Yuichi Obara

Magnetic and optical complex sensor unit

The authors developed a high-performance magnetic and optical complex sensor unit used for applications requiring high security, such as discrimination of notes, cards, etc. This new sensor unit has a sensor head constructed of a magnetic head and a reflective-type photo sensor embedded in a small gap of the magnetic head. And enables correct pattern recognition by optical information obtained together with conventional magnetic information. Traveling this sensor head in contact with the surface of the subject of discrimination can detect difference of reflectance at the same time as the magnetic detection at the same point of place. As a result it became possible to discriminate for example, bills of any size in any country.