Optical Spectrum Measurement for Paper Sheet Recognition
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional paper sheet recognition apparatuses face inefficiencies in acquiring optical characteristics from multiple partial areas on a paper sheet, leading to increased production costs and apparatus size due to the need for separate sensors and light sources for each area.
Innovation Solution
A paper sheet recognition apparatus with a light source unit, reading unit, sensor unit, and memory that controls light sources based on optical spectrum measurement conditions to efficiently acquire optical characteristics from multiple partial areas, allowing for adjustable light emission and reception timing, signal gain, and light type selection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate sensors and light sources are arranged for each partial area on the paper sheet, then optical characteristics from multiple partial areas can be acquired, but production cost and apparatus size increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single sensor unit and light source unit are designed to serve multiple partial areas on the paper sheet. The light source can be positioned to irradiate different areas, and the sensor can detect reflected light from multiple locations, allowing one set of components to perform the function of what would traditionally require multiple separate units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple light sources and sensors into integrated units that can collectively cover multiple partial areas. By merging these components and using coordinated control, the system achieves comprehensive optical measurement across the paper sheet without requiring physically separate systems for each area.
2Measurement precision
If separate sensors and light sources are arranged for each partial area on the paper sheet, then optical characteristics from multiple partial areas can be acquired, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By designing light source and sensor units that can serve multiple partial areas through positional adjustment and coordinated control, the patent reduces the total number of components required. This multi-functionality directly lowers production costs by eliminating the need to manufacture and assemble multiple separate sensor-light source pairs.
Solution Approach 2:
The integration of multiple light sources and sensors into unified units with shared control mechanisms reduces manufacturing complexity and component count, leading to lower production costs while maintaining the capability to acquire optical characteristics from multiple areas.
3Device complexity
If a single sensor and light source are used for multiple partial areas, then production cost and apparatus size are reduced, but efficient acquisition of optical characteristics from spaced-apart areas becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The light source unit and sensor unit are designed with dynamic positioning capabilities, allowing them to be adjusted to different positions corresponding to various partial areas on the paper sheet. This dynamic adaptability enables a single set of components to efficiently acquire optical characteristics from multiple spaced-apart areas by moving to the appropriate positions during the measurement process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic or sequential activation of light sources and sensors at different positions to efficiently capture optical characteristics from multiple partial areas. By coordinating the timing and positioning of these components, the system can systematically measure each area in sequence, maintaining high productivity despite using fewer components.
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 acquisition of optical spectra from multiple partial areas on a paper sheet while reducing production costs and apparatus size, allowing for precise recognition of paper sheet types and authenticity.
Implementation Method 1
a partial area in which emission of fluorescence is observed
Implementation Method 2
a partial area in which emission of phosphorescence is observed
Implementation Method 3
receive reflected lights from the plurality of partial areas
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
In order to efficiently acquire an optical characteristic from partial areas on the paper sheet, a paper sheet recognition apparatus (1) that recognizes a paper sheet by using an optical spectrum acquired from the paper sheet on a transport path (60) includes, a light source unit (31) including light sources arranged corresponding to the partial areas on the paper sheet, a reading unit (32) having a light receiving surface to receive reflected lights from the partial areas, a sensor unit (34) that acquires an optical spectrum from light received by the light receiving surface, a memory (80) that stores an optical spectrum measurement condition for acquiring an optical spectrum from a predetermined partial area on the paper sheet. The optical spectrum measurement condition includes information for identifying at least one light source corresponding to the predetermined partial area among the light sources of the light source unit (31), information for identifying a timing for turning on the identified light source, and information for identifying a timing for turning off the light source turned on at the timing for turning on; and a light-source control unit (72) that controls the light source unit (31) based on the optical spectrum measurement condition.