US5832104A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for document identification
Assignee: Cummins Allison Corp
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Filing: 1997-01-21
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Granted: 1998-11-03
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Expires: 2017-01-21
Abstract
Abstract A currency identification system comprises 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. 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
- 👤 Mazur A. Richard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 08:31
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: 64
Claim 1
Independent Claim
261 words
A currency identification system comprising: a bill transport mechanism for transporting a currency bill to be scanned along a transport path; at least two 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 choosing at least one of said scanheads for scanning said bill along at least one segment based on a preliminary determination of the identity of said bill; means for generating at least one scanned pattern from said output signals, said at least one scanned pattern representing analog 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 analog 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
261 words
A currency identification system comprising: a bill transport mechanism for transporting a currency bill to be scanned along a transport path; at least two 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 choosing at least one of said scanheads for scanning said bill along at least one segment based on a preliminary determination of the identity of said bill; means for generating at least one scanned pattern from said output signals, said at least one scanned pattern representing analog 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 analog 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 scanheads are stationary scanheads.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The currency identification system of claim 1 wherein at least two of said scanheads are laterally moveable scanheads.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The currency identification system of claim 3 wherein said moveable scanheads are laterally positioned based upon said preliminary determination of the identity of said bill.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
141 words
The currency identification system of claim 1 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 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 7
Dependent Claim
86 words
The currency identification system of claim 1 further comprising: at least two 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 variations in the detected characteristic information from which scanned patterns of characteristic information may be generated, at least two of said second-side scanheads being laterally displaced relative to each other.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
93 words
The currency identification system of claim 1 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 preliminary determination of the identity of said bill is based on said size comparison.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
93 words
The currency identification system of claim 1 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 preliminary determination of the identity of said bill is based on said color comparison.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
The currency identification system of claim 1 wherein said means for choosing selects at least one of said scanheads for scanning said bill along at least one segment based on a preliminary determination of the identity of said bill.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
The currency identification system of claim 1 wherein said means for choosing activates at least one of said scanheads for scanning said bill along at least one segment based on a preliminary determination of the identity of said bill.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
222 words
A currency identification system comprising: a bill transport mechanism for transporting a currency bill to be scanned along a transport path; one or more laterally moveable analog scanheads positioned on a first side of said transport path so as to permit scanning of said bill along at least one segment, said scanhead being capable of detecting characteristic information from said bill along said segment and generating corresponding output signal 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 signal, said at least one scanned pattern representing analog 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 analog 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 13
Dependent Claim
222 words
A currency identification system comprising: a bill transport mechanism for transporting a currency bill to be scanned along a transport path; one or more laterally moveable analog scanheads positioned on a first side of said transport path so as to permit scanning of said bill along at least one segment, said scanhead being capable of detecting characteristic information from said bill along said segment and generating corresponding output signal 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 signal, said at least one scanned pattern representing analog 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 analog 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 14
Dependent Claim
141 words
The currency identification system of claim 11 wherein at least one of said scanheads is an optical scanhead; wherein said optical scanhead includes 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 signal comprises means for sampling said output signal 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 15
Dependent Claim
75 words
The currency identification system of claim 11 further comprising: one or more laterally moveable analog scanheads positioned on a second side of said transport path so as to permit scanning of said bill along at least one segment, said second-side scanhead being capable of detecting characteristic information from said bill along said segment and generating corresponding output signal representing variations in the detected characteristic information from which scanned patterns of characteristic information may be generated.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
89 words
The currency identification system of claim 11 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 17
Dependent Claim
89 words
The currency identification system of claim 11 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 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The currency identification system of claim 11 wherein said moveable scanheads are laterally positioned based upon a preliminary determination of the identity of said bill.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The currency identification system of claim 11 wherein at least two of said scanheads are laterally moveable scanheads.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
224 words
A currency identification system comprising: a linear array scanhead comprising at least three laterally displaced sensors positioned so as to permit scanning along at least three laterally displaced segments on a first side of a bill, said 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, said scanhead being able to scan at a rate in excess of about 800 bills per minute; means for generating at least three scanned patterns from said output signals, said at least three scanned patterns representing and approximating analog variations in said characteristic information along segments of said bill; a memory for storing at least three master patterns associated with each genuine bill which the system is capable of identifying, said at least three master patterns representing and approximating analog variations in characteristic information along segments 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 determining the denomination of said bill based on said pattern comparison when said bill is one that the system is capable of identifying.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
224 words
A currency identification system comprising: a linear array scanhead comprising at least three laterally displaced sensors positioned so as to permit scanning along at least three laterally displaced segments on a first side of a bill, said 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, said scanhead being able to scan at a rate in excess of about 800 bills per minute; means for generating at least three scanned patterns from said output signals, said at least three scanned patterns representing and approximating analog variations in said characteristic information along segments of said bill; a memory for storing at least three master patterns associated with each genuine bill which the system is capable of identifying, said at least three master patterns representing and approximating analog variations in characteristic information along segments 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 determining the denomination of said bill based on said pattern comparison when said bill is one that the system is capable of identifying.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
The currency identification system of claim 18 wherein said sensors are analog sensors.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
142 words
The currency identification system of claim 18 wherein at least two of said linear array sensors are optical sensors; wherein said linear array scanhead includes at least one light source for illuminating a strip of said segments of said bill, said linear array sensors receiving reflected light from said 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 linear array sensor, 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 24
Dependent Claim
89 words
The currency identification system of claim 18 further comprising: a second linear array scanhead 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 second-side 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.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
88 words
The currency identification system of claim 18 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 26
Dependent Claim
55 words
The currency identification system of claim 22 wherein said size detection sensor is positioned upstream from said scanhead; wherein said size comparison is performed before said bill is scanned by said linear array sensors; and wherein one or more of said linear array sensors are selected to scan said bill based on said size comparison.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
48 words
The currency identification system of claim 23 wherein said signal processing means generates a preliminary set of potentially 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 28
Dependent Claim
138 words
The currency identification system of claim 23 wherein said linear array sensors are optical sensors; wherein said linear array scanhead includes at least one light source for illuminating a strip of said segments of said bill, said linear array sensors receiving reflected light from said 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 linear array sensor, 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 29
Dependent Claim
64 words
The currency identification system of claim 22 wherein said size detection sensor is positioned upstream from said scanhead; wherein said size comparison is performed before said bill is scanned by said linear array sensors; and wherein the output signals from one or more of said linear array sensors or derivations thereof are selected for the generation of scanned patterns based on said size comparison.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
88 words
The currency identification system of claim 18 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 31
Dependent Claim
55 words
The currency identification system of claim 27 wherein said color detection sensor is positioned upstream from said scanhead; wherein said color comparison is performed before said bill is scanned by said linear array sensors; and wherein one or more of said linear array sensors are selected to scan said bill based on said color comparison.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
48 words
The currency identification system of claim 28 wherein said signal processing means generates a preliminary set of potentially 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 33
Dependent Claim
138 words
The currency identification system of claim 28 wherein said linear array sensors are optical sensors; wherein said linear array scanhead includes at least one light source for illuminating a strip of said segments of said bill, said linear array sensors receiving reflected light from said 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 linear array sensor, 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
64 words
The currency identification system of claim 27 wherein said color detection sensor is positioned upstream from said scanhead; wherein said color comparison is performed before said bill is scanned by said linear array sensors; and wherein the output signals from one or more of said linear array sensors or derivations thereof are selected for the generation of scanned patterns based on said color comparison.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
48 words
The currency identification system of claim 18 wherein the lateral positioning of said bill relative to said scanhead is determined before said bill passes said scanhead and wherein one or more of said linear array sensors are selected to scan said bill based on said lateral positioning determination.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
78 words
The currency identification system of claim 18 wherein all of the linear array sensors of said linear array scanhead are activated; wherein the lateral positioning of said bill relative to said scanhead is determined by analyzing the output signals of the outermost linear array sensors or derivations thereof; and the output signals from one or more of said linear array sensors or derivations thereof are selected for the generation of scanned patterns based on said lateral positioning determination.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
74 words
The currency identification system of claim 18 wherein all of the linear array sensors of said linear array scanhead are activated; wherein the lateral dimension of said bill is determined by analyzing the output signals of the outermost linear array sensors or derivations thereof; and the output signals from one or more of said linear array sensors or derivations thereof are selected for the generation of scanned patterns based on said lateral dimension determination.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
39 words
The currency identification system of claim 18 wherein the dimension of said bill parallel to the direction of bill movement is determined by analyzing the output signals of one or more of said linear array sensors or derivations thereof.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
32 words
The currency identification system of claim 18 wherein the skew of said bill is determined by analyzing the output signals of one or more of said linear array sensors or derivations thereof.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
41 words
The currency identification system of claim 18 wherein the output signals from one or more of said linear array sensors or derivations thereof are selected for the generation of scanned patterns based on a determination of the skew of said bill.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
29 words
The currency identification system of claim 37 wherein a scanned pattern is generated from the output signal of two or more of said linear array sensors or derivations thereof.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
54 words
The currency identification system of claim 18 wherein said bill is transported along a transport path in a skewed manner and wherein the generation of a scanned pattern from a given sensor is delayed by an amount related to the angle of skewing of said bill and the lateral position of said given sensor.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
78 words
The currency identification system of claim 18 wherein the lateral positioning of said bill relative to said scanhead is determined before said bill passes said scanhead and wherein one or more of said linear array sensors are selected to scan said bill based on said lateral positioning determination or the output signals from one or more of said linear array sensors or derivations thereof are selected for the generation of scanned patterns based on said lateral positioning determination.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
277 words
A currency identification system comprising: a bill transport mechanism for transporting a currency bill to be scanned along a transport path at a rate in excess of about 800 bills per minute; a linear array scanhead comprising at least two sensors 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 sensors being laterally displaced relative to each other; means for choosing at least one of said scanheads for scanning said bill along at least one segment based on a preliminary determination of the identity of said bill; means for generating at least one scanned pattern from said output signals, said at least one scanned pattern representing analog 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 analog 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 45
Dependent Claim
277 words
A currency identification system comprising: a bill transport mechanism for transporting a currency bill to be scanned along a transport path at a rate in excess of about 800 bills per minute; a linear array scanhead comprising at least two sensors 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 sensors being laterally displaced relative to each other; means for choosing at least one of said scanheads for scanning said bill along at least one segment based on a preliminary determination of the identity of said bill; means for generating at least one scanned pattern from said output signals, said at least one scanned pattern representing analog 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 analog 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 46
Dependent Claim
39 words
The currency identification system of claim 41 wherein said means for choosing selects at least one of said scanheads for scanning said bill along at least one segment based on a preliminary determination of the identity of said bill.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
39 words
The currency identification system of claim 41 wherein said means for choosing activates at least one of said scanheads for scanning said bill along at least one segment based on a preliminary determination of the identity of said bill.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
224 words
A document identification system comprising: a linear array scanhead comprising at least three laterally displaced sensors positioned so as to permit scanning along at least three laterally displaced segments on a first side of a document, said sensors 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, said scanhead being able to scan at a rate in excess of about 800 documents per minute; means for generating at least three scanned patterns from said output signals, said at least three scanned patterns representing and approximating analog variations in said characteristic information along segments of said document; a memory for storing at least three master patterns associated with each genuine document which the system is capable of identifying, said at least three master patterns representing and approximating analog variations in characteristic information along segments 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 determining the denomination of said document based on said pattern comparison when said document is one that the system is capable of identifying.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
224 words
A document identification system comprising: a linear array scanhead comprising at least three laterally displaced sensors positioned so as to permit scanning along at least three laterally displaced segments on a first side of a document, said sensors 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, said scanhead being able to scan at a rate in excess of about 800 documents per minute; means for generating at least three scanned patterns from said output signals, said at least three scanned patterns representing and approximating analog variations in said characteristic information along segments of said document; a memory for storing at least three master patterns associated with each genuine document which the system is capable of identifying, said at least three master patterns representing and approximating analog variations in characteristic information along segments 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 determining the denomination of said document based on said pattern comparison when said document is one that the system is capable of identifying.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
217 words
An improved method for identifying currency bills in a currency identification system, the system being capable of identifying bills that are of one or more bill-types, comprising the steps of: scanning a test bill along at least three 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 three laterally displaced analog first-side sensors at a rate in excess of about 800 bills per minute; generating an output signal from at least three of said sensors; generating at least three scanned patterns from said output signals, said at least three scanned patterns representing and approximating analog variations in said characteristic information along segments 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 variations in characteristic information along segments of an associated genuine bill; and determining the denomination of said test bill based on said pattern comparison when said test bill is one that the system is capable of identifying.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
217 words
An improved method for identifying currency bills in a currency identification system, the system being capable of identifying bills that are of one or more bill-types, comprising the steps of: scanning a test bill along at least three 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 three laterally displaced analog first-side sensors at a rate in excess of about 800 bills per minute; generating an output signal from at least three of said sensors; generating at least three scanned patterns from said output signals, said at least three scanned patterns representing and approximating analog variations in said characteristic information along segments 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 variations in characteristic information along segments of an associated genuine bill; and determining the denomination of said test bill based on said pattern comparison when said test bill is one that the system is capable of identifying.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
218 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: scanning a test document along at least three 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 three laterally displaced analog first-side sensors at a rate in excess of about 800 documents per minute; generating an output signal from at least three of said sensors; generating at least three scanned patterns from said output signals, said at least three scanned patterns representing and approximating analog variations in said characteristic information along segments 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 variations in characteristic information along segments of an associated genuine document; and determining the denomination 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 53
Dependent Claim
218 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: scanning a test document along at least three 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 three laterally displaced analog first-side sensors at a rate in excess of about 800 documents per minute; generating an output signal from at least three of said sensors; generating at least three scanned patterns from said output signals, said at least three scanned patterns representing and approximating analog variations in said characteristic information along segments 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 variations in characteristic information along segments of an associated genuine document; and determining the denomination 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 54
Dependent Claim
259 words
A currency identification system comprising: a bill transport mechanism for transporting a currency bill to be scanned along a transport path; at least two 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 selecting at least one of said output signals for the generation of scanned patterns based on a preliminary determination of the identity of said bill; means for generating at least one scanned pattern from said output signals, said at least one scanned pattern representing analog 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 analog 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 55
Dependent Claim
259 words
A currency identification system comprising: a bill transport mechanism for transporting a currency bill to be scanned along a transport path; at least two 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 selecting at least one of said output signals for the generation of scanned patterns based on a preliminary determination of the identity of said bill; means for generating at least one scanned pattern from said output signals, said at least one scanned pattern representing analog 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 analog 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 56
Dependent Claim
17 words
The currency identification system of claim 47 wherein at least two of said scanheads are stationary scanheads.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
18 words
The currency identification system of claim 47 wherein at least two of said scanheads are laterally moveable scanheads.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
25 words
The currency identification system of claim 49 wherein said moveable scanheads are laterally positioned based upon said preliminary determination of the identity of said bill.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
141 words
The currency identification system of claim 47 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 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 60
Dependent Claim
86 words
The currency identification system of claim 47 further comprising: at least two 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 variations in the detected characteristic information from which scanned patterns of characteristic information may be generated, at least two of said second-side scanheads being laterally displaced relative to each other.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
93 words
The currency identification system of claim 47 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 preliminary determination of the identity of said bill is based on said size comparison.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
93 words
The currency identification system of claim 47 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 preliminary determination of the identity of said bill is based on said color comparison.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
275 words
A currency identification system comprising: a bill transport mechanism for transporting a currency bill to be scanned along a transport path at a rate in excess of about 800 bills per minute; a linear array scanhead comprising at least two sensors 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 sensors being laterally displaced relative to each other; means for selecting at least one of said output signals for the generation of scanned patterns based on a preliminary determination of the identity of said bill; means for generating at least one scanned pattern from said output signals, said at least one scanned pattern representing analog 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 analog 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 64
Dependent Claim
275 words
A currency identification system comprising: a bill transport mechanism for transporting a currency bill to be scanned along a transport path at a rate in excess of about 800 bills per minute; a linear array scanhead comprising at least two sensors 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 sensors being laterally displaced relative to each other; means for selecting at least one of said output signals for the generation of scanned patterns based on a preliminary determination of the identity of said bill; means for generating at least one scanned pattern from said output signals, said at least one scanned pattern representing analog 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 analog 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) | 2001-11-02 | 2002-05-04 | 2002-11-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-11-02 | 2006-05-04 | 2006-11-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-11-02 | 2010-05-04 | 2010-11-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |