JP7617650B2 - Coin counting system, coin counting program, and coin storage device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a coin counting system and a coin counting program that count the number of coins stored in a coin storage cassette of a coin dispensing device, as well as a coin storage device that is the target of this coin counting system.

A coin dispensing device is a device that dispenses coins, and is often connected to or installed in POS registers, vending machines, currency exchange machines, settlement machines, ticket vending machines, service equipment, etc.

Patent Document 1 discloses an example of such a coin dispensing device. In the coin dispensing device of Patent Document 1, the coin storage portion of the coin dispensing device is configured as a coin storage cassette that is removable from the coin dispensing device main body for the convenience of refilling and collecting coins. This coin storage cassette has multiple coin tubes that store coins in a stack by denomination.

Such a coin dispensing device is typically operated according to the following procedure. First, at the start of operation, coins are manually set in the coin storage cassette, and the number of set coins is recorded in a management system such as a POS register to which the coin dispensing device is connected. During subsequent operation, the management system receives coins dispensed from the coin storage cassette and updates the information on the number of coins recorded in the management system as needed. Then, during closing processing, the number of coins stored in the coin storage cassette is manually counted, and it is confirmed that the manually counted number of coins matches the information on the number of coins recorded in the management system, and the closing processing is terminated.

Patent document 2 discloses a method of counting the number of stacked plates of cards, coins, etc. using a one-dimensional image sensor.

JP 2019-191938 A Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 6-52378

In the operation of conventional coin dispensing devices, the number of coins in the coin storage cassette is counted manually at the start of operation and at the closing process. However, there is a problem with manual counting in that counting errors occur quite frequently.

In view of the above, the present invention aims to provide a coin counting system and a coin counting program that accurately counts the number of coins stored in a stack.

In order to solve the above problem, the coin counting system of the present invention is a coin counting system that counts the number of coins stored in a coin storage unit that loads and stores coins, and includes a camera that acquires a coin storage unit image that is an image of the coin storage unit taken from the front, and a counting processing unit that counts the number of coins stored in the coin storage unit based on the coin storage unit image, and the counting processing unit counts the number of coins from the number of stripes in a striped pattern of a stack of coins in the coin storage unit. In the coin counting system, the coin storage unit may be a coin storage cassette having a coin tube, and the coin storage unit image may be a cassette image that is an image of the coin storage cassette taken from the front.

The counting processing unit may set a reference line extending in the stacking direction of the coin stack, calculate a differential value of the brightness of the coin storage section image along the reference line, and count the number of coins based on the differential value of the brightness. Furthermore, the coin counting system may further include a counting result storage unit that stores the coin storage section image.

The coin counting program of the present invention is a coin counting program that counts the number of coins stored in a coin storage unit that loads and stores coins, and causes an information processing device to execute a coin storage unit image acquisition step of acquiring a coin storage unit image, which is an image of the coin storage unit photographed from the front, and a counting processing step of counting the number of coins stored in the coin storage unit based on the coin storage unit image, and the counting processing step counts the number of coins from the number of stripes in a striped pattern of a stack of coins in the coin storage unit. In the coin counting program, the coin storage unit may be a coin storage cassette having a coin tube, and the coin storage unit image may be a cassette image, which is an image of the coin storage cassette photographed from the front.

The counting process step may include setting a reference line extending in the stacking direction of the coin stack, calculating a differential value of the brightness of the coin storage section image along the reference line, and counting the number of coins based on the differential value of the brightness. The coin counting program may further cause an information processing device to execute a counting result storage step of storing the coin storage section image in a counting result storage unit.

The coin storage device of the present invention has a coin storage device main body, a coin storage cassette, an opening/closing cover, and a camera, the coin storage cassette is removably attached to the front side of the coin storage device main body, the opening/closing cover is provided on the front side of the coin storage device main body, and can assume a closed state in which it covers the coin storage cassette and an open state in which it is retracted from the coin storage cassette, and the camera is arranged on the opening/closing cover so as to be able to photograph the coin storage cassette and obtain an image of the coin storage cassette when the opening/closing cover is in the open state. The camera may be arranged so as to be located below a surface extending from the floor surface of the coin storage cassette when the opening/closing cover is in the open state.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a coin counting system and a coin counting program that accurately counts the number of coins stored in a stack.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a coin counting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view of a coin dispensing device with a coin storage cassette attached thereto; FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the coin dispensing device with the coin storage cassette removed; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the coin storage cassette with the coin tube cover attached. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the coin storage cassette with the coin tube cover removed. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a coin storage cassette with a payout slide pulled out. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an image of a coin storage cassette acquired by the coin counting system of the present embodiment. FIG. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a method of counting the number of coins based on an image of a coin storage cassette in the coin counting system of the present embodiment. 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating a correction process in counting peaks of a luminance differential value. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of coin counting processing in the coin counting system of the present embodiment. FIG. FIG. 13 shows camera lens distortion in an image of a coin cassette. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a coin counting system having a communication unit that communicates with an external system. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the display of the coin counting system of the present embodiment, illustrating a menu screen. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the display on the display of the coin counting system of the present embodiment, illustrating a photography and measurement screen. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the display on the display of the coin counting system of the present embodiment, illustrating a photography and measurement screen. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the display of the coin counting system of the present embodiment, illustrating a measurement result screen. 13A and 13B are diagrams showing examples of marks arranged on a coin storage cassette and its surrounding area. 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating another example of a method for counting the number of coins based on an image of a coin storage cassette. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing another example of a coin dispensing device with the opening/closing cover in a closed state. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing another example of a coin dispensing device with the opening/closing cover open. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a coin storage section that stores coins in a stacked manner. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a coin storage section that stores coins in a stacked manner. FIG.

Below, we will explain one embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "this embodiment") with reference to the drawings.

Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the coin counting system 10 of this embodiment.

The coin counting system 10 of this embodiment counts the number of coins C stacked in a coin storage cassette 30 having multiple coin tubes 33 arranged in parallel. This coin counting system 10 obtains an image of the coin storage cassette 30 by photographing the coin storage cassette 30 with a camera 14 in a state in which the coins C in the coin storage cassette 30 can be observed, and automatically counts the number of coins based on the image.

The coin counting system 10 has a control unit 11, a display 12, an operation unit 13, a camera 14, a counting processing unit 15, a cassette information storage unit 16, and a counting result storage unit 17. The control unit 11 controls the coin counting system 10. The display 12 and the operation unit 13 function as a user interface for the coin counting system 10. The camera 14 photographs the coin storage cassette 30 and acquires an image of the coin storage cassette 30. The camera 14 is a device that has a function of saving and outputting the photographed image as image data. The counting processing unit 15 automatically counts the number of coins based on the image of the coin storage cassette 30. The cassette information storage unit 16 stores information such as the configuration of the coin storage cassette 30 used in the processing by the counting processing unit 15. The counting result storage unit 17 stores the counting results counted by the coin counting system 10 and an image of the coin storage cassette 30.

First, we will explain the coin storage cassette 30 of the coin dispensing device 20, which is the target of coin counting in the coin counting system 10.

2A and 2B are perspective views of the coin dispensing device 20. Fig. 2A shows the state in which the coin storage cassette 30 is attached to the coin dispensing device main body 21, and Fig. 2B shows the state in which the coin storage cassette 30 is removed from the coin dispensing device main body 21.

The illustrated coin dispensing device 20 is an example of the coin dispensing device 20 targeted by the coin counting system 10 of this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2B, this coin dispensing device 20 has a coin storage cassette 30 that is detachable from the coin dispensing device main body 21. This coin dispensing device 20 has a coin dispensing outlet on the underside of the coin dispensing device main body 21.

Note that, although the illustrated coin dispensing device 20 only dispenses coins, the coin dispensing device that is the target of the coin counting system and coin counting program of the present invention is not limited to this and may be one that accepts and dispenses coins.

3A, 3B and 3C are perspective views of the coin storage cassette 30. Fig. 3A shows the coin tube cover 32 attached, Fig. 3B shows the coin tube cover 32 removed, and Fig. 3C shows the payout slide 34 pulled out.

The illustrated coin storage cassette 30 is an example of the coin storage cassette 30 targeted by the coin counting system 10 of this embodiment. This coin storage cassette 30 has a plurality of coin tubes 33 arranged in parallel. The coin tubes 33 store coins C in a stacked manner according to denomination. The illustrated coin storage cassette 30 has six coin tubes 33, 33F arranged in parallel in order from the left: coin tubes 33, 33A for storing 100 yen coins, coin tubes 33, 33B for storing 5 yen coins, coin tubes 33, 33C for storing 1 yen coins, coin tubes 33, 33C for storing 500 yen coins, coin tubes 33, 33D for storing 50 yen coins, and coin tubes 33, 33E for storing 10 yen coins.

As shown in Fig. 3B, the coin storage cassette 30 has a coin tube cover 32 that is detachable from the coin storage cassette main body 31. Refilling the coin storage cassette 30 with coins C and collecting coins C from the coin storage cassette 30 are performed by removing the coin tube cover 32 from the coin storage cassette main body 31. The coin tube cover 32 is made of a transparent material so that the coins C stored in each coin tube 33 can be observed when the coin tube cover 32 is attached to the coin storage cassette main body 31. In this specification, the surface on which the coins C stored in each coin tube 33 can be observed is defined as the front of the coin storage cassette 30.

As shown in Figure 3C, this coin storage cassette 30 has, at its bottom, a payout slide 34 that can be pulled out from the coin storage cassette body 31. The payout slide 34 is a member for paying out coins C from the coin storage cassette 30. The payout slide 34 has a number of coin storage holes that correspond to each coin tube 33.

Each of the multiple coin storage holes 34a of the payout slide 34 stores one of the lowest coins C stored in the corresponding coin tube 33. When paying out coins, the payout slide 34 is pulled out from the coin storage cassette 30, and the coins C stored in the coin storage holes 34a are dropped from the coin storage holes 34a. At this time, for coins C of a denomination that is not the subject of payment, the lower part of the corresponding coin storage hole 34a is closed with a plate-shaped member or the like to prevent the coins C from falling from the coin storage hole 34a. This makes it possible to pay out coins C only from any coin tube 33.

Next, we will explain the method of counting the number of coins in the coin counting system 10 of this embodiment.

One method for counting the number of coins is to calculate the number of coins from the height of the stack of coins C stacked in the coin tube 33. However, as a result of research by the inventor of the present invention, it was found that there is a risk of counting errors occurring when there are a large number of coins C stacked in the coin tube 33 due to the existence of variations in the thickness of the coins C. Therefore, the coin counting system 10 of this embodiment counts the number of coins from the number of stripes in the striped pattern of the stack of coins C stacked in the coin tube 33, rather than counting the number of coins from the height of the stack of coins C.

Figure 4 shows an example of an image of the coin storage cassette 30 acquired by the coin counting system 10 of this embodiment.

In the image of the coin storage cassette 30, the stack of coins C stacked in each coin tube 33 has a relatively bright portion of the coin C and a relatively dark portion between the coins C. In other words, the stack of coins C in each coin tube 33 has a striped pattern in which relatively dark band areas and relatively bright band areas extending in the horizontal direction are alternately overlapped in the vertical direction. In the coin counting system 10 of this embodiment, the number of coins is counted by counting the number of stripes in this striped pattern.

Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating a method of counting the number of coins based on an image of the coin storage cassette 30 in the coin counting system 10 of this embodiment.

In counting the number of coins based on the image of the coin storage cassette 30, the image of the coin storage cassette 30 is converted to grayscale, and then a reference line L is set that extends in the stacking direction of the coins C in the coin tube 33, as shown in the upper diagram of Fig. 5. Next, as shown in the lower diagram of Fig. 5, a differential value of the brightness of the image of the coin storage cassette 30 is calculated along the reference line L from the lower end to the upper end of the coin tube 33. The differential value of the brightness is calculated as the amount of change in the brightness value of each dot in the image of the coin storage cassette 30 (i.e., the brightness difference value).

This differential brightness value has a peak p in the boundary region between the relatively dark band region and the relatively bright band region, that is, in the intermediate region between the boundary portion between the coins C and the center portion of the coin C. The number of peaks p in this differential brightness value corresponds to the number of coins in the stack of coins C. The coin counting system 10 of this embodiment counts the number of coins by counting the number of peaks p in the differential brightness value along the reference line L that exceed a predetermined threshold value Pth that has been set in advance.

In addition, the coin counting system 10 of this embodiment performs an averaging process in calculating the brightness differential value. Specifically, the coin counting system 10 of this embodiment uses the average brightness value of multiple dots (e.g., the average brightness value of two adjacent dots) as the brightness value to be differentiated. In addition, the coin counting system 10 of this embodiment sets multiple reference lines L (e.g., sets three reference lines) extending in the stacking direction of the stack of coins C in the coin tube 33, adds up the brightness differential values calculated along each reference line L, and then counts the number of peaks p of the brightness differential value.

In addition, the coin counting system 10 of this embodiment performs a correction process when counting the peaks p of the brightness differential value. Figure 6 is a diagram explaining the correction process in counting the peaks of the brightness differential value.

Specifically, the coin counting system 10 of this embodiment first obtains a predicted value D of the period (number of dots) of peak p of the differential value of the brightness by performing a Fourier transform on the brightness value along the reference line.

In this embodiment, the coin counting system 10 counts, each time it counts a peak p of the brightness differential value along the reference line L, a peak p that is within a certain range W (e.g., ±20% of the predicted value of the period) from the position of the next peak p calculated from the predicted value D of the period of the peak p as one count, and does not count multiple peaks p even if there are multiple peaks p within that range W.

In addition, the coin counting system 10 of this embodiment counts the peaks p of the brightness differential value along the reference line L, and even if there is no peak p exceeding the threshold value Pth at the position of the next peak p calculated from the predicted value of the period of the peak p, if there is a peak p exceeding the threshold value Pth further ahead, the number of peaks p is counted as if a peak p exists.

Figure 7 is a flow chart showing the process of coin counting in the coin counting system 10 of this embodiment.

First, the coin counting system 10 receives input to the operation unit 13 and acquires a cassette image, which is an image of the coin storage cassette 30 taken from the front, by photographing the coin storage cassette 30 from the front with the camera 14 (S1).

Next, the coin counting system 10 performs pre-processing of the acquired cassette image (S2). In this pre-processing of the image, the coin counting system 10 sequentially performs grayscale conversion of the image, detection of the contour of the outer shape of the coin storage cassette 30, keystone correction of the contour of the outer shape of the coin storage cassette 30, and resizing to a predetermined size, thereby cutting out an image of only the coin storage cassette 30 observed from the front. The cut-out image of only the coin storage cassette 30 is corrected by keystone correction to an image of the coin storage cassette 30 observed from directly in front. In addition, the cut-out image of only the coin storage cassette 30 is resized so that the number of dots in the length and width of the outer shape of the coin storage cassette 30 becomes constant, making subsequent processing easier. In addition, in resizing the image, a process of stretching the image in the coin stacking direction may be performed. This process can improve the accuracy of counting the number of coins.

In addition to the above-mentioned processes, in this image pre-processing, the coin counting system 10 may also perform a process to correct the camera lens distortion. When the coin storage cassette 30 is photographed from the front with the camera 14, as shown in FIG. 8, the coins in the upper part of the coin storage cassette 30 have an upward bow shape, the coins in the middle part have a rectangular shape, and the coins in the lower part have a downward bow shape. In the process of correcting the camera lens distortion, a correction is made so that all coins have a rectangular shape. This process can further improve the accuracy of measuring the number of coins.

In addition, in the pre-processing of the image, an image of an empty coin storage cassette 30 that does not store coins may be used to remove the characteristics of the coin storage cassette from the cassette image. In this case, the image of the empty coin storage cassette 30 is stored in advance in the cassette information storage unit 16.

Next, the coin counting system 10 sets a reference line L for calculating the aforementioned brightness differential value for each coin tube 33 in the preprocessed image (S3). This reference line L is set based on the coordinate range of the coin tube 33. The coordinate range of the coin tube 33 is calculated from reference coordinates, which are the coordinates of a reference part (e.g., a payout slide or a specially provided marker). These reference coordinates are obtained by analyzing the preprocessed image. The acquisition of these reference coordinates and the calculation of the coordinate range of the coin tube 33 are performed using information on the configuration of the coin storage cassette 30 stored in the cassette information storage unit 16 (e.g., the position of each coin tube).

Next, the coin counting system 10 counts the number of coins for each coin tube 33 based on the differential value of the luminance along the set reference line L (S4). More specifically, the coin counting system 10 calculates the differential value of the luminance from the lower end to the upper end of the coin tube 33 along the set reference line L for each coin tube 33, and counts the peaks p to count the number of coins C. When counting the number of coins, the averaging process and correction process described above are also performed.

In addition, when counting the number of coins, the coin counting system 10 may perform a process to determine in detail whether or not a coin is present by image recognition such as template matching when doubts arise as to whether or not a coin is present in counting the peak p of the differential value of brightness. In this case, the image data for comparison required for image recognition is stored in advance in the cassette information storage unit 16. This process can further improve the accuracy of counting the number of coins.

Finally, the coin counting system 10 outputs and displays the counting result on the display 12, and stores the counting result together with the cassette image in the counting result memory unit 17 (S5).

As shown in Fig. 9, the coin counting system 10 may have a communication unit 18 that communicates with an external system 90, such as a POS system of a POS register, and the coin counting results may be transmitted to the external system 90 via the communication unit 18. This allows the closing process and coin replenishment in the coin dispensing device to be performed more accurately and quickly.

Next, the operation of the coin counting system 10 of this embodiment will be described.

The coin counting system 10 of this embodiment is composed of a smartphone and an application installed on the smartphone. The camera 14 is built into the smartphone. The display 12 and the operation unit 13 of the coin counting system 10 of this embodiment are integrally configured as touch panel displays 12, 13.

Figures 10A to 10D are figures showing the displays of the touch panel displays 12 and 13 of the coin counting system 10 of this embodiment.

Figure 10A shows the menu screen 41. This menu screen 41 is the first screen displayed when the coin counting system 10 is started up. In the illustrated example, a photographing and counting button section 411 and a counting result confirmation button section 412 are displayed as menu items. When counting the number of coins C stored in the coin storage cassette 30, the photographing and counting button section 411 is selected on the menu screen 41. The counting result confirmation button section 412 is an item selected when checking the counting results and an image of the coin storage cassette 30 that were obtained in a previous coin count and stored in the counting result memory section 17.

10B and 10C show the photographing and counting screen 42. This photographing and counting screen 42 is a screen that is displayed when the photographing and counting button section 411 is selected on the menu screen 41. The photographing and counting screen 42 has a camera image display section 421 that displays the image from the camera 14, a photographing button section 422 for instructing the coin counting system 10 to photograph the coin storage cassette 30, and a back button section 423 that is selected to return to the menu screen 41.

The camera image display unit 421 displays a guide frame 421a having the same shape as the outer shape of the coin storage cassette 30. When acquiring an image of the coin storage cassette 30, as shown in FIG. 10C, the coin storage cassette 30 in the image of the camera 14 is aligned with the guide frame 421a and then the photographing button unit 422 is selected, so that the coin storage cassette 30 is photographed from the front. By acquiring an image of the coin storage cassette 30 by photographing using the guide frame 421a in this way, it becomes easier to recognize the position of the outer shape of the coin storage cassette in the above-mentioned image pre-processing (S2).

When the coin counting system 10 is instructed to photograph the coin storage cassette 30 on the photography and counting screen 42, it acquires a cassette image, which is an image of the coin storage cassette 30 photographed from the front. Next, the coin counting system 10 automatically counts the number of coins C based on the cassette image through the above-mentioned process. The coin counting system 10 also stores the coin counting result together with the acquired cassette image in the counting result storage unit 17. The counting result and cassette image stored in the counting result storage unit 17 can be confirmed by selecting the counting result confirmation button unit 412 on the menu screen 41.

Figure 10D shows the counting result screen 43. This counting result screen 43 is displayed after an instruction to photograph the coin storage cassette 30 is given on the photographing & counting screen 42 and the number of coins is measured in the counting processing unit 15. The counting result screen 43 has a counting result display section 431, a cassette image display section 432, and a back button section 433 that is selected to return to the menu screen 41. The counting result display section 431 displays the number of coins of each denomination and the total amount. The cassette image display section 432 displays the acquired cassette image.

As described above, the coin counting system 10 of this embodiment is a coin counting system that counts the number of coins stored in a coin storage cassette 30 having a coin tube 33, and includes a camera 14 that acquires a cassette image, which is an image of the coin storage cassette 30 taken from the front, and a counting processing unit 15 that counts the number of coins C stored in the coin storage cassette 30 based on the cassette image. This allows the number of coins in the coin storage cassette 30 to be counted accurately and quickly when the coin dispensing device 20 starts operating and when closing out the transaction.

In addition, the coin counting system 10 of this embodiment counts the number of coins from the number of stripes in the striped pattern of the stack of coins stacked in the coin tube 33. This makes it possible to count the number of coins in the coin storage cassette 30 more accurately.

The coin counting system 10 of this embodiment also has a counting result storage unit 17 that stores the counting results and cassette images. This makes it possible to reconfirm the number of coins C set in the coin storage cassette 30 when a discrepancy or other doubt arises in the closing process of the coin dispensing device 20. The coin counting system 10 of the present invention may store only the cassette image in the counting result storage unit 17. In this case, it is preferable that the coin counting system 10 is configured to be able to count the number of coins based on the cassette image stored in the counting result storage unit 17.

Next, we will explain the coin counting program of this embodiment (or the storage medium storing the coin counting program).

The coin counting program of this embodiment is a coin counting program that causes an information processing device to execute a process to measure the number of coins stored in the coin storage cassette 30 of the coin dispensing device 20.

The method of counting the number of coins in the coin counting program of this embodiment is basically the same as the method of counting the number of coins in the coin counting system 10 described above, and is as follows.

First, the coin counting program causes the information processing device to execute a step of acquiring a cassette image, which is an image of the coin storage cassette 30 taken from the front (S1).

Next, the coin counting program causes the information processing device to execute a step of pre-processing the acquired cassette image (S2). In this image pre-processing, the coin counting program causes the information processing device to execute a step of cutting out an image of only the coin storage cassette 30 observed from the front by sequentially performing grayscale conversion of the image, contour detection of the outer shape of the coin storage cassette 30, keystone correction of the outer shape of the coin storage cassette 30, and resizing to a predetermined size.

In addition to the above-mentioned processes, in the pre-processing of the image, the coin counting program may cause the information processing device to perform a process of correcting the distortion of the camera lens. In addition, in the pre-processing of the image, the information processing device may perform a process of removing the features of the coin storage cassette from the cassette image by using an image of an empty coin storage cassette 30 in which no coins are stored.

Next, the coin counting program causes the information processing device to execute a step of setting a reference line L for calculating the aforementioned brightness differential value for each coin tube 33 in the preprocessed image (S3). This reference line L is set based on the coordinate range of the coin tube 33. The coordinate range of the coin tube 33 is calculated from reference coordinates, which are the coordinates of a reference part (for example, a payout slide or a specially provided marker). These reference coordinates are obtained by analyzing the preprocessed image. The acquisition of these reference coordinates and the calculation of the coordinate range of the coin tube 33 are performed using information on the configuration of the coin storage cassette 30 that is given in advance.

Next, the coin counting program counts the number of coins for each coin tube 33 based on the differential value of the luminance along the set reference line L (S4). More specifically, the coin counting program causes the information processing device to execute a step of calculating the differential value of the luminance for each coin tube 33 along the set reference line L from the lower end to the upper end of the coin tube 33 and counting the peaks p, thereby measuring the number of coins C. In measuring the number of coins, the averaging process and correction process described above are also performed.

In addition, when measuring the number of coins, if doubt arises as to whether or not a coin is present when counting the peak p of the differential value of brightness, the coin counting program may cause the information processing device to perform a process of determining in detail whether or not a coin is present by image recognition such as template matching.

Finally, the coin counting program outputs the counting result (S5). At this time, the information processing device may further execute a step of storing the counting result together with the cassette image in the counting result storage unit 17.

As described above, the coin counting program of this embodiment is a coin counting program that counts the number of coins stored in a coin storage cassette 30 having a coin tube 33, and causes an information processing device to execute a cassette image acquisition step of acquiring a cassette image, which is an image of the coin storage cassette 30 taken from the front, and a counting processing step of counting the number of coins stored in the coin storage cassette 30 based on the cassette image. This makes it possible to accurately and quickly count the number of coins in the coin storage cassette 30 at the start of operation of the coin dispensing device 20 and at the closing process.

In addition, the coin counting program of this embodiment counts the number of coins from the number of stripes in the striped pattern of the stack of coins stacked in the coin tube 33. This makes it possible to count the number of coins in the coin storage cassette 30 more accurately.

The coin counting program of this embodiment also causes the information processing device to execute a counting result storage step in which the counting result and the cassette image are stored in the counting result storage unit 17. This makes it possible to reconfirm the number of coins C set in the coin storage cassette 30 when a discrepancy or other doubt arises in the closing process of the coin dispensing device 20. The coin counting program of the present invention may also store only the cassette image in the counting result storage unit 17. In this case, it is preferable that the coin counting program is configured to be able to count the number of coins based on the cassette image stored in the counting result storage unit 17.

Next, we will explain an example of placing marks 36, 37 on the coin storage cassette 30 and its surrounding area.

Figure 11 is a diagram showing an example of marks 36, 37 placed on such a coin storage cassette 30 and its surrounding area.

In the example shown in Figure 11, an identification mark 36 is arranged on the front side of the coin storage cassette 30, and a cut-out mark 37 is arranged in the peripheral area of the coin storage cassette 30.

The identification mark 36 is a mark for identifying the presence or absence and type of the coin storage cassette 30. The coin counting system 10 detects the identification mark 36 arranged on the front side of the coin storage cassette 30 by template matching or the like from the preview image when acquiring the cassette image. At this time, the coin counting system 10 identifies the presence or absence of the coin storage cassette 30 from the presence or absence of the detection of the identification mark 36, and identifies the type of the coin storage cassette 30 from the detection coordinates of the detected identification mark 36.

The coin counting system 10 can perform the above-mentioned pre-processing of the cassette image (S2) according to the type of coin storage cassette 30 identified in this way. In addition, the coin counting system 10 can determine the denomination of the coins stored in each coin tube 33 from the type of coin storage cassette 30 identified in this way.

The coin counting system 10 may detect the identification mark 36 from the cassette image, rather than from a preview image when acquiring the cassette image. The coin counting system 10 may also identify the type of coin storage cassette 30 from the shape of the identification mark 36, rather than from the detection coordinates of the identification mark 36. The identification mark 36 may also identify only the type of coin storage cassette 30.

The cut-out marks 37 are marks for cutting out the area of the coin storage cassette 30 from the cassette image. In the illustrated example, four cut-out marks 37 are provided in the outer areas of the four corners of the coin storage cassette 30 in the coin dispensing device main body 21.

In the pre-processing (S2) of the cassette image described above, the coin counting system 10 detects the cut-out mark 37 from the cassette image, and cuts out the outline of the outer shape of the coin storage cassette 30 based on the detection coordinates of the detected cut-out mark 37. The coin counting system 10 can also perform trapezoidal correction based on the detection coordinates of the cut-out mark 37.

The cut-out marks 37 may be provided on the coin storage cassette 30, rather than on the coin dispensing device main body 21. Furthermore, the number and arrangement of the cut-out marks 37 are not limited to those shown in FIG. 11. For example, three cut-out marks 37 may be provided in the peripheral areas of three of the four corners of the coin storage cassette 30. Furthermore, five or more cut-out marks 37 may be provided. Furthermore, the cut-out marks 37 may be provided in the peripheral areas of the four sides of the coin storage cassette 30, rather than on the four corners.

Next, we will explain another example of a method for counting the number of coins based on an image of the coin storage cassette 30.

Figure 12 is a diagram illustrating another example of a method for counting the number of coins based on an image of the coin storage cassette 30.

In this coin counting method, the number of coins is counted by counting the points d where the brightness is at a minimum along the set reference line L for each coin tube 33. The points d where the brightness is at a minimum correspond to the gaps between coins.

The coin counting system 10 detects the bottom end position e1 and the top end position e2 of the coins stored in the coin tube 33, and counts the points where the brightness is at a minimum value, starting from the bottom end position e1 to the top end position e2. For example, the bottom end position e1 is detected as a rising edge of the brightness, and the top end position e2 is detected as a falling edge of the brightness.

The counting of points d where the luminance has a minimum value is performed based on the differential value of the luminance along the reference line L. Specifically, points c where the differential value of the luminance switches from negative to positive are counted as points d where the luminance has a minimum value.

When counting at point d, the coin counting system 10 performs a correction process similar to the coin counting method of the present embodiment described above.

Specifically, the coin counting system 10 obtains a predicted value of the period (number of dots) of point d where the luminance is at a minimum value in advance by performing a Fourier transform on the luminance values along the reference line. Then, each time the coin counting system 10 counts a point d that is within a certain range (e.g., ±20% of the predicted value of the period) from the position of the next point d calculated from the predicted value of the period of point d, it counts it as one count, and does not count multiple points d even if they exist within that range.

In addition, each time the coin counting system 10 counts a point d, even if a point d is not present at the position of the next point d calculated from the predicted value of the period of point d, if a point d exists further ahead, it will count the number of points d as if a point d exists.

Next, we will explain another example of a coin dispensing device that is subject to coin counting in the coin counting system 10 of this embodiment.

13A and 13B are perspective views showing another example of a coin dispensing device 50. This coin dispensing device 50 has an opening/closing cover 52, and Fig. 13A shows the opening/closing cover 52 in a closed state, and Fig. 13B shows the opening/closing cover 52 in an open state.

The coin dispensing device 50 has a coin dispensing device main body 51, a coin storage cassette 30, an opening/closing cover 52, and a camera 14. The coin dispensing device 50 also has a coin dispensing outlet (not shown) on the underside of the coin dispensing device main body 51.

In addition, the coin dispensing device 50 may connect its camera 14 to an external device (not shown) that constitutes the coin counting system 10, or the coin dispensing device 50 itself may comprise all or part of the coin counting system 10.

The coin storage cassette 30 is removably attached to the front side of the coin dispensing device main body 51. The configuration of this coin storage cassette 30 is the same as the configuration of the coin storage cassette 30 described above. In the example shown in FIG. 13B, the above-mentioned identification mark 36 is arranged on the front side of the coin storage cassette 30, and the above-mentioned cut-out mark 37 is arranged in the peripheral area of the coin storage cassette 30.

13B, the coin storage cassette 30 is attached to the coin dispensing device body 51 in a tilted state so that it falls backward. This configuration allows the coins stacked in the coin tube 33 to be aligned.

The open/close cover 52 is provided on the front side of the coin dispensing device main body 51 and can be in a closed state covering the coin storage cassette 30 or an open state in which it is retracted from the coin storage cassette 30.

In the example shown in Figures 13A and 13B, the open-close cover 52 is pivotally attached to the coin dispensing device main body 21, and the pivotal attachment portion 52a is located at the lower end of the front side of the coin dispensing device main body 51 and also at the lower end of the open-close cover 52.

The camera 14 is disposed on the opening/closing cover 52 so as to photograph the coin storage cassette 30 and obtain an image of the coin storage cassette 30 when the opening/closing cover 52 is open. In the example shown in FIG. 13B, the camera 14 is disposed near the upper end of the inside of the opening/closing cover 52 (i.e., the side facing the coin dispensing device main body 51).

13B, the camera 14 is disposed in a drawer section 53 provided near the upper end of the opening/closing cover 52. The drawer section 53 is a member disposed so as to be able to be drawn out from the upper end of the opening/closing cover 52. By disposing the camera 14 in the drawer section 53, it is possible to dispose the camera 14 at a position farther away from the coin storage cassette 30 than the upper end of the opening/closing cover 52.

In the example shown in Fig. 13B, when the opening/closing cover 52 is open, the coin storage cassette 30 is tilted so as to fall backward, and the camera 14 is positioned below the extension of the floor surface of the coin storage cassette 30. This is to prevent the camera 14 from photographing the top surfaces of the coins stacked in the coin storage cassette 30. With this configuration, the accuracy of detection of the top end position e2 of the coins stored in the coin tube 33 described above is good.

In the coin dispensing device 50 having the above configuration, the positional relationship between the coin storage cassette 30 and the camera 14 is fixed, making it possible to stably acquire cassette images suitable for counting the number of coins. In other words, in the coin counting system 10 having the coin dispensing device 50, the positional relationship between the coin storage cassette 30 and the camera 14 is fixed, making it possible to stably acquire cassette images suitable for counting the number of coins.

The coin dispensing device 50 described above can also be configured as a coin storage device that does not have a mechanism for dispensing coins. The configuration of this coin storage device is the same as that of the coin dispensing device 50, except that it does not have a mechanism for dispensing coins. In other words, the configuration of the coin storage device is the same as that of the coin dispensing device 50 described above. However, in this case, the "coin dispensing device 50" and the "coin dispensing device main body 51" should be read as the "coin storage device 50" and the "coin storage device main body 51", respectively. The coin dispensing device 50 is both a coin dispensing device and a coin storage device.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the coin counting system and coin counting program of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiment. The coin counting system and coin counting program of the present invention can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, modifications, and additions can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

For example, the coin counting system and coin counting program of the above-described embodiment count the number of coins stored in a coin storage cassette having multiple coin tubes 33, but the coin counting system and coin counting program of the present invention are not limited to this and may also count the number of coins stored in a coin storage cassette having one coin tube.

Although the coin counting system and coin counting program of the above-described embodiment count the number of coins stored in a coin storage cassette having a coin tube 33, the coin counting system and coin counting program of the present invention are not limited to this and may also count the number of coins stored in a coin storage unit 30 that loads and stores coins. An example of such a coin storage unit 30 is the coin case shown in Figures 14 and 15. In this case, the number of coins stored in the coin storage unit 30 is counted based on a coin storage unit image, which is an image of the coin storage unit 30 taken from the front.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Coin counting system 11 Control unit 12 Display 13 Operation unit 14 Camera 15 Counting processing unit 16 Cassette information storage unit 17 Counting result storage unit 18 Communication unit 20 Coin dispensing device 21 Coin dispensing device main body 30 Coin storage cassette, coin storage unit 31 Coin storage cassette main body 32 Coin tube cover 33 Coin tube 34 Payout slide 34a Coin storage hole 36 Identification mark 37 Cut-out mark 41 Menu screen 411 Photographing and counting button unit 412 Counting result confirmation button unit 42 Photographing and counting screen 421 Camera image display unit 421a Guide frame 422 Photographing button unit 423 Back button unit 43 Counting result screen 431 Counting result display unit 432 Cassette image display unit 433 Back button unit 50 Coin dispensing device, coin storage device 51 Coin dispensing device main body, coin storage device main body 52 Openable cover 52a Pivot attachment portion 53 Drawer portion 90 External system L Reference line

Claims (10)

A coin counting system that counts the number of coins stored in a coin storage unit that stores and stacks coins, comprising:
a camera for acquiring a coin storage unit image, which is an image of the coin storage unit taken from the front;
a counting processing unit that counts the number of coins stored in the coin storage unit based on the image of the coin storage unit,
The counting processing unit counts the number of coins from the number of stripes in a striped pattern of a stack of coins in the coin storage unit. 2. The coin counting system according to claim 1,
the coin storage unit is a coin storage cassette having a coin tube,
The coin counting system, wherein the coin storage section image is a cassette image that is an image of the coin storage cassette taken from the front. 3. The coin counting system according to claim 1,
The counting processing unit sets a reference line extending in the stacking direction of the coin stack, calculates a differential value of the brightness of the coin storage section image along the reference line, and counts the number of coins based on the differential value of the brightness. A coin counting system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The coin counting system further comprises a counting result storage unit that stores the image of the coin storage unit. A coin counting program for causing an information processing device to execute a process of counting the number of coins stored in a coin storage unit that stacks and stores coins,
a coin storage unit image acquiring step of acquiring a coin storage unit image which is an image obtained by photographing the coin storage unit from the front;
a counting process step of counting the number of coins stored in the coin storage unit based on the image of the coin storage unit,
The counting process step counts the number of coins from the number of stripes in a striped pattern of a stack of coins in the coin storage unit. 6. The coin counting program according to claim 5,
the coin storage unit is a coin storage cassette having a coin tube,
The coin storage section image is a cassette image, which is an image of the coin storage cassette taken from the front. 7. The coin counting program according to claim 5,
The counting processing step is a coin counting program in which a reference line extending in the stacking direction of the coin stack is set, a differential value of the brightness of the coin storage section image is calculated along the reference line, and the number of coins is counted based on the differential value of the brightness. 8. The coin counting program according to claim 5, further comprising:
Furthermore, the coin counting program causes an information processing device to execute a counting result storage step of storing the coin storage unit image in a counting result storage unit. The coin storage device includes a main body, a coin storage cassette, an opening/closing cover, and a camera.
The coin storage cassette is detachably attached to the front side of the coin storage device body,
The openable cover is provided on the front side of the coin storage device body, and takes a closed state in which it covers the coin storage cassette, and an open state in which it is retracted from the coin storage cassette,
The camera is disposed on the opening/closing cover so as to photograph the coin storage cassette and obtain an image of the coin storage cassette when the opening/closing cover is open. The coin storage device according to claim 9,
The camera is disposed so as to be located below a plane that is an extension of a floor surface of the coin storage cassette when the opening/closing cover is in an open state.