JP2001178959A - Coin provided with information, device and method for reading information of the coin and coin discrimination device and method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a coin discrimination device for clearly discriminating a coin provided with plural grooves for embodying prescribed discrimination information from the other kids of the coins. SOLUTION: This coin discrimination device 20 is provided with a light emitting means 22 for irradiating the surface of a moving coin 10 with light at a prescribed angle and a light receiving means 23 arranged so as to receive the light emitted to a recessed curved surface 11a continuing the wall and bottom of the groove and reflected in a direction almost vertical to the surface of the coin when the plural grooves 11 on the coin cross the light. The center point of the light made incident on the recessed curved surface 11a is reflected in different directions at all times accompanying the movement of the coin. In the process of the reflection, the light is directed to the direction almost vertical to the surface of the coin and detected by the light receiving means 23. Since the light reflected at the other part on the coin is reflected at the same angle as an incident angle, it is hardly made incident on the light receiving means 23. As a result, between an incident light quantity at the position of the wall of the groove and the incident light quantity at the other positions, a clear difference is found.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a coin having information, an apparatus and a method for reading information of the coin, and an apparatus and a method for identifying a coin.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there have been known game machines such as slot machines and video poker which can be played by inserting a dedicated coin. In this type of amusement equipment, it is necessary to distinguish a dedicated coin (e.g., a coin issued by a store where the amusement equipment is installed) from other types of coins. Identification device.

[0003] Various methods have been proposed for identifying such coins. As a typical coin identification method, specific information is embodied here by forming a plurality of grooves concentrically on the surface of the coin, and the surface is illuminated optically by irradiating light on the surface of the coin. Some read information and thereby identify only coins with specific information. Techniques related to this are disclosed in, for example, JP-A-5-242330, JP-A-6-60240, and JP-A-6-139438.

In each of the techniques described in the above publications, light is emitted at a predetermined angle to the surface of a coin moving in a passage, and the reflected light is received by a light receiving element arranged at the same angle as the angle. . The light applied to the surface of the coin changes its reflection angle or the amount of reflected light depending on its reflection position, that is, whether it is the bottom of the groove or the surface of the coin. Can be determined.

[0005]

However, it is practically extremely difficult to detect the difference in the amount of light reflected by the groove in the conventional technique. That is, the difference in the amount of reflected light due to the presence or absence of the groove is extremely small, and it is difficult to distinguish the change in the amount of light from the change in the amount of light due to scratches on the coin surface, surface accuracy, variations in the depth of the groove, and the like. The position of the groove cannot be determined correctly.

In this case, there is a method using a highly directional laser beam as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-60240, but the apparatus becomes extremely expensive. Also, there is a method of increasing the difference in the amount of reflected light by making the groove of the coin deeper, but it is still difficult to distinguish from the change in the amount of light due to the other factors, and in this case, unless the coin used is thickened In addition, there is a problem that the number of coins that can be used in the identification device is limited.

[0007] These problems in the prior art become even more difficult when the moving speed of the coin to be identified becomes high (for example, when the coin falls by its own weight in the passage), and therefore, the high speed becomes high. Identification cannot be realized.

On the other hand, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 6-139438, a light reflecting surface having a constant inclination angle is formed on an annular convex portion in order to facilitate detection of reflected light. A structure configured to receive the reflected light is disclosed.

However, this method has the following disadvantages. That is, (1) the light reflected by the light reflecting surface has a certain width in the coin transport direction, and therefore, it is difficult to accurately detect the pitch of each annular convex portion. (2) Unless the light reflecting surface of each coin and each annular convex portion is processed with high accuracy, stable detection cannot be obtained.
That is, if there is variation in the inclination angle or surface accuracy of the light reflecting surface, a large variation occurs in the amount of reflected light, and erroneous detection may frequently occur. (3) In order to stably produce coins having the highly accurate light reflecting surface, high-precision dies and processing techniques are required, which increases the coin production cost.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to clearly detect a specific point in a groove, thereby enabling accurate reading of information embodied in the groove.

Another object of the present invention is to realize a stable detection regardless of the processing accuracy of the coin, since it is not necessary to process the coin side with high accuracy for detecting the groove. It is in.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a circular coin suitable for detecting the groove.

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an information reading apparatus for reading information of a coin provided with a plurality of grooves at predetermined intervals to realize the information. The information reading device according to the present invention is a passage that allows the coin to move in a direction along the surface, and a light emitting unit that emits light at a predetermined angle to a surface of the coin that is moving along the passage. A plurality of grooves on the coin are arranged so as to cross the light with the movement of the coin, and when the plurality of grooves on the coin cross the light, a wall and a bottom of the groove are formed. A light receiving means arranged so as to receive reflected light of the light which is irradiated on the concave curved surface to be continued and is reflected in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the coin, and a plurality of grooves on the coin when the grooves cross the light Information reading means for reading information embodied on the coin based on a change in the intensity of light received by the light receiving means.

When a plurality of grooves are formed on a coin by press molding using a molding die or another method, a slight concave curved surface is formed along the intersection line between the wall and the bottom of each groove. As a result of various experiments, the inventors have found that in order to accurately detect the position of the groove on the coin, it is preferable to irradiate the concave curved surface with light and receive the light reflected therefrom. I found it. That is, the central point of the light emitted by the light emitting means and incident on the concave curved surface, that is, the point with the largest light quantity, is reflected in a different direction at any time as the coin moves. In the process of the reflection, the light travels in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the coin, and is detected by the light receiving means. On the other hand, the light reflected on other parts of the coin, that is, the face of the coin and the bottom of the groove,
Since the light is reflected at the same angle as the incident angle, it hardly enters the light receiving means. As a result, the amount of incident light at the position of the wall of the groove and the amount of incident light at other positions appear as a clear difference.

In this case, it is preferable that the light receiving means is arranged so as to be able to receive the reflected light within a range of 90 +/- 3 degrees with respect to the coin surface.

Further, it is preferable that the light emitting means irradiates light on the coin surface in a range of 15 +/- 1 degrees.

Further, it is preferable that the light emitting means emits the light toward a center position in a width direction of the coin moving in the passage.

The present invention is also an information reading device having the above-mentioned configuration for reading information of a coin containing a predetermined amount of ferromagnetic material, wherein a magnetic field generating means for generating a magnetic field on the passage; A magnetic sensor that detects a change in the magnetic field when passing through the magnetic field, and an identification unit that identifies the authenticity of the coin based on a change in the magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor. it can.

In this case, the magnetic field generating means is a magnet installed on one side of the passage, and the magnetic sensor is
It is preferable that the magnet is disposed to face the magnet with the passage therebetween.

The present invention also relates to a coin discriminating apparatus for discriminating a coin provided with a plurality of grooves at predetermined intervals to realize predetermined identification information from other types of coins. The coin identification device of the present invention is a passage that allows the coin to move in a direction along the surface, and a light emitting unit that irradiates light at a predetermined angle to a surface of the coin that is moving in the passage. A plurality of grooves on the coin are arranged so as to cross the light with the movement of the coin, and when the plurality of grooves on the coin cross the light, a wall and a bottom of the groove are continuously formed. A light receiving means arranged to receive the reflected light of the light reflected on the concave curved surface to be reflected in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the coin, and a plurality of grooves on the coin when the plurality of grooves cross the light. Based on a change in the intensity of light received by the light receiving unit, an information reading unit that reads identification information embodied on the coin, and comparing the information read by the information reading unit with predetermined information, Having the predetermined information Constructed and a judging means for judging in from other types of coins.

[0021] The coin discriminating apparatus may further include a selecting means for separating the coin determined by the determining means from another type of coin.

In the coin discriminating apparatus, it is preferable that the light receiving means is arranged so as to be able to receive the reflected light within a range of 90 +/- 3 degrees with respect to the surface of the coin. Preferably, the means irradiates light to the surface of the coin in a range of 15 +/- 1 degrees.

The present invention also relates to an information reading method for reading information of a coin provided with a plurality of grooves at predetermined intervals to embody information. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a coin identification method for identifying a coin provided with a plurality of grooves at predetermined intervals to realize predetermined identification information from other types of coins. These methods are achieved by the same method as the means realized by each configuration of the information reading device and the coin identification device.

The present invention further relates to a circular coin having a plurality of grooves concentrically. The circular coin according to the present invention embodies predetermined identification information by a pitch between concave curved surfaces that connect a wall and a bottom of each groove so as to be suitably used in the information reading device or the coin identification device. It is.

In this case, it is preferable that the radius of curvature of the concave curved surface is in the range of 0.3 to 0.7 mm.

Further, the wall, the bottom, and the inclined surface of each groove may be constituted by a continuous concave curved surface.

[0027] The coin may be provided with the plurality of grooves on the front and back surfaces.

The identification information embodied on the front surface of the coin may be different from the identification information embodied on the back surface of the coin.

Further, a display area may be provided at the center of the coin surface, and the plurality of grooves may be provided on an outer peripheral side of the display area.

[0030]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiment, an example is shown in which the present invention is applied to a coin identification device for identifying a specific coin from other types of coins. A coin identification device is used with a coin provided with information identified by the identification device. Before explaining the coin identification device,
The configuration of the coin will be described.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a coin identified by the coin identifying apparatus according to the present embodiment. The coin is, for example, a game coin. As shown in the figure, a coin 10 has a plurality of concentric grooves 1 on both surfaces thereof.
One. The plurality of grooves 11 can be formed by press molding using a corresponding mold. At the time of molding, as shown in FIG. 7C, a slight concave curved surface 11a is formed on the processing along the intersection line between the wall and the bottom of each groove 11. At this time, it is not always necessary to be aware that the concave curved surface is formed. Since there is a limit in processing accuracy, the concave curved surface is necessarily formed. Regarding the coin identification of the present invention, the radius of curvature of the concave curved surface 11a may be 0.3 mm or less.

In order to distinguish a specific coin having the groove 11 from other coins, the number, width and interval of the groove 11 are adjusted. In the coin identification device according to the present invention, as described later, the light reflected by the concave curved surface 11a is detected. By adjusting the number, width and spacing of the grooves 11, the number and pitch of the light reflected by the concave curved surface 11a can be varied. In FIG. 1B, when the coin 10 moving in the direction of arrow A is irradiated with light at an angle θ as shown, the position where the concave curved surface 11a of each groove 11 is formed, that is, the position of the wall (see FIG. (Indicated by “*” in the middle), the reflected light to be detected is obtained. For example, when limiting the coins that can be used for each store where amusement equipment that uses the coin is installed,
The number, width and interval of coin grooves for each store can be different.

Next, a coin identification device according to the present invention for identifying the coin 10 will be described. In FIG.
The schematic configuration of the coin identification device according to the present embodiment has been shown.
The coin identification device according to the present embodiment is a coin counting device,
It can be mounted on a game device that uses coins, a coin issuing device, etc., identifies inserted coins and issued coins, these devices are operated only by specific coins, and eliminates other types of coins To work.

As shown in the figure, the coin identification device 20
A passage 21 for the coin 10 is provided. The passage 21 is a guide that regulates coins inserted into the coin counting device or the amusement device or discharged from the coin issuing device so as to pass through the detection position P for identification. The specific shape of the passage 21 is not important as long as the coin position and the passing speed at the detection position P are guaranteed to be constant. The passage 21 has a certain angle with respect to the horizontal, and may be moved by its own weight while rotating the coin 10. As long as the groove 11 is formed in a concentric shape coinciding with the outer shape of the coin, in the detection of the present invention, the position of the concave curved surface 11a of the groove is constant regardless of the rotational position of the coin.

The coin discriminating device 20 has a light emitting element 22 for irradiating light to the coin 10 moving in the passage 21 and a light receiving element 23 for receiving light reflected from the coin 10. The light emitting element 22 irradiates light to the surface of the coin 10 at a predetermined angle θ from the upstream side in the moving direction of the coin 10. As shown in FIG. 2B, the light emitting element 22 is provided at the center in the width direction of the passage 21, and emits light toward the center line C of the coin 10. The light path 24 extending in front of the light emitting element 22 enhances the directivity of light emitted from the light emitting element 22. In order to optimize the light detection function in the coin identification device 20, it is important to select a suitable light irradiation angle θ.
The light emitted from the light emitting element 22 is applied to the groove 11 of the coin 10.
Must be made to surely enter the concave curved surface 11a at, and be reflected in a substantially vertical direction. As a result of many experiments, the irradiation angle θ was in the range of 15 +/− 1 degrees, and the output voltage of the light receiving element 23 described later was the highest. In the preferred embodiment, light emitting element 22 is a light emitting diode.
The light emitting element 22 may be arranged so as to irradiate light on the surface of the coin 10 from the downstream side in the moving direction of the coin 10.

The condensing lenses 25 and 26 and the prism 27 are provided just above the light detection position P, that is, the position where the light from the light emitting element 22 intersects with the surface of the passing coin 10. The light reflected in the vertical direction of the surface when the coin 10 passes is condensed by the condensing lens 25 and
After being bent at the light receiving element 23 through the condenser lens 26
Led to. In yet another embodiment, the detection position P
The light receiving element 23 may be arranged right above the light receiving element. The arrangement of the light receiving elements 23 in the present embodiment is a preferable mode for making the thickness of the coin identification device 20 as small as possible.

Since the incident light and the reflected light make the same angle with the normal to the reflecting surface, the light of the angle θ from the light emitting element 22 is
As long as the surface of the coin 10 is flat, it reflects at the same angle θ. Therefore, the light reflected on the surface of the coin 10 and the bottom of the groove 11 does not reflect in the direction perpendicular to the surface, and the light receiving amount of the light receiving element 23 at this position is extremely small. On the other hand, on the concave curved surface 11a of the groove 11, the light applied to the specific position is reflected in a substantially vertical direction. As a result, when the coin 10 moves and the concave curved surface 11a reaches the detection position P, that is, when the position is irradiated with light from the light emitting element 22, a part of the light is surely reflected in the substantially vertical direction. At that time, the amount of light received by the light receiving element 23 becomes extremely large. The light receiving element 23, the condenser lens 25, and the prism 27 are preferably arranged so as to be able to receive reflected light within a range of 90 +/- 3 degrees with respect to the surface of the coin 10. In a preferred embodiment, light receiving element 23 is a phototransistor.

In this embodiment, the coin identification device 20
Is provided with a ring-shaped magnet 28 in front of the light emitting element 22 and around the condenser lens 25. The ring-shaped magnet 28 attracts iron powder shaved from the surface of the coin and from the surroundings by the contact of the coin 10 with the passage 21.
This prevents iron powder from adhering to the light emitting element 22 and the condenser lens 25, thereby preventing the detection accuracy from being lowered.

FIG. 3 is a configuration block diagram for realizing the processing of the detection data in the coin identification device 20.
The light incident on the light receiving element 23 is converted into a voltage according to the light intensity. The output voltage from the light receiving element 23 is amplified by a signal amplifying section 31 and further amplified by an A / D converting section 32.
Is converted into digital data and passed to the CPU 33. The coin identification device 20 includes a memory 34 including a RAM and a ROM, and stores programs and data executed by the CPU 33 therein. Memory 34
Stores data of a detection signal obtained from a specific coin (hereinafter referred to as reference data).
Compares the signal detected and A / D converted by the light receiving element 23 with the reference data. The CPU 33 considers a predetermined detection error, and the two data are coins of the same type,
That is, it is determined whether or not the coins have the same groove shape (the number, width and interval of the grooves).

If the result of the determination is that the coin to be detected is other than a specific coin, the coin identification device 20 can be configured to respond to this. For example, when the target coin is of another type, a sorting mechanism 35 for separating the coin from a specific coin can be provided. A pin driven by a solenoid is arranged on the downstream side of the passage 21, and at the timing when the other type of coin passes therethrough, a control signal is output so that the solenoid is driven and the coin comes off the passage 21. Is also good. Further, a control signal may be output so that an alarm sounds at the time of the detection. The coin identification device 20 according to the present embodiment makes it possible to accurately and quickly identify a non-target coin from a large number of coins 10 passing through the passage 21.

Next, a coin identification device according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described. 4 and 5 relate to the coin identification device of the present embodiment, FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing a schematic configuration thereof, and FIG. 5 is a configuration block diagram for realizing processing of data detected by the coin identification device. It is.
The coin identification device 40 according to the present embodiment has a function of judging and selecting the authenticity of coins by magnetism, in addition to the function of the coin identification device in the previous embodiment. In the description of the present embodiment, the same components as those in the previous embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 4, the light receiving element 2 in the passage 21
3, a magnet 41 and a magnetic sensor 42 are installed to be opposed to each other on the upstream side of the detection position P. The magnet 41 generates a magnetic field on the passage 21, and the magnetic sensor 42 detects a change in the magnetic field. In implementing the present embodiment, a coin 10 made of, for example, brass mixed with a predetermined amount of a ferromagnetic material, for example, iron powder or nickel powder, is used as a coin to be identified. By keeping the type and amount of the ferromagnetic material included in the coin 10 secret, the coin to be identified by the coin identification device can be distinguished from other coins. As the coin 10 containing a predetermined amount of ferromagnetic material passes through the magnetic field formed by the magnet 41, the strength of the magnetic field changes. The magnetic sensor 42 detects the strength of the magnetic field and outputs it as an electric signal. A coil, a Hall element, and an MR element are connected to the magnetic sensor 4
2 can be used.

In the block diagram shown in FIG. 5, the output signal from the magnetic sensor 42 is amplified by the signal amplifying section 31 like the output signal from the light receiving element 23, and the A / D converter 32
After being converted into a digital signal, is given to the CPU 33. In the memory 34, in addition to the reference data for the light detection,
Reference data for magnetic field detection (hereinafter, referred to as magnetic field reference data) is stored in advance. The magnetic field reference data is a reference signal value based on a change in a magnetic field when a target coin including a specific amount of ferromagnetic material passes, and the CPU 33 outputs a signal detected and converted by the magnetic sensor 42, This magnetic field reference data is compared. The CPU 33 determines whether the two data are the same type of coin, that is, a coin containing the same amount of ferromagnetic material, in consideration of a predetermined detection error.

That is, in the coin discriminating apparatus of this embodiment, the magnetic field is first detected by the magnetic sensor 42 for the coin 10 passing through the passage 21, whereby the coin is the target coin. Is determined. Next, a change in the light intensity is detected based on the light receiving element 23, whereby it is determined again whether or not the coin is the target coin. Based on these two determinations, the CPU 33 outputs one control signal to drive the coin sorting mechanism 35. That is, the coin discriminating apparatus 40 determines that the target coin is a correct coin only when both of the detected coins are determined to be “true” in both detections, Is determined to be "false",
This is excluded by the coin sorting mechanism 35.
It will be appreciated that such a double inspection will further increase the reliability of the device.

FIGS. 6A to 6C show cross sections of another embodiment of a coin that can be used together with the coin identification device according to the present invention. These coins have a suitable groove shape for optimizing detection in the coin identification device. The coin 60A shown in FIG.
Like the coin shown in FIG. 1, the coin has a groove 61 composed of a flat bottom, a substantially vertical wall, and a concave curved surface 61a therebetween. However, unlike the case of FIG. 1, the concave curved surface 61a is formed intentionally when the groove is formed. That is, the mold for forming the groove 61 is designed to have a surface with a predetermined radius of curvature at the corner of the annular convex portion corresponding to the groove 61. The radius of curvature of the concave curved surface 61a formed by the mold is, for example, 0.3 to 0.7 mm.
It is.

The coin 60B shown in FIG. 7B has a groove 62 having a curved cross section. In other words, the groove 62
Is configured as a curved surface having a continuous wall, concave surface and bottom.

The coin 60C shown in FIG. 9C has a corrugated surface in the area where the groove 63 is formed. That is, the coin 60C is different from the preceding coin 60B,
The surface between the grooves 63 is formed as a convex curved surface.

In any of the above-mentioned modifications, as long as there is a concave curved surface (regardless of whether the radius of curvature is large or small) in the groove, a part of the light from the light-emitting element is emitted here. , The light is reflected in a substantially vertical direction, and light can be received by the light receiving element.

As shown in these modifications, the groove having the concave curved surface may be provided on both sides of the coin, or may be provided on only one side in some cases. Also, the information embodied on the front side of the coin, that is, the pitch of the concave curved surface on the front side, and the information embodied on the back side, that is, the pitch of the concave curved surface on the back side are made different so that two types of information are put on one coin. It may be configured to be embodied.

[0050]

EXAMPLE The coin identification device having the configuration shown in FIG. 2 was used to identify the coin having the configuration shown in FIG. The coin used is 25mm in diameter and 1.6m in thickness
m, the depth of the groove is 0.3 mm. A light emitting diode was used as a light emitting element of the coin identification device, and a phototransistor was used as a light receiving element. The irradiation angle θ of the light emitting element to the coin is 15 +/− 1 degrees, the diameter of the condenser lens is 2.6 mm, and the distance between the condenser lens and the surface of the coin is 1.8 m.
m. The passing speed of the coin is a speed close to a natural fall due to its own weight. FIG. 7 shows the result of amplifying the output voltage of the light receiving element when passing through the coin.

FIG. 7 shows a cross section of a coin to be detected, corresponding to the horizontal axis of the graph. As is clear from the results, the voltage peak was very clearly detected at the position corresponding to the position of the wall of each groove, that is, the position of the concave curved surface to which light was irradiated. In the experiment, similar results were obtained for about 400,000 coins. In the graph, a voltage peak was also detected at the corner of the coin (at the rear end side in the moving direction). This is due to the curved surface formed by shaving the corner.

The embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings. However, it is apparent that the present invention is not limited to the matters described in the above embodiments, and that changes, improvements, and the like can be made based on the description in the claims. In the present invention, information embodied on the coin is not limited to the identification information. Any information required according to the purpose of the coin can be embodied in the coin according to the present invention, and can be read by the reading device or the identification device according to the present invention. For example, specific information (for example, an identification number for each coin, a manufacturing date, a manufacturing place, etc.) for each coin is embodied by the groove, and the present invention can be configured as a device for reading the information. Further, the coins targeted by the present invention are not limited to those for playing.
If such a groove is adopted in a coin, the coin according to the present invention may be a coin.

[0053]

As described above, according to the present invention, a specific point of a groove on a coin can be clearly detected, whereby information embodied in the groove can be accurately read.

Further, in order to enable the detection, it is not necessary to process the coin side with high accuracy, so that stable detection can be realized regardless of the processing accuracy of the coin.

Further, by employing a circular coin suitable for detecting the groove, the detection is further facilitated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view, a side sectional view, and an enlarged view of a groove showing an embodiment of a coin identified by a coin identification device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view and a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a coin identification device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration block diagram for realizing detection data processing in the coin identification device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a coin identification device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration block diagram for realizing processing of data detected by the coin identification device according to the embodiment of FIG. 4;

FIGS. 6A to 6C are cross-sectional views of another embodiment of a coin that can be used with the coin identification device according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a graph showing a result of amplifying an output voltage of a light receiving element when passing a coin.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Coin 11 Groove 11a Concave curved surface 20 Coin identification device 21 Passage 22 Light emitting element 23 Light receiving element 24 Optical path 25, 26 Condensing lens 27 Prism 28 Ring magnet 31 Signal amplifying part 32 A / D conversion part 33 CPU 34 Memory

Claims (41)

[Claims] 1. An information reading device for reading information of a coin provided with a plurality of grooves at predetermined intervals for embodying information, comprising: a passage for allowing the coin to move in a direction along a surface thereof; A light emitting unit that irradiates light at a predetermined angle to a surface of the coin moving in the passage, wherein a plurality of grooves on the coin are arranged so as to cross the light as the coin moves. When a plurality of grooves on the coin cross the light, the reflected light of the light is applied to a concave curved surface that continues the wall and the bottom of the groove and is reflected in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the coin. Light receiving means arranged so as to be able to receive light, based on a change in the intensity of light received by the light receiving means when the plurality of grooves on the coin cross the light, information embodied on the coin Information reading means for reading Down of the information reading device. 2. The coin information reading device according to claim 1, wherein said light receiving means is arranged so as to be able to receive said reflected light within a range of 90 +/- 3 degrees with respect to a surface of said coin. 3. The coin information reading device according to claim 2, wherein said light emitting means irradiates light to the surface of said coin within a range of 15 +/- 1 degrees. 4. The coin information reading device according to claim 1, wherein said light emitting means irradiates the light toward a center position in a width direction of the coin moving in the passage. apparatus. 5. An information reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said information reading apparatus reads information on a coin containing a predetermined amount of ferromagnetic material. A magnetic sensor that detects a change in the magnetic field when the coin passes through the magnetic field; andan identification unit that identifies authenticity of the coin based on a change in the magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor. Information reading device provided. 6. The information reading apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the magnetic field generating means is a magnet provided on one side of the passage, and the magnetic sensor is disposed to face the magnet with the passage therebetween. . 7. A coin identification device for identifying a coin provided with a plurality of grooves at predetermined intervals to realize predetermined identification information from other types of coins, wherein the coin is oriented along a surface thereof. And a light emitting means for irradiating light at a predetermined angle to a surface of the coin moving in the passage, wherein a plurality of grooves on the coin are moved as the coin moves. When the plurality of grooves on the coin cross the light, the grooves are illuminated on a concave curved surface connecting the wall and the bottom of the groove and are reflected in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the coin. A light receiving means arranged to receive reflected light of the light, and a coin based on a change in intensity of light received by the light receiving means when a plurality of grooves on the coin cross the light. Information reading to read the identification information embodied above A coin discriminating device comprising: a picking unit; and a judging unit that compares information read by the information reading unit with predetermined information to determine a coin having the predetermined information from other types of coins. . 8. The coin identification device according to claim 7, wherein said light receiving means is arranged so as to be able to receive said reflected light within a range of 90 +/- 3 degrees with respect to said coin surface. 9. The coin discriminating apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said light emitting means irradiates light to the surface of said coin within a range of 15 +/- 1 degrees. 10. The coin discriminating apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said light emitting means irradiates said light toward a center position in a width direction of the coin moving in said passage. 11. The coin discriminating apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a selecting unit for separating coins determined by said determining unit from coins of another type. 12. The coin discriminating apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a coin containing a predetermined amount of ferromagnetic material is distinguished from other types of coins. Magnetic field generating means, a magnetic sensor for detecting a change in the magnetic field when the coin passes through the magnetic field, and identification for identifying authenticity of the coin based on the change in the magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor Means for identifying a coin. 13. The coin identification device according to claim 12, wherein said magnetic field generating means is a magnet provided on one side of said passage, and said magnetic sensor is arranged to face said magnet with said passage therebetween. apparatus. 14. The coin discriminating apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising a second sorting unit that separates a coin identified by the identifying unit from another type of coin. 15. A coin counting device comprising the coin identification device according to claim 7. 16. A game device using a coin, comprising the coin identification device according to claim 7. Description: 17. A coin issuing device comprising the coin identification device according to claim 7. Description: 18. An information reading method for reading information of a coin provided with a plurality of grooves at predetermined intervals for embodying information, the method comprising: moving the coin in a direction along a surface thereof; Irradiating light at a predetermined angle to the surface of the moving coin, wherein a plurality of grooves on the coin cross the light as the coin moves; and When the plurality of grooves cross the light, receiving a reflected light of the light that is irradiated on a concave curved surface that continues the wall and the bottom of the groove and is reflected in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the coin; Reading information embodied on the coin based on a change in the intensity of the received light when a plurality of grooves on the coin cross the light. 19. The coin information reading method according to claim 18, wherein the light receiving means is arranged so as to be able to receive the reflected light within a range of 90 +/- 3 degrees with respect to the surface of the coin. 20. The coin information reading method according to claim 18, wherein said light emitting means irradiates light to the surface of said coin within a range of 15 +/- 1 degrees. 21. The coin information reading according to claim 18, wherein said light emitting means irradiates the light toward a center position in a width direction of the coin moving in the passage. Method. 22. The information reading method according to claim 18, which reads information on a coin containing a predetermined amount of ferromagnetic material, wherein a magnetic field is generated on a moving path of the coin. Information reading, further comprising: detecting a change in the magnetic field when the coin passes through the magnetic field; and identifying authenticity of the coin based on the detected change in the magnetic field. Method. 23. A coin identification method for identifying a coin provided with a plurality of grooves at predetermined intervals in order to realize predetermined identification information from other types of coins, wherein the coin is oriented along its surface. And irradiating light at a predetermined angle to the surface of the moving coin, such that a plurality of grooves on the coin cross the light with the movement of the coin. When a plurality of grooves on the coin cross the light, the reflected light of the light is irradiated to a concave curved surface that connects the wall and the bottom of the groove and is reflected in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the coin. Receiving the information, and reading the identification information embodied on the coin based on a change in the intensity of the received light when the plurality of grooves on the coin cross the light, To compare information with predetermined information Ri, coin identifying method and a step of discriminating coins from other types of coins having the predetermined information. 24. The coin identification method according to claim 23, further comprising a step of separating the discriminated coin from another type of coin. 25. The coin identifying method according to claim 23, wherein the light receiving means is arranged so as to be able to receive the reflected light within a range of 90 +/- 3 degrees with respect to the surface of the coin. 26. The light emitting means according to claim 23, wherein said light emitting means irradiates light to the surface of said coin in a range of 15 +/- 1 degrees.
5. The coin identification method according to any one of 5. 27. The coin identification method according to claim 23, wherein said light emitting means irradiates said light toward a center position in a width direction of the coin moving in said passage. 28. The coin identifying method according to claim 23, for reading information on a coin containing a predetermined amount of ferromagnetic material, wherein a magnetic field is generated on a moving path of the coin. Detecting the change in the magnetic field when the coin passes through the magnetic field; and identifying the authenticity of the coin based on the detected change in the magnetic field. Method. 29. The coin identification method according to claim 28, further comprising a step of separating the identified coin from another type of coin. 30. A circular coin having a plurality of grooves concentrically, wherein a predetermined coinciding information is embodied by a pitch between a concave curved surface connecting a wall and a bottom of each groove. 31. The concave surface having a radius of curvature of 0.3 to 0.5.
31. The circular coin according to claim 30, which is in a range of 7 mm. 32. The circular coin according to claim 30, wherein a wall, a bottom, and an inclined surface of each of the grooves are formed by a continuous concave curved surface. 33. The circular coin according to claim 30, wherein the plurality of grooves are provided on the front and back surfaces of the coin. 34. The circular coin according to claim 33, wherein the identification information embodied on the front surface of the coin is different from the identification information embodied on the back surface of the coin. 35. The circular coin according to claim 30, wherein a display area is provided at a center of a surface of the coin, and the plurality of grooves are provided on an outer peripheral side of the display area. 36. The circular coin according to claim 30, wherein the coin is for playing. 37. The method according to claim 30, comprising a predetermined amount of a ferromagnetic material.
36. A circular coin according to 36. 38. A coin information reading system comprising the circular coin according to any one of claims 30 to 36 and the coin information reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 39. A coin information reading system comprising the circular coin according to claim 37 and the coin information reading device according to claim 5 or 6. 40. A coin identification system comprising the circular coin according to any one of claims 30 to 36 and the coin identification device according to any one of claims 7 to 11. 41. A coin identification system comprising the circular coin according to claim 37 and the coin identification device according to any one of claims 12 to 14.