JP2002163700A - Method and device for adjusting money identifying device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device and a method for adjusting a money identifying device, which can perform self-adjustment of an optical system with the device itself without needing special measuring instrument and tool such as a computer in adjusting the optical system. SOLUTION: A CCD device 107 acquires the image signal of thrown-in adjustment object money, an A/D converter 108 digitally converts the image signal and outputs the image signal to a CPU 102, the CPU 102 calculates the average brightness and darkness level of the preliminarily set prescribed area of the acquired image signal, and the optical system is subjected to self-adjustment by increasing/decreasing a driving current of a LED 106 for emitting light to the adjustment object money by a prescribed amount when the calculated average brightness and darkness level is outside a preliminarily set appropriate range.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for adjusting a currency discriminating apparatus, and more particularly to adjusting an optical system based on an image signal obtained by irradiating a coin to be adjusted with light, thereby stably displaying an image of the currency. The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for adjusting a currency identification device capable of acquiring a signal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in vending machines, currency exchange machines and the like using coins, it is necessary to identify the type and authenticity of the inserted coins.

Conventionally, this type of coin discriminating apparatus has one or a plurality of magnetic sensors disposed in a coin passage through which a coin inserted from a coin insertion slot passes, and the material of the coin, The thickness and size of the coin are determined, and the type and authenticity of the coin are identified based on the determination result.

[0004] However, in recent years, there has been a problem that altered coins having similar material and shape to domestic genuine coins have come out, and as the processing accuracy of the altered coins has increased, it has become more difficult to judge the authenticity of the original magnetic sensor. Has occurred.

Therefore, in order to discriminate this kind of altered coin, it is necessary to identify the coin with higher accuracy. Among them, the pattern shape on the surface and side of the coin is one of the types of coin identification. It is considered to be used as an identification element.

For example, there has been proposed a configuration in which illumination irradiates light on the surface and side surface of a coin, and the pattern shape on the surface and side surface of the coin is identified based on an image signal obtained by receiving reflected light by an optical sensor. .

[0007]

However, the optical system including the light source and the optical sensor is more susceptible to contamination than the magnetic sensor, and the light amount of the light source is slightly changed due to deterioration of the light source. There is a problem that it is difficult to obtain a stable image for a long period of time.

Further, when cleaning the dirt of the light source and the optical sensor and replacing the deteriorated light source, it is necessary to use special measuring instruments and tools such as a computer to adjust the optical system including the light source and the optical sensor. .

Therefore, the present invention does not require the use of a special measuring instrument such as a computer or a tool when adjusting the optical system, and the self-adjustment of the optical system can be performed by the apparatus itself. The purpose is to provide.

[0010]

According to the present invention, there is provided a method for adjusting a currency discriminating apparatus, comprising irradiating a currency with light from a light source and receiving reflected light from the currency with an optical sensor to obtain an image signal of the currency. Then, in the adjustment method of the currency identification device that identifies the currency based on the acquired image signal, a predetermined adjustment target currency is inserted, the acquired image signal of the input adjustment target currency is acquired, and the acquired image signal is acquired. Calculate the average light and dark level of a predetermined area of the preset, if the calculated average light and dark level is out of the predetermined appropriate range, the drive current of the light source is increased or decreased by a predetermined amount to change the light source The self-adjustment of the optical system is performed.

Here, the money includes bills and / or coins. In addition, the adjustment target currency is currency used for adjustment according to the present invention. When the currency is a coin, for example, a 500-yen coin requiring identification accuracy can be used.

The predetermined area is a characteristic area related to the identification of money, for example, an area where a coin surface pattern is formed.

[0013] Further, the currency to be adjusted is a coin, and when the average light-dark level exceeds the upper limit of the appropriate range, the drive current of the light source is reduced, and the average light-dark level falls below the lower limit of the appropriate range. In this case, the driving current of the light source is increased.

In addition, when a predetermined coin is inserted, if the average light and dark level of the inserted coin is within the appropriate range, the inserted coin is counted, and the average light and dark level of the inserted coin is adjusted to the appropriate level. When the value is out of the range, the counted value is cleared, and when the counted value reaches a predetermined value, self-adjustment of the optical system including the light source is terminated.

Further, the self-image adjusting apparatus of the present invention irradiates light from a light source to money, receives reflected light from the money by an optical sensor, acquires an image signal of the money, and obtains the acquired image signal. In the adjustment device of the currency identification device that performs the identification of the currency based on, the image signal acquisition means for acquiring the image signal of the inserted predetermined adjustment target money, and a preset image signal acquired by the image signal acquisition means An average light-dark level calculating means for calculating an average light-dark level of a predetermined area; and, if the average light-dark level obtained by the average light-dark level calculating means is out of a proper range set in advance, the driving current of the light source is increased by a predetermined amount. A self-adjustment unit that performs self-adjustment of the optical system including the light source by increasing or decreasing the light source.

Here, the currency to be adjusted is a coin,
When the average light-dark level calculated by the average light-dark level calculation means exceeds the upper limit of a predetermined appropriate range, the self-adjustment means reduces the drive current of the light source, and calculates the average value by the average light-dark level calculation means. When the average light-dark level falls below a lower limit of a predetermined appropriate range, a light source drive current adjusting means for increasing the drive current of the light source is provided.

The self-adjustment means includes a counting means for counting the number of inserted coins when the average light-dark level calculated by the average light-dark level calculation means is within a predetermined appropriate range; Counting control means for clearing the count value of the counting means when the average light and dark level calculated by the calculating means is outside a predetermined appropriate range; and when the count value counted by the counting means reaches a predetermined value set in advance, An adjustment end control unit for ending the self-adjustment of the optical system including the light source.

[0018]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a currency identification device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a money identifying apparatus according to the present invention.

In FIG. 1, an adjusting device in the coin discriminating apparatus includes a coin image recognizing unit 101 for obtaining a coin image signal, a CPU 102 for analyzing the coin image signal obtained by the coin image recognizing unit 101, and an inspection adjustment switch 103. , And an inspection adjustment lamp 104.

Here, the inspection adjustment switch 103 is set to the CP
It is connected to U102 and inputs an adjustment process by the adjustment device of the present invention under the control of the CPU 102. The inspection adjustment lamp 104 is connected to the CPU 102, and indicates that the adjustment processing by the adjustment apparatus of the present invention is being performed. When the adjustment processing is started, the inspection adjustment lamp 104 blinks and the adjustment processing ends. Then, it returns to the lighting state.

The coin image recognizing unit 101 illuminates a coin detection sensor 105 for detecting that the coin to be adjusted has been inserted into the adjusting device, and irradiates the surface of the coin to be adjusted inserted into the adjusting device. LED 106, a CCD for receiving the reflected light from LED 106 reflected on the surface of the coin to be adjusted and acquiring an image signal of the surface of the coin to be adjusted
It comprises a device 107, an A / D converter 108 for converting an image signal acquired by the CCD device 107 into a digital image signal, and a D / A converter 109 for outputting a drive current adjustment signal for the LED 106.

Here, the digital image signal converted by the A / D converter 108 is output to the CPU 102. The CPU 102 calculates an average brightness level of a predetermined area of the coin to be adjusted based on the digital image signal, and It is determined whether or not the LED 10 is within the range.
The digital signal for increasing / decreasing the driving current of No. 6 by a predetermined amount is D /
Output to the A converter 109.

The D / A converter 109 is a CPU
When a digital signal from 102 is input, the digital signal is converted into an analog signal, and the drive current of the LED 106 is increased or decreased by this analog signal to adjust.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the adjusting device in the money identifying apparatus shown in FIG.

When the inspection adjustment switch 103 of FIG. 1 is turned on, the operation of the flowchart of FIG. 2 is started (step 201), the CPU 102 clears the adjustment coin recognition counter TRYCNT to 0 (step 202), and performs the inspection adjustment. The blinking of the lamp 104 is controlled to indicate that the present adjusting device is being adjusted (step 203).

Next, it is checked whether the coin to be adjusted has been detected by the coin detection sensor 105 (step 204).
If the coin to be adjusted has not been detected (NO in step 204), the process returns to step 204, and waits for the coin to be adjusted.

If it is determined in step 204 that the coin to be adjusted has been detected (YES in step 204), the A /
A coin data collection determination process is performed based on the output of the D converter 108 (step 205). This coin data collection determination process is a process of collecting coin data of a coin to be adjusted based on a digital image signal from the A / D converter 108 and determining a coin to be adjusted based on the collected coin data.

Next, it is checked whether or not the inserted coin matches the coin to be adjusted based on the coin data collection determination processing in step 205 (step 206). If it is determined that they do not match (NO in step 206), step 2
04, but if it is determined that they match (step 20)
(YES in 6), increments the adjustment coin recognition counter TRYCNT by 1 (step 207), and determines whether the average brightness level of a predetermined area of the coin to be adjusted is within an appropriate range (step 208).

Here, if the average brightness level of the predetermined area of the coin to be adjusted is not within the appropriate range (NO in step 208), the adjustment coin recognition counter T
RYCNT is cleared to 0 (step 209), and it is determined whether the average brightness level of the predetermined area is above or below the appropriate range, that is, whether the average brightness level of the predetermined area is high (step 210). .

Here, when the average brightness level of the predetermined area exceeds the appropriate range (YE in step 210).
S) Since the image is too bright due to the large amount of light of the LED 106, the drive current of the LED 106 is reduced by a predetermined amount via the D / A converter 109 (step 211), and LE
The light amount of D106 is adjusted.

If the average brightness level of the predetermined area falls below the appropriate range (NO in step 210), the LED 1
Because the image is too dark because the light quantity of 06 is small, LED
The drive current of the LED 106 is increased by a predetermined amount via the D / A converter 109 (step 212), and the light amount of the LED 106 is adjusted.

When the control for increasing / decreasing the drive current of the LED 106 by a predetermined amount is completed, the count value of the adjusted coin recognition counter TRYCNT is set to a preset value, for example,
It is checked whether "5" has been exceeded (step 213). If it has not exceeded "5" (NO in step 213), the process returns to step 204.

If it is determined in step 208 that the average brightness level of a predetermined area of the coin to be adjusted is within an appropriate range (YES in step 208).
S), the process proceeds to step 213 to check whether or not the count value of the adjusted coin recognition counter TRYCNT has exceeded a preset value “5” (step 213). If it does not exceed “5” (NO in step 213) ), Step 204
Return to

As described above, when it is determined in step 213 that the count value of the adjustment coin recognition counter TRYCNT has exceeded the preset value "5" (YES in step 213), the inspection adjustment lamp 104 is turned on. Appropriate LED
The drive current value of 106 is stored (step 214),
This adjustment processing ends.

In other words, the adjustment process is terminated only when it is determined that the average brightness level of a predetermined area of the coin to be adjusted is within an appropriate range by continuously inserting the coin to be adjusted in step 208. become.

For example, in the case of a coin identification device, the identification device is 1
0 yen, 50 yen, 100 yen, and 500 yen coins are identified. However, in the adjustment mode implemented in the present invention, the amount of illumination light is adjusted using any one type of coin. If a 500-yen coin is used as a "predetermined coin to be adjusted" in the above embodiment, in the adjustment mode, other than the 500-yen coin is excluded (step 206 in FIG. 2).

When adjusting the products shipped to the market, one 500 yen coin is used several times or several 5 coins.
Adjust by inserting a 00 yen coin. In particular, the accuracy of adjustment can be improved by carefully selecting a 500-yen coin whose surface reflectivity is as average as possible and designating it as a coin to be adjusted, or by designating a new coin as a coin to be adjusted.

In the above embodiment, the case where the identification target is a coin has been described. However, in the present invention, the case where the identification target is another currency such as a banknote is similarly applicable.

[0040]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Adjustment of a currency discriminating device that irradiates the currency with light from a light source, receives reflected light from the currency with an optical sensor, acquires an image signal of the currency, and identifies the currency based on the acquired image signal. In the method, a predetermined adjustment target money is inserted, an image signal of the inserted money is obtained, and an average light-dark level of a predetermined region of the obtained image signal is calculated, and the calculated average light-dark level is calculated. If it is out of the proper range set in advance, the self-adjustment of the optical system including the light source is performed by increasing or decreasing the drive current of the light source by a predetermined amount. This facilitates the adjustment and eliminates the need to use special measuring instruments and tools such as a computer when adjusting the optical system.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an adjustment device in a money identification device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of an adjustment device in the money identification device shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 coin image recognition unit 102 CPU 103 check adjustment switch 104 check adjustment lamp 105 coin detection sensor 106 LED 107 CCD device 108 A / D converter 109 D / A converter

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A method for irradiating money with light from a light source, receiving reflected light from the money with an optical sensor, acquiring an image signal of the money, and identifying the money based on the acquired image signal. In the adjustment method of the currency discriminating apparatus, a predetermined adjustment target currency is inserted, an image signal of the input adjustment target currency is acquired, and an average brightness level of a predetermined region of the acquired image signal is calculated. When the calculated average light-dark level is out of a predetermined appropriate range, self-adjustment of the optical system including the light source is performed by increasing or decreasing the drive current of the light source by a predetermined amount. How to adjust the device. 2. The coin to be adjusted is a coin. When the average light-dark level exceeds the upper limit of the appropriate range, the drive current of the light source is reduced, and the average light-dark level falls below the lower limit of the appropriate range. 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising increasing a driving current of the light source in the case where the light source is driven. 3. When the predetermined coin is inserted, if the average light and dark level of the inserted coin is within the appropriate range, the inserted coins are counted. The average light and dark level of the inserted coin is 3. The self-adjustment of the optical system including the light source is terminated when the counted value reaches a predetermined value when the counted value reaches a predetermined value when the counted value is out of the proper range. Adjustment method for currency identification device. 4. A method of irradiating light from a light source onto money, receiving reflected light from the money with an optical sensor, obtaining an image signal of the money, and identifying the money based on the obtained image signal. In the adjusting device of the currency discriminating apparatus, an image signal acquiring unit for acquiring an image signal of the inserted predetermined adjustment target currency, and calculating an average brightness level of a predetermined area of the image signal acquired by the image signal acquiring unit, which is set in advance. An average light-dark level calculating means to perform, and when the average light-dark level obtained by the average light-dark level calculating means is out of a proper range set in advance, the drive current of the light source is increased or decreased by a predetermined amount to include the light source. A self-adjustment device for self-adjustment of an optical system, comprising: an adjustment device for a money identifying device. 5. The adjustment target currency is a coin, and the self-adjustment unit is configured to determine whether the average light / dark level calculated by the average light / dark level calculation unit exceeds an upper limit of a predetermined appropriate range. A light source drive current adjusting means for increasing a drive current of the light source when a drive current is reduced and the average light / dark level calculated by the average light / dark level calculation means falls below a lower limit of a predetermined appropriate range. The adjusting device for a money identifying device according to claim 4, wherein 6. The self-adjustment means includes: counting means for counting the number of inserted coins when the average light-dark level calculated by the average light-dark level calculation means is within a predetermined appropriate range; Counting control means for clearing the count value of the counting means when the average light-dark level calculated by the calculating means is outside a predetermined appropriate range; and when the count value counted by the counting means reaches a predetermined value set in advance, 6. An adjustment termination control means for terminating self-adjustment of an optical system including a light source.
An adjusting device for the currency discriminating apparatus described in the above.