Patent ID: 6552781
Filing Date: 2003-04-22
Classification: G07D

Abstract:
A device for counting and/or sorting coins fed in a regular sequence, the device comprising:a guiding track having a guiding edge, the track feeding the coins in an regular sequence with borders of the coins resting against the guiding edge; and a coin identification unit including an optical device for the determination of coin diameters, the optical device including a light source and a light-sensitive sensor opposite to coin, with respect to a main coin face, said sensor transforming irradiated light into electrical signals, said light-sensitive sensor including a CCD element, said light source comprising an emission source and optical elements for the generation of a light beam being directed in parallel and orthogonally to a main coin face, said optical elements including a parabolic mirror with a focus, said emission source is one of arranged at said focus point and imaged into said focus point, the lateral extension of the light beam and the arrangement of CCD element according to coin diameters to be detected being configured such that only a part only of the CCD element can be shaded by a coin to be detected.