METHOD OF COIN DETECTION AND BAG STOPPING FOR A COIN SORTER

A coin handling machine (10) has a coin sorting member (12) with a plurality of sorting openings (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20) by which respective denominations of coins (14) are sorted, having a coin driving member (21) with webs (22) for moving the coins to the coin sorting openings (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20), having a motor (60) coupled to the coin driving member (21), and having a brake (65) for stopping the motor (60), the coin handling machine (10). A coin imaging sensor (40) optically measures at least a portion of a coin (14) and transmits dimensional data for identifying coins by denomination. A main controller (120) receives the dimensional data and counts each coin for bag stopping purposes separate from the counts maintained for totalizing the sorted coins. The controller (120) transmits signals to at least reduce the speed of the motor (60) when a bag count limit is reached for a respective denomination. Detectors (15b, 16b, 17b, 18b, 19b and 20b) are provided adjacent the sorting openings (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20) for detecting a last coin as it is sorted and moved into a bag.