Bank-note debanding station mirror optical capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bank-note processing machines require significant technical effort and time to capture information from bands on banded bank-note packs, especially in high-throughput systems, as they need to photograph both sides of the bands separately.
Innovation Solution
Employing an image capturing device with at least one mirror to capture information from different portions of the band simultaneously, allowing all information to be combined in a single image, which can be taken before or after the band is removed, using a conventional digital camera.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If two photo recordings are used to capture information from both sides of the band, then complete information capture is achieved, but technical effort and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mirror to create an optical path that reflects light from the underside of the band to the camera. This dimensional change in the optical path allows the camera to capture both the upper side (directly) and underside (via reflection) of the band simultaneously, achieving complete information capture without requiring a second camera or turning the band over.
2Loss of information
If two photo recordings are used to capture information from both sides of the band, then complete information capture is achieved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the capture of both band surfaces into a single photographic operation by using a mirror to reflect the underside onto the camera sensor along with the directly captured upper side. This combining of both surfaces in one image eliminates the need for sequential photography, thereby reducing processing time while maintaining complete information capture.
3Loss of time
If a single image is used to capture band information, then processing time is reduced, but complete information capture from both sides becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The mirror acts as an intermediary optical element that enables the camera to see both sides of the band simultaneously. By introducing this intermediary, the system can capture complete information from both the upper and underside surfaces in a single photograph, resolving the contradiction between speed and completeness.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient and rapid capture of information from both sides of the band with minimal technical effort, reducing processing time and improving throughput in bank-note processing machines.
Implementation Method 1
the invention provides for optically capturing information items from different portions of the band simultaneously while employing at least one mirror, so that all the information items are combined on one image
Data Source
AI summary
A bank-note processing apparatus includes a debanding station and an image capturing device by which first and second information items applied to the band can be optically captured and digitally stored. The image capturing device includes at least one mirror, preferably two symmetrically arranged mirrors, in order for information items on the band that lie on different sides of the bank-note stack on the banded bank-note stack to be able to be optically captured simultaneously. The image capture can be effected before or after the removal of the band from the bank-note stack.