Patent US6028951A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6028951A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for currency discrimination and counting
Assignee: Cummins Allison Corp
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Filing: 1997-04-29
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Granted: 2000-02-22
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Expires: 2017-04-29
Abstract
Abstract An improved method and apparatus for discriminating between currency bills of different denominations uses an optical sensing and correlation technique based on the sensing of bill reflectance characteristics obtained by illuminating and scanning a bill along its narrow dimension. A series of detected reflectance signals are obtained by sampling and digitally processing, under microprocessor control, the reflected light at a plurality of predefined sample points as a currency bill is moved across an illuminated strip with its narrow dimension parallel to the direction of transport of the bill. The sample data is subjected to digital processing, including a normalizing process, whereby the reflectance data represents a characteristic pattern that is unique for a given bill denomination and incorporates sufficient distinguishing features between characteristic patterns for discriminating between different currency denominations. A plurality of master characteristic patterns are generated and stored using original bills for each denomination of currency to be detected. The pattern generated by scanning a bill under test and processing the data samples is compared with each of the prestored master patterns to generate, for each comparison, a correlation number representing the extent of similarity between corresponding ones of the plurality of data samples for the compared patterns. Denomination identification is based on designating the scanned bill as belonging to the denomination corresponding to the stored master pattern for which the correlation number resulting from pattern comparison is determined to be the highest, subject to a bi-level threshold of correlation.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald R. Raterman
- 👤 Bradford T. Graves
- 👤 Lars R. Stromme
- 👤 Aaron M. Bauch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 10:03
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; G07D11/10; 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: 127
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
A U.S. currency denominating device for receiving a stack of U.S. currency bills having a plurality of denominations and rapidly denominating the bills in the stack, the device comprising: an input receptacle adapted to receive a stack of U.S. bills having a plurality of denominations to be evaluated; a single output receptacle adapted to receive the bills after the bills have been evaluated; a transport mechanism adapted to transport the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path; a denomination discriminating unit adapted to determine the denomination of each of the bills including bills of a plurality of U.S. denominations, the discriminating unit comprising a detector positioned along the transport path between the input receptacle and the output receptacle, the discriminating unit counting and determining the denomination of the bills.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
139 words
A U.S. currency denominating device for receiving a stack of U.S. currency bills having a plurality of denominations and rapidly denominating the bills in the stack, the device comprising: an input receptacle adapted to receive a stack of U.S. bills having a plurality of denominations to be evaluated; a single output receptacle adapted to receive the bills after the bills have been evaluated; a transport mechanism adapted to transport the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path; a denomination discriminating unit adapted to determine the denomination of each of the bills including bills of a plurality of U.S. denominations, the discriminating unit comprising a detector positioned along the transport path between the input receptacle and the output receptacle, the discriminating unit counting and determining the denomination of the bills.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The U.S. currency denominating device of claim 1 wherein the input receptacle consists of a single input receptacle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
181 words
A U.S. currency evaluation device for receiving a stack of U.S. currency bills and rapidly evaluating all the bills in the stack, the device comprising: a single input receptacle adapted to receive a stack of U.S. bills having a plurality of denominations to be evaluated; a single output receptacle adapted to receive the bills after the bills have been evaluated; a transport mechanism adapted to transport the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path; a denomination discriminating unit adapted to determine the denomination of each of the bills including bills of a plurality of U.S. denominations, the discriminating unit comprising a detector positioned along the transport path between the input receptacle and the output receptacle and a processor, the discriminating unit counting and determining the denomination of the bills; wherein the processor is programmed to flag a bill when the denomination of the bill is not determined by the discriminating unit; and wherein the processor is coupled to the transport mechanism and is programmed to cause the transport mechanism to halt.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
181 words
A U.S. currency evaluation device for receiving a stack of U.S. currency bills and rapidly evaluating all the bills in the stack, the device comprising: a single input receptacle adapted to receive a stack of U.S. bills having a plurality of denominations to be evaluated; a single output receptacle adapted to receive the bills after the bills have been evaluated; a transport mechanism adapted to transport the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path; a denomination discriminating unit adapted to determine the denomination of each of the bills including bills of a plurality of U.S. denominations, the discriminating unit comprising a detector positioned along the transport path between the input receptacle and the output receptacle and a processor, the discriminating unit counting and determining the denomination of the bills; wherein the processor is programmed to flag a bill when the denomination of the bill is not determined by the discriminating unit; and wherein the processor is coupled to the transport mechanism and is programmed to cause the transport mechanism to halt.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 3 wherein the processor is programmed to cause the transport mechanism to halt with the bill whose denomination has not been determined being located at a predetermined position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 4 wherein the processor is programmed to cause the transport mechanism to halt with the bill whose denomination being the last bill delivered to the output receptacle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
177 words
A U.S. currency evaluation device for receiving a stack of U.S. currency bills and rapidly evaluating all the bills in the stack, the device comprising: a single input receptacle positioned to receive a stack of bills to be evaluated; a single output receptacle positioned to receive the bills after the bills have been evaluated; a transport mechanism comprising a transport drive motor and transport rollers, the transport mechanism located between the input receptacle and the output receptacle to transport the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path; and a denomination discriminating unit comprising a detector positioned along the transport path between the input receptacle and the output receptacle and comprising a processor, the detector generating a characteristic information output signal in response to detected characteristic information, the characteristic information output signal being electrically coupled to the processor, the processor receiving the characteristic information output signal and generating a denomination signal in response thereto, the discriminating unit being adapted to denominate bills of a plurality of U.S. denominations.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
177 words
A U.S. currency evaluation device for receiving a stack of U.S. currency bills and rapidly evaluating all the bills in the stack, the device comprising: a single input receptacle positioned to receive a stack of bills to be evaluated; a single output receptacle positioned to receive the bills after the bills have been evaluated; a transport mechanism comprising a transport drive motor and transport rollers, the transport mechanism located between the input receptacle and the output receptacle to transport the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path; and a denomination discriminating unit comprising a detector positioned along the transport path between the input receptacle and the output receptacle and comprising a processor, the detector generating a characteristic information output signal in response to detected characteristic information, the characteristic information output signal being electrically coupled to the processor, the processor receiving the characteristic information output signal and generating a denomination signal in response thereto, the discriminating unit being adapted to denominate bills of a plurality of U.S. denominations.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The currency evaluation device of claim 6 wherein the detector is adapted to detect reflected light and generate a reflected light characteristic output signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The currency evaluation device of claim 7 wherein the discriminating unit is adapted to denominate bills based solely on the detection of reflected light.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The currency evaluation device of claim 6 wherein the detector is an optical detector adapted to generate an optical characteristic output signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The currency evaluation device of claim 9 wherein the discriminating unit is adapted to denominate bills based solely on the detection of optical characteristic information.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The currency evaluation device of claim 9 wherein the transport mechanism is adapted to transport and the discriminating unit is adapted to denominate bills at a rate of at least about 800 bills per minute.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The currency evaluation device of claim 10 wherein the transport mechanism is adapted to transport and the discriminating unit is adapted to denominate bills at a rate of at least about 1000 bills per minute.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
62 words
The currency evaluation device of claim 6 wherein the processor is adapted to generate a scanned pattern from each of the bills based on the characteristic information output signal and determine the denomination of a bill by comparing the scanned pattern generated from the bill with master patterns associated with different denominations of bills, the master patterns being stored in a memory.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
120 words
A U.S. currency evaluation device for receiving a stack of currency bills and rapidly evaluating all the bills in the stack, the device comprising: an input receptacle for receiving a stack of U.S. currency bills to be evaluated; a single output receptacle for receiving the bills after the bills have been evaluated; a transport mechanism for transporting the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path; and a denomination discriminating unit for evaluating the bills being transported between the input receptacle and the single output receptacle, the discriminating unit counting and determining the denomination of the bills, the discriminating unit being adapted to denominate bills of a plurality of U.S. denominations.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
120 words
A U.S. currency evaluation device for receiving a stack of currency bills and rapidly evaluating all the bills in the stack, the device comprising: an input receptacle for receiving a stack of U.S. currency bills to be evaluated; a single output receptacle for receiving the bills after the bills have been evaluated; a transport mechanism for transporting the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path; and a denomination discriminating unit for evaluating the bills being transported between the input receptacle and the single output receptacle, the discriminating unit counting and determining the denomination of the bills, the discriminating unit being adapted to denominate bills of a plurality of U.S. denominations.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
221 words
A U.S. currency evaluation device for receiving a stack of currency bills and rapidly evaluating all the bills in the stack, the device comprising: an input receptacle positioned to receive a stack of bills to be evaluated; a single output receptacle positioned to receive the bills after the bills have been evaluated; a transport mechanism comprising a transport drive motor and transport rollers, the transport mechanism located between the input receptacle and the output receptacle to transport the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path; a discriminating unit comprising a detector positioned along the transport path between the input receptacle and the output receptacle and comprising a processor, the detector generating a characteristic information output signal in response to detected characteristic information, the characteristic information output signal being electrically coupled to the processor, the processor receiving the characteristic information output signal and generating a denomination signal in response thereto, the discriminating unit being adapted to denominate bills of a plurality of U.S. denominations; and a flagging device comprising the processor and an encoder linked to the transport mechanism, the encoder producing tracking signals in response to the physical movement of the bills, the processor generating a no call signal when the denomination of a bill is not determined by the processor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
221 words
A U.S. currency evaluation device for receiving a stack of currency bills and rapidly evaluating all the bills in the stack, the device comprising: an input receptacle positioned to receive a stack of bills to be evaluated; a single output receptacle positioned to receive the bills after the bills have been evaluated; a transport mechanism comprising a transport drive motor and transport rollers, the transport mechanism located between the input receptacle and the output receptacle to transport the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path; a discriminating unit comprising a detector positioned along the transport path between the input receptacle and the output receptacle and comprising a processor, the detector generating a characteristic information output signal in response to detected characteristic information, the characteristic information output signal being electrically coupled to the processor, the processor receiving the characteristic information output signal and generating a denomination signal in response thereto, the discriminating unit being adapted to denominate bills of a plurality of U.S. denominations; and a flagging device comprising the processor and an encoder linked to the transport mechanism, the encoder producing tracking signals in response to the physical movement of the bills, the processor generating a no call signal when the denomination of a bill is not determined by the processor.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
59 words
The currency evaluation device of claim 15 wherein the processor generates a scanned pattern from each of the bills based on the characteristic information output signal and determines the denomination of a bill by comparing the scanned pattern generated from the bill with master patterns associated with different denominations of bills, the master patterns being stored in a memory.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The currency evaluation device of claim 16 wherein the detector comprises an optical scanhead and wherein the scanned and master patterns comprise optical patterns.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
180 words
A high-speed compact, single input receptacle, single output receptacle U.S. currency denominating device for receiving a stack of U.S. currency bills having a plurality of denominations and rapidly denominating the bills in the stack, the device comprising: a single input receptacle adapted to receive a stack of U.S. bills having a plurality of denominations to be evaluated; a single output receptacle adapted to receive the bills after the bills have been evaluated; a transport mechanism adapted to transport the bills in the direction of the narrow dimension of the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path at a rate in excess of about 800 bills per minute; a denomination discriminating unit adapted to determine the denomination of each of the bills including bills of a plurality of U.S. denominations at a rate in excess of about 800 bills per minute, the discriminating unit comprising a detector positioned along the transport path between the input receptacle and the output receptacle, the discriminating unit counting and determining the denomination of the bills.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
180 words
A high-speed compact, single input receptacle, single output receptacle U.S. currency denominating device for receiving a stack of U.S. currency bills having a plurality of denominations and rapidly denominating the bills in the stack, the device comprising: a single input receptacle adapted to receive a stack of U.S. bills having a plurality of denominations to be evaluated; a single output receptacle adapted to receive the bills after the bills have been evaluated; a transport mechanism adapted to transport the bills in the direction of the narrow dimension of the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path at a rate in excess of about 800 bills per minute; a denomination discriminating unit adapted to determine the denomination of each of the bills including bills of a plurality of U.S. denominations at a rate in excess of about 800 bills per minute, the discriminating unit comprising a detector positioned along the transport path between the input receptacle and the output receptacle, the discriminating unit counting and determining the denomination of the bills.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
180 words
A currency evaluation device for receiving a stack of currency bills and rapidly evaluating all the bills in the stack, the device comprising: an input receptacle positioned to receive a stack of bills to be evaluated; a single output receptacle positioned to receive the bills after the bills have been evaluated; a transport mechanism comprising a transport drive motor and transport rollers, the transport mechanism located between the input receptacle and the output receptacle to transport the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path; and a denomination discriminating unit comprising a detector positioned along the transport path between the input receptacle and the output receptacle and comprising a processor, the detector generating a characteristic information output signal in response to detected characteristic information, the characteristic information output signal being electrically coupled to the processor, the processor receiving the characteristic information output signal and generating a denomination signal in response thereto, the discriminating unit being adapted to denominate bills of a plurality of denominations independently of the dimensions of the bills.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
180 words
A currency evaluation device for receiving a stack of currency bills and rapidly evaluating all the bills in the stack, the device comprising: an input receptacle positioned to receive a stack of bills to be evaluated; a single output receptacle positioned to receive the bills after the bills have been evaluated; a transport mechanism comprising a transport drive motor and transport rollers, the transport mechanism located between the input receptacle and the output receptacle to transport the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path; and a denomination discriminating unit comprising a detector positioned along the transport path between the input receptacle and the output receptacle and comprising a processor, the detector generating a characteristic information output signal in response to detected characteristic information, the characteristic information output signal being electrically coupled to the processor, the processor receiving the characteristic information output signal and generating a denomination signal in response thereto, the discriminating unit being adapted to denominate bills of a plurality of denominations independently of the dimensions of the bills.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
188 words
A currency evaluation device for receiving a stack of currency bills and rapidly evaluating all the bills in the stack, the device comprising: an input receptacle adapted to receive a stack of bills having a plurality of denominations to be evaluated; a single output receptacle adapted to receive the bills after the bills have been evaluated; a transport mechanism adapted to transport the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path; a denomination discriminating unit adapted to determine the denomination of each of the bills including bills of a plurality of denominations, bills of at least two of the denominations having the same dimensions, the discriminating unit comprising a detector positioned along the transport path between the input receptacle and the output receptacle and a processor, the discriminating unit counting and determining the denomination of the bills; wherein the processor is programmed to flag a bill when the denomination of the bill is not determined by the discriminating unit; and wherein the processor is coupled to the transport mechanism and is programmed to cause the transport mechanism to halt.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
188 words
A currency evaluation device for receiving a stack of currency bills and rapidly evaluating all the bills in the stack, the device comprising: an input receptacle adapted to receive a stack of bills having a plurality of denominations to be evaluated; a single output receptacle adapted to receive the bills after the bills have been evaluated; a transport mechanism adapted to transport the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path; a denomination discriminating unit adapted to determine the denomination of each of the bills including bills of a plurality of denominations, bills of at least two of the denominations having the same dimensions, the discriminating unit comprising a detector positioned along the transport path between the input receptacle and the output receptacle and a processor, the discriminating unit counting and determining the denomination of the bills; wherein the processor is programmed to flag a bill when the denomination of the bill is not determined by the discriminating unit; and wherein the processor is coupled to the transport mechanism and is programmed to cause the transport mechanism to halt.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 20 wherein the processor is programmed to cause the transport mechanism to halt with the bill whose denomination has not been determined being located at a predetermined position.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
146 words
A currency denominating device for receiving a stack of currency bills having a plurality of denominations having the same dimensions and rapidly denominating the bills in the stack, the device comprising: a single input receptacle adapted to receive a stack of bills having a plurality of denominations to be evaluated, bills of at least two of the denominations having the same dimensions; a single output receptacle adapted to receive the bills after the bills have been evaluated; a transport mechanism adapted to transport the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path; and a denomination discriminating unit adapted to determine the denomination of each of the bills including bills of a plurality of denominations having the same dimensions, the discriminating unit comprising a detector positioned along the transport path between the input receptacle and the output receptacle.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
146 words
A currency denominating device for receiving a stack of currency bills having a plurality of denominations having the same dimensions and rapidly denominating the bills in the stack, the device comprising: a single input receptacle adapted to receive a stack of bills having a plurality of denominations to be evaluated, bills of at least two of the denominations having the same dimensions; a single output receptacle adapted to receive the bills after the bills have been evaluated; a transport mechanism adapted to transport the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path; and a denomination discriminating unit adapted to determine the denomination of each of the bills including bills of a plurality of denominations having the same dimensions, the discriminating unit comprising a detector positioned along the transport path between the input receptacle and the output receptacle.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
24 words
The currency evaluation device of claim 22 wherein the detector is adapted to detect reflected light and generate a reflected light characteristic output signal.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
24 words
The currency evaluation device of claim 23 wherein the discriminating unit is adapted to denominate bills based solely on the detection of reflected light.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
22 words
The currency evaluation device of claim 22 wherein the detector is an optical detector adapted to generate an optical characteristic output signal.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
25 words
The currency evaluation device of claim 25 wherein the discriminating unit is adapted to denominate bills based solely on the detection of optical characteristic information.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
35 words
The currency evaluation device of claim 26 wherein the transport mechanism is adapted to transport and the discriminating unit is adapted to denominate bills at a rate of at least about 800 bills per minute.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
124 words
A currency evaluation device for receiving a stack of currency bills and rapidly evaluating all the bills in the stack, the device comprising: an input receptacle for receiving a stack of currency bills to be evaluated; a single output receptacle for receiving the bills after the bills have been evaluated; a transport mechanism for transporting the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path; and a denomination discriminating unit for evaluating the bills being transported between the input receptacle and the single output receptacle, the discriminating unit counting and determining the denomination of the bills, the discriminating unit being adapted to denominate bills of a plurality of denominations independently of the dimensions of the bills.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
124 words
A currency evaluation device for receiving a stack of currency bills and rapidly evaluating all the bills in the stack, the device comprising: an input receptacle for receiving a stack of currency bills to be evaluated; a single output receptacle for receiving the bills after the bills have been evaluated; a transport mechanism for transporting the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path; and a denomination discriminating unit for evaluating the bills being transported between the input receptacle and the single output receptacle, the discriminating unit counting and determining the denomination of the bills, the discriminating unit being adapted to denominate bills of a plurality of denominations independently of the dimensions of the bills.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
227 words
A currency evaluation device for receiving a stack of currency bills and rapidly evaluating all the bills in the stack, the device comprising: a single input receptacle positioned to receive a stack of bills to be evaluated; a single output receptacle positioned to receive the bills after the bills have been evaluated; a transport mechanism comprising a transport drive motor and transport rollers, the transport mechanism located between the input receptacle and the output receptacle to transport the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path; a discriminating unit comprising a detector positioned along the transport path between the input receptacle and the output receptacle and comprising a processor, the detector generating a characteristic information output signal in response to detected characteristic information, the characteristic information output signal being electrically coupled to the processor, the processor receiving the characteristic information output signal and generating a denomination signal in response thereto, the discriminating unit being adapted to denominate bills of a plurality of denominations independently of the dimensions of the bills; and a flagging device comprising the processor and an encoder linked to the transport mechanism, the encoder producing tracking signals in response to the physical movement of the bills, the processor generating a no call signal when the denomination of a bill is not determined by the processor.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
227 words
A currency evaluation device for receiving a stack of currency bills and rapidly evaluating all the bills in the stack, the device comprising: a single input receptacle positioned to receive a stack of bills to be evaluated; a single output receptacle positioned to receive the bills after the bills have been evaluated; a transport mechanism comprising a transport drive motor and transport rollers, the transport mechanism located between the input receptacle and the output receptacle to transport the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path; a discriminating unit comprising a detector positioned along the transport path between the input receptacle and the output receptacle and comprising a processor, the detector generating a characteristic information output signal in response to detected characteristic information, the characteristic information output signal being electrically coupled to the processor, the processor receiving the characteristic information output signal and generating a denomination signal in response thereto, the discriminating unit being adapted to denominate bills of a plurality of denominations independently of the dimensions of the bills; and a flagging device comprising the processor and an encoder linked to the transport mechanism, the encoder producing tracking signals in response to the physical movement of the bills, the processor generating a no call signal when the denomination of a bill is not determined by the processor.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
59 words
The currency evaluation device of claim 29 wherein the processor generates a scanned pattern from each of the bills based on the characteristic information output signal and determines the denomination of a bill by comparing the scanned pattern generated from the bill with master patterns associated with different denominations of bills, the master patterns being stored in a memory.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
24 words
The currency evaluation device of claim 30 wherein the detector comprises an optical scanhead and wherein the scanned and master patterns comprise optical patterns.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
188 words
A high-speed compact, single input receptacle single output receptacle currency denominating device for receiving a stack of currency bills having a plurality of denominations and rapidly denominating the bills in the stack, the device comprising: a single input receptacle adapted to receive a stack of bills having a plurality of denominations to be evaluated; a single output receptacle adapted to receive the bills after the bills have been evaluated; a transport mechanism adapted to transport the bills in the direction of the narrow dimension of the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path at a rate in excess of about 800 bills per minute; a denomination discriminating unit adapted to determine the denomination of each of the bills including bills of a plurality of denominations at a rate in excess of about 800 bills per minute, bills of at least two of the denominations having the same dimensions, the discriminating unit comprising a detector positioned along the transport path between the input receptacle and the output receptacle, the discriminating unit counting and determining the denomination of the bills.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
188 words
A high-speed compact, single input receptacle single output receptacle currency denominating device for receiving a stack of currency bills having a plurality of denominations and rapidly denominating the bills in the stack, the device comprising: a single input receptacle adapted to receive a stack of bills having a plurality of denominations to be evaluated; a single output receptacle adapted to receive the bills after the bills have been evaluated; a transport mechanism adapted to transport the bills in the direction of the narrow dimension of the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path at a rate in excess of about 800 bills per minute; a denomination discriminating unit adapted to determine the denomination of each of the bills including bills of a plurality of denominations at a rate in excess of about 800 bills per minute, bills of at least two of the denominations having the same dimensions, the discriminating unit comprising a detector positioned along the transport path between the input receptacle and the output receptacle, the discriminating unit counting and determining the denomination of the bills.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
186 words
A currency bill evaluation device for receiving a stack of currency bills and rapidly evaluating all the bills in the stack, the device comprising: an input receptacle adapted to receive a stack of bills to be evaluated, genuine ones of the bills each having one of a plurality of images associated therewith, the plurality of images defining a plurality of denominations; a single output receptacle adapted to receive the bills after the bills have been evaluated; a transport mechanism adapted to transport the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path; and a discriminating unit adapted to evaluate the bills, the discriminating unit including a detector positioned along the transport path between the input receptacle and the output receptacle and a processor, the discriminating unit being capable of distinguishing among the plurality of denominations by scanning the image associated with each of the bills, the discriminating unit counting and determining the denominations of the bills; wherein the processor is programmed to flag a bill when the denomination of the bill is not determined by the discriminating unit.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
186 words
A currency bill evaluation device for receiving a stack of currency bills and rapidly evaluating all the bills in the stack, the device comprising: an input receptacle adapted to receive a stack of bills to be evaluated, genuine ones of the bills each having one of a plurality of images associated therewith, the plurality of images defining a plurality of denominations; a single output receptacle adapted to receive the bills after the bills have been evaluated; a transport mechanism adapted to transport the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path; and a discriminating unit adapted to evaluate the bills, the discriminating unit including a detector positioned along the transport path between the input receptacle and the output receptacle and a processor, the discriminating unit being capable of distinguishing among the plurality of denominations by scanning the image associated with each of the bills, the discriminating unit counting and determining the denominations of the bills; wherein the processor is programmed to flag a bill when the denomination of the bill is not determined by the discriminating unit.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
177 words
A currency evaluation device for receiving a stack of bills and rapidly evaluating all the bills in the stack, the device comprising: a single input receptacle adapted to receive a stack of currency bills to be evaluated, genuine ones of the bills having a plurality of images associated therewith, the plurality of images defining a plurality of denominations; a single output receptacle adapted to receive the bills after the bills have been evaluated; a transport mechanism adapted to transport the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path; a denomination discriminating unit adapted to evaluate the bills, the discriminating unit including a detector positioned along the transport path between the input receptacle and the output receptacle, the discriminating unit being capable of distinguishing among the plurality of denominations by scanning the image associated with each of the bills, the discriminating unit counting and determining the denomination of the bills; and means for flagging a bill when the denomination of the bill is not determined by the discriminating unit.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
177 words
A currency evaluation device for receiving a stack of bills and rapidly evaluating all the bills in the stack, the device comprising: a single input receptacle adapted to receive a stack of currency bills to be evaluated, genuine ones of the bills having a plurality of images associated therewith, the plurality of images defining a plurality of denominations; a single output receptacle adapted to receive the bills after the bills have been evaluated; a transport mechanism adapted to transport the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path; a denomination discriminating unit adapted to evaluate the bills, the discriminating unit including a detector positioned along the transport path between the input receptacle and the output receptacle, the discriminating unit being capable of distinguishing among the plurality of denominations by scanning the image associated with each of the bills, the discriminating unit counting and determining the denomination of the bills; and means for flagging a bill when the denomination of the bill is not determined by the discriminating unit.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
36 words
The currency evaluation device of claim 34 wherein the means for flagging causes the transport mechanism to halt with the bill whose denomination has not been determined being the last bill transported to the output receptacle.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
23 words
The bill evaluation device of claim 35 wherein the transport mechanism transports bills at a rate of at least 800 bills per minute.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
23 words
The bill evaluation device of claim 35 wherein the transport mechanism transports bills at a rate of at least 1000 bills per minute.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
155 words
A currency denominating device for receiving a stack of currency bills having a plurality of denominations having the same dimensions and rapidly denominating the bills in the stack, the device comprising: a single input receptacle adapted to receive a stack of bills having a plurality of denominations including bills of a plurality of denominations having the same dimensions; a single output receptacle adapted to receive the bills after the bills have been evaluated; a transport mechanism adapted to transport the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path; a denomination discriminating unit adapted determine the denomination of each of the bills by scanning the bills, the discriminating unit comprising a detector positioned along the transport path between the input receptacle and the output receptacle, the discriminating unit counting and determining the denomination of the bills including bills of a plurality of denominations having the same dimensions.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
155 words
A currency denominating device for receiving a stack of currency bills having a plurality of denominations having the same dimensions and rapidly denominating the bills in the stack, the device comprising: a single input receptacle adapted to receive a stack of bills having a plurality of denominations including bills of a plurality of denominations having the same dimensions; a single output receptacle adapted to receive the bills after the bills have been evaluated; a transport mechanism adapted to transport the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path; a denomination discriminating unit adapted determine the denomination of each of the bills by scanning the bills, the discriminating unit comprising a detector positioned along the transport path between the input receptacle and the output receptacle, the discriminating unit counting and determining the denomination of the bills including bills of a plurality of denominations having the same dimensions.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
185 words
A currency evaluation device for receiving a stack of currency bills and rapidly evaluating all the bills in the stack, the device comprising: an input receptacle adapted to receive a stack of bills having a plurality of denominations to be evaluated; a single output receptacle adapted to receive the bills after the bills have been evaluated; a transport mechanism adapted to transport the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path; a denomination discriminating unit adapted to determine the denomination of each of the bills including bills of a plurality of denominations by scanning images associated with each of the bills, the discriminating unit comprising a detector positioned along the transport path between the input receptacle and the output receptacle and a processor, the discriminating unit counting and determining the denomination of the bills; wherein the processor is programmed to flag a bill when the denomination of the bill is not determined by the discriminating unit; and wherein the processor is coupled to the transport mechanism and is programmed to cause the transport mechanism to halt.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
185 words
A currency evaluation device for receiving a stack of currency bills and rapidly evaluating all the bills in the stack, the device comprising: an input receptacle adapted to receive a stack of bills having a plurality of denominations to be evaluated; a single output receptacle adapted to receive the bills after the bills have been evaluated; a transport mechanism adapted to transport the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path; a denomination discriminating unit adapted to determine the denomination of each of the bills including bills of a plurality of denominations by scanning images associated with each of the bills, the discriminating unit comprising a detector positioned along the transport path between the input receptacle and the output receptacle and a processor, the discriminating unit counting and determining the denomination of the bills; wherein the processor is programmed to flag a bill when the denomination of the bill is not determined by the discriminating unit; and wherein the processor is coupled to the transport mechanism and is programmed to cause the transport mechanism to halt.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 39 wherein the processor is programmed to cause the transport mechanism to halt with the bill whose denomination has not been determined being located at a predetermined position.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
174 words
A currency evaluation device for receiving a stack of currency bills and rapidly evaluating all the bills in the stack, the device comprising: a single input receptacle positioned to receive a stack of bills to be evaluated; a single output receptacle positioned to receive the bills after the bills have been evaluated; a transport mechanism comprising a transport drive motor and transport rollers, the transport mechanism located between the input receptacle and the output receptacle to transport the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path; and a denomination discriminating unit comprising a detector positioned along the transport path between the input receptacle and the output receptacle and comprising a processor, the detector generating an image characteristic information output signal in response to detected characteristic information, the output signal being associated with images associated with the bills, the characteristic information output signal being electrically coupled to the processor, the processor receiving the image characteristic information output signal and generating a denomination signal in response thereto.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
174 words
A currency evaluation device for receiving a stack of currency bills and rapidly evaluating all the bills in the stack, the device comprising: a single input receptacle positioned to receive a stack of bills to be evaluated; a single output receptacle positioned to receive the bills after the bills have been evaluated; a transport mechanism comprising a transport drive motor and transport rollers, the transport mechanism located between the input receptacle and the output receptacle to transport the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path; and a denomination discriminating unit comprising a detector positioned along the transport path between the input receptacle and the output receptacle and comprising a processor, the detector generating an image characteristic information output signal in response to detected characteristic information, the output signal being associated with images associated with the bills, the characteristic information output signal being electrically coupled to the processor, the processor receiving the image characteristic information output signal and generating a denomination signal in response thereto.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
24 words
The currency evaluation device of claim 41 wherein the detector is adapted to detect reflected light and generate a reflected light characteristic output signal.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
24 words
The currency evaluation device of claim 42 wherein the discriminating unit is adapted to denominate bills based solely on the detection of reflected light.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
22 words
The currency evaluation device of claim 41 wherein the detector is an optical detector adapted to generate an optical characteristic output signal.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
25 words
The currency evaluation device of claim 44 wherein the discriminating unit is adapted to denominate bills based solely on the detection of optical characteristic information.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
35 words
The currency evaluation device of claim 45 wherein the transport mechanism is adapted to transport and the discriminating unit is adapted to denominate bills at a rate of at least about 800 bills per minute.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
62 words
The currency evaluation device of claim 41 wherein the processor is adapted to generate a scanned pattern from each of the bills based on the characteristic information output signal and determine the denomination of a bill by comparing the scanned pattern generated from the bill with master patterns associated with different denominations of bills, the master patterns being stored in a memory.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
111 words
A currency evaluation device for receiving a stack of currency bills and rapidly evaluating all the bills in the stack, the device comprising: an input receptacle for receiving a stack of currency bills to be evaluated; a single output receptacle for receiving the bills after the bills have been evaluated; a transport mechanism for transporting the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path; and a denomination discriminating unit for evaluating the bills being transported between the input receptacle and the single output receptacle, the discriminating unit counting and determining the denomination of the bills by scanning images associated with the bills.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
111 words
A currency evaluation device for receiving a stack of currency bills and rapidly evaluating all the bills in the stack, the device comprising: an input receptacle for receiving a stack of currency bills to be evaluated; a single output receptacle for receiving the bills after the bills have been evaluated; a transport mechanism for transporting the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path; and a denomination discriminating unit for evaluating the bills being transported between the input receptacle and the single output receptacle, the discriminating unit counting and determining the denomination of the bills by scanning images associated with the bills.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
210 words
A currency evaluation device for receiving a stack of currency bills and rapidly evaluating all the bills in the stack, the device comprising: a single input receptacle positioned to receive a stack of bills to be evaluated; a single output receptacle positioned to receive the bills after the bills have been evaluated; a transport mechanism comprising a transport drive motor and transport rollers, the transport mechanism located between the input receptacle and the output receptacle to transport the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path; a discriminating unit comprising an image detector positioned along the transport path between the input receptacle and the output receptacle and comprising a processor, the detector generating an image characteristic information output signal in response to detected characteristic information, the characteristic information output signal being electrically coupled to the processor, the processor receiving the image characteristic information output signal and generating a denomination signal in response thereto; and a flagging device comprising the processor and an encoder linked to the transport mechanism, the encoder producing tracking signals in response to the physical movement of the bills, the processor generating a no call signal when the denomination of a bill is not determined by the processor.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
210 words
A currency evaluation device for receiving a stack of currency bills and rapidly evaluating all the bills in the stack, the device comprising: a single input receptacle positioned to receive a stack of bills to be evaluated; a single output receptacle positioned to receive the bills after the bills have been evaluated; a transport mechanism comprising a transport drive motor and transport rollers, the transport mechanism located between the input receptacle and the output receptacle to transport the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path; a discriminating unit comprising an image detector positioned along the transport path between the input receptacle and the output receptacle and comprising a processor, the detector generating an image characteristic information output signal in response to detected characteristic information, the characteristic information output signal being electrically coupled to the processor, the processor receiving the image characteristic information output signal and generating a denomination signal in response thereto; and a flagging device comprising the processor and an encoder linked to the transport mechanism, the encoder producing tracking signals in response to the physical movement of the bills, the processor generating a no call signal when the denomination of a bill is not determined by the processor.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
59 words
The currency evaluation device of claim 49 wherein the processor generates a scanned pattern from each of the bills based on the characteristic information output signal and determines the denomination of a bill by comparing the scanned pattern generated from the bill with master patterns associated with different denominations of bills, the master patterns being stored in a memory.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
24 words
The currency evaluation device of claim 50 wherein the detector comprises an optical scanhead and wherein the scanned and master patterns comprise optical patterns.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
218 words
A high-speed compact, single input receptacle, single output receptacle currency denominating device for receiving a stack of currency bills having a plurality of denominations and rapidly denominating the bills in the stack, the device comprising: a single input receptacle adapted to receive a stack of bills having a plurality of denominations to be evaluated; a single output receptacle adapted to receive the bills after the bills have been evaluated; a transport mechanism adapted to transport the bills in the direction of the narrow dimension of the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path at a rate in excess of about 800 bills per minute; a denomination discriminating unit adapted to determine the denomination of each of the bills including bills of a plurality of denominations at a rate in excess of about 800 bills per minute, the bills the discriminating unit is adapted to denominate having images associated therewith corresponding to the plurality of denominations that the discriminating unit is adapted to denominate, the discriminating unit comprising a detector positioned along the transport path between the input receptacle and the output receptacle, the detector being adapted to scan passing bills and generate image signals, the discriminating unit determining the denomination of the bills based on the image signals.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
218 words
A high-speed compact, single input receptacle, single output receptacle currency denominating device for receiving a stack of currency bills having a plurality of denominations and rapidly denominating the bills in the stack, the device comprising: a single input receptacle adapted to receive a stack of bills having a plurality of denominations to be evaluated; a single output receptacle adapted to receive the bills after the bills have been evaluated; a transport mechanism adapted to transport the bills in the direction of the narrow dimension of the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path at a rate in excess of about 800 bills per minute; a denomination discriminating unit adapted to determine the denomination of each of the bills including bills of a plurality of denominations at a rate in excess of about 800 bills per minute, the bills the discriminating unit is adapted to denominate having images associated therewith corresponding to the plurality of denominations that the discriminating unit is adapted to denominate, the discriminating unit comprising a detector positioned along the transport path between the input receptacle and the output receptacle, the detector being adapted to scan passing bills and generate image signals, the discriminating unit determining the denomination of the bills based on the image signals.
Claim 73
Independent Claim
130 words
A method of processing U.S. currency bills having a plurality of denominations using a U.S. currency denominating device having a single input receptacle and a single output receptacle comprising: receiving a stack of U.S. bills having a plurality of denominations to be evaluated in a single input receptacle; receiving the bills after the bills have been evaluated in a single output receptacle of the device; transporting the bills in the direction of the narrow dimension of the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path at a rate in excess of about 800 bills per minute; and counting and denominating the bills including bills of a plurality of U.S. denominations at a rate in excess of about 800 bills per minute.
Claim 74
Independent Claim
130 words
A method of processing U.S. currency bills having a plurality of denominations using a U.S. currency denominating device having a single input receptacle and a single output receptacle comprising: receiving a stack of U.S. bills having a plurality of denominations to be evaluated in a single input receptacle; receiving the bills after the bills have been evaluated in a single output receptacle of the device; transporting the bills in the direction of the narrow dimension of the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path at a rate in excess of about 800 bills per minute; and counting and denominating the bills including bills of a plurality of U.S. denominations at a rate in excess of about 800 bills per minute.
Claim 75
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of processing U.S. currency using a U.S. currency denominating device having a single output receptacle comprising: receiving a stack of U.S. bills having a plurality of denominations to be evaluated in an input receptacle of the currency denominating device; receiving the bills in a single output receptacle of the currency denominating device after the bills have been evaluated; transporting the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path; determining the denomination of each of the bills including bills of a plurality of U.S. denominations.
Claim 76
Independent Claim
95 words
A method of processing U.S. currency using a U.S. currency denominating device having a single output receptacle comprising: receiving a stack of U.S. bills having a plurality of denominations to be evaluated in an input receptacle of the currency denominating device; receiving the bills in a single output receptacle of the currency denominating device after the bills have been evaluated; transporting the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path; determining the denomination of each of the bills including bills of a plurality of U.S. denominations.
Claim 77
Independent Claim
134 words
A method of processing U.S. currency using a U.S. currency evaluation device comprising: receiving a stack of U.S. bills having a plurality of denominations to be evaluated in an input receptacle of the evaluation device; receiving the bills after the bills have been evaluated in a single output receptacle of the evaluation device; transporting the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path; determining the denomination of each of the bills including bills of a plurality of U.S. denominations using a discriminating unit comprising a detector positioned along the transport path between the input receptacle and the output receptacle and a processor; flagging a bill when the denomination of the bill is not determined by the discriminating unit by halting the transporting of the bills.
Claim 78
Independent Claim
134 words
A method of processing U.S. currency using a U.S. currency evaluation device comprising: receiving a stack of U.S. bills having a plurality of denominations to be evaluated in an input receptacle of the evaluation device; receiving the bills after the bills have been evaluated in a single output receptacle of the evaluation device; transporting the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path; determining the denomination of each of the bills including bills of a plurality of U.S. denominations using a discriminating unit comprising a detector positioned along the transport path between the input receptacle and the output receptacle and a processor; flagging a bill when the denomination of the bill is not determined by the discriminating unit by halting the transporting of the bills.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 55 comprising halting the transporting with the bill whose denomination has not been determined being located at a predetermined position.
Claim 80
Independent Claim
179 words
A method of processing U.S. currency using a currency evaluation device comprising: receiving a stack of U.S. bills having a plurality of denominations to be evaluated in a single input receptacle of the evaluation device; receiving the bills after the bills have been evaluated in a single output receptacle of the evaluation device; transporting the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path using a transport mechanism comprising a transport drive motor and transport rollers; determining the denomination of each of the bills including bills of a plurality of U.S. denominations using a discriminating unit comprising a detector positioned along the transport path between the input receptacle and the output receptacle and a processor; wherein determining the denomination comprises: the detector detecting characteristic information from the bills; the detector generating a characteristic information output signal in response to detected characteristic information, the characteristic information output signal being electrically coupled to the processor; the processor receiving the characteristic information output signal; and the processor generating a denomination signal in response thereto.
Claim 81
Independent Claim
179 words
A method of processing U.S. currency using a currency evaluation device comprising: receiving a stack of U.S. bills having a plurality of denominations to be evaluated in a single input receptacle of the evaluation device; receiving the bills after the bills have been evaluated in a single output receptacle of the evaluation device; transporting the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path using a transport mechanism comprising a transport drive motor and transport rollers; determining the denomination of each of the bills including bills of a plurality of U.S. denominations using a discriminating unit comprising a detector positioned along the transport path between the input receptacle and the output receptacle and a processor; wherein determining the denomination comprises: the detector detecting characteristic information from the bills; the detector generating a characteristic information output signal in response to detected characteristic information, the characteristic information output signal being electrically coupled to the processor; the processor receiving the characteristic information output signal; and the processor generating a denomination signal in response thereto.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 57 wherein the detecting comprises detecting reflected light and the generating comprises generating a reflected light characteristic output signal.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 58 wherein determining the denomination is based solely on the detection of reflected light.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 57 wherein the detecting comprises detecting light and the generating comprises generating an optical characteristic output signal.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 60 wherein determining the denomination is based solely on the detection of optical characteristic information.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 60 wherein transporting and determining the denomination are performed at a rate of at least about 800 bills per minute.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 61 wherein transporting and determining the denomination are performed at a rate of at least about 1000 bills per minute.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 57 wherein determining the denomination comprises the processor receiving the output signal, generating a scanned pattern therefrom, and comparing the scanned pattern to at least one master pattern stored in a memory of the device, the memory having stored therein at least one master pattern associated with each genuine bill which the system is capable of identifying.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 57 further comprising generating a no call signal when the denomination of a bill is not determined by the processor.
Claim 90
Independent Claim
144 words
A method of processing currency bills having a plurality of denominations using a currency denominating device having a single output receptacle comprising: receiving a stack of bills having a plurality of denominations to be evaluated in an input receptacle, bills of at least two of the denominations having the same dimensions; receiving the bills after the bills have been evaluated in a single output receptacle of the device; transporting the bills in the direction of the narrow dimension of the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path at a rate in excess of about 800 bills per minute; and counting and denominating the bills including bills of a plurality of denominations at a rate in excess of about 800 bills per minute, bills of at least two of the denominations having the same dimensions.
Claim 91
Independent Claim
144 words
A method of processing currency bills having a plurality of denominations using a currency denominating device having a single output receptacle comprising: receiving a stack of bills having a plurality of denominations to be evaluated in an input receptacle, bills of at least two of the denominations having the same dimensions; receiving the bills after the bills have been evaluated in a single output receptacle of the device; transporting the bills in the direction of the narrow dimension of the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path at a rate in excess of about 800 bills per minute; and counting and denominating the bills including bills of a plurality of denominations at a rate in excess of about 800 bills per minute, bills of at least two of the denominations having the same dimensions.
Claim 92
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of processing currency using a currency denominating device having a single input receptacle and a single output receptacle comprising: receiving a stack of bills having a plurality of denominations to be evaluated in a single input receptacle of the currency denominating device; receiving the bills in a single output receptacle of the currency denominating device after the bills have been evaluated; transporting the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path; determining the denomination of each of the bills including bills of a plurality of denominations, bills of at least two of the denominations having the same dimensions.
Claim 93
Independent Claim
109 words
A method of processing currency using a currency denominating device having a single input receptacle and a single output receptacle comprising: receiving a stack of bills having a plurality of denominations to be evaluated in a single input receptacle of the currency denominating device; receiving the bills in a single output receptacle of the currency denominating device after the bills have been evaluated; transporting the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path; determining the denomination of each of the bills including bills of a plurality of denominations, bills of at least two of the denominations having the same dimensions.
Claim 94
Independent Claim
135 words
A method of processing currency using a currency evaluation device comprising: receiving a stack of bills having a plurality of denominations to be evaluated in a single input receptacle of the evaluation device; receiving the bills after the bills have been evaluated in a single output receptacle of the evaluation device; transporting the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path; determining the denomination of each of the bills including bills of a plurality of denominations having the same size using a discriminating unit comprising a detector positioned along the transport path between the input receptacle and the output receptacle and a processor; flagging a bill when the denomination of the bill is not determined by the discriminating unit by halting the transporting of the bills.
Claim 95
Independent Claim
135 words
A method of processing currency using a currency evaluation device comprising: receiving a stack of bills having a plurality of denominations to be evaluated in a single input receptacle of the evaluation device; receiving the bills after the bills have been evaluated in a single output receptacle of the evaluation device; transporting the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path; determining the denomination of each of the bills including bills of a plurality of denominations having the same size using a discriminating unit comprising a detector positioned along the transport path between the input receptacle and the output receptacle and a processor; flagging a bill when the denomination of the bill is not determined by the discriminating unit by halting the transporting of the bills.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 68 comprising halting the transporting with the bill whose denomination has not been determined being located at a predetermined position.
Claim 97
Independent Claim
182 words
A method of processing currency using a currency evaluation device comprising: receiving a stack of bills having a plurality of denominations to be evaluated in an input receptacle of the evaluation device; receiving the bills after the bills have been evaluated in a single output receptacle of the evaluation device; transporting the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path using a transport mechanism comprising a transport drive motor and transport rollers; determining, independently of the size of the bills, the denomination of each of the bills including bills of a plurality of denominations using a discriminating unit comprising a detector positioned along the transport path between the input receptacle and the output receptacle and a processor; wherein determining the denomination comprises: the detector detecting characteristic information from the bills; the detector generating a characteristic information output signal in response to detected characteristic information, the characteristic information output signal being electrically coupled to the processor; the processor receiving the characteristic information output signal; and the processor generating a denomination signal in response thereto.
Claim 98
Independent Claim
182 words
A method of processing currency using a currency evaluation device comprising: receiving a stack of bills having a plurality of denominations to be evaluated in an input receptacle of the evaluation device; receiving the bills after the bills have been evaluated in a single output receptacle of the evaluation device; transporting the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path using a transport mechanism comprising a transport drive motor and transport rollers; determining, independently of the size of the bills, the denomination of each of the bills including bills of a plurality of denominations using a discriminating unit comprising a detector positioned along the transport path between the input receptacle and the output receptacle and a processor; wherein determining the denomination comprises: the detector detecting characteristic information from the bills; the detector generating a characteristic information output signal in response to detected characteristic information, the characteristic information output signal being electrically coupled to the processor; the processor receiving the characteristic information output signal; and the processor generating a denomination signal in response thereto.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 70 wherein the detecting comprises detecting reflected light and the generating comprises generating a reflected light characteristic output signal.
Claim 100
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 71 wherein determining the denomination is based solely on the detection of reflected light.
Claim 101
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 70 wherein the detecting comprises detecting light and the generating comprises generating an optical characteristic output signal.
Claim 102
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 73 wherein determining the denomination is based solely on the detection of optical characteristic information.
Claim 103
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 70 wherein transporting and determining the denomination are performed at a rate of at least about 800 bills per minute.
Claim 104
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 70 wherein determining the denomination comprises the processor receiving the output signal, generating a scanned pattern therefrom, and comparing the scanned pattern to at least one master pattern stored in a memory of the device, the memory having stored therein at least one master pattern associated with each genuine bill which the system is capable of identifying.
Claim 105
Independent Claim
143 words
A method of counting and discriminating bills of different denominations using a bill evaluation device comprising: receiving a stack of bills to be evaluated in a single input receptacle of the evaluation device, genuine ones of the bills having a plurality of images associated therewith, the plurality of images defining a plurality of bill denominations; transporting, under control of the evaluation device, the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to a single output receptacle of the evaluation device; scanning the image associated with each of the bills; counting and determining the denomination of the bills under control of the evaluation device, the evaluation device distinguishing among the plurality of denominations by scanning the image associated with each of the bills; and flagging a bill when the denomination of the bill can not be determined under control of the evaluation device.
Claim 106
Independent Claim
143 words
A method of counting and discriminating bills of different denominations using a bill evaluation device comprising: receiving a stack of bills to be evaluated in a single input receptacle of the evaluation device, genuine ones of the bills having a plurality of images associated therewith, the plurality of images defining a plurality of bill denominations; transporting, under control of the evaluation device, the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to a single output receptacle of the evaluation device; scanning the image associated with each of the bills; counting and determining the denomination of the bills under control of the evaluation device, the evaluation device distinguishing among the plurality of denominations by scanning the image associated with each of the bills; and flagging a bill when the denomination of the bill can not be determined under control of the evaluation device.
Claim 107
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 77 wherein flagging comprises halting the transporting of the bills in the stack with the bill whose denomination has not been determined being the last bill transported to the output receptacle.
Claim 108
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 78 wherein transporting and denominating are performed at the rate of at least 800 bills per minute.
Claim 109
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 78 wherein transporting and denominating are performed at the rate of at least 1000 bills per minute.
Claim 110
Independent Claim
134 words
A method of counting and discriminating currency bills of different denomination using a currency evaluation device comprising: receiving a stack of bills to be evaluated in a single input receptacle of the evaluation device, genuine ones of the bills each having one of a plurality of images thereon, the plurality of images defining a plurality of denominations; transporting, under control of the evaluation device, the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to a single output receptacle of the evaluation device; counting and determining the denomination of the bills under control of the evaluation device, the evaluation device distinguishing among the plurality of denominations by scanning the image on each of the bills; and halting transporting when the denomination of the bill can not be determined under control of the evaluation device.
Claim 111
Independent Claim
134 words
A method of counting and discriminating currency bills of different denomination using a currency evaluation device comprising: receiving a stack of bills to be evaluated in a single input receptacle of the evaluation device, genuine ones of the bills each having one of a plurality of images thereon, the plurality of images defining a plurality of denominations; transporting, under control of the evaluation device, the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to a single output receptacle of the evaluation device; counting and determining the denomination of the bills under control of the evaluation device, the evaluation device distinguishing among the plurality of denominations by scanning the image on each of the bills; and halting transporting when the denomination of the bill can not be determined under control of the evaluation device.
Claim 112
Independent Claim
128 words
A method of processing currency bills having a plurality of denominations using a currency denominating device having a single output receptacle comprising: receiving a stack of bills having a plurality of denominations to be evaluated in an input receptacle; receiving the bills after the bills have been evaluated in a single output receptacle of the device; transporting the bills in the direction of the narrow dimension of the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path at a rate in excess of about 800 bills per minute; and counting and denominating the bills including bills of a plurality of denominations at a rate in excess of about 800 bills per minute, denominating comprising scanning images associated with the bills.
Claim 113
Independent Claim
128 words
A method of processing currency bills having a plurality of denominations using a currency denominating device having a single output receptacle comprising: receiving a stack of bills having a plurality of denominations to be evaluated in an input receptacle; receiving the bills after the bills have been evaluated in a single output receptacle of the device; transporting the bills in the direction of the narrow dimension of the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path at a rate in excess of about 800 bills per minute; and counting and denominating the bills including bills of a plurality of denominations at a rate in excess of about 800 bills per minute, denominating comprising scanning images associated with the bills.
Claim 114
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of processing currency using a currency denominating device having a single input receptacle and a single output receptacle comprising: receiving a stack of bills having a plurality of denominations to be evaluated in a single input receptacle of the currency denominating device; receiving the bills in a single output receptacle of the currency denominating device after the bills have been evaluated; transporting the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path; scanning images associated with the bills; determining the denomination of each of the bills including bills of a plurality of denominations based on scanning images associated with the bills.
Claim 115
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of processing currency using a currency denominating device having a single input receptacle and a single output receptacle comprising: receiving a stack of bills having a plurality of denominations to be evaluated in a single input receptacle of the currency denominating device; receiving the bills in a single output receptacle of the currency denominating device after the bills have been evaluated; transporting the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path; scanning images associated with the bills; determining the denomination of each of the bills including bills of a plurality of denominations based on scanning images associated with the bills.
Claim 116
Independent Claim
140 words
A method of processing currency using a currency evaluation device comprising: receiving a stack of bills having a plurality of denominations to be evaluated in an input receptacle of the evaluation device; receiving the bills after the bills have been evaluated in a single output receptacle of the evaluation device; transporting the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path; scanning the bills and retrieving images associated therewith; determining the denomination of each of the bills using the retrieved images, wherein determining the denomination comprises using a discriminating unit comprising a detector positioned along the transport path between the input receptacle and the output receptacle and a processor; flagging a bill when the denomination of the bill is not determined by the discriminating unit by halting the transporting of the bills.
Claim 117
Independent Claim
140 words
A method of processing currency using a currency evaluation device comprising: receiving a stack of bills having a plurality of denominations to be evaluated in an input receptacle of the evaluation device; receiving the bills after the bills have been evaluated in a single output receptacle of the evaluation device; transporting the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path; scanning the bills and retrieving images associated therewith; determining the denomination of each of the bills using the retrieved images, wherein determining the denomination comprises using a discriminating unit comprising a detector positioned along the transport path between the input receptacle and the output receptacle and a processor; flagging a bill when the denomination of the bill is not determined by the discriminating unit by halting the transporting of the bills.
Claim 118
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 84 comprising halting the transporting with the bill whose denomination has not been determined being located at a predetermined position.
Claim 119
Independent Claim
180 words
A method of processing currency using a currency evaluation device comprising: receiving a stack of bills having a plurality of denominations to be evaluated in a single input receptacle of the evaluation device; receiving the bills after the bills have been evaluated in a single output receptacle of the evaluation device; transporting the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path using a transport mechanism comprising a transport drive motor and transport rollers; determining the denomination of each of the bills including bills of a plurality of denominations using a discriminating unit comprising a detector positioned along the transport path between the input receptacle and the output receptacle and a processor; wherein determining the denomination comprises: the detector detecting characteristic image information from the bills; the detector generating a characteristic image information output signal in response to detected characteristic information, the characteristic image information output signal being electrically coupled to the processor; the processor receiving the characteristic image information output signal; and the processor generating a denomination signal in response thereto.
Claim 120
Independent Claim
180 words
A method of processing currency using a currency evaluation device comprising: receiving a stack of bills having a plurality of denominations to be evaluated in a single input receptacle of the evaluation device; receiving the bills after the bills have been evaluated in a single output receptacle of the evaluation device; transporting the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path using a transport mechanism comprising a transport drive motor and transport rollers; determining the denomination of each of the bills including bills of a plurality of denominations using a discriminating unit comprising a detector positioned along the transport path between the input receptacle and the output receptacle and a processor; wherein determining the denomination comprises: the detector detecting characteristic image information from the bills; the detector generating a characteristic image information output signal in response to detected characteristic information, the characteristic image information output signal being electrically coupled to the processor; the processor receiving the characteristic image information output signal; and the processor generating a denomination signal in response thereto.
Claim 121
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 86 wherein the detecting comprises detecting reflected light and the generating comprises generating a reflected light characteristic output signal.
Claim 122
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 87 wherein determining the denomination is based solely on the detection of reflected light.
Claim 123
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 86 wherein the detecting comprises detecting light and the generating comprises generating an optical characteristic output signal.
Claim 124
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 89 wherein determining the denomination is based solely on the detection of optical characteristic information.
Claim 125
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 86 wherein transporting and determining the denomination are performed at a rate of at least about 800 bills per minute.
Claim 126
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 86 wherein transporting and determining the denomination are performed at a rate of at least about 1000 bills per minute.
Claim 127
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 86 wherein determining the denomination comprises the processor receiving the output signal, generating a scanned pattern therefrom, and comparing the scanned pattern to at least one master pattern stored in a memory of the device, the memory having stored therein at least one master pattern associated with each genuine bill which 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) | 2003-02-21 | 2003-08-23 | 2004-02-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-02-21 | 2007-08-23 | 2008-02-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-02-21 | 2011-08-23 | 2012-02-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |