US3906449A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Paper money identifier
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-09-11
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Granted: 1975-09-16
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Expires: 1994-09-11
Abstract
Abstract An improved currency identifier permits recognition of various denominations of paper currency by blind persons. The identifier includes a housing having a tray along which money to be identified is passed. In one embodiment, a source of light is stationed above the tray and positioned directly under the light source is a series of very small holes formed in the bottom of the tray. The holes are aligned across the tray so that light from the source shines through the center of paper currency passed along the tray, through the holes, and onto a photoelectric cell located beneath the tray. The photocell is connected to a relaxation oscillator circuit and controls the oscillator frequency in accordance with the amount of light passing through the money. The output from the oscillator is connected to a loudspeaker which produces a tone that varies in accordance with the output from the photocell. Since the various currency denomination have distinct printed patterns and thus have different light responsive characteristics, the audible sounds produced can be identified as being representative of a specific bill. In a second embodiment, the photocell and light source are positioned on the same side of the bill to be identified. The light is transmitted onto the bill and a portion of the light is reflected onto the photocell. The reflected light is also distinctive of a particular bill and produces an identifiable tone pattern; however, this embodiment produces a simplified sound pattern since the characteristics identified by the light pattern are only taken from one side of the bill.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank J Marchak
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 17:54
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07D; G07D7/00; G07D7/06; G07D7/12; G07D7/128
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
A currency identification apparatus for aiding blind persons in identifying currency, comprising: means generating a light beam; photoresponsive means for receiving said light beam, the resistance of said photoresponsive means varying in accordance with the amount of light received; means for directing said light beam along a path between said generating means and said photoresponsive means which path includes the currency to be identified, capacitor means connected in electrical series with said photoresponsive means, said capacitor means being charged through said phoToresponsive means, so that the time required to charge said capacitor is directly proportional to the resistance value of said photoresponsive means; transistor means connected to said capacitor means, said transistor being biased into conduction whenever the charge on said capacitor reaches a predetermined level; and loudspeaker means connected to said transistor means, said capacitor means discharging through said speaker means to produce an audible tone whenever said transistor conducts.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
A currency identification apparatus for aiding blind persons in identifying currency, comprising: means generating a light beam; photoresponsive means for receiving said light beam, the resistance of said photoresponsive means varying in accordance with the amount of light received; means for directing said light beam along a path between said generating means and said photoresponsive means which path includes the currency to be identified, capacitor means connected in electrical series with said photoresponsive means, said capacitor means being charged through said phoToresponsive means, so that the time required to charge said capacitor is directly proportional to the resistance value of said photoresponsive means; transistor means connected to said capacitor means, said transistor being biased into conduction whenever the charge on said capacitor reaches a predetermined level; and loudspeaker means connected to said transistor means, said capacitor means discharging through said speaker means to produce an audible tone whenever said transistor conducts.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The currency identification apparatus of claim 1, further including a housing for positioning said light means relative to said photoresponsive means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
83 words
The currency identification apparatus of claim 2, wherein said housing includes a tray for positioning said currency relative to said housing and in said path of said light beam, and wherein said light means and said photoresponsive means are on opposite sides of said tray, said tray having at least one small aperture extending approximately one-half inch across the center portion of said tray so that light passes through the center portion of currency located on said tray and impinges on said photocell.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The currency identification apparatus of claim 1, further including a first resistor means in series with said photoresponsive means and capacitor means for limiting the minimum resistance in series with said capacitor means, thereby limiting the highest pitched audible tone produced by said loudspeaker.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The currency identification apparatus of claim 1 further including a second resistor means in series with said photoresponsive means and said capacitor means, for limiting the maximum resistance in series with said capacitor means, thereby limiting the lowest pitched audible tone produced by said loudspeaker.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The currency identification apparatus of claim 1, further including a third adjustable resistor means in series with said photoresponsive means and said capacitor means for setting the audible tones produced by said loudspeaker to a desired frequency range.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The currency identification apparatus of claim 4 further including a second resistor means in series with said photoresponsive means and said capacitor means for limiting the maximum resistance in series with said capacitor means, thereby limiting the lowest pitched audible tone produced.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The currency identification system of claim 7 wherein said apparatus further includes a third adjustable resistor means in series with said photoresponsive means and said capacitor means for selecting a desired frequency range for the audible tones produced.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
58 words
The currency identification apparatus of claim 2, wherein said housing includes tray means for positioning said currency in said path of said light beam, and wherein said light means and said photoresponsive means are on the same side of said tray so that said light beam is reflected from the surface of said currency into said photoresponsive means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
The currency identification apparatus of claim 9, further including a first resistor means in series with said photoresponsive means and capacitor means for limiting the minimum resistance in series with said capacitor means and thereby limiting the highest pitched audible tone produced.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
The currency identification system of claim 10 wherein said apparatus further includes a second resistor means in series with said photoresponsive means and said capacitor means for limiting the maximum resistance in series with said capacitor means and thereby limiting the lowest pitched audible tone produced.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The currency identification apparatus of claim 11, further including a third adjustable resistor means in series with said photoresponsive means and said capacitor means for setting the audible tones produced to a desired frequency range.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
The currency identification apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for directing said light beam includes light box means supporting said light beam generating means, and aperture means in said box means for directing said light beam onto said currency.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
The currency identification apparatus of claim 13, wherein said light box means further includes means for supporting said photoresponsive means adjacent said light beam generating means, and in the path of light reflected from the surface of said currency.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
The currency identification apparatus of claim 13, including means for mounting said photoresponsive means adjacent said light beam generating means and in the path of light transmitted through said currency.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
68 words
The currency identification apparatus of claim 13, further including tray means for receiving said currency, said tray means locating said currency for movement through said path, whereby upon motion of the currency the amount of light from said light generating means striking said photoresponsive means will vary in accordance with variations in the printed pattern on said currency to produce a varying output tone characteristic of said currency.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3031076A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-15 | 1979-03-17 | 1979-09-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-15 | 1983-03-17 | 1983-09-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-15 | 1987-03-17 | 1987-09-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |