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).
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Patent number: 6959800Abstract: 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 after 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: GrantFiled: January 17, 2001Date of Patent: November 1, 2005Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.Inventors: Richard A. Mazur, Douglas U. Mennie, Mark C. Munro, Lars R. Stromme, Bradford T. Graves, William J. Jones
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Patent number: 6957733Abstract: 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 after 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: GrantFiled: December 21, 2001Date of Patent: October 25, 2005Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.Inventors: Richard A. Mazur, Douglas U Mennie, Mark C Munro, Lars R Stromme, Bradford T Graves, William J Jones
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Patent number: 6955253Abstract: 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 after 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: GrantFiled: June 29, 2000Date of Patent: October 18, 2005Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.Inventors: Richard A. Mazur, Douglas U. Mennie, Mark C. Munro, Lars R. Stromme, Bradford T. Graves, William J. Jones
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Patent number: 6929109Abstract: 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 after 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: GrantFiled: August 10, 2000Date of Patent: August 16, 2005Assignee: Cummins Allison Corp.Inventors: Robert J. Klein, Richard A. Mazur, Douglas U. Mennie, Mark C. Munro, Heinz W. Schreiter, Lars R. Stromme, Matthew L. Anderson, Bradford T. Graves, William J. Jones
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Patent number: 6915893Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 19, 2002Date of Patent: July 12, 2005Assignee: Cummins-Alliston Corp.Inventor: Douglas U. Mennie
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Patent number: 6913130Abstract: 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 after 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: GrantFiled: April 3, 2000Date of Patent: July 5, 2005Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.Inventors: Richard A. Mazur, Douglas U. Mennie, Mark C. Munro, Lars R. Stromme, Bradford T. Graves, William J. Jones
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Patent number: 6896118Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a coin redemption system, in which a user deposits a batch of mixed coins of a plurality of denominations, comprises a coin input area for receiving a batch of mixed coins from a user of the coin redemption system, a coin processing unit coupled to the coin input area for determining the aggregate value of the coins received from the user, a controller for assigning a transaction number corresponding to the batch of received coins, a first printer for printing a receipt indicative of the determined value and the assigned transaction number, an output device disposed in a redemption area for displaying the assigned transaction number and the determined value.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2003Date of Patent: May 24, 2005Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.Inventors: William J. Jones, Douglas U. Mennie, Jeffrey G. Knoll
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Patent number: 6880692Abstract: 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 after 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: GrantFiled: April 3, 2000Date of Patent: April 19, 2005Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.Inventors: Richard A. Mazur, Douglas U. Mennie, Mark C. Munro, Lars R. Stromme, Bradford T. Graves, William J. Jones
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Patent number: 6868954Abstract: A method of evaluating a stack of currency bills using a currency evaluation device comprising receiving a stack of bills in an input receptacle of the evaluation device. The bills are transported, one at a time, from the input receptacle to one of two or more output receptacles of the currency evaluation device. The denomination of the bill is counted and determined utilizing a detector positioned along a transport path between the input receptacle and the output receptacles. A bill is flagged when the denomination of the bills is not determined and the flagging comprises halting the transporting when a bill is flagged. The bills that have been denominated including bills of a plurality of denominations are delivered to a first set of one or more of the output receptacles.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2002Date of Patent: March 22, 2005Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.Inventors: Lars R. Stromme, Bradford T. Graves, William J. Jones, Richard A. Mazur, Douglas U. Mennie, Mark C. Munro
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Patent number: 6866134Abstract: A method of evaluating a stack of currency bills using a currency evaluation device comprises receiving a stack of bills in an input receptacle of the evaluation device. The bills are transported, one at a time, from the input receptacle to one of two or more output receptacles of the currency evaluation device. The denomination of the bills is counted and determined utilizing a detector positioned along a transport path between the input receptacle and the output receptacles. The bills are determined on whether they meet or fail to meet a non-piece count related criterion. The transportation is halted when a bill meets or fails to meet the criterion. A bill meeting or failing to meet the criterion is termed a flagged bill. The halting is performed such that the flagged bill is positioned as the last bill in one of the output receptacles.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2002Date of Patent: March 15, 2005Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.Inventors: Lars R. Stromme, Bradford T. Graves, William J. Jones, Richard A. Mazur, Douglas U. Mennie, Mark C. Munro
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Patent number: 6810137Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 11, 2002Date of Patent: October 26, 2004Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.Inventors: John E. Jones, Paul A. Jones, William J. Jones, Douglas U. Mennie
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Patent number: 6798899Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 4, 2001Date of Patent: September 28, 2004Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.Inventors: Douglas U. Mennie, Heinz W. Schreiter, Matthew L. Anderson
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Patent number: 6778693Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 28, 2002Date of Patent: August 17, 2004Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.Inventors: William J. Jones, Douglas U. Mennie, Mark C. Munro
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Patent number: 6748101Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 29, 2000Date of Patent: June 8, 2004Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.Inventors: William J. Jones, Douglas U. Mennie, Mark C. Munro
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Patent number: 6731785Abstract: A document handling system is configured for detecting counterfeit bills using infrared light. The document handling system comprises an infrared light source, a sensor that is adapted to produce an output signal in response to infrared light illumination of a document, and a processor that is programmed to receive the signal and to authenticate the document based thereon.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2000Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.Inventors: Douglas U. Mennie, Frank M. Csulits, Gary P. Watts, Bradford T Graves
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Patent number: 6731786Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 8, 2002Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.Inventors: John E. Jones, Paul A. Jones, William J. Jones, Douglas U. Mennie
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Patent number: 6724927Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 8, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.Inventors: John E. Jones, Paul A. Jones, William J. Jones, Douglas U. Mennie
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Patent number: 6724926Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 8, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.Inventors: John E. Jones, Paul A. Jones, William J. Jones, Douglas U. Mennie
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Patent number: 6721442Abstract: A document handling system is configured for processing a variety of different documents. The system includes an input receptacle for receiving a stack of documents, a standard sensor for scanning at least one non-color characteristic of the bills in the stack, a color sensor for scanning the color characteristics of the bills, and an output receptacle for receiving the bills after they have been processed. A transport mechanism is included for transporting bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle past the sensors to the output receptacle. An operator interface is provided for displaying information to an operator and inputting information to the system. A processor is also included for processing the data gathered from the sensors to evaluate the bills.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2001Date of Patent: April 13, 2004Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.Inventors: Douglas U. Mennie, Frank M. Csulits, Matthew L. Anderson, Gary P. Watts, Richard A. Mazur, Charles P. Jenrick, Bradford T. Graves
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Publication number: 20040028266Abstract: A system and method is presented for tracking and tracing currency bills involved in deposit and withdrawal transactions. A transaction identifier is obtained. Currency bills involved in the transaction are scanned in order to obtain their serial numbers. The serial numbers are then linked to the transaction identifier.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2003Publication date: February 12, 2004Applicant: Cummins-Allison Corp.Inventors: John E. Jones, William J. Jones, Douglas U. Mennie, Paul A. Jones