Paper sheet identification device and paper sheet identification method

Abstract

A paper sheet recognition apparatus can generate a subtracted reflective light image without increasing detection time. To that end, the operations of sensors are controlled in a plurality of phases. The phases include a phase (reflected infrared light 1) in which a first light emission unit emits light, a second light emission unit emits no light, and an optical sensor detects reflective light. In another phase, (reflected infrared light 2) the first light emission unit emits no light, the second light emission unit emits light, and the optical sensor detects reflective light. In at least one of these phases, a light emission unit emits light, and an optical sensor detects transmissive light.

Claims

1. A paper sheet recognition apparatus, comprising: a transport path on which paper sheets are transported; a first sensor which is opposed to a first face of each paper sheet being transported, and performs detection in a first recognition zone of the transport path; a second sensor which is opposed to a second face of each paper sheet being transported, and performs detection in a second recognition zone of the transport path; and a sensor controller which controls the first and second sensors, wherein the first sensor includes a first light emission unit and a second light emission unit which emit rays of light from mutually different directions to the first recognition zone, a first optical sensor which detects light reflected from the paper sheet in the first recognition zone, and a third light emission unit which emits light to the second recognition zone, the second sensor includes a second optical sensor which detects light transmitted through the paper sheet in the second recognition zone, the sensor controller controls operations of the first and second sensors, the operations being divided into a plurality of phases, the plurality of phases includes a first phase in which the first light emission unit emits light, the second light emission unit emits no light, and the first optical sensor detects reflective light, and a second phase in which the first light emission unit emits no light, the second light emission unit emits light, and the first optical sensor detects reflective light, and in at least one of the first phase or the second phase, the third light emission unit emits light, and the second optical sensor detects transmitted light.

2. The paper sheet recognition apparatus of claim 1, wherein the third light emission unit is able to emit rays of light of different wavelengths, and the sensor controller allows the third light emission unit to emit rays of light of mutually different wavelengths in the first and second phases, and allows the second optical sensor to detect transmitted light.

3. The paper sheet recognition apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: an image data generator unit which generates an image of the paper sheet from outputs of the first and second sensors, wherein the image data generator unit generates a first reflective light image from the output of the first sensor in the first phase and a second reflective light image from the output of the first sensor in the second phase, and generates a subtracted reflective light image from a difference between the first reflective light image and the second reflective light image.

4. The paper sheet recognition apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second sensor further includes a fourth light emission unit and a fifth light emission unit which emit rays of light in mutually different directions to the second recognition zone, and the plurality of phases includes a third phase in which the first and second light emission units emit light and the first optical sensor detects reflective light, and the fourth and fifth light emission units emit light and the second optical sensor detects reflective light.

5. The paper sheet recognition apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second light emission units includes a light guide extending in a principal scanning direction of the first optical sensor, and illuminators respectively provided at ends of the light guide, the first and second light emission units being arranged in parallel with each other.

6. The paper sheet recognition apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second light emission units includes a light guide extending in a principal scanning direction of the first optical sensor, and an illuminator provided at one of ends of the light guide, the first and second light emission units being arranged in parallel with each other, and the illuminators being arranged at the ends on the same side of the light guides.

7. The paper sheet recognition apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second light emission units includes a light guide extending in a principal scanning direction of the first optical sensor, and an illuminator provided at one of ends of the light guide, the first and second light emission units being arranged in parallel with each other, and the illuminators being arranged at the ends on different sides of the light guides.

8. The paper sheet recognition apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a light emission circuit controlling timing and amount of light emission from each of the first and second light emission units, wherein the light emission circuit includes a first circuit which drives the first light emission unit when the first light emission unit emits light and the second light emission unit emits no light, and a second circuit which drives the second light emission unit when the first light emission unit emits no light and the second light emission unit emits light, and a third circuit which is independent from the first and second circuits, and drives the first and second light emission units when both of the first and second light emission units emit light.

9. The paper sheet recognition apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second light emission units emit infrared light in the first and second phases.

10. The paper sheet recognition apparatus of claim 1, wherein the paper sheets are banknotes.

11. A method for recognizing paper sheets using a paper sheet recognition apparatus, the paper sheet recognition apparatus including: a first sensor which is opposed to a first face of each paper sheet being transported on a transport path for transporting the paper sheets, and performs detection in a first recognition zone of the transport path; and a second sensor which is opposed to a second face of each paper sheet being transported on the transport path, and performs detection in a second recognition zone of the transport path; the first sensor includes a first light emission unit and a second light emission unit which emit rays of light in mutually different directions to the first recognition zone, a first optical sensor which detects light reflected from the paper sheet in the first recognition zone, and a third light emission unit which emits light to the second recognition zone, the second sensor includes a second optical sensor which detects light transmitted through the paper sheet in the second recognition zone, the method comprising: a first step of allowing the first light emission unit to emit light, the second light emission unit to emit no light, and the first optical sensor to detect reflective light; a second step of allowing the first light emission unit to emit no light, the second light emission unit to emit light, and the first optical sensor to detect reflective light; and a third step of allowing the third light emission unit to emit light, and the second optical sensor to detect transmitted light, the third step being performed simultaneously with at least one of the first step or the second step.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary configuration of a line sensor of a paper sheet recognition apparatus.

(2) FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D illustrate an exemplary configuration of a light emission unit.

(3) FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating principal components of the paper sheet recognition apparatus.

(4) FIG. 4 is a timing chart illustrating how the line sensor is operated.

(5) FIG. 5 is a timing chart illustrating how the line sensor is operated.

(6) FIG. 6 is an exemplary configuration of a light emitting circuit controlling timing and amount of light emission from a light emission unit.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(7) Embodiments of a paper sheet recognition apparatus will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The paper sheet may be a banknote, for example, and the paper sheet recognition apparatus described below recognizes various characteristics of the paper sheet, for example, of which denomination the banknote is, whether the banknote is genuine or not, fit or unfit, and how much the banknote is wrinkled. In addition to the banknotes, the apparatus can also recognize other paper sheets such as checks, bills of exchange, and vouchers.

(8) FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary configuration of a line sensor 10 of the paper sheet recognition apparatus. In the configuration of FIG. 1, paper sheets BL are transported one by one on a transport path 50 from the right to the left in FIG. 1 with their faces being parallel to the horizontal direction. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along a plane perpendicular to the faces of the paper sheets BL and parallel to the direction of transport of the paper sheets BL.

(9) As shown in FIG. 1, the line sensor 10 includes a first sensor 20 which is opposed to one of the faces (face B) of the paper sheet BL, and a second sensor 30 which is opposed to the other face (face A) of the paper sheet BL. The first and second sensors 20 and 30 face each other with the transport path 50 interposed therebetween. In FIG. 1, the first sensor 20 is arranged below the transport path 50, and the second sensor 30 is arranged above the transport path 50. However, their positions are not limited thereto, and may be reversed in the vertical direction. For example, if the transport path 50 is arranged to extend in the vertical direction, the first and second sensors 20 and 30 may be arranged on the right and left of the transport path 50.

(10) The first sensor 20 performs detection in a recognition zone Z1 (first recognition zone) of the transport path 50, and includes an optical sensor 21 (first optical sensor), light emission units 22a and 22b (first and second light emission units), a condenser lens 23, another light emission unit 24 (third light emission unit), an optical sensor substrate 25, and a transparent member 26 made of transparent glass or resin. The second sensor 30 performs detection in a recognition zone Z2 (second recognition zone) of the transport path 50, and includes an optical sensor 31 (second optical sensor), light emission units 32a and 32b (fourth and fifth light emission units), a condenser lens 33, an optical sensor substrate 35, and a transparent member 36 made of transparent glass or resin.

(11) The light emission units 22a and 22b of the first sensor 20 emit rays of light in mutually different directions onto the recognition zone Z1. In this example, the face of the paper sheet BL being transported is irradiated with light traveling obliquely rearward from the light emission unit 22a, and light traveling obliquely forward from the light emission unit 22b. The optical sensor 21 detects light reflected from the paper sheet BL in the recognition zone Z1. Specifically, the light emitted from each of the light emission units 22a and 22b is applied to the paper sheet BL through the transparent member 26, and light reflected from the paper sheet BL is concentrated by the condenser lens 23 and detected by the optical sensor 21. The light emission unit 24 emits light onto the recognition zone Z2. In this example, the light emission unit 24 emits the light traveling in the vertical direction to the face of the paper sheet BL being transported.

(12) The optical sensor 31 of the second sensor 30 detects light transmitted through the paper sheet BL in the recognition zone Z2. Specifically, the optical sensor 31 can detect light that has been emitted from the light emission unit 24 of the first sensor 20 and transmitted through the paper sheet BL. The light emission units 32a and 32b emit rays of light in mutually different directions onto the recognition zone Z2. In this example, the face of the paper sheet BL being transported is irradiated with light traveling obliquely rearward from the light emission unit 32a, and light traveling obliquely forward from the light emission unit 32b. The optical sensor 31 also detects light reflected from the paper sheet BL in the recognition zone Z2. Specifically, the light emitted from each of the light emission units 32a and 32b is applied to the paper sheet BL through the transparent member 36, and the light reflected from the paper sheet BL is concentrated by the condenser lens 33 and detected by the optical sensor 31.

(13) The optical sensors 21 and 31 are line sensors, and perform scanning in a principal scanning direction which is parallel to the face of the paper sheet BL and perpendicular to the transport direction of the paper sheet BL (a direction coming out of the paper of FIG. 1). About 1,600 pixel units, for example, are arranged side by side in the principal scanning direction. The light emission units 22a, 22b, 24, 32a, and 32b extend in the same direction as the principal scanning direction of the optical sensors 21 and 31. In this example, the light emission units 22a, 22b, 24, 32a, and 32b can emit, for example, two types of light of different wavelengths, e.g., green visible light and infrared light.

(14) FIG. 2A is a schematic plan view illustrating an exemplary configuration of the light emission units 22a and 22b. In the configuration of FIG. 2A, the light emission units 22a and 22b are arranged in parallel with each other. The light emission unit 22a includes a light guide 41 extending in the principal scanning direction of the optical sensor 21, and illuminators 42 and 43 respectively provided at the ends of the light guide 41. The light emission unit 22b includes a light guide 44 extending in the principal scanning direction of the optical sensor 21, and illuminators 45 and 46 respectively provided at the ends of the light guide 44. Each of the illuminators 42, 43, 45, and 46 is provided with a light source, e.g., LED, and emits light toward the light guide 41 or 44 as indicated by arrows in the drawings. Thus, the light guides 41 and 44 are uniformly illuminated with light of the same wavelength as the light emitted by the illuminators 42, 43, 45, and 46.

(15) As shown in FIG. 2B, the illuminators 42 and 45 may be respectively provided at one of the ends of the light guide 41 and one of the ends of the light guide 44. In this case, it is preferred that in the pair of light emission units 22a and 22b, the illuminators 42 and 45 be provided at the ends on the same side of the light guides 41 and 44. In this configuration, a subtracted infrared light image, which will be described later, can be obtained with enhanced sharpness. Further, the subtracted infrared light image can also be obtained even if the illuminators 42 and 45 or the illuminators 42 and 46 are arranged at the ends on the opposite sides of the light guides 41 and 44 as shown in FIGS. 2C and 2D due to spatial limitations on the installation location, for example. Alternatively, the light emission units 22a and 22b may be made of LED arrays, for example. Other light emission units 24, 32a, and 32b can be configured in the same manner as the light emission units 22a and 22b.

(16) FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating principal components of the paper sheet recognition apparatus according to the embodiment. A paper sheet recognition apparatus 100 includes the line sensor 10 shown in FIG. 1, a controller 110 controlling the whole paper sheet recognition apparatus 100, and a memory 140 storing data, such as image data obtained by the line sensor 10.

(17) The controller 110 includes a sensor controller 120 controlling the operation of the line sensor 10, and including a light source controller 121 and an AFE controller 122. The light source controller 120 performs ON/OFF control of light sources of the light emission units 22a, 22b, 24, 32a, and 32b provided for the line sensor 10. The AFE controller 122 performs various types of processing with respect to an analog front end (AFE) of the line sensor 10, such as offset adjustment, setting of input signal sampling, control of timing of data extraction, and setting of data output.

(18) An image data generator unit 130 generates various types of image data from the output of the line sensor 10, and stores the data in the memory 140. The image data generator unit 130 generates, from the output of the first sensor 20, visible light image data 151 and infrared light image data 152 as face B image data 150. The visible light image data 151 is generated from a signal output from the optical sensor 21 when each of the light emission units 22a and 22b emitted visible light. The infrared light image data 152 is generated from a signal output from the optical sensor 21 when each of the light emission units 22a and 22b emitted infrared light. Further, the image data generator unit 130 generates infrared light image data 153 (first reflective light image) from a signal output from the optical sensor 21 when the light emission unit 22a emitted infrared light and the light emission unit 22b emitted no light. The image data generator unit 130 also generates infrared light image data 154 (second reflective light image) from a signal output from the optical sensor 21 when the light emission unit 22a emitted no light and the light emission unit 22b emitted infrared light. Then, based on a difference between the infrared light image data 153 and 154, subtracted infrared light image data 155 (subtracted reflective light image) is generated.

(19) The image data generator unit 130 generates, from the output of the second sensor 30, visible light image data 161 and infrared light image data 162 as face A image data 160. The visible light image data 161 is generated from the signal output from the optical sensor 31 when the light emission units 32a and 32b emitted visible light. The infrared light image data 162 is generated from the signal output from the optical sensor 31 when the light emission units 32a and 32b emitted infrared light. The image data generator unit 130 generates, from the output of the second sensor 30, visible light image data 171 and infrared light image data 172 as transmissive image data 170. The visible light image data 171 is generated from the signal output from the optical sensor 31 when the light emission unit 24 of the first sensor 20 emitted visible light. The infrared light image data 172 is generated from the signal output from the optical sensor 31 when the light emission unit 24 emitted infrared light.

(20) With use of the visible light image data 151, 161, and 171, and the infrared light image data 152, 162, and 172, the paper sheet BL is recognized in terms of, for example, types and genuineness. Further, with use of the subtracted infrared light image data 155, how much the paper sheet BL is wrinkled or creased can be detected. Specifically, the light emission units 32a and 32b, which emit rays of light in mutually different directions, are allowed to emit light in turn so that reflective light images are generated, and a difference between these images is obtained. As a result, an image of patterns or characters provided on the paper sheet BL is canceled, and the wrinkles or creases of the paper sheet BL are enhanced on the image. In this way, how much the paper sheet BL is wrinkled or creased can be detected using the subtracted infrared light image data 155. With use of the infrared light, the detection can be less influenced by smudges on the paper sheet BL. Some paper sheets BL have a printed pattern that is invisible under the infrared light. Therefore, if the infrared light is used, the wrinkles or creases may be detected on an image, of the paper sheet BL, less influenced by such pattern.

(21) FIGS. 4 and 5 are timing charts illustrating how the line sensor 10 is operated. The line sensor 10 repeats the operation shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 in multiple cycles when the paper sheet BL is transported on the transport path 50. In FIGS. 4 and 5, MCLK stands for a mechanical clock of the paper sheet recognition apparatus 100. Reading of face A is performed by the second sensor 30, and Reading of face B is performed by the first sensor 20.

(22) In the example of FIG. 4, two cycles of the mechanical clock MCLK are regarded as a single cycle, which is divided into six phases to perform operations. In Phase 1, the light emission unit 22a emits the infrared light, the light emission unit 22b emits no light, and the optical sensor 21 detects light reflected from the paper sheet BL (reading of face B: reflected infrared light 1). Further, the light emission unit 24 emits the infrared light, and the optical sensor 31 detects light transmitted through the paper sheet BL (reading of face A: transmitted infrared light). In Phase 2, the light emission unit 22a emits no light, the light emission unit 22b emits the infrared light, and the optical sensor 21 detects light reflected from the paper sheet BL (reading of face B: reflected infrared light 2). In addition, the light emission unit 24 emits the visible light, and the optical sensor 31 detects light transmitted through the paper sheet BL (reading of face A: visible light transmission).

(23) In Phase 3, the light emission units 22a and 22b emit the visible light, and the optical sensor 21 detects light reflected from the paper sheet BL (reading of face B: reflected visible light). Further, the light emission units 32a and 32b emit the visible light, and the optical sensor 31 detects light reflected from the paper sheet BL (reading of face A: reflected visible light). In Phase 4, the light emission units 22a and 22b emit the infrared light, and the optical sensor 21 detects light reflected from the paper sheet BL (reading of face B: reflected infrared light 1+2). Further, the light emission units 32a and 32b emit the infrared light, and the optical sensor 31 detects light reflected from the paper sheet BL (reading of face A: reflected infrared light). In Phase 5, no operation is performed. In Phase 6, the same operation as in Phase 3 is performed.

(24) Through the operations thus performed, two-line image data of the visible light reflected from the face A, two-line image data of the visible light reflected from the face B, single-line image data of the infrared light reflected from each of the faces A and B, single-line image data of the transmitted infrared light, and single-line image data of the transmitted visible light, are obtained in a single cycle. In addition, single-line image data of the light reflected from the face B as a result of the single light emission can be obtained in each of Phases 1 and 2. These two single-line image data are required for the generation of a subtracted reflective light image.

(25) Note that in Phases 1 and 2, the first sensor 20 detects the light reflected from the face B as a result of the single light emission, and the second sensor 30 detects transmissive light. Specifically, the phase for obtaining the transmissive light image is used to obtain the image of the light reflected from the face B as a result of the single light emission. That is, no additional phase is required. Therefore, the subtracted reflective light image, which is used for the detection of the wrinkles, can be generated without increasing the detection time and decreasing the resolution of other transmissive light images and reflective light images.

(26) In the example of FIG. 5, three cycles of the mechanical clock MCLK are regarded as a single cycle, which is divided into six phases to perform the operations. In Phase 1, the light emission unit 22a emits the infrared light, the light emission unit 22b emits no light, and the optical sensor 21 detects light reflected from the paper sheet BL (reading of face B: reflected infrared light 1). Further, the light emission unit 24 emits the infrared light, and the optical sensor 31 detects light transmitted through the paper sheet BL (reading of face A: transmitted infrared light). In Phase 2, the light emission units 22a and 22b emit the visible light, and the optical sensor 21 detects light reflected from the paper sheet BL (reading of face B: reflected visible light). Further, the light emission units 32a and 32b emit the visible light, and the optical sensor 31 detects light reflected from the paper sheet BL (reading of face A: reflected visible light). In Phase 3, the light emission unit 22a emits no light, the light emission unit 22b emits infrared light, and the optical sensor 21 detects light reflected from the paper sheet BL (reading of face B: reflected infrared light 2). In addition, the light emission unit 24 emits the visible light, and the optical sensor 31 detects light transmitted through the paper sheet BL (reading of face A: visible light transmission).

(27) In Phase 4, the same operation as in Phase 2 is performed. In Phase 5, the light emission units 22a and 22b emit the infrared light, and the optical sensor 21 detects light reflected from the paper sheet BL (reading of face B: reflected infrared light 1+2). Further, the light emission units 32a and 32b emit the infrared light, and the optical sensor 31 detects light reflected from the paper sheet BL (reading of face A: reflected infrared light). In Phase 6, the same operation as in Phase 2 is performed.

(28) Through the operation thus performed, three-line image data of the visible light reflected from the face A, three-line image data of the visible light reflected from the face B, single-line image data of the infrared light reflected from each of the faces A and B, single-line image data of the transmitted infrared light, and single-line data of the transmitted visible light, are obtained in a single cycle. In addition, single-line image data of the light reflected from the face B as a result of the single light emission can be obtained in each of Phases 1 and 3. These two single-line data are required for the generation of a subtracted reflective light image.

(29) Note that in Phases 1 and 3, the first sensor 20 detects light reflected from the face B as a result of the single light emission, and the second sensor 30 detects transmissive light. Specifically, the phase for obtaining the transmissive light image is used to obtain the image of the light reflected from the face B as a result of the single light emission. That is, no additional phase is required. Therefore, the subtracted reflective light image, which is used for the detection of the wrinkles, can be generated without increasing the detection time and decreasing the resolution of other transmissive light images and reflective light images.

(30) As can be seen, according to this embodiment, in a phase where one of the light emission units 22a and 22b of the first sensor 20 emits light and the optical sensor 21 detects the light reflected from the paper sheet BL, the light emission unit 24 of the first sensor 20 emits light, and the optical sensor 31 of the second sensor 30 detects light transmitted through the paper sheet BL. Thus, the light reflected as a result of the single light emission, which is required for the generation of a subtracted reflective light image used to recognize how much the paper sheet is wrinkled, can be detected simultaneously with the detection of the transmissive light. This can avoid the detection time from increasing, and the transport speed from decreasing.

(31) The operations shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 are merely examples, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The same advantages as those of the present embodiment are obtained as long as the phase for obtaining the transmissive light image is used to obtain the image of light reflected from each of the faces through the single light emission. Alternatively, the phase for obtaining the transmissive light image may be used to obtain the image of light reflected from only one of the faces as a result of the single light emission. Further, in the operation example of FIG. 4, in two phases in each of which the image of light reflected from one of the faces as a result of the single light emission is obtained, transmissive light images of different wavelengths are obtained. For example, in the operation example of FIG. 4, the transmitted infrared light image is obtained in Phase 1, and the transmitted visible light image is obtained in Phase 2. In this way, various types of images used for the recognition of the paper sheets can be obtained efficiently.

(32) FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary configuration of a light emission circuit 60. The light emission circuit 60 controls the timing and amount of light emission from the light emission units 22a and 22b of the first sensor 20 in accordance with an instruction signal from the light source controller 121. LEDs 71 and 72 are examples of the light sources of the light emission unit 22a and 22b, respectively. The light emission circuit 60 includes constant current circuits 61 and 63a driving the LED 71, and constant current circuits 62 and 63b driving the LED 72. The constant current circuit 61 operates in response to an on signal ON1. The constant current circuit 62 operates in response to an on signal ON2. The constant current circuits 63a and 63b simultaneously operate in response to an on signal ONB. The light emission circuit 60 includes a current setting unit 65 which sends a signal for setting an LED current. The current setting unit 65 sends a setting signal S1 to the constant current circuit 61, a setting signal S2 to the constant current circuit 62, and a setting signal SB to the constant current circuits 63a and 63b.

(33) The constant current circuit 61, serving as a first circuit, operates in response to the on signal ON1 when the light emission unit 22a emits light and the light emission unit 22b emits no light, and allows a current of a value according to the setting signal S1 to flow through the LED 71. The constant current circuit 62, serving as a second circuit, operates in response to the on signal ON2 when the light emission unit 22a emits no light and the light emission unit 22b emits light, and allows a current of a value according to the setting signal S2 to flow through the LED 72. The constant current circuits 63a and 63b, serving as third circuits, operate in response to the on signal ONB when both of the light emission units 22a and 22b emit light, and allows a current of a value according to the setting signal SB to flow through the LEDs 71 and 72. The constant current circuits 63a and 63b are independent from the constant current circuits 61 and 62.

(34) Thus, in the case where both of the light emission units 22a and 22b emit light, and the case where one of the light emission units 22a and 22b emits light, the light sources are driven by circuits independent from one another, and the amount of light emission can be controlled appropriately in either case. For example, if light is emitted from one of the light emission units 22a and 22b, its light source can be controlled to increase the light amount. If light is emitted from both of the light emission units 22a and 22b, their light sources can be controlled to reduce the light amount.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

(35) 10 Line Sensor 20 First Sensor 21 First Optical Sensor 22a First Light Emission Unit 22b Second Light Emission Unit 24 Third Light Emission Unit 30 Second Sensor 31 Second Optical Sensor 32a Fourth Light Emission Unit 32b Fifth Light Emission Unit 41, 44 Light Guide 42, 43, 45, 46 Illuminator 50 Transport Path 60 Light Emission Circuit 61 Constant Current Circuit (First Circuit) 62 Constant Current Circuit (Second Circuit) 63a, 63b Constant Current Circuit (Third Circuit) 120 Sensor Controller 130 Image Data Generator BL Paper Sheet Z1 First Recognition Zone Z2 Second Recognition Zone