JP2001109924A - Identification device for coin - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a identification device for coin, which can simultaneously identify the denomination and authenticity of a coin being a judgment object with a simple constitution. SOLUTION: A path 1 through which a coin C being a judgment object passes, a pair of sensor groups 2 and 3 arranged in the middle of the path, area operation means 4, 4... calculating the value of the area of a range surrounded by the output signal waveforms of the respective sensors in the sensor groups 2 and 3 and the reference line of a 0 level, total operation means 5a and 5b adding up the calculated values of the areas of the respective sensors for the respective sensor groups 2 and 3, comparison means 6a and 6b comparing the calculated total values of both sensor groups 2 and 3 with the reference values in the surfaces and the rear faces of plural coins being the identification objects and a judgment means 7 judging with coin C being the judgment object is true coin are installed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the type and type of coins accepted in a vending machine for selling various goods or tickets and other tickets for railways and the like, or in banks and the like. The present invention relates to a coin identification device used to identify authenticity.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, the type and authenticity of coins are, for example,
The diameter and weight of the coins are measured, and it is determined whether or not these coins match those of certain types of genuine coins within a certain allowable range. Therefore, even if they are similar or dissimilar to any authentic coin, if the external dimensions and weight of any type of authentic coin match within a certain range, it will be erroneously determined to be that type of authentic coin Met. For example, when a 500 won coin having substantially the same diameter as a 500 yen coin is inserted, it may be erroneously determined to be the former true coin, or 5
It is a metal circular product of the same diameter as a 00 yen coin, and a plurality of through-holes are drilled to make it approximately the same weight, or a metal circular product or the like formed by grinding a plurality of recesses is easily converted to a true 500 yen coin. For example, an erroneous determination is made.

[0003] By the way, in order to identify the type and authenticity of such coins, if it is attempted to detect an uneven pattern or the like on the surface of the coins, unlike coins, coins must be kept in a fixed orientation upon detection. Is extremely difficult, and given its actual usage, it is almost impossible. Therefore, even if the coin is of a certain type, a different detection result is obtained every time the coin is detected, and it is extremely difficult to use the coin for identification of the type and authenticity of the coin.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems of the prior art and provides a non-genuine coin whose outer dimensions and weight are merely equal to those of an authentic coin. Non-genuine coins that match a certain type of genuine coin, form a plurality of holes, grooves or depressions, and only match the weight of the genuine coin of that type, are definitely judged to be non-genuine coins. It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for identifying coins to be obtained. In addition, for such discrimination, the uneven pattern on the front and back of the coin and the like shall be detected, and if the detection is on the same side of the same coin, the method shall be specially specified so that almost the same result is obtained every time. It is an object of the present invention to provide a coin discriminating device devised in the following. Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a coin discriminating apparatus that can simultaneously discriminate denominations with a simple configuration.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a passage through which a coin to be judged moves, and a predetermined interval along both sides of the passage along the moving direction of the coin to be judged. A pair of sensor groups, each having a plurality of individual sensors arranged in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the coin to be determined, and an output of the individual sensor of each of the sensor groups. Area calculating means for receiving an output signal to be calculated and calculating a value of an area of a range surrounded by a signal waveform drawn by the output signal and a reference line at a constant level;
A sum calculating means for summing the area values of the individual sensors calculated by the area calculating means for each sensor group; and a total value of both sensor groups calculated by the sum calculating means, A comparison means for comparing the above-mentioned reference values on the front and back of each true coin, and a comparison result output from the comparison means, wherein a relation to any one kind of true coin among all types of true coins to be identified is obtained. In any one of the total values of the two sensor groups, the reference value on the front surface of the authentic coin and the other value coincide with the reference value on the back surface of the authentic coin within a certain range. A determination means for determining whether or not it indicates that the sum of the two coins is equal to the reference value of each of the front and back in the above-mentioned certain range in relation to any one of the above-mentioned types of authentic coins. , The coin to be judged is a genuine coin of that type Determines that that, must match with the predetermined range, a discrimination device determining means that the non-intrinsic coin, in the configuration coins.

[0006] The passage is naturally configured to have a height that allows a coin having the largest diameter to pass among the genuine coins to be identified and a width that allows a coin having a maximum thickness to pass. Also, it is appropriate to provide an appropriate downward slope in the moving direction so that the coin can move by its own weight.

The sensor group is composed of a plurality of individual sensors. The number of sensors is such that the entire surface of the front or back surface of the coin to be identified can be scanned by all the individual sensors. Just do it.

As the individual sensors arranged in the sensor group, various individual sensors capable of relatively scanning the surface as coins pass and capturing characteristics such as unevenness of the surface may be employed. It is possible. For example, a reflection type sensor unit including a light emitting element that irradiates infrared rays toward the passage and a light receiving element that receives light reflected from a coin surface passing through the passage can be adopted. An optical sensor unit having the same configuration as that of the sensor unit and having different emission and reception wavelengths may be employed.

The area calculating means, the sum calculating means, the comparing means and the judging means can convert the output signals of the individual sensors into digital signals and process all of them with digital signals.

In this case, the area calculating means includes, for example, a sampling means for sampling the output of the individual sensor at an appropriate sampling frequency, an A / D converter for A / D converting a sample obtained thereby, In order to constitute the counting means for summing the digital data of all the samples sequentially obtained and to process the data quickly, it is appropriate to constitute the area calculating means for each of the individual sensors.

The total calculating means is a counting means for summing up the area values obtained by the area calculating means for each individual sensor, and is suitably constituted one by one corresponding to each sensor group.

Further, the comparing means compares the total value output from the total calculating means with each of the reference values on the front and back of all the authentic coins to be identified. If the values match within a certain allowable range, a value indicating which reference value of the front and back of which type of genuine coin matches is output. Suitably, it is configured to output a value. It is preferable that two comparing means are also provided corresponding to each sensor group, connected to each total calculating means, and the output is processed as described above.

[0013] The determining means receives the output of each of the comparing means and determines whether one of the two output values is the front surface or the back surface of one type of true coin of all types of true coins to be identified. Is a value that indicates that it is consistent within a certain tolerance with the reference value of the other, and the other is a value that indicates that it is consistent with the reference value of the other side of the same type of authentic coin within a certain tolerance. It is determined whether or not there is, and if so, the coin to be determined is
It is configured to output that it is a true coin of that type, and otherwise output that it is a non-genuine coin different from any of the coins to be identified.

Further, the area calculating means, the sum calculating means and the comparing means may process the analog signals as they are in order to simplify the structure and to process the signals promptly.

For example, the area calculation means can be configured as an integration circuit that receives an output signal of the individual sensor and integrates the output. This integration circuit is configured for each individual sensor. The sum calculation means may be configured as an addition circuit configured one by one for each sensor group and adding the integrated output of each of the integration circuits configured for each individual sensor.

Further, the comparing means may be constituted by a window comparator type comparing circuit which determines whether or not the output of the adding circuit is a value within a certain range. This comparison circuit prepares twice the number of types of coins to be identified for each addition circuit configured corresponding to each sensor group, and each comparison circuit includes all types of authentic coins to be identified. The upper and lower limit values indicating the allowable range obtained based on the reference values of the front and back surfaces are set one by one.

Further, the judging means receives an output of each of the comparison circuits of the comparison circuit group corresponding to the two addition circuits, and one of the outputs of all the comparison circuits of one of the comparison circuit groups is one of the objects to be identified. Is a value within the permissible range based on the reference value of the front or back surface of the true coin, and one of the outputs of all the comparison circuits of the other comparison circuit group is the reference value of the other surface of the same true coin to be identified. It is determined whether or not the value is within the allowable range based on, if so, the coin to be determined outputs that it is a true coin of that type, otherwise,
It is configured to output that it is a non-genuine coin different from any of the coins to be identified.

Therefore, according to the coin identification device of the present invention,
When a coin to be judged is inserted to pass through the passage,
It is accurately determined whether or not the coin to be determined is any of a plurality of authentic coins to be identified. According to the coin discriminating apparatus of the present invention, all of the irregularities on the front and back surfaces of each authentic coin to be discriminated are detected, and the difference can be identified. A coin that matches a coin but has completely different patterns on the front and back, etc., can be identified very easily.

The operation will be described in more detail as follows. When the coin to be determined is inserted to move in the passage, the coin to be determined is passed through the passage by the individual sensors of a pair of sensor groups arranged at regular intervals on both sides of the coin. The front surface and the back surface are relatively scanned, and data of the entire surface such as a concavo-convex pattern on the front surface and the back surface are obtained.

As described above, the individual sensors of each sensor group are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the passage and so as to cover the diameter of the true coin having the largest diameter to be identified without gaps. As described above, when the coin to be determined is inserted into the passage, the coin to be determined rolls in front of the sensor group arranged in this way and passes.

At this time, each of the individual sensors of the pair of sensor groups draws its surface (front surface or back surface) relative to each other along a concentric elliptical arc as the coin to be determined passes. In each sensor group, scanning is performed to cover the entire surface of each surface as a whole. In this way, an uneven pattern or the like on the entire front and back surfaces of the coin to be determined is reliably detected.

The detection signals of the individual sensors in the pair of sensor groups are input to the area calculating means, where the waveform of the detection signal and a reference line of a certain level, for example, a reference line of a zero level, are used. The value of the area of the enclosed range is calculated. The value of the area of the individual sensor obtained in this way is input to the sum calculation means for each sensor group and summed.

The total value of each sensor group is input to the comparing means, and is compared with the reference value on the front and back of each authentic coin to be identified. The comparison is performed in such a manner that it is determined whether or not the total value of each sensor group matches each of the above reference values within a certain allowable range.

The value of the comparison result for each of the two sensor groups is input to the next judging means, and one of the comparison result values of the two sensor groups is used for all types of identification targets. In the relationship to any one of the intrinsic coins of the intrinsic coin, it shows that the reference value on the front side of the intrinsic coin coincides with the reference value in a certain range, and that the other side coincides with the reference value on the back side in a certain range. The value of the comparison result between the two sensor groups is determined to be a value indicating that both the front and back surfaces are the same in relation to any one type of genuine coin. In this case, a determination is made that the coin to be determined is a genuine coin coinciding with a genuine coin of that type, and otherwise, an output indicating that it is a non-genuine coin is output.

Thus, the denomination and authenticity of the coin are determined simultaneously.

In the above coin discriminating apparatus, the output signal of one or more individual sensors continuous from the top among the plurality of individual sensors in the pair of sensor groups is determined based on the output signal. If the value of the area to be obtained is to generate a value of an area in which it is not recognized that a part of the coin has passed through the front surface, the value of the individual sensor that outputs such an output signal from the top is It is possible to add a configuration in which the type of the passed coin is identified by the number.

In this case, the type can be determined only when the type determined by the above configuration and the type determined by the above configuration match, and by doing so, The type can be determined reliably.

[0028]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail based on embodiments with reference to the drawings. Figure 1
FIG. 6 shows a first embodiment to which the coin discriminating apparatus of the present invention is applied, and FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the entire configuration thereof.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of disposing a group of sensors in a passage;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the connection relationship between the sensor group, the area calculating means and the total calculating means, FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the structure of the area calculating means in some detail, and FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a trajectory in which the individual sensors of the sensor group relatively scan the front surface or the back surface of the coin to be rolled in the passage.

FIGS. 7 to 9 show a second embodiment to which the coin discriminating apparatus of the present invention is applied. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the entire configuration, and FIG. 8 is a sensor group, an integrating circuit and an adding circuit. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a connection relation of the circuits, FIG.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a connection relationship between a comparison circuit and a determination unit.

<Embodiment 1> Embodiment 1 is an example of a coin discriminating apparatus configured to convert an output signal of an individual sensor into a digital signal and process it.

As shown in FIG. 1, the coin discriminating apparatus according to the first embodiment includes a passage 1 through which a coin C to be determined passes, a pair of sensor groups 2, 3 arranged in the middle thereof, and a sensor group 2, , 3 individual sensors 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e,
Area calculating means 4 for calculating a value of an area in a range surrounded by signal waveforms drawn by output signals of 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e and a reference line of 0 level;
4, the individual sensors 2a to 2e, 3a to 3e calculated by
The total calculation means 5a and 5b for summing the values of the area of each sensor group 2 and 3 for each sensor group, and the total values for both sensor groups 2 and 3 calculated by the total calculation means 5a and 5b, respectively. Comparison means 6a, 6 for comparing with 50 yen, 100 yen, and 500 yen coins, which are identification targets in Example 1, on the front and back of each coin.
b, and the value of the comparison result output from the two comparing means 6a and 6b, the coin C to be determined is 50 yen,
The determination means 7 determines whether the coin is a true coin of either 00 yen or 500 yen, or a non-genuine coin that is neither.

The passage 1 is configured to have a height and a width that allow a 500-yen coin having a maximum diameter and a maximum thickness to pass among the coins to be identified, and has a downward inclination suitable for rolling by its own weight. Shall be.

The sensor groups 2 and 3 are arranged along the moving direction of the coin C to be determined at intervals of about the diameter of a 500-yen coin having a maximum diameter and facing the passage 1 side. As shown in FIG. 2, each of the sensor groups 2 and 3 has five individual sensors 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2 respectively.
d, 2e or 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e are arranged in the moving direction of the coin C to be determined, that is, in the direction orthogonal to the length direction of the passage 1.

Individual sensors 2 arranged in the sensor groups 2 and 3
In the first embodiment, the light-emitting elements a to 2e and 3a to 3e irradiate infrared rays toward the passage 1 and the reflected light from the surface of the coin C to be determined passing through the passage 1 is received. A reflective sensor unit consisting of a light receiving element was adopted. This makes it possible to detect the concavo-convex pattern on the front and back surfaces of the coin C to be determined.

The area calculating means 4 is the same as that described in FIG.
As shown in (1), in order to perform calculation processing quickly, the individual sensors 2a to 2e, 3a to 3e of the sensor groups 2 and 3 are used.
Each output is connected one by one to process the output.

As shown in FIG. 4, the area calculating means 4, 4,... Are provided with the individual sensors 2a (2b-2e, 3a-3).
e) Sampling means 41 for sampling the output at an appropriate sampling frequency, A / D converter 42 for A / D converting the samples obtained thereby, and counting means 43 for summing digital data of all samples sequentially obtained. And

As shown in FIG. 3, the sum calculation means 5a and 5b calculate the former as the area calculation means 4 for calculating the value of each area of the individual sensors 2a to 2e of the sensor group 2.
4 and sums the values of the respective areas that are outputs of the sensors, and the latter is used as the individual sensors 3a to 3e of the sensor group 3.
Are connected to the other area calculating means 4, 4... For calculating the values of the respective areas, and the outputs of the respective areas are summed up.

As shown in FIG. 5, the comparing means 6a and 6b are respectively composed of comparing sections 6a1 and 6b1 and a reference value holding section 6.
a2, 6b2 and the reference value holding units 6a2, 6b.
b2 is 50 yen, 100 yen, 500
Each reference value on the front and back of the yen coin is held and sequentially input to the comparison units 6a1 and 6b1, and compared with the total output values of the total calculation means 5a and 5b separately input. For comparison with each reference value, an allowable range is determined experimentally in advance for each reference value, and the sum calculation means 5a, 5
The determination is made as to whether or not the total output value of b is within the allowable range for each reference value.

Therefore, as a result of the above comparison, the value of the comparison result output from the comparing means 6a, 6b is 50 yen, 100 yen.
This is a value indicating that it matches within a permissible range with the reference value on either side of the yen or the 500 yen coin, or that it does not match any of them.

The judging means 7 determines that the value of the comparison result output from one of the comparing means 6a and 6b is
In relation to any one of the 0 yen, 100 yen and 500 yen coins, the reference value of the front or back surface and the value of the comparison result output from the other are within the allowable range with the reference value of the other surface. It is configured to determine whether or not the coins match each other, and if they match, the coin C to be determined is its type (50 yen, 100 yen or 500 yen coin).
Is determined to be a genuine coin, and if they do not match, it is determined to be a non-genuine coin.

Therefore, according to the coin discriminating apparatus of the first embodiment, the coin C to be judged is discriminated, that is, the coin C to be judged is
Is a true coin of 50 yen, 100 yen, or 500 yen, or a non-genuine coin that does not correspond to any of them can be reliably determined as follows.

When the coin discriminating apparatus of the first embodiment is applied to, for example, a vending machine such as a soft drink, when the coin C to be judged is inserted from the coin insertion slot, the coin C to be judged is When passing through the passage 1, the front surface and the back surface are relatively scanned by the individual sensors 2a to 2e and 3a to 3e of the pair of sensor groups 2 and 3 arranged at intervals on the both sides of the passage 1. , And data of the entire surface such as an uneven pattern on the front surface and the back surface can be obtained.

As shown in FIG. 6, the coin C to be determined travels in the passage 1 as shown by a straight arrow A1, and rolls as shown by an arc A2. As described above, when the vehicle advances while rolling on the front surface of the sensor group 2, the surface of the coin to be determined C facing the sensor group 2 is relatively moved by each of the individual sensors 2a to 2e. Are scanned as shown by trajectories t1 to t5. Specifically, the corresponding relationship is described by drawing the locus t5 of the individual sensor 2a, the locus t4 of the individual sensor 2b, the locus t3 of the individual sensor 2c, the locus t2 of the individual sensor 2d, and the locus t1 of the individual sensor 2e. This is to scan the target.

If the detection spots of the individual sensors 2a to 2e are determined to have an appropriate diameter, it is possible to detect the concavo-convex pattern and the like on all the corresponding surfaces of the coin C to be determined by the above scanning. Become. In the above, only the sensor group 2 has been described, but the operation of the other sensor group 3 is exactly the same, except that the surface to be scanned is the surface on the opposite side of the coin C to be determined.

The detection signals detected by the individual sensors 2a to 2e of the sensor group 2 as described above are input to the corresponding area calculating means 4, 4,... As shown in FIG. Through the process described above, the output signal waveform and the area within the range surrounded by the 0-level reference line are calculated. The value of the area corresponding to each of the individual sensors 2a to 2e obtained in this way is, as shown in FIG.
, Where the individual sensors 2a to 2a of the sensor group 2
The sum of the area values corresponding to e is obtained.

Similar values (total values) for the individual sensors 3a to 3e of the sensor group 3 are obtained in the same manner as described above through calculations by the area calculating means 4, 4,... And calculations by the total calculating means 5b.

Incidentally, the detection of the front or back surface of the coin C to be judged is performed when the coin C to be judged passes while rolling on the front surface of the sensor groups 2 and 3, so that each individual sensor C is detected. Scanned portions 2a to 2e and 3a to 3e do not always match. However, when the front and back surfaces are viewed as a whole, they are not always constant and change. Then, the individual sensors 2a to 2e, 3a to
3e, and the obtained detection data is
As described above, by summing the values for each of the sensor groups 2 and 3, substantially constant data can be obtained at any time for each surface of the same coin C to be determined.

The total values of the sensor groups 2 and 3 output from the total calculating means 5a and 5b are input to comparing means 6a and 6b, respectively, and as shown in FIG. 6b1. On the other hand, the reference value holding units 6a2 and 6b2 attached to
The reference values on the front and back of the yen, 100 yen, and 500 yen coins are read out, and sequentially read out from the comparison units 6a1, 6b1.
And compared with the total value of each of the sensor groups 2 and 3. As described above, the comparison is performed by the sum calculation means 5a, 5a
This is performed by determining whether or not the total output value of b (the total value of each of the sensor groups 2 and 3) is within the allowable range for each reference value.

The value of the comparison result for each of the two sensor groups 2 and 3 output from the comparison means 6a and 6b is input to the next determination means 7 as shown in FIG. Based on the above, the coin C to be determined is a true 50 yen, 1
It is determined whether the coin is a 00-yen or 500-yen coin or a non-genuine coin which is neither.

In the judging means 7, one of the values of the comparison result between the two sensor groups 2 and 3 is related to any one of 50 yen, 100 yen and 500 yen coins. It is consistent with the surface reference value within a certain range, and the other is
It is determined whether or not the value indicates that the value matches the reference value on the back surface within a certain range.

The value of the comparison result between the two sensor groups 2 and 3 is determined by the determination means 7 to be 50 yen, 100 yen or 5 yen.
If it is determined that the value is a value indicating that the front and back sides match each other in relation to one of the 00 yen coins, the determination target coin C is determined to be a genuine coin of that type. If not, an output indicating that the coin is a non-genuine coin that does not match any is output.

Thus, the type and authenticity of the 50 yen, 100 yen or 500 yen coin are determined simultaneously.

<Embodiment 2> This embodiment 2 is an example of a coin discriminating apparatus configured to handle output signals of individual sensors as analog signals and to process them more speedily.

As shown in FIG. 7, the coin discriminating apparatus according to the second embodiment includes a passage 1 through which a coin C to be determined passes, and a pair of sensor groups 2 and 3 arranged in the middle thereof. Is exactly the same as that of the first embodiment. The above sensor group 2
Are composed of individual sensors 2a to 2e, and the sensor group 3
However, it is exactly the same that the individual sensors 3a to 3e are configured.

Other configurations are almost the same except for the difference resulting from processing the analog signal as it is. In another configuration, as shown in FIG. 7, an area for calculating an area value in a range surrounded by a signal waveform drawn by the output signals of the individual sensors 2a to 2e and 3a to 3e and a 0-level reference line. Integration circuits 14, 14,...
Each individual sensor 2 calculated by the integration circuits 14, 14,...
adder circuits 15a and 15b, which are sum calculation means for summing the area values of a to 2e and 3a to 3e for each of the sensor groups 2 and 3
And the total value of the two sensor groups 2 and 3 calculated by the addition circuits 15a and 15b, respectively, on the front and back sides of the 50 yen, 100 yen and 500 yen coins to be identified in the second embodiment. Based on the comparison means 16a, 16b for comparing with the reference value and the value of the comparison result output from the two comparison means 16a, 16b, the coin C to be determined is 50 yen, 100 yen.
And a determination means 17 for determining whether the coin is a true coin of any of yen or 500 yen or a non-genuine coin of neither of them.

The integrator circuit 14 is the same as that described in FIG.
As shown in the figure, the individual sensors 2a to 2a of the sensor groups 2 and 3
e, 3a to 3e, so as to be connected one by one, the same number and the number of the output signals are received and each of them is integrated.

As shown in FIG. 8, the adder circuits 15a and 15b are formed one by one for each of the sensor groups 2 and 3, and the integrating circuits 14 and 15 corresponding to the individual sensors 2a to 2e in the former are used.
14 are input to the addition circuit 15a,
Integrating circuit 1 corresponding to the latter individual sensors 3a to 3e
The integrated value outputs of 4, 14,... Are input to the adder circuit 15b so as to obtain total values corresponding to the sensor groups 2, 3, respectively.

Further, the comparing means 16a and 16b correspond to FIG.
, Six window comparator type comparators h1 to h6, h7 to h1 each of which determines whether or not the outputs of the adders 15a and 15b are within a certain range.
It consists of two. The comparison circuits h1 to h6 (h7 to h1)
2), as described above, each of the adder circuits 15a and 15b corresponding to each of the sensor groups 2 and 3 is configured with six adders 15a and 15b,
Each of the comparison circuits h1 to h6 (h7 to h12) has
Upper and lower limit values indicating allowable ranges determined based on the reference values of the front and back sides of the 50 yen, 100 yen and 500 yen coins to be identified are set one by one.

That is, upper and lower limits indicating an allowable range determined based on the reference value of the front surface of the 50-yen coin are set in the comparison circuit h1, and based on the reference value of the back surface of the 50-yen coin in the comparison circuit h2. The upper and lower limit values indicating the determined allowable range are set, and the upper and lower limit values indicating the allowable range determined based on the reference value on the surface of the 100 yen coin are set in the comparison circuit h3.

Further, the judging means 17 comprises the comparing means 1
Upon receiving the comparison result outputs of the comparison circuits h1 to h6 and h7 to h12 of 6a and 16b, first of all the comparison result outputs include comparison result outputs indicating values within the respective allowable ranges. Check whether or not. This check is to check whether both of the comparison circuits h1 to h6 on the side of the comparison means 16a and each of the comparison circuits h7 to h12 on the side of the comparison means 16b have the same. The corresponding comparing circuits (h1 to h) of the comparing means 16a and 16b
6, h7-h12) Whether the mutual combination is an upper and lower limit value based on the reference values of the front and back surfaces of the same genuine coin to be identified, for example, one of them is a comparison circuit of the comparison means 16a. In h1, upper and lower limit values are set based on the reference value of the front surface of the 50 yen coin, and the other is set by the comparison circuit h8 of the comparison means 16b to set upper and lower limit values based on the reference value of the back surface of the 50 yen coin. To determine if
If so, the determination target coin C is configured to output that it is a true coin of that type, otherwise, it is configured to output that it is a non-genuine coin different from any of the coins to be identified. Is what you do.

Therefore, according to the coin discriminating apparatus of the second embodiment, discrimination of the coin C to be determined, that is, the coin C
Can be determined more quickly than in the first embodiment as to whether the coin is a true coin of 50 yen, 100 yen, or 500 yen, or a non-genuine coin that does not correspond to any of them.

The coin discriminating apparatus according to the second embodiment has exactly the same basic operation and operation as the first embodiment. The difference is that in the first embodiment, the individual sensors 2a to 2e,
While the signals obtained in 3a to 3e are converted into digital signals and processed, in the second embodiment, the signals are processed almost as they are.

In the second embodiment, integrating circuits 14, 14 are used instead of the area calculating means 4, 4,... Of the first embodiment, and an adding circuit 15 is used instead of the total calculating means 5a, 5b of the first embodiment.
a and 15b, and instead of the comparing means 6a and 6b, window comparator type comparing circuits h1 to h12.
The use of the comparison means 16a and 16b using the above makes it possible to further improve the processing speed.

[0064]

According to the coin discriminating apparatus of the present invention, when a coin to be judged is inserted so as to pass through the passage, the coin to be judged is replaced with one of a plurality of authentic coins to be discriminated. It is accurately determined whether or not there is.
According to the coin discriminating apparatus of the present invention, all of the irregularities on the front and back surfaces of each authentic coin to be discriminated are detected, and the difference can be identified. A coin that matches a coin but has completely different patterns on the front and back, etc., can be identified very easily.

The individual sensors of each sensor group are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the passage and so as to cover the diameter of the largest true coin to be identified without gaps.
Therefore, when the coin to be judged rolls in the passage,
As the rolling passes, each of the individual sensors relatively scans the front surface or the back surface of the coin to be determined by drawing a trajectory having a shape close to a concentric elliptical arc. The scanning that covers the entire surface of each surface is performed. In this manner, all of the uneven patterns on the entire front and back surfaces of the coin to be determined are reliably detected.

The detection signal of the individual sensor in the pair of sensor groups is calculated by calculating the area value of a range surrounded by a waveform drawn by the detection signal and a reference line of a certain level, for example, a reference line of a zero level. In addition, the values of the areas of the individual sensors are summed up for each sensor group, and the difference between the sums is used to identify the type and authenticity of the coin to be judged. It is possible to appropriately obtain information for the above-mentioned determination on the target coin.

In the above-described coin discriminating apparatus, the output signals of one or more individual sensors continuous from the top of the plurality of individual sensors in the pair of sensor groups are determined based on the output signals. If the value of the area to be obtained is to generate a value of an area in which it is not recognized that a part of the coin has passed through the front surface, the value of the individual sensor that outputs such an output signal from the top is A configuration can be added to identify the type of coin that has passed by the number.

In this case, the type can be determined only when the type determined by the above configuration matches the type determined by the above configuration. The type can be determined reliably.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a sensor group is arranged in a passage.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a connection relationship among a sensor group, an area calculation unit, and a total calculation unit.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an area calculating means in some detail.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a comparison unit in some detail.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a trajectory in which individual sensors of a sensor group relatively scan the front surface or the back surface of a coin to be determined rolling in a passage.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a connection relationship among a sensor group, an integration circuit, and an addition circuit.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a connection relationship among an addition circuit, a comparison circuit, and a determination unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 passage 2, 3 sensor group 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e individual sensor 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e individual sensor 4 area calculating means 41 sampling means 42 A / D converter 43 counting means 5a, 5b total calculating means 6a, 6b Comparison means 6a1, 6b1 Comparison section 6a2, 6b2 Reference value holding section 7 Determination means 14 Integration circuit 15a, 15b Addition circuit 16a, 16b Comparison means h1-h6, h7-h12 Comparison circuit 17 Determination means A1 Straight arrow A2 Arc Arrow C Coins to be judged t1, t2, t3, t4, t5 Locus

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A passage through which a coin to be judged moves, and a pair of sensors arranged on both sides of the passage at a fixed interval along a moving direction of the coin to be judged and each facing the passage. A pair of sensor groups each having a plurality of individual sensors arranged in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the coin to be determined, and an output signal output from an individual sensor of each of the sensor groups is received. Area calculating means for calculating an area value of a range surrounded by a signal waveform drawn by an output signal and a constant level reference line; and an area value of each individual sensor calculated by the area calculating means for each sensor group. A sum calculating means for summing, a comparing means for comparing the total value of each of the two sensor groups calculated by the sum calculating means with reference values on the front and back of one or more true coins to be identified, Out of the means The result of comparison is a relationship with respect to any one type of authentic coin of all types of identification coins to be identified, and one of the total values of both sensor groups is determined by the surface of the authentic coin. A reference value, and the other value is a determination means for determining whether the reference value of the back of the genuine coin coincides with the reference value in a certain range, the determination means for any one of the above-described one type of genuine coin In relation, both sum values are
If the reference value of each of the front and back coincides with the above-mentioned certain range, the coin to be determined is determined to be a genuine coin of that type, and if the coin does not match in the above-mentioned certain range, it is a non-genuine coin. And a judging means for judging the coin. 2. A reflection-type sensor unit comprising a light-emitting element for irradiating infrared rays toward the passage and a light-receiving element for receiving light reflected from a coin passing through the passage is employed as the individual sensor. The coin identification device according to claim 1. 3. An output signal of one or more individual sensors continuous from the top among a plurality of individual sensors in the pair of sensor groups is defined as a value of the area obtained based on the output signal. In the case of generating a value of the area where it is not recognized that a part of the coin has passed through the front surface, the type of the passed coin is determined by the number of individual sensors that output such an output signal from the top. The coin identification device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the coin is identified.