EP0319524A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Method and apparatus for currency validation
Assignee: Mars Inc
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Filing: 1985-10-04
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2005-10-04
Abstract
Abstract An improved currency validator (1) has one or more sensors (18;24;30) positioned along a bill passageway (4) for testing a bill transported along the bill passageway and for generating electrical signals in response to certain features of the bill. Data derived from the electrical signals is processed by a logic circuit, such as microprocessor (102), to determine the authenticity and denomination of the bill, The data may be normalized during its processing. Either or both a histogram technique or a percent denomination space technique may be used in determining the authenticity and denomination of the bill.
Inventors
- 👤 Bob M. Dobbins
- 👤 Elwood E. Barnes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 05:59
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07D; G07D7/00; G07D7/06; G07D7/12; G07D7/04; G07D7/121
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
A method for determining the authenticity and denomination of paper currency, said currency having a plurality of distinct areas each containing currency identifying characteristics, said method comprising the steps of: scanning one of said areas with an electrical signal generating sensor (30) and thereby generating a sequence of electrical signals in response to the currency identifying characteristics detected by the sensor in the area scanned, measuring the intervals between the generated signals, calculating a first quantity comprising the aggregate value of all measured intervals in the sequence having a value greater than a predetermined value, calculating a second quantity comprising the measured interval between the first and last signal in said sequence of signals, determining the ratio between said first quantity and said second quantity, and comparing said ratio with a standard ratio for an acceptable denomination of paper currency.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
140 words
A method for determining the authenticity and denomination of paper currency, said currency having a plurality of distinct areas each containing currency identifying characteristics, said method comprising the steps of: scanning one of said areas with an electrical signal generating sensor (30) and thereby generating a sequence of electrical signals in response to the currency identifying characteristics detected by the sensor in the area scanned, measuring the intervals between the generated signals, calculating a first quantity comprising the aggregate value of all measured intervals in the sequence having a value greater than a predetermined value, calculating a second quantity comprising the measured interval between the first and last signal in said sequence of signals, determining the ratio between said first quantity and said second quantity, and comparing said ratio with a standard ratio for an acceptable denomination of paper currency.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising the steps of normalizing the second quantity and comparing the normalized second quantity with a first constant.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 2 further comprising the step of comparing the normalized second quantity with a second constant.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method according to claim 2 or claim 3, further including the step of scanning a further area, measuring the interval between the first and last signals generated during scanning of the further area, and computing from that interval and a stored constant a normalization value used to normalize said second quantity.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 4, wherein the further area is a portrait area of the paper currency.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 4 or claim 5, including the step of measuring intervals between successive signals generated during scanning of said further area in order to authenticate the paper currency.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
19 words
A method according to any preceding claim, wherein said one area is a denomination area of the paper currency.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
18 words
A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the electrical signal generating sensor is a magnetic sensor (30).
Claim 10
Independent Claim
26 words
A method according to any preceding claim, further comprising the step of scanning an additional one of said areas with a second signal generating sensor (24).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of rejecting said currency if both the sensors (24,30) produce signals as they scan the additional area.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 9 or 10 wherein the second sensor is an optical sensor (24).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
Paper currency authentication apparatus, said apparatus being arranged to perform a method as claimed in any preceding claim.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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