Abstract: The present subject matter relates to a capacity detector, a waveguide and a manifold for use with a coin sensor as well as methods for sensing a capacity of a coin receptacle. In one aspect, the waveguide for use with a coin sensor comprises an excitation end for receiving an acoustic signal, a horn end for disposition adjacent to a coin receptacle, and a conduit interconnecting the horn end and the excitation end. In embodiments, the horn end of the waveguide may define a horn selected from a tapered horn, an exponential horn, a tractrix horn, or a modified tractrix horn.

Abstract: A sensor arrangement for a banknote validator or other document acceptor using optical transmissive measurements includes at least one light source located on a first side of a document path and arranged to transmit light around the document path to a second side of the document path, the second side being opposite the first side. Optical detectors are located on the first side of the document path and arranged to receive light sent from the light source and passing through the document transport path.

Abstract: A bulk document feeder module is adapted for connection to a document acceptor and is operable, when attached to the document acceptor, to feed one document at a time, from a bundle of documents, to the document acceptor. The bulk document feeder module can include a document transport mechanism, a portion of which includes a removable cartridge, to facilitate removal of a jammed object from the feeder module. The document acceptor can form part of a bill or other document validator.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates to a capacity detector, a waveguide and a manifold for use with a coin sensor as well as methods for sensing a capacity of a coin receptacle. In one aspect, the waveguide for use with a coin sensor comprises an excitation end for receiving an acoustic signal, a horn end for disposition adjacent to a coin receptacle, and a conduit interconnecting the horn end and the excitation end. In embodiments, the horn end of the waveguide may define a horn selected from a tapered horn, an exponential horn, a tractrix horn, or a modified tractrix horn.

Abstract: A bulk document feeder module is adapted for connection to a document acceptor and is operable, when attached to the document acceptor, to feed one document at a time, from a bundle of documents, to the document acceptor. The bulk document feeder module can include a document transport mechanism, a portion of which includes a removable cartridge, to facilitate removal of a jammed object from the feeder module. The document acceptor can form part of a bill or other document validator.

Abstract: An apparatus for document processing comprises an optical sensor including a light source, a light detector and an optical element. The optical sensor is adapted so that, during operation of the apparatus, at least a first portion of light from the source that enters the optical element travels along paths in the optical element so as to be re-directed by total internal reflection toward the detector and wherein the total internal reflection is maintained when the optical element is wet. Signals form the optical sensor may be used to determine, for example, the state of a document storage cassette or the location of a document with respect to the cassette.

Abstract: A subassembly for a document validator. In an implementation, the subassembly includes a housing, a light pipe core seated in the housing, a light control layer and at least one light source. The apparatus may also include a prism structure layer between a top diffusing surface and the light control structure. The housing may also include at least one input light port on at least one end of the light pipe core.

Abstract: A bill acceptor module may receive configuration data from at least one of an interface board, a programming tool, a plug-in memory, a memory on a currency cassette, and a host machine, store the configuration data in a memory, and process signals according to the configuration data to enable operation of the bill acceptor module with a host machine. The operation of the bill acceptor module may include communication with a currency cassette.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting strings attached to bills or other forms of payment in a currency validator. In one implementation a string fraud detector uses polarized light to detect a string. In another implementation, polarized light and light in a different range of wavelengths are used to detect a string.

Abstract: A document acceptor includes a document transport path and a multi-function optical sensor disposed adjacent the document path. The multi-function sensor can be operated in one of two or more modes. Depending on the mode in which the sensor is operated, signals from the sensor can be used, for example, to indicate whether a document has reached a particular position, to determine whether the document includes a predetermined pattern, such as a bar-code pattern, or to determine whether an attempt is being made to pull the document out of the acceptor.

Abstract: An optical sensor system for use in a currency validator is described. The system includes a controller, a plurality of light transmitters, a plurality of light receivers and a variable gain amplifier circuit connected to the receivers and to the microcontroller. The microcontroller controls the gain of the variable gain amplifier circuit. The variable gain amplifier circuit includes dual transconductance amplifiers connected together in such a manner to compensate for leakage current over a wide range of temperatures.