US6241069B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Intelligent currency handling system
Assignee: Cummins Allison Corp
•
Filing: 1999-02-05
•
Granted: 2001-06-05
•
Expires: 2019-02-05
Abstract
Abstract A document handling system for evaluating documents with respect to master information, has at least one input device adapted to obtain from at least one authentic document information associated with one or more attributes of the authentic document, a processor for generating master information based on the information obtained by the input device, and a memory for storing the master information.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard A. Mazur
- 👤 Frank M. Csulits
- 👤 Bradford T. Graves
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 08:19
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07D; G07D7/00; G07D7/06; G07D7/12; G07D7/128; 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; G07F19/201; G07F19/202
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 64
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
A currency handling system for evaluating currency with respect to master information, said currency handling system being operable to generate said master information, said currency handling system comprising: multiple sensors to obtain, from authentic currency, test data associated with selected parameters of the currency, said parameters including at least the color of the currency, the size of the currency, and a pattern of optical reflectance from a surface of the currency; means for selecting the parameters to be stored as master information, and for identifying the type and denomination of said authentic currency from which said master information is obtained; a processor for generating master information for said selected parameters and said identified type and denomination based on the information obtained by said sensors from said authentic currency; a memory for storing said master information as the master information for currency of the identified type and denomination; and means for comparing said stored master information with test data obtained by said sensors from test currency to determine whether said test currency is currency of the identified type and denomination.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
179 words
A currency handling system for evaluating currency with respect to master information, said currency handling system being operable to generate said master information, said currency handling system comprising: multiple sensors to obtain, from authentic currency, test data associated with selected parameters of the currency, said parameters including at least the color of the currency, the size of the currency, and a pattern of optical reflectance from a surface of the currency; means for selecting the parameters to be stored as master information, and for identifying the type and denomination of said authentic currency from which said master information is obtained; a processor for generating master information for said selected parameters and said identified type and denomination based on the information obtained by said sensors from said authentic currency; a memory for storing said master information as the master information for currency of the identified type and denomination; and means for comparing said stored master information with test data obtained by said sensors from test currency to determine whether said test currency is currency of the identified type and denomination.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The currency handling system of claim 1 wherein said master patterns are produced by scanning the same bill multiple times and averaging the resulting patterns.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The currency handling system of claim 1 wherein said master patterns are produced by scanning multiple bills of the same denomination and having similar conditions of wear, and averaging the resulting patterns.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The currency handling system of claim 1 wherein said master patterns are produced by scanning multiple bills of the same denomination but having significantly different conditions of wear, and averaging the resulting patterns.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The currency handling system of claim 1 wherein said sensors are located along a transport path and further including a transport mechanism for transporting currency along said transport path.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
The currency handling system of claim 1 which includes a display connected to said processor for displaying messages in response to display signals from said processor, and means for controlling said processor to produce display signals representing a learn mode menu permitting the user to identify the type and denomination of the currency to be learned.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The currency handling system of claim 6 wherein said display signals represent a learn mode menu that permits the user to select the series of the currency to be learned.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The currency handling system of claim 6 wherein said display signals represent a learn mode menu that permits the user to select the attribute of the currency to be learned.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The currency handling system of claim 8 wherein said menu permits the user to select from a menu including optical pattern, UV, magnetic, color and size.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The currency handling system of claim 1 wherein said memory comprises an EEPROM.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The currency handling system of claim 1 wherein said sensors include a scanhead having at least one light emitting device for illuminating a currency and at least one light sensitive device for sensing light reflected from said currency.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The currency handling system of claim 1 wherein the currency comprises currency from different countries.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
The currency handling system of claim 11 wherein said processor processes the information from said sensors to obtain samples of the reflected light at a plurality of predefined sample points on the surface of said currency.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The currency handling system of claim 11 wherein said sensors are located along a transport path and further including a transport mechanism for transporting currency along said transport path.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
57 words
The currency handling system of claim 14 wherein said processor processes the information from said scanhead to obtain samples of the reflected light at a plurality of predefined sample points located along a relatively narrow strip on the surface of said currency as the currency is transported with its narrow dimension parallel to the direction of transport.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
49 words
The currency handling system of claim 15 wherein said processor initiates processing to obtain samples in response to a change in reflectance value which occurs when an outer edge of a currency is transported past the scanhead relative to a reflectance value obtained when a currency is not present.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The currency handling system of claim 15 wherein said sample points are selected so that successive samples overlap one another.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said system comprises a note counter for counting currency.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
54 words
The system of claim 18 which includes a display connected to said processor for displaying messages in response to display signals from said processor, and means for controlling said processor to produce display signals representing a learn mode menu permitting the user to select the type and denomination of the currency to be learned.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said system comprises a currency authenticating machine for authenticating currency.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said system comprises a currency denominating machine.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
58 words
The currency handling system of claim 15 wherein said processor initiates processing to obtain samples in response to a change in reflectance value which occurs when an outer border of a printed pattern on a currency is transported past the scanhead relative to a reflectance value obtained at an edge of a currency where no printed pattern exits.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
30 words
The currency handling system of claim 1 wherein said processor generates master information which includes color attributes for each type of currency which is to be evaluated by the system.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
12 words
The currency handling system of claim 1 having a single output receptacle.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
29 words
The currency handling system of claim 1 wherein said comparing means is adapted to denominate currency of a plurality of different denominations independently of the dimensions of the currency.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
32 words
The currency handling system of claim 1 wherein said comparing means is adapted to denominate currency of a plurality of different denominations, at least two of the denominations having the same dimensions.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
136 words
A currency handling method comprising: obtaining from at least one authentic currency information associated with one or more attributes of said currency, said information including at least one characteristic pattern for each type of currency which is to be evaluated by the method; generating master information based on the information obtained from said authentic currency; manually identifying the type and denomination of said authentic currency from which said master information is obtained, storing said master information in a memory as the master information for currency of the identified type and denomination; obtaining from test currency information associated with the same attributes with which said master information is associated; and comparing said master information with the information obtained from said test currency to determine whether said test currency is authentic currency of the identified type and denomination.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
136 words
A currency handling method comprising: obtaining from at least one authentic currency information associated with one or more attributes of said currency, said information including at least one characteristic pattern for each type of currency which is to be evaluated by the method; generating master information based on the information obtained from said authentic currency; manually identifying the type and denomination of said authentic currency from which said master information is obtained, storing said master information in a memory as the master information for currency of the identified type and denomination; obtaining from test currency information associated with the same attributes with which said master information is associated; and comparing said master information with the information obtained from said test currency to determine whether said test currency is authentic currency of the identified type and denomination.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
20 words
The currency handling method of claim 27 wherein obtaining information comprises optically sensing information on a surface of a currency.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
37 words
The currency handling method of claim 27 wherein generating includes generating at least two master characteristic patterns for each of a plurality of denominations of currency bills which comprise said currency to be evaluated by said method.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
21 words
The currency handling method of claim 27 and further including transporting currency along a transport path, at least during obtaining information.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
55 words
The currency handling method of claim 30 wherein generating includes generating at least two sets of master information for each type of currency to be evaluated by said currency handling method, including at least one set of master information corresponding to information obtained from an authentic currency transported in each of forward and reverse orientations.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
55 words
The currency handling method of claim 30 wherein generating includes generating at least two sets of master information for each type of currency to be evaluated by said method, including at least one set of master information corresponding to information obtained from an authentic currency transported in each of two relatively slightly laterally displaced orientations.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
31 words
The currency handling method of claim 27 wherein storing includes storing master information corresponding to each of a plurality of different currency bills comprising currency to be evaluated by said method.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
31 words
The currency handling method of claim 27 wherein obtaining information comprises scanning an authentic currency to obtain one or more sets of information, each corresponding to respective attributes of said currency.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
16 words
The currency handling method of claim 27 wherein storing data comprises storing data in an EEPROM.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
21 words
The currency handling method of claim 27 wherein obtaining information comprises illuminating a currency and sensing light reflected from said currency.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
15 words
The currency handling method of claim 27 wherein the currency comprises currency from different countries.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
34 words
The currency handling method of claim 27 wherein said identifying includes displaying a menu permitting a user to select the type and denomination of said authentic currency from which said master information is obtained.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
33 words
The currency handling method of claim 36 wherein generating comprises processing the information to obtain samples of the reflected light at a plurality of predefined sample points on the surface of said currency.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
22 words
The currency handling method of claim 36 and further including transporting currency along a transport path at least during said obtaining information.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
61 words
The currency handling method of claim 40 wherein obtaining information comprises obtaining samples of the reflected light at a plurality of predefined sample points on the surface of said currency at a plurality of predefined sample points located along a relatively narrow strip of said currency as the currency is transported with its narrow dimension parallel to the direction of transport.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
47 words
The currency handling method of claim 41 wherein obtaining samples comprises initiating sampling in response to a change in reflectance value corresponding to light reflected from an outer edge of a currency relative to a reflectance value corresponding to light reflected when a currency is not present.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
21 words
The currency handling method of claim 41 and further including selecting said sample points so that successive samples overlap one another.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
74 words
The method of claim 27 and further including: scanning a stack of test currency to obtain test data corresponding to the value of one or more attributes in each of said test currency; and determining the authenticity of each of said test currency by comparing the test data associated with at least one of said attributes to the master information corresponding to attributes of said authentic currency from which said master information is obtained.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method of claim 27 wherein obtaining information includes scanning said authentic currency a plurality of times to obtain a plurality of sets of data corresponding to one or more attributes in said authentic currency, and wherein generating includes obtaining the average of the master information related to said plurality of sets of test data, and wherein storing comprises storing data related to said average.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
56 words
The currency handling method of claim 41 wherein obtaining samples comprises initiating sampling in response to a change in reflectance value corresponding to light reflected from an outer border of a printed pattern on a currency relative to a reflectance value corresponding to light reflected from an edge of a currency where no printed pattern exits.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
28 words
The currency handling method of claim 27 wherein generating includes generating master information which includes color attributes for each of said currency to be evaluated by said method.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
20 words
The currency handling method of claim 27 wherein said test currency is delivered to a single output receptacle after evaluation.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
31 words
The currency handling method of claim 27 wherein said comparing determines whether said test currency is authentic currency of the identified type and denomination independently of the dimensions of the currency.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
39 words
The currency handling method of claim 27 wherein said comparing determines whether test currency of a plurality of different denominations is authentic currency of the identified type and denomination, at least two of the denominations having the same dimensions.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
161 words
A currency handling system for evaluating currency with respect to independently derived master information, said currency handling system comprising: at least one sensor adapted to obtain from at least one master currency, master information associated with one or more attributes of said master currency including at least one of color, UV and pattern attributes, said sensor being further adapted to obtain from test currency, test data associated with one or more attributes of said test currency; means for permitting a user to manually identify the type and denomination of said master currency; a processor adapted to evaluate each of said currency by comparing the test data associated with a selected one of said attributes to the master information corresponding to the selected one of said attributes to determine whether said test currency is authentic currency of the identified type and denomination; and a memory for storing said master information as the master information for currency of the identified type and denomination.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
161 words
A currency handling system for evaluating currency with respect to independently derived master information, said currency handling system comprising: at least one sensor adapted to obtain from at least one master currency, master information associated with one or more attributes of said master currency including at least one of color, UV and pattern attributes, said sensor being further adapted to obtain from test currency, test data associated with one or more attributes of said test currency; means for permitting a user to manually identify the type and denomination of said master currency; a processor adapted to evaluate each of said currency by comparing the test data associated with a selected one of said attributes to the master information corresponding to the selected one of said attributes to determine whether said test currency is authentic currency of the identified type and denomination; and a memory for storing said master information as the master information for currency of the identified type and denomination.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
114 words
A currency denominating method comprising: obtaining from at least one authentic currency information associated with one or more attributes of said currency; generating master information based on the information obtained from said authentic currency; manually identifying the type and denomination of said authentic currency from which said master information is obtained; storing said master information in a memory as the master information for currency of the identified type and denomination; obtaining from test currency information associated with the same attributes with which said master information is associated; and comparing said master information with the information obtained from said test currency to determine whether said test currency is currency of the identified type and denomination.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
114 words
A currency denominating method comprising: obtaining from at least one authentic currency information associated with one or more attributes of said currency; generating master information based on the information obtained from said authentic currency; manually identifying the type and denomination of said authentic currency from which said master information is obtained; storing said master information in a memory as the master information for currency of the identified type and denomination; obtaining from test currency information associated with the same attributes with which said master information is associated; and comparing said master information with the information obtained from said test currency to determine whether said test currency is currency of the identified type and denomination.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
138 words
A currency denominating system for denominating currency with respect to independently derived master information, said currency denominating system comprising: at least one sensor adapted to obtain from at least one master currency, master information associated with one or more attributes of said master currency, said sensor being further adapted to obtain from test currency, test data associated with one or more attributes of said test currency; means for permitting a user to manually identify the type and denomination of said master currency; a memory for storing said master information as the master information for currency of the identified type and denomination; and a processor adapted to determine the denomination of each test currency by comparing the test data associated with a selected one of said attributes to the master information corresponding to the selected one of said attributes.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
138 words
A currency denominating system for denominating currency with respect to independently derived master information, said currency denominating system comprising: at least one sensor adapted to obtain from at least one master currency, master information associated with one or more attributes of said master currency, said sensor being further adapted to obtain from test currency, test data associated with one or more attributes of said test currency; means for permitting a user to manually identify the type and denomination of said master currency; a memory for storing said master information as the master information for currency of the identified type and denomination; and a processor adapted to determine the denomination of each test currency by comparing the test data associated with a selected one of said attributes to the master information corresponding to the selected one of said attributes.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
141 words
A currency authenticating system for authenticating currency with respect to master information, said currency authenticating system being operable to generate said master information, said currency authenticating system comprising: at least one input device adapted to obtain from at least one currency information associated with one or more attributes of said currency; a processor for generating master information based on the information obtained by said input device from at least one authentic currency; means for permitting a user to manually identify the type and denomination of said authentic currency; a memory for storing said master information as the master information for currency of the identified type and denomination; and means for comparing said stored master information with test data obtained by said input device from test currency to determine whether said test currency is authentic currency of the identified type and denomination.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
141 words
A currency authenticating system for authenticating currency with respect to master information, said currency authenticating system being operable to generate said master information, said currency authenticating system comprising: at least one input device adapted to obtain from at least one currency information associated with one or more attributes of said currency; a processor for generating master information based on the information obtained by said input device from at least one authentic currency; means for permitting a user to manually identify the type and denomination of said authentic currency; a memory for storing said master information as the master information for currency of the identified type and denomination; and means for comparing said stored master information with test data obtained by said input device from test currency to determine whether said test currency is authentic currency of the identified type and denomination.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
115 words
A currency authenticating method comprising: obtaining from at least one authentic currency information associated with one or more attributes of said currency; generating master information based on the information obtained from said authentic currency; manually identifying the type and denomination of said authentic currency from which said master information is obtained; storing said master information in a memory as the master information for currency of the identified type and denomination; obtaining from test currency information associated with the same attributes with which said master information is associated; and comparing said master information with the information obtained from said test currency to determine whether said test currency is authentic currency of the identified type and denomination.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
115 words
A currency authenticating method comprising: obtaining from at least one authentic currency information associated with one or more attributes of said currency; generating master information based on the information obtained from said authentic currency; manually identifying the type and denomination of said authentic currency from which said master information is obtained; storing said master information in a memory as the master information for currency of the identified type and denomination; obtaining from test currency information associated with the same attributes with which said master information is associated; and comparing said master information with the information obtained from said test currency to determine whether said test currency is authentic currency of the identified type and denomination.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
138 words
A currency authenticating system for authenticating currency with respect to independently derived master information, said currency authenticating system comprising: at least one sensor adapted to obtain from at least one master currency, master information associated with one or more attributes of said master currency, said sensor being further adapted to obtain from test currency, test data associated with one or more attributes of said test currency; means for permitting a user to manually identify the type and denomination of said master currency; a memory for storing said master information as the master information for currency of the identified type and denomination; and a processor adapted to determine the authenticity of each test currency by comparing the test data associated with a selected one of said attributes to the master information corresponding to the selected one of said attributes.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
138 words
A currency authenticating system for authenticating currency with respect to independently derived master information, said currency authenticating system comprising: at least one sensor adapted to obtain from at least one master currency, master information associated with one or more attributes of said master currency, said sensor being further adapted to obtain from test currency, test data associated with one or more attributes of said test currency; means for permitting a user to manually identify the type and denomination of said master currency; a memory for storing said master information as the master information for currency of the identified type and denomination; and a processor adapted to determine the authenticity of each test currency by comparing the test data associated with a selected one of said attributes to the master information corresponding to the selected one of said attributes.
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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) | 2004-06-04 | 2004-12-04 | 2005-06-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-06-04 | 2008-12-04 | 2009-06-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-06-04 | 2012-12-04 | 2013-06-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |