JPS62266692A - Money type identifier - 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 (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a denomination identification device that can be used in coin counters, medal counters, and the like.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, coin counters have been generally used as devices for counting the number of coins in sales proceeds by denomination in stores, financial industries, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 8, in this conventional coin counter, a plurality of coins of different denominations are placed on a rotary disk 1, and a denomination cam 2 is manually rotated one after another. in,
Coins passing on the conveyance path 3 are detected and counted by metal sensor 5 for each denomination.

The denomination to be counted is selected by switching the set position of the denomination cam 2 from the largest diameter coin (500 yen coin in Japanese currency) to the positions corresponding to the smaller diameter coins.

That is, initially, the denomination cam 2 is set at a position for sorting 500 yen coins. As a result, return spring 1
The sorting course 4, which is elastically supported at 0, moves, and the width of the conveyance path 3 is C% of a 500 yen coin. . is set to the diameter of child'
At the same time, the width of the jet boat 6 provided in the middle of the conveyance path 3 is C5 degrees of a 500 yen coin. The width is set to allow passage of only

Coins that have entered the conveyance path 3 due to centrifugal force as the rotary disk l rotates are moved onto the conveyance path 3 by the rotation of the feed belt 9 stretched between the pulleys 7 and 8. moving above.

At this time, the 500 yen coin C%+1° can pass through the conveyance path 3, but the 100 yen coin C3°. and other coins fall down from the reject port 6 and are stored in a reservoir (not shown).

500 yen coin C2° passed through conveyance path 3. After being detected by the metal sensor 5, it is stored in another reservoir.

In this way, when there are no more coins on the rotary disk 1, the number of 500 yen coins will be displayed on the display (illustrated path).

Next, the denomination cam 2 is manually switched and set to the sorting position for the second largest diameter coin, that is, the 10 yen coin.

Then, the coins dropped from the reject port 6, that is, the coins from which the 500 yen coin C500 has been removed, are placed on the rotary disk 1.

This time, the width of the transport path 3 is equal to the diameter of the 10 yen coin, and only 10 yen coins pass through the transport path 3 and are counted. Other coins are dropped from the reject port 6.

After that, by manually changing the denomination cam 2, 100 yen coins,
Counting is performed for each denomination in the order of 5 yen coins, 50 yen coins, and 1 yen coins.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, in the conventional coin counter described above, the denominations are sorted by the denomination cam 2, which is time-consuming and takes a long time. Ta.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to solve the above problems, the present invention optically detects information regarding the size of coins, etc. at predetermined detection positions on a conveyance path that sequentially conveys coins, etc. The present invention is characterized in that an image sensor is provided, and the type of coin or the like that has passed the predetermined detection position is identified based on the output of the image sensor.

(Function) The present invention uses an image sensor to detect information regarding the size of coins, etc., and identifies the type of coins, etc. from this detected information, so that different types of coins, etc. are mixed. Even if it passes through the conveyance path, the type of all the items can be identified.

Therefore, the present invention eliminates the trouble of manually switching the denomination cam for each denomination, which is required in the past, and the operation can be simplified.

(Example) An embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

This embodiment is an example in which the present invention is applied to the coin counter described in the conventional example.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of this embodiment.

The rotary disk 11 is for sequentially feeding the placed coins to the conveying path 12 by centrifugal force due to rotation.

The conveyance path 12 is regulated on both sides by a slide course 13a and a frame 13b, and its width matches the diameter of the largest currency (500 yen coin in Japan).
Boo IJ15.16.18゜19 placed above 2
The coins that have entered the conveyance path 12 are conveyed to the exit by the feed bell (17.20) which rotates with the rotation of the conveyance path 12.

The two boos IJ15 and 19 are separated by a width smaller than the diameter of the smallest currency (a 1 yen coin in Japan), and this position is the detection position S.

At this detection position S, a linear image sensor 14 is arranged in the width direction of the conveyance path 12. Above this linear image sensor 14, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a lamp 21 and a lens are provided. 23 is arranged.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the structure of the device at the detection position S, and FIG. 3 is a side view.

The detection position S is located at a shield 22 to prevent disturbance light from entering.
A lamp 21 is provided at the upper end of the shield 22, and a lens 23 is placed below the lamp 21. For example, a cylindrical lens is used as the lens 23.

The linear image sensor 14 is connected to the floor surface 12a of the conveyance path 12.
A window 25 for allowing light to enter the linear image sensor 14 is formed in the floor surface 12a.

Glass plates 26 and 27 are provided above and below the window 25, and an infrared cut filter 24 is laminated on the upper surface of the upper glass plate 26.

The denomination is identified when the coin conveyed on the conveyance path 12 passes over the linear image sensor 14.
This is performed based on the change in the output of the linear image sensor 14 due to blocking the light from the lamp 21.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an electric circuit for identifying the denomination based on the output of the linear image sensor 14.

The linear image sensor 14 receives a reset clock signal φ given from the linear image sensor drive circuit 36,
Register shift clock signal φ1. φ2, driven by shift clock gate signal φ,G.

The output signals O3 and DS of the linear image sensor 14 are amplified by an amplifier 33, and the amplified signal V is obtained. U7 is input to comparator 34.

The comparator 34 compares the input signal VOtlT with a predetermined threshold level, and determines rlJ depending on whether the signal indicates that the amount of light received is above a certain value.
, rOJ and outputs it.

The counter 35 inputs the binary signal CLK provided from the comparator 34, and increments the count value each time the input signal is "1". Further, this counter 35 is enabled to count by a count enable signal CNTE (given every scan time of the linear image sensor 14) given from the linear image sensor drive circuit 36, and is set to a countable state during the - scan time. 1"
The number of signals (this is the number of cells that have received light of a certain level or higher among the light receiving cells of the linear image sensor 14) is counted, and this counting data CNTo is (using a circuit) to 31.

The start switch Ski and stop switch SW2 are connected to the rotary disk 11 and pulleys 15, 16, 18, and 19.
Instructions for starting and stopping the rotation motor (not shown) and C
This is a switch for instructing the start/end of control of the PU 31.

The CPU 31 responds to the read end signal Re given from the linear image sensor drive circuit 36 (this is output when one scan of the linear image sensor 14 is completed). Read the counting data CNT. Further, after reading the count data CNTO, the CPU 31 issues a count clear signal CNTC to the counter 35 to clear the count value of the counter 35.

Then, the CPt 131 calculates the diameter of the coin that has passed through the detection position S based on the count data CNT read from the counter 35, and identifies the denomination of the coin based on the size of the determined diameter.

The calculation of the diameter is performed by monitoring the increase and decrease of the count data CNTo and calculating the number of light receiving cells whose light from the lamp 21 is blocked as the coin passes, among all the light receiving cells of the linear image sensor 14. This is performed based on the count data CNT when the maximum value is reached.

After identifying the denomination, the CPt 131 increments the corresponding one of the counter memories for each denomination, and further records the sum of the amount of coins counted at this time and the amount of coins for each denomination. The number of coins is displayed on the display 37. This display and memory can be cleared by turning the data clear switch SW3
Perform by N operation.

The lamp controller 32 controls the lamp 21 according to lamp control data DL given from the CPU 32.
Adjust the light intensity.

In order to prevent deterioration of the lamp 21, when the power switch of the device (coin counter) is turned on, the CPU 31 forms lamp control data DL for setting only the reader (a state in which the filament is warmed and an overcurrent is prevented). Output. Then, in response to the start switch 1 being turned on, the light intensity of the lamp 21 is gradually increased so that the linear image sensor 14 outputs full bits.
The amount of light is fixed at the time when the full bit output is obtained.

In this way, in this embodiment, the diameter of a coin passing through the detection position S on the transport path 12 is determined based on the output signal of the linear image sensor 14, and the type of coin is identified based on the determined diameter of the coin. do. Therefore, compared to conventional devices, which mechanically change the width of the conveyance path to sort denominations, this embodiment allows coins of multiple types to be passed through the conveyance path 12 once. , it is possible to identify the denominations of all coins.

In the above embodiment, an example is shown in which the lens 23 is used, but at the detection position S, the linear image sensor 1
If the distance between the lens 4 and the coin is sufficiently close, the lens 23 may be omitted. However, it is desirable that the light source (lamp 21) be placed as far away from the surface of the transport path 12 as possible. With such considerations, as shown in FIG.
The distance d between the coin CI and the lamp 21 is
If , is sufficiently large, the error d4 on the linear image sensor 14 caused by the difference d3 between the diameter of the lamp 21 and the diameter of the coin CI will also be extremely small, and erroneous detection can be sufficiently avoided.

Note that the error when the distance d1 between the coin CI and the lamp 21 is small can be easily determined by calculation, so it can be compensated for. Furthermore, in this case, the closer the light source is to the point, the better the accuracy will be.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the linear image sensor 14' is made to have a length halfway in the width direction of the conveyance path 12, and the feed belt 17 is arranged diagonally to move coins toward the frame 13b. It is also possible to convey the objects while moving them together.

With this configuration, although the linear image sensor 14' cannot directly detect the diameter of the coin, it can obtain information regarding the size of the diameter, so it can identify the denomination based on the output of the linear image sensor 14'. It is possible to identify. This is because, as shown in FIG. 6, a 500 yen coin C3°, a 10 yen coin C1°, a 100 yen coin C3°, a 5 yen coin C, a 50 yen coin C3°, and a 1 yen coin C3 are detected by the linear image sensor 14'. Since the amount covering the upper surface is constant for each denomination, it is possible to identify the denomination from the output of the linear image sensor 14'.

According to this example, the length of the linear image sensor 14' can be shortened, and cost and detection time can be reduced. In addition, in this example, the lens 23
is not necessary.

Further, in addition to the configuration in which the diameter of a coin is directly or indirectly detected using the linear image sensors 14, 14', the present invention uses an area image sensor to detect the area of the coin passing through the detection position or a predetermined value. It is also possible to detect the size within a range, determine the diameter of the coin based on the detection signal, and further identify the denomination.

In addition, a linear image sensor or an area image sensor is used to determine the diameter of the coin, as well as the presence or absence of a hole, and information on whether or not the coin has a hole (50 yen coin and 5 yen coin). By using these in combination, it is possible to improve the accuracy of identifying denominations.

Furthermore, the present invention provides 1. It is clear that the invention can also be applied to identification devices for foreign coins and medal types.

(Effects of the Invention) As described in detail above, the present invention provides an image sensor that optically detects information regarding the size of coins, etc. at a predetermined detection position on a conveyance path that sequentially conveys coins, etc.
By identifying the type of coins etc. that passed the predetermined detection position based on the output of the image sensor, even if different types of coins etc. coexist and pass through the conveyance path, all of them are - These types can be identified simply by passing them through the circuit conveyance path.

As a result, if the present invention is applied to a coin (medal) counter, it becomes unnecessary to manually reset the cam for each type of coin, etc., unlike conventional devices, and the counting time can be significantly reduced. be able to.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a front view showing the structure of the detection position in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a side view of the same detection position, Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the electrical components of the configuration of the same embodiment, FIG. 5 is a front view showing the arrangement of the optical system when no lens is used, and FIG. 6 is a conveyance diagram in another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the configuration on the road; FIG. 7 is a front view showing the structure at the detection position in FIG. 6; FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a conventional device. 11... Turntable 12... Conveyance path 13
a...Slide course 13b...Frame 14
．． 14'...Linear image sensor 15, 16.18
．． 19...Pulleys 17, 20...Feed belt 21...Lamp 23...Lens C5oo・C+oo+Cso+C+o+Cs+C+"
'Coin S...detection position patent applicant Tokyo System Create Co., Ltd. Figure 7 G21/4' Figure 8 974 Douda Ruto procedural amendment July 1, 1986 Director General of the Patent Office Michibu Uga 1 , Indication of the case 1986 Patent Office No. 109454 2 Name of the invention Denomination identification device 3 Person making the amendment Relationship with the case Patent applicant Tokyo System Create Co., Ltd. 4, Agent 1, Specification page 10 Line 13 (7) rcPU32
Correct j to rcPIJ31 J.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A conveyance path for sequentially conveying coins or medals (hereinafter referred to as "coins, etc."), and a conveyance path provided at a predetermined detection position on the conveyance path, and coins conveyed on the course. The present invention is characterized by comprising: an image sensor that optically detects information regarding the size of the coin, etc., and an identification means for identifying the type of coin, etc. that has passed the predetermined detection position based on the output of the image sensor. Denomination identification device. 2. The image sensor detects the radial size of the coin, etc., and the identification means determines the diameter of the coin, etc. from the radial size of the coin, etc. detected by the image sensor. , and depending on the size of the determined diameter,
The denomination identification device according to claim 1, characterized in that the denomination identification device identifies the type of the coin, etc.