JPS60101690A - Coin damage discriminator - Google Patents

Abstract

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

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to an apparatus for determining whether a coin is clean or defective, and more particularly to an apparatus for determining the degree of dirt on a coin.

[Technical background of the invention and its problems]

Due to their durability, coins have a significantly longer period of circulation than banknotes, and as a result, heavily soiled coins are frequently circulated. These heavily soiled coins are not recommended because they make people feel uncomfortable when they are handed over to ordinary people as payment or change in shops and banks.

However, in stores and banks, it is not easy for clerks to visually select so-called damaged coins, such as heavily soiled or deformed coins, from a large number of coins, so in reality, they are not damaged coins. Even if there is a coin, as long as the denomination can be identified by a coin recognition device, it can be used for payments as is.

[Purpose of the invention]

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a coin fitness determining device that can easily determine whether a coin is good or bad by identifying the degree of dirt on the coin.

[Summary of the invention]

The coin fitness determination device of the present invention includes a light emitting means that irradiates the coin with light, a filter that allows only a specific wavelength range of visible light to pass through, and receives the reflected light from the coin that has passed through this filter and converts it into an electrical signal. The present invention is characterized by comprising a photoelectric conversion means for converting the coin, and a fitness determining means for receiving the output from the photoelectric conversion means and determining whether the coin is good or bad according to the output level.

[Embodiments of the invention]

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described based on a first view of the tooth.

The coin fitness/failure discrimination device of this embodiment includes a lamp 14) as a means for emitting light that irradiates a coin (3) passing on a coin path (2) in which a discrimination hole ill is formed, and a visible lamp 14). An infrared cutoff filter that allows only light to pass through (
5) and a green filter (69), and a photosensor (7) as a photoelectric conversion means that receives reflected light from the coin (3) that has passed through these filters (51 (6G)) and converts it into an electrical signal; The output from this photosensor (71) is received via the amplifier (8), and the output level is adjusted accordingly.
'A fitness determining means for identifying the degree of contamination of the C coin (3) and determining its fitness] 9);
) to which a reference voltage comparison means (101 is connected) which compares the output from the sensor (7) with the reference voltage;
Further, a light emission current control means 1υ that controls the brightness of the lamp (4) as the light emitting means according to the comparison result by the reference voltage comparison means σα is in charge of the reference voltage comparison means σα.
and the lamp 141, and an alarm means [121] is connected to the reference voltage comparison means (101) to notify an abnormality when the output from the photoelectric sensor (7) as the photoelectric conversion means is abnormally low. It is connected.

The coin passageway (2) has one long passageway board [121] whose surface is the coin passageway surface, and passageway regulating plates on both sides of this coin passageway surface so that the passageway width is slightly wider than the diameter of the coin (3). A conveyor belt (231), which is wound around a pair of rotatable pulleys (231) and serves as a coin conveyance means for pressing and conveying coins (3) onto the coin passage surface, is provided with a The coin passageway (2) is provided above the coin passageway plate (21) and extends from the front side to the back side of the passageway plate (21) forming the coin passageway surface.
The above-mentioned discrimination hole (1) is bored approximately in the middle of the shaft.

The lamp 14) as the light emitting means and the 7-point sensor (7) as the photoelectric conversion means are arranged one set each on the front side and the back side of the passage plate (211) with the discrimination hole (1) interposed therebetween. , one set of lamps 14 on the front side of the passage board Qυ
) and the photosensor (7) are arranged at equal angles θ on both sides of the normal line of the coin passage surface passing through this origin with the center point of the discrimination hole 11+ as the origin, and on the back side of the passage plate Q]1. The two sets of lamps (4) and photosensors (7) are similarly arranged at equal angles θ on both sides of the normal line with the center point of the discrimination hole +11 as the origin,
Further, the lamps 14) and the photosensors (7) of the 1 set of fangs and the 2 sets of /l'F are arranged so as to be symmetrical with respect to the coin passage surface including the center point of the discrimination hole fil, As a result, the lamp 1 on the front side of the passage board 1211
4) and the 7-oto-sensor (7J) on the back side, and the 7-oto-sensor (7; on the front side) and the lamp (4) on the back side are facing each other.

Then, between each lamp 14) and the discrimination hole (1), a lamp +4 is placed on the coin (3) passing over the discrimination hole (11).
1 is focused and irradiated as a spot light. A convex lens 1-1 is provided respectively, and the reflected light from the coin is collected between each of the seven sensors (7) and the discrimination hole (1) and irradiated onto each of the seven sensors (7). The convex lenses 2 and 4 are respectively provided, and furthermore,
The infrared cutoff filter (5) and the green filter (
6G) is the arrangement. The position of the convex lens 4 of the spear 1 is made movable back and forth so that the spot diameter of the spot light can be set to an arbitrary size.

The above-mentioned fitness determination means (91 is 7 as the above-mentioned photoelectric conversion means)
The timing signal generating means C311 connected to the photo sensor +71 via the amplifier (8) is the same as the timing signal generating means C311 connected to the photo sensor (71 via the amplifier (8) and also connected to the timing signal generating means C31J). A/D conversion means c32 that converts the output level from the photosensor +71 into a digital signal when receiving a timing signal from the signal generation means C311, and a coin (3).
A storage means storing the standard value for determining whether the
/ It has a comparison means (2) which is connected to the D conversion means c3z and the storage means Q and compares the output level from the photosensor (7) converted into a digital signal with a reference value.

In addition, the reference voltage comparison means (IQI is a photosensor (
Collecting the output level from 71 and comparing it with the °C reference voltage, and when the output level is different from the reference voltage and this state continues for a predetermined time VU, sends an operation command to the light emitting current control means full, This causes lamp 14)
The amount of f is increased or decreased so that the output level from the photosensor (7) becomes the same as the reference voltage, and the predetermined time required to send an operation command to the light emission current control means ti11 is , is set to be longer than the time required for the coin (3) to pass over the discrimination hole (11), so that the photosensor (7) uses the reflected light from the coin (3).
Even if the output level from the reference voltage is different from the reference voltage, this state will not continue for more than a predetermined time, so the reference voltage comparison means 00
) does not issue an operation command to the light emitting current control means [111.

Next, the operation of the apparatus of this embodiment will be explained.

When a coin (3) is not passing over the discrimination hole (1) of the coin passage (2), the spotlight from the lamp (4) on the front side of the passage plate (21+) passes through the discrimination hole (1) on the back side. The light is received by the photosensor (7), and the spot light from the lamp 14) on the back side passes through the discrimination hole (11) to the 7 photosensor (7) on the grass side.
) is being received. Then, each photosensor (7) performs photovoltaic conversion and outputs it, and this output is compared with the reference voltage by the reference voltage comparison means (1) via the amplifier (8). The brightness of the lamp +41 as a light emitting means is adjusted by the control means uD, and the output level from each photosensor (7) is self-adjusted to a predetermined value.Here, when the lamp]4) is turned off If the output level from each photosensor (71) is abnormally low due to reasons such as this, the alarm means (121, such as a buzzer or indicator lamp, etc.) will operate to notify the administrator.

Then, the coin (3) is transferred to the discrimination hole 1 by the conveyor belt (toward).
11, and the edge of the coin (3) in the direction of travel reaches the spot light from the lamp (4) (when the coin (3) reaches the spot light from the lamp (4), the passage plate
The spot light from the lamp (41) on the front side illuminates the surface of coin f31, and the reflected light is sent to the front side sensor (7).
receives light, and the lamp on the back side of the passage board (211)
The spot light from 4) illuminates the back side of the coin (3), and the photosensor (7) on the back side receives the reflected light. At this time, the reflected light from the coin (3) is filtered through an infrared cutoff filter (
5) and the green filter (6!)), infrared rays are blocked and only visible light is received, so that the same condition for determining whether it is good or bad as visually determining is set.

Then, by irradiating the edge of the coin 13+ in the traveling direction with the spotlight from each lamp 14),
Since the output level from each of the seven coin sensors (7) changes, the timing signal generating means C311 detects this, and after a predetermined period of time has elapsed from that point, the spot light from each lamp 14) illuminates each side of the coin (3). When the coin (31) is conveyed to the position where the central part is irradiated, a timing signal is generated according to the timing signal generation method rule, and upon receiving this signal,
The A/D converting means G2 operates to convert the output level of the reflected light from the central portions of both sides of the coin (3) into electric current into a digital signal. Then, the value of this digital signal is compared with a reference value stored in advance in the storage means (341).
If the value is below the standard value, a signal is issued to determine that the currency is lost.

Next, another embodiment will be described based on FIG. 4.

Note that the same parts as those in the previous embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

In this embodiment, a coin (3) is inserted between the amplifier (8) and the A/D conversion means Gz in the fitness determining means.
The peak hold circuit C351 is connected to the timing signal generating means C311, and the coin (3) passes over the discrimination hole 11+. The coin (3) receives a gate signal from the timing signal generating means C1l+.
After passing, a reset command from the timing signal generating means cID is received and the stored maximum value is canceled.

Then, the reflected light of the spot light sequentially irradiated between the fine parts from one edge of both sides of the coin passing over the discrimination hole III is
The sensor (7) sequentially detects the level of the least amount of reflected light, that is, the level of the maximum amount of dirt, and the level is stored in the peak hold circuit 39. During this time, coins (3
), the timing signal generating means +311
A gate signal is sent from the gate to the peak hold circuit, the peak hold circuit operates as described above, and after the coin (3) has passed, a timing signal from the timing signal generating means C311 is issued to the A/D converting means (13z). teA/
D conversion means (3z indicates the maximum value of dirt stored in the peak hold circuit C) The output level from the photosensor (7) is converted into a digital signal, and the comparison means G41 compares the output level to determine whether it is good or not. Thereafter, a peak hold circuit (35i heliset signal) is sent from the timing signal generating means C311, and the memory of the destination is erased.

By doing so, it is possible to detect the degree of dirt on both sides of the coin (3) from one edge to the finely divided part, and the fitness of the coin (3) can be determined more accurately. Furthermore, by adjusting the position of the convex lens 4 of the spear 1 to make the diameter of the spot source the same as the diameter of the coin (3), it is possible to detect the degree of dirt on both sides of the coin (3). Judgments become more accurate.

Note that the peak hold circuit C351 in this embodiment
may be replaced with an integrating circuit. That is, the photo sensor (7) receives the reflected light from the edge of the passing coin (3) to the fine part, and the level of the received light is integrated by an integrating circuit and output as the total amount of dirt on the coin (3). Then, this output level is converted into a digital signal by the A/D conversion means (32) and then sent to the comparison means C.
34) is compared with the reference value to determine whether it is fit or not.

In this way, since the degree of contamination is judged in terms of the total amount, the fitness judgment can be made accurately.

In addition, in the above embodiments, the infrared express filter (5) and the green filter (6G) are used together,
If only 5J visible light can pass through, there is no need to use a green filter (6G), and a red filter (6R) or blue filter (6B) may be used.However, in this case as well, an infrared cutoff filter (5) may be used. There is no difference.

The output level from the photosensor +71 when using each of these ■filters (6G) (6R) (6B) is
The figure shows 1 yen coin, 5 yen coin, and 10 yen coin. In Figure 5, the solid line graph indicates the output level from the photosensor (7) that received the reflected light from the genuine coins, and the broken line graph indicates the output level from the photosensor (71) that received the reflected light from the damaged coins. No matter which filter (6G), (6R, or 6B) is used, there is a difference in the output level from the photosensor (7) depending on whether it is good or bad, so it is possible to determine whether it is good or bad.

Since the red filter (6R) and the green filter (6G) have a large difference in the output level from the photosensor (7) depending on whether they are good or bad, it is easy to determine whether they are good or bad.

In addition, in Figure 5, the graph connecting points C and The connected graph shows the output level of the photo sensor (7) that receives the reflected light from the back side of the coin (3), which is a picture.From this graph, if the degree of dirt on the front and back sides is the same, the photo It can be seen that the output level from the sensor (7) is almost the same, and the output level from the photosensor (7) does not change depending on the difference between the front and back patterns.In addition to this,
``C1 Generally, it is not the case that only one side of a coin (3) gets dirty during circulation, but in most cases, both sides get dirty in the same way. It is not necessary to do so, and it is also possible to judge the fitness of only one side and infer the results to the other side. In this case, as in the above embodiment, there are lamps 14) and photo sensors on both the front and back sides of the passage board +211. (7) is not provided, and the discrimination hole +
A reflective plate is provided on either side of the passage board (211) with the passage plate (211) interposed between the lamp 141 and the sensor 7 (7), and the lamp 141 and the sensor (7) are placed at equal angles on either side. The coin (3) may be passed between the discrimination holes H1, or the coin passage surface may be used as a reflective surface without providing the discrimination hole H1, and a lamp 1 may be placed above the reflective surface.
4) and the photosensor (7) may be arranged at equal angles. Note that Figure 5 shows IP:J, 5 yen, and 10 yen coins, but substantially the same results can be obtained for 50 yen%, 100 yen, and 500 yen coins.

In addition, when disposing the lamp (4) and the photosensor (7) on both the front and back sides of the passage board (21I) to determine the fitness of both sides of the coin (3) as in each of the above embodiments, each photosensor 17 ) may be received separately to determine whether the output is good or bad, or both may be added to determine whether the output is good or bad.

Furthermore, when performing a hard-on fitness determination of different denominations, the reflection plate L differs depending on the denomination, and the output level from the photosensor (7:) also differs slightly, but a standard value common to all denominations must be memorized in advance. It is possible to determine whether the standard value is correct or defective by setting it in Taito and comparing it with this reference value.Also, it is more accurate if you set a reference value for each denomination and combine it with the output of a separately provided denomination discrimination means. It is possible to determine whether it is normal or not.

Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, the output level from the photosensor (7) is converted into a digital signal by the A/D conversion means C32 and used as data for determining whether the output level is good or bad. The unit C41 may be used to compare and determine whether it is fit or not.

In addition, in the embodiment, the conveyor belt (2 lines is provided with one line, but as long as the discrimination hole (1) is not blocked, several conveyor belts (up to 2 lines) may be provided as shown in Figure 6. (This allows the coin (3) to advance smoothly. In addition, as shown in Figure 7, a conveyor bell C241 is placed between the discrimination hole (1) on the upstream and downstream sides of the flow of the coin (3). The coins (3) may be divided into parts.Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 and 8, the coin (3) is intermittently fed by rotating it intermittently with a pulse motor using a star gear +411, etc., and the coin (3) is inserted into the discrimination hole (11). If 31 is made to stand still, the determination of whether it is healthy or defective will be more accurate.

In addition, although the above embodiment describes the case of identifying the degree of dirt on the coin (3), even if the coin (3) is deformed, the deformation causes diffuse reflection at the spot source and the photo sensor (7) If the output level changes, it can be identified as loss money.

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to the present invention, a means for irradiating a coin with light;
A filter that allows only a specific wavelength range of visible light to pass through, a charging converter that receives the anti-i+ from the coin that has passed through this filter and converts it into an electrical signal, and a device that receives the output from the charging converter and adjusts it to this output level. Since the coin is equipped with a fitness determining means for determining the fitness of the coin accordingly, it is possible to automatically determine the fitness of the coin and the operation is easy.

In addition, since the reflected light from the coin that has passed through a filter that allows only a specific wavelength range of visible light to pass is received to determine whether the coin is good or bad, it is possible to perform the same level of determination as with the naked eye.

In addition, using this discrimination result, the good and bad coins are classified, the good coins are classified by denomination, the bad coins are stored all together in one gold coin, and only the good coins are dispensed again by the dispensing mechanism. It can also be used in circulation warrior dispensing machines and coin wrapping machines that only wrap specie coins, and has a wide range of applications.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A light emitting device that irradiates light onto the coin, a filter that allows only a specific wavelength range of visible light to pass through, a photoelectric conversion device that receives reflected light from the coin that has passed through this filter and converts it into an electrical signal, and this What is claimed is: 1. A coin fitness determining device comprising: a fitness determining device that receives an output from a photoelectric conversion device and determines the fitness of a coin according to the output level.