US6256407B1 — Color scanhead and currency handling system emplo…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 158 words

A document handling system for processing documents, the system comprising: a document transport mechanism being adapted to transport documents along a transport path from an input receptacle to at least one output receptacle; a full color sensor being adapted to scan color characteristics of the document, the full color sensor including at least one color cell disposed adjacent to the document transport path, the at least one color cell including at least two primary color sensors for sensing each of at least two primary colors, each of the primary color sensors being linearly aligned transverse to the document transport path; an edge sensor being adapted to detect at least the presence of a document, the edge sensor being linearly aligned with the primary color sensors; and a processor being adapted to process data corresponding to the characteristics scanned from one or more documents with the color sensor and to use the data to evaluate one or more documents.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 158 words

A document handling system for processing documents, the system comprising: a document transport mechanism being adapted to transport documents along a transport path from an input receptacle to at least one output receptacle; a full color sensor being adapted to scan color characteristics of the document, the full color sensor including at least one color cell disposed adjacent to the document transport path, the at least one color cell including at least two primary color sensors for sensing each of at least two primary colors, each of the primary color sensors being linearly aligned transverse to the document transport path; an edge sensor being adapted to detect at least the presence of a document, the edge sensor being linearly aligned with the primary color sensors; and a processor being adapted to process data corresponding to the characteristics scanned from one or more documents with the color sensor and to use the data to evaluate one or more documents.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 20 words

The system of claim 1 wherein each of said primary color sensors comprises an optical sensor and an optical filter.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 14 words

The system of claim 2 said optical filters comprise dichroic color separation glass filters.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 44 words

The system of claim 1 wherein each of said primary color sensors generates analog signals representing variations in the respective primary color contents of a document being scanned, and further including an analog to digital converter for converting said analog signals to digital signals.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 47 words

The system of claim 4 and further including a memory for storing the digital signals from two of said primary color sensors, and wherein said processor determines a value of the third primary color content of the document from the two digital signals stored by the memory.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 37 words

The system of claim 1 and further including a light source, and wherein said primary color sensors are positioned for detecting light from said light source reflected from a bill being scanned and producing corresponding output signals.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 38 words

The system of claim 6 and further including an encoder operatively coupled with said primary color sensors for defining sampling intervals for sampling output signals in synchronism with movement of a document relative to said full color sensor.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 20 words

The system of claim 7 wherein said encoder synchronizes the sampling intervals with an operating frequency of the light source.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 21 words

The system of claim 1 wherein each of said primary color sensors comprises a photodiode having a relatively large sensor area.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 39 words

The system of claim 1 wherein each of said color cells is positioned for viewing a strip of a document being scanned and for producing continuous output signals corresponding to the color content of light reflected from said strip.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 38 words

The system of claim 10 and further including an encoder operatively coupled with said color cells for defining sampling intervals for sampling said output signals in synchronization with movement of a document relative to said full color sensor.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 23 words

The system of claim 11 wherein said encoder selects said sampling intervals such that successive samples of said output signals overlap one another.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 64 words

The system of claim 1 wherein said processor is responsive to respective signals developed by said primary color sensors for developing a total brightness signal comprising the sum of the output signals from said primary color sensors and respective hue signals for each of the primary color sensors corresponding to the percentage of the total brightness signal that each of the output signals constitutes.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 54 words

The system of claim 1 and further including a memory for storing master color characteristic data associated with each genuine document which the system is capable of discriminating, and wherein said processor compares the color characteristics scanned from a document with at least some of the master color characteristic data stored in said memory.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 47 words

The system of claim 14 wherein said processor is operable in a learn mode for delivering data to said memory corresponding to characteristics scanned from a document by said full color sensor, when the scanned document is a genuine document, said data comprising master color characteristic data.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 37 words

The system of claim 14 wherein said master color characteristics include a plurality of sets of data, one for each of at least four possible orientations of a document, as a document moves relative to said sensor.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 40 words

The system of claim 14 wherein said memory contains master color characteristic data corresponding to color characteristics of documents comprising genuine bills of each of a plurality of denominations from the currency systems of each of a plurality of countries.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 32 words

The system of claim 14 wherein said memory contains master color characteristic data corresponding to color characteristics of a plurality of denominations of documents including at least one type of casino script.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 22 words

The system of claim 1 wherein said full color sensor is located for scanning color characteristics on one side of a document.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 23 words

The system of claim 19 wherein a second color module is provided for scanning color characteristics on the other side of a document.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 40 words

The system of claim 1 and further including a housing for mounting all components of said document handling system, said housing being relatively compact so as to fit on a table top, desk, work station, teller station and the like.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 22 words

The system of claim 21 wherein said housing has a footprint of no more than about 11 inches by about 12 inches.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 21 words

The system of claim 21 wherein said housing has a footprint of no more than about 15 inches by 20 inches.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 21 words

The system of claim 21 wherein the housing and components of said document handling system weighs less than about 35 pounds.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 21 words

The system of claim 21 wherein the housing and components of said document handling system weighs less than about 50 pounds.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 103 words

The system of claim 1 and further including a memory for storing master color characteristic data corresponding to color characteristics of genuine documents which the system is capable of discriminating and master data corresponding to at least one other characteristic of each genuine document which the system is capable of discriminating and wherein said signal processing means compares said master color characteristic data with the color characteristic scanned from said document and selects master data corresponding to one or more potentially matching genuine documents for comparison with the characteristic scanned by said first sensor based at least in part on the color comparison.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 24 words

The document handling system of claim 1 further comprising a first sensor for scanning at least one characteristic of a document other than color.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 13 words

The system of claim 27 wherein said first sensor comprises an optical sensor.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 13 words

The system of claim 27 wherein said first sensor comprises a magnetic sensor.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 13 words

The system of claim 27 wherein said first sensor comprises a UV sensor.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 122 words

A document handling method for processing documents, the method comprising: transporting documents along a document transport path; detecting the presence of a document with an edge sensor disposed adjacent to the transport path; scanning one of at least two primary colors with a first primary color sensor disposed adjacent to the transport path; scanning the other of at least to primary colors with a second primary color sensor disposed adjacent to the transport path, the first primary color sensor, the second primary color sensor, and the edge sensor being linearly aligned transverse to the document transport path; processing data corresponding to the color and other characteristics scanned from one or more documents; and using the data to evaluate one or more documents.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 122 words

A document handling method for processing documents, the method comprising: transporting documents along a document transport path; detecting the presence of a document with an edge sensor disposed adjacent to the transport path; scanning one of at least two primary colors with a first primary color sensor disposed adjacent to the transport path; scanning the other of at least to primary colors with a second primary color sensor disposed adjacent to the transport path, the first primary color sensor, the second primary color sensor, and the edge sensor being linearly aligned transverse to the document transport path; processing data corresponding to the color and other characteristics scanned from one or more documents; and using the data to evaluate one or more documents.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method of claim 31 wherein scanning the primary colors comprises optically filtering light reflected from a document and optically sensing the filtered light.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 36 words

The method of claim 31 wherein scanning the primary colors includes generating analog signals representing variations in at least two primary color contents of a document being scanned, and converting said analog signals to digital signals.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 38 words

The method of claim 33 and further including storing the digital signals corresponding to two of said primary colors and determining a value of the third primary color content of the document from the two stored digital signals.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method of claim 31 wherein scanning includes viewing a strip of a document and producing continuous output signals corresponding to the color content of light reflected from said strip.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method of claim 35 wherein processing includes defining sampling intervals for sampling said output signals in synchronization with movement of a document relative to said primary color sensors.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method of claim 36 wherein said sampling intervals are selected such that successive samples of said output signals overlap one another.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 36 and further including synchronizing the sampling intervals with an operating frequency of a light source.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 46 words

The method of claim 31 wherein processing includes developing a total brightness signal comprising the sum of the output signals and respective hue signals for each of the primary colors corresponding to the percentage of the total brightness signal that each of the output signals constitutes.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 45 words

The method of claim 31 and further including storing master color characteristic data associated with each genuine document which the system is capable of discriminating, and comparing the color characteristics scanned from a document with at least some of the stored master color characteristic data.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 40 words

The method of claim 40 and further including operating in a learn mode for storing data corresponding to the color characteristics scanned from a document when the scanned document is a genuine document, said data comprising master color characteristic data.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method of claim 40 wherein said master color characteristics include a plurality of sets of data, one for each of at least four possible orientations of a document.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 15 words

The method of claim 31 wherein scanning includes scanning on both sides of a document.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 95 words

The method of claim 31 and further including storing master color characteristic data corresponding to color characteristics of genuine documents which the method is capable of discriminating and master data corresponding to at least one other characteristic of each genuine document which the system is capable of discriminating and wherein processing comprises comparing said master color characteristic data with the color characteristic scanned from said document and selecting master data corresponding to one or more potentially matching genuine documents for comparison with said scanned other characteristic based at least in part on the color comparison.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method of claim 31 further comprising scanning at least one characteristic of a document other than color.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 135 words

A color scanhead apparatus for a document handling system having a document transport mechanism for transporting documents along a transport path from an input receptacle to at least one output receptacle, said color scanhead comprising: a scanhead body including a plurality of receptacles linearly-aligned transverse to the document transport path; a full color sensor including a plurality of color cells, the plurality of color cells being disposed adjacent to the transport path, each of said color cells comprising at least two primary color sensors being adapted to sense each of at least two primary colors, each of the least two primary color sensors being mounted within one of the plurality of receptacles; and at least one edge sensor for detecting at least the presence of a document mounted within one of the plurality of receptacles.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 135 words

A color scanhead apparatus for a document handling system having a document transport mechanism for transporting documents along a transport path from an input receptacle to at least one output receptacle, said color scanhead comprising: a scanhead body including a plurality of receptacles linearly-aligned transverse to the document transport path; a full color sensor including a plurality of color cells, the plurality of color cells being disposed adjacent to the transport path, each of said color cells comprising at least two primary color sensors being adapted to sense each of at least two primary colors, each of the least two primary color sensors being mounted within one of the plurality of receptacles; and at least one edge sensor for detecting at least the presence of a document mounted within one of the plurality of receptacles.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 20 words

The apparatus of claim 46 wherein each of said primary color sensors comprises an optical sensor and an optical filter.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 14 words

The apparatus of claim 47 said optical filters comprise dichroic color separation glass filters.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 39 words

The apparatus of claim 47 wherein said scanhead body includes a plurality of sensor receptacles, said optical sensors and said optical filters being positioned in said receptacles, each receptacle having one optical sensor positioned behind a corresponding optical filter.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 38 words

The apparatus of claim 49 wherein respective adjacent groups of said receptacles form a color cell, for respectively receiving one each of said primary color sensors, said scanhead body further including cell partitions extending between adjacent color cells.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 44 words

The apparatus of claim 50 and further including a mask interposed between said light source and said primary color sensors, said mask having a reflective surface facing the light source and a relatively narrow slit for transmitting reflected light to the primary color sensors.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 51 words

The apparatus of claim 51 and further including a manifold positioned between said mask and said primary color sensors for substantially limiting light reaching the sensors to light reflected through said slit in said mask, said cell partitions running substantially from a sensor end to a mask end of each cell.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 24 words

The apparatus of claim 50 wherein at least one of said receptacles mounts a document edge sensor in place of a primary color sensor.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 32 words

The apparatus of claim 46 and further including a light source, and wherein said primary color sensors are positioned for detecting light from said light source reflected from a bill being scanned.

Claim 58

Dependent Claim 21 words

The apparatus of claim 46 wherein each of said primary color sensors comprises a photodiode having a relatively large sensor area.

Claim 59

Dependent Claim 36 words

The apparatus of claim 46 wherein said scanhead includes at least one light source mounted to said scanhead body and positioned relatively close to a transport path along which a document moves adjacent to said scanhead.

Claim 60

Dependent Claim 28 words

The apparatus of claim 56 wherein said light source comprises at least one fluorescent tube providing white light with a high intensity in red, blue and green wavelengths.

Claim 61

Dependent Claim 28 words

The apparatus of claim 56 wherein said scanhead further includes a glass shield mounted to said scanhead body and positioned between the light source and the transport path.

Claim 62

Dependent Claim 50 words

The apparatus of claim 56 and further including a mask mounted to said scanhead body and interposed between said light source and said primary color sensors, said mask having a reflective surface facing the light source and a relatively narrow slit for transmitting reflected light to the primary color sensors.

Claim 63

Dependent Claim 35 words

The apparatus of claim 59 and further including a manifold positioned between said mask and said primary color sensors for substantially limiting light reaching the sensors to light reflected through said slit in said mask.

Claim 64

Dependent Claim 46 words

The apparatus of claim 60 wherein said manifold has interior surfaces formed at an angle such that the width of the manifold adjacent the mask is greater than the width of the manifold adjacent said primary color sensors for substantially trapping light reflected through said slit.

Claim 65

Dependent Claim 31 words

The apparatus of claim 61 wherein the interior surfaces of said manifold are coated with a light absorbing material to substantially prevent noisy light from reaching to the primary color sensors.

Claim 66

Dependent Claim 190 words

A color scanning method for a document handling system for processing documents, the method comprising: transporting documents along a document transport path; detecting the presence of a document with an edge sensor disposed adjacent to the transport path; scanning one of at least two primary colors with a first primary color sensor disposed adjacent to the transport path; scanning the other of at least to primary colors with a second primary color sensor disposed adjacent to the transport path, the first primary color sensor, the second primary color sensor, and the edge sensor being linearly aligned transverse to the document transport path; scanning at least one characteristic of the document other than color; processing data corresponding to the characteristics scanned from one or more documents; using the data to evaluate one or more documents; generating analog signals representing variations in at least two primary color contents of a document being scanned, and converting said analog signals to digital signals; and storing the digital signals corresponding to two of said primary colors and determining a value of the third primary color content of the document from the two stored digital signals.

Claim 67

Dependent Claim 190 words

A color scanning method for a document handling system for processing documents, the method comprising: transporting documents along a document transport path; detecting the presence of a document with an edge sensor disposed adjacent to the transport path; scanning one of at least two primary colors with a first primary color sensor disposed adjacent to the transport path; scanning the other of at least to primary colors with a second primary color sensor disposed adjacent to the transport path, the first primary color sensor, the second primary color sensor, and the edge sensor being linearly aligned transverse to the document transport path; scanning at least one characteristic of the document other than color; processing data corresponding to the characteristics scanned from one or more documents; using the data to evaluate one or more documents; generating analog signals representing variations in at least two primary color contents of a document being scanned, and converting said analog signals to digital signals; and storing the digital signals corresponding to two of said primary colors and determining a value of the third primary color content of the document from the two stored digital signals.

Claim 68

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method of claim 63 wherein scanning the primary colors comprises optically filtering light reflected from a document and optically sensing the filtered light.

Claim 69

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method of claim 63 wherein scanning includes viewing a strip of a document and producing continuous output signals corresponding to the color content of light reflected from said strip.

Claim 70

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method of claim 65 wherein processing includes defining sampling intervals for sampling said output signals in synchronization with movement of a document relative to said full color sensor.

Claim 71

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method of claim 66 wherein said sampling intervals are selected such that successive samples of said output signals overlap one another.

Claim 72

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 66 and further including synchronizing the sampling intervals with an operating frequency of a light source.

Claim 73

Dependent Claim 46 words

The method of claim 63 wherein processing includes developing a total brightness signal comprising the sum of the output signals and respective hue signals for each of the primary colors corresponding to a percentage of the total brightness signal that each of the output signals constitutes.

Claim 74

Dependent Claim 45 words

The method of claim 63 and further including storing master color characteristic data associated with each genuine document which the system is capable of discriminating, and comparing the color characteristics scanned from a document with at least some of the stored master color characteristic data.

Claim 75

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method of claim 70 wherein said master color characteristics include a plurality of sets of data, one for each of at least four possible orientations of a document.

Claim 76

Dependent Claim 19 words

The method of claim 63 wherein scanning primary colors includes scanning primary colors on both sides of a document.

Claim 77

Dependent Claim 162 words

A currency handling system for processing currency bills, the system comprising: a currency bill transport mechanism being adapted to transport currency bills along a transport path from an input receptacle to at least one output receptacle; a full color sensor being adapted to scan color characteristics of a currency bill, the full color sensor including at least one color cell disposed adjacent to the transport path, the at least one color cell including at least two primary color sensors for sensing each of at least two primary colors, each of the primary color sensors being linearly aligned transverse to the transport path; an edge sensor being adapted to detect at least the presence of a currency bill, the edge sensor being linearly aligned with the primary color sensors; and a processor being adapted to process data corresponding to the characteristics scanned from one or more currency bills with the color sensor and to use the data to evaluate one or more documents.

Claim 78

Dependent Claim 162 words

A currency handling system for processing currency bills, the system comprising: a currency bill transport mechanism being adapted to transport currency bills along a transport path from an input receptacle to at least one output receptacle; a full color sensor being adapted to scan color characteristics of a currency bill, the full color sensor including at least one color cell disposed adjacent to the transport path, the at least one color cell including at least two primary color sensors for sensing each of at least two primary colors, each of the primary color sensors being linearly aligned transverse to the transport path; an edge sensor being adapted to detect at least the presence of a currency bill, the edge sensor being linearly aligned with the primary color sensors; and a processor being adapted to process data corresponding to the characteristics scanned from one or more currency bills with the color sensor and to use the data to evaluate one or more documents.

Claim 79

Dependent Claim 38 words

The system of claim 53 wherein the full color sensor includes a plurality of color cells, each cell comprising a primary color sensor for sensing each of at least two primary colors and producing a corresponding output signal.

Claim 80

Dependent Claim 45 words

The system of claim 74 wherein the full color sensor is part of a color module, the color module further including an edge sensor located to one side of the color cells for detecting at least the presence of a document adjacent the color cells.

Claim 81

Dependent Claim 39 words

The system of claim 75 wherein the module further includes a light source, and wherein the primary color sensors are positioned for detecting light from the light source reflected from a bill being scanned and producing corresponding output signals.

Claim 82

Dependent Claim 37 words

The system of claim 76 and further including an encoder operatively coupled with the primary color sensors for defining sampling intervals for sampling output signals in synchronization with movement of a document relative to the color module.

Claim 83

Dependent Claim 20 words

The system of claim 77 wherein the encoder synchronizes the sampling intervals with an operating frequency of the light source.

Claim 84

Dependent Claim 21 words

The system of claim 75 wherein the color module is located for scanning color characteristics on one side of a document.

Claim 85

Dependent Claim 23 words

The system of claim 79 wherein a second color module is provided for scanning color characteristics on the other side of a document.

Claim 86

Dependent Claim 20 words

The system of claim 74 wherein each of the primary color sensors comprises an optical sensor and an optical filter.

Claim 87

Dependent Claim 14 words

The system of claim 81 the optical filters comprise dichroic color separation glass filters.

Claim 88

Dependent Claim 44 words

The system of claim 74 wherein each of the primary color sensors generates analog signals representing variations in the respective primary color contents of a document being scanned, and further including an analog to digital converter for converting the analog signals to digital signals.

Claim 89

Dependent Claim 47 words

The system of claim 83 and further including a memory for storing the digital signals from two of the primary color sensors, and wherein the processor determines a value of the third primary color content of the document from the two digital signals stored by the memory.

Claim 90

Dependent Claim 21 words

The system of claim 74 wherein each of the primary color sensors comprises a photodiode having a relatively large sensor area.

Claim 91

Dependent Claim 39 words

The system of claim 74 wherein each of the color cells is positioned for viewing a strip of a document being scanned and for producing continuous output signals corresponding to the color content of light reflected from the strip.

Claim 92

Dependent Claim 38 words

The system of claim 86 and further including an encoder operatively coupled with the color cells for defining sampling intervals for sampling the output signals in synchronization with movement of a document relative to the full color sensor.

Claim 93

Dependent Claim 23 words

The system of claim 87 wherein the encoder selects the sampling intervals such that successive samples of the output signals overlap one another.

Claim 94

Dependent Claim 64 words

The system of claim 74 wherein the processor is responsive to respective signals developed by the primary color sensors for developing a total brightness signal comprising the sum of the output signals from the primary color sensors and respective hue signals for each of the primary color sensors corresponding to the percentage of the total brightness signal that each of the output signals constitutes.

Claim 95

Dependent Claim 54 words

The system of claim 73 and further including a memory for storing master color characteristic data associated with each genuine document which the system is capable of discriminating, and wherein the processor compares the color characteristics scanned from a document with at least some of the master color characteristic data stored in the memory.

Claim 96

Dependent Claim 47 words

The system of claim 90 wherein the processor is operable in a learn mode for delivering data to the memory corresponding to characteristics scanned from a document by the full color sensor, when the scanned document is a genuine document, the data comprising master color characteristic data.

Claim 97

Dependent Claim 37 words

The system of claim 90 wherein the master color characteristics include a plurality of sets of data, one for each of at least four possible orientations of a document, as a document moves relative to the sensor.

Claim 98

Dependent Claim 40 words

The system of claim 90 wherein the memory contains master color characteristic data corresponding to color characteristics of documents comprising genuine bills of each of a plurality of denominations from the currency systems of each of a plurality of countries.

Claim 99

Dependent Claim 32 words

The system of claim 90 wherein the memory contains master color characteristic data corresponding to color characteristics of a plurality of denominations of documents including at least one type of casino script.

Claim 100

Dependent Claim 40 words

The system of claim 73 and further including a housing for mounting all components of the document handling system, the housing being relatively compact so as to fit on a table top, desk, work station, teller station and the like.

Claim 101

Dependent Claim 22 words

The system of claim 95 wherein the housing has a footprint of no more than about 11 inches by about 12 inches.

Claim 102

Dependent Claim 21 words

The system of claim 95 wherein the housing has a footprint of no more than about 15 inches by 20 inches.

Claim 103

Dependent Claim 21 words

The system of claim 95 wherein the housing and components of the document handling system weighs less than about 35 pounds.

Claim 104

Dependent Claim 21 words

The system of claim 95 wherein the housing and components of the document handling system weighs less than about 50 pounds.

Claim 105

Dependent Claim 103 words

The system of claim 73 and further including a memory for storing master color characteristic data corresponding to color characteristics of genuine documents which the system is capable of discriminating and master data corresponding to at least one other characteristic of each genuine document which the system is capable of discriminating and wherein the signal processing means compares the master color characteristic data with the color characteristic scanned from the document and selects master data corresponding to one or more potentially matching genuine documents for comparison with the characteristic scanned by the first sensor based at least in part on the color comparison.

Claim 106

Dependent Claim 25 words

The currency handling system of claim 73 further comprising a first sensor for scanning at least one characteristic of a currency bill other than color.

Claim 107

Dependent Claim 13 words

The system of claim 101 wherein the first sensor comprises an optical sensor.

Claim 108

Dependent Claim 13 words

The system of claim 101 wherein the first sensor comprises a magnetic sensor.

Claim 109

Dependent Claim 13 words

The system of claim 101 wherein the first sensor comprises a UV sensor.

Claim 110

Dependent Claim 127 words

A currency bill handling method for processing currency bills, the method comprising: transporting currency bills along a document transport path; detecting the presence of a currency bill with an edge sensor disposed adjacent to the transport path; scanning one of at least two primary colors with a first primary color sensor disposed adjacent to the transport path; scanning the other of at least to primary colors with a second primary color sensor disposed adjacent to the transport path, the first primary color sensor, the second primary color sensor, and the edge sensor being linearly aligned transverse to the document transport path; processing data corresponding to the color and other characteristics scanned from one or more documents; and using the data to evaluate one or more currency bills.

Claim 111

Dependent Claim 127 words

A currency bill handling method for processing currency bills, the method comprising: transporting currency bills along a document transport path; detecting the presence of a currency bill with an edge sensor disposed adjacent to the transport path; scanning one of at least two primary colors with a first primary color sensor disposed adjacent to the transport path; scanning the other of at least to primary colors with a second primary color sensor disposed adjacent to the transport path, the first primary color sensor, the second primary color sensor, and the edge sensor being linearly aligned transverse to the document transport path; processing data corresponding to the color and other characteristics scanned from one or more documents; and using the data to evaluate one or more currency bills.

Claim 112

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method of claim 105 wherein scanning the primary colors comprises optically filtering light reflected from a document and optically sensing the filtered light.

Claim 113

Dependent Claim 36 words

The method of claim 105 wherein scanning the primary colors includes generating analog signals representing variations in at least two primary color contents of a document being scanned, and converting the analog signals to digital signals.

Claim 114

Dependent Claim 39 words

The method of claim 107 and further including storing the digital signals corresponding to two of the primary colors and determining a value of the third primary color content of the currency bill from the two stored digital signals.

Claim 115

Dependent Claim 31 words

The method of claim 105 wherein scanning includes viewing a strip of a currency bill and producing continuous output signals corresponding to the color content of light reflected from the strip.

Claim 116

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method of claim 109 wherein processing includes defining sampling intervals for sampling the output signals in synchronization with movement of a currency bill relative to the primary color sensors.

Claim 117

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method of claim 110 wherein the sampling intervals are selected such that successive samples of the output signals overlap one another.

Claim 118

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 110 and further including synchronizing the sampling intervals with an operating frequency of a light source.

Claim 119

Dependent Claim 46 words

The method of claim 110 wherein processing includes developing a total brightness signal comprising the sum of the output signals and respective hue signals for each of the primary colors corresponding to the percentage of the total brightness signal that each of the output signals constitutes.

Claim 120

Dependent Claim 47 words

The method of claim 105 and further including storing master color characteristic data associated with each genuine currency bill which the system is capable of discriminating, and comparing the color characteristics scanned from a currency bill with at least some of the stored master color characteristic data.

Claim 121

Dependent Claim 42 words

The method of claim 114 and further including operating in a learn mode for storing data corresponding to the color characteristics scanned from a currency bill when the scanned currency bill is a genuine document, the data comprising master color characteristic data.

Claim 122

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method of claim 114 wherein the master color characteristics include a plurality of sets of data, one for each of at least four possible orientations of a currency bill.

Claim 123

Dependent Claim 16 words

The method of claim 105 wherein scanning includes scanning on both sides of a currency bill.

Claim 124

Dependent Claim 99 words

The method of claim 105 and further including storing master color characteristic data corresponding to color characteristics of genuine currency bills which the method is capable of discriminating and master data corresponding to at least one other characteristic of each genuine currency bill which the system is capable of discriminating and wherein processing comprises comparing the master color characteristic data with the color characteristic scanned from the currency bill and selecting master data corresponding to one or more potentially matching genuine currency bills for comparison with the scanned other characteristic based at least in part on the color comparison.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2004-07-02	2005-01-01	2005-07-03	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2008-07-02	2009-01-01	2009-07-03	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2012-07-02	2013-01-01	2013-07-03	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Color scanhead and currency handling system employing the same

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