Abstract: A first sensing means, which may form part of a banknote authenticator, is used to determine the profile of, for example, at least the leading edge of a banknote. Actuators located elsewhere in the banknote handling machine are operated in accordance with the outputs of other sensors, after taking the measured profile into consideration, so as to correct for errors due to the banknote being damaged in the area sensed by the other position detectors.

Abstract: The optical characteristics of a banknote are measured by using first and second sets of optical devices positioned on respective sides of the banknote path. Each device includes a transmitter and an adjacent pair of receivers, the receivers being capable of receiving light from the adjacent transmitter which has been diffusively reflected by the banknote, and each receiver also receiving light from the transmitter of the opposed device. Calibration is carried out by moving a reference body of predetermined reflectance and transmittance characteristics into the banknote path between the devices.

Abstract: A multi-wavelength light source for use in a banknote validator comprises a housing containing a plurality of LEDs and a window for releasing light emitted by the LEDs. Visible wavelengths have a direct path to a diffuser located in the window. Infra-red wavelengths have to be diffusively reflected by the interior of the housing before they reach the diffuser, and thereby suffer greater attenuation that the visible wavelengths. The diffuser acts as a substantially point-like light source.

Abstract: A transaction system comprises multiple currency acceptors which can detect potential performance problems and send signals to a server. The server collects performance data and analyses it to determine the likelihood that common problems are caused by an external influence. The server can also analyze data from the acceptors to provide re-configuration data, for example modified measurement criteria used to classify currency articles.

Abstract: Banknotes are classified by determining their spectral characteristics in respective areas using diffusely-reflected light from the banknote and/or light transmitted through the banknote. In addition, the surface condition of the banknote is detected by using specularly-reflected light. Preferably, the same transmitter is used to generate the light which is diffusely-reflected and specularly-reflected.

Abstract: A banknote validator can recognise ink stains having predetermined characteristics and is operable to perform measurements on a received banknote in order to classify the banknote into at least the following categories: (a) genuine non-stained bills of said denomination; (b) bills which been stained; and (c) other bills, including non-genuine banknotes. Preferably, stained banknotes are sent to at least one dedicated store. The validator can classify banknotes into many denominations, but can only authenticate banknotes belonging to a sub-set of those denominations.

Abstract: A transaction system comprises multiple currency acceptors which can detect potential performance problems and send signals to a server. The server collects performance data and analyses it to determine the likelihood that common problems are caused by an external influence. The server can also analyse data from the acceptors to provide re-configuration data, for example modified measurement criteria used to classify currency articles.

Abstract: The optical characteristics of a banknote are measured by using first and second sets of optical devices positioned on respective sides of the banknote path. Each device includes a transmitter and an adjacent pair of receivers, the receivers being capable of receiving light from the adjacent transmitter which has been diffusively reflected by the banknote, and each receiver also receiving light from the transmitter of the opposed device. Calibration is carried out by moving a reference body of predetermined reflectance and transmittance characteristics into the banknote path between the devices.

Abstract: A multi-wavelength light source for use in a banknote validator comprises a housing containing a plurality of LEDs and a window for releasing light emitted by the LEDs. Visible wavelengths have a direct path to a diffuser located in the window. Infra-red wavelengths have to be diffusively reflected by the interior of the housing before they reach the diffuser, and thereby suffer greater attenuation that the visible wavelengths. The diffuser acts as a substantially point-like light source.

Abstract: A module (28) for sensing the edges of a banknote as it passes through the module. The module consists of an array of LEDs (32) optically coupled to a light diffusing element (36) past which the banknote moves. A CCD array (40) has photoelectric conversion elements coupled to the path in which the banknote moves by a self-focusing fiber-optic lens array (38). The CCD array consists of four segments (42,44,46,48) having individual shift registers which are read out in parallel, and converted to digital signals by a number of comparators (56). The comparators compare the CCD pixel output with individual threshold levels which are stored in a digital memory (54). The pixel threshold levels are converted to an analog signal for comparison with the CCD output signals by digital to analog converters (54). The digital data streams produced are divided into series of data which are analyzed to determine the presence of an optical transition in the corresponding pixel series of the CCD arrays.

Abstract: A module (28) for sensing the edges of a banknote as it passes through the module. The module consists of an array of LEDs (32) optically coupled to a light diffusing element (36) past which the banknote moves. A CCD array (40) has photoelectric conversion elements coupled to the path in which the banknote moves by a self-focusing fibre-optic lens array (38). The CCD array consists of four segments (42,44,46,48) having individual shift registers which are read out in parallel, and converted to digital signals by a number of comparators (56). The comparators compare the CCD pixel output with individual threshold levels which are stored in a digital memory (54). The pixel threshold levels are converted to an analog signal for comparison with the CCD output signals by digital to analog converters (54). The digital data streams produced are divided into series of data which are analysed to determine the presence of an optical transition in the corresponding pixel series of the CCD arrays.

Abstract: An optical head (4) for sensing banknotes using six different groups of light sources, namely LEDs generating light at six different wavelengths both in the visible range of the spectrum and in the infra-red range of the spectrum. Unitary light guides (16,18) define the path between linear arrays (8,10) of the LEDs and the surface of a banknote (2). Diffusely reflected light is separately collected by a pin diode detector array (12). Both the LEDs and the detectors are commonly mounted on a single printed circuit board (14). The light sources (8,10) are arranged to shine directly into the light-receiving end of each light guide, which are unitary and allow the light to mix and spread within in order to provide a homogeneous illumination. The detectors (12) are optically isolated and detect discrete areas on the banknote transport path.

Abstract: For the classification of a pattern in particular on a banknote or a coin, a receiving system detects, by a measurement procedure, vectors of a test item, a pre-processing system transforms the measured vectors into local feature vectors ALCi(l) and a learning classification system carries out a plurality of testing operations. A first activity compares in a first testing operation each of the local feature vectors ALCi(l) to a vectorial reference value. It is only if the first testing operation takes place successfully that the first activity, by means of first estimates which are stored in a data base, links the local feature vectors ALC(l) to provide global line feature vectors AGIi. In a second testing operation a third activity compares the global line feature vectors AGIi to corresponding reference values and, if the second testing operation is successful, computes a single global surface vector AGF of which a fourth activity.

Abstract: For the classification of a pattern in particular on a banknote or a coin, a receiving system detects, by a measurement procedure, vectors of a test item, a pre-processing system transforms the measured vectors into local feature vectors ALCi(l) and a learning classification system carries out a plurality of testing operations. A first activity compares in a first testing operation each of the local feature vectors ALCi(l) to a vectorial reference value. It is only if the first testing operation takes place successfully that the first activity, by means of first estimates which are stored in a data base, links the local feature vectors ALC(l) to provided global line feature vectors AGIi.