Paper Sheet Handling Device Batch Counting via Thickness Shift

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing paper sheet handling systems cannot accurately calculate the number of paper sheets in a batch during transportation, as they only detect sheets one by one without accounting for batches.

Innovation Solution

A paper sheet handling device that includes a transport unit, a shifting unit to adjust based on batch thickness, a generating unit to create thickness information, a memory unit for reference information, and a calculating unit to estimate the number of sheets using this information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If paper sheets are transported as a batch, then transportation efficiency is improved, but the ability to calculate the number of sheets is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransportation efficiencyVSAvoidsheet count information

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a thickness measurement as an intermediary parameter to indirectly determine the number of sheets in a batch. Instead of counting individual sheets (which would break the batch), the system measures the total thickness of the batch and uses this measurement to calculate the sheet count, thus preserving batch integrity while recovering numerical information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical counting method (detecting each sheet individually) with a measurement-based calculation method. By using a thickness sensor to measure the batch thickness and dividing by the known thickness of a single sheet, the system obtains the sheet count without physically separating or counting individual sheets, thereby maintaining batch transportation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If individual sheet detection is used, then sheet count accuracy is improved, but processing speed deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet count accuracyVSAvoidprocessing speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple sheet measurements into a single batch measurement. Instead of detecting each sheet separately (which would be time-consuming), the system measures the cumulative thickness of the entire batch in one operation and calculates the sheet count from this single measurement, thereby significantly improving processing speed while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20240054846A1Paper sheet handling device, calculation method of number of paper sheets in paper sheet batch, and program

Publication Date: 2024.02.15 JAPAN CASH MASCH CO LTD

AI summary

The present invention provides a paper sheet handling device that can calculate the number of paper sheets in a paper sheet batch being transported on a transport route without requiring complicated processing. The paper sheet handling device includes a transport unit that can transport a paper sheet batch, a shifting unit that shifts according to the thickness of the paper sheet batch when the paper sheet batch is transported, a generating unit that generates thickness information based on a shift amount of the shifting unit, a memory unit that memorizes reference information determined based on the thickness of one paper sheet, and a calculating unit that calculates the number of paper sheets in the paper sheet batch from the thickness information and the reference information.