JP7331519B2 - Image reading device, coin recognition device using the image reading device, and coin handling device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image reading device, a coin recognition device using the image reading device, and a coin handling device.

Conventionally, a coin handling device for handling coins uses a coin recognition device for recognizing (discriminating) coins. Among the coin recognition devices, there is an image reading device configured to illuminate the object to be read by reflecting the light emitted from the illumination with a reflective material, that is, to illuminate the object to be read using so-called indirect lighting. (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

For example, an image reading device (stamp reading device) described in Patent Document 1 temporarily reflects light emitted from an illumination (LED) with a reflector (main reflecting mirror) in order to effectively utilize unused light. After that, the object to be read is illuminated, and an image of the object to be read is captured by an imaging sensor such as a CMOS image sensor. The image reading device described in Patent Document 1 reduces unevenness in lighting and irradiates light with a shallow incident angle on the object to be read, thereby enhancing the contrast of the marking provided on the object to be read. can be done.

JP 2006-164178 A

However, in the conventional image reading device (mark reading device) described in Patent Document 1, the light emitted from the illumination (LED) is irradiated onto a reflecting material (main reflecting mirror) provided outside the reading area and reflected. It is configured to let Therefore, the conventional image reading device (stamp reading device) described in Patent Document 1 has a problem of being relatively large in size (particularly large in the width direction).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and a main object of the present invention is to provide a compact image reading device, a coin recognition device using the image reading device, and a coin handling device. and

To achieve the above object, a first invention is an image reading apparatus comprising a light source for emitting light, an imaging sensor for capturing an image of an object to be read, and a cylindrical light guide for guiding light. The light source and the light guide are arranged so as to surround the imaging sensor, and the light guide internally reflects the light emitted from the light source and directs the light toward the object to be read. average luminance of a circular pattern image formed outside the object to be read by light reflected by the outer peripheral surface of the light guide in the captured image acquired by the imaging sensor; The configuration includes an adjustment unit that adjusts the brightness of the light source so that the value falls within a desired range .

A second aspect of the invention is a coin recognition device comprising: the image reading device of the first aspect;

A third aspect of the invention is a coin handling device comprising the coin recognition device of the second aspect of the invention, and a receiving unit into which coins used as the objects to be read are inserted.

According to the present invention, the size can be reduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a perspective view which shows the whole ATM (automatic teller machine) structure as an example of the coin handling apparatus which incorporates the coin recognition apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is an explanatory view showing composition of a coin recognition device concerning an embodiment. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a coin recognition device according to an embodiment; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a captured image captured by an image reading device; FIG.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "present embodiments") will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, each figure is only shown roughly to such an extent that the present invention can be fully understood. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated examples only. Moreover, in each figure, the same code|symbol is attached|subjected about a common component and a similar component, and those overlapping description is abbreviate|omitted.

[Embodiment]
<Configuration of coin handling device>
A configuration of a coin handling device incorporating a coin recognition device according to the present embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. A coin handling device is a device that handles coins. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of an ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) as an example of a coin handling device.

In the present embodiment, a description will be given assuming that the coin handling device is configured as an ATM used in financial institutions and distribution institutions. However, coin handling devices are not only used in ATMs, but also in automatic coin deposit/withdrawal machines and cash handling machines used in financial institutions and distribution institutions, ticket vending machines used in transportation facilities and distribution institutions, and distribution institutions. may be in the form of a cash register, vending machine, or other device

As shown in FIG. 1, an ATM 1 as an example of the coin handling device according to the first embodiment includes a medium handling unit 2, a display operation unit 3, a bankbook insertion/ejection port 4, a banknote deposit/withdrawal unit 5, a coin It has a deposit/withdrawal unit 6 .

The medium handling unit 2 is a part that handles various media such as cards and receipts. The medium handling unit 2 is provided with a card insertion/ejection port 2a for inserting and ejecting a card, and a receipt ejection port 2b for ejecting a receipt on which transaction results and the like are printed.
The display operation unit 3 is a part that displays various information and receives operations by the user.

The passbook insertion/ejection port 4 is an opening through which a passbook is inserted and ejected.
The banknote deposit/withdrawal unit 5 serves as both a deposit unit into which banknotes are inserted and a payment unit into which banknotes are discharged.
The coin depositing/dispensing unit 6 is a portion that serves as both a depositing unit into which coins are inserted and a dispensing unit from which coins are discharged. The ATM 1 has a coin recognition device 10 for recognizing a coin as an object 99 to be read in the lower back of the coin deposit/withdrawal unit 6 .

As shown in FIG. 2, the coin recognition device 10 has a camera section 15 and a control section cl.
The camera unit 15 is an image reading device that reads an image of a coin as the object 99 to be read.
The control unit cl controls the operation of the coin recognition device 10 . The control unit cl is composed of a microcomputer or the like.

The control unit cl has a determination unit cl1, an adjustment unit cl2, and a failure detection unit cl3.
The discriminating unit cl1 is means for discriminating (discriminating) the type of coin used as the object 99 to be read.
The adjuster cl2 is means for adjusting the brightness of the LED 23 (light source).
The failure detection unit cl3 is means for detecting failure (abnormality) of the LED 23 (light source).
The control unit cl implements each of these functions by executing a control program stored in advance in a storage means such as a read-only member (ROM) or a random-access memory (RAM) by a CPU (central processing unit). do.

<Configuration of coin recognition device>
The configuration of the coin recognition device 10 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. FIG. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the coin recognition device 10. As shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the coin recognition device 10. As shown in FIG. FIG. 3 mainly shows the internal structure of the camera section 15 (image reading device). FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a captured image I11 captured by the camera section 15 (image reading device).

As shown in FIG. 2, the coin recognition device 10 includes a conveying path 11 (passage), a conveying belt 12, a pulley 13, a gate 14, the camera section 15 (image reading device) described above, and the control section described above. cl and.

The transport path 11 is a path through which various reading objects 99 including coins pass.
The transport belt 12 is transport means for transporting the object 99 to be read. The transport belt 12 is arranged along the transport path 11 on the transport path 11 .
The pulley 13 is a member on which the conveying belt 12 is stretched, and rotates to cause the conveying belt 12 to run.
The gate 14 is a separation unit that separates the reading object 99 sheet by sheet by regulating the thickness (height) of the reading object 99 that can pass through. The thickness (height) of the object 99 to be read that can pass through the gate 14 is the thickness (height) of one sheet of coin (500 yen coin in Japan) having the maximum thickness assumed to be handled. ).

In this embodiment, the coin recognition device 10 is configured to have a conveying belt 12 and pulleys 13 as means for conveying the object 99 to be read. However, the coin recognition device 10 can be configured to drop the object 99 to be read. In this case, the coin recognition device 10 can eliminate the transport belt 12 and the pulley 13 as means for transporting the object 99 to be read.

A glass 32 is arranged in the middle of the transport path 11 , and the camera section 15 is arranged below the glass 32 . The glass 32 has a transparency that allows the light emitted from the LED 23 (see FIG. 3) of the camera section 15 to pass therethrough.

The camera section 15 has a cylindrical housing 31 . The housing 31 has a cylindrical shape. The housing 31 has a desired height. The reason for this is that a desired distance is secured between the LED 23 (see FIG. 3) and the glass 32 so that the light guide 25 (see FIG. 3), which will be described later, emits light with a shallow incident angle to the glass 32. to be able to The reason for this is that by providing a desired distance between the LEDs 23 (see FIG. 3) and the object 99 to be read, the LEDs 23 are arranged in a ring shape (circular shape) so that the distance between the adjacent LEDs 23 can be reduced. This is also for the purpose of reducing illumination irregularities with respect to the object 99 to be read even if it is vacant. Another reason is to secure a distance for the lens 22 to form an image of light on the imaging sensor 21 . In this embodiment, the height of the housing 31 is assumed to be 35 mm, for example.

The coin recognition device 10 moves the conveying belt 12 stretched over the pulleys 13 , thereby separating the reading object 99 one by one at the gate 14 while moving the reading object 99 downstream along the conveying path 11 . side (see arrow A99). At that time, the object 99 to be read passes over the glass 32 and the camera section 15 .

The coin recognition device 10 detects that the object 99 to be read has arrived on the camera section 15 with a travel path sensor (not shown) or the like, and activates the camera section 15 . The camera unit 15 captures an image from below the glass 32, acquires a captured image in which the object to be read 99 is reflected, and outputs the captured image to the determination unit cl1. The discrimination unit cl1 discriminates (discriminates) the type of the object to be read 99 based on the captured image.

Note that the conventional image reading device (stamp reading device) described in Patent Document 1 has the following problems in addition to the problem described above (that the size becomes relatively large). This embodiment intends to provide an image reading device (camera unit 15) capable of solving the following problems in addition to the problem described above (problem of relatively large size). .

(1) The conventional image reading device (stamp reading device) described in Patent Document 1, for example, has a structure in which a plurality of reflective surfaces are provided in order to reduce the size. However, there is a problem that it is easily affected by the installation error of the device.

(2) In the conventional image reading device (stamp reading device) described in Patent Document 1, as described below, the brightness of the illumination (LED) becomes uneven, and the discrimination performance of the object to be read deteriorates. There was a problem that it may affect the
For example, a conventional image reading device (stamp reading device) described in Patent Document 1 captures a white reference that serves as a reference for the brightness of the captured image, and controls illumination (LED) based on the captured image of the white reference. It is possible to automatically adjust the brightness of the image sensor, the sensitivity of the imaging sensor, and the like. With such a configuration, the conventional image reading device can pick up an image of an object to be read with suitable brightness. However, conventional image reading apparatuses do not have a function of detecting an abnormality in illumination (LED). Therefore, the conventional image reading apparatus cannot detect an abnormality in the illumination (LED) when an abnormality such as a partial breakage of the illumination (LED) occurs. Therefore, in such a case, the conventional image reading device cannot control the lighting (LED) so that the brightness of the lighting (LED) becomes appropriate, and the average luminance value is low (dark). ) Only captured images could be captured. As a result, the conventional image reading apparatus has a problem that the brightness of the illumination (LED) becomes uneven, which may affect the discrimination performance of the object to be read.

As shown in FIG. 3, the camera unit 15 (image reading device) includes an imaging sensor 21, a lens 22, an LED 23 (light source), an LED lens 24, a cylindrical light guide 25, and a light shielding plate 26 ( , which are mounted on the substrate 20 .

The imaging sensor 21 is a sensor that captures an image of the transport path 11 (passage) and the reading object 99 passing through the transport path 11 . Here, it is assumed that the imaging sensor 21 is a two-dimensional light receiving sensor such as a CMOS image sensor. However, the imaging sensor 21 can also be configured by a line sensor.
The lens 22 is a member that forms an image of light on the imaging sensor 21 .
The LED 23 is a light source that emits emitted light 40 .
The LED lens 24 is a member for reducing the half-value angle of the emitted light 40 . The camera unit 15 can determine the directional characteristics and light distribution characteristics of the emitted light 40 with the LED lens 24 .
The light guide 25 is a member that transmits light. The light guide 25 constitutes the outer portion of the housing 31 .
The light shielding plate 26 is a member (shielding material) that shields light. The light shielding plate 26 constitutes the inner portion of the housing 31 .

The cost of the camera unit 15 can be reduced by mounting the imaging sensor 21, the lens 22, the LED 23, the LED lens 24, the light guide 25, the light shielding plate 26, and the like on the same substrate 20. FIG. Further, the coin recognition device 10 may be configured such that the discriminating portion cl1 is mounted on the substrate 20 in order to reduce costs.

The LED 23 and the LED lens 24 are arranged in a ring shape (circular shape) so as to surround the imaging sensor 21 . The LEDs 23 are arranged on the substrate 20 and the LED lenses 24 are arranged on the LEDs 23 . The camera unit 15 increases the directivity of the emitted light 40 while reducing the half-value angle of the emitted light 40 emitted from the LED 23 by the LED lens 24 to guide the emitted light 40 toward the tip of the light guide 25 .

A light guide 25 is arranged on the LED lens 24 . The light guide 25 internally reflects and reads emitted light 40 emitted from the LEDs 23 arranged in a ring shape (circular shape) and having its half-value angle reduced by the LED lens 24 (improved directivity). It guides in the direction of the object 99 . Thereby, the light guide 25 can irradiate the object 99 to be read with light from all around. The light guide 25 is made of highly transparent material such as acrylic or polycarbonate.

The light guide 25 has a cylindrical shape so as to surround the imaging sensor 21 . That is, the light guide 25 has a circular shape when viewed in the axial direction. The reason for this is that if the light guide 25 were formed in a rectangular shape when viewed in the axial direction, shadows (darkened portions) would be formed inside the corners, which could cause illumination unevenness. This is to avoid The diameter of the light guide 25 has a size corresponding to the arrangement position of the LED 23 and the LED lens 24 . In other words, the LED 23 and the LED lens 24 are arranged at positions corresponding to the lower surface of the light guide 25 .

A tapered surface 25t is formed on the outer side of the tip of the light guide 25 so as to taper off at an arbitrary inclination angle θ. The light guide 25 reflects the emitted light 40 on the tapered surface 25 t to travel in the direction of the glass 32 . Accordingly, the camera unit 15 can irradiate the object 99 to be read with light having a shallow incident angle, thereby enhancing the contrast of the uneven portions (stamps) provided on the object 99 to be read.

In addition, in the example shown in FIG. 3, the tapered surface 25t has an obliquely flat shape. However, the tapered surface 25t can be, for example, curved obliquely into an arc shape, or can be shaped by cutting the vicinity of the tip in the horizontal direction.

A cylindrical light shielding plate 26 is arranged on the inner peripheral surface 25 i of the light guide 25 . The light shielding plate 26 is a shielding material for shielding light so that the light reflected by the glass 32 does not enter the light guide 25 . The inner diameter L26 of the light shielding plate 26 is larger than the diameter L99 of the largest coin expected to be used as the object 99 to be read. The height of the tip of the light shielding plate 26 is set to be lower than the height of the tip of the light guide 25 .

The inner diameter L25 of the light guide 25 is larger than the diameter L99 of the largest coin expected to be used as the object 99 to be read. In Japan, the coin with the largest diameter is a 500-yen coin with a diameter of 26.5 mm, so the diameter L99 is 26.5 mm. The inner diameter L25 of the light guide 25 is set to a value larger than its 26.5 mm diameter L99. Considering the diameter L99 of the largest coin, the inner diameter L25 of the light guide 25 is preferably 35 mm or more.

The inner peripheral side of the tip of the light guide 25 is closed with a disk-shaped cover member 28 . The cover member 28 is a member for ensuring airtightness inside the light guide 25 . The cover member 28 has transparency that allows light to pass therethrough. However, the camera section 15 may eliminate the cover member 28 when the tip of the light guide 25 is integrated with the glass 32 .

An imaging sensor 21 and a lens 22 are arranged inside the light shielding plate 26 . The sizes of the imaging sensor 21 and the lens 22 are larger than the diameter L99 of the largest coin assumed to be used as the object 99 to be read and smaller than the inner diameter L26 of the light blocking plate 26 .

A reflecting plate 27 is arranged on one or both of the outer peripheral surface 25 o of the light guide 25 and the tapered surface 25 t of the tip portion. In addition, in the example shown in FIG. 3, the reflector 27 is arranged only on a part of the outer peripheral surface 25o. The reflector 27 is a reflector for suppressing leakage of the light 40 emitted from the LED 23 to the outside of the light guide 25 . In the present embodiment, the reflector 27 is configured to form a pattern image I42 (see FIG. 4) having an arbitrary shape in the captured image by reflecting the emitted light 40 strongly (with high efficiency). ing.

<Operation of coin recognition device>
The coin recognition device 10 conveys the reading object 99 along the conveying path 11, and when the reading object 99 passes over the camera unit 15, the reading object 99 is detected by a travel path sensor (not shown) or the like. Arrival (arrival) on the camera unit 15 is detected. Any means for detecting that the object 99 to be read has arrived on the camera section 15 is not particularly limited.

The coin recognition device 10 operates the camera section 15 at the timing when the object 99 to be read reaches the camera section 15 . The camera unit 15 causes the LED 23 to emit light and the imaging sensor 21 to take an image.

At this time, the emitted light 40 emitted from the LED 23 has its half-value angle reduced (improved directivity) by the LED lens 24, and travels toward the tapered surface 25t formed at the tip of the light guide 25. . However, although the directivity of the emitted light 40 can be improved by the LED lens 24, the emitted light 40 travels almost straight toward the tip in the light guide 25 and is reflected near the tip of the tapered surface 25t of the tip and the outer peripheral surface 25o. It includes light 41 and light 42 that is totally reflected within the light guide 25 and reflected by the body portion of the outer peripheral surface 25o. Light 41 is incident on glass 32 at a shallow angle. On the other hand, the light 42 is incident on the glass 32 at a deep angle. Hereinafter, the light 41 may be referred to as "shallow incident angle light" and the light 42 may be referred to as "deep incident angle light".

Light 41 with a shallow incident angle and light 42 with a deep incident angle pass between the tip of the light guide 25 and the tip of the light shielding plate 26 to exit the light guide 25 and travel toward the glass 32 . It moves towards and illuminates the object 99 to be read as it passes over the glass 32 .

At this time, the light 41 with high directivity and a shallow incident angle enhances the contrast of the concave and convex portions (stamps) provided on the object 99 to be read. On the other hand, the light 42 with a deep incident angle is totally reflected inside the light guide 25 and travels toward the glass 32 . After that, the reflected light component reflected by the glass 32 is received by the imaging sensor 21 via the lens 22 . The light shielding plate 26 is arranged so as not to shield the reflected light component of the light 42 reflected by the glass 32 at a deep incident angle.

The camera unit 15 forms an image on the imaging sensor 21 with the lens 22 and captures an image of the object 99 to be read with the imaging sensor 21 . Then, the camera unit 15 outputs the acquired captured image to the determination unit cl1. The determination unit cl1 processes the captured image acquired by the camera unit 15 to determine (discriminate) the type of the object 99 to be read.

In such a configuration, the camera unit 15 (image reading device) uses the cylindrical light guide 25 to provide a desired distance between the LED 23 (light source) and the object 99 to be read, and emits light from the LED 23 (light source). The emitted light 40 is reflected inside the light guide 25 to irradiate the object 99 to be read.

Accordingly, the camera unit 15 (image reading device) illuminates the object 99 to be read with the light 41 having high directivity and a shallow incident angle. Such a coin recognition device 10 can enhance the contrast of the concave and convex portions (stamps) provided on the object 99 to be read. As a result, the coin recognition apparatus 10 can obtain a captured image that is optimal for identifying the object 99 to be read, in which the contrast of the concave and convex portions (stamps) of the object 99 to be read is emphasized.

In addition, the camera unit 15 (image reading device) arranges the LEDs 23 in a ring shape (circular shape) by providing a desired distance between the LEDs 23 and the object to be read 99 so that the distance between the LEDs 23 adjacent to each other is reduced. It is possible to reduce illumination unevenness with respect to the object 99 to be read even if a space is provided.

The camera unit 15 (image reading device) can improve the directivity of the emitted light 40 emitted from the LED 23 by the LED lens 24. Light totally reflected inside the body 25 can be reduced.

By the way, the emitted light 40 (especially the light 42 with a deep incident angle) is strongly reflected by the reflector 27 (reflecting material), so that a pattern image I42 (Fig. 4) is formed. The pattern image I42 is an image formed by reflected light components of the light 42 with a deep incident angle reflected by the reflector 27 (reflecting material) and further reflected by the glass 32 . In the example shown in FIG. 4, the pattern image I42 has a ring shape (circular shape).

However, the pattern image I42 can also be obtained by being formed by reflection from the outer peripheral surface 25o of the light guide 25 without providing the reflector 27. FIG. Also, if the pattern image I42 is too bright, the brightness can be adjusted by using a material that does not easily reflect light for the reflector 27 .

When there is no failure (abnormality) in the LED 23, the average luminance value of the pattern image I42 maintains a constant value and falls within the desired range. However, when there is a failure (abnormality) in the LED 23, the average luminance value of the pattern image I42 deviates from the desired range.

When there is a failure (abnormality) in the LED 23, the adjustment unit cl2 of the coin recognition device 10 adjusts the average luminance value of the pattern image I42 in the captured image acquired by the imaging sensor 21 to fall within a desired range. Adjust the brightness of the LED 23 (light source).

For example, when the coin recognition device 10 is adjusted at the time of shipment from the factory, for example, the captured image I11 including the pattern image I42 shown in FIG. 4 is captured in advance as an initial captured image. stored in the storage means. During operation, the coin recognition device 10 captures the captured image I11 as the current captured image when the object 99 to be read is discriminated (identified) or when a desired time has elapsed. The adjustment unit cl2 compares the pattern image I42 of the initial captured image with the pattern image I42 of the current captured image at arbitrary timing. Then, when the brightness of the pattern image I42 of the current captured image has changed from the brightness of the pattern image I42 of the captured image at the initial stage due to aging deterioration, temperature change, etc., the adjustment unit cl2 Adjustment control processing of the current value of the LED 23 (light source) is performed so that the average luminance value of the pattern image I42 of the imaged image I11 imaged at 11 is within a desired range. Thereby, the adjuster cl2 can adjust the brightness of the LED 23 (light source) to an appropriate value. As a result, the coin recognition device 10 can maintain the optimum brightness of the LED 23 (light source) for imaging the object 99 to be read.

Further, the failure detection unit cl3 of the coin recognition device 10 functions as a failure detection unit that detects the presence or absence of failure of the LED 23 (light source) based on the contour of the pattern image I42 in the captured image acquired by the imaging sensor 21. Then, the presence or absence of a failure in the LED 23 (light source) is detected.

For example, when the coin recognition device 10 is adjusted at the time of shipment from the factory, for example, the captured image I11 including the pattern image I42 shown in FIG. 4 is captured in advance as an initial captured image. stored in the storage means. During operation, the coin recognition device 10 captures the captured image I11 as the current captured image when the object 99 to be read is discriminated (identified) or when a desired time has elapsed. The failure detection unit cl3 compares the pattern image I42 of the initial captured image with the pattern image I42 of the current captured image at arbitrary timing. Then, when a phenomenon such as a part of the pattern image I42 of the current captured image becoming dark due to aging deterioration, temperature change, or the like occurs, the failure detection unit cl3 detects that the pattern image I42 is partly dark. to detect. As a result, the failure detector cl3 can detect the occurrence of a failure in the LED 23 (light source).

<Main effects of the image reader>
(1) The camera unit 15 (image reading device) according to the present embodiment can be reduced in size (especially in the width direction) by using the cylindrical light guide 25. . Moreover, the camera unit 15 can capture the captured image I11 in which the contrast of the concave-convex portion (stamp) of the reading object 99 is emphasized with the light 41 having strong directivity and a shallow incident angle. By using such a camera unit 15 , the coin recognition device 10 can realize a reduction in size and obtain high discrimination (discrimination) performance with respect to the object 99 to be read.

(2) The camera unit 15 (image reading device) according to the present embodiment mounts the imaging sensor 21, the lens 22, the LED 23, the LED lens 24, the light guide 25, the light shielding plate 26, etc. on the same substrate 20. , the cost can be reduced.

(3) The camera unit 15 (image reading device) according to the present embodiment reflects the light 42 with a deep incident angle, which does not effectively act as illumination for emphasizing the contrast of the concave and convex portions (stamps) of the object 99 to be read, onto the glass 32 . A pattern image I42 having an arbitrary shape (a ring shape in the example shown in FIG. 4) is obtained. By using the pattern image I42, such a camera unit 15 automatically adjusts the brightness of the LED 23 (light source) with the adjustment unit cl2, and detects failure (abnormality) of the LED 23 (light source) with the failure detection unit cl3. can be automatically detected.

As described above, according to the camera section 15 (image reading device) according to the present embodiment, the size can be reduced. Further, according to the coin recognition device 10, by using the downsized camera section 15 (image reading device), the size can be reduced by the size of the downsized camera section 15 (image reading device). .

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

For example, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail in order to explain the gist of the present invention in an easy-to-understand manner. Therefore, the present invention is not necessarily limited to those including all the components described. Also, in the present invention, other components can be added to a certain component, or some components can be changed to other components. Also, the present invention can omit some components.

Further, for example, if the present invention is a coin handling device that handles coins, it can be applied not only to ATMs (Automated Teller Machines), but also to automatic coin deposit/withdrawal machines, cash handling machines, It can be used for ticket vending machines used in transportation facilities and distribution facilities, cash registers used in distribution facilities, automatic vending machines, and other devices.

1 ATM (coin handling equipment)
2 medium handling unit 2a card insertion/ejection port 2b receipt ejection port 3 display operation unit 4 passbook insertion/ejection port 5 banknote deposit/withdrawal unit 6 coin deposit/withdrawal unit (deposit unit)
10 coin recognition device 11 transport path (path)
12 Conveyor Belt 14 Gate 13 Pulley 15 Camera Section (Image Reader)
20 substrate 21 imaging sensor 22 lens 23 LED (light source)
24 LED lens (light source lens)
25 light guide 25i inner peripheral surface 25o outer peripheral surface 25t tapered surface 26 light shielding plate (shielding material)
27 reflector (reflective material)
28 Cover member 31 Case 32 Glass 40 Emitted light 41 Light (light with a shallow incident angle)
42 light (light with deep incident angle)
99 read object θ tilt angle cl control unit cl1 determination unit cl2 adjustment unit cl3 failure detection unit (defect detection unit)
I11 Captured image I42 Pattern image I99 Reading target part

Claims (10)

a light source that emits light;
an imaging sensor that captures an image of an object to be read;
a cylindrical light guide that guides light,
The light source and the light guide are arranged to surround the imaging sensor,
The light guide is configured to internally reflect light emitted from the light source and guide the light toward the object to be read,
Furthermore, the average luminance value of the circular pattern image formed outside the object to be read by the light reflected by the outer peripheral surface of the light guide in the captured image acquired by the imaging sensor is within a desired range. comprising an adjustment unit that adjusts the brightness of the light source so that
An image reading device characterized by: The image reading device according to claim 1,
The light source is arranged in a ring shape under the light guide so as to surround the imaging sensor,
The image reading device, wherein the light guide has a cylindrical shape, and a tapered surface is formed on the outer side of the tip so as to taper. In the image reading device according to claim 2,
An image reading apparatus, comprising: a light source lens for reducing a half-value angle of light emitted from the light source, provided between the light source and the light guide. In the image reading device according to claim 2,
The image reading device, wherein the inner diameter of the light guide is larger than the diameter of a coin having a maximum diameter as the object to be read. The image reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
An image reading device, wherein the light source, the imaging sensor, and the light guide are mounted on the same substrate. In the image reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
An image reader, wherein a shielding material for shielding light is arranged on the inner peripheral surface of the light guide. The image reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
An image reading device, wherein a reflecting material for reflecting light is disposed at an arbitrary location on either or both of the outer peripheral surface and the tip portion of the light guide. The image reading device according to claim 1 ,
Defectiveness of the light source is determined based on the outline of a circular pattern image formed outside the object to be read by light reflected by the outer peripheral surface of the light guide in the captured image acquired by the imaging sensor. An image reading apparatus comprising a defect detection unit that detects the presence or absence of an image. an image reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 ;
and a discriminating unit that discriminates the type of coin used as the object to be read. a coin recognition device according to claim 9 ;
A coin handling device, comprising: a depositing unit into which coins used as the reading object are inserted.

Images