Coin identification device

Abstract

To provide a coin processing device that can improve a coin identification accuracy.SOLUTION: A coin identification device includes: a material determination unit 111 that outputs a first denomination candidate signal based on detection signals from material sensors 81, 82; a diameter determination unit 112 that outputs a second denomination candidate signal based on a detection signal from a line sensor 83; a bi-color determination unit 113 that when a specific denomination signal indicating that a detected coin is a coin of a specific denomination is input, determines whether the detected coin is a bi-color coin based on the detection signals from the material sensors 81, 82 at timing based on the detection signal from the line sensor 83 and previously stored determination reference data; and an overall determination unit 121 that outputs a fixed denomination signal based on the first denomination candidate signal from the material determination unit 111, the second denomination candidate signal from the diameter determination unit 112, and a determination signal from the bi-color determination unit 113.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a coin discrimination device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in a coin processor, a discrimination device for discriminating coins is provided, and based on the discrimination result of the discrimination device, sorting and the like are performed, and various processes are then carried out. Generally, in a coin discrimination device, two or more of various discrimination elements such as the diameter, thickness, material, pattern, color, holes, and serrations of a coin are detected, and the discrimination results thereof are comprehensively judged so as to output discrimination results such as authenticity, coin type, and normality / damage. Further, there is also a discrimination device for discriminating coins composed of metals of a plurality of types of materials called so-called bicolor coins (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in a coin discrimination device, it is desired to improve the discrimination accuracy of coins.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a coin discrimination device capable of improving the discrimination accuracy of coins.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A first aspect of the present invention includes a material sensor for detecting the material of a coin, a line sensor for detecting the radial length of the coin, a material determination unit that outputs a first coin type candidate signal based on a detection signal from the material sensor, a diameter determination unit that outputs a second coin type candidate signal based on a detection signal from the line sensor, and when a specific coin type signal indicating that the detected coin is a coin of a specific coin type is input, a bicolor determination unit that determines whether the detected coin is a bicolor coin based on the detection signal from the material sensor at a timing based on the detection signal from the line sensor and determination reference data stored in advance, and a comprehensive determination unit that outputs a confirmed coin type signal based on the first coin type candidate signal from the material determination unit, the second coin type candidate signal from the diameter determination unit, and the determination signal from the bicolor determination unit.

[0007] A second aspect of the present invention measures the conveyance timing of a conveyed coin by a line sensor, and determines whether the conveyed coin is a bicolor coin based on the detection signal of the material sensor at the specific conveyance timing of a specific coin type coin.

[0008] A third aspect of the present invention determines the timing at which the ring portion of a specific coin type coin having a central core portion and a ring portion surrounding the entire circumference of the core portion is located at the position of the material sensor based on the detection result of the line sensor, and determines whether the conveyed coin is a bicolor coin based on the detection signal of the material sensor at that timing.

[0009] A fourth aspect of the present invention determines whether the conveyed coin is a bicolor coin based on the material sensor level when the coin passes through the material sensor.

[0010] A fifth aspect of the present invention determines whether the conveyed coin is a bicolor coin based on the integrated value during a predetermined period from when the coin is detected by the material sensor until the level of the material sensor reaches a peak.

[0011] The sixth aspect of the present invention determines whether a coin being conveyed is a bicolor coin based on the average value from when the coin is detected by the material sensor until the level of the material sensor reaches its peak.

[0012] The seventh aspect of the present invention determines whether a coin being conveyed is a bicolor coin based on the differential value of the level of the material sensor from when the coin is detected by the material sensor until it passes through the material sensor.

Advantages of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a coin discrimination device capable of improving the discrimination accuracy of coins.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] A coin processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, "front" refers to the operator side of the coin processing apparatus 10, and "rear" refers to the side opposite to the operator of the coin processing apparatus 10.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the coin processing apparatus 10 has an operation unit 11 to which an operation by an operator is input and a display unit 12 that displays information to the operator on the front surface 10B side of its upper surface 10A. Further, the coin processing apparatus 10 has a coin insertion unit 21 into which loose coins are inserted by the operator on the rear side of the operation unit 11 on its upper surface 10A. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the coin processing apparatus 10 has a feeding mechanism 22 that feeds out the coins inserted into the coin insertion unit 21 one by one at a predetermined interval below the coin insertion unit 21. This feeding mechanism 22 has a rotating disk 23 that receives the coins inserted into the coin insertion unit 21 and is rotatably provided about a vertical axis, and a separating unit 24 that separates and feeds out the coins that move outward by the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the rotating disk 23 by passing the coins on the side of the rotating disk 23.

[0017] The coin processing apparatus 10 has a coin passage 25 that guides the coins fed out from the separating unit 24 of the feeding mechanism 22 on the side of the separating unit 24 of the feeding mechanism 22. The coin passage 25 has a passage portion 26 that is horizontally arranged and on which the coins slide on the upper surface, and conveying guide portions 27, 28 provided on both the left and right sides in the coin conveying direction of the passage portion 26 and one step higher than the passage portion 26. The conveying guide portions 27, 28 guide both the left and right sides of the coins sliding on the lower surface of the passage portion 26 in the coin conveying direction. The interval between the conveying guide portions 27, 28, that is, the width of the passage portion 26, is such that all types of coins fed out from the feeding mechanism 22 can be arranged in a row in the order in which they are fed out and sequentially transferred.

[0018] The passage portion 26 includes a first straight portion 31 connected to the separation portion 24 and extending in a substantially tangential direction of the rotating disk 23, a second straight portion 32 extending from the side of the first straight portion 31 opposite to the separation portion 24 in a direction substantially orthogonal to the first straight portion 31, and a third straight portion 33 extending from the side of the second straight portion 32 opposite to the first straight portion 31 in a direction substantially orthogonal to the second straight portion 32.

[0019] Above the passage portion 26, a conveying mechanism 36 is provided along the passage portion 26. This conveying mechanism 36 conveys the coins fed from the feeding mechanism 22 into the passage portion 26 along the passage portion 26 while pressing the coins from above. In other words, the coins are conveyed through the passage portion 26 by the drive of the conveying mechanism 36.

[0020] The conveying mechanism 36 includes a linearly-shaped introduction-side belt 37 in plan view that conveys the coins fed from the rotating disk 23 upstream of the first straight portion 31 of the passage portion 26, a U-shaped upstream-side conveying belt 38 in plan view that conveys the coins sent out from the introduction-side belt 37 from the first straight portion 31 to the second straight portion 32 and further to a part of the third straight portion 33 on the second straight portion 32 side, and a linearly-shaped downstream-side conveying belt 39 in plan view that receives the coins from the upstream-side conveying belt 38 and conveys them on the remaining part of the third straight portion 33 opposite to the second straight portion 32.

[0021] A coin detection sensor 47 for detecting the coins conveyed on the first straight portion 31 by the introduction-side belt 37 is provided at a position of the introduction-side belt 37 in the vicinity of the feeding mechanism 22 and in the coin conveying direction on the first straight portion 31 of the passage portion 26. The coin detection sensor 47 is, for example, an optical sensor, and by detecting the passage of the coins moving on the first straight portion 31, it serves as a count sensor capable of counting the number of passing coins.

[0022] In the first straight portion 31 of the passage portion 26, at the position of the upstream conveyance belt 38 in the coin conveyance direction, a coin identification unit 48 is provided so as to form a part of the first straight portion 31. The coin identification unit 48 identifies and counts the authenticity and denomination of coins, etc. by detecting the material and the radial length of the coins conveyed on the first straight portion 31 by the upstream conveyance belt 38.

[0023] In the second straight portion 32 of the passage portion 26, at the position of the upstream conveyance belt 38 in the coin conveyance direction, an upstream coin sorting unit 50 for sorting the coins conveyed on the second straight portion 32 by the upstream conveyance belt 38 based on the identification result of the coin identification unit 48, etc. is provided. This upstream coin sorting unit 50 has a take-out sorting unit 51 and a reject sorting unit 52 located downstream of the take-out sorting unit 51.

[0024] During the execution of the counting mode in which the take-out sorting unit 51 counts the coins of a specified single denomination and takes out the specified number of coins, the take-out sorting unit 51 excludes the coins of the specified single denomination to be counted from the passage portion 26 until the specified number is reached. Also, during the execution of the deposit storage process in which the take-out sorting unit 51 counts and classifies the coins of mixed denominations by denomination and stores them, the take-out sorting unit 51 does not exclude the coins from the passage portion 26.

[0025] During the execution of the counting mode, the reject sorting unit 52 excludes from the passage portion 26 the coins other than the coins to be counted including the unidentifiable coins and the coins of the denomination of the coins to be counted exceeding the specified number. Also, during the execution of the deposit storage process, the reject sorting unit 52 excludes the unidentifiable coins from the passage portion 26.

[0026] The take-out sorting unit 51 has a sorting hole 54 formed to penetrate the second straight portion 32 of the passage portion 26 vertically and a shutter 55 for opening and closing the sorting hole 54. When the shutter 55 is opened, the coins are dropped from the sorting hole 54. This sorting hole 54 communicates with a take-out port (not shown) provided at a position facing outside the machine via a chute (not shown), and guides the dropped coins to the take-out port so that the coins can be taken out of the machine.

[0027] The reject sorting unit 52 has a sorting hole 57 formed to penetrate vertically through the second straight portion 32 of the passage portion 26, and a shutter 58 that opens and closes the sorting hole 57. When the shutter 58 is actuated to open, coins are dropped from the sorting hole 57. The sorting hole 57 communicates with a reject port 60 shown in FIG. 1 provided at a position facing outside the machine via a chute (not shown), and guides the dropped coins to the reject port 60 so that the coins can be taken out of the machine.

[0028] A coin detection sensor 61 for detecting coins is provided at an upstream position of the take-out sorting unit 51 in the second straight portion 32 of the passage portion 26. The coin detection sensor 61 is, for example, an optical sensor, and is for measuring the timing of opening and closing of the shutter 55 when the detected coins are dropped from the sorting hole 54 of the take-out sorting unit 51. Further, the coin detection sensor 61 can count the number of passing coins by detecting the passage of coins moving on the second straight portion 32 by the drive of the upstream conveying belt 38.

[0029] A coin detection sensor 62 for detecting coins is provided at a position between the take-out sorting unit 51 and the reject sorting unit 52 in the second straight portion 32 of the passage portion 26. The coin detection sensor 62 is, for example, an optical sensor, and is for measuring the timing of opening and closing of the shutter 58 when the detected coins are dropped from the sorting hole 57 of the reject sorting unit 52. Moreover, the coin detection sensor 62 can count the number of passing coins by detecting the passage of coins moving on the second straight portion 32 by the drive of the upstream conveying belt 38. That is, the coin detection sensor 62 can count coins between the take-out sorting unit 51 and the reject sorting unit 52 downstream of it.

[0030] In the third straight portion 33 of the passage portion 26, in the deposit storage process, a coin type sorting unit 65 for sorting the coins identified by the upstream coin discrimination unit 48 for each coin type is provided. This coin type sorting unit 65 has the same number of sorting holes 66a to 66f as the number of coin types, which sorts and drops the coins conveyed on the third straight portion 33 by the upstream conveyance belt 38 and the downstream conveyance belt 39 according to coin type. These sorting holes 66a to 66f are arranged in the order of sorting holes 66a, 66b, 66c, 66d, 66e, 66f from the upstream side in the coin conveyance direction on the third straight portion 33. The widths of these sorting holes 66a to 66f gradually increase in order to drop the coins in order from the one with the smaller coin diameter. That is, the leftmost sorting hole 66a has the smallest width and sorts and drops the 1-yen coin, the next sorting hole 66b is wider than the sorting hole 66a and sorts and drops the 50-yen coin, the next sorting hole 66c is wider than the sorting hole 66b and sorts and drops the 5-yen coin, the next sorting hole 66d is wider than the sorting hole 66c and sorts and drops the 100-yen coin, the next sorting hole 66e is wider than the sorting hole 66d and sorts and drops the 10-yen coin, and the next sorting hole 66f is wider than the sorting hole 66e and sorts and drops the 500-yen coin.

[0031] Note that coin detection sensors 67a to 67f are correspondingly arranged at positions immediately before each of the sorting holes 66a to 66f in the third straight portion 33. That is, a coin detection sensor 67a is provided at the position immediately before the sorting hole 66a, a coin detection sensor 67b is provided between the sorting hole 66a and the sorting hole 66b, a coin detection sensor 67c is provided between the sorting hole 66b and the sorting hole 66c, a coin detection sensor 67d is provided between the sorting hole 66c and the sorting hole 66d, a coin detection sensor 67e is provided between the sorting hole 66d and the sorting hole 66e, and a coin detection sensor 67f is provided between the sorting hole 66e and the sorting hole 66f. The difference in the number of coins that have passed through the adjacent front and rear of the coin detection sensors 67a to 67f is counted as the number of coins sorted by the one located therebetween among the sorting holes 66a to 66f.

[0032] The coins sorted by the sorting holes 66a to 66f are temporarily stored in the temporary storage unit 70 shown in FIG. 1 in a state sorted by coin type, and then are stored in the storage unit 71 below the temporary storage unit 70 in a state sorted by coin type.

[0033] The temporary storage unit 70 is provided so as to be pullable out on the front surface 10B side of the coin processing apparatus 10, temporarily stores the coins sorted by the sorting holes 66a to 66f shown in FIG. 2 for each coin type, and by being pulled out from the front surface 10B shown in FIG. 1, the temporarily stored coins can be returned.

[0034] The storage unit 71 has storage boxes 72a to 72f of different coin types that receive and store coins for each coin type from the temporary storage unit 70. The storage boxes 72a to 72f are each provided so as to be pullable out on the front surface 10B side of the coin processing apparatus 10, and the stored coins can be taken out by being pulled out from the front surface 10B. The storage box 72a stores the coins sorted by the sorting hole 66a, the storage box 72b stores the coins sorted by the sorting hole 66b, the storage box 72c stores the coins sorted by the sorting hole 66c, the storage box 72d stores the coins sorted by the sorting hole 66d, the storage box 72e stores the coins sorted by the sorting hole 66e, and the storage box 72f stores the coins sorted by the sorting hole 66f.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 3, the coin identification unit 48 has a first magnetic sensor 81 (material sensor), a second magnetic sensor 82 (material sensor), and a line sensor 83. The first magnetic sensor 81, the second magnetic sensor 82, and the line sensor 83 are provided in the first straight portion 31 of the passage portion 26.

[0036] Both the first magnetic sensor 81 and the second magnetic sensor 82 detect magnetic data generated according to the material of the coin C moving on the first straight portion 31 of the passage portion 26. They are aligned with the position in the coin conveying direction in the first straight portion 31 and are spaced apart along the upper surface of the first straight portion 31 and in a direction orthogonal to the coin conveying direction in the first straight portion 31. Among the first magnetic sensor 81 and the second magnetic sensor 82, the first magnetic sensor 81 is disposed near the conveying guide portion 27, and the second magnetic sensor 82 is disposed near the conveying guide portion 28. The distance between the first magnetic sensor 81 and the conveying guide portion 27 is equal to the distance between the second magnetic sensor 82 and the conveying guide portion 28.

[0037] The line sensor 83 detects the radial length of the coin C moving on the first straight portion 31 of the passage portion 26, and is provided further downstream in the coin conveying direction in the first straight portion 31 than the arrangement positions of the first magnetic sensor 81 and the second magnetic sensor 82, that is, on the side opposite to the feeding mechanism 22 shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the line sensor 83 extends along the upper surface of the first straight portion 31 and in a direction orthogonal to the coin conveying direction in the first straight portion 31, slightly exceeding the conveying guide portions 27 and 28 from between the conveying guide portions 27 and 28. The line sensor 83 is configured by linearly arranging a combination of a light emitting element and a light receiving element capable of receiving the light emitted by the light emitting element. The radial length of the coin C is detected from the number of consecutive light receiving elements that are not blocked by the coin C when the light emitted by the light emitting element is blocked. The line sensor 83 detects the radial length of the coin C in the direction along the upper surface of the first straight portion 31 and orthogonal to the coin conveying direction in the first straight portion 31, in other words, the width of the coin C.

[0038] The first magnetic sensor 81, the second magnetic sensor, and the line sensor 83 are provided at positions where they can simultaneously detect a single bimetallic coin C. Here, the bimetallic coin C has a disc-shaped core portion 91 at the radial center and an annular ring portion 92 surrounding the entire circumference of the core portion 91, and the materials of the core portion 91 and the ring portion 92 are different. In Japan, there is a 500-yen bimetallic coin C.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 4, the coin identification unit 48 has a line sensor memory 101 that stores a detection signal of the radial length of the coin C detected by the line sensor 83 and output from the line sensor 83, a first magnetic sensor memory 102 that stores a detection signal of magnetic data detected by the first magnetic sensor 81 and output from the first magnetic sensor 81, and a second magnetic sensor memory 103 that stores a detection signal of magnetic data detected by the second magnetic sensor 82 and output from the second magnetic sensor 82.

[0040] The line sensor memory 101 stores the detection signal of the radial length of the coin C output from the line sensor 83 at predetermined time intervals.

[0041] The first magnetic sensor memory 102 stores the detection signal of the magnetic data detected by the first magnetic sensor 81 at predetermined time intervals.

[0042] The second magnetic sensor memory 103 stores the detection signal of the magnetic data detected by the second magnetic sensor 82 at predetermined time intervals.

[0043] The line sensor 83, the first magnetic sensor 81, and the second magnetic sensor 82 store, at the same timing, the detection signal of the radial length data from the line sensor 83 in the line sensor memory 101, the detection signal of the magnetic data from the first magnetic sensor 81 in the first magnetic sensor memory 102, and the detection signal of the magnetic data from the second magnetic sensor 82 in the second magnetic sensor memory 103, respectively.

[0044] The coin identification unit 48 has a material determination unit 111 that determines the authenticity and denomination of the target coin C based on the detection signals of the magnetic data stored in the first magnetic sensor memory 102 and the detection signals of the magnetic data stored in the second magnetic sensor memory 103. When the material determination unit 111 determines that the target coin C is a genuine coin of a predetermined denomination based on the detection signals of the magnetic data stored in the first magnetic sensor memory 102 and the second magnetic sensor memory 103, it determines that the target coin C is of this denomination and outputs a first denomination candidate signal indicating this denomination. Otherwise, it determines that the target coin C is a counterfeit coin and outputs a first counterfeit determination signal indicating that it is a counterfeit coin.

[0045] The material determination unit 111 compares, for example, the maximum value of the detection signal of the magnetic data of the target coin C detected by the first magnetic sensor 81 stored in the first magnetic sensor memory 102 and the detection signal of the magnetic data of the target coin C detected by the second magnetic sensor 82 stored in the second magnetic sensor memory 103 with the magnetic reference data, which is the preset and stored magnetic reference data. If there is magnetic reference data that can be determined to be close, it determines that the target coin C is a genuine coin of the denomination of this magnetic reference data and outputs a first denomination candidate signal indicating this denomination. Otherwise, it determines that the target coin C is a counterfeit coin and outputs a first counterfeit determination signal indicating that it is a counterfeit coin.

[0046] The coin identification unit 48 has a diameter determination unit 112 that determines the authenticity and denomination of the target coin C based on the detection signal of the length data in the radial direction of the target coin C stored in the line sensor memory 101. When the diameter determination unit 112 determines that the target coin C is a genuine coin of a predetermined denomination based on the detection signal of the length data in the radial direction stored in the line sensor memory 101, it determines that the target coin C is of this denomination and outputs a second denomination candidate signal indicating this denomination. Otherwise, it determines that the target coin C is a counterfeit coin and outputs a second counterfeit determination signal indicating that it is a counterfeit coin.

[0047] The diameter determination unit 112 compares, for example, the detection signal of the maximum length in the radial direction of the target coin C detected by the line sensor 83 stored in the line sensor memory 101, that is, the detection signal of the diameter data, with the diameter reference data which is the preset and stored reference data of the diameter. If there is diameter reference data that can be determined to be close, it determines that the target coin C is a genuine coin of the denomination corresponding to this diameter reference data, and outputs a second denomination candidate signal indicating this denomination. Otherwise, it determines that the target coin C is a counterfeit coin, and outputs a second counterfeit determination signal indicating that it is a counterfeit coin.

[0048] Also, when the diameter determination unit 112 determines that the target coin C is a genuine coin of a predetermined denomination based on the detection signal of the length data in the radial direction stored in the line sensor memory 101, if the target coin C is a coin of a specific denomination that may be a bicolor coin, it outputs a specific denomination signal indicating that. In other words, this specific denomination is a denomination having a bicolor coin.

[0049] When a specific denomination signal indicating that the detected target coin C is a coin of a specific denomination is input from the diameter determination unit 112, the coin identification unit 48 includes a bicolor determination unit 113 that determines whether the detected target coin C is a bicolor coin based on the detection signals from the first magnetic sensor 81 and the second magnetic sensor 82 at the timing based on the detection signal from the line sensor 83 and the preset determination reference data, and a determination reference memory 114 that stores the determination reference data of the bicolor determination unit 113.

[0050] When the specific coin type signal is input from the diameter determination unit 112, the bicolor coin determination unit 113 determines, from the detection signal of the length data in the radial direction stored in the line sensor memory 101, the predetermined timing at which the detected target coin C is detected at a position predetermined by the line sensor 83. Here, as shown in FIG. 3(b), the predetermined position means the position of the length data D1 in the radial direction of the target coin C detected by the line sensor 83 when the first magnetic sensor 81 and the second magnetic sensor 82 are at the position of the ring portion 92 of the target coin C and can detect the magnetic data of the ring portion 92 well when the target coin C is a bicolor coin of a genuine coin of a specific coin type. Therefore, when the specific coin type signal is input from the diameter determination unit 112, the bicolor coin determination unit 113 determines, from the detection signal of the length data in the radial direction stored in the line sensor memory 101, the predetermined timing at which the detected target coin C has the length data D1 in the radial direction detected by the line sensor 83.

[0051] When the specific coin type signal is input from the diameter determination unit 112, the bicolor coin determination unit 113, for example, reads the detection signal from the first magnetic sensor 81 at the above-mentioned predetermined timing from the magnetic data stored in the first magnetic sensor memory 102, and reads the detection signal from the second magnetic sensor 82 at this predetermined timing from the magnetic data stored in the second magnetic sensor memory 103. If it can be determined that the maximum value of the magnetic data of the read target coin C is close to the magnetic reference data of the bicolor coin of the specific coin type preset and stored in the determination reference memory 114, it is determined that the target coin C is a bicolor coin of a genuine coin of this specific coin type, and a specific bicolor determination signal is output. Otherwise, it is determined that the target coin C is not a bicolor coin of a genuine coin of the specific coin type, and a non-specific bicolor determination signal is output.

[0052] As described above, when a specific coin type signal indicating that the detected target coin C is a coin of a specific denomination is input, the bicolor determination unit 113 determines whether the detected coin is a bicolor coin of the specific denomination based on the detection signals of the first magnetic sensor 81 and the second magnetic sensor 82 at the timing based on the detection signal from the line sensor 83 and the determination reference data stored in advance.

[0053] Also, when the specific coin type signal is input, the bicolor determination unit 113 determines the timing at which the position of the detected target coin C predetermined by the line sensor 83 is detected, and outputs a determination signal for determining whether the detected target coin C is a bicolor coin of the specific denomination based on the detection signals from the first magnetic sensor 81 and the second magnetic sensor 82 at the determined timing and the determination reference data stored in advance.

[0054] In other words, the coin processing apparatus 10 measures the conveyance timing of the conveyed coin C by the line sensor 83, and determines whether the conveyed coin C is a bicolor coin of a specific denomination based on the detection signals of the first magnetic sensor 81 and the second magnetic sensor 82 at the specific conveyance timing of the specific denomination coin.

[0055] In other words, the coin processing device 10 determines the timing at which the predetermined position of the detected target coin C is detected by the line sensor 83, and based on the determined timing, the distances between the line sensor 83 and the first magnetic sensor 81 and the second magnetic sensor 82, and the distance between the line sensor 83 and the ring portion 92 of a specific denomination when the predetermined position is detected by the line sensor 83, it determines the timing at which the first magnetic sensor 81 and the second magnetic sensor 82 are positioned at the position of the ring portion 92 of the specific denomination. Then, based on the detection signals from the first magnetic sensor 81 and the second magnetic sensor 82 at this timing and the determination reference data stored in advance, it outputs a determination signal for determining whether the detected target coin C is a bimetallic coin of a specific denomination. That is, the coin identification device 10 determines the timing at which the ring portion 92 of the specific denomination coin C is positioned at the positions of the first magnetic sensor 81 and the second magnetic sensor 82 based on the detection result of the line sensor 83, and determines whether the coin C being conveyed is a bimetallic coin based on the detection signals of the first magnetic sensor 81 and the second magnetic sensor 82 at this timing.

[0056] When a specific denomination signal is input from the diameter determination unit 112 to the bimetallic determination unit 113, the coin identification unit 48 has an integrated determination unit 121 that finally determines the authenticity and denomination of the target coin C based on the first denomination candidate signal or the first fake determination signal output from the material determination unit 111 for the target coin C, the second denomination candidate signal or the second fake determination signal output from the diameter determination unit 112 for the target coin C, and the specific bimetallic determination signal or the non-specific bimetallic determination signal output from the bimetallic determination unit 113, and outputs a confirmed denomination signal. When the specific denomination signal is not input from the diameter determination unit 112 to the bimetallic determination unit 113, the integrated determination unit 121 finally determines the authenticity and denomination of the target coin C based on the first denomination candidate signal or the first fake determination signal output from the material determination unit 111 for the target coin C and the second denomination candidate signal or the second fake determination signal output from the diameter determination unit 112 for the target coin C, and outputs a confirmed denomination signal.

[0057] In the coin processing apparatus 10 used in Japan, the following determinations are made.

[0058] [First determination] For example, with respect to a single target coin C, the comprehensive determination unit 121 determines that it is a genuine coin of a specified denomination by the material determination unit 111 and outputs a first denomination candidate signal. When it is determined by the diameter determination unit 112 that it is a genuine coin of a specified denomination and a second denomination candidate signal is output, if the second denomination candidate signal does not indicate a specific denomination, when the first denomination candidate signal and the second denomination candidate signal indicate the same denomination, this target coin C is determined to be a genuine coin of this same denomination, and a confirmed denomination signal indicating this denomination is output to the apparatus control unit 123.

[0059] For example, with respect to a single target coin C, the comprehensive determination unit 121 determines that it is a genuine coin of a specified denomination by the material determination unit 111 and outputs a first denomination candidate signal. When it is determined by the diameter determination unit 112 that it is a genuine coin of a specified denomination and a second denomination candidate signal is output, if the second denomination candidate signal does not indicate a specific denomination, when the first denomination candidate signal and the second denomination candidate signal indicate different denominations, this target coin C is determined to be a counterfeit coin, and a mismatch signal indicating that it is a counterfeit coin is output to the apparatus control unit 123.

[0060] For example, with respect to a single target coin C, if it is determined to be a counterfeit coin by at least one of the material determination unit 111 and the diameter determination unit 112, and at least one of the first counterfeit determination signal and the second counterfeit determination signal is output, if the second denomination candidate signal does not indicate a specific denomination, this target coin C is determined to be a counterfeit coin, and a mismatch signal indicating that it is a counterfeit coin is output to the apparatus control unit 123.

[0061] The above first determination is a determination of the authenticity of coins of denominations (1 yen, 5 yen, 10 yen, 50 yen, and 100 yen) for which there are no bicolor coins and non-bicolor coins with the same diameter.

[0062] [Second determination] For example, for a target coin C, when the material determination unit 111 determines that it is a genuine coin of a specified denomination and outputs a first denomination candidate signal, the diameter determination unit 112 determines that it is a genuine coin of a specified denomination and outputs a second denomination candidate signal, the second denomination candidate signal indicates a specific denomination, and a non-specific bicolor determination signal is output from the bicolor determination unit 113, if the first denomination candidate signal and the second denomination candidate signal indicate the same denomination, the comprehensive determination unit 121 determines that this target coin C is a genuine coin of this same denomination, and outputs a confirmed denomination signal indicating this denomination to the device control unit 123.

[0063] For example, for a target coin C, when the material determination unit 111 determines that it is a genuine coin of a specified denomination and outputs a first denomination candidate signal, the diameter determination unit 112 determines that it is a genuine coin of a specified denomination and outputs a second denomination candidate signal, the second denomination candidate signal indicates a specific denomination, and a non-specific bicolor determination signal is output from the bicolor determination unit 113, if the first denomination candidate signal and the second denomination candidate signal indicate different denominations, the comprehensive determination unit 121 outputs a mismatch signal indicating that this target coin C is a counterfeit coin to the device control unit 123.

[0064] For example, for a target coin C, when the material determination unit 111 determines that it is a counterfeit coin and outputs a first counterfeit determination signal, the diameter determination unit 112 determines that it is a genuine coin of a specified denomination and outputs a second denomination candidate signal, the second denomination candidate signal indicates a specific denomination, and a non-specific bicolor determination signal is output from the bicolor determination unit 113, the comprehensive determination unit 121 determines that this target coin C is a counterfeit coin, and outputs a mismatch signal indicating that it is a counterfeit coin to the device control unit 123.

[0065] The above second determination is for determining the authenticity of a non-bicolor coin (old 500-yen coin) when there are bicolor coins with the same diameter and non-bicolor coins.

[0066] [Third determination] For example, for a target coin C, if the diameter determination unit 112 determines that it is a genuine coin and a coin of a predetermined denomination and outputs a second denomination candidate signal, and the second denomination candidate signal indicates a specific denomination, and a specific bicolor determination signal is output from the bicolor determination unit 113, then regardless of whether the first denomination candidate signal or the first counterfeit determination signal is output by the material determination unit 111, since the second denomination candidate signal and the specific bicolor determination signal indicate the same denomination (500 yen), the comprehensive determination unit 121 determines that this target coin C is a genuine coin of this same denomination, that is, the specific denomination, and outputs a confirmed denomination signal indicating this denomination to the device control unit 123.

[0067] For example, for a target coin C, if the diameter determination unit 112 determines that it is a genuine coin and a coin of a predetermined denomination and outputs a second denomination candidate signal, and the second denomination candidate signal indicates a specific denomination, and a non-specific bicolor determination signal is output from the bicolor determination unit 113, then regardless of whether the first denomination candidate signal or the first counterfeit determination signal is output by the material determination unit 111, the comprehensive determination unit 121 determines that this target coin C is a counterfeit coin and outputs a mismatch signal indicating that it is a counterfeit coin to the device control unit 123.

[0068] In other words, in the third determination, specifically, for example, for a target coin C, if the diameter determination unit 112 determines that it is a genuine coin of a specific denomination and outputs a second denomination candidate signal indicating that it is a specific denomination, and the bicolor determination unit 113 determines that it is a genuine bicolor coin of the specific denomination and outputs a specific bicolor determination signal, then regardless of whether the first denomination candidate signal or the first counterfeit determination signal is output by the material determination unit 111, the comprehensive determination unit 121 determines that this target coin C is a genuine coin of this specific denomination and outputs a confirmed denomination signal indicating this denomination to the device control unit 123.

[0069] In addition, for example, when a target coin C is a bicolor coin in which the materials of the core part 91 and the ring part 92 are reversed and the outer diameters are substantially the same with respect to the coins of the specific denomination, the diameter determination unit 112 determines it as a genuine coin of the specified denomination and outputs a second denomination candidate signal. The second denomination candidate signal indicates that it is a specific denomination, and since the bicolor determination unit 113 outputs a non-specific bicolor determination signal based on the magnetic data for the ring part 92, regardless of whether the material determination unit 111 outputs the first denomination candidate signal or the first fake determination signal, this target coin C is determined to be a fake coin, and a mismatch signal indicating that it is a fake coin is output to the device control unit 123.

[0070] The above third determination is a determination of the authenticity of a bicolor coin (new 500 yen) when there are coins with the same diameter, one being a bicolor coin and the other not being a bicolor coin.

[0071] The comprehensive determination unit 121 outputs either a confirmed denomination signal or a mismatch signal for one target coin C to the device control unit 123, and also outputs a memory reset signal to the line sensor memory 101, the first magnetic sensor memory 102, and the second magnetic sensor memory 103. When the memory reset signal is input to the line sensor memory 101, the detection signal of the length data in the radial direction for this target coin C is erased. When the memory reset signal is input to the first magnetic sensor memory 102, the detection signal of the magnetic data from the first magnetic sensor 81 for this target coin C is erased. When the memory reset signal is input to the second magnetic sensor memory 103, the detection signal of the magnetic data from the second magnetic sensor 82 for this target coin C is erased.

[0072] Here, the interval at which the coin feeder mechanism 22 shown in FIG. 2 feeds out the coin C is such that, for one target coin C, the comprehensive determination unit 121 outputs either a denomination signal or a mismatch signal to the device control unit 123 and outputs a memory reset signal to the line sensor memory 101, the first magnetic sensor memory 102, and the second magnetic sensor memory 103, erasing the detection signal of the radial length data of the line sensor memory 101, erasing the detection signal of the magnetic data of the first magnetic sensor memory 102, and erasing the detection signal of the magnetic data of the second magnetic sensor memory 103, and then setting the next single target coin C to be detected by the first magnetic sensor 81 and the second magnetic sensor 82. In other words, after one coin C is identified, the coin identification unit 48, as a preparation for identifying the next coin C, outputs a memory reset signal from the comprehensive determination unit 121 to the line sensor memory 101, the first magnetic sensor memory 102, and the second magnetic sensor memory 103, thereby resetting the data for this one coin C in the line sensor memory 101, the first magnetic sensor memory 102, and the second magnetic sensor memory 103 and making the state capable of storing the radial length data and magnetic data of the next coin C. Note that at least two sets of the line sensor memory 101, the first magnetic sensor memory 102, and the second magnetic sensor memory 103 are prepared, and they are switched for each coin C fed out and conveyed, and stored in their respective memories, enabling parallel processing of the determination process for the preceding coin C and the storage process for the subsequent coin C, so that the interval at which the coin C is fed out can be made infinitely small.

[0073] Next, regarding the control content by the device control unit 123 based on the identification result of the coin identification unit 48, as an example of various processes, the deposit storage process will be described as an example.

[0074] When performing the deposit storage process of counting mixed-denomination coins, classifying them by denomination, and storing them, basically, the operator will insert mixed-denomination coins into the coin insertion unit 21. In this state, the operator sequentially makes a selection and designation operation for the deposit storage process and an input for starting the process on the operation unit 11. Then, the device control unit 123 drives the payout mechanism 22 and the conveyance mechanism 36. Therefore, the coins in the coin insertion unit 21 are separated one by one by the separation unit 24 from the rotating turntable 23 and fed out onto the passage portion 26 of the coin passage 25. In the state of being arranged in the order in which they were fed out in the passage portion 26, they are transferred to the introduction-side belt 37 and the upstream-side conveyance belt 38, and are conveyed by this upstream-side conveyance belt 38 toward the coin identification unit 48 and the upstream-side coin sorting unit 50.

[0075] The coin C conveyed as described above is first detected by the coin detection sensors 47, 47 at the position of the introduction-side belt 37 during conveyance by the introduction-side belt 37. Next, during conveyance by the upstream-side conveyance belt 38, detection is started by the first magnetic sensor 81 and the second magnetic sensor 82 of the coin identification unit 48, and then detection is started by the line sensor 83. The first magnetic sensor 81 and the second magnetic sensor 82 start detecting the detection signal of the magnetic data at a timing based on the timing when this coin C is detected by the coin detection sensors 47, 47, the conveyance speed by the conveyance mechanism 36, and the conveyance distance between the coin detection sensors 47, 47 and the first magnetic sensor 81 and the second magnetic sensor 82, and store it in the first magnetic sensor memory 102 and the second magnetic sensor memory 103. The line sensor 83 starts detecting the detection signal of the radial length data at a timing based on the timing when this coin C is detected by the coin detection sensors 47, 47, the conveyance speed by the conveyance mechanism 36, and the conveyance distance between the coin detection sensors 47, 47 and the line sensor 83, and stores it in the line sensor memory 101.

[0076] For this coin C, the material determination unit 111 determines the coin type and authenticity as described above from the detection signals of the magnetic data stored in the first magnetic sensor memory 102 and the detection signals of the magnetic data stored in the second magnetic sensor memory 103, and outputs a first coin type candidate signal or a first fake determination signal.

[0077] Also, for this coin C, the diameter determination unit 112 determines the coin type and authenticity as described above from the detection signal of the radial length data stored in the line sensor memory 101, and outputs a second coin type candidate signal or a second fake determination signal. When the diameter determination unit 112 determines that this coin C is a specific coin type as described above from the maximum value of the detection signal of the radial length data stored in the line sensor memory 101, that is, the diameter, it outputs a specific coin type signal to the bicolor determination unit 113. Then, based on the detection signal of the magnetic data stored in the first magnetic sensor memory 102 and the detection signal of the magnetic data stored in the second magnetic sensor memory 103 at the position based on the detection signal of the radial length data stored in the line sensor memory 101, the bicolor determination unit 113 outputs a specific bicolor determination signal or a non-specific bicolor determination signal for this coin C as described above.

[0078] When the comprehensive determination unit 121 determines that this coin C is a genuine coin of a predetermined coin type by the above-described determination, it outputs a confirmed coin type signal of that coin type to the device control unit 123. On the other hand, when it determines that it is a fake coin, it outputs a mismatch signal to the device control unit 123. At the same time, the comprehensive determination unit 121 outputs a memory reset signal to the line sensor memory 101, the first magnetic sensor memory 102, and the second magnetic sensor memory 103 to prepare for the identification of the next coin C.

[0079] When the device control unit 123 determines that the coin C is a fake coin in the comprehensive determination unit 121, it opens the shutter 58 at a timing when the coin C can fall into the sorting hole 57 of the reject sorting unit 52 based on the timing when the coin C is detected by the coin detection sensor 62. Then, this coin C falls from the sorting hole 57 and is guided to the reject port 60.

[0080] Also, when the coin C is determined to be a genuine coin by the comprehensive determination unit 121, the device control unit 123 keeps the shutter 58 of the reject sorting unit 52 closed, allows this coin C to pass through, and conveys it toward the denomination sorting unit 65. Then, the denomination sorting unit 65 sorts and drops the conveyed coin C into the sorting holes 66a to 66f according to the denomination and temporarily stores it in the temporary storage bins 73 of the temporary storage unit 70 according to the denomination.

[0081] And when all the coins C of the feeding mechanism 22 are sorted by either the reject sorting unit 52 or the denomination sorting unit 65, the device control unit 123 confirms the coincidence between the counting result by coin type by the coin identification unit 48 and the counting result by coin type by the coin detection sensors 67a to 67f provided corresponding to the sorting holes 66a to 66f, and causes the counting result to be displayed on the display unit 12.

[0082] When an approval operation is input to the operation unit 11 by the operator who has seen this, the device control unit 123 delivers the coins C temporarily stored in the temporary storage unit 70 according to the denomination to the storage boxes 72a to 72f of the storage unit 71 according to the denomination. Thereby, the coins C temporarily stored in the temporary storage unit 70 according to the denomination are stored in the storage unit 71 according to the denomination.

[0083] On the other hand, when a cancel operation is input to the operation unit 11 by the operator who has seen the counting result displayed on the display unit 12, the device control unit 123 makes the temporary storage unit 70 in a state where it can be pulled out. The operator pulls out the temporary storage unit 70 and takes out the coin C.

[0084] In the coin processing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment described above, when a specific coin type signal indicating that the detected target coin C is a coin of a specific coin type is input, the bicolor determination unit 113 determines whether the detected coin C is a bicolor coin based on the detection signals of the first magnetic sensor 81 and the second magnetic sensor 82 at the timing based on the detection signal from the line sensor 83 and the determination reference data stored in advance. In this way, in order to determine the detection positions of the first magnetic sensor 81 and the second magnetic sensor 82 for the target coin C based on the detection signal from the line sensor 83, the stable positions of the target coin C can be detected by the first magnetic sensor 81 and the second magnetic sensor 82. Therefore, it is possible to accurately determine whether the coin is a bicolor coin. Thus, the identification accuracy of the coin C can be improved.

[0085] For example, in the identification device described in Patent Document 1 mentioned above, two detection sensors are arranged across the passage / region through which the coin is conveyed, and based on the detection signals detected by the detection sensors, it is determined whether the coin is a bicolor coin. However, depending on the arrangement position of the detection sensor or the position of the coin passing through the detection sensor, there is a possibility that the detection sensor may detect the boundary portion where the two materials of the bicolor coin exist. In that case, even for a coin in which the metal of the central core portion and the outer peripheral ring portion are swapped, there is a risk of misidentification as the same coin. In contrast, since the coin processing apparatus 10 determines the detection positions of the first magnetic sensor 81 and the second magnetic sensor 82 for the target coin C based on the detection signal from the line sensor 83, the stable positions of the target coin C can be detected by the first magnetic sensor 81 and the second magnetic sensor 82, and it is possible to accurately determine whether the coin is a bicolor coin, thereby improving the identification accuracy of the coin C.

[0086] When a specific coin type signal is input, the bicolor coin determination unit 113 of the coin processing device 10 determines the timing at which the detected target coin C is detected at a predetermined position (the position where the above-described radial length data D1 is obtained) by the line sensor 83, and based on the detection signals from the first magnetic sensor 81 and the second magnetic sensor 82 at the determined timing and the determination reference data stored in advance, outputs a determination signal for determining whether the detected target coin C is a bicolor coin. Therefore, it is possible to accurately determine whether a coin is a bicolor coin with easy control. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the identification accuracy of the coin C.

[0087] The coin processing device 10 measures the conveyance timing of the conveyed coin C by the line sensor 83, and determines whether the conveyed coin C is a bicolor coin based on the detection signals of the first magnetic sensor 81 and the second magnetic sensor 82 at the specific conveyance timing of the specific coin type. Therefore, it is possible to accurately determine whether a coin is a bicolor coin. Therefore, the stable positions of the target coin C can be detected by the first magnetic sensor 81 and the second magnetic sensor 82. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the identification accuracy of the coin C.

[0088] The coin identification device 10 determines the timing at which the ring portion 92 of the specific coin type coin C is located at the positions of the first magnetic sensor 81 and the second magnetic sensor 82 based on the detection result of the line sensor 83, and determines whether the conveyed coin C is a bicolor coin based on the detection signals of the first magnetic sensor 81 and the second magnetic sensor 82 at this timing. Therefore, the ring portion 92 of the specific coin type coin C can be detected by the first magnetic sensor 81 and the second magnetic sensor 82. For this reason, it is possible to accurately determine whether a coin is a bicolor coin. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the identification accuracy of the coin C.

[0089] The coin processing device 10 of the above embodiment can be modified as in the following modification examples 1 to 6.

[0090] <Modification Example 1> In the above-described embodiment, in addition to the diameter determination unit 112 outputting a specific denomination signal that may be a bimetallic coin to the bimetallic determination unit 113 based on the detection signal of the line sensor 83 stored in the line sensor memory 101, the material determination unit 111 may output a specific denomination signal to the bimetallic determination unit 113 when there is a possibility of a bimetallic coin based on the detection signal of the first magnetic sensor 81 stored in the first magnetic sensor memory 102 and the detection signal of the second magnetic sensor 82 stored in the second magnetic sensor memory 103. In this case, the bimetallic determination unit 113 determines whether it is a bimetallic coin of a specific denomination when a specific denomination signal is output from the diameter determination unit 112 and a specific denomination signal is output from the material determination unit 111. This facilitates control when there are coins with the same diameter that are not bimetallic coins and bimetallic coins.

[0091] <Modification Examples 2 to 5> In Modification Examples 2 to 5, the determination of whether it is a bimetallic coin of a specific denomination is different from that in the above-described embodiment. Fig. 5(a) shows, as an example of a bimetallic coin, the detection signal (solid line) of magnetic data when a medium or the like with the materials of the ring part and the core part swapped is detected by the first magnetic sensor 81 and the second magnetic sensor 82, its differential value (broken line), and the straight line (dashed-dotted line) connecting the detection start and the peak of the detection signal. Fig. 5(b) shows the detection signal (solid line) of magnetic data when a 500-yen bimetallic coin (the core part 91 is cupronickel and the ring part 92 is brass) is detected by the first magnetic sensor 81 and the second magnetic sensor 82, its differential value (broken line), and the straight line (dashed-dotted line) connecting the detection start and the peak of the detection signal.

[0092] <Modification Example 2> Modification Example 2 determines whether the target coin C is a bimetallic coin of a specific denomination based on the material sensor levels of the first magnetic sensor 81 and the second magnetic sensor 82 when the target coin C passes through the first magnetic sensor 81 and the second magnetic sensor 82. That is, as shown by the solid lines in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b), for a bimetallic coin in which the ring part and the core part that are not of the specific denomination are swapped, and a 500-yen bimetallic coin that is a bimetallic coin of the specific denomination, the material sensor levels of the first magnetic sensor 81 and the second magnetic sensor 82 when the coin C passes through the first magnetic sensor 81 and the second magnetic sensor 82 are different. Accordingly, a threshold is set between the material sensor levels of the first magnetic sensor 81 and the second magnetic sensor 82 when the coin C passes through the first magnetic sensor 81 and the second magnetic sensor 82 of a coin in which the ring part and the core part are swapped, and the material sensor levels of the first magnetic sensor 81 and the second magnetic sensor 82 when the coin C passes through the first magnetic sensor 81 and the second magnetic sensor 82 of a 500-yen bimetallic coin that is a bimetallic coin of the specific denomination. If it is greater than this threshold, it is determined that it is not a 500-yen bimetallic coin that is a bimetallic coin of the specific denomination, and if it is below this threshold, it is determined that it is a 500-yen bimetallic coin that is a bimetallic coin of the specific denomination. Note that, although the explanation is made on the premise that the determination of whether the target coin C has passed through the first magnetic sensor 81 and the second magnetic sensor 82 is made based on the material sensor levels of the first magnetic sensor 81 and the second magnetic sensor 82, it is not limited to this. An optical timing sensor adjacent to the first magnetic sensor 81 and the second magnetic sensor 82 may be provided, and based on the output signal of the optical timing sensor, it may be determined that the coin has passed through the first magnetic sensor 81 and the second magnetic sensor 82, and the determination may be made as described above.

[0093] <Modification Example 3> In Modification Example 3, after the target coin C is detected by the first magnetic sensor 81 and the second magnetic sensor 82, it is determined whether the conveyed coin C is a bimetallic coin of a specific denomination based on the integrated value of the material sensor levels of the first magnetic sensor 81 and the second magnetic sensor 82 during a predetermined period until the material sensor levels of the first magnetic sensor 81 and the second magnetic sensor 82 reach a peak. That is, as shown by the solid lines in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b), a bimetallic coin in which the ring part and the core part that are not of the specific denomination are swapped has a larger integrated value than the 500-yen coin which is a bimetallic coin of the specific denomination. Accordingly, a threshold value is set between the integrated value of the bimetallic coin in which the ring part and the core part that are not of the specific denomination are swapped and the integrated value of the 500-yen coin which is a bimetallic coin of the specific denomination. If it is larger than this threshold value, it is determined that the coin is not the 500-yen coin which is a bimetallic coin of the specific denomination, and if it is equal to or less than this threshold value, it is determined that the coin is the 500-yen coin which is a bimetallic coin of the specific denomination.

[0094] <Modification Example 4> In Modification Example 4, after the target coin C is detected by the first magnetic sensor 81 and the second magnetic sensor 82, it is determined whether the conveyed coin C is a bimetallic coin of a specific denomination based on the average value of the material sensor levels of the first magnetic sensor 81 and the second magnetic sensor 82 during a predetermined period until the material sensor levels of the first magnetic sensor 81 and the second magnetic sensor 82 reach a peak. That is, as shown by the solid lines in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b), a bimetallic coin in which the ring part and the core part that are not of the specific denomination are swapped has a smaller average value than the 500-yen coin which is a bimetallic coin of the specific denomination. Accordingly, a threshold value is set between the average value of the bimetallic coin in which the ring part and the core part that are not of the specific denomination are swapped and the average value of the 500-yen coin which is a bimetallic coin of the specific denomination. If it is smaller than this threshold value, it is determined that the coin is not the 500-yen coin which is a bimetallic coin of the specific denomination, and if it is equal to or greater than this threshold value, it is determined that the coin is the 500-yen coin which is a bimetallic coin of the specific denomination.

[0095] <Modification Example 5> Modification Example 5 determines whether the target coin C is a bimetallic coin of a specific denomination based on the differential value of the material sensor level of the first magnetic sensor 81 and the second magnetic sensor 82 from when detection by the first magnetic sensor 81 and the second magnetic sensor 82 starts until it passes through the first magnetic sensor 81 and the second magnetic sensor 82. That is, as shown by the dashed lines in FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b), for a bimetallic coin in which the ring part and the core part that are not of the specific denomination are swapped, one peak value above and one peak value below occur in the above differential value, and for the 500-yen coin which is a bimetallic coin of the specific denomination, two peak values above and two peak values below occur in the above differential value. Therefore, when two peak values above and two peak values below occur in the above differential value, it is determined that the coin is a 500-yen bimetallic coin of the specific denomination, and if the two peak values above and two peak values below do not occur, it is determined that the coin is not a 500-yen bimetallic coin of the specific denomination.

[0096] <Modification Example 6> The first magnetic sensor 81 and the second magnetic sensor 82 may be of the transmission type or the reflection type, and as long as they can detect the material of the coin.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0097] 10… Coin processing device (coin identification device), 81… First magnetic sensor (material sensor), 82… Second magnetic sensor (material sensor), 83… Line sensor, 92… Ring part, 111… Material determination unit, 112… Diameter determination unit, 113… Bimetallic coin determination unit, 121… Comprehensive determination unit, C… Coin.

Claims

1. A material sensor for detecting the material of a coin, A line sensor for detecting the radial length of a coin, A material determination unit that outputs a first coin type candidate signal based on the detection signal from the material sensor, A diameter determination unit that outputs a second coin type candidate signal based on the detection signal from the line sensor, When a specific coin type signal indicating that the detected coin is a coin of a specific coin type is input, based on the detection signal from the material sensor at the timing based on the detection signal from the line sensor and the determination reference data stored in advance, a bicolor determination unit that determines whether the detected coin is a bicolor coin, An integrated determination unit that outputs a confirmed coin type signal based on the first coin type candidate signal from the material determination unit, the second coin type candidate signal from the diameter determination unit, and the determination signal from the bicolor determination unit, A coin identification device comprising the above.

2. The bicolor determination unit, when the specific coin type signal is input, determines the timing at which the position of the detected coin is detected by the line sensor in advance, and based on the detection signal from the material sensor at the determined timing and the determination reference data stored in advance, outputs a determination signal for determining whether the detected coin is a bicolor coin. The coin identification device according to Claim 1, characterized in that.

3. A coin identification device that measures the conveyance timing of the conveyed coin by a line sensor and determines whether the conveyed coin is a bicolor coin based on the detection signal of the material sensor at the specific conveyance timing of the specific coin type.

4. Based on the detection result of the line sensor, the timing at which the ring portion of a specific coin type having a central core portion and a ring portion surrounding the entire circumference of the core portion is located at the position of the material sensor is determined, and based on the detection signal of the material sensor at that timing, a coin identification device that determines whether the conveyed coin is a bicolor coin.

5. A coin identification device that determines whether the conveyed coin is a bicolor coin based on the material sensor level when the coin passes through the material sensor.

6. A coin identification device that determines whether the conveyed coin is a bicolor coin based on the integrated value during a predetermined period from when the coin is detected by the material sensor until the level of the material sensor reaches a peak.

7. A coin discrimination device that determines whether a conveyed coin is a bicolor coin based on the average value from when the coin is detected by a material sensor until the level of the material sensor reaches a peak. **Claim 8** A coin discrimination device that determines whether a conveyed coin is a bicolor coin based on the differential value of the level of the material sensor from when the coin is detected by the material sensor until it passes through the material sensor.

Images