Abstract: A sheet recognizing device and method for precisely checking the authentication of a sheet by performing recognition of color and watermark of a sheet and detecting the subtle characteristic of a hue ink printed on one side of the sheet.

Abstract: A sheet recognizing device and method for precisely checking the authentication of a sheet by performing recognition of color and watermark of a sheet and detecting the subtle characteristic of a hue ink printed on one side of the sheet.

Abstract: A banknote identifying machine and method for testing a banknote for genuineness stably without being affected by a sensor or contamination on the banknote. Transmission photosensors 61 are moved over a banknote to be tested to scan the banknote with a light beam along reading lines L to obtain patterns of an amount of transmitted light through the banknote (FIGS. 3(b) and 3(c)). Patterns (1a, 1b) of an amount of transmitted light corresponding to watermark portions are evaluated with maximum values (11, 12) of patterns of an amount of transmitted light corresponding to ordinary design portions other than the watermarks to determine whether or not there is any watermark in the banknote and to authenticate it.

Abstract: A coin metal processing device and a method of controlling the device, where whether or not a metal-coin is acceptable and value information etc. for the metal-coin can be set, and where both ordinary coins and metal-coins cam be used. A setting portion (5) is operated to shift a coin metal processing device (1) to a metal-coin setting mode, coins with the value equivalent to a set value are dropped in, and the value of coins identified is memorized in a memory (9). A predetermined number of coins are collected at any time by a characteristics data collecting portion (6) and stored in a characteristics data-storing portion (7). A characteristics data analyzing portion (8) analyzes whether or not the characteristics data overlap with characteristics data of each coin and further analyzes whether or not variations of the characteristics data are within a specified value. A control portion (2) sets reception of the metal-coins based on the result of the analysis.

Abstract: A coin dispenser capable of shortening a coin delivery time and extending the operation life of a coin delivery mechanism part by reducing the number of idle striking operations and a control method for the coin dispenser, the method comprising the steps of, based on the counted results of a deliverability counter for counting coins accumulated in coin tubes for each coin tube, detecting, as the idle-struck coin tube, the coin tube in which a coin is newly accumulated when the number of the accumulated coins is less that a specified quantity and, when delivering the coins, performing the idle striking operation for performing a delivery operation in the state of prohibiting the delivery of the coins from the coin tube only when the idle-struck coin tube is detected.

Abstract: A banknote identifying machine and method for testing a banknote for genuineness stably without being affected by a sensor or contamination on the banknote. Transmission photosensors 61 are moved over a banknote to be tested to scan the banknote with a light beam along reading lines L to obtain patterns of an amount of transmitted light through the banknote (FIGS. 3(b) and 3(c)). Patterns (1a, 1b) of an amount of transmitted light corresponding to watermark portions are evaluated with maximum values (11, 12) of patterns of an amount of transmitted light corresponding to ordinary design portions other than the watermarks to determine whether or not there is any watermark in the banknote and to authenticate it.

Abstract: An automatic vending machine which is highly reliable and which does not require any complicated operations when performing sales using a non-contact IC card, and a sales method therefor are provided. When a non-contact IC card is held up for a first time against an automatic vending machine in standby mode, monetary amount information on the card is displayed on a display section without any monetary amount information being extracted from the card, whereupon the lamps of product selection buttons corresponding to products which are available for sale are illuminated. After a product has been selected, the non-contact IC card is held up for a second time, whereupon payment processing is performed such that the monetary amount information on the card is updated.

Abstract: An automatic vending machine which is highly reliable and which does not require any complicated operations when performing sales using a non-contact IC card, and a sales method therefor are provided. When a non-contact IC card is held up for a first time against an automatic vending machine in standby mode, monetary amount information on the card is displayed on a display section without any monetary amount information being extracted from the card, whereupon the lamps of product selection buttons corresponding to products which are available for sale are illuminated. After a product has been selected, the non-contact IC card is held up for a second time, whereupon payment processing is performed such that the monetary amount information on the card is updated.

Abstract: In quantitatively detecting light permeated through or reflected from a paper sheet in order to detect optical characteristics of the paper sheet, an optical paper sheet checking apparatus detects with stability and optimum precision.

Abstract: Detected data for a plurality of predetermined positions on a particular bill to be identified are each converted into relative-value data to a minimum value of the detected data for the individual positions, to extract a characteristic pattern of designs printed on the bill. The relative-value data are normalized by use of a relative value standard average to provide adjusted sample data. Then, for each of the positions, a distance value indicating how many times a difference of the adjusted sample data from the standard average is greater than a standard deviation (namely, standardization variable) is evaluated, to effect further normalization. The bill is then identified by judging whether or not the thus-normalized adjusted sample data, i.e., distance value for each of the positions, falls within a predetermined determination-standard-value range.

Abstract: The invention provides a money sorting method and unit that can detect such a counterfeit as foreign money for which material, outer diameter and other features are very similar to a genuine coin, and that can decrease damage caused by the continuous trial of entry of counterfeit money. Sensors detect the material of a coin entered from a coin entry section, and at the same time, the outer diameter of the coin is detected by three sensors with a highly accurate method utilizing time ratio, pattern on the surface of the rolling coin is detected by converting output of the sensors to a basic pattern, and genuineness of the entered coin is judged based on these detection results.

Abstract: The invention provides a money sorting method and unit that can detect such a counterfeit as foreign money for which material, outer diameter and other features are very similar to a genuine coin, and that can decrease damage caused by the continuous trial of entry of counterfeit money. Sensors detect the material of a coin entered from a coin entry section, and at the same time, the outer diameter of the coin is detected by three sensors with a highly accurate method utilizing time ratio, pattern on the surface of the rolling coin is detected by converting output of the sensors to a basic pattern, and genuineness of the entered coin is judged based on these detection results.

Abstract: A coin handling mechanism includes a counter for counting coins incoming and outgoing to and from a cassette-type coin storage tube. In response to detection of temporary detachment of the cassette during collection of the stored coins from the tube, the counted value of the counter is initially set to a predetermined value. Then, in response to activation of a predetermined switch during next collection of the stored coins from the tube, a determination is made as to whether the current value of the counter is greater than the initially-set predetermined value. If so, a specific number of the coins corresponding to a difference between the current value and the initially-set predetermined value are automatically paid out from the tube, but if not, the cassette is temporarily detached for manual supply of a necessary number of additional coins to the tube without the stored coins being paid out from the tube.

Abstract: A papers discriminating device which improves the accuracy in true or false judgment of imitation papers which are made by pasting parts of genuine papers on other papers. To a conventional process, a process is added in which the colors and shades of paper detected by a sensor are taken and analyzed by a CPU, the number of peaks of the entire shades and characteristic parts of the paper is examined for truth or falsehood by the CPU on the basis of the number of peaks of the shades, a ratio of peak level difference, and a combination pattern of the peak position and peak level.

Abstract: A sensor section for obtaining identification data from a bill passing through a bill transfer path can selectively be mounted in a plurality of positions on the body of a bill identifying apparatus. The sensor section is mounted in one of the mounting positions, and a certain region of the bill passing through the transfer path is sensed by means of a sensor section to obtain identification data. When the use of forged bill is identified by the bill identifying apparatus, or after the machine has been used for a predetermined time, the mounting position of the sensor section is changed to another one. Thereupon, the sensor section senses other region of the bill passing through the transfer path to obtain identification data. Thus, the sensor section can easily cope with the use of the counterfeit bill even if the bill identifying apparatus is designed to be capable of sensing only a part of the whole area of the bill.

Abstract: An apparatus for identifying a paper currency. Before the front end of the currency is detected by optical sensors, the output signal (DATA1) from the optical sensors is stored in a first storage device. When the rear end of the currency subsequently passes across the sensors and the currency is no longer detected by the sensors, the output signal (DATA3) from the sensors is stored in a second storage device. If any currency-withdrawing device such as cord or tape is not attached to the currency, the DATA1 is equal to the DATA3 because these two kinds of data indicate the state in which nothing is present in the currency conveyance passageway. If such a currency-withdrawing device is attached to the currency, light from light-emitting devices is blocked or reflected by the cord or tape, thus varying the DATA3. However, the DATA1 is not affected. As a result, the DATA1 becomes unequal to the DATA3.

Abstract: In a vending machine for which both money and a prepaid card can be used, a writing-instruction switch is provided for controlling of amount information into the card. When the writing-instruction switch has been actuated, the amount of inserted money and the credited value of the card are added up and the sum is written into the card for renewing its credited value. In this manner, it becomes possible to additionally renew the amount recorded in the prepaid card. Further, an amount selector may be provided for selecting an amount to be added to a prepaid card. On condition that money of an amount not smaller than the amount selected by the amount selector has been inserted, the selected amount and the recorded amount of the card are added up for renewing the recorded amount of the card. Thus, it becomes possible to write a desired amount into an already issued prepaid card.

Abstract: A card puncher for punching as a yardstick of use a card for getting coupon tickets on and used as tickets on omibuses and electric trains, and a method of controlling the card puncher. Data on a target quantity of conveyance of the card correponding to a position where the card is punched is stored in memory. A card conveyer is driven to convey the card by a quantity corresponding to data on the target quantity of conveyance stored in the memeory. A quantity of coast of the card after the drive of the card conveyer is teminated is measured. If the sum of the target quantity of conveyance and the measured quantity of coast of the card is within a predetermined allowable limit, the card is punched. If otherwise, data on the target quantity of conveyance in the memory is corrected such that the sum falls within the predetermined allowable limit, the card is returned to a position where the punching starts and the punching operation is retried.

Abstract: A printed paper dispensing apparatus for dispensing a predetermined number of printed papers in the form of bank notes, tickets or the like printed matter and a method of controlling the foregoing apparatus. In a case where a required number of bank notes move past abnormal bank note detecting sensors without abnormal bank notes detected thereby so that they are placed one above another in a layered structure on a belt conveyer, all the bank notes on the belt conveyer are conveyed to a dispensing outlet port after a predetermined period of time elapses after the last bank note has moved past the abnormal bank note detecting sensors. In a case where an abnormality is detected with the respective bank notes while they are placed on the belt conveyer in that way, the bank notes are introduced into an abnormal bank note receiving portion.

Abstract: An automatic vending machine is provided which has a continuous sale controller for continuously selling a plurality of products within a total amount of coins inserted therein for a single purchase. Until the outstanding balance becomes zero single sale operations are stored in a single sale operation memory. When a count of a counter reaches a reference number while the single sale operations are being stored, a reference number detector generates an output. The regular sales price supplied from a product sales price generator to the continuous sale controller is updated to a discount price when an output is generated from the reference number detector.