Abstract: A bill counting machine includes a bill setting section, a bill take-out means for taking out bills from the bill setting section one by one into a main body of the bill counting machine, a bill conveyor for conveying the bills in a bill conveying passage, a sensor device for detecting optical properties and/or magnetic properties of each bill and producing detection data of the bill, a reference data memory for storing reference data of bills, a discriminator for comparing the detection data of the bill produced by the sensor device with the reference data of bills, thereby discriminating whether or not the bill is acceptable, the denomination of the bill and whether bills are being conveyed by the bill conveying means one by one and counting bills to be counted, and a bill stacking section, the bill counting machine further including a stopper locatable at a projecting position in the bill conveying passage downstream of the sensor device, the discriminator being constituted so as not to count a bill discri

Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling bill jams within a currency processing device is provided. The device includes a transport mechanism adapted to transport bills along a transport path, one at a time, from the input receptacle past an evaluation unit into a plurality of output receptacles. At least one of the output receptacles includes a holding area and a storage area. A plurality of bill passage sensors are sequentially disposed along the transport path that are adapted to detect the passage of a bill as each bill is transported past each sensor. An encoder is adapted to produce an encoder count for each incremental movement of the transport mechanism. A controller counts the total number of bills transported into each of the holding areas and the total number of bills moved from a holding area to a corresponding storage area after a predetermined number of bills have been transported into the holding area.

Abstract: A method of classifying an item of currency using a currency tester comprises sensing variable characteristics of a currency item and deriving a data vector (X) using values of the sensed characteristics, and transforming the data vector so that the variables represented by at least first and second sets of components (Y1, Y2) of the transformed vector are substantially independent, so that the mahalanobis distance of X is substantially equivalent to the sum of the mahalanobis distances of the components (Y1, Y2), and calculating a mahalanobis distance in at least two parts using said first and second sets of components.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for discriminating between currency bills of different denominations uses an optical sensing and correlation technique based on the sensing of bill reflectance characteristics obtained by illuminating and scanning a bill along its narrow dimension. A series of detected reflectance signals are obtained by sampling and digitally processing, under microprocessor control, the reflected light at a plurality of predefined sample points as a currency bill is moved across an illuminated strip with its narrow dimension parallel to the direction of transport of the bill. The sample data is subjected to digital processing, including a normalizing process, whereby the reflectance data represents a characteristic pattern that is unique for a given bill denomination and incorporates sufficient distinguishing features between characteristic patterns for discriminating between different currency denominations.

Abstract: A currency handling system comprising a fitness detector. The fitness detector comprising a thickness detector, a limpness detector, a soil detector or a combination thereof. The thickness detector comprising an upper roller displaceable in a predetermined arc by a note passing between the upper roller and a lower roller. The limpness detector comprising a single driven crackle roller comprising an elongated central bulge and two outer bulges, wherein the central bulge is in conforming relation to a flexible belt. Sheet metal guides further facilitate note deformation and sound production.

Abstract: Articles of currency are measured and the measurements then used to determine whether the articles belong to any of a plurality of respective target classes. A decision is made as to whether the article is to be rejected or accepted. A verification procedure is then carried out to determine, with greater reliability, whether the article belongs to any of the target classes, irrespective of whether the article was accepted or rejected. The verification procedure involves a plurality of measurements together with correlation data representing the expected correlations between the measurements based on populations of target classes. The selection of measurements is dependent upon the target class under consideration.

Abstract: A method of processing documents of value. The method including detecting a visible pattern on at least one side of a document; detecting the response of at least one side of the document to infrared radiation; comparing the detected visible pattern to one or more predetermined patterns and identifying the document if the detected visible pattern is sufficiently similar to the or one of the predetermined patterns; and determining from the response to infrared radiation if the document is authentic.

Abstract: In a bill validator (1) which includes a bill inlet (3) through which a bill (2) is inserted, a transfer path (4) arranged behind the inlet and connected to the inlet, a transferring mechanism (11, 10) for transferring the bill in the transfer path, a validating unit (18-20) for validating the bill on a predetermined validating position of the transfer path, and an optical detecting section (5), the optical detecting section includes a light emitting portion (7) for emitting a light beam, a transmission light guide (8) having a light input portion (8a) supplied with the light beam from the light emitting portion and a light output portion (8b) for outputting the light beam inputted through the light input portion, and a light receiving portion (9) for receiving the light beam from the light output portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for handling bill jams within a currency processing device is provided. The device includes a transport mechanism adapted to transport bills along a transport path, one at a time, from the input receptacle past an evaluation unit into a plurality of output receptacles. At least one of the output receptacles includes a holding area and a storage area. A plurality of bill passage sensors are sequentially disposed along the transport path that are adapted to detect the passage of a bill as each bill is transported past each sensor. An encoder is adapted to produce an encoder count for each incremental movement of the transport mechanism. A controller counts the total number of bills transported into each of the holding areas and the total number of bills moved from a holding area to a corresponding storage area after a predetermined number of bills have been transported into the holding area.

Abstract: A method of evaluating a stack of currency bills using a currency evaluation device comprising receiving a stack of bills in an input receptacle of the evaluation device. The bills are transported, one at a time, from the input receptacle to one of two or more output receptacles of the currency evaluation device. The denomination of the bill is counted and determined utilizing a detector positioned along a transport path between the input receptacle and the output receptacles. A bill is flagged when the denomination of the bills is not determined and the flagging comprises halting the transporting when a bill is flagged. The bills that have been denominated including bills of a plurality of denominations are delivered to a first set of one or more of the output receptacles.

Abstract: A method of evaluating a stack of currency bills using a currency evaluation device comprises receiving a stack of bills in an input receptacle of the evaluation device. The bills are transported, one at a time, from the input receptacle to one of two or more output receptacles of the currency evaluation device. The denomination of the bills is counted and determined utilizing a detector positioned along a transport path between the input receptacle and the output receptacles. The bills are determined on whether they meet or fail to meet a non-piece count related criterion. The transportation is halted when a bill meets or fails to meet the criterion. A bill meeting or failing to meet the criterion is termed a flagged bill. The halting is performed such that the flagged bill is positioned as the last bill in one of the output receptacles.

Abstract: A banknote accumulator receives banknotes on a winding drum interior to a housing through a banknote slot. The housing has a number of unique features including its exterior shape. The accumulator is essentially passive as the operation thereof is controlled by an exterior system but it includes various senses and signal processing to provide information to adjust the operation of the accumulator. In a preferred aspect of the invention, the housing includes transparent panels that allow visual inspection of the interior of the housing. A hinged panel is movable between a closed operative position and an open service position and is held in the closed operative position by a latch.

Abstract: A reverse vending machine is configured to selectively accept bulk fed containers, the machine including an in-feed station with an in-feed door and a hopper accessible via the in-feed door, the hopper having a first mouth which is open when the in-feed door is in an open orientation and closed when the in-feed door is in a closed orientation. The in-feed door has a second mouth, which is smaller than the first mouth, and which remains open regardless of in-feed door orientation. The in-feed station thus is configured to simultaneously freely receive multiple disarrayed containers through the first mouth when the in-feed door is in the open orientation and is configured to receive containers through the second mouth when the in-feed door is in the closed orientation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a technique of improving an apparatus for sheets discrimination with accuracy. Ultraviolet rays are illuminated to a sheet, such as banknote, and a light-receiving sensor 4 and 5 receive fluorescence emitted by a sheet using the light reflected from a sheet and ultraviolet rays as an excitation light. Moreover, the light-receiving sensor 5 receives the diffused and reflected light irradiated to a reflector 1 installed under a sheet conveyor 17. Correcting the reflective light and fluorescence detected based on strength of the irradiating light in the state without a banknote enables the discrimination with a high degree of accuracy even if an error is included in the irradiating light caused by the problems such as an aging of illuminant.

Abstract: Document handling apparatus comprises a transport system (2, 3) for feeding documents from an input location (20) to one or more intermediate or final output locations (24, 30), least one of the output locations being accessable from outside the apparatus. At least one radiation generator (60) and detector (60A) are arranged so as to sense an attempt to access documents in the at least one output location.

Abstract: The present invention provides a banknote scope that is comprised of a lightproof cartridge and a circuit control-detecting device, wherein a light-emitting component of said detecting device is set upon the inside of the lightproof cartridge; said lightproof cartridge has a gap-detecting channel so that the light ray emitted from the detecting device exactly shines on the detecting channel via a detecting window; for observing, the lightproof cartridge has a sight-glass coordinating to the detecting window oppositely. This banknote scope can reduce the radiation of static electric to the human body, and to avoid the user unexpectedly inserting fingers into the detecting window, therefore the operation of it is very safety, and it has a cramped construction, small volume for facilitating carryover and operation.

Abstract: A currency evaluation device for receiving a stack of currency bills and rapidly evaluating all the bills in the stack. The device includes an input receptacle for receiving a stack of bills to be evaluated and a single output receptacle for receiving the bills after they have been evaluated. A transport mechanism transports the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path. The device further includes a discriminating unit that evaluates the bills. The discriminating unit comprises two detectors positioned along the transport path between the input receptacle and the output receptacle. The detectors are disposed on opposite sides of the transport path so that they are disposed adjacent to opposite sides of the bills. The discriminating unit counts and determines the denomination of the bills. The evaluation device also includes means for flagging a bill when the denomination of the bill is not determined by the discriminating unit.

Abstract: A criterion for recognizing the presence of paper money is determined from the output of the photosensor (12) in its standby state when paper money is inserted. The criterion is stored in memory (15) for use to detect the existence of paper money.

Abstract: A paper discriminating apparatus is capable of discriminating different number bills. A paper, in which character strings inherent for each sheet are recorded on a plurality of character areas, is detected so that the paper is discriminated in accordance with image data obtained by detection of the paper. The paper discriminating apparatus has a character sensor for reading the plurality of character areas of the paper in form of an image, a character recognition unit for recognizing the character strings recorded on the plurality of character areas in the accordance with image data obtained by the character sensor, and a character decision unit for deciding a coincidence between the character strings recorded on the plurality of character areas.

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.

Abstract: A plurality of gates with control arms and cam arms that pivot to open and close a plurality of coin stalls, so that a coin will enter the first open stall, engage the cam arm to pivot the control arm to close that stall, and come to rest on one of a plurality of support arms. A coin select mechanism includes an actuator operatively connected to a coin select member with pins that engage slots with openings in the arms. The actuator is selectively operated to slide the coin select member to align one of the pins with the opening of one of the arms, to permit that arm to pivot to release the coin in that stall. A coin release mechanism includes an actuator operatively connected to a release member with pins that engage the release the arms so that only the desired coin stall is emptied.

Abstract: A currency evaluation device for receiving a stack of currency bills and rapidly evaluating all the bills in the stack. The device includes an input receptacle for receiving a stack of bills to be evaluated and a single output receptacle for receiving the bills after they have been evaluated. A transport mechanism transports the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path. The device further includes a discriminating unit that evaluates the bills. The discriminating unit comprises two detectors positioned along the transport path between the input receptacle and the output receptacle. The detectors are disposed on opposite sides of the transport path so that they are disposed adjacent to opposite sides of the bills. The discriminating unit counts and determines the denomination of the bills. The evaluation device also includes means for flagging a bill when the denomination of the bill is not determined by the discriminating unit.

Abstract: An adaptable string detector for currency validators has an infrared emitting diode on one side of the note path and an infrared phototransistor on the other. The phototransistor is connected to a window comparator and to an EEPOT. The EEPOT establishes a quiescent value for the output of the phototransistor to lie within the window of the window comparator. If a string or other retrieving implement is attached to a piece of currency traveling along the note path, the output of the phototransistor falls outside of the window, signaling that the note is to be rejected and no goods, services, or change is exchanged therefor.

Abstract: A bill counting machine includes a bill setting section, a bill take-out means for taking out bills from the bill setting section one by one into a main body of the bill counting machine, a bill conveyor for conveying the bills in a bill conveying passage, a sensor device for detecting optical properties and/or magnetic properties of each bill and producing detection data of the bill, a reference data memory for storing reference data of bills, a discriminator for comparing the detection data of the bill produced by the sensor device with the reference data of bills, thereby discriminating whether or not the bill is acceptable, the denomination of the bill and whether bills are being conveyed by the bill conveying means one by one and counting bills to be counted, and a bill stacking section, the bill counting machine further including a stopper locatable at a projecting position in the bill conveying passage downstream of the sensor device, the discriminator being constituted so as not to count a bill discri

Abstract: A paper discriminating apparatus is capable of discriminating different number bills. A paper, in which character strings inherent for each sheet are recorded on a plurality of character areas, is detected so that the paper is discriminated in accordance with image data obtained by detection of the paper. The paper discriminating apparatus has a character sensor for reading the plurality of character areas of the paper in form of an image, a character recognition unit for recognizing the character strings recorded on the plurality of character areas in accordance with image data obtained by the character sensor, and a character decision unit for deciding a coincidence between the character strings recorded on the plurality of character areas.

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 the bills have been evaluated. A transport mechanism transports the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to 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 receptacles counts and determines the denomination of the bills. The device further comprises a processor which flags a bill meeting or failing to meet a certain criteria. The processor causes the transport mechanism to halt in response to the detection of a bill meeting or failing to meet the criteria.

Abstract: In a system and method for a payout in the form of paper tokens from a gaming machine, the system includes a hopper for dispensing the paper tokens, a cassette for containing the paper tokens, and software for controlling the operations of the payout of the paper tokens from the gaming machine. The cassette and hopper are located in the gaming machine in plain view of a player, and are locked for security purposes. Each paper token is transported through a payout path by mechanisms in the cassette and the hopper which interact to dispense a paper token. A plurality of sensors sense the transport of the paper token through the payout path, the operation of the transport mechanism, and the status of the paper token supply. An escrow area is provided in the cassette for rejected paper tokens, as sensed by sensors and diverted by a diverting mechanism into the escrow area. A memory element in the cassette stores operational information regarding dispensing of the paper tokens.

Abstract: The device for examining securities, especially bank notes, includes a transport facility for conveying securities along a transport path and a recognition facility arranged on the transport path. The recognition facility has two integrated optical modules arranged alongside each other for scanning securities in two different wavelength ranges. The optical modules are arranged with their long axes basically parallel to each other, and at the same time slightly tipped toward each other. The optical module extends over an entire breadth of the transport path. It includes several light sources arranged at regular intervals, a larger number of optical imagining elements and several optical detectors, whereby the security is passed by a transparent front panel of the module.

Abstract: A document handling system for evaluating documents with respect to master information, has at least one input device adapted to obtain from at least one authentic document information associated with one or more attributes of the authentic document, a processor for generating master information based on the information obtained by the input device, and a memory for storing the master information.

Abstract: A document handling system is adapted to evaluate documents such as 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 sets of master currency bills to obtain master information representative of the master bills which may be used to evaluate subsequent test bills. The master currency bills may comprise bills of different currency types, including bills issued by different countries. The master information may comprise numerical and/or non-numerical data. The evaluation 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.

Abstract: A currency note condition recognition apparatus and method uses a programmed microelectronic CPU to execute program instructions stored in a PROM to read in pixel data from an optical imaging section, including LEDs and photodiodes for generating signals which can be converted to a first image of a currency note being transported along the path of travel. The CPU receives position and skew data detected by external sensors for sensing the position and skew of the note.

Abstract: A bank note detector has four LED's emitting Red, Green, Blue, and infrared light and a detector for sensing light reflected and transmitted from the bank note. The system includes microprocessor for analysis circuiting for selecting and adjusting the LED's, for programmable amplifying the light detected and feeding the amplified signal to the microprocessor.

Abstract: A currency evaluation device for receiving a stack of currency bills and rapidly evaluating all the bills in the stack. The device includes an input receptacle for receiving a stack of bills to be evaluated and a single output receptacle for receiving the bills after they have been evaluated. A transport mechanism transports the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle to the output receptacle along a transport path. The device further includes a discriminating unit that evaluates the bills. The discriminating unit comprises two detectors positioned along the transport path between the input receptacle and the output receptacle. The detectors are disposed on opposite sides of the transport path so that they are disposed adjacent to opposite sides of the bills. The discriminating unit counts and determines the denomination of the bills. The evaluation device also flags a bill when the denomination of the bill is not determined by the discriminating unit.

Abstract: An acceptor for evaluating banknotes, or other paper forms of payment, that includes a replaceable sensor module which communicates in a standardized manner with a central processing unit. The sensor module includes a series of sensors and the signals of the sensors under go primary processing by the sensor module to correct for at least individual characteristics of the sensor module. The central processing unit can be updated if required for different applications. This arrangement adds considerable flexibility in maintenance of the acceptor as well as changing the application of the acceptor.

Abstract: A sheet discriminating apparatus includes a light source for emitting light toward a sheet, a spectrophotometer for receiving light emitted from the light source and reflected by a non-printed surface portion of the sheet and generating spectral data, a memory for storing reference data, and a discriminator for discriminating genuineness of the sheet based on the spectral data generated by the spectrophotometer and the reference data stored in the memory. According to the thus constituted sheet discriminating apparatus, it is possible to accurately discriminate the genuineness of a sheet, particularly a bill or security certificate.

Abstract: In a system and method for a payout in the form of paper tokens from a gaming machine, the system includes a hopper for dispensing the paper tokens, a cassette for containing the paper tokens, and software for controlling the operations of the payout of the paper tokens from the gaming machine. The cassette and hopper are located in the gaming machine in plain view of a player, and are locked for security purposes. Each paper token is transported through a payout path by mechanisms in the cassette and the hopper which interact to dispense a paper token. A plurality of sensors sense the transport of the paper token through the payout path, the operation of the transport mechanism, and the status of the paper token supply. An escrow area is provided in the cassette for rejected paper tokens, as sensed by sensors and diverted by a diverting mechanism into the escrow area. A memory element in the cassette stores operational information regarding dispensing of the paper tokens.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for discriminating between currency bills of different denominations uses an optical sensing and correlation technique based on the sensing of bill reflectance characteristics obtained by illuminating and scanning a bill along its narrow dimension. A series of detected reflectance signals are obtained by sampling and digitally processing, under microprocessor control, the reflected light at a plurality of predefined sample points as a currency bill is moved across an illuminated strip with its narrow dimension parallel to the direction of transport of the bill. The sample data is subjected to digital processing, including a formalizing process, whereby the reflectance data represents a characteristic pattern that is unique for a given bill denomination and incorporates sufficient distinguishing features between characteristic patterns for discriminating between different currency denominations.

Abstract: An apparatus for recognizing the authenticity of paper currency, credit cards, and the like, which includes a casing, a mat mounted inside the casing for holding a paper currency, credit card, or the like for recognition, the mat having a semitransparent center area, incandescent lamp means mounted inside the casing and controlled to emit light through the semitransparent center area at the mat from the bottom, a lift cover covered on the casing, an ultraviolet lamp mounted inside the lift cover, a calculator mounted outside the lift cover, and a reflector mounted inside the lift cover to reflect light from the ultraviolet lamp toward the mat.

Abstract: A photoelectric measurement is made by charging (or discharging) a capacitor at a charge rate dependent on the intensity of the light received by a sensor. The time taken for the charge level to change by a predetermined amount is measured, and the operation is repeated, with the time intervals being accumulated, for a number of times, the number being dependent on the charge rate, so as to enhance resolution of high-intensity measurements. A single comparator is used to detect when the charge level passes through a first level, to initiate the timing, and through a second level, to stop the timing, by altering the threshold level so as to avoid errors due to varying propagation delays.

Abstract: A bill accepting apparatus has a pair of photo-electronic sensors disposed spaced apart from each other on an imaginary line orthogonal to a bill transport direction. The leading edge of the bill being transported is detected at times T1 and T2 by the respective sensors. A time difference between T1 and T2 is compared with a predetermined value. From a known distance between the two sensors, a known bill transport speed and the time difference, the tilt angle of the leading edge can be determined. Analog outputs hyof the sensors are individually converted at a given frequency to first and second series of digital values. A CPU interrupt signal is obtained each time when both of each of the first and second series of digital values are obtained, and this interrupt signal initiates a skewed bill detecting task in a CPU.

Abstract: A device and method for identifying a bank note with simple construction offering easy adjustment and a reliable performance independent of the environment under which it works. The device enables identification of a bank note printed in color with a genuine one by the method of adjusting the intensity of light emission so as to equalize sensitivity of a photoelectric transducer to a light source A and a light source B, emitting lights in different wavelengths when there is no object to be identified, detecting the difference in sensitivity of detected signals of light transmitted through or reflected by the object to be identified as output of a high-pass filter, and sampling, in a sampling circuit, a signal based on the sensitivity difference and proportional to the difference between detected value for light source A and sensitivity of light source B to conduct identification based on the sampling value.

Abstract: A document acceptor includes a document transport path and a multi-function optical sensor disposed adjacent the document path. The multi-function sensor can be operated in one of two or more modes. Depending on the mode in which the sensor is operated, signals from the sensor can be used, for example, to indicate whether a document has reached a particular position, to determine whether the document includes a predetermined pattern, such as a bar-code pattern, or to determine whether an attempt is being made to pull the document out of the acceptor.

Abstract: A method and system for determining the extent of deterioration of a bill includes generating transmitted and reflected light images. The reflected and transmitted light intensities of the transmission and reflection light intensity images are used to determine one or more disorder curve lengths for each image of the bill. Each disorder curve length is compared with a corresponding predetermined disorder curve length for a corresponding image of a reference bill to generate an evaluation factor. The positions of the evaluation factors on an evaluation map indicate the extent of deterioration of the bill.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting radiation in a relatively narrow wavelength band within radiation having a wide range of wavelengths. The method comprises detecting radiation in a first wavelength band including the narrow wavelength band and other wavelengths; detecting radiation in a second wavelength band which comprises substantially only the other wavelengths; and comparing the levels of detected radiation to determine the presence of radiation in the narrow wavelength band.

Abstract: In a system and method for a payout in the form of paper tokens from a gaming machine, the system includes a hopper for dispensing the paper tokens, a cassette for containing the paper tokens, and software for controlling the operations of the payout of the paper tokens from the gaming machine. The cassette and hopper are located in the gaming machine in plain view of a player, and are locked for security purposes. Each paper token is transported through a payout path by mechanisms in the cassette and the hopper which interact to dispense a paper token. A plurality of sensors sense the transport of the paper token through the payout path, the operation of the transport mechanism, and the status of the paper token supply. An escrow area is provided in the cassette for rejected paper tokens, as sensed by sensors and diverted by a diverting mechanism into the escrow area. A memory element in the cassette stores operational information regarding dispensing of the paper tokens.

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: A method of classifying a test article as one of a plurality of acceptable denominations of articles of currency, comprising applying a statistical classification process which employs discriminant surfaces derived from previous test articles known to be valid or invalid and is arranged to distinguish therebetween, characterized by applying also an acceptance boundary test which limits the acceptance volume for each denomination so as to exclude forgeries for which the discriminant surfaces were not derived.

Abstract: A currency discriminating apparatus comprising an input receptacle for receiving a stack of currency bills and a transport mechanism for transporting the bills, one at a time, past a discriminating unit to at least one output receptacle. Each of the bills has a denomination associated therewith. The discriminating unit discriminates the denomination of the currency bills using a plurality of magnetoresistive sensors. Alternatively, a currency evaluation system that discriminates and authenticates bills based on a plurality of retrieved characteristics.

Abstract: A validator portion of a bill validator is disclosed comprising two different plastic materials of different colors, fused together. The first plastic material is preferably opaque, or black, and the second plastic material is preferably clear. The clear material is used to provide windows through the validator housings for light to pass from light sources, such as light emitting diodes, to photodetectors, such as phototransistors, and protects the light source and photodetectors from water, dirt and air. Prisms can be provided as well, to provide a detector for foreign matter such as string. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the validator can be formed by a two shot, injection molding process.

Abstract: A sensor section for obtaining identification data from a bill passing through a bill transfer path can selectively be mounted in a plurality of positions on the body of a bill identifying apparatus. The sensor section is mounted in one of the mounting positions, and a certain region of the bill passing through the transfer path is sensed by means of a sensor section to obtain identification data. When the use of forged bill is identified by the bill identifying apparatus, or after the machine has been used for a predetermined time, the mounting position of the sensor section is changed to another one. Thereupon, the sensor section senses other region of the bill passing through the transfer path to obtain identification data. Thus, the sensor section can easily cope with the use of the counterfeit bill even if the bill identifying apparatus is designed to be capable of sensing only a part of the whole area of the bill.