JPH03273466A - Coin sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To reduce producing man-hour and a producing cost by means of the reduction of the number of parts by comparing an inputted signal with reference data stored in a memory part, adding/subtracting the resultant error to/from reference data of a coin stored in the memory part at the time of the presence of an error for compensation and storing it in the memory part. CONSTITUTION: A microcomputer 6 detects a time necessary for detecting maximum value data concerning a diameter from a time for detecting maximum value data concerning the quality of material. When the detected necessary time is within a fixed time, time necessitated for detecting corrected coin reference data stored in the memory part of the microcomputer 6 and maximum value data are compared to discriminate whether an thrown-in coin is genuin or counterfeit. Then the microcomputer 6 outputs a control signal to output ports C0 to C2 to control a gate part to house or return the coin, thereby reducing parts to reduce the number of producing man-hours.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to a coin sensing device, and in particular, a microcomputer corrects reference data for sensing and judging coins to determine the type of coin inserted and its normality. The present invention relates to a coin sensing device that detects the distinction between coins and counterfeit coins.

Conventional Technology and Problems The coin discriminating device used in conventional vending machines, etc. is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-111 filed by the present applicant.
There is No. 630. The coin discriminating device disclosed in this patent application is a coin discriminating device that uses a microcomputer to discriminate the type of coin inserted. a transformer that changes the phase difference of signals induced in the coils; a hood conversion unit that converts the phase difference of the signals induced in the two secondary coils into a code signal; and a code input from the code conversion unit. A microcomputer determines the type of coin inserted by comparing the signal with a basic code stored in a program ROM, and if the coin is determined by the microcomputer to be a normal coin, it is classified and stored, and the coin is classified as a counterfeit coin. It is equipped with a coin storage control section that controls the return when the coin is returned, and a coin storage detection section that detects whether a coin is stored, and of course accurately determines the type of coin using the material of the inserted coin This invention relates to a coin discrimination device that discriminates whether a coin is a counterfeit coin or a normal coin.

However, such coin discrimination devices input data for determining coins, that is, reference data, into a program ROM (P-ROM') in order to correct hardware errors and input slot errors due to ambient temperature, machine wear, etc. , a microcomputer is installed around it to correct hardware errors and inlet errors, but when using the program ROM,
The problem is that a program ROM must be designed for each set and mounted on the microcomputer board, which not only increases manufacturing man-hours due to an increase in the number of parts, but also increases manufacturing costs.

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to correct the type of coins inserted and standard data for distinguishing between counterfeit coins and normal coins. By storing reference values for the process in the memory of the microcomputer and having the microcomputer correct hardware errors and set errors, it is possible to reduce manufacturing man-hours and manufacturing costs due to an increase in the number of parts. To provide a coin sensing device.

In order to achieve the above object, the coin sensing device according to the present invention has the following features:
A microcomputer, a sensor unit that senses data regarding the material, thickness, and diameter of the coin, and a sensor unit that detects a phase difference generated depending on the material of the coin inserted into the input slot, and at the same time sends an interwoven request signal to the microcomputer. A phase difference detection section to be inputted, a NAND gate that selects and passes a clock signal of a constant period oscillated by a crystal oscillator during a phase difference detection time detected by the phase difference detection section, and a clock signal output from the NAND gate. a counter unit that counts a clock signal, converts it into 4-bit data, and inputs it to the microcomputer; and a coin passage sensor that detects whether a normal coin or a counterfeit coin can pass among the coins as determined by the microcomputer. The present invention is characterized by comprising a gate control section that controls the gate so as to store normal coins, and a data transfer section that transmits the data so as to display the amount of stored coins.

Example Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of the coin sensing device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a detailed circuit diagram of the coin sensing device of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a graph for determining the reference value of coin data. . In FIG. 1, a sensor 1 is installed in a coin insertion path and consists of a material sensing sensor SI, a thickness sensing sensor S2, and a diameter sensing sensor S3, which collects data regarding the material, thickness, and diameter of the coin being inserted. Section 3 is a counter section that counts the coin data sensed by each of the sensor sections 1, converts it into 4-bit data, and inputs it to a microcomputer to be described later; 5 is a gate section that drives the gate to store or return the coin 12 inserted into the coin slot; 5 is a data transfer section that transfers data regarding the material, thickness, and diameter of the inserted coin; 6; is a microcomputer-9 that controls the entire system in the coin sensing device of the present invention, which distinguishes the types of coins and whether the coins are normal or counterfeit among these coin types.
is a coin passage sensing unit that senses whether or not a coin has passed through the input path.

That is, the coin sensing device of the present invention, as shown in detail in FIG. 2, determines the type of coin inserted into the coin passage and whether it is a normal coin or a counterfeit coin, and at the same time controls the overall operation. , and a microcomputer part 6 having a memory section that stores coin reference data for which the set error value has been compensated and data obtained by adding or subtracting a certain tolerance error from this reference data, and a clock signal of a certain period. an initial value reset comprising a crystal oscillator 7 which oscillates and applies it to the microcomputer 6; and a resistor R7 and a capacitor 05 so as to reset the microcomputer 6 to an initial time using the operating power applied to the power supply terminal Vcc; Part 2 and coin 12 inserted into the coin slot
A material sensing sensor S1. detects the material of the material. A thickness sensor S2 detects the thickness of the inserted coin 12, and a diameter sensor S3 detects the diameter of the inserted coin 12.
a sensor unit 1 consisting of a sensor unit 1, a resistor R8゜R9, and a capacitor for detecting a phase difference generated depending on the material of the coin holder 2 inserted into the coin slot and simultaneously inputting an interconnected request signal to the microcomputer 6. C6,
C7, comparator COMPI.

A phase difference detection section 2 consisting of COMP2 and a NAND gate Gl, a NAND gate G2 that selects and passes the clock signal of the crystal oscillator 7 during the phase difference time detected by the phase difference detection section 2, and the NAND gate G
The clock signal outputted from the microcomputer 2 is counted and converted into 4-bit data, and at the same time, a reference pulse of reference data regarding the material stored in the memory section of the microcomputer 6 is received while no coin is inserted into the slot. The data is compared with the reference data stored in the memory section in the microcomputer and converted into 4-bit data so as to correct input port errors and hardware errors, and inputted to the input port DI of the microcomputer 6. The counter section 3 determines whether the coins inserted into the input slot should be stored or returned, detects storage and return signals, and inputs these signals to the microcomputer 6, which further outputs the storage or return signals. The coin passage sensing section 9 inputs a reset signal to the input port AO or A1 of the microcomputer 6 when the coin does not come out, that is, when the coin input path is blocked.

Here, this coin passage sensing section 9 includes a normal coin sensing section consisting of a photosensor PH1 constituted by a light emitting element LDI and a light receiving element PCI, and a photosensor PH2 consisting of a light emitting element L[12 and a light receiving element PD2]. It consists of a counterfeit coin passage sensing section consisting of:

In the coin sensing device configured as described above, first, when the power supply voltage Vcc is applied to the power supply terminal of the initial reset section 8, the capacitor C is applied through the resistor R7 of the initial reset section 8.
The reset terminal 1 of the microcomputer 6 is charged for a certain period of time after being charged to 5. A low potential is applied to ST, and the microcomputer 6 enters the initial state while maintaining the reset state for a certain period of time. At this time, the coin slot (not shown)
When a coin 12 is inserted into the sensor unit 1, the inserted coin 12 passes through the material sensing sensor St, the thickness sensing sensor S2, and the diameter sensing sensor S3 of the sensor unit 1 in order, and data regarding the material, thickness, and diameter are sensed. Comparator CO
A signal having a predetermined phase difference is input to the MP10 inverting input terminal as the coin l2 is inserted, and the comparator CO
Since a pulse signal with a constant phase difference is output to the inverting input terminal of MP2, the NAND gate Gl outputs a low potential phase difference detection signal among the pulse signals with a constant phase difference and performs NAND. Applied to gate G2.

The crystal oscillator 7 that is manually input to the NAND gate G2 while the low potential phase difference detection signal output from the NAND gate GI is applied to one terminal of the NAND gate G2
A clock signal with a constant frequency from 1 is selected during the phase difference time, and then counted, and this counted clock signal is applied to the counter section 3, and the counter section 3
The signal applied to the microcomputer 6 is converted into 4-bit data and input to the input port DI of the microcomputer 6 for comparison with reference data stored in the memory section of the microcomputer 6. Next, the coin 12 inserted into the slot is transferred to each of the sensors Sl, S2, . S3
If there is no phase difference, the comparator COM
The clock signal from the crystal oscillator 7 is NANDed by inputting a low potential interlaced request tII signal from the PI to the interconnected request terminal IRQ of the microcomputer 6 and outputting a high potential from the NAND gate Gl.
Even if applied to gate G1, NAND gate G2 does not pass any more clock signals.

At this time, the microcomputer 6 is converted into 4-bit data by the counter section 3, and the microcomputer 6 is converted into 4-bit data.
Compare the input data with the reference data corrected for coin detection stored in the memory section of the microcomputer 6, and if the same data is not stored, the microcomputer 6 will detect forgery. By determining that the coin is a coin, the counterfeit coin is returned directly through the counterfeit coin return port without opening the gate B.

The photo sensor PH2 of the coin passage sensing unit 9 detects whether the counterfeit coin return slot is operated or not. If the coin is not returned normally, the output signal of the photo sensor PI (2) is detected by the input port of the microcomputer 6. -) Since the voltage is applied to AI, the microcomputer 6 is reset.

On the other hand, if the corrected reference data for detecting coins stored in the memory section of the microcomputer 6 and the number of clock signals counted by the counter section 3 are the same, the microcomputer 6 detects the inserted coin 12. It can be determined that the coin is normal, and at this time a signal is output to the output port CO of the microcomputer 6 to open the gate B and allow the coin to pass through.

Here, whether or not the coin has passed is determined by the coin passing sensing section 9
If the photo sensor PH1 does not pass normally even though it is detected, the output signal of the photo sensor PH1 is applied to the input port AO of the microcomputer 6, and the microcomputer 6 is reset.

Gates B and C are coin types (for example, 10 yen, 5
0 yen, 100 yen, 500 yen), and each signal classified and stored in this gate is sent to the output ports PO, P1 . P2. Through P3, a signal corresponding to the type of coins sorted and stored in each gate is caused to emit light from a light emitting diode disposed on a display board of the main plate (not shown), thereby displaying the amount of coins inserted.

If no coin is inserted, there is no phase difference between the signals, so the signals applied to the inverting and non-inverting input terminals of the comparator COMP2 will have a phase difference of 180° from each other, resulting in a low Since the potential and high potential pulse signals are repeatedly output, the NAND gate -Gl continues to output the high potential and the oscillation signal of the crystal oscillator 7 is not applied to the NAND gate G2.

At this time, a reference pulse regarding the material is inputted to the counter section 3 through the pulse inputted when no coin is inserted and the output port SO of the microcomputer 6, and the 4-bit data of the counter section 3 is transferred to the microcomputer 6. The data is input to the input port D1 of the microcomputer 6 and compared with reference data stored in the memory section of the microcomputer 6 to perform an error correction operation.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing reference data for identifying coins. Waveform a is ideal data as reference data for initial coin data, and shows the basic waveform for a 10 yen coin.

In Figure 3, waveform C is the waveform of the error value with respect to the standard data of the coin that can change as it is set, and Ta is the part that shows the difference from the basic waveform a.
and Tb are correction values obtained by adding or subtracting a certain tolerance from the set error value or the compensated reference data, and compare the waveform with the value corrected by the microcomputer 6 to determine the type of coin, normal coin, and Distinguishing between counterfeit coins.

Therefore, the microcomputer 6 detects the time required to detect the highest value data regarding the diameter from the time required to detect the highest value data regarding the material, and if the required detection time is within a certain time, the microcomputer 6 detects the time required to detect the highest value data regarding the diameter. - The truth or falsehood of whether the inserted coin is a normal coin or a counterfeit coin by comparing the corrected coin standard data stored in the memory section of 6 with the time required for the detection and the maximum value data. The microcomputer 6 outputs a control signal based on the result of the determination to the boats Co and C1.
, C2 to control the gate section to store or return the coin, and if the coin is not stored or returned normally at this time, input the output signal of the photosensor PHIPH2 to the input port AO or A1 of the microcomputer-6. to reset the microcomputer-6.

Next, with reference to FIG. 4, a method of determining the type of coin and whether it is a counterfeit coin or a normal coin using the coin sensing device according to the present invention will be described. In the figure, S represents a step.

When the coin sensing device of the present invention starts operating with power applied, first, in step S1, initialization is performed by the initial processing set section 8 with power applied to the microcomputer 6. Proceeding to step S2, the pulse of the standard data for coin judgment stored in the memory section of the microcomputer-6 is input to the microcomputer-6 in order to set the state in which no coin is inserted into the slot and to correct hardware errors. It is outputted from the output port SO of the microcomputer 6, inputted to the counter section 3, converted into a 4-bit signal, and sent to the input port DI of the microcomputer 6.
, and the process proceeds to step S3, where the data stored in the memory section of the microcomputer 6, for example,
Compare with the data of reference waveform a shown in the figure.

As a result of this comparison, if the amount of data differs from the reference waveform, including errors of Ta and Tb, as shown in FIG. The set and hardware error compensated values are compensated and stored in the memory section of the microcomputer 6 so that the type and authenticity of normal coins or counterfeit coins can be determined. Further, in step S4, the reference data for identifying coins is corrected using the same method as described above for the data regarding the thickness and diameter, and is stored in the memory section of the microcomputer 6. Next, the process proceeds to step S5 to detect whether or not a coin has been inserted, and if no coin has been inserted, the process returns to step S2 and the error correction operation is performed again.

On the other hand, when a coin is inserted, each sensor S
t, S2. The data sensed by S3 is sent to counter section 3.
At step S7, the data is converted into 4-bit data and inputted to the input port DI of the microcomputer 6. At step S7, it is determined whether or not input of the data of the coin inserted into the input slot is completed in the microcomputer 6. If YES, the process proceeds to step S8 and compares the reference data for determining the coin corrected in step s4 with the data regarding the inserted coin inputted to the input port D1 of the microcomputer 6 in step S7. to determine the type of coin and the authenticity of normal coins and counterfeit coins, and the process proceeds to step S9, where the gate of the coin sensing device is turned on by detecting the coin type and normal coins and counterfeit coins, that is, if the coin is a counterfeit coin. In this case, the coin is returned through the return port without opening gate B, and if the coin is normal, gate B is opened and coins are sorted and stored according to the type at gates C and D, thereby detecting the coin. As soon as the function ends, the microcomputer 6 outputs PO,
A signal corresponding to the type of coin is transmitted through PI, P2 and P3 to a light emitting diode disposed on a main plate (not shown), and the number of coins to be inserted is displayed on a display board.

On the other hand, if the input of data regarding the material, thickness, and diameter of the inserted coin is not completed in step S7 (in the case of No), the process returns to step S6 and the inserted coin data is input again. The operation of step S7 is repeatedly executed.

Effects of the Invention As explained above, according to the coin sensing device of the present invention, reference data for determining normal coins is stored in the memory section of the microcomputer, and input slot errors and hardware errors are detected by the coin detection device of the present invention. If no coin is inserted, the pulse of the reference data is output to the counter section, converted to a 4-bit signal, inputted to the microcomputer, and the input signal is stored in the memory section of the microcomputer. Compared with the stored standard data, if there is an error, the error is added or subtracted from the standard data of the coin stored in the memory unit to compensate and store it in the memory unit. Since there is no need to use a program ROM (FROM) to compensate for errors in the input port, there is an excellent effect of reducing manufacturing man-hours and manufacturing costs due to a reduction in the number of parts.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a coin sensing device of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a detailed circuit diagram of the coin sensing device shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a graph for determining the reference value of coin data, and Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation process of the microcomputer according to the coin discrimination method of the present invention. It is. 1... Sensor section, 2... Phase difference detection section, 3...
Counter section, 4... Gate control section, 5... Data transfer section, 6... Microcomputer 7... Crystal oscillator, 8... Initial value setting section, 9... Coin passage sensing section , Sl, S2. S3...Sensor, COM
PI, COMP2... Comparator.

Claims (5)

[Claims] (1) A microcomputer, a sensor unit that senses data regarding the material, thickness, and diameter of the coin, and an interrupt request signal sent to the microcomputer at the same time as detecting the phase difference generated by the material of the coin inserted into the slot. a phase difference detection section that inputs the phase difference, a NAND gate that selects and passes a clock signal with a constant period oscillated by the crystal oscillator during the phase difference time detected by the phase difference detection section, and a clock signal that is output from the NAND gate. a counter section that counts a clock signal, converts it into 4-bit data, and inputs it to the microcomputer; a coin passage sensing section that detects whether a normal coin or a counterfeit coin passes among the coins determined by the microcomputer; A coin sensing device comprising: a gate control section that controls a gate to store only normal coins; and a data transfer section that transmits data to display the amount of coins stored. (2) The sensor unit is comprised of a material sensing sensor, a thickness sensing sensor, and a diameter sensing sensor that sense the material, thickness, and diameter of the coin inserted into the coin slot. The coin sensing device according to item 1. (3) The coin passage sensing section is comprised of a normal coin passage sensing section consisting of a first photosensor and a counterfeit coin passage sensing section consisting of a second photosensor. The coin sensing device according to item 1. (4) The phase difference detection section includes resistors (R8, R9), capacitors (C6, C7), comparators (COMP1, COM
Coin sensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a NAND gate (G1) and a NAND gate (G1). (5) The counter unit receives a pulse of reference data regarding the material stored in the memory unit of the microcomputer when no coins are inserted into the input slot, and receives reference data stored in the memory unit by the microcomputer. 2. The coin sensing device according to claim 1, wherein the coin sensing device converts the coin into 4-bit data so as to correct an input slot error and a hardware error.