Bill carry device and change machine with the same

Abstract

To provide a technique that reduces a decrease in overlap feed detection accuracy even for a bill relatively small in thickness displacement.SOLUTION: A bill carrier device comprises a carrier unit (10a), a detection unit (50) and a determination unit (100). The carrier unit (10a) carries a bill. The detection unit (50) detects a physical quantity related to the thickness of the carried bill in time series along a carrying direction of the bill. The determination unit (100) determines bills being fed one over the other based upon a detection result of the detection unit (50). The determination unit (100) determines that the bills are fed one over the other when the detection result meets a predetermined overlap feed condition, and the predetermined overlap feed condition is that the total of lengths of a plurality of sections among sections in which an index indicative of the thickness of the bill based upon the physical quantity is equal to or larger than a threshold is equal to or larger than a predetermined reference value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a banknote transport device and a change dispenser equipped with the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Various technologies have been proposed for detecting double feed of paper, etc. For example, a double feed detection device described in Patent Document 1 uses an optical sensor to detect the amount of light transmitted through each of multiple sections of a reference paper and selects the section to be used for double feed detection. Then, a reference amount of light transmitted is calculated from the amount of light transmitted through the selected section, and the amount of light transmitted through the paper being transported that is detected in the same section as the reference paper is compared to detect double feed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-035399 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, banknotes have various patterns and watermarks for each denomination. As a result, banknotes have thin portions in places. When detecting duplicated feeding of such banknotes using an optical sensor as in Patent Document 1, the thinner the banknotes are and the smaller the variation in their thickness, the more likely it is that the accuracy of detecting duplicated feeding will decrease.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to provide a technique that is less likely to reduce the accuracy of double feed detection even when the thickness variation in banknotes is relatively small. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A banknote transport device according to the present disclosure includes a transport unit, a detection unit, and a determination unit. The transport unit transports banknotes. The detection unit detects physical quantities related to the thickness of the transported banknotes in chronological order along the transport direction of the banknotes. The determination unit determines whether the banknotes have been multi-fed based on the detection results of the detection unit. The determination unit determines whether the banknotes have been multi-fed if the detection results satisfy a predetermined multi-fed condition, and the predetermined multi-fed condition is that the total length of multiple sections of an index representing the thickness of the banknotes based on the physical quantities that is equal to or greater than a threshold value is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value.

[0007] A change dispenser according to the present disclosure includes the above-described banknote transport device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, even when the thickness variation of the banknotes is relatively small, the accuracy of double feed detection is unlikely to decrease. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1A is a diagram showing the appearance of a banknote transport device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1B is a diagram showing the state in which the banknote transport unit shown in FIG. 1 is pulled out from the housing. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the banknote transport unit. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the banknote transport device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the multifeed determination table. [Figure 5A] FIG. 5A is an example of a waveform relating to the amount of light emitted from one banknote. [Figure 5B] FIG. 5B is an example of a waveform relating to the amount of light emitted when banknotes are stacked. [Figure 5C] FIG. 5C is an example of a waveform relating to the amount of light emitted when bills of different thicknesses from those in FIG. 5B are stacked one on top of the other. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of determining whether or not a multifeed occurs in the first embodiment. [Figure 7]FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a banknote transport device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a multifeed determination table in the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of determining whether or not a multifeed occurs in the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, a banknote transport device according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will not be repeated.

[0011] [First embodiment] 1A is a diagram showing the appearance of a banknote transport device 1 according to an embodiment. The banknote transport device 1 is provided in a change dispenser installed in a gas station, for example. Banknotes are inserted into and dispensed from both sides of the banknote transport device 1 (the positive and negative sides of the X-axis).

[0012] As shown in Fig. 1A, the banknote transport device 1 includes a housing 1a and a banknote transport unit 1b. Fig. 1B is a diagram showing the banknote transport unit 1b shown in Fig. 1 pulled out from the housing 1a. As shown in Figs. 1A and 1B, the banknote transport unit 1b is detachable from the housing 1a.

[0013] 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the banknote transport unit 1b, in which the housing 1a is omitted.

[0014] As shown in Fig. 2, the banknote transport unit 1b has an inner housing 10. The banknote transport unit 1b has banknote entrances 11 (11a, 11b) on both sides of the inner housing 10 in the X-axis direction. Inside the inner housing 10, the banknote transport unit 1b has a banknote transport mechanism 10a, a banknote storage box 10b, a reject box 10c, multiple sensors (banknote detection sensor 30, banknote discrimination sensor 40, double feed detection sensor 50), a control device 100, and a power switch (not shown). Each component will be described in detail below.

[0015] (Banknote transport mechanism 10a) The banknote transport mechanism 10a includes transport paths R1, R2, R3, R31, R41 (R4), and R42 (R4) along which banknotes are transported, a plurality of transport rollers 20, and a power source 200 that drives the transport rollers 20.

[0016] The power source 200 includes, for example, a motor (not shown), and rotates the conveying rollers 20 under the control of the control device 100.

[0017] Conveyance paths R1 and R2 are connected to banknote entrances 11a and 11b, respectively. Conveyance path R31 is part of conveyance path R3, and conveyance paths R41 and R42 are branch paths branching off from branch points P1 and P2 on conveyance path R3. Conveyance paths R31, R41, and R42 are each connected to banknote storage vault 10b. Banknotes guided to conveyance paths R41, conveyance path R42, and conveyance path R31 are, for example, 1,000 yen bills, 5,000 yen bills, and 10,000 yen bills, respectively.

[0018] Banknotes are transported on the transport paths R1 to R4 by the rotation of the multiple transport rollers 20. For example, some of the multiple transport rollers 20 sandwich the banknotes between themselves and the opposing driven rollers and transport the banknotes. In addition, the other transport rollers 20 transport the banknotes by sliding them on the transport paths R1 to R4.

[0019] The banknote transport mechanism 10a includes a guide mechanism 12 at a branching point P0. The branching point P0 is a point where the transport path R1 or the transport path R2 branches off to the transport path R3. The guide mechanism 12 includes, for example, a solenoid or a motor. Under the control of the control device 100, the guide mechanism 12 guides banknotes inserted through the banknote slot 11a from the transport path R1 to the transport path R3, and guides banknotes inserted through the banknote slot 11b from the transport path R2 to the transport path R3.

[0020] The banknote transport mechanism 10a includes a switching member and an actuator (not shown) that switch the transport direction from transport path R3 to transport path R4 at branching portions P1 and P2. Under the control of the control device 100, the banknote transport mechanism 10a transports banknotes to the banknote storage vault 10b or the reject vault 10c.

[0021] (Banknote storage bin 10b) The banknote storage vault 10b has banknote storage units 14 to 16 and a cabinet 17. The banknote storage units 14 to 16 are formed by dividing the interior of the cabinet 17 according to denomination. The banknote storage unit 14 and the banknote storage unit 15 are connected to different transport paths R4 and store guided banknotes therein. The banknote storage unit 16 is connected to the transport path R31 and stores guided banknotes therein.

[0022] (Rejected storage 10c) The reject box 10c is connected to the transport path R3 and stores banknotes that the control device 100 determines to be double-fed.

[0023] (sensor) The banknote detection sensors 30 are arranged inside the inner housing 10 on the banknote entrance / exit 11a side of the transport path R1 and on the banknote entrance / exit 11b side of the transport path R2. The banknote detection sensors 30 include, for example, optical sensors, and detect changes in the amount of light emitted from the optical sensors. The banknote detection sensors 30 detect whether a banknote has been inserted based on a change in the amount of light caused by a banknote inserted through the banknote entrances 11a, 11b blocking the optical path, and output the detection result to the control device 100.

[0024] The bill validator sensor 40 includes, for example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor. The bill validator sensor 40 captures an image of the bill being transported on the transport path R3 and outputs the image capture result to the control device 100.

[0025] The double feed detection sensor 50 is disposed upstream of the banknote discrimination sensor 40 in the conveying direction. The double feed detection sensor 50 (an example of a detection unit) detects a physical quantity related to the thickness of a banknote. Specifically, the double feed detection sensor 50 includes, for example, an optical sensor having a light emitting unit 51 and a light receiving unit 52. The light emitting unit 51 emits light toward the conveyed banknote at regular intervals, and the light receiving unit 52 receives the light. The double feed detection sensor 50 adjusts the light emission amount of the light emitting unit 51 so that the light receiving unit 52 receives a predetermined level of light for the conveyed banknote. The light emission amount of the light emitting unit 51 is output to the control device 100 in chronological order. That is, the light emission amount output from the light emitting unit 51 is output to the control device 100 as a detection result indicating the thickness of the banknote. Since a single banknote has portions with different thicknesses due to patterns and watermarks that differ from banknote to banknote, the light emission amount in relatively thick portions is greater than that in relatively thin portions. That is, the light emission amount is proportional to the thickness of the banknote. The detection result including the amount of light emitted from the double feed detection sensor 50 is an example of a physical quantity related to the thickness of a banknote, and is an index representing the thickness of the banknote.

[0026] The configuration of the banknote transport device 1 will be further described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the banknote transport device 1.

[0027] (Storage unit 60) The storage unit 60 includes a nonvolatile storage device and stores various data such as a pattern image (not shown) for determining the denomination and a multifeed determination table 110 (described later).

[0028] 4 is a diagram showing an example of the multi-feed detection table 110. The multi-feed detection table 110 has set therein a threshold value and a multi-feed detection reference value for each denomination (1,000 yen, 5,000 yen, 10,000 yen). The threshold value is a threshold value for the amount of light emitted. The multi-feed detection reference value is a reference value for determining whether banknotes are being fed multiple times. Specifically, the multi-feed detection reference value is a total reference value obtained by adding up the lengths (times) of sections in each denomination of banknotes that are equal to or greater than the threshold.

[0029] (Notification unit 70) The notification unit 70 displays an image and outputs a sound under the control of the control device 100.

[0030] (Control device 100) The control device 100 includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), and memories (ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory)). The control device 100 controls the operation of each part electrically connected to the control device 100 by the CPU executing a control program stored in the ROM.

[0031] When the bill detection sensor 30 detects the insertion of a bill, the control device 100 operates the guide mechanism 12 and the power source 200 to transport the inserted bill.

[0032] The control device 100 compares the imaging results output from the banknote discrimination sensor 40 for the transported banknote with the pattern images (not shown) for each denomination stored in the memory unit 60, and determines the denomination of the transported banknote.

[0033] The control device 100 determines whether the transported banknotes are a double feed or not based on the detection results of the multi-feed detection sensor 50, the determined denomination, and the multi-feed determination table 110. Specifically, the control device 100 determines that a double feed has occurred when the total length (time) of the sections in which the light emission amount for the transported banknotes is continuously equal to or greater than the threshold value is equal to or greater than the multi-feed determination reference value. The threshold value and multi-feed determination reference value used for multi-feed determination are values ​​corresponding to the denominations of the transported banknotes, which are applied from the multi-feed determination table 110 (FIG. 4).

[0034] Fig. 5A is an example of a waveform relating to the amount of light emitted from one banknote, and Fig. 5B is an example of a waveform relating to the amount of light emitted from a stack of multiple banknotes.

[0035] 5A, the vertical axis represents the amount of light emitted by the double feed detection sensor 50, and a larger amount of light emitted represents a larger thickness. In other words, in this embodiment, the amount of light emitted is an index representing the thickness of the banknote.

[0036] Waveform W12 represents the section of waveform W11 where the value is equal to or greater than threshold Lth and the section where the value is less than threshold Lth. The lengths (times) of the sections of waveform W12 where the value is equal to or greater than threshold Lth are t11, t12, and t13. The sections where the value is equal to or greater than threshold Lth are portions of the banknote that are thicker than a certain thickness.

[0037] As with waveform W11, the vertical axis of waveform W21 in Fig. 5B represents the output result of the double feed detection sensor 50. Waveform W22 represents the section in waveform W21 that is equal to or greater than threshold Lth and the section that is less than threshold Lth, with the lengths (time) of the section that is equal to or greater than threshold Lth being t21 and t22. Because waveform W21 is a state in which banknotes are overlapping, there are more portions that are thicker than in waveform W11, and the output result tends to be larger overall, so the length (time) of the section that is equal to or greater than threshold Lth also tends to be longer than that of a single banknote.

[0038] In Figure 5B, if even one of the lengths (times) of sections with a certain thickness or greater exceeds a predetermined standard value, it can be determined that a double feed has occurred. However, if the change in thickness of the banknote is small and the banknote has a design with thin sections in places, it may be difficult to determine that a double feed has occurred based on the length (time) of one section alone. An example of such a waveform is shown in Figure 5C.

[0039] Fig. 5C is an example of a waveform relating to the amount of light emitted when banknotes of different thicknesses from those in Fig. 5B are stacked together. More specifically, it is an example of a waveform relating to the amount of light emitted when banknotes are stacked together and the variation in thickness of each banknote is smaller than in Figs. 5A and 5B, with thin portions being scattered throughout. Waveform W31 in Fig. 5C shows the output result of multi-feed detection sensor 50, and waveform W32 shows the sections of waveform W31 that are equal to or greater than threshold Lth and the sections below the threshold.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 5C, the length (time) of each section that is equal to or greater than the threshold Lth is shorter than the length (time) of each section shown in FIG. 5B, and it is unlikely that a section will exceed a predetermined reference value. In such cases, determining whether a multi-feed has occurred based on the length (time) of only one section reduces the accuracy of the determination. Therefore, in this embodiment, a multi-feed is determined to have occurred if the total length (time) of each section that is equal to or greater than the threshold is equal to or greater than the multi-feed determination reference value set according to the denomination of the banknote. In other words, in the case of waveform W32, a multi-feed is determined to have occurred if the total length (time) of each section that is equal to or greater than the threshold Lth (t31 + t32 + t33 + t34 + t35 + t36 + t37) is equal to or greater than the multi-feed determination reference value according to the denomination.

[0041] In this embodiment, the total length (time) of each section in which the detection result is equal to or greater than the threshold value is an example of a first multi-feed condition, and the multi-feed determination reference value is an example of a first reference value.

[0042] The multi-feed determination reference value is set based on the measurement results obtained by measuring in advance for each denomination the length (time) of the section where the light intensity is equal to or greater than the threshold value Lth for one banknote using the multi-feed detection sensor 50. The length (time) of the section where the light intensity is equal to or greater than the threshold value Lth may be determined from the time when the light emission amount is output from the multi-feed detection sensor 50.

[0043] Furthermore, if the transported banknotes are a duplicated banknote, the control device 100 causes the banknote transport mechanism 10a to transport the banknotes to the reject box 10c. Furthermore, if the transported banknotes are not a duplicated banknote, the control device 100 causes the banknote transport mechanism 10a to transport the banknotes to the banknote storage box 10b.

[0044] (operation) 6 is a flow diagram showing the operation of determining whether or not a multi-feed occurs in the banknote transport device 1. The operation of determining whether or not a multi-feed occurs will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0045] When a banknote is inserted into the banknote entrance / exit 11 (11a or 11b) (FIG. 2), the banknote transport device 1 transports the inserted banknote (step S11). Specifically, when information indicating detection of a banknote is output from the banknote detection sensor 30, the control device 100 operates the guide mechanism 12 and the power source 200 to drive the transport rollers 20, and transports the inserted banknote from the transport path R1 or R2 to the transport path R3.

[0046] Next, the banknote transport device 1 detects the thickness of the banknote transported to transport path R3 (step S12). When the banknote transported to transport path R3 passes through the double feed detection sensor 50, the thickness of the banknote is detected by the double feed detection sensor 50. Specifically, light is emitted from the light emitting unit 51 of the double feed detection sensor 50 at regular intervals, and the amount of light emitted is sequentially output to the control device 100 as a detection result indicating the thickness of the banknote.

[0047] After step S12, the banknote transport device 1 determines the denomination of the banknote on the transport path R3 (step S13). The banknote on the transport path R3 passes through the double feed detection sensor 50 and is then transported to the banknote discrimination sensor 40. The banknote discrimination sensor 40 captures an image of the passing banknote and outputs the image capture result to the control device 100. The control device 100 compares the image capture result output from the banknote discrimination sensor 40 with pattern images (not shown) for each denomination stored in the memory unit 60, and determines the denomination corresponding to the matching pattern image as the denomination of the transported banknote.

[0048] After step S13, the banknote transport device 1 determines whether or not a banknote has been multi-fed based on its thickness and denomination (step S14). Specifically, for example, if the denomination determined in step S13 is 1,000 yen, the control device 100 reads out a threshold value "L1" and a multi-fed determination reference value "T1" corresponding to "1,000 yen" from the multi-fed determination table 110 (see FIG. 4) in the storage unit 60. The control device 100 then calculates the total length (time) of each consecutive section in the detection result output in step S12 that is equal to or greater than the threshold value "L1." The control device 100 determines that a multi-fed has occurred if the total length (time) of each section that is equal to or greater than the threshold value "L1" is equal to or greater than the multi-fed determination reference value "T1," and determines that a multi-fed has not occurred if the total length (time) of each consecutive section that is equal to or greater than the threshold value "L1" is equal to or greater than the multi-fed determination reference value "T1."

[0049] If the banknote transport device 1 determines in step S14 that there is no double feeding (step S15: NO), it transports the determined banknote to the banknote storage vault 10b (step S16). Specifically, the banknote transport mechanism 10a transports the banknote from transport path R3 to either transport path R31 or transport path R4 (R41, R42) depending on the denomination, and the banknote is stored in the banknote storage vault 10b. For example, if the denomination of the transported banknote is "1,000 yen", the banknote is guided to transport path R41 and stored in the banknote storage unit 14.

[0050] Furthermore, if the banknote transport device 1 determines in step S14 that multiple feeding has occurred (step S15: YES), the banknote transport mechanism 10a transports the determined banknote from the transport path R3 to the reject container 10c (step S17).

[0051] The banknote transport device 1 repeats the processes from step S11 onwards until the power switch (not shown) of the device itself is turned off (step S18: NO), and ends the operation when the power switch is turned off (step S18: YES).

[0052] In the first embodiment described above, in the banknote transport device 1, if the total length (time) of each section where the detection result of the multi-feed detection sensor 50 is equal to or greater than the threshold value is equal to or greater than a predetermined multi-feed determination reference value, it is determined that a multi-feed has occurred. In other words, if the total length (time) of sections where the detection result shows a thickness equal to or greater than a certain value is equal to or greater than the multi-feed determination reference value, the transported banknotes are determined to have occurred as a multi-feed. Therefore, even if a single banknote is thin and the thickness variation is small, the accuracy of determining whether or not a multi-feed has occurred is less likely to decrease compared to when determining a multi-feed based on the length (time) of one section.

[0053] [Second embodiment] Due to reprinting of banknotes, etc., banknotes of the same denomination may be mixed together with different thickness variations. If a common threshold value and a common multi-feed determination reference value are used to determine whether or not a multi-feed has occurred for banknotes of the same denomination but with different thicknesses, it may not be possible to properly determine whether or not a multi-feed has occurred. Therefore, in this embodiment, different threshold values ​​and multi-feed determination reference values ​​are used to determine whether or not a multi-feed has occurred for banknotes of the same denomination but with different thickness variations. Hereinafter, a banknote of the same denomination with a smaller thickness variation will be referred to as a first banknote, and a banknote with a larger thickness variation will be referred to as a second banknote, and the first banknote and the second banknote will be referred to as banknote types.

[0054] Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a banknote transport device 1A in this embodiment. In Fig. 7, the same components as those in the first embodiment are assigned the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment. Below, the components different from the first embodiment will mainly be described.

[0055] The banknote transport device 1A includes a storage unit 60A and a control device 100A.

[0056] The storage unit 60A stores pattern images (not shown) for each denomination of each banknote type, and various data such as a multi-feed detection table 120 shown in FIG.

[0057] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the multi-feed detection table 120 in this embodiment. In the multi-feed detection table 120, threshold values ​​and multi-feed detection criteria are associated with each banknote type for each denomination. The banknote type indicates either the first banknote or the second banknote. Banknote type "1" indicates the first banknote, and banknote type "2" indicates the second banknote. Different threshold values ​​and multi-feed detection criteria are set for each banknote type of the same denomination.

[0058] Hereinafter, the threshold value and the multi-feed determination reference value corresponding to the banknote type "1" of each denomination may be referred to as the first multi-feed condition, and the threshold value and the multi-feed determination reference value corresponding to the banknote type "2" of each denomination may be referred to as the second multi-feed condition.

[0059] The control device 100A discriminates the denomination and type of the conveyed banknote based on the imaging result of the banknote discrimination sensor 40 and the pattern image stored in the memory unit 60A. That is, in this embodiment, the banknote discrimination sensor 40 and the control device 100A are an example of a banknote type discrimination unit.

[0060] The control device 100A determines whether the transported banknote is a multi-feed based on the threshold value and multi-feed determination reference value in the multi-feed determination table 120 corresponding to the determined denomination and banknote type, and the detection result of the multi-feed detection sensor 50. For example, if the transported banknote is a first banknote, a 5,000 yen note, the control device 100A applies, as the first multi-feed condition, the threshold value "L21" and the multi-feed determination reference value "T21" corresponding to the denomination "5,000 yen" and banknote type "1" in the multi-feed determination table 120.

[0061] Fig. 9 is a flow diagram showing the operation of detecting multiple feeds by the banknote transport device 1A in this embodiment. In Fig. 9, the same steps as in the first embodiment are assigned the same step numbers as in the first embodiment. Below, we will explain the steps that differ from the first embodiment.

[0062] In step S131, the banknote transport device 1A determines the denomination and type of the banknote on the transport path R3 (step S13). Specifically, the control device 100A determines the denomination and type of the transported banknote from the imaging result output from the banknote discrimination sensor 40 and the banknote pattern image (not shown) stored in the memory unit 60A.

[0063] If the determined banknote type is "1" (step S141: YES), the banknote transport device 1A determines whether the banknotes are multi-feeding using the first multi-feed condition (step S142). If the determined banknote type is not "1" (step S141: NO), the banknote transport device 1A determines whether the banknotes are multi-feeding using the second multi-feed condition (step S143).

[0064] For example, if the denomination determined in step S131 is "10,000 yen" and the banknote type is "1," the threshold value "L31" and the multifeed determination standard "T31" corresponding to the denomination "10,000 yen" and the banknote type "1" are read out from the multifeed determination table 120. The control device 100A then calculates the total length (time) of each consecutive section in the detection result output in step S12 that is equal to or greater than the threshold value "L31." The control device 100A determines that a multifeed has occurred if the total length (time) of each section in the detection result that is equal to or greater than the threshold value "L31" is equal to or greater than the multifeed determination standard value "T31," and determines that a multifeed has not occurred if it is less than the multifeed determination standard value "T31."

[0065] Furthermore, if the denomination determined in step S131 is "10,000 yen" and the banknote type is "2", the threshold value "L32" and the multifeed determination standard "T32" corresponding to the denomination "10,000 yen" and the banknote type "2" are read out from the multifeed determination table 120. In this case, the control device 100A determines that a multifeed has occurred if the total length (time) of each section in the detection result that is equal to or greater than the threshold value "L32" is equal to or greater than the multifeed determination standard value "T32", and determines that a multifeed has not occurred if it is less than the multifeed determination standard value "T32".

[0066] In the second embodiment described above, whether or not a multi-feed has occurred is determined by applying different thresholds and multi-feed determination reference values ​​depending on the banknote type. Therefore, the accuracy of multi-feed determination is less likely to decrease compared to when a common threshold and multi-feed determination reference value are applied to banknotes of the same denomination but with different thickness variations.

[0067] The above describes embodiments of the present disclosure. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The drawings mainly show each component in a schematic manner for ease of understanding, and the thickness, length, number, etc. of each component shown in the drawings may differ from the actual ones due to the convenience of creating the drawings. Furthermore, the shape, dimensions, etc. of each component shown in the above embodiments are merely examples and are not particularly limited, and various modifications are possible within a scope that does not substantially deviate from the effects of the present invention.

[0068] [Variations] (1) In the second embodiment, for example, if the transported banknote is a second banknote, it may be determined that a multiple feed has occurred if at least one section that is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value is included among the sections that are equal to or greater than the threshold value. In other words, it may be determined that a multiple feed has occurred if the length (time) of any one section satisfies a predetermined multiple feed condition. In this case, the predetermined reference value is set based on the length of the portion of the second banknote that is equal to or greater than a certain thickness, by measuring the thickness (amount of light emitted) of the second banknote for each denomination in advance.

[0069] (2) In the first and second embodiments, a multi-feed may be determined to have occurred if the total length (time) of at least two sections, among those that are equal to or greater than the threshold for each denomination, is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value. In other words, the sections used for multi-feed determination may be any multiple sections that are equal to or greater than the threshold. Specifically, for example, at least two sections with the longer lengths (times) may be selected from among the sections that are equal to or greater than the threshold.

[0070] (3) In the first and second embodiments, the amount of light emitted is used as the physical quantity related to the thickness of the banknote, but the amount of light received (amount of transmitted light) may also be used as the physical quantity. In this case, the amount of light received relative to a predetermined amount of light emitted may be output to the control device 100, 100A as the detection result. The thinner the banknote, the greater the amount of light received, and the magnitude of the amount of light received is inversely proportional to the thickness of the banknote. Therefore, when detecting multiple feeds, the light reception result may be converted so that the greater the amount of light received is, the smaller the value becomes as an index representing the thickness. Then, it may be determined whether the length of the section in the index representing the thickness that is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value. [Industrial Applicability]

[0071] The present invention can be used in a change dispenser or the like that deposits and dispenses banknotes. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 1. 1A Banknote transport device 10a Banknote transport mechanism 10b Banknote storage 20 Conveyor roller 40 Bill discrimination sensor 50 Double feed detection sensor 60, 60A memory section 100, 100A control device

Claims

1. a conveying unit that conveys banknotes; a detection unit that detects a physical quantity related to the thickness of the conveyed banknote in a time series manner along a conveyance direction of the banknote; a determination unit that determines whether the banknotes are being fed multiple times based on the detection result of the detection unit, the determination unit determines that the banknotes are being fed multiple times if the detection result satisfies a predetermined multiple feed condition, The predetermined multiple feeding condition is that the total length of a plurality of sections in the index representing the thickness of the banknotes based on the physical quantity that is equal to or greater than a threshold is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference value.

2. a denomination determination unit for determining the denomination of the transported banknotes, The banknote transport device according to claim 1 , wherein the determination unit changes the threshold value and the reference value depending on the denomination determined by the denomination determination unit.

3. The banknotes include first and second banknotes of the same denomination but having different configurations, further comprising a banknote type discrimination unit that discriminates the banknote type of either the first banknote or the second banknote, The banknote transport device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the determination unit determines whether the banknotes are being fed multiple times using the threshold value and the predetermined reference value according to the determination result of the banknote type determination unit.

4. The first banknote has a smaller thickness variation than the second banknote, the determination unit determines whether or not a multi-feed has occurred using a first multi-feed condition as the predetermined multi-feed condition when the banknote type determined by the banknote type determination unit is the first banknote, and determines whether or not a multi-feed has occurred using a second multi-feed condition as the predetermined multi-feed condition when the determined banknote type is the second banknote, the first multiple feeding condition is that the total length of all sections in which the physical quantity equal to or greater than a first threshold value is detected in the first banknote is equal to or greater than a first reference value; The banknote transport device according to claim 3 , wherein the second multiple feed condition is that the length of at least one section among sections in which the physical quantity equal to or greater than a second threshold value is detected in the second banknote is equal to or greater than a second reference value.

5. The banknote transport device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the detection unit detects an amount of light that can be transmitted through the transported banknote as the physical quantity.

6. A change dispenser comprising the banknote transport device according to claim 1.

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