CN211237010U - Coin discriminating unit - Google Patents
Coin discriminating unit Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CN211237010U CN211237010U CN201922418631.6U CN201922418631U CN211237010U CN 211237010 U CN211237010 U CN 211237010U CN 201922418631 U CN201922418631 U CN 201922418631U CN 211237010 U CN211237010 U CN 211237010U
- Authority
- CN
- China
- Prior art keywords
- coin
- reading surface
- unit
- image
- coins
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Active
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07D—HANDLING OF COINS OR VALUABLE PAPERS, e.g. TESTING, SORTING BY DENOMINATIONS, COUNTING, DISPENSING, CHANGING OR DEPOSITING
- G07D3/00—Sorting a mixed bulk of coins into denominations
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07D—HANDLING OF COINS OR VALUABLE PAPERS, e.g. TESTING, SORTING BY DENOMINATIONS, COUNTING, DISPENSING, CHANGING OR DEPOSITING
- G07D11/00—Devices accepting coins; Devices accepting, dispensing, sorting or counting valuable papers
- G07D11/10—Mechanical details
- G07D11/16—Handling of valuable papers
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07D—HANDLING OF COINS OR VALUABLE PAPERS, e.g. TESTING, SORTING BY DENOMINATIONS, COUNTING, DISPENSING, CHANGING OR DEPOSITING
- G07D11/00—Devices accepting coins; Devices accepting, dispensing, sorting or counting valuable papers
- G07D11/50—Sorting or counting valuable papers
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Testing Of Coins (AREA)
Abstract
The utility model provides a coin recognition unit, coin recognition unit can not rely on the kind of the coin of processing object and more accurately discerns the coin. The utility model discloses a coin identification unit possesses: a conveying path for maintaining the upright state of the coin; 1, reading one side of the coin; a 1 st image acquisition unit for acquiring an image of one surface of the coin via a 1 st reading surface; a 2 nd conveyor belt that conveys coins while pressing them from the other side when acquiring images of one side of the coins; the 2 nd reading surface, read the other side of the coin; a 2 nd image acquiring unit for acquiring an image of the other surface of the coin via the 2 nd reading surface; a first conveyor belt 1 for conveying the coins while pressing them from one side thereof when acquiring images of the other side of the coins; and a recognition unit for recognizing the coin based on the image of one surface of the coin and the image of the other surface of the coin, wherein the 1 st transport belt and the 2 nd transport belt are arranged so as to overlap at least partially.
Description
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a coin discriminating unit for discriminating coins, and more particularly, to a coin discriminating unit for discriminating coins while conveying the coins.
Background
In general, there are coin handling apparatuses that insert coins into a game machine such as a lottery machine, a vending machine, a metal coin recognition (sorting) machine, an Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) provided in a financial institution or the like, and store or return the inserted coins.
In such a coin handling apparatus, it is necessary to identify whether or not the inserted coin is a receivable coin, and typically, to identify the authenticity, type, and the like of the metal coin.
As a method of identifying coins, for example, a coin identifying unit configured by at least one of an optical sensor, an infrared sensor, and a magnetic sensor, or a combination thereof is used.
For example, patent document 1 discloses a metal coin discriminating device for discriminating a conveyed metal coin using a magnetic sensor and an optical sensor. The metal coin discriminating apparatus detects magnetic properties of a metal coin inserted therein, and thereafter discriminates the metal coin based on image pattern data of one surface and the other surface of the metal coin.
Documents of the prior art
Patent document
Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2000-306135
Problem to be solved by utility model
However, the metal coin discriminating apparatus disclosed in patent document 1 generates image pattern data of the upper surface and the lower surface of the metal coin by the optical sensors disposed above and below while conveying the inserted metal coin in a lying state. In order to accurately read the upper and lower surfaces of the metal coin, the metal coin is conveyed while being pressed by a conveyor belt at a reading position of an optical sensor.
Here, since a load due to the weight of the metal coin is applied to the conveyor belt on which the metal coin is placed, there is a possibility that the tension is loosened or deflected depending on the type of the metal coin, and as a result, the metal coin may not be pressed sufficiently at the reading position of the optical sensor and may not be read accurately.
SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL
In view of the above-described problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a coin discriminating unit that can discriminate coins more accurately regardless of the type of the coin to be processed.
Means for solving the problems
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has at least the following configuration or steps. In the following description, reference numerals and the like shown in the drawings are sometimes given to facilitate understanding of the present invention, but the constituent elements of the present invention are not limited to those shown in the drawings and should be construed broadly as being within the technical understanding of those skilled in the art.
The utility model discloses a technical scheme's coin recognition unit is the coin recognition unit of discernment coin, its characterized in that possesses: a receiving port that receives coins; a conveying path that maintains an upright state of the coin conveyed from the receiving port and guides the coin to a delivery port; a 1 st reading surface for reading one surface of the conveyed upright coin at a 1 st position on the conveying path; a 1 st image acquiring unit that acquires an image of one surface of the coin via the 1 st reading surface; a 2 nd conveyor belt that conveys the coin while pressing the coin from the other surface side thereof when the image of the one surface of the coin is acquired by the 1 st image acquisition mechanism; a 2 nd reading surface for reading the other surface of the coin in the upright state being conveyed at a 2 nd position separated by a predetermined distance in the conveying direction of the coin from the 1 st position on the conveying path; a 2 nd image acquiring unit that acquires an image of the other surface of the coin via the 2 nd reading surface; a 1 st transport belt that transports the coin while pressing the coin from one surface side thereof when the image of the other surface of the coin is acquired by the 2 nd image acquisition mechanism; and a recognition unit that recognizes the coin based on an image of one surface and an image of the other surface of the coin, wherein the 1 st transport belt and the 2 nd transport belt are arranged so as to overlap at least partially.
With this configuration, the coin discriminating unit according to an aspect of the present invention can more accurately discriminate the coin without depending on the kind of the coin to be processed, because the coin discriminating unit obtains images of both sides of the coin while maintaining the upright state of the coin being transported.
In the coin discriminating unit, it is preferable that the 1 st image acquiring unit, the 1 st reading surface, and the 1 st transport belt arranged on the 1 st reading surface in the coin transporting direction are configured as a 1 st unit, the 2 nd image acquiring unit, the 2 nd transport belt, and the 2 nd reading surface arranged on the 2 nd transport belt in the coin transporting direction are configured as a 2 nd unit, and the 1 st unit and the 2 nd unit are arranged to face each other.
With this configuration, the coin discriminating unit according to an aspect of the present invention is constituted by the 1 st unit and the 2 nd unit, and therefore, maintenance and the like for replacing parts can be easily performed.
Preferably, the coin discriminating unit is characterized in that the 1 st unit and the 2 nd unit are coupled by a hinge mechanism and are openable and closable.
With this configuration, the coin discriminating unit according to an aspect of the present invention can be easily opened and closed, and thus can easily confirm the inside.
Preferably, at least one of the 1 st transport belt and the 2 nd transport belt has a concave-convex shape.
Through the structure, the utility model discloses a technical scheme's coin recognition cell improves the 1 st conveyer belt and/or the 2 nd conveyer belt and the frictional force of coin, consequently can carry the coin more reliably.
In the coin discriminating unit, it is preferable that a boundary portion between the concave portion and the convex portion in the concave-convex shape is inclined so as to extend from the convex portion in a direction away from the 1 st reading surface or the 2 nd reading surface, and the convex portion has a projection shape so as to face the 1 st reading surface or the 2 nd reading surface.
Through the structure, the utility model discloses a technical scheme's coin recognition cell is difficult for producing because of the part that forms the shadow from the light that the light source shines, consequently can reduce the condition of mistake discernment coin.
In the coin discriminating unit, it is preferable that a boundary portion between the concave portion and the convex portion in the concave-convex shape is a curved surface shape.
Through the structure, the utility model discloses a technical scheme's coin recognition unit can alleviate the condition that foreign matter such as dust remained in the juncture of the concave part of conveyer belt and convex part, consequently can more accurately discern the coin.
In addition, it is preferable that at least one of the 1 st conveyor belt and the 2 nd conveyor belt is formed of a color system different from a color system of the coin.
Through the structure, the utility model discloses a technical scheme's coin recognition unit can more definitely discern the edge of the coin that is carried, in addition, even this coin exists the hole and is defective, also can reduce the possibility of mistake discernment, can discern the coin more accurately.
Preferably, the coin discriminating unit further includes a guide member that guides the coin to the 1 st reading surface and the 2 nd reading surface, respectively, on the side where the coin is conveyed, of the 1 st reading surface and the 2 nd reading surface, respectively.
With this configuration, the coin discriminating unit according to an aspect of the present invention is configured such that the 1 st reading surface and the 2 nd reading surface are respectively provided with a step on one side from which the coin is conveyed, and therefore the coin abuts against the 1 st reading surface and the 2 nd reading surface in an inclined state. As a result, the load on the 1 st reading surface and the 2 nd reading surface can be reduced, and the risk of damage, breakage, or the like can be reduced.
Preferably, the coin discriminating unit is characterized in that the guide member has a shape tapered toward a coin conveying direction.
With this configuration, in the coin discriminating unit according to an aspect of the present invention, when the coin to be transported enters the 1 st reading surface and the 2 nd reading surface, the impact of the 1 st reading surface and the 2 nd reading surface is relaxed, and the burden can be further reduced.
In addition, it is preferable that the coin discriminating unit is characterized in that the 1 st reading surface and the 2 nd reading surface are protected by tempered glass.
Through this structure, the utility model discloses a technical scheme's coin recognition cell can reduce right the 1 st read the face with the 2 nd reads the face and causes the risk of damage or damage etc..
In addition, it is preferable that the coin discriminating unit is characterized in that the 1 st image acquiring means and the 2 nd image acquiring means are contact image sensors.
Through this structure, the utility model discloses a technical scheme's coin recognition unit can accurately discern the coin to further realize miniaturizedly.
Preferably, the coin discriminating unit further includes a light source that irradiates at least one of the 1 st reading surface and the 2 nd reading surface.
Through this structure, the utility model discloses a technical scheme's coin recognition unit discerns the coin more accurately easily, reduces the possibility of mistake discernment.
In addition, the respective processes performed by the coin discriminating unit according to one aspect of the present invention can be understood as a coin discriminating method and a coin processing method that are provided with a series of processing steps. The method is provided in the form of a program for causing a computer to execute a series of processing steps. The program may be loaded into the computer by downloading from a predetermined server, by accessing a predetermined server storing the program via the internet, or by recording the program in a computer-readable recording medium. In addition, a part or all of the functional blocks constituting the coin dispensing unit according to one aspect of the present invention may be realized as an LSI (Large-Scale integrated circuit) or the like, which is an integrated circuit.
Effect of the utility model
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize a coin discriminating unit that discriminates coins more accurately without depending on the kind of coins to be processed.
Drawings
Fig. 1 is a functional block diagram showing functions of a coin processing apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a coin discriminating portion (coin discriminating unit) 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing an internal structure of a coin discriminating portion (coin discriminating unit) 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 4 is a view showing the surface of the 2 nd transport belt 221 (the 1 st transport belt 211) in the coin discriminating portion (coin discriminating unit) 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view showing an example of the shape of the concave-convex portion.
Fig. 6 is a view showing a state in which a coin is guided from the 1 st guide member 213 (the 2 nd guide member 223) to the 1 st reading surface 212 (the 2 nd reading surface 222) in the coin discriminating unit (coin discriminating unit) 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
Description of the reference numerals
10 coin handling means;
100 a coin receiving section;
200 coin discriminating portions (coin discriminating units);
210, unit 1;
211, conveyor 1;
212, 1 st reading surface;
213 st guide member;
220, unit 2;
221 nd conveyor belt;
222, 2 nd reading surface;
223 a 2 nd guide member;
230 a receiving port;
240 hinge mechanism;
250 a conveying path;
300 a coin sorting section;
400 coin reserving part;
500 a coin storage part;
600 coin sending out part;
700 a coin conveying part;
800 coin return section;
900 pipes.
Detailed Description
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are merely specific examples for carrying out the present invention, and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention.
< brief description of coin handling apparatus >
Fig. 1 is a diagram showing functions of a coin handling apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In fig. 1, the coin processing apparatus 10 includes a coin receiving unit 100, a coin discriminating unit 200, a coin sorting unit 300, a coin retaining unit 400, a coin storage unit 500, a coin feeding unit 600, a coin conveying unit 700, a coin returning unit 800, and a duct 900.
In the present embodiment, the coin processing apparatus 10 has two types of metal coins (for example, 10 yen metal coins and 100 yen metal coins) as processing targets, but the metal coins to be processed are not limited to two types, and may be, for example, one type or three or more types, or may be not japanese metal coins but chinese metal coins or euro metal coins.
The coin receiving unit 100 receives coins input by a user. For example, if a ticket is purchased at a station, a user inserts a plurality of various metal coins, and the coin receiving unit 100 may be configured to receive the metal coins at once or may be configured to receive the metal coins one by one.
Typically, coins received by the coin receiving unit 100 are conveyed one by a conveyor belt or the like while being kept in an upright state.
The coin discriminating unit 200 discriminates whether or not a coin that has been input by a user and transported is a coin that can be used by the coin processing apparatus 10. For example, in the case where the coin handling apparatus 10 is an automatic ticket vending machine installed in a station and only 10 yen metal money and 100 yen metal money are available, the coin discriminating unit 200 discriminates whether the coin received by the coin receiving unit 100 is 10 yen metal money or 100 yen metal money, or otherwise.
The coin discriminating portion 200 uses, for example, a metal coin discriminating sensor composed of at least one of an optical sensor, an infrared sensor, and a magnetic sensor, or a combination thereof. The coin discriminating unit 200 discriminates the authenticity, kind, and the like of the metal coin by analyzing the size, shape, weight, presence or absence of holes, magnetic properties, and the like of the coin.
Here, when the coin is recognized as 10 yen metal money and 100 yen metal money by the coin recognition portion 200, the coin is conveyed to the coin sorting portion 300, and then conveyed to the coin retaining portion 400. On the other hand, if the other is recognized, the coin is transported to the coin sorting unit 300, and then transported to the coin return unit 800 via the duct 900, for example, and returned to the user.
In other words, when the coins deposited by the user cannot be used in the coin processing apparatus 10, the coins are directly returned to the user via the coin return unit 800. Typically, coins that cannot be used in the coin processing apparatus 10 are metal coins of other countries, counterfeit metal coins, metal coins that are not to be processed even if they are genuine metal coins, and coins that are identified as unusable by the coin identification unit 200 for other reasons.
In the present embodiment, the coin discriminating portion 200 is configured as a coin discriminating unit that acquires images of both sides of the coin received by the coin receiving portion 100 while conveying the coin in an upright state one by one, and discriminates the coin based on the images of both sides of the coin. The detailed configuration of the coin discriminating portion (coin discriminating unit) 200 will be described later.
The coin sorting unit 300 further sorts the coins that have been recognized as usable by the coin recognition unit 200 by type. Typically, the coin sorting unit 300 sorts coins by type by providing a hole for determining whether or not the coin can pass through the hole according to the size of the coin, or by opening and closing a shutter.
Specifically, when the coins that can be used in the coin processing apparatus 10 are the 10 yen metal coins and the 100 yen metal coins, the holes that are larger than the 100 yen metal coins and smaller than the 10 yen metal coins may be arranged, but the sorting mechanism is not limited to this. For example, the coin may be sorted by further combining the coin with the analysis result in the coin discriminating unit 200 based on the size, shape, weight, presence or absence of a hole, magnetic properties, and the like of the coin.
The coin retaining section 400 temporarily retains the coins sorted by the coin sorting section 300.
For example, when the user wants to purchase a ticket for an automatic ticket vending machine installed in a station, the user inserts a required amount of metal money for purchasing a desired ticket and then presses a purchase button to determine the purchase of the ticket. On the other hand, when the user interrupts the purchase of the ticket after the metal money is inserted, the user presses a return button to request the metal money inserted to be returned.
The coins deposited by the user are received by the coin receiving unit 100, and are sequentially transported to the coin retaining unit 400 via the coin discriminating unit 200 and the coin sorting unit 300. These coins are not immediately stored in the coin storage 500, but are retained in the coin retaining portion 400 disposed at the front stage of the coin storage 500 from the time when the user starts the first metal coin input to the time when the purchasing or the interruption is determined.
When purchase is determined, the coins held by the coin holding unit 400 are stored in the coin storage unit 500, and when interruption (return) is determined, the coins are transported to the coin return unit 800 via the coin transport unit 700, for example, and returned to the user.
The coin retaining unit 400 retains the coins sorted by the coin sorting unit 300 so as not to be mixed, and specifically, includes a region for each sorted coin type.
The coin storage 500 includes coin storage units for the respective coin types, and stores the coins fed from the coin retaining unit 400 for the respective coin types. Here, the 10 yen metal coins and the 100 yen metal coins are received in the respective receiving portions.
In addition, in the vending machine or the like, since change may be returned to the user, the metal coins for change may be stored in advance in the coin storage 500.
The coin feeding unit 600 takes in and feeds out coins stored in the coin storage unit 500. Typically, in a vending machine or the like, when returning change to a user, the metal coins stored in the coin storage 500 are individually sent out by a required number of pieces based on an instruction from a control unit (not shown) such as a CPU.
The coin feeding unit 600 is a coin feeding unit configured to reliably feed out coins one by one while taking in a large number of coins stored in the coin storage unit 500 one by one using a rotary disk. The coin feeding unit 600 and the coin storage unit 500 constitute a so-called coin hopper.
The coin conveying unit 700 conveys the coins stored in the coin storage unit 500 to the coin return unit 800. For example, when a user purchases a desired ticket for a ticket vending machine installed in a station, the coin handling apparatus 10 may return the amount of money to be charged to the user and change the amount of money. In this case, the metal coins stored in the coin storage 500 are fed out by a required number (change amount) via the coin feeding unit 600, and the coin transporting unit 700 transports the coins to the coin return unit 800.
For the change, for example, a control unit (not shown) such as a CPU calculates an amount based on the amount of money to be deposited and the amount of money to be purchased, and determines the required number of metal coins stored in each coin storage unit 500. The control unit may operate the coin feeding unit 600 to feed the number of metal coins required, and further, manage and confirm the fed coins by disposing various sensors and the like.
Typically, the coin return unit 800 is configured as a take-out port for a user to take out coins. Here, the coin return unit 800 may be a single take-out port, or may be provided with a plurality of take-out ports.
For example, when the inserted coins are recognized as unusable by the coin recognition unit 200 and when the coins held by the coin holding unit 400 are returned, one ejection port is provided to return the coins inserted by the user as they are. When it is necessary to return the change to the user and return the coins stored in the coin storage 500, a different take-out port may be separately provided.
< details of coin discriminating section (coin discriminating section) 200 >
Next, the coin discriminating unit (coin discriminating unit) 200 in the coin processing apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a coin discriminating portion (coin discriminating unit) 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In fig. 2, the coin discriminating unit 200 is mainly composed of the 1 st unit 210 and the 2 nd unit 220, receives coins from the inlet 230, discriminates the coins in the coin discriminating unit 200, and feeds the coins from the outlet (not shown). The 1 st unit 210 and the 2 nd unit 220 are coupled to each other by a hinge mechanism 240 and are disposed to face each other, and are configured to be openable and closable.
Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing an internal structure of a coin discriminating portion (coin discriminating unit) 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In fig. 3, the coin discriminating unit 200 includes a 1 st unit 210, a 2 nd unit 220, a receiving slot 230, a hinge mechanism 240, and a conveying path 250. The coin discriminating unit 200 is in a state of opening the 1 st unit 210 and the 2 nd unit 220 by the hinge mechanism 240.
The 1 st unit 210 includes a 1 st transport belt 211, a 1 st reading surface 212, a 1 st guide member 213, and a 1 st image acquisition mechanism (not shown), and the 2 nd unit 220 includes a 2 nd transport belt 221, a 2 nd reading surface 222, a 2 nd guide member 223, and a 2 nd image acquisition mechanism (not shown).
The inlet 230 receives the coins that have been inserted into the coin receiving unit 100 of the coin processing apparatus 10, and guides the coins into the coin discriminating unit 200 while maintaining the upright state of the coins.
The conveyance path 250 guides the coins guided from the inlet 230 into the coin discriminating unit 200 to the outlet (not shown) while maintaining the upright state of the coins in the coin discriminating unit 200.
The 1 st image acquiring unit is, for example, a Contact Image Sensor (CIS) and is disposed inside the 1 st unit 210, and acquires an image of one surface of the upright coin conveyed to the 1 st position in the conveying path 250 via the 1 st reading surface 212. Here, the 1 st position is a position where the 1 st reading surface 212 is disposed.
Here, when the 1 st image acquiring means acquires an image of one surface of a coin, the 2 nd conveying belt 221 conveys the coin while pressing the coin from the other surface side thereof. Since one surface of the coin is brought into close contact with the 1 st reading surface 212 by the 2 nd conveying belt 221, the 1 st image acquiring mechanism can accurately acquire an image of the one surface of the coin. Further, since the coins are conveyed on the conveying path 250 in an upright state, a point of the outer periphery of the coin abuts on the conveying path 250 regardless of the type of the coin (difference in the radial size of the coin). As a result, when the 1 st image acquiring unit acquires the image of the one surface of the coin, it is easy to grasp, for example, the size of the diameter of the coin and the position of the coin, and the 1 st image acquiring unit can accurately acquire the image of the one surface of the coin.
The 2 nd transport belt 221 needs to transport the coin in the upright state while bringing one surface of the coin into close contact with the 1 st reading surface 212, and to push the coin from the other surface side in a substantially horizontal direction. Since the 2 nd transport belt 221 is not loaded by the weight of the coin, the deterioration is reduced, and the tension and the frictional force of the 2 nd transport belt 221 are maintained.
Further, although the weight of the coin may vary depending on the type of the coin, the 2 nd conveyor belt 221 presses the coin in a substantially horizontal direction, and therefore, it is not necessary to change the pressing force in accordance with the weight of the coin, and the coin is conveyed while being pressed with a constant pressing force.
In other words, since the coin in the upright state is conveyed while one surface of the coin is in contact with the 1 st reading surface 212 and the pressing force from the 2 nd conveying belt 221 is constant, the contact state between the one surface of the coin and the 1 st reading surface 212 is stable, and the 1 st image acquiring mechanism can accurately acquire the image of the one surface of the coin. Further, since the contact state between one surface of the coin and the 1 st reading surface 212 is stable, the risk of damage or breakage to the 1 st reading surface 212 can be reduced.
The 2 nd transport belt 221 needs to have a frictional force for transporting the standing coins, and may be formed of a material having a high frictional force such as rubber or may have a concave-convex shape.
Fig. 4 is a view showing the surface of the 2 nd transport belt 221 (the 1 st transport belt 211) in the coin discriminating portion (coin discriminating unit) 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention. In fig. 4, the second conveying belt 221 has a surface with projections and recesses, and friction between the second conveying belt and the coins is increased, so that the coins can be conveyed more reliably.
Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view showing an example of the shape of the concave-convex portion. In the example shown in fig. 5 (a), the boundary portion between the concave portion and the convex portion in the concave-convex shape is inclined. More specifically, the boundary between the concave portion and the convex portion is inclined so as to spread from the convex portion having a protruding shape with respect to the 1 st reading surface 212 in the 2 nd transport belt 221 in a direction away from the reading surface. An optical sensor such as a CIS is disposed inside the 1 st reading surface 212 (inside the 1 st unit 210), and when light from a light source is irradiated to the 2 nd transport belt 221, a shadow is less likely to be generated. In particular, in the case where there is no coin on the surface of the conveyor belt or in the case where there is no coin, the possibility that the shaded portion is erroneously recognized as the edge of the coin due to the presence of the shade is reduced.
In the example shown in fig. 5 (B), the boundary portion between the concave portion and the convex portion in the concave-convex shape is a curved surface shape. For example, there is a possibility that a foreign substance such as a ridge generated due to the uneven shape and/or dust accumulated due to the uneven shape may induce misrecognition. However, as shown in fig. 5 (B), although the 2 nd transport belt 221 has a concave-convex shape on the surface, the boundary portion between the concave portion and the convex portion in the concave-convex shape is a curved surface shape, and therefore, the possibility of erroneously determining the identification of the coin is reduced.
In the example shown in fig. 5 (C), the concave-convex shape is a so-called wave shape. When light from the light source is applied to the 2 nd transport belt 221, a shadow portion is less likely to be generated, and the edge due to the uneven shape is not present, so that the possibility of misidentifying the edge of the coin with the shadow portion and the edge is reduced, and foreign matter such as dust accumulated due to the uneven shape is less likely to accumulate, and the possibility of causing misidentification due to this is also reduced. The curved surface shape (a curve of a cross-sectional waveform) shown here may be formed by, for example, a part of a circular arc, a part of an oblong circle, a part of an ellipse, a part of a parabola, another curve, or a combination thereof.
As shown in fig. 5 (a) to (C), the 2 nd transport belt 221 has a concave-convex shape on the surface thereof in order to reliably transport the standing coin, and thus increases the frictional force. The concave-convex shape may be appropriately adopted such that the boundary portion between the concave portion and the convex portion in the concave-convex shape is an inclined surface or a curved surface, depending on the performance of the CIS, the intensity and/or angle of the irradiated light, and the type of the coin to be conveyed, so as to reduce erroneous recognition of the coin.
The coins conveyed by the 2 nd conveyor belt 221 while maintaining the upright state in the conveyance path 250 pass through the 1 st reading surface 212. The coin is transferred from the 2 nd conveyor belt 221 to the 1 st conveyor belt 211, and then conveyed by the 1 st conveyor belt 211 while maintaining its upright state on the conveyance path 250.
The 2 nd conveying belt 221 and the 1 st conveying belt 211 are arranged along the conveying path 250 in the 2 nd unit 220 and the 1 st unit 210, respectively, and are arranged so as to overlap partially. More specifically, the coins conveyed while being kept standing on the conveyance path 250 are conveyed while being pressed by the 2 nd conveyance belt 221 from the 2 nd unit 220 side, conveyed by the 2 nd conveyance belt 221 and the 1 st conveyance belt 211 from both sides of the coins in a range where the 2 nd conveyance belt 221 and the 1 st conveyance belt 211 are arranged to overlap, and conveyed while being pressed by the 1 st conveyance belt 211 from the 1 st unit 210 side.
In this way, by providing the range in which the 2 nd transport belt 221 and the 1 st transport belt 211 are arranged to overlap each other, the coins are smoothly transported while maintaining an upright state in the transport path 250.
When the 2 nd conveyor belt 221 and the 1 st conveyor belt 211 are made of a material such as rubber, the color thereof is usually black. On the other hand, since coins are made of gold, silver, copper, aluminum, nickel, or the like, the color of coins is often made of gold, silver, or brown depending on the material, and further, when used for a long time, the coins are blackened by dirt. Here, in order to more clearly identify the edge of the coin being transported and to reduce the possibility of erroneous identification even if the coin has a hole or a defect, the colors of the 2 nd transport belt 221 and the 1 st transport belt 211 are made of a color system different from the color system of the coin. For example, a blue color tone is given to at least one of the 2 nd conveyor belt 221 and the 1 st conveyor belt 211. The color tone to be imparted is not limited to the blue color, and may be other colors such as green color.
Like the 1 st image acquisition unit, the 2 nd image acquisition unit is, for example, a Contact Image Sensor (CIS) and is disposed inside the 2 nd unit 220. The 2 nd image acquiring unit acquires an image of the other surface of the upright coin conveyed to the 2 nd position (position separated by a predetermined distance in the conveying direction of the coin from the 1 st position) in the conveying path 250 via the 2 nd reading surface 222. Here, the 2 nd position is a position where the 2 nd reading surface 222 is disposed.
Here, when the second image acquiring means 2 acquires an image of the other surface of the coin, the first conveying belt 211 conveys the coin while pressing the coin from the one surface side of the coin. Since the other surface of the coin is brought into close contact with the 2 nd reading surface 222 by the 1 st transport belt 211, the 2 nd image acquiring unit can accurately acquire the image of the other surface of the coin.
This is similar to the case where the 1 st image obtaining mechanism obtains one surface of the upright coin conveyed at the 1 st position on the conveying path 250 via the 1 st reading surface 212, and the 1 st conveying belt 211 has the same characteristics as the 2 nd conveying belt 221.
Further, a 1 st guide member 213 and a 2 nd guide member 223 are disposed on the side of the 1 st reading surface 212 and the 2 nd reading surface 222, respectively, to which coins are conveyed.
Fig. 6 is a view showing a state in which a coin is guided from the 1 st guide member 213 (the 2 nd guide member 223) to the 1 st reading surface 212 (the 2 nd reading surface 222) in the coin discriminating unit (coin discriminating unit) 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
In fig. 6, a 1 st guide member 213 is provided on the 1 st reading surface 212 on the side from which the coins are fed, and has a step. When the transported coin enters the 1 st reading surface 212, the coin abuts the 1 st reading surface 212 in a tilted state due to the step (fig. 6 a).
Then, before the entire coin passes through the 1 st guide member 213, the coin is not conveyed in a state where the entire one surface of the coin abuts against the 1 st reading surface 212, but is conveyed in a state where one end of the coin abuts against the 1 st reading surface 212 ((B) of fig. 6).
Then, if the entire coin passes through the 1 st guide member 213, the coin is transported with one surface of the coin in contact with the 1 st reading surface 212 ((C), (D) of fig. 6).
In this way, when the coin passes through the 1 st reading surface 212, the coin is conveyed with the 1 st reading surface 212 in point contact by the step formed by the 1 st guide member 213, and the conveyance in the surface contact state is reduced. This reduces the load on the 1 st reading surface 212, and reduces the risk of damage, breakage, or the like to the 1 st reading surface 212.
The surface of the 1 st guide member 213 shown in fig. 6 may be substantially parallel to the 1 st reading surface 212, or may be tapered toward the coin conveying direction. In the case where the 1 st guide member 213 has a tapered shape, when the transported coin enters the 1 st reading surface 212, the impact on the 1 st reading surface 212 is alleviated, and therefore the load on the 1 st reading surface 212 can be further reduced. The 1 st reading surface 212 may be protected by tempered glass.
In the 1 st reading surface 212, one surface of the coin being conveyed is read by the 1 st image acquisition mechanism, but if a foreign substance such as dust adheres to the 1 st reading surface 212, the coin cannot be accurately read and may be erroneously recognized. The transported coin passes through the 1 st reading surface 212 and also functions to remove foreign matter such as dust adhering to the 1 st reading surface 212. Even if foreign matter such as dust adheres to the 1 st reading surface 212, the foreign matter adhering to the 1 st reading surface 212 can be automatically removed by the operation of the coin processing apparatus 10, and the clean state can be maintained.
Although the 1 st guide member 213 is disposed on the side of the 1 st reading surface 212 where the coin is transported, no step is provided on the side where the coin is transported. As a result, in particular, foreign matter such as dust is sent out of the 1 st reading surface 212 without remaining on the side of the 1 st reading surface 212 from which the coin is transported.
Further, in order to maintain the 1 st reading surface 212 in a clean state, air may be blown to the 1 st reading surface 212. Even if foreign matter such as dust adheres to the 1 st reading surface 212, the air is blown out of the 1 st reading surface 212.
The 2 nd guide member 223 and the 2 nd reading surface 222 have the same configuration, characteristics, and effects as the 1 st guide member 213 and the 1 st reading surface 212 described above, as a matter of course.
In this way, images of both sides of the coin are acquired, and whether or not the coin fed to the coin discriminating unit 200 is a coin that can be used in the coin processing apparatus 10 is discriminated based on the images by, for example, a discriminating unit (not shown) in the coin discriminating unit 200.
As described above, according to the coin discriminating unit 200 of the present invention, since the images of both sides of the coin are acquired while maintaining the upright state of the coin, the coin can be discriminated more accurately without depending on the type of the coin to be processed.
In the present embodiment, the conveyance path 250 is formed in the 1 st unit 210, but may be formed in the 2 nd unit 220 in accordance with the arrangement of the inlet port 230.
The 1 st unit 210 and the 2 nd unit 220 are coupled to each other by the hinge mechanism 240, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, the units may be simply coupled by screws, or a slide mechanism may be used for easy detachment.
Although the contact image sensor has been described as an example of the 1 st and 2 nd image acquiring means disposed inside the 1 st and 2 nd units 210 and 220, the 1 st and 2 nd units 210 and 220 can be downsized if the contact image sensor is used. The 1 st image acquisition means and the 2 nd image acquisition means are not necessarily limited to contact image sensors, and may be other image sensors such as CCD (Charge Coupled Device) cameras, for example.
Further, in order to acquire more accurate images of the coin by the 1 st image acquiring means and the 2 nd image acquiring means, a light source for irradiating the 1 st reading surface 212 and the 2 nd reading surface 222 may be disposed. The light source is specifically an LED, and may be provided at a position adjacent to the 2 nd transport belt 221 so as to irradiate the 1 st reading surface 212 or at a position adjacent to the 1 st transport belt 211 so as to irradiate the 2 nd reading surface 222, but is not limited thereto. For example, the light source may be provided at another position as long as light can be guided to the 1 st reading surface 212 or the 2 nd reading surface 222 by using a light guide plate or a reflection plate.
By providing the light sources for irradiating the 1 st reading surface 212 and the 2 nd reading surface 222 in this way, coins can be easily and accurately recognized, and the possibility of erroneous recognition can be reduced.
The light source does not need to be constantly illuminated, and may have a switching function to illuminate the 1 st reading surface 212 and the 2 nd reading surface 222 when acquiring an image of a transported coin, for example.
The first conveyor belt 211 and the second conveyor belt 221 preferably have a concave-convex shape on the surface, but are not limited to the cross-sectional shapes shown in fig. 5 (a) to (C). For example, the surface may be configured to have a plurality of projections having a part of a spherical body, and the surface may be flat as long as the surface has a frictional force capable of reliably conveying coins.
In the present embodiment, the metal coin (coin) is described as an example of the processing object, but the processing object is not limited to the metal coin, and may be, for example, a game coin used in a game machine such as an automatic lottery machine, a chip used in a casino, or the like.
The embodiments of the present invention have been specifically described above. The above description is merely an explanation of one embodiment, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to this one embodiment, and can be widely interpreted as a scope that can be grasped by those skilled in the art.
Industrial applicability
The present invention can be used in a coin handling apparatus that feeds coins into a gaming machine such as a gaming machine, a vending machine, a metal coin recognition (sorting) machine, or an Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) provided in a financial institution or the like and stores or returns them, and is particularly useful for a coin recognition unit that recognizes coins, or the like.
Claims (13)
1. A coin discriminating unit that discriminates a coin is provided with:
a receiving port that receives coins;
a conveying path that maintains an upright state of the coin conveyed from the receiving port and guides the coin to a delivery port;
a 1 st reading surface for reading one surface of the conveyed upright coin at a 1 st position on the conveying path;
a 1 st image acquiring unit that acquires an image of one surface of the coin via the 1 st reading surface;
a 2 nd conveyor belt that conveys the coin while pressing the coin from the other surface side thereof when the image of the one surface of the coin is acquired by the 1 st image acquisition mechanism;
a 2 nd reading surface for reading the other surface of the coin in the upright state being conveyed at a 2 nd position separated by a predetermined distance in the conveying direction of the coin from the 1 st position on the conveying path;
a 2 nd image acquiring unit that acquires an image of the other surface of the coin via the 2 nd reading surface;
a 1 st transport belt that transports the coin while pressing the coin from one surface side thereof when the image of the other surface of the coin is acquired by the 2 nd image acquisition mechanism; and
a recognition unit that recognizes the coin based on the image of one surface and the image of the other surface of the coin,
the 1 st conveyor belt and the 2 nd conveyor belt are configured to at least partially overlap.
2. Coin discriminating unit according to claim 1,
the 1 st image obtaining mechanism, the 1 st reading surface, and the 1 st transport belt arranged on the 1 st reading surface in the transport direction of the coins constitute a 1 st unit,
the 2 nd image obtaining mechanism, the 2 nd transport belt, and the 2 nd reading surface arranged on the coin transport direction side of the 2 nd transport belt constitute a 2 nd unit,
the 1 st unit and the 2 nd unit are oppositely configured.
3. The coin discriminating unit according to claim 2, wherein the 1 st unit and the 2 nd unit are coupled by a hinge mechanism and can be opened and closed.
4. The coin discriminating unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein at least one of the 1 st and 2 nd conveyor belts has a concavo-convex shape.
5. The coin discriminating unit according to claim 4, wherein a boundary portion between the concave portion and the convex portion in the concave-convex shape is inclined so as to extend from the convex portion in a direction away from the 1 st reading surface or the 2 nd reading surface, and the convex portion has a protruding shape so as to face the 1 st reading surface or the 2 nd reading surface.
6. The coin discriminating unit according to claim 4, wherein a boundary portion between the concave portion and the convex portion in the concave-convex shape is a curved surface shape.
7. The coin discriminating unit according to claim 5, wherein a boundary portion between the concave portion and the convex portion in the concave-convex shape is a curved surface shape.
8. The coin discriminating unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein at least one of the 1 st conveyor belt and the 2 nd conveyor belt is composed of a color system different from that of the coins.
9. The coin discriminating unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a guide member that guides the coin to the 1 st reading surface and the 2 nd reading surface, respectively, on the side where the coin is conveyed, of the 1 st reading surface and the 2 nd reading surface, respectively.
10. A coin discriminating unit as claimed in claim 9 wherein the guide member has a shape which tapers towards the direction of transport of the coins.
11. The coin discriminating unit of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said 1 st reading surface and said 2 nd reading surface are protected by tempered glass.
12. A coin recognition unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the 1 st and 2 nd image acquisition mechanisms are contact image sensors.
13. The coin discriminating unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a light source that irradiates at least one of the 1 st reading surface and the 2 nd reading surface.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP2019137013 | 2019-07-25 | ||
| JP2019-137013 | 2019-07-25 | ||
| JP2019193341A JP7293081B2 (en) | 2019-07-25 | 2019-10-24 | coin identification unit |
| JP2019-193341 | 2019-10-24 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CN211237010U true CN211237010U (en) | 2020-08-11 |
Family
ID=69984317
Family Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN201922418631.6U Active CN211237010U (en) | 2019-07-25 | 2019-12-27 | Coin discriminating unit |
| CN201911371408.9A Active CN110956735B (en) | 2019-07-25 | 2019-12-27 | Coin discriminating unit |
Family Applications After (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN201911371408.9A Active CN110956735B (en) | 2019-07-25 | 2019-12-27 | Coin discriminating unit |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CN (2) | CN211237010U (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2021014978A1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (22)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS4843437Y1 (en) * | 1969-09-10 | 1973-12-14 | ||
| JP3684246B2 (en) * | 1994-11-22 | 2005-08-17 | 日本電産コパル株式会社 | Stamp reader |
| JP3336226B2 (en) * | 1997-05-09 | 2002-10-21 | ローレルバンクマシン株式会社 | Coin processing machine |
| JP3652545B2 (en) * | 1999-04-26 | 2005-05-25 | ローレルバンクマシン株式会社 | Coin discrimination device |
| JP2002024895A (en) * | 2000-07-06 | 2002-01-25 | Nippon Conlux Co Ltd | Disc body discrimination device |
| US8276734B2 (en) * | 2001-03-21 | 2012-10-02 | Japan Cash Machine, Co., Ltd. | Bill validator with centering device |
| CN2593274Y (en) * | 2001-12-14 | 2003-12-17 | 欧姆龙株式会社 | Medium surface reader |
| CN101278322B (en) * | 2005-09-30 | 2010-05-12 | 光荣株式会社 | Apparatus for sorting coin |
| JP4777060B2 (en) * | 2005-12-26 | 2011-09-21 | ローレル精機株式会社 | Coin handling machine |
| EP2230647A1 (en) * | 2006-09-29 | 2010-09-22 | Aruze Corp. | Sheet identifying device |
| CN101609573A (en) * | 2008-06-20 | 2009-12-23 | 上海市莘格高级中学 | Coin sorter |
| JP2010072859A (en) * | 2008-09-17 | 2010-04-02 | Asahi Seiko Co Ltd | Coin image acquisition device for use in coin identification apparatus, coin sorting device having coin image acquisition device, and coin sorting device for use in coin insertion device of game machine |
| JP5187167B2 (en) * | 2008-12-02 | 2013-04-24 | 沖電気工業株式会社 | Media processing device |
| CN101789146B (en) * | 2009-01-23 | 2012-09-05 | 北京凌云光视数字图像技术有限公司 | Face-to-face photographing type coin inspection machine and coin inspection method |
| JP5537117B2 (en) * | 2009-10-26 | 2014-07-02 | 日本金銭機械株式会社 | Paper sheet handling equipment |
| KR101154092B1 (en) * | 2011-01-03 | 2012-06-11 | 엘지엔시스(주) | Object sensing device and automated teller machine |
| JP2012238181A (en) * | 2011-05-12 | 2012-12-06 | Oki Electric Ind Co Ltd | Shutter mechanism |
| JP5760233B2 (en) * | 2011-07-19 | 2015-08-05 | 旭精工株式会社 | Coin guide body in coin information acquisition device |
| JP6593150B2 (en) * | 2015-12-18 | 2019-10-23 | 沖電気工業株式会社 | Medium discrimination device and automatic transaction device |
| JP2018124857A (en) * | 2017-02-02 | 2018-08-09 | グローリー株式会社 | Image sampling apparatus, coin-shaped medium processor, and image sampling method |
| JP6841172B2 (en) * | 2017-06-29 | 2021-03-10 | 富士電機株式会社 | Coin processing device |
| CN208207960U (en) * | 2018-05-18 | 2018-12-07 | 苏州市平江实验学校 | Coin device is sent for coin sorter |
-
2019
- 2019-12-27 CN CN201922418631.6U patent/CN211237010U/en active Active
- 2019-12-27 CN CN201911371408.9A patent/CN110956735B/en active Active
-
2020
- 2020-07-08 WO PCT/JP2020/026742 patent/WO2021014978A1/en active Application Filing
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CN110956735A (en) | 2020-04-03 |
| WO2021014978A1 (en) | 2021-01-28 |
| CN110956735B (en) | 2022-05-13 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| JP4988748B2 (en) | Coin storage and dispensing device | |
| JP2011133982A (en) | Coin processing apparatus | |
| CN110874880A (en) | Coin handling device | |
| US11055679B2 (en) | Bunch document recycler | |
| JP7293081B2 (en) | coin identification unit | |
| JP2007279907A (en) | Coin depositing and dispensing machine | |
| CN211237010U (en) | Coin discriminating unit | |
| JP5620442B2 (en) | Coin deposit / withdrawal device and deformed true coin separation method | |
| JPH1079066A (en) | Coin selector | |
| JP3673052B2 (en) | Trading unit of coin depositing and dispensing machine | |
| JP2018045568A (en) | Bill identification storage device | |
| JP3423645B2 (en) | Coin depositing and dispensing machine | |
| JP5481544B2 (en) | Coin deposit / withdrawal apparatus and its coin storage control program | |
| JPH10228553A (en) | Coin receiving and paying machine | |
| JP2020067772A (en) | Coin identification device, coin processor and coin identification method | |
| JP2021019331A (en) | Image reading device, coin recognition device using image reading device and coin handling apparatus | |
| JP6187191B2 (en) | Coin processing equipment | |
| JP5107321B2 (en) | Coin deposit / withdrawal apparatus and its coin storage control program | |
| Furst et al. | Development of a mechatronic device for high-speed coin sorting | |
| CN113383372B (en) | Coin retaining unit and coin processing device using the same | |
| JP5222872B2 (en) | Coin deposit / withdrawal device | |
| JP2011034143A (en) | Coin recycling device | |
| JP3405644B2 (en) | Coin sorter | |
| JP2004287599A (en) | Coin handler | |
| JP2020144549A (en) | Coin processor and coin processing method |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| GR01 | Patent grant | ||
| GR01 | Patent grant |