JP2003216997A - Device for discriminating coin - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a device accurately judgeable the presence of inclined fringes at a prescribed angle formed on the outer circumferential face of a new 500 yen coin, with a simple constitution, and to precisely remove a counterfeit coin. <P>SOLUTION: This coin discriminating device 10 is provided with the first optical sensor 20 having a luminescent element 20a and a photo-receiving element 20b integrally, for emitting linear light 23 of the luminescent element 20a to the outer circumferential face of the coin 14 fed from a coin feed port 12 to be rotated in a coin conveying passage 16, in parallel to the thickness direction of the coin, and for photo-receiving reflected light thereof by photo-receiving element 20b to output a signal in response to intensity of the reflected light, the second optical sensor 22 provided in a position different from that of the first optical sensor 20 to emit a linear light 23 of a luminescent element 22a to be inclined diagonally to the thickness direction of the coin, and for photo-receiving reflected light thereof by a photo-receiving element 22b to output a signal in response to intensity of the reflected light, and a discriminating device 24 including a micro-computer M for comparison-computing output values x, y provided by waveform-processing respectively the output signals from the both sensors to be compared with reference values a, b in a memory part, and for judging the authenticity of the fed coin, based on a result therein. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a coin discriminating apparatus, and more particularly to a coin discriminating apparatus which can accurately detect, for example, a new 500-yen coin with a simpler structure.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, this type of coin discriminating device is, for example,
A coin discriminating sensor using a light emitting element and a light receiving element detects an inclined serration that is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the thickness direction (axial direction) of the coin formed on the outer peripheral surface of the new 500-yen coin. The detection signal is subjected to signal processing and pulse processing to discriminate the authenticity of coins by a discriminating circuit, and the coins are conveyed at a constant speed in the coin conveying path without rolling freely in the radial direction. (For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2
No. 001-256529 [G07D 5/10]).

The coin passage for transporting coins at a constant speed without rolling freely is provided with guide lines on both sides of the passage bottom plate in the passage width direction for abutting the outer peripheral surface of the coin to regulate the movement of the coin. A transport means is provided above the passage bottom plate.

This transport means is a transport belt, which is guided along one guideline at the entrance (coin slot) of the coin passage and the transport belt is pressed against the upper surface of the coin, and the coin moves along the guideline. At the same time, the transport belt is pressed so that it can be moved without rolling freely.

[0005]

Therefore, there is a problem that the structure of the coin conveying path becomes complicated and the cost is high.

Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide a coin discriminating apparatus having a high discriminating ability which can easily and easily detect whether or not the angle of the inclined serration formed on the outer peripheral surface of the coin is correct. That is.

[0007]

According to the present invention, a coin transport path for rolling a coin inserted from a coin slot, and a linear light of a light emitting element is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the coin for rolling on the coin transport path. A first optical sensor that irradiates in parallel to the thickness direction, receives the reflected light with a light receiving element, and outputs a signal according to the intensity of the reflected light, at a position different from the first optical sensor. The linear light of the light-emitting element is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the coin rolling on the coin transporting path, obliquely inclined with respect to the thickness direction of the coin, and the reflected light is received by the light-receiving element and reflected. A coin discriminating device including a second optical sensor that outputs a signal according to the intensity of light, and a discriminating unit that discriminates the authenticity of the coin based on the output signals from the first optical sensor and the second optical sensor. It is a device.

[0008]

[Function] From the two-system optical sensor in which the light emitting element (LED) and the light receiving element (PD) are integrated, linear light is applied to the outer peripheral surface of the coin rolling on the coin transport path at different angles, and the reflection thereof is performed. Based on the output signal according to the intensity of light, for example, the presence or absence of an inclined serration formed on the outer peripheral surface of the new 500-yen coin and the angle thereof are accurately detected to determine the authenticity of the coin.

[0009]

According to the present invention, whether or not the inclination angle of the inclined serration formed on the outer peripheral surface of the coin is correct can be detected easily and with high accuracy, and the ability of discriminating coins is improved.

The above-mentioned objects, other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by the detailed description of the embodiments given below with reference to the drawings.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A coin discriminating apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 will be described.

In the figure, this coin discriminating device 10 is a coin storage device at a lower end portion (not shown) formed by rolling a new 500-yen coin (hereinafter simply referred to as "coin") 14 inserted from a coin insertion opening 12 at an upper end portion. An inclined coin carrying path 16 for carrying, and a first optical sensor 20 and a second optical sensor arranged above the coin carrying path 16 and at different positions of a support member 18 parallel to the coin carrying path 16. 22 and a discriminating device 24 (discussed below) for discriminating the authenticity of the inserted coin 14 based on the output signals from the optical sensors 20 and 22. The lower end of the coin transport path 16 is branched and when the coin inserted by the discriminating device 24 is determined to be a genuine new 500-yen coin, the coin sorting mechanism 25 operates to store the coin in the coin storage device through the receiving passage. When it is determined that the coin is a fake coin that is not a 500-yen coin, it is stored in another coin storage device through the exclusion passage.

A magnetic sensor (for example, a coil and a hall element) 21 is provided in the vicinity of the coin insertion slot 12, and the output signal of the magnetic sensor 21 is used to detect the coin insertion and determine the denomination of the inserted coin. That is, since the output of the magnetic sensor 21 changes depending on the size (size) and material of the coin, the discrimination device 24 including the microcomputer M performs both the coin input detection and the denomination determination based on the presence or absence of the output and the output waveform. .

As shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C, the first optical sensor 20 and the second optical sensor 22 are both a pair of light emitting element 20a (22a) and light receiving element 20b.
(22b) is integrally built in each case 20c (22c), and a cylindrical lens 20d (2) having a semicylindrical cross section is formed on the front surface of each case 20c (22c).
2d). The light emitting element 20a (22a) is, for example, an LED. In addition, the light receiving element 20b (22
As b), for example, a photodiode (PD), which outputs a light reception signal (PD output) having an amplitude according to the amount of reflected light received. A phototransistor may be used instead of the photodiode.

Irradiation light 2 from each of the light emitting elements 20a, 22a of the first optical sensor 20 and the second optical sensor 22.
As shown in FIGS. 3 (a) to 3 (c), 3 is enlarged into a trapezoidal shape in a front view and a wedge shape in a side view by a cylindrical lens 20d (22d) provided on the front surface of the case 20c (22c). In the reduced size (lower surface (irradiation surface) view), linear light is formed into a slender rectangular shape by the long side and the short side, and is irradiated onto the outer peripheral surface 26 of the coin 14 rolling in the coin transport path 16.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the first optical sensor 20 is arranged parallel to the coin insertion side of the coin transport path 16 in the thickness direction (axial direction) of the coin 14. The second optical sensor 22 is arranged on the coin discharge side of the coin conveying path 16 so as to be parallel to the inclined serration 28 formed on the outer peripheral surface 26 of the coin 14 at a predetermined angle. That is, the second optical sensor 22 is arranged so as to be inclined in a direction inclined with respect to the thickness direction of the coin 14.

Therefore, for a coin 14 'having a vertical notch (normal notch) 30 formed parallel to the thickness direction on the outer peripheral surface 26 of the coin 14, the first optical sensor 20 (20a) is used for the coin 14'. This means that the second optical sensor 22 (22a) is arranged in parallel with the vertical serrated portion 30 and is inclined with respect to the vertical serrated portion 30.

The first optical sensor 20 may be arranged parallel to the inclined serration 28 with respect to the thickness direction of the coin 14, and the second optical sensor 22 may be arranged parallel to the thickness direction of the coin 14. Good. That is, of the two systems of optical sensors, one optical sensor may be arranged in parallel with the thickness direction of the coin, and the other optical sensor may be arranged in a direction inclined with respect to the thickness direction of the coin.

The sensor sensitivity of these optical sensors 20 and 22 is shown in FIG. As is clear from FIG. 5, it is desirable that the sensor sensitivity is used in the vicinity of the position where the sensor output has the maximum value (peak value) when the coin comes closest to the sensor. In addition, each optical sensor 20,
Since the characteristics of the light emitting elements 20a and 22a of 22 are deteriorated with the passage of time if a constant current is continuously supplied, the standby state is turned off by a command signal from the microcomputer M described later based on the detection signal from the magnetic sensor 21 described above. The light emitting elements 20a and 22a are energized when the insertion of a coin is detected.

Next, the hardware configuration of the coin discriminating apparatus 10 is shown in FIG.
It will be described based on.

The coin discriminating apparatus 10 irradiates light to the magnetic sensor 21 provided in the vicinity of the coin slot and the outer peripheral surface of the coin rolling on the coin transport path 16 and receives the reflected light as the first light. The sensor 20 and the second optical sensor 22, and a processing circuit 3 for waveform-processing the detection signals from the respective sensors.
2, 34, 36, and a discriminating device 24 including a microcomputer M for inputting the outputs from the respective processing circuits to A / D input terminals and performing various arithmetic processes. Each of the processing circuits 32 to 36 typically includes a signal amplifier and the like, and amplifies the output voltage of the magnetic sensor 21 or the optical sensors 20 and 22 and supplies the amplified output voltage to the microcomputer M.

The microcomputer M includes a memory section for storing reference data, which will be described later, a comparison operation section, a discrimination section and a control section. Based on the processing result, the coin distribution mechanism 25 receives the distribution gate signal and the first and second optical sensors. A detection signal indicating that a coin has been inserted is output to 20, 22 and an appropriate signal indicating the denomination of the inserted coin is output to the appropriate signal output unit 38, for example, to the main control unit of a vending machine equipped with this coin discriminating apparatus 10. Command to do so.

Next, an outline of the operation of the coin discriminating apparatus 10 will be described with reference to the waveform chart shown in FIG.

First, the inserted coin 14 is provided with an inclined knurl 2 on the outer peripheral surface.
In the case of the new 500-yen coin forming 8, the light receiving output (PD1 output) received by the light receiving element (photodiode: PD1) 20b of the first optical sensor 20 is shown in FIG. The output is input to the microcomputer M as an output value x1 from the A / D input terminal after waveform processing. Similarly, the light receiving element (photodiode: PD2) of the second optical sensor 22.
The light reception output (PD2 output) received by 22b is also shown in FIG. 7B, and this output is input to the microcomputer M as an output value y1 from the A / D input terminal after waveform processing.

Then, in the microcomputer M, the respective output values x1 and y1 and two coins which are stored in the memory portion as reference data in advance as a reference data and have no pattern such as a crease (the diameter of one coin C1 is L, The diameter of the other coin C2 is L-
d. However, L is the diameter of the new 500-yen coin, d is the depth of the notch provided on the outer peripheral surface of the coin, and the calculated value a (= a
1-a2) and x1, each maximum value b1 and b of PD2 output
The comparison calculation unit compares the ratio of the calculated value b (= b1-b2) based on 2 and y1 and the determination unit determines the authenticity of the inserted coin based on the result. These calculated values a and b stored in the microcomputer M as reference data are both values after waveform processing. It should be noted that each optical sensor is arranged at a position where the maximum output is obtained when the coin comes closest.

Next, the case where the inserted coin has vertical knurls (normal knurls) parallel to the thickness direction (axial direction) on the outer peripheral surface thereof, for example, a pseudo 500-yen coin, is also the case described above. Similarly, the received light output by the first optical sensor 20 (PD1 output) and the received light output by the second optical sensor 22 (PD2 output) are shown in (c) and (d) of FIG. 7, respectively. Output value x2, y which is signal processed based on
2 and the reference calculation values a and x stored in the memory unit
The comparison calculation unit compares the ratios of 2, b and y2, and the determination unit determines the authenticity of the inserted coin based on the result.

That is, (a), (b) and (c) of FIG.
As is clear from the output waveform charts shown in (d) and (d), the case where the genuine and new 500-yen coin 14 is inserted and the pseudo 5
Output value x1, x2 when 00 yen coin 14 'is inserted
Further, the results of comparison between y1 and y2 and the calculated values a and b are represented by the following equations 1 and 2, respectively.

[0028]

## EQU1 ## (x1 / a) <(y1 / b)

[0029]

[Formula 2] (x2 / a)> (y2 / b) Therefore, when the comparison result is the formula 1, the authentic new 50
If the coin is determined to be a 0-yen coin and the acceptance process is performed, and if the comparison result is 2, the discriminator determines that the coin is a false coin and the rejection process is performed.

Here, the operation processing status will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, at step S1, the material and size of the inserted coin are detected by the magnetic sensor 21 in step S1, and the inserted coin is a new 500-yen coin by the microcomputer M based on the processing result of the detection signal. The denomination determination process of whether or not to execute is executed. Then, if the result of the determination process in step S1 is "NO", the process proceeds to the authenticity determination process for another denomination in step S3.

Next, the determination result of step S1 is "YES".
In the case of, the process proceeds to step S5, where the first optical sensor 2
PD for 1 coin by 0 and the second optical sensor 22
1, A / D output f (t) and g (t) of PD2 are acquired. Then, in step S7, a BPF (band pass filter) is applied to f (t) → F (t), g (t) → G.
The process of (t) is executed, and the process proceeds to step S9,
Here, full-wave rectification and integration processing, that is, the processing shown by the following Expressions 3 and 4 are executed.

[0033]

## EQU00003 ## x = .SIGMA. | F (t) |

[0034]

Y = Σ | G (t) | Then, in step S11, the calculated values x and y processed in the previous step S9 are respectively compared with the reference calculated values a and b stored in the memory section. Then, it is determined whether or not the ratio is large or small, that is, whether or not the relational expression represented by the following Expression 5 is satisfied.

[0035]

## EQU00005 ## (x / a) <(y / b) If the result of the determination is "YES", the coin (coin) inserted in step S13 is a genuine new 500 yen with an inclined knurl formed on the outer peripheral surface at a predetermined angle. It is judged as a coin and the acceptance processing is performed. On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S11 is "NO", then in step S15, the inserted coin is determined to be a false coin having an inclined knurl formed on the outer peripheral surface and not at a predetermined angle, and the elimination process is performed.

The processes of steps S5, S7, and S9 may be performed by a circuit, as long as an A / D output is finally obtained.

Further, the coin discriminating apparatus 10 according to the present invention.
Is widely used by being incorporated into a money changer, a ticket vending machine, an automatic ball lending machine, or a product vending machine. It is a true 500-yen coin that has a slanted knurl on its outer peripheral surface. Fake can be determined with high accuracy, and false coins can be reliably excluded.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a coin outer peripheral surface detection unit of a coin discriminating apparatus according to the present invention, including a side surface state and an upper and lower surface state of sensor arrangement.

FIG. 2 is an illustrative view showing a configuration of each optical sensor used in the present invention, (a) is a front view, (b) is a bottom view, and (c) is a side view.

3A and 3B are explanatory views showing a state of irradiation light of each optical sensor shown in FIG. 2, in which FIG. 3A is a front view and FIG. 3B is a bottom surface (irradiation surface).
The figure and (c) are side views.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship of the first and second optical sensors with respect to the outer peripheral surface of a coin that rolls in the coin transport path, which includes a diagonal serrated coin and a normal serrated coin.

5 is a characteristic diagram of sensor sensitivity of the optical sensor shown in FIG.

6 is a schematic diagram of a hardware configuration of the coin identifying device in FIG.

7 (a) and (b) are output waveform diagrams by the first optical sensor and the second optical sensor when the outer peripheral surface of the coin has an inclined serration at a predetermined angle, and (c) and (d) are, respectively. It is an output waveform diagram by the 1st, 2nd optical sensor when the outer peripheral surface of a coin has a normal notch.

8 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation of discriminating coins by the hardware configuration of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 coin discriminator 12 coin slot 14 New 500 Yen Coins (Coins) 14 'pseudo 500 yen coin 16 coin transport path 18 Support members 20, 22 First and second optical sensors 20a, 22a Light emitting element (LED) 20b, 22b Light receiving element (PD) 20d, 22d cylindrical lens 21 Magnetic sensor 23 Irradiation light (Linear light) 24 Discriminating device (microcomputer M) 26 outer peripheral surface 28 Inclined serration 30 vertical serrations

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A coin transport path for rolling coins inserted from a coin slot, a linear light of a light emitting element on an outer peripheral surface of the coin rolling in the coin transport path, in the thickness direction of the coin. Irradiate in parallel,
A first optical sensor that receives the reflected light with a light receiving element and outputs a signal according to the intensity of the reflected light, and a linear light of the light emitting element that is provided at a position different from the first optical sensor. According to the intensity of the reflected light, the outer peripheral surface of the coin rolling on the coin conveying path is obliquely irradiated with respect to the thickness direction of the coin and the reflected light is received by a light receiving element. A second optical sensor that outputs a signal; and a determination unit that determines the authenticity of the coin based on the output signals from the first optical sensor and the second optical sensor.
Coin discriminating device. 2. The coin discriminating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second optical sensor is arranged obliquely at a predetermined angle with respect to a thickness direction of the coin. 3. The coin discriminating apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined angle is the same as an inclined serration formed on an outer peripheral surface of a new 500-yen coin.