Abstract: A money handling apparatus performs a money dispensing process, the money handling apparatus including a storage cassette, a plurality of storage units and processing circuitry. The storage cassette is detachably mounted to the money handling apparatus, and the storage cassette to store money for a replenishment process. The plurality of storage units store money. The processing circuitry is configured to receive a designation of a processing time of the replenishment process, and control the replenishment process based on the processing time so that a storage unit of the plurality of storage units is replenished with money fed out from the storage cassette.

Abstract: A money handling apparatus (for example, a banknote handling apparatus) includes a destination selector configured to select a storage unit where at least one of a counterfeit money and suspect money among the money transported by the transporting unit is to be transported, from the plurality of storage units (for example, each banknote storage unit, each storage/feeding unit, collecting unit, banknote ejecting unit, and the like) and a controller configured to control the transporting unit to transport at least one of the counterfeit money and suspect money to the storage unit selected by the destination selector among the plurality of storage units.

Abstract: A method includes receiving one or more characteristics associated with a server of a datacenter. The method further includes analyzing, by a processing device, the one or more characteristics to determine a classification of the server. The method further includes, in view of the determined classification of the server, modifying one or more configurations of the server to increase performance for one or more functionalities corresponding to the determined classification.

Abstract: A method for magnetizing at least two magnets having different magnetic coercivities, includes the steps of: a) simultaneously exposing the at least two magnets to a first substantially homogeneous magnetic field having a predeterminable first field strength and a first magnetic field direction for completely magnetizing the magnets in the first magnetic field direction; b) simultaneously exposing the magnets magnetized in step a) to a second substantially homogeneous magnetic field having a predeterminable second field strength and a second magnetic field direction opposite to the first magnetic field direction such that the at least two magnets are differently magnetized.

Abstract: A 3D imaging and image processing system is configured to collect and analyze data defining a predetermined set of physical and visual attributes of a collectible object. The collected 3D image information is stored in a database, which also contains a record of 3D image information associated with a defined gold-standard object of the same kind. The analysis is used to generate as an output an “objective valuation” of the collectible object based upon a comparison to the stored gold-standard image data. When used with collectible coins, the objective valuation is used in the assignment of a specific “grade”, using a well-known industry grading standard.

Abstract: There is provided a coin diverter that allows increase in the number of coin diversion directions and reduction in the size of a coin handling apparatus. The coin diverter includes a diverter member that diverts a coin from a transport path and a driver that changes the state of the diverter member to any of a first state in which the diverter member leads the coin toward the downstream side of the transport path, a second state in which the diverter member leads the coin in a first direction in which the coin drops from the transport path, and a third state in which the diverter member leads the coin in a second direction different from the direction toward the downstream side of the transport path and the first direction.

Abstract: A coin validation device that is implemented in a coin handling machine which stores therein a deposited coin on a denomination-by-denomination basis and which pays out stored coin in response to a disbursement instruction, the coin validation device, includes: a carrier that carries the deposited coin in a horizontally-fallen state in one direction; and a discriminator that identifies authenticity and denominations of the coin carried in the one direction by the carrier. Further, the carrier carries a coin, which is discriminated as a counterfeit coin by the discriminator, in another direction opposite to the one direction.

Abstract: A banknote sorting apparatus and a control method therefor are provided. The control method for the banknote sorting apparatus includes: obtaining a characteristic value of a standard template, wherein the standard template is a preset banknote template satisfying a set condition, and the characteristic value is a characteristic value for banknote classification; and displaying the characteristic value and an original sorting parameter corresponding to the characteristic value, wherein the original sorting parameter is a sorting parameter preset in the banknote sorting apparatus.

Abstract: An electronic communications device includes a body of semiconductor material with an integrated electronic circuit, an inductive element, and a capacitive element. The capacitive element is formed by a first electrode and a second electrode positioned between the inductive element and the integrated electronic circuit. Tuning of the device circuitry is accomplished by energizing the inductive/capacitive elements, determining resonance frequency, and using a laser trimming operation to alter the structure of one or more of the first electrode, second electrode or inductive element and change the resonance frequency.

Abstract: A method includes: capturing an image of a coin, locating an acquisition area of the image using a landmark of the coin, the acquisition area comprising a feature unique to the coin and generating a digital representation of the acquisition area.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for facilitating in-store or near-store ordering and payment of goods and/or services through a single tap of a near field communication (NFC) device are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system can include a smart poster locatable in an area that is accessible to a potential consumer of goods or services. The system can further include a mechanism in or on the smart poster for directing the NFC enabled device to access a portion of a merchant ordering and payment system specific to the good or service advertised by the smart poster. The system can further include a wallet application residing on the NFC enabled device that upon interfacing with the smart poster downloads, submits, and pays for an order of the good or service advertised by the smart poster via the single NFC tap.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel metallic composites that are useful as coinage materials. These composites are produced through a multi-ply plating process and are designed to overcome difficulties associated with calibrating vending machines that can result in fraud. In one embodiment, the metallic composite comprises a steel core over which nickel and then a non-magnetic metal such as copper, brass or bronze is deposited as a layered pair. The magnetic and non-magnetic metals may also be applied in the reverse order, with the copper, brass or bronze applied directly over the steel and then covered by the nickel. The electromagnetic signature (EMS) of the composite is controlled by defining the thickness of the deposited metal layers. Advantageously, the invention overcomes problems associated when different coins are made from the same alloy and have similar sizes, and therefore cannot be distinguished by vending machines.

Abstract: A banknote handling apparatus 100 includes: a taking-in unit 10 which takes banknotes in one by one; a transport unit 70 which transports each banknote from the taking-in unit 10; a recognition sensor 20 which obtains information related to the fitness of the banknote transported by the transport unit 70; and a memory unit 55 which stores a threshold value for an unfit note factor for determining the fitness of a banknote. A control unit 50 of apparatus 100 determines the fitness of the banknote by comparing the threshold value and a detected value of the unfit note factor based on the information obtained by the recognition sensor 20, and counts the number of times the unfit note factor has been used to determine the banknote as an unfit note. An output unit 35 outputs the unfit note factor and the number of times of reason.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for a self-service kiosk (“SSK”) validator bridge are provided. The SSK may include a bridge linking a dispenser and a validator. The bridge may be configured to transfer a tangible item from the validator to the dispenser. The validator may examine the tangible item prior to a dispensing of the tangible item to a SSK customer. The tangible item may be retracted by the dispenser. The bridge may transfer the tangible item from the dispenser to the validator. The SSK may include an acceptor. The bridge may link the acceptor to the validator. The bridge may be configured to transfer a deposit from the acceptor to the validator. The validator may examine the deposit.

Abstract: A distributed system for tracking bank notes as they pass through an automated currency processing system is disclosed. The bank note processing system includes a conveyance device for transporting a bank note along a transport path and a detector module comprising a detector. The detector detects raw detector information from the bank note. The detector controller is communicatively coupled to the detector module and the raw detector information is communicated to the detector controller. A host controller is communicatively coupled to the detector controller. The detector controller processes the raw detector information to determine processed detector information. The detector controller then communicates the processed detector information to the host controller.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for sorting coins, the diameter and thickness of which are within predefined size ranges.

Abstract: A method for exchanging coins, the method including the acts of receiving in a self-service coin exchange machine a plurality of coins, processing the plurality of coins to determine a total value of the plurality of coins, and dispensing currency to the patron from a currency dispenser, the currency having a value related to the total value.

Abstract: A control assembly for controlling rotation of a turnstile, includes a torque-restoring mechanism (13) with springs (20), a motion converting transmission with a multiplying gearing (56, 57) converting a rotation of the turnstile over 120° into a rotation of the rotary shaft entering the hydraulic damper (26) over 180°. The hydraulic damper (26) has two pistons mounted onto a single piston rod. A cam or crank mechanism converts rotation of the rotary shaft into reciprocating motion of the two pistons. The first piston damps the rotary movement of the turnstile when moving in one direction while the other piston damps this movement when the pistons move in the other direction, therefore damping the turnstile in both directions. A motion converting transmission in combination with a double-piston mechanism avoids any loss of hydraulic fluid, while achieving a gradually increasing damping force to effectively stop the rotation of the turnstile.

Abstract: Systems and associated methods for coin discrimination are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for discriminating coins includes obtaining an electromagnetic sensor signal of a coin, generating a contour signal by digitizing the sensor signal, identifying an active interval in the contour signal by eliminating the segments of the contour signal which are close to zero, and detecting the coin approach, pivot and departure points (coin features) from the contour signal in the active interval. The coin features can be compared to known values for different coins to discriminate the coin.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for a self-service kiosk (“SSK”) validator bridge are provided. The SSK may include a bridge linking a dispenser and a validator. The bridge may be configured to transfer a tangible item from the validator to the dispenser. The validator may examine the tangible item prior to a dispensing of the tangible item to a SSK customer. The tangible item may be retracted by the dispenser. The bridge may transfer the tangible item from the dispenser to the validator. The SSK may include an acceptor. The bridge may link the acceptor to the validator. The bridge may be configured to transfer a deposit from the acceptor to the validator. The validator may examine the deposit.

Abstract: A coin acceptor includes a coin acceptor main unit including a first holder shell and second holder shell pivotally coupled together, and a face panel including a panel body fastened to the front side of the first holder shell and a limiter mechanism mounted at the back side of the panel body and adjustable between a constraint position and a release position to control the biasing angle of the second holder shell relative to the first holder shell, preventing an evil person from inserting a screwdriver, pry or any other tool through a coin insertion slot or coin-return slot of the face panel into the inside of the coin acceptor main unit to damage the internal structure.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to modeling the structure of an item of currency and to predicting the behavior of a currency sensing system as related to the structure of a tested item of currency. For a specified set of parameters of an item of currency, the response of the currency sensing system can be predicted. A particular construction of an item of currency can be determined based on theoretical responses from the item of currency being tested with a theoretical currency sensing system.

Abstract: A sensing system is described herein. The sensing system includes a sampling module configured to define a sampling interval. The sensing system also includes a plurality of sensors to sample an inserted item based at least on the sampling interval. The sensing system includes a tracking module configured to obtain start sensor data from the sensors, determine if start sensor data is absent, increment an absence count based at least on the determination, compare the absence count with a threshold absence count, and reject the inserted item based at least on the comparison.

Abstract: An apparatus for receiving and sorting disks includes a wheel having at least one well for receiving a disk, a motor coupled to the wheel, a collecting device positioned relative to the wheel, a disk sensor, an ejector, and a controller. The collecting device has at least a first collector and a second collector configured for receiving disks. The disk sensor is configured to detect a value of a parameter of a disk received in the well and generate a parameter value signal. The ejector is coupled to the wheel proximate the well and configured to eject a disk from the well in a plane parallel to a bottom surface of the wheel in response to an eject signal. The controller is operably coupled with the disk sensor and the ejector.

Abstract: A currency note processing device has a deposit opening. A currency note recognition section recognizes unique information of a deposited currency. A currency note storage section accumulates the deposited currency notes. A transportation control section controls the transportation of the deposited currency note such that the currency note is transported directly to the currency note storage section, and when a return instruction for the deposited currency note is detected, controls the transportation of the deposited currency note from the currency note storage section to the currency note recognition section. A comparison section compares the unique information recognized at the time of the first transportation, from the deposit opening to the currency note recognition section, is compared to unique information recognized at the time of the second transportation, from the currency note storage section to the currency note recognition section.

Abstract: Bills are fed from a customer serving section to a discriminator according to continuous feeding, and the discriminator reads identification information of the bills to store the identification information in an identification information storage. When the discriminator discriminates a bill, it determines whether or not the same identification information as the identification information of the bill is stored in the identification information storage. If the same identification information is stored, the customer serving section feeds the bills to the discriminator according to intermittent feeding. This prevents any bill from being undiscriminated.

Abstract: A media handler for detecting counterfeit media is described. The media handler comprises: a plurality of discrete sensors distributed along a transport path operable to transport a media item, and a controller operable to receive signals from the plurality of discrete sensors. The controller is also operable to make a decision on validity of the transported media item based on the received signals.

Abstract: A method and system for prevention of dust accumulation on a coin sensor assembly (67) in a coin handling machine (60), includes a lower optical element (83, 90) positioned below a coin track (63) and then either, or both of, 1) blowing off dust that tends to accumulate on the cover (83) for the lower optical element (90) and 2) coating the cover (83) for the lower optical element (90) with a transparent conductive coating (83a) that is electrically grounded to prevent accumulation of dust due to static electrical attraction. A fan unit (82) is positioned adjacent the cover (83) for blowing dust off the cover (83) during operation of the coin handling machine (60). The method and system is preferably a optical reflector system with an upper optical element in the form of a reflector (86, 87) and a transparent conductive coating of material (87a) is also provided on the reflector (86, 87).

Abstract: An apparatus for receiving and sorting disks includes a wheel having at least one well for receiving a disk, a motor coupled to the wheel, a collecting device positioned relative to the wheel, a disk sensor, an ejector, and a controller. The collecting device has at least a first collector and a second collector configured for receiving disks. The disk sensor is configured to detect a value of a parameter of a disk received in the well and generate a parameter value signal. The ejector is coupled to the wheel proximate the well and configured to eject a disk from the well in a plane parallel to a bottom surface of the wheel in response to an eject signal. The controller is operably coupled with the disk sensor and the ejector.

Abstract: Systems and associated methods for coin discrimination are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method for discriminating coins includes obtaining an electromagnetic sensor signal of a coin, generating a contour signal by digitizing the sensor signal, identifying an active interval in the contour signal by eliminating the segments of the contour signal which are close to zero, and detecting the coin approach, pivot and departure points (coin features) from the contour signal in the active interval. The coin features can be compared to known values for different coins to discriminate the coin.

Abstract: A first identification number obtained by performing character recognition of each of a plurality of digits of an identification number and allocating predetermined characters to digits where characters cannot be determined and a second identification number representing an identification number that is the target of character recognition processing or search processing are compared with each other by calculating a matching ratio between the two numbers. When the matching ratio is lower than a predetermined reference value, a shifted identification number obtained by shifting each character forming the first identification number one digit in a predetermined direction and the second identification number are compared with each other by calculating a matching ratio between the two numbers. If this matching ratio is equal to or higher than the predetermined reference value, subsequent processing is continued, so that the shifted identification number is treated as the first identification number.

Abstract: An imaging unit images a subject having an unevenness pattern on a surface. The imaging unit includes: a surface light source that emits with a constant output illumination light illuminating the surface of the subject; an imager that receives reflected light reflected by the surface of the subject; and a beam splitter that is arranged at a location at which the illumination light emitted from the surface light source and the reflected light incident on the imager intersect with each other. The illumination light emitted from the surface light source is incident on the surface of the subject via the beam splitter. The reflected light reflected by the surface of the subject is incident on the imager via the beam splitter. The illumination light incident on the surface of the subject includes parallel light that is perpendicularly incident on the surface of the subject, and diffused light.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically positioning a coin sensor are disclosed herein. An auto-positioning coin sensor configured in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure includes a coin sensor for determining a physical characteristic of an object and a moving device operably coupled to the coin sensor. The moving device can be configured to adjust the position of the coin sensor to determine the physical characteristic. Auto-positioning coin sensors in accordance with the present technology can include coin sensors that can be positioned based on a measurement of a dimension of an object.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for checking documents of value which have a security element with several magnetic areas, including at least one high-coercive magnetic area, at least one low-coercive magnetic area and at least one combined magnetic area which contains both the high-coercive and the low-coercive magnetic material. After the magnetization of all magnetic areas in a first direction, first magnetic signals of the security element are detected with a first magnetic detector. After a subsequent second magnetizing, which is effected antiparallel to the first magnetizing and magnetically reverses only the low-coercive magnetic material, second magnetic signals of the security element are detected. For identifying the magnetic areas, the second magnetic signals or a signal derived therefrom are compared with two thresholds.

Abstract: A cash and check automatic depositing apparatus is capable of automatically depositing a bundle of cashes and checks inserted at once. The apparatus includes a bundle insertion opening for allowing a user to deposit or receive therethrough a bundle of cashes and checks, and a bundle separator for separating the banknotes inserted through the bundle insertion opening one by one. The separated banknotes are automatically transferred one by one and verified to check authenticity or abnormality thereof. Further, the banknotes are transferred onto an authentic check transfer path and an authentic cash transfer path to be separately stored in storage cassettes.

Abstract: A system for handling coins employs a front end coin acceptor and validator that feeds a sorter mechanism. The sorter mechanism utilizes a substantially horizontal track module to load coins by denomination into an arrangement of bins. The coins are ejected by means of a solenoid onto the track module that provides a path according to the denomination of the coin into the proper bin.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to modeling the structure of an item of currency and to predicting the behavior of a currency sensing system as related to the structure of a tested item of currency. For a specified set of parameters of an item of currency, the response of the currency sensing system can be predicted. A particular construction of an item of currency can be determined based on theoretical responses from the item of currency being tested with a theoretical currency sensing system.

Abstract: A separate removable and replaceable coin validation unit for use in a coin-operated device has a housing and clip formations by means of which the housing is releasably held in a cavity in the coin-operated device. The coin validation unit is electrically operable and has electrical connectors which connect with complementary connectors in the cavity. The coin operated device is particularly a single bay parking meter.

Abstract: A bill acceptor 24.2 for a gaming machine includes a receiving zone for receiving a tendered bill. A sensing device 48 is arranged at an input region of the receiving zone for sensing at least one characteristic of the bill A controller 52 is in communication with the sensing device 48 for receiving an output signal from the sensing device 48. An annunciator 58 is controlled by the controller 52 to be activated when a bill acceptance rate of the controller 52 drops below a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A reference data set used for classifying items of currency is established by obtaining at least one measured response from at least one known item of currency, projecting the measured response data from the known item of currency from a first space to a second space, and applying a reduction technique to the second space thereby reducing the complexity of the second space. The reference data set, which can be used for classifying items of currency, is thus represented by a subset of all measured responses obtained from the known item of currency.

Abstract: A first plurality of documents is received, transported, and imaged to produce image data. Identifying information is extracted from the image data for each of the first plurality of documents. The document processing device determines whether each of the first plurality of documents satisfies a flag criterion. In response to one of the first plurality of documents satisfying the flag criterion, a visually readable image of at least a portion of the flagged document is displayed using the image data associated with a flagged document and a find document element is displayed. An activation of the find document element is received and the flagged document is designated as a find document by storing the extracted identifying information associated with the find document in a find document queue.

Abstract: A valuable document receiving and alignment method includes the steps of (a) a user inserts a valuable document obliquely into a transversely tilted tunnel, (b) a validation unit of the valuable document receiver senses the inserted valuable document and controls a delivery mechanism to hold down the valuable document, (c) a sheet-deliver wheel module of the delivery mechanism delivers the valuable document forwardly to a predetermined distance and the user releases the hand from the valuable document, (d) the sheet-deliver wheel module releases the valuable document for enabling it to fall downwardly to the lower side wall of the transversely tilted tunnel and to let one side edge of the valuable document be abutted against the lower side wall, and (e) the sheet-deliver wheel module delivers the valuable document to a validation position for enabling the validation unit to identify the authenticity and value of the valuable document.

Abstract: A coin processing apparatus according to the present invention includes: a coin conveying section that conveys coins on a coin passage; an identifying section that identifies coins on the coin passage; at least one discharging section that discharges normal coins that are identified as normal by the identifying section from the coin passage; at least first and second removing sections that remove abnormal coins that are identified as abnormal by the identifying section from the coin passage; and a control section that distributes abnormal coins to either one of the first and second removing sections in order to remove the abnormal coins, in accordance with identification factors of the abnormal coins.

Abstract: A compact inexpensive coin separating and transferring apparatus can separate coins and reliably delivering each one to a rotating transferring body. Coins or tokens are contacted by a holding surface on a pusher unit formed so as to project from an upper surface of a rotary disk to permit the coins to be sorted one by one and stored. The coins are each pushed by the pusher unit along a circumferential-direction of a fixed guiding ledge positioned above the rotary disk. The coin reaches a stationary state at a predetermined delivery position on a delivery support ledge. A holding ledge has a predetermined diameter formed at an outer perimeter edge of the pusher. The coin is removed by a rotary transferring body from the delivery position, and physical properties can be detected by a sensor while moved along a sensor-part guide.

Abstract: Bills are fed from a customer serving section to a discriminator according to continuous feeding, and the discriminator reads identification information of the bills to store the identification information in an identification information storage. When the discriminator discriminates a bill, it determines whether or not the same identification information as the identification information of the bill is stored in the identification information storage. If the same identification information is stored, the customer serving section feeds the bills to the discriminator according to intermittent feeding. This prevents any bill from being undiscriminated.

Abstract: A bill validating apparatus includes a housing having an elongated opening therein. At one end of the elongated opening there is an article receiving slot. A first sensor is on one long side of the elongated slot and a second sensor is on the other long side. The bill validating system includes a transport mechanism for moving the article of tender past the sensors. The bill validating apparatus also includes an orientation determination device communicatively coupled to the first sensor and the second sensor. In response to a determined orientation of the bill validating apparatus, the orientation determination device enables one of the first sensor or the second sensor.

Abstract: A system and method for determining whether a coin or other valuable object is authentic is presented. In one configuration a method for validating a valuable object includes attaching a validation device to the valuable object. The validation device is loaded with validation information associated with the valuable object. Later, when the when the object is to be sold or transferred to another person the validation device is wirelessly read to extract the validation information associated with the valuable object. This information used to verify if the valuable object is authentic or is not authentic, based, at least in part, the validation information associated with the valuable object.

Abstract: A paper processing apparatus includes a discriminating unit. The discriminating unit can discriminate papers inserted into the papers processing apparatus. Discriminated papers are ejected to storage compartments based on discrimination results. Only papers that are discriminated as counterfeit are ejected to one of the storage compartments.

Abstract: An electronic sensing coin acceptor includes at least one electronic access device having a casing with a space defined therein, and a memory device is located in the space. A control device is electrically coupled to a reader, a signal output unit, a sensor and a control valve. The information, internal codes and credit information are checked by the sensor which is set to be the default electronic access device so that only the tokens or coins that are accepted by the electronic access device can be used.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for determining the denomination of a coin with a disk-type coin processing system comprises moving a coin along a coin path with a rotatable disk, generating an encoder pulse for each incremental movement of the rotatable disk, directing a light beam transverse the coin path, detecting the light beam with a light detector, developing a signal at the light detector indicating the presence of a coin in the coin path, counting a number of encoder pulses occurring while developing the signal at the light detector, and comparing the counted number of encoder pulses to a plurality of stored numbers of encoder pulses corresponding to the particular coin denominations.