Including Light Sensitive Testing Device Patents (Class 194/207)
  • Patent number: 11900754
    Abstract: A method including correcting output of an image sensor unit based on correction information of the image sensor unit that captures and discriminates a paper sheet. A apparatus includes an image sensor unit which includes an image capturing element that captures a banknote so as to discriminate the banknote, a controller that controls the image sensor unit, and a first attachment part, to which the image sensor unit is attached to be detachable, and which includes a connection terminal that connects the image sensor unit and the controller with each other, and which is arranged in a conveyance path for conveying the banknote.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: FUJITSU FRONTECH LIMITED
    Inventors: Takanori Sagami, Yasuyuki Ishihara
  • Patent number: 11610449
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for classifying value documents includes least two sensor devices arranged to capture waves reflected on a front side and on a back side of a value document and to generate corresponding sensor data or to capture properties of the value document in at least two different regions of the value document by means of different measuring principles and to generate corresponding sensor data. At least one evaluation device is arranged to classify the value document with the aid of the sensor data generated by the at least two sensor devices, which sensor data relate to the waves reflected on the front side and back side of the value document or to the properties of the value document captured in the at least two different regions of the value document by means of different measuring principles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: GIESECKE+DEVRIENT CURRENCY TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Holger Trumpfheller, Steffen Schmalz, Norbert Holl, Wolfgang Röhrl
  • Patent number: 11568700
    Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus in the present invention operates in a self-service mode, in which a user does not receive operation support provided by an operation assistant, and a non-self-service mode, in which the user receives the operation support. The sheet processing apparatus includes an inlet that takes in sheets in a deposit process, a transport section that transports the sheets taken in from the inlet, storage sections that store the sheets transported by the transport section, and a control section that causes the transport section in such a way as to transport the sheets to the storage sections on a basis of storage conditions for storing the sheets in the storage sections. The control section changes the storage conditions for at least one of the storage sections between the self-service mode and the non-self-service mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: GLORY LTD.
    Inventor: Masao Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 11410134
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are disclosed herein for processing one or more sheets of sheet material in a deposit include various systems and processes. The systems and processes include receiving a sheet in a sheet-accepting device. Further, the systems and processes include reading, by a sensor, an identifier on each sheet, detecting anomaly information for the sheet that identifies an anomalous characteristic of the sheet. The systems and processes also include determining, for each sheet, information about the sheet from the identifier on the sheet, including accounting information and deposit information, including a value associated with the deposit. Moreover, the systems and processes include performing a reconciling process when the anomaly information identifies an anomalous characteristic of the sheet, including debiting the account associated with the sheet based on the value associated with the deposit that included the sheet, and crediting the account based on that value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Giesecke+Devrient Currency Technology America, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Marquardt, Roy Dunlap
  • Patent number: 11341156
    Abstract: The techniques described herein provide tools that summarize a dataset by creating a final set of segments that, when visually presented via a histogram or other data presentation tool, show the distribution of at least a portion of the data. To create the final set of segments, the techniques described herein may collect or receive a dataset with distinct values, and divide the dataset into a number of segments that is less than or equal to a segment presentation threshold (e.g., ten segments). After creating the final set of segments, the techniques may configure and/or present data visualizations, such as histograms, for the created segments so that an observer is provided with a good viewing experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Yingnong Dang, Rui Ding, Haoyu Jiang, Fei Liu, Dongmei Zhang
  • Patent number: 11315004
    Abstract: Among other things, the invention concerns an apparatus for securing a product against forgery, the apparatus including a microchip with an integrated circuit that may be read out in a contactless manner, a first metallization layer arranged on a first chip side of the microchip, and a second metallization layer arranged on a second chip side opposite to the first chip side. The first and second metallization layers are each electrically coupled to the integrated circuit and function as electrodes for a capacitive readout of the integrated circuit. The microchip is fixable to the product or integrable into the product. The invention further concerns the use of a microchip as a security feature in a product as well as a method for securing a product against forgery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Christoph Kutter, Indranil Bose
  • Patent number: 10949324
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided a method for auditing shredding data including first count information in a system for auditing shredding data. The audit method includes causing a paper sheet processing apparatus to generate a first MAC based on the first count information using a first MAC generation key, causing the paper sheet processing apparatus to transmit the first count information and the first MAC to a first computing unit, causing the first computing unit to obtain second count information based on the first MAC using a second MAC generation key, causing the first computing unit to compare the first count information and the second count information, and determining an audit result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, Toshiba Infrastructure Systems & Solutions Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiro Shishikura
  • Patent number: 10867484
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to an apparatus for counterfeit detection and a method implementing the same. In one embodiment, as apparatus is disclosed herein. The apparatus includes a first end, a second end, an elongated body, an ink cartridge, a controller, and a trigger. The elongated body extends from the first end to the second end. The elongated body defines a cavity therein. The ink cartridge is disposed in the cavity. The controller is positioned within the cavity. The controller is configured to communicate with at least one computing system remote from the apparatus. The trigger is in electronic communication with the controller. The trigger extends at least partially though the elongated body. The trigger is actionable between a first position and a second position. A change from the first position to the second position transmits an electronic signal to the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Capital One Services, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua Edwards, Abdelkader Benkreira, Michael Mossoba, Rajko Ilincic
  • Patent number: 10846969
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing documents of value comprises a stationary part and a movable part. The stationary part comprises a singler for singling a stack of documents. The movable part comprises at least two output pockets for receiving processed documents. The movable part is mounted to the stationary part so as to be pivotable between a closed position and an open position. The stationary part and the movable part are arranged to form a transport path when in the closed position. The stationary part and the movable part are arranged to allow access to at least a section of the transport path when in the open position. The apparatus is arranged to transport singled documents of value from the singler along the transport path to the output pockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: GIESECKE+DEVRIENT CURRENCY TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Bentin P. Gnana Nesan, Lalit Pal Singh, Poobalan Subramani
  • Patent number: 10819690
    Abstract: A communication device configured to include a communication unit a monitoring unit, a control unit, and an authentication unit. The communication unit transmits and receives an optical signal to and from an opposed device via a transmission line. The monitoring unit monitors a transfer state of the transmitted optical signal. The control unit transmits a signal based on a dummy pattern instead of actual data when the monitoring unit detects that a failure occurs in transfer of the optical signal. The authentication unit authenticates start of transmission of a signal based on the actual data, when the monitoring unit detects elimination of the failure, while the signal based on the dummy pattern is being transmitted. Moreover, the control unit transmits the signal based on the actual data instead of the dummy pattern when the start of transmission is authenticated by the authentication unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tatsuhiro Nakada
  • Patent number: 10755514
    Abstract: A drum storage module (50, 60) for receiving notes of value (16) has a winding drum (14) onto which the notes of value (16) are windable so as to be received between at least two foil belts (18 to 24). Further, a sensor for determining the maximum filling level of notes of value in the drum storage module (50, 60) is provided and has a light source (32) and a light receiver (34) arranged such that the beam path (36) from the light source (32) to the light receiver (34) extends parallel to the longitudinal axis (38) of the winding drum (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Wincor Nixdorf International GMBH
    Inventor: Thomas Kemmerling
  • Patent number: 10748367
    Abstract: System and method for encryption currency counter measure and deterrence against counterfeiting. The system tracks the FSN for each FRN, from the time a serial number is assigned to a new bill, until the time the bill is retired from circulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Inventor: Anthony Sneed
  • Patent number: 10665011
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods, non-transitory computer readable media, and systems that use a local-lighting-estimation-neural network to render a virtual object in a digital scene by using a local-lighting-estimation-neural network to analyze both global and local features of the digital scene and generate location-specific-lighting parameters for a designated position within the digital scene. For example, the disclosed systems extract and combine such global and local features from a digital scene using global network layers and local network layers of the local-lighting-estimation-neural network. In certain implementations, the disclosed systems can generate location-specific-lighting parameters using a neural-network architecture that combines global and local feature vectors to spatially vary lighting for different positions within a digital scene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignees: ADOBE INC., UNIVERSITÉ LAVAL
    Inventors: Kalyan Sunkavalli, Sunil Hadap, Nathan Carr, Jean-Francois Lalonde, Mathieu Garon
  • Patent number: 10636239
    Abstract: Provided is a handheld device for validation authenticity of a banknote including one or more printed elements printed with at least one security ink, the security ink having defined light reflecting properties. Further provided is a method for validating the authenticity of a banknote utilizing the disclosed device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: BSECURE LTD.
    Inventors: Zeev Blajwajs, Allen Judis, Aryeh Levin
  • Patent number: 10339377
    Abstract: Embodiment of the present disclosure discloses method and device for determining one or more characteristics of currency note. The currency evaluating device is configured to receive image of currency note and detect text from one or more predefined first regions of image. Further, language associated with detected text is identifies and one of single nationality and plurality of nationalities associated with language of currency note is obtained from data source associated with currency evaluating device. When single nationality is obtained, nationality of currency note is identified to be said single nationality. When plurality of nationalities is obtained, nationality of currency note is identified from plurality of nationalities using Optical Character Recognition (OCR). Upon identifying nationality, one or more characteristics of currency note is identified by extracting object features on image based on identified nationality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Infrastructure Systems & Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Rajkumar Joseph, Arya Sukumar, Vijaya Kumar Tiruveedhula
  • Patent number: 10286422
    Abstract: This paper sheet processing device (100) for processing paper sheets is provided with: an identification unit (55) for identifying paper sheets; stacking units (60, 210) for stacking paper sheets on the basis of the content of classification types identified by the identification unit (55); and a control unit (50, 135, 550) that reads, from a memory unit (56, 136, 560) in which an upper limit of paper sheets to be stacked by the stacking units (60, 210) are stored in association with the content of classification types, the upper limit for paper sheets that correspond to the content of the classification types of the paper sheets stacked by the stacking units (60, 210), and sets the upper limit for paper sheets to be stacked by the stacking units (60, 210).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: GLORY LTD.
    Inventors: Tomohisa Takahama, Hideki Yamamoto, Shusuke Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 10265994
    Abstract: A banknote having one or more security features and at least one flexible printed electronic (FPE) element embedded in the banknote. At least one of the security features and at least one FPE element have an interrelationship with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: SICPA HOLDING SA
    Inventors: Brahim Kerkar, Philippe Amon
  • Patent number: 10055922
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a banknote location is provided, which includes a first, second and third photoelectric sensors installed respectively at the entrance, exit and inside of a banknote passage. The first photoelectric sensor includes a light-emitting end, a light-receiving end, a first reflecting mirror and a second reflecting mirror, for detecting whether a banknote reaches the entrance. The second photoelectric sensor includes a light-emitting end, a light-receiving end, a third reflecting mirror and a fourth reflecting mirror, for detecting whether a banknote reaches the exit. The third photoelectric sensor includes a light-emitting end, a light-receiving end, an upper reflecting mirror group and a lower reflecting mirror group, for detecting whether a banknote is inside the passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: GRG Banking Equipment Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Faqing Ma, Zhiqiang Sun, Zhuang Jiang, Zhefeng Hong
  • Patent number: 10049522
    Abstract: A means and method for checking a value document of at least one irregularity of at least one specified type, in which an ultrasound data record is captured which describes in locally resolved fashion at least one ultrasound property, a deviation data record is ascertained which describes in locally resolved fashion a deviation between the ultrasound data record and a model and is ascertained such that the deviation described thereby is minimal with respect to the model. The model comprises a model for the location dependence of the at least one ultrasound property of reference value documents of the specified value document type without irregularities of the at least one specified type, and using the deviation data record, it is checked whether an indication of an irregularity of the at least one type is present on the value document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: GIESECKE+DEVRIENT CURRENCY TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventors: Johannes Feulner, Jan Domke
  • Patent number: 9964433
    Abstract: An acoustic object detector for detecting presence of an acoustic signal is provided. The acoustic object detector includes a number of bandpass filters. Each bandpass filter is configured to convert an input signal into an analog signal within a frequency band. The acoustic object detector also includes a number of spike generating circuits each coupled to the respective bandpass filter. Each spike generating circuit is configured to generate a series of spike signals based upon an adaptive threshold for the analog signal. The acoustic object detection further includes a decision circuit configured to generate a digital signal at a time-frequency point from the series of spike signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: THE TRUSTEES OF DARTMOUTH COLLEGE
    Inventors: Dingkun Du, Kofi Odame
  • Patent number: 9947164
    Abstract: A method and a device for automatically diagnosing a sorter fault are provided. The method includes: obtaining a banknote image of a banknote by scanning; performing data processing on the banknote image based on a preset detection algorithm, to obtain a processing result; and sending a feedback information if the processing result satisfies a preset condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: GRG BANKING EQUIPMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ming Li, Guang Chen
  • Patent number: 9839947
    Abstract: Self-cleaning banknotes are provided using coatings, inks and additives which are photo-active and catalytic to reactions which are effective in breaking up organic contaminants or dirt to allow for the self-cleaning of banknotes by ambient light exposure as well as the cleaning of processed banknotes using equipment with more intense optical excitation, thus increasing their usable life. The invention is usable with all substrates and particularly polymeric substrates such as biaxially-oriented polypropylene (BOPP). The invention further discloses a system which allows a certain class of fitness parameters to cause these banknotes to be redirected to a cleaning module, be revaluated, and then either returned to circulation or rejected and/or destroyed. In addition, inks which are photo-catalytic can be used for extending the life of the banknotes in printed regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: SPECTRA SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Nabil M. Lawandy
  • Patent number: 9751651
    Abstract: A device (10) for filling a thin-walled transport container (18) made of flexible material with notes of value is described. For this, the device (10) comprises a supply unit (12), a stacking unit (14) and a receiving unit (16) for receiving the thin-walled transport container (18). By means of a stuffing unit (20) the stacked notes of value are moved into the transport container (18) in several successive filling steps. A closing unit (22) closes the thin-walled transport container (18) after the last filling step. The receiving unit (16) comprises a contact sensor (32) which, upon contact with the bottom of the transport container (18), generates a signal that triggers the closing operation of the transport container (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Wincor Nixdorf International GmbH
    Inventor: Mirko Duchstein
  • Patent number: 9740890
    Abstract: A card insertion part for use with a card may include a card insertion port; a light guide member surrounding at least a part of a periphery of the card insertion port when viewed in an inserting direction of the card; a light source configured to emit a light toward the light guide member; a reflection member disposed on a rear side with respect to the light guide member in the inserting direction of the card; and a cover member including the card insertion port and covers at least the light guide member and the light source from a front side in the inserting direction of the card. The cover member may include translucent light transmissive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: NIDEC SANKYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeki Watanabe, Fumiya Akasu, Yuji Fujimori, Akiyoshi Saito
  • Patent number: 9666009
    Abstract: The present invention provides an authentication apparatus operative to determine the authenticity of a polymer film, comprising: an optical response modifier operative to modify a first effect influenced by said birefringence characteristic of said to a modified first effect; and an optically-based birefringence measuring arrangement operative to measure said modified first effect; and wherein said apparatus is operative to: compare a value, or range of values, representative of said modified first effect as measured with a value, or range of values representative of a specified first effect as modified by a same optical response modifier and corresponding to a predetermined birefringence characteristic of an authentic polymer film; and output an authenticity signal indicative of authenticity or otherwise of said film based upon said comparison. There are also provided one or more methods of determining the authenticity of a polymer film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: INNOVIA FILMS LIMITED
    Inventor: Robert Laird Stewart
  • Patent number: 9639174
    Abstract: When a user shakes a mobile device, such as a smart phone, new content is shown on the display of the mobile device. In one embodiment, the content depends on the page or location the user is currently on within the mobile app or mobile browser page and can depend also on the history or experience level of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: PAYPAL, INC.
    Inventors: Egan Schulz, Peter Chu, Max Edward Metral
  • Patent number: 9595154
    Abstract: A medium processing device including: a main tape having one end fixed to a drum, and being wound onto the drum while sandwiching a medium with the drum; a first roller at which the main tape unwound from a main reel is turned back at a distant location from the drum; a second roller at which the main tape, turned back by the first roller and travelled along the drum, is separated from the drum and turned back toward the drum, the medium being sandwiched between portions of the main tape turned back by the first and second rollers and being conveyed between the second roller and the drum; an auxiliary tape having one end fixed to a location of the drum that does not overlap with the main tape, and winding the medium onto the drum at least within a separation range of the main tape from the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Takada, Atsushi Takada, Satoru Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 9569909
    Abstract: A portable drum-type banknote box and an ATM having the portable drum-type banknote box. The portable drum-type banknote box includes a shell, a large winding drum gear, a small winding drum gear, a connecting socket and a self-locking mechanism. The self-locking mechanism includes an electromagnet, a first spring, a second spring, a first locking rod, a second locking rod and a pull rod. The upper end of the pull rod is installed to the electromagnet in a paired mode, and the lower end of the pull rod is movably connected with the first locking rod. The portable drum-type banknote box has a small size and light weight, is convenient to assemble/disassemble and move and is capable of performing audit work on multiple ATMs; and achieves a locking function so as to effectively prevent the banknotes from being exposed and rolled out by human.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: GRG Banking Equipment Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yin Xia, Dong Tan, Zhiqiang Sun, Zhuang Jiang
  • Patent number: 9475334
    Abstract: Disclosed are security articles and methods and systems for authenticating security articles using a plurality of stimuli. According to one embodiment, an illustrative secured article includes an embedded feature wherein differential activation of phosphorescent or fluorescent materials creates a machine readable response through the simultaneous presence of a source of electromagnetic radiation and a specific gas environment. A detector detects a differential spectral emission across the security feature that results from the change in gas environment. The spectral emission may be compared to an expected emissive signature to determine authenticity of the security article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: SPECTRA SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Nabil Lawandy
  • Patent number: 9460345
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and a method for recognizing media and a financial device. The apparatus for recognizing media according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes: an image sensor configured to emit different first light source and second light source to media including at least one character to acquire a first image and a second image corresponding to each light source; a noise detector configured to detect noise of a region in which the character is included from the first image and the second image; and a controller configured to combine the first image and the second image depending on the detected noise information to recognize the character included in the media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: LG CNS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jung In Lee, Beum Yong Koo, Eun Ki Kim, Joong Ho An, Han Cheol Cho
  • Patent number: 9440470
    Abstract: A printing apparatus measures spectral intensity of a printed medium before an image is printed thereon, and calculates Mahalanobis distances with respect to plural types of reference printing media stored in advance. Then, the type of the printed medium is determined from the reference printing media based on the Mahalanobis distances and the image is printed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Masashi Kanai
  • Patent number: 9421579
    Abstract: A method of merging a postal article (3) with machine-sorted mail arriving in a stack and on edge in an ordered sequence of mail articles (12), the method comprising steps consisting firstly in forming a digital image of said postal article (3), the image including a postal delivery address (6), then, on the basis of data produced in said sorting machine and of said digital image, in determining in said ordered sequence of mail articles (12) a location at which said postal article (3) is to be inserted in order to perform the merging, and finally in generating an identification signal that visually designates said location directly in the stack so as to assist an operator (5) with performing said merging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: SOLYSTIC
    Inventors: Christophe Caillon, Eric Moullard, Mohammed Ghezal
  • Patent number: 9417732
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes a display panel, a backlight unit, a backlight control circuit, sensors, a read-out circuit and a sensor auxiliary circuit. The display panel includes pixels and displays an image. The backlight unit includes a first light source which emits a first light in a infrared light range. The backlight control circuit controls a brightness of the first light source. The sensors sense an external signal and outputs first sensing signals. The read-out circuit outputs the first sensing signals as second sensing signals. The sensor auxiliary circuit compares a maximum value and a minimum value of the second sensing signals and provides a brightness control signal to the backlight control circuit based on the compared difference to control the brightness of the first light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Heetae Kim, Hyeonyong Jang, Byungchoon Yang, Dongkwon Kim, Young-keun Lee, Ho-young Kim
  • Patent number: 9336641
    Abstract: An authentication apparatus operative to determine the authenticity of an item comprising a film substrate responsive to detection that a portion of said item located in a measuring region of said apparatus has a predetermined birefringence characteristic, said apparatus comprising: an item detection arrangement operative to determine if at least a portion of an item is located in a measuring region of said authentication apparatus; and an optically-based birefringence measuring apparatus, wherein said authentication apparatus is operative to compare a measured birefringence characteristic with a predetermined birefringence characteristic and to produce an authenticity signal indicative of authenticity or otherwise of said item based upon said comparison, said apparatus further comprising a control means operative to control output of said authenticity signal from said apparatus responsive to determination, by said item detection arrangement, of presence or otherwise of said at least a portion of said item in
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: INNOVIA FILMS LIMITED
    Inventor: Robert Stewart
  • Patent number: 9214050
    Abstract: A bill counter has two side panels, a bill-in part, a bill-out part, and a detector. The detector has a reflecting board, a lighting element, and an image capturing device. When the bill counter is in use, the lighting element flashes upon the passing of a bill. The reflecting board reflects the flash to uniformly illuminate the bill, and the image capturing device takes images at the same time. Because the image capturing device does not need to be located near the bill, even when the bill is moved slightly by shock, the images taken do not distort greatly, which prevents identification failure. Besides, the image capturing device eliminates the problem of image dragging, such that a mechanism of the bill counter can be simplified and a production cost is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Inventors: Yu-An Keh, Te-Ming Tsao
  • Patent number: 9091996
    Abstract: A medium conveying device includes an alignment member, a skew conveying member, and a removal member. The alignment member faces one end of a medium and aligns the medium while contacting with the medium when the medium is conveyed in a first direction. The skew conveying member conveys the medium in a second direction crossing to the first direction so that the one end comes in contact with the alignment member and that includes a drive member and a driven member opposed to the drive member and driven by the drive member. The removal member has a tip end coming in contact with a face of the drive member to remove a deposit on the face. The removal member is placed along a rotation direction of the drive member so that the tip end faces downstream of the rotational direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yousuke Hasegawa, Michio Tada, Takashi Abe, Hisakazu Onoe, Hiroyuki Suzuki, Akira Iwasaka, Makio Uehara, Toshitaka Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20150114794
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a circulation-type banknote/check deposit/withdrawal apparatus using a lateral deposit/withdrawal scheme and a method of handling banknotes and checks applied thereto, and more particularly, to a circulation-type banknote/check deposit/withdrawal apparatus using a lateral deposit/withdrawal scheme and a method of handling banknotes and checks applied thereto, wherein banknotes and checks of various sizes can be deposited and withdrawn through a single deposit/withdrawal unit; a carrying path is configured to carry the banknotes and checks deposited through the deposit/withdrawal unit in a lateral direction; and the carrying path is provided thereon with a medium alignment unit for aligning the carrying position on the carrying path of the banknotes and checks being carried thereon, so that the banknotes and checks, which have been deposited through the deposit/withdrawal unit and are being carried in the lateral direction, can be carried in a state where the banknotes and chec
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: Nautilus Hyosung Inc.
    Inventors: Chang Ho Park, Young Chul Lee, Jin Young Hwang, Jun Young Kim, Jong Seong Park, Dong Yeol Lee
  • Patent number: 9004255
    Abstract: A currency bill processing system includes a transport mechanism that is configured to transport bills from an input receptacle along a transport path that extends generally horizontally past at least one detector. The transport path transitions generally-vertically upward between a first and a second output receptacle. The transport mechanism is configured to deliver some of the bills toward a first end of the system into the first output receptacle and some of the bills toward a second end of the system into the second output receptacle. The system provides access openings in a front side of the system that are proximate the first and the second output receptacles thereby permitting operator access into the first and the second output receptacles from the front side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventors: Douglas U. Mennie, John M. Mikkelsen, Marek Baranowski, Charles H. Cummings, Ken W. Maier
  • Patent number: 8978864
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventors: William J. Jones, Douglas U. Mennie, Ken W. Maier, Marek Baranowski, Yanmei Chen
  • Patent number: 8973730
    Abstract: A paper sheet processing apparatus includes: an insertion slot through which a paper sheet is inserted; a sensor which detects insertion of the paper sheet; a traveling route through which the paper sheet is conveyed; a light emitting part which irradiates the traveling route with light; a light receiving part which receives light from the traveling route; a black calibration part which sets a reference value for the lowest brightness in a state that the emission of the light emitting part is ineffective; and an authenticity judgment processing part which judges an authenticity. The black calibration part can set the reference value before the authenticity judgment processing part judges the authenticity after the sensor detects the insertion of the paper sheet at every time when the paper sheet is inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventor: Takao Nireki
  • Publication number: 20150047945
    Abstract: Methods and systems for automated detection of a transparent gap present between subsequent bank notes undergoing high-speed processing are disclosed. A system for distinguishing between bank notes in a bank note processing machine comprises a conveyance device for transporting a bank note along a transport path and a detector comprising an optical sensor and an ultrasonic sensor disposed at a desired location along the path. The optical sensor identifies a transparent region at the desired location and the ultrasonic sensor determines if the transparent region corresponds to a transparent gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventor: Sohail Kayani
  • Publication number: 20150034451
    Abstract: Provided is a multi-currency bill acceptor that can easily convert an existing cashless system into a multi-currency cashless system at low cost. In the case of reading a ticket, the multi-currency bill acceptor converts information on the ticket into data in a ticket format readable by a game controller and sends it to the game controller; in the case of reading a bill, it sends information on the bill to the game controller in a form of data converted into a ticket format.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventor: Kengo Takeda
  • Patent number: 8944234
    Abstract: An input receptacle receives currency bills and checks. A transport mechanism transports the bills and checks along a transport path to an output receptacle. An image scanner, adjacent the transport path, is configured to generate one or more electrical signals from which image data can be derived. The image data is reproducible as a visually readable image of at least a portion of each of the plurality of documents. A controller is configured to determine a denomination of each of the currency bills. In response to the controller not determining a denomination of one of the currency bills, the controller flags the currency bill as a no-call document by causing at least a portion of the image data to be displayed as a visually readable image of the flagged currency bill on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corp.
    Inventors: Frank M. Csulits, William J. Jones, Douglas U. Mennie, Matthew L. Anderson, Robert J. Klein, Ralf H. Jaeger, David R. Badalamenti
  • Patent number: 8910771
    Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for the provision of receipt, validation and collection of banknotes or tickets which are input by a user, typically as payment for a service which has or is to be provided. The apparatus allow for the accurate location of the banknote or ticket as it passes through the apparatus and the accurate validation of the same. In one embodiment a printer assembly is provided which allows the apparatus to print tickets and to pass the same in the reverse direction to input banknotes or tickets, to be provided to the user as, for example a credit which can be cashed subsequently by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Innovative Technology Limited
    Inventors: Chris Robinson, Peter Dunlop
  • Patent number: 8899400
    Abstract: The check deposit apparatus of the present invention comprises an insertion part that is used to insert a check from outside for deposit, a feed part furnished with a feed roller that feeds the placed check along a feed path, an alignment part furnished with an alignment roller that feeds the check fed from the feed part to one side of the feed path and also aligns it, a check reading part that reads information of the check that has been aligned by the alignment part, first and second sensor groups that judge whether the check inserted into the insertion part has a specification that enables it to be fed and processed toward the alignment part normally, a third sensor group that judges whether the check aligned in the alignment part has a specification that enables it to be read and processed normally in the check reading part, and a control part that judges whether to deposit or return the check in question based on the information sensed by the first and second group or third sensor group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Nautilus Hyosung Inc.
    Inventors: Jae Hoon Kwak, Woo Ho Lee
  • Publication number: 20140326576
    Abstract: A method for monitoring transportation of bills ensures reliable control of the transportation processes. Each bill (BN) is routed through a light barrier that has a light-sensitive sensor (S) to detect at least one edge of the bill (BN). To suppress detection of windows (W) and to detect the rear edge (HK) of the bill (BN), the signal (S0) produced by the sensor (S) is debounced. The debounce time (dT) is set based on the length of the bill (BN), to a first period (dT1) that corresponds to the expected length of the bill (BN). The debounce time (dT) is set to the first period (dT1) as soon as the signal (S0) produced by the sensor (S) indicates the first appearance of an edge, particularly the front edge (VK), of the bill (BN). The debounce time can be set to a second shorter, period (dT2) after the first period (dT1) has elapsed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2012
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: Michael Kraemer, Stefan Moock
  • Patent number: 8830538
    Abstract: A illuminating device used for an document reading apparatus that has two rod shape light guides and light emitting elements where each of the light guides has a light emitting face and two flat light reflection faces, which may have a group of minute prisms that are formed along the longitudinal direction of the faces, and where light from each light emitting element is guided in the longitudinal direction by the light guide and reflected by that faces, such that the light is emitted from the light emitting face of each light guide and a virtual plane that is vertical to a longitudinal direction of each of the two light guides has two light intensity peaks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Ushio Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaki Inoue, Hiroshige Hata, Kiyoyuki Kabuki, Yutaka Shiozaki
  • Publication number: 20140246287
    Abstract: A device and a method for ensuring fund safety of a self-service terminal user. The device comprises a detection module, a determination processing module, an execution module, a storage module, and a control module. In the method, after each self-service terminal user finishes a service relating to cash business, banknotes possibly existing on a small movement door is automatically recovered and processed by an automatic teller machine. By means of the device and the method, the banknotes possibly existing on the small door can be automatically recovered and processed by the automatic teller machine each time after the service relating to the cash business is finished, so the transaction speed and efficiency of the self-service terminal can be improved, and the fund safety of customers can be effectively ensured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2013
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: GRG Banking Equipment Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hongshuai Zhang, Zhenou Han, Lihua Wang, Jixing Tan, Jianhui Zhou, Xuejun Yang
  • Patent number: 8820508
    Abstract: A bill handling apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention has a frame provided with a bill feeding path in which a bill is fed and with side wall portions provided in the width direction of the bill feeding path, a bill reading section installed in the frame to read a fed bill, and a bill identifying section for identifying authentication of the bill read by the bill reading section. The bill reading section is provided with a light guide member to which light is input from a light-emitting device as a light-emitting portion that applies the light to the fed bill, and the light guide member is installed to enter inside the side wall portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventor: Takao Nireki
  • Patent number: 8807347
    Abstract: A paper processing apparatus includes a setting section which sets a piece of paper, a feeding device which takes in the piece of paper set at this setting section, a transport device which transports the piece of paper took in by the feeding device, a judging section (detector) which discriminates whether or not the piece of paper transported by the transport device is a damaged note and discriminates types of damage and dirt of the piece of paper discriminated to be the damaged note, and a plurality of stacking boxes which carry out sorting and collection according to the types of damage and dirt discriminated by the judging section (detector).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Akihiro Yui