Systems, methods and devices for processing coins with linear array of coin imaging sensors

A currency processing system comprising:

• a housing with a coin input area configured to receive a batch of coins;
• one or more coin receptacles operatively coupled to the housing;
• a disk-type coin processing unit operatively coupled to the coin input area and the one or more coin receptacles to transfer coins therebetween, the coin processing unit including:
• a rotatable disk configured to impart motion to a plurality of the coins,
• a sorting head having a lower surface generally parallel to and adjacent the rotatable disk, the lower surface forming a plurality of shaped regions configured to guide the coins, responsive to motion imparted by the rotatable disk, to a plurality of exit stations through which the coins are discharged from the coin processing unit to the one or more coin receptacles, and
• a linear array of non-optical sensors mounted to, adjacent or within the sorting head adjacent the rotatable disk, the linear array of sensors being configured to sense each of the coins on the rotatable disk and output a signal indicative of coin image information for processing the coin;
• wherein the coin image information signal output by the linear array of sensors is sufficient to generate a coin image with a resolution of at least two (2) dots per inch (dpi).