Coin recognition and off-sorting in a coin sorter

摘要

A coin sorter has a circular sorting track with an upstanding rim. A diverter mechanism is located at the rim and may be actuated to move a selected coin away from the rim to an off-sort depression inwardly of the rim and then to an off-sort opening at the end of the depression. The diverter mechanism is actuated by a coin recognition system that includes an induction coil located beneath the track in advance of the diverter mechanism. Signals from the induction coil are read at spaced positions of a coin passing over the coil and compared with stored ranges of acceptable signals for coins of various denominations. The diverter mechanism is actuated to divert a coin to the off-sort opening when the signals for that coin do not fall within a range of acceptable values. The ranges of acceptable values can be established by calibrating the coin recognition system by processing a plurality of known acceptable coins of a denomination. The acceptable ranges can be automatically adjusted based upon the history of signals from acceptable coins processed after calibration.