Abstract: A coin sorter for sorting coins of mixed diameters is set forth. The sorter includes a coin-driving member and a coin-guiding member. The lower surface of the coin-guiding member forms a plurality of exit channels for guiding coins of different diameters to different exit stations along the periphery of the coin-guiding member. The coin sorter includes a brake mechanism which permits stopping of the coin-driving member at high speeds such that an invalid coin is retained or for ensuring the correct amount of coins is sent to the coin-collecting receptacle. The coin sorter also includes an operator interface panel for easy operator inputs. Operator inputs allow the operator to adjust the movement of the coin-driving member after encountering a stop and for adjusting the amount of lubrication sent to the coin-guiding member.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for loading software changes into a processor-based coin sorting machine. In one embodiment, a flash card having a memory remotely programmed with a second software code is adapted to be removably electrically coupled to the system controller of the coin sorting machine. Insertion of the flash card causes the initial code in the resident memory of the machine to become erased and replaced with the second software code. The flash card may thereafter be removed from the machine and used to load software changes into other machines. In an alternative embodiment, the flash card may remain electrically coupled to the coin sorting machine. In this embodiment, insertion of the flash card causes the machine to execute the second software code, but the initial code is not erased or replaced. Upon removal of the flash card, the machine does not retain the second software code but will revert to execution of the initial code.

Abstract: A coin sorter for sorting coins of mixed diameters is set forth. The sorter includes a coin-driving member and a coin-guiding member. The lower surface of the coin-guiding member forms a plurality of exit channels for guiding coins of different diameters to different exit stations along the periphery of the coin-guiding member. The coin sorter includes a brake mechanism which permits stopping of the coin-driving member at high speeds such that an invalid coin is retained or for ensuring the correct amount of coins is sent to the coin-collecting receptacle. The coin sorter also includes an operator interface panel for easy operator inputs. Operator inputs allow the operator to adjust the movement of the coin-driving member after encountering a stop and for adjusting the amount of lubrication sent to the coin-guiding member.

Abstract: A funds discrimination and sorting system comprises an acceptor for accepting mixed currency from a customer. A sorter and discriminator sorts and discriminates the funds by denomination, the sorter and discriminator are coupled to the acceptor. An interface is coupled to the sorter and discriminator for accepting instructions from a customer, the instructions causing the actuation of the system; and an attendant control panel allows an attendant to operate the system in a plurality of modes, the attendant control panel is positioned opposite and is inaccessible from said customer interface.

Abstract: A currency handling system adapted to accommodate currencies of any denomination or type without having been pre-programmed with data representative of the denominations or types. The currency handling system is capable of generating such data internally, by scanning a set of master currency bills to obtain master information representative of the master bills which may be used to authenticate subsequent test bills according to selected or default sensitivity levels. The master information may comprise numerical and/or non-numerical data. The determination of authenticity of the test bills is based on a comparison of either pre-stored or self-generated master information with scanned data values associated with the test bills. In one embodiment, a note counter is provided which authenticates and counts a stack of same denomination bills after independently determining the denomination of the bills and selecting appropriate threshold levels corresponding to the denomination of the bills.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for loading software changes into a processor-based coin wrapping machine. In one embodiment, a flash card having a memory remotely programmed with a second software code is adapted to be removably electrically coupled to the system controller of the coin wrapping machine. Insertion of the flash card causes the initial code in the resident memory of the machine to become erased and replaced with the second software code. The flash card may thereafter be removed from the machine and used to load software changes into other machines. In an alternative embodiment, the flash card may remain electrically coupled to the coin wrapping machine. In this embodiment, insertion of the flash card causes the machine to execute the second software code, but the initial code is not erased or replaced. Upon removal of the flash card, the machine does not retain the second software code but will revert to execution of the initial code.

Abstract: A currency counting and discrimination 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.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for loading software changes into a currency discrimination machine. In one embodiment, a flash card having a memory remotely programmed with a second software code is adapted to be removably electrically coupled to the currency discrimination machine. Insertion of the flash card causes the initial code in the resident memory of the machine to become erased and replaced with the second software code. The flash card may thereafter be removed from the machine and used to load software changes into other machines. In another embodiment, the flash card is adapted to be inserted and remain electrically coupled to the currency discrimination machine. Insertion of the flash card causes the machine to execute the second software code, but the initial code is not erased or replaced. Upon removal of the flash card, the machine does not retain the second software code but will revert to execution of the initial code.

Abstract: A currency identification system for identifying currency bills of different denominations of a plurality of currency systems. The device comprises a discriminating unit for discriminating the identity a bill, the discriminating unit retrieving characteristic information from said bill. Furthermore, a memory stores master characteristic information associated with each genuine bill which the system is capable of identifying; the memory storing master characteristic information associated with at least one genuine bill from at least two currency systems. A signal processing means compares the retrieved characteristic information with master characteristic information associated with at least one genuine bill; the signal processing means generating an indication of the identity of said bill based on said comparison when said bill is one that the system is capable of identifying.

Abstract: A coin sorter for sorting coins of mixed diameters is set forth. The sorter includes a coin-driving member and a coin-guiding member. The lower surface of the coin-guiding member forms a plurality of exit channels for guiding coins of different diameters to different exit stations along the periphery of the coin-guiding member. The coin sorter includes a brake mechanism which permits stopping of the coin-driving member at high speeds such that an invalid coin is retained or for ensuring the correct amount of coins is sent to the coin-collecting receptacle. The coin sorter also includes an operator interface panel for easy operator inputs. Operator inputs allow the operator to adjust the movement of the coin-driving member after encountering a stop and for adjusting the amount of lubrication sent to the coin-guiding member.

Abstract: A currency identification system comprising at least two laterally displaced scanheads, one or more laterally moveable scanheads, or at least two laterally displaced sensors of a linear scanhead. The scanheads or sensors are positioned so as to permit scanning along at least two segments on a first side of a bill. The scanheads or sensors are capable of detecting characteristic information from the bill along the segments and generating corresponding output signals representing variations in the detected characteristic information from which scanned patterns of characteristic information may be generated. The system also comprises a pattern generator for generating at least one scanned pattern from the output signals, the scanned pattern representing analog variations in the characteristic information along a segment of the bill.

Abstract: A currency identification system comprising at least two laterally displaced scanheads, one or more laterally moveable scanheads, or at least two laterally displaced sensors of a linear scanhead. The scanheads or sensors are positioned so as to permit scanning along at least two segments on a first side of a bill. The scanheads or sensors are capable of detecting characteristic information from the bill along the segments and generating corresponding output signals representing variations in the detected characteristic information from which scanned patterns of characteristic information may be generated. The system also comprises a pattern generator for generating at least one scanned pattern from the output signals, the scanned pattern representing analog variations in the characteristic information along a segment of the bill.

Abstract: A coin wrapping system comprises (1) a coin wrapping mechanism forming loose coins into wrapped rolls of coins, (2) an operator interface panel, and (3) a controller coupling the operator interface panel to the coin wrapping mechanism. To provide the coin wrapping system with total flexibility in operation and other functions, the operator interface panel includes a display and a touch screen mounted over the display. The controller causes the display to display keys. The controller operably couples the touch screen to the displayed keys such that actuation of the touch screen at a position above one of the displayed keys causes the controller to perform a function associated with that displayed key. Preferably, the controller is operable, via the touch screen, in a plurality of modes including a basic operating mode, a memory recall mode, an adjustment for wrap quality mode, a diagnostics mode, and a programming mode. The basic operating mode preferably includes an error detection and recovery function.

Abstract: A coin sorting system comprises a coin sorter for sorting a plurality of coins, an operator interface panel, and a control unit coupling the operator interface panel to the coin sorter. The coin sorter includes a coin-driving member having a resilient surface and a stationary coin-guiding member having a coin-guiding surface opposing the resilient surface of the coin-driving member. The coin-guiding surface is positioned generally parallel to the resilient surface. The resilient surface of the coin-driving member is constructed and arranged to move the coins along the coin-guiding surface of the coin-guiding member. The coin-guiding surface forms a plurality of exit stations for selectively allowing exiting of the coins based upon their respective diameters. The operator interface panel includes a display unit and a touch screen mounted over the display unit. The display unit includes a plurality of display fields for displaying keys, coin sorter status, and sorted coin total.

Abstract: A coin sorter for sorting mixed coins by denomination includes a rotatable disc, a drive motor for rotating the disc, and a stationary sorting head having a lower surface generally parallel to the upper surface of the rotatable disc and spaced slightly therefrom. The lower surface of the sorting head forms a plurality of exit channels for guiding coins of different denominations to different discharge stations around the periphery of the disc. A plurality of coin sensor/discriminators are mounted in the stationary sorting head over the rotatable disc for discriminating between valid and invalid coins guided by said stationary sorting head. At least one coin sensor/discriminator is mounted in each of the plurality of exit channels.

Abstract: A coin sorter for sorting mixed coins by denomination. The apparatus comprises a rotatable disc which has a resilient surface for receiving coins and imparting rotational movement to the coins. A stationary sorting head has a contoured surface spaced slightly away from and generally parallel to the resilient surface of the rotatable disc. The stationary sorting head sorts and discharges coins of different denominations at different exits around the periphery of the stationary sorting head. The sorting head includes a separate exit channel for each denomination of coin, and a sensor for each coin denomination within the exit channel for that denomination. An encoder monitors the movement of a sensed coin on the rotating disc downstream of the sensors by monitoring the angular movement of the disc. Further, a coin discriminator is used to detect foreign and counterfeit coins and to prevent the detected invalid coins from being discharged with the valid coins.

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.

Abstract: A coin sorter for sorting mixed coins by denomination. The apparatus comprises a rotatable disc which has a resilient surface for receiving coins and imparting rotational movement to the coins. A stationary sorting head has a contoured surface spaced slightly away from and generally parallel to the resilient surface of the rotatable disc. The stationary sorting head sorts and discharges coins of different denominations at different exits around the periphery of the stationary sorting head. The sorting head includes a separate exit channel for each denomination of coin, and a sensor for each coin denomination within the exit channel for that denomination. An encoder monitors the movement of a sensed coin on the rotating disc downstream of the sensors by monitoring the angular movement of the disc.

Abstract: A coin sorter for sorting mixed coins by denomination. The apparatus comprises a rotatable disc which has a resilient surface for receiving coins and imparting rotational movement to the coins. A stationary sorting head has a contoured surface spaced slightly away from and generally parallel to the resilient surface of the rotatable disc. The stationary sorting head sorts and discharges coins of different denominations at different exits around the periphery of the stationary sorting head. The sorting head includes a separate exit channel for each denomination of coin, and a sensor for each coin denomination within the exit channel for that denomination. An encoder monitors the movement of a sensed coin on the rotating disc downstream of the sensors by monitoring the angular movement of the disc. Further, a coin discriminator is used to detect foreign and counterfeit coins and to prevent the detected invalid coins from being discharged with the valid coins.

Abstract: A coin sorter having a rotatable disc includes a brake mechanism for stopping rotation of the disc in response to a predetermined number of counted coins. The disc is driven through a gear train by an electric motor. The brake mechanism includes a first brake mechanism coupled to the motor for stopping rotation thereof, a second brake mechanism coupled to the coin disc for stopping rotation thereof, and a control mechanism for operating the brake mechanisms in a synchronous manner so as to avoid any shock loads upon the gear train due to existence of torque differentials on either ends thereof. The brake mechanisms are adapted to have substantially identical stopping times and are operated in such a manner as to be energized in a substantially instantaneous manner when the braking sequence is initiated.