JP2005284918A - Coin identification device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a coin identification device having a short processing time, and reducing an influence by contact or the like of the periphery of a coin and a side face of a feeding path, or dirt of the coin or dirt of an imaging window to identify the identification target coin with high accuracy. <P>SOLUTION: This coin identification device 1 has: an image input part 3 for generating imaging data D<SB>1</SB>; a center calculation part 53 for calculating a center position C of the identification target coin 15 in imaging data D<SB>2</SB>; an identification portion take-in part 55 for extracting identification data D<SB>4</SB>from the imaging data D<SB>2</SB>on the basis of the center position C; and a decision part 9 for comparing the identification data D<SB>4</SB>and reference data D<SB>5</SB>to identify the identification target coin 15. The center calculation part 53 sets a plurality of first line segments k<SB>1</SB>-k<SB>8</SB>in the imaging data D<SB>2</SB>, and finds a perpendicular m on the basis of the middle points c<SB>1</SB>-c<SB>8</SB>of pairs of end points present on an edge of the identification target coin 15 in the line segments. Similarly, a plurality of second line segments l<SB>1</SB>-l<SB>8</SB>are set, and a perpendicular n is found. An intersection point of the perpendiculars m, n is set as the center position C. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a coin identifying device used for identifying a coin in a coin processing device such as a vending machine or a financial device.

  A conventional coin identifying device is configured such that a coin passes through a magnetic field generated by a coil. Then, changes in impedance and inductance occurring in the coil are detected as changes in frequency and amplitude of the oscillation circuit, and the material of the coin is determined based on the change in frequency, and the outer diameter and cross-sectional area of the coin are determined based on the change in amplitude. judge. This coin identification device identifies the type of coin based on the determined material, outer diameter, cross-sectional area, etc. of the coin.

  In recent years, in addition to the above-described identification method, it has been required to further improve the identification accuracy by determining features on the coin surface pattern and unevenness. In order to realize such an identification method, it is effective to create an imaging data by imaging a coin surface and identify using the imaging data. As an apparatus to which such an identification method is applied, for example, there is a coin discriminating apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1.

  When identifying the coin using the image data on the coin surface, it is necessary to match the coin position in the image data with the coin position in the reference data. At this time, it is preferable to match the coin position by obtaining the center position of the coin in the imaging data and matching the center position with the center position of the coin in the reference data. As a method for obtaining the center position of the coin in the imaging data, for example, in the imaging data, two intersection points between a line segment having a y coordinate of 0 and the outer edge portion of the coin are obtained, and a vertical bisector connecting the two intersection points and the coin There is a method of obtaining another two intersections with the outer edge portion and setting the center of the other two intersections as the center position of the coin (see paragraph [0012] of Patent Document 1).

In addition, as another method for obtaining the center position of coins (or the position of coins) in the imaging data, for example, the entire imaging data is compared with the entire reference data, and the imaging data is set so that the data patterns match each other. There is a method of translating.
Japanese Patent No. 3170147

  However, the method disclosed in Patent Document 1 has the following problems when obtaining the center position of coins in the imaging data. That is, when picking up an image of coins, dirt and dust on the coins may adhere to the window for picking up the coins. Such dirt and dust tend to adhere in a straight line shape in contact with the outer edge portion of the coin along the coin traveling direction. In addition, there are dirt, scratches, wear, etc. in circulation coins. And when dirt etc. adhering to the imaging window and coins are reflected in the imaging data, there is a possibility that the outer edge portion of the coin in the imaging data is erroneously detected and the center position is different from the original center position. is there. Alternatively, if the outer edge portion of the coin is in contact with the conveyance path that conveys the coin, it becomes difficult to distinguish the boundary between the outer edge portion of the coin and the side surface of the conveyance path, and this may cause a false detection of the outer edge portion of the coin in the imaging data. sell. When the detected center position is different from the original center position, the coin position in the imaging data and the coin position in the reference data do not exactly match, and the coin cannot be accurately identified.

  Moreover, in the method of collating the whole imaging data and the whole reference data, it takes a lot of time for the process of obtaining the coin position.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and has a short processing time and is identified by reducing the influence of dirt on the imaging window, dirt on the coin, contact between the outer edge of the coin and the side surface of the conveyance path, and the like. An object of the present invention is to provide a coin discriminating apparatus capable of accurately discriminating a target coin.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a coin identifying device according to the present invention includes an image input unit that captures an image of the surface of a coin to be identified and generates image data related to the coin to be identified, and a central position of the coin to be identified in the imaged data. Is obtained by extracting the identification data at a predetermined identification part of the coin to be identified from the imaging data based on the center position, and comparing the identification data with reference data stored in advance according to the type of the coin. A plurality of first line segments extending in the first direction in the imaging data, and the first direction when the identification unit calculates the center position of the identification target coin. Data on a plurality of second line segments extending in a second direction different from the above are extracted, and an identification pair in each of the data on the plurality of first line segments and the data on the plurality of second line segments is extracted. A pair of end points on the edge of the coin is determined, and a third line segment based on the midpoint between the pair of end points in each of the data on the plurality of first line segments, and a plurality of second line segments A fourth line segment based on the midpoint between a pair of end points in each of the data is obtained, and the intersection of the third line segment and the fourth line segment is set as the center position.

  In the above-described coin identifying device, the identifying unit determines the third line segment and the fourth line segment for obtaining the center position as the midpoint and the plurality of second line segments on the plurality of first line segments, respectively. Based on the midpoint above. Thus, for example, in the data on any one of the plurality of first line segments, an error occurs in the position of the pair of end points due to dirt, scratches, wear, etc., and the midpoint between the pair of end points Even if the position of is different from the original position, the third line segment can be obtained accurately. Similarly, the fourth line segment can be accurately obtained. Therefore, according to the above-described coin discriminating apparatus, the center position can be obtained with high accuracy as the intersection of the accurately obtained third and fourth line segments. The coins to be identified can be accurately identified while suppressing the influence of contact with the side surface of the conveyance path.

  Further, in the above-described coin identifying device, the center position can be obtained only by calculation related to several line segments. Therefore, according to the above-described coin identification device, the center position of the identification target coin in the imaging data can be obtained in a short time, so that the processing time for identifying the identification target coin can be shortened.

  In the coin identification device, the identification unit sets the line segment including the most midpoint among the midpoints on the plurality of first line segments as the third line segment, and on the plurality of second line segments. A line segment including the most midpoints among the midpoints may be a fourth line segment. This eliminates the influence of the midpoint obtained as a position different from the original position due to dirt on the imaging window, dirt on the coin, contact between the outer edge of the coin and the side surface of the transport path, etc. The third and fourth line segments can be obtained only by this. Therefore, according to this coin identification device, the center position can be obtained more accurately.

  In the coin identifying device, the identifying unit includes a pair of data from the first region including one end of the first and second line segments and a part of the coin to be identified in the data on the first and second line segments. A pair of end points from within a second region different from the first region, including the other end of the first and second line segments and the other part of the coin to be identified The other end point may be determined. In this way, by dividing the data on the first and second line segments into two regions and determining the end points in each of the two regions, the center position of the coin to be identified in the imaging data can be determined in a shorter time. Can be sought.

  In the coin identification device, the image input unit may include a light source that irradiates infrared light onto the surface of the identification target coin. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the influence on the imaging data due to dirt on the imaging window, dirt attached to the surface of the coin to be identified, etc., and the center position can be obtained with higher accuracy.

  According to the coin discriminating apparatus according to the present invention, the processing time is shortened, and the influence of the dirt on the imaging window, the dirt on the coin, the contact between the outer edge of the coin and the side surface of the conveyance path, etc. is reduced, and the identification target coin is accurately identified. can do.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a coin identifying device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the coin identifying device according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1, the coin identifying device 1 captures the surface of the identification target coin and generates image data D ₁ of the surface, and the type of the identification target coin based on the imaging data D _1. The identifying unit 2 for identifying, and the control unit 11 for controlling the image input unit 3 and the identifying unit 2 are provided. Identification unit 2 comprises a processing unit 5 for processing the imaging data D _1, a storage unit 7 that stores a reference data for identification, determination section for determining whether or not the identification target coin is consistent with standard coin 9 and. The processing unit 5 may be configured, for example, by reading a program by a central processing unit, or may be configured by an electronic circuit. The processing unit 5 includes an imaging processing unit 51, a center calculation unit 53, and an identification part capturing unit 55. The storage unit 7 includes a storage device such as a memory, for example, and includes an imaging data storage area 71, an identification part storage area 73, and a reference data storage area 75.

Imaging processing unit 51 takes in the image pickup data D ₁ from the image input unit 3 is means for processing to be stored in the storage unit 7 so operation is facilitated in the identification unit 2 the imaging data D _1. Specifically, the imaging unit 51 first converts the image pickup data D ₁ of the from the image input unit 3 on the gray scale data (gray scale image). Then, the image data D ₂ is generated by digitizing the color density in the gray scale data for each pixel. An example of the imaging data D ₂ is shown in FIG. The imaging processing unit 51 sends the generated imaging data D ₂ to the storage unit 7. The storage unit 7 stores the imaging data D ₂ in the imaging data storage area 71.

Center calculation section 53 is means for calculating the center position of the identification target coin 15 in the image pickup data D _2. Center calculation unit 53 reads the imaging data D ₂ from the imaging data storage area 71 of the storage unit 7, calculated by the method described below the center position of the identification target coin 15.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a center position calculation method in the center calculation unit 53. FIGS. 3A to 3C and FIGS. 4A to 4C are diagrams for explaining the center position calculation method. Referring to FIG. 2, the center calculation unit 53 first sets a _first line segment k ₁ in the imaging data D ₂ (step S101). That is, as shown in FIG. 3A, a first line segment k ₁ extending in a predetermined direction (first direction) passing through the identification target coin 15 in the imaging data D ₂ is set. At this time, a constant (direction, position, etc.) of the first line segment k ₁ may be stored in the storage unit 7 in advance, and the center calculation unit 53 may refer to the constant as appropriate. In the present exemplary embodiment is set to a line segment extending in the horizontal direction of the image pickup data D ₂ as a first line segment k _1, the first line segment k ₁ is not limited to this, for example, imaging data D ₂ it may also line segments extending in the vertical direction, or may be a line that intersects obliquely with respect to the horizontal direction and the vertical direction of the image pickup data D _2.

Subsequently, data on the first line segment k ₁ is extracted from the imaging data D ₂ (S102). FIG. 3B is a graph showing an example of data on the extracted first line segment k ₁ . Then, from the extracted data on the _first line segment k ₁ , the end point a ₁ is determined among the pair of end points a ₁ and b ₁ on the edge of the identification target coin 15 (S103). Specifically, in the data shown in FIG. 3 (b), changes in the data values in the area A (first area) including a part of the first end t ₁ and the identification target coin 15 line segment k ₁ And the point at which the data value first changes to a threshold value or more may be the end point a ₁ . Incidentally, in determining the end points a ₁ is, after reading the change in the data value over the region A, it is preferable to determine the end points a _1.

Subsequently, the end point b ₁ on the edge of the identification target coin 15 is determined from the data on the _first line segment k ₁ (S104). Specifically, the change in the data value in the region B (second region) including the other end t _{2 of} the first line segment k _{1 and} the other part of the identification target coin 15 is read, and the data value is a threshold value. The point changed as described above may be the end point b ₁ . Here, the region B is a region different from the region A and does not overlap each other. Also when determining the end points b _1, similarly to determining the end points a _1, after having read the change in the data value over the region B, it is preferable to determine the end point b _1.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 3 (c), obtains a middle point c ₁ of the end point a ₁ and the end point b ₁ (S105), intersects the midpoint c ₁ first and perpendicular line k ₁ as Constants (direction, position, etc.) of the perpendicular line m ₁ are obtained (S106). The first segment k ₁ and the same direction (first direction) to extend different positions (i.e. first segment k ₁ parallel to) the imaging data D ₂ of the first line segment k ₂ set in, for this first segment k ₂ repeats the above steps S102 to S106. Thereafter, the first line segments k _{3 to} k ₈ are similarly set, and the above steps S102 to S106 are repeated (S107).

That is, as shown in FIG. 4A, in the data on the plurality of first line segments k _{1 to} k ₈ parallel to each other, the end points a _{1 to} a ₈ and b ₁ on the edge of the coin 15 to be identified. to determine the ~b _8. Then, a middle point c ₁ to c ₈ in the end point a ₁ ~a ₈ and b ₁ ~b _8, respectively each first segment k ₁ to k ₈ through the midpoint c ₁ to c ₈ perpendicular The constants of the perpendicular lines m _{1 to} m ₈ (only m ₁ is shown) intersecting are obtained.

Subsequently, the same and the maximum number of constants are specified in the vertical lines m _{1 to} m ₈ , and the line segment having the constants is defined as a vertical line m (S109). For example, when the vertical lines m ₁ , m ₂ , m ₄ , m ₅ , m ₇ , and m ₈ are in the same position and the vertical lines m ₃ and m ₆ are in different positions, the vertical lines m ₁ , m ₂ , m ₄ , M ₅ , m ₇ , and m ₈ are specified as a perpendicular line m (third line segment) shown in FIG. At this time, the specified perpendicular line m is the midpoints c ₁ , c ₂ , c ₄ , c ₅ , c on the first line segments k ₁ , k ₂ , k ₄ , k ₅ , k ₇ , and k _{8. 7,} and it will contain the c _8. In other words, the perpendicular m is a line segment that includes the most middle of the middle point c ₁ to c ₈ in the plurality of first segment k ₁ to k on _8.

Subsequently, the second line segment l ₁ is set in the imaging data D ₂ (step S110). That is, as shown in FIG. 4B, the _second passing through the identification target coin 15 in the imaging data D ₂ and extending in the second direction different from the direction of the first line segments k _{1 to} k ₈ . to set the line segment l _1. In the present exemplary embodiment is set to a line segment extending in the vertical direction of the image pickup data D ₂ as a second line segment l _1, second segment l ₁ is not limited to this, for example, imaging data D ₂ May be a line segment extending in the horizontal direction (however, the direction is different from that of the first line segments k _{1 to} k ₈ ), or a line segment that obliquely intersects the horizontal direction and the vertical direction of the imaging data D ₂ .

Subsequently, data on the second line segment l ₁ is extracted from the imaging data D ₂ (S111). Then, end points d ₁ and e ₁ indicating the outer edge portion of the identification target coin 15 are determined from the extracted data on the second line segment l ₁ (S112, S113). At this time, the method of determining the end points d ₁ and e ₁ is the same as the method of determining the end points a ₁ and b ₁ , respectively.

Then, determine the midpoint f ₁ between the end point d ₁ and the end point e ₁ (S114), and the second line segments l ₁ through the midpoint f ₁ obtains constants perpendicular line n ₁ that intersects perpendicularly (S115) . Then, the second line segment l ₁ and the direction are different (i.e. the parallel second line segments l ₁₎ at the same position the second segment l ₂ to l ₈ set in the image pickup data D ₂ (S117 ), Steps S111 to S115 are repeated for each of the second line segments l _{2 to} l ₈ (S116).

That is, as shown in FIG. 4B, in the data on the plurality of second line segments l _{1 to} l ₈ parallel to each other, the end points d _{1 to} d ₈ and e ₁ on the edge of the coin 15 to be identified. to determine the ~e _8. Then, a middle point f ₁ ~f ₈ an end point d ₁ to d ₈ and the end point e ₁ to e _8, respectively each second segment l ₁ to l ₈ through the midpoint f ₁ ~f ₈ Constants of perpendicular lines n _{1 to} n ₈ (only n ₁ is shown) that intersect perpendicularly are obtained.

Subsequently, the same and the maximum number of constants are specified in the perpendicular lines n _{1 to} n ₈ , and the line segment having the constant is defined as a perpendicular line n (S118). That is, obtaining the perpendicular line n (fourth line) including the most middle of the middle point f ₁ ~f ₈ in a plurality of the second line segment l ₁ to l _8. The method for obtaining the perpendicular line n is the same as the method for obtaining the perpendicular line m described above.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 4 (c), to obtain the intersection of the perpendicular m and the perpendicular n, which is the central position C of the identification target coin 15 in the image pickup data D ₂ (S119).

Refer to FIG. 1 again. The center calculation unit 53 provides the identification position capturing unit 55 with the center position information D ₆ regarding the center position C of the identification target coin 15 calculated as described above.

The identification part capturing unit 55 uses the identification data D ₄ in a predetermined identification part (for example, part E shown in FIG. 4C) of the identification target coin 15 based on the center position C and the posture angle of the identification target coin 15. a means for extracting from the image data D ₂ Te. That is, the identified part capturing unit 55 reads the imaging data D ₂ from the imaging data storage area 71 of the storage unit 7. In addition, the identification part capturing unit 55 reads the identification part information D ₃ from the identification part storage area 73 of the storage unit 7. Here, the identification part information D ₃ is information such as the position and size of the identification part for identifying the identification target coin 15 with reference to the center position C. The storage unit 7 stores such identification part information D ₃ in the identification part storage area 73 in advance.

The identification part taking unit 55 identifies the attitude angle to be identified coin 15 in the image pickup data D _2. As a method for specifying the posture angle, for example, data on the circumference around the center position C of the coin 15 to be identified in the imaging data D ₂ is extracted, and the data on the circumference and the data on the circumference are extracted. There is a method of comparing with reference data. Based on the center position information D ₆ from the center calculation unit 53 and the specified posture angle, the identified part capturing unit 55 identifies the identified part indicated in the identified part information D ₃ in the imaging data D ₂ . Then, the identification part capturing unit 55 extracts the identification data D ₄ at the identified identification part from the imaging data D ₂ and provides the identification data D ₄ to the determination unit 9. The storage unit 7, it is preferable to store the identification part information D ₃ corresponding to both the front surface and the back surface of the identification target coin 15. The recognition site acquisition unit 55, it is preferable to extract the recognition site with a recognition site information D ₃ corresponding to the front and back of the identification target coin 15.

The determination unit 9 compares the identification data D ₄ with the reference data D ₅ stored in advance according to the type of coin, and determines whether the identification target coin 15 matches the standard coin by determining whether or not they match. It is a means for determining whether or not. That is, the determination unit 9 receives the identification data D ₄ from the identification part capturing unit 55 and reads the reference data D ₅ from the reference data storage area 75 of the storage unit 7. Determination section 9, by comparing the identification data D ₄ and the reference data D _5, determines whether the identification target coin 15 matches the standard coins. The storage unit 7, it is preferable to store the reference data D ₅ corresponding to both the front surface and the back surface of the identification target coin 15. The determination section 9, it is preferable to perform the determination using the reference data D ₅ in accordance with the front and back of the identification target coin 15 in the image pickup data D _2. When the identification data D ₄ and the reference data D ₅ match each other, the determination unit 9 sends a match signal S ₄ indicating that the identification target coin 15 matches the standard coin to the outside of the coin identification device 1. Output to.

  Note that, similarly to the processing unit 5 described above, the determination unit 9 may be configured by, for example, a central processing unit reading a program, or may be configured by an electronic circuit.

The control unit 11 is means for controlling the processing unit 5 and the determination unit 9 of the identification unit 2. The control unit 11 receives an insertion signal S ₁ indicating that a coin (identification target coin 15) has been inserted into the coin insertion slot from the image input unit 3. Then, the control unit 11 receives the activation signal S _1, and sends a control signal S ₂ to the processing unit 5 to start processing the imaging data D _1. Further, when the identification data D ₄ is output from the processing unit 5, the control unit 11 sends an instruction signal S ₃ to the determination unit 9 to determine the identification target coin 15.

  Next, the configuration of the image input unit 3 will be described. FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of the image input unit 3 according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG. 5, the image input unit 3 includes a conveyance belt 31, a conveyance plate 32, a transparent glass 34, a transparent plate 35, a light emitting element 36, a CCD 37, a lens 38, an imaging timing sensor 39, And a control circuit 40.

  Between the conveyance belt 31 and the conveyance board 32, the conveyance path 33 which is a space | gap for a coin to be conveyed is provided. Moreover, the conveyance board 32 has the opening 32a, and the transparent glass 34 is engage | inserted by this opening 32a. The transparent glass 34 serves as a window for imaging the identification target coin 15. The opening 32 a may be provided slightly larger than the size of the identification target coin 15.

  The transparent plate 35 is made of a material that is transparent to visible light and infrared light, such as an acrylic plate, and is provided on the surface of the transport plate 32 opposite to the transport path 33. The transparent plate 35 is provided with an opening 35 a corresponding to the opening 32 a of the transport plate 32. Further, inside the transparent plate 35, a light source such as a light emitting element 36 is disposed around the opening 32a. As the light emitting element 36, for example, an infrared light source such as an infrared LED that emits infrared light can be suitably used.

The CCD 37 is an imaging device for imaging the surface of the identification target coin 15. The CCD 37 is arranged so that its light receiving surface faces the transparent glass 34, and when the identification target coin 15 passes through the transparent glass 34, it is reflected on the surface of the identification target coin 15 out of the light emitted from the light emitting element 36. generating imaging data D ₁ to the light imaged. Further, the CCD 37 images at a timing according to the imaging signal S ₁₃ from the control circuit 40. The CCD 37 sends the generated imaging data D ₁ to the control circuit 40. A lens 38 is disposed between the CCD 37 and the transparent glass 34, and the lens 38 collects light from the surface of the identification target coin 15 and suitably enters the CCD 37.

The imaging timing sensor 39 is provided on the upstream side of the transparent glass 34 in the transport path 33, and sends a passage signal S ₁₁ to the control circuit 40 when the identification target coin 15 passes. The control circuit 40 is a circuit for controlling the light emitting element 36 and the CCD 37. When the control circuit 40 receives the passing signal S ₁₁ from the imaging timing sensor 39, the control circuit 40 applies the power supply voltage V ₁ to the light emitting element 36 to turn on the light emitting element 36 and sends the imaging signal S ₁₃ to the CCD 37. Then, receiving the imaging data D ₁ from the CCD 37, and sends the imaging data D ₁ to the identification unit 2.

  The above is the configuration of the coin identifying device 1 according to the present embodiment. Next, the operation of the coin identifying device 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, the image input unit 3 is the surface of the identification target coin 15 is imaged, the imaging data D ₁ is generated (step S201). Subsequently, the image pickup data D ₁ in the imaging processing unit 51 is image pickup data D ₂ and is generated gray scale conversion and quantify, imaging data D ₂ is stored in the imaging data storage area 71 of the storage unit 7 (S202 ). Then, in the center calculating section 53, the center position C of the identification target coin 15 in the image pickup data D ₂ is determined (S203).

Subsequently, the recognition site acquisition unit 55, the identification data D ₄ corresponding to the predetermined identification part in the identification target coin 15 is extracted from the image data D ₂ (S204). At this time, the identification part is the center position information D ₆ from the center calculation unit 53, the posture angle of the identification target coin 15 specified by the identification part capturing unit 55, and the identification part information stored in the identification part storage area 73. It is extracted on the basis of the D _3.

Subsequently, the determination unit 9 compares the reference data D ₅ and the identification data D ₄ stored in the reference data storage area 75 of the storage unit 7 with each other, and determines whether or not they match (S205). . When the determination unit 9 determines that these data match, a match signal S ₄ is output to the outside of the coin identification device 1.

The coin identification device 1 according to the present embodiment described above has the following effects. That is, in the coin discriminating apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the discriminating unit 2 sets the vertical line m and the vertical line n for obtaining the center position C to the midpoints c ₁ on the plurality of first line segments k _{1 to} k ₈ , respectively. to c ₈ and is obtained based on the mid-point f ₁ ~f ₈ of the plurality of the second line segment l ₁ to l _8. As a result, for example, as shown in FIG. 4A, among the plurality of first line segments k _{1 to} k ₈ , for example, on the data on the line segments k ₃ and k ₆ , dirt, scratches, and abrasion of the coin 15 to be identified. Moreover, even if the positions of the end points a ₃ and b ₆ are caused by contamination of the transparent glass 34 and the positions of the midpoints c ₃ and c ₆ are different from the original positions, the perpendicular line m can be obtained accurately. For example, as shown in FIG. 4B, an error occurs in the position of the end point d _{1 in} the data on the line segment l ₁ among the plurality of second line segments l _{1 to} l ₈ , and the midpoint f ₁ Even if the position of is different from the original position, the perpendicular line m can be obtained accurately. Alternatively, in the data on the line segments l ₄ and l ₅ among the plurality of second line segments l _{1 to} l ₈ , the end point d ₄ comes into contact with the outer edge portion of the identification target coin 15 and the side surface of the transport path 33. , D ₅ cannot be obtained, and the midpoints f ₄ , f ₅ can not be obtained, so that the perpendicular line m is accurately determined by the other midpoints f _{1 to} f ₃ and f _{6 to} f ₈ . Can be requested. Therefore, according to the coin discriminating apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the center position C can be obtained with high accuracy as the intersection of the perpendicular line m and the perpendicular line n, so that the influence of dirt on the coin 15 to be identified is affected. The identification target coin 15 can be accurately identified while being suppressed.

Moreover, in the coin identification device 1 according to the present embodiment, imaging is performed only by calculation regarding several line segments such as the first line segments k _{1 to} k ₈ , the second line segments l _{1 to} l ₈ , the perpendicular lines m and n. The center position C of the identification target coin 15 in the data D ₂ is obtained. Therefore, according to the coin identification device 1 of the present embodiment, since the center position C of the identification target coin 15 in the imaging data D ₂ can be obtained in a short time, the processing time for identifying the identification target coin 15 is shortened. it can.

Also, as in the present embodiment, the coin discriminating apparatus 1, the identification unit 2, including most of the midpoint of the middle point c ₁ to c ₈ in the plurality of first segment k ₁ to k on ₈ the line and the vertical line m, it is preferable that a line segment including the most middle of the middle point f ₁ ~f ₈ in a plurality of the second line segment l ₁ to l ₈ to the perpendicular n. Thereby, the middle point (for example, as shown in FIG. 4A) determined as a position different from the original position due to dirt on the coin 15, dirt on the transparent glass 34, contact between the outer peripheral portion of the coin 15 and the side surface of the transport path 33, or the like. The influence of the midpoints c ₃ , c ₆ and the midpoint f _{1 in} FIG. 4B is eliminated and the midpoints (midpoints c ₁ , c ₂ , c ₄ , c ₅ , c ₇ , The normals m and n can be obtained only by c ₈ and the midpoints f _{2 to} f ₈ ). Therefore, according to the coin identifying device 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to determine more accurately the center position C of the identification target coin 15 in the image pickup data D _2.

Also, as in the present embodiment, the coin discriminating apparatus 1, the identification unit 2, the first data on the line segment k _1, the first end t ₁ and the identification target coin 15 of the segment k ₁ one The end point a ₁ is determined from within the region A including the portion, and the end point b ₁ from within the region B including the other end t _{2 of} the first line segment k _{1 and} the other part of the identification target coin 15 and different from the region A. Is preferably determined. In addition, in the data on the other first line segments k _{2 to} k ₈ and the data on the second line segments l _{2 to} l ₈ , one end of the line segment and a part of the coin to be identified are in this way. The end points a _{2 to} a ₈ and d _{1 to} d ₈ are determined from the first region including the end points, and the end points b _{2 to} b ₈ and e _{1 to} e ₈ are determined from the second region different from the first region. It is preferable to do. In this way, the data on the _first line segments k _{1 to} k ₈ and the data on the second line segments l _{1 to} l ₈ are each divided into two areas, and the end points are determined in each of the two areas. by, first each determining one of the end points, it is not necessary to refer to the data on the second line from one end to the other end, more the center position C of the identification target coin 15 in the image pickup data D ₂ It can be obtained in a short time.

Moreover, it is preferable that the image input part 3 has the light emitting element 36 which irradiates infrared light on the surface of the identification target coin 15 like this embodiment. Thereby, the influence on the imaging data D ₁ due to dirt, scratches, wear of the identification target coin 15 or dirt on the transparent glass 34 is reduced, and the center position C of the identification target coin 15 in the imaging data D ₂ is more accurately determined. Can be sought.

The coin identification device according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various other modifications are possible. For example, in the above embodiment, eight line segments k _{1 to} k ₈ and l _{1 to} l ₈ are set as the first line segment and the second line segment, respectively. The number of line segments is not limited to this, and various numbers of two or more can be set.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the coin identifying device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a center position calculation method in the center calculation unit. Fig.3 (a)-FIG.3 (c) are the figures for demonstrating the center position calculation method of the coin for identification in imaging data. FIG. 4A to FIG. 4C are diagrams for explaining a method for calculating the center position of the identification target coin in the imaging data. FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of the image input unit according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the coin identifying device.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Coin identification apparatus, 2 ... Identification part, 3 ... Image input part, 5 ... Processing part, 7 ... Memory | storage part, 9 ... Determination part, 11 ... Control part, 15 ... Identification coin, 31 ... Conveyor belt, 32 ... Conveyance plate, 33 ... conveyance path, 34 ... transparent glass, 35 ... transparent plate, 36 ... light emitting element, 38 ... lens, 39 ... imaging timing sensor, 40 ... control circuit, 51 ... imaging processing unit, 53 ... center calculation unit, 55 ... recognition site acquisition unit, 71 ... imaging data storage area, 73 ... recognition site storage area, 75 ... reference data storage area, D _1, D ₂ ... imaging data, D ₃ ... recognition site information, D ₄ ... identification data , D ₅ ... reference data, D ₆ ... center position information, a _{1 to} a ₈ , b _{1 to} b ₈ , d _{1 to} d ₈ , e _{1 to} e ₈ ... end points, c _{1 to} c ₈ , f _{1 to} f ₈ ... midpoint, k _{1 to} k ₈ ... first line segment, l _{1 to} l ₈ ... second line segment, m, n ... perpendicular line.

Claims (4)

An image input unit that images the surface of the identification target coin and generates imaging data related to the identification target coin;
The center position of the identification target coin in the imaging data is calculated, the identification data in a predetermined identification part of the identification target coin is extracted from the imaging data based on the center position, and according to the type of the identification data and the coin An identification unit for identifying the identification target coin by comparing with reference data stored in advance,
When the identification unit calculates the center position of the identification target coin, a second line that is different from the first direction on the plurality of first line segments extending in the first direction in the imaging data and the first direction. Data on a plurality of second line segments extending in the direction is extracted, and the edge of the coin to be identified in each of the data on the plurality of first line segments and the data on the plurality of second line segments. Determining a pair of upper end points, a third line segment based on a midpoint between the pair of end points in each of the data on the plurality of first line segments, and on the plurality of second line segments A coin discriminating apparatus that obtains a fourth line segment based on a midpoint between the pair of end points in each of the data, and sets an intersection of the third line segment and the fourth line segment as the center position.   The identifying unit sets the line segment including the most midpoint among the midpoints on the plurality of first line segments as the third line segment, and the middle on the plurality of second line segments. The coin identifying device according to claim 1, wherein a line segment including the most midpoint among the points is set as the fourth line segment.   In the data on the first and second line segments, the identification unit includes the pair of end points from within the first region including one end of the first and second line segments and a part of the identification target coin. One end point is determined and the other pair including the other end of the first and second line segments and the other part of the coin to be identified is included in the second region different from the first region. The coin identifying device according to claim 1, wherein the other end point of the end points is determined.   The coin identification device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the image input unit includes a light source that irradiates infrared light onto a surface of the identification target coin.

Images