Patents by Inventor Douglas U. Mennie

Douglas U. Mennie has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20030059098
    Abstract: A system for tracking currency bills comprises a currency scanning device. The scanning device includes a sensor that retrieves currency identification characteristic information of each bill processed. The currency identification characteristic information permits the unique identification of each bill processed. The system further comprises a customer identification means and means for associating each processed bill with the customer depositing the bill. Means for identifying the customer (or customer account) associated with a particular processed bill after the deposit transaction has been completed is also included in the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: John E. Jones, William J. Jones, Douglas U. Mennie, Paul A. Jones
  • Publication number: 20030015396
    Abstract: A currency evaluation device for receiving a stack of currency bills and rapidly evaluating all the bills in the stack. The device includes an input receptacle for receiving a stack of bills to be evaluated and a single output receptacle for receiving the bills after they have been evaluated. A transport mechanism transports the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path. The device further includes a discriminating unit that evaluates the bills. The discriminating unit comprises two detectors positioned along the transport path between the input receptacle and the output receptacle. The detectors are disposed on opposite sides of the transport path so that they are disposed adjacent to opposite sides of the bills. The discriminating unit counts and determines the denomination of the bills. The evaluation device also includes means for flagging a bill when the denomination of the bill is not determined by the discriminating unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Inventor: Douglas U. Mennie
  • Publication number: 20030013403
    Abstract: A coin stacking device is used to refill a coin cassette of a coin dispenser. The coin stacking device includes a cylindrical structure having an inner diameter approximately the same as a diameter of the coins. The cylindrical structure has one open end and one closed end The coins enter the open end and form a coin stack within the cylindrical structure To refill a coin cassette, the open end of the filled coin stacking device is aligned with a coin receptacle in the coin cassette that is in need of coins The coin stack is then transferred from the coin stacking device to the coin receptacle of the coin cassette The coin stacking device can easily filled by an automated coin processing machine, such as a coin sorting machine or a coin counting machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventors: John R. Blake, Timothy L. Esterbrook, Douglas U. Mennie, Frank J. Janezic, Don T. Lambert, John S. Lykowski
  • Publication number: 20020186876
    Abstract: A document processing system comprises an input receptacle for receiving documents A transport mechanism receives the documents from the input receptacle and transports the documents past a full image scanner and a discrimination unit. An output receptacle receives the documents from the transport mechanism after being transported past the full image scanner and the discrimination unit. The full image scanner includes means for obtaining a full video image of said documents, means for obtaining a image of a selected area of said documents, and means for obtaining information contained in said selected area of said document. The discrimination unit includes means for determining the authenticity of said document. A system controller directs the flows of documents over the transport mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventors: John E. Jones, Paul A. Jones, William J. Jones, Douglas U. Mennie
  • Patent number: 6493461
    Abstract: A document handling system is adapted to accommodate a plurality of different currency types. The system includes a sensor for counting the number of bills in a stack of bills. An operator interface panel includes a display for displaying information to an operator. An input device specifies the type of currency and the denomination of currency to be processed. The system may further include an authenticating unit for authenticating each of the bills based on one or more attributes detected from each bill. Based on the designated currency type and denomination, the system appropriately adjusts the display and/or selects which attributes are used to authenticate bills.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventors: Douglas U. Mennie, John F. Weggesser, Matthew S. Vogel, Gary P. Watts, Richard A. Mazur
  • Publication number: 20020154804
    Abstract: A document processing system comprises an input receptacle for receiving documents. A transport mechanism receives the documents from the input receptacle and transports the documents past a full image scanner and a discrimination unit. An output receptacle receives the documents from the transport mechanism after being transported past the full image scanner and the discrimination unit. The full image scanner includes means for obtaining a full video image of said documents, means for obtaining a image of a selected area of said documents, and means for obtaining information contained in said selected area of said document. The discrimination unit includes means for determining the authenticity of said document. A system controller directs the flows of documents over the transport mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventors: John E. Jones, Paul A. Jones, William J. Jones, Douglas U. Mennie
  • Publication number: 20020154807
    Abstract: A document processing system comprises an input receptacle for receiving documents. A transport mechanism receives the documents from the input receptacle and transports the documents past a full image scanner and a discrimination unit. An output receptacle receives the documents from the transport mechanism after being transported past the full image scanner and the discrimination unit. The full image scanner includes means for obtaining a full video image of said documents, means for obtaining a image of a selected area of said documents, and means for obtaining information contained in said selected area of said document. The discrimination unit includes means for determining the authenticity of said document. A system controller directs the flows of documents over the transport mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventors: John E. Jones, Paul A. Jones, William J. Jones, Douglas U. Mennie
  • Publication number: 20020154808
    Abstract: A document processing system comprises an input receptacle for receiving documents. A transport mechanism receives the documents from the input receptacle and transports the documents past a full image scanner and a discrimination unit. An output receptacle receives the documents from the transport mechanism after being transported past the full image scanner and the discrimination unit. The full image scanner includes means for obtaining a full video image of said documents, means for obtaining a image of a selected area of said documents, and means for obtaining information contained in said selected area of said document. The discrimination unit includes means for determining the authenticity of said document. A system controller directs the flows of documents over the transport mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventors: John E. Jones, Paul A. Jones, William J. Jones, Douglas U. Mennie
  • Publication number: 20020154806
    Abstract: A document processing system comprises an input receptacle for receiving documents. A transport mechanism receives the documents from the input receptacle and transports the documents past a full image scanner and a discrimination unit. An output receptacle receives the documents from the transport mechanism after being transported past the full image scanner and the discrimination unit. The full image scanner includes means for obtaining a full video image of said documents, means for obtaining a image of a selected area of said documents, and means for obtaining information contained in said selected area of said document. The discrimination unit includes means for determining the authenticity of said document. A system controller directs the flows of documents over the transport mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventors: John E. Jones, Paul A. Jones, William J. Jones, Douglas U. Mennie
  • Publication number: 20020154805
    Abstract: A document processing system comprises an input receptacle for receiving documents. A transport mechanism receives the documents from the input receptacle and transports the documents past a full image scanner and a discrimination unit. An output receptacle receives the documents from the transport mechanism after being transported past the full image scanner and the discrimination unit. The full image scanner includes means for obtaining a full video image of said documents, means for obtaining a image of a selected area of said documents, and means for obtaining information contained in said selected area of said document. The discrimination unit includes means for determining the authenticity of said document. A system controller directs the flows of documents over the transport mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventors: John E. Jones, Paul A. Jones, William J. Jones, Douglas U. Mennie
  • Publication number: 20020136442
    Abstract: A document processing system comprises an input receptacle for receiving documents. A transport mechanism receives the documents from the input receptacle and transports the documents past a full image scanner and a discrimination unit. An output receptacle receives the documents from the transport mechanism after being transported past the full image scanner and the discrimination unit The full image scanner includes means for obtaining a full video image of said documents, means for obtaining a image of a selected area of said documents, and means for obtaining information contained in said selected area of said document The discrimination unit includes means for determining the authenticity of said document. A system controller directs the flows of documents over the transport mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventors: John E. Jones, Paul A. Jones, William J. Jones, Douglas U. Mennie
  • Publication number: 20020131630
    Abstract: A document processing system comprises an input receptacle for receiving documents. A transport mechanism receives the documents from the input receptacle and transports the documents past a full image scanner and a discrimination unit. An output receptacle receives the documents from the transport mechanism after being transported past the full image scanner and the discrimination unit. The full image scanner includes means for obtaining a full video image of said documents, means for obtaining a image of a selected area of said documents, and means for obtaining information contained in said selected area of said document. The discrimination unit includes means for determining the authenticity of said document. A system controller directs the flows of documents over the transport mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventors: John E. Jones, Paul A. Jones, William J. Jones, Douglas U. Mennie
  • Publication number: 20020126886
    Abstract: An apparatus for currency discrimination comprises first and second stationary scanheads, disposed on opposite sides of a bill transport path, for scanning respective first and second opposing surfaces of a bill traveling along the bill transport path and for producing respective output signals. The bill travels along the transport path in the direction of a predetermined dimension of the bill. A memory stores master characteristic patterns corresponding to associated predetermined surfaces of a plurality of denominations of genuine bills. Sampling circuitry samples the output signals associated with the respective first and second opposing surfaces of the scanned bill. A signal processor is programmed to determine which one of the first and second opposing surfaces corresponds to the associated predetermined surfaces of the plurality of denominations of genuine bills.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventors: William J. Jones, Douglas U. Mennie, Mark C. Munro
  • Publication number: 20020126885
    Abstract: A document processing system comprises an input receptacle for receiving documents. A transport mechanism receives the documents from the input receptacle and transports the documents past a fill image scanner and a discrimination unit. An output receptacle receives the documents from the transport mechanism after being transported past the full image scanner and the discrimination unit. The full image scanner includes means for obtaining a full video image of said documents, means for obtaining a image of a selected area of said documents, and means for obtaining information contained in said selected area of said document. The discrimination unit includes means for determining the authenticity of said document. A system controller directs the flows of documents over the transport mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventors: Douglas U. Mennie, William J. Jones, Mark C. Munro
  • Publication number: 20020122580
    Abstract: A document processing system comprises an input receptacle for receiving documents. A transport mechanism receives the documents from the input receptacle and transports the documents past a full image scanner and a discrimination unit. An output receptacle receives the documents from the transport mechanism after being transported past the full image scanner and the discrimination unit. The full image scanner includes means for obtaining a full video image of said documents, means for obtaining a image of a selected area of said documents, and means for obtaining information contained in said selected area of said document. The discrimination unit includes means for determining the authenticity of said document. A system controller directs the flows of documents over the transport mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Inventors: John E. Jones, Paul A. Jones, William J. Jones, Douglas U. Mennie
  • Publication number: 20020118871
    Abstract: A document processing system comprises an input receptacle for receiving documents. A transport mechanism receives the documents from the input receptacle and transports the documents past a full image scanner and a discrimination unit. An output receptacle receives the documents from the transport mechanism after being transported past the fill image scanner and the discrimination unit. The full image scanner includes means for obtaining a full video image of said documents, means for obtaining a image of a selected area of said documents, and means for obtaining information contained in said selected area of said document. The discrimination unit includes means for determining the authenticity of said document. A system controller directs the flows of documents over the transport mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventors: John E. Jones, Paul A. Jones, William J. Jones, Douglas U. Mennie
  • Publication number: 20020107801
    Abstract: A document processing system comprises an input receptacle for receiving documents. A transport mechanism receives the documents from the input receptacle and transports the documents past a full image scanner and a discrimination unit. An output receptacle receives the documents from the transport mechanism after being transported past the full image scanner and the discrimination unit. The full image scanner includes means for obtaining a full video image of said documents, means for obtaining a image of a selected area of said documents, and means for obtaining information contained in said selected area of said document. The discrimination unit includes means for determining the authenticity of said document. A system controller directs the flows of documents over the transport mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Inventors: John E. Jones, Paul A. Jones, William J. Jones, Douglas U. Mennie
  • Publication number: 20020103757
    Abstract: A document processing system comprises an input receptacle for receiving documents. A transport mechanism receives the documents from the input receptacle and transports the documents past a full image scanner and a discrimination unit. An output receptacle receives the documents from the transport mechanism after being transported past the full image scanner and the discrimination unit. The full image scanner includes means for obtaining a full video image of said documents, means for obtaining a image of a selected area of said documents, and means for obtaining information contained in said selected area of said document. The discrimination unit includes means for determining the authenticity of said document. A system controller directs the flows of documents over the transport mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Publication date: August 1, 2002
    Inventors: John E. Jones, Paul A. Jones, William J. Jones, Douglas U. Mennie
  • Publication number: 20020085745
    Abstract: A document processing system comprises an input receptacle for receiving documents. A transport mechanism receives the documents from the input receptacle and transports the documents past a full image scanner and a discrimination unit. An output receptacle receives the documents from the transport mechanism after being transported past the full image scanner and the discrimination unit. The full image scanner includes means for obtaining a full video image of said documents, means for obtaining a image of a selected area of said documents, and means for obtaining information contained in said selected area of said document. The discrimination unit includes means for determining the authenticity of said document. A system controller directs the flows of documents over the transport mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: John E. Jones, Paul A. Jones, William J. Jones, Douglas U. Mennie
  • Publication number: 20020085245
    Abstract: A document feeding apparatus for use with a document processing device. The document feeding apparatus comprises an input receptacle adapted to receive a stack of documents and at least one feeding wheel adapted to strip documents, one at a time, from the stack of documents. The feeding wheel includes a moveable insert having a high friction surface adapted to engage and to advance each of the documents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: Douglas U. Mennie, Heinz W. Schreiter, Mathew L. Anderson