Patent ID: 6499581
Filing Date: 2002-12-31
Classification: G07D

Abstract:
A coin discriminating apparatus comprising magnetic sensor means for detecting magnetic properties of a coin being transported and producing magnetic data of the coin, optical sensor means for producing optical data of the coin, reference optical data storing means for storing reference optical data of an obverse surface and a reverse surface of coins of each denomination, reference magnetic data storing means for storing reference magnetic data of an obverse surface and a reverse surface of coins of each denomination to be discriminated, first coin discriminating means for comparing optical data of the coin produced by the optical sensor means with reference optical data of an obverse surface and a reverse surface of coins of each denomination and determining whether or not the coin is acceptable and the denomination of the coin, and second coin discriminating means for reading from the reference magnetic data storing means magnetic reference data selected depending upon whether reference optical data of the obverse surface of a coin of a certain denomination or those of the reverse surface of the coin of the denomination were used when the first coin discriminating means determined the coin to be acceptable and the denomination of the coin based thereon and comparing them with the magnetic data produced by the magnetic sensor means, thereby finally discriminating whether or not the coin is acceptable and the denomination of the coin.