JPH0816941B2 - Money checker - 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 inspection apparatus for performing coin inspection processing such as coin counting and coin sorting based on an electrical and magnetic principle, and particularly to compensate for secular change in coin inspection accuracy. Related to the money inspection device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, the inventor of the present application has filed Japanese Patent Application No. 3-346.
In No. 20, a metal body discriminating device having a new and excellent prosecution characteristic was disclosed. Such a metal body discriminating device is provided with an oscillating circuit that oscillates by a resonance action with a coil wound in an annular shape, and a coin to be inspected passes through a magnetic field generated in the hollow of the annular coil. The change in impedance and inductance generated in the annular coil due to the action of the eddy current when the coin is passed through the magnetic field is detected as the change in the frequency and the amplitude of the oscillation signal of the oscillation circuit. The material of the coin to be inspected is detected from the change, and the outer shape of the coin to be inspected is detected from the change in the amplitude, so that accurate coin inspection can be realized.

Further, a plurality of sensor portions, each of which is composed of the above-mentioned annular coil and an oscillating circuit which cooperates with the annular coil, are arranged at predetermined intervals, and an oscillation obtained when a coin to be inspected passes through the inside of these annular coils. Characteristic extraction of coins to be inspected by detecting the material of coins to be inspected from the change of frequency and amplitude of signal and also detecting the diameter and thickness of coins to be inspected from change of amplitude This is a dramatic improvement in accuracy.

[0004] Various types of coin checking apparatus to which such an electric / magnetic principle is applied have been known, but the metal discriminating apparatus according to the invention is a hollow coil of an annular coil in which a magnetic field is generated. By making it possible to dramatically improve the accuracy of coin inspection by passing coins to be inspected, the restrictions in designing in the coin processing device are dramatically eased and mechanical accuracy such as assembly accuracy is improved. Since it is hardly affected, it has an extremely excellent effect.

[0005]

However, even if it has such a basically excellent function, the accuracy of the checkup is improved due to the environmental change of the installation location of the device and the characteristic change of the component parts of the device. There is a problem of decline. In other words, the money checking device is not always installed in an environment where it is kept in a constant state. For example, when it is installed in an automatic ticket vending machine for railways or a vending machine for drinking water, etc., and installed outdoors. It is often installed in a place where there are large changes in the environment such as temperature fluctuations and humidity fluctuations, and the characteristics of the components (electronic parts, etc.) of the coinspection device fluctuate with such changes in the environment. By doing so, there arises a problem that the accuracy of the public inspection changes. In addition, there is also a problem that the accuracy of coin inspection deteriorates with the aging of component parts. And
It is extremely troublesome for the maintenance manager to readjust each time the accuracy of check changes, and the reliability is impaired. Therefore, the present invention is to provide a money inspection apparatus having an automatic compensation function in which the apparatus itself automatically maintains the money inspection accuracy even if such an external environment change or an internal factor change occurs. To aim.

[0006]

In order to achieve such an object, the present invention provides a plurality of LC oscillating circuits each having an annular coil functioning as an inductance that causes a resonance action, and each of the LC oscillating circuits. When the coins to be inspected pass through the hollow portion of the annular coil, and the sensor portion having the structure in which the annular coils are arranged at a predetermined interval from each other and the coins to be inspected pass through the hollow portion of each of the annular coils. In addition, due to the difference between the minimum amplitude and the maximum amplitude of the envelope of the AC signal as the impedance and inductance of each annular coil changes due to the action of the eddy current generated in the coin to be inspected by the magnetic field lines from the respective annular coils, The cross-sectional area data of the coin to be inspected, the material data of the coin to be inspected by the frequency at the minimum amplitude of the envelope of the AC signal, and to each of the annular coils. The outer diameter data of the coin to be inspected is extracted by the time difference when the amplitudes of the envelopes of the AC signals are equal, and these data are used as the characteristic data unique to the coin to be inspected, and the characteristic data is In a coin inspection device having a judgment means for judging the denomination of coins to be inspected based on:
The determination means is data indicating a ratio of each characteristic data obtained for other denominations excluding the specific denomination of all denominations to be inspected and the characteristic data obtained for the specific denomination. And first storage means for storing in advance the characteristic data of the specific denomination as standard determination coefficient data of each denomination,
Second storage means for storing, as gauge data, a ratio of the characteristic data of the specific denomination to the amplitude of the AC signal generated in the LC oscillator in the absence of coins to be inspected at a certain reference; The determination reference data of the specific denomination is obtained by calculating the product of the data of the amplitude of the AC signal generated in the LC oscillator in the absence of coins to be inspected and the gauge data, and The standard judgment data of the other denomination is obtained by calculating the product of the judgment reference data and the standard judgment coefficient data of the other denomination, and when the coin to be inspected passes through the annular coil of the sensor section. The characteristic data of the coin to be inspected to be obtained is compared with the determination reference data of the specific denomination and the determination reference data of other denominations, and the gold for the determination reference data having the highest match It was constructed and a said determining correction control means and the denomination of the coin detecting coins.

Further, the judging means uses, as gauge data of each denomination, a ratio of each characteristic data of all denominations to an amplitude of an AC signal generated in the LC oscillator in a state where no coin to be inspected exists at a certain reference. By storing the storage means for storing and calculating the product of the amplitude data of the AC signal generated in the LC oscillator and the gauge data of each denomination in the absence of coins to be inspected at the time of actual inspection, each money is calculated. Characteristic data of the coin to be inspected, which is obtained when the coin to be inspected passes through the annular coil of the sensor unit,
Compensation control means for determining the denomination of the determination reference data having the highest matching as the denomination of the coin to be inspected as compared with the determination reference data is provided.

[0008]

According to the coin inspection apparatus having such a structure, the above-mentioned L is provided in the absence of coins to be inspected at the time of the above-mentioned reference.
The amplitude of the AC signal generated in the C oscillator is the first reference level data γ1, and the amplitude of the AC signal generated in the LC oscillator in the absence of coins to be inspected during the actual inspection is the second reference level data γ2. Then, since the ratio of these data has a correlation with the change of the inspection characteristics due to the influence of the external environment of the inspection device or the change over time, the reference level data γ2 at the time of actual inspection is changed to the standard judgment coefficient. By weighting (multiplying) the data or the gauge data, it is possible to obtain the determination reference data in which the change in the inspection characteristics is offset. Therefore, the characteristic data of the coin to be inspected, which is obtained when the coin to be inspected passes through the annular coil of the sensor unit in the actual inspection, is compared with the determination reference data, and the determination criterion having the highest match is obtained. By deciding the denomination of the data as the denomination of the coin to be inspected, it is possible to make a coin inspection judgment under virtually constant conditions without being affected by the external environment or aging. To be done.

[0009]

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

First, the structure of the sensor portion will be described with reference to FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1 (a), a hollow hole 3 for allowing a coin 2 to be inspected to pass therethrough is formed in the cylindrical body 1. Further, flange portions 4 and 5 facing each other at a predetermined distance W1 and flange portions 6 and 7 facing each other at the same distance W2 (= W1) are formed on the outer wall thereof, and the flange portions 5 and 6 have a predetermined distance W3 only. is seperated. Then, the cylindrical body 1 and the flange portion 4,
5, 6 and 7 are integrally molded of plastic or the like.

On the outer wall of the cylindrical body 1 sandwiched between the flange portions 4 and 5, a relatively thin copper wire with an insulating coating is provided with a predetermined number of turns T.
The first coil 8 is formed by being wound only, and both ends 9 and 10 of the copper wire extend to the outside. Furthermore, even on the outer wall of the cylindrical body 1 sandwiched by the flange portions 6 and 7,
The second coil 11 is formed by winding a predetermined number of turns T of a relatively thin copper wire coated with insulation, and both ends 12, 13 of the copper wire extend to the outside. That is, the first
The coil 8 and the second coil 11 are designed to be structurally and electrically equal to each other.

U-shaped core 1 made of ferrite or the like
4 is tightly fitted so as to sandwich the flange portions 4 and 5 from one side, and the core 15 of the same shape and material is tightly fitted so as to sandwich the flange portions 6 and 7 from the same direction. Further, although the drawing shows a disassembled state,
17 is also made of the same shape and material as the cores 14 and 15, and faces the cores 14 and 15 so that the flange portions 4, 5
And 6 and 7 are tightly fitted.

Here, the distance W3 is set to be substantially equal to the diameter of the coin having the smallest diameter. For example, in a coin checker used in Japan, 1 yen coin, 5 yen coin, 10 yen coin, 50 yen coin, 100 yen coin and 5 yen coin in Japan
Among the denominations of 00-yen coins, the intervals are set slightly narrower than the diameter of the smallest 1-yen coin.

Further, the shape of the hollow hole 3 is designed in a similar shape slightly larger than the radial cross section of the largest coin (for example, shown by the shaded area AR in the drawing). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3B, the coin can pass through the hollow hole 3 with a slight gap. However,
The hollow hole 3 is provided as a mere guide hole for allowing the coin to pass inside the coil 8 and the coil 11, and defines the passage position of the coin with respect to the coil 8 and the coil 11 with high mechanical accuracy. It is not provided for the purpose.

By connecting the oscillation circuit shown in FIG. 2 to both ends 9 and 10 of the first coil 8 and both ends 12 and 13 of the second coil 11, the principle diagram of FIG. 1C is obtained. As shown, magnetic force lines 8a and 11a having a predetermined magnetic flux density are generated in advance in the respective coils 8 and 11, and when the coin 2 to be inspected passes through the hollow hole 3, the magnetic force lines 8a and 11a are acted upon. ing.

Next, the detection circuit X added to the first coil 8 and the detection circuit Y added to the second coil 11 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, all the detection circuits X and Y are composed of the same circuit. Capacitors C1x and C2x are provided between both ends 9 and 10 of the first coil 8.
Are connected in series, the terminal 9 is connected to the non-inverting input contact of the comparator 18x, and the terminal 10 and the inverting input contact of the comparator 18x are connected to the ground contact. Comparator 18
x is operated by a power supply of a predetermined voltage, and its output contact is resistor 1
It is biased to a predetermined voltage Vcc via 9x and connected to a common connection contact Px of the capacitors C1x and C2x via a feedback resistor Rfx. Since the inductance and the impedance of the coil 8 change under the influence of the eddy current generated when the coin 2 to be inspected passes, the change in the impedance is equivalently indicated by the symbol R1 in the figure. Further, the inductance (L) of the coil 8 theoretically changes according to the relationship of the following equation.

[0017]

[Equation 1]

These comparator 18x and capacitor C1
x, C2x, resistors Rfx, 19x and the coil 8 constitute a Colpitts type oscillating circuit, and an AC signal S1x having a frequency and an amplitude determined by the circuit constant of the tuning circuit including the capacitors C1x, C2x and the coil 8 is generated. It will occur at the terminal 9. Then, when the coin 2 to be inspected passes through the magnetic lines of force generated by the coil 8, the amplitude and frequency of the AC signal S1x change in accordance with the changes in the inductance and impedance, and as shown in FIG. The amplitude changes according to the difference in cross-sectional area AR and diameter of the coin 2 (see FIGS. 3A and 3B), and the frequency changes according to the difference in magnetic permeability of the coin 2 to be inspected (FIG. 3). (See (c)].

The frequency detection circuit 20x has an AC signal S1x.
Waveform shaping circuit 201x for shaping a rectangular wave signal D1x of two values without changing the frequency, and this rectangular wave signal D
The measuring circuit 202x is provided which detects the frequency of the AC signal S1x by measuring the generation frequencies of the logical 1 and 0 of 1x and outputs the detection result as digital frequency data Dfx every predetermined period τ. There is. Detection circuit 2
1x is an envelope detection circuit 211x that detects the envelope of the positive amplitude voltage of the AC signal S1x, and the analog envelope signal A1x is A / D converted and output as digital amplitude data Dax at every predetermined period τ. The A / D converter 212x is provided. The one detection circuit Y also has the same circuit configuration as the detection circuit X, and the parts shown by replacing the code x of the detection circuit X with the code y are the same.

The frequency data Dfx and Dfy and the amplitude data Da output from the detection circuits X and Y are then output.
x, and Day are input to the correction control unit 22, the denomination is determined by the correction process and the coin inspection process, which will be described later, and the determination result Q is output. The sensor unit is directly connected to the coin insertion slot of the coin inspection device or through a transport mechanism so that the coin to be inspected passes through the hollow hole 3 by natural fall. Next, the operation of the detection circuits X and Y will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 1A, the coin 2 to be inspected passes through the hollow portions of the coils 8 and 11 along the hollow hole 3 in the direction of arrow A. Furthermore,
Envelope signal A1x, amplitude data Dax, envelope signal A1
The relationship between y and the amplitude data Day, the generation frequency and frequency data Dfx of the rectangular wave signal D1x, and the generation frequency and frequency data Dfy of the rectangular wave signal D1y is merely a relationship between analog signals and digital data. Since they are the same, the analog envelope signal A1
x, A1y and the rectangular wave signals D1x, D1y will be described.

In FIG. 4, when the coin 2 to be inspected is not inserted into any of the coils 8 and 11 as before a certain time t1, the coin 2 to be inspected is not affected by any magnetic line of force. AC signals S1x and S1y having a constant frequency and amplitude that are uniquely determined by the inductances of the coils 8 and 11 in the state are generated [see FIGS. 4 (b) and 4 (c)].
Along with this, the envelope signal A of the detection circuits 21x and 21y
1x and A1y also have a constant amplitude H0 [see FIG. 4 (d)], and rectangular wave signals D1x and D1y of the frequency detection circuits 20x and 20y.
The generation frequency of is also constant [see FIGS. 4 (e) and 4 (f)].

Next, as shown at a certain time point t2, when the tip portion of the coin 2 to be inspected enters the hollow portion of the first coil 8, an eddy current is generated at the tip portion due to the influence of the magnetic line of force, and at the same time. The inductance and impedance R1 of the coil 8 change, the frequency and amplitude of the AC signal S1x start to change, the amplitude of the envelope signal A1x decreases at the same time, and the generation frequency of the rectangular wave signal D1x also starts to change.
In the case of the coin 2 to be inspected made of a material having a magnetic permeability higher than that of air, the frequency of the AC signal S1x becomes lower as the overlapping area of the coin 2 to be inspected and the coil 8 becomes larger as shown in FIG. Conversely, in the case of the coin to be inspected 2 made of a material whose magnetic permeability is lower than that of air, the frequency of the AC signal S1x becomes higher as the area where the coin to be inspected 2 and the coil 8 overlap becomes larger. In addition, here, the case where the coin 2 to be inspected made of a material having a magnetic permeability higher than that of air passes is shown.

Further, as the coin 2 to be inspected advances into the hollow portion of the coil 8, the generation of the eddy current gradually increases, and the frequency and amplitude of the AC signal S1x and the envelope signal A1x corresponding to the change. The amplitude and the generation frequency of the rectangular wave signal D1x also change.

Next, as shown at time t3, when the central portion of the coin 2 to be inspected coincides with the central portion of the coil 8, the eddy current generated in the coin 2 to be inspected becomes the maximum and the AC signal S1x At the same time that the amplitude of the envelope signal A1x becomes the minimum value H1, the generation frequency of the rectangular wave signal D1x becomes the minimum.

After the time point t3, the amplitude and the generation frequency of these signals S1x, A1x, D1x gradually return as at the time point t1 as the coin 2 to be inspected gradually comes off the coil 8. To go.

Further, when the coin 2 to be inspected moves and the tip portion of the coin 2 to be inspected overlaps the second coil 11, the signals S1y and A1 of the second detection circuit Y relating to the coil 11 are detected.
The amplitudes of y and D1y and the generated frequencies start to change.

Then, as shown at time t5, when the area of the overlapping portion of the coin 8 and the overlapping portion of the coil 11 and the overlapping portion of the rear end portion and the coil 8 become equal, the envelopes of the signals A1x and A1y. The value H2 has the same amplitude.

After the time when the coin 2 to be inspected is completely separated from the coil 8 as at time t6, the amplitudes and frequencies of the signals S1x, A1x, D1x of the first detection circuit are at time t.
It gradually returns to the same state as when 1.

On the other hand, the coin 2 to be inspected gradually advances into the coil 11, and as shown at time t7, the coin 2 to be inspected
When the overlapping portion between the coil 11 and
The amplitude of 1y becomes the minimum H1, and at the same time the envelope signal A1x
And the generation frequency of the rectangular wave signal D1x are also the lowest.

After time t7, the signal S1 is sent as the coin 2 to be inspected is gradually separated from the coil 11.
The amplitudes of y and A1y expand, and the frequency of the rectangular wave signal D1y also gradually returns to the state at the time t1,
After the coin 2 to be inspected is completely removed from the coil 11 at the time point t8, the signals S1y, A1y, D1y return to the same state as at the time point t1.

Here, these signals A1x, D1x, A
The change in the amplitude of 1y and D1y and the change in the generated frequency show characteristics peculiar to each denomination of the coin 2 to be inspected. In particular, the cross-sectional area AR
The minimum amplitude H1 of the envelope signals A1x and A1y becomes smaller as the coin 2 has a larger value, and the envelope signals A1x and A1y have the minimum amplitude H1 as the coin 2 having a higher magnetic permeability. Of the rectangular wave signals D1x and D1y becomes low.

As a result of an experiment, the present inventor has found that the minimum amplitude H1 has a correlation with the cross-sectional area AR of the coin 2 to be inspected,
As shown at time t5 in FIG. 4D, the envelope signal A1x
And A1y cross each other (hereinafter referred to as crossing amplitude) H2 has a correlation with the diameter of the coin 2 to be inspected, and further, the generated frequency when the envelope signals A1x and A1y have the minimum amplitude H1. It has been found that there is a correlation with the material (permeability) of the coin 2 to be inspected, and these are used as characteristic data of the coin 2 to be inspected, and the correction control circuit 22 described later automatically determines the denomination. The correction control circuit 22
Does not process the minimum amplitude H1 and the cross amplitude H2 on the basis of the earth level, but the coins under inspection have coils 8, 1
Amplitude (maximum amplitude) H of the envelope signal A1x, A1y generated in the first and second detection circuits X, Y when not inserted in 1
With 0 as the reference, the difference between the amplitude H0 and the minimum value H1 (H
0-H1) is processed as cross-sectional area data β showing the characteristic of the cross-sectional area, and the difference (H0-H2) between the amplitude H0 and the crossing amplitude H2 is processed as external shape data α showing the characteristic of the diameter.

Next, the configuration of the correction controller 22 will be described.
The correction control unit 22 is realized by a microcomputer system having an arithmetic function, and the frequency data Dfx, Dfy and the amplitude data Dax from the detection circuits X, Y are obtained.
Necessary for the determination, and a calculation unit 23 that inputs Day and performs a calculation for feature extraction of coins to be inspected, a determination unit 24 that determines the denomination based on the feature extraction result obtained by the calculation unit 23. Read-only memory (ROM) 25 for storing standard judgment coefficient data, and an electrically rewritable memory for holding gauge data necessary for creating actually necessary judgment reference data from standard judgment coefficient data (EEPRO
M) 26 and a timing controller 27 for setting the operation timing.

The calculation unit 23 inputs the frequency data Dfx, Dfy and the amplitude data Dax, Day from the detection circuits X, Y for each predetermined cycle τ (for example, 1 mS), and calculates the difference (Day−Dam) between the amplitude data Day and Dax. Calculate Dax). The difference (Day-Dax) before and after the period τ is 0.
When the state of the above condition continues, coins to be inspected
It is determined that the signal does not pass through 11 and the latest amplitude data Dax at that time is held as the reference level data γ.
That is, this corresponds to measuring the maximum envelope amplitude H0 in FIG.

When the difference (Day-Dax) is not 0, it is determined that the coins under inspection are passing, and the amplitude data Dax at the time when the difference (Day-Dax) becomes the maximum value [Fig. 4]. (Corresponding to the minimum amplitude H1 of (d)] is held, and at the same time, the frequency data Dfx at this time is held as frequency data η. Further, after the minimum amplitude H1 is obtained, the amplitude data Dax [corresponding to the cross amplitude H2 in FIG. 4 (d)] at the time when the difference (Day-Dax) becomes 0 again is held. Then, α = H0−H2 and β = H0
The outer shape data α and the cross-sectional area data β are obtained by the calculation of −H1.

By repeating such processing, when the coin to be inspected does not pass the sensor section, the latest reference level data γ is held, and when the coin to be inspected passes, the outer shape data α and the cross-sectional area data. Characteristic data composed of β and frequency data η is generated.

The ROM 25 stores in advance the standard judgment coefficient data relating to the characteristics of the outer shape, the cross-sectional area and the frequency of the denomination to be targeted, and the standard judgment coefficient data is created by, for example, the following statistical method. It For example, when a plurality of denominations a, b, c, etc. are to be inspected, a large number N of coins are prepared for each denomination, and a specific inspection only for creating standard determination coefficient data. Outline data α _a1 , α _a2 , for each coin when all coins pass through the device
α _a3 … α _aN , α _b1 , α _b2 , α _b3 … α _bN , α _c1 , α _c2 , α
_c3 … α _cN and cross-sectional area data β _a1 , β _a2 , β _a3 … β _aN , β
_b1 , β _b2 , β _b3 ... β _bN , β _c1 , β _c2 , β _c3 ... β _cN and frequency data η _a1 , η _a2 , η _a3 ... η _aN , η _b1 , η _b2 , η _b3
... η _bN , η _c1 , η _c2 , η _c3 ... η _cN are measured. And
The average value αa, αb, αc of the outer shape data and the average value β of the cross-sectional area data are calculated by the following equations for each denomination a, b, c.
a, βb, βc ... And average values ηa, ηb of the frequency data,
Find ηc.

Αa = (α _a1 + α _a2 + α _a3 + ... + α _aN ) / N αb = (α _b1 + α _b2 + α _b3 + ... + α _bN ) / N αc = (α _c1 + α _c2 + α _c3 + ... + α _cN ) / N …………………………… βa = (β _a1 + β _a2 + β _a3 +… + β _aN ) / N βb = (β _b1 + β _b2 + β _b3 + ... + β _bN ) / N βc = (β _c1 + β _c2 + β _c3 + ... + Β _cN ) / N …………………………… ηa = (η _a1 + η _a2 + η _a3 +… + η _aN ) / N ηb = (η _b1 + η _b2 + η _b3 +… + η _bN ) / N ηc = (η _c1 + η _c2 + [Eta] _c3 + ... + [eta] _cN ) / N ... ........ Further, the average values αa, βa, and ηa for a specific denomination (hereinafter referred to as a reference denomination) a are used as standard determination coefficient data. And each average value α of other denominations b, c ...
b, βb, ηb, αc, βc, ηc.
b / αa), (βb / βa), (ηb / ηa), (αc
6 / αa), (βc / βa), (ηc / ηa) ... As standard judgment coefficient data for other denominations b, c ...
ROM 25 in the form of a lookup table as shown in
Stored in. It should be noted that these standard judgment coefficient data are not created for each of the money checking devices, but are created by applying a specific money checking device and uniformly applied to the ROM 25 of other money checking devices. Has become.

Next, in the EEPROM 26, gauge data created when the individual coin checking devices are actually installed and initial adjustment is stored are stored according to the following processing procedure. First, the coin inspection device is operated to insert a coin of the same type as the reference denomination a into the sensor unit. As a result, first, the determination unit 24 sends the coin for inspection to the coils 8 and 11.
Reference level data γ1 [Fig. 4
(Corresponding to the maximum amplitude H0 of (d)] via the calculation unit 23, and then the standard determination coefficient data βa regarding the cross-sectional area of the reference denomination a and the standard determination coefficient data αa regarding the outer shape which are stored in advance in the ROM 25. And standard judgment coefficient data ηa relating to frequency, reference level data γ1
And the gauge data Gαa = αa / γ1 relating to the outer shape, the gauge data Gβa = βa / γ1 relating to the cross-sectional area, and the gauge data Gηa = ηa / γ1 relating to the frequency, which are the calculation results, are stored in the EEPROM 26.

Next, a check operation of the check apparatus having such a configuration will be described.

First, when the coin to be inspected does not pass through the coils 8 and 11, the calculation unit 23 of the correction control unit 22 has the amplitude data Dax and Day transferred from the detection circuits X and Y.
Based on the frequency data Dfx and Dfy, the operation of holding the latest reference level data γ2 at the current time, which corresponds to the maximum amplitude H0 shown in FIG. 4D, is repeated. On the other hand, when a coin to be inspected passes, the latest reference level data γ2 obtained immediately before this passage, the outer shape data α, the cross-sectional area data β, and the frequency data η are obtained, and then the standard determination coefficient for all denominations from the ROM 25. Data, gauge data Gαa, Gβa, Gηa are read from the EEPROM 26, respectively, and further, the following formulas are calculated to determine the reference data Rαa, Rβa, Rηa of the outer shape, cross-sectional area and frequency of the reference denomination a.
To calculate. That is, Rβa = Gβa × γ2 Rαa = Gαa × γ2 Rηa = Gηa × γ2.

Further, by multiplying the judgment reference data Rαa, Rβa, Rηa obtained by these calculations and the standard judgment coefficient data of the other denominations b, c ... , C ... External reference, cross-sectional area and frequency judgment reference data Rαb, Rβb, Rηb, R
.alpha.c, R.beta.c, R.eta.c, ... Are calculated. That is, for the denomination b, Rβb = (βb / βa) × Rβa Rαb = (αb / αa) × Rαa Rηb = (ηb / ηa) × Rηa.

For denomination c, Rβc = (βc / βa) × Rβa Rαc = (αc / αa) × Rαa Rηc = (ηc / ηa) × Rηa.

The same calculation is performed for other denominations. The points to be noted here are, as is clear from the relationship in FIG. 6, the determination reference data Rαa, Rβa, Rηa, Rα.
b, Rβb, Rηb, Rαc, Rβc, Rηc, ...
Is the average value αa, βa, ηa, αb, βb, ηb, αc, β of the outer shape, cross-sectional area, and frequency of each denomination a, b, c ....
and c, ηc, ... Have a proportional relationship with a constant value (γ2 / γ1).

Next, the judgment section 24 judges the measured outer shape data α, cross-sectional area data β and frequency data η as judgment reference data Rαa, Rβa, Rηa, Rαb, Rβb, Rηb, R.
Compared with αc, Rβc, Rηc, and so on, the denomination that has a high degree of agreement with respect to all features of the outer shape, the cross-sectional area, and the frequency is determined, and the denomination of the coin to be inspected that has passed through the sensor section The data Q is output.

Here, the judgment reference data is created based on the standard judgment coefficient data, the gauge data, and the reference level data γ2 obtained when actually performing the coin inspection process, and the type of coins actually inspected is The reason why the judgment is made based on the judgment reference data is that the inspection characteristics of the coin inspection device are changed by being affected by the external environment of the installation place and the secular change, and the judgment is made based on certain fixed judgment data. This is to prevent a checkup error from occurring due to the occurrence of a checkout error.

That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the standard judgment coefficient data group stored in advance in the ROM 25 is the judgment reference data in the ideal state (mean values αa, βa,
.eta.a, .alpha.b, .beta.b, .eta.b, .alpha.c, .beta.c, .eta.c ...) and the reference level data .gamma.
The gauge level data shown in (1) has the property of being a ratio of the reference level data γ1 obtained at the time of adjustment to the determination reference data of a predetermined reference denomination. Since the reference level data γ2 obtained during the actual money inspection process is correlated with the change amount of the money inspection characteristic, the change amount (γ2 of the money inspection characteristic is calculated by multiplying the gauge level data by this reference level data γ2. / Γ1) is determined to obtain the determination reference data Rβa, Rαa, Rηa for the reference denomination a,
Furthermore, the corrected determination reference data Rβ for this reference denomination
The corrected judgment reference data Rαb, Rβb, Rηb, Rαc, R for other denominations are obtained by multiplying the standard judgment coefficient data of other denominations by a, Rαa, Rηa.
By obtaining βc, Rηc, ..., the change in the proof of payment characteristic is substantially offset. That is, since the change amount (γ2 / γ1) of the coin inspection characteristic has a correlation with the change of the characteristics of the cross section, the outer shape, and the frequency of the coin to be inspected, the change amount of the inspection characteristic is calculated by performing the above calculation. The relationship is obtained so that the judgment criterion data in which is corrected can be obtained.

This principle will be further described with reference to FIG.
In the figure, is the value of the reference level data γ1 at the time of adjustment, is the value of the cross-sectional area data β1 at the time of the adjustment, and is the value of the outer shape data α1 at the time of the adjustment. At the time of actual inspection, the standard level data γ
2 is the cross-sectional area data β2 in the figure is the external shape data α2
Assuming that the value of changes to the value of, cross-sectional area data β2 by the ratio of the reference level data γ1 and γ2 by the above calculation.
By weighting the outer shape data α2 and the outer shape data α2, the cross-sectional area data β2 and the outer shape data α2 are relatively corrected so as to match the reference cross-sectional area data β1 and the outer shape data α1. Further, the frequency determination data will be similarly corrected. Then, the change amount of the coin inspection characteristic is corrected by this calculation every time the actual coin inspection is performed, so that the coin inspection determination can be realized under substantially the same condition as the ideal state.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the ratio of the reference level data γ1 obtained at the time of reference such as adjustment to the reference level data γ2 obtained at the time of actual inspection is the change amount of the inspection characteristic due to aging or the like. Focusing on the correlation with
The reference level data γ2 is weighted to the standard judgment coefficient data to correct the deviation of the judgment data at the time of actual coin inspection, and the coin inspection judgment is performed based on this corrected judgment data. It is possible to make a coin inspection judgment under substantially constant judgment conditions without being affected by the above or the influence of secular change.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG.
The gauge data of a specific reference denomination is applied, and the determination reference data of the remaining denomination is obtained through this gauge data. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Memorize
The determination reference data for each denomination may be directly obtained by multiplying each gauge data by the reference level data γ2 obtained at the time of actual inspection. That is, instead of the gauge data of a specific denomination as shown in FIG. 7, gauge data Gβa, Gαa, Gηa, Gβb, Gαb, Gηb for all denominations a, b, c ... As shown in FIG.
Gβc, Gαc, Gηc ... Are stored in the EEPROM 26, and these gauge data are multiplied by the reference level data γ2 obtained at the time of actual inspection, so that the determination reference data Rβa, for all denominations a, b, c ... Rαa,
Rηa, Rβb, Rαb, Rηb, Rβc, Rαc, R
ηc ... is calculated, and further the feature data β, α, η of the coins to be inspected, which are obtained at the time of actual coin inspection, are compared with the judgment reference data, and the denomination having the highest match is inspected. You may make it determine with the denomination of a coin.

[0051]

As described above, according to the present invention, the eddy current loss that occurs when a coin to be inspected is passed through the hollow portion of the annular coil that is provided in the sensor portion and generates magnetic field lines by self-oscillation is generated. In a coin-checking device that detects a specific change in the amplitude and frequency of an alternating-current signal that occurs as characteristic data and determines the denomination based on this characteristic data, there are no coins to be inspected during actual coin inspection. If the criterion is the criterion data obtained by calculating the product of the amplitude of the alternating current signal in the state and the preset standard determination coefficient data or gauge data, the alternating current signal in the state where there is no coin to be inspected at a certain reference The ratio of the amplitude of the coin and the amplitude of the AC signal in the absence of coins to be inspected at the time of actual inspection has a correlation with the change in the inspection characteristics due to the influence of the external environment of the inspection device or the change over time. Is there , So that the determination reference data change is canceled in coin detecting characteristics according to calculation of the product is obtained.
Then, at the time of actual inspection, the characteristic data of the coin to be inspected, which is obtained when the coin to be inspected passes through the annular coil of the sensor unit, is compared with this determination reference data, and the determination criterion having the highest match is obtained. Since the denomination of the data is determined to be the denomination of the coin to be inspected, the coin inspection can be realized under constant determination conditions virtually without being affected by the external environment or the change over time. Therefore, it is possible to provide an excellent money inspection apparatus without deterioration of the money inspection accuracy.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration explanatory view showing a configuration of a sensor unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of a detection circuit according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a characteristic diagram for explaining the principle of money inspection in one embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the money inspection operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a correction control unit that performs correction and a coin inspection determination based on data output from a detection circuit.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing standard determination coefficient data stored in a ROM provided in a correction control unit.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing gauge data stored in an EEPROM provided in a correction controller.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing another form of gauge data stored in an EEPROM provided in the correction control unit.

FIG. 9 is a principle diagram for explaining the principle of correction of a checkup characteristic of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Cylindrical body, 2 ... Coin to be inspected, 3 ... Hollow hole, 4, 5, 6,
7 ... Flange part, 8, 11 ... Coil, 14, 15, 1
6, 17 ... Core, 18x, 18y ... Comparator, C1x, C
1y, C2x, C2y ... Capacitor, Rfx, Rfy ...
Feedback resistors, 20x, 20y ... Frequency detection circuit, 21x,
21y: detection circuit, 22: correction control unit, 23: calculation unit,
24 ... Judgment part, 25 ... ROM, 26 ... EEPROM.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of LC oscillator circuit and, the respective toroidal coils of the LC oscillator respective mutually arranged at predetermined intervals and the respective annular coil having an annular coil which functions as an inductance that causes a resonance effect a sensor unit having a structure for passing the coin detecting coins inside the hollow portion of the eddy generated by the magnetic field lines from the annular coil of each when the coin detecting coin passes into the hollow portion of the annular coil in the coin detecting coin The encapsulation of an AC signal as the impedance and inductance of each annular coil changes due to the action of current.
Due to the difference between the minimum amplitude and the maximum amplitude of the wire, the coin
Cross-sectional area data of the AC signal and the minimum amplitude of the AC signal envelope
The material data of the coin to be inspected according to the frequency
The amplitude of the envelope of each AC signal in the annular coil is equal
Extract the outer diameter data of the coins to be inspected according to the time difference
Then, these data are used as characteristic data peculiar to the coins to be inspected.
And a determining unit that determines the denomination of coins to be inspected based on the unique characteristic data, the determining unit is a specific money of all denominations to be inspected. data and the <br/> the specific denomination feature data of each denomination standard that indicates the ratio of the obtained characteristic data for a particular denomination and each of feature data obtained for other denominations except the seeds first storage means for previously storing a determination coefficient data, the ratio of the characteristic data of the specific denomination to the amplitude of an AC signal generated in the LC oscillator in a state in which the coin detecting coin is not present during certain criteria as gauge data The second storage means for storing, and the LC in the state where there is no coin to be inspected at the time of actual inspection.
Together determine the criteria data of the specific denomination by calculating the product of the amplitude data and the gauge data of the AC signal generated oscillator, the other denominations of standards and the specific denomination determination reference data determining the standard determination data of the other denominations by calculating the product of the determination coefficient data, the characteristic data of the object coin detecting coins obtained when the coin detecting coins passing through the annular coil of the sensor section, compared to the Japanese <br/> Teikin species determination reference data, and other denominations determination reference data, determines the denomination of the determination reference data with the most consistency and denomination of the object coin detecting coin A money checking apparatus comprising: a correction control unit. 2. A plurality of LC oscillator circuit and, the respective toroidal coils of the LC oscillator respective mutually arranged at predetermined intervals and the respective annular coil having an annular coil which functions as an inductance that causes a resonance effect a sensor unit having a structure for passing the coin detecting coins inside the hollow portion of the eddy generated by the magnetic field lines from the annular coil of each when the coin detecting coin passes into the hollow portion of the annular coil in the coin detecting coin The encapsulation of an AC signal as the impedance and inductance of each annular coil changes due to the action of current.
Due to the difference between the minimum amplitude and the maximum amplitude of the wire, the coin
Cross-sectional area data of the AC signal and the minimum amplitude of the AC signal envelope
The material data of the coin to be inspected according to the frequency
The amplitude of the envelope of each AC signal in the annular coil is equal
Extract the outer diameter data of the coins to be inspected according to the time difference
Then, these data are used as characteristic data peculiar to the coins to be inspected.
And a determining unit that determines the denomination of the coin to be inspected based on the unique characteristic data, the determining unit is configured to detect the coin in the state in which there is no inspected coin at a certain reference time. Storage means for storing the ratio of each characteristic data of all denominations to the amplitude of the AC signal generated in the oscillator as gauge data of each denomination, and the LC in the state where no coins to be inspected are actually present at the time of actual inspection.
Determined criteria data for each denomination by the amplitude of the data of the AC signal generated oscillator calculates the product of each denomination of the gauge data, the coin detecting coins passing through the annular coil of the sensor unit the characteristic data of the object coin detecting coins obtained when the compared to the determination reference data, and determines the correction control unit denomination and denomination of該被coin detecting coins for determination reference data with the most consistency A money inspection device, comprising: