JPH09326061A - Coin hole existance discriminating device and coin discriminating - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a coin discriminating device capable of defining a coin in real time by providing a discriminating means comparing a ratio value calculated by a ratio calculation means with the reference of the existence of the hole to discriminate the existence of a hole. SOLUTION: Time from the start of detection by a magnetic sensor 10 to the finish of the detection is measured to extract the maximum changing value of intensity when the time is in a first period, the minimum changing value of intensity when the time is in a second period and the maximum changing value of intensity when the time is in a third period at each scheduled time. Based on hole existence reference for sorting the existence of a hole according to the ratio value, intensity reference for sorting a coin 1 according to the intensity of a signal detected by the sensor 10 and outside diameter reference for sorting by the outside diameter of the coin 1 varying according to time measured by the time measuring part, the ratio value between the maximum changeing value and the minimum changing value of the intensity and the hole existence reference are compared to narrow the kind of the coil 1, the minimum changing value of the intensity is compared with the intensity reference to narrow the denomination of the coin 1 and the measured time is compared with outside diameter reference to allow CPU 50 to define the denomination of the coin.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a vending machine and an AT.
The present invention relates to a coin hole presence / absence determining device and a coin identifying device used in financial automation equipment such as M.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As conventional coin identification devices, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 50792/1993 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2786/1992.
The technique described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 92 etc. is known. In the coin identification described in these documents, the magnetic sensor captures the characteristics of the material, the thickness, and the presence or absence of a hole, and the optical sensor measures the outer diameter to identify the coin denomination and authenticity.

On the other hand, recently, foreign coins similar in material and outer diameter to Japanese coins are sometimes used in Japan. In such a case, it is difficult to distinguish between Japanese coins and foreign coins with the denomination and authenticity described above, and there is a risk of misrecognition. Therefore, by reading the surface patterns of coins inserted into various devices and comparing them with the images of the surface patterns of Japanese coins stored in various devices in advance,
The thing which judges the authenticity of the input coin has been developed.

[0004]

As described above, in the conventional coin discriminating apparatus, in order to ensure the distinction between Japanese coins and foreign coins, the surface patterns of the coins inserted into various devices are read in advance and The images of the surface patterns of Japanese coins stored in various devices were collated.

However, since the surface pattern of the inserted and conveyed coin is read at an arbitrary angle, it is necessary to match the angle when collating with the image of the surface pattern stored in advance. In addition, in order to accept multiple types of Japanese coins, images of the respective surface patterns are stored. Therefore, at the time of the above-mentioned collation, since the type of the inserted coin is not known, it is necessary to collate with the images of the surface patterns of all types and perform trial and error. Therefore, in the conventional coin identification device, there is a problem that the above-mentioned collation requires a long-time processing, and it is impossible to identify a counterfeit coin in which a coin surface pattern is transferred by using a simple material by the identification only by the collation of the surface pattern. was there.

On the other hand, prior to the above collation, the presence or absence of a hole is determined by the magnetic sensor, the outer diameter is determined by the optical sensor, the material is determined by the material sensor, the type of the inserted coin is determined, and the surface pattern is determined. It is presumed that processing is performed so as to eliminate the trial and error of the collation. However, in such a case, it is necessary to acquire the information required for the coin type with individual sensors and to determine the type by integrating the acquired information, resulting in complicated processing, lack of real-time performance, and cost reduction. There is a problem that becomes high.

Therefore, the present invention enables the type of coin to be determined in real time by an easy process.
It is intended to be used for comparison of coin surface patterns.

[0008]

According to the present invention, there is provided signal acquisition means for acquiring a signal from a magnetic sensor arranged on a conveying path for conveying an arbitrary coin at a constant speed, and detection from the start of coin detection by the magnetic sensor. The time measurement unit that measures the time until the end and the scheduled time measured by this time measurement unit are divided into the first, second, and third periods, and when the transition from the first period to the second period is performed. A planned time storage unit that stores a planned measurement time and a planned measurement time at the time of shifting from the second period to the third period, and the time measured by the time measuring unit is the signal for each of the planned measurement times. The intensity obtained by analyzing the signal obtained by the obtaining means and extracting the maximum change value of intensity in the first period, the minimum change value of intensity in the second period, and the maximum change value of intensity in the third period. Extraction means and the first period or A ratio calculating means for calculating a ratio value between the maximum change value of the intensity in the third period and the minimum change value of the intensity in the second period, and a hole depending on the ratio value calculated by the ratio calculating means. Whether or not there is a coin hole, which has a reference storage unit for storing a hole presence / absence criterion for classifying presence / absence of a hole Provide a device.

Further, a signal acquisition means for acquiring a signal from a magnetic sensor arranged on a conveying path for conveying an arbitrary coin at a constant speed, and a time for measuring a time from the detection start to the detection end of the coin by the magnetic sensor. The measuring unit and the planned time measured by this time measuring unit are divided into first, second, and third periods, and the planned measuring time at the time of shifting from the first period to the second period, and the second A scheduled time storage unit that stores the scheduled measurement time when the period shifts to the third period, and the time measured by the time measurement unit analyzes the signal acquired by the signal acquisition unit at each of the scheduled measurement times. Then, intensity extraction means for extracting the maximum change value of intensity in the first period and the minimum change value of intensity in the second period and the maximum change value of intensity in the third period, and the first Said strength in the period or the third period The coin is classified according to the hole presence criterion for classifying the presence or absence of a hole according to the ratio value of the maximum change value of the and the minimum change value of the strength in the second period and the strength of the signal detected by the magnetic sensor. And a reference storage unit that stores an outer diameter reference that classifies by an outer diameter reference that changes according to the outer diameter of the coin that changes according to the time measured by the time measurement unit, and the strength of the first period or the third period. The ratio of the maximum change value and the minimum change value of the strength in the second period is compared with the hole presence / absence standard to narrow down the coin types by the presence / absence of a hole, and the maximum change value of the strength is the strength. (EN) A coin identifying device having a coin type determining unit that narrows down a coin type by comparing with a reference and compares the time measured by the time measuring unit with an outer diameter reference to determine a coin type.

Further, a signal acquisition means for acquiring a signal from a magnetic sensor arranged on a conveying path for conveying an arbitrary coin at a constant speed, and a time for measuring a time from the detection start of the coin to the detection end of the coin by the magnetic sensor. The measuring unit and the planned time measured by this time measuring unit are divided into first, second, and third periods, and the planned measuring time at the time of shifting from the first period to the second period, and the second A scheduled time storage unit that stores the scheduled measurement time when the period shifts to the third period, and the time measured by the time measurement unit analyzes the signal acquired by the signal acquisition unit at each of the scheduled measurement times. Then, the strength change means for extracting the maximum change value of intensity in the first period and the minimum change value of intensity in the second period and the maximum change value of intensity in the third period, and the magnetic sensor are Depending on the strength of the signal to be detected Outside the coin that changes according to the strength criterion for classifying coins and the presence / absence standard of holes for classifying presence / absence of holes according to the minimum change value of the strength in the second period and the time measured by the time measuring unit. A criterion storage unit that stores an outer diameter criterion that is classified by a diameter, narrows down the type of coin by comparing the maximum change value of the strength with the strength reference, and the minimum change value of the strength in the second period and the As a coin identifying device having a type determining means for narrowing down the type of coin by comparing with the presence or absence of a hole and narrowing down the type of coin by the presence or absence of a hole, and comparing the time measured by the time measuring unit with the outer diameter standard to determine the type of coin. Good. In the coin identification device, an allowable range storage unit that stores an allowable range of signal strength according to the type of coin, and a maximum change value of strength within the allowable range depending on the type of coin confirmed by the type confirming means. It is preferable to provide a judging means for judging the existence.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing an arrangement example of the sensors, and FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a magnetic sensor and a magnetic signal detection system. In FIG. 4, the coin 1 is carried on the carrying path 2 by a coin carrying means (not shown) in the direction of the arrow shown at a constant speed. A magnetic sensor 10 and an optical sensor 20 are arranged in the transport path 2. The optical sensor 20
Is arranged at a position facing the elongated hole 2a provided in the conveying path 2, and the pattern on the coin surface can be read without defocusing even if the coin thickness changes.

In the magnetic sensor 10, as shown in FIG. 5, a coil 12 is wound around a central portion of a cylindrical core 11 made of ferrite or the like, and a magnetic circuit composed of an oscillation circuit 31 and a detection circuit 32 is provided. It is connected to the signal detector 30. Further, the magnetic signal detection unit 30 is connected to the CPU 50 via the A / D converter 40. The CPU 50 is also connected to the optical sensor 20 (not shown) so as to perform a collation process of the surface pattern of the coin read by the optical sensor 20.

The magnetic sensor 10 is a sensor generally called an eddy current type, and utilizes the impedance change of the coil that occurs when an object, which is a metal body, approaches the coil in the oscillation circuit 31. The detection circuit 32 detects a decrease in oscillation amplitude due to an eddy current loss that occurs when a metal body enters an alternating-current magnetic field (broken line part in FIG. 5) generated by passing a high-frequency current through the element 12.

In FIG. 6, the amplitude of the oscillation circuit 31 decreases from 31a to 31b due to the approach and passage of a metal body, and then 31a.
7 shows the output of the detection circuit 32 at that time. The amount of change in the oscillation amplitude changes depending on the dielectric constant of the metal body and the distance between the sensor and the metal body. The metal having a lower dielectric constant has a larger amount (the output (V) of the detection circuit 32 is smaller). The distance between the metal body and the metal body becomes smaller (the output (V) of the detection circuit 32 becomes larger).
Further, in a state where the metal body does not completely cover the sensor surface, the amount of change in the oscillation amplitude changes depending on the ratio of the metal body covering the sensor surface, and becomes smaller as the coverage ratio becomes smaller (the output of the detection circuit 32 (V ) Will be bigger).

That is, when the coin 1 is moved along the conveying path 2 at a constant speed and the coin 1 passes the magnetic sensor 10, the output of the magnetic signal detecting section 30 is the material of the coin 1 and the coin 1 and the magnetic sensor 10. And the ratio of the coin 1 covering the magnetic sensor. Next, the theory of the process of determining the presence / absence of a coin hole based on the output change of the detection circuit 32 of a coin without a hole and a coin with a hole will be described.

FIG. 8 shows an output change in the case of a coin having no hole, and FIG. 9 shows an output change in the case of a coin having a hole.
In both figures, the vertical axis represents the intensity of the detection signal and the horizontal axis represents the detection time. In both figures, the reason that the output near both ends of the output waveform is the minimum is that the inside of the ordinary coin is separated from the outer edge by the marking of the surface pattern and the distance from the magnetic sensor 10 is reduced. Further, in FIG. 9, the output of the central portion is largely changed because the sensor coverage is lowered due to the hole of the coin. Therefore, the presence / absence of the coin hole can be determined by whether or not the central portion output is largely changed as shown in FIG. Therefore, in order to discriminate the change, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the output waveform is divided into the first, second, and third periods in the time axis direction, and the presence of holes is present. The minimum change value of the intensity in the second period, that is, the maximum value in FIG. 9, is extracted, and the maximum change value in the first or third period, that is, the minimum value in FIG. Extract the value. Then, the maximum change value of strength (hereinafter referred to as minimum value) and the minimum change value of strength (hereinafter, referred to as
(Referred to as the maximum value), and the presence or absence of a hole is determined based on this ratio value. For example, if ratio value = minimum value / maximum value, it is determined that there is no hole if the ratio value is close to 1, and there is a hole if the ratio value is more than a certain fixed reference value. Determine. However, regardless of the ratio value, for example, when it is determined that the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value is a certain value or more, it may be determined that there is a hole.

In order to discriminate the presence / absence of a coin hole as described above, in the present embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, a memory unit 51 provided inside the CPU 50 is used for discriminating a hole. The reference ratio value is stored. The storage unit 51 may be provided outside the CPU 50. on the other hand,
As described above, the minimum value of the signal strength varies depending on the material of the coin and the like. Therefore, it is possible to determine the type of coin by setting a standard for this strength. For example,
Currently, in Japan, the white coins are 50 yen, 100 yen, 50 yen.
There are coins of 0 yen and non-white copper coins of 1 yen, 5 yen, and 10 yen. By the way, a white copper coin and a non-white copper coin can be distinguished from each other by setting a reference for the intensity of the signal. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the white copper coin and the non-white copper coin are discriminated.

Further, the length of time detected by the magnetic sensor 10 differs depending on the outer diameter of the coin. For this reason,
In the present embodiment, the copper coins and the non-white copper coins are divided, and the discrimination is made based on the difference in the outer diameter within the respective categories. Now, the coin identification process in the present embodiment will be described. The type of coin (hereinafter referred to as denomination) is
Current Japanese coins, 1 yen, 5 yen, 10 yen, 50 yen, 10
Suppose each coin of 6 denominations of 0 yen and 500 yen.

The waveform output of the magnetic signal detecting section 30 is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 40 at a predetermined time interval and input to the CPU 50 in real time. The signal input to the CPU 50 is represented by AD (V), the minimum value is represented by AD (Vmin), and the maximum value is represented by AD (Vmax). Then, the CPU 50 determines the presence / absence of a coin hole, distinguishes between a white copper coin and a non-white copper coin, and determines a difference in outer diameter between each of the white copper coin and the non-white copper coin, and determines the coin type (hereinafter referred to as denomination). ) To determine the denomination. In addition, in the present embodiment, when performing each of the determinations 1 and 2, the determination criterion for each determination is stored in the storage unit 51 in advance.

The discrimination criteria will be described with reference to FIG.
In FIG. 3, the vertical axis represents signal intensity and the horizontal axis represents time. Further, when the same coin is detected by the magnetic sensor 10, the detected waveform varies to some extent. Therefore, in the figure, the allowable range of the maximum value and the time during which the magnetic sensor 10 is detecting, that is, the outer diameter of the coin are shown. Considering the allowable range of the corresponding time, it is represented by the area □. In this area □, the solid line represents a coin without a hole, and the dotted line represents a coin with a hole.
The criterion based on the presence or absence of the hole, that is, the criterion is omitted because it has been described above. However, in the following, the above-described ratio value, which is the criterion, will be described as TH1. Also, the standard of is T
This TH2 represents the maximum value for separating the white copper coin and the non-white copper coin as described above. Is expressed as TH3 and TH4, TH3 is a time that corresponds to the outer diameter of the white coin side and distinguishes between 100 yen and 500 yen coins, and TH4 is the time that corresponds to the outer diameter of the non-white copper coin side. It is a standard for distinguishing 1 yen and 10 yen coins.

The denomination determination will be described below with reference to the flow charts shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. First, when the magnetic sensor 10 detects the passage of the coin 1, the detection signal of the magnetic sensor 10 causes the CPU 50 to read the output data via the A / D converter 40 or the like (Sa1),
The CPU 50 compares the read AD (V) with a reference (hereinafter referred to as TH0) for detecting coin passage.
Then, AD (V) becomes smaller as the coin 1 approaches the magnetic sensor 10, and the period of AD (V) <TH0 is when the coin 1 is passing over the magnetic sensor 10. Therefore, in this case, "1" is added to the value N (initial value 0) of a counter (not shown) for detecting the coin passage time (Sa3). It should be noted that the value N of this counter is for measuring time, and is set at a constant time interval by the CPU 50.
Is added by "1" each time the output data of the A / D converter 40 is read. Also, the time may be directly measured by a timer instead of the counter. When the value of N is N ≦ Na, the first period is described above, and when Na <N ≦ Nb, the second period is N,
The case of ≧ Nb indicates the third period, and is reset every time the detection of the coin 1 is completed.

Next, in the first period (when N≤Na) in which the value N of the counter is smaller than the reference value Na for the first period determination (Sa4), the read AD (V) and its The minimum AD (Vmin) is compared (Sa5). AD
When (V) ≤ AD (Vmin), AD (V) is changed to AD (Vmi
n) is set (Sa6), otherwise AD (Vmin) is left as it is and the process proceeds to read the next output data of the A / D converter 40 (return to Sa1).

Further, the value N of the counter is sequentially increased to the first value.
Of the second period (Na <N) that exceeds the reference value Na for determining the period of time and is smaller than the reference value Nb (> Na) for determining the second period.
When ≦ Nb) (Sa7), the read AD (V) is compared with the maximum data AD (Vmax) up to that point (Sa).
8). When AD (V) ≧ AD (Vmax), AD (V) is set to AD (Vmax) (Sa9), otherwise AD
(Vmax) is left as it is and the process proceeds to read the next output data of the A / D converter 40 (return to Sa1).

Further, in the third period (N> Na) in which the value of the counter N exceeds the reference value Nb for the second period determination,
AD (Vmin) is updated as necessary by the same processing as in the case of the first period (N ≦ Na) described above, and the minimum data AD (Vmin) in the first period and the third period is extracted.
While repeating the above process, the coin 1 is the magnetic sensor 1
When the data AD (V) read from the magnetic sensor 10 passes above 0 and starts to separate from the magnetic sensor 10, the read data AD (V) gradually rises to exceed TH0. That is, when AD (V)> TH0, it is confirmed that the value N of the counter is not 0, and the data extraction process ends (Sa10). The values of AD (Vmin), AD (Vmax), and N extracted at this time are temporarily stored in the storage unit 51 in order to determine the denomination and determine the material, and then AD (Vmin), AD (Vmax) and N are set to "TH0", "0", and "0" as initial values, respectively, to wait for the next coin to approach the magnetic sensor unit.

On the other hand, the data AD (V) read until the coin 1 is sufficiently close to the magnetic sensor 10 is TH0.
Although larger, in this case, the value of the counter N remains 0, and the process proceeds to read the next output data of the A / D converter 40. The reference values Na and Nb for setting the first, second, and third periods are determined based on times ta and tb that divide the passage time t of a coin with a hole into approximately three equal parts. The maximum output value at the center of the coin and the minimum output value at the outer edge of the coin can be accurately grasped.

Next, with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 2, the process of determining the coin denomination and determining the material will be described. First, the ratio of AD (Vmax) and AD (Vmin) (Vc =
AD (Vmax) / AD (Vmin)) is obtained (Sb1), and this Vc is compared with the hole presence / absence determination reference (TH1) to determine the presence / absence of a hole (Sb2). As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, in a coin with a hole, AD (Vmax) increases much more than AD (Vmin), so Vc becomes a large value (Vc> TH1),
Since the increase in AD (Vmax) is small for coins without holes, Vc
Is a small value (Vc ≦ TH1). Therefore, Vc ≦
If TH1, the process moves to Sb4, and if Vc ≦ TH1, the process moves to Sb3.

Next, AD (Vmin) is compared with TH2 which is a discrimination criterion of a white copper coin, and when AD (Vmin) ≤TH2, it is determined to be a white copper coin (Sb3 or Sb4). That is, S
If it is determined in b3 that AD (Vmin) ≦ TH2, the coin conveyed is determined to be a 50-yen coin. Also, AD (Vm
in) ≤ TH2, the coins transferred are 5
It is determined to be a yen coin (see FIG. 3).

Further, in the case of coins without holes (Vc≤TH1) (Sb2), the above-mentioned white copper coins (AD (Vmin) ≤TH)
2) Or, depending on whether it is a non-white copper coin (AD (Vmin)> TH2) (Sb4), the counter value N is TH3 or TH.
The denomination is determined in comparison with 4 (Sb5 or Sb6). S
In b5, if N> TH4, it is decided that it is a 10-yen coin, and if N> TH4, it is decided that it is a 1-yen coin.
In Sb6, if N> TH3, it is determined to be a 500-yen coin, and if N> TH3, it is determined to be a 100-yen coin. As described above, when the denomination is determined, the corresponding denomination signal is set, and the process proceeds to Sb7.

Finally, the material is discriminated by comparing AD (Vmin) with the maximum and minimum allowable values of AD (Vmin) for the confirmed denomination (Sb7). In this way, the material determination is performed after the denomination is determined, because there is a difference in the width of the outer edge portion of the coin and the uneven pattern inside the denomination, AD (Vmin) of the waveform that changes as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. This is because the reference range of is different for each denomination even for three denominations of the same material (white copper coin).

Therefore, in the above embodiment, the type of coin is narrowed down by the presence or absence of a hole by the ratio value, and is narrowed down to two types of coins depending on the minimum value of the signal strength in the first period or the third period. The coins are fixed by narrowing down the coin types by the outer diameter according to the time to be measured. That is, in, the 5 yen and 50 yen coins are distinguished from the other coins. Then, if it is judged that the coin is 5 yen or 50 yen coin, it is decided to be one of those coins, and if it is judged that it is a coin other than 5 yen or 50 yen coin, it is 1 yen and 1 yen.
Narrow down to two types of coins depending on whether they are 0 yen coins or 100 yen and 500 yen coins. Then, if it is judged as 1 yen and 10 yen coins in, it will be confirmed as one of the coins,
If it is determined to be a 100-yen or 500-yen coin, the coin is set to one of the coins. All the coins are fixed by the above processing.

By the way, the presence / absence of a hole is determined based on a ratio value, for example, in the case of 5 yen and 50 yen coins, the minimum value of the signal strength in the first period or the third period is the respective coin. This is because the maximum value of the second period also differs and the reference of the maximum value of the signal strength cannot be set. However, it is also possible to change the above-mentioned steps (1) to (3) as described later, and determine the presence or absence of the hole by comparing the maximum values of the signal strengths to determine the denominations of all coins. This procedure will be described below.

(1) Narrow down to two types of coins according to the minimum value of the signal strength in the first period or the third period,
(2) The type of coin is narrowed down by the presence or absence of a hole according to the maximum value of the signal strength, and (3) The type of coin is narrowed down by the outer diameter according to the time to be measured, and the coin is determined. That is, in (1), 1 yen, 5 yen and 10 yen coins or 50 yen, 10 yen
Narrow down to two types of coins depending on whether they are 0 yen or 500 yen coins. In (2), if the 1 yen, 5 yen, and 10 yen coins are judged in (1), the maximum value of the second period is compared with the preset maximum value of 5 yen, and this maximum If the value is within the allowable range, it is judged as a 5 yen coin, and if it is outside the allowable range, it is judged as 1 yen and 10 yen coins.
When it is determined that the coin is 00 yen or 500 yen, the maximum value of the second period is compared with the preset maximum value of 50 yen, and when it is within the allowable range of this maximum value, it is determined as 50 yen coin. , 100 yen and 500 when it is out of the allowable range
Judge as a yen coin. In (3), 1 yen and 10 in (2)
If the coin is determined to be a yen coin, it is determined to be one of those coins, and if it is determined to be a 100-yen or 500-yen coin in (2), it is determined to be any one of the coins and all coins are determined. Therefore, in (1) above, after dividing into a coin group having 5 yen and a coin group having 50 yen in advance, the maximum value is compared in (2) above. Since it is possible to directly compare the maximum value of coins having holes that can be made, it is possible to determine the denomination regardless of the ratio value.

Further, without depending on the above procedure, for example,
Similarly, after distinguishing coins by the size of the diameter, the minimum value of the signal strength is compared to compare the presence or absence of a hole.
The denomination can be determined by comparison based on the maximum value. In this case, the denomination can be determined by the ratio value.
According to the above embodiment, the minimum value and the maximum value are obtained for each period from the detection signal acquired by the magnetic sensor, and the outer diameter, the material,
Depending on whether or not there is a hole, it is possible to perform a real-time process of comparing with a reference stored for each denomination in advance. Therefore, a special large memory space for analyzing the detection signal is not required, and a low cost can be expected. Further, when the pattern image read signal from the optical sensor is processed to perform the pattern matching process, the denomination determination process of the present embodiment is performed before the matching process, so that the amount of information compared in the matching process is increased. As a result, the effect that it can be utilized for simplification and optimization of image processing can be obtained.

Further, since the minimum value data, which is the information necessary for determining the denomination, can be used for more detailed material determination, more strict authenticity determination can be easily performed in real time. It can be carried out.

[0035]

As described above, according to the coin hole presence / absence discriminating apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to obtain the effect of being able to discriminate the presence / absence of a coin hole which is rich in real time. Also,
According to the coin identification device, the minimum value and the maximum value are obtained for each period from the detection signal acquired by the magnetic sensor to determine the outer diameter, the material,
Depending on the presence / absence of holes, it is possible to obtain an effect that a process that is rich in real time, that is, a process of comparing with a standard stored in advance for each denomination can be performed. Therefore, a special large memory space for analyzing the detection signal is not required, and a low cost can be expected. Further, when the pattern image read signal from the optical sensor is processed to perform the pattern matching process, the type of coin is determined by performing the process of the present invention before the matching process, and the information to be compared in the matching process is determined. Since the amount is reduced, it is possible to obtain an effect that can be utilized for simplification and optimization of image processing. As a result, it is possible to distinguish foreign coins whose material and outer diameter are similar to those of Japanese coins in a short time.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a data extraction process.

[Fig. 2] Flow chart of denomination confirmation processing

[Fig. 3] Explanatory drawing of discrimination classification for denomination confirmation

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an arrangement example of sensors.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a magnetic sensor and a magnetic signal detection system.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an amplitude change of an oscillation circuit 31.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the output of the detection circuit 32.

FIG. 8 is a graph of signals for coins without holes.

FIG. 9 is a graph of signals of coins with holes

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 coin 2 transport path 10 magnetic sensor

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A signal acquisition unit for acquiring a signal from a magnetic sensor arranged in a transfer path for transferring an arbitrary coin at a constant speed, and a time for measuring a time from the start of detection of a coin by the magnetic sensor to the end of detection of the coin. The measuring unit and the planned time measured by this time measuring unit are divided into first, second, and third periods, and the planned measuring time at the time of shifting from the first period to the second period, and the second A scheduled time storage unit that stores a scheduled measurement time when the period shifts to the third period, and a time measured by the time measurement unit analyzes the signal acquired by the signal acquisition unit at each of the measured time intervals. Then, intensity extraction means for extracting a maximum change value of intensity in the first period and a minimum change value of intensity in the second period and a maximum change value of intensity in the third period, the first The intensity in the period or the third period Ratio calculating means for calculating a ratio value between the maximum change value and the minimum change value of the intensity in the second period, and a hole presence / absence criterion for classifying presence / absence of holes according to the ratio value calculated by the ratio calculating means. A coin hole presence / absence discriminating apparatus comprising: a reference storage unit for storing; and a discriminating unit for comparing the ratio value calculated by the ratio calculating unit with the hole presence / absence reference to discriminate the presence / absence of a hole. 2. A signal acquisition unit for acquiring a signal from a magnetic sensor arranged on a conveyance path for conveying an arbitrary coin at a constant speed, and a time for measuring a time from the detection start of the coin to the detection end of the coin by the magnetic sensor. The measuring unit and the planned time measured by this time measuring unit are divided into first, second, and third periods, and the planned measuring time at the time of shifting from the first period to the second period, and the second A scheduled time storage unit that stores a scheduled measurement time when the period shifts to the third period, and a time measured by the time measurement unit analyzes the signal acquired by the signal acquisition unit at each of the measured time intervals. Then, intensity extraction means for extracting a maximum change value of intensity in the first period and a minimum change value of intensity in the second period and a maximum change value of intensity in the third period, the first The intensity in the period or the third period The presence or absence of holes is classified according to the ratio value of the maximum change value and the minimum change value of the strength in the second period, and the coins are classified according to the strength of the signal detected by the hole sensor and the magnetic sensor. A reference storage unit that stores an outer diameter reference that is classified by an outer diameter of a coin that changes according to the strength reference and the outer diameter of the coin that changes according to the time measured by the time measurement unit; The ratio of the change value and the minimum change value of the strength in the second period is compared with the hole presence / absence reference to narrow down the type of coin by the presence / absence of a hole, and the maximum change value of the strength is determined as the strength reference. A coin identifying device for narrowing down the coin type by comparing with the above, and comparing the time measured by the time measuring unit with the outer diameter standard to determine the coin type. 3. A signal acquisition unit for acquiring a signal from a magnetic sensor arranged on a transfer path for transferring an arbitrary coin at a constant speed, and a time for measuring a time from the start of detection of the coin by the magnetic sensor to the end of detection. The measuring unit and the planned time measured by this time measuring unit are divided into first, second, and third periods, and the planned measuring time at the time of shifting from the first period to the second period, and the second A scheduled time storage unit that stores a scheduled measurement time when the period shifts to the third period, and a time measured by the time measurement unit analyzes the signal acquired by the signal acquisition unit at each of the measured time intervals. Then, an intensity extraction unit that extracts a maximum change value of intensity in the first period and a minimum change value of intensity in the second period and a maximum change value of intensity in the third period, and the magnetic sensor is Depending on the strength of the detected signal An outer diameter of a coin that changes according to a strength criterion for classifying coins and a hole presence criterion for classifying presence / absence of a hole according to the minimum change value of the strength in the second period and the time measured by the time measuring unit. A reference storage unit that stores an outer diameter reference that is classified according to, and a maximum change value of the strength is compared with the strength reference to narrow down the types of coins, and a minimum change value of the strength and the hole in the second period. It is characterized by having a type determining means for comparing the presence / absence standard to narrow down the types of coins depending on the presence / absence of holes and comparing the time measured by the time measuring unit with the outer diameter standard to determine the type of coins. Coin identification device. 4. The allowable range storage unit according to claim 2 or 3, which stores an allowable range of signal strength according to a coin type, and an allowable range according to the coin type determined by the type determining means. A coin discriminating apparatus comprising: a determining unit that determines that a maximum change value of strength exists.