JP3201185B2 - Coin identification device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a coin discriminating apparatus for electrically discriminating the authenticity and type of coins.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, vending machines have become widespread, and a coin discriminating apparatus used therein has been required to have high discrimination performance.

Conventionally, a coin discriminating apparatus of this type has a coin insertion slot, a coin passage connected to the coin insertion slot, an identification sensor disposed on a side wall of the coin passage, and a coin inserted by an output of the identification sensor. Detecting means for detecting the characteristics of the coin, a storage circuit for storing in advance the data of the authenticity of the coin and reference data of the type of the coin, and a comparison for comparing the output of the detecting means with reference data of the storage circuit. And a determination circuit for determining the authenticity and type of the coin based on the comparison result of the comparison circuit. As the identification sensor and the detection means, there are provided means for detecting the material, thickness, the output of the outer diameter sensor and the maximum change amount of the output of each sensor, and the output of each sensor when the inserted coin passes. The coin was identified by detecting the material, thickness and outer diameter of the coin based on the maximum change amount.

[0004]

However, in the conventional structure, the thickness detected at the center of the coin is detected as the thickness. This is because the value generated when the magnetic field generated by the sensor has a spread and the average thickness in the magnetic field becomes maximum is detected. This value did not always match the physical maximum thickness, and was close to the thickness at the center.

[0005] For this reason, counterfeit coins such as similar foreign coins having substantially the same material and the same outer diameter as the genuine coin and having a central portion with a small thickness have sometimes been illegally used.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a coin identification device capable of preventing such illegal use of counterfeit coins.

[0007]

In order to achieve this object, a coin discriminating apparatus of the present invention uses two thickness sensors,
E Bei detecting means for detecting the thickness of the outer peripheral portion of the coin from the combined output waveform of the sensors, the two thickness sensor Said
In each case, two cores wound with coils face the coin passage
And place these coils so that mutual inductance is negative.
In this way, the two opposite thicknesses are connected in series
Attempt to identify by measuring the sensor spacing parallel to the coin path
Between 90% and 95% of the outer diameter of the coin
Measure the height of the thickness sensor from the bottom of the coin aisle to identify it.
This is 30% or more and 70% or less of the outer diameter of the coin to be sought .

[0008]

According to this structure, the thickness of the outer peripheral portion of the coin can be detected by the detecting means. Use can be prevented.

[0009]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of a coin identification device according to the present invention. A coin insertion slot 2 is provided at an upper portion of the coin identification device main body 1, and a coin passage 3 is connected downward from the insertion slot 2. On the side wall of the coin passage 3, a first thickness / material combined sensor 4, a second thickness sensor 5, and an outer diameter sensor 6 are arranged. The centers of the second thickness sensor 5 and the outer diameter sensor 6 are arranged on the same vertical line with respect to the coin passage 3. The coin passage 3 is connected to a coin outlet 7 located at the lower part of the coin discriminating apparatus main body 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the first thickness / material combined sensor 4.
The parts related to are omitted. The coin passage 3 on which the coin 8 rolls is composed of a substrate 9 forming one side wall and a substrate 10 forming the other side wall. E-shaped cores 11 and 12 made of a ferrite material are attached to the substrates 9 and 10 so as to face each other. The E-shaped cores 11 and 12 have a length smaller than the outer diameter of the largest coin 8 to be identified, and the center of the coin 8 having the largest outer diameter passes near the center of the E-shaped cores 11 and 12. Position. The first thickness / material combined sensor 4 includes an E-shaped core 11, two coils 13 and 14 wound inside the E-shaped core 11, and an E-shaped core 12 and two coils 15 and 16 wound inside the E-shaped core 12. Have been.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control circuit. The first thickness sensor 17 includes E-shaped cores 11 and 12 that are arranged to face the coin passage 3 and these E-shaped cores 1 and 12.
The coils 13 and 15 are wound inside the coils 1 and 12, and the coils 13 and 15 are connected in series and anti-phase so that mutual inductance becomes negative. Second thickness sensor 5
Has the same configuration, and the coils wound around the opposing cores are connected in series and in opposite phases. Further, the first thickness sensor 17
The coils 13 and 15 and the coil of the second thickness sensor 5 are connected in series to form a first oscillation circuit 19.

The material sensor 18 has the same structure as the first thickness sensor 17, but the coils 14, 16 wound around the opposing E-shaped cores 11, 12 are connected in series and in-phase so that mutual inductance becomes positive. Have been. In this embodiment, the first
Thickness sensor 17 and material sensor 18 are E-shaped core 11,
12 and is shown as a first thickness / material combined sensor 4 in FIGS. 2 and 3. The outer diameter sensor 6 has the same configuration as the material sensor 18, and the coils wound around the opposing cores are connected in series and in phase. Further, the material sensor 1
The eight coils 14 and 16 and the coil of the outer diameter sensor 6 are connected in series to form a second oscillation circuit 20.

The outputs of the oscillation circuits 19 and 20 are connected to half-wave rectifier circuits 21 and 22, respectively. The output of the first half-wave rectifier circuit 21 enters the thickness detecting means 23 at the outer peripheral part and the thickness detecting means 24 at the central part. The output of the second half-wave rectifier circuit 22 enters the thickness detecting means 23 at the outer peripheral part, the thickness detecting means 24 at the central part, the material detecting means 25, and the outer diameter detecting means 26. The output of the thickness detecting means 23 at the outer peripheral part and the output of the thickness detecting means 24 at the central part are connected to the difference calculating means 27, respectively. The output of each of the detection means 23 to 27 enters one input of the comparison circuits 28 to 32, respectively. A storage circuit 33 is connected to the other inputs of the comparison circuits 28 to 32.
Output is connected. The outputs of the comparison circuits 28 to 32 enter a judgment circuit 34, and the judgment circuit 34 outputs a judgment signal 35.

The operation of the coin identification device configured as described above will be described below. When the coin 8 inserted from the coin insertion slot 2 approaches the sensors 4 to 6, the coil 13
The impedance of the oscillation circuits 19 and 20 changes accordingly. This change is
The thickness sensors 17 and 5 are formed so as to differ mainly depending on the thickness of the coin 8, the material sensor 18 is formed mainly according to the material of the coin 8, and the outer diameter sensor 6 is formed so as to differ mainly depending on the outer diameter of the coin 8. The half-wave rectifier circuits 21 and 22 convert the oscillating waveforms of the oscillating circuits 19 and 20 from a sine wave to a signal indicating an oscillating level, respectively.

Next, the operation of each of the detecting means 23 to 26 will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 shows an output waveform 40 of the second half-wave rectifier circuit 22 when the coin passes, and FIG. 5 shows output waveforms 50 and 60 of the first half-wave rectifier circuit 21. In each case, the vertical axis represents the amount of change in the oscillation level, and the horizontal axis represents time. The solid line in FIG. 5 is a waveform 50 of a 500 yen coin in Japan, and the broken line is a waveform 60 of a similar foreign coin whose material and outer diameter are almost the same as those of the 500 yen coin and whose thickness at the center is approximated. The part where the output of the first half-wave rectifier circuit 21 is particularly different between a 500 yen coin and a foreign coin is that the coin 8
Is coincident with the timing when the outer peripheral portion of the coin passes through the vicinity of the thickness sensors 5 and 17, and the output at this time is considered to indicate the thickness of the outer peripheral portion of the coin 8. The present invention seeks to detect the thickness of the outer periphery of the coin 8 based on the output of the first half-wave rectifier circuit 21 at this time. The second half-wave rectifier circuit 22
Is substantially the same as that of the 500 yen coin and the foreign coin as shown in FIG.

The material detecting means 25 detects the maximum change amount of the oscillation level while the coin 8 passes through the material sensor 18, that is, the first maximum value of the waveform 40. Outer diameter detection means 26
The maximum change amount of the oscillation level while the coin 8 passes through the outer diameter sensor 6, that is, the third maximum value of the waveform 40 is detected. The thickness detecting means 23 in the outer peripheral portion is configured such that the coin 8 has two thickness sensors 1.
The maximum change amount of the oscillation level is detected at the position where both of 7 and 5 are applied. In the present embodiment, the time at which the waveform 40 of the second half-wave rectification circuit 22 takes the second minimum value is used to prevent erroneous detection by using the position where the outer peripheral portion of the coin 8 is applied to the first thickness sensor 17. The maximum value of the waveform 50 of the 500-yen coin and the waveform 60 of the foreign coin of the second half-wave rectifier circuit 22 immediately after 410 is detected, and the thickness 51 of the outer periphery of the 500-yen coin and the outer periphery of the foreign coin are detected. The thickness 61 is obtained. Central part thickness detecting means 24
Detects the change amount of the oscillation level at the timing when the coin 8 passes through the center of one of the thickness sensors 17 and 5. In the present embodiment, the timing at which the coin 8 passes through the center of the second thickness sensor 5 is set using the time 420 when the output of the second half-wave rectifier circuit 22 has reached the third maximum. At this time 420, the output of the first half-wave rectifier circuit 21 is detected,
The thickness 52 at the center of the 500 yen coin and the thickness 62 at the center of the foreign coin are obtained. To more accurately determine the time 420 at which the output of the second half-wave rectifier circuit 22 has reached the third maximum,
A value obtained by adding a constant value 43 to the second minimum value 41 is a threshold value 4
The time between the time 421 exceeding the threshold value 42 and the time 422 below the threshold value 422 is the time point 4 when the third maximum is taken.
20.

Each of the detecting means 23 to 26 outputs the detected value to the corresponding comparing circuit 28 to 31. The difference calculating means 27 calculates the difference between the output of the thickness detecting means 23 at the outer peripheral portion and the output of the thickness detecting means 24 at the central portion, and calculates the difference 53 between the outer peripheral portion and the central portion of the 500 yen coin, The difference 63 between the outer peripheral portion and the central portion of the foreign coin is output to the comparing circuit 32.
The storage circuit 33 stores a reference value for each type of genuine coin. In the comparison circuits 28 to 32, the detection means 23 to
The input from the storage circuit 27 is compared with the reference of the storage circuit 33, and if it matches within the allowable range, a signal indicating the kind of the genuine coin is output. If it does not match any kind of reference value, it is a fake coin. Output a signal indicating that The determination circuit 34 outputs a signal indicating the type of genuine coin only when the signals from the comparison circuits 28 to 32 all indicate the same type of genuine coin, and a signal indicating a false coin otherwise. Output as

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the provision of the thickness detecting means 23 on the outer peripheral portion of the coin 8 allows
The thickness 51, 61 of the outer periphery can be detected, so that it is possible to discriminate between a genuine coin and a fake coin having a similar thickness at the center but different thicknesses at the outer periphery, thereby preventing unauthorized use. Become. Further, by providing the thickness detecting means 24 at the center of the coin 8 and the means 27 for calculating the difference, it is possible to detect the difference 53, 63 between the outer peripheral part and the central part of the coin 8. For this reason, the difference between the thickness of the central portion and the outer peripheral portion is not enough for a genuine coin, but the difference in thickness between the outer peripheral portion and the central portion is 5%.
3 and 63 can also identify different counterfeit coins.

According to an experiment, the interval between the two thickness sensors 17 and 5 is 24.5 mm, which is measured in parallel with the coin passage, with respect to a Japanese 500 yen coin (outer diameter 26.5 mm). 24-25mm (90-95 of the outer diameter of the coin)
%), Good results were obtained. Further, the height is preferably set so that the center of the coin passes near the center of the sensor, and the height is 8 to 18.5 mm measured from the bottom of the coin passage.
Accuracy can be maintained in the range (30 to 70% of the outer diameter of the coin).

It is effective to arrange the cores constituting the thickness sensors 17 and 5 so that the vertical direction is parallel to the coin passing direction. Also, for a 500 yen coin, the shorter the core length, the better the accuracy, and 17 mm
Good results were obtained in the following range (65% or less of the outer diameter of the coin). The width is best at 5.5 mm, and 4 to 8 m
m (15 to 30% of the outer diameter of the coin).

In this embodiment, two thickness sensors 17 and
Although the example provided with the coin 5 is shown, the coin 8
If the output when the outer peripheral portion of the coin 8 passes through the vicinity is used, the thickness of the outer peripheral portion of the coin 8 can be detected without being limited to the method of the present embodiment.

In this embodiment, two thickness sensors 1 are used.
While one oscillation circuit 19 is configured by connecting the coils 7 and 5 in series, separate oscillation circuits may be configured by the coils of each sensor. In this case, the combined waveforms 50 and 60 having the same oscillation level as in this embodiment can be obtained by means for calculating the sum after each half-wave rectification. In such a configuration, it is also possible to detect the thickness of the coin central portion at the time at the center of the output waveform of one thickness sensor. For example, the detection may be performed at a time between the time when the output of the thickness sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold value and the time when the output falls below a predetermined threshold value.

If the material sensor 18 is provided as in the present embodiment, it is possible to detect the thickness of the central portion of the coin at the center time of the two maximum times of the output of this sensor.

Further, in this embodiment, an example in which a change in the oscillation level when passing a coin is used for discrimination is shown. However, if the change in impedance of a coil due to a coin is used, a change in inductance, frequency, phase, etc., is used. You can also.

The reason why the first thickness sensor 17 and the material sensor 18 are also used is that the thickness of the coin central portion is determined by the material sensor 18.
This is to ensure the accuracy in the case where the detection is performed at a proper timing. At the same time, miniaturization and cost reduction are possible, but separate sensors may be used.

[0027]

As described above, the coin identification device of the present invention
Since there is a means for detecting the thickness of the outer peripheral portion of the coin, it is possible to detect the thickness of the outer peripheral portion of the coin. It is possible to identify and prevent unauthorized use.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing an outline of a coin identification device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of a first thickness / material combined sensor in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an output waveform diagram of a second half-wave rectifier circuit according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an output waveform diagram of a first half-wave rectifier circuit according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Coin slot 3 Coin passage 4 First thickness and material combined sensor 5 Second thickness sensor 6 Outer diameter sensor 8 Coin 11 E-shaped core 12 E-shaped core 13 Coil 14 Coil 15 Coil 16 Coil 17 First thickness sensor REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 18 material sensor 19 first oscillation circuit 20 second oscillation circuit 21 first half-wave rectification circuit 22 second half-wave rectification circuit 23 outer peripheral thickness detecting means 24 central thickness detecting means 25 material detecting means 26 Outer diameter detection means 27 Difference calculation means 28 Comparison circuit 29 Comparison circuit 30 Comparison circuit 31 Comparison circuit 32 Comparison circuit 33 Storage circuit 34 Judgment circuit 35 Judgment signal 40 Output waveform of second half-wave rectification circuit 41 Second minimum value 42 Threshold value 43 Constant value 50 Output waveform of first half-wave rectifier circuit (500 yen coin) 51 Thickness of outer peripheral portion (500 yen coin) 52 Thickness of central portion (500 yen coin) 53 Difference in thickness between outer peripheral portion and central portion (500 yen coin) 60 Output waveform of first half-wave rectifier circuit (foreign coin) 61 Thickness of outer peripheral portion (foreign coin) 62 Central portion Thickness (foreign coin) 63 Difference in thickness between outer peripheral part and central part (foreign coin) 410 Time when second minimum is taken 420 Time when third maximum is taken 421 Time when threshold is exceeded 422 Threshold is set Time below

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-5-54229 (JP, A) JP-A-61-26991 (JP, A) JP-A-57-147710 (JP, U) JP-A-43-5051 (JP, A) , Y1) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G07D 5/00-5/10

Claims (10)

(57) [Claims] 1. A coin insertion slot, a coin passage connected to the insertion slot, an identification sensor arranged on a side wall of the coin passage, and a thickness of an outer peripheral portion of the coin inserted by an output of the identification sensor. Detecting means for detecting, and a storage circuit for storing in advance data serving as a reference for authenticity and type of coins,
A comparison circuit that compares the output of the detection means with reference data of the storage circuit; and a determination circuit that determines the authenticity and type of the coin based on the comparison result of the comparison circuit. Using a thickness sensor, the thickness of the outer periphery of the coin is detected from the composite output waveform of these sensors ,
Each of the two thickness sensors described above is a core wound with a coil.
Are arranged opposite to the coin path, and these coils are
Connect in series and anti-phase so that mutual inductance is negative.
And make the distance between the two thickness sensors parallel to the coin path
90% or more of the outer diameter of the coin to be measured and identified 95
% Or less, and the coin passes through the height of the two thickness sensors.
30% or less of the outer diameter of the coin to be identified by measuring from the bottom
A coin discriminating device whose upper limit is 70% or less . 2. A thickness sensor formed by winding a coil around an E-shaped core and identifying the length of the core.
65% or less of the outer diameter of the coin to be used, and identify the width of the core
15% or more and 30% or less of the outer diameter of the coin to be
The opening of the core faces the coin passage, and the coin passes through the coin in the vertical direction.
Coin discrimination apparatus according to claim 1 wherein placing the sensors so as to be parallel to the over-direction. 3. The coin discriminating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the coils constituting the two sensors are connected in series and connected to one oscillation circuit. 4. The coin discriminating apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for connecting an oscillating circuit to each of the coils constituting the two sensors and calculating a sum of output waveforms of the oscillating circuits. 5. The coin discriminating apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: means for detecting the thickness of the coin central portion; and means for calculating the difference between the thickness of the outer peripheral portion and the thickness of the central portion. 6. The coin discriminating apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the thickness of the coin central portion is detected at the time of the center of the output waveform of the thickness sensor. 7. A coin sensor according to claim 1, further comprising another sensor for detecting the thickness of the central portion of the coin at an appropriate timing based on an output from the sensor.
5. The coin identification device according to 5 . 8. A coin outer diameter sensor for detecting a thickness of a coin central portion at a time when an output of the sensor becomes maximum.
7. The coin identification device according to 7 . 9. The coin discriminating apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a material sensor, wherein the thickness of the coin central portion is detected at a center time between two maximum times of the output of the sensor. 10. The coin discriminating apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein one of the thickness sensors and the material sensor are shared by one sensor.