Optical sensor for detecting valuable documents and method for keeping a sensor window of the sensor clean

In a method for keeping clean a sensor window of an optical sensor for detecting value documents and/or at least one property of value documents which is disposed with at least one portion in a beam path of the sensor, a gas film attached to a surface of the portion is generated on the portion of the sensor window from gas moving relative to the portion.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to an optical sensor for detecting value documents and/or at least one optical property of value documents which has a sensor window, and to a method for keeping clean the sensor window of the sensor.

BACKGROUND

Value documents are understood here to be sheet-shaped objects that are to represent for example a monetary value or an authorization and are hence not to be producible at will by unauthorized persons. Hence, they have features that are not easily produced, in particular copied, whose presence is an indication of authenticity, i.e. production by an authorized body. Important examples of such value documents are chip cards, coupons, vouchers, checks and in particular bank notes.

Such value documents, in particular for example bank notes, are often processed by machine. Firstly, upon the transport of such value documents along a transport path of a value-document processing apparatus it is often necessary to check whether, or when, a value document passes a predetermined place. For such a check or detection of a value document there can be employed for example optical sensors in the form of light barriers which have a radiation source for optical radiation of at least one predetermined wavelength as a transmitter and a photodetector for radiation of the predetermined wavelength as a receiver. To avoid soiling of these components for example by dust, or damage by value documents being transported past, there is often located between said components and the transport path a sensor window which is transparent to the employed optical radiation. However, during operation of the apparatus said sensor window also becomes soiled after a certain operation period and must then be cleaned to guarantee trouble-free operation.

Corresponding problems occur with optical sensors serving to detect at least one optical property of value documents, in particular to recognize the type of value documents, for example the denomination of bank notes, or the authenticity of value documents. These also have, for example between the transport path and a detector, at least one sensor window transparent to the employed optical radiation which protects at least part of the sensor, for example the detector, but can itself become soiled and then impair the functioning of the sensor.

For keeping clean the sensor windows they can be periodically cleaned, but this can be elaborate.

SUMMARY

Hence, the present invention is based on the object of providing an optical sensor for detecting value documents and/or at least one optical property of value documents which makes it possible to keep clean a sensor window of the sensor simply and effectively, and of stating a corresponding method for keeping clean the sensor window of the sensor.

This object is achieved by a method for keeping clean a sensor window of an optical sensor for detecting value documents and/or at least one optical property of value documents which is disposed with at least one portion in a beam path of the sensor wherein on the portion of the sensor window a gas film attached to a surface of the portion is generated from gas moving relative to the portion.

The detection of a value document is understood here to mean in particular that it is checked whether a value document is located in a predetermined spatial area, the detection area, and/or whether it is passing a predetermined spatial area, i.e. the detection area. Depending on the result of the check the sensor can then emit a signal indicating the result of the check.

The detection of an optical property of a value document is understood to mean in particular that the sensor emits, upon or after detection of at least a partial area of a value document, a signal representing an optical property of at least the partial area of the value document. During detection, the value document is located in the detection area of the sensor, whereby it can optionally be moving. The optical property can be for example the remissivity and/or transmissivity at a predetermined wavelength of the optical radiation employed by the sensor. However, the optical property can also be the ability to emit luminescence radiation in a predetermined wave range, excited by radiation of at least one predetermined wavelength.

The optical sensor employs optical radiation, i.e. electromagnetic radiation in the ultraviolet and/or visible and/or infrared spectral range, in at least one predetermined wavelength range for detection. Depending on the type of sensor, the optical radiation can be optical radiation for irradiating the value document and/or emanating from the value document.

For separating at least one optical or optoelectronic element of the sensor, for example a detection device for at least part of the employed radiation and/or, if present, a source for at least part of the employed radiation, from the detection area in which the value document is located during detection, the sensor has the sensor window. This is, in the portion upon which at least part of the employed radiation impinges, at least translucent, preferably transparent, to at least part of the radiation employed by the sensor. Said separation permits protection of the corresponding optical or optoelectronic elements from mechanical damage, for example by a value document, and/or soiling from the detection area, for example of a portion of a transport path for transporting value documents past the sensor or through the sensor.

For keeping clean the portion of the sensor window, the gas film is formed. Gas is also understood within the scope of the present invention to be a gas mixture, in particular air.

The sensor window is not blown on with gas in any way here, but rather the gas is guided onto the portion of the sensor window so as to form a gas film attached to the portion. Hence, there is located above the portion a layer of moving gas which impairs, preferably prevents, an impingement of contaminants or dirt particles upon the portion of the sensor window. This can be effected for example by such contaminants or particles being transported away from the portion of the sensor window by the gas film before they can pass to the surface of the portion and accumulate thereon.

The gas film preferably covers the portion of the sensor window all over, the portion preferably having a surface area greater than 100 mm2.

The gas film can in particular be so generated that the Coanda effect occurs. Gas is thereby blown onto a surface so as to form a gas film attached to the surface and optionally following it along a curvature of the surface.

This use of a gas film has the further advantage that it can preferably be so configured that value documents transported past the portion of the sensor window at a small distance can be drawn by the gas film in the direction of the sensor window but without touching it. In this manner it is possible, depending on the configuration of a transport device for transporting the value documents, to do without guidance devices, for example transport belts, directly before the portion of the sensor window. This then permits a detection of a value document across its total width perpendicular to the transport direction.

For forming the gas film there are at least two possibilities, which can be employed alternatively or cumulatively.

According to the first possibility, in the method, the gas for forming the gas film is blown out of at least one blowing nozzle in a component adjacent to the sensor window. The object is then also achieved by a sensor for detecting value documents and/or at least one property of value documents in a detection area by means of optical radiation of at least one wavelength having a source for optical radiation and/or a detection device for optical radiation and at least one sensor window disposed in a beam path between the source or the detection device and the detection area, and at least one component having at least one blowing nozzle through which gas can be so blown out that on at least one portion of the sensor window a gas film attached to a surface of the portion is generated from gas moving relative to the portion. The blowing nozzle can in the simplest case be a portion of a channel, for example a mechanically or laser produced bore, in the component. This possibility offers the advantage that the blowing nozzle can be produced independently of the sensor window by methods coordinated only with the material of the component. Furthermore, a complete separation of sensor window and component is possible, so that the gas does not need to be guided through a portion of an internal space of the sensor.

Preferably, the component in which the at least one blowing nozzle is configured can also serve as a fastening element and/or sealing element for the sensor window and/or the total sensor. This double function permits a simple structure to be achieved.

Additionally or alternatively, the component can also serve as a mechanical guiding element for guiding the value document before the latter is separated from the sensor window portion by the gas film. In this case, too, the double function of the component permits a simplified structure of the sensor in connection with a transport system that transports the value documents to the sensor.

According to the second possibility, in the method, the gas for forming the gas film can be blown out of at least one blowing nozzle in the sensor window. Hence, the object is also achieved by a sensor for detecting value documents and/or at least one property of value documents in a detection area by means of optical radiation of at least one wavelength having a source for the optical radiation and/or a detection device for the optical radiation and at least one sensor window disposed in an optical path between the source or the detection device and the detection area, said sensor window having at least one blowing nozzle through which gas can be so blown out that on at least one portion of the sensor window a gas film attached to a surface of the portion is generated from gas moving relative to the portion.

The following developments and embodiments relate to both above-described possibilities, unless expressly stated otherwise.

In principle the blowing nozzle can be configured at will, provided it is suitable for forming the gas film. In the sensor, the ratio of the length of the portion of the sensor window in the flow direction of the gas in the gas film (on the portion) to the extension of the blowing nozzle in the flow direction of the gas on the portion and in a plane parallel to the gas film on the portion can preferably be greater than 50. If the blowing nozzle has a circular cross section, its extension in the flow direction of the gas on the portion and in a plane parallel to the gas film on the portion can correspond approximately to its diameter, depending on the inclination of the blowing nozzle. Because the gas film is attached to the surface of the sensor window portion, a length or extension in a plane parallel to the gas film can be replaced at least in very good approximation by the corresponding length or extension parallel to the sensor window. This embodiment permits an especially good formation of the gas film at small blowing nozzle diameters and thus low gas consumption.

To achieve a gas film attached to the portion of the sensor window especially uniformly, in the method, the gas is preferably blown out at an angle in the range between 5° and 45°, preferably 15° and 35°, to a plane parallel to the portion of the sensor window. In the sensor, for this purpose, an angle between a blow-out direction in which gas exits from the blowing nozzle and a plane parallel to the portion of the sensor window is in the range between 5° and 45°, preferably 15° and 35°.

Also, it has been found that an especially uniformly attached gas film is attained at low gas consumption when, in the method, in a preferred embodiment, the width of a stream formed by the blown out gas immediately at an opening of the blowing nozzle parallel to the flow direction on the portion and in a plane parallel to the flow direction of the gas in the gas film on the portion is in the range between 0.1 mm and 0.2 mm. In the sensor, for this purpose, the extension of the blowing nozzle in the flow direction of the gas in the gas film above the portion and in a plane parallel to the flow direction of the gas in the gas film on the portion can preferably be in the range between 0.1 mm and 0.2 mm.

Preferably, in the sensor, the blowing nozzle has a circular cross section at least in the area of its mouth. This design permits not only an especially simple production, but also allows a good formation of the gas film.

In many applications, the portion of the sensor window can have approximately the form of a rectangle whose sides are longer than only one to two millimeters. In particular in these cases it is preferable, in the method, that the gas film is formed by blowing out the gas through a plurality of blowing nozzles. The sensor has, for this purpose, at least one further blowing nozzle through which gas for forming the gas film can be blown out. The blowing nozzles can for this purpose be in particular so configured and disposed that the gas streams exiting from the individual blowing nozzles together form the gas film.

The blowing nozzles are preferably configured in the same component or sensor window. Further, they are preferably configured identically.

The blowing nozzles can be disposed in principle at will, provided the gas streams exiting therefrom together form the gas film. An especially uniform, wide film can be formed when, in the sensor, in a preferred embodiment, the blowing nozzles are disposed in a direction perpendicular to a transport direction of the value documents relative to the sensor. In particular, the blowing nozzles can be so aligned that the flow direction of the gas in the gas film extends at least approximately parallel to the transport direction, preferably in the transport direction.

Preferably, mutually adjacent blowing nozzles are at a distance in the range of 2 mm to 5 mm.

Instead of employing a plurality of blowing nozzles for example with a circular cross section in the area of the mouth, however, there can also be employed a blowing nozzle with a slot-shaped cross section, the slot preferably extending perpendicular to the flow direction of the gas in the gas film.

The blowing nozzle or blowing nozzles are disposed at a suitable distance from the portion of the sensor window to be kept clean, which can depend inter alia on the flow velocity of the gas in the particular nozzle as well as the form, dimensioning and inclination of the particular nozzle. Preferably, the distance is between 2 mm and 5 mm.

To permit the formation of the gas film and/or the attachment of the gas film to the portion of the sensor window to be improved, it is possible, in the method, to guide gas blown out of the at least one blowing nozzle, or the blowing nozzles if present, onto the portion by means of an arched guiding surface. In the sensor, there can, for this purpose, be disposed between the at least one blowing nozzle or the blowing nozzles and the portion of the sensor window at least one arched guiding surface by means of which the gas film is guided to the at least one portion of the sensor window. This can advantageously result in additional design options for the sensor, in particular also a reduced size.

The blowing nozzle can be supplied in any way with gas for forming the gas film. In particular, the sensor can have a gas feeding device which supplies gas to the at least one blowing nozzle, so that gas is so blown out therethrough that on at least one portion of the sensor window a gas film attached to a surface of the portion is generated from gas moving relative to the portion. The gas feeding device employed may be for example a gas pump or a gas compressor. In some cases it is also possible, however, to employ a gas tank in connection with a valve by means of which a gas stream can be delivered from the gas tank to the blowing nozzle or blowing nozzles.

If the sensor possesses a plurality of blowing nozzles, gas can be supplied thereto individually by corresponding gas feeding devices; but preferably there is provided a common gas feeding device which supplies the blowing nozzles with gas via a suitable supply device, for example an individual supply pipe leading to the blowing nozzle. Alternatively, it can be recommendable that the at least one blowing nozzle opens into a chamber in which the source and/or the detection device and/or another optical element of the sensor is disposed and which is supplied with gas by the gas feeding device.

The invention is suited in particular for sensors for detecting bank notes or properties of bank notes and particularly for use in bank-note processing apparatuses.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSURE

A value-document processing apparatus10inFIG. 1, in the example a bank-note processing apparatus, has in a housing12an input pocket14for inputting value documents16to be processed, in the example bank notes, a singler18which can access value documents16in the input pocket14, a transport device20with gates22and, in branches of a transport path24given by the transport device20, after the gates22, in each case output pockets26for receiving value documents processed by means of the value-document processing apparatus10, with stacker wheels28disposed therebefore. Further, the bank-note processing apparatus10possesses along the transport path24given by the transport device20a sensor assembly30disposed before the gates22for detecting properties of bank notes16transported along the transport path24, as well as a control and evaluation device32which is connected via signal connections at least to the sensor assembly30and the gates22and is configured for evaluating sensor signals of the sensor assembly30representing at least one property of a value document16detected by the sensor assembly30, and driving at least one of the gates22in accordance with the result of the evaluation of the sensor signals.

The sensor assembly30comprises in this exemplary embodiment a sensor34for detecting optical properties of security features of bank notes, for example predetermined luminescent substances, and/or of an image of the bank notes, for example for checking for tears, and for ascertaining the denomination of the bank notes. The sensor assembly can further comprise for example an ultrasonic sensor (not shown inFIG. 1) for detecting the state of value documents, for example the presence of adhesive tape.

On the transport path24before the sensor assembly30in the transport direction there is disposed a sensor36for detecting value documents in the form of a light barrier, in the example employing a light curtain, which upon detection of a value document emits a signal to the sensor assembly30via a connection (not shown), thereby triggering the detection of the properties of the value document by the sensor assembly30.

The control and evaluation device32detects the signals of the sensor assembly30and checks in the example which denomination a bank note16detected by the sensor assembly30has and whether it is in a circulable state, i.e. suitable for further use as a means of payment, according to at least one predetermined criterion in each case, and authentic. In accordance with the result of the check, the bank note16drives at least one of the gates22such that the bank note is conveyed by the transport device20into an output pocket26associated with the check result or corresponding to a certain predetermined type of bank notes, and is stored there.

Upon the processing of value documents there arises dirt, for example dust, in the processing apparatus, which can settle on the optical sensor34or the light barrier36and impair the functioning thereof.

InFIG. 2the optical sensor34, which serves to detect luminescence properties of value documents transported past it through its detection area38in the transport direction T, is shown schematically in a lateral sectional view, and inFIG. 3from above.

The sensor34has an illumination device40for emitting optical excitation radiation, in the example the type of the value documents to be examined has a predetermined wavelength in the range in the infrared spectral range, and a detection device42for receiving in spectrally resolved fashion luminescence radiation excited by the excitation radiation in the value document16located in the detection area38in a predetermined detection wavelength range. The excitation wavelength range and the wavelength range for the luminescence radiation are given by the types of value documents to be examined. Authentic value documents contain at least one substance in which luminescence radiation in the detection wavelength range is excited by the predetermined excitation radiation. The illumination device40and the detection device42are separated by a sensor window44from the detection area38and thus the value documents16transported therethrough. The sensor window is transparent at least in the wavelength range of the excitation radiation and the detection wavelength range. It is held on a further component, a fastening frame46, so that the sensor window44, the fastening frame46and a housing bottom portion (not shown in the figures) of the sensor receive the illumination device and the detection device42and shield them from dirt, in particular dust, from the surroundings in the value-document processing apparatus10.

The illumination device40has a source48for the excitation radiation, for example a gas discharge lamp or a laser diode, and therebehind in the illumination beam path an illumination optic50, which in the example has a filter passing substantially only the excitation radiation, and an illumination optic which focuses the excitation radiation into the detection area38along an illumination area extending perpendicular to the transport direction T across the total maximum width of the types of bank notes intended for checking.

The detection device42has, in the example, along a detection beam path starting from the illuminated area of the value document16in the detection area38a detection optic52which images at least part of the area illuminated by the excitation radiation on a value document16in the detection area38onto a spectrally sensitive detector54for spectrally selective detection of the luminescence radiation, and the detector54. In this example, the detector is a line detector with an upstream narrowband filter which passes substantially only radiation in the predetermined detection wavelength range. The detector possesses for locally resolved detection of the luminescence radiation photodetection elements disposed along a line perpendicular to the transport direction T, which convert luminescence radiation impinging thereupon to electrical detection signals.

For detecting the luminescence properties, the sensor is operated in pulsed fashion, for which purpose it has a control means56which drives the illumination device to emit excitation radiation pulses and, temporally coordinated therewith, the detection device42to detect detection radiation pulses excited by the excitation radiation pulses. Said control means56relays detection signals received from the detection device42, after further processing, to the control and evaluation device32.

In the optical paths, formed by the illumination beam path into the detection area38as well as the detection beam path, between the radiation source48or the detection device42and the detection area38or the value document16there is disposed the sensor window44in which there are configured upstream of the detection area38, regarded in the transport direction T, along a line extending perpendicular to the transport direction T, blowing nozzles58—identically configured in this example—which are formed by the mouths of blowing channels60extending linearly through the sensor window44.

The blowing channels60and thus the blowing nozzles58are inclined at an angle α relative to the plane of the sensor window. The gas feeding device62and the blowing nozzles58are configured to be so coordinated with each other that the gas exits from the blowing nozzles58at the angle α in the direction of the transport of the value documents16. The angle is in the range between 5° and 45°, preferably 15° and 35°, in the example 25°.

For feeding the blowing nozzles58with a gas, in the example air, there is provided a gas feeding device62which comprises a pump64and a supply pipe66connecting said pump to the blowing channels60and thus the blowing nozzles58.

The diameter of the blowing channels60and thus also of the blowing nozzles58and of the respective gas stream exiting therefrom immediately at the blowing nozzle can in general be preferably between 0.1 and 0.2 mm. In the example it is chosen to be about 0.15 mm.

The distance between adjacent blowing nozzles58, i.e. the length of the shortest connection line between the edges of two adjacent blowing nozzles, can be between 2 mm and 5 mm; in the example it is chosen to be 3 mm.

The configuration of the individual blowing nozzles58, the distance between the blowing nozzles58and the strength of the gas stream are so chosen that a planar gas film70attached to a surface of a portion68, located in the detection area, of the sensor window44is generated from gas moving relative to the portion68. The configuration and arrangement of the blowing nozzles58as well as the strength of the gas stream are preferably so chosen that the gas film70is attached to the portion68as a result of the Coanda effect. In the example, the portion68is longer in the transport direction than 1 cm and thus more than ten times longer than the extension of the blowing nozzles58in the plane of the sensor window68and thus a transport plane extending parallel thereto.

Although pulsed operation is conceivable, the gas film70is preferably formed continuously at least while an individual value document16is being transported past, preferably while the stream is being processed in the case of processing of a stream of singled value documents generated for example from a stack.

In this manner, dirt moving in the direction of the sensor window44cannot pass onto the portion68of the sensor window44, but is rather kept off the sensor window44and guided away by the gas film70. At the same time, there can result a force directed in the direction of the sensor window44on a value document16transported past.

In a variant of this exemplary embodiment, the detection device42can also be given by a spectrometer.

A second exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG. 4differs from the first exemplary embodiment only by the gas supply to the blowing channels60and by the sensor34′. Hence, the same reference signs are employed for unchanged parts as in the first exemplary embodiment and the explanations thereof also apply here accordingly.

The optical sensor34′ now serves to detect an image of a value document16transported past it, in the visible part of the optical spectrum, and possesses, like the sensor34, an illumination device40′ and a detection device42′.

The illumination device40′ has a source48′ for white light and, in the optical path into the detection area, an illumination optic50′ which generates with the light of the source48′ in the detection area38a strip-shaped illumination area extending perpendicular to the transport direction.

The detection device42′ possesses along an optical path starting from the detection area38a detection optic52′ and a line camera54′ working in the visible range of the optical spectrum, whose detection elements are disposed in a line perpendicular to the transport direction T. The detection optic46′ images a part, located in the detection area38in the illumination area, of a value document16onto the line camera54′.

The illumination device40′ and the detection device42′ are again connected to a control means56′ which, like the control means56, drives the illumination device and the detection device in accordance with the transport speed in the known way such that an image of the value document is generated line by line.

Unlike the sensor of the first exemplary embodiment, the illumination device40′ and detection device42′ are disposed in a gastight chamber72closed by the sensor window44, into which the blowing channels60open, on the one hand, and which is connected to the pump64, on the other hand. The pump64and the chamber72thus form a gas supplying device by means of which gas can be so supplied to the blowing nozzles that the gas is so blown out therethrough that on the portion68of the sensor window44a gas film70attached to the surface of the portion68is generated from gas moving relative to the portion68.

A third exemplary embodiment inFIG. 5andFIG. 6differs from the first exemplary embodiment firstly in that the light barrier36is now constructed analogously to the sensor of the first exemplary embodiment, and secondly in that the blowing nozzles are now configured not in the otherwise unchanged sensor window but in another component of the sensor. Hence, the same reference signs are employed for corresponding parts as in the first exemplary embodiment and the explanations thereof also apply accordingly to this exemplary embodiment.

The sensor34″ serves only to detect a value document transported past in the manner of a transmitted light barrier with a light curtain. The sensor34″ has an illumination device40″ serving as a transmitter and, serving as a receiver, a detection device42″ for radiation of the illumination device40″ which detects radiation emitted thereby along an optical path through a transport plane along which the value documents are transported. The detection area38thus lies between the two devices. An evaluation device74drives the illumination device40″ to emit optical radiation and receives detection signals of the detection device42″ and evaluates them partly. In accordance with the result of the evaluation, the latter then drives the sensor assembly30.

The illumination device40″ has sources48″, disposed equidistantly along a line extending perpendicular to the transport direction T, for optical radiation for illuminating the detection area38, in the example light-emitting diodes, and in the optical path from the sources48″ to the detection device42″ an illumination optic50″ for focusing the radiation emitted by the sources48″.

The detection device42″ accordingly has a detector54″ with photodetection elements disposed along a line extending perpendicular to the transport direction T and each associated with one of the sources48″, and a detection optic50″″ for focusing the radiation of the sources48″ onto the particular photodetection elements.

The evaluation device74receives detection signals of the detection device42″, more precisely of the detectors therein, and ascertains whether the optical path from the illumination device40″ to the detection device42″ has been interrupted. In this case it outputs a corresponding signal. In a preferred variant, signals can be output separately for each of the photodetection elements. From the temporal position of the signals it can then be ascertained whether the leading edge of the value document extends orthogonally to the transport direction T or whether the value document is being transported askew.

Between the detection area38and the detection device42″ there is disposed the sensor window44″, which does not differ from the sensor window44except for configuration of the blowing channels. The portion68″ to be kept clean in the sensor window44comprises the area of the sensor window44″ illuminated by the radiation of the illumination device40″.

The sensor window44″ is held in a fastening frame46″ in which there are again configured blowing nozzles58which are formed by the mouth portions of blowing channels60″. These have two channel portions of which the channel portion76opening on the surface facing the detection area38is configured like the blowing channels60in the first exemplary embodiment. The second channel portions78are bent relative to the direction of the first channel portions and extend substantially orthogonally to the surface of the sensor window44″.

For feeding the blowing channels60″ with gas there is provided a gas feeding device which is configured as in the first exemplary embodiment, so that the same reference signs are employed therefor and the explanations apply here too.

In this manner, gas can be so blown out through the blowing nozzles that on the portion68″ of the sensor window44″ a gas film70attached to a surface of the portion68″ is generated from gas moving relative to the portion, which keeps the sensor window clean. This exemplary embodiment offers the advantage that the channels need not necessarily be configured in the sensor window, which is possibly more difficult to machine, but rather the material of the component, i.e. in the example the fastening frame, can be chosen accordingly.

In a variant of the sensor, the sensor can also be configured as a transmission sensor, instead of a light barrier.

Further, the illumination device and thus the sources58″ can also be disposed behind a sensor window, which can be configured like the sensor window44or44″. For supplying gas, either the same gas feeding device can be employed, or two separate feeding devices can be provided.

Different aspects of the exemplary embodiments can also be interchanged. Thus, the blowing nozzles can also be configured in the fastening frame in the first two exemplary embodiments.

Also, it is possible to configure an arched guiding surface downstream of the blowing nozzles, which improves the formation of the gas film.