Detecting device for detecting a magnetic strip embedded in a sheet

Claim 1

A detecting device for detecting a sheet of genuine paper money having a longer dimension and a shorter dimension, the sheet including an embedded magnetic strip having a length substantially equal to the shorter dimension of the sheet and a predetermined width, the strip being oriented within the sheet so that its length is substantially parallel to the shorter dimension of the sheet, said detecting device comprising: transporting means for rapidly transporting the sheet in the direction of its longer dimension along a transportation path; first and second magnetic sensors having long and narrow shaped planes positioned on directly opposite sides of said path along a line substantially perpendicular to said transportation path, each sensor including: magnetic field generating means for generating a magnetic field which intersects said transportation path and passes through the generating means of said other magnetic sensor, the intersection of the magnetic field and the transportation path being long and narrow and having a longitudinal axis oriented substantially coincident with said magnetic strip at the moment when said magnetic strip passes between said first and second sensors; and variable magnetic resistance means adjacent said generating means having a resistance which is dependent on the magnetic field received from said generating means; and means for detecting the resistance variation of said variable magnetic resistance means when said magnetic strip passes between said first and second sensors.