JP2009193090A - Remaining coin detection device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely detect a remaining coin regardless of the posture thereof by disposing a capacitive non-contact sensor in a coin passage through which a coin to be dispensed from an automatic machine passes, and to detect a finger inserted into the coin passage, and to surely prevent a coin as change from being left even when a cover member is attached to a dispensing slot, and to prevent any fraud on a coin to be dispensed from the automatic machine. <P>SOLUTION: The remaining coin detection device is provided with: a detection sensor as a capacitive non-contact sensor arranged in a coin passage connected to the coin dispensing slot of an automatic machine; a sensor control part for controlling the operation of the detection sensor, and for outputting a detection signal corresponding to the output signal of the detection sensor; and a sensor output determination part for determining a coin remaining in the coin passage and a foreign matter in the coin passage based on the detection signal. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a coin residual detection device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in automatic machines such as money changers and vending machines, detection of coins remaining in a coin path by installing a detection sensor in the coin path in the vicinity of a withdrawal port (for example, Patent Documents). 1 and 2).

  FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a detection sensor included in a conventional coin residue detection device. In the figure, (a) is a plan view of the detection sensor, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the detection sensor.

  As shown in the figure, the detection sensor 114 is an electrode formed on the surface of the sensor substrate 125, and a transmission electrode 121 that transmits a weak electromagnetic wave in order to detect an object to be detected, and a transmission from the transmission electrode 121. Receiving electrode 122 for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves to be transmitted. An auxiliary electrode 123 made of a conductive material adheres to the back surface of the sensor substrate 125, and further, a plate-like shield electrode 124 made of a conductive material is interposed via a plate-like spacer 126 made of an insulating material. Are stacked.

The transmission electrode 121 and the reception electrode 122 are formed on the same plane of the sensor substrate 125, and are arranged in parallel and alternately with each other. That is, they are arranged in a comb shape. Thereby, even if the attitude | position of the coin shown as B changes, it can detect that a coin exists in a coin channel | path.
Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-248948 JP 2007-94957 A

  However, in the conventional coin residue detection device, there is a possibility that a coin detection failure occurs when the remaining coins are stopped in an upright state on the coin passage. For example, in the case of the detection sensor 114 as shown in FIG. 2, there is a possibility that a detection omission may occur when a coin is placed in the electrode pattern or the groove between the electrodes. In this case, since the coin does not straddle (or straddles) both the transmission electrode 121 and the reception electrode 122, the electromagnetic wave reaching the reception electrode 122 from the transmission electrode 121 via the coin is reduced. Therefore, it is considered that the detection sensor 114 is difficult to detect coins and detection omission occurs.

  In a general automatic machine, the coin passage is an inclined rectangular tube shape, and it is rare that a disk-shaped coin stops while standing upright in the coin passage. However, when an adhesive member such as an adhesive tape is attached to the inner wall of the coin passage for the purpose of removing the coin, the coin may remain in an upright and stopped state.

  In addition, since a lid (lid) is attached to the withdrawal port (receptacle) of the automatic machine, the visibility of the change is deteriorated, and the change is forgotten. Currently, many automatic machines installed for business use have lids attached to the withdrawal port and the product outlet. This includes crime prevention (for example, prevention of coin removal and mischief by inserting fingers, etc.), prevention of dust rainwater contamination (especially prevention of contamination due to dust rainwater contamination along the main road), This is for preventing loss of gold coins (for example, preventing coins from popping out with the momentum of withdrawal).

  The present invention solves the problems of the conventional coin residue detection device, and by disposing a capacitance non-contact sensor in a coin passage through which a coin dispensed from an automatic machine passes, Regardless of the coins, the remaining coins can be reliably detected and the fingers inserted into the coin passages can be detected, so that even if a lid member is attached to the withdrawal port, change etc. An object of the present invention is to provide a coin residual detection device that can surely prevent forgetting to take coins and prevent fraudulent acts on coins withdrawn from an automatic machine.

  Therefore, in the coin residual detection device of the present invention, a detection sensor which is a capacitance type non-contact sensor disposed in a coin passage connected to a coin dispensing port of an automatic machine, and an operation of the detection sensor is performed. A sensor control unit that controls and outputs a detection signal corresponding to the output signal of the detection sensor; presence of coins remaining in the coin passage based on the detection signal; and presence of foreign matter in the coin passage A sensor output determination unit.

  In another coin residual detection device of the present invention, the detection sensor further includes a plurality of transmission electrodes and reception electrodes, and the dimensions and arrangement of the transmission electrodes and reception electrodes are independent of the posture and position of the coin, The electromagnetic wave transmitted from the transmission electrode is set so as to reach the reception electrode via a coin.

  In still another coin residual detection device of the present invention, the size and arrangement of the transmission electrode and the reception electrode may be the sum of the width of the groove between the transmission electrode and the reception electrode and the width of the transmission electrode. It is set to be less than the thickness of the coin, and the sum of the width of the groove and the width of the receiving electrode is less than the thickness of the coin.

  In still another coin residual detection device of the present invention, the sensor output determination unit has the same magnitude as the detection signal when the detection signal detects a coin that normally passes through the coin passage, and When the detection signal continues for a longer time, the presence of coins remaining in the coin passage and the presence of foreign matter in the coin passage are determined.

  In still another coin residual detection device of the present invention, the detection sensor is also disposed in the coin dispensing port, and the sensor output determination unit is configured to store coins remaining in the coin passage and in the coin dispensing port. And the presence of foreign matter in the coin passage and the coin dispensing port.

  According to the present invention, the coin residual detection device disposes the coins remaining regardless of the posture of the coins by disposing the electrostatic capacity type non-contact sensor in the coin passage through which the coins dispensed from the automatic machine pass. In addition to being able to detect reliably, it is possible to detect fingers and the like inserted into the coin passage, and even if a lid member is attached to the withdrawal port, it is ensured that coins such as change will be forgotten. In addition, fraudulent acts on coins withdrawn from an automatic machine can be prevented.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the automatic machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, reference numeral 10 denotes an automatic machine according to the present embodiment. For example, a vending machine that sells beverages, tobacco, food, etc., which are installed in a store of a store such as a convenience store or a supermarket, or outdoors, a railway station, etc. Ticket machines that sell tickets, admission tickets, coupon tickets, etc., which are arranged at museums, theme parks, etc., game medal vending machines that are arranged at game centers, etc., currency exchange machines that exchange bills into coins, Automatic teller machines (ATMs) installed at branches of financial institutions such as banks, credit unions, post offices, etc., but any device that dispenses coins as change etc. Any device can be used. Here, the said automatic machine 10 demonstrates as what is a vending machine which sells various goods, such as a drink, a tobacco, and a foodstuff.

  The automatic machine 10 includes an operation unit 51, a product take-out unit 52, and a coin dispensing port 11 disposed on the front surface of the main body. The operation unit 51 is operated by a user of the automatic machine 10 to select a product, such as a switch for selecting a product, a money deposit port for depositing banknotes or coins, a display unit for displaying a message for the user, an advertisement, and the like. And voice output means such as a speaker for outputting a warning to the user, music and the like. In addition, the product take-out unit 52 includes a product discharge port through which a product purchased by a user is discharged, a lid member that can be opened and closed, and the like.

  Further, the coin outlet 11 is provided with various denominations such as a one-yen coin, a five-yen coin, a ten-yen coin, a one-hundred-yen coin, and a five-thousand-yen coin that are withdrawn to pay the user as change. It is a discharge port through which coins are discharged, and is connected to an outlet end of a coin passage 12 to be described later. The presence of coins remaining in the coin passage 12 can be detected in the vicinity of the outlet end of the coin passage 12 and foreign substances such as fingers, sticks, and adhesive members inserted into the coin passage 12 can be detected. A coin residue detection unit is provided as a coin residue detection device that detects the presence.

  Next, the configuration of the coin residual detection unit will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of the coin residual detection unit in the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the coin passage in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, reference numeral 13 denotes a dispensing cap as a lid member that can be opened and closed to cover the coin dispensing port 11. Reference numeral 14 denotes a detection sensor composed of a capacitance-type non-contact sensor, which is disposed outside the inner wall of the coin passage 12 in the vicinity of the outlet end of the coin passage 12 whose outlet end is connected to the coin dispensing port 11. Has been. The coin passage 12 is a passage connecting an outlet of a dispensing machine (not shown) included in the automatic machine 10 and a coin dispensing port 11, and the coins dispensed from the dispensing machine pass through the inside by its own weight. .

  Reference numeral 15 denotes a sensor control unit connected to the detection sensor 14, which controls the operation of the detection sensor 14 and receives an output signal of the detection sensor 14. Reference numeral 16 denotes a sensor output determination unit connected to the sensor control unit 15, and whether or not there is any coin or foreign matter remaining near the outlet end in the coin passage 12 based on the output signal of the detection sensor 14. If there is a remaining coin or foreign object, it is determined that an abnormality has been detected. Furthermore, reference numeral 17 denotes an abnormal state notification device connected to the sensor output determination unit 16. When the sensor output determination unit 16 determines that an abnormality has been detected, the user or the automatic machine 10 indicates that the abnormality has been detected. Notify people around you. For example, the fact that an abnormality has occurred is displayed on the display means of the operation unit 51, or an alarm sound is output from the sound output means to indicate that an abnormality has been detected. Notify people. Further, 18 is an abnormal state recording device connected to the sensor output determination unit 16. When the sensor output determination unit 16 determines that an abnormality has been detected, the date and time when the abnormality is detected is indicated on a magnetic disk, a semiconductor memory, Records on a recording medium such as recording paper.

  Moreover, the detection sensor 14 is arrange | positioned so that the detection surface may face the inside of the coin channel | path 12, and may surround the circumference | surroundings of the coin channel | path 12, as FIG. 5 shows.

  For example, when the coin passage 12 has a rectangular cross-sectional shape as shown in FIG. 5A, the detection sensor 14 is composed of four plate-like parts, each plate-like. The part is arranged on the outside so that the detection surface faces the inside of the coin passage 12 and is parallel to each of the four flat side walls of the coin passage 12. Thereby, it can be detected that coins exist in the coin passage 12 regardless of the posture of the coins indicated as B.

  Further, for example, when the coin passage 12 has a circular cross-sectional shape as shown in FIG. 5B, the detection sensor 14 is composed of a single plate-like portion, and the detection surface thereof is a coin. It is formed in a curved shape so as to face the inside of the passage 12 and parallel to the curved side wall of the coin passage 12, and is disposed on the outside thereof.

  Next, the configuration of the detection sensor 14 will be described in detail.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of electrodes of a detection sensor according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of the detection sensor according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 1A is a diagram showing a cross section of the detection sensor in the plane direction of the coin, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing a cross section of the detection sensor in the thickness direction of the coin. In FIG. FIG. 5 is a plan view, viewed from the direction indicated by an arrow A in FIG. 4, and FIG. 5B is a diagram showing a cross section of the detection sensor.

  Here, for convenience of explanation, the detection sensor 14 will be described as being disposed in the coin passage 12 having a rectangular cross-sectional shape as shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the detection sensor 14 includes a plate-like substrate 25 made of an insulating material, and a transmission electrode 21 and a reception electrode 22 made of a conductive material attached to the surface of the substrate 25. . The detection sensor 14 is disposed such that the surface of the substrate 25 faces the inside of the coin passage 12 as a detection surface.

  The transmitting electrode 21 is disposed so as to face the back surface (the lower surface in FIG. 1) of the coin passage 12 in order to radiate electromagnetic waves to the coins and foreign matters in the coin passage 12, that is, the object to be detected. . Further, the receiving electrode 22 is disposed so as to face the back surface of the coin passage 12 in the same manner as the transmitting electrode 21 in order to receive the electromagnetic wave radiated from the transmitting electrode 21 and reflected by the object to be detected. That is, the detection sensor 14 is disposed such that the surface of the substrate 25 on which the transmission electrode 21 and the reception electrode 22 are disposed faces the inside of the coin passage 12 as a detection surface.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, each of the transmission electrode 21 and the reception electrode 22 has a planar shape such as zigzag, ninety-nine fold, or corrugated shape, and the concave portions and the convex portions of each other. The parts are arranged so as to mesh with each other.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, an auxiliary electrode 23 made of a conductive material is attached to the back surface of the substrate 25, and the conductive material is further passed through a plate-like spacer 26 made of an insulating material. A plate-like shield electrode 24 made of is laminated. The shield electrode 24 is an electrode for shielding electromagnetic waves radiated from the back side of the transmission electrode 21. The auxiliary electrode 23 is an electrode for interrupting a current flowing between the transmission electrode 21 and the shield electrode 24. The shield electrode 24 is adhered to the back surface of the substrate 25 with a spacer 26 interposed between the shield electrode 24 and the auxiliary electrode 23.

  Since the detection sensor 14 has such a structure, the detection object is detected only on the front surface side, that is, the detection surface side without detecting the detection object on the back surface side, that is, on the shield electrode 24 side. Thereby, it can be detected that a coin exists in the coin passage 12 regardless of the posture of the coin as the object to be detected shown as B.

  The same type of electrodes are connected to each other by a conductive pattern, a through hole, or the like. Each electrode is connected to the sensor control unit 15, an AC signal is applied to the transmission electrode 21 and the auxiliary electrode 23, and the reception electrode 22 and the shield electrode 24 are grounded.

  The detection sensor 14 can be manufactured using, for example, a copper-clad laminate (manufactured by Chuko Kasei). In this case, the substrate 25 is a plate member made of Teflon (R), and the transmission electrode 21, the reception electrode 22, and the auxiliary electrode 23 are created by patterning a copper foil (etch) by a method such as etching. . The spacer 26 is a plate member made of Teflon (R), like the substrate 25. The shield electrode 24 is made of, for example, a metal plate, conductive rubber, conductive cloth, or the like. The detection sensor 14 is not limited to this, and may be manufactured by any manufacturing method.

  By the way, as described in “Problems to be Solved by the Invention”, if the coins fit into the pattern of the electrodes of the coin passage 12 or the grooves between the electrodes, there is a possibility that detection leakage may occur. Therefore, in order to prevent detection leakage of the coins remaining in the coin passage 12, the coin indicated as B approaches both the transmission electrode 21 and the reception electrode 22 regardless of the posture and position of the coin, and the transmission electrode As shown by an arrow C in FIG. 1, it is necessary that a weak electromagnetic wave radiated from 21 reaches the receiving electrode 22 via a coin. For this purpose, the transmission electrode 21 and the reception electrode 22 of the detection sensor 14 must satisfy the following conditions.

  Most vending machines do not handle one-yen coins and five-yen coins, but automatic teller machines handle one-yen coins and five-yen coins. Is assumed to be a one-yen coin having the smallest shape.

  In this case, the thickness of the coin is T, the diameter of the coin is D, the width of the transmission electrode 21 is X, the width of the reception electrode 22 is Y, and the groove between the transmission electrode 21 and the reception electrode 22 is Z. And the side of the transmission electrode 21 is L. The thickness T, diameter D, width X, width Y, groove Z, and side L are positive numbers. In the case of a one-yen coin, the thickness T is about 1 [mm], and the diameter D is 20 [mm].

  As described above, the weak electromagnetic wave transmitted from the transmission electrode 21 reaches the reception electrode 22 via a coin regardless of the posture and position of the coin, as indicated by an arrow C in FIG. Satisfies the following expressions (1) and (2).

X + Z <T Formula (1)
Y + Z <T (2)
That is, the dimensions and arrangement of the transmission electrode 21 and the reception electrode 22 are set so as to satisfy the expressions (1) and (2).

  The electromagnetic wave transmitted from the transmission electrode 21 becomes weaker in inverse proportion as the height H from the electrode increases. That is, it becomes difficult to detect as the circumferential surface of the remaining coin moves away from the electrode pattern. In this case, the degree of amplification in the circuit of the sensor control unit 15 may be increased. However, if the degree of amplification is increased, noise also increases. Therefore, the side L is preferably about D / 4.

  Next, the configuration of the sensor control unit 15 will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of the sensor control unit in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in the figure, the sensor control unit 15 connected to the detection sensor 14 includes an oscillation circuit 31, a buffer circuit 32, a current detection resistor element 33, a shield line 34, a first differential amplifier 35, a band pass filter (BPF). ) 36, detection circuit (AC / DC) 37, low-pass filter (LPF) 38, second differential amplifier 41, analog / digital (A / D) converter 42, CPU (central processing unit) 43 and digital / analog ( D / A) A converter 44 is provided.

  The oscillation circuit 31 supplies the detection sensor 14 with an AC voltage for radiating electromagnetic waves from the transmission electrode 21 of the detection sensor 14. The buffer circuit 32 functions as a buffer that supplies the AC voltage output from the oscillation circuit 31 to the detection sensor 14. Further, the current detection resistance element 33 is a resistance element for converting a current flowing through the detection sensor 14 into a voltage. The current detection resistance element 33 is connected between the output terminal of the buffer circuit 32 and the shield line 34.

  The shield line 34 is a conductive line that supplies the AC voltage output from the buffer circuit 32 to the detection sensor 14. The shield wire 34 includes a core wire 34a and a covered wire 34b that covers the core wire 34a. One end of the core wire 34 a is connected to the output end of the buffer circuit 32 via the current detection resistor element 33. The other end of the core wire 34 a is connected to the transmission electrode 21. One end of the covered wire 34 b is directly connected to the output end of the buffer circuit 32 without passing through the current detection resistor element 33. The other end of the covered wire 34 b is connected to the auxiliary electrode 23 of the detection sensor 14.

  Further, the first differential amplifier 35 is a measurement amplifier, and both the non-inverting input terminal (+) and the inverting input terminal (−) have high input impedance, and the non-inverting input terminal (+) and the inverting input terminal ( Outputs a voltage according to the potential difference with-). The non-inverting input terminal (+) of the first differential amplifier 35 is connected to one end of the current detection resistor element 33, that is, the end on the buffer circuit 32 side. The inverting input terminal (−) of the first differential amplifier 35 is connected to the other end of the current detection resistance element 33, that is, the end on the transmission electrode 21 side. Accordingly, the first differential amplifier 35 outputs an AC voltage signal having a value corresponding to the voltage across the terminals of the current detection resistor element 33.

  The band-pass filter 36 passes only the signal component of the frequency f, that is, the component of the same frequency as that of the oscillation circuit 31 among the AC voltage signal input from the first differential amplifier 35. The bandpass filter 36 can remove noise components from the AC voltage signal output from the first differential amplifier 35.

  The detection circuit 37 converts the AC voltage signal input from the bandpass filter 36 into a DC voltage signal. The detection circuit 37 in the present embodiment is a full-wave rectification circuit with a time constant τ set to about 1 / f (f is the output frequency of the oscillation circuit 31).

  Further, the low pass filter 38 removes high frequency components from the DC voltage signal input from the detection circuit 37. Thus, the low-pass filter 38 can remove a ripple component from the DC voltage signal output from the detection circuit 37.

  The second differential amplifier 41 outputs a voltage corresponding to the potential difference between the non-inverting input terminal (+) and the inverting input terminal (−). The non-inverting input terminal (+) of the second differential amplifier 41 is connected to the output terminal of the low-pass filter 38. The inverting input terminal (−) of the second differential amplifier 41 is connected to the output terminal of the digital / analog converter 44. As will be described later, the detection circuit 37 is set so that the value when the object to be detected does not exist between the transmission electrode 21 and the reception electrode 22 of the detection sensor 14 becomes zero by the second differential amplifier 41. The output signal is corrected. The DC voltage signal output from the second differential amplifier 41 is output to the outside as the detection signal Sd.

  The analog / digital converter 42 converts the DC voltage signal output from the second differential amplifier 41, that is, the detection signal Sd, from an analog signal to a digital signal. Further, the CPU 43 generates a correction signal Sa by subjecting the digital signal input from the analog / digital converter 42 to arithmetic processing using a predetermined algorithm. The CPU 43 stores the generated correction signal Sa and outputs it to the digital / analog converter 44. As will be described later, the detection signal Sd is corrected by the correction signal Sa.

  Further, the digital / analog converter 44 converts the output signal of the CPU 43, that is, the correction signal Sa from a digital signal to an analog signal.

  The coin remaining detection unit in the present embodiment has the above-described configuration, so that the coin remaining in the coin passage 12, a foreign object such as a finger inserted in the coin passage 12, a stick, or an adhesive member is covered. Detected objects can be detected.

  Next, the operation of the coin residual detection unit having the above configuration will be described.

  The sensor control unit 15 in the present embodiment has a circuit configuration similar to that of the device disclosed in Patent Document 2, and is in a state where there is no object to be detected such as a coin or a foreign object in the coin passage 12, that is, an initial state. The voltage between the terminals of the current detection resistor element 33 in the state is set as a reference voltage, and the detected object is detected based on the change from the reference voltage of the voltage between the terminals of the current detection resistor element 33.

  Next, the principle of operation for detecting an object to be detected by the sensor control unit 15 will be described.

  In the state before the detection object approaches the detection sensor 14, that is, in the initial state, the capacitance Ca between the transmission electrode 21 and the reception electrode 22 is the surface of the transmission electrode 21 and the reception electrode 22, that is, the electrode. Given by the space on the surface. When the object to be detected is not approaching, the current flowing between the transmission electrode 21 and the reception electrode 22 is canceled out.

  On the other hand, the capacitance (here, Cs) between the transmission electrode 21 and the reception electrode 22 when the detection object approaches the electrode surface is given by the detection object. In general, the relative dielectric constant of a metal is infinite, and the relative dielectric constant of a part of the human body when the human body is considered as water is about 81. Therefore, since Ca <Cs, when an object to be detected such as a coin or a foreign substance approaches the electrode surface, the capacitance increases.

Therefore, when an object to be detected approaches the electrode surface, the current flowing between the transmission electrode 21 and the reception electrode 22 increases. Here, the current value of the current flowing between the transmission electrode 21 and the reception electrode 22 in the initial state is I _0, and the current value increases due to the increase in the capacitance between the transmission electrode 21 and the reception electrode 22. When the minutes to I _S, by the detection object approaches the electrode surface of the sensor 14, the current flowing through the current sensing resistor element 33 increases from I ₀ to I ₀ + I _S. For this reason, the potential difference between the terminals of the current detection resistor element 33 increases, and thereby the output of the first differential amplifier 35 also increases.

As described above, the first differential amplifier 35 outputs an AC voltage signal corresponding to the voltage between the terminals of the current detection resistor element 33. A noise component is removed from the AC voltage signal by the band-pass filter 36, the AC voltage signal is converted from a DC voltage signal by the detection circuit 37, a ripple component is removed by the low-pass filter 38, and then the second differential amplifier 41. To the non-inverting input terminal (+). The second differential amplifier 41 outputs a voltage corresponding to the difference between the input DC voltage signal and the correction signal Sa as the detection signal Sd. Here, the correction signal Sa is set so that the detection signal Sd becomes zero volt when there is no object to be detected, that is, when the current I ₀ flows through the current detection resistance element 33. Therefore, the detection signal Sd has a value corresponding to the current value I _S corresponding to the increase in the current flowing through the detection object.

  By performing such an operation, the coin residual detection device in the present embodiment can detect the presence of an object to be detected.

  Further, as described above, in the present embodiment, the auxiliary electrode 23 is provided between the transmission electrode 21 and the shield electrode 24, and the transmission electrode 21 and the auxiliary electrode are connected from one buffer circuit 32 via different wires. An AC voltage is supplied to 23. Therefore, the detection accuracy for the object to be detected can be increased for the following reason.

  First, the reason why the auxiliary electrode 23 is provided and the reason why an AC voltage is supplied to the transmission electrode 21 and the auxiliary electrode 23 through different wirings will be described.

  Originally, the detection sensor 14 detects an object to be detected only on the surface side. However, actually, electromagnetic waves are also emitted from the transmission electrode 21 to the back surface side. Therefore, when another member exists on the back side of the detection sensor 14, it is necessary to prevent an electric field from being formed between the member and the transmission electrode 21. This is because, when an electric field is formed between another member existing on the back side of the detection sensor 14 and the transmission electrode 21, the current flowing through the current detection resistance element 33 fluctuates due to the position change of the member. This is because it causes false detection and deterioration of detection accuracy. Therefore, a grounded shield electrode 24 is provided on the back side of the detection sensor 14.

  However, when only the shield electrode 24 is provided, that is, when the auxiliary electrode 23 is not provided, a current flows between the transmission electrode 21 and the shield electrode 24. Usually, the capacitance between the transmission electrode 21 and the shield electrode 24 is very large compared to the capacitance between the transmission electrode 21 and the object to be detected. Therefore, the current flowing between the transmission electrode 21 and the shield electrode 24 is also very large compared to the current flowing between the transmission electrode 21 and the object to be detected. Therefore, when a current flows between the transmission electrode 21 and the shield electrode 24, it becomes very difficult to accurately detect the current between the transmission electrode 21 and the object to be detected. On the other hand, when the auxiliary electrode 23 is provided between the transmission electrode 21 and the shield electrode 24 and the potential between the transmission electrode 21 and the shield electrode 24 is set to substantially the same potential, While eliminating the influence of the existing members, the current flowing on the back surface side can be kept very small.

  In addition, in the present embodiment, an AC voltage is supplied to the transmission electrode 21 and the auxiliary electrode 23 via different wirings, and the current detection resistance element 33 is connected to the wiring that connects the buffer circuit 32 and the transmission electrode 21. Is provided. That is, the transmission electrode 21 is connected to the buffer circuit 32 via the core wire 34 a of the shield wire 34 and the current detection resistance element 33, and the auxiliary electrode 23 is connected to the buffer circuit 32 via the covered wire 34 b of the shield wire 34. . As described above, the current flowing through the transmission electrode 21 and the current flowing through the auxiliary electrode 23 are separated, and the current flowing through the auxiliary electrode 23 does not flow through the current detection resistance element 33. For this reason, the current flowing through the current detection resistor element 33 can be reduced, and therefore the detection accuracy of the current flowing from the transmission electrode 21 to the object to be detected is improved.

  Moreover, since the coin residual detection part in this Embodiment supplies an alternating voltage to the transmission electrode 21 and the auxiliary electrode 23 via a different wiring from the one buffer circuit 32, it flows from the said transmission electrode 21 to a to-be-detected object. Current can be detected with high accuracy. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the detection accuracy of the detection object by suppressing the influence of other components and the like mounted on the same device as the coin residual detection unit.

  Furthermore, since the coin residual detection part in this Embodiment correct | amends the detection signal Sd when a to-be-detected object is detected using the detection signal value when the to-be-detected object is not detected, to-be-detected object The detection accuracy can be improved.

  Next, operations for detecting coins remaining in the coin passage 12 and foreign matters such as fingers, sticks, and adhesive members inserted into the coin passage 12 will be described.

  Usually, the coin passes through the coin passage 12 within a certain time, and this state is normal.

  On the other hand, the object to be detected does not exist in the coin passage 12 before or after the coin passes, that is, other than at the time of withdrawal. At that time, as an operation of extracting the coin, it is conceivable to insert a finger into the coin passage 12 or attach a stick, an adhesive tape or the like. When such an operation is performed, foreign matters such as fingers, sticks, and adhesive tape exist in the coin passage 12. Accordingly, when such a manipulation causes a coin to remain in the coin passage 12 or a foreign object that does not exist in normal times is detected, it is regarded as abnormal.

  Further, even when the coin normally passes through the coin passage 12, the detection sensor 14 detects the coin during the passage. Therefore, when a coin is detected for a time longer than the time required for the coin to normally pass through the portion where the detection sensor 14 is disposed, it is determined to be abnormal. That is, the sensor output determination unit 16 has the detection signal Sd output from the sensor control unit 15 having the same magnitude as the detection signal Sd when a coin that normally passes through the coin passage 12 is detected, and the detection signal Sd. When continuing for a longer time, the presence of coins remaining in the coin passage 12 and the presence of foreign matter in the coin passage 12 are determined. Normally, no foreign matter such as a finger, a stick, or an adhesive tape is present in the coin passage 12. Therefore, it is considered that the presence of foreign matters such as fingers, sticks, and adhesive tape in the portion where the detection sensor 14 is disposed in the coin passage 12 is due to the operation of removing the coin. However, an abnormality was detected only by the difference between the output of the second differential amplifier 41 when a foreign object such as a finger, a stick, or an adhesive tape was detected and the output of the second differential amplifier 41 when a coin was detected. It is difficult to determine.

  Therefore, the sensor output determination unit 16 has a portion where the output of the second differential amplifier 41 is the same size as when a detected object such as a coin is detected and the coin is provided with the detection sensor 14. When it continues for a longer time than the required time to pass normally, it is determined that an abnormality has been detected on the assumption that coins remain in the coin passage 12 or that an operation for removing coins is being performed. If the sensor output determination unit 16 determines that an abnormality has been detected, the abnormal state notification device 17 notifies that an abnormality has been detected, and the abnormal state recording device 18 records the date and time at which the abnormality was detected.

  The abnormal state notification device 17 notifies the surroundings by sound or image, and is incorporated in the automatic machine 10 or attached to the surroundings.

  Also, the abnormal state recording device 18 records the date and time when the abnormal state has occurred on a recording medium. Various media can be considered as the recording medium, but it can also be performed by the CPU 43 provided in the sensor control unit 15.

  When cleaning or inspection maintenance is performed, the sensor function can be temporarily canceled by switching from the normal operation setting to the maintenance setting so that no abnormality is detected even if a hand, a finger, or the like is detected for a long time.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the presence of coins remaining in the coin passage 12 can be reliably detected, and foreign matters such as fingers, sticks, and adhesive members that should not exist in the coin passage 12 can be detected. The presence of can be detected. Thereby, an abnormal state can be identified, and the fraudulent act about the coin withdrawn can be prevented.

  The detection sensor 14 may be a non-contact sensor other than the capacitance-type non-contact sensor, for example, an optical non-contact sensor. In that case, the detection sensor 14 is detected according to the positional relationship with the coin. There is a possibility of leakage. By adopting a capacitive non-contact sensor as the detection sensor 14, the entire detected surface can be detected by one sensor.

  Further, by making the electrode shape of the detection sensor 14 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the coin can be reliably detected even when the coin remains upright in the coin passage 12. Can do.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, about the thing which has the same structure as 1st Embodiment, the description is abbreviate | omitted by providing the same code | symbol. The description of the same operation and the same effect as those of the first embodiment is also omitted.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of the coin residual detection unit in the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In the present embodiment, the coin residual detection device has a detection sensor 70 for the coin dispensing port 11 as shown in the figure. The detection sensor 70 is arranged so that the detection surface faces the inside of the coin dispensing port 11 and covers the outside of the bottom surface of the coin dispensing port 11. Coins that have reached the coin dispensing slot 11 from the coin passage 12 are detected by the detection sensor 70.

  In addition, since the structure of this detection sensor 70 is the same as that of the detection sensor 14 for the coin path | pass 12, the description is abbreviate | omitted. The detection sensors 14 and 70 are connected to the sensor control unit 15, respectively.

  Next, the configuration of the sensor control unit 15 in the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of a sensor control unit in the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in the drawing, the sensor control unit 15 controls the operation of the detection sensor 14 for the coin passage 12 and receives the output signal of the detection sensor 14; The second sensor control unit 15b controls the operation of the detection sensor 70 for the coin dispensing port 11 and receives the output signal of the detection sensor 70. The configuration of the first sensor control unit 15a is the same as that of the sensor control unit 15 in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  The second sensor control unit 15b connected to the detection sensor 70 for the coin dispensing port 11 includes an oscillation circuit 81, a buffer circuit 82, a current detection resistance element 83, a shield wire 84, a first differential amplifier 85, and a band pass filter. (BPF) 86, detection circuit (AC / DC) 87, low-pass filter (LPF) 88, second differential amplifier 91, analog / digital (A / D) converter 92, and digital / analog (D / A) converter 94. The second sensor control unit 15b shares the CPU 43 with the first sensor control unit 15a, and the analog / digital converter 92 and the digital / analog converter 94 are connected to the CPU 43.

  The oscillation circuit 81 supplies the detection sensor 70 with an AC voltage for radiating electromagnetic waves from the transmission electrode 71 of the detection sensor 70. The buffer circuit 82 functions as a buffer that supplies the AC voltage output from the oscillation circuit 81 to the detection sensor 70. Further, the current detection resistance element 83 is a resistance element for converting a current flowing through the detection sensor 70 into a voltage. The current detection resistance element 83 is connected between the output terminal of the buffer circuit 82 and the shield line 84.

  The shield wire 84 is a conductive wire that supplies the AC voltage output from the buffer circuit 82 to the detection sensor 70. The shield wire 84 includes a core wire 84a and a covered wire 84b that covers the core wire 84a. One end of the core wire 84 a is connected to the output end of the buffer circuit 82 via the current detection resistor element 83. The other end of the core wire 84 a is connected to the transmission electrode 71. One end of the covered wire 84 b is directly connected to the output end of the buffer circuit 82 without passing through the current detection resistor element 83. The other end of the covered wire 84 b is connected to the auxiliary electrode 73 of the detection sensor 70.

  Further, the first differential amplifier 85 is a measurement amplifier, and both the non-inverting input terminal (+) and the inverting input terminal (−) have high input impedance, and the non-inverting input terminal (+) and the inverting input terminal ( Outputs a voltage according to the potential difference with-). The non-inverting input terminal (+) of the first differential amplifier 85 is connected to one end of the current detection resistance element 83, that is, the end on the buffer circuit 82 side. The inverting input terminal (−) of the first differential amplifier 85 is connected to the other end of the current detection resistance element 83, that is, the end on the transmission electrode 71 side. Accordingly, the first differential amplifier 85 outputs an AC voltage signal having a value corresponding to the voltage between the terminals of the current detection resistor element 83.

  The band pass filter 86 passes only the signal component of the frequency f, that is, the component of the same frequency as that of the oscillation circuit 81, among the AC voltage signal input from the first differential amplifier 85. The bandpass filter 86 can remove noise components from the AC voltage signal output from the first differential amplifier 85.

  The detection circuit 87 converts the AC voltage signal input from the bandpass filter 86 into a DC voltage signal. The detection circuit 87 in the present embodiment is a full-wave rectification circuit with a time constant τ set to about 1 / f (f is the output frequency of the oscillation circuit 81).

  Further, the low pass filter 88 removes high frequency components from the DC voltage signal input from the detection circuit 87. Thus, the low-pass filter 88 can remove a ripple component from the DC voltage signal output from the detection circuit 87.

  The second differential amplifier 91 outputs a voltage corresponding to the potential difference between the non-inverting input terminal (+) and the inverting input terminal (−). The non-inverting input terminal (+) of the second differential amplifier 91 is connected to the output terminal of the low-pass filter 88. The inverting input terminal (−) of the second differential amplifier 91 is connected to the output terminal of the digital / analog converter 94. As will be described later, the second differential amplifier 91 detects the detection circuit 87 so that the value when the detected object does not exist between the transmission electrode 71 and the reception electrode 72 of the detection sensor 70 becomes zero. The output signal is corrected. The DC voltage signal output from the second differential amplifier 91 is output to the outside as the detection signal Sd2.

  The analog / digital converter 92 converts the DC voltage signal output from the second differential amplifier 91, that is, the detection signal Sd2, from an analog signal to a digital signal. Further, the CPU 43 generates a correction signal Sa2 by subjecting the digital signal input from the analog / digital converter 92 to arithmetic processing using a predetermined algorithm. The CPU 43 stores the generated correction signal Sa2 inside and outputs it to the digital / analog converter 94. As will be described later, the detection signal Sd2 is corrected by the correction signal Sa2.

  Further, the digital / analog converter 94 converts the output signal of the CPU 43, that is, the correction signal Sa2 from a digital signal to an analog signal.

  The coin residual detection part in this Embodiment can detect the coin which remains in the coin dispensing port 11 by having the above structures.

  Next, operation | movement of the coin residual detection part in this Embodiment is demonstrated.

  The operations of the sensor control unit 15, sensor output determination unit 16, abnormal state notification device 17, and abnormal state recording device 18 when each of the detection sensors 14 and 70 detects the remaining coins are described in the first. Since it is the same as that of embodiment, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the present embodiment, the sensor output determination unit 16 determines that an abnormality has been detected when at least one of the detection sensor 14 for the coin passage 12 or the detection sensor 70 for the coin dispensing port 11 is in the detection state. .

  Thus, in the present embodiment, the detection sensor 14 is disposed in the coin passage 12, and the detection sensor 70 is also disposed in the coin dispensing port 11. As a result, it is possible to detect the presence of residual coins and foreign matter present in the coin passage 12, and it is possible to detect the presence of residual coins and foreign matter present in the coin dispensing port 11. Therefore, it is possible to surely prevent the user from forgetting to take the coins withdrawn, such as change, and to prevent fraudulent acts on the coins to be withdrawn.

  In the first embodiment, the example in which the present invention is applied to the coin passage 12 of the vending machine has been described. However, the present invention may be applied to other automatic machines, for example, an automatic teller machine or a coin of a gaming machine. It can also be applied to passages.

  Moreover, in the said 2nd Embodiment, although the example which applied this invention to the coin path 12 and the coin dispensing port 11 of a vending machine was shown, this invention is another automatic machine, for example, cash automatic deposit. The present invention can also be applied to a coin passage and a coin dispensing port of a payment machine or a gaming machine.

  Furthermore, in the said 1st and 2nd embodiment, although the detection sensor 14 for the coin passage 12 and the detection sensor 70 for the coin dispensing port 11 were controlled by one sensor control part 15, it demonstrated. The detection sensor 14 for the coin passage 12 and the detection sensor 70 for the coin dispensing port 11 may be controlled by separate sensor control units.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, It can change variously based on the meaning of this invention, and does not exclude them from the scope of the present invention.

It is a schematic diagram of the electrode of the detection sensor in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the detection sensor which the conventional coin residual detection apparatus has. It is a figure which shows the automatic machine in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the coin residual detection part in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the coin channel | path in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the detection sensor in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a circuit diagram which shows the structure of the sensor control part in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the coin residual detection part in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a circuit diagram which shows the structure of the sensor control part in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Automatic machine 11 Coin dispensing port 12 Coin channel | paths 14, 70 Detection sensor 15 Sensor control part 15a 1st sensor control part 15b 2nd sensor control part 16 Sensor output determination part 21, 71 Transmission electrode 22, 72 Reception electrode

Claims (5)

(A) a detection sensor that is a capacitance-type non-contact sensor disposed in a coin passage connected to a coin dispensing port of an automatic machine;
(B) a sensor control unit that controls the operation of the detection sensor and outputs a detection signal corresponding to the output signal of the detection sensor;
(C) A coin residual detection device comprising: a sensor output determination unit that determines presence of coins remaining in the coin passage and presence of foreign matter in the coin passage based on the detection signal. The detection sensor includes a plurality of transmission electrodes and reception electrodes,
The dimensions and arrangement of the transmission electrode and the reception electrode are set so that the electromagnetic wave transmitted from the transmission electrode reaches the reception electrode via the coin regardless of the posture and position of the coin. Coin residue detection device. The dimensions and arrangement of the transmission electrode and the reception electrode are such that the sum of the width of the groove between the transmission electrode and the reception electrode and the width of the transmission electrode is less than the thickness of the coin, and the width of the groove The coin residual detection device according to claim 2, wherein the sum of the width of the receiving electrode and the width of the receiving electrode is set to be less than the thickness of the coin. The sensor output determination unit is configured to detect the coin path when the detection signal has the same magnitude as the detection signal when a coin that normally passes through the coin path is detected and continues for a longer time than the detection signal. The coin residual detection apparatus of any one of Claims 1-3 which determines presence of the coin which remains in the inside, and presence of the foreign material in the said coin channel | path. The detection sensor is also disposed in the coin dispensing port, and the sensor output determination unit includes the presence of coins remaining in the coin passage and the coin dispensing port, and the coin passage and the coin dispensing port. The coin residual detection apparatus of any one of Claims 1-4 which determines presence of a foreign material.

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