Patent ID: 8210337
Filing Date: 2012-07-03
Classification: G07D

Abstract:
1. A coin sensor for detecting a size of an individual coin in a plurality of coins being moved within a coin handling machine, the coin sensor comprising: a coin track over which coins pass in a single file; an illumination source for illuminating at least portions of the coins as the coins move along the coin track; an optical detector spaced from the coin track for detecting a size of at least a portion of each coin passing the coin sensor along the coin track; and a telecentric lens positioned between the optical detector and the coin track, such that the portion of each coin passing the optical detector is seen to have an apparent size and configuration independent of a variation in distance of the coin from the telecentric lens as each coin moves along the coin track; a reflector positioned above an inside edge of the coin track; and wherein the illumination source is positioned below the inside edge of the coin track.