JPH0821101B2 - Coin sorter - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (a) Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to a coin sorting device that determines the appropriateness of an inspection coin based on the degree of influence on an oscillating magnetic field.

(B) Conventional technology Generally, such a coin sorting device brings an inspection coin closer to a sensor that forms an oscillating magnetic field, and captures the degree of influence on the sensor caused by the change in inductance, frequency, phase, induced voltage, etc. It measures the characteristics of coins. And as a conventional coin sorting device, Japanese Patent Publication No.
There is a configuration disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 6200, in which two types of sensors are provided, one for inspection and one for reference, and a true coin is placed in advance for reference, and when the inspection coin passes through the sensor for inspection, both The suitability of this coin is determined by comparing the measurement results. Further, for the judgment of the reference, there is also a configuration shown in, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 48-799, in which a variable resistor or a variable capacitor is used so as to be the same as the electrical condition of the reference coin.

However, recently, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 49-95692, due to the downsizing of the device and the ease of setting the standard,
Instead of such reference coins and standard setting parts, set the coin determination data for determining the appropriate coins using the semiconductor memory, and when the coin data by the inspection coins is obtained, both data will match within the allowable range. If there is an inspection coin, a method of determining that the coin is appropriate is being adopted. This allowable range should be increased when discriminating coins with significantly different characteristics, but if the characteristics are very similar depending on the type of coin, or if delicate counterfeit coins are inserted. There is no choice but to set the allowable range narrow. In this case, the frequency, voltage, and temperature of the oscillating magnetic field and the influence of external changes of various electric elements in the sensor circuit as well as the circuit, element, and mechanism so that the relative positional relationship between the inspection coin and the sensor are always constant. Each device must be devised to make the device complicated. Therefore, JP-A-48-
Japanese Patent No. 29499 discloses an apparatus in which a circuit or a mechanism for preventing a change over time is omitted by canceling the influence of the fluctuation by adjusting the fluctuation of the inspection condition from the measured value of the coin. However, the technique according to this publication is premised on that the variation of the measured value due to the change over time always changes at the same rate. However, in this type of coin sorting device, it is known that the measured value changes exponentially with respect to the fluctuation of the measurement condition, and according to the above-mentioned conventional technique, the fluctuation of the measurement condition can be dealt with only within a narrow range. .

Therefore, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 56-110194, the rate of change in the measurement conditions is calculated from the measured value of the sensor during standby, and the value of the rate of change is multiplied by a correction coefficient to obtain the correction value. There is disclosed a coin sorting device configured to sense an inspection coin and output a measured value, and correct the measured value with a correction value to cancel the influence of fluctuation. According to such a conventional technique, by setting the correction coefficient in anticipation of the change in the measured value when the measurement condition changes, it is possible to correct the measured value close to the actual value.

(C) Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, in the conventional methods of coping with changes over time, even if there is a difference in accuracy in the correction calculation method in order to correct the measured value, The corrected measured values are not actual ones, but only predictions. However, since there are many factors that change with time and various factors are intricately entangled with each other depending on the external environment, there is a limit in correcting the measured value with a certain function.

Therefore, the present invention does not correct the measurement value, but by setting the coin determination data depending on the occasion,
The suitability of the inspection coin is determined based on the actual measurement value. Therefore, the coin determination data is corrected by this measurement value every time a proper measurement value is obtained with a genuine coin, in preparation for the next inspection.

(D) Means for Solving the Problems The present invention provides a sensor for detecting coin data by measuring the degree of influence of an inspection coin on an oscillating magnetic field, and a coin having a predetermined allowable range corresponding to the type of coin. A memory that stores determination data, and compares the coin data and the allowable range of each coin determination data, and determines the inspection coin type based on coin determination data that matches within the allowable range, and When a second range included in the allowable range is set and the coin data obtained by the inspection coin is within the second range, a data processing device that corrects the coin determination data based on the coin data. It is equipped with.

(E) Operation When the coin data of the inspection coin is obtained, the coin data is compared with the coin determination data, and if they match within the allowable range, the type of the inspection coin is determined. If the coin data also satisfies the second range, which is narrower than the allowable range, the coin is used as the genuine coin with less friction and dirt and is used for correcting the coin determination data. As a result, the coin determination data is corrected to an appropriate value according to changes over time and changes in drift, etc., in preparation for the next coin inspection.

(F) Example FIG. 1 shows a coin sorting device (1) to which the present invention is applied, in which the inspection coins inserted into the coin slot (2) are rolled on the coin rail (3). Sensor (4),
The characteristics such as material, plate thickness and diameter are measured by (5) and (6). Sensors (4), (5),
(6) forms an oscillating magnetic field, and measures each characteristic of the inspection coin by grasping the degree of influence of the passage of the inspection coin on the oscillating magnetic field by the change in frequency, voltage, phase, and the like.
It is known that which of the characteristics of the inspection coins the sensors (4), (5), and (6) measure depends on the oscillation frequency, the shape of the coil, and the mounting position of the sensor. . In this example, the sensor (4)
Has an oscillating coil connected to an oscillator (7) which oscillates at a relatively low frequency such as 3 KHz. Since the magnetic flux induced by such oscillation frequency penetrates into the coin, the degree of influence of the inspection coin on the oscillation magnetic field depends on its material, and the maximum frequency when the inspection coin passes through the sensor (4) is By measuring with the measuring device (10), coin data about the material can be obtained. Sensors (5) and (6)
Connects each oscillator coil to an oscillator (8) or (9) that oscillates at a relatively high frequency such as 1 MHz, and the magnetic flux induced by such an oscillation frequency penetrates only to the vicinity of the surface of the coin. do not do. Therefore, if the sensor (5) is connected to the oscillator (8) with a pair of oscillation coils connected in series and in reverse phase, and the inspection coin passes between the coils, the influence of the passage on the oscillation magnetic field is reduced. It depends on the respective distances from both coils to the coin, and this degree of influence indicates the plate thickness of the inspection coin. Therefore, by measuring the maximum frequency when the inspection coin passes through the sensor (5) with the measuring device (11), the coin data regarding the plate thickness can be obtained. Further, although the sensor (6) is a single oscillation coil, the sensor diameter is made larger than that of coins and the sensor rails (3) are arranged at a small clearance from the coin rail (3) so that the area facing the inspection coin has an outer diameter. If it is set differently depending on the above, the degree of influence of the inspection coin on the oscillating magnetic field depends on the outer diameter of the inspection coin. Therefore, the coin data about the diameter can be obtained by measuring the maximum frequency when the inspection coin passes through the sensor (6) by the measuring device (12).

The data processing device (13) includes measuring devices (10), (11),
When each coin data is introduced from (12), memory (14)
The coin determination data is read from and compared with each other, and if both data match within the allowable range, the inspection coin is determined to be proper. The memory (14) stores 15 types of reference data as coin judgment data corresponding to the coin types A, B, C, D and E to be selected for each characteristic of material, plate thickness and diameter. ,
When the coin data is introduced from the measuring device (10), the data processing device (13) reads out the coin judgment data regarding the material for each coin type from the memory (14) and compares them.
If any coin determination data matches within the allowable range, it is determined in the material inspection that the inspected coin is the type of coin associated with the matched coin data. Further, when the coin data is introduced from the measuring device (11), the data processing device (13) reads out the coin judgment data regarding the plate thickness of each coin type from the memory (14) and compares the coin judgment data with any coin judgment. If the coins match the data within the allowable range, it is determined that the coin is the type of coin data, and similarly,
When coin data is introduced from the measuring device (12), it is compared with coin determination data regarding the diameter. The inspection coin thus inserted from the coin insertion slot (2) rolls on the coin rail (3) and each sensor (4), (5),
While passing through (6), the data processing device (13) performs each of the comparison operations described above, and it is shown that the discrimination results of the material, plate thickness, and diameter are all the same kind of coin. Open the coin gate (15) with proper inspection coins. As a result, the inspection coin that has finished rolling of the coin rail (3) is received in the device. However, if different results are obtained in each determination, or if there is at least one inconsistency between the coin data and the coin determination data, the data processing device (13) determines the inspection coin as a false coin. At this time, since the data processing device (13) holds the coin gate (15) in a closed state, the coins rolled on the coin rail (3) are returned.

The above comparison operation will be described with reference to FIG. 2. AS ₁₁ is coin determination data for determining whether the inspected coin is a type A coin in the material inspection, and as described above, the memory (14).
Is stored in, and a ₁₁ is data indicating an allowable upper limit when comparing the coin data and the coin determination data, and this data is set in the program of the data processing device (13). Therefore, when the coin data is introduced from the measuring device (10), the data processing device (13) receives the memory (1
4) The coin judgment data AS ₁₁ is read out and compared, and depending on whether the coin data is within the range of a ₁₁ with respect to AS ₁₁ respectively, that is, whether the coin data is within AS ₁₅ to AS ₁₄ , the inspection coin is In the material inspection, it is determined whether it is a type A coin. The present invention is characterized in that when an inspection coin is inserted and the coin data obtained by this coin satisfies a certain standard, the coin determination data is corrected by this coin data. As this criterion, a second range narrower than the allowable range is set, and when the coin data is included in this second range, the coin data is used in preparation for the next inspection coin. Correct the judgment data. The fact that the coin data satisfies the second range, which is narrower than the allowable range, means
This inspection coin is a genuine coin with little wear and dirt,
By correcting the coin determination data with the coin data obtained from such coins, it is possible to effectively deal with the change over time of the coin sorting device. The data processing device (13) also programs the data a ₁₂ whose value is sufficiently smaller than the data a _{11 in} order to define this second range. And the data processing device (1
In 3), coin types A, B, and
C, D, with respect to E, (a ₁₂ mentioned above, if the Type A coin material) data defining a data and a second range (A species a ₁₁ mentioned above, if the material of the coin) for defining the allowable range, respectively Is programmed. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the inspection coin passes through the sensor (4) and the measuring device (1
When the coin data SD ₁ is obtained in (0), the data processing device (1
In 3), this data SD ₁ is from (A to D) S ₁₄ to (A to D) S ₁₅
To which the inspection coin belongs, the second range (A to D) S ₁₂ to (A to D) corresponding to the tolerable range to which the coin belongs is determined. ) S
_Depending on whether it also belongs to ₁₃ , it is determined whether or not to correct the coin determination data that is the reference of this allowable range in the coin data SD ₁ . That is, the coin data SD ₁ is within the allowable range AS _{14 to} AS ₁₅
And if any of the second ranges AS _{12 to} AS ₁₃ is satisfied,
Correct the coin judgment data AS ₁₁ with the coin data SD ₁ .
In addition, the inspection coin passes through the sensor (5) and the measuring device (1
When the coin data SD ₂ is obtained in 1), the type of the inspection coin is determined according to which of the allowable ranges from (A to D) S ₂₄ to (A to D) S _25, and the allowable range of belonging is determined. Depending on whether it also belongs to the corresponding second range (A to D) S ₂₂ to (A to D) S _23, it is determined whether or not the coin data SD _{2 is} to correct the coin determination data that is the reference of this allowable range. . Likewise inspected coins measuring device through a sensor (6) to (12) of the coin data SD ₃ obtained coin data SD ₃ (to D) S ₃₄
To (A-D) S ₃₅ and (A-D) S ₃₂ to (A-D) S ₃₃ , it is determined whether the coin type and the coin determination data need to be corrected. The coin type E is omitted in FIG.

FIG. 3 schematically shows the memory of the data rewritable memory (14). The part (M ₁ ) for storing the data about the material and the part (M ₂ for storing the data about the plate thickness). ), A portion for storing data about the outer diameter (M ₃ ) and a portion for storing determination data for determining the reliability of memory (M ₄ ), and each portion is a coin type. Storage areas (m ₁ ), (m ₂ ), (m corresponding to A, B, C, D, E
₃ ), (m ₄ ) and (m ₅ ) respectively. And each memory area (m ₁ ), (m ₂ ), (m ₃ ), about the material,
_{(M 4), (m 5} ) in _{(A~E) D 11 ~ (A~E} ) D 1n
A to E measured by the sensor (4) are stored in each storage unit of
Among the coin data of each coin type, n kinds of coin data satisfying the respective second ranges are stored, and each storage area (m ₁ ), (m ₂ ), (m ₃ ) for the plate thickness is stored. ，
_{(M 4), (m 5} ) in _{(A~E) D 21 ~ (A~E} ) D 2n
In each of the storage units, A to E measured by the sensor (5)
Among the coin data of each coin type, n kinds of coin data satisfying each second range are stored, and each storage area (m ₁ ), (m ₂ ), (m ₃ ) for the outer diameter is stored. ，
_{(M 4), (m 5} ) in _{(A~E) D 31 ~ (A~E} ) D 3n
A to E measured by the sensor (6) are stored in each storage unit of
Among the coin data of each coin type, the n kinds of coin data satisfying the respective second ranges are stored. The n kinds of coin data satisfying the respective second ranges are rewritten to the latest ones. Therefore, if the coin data SD _{1 in} FIG. 4 satisfies the second range for class A coins in the material inspection, the coin data SD ₁ is stored in the storage unit AS ₁₁ and also in AS ₁₁ . The data is stored in the memory unit AD _12, and is stored as AD ₁₂・ AD ₁₃ …… AD
_The data stored in _{1 (n-1)} are AD ₁₃ and AD ₁₄ ...
… Shift to AD _1n . In addition, the material storage area (m ₁ ) ~
The average value of the coin data stored in the storage units AD _{11 to} AD _1n is stored in the storage unit AD ₁ in (m ₅ ) as the coin determination data for the type A coin of the material inspection, and the storage unit AD ₁ stores the average value. The average value of the coin data stored in the storage units BD _{11 to} BD _1n is stored in BD ₁ as coin determination data for the type B coin in the material inspection. And storage
In CD _{1 to} ED ₁ , average values of corresponding n kinds of coin data are stored as coin determination data for C to E type coins in the material inspection. Similarly, in the storage units AD _{2 to} ED ₂ in the storage areas (m ₁ ) to (m ₅ ) of the plate thickness, the average value of each n kinds of coin data of the A to E type coins is stored as coin determination data. , In the storage areas AD _{3 to} ED ₃ in the storage areas (m ₁ ) to (m ₅ ) of the outer diameter,
The average value of each of the n types of coin data for the A to E type coins is stored as coin determination data. When the data processing device (13) obtains the coin data satisfying the predetermined second range, any one of the corresponding storage units (A to E) D ₁₁ (A)
To E) and stored in the _{D 21 · (A~E) D 31} , calculates the average value of the coin data of the latest n Street, including the coin data, the corresponding one of the storage unit (A-E) D ₁ (A ~
To store the coin determination data to _{E) D 2 · (A~E)} D 3. As a result, when the same type of inspection coin is inserted next time, it is determined whether the coin data obtained with this coin matches the corrected proper coin determination data within the allowable range and the second range. To be done.

FIG. 5 shows a data processing flowchart of the data processing device (13), and the operation of the coin sorting device (1) will be described.
After the power is turned on, the data processing device (13) reads the determination data stored in the storage units DX _{1 to} DX ₆ of the memory (14) in step S1 and determines whether the contents have changed. To do. If the judgment data has changed, proceed to the initial set mode INT and (A to E) D
_{(1 to 3) (1 to n)} and (A to E) D _{(1 to 3)} write the standard data in each storage unit, and each storage unit of DX _{1 to} DX _n stores appropriate determination data. with _{writing, AD 1 α~ED 1 α · AD} 2
_{α~ED 2 α · AD 3 α~ED 3} α · AD 1 β~ED 1 β · AD 2 β~ED 2
Clear each memory of β-AD ₃ β to ED ₃ β. The standard data are the measuring devices (10), (11), when various coins A to E are put into the coin sorting device (1) at the time of manufacture.
The data obtained in (12) is set in the program of the data processor (13), and the initial set mode INT
In the standard data (A to E) S ₁₁ is stored in the storage unit (A to E) D
_{1 (1 to n)} and (AE) D ₁ are stored respectively,
The standard data (AE) S ₂₁ is stored in the storage section (AE) D _{2 (1 to n)}
And (AE) D ₂ respectively, and the standard data (AE) S ₃₁ is stored in the storage sections (AE) D _{3 (1 to n)} and (A _).
To E) are respectively stored in the _{D 3.} Therefore, in the initial set mode INT, the storage areas (m ₁ ), (m ₂ ), (m ₃ ), and
The same kind of standard data corresponding to all of the n types of coin data storage units in (m ₄ ) and (m ₅ ) are written, and the standard is also stored in the coin determination data storage unit that is the average value of these data. Data is written.

Coin data SD from the measuring device (10) in S3 step
_{When 1} is input, the data processing device (13) causes the coin data SD ₁ and the storage unit AD _{1 of the} memory (14) in step S5.
・ Compare the coin judgment data stored in BD ₁ , CD ₁ , DD ₁ , ED ₁ sequentially, and if they match within the allowable range, in S7 step the coin judgment data to which the coin judgment data belongs
It is determined that the coin type is any one of the above. As is apparent from FIG. 4, in this example, the coin data may match a plurality of coin determination data, and at this time, the possibility of being all coin types that match is determined. Next, in step S9, it is determined whether or not the coin data SD ₁ and each coin determination data match within the second range, and if they match, the coin determination data matched based on this coin data. Decide to make a correction. If each allowable range is narrowed down to the second range, is coin data SD ₁ not included in any of the second ranges, or included in one of the second ranges belonging to any of the coin types? Is.
Therefore, if included, in step S11, the coin data SD ₁ is loaded into any of the storage units AD _{11 to} ED ₁₁ corresponding to the coin type, and the storage units (A to E) D ₁₁ will be loaded. ~ (AE) D _{1 (n-1)} is stored in (n
-1) Coin data as described above are stored in the storage units (A to E) D ₁₂ to (A).
~ E) Shift to D _1n sequentially. And in the next step S13 step, it is stored to S11 storage unit the data rewriting is performed in step _{(A~E) D 11 ~ (A~E} ) D 1n n
The coin judgment data corrected by the average value of the coin data is calculated, and any of the corresponding storage units AD _{1 to} ED ₁ is calculated.
To load.

When data SD ₂ is input from the measuring device (11) in coins in step S15, the data processing device (13) displays coin data SD ₂ and the storage unit AD of the memory (14) in step S17.
_The coin judgment data stored in ₂・ BD ₂・ CD ₂・ DD ₂・ ED ₂ are sequentially compared, and in step S19, the coins of the kind belonging to the coin judgment data that match within the allowable range are selected. Judge that there is. In step S21, it is determined whether or not the coin data SD ₂ and each coin determination data match within the second range, and if they match, the coin determination data is corrected based on this coin data. And decide to perform step S23 and proceed to step S23. In S23 step, the matched A
This coin data SD ₂ is loaded into the memory units AD _{21 to} ED ₂₁ corresponding to any of the coin types of E to E, and the memory units (AE) D ₂₁ to (A to E) D
Sequentially shifts stored in the _{2 (n-1)} to (n-1) coin data of the street in the storage unit _{(A~E) D 22 ~ (A~E} ) D 2n.
And in the next S25 step, S23 storage unit the data rewriting is performed in step (A~E) D ₂₁ ~ (A~
E) Coin determination data corrected by the average value of n kinds of coin data stored in D _2n is calculated and loaded into any of the corresponding storage units AD _{2 to} ED ₂ .

Coin data S from the measuring device (12) in step S27
When D ₃ is input, the data processing device (13) causes the coin data SD ₃ and the storage unit AD of the memory (14) in step S29.
_The coin judgment data stored in ₃ , BD ₃ , CD ₃ , DD ₃ and ED ₃ are sequentially compared, the coin type is judged in S31 step, and the necessity of correction of the coin judgment data is judged in S33 step. When it is determined and correction is necessary, the coin data SD ₃ is loaded into the predetermined storage units AD _{31 to} ED ₃₁ in step S35, and the storage units (A to E) D ₃₁ corresponding to the coin types are hereinafter referred to. ~ (AE) D _{3 (n-1)} is stored in (n
-1) Coin data as described above are stored in the storage units (A to E) D ₃₂ to (A
~ E) Shift to D _3n sequentially. Then, in the next S37 step, the data is rewritten in the S35 step, and the data is corrected by the average value of the n kinds of coin data stored in the storage sections (AE) D ₁₁ to (AE) D _1n. Calculated coin judgment data, and corresponding one of the storage units AD _{3 to} ED
Load to ₃ .

In step S39, if there is a common coin type among the coin types determined in steps S7, S19, and S31, it is determined that the inspection coin is a genuine coin of this type, and in the next step S41, the data processing device (13 ) Controls the coin gate (15) to accept inspection coins. However, if it is determined in any one of the above steps that it does not belong to any coin type, or if there is no common coin type among the coin types determined in each step, the inspection coin is a fake coin. Therefore, the acceptance control of the coin gate (15) is not performed.

Explaining the operation of the coin sorting device (1), the permissible range indicated by the solid line and the second range indicated by the dotted line are set for the coin determination data indicated by the wavy line. Then, every time a genuine coin satisfying the second range is inserted, the coin determination data is changed, and the allowable range and the second range are changed accordingly. Therefore, even if the coin data of the same value is initially determined to be a true coin, there is a case in which it is determined to be a false coin due to the change in the coin determination data thereafter. This is because the criterion changes with the change of. Therefore, the adequacy of the inspection coin can be determined from time to time with the optimal coin determination data.

(G) Effect of the Invention According to the present invention, the coin determination data in the coin sorting device can be corrected to an appropriate one according to the change of the device over time, drift, etc., and highly accurate coin sorting becomes possible. . Moreover, since the coin determination data automatically changes, it becomes possible to set the environment of the place where the device is installed and the optimal coin determination data of the device itself without the need for adjusting parts such as polymium. In addition, by providing a second range narrower than the allowable range and using only the data satisfying the second range for correction, it is possible to perform correction with the data of coins that are considered to be closer to genuine coins. It does not make the tolerance too narrow.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a coin sorting device, FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an allowable range and a second range, FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing memory storage, and FIG. 4 is coin data and coin determination. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining comparison with data, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the data processing device, and FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of a coin determination data correction method according to the present invention. (1) …… Coin sorter, (4), (5), (6) ……
Sensor, (10), (11), (12) …… Measuring device, (1
3) ... data processing device, (14) ... memory.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A sensor for detecting coin data by measuring the degree of influence of an inspection coin on an oscillating magnetic field, and a memory for storing coin judgment data having a predetermined allowable range corresponding to the type of coin. The coin data is compared with the permissible range of each coin determination data, the coin type for inspection is determined based on the coin determination data that matches within the permissible range, and the second range included in the permissible range is determined. A coin sorter provided with a data processing device that is set and corrects the coin determination data based on the coin data when the coin data obtained by the inspection coin is within the second range.