JPS58132882A - Coin feeder for coin processor - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a coin dispensing device in a coin processing machine such as a coin sorting machine or a coin counting machine.

Technical Background of the Invention and Background Art Conventionally, in coin sorting machines, etc., the number of coins to be counted is set in advance for a certain denomination, and the set number of coins is sent to a kumquat, bag, etc. In some cases, further delivery is stopped. In addition, when performing fractional counting on coins that are a mixture of multiple denominations, counterfeit coins (the size is the same as genuine coins, but
There are nine types of coins that detect the passage of coins made of a different material or whose size is slightly different from regular coins (including foreign currency, etc.), alert the operator, and stop further coin feeding. . However, in this case, coins determined to be counterfeit are sent to one of multiple kumquats set up for each denomination, and the operator has to check which kumquat contains the fake coin. It was a hassle.

It is also possible to install a device that automatically removes coins that are determined to be counterfeit coins during transit, but since it is rare for counterfeit coins to mix in, special measures are required to automatically remove counterfeit coins. Providing this device has the problem of complicating the structure of the entire device, increasing cost, and reducing the coin conveyance speed.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a coin dispensing device for a coin processing machine that can reliably stop counterfeit coins in a coin path using a simple mechanism without reducing the conveyance speed.

Embodiments of the Invention Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In Figures 1 and 2, 1 is a passage bottom plate, 4.4
' is a passage side wall, and the coins 5 sent out one by one from the rotary disk 12 into the passage P formed by these are Goo IJ 10, 10' (one is driven by a driving means not shown). Continuously and forcibly conveyed in the direction of arrow A by a conveying means including a bell H1.

A hole 6.6' is provided in the bottom plate 1, and a light source 7 such as a light bulb and a lens 8 are provided below the hole 6.6'. Further, above the hole 6.6', a lens 8, which comes out from the light source 7,
A pair of image sensors 2, 2' are provided to receive light passing through the holes 6.6'. The image sensors 2 and 2' are installed on the passageway 1111144' and extend from the passageway side wall 4.4' toward the center of the passageway P in the direction of the #'i1 angle with the coin conveyance direction A. and are arranged in rows with each other. Image sensor-2
, 2' are provided so as to avoid positions facing the center of the coin. This is to prevent the light passing through the hole in the coin from being received by the image dragon sensor 2.2' when a coin with a hole in the center passes, such as a 5 yen coin or a yen coin. This is rounding. Each of the image sensors 2 and 2' consists of a photodiode array in which 5124a photodiodes are arranged in a straight line, and an electric signal corresponding to the light reception tK of each photodiode, that is, rLJ level when the light is shielded, and rLJ level when the light is shielded. When there is no rHJ level signal, the rHJ level signal is serially output in scan 1@. In this embodiment, scanning is performed in sequence from the central end of each image sensor 2, 2' toward the outer end. The photodiode near the outside 11 skin area is located on the passage side wall 4.
．． It is always shielded from light by 4' and therefore does not generate an rHJ level signal.

Regarding the flow direction of 5, image sensor-2, 2
A well-known material sensor 3 is arranged slightly upstream of '. This material sensor has, for example, a primary coil and a secondary coil disposed close to a passing coin,
The material (magnetic properties) of the passing coin, the primary coil, 2
Next, a signal with a voltage value that changes depending on the area of the coin facing the coil is output. That is, even if the coin is made of the same material as IW, the area marked by the broken line 3 in FIG. Output ゛1 pressure value is different, and 5
The output voltage value also differs when the area indicated by the broken line 3 is wholly or partially occupied by the hole portion of a coin such as a yen coin or a Japanese yen coin.

The hole 6 not only allows light to pass through the image sensor 2, but also allows the first stopper 13 to move.
It has spread to the downstream side of 2. As will be described later, the first stopper 13 operates to stop the flow of coins when a set number of coins of a designated denomination is counted or when a counterfeit coin is detected.

A bottom plate IK hole 9 is provided on the partition side of the first stopper 13, the size of which is about one coin. This hole 9 is for allowing movement of the second stopper 14. As will be described later, the second stopper 14 operates only when a counterfeit coin is detected to prevent the flow of hard coins.

FIG. 3 schematically shows the drive mechanism of the second stopper 14. As shown in the figure, the second stopper 14 is pivotally supported by a pin 14iK, and when the renoid 16 is energized and the plunger 15 moves in the direction of arrow B, the stopper 14 rotates to the position shown by chain @14'. do. The first stopper 13 is driven by a similar mechanism, but its renoid is labeled 17 (FIG. 4).

In FIG. 4, 21, 2]' is a light-shielded portion length measuring circuit, and the output signals 2m, 2'a of the image sensors 2, 2' are
In response to this, a signal corresponding to the length of the portion of the image sensor 2, 2' that is shielded from light by the coin is output.

FIG. 5 shows the shaded portion length measuring circuit 21. In FIG.

The stitch count circuit 4 counts the clock signal 23b from the control unit B.

A counting circuit 30Vi counts intermediate level gI from the image sensor 2, and when the counted value reaches a predetermined value, for example "4", it generates a signal CU indicating this. This signal CU
is input to the inhibit input terminal of the inhibit analog game 32, and subsequent input of the signal 2a from the image sensor 2 to the counting circuit I is inhibited. The signal CU is then applied to the LD terminal of the latch circuit 31 as a control input. When the latch circuit 31 receives the signal CU, it stores the count value of the counter circuit 4 at that time. The output of the latch circuit 3 is the output of the light-shielded portion length measuring circuit 21, and its output signal is a value obtained by adding "4" to the number of photodiodes in the light-shielded portion. In principle, when the first rHJ level signal appears in each scan, it may be recognized that the Ks light portion has ended, but in consideration of noise etc., the output of the "H" level signal is It is determined that the light-shielding portion is completed only when it has been repeated a number of times ('4 times in this example).When one scan is completed, the counting circuits 4 and 30 and the latch circuit 31 are reset. .

The shaded portion length measuring circuit 21' is also constructed in the same manner as the circuit 21. However, the coin is image sensor 2, 2'
Therefore, the output of the circuit 21' is not necessarily the same as the output of the circuit 21. However, if the diameters of the coins are the same, then the coin
2', the sum of the outputs of the measuring circuits 21 and 21' changes according to the same pattern, and its maximum value 4
It is the same.

B is an adder circuit that adds the output signals of the light-shielding portion/measurement circuits 21 and 21' and outputs a signal corresponding to the sum of the lengths of the light-shielding portions.

Part B is a control unit which applies a control signal 23a and a clock signal 23b to the image sensors 2, 2' and the light-shielded portion length measuring circuit 2], 21', and sequentially reads out the image sensors 2, 2'. That is, scanning is performed. Further, based on the output of the adder circuit B, the maximum value storage circuits 24 and 25, the determination circuit, etc. are controlled. That is, after the output of the adder circuit ρ increases and becomes larger than the sum, until it reaches 100 or more, the control signal 2
Generates 3d. Further, the output of adder circuit 4 further increases to 200 or more, and then until it becomes less than 200,
A control signal 23c is generated. When the output of the adder circuit n decreases to less than 200, a control signal Z3s is generated.

The maximum value storage circuit 24 operates in response to the control signal OC from the control unit M, reads the output of the adder circuit B, compares it with the previous stored value, and stores the larger one again.

As a result of repeating such comparative memory for one coin, what remains at the end is the value corresponding to the diameter of that coin.

The maximum value storage circuit δ is operated by a control signal 3d from the control unit B, reads the output of the material sensor 3, that is, the detection level, compares it with the previous stored value, and stores the larger one again. Then, as a result of repeating such comparative memory for one coin, the value remaining at the end is output as a value corresponding to the material of the coin.

The material determination circuit 40 determines the material of the passing coin based on the number stored in the maximum value storage circuit 6, and indicates the determination result (for example, if the material of the passing coin is aluminum, Chu, copper, white copper, and maku generate a signal indicating that they are other than these.

Upon receiving the control signal Zle, the denomination determination circuit U reads the outputs of the maximum value storage circuit U and the material determination circuit 40, and
Based on this, the seed strike of the coin is determined.

This determination is made as shown in Table #I1. For example, if the output of the circuit is 750 and the output of the circuit OFF indicates cupronickel, it is determined that the coin is a yen coin. For example, if the output of circuit U is 750 and the output of circuit OFF indicates aluminum, it is determined that the coin is a fake coin. The determination circuit outputs one of the signals 26m-213g indicating the open determination result.

Antogame) 33m-33g uses the control section Okara control No. 1 surface scratch signal O. as one input, and the judgment circuit that output 26
Let m −26g be the other input.

The stitch number circuits 27 a to 27 f are AND gates 33
Count the outputs of a to 33f, that is, the number of coins of each denomination.

The alarm circuit receives the output of the AND gate 331 and generates a false alarm to notify the passage of a fake coin.

The second solenoid 16 is energized by the output of the AND gate 33g.

The number setting circuit 35m is for presetting the number of needles of the denomination indicated by the signal 261, and the comparison circuit 36m is used to set the number of needles in advance for the denomination indicated by the signal 261. Generate output.

Also for the signal 27b-27f, the circuit 27a*
A circuit similar to the 35a e36m is provided.

All outputs of the comparison circuit 36a and the like become inputs to the OR gate 37. The OR gate 37 also has the output of the AND gate 33g as its input, and its output is the solenoid 1 of @1.
7 and between the conveyance stop circuits.

The transfer stop circuit is activated after a predetermined delay time has elapsed after receiving the output signal 37m of the OR gate 37.
′ is stopped.

The output of any of the 33 m and 33 g passes through 34 and resets 25 for the maximum value storage circuit. As a result, preparations can be made for the discrimination operation for the next coin.

Among the above, image sensors 2 and 2', material sensor 3, light-shielded portion length measuring circuit 2], 21', addition circuit n
1 control unit n1 Shrimp value storage circuit u, 25 and determination circuit 40 constitute a determination unit that determines the type of coin.

During operation of the device, the image sensors 2, 2' are controlled by the control s2
3 receives a control signal Z3m and a clock signal 23bt, performs one scan from the end near the center toward the outer end, and outputs signals to IIs. On the other hand, the material sensor 3 repeatedly outputs a voltage value signal generated by the secondary coil.

The first coin 5 is conveyed and the material of the mass is determined? When it begins to pass below -3, the output voltage value of the material sensor 5 increases, but it is not stored in the maximum value storage circuit 6 at this point.

Also, at this point, the image sensors 2 and 2'
．． Since the light is not blocked by 5', when scanning progresses from the edge near the center to the fourth photodiode,
The count value of the counting circuit I becomes 14'', and the signal CU is output. At this point, the count value of counting circuit 4 is “4”.
" is stored in the latch circuit 31 and output. When one scan is completed, the adder circuit ρ adds the outputs of the two shaded portion length measuring circuits 21 and 21'. Therefore, the output of adder circuit B becomes 8. The output of the adder circuit n is given to the control unit 23, and is determined to be smaller than the predetermined value "19". As a result, the control signal 23d is not given to the maximum value storage circuit δ, and the maximum value storage circuit 5 does not read the output signal of the material sensor 3. At this time, the control signal 23e is also not generated, and the maximum value storage circuit 5 does not read the output signal of the material sensor 3. The value storage circuit U does not read the output of the adder circuit B. Image sensor-2 by coin 5
, 2' become shielded from light, the above operation is repeated.

When the coin 5 is placed in a position that blocks a portion of the image sensor 2.2', the output of the shaded portion length measuring circuit 21, 21' becomes the sum of the number of photodiodes in the shaded portion plus "4". Become. &! As the coin 5 advances, the light shielding portion becomes longer and the output of the circuits 21, 21' increases. Therefore, the output of adder circuit B also increases.

When the output of the adder circuit ρ exceeds [mu]'', the control unit okara control signal 23d is generated, and the maximum value storage circuit 5 reads the output signals of the material sensor 3, compares them, and stores the larger one. Start. When the output of the adder circuit B becomes 100, the control section 213 no longer generates the control signal Z3d, and the maximum value storage circuit West no longer performs the comparison storage operation. As a result, the maximum value of the output signals of the material sensor 3 up to that point remains. The material determination circuit 40 generates a signal indicating the material based on this maximum value.

When the coin advances further and the output of the adder circuit B becomes 200 or more, the Ig11# section 23Vi starts to generate a control signal B. Then, the outputs of the maximum value storage circuit 24Vi and the adder circuit ρ are read and compared, and the operation of storing the larger one is started. This operation is repeated until the center of the coin passes the image sensors 2, 2' and the output of the adder circuit B becomes smaller than 200. As a result, the output of the adder circuit η from the time when the output of the adder circuit 22 becomes 200 or more until it becomes less than 200 is left in the maximum value storage circuit U as a signal representing the diameter of the coin.

As described above, when the output of the 1 addition circuit B becomes smaller than 200, the control section n gives the control 1 number 23c to the determination circuit section and the AND gates 33m-33g.

Determination circuit A determines the type of hard material and outputs signals 26a to 2.
Output either 6g. These signals 26 & - 26g are inputted to the corresponding stitch count circuits (27a, etc.) or soybean circuit resins through the analog signals 33m and 33g, respectively.

The output of the AND gate 33m-33g passes through the OR gate and resets the maximum value memory circuit, b.

This makes preparations for determining the diameter and material of the next coin.

When any one of the signals 261 to 26f is output, the count value K "1" of the corresponding counting circuit (any one of 27&, etc.) is added. If the counted value does not match the setting value of the corresponding number setting circuit (35a, etc.), the operations of conveying the coins 5 and determining the denomination are continued. When the needle value matches the set value, the output of the comparator circuit (any one of 361, etc.) becomes the "I" level, and the first solenoid 17 is energized. As a result, the first stopper 13
operates and protrudes into the passage P, but the signal 26 m -26
The coin that has generated one of f has already almost passed through the first stopper 13 at this time, so it is conveyed as it is to the sorting position, but the subsequent coins are stopped by the first stopper 13. will be stopped. The conveyance stop circuit 39 is the first
After a short delay after the stopper 13 of 13 is activated, the coin that has generated any of the signals 26a to 26f is moved to the pulley 1.
After passing through 0', belt 11 and pulley In, 10
' to stop.

When the signal 26g is output, the honor information circuit is activated and the operator is notified of the inclusion of counterfeit coins. Further, @1 and the second solenoids 17 and 16 are energized, and the stoppers 13 and 14 of 1s1 and m2 are operated and protrude into the passage P. At this time, a signal 26g is generated and nine coins, that is,
Since the fake coin has almost finished passing through the first stopper 13 and has not yet passed through the second stopper 14, the fake coin is
It is stopped between the first stopper 13 and the second stopper 14. The subsequent coins are stopped before the Ml stopper, that is, on the upstream side. Therefore, the operator must first stopper 13
The coins stopped between the second stopper 14 and the second stopper 14 are removed as fake coins, and the device is restarted.

If the image sensors 2 and 2' as described above are used to determine the diameter of a coin, even if the next coin is conveyed in contact with the previous coin, the image sensor 2 , 2' becomes sufficiently small, that is, after the output of the adder circuit n becomes smaller than the addition,
Since it becomes larger again, from this point onwards, the material is determined and the medium diameter is determined.

Therefore, there is no possibility of incorrectly determining the coin.

If the length in the path direction is calculated based on the time from when the image sensor begins to be shielded from light until the end of the shielding and the transport speed at that time, it is possible to avoid the inclusion of objects other than circular objects, such as elliptical objects. It can also be detected.

In the above embodiment, an image sensor is used as the photoelectric converter, but the image sensor is not limited to this.
Any device may be used as long as it outputs a signal that changes depending on the product.

Further, the control section, circuits 21.21', 22.24.
25, 26, etc. can also be constructed from a computer, such as a microcomputer, programmed to perform each operation indicated by -E.

Furthermore, the material sensor 3 may be placed below the image sensor 2°2'.

Moreover, although the first and second stoppers are used to stop the coin feeding, any stoppers may be used as long as they can stop the flow of coins.

Furthermore, although the above embodiment is suitable for feeding out coins from a coin processing machine that sorts coins of multiple denominations, it is also suitable for detecting the number of coins of a single denomination and counterfeit coins. The present invention can be applied.

In this case, the counting circuit 2'7a etc., the number setting circuit 35a
It is sufficient to provide one each of the comparison circuit 36a, etc., and the comparison circuit 36a.

Effects of the Invention As described above, according to the present invention, counterfeit coins can be reliably stopped in the coin path using a simple mechanism without reducing the conveyance speed. In addition, due to the conveyance stop circuit,
By slightly delaying the stop of the conveyor belt, etc., it is possible to ensure that the last set number of coins are sent out from the coin passage.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a coin dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 2 and 3 are sectional views along the line U-I and Rin-value in FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a circuit for controlling the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a circuit for measuring the length of the shaded portion shown in FIG. P...Passage, 2.2'...Image sensor-13.
...Material sensor, 5...Coin, to, 10'...
・Pulley, ll...Transportation belt, 13.14...Stopper, 16.17...Solenoid, addition...Discrimination section, 2'71...Counting circuit, (...Transportation stop circuit. Applicant, Inomata, Procedural Amendment, February 1980, Director General of the Patent Office, Shima 1) Haruki, Coin feeding device 3 of a coin processing machine, relationship with the person making the amendment Case q, 1' Application for permission Person (143) Glory Industries Co., Ltd. 7, "Detailed Description of the Invention" column and drawings of the specification to be amended Contents of the amendment (1) The specification is amended as follows. (/) 4th j%l! A ~? Row ``Aisle side wall da a
attached to l, passage @ wall +, 41'J [passage p
5 aisle side wall pavilion attached to 6 frames (not shown) above, 41
Correct it to ``outside of ``. (2) Insert the following after "Output." in the first line of page S. A predetermined number (for example, three) or more of the photodiodes on the outer end side extend so that Eb*b' digs into the passageway side wall trough, as shown in the figure, so that they are not shielded from light by the coin. Therefore, a signal at the rHJ level is always generated. ” (,7) “Outer end...” of line s7B@u~b
・Does not occur. ” to be deleted. (d) Delete [When receiving control signal 30] on page 1O, line 1 (j). (3) Delete "downward" on line 1S of 13th page. (6) 13th true Line 13, 0 [Material sensor 1 is corrected to [I support / sensor 3].
e Correct It to J. (Jr+ Delete "Judgment circuit 26 and" on page 1b, lines S to j. (9) Insert "1 constantly" in front of "Judgment circuit 26 and" on page 1b, line "Jb". (/(乌 - Page 216, lines 7 to g, [Output. This signal 2Aa hem g is output 7, but the upper d1 C1
The output when both signals j and 7θ are different from each other is increased by 1 to J. (/l) 1g, 79th line to 1q, 79th line [The above... may be used. ” is corrected as follows. 1 In the above embodiment, a -dimensional image sensor was used as the charge dL converter to find the length of the light-blocking part, but a two-dimensional 4-image sensor was used to find the area of the light-blocking part. It's okay. Further, the photoacoustic converter is not limited to an image sensor, and any device may be used as long as it outputs a signal that changes depending on the length or surface roughness of the light-shielding portion. (It) Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings are corrected as shown in the attached sheet.

Claims (1)

[Claims] A conveyance unit that conveys coins on the coin passage; a discrimination unit that determines whether the coin being conveyed is a genuine coin or a counterfeit coin; The coin passage prevention section includes first and second coin passage blocking sections that block the passage of coins, and a counter section that counts the number of coins that are determined to be genuine coins by the discriminating section, and the count value of the counting section reaches a set value. When the coin is a counterfeit coin, only the first coin passage blocking section is operated, and when the discrimination section determines that the coin is a counterfeit coin, the first and second coin passage blocking sections are operated. A coin feeding device for a coin handling machine.