JP2002358551A - Coin identification method and device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide coin identification method and device for highly accurately processing the identification of many denominations at high speed. SOLUTION: The edge part of the surface of a coin C falling through a coin path 101 in an advancing direction is irradiated with light 105 from a light source 104 for flash imaging, an area sensor 107 inputs reflected light 106 reflected from the coin C and thus, the image signal of the edge part of the coin C is acquired. An outer diameter discrimination part 111 obtains the denomination discrimination distance of the coin C on the basis of an opposing outer peripheral position detected in an opposing outer peripheral position detection part 110 and discriminates the outer diameter of the coin C and the coin C is identified in coin identification parts 112, 113, 114 and 115 for the respective denominations on the basis of a discriminated result.

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 identifying coins, and more particularly, to an image including an outer periphery of a coin to be inspected moving in a coin passage, obtained by an image sensor, and based on the acquired image, an image of the coin to be inspected. The present invention relates to a coin discrimination method and a coin discrimination method for discriminating a coin by determining an outer diameter.

[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 arranged in a coin passage through which coins inserted from a coin insertion slot pass, and the magnetic sensors use the coin to determine the material, thickness, and size of the coin. The system is configured to determine the presence or absence of a hole or the like, and to identify the type and authenticity of the coin based on the determination result.

Further, a configuration has been proposed in which the thickness, size, and the like of a coin are detected by using an optical sensor with an image sensor.

[0005] However, in recent years, foreign currency similar in material and shape to domestic genuine coins has been produced in such a manner that altered coins are processed to match the pattern of optical sensors or magnetic sensors obtained with domestic genuine coins. With the increase in processing accuracy, there has been a problem that it is difficult to determine whether the magnetic sensor or the optical sensor is authentic. In particular, 50
Since the 0 yen coin is a high value currency, it has become a major problem in illegal use of foreign currencies.

Therefore, in order to discriminate this kind of altered coin, it is necessary to identify the coin with higher accuracy, and a pattern on the coin surface is detected by using an optical sensor such as an image pickup device. A configuration has been proposed.

[0007]

However, in the case of employing a configuration for detecting a pattern on the surface of a coin using an optical sensor such as the above-described image pickup device, for example, if the denomination to be determined is one denomination, , It will judge genuine coins of other denominations as counterfeit coins, and also judge 500 yen, 100 yen, 50 yen, 10 yen coins generally inserted in vending machines, currency exchange machines, etc. When the target denomination, the surface pattern of all coins is converted into a standard pattern, matching the surface pattern of the inserted coin with the standard pattern of the surface pattern of each coin, discriminating the denomination, and identifying the coin, There is a problem that the processing time becomes enormous.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a coin discriminating method and apparatus capable of accurately discriminating coins to be inspected without requiring an enormous processing time.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a coin identifying method for identifying a test coin moving in a coin passage, wherein the coin is disposed at a predetermined position in the coin passage. The coin detection sensor detects the arrival of the tip of the test coin, irradiates light to the surface of the test coin in synchronization with the detection of the coin detection sensor, and the position of the coin detection sensor in the coin passage. An image including the outer periphery of the test coin is obtained based on the reflected light from the surface of the test coin by an image sensor arranged at a predetermined distance upstream from the test coin, and the test is performed by the image sensor. The outer diameter of the test coin is determined based on an image including the outer periphery of the coin, and primary identification of the test coin is performed based on the determination result.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, an image including the outer periphery of the test coin is sequentially scanned, and a background image of the image including the outer periphery of the test coin is determined based on the scanning. Detecting the outer peripheral position of the test coin by detecting a boundary position of the coin, and determining the outer diameter of the test coin based on the outer peripheral position.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, an area of a background image of an image including an outer periphery of the test coin is obtained, and the area of the test coin is determined based on the obtained area of the background image. The outer diameter is determined.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, secondary identification of the test coin is further performed based on an image including an outer periphery of the test coin.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the primary identification of the test coin is performed only for coins of a specific denomination.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the fourth aspect, the coin passage is disposed between a coin insertion slot and another subsequent coin identification device, and the identification result of the secondary identification is provided. Is a true coin, validates the coin identification of the test coin in the subsequent other coin identification device, if the identification result of the secondary identification is a fake coin, in the subsequent other coin identification device The coin identification of the test coin is invalidated.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a coin identifying apparatus for identifying a coin to be inspected moving in a coin passage, wherein said coin identifying device is disposed at a predetermined position in said coin passage and detects the arrival of a leading end of said coin to be inspected. A coin detection sensor, a light source that irradiates light to the surface of the test coin in synchronization with the detection of the coin detection sensor, and a position that is separated from the coin detection sensor in the coin passage by a predetermined distance upstream from the arrangement position of the coin detection sensor. An image sensor that acquires an image including the outer periphery of the test coin based on the reflected light from the surface of the test coin; and the image sensor based on the light reflected from the surface of the test coin by the image sensor. An image including the outer circumference of the test coin is obtained, the outer diameter of the test coin is determined based on the image including the outer circumference of the test coin obtained by the image sensor, and one of the test coins is determined based on the determination result. Next Characterized by comprising a primary coin discrimination means for performing another.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the seventh aspect, the primary coin discriminating means sequentially scans an image including an outer periphery of the test coin, and based on the scan, identifies the primary coin. An outer peripheral position of the test coin is detected by detecting a boundary position between the image including the outer periphery and the background image, and an outer diameter of the test coin is determined based on the outer peripheral position.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the seventh aspect, the primary coin identifying means determines an area of a background image of an image including an outer periphery of the test coin, and The outer diameter of the test coin is determined based on the area.

The invention according to claim 10 is the invention according to claim 7, further comprising secondary coin identification means for performing secondary identification of the test coin based on an image including the outer periphery of the test coin. It is characterized by.

[0019] Further, the invention of claim 11 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 7, the primary coin identification means identifies the test coin only for coins of a specific denomination. I do.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the tenth aspect of the present invention, the coin passage is disposed between a coin insertion slot and another subsequent coin discriminating device. When the discrimination result is a genuine coin, the coin discrimination of the test coin in the subsequent other coin discriminating device is enabled. It is characterized by further comprising notifying means for notifying the subsequent other coin identifying device that the coin identification of the test coin in the coin identifying device is invalidated.

[0021]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of a coin discriminating method and apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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

As shown in FIG. 1, a coin discriminating apparatus according to the present invention detects a coin passage 101 for dropping a test coin C (hereinafter referred to as a coin C) in the direction of the arrow in FIG. Light emitting element 102 and outer peripheral edge detection sensor 103, flash imaging light source 104 for irradiating light 105 on the surface of coin C, reflected light 1 reflected on the surface of coin C
06, an image sensor 107 for acquiring an image signal including the outer periphery of the coin C, and an A / D converter 1 for converting the acquired image signal including the outer periphery of the coin C into a digital image signal.
08, an image memory unit 109 for temporarily storing digitized image signals, and a light emitting element 1
02 and an outer-peripheral-position detecting unit 110 that detects an opposing outer-peripheral position facing the tip of the coin detected by the outer-peripheral-end detecting sensor 103; an outer-diameter determining unit 111 that determines the outer diameter of the coin C based on the detected opposing outer-peripheral position; When the coin C is identified as a 10-yen coin based on the outer diameter discrimination result, the 10-yen coin identification unit 112 that identifies the coin C based on an image signal including the outer periphery of the coin C, and the coin C is a 50-yen coin When the coin C is identified as a 100-yen coin, the image signal including the outer periphery of the coin C is identified when the coin C is identified as a 100-yen coin. , A 100-yen coin identification unit 114 that identifies a coin C on the basis of the coin C, and a 500-yen coin identification unit 115 that identifies the coin C based on an image signal including the outer periphery of the coin C when the coin C is identified as a 500-yen coin Equipped and are configured.

In the above configuration, the light emitting element 102 and the outer peripheral edge detection sensor 103 are provided so as to oppose the left and right of the coin passage 101 at the position of the hole formed in the coin passage 101.

When the coin C is inserted into the coin discriminating apparatus according to the present invention, the coin C falls freely down the coin passage 101. When the coin C that falls freely in the coin passage 101 blocks light incident on the outer peripheral edge detection sensor 103 from the light emitting element 102, the outer peripheral edge detection sensor 103 emits a detection output signal, and a flash imaging signal is generated based on the detection output signal. The light source 104 is turned on.

In this case, the lighting time of the flash imaging light source 104 is set to a short time corresponding to the response time of the image sensor 107, whereby the image sensor 107 is a still image of the coin C that falls freely down the coin path 101. Can be obtained. Note that the area sensor 107 has completed the standby state immediately before the flash image capturing.

In this embodiment, the coin C is identified based on an image signal corresponding to the still image.

In the above description, the embodiment in which the coin C freely falls down the coin passage 101 has been described, but the coin C is configured to roll along the bottom surface of the coin passage 101 which is obliquely inclined. Even in such a case, the still image of the rolling coin C can be acquired by the image sensor 107 in the same manner as described above by the instantaneous lighting of the flash imaging light source 104.

Next, the procedure of coin identification performed by the coin identification device according to the present invention will be described.

The light 10 from the flash imaging light source 104 is applied to the surface of the coin C that falls freely in the coin passage 101 in the traveling direction.
5, an image including the outer periphery of the coin C is input to the reflected light 106 reflected from the surface of the coin C by the image sensor 107 arranged at a predetermined distance upstream from the arrangement position of the outer periphery detection sensor. Get the signal. here,
As the image sensor 107, a CCD sensor or the like is used.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an image pickup area obtained by the image sensor.

As shown in FIG.
When the outer peripheral end of the coin C is detected at 03, the image sensor 107 acquires an image signal of the imaging area 201. Here, the image signal of the imaging area 201 is divided into an image including the outer periphery of the coin C and a background image.

Here, since the image sensor 107 is fixed to the coin passage 101, the image pickup area 201 is also fixed. Therefore, the distance 2 between the tip of the coin detected by the outer edge detection sensor 103 and the upper limit of the imaging area 201
06 is also fixed in advance.

When the outer diameter of the coin is different, the position of the outer periphery of the coin C picked up by the image signal in the image pickup area 201 is also different.

As shown in FIG. 2, the outer diameter of the 500-yen coin 202 (both old and new is 26.5 mm), the outer diameter of the 10-yen coin 203 (23.5 mm), and the outer diameter of the 100-yen coin 204 (22.2 mm).
6 mm) and the outer diameter (21.0 mm) of the 50-yen coin 205 is different, so that the position of the outer periphery of the coin imaged in the imaging area 201 is also different.

Then, the obtained image signal including the outer periphery of the coin C is digitized and output to the opposing outer peripheral position detecting unit 110 to detect the opposing outer peripheral position of the coin C, and the outer diameter discriminating unit 1
At 11, the outer diameter of the coin C is determined based on the opposing outer peripheral position.

FIG. 3 is a view for explaining the processing for obtaining the denomination discrimination distance from the image signal in the image pickup area.

As shown in FIG. 3, the image signal in the image pickup area 201 is divided into an image including the outer periphery of the coin and a background image, and the 500 yen, 10 yen, 100 yen, and 50 yen coin (20 yen)
2, 203, 204, and 205) are different in outer diameter, so that 500 yen, 10 yen, 10
Part of the outer circumference of the 0 yen and 50 yen coins (301, 302, 30)
3, 304) are different.

Here, a part 301 of the outer circumference of the 500 yen coin
Will be described as an example. The imaging area upper limit 3 is set at a part 301 of the outer periphery of the 500 yen coin imaged in the imaging area 201.
The position at the shortest distance from 02 is set as the opposing outer peripheral position 305, and the denomination discrimination distance 307 of the imaging area upper limit 306 is calculated from the opposing outer peripheral position 305.

Accordingly, by subtracting the denomination discrimination distance 307 from the distance 206, the outer diameter of the 500 yen coin can be calculated. Then, by comparing the calculated outer diameter with the outer diameter (26.5 mm) of the 500 yen coin, it is determined whether or not the coin is a 500 yen coin.

FIG. 4 is a view for explaining a process for obtaining a denomination discriminating area from an image signal in the imaging area.

Here, a part 301 of the outer periphery of the 500 yen coin
Will be described as an example. The denomination determination area 401 in the background image in the imaging area 201 is calculated.

The calculated denomination discrimination area 401 is
The denomination of the coin C can also be determined by comparing with a predetermined denomination determination area of 500 yen, 10 yen, 100 yen, and 50 yen coins.

When the denomination of the coin C is determined, identification is performed for each denomination. That is, when the coin C is determined to be a 10-yen coin, an image signal of the imaging area 201 is output from the image memory unit to the 10-yen coin identification unit 112, and the coin C is identified. Also, coin C is 50 yen, 100 yen, 500 yen
The same applies to yen coins.

However, 500 yen, 100 yen, 50 yen, 1
There is no need to determine all denominations of 0 yen, for example, 500
If only the yen coin needs to be determined, the 500 yen coin 202
, And the 100 yen, 50 yen, and 10 yen coins (203, 204, and 205) can be determined as coins outside the target denomination. Here, the coin C is identified by the 500-yen coin identification unit only when it is determined that the coin C is 500 yen.

The coin discriminating apparatus according to the present invention can discriminate a coin C in combination with another coin discriminating apparatus. For example, when another coin discriminating apparatus is set subsequent to the coin discriminating apparatus according to the present invention, the denomination and true / false discrimination result of the coin C are output to the subsequent coin discriminating apparatus, and when the coin C is a true coin. Can enable the coin identification device for coins, and can invalidate the coin identification device for coins when the coin C is a fake coin.

Here, a procedure in which the output of the coin discriminating apparatus according to the present invention invalidates the subsequent coin discriminating apparatus will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, the coins to be denominated are 500 yen and 100 yen, and 50 yen and 10 yen are coins outside the denomination.

The denomination of the coin C is started (step 5).
01), it is determined whether or not the coin is a 500 yen coin (step 502). If coin C is not a 500-yen coin (NO in step 502), it is determined whether or not it is a 100-yen coin (step 503). If the coin C is not a 100-yen coin (NO in step 503), the coin C is determined as a non-denomination coin, and the subsequent coin identification device is activated (step 504).

If the coin C is a 500-yen coin (YES in step 502), the 500-yen coin identification unit 115 identifies the authenticity of the coin C (step 505), and if the coin C is 1
If it is a 00 yen coin (YES in step 503), 1
The 00-yen coin identification unit identifies the authenticity of coin C (step 506).

When coin C is a genuine coin (Y in step 507)
ES), the subsequent coin identification device is activated (step 504).

If coin C is a fake coin (N in step 507)
O), invalidate the subsequent coin identification device (step 5)
08).

FIG. 6 shows a coin identifying device 60 according to the present invention.
4 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration in which a conventional coin identification device 603 is combined with a conventional coin identification device 603. Here, FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration using only the conventional coin identification device 603, and FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating the coin identification device 60 according to the present invention.
4 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration in which a conventional coin identification device 603 is combined with a conventional coin identification device 603.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the coin C passes through the coin shooter 602 from the insertion slot 601 and is inserted into the conventional coin identification device 603, and the conventional coin identification device 60
The conventional denomination and authenticity discrimination in 3 are performed.

As shown in FIG. 6B, a coin discriminating apparatus 604 according to the present invention is disposed between a slot 601 and a conventional coin discriminating apparatus 603. Then, the coin C passes through the coin shooter 602 from the insertion slot 601 and is inserted into the coin identification device 604 according to the present invention, and is input from the coin identification device 604 according to the present invention to the conventional coin identification device 603. Here, when the coin C is inserted into the coin identification device 604 according to the present invention, the denomination determination and the authenticity identification described above are performed on the coin C, and the identification result is transmitted to the conventional coin identification device 603. When the coin C is a genuine coin, the coin identification in the conventional coin identification device 603 is validated, and when the coin C is a fake coin, the coin identification in the conventional coin identification device 603 is invalidated.

Therefore, the coin discriminating device 60 according to the present invention.
4, the denomination and authenticity are identified, and the conventional coin identification device 603 performs the conventional denomination identification and authenticity identification, thereby enabling highly accurate coin identification.

Further, the coin discriminating apparatus 604 according to the present invention.
The denomination and true / false identification are performed in the above, and if the coin is identified as a counterfeit coin, a process of returning the counterfeit coin to the return port or sounding some alarm without causing the conventional coin identification device 603 to perform processing is performed. Can be done quickly.

[0057]

As described above, according to the present invention, flash photography is performed in synchronization with the output signal of the detection sensor that has detected the leading end of the coin to be inspected, and the flash photographing is performed based on the outer peripheral position facing the leading end of the coin to be inspected. It is possible to easily determine the denomination of the test coin. Further, by performing identification only on denominations for which the authenticity of the coin to be inspected needs to be identified, there is an effect that identification of multiple denominations can be performed at high speed and with high accuracy.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a coin identification device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an imaging area acquired by an area sensor.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a process of obtaining a denomination discrimination distance from an image signal in an imaging area.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a process of obtaining a denomination discrimination area from an image signal in an imaging area.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure in which an output of the coin identification device according to the present invention invalidates a subsequent coin identification device.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration in which a coin identification device 604 according to the present invention and a conventional coin identification device 603 are combined.

[Explanation of symbols]

 C Coin 101 Coin passage 102 Light emitting element 103 Peripheral tip detection sensor 104 Flash imaging light source 105 Light 106 Reflected light 107 Image sensor 108 A / D conversion unit 109 Image memory unit 110 Opposite outer peripheral position detection unit 111 Outer diameter discrimination unit 112 10 yen Coin identification section 113 50-yen coin identification section 114 100-yen coin identification section 115 500-yen coin identification section 201 Imaging area 202 500-yen coin 203 10-yen coin 204 100-yen coin 205 50-yen coin 206 Distance 301 One of the outer circumferences of a 500-yen coin Part 302 Part of the outer circumference of a 10-yen coin 303 Part of the outer circumference of a 100-yen coin 304 Part of the outer circumference of a 50-yen coin 305 Opposite outer peripheral position 306 Upper limit of imaging area 307 Denomination discrimination distance 401 Denomination discrimination area 601 Slot 602 Coin shooter 603 conventional Coin discriminating device according to 貨識 by device 604 present invention

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 3E002 AA01 AA06 BD01 BD05 DA04 EA05 5B057 AA20 BA02 DA12 DB02 DB05 DB09 DC03 DC04 DC22 DC36 5L096 BA03 BA18 CA14 FA59 FA64 LA01

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A coin identification method for identifying a coin to be inspected moving in a coin passage, wherein a coin detection sensor arranged at a predetermined position in the coin passage detects arrival of a leading end of the coin to be inspected, The surface of the coin to be inspected is irradiated with light in synchronization with the detection of the coin detection sensor, and the surface of the coin to be inspected is illuminated by an image sensor arranged at a predetermined distance upstream from the coin detection sensor in the coin passage. An image including the outer circumference of the test coin is obtained based on the reflected light from the surface of the test coin, and the outer diameter of the test coin is determined based on the image including the outer circumference of the test coin obtained by the image sensor. A coin discriminating method comprising: performing primary discrimination of the test coin based on the discrimination result. 2. An image including the outer periphery of the test coin is sequentially scanned, and a boundary position between the image including the outer periphery of the test coin and a background image is detected based on the scanning, thereby detecting the outer periphery of the test coin. 2. The coin identifying method according to claim 1, wherein a position is detected, and an outer diameter of the test coin is determined based on the outer peripheral position. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein an area of a background image of an image including an outer periphery of the test coin is obtained, and an outer diameter of the test coin is determined based on the obtained area of the background image. Coin identification method. 4. The coin identification method according to claim 1, further comprising performing secondary identification of the test coin based on an image including an outer periphery of the test coin. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the primary identification of the test coin is performed only for coins of a specific denomination.
The coin identification method described. 6. The coin passage is disposed between a coin slot and another subsequent coin discriminating device, and when the secondary discrimination result is a genuine coin, the subsequent other coin discriminating device is provided. Validating the coin identification of the test coin in the device, and invalidating the coin identification of the test coin in the subsequent other coin identification device when the identification result of the secondary identification is a fake coin. The coin identification method according to claim 4, wherein 7. A coin identification device for identifying a test coin moving in a coin passage, a coin detection sensor arranged at a predetermined position in the coin passage, and detecting arrival of a leading end of the test coin, A light source that irradiates light to the surface of the coin to be detected in synchronization with the detection of the coin detection sensor; and a light source that is disposed at a predetermined distance upstream of the coin detection sensor in the coin passage from a position where the coin detection sensor is disposed. An image sensor that acquires an image including the outer periphery of the test coin based on light reflected from the surface of the coin; and an image including the outer periphery of the test coin based on light reflected from the surface of the test coin by the image sensor. A primary coin that determines the outer diameter of the test coin based on an image including the outer circumference of the test coin obtained by the image sensor, and performs primary identification of the test coin based on the determination result. Insight Coin discriminating apparatus characterized by and means. 8. The primary coin discriminating means sequentially scans an image including the outer periphery of the test coin, and detects a boundary position between the image including the outer periphery of the test coin and a background image based on the scanning. 8. The coin discriminating apparatus according to claim 7, wherein an outer peripheral position of the test coin is detected, and an outer diameter of the test coin is determined based on the outer peripheral position. 9. The primary coin identification means determines an area of a background image of an image including an outer periphery of the test coin, and determines an outer diameter of the test coin based on the obtained area of the background image. The coin identification method according to claim 7, wherein: 10. The coin discriminating apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a secondary coin discriminating means for performing a secondary discrimination of the test coin based on an image including an outer periphery of the test coin. 11. The coin discriminating apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said primary coin discriminating means discriminates the test coin only for coins of a specific denomination. 12. The coin passage is disposed between a coin slot and another subsequent coin discriminating device, and when the discrimination result of the secondary coin discriminating means is a genuine coin, the other coin discriminating device is connected to the other coin discriminating device. The coin identification of the test coin in the coin identification device is enabled, and when the identification result of the secondary coin identification means is a fake coin, the coin identification of the test coin in the subsequent other coin identification device is invalidated. 11. The coin discriminating apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a notifying unit for notifying the subsequent other coin discriminating apparatus that the operation is to be performed.