Coin discrimination method and device

A coin discrimination device which acquires image information corresponding to a pattern of a top side or a bottom side of a coin to be discriminated which rolls along a coin pathway, and discriminates the coin to be discriminated based on the acquired image information, comprising:

• separation means for separating the image information for the top side or the bottom side of the coin to be discriminated into areas set in advance;
• specific pattern extraction means for extracting specific patterns from among any of areas separated by the separation means;
• and,
• judgment means for comparing specific patterns extracted by the specific pattern extraction means with reference values, and for judging whether or not the coin to be discriminated is a prescribed coin.

A coin discrimination device, in which image information corresponding to a pattern on a top side or a bottom side of a coin to be discriminated, rolling along a coin pathway, is acquired, and the coin to be discriminated is discriminated based on the acquired image information, comprising:

• specific pattern extraction means for extracting specific patterns from image information for the top side or the bottom side of the coin for discrimination;
• pattern-to-pattern distance computation means for computing a distance between at least two specific patterns extracted by the specific pattern extraction means;
• and,
• judgment means for judging the coin for discrimination based on the distance calculated by the pattern-to-pattern distance computation means.