HK1033490B

HK1033490B - Coin discriminating apparatus

Info

Publication number: HK1033490B
Application number: HK01104168.7A
Authority: HK
Inventors: 云雀英幸; 有川纯一
Original assignee: 罗烈尔银行机器股份有限公司
Priority date: 1999-08-17
Filing date: 2001-06-18
Publication date: 2005-05-06

Description

Coin discriminating apparatus

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a coin discriminating apparatus, and more particularly, to a coin discriminating apparatus for reliably discriminating, by optically detecting a surface pattern of a coin, whether the coin is acceptable, whether the coin is damaged to a level higher than a predetermined level, and the denomination of the coin.

Background

Conventionally, by detecting the diameter, material, thickness, etc. of a coin, it is discriminated whether the coin is acceptable, i.e., whether the coin is true or false, and whether the coin is a general-purpose coin. However, recently, a coin discriminating apparatus for discriminating a coin by optically detecting a surface pattern of the coin has been proposed in order to improve discrimination accuracy.

For example, Japanese patent application laid-open No.8-36661 proposes a coin discriminating apparatus equipped with: a magnetic sensor disposed in a coin passage for detecting magnetism of the coin; a plurality of light emitting elements, such as light emitting diodes, for projecting light onto the coins carried from below on a transparent passage portion formed in the coin passage; and a CCD (charge coupled device) for photoelectrically detecting light emitted from the light emitting element and reflected by the surface of the coin, and which discriminates whether the coin is acceptable or not and the denomination of the coin based on image pattern data of the coin photoelectrically detected and digitized by the CCD.

One side surface of the european coin which is issued uniformly in europe in compliance with money is formed with a common pattern for each denomination, and the other side surface thereof is formed with a pattern which is different according to the country from which the european coin is issued. Therefore, when the european coins need to be classified according to the issuing countries of the european coins in federal banks and the like, since the above-described coin discriminating apparatus discriminates the coins only by optically detecting the surface patterns on one side of the coins, it is impossible to classify the european coins according to the issuing countries of the european coins.

Moreover, since the above coin discriminating apparatus discriminates a coin only by optically detecting the surface pattern of one side of the coin, even when the side surface of the coin whose pattern is not detected is damaged to a higher degree than a predetermined degree, such a coin cannot be discriminated as a damaged coin.

Moreover, in the case where the surface pattern of one side of the coin is detected by projecting light onto one surface of the coin transported in the coin passage, it is impossible to detect the surface pattern of the other surface of the coin even when the other surface of the coin is irradiated with light because the belt for pressing the coin onto the surface of the coin passage and transporting it is stuck to the other surface of the coin.

Disclosure of Invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a coin discriminating apparatus capable of discriminating with high accuracy whether or not a coin is acceptable and the denomination of the coin even when the coin has a common pattern on one side surface thereof but a different pattern on the other side surface thereof like an european coin.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a coin discriminating apparatus capable of discriminating with high accuracy whether or not a coin is damaged to a level higher than a predetermined level.

The above and other objects of the present invention can be accomplished by a coin discriminating apparatus comprising: a coin passage member for supporting a lower surface of the coin; a first conveyor belt disposed above the coin passage member and adapted to form a coin passage between the coin passage member and itself and to hold coins between the coin passage member and itself, thereby transporting it; a first light source for emitting light to a lower surface of the coin transported on the coin passage member through a first transparent passage portion formed in the coin passage member; first light receiving means for photoelectrically detecting light emitted from the first light source through the first transparent portion and reflected from the lower surface of the coin and for generating image pattern data of the lower surface of the coin; a second conveyor belt for supporting the lower surface of the coins; a coin passage forming member disposed above the second conveyor belt for forming a coin passage between the lower surface thereof and the second conveyor belt and for holding a coin between the lower surface thereof and the second conveyor belt, thereby conveying it; a second light source for emitting light to an upper surface of the coin supported and carried by the second conveyor belt through a second transparent passage portion formed in the coin passage forming member; second light receiving means for photoelectrically detecting light emitted from the second light source through the second transparent portion and reflected from the upper surface of the coin, and for generating image pattern data of the upper surface of the coin; first pattern data storage means for storing image pattern data of the lower surface of the coin generated by the first light receiving means; second pattern data storage means for storing image pattern data of the upper surface of the coin generated by the second light receiving means; reference pattern data storage means for storing reference pattern data of coins of each denomination; discriminating means for comparing the image pattern data of the lower surface of the coin stored in the first pattern data storing means with the reference pattern data of the coin of each denomination stored in the reference pattern data storing means, and for comparing the image pattern data of the upper surface of the coin stored in the second pattern data storing means with the reference pattern data of the coin of each denomination stored in the reference pattern data storing means, thereby discriminating whether or not the coin is acceptable and the denomination of the coin.

According to the present invention, in the area of the first light source, the coin is carried while being pressed by the first conveyor belt against the upper surface of the first transparent passage portion formed in the coin passage member, and is irradiated with light emitted from the first light source disposed below the coin passage member via the first transparent portion, and the light reflected from the lower surface of the coin is photoelectrically detected by the first light receiving means, thereby generating pattern data of the lower surface of the coin. Further, the coin is carried while its lower surface is supported by the second conveyor belt so as to be pressed against the lower surface of the coin passage forming member provided above the second conveyor belt, and is irradiated with light emitted from a second light source disposed above the coin passage forming member through a second transparent passage portion formed in the coin passage forming member, and the light reflected from the upper surface of the coin is photoelectrically detected by a second light receiving device, thereby generating pattern data of the upper surface of the coin. It is therefore possible to detect the optical patterns of both surfaces of the coin in a desired manner while the coin is being transported, and to discriminate whether the coin is acceptable and the denomination of the coin based on the thus obtained pattern data of both surfaces of the coin. Further, according to the present invention, since the discriminating means discriminates whether or not the coin is acceptable from the denomination of the coin by comparing the image pattern data of the lower surface of the coin stored in the first pattern data storing means with the reference pattern data of the coin of each denomination stored in the reference pattern data storing means and comparing the image pattern data of the upper surface of the coin stored in the second pattern data storing means with the reference pattern data of the coin of each denomination stored in the reference pattern data storing means, even when coins such as european coins whose one surface pattern is common and whose other surface pattern is different are to be discriminated, it is also possible to reliably discriminate whether or not the coin is acceptable and the denomination of the coin, and to classify the european coin into coins of each issuing country when it is necessary to classify the european coin by the issuing country.

In a preferred aspect of the invention, the second conveyor belt is provided to project upwardly from an opening formed in the coin passage member.

According to the preferred aspect of the present invention, the coin passage member can be provided over the entire coin passage, and therefore it is possible to manufacture the coin discriminating apparatus in a simple manner.

In another preferred aspect of the invention, the coin passage member is cut in the region of the second conveyor belt.

In a further preferred aspect of the invention, the first light source is arranged upstream of the second light source with respect to the coin transport direction.

In another preferred aspect of the invention, the first light source is arranged downstream of the second light source with respect to the coin transport direction.

In still another preferred aspect of the present invention, the first light receiving means and the second light receiving means are constituted as a sensor of a monochrome type, and the coin discriminating apparatus further comprises: a third conveyor belt for holding the coins between the coin passage member and itself, thereby carrying it; a third light source for emitting light to a lower surface of the coin carried on the coin passage member by the third belt through a third transparent passage portion formed in the coin passage member; third light receiving means for photoelectrically detecting light emitted from the third light source through the third transparent passage portion and reflected from the lower surface of the coin and generating color data of the lower surface of the coin; a fourth conveyor belt for supporting the lower surface of the coins; another coin passage forming member, disposed above the fourth conveyor belt, for forming a coin passage between the lower surface thereof and the fourth conveyor belt and holding the coin between the lower surface thereof and the fourth conveyor belt, thereby carrying it; a fourth light source for emitting light to the upper surface of the coin supported and conveyed by the fourth conveyor belt through a fourth transparent passage portion; fourth light receiving means for photoelectrically detecting light emitted from the fourth light source through the fourth transparent passage portion and reflected from the upper surface of the coin and generating color data of the upper surface of the coin; first color data storage means for storing color data of the lower surface of the coin generated by the third light receiving means; second color data storage means for storing color data of the upper surface of the coin generated by the fourth light receiving means; and a reference color data storage means for storing color data of coins of each denomination, the discriminating means being configured to compare color data of a lower surface of a coin stored in the first color data storage means with reference color data of a coin of each denomination stored in the reference color data storage means, and to compare color data of an upper surface of a coin stored in the second color data storage means with reference color data of a coin of each denomination stored in the reference color data storage means, thereby discriminating a degree of damage of the coin.

According to the preferred aspect of the present invention, whether or not the coin is acceptable and the denomination of the coin are discriminated by the first light receiving means and the second light receiving means. Further, in the area of the third light source, the coin is carried while being pressed by the third conveyor belt against the upper surface of a third transparent passage portion formed in the coin passage member, and is irradiated with light emitted from a third light source disposed below the coin passage member via the third transparent portion, and the light reflected from the lower surface of the coin is photoelectrically detected by a third light receiving device, thereby generating color data of the lower surface of the coin. Further, the coin is carried while its lower surface is supported by the fourth belt so as to be pressed against the lower surface of the coin passage forming member provided above the fourth belt, and is irradiated with light emitted from a fourth light source disposed above the coin passage forming member through a fourth transparent passage portion formed in the coin passage forming member, and the light reflected from the upper surface of the coin is photoelectrically detected by a fourth light receiving device, thereby generating color data of the upper surface of the coin. The discriminating means is constructed so as to discriminate the degree of damage of the coin by comparing the color data of the lower surface of the coin with the reference color data of the coin of each denomination stored in the reference color data storing means and by comparing the color data of the upper surface of the coin with the reference color data of the coin of each denomination stored in the reference color data storing means. Accordingly, it is possible to detect the color data of both surfaces of the coin in a desired manner while the coin is being transported, and to discriminate whether the coin is acceptable and the denomination of the coin based on the thus obtained color data of both surfaces of the coin.

In a further preferred aspect of the invention, the fourth conveyor belt is provided to project upwardly from an opening formed in the coin passage member.

In another aspect of the invention, the coin passage member is cut in the region of the fourth conveyor belt.

In a further preferred aspect of the invention, the third light source is arranged upstream of the fourth light source with respect to the coin transporting direction.

In another preferred aspect of the invention, the third light source is arranged downstream of the fourth light source with respect to the coin transporting direction.

Drawings

The above and other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a coin discriminating apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view of a first transparent channel section.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a detection, control and discrimination system of a coin discrimination apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a second discriminating apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a third discriminating apparatus.

Fig. 6 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a coin discriminating apparatus in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

As shown in fig. 1, a coin path 2 through which the coin 1 is carried is provided with a coin path member 3 extending in the carrying direction of the coin 1 over the entire distance over which the coin 1 is carried. The coin discriminating apparatus includes a first pattern data detecting unit 4 and a second pattern data detecting unit 5. In the vicinity of the first pattern data detecting unit 4, the coin passage 2 is formed by a coin passage member 3 disposed below, and a conveyor belt 6 configured as an endless circular belt. In the vicinity of the second pattern data detecting unit 5, the coin passage 2 is formed by a belt conveyor 7 configured as an endless belt arranged to project upward from an opening 7a formed in the coin passage member 3, and a coin passage forming member 8 arranged above the belt conveyor and extending in the conveying direction of the coin 1.

As shown in fig. 1, the coin passage member 3 in which the first pattern data detecting unit 4 is provided is formed with one first transparent passage portion 9 made of transparent glass, acrylic resin, or the like, and the coin passage forming member 8 is formed with one second transparent passage portion 10 made of transparent glass, acrylic resin, or the like.

Fig. 2 is a schematic top view of the first transparent channel section 9.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, one coin 1 is fed along a pair of guide rails 11, 11 in the direction indicated by arrow a by a conveyor belt 6 arranged above the coin passage 2 to a first transparent passage section 9 in the coin passage 2. Upstream of the first transparent channel section 9 with respect to the coin transport direction, a pair of magnetic sensors 12, 12 are provided for detecting the magnetic properties of the coins 1. The coins 1 are fed onto the first transparent path section 9 while being pressed against the upper surface of the first transparent path section 9 by the conveyor belt 6. Below the first transparent channel section 9, there is provided: a first light emitting means 21 including a plurality of light emitting elements 20 for emitting light to the coin 1 through the first transparent passage portion 9; and a first image data generating means 22 below the first light emitting means 21 for receiving the light emitted from the first light emitting means 21 and reflected by the coin 1 and generating image data. Thus, one first pattern data detecting unit 4 is constituted by the first light emitting device 21 and the first image data generating device 22.

As shown in fig. 2, the first light emitting device 21 is equipped with a plurality of light emitting elements 20, such as Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), arranged on a circle having a center at the center portion of the first transparent passage portion 9. Each light emitting element 20 is arranged in such a way that its optical axis is directed at a predetermined point on a vertical axis through the centre of a circle having its centre coinciding with the central part of the first transparent channel portion 9 at a small angle to the horizontal, thereby projecting light onto the coin 1 through the first transparent channel portion 9 at a shallow angle to the surface of the coin 1.

The first image data generating device 22 includes: a lens system 23 arranged such that its optical axis coincides with a vertical axis passing through the center of a circle whose center coincides with the center portion of the first transparent channel section 9; a color sensor 24 arranged below the lens system 23 such that its focal point is located on the upper surface of the first transparent channel portion 9 and adapted to photo-electrically detect light emitted from the light emitting element 20 and reflected by the surface of the coin 1; and an a/D converter (not shown) for converting the image data of the lower surface of the coin 1 obtained by the photoelectric detection by the color sensor 24 into digital signals, thereby generating digitized image data of the lower surface of the coin 1. In this embodiment, a two-dimensional CCD type color sensor is used as the color sensor 24.

Just downstream of the first image data generating means 22, two timing sensors 27, 27 each including a light emitting element 25 and a light receiving element 26 are provided so that light emitted from the light emitting element 25 can be detected by the light receiving element 26 through the first transparent passage portion 9, and each is constituted so as to output a timing signal when the light receiving element 26 does not receive light emitted from the light emitting element 25. Each of the timing sensors 27, 27 is arranged with respect to the first image data generating means 22 such that when the light emitted from the light emitting element 25 is blocked by the coin 1 conveyed on the surface of the first transparent passage portion 9 and is not received by the light receiving element 26, the center of the coin 1 is located at the center of the first transparent passage portion 9, thereby outputting a timing signal.

As shown in fig. 1, the coins 1 are pressed onto the upper surface of the coin passage member 3 by the conveyor belt 6 provided above the coin passage, and conveyed in the first transparent passage portion 9 and the downstream portion thereof. At a downstream portion of the first transparent path portion 9, the lower surface of the coin 1 is supported by a conveyor belt 7 arranged to extend from an opening 7a formed in the coin path 3 to above the coin path member 3, and is carried in the coin path 2 while being held between the conveyor belt 6 and the conveyor belt 7.

As shown in fig. 1, the coin 1 is carried in the area of the downstream portion of the first transparent path portion 9 and fed to the second pattern data detecting unit 5, while the upper surface of the coin 1 is supported by the coin path forming member 8 and pressed onto the lower surface of the coin path forming member 8 by the conveyor belt 7. A plurality of support rollers 7b, 7c are provided to prevent downward bending due to the dead weight of the coin 1.

The second pattern data detecting unit 5 is provided above the second transparent channel section 10, and includes: a second light emitting means 31 including a plurality of light emitting elements 30 for emitting light to the coin 1 through the second transparent passage portion 10; and a second image data generating means 32 provided above the second transparent passage section 10 for receiving the light emitted from the second light emitting means 31 and reflected by the coin 1 and generating image data. The second light emitting device 31 is constructed in a similar manner to the first light emitting device 21 except that it is arranged above the second transparent channel portion 10 and emits light downward, and includes a plurality of light emitting elements 30, such as Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), arranged on a circle whose center coincides with the central portion of the second transparent channel portion 10. Each light emitting element 30 is arranged in such a way that its optical axis is directed at a predetermined point on a vertical axis through the centre of a circle having its centre coinciding with the central part of the second transparent channel portion 10 at a small angle to the horizontal, thereby projecting light through the second transparent channel portion 10 onto the coin 1 at a shallow angle to the surface of the coin 1.

The second image data generating device 32 includes: a lens system 33 arranged such that its optical axis coincides with a vertical axis passing through the center of a circle whose center coincides with the center portion of the second transparent passage portion 10; a color sensor 34 arranged above the lens system 33 such that its focal point is located on the lower surface of the second transparent channel section 10 and adapted to photo-electrically detect light emitted from the light emitting element 30 and reflected by the surface of the coin 1; and an a/D converter (not shown) for converting the image data of the lower surface of the coin 1 obtained by the photoelectric detection by the color sensor 34 into digital signals, thereby generating digitized image data of the lower surface of the coin 1. In this embodiment, a two-dimensional CCD type color sensor is used as the color sensor 34.

Just downstream of the second image data generating means 32, two timing sensors 37, 37 each including a light emitting element 35 and a light receiving element 36 are provided so that light emitted from the light emitting element 35 can be detected by the light receiving element 36 through the second transparent passage portion 10, and each is constituted so as to output a timing signal when the light receiving element 36 does not receive light emitted from the light emitting element 35. Each of the timing sensors 37 is arranged with respect to the second image data generating means 32 such that when the light emitted from the light emitting element 35 is blocked by the coin 1 conveyed on the surface of the second transparent passage portion 10 and is not received by the light receiving element 36, the center of the coin 1 is located at the center of the second transparent passage portion 10, thereby outputting a timing signal.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the detection, control and discrimination system of the coin discrimination apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in fig. 3, the detection system of the coin discriminating apparatus includes: two timing sensors 27, 27 for detecting the coin 1 fed to the first transparent passage section 9; and two timing sensors 37, 37 for detecting coins fed to the second transparent path section 10.

As shown in fig. 3, the control system of the coin discriminating apparatus includes: a light emission control means 40 which, when receiving the timing signals from the timing sensors 27, outputs a light emission signal to the first light emitting means 21 and causes it to emit light and illuminate the coin 1 located on the upper surface of the first transparent passage portion 9, and which, when receiving the timing signals from the timing sensors 37, outputs a light emission signal to the second light emitting means 31 and causes it to emit light and illuminate the coin 1 located on the lower surface of the second transparent passage portion 10; and image reading control means 41 for allowing the color sensor 24 of the first image data generating means 22 to start detecting light reflected from the surface of the coin 1 when receiving the timing signals from the timing sensors 27, and for allowing the color sensor 34 of the second image data generating means 32 to start detecting light reflected from the surface of the coin 1 when receiving the timing signals from the timing sensors 37, 37.

In fig. 3, the discriminating system of the coin discriminating apparatus includes: a first reference data storage 50 for storing reference magnetic data indicative of the magnetism of each denomination of coin; a second reference data memory 51 for storing reference data relating to the diameter of each denomination coin, reference chromaticity data for each denomination coin, and reference luminance data for each denomination coin; a third reference data memory 52 for storing reference ratio data indicating a ratio of data "0" in the binary image pattern data group corresponding to the plurality of annular regions on the surface of each denomination coin; first discriminating means 53 which accesses the first reference data memory 50 in accordance with the detection signals from the magnetic sensors 12, 12 and compares reference magnetic data indicating the magnetism of each denomination stored in the first reference data memory 50 with the magnetic data of the coin 1 input from the magnetic sensors 12, thereby determining the denomination of the coin 1; second discriminating means 54 for discriminating the denomination of the coin 1 and the degree of damage of the lower surface of the coin 1 on the basis of the discrimination result made by the first discriminating means 53, the reference data relating to the diameter of the coin of each denomination, the reference chromaticity data of the coin of each denomination and the reference luminance data of the coin of each denomination stored in the second reference data memory 51, the reference ratio data stored in the third reference data memory 52, and the image pattern data of the lower surface of the coin 1 photoelectrically detected by the color sensor 24 and digitized by the a/D converter 28; third discriminating means 55 for discriminating the denomination of the coin 1 and the degree of damage of the upper surface of the coin 1 on the basis of the discrimination result made by the first discriminating means 53, the reference data relating to the diameter of the coin of each denomination, the reference chromaticity data of the coin of each denomination and the reference luminance data of the coin of each denomination stored in the second reference data memory 51, the reference ratio data stored in the third reference data memory 52, and the image pattern data of the upper surface of the coin 1 photoelectrically detected by the color sensor 34 and digitized by the a/D converter 38; and denomination and receptivity determining means 56 for finally discriminating whether or not the coin 1 is receivable and the denomination of the coin 1 based on the discrimination results made by the first discriminating means 53, the second discriminating means 54, and the third discriminating means 55.

In fig. 3, reference numeral 58 indicates a display means for displaying whether the coin 1 is acceptable or not and whether the degree of damage of the coin 1 exceeds a predetermined degree.

In this embodiment, one denomination discrimination signal is output from the first discrimination device 53 to the light emission control device 40, and the light emission control device 40 is constituted so as to control the amounts of light emitted from the light emitting elements 20 and 30 in accordance with the denomination discrimination signal input from the first discrimination device 53 in accordance with the denomination of the coin 1 discriminated by the first discrimination device 53. In the third reference data memory 52, reference ratio data of the binary image pattern data sets corresponding to each annular region of the obverse and reverse sides of all denominations to be processed is stored.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the second discriminating device 54.

As shown in fig. 4, the second discrimination means 54 includes: an image pattern data memory 60 for mapping and storing image pattern data of the lower surface of coin 1, which is photoelectrically detected by color sensor 24 and digitized by A/D converter 28, into an orthogonal coordinate system, i.e., an x-y coordinate system; a first denomination discrimination section 61 which accesses the second reference data memory 51 and compares the reference data relating to the diameter of the coin of each denomination stored in the second reference data memory 51 with the image pattern data of the lower surface of the coin 1 read out from the image pattern data memory 60, thereby determining the denomination of the coin 1 based on the diameter of the coin 1 and outputting a denomination determination signal; a second denomination discrimination section 63 for discriminating the denomination of the coin 1 based on a denomination discrimination signal input from the first discrimination device 53 and a denomination discrimination signal input from the first denomination discrimination section 61, and outputting a denomination discrimination signal; a coin damage discriminating section 62 for calculating chromaticity data and luminance data of the coin 1 based on R, G, B data corresponding to primary colors of light, i.e., red, green and blue light, in the image pattern data of the lower surface of the coin 1 stored in the image pattern data storage 60, comparing them with reference chromaticity data and reference luminance data of the denomination coin discriminated by the second denomination discriminating section 63 and stored in the second reference data storage 51 based on the denomination discriminating signal input from the second denomination discriminating section 63, discriminating the degree of damage of the coin 1, and outputting a damage discriminating signal to the denomination and acceptability determining section 56; a central coordinate determining section 64 for obtaining the central coordinates of the image pattern data of the lower surface of the coin 1 mapped and stored in the image pattern data memory 60; a binary data generating section 65 binarizing the image pattern data of the lower surface of the coin 1 mapped and stored in the image pattern data memory 60, and grouping the binarized image pattern data into binary image pattern data groups corresponding to a plurality of annular regions of the surface of the coin 1 determined for each denomination based on a denomination discrimination signal inputted from the second denomination discrimination section 63 and a center coordinate signal inputted from the center coordinate determination section 64, obtaining the number of "0" data in the binary image pattern data groups corresponding to each annular region, obtaining a "0" data ratio in the entire data, thereby generating ratio data for each binary image pattern data group corresponding to each annular region of the surface of the coin 1; and a denomination decision section 66 for accessing the third reference data memory 52 for storing reference ratio data indicative of the ratio of "0" data in the binary image pattern data sets corresponding to the plurality of annular regions of the coin surface of each denomination, the ratio data in the binary image pattern data sets corresponding to each annular region of the coin surface of the corresponding denomination is read out based on the denomination discrimination signal input from the second denomination discrimination section 63, the ratio data read out from the third reference data memory 52 is compared with the ratio data of each binary image pattern data set corresponding to each annular region of the lower surface of the coin 1 input from the binary data generation section 65, thereby determining whether the coin 1 is acceptable and the denomination of the coin 1 and outputting a denomination determination signal to the denomination and acceptability determining means 56.

Fig. 5 is a block diagram of the third discriminating device 55.

As shown in fig. 5, the third discrimination means 55 includes: an image pattern data memory 70 for mapping and storing image pattern data of the upper surface of the coin 1 photoelectrically detected by the color sensor 34 and digitized by the a/D converter 38 into an orthogonal coordinate system, i.e., an x-y coordinate system; a first denomination discrimination section 71 which accesses the second reference data memory 51 and compares the reference data relating to the diameter of the coin of each denomination stored in the second reference data memory 51 with the image pattern data of the upper surface of the coin 1 read out from the image pattern data memory 70, thereby determining the denomination of the coin 1 based on the diameter of the coin 1 and outputting a denomination determination signal; a second denomination discrimination section 73 for discriminating the denomination of the coin 1 based on a denomination discrimination signal input from the first discrimination device 53 and a denomination discrimination signal input from the first denomination discrimination section 71, and outputting a denomination discrimination signal; a coin damage discriminating section 72 for calculating chromaticity data and luminance data of the coin 1 based on R, G, B data corresponding to primary colors of light, i.e., red, green and blue light, in the image pattern data of the upper surface of the coin 1 stored in the image pattern data storage 70, comparing them with reference chromaticity data and reference luminance data of the denomination coin discriminated by the second denomination discriminating section 73 and stored in the second reference data storage 51 based on the denomination discriminating signal input from the second denomination discriminating section 73, discriminating the degree of damage of the coin 1, and outputting a damage discriminating signal to the denomination and acceptability determining section 56; a central coordinate determining section 74 for obtaining the central coordinates of the image pattern data of the upper surface of the coin 1 mapped and stored in the image pattern data memory 70; a binary data generating section 75 binarizing the image pattern data of the upper surface of the coin 1 mapped and stored in the image pattern data memory 70 and grouping the binarized image pattern data into binary image pattern data groups corresponding to a plurality of annular regions of the surface of the coin 1 determined for each denomination based on a denomination discrimination signal inputted from the second denomination discrimination section 73 and a center coordinate signal inputted from the center coordinate determination section 74 to obtain the number of "0" data in the binary image pattern data groups corresponding to each annular region to obtain a "0" data ratio in the entire data, thereby generating ratio data for each binary image pattern data group corresponding to each annular region of the surface of the coin 1; and a denomination decision section 76 for accessing the third reference data memory 52 for storing reference ratio data indicative of the ratio of "0" data in the binary image pattern data sets corresponding to the plurality of annular regions of the face of the coin of each denomination, the ratio data in the binary image pattern data group corresponding to each annular region of the coin surface of the corresponding denomination is read out based on the denomination discrimination signal inputted from the second denomination discrimination section 73, the ratio data read out from the third reference data memory 52 is compared with the ratio data of each binary image pattern data group corresponding to each annular region of the upper surface of the coin 1 inputted from the binary data generation section 75, thereby determining whether the coin 1 is acceptable and the denomination of the coin 1 and outputting a denomination determination signal to the denomination and acceptability determining means 56.

The coin discriminating apparatus thus constructed according to the present invention discriminates whether the coin 1 is acceptable or not, whether the coin 1 is damaged to a level higher than a predetermined level, and the denomination of the coin 1.

The coins 1 are pressed by the conveyor belt 6 onto the upper surface of the coin passage member 3 and fed in the direction indicated by the arrow a along a pair of guide rails 11, 11 in the coin passage 2. The magnetism of the coin 1 is detected by the pair of magnetic sensors 12, and the detection signal is output to the first discrimination device 53.

The first discriminating means 53 accesses the first reference data memory 50 when the detection signal is inputted from the magnetic sensors 12, reads out reference magnetic data indicating magnetism of each denomination stored in the first reference data memory 50, discriminates the denomination of the coin 1 by comparing the reference magnetic data read out from the first reference data memory 50 with the magnetic data of the coin 1 inputted from the magnetic sensors 12, and outputs the denomination discrimination signal to the second discriminating means 54, the third discriminating means 55, and the light emission control means 40.

When the coin 1 is further fed to the first transparent path portion 9 in the coin path 2 and blocks the light emitted from the light emitting element 25 of each of the timing sensors 27, whereby the light receiving element 26 of each of the timing sensors 27 does not receive the light emitted from the corresponding light emitting element 25, the timing signals are output from the timing sensors 27, 27 to the light emission control means 40 and the image reading control means 41.

When the timing signals are output from the timing sensors 27, the light emission control means 40 outputs a light emission signal to the first light emitting means 21 based on the denomination discrimination signal from the first discrimination means 53, and causes the light emitting element 20 to emit a light amount corresponding to the denomination of the coin 1 discriminated by the first discrimination means 53 toward the lower surface of the coin 1 located on the first transparent path portion 9. The reason why the amount of emitted light from the light emitting element 20 is controlled according to the denomination result of the coin 1 discriminated by the first discrimination device 53 is that the amount of reflected light varies depending on the material of the coin 1. If the same amount of light is emitted to coin 1, the image pattern of coin 1 cannot be detected accurately. That is, when the coin is made of a material having high light reflectivity such as nickel, aluminum, or the like, it becomes difficult to accurately generate binary data corresponding to the surface pattern of the coin 1 by detecting reflected light from the surface of the coin 1. This is because if a large amount of light is irradiated, the total amount of detected light becomes large and saturated. On the other hand, when the coin is made of a material having low light reflectivity such as copper, brass, or the like, binary data corresponding to the surface pattern of the coin 1 cannot be accurately generated by detecting reflected light from the surface of the coin 1. This is because if a small amount of light is irradiated, the total amount of detected light is too small. Thus, the light emission control means 40 is constituted in such a manner that when the coin 1 of the denomination discriminated by the first discrimination means 53 is made of a material having a high light reflectivity such as nickel, aluminum, or the like, the light emission control means 40 outputs a light emission signal to the first light emission means 21, so that the light emitting element 20 emits light of a low intensity. On the other hand, it is constituted in such a manner that when the coin 1 of the denomination discriminated by the first discriminating means 53 is made of a material having a low light reflectivity such as copper, brass or the like, the light emission controlling means 40 outputs a light emission signal to the first light emitting means 21, so that the light emitting element 20 emits light of a high intensity.

When the timing signals from timing sensors 27, 27 are inputted, image reading control means 41 causes color sensor 24 of first image data generating means 22 to start detecting the light emitted from light emitting element 20 and reflected on the lower surface of coin 1.

Since the first light emitting element 21 is arranged to be able to irradiate the coin 1 traveling on the first transparent passage portion 9 at a shallow angle, light is reflected according to the pattern of projections and depressions of the lower surface of the coin 1. The light reflected from the surface of the coin 1 is directed by the lens system 23 to the color sensor 24 and is detected photoelectrically by the color sensor 24, whereby image pattern data of the surface of the coin 1 is generated by the color sensor 24. The image pattern data of the surface of coin 1 produced by colour sensor 24 is digitised by a/D converter 28. The digitized image pattern data is mapped and stored in an orthogonal coordinate system, i.e., in an x-y coordinate system in the image pattern data memory 60.

When the image pattern data of the lower surface of the coin 1 is stored in the image pattern data memory 60, the first denomination discrimination section 61 of the second discrimination device 54 accesses the second reference data memory 51. It reads out the stored data relating to the diameter of the coin 1 and also the image pattern data stored in the image pattern data memory 60. By comparing these data, the first denomination discrimination section 61 of the second discrimination device 54 determines the denomination of the coin 1, and outputs a denomination discrimination signal to the second denomination discrimination section 63. Some coins, although different in denomination, differ only slightly in diameter from one another. When a coin with a slightly larger diameter wears, its diameters happen to coincide. Therefore, in some cases, the denomination of the coin 1 cannot be accurately detected by detecting the diameter thereof. In this embodiment, the first discriminating means 53 determines the denomination of the coin 1 based on the magnetism of the coin 1, and outputs a denomination discrimination signal to the second denomination discrimination section 63. The first denomination discrimination section 61 of the second discrimination device 54 determines the denomination of the coin 1 on the basis of the diameter of the coin 1, and outputs a denomination discrimination signal to the second denomination discrimination section 63. When the denominations of the coins 1 determined by the first denomination discrimination sections 61 of the first discrimination device 53 and the second discrimination device 54 based on these denomination discrimination signals do not coincide, it is constituted to determine that the coins 1 are not acceptable. Therefore, when the first denomination discrimination section 61 of the second discrimination device 54 generates a denomination discrimination signal when it determines only one denomination from the diameter of the coin 1 and outputs it to the second denomination discrimination section 63, there is a possibility that the second denomination discrimination section 63 determines the coin 1 as an unacceptable although the coin 1 is an acceptable coin. Thus, in this embodiment, the first denomination discrimination section 61 of the second discrimination device 54 selects two denominations whose diameters are closest to the diameter of the second approach detection coin 1 and outputs a denomination discrimination signal to the second denomination discrimination section 63.

The second denomination discrimination section 63 determines the denomination of the coin 1 on the basis of the denomination discrimination signal input from the first discrimination device 53 and the denomination discrimination signal input from the first denomination discrimination section 61 of the second discrimination device 54. When the determination results of the first denomination discrimination sections 61 of the first discrimination device 53 and the second discrimination device 54 coincide, the second denomination discrimination section 63 outputs a denomination discrimination signal to the coin damage discrimination section 62, the binary data generation section 65, and the denomination determination section 66. When they do not agree, coin 1 is a counterfeit or foreign coin and is therefore determined to be unacceptable, and an unacceptable signal is output to display device 58.

The coin damage discriminating section 62 reads out the image pattern data of the lower surface of the coin 1 stored in the image pattern data memory 60 and calculates the chromaticity data and the luminance data of the coin 1 based on the R, G and B data in the image pattern data. Further, the coin damage discriminating section 62 accesses the second reference data memory 51, reads out the reference chromaticity data and the reference luminance data of the coin having the denomination discriminated by the second denomination discriminating section 63 based on the denomination discrimination signal inputted from the second denomination discriminating section 63, and compares the reference chromaticity data and the reference luminance data read out from the second reference data memory 51 with the calculated chromaticity data and luminance data of the coin 1, thereby discriminating whether or not the coin 1 is damaged to a higher degree than a predetermined degree. More specifically, when the coin 1 is damaged to be higher than a predetermined level, the color of the coin surface changes such that the difference between the chromaticity data of the coin 1 and the reference chromaticity data exceeds the predetermined level, and the coin surface becomes so dark that the difference between the luminance data of the coin 1 and the reference luminance data exceeds the predetermined level. Therefore, the coin damage discriminating section 62 can discriminate whether or not the coin 1 is damaged to a higher degree than a predetermined degree by comparing the calculated chromaticity data and the luminance data of the coin 1 with the reference chromaticity data and the luminance data. When the coin damage discriminating portion 62 determines that the coin 1 is damaged to a level higher than the predetermined level, it outputs a damage discriminating signal to the denomination and acceptability discriminating means 56. At the same time, the coin damage discriminating portion 62 outputs a damage discriminating signal to the display device 58 and makes it display that the coin 1 is damaged to a higher degree than a predetermined degree.

On the other hand, the center coordinate determination section 64 determines the center of the image pattern data mapped and stored in the orthogonal coordinate system, i.e., the x-y coordinate system, and stored in the image pattern data memory 60, and outputs the center coordinates to the binary data generation section 65. The binary data generating section 65 reads out the image pattern data of the lower surface of coin 1 mapped and stored in image pattern data memory 60 and binarizes them. The binary data generating section 65 groups the binarized image pattern data into binary image pattern data sets of denominations corresponding to the plurality of annular regions of the surface of the coin 1 based on the denomination discrimination signal inputted from the second denomination discrimination section 63 and the center coordinate signal inputted from the center coordinate determination section 64. The binary data generating section 65 further obtains the number of "0" data in each binary image pattern data group corresponding to each annular region, obtains the ratio of "0" data with respect to all data, generates ratio data of each binary image pattern data corresponding to each annular region of the surface of the coin 1, and outputs the ratio data to the denomination determining section 66.

When the denomination determination section 66 receives the denomination discrimination signal from the second denomination discrimination section 63, it first accesses the third reference data memory 52, reads out the reference ratio data of the reverse face of the coin of the corresponding denomination from the reference ratio data stored in the third reference data memory 52 in accordance with the denomination discrimination signal input from the second denomination discrimination section 63, and compares the reference ratio data with the ratio data input from the binary data generation section 65, thereby discriminating the denomination of the coin 1.

When discriminating the denomination of the coin 1, the denomination decision section 66 calculates the absolute value Di of the difference between the reference ratio data for each binary image pattern group corresponding to each annular region of the coin 1 and the detection ratio data input from the binary data generation section 65 (i 1 to n, n being the number of annular regions of the coin 1, predetermined for each denomination). The denomination determination section 66 then determines whether or not the absolute value Di of the difference between the reference ratio data and the detection ratio data at each binary image pattern group corresponding to each annular region of the coin 1 is less than a predetermined value D0. As a result, when the absolute value Di of the difference between the reference ratio data and the detection ratio data of the binary image pattern data sets corresponding to all the annular regions of the coin 1 is less than the predetermined value D0, the denomination decision section 66 further integrates the absolute value Di of the difference between the reference ratio data and the ratio data for the binary image pattern data sets corresponding to the annular regions of the coin 1, and determines whether or not the generated integral value I is less than a predetermined value I0. As a result, when the integrated value I is smaller than the predetermined value I0, the denomination determination portion 66 determines that the coin 1 is a coin of the denomination determined by the second denomination discrimination portion 63. Now, it should be noted that if the denomination of the coin 1 coincides with the denomination determined by the second denomination discrimination section 63, the absolute value Di and the integrated value I become 0 in theory. However, since the surface of the coin 1 may be worn or a detection error may exist, they may not be equal to zero even if the denominations are determined to be consistent. Therefore, in this embodiment, when Di is smaller than D0 and, at the same time, I is smaller than I0, it is determined that the coin 1 is a coin of the denomination determined by the second denomination discrimination portion 63.

In contrast, when at least one absolute value Di of the difference between the reference ratio data and the detection ratio data of the binary image pattern data sets corresponding to at least one annular region of the coin 1 is not less than the predetermined value D0, or when the absolute value Di of the difference between the reference ratio data of all the binary image pattern data sets corresponding to all the annular regions of the coin 1 is not less than the predetermined value D0, and at the same time the integrated value I is not less than the predetermined value I0, the denomination determination section 66 cannot determine that the denomination of the coin 1 is the same as the denomination determined by the second denomination discrimination section 63. However, the coin 1 may not always be fed such that the front face thereof faces upward, and there are cases where the front face of the coin 1 faces downward while the coin 1 travels in the coin passage 2. As a result, there is a possibility that the surface pattern of the front face of the coin 1 may be detected by the color sensor 24. Therefore, it is determined that the coin 1 is unacceptable when the detection ratio data of the coin 1 does not coincide with the reference ratio data of the reverse face of the coin of the denomination determined by the second denomination discrimination section 63, and the discrimination accuracy will be significantly reduced.

Thus, the denomination-determining section 66 further accesses the third reference-data memory 52, reads out the reference-ratio data of the obverse face of the coin of the denomination determined by the second denomination-discrimination section 63, and determines whether the absolute value Di of the difference between the reference-ratio data and the detection-ratio data for each binary-image-pattern group corresponding to each annular region of the coin 1 is smaller than the predetermined value D0, in exactly the same manner as described above. When the absolute value Di of the difference between the reference ratio data and the detection ratio data of all binary image pattern groups corresponding to all annular areas of the coin 1 is less than the predetermined value D0, the denomination determination section 66 integrates the absolute value Di of the difference between the reference ratio data of all binary image pattern groups corresponding to each/annular area of the coin 1, and determines whether the generated integrated value I is less than a predetermined value I0. As a result, when the integrated value I is smaller than the predetermined value I0, the denomination determination portion 66 determines that the coin 1 is a coin of the denomination determined by the second denomination discrimination portion 63.

On the other hand, when at least one of the absolute values Di of the differences between the reference ratio data and the detection ratio data of the binary image pattern groups corresponding to each annular region of the obverse face of the coin 1 is not less than the predetermined value D0, or when the absolute values Di of the differences between the reference ratio data and the detection ratio data of the binary image pattern groups corresponding to all annular regions of the obverse face of the coin 1 are not less than the predetermined value D0, and at the same time the integrated value I is not less than the predetermined value I0, this means that the surface patterns of the obverse and reverse faces of the coin 1 are different from the surface pattern of the coin of the denomination determined by the second denomination discrimination section 63 as a result of comparing the reference ratio data of the coin of the denomination whose magnetism and diameter are closest to the detection ratio data. Therefore, since the coin 1 is a counterfeit coin or a foreign coin and it is determined that it is unacceptable, the denomination determination section 66 outputs an unacceptable signal to a display device (not shown) and causes it to display that the coin 1 is unacceptable.

On the other hand, when the denomination determination portion 66 determines that the coin 1 is acceptable, it outputs a denomination determination signal to the denomination and acceptability determination means 56.

After the pattern data of the lower surface of the coin 1 has been detected by the first pattern data detecting unit 4, the coin is further fed downstream in the coin passage 2 by the conveyor belt 6, and the lower surface thereof is supported by the conveyor belt 7 arranged to protrude above the coin passage member 3 from the opening 7a formed in the coin passage member 3. As a result, the coin 1 is fed while it is held between the conveyor belts 6 and 7. The coin 1 is then pressed by the conveyor belt 7 onto the lower surface of the coin passage forming member 8 and carried to the second transparent passage portion 10.

When the coin 1 is fed to the second transparent path section 10 and the light emitted from the light emitting element 35 of each timing sensor 37 is blocked by the coin 1 and the light receiving element 36 does not receive the light emitted from the light emitting element 35, timing signals are output from the timing sensors 37, 37 to the light emission control means 40 and the image reading control means 41.

When the light emission control means 40 receives the timing signals from the timing sensors 37, it outputs a light emission signal to the second light emitting means 31 based on the denomination discrimination signal from the first discrimination means 53, and causes the light emitting element 30 to emit a light amount corresponding to the denomination of the coin 1 discriminated by the first discrimination means 53 toward the upper surface of the coin 1 located on the second transparent passage portion 10.

When the image reading control means 41 receives the timing signals from the timing sensors 37, it causes the color sensor 34 of the second image data generating means 32 to start detecting the light emitted from the light emitting element 30 and reflected on the upper surface of the coin 1.

The amount of light emitted from the light emitting element 30 is controlled by the light emission control device 40 in exactly the same manner as above with respect to the light emitting element 20 of the first light emitting device 21, according to the denomination discrimination signal input from the first discrimination device 53.

Since the second light emitting element 31 is arranged to be able to irradiate the coin 1 traveling on the second transparent passage section 10 at a shallow angle, light is reflected according to the pattern of projections and depressions of the upper surface of the coin 1. The light reflected from the surface of the coin 1 is directed by the lens system 33 to the color sensor 34 and is detected photoelectrically by the color sensor 34, whereby image pattern data of the surface of the coin 1 is generated by the color sensor 34. The image pattern data of the surface of coin 1 produced by colour sensor 34 is digitised by a/D converter 38. The digitized image pattern data is mapped and stored in an orthogonal coordinate system, i.e., in an x-y coordinate system in the image pattern data memory 70.

When the image pattern data of the upper surface of the coin 1 is stored in the image pattern data memory 70, the first denomination discrimination section 71 of the third discrimination means 55 accesses the second reference data memory 51. It reads out the data relating to the diameter of the coin 1 stored in the second reference data memory 51 and also the image pattern data stored in the image pattern data memory 70. By comparing these data, the first denomination discrimination section 71 of the third discrimination device 55 determines the denomination of the coin 1 and outputs a denomination discrimination signal to the second denomination discrimination section 73. In this embodiment, the first denomination discrimination device 71 of the third discrimination device 55 selects two denominations whose diameters are closest to the diameter of the detected coin 1 and the second proximity detection coin 1, in accordance with the detection diameter of the coin 1, and outputs a denomination discrimination signal to the second denomination discrimination section 73.

The second denomination discrimination section 73 determines the denomination of the coin 1 based on the denomination discrimination signal input from the first discrimination device 53 and the denomination discrimination signal input from the first denomination discrimination section 71 of the third discrimination device 55. When the determination results of the first denomination discrimination section 71 of the first discrimination device 53 and the third discrimination device 55 coincide, the second denomination discrimination section 73 outputs a denomination discrimination signal to the coin damage discrimination section 72, the binary data generation section 75, and the denomination determination section 76. When they do not agree, coin 1 is a counterfeit or foreign coin and is therefore determined to be unacceptable, and an unacceptable signal is output to display device 58.

The coin damage discriminating section 72 reads out the image pattern data of the upper surface of the coin 1 stored in the image pattern data memory 70 and calculates the chromaticity data and luminance data of the coin 1 based on the R, G and B data in the image pattern data. Further, the coin damage discriminating section 72 accesses the second reference data memory 51, reads out the reference chromaticity data and the reference luminance data of the coin having the denomination discriminated by the second denomination discriminating section 73 based on the denomination discrimination signal inputted from the second denomination discriminating section 73, and compares the reference chromaticity data and the reference luminance data read out from the second reference data memory 51 with the calculated chromaticity data and luminance data of the coin 1, thereby discriminating whether or not the coin 1 is damaged to a higher degree than a predetermined degree. When the coin damage discriminating portion 72 determines that the coin 1 is damaged to a level higher than the predetermined level, it outputs a damage discriminating signal to the denomination and acceptability discriminating means 56. At the same time, the coin damage discriminating portion 72 outputs a damage discriminating signal to the display device 58 and makes it display that the coin 1 is damaged to a higher degree than a predetermined degree.

On the other hand, the center coordinate determining section 74 determines the center of the image pattern data mapped and stored in the orthogonal coordinate system, i.e., the x-y coordinate system, and stored in the image pattern data memory 70, and outputs the center coordinates to the binary data generating section 75. The binary data generating section 75 reads out the image pattern data of the upper surface of the coin 1 mapped and stored in the image pattern data memory 70 and binarizes them. The binary data generating section 75 groups the binarized image pattern data into binary image pattern data sets of denominations corresponding to the plurality of annular regions of the surface of the coin 1 based on the denomination discrimination signal inputted from the second denomination discrimination section 73 and the center coordinate signal inputted from the center coordinate determination section 74. The binary data generating section 75 further obtains the number of "0" data in each binary image pattern data group corresponding to each annular region, obtains the ratio of "0" data with respect to all data, generates ratio data of each binary image pattern data corresponding to each annular region of the surface of the coin 1, and outputs the ratio data to the denomination determining section 76.

When the denomination determination portion 76 receives the denomination discrimination signal from the second denomination discrimination portion 73, it accesses the third reference data memory 52, reads out the reference ratio data of the obverse and reverse sides of the coin of the corresponding denomination from the reference ratio data stored in the third reference data memory 52 in accordance with the denomination discrimination signal input from the second denomination discrimination portion 73, and compares the reference ratio data with the ratio data input from the binary data generation portion 75, thereby discriminating the denomination of the coin 1 in exactly the same manner as described above with respect to the denomination determination portion 66 of the second discrimination device 54.

As a result, when the denomination determination portion 76 determines that the coin 1 is a counterfeit coin or a foreign coin and it is unacceptable, it outputs an unacceptable signal to the display device 58 and causes it to display that the coin 1 is unacceptable. On the other hand, when the denomination determination portion 76 determines that the coin 1 is acceptable, it outputs a denomination determination signal to the denomination and acceptability determination means 56.

The denomination and receptivity determining means 56 performs discrimination of the coin 1 based on the denomination discrimination signal input from the first discriminating means 53 and on the magnetism of the coin 1, the denomination discrimination signal input from the denomination determining section 66 of the second discriminating means 54 and on the diameter data and image pattern data of the coin 1, the presence of the damage discrimination signal input from the coin damage discriminating section 62 and on the chromaticity data and luminance data of the coin 1, the denomination discrimination signal input from the denomination discriminating section 76 of the third discriminating means 55 and on the presence of the damage discrimination signal input from the diameter data and image pattern data of the coin 1 and from the coin damage discriminating section 72 and on the chromaticity data and luminance data of the coin 1. The denomination and receptivity determining means 56 discriminates that the coin 1 is acceptable when it finds that the denominations determined by the first discriminating means 53, the second discriminating means 54 and the third discriminating means 55 coincide with each other. On the other hand, when they do not coincide with each other, the denomination and acceptability determining means 56 discriminates that the coin 1 is a counterfeit coin or a foreign coin and is unacceptable, and outputs an unacceptable signal to the display means 58 so that it displays that the coin 1 is unacceptable. More specifically, for example, when the second discriminating device 54 discriminates that the pattern data of the lower surface of the coin 1 coincides with the reference pattern of the obverse surface of the coin of a certain denomination and the third discriminating device 55 discriminates that the pattern data of the upper surface of the coin 1 coincides with the reference pattern of the reverse surface of the coin of that denomination, or in the case where the european coin is to be discriminated, when one of the second discriminating device 54 and the third discriminating device 55 discriminates that a common pattern is formed on one side surface of the coin 1 and the other of the second discriminating device 54 and the third discriminating device 55 discriminates that a pattern unique to the issuing country is formed on the other side surface of the coin 1, the denomination and acceptability determining device 56 determines that the coin 1 is acceptable only when the denomination of the coin 1 determined by the second discriminating device 54 and the third discriminating device 55 coincides with the denomination of the coin 1 determined by the first discriminating device 53, and determines that the coin 1 is a coin of the denomination determined by the first discriminating means 53, the second discriminating means 54 and the third discriminating means 55. Otherwise, the denomination and acceptability determination means 56 determines that coin 1 is an unacceptable coin.

In this way, coins that are identified as unacceptable are sorted from coins that are identified as acceptable and collected separately. Also, even if it is acceptable to discriminate the coin, when at least one surface thereof is discriminated to be damaged more than a predetermined degree, the coin is separately collected from the coin discriminated to be acceptable.

In the above-described embodiment, in the area of the first pattern data detecting unit 4, the coin 1 is carried while being pressed by the conveyor belt 6 against the upper surface of the first transparent passage portion 9 formed in the coin passage member 3, and is irradiated with light emitted from the light emitting element 20 disposed below the coin passage member 3 via the first transparent portion 9, and the light reflected from the lower surface of the coin 1 is detected photoelectrically by the color sensor 24, thereby generating pattern data of the lower surface of the coin 1. Further, the coin 1 is carried while its lower surface is supported by the conveyor belt 7 arranged to extend from the opening 7a formed in the coin passage member 3 to above the coin passage member 3 so as to be pressed against the lower surface of the coin passage forming member 8 provided above the conveyor belt 7, and is irradiated with light emitted from the light emitting element 30 arranged above the coin passage forming member 8 via the second transparent portion 10 formed in the coin passage member 8, and the light reflected from the upper surface of the coin 1 is detected photoelectrically by the color sensor 34, thereby generating pattern data of the upper surface of the coin 1. Therefore, according to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to detect the optical patterns of both surfaces of the coin 1 in a desired manner while the coin 1 is being transported, and to discriminate whether the coin 1 is acceptable, the denomination of the coin 1, and the degree of damage of the coin 1, based on the pattern data of both surfaces of the coin 1 thus obtained.

Further, according to the above-described embodiment, the patterns of both surfaces of the coin 1 are detected so as to discriminate whether the coin 1 is acceptable. Therefore, it is possible to sort coins such as european coins, which have a common pattern formed on one surface thereof and different patterns formed on the other surface thereof according to the issuing country, into coins of each issuing country, as necessary. Further, since the patterns of both surfaces of the coin 1 are detected so as to discriminate whether the coin 1 is damaged to a higher degree than a predetermined degree, it is possible to reliably discriminate a coin whose one of the surfaces is damaged to a higher degree than the predetermined degree as a damaged coin and collect it.

Further, according to the above-described embodiment, the first discriminating device 53 discriminates the denomination of the coin 1 on the basis of the magnetism of the coin 1 detected by the magnetic sensors 12, the first denomination discriminating portion 61 of the second discriminating device 54 discriminates the denomination of the coin 1 on the basis of the diameter of the coin 1, and the second denomination discriminating portion 63 of the second discriminating device 54 are constituted so as to temporarily determine the denomination of the coin 1 on the basis of the discrimination results made by the first discriminating device 53 and the first denomination discriminating portion 61 of the second discriminating device 54. The denomination determining portion 6 of the second discriminating device 54 discriminates the denomination of the coin 1 by comparing the pattern data of the coin 1 only with the reference data of the coin of the denomination determined by the first denomination discriminating portion 61 of the second discriminating device 54, and the third discriminating device 55 discriminates the denomination of the coin 1 in the same manner as in the second discriminating device 54. Finally, it is discriminated whether the coin 1 is acceptable or not and the denomination of the coin 1 based on the discrimination results made by the first discriminating means 53, the second discriminating means 54, and the third discriminating means 55. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the time required for coin discrimination and to discriminate with high accuracy whether the coin 1 is acceptable and the denomination of the coin 1, compared with the case where coin discrimination is performed by comparing the pattern data of the coin 1 with the reference data of coins of all denominations.

Moreover, according to the above-described embodiment, when the light reflectivity of the material constituting the coin 1 is low, the control is performed such that the amount of light emitted from the light emitting elements 20, 30 irradiating the coin 1 is increased, and when the light reflectivity of the material constituting the coin 1 is high, the control is performed such that the amount of light emitted from the light emitting elements 20, 30 irradiating the coin 1 is decreased. As a result, regardless of the material, i.e., regardless of whether the coin 1 is made of a material having high or low light reflectivity, it is always possible to generate binary data in accordance with the surface pattern of the coin 1, and accurately determine the denomination of the coin 1 and whether the coin 1 is acceptable. Further, it is determined whether the denomination of coin 1 and coin 1 are acceptable by comparing data obtained by calculating the "0" data ratio in each pattern data set corresponding to each annular region of coin 1 with reference ratio data obtained in advance. Therefore, even in the case where coin 1 is rotated with respect to the reference position, it is possible to determine the denomination of coin 1 and whether coin 1 is acceptable or not in a shorter time in order not to rotate the generated pattern data of coin 1 as compared with the reference pattern data.

As shown in fig. 6, in the coin discriminating apparatus according to this embodiment, the coin tunnel member 3 is cut at an area extending from the second pattern data detecting unit 5 to a downstream portion thereof, and a conveyor belt 7 is provided here so as to be disposed above the upper surface of the coin tunnel member 3. Thus, the coin 1 which has been carried by the conveyor belt 6 while its lower surface has been supported by the upper surface of the coin passage member 3 is fed to the second pattern data detecting unit 5 while its lower surface is supported by the conveyor belt 7.

When the pattern data of the upper surface of the coin 1 is detected by the second pattern data detecting unit 5, the coin 1 is further fed downstream in the coin passage 2 while being pressed against the upper surface of the coin passage member 3 by a conveyor belt 39.

In this embodiment, in the area of the first pattern data detecting unit 4, the coin 1 is carried while being pressed by the conveyor belt 6 against the upper surface of the first transparent passage portion 9 formed in the coin passage member 3, and is irradiated with light emitted from the light emitting element 20 disposed below the coin passage member 3 via the first transparent portion 9, and the light reflected from the lower surface of the coin 1 is detected photoelectrically by the color sensor 24, thereby generating pattern data of the lower surface of the coin 1. Further, the coin 1 is sent from the coin tunnel member 3 onto the conveyor belt 7 and carried while its lower surface is supported by the conveyor belt 7 so as to be pressed against the lower surface of the coin tunnel forming member 8 provided above the conveyor belt 7, and is irradiated with light emitted from the light emitting element 30 disposed above the coin tunnel forming member 8 via the second transparent portion 10 formed in the coin tunnel member 8, and the light reflected from the upper surface of the coin 1 is detected photoelectrically by the color sensor 34, thereby generating pattern data of the upper surface of the coin 1. Therefore, according to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to detect the optical patterns of both surfaces of the coin 1 in a desired manner while the coin 1 is being transported, and to discriminate whether the coin 1 is acceptable, the denomination of the coin 1, and the degree of damage of the coin 1, based on the pattern data of both surfaces of the coin 1 thus obtained.

The invention has been thus shown and described with reference to particular embodiments thereof. It should be noted, however, that the invention is in no way limited to the details of the depicted arrangement, but that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the denomination of coin 1 and whether coin 1 is acceptable or not are discriminated by comparing ratio data obtained by photoelectrically detecting the patterns of both surfaces of coin 1 and calculating the ratio of "0" data in each pattern data set corresponding to each open area with reference ratio data determined in advance. However, instead, it is possible to discriminate whether the coin 1 is acceptable and the denomination of the coin 1 by mapping the image and the pattern data of each surface of the coin 1 stored in the x-y coordinate system to the r-theta coordinate system, thereby generating r-theta coordinate pattern data of each surface of the coin 1, and to achieve a match between them and the reference pattern data mapped to the r-theta coordinate system and stored in the memory for each denomination of coin, as taught in U.S. patent No.5,538,123.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, whether the coin 1 is acceptable or not, the denomination of the coin 1, and the degree of damage of both surfaces of the coin 1 are discriminated by the first pattern data detecting unit 4 and the second pattern data detecting unit 5. However, as disclosed in japanese patent application No.11-118277, it is possible to discriminate only the denomination of the coin 1 and whether or not the coin 1 is acceptable using a single color type CCD instead of the color sensor 24 of the first pattern data detecting unit 4 and a single color type CCD instead of the color sensor 34 of the second pattern data detecting unit 5, and to discriminate the degree of damage of the coin 1 by providing a first coin damage degree discriminating unit for discriminating the degree of damage of the upper surface of the coin 1 and a second coin damage degree discriminating unit for discriminating the degree of damage of the lower surface of the coin 1 in the coin passage 2 downstream of the second pattern data detecting unit 5. In this case, it is possible to constitute the area of the first coin damage degree discriminating unit similar to the area of the first pattern data detecting unit 4 so as to form a third transparent passage portion in the coin passage member 3 constituting the lower surface of the coin passage 2 to carry the coin 1 while being pressed against the upper surface of the coin passage member 3 by a belt provided above the coin passage member 3, and to provide a white light source for irradiating white light onto the lower surface of the coin 1 via the third transparent passage portion and a single-element type color sensor for detecting light emitted from the white light source and reflected from the lower surface of the coin 1 below the third transparent passage portion; and a region constituting a second coin damage degree discriminating unit for supporting a lower surface of the coin 1 by a belt provided to protrude upward from an opening formed in the coin passage member 3, or a belt provided in a portion where the coin passage member 3 is cut and disposed above an upper surface of the coin passage member 3, forming a fourth transparent passage portion in the coin passage forming member 8 provided above the belt, pressing the coin 1 against the lower surface of the coin passage forming member 8, thereby carrying it, and providing a white light source for irradiating white light onto the upper surface of the coin 1 through the fourth transparent passage portion, and a single-element type color sensor for detecting light emitted from the white light source and reflected from the upper surface of the coin 1, above the fourth transparent passage portion, thereby generating color quality data and luminance data by color data on each surface of the coin 1 and associating them with a reference of the coin of each denomination The chromaticity data is compared with the reference luminance data to discriminate the degree of damage of each surface of the coin 1.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, whether the coin 1 is acceptable or not, the denomination of the coin 1, and the degree of damage of both surfaces of the coin 1 are discriminated by the first pattern data detecting unit 4 and the second pattern data detecting unit 5. However, as disclosed in japanese patent application No.11-118277, it is possible to use one monochrome type CCD instead of the color sensor 24 of the first pattern data detecting unit 4 and one monochrome type CCD instead of the color sensor 34 of the second pattern data detecting unit 5 to discriminate only whether the coin 1 is acceptable and the denomination of the coin 1, and to provide in the coin passage 2 downstream of the second pattern data detecting unit 5: a first coin damage level discriminating unit for discriminating a damage level of the lower surface of the coin 1, the first coin damage level discriminating unit including a photosensor, a first LED light source for emitting light corresponding to the R component, a second LED light source for emitting light corresponding to the G component, and a third LED light source for emitting light corresponding to the B component, the first LED light source, the second LED light source, and the third LED light source being arranged around the photosensor and spaced 120 degrees apart from each other; and a second coin damage level discriminating unit for discriminating a damage level of the upper surface of the coin 1, the second coin damage level discriminating unit including a photosensor, a first LED light source for emitting light corresponding to the R component, a second LED light source for emitting light corresponding to the G component, and a third LED light source for emitting light corresponding to the B component, the first LED light source, the second LED light source, and the third LED light source being arranged around the photosensor and spaced 120 degrees apart from each other. In this case, it is possible to constitute the area of the first coin damage discriminating unit similar to the area of the first pattern data detecting unit 4 so as to form a third transparent passage portion in the coin passage member 3 constituting the lower surface of the coin passage 2 to carry the coin 1 while being pressed against the upper surface of the coin passage member 3 by a belt provided above the coin passage member 3; and an area constituting the second coin damage level discriminating unit so as to support the lower surface of the coin 1 by a belt provided to project upward from an opening formed in the coin passage member 3, or a belt provided in a portion in which the coin passage member 3 is cut and arranged above the upper surface of the coin passage member 3, form a fourth transparent passage portion in the coin passage forming member 8 provided above the belt, press the coin 1 against the lower surface of the coin passage forming member 8, thereby carrying it, and detect the light reflected from each surface of the coin 1 by the light sensing device based on the first LED light source, the second LED light source and the third LED light source in the area of the first coin damage level discriminating unit and the first LED light source, the second LED light source and the third LED light source in the area of the second coin damage level discriminating unit by being actuated in a time-sharing manner, respectively, r data, G data, and B data of each surface of the generated coin 1, and color quality data and brightness data are generated; and compares them with the reference chromaticity data and the reference luminance data of the coin of each denomination, the degree of damage of each surface of the coin 1 can be discriminated.

Moreover, in the above-described embodiment, although the first pattern data detecting unit 4 is provided upstream of the second pattern data detecting unit 5 with respect to the transporting direction of the coin 1, it is not absolutely necessary to provide the first pattern data detecting unit 4 upstream of the second pattern data detecting unit 5, and the first pattern data detecting unit 4 may be provided downstream of the second pattern data detecting unit 5. Similarly, in the case where the first coin damage degree discrimination unit and the second coin damage degree discrimination unit are provided in the coin passage 2 downstream of the first pattern data detection unit 4 and the second pattern data detection unit 5, the first coin damage degree discrimination unit may be provided upstream of the second coin damage degree discrimination unit, or the second coin damage degree discrimination unit may be provided downstream of the first coin damage degree discrimination unit. That is, it is possible to arbitrarily determine the positional relationship between the first pattern data detecting unit 4 and the second pattern data detecting unit 5 and the positional relationship between the first coin damage degree discriminating unit and the second coin damage degree discriminating unit.

Furthermore, in this description and in the appended claims, means are not necessarily physical means or arrangements, whereby the function of each means is performed by means of software falling within the scope of the invention. In addition, the functions of a single device may be performed by two or more physical devices, and the functions of two or more devices may be performed by a single physical device.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a coin discriminating apparatus capable of discriminating with high accuracy whether a coin is acceptable and the denomination of the coin even when the coin has a common pattern on one side surface thereof and a different pattern on the other side surface thereof like a european coin.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a coin discriminating apparatus capable of discriminating with high accuracy whether or not a coin is damaged to a level higher than a predetermined level.

Claims

1. A coin discrimination apparatus comprising: a coin passage member for supporting a lower surface of the coin; a first conveyor belt disposed above the coin passage member and adapted to form a coin passage between the coin passage member and itself and to hold coins between the coin passage member and itself, thereby transporting it; a first light source for emitting light to a lower surface of the coin transported on the coin passage member through a first transparent passage portion formed in the coin passage member; first light receiving means for photoelectrically detecting light emitted from the first light source through the first transparent portion and reflected from the lower surface of the coin and generating image pattern data of the lower surface of the coin; a second conveyor belt for supporting the lower surface of the coins; a coin passage forming member disposed above the second conveyor belt for forming a coin passage between the lower surface thereof and the second conveyor belt and holding the coin between the lower surface thereof and the second conveyor belt, thereby conveying it; a second light source for emitting light to an upper surface of the coin supported and carried by the second conveyor belt through a second transparent passage portion formed in the coin passage forming member; second light receiving means for photoelectrically detecting light emitted from the second light source through the second transparent portion and reflected from the upper surface of the coin and generating image pattern data of the upper surface of the coin; first pattern data storage means for storing image pattern data of the lower surface of the coin generated by the first light receiving means; second pattern data storage means for storing image pattern data of the upper surface of the coin generated by the second light receiving means; reference pattern data storage means for storing reference pattern data of coins of each denomination; discriminating means for comparing the image pattern data of the lower surface of the coin stored in the first pattern data storage means with the reference pattern data of the coin of each denomination stored in the reference pattern data storage means, and comparing the image pattern data of the upper surface of the coin stored in the second pattern data storage means with the reference pattern data of the coin of each denomination stored in the reference pattern data storage means, thereby discriminating whether or not the coin is acceptable and the denomination of the coin.

2. A coin discriminating apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the second conveyor belt is provided to project upwardly from an opening formed in the coin tunnel member.

3. A coin discriminating apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the coin passage member is cut in the region of the second conveyor belt.

4. A coin discriminating apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the first light source is disposed upstream of the second light source with respect to a coin transport direction.

5. A coin discriminating apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the first light source is disposed downstream of the second light source with respect to a coin transport direction.

6. The coin discriminating apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first light receiving device and the second light receiving device are constituted as sensors of a monochrome type, and the coin discriminating apparatus further comprises: a third conveyor belt for holding the coins between the coin passage member and itself, thereby carrying it; a third light source for emitting light to a lower surface of the coin carried on the coin passage member by the third belt through a third transparent passage portion formed in the coin passage member; third light receiving means for photoelectrically detecting light emitted from the third light source through the third transparent passage portion and reflected from the lower surface of the coin and generating color data of the lower surface of the coin; a fourth conveyor belt for supporting the lower surface of the coins; another coin passage forming member, disposed above the fourth conveyor belt, for forming a coin passage between the lower surface thereof and the fourth conveyor belt and holding the coin between the lower surface thereof and the fourth conveyor belt, thereby carrying it; a fourth light source for emitting light to the upper surface of the coin supported and conveyed by the fourth conveyor belt through a fourth transparent passage portion; fourth light receiving means for photoelectrically detecting light emitted from the fourth light source through the fourth transparent passage portion and reflected from the upper surface of the coin and generating color data of the upper surface of the coin; first color data storage means for storing color data of the lower surface of the coin generated by the third light receiving means; second color data storage means for storing color data of the upper surface of the coin generated by the fourth light receiving means; and a reference color data storage means for storing color data of coins of each denomination, the discriminating means being configured to compare color data of a lower surface of a coin stored in the first color data storage means with reference color data of a coin of each denomination stored in the reference color data storage means, and to compare color data of an upper surface of a coin stored in the second color data storage means with reference color data of a coin of each denomination stored in the reference color data storage means, thereby discriminating a degree of damage of the coin.

7. The coin discriminating apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein the first light receiving device and the second light receiving device are constituted as sensors of a monochrome type, and the coin discriminating apparatus further comprises: a third conveyor belt for holding the coins between the coin passage member and itself, thereby carrying it; a third light source for emitting light to a lower surface of the coin carried on the coin passage member by the third belt through a third transparent passage portion formed in the coin passage member; third light receiving means for photoelectrically detecting light emitted from the third light source through the third transparent passage portion and reflected from the lower surface of the coin and generating color data of the lower surface of the coin; a fourth conveyor belt for supporting the lower surface of the coins; another coin passage forming member, disposed above the fourth conveyor belt, for forming a coin passage between the lower surface thereof and the fourth conveyor belt and holding the coin between the lower surface thereof and the fourth conveyor belt, thereby carrying it; a fourth light source for emitting light to the upper surface of the coin supported and conveyed by the fourth conveyor belt through a fourth transparent passage portion; fourth light receiving means for photoelectrically detecting light emitted from the fourth light source through the fourth transparent passage portion and reflected from the upper surface of the coin and generating color data of the upper surface of the coin; first color data storage means for storing color data of the lower surface of the coin generated by the third light receiving means; second color data storage means for storing color data of the upper surface of the coin generated by the fourth light receiving means; and a reference color data storage means for storing color data of coins of each denomination, the discriminating means being configured to compare color data of a lower surface of a coin stored in the first color data storage means with reference color data of a coin of each denomination stored in the reference color data storage means, and to compare color data of an upper surface of a coin stored in the second color data storage means with reference color data of a coin of each denomination stored in the reference color data storage means, thereby discriminating a degree of damage of the coin.

8. A coin discriminating apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein the first light receiving device and the second light receiving device are constituted as sensors of a monochrome type, and the coin discriminating apparatus further comprises: a third conveyor belt for holding the coins between the coin passage member and itself, thereby carrying it; a third light source for emitting light to a lower surface of the coin carried on the coin passage member by the third belt through a third transparent passage portion formed in the coin passage member; third light receiving means for photoelectrically detecting light emitted from the third light source through the third transparent passage portion and reflected from the lower surface of the coin and generating color data of the lower surface of the coin; a fourth conveyor belt for supporting the lower surface of the coins; another coin passage forming member, disposed above the fourth conveyor belt, for forming a coin passage between the lower surface thereof and the fourth conveyor belt and holding the coin between the lower surface thereof and the fourth conveyor belt, thereby carrying it; a fourth light source for emitting light to the upper surface of the coin supported and conveyed by the fourth conveyor belt through a fourth transparent passage portion; fourth light receiving means for photoelectrically detecting light emitted from the fourth light source through the fourth transparent passage portion and reflected from the upper surface of the coin and generating color data of the upper surface of the coin; first color data storage means for storing color data of the lower surface of the coin generated by the third light receiving means; second color data storage means for storing color data of the upper surface of the coin generated by the fourth light receiving means; and a reference color data storage means for storing color data of coins of each denomination, the discriminating means being configured to compare color data of a lower surface of a coin stored in the first color data storage means with reference color data of a coin of each denomination stored in the reference color data storage means, and to compare color data of an upper surface of a coin stored in the second color data storage means with reference color data of a coin of each denomination stored in the reference color data storage means, thereby discriminating a degree of damage of the coin.

9. A coin discriminating apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the fourth conveyor belt is provided to project upwardly from an opening formed in the coin tunnel member.

10. A coin discriminating apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein the fourth conveyor belt is provided to project upwardly from an opening formed in the coin tunnel member.

11. A coin discriminating apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the fourth conveyor belt is provided to project upwardly from an opening formed in the coin tunnel member.

12. A coin discriminating apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the coin passage member is cut in the region of the fourth conveyor belt.

13. A coin discriminating apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the coin passage member is cut in the region of the fourth conveyor belt.

14. A coin discriminating apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the coin passage member is cut in the region of the fourth conveyor belt.

15. A coin discriminating apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the third light source is arranged upstream of the fourth light source with respect to the coin conveying direction.

16. A coin discriminating apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the third light source is arranged upstream of the fourth light source with respect to the coin conveying direction.

17. A coin discriminating apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the third light source is disposed upstream of the fourth light source with respect to the coin conveying direction.

18. A coin discriminating apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the third light source is arranged downstream of the fourth light source with respect to the coin conveying direction.

19. A coin discriminating apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the third light source is arranged downstream of the fourth light source with respect to the coin conveying direction.

20. A coin discriminating apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the third light source is arranged downstream of the fourth light source with respect to the coin conveying direction.