Abstract:
A detection level calibration method and an apparatus thereof for counterfeit detectors includes a recognition module in a counterfeit detector to scan and detect a calibration object fed into the counterfeit detector to get an actual recognition characteristic value. Through the actual recognition characteristic value, an actuation setting value of the recognition module is restored to a preset recognition characteristic value. Thereby the conventional manual fine-tuning calibration mode can be replaced by the automatic scanning recognition mode. Calibration process of the counterfeit detector can be performed more conveniently.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a detection level calibration method and apparatus for counterfeit banknote detectors and particularly to a method and an apparatus that perform detection level calibration through an automatically scanning mode via a calibration object.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     In the financial market bank notes are circulated widely at a huge amount. Hence fake bank notes often become pursuing targets of unlawful gangsters. To thwart this threat, every country often tries to produce a dedicated bank note detection mechanism to weed out the fake bank notes. The commonly used mechanism is optical detection mode or magnetic flux detection mode. The design of counterfeit detectors generally is divided into hand-held type or standing type for detecting fake single currency or multiple currencies.  
         [0003]     Whatever the detection technique adopted in the counterfeit detector, each producer of the counterfeit detector has its own specifications that are slightly different. Hence the machine has to go through a calibration process before being put to practical use. After the counterfeit detector has been used for a period of time, elements in the machine for detection wear out in varying degrees. Hence a periodical calibration is needed. Then erroneous detection could happen when performing detection of different currencies. The present level calibration techniques of the counterfeit detector mostly adopt mechanical type that is adjusted manually. The general users cannot do calibration process. In the manual calibration mode, the entire counterfeit detector has to be disassembled to perform the calibration process. This is tedious and time-consuming. Moreover, after the counterfeit detector has been assembled again, it often happens that the recognition module is not being installed correctly on the original location. This causes malfunction of the machine and erroneous detection. It creates a lot of troubles to users.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     Therefore the primary object of the present invention is to solve the aforesaid disadvantages. The present invention provides an automatic scanning recognition mode to substitute the conventional manual fine tuning calibration mode. By means of the invention, users can perform calibration process by themselves. The invention provides a calibration object that has a preset detection level to be input into a counterfeit detector to be scanned and detected by a recognition module to get an actual recognition characteristic value. The actual recognition characteristic value alters an actuation setting value of the recognition module to a preset recognition characteristic value. Then the elements inside the machine can automatically execute digital transformation to perform level calibration process.  
         [0005]     The foregoing, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0006]      FIG. 1  is the flow chart of an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0007]      FIG. 2  is the flow chart of another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0008]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the counterfeit detector of the present invention.  
         [0009]      FIG. 4  is a plane view of the calibration object of the present invention.  
         [0010]      FIG. 5  is a schematic view of the counterfeit detector of the present invention in the calibration process.  
         [0011]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view of the calibration object.  
         [0012]      FIG. 7  is a schematic view of the recognition modules of the present invention in the calibration process. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0013]     Please referring to  FIGS. 3 through 7 , the present invention aims to provide a detection level calibration apparatus for a counterfeit detector  10 . The counterfeit detector  10  has a bank note passage  11  and a bank note conveying mechanism  12  corresponding to the bank note passage  11  to transport a calibration object  20  into the bank note passage  11 . The counterfeit detector  10  also has recognition modules S 1 , S 2  and S 3  to generate induction for bank notes passing through the bank note passage  11 . The recognition modules S 1 , S 2  and S 3  may be optical detectors, magnetic detectors or combinations thereof. The counterfeit detector  10  further has a display screen  13  to display conditions of the recognition modules S 1 , S 2  and S 3 , and a calibration and operation zone  14 . The main feature of the invention is the calibration object  20  which can be fed into the bank note passage  11  and detected by the recognition modules S 1 , S 2  and S 3 . The calibration object  20  has induction zones  21  which have a preset detection level. In an embodiment of the invention, the calibration object  20  has the induction zones  21  and blank zones  22  spaced from each other. Depending on different detection characteristics of the recognition modules S 1 , S 2  and S 3 , the induction zones  21  are formed by printing with ink on one or both surfaces of the calibration object  20  in response to the detection wavelength of different optical detectors. Referring to  FIG. 6 , the induction zones  21  consist of a plurality of induction layers  211  and  212  of varying thickness. In response to the magnetic detectors, the induction zones  21  are formed by printing with metalic material so that the recognition modules S 1 , S 2  and S 3  can detect the induction zones  21  and update actuation setting values of the recognition modules S 1 , S 2  and S 3 .  
         [0014]     Also referring to  FIG. 1 , when the counterfeit detector  10  is shipped or being used for a period of time and level error occurs, users can perform level calibration by means of the recognition modules S 1 , S 2  and S 3 . First, fabricate and prepare the calibration object  20  with a detection level corresponding to a preset recognition characteristic value generated by the recognition modules S 1 , S 2  and S 3  in the counterfeit detector  10 . And a level database is set up in advance in the counterfeit detector  10 . The level database, based on an actual recognition characteristic value generated according to the detection level, establishes actuation setting values of the recognition modules S 1 , S 2  and S 3  to restore the preset recognition characteristic value. When users, through the calibration and operation zone  14 , set the counterfeit detector  10  to process calibration and input the calibration object  20  to perform detection, the display screen  13  displays the number of the recognition modules S 1 , S 2  and S 3 . When the calibration object  20  enters the counterfeit detector  10  and is detected by the recognition modules S 1 , S 2  and S 3  for the detection level, the actual recognition characteristic value is generated. In the event that the actual recognition characteristic value is same as the preset recognition characteristic value, return to the previous step. In the event that the actual recognition characteristic value is different from the preset recognition characteristic value, the actual recognition characteristic value is mapped against the level database to get the actuation setting values of the recognition modules S 1 , S 2  and S 3  to restore the correct preset recognition characteristic value for the recognition modules S 1 , S 2  and S 3  in the counterfeit detector  10 . The detection level is laid on the calibration object  20  in a spaced manner. During the detection process multiple sets of the actual recognition characteristic value are generated. And an average actual recognition characteristic value is derived by processing. Based on different characteristics of the recognition modules S 1 , S 2  and S 3 , the detection level may be magnetic flux or photosensitive energy. Referring to  FIG. 7 , the display screen  13  displays the condition after calibration of the recognition modules S 1 , S 2  and S 3  has been performed. The symbol “X” for the recognition modules S 1 , S 2  and S 3  shown on the display screen  13  indicates that the actual recognition characteristic value exceeds the maximum setting value in the level database, and the marked recognition modules S 1 , S 2  and S 3  are damaged and have to be replaced. The symbol “/” for the recognition modules S 1 , S 2  and S 3  shown on the display screen  13  indicates that the recognition modules S 1 , S 2  and S 3  could be deviated when the calibration object  20  is input and determination cannot be done effectively, or error occurs to the level calibration. Then users can re-do input of the calibration object  20  to continue the calibration process to get the accurate level for all of the recognition modules S 1 , S 2  and S 3 .  
         [0015]     Refer to  FIG. 2  for another embodiment of the invention corresponding to a different software design. It also starts by preparing the calibration object  20  with a detection level formed thereon. However, the interior of the counterfeit detector  10  establishes a level database for setting up the actuation setting values of the recognition modules S 1 , S 2  and S 3  based on the preset recognition characteristic value generated according to the detection level, and establishes a variation database for setting up the actuation setting values of the recognition modules S 1 , S 2  and S 3  based on the actual recognition characteristic value generated according to the detection level. When the calibration object  20  enters the counterfeit detector  10  and is detected, the actual recognition characteristic value is mapped against the variation database to get a new actuation setting value for the recognition modules S 1 , S 2  and S 3 ; then a replacing mode or variation process mode is employed to update the level database, and the level database is processed and updated through the variation database to restore the actuation setting values corresponding to the correct preset recognition characteristic value for the recognition modules S 1 , S 2  and S 3  in the counterfeit detector  10 . In order to achieve correct level calibration, after the update process the level database has been finished, the calibration object  20  may be input repeatedly to perform the detection process to get a more accurate and updated level database. Or the detection level is laid on the calibration object  20  in a spaced manner, and multiple sets of the actual recognition characteristic value are generated during the detection process. Each time the actual recognition characteristic value is generated, a process is done to update the level database. Or an average actual recognition characteristic value is derived by calculation to perform the process. Whatever the process of the software design, the calibration object  20  can be used to perform level calibration process for the recognition modules S 1 , S 2  and S 3  without disassembling the counterfeit detector  10 . And the conditions of the recognition modules S 1 , S 2  and S 3  can be displayed on the display screen  13  to enable users to recognize and determine whether the recognition modules S 1 , S 2  and S 3  are no longer usable and require replacement.  
         [0016]     While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been set forth for the purpose of disclosure, modifications of the disclosed embodiments of the invention as well as other embodiments thereof may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to cover all embodiments which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.