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).
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Publication number: 20180308137Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2018Publication date: October 25, 2018Inventor: MARK C. MUNRO
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Publication number: 20160253721Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2016Publication date: September 1, 2016Inventor: MARK C. MUNRO
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Patent number: 8616359Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 4, 2005Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.Inventors: Steve Bochonok, Mark C. Munro, John R. Blake
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Patent number: 8393455Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 10, 2004Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.Inventors: John R. Blake, Gary W. Cooper, Patrick J. Finn, Mark C. Munro, Mark A. Fladeland
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Patent number: 8352322Abstract: 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: May 14, 2007Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.Inventors: Douglas U. Mennie, William J. Jones, Mark C. Munro
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Patent number: 8346610Abstract: 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: May 14, 2007Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.Inventors: Douglas U. Mennie, William J. Jones, Mark C. Munro
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Patent number: 8229821Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 29, 2010Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.Inventors: Douglas U. Mennie, William J. Jones, Mark C. Munro
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Patent number: 8023715Abstract: 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: July 14, 2010Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: Cummins-Allison CorporationInventors: William J. Jones, Douglas U. Mennie, Mark C. Munro
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Patent number: 7949582Abstract: 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: May 14, 2007Date of Patent: May 24, 2011Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.Inventors: Douglas U. Mennie, William J. Jones, Mark C. Munro
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Publication number: 20110099105Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2010Publication date: April 28, 2011Applicant: Cummins-Allison Corp.Inventors: Douglas U. Mennie, William J. Jones, Mark C. Munro
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Publication number: 20100276485Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 14, 2010Publication date: November 4, 2010Applicant: Cummins-Allison CorporationInventors: WILLIAM J. JONES, Douglas U. Mennie, Mark C. Munro
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Patent number: 7778456Abstract: 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: May 15, 2006Date of Patent: August 17, 2010Assignee: Cummins-Allison, Corp.Inventors: William J. Jones, Douglas U. Mennie, Mark C. Munro
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Patent number: 7735621Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 2, 2004Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.Inventors: Curtis W. Hallowell, Robert J. Klein, Mark C. Munro, Bradford T. Graves
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Patent number: 7658270Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 14, 2004Date of Patent: February 9, 2010Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.Inventors: Steve Bochonok, Mark C. Munro, John R. Blake
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Patent number: 7232024Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 24, 2005Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: Cunnins-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: 7149336Abstract: 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: August 10, 2004Date of Patent: December 12, 2006Assignee: Cummins-Allison CorporationInventors: William J. Jones, Douglas U. Mennie, Mark C. Munro
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Patent number: 7036651Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 9, 2003Date of Patent: May 2, 2006Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.Inventors: Flavia Tam, Mark C. Munro, Timothy L. Esterbrook, David O. Noke, John R. Blake
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Patent number: 6980684Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 5, 2000Date of Patent: December 27, 2005Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.Inventors: Mark C. Munro, John E. Jones, Bradford T. Graves, William J. Jones, Douglas U. Mennie
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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