2015 1st International Conference on Next Generation Computing Technologies (NGCT-2015)

Dehradun, India, 4-5 September 2015

Automatic Gadget Charger using Coin Detection

Gunjan Chhabra , Sunil Kumar and Pankaj Badoni

CIT CoES, UPES, Dehradun, India, gchhabra@ddn.upes.ac.in

CIT CoES, UPES, Dehradun, India, skumar@ddn.upes.ac.in
CIT CoES, UPES, Dehradun, India, pbadoni@ddn.upes.ac.in

AbstractIn this communication era, mobile -telephone industry has grown profoundly. The urban population uses the
latest mobile-phone technology while the rural population buys
second hand ones, mostly with degraded battery, that require
frequent charging. This battery-problem becomes a giant when
user doesnt have a standard charger or an electricity connection.
In this paper, researchers intent is to propose a public coin
based mobile battery charging system. By using image processing
techniques, value of the coin has been detected for a limited time,
it will charge the device accordingly. A suitable microcontroller
is programmed for all the controlling applications. The source
for charging is obtained either from a direct power grid or by
solar energy.
Keywords- Image processing; Charging system; coin detection; Circuit designing.

I.

INTRODUCTION

Mobile phones, being an essential technological advancement, have enabled every individual to keep in contact with
any niche of the globe. They have become a major source of
communication, be it with regards to the business aspect or
personal communication.
These days mobile phones have also become a portable
computing device that can serve multiple purposes. This increases the usage of mobile telephone sets and its demand
in the community. An increase in the usage of mobile phone
for various purposes consumes an equal measure of energy in
effect requiring frequent charging. As every application that
works on mobiles require battery power, this results in faster
discharge of the battery power.
In our regular lives (where our routines are fixed), the
mobile phone can be charged in such a manner that the battery
power is always available. But, in cases where the routine
changes due to any event or incident, there may be various
situations where the battery power level becomes too low or
is completely discharged. As a consequence, even emergency
phone calls are not possible. Many critics have argued that a
public mobile phone charging service would not be a lucrative
business because most of the users can charge their phones
at home, in their offices or in their vehicles. Life is never
predictable, so in such unpredictability a public system would
be very useful.
Students, tourists and people utilizing public transportation
would become the prospective customers for a public mobile
phone charger service. Coin Based Charging System (CBCS)
brings a very wonderful solution for commuters and travelers
who need to charge their mobile phones and gadgets immediately. Coin operated mobile phone charging system could
become a new business milestone. The coin-based mobile
978-1-4673-6809-4/15/$31.00 2015 IEEE

950

battery charging system is designed to resolve the problem

of low battery. This could also be useful in the event of
unpredictable grid power and availability of abundant solar
power. This proposal for a coin based universal mobile battery
charger is presented in this paper.
The user has to plug the mobile phone into one of the
adapters and insert a coin; the phone will then be given a
micro-pulse for charging. It does not bring a mobile from
dead to fully charged state. The charging capacity of the
mobile is designed with the help of predefined values. It is, of
course, possible to continue charging the mobile by inserting
more coins.
The solar power application to battery charging has been
studied in the past. Solar chargers convert light energy into
direct current for a range of voltage that can be used for
charging the battery. In this paper, the design and development
of a coin based universal mobile battery charger based on the
main power and solar power has been discussed. This is of
prime importance in rural areas where the mobiles are basic
needs for communication and the main power is not available
all the time.
II.

LITERATURE SURVEY AND RELATED WORK

A. Theoretical Background
Especially in India, one cannot imagine his/her life without coins. A person uses coins in daily life, be it banks,
supermarkets or grocery stores, etc. They have become an
integral part of transactions in our day to day life. And
then there is a basic demand of highly exact and efficient
automatic coin recognition system. Alternative to daily uses,
the coin recognition systems can also be used for the research
purpose by the institutes or organizations that deal with the
ancient coins. There are three cases of coin recognition systems
available in the market based on different methods:
1)
2)
3)

Mechanical method based systems

Electromagnetic method based systems
Image processing based systems

The mechanical method based systems use parameters like

diameter or radius, thickness, weight and magnetism of the
coin to differentiate between the coins. But these parameters
cannot be used to differentiate between the different materials
of the coins. It implies, if we provide two coins, one original
and other fake having same diameter, thickness, weight and
magnetism, but made up of different materials to the mechanical method based coin recognition system then it will treat
both the coins as authentic so these systems can be fooled
easily.

2015 1st International Conference on Next Generation Computing Technologies (NGCT-2015)

Dehradun, India, 4-5 September 2015

The electromagnetic method based systems can differentiate between different materials because, in these systems, the
coins pass through an oscillating coil at a certain frequency
and different materials bring different changes in the amplitude
and direction of frequency. Thus these changes and the other
parameters like diameter, thickness, weight and magnetism can
be utilized to distinguish between coins. The electromagnetic
method based coin recognition systems improve the accuracy
of recognition but still they can be duped by some game coins.
[1]
B. Related Projects
R. Bremananth et al. in 2005 proposed a system that
focuses only on the numerals rather than the use of other
images presented on the front and rear side of the coin. For
experiment they used 1-rupee, 2-rupee, and 5-rupee Indian
coin. Extract numeral image from the given coin image and
this image is used for character recognition process. This
suggested approach can easily be carried out in whatever
real time business transactions. The system resulting from
this research recognizes numerals using neural pattern analysis
with a 92.43% success rate of our test data. [2]
Lu Zhang et al. in 2005-06 developed a program, as dissertation work, for counting coins in computer vision approach
using MATLAB. The main purpose of this project is to apply
computer vision techniques to develop a program which should
recognize coins in an image, and enumerate their value. That
is to have a computer, read the image and calculated the total
value of the coins which are on the image. In that respect are
various techniques involved, such as image color segmentation,
image edge detection, noise filtering, and Hough transformation and hence along. The key to accomplish this project is
the color segmentation of coins and edge enhancement, which
separates coins with their color difference and provides the
efficiency. After the computer programs are established, an
experiment which applies the programs with UK coins shows
that it works well and the error depends on the qualities of the
coins images. A database containing a large number of images
is required for the use of this method. [3]
Adnan Khashman et al. in 2006 proposed an intelligent
coin identification system (ICIS) that uses coin patterns for
identification helps preventing confusion between different
coins of similar physical dimensions. For recognition of rotated
coins of various degrees, ICIS used pattern averaging and neural network. In pre-processing phase ICIS apply thresholding,
cropping, compressing, trimming, pattern averaging on images.
And then neural network is trained using these images. ICIS
used 1 TL and 2 EURO coins in recognition. ICIS used a 3layer
back propagation neural network with 400 input neurons, 25
hidden neurons and 2- output neuron. The neural network is
trained using 20 images out of available 120 coin images. The
Accuracy rate achieved was 96.3%. [4]
C. M. Velu and P. Vivekanandan et al. in 2009 developed
a system for the Indian coin recognition system of image
segmentation by heuristic approach and Hough transformation
method. This system is developed mainly to classify the coins
offered in the Hundi by the devotees of Tirumala Tirupati
Devasthanam (TTD), Tirupati, India. The objective is to count
money by recognizing the coins and count the total sum based
951

on its value. The system is proposed to design coin recognition

by applying heuristic approach, based on the coin table. This
table stores parameters of each coin. This paper concentrates
on affine transformations such as scaling, shearing and so
on. This method returns 97of result in recognizing the coin
icon. [5] Hussein R. Al-Zoubi et al. in 2010 suggested a
coin recognition method using a statistical approach to classify
Jordanian coins. There are seven different coins used in Jordan:
500fils, 250fils, 100fils, 50fils, 25fils, 10fils, and 5fils. Color
and area of a coin was the central feature for sorting. First
convert the colored image into grey level and then apply the
threshold value to convert it into black and white image. Then
the binary image is cleaned by opening and closing through
erosion and dilation, after that calculate the value of each RGB
color. Then on the basis of these value decisions is made that
to which category the coin belongs. Total 1050 experiments,
150 for each coin were carried out to examine the proposed
system. The Accuracy rate achieved was 9
C. M. Velu and P. Vivekanandan et al. in 2011 presented a
methodology for Indian Coin Recognition and Sum Counting
System of Image Data Mining Using Artificial Neural Networks. The objective of this paper is to classify, recognize
and count the total value of newly released Indian coin s of
different denomination, in terms of Indian National Rupees.
The characteristics of old coins and new coins of different
designations are considered for classification. In this paper, it
is proposed to introduce ML-CPNN approach. This approach
is then compared with other approaches. The Roberts edge
detection method gives 93% of accuracy and Laplacian of
Gaussian method 95% of the result, the Canny edge detection
method yields 97.25% result and the ML-CPNN approach
yields 99.47% of recognition rate. [7]
Vaibhav Gupta et al. in 2011 presented a method based on
image subtraction for recognition of Indian coins of different
denomination. The Process performs 3 checks (radius, coarse
and fine) on the input image. Instantly compute the radius of
the input image and then based on the radius a test image is
selected from the database. Then subtraction between the input
image and database image is done. By plotting the resultant
values we obtain a lower limit value which if less than a
standard threshold provides the identification of the coin. [8]
Shatrughan Modi et al. in 2011 presented an Artificial
Neural Network based Automated Coin Recognition System
for Indian coins. They used Indian coins of denominations
1, 2, 5, and 10. This system takes images of coins from
both sides. First of all apply pre-processing for images like
cropping, trimming, pattern averaging, etc. and then passed
the input data set to Neural Network for training. 4536 images
are used for training and 252 images are used for validation
and testing each. It eased back propagation neural network
with 400 input units, 30 hidden layers and 14 output units.
This system gives 97.74% recognition rate. [9]
Saranya das.Y.M et al. in 2013 presented a system to
classify Indian coins discharged recently. This system is based
on Advanced Harris -Hessian Algorithm, used the parameters
such as size, weight, surface, etc. of coins and also used
the concept of rotation invariance. The primary goals of this
project are: Recognize the coins, count the coins and then get
the total value. First, we apply preprocessing of the image and
then pre-processed images are passed to the Harris -Hessian

2015 1st International Conference on Next Generation Computing Technologies (NGCT-2015)

Dehradun, India, 4-5 September 2015

detector, it detects interest points. Now these features are fed

to the Hough Transform, it detects circles and calculates the
radius of coins . It is a low cost system having recognition
rate close to 100%. [10]
Deepika Mehta et al. in 2013 presented a system to detect
and recognize the Overlapped coins using Otsus Algorithm
based on the Hough Transform technique. This project includes
three step detection, extraction and recognition. For segmentation uses an Otsus algorithm, for detecting overlapping uses the
Hough transform and for recognition uses radius thresholding.
The Detection rate of overlapped coins is 91% and recognition
rate is 40% to 50%. [11]
Fig. 1.

III.

Block diagram of overall system

PLAN AND DESIGN

Before implementation of overall setup, the working conditions should be set up to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the program. Because there are hundreds of conditions
about how the coins would be displayed on an image. For
example, the size and shape of the same coin could also change
according to the view of the camera that captures the coins.
If the camera is placed just above the coin, the shape of the
coin will be a circle. Otherwise, the shape of the coin will be
an ellipse. And likewise, if the camera placed near the coins,
the size of the coin on the image captured by the camera will
be relatively larger as compared to the size of coins captured
by the camera which placed far from the coins.
A. Potential schemes for finding coins
The appropriate computation strategy used in the project
and described in this paper is a threshold range matching
(upper and lower limit for coins), because of usage of the
low resolution camera. According to this strategy, when the
image is captured in real time, the range is being matched
by the program and indicates the value of the coin to the
microcontroller for the further process/working of the system.
The images of the coins are captured in different lightening
conditions to decide the range for each valued (Re.1 or Rs. 2)
coin.
B. Stages of development
The evolution of the CBCS system was split into four main
stages according to the development strategy. Then each main
stage was broken into sub -steps according to the plan and
study. Every sub -measure was planned as a distinct level,
which could be filled out and tested separately, and then
incorporated into the master task.
Stage 1: Circuit Designing & PCB layout: In this stage,
basic circuit has been designed by using simulation tools to
check the overall working of the circuit to be used in the
development of CBCS system. Several parts were gathered
using the simulator tool and hence the working of circuit was
tested on the simulator. Granting to the circuit designed, PCB
Layout was made such that the hardware components can be
set up accordingly.
Stage 2: Assembling: At this stage of system evolution,
all the elements are gathered together according to the circuit
designed and PCB layout as presented in the old phases. After
assembling of all the components, testing was performed to
952

check the working of every component with each other. Hence

the hardware testing was done in parallel.
Stage 3: Software: After detail study of hardware components and their assembling, as described in previous stages,
next is to travel towards the software part of the system.
Software part includes two sub-steps as stated below: a)
Programming of a microcontroller: At initial stage of microcontroller programming, firstly an .asm file of the assembly
code was coded for the working and performance of controller.
Then microcontroller is burnt with the accumulated files of this
codification. Secondly, C program is designed to do interaction
with .asm file code. Functions of .asm file called in a C
program and the interaction of the whole operation is being
performed. b) Using image processing techniques using MATLAB: For the detection of value of coin, picture processing
techniques have been used. These techniques include masking,
feature extraction, Hough Transformation, pattern matching
and hence on. Granting to the initial setup of hardware, here
by a threshold range matching technique is being utilized for
the detection of value of coins.
Stage 4: Calculating the value of coins: After the development of above mention codes, one must integrate them with
the hardware setup as assembled on stage 3. Microcontrollers
code is debugged and complied and then the compiled files are
transferred to the controller for its functioning. It lets the coin
- holder to move in-front of the camera on detecting something
inside it. And then the camera will send the real time captured
image to the MATLAB for calculating its value and hence
sends command to the controller to switch-on the power for a
limited period.
These are the four main stages covered for the designing
of CBCS. An additional algorithm/technique can be applied to
improve the working of the system.
IV.

ALGORITHMS

The following algorithm (set parame set and confirm the

threshold param rupee and two rupee coin.
Algorithm:
1)
2)

Set the lower and upper limit for im rupee coin and
two rupee coin.
Capture image from an infinite inpu the camera and
for five continues imag the following:

2015 1st International Conference on Next Generation Computing Technologies (NGCT-2015)

Dehradun, India, 4-5 September 2015

Fig. 2.

Fig. 4.

Overall System Setup

Violet LED indicating Output unication can be set n

metal object. The primary goal of this project was satisfactorily

accomplished. Nevertheless, the system works fine for the
testing state becaus e working conditions were already being
set for both the system and input.
VI.

Fig. 3.

3)

Working Stage of System

a. Convert the RGB image to graysca separate the

background from the reg (ROI).
b. Check between which limits the av all five images
lies between- the upper limit of either one rupee coin
or two ru
c. Based on which ever threshold interv value lies
display the value of that coin
At the end stop the video input. The following
algorithm (run coin used to identify the coin in
the image provide appropriate information microcontroller.

Algorithm:
1)
2)
3)

4)

Start a serial communication computing device and

the microcontrol
The port used for this commu by the user and is
constantly open
Capture image from an infinite the camera a. For five
continues the following:
a. Convert the RGB image to gr separate the background from th (ROI).
b. Check between which limits t all five images lies
between- the u limit of either one rupee coin or t
c. Based on which ever threshold value lies send the
appropriate the open serial communication p value of
the coin recognized.
At the end stop the video an serial COM port.

After understanding the related articles, literatures and

analysis of a few similar projects, the current design strategy
was selected. Various development stages were planned and
finally the whole system was implemented. In entirety, the
developed system is able to attain the primary objectives. Numerous subgoals is achieved like, value detection of the coin,
controlling the communication between various components
and mainly image processing.
VII.

R EFERENCES
[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

TESTING

The testing executed that the system has the ability to

recognize the value of the coin inserted and it allow power
supply for a limited period of time, based upon the value of
the coin. Hence, it enables the user to charge their gadget in
case of emergency. Also, the system is able to detect whether
a coin is inserted or not hence, it cant be fooled by any other
953

FUTURE SCOPE

As discussed in the previous sections, there is a need

of various enhancements that leads to the future scope of
the proposed system. Firstly, image processing embedded
systems techniques may improve the throughput of present
system. Secondly, paper currency identification and recognition
techniques can also be applied for the betterment of this
project. With these enhancements one can commercialize it
for the public usage.

[5]

V.

CONCLUSION

[6]

[7]

Shatrughan Modi and Dr. Seema Bawa. Automated Coin Recognition

System using ANN, India, International Journal of Computer Applications (0975-8887) Vol. 26-No.4, July 2011.
R. Bremananth, B. Balaji, M. Sankari and A. Chitra, A new approach
to coin recognition using neural pattern analysis IEEE Indicon 2005
Conference, Chennai, India, 11-13 Dec. 2005.
Lu Zhang et al. Development of Counting Coins Program in Computer
Vision a Approach using MATLAB, for the submission of dissertation,
University of Bath, in 2005-06.
Khashman A., Sekeroglu B. And Dimililer K., Intelligent Coin Identification System, Proceedings of the IEEE International Symposium on
Intelligent Control (ISIC06), Munich, Germany, 4-6 October 2006.
C.M.Velu and P.Vivekanandan et al. Indian Coin Recognition System
of Image Segmentation by Heuristic Approach and Hough Transform
(HT), Int. J. Open Problems Compt. Math., Vol. 2, No. 2, June 2009.
Al-Zoubi H.R., Efficient coin 00 a statistical approach, 2010 IEEE
International Conference on Electro/Information Technology (EIT),
2010.
Velu C M, P.Vivekanadan, Kashwan K R. Indian Coin Recognition and
Sum Counting System of Image Data Mining Using Artificial Neural
Networks, International Journal of Advanced Science and Technology
Vol. 31, June, 2011.

2015 1st International Conference on Next Generation Computing Technologies (NGCT-2015)

Dehradun, India, 4-5 September 2015

[8]

Gupta, V., Puri, R., Verma, M., Prompt Indian Coin Recognition with
Rotation Invariance using Image Subtraction Technique, International
Conference on Devices and Communications (ICDeCom), 2011.
[9] Shatrughan Modi, Dr. Seema Bawa, Automated Coin Recognition
System using ANN International Journal of Computer Applications
(0975-8887) Volume 26-No.4, July 2011,pp. 13-18.
[10] Saranya das. Y. M, R. Pugazhenthi, HarrisHessian Algorithm for Coin

954

Apprehension, International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer

Engineering Technology (IJARCET) Volume 2, No 5, May 2013.
[11] Deepika Mehta, Anil Sagar, An Efficient Way to Detect and Recognize the Overlapped Coins using Otsus Algorithm based on Ho ugh
Transform technique, International Journal of Computer Applications
(0975-8887) Volume 73- No.9, July 2013.