IP Library Granted Patent US 7,167,247
Granted Patent B2
US 7,167,247 · App. 10/417,266 · Granted Jan 23, 2007

Paper quality discriminating machine

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,167,247
App. No.
10/417,266
Granted
Jan 23, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

The technique of the present invention enhances the stability of paper material identification of sheets. To achieve the above purpose, both short-wavelength light in the range of 370 nm and long-wavelength light in the range of 420 to 1000 nm are irradiated to paper to be identified in identifying the paper material. The identification is carried out, based on the difference in absorbance of the paper, which is obtained for each irradiated light. The absorbance of the paper varies according to the paper material, thereby enabling the identification of the paper material free from influence, which are caused by differences in manufacturing process, such as shading patterns. In addition, the simultaneous use of the short-wavelength light and the long-wavelength light declines influence on the absorbance, which are caused by environmental factors, such as humidity and deterioration of sheets, thereby resulting in stable identification of the paper material.

Claims (18)

1. A paper material identifying machine for identifying paper material comprising:

a first irradiating module irradiating first irradiated light to paper to be identified, the first irradiated light included in a first waveband;

a second irradiating module irradiating second irradiated light to the paper, the second irradiated light included in a second waveband different from the first waveband;

a first detecting module detecting a luminous intensity of first reflected light or first transmitted light, the first reflected light reflected from the paper by irradiating the first irradiated light to the paper, the first transmitted light transmitted through the paper by irradiating the first irradiated light to the paper;

a second detecting module detecting luminous intensity of second reflected light or second transmitted light, the second reflected light reflected from the paper by irradiating the second irradiated light to the paper, the second transmitted light transmitted through the paper by irradiating the second irradiated light to the paper;

a measuring module measuring a first ratio and a second ratio, the first ratio defined as a ratio between the intensity of the first irradiated light and that of the light detected by the first detecting module, the second ratio defined as a ratio between the intensity of the second irradiated light and that of the light detected by the second detecting module; and

an identification module identifying the paper material of the paper by comparing an evaluation value, defined by the first ratio and the second ratio, with prescribed standard values, wherein the evaluation value is defined by a following formula DA;

DA=A 1 −Ca ·A 2;

A 1 =L 1/ L 10 or A 1=log( L 1/ L 10)

A 2 =L 2/ L 20 or A 1=log( L 2/ L 20)

L10: representing the intensity of the first irradiated light

L20: representing the intensity of the second irradiated light

L1: representing the intensity of the first reflected light or the first transmitted light

L2: representing the intensity of the second reflected light or the second transmitted light

Ca: a parameter (arbitrary value).

2. A paper material identifying machine in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the first irradiated light includes short-wavelength light within the ultraviolet light range, and the second irradiated light includes long-wavelength light within the visible light or the infrared light range.

3. A paper material identifying machine in accordance with claim 2 , wherein the center wavelength of the short-wavelength light is in the range of 370± nm.

4. A paper material identifying machine in accordance with claim 2 , wherein the center wavelength of the long-wavelength light is in the range of 420 to 1000 nm.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 22, 2006
From: HITACHI, LTD.
To: HITACHI-OMRON TERMINAL SOLUTIONS CORP.
Reel/Frame 017344/0353 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 17, 2003
From: UEMURA, TOSHIRO; TAKEZAWA, YOSHITAKA; KANO, MITSUNARI; MIZUNO, EIJI; NAKAMURA, TOSHIAKI
To: HITACHI, LTD.
Reel/Frame 013985/0721 →