Abstract: A document handling apparatus is disclosed which is particularly well adapted for counting documents of value, such as banknotes. The document handling apparatus comprises an input module for receiving a stack of documents and feeding them one by one into the apparatus, a detector box which houses a series of detectors for detecting characteristics of the documents, a transport system for conveying documents within the apparatus, a doubles detector for sensing the passage of each document therethrough and a stacker module for stacking the output documents and presenting them to the user. The apparatus is based on a metal framework in a plastics housing.

Abstract: A method of transferring ownership of item(s) includes securely identifying the item(s) by attaching a security tag to the item(s). The security tag has a monitoring system for monitoring a tag status, the tag status indicating whether the security tag and/or the item(s) have been tampered with. The method includes detecting remotely a condition of the monitoring system and causing a remote host to register a change in ownership of the item(s) when the monitoring system does not indicate a tampered condition.

Abstract: A sheet detecting assembly for use in detecting sheets passing along a transport path. The assembly comprises a linear array (15-17) of radiation emitters extending transverse to the transport path. At least one first radiation emitter (29A) at an end of the array is physically oriented so as to generate a radiation beam centred a line which crosses the transport path at a non-orthogonal angle, and at least one second emitter (29A) is physically oriented so as to generate a radiation beam centred on a respective line substantially orthogonal to the transport path; and a detector system for detecting the radiation after it has impinged on a sheet.

Abstract: A security tag for securely identifying items comprises a housing (1); a securing mechanism (6) for securing the housing to the item; a monitoring system (20, 24) for monitoring a tag status, the tag status indicating at least whether the housing (1) and the securing mechanism (6) have been tampered with; a store (22) for storing item data identifying the item; and a communication system (21) for communicating tag status and item data to a remote host.

Abstract: Document inspection apparatus comprises a document transport system (1) for transporting documents through a detector station (6). A linear array of separately activatable light sources (14, 15) at the detector (12) receives light transmitted through or reflected by any of the illuminated portions of the document and generates a corresponding output signal. A control system (9) sequentially activates the light sources and monitors the output signals from the detector.

Abstract: A stabilizing arrangement for use with a table, includes a support structure which is mountable to a table top. Four feet are mounted on the support structure so that a line drawn between a first pair of the feet intersects a line drawn between a second pair of the feet. The feet of each pair are fixed relative to each other and the pairs are linearly displaceable relative to each other. A displacement mechanism is arranged on the support structure to permit linear displacement of the pairs of feet relative to each other. The displacement mechanism is operable when the feet are placed on an uneven support surface so that all four feet can be against the support surface, in use.