Patents by Inventor Ken Maier

Ken Maier 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).

  • Patent number: 7191657
    Abstract: A currency handling system has a limpness detector. The limpness detector has a single driven crackle roller with an elongated central bulge and two outer bulges, wherein the central bulge is in conforming relation to a flexible belt. Sheet metal guides further facilitate note deformation and sound production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventors: Ken Maier, Marek Baranowski, Charles Cummings, John Mikkelsen, Brian Muszynski, Bo Xu
  • Patent number: 6962247
    Abstract: A currency handling system comprising a fitness detector. The fitness detector comprising a thickness detector, a limpness detector, a soil detector or a combination thereof. The thickness detector comprising an upper roller displaceable in a predetermined arc by a note passing between the upper roller and a lower roller. The limpness detector comprising a single driven crackle roller comprising an elongated central bulge and two outer bulges, wherein the central bulge is in conforming relation to a flexible belt. Sheet metal guides further facilitate note deformation and sound production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventors: Ken Maier, Marek Baranowski, Charles Cummings, John Mikkelsen, Brian Muszynski, Bo Xu
  • Publication number: 20050183928
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a currency processing device for receiving and processing a stack of currency bills is described. The currency processing device comprises an input receptacle for receiving a stack of bills to be processed, a plurality of output receptacles for receiving bills after the bills have been processed, a transport mechanism for transporting the bills from the input receptacle to the output receptacles, and a discriminating unit for examining the bills. The output receptacles are arranged such that a center of at least one output receptacle is laterally offset from a center of the input receptacle. The discriminating unit includes a detector positioned between the input receptacle and the output receptacles and is adapted to determine the denomination of bills.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Publication date: August 25, 2005
    Inventors: William Jones, Douglas Mennie, Ken Maier, Marek Baranowski, Yanmei Chen
  • Publication number: 20050173221
    Abstract: A currency handling system comprising a fitness detector. The fitness detector comprising a thickness detector, a limpness detector, a soil detector or a combination thereof. The thickness detector comprising an upper roller displaceable in a predetermined arc by a note passing between the upper roller and a lower roller. The limpness detector comprising a single driven crackle roller comprising an elongated central bulge and two outer bulges, wherein the central bulge is in conforming relation to a flexible belt. Sheet metal guides further facilitate note deformation and sound production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Publication date: August 11, 2005
    Inventors: Ken Maier, Marek Baranowski, Charles Cummings, John Mikkelsen, Brian Muszynski, Bo Xu
  • Patent number: 6913260
    Abstract: A currency handling system comprising a fitness detector. The fitness detector comprising a thickness detector, a limpness detector, a soil detector or a combination thereof. The thickness detector comprising an upper roller displaceable in a predetermined arc by a note passing between the upper roller and a lower roller. The limpness detector comprising a single driven crackle roller comprising an elongated central bulge and two outer bulges, wherein the central bulge is in conforming relation to a flexible belt. Sheet metal guides further facilitate note deformation and sound production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventors: Ken Maier, Marek Baranowski, Charles Cummings, John Mikkelsen, Brian Muszynski, Bo Xu
  • Publication number: 20050087422
    Abstract: A currency handling system comprising a fitness detector. The fitness detector comprising a thickness detector, a limpness detector, a soil detector or a combination thereof. The thickness detector comprising an upper roller displaceable in a predetermined arc by a note passing between the upper roller and a lower roller. The limpness detector comprising a single driven crackle roller comprising an elongated central bulge and two outer bulges, wherein the central bulge is in conforming relation to a flexible belt. Sheet metal guides further facilitate note deformation and sound production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Publication date: April 28, 2005
    Inventors: Ken Maier, Marek Baranowski, Charles Cummings, John Mikkelsen, Brian Muszynski, Bo Xu
  • Publication number: 20050029168
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a currency processing device for receiving and processing a stack of currency bills is disclosed. The currency processing device comprises an input receptacle for receiving a stack of bills to be processed, a plurality of output receptacles for receiving bills after the bills have been processed, a transport mechanism for transporting the bills from the input receptacle to the output receptacles, and a discriminating unit for examining the bills. The output receptacles are arranged such that a center of at least one output receptacle is laterally offset from a center of the input receptacle. The discriminating unit includes a detector positioned between the input receptacle and the output receptacles and is adapted to determine the denomination of bills.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Publication date: February 10, 2005
    Inventors: William Jones, Douglas Mennie, Ken Maier, Marek Baranowski, Yanmei Chen
  • Publication number: 20030168308
    Abstract: A currency handling system comprising a fitness detector. The fitness detector comprising a thickness detector, a limpness detector, a soil detector or a combination thereof. The thickness detector comprising an upper roller displaceable in a predetermined arc by a note passing between the upper roller and a lower roller. The limpness detector comprising a single driven crackle roller comprising an elongated central bulge and two outer bulges, wherein the central bulge is in conforming relation to a flexible belt. Sheet metal guides further facilitate note deformation and sound production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventors: Ken Maier, Marek Baranowski, Charles Cummings, John Mikkelsen, Brian Muszynski, Bo Xu