US5652802A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for document identification
Assignee: Cummins Allison Corp
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Filing: 1994-08-09
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Granted: 1997-07-29
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Expires: 2014-08-09
Abstract
Abstract A currency identification system comprising at least two laterally displaced scanheads, one or more laterally moveable scanheads, or at least two laterally displaced sensors of a linear scanhead. The scanheads or sensors are positioned so as to permit scanning along at least two segments on a first side of a bill. The scanheads or sensors are capable of detecting characteristic information from the bill along the segments and generating corresponding output signals representing variations in the detected characteristic information from which scanned patterns of characteristic information may be generated. The system also comprises a pattern generator for generating at least one scanned pattern from the output signals, the scanned pattern representing analog variations in the characteristic information along a segment of the bill. The system also comprises a memory for storing at least one master pattern associated with each genuine bill which the system is capable of identifying, the master pattern representing analog variations in characteristic information along a segment of an associated genuine bill. The system further comprises a signal processor for performing a pattern comparison wherein at least one of the scanned patterns or portions thereof is compared with at least one of the master patterns or portions thereof. The signal processor generates an indication of the identity of the bill based on the pattern comparison when the bill is one that the system is capable of identifying.
Inventors
- 👤 Bradford T. Graves
- 👤 Douglas U. Mennie
- 👤 Richard A. Mazur
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 08:21
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07D; G07D7/00; G07D7/06; G07D7/12; G07D7/128; B; B65; B65H; B65H3/00; B65H3/02; B65H3/06; B65H3/063; G06; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/08; G06Q20/18; G07D11/00; G07D11/50; G07D7/04; G07D7/1205; G07D7/16; G07D7/162; G07D7/20; G07F; G07F19/00; G07F19/20; G07F7/00; G07F7/04; B65H2301/00; B65H2301/50; B65H2301/54; B65H2301/541; B65H2557/00; B65H2557/50; B65H2557/514; B65H2701/00; B65H2701/10; B65H2701/19; B65H2701/1912
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 139
Claim 1
Independent Claim
310 words
A currency identification system for receiving a stack of currency bills, rapidly counting and evaluating all the bills in the stack, and then delivering the bills to a single output receptacle comprising: a bill transport mechanism for transporting bills, one at a time, from an input receptacle past a scanning section to a single output receptacle at a rate in excess of about 800 bills per minute; said scanning section comprising at least two first-side sensors positioned so as to permit scanning of a bill along at least two laterally displaced segments on a first side of said bill, said first-side sensors being capable of detecting characteristic information from said bill along said segments and generating corresponding output signals representing analog variations in the detected characteristic information from which analog scanned patterns of characteristic information may be generated, at least two of said sensors being laterally displaced relative to each other, said sensors being able to scan at a rate in excess of about 800 bills per minute; means for generating at least one scanned pattern from said output signals, said at least one scanned pattern representing and approximating analog amplitude variations in said characteristic information along a segment of said bill; a memory for storing at least one master pattern associated with each genuine bill which the system is capable of identifying, said at least one master pattern representing and approximating analog amplitude variations in characteristic information along a segment of an associated genuine bill; and a signal processing means for performing a pattern comparison wherein at least one of said scanned patterns or portions thereof is compared with at least one of said master patterns or portions thereof; said signal processing means generating an indication of the identity of said bill based on said pattern comparison when said bill is one that the system is capable of identifying.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
310 words
A currency identification system for receiving a stack of currency bills, rapidly counting and evaluating all the bills in the stack, and then delivering the bills to a single output receptacle comprising: a bill transport mechanism for transporting bills, one at a time, from an input receptacle past a scanning section to a single output receptacle at a rate in excess of about 800 bills per minute; said scanning section comprising at least two first-side sensors positioned so as to permit scanning of a bill along at least two laterally displaced segments on a first side of said bill, said first-side sensors being capable of detecting characteristic information from said bill along said segments and generating corresponding output signals representing analog variations in the detected characteristic information from which analog scanned patterns of characteristic information may be generated, at least two of said sensors being laterally displaced relative to each other, said sensors being able to scan at a rate in excess of about 800 bills per minute; means for generating at least one scanned pattern from said output signals, said at least one scanned pattern representing and approximating analog amplitude variations in said characteristic information along a segment of said bill; a memory for storing at least one master pattern associated with each genuine bill which the system is capable of identifying, said at least one master pattern representing and approximating analog amplitude variations in characteristic information along a segment of an associated genuine bill; and a signal processing means for performing a pattern comparison wherein at least one of said scanned patterns or portions thereof is compared with at least one of said master patterns or portions thereof; said signal processing means generating an indication of the identity of said bill based on said pattern comparison when said bill is one that the system is capable of identifying.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The currency identification system of claim 1 wherein at least two of said sensors are stationary sensors.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The currency identification system of claim 2 wherein said stationary sensors are laterally positioned in a symmetrical fashion relative to a central axis of said bill.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The currency identification system of claim 2 wherein said stationary sensors are optical sensors.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
151 words
The currency identification system of claim 4 wherein said optical sensors are each contained within one or more scanheads, wherein said one or more scanheads include at least one light source for illuminating a strip of a respective one of said at least two segments of said bill, and at least one detector for receiving reflected light from a corresponding illuminated strip on said bill; wherein said output signals represent variations in the intensity of reflected light; wherein said means for generating at least one scanned pattern from said output signals comprises means for sampling said output signals at preselected intervals as said bill is moved past a corresponding scanhead, each of said output signal samples being proportional to the intensity of the light reflected from a different strip of a corresponding segment; and wherein said at least one master pattern is a master pattern of reflected light intensity signal samples.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The currency identification system of claim 5 wherein said strips are dimensioned so that at least 50 different strips can be scanned along a corresponding segment.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The currency identification system of claim 5 wherein said segments are each scanned in less than one tenth of a second.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
88 words
The currency identification system of claim 2 further comprising: a size detection sensor for retrieving size information from said bill; a memory for storing master size information associated with genuine bills which the system is capable of identifying; and signal processing means for performing a size comparison wherein said size information of said bill is compared with master size information associated with at least one of the genuine bills which the system is capable of identifying and wherein said identity indication is additionally based on said size comparison.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The currency identification system of claim 8 wherein said size information comprises either the length or the width, or both, of said bill.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
70 words
The currency identification system of claim 8 wherein said size detection sensor is positioned upstream from said first-side sensors; wherein said size comparison is performed before said pattern comparison; wherein said signal processing means generates a preliminary set of potential matching bills for said bill based on said size comparison; and wherein said at least one of said master patterns of said pattern comparison is chosen from said preliminary set.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
103 words
The currency identification system of claim 8 wherein said size detection sensor is positioned upstream from said first-side sensors; wherein said size comparison is performed before said bill is scanned by said first-side sensors; wherein said signal processing means generates a preliminary set of potential matching bills for said bill based on said size comparison; and wherein one or more of said first-side sensors are selected to scan said bill based on said size comparison or the output signals from one or more of said first-side sensors or derivations thereof are selected for the generation of scanned patterns based on said size comparison.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The currency identification system of claim 11 wherein said at least one of said master patterns of said pattern comparison is chosen from said preliminary set.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The currency identification system of claim 12 wherein said stationary sensors are laterally positioned in a symmetrical fashion relative to a central axis of said bill.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
151 words
The currency identification system of claim 12 wherein said stationary sensors are optical sensors; wherein said optical sensors are each contained within one or more scanheads, wherein said one or more scanheads include at least one light source for illuminating a strip of said segments of said bill, and at least one detector for receiving reflected light from a corresponding illuminated strip on said bill; wherein said output signals represent variations in the intensity of reflected light; wherein said means for generating at least one scanned pattern from said output signals comprises means for sampling said output signals at preselected intervals as said bill is moved past a corresponding scanhead, each of said output signal samples being proportional to the intensity of the light reflected from a different strip of a corresponding segment; and wherein said at least one master pattern is a master pattern of reflected light intensity signal samples.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The currency identification system of claim 14 wherein said stationary sensors are laterally positioned in a symmetrical fashion relative to a central axis of said bill.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
88 words
The currency identification system of claim 2 further comprising: a color detection sensor for retrieving color information from said bill; a memory for storing master color information associated with genuine bills which the system is capable of identifying; and signal processing means for performing a color comparison wherein said color information of said bill is compared with master color information associated with at least one of the genuine bills which the system is capable of identifying and wherein said identity indication is additionally based on said color comparison.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
70 words
The currency identification system of claim 16 wherein said color detection sensor is positioned upstream from said first-side sensors; wherein said color comparison is performed before said pattern comparison; wherein said signal processing means generates a preliminary set of potential matching bills for said bill based on said color comparison; and wherein said at least one of said master patterns of said pattern comparison is chosen from said preliminary set.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
103 words
The currency identification system of claim 16 wherein said color detection sensor is positioned upstream from said first-side sensors; wherein said color comparison is performed before said bill is scanned by said first-side sensors; wherein said signal processing means generates a preliminary set of potential matching bills for said bill based on said color comparison; and wherein one or more of said first-side sensors are selected to scan said bill based on said color comparison or the output signals from one or more of said first-side sensors or derivations thereof are selected for the generation of scanned patterns based on said color comparison.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The currency identification system of claim 18 wherein said at least one of said master patterns of said pattern comparison is chosen from said preliminary set.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The currency identification system of claim 19 wherein said first-side sensors are laterally positioned in a symmetrical fashion relative to a central axis of said bill.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
158 words
The currency identification system of claim 19 wherein said first-side sensors are optical sensors.; wherein said optical sensors are each contained within one or more scanheads, wherein said one or more scanheads include at least one light source for illuminating a strip of a respective one of said at least two segments of said bill, and at least one detector for receiving reflected light from a corresponding illuminated strip on said bill; wherein said output signals represent variations in the intensity of reflected light; wherein said means for generating at least one scanned pattern from said output signals comprises means for sampling said output signals at preselected intervals as said bill is moved past a corresponding scanhead, each of said output signal samples being proportional to the intensity of the light reflected from a different strip of a corresponding segment; and wherein said at least one master pattern is a master pattern of reflected light intensity signal samples.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
The currency identification system of claim 21 wherein said first-side sensors are laterally positioned in a symmetrical fashion relative to a central axis of said bill.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
96 words
The currency identification system of claim 19 further comprising: at least two sensors positioned so as to permit scanning along at least two segments on a second side of said bill, said second-side sensors being capable of detecting characteristic information from said bill along said segments and generating corresponding output signals representing variations in the detected characteristic information from which scanned patterns of characteristic information may be generated, at least two of said second-side sensors being laterally displaced relative to each other; wherein said second-side sensors are included within said sensor selection or output signal selection.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
The currency identification system of 23 wherein the output from said color detection sensor is used to determine the face orientation of said bill.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
The currency identification system of 23 wherein the output from said color detection sensor is used to determine the face orientation of said bill.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
34 words
The currency identification system of 24 wherein (1) said first-side sensors or output signals therefrom or (2) said second-side scanheads or output signals therefrom are selected based on said determination of said face orientation.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
34 words
The currency identification system of 24 wherein (1) said first-side sensors or output signals therefrom or (2) said second-side scanheads or output signals therefrom are selected based on said determination of said face orientation.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
158 words
The currency identification system of claim 19 further comprising: a size detection sensor positioned upstream from said first-side sensors for retrieving size information from said bill; a memory for storing master size information associated with genuine bills which the system is capable of identifying; and signal processing means for performing a size comparison wherein said size information of said bill is compared with master size information associated with at least one of the genuine bills which the system is capable of identifying; wherein said size comparison is performed before said bill is scanned by said first-side sensors; wherein said generation of said preliminary set of potential matching bills for said bill is additionally based on said size comparison; and wherein said selection of one or more first-side sensors to scan said bill or the selection of the output signals from one or more first-side sensors for the generation of scanned patterns is additionally based on said size comparison.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
The currency identification system of claim 1 wherein at least two of said sensors are laterally moveable sensors.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
26 words
The currency identification system of claim 27 wherein said moveable sensors are laterally positioned in a symmetrical fashion relative to a central axis of said bill.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
14 words
The currency identification system of claim 27 wherein said moveable sensors are optical sensors.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
143 words
The currency identification system of claim 29 wherein said optical sensors are contained within one or more scanheads, wherein said one or more scanheads include at least one light source for illuminating a strip of said segments of said bill, and at least one detector for receiving reflected light from a corresponding illuminated strip on said bill; wherein said output signals represent variations in the intensity of reflected light; wherein said means for generating at least one scanned pattern from said output signals comprise means for sampling said output signals at preselected intervals as a bill is moved past a corresponding scanhead, each of said output signal samples being proportional to the intensity of the light reflected from a different strip of a corresponding segment; and wherein said at least one master pattern is a master pattern of reflected light intensity signal samples.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
26 words
The currency identification system of claim 30 wherein said strips are dimensioned so that at least 50 different strips can be scanned along a corresponding segment.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
21 words
The currency identification system of claim 30 wherein said segments are each scanned in less than one tenth of a second.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
80 words
The currency identification system of claim 30 further comprising: a bill transport mechanism for transporting a currency bill to be scanned along a transport path; a bill separating station for receiving currency bills from a bill accepting station and feeding said bills, one at a time, to said bill transport mechanism, said bill transport mechanism transporting bills from said bill separating station to a stacking station; and wherein said optical sensors are located between said bill separating and stacking stations.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
35 words
The currency identification system of claim 33 wherein said bill transport mechanism transports bills from said bill separating station to said bill stacking station at a rate in excess of about 800 bills per minute.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
88 words
The currency identification system of claim 27 further comprising: a size detection sensor for retrieving size information from said bill; a memory for storing master size information associated with genuine bills which the system is capable of identifying; and signal processing means for performing a size comparison wherein said size information of said bill is compared with master size information associated with at least one of the genuine bills which the system is capable of identifying and wherein said identity indication is additionally based on said size comparison.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
23 words
The currency identification system of claim 35 wherein said size information comprises either the length or the width, or both, of said bill.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
70 words
The currency identification system of claim 35 wherein said size detection sensor is positioned upstream from said first-side sensors; wherein said size comparison is performed before said pattern comparison; wherein said signal processing means generates a preliminary set of potential matching bills for said bill based on said size comparison; and wherein said at least one of said master patterns of said pattern comparison is chosen from said preliminary set.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
86 words
The currency identification system of claim 35 wherein said size detection sensor is positioned upstream from said first-side sensors; wherein said size comparison is performed before said bill is scanned by said first-side sensor; wherein said signal processing means generates a preliminary set of potential matching bills for said bill based on said size comparison; and wherein the lateral positioning of one or more of said moveable sensors is adjusted based on said size comparison so as to permit scanning of selected segments of said bill.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
26 words
The currency identification system of claim 38 wherein said at least one of said master patterns of said pattern comparison is chosen from said preliminary set.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
26 words
The currency identification system of claim 39 wherein said moveable sensors are laterally positioned in a symmetrical fashion relative to a central axis of said bill.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
150 words
The currency identification system of claim 39 wherein said moveable sensors are optical sensors; wherein said optical sensors are contained within one or more scanheads, wherein said one or more scanheads include at least one light source for illuminating a strip of said segments of said bill, and at least one detector for receiving reflected light from a corresponding illuminated strip on said bill; wherein said output signals represent variations in the intensity of reflected light; wherein said means for generating at least one scanned pattern from said output signals comprises means for sampling said output signals at preselected intervals as said bill is moved past a corresponding scanhead, each of said output signal samples being proportional to the intensity of the light reflected from a different strip of a corresponding segment; and wherein said at least one master pattern is a master pattern of reflected light intensity signal samples.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
26 words
The currency identification system of claim 41 wherein said moveable sensors are laterally positioned in a symmetrical fashion relative to a central axis of said bill.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
88 words
The currency identification system of claim 27 further comprising: a color detection sensor for retrieving color information from said bill; a memory for storing master color information associated with genuine bills which the system is capable of identifying; and signal processing means for performing a color comparison wherein said color information of said bill is compared with master color information associated with at least one of the genuine bills which the system is capable of identifying and wherein said identity indication is additionally based on said color comparison.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
70 words
The currency identification system of claim 43 wherein said color detection sensor is positioned upstream from said first-side sensors; wherein said color comparison is performed before said pattern comparison; wherein said signal processing means generates a preliminary set of potential matching bills for said bill based on said color comparison; and wherein said at least one of said master patterns of said pattern comparison is chosen from said preliminary set.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
86 words
The currency identification system of claim 43 wherein said color detection sensor is positioned upstream from said first-side sensors; wherein said color comparison is performed before said bill is scanned by said first-side sensor; wherein said signal processing means generates a preliminary set of potential matching bills for said bill based on said color comparison; and wherein the lateral positioning of one or more of said moveable sensors is adjusted based on said color comparison so as to permit scanning of selected segments of said bill.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
26 words
The currency identification system of claim 45 wherein said at least one of said master patterns of said pattern comparison is chosen from said preliminary set.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
26 words
The currency identification system of claim 46 wherein said moveable sensors are laterally positioned in a symmetrical fashion relative to a central axis of said bill.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
150 words
The currency identification system of claim 46 wherein said moveable sensors are optical sensors; wherein said optical sensors are contained within one or more scanheads, wherein said one or more scanheads include at least one light source for illuminating a strip of said segments of said bill, and at least one detector for receiving reflected light from a corresponding illuminated strip on said bill; wherein said output signals represent variations in the intensity of reflected light; wherein said means for generating at least one scanned pattern from said output signals comprises means for sampling said output signals at preselected intervals as said bill is moved past a corresponding scanhead, each of said output signal samples being proportional to the intensity of the light reflected from a different strip of a corresponding segment; and wherein said at least one master pattern is a master pattern of reflected light intensity signal samples.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
26 words
The currency identification system of claim 48 wherein said moveable sensors are laterally positioned in a symmetrical fashion relative to a central axis of said bill.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
96 words
The currency identification system of claim 46 further comprising: at least two second-side sensors so as to permit scanning along at least two segments on a second side of said bill, said second-side sensors being capable of detecting characteristic information from said bill along said segments and generating corresponding output signals representing variations in the detected characteristic information from which scanned patterns of characteristic information may be generated, at least two of said second-side sensors being laterally displaced relative to each other; wherein said second-side sensors are included within said sensor selection or output signal selection.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
24 words
The currency identification system of 50 wherein the output from said color detection sensor is used to determine the face orientation of said bill.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
24 words
The currency identification system of 50 wherein the output from said color detection sensor is used to determine the face orientation of said bill.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
45 words
The currency identification system of 51 wherein the lateral positioning of one or more of (1) said first-side sensors or (2) said second-side sensors is adjusted based on said determination of said face orientation so as to permit scanning of selected segments of said bill.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
45 words
The currency identification system of 51 wherein the lateral positioning of one or more of (1) said first-side sensors or (2) said second-side sensors is adjusted based on said determination of said face orientation so as to permit scanning of selected segments of said bill.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
143 words
The currency identification system of claim 46 further comprising: a size detection sensor positioned upstream from said first-side sensors; a memory for storing master size information associated with genuine bills which the system is capable of identifying; and signal processing means for performing a size comparison wherein said size information of said bill is compared with master size information associated with at least one of the genuine bills which the system is capable of identifying; wherein said size comparison is performed before said bill is scanned by said first-side sensors; wherein said generation of said preliminary set of potential matching bills for said bill is additionally based on said size comparison; and wherein said lateral positioning of one or more of said moveable sensors is adjusted additionally based on said size comparison so as to permit scanning of selected segments of said bill.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
85 words
The currency identification system of claim 1 further comprising: at least two second-side sensors positioned so as to permit scanning along at least two segments on a second side of said bill, said second-side sensors being capable of detecting characteristic information from said bill along said segments and generating corresponding output signals representing analog variations in the detected characteristic information from which analog scanned patterns of characteristic information may be generated, at least two of said second-side sensors being laterally displaced relative to each other.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
26 words
The currency identification system of claim 54 wherein at least two of said first-side sensors and at least two of said second-side sensors are stationary sensors.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
26 words
The currency identification system of claim 54 wherein at least two of said first-side sensors and at least two of said second-side sensors are moveable sensors.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
37 words
The currency identification system of claim 54 wherein at least two of said first-side sensors and at least two of said second-side sensors are positioned in a symmetrical fashion relative to a central axis of said bill.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
26 words
The currency identification system of claim 54 wherein at least two of said first-side sensors and at least two of said second-side sensors are optical sensors.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
168 words
The currency identification system of claim 58 wherein said optical sensors are each contained within one or more scanheads, wherein said one or more scanheads include at least one light source for illuminating a strip of a respective one of said at least two, segments on said first side of said bill and said at least two segments on said second side of said bill, and at least one detector for receiving reflected light from a corresponding illuminated strip on said bill; wherein said output signals represent variations in the intensity of reflected light; wherein said means for generating at least one scanned pattern from said output signals comprises means for sampling said output signals at preselected intervals as said bill is moved past a corresponding scanhead, each of said output signal samples being proportional to the intensity of the light reflected from a different strip of a corresponding segment; and wherein said at least one master pattern is a master pattern of reflected light intensity signal samples.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
91 words
The currency identification system of claim 54 wherein said master patterns are generated by scanning only a single side of genuine bills of the plurality of genuine bills which the system is capable of identifying and wherein a valid identity indication is generated only when a match is found between a scanned pattern generated by scanning one side of said bill and one of said master patterns and no match is found between a scanned pattern generated by scanning the other side of said bill and any of said master patterns.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
123 words
The currency identification system of claim 54 wherein two sets of master patterns are generated for genuine bills which the system is capable of identifying, a first side set generated by scanning genuine bills on one side thereof and a second side set generated by scanning genuine bills on an opposing side thereof; and wherein a valid identity indication is generated only when a match is found between a scanned pattern generated by scanning one side of said bill and one of said first side master patterns and another match is found between a scanned pattern generated by scanning the other side of said bill and a second side master pattern associated with the bill-type indicated by the first side master patterns comparison.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
46 words
The currency identification system of claim 1 wherein said signal processing means generates a correlation number for each of said pattern comparisons and wherein said indication of the identity of said bill is based upon a determination of which pattern comparison has the highest correlation number.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
258 words
A currency identification system comprising: a bill transport mechanism for transporting a plurality of currency bills to be scanned along a transport path, at a rate in excess of about 800 bills per minute to a single output receptacle; at least two analog scanheads positioned on a first side of said transport path so as to permit scanning of said bill along at least two segments, said scanheads being capable of detecting characteristic information from said bill along said segments and generating corresponding output signals representing variations in the detected characteristic information from which analog scanned patterns of characteristic information may be generated, at least two of said scanheads being laterally displaced relative to each other; means for generating at least one scanned pattern from said output signals, said at least one scanned pattern representing and approximating analog amplitude variations in said characteristic information along a segment of said bill; a memory for storing at least one master pattern associated with each genuine bill which the system is capable of identifying, said at least one master pattern representing and approximating analog amplitude variations in characteristic information along a segment of an associated genuine bill; and a signal processing means for performing a pattern comparison wherein at least one of said scanned patterns or portions thereof is compared with at least one of said master patterns or portions thereof; said signal processing means generating an indication of the identity of said bill based on said pattern comparison when said bill is one that the system is capable of identifying.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
258 words
A currency identification system comprising: a bill transport mechanism for transporting a plurality of currency bills to be scanned along a transport path, at a rate in excess of about 800 bills per minute to a single output receptacle; at least two analog scanheads positioned on a first side of said transport path so as to permit scanning of said bill along at least two segments, said scanheads being capable of detecting characteristic information from said bill along said segments and generating corresponding output signals representing variations in the detected characteristic information from which analog scanned patterns of characteristic information may be generated, at least two of said scanheads being laterally displaced relative to each other; means for generating at least one scanned pattern from said output signals, said at least one scanned pattern representing and approximating analog amplitude variations in said characteristic information along a segment of said bill; a memory for storing at least one master pattern associated with each genuine bill which the system is capable of identifying, said at least one master pattern representing and approximating analog amplitude variations in characteristic information along a segment of an associated genuine bill; and a signal processing means for performing a pattern comparison wherein at least one of said scanned patterns or portions thereof is compared with at least one of said master patterns or portions thereof; said signal processing means generating an indication of the identity of said bill based on said pattern comparison when said bill is one that the system is capable of identifying.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
17 words
The currency identification system of claim 63 wherein at least two of said scanheads are stationary scanheads.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
26 words
The currency identification system of claim 64 wherein said stationary scanheads are laterally positioned in a symmetrical fashion relative to a central axis of said bill.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
18 words
The currency identification system of claim 63 wherein at least two of said scanheads are laterally moveable scanheads.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
26 words
The currency identification system of claim 66 wherein said moveable scanheads are laterally positioned in a symmetrical fashion relative to a central axis of said bill.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
148 words
The currency identification system of claim 63 wherein at least two of said scanheads are optical scanheads; wherein said optical scanheads each include at least one light source for illuminating a strip of a respective one of said at least two segments of said bill, and at least one detector for receiving reflected light from a corresponding illuminated strip on said bill; wherein said output signals represent variations in the intensity of reflected light; wherein said means for generating at least one scanned pattern from said output signals comprises means for sampling said output signals at preselected intervals as said bill is moved past a corresponding scanhead, each of said output signal samples being proportional to the intensity of the light reflected from a different strip of a corresponding segment; and wherein said at least one master pattern is a master pattern of reflected light intensity signal samples.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
90 words
The currency identification system of claim 63 further comprising: at least two analog second-side scanheads positioned on a second side of said transport path so as to permit scanning of said bill along at least two segments, said second-side scanheads being capable of detecting characteristic information from said bill along said segments and generating corresponding output signals representing analog variations in the detected characteristic information from which analog scanned patterns of characteristic information may be generated, at least two of said second-side scanheads being laterally displaced relative to each other.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
88 words
The currency identification system of claim 63 further comprising: a size detection sensor for retrieving size information from said bill; a memory for storing master size information associated with genuine bills which the system is capable of identifying; and signal processing means for performing a size comparison wherein said size information of said bill is compared with master size information associated with at least one of the genuine bills which the system is capable of identifying and wherein said identity indication is additionally based on said size comparison.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
88 words
The currency identification system of claim 63 further comprising: a color detection sensor for retrieving color information from said bill; a memory for storing master color information associated with genuine bills which the system is capable of identifying; and signal processing means for performing a color comparison wherein said color information of said bill is compared with master color information associated with at least one of the genuine bills which the system is capable of identifying and wherein said identity indication is additionally based on said color comparison.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
276 words
A currency discriminating system for discriminating among currency bills of different denominations, comprising: a bill transport mechanism for transporting a plurality of currency bills to be scanned, one at a time, along a transport path at a rate in excess of about 800 bills per minute to a single output receptacle; at least two analog scanheads positioned on a first side of said transport path so as to permit scanning of a bill along at least two segments, said scanheads being capable of detecting characteristic information from said bill along said segments and generating corresponding output signals representing variations in the detected characteristic information from which analog scanned patterns of characteristic information may be generated, at least two of said scanheads being laterally displaced relative to each other; means for generating at least one scanned pattern from said output signals, said at least one scanned pattern representing and approximating analog amplitude variations in said characteristic information along a segment of said bill; a memory for storing at least one master pattern associated with each of a plurality of denominations among which the system is capable of discriminating, said at least one master pattern representing and approximating analog amplitude variations in characteristic information along a segment of an associated genuine bill; and a signal processing means for performing a pattern comparison wherein at least one of said scanned patterns or portions thereof is compared with at least one of said master patterns or portions thereof; said signal processing means generating a denomination indication of the denomination of said bill based on said pattern comparison when said bill is one among which the system is capable of discriminating.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
276 words
A currency discriminating system for discriminating among currency bills of different denominations, comprising: a bill transport mechanism for transporting a plurality of currency bills to be scanned, one at a time, along a transport path at a rate in excess of about 800 bills per minute to a single output receptacle; at least two analog scanheads positioned on a first side of said transport path so as to permit scanning of a bill along at least two segments, said scanheads being capable of detecting characteristic information from said bill along said segments and generating corresponding output signals representing variations in the detected characteristic information from which analog scanned patterns of characteristic information may be generated, at least two of said scanheads being laterally displaced relative to each other; means for generating at least one scanned pattern from said output signals, said at least one scanned pattern representing and approximating analog amplitude variations in said characteristic information along a segment of said bill; a memory for storing at least one master pattern associated with each of a plurality of denominations among which the system is capable of discriminating, said at least one master pattern representing and approximating analog amplitude variations in characteristic information along a segment of an associated genuine bill; and a signal processing means for performing a pattern comparison wherein at least one of said scanned patterns or portions thereof is compared with at least one of said master patterns or portions thereof; said signal processing means generating a denomination indication of the denomination of said bill based on said pattern comparison when said bill is one among which the system is capable of discriminating.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
17 words
The currency discriminating system of claim 72 wherein at least two of said scanheads are stationary scanheads.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
26 words
The currency discriminating system of claim 73 wherein said stationary scanheads are laterally positioned in a symmetrical fashion relative to a central axis of said bill.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
18 words
The currency discriminating system of claim 72 wherein at least two of said scanheads are laterally moveable scanheads.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
26 words
The currency discriminating system of claim 75 wherein said moveable scanheads are laterally positioned in a symmetrical fashion relative to a central axis of said bill.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
148 words
The currency discriminating system of claim 72 wherein at least two of said scanheads are optical scanheads; wherein said optical scanheads each include at least one light source for illuminating a strip of a respective one of said at least two segments of said bill, and at least one detector for receiving reflected light from a corresponding illuminated strip on said bill; wherein said output signals represent variations in the intensity of reflected light; wherein said means for generating at least one scanned pattern from said output signals comprises means for sampling said output signals at preselected intervals as said bill is moved past a corresponding scanhead, each of said output signal samples being proportional to the intensity of the light reflected from a different strip of a corresponding segment; and wherein said at least one master pattern is a master pattern of reflected light intensity signal samples.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
90 words
The currency discriminating system of claim 72 further comprising: at least two analog second-side scanheads positioned on a second side of said transport path so as to permit scanning of said bill along at least two segments, said second-side scanheads being capable of detecting characteristic information from said bill along said segments and generating corresponding output signals representing analog variations in the detected characteristic information from which analog scanned patterns of characteristic information may be generated, at least two of said second-side scanheads being laterally displaced relative to each other.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
90 words
The currency discriminating system of claim 72 further comprising: a size detection sensor for retrieving size information from said bill; a memory for storing master size information associated with genuine bills among which the system is capable of discriminating; and signal processing means for performing a size comparison wherein said size information of said bill is compared with master size information associated with at least one of the genuine bills among which the system is capable of discriminating and wherein said denomination indication is additionally based on said size comparison.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
90 words
The currency discriminating system of claim 72 further comprising: a color detection sensor for retrieving color information from said bill; a memory for storing master color information associated with genuine bills among which the system is capable of discriminating; and signal processing means for performing a color comparison wherein said color information of said bill is compared with master color information associated with at least one of the genuine bills among which the system is capable of discriminating and wherein said denomination indication is additionally based on said color comparison.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
296 words
A currency identification system for identifying currency bills of different denominations of a plurality of currency systems comprising: a bill transport mechanism for transporting a currency bill to be scanned along a transport path at a rate in excess of 800 bills per minute; at least two analog scanheads positioned on a first side of said transport path so as to permit scanning of said bill along at least two segments, said scanheads being capable of detecting characteristic information from said bill along said segments and generating corresponding output signals representing variations in the detected characteristic information from which scanned patterns of characteristic information may be generated, at least two of said scanheads being laterally displaced relative to each other; means for generating at least one scanned pattern from said output signals, said at least one scanned pattern representing and approximating analog amplitude variations in said characteristic information along a segment of said bill; a memory for storing at least one master pattern associated with each genuine bill which the system is capable of identifying, said at least one master pattern representing and approximating analog amplitude variations in characteristic information along a segment of an associated genuine bill, said memory storing at least one master pattern associated with a genuine bill from a first currency system and at least one master pattern associated with a genuine bill from a second currency system; and a signal processing means for performing a pattern comparison wherein at least one of said scanned patterns or portions thereof is compared with at least one of said master patterns or portions thereof; said signal processing means generating an indication of the identity of said bill based on said pattern comparison when said bill is one that the system is capable of identifying.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
296 words
A currency identification system for identifying currency bills of different denominations of a plurality of currency systems comprising: a bill transport mechanism for transporting a currency bill to be scanned along a transport path at a rate in excess of 800 bills per minute; at least two analog scanheads positioned on a first side of said transport path so as to permit scanning of said bill along at least two segments, said scanheads being capable of detecting characteristic information from said bill along said segments and generating corresponding output signals representing variations in the detected characteristic information from which scanned patterns of characteristic information may be generated, at least two of said scanheads being laterally displaced relative to each other; means for generating at least one scanned pattern from said output signals, said at least one scanned pattern representing and approximating analog amplitude variations in said characteristic information along a segment of said bill; a memory for storing at least one master pattern associated with each genuine bill which the system is capable of identifying, said at least one master pattern representing and approximating analog amplitude variations in characteristic information along a segment of an associated genuine bill, said memory storing at least one master pattern associated with a genuine bill from a first currency system and at least one master pattern associated with a genuine bill from a second currency system; and a signal processing means for performing a pattern comparison wherein at least one of said scanned patterns or portions thereof is compared with at least one of said master patterns or portions thereof; said signal processing means generating an indication of the identity of said bill based on said pattern comparison when said bill is one that the system is capable of identifying.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
148 words
The currency identification system of claim 81 wherein at least two of said scanheads are optical scanheads; wherein said optical scanheads each include at least one light source for illuminating a strip of a respective one of said at least two segments of said bill, and at least one detector for receiving reflected light from a corresponding illuminated strip on said bill; wherein said output signals represent variations in the intensity of reflected light; wherein said means for generating at least one scanned pattern from said output signals comprises means for sampling said output signals at preselected intervals as said bill is moved past a corresponding scanhead, each of said output signal samples being proportional to the intensity of the light reflected from a different strip of a corresponding segment; and wherein said at least one master pattern is a master pattern of reflected light intensity signal samples.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
90 words
The currency identification system of claim 81 further comprising: at least two analog second-side scanheads positioned on a second side of said transport path so as to permit scanning of said bill along at least two segments, said second-side scanheads being capable of detecting characteristic information from said bill along said segments and generating corresponding output signals representing analog variations in the detected characteristic information from which analog scanned patterns of characteristic information may be generated, at least two of said second-side scanheads being laterally displaced relative to each other.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
89 words
The currency identification system of claim 81 further comprising: a size detection sensor for retrieving size information from said bill; a memory for storing master size information associated with said genuine bills which the system is capable of identifying; and signal processing means for performing a size comparison wherein said size information of said bill is compared with master size information associated with at least one of the genuine bills which the system is capable of identifying and wherein said identification indication is additionally based on said size comparison.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
89 words
The currency identification system of claim 81 further comprising: a color detection sensor for retrieving color information from said bill; a memory for storing master color information associated with said genuine bills which the system is capable of identifying; and signal processing means for performing a color comparison wherein said color information of said bill is compared with master color information associated with at least one of the genuine bills which the system is capable of identifying and wherein said identification indication is additionally based on said color comparison.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
258 words
A document identification system comprising: a document transport mechanism for transporting a plurality of documents to be scanned, one at a time, along a transport path at a rate in excess of 800 documents per minute to a single output receptacle; at least two scanheads positioned on a first side of said transport path so as to permit scanning of said document along at least two segments, said scanheads being capable of detecting characteristic information from said document along said segments and generating corresponding output signals representing variations in the detected characteristic information from which scanned patterns of characteristic information may be generated, at least two of said scanheads being laterally displaced relative to each other; means for generating at least one scanned pattern from said output signals, said at least one scanned pattern representing and approximating analog amplitude variations in said characteristic information along a segment of said document; a memory for storing at least one master pattern associated with each genuine document which the system is capable of identifying, said at least one master pattern representing and approximating analog amplitude variations in characteristic information along a segment of an associated genuine document; and a signal processing means for performing a pattern comparison wherein at least one of said scanned patterns or portions thereof is compared with at least one of said master patterns or portions thereof; said signal processing means generating an indication of the identity of said document based on said pattern comparison when said document is one that the system is capable of identifying.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
258 words
A document identification system comprising: a document transport mechanism for transporting a plurality of documents to be scanned, one at a time, along a transport path at a rate in excess of 800 documents per minute to a single output receptacle; at least two scanheads positioned on a first side of said transport path so as to permit scanning of said document along at least two segments, said scanheads being capable of detecting characteristic information from said document along said segments and generating corresponding output signals representing variations in the detected characteristic information from which scanned patterns of characteristic information may be generated, at least two of said scanheads being laterally displaced relative to each other; means for generating at least one scanned pattern from said output signals, said at least one scanned pattern representing and approximating analog amplitude variations in said characteristic information along a segment of said document; a memory for storing at least one master pattern associated with each genuine document which the system is capable of identifying, said at least one master pattern representing and approximating analog amplitude variations in characteristic information along a segment of an associated genuine document; and a signal processing means for performing a pattern comparison wherein at least one of said scanned patterns or portions thereof is compared with at least one of said master patterns or portions thereof; said signal processing means generating an indication of the identity of said document based on said pattern comparison when said document is one that the system is capable of identifying.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
148 words
The document identification system of claim 86 wherein at least two of said scanheads are optical scanheads; wherein said optical scanheads each include at least one light source for illuminating a strip of a respective one of said at least two segments of said document, and at least one detector for receiving reflected light from a corresponding illuminated strip on said document; wherein said output signals represent variations in the intensity of reflected light; wherein said means for generating at least one scanned pattern from said output signals comprises means for sampling said output signals at preselected intervals as said document is moved past a corresponding scanhead, each of said output signal samples being proportional to the intensity of the light reflected from a different strip of a corresponding segment; and wherein said at least one master pattern is a master pattern of reflected light intensity signal samples.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
89 words
The document identification system of claim 86 further comprising: at least two second-side scanheads positioned on a second side of said transport path so as to permit scanning of said document along at least two segments, said second-side scanheads being capable of detecting characteristic information from said document along said segments and generating corresponding output signals representing analog variations in the detected characteristic information from which analog scanned patterns of characteristic information may be generated, at least two of said second-side scanheads being laterally displaced relative to each other.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
89 words
The document identification system of claim 86 further comprising: a size detection sensor for retrieving size information from said document; a memory for storing master size information associated with said genuine documents which the system is capable of identifying; and signal processing means for performing a size comparison wherein said size information of said document is compared with master size information associated with at least one of the genuine documents which the system is capable of identifying and wherein said identification indication is additionally based on said size comparison.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
89 words
The document identification system of claim 86 further comprising: a color detection sensor for retrieving color information from said document; a memory for storing master color information associated with said genuine documents which the system is capable of identifying; and signal processing means for performing a color comparison wherein said color information of said document is compared with master color information associated with at least one of the genuine documents which the system is capable of identifying and wherein said identification indication is additionally based on said color comparison.
Claim 100
Dependent Claim
13 words
The document identification system of claim 86 wherein said scanheads are analog scanheads.
Claim 101
Dependent Claim
253 words
An improved method for identifying currency documents in a currency identification system, the system being capable of identifying bills that are of one or more bill-types, comprising the steps of: transporting bills, one at a time, from an input receptacle past a scanning section to a single output receptacle at a rate in excess of about 800 bills per minute; scanning a test bill along at least two laterally displaced segments located on a first side of said test bill for variations in characteristic information along said segments, said scanning being performed by at least two laterally displaced analog first-side sensors at a rate in excess of about 800 bills per minute; generating an output signal from at least one of said sensors; generating at least one scanned pattern from said output signals, said at least one scanned pattern representing and approximating analog amplitude variations in said characteristic information along a segment of said bill; performing a pattern comparison wherein at least one of said scanned patterns or portions thereof is compared with one or more master patterns or portions thereof from a set of master patterns, said master patterns being associated with genuine bills of the bill-types that the system is capable of identifying, said master patterns representing and approximating analog amplitude variations in characteristic information along segments of an associated genuine bill; and generating an indication of the identity of said test bill based on said pattern comparison when said test bill is one that the system is capable of identifying.
Claim 102
Dependent Claim
253 words
An improved method for identifying currency documents in a currency identification system, the system being capable of identifying bills that are of one or more bill-types, comprising the steps of: transporting bills, one at a time, from an input receptacle past a scanning section to a single output receptacle at a rate in excess of about 800 bills per minute; scanning a test bill along at least two laterally displaced segments located on a first side of said test bill for variations in characteristic information along said segments, said scanning being performed by at least two laterally displaced analog first-side sensors at a rate in excess of about 800 bills per minute; generating an output signal from at least one of said sensors; generating at least one scanned pattern from said output signals, said at least one scanned pattern representing and approximating analog amplitude variations in said characteristic information along a segment of said bill; performing a pattern comparison wherein at least one of said scanned patterns or portions thereof is compared with one or more master patterns or portions thereof from a set of master patterns, said master patterns being associated with genuine bills of the bill-types that the system is capable of identifying, said master patterns representing and approximating analog amplitude variations in characteristic information along segments of an associated genuine bill; and generating an indication of the identity of said test bill based on said pattern comparison when said test bill is one that the system is capable of identifying.
Claim 103
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 92 wherein said set of stored master patterns comprises master patterns associated with at least two genuine bills of different currency systems.
Claim 104
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 92 wherein said sensors are optical scanheads and wherein said variations in characteristic information are variations of reflected light intensity.
Claim 105
Dependent Claim
219 words
The method of claim 94 wherein said scanning step comprises illuminating a section of said test bill along a corresponding segment by focusing at least one strip of light thereupon; detecting the light reflected off said illuminated section of said test bill to generate said output signal, said output signal being an analog reflectance signal; and generating relative displacement between said strip of light and said test bill so as to illuminate or optically scan successive sections of said test bill along said corresponding segment; wherein said scanned pattern generating step comprises obtaining a series of analog reflectance signals corresponding to light reflected from each of said successive bill sections using said strip of light; and digitizing and processing said series of analog reflectance signals to yield a set of digital samples which, in combination, represent a data pattern characteristic of the identity of said test bill; wherein said master pattern set is generated by optically scanning at least one genuine bill of each of the different bill-types that the system is capable of identifying; and wherein said pattern comparison step comprises comparing at least one of said scanned patterns or portions thereof to one or more of said stored master patterns or portions thereof to determine the degree of correlation therebetween, and thereby to identify said test bill.
Claim 106
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 95 wherein said set of stored master patterns comprises master patterns associated with at least two genuine bills of different currency systems.
Claim 107
Dependent Claim
90 words
The method of claim 92 further comprising the steps of: detecting size information from said test bill before said scanning step; performing a size comparison wherein said size information of said test bill is compared with stored master size information associated with at least one genuine currency bill; and generating a preliminary set of potential matching bills for said test bill based on said size comparison; wherein said one or more master patterns from a set of master patterns of said pattern comparison step are chosen from said preliminary set.
Claim 108
Dependent Claim
237 words
The method of claim 97 wherein said sensors are optical sensors; wherein said variations in characteristic information are variations of reflected light intensity; wherein said scanning step comprises illuminating a section of said test bill along a corresponding segment by focusing at least one strip of light thereupon; detecting the light reflected off said illuminated section of said test bill to generate said output signal, said output signal being an analog reflectance signal; and generating relative displacement between said strip of light and said test bill so as to illuminate or optically scan successive sections of said test bill along said corresponding segment; wherein said scanned pattern generating step comprises obtaining a series of analog reflectance signals corresponding to light reflected from each of said successive bill sections using said strip of light; and digitizing and processing said series of analog reflectance signals to yield a set of digital samples which, in combination, represent a data pattern characteristic of the identity of said test bill; wherein said master pattern set is generated by optically scanning at least one genuine bill of each of the different bill-types that the system is capable of identifying; and wherein said pattern comparison step comprises comparing at least one of said scanned patterns or portions thereof to one or more of said stored master patterns or portions thereof to determine the degree of correlation therebetween, and thereby to identify said test bill.
Claim 109
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 97 wherein said sensors are stationary and further comprising the step of: choosing selected sensor to scan said test bill or choosing selected output signals or derivations thereof to generate scanned patterns based on said size detection step.
Claim 110
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 97 wherein said sensors are laterally moveable and further comprising the step of: positioning selected sensors to scan said test bill based on said size detection step.
Claim 111
Dependent Claim
89 words
The method of claim 92 further comprising the steps of: detecting color information from said test bill before said scanning step; performing a color comparison wherein said color information of said test bill is compared with master color information associated with at least one genuine currency bill; and generating a preliminary set of potential matching bills for said test bill based on said color comparison; wherein said one or more master patterns from a set of master patterns of said pattern comparison step are chosen from said preliminary set.
Claim 112
Dependent Claim
237 words
The method of claim 101 wherein said sensors are optical sensors; wherein said variations in characteristic information are variations of reflected light intensity; wherein said scanning step comprises illuminating a section of said test bill along a corresponding segment by focusing at least one strip of light thereupon; detecting the light reflected off said illuminated section of said test bill to generate said output signal, said output signal being an analog reflectance signal; and generating relative displacement between said strip of light and said test bill so as to illuminate or optically scan successive sections of said test bill along said corresponding segment; wherein said scanned pattern generating step comprises obtaining a series of analog reflectance signals corresponding to light reflected from each of said successive bill sections using said strip of light; and digitizing and processing said series of analog reflectance signals to yield a set of digital samples which, in combination, represent a data pattern characteristic of the identity of said test bill; wherein said master pattern set is generated by optically scanning at least one genuine bill of each of the different bill-types that the system is capable of identifying; and wherein said pattern comparison step comprises comparing at least one of said scanned patterns or portions thereof to one or more of said stored master patterns or portions thereof to determine the degree of correlation therebetween, and thereby to identify said test bill.
Claim 113
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 101 wherein said sensors are stationary and further comprising the step of: choosing selected sensors to scan said test bill or choosing selected output signals or derivations thereof to generate scanned patterns based on said color detection step.
Claim 114
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 101 wherein said sensors are laterally moveable and further comprising the step of: positioning selected sensors to scan said test bill based on said color detection step.
Claim 115
Dependent Claim
153 words
The method of claim 92 further comprising the steps of: scanning a test bill along at least two laterally displaced segments on a second side of said test bill for variations in characteristic information along said segments, said scanning being performed by at least two laterally displaced analog second-side sensors; generating an output signal from at least one of said first-side or second-side sensors; generating at least one scanned pattern from said output signals; performing a pattern comparison wherein at least one of said scanned patterns or portions thereof is compared with one or more master patterns or portions thereof from a set of master patterns, said master patterns being associated with genuine bills of the bill-types that the system is capable of identifying; and generating an indication of the identity of said test bill based on said pattern comparison when said test bill is one that the system is capable of identifying.
Claim 116
Dependent Claim
89 words
The method of claim 105 further comprising the steps of: detecting color information from said test bill before said scanning step; performing a color comparison wherein said color information of said test bill is compared with master color information associated with at least one genuine currency bill; and generating a preliminary set of potential matching bills for said test bill based on said color comparison; wherein said one or more master patterns from a set of master patterns of said pattern comparison step are chosen from said preliminary set.
Claim 117
Dependent Claim
237 words
The method of claim 105 wherein said sensors are optical sensors; wherein said variations in characteristic information are variations of reflected light intensity; wherein said scanning step comprises illuminating a section of said test bill along a corresponding segment by focusing at least one strip of light thereupon; detecting the light reflected off said illuminated section of said test bill to generate said output signal, said output signal being an analog reflectance signal; and generating relative displacement between said strip of light and said test bill so as to illuminate or optically scan successive sections of said test bill along said corresponding segment; wherein said scanned pattern generating step comprises obtaining a series of analog reflectance signals corresponding to light reflected from each of said successive bill sections using said strip of light; and digitizing and processing said series of analog reflectance signals to yield a set of digital samples which, in combination, represent a data pattern characteristic of the identity of said test bill; wherein said master pattern set is generated by optically scanning at least one genuine bill of each of the different bill-types that the system is capable of identifying; and wherein said pattern comparison step comprises comparing at least one of said scanned patterns or portions thereof to one or more of said stored master patterns or portions thereof to determine the degree of correlation therebetween, and thereby to identify said test bill.
Claim 118
Dependent Claim
254 words
An improved method for identifying documents in a document identification system, the system being capable of identifying documents that are of one or more document-types, comprising the steps of: transporting documents, one at a time, from an input receptacle past a scanning section to a single output receptacle at a rate in excess of about 800 documents per minute; scanning a test document along at least two laterally displaced segments located on a first side of said test document for variations in characteristic information along said segments, said scanning being performed by at least two laterally displaced analog first-side sensors at a rate in excess of about 800 documents per minute; generating an output signal from at least one of said sensors; generating at least one scanned pattern from said output signals, said at least one scanned pattern representing and approximating analog amplitude variations in said characteristic information along a segment of said document; performing a pattern comparison wherein at least one of said scanned patterns or portions thereof is compared with one or more master patterns or portions thereof from a set of master patterns, said master patterns being associated with genuine documents of the document-types that the system is capable of identifying, said master patterns representing and approximating analog amplitude variations in characteristic information along segments of an associated genuine document; and generating an indication of the identity of said test document based on said pattern comparison when said test document is of a document-type that the system is capable of identifying.
Claim 119
Dependent Claim
254 words
An improved method for identifying documents in a document identification system, the system being capable of identifying documents that are of one or more document-types, comprising the steps of: transporting documents, one at a time, from an input receptacle past a scanning section to a single output receptacle at a rate in excess of about 800 documents per minute; scanning a test document along at least two laterally displaced segments located on a first side of said test document for variations in characteristic information along said segments, said scanning being performed by at least two laterally displaced analog first-side sensors at a rate in excess of about 800 documents per minute; generating an output signal from at least one of said sensors; generating at least one scanned pattern from said output signals, said at least one scanned pattern representing and approximating analog amplitude variations in said characteristic information along a segment of said document; performing a pattern comparison wherein at least one of said scanned patterns or portions thereof is compared with one or more master patterns or portions thereof from a set of master patterns, said master patterns being associated with genuine documents of the document-types that the system is capable of identifying, said master patterns representing and approximating analog amplitude variations in characteristic information along segments of an associated genuine document; and generating an indication of the identity of said test document based on said pattern comparison when said test document is of a document-type that the system is capable of identifying.
Claim 120
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 108 wherein said sensors are optical sensors and wherein said variations in characteristic information are variations of reflected light intensity.
Claim 121
Dependent Claim
219 words
The method of claim 109 wherein said scanning step comprises illuminating a section of said test document along a corresponding segment by focusing at least one strip of light thereupon; detecting the light reflected off said illuminated section of said test document to generate said output signal, said output signal being an analog reflectance signal; and generating relative displacement between said strip of light and said test document so as to illuminate or optically scan successive sections of said test document along said corresponding segment; wherein said scanned pattern generating step comprises obtaining a series of analog reflectance signals corresponding to light reflected from each of said successive document sections using said strip of light; and digitizing and processing said series of analog reflectance signals to yield a set of digital samples which, in combination, represent a data pattern characteristic of the identity of said test document; wherein said master pattern set is generated by optically scanning at least one genuine document of each of the different document-types that the system is capable of identifying; and wherein said pattern comparison step comprises comparing at least one of said scanned patterns or portions thereof to one or more of said stored master patterns or portions thereof to determine the degree of correlation therebetween, and thereby to identify said test document.
Claim 122
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 108 wherein said document-types that the system is capable of identifying are food stamps.
Claim 123
Dependent Claim
89 words
The method of claim 108 further comprising the steps of: detecting size information from said test document before said scanning step; performing a size comparison wherein said size information of said test document is compared with stored master size information associated with at least one genuine document; and generating a preliminary set of potential matching documents for said test document based on said size comparison; wherein said one or more master patterns from a set of master patterns of said pattern comparison step are chosen from said preliminary set.
Claim 124
Dependent Claim
237 words
The method of claim 112 wherein said sensors are optical sensors; wherein said variations in characteristic information are variations of reflected light intensity; wherein said scanning step comprises illuminating a section of said test document along a corresponding segment by focusing at least one strip of light thereupon; detecting the light reflected off said illuminated section of said test document to generate said output signal, said output signal being an analog reflectance signal; and generating relative displacement between said strip of light and said test document so as to illuminate or optically scan successive sections of said test document along said corresponding segment; wherein said scanned pattern generating step comprises obtaining a series of analog reflectance signals corresponding to light reflected from each of said successive document sections using said strip of light; and digitizing and processing said series of analog reflectance signals to yield a set of digital samples which, in combination, represent a data pattern characteristic of the identity of said test document; wherein said master pattern set is generated by optically scanning at least one genuine document of each of the different document-types that the system is capable of identifying; and wherein said pattern comparison step comprises comparing at least one of said scanned patterns or portions thereof to one or more of said stored master patterns or portions thereof to determine the degree of correlation therebetween, and thereby to identify said test document.
Claim 125
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 112 wherein said sensors are stationary and further comprising the step of: choosing selected sensors to scan said test document or choosing selected output signals or derivations thereof to generate scanned patterns based on said size detection step.
Claim 126
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 112 wherein said sensors are laterally moveable and further comprising the step of: positioning selected sensors to scan said test document based on said size detection step.
Claim 127
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 112 wherein said document-types that the system is capable of identifying are food stamps.
Claim 128
Dependent Claim
88 words
The method of claim 108 further comprising the steps of: detecting color information from said test document before said scanning step; performing a color comparison wherein said color information of said test document is compared with master color information associated with at least one genuine document; and generating a preliminary set of potential matching documents for said test document based on said color comparison; wherein said one or more master patterns from a set of master patterns of said pattern comparison step are chosen from said preliminary set.
Claim 129
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 117 wherein said document-types that the system is capable of identifying are food stamps.
Claim 130
Dependent Claim
237 words
The method of claim 117 wherein said sensors are optical sensors; wherein said variations in characteristic information are variations of reflected light intensity; wherein said scanning step comprises illuminating a section of said test document along a corresponding segment by focusing at least one strip of light thereupon; detecting the light reflected off said illuminated section of said test document to generate said output signal, said output signal being an analog reflectance signal; and generating relative displacement between said strip of light and said test document so as to illuminate or optically scan successive sections of said test document along said corresponding segment; wherein said scanned pattern generating step comprises obtaining a series of analog reflectance signals corresponding to light reflected from each of said successive document sections using said strip of light; and digitizing and processing said series of analog reflectance signals to yield a set of digital samples which, in combination, represent a data pattern characteristic of the identity of said test document; wherein said master pattern set is generated by optically scanning at least one genuine document of each of the different document-types that the system is capable of identifying; and wherein said pattern comparison step comprises comparing at least one of said scanned patterns or portions thereof to one or more of said stored master patterns or portions thereof to determine the degree of correlation therebetween, and thereby to identify said test document.
Claim 131
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 117 wherein said sensors are stationary and further comprising the step of: choosing selected sensors to scan said test document or choosing selected output signals or derivations thereof to generate scanned patterns based on said color detection step.
Claim 132
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 117 wherein said sensors are laterally moveable and further comprising the step of: positioning selected sensors to scan said test document based on said color detection step.
Claim 133
Dependent Claim
155 words
The method of claim 108 further comprising the steps of: scanning said test document along at least two laterally displaced segments on a second side of said test document for variations in characteristic information along said segments, said scanning being performed by at least two laterally displaced analog second-side sensors; generating an output signal from at least one of said first-side or second-side sensors; generating at least one scanned pattern from said output signals; performing a pattern comparison wherein at least one of said scanned patterns or portions thereof is compared with one or more master patterns or portions thereof from a set of master patterns, said master patterns being associated with genuine documents of the document-types that the system is capable of identifying; and generating an indication of the identity of said test document based on said pattern comparison when said test document is of a document-type that the system is capable of identifying.
Claim 134
Dependent Claim
88 words
The method of claim 122 further comprising the steps of: detecting color information from said test document before said scanning step; performing a color comparison wherein said color information of said test document is compared with master color information associated with at least one genuine document; and generating a preliminary set of potential matching documents for said test document based on said color comparison; wherein said one or more master patterns from a set of master patterns of said pattern comparison step are chosen from said preliminary set.
Claim 135
Dependent Claim
237 words
The method of claim 122 wherein said sensors are optical sensors; wherein said variations in characteristic information are variations of reflected light intensity; wherein said scanning step comprises illuminating a section of said test document along a corresponding segment by focusing at least one strip of light thereupon; detecting the light reflected off said illuminated section of said test document to generate said output signal, said output signal being an analog reflectance signal; and generating relative displacement between said strip of light and said test document so as to illuminate or optically scan successive sections of said test document along said corresponding segment; wherein said scanned pattern generating step comprises obtaining a series of analog reflectance signals corresponding to light reflected from each of said successive document sections using said strip of light; and digitizing and processing said series of analog reflectance signals to yield a set of digital samples which, in combination, represent a data pattern characteristic of the identity of said test document; wherein said master pattern set is generated by optically scanning at least one genuine document of each of the different document-types that the system is capable of identifying; and wherein said pattern comparison step comprises comparing at least one of said scanned patterns or portions thereof to one or more of said stored master patterns or portions thereof to determine the degree of correlation therebetween, and thereby to identify said test document.
Claim 136
Dependent Claim
339 words
A currency counting and evaluation device for receiving a stack of currency bills, rapidly counting and evaluating all the bills in the stack, and then re-stacking the bills, said device comprising: a feed mechanism for receiving a stack of currency bills of a plurality of bill-types and feeding said bills, one at a time, to a feed station; a bill transport mechanism for transporting bills from said feed station to a single stacking station at a rate in excess of about 800 bills per minute; at least two laterally displaced sensors located between said feed and stacking stations positioned on a first side of said transport path so as to permit scanning of each of said bills along at least two segments, said scanheads being capable of detecting characteristic information from each of said bills along said segments and generating corresponding output signals representing variations in the detected characteristic information from which scanned patterns of characteristic information may be generated; means for generating at least one scanned pattern for each of said bills from said output signals, said at least one scanned pattern representing and approximating analog amplitude variations in said characteristic information along a segment of a bill; a memory for storing at least one master pattern associated with each genuine bill which the system is capable of identifying, said at least one master pattern representing and approximating analog amplitude variations in characteristic information along a segment of an associated genuine bill; and a signal processing means for performing a pattern comparison wherein at least one of said scanned patterns or portions thereof for each of said bills is compared with at least one of said master patterns or portions thereof; said signal processing means generating an indication of the identity of each of said bills based on said pattern comparison when said bills are ones that the system is capable of identifying; said signal processing means counting the number of scanned bills of each bill-type and accumulating the cumulative value of the scanned bills of each bill-type.
Claim 137
Dependent Claim
339 words
A currency counting and evaluation device for receiving a stack of currency bills, rapidly counting and evaluating all the bills in the stack, and then re-stacking the bills, said device comprising: a feed mechanism for receiving a stack of currency bills of a plurality of bill-types and feeding said bills, one at a time, to a feed station; a bill transport mechanism for transporting bills from said feed station to a single stacking station at a rate in excess of about 800 bills per minute; at least two laterally displaced sensors located between said feed and stacking stations positioned on a first side of said transport path so as to permit scanning of each of said bills along at least two segments, said scanheads being capable of detecting characteristic information from each of said bills along said segments and generating corresponding output signals representing variations in the detected characteristic information from which scanned patterns of characteristic information may be generated; means for generating at least one scanned pattern for each of said bills from said output signals, said at least one scanned pattern representing and approximating analog amplitude variations in said characteristic information along a segment of a bill; a memory for storing at least one master pattern associated with each genuine bill which the system is capable of identifying, said at least one master pattern representing and approximating analog amplitude variations in characteristic information along a segment of an associated genuine bill; and a signal processing means for performing a pattern comparison wherein at least one of said scanned patterns or portions thereof for each of said bills is compared with at least one of said master patterns or portions thereof; said signal processing means generating an indication of the identity of each of said bills based on said pattern comparison when said bills are ones that the system is capable of identifying; said signal processing means counting the number of scanned bills of each bill-type and accumulating the cumulative value of the scanned bills of each bill-type.
Claim 138
Dependent Claim
308 words
A currency identification system for receiving a stack of currency bills, rapidly counting and evaluating all the bills in the stack, and then delivering the bills to a single output receptacle comprising: a bill transport mechanism for transporting bills, one at a time, from an input receptacle past a scanning section to a single output receptacle at a rate in excess of about 800 bills per minute; said scanning section comprising at least two optical scanheads positioned so as to permit optical scanning of a bill along at least two segments of each bill of a plurality of bills traveling downstream along a bill transport path, said bills traveling in the direction of a predetermined dimension of said bills at a rate in excess of about 800 bills per minute, said scanheads being capable of detecting characteristic information from said bill along said segments and generating corresponding output signals representing variations in the detected characteristic information from which scanned patterns of characteristic information may be generated; means for generating at least one scanned pattern from said output signals, said at least one scanned pattern representing and approximating analog amplitude variations in said characteristic information along a segment of said bill; a memory for storing at least one master pattern associated with each genuine bill which the system is capable of identifying, said at least one master pattern representing and approximating analog amplitude variations in characteristic information along a segment of an associated genuine bill; and a signal processing means for performing a pattern comparison wherein at least one of said scanned patterns or portions thereof is compared with at least one of said master patterns or portions thereof, said signal processing means generating an indication of the identity of said bill based on said pattern comparison when said bill is one that the system is capable of identifying.
Claim 139
Dependent Claim
308 words
A currency identification system for receiving a stack of currency bills, rapidly counting and evaluating all the bills in the stack, and then delivering the bills to a single output receptacle comprising: a bill transport mechanism for transporting bills, one at a time, from an input receptacle past a scanning section to a single output receptacle at a rate in excess of about 800 bills per minute; said scanning section comprising at least two optical scanheads positioned so as to permit optical scanning of a bill along at least two segments of each bill of a plurality of bills traveling downstream along a bill transport path, said bills traveling in the direction of a predetermined dimension of said bills at a rate in excess of about 800 bills per minute, said scanheads being capable of detecting characteristic information from said bill along said segments and generating corresponding output signals representing variations in the detected characteristic information from which scanned patterns of characteristic information may be generated; means for generating at least one scanned pattern from said output signals, said at least one scanned pattern representing and approximating analog amplitude variations in said characteristic information along a segment of said bill; a memory for storing at least one master pattern associated with each genuine bill which the system is capable of identifying, said at least one master pattern representing and approximating analog amplitude variations in characteristic information along a segment of an associated genuine bill; and a signal processing means for performing a pattern comparison wherein at least one of said scanned patterns or portions thereof is compared with at least one of said master patterns or portions thereof, said signal processing means generating an indication of the identity of said bill based on said pattern comparison when said bill is one that the system is capable of identifying.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-07-28 | 2001-01-27 | 2001-07-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-07-28 | 2005-01-27 | 2005-07-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-07-28 | 2009-01-27 | 2009-07-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |