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EP0028089A2 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Security validator

Assignee: Ardac Inc
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Filing: 1980-10-13
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2000-10-13
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Abstract

Abstract In the field of security validators, slot acceptors have been known which transport paper offered as a valid security past a testing station. Previously known acceptors have been susceptible to defeat by mosaics, stringing, shocking, photocopy duplication, and the like. Additionally, known acceptors have operated in an analog mode, relying upon rudimentary test functions. The invention herein overcomes the problems of the prior art by presenting an acceptor having a note path (18) characterized by changes of direction (22, 24), and which is secured at each end by means of unique gate assemblies (78, 98). A plurality of sensors (148-152) are positioned along the note path and are controlled to take a multitude of data samples from the paper as it passes along the path. The data is digitized (236) and used for solving complex transforms, the results of which are compared against results obtained from known valid securities to determine the authenticity of the paper offered. Further, the system includes a unique antijamming technique of drive motor reversals, and an escrow feature which secures the paper once it has been determined to be authentic and before a vend has been made. Yet further, there is included a novel receptacle for receipt and return of paper offered to the acceptor, and a number of variations of anti-stringing devices (112, 114, 118, 130) which may be operatively positioned at the end of the note path.

Inventors

  • 👤 Robert L. Gorgone
  • 👤 Gerald M. Iannadrea
  • 👤 Anthony H. Dolejs
  • 👤 Bruce R. Knox
  • 👤 Alan J. Kovach

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-02 21:49
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07D; G07D7/00; G07D7/16; G07D7/162; G07D7/06; G07D7/12; B; B65; B65H; B65H2404/00; B65H2404/60; B65H2404/61; B65H2404/611; B65H2404/6111

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim 166 words
A note acceptor for receiving and determining the authenticity of a paper security such as a currency, bank notes, and the like, comprising: top and bottom plates defining a note path therebetween for receiving a paper offered as a valid security; paired top and bottom rollers respectively received by said top and bottom plates in contacting engagement within said note path; drive means connected to and driving said bottom rollers; sensing means interposed along said note path between said top and bottom plates for acquiring data from specific areas on said paper as it passes along said note path; control means interconnecting said drive means and said sensing means for synchronizing the passing of said paper along said note path and the acquisition of data therefrom; and comparison means operatively connected to and receiving said data from said sensing means and determining the validity of the paper as a function of the difference between said data and reference values obtained from a plurality of valid securities.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 166 words
A note acceptor for receiving and determining the authenticity of a paper security such as a currency, bank notes, and the like, comprising: top and bottom plates defining a note path therebetween for receiving a paper offered as a valid security; paired top and bottom rollers respectively received by said top and bottom plates in contacting engagement within said note path; drive means connected to and driving said bottom rollers; sensing means interposed along said note path between said top and bottom plates for acquiring data from specific areas on said paper as it passes along said note path; control means interconnecting said drive means and said sensing means for synchronizing the passing of said paper along said note path and the acquisition of data therefrom; and comparison means operatively connected to and receiving said data from said sensing means and determining the validity of the paper as a function of the difference between said data and reference values obtained from a plurality of valid securities.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 46 words
An acceptor according to claim 1, wherein said note path begins at a slot defined between ends of said top and bottom plates, said note path including a horizontal portion extending from said slot and a vertical portion extending downward to a termination of said path.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 45 words
An acceptor according to claim 1, wherein said note path has first and second ends and which further includes first gate means within said note path closely adjacent said first end for selectively enabling and inhibiting the passage of the security along said note path.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 27 words
An acceptor according to claim 3, wherein said first gate means includes a plurality of teeth reciprocatingly received within aligned slots in said top and bottom plates.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 38 words
An acceptor according to claim 3, which further includes second gate means at said second end of said note path for preventing the return of the security along the note path after it has passed said second end.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 34 words
An acceptor according to claim 1, wherein said sensing means includes a first photodetector circuit presenting an output signal corresponding to the density of the security itself as it passes along said note path.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 35 words
An acceptor according to claim 6, wherein said sensing means further includes second and third photodetector circuits emitting light to and receiving light from said security and presenting output signals corresponding to the light received.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 38 words
An acceptor according to claim 7, wherein the output signals of said first, second, and third photodetector circuits are compared with respective reference signals, providing said data as a ratio between said output signals and said reference signals.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 22 words
An acceptor according to claim 1, wherein said control means comprises a light chopper connected to and driven by said drive means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 56 words
An acceptor according to claim 9, wherein said light chopper produces output pulses of a frequency - corresponding to the speed at which the note passes along said note path, and wherein said control means further includes counting means for receiving said pulses and enabling the acquisition of data by said sensing means at predetermined intervals.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 19 words
An acceptor according to claim 1, wherein said comparison means comprises a memory having said reference values stored therein.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 49 words
An acceptor according to claim 11, wherein said sensing means and control means acquire data from a plurality of points upon said paper security and obtain the result of a function including the difference between the data obtained from each point with a corresponding reference value for such point.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 28 words
An acceptor according to claim 1, wherein said sensing means includes means for determining if the paper offered has physical dimensions precluding it from comprising a valid security.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 20 words
An acceptor according to claim 1, which further includes anti-jamming means for reciprocatingly moving the paper in said note path.
Claim 16
Independent Claim 83 words
A method of determining the authenticity of a paper offered as a valid security, comprising: scanning said paper along at least a first path and obtaining a plurality of test data at preselected points on said paper along said first path; comparing said plurality of data with average values of data taken from known valid securities at said points; and accepting said paper as a valid security if the difference between said test data and said reference values is within a predetermined range.
Claim 17
Independent Claim 83 words
A method of determining the authenticity of a paper offered as a valid security, comprising: scanning said paper along at least a first path and obtaining a plurality of test data at preselected points on said paper along said first path; comparing said plurality of data with average values of data taken from known valid securities at said points; and accepting said paper as a valid security if the difference between said test data and said reference values is within a predetermined range.

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