JP2018124682A - Coin identification device, coin processor and coin identification method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To identify a coin highly precisely using an inexpensive sensor.SOLUTION: A coin identification device for specifying a coin diameter to identifying a coin is provided with a conveyance path for conveying a coin, and a line sensor disposed in a state of having an angle against a direction perpendicular to a coin conveyance direction to image the coin during conveyance.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a coin identifying device for identifying a coin, a coin processing device including the coin identifying device, and a coin identifying method.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a coin discriminating device for identifying the denomination, authenticity, correctness, etc. of a coin has been used. For example, various devices, such as a change machine that processes coins, a change machine, and an ATM (automated teller machine), include a coin processing device that processes coins. In order to identify a coin in the coin processing device, The device is being used. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a coin identifying device that identifies a diameter and a center position of a coin using a captured image obtained by capturing the coin in order to identify the coin. The coin denomination of the coin is identified by comparing the coin image cut out from the captured image based on the specified coin diameter and coin center and the characteristics of the coin acquired from the coin image with the template image and feature information prepared in advance. .

JP, 2006-177561, A

  However, with the aim of further improving the accuracy of coin identification, there is a need for a technique for specifying the diameter of a coin with high accuracy. In the coin processing device, identification processing or the like is performed while conveying a plurality of coins one by one continuously at a high speed. For imaging of coins for identifying coins, a line sensor in which light receiving elements are arranged in a straight line, an area sensor in which light receiving elements are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix, or the like can be used. From the viewpoint of manufacturing cost, there is a demand for identifying a coin accurately by specifying a coin diameter or the like with high accuracy using an inexpensive sensor such as a line sensor.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a viewpoint, and an object thereof is to provide a coin identifying device, a coin processing device, and a coin identifying method capable of identifying a coin with high accuracy using an inexpensive sensor. .

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the present invention is a coin identifying device for identifying a coin, wherein an angle is defined with respect to a transport path for transporting coins and a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the coins. And a line sensor that images the coins being conveyed.

  Moreover, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned invention, an image obtained by imaging the entire coin is acquired by the line sensor.

  Moreover, this invention specifies the diameter of the said coin based on the position of the outer periphery part of the said coin detected using the said line sensor in the said invention.

  Moreover, this invention is a coin identification device which identifies a coin, Comprising: It comprises the conveyance path which conveys a coin, and two sensors containing the line sensor which images the coin in conveyance, These two sensors are the said, It is provided in a conveyance path and is arranged so that three or more points can be detected at the same time on the outer peripheral edge of the coin being conveyed.

  Moreover, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned invention, an image obtained by imaging the entire coin is acquired by the line sensor.

  Moreover, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the diameter of the coin is specified based on the position of the outer peripheral edge of the coin detected using the two sensors.

  In the invention described above, the present invention is characterized in that both of the two sensors are line sensors.

  Moreover, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned invention, the two line sensors are arranged at an angle with respect to a direction perpendicular to the coin conveying direction.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the two line sensors are in a parallel positional relationship.

  In the present invention, the two line sensors are different in length in the main scanning direction.

  Moreover, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the line data obtained by the two line sensors is synthesized to generate an image of the entire coin.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the diameter of the coin in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction is specified using an image obtained by imaging the coin.

  Moreover, this invention is a coin processing apparatus, Comprising: The coin identification device which concerns on the said invention is provided, The said coin is processed based on the identification result of the coin by the said coin identification device, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  Further, the present invention is a coin identifying method for identifying a denomination of a coin, and is arranged in a state in which an angle is formed with respect to a step of transporting a coin on a transport path and a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the coin. And a step of taking an image of the coins being conveyed by the line sensor.

  Further, the present invention is a coin identifying method for identifying a denomination of a coin, the step of transporting a coin on a transport path, and the outer periphery of the coin being transported using two sensors including a line sensor. And a step of simultaneously detecting three or more points.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the coin currently conveyed can be imaged with the line sensor arrange | positioned diagonally in the state which made the angle with respect to the direction perpendicular | vertical to the conveyance direction of a coin. As a result, the outer peripheral edge of the coin in the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction is clearly imaged, and the coin diameter is specified with high accuracy in the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction, which is not easily affected by fluctuations in the conveyance speed. Coins can be identified. In addition, by arranging the line sensors obliquely, it is possible to capture an image with a high resolution in a direction perpendicular to the coin conveyance direction, compared to the case where the line sensors are arranged perpendicular to the coin conveyance direction. Thereby, it is possible to accurately determine the presence / absence of fouling, scratches, chips, deformation, etc., and accurately identify the denomination, authenticity, correctness, etc. of the coin.

  Moreover, according to this invention, the outer periphery part of the coin currently conveying the conveyance path can be detected 3 points | pieces simultaneously using two sensors including a line sensor. Thereby, the coin can be identified by specifying the center position and diameter of the coin with high accuracy.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the appearance of a coin processing device and a POS register. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the coin processing device. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the coin identifying device. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining the conveyance of coins. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining a line sensor arranged in a direction perpendicular to the coin conveyance direction. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining the line sensor shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the internal configuration of the line sensor. FIG. 8 is a block diagram schematically showing the structure of the line sensor shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an example in which one line sensor is arranged in an oblique state with an angle with respect to a direction perpendicular to the coin conveyance direction. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example in which two line sensors having different lengths in the arrangement direction of the light receiving elements are arranged. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example in which a line sensor and a point sensor are used.

  Below, with reference to an accompanying drawing, a coin discriminating device concerning the present invention, a coin processing device using the coin discriminating device, and a coin discriminating method are explained. The technique according to the present invention makes it possible to capture an image with a higher resolution than before when an object being conveyed is imaged by a line sensor. For this reason, the technology according to the present invention captures an object using a line sensor while conveying the object such as currency such as coins and banknotes, valuable media such as medals and paper sheets used as a substitute for currency. It can be applied to various devices. In the present embodiment, the details will be described by taking a coin identifying device for identifying the denomination, true / false, correctness, etc. of a coin in a coin processing device used by connecting to a POS register at a store register.

  First, an outline of a coin processing device incorporating a coin identifying device will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a view showing the appearance of the coin processing device 100 and the POS register 200. The coin processing device 100 executes a coin deposit process and a withdrawal process. Although omitted in FIG. 1, the coin processing device 100 is connected to the POS register 200 together with the banknote processing device that executes banknote depositing and dispensing processing, and is used as a change machine. The POS register 200 is communicably connected to the store server, and transmits sales information and the like from the POS register 200 to the store server, and setting information and the like are transmitted from the store server to the POS register 200. .

  The coin processing device 100 includes a housing 112 and a main unit 114. The housing 112 has a box shape having an opening on the front surface. The main unit 114 is housed in the housing 112 from the front opening of the housing 112 with a part of the front surface exposed to the outside of the housing 112. The main unit 114 can be pulled out from the housing 112 to the front side. On the upper surface of the main unit 114 exposed outside the front surface of the housing 112, a coin insertion slot 116 for inserting coins to be deposited into the coin processing apparatus 100 is provided. An operation unit 118 for inputting various information such as instructions and settings, and a display unit 121 are provided on the upper surface of the main unit 114. The display unit 121 includes a liquid crystal display unit for displaying various types of information and an LED display unit for displaying the amount of coins stored by denomination. A coin dispensing port 122 for dispensing coins from the coin processing apparatus 100 and a coin ejection port 124 for discharging coins from the apparatus to the coin dispensing port 122 are provided at the lower right side of the front surface of the main unit 114. ing.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the coin processing apparatus 100. The main unit 114 of the coin processing apparatus 100 is provided with a feeding mechanism 131 for feeding coins inserted into the coin insertion slot 116 one by one into the apparatus. The feeding mechanism 131 provided below the coin insertion slot 116 has a receiving part 132 that receives the coins inserted into the coin insertion slot 116, and a feeding belt 134 that constitutes the bottom surface of the receiving part 132. The feeding belt 134 is composed of an endless flat belt, and conveys coins in the coin feeding direction from the right side to the left side in FIG. The width of the passage through which the coins are conveyed by the feeding belt 134 is restricted to a size that is larger than the largest diameter coin and smaller than the two smallest diameter coins among the coins processed by the coin processing apparatus 100. A reverse rotation roller 136 is provided on the downstream side of the receiving portion 132 in the conveying direction, with a gap allowing passage of one coin between the upper surface of the feeding belt 134. The reverse rotation roller 136 continuously rotates in the direction opposite to the coin feeding direction by the feeding belt 134 to align the coins fed by the feeding belt 134 in a one-layer one-row state.

  A guide member 138 is provided on the downstream side in the feeding direction of the reverse rotation roller 136. Coins fed from the receiving portion 132 by the feeding belt 134 and separated one by one by the reverse rotation roller 136 move along the guide member 138 onto the conveyance path 51 and are conveyed by the conveyance belt 52. The conveyor belt 52 is an endless belt that is stretched around a plurality of pulleys 142. A part of the pulley 142 is rotated by a driving unit such as a motor, and the conveyor belt 52 is driven to convey coins. A plurality of protrusions 53 for conveying coins on the conveyance path 51 are provided at equal intervals on the lower surface of the conveyance belt 52 facing the conveyance surface of the conveyance path 51 (see FIG. 4).

  An identification unit 80 is provided in the transport path 51. The discriminating unit 80 discriminates the denomination, authenticity, correctness, etc. of the coin based on the material, diameter, and image of the coin, the characteristics that appear in the image, and the like. A rejection unit 152 is provided on the downstream side of the identification unit 80 in the transport direction. Coins that cannot be identified by the identification unit 80, coins that are determined to be discharged from the apparatus based on the identification result, and the like are rejected from the reject unit 152 as reject coins. The reject coin is conveyed toward the front side of the apparatus by the conveyor belt 178 and returned from the coin discharge port 124 to the coin dispensing port 122.

  The main body unit 114 of the coin processing apparatus 100 is provided with a plurality of storage units 160 for storing coins by denomination. Coins that have been identified by the identification unit 80 to identify the denomination and the like and are stored in the storage unit 160 are transported through the transport path 51 provided above each storage unit 160 and stored in the corresponding storage unit 160. The A classification hole 158 for storing coins to be conveyed in each storage unit 160 is provided in the transport path 51 passing above each storage unit 160. One classification hole 158 is provided for each storage unit 160. By opening the classification hole 158 of the storage unit 160 that stores coins, the coins transported through the transport path 51 fall from the classification hole 158 and are stored in the storage unit 160.

  Coin detection sensors are arranged at a plurality of positions on the conveyance path 51. The position of the coin on the conveyance path 51 is detected by the coin detection sensor, and the identification unit 80 identifies and stores it in the storage unit 160.

  The main body unit 114 of the coin processing apparatus 100 is provided with a transport belt 178 for transporting coins fed out from the storage units 160 during the withdrawal process. The coins fed out one by one from each storage unit 160 are transported by the transport belt 178 and discharged from the coin discharge port 124 to the coin dispensing port 122.

  Next, the coin identifying device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining the coin identifying device 1. FIG. 3 shows a view of the sensor unit 2 of the coin identifying device 1 provided in the transport path 51 as viewed from above. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining the conveyance of the coins 7. FIG. 4 (a) shows a view of the coin 7 transported along the transport path 51 from above, FIG. 4 (b) shows a view of this coin 7 viewed from the side, and FIG. The figure which looked at this coin 7 from back is shown. In FIG. 3 and subsequent figures, the explanation will be made assuming that the transport surface of the transport path 51 forms an XY plane.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the sensor unit 2 of the coin identifying device 1 has two line sensors 10 (10a, 10b). The sensor unit 2 is provided in a conveyance path 51 in which the coin 7 is conveyed in the coin processing apparatus 100. Specifically, the sensor unit 2 is provided such that the upper surface forms the same plane as the transport surface of the transport path 51. As shown by the arrows in FIG. 3, the coins 7 conveyed through the conveyance path 51 pass through the upper surface of the sensor unit 2. A transparent glass plate is fitted on the upper surface of the sensor unit 2, and the coins 7 passing through the upper surface can be imaged from below by the line sensors 10a and 10b.

  Guides 51 a and 51 b that restrict the movement of the coins 7 are provided on both sides of the conveyance path 51 in the width direction (X-axis direction). Although omitted in FIG. 3, the coin 7 is transported by the transport belt 52. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, the coin 7 is transported while being pushed from behind by a protrusion 53 provided on the lower surface of the transport belt 52. Although only one coin 7 is shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of protrusions 53 are provided at a predetermined interval on the conveyor belt 52, and the plurality of coins 7 sequentially pass through the upper surface of the sensor unit 2. The coin identifying device 1 sequentially identifies a plurality of coins 7 passing through the sensor unit 2.

  The line sensor 10 (10a, 10b) shown in FIG. 3 includes a plurality of light receiving elements 30 (30a, 30b) arranged in a line in a straight line. The line sensor 10 is provided below the conveyance path 51 with the light receiving element 30 facing upward.

  In the coin identification device 1 according to the present embodiment, the two line sensors 10a and 10b have an angle with respect to a direction (X axis) perpendicular to the conveyance direction (Y axis positive direction) of the coin 7 on the XY plane. One feature is that it is provided in an oblique state. That is, the line sensor 10a is arranged so that the angle between the row direction of the light receiving elements 30a arranged in one row and the X axis is α1 (α1> 0), and the line sensor 10b is also arranged in one row. The light receiving elements 30b are arranged so that the angle between the column direction and the X axis is α2 (α2> 0). The arrangement angle of the line sensor 10 arranged obliquely with respect to the X-axis direction is not particularly limited. For example, the two line sensors 10a and 10b are arranged so as to form an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the X-axis direction ( α1 = 45 degrees, α2 = 45 degrees).

  In addition, the two line sensors 10 are in a state where a coin having the smallest diameter among a plurality of types of coins to be processed by the coin processing device 100 is shifted to one side in the width direction (X-axis direction) of the transport path 51. Even when passing through the sensor unit 2, the coin is disposed so that at least a part of the region passes through the line sensor 10 disposed on the other side. That is, it is arranged so that at least one point on the outer peripheral edge of the coin 7 can be imaged by the other line sensor 10 at the same timing when one line sensor 10 images two points on the outer peripheral edge of the coin 7. Yes. In other words, regardless of the type of coin 7, three or more outer peripheral edges of coin 7 can be imaged simultaneously using two line sensors 10.

  In addition, the two line sensors 10 have one light receiving element 30a of one line sensor 10a so that an image (reflection image) of the entire surface of the coin 7 can be obtained from line data obtained by scanning the coin 7 passing through the sensor unit 2. And a part of the light receiving element 30b of the other line sensor 10b are arranged so as to overlap each other in the X-axis direction. That is, for example, when the two line sensors 10a and 10b are viewed from the Y axis positive direction side, the light receiving element 30a at the right end of the line sensor 10a at the back side is more sensitive than the light receiving element 30b at the left end of the line sensor 10b at the front side. Is on the right side (X-axis positive direction side).

  FIG. 3 shows an example in which the front end in the transport direction (Y-axis positive direction) of the line sensor 10a is on the upstream side in the transport direction (Y-axis negative direction side) than the front end in the transport direction of the line sensor 10b. However, the conveyance direction front end of the line sensor 10a may be downstream in the conveyance direction from the conveyance direction front end of the line sensor 10b, or the position in the conveyance direction between the conveyance direction front end of the line sensor 10a and the line sensor 10b in the conveyance direction front end. May be arranged.

  The coin identification device 1 includes a control unit 40 and a storage unit 90 as shown in FIG. The control unit 40 has a function of controlling each unit of the coin identification device 1. The control unit 40 includes a conveyance information acquisition unit 50, a light source control unit 60, a coin data acquisition unit 70, and an identification unit 80. The storage unit 90 is a non-volatile storage device composed of a semiconductor memory or the like. Various types of information such as a program, setting data, and template data for identifying coins necessary for the operation of the coin identifying device 1 are stored in the storage unit 90 in advance.

  The conveyance information acquisition unit 50 acquires information such as the position of the coin 7 on the conveyance path 51 and the conveyance speed of the coin 7. A plurality of coin detection sensors are provided in the conveyance path 51 of the coin processing apparatus 100. The conveyance information acquisition part 50 recognizes the position of the coin 7 conveyed in the conveyance path 51 based on the detection result by a coin detection sensor. The coin processing apparatus 100 conveys the coin 7 while pressing the coin 7 by the protrusion 53 of the conveyance belt 52. The conveyance information acquisition unit 50 recognizes the conveyance speed of the coin 7 passing through the sensor unit 2 based on the driving information of the conveyance belt 52.

  The light source control unit 60 irradiates the coin 7 with light when the line sensor 10 images the coin 7 based on the information acquired by the conveyance information acquisition unit 50. The sensor unit 2 is provided with a light source that illuminates the coin surface so that the line sensor 10 can capture a clear image of the coin 7. The light source control unit 60 is based on the position of the coin 7 on the conveyance path 51 and the conveyance speed, and the timing at which the coin 7 passes the imaging position by the line sensor 10a and the timing at which the coin 7 passes the imaging position by the line sensor 10b. Recognize Then, the light source is turned on in synchronization with the timing at which the line sensor 10 images the coin 7, and the coin surface of the coin 7 passing through the upper surface of the sensor unit 2 is irradiated with light. The light source can be provided inside the line sensor 10 and will be described in detail later.

  The coin data acquisition unit 70 acquires data obtained by imaging the coin 7 with the line sensor 10 based on the information acquired by the conveyance information acquisition unit 50. The coin data acquisition unit 70, based on the position of the coin 7 on the transport path 51 and the transport speed, the timing at which the coin 7 passes the image capturing position by one line sensor 10a, and the coin 7 is imaged by the other line sensor 10b. Recognize the timing of passing the position. And the data which imaged the coin 7 which passes the sensor part 2 upper surface with the two line sensors 10a and 10b are acquired. Specifically, line data obtained by scanning the coins 7 passing above one line at a predetermined pitch is acquired by the two line sensors 10a and 10b.

  The coin data acquisition unit 70 acquires an image of the entire coin surface obtained by imaging the coin 7 passing through the upper surface of the sensor unit 2 from below. The positions of the line sensor 10a and the line sensor 10b in the sensor unit 2 are fixed. The coin data acquisition unit 70 synthesizes the line data acquired by one line sensor 10a and the line data acquired by the other line sensor 10b based on the positional relationship between the two line sensors 10a and 10b. An image including the entire seven coin faces is generated.

  Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, when the coin 7 passes through substantially the center in the width direction of the conveyance path 51 and the left line sensor 10 a cannot capture a partial region of the right end part of the coin 7. For this partial area, data captured by the right line sensor 10b is used. Thereby, the image which imaged the whole perfect circle coin surface can be generated.

  The coin data acquisition unit 70 has a function of specifying the center position and diameter of the coin 7. The coin data acquisition unit 70 captures the data of the coin 7 and acquires data at the timing when the three line sensors 10 a and 10 b can simultaneously image three or more of the outer peripheral edge portions (edges) of the coin 7. And the center position and diameter of the coin 7 which has a perfect circle shape are specified from the positional relationship of the three or more outer periphery parts imaged simultaneously.

  For example, the coin data acquisition unit 70 images the coin 7 that has reached the position 7a indicated by the broken line in FIG. 3, and from the line data of the line sensors 10a and 10b, points P1, P2 indicating the outer peripheral edge of the coin 7 and The three positions of P3 are detected. In addition, the position 7a of a broken line is between two outer peripheral edge parts (P2, P3) which one line sensor 10b images one or more outer peripheral edge parts (P1) and the other line sensor 10a images. This distance is a position that is a predetermined distance or more away.

  The coin data acquisition unit 70 sets the intersection of the perpendicular bisectors of the points P1 and P2 and the perpendicular bisectors of the points P2 and P3 on the XY plane where the points P1 to P3 exist. As specified. And the diameter of the coin 7 is specified by making the distance from this center position into the points P1-P3 a radius. Also, the coin data acquisition unit 70 uses the information on the center position obtained at this time to determine which pixel of which line and what number on the image obtained by synthesizing the line data obtained by the two line sensors 10a, 10b. Whether the center position of the coin 7 is specified.

  The coin data acquisition unit 70 has a function of correcting an image obtained by capturing the coin 7. In some cases, the conveyance speed of the coins 7 fluctuates, and on the image captured by the line sensor 10, a perfect circle coin has an elliptical shape that is long in the Y-axis direction or a short elliptical shape in the Y-axis direction. In such a case, the coin data acquisition unit 70 corrects the image based on the identified diameter so that the coin on the image has a perfect circle shape.

  The identification unit 80 identifies the denomination and the like of the coin 7 using the center position, diameter, and captured image of the coin 7 obtained by the coin data acquisition unit 70. For example, when the coin diameter varies depending on the denomination, the identification unit 80 identifies the denomination of the coin 7 based on the coin diameter. Further, for example, the identification unit 80 cuts out a coin part from the image generated by the coin data acquisition unit 70 based on the center position and the diameter of the coin 7 to obtain a coin image. Then, the denomination of the coin 7 is identified from the degree of similarity between the denomination and the coin image of each denomination stored in the storage unit 90 in advance. Further, for example, the identification unit 80 compares the feature acquired from the coin image with the feature of each denomination coin stored in the storage unit 90 and identifies the denomination of the coin 7 based on the similarity between the features. To do. The sensor unit 2 may be provided with a magnetic sensor for detecting the material of the coin 7, and the material information of the coin 7 obtained by the magnetic sensor may be used for identifying the coin 7. If the coin 7 is identified based on the diameter, the coin image, and the material, the coin can be identified with higher accuracy.

  The two line sensors 10a and 10b are arranged on the XY plane in an oblique state with an angle with respect to the X-axis direction perpendicular to the coin 7 conveyance direction. Thereby, using the sensor part 2 including the two line sensors 10a and 10b, the outer peripheral edge part of at least three or more coins 7 is imaged at the same timing, and the center position and the coin diameter of the coin 7 are specified. Can do. Further, by disposing the two line sensors 10a and 10b obliquely with respect to the X-axis direction, the resolution of the obtained image can be increased as compared with the case where the line sensor 10 is disposed in parallel with the X-axis. it can. For example, if the line sensor 10 is arranged at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the X-axis direction, the resolution in the X-axis direction is about 1.4 times that in the case where the line sensor 10 is arranged parallel to the X-axis direction. Become.

  The method of specifying the coin diameter is not limited to the method of using the position of the outer peripheral edge imaged at the same timing, and the coin diameter is specified using the image obtained by imaging the coin 7 as in the prior art. May be. If the sensor unit 2 according to this embodiment is used, the coin diameter can be specified with high accuracy even when the captured image is used. Details will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining the line sensor 110 arranged in the direction (X-axis direction) perpendicular to the conveyance direction (Y-axis positive direction) of the coins 7. The line sensor 110 is arranged so that the arrangement direction of the light receiving elements 130 arranged in one row is parallel to the X axis. FIG. 5A shows a view of the coin 7 passing above the line sensor 110 from above, and FIGS. 5B and 5C show a view of the coin 7 viewed from the side. . FIG. 5D shows an image 400 of the coin 7 captured by the line sensor 110. The image 400 is a reflection image obtained by light reflected by the coin surface of the coin 7.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the line sensor 110 includes a light receiving element 130 (130a to 130c) arranged in a line in the X-axis direction and a light source 120 (120a) provided corresponding to each light receiving element 130. ~ 120c). The coin 7 passes above the line sensor 110. The line sensor 110 irradiates the coin 7 passing above with light from the light source 120 and receives light reflected by the coin surface by the light receiving element 130, thereby acquiring line data one line at a time from the front end in the transport direction. .

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the light receiving element 130b on the lower side of the coin 7 receives the light irradiated from the light source 120b and reflected on the coin surface as shown in FIG. 5B. In contrast, at the position of the outer peripheral edge portion 300a in the X-axis direction of the coin 7 shown in FIG. 5A, a part of the light emitted from the light source 120a is reflected by the coin 7 as shown in FIG. Instead, it will fall behind the coin 7. For this reason, sufficient reflected light cannot be received by the light receiving element 130a. Similarly, even at the position of the outer peripheral edge portion 300b in the X-axis direction shown in FIG. 5A, part of the light emitted from the light source 120c is not reflected on the coin surface, and the light receiving element 130c can receive sufficient reflected light. Can not. As a result, in the image 400 generated from the line data obtained by the line sensor 110, only the partial area 401 shown in FIG. 5D is darker than the other areas, and a part of both ends of the coin 7 in the X-axis direction is dark. The image is missing.

  Although the outer peripheral edge of the coin 7 in the conveyance direction (Y-axis positive direction) can be clearly imaged, it is easily affected by fluctuations in the conveyance speed of the coin 7. For this reason, a coin that should be a perfect circle may have an elliptical shape that is long in the Y-axis direction or a short elliptical shape in the Y-axis direction on the image 400. When the diameter is specified using the image 400, it is preferable to specify the diameter in the X-axis direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction in order to avoid the influence of fluctuations in the conveyance speed. If the region 401 is missing, the diameter may not be specified with high accuracy. According to the sensor unit 2 according to the present embodiment, such a situation can be avoided.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining the line sensor 10 shown in FIG. FIG. 6A shows the coin 7 passing above the line sensor 10 as viewed from above. FIG. 6B shows an image 410 of the coin 7 captured by the line sensor 10. The image 410 is a reflection image obtained by light reflected by the coin surface of the coin 7. Each line sensor 10 includes light receiving elements 30 arranged in a row and a light source 20 provided corresponding to each light receiving element 30.

  In the sensor unit 2 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6A, the two line sensors 10 are arranged obliquely so as to form an angle with respect to the X-axis direction perpendicular to the transport direction. For this reason, at the position where the outer peripheral edge portions 301a and 301b in the X-axis direction pass, the light emitted from the light source 20 is reflected by the coin surface of the coin 7, and the light receiving element 30 can receive sufficient light.

  Even when the line sensor 10 is arranged as shown in FIG. 6A, the outer peripheral edge in the direction parallel to the arrangement direction of the light receiving elements 30 is irradiated from the light source 20 similarly to the case shown in FIG. A part of the emitted light passes behind the coin 7 and the light receiving element 30 cannot receive sufficient reflected light. For this reason, the image 410 generated from the line sensor 10 arranged obliquely with respect to the X-axis direction has a partial region 411 at the outer peripheral edge in the oblique direction with respect to the X-axis direction, as shown in FIG. The image is darker than the other regions, and a part of the coin 7 is missing.

  The image 410 obtained by using the line sensor 10 arranged obliquely includes a dark partial region 411 in part, but is an image obtained by clearly capturing the outer peripheral edge in the X-axis direction perpendicular to the transport direction. Therefore, using this image 410, the diameter in the X-axis direction can be specified with high accuracy without being affected by fluctuations in the conveyance speed.

  Next, an example of the structure of the line sensor 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, in the sensor unit 2, the line sensor 10 is arranged in an oblique state with an angle with respect to the X-axis direction. For this reason, in FIG.7 and FIG.8, a coordinate axis is not shown but the conveyance direction of the coin 7 is shown by the arrow so that the relationship with the conveyance direction of the coin 7 can be understood.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the internal configuration of the line sensor 10. The diagram on the left side of FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of the light receiving elements 30 arranged in a line in a straight line as seen from the arrangement direction, and the diagram on the right side shows a schematic diagram seen from a direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction. The line sensor 10 has a sensor case 41 made of black resin, and a glass plate 42 made of sapphire glass is fitted on the upper surface of the sensor case 41. In the sensor unit 2, the line sensor 10 is arranged such that the upper surface of the sensor case 41 and the glass plate 42 form the same plane as the transport surface of the transport path 51.

  On the substrate 31 in the sensor case 41, a plurality of light receiving elements 30 are linearly arranged in one row. Further, two rod-shaped light guides 22 are provided in the sensor case 41, and the LEDs 21 are provided facing the end surfaces of the respective light guides 22. When the LED 21 is turned on and light is incident in the axial direction from the end surface of the light guide 22, the light is emitted from the side surface of the light guide 22 toward the glass plate 42, and the coin 7 on the glass plate 42 is irradiated with light. be able to. The LED 21 and the light guide 22 function as the light source 20.

  Between the two light guides 22, a lens array 32 such as an SLA (Selfoc Lens Array) that receives reflected light from the coin 7 passing through the upper surface of the glass plate 42 and guides it to the light receiving element 30 is provided. In order to prevent the light receiving element 30 from directly receiving light leaking from the light guide 22, a light shielding plate 33 is provided between the light guide 22, the lens array 32, and the light receiving element 30.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram schematically showing the structure of the line sensor 10 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the sensor unit 2 includes two line sensors 10a and 10b, but the two line sensors 10a and 10b have the same structure. For simplicity of explanation, only one line sensor 10 is shown in FIG. FIG. 8 shows an example in which the light source control unit 60 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the coin 7 is conveyed on the upper surface of the sensor unit 2 that forms the same plane as the conveyance path 51, that is, the upper surface of the sensor case 41 and the glass plate 42 of the line sensor 10. The light source control unit 60 provided on the substrate 31 turns on the LED 21, enters light into the light guide 22, and irradiates light from the light guide 22 toward the coin 7. As indicated by broken line arrows in FIG. 8, the light emitted from the light source 20 is reflected by the lower coin surface of the coin 7 and enters the lens array 32. The light receiving element 30 receives light emitted from the lens array 32. The light receiving element 30 outputs an analog signal according to the intensity of the received light. On the substrate 31, a signal processing unit 71 such as AFE (Analog Front End) that adjusts the offset and gain of the analog signal output from the light receiving element 30 and converts the analog signal into a digital signal is provided. An input signal for notifying the light source control unit 60 of the conveyance timing of the coin 7 and an output signal from the light receiving element 30 obtained by the signal processing unit 71 are exchanged with the outside through the connector 43 on the substrate 31.

  The structure of the line sensor 10 shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 is an example, and the light source 20 is not limited to the mode using the light guide 22. As shown in FIG. A mode in which the coins 7 are irradiated with light may be arranged in a line in a straight line parallel to the arrangement direction. Moreover, the light source 20 is not limited to the aspect provided in two places with respect to the light receiving element 30 on the upstream side and the downstream side in the transport direction, and may be provided in any one of them.

  Next, different arrangement examples of the line sensors 10 (10c to 10o) in the sensor unit 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. In order to simplify the description, FIGS. 9 to 11 show the arrangement position of the line sensor 10 with respect to the conveyance path 51 as viewed from above. Since a part of the line sensor 10 is hidden under the coin 7 when viewed from above, the position of the coin 7 is indicated by a broken line in FIGS.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an example in which one line sensor 10c is arranged in an oblique state with an angle with respect to a direction (X-axis direction) perpendicular to the coin 7 conveyance direction. The line sensor 10 c is arranged in a state where the light receiving elements 30 at both ends are on both outer sides beyond the width direction of the transport path 51. Thereby, the whole surface of the coin 7 conveyed by the conveyance path 51 can be imaged by the line sensor 10c. As described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, if the line sensor 10c is disposed obliquely with respect to the X-axis direction, the outer peripheral edges 302a and 302b of the coin 7 in the X-axis direction shown in FIG. A captured image can be acquired. Thereby, the diameter of the coin 7 can be specified with high accuracy. Further, by disposing the line sensor 10c obliquely with respect to the X-axis direction, it is possible to increase the resolution of the obtained image as compared with the case where the line sensor 10c is disposed in parallel with the X-axis. For example, if the line sensor 10c is arranged at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the X-axis direction, the resolution in the X-axis direction is about 1.4 times that in the case where the line sensor 10c is arranged parallel to the X-axis direction. Become.

  FIG.10 and FIG.11 is a figure which shows the example which can image three or more points in the outer periphery part of the coin 7 at the same timing. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example in which two line sensors 10 having different lengths in the arrangement direction of the light receiving elements 30 are arranged. That is, in this example, two line sensors having different lengths in the main scanning direction are used. Note that the two line sensors 10 can simultaneously detect three or more outer peripheral edge portions of the coin 7 using the two line sensors 10 even when the coin 7 is conveyed in any position in the width direction of the conveyance path 51. Placed in position.

  FIG. 10A shows a line sensor 10d in which the line sensor 10e is disposed in an oblique state with an angle with respect to the X-axis direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the coins 7, and the length of the line sensor 10d is shorter than the line sensor 10e. Is a diagram showing an example in which an angle is formed with respect to the X-axis direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the coins 7 and is not parallel to the line sensor 10e. For example, one line sensor 10e is arranged in a state of forming an angle of 45 degrees with the X axis. Then, the other line sensor 10e is arranged in a state of forming an angle of 135 degrees with the X axis, that is, in a state of forming an angle of 90 degrees with the line sensor 10e. The line sensor 10 d and the line sensor 10 e are arranged so that an image of the entire surface of the coin 7 can be obtained from line data obtained by scanning the coin 7 passing through the sensor unit 2. Specifically, the two line sensors 10e and 10f are arranged in such a positional relationship that a part of the light receiving element 30 of the line sensor 10d and a part of the light receiving element 30 of the line sensor 10e overlap in the X-axis direction. Has been. By arranging two line sensors 10d and 10e as shown in FIG. 10 (a), the outer peripheral edge three points 303a to 303c of the coin 7 are imaged simultaneously, and the diameter of the coin 7 is specified with high accuracy. Can do.

  FIG. 10B shows a line sensor 10f in which the line sensor 10g is arranged in an oblique state with an angle with respect to the X-axis direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the coins 7, and the length is shorter than the line sensor 10g. It is a figure which shows the example which has arrange | positioned in parallel with the line sensor 10g. For example, the line sensors 10f and 10g are arranged at an angle of 45 degrees with the X axis. The line sensor 10f and the line sensor 10g include a part of the light receiving element 30 of the line sensor 10f and the line sensor so that an image of the entire surface of the coin 7 can be obtained from line data obtained by scanning the coin 7 passing through the sensor unit 2. A part of 10 g of the light receiving element 30 is arranged so as to overlap in the X-axis direction. By arranging the two line sensors 10f and 10g as shown in FIG. 10B, the outer peripheral edge three points 304a to 304c of the coin 7 are simultaneously imaged and the diameter of the coin 7 is specified with high accuracy. Can do.

  FIG. 10 (c) shows a line sensor 10h in which the line sensor 10i is arranged in an oblique state with an angle with respect to the X-axis direction perpendicular to the coin 7 transport direction, and the length of the line sensor 10h is shorter than the line sensor 10i. It is a figure which shows the example which has arrange | positioned in parallel with the X-axis direction. For example, the line sensor 10i is arranged at an angle of 45 degrees with the X axis. The line sensor 10 h and the line sensor 10 i include a part of the light receiving element 30 of the line sensor 10 f and the line sensor so that an image of the entire surface of the coin 7 can be obtained from line data obtained by scanning the coin 7 passing through the sensor unit 2. A part of 10 g of the light receiving element 30 is arranged so as to overlap in the X-axis direction. By arranging two line sensors 10h and 10i as shown in FIG. 10 (c), the outer peripheral edge three points 305a to 305c of the coin 7 are simultaneously imaged, and the diameter of the coin 7 is specified with high accuracy. Can do.

  In FIG. 10D, the line sensor 10k is arranged in parallel to the X-axis direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the coins 7, and the line sensor 10j having a shorter length than the line sensor 10k is similarly replaced with the X-axis. It is a figure which shows the example arrange | positioned in parallel with the direction. The line sensor 10j and the line sensor 10k include a part of the light receiving element 30 of the line sensor 10j and the line sensor so that an image of the entire surface of the coin 7 can be obtained from line data obtained by scanning the coin 7 passing through the sensor unit 2. A part of the 10 k light receiving elements 30 is arranged in a positional relationship overlapping in the X-axis direction. By arranging two line sensors 10j and 10k as shown in FIG. 10 (d), the outer peripheral edge three points 306a to 306c of the coin 7 are simultaneously imaged, and the diameter of the coin 7 is specified with high accuracy. Can do.

  FIG. 10E shows that the line sensor 10m is arranged in parallel to the X-axis direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the coins 7, and the line sensor 10l having a shorter length than the line sensor 10m is similarly connected to the X-axis. It is a figure which shows the example arrange | positioned in parallel with the direction. The line sensor 10 m is arranged in a state in which the light receiving elements 30 at both ends are on both outer sides beyond the width direction of the transport path 51. Thereby, the whole surface of the coin 7 conveyed by the conveyance path 51 can be imaged by the line sensor 10m. As shown in FIG. 10 (e), by arranging two line sensors 10l and 10m, the outer peripheral edge three points 307a to 307c of the coin 7 are simultaneously imaged, and the diameter of the coin 7 is specified with high accuracy. Can do.

  FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example in which the line sensor 10 and the point sensor 11 are used. FIG. 11A shows an example in which a line sensor 10n capable of imaging the entire surface of the coin 7 conveyed along the conveyance path 51 is arranged in parallel with the X-axis direction perpendicular to the coin 7 conveyance direction. In FIG. 11B, the line sensor 10o capable of imaging the entire surface of the coin 7 transported through the transport path 51 is arranged in an oblique state with an angle with respect to the X-axis direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the coin 7. An example is shown.

  Here, the point sensor 11 is a sensor that detects the presence or absence of the coin 7 at one point on the conveyance path 51. For example, one of the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit for projecting and receiving the detection light is disposed below the transport surface of the transport path 51, and the other is disposed above the coin 7 of the transport path 51 and used as the point sensor 11. To do. In a state where there is no coin 7 in the transport path 51, the detection light is projected and received between the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit. When the coin 7 that has been transported through the transport path 51 reaches the position of the point sensor 11, the detection light is blocked and the light is blocked. And when the coin 7 finishes passing the position of the point sensor 11, it will return to a permeation | transmission state again.

  Note that the point sensor 11 is disposed at a position where the outer peripheral edge of the coin 7 can be detected regardless of the position in the width direction of the transport path 51 where the coin 7 is transported. Moreover, the point sensor 11 becomes a position where the distance between the two outer peripheral edge portions (308b and 308c, 309a and 309c) detected by the line sensors 10n and 10o is not less than a predetermined distance regardless of the type of the coin 7. Are arranged as follows.

  By arranging the line sensor 10 and the point sensor 11 as shown in FIG. 11A, it is possible to simultaneously detect the three outer peripheral edge portions 308a to 308c of the coin 7. Similarly, when the line sensor 10o and the point sensor 11 are arranged as shown in FIG. 11B, the three outer peripheral edge portions 309a to 309c of the coin 7 can be detected simultaneously. Thereby, the diameter of the coin 7 can be specified with high accuracy.

  In the present embodiment, a plurality of sensor arrangement examples are shown, but the arrangement of each sensor is not limited to these examples. For example, the arrangement of the sensors shown in FIGS. 3 and 9 to 11 may be a positional relationship reversed with respect to the X axis, a positional relationship reversed with respect to the Y axis, or around the Z axis. The positional relationship may be 180 degrees rotated. Further, if an image of the entire surface of the coin 7 can be acquired, the line sensor 10 has a light-receiving element 30 arrangement direction in an oblique state with an angle with respect to the X-axis direction perpendicular to the coin 7 conveyance direction. The angle at the time of arrangement is not particularly limited.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, although the line sensor 10 was arrange | positioned under the conveyance path 51 and the example which images the reflected image of the coin 7 from the downward direction was shown, arrangement | positioning of the line sensor 10 is not limited to this. Absent. The line sensor 10 may be arranged above the conveyance path 51 so that a reflected image of an object conveyed on the conveyance path 51 is picked up from above.

  As described above, according to the sensor unit 2 according to the present embodiment, the coin identifying device 1 using the sensor unit 2, and the coin processing device 100 using the coin identifying device 1, an inexpensive line sensor 10 or While using the point sensor 11, three or more outer peripheral edge portions of the coin 7 conveyed along the conveyance path 51 can be detected at the same time, and the diameter and center position of the coin 7 can be specified with high accuracy.

  Further, the line sensor 10 is arranged in an oblique state with an angle with respect to a direction perpendicular to the coin 7 conveyance direction, and an image obtained by clearly capturing the outer peripheral edge in the direction perpendicular to the coin 7 conveyance direction. And the diameter of the coin 7 can be specified with high accuracy. Further, by arranging the line sensor 10 obliquely, it is possible to obtain an image with a higher resolution than in the case where the line sensor 10 is arranged perpendicular to the coin 7 conveyance direction. Thereby, it is possible to accurately determine whether the coin 7 is soiled, scratched, chipped, deformed, or the like. Then, processing such as coin identification based on the characteristics obtained from the image of the coin 7, coin identification performed based on the similarity between the image of the coin 7 and the coin image prepared in advance, and the like, Thus, it is possible to identify the accuracy and the like with high accuracy.

  As described above, the coin identifying device, the coin processing device, and the coin identifying method according to the present invention are useful for identifying coins with high accuracy by using an inexpensive sensor.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Coin identification apparatus 2 Sensor part 10, 110 Line sensor 11 Point sensor 20, 120 Light source 30, 130 Light receiving element 31 Board | substrate 32 Lens array 33 Light-shielding plate 40 Control part 50 Conveyance information acquisition part 51 Conveyance path 60 Light source control part 70 Coin data Acquisition unit 80 Identification unit 90 Storage unit 100 Coin processing device 114 Main unit 116 Coin slot 118 Operation unit 121 Display unit 122 Coin dispensing port 124 Coin discharge port 132 Receiving unit 152 Rejecting unit 160 Storage unit 200 POS register

Claims (15)

A coin identification device for identifying a coin,
A transport path for transporting coins;
A coin discriminating apparatus, comprising: a line sensor that is arranged at an angle with respect to a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the coins are conveyed, and that images the coins being conveyed.   The coin identification device according to claim 1, wherein an image obtained by imaging the entire coin is acquired by the line sensor.   3. The coin identifying device according to claim 1, wherein a diameter of the coin is specified based on a position of an outer peripheral edge portion of the coin detected using the line sensor. A coin identification device for identifying a coin,
A transport path for transporting coins;
Two sensors including a line sensor that images the coins being conveyed,
The two sensors are provided in the transport path, and are arranged so that three or more outer peripheral edges of the coins being transported can be detected simultaneously.   The coin identification device according to claim 4, wherein an image obtained by imaging the entire coin is acquired by the line sensor.   The coin identifying apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein a diameter of the coin is specified based on a position of an outer peripheral edge portion of the coin detected using the two sensors.   The coin identification device according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein both of the two sensors are line sensors.   8. The coin identifying device according to claim 7, wherein the two line sensors are arranged at an angle with respect to a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the coins are conveyed.   The coin identifying apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the two line sensors are in a parallel positional relationship.   The coin identification device according to claim 7, wherein the two line sensors have different lengths in the main scanning direction.   The coin identification device according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein an image obtained by capturing the entire coin is generated by combining line data obtained by the two line sensors.   The coin identification device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein a diameter of the coin in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction is specified using an image obtained by imaging the coin. A coin identification device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising:
The coin processing apparatus, wherein the coin is processed based on a coin identification result by the coin identifying apparatus. A coin identifying method for identifying a denomination of a coin,
A process of transporting coins on a transport path;
And a step of imaging a coin being conveyed by a line sensor arranged at an angle with respect to a direction perpendicular to the coin conveying direction. A coin identifying method for identifying a denomination of a coin,
A process of transporting coins on a transport path;
And a step of simultaneously detecting three or more outer peripheral edges of the coin being conveyed using two sensors including a line sensor.

Images