Sheet Identification System Modular Sensor Expansion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current banknote identification devices face challenges in meeting diverse country-specific requests due to limitations in sensor expansion and controller responsiveness, leading to inadequate detection of security characteristics and damages.

Innovation Solution

A sheet identification system comprising a standard identifier with an optical line sensor and a standard controller, along with an optional identifier and controller, which can be attached to an option attachment member to perform different sensing operations, enabling detection of authenticity and fitness, and accommodating various sensor types such as ultrasonic, optical, magnetic, and capacitive sensors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single controller executes identification based on sensing results from both standard and removable sensor units, then basic identification function is maintained, but the controller may fail to respond to new removable units and fail to meet country-specific requests

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveidentification capability expansionVSAvoidcontroller responsiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the identification system into a standard identifier with a standard controller and a further identifier with a second controller. The standard controller handles basic identification tasks while the second controller专门 handles expansion functions from removable sensor units. This segmentation allows each controller to specialize in specific functions, improving both adaptability to new sensor types and reliability of control responses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple sensors are mounted to meet country-specific requests, then identification coverage is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecountry-specific identification coverageVSAvoidsensor configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal identification system where the standard identifier provides basic functionality and the option attachment member with further identifiers enables expansion to meet various country-specific requirements. The system can universally accommodate different sensor types (ultrasonic, optical, magnetic, capacitive) through standardized interfaces, reducing the need for completely different device configurations for different countries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Area of stationary object

If the further identifier is attached close to the standard identifier, then space is saved, but noise interference increases and detection precision decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice space utilizationVSAvoiddetection precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by positioning the further identifier at a specific location (apart from the standard identifier) that optimizes detection precision for security characteristics. This spatial arrangement reduces noise interference between different sensor units while still maintaining compact overall device structure. The positioning strategy prioritizes measurement quality in the detection zone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Reliability

If security characteristics and damages are detected with difficulty, then identification reliability is compromised, but adding specialized sensors increases device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecurity characteristic detection reliabilityVSAvoidsensor system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the system to self-adapt to different detection requirements through the removable further identifier configuration. The standard identifier provides baseline detection capability, while the optional further identifier with specialized sensors (ultrasonic, optical, magnetic, capacitive) can be attached as needed to detect specific security characteristics and damages. This self-service approach allows the system to maintain reliability for different detection tasks without permanently increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

The system effectively meets a wider range of requests by allowing flexible expansion of identification capabilities, improving detection precision and reliability for security characteristics and damages, while reducing noise interference and processing time.

Implementation Method 1

a standard sensor unit (20) comprising an optical line sensor (22)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

The second sensor unit comprises at least one sensor selected from the group consisting of an ultrasonic sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrasonic reflection: Ultrasound

Implementation Method 3

The second sensor unit comprises at least one sensor selected from the group consisting of an ultrasonic sensor, an optical sensor, a magnetic sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field detection: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 4

The second sensor unit comprises at least one sensor selected from the group consisting of an ultrasonic sensor, an optical sensor, a magnetic sensor, a displacement sensor, and a capacitive sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentEP3480794B1Paper sheet identification system and paper sheet identification method
Publication Date: 2022.06.08 GLORY LTD
  • EP3480794B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3480794B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3480794B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides a sheet identification device and a sheet identification method capable of meeting a wider variety of requests. The sheet identification device of the present invention is configured to identify a sheet under transportation. The device includes a standard identifier and an option attachment member to which an optional identifier is attachable. The standard identifier includes a standard sensor unit including an optical line sensor and a standard controller configured to control the standard sensor unit and identify a type of the sheet based on an output from the standard sensor unit. The optional identifier includes an optional sensor unit configured to execute a different sensing operation from a sensing operation executed by the standard sensor unit and an optional controller configured to control the optional sensor unit.