Patent ID: 6431341
Filing Date: 2002-08-13
Classification: G07D

Abstract:
A coin discriminating apparatus comprising:a light source for emitting light toward one surface of a coin being transported, reflected light sensor means for receiving light emitted from the light source and reflected by the coin, light emitting means disposed downstream of the light source with respect to a transportation direction of the coin for emitting light toward the one surface of the coin being transported, sensor means for photoelectrically receiving light emitted from the light emitting means and reflected by the one surface of the coin and producing image pattern data of the one surface of the coin, reference data storing means for storing reference data of coins of each denomination, first denomination determining means for calculating coin diameter based on the image pattern data of the one surface of the coin produced by the sensor means, comparing the thus calculated diameter of the coin with reference diameter data of coins of each denomination stored in the reference data storing means and tentatively determining the denomination of the coin, denomination discriminating means for reading reference pattern data of coins of the denomination determined by the first denomination determining means from the reference data storing means, comparing the thus read reference pattern data with the image pattern data of the one surface of the coin and finally determining the denomination of the coin, and received light amount control means for controlling an amount of light reflected by the one surface of the coin to be detected by the sensor means in accordance with an amount of light reflected by the coin and detected by the reflected light sensor means.