Patents by Inventor Mark C. Munro

Mark C. Munro 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: 20180308137
    Abstract: A system and method for rating photographs and images is provided which evaluates the content of photographs and images as compared to reality and provides a standardized rating for the content which can be stored and accessed, and wherein the system can be programmed to provide comparative results and feedback to both website owners and content owners alike.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventor: MARK C. MUNRO
  • Publication number: 20160253721
    Abstract: A system and method for rating photographs and images is provided which evaluates the content of photographs and images as compared to reality and provides a standardized rating for the content which can be stored and accessed, and wherein the system can be programmed to provide comparative results and feedback to both website owners and content owners alike.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventor: MARK C. MUNRO
  • Patent number: 8616359
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a security grate for limiting access to a coin bin is disclosed. The security grate comprises a plurality of generally parallel upper slats and a plurality of generally parallel slats disposed below the upper slats. The plurality of first slats receives coins and directs coins moving under the force of gravity in a first direction. The plurality of lower slats receive coins from the upper slats and direct the coins moving under the force of gravity in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventors: Steve Bochonok, Mark C. Munro, John R. Blake
  • Patent number: 8393455
    Abstract: A coin processing machine comprises a housing for containing the coin processing device, a coin processing unit disposed within the housing for processing received coins of a plurality of denominations and discharging processed coins into a plurality of coin receptacles, and a coin receptacle station disposed within the housing for holding a plurality of coin receptacles. The coin receptacle station includes a plurality of individually moveable platforms each having at least one coin receptacle disposed thereon. Each moveable platform is moveable between a first position and a second position. Each moveable platform is disposed entirely within the housing for receiving coins in the at least one coin receptacle disposed thereon when in the first position, and each moveable platform extends out of the housing when in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventors: John R. Blake, Gary W. Cooper, Patrick J. Finn, Mark C. Munro, Mark A. Fladeland
  • Patent number: 8352322
    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: May 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventors: Douglas U. Mennie, William J. Jones, Mark C. Munro
  • Patent number: 8346610
    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: May 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventors: Douglas U. Mennie, William J. Jones, Mark C. Munro
  • Patent number: 8229821
    Abstract: A self-service exchange machine is configured to receive currency from a customer and dispense to the customer a card associated with a value relating to the value of the received currency. The self-service exchange machine includes a coin module for receiving bulk mixed coins, a bill module configured to receive bills, a display device, a card dispenser and a controller coupled to the display device, the coin module, the bill module, and the card dispenser. The controller is configured to determine a total value of valid coins and valid b lis input into the coin module and the bill module, to cause the display of a total value on the display device, and to instruct the card dispenser to dispense a card with a monetary value that is related to the total value to complete the exchange transaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventors: Douglas U. Mennie, William J. Jones, Mark C. Munro
  • Patent number: 8023715
    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: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corporation
    Inventors: William J. Jones, Douglas U. Mennie, Mark C. Munro
  • Patent number: 7949582
    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: May 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventors: Douglas U. Mennie, William J. Jones, Mark C. Munro
  • Publication number: 20110099105
    Abstract: A self-service exchange machine is configured to receive currency from a customer and dispense to the customer a card associated with a value relating to the value of the received currency. The self-service exchange machine includes a coin module for receiving bulk mixed coins input by the customer in a coin hopper in association with the exchange transaction, the coin module being configured to substantially simultaneously receive the bulk mixed coins in the coin hopper, to separate the bulk mixed coins into a single-file stream of coins using a motor-driven rotary sorting device and, following the separation of the bulk mixed coins into a single-file stream of coins, to discriminate between valid and invalid coins using at least one discrimination sensor disposed along the coin path of the single-file stream of coins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventors: Douglas U. Mennie, William J. Jones, Mark C. Munro
  • Publication number: 20100276485
    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: July 14, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: Cummins-Allison Corporation
    Inventors: WILLIAM J. JONES, Douglas U. Mennie, Mark C. Munro
  • Patent number: 7778456
    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: May 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison, Corp.
    Inventors: William J. Jones, Douglas U. Mennie, Mark C. Munro
  • Patent number: 7735621
    Abstract: Methods and devices for dynamically assigning document parameters to output receptacles of multiple output receptacle document evaluating devices. Documents are directed into individual output receptacles based upon their document parameter or parameters. For example, according to one embodiment a currency evaluating device comprises an input receptacle adapted to receive a stack of currency bills, a plurality of output receptacles, a transport mechanism, and a processor adapted to control the operation of the device. The processor is programmed to determine the denomination of a bill and determine if an output receptacle is associated with the denomination of the bill. If an output receptacle is not associated with the denomination of the bill, the processor is programmed to associate an output receptacle with the denomination of the bill and cause the bill to be transported to an output receptacle associated with the denomination of the bill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventors: Curtis W. Hallowell, Robert J. Klein, Mark C. Munro, Bradford T. Graves
  • Patent number: 7658270
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a security grate for limiting access to a coin bin is disclosed. The security grate comprises a plurality of generally parallel upper slats and a plurality of generally parallel slats disposed below the upper slats. The plurality of first slats receives coins and directs coins moving under the force of gravity in a first direction. The plurality of lower slats receive coins from the upper slats and direct the coins moving under the force of gravity in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventors: Steve Bochonok, Mark C. Munro, John R. Blake
  • 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: 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: 7036651
    Abstract: A method and system for processing currency bills and coins in a cash receptacle for automatically determining a batch of currency. An operator provides an amount of cash, including currency bills and coins, and indicates a target amount of cash desired to be made available in a currency batch. The system includes a resident memory for storing a mode of operation, determines a total amount of the cash, and determines a cash removal amount by comparing the total amount of the cash to the target amount. The cash removal amount is displayed to the operator for adding or removing cash to obtain the appropriate currency batch, which corresponds to the target amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventors: Flavia Tam, Mark C. Munro, Timothy L. Esterbrook, David O. Noke, John R. Blake
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6959800
    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 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: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventors: Richard A. Mazur, Douglas U. Mennie, Mark C. Munro, Lars R. Stromme, Bradford T. Graves, William J. Jones
  • Patent number: 6957733
    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 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: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventors: Richard A. Mazur, Douglas U Mennie, Mark C Munro, Lars R Stromme, Bradford T Graves, William J Jones