JP2000242822A - Device and method for discriminating coin - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a coin discrimination device capable of discriminating plural kinds of specific coins (commemorative coins, e.g.) without reducing the discrimination speed. SOLUTION: The device is provided with a switching means 124 for mutually switching a 1st discrimination mode for discriminating the denomination of a normal coin included in coins of plural sorts and a 2nd mode for discriminating the of a specific coin included in coins of plural denominations, a 1st discrimination means (30, 90b, 91b) for discriminating a normal coin in every denomination out of coins to be discriminated when the discrimination mode is switched to the 1st mode by the switching means 124 and a 2nd discrimination means (30, 90b, 91b) for discriminating a specific coin in every denomination out of coins to be discriminated when the discrimination mode is switched to the 2nd mode by the means 124.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus installed in a financial institution such as a bank for performing deposit and withdrawal processing of money, and more particularly to a coin identifying apparatus and a coin identifying method for identifying the type of coin. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, financial institutions such as banks have widely used automatic teller machines for handling money such as coins and bills. This type of automatic transaction apparatus incorporates a banknote processing apparatus that automatically performs banknote deposit and withdrawal processing, a circulation type coin processing apparatus that automatically performs coin deposit and withdrawal processing, and the like.

At the time of deposit, the coin processing device accepts the deposited coin, identifies its authenticity and denomination, and stores the genuine coins among the deposited coins in the corresponding denomination safes according to the identification result. , Fake coins will be rejected. At the time of withdrawal, the required number of coins of the required denomination are taken out from the respective denomination safes, and the number of coins is discriminated after identifying the authenticity or the denomination.

In the above coin processing apparatus, coins are identified based on the material and diameter of the coins, and in addition, the coins are identified using image recognition. By this image recognition, the recognition accuracy of coins is significantly improved. Coins to be identified include 1 yen, 5 yen, 10 yen, 50 yen, and 1 yen.
There are 00 yen and 500 yen ordinary coins and special coins (such as commemorative coins).

[0005]

[0005] Not only one kind of special coin but also a plurality of special coins are in circulation. Therefore, when an attempt is made to identify a plurality of types of normal coins and a plurality of types of special coins by image recognition as identification targets, there is a problem that the identification speed is significantly reduced.

An object of the present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and has as its object to provide the following coin identification device and coin identification method.

(1) A plurality of types of ordinary coins and a plurality of types of special coins (such as commemorative coins) without lowering the identification speed
A coin identification device that can identify a coin.

(2) A plurality of types of normal coins and a plurality of types of special coins (such as commemorative coins) without lowering the identification speed
A coin identification method that can identify a coin.

[0009]

Means for Solving the Problems To solve the above problems and achieve the object, a coin discriminating apparatus and a coin discriminating method of the present invention are configured as follows.

A coin discriminating apparatus according to the present invention includes a first discrimination mode for discriminating a denomination of a normal coin to which a plurality of denominations belong, and a special coin to which a plurality of denominations of coins different from the normal coin belong. Switching means for switching a second identification mode for identifying a denomination, and when the identification mode is switched to the first mode by the switching means, the ordinary coin is identified as a denomination from coins to be identified. A first identification unit, and a second identification unit that identifies the special coin by denomination from coins to be identified when the identification mode is switched to the second mode by the switching unit. I have.

[0011] The coin discrimination method of the present invention accumulates image data of coins of all denominations of normal coins to which coins of a plurality of denominations belong, and special coins to which coins of a plurality of denominations different from the normal coins belong. Switching between a first step of accumulating image data of coins of all denominations, a first identification mode for identifying the denomination of the normal coin, and a second identification mode for identifying a denomination of the special coin. A second step, the identification mode is switched to the first mode by the second step, and when a coin to be identified is accepted,
The image of the accepted coin is read, the image data of the coin obtained by the reading is compared with the image data of coins of all denominations of the ordinary coin accumulated in the first step, and A third step of identifying the ordinary coins by denomination from the set coins, a fourth step of sorting and storing the coins identified by the third step, and an identification mode by the second step. The mode is switched to the second mode, and among the coins sorted and stored in the fourth step, a coin that is not identified as the normal coin is accepted as a coin to be identified,
The image of the accepted coin is read, and the image data of the coin obtained by the reading is compared with the image data of all denominations of the special coin accumulated in the first step. The method includes a fifth step of identifying the special coin among coins by denomination, and a sixth step of sorting and storing the coins identified in the fifth step.

A coin discriminating apparatus according to the present invention includes a first discrimination mode for discriminating a denomination of a normal coin to which a plurality of denomination coins belong, and a special coin to which a plurality of denomination coins different from the normal coin belong. A switching unit for switching a second identification mode for identifying a designated special coin, and when the identification mode is switched to the first mode by the switching unit, the normal coin is selected from coins to be identified. The first identification means for identifying the denomination, and the identification mode is switched to the second mode by the switching means, and when a predetermined special coin is designated, the designation designated from among the coins to be identified. Second identification means for identifying a special coin.

According to the coin identification method of the present invention, a special coin to which image data of coins of all denominations belonging to a plurality of denominations to which a plurality of denominations belong is stored and to which coins of a plurality of denominations different from the normal coins belong A first step of storing image data of coins of all denominations, a first identification mode for identifying denominations of the ordinary coins, and a first identification mode for identifying a designated special coin among the special coins. A second step of switching between the two identification modes, and the identification mode is switched to the first mode by the second step, and when a coin to be identified is accepted, an image of the accepted coin is read. The image data of the coin obtained by the reading is compared with the image data of the coins of all denominations of the ordinary coin accumulated in the first step, and the accepted coin A third step of identifying the normal coins by denomination, a fourth step of sorting and storing the coins identified by the third step, and an identification mode of the second mode by the second step. When a predetermined special coin is designated, and among the coins sorted and stored in the fourth step, a coin that is not identified as the normal coin is accepted as a coin to be identified, the accepted coin is accepted. The image data of the coin obtained by the reading is compared with the image data of the designated special coin among the image data of the special coin accumulated in the first step. A fifth step of identifying the designated special coin from the accepted coins;
And a sixth step of sorting and storing the coins identified by the steps (a) to (d).

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a coin processing device (coin identification device) according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the coin processing device has a rotatable receiving tray 1 provided opposite a coin depositing / dispensing port (not shown). Coins of multiple denominations to be processed from outside are inserted,
At the time of withdrawal, coins to be paid out of the cash processing device via the tray 1 are dispensed.

Below the receiving tray 1, there is provided an upper feeding portion 2 of a centrifugal disk structure having a rotating disk 2a, and further below the upper feeding portion 2, a foreign matter collection box 21 for collecting foreign matters is provided. . The saucer 1 rotates when a coin is inserted,
The received coin falls onto the rotating disk 2a of the upper feeding section 2. The upper feeding portion 2 separates coins falling from the tray 1 by using centrifugal force of the rotating disk 2a, and regulates the coins by a height regulating guide (not shown) provided at an outlet of the disc 2a. And feed out one by one.

A pickup roller 3 is provided near the outlet of the upper feeding section 2, and a transport mechanism 4 for transporting coins fed by the pickup roller 3 along a predetermined path is provided. This transport mechanism 4
A first transport path 4a extending substantially horizontally from the vicinity of the outlet of the upper feeding section 2, and a second transport path 4b located above the first transport path 4a and extending substantially horizontally to the tray 1.
And a U-turn transport path 4c extending from the end of the first transport path to the beginning of the second transport path.

The first transport path 4a has a first transport surface 5a extending substantially horizontally from the vicinity of the outlet of the upper feeding section 2, and a first transport path 5a.
Similarly, the second transport path 4b is defined by a transport belt 5b provided adjacent to and opposed to the transport surface 5a. The transfer belt 6b is provided as an example. The transport belt 5b is wound around a pair of pulleys 11a and 11b separated by a predetermined distance. Further, the U-turn transport path 4c is constituted by a plurality of transport belts and a plurality of pulleys. Then, the transport mechanism 4 transports the coins between the transport surface and the transport belt or between the transport belts.

First and second transfer surfaces 5a, 6a which are substantially horizontal
On one side, that is, on the far side in FIG. 1, a transport reference plane (described later) extending substantially perpendicular to these transport surfaces is formed. The pickup roller 3 is provided slightly inclined in the direction in which coins fed from the upper feeding section 2 are pressed against the transport reference surface. Therefore, the coin fed by the pickup roller 3 is pressed against the transport reference surface and transported while being aligned at a predetermined position on the first transport surface 5a.

The coins taken out of the first conveyance path 4a are conveyed one by one at predetermined intervals according to the rotation speed ratio of the pickup roller 3 and the conveyance belt 5b. Normally, since the upper feeding portion 2 has a higher coin feeding ability than the pickup roller 3, coins are connected almost continuously before the pickup roller 3. The subsequent coin (outer diameter: D) is driven at the rotation speed of the pickup roller 3, and during the time that the coin advances by its own diameter, the previously extracted coin is driven at the transport speed of the downstream transport path 4, so that the coin is removed. The transport pitch X is as follows: X = (V2 · D) / V1 V1: upstream drive rotation speed (rotation speed of pickup roller 3) V2: downstream drive rotation speed (rotation speed of pulley 11a)

The transport mechanism 4 forcibly transports the coins fed from the upper feeding section 2 while pressing the coins onto the first transport surface 5 by the first transport belt 5b, and the inspection section 7 provided on the downstream side. Send to The inspection unit 7 optically and magnetically identifies the characteristics of the conveyed coin (authenticity, damage, denomination, etc.).

Immediately before the inspection section 7, a pre-inspection sensor 12 having a light emitting element and a light receiving element provided with the first transport path 4a interposed therebetween is provided. The pre-inspection sensor 12 detects passage of the coin by blocking the optical axis between the two with the coin.

The coins passing through the inspection unit 7 are transferred to the first transport path 4
The paper is further conveyed to the downstream through a, and is sent to the sorting unit 8 disposed on the downstream side. The sorting unit 8 sorts coins transported via the first transport path 4a into denominations based on the identification result of the inspection unit 7. The sorting unit 8 is composed of, for example, a plurality of well-known opposed gates 9 and selectively opens and closes the gates 9 to sort coins by denomination.

Below the sorting section 8, there are a plurality of denomination safes 10 corresponding to the gates 9, a commemorative coin safe 10a,
And a reject safe 10b. By the way,
It is assumed that a plurality of commemorative coin safes 10a are provided. The coins sorted by the sorting unit 8 are put into a corresponding safe, and are sorted and accumulated according to denomination.

An overflow box 13 for storing excess coins when a predetermined safe is full is provided between the inspection unit 7 and various safes, and is provided on the first transport path 4a. Excess coins are put into the overflow box via the expression gate 14.

Further, a loading storage 15 is disposed below the downstream end of the first transport path 4a. When the overflow box 13 is full or the like, the excess coins are loaded into the loading bin 1 by the facing gate 16 provided in the first transport path 4a.
Collect in 5. In addition, when refilling coins from the outside into the coin processing device 115, refill coins are also put into the loader 15.

Below the cash-type safe 10, there is provided a lower feeding portion 17 having the same centrifugal disk structure as the upper feeding portion 2 described above. A pinch-type vertical conveyor 18 for transporting coins fed from the lower feeding section 17 to the upper feeding section 2 is provided on the side of the denomination-type safe 10. The vertical conveyor 18 includes a plurality of flat belts, pulleys, and the like, and forms a part of the transport mechanism 4.

When a predetermined number of coins are not stored in the cash-type safe 10, the loading storage 1
From 5, coins are replenished to the denomination safe 10. That is, a coin ejecting unit (not shown) constituted by a reciprocating picker or the like provided at the lower part of the loading case 15 is used.
, A specified number of coins are taken out and put into the lower feeding section 17. The lower feeding section 17 feeds out coins thrown out of the loading storage 15 one by one and sends them to the vertical conveyor 18, and conveys the coins to the upper feeding section 2 via the vertical conveyor 18. The coins conveyed to the upper feeding section 2 are fed one by one to the first conveying path 4a in the same manner as described above, and after the authenticity, correctness, denomination and the denomination are identified by the inspection section 7, the coins are determined by the sorting section 8. Stored in a safe.

The coin dispensing process is performed by taking out a coin from the denomination safe 10 corresponding to the designated denomination and paying it out to the receiving tray 1. First, a designated number of coins are taken out of the corresponding denomination safe 10 by a coin dispensing unit 19 composed of a reciprocating picker or the like disposed at the lower part of each denomination safe 10, and below the denomination safe 10. To the lower feeding portion 17 disposed in the first position.

The lower feeding section 17 feeds out coins thrown from the denomination safe 10 one by one and sends them to the vertical conveyor 18, and the coins are conveyed to the upper feeding section 2 via the vertical conveyor 18. . The coins conveyed to the upper dispensing unit 2 are dispensed one by one to the first conveying path 4a as described above, and after checking the denomination and quantity in the inspection unit 7, the coins conveyed to the first dispensing number are counted. It is transported to the most downstream of the road 4a. Subsequently, the coin is transferred to the second flow path 4 via the U-turn path 4c.
b and is discharged to the tray 1 through the second transport path 4c.

Although the coin processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 has been described as having no temporary safe, a temporary safe may be provided. That is, in the coin processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1, the case where the coin is stored in the denomination safe 10 or the commemorative coin safe 10a immediately after the inspection by the inspection unit 7 is described,
After completion of the inspection by the inspection unit 7, it may be stored in the denomination safe 10 or the commemorative coin safe 10a via a temporary safe. In this case, a temporary safe is provided for each safe, and coins are transferred from the temporary safe to the denomination safe 10 or the commemorative coin safe 10a based on an instruction from the operation unit described later.

As shown in FIG. 2, the inspection section 7 comprises a transmission magnetic flux amount detection type material sensor 60 for magnetically detecting the material of the coin C, and a line CCD, and optically detects the outer diameter of the coin C. An image sensor 3 that includes a diameter sensor 40 and an area CCD and optically detects a pattern on the surface of the coin C.
0, and these sensors are arranged side by side along the transport direction of the coin C (the direction of arrow a in the figure). In addition, sensor 3
The coins 0, 40, and 60 are integrally held by the base member 7a, and are integrally detachable from the coin processing device 115. The diameter sensor 40 and the material sensor 60 are
Opening portions 40 for inserting and removing the transport belt 5b, respectively.
a and 60a.

It should be noted that the diameter sensor 40 is
Although it is not indispensable because 0 can be substituted, the diameter sensor 40 is provided in addition to the image sensor 30 in the present embodiment in order to further increase the coin identification accuracy in the inspection unit 7.

As described above, the inspection unit 7 including the image sensor 30, the diameter sensor 40, and the material sensor 60 comprehensively determines the detection results of the sensors 30, 40, and 60, and determines the coin denomination, true Identify false, damaged, dirty, etc. The image sensor 30 and the diameter sensor 4 in the inspection unit 7
0 and the arrangement order of the material sensors 60 can be appropriately changed.

Hereinafter, each of the sensors 30, 40 and 60 will be described in detail. First, as shown in FIG. 3, the material sensor 60 has a transparent plate 41 made of transparent and strong sapphire glass. The transparent plate 41 is provided on the first transport surface 5a.
And is located in the same plane as the first transfer surface. The transparent plate 41 extends to a diameter sensor 40 described later, and the coin C is transported on the transparent plate 41. On one side of the sensor 60 along the width direction of the transparent plate 41, an opening 60a for inserting and removing the transport belt 5b is formed.

The material sensor 60 includes a wide primary core 61 extending in the width direction of the first transport path 4a below the transparent plate 41, and a primary coil 62 for excitation wound around the primary core 61. Is wound around the primary coil 62 so that the primary coil 62
Secondary coil 63, which receives electromagnetic induction from the coil, is wound around a wide secondary core 64 and a secondary core 64 extending along the width direction of the first transport path 4a above the transparent plate 41. And a second secondary coil 65 that receives electromagnetic induction from the primary coil 62. The primary coil 62 is excited by a sine wave signal emitted from a sine wave oscillator 66.

The outputs from the first and second secondary coils 63 and 65 are respectively amplified to a predetermined level via an amplifier circuit 67, and then the DC component is cut by a DC component cut circuit 68 comprising a capacitor or the like. , Is subjected to full-wave rectification by the full-wave rectification circuit 69. In addition, these outputs are LPF
(Low-pass filter) 70, which is smoothed and converted into direct current, and supplied to the arithmetic circuit 71 as a first secondary coil rectified output V21 and a second secondary coil rectified output V22.

In the arithmetic circuit 71, these rectified outputs V2
The output signal Vout is calculated according to the following formula based on 1 and V22. Here, AMP1, AMP2,
And AMP3 are constants. Vout = AMP1 × [AMP2 × V21−AMP3
× V22] Then, this output signal Vout is supplied to A
The signal is input to the / D converter 73, where it is periodically converted to a digital signal and output as a sensor output of the material sensor 60. Then, the maximum value (peak) of the sensor output is compared with a material detection table recorded in advance in a ROM of the control unit described later, and the material of the coin C passing through the material sensor 60 is determined.

That is, when the maximum value of the sensor output matches the output range of any one of the denominations in the material detection table, it is known that the denomination and the material are the same, and the denomination of the denomination is determined. Adopted as data.

As shown in FIG. 4, the diameter sensor 40 has a transparent plate 41 common to the material sensor 60.
The opening portion 40a for inserting and removing the transport belt 6 is provided on one side along the width direction of the coin C, that is, the direction crossing the transport direction of the coin C. The diameter sensor 40 includes an LED (light emitting diode) array 42 as a light source, which extends in the width direction above the transparent plate 41, a printed wiring board 43 on which the LED array 42 is mounted, and light from the LED array 42. An optical slit 44 for guiding the light to the transparent plate 41, an optical slit 45 disposed below the transparent plate 41, a condensing lens 46 such as a self-fox lens for condensing light passing through the optical slit 45, It includes a CCD line sensor 47 that receives light through an optical lens 46, and a printed wiring board 48 to which the line sensor 47 is attached.

A mask member 49 is provided between the transparent plate 41 and the condenser lens 46. This mask member masks the transport belt 5b and prevents the detection accuracy from deteriorating due to the deflection of the transport belt 5b. Due to the presence of the mask member 49, the optical slit 45 is divided into two along the width direction of the transparent plate 41.

Guide members 51 and 52 for guiding the conveyance of the coin C and defining an effective detection area are provided at both ends in the width direction of the transparent plate 41. In particular, the inner side surface of the guide member 51 constitutes a transport reference plane that defines the transport position of the coin C.

When the coin C is forcibly conveyed on the transparent plate 41 by the conveyor belt 5b, the light emitted from the LED array 42 is blocked by the coin C, and a light / dark signal due to the coin shadow generated at that time is sent to the line sensor 47. Is detected by The outer diameter of the coin C is determined by comparing the maximum value of the sensor output with a diameter detection table stored in a ROM of a control unit described later in advance, and the denomination of the coin is determined.

The guide member 5 is detected by the diameter sensor 40.
By measuring the length from the effective area defined by 1 to the shadow end of the coin C, the transport position of the coin C, that is, the distance from the guide member 51 to the end of the coin C (the amount of shift) is detected. can do.

As shown in FIG. 5, the control system of the inspection unit 7
Diameter sensor 40 and material sensor 6 as physical quantity sensors
0 and a second inspection side for controlling the image sensor 30.

The control system on the first inspection side includes a control program,
ROM 91a storing material detection table data, diameter detection table data, etc., RAM 92a for temporarily recording various data, CPU 90a for sequentially reading and executing control programs, ICU 93 for interrupt control, clock output from diameter sensor 40 A timer / counter (TCU) 95 for counting data, an SCU 97 for performing a serial interface with the second inspection side, and an A / D converter 73 for sequentially A / D converting and taking in output signals from the material sensor 60 are provided. are doing. In addition, ROM
91a is an EEP in which data is rewritten in byte units
ROM (electrically erasable and programmable RO
M).

The control system on the second inspection side is a DS for processing the image captured by the image sensor 30 at high speed.
P (Digital Signal Processor) 99, ROM 91b in which a control program, image data of a genuine coin described later, image data of a counterfeit coin, etc. are stored, and a RAM 92 for temporarily recording image data captured in one scan.
b, SCU that exchanges data with the first inspection side serially
(Serial communication controller) 96, a counter 121 for counting the number of coins determined to be counterfeit, and a CPU 90b for performing stuck control such as determination. Note that R
OM91b is a device in which data is rewritten in byte units.
EPROM (electrically erasable and programmable)
ROM).

The CPU 90a on the first inspection side and the CPU 90b on the second inspection side are connected to the control unit 120 of the coin processing unit 115, and the operation of the entire coin processing unit including the inspection unit 7 is controlled by this control unit. You. In addition, the coin processing device 115 has a memory 12 as a customer information storage unit.
3. Operation unit 1 for setting and changing various operating conditions
24, a display unit 125 for displaying various information is provided, and the operation unit 124 and the display unit 125 are also connected to the CPUs 90a and 90b of the inspection unit 7. In addition, the operation unit 124
As shown in FIG. 6, a count key, a completion key, a registration key, a stop key, a reset key, a mode key, a numeric key, and the like are provided.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the image sensor 30 has a transparent plate 31 of sapphire glass or the like embedded at a substantially central position of the first transfer surface 5a.
The coin C is forcibly transported by the transport belt 5b. Below the transparent plate 31, a pair of LED (light emitting diode) arrays 32 as a light source for irradiating light on the lower surface of the transparent plate 31 from an oblique direction to illuminate the surface of the coin C passing over the transparent plate 31, An area CCD 33 as a photoelectric conversion element for receiving reflected light from the surface of the coin C and converting the reflected light into an electric signal, and a printed wiring board 34 on which the area CCD 33 is mounted are provided. The transparent plate 31, the LED array 32, the area CCD 33, and the printed wiring board 34 are fixed to the base member 7a.

By arranging the LED array 32 obliquely with respect to the transparent plate 31, it is possible to emphasize the density of the unevenness of the surface of the coin C passing on the transparent plate 31, and the detected signal is reduced by two.
It can be easily priced.

As the area CCD 33, for example, 20 to
A 300,000 pixel CCD is used. This area CCD3
3 reads the image (pattern) on the surface of the coin C by turning on the LED array 32 momentarily when the coin C comes to a predetermined position, and transfers the image to the RAM 92b as image data.

Next, a registration process for registering a coin to be identified will be described. Coins to be identified include normal coins and special coins. Normal coins are 1 yen coin, 5 yen coin, 10 yen coin, 50 yen coin, 100 yen coin, and 50 yen coin.
It refers to six denominations of zero yen coins. Special coins refer to multiple types of commemorative coins. Identification data (coin material data, coin diameter data, coin front and back image data) relating to ordinary coins is registered in the ROM 91a and the ROM 91b in advance. Here, registration of identification data (coin material data, coin diameter data, coin front and back image data) relating to a special coin will be described. First, the operation unit 124
Press the registration key and the mode key at the same time, and enter the registration number using the numeric keypad. Thereafter, a commemorative coin to be registered is set in the receiving tray 1, and the counting key is pressed. When the commemorative coin to be registered set in the saucer 1 passes through the discrimination unit 7,
Coin material data, coin diameter data, and coin front and back image data are read and registered in the ROM 91a and the ROM 91b. Thereafter, the commemorative coin to be registered is collected in the reject safe 10c.

Here, a description will be given of a case in which three pieces of identification data, material data of a coin, data of the diameter of a coin, and image data of the front and back of a coin are raised, and these three are registered to be identification data. However, for example, only the image data of the front and back of a coin may be registered and used as the identification data.
In this case, only the image data on the front and back of the coin is used for identification.

Next, the identification process 1 will be described. The point of this identification processing 1 is that the coin is identified by switching the normal coin identification mode for identifying the denomination of the ordinary coin and the special coin identification mode for identifying the denomination of the special coin at a predetermined timing.

Hereinafter, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
The identification process 1 will be described.

The majority of coins in general circulation are ordinary coins. Therefore, when coins are identified, it is effective to execute the special coin identification mode if necessary after identifying coins in the normal coin identification mode.

Therefore, first, the normal coin identification mode is executed in the coin processing device (ST12). More specifically, a mode key of the operation unit 124 is pressed. Then, various modes are displayed on the display unit 125. For example, "mode 01: normal coin identification mode" and "mode 02: special coin identification mode" are displayed. At this time,
When “01” is pressed by the ten keys of the operation unit 124, the control unit 124, the CPU 90a, and the CPU 90b are notified of the normal coin identification mode via the operation unit 124. Subsequently, the count key of the operation unit 124 is pressed (ST1).
4) When the coin to be identified is received in the saucer 1 (ST)
16), coins are counted (ST18), and the inspection unit 7 optically and magnetically identifies the features (such as true / false, damage, denomination) of the coins (ST20). In this case, since the normal coin identification mode is being executed, identification of the denomination of the coin to be identified is performed. That is, here, identification of whether or not the coin to be identified corresponds to a special coin is not performed.

As a result of the discrimination, the coin determined to correspond to a predetermined denomination of a normal coin (ST22, YES) is stored in a temporary safe belonging to the denomination safe 10 corresponding to the denomination (ST24). On the other hand, coins that are not determined to correspond to the predetermined denomination of ordinary coins (ST22, N
O), it is stored in the reject storage 10b (ST26).
When the total counting is completed (ST28, YES), the fact is displayed on the display unit 125. In response to this, the operation unit 12
When the completion key of No. 4 is pressed (ST30, YES), the coins stored in the temporary safe are stored in the cash-type safes 10 (ST32). Thereafter, the coins stored in the denomination safe 10 are to be removed.

Next, the process proceeds to a process of identifying coins stored in the reject storage. That is, at this timing, the special coin identification mode is executed in the coin processing device (ST
34). More specifically, a mode key of the operation unit 124 is pressed. Then, various modes are displayed on the display unit 125. For example, "mode 01: normal coin identification mode" and "mode 02: special coin identification mode" are displayed. At this time, when “02” is pressed with the ten keys of the operation unit 124, the control unit 124 and the C
The PU 90a and the CPU 90b are notified of the special coin identification mode. Subsequently, when the count key of the operation unit 124 is pressed (ST36) and coins to be identified (coins rejected in the normal coin identification mode) are received in the tray 1 (ST38), the coins are counted (ST40). ), The inspection unit 7 optically and magnetically identifies the features of the coin (such as authenticity, correctness, and denomination) (ST42). In this case, since the special coin identification mode is being executed, identification is performed as to which denomination (special commemorative coin) of the special coin is the coin to be identified. That is, here, identification of whether or not the coin to be identified corresponds to a normal coin is not performed.

As a result of the discrimination, the coin determined to correspond to the predetermined denomination (special commemorative coin) of the special coin (ST44, Y
ES), and stored in a temporary safe belonging to the denomination safe 10 corresponding to the denomination (ST46). Here, for example, 50
A denomination safe 10 for 0 yen coins is allocated for storing commemorative coins of the first kind, and a denomination safe 10 for 10 yen coins is allocated to the second.
It is assumed that the denomination safe 10 for 100-yen coins is allocated to storing a kind of commemorative coin, and is allocated to storing a third kind of commemorative coin. In addition, coins that are not determined to correspond to the predetermined denomination of the special coin (ST44, NO) are stored in the reject storage 10b (ST48). When all the counts are completed (ST50, YES), the display unit 125 indicates so.
Will be displayed. In response to this, when the completion key of the operation unit 124 is pressed (ST52, YES), the coins stored in the temporary safes are stored in the denomination safes 10, respectively (S).
T54).

Next, the identification process 2 will be described. In the identification process 2, the normal coin identification mode for identifying the denomination of the normal coin and the special coin identification mode for identifying a predetermined denomination (for example, only one denomination) in the special coin are switched at a predetermined timing. The point is that the coin is identified.

Hereinafter, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
The identification process 2 will be described.

Most of the coins in general circulation are ordinary coins. Therefore, when coins are identified, it is effective to execute the special coin identification mode if necessary after identifying coins in the normal coin identification mode.

Therefore, first, the normal coin identification mode is executed in the coin processing device (ST62). More specifically, a mode key of the operation unit 124 is pressed. Then, various modes are displayed on the display unit 125. For example, "mode 01: normal coin identification mode" and "mode 02: special coin identification mode" are displayed. At this time,
When “01” is pressed by the ten keys of the operation unit 124, the control unit 124, the CPU 90a, and the CPU 90b are notified of the normal coin identification mode via the operation unit 124. Subsequently, the count key of the operation unit 124 is pressed (ST6).
4) The coin to be identified is received in the saucer 1 (ST6).
6) The coins are counted (ST68), and the inspection unit 7 optically and magnetically identifies the features (such as true / false, validity, denomination) of the coins (ST70). In this case, since the normal coin identification mode is being executed, identification of the denomination of the coin to be identified is performed. That is,
Here, identification of whether or not the coin to be identified corresponds to a special coin is not performed.

As a result of the identification, the coin determined to correspond to the predetermined denomination of the normal coin (ST72, YES) is stored in the temporary safe belonging to the denomination safe 10 corresponding to the denomination (ST74). On the other hand, coins that are not determined to correspond to the predetermined denomination of ordinary coins (ST72, N
O), stored in the reject storage 10b (ST76).
When the total counting is completed (ST78, YES), the fact is displayed on the display unit 125. In response to this, the operation unit 12
When the completion key of No. 4 is pressed (ST80, YES), the coins stored in the temporary safes are stored in the denomination safes 10, respectively (ST82).

Next, the process proceeds to a process of identifying coins stored in the reject storage. That is, at this timing, the special coin identification mode is executed in the coin processing device (ST
84). More specifically, a mode key of the operation unit 124 is pressed. Then, various modes are displayed on the display unit 125. For example, "mode 01: normal coin identification mode" and "mode 02: special coin identification mode" are displayed. At this time, when “02” is pressed with the ten keys of the operation unit 124, the control unit 124 and the C
The PU 90a and the CPU 90b are notified of the special coin identification mode.

Further, at this timing, the display unit 125
The denomination is displayed. For example, "01: a first commemorative coin", "02: a second commemorative coin", and "03: a third commemorative coin" are displayed. At this time, the operation unit 12
When “01” is depressed by the ten key 4, the operation unit 124 is pressed.
The CPU 90a and the CPU 90b are notified of the first kind of commemorative coin as the designated denomination via (ST8)
6).

Subsequently, when the count key of the operation unit 124 is pressed (ST88) and coins to be identified (coins rejected in the normal coin identification mode) are received in the tray 1 (ST90), the coins are counted. In step ST92, the inspection unit 7 optically and magnetically identifies the features of the coin (such as authenticity, correctness, and denomination) (ST94). Here, since the special coin identification mode is being executed, identification is performed as to whether or not the coin to be identified corresponds to the designated denomination (first type commemorative coin) of the special coin. That is, here, identification of whether or not the coin to be identified corresponds to a normal coin is not performed.

As a result of the identification, the coin determined to correspond to the designated denomination of the special coin (ST96, YES) is stored in a temporary safe belonging to the commemorative coin safe 10a (ST9).
8). On the other hand, coins not determined to correspond to the designated denomination of the special coin (ST96, NO) are stored in the reject storage 10b (ST100). When the total counting is completed (ST102, YES), the display unit 125 indicates that fact.
Will be displayed. In response to this, when the completion key of operation unit 124 is pressed (ST104, YES), the coins stored in the temporary safes are stored in denomination safes 10, respectively (ST106).

In the coin identification processing of the present invention, identification of ordinary coins and identification of special coins are performed in two stages, so that the identification time can be greatly reduced as compared with the case of collective identification. This is also due to the fact that the amount of special coins circulated is extremely small compared to the amount of circulated ordinary coins. This also makes it possible to identify special coins without manual intervention.

[0072]

According to the present invention, the following coin identifying apparatus and coin identifying method can be provided.

(1) A plurality of types of ordinary coins and a plurality of types of special coins (such as commemorative coins) without lowering the identification speed
A coin identification device that can identify a coin.

(2) A plurality of types of normal coins and a plurality of types of special coins (such as commemorative coins) without lowering the discrimination speed
A coin identification method that can identify a coin.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a coin processing device (coin identification device) according to the present invention.
Sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of.

FIG. 2 is a view showing an inspection unit ((a) plan view, (b) side view, (c) sectional view) incorporated in the coin processing apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a material sensor in the inspection unit shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a diameter sensor incorporated in the inspection unit shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a control system of the coin processing device shown in FIG. 1 and a control system of the inspection unit shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing an operation panel of the operation unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing identification processing 1.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing identification processing 2;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Receiving tray 7 ... Inspection part 10 ... Deposit type safe 30 ... Image sensor 40 ... Diameter sensor 60 ... Material sensor 90a, 90b ... CPU 111 ... Main control part 120 ... Control part 123 ... Memory 124 ... Operation part 125 ... Display part

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A first identification mode for identifying a denomination of a normal coin to which a plurality of denomination coins belong, and a first identification mode for identifying a denomination of a special coin to which a plurality of denomination coins different from the normal coin belong. Switching means for switching between the two identification modes; and first identification means for identifying the ordinary coins by denomination from coins to be identified when the identification mode is switched to the first mode by the switching means. When the identification mode is switched to the second mode by the switching unit, a second identification unit that identifies the special coin by denomination from coins to be identified is provided. Coin identification device. 2. A first storage means for storing image data of coins of all denominations of normal coins to which coins of a plurality of denominations belong, and special coins to which coins of a plurality of denominations different from said normal coins belong. A second storage unit for storing image data of coins of all denominations; a first identification mode for identifying a denomination of the normal coin; and a second identification mode for identifying a denomination of the special coin. Switching means, accepting means for accepting a coin to be identified, when the identification mode is switched to the first mode by the switching means, and when the coin to be identified is accepted by the accepting means, the accepted coin is The image is read, and the image data of the coin obtained by the reading is compared with the image data stored in the first storage means, and the normal coin is denominated from the received coins. First identifying means for identifying, and an identification mode is switched to the second mode by the switching means, and when a coin to be identified is accepted by the accepting means, an image of the accepted coin is read, and A second identification unit that compares image data of a coin obtained by reading with image data stored in the second storage unit and identifies the special coin by denomination from among the accepted coins. A coin discriminating apparatus comprising: a coin discriminating unit that discriminately stores coins identified by the first and second discriminating units. 3. A special coin coin of all denominations to which image data of coins of all denominations belonging to a plurality of denominations to which coins of a plurality of denominations belong are stored. A first step of storing image data of the first coin, a second identification mode for identifying a denomination of the normal coin, and a second step of switching a second identification mode for identifying a denomination of the special coin; The identification mode is switched to the first mode by the second step, and when a coin to be identified is accepted, an image of the accepted coin is read, and image data of the coin obtained by the reading, A third step of comparing the image data of the coins of all denominations of the ordinary coin accumulated in the first step with each other to identify the ordinary coin among the accepted coins by denomination. A fourth step of sorting and storing coins identified in the third step, and an identification mode switched to the second mode in the second step, and sorted and stored in the fourth step. Among the coins, coins that have not been identified as the ordinary coins are accepted as coins to be identified, images of the accepted coins are read, and image data of the coins obtained by the reading are stored in the first step. A fifth step of comparing the special coin with the image data of all the denominations of the special coin, and identifying the special coin by denomination from the accepted coins; and a coin identified by the fifth step. And a sixth step of separating and storing the coins. 4. A first identification mode for identifying a denomination of a normal coin to which coins of a plurality of denominations belong, and a designated special designated among special coins to which a plurality of coins of a denomination different from said normal coins belong. Switching means for switching a second identification mode for identifying coins; and when the identification mode is switched to the first mode by the switching means, identifying the ordinary coins by denomination from coins to be identified. The identification mode is switched to the second mode by the switching means, and when a predetermined special coin is specified, the identification mode identifies the specified special coin from the coins to be identified. 2. A coin discriminating apparatus comprising: (2) an identification means. 5. A first storage means for storing image data of coins of all denominations of ordinary coins to which coins of a plurality of denominations belong, and a special coin to which coins of a plurality of denominations different from said ordinary coins belong. Second storage means for storing image data of coins of all denominations, a first identification mode for identifying denominations of the normal coins, and a second identification mode for identifying a designated special coin among the special coins Switching means for switching the identification mode of, a receiving means for receiving a coin to be identified, an identification mode is switched to the first mode by the switching means, and when the coin to be identified is accepted by the receiving means, The image of the accepted coin is read, and the image data of the coin obtained by the reading is compared with the image data stored in the first storage means. A first identification unit that identifies the normal coin by denomination, a designation unit that designates a predetermined special coin from the special coin, and an identification mode is switched to the second mode by the switching unit, When a predetermined special coin is designated by the designation means, and when the coin to be identified is accepted by the accepting means, an image of the accepted coin is read, and image data of the coin obtained by the reading is read, and And comparing the image data of the designated special coin designated by the designation means among the image data accumulated in the second accumulation means to identify the designated special coin from the accepted coins. A coin identification device, comprising: identification means; and storage means for separately storing coins identified by the first and second identification means. 6. A coin of all denominations of a special coin to which image data of coins of all denominations of ordinary coins to which coins of a plurality of denominations belong and to which coins of denominations of a plurality of denominations different from said normal coins belong Switching between a first step of accumulating the image data of the first coin, a first identification mode for identifying a denomination of the ordinary coin, and a second identification mode for identifying a designated special coin among the special coins. A second step, wherein the identification mode is switched to the first mode by the second step, and when a coin to be identified is accepted, an image of the accepted coin is read, and a coin obtained by this reading is read. Is compared with image data of coins of all denominations of the ordinary coins accumulated in the first step, and the ordinary coins are denominated from among the accepted coins. A fourth step of sorting and storing the coins identified in the third step; and a second mode in which the identification mode is switched to the second mode, When a special coin is designated, and among the coins sorted and stored in the fourth step, a coin that has not been identified as the normal coin is accepted as a coin to be identified, an image of the accepted coin is read, The image data of the coin obtained by the reading is compared with the image data of the designated special coin among the image data of the special coin accumulated in the first step, and the image data of the accepted coin is compared. A fifth step of identifying the designated special coin from among them, and a sixth step of sorting and storing the coins identified by the fifth step A coin identification method, comprising: