banknote front surface 2A or the banknote back surface 2B. Here, when the left side surface 2b of the large-bundle banknotes 2 is the banknote front surface 2A, both camera 22 and camera 23 are used, and only camera 24 is used on the opposite side. Conversely, when the right side surface 2c of the large-bundle banknotes 2 is the banknote front surface 2A, both camera 24 and camera 25 are used, and only camera 22 is used on the opposite side.

[0066] The image captured by camera 21 of the top surface 2a of large bundle of banknotes 2 includes the arrangement of small bands 5 binding each small bundle of banknotes 4 when the large bundle of banknotes 2 is normal, as shown in Figure 4(a). The check unit 54 uses camera 21 capturing the image of the top surface 2a of the large bundle of banknotes 2 as the first camera, detects the arrangement of small bands 5 from the image captured by this first camera, and performs a "bundle number check" to determine whether the number of small bundles of banknotes 4 with small bands 5 arranged on the same side is a predetermined number of bundles. If the number of bundles is correct, it is determined to be normal, but if it is not correct, it is determined to be abnormal.

[0067] Furthermore, if the large bundle of banknotes 2 is normal, the image captured by camera 21 showing the top surface 2a of the large bundle of banknotes 2 will include the arranged small bands 5 and short large bands 6b, as well as the gaps between them. Check unit 54 performs a "short large band wrapping check" to determine whether short large band 6b is wrapped around the large bundle of banknotes 2 from the image captured by the first camera. If short large band 6b is wrapped around the large bundle of banknotes 2, it is determined to be normal, and if not, it is determined to be abnormal.

[0068] The check unit 54 also detects the distance (band distance) between the small band 5 and the short-hand large band 6b from the image captured by the first camera, and performs a "band distance check" to determine whether this band distance is within a predetermined range, i.e., whether the band distance between the small band 5 and the short-hand large band 6b is appropriate. In this "band distance check," if the band distance between the small band 5 and the short-hand large band 6b is within the predetermined range, the band distance between the small band 5 and the short-hand large band 6b is determined to be appropriate and normal, but if not, it is determined to be abnormal.

[0069] The check unit 54 also performs a "band alignment check" based on the image captured by the first camera to determine whether the amount of misalignment of each small band 5 in the longitudinal direction of the banknote relative to the other small bands 5 is within a predetermined range, i.e., whether the alignment of each small band 5 is appropriate. If all the intervals are within the predetermined range, it is determined to be normal, but if any one of them is not within the predetermined range, it is determined to be abnormal.

[0070] Furthermore, the check unit 54 detects the longitudinal lengths of all the small bundle banknotes 4 from the image captured by the first camera, and performs a "different denomination small bundle check" to check for the presence or absence of small bundle banknotes 4 of a different denomination. In this different denomination small bundle check, if the longitudinal lengths of all the small bundle banknotes 4 are within a predetermined range, it is determined to be normal, but if the longitudinal length of any of the small bundle banknotes 4 exceeds the predetermined range, it is determined to be abnormal, with the presence of small bundle banknotes 4 of a different denomination.

[0071] The check unit 54 determines whether or not there is a financial institution stamp 7 from the image captured by the camera 22 capturing the left side 2b of the large bundle of banknotes 2 and the image captured by the camera 24 capturing the right side 2c of the large bundle of banknotes 2, and designates the camera 22, 24 that captured the image of the financial institution stamp 7 as the second camera that captures the front side 2A of the banknotes. Here, if the financial institution stamp 7 is not detected by either camera or is detected by both cameras, the check unit 54 determines whether or not there is an attendant stamp 8, and designates the camera 22, 24 that captured the image of the attendant stamp 8 as the second camera. Furthermore, if the attendant stamp 8 is not detected by either camera or is detected by both cameras, the check unit 54 determines whether or not there is a person image 3a, and designates the camera 22, 24 that captured the person image 3a as the second camera. Finally, if the person image 3a is not detected by either camera or is detected by both cameras, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred, meaning that front / back detection is impossible, and no further detection is performed.

[0072] In this way, one of camera 22 or camera 24 is designated as the second camera, the other as the fourth camera, and of camera 23 or camera 25, the one located on the same side as the second camera in the left-right direction when viewed from the downstream side of the banknote transport direction is designated as the third camera.

[0073] The check unit 54 performs a "longitudinal large band winding check" to check the presence or absence of the longitudinal large band 6a from the image captured by the second camera. If the longitudinal large band 6a is present, it is determined to be normal, but if the longitudinal large band 6a is not present, it is determined to be abnormal.

[0074] The check unit 54 also performs a "financial institution stamp check" to check whether the financial institution stamp 7 is within a predetermined range in the center of the banknote surface 2A from the image captured by the second camera. If the financial institution stamp 7 is within the predetermined range, it is determined to be normal, and if it is not within the predetermined range, it is determined to be abnormal.

[0075] The check unit 54 also performs an "attachment stamp check" to check whether the attendant's stamp 8 is within a predetermined range from the image captured by the second camera. As shown in Figures 4(b) and 7, in the image showing the front surface 2A of a normal large bundle of banknotes 2, the attendant's stamp 8 is included in the boundary between the long large band 6a and the short large band 6b on the opposite side of the small band 5. If the attendant's stamp 8 is within the predetermined range, it is determined to be normal, but if it is not within the predetermined range, it is determined to be abnormal.

[0076] Furthermore, the check unit 54 performs a "damaged note stamp check" by determining whether or not the damaged note stamp 9 should be stamped based on the setting input to the operation and display unit 40, and if it should be stamped, checking whether or not the damaged note stamp 9 is within a predetermined range from the image captured by the second camera, and if it should not be stamped, checking whether or not the damaged note stamp 9 is present from the image captured by the second camera. When the damaged note stamp 9 is within a predetermined range when it should be stamped, or when the damaged note stamp 9 is not stamped when it should not be stamped, it is determined to be normal, while when the damaged note stamp 9 is not within the predetermined range when it should be stamped, or when the damaged note stamp 9 is present when it should not be stamped, it is determined to be abnormal.

[0077] The check unit 54 also performs a "person image check" to check whether the person image 3a is within a predetermined range on the opposite side of the small band 5 from the image captured by the second camera. As shown in Figures 4(b) and 7, in an image showing the front side 2A of a normal large bundle of banknotes 2, the person image 3a is included on the opposite side of the small band 5 across the short-edge large band 6b in the longitudinal direction of the banknote. If the person image 3a is present within this predetermined range, the banknote is determined to be normal. However, if the person image 3a is not present within this predetermined range, the banknote is determined to be abnormal. It is also possible to determine whether the person image 3a is present on the same side as the small band 5. In this way, the banknote orientation on the front side 2A of the large bundle of banknotes 2 is checked. As described above, if the bank institution seal 7 cannot determine the front or back, and the attendant seal 8 cannot determine the front or back, the presence or absence of the person image 3a will determine the front or back. However, if the person image 3a cannot determine the front or back, the banknote is determined to be abnormal and cannot be detected. Here, master data for determining whether or not there is a human figure 3a is stored for both new and old bills for all denominations, and the master data based on the settings on the setting screen 100 is read out and compared with this. Note that, outside of the period when new and old bills are in simultaneous circulation, for example, when old bills have essentially ceased to be in circulation, it is sufficient to store only the master data for new bills.

[0078] The check unit 54 also reads the financial institution code 7a on the financial institution stamp 7 from the image captured by the third camera and performs a "financial institution code check" to check whether the financial institution code 7a matches the financial institution code set on the operation and display unit 40. As shown in Figures 4(b) and 7, in the image showing the front surface 2A of a normal large bundle of banknotes 2, the financial institution code 7a is arranged along the length of the banknotes and includes the overlapping portion of the short large bands 6b and the long large bands 6a, which is approximately the center of the front surface 2A of the banknotes. If the financial institution code 7a read from the image matches the set financial institution code, it is determined to be normal; if it does not match, it is determined to be abnormal.

[0079] The check unit 54 also performs a "financial institution stamp direction check" to determine whether the direction of the arrangement of the numbers in the financial institution code 7a read from the image captured by the fourth camera is within a predetermined angle range relative to the longitudinal direction of the banknote. If the angle of the arrangement of the numbers in the financial institution code 7a is within the predetermined angle range relative to the longitudinal direction of the banknote, the angle of the financial institution stamp 7 is determined to be normal, and if it is outside the predetermined angle range, the angle of the financial institution stamp 7 is determined to be abnormal.

[0080] Furthermore, the check unit 54 performs a "reverse orientation check" to check whether the denomination number 3b indicating the denomination is in a predetermined orientation within a predetermined range at the corner opposite the small band 5 from the image captured by the fourth camera. As shown in FIG. 8, the image showing the reverse sides 2B of a normal large bundle of banknotes 2 includes the denomination number 3b in a predetermined orientation at the corner opposite the small band 5, across the large short band 6b. If the denomination number 3b is in the predetermined orientation within this predetermined range at the corner, the orientation of the reverse sides 2B of the banknotes is determined to be normal, and if not, the orientation is determined to be abnormal.

[0081] Furthermore, the check unit 54 reads the denomination number 3b from the image captured by the fourth camera and performs a "denomination check" to determine whether the denomination indicated by the denomination number 3b matches the denomination entered on the setting screen 100. If the read denomination matches the entered denomination, it is determined to be normal; if it does not, it is determined to be abnormal. The denomination check may also be performed by comprehensively determining the patterns of multiple predetermined corners from the denomination numbers at the corners included in the images captured by the second camera and the fourth camera. It is also theoretically possible to detect the longitudinal length, transverse length, and obverse / reverse length of the large bundle of banknotes 2 from the images captured by the first camera and the images captured by the second or fourth camera, and compare this with master data to perform a denomination check. For banknotes issued at the time of filing this application, denomination checks can be performed only by detecting the longitudinal length.

[0082] The check unit 54 readably stores all check items and check results of the large bundle of banknotes 2 in the storage unit 60 .

[0083] If no abnormalities are found during the above-mentioned check, the large stack of banknotes 2 that are not abnormal are sent to the free roller conveyor 14 without stopping the belt conveyor 13, and the display control unit 51 displays the normal full display screen 300 shown in Figure 9 on the second monitor 42 until the imaging unit 20 photographs the next large stack of banknotes 2.

[0084] On the normal full display screen 300, the image captured by the first camera is displayed, for example, in the first image display section 310 in the upper left quarter, the image captured by the second camera is displayed, for example, in the second image display section 320 in the lower left quarter, the image captured by the third camera is displayed, for example, in the third image display section 330 in the upper right quarter, and the image captured by the fourth camera is displayed, for example, in the fourth image display section 340 in the lower right quarter.

[0085] Then, when a sensor or the like (not shown) detects that a normal large stack of banknotes 2 has passed, for example, the downstream terminal position 13b of the belt conveyor 13, the display control unit 51 counts up the number on the counter display unit 280 of the operation screen 200 displayed on the first monitor 41 by one, and the operation control unit 52 activates the regulating member 15 to send the next large stack of banknotes 2 from the roller conveyor 11 to the belt conveyor 13, and checks the next large stack of banknotes 2.

[0086] On the other hand, if any one of the above check items is determined to be abnormal, the check unit 54 outputs a signal indicating the nature of the abnormality, and when the sensor detects that the large bundle of banknotes 2 determined to be abnormal has been positioned at the downstream terminal position 13b of the belt conveyor 13, the operation control unit 52 stops the belt conveyor 13, turns off the normal indicator lamp portion 59a of the indicator lamp 59, which had been lit until then, turns on the abnormal indicator lamp portion 59b, and generates an alarm if necessary. At this point, the next large bundle of banknotes 2 is not sent out from the roller conveyor 11. Therefore, only the large bundle of banknotes 2 that was abnormal remains stopped on the belt conveyor 13 at the downstream terminal position 13b.

[0087] Furthermore, the display control unit 51 switches the operation screen 200 displayed on the first monitor 41 to an abnormality screen 400 shown in FIG. 10 in response to a signal indicating the content of the abnormality output from the check unit 54.

[0088] As with the operation screen 200, the abnormality screen 400 displays the denomination set in the denomination display section 210, the financial institution code set in the financial institution code display section 220, the fitness set in the fitness display section 230, the new / old set in the new / old display section 240, and the total number of large bundles of banknotes 2 that have been determined to be normal up to that point in the counter display section 280.

[0089] The abnormality screen 400 also includes an abnormality display section 410 that displays the word "abnormal" if there is an abnormality in the large bundle of banknotes 2, and a reset display section 420 that displays the word "reset" to indicate that this is an area for inputting an operation to resume the check operation after the large bundle of banknotes 2 that has an abnormality has been removed by the extrusion mechanism 17, and the word "abnormal" is displayed on the abnormality display section 410.

[0090] Furthermore, the abnormality screen 400 will display a first camera result display section 430 indicating whether the check result based on the captured image of the camera 21 that captures the image of the top surface 2a of the large bundle of banknotes 2 is normal or abnormal, with the first camera being the first camera, and the words "first camera" being displayed next to it to indicate that it is the check result of the first camera. Similarly, the abnormality screen 400 will display a second camera result display section 440 indicating whether the check result based on the captured image of the camera 22, 24 that detects the left and right sides of the transport direction of the large bundle of banknotes 2 is normal or abnormal, with the words "second camera" being displayed next to it to indicate that it is the check result of the second camera. Similarly, on the abnormality screen 400, of the cameras 23, 25 that detect the left and right sides of the large bundle of banknotes 2 in the conveyance direction, the one that detects the front side 2A of the banknotes is designated as the third camera, and a third camera result display section 450 showing whether the check result based on the captured image was normal or abnormal is displayed, with the words "Third Camera" displayed next to it to indicate that it is the check result from the third camera. Similarly, on the abnormality screen 400, of the cameras 22, 24 that detect the left and right sides of the large bundle of banknotes 2 in the conveyance direction, the one that detects the back side 2B of the banknotes is designated as the fourth camera, and a fourth camera result display section 460 showing whether the check result based on the captured image was normal or abnormal is displayed, with the words "Fourth Camera" displayed next to it to indicate that it is the check result from the fourth camera. Among the first camera result display unit 430, the second camera result display unit 440, the third camera result display unit 450 and the fourth camera result display unit 460, if the check results based on the captured image are normal, they are displayed as "normal", and if they are abnormal, they are displayed as "abnormal".

[0091] 11 on the second monitor 42. The abnormality full display screen 500 displays the images from the first image display section 310, the second image display section 320, the third image display section 330, and the fourth image display section 340, respectively, and also displays a graphic display 510, for example a red circle, superimposed on the portion where the check result was abnormal, as shown in FIG.

[0092] Then, when an abnormality is displayed on the first camera result display unit 430, if the first monitor 41 receives a touch input on the first camera result display unit 430, the display control unit 51 causes the first monitor 41 to display a first camera check item display screen including the check results of "number of bundles check," "short-end large band winding check," "band spacing check," "band alignment check," and "different denomination small bundle check." The contents of the first camera check item display screen can be printed by the printer 70 by operation input from the operator.

[0093] On the other hand, when the first monitor 41 receives a pressing contact input to the first camera result display unit 430, the display control unit 51 enlarges and displays only the image captured by the first camera on the second monitor 42. At this time, the abnormal part is displayed in an emphasized manner so as to be different from the normal part.

[0094] In this way, the details of the abnormality can be displayed on the first monitor 41 and the second monitor 42, and can also be printed if necessary, so that the operator can understand the details of the abnormality in the large bundle of banknotes 2 that has an abnormality, and can then quickly carry out the re-bundling work.

[0095] Then, when the first monitor 41 receives a touch input to at least one of the first camera result display unit 430, the second camera result display unit 440, the third camera result display unit 450 and the fourth camera result display unit 460 that displays an abnormality in order to confirm the nature of the abnormality, the operation control unit 52 determines that an abnormality confirmation operation has been performed and drives the extrusion mechanism 17 to remove the large stack of banknotes 2 located at the downstream terminal position 13b of the belt conveyor 13 to the free roller conveyor 16.

[0096] Furthermore, once confirmation of the abnormality has been completed and the first monitor 41 has received a touch input to the reset display unit 420 on the abnormality screen 400, the operation control unit 52 resumes driving the roller conveyor 11 and the belt conveyor 13 in order to check the next large stack of banknotes 2, and then activates the regulating member 15 to send the next large stack of banknotes 2 from the roller conveyor 11 to the belt conveyor 13.

[0097] In addition, when the first monitor 41 receives a touch input to the reset display unit 420 and outputs a signal indicating this to the control device 50, the operation control unit 52 drives the roller conveyor 11 and the belt conveyor 13 again, drives the regulating member 15, sends the next large stack of banknotes 2 from the roller conveyor 11 to the belt conveyor 13, and resumes checking the appearance of the large stack of banknotes 2.

[0098] Next, the procedure for "belt spacing check" will be explained in detail.

[0099] Fig. 12 is an image (exterior image) 600 captured by the first camera showing the bill surface 2A of the large bundle of bills 2, and Fig. 13 is an image (exterior image) 700 captured by the second camera showing the bill head surface 2E of the large bundle of bills 2. In the "band spacing check," a measurement line ML that is approximately parallel to the bill longitudinal direction of the large bundle of bills 2 is set so as to overlap the exterior images 600 and 700, and the check unit 54 determines whether the band spacing L6 between the small band 5 and the short large band 6b, which are wound with a gap between them, on the measurement line ML is appropriate.

[0100] 12 and 13 show the case where three measurement lines ML are set for the large bundle of banknotes 2, but the number of measurement lines ML may be two or less or four or more. Hereinafter, to distinguish between the three measurement lines ML, the measurement line ML set on the banknote obverse 2A a few millimeters above the banknote bottom surface 2F will be designated by adding a suffix a to the symbol, the measurement line ML set on the banknote obverse 2A a few millimeters below the banknote head surface 2E will be designated by adding a suffix b to the symbol, and the measurement line ML set on the banknote head surface 2E a few millimeters below the banknote back surface 2B will be designated by adding a suffix c to the symbol.

[0101] Furthermore, the boundary between the banknote 3 and the small band 5 on the short large band 6b side on the measurement line ML is marked with the symbol B1, and the boundary between the banknote 3 and the short large band 6b on the short large band 5 side on the measurement line ML is marked with the symbol B2. When distinguishing between the boundaries B1 and B2 for each of the three measurement lines ML, the symbols for the boundaries B1 and B2 on the measurement line MLa are marked with the suffix a, the symbols for the boundaries B1 and B2 on the measurement line MLb are marked with the suffix b, and the symbols for the boundaries B1 and B2 on the measurement line MLc are marked with the suffix c.

[0102] (Measurement pattern 1) First, an example of a case where a "band spacing check" is performed based on the band spacing in the measurement line MLa in the appearance image 600 will be described.

[0103] When the boundaries B1a and B2a are clearly detectable, the check unit 54 directly measures the band interval L6 between the small band 5 and the short large band 6b.

[0104] Specifically, first, for the small band 5, the long large band 6a, and the short large band 6b, for which at least one of the four sides on the appearance image 600 has a known length, the checking unit 54 detects the number of pixels of the side corresponding to the known length in the appearance image 600, calculates the dimension per pixel in the appearance image 600, and then calculates the band spacing L6 between the small band 5 and the short large band 6b by multiplying the number of pixels of the band spacing L6 between the small band 5 and the short large band 6b in the appearance image 600 by the dimension per pixel.

[0105] Then, the check unit 54 retrieves from the memory unit 60 the allowable range of the band spacing L6 for the denomination set and input via the setting screen 100, and if the calculated band spacing L6 between the small band 5 and the short-hand large band 6b is within the predetermined allowable range, it determines that the band spacing L6 between the short-hand large band 6b and the small band 5 is appropriate and normal, but if not, it determines that there is an abnormality.

[0106] On the other hand, if the banknote 3 is (1) a banknote with a design in which a specular object such as a hologram that excessively increases reflected light is located near at least one of the boundaries B1a and B2a, (2) a banknote with a pattern similar to the pattern on the small band 5 and the large band 6b near at least one of the boundaries B1a and B2a, or (3) a banknote made of plastic that excessively increases reflected light, it is difficult to detect the boundaries B1a and B2a. In such cases, the check unit 54 indirectly measures the band distance L6 between the small band 5 and the large band 6b.

[0107] Specifically, the length calculation unit 55 calculates the dimension per pixel in the captured image in the same way as when directly calculating the band spacing L6 between the small band 5 and the short large band 6b described above, and detects the number of pixels from the left-hand side 2C to the right-hand side 2D of the large bundle of banknotes 2 on the measurement line MLa, the number of pixels from the left-hand side 2C to the small band 5, and the number of pixels from the right-hand side 2D to the short large band 6b from the appearance image 600, and multiplies each pixel number by the width dimension per pixel to calculate the banknote longitudinal length L1 of the large bundle of banknotes 2, the first end length L2 which is the length from the left-hand side 2C to the small band 5, and the second end length L3 which is the length from the right-hand side 2D to the large bundle of banknotes bundling tape 6.

[0108] Next, the band spacing calculation unit 56 indirectly calculates the band spacing L6 between the small band 5 and the short large band 6b by subtracting the first end length L2, the second end length L3, the pre-stored band width dimension L4 along the banknote longitudinal direction of the small band 5, and the band width dimension L5 along the banknote longitudinal direction of the short large band 6b from the banknote longitudinal direction length L1 of the large bundle of banknotes 2.

[0109] For example, if the width per pixel in the appearance image 600 is 0.13 mm (small band 5 width 20 mm / pixel count 150), and the number of pixels in the longitudinal direction of the large bundle of banknotes 2 is 1185, the number of pixels in the first end length L2 is 225, and the number of pixels in the second end length L3 is 435, the longitudinal direction length L1 of the large bundle of banknotes 2 is calculated to be 156 mm, the first end length L2 is 30 mm, and the second end length L3 is 58 mm. If the band width L4 of the small band 5 is known to be 20 mm and the band width L5 of the short large band 6b is known to be 40 mm, the band spacing L6 between the small band 5 and the short large band 6b is calculated to be 8 mm.

[0110] The determination unit 57 then retrieves from the storage unit 60 the allowable range of the band spacing L6 for the denomination set and input via the setting screen 100, and if the band spacing L6 between the small band 5 and the short-edge large band 6b calculated by the band spacing calculation unit 56 is within a predetermined allowable range, determines that the band spacing L6 between the small band 5 and the short-edge large band 6b is appropriate and normal, but if not, determines that there is an abnormality. Note that the allowable range of the band spacing L6 may be the allowable range of the band spacing L6 corresponding to the denomination identified by the denomination identification unit 58 based on the banknote longitudinal length L1 calculated by the length calculation unit 55.

[0111] (Measurement pattern 2) Next, we will explain an example where a ``band spacing check'' is performed based on the band spacing for each of the three measurement lines MLa, MLb, and MLc, and at least one of the boundaries B1a and B2a is not clearly detectable on the measurement line MLa, and at least one of the boundaries B1b and B2b is not clearly detectable on the measurement line MLb, while the boundaries B1c and B2c are clearly detectable on the measurement line MLc.

[0112] The check unit 54 directly measures the band interval L6 between the small band 5 and the short-edge large band 6b on the measurement line MLc based on the external image 700 that shows the head face 2E of the large bundle of banknotes 2.

[0113] Specifically, for the small band 5 and the large short band 6b whose lengths at least one of the four sides on the appearance image 700 are known, the checking unit 54 detects the number of pixels of the side corresponding to the known length in the appearance image 700, calculates the dimension per pixel in the appearance image 700, and then measures the band spacing L6 between the small band 5 and the large short band 6b by multiplying the number of pixels of the band spacing L6 between the small band 5 and the large short band 6b in the appearance image 700 by the dimension per pixel.

[0114] On the other hand, the check unit 54 indirectly measures the band interval L6 for each of the measurement lines MLa and MLb based on the external image 600 that shows the bill front surface 2A of the large bundle of bills 2.

[0115] Specifically, for the small bands 5, the long large bands 6a and the short large bands 6b, for which at least one of the four sides on the appearance image 600 has a known length, the length calculation unit 55 detects the number of pixels of the side corresponding to the known length in the appearance image 600, calculates the dimension per pixel in the appearance image 600, and then detects the number of pixels from the left hand side 2C to the right hand side 2D of the large bundle of banknotes 2 on the measurement lines MLa and MLb, the number of pixels from the left hand side 2C to the small band 5, and the number of pixels from the right hand side 2D to the short large band 6b from the appearance image 600, and calculates the banknote longitudinal length L1, the first end length L2 and the second end length L3 of the large bundle of banknotes 2 by multiplying each pixel number by the width dimension per pixel.

[0116] Next, the band spacing calculation unit 56 indirectly calculates the band spacing L6 between the small bands 5 and the short large bands 6b for each measurement line MLa, MLb by subtracting the first end length L2, the second end length L3, the pre-stored band width dimension L4 of the small band 5, and the band width dimension L5 of the short large band 6b from the banknote longitudinal length L1 of the large bundle of banknotes 2.

[0117] The determination unit 57 then compares the band spacing L6 between the small bands 5 and the short-edge large bands 6b for each measurement line MLa, MLb, and MLc to determine whether the band spacing is appropriate. For example, the determination unit 57 takes an average value or majority vote of the band spacing L6 for each measurement line MLa, MLb, and MLc. If the average value or the like of the band spacing L6 is within the allowable range of band spacing L6 stored in the storage unit 60, the determination unit 57 determines that the band spacing L6 between the small bands 5 and the short-edge large bands 6b is appropriate and normal. If not, the determination unit 57 determines that there is an abnormality. Note that the allowable range of band spacing L6 may be the allowable range of band spacing L6 corresponding to the denomination input via the setting screen 100 or the denomination identified by the denomination identification unit 58 based on the banknote longitudinal length L1 calculated by the length calculation unit 55.

[0118] (Measurement pattern 3) Next, we will explain an example where a "band spacing check" is performed based on the band spacing for each of the three measurement lines MLa, MLb, and MLc, and where at least one of the boundaries B1a and B2a is not clearly detectable on the measurement line MLa, at least one of the boundaries B1b and B2b is not clearly detectable on the measurement line MLb, and the boundaries B1c and B2c are not clearly detectable on the measurement line MLc.

[0119] The check unit 54 indirectly measures the band spacing L6 for each measurement line MLa, MLb based on an external image 600 that shows the bill surface 2A of the large stack of bills 2, and also indirectly measures the band spacing L6 of the measurement line MLc based on an external image 700 that shows the bill head surface 2E of the large stack of bills 2.

[0120] Specifically, for the small bands 5, the long large bands 6a and the short large bands 6b, for which at least one of the four sides on the appearance image 600 has a known length, the length calculation unit 55 detects the number of pixels of the side corresponding to the known length in the appearance image 600, calculates the dimension per pixel in the appearance image 600, and then detects the number of pixels from the left hand side 2C to the right hand side 2D of the large bundle of banknotes 2 on the measurement lines MLa and MLb, the number of pixels from the left hand side 2C to the small band 5, and the number of pixels from the right hand side 2D to the short large band 6b from the appearance image 600, and calculates the banknote longitudinal length L1, the first end length L2 and the second end length L3 of the large bundle of banknotes 2 for each measurement line MLa and MLb by multiplying each pixel count by the width dimension per pixel.

[0121] Next, the band spacing calculation unit 56 indirectly calculates the band spacing L6 between the small band 5 and the short large band 6b for each measurement line MLa, MLb by subtracting the first end length L2, the second end length L3, the pre-stored band width dimension L4 of the small band 5, and the band width dimension L5 of the short large band 6b from the banknote longitudinal length L1 of the large bundle of banknotes 2.

[0122] Similarly, for small bands 5 and short large bands 6b where at least one of the four sides on the appearance image 700 has a known length, the length calculation unit 55 detects the number of pixels of the side corresponding to the known length in the appearance image 700, calculates the dimension per pixel in the appearance image 700, and then detects the number of pixels from the left-hand side 2C to the right-hand side 2D of the large bundle of banknotes 2 on the measurement line MLc, the number of pixels from the left-hand side 2C to the small band 5, and the number of pixels from the right-hand side 2D to the short large band 6b from the appearance image 700, and calculates the banknote longitudinal length L1, the first end length L2, and the second end length L3 of the large bundle of banknotes 2 on the measurement line MLc by multiplying each pixel count by the width dimension per pixel.

[0123] Next, the band spacing calculation unit 56 indirectly calculates the band spacing L6 between the small band 5 and the short large band 6b on the measurement line MLc by subtracting the first end length L2, the second end length L3, the pre-stored band width dimension L4 of the small band 5, and the band width dimension L5 of the short large band 6b on the measurement line MLc from the banknote longitudinal length L1 of the large bundle of banknotes 2.

[0124] The determination unit 57 then compares the band spacing L6 between the small bands 5 and the short-edge large bands 6b for each measurement line MLa, MLb, and MLc to determine whether the band spacing is appropriate. For example, the determination unit 57 takes an average value or majority vote of the band spacing L6 for each measurement line MLa, MLb, and MLc. If the average value or the like of the band spacing L6 is within the allowable range of band spacing L6 stored in the storage unit 60, the determination unit 57 determines that the band spacing L6 between the small bands 5 and the short-edge large bands 6b is appropriate and normal. If not, the determination unit 57 determines that there is an abnormality. Note that the allowable range of band spacing L6 may be the allowable range of band spacing L6 corresponding to the denomination input via the setting screen 100 or the denomination identified by the denomination identification unit 58 based on the banknote longitudinal length L1 calculated by the length calculation unit 55.

[0125] In the above-described embodiment, the banknote longitudinal direction length L1 of the large bundle of banknotes 2 is calculated by multiplying the number of pixels from the banknote left-hand side 2C to the banknote right-hand side 2D of the large bundle of banknotes 2 in the appearance image 600 by the dimension per pixel in the appearance image 600. However, it is also possible to use the banknote longitudinal direction length L1 of the large bundle of banknotes 2 of the denomination that the first monitor 41, which serves as the denomination input unit, accepts as setting input by the operator via the setting screen 100, retrieved from the memory unit 60. Furthermore, if the banknote longitudinal direction length L1 of the banknotes 3 of the denomination input on the setting screen 100 is known, the width dimension per pixel in the appearance image 600 may be calculated by dividing the number of pixels of the banknote longitudinal direction length L1 of the large bundle of banknotes 2 detected from the appearance image 600 by the known banknote longitudinal direction length L1 of the large bundle of banknotes 2.

[0126] Furthermore, the width of the measurement line ML is not limited to one line with one pixel count, but may be set to a predetermined width of, for example, about 2 to 3 mm. By detecting the number of pixels of various lengths based on the average value of the pixels in the width direction of the measurement line ML of a predetermined width along the short edge direction of the banknotes, the band spacing L6 between the small band 5 and the short edge large band 6b can be measured with high accuracy even if the small band 5 and the short edge large band 6b are wound at a slight angle in the short edge direction of the large bundle of banknotes 2.

[0127] The check unit 54 may indirectly calculate the band spacing L6 between the small bands 5 and the short-edge large bands 6b even if the banknote 3 is of a type in which the boundaries B1 and B2 between the small bands 5 and the short-edge large bands 6b can be detected, or may switch between directly and indirectly calculating the band spacing L6 depending on the type of banknote 3. In the latter case, for example, if the banknote 3 whose denomination has been set and input via the setting screen 100 has a material or pattern in which the boundaries B1 and B2 between the small bands 5 and the short-edge large bands 6b and the banknote 3 can be detected, the check unit 54 directly calculates the band spacing L6 between the small bands 5 and the short-edge large bands 6b. However, if the banknote 3 whose denomination has been set and input via the setting screen 100 has a material or pattern in which the boundaries B1 and B2 between the small bands 5 and the short-edge large bands 6b and the banknote 3 cannot be detected, the check unit 54 switches to indirectly calculating the band spacing L6.

[0128] Alternatively, the check unit 54 may be configured to directly and indirectly calculate the band spacing L6 between the small band 5 and the short large band 6b, regardless of whether the boundaries B1 and B2 between the banknote 3 and the small band 5 and the short large band 6b can be clearly detected, and if the band spacings L6 match, the judgment unit 57 compares the calculated band spacing L6 with the allowable range of band spacing L6 stored in advance in the memory unit 60 to determine whether the band spacing L6 is appropriate, and if the calculated band spacings L6 do not match, determine that there is an abnormality, and if one of the calculated band spacings L6 cannot be calculated but the other can be calculated, use the calculated band spacing L6 to determine whether the band spacing is appropriate.

[0129] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the band spacing L6 between the small band 5 and the short large band 6b was measured based on the external image 600 showing the front face 2A of the large bundle of banknotes 2 and the external image 700 showing the head face 2E of the large bundle of banknotes 2, but instead, the band spacing L6 between the small band 5 and the short large band 6b may be measured based on the external image showing the back face 2B of the large bundle of banknotes 2 photographed by the fourth camera.

[0130] In this way, the large-bundle banknote inspection device 1 of this embodiment is a large-bundle banknote inspection device 1 that inspects the band spacing L6 between the small bands 5 and the short-end large bands 6b that are positioned with a gap between them in the banknote longitudinal direction of the large-bundle banknotes 2, and is configured to include an imaging unit 20 that captures an external image 600 of the large-bundle banknotes 2 in which the small bands 5 and the short-end large bands 6b appear, a length calculation unit 55 that calculates the banknote longitudinal length L1 of the large-bundle banknotes 2, the first end length L2 from the left-hand side 2C of the large-bundle banknotes 2 to the small band 5, and the second end length L3 from the right-hand side 2D of the large-bundle banknotes 2 to the short-end large band 6b from the external image 600, and a band spacing calculation unit 56 that calculates the band spacing L6 based on the banknote longitudinal length L1, the first end length L2, the second end length L3, and the pre-stored band width dimension L4 of the small bands 5 and the band width dimension L5 of the short-end large band 6b.

[0131] With this configuration, even if the banknote 3 is of a type in which the boundaries B1 and B2 between the small band 5 and the large short band 6b cannot be clearly distinguished, the band spacing L6 can be indirectly calculated based on the banknote longitudinal length L1, first end length L2, second end length L3, and the pre-stored band width dimension L4 of the small band 5 and band width dimension L5 of the large short band 6b.

[0132] In addition, the large-bundle banknote inspection device 1 of this embodiment is configured so that the band spacing calculation unit 56 calculates the band spacing L6 by subtracting the first end length L2, the second end length L3, the band width dimension L4 of the small band 5, and the band width dimension L5 of the short-side large band 6b from the banknote longitudinal length L1 of the large bundle of banknotes 2.

[0133] With this configuration, the band spacing L6 can be easily calculated based on the banknote longitudinal length L1, the first end length L2, the second end length L3, the band width dimension L4 of the small band 5, and the band width dimension L5 of the short large band 6b.

[0134] In addition, the large-bundle banknote inspection device 1 of this embodiment is configured so that the length calculation unit 55 calculates the banknote longitudinal length L1, first end length L2, and second end length L3 of the large-bundle banknote 2 on multiple measurement lines ML along the banknote longitudinal direction, and the band spacing calculation unit 56 calculates the band spacing L6 for each of the multiple measurement lines ML.

[0135] According to this configuration, for example, when the small band 5 and the short large band 6b are wrapped around a banknote 3 that has shrunk slightly in the longitudinal direction of the banknote due to wrinkles or the like, there is a risk that the small band 5 and the short large band 6b will be wound out of their original positions. However, by calculating the band spacing L6 between the small band 5 and the short large band 6b for each of the multiple measurement lines ML, the influence of the positional misalignment of the small band 5 and the short large band 6b can be reduced, and the band spacing L6 can be calculated with high accuracy.

[0136] The large-bundle banknote inspection method according to this embodiment is a large-bundle banknote inspection method using a large-bundle banknote inspection device 1 for inspecting a band interval L6 between small bands 5 and short large bands 6b that are spaced apart from each other in the banknote longitudinal direction of a large-bundle banknote 2, and includes a step in which an imaging unit 20 captures an appearance image 600 of the large-bundle banknote 2 in which the small bands 5 and short large bands 6b appear, a length calculation unit 55 calculates the banknote longitudinal length L1 of the large-bundle banknote 2, The method includes a step of calculating the first end length L2 from the left-hand side 2C to the small band 5 and the second end length L3 from the right-hand side 2D of the large bundle of banknotes 2 to the short large band 6b from the appearance image 600, and a step of the band spacing calculation unit 56 calculating the band spacing L6 based on the banknote longitudinal length L1, the first end length L2, the second end length L3, and the pre-stored band width dimension L4 of the short large band 6b and the band width dimension L5 of the small band 5.

[0137] With this configuration, even if the banknote 3 is of a type in which the boundaries B1 and B2 between the small band 5 and the large short band 6b cannot be clearly distinguished, the band spacing L6 can be indirectly calculated based on the banknote longitudinal length L1, first end length L2, second end length L3, and the pre-stored band width dimension L4 of the small band 5 and band width dimension L5 of the large short band 6b.

[0138] Furthermore, the present invention can be modified in various ways other than those described above without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the present invention also covers such modifications. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments and modifications may be combined with each other. [Explanation of symbols]

[0139] 1: large bundle banknote inspection device, 2: large bundle banknote, 3: banknote, 4: small bundle banknote, 5: small band, 6: large bundle banknote bundling tape, 6a: long large band, 6b: short large band, 10: transport unit, 11: roller conveyor, 13: belt conveyor, 14: free roller conveyor, 15: regulating member, 16: free roller conveyor, 17: push-out mechanism, 20: imaging unit, 21-25: camera, 26: lighting, 40: operation display unit, 41: first monitor, 42: second monitor, 50: control device, 54: check unit, 55: length calculation unit, 56: band spacing calculation unit, 57: judgment unit, 58: denomination identification unit, ML, MLa, MLb, MLc: measurement line

Claims

1. A large-bundle banknote inspection device that inspects the band spacing between small bands and large bands that are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the large bundle of banknotes, an imaging unit that captures an external image of the large bundle of banknotes in which the small band and the large band appear; a length calculation unit that calculates, from the appearance image, a length of the large bundle of banknotes in the banknote longitudinal direction, a first end length from one end of the large bundle of banknotes in the banknote longitudinal direction to the small band, and a second end length from the other end of the large bundle of banknotes in the banknote longitudinal direction to the large band; a band spacing calculation unit that calculates the band spacing based on the banknote longitudinal length, the first end length, the second end length, and pre-stored band width dimensions of the large band and the small band; A large-bundle banknote inspection device comprising:

2. 2. The large-bundle banknote inspection device according to claim 1, wherein the band spacing calculation unit calculates the band spacing by subtracting the first end length, the second end length, and the band width dimensions of the large band and the small band from the longitudinal length of the large bundle of banknotes.

3. a denomination input unit capable of inputting the denomination of the large bundle of banknotes; a storage unit in which the allowable range of the band spacing for the denomination inputted to the denomination input unit is stored; a determination unit that compares the band interval calculated by the band interval calculation unit with the allowable range and determines whether the band interval is appropriate; 3. The large-bundle banknote inspection device according to claim 1, further comprising:

4. a denomination identification unit capable of identifying the denomination of the large bundle of banknotes based on the banknote longitudinal length of the large bundle of banknotes; a storage unit that stores the allowable range of the band spacing for the denomination identified by the denomination identification unit; a determination unit that compares the band interval calculated by the band interval calculation unit with the allowable range and determines whether the band interval is appropriate; 3. The large-bundle banknote inspection device according to claim 1, further comprising:

5. the length calculation unit calculates a banknote longitudinal length of the large bundle of banknotes, a length of the first end portion, and a length of the second end portion on a plurality of measurement lines along the banknote longitudinal direction; The large-bundle banknote inspection device according to claim 1 , wherein the band interval calculation unit calculates the band interval for each of the plurality of measurement lines.

6. 6. The large-bundle banknote inspection device according to claim 5, further comprising a judgment unit that compares the band spacing calculated by the band spacing calculation unit for each of the plurality of measurement lines and judges whether the band spacing is appropriate.

7. A large-bundle banknote inspection method for inspecting a band spacing between a small band and a large band positioned with a gap between them in a longitudinal direction of the large bundle of banknotes, comprising: a step in which an imaging unit captures an external image of the large bundle of banknotes in which the small band and the large band appear; a length calculation unit calculating a length of the large bundle of banknotes in the banknote longitudinal direction, a first end length from one end of the large bundle of banknotes in the banknote longitudinal direction to the small band, and a second end length from the other end of the large bundle of banknotes in the banknote longitudinal direction to the large band from the appearance image; a band spacing calculation unit calculating the band spacing based on the banknote longitudinal length of the large bundle of banknotes, the first end length, the second end length, and pre-stored band width dimensions of the large band and the small band; A method for inspecting large bundles of banknotes, comprising:

Images