JP7590897B2 - Coin image acquisition device, light collecting component, and coin processing device - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a coin image acquisition device, a light collecting component, and a coin processing device.

Conventionally, in order to perform a coin identification process, a coin image acquisition device is known that is configured to irradiate light onto coins being transported at a predetermined timing, form an image of the light reflected from the coin, and capture the coin image using an image sensor.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a coin image capture device that has multiple light source units arranged in a circular ring shape surrounding the coin, irradiates light onto the surface of the coin, and controls the light irradiation of the light source units to vary the timing of the light emission period.

Furthermore, Patent Document 2 discloses an illumination device in which a plurality of light sources are arranged in a ring shape, light from the light sources is collimated and reflected by a reflecting member, the collimated light is made incident on a light shaping filter as incident light having a ring-shaped contour, and the light emitted from the light shaping filter is irradiated onto an object.
The light shaping filter is equipped with an elliptical lens, and the elliptical lens is equipped with a group of multiple annular lenses arranged with no gaps around the light source arranged in a ring shape. Since the elliptical lens is configured to diffuse light in the minor axis direction of the elliptical shape, it is said that it is possible to irradiate the target object with light evenly.

JP 2018-124858 A Patent No. 6094253

The coin image acquisition device described in Patent Document 1, which has multiple light source units arranged in a circular ring, emits light with uneven amounts of light in the circumferential direction of the coin, and in order to eliminate unevenness in the amount of light in the circumferential direction of the coin, a light diffusion film is used on the light guide of the light source units to diffuse the light. Furthermore, when a light diffusion film is used to diffuse light in the circumferential direction of the coin, the effect of the light diffusion film is that the light in the radial direction of the coin is also diffused, resulting in unnecessary stray light and the appearance of unnecessary bright spots on the coin image, making it impossible to obtain a clear coin image.

To prevent this stray light, it is possible to provide a blocking wall to block the stray light within the light guide of the light source unit or the coin image acquisition device, but due to space limitations in the coin image acquisition device, it is difficult to provide such a blocking wall.

In the technology described in Patent Document 2, it is necessary to collimate the light from the light source using a reflective member and make it incident on an elliptical lens provided in the light shaping filter, but as a result, there is a problem that the irradiation distance between the light source and the elliptical lens becomes long, resulting in an increase in the size of the device.
Furthermore, when the light is collimated by a reflecting member, a portion of the light cannot be made to directly enter the elliptical lens, which poses the problem that the amount of light emitted from the elliptical lens is reduced.

The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned current situation, and aims to provide a coin image acquisition device that can acquire clear coin images without the need for a light diffusion film that diffuses light or a blocking wall that blocks stray light, and a light-collecting component that can be used as the light-collecting section of the coin image acquisition device.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a coin processing device equipped with the coin image acquisition device.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objective, the coin image acquisition device of the present disclosure is a coin image acquisition device that acquires an image of a coin, and includes a light source unit that irradiates light and an imaging unit that captures a reflected image of the coin illuminated by the light source unit, the light source unit includes a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged in a ring shape and a light-collecting unit that collects light from the light-emitting elements, the light-collecting unit includes a plurality of lens units arranged in a ring shape corresponding to each of the light-emitting elements, and the degree of light collection in the light-collecting unit is smaller in the circumferential direction than in the radial direction of the ring shape.

The focusing section may be formed by connecting a plurality of the lens sections together.

The surfaces of each of the lens portions may be oval spheroids with the minor axis extending in the radial direction of the ring and the major axis extending in the circumferential direction.

The curvature of each of the lens portions may be smaller in the circumferential direction than in the radial direction of the annular shape.

The refractive power of each of the lens portions may be smaller in the circumferential direction than in the radial direction of the annular shape.

For each of the lens portions, the gradient at the midpoint of a path along the surface from the apex of the lens portion to the end of the lens portion in the radial direction of the ring may be greater than the gradient at the midpoint of a path along the surface from the apex of the lens portion to the end of the lens portion in the circumferential direction of the ring.

Each of the lens portions may be an anamorphic aspheric lens.

A reflective member that reflects light from the light source unit toward the coin may be disposed in the optical path from the light source unit to the coin.

A diffusion plate that diffuses light from the light source unit toward the coin may be disposed in the optical path from the light source unit to the coin.

The optical axis of the light emitted from the light-emitting element may be tilted toward the center in the circumferential direction of the ring.

The light source unit may be a low-angle light source that irradiates light at an irradiation angle from the light source unit to the imaging area within a range of more than 0 degrees and less than or equal to 45 degrees.

The light source unit may be a high-angle light source that irradiates light from the light source unit to the imaging area at an irradiation angle in the range of more than 45 degrees and less than 90 degrees.

The focusing component according to the present disclosure has multiple lens sections that are connected together in an annular shape, and the degree of focusing in the lens sections is smaller in the circumferential direction than in the radial direction of the annular shape.

The coin processing device according to the present disclosure is equipped with the coin image acquisition device according to the present disclosure.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a coin image acquisition device that can acquire clear coin images without requiring a light diffusion film that diffuses light or a blocking wall that blocks stray light, and a focusing component that can be used as a focusing section of the coin image acquisition device.
It is also possible to provide a coin processing device including the coin image acquisition device.

1 is a perspective view showing a schematic diagram of an example of a coin image acquisition device according to a first embodiment; 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic diagram of an example of a coin image acquisition device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a light collecting section according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the degree of light collection in the circumferential direction of the ring shown by line LL' in FIG. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic example of a coin image acquisition device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a light collecting section according to a second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic example of a coin image acquisition device according to a third embodiment. FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a light collecting section according to a third embodiment. 13 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic example of a state in which a light source unit according to a third embodiment is arranged in a coin image acquisition device. FIG. FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a state in which a diffusion plate is arranged in the coin image acquisition device according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a light collecting section according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a light collecting section according to a sixth embodiment. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic diagram of an example of a coin identifying device. FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic example of the configuration of a coin discriminating device. FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a schematic example of a coin processing device.

Embodiments of the coin image acquisition device, light collecting component, and coin processing device according to the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following, the present disclosure will be described using as examples a coin image acquisition device that targets coins as currency, and a coin processing device and light collecting component that can be used with the coin image acquisition device, but the coins covered by the present disclosure include not only currency coins, but also coins used in gaming machines. Note that the following description is an example of the coin image acquisition device, light collecting component, and coin processing device.

First Embodiment
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic example of a coin image acquiring device according to a first embodiment.
The coin image acquisition device 10 has a light source unit 20 and an imaging unit 30 installed in a box-shaped housing 40 with one side open, and a plate-shaped transparent part (transparent plate) 41 is provided in the opening of the housing 40 to close the opening of the housing 40.
In each figure, mutually orthogonal XYZ coordinate systems are appropriately shown, where the surface of the transparent section (transparent plate) 41, i.e., the plane parallel to the plane on which the coin 100 exists when the image is captured, is the XY plane, and the direction orthogonal to the XY plane is the Z axis direction. In this coordinate system, the direction from the coin 100 toward the imaging section 30 when the image is captured is the -Z direction, and the opposite direction is the +Z direction.

The transparent portion 41 is a portion on which a coin 100, which is an object for capturing an image, is placed. In Fig. 1, the coin 100 is indicated by a dotted line.
Sapphire glass, which has excellent strength and transparency, can be used for the transparent portion 41. The size of the transparent portion 41 can be determined so as to be larger than the coin with the largest diameter among the coins 100 to be identified.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic example of the coin image acquiring device according to the first embodiment.
The light source unit and the imaging unit of the coin image acquisition device will be described with reference to FIG.

The light source unit 20 is a light source that illuminates the imaging area 35 .
The imaging area 35 is an area where the imaging unit captures an image to obtain a coin image.
Light is irradiated from the light source unit 20 and reflected by the coin 100. The lens unit 31 of the imaging unit 30 receives the reflected light and forms an image on the imaging element 32, thereby capturing a reflected image of the coin 100. As the imaging element 32, a CCD image sensor or the like is arranged, and a photoelectric conversion element (area sensor) that converts an optical signal into an electrical signal can be used.
With the above-described configuration, the coin 100 placed on the transparent portion 41 can be illuminated and imaged.

The imaging unit 30 may have a control board 33 that controls the driving of the imaging element 32. The imaging unit 30 may also be disposed directly below the imaging area 35 (on the -Z direction side in FIG. 2).

The light source unit 20 is arranged around the imaging unit 30 and includes a plurality of (e.g., 20) light-emitting elements 21 arranged in a ring shape, and a light-collecting unit 22 that collects light from the light-emitting elements 21.

The multiple light-emitting elements 21 are arranged around the imaging unit 30 at equal intervals on the same XY plane.
Although each of the light-emitting elements 21 is disposed on a plane tilted from the XY plane, when a plurality of light-emitting elements are lined up, they are disposed at equal intervals on the same XY plane.
A light-emitting diode (LED) can be used as the light-emitting element 21. There is no particular limitation on the wavelength range of the light emitted by the light-emitting element 21, and infrared light, visible light, etc. can be used, but white light can be used from the viewpoint of improving the ability to detect the color of the coin 100. In other words, a white LED can be used as the light-emitting element 21.
Furthermore, as the light emitting element 21, an element that emits light isotropically in all directions within a plane perpendicular to the optical axis (central axis) of the emitted light can be used.
The shape of the LED is not particularly limited, but a flat LED with no lens on the surface of the sealing resin, or a flat LED with no sealing resin around the LED element and no lens can be used. When a flat LED is used, the distance between the light emitting element and the light collecting part can be made shorter than when a dome-shaped LED with a lens on the surface of the sealing resin is used.

The light source unit 20 may have a control board 23 that controls the driving of the light emitting element 21. The control board 23 controls the timing of driving the light emitting element 21. The control board 23 of the light source unit 20 may cooperate with a control board 33 of the imaging unit 30 to drive the light emitting element 21 in synchronization with the passing of the coin 100 through an imaging area 35, for example, so that the coin image is captured by the imaging element 32.
The coin image acquisition device 10 may or may not have a timing sensor (photo sensor) for detecting the arrival of the coin 100 .

The focusing section 22 is arranged on the same XY plane around the imaging section 30, and has a plurality of lens sections 22a arranged in a ring shape corresponding to each of the light-emitting elements 21, and the degree of focusing in the focusing section 22 is smaller in the circumferential direction than in the radial direction of the ring.
An example of this light collecting section will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a light collecting section according to the first embodiment.
3, a plurality of (e.g., 20) lens portions 22a are arranged on an annular pedestal 22b. By arranging a plurality of lens portions 22a on the annular pedestal 22b, the plurality of lens portions 22a are arranged in an annular shape as a whole. In addition, the plurality of lens portions 22a are connected and integrated via the pedestal 22b.
The material of each lens portion may be a transparent resin such as PMMA or polycarbonate, and may be manufactured by injection molding.
The material of the base can be a transparent resin such as PMMA or polycarbonate, and the base can be manufactured integrally with the lens portion by injection molding.

The bottom surface (the surface facing the base 22b) of each lens portion 22a is flat, and the surface (the surface opposite the light-emitting element 21) is curved. By making the bottom surface flat, the lens portion 22a can be brought closer to the light-emitting element 21, improving the light utilization efficiency.

A light-emitting element (not shown in FIG. 3) is disposed under the base 22b of the light-collecting unit 22 (the portion opposite the lens unit 22a). The lens unit 22a is disposed corresponding to each of the light-emitting elements disposed under the base 22b. That is, the lens unit 22a and the light-emitting element are disposed in a one-to-one relationship. The lens unit and the light-emitting element are disposed in a one-to-one relationship such that the apex of the lens unit 22a is positioned on the optical axis of the light emitted from the light-emitting element.
In addition, the base 22b is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane (XY plane) so that the height of the inner side in the radial direction of the ring is low and the height of the outer side is high, forming a ring shape with a bank. With such a shape of the base, it is possible to directly illuminate the imaging area without providing a reflecting member in the optical path from the light source unit to the coin. Note that "height" refers to the position in the Z-axis direction, and is assumed to be higher as it approaches the +Z direction.

In the coin image acquisition device of this embodiment, the multiple lens units are connected and integrated, but the multiple lens units do not have to be connected and integrated. An example of a case in which the multiple lens units are not integrated is a form in which each lens unit is directly installed in a portion of the coin image acquisition device that is not the light collecting portion. Furthermore, when the multiple lens units are connected and integrated, the multiple lens units may be directly connected and integrated, or the multiple lens units may not be directly connected, but may be integrated by being connected via other members such as a base.

The light collecting portion has a radial direction and a circumferential direction of the ring. The radial direction of the ring is the diameter direction of the ring, and is the direction shown by the line R-R' in Fig. 3. The circumferential direction of the ring is the direction in which the lens portions are arranged adjacent to each other, and is the direction shown by the closed curve C shown by a solid line in Fig. 3. Moreover, both the radial direction and the circumferential direction of the ring are directions in the XY plane.
The light collecting portion according to this embodiment is designed so that the degree of light collecting in the light collecting portion is smaller in the circumferential direction than in the radial direction of the ring. This will be explained with reference to Fig. 2 and Fig. 4. In Fig. 3, line L-L', which is a line cutting a part of the light collecting portion along the circumferential direction of the ring, is shown by a thick line. A part of the solid line of the closed curve C indicating the circumferential direction of the ring overlaps with the thick line L-L'.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the degree of light collection in the circumferential direction of the ring shown by line LL' in FIG.
On the other hand, Fig. 2 is also a schematic diagram showing the degree of light collection in the radial direction of the ring shown by the line R-R' in Fig. 3. The degree of light collection in each direction will be compared with reference to these two drawings.
As shown in FIG. 2, in the annular radial direction, light incident on the lens portion 22a from the light emitting element 21 is bent inward at the emission surface (surface indicated by P in FIG. 2) of the lens portion 22a.
As shown in FIG. 4, in the annular circumferential direction, light incident on the lens portion 22a from the light emitting element 21 is bent inward at the emission surface (surface indicated by Q in FIG. 4) of the lens portion 22a.
2 and 4, it can be seen that the optical path of the light emitted from the lens portion 22a is narrow in the radial direction of the ring and wide in the circumferential direction of the ring.
The narrower the optical path of the light emitted from the lens portion, the more the light is collected, i.e., the greater the degree of collection of light. Therefore, the degree of collection of light in the light collecting portion of this embodiment is smaller in the circumferential direction than in the radial direction of the ring.
The degree of light focusing can be determined by irradiating the light focusing portion with light and observing the degree to which the light incident on the light focusing portion is focused. Therefore, by observing the degree of light focusing in the radial direction of the ring and the degree of light focusing in the circumferential direction of the ring, it can be determined which is greater.

By increasing the degree of light collection in the radial direction of the ring, the light utilization efficiency can be improved and stray light can be reduced, in which case there is no need to provide a blocking wall for blocking stray light.
On the other hand, if the degree of light concentration in the annular circumferential direction is reduced, the unevenness in the amount of light in the circumferential direction can be reduced, in which case there is no need to provide a light diffusion film for diffusing light.
In other words, by using a focusing section such as that of this embodiment, it is possible to create a coin image acquisition device that can acquire clear coin images without the need for a light diffusion film to diffuse light or a blocking wall to block stray light.

In the coin image acquisition device disclosed herein, compared to a configuration using a lens section in which the degree of focusing in the focusing section is the same in the radial and circumferential directions of the ring, the degree of focusing may be modified to be greater in the radial direction of the ring, or the degree of focusing may be modified to be smaller in the circumferential direction of the ring. Also, the degree of focusing may be greater in the radial direction of the ring and smaller in the circumferential direction of the ring.

In addition, the degree of focusing in the focusing portion may be reduced in the annular circumferential direction so that the optical path of light emitted from each lens portion overlaps with the optical path of light emitted from adjacent lens portions in the circumferential direction.
In this case, the optical paths may overlap in the annular circumferential direction between the light source unit and the imaging area, or the optical paths may overlap by the time they reach a position that is 1/2 the distance from the light source unit to the imaging area in the annular circumferential direction, closer to the light source unit.
In addition, the coin image acquisition device may not be provided with a diffuser plate (see the fourth embodiment described below) in the light path from the light source unit to the coin, and the light paths may be configured to overlap in the annular circumferential direction between the light source unit and the imaging area, or the light paths may be configured to overlap by the time they reach a position that is 1/2 the distance from the light source unit to the imaging area in the annular circumferential direction.

The following is an example of a lens portion in which the degree of light collection in the light collection portion is smaller in the circumferential direction than in the radial direction of the ring.
For example, the surface of each lens portion may be an elliptical surface with the minor axis extending in the radial direction of the ring and the major axis extending in the circumferential direction.
Each surface of the lens portion shown in FIG. 3 is an oblong spheroid.
Additionally, each of the lens portions may be an anamorphic aspheric lens.
With a lens portion having such a shape, it is possible to make the degree of light collection in the light collecting portion smaller in the circumferential direction than in the radial direction of the ring.

Furthermore, the curvature of each lens portion may be smaller in the circumferential direction than in the radial direction of the annulus.

The curvature here indicates the degree of bending when viewing the cross section of the lens portion, and does not mean a mathematical curvature. It is an index determined by visually judging the magnitude of the curvature in the radial and circumferential directions by comparing the cross-sectional shapes of the lens portion as shown in Figures 2 and 4.
Since the height of the apex of the lens portion is the same in the radial and circumferential directions, the shorter the diameter at the base of the lens portion, the greater the curvature. The diameters of the lens portion at the base in the radial and circumferential directions are the lengths indicated by the double arrow W _P in FIG. 2 and the double arrow W _Q in FIG. 4, respectively.
The height of the apex of the lens portion is defined as the length of a perpendicular line drawn from the apex of the lens portion to the bottom surface of the lens portion.
When the curvature of the lens portion satisfies this relationship, the degree of light collection at the light collecting portion can be made smaller in the circumferential direction than in the radial direction of the ring.

Furthermore, for each lens portion, the gradient at the midpoint of the path along the surface from the apex of the lens portion to the end of the lens portion in the shortest distance in the annular radial direction may be greater than the gradient at the midpoint of the path along the surface from the apex of the lens portion to the end of the lens portion in the annular circumferential direction.

In Fig. 2, M _P denotes the midpoint of the path from the apex of the lens portion to the end of the lens portion in the shortest distance along the surface in the annular radial direction. The gradient at this point M _P is the inclination of the tangent D _P at M _P. The magnitude of the inclination of the tangent D _P is defined as the inclination with respect to the horizontal axis, which is the radial line of the bottom of the lens portion in the cross section (the line in the direction indicated by the double arrow W _P in Fig. 2).
In Fig. 4, the midpoint of the path from the apex of the lens portion to the end of the lens portion in the shortest circumferential direction along the surface is indicated as _MQ . The gradient at this point _MQ is the inclination of the tangent line _DQ at _MQ . The magnitude of the inclination of the tangent line _DQ is defined as the inclination with respect to the horizontal axis, which is a radial line of the bottom of the lens portion in the cross section (the line in the direction indicated by the double arrow _WQ in Fig. 4).
For the gradient thus determined, the magnitude of the inclination of the tangent line D _P is greater than the magnitude of the inclination of the tangent line D _Q .
When the gradient of the lens portion has such a relationship, the degree of light collection in the light collecting portion can be made smaller in the circumferential direction than in the radial direction of the ring.

In addition, the refractive power of each of the lens portions may be smaller in the circumferential direction than in the radial direction of the ring. The refractive power is an index of how much the angle of light changes when it is emitted from the lens portion, and is an index defined as the reciprocal of the focal length of the lens.
For example, the refractive power in the radial direction of the ring may be 0.4 to 1.0, and the refractive power in the circumferential direction of the ring may be −0.1 to 0.3.
Furthermore, the ratio of the refractive power in the circumferential direction to the refractive power in the annular radial direction can be (refractive power in the annular circumferential direction/refractive power in the annular radial direction)=-0.25 to 0.75.
When the refractive powers of the lens portion in the annular radial direction and circumferential direction have such a relationship, the degree of focusing in the light focusing portion can be made smaller in the annular radial direction than in the circumferential direction.

So far, we have explained the degree of focusing in the focusing section in the direction coinciding with the radial direction of the ring (the direction indicated by line R-R' in Figure 3), and the degree of focusing in the direction coinciding with the circumferential direction of the ring (the direction indicated by line L-L' and closed curve C in Figure 3).
Here, the degree of light collection in the region between the direction coinciding with the radial direction of the ring and the direction coinciding with the circumferential direction of the ring may be gradually decreased from the radial direction to the circumferential direction of the ring, for example, the degree of light collection may be maximized in the direction coinciding with the radial direction of the ring and minimized in the direction coinciding with the circumferential direction of the ring.
The shape of the surface of the lens portion, the curvature of the lens portion, the refractive power of the lens portion, the gradient of the lens portion, and the like may be determined so that the degree of light collection of the light collection portion can be set in the above-mentioned manner.

The coin image acquisition device 10 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is a device in which there is no reflective member in the optical path from the light source unit 20 to the coin 100, and the light from the light source unit 20 reaches the imaging area 35 and the coin 100 directly without being reflected.
Each of the light emitting elements 21 included in the light source unit 20 is disposed on a plane tilted from the XY plane. The optical axis of the light emitted from the light emitting element 21 is tilted toward the center in the circumferential direction of the ring. In other words, the optical axis of the light emitted from the light emitting element 21 is tilted toward the center of the imaging region 35 with respect to the direction perpendicular to the XY plane.
In addition, the structure is a low-angle light source that irradiates light from the light source unit 20 to the imaging region 35 at an irradiation angle in the range of more than 0 degrees and not more than 45 degrees.
For light emitted by a low-angle light source, the component that is specularly reflected by the coin is unlikely to enter the imaging element, while the component that is diffusely reflected by the coin is likely to enter the imaging element. Therefore, illumination by a low-angle light source is advantageous for detecting the uneven pattern on the coin surface, and is suitable for detecting latent images.
The irradiation angle from the light source unit 20 to the imaging region 35 is defined as the angle (the angle indicated by θ in Figure 2) between the optical axis of the light irradiated from the light source unit 20 immediately before it enters the imaging region 35 and the imaging region (XY plane).

The focusing unit shown in FIG. 3, which can be used in the coin image acquisition device of this embodiment, is an example of a focusing component according to the present disclosure, in which multiple lens units are connected together in an annular shape and integrated together, and the degree of focusing in the lens units is smaller in the circumferential direction than in the radial direction of the annular shape.

Second Embodiment
The coin image acquisition device of the present disclosure may have a light source unit positioned differently from that of the coin image acquisition device of the first embodiment.
In the coin image acquisition device according to the second embodiment, the light source unit is located on the side of the image sensor, and is structured to illuminate at a high angle. The coin image acquisition device according to the second embodiment is also a device in which there is no reflective member in the optical path from the light source unit to the coin, and the structure is such that light from the light source unit reaches the imaging area and the coin without being reflected, just like the coin image acquisition device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic example of a coin image acquiring device according to the second embodiment.
In the coin-image acquiring device 11 shown in FIG. 5, the position of the light source unit 120 is different from that of the coin-image acquiring device 10 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG.
This structure is a high-angle light source structure in which the irradiation angle from the light source unit 120 to the imaging region 35 (the angle indicated by θ in FIG. 5) is in the range of more than 45 degrees and not more than 90 degrees.
Regarding the light emitted by the high-angle light source, the component that is specularly reflected by the coin is likely to enter the imaging element, while the component that is diffusely reflected by the coin is unlikely to enter the imaging element. Therefore, by illuminating with a high-angle light source, it is possible to detect the color of the surface of a new coin that is close to a mirror surface, the presence or absence of metallic luster, and damage to a coin that is difficult to distinguish with the naked eye.

The structure of the light collecting section 122 in the light source section 120 is changed in accordance with the different angles from the light source section 120 to the imaging region 35 .
FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a light collecting section according to the second embodiment.
The light collecting section 122 shown in FIG. 6 has a structure similar to that of the light collecting section 22 shown in FIG. 3, and includes a lens section 122a and a base 122b.
The base 122b is annular with a bank, and the inclination of the base 122b shown in FIG. 6 [with respect to the horizontal plane (XY plane)] is gentler than the inclination of the base 22b in the light collecting unit 22 shown in FIG.
The inclination of the base may be determined based on the positional relationship between the light source unit and the imaging area in a coin image acquisition device that uses a light collecting unit.

The light collecting units used in the coin image acquisition device of the second embodiment may each have the following features, similar to the light collecting units used in the coin image acquisition device of the first embodiment.
The light collecting section used in the coin image acquiring device of the second embodiment may be an integrated section in which a plurality of lens sections are connected together.
Furthermore, the surface of each lens portion may be an elliptical surface with the minor axis extending in the radial direction of the ring and the major axis extending in the circumferential direction.
Additionally, the curvature of each of the lens portions may be smaller in the circumferential direction than in the radial direction of the annular shape.
Additionally, the refractive power of each of the lens portions may be smaller in the circumferential direction than in the radial direction of the annular shape.
In addition, for each lens portion, the gradient at the midpoint of a path along the surface in a ring-shaped radial direction from the apex of the lens portion to the end of the lens portion in the shortest distance may be greater than the gradient at the midpoint of a path along the surface in a ring-shaped circumferential direction from the apex of the lens portion to the end of the lens portion in the shortest distance.
Additionally, each of the lens portions may be an anamorphic aspheric lens.

The focusing section shown in FIG. 6 is an example of a focusing component according to the present disclosure, in which multiple lens sections are connected together in an annular shape and the degree of focusing at the lens sections is smaller in the circumferential direction than in the radial direction of the annular shape.

Third Embodiment
The coin image acquisition device of the present disclosure may have a reflecting member disposed in the optical path from the light source unit to the coin, for reflecting light from the light source unit toward the coin.
The coin image capturing device of the third embodiment is provided with a reflecting member.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic example of a coin image acquiring device according to the third embodiment.
In the coin image acquisition device 12 shown in FIG. 7, a reflecting member 50 that reflects light from the light source unit 220 toward the coin 100 is disposed in the optical path from the light source unit 220 to the coin 100 .
Light from the light source unit 220 is emitted in the +Z direction, and is reflected by the reflecting member 50 to illuminate the imaging area 35. It can also be said that the direction in which the light from the light source unit 220 is emitted is a direction perpendicular to a plane including the imaging area 35 and the surface of the coin 100.
The reflecting member is an annular member and can be made of a material such as glass having a mirror surface, a metal material, etc. The reflecting member can be disposed directly above the light source unit (at a position spaced a predetermined distance from the light source unit in the +Z direction), and the light (optical axis) emitted from the light source unit may be directly irradiated onto the reflecting member.
The reflective surface of the reflective member is neither parallel to the Z-axis direction nor perpendicular to it, but is inclined with respect to all of the XZ plane, YZ plane, and XY plane so that light irradiated in the Z-axis direction can be reflected toward the imaging area.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a light collecting section according to the third embodiment.
8, a plurality of lens portions 222a are arranged on an annular pedestal 222b. By arranging a plurality of lens portions 222a on the annular pedestal 222b, the plurality of lens portions 222a are arranged in an annular shape as a whole. In addition, the plurality of lens portions 222a are connected and integrated via the pedestal 222b.
A light-emitting element (not shown in FIG. 8) is disposed under the base 222b of the light-collecting portion 222 (the portion opposite the lens portion 222a). The lens portion 222a is disposed corresponding to each of the light-emitting elements disposed under the base 222b. That is, the lens portion 222a and the light-emitting element are disposed in a one-to-one relationship. The lens portion and the light-emitting element are disposed in a one-to-one relationship such that the apex of the lens portion 222a is positioned on the optical axis of the light emitted from the light-emitting element.
Moreover, the pedestal 222b has an annular shape in which the inner and outer radial directions have the same height, is not inclined with respect to the horizontal plane (XY plane), and has a shape that does not have a bank.
Based on the shape of the base, the entire light collecting section 222 has the same height on the inside and outside in the radial direction, and is annular in shape that is not inclined with respect to the horizontal plane (XY plane).

In the coin image acquisition device of this embodiment, the light emitted from the light source unit is reflected by a reflecting member to illuminate the imaging area. By using a reflecting member, the imaging area can be properly illuminated even if the shape of the base of the light collecting unit is annular and not inclined relative to the horizontal plane.

The light collecting units used in the coin image acquisition device of the third embodiment may each have the following features, similar to the light collecting units used in the coin image acquisition device of the first embodiment.
The light collecting section used in the coin image acquiring device of the third embodiment may be an integrated section in which a plurality of lens sections are connected together.
Furthermore, the surface of each lens portion may be an elliptical surface with the minor axis extending in the radial direction of the ring and the major axis extending in the circumferential direction.
Additionally, the curvature of each of the lens portions may be smaller in the circumferential direction than in the radial direction of the annular shape.
Additionally, the refractive power of each of the lens portions may be smaller in the circumferential direction than in the radial direction of the annular shape.
In addition, for each lens portion, the gradient at the midpoint of a path along the surface in a ring-shaped radial direction from the apex of the lens portion to the end of the lens portion in the shortest distance may be greater than the gradient at the midpoint of a path along the surface in a ring-shaped circumferential direction from the apex of the lens portion to the end of the lens portion in the shortest distance.
Additionally, each of the lens portions may be an anamorphic aspheric lens.

The focusing section shown in FIG. 8, which can be used in the coin image acquisition device of this embodiment, is an example of a focusing component according to the present disclosure, in which multiple lens sections are connected together in an annular shape and integrated together, and the degree of focusing in the lens sections is smaller in the circumferential direction than in the radial direction of the annular shape.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a state in which a light source unit according to the third embodiment is disposed in a coin image acquisition device.
The coin image acquisition device 12 is provided with a cylindrical tubular member 60, and the imaging section 30 is disposed within the cylindrical member 60.
A light source unit 220 is disposed outside the cylindrical member 60. Fig. 9 shows a circular light collecting unit 222 of the light source unit 220. All light from lens units 222a of the light collecting unit 222 is irradiated in the +Z direction, and a light emitting element (not shown in Fig. 9) is provided on the -Z direction side of each lens unit 222a.
A columnar member 61 is provided outside the light collecting portion 222, and by placing a reflecting member (not shown in FIG. 9) on the columnar member 61, the light irradiated from the light collecting portion 222 can be reflected.

Fourth Embodiment
The coin image acquisition device of the present disclosure may have a diffusion plate disposed in the optical path from the light source unit to the coin, for diffusing light from the light source unit toward the coin.
The coin image acquisition device of the fourth embodiment is provided with a diffusion plate.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a state in which a diffusion plate is arranged in the coin image acquisition device according to the fourth embodiment.
FIG. 10 shows a part of a coin image capturing device 13 according to the fourth embodiment, and corresponds to a drawing in which a diffusion plate 70 is disposed relative to the coin image capturing device 12 shown in FIG.
The diffusion plate 70 is made of a translucent resin material, has a shape of a circular ring plate having a width (a doughnut shape), and is disposed in the direction in which the light from the light source unit 220 is irradiated.
The diffusion plate may be disposed directly above (on the +Z direction side of) the light source unit, and the light (optical axis) emitted from the light source unit may be directly irradiated onto the diffusion plate.

If a diffuser plate is placed in the light path from the light source unit to the coin, the light from the light source unit can be diffused to reduce unevenness in the amount of light reaching the imaging area. Note that although the coin image acquisition device disclosed herein can reduce unevenness in the amount of light without using a diffuser plate, the use of a diffuser plate is not excluded, and a diffuser plate may be used. By using a diffuser plate, unevenness in the amount of light can be further reduced.

In the coin image acquisition device shown in FIG. 10, the diffuser is disposed between the light source unit and the reflecting member, but the position of the diffuser may be anywhere on the optical path from the light source unit to the coin, or may be between the reflecting member and the coin (between the reflecting member and the imaging area). Also, in the coin image acquisition device of the first or second embodiment that does not have a reflecting member, a diffuser may be provided on the optical path from the light source unit to the coin, for example, between the light source unit and the coin.

Fifth Embodiment
The coin image acquisition device of the present disclosure may have a different shape of the light collecting section from the coin image acquisition devices of the first to fourth embodiments.
The light collecting section used in the coin image acquiring device of the fifth embodiment will be described below.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a light collecting section according to the fifth embodiment.
The light collecting portion 322 shown in FIG. 11 has a structure in which a plurality of lens portions 322a are integrated together, and has an annular structure as a whole.
The overall shape of the light collecting unit 322 is a ring shape that has the same height on the inside and outside in the radial direction and is not inclined with respect to the horizontal plane (XY plane) like the light collecting unit 222 shown in Fig. 8. The manner in which the light collecting unit 322 is used in the coin image acquisition device can be the same as the coin image acquisition device of the third embodiment.

The focusing unit 322 does not have a base. However, it is also possible to provide a base on the focusing unit and place a structure in which multiple lens units 322a are integrated on the base.

In the light collecting portion 322, the adjacent lens portions 322a are directly connected to each other in the circumferential direction of the ring.
In addition, the lens portion 322a has a shape having a cross-section cut by a curved surface on the inner side in the radial direction of the ring (the part indicated by line C in Figure 11) and on the outer side in the radial direction of the ring (the part indicated by line D in Figure 11).

In the lens portion 322a shown in Fig. 11, the portions indicated by lines B, C, and D in Fig. 11 are portions through which light incident on the lens portion from the light emitting element does not normally pass. Therefore, the shapes of the portions indicated by lines B, C, and D in Fig. 11 do not affect the degree of light focusing in the circumferential direction and the degree of light focusing in the radial direction of the lens portion.
Therefore, the degree of focusing in the light focusing section 322 shown in Figure 11 is smaller in the circumferential direction than in the annular radial direction, and can be used as a light focusing section in the coin image acquisition device of the present disclosure.

The light collecting units used in the coin image acquisition device of the fifth embodiment may each have the following features, similar to the light collecting units used in the coin image acquisition device of the first embodiment.
The curvature of each of the lens portions may be smaller in a circumferential direction than in a radial direction of the annulus.
The optical power of each of the lenticular portions may be less in a circumferential direction than in a radial direction of the annular shape.
For each lens portion, the gradient at the midpoint of a path along the surface in a circular radial direction from the apex of the lens portion to the end of the lens portion in the shortest distance may be greater than the gradient at the midpoint of a path along the surface in a circular circumferential direction from the apex of the lens portion to the end of the lens portion in the shortest distance.

The focusing section shown in FIG. 11, which can be used in the coin image acquisition device of this embodiment, is an example of a focusing component according to the present disclosure, in which multiple lens sections are connected together in an annular shape and integrated together, and the degree of focusing in the lens sections is smaller in the circumferential direction than in the radial direction of the annular shape.

Sixth Embodiment
The coin image acquisition device of the present disclosure may have a different shape of the light collecting section from the coin image acquisition devices of the first to fifth embodiments.
The light collecting section used in the coin image acquiring device of the sixth embodiment will be described below.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a light collecting section according to the sixth embodiment.
12, a plurality of lens portions 422a are arranged on an annular pedestal 422b. By arranging a plurality of lens portions 422a on the annular pedestal 422b, the plurality of lens portions 422a are arranged in an annular shape as a whole. In addition, the plurality of lens portions 422a are connected and integrated via the pedestal 422b.
Also, this light collecting section 422 can be said to have a structure in which the lens sections of the light collecting section 322 shown in FIG. 11, in which a plurality of lens sections are integrated together, are separated and connected via a base to form an integrated structure.
The overall shape of the light collecting unit 422 is a ring shape that has the same height on the inside and outside in the radial direction and is not inclined with respect to the horizontal plane (XY plane) like the light collecting unit 222 shown in Fig. 8. The manner in which the light collecting unit 422 is used in the coin image acquisition device can be the same as the coin image acquisition device of the third embodiment.

The lens portion 422a has a cross-section cut by a plane at both circumferential ends of the ring (parts shown by lines E and F in FIG. 12), at the inner radial side of the ring (part shown by line G in FIG. 12), and at the outer radial side of the ring (part shown by line H in FIG. 12).

In the lens portion 422a shown in Fig. 12, the portions indicated by lines E, F, G, and H in Fig. 12 are portions through which light incident on the lens portion from the light emitting element does not normally pass. Therefore, the shapes of the portions indicated by lines E, F, G, and H in Fig. 12 do not affect the degree of light focusing in the circumferential direction and the degree of light focusing in the radial direction of the lens portion.
Therefore, the degree of focusing in the light focusing section 422 shown in Figure 12 is smaller in the circumferential direction than in the annular radial direction, and can be used as a light focusing section in the coin image acquisition device of the present disclosure.

The light collecting units used in the coin image acquisition device of the sixth embodiment may each have the following features, similar to the light collecting units used in the coin image acquisition device of the first embodiment.
The curvature of each of the lens portions may be smaller in a circumferential direction than in a radial direction of the annulus.
The optical power of each of the lenticular portions may be less in a circumferential direction than in a radial direction of the annular shape.
For each lens portion, the gradient at the midpoint of a path along the surface in a circular radial direction from the apex of the lens portion to the end of the lens portion in the shortest distance may be greater than the gradient at the midpoint of a path along the surface in a circular circumferential direction from the apex of the lens portion to the end of the lens portion in the shortest distance.

The focusing section shown in FIG. 12, which can be used in the coin image acquisition device of this embodiment, is an example of a focusing component according to the present disclosure, in which multiple lens sections are connected together in a ring shape and integrated together, and the degree of focusing in the lens sections is smaller in the circumferential direction than in the radial direction of the ring shape.

Other Embodiments
The ring shape of the light collecting unit in the coin image acquisition device of the present disclosure and the light collecting component of the present disclosure is not limited to a circular ring shape, and may be other ring shapes such as an elliptical ring shape, a racetrack shape, etc. In the case of these shapes, the center for determining the radial direction can be determined as the position of the orthogonal projection of the point that is the center of the imaging area.

(Coin identification device and coin processing device equipped with coin image acquisition device)
The coin image capture device of the present disclosure can be used in coin identification devices and coin processing devices.
An example of a coin identification device including a coin image acquisition device of the present disclosure, and an example of a coin processing device of the present disclosure including the coin identification device will be described below.
The coin processing device of the present disclosure described below is equipped with a coin identification device that includes the coin image acquisition device of the present disclosure, and is therefore a coin processing device that includes the coin image acquisition device of the present disclosure.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a schematic example of a coin identifying device.
FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic example of the configuration of a coin discriminating device.

The coin identification device 1 shown in Figure 13 is equipped with, in order from the upstream side to the downstream side of the transport path, a magnetic detection sensor 15, a coin image acquisition device 10, a damage detection sensor (optical detection sensor) 16, a phosphorescence detection sensor 17, and a fluorescence detection sensor 18, and these multiple sensors are integrated. The arrows in Figure 13 indicate the transport direction of the coin 100 passing through the transport path.

In the coin identification device, various other sensors may be installed in the vicinity of the coin image acquisition device. By arranging individual sensors corresponding to each detection element of the coin 100, high-precision detection is possible, improving the identification ability (identification accuracy) of the coin identification device. In addition, it becomes possible to determine the denomination of a wide variety of coins 100, making it possible to make a sensor unit that can be applied globally. Furthermore, by integrating multiple sensors, it is possible to reduce costs and save space. As sensors other than the coin image acquisition device can be applied, general sensors in the field of coin identification devices can be applied, detailed explanations are omitted.

The coin identification device 1 shown in Figure 13 is equipped with a conveying unit 19 that conveys coins 100, and may be configured to continuously convey a large number of coins so that coin images can be continuously acquired by the coin image acquisition device 10.
As the conveying section 19 for conveying the coins 100, for example, a configuration including a conveying belt 19a stretched above the conveying surface (on the +Z direction side) along the conveying path, and conveying pins 19b fixed at regular intervals to the conveying belt 19a can be used.
The conveyor belt 19a is driven by a drive device including a pulley, a motor, and the like. The cylindrical conveyor pins 19b come into contact with the outer edge of the coin 100, and the conveyor belt 19a moves, so that the coins 100 are conveyed one by one along the conveyor path with a space between them. The configuration of the conveyor unit 19 is not limited to the configuration shown in the figure, as long as it can convey the coins 100. The conveyor pins 19b may be omitted and only the conveyor belt 19a may be used, or the shape and size of the conveyor pins 19b may be changed. When the conveyor pins 19b are omitted, the conveyor belt 19a moves together with the coin 100 while pressing the surface of the coin 100. By providing the conveyor belt 19a, the coin 100 can be slid in a state of contact with the surface of the conveyor path or the conveyor guide, so that the accuracy of detection by a sensor such as the coin image acquisition device 10 can be improved. Furthermore, by providing the conveyor pins 19b, the position of the coin 100 during conveyance can also be regulated, so that the accuracy of detection by a sensor such as the coin image acquisition device 10 can be improved. The coin 100 can slide on the conveying surface while being biased to one end of the conveying path.
It should be noted that the coin identification device equipped with the coin image acquisition device of the present disclosure may be a device that images coins that are not being transported.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 14 , the coin identification device 1 may be equipped with a memory unit 81 and an identification unit 82 for identifying and determining the type, authenticity, damage (damage), etc. of the coin 100 using the coin image acquired by the coin image acquisition device 10.
The memory unit 82 stores coin information on the coin 100 to be processed, and stores coin images (images for identification processing) captured by the coin image acquisition device 10 in conjunction with the processing of the coin 100. The identification unit 81 compares the coin information with the images for identification processing to identify and determine the type, authenticity, damage (damage), etc. of the coin 100.

The physical configuration of the identification unit may include, for example, software programs for implementing various processes, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes the software programs, and various hardware controlled by the CPU (for example, an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array)). A storage unit, a separate dedicated memory such as RAM or ROM, a hard disk, etc. are used to store the software programs and data required for the operation of each unit.

The physical configuration of the memory unit may be, for example, a storage device such as a volatile or non-volatile memory or a hard disk. The memory unit is used to store various data required for the processing performed by the coin identification device.

A coin identification device including the coin image acquisition device of the present disclosure can be used in the coin processing device of the present disclosure.
The coin processing device includes, in addition to the coin identifying device, a portion having a function other than identifying coins.
The coin processing device is configured to perform processes for depositing and dispensing coins, generating wrapped coins, dispensing wrapped coins, etc. Note that a wrapped coin is made up of a predetermined number of coins (e.g., 50 coins), and these predetermined number of coins may be wrapped in a packaging material.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a schematic example of a coin processing device.
The coin processing device 2 includes a coin identification device 1 (not shown in Figure 15) within a housing 200, and further includes a coin insertion section 201, a rejection section 206, a return box 207, a withdrawal box 210, a recovery section 211, a wrapped coin withdrawal section 231, a wrapped coin bulk box 232, a wrapped coin dispensing section 233, etc.
These components can be stored within the housing 200 of the coin processing device 2.
In addition, the coin processing device 2 may be provided with an operation display unit 260 outside the housing 200.

The coin insertion unit 201 is a portion where the coins to be processed are inserted.
The reject section 206 is a section to which coins that have been identified in the coin identification device 1 and that should be rejected (rejected coins) are guided.
The return box 207 is configured to store coins to be returned. The return box 207 is configured to be detachable from the housing 200 of the coin processing device 2, and can be pulled out from the front surface of the housing 200.
The dispensing box 210 is a portion in which coins to be dispensed are stored. The dispensing box 210 is configured to be detachable from the housing 200 of the coin processing device 2, and can be pulled out from the front surface of the housing 200.
The collection unit 211 is a portion for storing coins to be collected. The collection unit 211 is configured to be detachable from the housing 200 of the coin processing device 2, and can be pulled out from the front surface of the housing 200.

The wrapped coin dispensing unit 231 is a section for accumulating wrapped coins (wrapped coins to be dispensed). The wrapped coin dispensing unit 231 is provided with a dispensing port that opens to the front surface of the housing 200 of the coin processing device 2, and the dispensing port is provided with a shutter. When the shutter is in an open state, an operator can remove wrapped coins from the wrapped coin dispensing unit 231.
The wrapped coin lump box 232 is a section for stacking wrapped coins (wrapped coins to be dispensed), and has a larger stacking capacity than the wrapped coin dispensing section 231. The wrapped coin lump box 232 is configured to be detachable from the coin processing device 2 (specifically, the housing 200).
The wrapped coin dispensing unit 233 is a part that dispenses wrapped coins to the outside of the coin processing device 2.

The operation display unit 260 is configured to receive operations from an operator and input information in response to the operator's operations. This allows the operator to cause the coin processing device 2 to perform various processes.

Although each embodiment has been described above with reference to the drawings, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Furthermore, the configurations of each embodiment may be appropriately combined or modified within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure.

As described above, the present disclosure is a useful technology for obtaining clear coin images without the need for a light diffusion film to diffuse light or a barrier to block stray light.

1: Coin identification device 2: Coin processing device 10, 11, 12, 13: Coin image acquisition device 15: Magnetic detection sensor 16: Damage detection sensor (optical detection sensor)
17: phosphorescence detection sensor 18: fluorescence detection sensor 19: transport section 19a: transport belt 19b: transport pins 20, 120: light source section 21: light emitting element 22, 122, 222, 322, 422: light collecting section 22a, 122a, 222a, 322a, 322a', 422a: lens section 22b, 122b, 222b, 422b: base 23: control board (control board for light emitting element)
30: Imaging unit 31: Lens unit 32: Imaging element 33: Control board (control board for imaging element)
35: Imaging area 40: Housing (housing of coin image acquisition device)
41: Transparent section 50: Reflective member 60: Cylindrical member 61: Pillar member 70: Diffuser 81: Identification section 82: Memory section 100: Coin 200: Housing (housing of coin processing device)
201: Coin insertion section 206: Reject section 207: Return box 210: Dispensing box 211: Collection section 231: Wrapped coin dispensing section 232: Wrapped coin lump box 233: Wrapped coin dispensing section 260: Operation display section

Claims (12)

A coin image capture device for capturing an image of a coin, comprising:
A light source unit that irradiates light;
An imaging unit that captures a reflected image of the coin illuminated by the light source unit,
the light source unit includes a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged in a ring shape and a light collecting unit that collects light from the light-emitting elements;
the light collecting unit includes a plurality of lens units arranged in an annular shape corresponding to each of the light emitting elements, and a surface of each of the lens units is an elliptical surface having a minor axis in a radial direction of the annular shape and a major axis in a circumferential direction;
A coin image acquisition device characterized in that the degree of light concentration in each of the lens portions is smaller in the circumferential direction than in the radial direction of the annular shape. The coin image acquisition device according to claim 1, characterized in that the light collecting unit is formed by connecting and integrating a plurality of the lens units. The coin image acquisition device according to claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the curvature of each of the lens portions is smaller in the circumferential direction than in the radial direction of the annular shape. The coin image acquisition device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that the refractive power of each of the lens portions is smaller in the circumferential direction than in the radial direction of the annular shape. In each of the lens portions, a gradient at a midpoint of a path along a surface in a radial direction of the annular shape from a vertex of the lens portion to an end of the lens portion in a shortest distance is
A coin image acquisition device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the gradient is greater than the gradient at the midpoint of the path along the surface in the annular circumferential direction from the apex of the lens portion to the end of the lens portion in the shortest distance. The coin image acquisition device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein each of the lens portions is an anamorphic aspheric lens. A coin image acquisition device as described in any one of claims 1 to 6 , characterized in that a reflective member that reflects light from the light source unit toward the coin is arranged in the optical path from the light source unit to the coin. A coin image acquisition device as described in any one of claims 1 to 7 , characterized in that a diffusion plate that diffuses light from the light source unit toward the coin is arranged in the optical path from the light source unit to the coin. A coin image acquisition device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , characterized in that the optical axis of the light emitted from the light-emitting element is inclined toward the center in the circumferential direction of the annular shape. A coin image acquisition device as described in any one of claims 1 to 9 , characterized in that the light source unit is a low-angle light source that irradiates light at an irradiation angle from the light source unit to the imaging area within a range of more than 0 degrees and less than 45 degrees. A coin image acquisition device as described in any one of claims 1 to 9 , characterized in that the light source unit is a high-angle light source that irradiates light from the light source unit to the imaging area at an irradiation angle in the range of more than 45 degrees and less than 90 degrees. A coin processing device comprising the coin image acquisition device according to any one of claims 1 to 11 .

Images