JP2928650B2 - Coin measuring device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a coin measuring device for discriminating coin types in a coin processor for sorting coins such as coins or medals for each type.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, for example , in a coin processing machine that sorts coins by type, the type of coins is determined by measuring the diameter of the coins, and the coins are classified by type based on the determination result. It is to be sorted out.

In such coin processing machines, when measuring the diameter of a coin, a method of optically measuring the diameter of the coin is generally used. This measuring method is a method of measuring a shadow of light blocked by a coin using a photoelectric conversion element.

However, in a method of optically measuring the diameter of a coin, for example , a tape or the like is wound around the outer periphery of the coin,
For counterfeit coins whose coin diameter is matched to the regular one,
There is a problem that the coin diameter is determined as an increased diameter, and an accurate determination cannot be obtained.

To solve such a problem, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 57-35510, an attempt is made to obtain a count value relating to the diameter of a coin using two magnetic sensors. A way to do that has been proposed.

[0006]

However, the method for magnetically measuring the diameter of a coin has the following problems. That is, in general, the magnetic sensor has a large variation in the output voltage due to the degree of scratches on the coin, the pattern on the front and back of the coin, the displacement between the magnetic sensor and the coin in the transport system, and the like. Accordingly, obtaining a count value relating to the diameter of a coin using two combinations of such magnetic sensors results in even greater variation and makes accurate measurement impossible.

Further, for example , when a hole of a 50-yen coin is filled with solder or the like, and a forged coin whose outer dimensions are combined with a 100-yen coin is mixed, the materials of the 100-yen coin and the 50-yen coin are very different. Since they are similar to each other, it is not possible to determine them only with a magnetic sensor.

Therefore, the present invention has a very small influence of variations due to the transfer conditions and coin conditions, and can discriminate the type more accurately than in the past, and can accurately discriminate a counterfeit coin having the same diameter. An object of the present invention is to provide a coin measuring device.

[0009]

According to the present invention, there is provided a coin measuring device comprising: a magnetic sensor disposed along a conveying means for conveying a coin to be measured; And the coins to be conveyed
Optical diameter measuring means for optically measuring the diameter of the coin by sequentially scanning the light-shielding amount of the coin , and an output value of the magnetic sensor when the optical diameter measuring means measures a predetermined light-shielding amount. Determining means for determining the type of the coin.

[0010]

The optical diameter measuring means can measure the physical diameter of the coin on the photoelectric conversion element as a shadow of the coin. By detecting an output value of the magnetic sensor when the optical diameter measuring means measures a predetermined light shielding amount , a value relating to the material of the coin is obtained. Since both the magnetic sensor and the optical diameter measuring means are arranged at a predetermined distance, the output value of the magnetic sensor when the optical diameter measuring means measures a predetermined light shielding amount is the coin diameter. Consider
It can be measured as the value of the material obtained.

[0011]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0012] Figures 2 and 3, for example, shows a construction of a hard 貨測 tough provided to the transport path of the coin processor. That is, the coins 1 fed one by one from a coin feeding unit (not shown) are guided on the transport path 2 and are transported by the transport belt 3.
As a result, the sheet is conveyed in the direction indicated by the arrow while pressing the central portion onto the conveying path 2. A magnetic sensor 4 for magnetically detecting the material of the coin 1 is provided in the middle of the transport path 2 in the width direction thereof.

A slit 5 longer than the maximum diameter of the coin 1 is provided in front of the magnetic sensor 4 in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the coin 1 is conveyed. A diameter measuring sensor 6 is provided for performing the measurement. The diameter measuring sensor 6 includes, for example, a slit 5
A rod-shaped light source (light emitting diode array) 7 provided on the lower side of the transport path 2 opposed to the lens, a rod-shaped lens 8 provided on the upper side of the transport path 2 opposed to the slit 5, and a CCD type line sensor 9. The light source 7 is held by a holder 10a, and the rod-shaped lens 8 and the line sensor 9 are held by a holder 10b. With such a configuration, the light from the light source 7 passes through the slit 5, the portion of the coin 1 is shielded, and the rod-shaped lens 8 forms a shadow of the coin 1 on the light receiving surface of the line sensor 9.

The distance between the magnetic sensor 4 and the diameter measuring sensor 6 is set to a value close enough to obtain a magnetic signal and an optical signal even with a coin having the smallest diameter.

[0015] Figure 4 shows a configuration of a magnetic sensor 4. That is, the center portion of the cylindrical core 11 made of ferrite is also made of ferrite, and has a cylindrical shape like the cross-sectional shape shown in FIG.
A cylindrical core 12 having circular annular flanges 12a to 12d is disposed at a location, and the flange 12a of the cylindrical core 12 is provided.
The coin 1 is conveyed above. The center of the cylindrical core 12 (between the flanges 12b and 12c) is
The next coil 13 is wound, and its upper and lower portions (the flange portion 12a,
Secondary coils 14 and 15 are wound between (12b and 12c and 12d), respectively. The primary coil 13 is connected to an oscillator 14, and the secondary coils 14, 15 are connected in series with opposite polarities so that the output is "0" in a normal state, and an output voltage (difference voltage) is supplied from both ends. Is to occur. That is, it is a generally known differential transformer type magnetic sensor.

FIG. 1 shows an electric circuit of, for example, a coin measuring device according to the present invention. That is, the line sensor 9 is scanned and driven by the drive circuit 21. Drive circuit 2
1 obtains a clock pulse required to drive the line sensor 9 by dividing the frequency of the clock pulse output from the oscillator 22. The output signal of the line sensor 9 is shaped into a waveform of an appropriate level by a waveform shaping circuit 23 and is supplied to a first gate circuit 24. The first gate circuit 24 outputs the clock pulse from the oscillator 22 to the clock of the first counter 25 when the output signal of the waveform shaping circuit 23 is at a high level and the first counter 25 is not counting up. It is configured to input to the terminal.

The output of the first counter 25 is supplied to a constant value detection circuit 26. When the first counter 25 counts up to a constant value and counts up, the constant value detection circuit 26 detects this and outputs a signal to a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 27. The output of the first counter 25 is input to the clock terminal of the second counter 29 via the second gate circuit 28.
The second gate circuit 28 is configured to input a clock pulse from the oscillator 22 to the second counter 29 when the first counter 25 counts up.
Then, the count value of the second counter 29 is
7 is constantly monitored. Note that the first counter 25 is reset when the output signal of the waveform shaping circuit 23 falls.

The light amount feedback circuit 30 is a circuit for giving an appropriate light amount to the line sensor 9. In general, a line sensor cannot obtain an accurate image when the light amount is large. Therefore, by controlling the light amount of the light source 7 in accordance with the output signal of the line sensor 9, the light amount to the line sensor 9 is controlled to an appropriate value.

Further, the output voltage of the magnetic sensor 4 (the difference between the voltage of the secondary coil 14, 15) is amplified by the amplifier 31 is rectified by the rectifier circuit 32, further, Russia - DC voltage of through-pass filter 33 Is done. The DC voltage is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 34, and the digital signal is input to the CPU 27.

Next, the operation in such a configuration will be described. The coin 1 to be conveyed first passes through the magnetic sensor 4 and then passes through the diameter measuring sensor 6. For convenience of explanation, the coin 1 is first optically used by using the diameter measuring sensor 6.
The processing operation for measuring the diameter of the object will be described. Line sensor 9
Is assumed to use, for example , TD133D manufactured by Toshiba Corporation. The line sensor 9 captures one run of data between T1 and T2 as shown in FIG.
SH signal in FIG. 5 (a) is a signal for transferring the full O preparative sensor <br/> service charges of the line sensor 9 to the shift register, then, after an 64 clock pulses disabled section, the image A signal is output. This output signal is shown in FIG.

The output signal of the line sensor 9 is shaped by the waveform shaping circuit 23 with the threshold voltage V1 to obtain a signal as shown in FIG.
This signal is supplied to the first gate circuit 24 and masks, for example , the one pixel transfer rate (2 MHz) of the line sensor 9. When the signal in FIG. 5C is at a high level and the first counter 25 has not counted up (when the output of the first counter 25 is at a high level),
The 2 MHz clock pulse is generated from the first gate circuit 24.

That is, the gate of the first gate circuit 24 is opened at the hatched portion (shaded portion by the coin 1) in FIG. 5C, and the first counter 25 starts the counting operation. Then, the constant value detection circuit 26 sets the first counter 2
5 is detected to have reached a constant value (for example, 100H in hexadecimal).
7, a constant value detection signal is output.

When the first counter 25 reaches a constant value and counts up, the output of the first counter 25 goes low, the gate of the first gate circuit 24 closes, and the gate of the second gate circuit 28 The gate is opened, and the second counter 29 starts counting. Note that the count value of the second counter 29 indicates the shadow of the coin 1.
It is configured large enough to all counts.

When receiving the constant value detection signal from the constant value detection circuit 26, the CPU 27 monitors the count content of the second counter 29.

On the other hand, the magnetic sensor 4
When passing over it, a substantially trapezoidal waveform difference voltage is generated as shown in FIG. 6B according to the material (kind) of the coin 1. Here, since the 5-yen coin and the 50-yen coin are coins having a hole in the center, the trapezoidal waveform voltage also reflects the shape. The trapezoidal waveform voltage shown in FIG. 6B is obtained by amplifying the output voltage of the magnetic sensor 4 with the amplifier 31.
This is after rectification by the rectification circuit 32 and passing through the low-pass filter 33. FIG. 6A shows a state in which the coin 1 is conveyed to the magnetic sensor 4 and the diameter measuring sensor 6, and the output voltage of the magnetic sensor 4 at that time is shown in FIG. 6B.

The output voltage of the magnetic sensor 4 thus generated, that is, the output voltage of the low-pass filter 33 is
The signal is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 34,
It is input to U27. The CPU 27 monitors the count content of the second counter 29 as described above.
When the count value of the counter 29 becomes constant ( coin 1)
Is a fixed position with respect to the diameter measuring sensor 6 , that is, the diameter
When the measurement sensor 6 measures a predetermined light blocking amount ), the magnitude of the output of the magnetic sensor 4 at that time is measured (counted). This situation is shown in FIG. Thereby, coin 1
The CPU 27 obtains the measured values K1, K2, K3, K4 related to the material of the
3, the material (type) of the coin 1 is determined based on K4, and the result of the determination is output. It can be easily estimated that the constant value of the second counter 29, which is the measurement timing, changes depending on the distance between the magnetic sensor 4 and the diameter measuring sensor 6.

Table 1 below shows the measured values K1, K2, K when the above-mentioned constant value is, for example, "384H" in hexadecimal.
3 and K4 show specific examples. As is clear from Table 1, the measured values K2 and K4 vary in the transport state of the coin 1 and the detection timing, and become an area where a plurality of types of coins overlap.

[0028]

[Table 1]

As described above, according to the above embodiment, the count value relating to the material of the coin can be measured by the relationship between the optical diameter measuring means and the magnetic sensor with little variation, so that the coin transport condition and the coin condition (coin condition) can be measured. The degree of scratches and the pattern on the front and back of the coin)
The influence of variations due to the above is very small, and the material (type) of the coin can be measured more accurately than in the past. Therefore, for example , forged coins whose diameters are adjusted by winding a tape or the like around the outer periphery can be accurately determined.

Further, by combining the position of the coin optically measured with the output value of the magnetic sensor, the position of the coin on the magnetic sensor can be set within a certain range. Differences can be amplified. For example , the diameter of a 50-yen coin differs from that of a 100-yen coin, and the rising portion of the output waveform differs as shown in FIG. Therefore, the light-shielding material is kept at a constant value by the optical diameter measuring means.
When Looking at the output of the magnetic sensor when it becomes, as shown in FIG. 7 (B), larger than with only the magnetic sensor in a single classification is facilitated. Thus, for example , 50
Even if a forged coin whose outer dimensions are matched with a 100-yen coin is mixed in after filling the hole of the yen coin with solder or the like, it can be accurately determined.

FIG. 7A shows the state of conveyance of 100-yen coins and 50-yen coins to the magnetic sensor 4 and the diameter measuring sensor 6, and the output voltage of the magnetic sensor 4 at that time is shown in FIG. ).

[0032] In the above embodiment, is disposed an optical size measuring means in front of the magnetic sensor, the optical size measuring means a predetermined
Although the case where the material (type) of the coin is determined based on the output value of the magnetic sensor when the light shielding amount is measured has been described,
The present invention is not limited to this, for example, by replacing the position of the magnetic sensor and optical diameter measuring means, after measuring the diameter of the coin earlier in the optical diameter measuring means, after the optical diameter measuring means of the coin
The material (type) of the coin may be determined based on the output value of the magnetic sensor when a predetermined light shielding amount is measured by the end .

Further, in the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which the coin processing machine for sorting coins by type is applied to a coin measuring device for determining the type of coins , but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, in a medal processing machine that sorts medals by type,
The present invention can be similarly applied to a medal measuring device for judging .

[0034]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, the influence of variations due to transport conditions, coin conditions, and the like is extremely small, the type can be determined more accurately than in the past, and the diameter can be adjusted. It is possible to provide a coin measuring device capable of accurately distinguishing a forged coin.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electric circuit of a coin measuring device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view showing a configuration of a hard 貨測 tough.

Figure 3 is a side view showing the configuration of a hard 貨測 tough partially sectioned.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a configuration of a magnetic sensor.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart illustrating operation.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams for explaining the operation, in which FIG. 6A is a plan view showing a state of coin transport with respect to the magnetic sensor and the diameter measuring sensor, and FIG. 6B is an output voltage of the magnetic sensor with respect to FIG. The figure which shows the example of a waveform.

7A and 7B are diagrams for explaining the operation and effect, in which FIG. 7A is a plan view showing a state in which a 100-yen coin and a 50-yen coin are conveyed to a magnetic sensor and a diameter measuring sensor, and FIG. The figure which shows the example of the output voltage waveform of the magnetic sensor with respect to a figure.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... coin, 2 ... conveying path, 3 ... conveying belt, 4 ...
Magnetic sensor, 5 ... slit, 6 ... diameter measuring sensor,
7 light source, 8 rod-shaped lens, 9 line sensor,
Reference numeral 21: driving circuit, 22: oscillator, 23: waveform shaping circuit, 24: first gate circuit, 25: first counter, 26: constant value detection circuit, 27: CPU, 28
... Second gate circuit, 29 second counter, 30
... A light amount feedback circuit, 34... An A / D converter.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-62-286192 (JP, A) JP-A-1-180091 (JP, A) JP-A-62-131397 (JP, A) 201176 (JP, U) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G07D 5/00-5/10

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A magnetic sensor disposed along a conveying means for conveying a coin to be measured, and a magnetic sensor disposed near the magnetic sensor and the conveying direction of the coin , and shielded by the conveyed coin . Scan quantity sequentially
The optical diameter measuring means for optically measuring the diameter of the coin , and the type of the coin is determined based on the output value of the magnetic sensor when the optical diameter measuring means measures a predetermined light shielding amount. A coin measuring device, comprising: