Transportable automated device for numismatic photography

Abstract

The present invention describes a transportable automated device for the study and digitisation of coins. The device comprises a structure containing an automatic turning mechanism, an adaptable light source and an adjustable camera support. The automatic turning mechanism, controlled by servo motors, allows both sides of the coin to be photographed without manual intervention. The adaptable light provides three modes: axial, oblique and experimental, to adjust to the characteristics of each coin. The height-adjustable camera support ensures precise alignment with the luminaire. In addition, the device includes a light source for highlighting the edge of the coin, facilitating the study thereof. The compact design of the device facilitates transport. As a result, the invention provides a comprehensive solution for numismatic photography, improving image quality and process efficiency.

Description

[0001]

[0002] PORTABLE AUTOMATED NUMISMATIC PHOTOGRAPHY EQUIPMENT.

[0003] TECHNICAL SECTOR

[0004] The present invention belongs to the field of numismatics, and relates, more particularly, to equipment for the study and digitization of coins.

[0005] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Current systems for the study and digitization of coins have significant limitations.

[0007] Although commercial solutions exist, such as the quickPX Classic, Extended, Compact, and Travel models (http: / / www.quickpx.de / ), which offer a lighting base and specialized software, they lack crucial functionalities. The absence of an automatic flipping mechanism and adaptable lighting in these devices hinders the capture of high-quality images of various coin types. Furthermore, their bulky and heavy design limits their portability and makes them difficult to use in different environments.

[0008] Another aspect to consider is camera alignment. In the devices mentioned, the camera is not always positioned perpendicular to the coin, which introduces distortions in the final images and compromises the accuracy of the measurements.

[0009] On the other hand, there are more generic solutions, such as the Macrocoins models (http: / / www.macrocoins.com / example-systems-1.html), Orbitvu's Alphashot Micro Pro V2 and Alphashot 360 (https: / / orbitvu.es / ), and OrangeMonkey's Folfio studios (https: / / orangemonkie.com / es / pages / photo-studios), which offer controlled environments for photographing various products, including coins. However, these systems, while versatile, lack the specialization necessary for numismatic study. They are not specifically designed to highlight the key characteristics of coins or to facilitate their analysis. In short, the systems available for the study and digitization of coins suffer from the following shortcomings:

[0010] Lack of automation: Absence of automatic flipping mechanisms and lighting adjustments.

[0011] Lack of adaptable lighting: Generic systems are not specifically designed for numismatic study.

[0012] Alignment problems: The camera is not always positioned perpendicular to the coin.

[0013] Design limitations: Bulky and heavy design, making it difficult to carry.

[0014] These limitations create the need for a new system that overcomes the aforementioned challenges and offers a more complete and efficient solution for coin photography and study.

[0015] EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The object of the present invention is a new transportable device for the study and digitization of coins.

[0017] The problem this invention aims to solve is the lack of standardized and efficient equipment for studying and digitizing coins. As mentioned previously, existing systems have limitations such as:

[0018] - Lack of an automatic tilting mechanism, which implies manual handling.

[0019] - Lighting not adaptable to the different characteristics of the coins.

[0020] - Deviation in the camera support, affecting the perpendicularity of the image.

[0021] - Excessive volume and weight, making it difficult to transport.

[0022] The invention provides a flipping mechanism that allows images of both sides of the coin to be taken, automatically positioning it in the correct place, without the need for manual manipulation.

[0023] Additionally, the invention seeks to address the lack of a standard lighting technique for numismatic photography that ensures the correct illumination for each type of coin, resulting in an image that accurately reflects reality. This means that the lighting must be adapted to each coin based on its color, material, and reflectance to obtain faithful images without unwanted shadows or reflections. Furthermore, for data collection for subsequent coin analysis, auxiliary lighting from below is required to highlight the coin's outline.

[0024] The invention also incorporates a height-adjustable camera support to accommodate different coin diameters, allowing the use of any type of camera compatible with a hot shoe, which is arranged to ensure image perpendicularity and align the camera's optical axis with the luminaire's axis of revolution.

[0025] The equipment is designed to be easily transportable, so it is quite small in size and weight.

[0026] To fulfill all its functions, the equipment that is the subject of the invention is based on the following components:

[0027] A Fixed Base, which acts as the main platform of the equipment containing the electronic circuit that controls the mechanism and is divided into three zones:

[0028] A first area to house the electronic control circuit.

[0029] A second zone for the horizontal displacement of the mobile base.

[0030] A third zone houses a DC motor and a motion transmission system to power the mobile base.

[0031] A Mobile Base, which moves horizontally on the fixed base by means of a rail system and a belt system driven by the DC motor housed in the third zone of the fixed base (1), comprising two rotating planes, which together form the coin turning mechanism, which are configured to hold a coin between them and rotate to turn said coin, being driven by two servomotors controlled by the electronic circuit housed in the first zone of the fixed base.

[0032] A circuit cover that screws onto the fixed base, covering the electronic control circuitry. A mechanism cover that covers most of the fixed base and has slots for mounting the light fixture. It incorporates a translucent piece to allow the outline of the coin to be illuminated by the lower light source.

[0033] A lower light source is used to highlight the coin's outline. This light source is mounted on a platform attached to the fixed base, and its light is projected through the translucent piece of the mechanism's cover.

[0034] A luminaire, which consists of a cylindrical structure that surrounds the coin 360°. It almost completely covers the coin, leaving an opening for the camera's optical axis. This luminaire offers three types of illumination: axial, oblique, and experimental.

[0035] - Axial lighting: For high reflectance coins, controlled by an independent LED ring on the luminaire cap.

[0036] - Oblique lighting: For low reflectance coins, this is achieved by controlling the sectors of the main light source.

[0037] - Experimental lighting: Allows the coin to be illuminated in 360° by means of a light source in the cylinder, controllable by sectors.

[0038] A System Cover that serves a dual purpose. On one hand, it protects the equipment during transport, and on the other, it acts as a camera stand during use. It consists of four pieces:

[0039] - Two "L" shaped pieces that attach to the fixed base and serve as guides.

[0040] - A piece with slots at the ends that is height-adjustable by means of a mechanism. This last piece houses the camera shoe, ensuring that its optical axis coincides with the axis of the light fixture.

[0041] The horizontal translational movement described by the Mobile Base is carried out by the rotational movement, transmitted by belts, of a DC motor that is installed in the Fixed Base.

[0042] The mechanism for flipping the coin is located on the Mobile Base and is controlled by two servo motors, which rotate the two planes on which the coin rests. These two planes hold the coin in place during the rotational movement that flips it. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] To aid in understanding the description of the equipment, figures of a possible embodiment of the invention are attached to this document for illustrative and non-limiting purposes.

[0044] Figure 1 illustrates a miniature showing the equipment in transport configuration, as well as an exploded view of its components.

[0045] Figure 2 illustrates a thumbnail showing the equipment in working order, as well as an exploded view of its components.

[0046] PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0047] Looking at Fig. 1, it can be seen that on the fixed base (1) are installed all the pieces that define the circuit area, in addition to the parts of the mechanism that are responsible for translational displacement and the platform on which the lower light source (5) is installed, which is responsible for highlighting the outline of the coin, which is screwed to one of the walls that delimit the circuit area.

[0048] The mobile base (2), which moves on rails bolted to the fixed base (1), is driven by belts on pulleys that rotate due to a DC motor installed at one end of the fixed base (1), parallel to the shorter side of the parallelogram formed by the base. The DC motor's rotation is transmitted to the pulleys via a shaft. Both the shaft and the DC motor are housed within a structure bolted to the fixed base (1). It is worth noting that the mobile base is designed to move beneath the cantilevered platform where the lower light source (5) is installed, which highlights the coin's outline.

[0049] The circuit cover (3) is screwed onto the walls that form the circuit area. These screws are arranged parallel to the fixed base (1), and to access them, the mechanism cover (4) must be removed. The circuit cover (3) also houses part of the mechanism's trim, which moves with the movable base (2). The mechanism cover (4) almost completely covers the fixed base (1) and houses another part of the mechanism's trim, which, like the circuit cover (3), moves with the movable base (2). The mechanism cover (4) has a translucent piece that allows the light from below (5) to pass through, highlighting the coin's outline. Furthermore, the mechanism cover (4) has grooves in which the light fixture (6) is placed.

[0050] The light fixture (6), Fig. 2, is a cylindrical structure that surrounds the coin 360° and almost completely covers it with a lid parallel to the coin's face, leaving only an opening large enough not to interfere with the final photograph. As described in previous sections of this document, this light fixture provides three types of illumination: axial, oblique, and an experimental technique. This last technique, experimental illumination, illuminates the coin 360° using a light source located within the cylinder and controlled in several sectors, allowing the user to select which sectors are illuminated and which are not. Oblique illumination is achieved by carefully controlling these sectors, defining a point light source with an angle of between 30° and 60° relative to the horizontal, while axial illumination is controlled by an independent LED ring located on the light fixture's lid.

[0051] The technical characteristics of light intensity change depending on the lighting technique used, differentiating between axial, oblique and experimental.

[0052] The system cover (7) in this preferred embodiment of the invention has a dual function: to house and protect the system when it is in travel configuration (Fig. 1), and to support the camera when it is in working configuration (Fig. 2). The system cover (7) is made up of four parts. When in travel configuration, two L-shaped parts (7.1 and 7.2) are joined along the plane of symmetry, forming a U-shaped structure. These two parts are joined by a locking mechanism. The third part (7.3) forms the top of the resulting box. This top slides along two guides located inside the two L-shaped parts. To complete the assembly, a fourth part (7.4) is required. This part incorporates the camera mount and is positioned to cover the shorter side.To ensure this part is properly secured, the camera's height adjustment mechanism is used, thus serving a dual purpose: in the travel position, it closes the entire side assembly. When in working order and acting as a camera support, it uses only three parts: the two L-shaped pieces (7.1 and 7.2), which attach to the fixed base (1), again forming a "II" shaped structure, and act as guides for the fourth piece (7.4). This fourth piece, with two slots at its ends and a locking mechanism, is able to adjust its height. The camera mount is located on this last piece and is positioned so that the camera's optical axis coincides with the axis of revolution of the luminaire (6).

[0053] The movement described by the coin, thanks to the flipping mechanism located in the moving base, consists of 4 stages:

[0054] Step 1: The coin should be placed in the most central plane with respect to the fixed base. At this stage, the coin can be photographed from one side.

[0055] Stage 2: The second plane closes over the first by means of a rotational movement on the axis it shares with the first plane, trapping the coin thanks to the padded covering of the first plane.

[0056] Stage 3: Through a united rotational movement of the two planes, the coin is rotated until it rests on its other side, while at the same time these describe a translational movement to correct its position with respect to the optical axis of the camera.

[0057] Step 4: The foreground opens by reversing the rotation from the previous step, revealing the coin. At this stage, the coin can be photographed from its second side.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Portable automated numismatic photography equipment, characterized by comprising: a) A fixed base (1) comprising: A first area to house an electronic control circuit, comprising a plurality of interconnected electronic components to control the operation of the equipment; A second zone for the horizontal displacement of a mobile base (2), said second zone having a rail system that guides the movement of the mobile base (2); A third zone housing a DC motor and a motion transmission system for driving the movable base (2). b) A movable base (2) configured to move horizontally on the fixed base (1) by means of a rail system and a belt system driven by the DC motor housed in the third zone of the fixed base (1), comprising two rotating planes that together form the coin-turning mechanism. These planes are configured to hold a coin between them and rotate to turn the coin, and are driven by two servomotors controlled by the electronic circuit housed in the first zone of the fixed base (1). c) A circuit cover (3) configured to be fixed to the fixed base (1) by means of a plurality of screws, covering the first zone where the electronic circuit is housed. d) A mechanism cover (4) configured to cover most of the fixed base (1), comprising: A translucent piece configured to allow the passage of light from a lower light source (5) and configured to highlight the outline of the coin; A plurality of slots configured to receive and house a luminaire (6). e) A lower light source (5) configured to highlight the outline of the coin, which is mounted on a platform fixed to the fixed base (1) by means of a plurality of screws, and whose light is projected through the translucent piece of the mechanism cover (4). f) A luminaire (6) configured to surround the coin in 360 degrees and to be received and housed in the slots of the mechanism cover (4), comprising: A main light source arranged in a cylindrical structure, said main light source being divisible into a plurality of individually controllable sectors to provide oblique and experimental illumination. An independent LED ring arranged in the luminaire cover, configured to provide axial illumination. g) A system cover (7), which has a dual function: On the one hand, to protect the equipment during transport. On the other hand, to serve as a support for a camera during the use of the equipment to capture images of the coin, said cover (7) comprising: Two L-shaped pieces configured to attach to the fixed base (1) and act as guides for a third piece; A third height-adjustable piece featuring a camera shoe, and configured to ensure alignment of the camera's optical axis with the luminaire axis (6).

2. Transportable automated numismatic photography equipment, according to claim 1, characterized in that the mobile base (2) is configured to move under the platform where the lower light source (5) is installed, which highlights the outline of the coin, allowing the light from said source to illuminate the coin from below.

3. Portable automated numismatic photography equipment, according to claim 1, characterized in that the luminaire (6) is configured to cover almost completely the coin, leaving only an opening aligned with the optical axis of the camera to allow the capture of images of the coin without interference from ambient light.

4. Portable automated numismatic photography equipment, according to claim 1, characterized in that the camera support (7) is height adjustable by means of a mechanism that allows adjusting the position of the camera shoe, adapting to coins of different diameters and ensuring precise focusing of the camera on the coin.

5. Portable automated numismatic photography equipment, according to claim 1, characterized in that the camera shoe present in the third piece of the camera support (7) is compatible with any camera that uses a standard shoe system

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