JP2875151B2 - Coin processing machine - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a coin processor for sorting and counting or wrapping coins, and more particularly to a coin processor having a function of discriminating the presence or absence of holes in coins to be sorted and counted.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An example of a device for determining the presence or absence of a hole in a coin processor is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 53-51798. This hole presence / absence determination device employs an electromagnetic induction method to solve the problem that it is necessary to prevent the adhesion of dust, which occurs in the photoelectric method used before that, and uses a maximum point of the output voltage. By providing a comparison circuit with a reference value set between the minimum point, one pulse is output from the comparison circuit in the case of a coin without a hole, and two pulses are output from the comparison circuit in the case of a coin with a hole. The output is used to determine the presence or absence of a coin hole.

[0003]

However, in the above-described apparatus, the coin is discriminated as a holed coin only by outputting two pulses from the comparison circuit, so that the discriminating element for the position of the hole is insufficient. It is clear that, depending on the size of the detection coil and the like, it is difficult to set a reference value to be compared by the comparison circuit.Furthermore, a time change may be considered as a characteristic of the electric circuit. Development was desired. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a coin processing machine that determines the presence or absence of a coin hole with higher discrimination accuracy.

[0004]

In order to achieve the above object, a coin processing machine according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a receiving coil and a transmitting coil which are arranged to face each other and allow coins to pass between each other, and A receiving circuit connected to the coil and outputting a material detection level signal according to the material of the passing coin; and a transmitting circuit connected to the transmitting coil and outputting a hole detection level signal according to the presence or absence of a passing coin. And the level of the hole detection level signal obtained at the same timing as the timing at which the peak value of the material detection level signal is obtained, and the detection level of the coin determined from the coin detection start timing determined by the material detection level signal. A difference from a first peak value, which is a peak value of the hole detection level signal, until a timing at which a peak value of the signal is obtained; A second peak value that is a peak value of the hole detection level signal between a level value and a timing at which a peak value of the material detection level signal is obtained to a detection end timing of a coin determined by the material detection level signal. And a control means for discriminating a coin with a hole when the difference between them exceeds a predetermined reference value and discriminating a coin without a hole otherwise.

A coin processor according to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect, stores a denomination setting means for setting a denomination of a coin and the reference value according to the denomination. Storage means, wherein the control means reads a reference value corresponding to the denomination set by the denomination setting means from the storage means, and determines whether or not there is a hole.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the coin processing machine according to the second aspect, the storage means stores the material detection level during a period from the detection start timing to the detection end timing of the coin. It is characterized in that the signal level value and the hole detection level signal level value are stored in association with each other.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the second or third aspect, the coin processing machine is provided on the upstream side of the receiving coil and the transmitting coil, and guides the coin around its outer periphery. Forming a coin passage to be passed and having a passage width adjusting unit capable of changing the passage width thereof, wherein the control unit controls the passage width so as to have a passage width corresponding to the denomination set by the denomination setting unit; It is characterized in that the adjusting means is driven.

[0008]

According to the coin processor of the first aspect of the present invention,
The control circuit determines the level of the material detection level signal based on the level value of the hole detection level signal obtained at the same timing as when the peak value of the material detection level signal is obtained, and the coin detection start timing determined by the material detection level signal. Difference from the first peak value, which is the peak value of the hole detection level signal, until the timing of obtaining the peak value, and the level value of the hole detection level signal, from the timing of obtaining the peak value of the material detection level signal. The difference between the peak value of the hole detection level signal and the second peak value, which is the peak value of the coin detection until the coin detection end timing determined by the material detection level signal, is compared with a predetermined reference value. Is determined to be a perforated coin if the number of coins exceeds the limit, and otherwise to be a perforated coin. That is, the position at which the peak value of the material detection level signal is obtained is defined as the center position of the coin, and the difference between the level value of the hole detection level signal at this center position and the peak values of the hole detection level signals before and after the center position is defined as a reference. Will be compared to the value. For this reason, the determination is performed by combining the value of the material detection level signal and the value of the hole detection level signal,
In addition, two data points are compared with a reference value.

According to the coin processing machine of the second aspect of the present invention, the control means reads the reference value corresponding to the denomination set by the denomination setting means from the storage means, and determines the presence or absence of a hole. Therefore, the discrimination corresponding to a plurality of denominations can be performed by one apparatus, and it is not necessary to re-input the reference value every time the denomination changes.

According to the coin processor of the third aspect of the present invention, the storage means stores the level value of the material detection level signal and the level value of the hole detection level signal during a period from the start of coin detection to the end of coin detection. Are stored in association with each other, so that it becomes easy to read the level value of the hole detection level signal obtained at the same timing as when the peak value of the material detection level signal is obtained, for example.

According to the coin processing machine of the present invention, the control means drives the passage width adjusting means so that the coin passage has a passage width corresponding to the denomination set by the denomination setting means. Therefore, when the denomination is changed, the passage automatically has a width corresponding to the denomination according to the setting by the denomination setting means.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A coin processing machine according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Reference numeral 10 in FIG. 1 denotes a coin passage which is arranged in the coin processing machine and horizontally moves coins C sent from the upstream side to the downstream side (right side in FIG. 1) in a state where the coins C are arranged in a line. The coin passage 10 includes a pair of rails 11 and 12 provided in parallel with each other, and stepped portions 13 and 13 projecting from the vertically lower side of the opposing surfaces of the rails 11 and 12 by a predetermined amount so as to approach each other. The coin C is transported by the transport belt 14 provided above while the outer peripheral portion of the coin C is guided by the opposing surfaces of the rails 11 and 12 while the peripheral portion is supported by the upper surfaces of the steps 13 and 13. It is supposed to.

Here, the rails 11 and 12 can move so as to approach or separate from each other while maintaining a parallel state, so that the distance between the opposing surfaces, that is, the passage width, depends on the denomination of the coin C. It is being adjusted. More specifically, the rail 11 is urged by a spring (not shown) to bring its cam follower 15 into contact with the passage width adjusting cam 16, and when the passage width adjusting cam 16 rotates, the cam follower follows the uneven cam surface. Reference numeral 15 changes the position, and the rail 11 moves while maintaining the parallel state with respect to the rail 12 to change the interval. The passage width adjusting cam 16
Are rotated intermittently by a predetermined angle so that the cam surface is switched by a driving source such as a motor (not shown).
Here, the rails 11 and 12, a spring (not shown), a cam follower 15, a passage width adjusting cam 16, and a driving source (not shown) constitute a passage width adjusting means 17.

Further, a flat passage surface 20a of the rails 11, 12 on the downstream side of the coin passage 10 has stepped portions 13, 1 formed thereon.
The coin passage 20 is arranged on the same plane as the upper surface of the coin 3, and the coin passage 20 is arranged at a distance from each other in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the coin C conveyed by the conveyor belt 14. A fouling detection sensor group 23 including a pair of light emitting elements 21 and 21 and a detection sensor 22 disposed between the light emitting elements 21 and 21 is provided. The stain detection sensor group 23 includes light emitting elements 21 and 21 and a coin C.
The lower surface of the coin C is irradiated with light, the reflected light is received by the detection sensor 22, and the dirty state of the coin C is detected at the level of the received light. Further, a stopper 24 is provided downstream of the contamination detection sensor group 23. The stopper 24 has a stepped portion 25 with a partially cut-out shape, and allows the coin C to pass by positioning the stepped portion 25 on the side of the passage surface 20a. By retreating the step 25 from the passage surface 20a to the rail 12 side by rotating horizontally, a part of the passage surface 20a protrudes to restrict the passage of the coin C.

An optical sensor 27 for detecting the presence or absence of the coin C by reflecting light is provided slightly upstream of the stopper 24. The optical sensor 27 is for timing whether or not to stop the coins C conveyed from the upstream side to the downstream side in the coin path 20 according to the counting result or the discrimination result. The rotation of the stopper 24 is controlled at the timing of the detection signal from the sensor 27. Here, a processing unit (not shown) that performs a packaging process and the like of the coin C is provided downstream of the stopper 24.

In this embodiment, a magnetic sensor 28 is provided between the stain detection sensor group 23 and the optical sensor 27 at a predetermined position in the center of the coin passage 20 in the passage width. As shown in FIG. 2, the magnetic sensor 28 is provided with a receiving coil 30 and a transmitting coil which pass coins C moving in the coin passage 20, which are arranged on a vertical line so as to face each other with the passage surface 20 a of the coin passage 20 therebetween. 31, a receiving circuit 34 having a filter 32 and a rectifying circuit 33 connected to the receiving coil 30 and outputting a material detection level signal V corresponding to the material of the coin C passing therethrough, and an oscillating circuit connected to the transmitting coil 31 A transmission circuit 38 having a filter 35, a filter 36, and a rectifier circuit 37 and outputting a hole detection level signal W according to the presence or absence of a hole of the coin C passing therethrough is provided.

The receiving circuit 34 and the transmitting circuit 38
As shown in FIG. 3, they are connected to A / D converters 39, 39, respectively, and these A / D converters 39, 39 are connected to an interface 40. The material detection level signal V output from the reception circuit 34 and the hole detection level signal W output from the transmission circuit 38 are A / D-converted by A / D converters 39 and 39, respectively, and then introduced into the interface 40. Is done.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 42 denotes a CPU which is control means of the coin processing machine.
In addition to the interface 40, the stopper 24, the optical sensor 27, the stain detection sensor group 23, and the passage width adjusting means 17 are connected to the interface 40. Further, information necessary for the operation of the coin processor and coins are provided. ROM 43, which is storage means for storing reference data and the like for determination,
A RAM 44 serving as storage means for storing the D-converted material detection level signal V, the hole detection level signal W, and the like; a transport drive system 45 for driving the transport belt 14 and the like provided above the coin paths 10 and 20; A denomination setting means 46 of a switch type or the like for setting a denomination of coins to be sorted and counted or packed by external input is connected.

Here, the contents of control of the entire coin processing machine by the CPU 42 will be briefly described. First, when the denomination setting means 46 is operated and a signal corresponding to the designated denomination is output from the denomination setting means 46, the CPU 42 issues a drive signal corresponding to a difference angle between the designated denomination and the designated denomination. Is output to the passage width adjusting means 17. Thereby, the passage width adjusting means 17
Rotates the passage width adjusting cam 16 to the angular position of the designated denomination, whereby the rail 11 moves with respect to the rail 12, and the passage width of the coin passages 10, 20 becomes the coin outer diameter of the designated denomination. . Next, the CPU 42 drives the transport drive system 45. Then, basically, only coins C of the designated denomination move in the coin passages 10 and 20 from the upstream side to the downstream side, and are counted by the material detection level signal V output from the receiving circuit 34 of the magnetic sensor 28, for example. Then, it is transported to the downstream side from the stopper 24 and transported to the packaging processing position, where the packaging processing is performed.

Here, the CPU 42 monitors the detection signal output from the detection sensor 22 of the contamination detection sensor group 23, and the amount of light received by the detection sensor 22 is stored in the ROM.
If the value read out from the register 43 does not reach the predetermined level set for each denomination, it is determined that the detected coin C is abnormal. The CPU 42 is, for example, the magnetic sensor 28
The number of passing coins C is counted based on the material detection level signal V output from the receiving circuit 34, and the material detection is performed. Further, the material detection level signal V and the hole detection level signal W
, The presence or absence of a hole in the coin C described later is determined. Then, the CPU 42 detects the abnormality of the coin C (when the coin is a dirty coin and when the coin hole is different from the set denomination) or when the set number of coins C is counted, An abnormal coin or a coin after counting is detected by the optical sensor 27, and the stopper 24 is rotated at a predetermined timing to restrict the movement of the coin downstream from the stopper 24 and stop the transport drive system 45. It has become.

Next, the contents of control performed by the CPU 42 for judging the presence or absence of holes will be described step by step with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. [Step S1] It is determined by a timer (not shown) whether or not a sampling timing for reading the material detection level signal V and the hole detection level signal W has been reached. If the sampling timing has come, the process proceeds to step S2. If not, step S1 is repeated.

The level value of the material detection level signal V from [Step S2] receiving circuit 34 determines whether or not it is larger than L _0, the process proceeds to step S3 if increased, otherwise It returns to step S1. Here, L ₀ is a constant value, which is set to eliminate the influence of noise and the like, and is a level value serving as a reference for determining that the coin C is within the detection range of the magnetic sensor 28 without fail. Are set and stored in advance in the ROM 43 for each denomination. Then, as shown in FIG. 5 (a), when the material detection level signal V becomes L ₀ <V, the CPU 42
As shown in (b), it is determined that the detection start timing T ₀ has come, and a coin presence detection flag X indicating the presence of a coin is raised.

[Step S3] In FIG.
The material detection level signal V from the receiving circuit 34 shown in FIG.
And the level value of the hole detection level signal W from the transmission circuit 38 shown in FIG. 5C are stored in a one-to-one correspondence. Then, the process proceeds to step S4. [Step S4] It is determined by a timer (not shown) whether or not a sampling timing for reading the material detection level signal V and the hole detection level signal W has come. If the sampling timing has come, the process proceeds to step S5. If not, step S4 is repeated.

The level value of the material detection level signal V from [Step S5] receiving circuit 34 determines whether it is smaller than L _1, the process proceeds to step S6 if it becomes smaller, and if not It returns to step S3. Here, L ₁ is a constant value, which is set in order to remove the influence of noise or the like.
This is a level value serving as a reference for determining that the detection range has disappeared from the detection range, and is previously set and stored in the ROM 43 for each denomination. Then, as shown in FIG. 5A, after L ₀ <V is determined in step S2 and it is determined that a coin is present, when the material detection level signal V becomes L ₁ > V, the CPU
42 is a detection end timing T when the coin C disappears from the detection range of the magnetic sensor 28 as shown in FIG.
_It is determined that the value has become ₁ and a coin presence detection flag X indicating that a coin is present
Shut down.

[Step S6] The level value W _P0 of the hole detection level signal W at the timing T _{P at} which the peak value (the maximum value in this case) V _P of the material detection level signal V is obtained is stored in the RAM 44.
Read from Then, the process proceeds to step S7. [Step S7] peak value of pore detection level signal W between the detection start timing T ₀ of the coin C to the timing T _P to obtain the peak value V _P of the material detection level signal V first is (in this case the maximum value) the peak value W _P1, read from the RAM44. Then, the process proceeds to step S8.

Is [0026] [Step S8] hole peak value of the detection level signal W between the timing T _P to obtain the peak value V _P of the material detection level signal V to the detection end timing T ₁ of the coin (the maximum value in this case) The second peak value W _P2 is _calculated as RA
Read from M44. Then, the process proceeds to step S9. From [Step S9] The first peak value W _P1, subtract the level value W _P0 hole detection level signal W at the timing T _P, to obtain a first subtracted value ΔP1 (W _P1 -W _P0 = ΔP
1). Further, from the second peak value W _P2 , the timing T _P
Subtracting the level value W _P0 of the hole detection level signal W at
A second subtraction value ΔP2 is obtained (W _P2 −W _P0 = ΔP2). In addition, the reference value C preset and stored in the ROM 43 for each denomination is read out according to the setting of the denomination setting means 46, and the first subtraction value ΔP1 and the second subtraction value ΔP2 are respectively set as the reference values. Compare with value C. When ΔP1> C and ΔP2> C are satisfied, the coin is determined to be a perforated coin, otherwise, it is determined to be a perforated coin.

After performing the hole presence / absence determination as described above, the CPU 42 compares the result of the hole presence / absence determination with the coin path 10,
By comparing the presence or absence of holes of the denomination passing through 20, if the presence or absence of holes matches, it is determined that the presence or absence of holes is normal, and if the presence or absence of holes does not match, the presence or absence of holes is abnormal. Thus, the coin is stopped by the stopper 24.
Of course, in addition to the determination of the match / mismatch of the presence or absence of the hole, the CPU 42 also detects the contamination state of the coin C and compares the material detection level signal V, for example, the peak value with the reference value, as described above. The discrepancy is determined, and the coin C is determined by the number of rising or falling of the coin presence detection flag X.
Are also counted.

According to the coin processor of the present embodiment described above, the CPU 42 determines the peak value V of the material detection level signal V.
A level value W _P0 of the resulting hole detection level signal W at the same timing as the timing T _P to obtain _P, the peak from the detection start timing T ₀ of the coin as determined by the material detection level signal V material detection level signal V the difference between the first peak value W _P1 is the peak value of the hole detection level signal W between the up timing for the value _{V P ΔP1 (= W P1 -W} P0), and the level value of the hole detection level signal W and W _P0, material detection level signal timing T sensing end timing of the coins is determined by the material detection level signal V from the _P T ₁ to obtain the peak value V _P of the V
The difference between the second peak value W _P2 is a peak value of the hole detection level signal W between the up _{ΔP2 (= W P2 -W P0)} , and compared with a reference value C set in advance, respectively, are both the reference value If the value exceeds C, the coin is determined to be a perforated coin, otherwise, it is determined to be a perforated coin.

[0029] That is, the position where the peak value V _P of the material detection level signal V is obtained as the center position of the coin, a level value (i.e. the minimum value If this case holes of hole detection level signal W at the central position ) And the difference ΔP between the peak values W _P1 and W _P2 of the hole detection level signal W before and after that.
1 and ΔP2 are compared with the reference value C, respectively. In this manner, the determination is made by combining the value of the material detection level signal V and the value of the hole detection level signal W, and
Since the two data ΔP1 and ΔP2 are compared with the reference value C, it is possible to determine the presence or absence of a hole in a coin with higher discrimination accuracy.

Further, the CPU 42 reads the reference value corresponding to the denomination set by the denomination setting means 46 from the ROM 43 and determines the presence or absence of a hole. And the need to re-enter the reference value every time the denomination changes. Therefore, it is possible to immediately respond to a denomination change.

Further, the RAM 44 makes the level value of the material detection level signal V correspond to the level value of the hole detection level signal W in a one-to-one correspondence between the detection start timing T ₀ of the coin C and the detection end timing T _1. to become a storing Te, for example, it is easy to read the material detection level signal V timing T _P obtained at the same timing as the hole detection level signal W level value W _P0 of obtaining a peak value V _P of ( Step S6 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 4). Therefore, the reading speed of the CPU 42 from the RAM 44 is improved.

In addition, the CPU 42 controls the coin paths 10, 2
Since the passage width adjusting means 17 is driven so that 0 becomes a passage width corresponding to the denomination set by the denomination setting means 46, the coin passages 10 and 20 are moved to the denomination setting means 46 when the denomination is changed. Automatically sets the width of the passage according to the denomination. Therefore, it is possible to immediately respond to a denomination change.

[0033]

According to the coin processor of the first aspect of the present invention, the control circuit detects the level value of the hole detection level signal obtained at the timing of obtaining the peak value of the material detection level signal and the coin detection. The difference from the first peak value of the hole detection level signal between the start timing and the timing of obtaining the peak value of the material detection level signal, and the level value of the hole detection level signal, and the peak value of the material detection level signal Is compared with the second peak value of the hole detection level signal from the timing of obtaining the coin to the detection end timing of the coin, respectively, is compared with a predetermined reference value, and if the difference exceeds the reference value, there is a hole. It is determined to be a coin, otherwise it is determined to be a coin without a hole. For this reason, the discrimination is performed by combining the value of the material detection level signal and the value of the hole detection level signal, and the two data are compared with the reference value. A determination can be made.

According to the coin processing machine of the second aspect of the present invention, the control means reads out the reference value corresponding to the denomination set by the denomination setting means from the storage means, and determines the presence or absence of a hole. Therefore, the discrimination corresponding to a plurality of denominations can be performed by one apparatus, and it is not necessary to re-input the reference value every time the denomination changes. Therefore, it is possible to immediately respond to a denomination change.

According to the coin processor of the third aspect of the present invention, the storage means stores the level value of the material detection level signal and the level value of the hole detection level signal during a period from the start of coin detection to the end of coin detection. Are stored in association with each other, so that it becomes easy to read the level value of the hole detection level signal obtained at the same timing as when the peak value of the material detection level signal is obtained, for example. Therefore, the speed at which the control unit reads data from the storage unit is improved.

According to the coin processor of the present invention, the control means drives the passage width adjusting means so that the coin passage has a passage width corresponding to the denomination set by the denomination setting means. Therefore, when the denomination is changed, the passage automatically has a width corresponding to the denomination according to the setting by the denomination setting means. Therefore, it is possible to immediately respond to a denomination change.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partial plan view showing the vicinity of a hole presence / absence determination point of a coin processor according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a transmitting circuit, a receiving circuit, and the like of the coin processor according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a main part of a control system of the coin processor according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the contents of control performed by a CPU of a coin processor according to an embodiment of the present invention to determine the presence or absence of a hole;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing signals and the like of a magnetic sensor of a coin processor according to one embodiment of the present invention, wherein (a) shows a material detection level signal output from a receiving circuit, and (b) shows a signal in a CPU; The coin presence detection flag which is turned on / off, and (c) shows the hole detection level signal output from the transmission circuit, respectively.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10, 20 coin passage 17 passage width adjusting means 30 receiving coil 31 transmitting coil 34 receiving circuit 38 transmitting circuit 42 CPU (control means) 43 ROM (storage means) 44 RAM (storage means) 46 denomination setting means

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-53-42894 (JP, A) JP-A-4-278692 (JP, A) JP-A-53-49496 (JP, A) 266924 (JP, A) JP-A-6-309545 (JP, A) Japanese Utility Model Application Sho 61-115273 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G07D 5 / 00-5 /Ten

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A receiving coil and a transmitting coil which are arranged to face each other and allow coins to pass therebetween, and a receiving circuit which is connected to the receiving coil and outputs a material detection level signal corresponding to the material of the passing coin. A transmitting circuit that is connected to the transmitting coil and outputs a hole detection level signal in accordance with the presence or absence of a hole of a coin passing therethrough; and the hole detection obtained at the same timing as the peak value of the material detection level signal. A level value of a level signal, and a first peak value of the hole detection level signal from a coin detection start timing determined by the material detection level signal to a timing at which a peak value of the material detection level signal is obtained. The difference from the peak value, and the level value of the hole detection level signal, the timing of obtaining the peak value of the material detection level signal, the material If the difference between the peak value of the hole detection level signal and the second peak value up to the coin detection end timing determined by the detection level signal exceeds a predetermined reference value, Control means for discriminating coins with coins and otherwise discriminating coins without holes. 2. A denomination setting means for setting a denomination of a coin, and a storage means for storing the reference value corresponding to the denomination, wherein the control means is set by the denomination setting means. 2. A coin processor according to claim 1, wherein a reference value corresponding to a denomination is read from said storage means, and the presence or absence of a hole is determined. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit stores a level value of the material detection level signal and a level value of the hole detection level signal in association with each other between the detection start timing and the detection end timing of the coin. Claim 2
The coin processing machine as described. 4. A passage width adjusting means which is provided upstream of the reception coil and the transmission coil and forms a coin passage through which coins pass while guiding the outer periphery thereof, and which can change the passage width, 4. The coin processor according to claim 2, wherein said control means drives said passage width adjusting means so as to have a passage width corresponding to the denomination set by said denomination setting means.