From Idea to Prototype: How to Make a Coin ID App in JavaScript
We live in a time when technology makes possible what seemed fantastic just a couple of decades ago. For example, earlier foreign coins identification or old coins recognition used to require serious knowledge and experience. Now, with the development of advanced mobile applications like Coin ID Scanner, any collector or person interested in coins can easily determine their value and origin. And you know what the best part is? You can try creating your own coin identification tool from scratch!
Do you want to try creating a simplified coin identifier using JavaScript and popular libraries? We're here to tell you how you can create a basic coin recognition application using JavaScript as well as tools like TensorFlow.js.
Basics: Why Use JavaScript for Coin Identification
JavaScript is a powerful and flexible programming language that allows you to create web applications right in the user's browser. This means you don't need complex server systems to analyze images. Modern libraries like TensorFlow.js make machine learning possible in the browser, allowing you to create interactive and easy-to-use applications.Почему стоит использовать JavaScript:
Browser accessibility: The application runs directly in the browser, without installation.
Ease of development: JavaScript is easy to learn, especially for interface creation.
Support for machine learning libraries: Due to TensorFlow.js and other libraries, it is possible to implement machine learning without deep knowledge in this field.
How does the Coin Identification Process Work?
Actually, the process of identifying coins using technology can be broken down into several steps.
Step | Description |
Image loading | The user loads an image of a coin into the interface. |
Preprocessing | The image is processed: cropping, resizing, contrast improvement. |
Feature extraction | The program finds unique elements (symbols, reliefs) on the coin. |
Comparison with database | The program compares the features with the database of known coins and tries to identify them. |
Result output | The program displays a possible match and details about the coin. |
Due to the latest computer vision algorithms, it is possible to accurately recognize coins even if they are slightly damaged or dirty, which is quite difficult and time-consuming to do manually.
Basic Steps: Creating a Coin ID with JavaScript and TensorFlow.js
Step 1. Prepare Libraries and Environment
In our project, the main tool for creating the ID is JavaScript, but we will also use TensorFlow.js. This library allows us to work with machine learning right in the browser. In particular, the MobileNet model, which is able to recognize common objects, including some coins, will be a great start for our task.
First, let's add TensorFlow.js to the project. The library is downloaded via CDN and is ready to use.
<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/@tensorflow/tfjs"></script> |
To use an already trained model, like MobileNet, let's also add it to the project:
<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/@tensorflow-models/mobilenet"></script> |
Step 2. Uploading and Adjusting the Image
After connecting the libraries, we move on to the next step - image loading, as the user will need to load the coin image that the program will analyze. In this case JavaScript will help to process the image, crop it and bring it to the necessary format convenient for analysis.
function handleImageUpload(event) { const image = document.getElementById("uploadedImage"); image.src = URL.createObjectURL(event.target.files[0]); } |
Then add the HTML code to upload the image:
<input type="file" accept="image/*" onchange="handleImageUpload(event)"> <img id="uploadedImage" alt="Uploaded Coin Image"> |
With modern technology, images can be automatically adjusted to the optimal parameters for analysis, which significantly improves recognition accuracy. For example, increased contrast helps the system to highlight fine details on coins, such as inscriptions and small symbols.
Step 3. Use TensorFlow.js for Coin Recognition
Once the image is uploaded, the next task is to run the MobileNet model and “identify” what kind of coin it is. MobileNet is trained on many images and is able to recognize many objects, including basic coin features. The following code can be used to connect:
async function identifyCoin() { const image = document.getElementById("uploadedImage"); const model = await mobilenet.load(); const predictions = await model.classify(image); |
This code loads the MobileNet model, analyzes the image, and displays a likely match to the object on the screen. Of course, accurate coin identification will require tuning the model for highly specialized objects but even a basic version can give good results for the most common coins.
Step 4. Training on Specific Coins
If you want to create a more accurate identifier that will recognize, for example, rare foreign coins, you will need your own database of coin images and train a model to recognize them. This is a more complex step, but it greatly improves the recognition accuracy.
What you need to do: To do this, you can collect images of different coins, categorize them, and train the model. The process may take some time but due to this you will be able to determine more accurately unique or rare coins.
Additional Tips: What Else You Need to Know
Creating a coin ID may seem like a difficult task, but with the right attitude and tools, it becomes quite achievable even for beginners. So, below you will find some useful tips that will help you improve the end result.
Compress images: the smaller the image, the faster and easier the model can process it.
Use unique coin attributes: it is useful to consider additional attributes such as texture, color, size, and weight for more accurate identification.
Create a reference book: add a database with reference information about each coin so that the application can display both the coin name and additional information about it.
Pros and Cons of Using TensorFlow.js for Coin Identification
We also believe that in order to build an optimal coin identifier workflow, it is very important to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of using TensorFlow.js for coin identification. You will find them in the table below.
Advantages | Disadvantages |
Convenience of work in the browser | Recognition accuracy may be reduced |
Accessibility for beginners | Requires a database for accurate identification |
Possibility to retrain the model | Training can take considerable time |
Interesting fact: Commercial coin identifiers, e.g., Coin ID Scanner, utilize an advanced database and several image processing algorithms to more accurately identify rare and damaged coins.
Your First Project
Creating a coin identifier using JavaScript and TensorFlow.js is a fun project that can help you learn more about machine learning and image recognition. The realization of this project will be especially interesting for people interested in collecting and identifying different coins. It goes without saying that to create a professional application you need additional resources and data but even a basic version can be a useful assistant for beginner collectors or researchers.
We hope that our recommendations will inspire you to create your own coin identification application and this small project will be your first step to creating larger, more advanced and interesting apps!
