Check-actuated control mechanisms – Including means to test validity of check – Having means to test surface configuration
Patent
1992-05-29
1993-08-17
Huppert, Michael S.
Check-actuated control mechanisms
Including means to test validity of check
Having means to test surface configuration
194328, G07D 500, G07D 710
Patent
active
052360741
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention concerns a method and a means for recognizing a coin by means of an optical technique, as well as the use of a plurality of such means in an apparatus for approving and/or sorting different coins.
There exist today several different methods for automatical identification of coins. Two different use areas for the identification can be distinguished in a coarse manner:
First, in coin locks for use in vending and game machines. In this case only one or perhaps two or three different coins shall be identified and approved. A simple mechanical scanning is the most usual method. These mechanical coin locks have turned out to be robust and reliable. However, a purely mechanical coin lock will often be limited as to how many different coins can be checked in one and the same coin input system.
Secondly, also genuineness checking and value sorting of coins in banks is a large field where there is a need for automatic treatment of the coins. In such a sorting machine it is necessary to be able to handle many different coins in a mixture at the same time. Typical sensor techniques used for this purpose are: optical size measurement (thickness and diameter), magnetic alloy testing and ultrasound thickness inspection.
The problem in a coin detector is that the sensor does not know the orientation of the coin as it passes the sensor. The coin will also have a rotating movement as it passes the detector. The previously mentioned sensors all operate in such a manner that the orientation of the coin in the sensor area is indifferent. (Of course, the coin will always be oriented in a plane.)
The idea of the present invention is based upon a recognition of the pattern which has been stamped into the coin. This is possible for quite a few coin types, and for these coins the sensor in accordance with the invention will provide good reliability.
From British Patent 1.582.847 there is known a technique of optical detection of a "groove pattern" in coins. The gist of this patent is that a smooth surface reflects light in a more oriented manner than a grooved surface.
The disadvantage of this technique is the requirement for a relatively stable electronic equipment for detection of the differences. However, the most essential deficiency in relation to the present invention is: in other locations in the coin rolling by.
From German Offenlegungsschrift DE 33 35 347 is known an optical coin testing device which in one of its embodiments directs light obliquely onto the coin edge i.e. obliquely in relation to the coin plane, and uses reflected light from the edge for recognizing the coin. A line raster is mounted in front of the detector. However, the ringing signal from the detector when an edge grooved coin of approximately correct size passes by, is merely evaluated as to the number of peaks in the signal, i.e. the ringing peaks are counted.
This prior art coin tester will probably not work very well with a coin like a 1 DM, due to the weak modulation which can be imparted to the light from the faint stamping marks on the coin edge, and the oblique illumination. Besides, it is possible to improve considerably on the signal processing, when taking into consideration the content of the outcoming signal from such a detector.
Very many coins have a pattern which completely or partly will repeat itself when the coin rotates, i.e. more often than once per full rotation. The simplest example hereof is of course the groove pattern on the edge of many coins.
Considering a "classical" problem within this field, namely distinguishing the German coin 1DM from the British coin 5 pence, it is realized that the 5 pence coin has a groove pattern. On the opposite, 1 DM has a completely different, stamped periodic pattern with a long pattern repetition distance along the edge, which is also positively identifiable by means of the present invention.
Many coins also have a "pearl row" on its flat side, along the whole circumference, quite out toward the edge. Other coins may have a text with a standard letter interval all the way
REFERENCES:
patent: 3921003 (1975-11-01), Greene
Datalab Oy
Hienz William M.
Huppert Michael S.
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