JP3566055B2

JP3566055B2 - Coin processing machine

Info

Publication number: JP3566055B2
Application number: JP34556397A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 裕之柴尾
Original assignee: Laurel Bank Machine Co Ltd
Current assignee: Laurel Bank Machine Co Ltd
Priority date: 1997-12-15
Filing date: 1997-12-15
Publication date: 2004-09-15
Anticipated expiration: 2017-12-15
Also published as: JPH11175794A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、入金された硬貨を真偽判別し、偽と判別された硬貨を排除する一方、真と判別された硬貨を受け入れて金種別収納あるいは包装等の所定の処理を行う硬貨処理機に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
入金された硬貨を真偽判別し、偽と判別された硬貨を排除する一方、真と判別された硬貨を受け入れる硬貨処理機において、真偽判別ができなかった判別不能硬貨を再度判別させるものが、特開平７−１７５９５３号公報に開示されている。
この硬貨処理機は、硬貨を一枚ずつ繰り出す回転円盤と、この回転円盤により繰り出された硬貨を案内する硬貨通路と、この硬貨通路上で硬貨を搬送させる搬送手段と、硬貨通路上の硬貨を判別する判別手段とを有している。
この硬貨処理機においては、硬貨通路が一本の直線状をなしており、この直線状の硬貨通路に判別手段として硬貨の材質を検出する材質検出センサと硬貨の直径を検出するラインセンサとが設けられている。そして、これら材質検出センサおよびラインセンサの検出結果を総合して真偽を判別し、真と判別された硬貨を受け入れて必要に応じて金種別に選別する一方、偽と判別された硬貨は、硬貨通路における判別手段の直後に設けられたリジェクト孔より落下させ、このリジェクト孔の下部に配置されたリジェクトボックスに回収させて排除させるようになっている。
【０００３】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
ところで、近年、真硬貨と同直径の他国の硬貨が用いられることが多発しており、このため、硬貨直径の検出では不十分で、硬貨の画像を検出して真偽判別の精度を高めるようにとの要望が高まっている。
しかしながら、硬貨の画像検出を行うためには、少なくとも、一枚の硬貨全体を検出できる光学的な検出領域を硬貨通路に設けなければならない。また、画像選別のための識別時間を確保するために、画像検出部から、偽硬貨を排除するためのストッパあるいはリジェクト孔までの距離を確保する必要がある。これらの理由から硬貨通路の長さが長くなってしまい、その結果、硬貨処理機が大型化してしまうという問題があった。
したがって、本発明は、硬貨の判別精度の向上に対応しても、全体の小型化を図ることができる硬貨処理機を提供することである。
【０００４】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記目的を達成するため、本発明の請求項１記載の硬貨処理機は、硬貨を一枚ずつ繰り出す回転円盤と、該回転円盤により繰り出された硬貨を案内する硬貨通路と、該硬貨通路上で硬貨を搬送させる搬送手段と、前記硬貨通路上の硬貨を判別する判別手段とを有し、該判別手段の判別結果に基づいて硬貨の受け入れおよび排除を行うものであって、屈曲部を介して直列に接続される２以上の直線部により前記硬貨通路を構成し、前記判別手段を前記硬貨通路の２以上の直線部にまたがって配置するとともに、前記判別手段として、硬貨搬送方向における上流側の直線部に硬貨の材質を検出する材質検出センサが配置され、下流側の直線部に硬貨の画像を検出する画像検出手段が配置されていることを特徴としている。
これにより、回転円盤から硬貨が硬貨通路の上流側の直線部で搬送された後、屈曲部を介して下流側の直線部で搬送される。そして、これら直線部で搬送されている間に、これら直線部にまたがって配置された判別手段で判別が行われる。
このように、屈曲部を介して直列に接続される２以上の直線部により硬貨通路を構成し、これら直線部にまたがって判別手段を配置しているため、硬貨の判別精度の向上に伴って硬貨通路が長くなっても、硬貨処理機を小型化できる。
上流側の直線部に設けられた材質検出センサで硬貨の材質を検出することで硬貨の金種を予め予測し、下流側の直線部に設けられた画像検出手段でこの予測された金種の基準データと画像検出データとを比較して判別を行うことができる。
本発明の請求項２記載の硬貨処理機は、請求項１記載のものに関し、前記下流側の直線部の前部に前記画像検出手段が配置され、前記下流側の直線部の後部に偽硬貨と判別された硬貨を排除するリジェクト孔が形成されていて、該リジェクト孔の硬貨搬送方向における上流側に、前記リジェクト孔への硬貨の落下および落下回避を行うとともに硬貨の通過を阻止するストッパ部材が設けられていることを特徴としている。
【０００５】
本発明の請求項３記載の硬貨処理機は、請求項１または２記載のものに関し、前記硬貨通路は、前記判別手段が設けられた前記２以上の直線部の後段にさらに屈曲部を介して直線部を有しており、この直線部に前記判別手段により真と判別された硬貨を金種別に選別する金種別選別手段が設けられていることを特徴としている。
これにより、回転円盤から硬貨が硬貨通路の上流側の直線部で搬送された後、屈曲部を介して下流側の直線部で搬送される。そして、これら直線部で搬送されている間に、これら直線部にまたがって配置された判別手段で判別が行われる。そして、判別手段で真と判別された硬貨がさらに下流側の屈曲部を介して接続された直線部の金種別選別手段で金種別に選別される。
このように、判別手段が設けられた直線部にさらに屈曲部を介して直線部を接続させて金種別選別手段を設けているため、金種別選別をさらに行うとしても、硬貨処理機を小型化できる。
【０００６】
本発明の請求項４記載の硬貨処理機は、硬貨を一枚ずつ繰り出す回転円盤と、該回転円盤により繰り出された硬貨を案内する硬貨通路と、該硬貨通路上で硬貨を搬送させる搬送手段と、前記硬貨通路上の硬貨を判別する判別手段とを有し、該判別手段の判別結果に基づいて硬貨の受け入れおよび排除を行うものであって、屈曲部を介して直列に接続される２以上の直線部により前記硬貨通路を構成し、前記判別手段を前記硬貨通路の２以上の直線部にまたがって配置するとともに、前記硬貨通路は、前記判別手段が設けられた前記２以上の直線部の後段にさらに屈曲部を介して直線部を有しており、この直線部に前記判別手段により真と判別された硬貨を金種別に選別する金種別選別手段が設けられていることを特徴としている。
これにより、回転円盤から硬貨が硬貨通路の上流側の直線部で搬送された後、屈曲部を介して下流側の直線部で搬送される。そして、これら直線部で搬送されている間に、これら直線部にまたがって配置された判別手段で判別が行われる。
このように、屈曲部を介して直列に接続される２以上の直線部により硬貨通路を構成し、これら直線部にまたがって判別手段を配置しているため、硬貨の判別精度の向上に伴って硬貨通路が長くなっても、硬貨処理機を小型化できる。
回転円盤から硬貨が硬貨通路の上流側の直線部で搬送された後、屈曲部を介して下流側の直線部で搬送される。そして、これら直線部で搬送されている間に、これら直線部にまたがって配置された判別手段で判別が行われる。そして、判別手段で真と判別された硬貨がさらに下流側の屈曲部を介して接続された直線部の金種別選別手段で金種別に選別される。
このように、判別手段が設けられた直線部にさらに屈曲部を介して直線部を接続させて金種別選別手段を設けているため、金種別選別をさらに行うとしても、硬貨処理機を小型化できる。
【０００７】
本発明の請求項５記載の硬貨処理機は、請求項１乃至４のいずれか一項記載のものに関し、すべての前記直線部は、前記回転円盤を囲むように連結されていることを特徴としている。
このようにすべての直線部が回転円盤を囲むように連結されているため、硬貨の判別精度の向上等に伴って硬貨通路が長くなっても、硬貨通路を最も効率良く配置して小型化できる。
【０００８】
【発明の実施の形態】
本発明の硬貨処理機の一の実施の形態を図１を参照して以下に説明する。
この硬貨処理機は略直方体形状をなすもので、機体１１の上面には、操作者によりバラ硬貨が投入される投入口１２が設けられており、該投入口１２の下側には、該投入口１２からバラ硬貨が導かれる供給円盤１３が鉛直軸回りに回転可能に設けられている。この供給円盤１３の横に隣接して回転円盤１４が鉛直軸回りに回転可能に設けられている。この回転円盤１４は、供給円盤１３から遠心力で繰り出されるバラ硬貨を受け入れるとともに、この受け入れた硬貨を遠心力で図示せぬ分離部を通過させることにより一枚ずつ後述する硬貨通路１５に繰り出す。
【０００９】
ここで、供給円盤１３の回転中心と回転円盤１４の回転中心とを結ぶ線は、機体１１の一の側面部１１Ａに対し所定角度、前側の回転円盤１４が機体１１の内側に位置するように傾斜しており、これにより供給円盤１３は側面部１１Ａとの間に不要なスペースをあけることなく配置され、回転円盤１４は、供給円盤１３と側面部１１Ａとの間隔よりも所定量大きな間隔すなわちスペースを側面部１１Ａとの間にあけるように配置されている。
【００１０】
そして、回転円盤１４から繰り出される硬貨を両側の一段高いガイド１６，１７，の間の通路面１８で案内する硬貨通路１５が、側面部１１Ａ、前面部１１Ｂおよび側面部１１Ｃに沿って、回転円盤１４を囲むように水平配置されている。硬貨通路１５は、回転円盤１４に接続されるとともに該回転円盤１４の側面部１１Ａとの間のスペースに側面部１１Ａに沿って配置された第１直線部２０と、この第１直線部２０の回転円盤１４に対し反対側に接続され、第１直線部２０に対し回転円盤１４の方向に直角に屈曲された第１屈曲部２１と、この第１屈曲部２１の第１直線部２０に対し反対側に接続されることにより第１直線部２０に対し直角をなす第２直線部２２と、この第２直線部２２の第１屈曲部２１に対し反対側に接続され、第２直線部２２に対し回転円盤１４の方向に直角に屈曲された第２屈曲部２３と、この第２屈曲部２３の第２直線部２２に対し反対側に接続されることにより第２直線部２２に対し直角をなす第３直線部２４とを有している。
【００１１】
硬貨通路１５の上方には、硬貨通路１５上の硬貨を該硬貨通路１５に沿って搬送する搬送部（搬送手段）２６が設けられている。この搬送部２６は、回転円盤１４から繰り出された硬貨を第１直線部２０、第１屈曲部２１および第２直線部２２の一部に沿って搬送させる搬送ベルト２７と、該搬送ベルト２７で搬送されてきた硬貨をさらに第２直線部２２の後端位置まで搬送させる搬送ベルト２８と、該搬送ベルト２８で搬送されてきた硬貨をさらに第２屈曲部２３および第３直線部２４で搬送させる搬送ベルト２９とを有している。
【００１２】
回転円盤１４と硬貨通路１５の第１直線部２０との間であって、一方のガイド１６の先端部位置には、このガイド１６の先端部に衝突して滞留する硬貨を、回転円盤１４内へ戻すか、硬貨通路１５へ導きやすくするための、回転自在のガイドローラ３０が設けられている。
硬貨通路１５の硬貨搬送方向における上流側となる第１直線部２０には、該第１直線部２０上で搬送される硬貨の材質を磁気的性質より検出する材質検出センサ３１が、通路面１８の一部を構成するように配置されている。なお、材質検出センサ３１の両側には、該材質検出センサ３１による検出データの取り込みのタイミングを計るための硬貨検知センサ３１ａ，３１ｂが設けられている。すなわち、これら硬貨検知センサ３１ａ，３１ｂで共に硬貨が検出された時点で材質検出センサ３１は検出データを取り込む。
また、硬貨通路１５の下流側の第２直線部２２の前部には、該第２直線部２２で搬送される硬貨の画像を検出する画像検出部（画像検出手段）３２が、通路面１８の一部を構成するように配置されている。なお、画像検出部３２の両側には、該画像検出部３２による検出データの取り込みのタイミングを計るための硬貨検知センサ３２ａ，３２ｂが設けられている。すなわち、これら硬貨検知センサ３２ａ，３２ｂで共に硬貨が検出された時点で画像検出部３２は検出データを取り込む。
これにより、材質検出センサ３１および画像検出部３２で構成される判別部（判別手段）３３が、硬貨通路１５の第１直線部２０および第２直線部２２の二つにまたがって配置されている。
【００１３】
ここで、材質検出センサ３１および画像検出部３２の出力は図示せぬ判別回路に入力されることになり、該判別回路では、例えば、上流側の材質検出センサ３１の検出データを各金種の硬貨の材質の基準データと順に比較し、材質の検出データがいずれの金種の硬貨の材質の基準データとも一致しないと判定した場合には、その時点で偽硬貨と判別する。他方、いずれかの金種の硬貨の材質の基準データと一致したと判定した場合には、次に、該一致した材質の硬貨の画像の基準データを読み出し、この画像の基準データと、同じ検出硬貨に対する画像検出部３２の検出データとを比較して、これらが一致しているか否かを検出する。そして、これら画像の基準データおよび検出データが一致していると判定した場合には、該硬貨が検出された金種の真の硬貨であると判定する一方、これら画像の基準データおよび検出データが一致していないと判定した場合には、該硬貨が偽硬貨であると判定する。
【００１４】
第２直線部２２の後部には、材質検出センサ３１および画像検出部３２の検出結果で偽硬貨と判別された硬貨を排除するリジェクト孔３５が通路面１８に形成されている。該リジェクト孔３５の硬貨搬送方向における上流側には、第２直線部２２内に単独で突出することにより、第２直線部２２で硬貨をリジェクト孔３５に落下させる一方、硬貨のリジェクト孔３５への落下を第２直線部２２内への突出が解除されることで回避させる第１のストッパ部材３６が設けられている。また、この第１のストッパ部材３６に対向する位置には、第２直線部２２内に単独で突出することにより、第２直線部２２で第１のストッパ部材３６とは反対の側を搬送される小径の硬貨状異物などをリジェクト孔３５に落下させる一方、硬貨のリジェクト孔３５への落下を第２直線部２２内への突出が解除されることで回避させる第２のストッパ部材３７が設けられている。
そして、第１のストッパ部材３６および第２のストッパ部材３７が同時に第２直線部２２内に突出することにより、第２直線部２２を搬送される硬貨の通過が阻止される。これにより、図示せぬ判別回路により、搬送される硬貨が、いずれの金種の正硬貨であるとも、または、偽硬貨であるとも判別できなかった判別不能貨の場合には、その通過ないしはリジェクトを阻止することができ、搬送ベルト２７，２８を逆転させて、この判別不能貨を、再判別のために、回転円盤１４内に戻すことができる。
さらに、リジェクト孔３５の硬貨搬送方向における上流側には、これら第１のストッパ部材３６及び／または第２のストッパ部材３７を駆動するタイミングなどを得るための硬貨検知センサ３８が設けられている。
なお、リジェクト孔３５から落下した硬貨は、図示は略すが、このリジェクト孔３５の下部に配置されたリジェクトボックスに回収された後に該リジェクトボックスから取り出され排除されることになる。
【００１５】
第３直線部２４には、材質検出センサ３１および画像検出部３２の検出結果に基づいて判別回路で真と判別された硬貨を金種別に選別する金種別選別部（金種別選別手段）４０が設けられている。この金種別選別部４０は、搬送される硬貨を金種別に選別して落下させる選別孔４１ａ〜４１ｆを有しており、これら選別孔４１ａ〜４１ｆは、硬貨径の小さいものから順に落下させるように配置されている。選別孔４１ａ〜４１ｆで落下された硬貨は、図示せぬ一時貯留部を介して図示せぬ収納部に各金種別に収納される。
なお、各選別孔４１ａ〜４１ｆのそれぞれの直前には計数センサ４２ａ〜４２ｆが対応配置され、計数センサ４２ａ〜４２ｆのうち隣り合う前後のものをそれぞれ通過した硬貨数の差が、選別孔４１ａ〜４１ｆのうち、その間に位置するものに選別された枚数として計数されるように構成されている。
【００１６】
以上に述べた硬貨処理機によれば、供給円盤１３から供給された硬貨は回転円盤１４から一枚ずつ繰り出されて硬貨通路１５の上流側の第１直線部２０で搬送された後、第１屈曲部２１を介して下流側の第２直線部２２で搬送される。そして、これら第１直線部２０および第２直線部２２で搬送されている間に、これら第１直線部２０および第２直線部２２にまたがって配置された判別部３３としての材質検出センサ３１および画像検出部３２の検出結果に基づいて真偽および金種の判別が行われる。
このように、第１屈曲部２１を介して直列に接続される第１直線部２０および第２直線部２２により硬貨通路１５の一部を構成し、これら第１直線部２０および第２直線部２２にまたがって判別部３３としての材質検出センサ３１および画像検出部３２を配置しているため、硬貨の判別精度の向上のため画像検出部３２を設けることに起因して硬貨通路１５が長くなっても、硬貨処理機を小型化できる。
したがって、硬貨の判別精度の向上に対応しても、全体の小型化を図ることができる。
【００１７】
しかも、判別部３３で真と判別された硬貨がさらに下流側の第２屈曲部２３を介して接続された第３直線部２４の金種別選別部４０で金種別に選別される。
このように、判別部３３が設けられた第１直線部２０および第２直線部２２にさらに第２屈曲部２３を介して第３直線部２４を接続させて金種別選別部４０を設けているため、金種別選別を行っても、硬貨処理機を小型化できる。
したがって、硬貨の判別精度の向上に対応した上で金種別選別を行うとしても、全体の小型化を図ることができる。
【００１８】
加えて、上流側の第１直線部２０に設けられた材質検出センサ３１で硬貨の材質を検出することで、硬貨の金種を予め予測し、下流側の第２直線部２２に設けられた画像検出部３２では、この予測された金種の基準データと画像検出データとを比較して判別を行うことになる。
したがって、画像検出データをすべての金種の基準データと比較する場合に比して判別時間を短縮することができ、その結果、硬貨通路１５の長さを短くできるため、さらなる小型化が図れる。
【００１９】
さらに、第１直線部２０、第２直線部２２および第３直線部２４のすべてが回転円盤１４を囲むように、しかも隣り合うもの同士が直角をなすように連結されているため、硬貨の判別精度の向上等に伴って硬貨通路１５が長くなっても、硬貨通路１５を最も効率良く配置して小型化できる。
したがって、硬貨の判別精度の向上等に対応しても、さらに全体の小型化を図ることができる。
【００２０】
なお、以上においては、第１直線部２０および第２直線部２２の二つにまたがって判別部３３が設けられている場合を例にとり説明したが、二つを越える直線部にまたがって判別部３３を配置してもよい。このような場合も、すべての直線部を回転円盤１４を囲むように連結させればよい。
また、以上においては、硬貨を金種別に収納する硬貨処理機を例にとり説明したが、第２直線部２２の下流側に第３直線部２４に代えて硬貨を包装する硬貨包装部を連結させれば硬貨を包装する硬貨処理機となる。
【００２１】
【発明の効果】
以上詳述したように、本発明の請求項１記載の硬貨処理機によれば、屈曲部を介して直列に接続される２以上の直線部により硬貨通路を構成し、これら直線部にまたがって判別手段を配置しているため、硬貨の判別精度の向上に伴って硬貨通路が長くなっても、硬貨処理機を小型化できる。
したがって、硬貨の判別精度の向上に対応しても、全体の小型化を図ることができる。
上流側の直線部に設けられた材質検出センサで硬貨の材質を検出することで硬貨の金種を予め予測し、下流側の直線部に設けられた画像検出手段でこの予測された金種の基準データと画像検出データとを比較して判別を行うことができる。
したがって、画像検出データをすべての金種の基準データと比較する場合に比して判別時間を短縮することができ、その結果、硬貨通路の長さを短くできるため、さらなる小型化が図れる。
【００２２】
本発明の請求項３記載の硬貨処理機によれば、判別手段が設けられた直線部にさらに屈曲部を介して直線部を接続させて金種別選別手段を設けているため、金種別選別をさらに行うとしても、硬貨処理機を小型化できる。
したがって、硬貨の判別精度の向上に対応した上で金種別選別を行うとしても、全体の小型化を図ることができる。
【００２３】
本発明の請求項４記載の硬貨処理機によれば、屈曲部を介して直列に接続される２以上の直線部により硬貨通路を構成し、これら直線部にまたがって判別手段を配置しているため、硬貨の判別精度の向上に伴って硬貨通路が長くなっても、硬貨処理機を小型化できる。
したがって、硬貨の判別精度の向上に対応しても、全体の小型化を図ることができる。
判別手段が設けられた直線部にさらに屈曲部を介して直線部を接続させて金種別選別手段を設けているため、金種別選別をさらに行うとしても、硬貨処理機を小型化できる。
したがって、硬貨の判別精度の向上に対応した上で金種別選別を行うとしても、全体の小型化を図ることができる。
【００２４】
本発明の請求項５記載の硬貨処理機によれば、すべての直線部が回転円盤を囲むように連結されているため、硬貨の判別精度の向上等に伴って硬貨通路が長くなっても、硬貨通路を最も効率良く配置して小型化できる。
したがって、硬貨の判別精度の向上等に対応しても、さらに全体の小型化を図ることができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の硬貨処理機の一の実施の形態の一部構成を示す平面図である。
【符号の説明】
１４回転円盤
１５硬貨通路
２０第１直線部
２１第１屈曲部
２２第２直線部
２３第２屈曲部
２４第３直線部
２６搬送部（搬送手段）
３１材質検出センサ
３２画像検出部（画像検出手段）
３３判別部（判別手段）
４０金種別選別部（金種別選別手段）[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a coin processing machine that discriminates a received coin from authenticity and eliminates a coin determined to be false, while accepting a coin determined to be true and performing a predetermined process such as a denomination storage or packaging. .
[0002]
[Prior art]
A coin processing machine that discriminates a deposited coin for authenticity and removes a coin determined to be false while rejecting a coin determined to be true is one that re-discriminates an unidentifiable coin that could not be authenticated. And Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-175953.
The coin processing machine includes a rotating disk for feeding coins one by one, a coin passage for guiding coins fed by the rotating disk, a conveying unit for conveying coins on the coin passage, and a coin on the coin passage. Determining means for determining.
In this coin processing machine, the coin passage has a single linear shape, and a material detection sensor for detecting the material of the coin and a line sensor for detecting the diameter of the coin are provided as discriminating means in the linear coin passage. Is provided. Then, based on the detection results of the material detection sensor and the line sensor, the authenticity is determined, and the coins determined to be true are accepted and sorted by denomination as necessary, while the coins determined to be false are The coin is dropped from a reject hole provided immediately after the discriminating means in the coin passage, and is collected and removed by a reject box disposed below the reject hole.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in recent years, coins of other countries having the same diameter as genuine coins have been frequently used. For this reason, the detection of the coin diameter is insufficient, and the accuracy of the authenticity discrimination is improved by detecting the image of the coin. The demand for Nito is growing.
However, in order to detect an image of a coin, at least an optical detection area capable of detecting an entire coin must be provided in the coin passage. In addition, in order to secure an identification time for image sorting, it is necessary to secure a distance from the image detection unit to a stopper or a reject hole for removing a false coin. For these reasons, there has been a problem that the length of the coin passage becomes long, and as a result, the coin processing machine becomes large.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a coin processing machine capable of reducing the size of the entire coin even if the coin discrimination accuracy is improved.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a coin processing machine according to claim 1 of the present invention includes a rotating disk for paying out coins one by one, a coin passage for guiding coins fed by the rotating disk, and a coin passage on the coin passage. It has a conveying means for conveying coins, and a discriminating means for discriminating coins on the coin passage, and accepts and removes coins based on a discrimination result of the discriminating means, and through a bent portion. The coin passage is constituted by two or more straight portions connected in series, and the discriminating means is disposed over the two or more straight portions of the coin passage . It is characterized in that a material detection sensor for detecting the material of the coin is arranged in the straight portion, and an image detecting means for detecting an image of the coin is arranged in the straight portion on the downstream side .
Thereby, after the coin is conveyed from the rotating disk at the upstream straight portion of the coin passage, it is conveyed at the downstream straight portion via the bent portion. Then, while being conveyed by these linear portions, the discrimination is performed by the discriminating means arranged over these linear portions.
As described above, the coin passage is constituted by two or more straight portions connected in series via the bent portion, and the discriminating means is arranged over these straight portions, so that the coin discriminating accuracy is improved. Even if the coin passage is long, the coin processor can be downsized.
The denomination of the coin is predicted in advance by detecting the material of the coin with a material detection sensor provided in the upstream straight section, and the predicted denomination of the denomination is detected by the image detecting means provided in the downstream straight section. The determination can be made by comparing the reference data and the image detection data.
A coin processor according to a second aspect of the present invention relates to the coin processor according to the first aspect, wherein the image detecting means is disposed in front of the downstream linear portion, and a fake coin is provided in a rear portion of the downstream linear portion. A reject hole for removing coins determined to have been formed is formed, and a stopper member is provided upstream of the reject hole in the coin transport direction to prevent the coin from falling into the reject hole and avoid falling, and to prevent the coin from passing. Is provided.
[0005]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a coin processing machine according to the first or second aspect , wherein the coin path further includes a bent portion at a stage subsequent to the two or more linear portions provided with the discriminating means. It has a straight line portion, and the straight line portion is provided with denomination selecting means for selecting coins determined to be true by the determining means into denominations.
Thereby, after the coin is conveyed from the rotating disk at the upstream straight portion of the coin passage, it is conveyed at the downstream straight portion via the bent portion. Then, while being conveyed by these linear portions, the discrimination is performed by the discriminating means arranged over these linear portions. Then, the coins determined to be true by the determination means are sorted by denomination by denomination selection means of the linear portion connected via the bent portion on the further downstream side.
As described above, since the denomination sorter is provided by connecting the linear portion via the bent portion to the straight portion provided with the discriminator, the coin processor can be downsized even if the denomination is further selected. it can.
[0006]
A coin processing machine according to claim 4 of the present invention is a rotating disk for paying out coins one by one, a coin path for guiding coins fed by the rotating disk, and a conveying means for conveying coins on the coin path. Discriminating means for discriminating coins on the coin passage, for accepting and removing coins based on the discrimination result of the discriminating means, wherein two or more coins are connected in series via a bent portion The coin path is constituted by the straight portions of the coin passage, and the discriminating means is disposed over two or more straight portions of the coin passage, and the coin passage is defined by the two or more straight portions provided with the discriminating means. It has a straight portion further through a bent portion in the subsequent stage, and the straight line portion is provided with denomination selecting means for sorting coins determined as true by the determining means into denominations. .
Thereby, after the coin is conveyed from the rotating disk at the upstream straight portion of the coin passage, it is conveyed at the downstream straight portion via the bent portion. Then, while being conveyed by these linear portions, the discrimination is performed by the discriminating means arranged over these linear portions.
As described above, the coin passage is constituted by two or more straight portions connected in series via the bent portion, and the discriminating means is arranged over these straight portions, so that the coin discriminating accuracy is improved. Even if the coin passage is long, the coin processor can be downsized.
After the coin is conveyed from the rotating disk at the upstream straight portion of the coin passage, it is conveyed at the downstream straight portion via the bent portion. Then, while being conveyed by these linear portions, the discrimination is performed by the discriminating means arranged over these linear portions. Then, the coins determined to be true by the determination means are sorted by denomination by denomination selection means of the linear portion connected via the bent portion on the further downstream side.
As described above, since the denomination sorter is provided by connecting the linear portion via the bent portion to the straight portion provided with the discriminator, the coin processor can be downsized even if the denomination is further selected. it can.
[0007]
A coin processing machine according to a fifth aspect of the present invention relates to the coin processing machine according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein all the linear portions are connected so as to surround the rotating disk. I have.
In this way, since all the straight portions are connected so as to surround the rotating disk, even if the coin passage becomes longer due to improvement in coin discrimination accuracy and the like, the coin passage can be arranged most efficiently and downsized. .
[0008]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
One embodiment of a coin processor of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.
This coin processing machine has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and has a slot 12 through which loose coins are inserted by an operator on the upper surface of the body 11, and the slot 12 is provided below the slot 12. A supply disk 13 through which loose coins are guided from the mouth 12 is provided rotatably about a vertical axis. A rotating disk 14 is provided adjacent to the supply disk 13 so as to be rotatable about a vertical axis. The rotating disk 14 receives loose coins fed out from the supply disk 13 by centrifugal force, and feeds out the received coins one by one to a coin passage 15 described later by passing the received coins through a separating section (not shown) by centrifugal force.
[0009]
Here, a line connecting the rotation center of the supply disk 13 and the rotation center of the rotation disk 14 has a predetermined angle with respect to one side surface 11A of the body 11 so that the front rotation disk 14 is located inside the body 11. The supply disk 13 is disposed without leaving an unnecessary space between the supply disk 13 and the side surface portion 11A, and the rotating disk 14 is spaced from the supply disk 13 by a predetermined amount larger than the distance between the supply disk 13 and the side surface portion 11A. It is arranged so as to leave a space between the side surface 11A.
[0010]
A coin passage 15 for guiding coins fed from the rotating disk 14 on a passage surface 18 between the higher guides 16 and 17 on both sides forms a rotating disk along the side surface 11A, the front surface 11B and the side surface 11C. 14 are arranged horizontally. The coin passage 15 is connected to the rotating disk 14 and is disposed along the side surface 11A in a space between the rotating disk 14 and the side surface 11A. A first bent portion 21 connected to the opposite side to the rotating disk 14 and bent at a right angle to the first linear portion 20 in the direction of the rotating disk 14, and a first linear portion 20 of the first bent portion 21. A second straight portion 22 which is connected to the opposite side to form a right angle with respect to the first straight portion 20; and a second straight portion 22 which is connected to the second straight portion 22 on the opposite side to the first bent portion 21. And a second bent portion 23 bent at a right angle in the direction of the rotating disk 14, and connected to the second straight portion 22 of the second bent portion 23 at a side opposite to the second straight portion 22. And a third straight line portion 24.
[0011]
Above the coin passage 15, a transfer section (transporting means) 26 for transferring coins on the coin passage 15 along the coin passage 15 is provided. The transport unit 26 includes a transport belt 27 that transports coins fed from the rotary disk 14 along a part of the first linear portion 20, the first bent portion 21, and the second linear portion 22. A transport belt 28 for transporting the transported coins further to the rear end position of the second linear portion 22, and a coin transported by the transport belt 28 is further transported by the second bent portion 23 and the third linear portion 24. And a transport belt 29.
[0012]
Between the rotating disk 14 and the first linear portion 20 of the coin passage 15, at the distal end position of one of the guides 16, coins colliding with and staying at the distal end of the guide 16 are stored in the rotating disk 14. A rotatable guide roller 30 is provided to facilitate return to the coin passage 15 or to the coin passage 15.
A material detecting sensor 31 for detecting the material of the coin conveyed on the first linear portion 20 from the magnetic property is provided on the first straight portion 20 on the upstream side of the coin passage 15 in the coin conveying direction. Are arranged so as to form a part. Note that coin detection sensors 31a and 31b are provided on both sides of the material detection sensor 31 to measure the timing of taking in the detection data by the material detection sensor 31. That is, when the coins are detected by both of the coin detection sensors 31a and 31b, the material detection sensor 31 takes in the detection data.
In front of the second straight portion 22 on the downstream side of the coin passage 15, an image detecting portion (image detecting means) 32 for detecting an image of a coin conveyed by the second straight portion 22 is provided. Are arranged so as to form a part. It is to be noted that coin detection sensors 32a and 32b are provided on both sides of the image detection section 32 to measure the timing of capturing the detection data by the image detection section 32. That is, when coins are detected by both the coin detection sensors 32a and 32b, the image detection unit 32 takes in the detection data.
Thus, the discriminating unit (discriminating means) 33 composed of the material detecting sensor 31 and the image detecting unit 32 is disposed astride the first straight portion 20 and the second straight portion 22 of the coin passage 15. .
[0013]
Here, the outputs of the material detection sensor 31 and the image detection unit 32 are input to a discrimination circuit (not shown). In the discrimination circuit, for example, the detection data of the material detection sensor 31 on the upstream side is output for each denomination. The coins are sequentially compared with the reference data of the material of the coin, and when it is determined that the detection data of the material does not match the reference data of the material of the coin of any denomination, the coin is determined to be a fake coin at that time. On the other hand, if it is determined that the reference data of the coin material of any denomination matches, the reference data of the image of the coin of the matching material is read out, and the same detection data as the reference data of this image is detected. By comparing the coins with the detection data of the image detection unit 32, it is detected whether or not they match. If it is determined that the reference data and the detection data of these images match, the coin is determined to be a true coin of the detected denomination, while the reference data and the detection data of these images are If it is determined that they do not match, it is determined that the coin is a fake coin.
[0014]
A reject hole 35 is formed in the passage surface 18 at the rear of the second straight portion 22 for removing coins determined as false coins based on the detection results of the material detection sensor 31 and the image detection section 32. On the upstream side in the coin transport direction of the reject hole 35, the coin is dropped into the reject hole 35 by the second linear portion 22 by independently protruding into the second linear portion 22, while the coin is rejected to the reject hole 35. There is provided a first stopper member 36 for preventing the falling of the second linear portion 22 by releasing the projection into the second linear portion 22. In addition, at a position facing the first stopper member 36, by independently projecting into the second linear portion 22, the second linear portion 22 is conveyed on the side opposite to the first stopper member 36. A second stopper member 37 is provided for dropping a coin-like foreign matter having a small diameter into the reject hole 35 while preventing the coin from falling into the reject hole 35 by preventing the coin from projecting into the second linear portion 22. Have been.
Since the first stopper member 36 and the second stopper member 37 simultaneously project into the second linear portion 22, coins conveyed through the second linear portion 22 are prevented from passing. Accordingly, if the coin conveyed by the discrimination circuit (not shown) cannot be discriminated as a true coin or a false coin of any denomination, the coin is passed or rejected. Can be prevented, and the transport belts 27 and 28 can be reversed to return the indistinguishable coin to the rotating disk 14 for re-determination.
Further, a coin detection sensor 38 for obtaining timing for driving the first stopper member 36 and / or the second stopper member 37 is provided upstream of the reject hole 35 in the coin transport direction.
Although not shown, the coins dropped from the reject hole 35 are collected by a reject box arranged below the reject hole 35, and then taken out of the reject box and removed.
[0015]
In the third linear portion 24, a denomination sorter (denomination sorter) 40 that sorts coins determined to be true by the determination circuit based on the detection results of the material detection sensor 31 and the image detection portion 32 into denominations. Is provided. The denomination sorting unit 40 has sorting holes 41a to 41f for sorting coins to be conveyed by denomination and dropping the coins, and the sorting holes 41a to 41f are to drop coins in order from a coin having a smaller diameter. Are located in The coins dropped in the sorting holes 41a to 41f are stored in a storage unit (not shown) for each denomination via a temporary storage unit (not shown).
Note that counting sensors 42a to 42f are arranged immediately before each of the sorting holes 41a to 41f, and the difference in the number of coins passing through adjacent ones of the counting sensors 42a to 42f is determined by the sorting holes 41a to 41f. 41f, it is configured to be counted as the number of sheets selected to be positioned therebetween.
[0016]
According to the coin processing machine described above, coins supplied from the supply disk 13 are fed out one by one from the rotary disk 14 and conveyed by the first straight line portion 20 on the upstream side of the coin passage 15, and then the first coin The sheet is conveyed at the second straight portion 22 on the downstream side via the bent portion 21. While being conveyed by the first straight section 20 and the second straight section 22, the material detection sensor 31 as the discriminating section 33 disposed over the first straight section 20 and the second straight section 22 and True / false and denomination are determined based on the detection result of the image detection unit 32.
Thus, the first straight portion 20 and the second straight portion 22 connected in series via the first bent portion 21 constitute a part of the coin passage 15, and the first straight portion 20 and the second straight portion are formed. Since the material detection sensor 31 and the image detection unit 32 as the discrimination unit 33 are arranged over the 22, the coin passage 15 becomes longer due to the provision of the image detection unit 32 for improving the discrimination accuracy of coins. However, the coin processing machine can be downsized.
Therefore, even if the accuracy of coin discrimination is improved, the overall size can be reduced.
[0017]
In addition, the coins determined to be true by the determination unit 33 are sorted by denomination by the denomination sorter 40 of the third linear portion 24 connected via the second bent portion 23 further downstream.
As described above, the first straight portion 20 and the second straight portion 22 provided with the discriminating portion 33 are further connected to the third straight portion 24 via the second bent portion 23 to provide the denomination sorter 40. Therefore, even if the denomination is performed, the coin processor can be downsized.
Therefore, even if the denomination is selected in response to the improvement in coin discrimination accuracy, the overall size can be reduced.
[0018]
In addition, by detecting the material of the coin by the material detection sensor 31 provided on the first linear portion 20 on the upstream side, the denomination of the coin is predicted in advance, and provided on the second linear portion 22 on the downstream side. The image detector 32 compares the predicted reference data of the denomination with the image detection data to make a determination.
Therefore, the discrimination time can be reduced as compared with the case where the image detection data is compared with the reference data of all denominations. As a result, the length of the coin passage 15 can be shortened, so that further miniaturization can be achieved.
[0019]
Further, since all of the first straight portion 20, the second straight portion 22, and the third straight portion 24 are connected so as to surround the rotating disk 14 and that adjacent ones form a right angle, coin discrimination is performed. Even if the coin passage 15 becomes longer due to an improvement in accuracy or the like, the coin passage 15 can be arranged most efficiently and can be downsized.
Therefore, the size of the entire device can be further reduced even if the accuracy of coin discrimination is improved.
[0020]
In the above description, the case where the discriminating unit 33 is provided over two of the first straight portion 20 and the second straight portion 22 has been described as an example. However, the discriminating portion extends over more than two straight portions. 33 may be arranged. Even in such a case, all the straight portions may be connected so as to surround the rotating disk 14.
In the above description, the coin processing machine for storing coins by denomination has been described as an example. However, instead of the third linear portion 24, a coin wrapping portion for wrapping coins is connected to the downstream side of the second linear portion 22. Then, it becomes a coin processing machine that wraps coins.
[0021]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the coin processing machine of the first aspect of the present invention, a coin passage is formed by two or more straight portions connected in series via the bent portion, and extends over these straight portions. Since the discriminating means is provided, the coin processing machine can be miniaturized even if the coin passage becomes long with the improvement of coin discriminating accuracy.
Therefore, even if the accuracy of coin discrimination is improved, the overall size can be reduced.
The denomination of the coin is predicted in advance by detecting the material of the coin with a material detection sensor provided in the upstream straight section, and the predicted denomination of the denomination is detected by the image detecting means provided in the downstream straight section. The determination can be made by comparing the reference data and the image detection data.
Therefore, the discrimination time can be reduced as compared with the case where the image detection data is compared with the reference data of all denominations. As a result, the length of the coin passage can be shortened, so that further miniaturization can be achieved.
[0022]
According to the coin processor according to the third aspect of the present invention, since the denomination sorter is provided by connecting the linear portion through the bent portion to the straight portion provided with the discriminator, the denomination sorter is provided. Even if it is further performed, the coin processing machine can be downsized.
Therefore, even if the denomination is selected in response to the improvement in coin discrimination accuracy, the overall size can be reduced.
[0023]
According to the coin processor of the fourth aspect of the present invention, the coin passage is constituted by two or more straight portions connected in series via the bent portion, and the discriminating means is disposed over these straight portions. Therefore, even if the coin passage lengthens with the improvement in coin discrimination accuracy, the coin processing machine can be downsized.
Therefore, even if the accuracy of coin discrimination is improved, the overall size can be reduced.
Since the denomination sorter is provided by further connecting the linear part via the bent part to the straight part provided with the discriminating part, the coin processor can be downsized even if the denomination sort is further performed.
Therefore, even if the denomination is selected in response to the improvement in coin discrimination accuracy, the overall size can be reduced.
[0024]
According to the coin processing machine according to claim 5 of the present invention, all the straight portions are connected so as to surround the rotating disk, so that even if the coin passage becomes longer due to improvement in coin discrimination accuracy and the like, The coin passage can be arranged most efficiently and the size can be reduced.
Therefore, the size of the entire device can be further reduced even if the accuracy of discrimination of coins is improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a partial configuration of one embodiment of a coin processor of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
14 Rotating disk 15 Coin passage 20 First straight part 21 First bent part 22 Second straight part 23 Second bent part 24 Third straight part 26 Transport unit (transport unit)
31 Material detection sensor 32 Image detection unit (image detection means)
33 determining section (determining means)
40 Denomination Sorting Unit (Denomination Sorting Means)

Claims

A rotating disk that pays out coins one by one,
A coin passage for guiding coins fed by the rotating disk,
Conveying means for conveying coins on the coin path,
Discriminating means for discriminating coins on the coin passage,
In a coin processing machine that accepts and removes coins based on the determination result of the determination unit,
The coin passage is constituted by two or more straight portions connected in series via a bent portion, and the discriminating means is arranged over two or more straight portions of the coin passage ,
As the discriminating means, a material detection sensor that detects the material of the coin is arranged in a straight portion on the upstream side in the coin transport direction, and an image detecting device that detects an image of the coin is arranged in a straight portion on the downstream side. Characterized coin processing machine.

The image detection means is arranged in front of the downstream straight portion, and a reject hole for removing coins determined as false coins is formed in the rear of the downstream straight portion, and the coin in the reject hole is formed. 2. The coin processing machine according to claim 1 , wherein a stopper member is provided on the upstream side in the transport direction to prevent the coin from falling into the reject hole and to prevent the coin from passing through the coin reject hole .

The coin passage further has a straight portion via a bent portion at a stage subsequent to the two or more straight portions provided with the discriminating means, and a coin determined to be true by the discriminating means is provided in this straight portion. The coin processor according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a denomination sorter for sorting by denomination .

A rotating disk that pays out coins one by one,
A coin passage for guiding coins fed by the rotating disk,
Conveying means for conveying coins on the coin path,
Discriminating means for discriminating coins on the coin passage,
In a coin processing machine that accepts and removes coins based on the determination result of the determination unit,
The coin passage is constituted by two or more straight portions connected in series via a bent portion, and the discriminating means is arranged over two or more straight portions of the coin passage ,
The coin passage further has a straight portion via a bent portion at a stage subsequent to the two or more straight portions provided with the discriminating means, and a coin determined to be true by the discriminating means is provided in this straight portion. A coin processing machine provided with a denomination sorter for sorting by denomination .

The coin processor according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein all the straight portions are connected so as to surround the rotating disk.