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: 20090087076
    Abstract: A method of processing documents includes receiving a stack of documents including currency bills and substitute currency media. Each substitute currency medium has at least one barcode. The method further includes transporting the stack of documents via a transport mechanism, one document at a time, along a transport path and denominating with a currency detector each of the currency bills in the stack of documents. The currency detector is positioned adjacent to the transport path. The method further includes scanning with a barcode scanner a barcode on each substitute currency medium in the stack of documents. The barcode scanner is positioned adjacent to the transport path. The method further includes imaging with an image scanner each substitute currency medium in the stack of documents to generate a raw image file of the substitute currency medium. The image scanner is positioned adjacent to the transport path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventors: Charles P. Jenrick, Robert J. Klein, Curtis W. Hallowell, Douglas U. Mennie
  • Patent number: 7505831
    Abstract: A document processing device having an evaluation region disposed along a transport path between an input and output receptacle capable of processing both currency bills and identification cards. An evaluation unit enables entry of source identification information before or after processing currency bills. Memory is adapted to store source identification information for multiple batches of currency. Multiple batches are placed in the processing device for multiple batch processing. The evaluation region includes detectors for detecting predetermined characteristics of currency bills and distinguishing identification cards from currency. During processing, the identification card, or other separator card, is sent to a predetermined output receptacle designated as a reject receptacle. Currency that is rejected is sent to the reject receptacle. Rejected currency is separated into batches by the identification cards sent to the reject receptacle during processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventors: William J. Jones, Douglas U. Mennie, Charles P. Jenrick, Robert J. Klein, Curtis W. Hallowell
  • Publication number: 20080220707
    Abstract: An image processing network for processing image files and coupled to an outside data communication network comprising a plurality of remote image capture units, the units scanning documents and creating a plurality of image files of said documents; the image processing means is coupled to said plurality of remote image capture units for processing the image files; the accounting means is coupled to the image processing means for immediately updating accounts associated with said image processing means; and the plurality of remote capture units are coupled to the outside network, the outside data communication network is connected to outside financial institutions, the image processing means transmits said image files to the outside financial institutions via the data communication network and receives image files from the outside financial institutions over the network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventors: John E. Jones, Paul A. Jones, Ronald M. Gafron, William J. Jones, Douglas U. Mennie
  • Publication number: 20080219543
    Abstract: A document processing system comprising one or more document scanning devices that extract information from document images that uniquely identify a document. The system further comprises a central processor remotely connected to the document scanning devices. The central processor is configured to receive the document images and the extracted information from the document scanning devices and is further configured to execute a correction routine configured to adjust errors in the extracted information from the document image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventors: FRANK M. CSULITS, Matthew Anderson, John R. Blake, Curtis W. Hallowell, Robert J. Klein, Douglas U. Mennie, Gary Watts
  • Publication number: 20080133411
    Abstract: An image processing network for processing image files and coupled to an outside data communication network comprising a plurality of remote image capture units, the units scanning documents and creating a plurality of image files of said documents; the image processing means is coupled to said plurality of remote image capture units for processing the image files; the accounting means is coupled to the image processing means for immediately updating accounts associated with said image processing means; and the plurality of remote capture units are coupled to the outside network, the outside data communication network is connected to outside financial institutions, the image processing means transmits said image files to the outside financial institutions via the data communication network and receives image files from the outside financial institutions over the network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: John E. Jones, Paul A. Jones, Ronald M. Gafron, William J. Jones, Douglas U. Mennie
  • Patent number: 7366338
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Cummins Allison Corp.
    Inventors: John E. Jones, Paul A. Jones, William J. Jones, Douglas U. Mennie
  • Patent number: 7362891
    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 an image scanner and a discrimination unit. An output receptacle receives the documents from the transport mechanism after being transported past the image scanner and the discrimination unit. The image scanner operates to obtain a video image of the transported documents, or the image of a selected area of the documents. The document images are further processed to obtain field information contained in selected areas of the document. The discrimination unit operates to determine the value and authenticity of the document. A system controller directs the flows of documents over the transport mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventors: John E. Jones, Paul A. Jones, William J. Jones, Douglas U. Mennie
  • Patent number: 7349566
    Abstract: An image processing network for processing image files and coupled to an outside data communication network comprising a plurality of remote image capture units, the units scanning documents and creating a plurality of image files of said documents; the image processing means is coupled to said plurality of remote image capture units for processing the image files; the accounting means is coupled to the image processing means for immediately updating accounts associated with said image processing means; and the plurality of remote capture units are coupled to the outside network, the outside data communication network is connected to outside financial institutions, the image processing means transmits said image files to the outside financial institutions via the data communication network and receives image files from the outside financial institutions over the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventors: John E. Jones, Paul A. Jones, Ronald M. Gafron, William J. Jones, Douglas U. Mennie
  • Patent number: 7232024
    Abstract: A currency evaluation device for receiving a stack of currency bills and rapidly evaluating all the bills in the stack. The device comprises an input receptacle for receiving a stack of bills to be evaluated and a plurality of output receptacles for receiving the bills alter they have been evaluated. A transport mechanism transports the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to one of the output receptacles along a transport path. A discriminating unit including a detector positioned along the transport path between the input receptacle and the output receptacle evaluates the bills. The discriminating unit counts and determines the denomination of the bills. A means for flagging bills meeting or failing to meet a certain criteria causes the transport mechanism to halt in response to a determination that a bill meets or fails to meet the criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Cunnins-Allison Corp.
    Inventors: Richard A. Mazur, Douglas U. Mennie, Mark C. Munro, Lars R. Stromme, Bradford T. Graves, William J. Jones
  • Patent number: 7200255
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventors: John E. Jones, William J. Jones, Douglas U. Mennie, Paul A. Jones
  • Patent number: 7187795
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventors: John E. Jones, William J. Jones, Douglas U. Mennie, Paul A. Jones
  • Patent number: 7171032
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventors: John E. Jones, Paul A. Jones, William J. Jones, Douglas U. Mennie
  • Patent number: 7149336
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corporation
    Inventors: William J. Jones, Douglas U. Mennie, Mark C. Munro
  • Patent number: 7146245
    Abstract: A document processing device having an evaluation region disposed along a transport path between an input and output receptacle capable of processing both currency bills and identification cards. An evaluation unit enables entry of source identification information before or after processing currency bills. Memory is adapted to store source identification information for multiple batches of currency. Multiple batches are placed in the processing, device for multiple batch processing. The evaluation region includes detectors for detecting predetermined characteristics of currency bills and distinguishing identification cards from currency. During processing, the identification card, or other separator card, is sent to a predetermined output receptacle designated as a reject receptacle. Currency that is rejected is sent to the reject receptacle. Rejected currency is separated into batches by the identification cards sent to the reject receptacle during processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventors: William J. Jones, Douglas U. Mennie, Charles P. Jenrick, Robert J. Klein, Curtis W. Hallowell
  • Patent number: 7092560
    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 an image scanner and a discrimination unit. An output receptacle receives the documents from the transport mechanism after being transported past the image scanner and the discrimination unit. The image scanner operates to obtain a video image of the transported documents, or the image of a selected area of the documents. The document images are further processed to obtain field information contained in selected areas of the document. The discrimination unit operates to determine the value and authenticity of the document. A system controller directs the flows of documents over the transport mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventors: John E. Jones, Paul A. Jones, William J. Jones, Douglas U. Mennie
  • Patent number: 7082216
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventors: John E. Jones, Paul A. Jones, William J. Jones, Douglas U. Mennie
  • Patent number: 7018286
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventors: John R. Blake, Timothy L. Esterbrook, Douglas U. Mennie, Frank J. Janezic, Don T. Lambert, John S. Lykowski
  • Patent number: 7016767
    Abstract: A document processing device having an evaluation region disposed along a transport path between an input and output receptacle capable of processing both currency bills and identification cards. An evaluation unit enables entry of source identification information before or after processing currency bills. Memory is adapted to store source identification information for multiple batches of currency. Multiple batches are placed in the processing device for multiple batch processing. The evaluation region includes detectors for detecting predetermined characteristics of currency bills and distinguishing identification cards from currency. During processing, the identification card, or other separator card, is sent to a predetermined output receptacle designated as a reject receptacle. Currency that is rejected is sent to the reject receptacle. Rejected currency is separated into batches by the identification cards sent to the reject receptacle during processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventors: William J. Jones, Douglas U. Mennie, Charles P. Jenrick
  • Patent number: 6996263
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventors: John E. Jones, Paul A. Jones, William J. Jones, Douglas U. Mennie
  • Patent number: 6980684
    Abstract: A currency counting and discrimination device for receiving a stack of currency bills, rapidly counting and discriminating the bills in the stack, and then re-stacking the bills. The device comprises an input receptacle for receiving a stack of currency bills to be discriminated, a discriminating unit for discriminating the denomination of the currency bills, and one or more output receptacles for receiving the currency bills after being discriminated by the discriminating unit. The device further comprises a transport mechanism for transporting the currency bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle past a sensor of the discriminating unit and to the one or more output receptacles. One or more counters keep track of the value of bills that are discriminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventors: Mark C. Munro, John E. Jones, Bradford T. Graves, William J. Jones, Douglas U. Mennie