WO2000043961A1 - Method and device for validating and characterizing coins - Google Patents

Method and device for validating and characterizing coins Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2000043961A1
WO2000043961A1 PCT/ES1999/000400 ES9900400W WO0043961A1 WO 2000043961 A1 WO2000043961 A1 WO 2000043961A1 ES 9900400 W ES9900400 W ES 9900400W WO 0043961 A1 WO0043961 A1 WO 0043961A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
coin
edge
light
coins
reflected
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/ES1999/000400
Other languages
Spanish (es)
French (fr)
Inventor
Eugenio Guelbenzu Michelena
Jose Tornos Gimeno
Manuel Quintanilla Monton
Jesus Atencia Carrizo
Original Assignee
Azkoyen Medios De Pago, S.A.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Azkoyen Medios De Pago, S.A. filed Critical Azkoyen Medios De Pago, S.A.
Priority to DE69942337T priority Critical patent/DE69942337D1/en
Priority to AU17813/00A priority patent/AU1781300A/en
Priority to EP99961074A priority patent/EP1067485B1/en
Publication of WO2000043961A1 publication Critical patent/WO2000043961A1/en

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07D—HANDLING OF COINS OR VALUABLE PAPERS, e.g. TESTING, SORTING BY DENOMINATIONS, COUNTING, DISPENSING, CHANGING OR DEPOSITING
    • G07D5/00—Testing specially adapted to determine the identity or genuineness of coins, e.g. for segregating coins which are unacceptable or alien to a currency
    • G07D5/10—Testing the rim, e.g. the milling of the rim

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method for the validation and characterization of coins, by verifying the relief existing in the edge of said coins.
  • the invention also includes the apparatus for carrying out the method of validation and characterization.
  • the method and apparatus of the invention are intended to obtain an electrical signal that is representative of the existence or not of relief and also of the type of relief existing in the edge of the coin, both reliefs and recesses being understood as being possible. present the song, whatever configuration they present, for example in the form of nerves, grooves, etc.
  • WO 91/066072 a device that analyzes the knurling of the edge of the coins by lighting a coin arc is proposed.
  • the reflected light is focused on a sensor by means of a lens.
  • a grid-shaped mask is placed that has an image similar to that of the valid currency engraved. If the periodicity of the mask and the knurling of the coin match, a modulated signal will be produced that serves to recognize the coin.
  • This procedure has the disadvantage that the analysis of the coin occurs in a very small space zone, which coincides with the circular sector of the coin edge when it is faced with the optical axis of the lens.
  • the device and procedure described do not allow a detailed analysis of the coin's edge, since it is only capable of measuring the total level of light reflected by the coin, and a similar level of reflection can be provided by two coins with different slots or by On the contrary, obtain two different results with two identical currencies but with a different state of conservation (different brightness).
  • the object of the present invention is a method and an apparatus that allow obtaining information on the edge of the coin that is independent of its brightness or state of preservation.
  • the invention provides a signal that is representative of the relief (hereinafter grooves) of the edge of the coin, whereby for example the number of coin slots can be obtained during a given path, the passage between slots, the type of grooving ( continuous or interrupted) or if the coin is smooth.
  • dimensional characteristics of the groove can be obtained, such as the dimension of the grooves, separation between grooves and uniformity of the grooves.
  • the light emitter by which the edge of the coin is illuminated and the receiver of the light reflected by said edge are arranged so that the receiver is reached only by the diffuse reflection that originates the relief of the surface of said song, but not because of the specular reflection produced by the smooth areas of the song that lack relief.
  • the illuminating beam has a width equal to or less than the dimension of the slots.
  • the light coming from the emitter is passed through a slit that produces a rectangular beam that reaches the edge of the coins along a strip parallel to the axis of said coin that covers the entire thickness of said edge and is of equal width or less than the thickness of the grooves or geometric alterations of the edge of said coins.
  • the light beam In order for the measurement to be prolonged for a sufficient distance to be able to examine an important area of the periphery of the coin, the light beam must maintain its constant characteristics along said path, so a collimated beam should preferably be used.
  • the beam with which the edge of the coins is illuminated will be substantially parallel to the plane of rolling of the coin or will form a small angle with it and will affect the edge of the coins at a height, relative to the raceway, greater than the radius of these coins.
  • the apparatus for carrying out the process of the invention comprises a collimated light emitter, which generates a parallel light beam or forming a small angle with respect to the rolling ramp of the coin; a wall or screen that interposes between the light emitter and the coin and has a slit that allows the passage of a rectangular beam of light that illuminates the entire width of the coin's edge; and a reflected light receiver arranged so that it is reached only by the diffused light reflected by the edge of the coin and not by the light reflected specularly by said edge. Is feature allows the receiver to be located in a nearby area of the transmitter.
  • Figure 1 is a basic assembly scheme of the apparatus of the invention.
  • Figure 2 is a diagram of the incident light rays and reflected by the edge of a coin, according to the method of the invention.
  • Figure 3 is a sectional detail of the slit through which the beam of rays that will affect the edge of the coin is shaped, according to the method of the invention.
  • Figure 4 shows the beam of light obtained with the slit of Figure 3, which affects the edge of a coin.
  • Figures 5 to 8 represent the signals obtained with the apparatus and method of the invention, from coins with different reliefs in their edge.
  • Figure 1 shows a coin 1 that rolls on a raceway 2.
  • the edge of the coin is illuminated by an emitter 3, preferably constituted by a laser diode, which emits a light 4 that is passed through a slit 5 that produces a beam 6 of rectangular contour that will affect the edge of coin 1.
  • an emitter 3 preferably constituted by a laser diode, which emits a light 4 that is passed through a slit 5 that produces a beam 6 of rectangular contour that will affect the edge of coin 1.
  • the slit 5 through which the light 4 produced by the emitter 3 is passed in greater detail obtaining a beam 6 of rectangular configuration which, as seen in Figure 4, affects the edge of the coin according to a strip 7 that is parallel to the axis 1 'of said coin, the length of this strip being preferably greater than the thickness of the edge of the coin 1 and of width equal to or less than the thickness of the geometric alterations or slots 8 of the edge of coin 1, which are intended to be measured.
  • the edge of the coin 1 is illuminated at an angle substantially parallel to the rolling plane 2 of the coin 1 and so that the beam 6 strikes said edge above the center of the coin.
  • the detector 9 will only receive the diffuse reflection 11 produced by the striations or geometric alterations of the coin edge, while the specular reflection 12, due to the smooth areas of the edge of the coin. coin does not reach the detector 9.
  • the receiver 9 provides a signal of increasing amplitude as the coin 1 approaches the receiver (distance square law).
  • This effect which in principle does not matter unless the amplitude of the pulses is used as a differentiating characteristic of the coins, can be reduced by slightly tilting the beam 6 with respect to the rolling direction, with a small angle of alpha, by example of the order of 3 or , in case the detector 9 is placed close to the emitter 3. Placing the detector 9 in the same area as the emitter 3 will prevent the arrival of the direct reflection 12 to the receiver.
  • the emitter 3 will be a semiconductor, infrared or visible laser type whose output is a collimated beam of light.
  • this type of device provides a beam of elliptical section, which is no problem for the application, since what is intended is to obtain a rectangular beam. In any case, this is achieved, as explained above, by inserting the slit 5 of the appropriate dimensions between the emitter 3 and the coin 1 to achieve the appropriate beam 6, as stated, the maximum dimension coinciding with the major axis. of the elliptical section of the beam. Thanks to the use of collimated light, the slit 5 can be placed close to the emitter 3, thus allowing a compact and small size assembly.
  • the optimal dimensions of the slit 5 are determined, in terms of length, by the maximum thickness of the coin to be measured, which can be estimated at about 3 mm.
  • the dimension of the height of the slit 5 it is determined on the one hand by the fineness of details or the finest grooving that is intended to be recognized and, on the other hand, by the diffraction effect that appears when the slit is excessively narrow. It has been found that a slit height between 0.2 and 0.4 mm may be suitable for commonly used coins and diffraction is tolerable for bands from red to near infrared.
  • the receiver 9 will be mounted so that it is not sensitive to the light 12 reflected specularly from the coin, but to the diffuse light 11 that is reflected by the relief of said coin.
  • Figures 5 to 8 show the signals provided by the receiver 9 by different forms of reliefs in the edge of a coin. When the coin has no relief, the detector will provide virtually no signal.
  • Fig. 5 shows the signal that is obtained when a coin with the "Spanish flower” edge type consisting of separate curved incisions is introduced a distance several times greater than the size of said incision.
  • impulses appear separated by intervals without a signal, which correspond to the incisions and to the flat areas of the edge of the coin respectively.
  • Fig. 6 corresponds to the signal obtained by a sample of a coin similar to the future of 1 Euro, which has a fine striatum interrupted by areas without relief.
  • impulses that correspond to the ridges of the coin edge are clearly appreciated, but the separation between impulses and their duration is clearly inferior, because they are much finer grooves.
  • Fig. 7 shows a coin that has a uniform striatum, and it can be seen that the impulses have the characteristic of a noticeably constant duration and separation between them. However, a "compression" of the signal can be seen as we move from left to right, which is due to the currency's own acceleration by simply rolling down an inclined ramp, as shown in fig.l . Finally, in fig. 8 we can see the signal that appears with a coin that in addition to having a uniform striatum presents uniformly distributed figures. In this case the representative impulses also appear of the striatum but amplitude modulated by the signal produced by said motives.
  • the pulses can be counted during a certain space or interval of time, the durations of the pulses and the separation between them can also be measured, or the amplitude and frequency of said pulses can be measured.
  • the proposed device can be completed with known systems for measuring the diameter of the coin, for example, as described in the patent ES 557 523 of the same applicants, constituted by means of optical detectors 13, which in addition to their dimension (string intercepted by the optical detectors), can provide the measure of the average velocity of the input and output edges of the coin as well as its acceleration.
  • optical detectors 13 which in addition to their dimension (string intercepted by the optical detectors), can provide the measure of the average velocity of the input and output edges of the coin as well as its acceleration.
  • characteristic parameters of the currency such as slot type (uniform, interrupted thick, fine with or without inclusions etc.), number of slots between two fixed positions (for example between the two diameter photodetectors, or between two instants of time), number of slots in the case of grooving interrupted, space between grooves and space without grooves (case of grooving interrupted), uniformity of grooving, relationship between grooved and smooth area, etc., being of great help in the process of identifying coins, since the engraving characteristic of the The singing of the coins, as a general rule, is constant between different mintings of the same coin.
  • the precision and fineness of obtaining characteristics that the device of the invention is capable of providing makes it of special application in the discrimination of fraud and interference between currencies of different countries.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Testing Of Coins (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a device for validating and characterizing coins, comprising partial illumination of the edge of the coin (1) using a collimated light beam (6) with a rectangular section that hits the edge of the coin as a string running parallel to the axis of said coin and having a width that is the same or smaller than the thickness of the alterations to be detected. A sensor (9) to analyze the reflected light is disposed in such a way that only the diffused reflection (11) generated by the relief or alterations in the surface of the edge of the coin reaches said sensor and not the specular reflection (12) caused by the smooth areas of said edge.

Description

MÉTODO Y APARATO PARA LA VALIDACIÓN Y CARACTERIZACIÓN DE MONEDAS.METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR VALIDATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF COINS.
La presente invención se refiere a un método para la validación y caracterización de monedas, mediante la verificación del relieve existente en el canto de dichas monedas. La invención incluye también el aparato para la realización del método de validación y caracterización.The present invention relates to a method for the validation and characterization of coins, by verifying the relief existing in the edge of said coins. The invention also includes the apparatus for carrying out the method of validation and characterization.
El método y aparato de la invención están destinados a obtener una señal eléctrica que sea representativa de la existencia o no de relieve y también del tipo de relieve existente en el canto de la moneda, debiendo entenderse por relieve tanto los resaltes como los entrantes que pueda presentar el canto, cualquiera que sea la configuración que presenten, por ejemplo en forma de nervios, ranuras, etc.The method and apparatus of the invention are intended to obtain an electrical signal that is representative of the existence or not of relief and also of the type of relief existing in the edge of the coin, both reliefs and recesses being understood as being possible. present the song, whatever configuration they present, for example in the form of nerves, grooves, etc.
Ya se conocen sistemas para analizar la validez de las monedas mediante iluminación del canto de dichas monedas y análisis de la señal reflejada. Actualmente se conocen dispositivos que analizan las monedas iluminando el canto de la moneda y analizando la señal reflejada por la moneda.Systems are already known to analyze the validity of the coins by lighting the edge of said coins and analyzing the reflected signal. Currently, devices that analyze the coins are known by illuminating the edge of the coin and analyzing the signal reflected by the coin.
En el documento WO 91/066072 (Datalab) , se propone un dispositivo que analiza el moleteado del canto de las monedas mediante la iluminación de un arco de la moneda. La luz reflejada se focaliza en un sensor por medio de una lente. Sobre el detector, se sitúa una máscara en forma de rejilla que tiene grabada una imagen similar a la de la moneda válida. Caso de que la periodicidad de la máscara y del moleteado de la moneda coincidan, se producirá una señal modulada que sirve para el reconocimiento de la moneda. Este procedimiento tiene el inconveniente de que el análisis de la moneda se produce en una zona espacial muy reducida, que coincide con el sector circular del canto de la moneda cuando esta se encuentra enfrentada con el eje óptico de la lente. Además solo una parte de la imagen obtenida está correctamente enfocada, puesto que el plano focal solamente coincidirá en una zona relativamente pequeña del canto de la moneda, debido a su curvatura. Otro inconveniente del dispositivo descrito es que únicamente es válido para detectar un moleteado con unas características coincidentes con las de la máscara que se haya utilizado.In WO 91/066072 (Datalab), a device that analyzes the knurling of the edge of the coins by lighting a coin arc is proposed. The reflected light is focused on a sensor by means of a lens. On the detector, a grid-shaped mask is placed that has an image similar to that of the valid currency engraved. If the periodicity of the mask and the knurling of the coin match, a modulated signal will be produced that serves to recognize the coin. This procedure has the disadvantage that the analysis of the coin occurs in a very small space zone, which coincides with the circular sector of the coin edge when it is faced with the optical axis of the lens. In addition, only part of the image obtained is correctly focused, since the focal plane will only coincide in a relatively small area of the edge of the coin, due to its curvature. Another drawback of the described device is that it is only valid to detect a knurling with characteristics that coincide with those of the mask that has been used.
El documento DE 3711941 (Standard Elektrik Lorenz) describe un dispositivo para la verificación lateral de las monedas, en el que se ilumina el canto de la moneda por la parte inferior, por la zona próxima a la pista de rodadura. El rayo de luz, antes de alcanzar la moneda, se focaliza para que incida en una pequeña zona del borde la moneda. El receptor se ubica empotrado en la parte inferior de la pista de rodadura de forma que reciba la luz reflejada desde el canto de la moneda cuando se encuentre en las proximidades de dicho sensor. Este sistema, al igual que el caso anterior, tiene el inconveniente de que el análisis de la moneda es únicamente posible realizarlo en una reducida zona de su recorrido, debido a la ubicación y geometría utilizada para el conjunto emisor y receptor. Además la focalización del haz emitido, solo es válida en un pequeño margen de distancias. En la patente belga ns 861.396 (Mars) se utiliza un procedimiento óptico para la discriminación de monedas que tengan diferente canto. Puede distinguir monedas ranuradas de monedas lisas o poligonales. El dispositivo se basa en la iluminación del canto de la moneda por medio de un fotodiodo y la detección del nivel de luz reflejado por la moneda. En el caso de moneda lisa, el nivel de luz reflejado es diferente al que se obtiene con una moneda ranurada. También es diferente si la moneda presenta aspecto poligonal, produciéndose en este caso más de un impulso luminoso. El dispositivo y procedimiento que se describe, no permite el análisis detallado del canto de la moneda, puesto que solo es capaz de medir el nivel total de luz reflejada por la moneda, pudiendo proporcionar un nivel de reflexión similar dos monedas con diferentes ranurados o por el contrario obtener dos resultados diferentes con dos monedas idénticas pero con diferente estado de conservación (diferente brillo) . La presente invención tiene por objeto un método y un aparato que permiten obtener una información del canto de la moneda que es independiente de su brillo o estado de conservación.Document DE 3711941 (Standard Elektrik Lorenz) describes a device for lateral verification of the coins, in which the edge of the coin is illuminated at the bottom, by the area near the raceway. The ray of light, before reaching the coin, is focused so that it affects a small area of the edge of the coin. The receiver is embedded in the lower part of the raceway so that it receives the light reflected from the edge of the coin when it is in the vicinity of said sensor. This system, like the previous case, has the disadvantage that the analysis of the currency is only possible in a small area of its route, due to the location and geometry used for the transmitter and receiver set. In addition, the focusing of the emitted beam is only valid in a small range of distances. In Belgian Patent No. 861,396 (Mars) an optical procedure is used for the discrimination of coins having different edges. You can distinguish slotted coins from smooth or polygonal coins. The device is based on the lighting of the edge of the coin by means of a photodiode and the detection of the level of light reflected by the coin. In the case of a smooth coin, the level of reflected light is different from that obtained with a slotted coin. It is also different if the coin has a polygonal appearance, occurring in this case More than one luminous impulse. The device and procedure described do not allow a detailed analysis of the coin's edge, since it is only capable of measuring the total level of light reflected by the coin, and a similar level of reflection can be provided by two coins with different slots or by On the contrary, obtain two different results with two identical currencies but with a different state of conservation (different brightness). The object of the present invention is a method and an apparatus that allow obtaining information on the edge of the coin that is independent of its brightness or state of preservation.
La invención proporciona una señal que es representativa del relieve (en adelante ranuras) del canto de la moneda, por lo que puede obtenerse por ejemplo el número de ranuras de la moneda durante un determinado recorrido, el paso entre ranuras, el tipo de ranurado (continuo o interrumpido) o si la moneda es lisa. Asimismo se pueden obtener características dimensionales del ranurado, como es la dimensión de las ranuras, separación entre ranuras y uniformidad del ranurado.The invention provides a signal that is representative of the relief (hereinafter grooves) of the edge of the coin, whereby for example the number of coin slots can be obtained during a given path, the passage between slots, the type of grooving ( continuous or interrupted) or if the coin is smooth. Likewise, dimensional characteristics of the groove can be obtained, such as the dimension of the grooves, separation between grooves and uniformity of the grooves.
De acuerdo con la presente invención, el emisor de luz mediante el que se ilumina el canto de la moneda y el receptor de la luz reflejada por dicho canto se disponen entre sí de modo que el receptor sea alcanzado solo por la reflexión difusa que origina el relieve de la superficie de dicho canto, pero no por la reflexión especular producida por las zonas lisas del canto que carecen de relieve.In accordance with the present invention, the light emitter by which the edge of the coin is illuminated and the receiver of the light reflected by said edge are arranged so that the receiver is reached only by the diffuse reflection that originates the relief of the surface of said song, but not because of the specular reflection produced by the smooth areas of the song that lack relief.
Como se ha expuesto anteriormente, por relieve deben considerarse tanto los resaltes como los entrantes del canto y en general cualquier alteración geométrica en la superficie del mismo.As stated above, the highlights should be considered as well as the entrances of the song and in general any geometric alteration in the surface of it.
Con el fin de que la medida sea representativa del ranurado de la moneda, es preciso que el haz iluminador tenga un ancho igual o inferior a la dimensión de las ranuras. Para ello, la luz procedente del emisor se hace pasar a través de una rendija que produce un haz rectangular que alcanza el canto de las monedas según una franja paralela al eje de dicha moneda que cubre todo el grueso de dicho canto y es de anchura igual o inferior al grueso de las ranuras o alteraciones geométricas del canto de dichas monedas.In order for the measurement to be representative of the coin grooving, it is necessary that the illuminating beam has a width equal to or less than the dimension of the slots. For this, the light coming from the emitter is passed through a slit that produces a rectangular beam that reaches the edge of the coins along a strip parallel to the axis of said coin that covers the entire thickness of said edge and is of equal width or less than the thickness of the grooves or geometric alterations of the edge of said coins.
Para que la medición se prolongue durante una distancia suficiente como para poder examinar una zona importante de la periferia de la moneda, el haz de luz deberá mantener sus características constantes a lo largo de dicho recorrido, por lo que deberá utilizarse preferentemente un haz colimado.In order for the measurement to be prolonged for a sufficient distance to be able to examine an important area of the periphery of the coin, the light beam must maintain its constant characteristics along said path, so a collimated beam should preferably be used.
Preferentemente, el haz con que se ilumina el canto de las monedas será sensiblemente paralelo al plano de rodadura de la moneda o formará un pequeño ángulo con el mismo e incidirá sobre el canto de las monedas a una altura, respecto de la pista de rodadura, superior al radio de dichas monedas.Preferably, the beam with which the edge of the coins is illuminated will be substantially parallel to the plane of rolling of the coin or will form a small angle with it and will affect the edge of the coins at a height, relative to the raceway, greater than the radius of these coins.
El aparato para la realización del procedimiento de la invención comprende un emisor de luz colimada, que genera un haz de luz paralelo o formando un pequeño ángulo respecto de la rampa de rodadura de la moneda; una pared o pantalla que se interpone entre el emisor de luz y la moneda y dispone de una rendija que permite el paso de un haz de luz rectangular que ilumina todo el ancho del canto de la moneda; y un receptor de luz reflejada dispuesto de modo que sea alcanzado solo por la luz difusa reflejada por el canto de la moneda y no por la luz reflejada especularmente por dicho canto. Esta característica permite que el receptor quede situado en una zona próxima del emisor.The apparatus for carrying out the process of the invention comprises a collimated light emitter, which generates a parallel light beam or forming a small angle with respect to the rolling ramp of the coin; a wall or screen that interposes between the light emitter and the coin and has a slit that allows the passage of a rectangular beam of light that illuminates the entire width of the coin's edge; and a reflected light receiver arranged so that it is reached only by the diffused light reflected by the edge of the coin and not by the light reflected specularly by said edge. Is feature allows the receiver to be located in a nearby area of the transmitter.
Las características del método y aparato de la invención, tal y como se recogen en las reivindicaciones, se exponen seguidamente con mayor detalle, con ayuda de los dibujos adjuntos, en los que se muestra un ejemplo de realización no limitativo.The characteristics of the method and apparatus of the invention, as set out in the claims, are set forth below in greater detail, with the help of the attached drawings, in which a non-limiting embodiment example is shown.
En los dibujos:In the drawings:
La figura 1 es un esquema de montaje básico del aparato de la invención.Figure 1 is a basic assembly scheme of the apparatus of the invention.
La figura 2 es un diagrama de los rayos de luz incidente y reflejado por el canto de una moneda, según el método de la invención.Figure 2 is a diagram of the incident light rays and reflected by the edge of a coin, according to the method of the invention.
La figura 3 es un detalle en sección de la rendija a través de la que se conforma el haz de rayos que incidirán sobre el canto de la moneda, según el método de la invención.Figure 3 is a sectional detail of the slit through which the beam of rays that will affect the edge of the coin is shaped, according to the method of the invention.
La figura 4 muestra el haz de luz obtenido con la rendija de la figura 3, que incide sobre el canto de una moneda.Figure 4 shows the beam of light obtained with the slit of Figure 3, which affects the edge of a coin.
Las figuras 5 a 8 representan las señales obtenidas con el aparato y método de la invención, a partir de monedas con diferentes relieves en su canto.Figures 5 to 8 represent the signals obtained with the apparatus and method of the invention, from coins with different reliefs in their edge.
En la figura 1 se muestra una moneda 1 que rueda sobre una pista de rodadura 2. El canto de la moneda se ilumina mediante un emisor 3, preferentemente constituido por un diodo láser, que emite una luz 4 que se hace pasar a través de una rendija 5 que produce un haz 6 de contorno rectangular que incidirá sobre el canto de la moneda 1.Figure 1 shows a coin 1 that rolls on a raceway 2. The edge of the coin is illuminated by an emitter 3, preferably constituted by a laser diode, which emits a light 4 that is passed through a slit 5 that produces a beam 6 of rectangular contour that will affect the edge of coin 1.
En la figura 3 se aprecia con mayor detalle la rendija 5 a través de la que se hace pasar la luz 4 producida por el emisor 3, obteniéndose un haz 6 de configuración rectangular que, tal y como se aprecia en la figura 4, incide sobre el canto de la moneda según una franja 7 que es paralela al eje 1' de dicha moneda, siendo la longitud de esta franja preferentemente superior al grueso del canto de la moneda 1 y de anchura igual o inferior al grueso de las alteraciones geométricas o ranuras 8 del canto de la moneda 1, que se pretenden medir.In figure 3 the slit 5 through which the light 4 produced by the emitter 3 is passed in greater detail, obtaining a beam 6 of rectangular configuration which, as seen in Figure 4, affects the edge of the coin according to a strip 7 that is parallel to the axis 1 'of said coin, the length of this strip being preferably greater than the thickness of the edge of the coin 1 and of width equal to or less than the thickness of the geometric alterations or slots 8 of the edge of coin 1, which are intended to be measured.
La instalación básica mostrada en la figura 1 se completa con un receptor 9 de la luz 10 reflejada por el canto de la moneda 1.The basic installation shown in Figure 1 is completed with a receiver 9 of the light 10 reflected by the edge of the coin 1.
En el método de la invención se trata de evitar que la luz reflejada especularmente por el canto de la moneda 1 alcance al receptor 9, constituido por un receptor adecuado. Para ello, de acuerdo con la invención, se ilumina el canto de la moneda 1 con un ángulo sensiblemente paralelo al plano de rodadura 2 de la moneda 1 y de forma que el haz 6 incida sobre dicho canto por encima del centro de la moneda. En estas condiciones, según se muestra en la figura 2, el detector 9 solamente recibirá la reflexión difusa 11 producida por las estrías o alteraciones geométricas del canto de la moneda, mientras que la reflexión especular 12, debida a las zonas lisas del canto de la moneda, no alcanza al detector 9. Cuando la iluminación 6 es estrictamente paralela a la rampa de rodadura 2, el receptor 9 proporciona una señal de amplitud creciente conforme la moneda 1 se aproxima al receptor (ley del cuadrado de la distancia) . Este efecto, que en principio no tiene importancia a no ser que se utilice la amplitud de los impulsos como característica diferenciadora de las monedas, puede reducirse inclinando ligeramente el haz 6 respecto a la dirección de rodadura, con un ángulo alfa de pequeño valor, por ejemplo del orden de 3o, en el caso de que el detector 9 se sitúa próximo al emisor 3. Situando el detector 9 en la misma zona que el emisor 3 se evitará la llegada al receptor de la reflexión directa 12.In the method of the invention it is tried to prevent the light reflected specularly by the edge of the coin 1 from reaching the receiver 9, constituted by a suitable receiver. For this, according to the invention, the edge of the coin 1 is illuminated at an angle substantially parallel to the rolling plane 2 of the coin 1 and so that the beam 6 strikes said edge above the center of the coin. Under these conditions, as shown in Figure 2, the detector 9 will only receive the diffuse reflection 11 produced by the striations or geometric alterations of the coin edge, while the specular reflection 12, due to the smooth areas of the edge of the coin. coin does not reach the detector 9. When the illumination 6 is strictly parallel to the rolling ramp 2, the receiver 9 provides a signal of increasing amplitude as the coin 1 approaches the receiver (distance square law). This effect, which in principle does not matter unless the amplitude of the pulses is used as a differentiating characteristic of the coins, can be reduced by slightly tilting the beam 6 with respect to the rolling direction, with a small angle of alpha, by example of the order of 3 or , in case the detector 9 is placed close to the emitter 3. Placing the detector 9 in the same area as the emitter 3 will prevent the arrival of the direct reflection 12 to the receiver.
El emisor 3 será de tipo láser de semiconductor, infrarrojo o visible cuya salida sea un haz de luz colimado. Generalmente este tipo de dispositivos proporciona un haz de luz de sección elíptica, lo cual no es problema para la aplicación, ya que lo que se pretende es obtener un haz rectangular. En cualquier caso esto se consigue, tal y como se ha expuesto, intercalando entre el emisor 3 y la moneda 1 la rendija 5 de las dimensiones apropiadas para conseguir el haz 6 adecuado, según se ha expuesto, coincidiendo la dimensión máxima con el eje mayor de la sección elíptica del haz. Gracias a la utilización de luz colimada, la rendija 5 puede situarse próxima al emisor 3, permitiendo así un montaje compacto y de reducidas dimensiones.The emitter 3 will be a semiconductor, infrared or visible laser type whose output is a collimated beam of light. Generally this type of device provides a beam of elliptical section, which is no problem for the application, since what is intended is to obtain a rectangular beam. In any case, this is achieved, as explained above, by inserting the slit 5 of the appropriate dimensions between the emitter 3 and the coin 1 to achieve the appropriate beam 6, as stated, the maximum dimension coinciding with the major axis. of the elliptical section of the beam. Thanks to the use of collimated light, the slit 5 can be placed close to the emitter 3, thus allowing a compact and small size assembly.
Las dimensiones óptimas de la rendija 5 están determinadas, en cuanto a su longitud, por el grueso máximo de la moneda que se pretenda medir, pudiendo estimarse éste en unos 3 mm. En cuanto a la dimensión de la altura de la rendija 5, está determinada por un lado por la finura de detalles o del ranurado mas fino que se pretenda reconocer y, por otro lado, por el efecto de difracción que aparece cuando la rendija es excesivamente estrecha. Se ha comprobado que una altura de rendija comprendida entre 0,2 y 0,4 mm puede ser adecuada para las monedas comúnmente utilizadas y la difracción es tolerable para las bandas desde el rojo al infrarrojo próximo.The optimal dimensions of the slit 5 are determined, in terms of length, by the maximum thickness of the coin to be measured, which can be estimated at about 3 mm. As for the dimension of the height of the slit 5, it is determined on the one hand by the fineness of details or the finest grooving that is intended to be recognized and, on the other hand, by the diffraction effect that appears when the slit is excessively narrow. It has been found that a slit height between 0.2 and 0.4 mm may be suitable for commonly used coins and diffraction is tolerable for bands from red to near infrared.
Como ya se ha señalado, el receptor 9 se montará de forma que no sea sensible a la luz 12 reflejada especularmente desde la moneda, pero sí a la luz 11 difusa que es reflejada por el relieve de dicha moneda. En las figuras 5 a 8 se muestran las señales propocionadas por el receptor 9 por diferentes formas de relieves en el canto de un moneda. Cuando la moneda no presenta ningún relieve, el detector no suministrará prácticamente señal alguna.As already noted, the receiver 9 will be mounted so that it is not sensitive to the light 12 reflected specularly from the coin, but to the diffuse light 11 that is reflected by the relief of said coin. Figures 5 to 8 show the signals provided by the receiver 9 by different forms of reliefs in the edge of a coin. When the coin has no relief, the detector will provide virtually no signal.
La fig.5 muestra la señal que se obtiene cuando se introduce una moneda con el tipo de canto de "flor española" consistente en incisiones curvas separadas una distancia varias veces superior al tamaño de dicha incisión. Como puede apreciarse aparecen impulsos separados por intervalos sin señal, que se corresponden con las incisiones y con las zonas planas del canto de la moneda respectivamente.Fig. 5 shows the signal that is obtained when a coin with the "Spanish flower" edge type consisting of separate curved incisions is introduced a distance several times greater than the size of said incision. As can be seen, impulses appear separated by intervals without a signal, which correspond to the incisions and to the flat areas of the edge of the coin respectively.
La fig.6 corresponde a la señal obtenida por una muestra de una moneda similar a la futura de 1 Euro, que presenta un estriado fino interrumpido por zonas sin relieve. Al igual que en el caso anterior, se aprecian claramente impulsos que se corresponden con las estrías del canto de la moneda, pero la separación entre impulsos y su duración es claramente inferior, debido a que se trata de ranuras mucho más finas.Fig. 6 corresponds to the signal obtained by a sample of a coin similar to the future of 1 Euro, which has a fine striatum interrupted by areas without relief. As in the previous case, impulses that correspond to the ridges of the coin edge are clearly appreciated, but the separation between impulses and their duration is clearly inferior, because they are much finer grooves.
La fig.7 muestra una moneda que tiene un estriado uniforme, pudiéndose apreciar que los impulsos tienen la característica de una duración y separación entre ellos sensiblemente constante. No obstante puede apreciarse una "compresión" de la señal a medida que nos desplazamos de izquierda a derecha, que se debe a la aceleración propia de la moneda por el simple hecho de rodar por una rampa inclinada, según se muestra en la fig.l. Por último, en la fig.8 podemos apreciar la señal que aparece con una moneda que además de tener un estriado uniforme presenta figuras repartidas uniformemente. En este caso también aparecen los impulsos representativos del estriado pero modulados en amplitud por la señal producida por dichos motivos.Fig. 7 shows a coin that has a uniform striatum, and it can be seen that the impulses have the characteristic of a noticeably constant duration and separation between them. However, a "compression" of the signal can be seen as we move from left to right, which is due to the currency's own acceleration by simply rolling down an inclined ramp, as shown in fig.l . Finally, in fig. 8 we can see the signal that appears with a coin that in addition to having a uniform striatum presents uniformly distributed figures. In this case the representative impulses also appear of the striatum but amplitude modulated by the signal produced by said motives.
Según puede deducirse de las figuras expuestas, es posible extraer fácilmente características de las señales que representen parámetros identificadores de monedas en función del relieve que presenten en su canto.As can be deduced from the exposed figures, it is possible to easily extract characteristics of the signals that represent coin identifier parameters depending on the relief they present in their edge.
Por ejemplo, pueden ser contados los impulsos durante un determinado espacio o intervalo de tiempo, también pueden medirse las duraciones de los impulsos y de la separación entre ellos, o bien medir la amplitud y frecuencia de dichos impulsos.For example, the pulses can be counted during a certain space or interval of time, the durations of the pulses and the separation between them can also be measured, or the amplitude and frequency of said pulses can be measured.
El dispositivo propuesto puede completarse con sistemas conocidos de medición del diámetro de la moneda, por ejemplo como el descrito en la patente ES 557 523 de los mismos solicitantes, constituido a base de detectores ópticos 13, que además de su dimensión (cuerda interceptada por los detectores ópticos) , pueden proporcionar la medida de la velocidad media de los flancos de entrada y salida de la moneda así como su aceleración. Estos datos son de especial interés en el caso de necesitar la medida exacta de la duración y separación de los impulsos. Como ya se ha visto anteriormente, la duración de los impulsos que recibe el detector, es función del relieve de la moneda y de la velocidad con la que circula por la rampa de rodadura. Por lo tanto, conociendo la velocidad y aceleración de la moneda, aplicando las fórmulas del movimiento uniformemente acelerado (que es el caso real de la moneda rodando por una rampa de inclinación constante) , es posible normalizar y obtener así la medida de la duración de los impulsos independientemente de las condiciones de caída de la moneda (velocidad y aceleración) . Con todo ello, es posible calcular con precisión parámetros característicos de la moneda tales como tipo de ranurado (uniforme, interrumpido grueso, fino con o sin inclusiones etc.), número de ranuras entre dos posiciones fijas (por ejemplo entre los dos fotodetectores de medida de diámetro, o entre dos instantes de tiempo) , número de ranuras en el caso de ranurado interrumpido, espacio entre ranuras y espacio sin ranuras (caso de ranurado interrumpido) , uniformidad del ranurado, relación entre zona ranurada y lisa, etc., siendo de gran ayuda en el proceso de identificación de las monedas, puesto que la característica del grabado del canto de las monedas, como norma general, es constante entre diferentes acuñaciones de la misma moneda. Además la precisión y finura de obtención de características que el dispositivo de la invención es capaz de proporcionar, hace que sea de especial aplicación en la discriminación de fraudes y de interferencias entre monedas de diferentes países. The proposed device can be completed with known systems for measuring the diameter of the coin, for example, as described in the patent ES 557 523 of the same applicants, constituted by means of optical detectors 13, which in addition to their dimension (string intercepted by the optical detectors), can provide the measure of the average velocity of the input and output edges of the coin as well as its acceleration. These data are of special interest in the case of needing the exact measurement of the duration and separation of the impulses. As it has been seen previously, the duration of the impulses that the detector receives, is a function of the relief of the coin and the speed with which it circulates along the rolling ramp. Therefore, knowing the speed and acceleration of the currency, applying the formulas of the uniformly accelerated movement (which is the real case of the coin rolling down a ramp of constant inclination), it is possible to normalize and thus obtain the measurement of the duration of the impulses regardless of the conditions of falling currency (speed and acceleration). With all this, it is possible to accurately calculate characteristic parameters of the currency such as slot type (uniform, interrupted thick, fine with or without inclusions etc.), number of slots between two fixed positions (for example between the two diameter photodetectors, or between two instants of time), number of slots in the case of grooving interrupted, space between grooves and space without grooves (case of grooving interrupted), uniformity of grooving, relationship between grooved and smooth area, etc., being of great help in the process of identifying coins, since the engraving characteristic of the The singing of the coins, as a general rule, is constant between different mintings of the same coin. In addition, the precision and fineness of obtaining characteristics that the device of the invention is capable of providing, makes it of special application in the discrimination of fraud and interference between currencies of different countries.

Claims

REIVINDICACIONES
1.- Método para la validación y caracterización de monedas, que comprende la iluminación parcial del canto de la moneda y el análisis de la luz reflejada por dicho canto mediante un sensor o detector, caracterizado porque la iluminación del canto de la moneda se efectúa con un haz de luz colimada, de sección rectangular, que alcanza el canto de la moneda según una franja paralela al eje de las monedas, de anchura igual o inferior al grueso de las alteraciones que se pretenden detectar; y porque el sensor encargado del análisis de la luz reflejada se dispone, respecto del emisor de luz, de modo que dicho sensor sea alcanzado solo por la reflexión difusa originada por el relieve o alteraciones de la superficie del canto de la moneda, pero no por la reflexión especular producida por las zonas lisas de dicho canto, carentes de relieve o alteraciones.1.- Method for the validation and characterization of coins, which includes the partial illumination of the edge of the coin and the analysis of the light reflected by said edge by means of a sensor or detector, characterized in that the lighting of the coin edge is carried out with a collimated beam of light, of rectangular section, which reaches the edge of the coin along a strip parallel to the axis of the coins, of width equal to or less than the thickness of the alterations that are intended to be detected; and because the sensor in charge of the analysis of the reflected light is arranged, with respect to the light emitter, so that said sensor is reached only by diffuse reflection caused by the relief or alterations of the surface of the coin edge, but not by the specular reflection produced by the smooth areas of said song, devoid of relief or alterations.
2.- Método según la reivindicación 1, caracterizado porque la iluminación del canto de la moneda se efectúa con un haz de luz sensiblemente paralelo al plano de rodadura de la moneda, que incide sobre el canto de la moneda a una altura, respecto de la pista de rodadura, superior al radio de dicha moneda.2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the lighting of the edge of the coin is carried out with a beam of light substantially parallel to the plane of rolling of the coin, which affects the edge of the coin at a height, with respect to the raceway, greater than the radius of said coin.
3.- Método según la reivindicación 2, caracterizado porque el haz de luz que ilumina el canto de las monedas discurre con una ligera inclinación descendente respecto al plano de rodadura de la moneda.3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the light beam that illuminates the edge of the coins runs with a slight downward inclination with respect to the rolling plane of the coin.
4.- Método según las reivindicaciones 2 ó 3, caracterizado porque el receptor de luz se dispone próximo al emisor de luz.4. Method according to claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the light receiver is arranged close to the light emitter.
5.- Método según la reivindicación 1, caracterizado porque la iluminación del canto de la moneda se efectúa con un haz que cubre todo el ancho del canto de dicha moneda. 5. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the lighting of the edge of the coin is carried out with a beam covering the entire width of the edge of said coin.
6.- Método según la reivindicación 1, caracterizado porque la luz procedente del emisor de luz se hace pasar a través de una rendija que produce un haz de sección rectangular que alcanza el canto de la moneda según una franja paralela al eje de la moneda.6. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the light from the light emitter is passed through a slit that produces a beam of rectangular section that reaches the edge of the coin along a strip parallel to the axis of the coin.
7.- Aparato para la validación y caracterización de monedas, caracterizado porque comprende un emisor de luz colimada, que genera un haz de luz paralelo o formando un pequeño ángulo respecto de la rampa de rodadura de la moneda; una pared o pantalla que se interpone entre el emisor de luz y la moneda y dispone de una rendija que permite el paso de un haz de luz de sección rectangular que ilumina todo el ancho del canto de la moneda; y un receptor de luz reflejada dispuesto de modo que sea alcanzado solo por la luz difusa reflejada por el canto de la moneda y no por la luz reflejada especularmente por dicho canto.7.- Apparatus for the validation and characterization of coins, characterized in that it comprises a collimated light emitter, which generates a parallel beam of light or forming a small angle with respect to the rolling ramp of the coin; a wall or screen that interposes between the light emitter and the coin and has a slit that allows the passage of a beam of light of rectangular section that illuminates the entire width of the edge of the coin; and a reflected light receiver arranged so that it is reached only by the diffused light reflected by the edge of the coin and not by the light reflected specularly by said edge.
8.- Aparato según la reivindicación 7, caracterizado porque el emisor de luz es un láser de semiconductor. 8. Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the light emitter is a semiconductor laser.
9.- Aparato según la reivindicación 7, caracterizado porque la rendija citada permite el paso de un haz de luz de sección rectangular que, en el espacio útil de medición del canto de la moneda, es de anchura igual o inferior al tamaño del detalle o alteración geométrica mas fina que se pretenda reconocer en el canto de la moneda, y de longitud preferentemente igual o superior al grueso de dicho canto.9. Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the said slit allows the passage of a beam of light of rectangular section which, in the useful space of measurement of the edge of the coin, is of width equal to or less than the size of the detail or finer geometric alteration that is intended to be recognized in the song of the coin, and of length preferably equal to or greater than the thickness of said song.
10.- Aparato según la reivindicación 7, caracterizado porque el detector es un fotodiodo o fototransistor y se sitúa en una zona en la que no existe luz reflejada especularmente por la moneda, preferentemente próximo al emisor o posición de retrorreflexión. 10. Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the detector is a photodiode or phototransistor and is located in an area where there is no light reflected specularly by the coin, preferably close to the emitter or retroreflection position.
PCT/ES1999/000400 1999-01-25 1999-12-28 Method and device for validating and characterizing coins WO2000043961A1 (en)

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DE69942337T DE69942337D1 (en) 1999-01-25 1999-12-28 METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CHECKING AND IDENTIFYING COINS
AU17813/00A AU1781300A (en) 1999-01-25 1999-12-28 Method and device for validating and characterizing coins
EP99961074A EP1067485B1 (en) 1999-01-25 1999-12-28 Method and device for validating and characterizing coins

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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ESP9900141 1999-01-25
ES009900141A ES2152175B1 (en) 1999-01-25 1999-01-25 METHOD AND APPLIANCE FOR VALIDATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF COINS.

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CN113053019A (en) * 2021-03-08 2021-06-29 中钞长城金融设备控股有限公司 Coin edge quality detection method and system

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WO2009129543A1 (en) * 2008-04-18 2009-10-22 Coinsecure, Inc. Apparatus for producing optical signatures from coinage
JP2012212221A (en) * 2011-03-30 2012-11-01 Fujifilm Corp Imaging unit and coin identification device

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CN113053019B (en) * 2021-03-08 2022-11-01 中钞长城金融设备控股有限公司 Coin edge quality detection method and system

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ZA200000152B (en) 2000-09-27
EP1067485A1 (en) 2001-01-10
AR022184A1 (en) 2002-09-04
ES2152175A1 (en) 2001-01-16
EP1067485B1 (en) 2010-05-05
DE69942337D1 (en) 2010-06-17
ES2345966T3 (en) 2010-10-06
AU1781300A (en) 2000-08-07
ES2152175B1 (en) 2001-07-01

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