Abstract: Apparatus for feeding sheets from a pluraltiy of supplied to an output location in which a toggle linkage normally releasably positions the conveyor in an operative position from which is may be moved around an axis adjacent to one of its longitudinal edges to permit access to the feed path.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding sheets from a plurality of supplies to an output location in which a toggle linkage normally releasably positions the conveyor in an operative position from which it may be moved around an axis adjacent to one of its longitudinal edges to permit access to the feed path.

Abstract: A sheet length detector with skew compensation for use in apparatus for batching and counting currency, food stamps or the like. Sheets are advanced past a pair of sheet sensors which are disposed at transversely spaced locations on the feed path on either side of the nip formed by a pair of opposing feed members. A timing interval is begun upon the actuation of both sheet sensors and ended upon the deactuation of both sensors following their initial actuation. The duration of the timing interval provides a measure of sheet length. This measure is then corrected for skew, which is determined from the time lapse, if any, between the deactuation of one sensor and the deactuation of both sensors. The corrected measure may be compared with an absolute reference or with the results of a previous length measurement.

Abstract: Skew-correcting apparatus in which first and second sets of opposing feed rollers each comprise a pair of end rollers and a center roller between the end rollers. The first center roller has a sheet-gripping portion of limited circumferential extent forming a nip with the second center roller, while the first pair of end rollers engage the second pair of end rollers. The second set of rollers are coupled for common rotation; the first pair of end rollers are mounted for rotation relative to the first center roller. The first center roller is driven while the remaining rollers are retarded so that the remaining rollers are normally stationary to align the leading edge of a sheet but are driven by the sheet-gripping portion of the first center roller to advance the sheet through the nip. A downstream feed roller driven synchronously with the first center roller and also having a sheet-gripping portion of limited circumferential extent is used to advance a sheet to the opposing sets of feed rollers.

Abstract: An improved audible alarm system for a document counter having an internal oscillator for producing a binary coded output in response to count signals applied to the counter in response to sheets moving along a path in which the counter internal oscillator is coupled to an audible alarm in response to a misfeed.

Abstract: A sheet feeder in which a picker member engaging an end sheet of a stack is actuated to drive the end sheet through a feed nip formed by a feed member and a cooperating member. The picker member is actuated in advance of the feed member to prevent other sheets from entering the nip. Preferably, the picker member is preactuated by coupling it directly to the drive source while coupling the feed member to the same drive source through an electrically actuated clutch.

Abstract: Documents such as checks, food stamps or the like are successively advanced along a path between a transversely spaced pair of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and a correspondingly spaced pair of photodiodes to generate signals for counting and misfeed detection. Various error detectors detect sheet misfeed by integrating signals derived from one or more sheet sensors and comparing the integrated signal with reference signals that vary with the drive speed. A doubles detector generates a signal indicating a double feed if the integral of an analog optical density while below a predetermined threshold lies beyond a predetermined limit. A potentiometer permits adjustment of the threshold optical density at which the integrator becomes operative. An LED coupled to the output of a spare amplifier on the chain note board permits detection of the momentary presence of an output signal from a particular error detector.

Abstract: Apparatus for counting and endorsing documents in which a motor drives respective pairs of feed rollers to move documents along a feed path from an input location and along the feed path to an output location. Movement of an endorser adjacent to the feed path from an inoperative position to an operative position reduces the motor excitation to cause the rollers to move the documents along the path at a slower rate.

Abstract: Apparatus for examining documents moved along a path between a light source normally energized at a first level and a photodetector, in which a first potential proportional to the long term average value of the photodetector output with no document between the light source and the photodetector and a second potential proportional to the instantaneous value of the photodetector output are compared to energize the light source at a higher level by shorting part of the resistance in the normal energizing circuit when the second potential falls below a predetermined percentage of the first potential.

Abstract: A simplified currency dispenser especially adapted for use at high volume low dollar amount transaction locations. The dispenser is adapted alternatively to transport a selected mix of currency notes from first and second supplies to a delivery location and to display the dollar value of the delivered notes or to transport notes from only one of the supplies to the delivery location and to display the number of notes transported. The dispenser includes a first key pad and display on the dispenser housing for use during a counting operation and a remote key pad and display for use during a dispenser operation. The housing is made in upper and lower sections for ease of manufacture and servicing. It is adapted for either countertop installation or below the counter installation.

Abstract: A sheet dispenser for selectively dispensing predetermined numbers of sheets, for example, paper currency of different denominations and having plural input stations each receiving a stack of each bill denomination. A feed roller at each station has a high friction surface portion which engages a bottom sheet and feeds the sheet between the feed roller and a cooperating stripper shoe to assure single sheet feeding. An elongated acceleration belt extends beneath all of the feed rollers. Cooperating acceleration pinch wheels form a nip with the belt for accelerating a sheet entering the nip. A curved resilient guide cooperates with each feed roller to guide sheets passing the stripper shoe toward its associated acceleration nip. The sheets pass along the acceleration belt to an outfeed stacker including a stacker wheel to facilitate the formation of a neat stack of sheets. Sensors detect the entry of a sheet into each acceleration nip and to assure proper positioning of the feed roller.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine having a core gas generator engine for generating combustion gases, with an additional power turbine, an additional fan section, and a booster compressor. The power turbine includes two counter rotatable turbine blade rows which are alternately interdigitized and serve to rotate counter rotating first and second drive shafts, respectively. The fan section also includes counter rotating spaced apart fan blade sections which are respectively connected to the first and second drive shafts. A booster compressor is axially positioned between the spaced apart fan sections. The booster compressor likewise includes first and second blade rows which are counter rotating alternately interdigitized and are likewise driven by the first and second drive shafts. The engine is supported from the two frames to permit the nacelle to be non-structural. The core engine is a modular unit so that it can be separable from the counter rotating turbine, fans and booster.

Abstract: A circuit for protecting the contents of memory devices, each having a power supply voltage input terminal and a disabling signal input terminal following a failure in an A.C.-derived D.C. potential in which respective time delay circuits couple battery potential to said power supply voltage terminals and to said disabling signal input terminals at respective predetermined times after said failure.

Abstract: Counterfeit detection apparatus in which the coils of the magnetic head are utilized to produce a saturating current for the paper currency being examined which is sufficient to bring the magnetic ink printed upon the paper currency close to the saturation point to greatly facilitate the detection operation.

Abstract: Apparatus for counting and stacking sheets in which document length and multiple fed sheets are detected by examining sheet transmissivity. The light directed through moving sheets fed one at a time through a sensor location is modulated according to sheet transmissivity. The signal for each sheet is compared against the signal for the prior sheet to determine the feeding of multiple sheets. Sheet length is determined through the use of a pair of sensors which provide for counting of sheets which may be fed in a skewed manner. A skew value is used to modify the value obtained when measuring document length to permit accurate counting of both skewed and unskewed sheets. Both hardware and software techniques are utilized to obtain the desired results.

Abstract: A coin sorter has a rotating disc with a resilient upper surface that operates in conjunction with an overlying stationary sorter plate. The plate has a nominal plane surface that is spaced from the resilient surface of the disc a distance less than the thickness of the thinnest coin to be sorted. A series of recesses are provided from the nominal surface. Each recess has inwardly and outwardly facing converging shoulders which extend from a distance at least as great as the diameter of the largest coin to a distance which is less than the contact width of the smallest coin. Coins are deposited on the disc through a central opening in the plate and are moved through the recesses. The converging shoulders form the coins into a single file against one of the shoulders and strip overlapped or interleaved coins so that a single layer of coins is formed in a single file adjacent the perimeter of the disc.

Abstract: A count mechanism for a dispensing machine which delivers coins in a single file along a track has a star wheel in the path of travel of the coins. The star wheel is indexed one point for each coin which passes it. The star wheel can be locked against rotation by a latch which engages a point on the wheel and which is held disengaged by a first solenoid. A second solenoid assists in disengaging the latch from the star wheel. A spring biased pawl rides the periphery of the star wheel between points to prevent free rotation. The star wheel is provided with spaced reflective areas on its top surface and a pair of spaced optical sensors detect the presence and absence of reflective surfaces as the reflective areas pass beneath the sensors. The optical sensors generate a pair of out-of-phase pulses which are employed to count the coins. A mechanism is also provided to test for dirty conditions of the star wheel or optical sensors.

Abstract: Sheet handling and counting apparatus includes a control system having master and slave processors. The slave processor continuously examining passing sheets to measure sheet length and look for doubles. The slave processor generates outputs representative of jam, doubles error, length error and diagnostics as well as detecting the presence of a check separator for stopping the sheet handling and counting apparatus. The master processor controls the sheet apparatus in accordance with the status signals developed by the slave processor, as well as other data derived from sensors interfaced with the master processor. The master processor transmits a control word to the slave processor to control operation of the length measurement according to one of a plurality of selectable tolerances and to select one of a plurality of operating modes for detecting doubles.

Abstract: A sheet dispenser for selectively dispensing predetermined numbers of sheets, for example, paper currency of different denominations and having plural input stations each receiving a stack of each bill denomination. A feed roller at each station has a high friction surface portion which engages a bottom sheet and feeds the sheet between the feed roller and a cooperating stripper shoe to assure single sheet feeding. An elongated acceleration belt extends beneath all of the feed rollers. Cooperating acceleration pinch wheels form a nip with the belt for accelerating a sheet entering the nip. A curved resilient guide cooperates with each feed roller to guide sheets passing the stripper shoe toward its associated acceleration nip. The sheets pass along the acceleration belt and outfeed stacker including a stacker wheel to facilitate the formation of a neat stack of sheets. Sensors detect the entry of a sheet into each acceleration nip and to assure proper positioning of the feed roller.

Abstract: A controller controlling the dispensing of paper currency including a microprocessor for controlling motors which feed a predetermined mix of paper currency from each dispensing device to a common acceleration device which advances bills to an output stacker. Each individual dispensing device dispenses the proper number of bills to the acceleration device. Apparatus multiplexes the control signals to the stepper motor. After the bills have been dispensed, the stepper motor is halted, and a home positioning sensor determines if the stepper motor has been halted in the proper position. Sensors provided at spaced intervals along the common acceleration device determine if bills have reached the acceleration device. The dispensing operation is repeated if bills do not reach the sensor. The sensors perform the dual function of sensing advancement of a bill and detecting overlapping or multiple fed bills. The adaptive technique conmpensates for changes in the sensor such as component aging and dust accumulation.