JP3410262B2 - Image reader for circular objects - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device for irradiating a circular object such as a coin or a game coin with illumination light and receiving the reflected light to read an image. For example, the present invention relates to a device that can be used.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 8 is a sectional structural view showing an example of a conventional image reading apparatus for a circular object (hereinafter referred to as a coin).
Shows a plan view of the main body of the image reading apparatus of FIG. 8. 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a device for reading an image by reflected light of a coin in a coin identifying device or the like is shown in FIG. 8 in which a coin 30 is sandwiched between a conveyor belt 5 and a conveyor path 6 and slides on the conveyor path 6 while sliding. The sheet is conveyed at 5, and is conveyed to the upper surface of the main body of the image reading apparatus 21 after passing between timing sensors 23A and 23B described later. Image reading device 2
Below the glass plate 7 provided in the reading window of the coin 1, a lens 8 for capturing the reflected light from the surface of the coin and a line CCD 24 for reading the coin image are arranged. Is a lighting L for illuminating the surface of coins.
As shown in FIG. 9, the ED 22 is linearly arranged in a direction perpendicular to the coin transport direction A when viewed from above the transport path 6.

A timing sensor 23 for detecting the start of reading a coin image is arranged outside the image reading device 21, and the timing sensor 23 and the image reading device 21 are provided in this order as a coin 30.
Are to be transported. In FIG. 8, the timing sensor 23 has a light emitting side sensor 23A on the upper side and a light receiving side sensor 23B on the lower side. The timing sensor 23 and the lighting LED 22 have the same light emitting wavelength and both use a red light emitting diode.

A conventional control example for reading an image of one coin in such a configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the LED 22 for illumination that illuminates the surface of the coin is turned on before the coin is transported, and the transport of the coin is started. Next, wait until the coins 30 that have been conveyed shield the timing sensor 23 from light (step S71),
At the time when the light shielding is detected, a timer for instructing to start reading a coin image, which is preset according to the coin transport speed, is set (step S72). Next, at the same time as the timer expires, the image of the coin 30 is transferred to the line CCD.
One line is read at 24 (steps S73 and S74),
The read image data for one line is stored in the memory (step S75).

Subsequently, it is judged whether or not the preset number of samplings (256 times) have been read (step S76). If not, the coin data of the next line is read (step S74). If so, the reading of the coin image ends. Coin 1 in this way
Every time the coins 30 are conveyed after the image reading for one sheet is completed, the steps S71 to S76 are repeated. After that, when the coin 30 disappears from the transport path 6, the transport is stopped and the illumination LED 22 is turned off.

[0006]

By the way, in the above-mentioned conventional coin image reading apparatus, when a coin passes above the line type CCD, the read image is read when the transport speed of the coin fluctuates during image reading. There was a problem that was distorted. If the actual transport speed is faster or slower than the set transport speed, the line CCD
There is a problem in that the timing at which the coin passes above is deviated, and the read coin image may be missing. In addition, when changing the coin transport speed, the timer value for starting the image reading, which is set when the coin is shielded from the timing sensor, must be changed, and the program such as the image reading timing must be changed. It was Further, since the timing sensor is located outside the image reading apparatus, the location of the mounting position of the timing sensor must be secured on the conveyance path.

The present invention has been made under the circumstances described above, and an object of the present invention is to influence the change in the transfer speed of a circular object such as coins and game coins, and to change the setting of the transfer speed. The object of the present invention is to provide an image reading apparatus that is not easily affected by the above and is compact and unitized into a circular object.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, the surface of a circular object is irradiated with illumination light, the image reflected by the circular object is read, and the image data is stored in a memory means. and to an image reading apparatus, the object of the present invention, illumination means that irradiates illumination light to the circular object; the image reading area a position through which the optical axis, the transport of
The front end of the circular object with the smallest diameter is the image reading area.
Area of inscribed area and direction of circular object with maximum diameter
The rear edge overlaps with the outside of the area inscribed in the image reading area.
Arranged that region consists receiving means for receiving the irradiated light of the light emitting means and the light emitting means having different emission wavelength from the emission wavelength of the illumination means, an image for detecting the image reading timing of said circular product And a reading timing detecting means; a filter for absorbing the emission wavelength of the light emitting means; and an image reading means for reading an image of reflected light of the circular object illuminated by the illumination means through the filter. It

Alternatively, an illuminating means for illuminating the circular object with illumination light; a position where an optical axis passes through the image reading area ,
The front end of the circular object with the smallest diameter that can be
The area that is inscribed in the picking area and the circular object with the largest diameter
Outside the area where the rear end in the feeding direction is inscribed in the image reading area
Are arranged in an overlapping region , and each light emitting means has a light emitting wavelength different from the light emitting wavelength of the illuminating means and a light receiving means for receiving the irradiation light of the light emitting means, for detecting the image reading timing of the circular object. Image reading timing detection means; image reading means for reading an image by reflected light of the circular object illuminated by the illumination means, and image reading means for reading only the emission wavelength of the illumination means. To be achieved.

[0010]

FIG. 1 is a sectional structural view showing an example of an image reading apparatus of the present invention in correspondence with FIG. 8, and FIG. 2 shows the inside of the image reading apparatus 1 of FIG. It is the figure seen from the arrow direction. First, a device configuration different from the conventional device shown in FIG. 8 will be described. In this embodiment, the illumination LED 2 for illuminating the surface of the coin uses a plurality of near-infrared light emitting diodes and is arranged in a ring shape below the transport path 6. The emission wavelength of the illumination LED 2 may be any emission wavelength with which the light receiving side sensor 3B of the timing sensor 3 does not react. The timing sensor 3 is a sensor for detecting the timing of reading the coin image, and is arranged at a position where the optical axis passes through the image reading area. The light emitting side sensor 3A is a red light emitting diode and the light receiving side sensor 3B. Uses a phototransistor. Timing sensor 3 on the light emitting side
The wavelength of A may be a wavelength different from the emission wavelength of the illumination LED 2.

The CCD 4 which is the image reading means is an area type CCD, and the coin stores the data of 256 × 256 pixels including the image reading area 10 (inside the dotted circle in FIG. 2) together with the coin and the timing sensor 3. It is designed to be read when it is shielded from light. All data other than the image reading area 10 is stored in the memory as "0". The filter 9 is used to cut off light other than the illumination LED 2, and in the example of the embodiment, a filter that absorbs the emission wavelength of the emission side timing sensor 3A is used.

The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below. As shown in FIG. 1, the coin 30 is sandwiched between the conveyor belt 5 and the conveyor path 6 and is conveyed by the conveyor belt 5 while sliding on the conveyor path 6 and passes through the central portion of the conveyor path in the image reading apparatus 1. As described above, it is controlled by an unillustrated shifting mechanism. A plurality of illumination LEDs 2 for illuminating the surface of the coin from diagonally below are arranged in a ring shape below the transport path 6, and a lens 8 for capturing light reflected from the surface of the coin and a coin image are arranged below the LED 2 for illumination. An area type CCD 4 for reading is arranged. The timing sensor 3 (3A and 3B) for detecting the start of reading the coin image has the entire coin 30 in the image reading area 10 at the timing when the moving tip of the coin 30 is shielded from light in the image reading area 10. It is installed at a position where the image reading area 10 can be read at that timing.

The timing sensor 3 uses a red light emitting diode whose emission wavelength is different from that of the lighting LED 2 and whose upper side is a light emitting side and a lower side is a light receiving side, and the lighting LED 2 is a near infrared light emitting diode. To read the coin image, it is sufficient to read the wavelength of near infrared rays as an image. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 1, a filter 9 is provided between the lens 8 and the area CCD 4 to remove the red wavelength of the timing sensor 3. I have to.

FIG. 4 shows the wavelength characteristics of the timing sensor 3 and the illumination LED 2 used in the present invention and the image detection area after the filter processing, and the vertical axis represents the relative light emission intensity (%) of the LED and the CCD 4. Relative sensitivity (%), horizontal axis is wavelength λ
(Nm), 2S is the emission wavelength characteristic of the LED 2 for illumination,
3S is the characteristic of the emission wavelength of the timing sensor 3, 9S is the characteristic of the wavelength of the light to be removed by the filter (band-pass filter; a filter using a narrow band) 9, and 4S is the CC.
The characteristics of the sensitivity of D4 are shown respectively. LED for lighting
When the illumination light is applied to the surface of the coin by 2, the red wavelength of the timing sensor 3 is removed from the reflected light by the filter 9, and the shaded portion in FIG. 4 becomes the image detection area DI. That is, only the reflected light from the illumination LED 2 is detected, and the image of the coin is read by the CCD 4. By doing so, the image reading can be performed without being affected by the afterimage of the timing sensor and the scattered light of the timing sensor at the time of reading the image. It should be noted that the filter 9 may be any filter as long as it absorbs light emission wavelengths other than the illumination LED 2, and a visible light filter (cold mirror filter) instead of a bandpass filter.
Etc. may be used.

As described above, in the embodiment, a specific example of the illuminating means for illuminating the coin with the illuminating light is used for the plurality of illumination LEDs 2.
Is a ring shape, the light emitting side timing sensor 3A is a specific example of the light emitting means for detecting the coin image reading timing, and the light receiving side timing sensor 3B is a specific example of the light receiving means. A specific example of a filter that absorbs the emission wavelength of the light emitting means is a bandpass filter (or a visible light filter) 9, and a specific example of the image reading means is an area CCD 4.

An example of control for reading an image of one coin in the above-mentioned configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the transportation of coins is started. Next, a coin 30 that is moved to the center of the image reading device 1 and conveyed.
Waits for the timing sensor 3 to be shielded from light (step S
31), the illumination LED 2 is turned on when the light blocking is detected (step S32). Then, the image reading is started immediately after the light shielding is detected, and the image of the coin 30 is read by the area type CCD 4 while the illumination LED 2 is turned on. At this time, the coin image is not chipped due to the image reading region having a region wider than the width of the conveyance path and the positional relationship between the timing sensor 3 and the image reading region 10. Since the image reading area 10 is circular, a square area including the area is read. However, the image reading area 10
Areas other than this cannot be read by the CCD 4, so when the image data is stored in the memory, it is stored as image data "0" (step S33).

Then, the coin lighting LED 2 is turned off.
The lighting time of the lighting LED 2 is about 150 to 300 μs, and the transport speed of the coin 30 is about 1000 mm / s (step S34). Next, the read image data is stored in the memory (step S35), and the reading of the coin image is completed. In this way, the image reading for one coin is completed, and each time the coin 30 is conveyed, steps S31 to S35 are repeated. After that, when the coin 30 disappears from the transport path 6, the transport of the coin is stopped.

Although coins have been described as an example in the above-described embodiment, the present invention can be applied to circular objects such as game coins. Further, as the means for removing the wavelength of light of the timing sensor 3, the area CCD may be used without using the filter 9 and by sensing and reading only the emission wavelength of the illumination means 2 for illuminating coins. .
Alternatively, the image reading means is provided with a two-dimensional digital filter, and the image data after A / D conversion of the image read by the area CCD is filtered by the two-dimensional digital filter (digital circuit) and stored in the memory means. It may be configured. However, when using a two-dimensional digital filter, there are drawbacks such as a large number of multipliers. Further, if the area type CCD is colorized, it is possible to see the tint of coins and the like, and it is also possible to determine dirty coins and the like.

[0019]

EXAMPLES Next, the arrangement area of the timing sensor used in the present invention will be described with reference to specific examples.
FIG. 5 shows the first embodiment of the area where the timing sensor can be arranged. The coin is moved from the conveyance direction A to the center of the image reading area 10 (conveyance path 6 by the control of the coin shifting mechanism).
An example of a case in which it is configured to pass through (the center of the conveyance path width W) is shown. As shown by the shaded area in the figure, the timing sensor 3 has a maximum diameter coin 30A _C and a minimum diameter coin 30B _{C that} are the target of identification in the image reading area 10 when the timing sensor is shielded from light. It should be placed at a position where the entire coin is inserted.

That is, in the case of the above construction, as shown in FIG. 5, the coin 30A having the maximum diameter passing through the central portion C of the conveying path 6 is located at the position where the rear end portion of the coin _C is inscribed in the image reading area 10.
Place a _C, minimum diameter coins 3 through the central portion C of the conveying path 6
When the front end of 0B _C placed the coin 30B _C at a position inscribed in the image reading area 10, in the region of the smallest diameter coin 30B _C, coins 30A _C and the minimum diameter of the maximum diameter coin 30
An area where the B _C does not overlap is the area 11 where the timing sensor can be arranged. Then, the optical axis of the timing sensor 3 passes through the disposable area 11, and the timing sensor 3 is installed in a portion excluding the optical path from the image reading area 10 to the lens 8.

FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the area where the timing sensor can be arranged. The coin is moved to one side of the conveying path 6 from the conveying direction A by the control of the coin moving mechanism, and the image reading area is obtained. It shows an example of a case where it is configured to pass 10. In such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 6, the side walls coin position the trailing edge of the coin 30A _L of maximum diameter adjacent to (the side that is attracted) is inscribed in the image reading area 10 30A _L of the transport path 6 It was placed, reading the front end of the smallest diameter coin 30B _L image in contact with the side walls of the transport path 6 region 1
When the coin 30B _L is placed at a position inscribed in 0, the coin 30A with the largest diameter is located in the region of the coin 30B _{L with} the smallest diameter.
_A region where the _L and the coin 30B _L having the minimum diameter do not overlap (a space in the vertical direction of the hatched portion) is the area 11 where the timing sensor can be arranged.

FIG. 7 shows a third embodiment of the area where the timing sensor can be arranged, showing an example of a structure without a coin pulling mechanism, that is, a case of passing all parts of the transport path. There is. In the case of such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 7, the coin 30 having the smallest diameter that contacts one side wall of the transport path 6.
Place a coin 30B _L front end of the B _L is a position inscribed in the image reading area 10, the position where the front end portion of the smallest diameter coin 30B _R in contact with the other side wall of the conveying path 6 is inscribed in the image reading area 10 when placing the coin 30B _R, in the region where both overlap, a portion excluding an arrangement incapable region shown below (the space portion in the vertical direction of the hatched portion) is deployable area 11 of the timing sensor. 7, maximum rear portion of the coin 30A _L of maximum diameter in contact with one sidewall of the transport path 6 is arranged coins 30A _L to a position inscribed in the image reading region 10, in contact with the other side wall of the transport path 6 When the coin 30A _R is arranged at a position where the rear end of the coin 30A _{R having} a diameter is inscribed in the image reading area 10, both areas become non-placeable areas.

[0023]

As described above, according to the image reading apparatus for a circular object of the present invention, the plurality of illumination LEDs for illuminating the surface of the coin are made to have different emission wavelengths from the timing sensor so that the timing sensor emits light. Since the filter that absorbs the wavelength is used, even if the timing sensor is provided in the image reading area, the coin image is not affected by the timing sensor, and the coin image reading device can be made compact and unitized. Further, since the timing sensor is provided in the image reading area, the illumination LED is turned on immediately after the timing sensor is shielded by the coin, and the coin image is displayed in the area type C.
The image can be read by a CD, and the coin image can be read stably without being affected by the coin transport speed or fluctuations in the transport speed. Further, since it is not affected by the coin transport speed, it has an effect that it can be used as it is without any program change such as image reading timing when used as a coin identification unit of a coin processing device.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional structural view showing an example of an image reading apparatus for a circular object according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view of the inside of the image reading apparatus of FIG. 1 viewed from a direction of an arrow XX.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a timing sensor and L for illumination used in the present invention.
It is a figure which shows the characteristic of the wavelength of ED, and the image detection area | region after a filter process.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of an area in which a timing sensor used in the present invention can be arranged.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of an area where the timing sensor used in the present invention can be arranged.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a third embodiment of an area where a timing sensor used in the present invention can be arranged.

FIG. 8 is a sectional structural view showing an example of a conventional image reading apparatus for a circular object.

9 is a plan view of the main body of the image reading apparatus in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation example of a conventional device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 21 Image reading device 2, 22 Illuminating means (illuminating LED) 3, 23 Timing sensor 3A, 23A Light emitting means (light emitting side timing sensor) 3B, 23B Light receiving means (light receiving side timing sensor) 4, 24 Image reading means ( Area type CCD, line type C
CD) 5 Conveyor belt 6 Conveying path 7 Glass plate 8 Lens 9 Filter 10 Image reading area 11 Arrangement area of timing sensor 30 Coin

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. An image reading device for a circular object, wherein the surface of the circular object is irradiated with illumination light, an image reflected by the circular object is read, and image data is stored in a memory means. illumination means that irradiates illumination light to, the image reading area a position through which the optical axis, is conveyed
The front end of the circular object with the smallest diameter in the conveyance direction is within the image reading area.
Rear end in the conveying direction of the largest diameter circular object that is conveyed with the contact area
Is a region where the outside of the area inscribed in the image reading area overlaps
Image reading for detecting the image reading timing of the circular object, which is arranged in the area and includes a light emitting means having an emission wavelength different from that of the illumination means and a light receiving means for receiving the irradiation light of the light emitting means. Timing detecting means; a filter that absorbs the emission wavelength of the light emitting means; an image reading means that reads an image of the reflected light of the circular object illuminated by the illumination means through the filter; Image reading device for circular objects. 2. An image reading apparatus for a circular object, wherein the surface of the circular object is irradiated with illumination light, an image reflected by the circular object is read, and image data is stored in a memory means. illumination means that irradiates illumination light to, the image reading area a position through which the optical axis, is conveyed
The front end of the circular object with the smallest diameter in the conveyance direction is within the image reading area.
Rear end in the conveying direction of the largest diameter circular object that is conveyed with the contact area
Is a region where the outside of the area inscribed in the image reading area overlaps
Image reading for detecting the image reading timing of the circular object, which is arranged in the area and includes a light emitting means having an emission wavelength different from that of the illumination means and a light receiving means for receiving the irradiation light of the light emitting means. An image reading unit that reads an image of reflected light of the circular object illuminated by the illuminating unit, the image detecting unit reading only an emission wavelength of the illuminating unit; Image reading device for circular objects.