Sorting Paper Money Patents (Class 209/534)
  • Patent number: 4699272
    Abstract: A bill paying machine is disposed between two operators to be used in common by them. The bill paying machine comprises a machine body and a door openably mounted on the front portion of the machine. Disposed inside the machine body are bill containers for holding bills therein, a drawing-out or paying-out device for paying out bills from the bill containers, and a transport device for feeding the bills to the front door. The front door comprises two paying outlets and a distributing device for receiving the bills from the transport device of the machine body and directing the bills to one of two paying outlets in accordance with an instruction by an operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1987
    Assignee: Laurel Bank Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiichi Kokubo, Kyoichi Osako, Akira Hirata, Mizuo Oshita, Toshiaki Ito, Kazuyuki Seki, Eiichi Yoshikawa, Osamu Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 4697708
    Abstract: An automatic bank note depositing and dispensing machine includes a first detector for detecting when the number of bank notes in a container is smaller than a first prescribed number, a second detector for detecting when the number of bank notes in the container is larger than a second prescribed number, a bank note transfer assembly for delivering bank notes to and receiving bank notes from a fixed or self-propelled external delivery unit in response to output signals from the first and second detectors, a first feeder for receiving bank notes via the bank note transfer assembly from the external delivery unit when the number of bank notes in the container is detected by the first detector as being smaller than the first prescribed number, and for feeding the received bank notes to the bank note container, and a second feeder for feeding bank notes via the bank note transfer assembly from the bank note container to the external delivery unit when the number of bank notes in the container is detected by the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1987
    Assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Goto, Haruo Kimura, Toshihiko Okada, Katsunori Yuasa, Tetuzo Ito
  • Patent number: 4697071
    Abstract: In a circulation type automatic money receiving and paying machine, the paying-in note conveying path and the paying-out note conveying path has a common conveying path, and a mechanism for identifying the face or back sides of notes and a mechanism for turning over a note are arranged along the common conveying path, so that the bank notes are dispensed with the face or back sides thereof faced in the same direction at all times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1987
    Assignee: Glory Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigeaki Hiraoka, Takamasa Seo
  • Patent number: 4694963
    Abstract: An apparatus for sorting sheets is disclosed, which comprises a feeder for setting a mixture of different kinds of sheets, the set sheets being fed one by one for sorting, a judging circuit for judging the kind of sheets being transported through the body after having been fed from the feeder, and a stacking section for stacking sorted bills according to the results of the judging circuit. The stacking section includes an upper stacker, a lower stacker, and a reject stacker, sheets of a specified kind being stacked in the upper stacker, sheets incapable of being judged being stacked in the reject stacker, and the other sheets being stacked in the lower stacker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1987
    Assignee: Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Sumiyoshi Takesako
  • Patent number: 4690268
    Abstract: A sheet convey apparatus which conveys a mixture of obverse and reverse-sheets set at an inlet port to a collecting section, comprises a first convey path for conveying obverse-presented bills which are distinguished from reverse-presented bills by a sorting convey path, and a second convey path disposed parallel to the first convey path, for conveying reverse-presented bills which are to be reversed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1987
    Assignee: Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akito Ueshin
  • Patent number: 4682770
    Abstract: A collecting stacker for collecting all documents of a user is provided in the printing mechanism preceding the output stacker, whereby a retention mechanism is provided at the output of the collecting stacker, this retention mechanism opening after the arrival of the last document with respect to the individual user and initiating further transport of all documents contained in the collecting stacker into the output stacker in common. Documents left in the output stacker are subsequently transported to a user inaccessible deposit stacker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1987
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Josef Dempf, Erich Moser
  • Patent number: 4682768
    Abstract: This invention relates to a bill receiving/dispensing apparatus applied to a vending machine and a money changing machine which can house and store bills inserted by users and return a desired number of bills. Provision of a reversing roller (10) makes it possible to ensure that in paying out a bill (1) only a single bill is paid out at a time from a plurality of bills (3) overlaid one on another in a bill storing device (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1987
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koujirou Iida, Yasuo Yoshioka, Hiroshi Ogawa, Kiyoshi Haruno, Tsugio Ohigashi
  • Patent number: 4681229
    Abstract: A note sorting and counting apparatus comprises an ejecting device for ejecting notes one by one from a stack of notes, an identifying device for identifying the notes, a sorting device for sorting the notes into groups in accordance with the result of the identification, and a plurality of containers allotted to the respective groups, each container receiving the notes of the group to which it is allotted. The identification may be as to whether the note is obverse or reverse, and as to the denomination, and the notes may be sorted into groups comprising obverse notes of the respective denominations and a group comprising reverse notes. The identification may alternatively include one as to whether the note is normal or damaged, and the notes may then be sorted into a group comprising obverse and normal notes and a group comprising obverse and damaged notes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1987
    Assignee: Glory Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Sadaaki Uesaka, Toshio Numata, Kazunori Umezaki
  • Patent number: 4678072
    Abstract: The bill device comprises a main part made of an elongated casing. A bill insertion slit is formed at an end portion of a front panel of the casing and a bill conveying passage of an L-shape is provided in the casing and communicates with the bill insertion slit for conveying a bill in the longitudinal direction. A bill discrimination device is provided in a short straight portion of the bill conveying passage nearer to the bill insertion slit and a reciprocating mechanism is provided on one side of a long straight portion of the bill conveying passage for effecting a bill accumulating operation. A bill accumulating box is provided on the other side of the long straight portion of the bill conveying passage for accumulating bills pressed toward it by the reciprocating mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1987
    Assignee: Nippon Coinco Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Osamu Kobayashi, Masaki Akagawa, Hiroshi Hayashi
  • Patent number: 4677682
    Abstract: A bill counting machine includes a holder for supporting bills thereon and suction heads for turning over the bills, one at a time, to count them. A projector is provided for emitting a ray of light onto the surface of each bill. A receptor is provided for detecting a ray of light reflected from the surface of the bill and for rectilinearly reading the surface pattern of the bill. The rectilinear reading allow judgments as to the denomination and obverse/reverse side of the bills.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1987
    Assignee: Laurel Bank Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tuyoshi Miyagawa, Eiko Hibari, Mitsuharu Kagami
  • Patent number: 4660818
    Abstract: Unstrapping apparatus for removing a strap (2) from a pack of sheets (1) initially contained in the strap is described. The apparatus comprises an input station including a blade (31) for cutting the strap (2) and a hook (59) for engaging the cut strap and carrying the strap to an association station (72). A feed transfer module (79) passes the unstrapped sheets to a doubles detect system and an authentication system (81, 83) for sorting the sheets into acceptable and unacceptable sheets. Unfit sheets, as determined by the doubles detect and authentication systems (81, 83) are transported to the association station (72) where they are stapled by a stapler (73) with the strap (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1987
    Assignee: De La Rue Systems Limited
    Inventors: Trevor J. Conner, Michael G. Jackson
  • Patent number: 4653647
    Abstract: A sorting and stacking apparatus has a currency note feeding section for feeding currency notes one at a time; and a currency note inspecting section for inspecting the denomination of a currency note, a normal note, a damaged note, an obverse-presented note and a reverse-presented note. The currency notes of a predetermined denomination among the currency notes fed by the currency note feeding section are fed to a first stacking section having first and second pockets while currency notes of other denominations are fed to the second stacking section. When the first pocket of the first stacking section is filled with the currency notes, the transport path of the currency note is automatically switched toward the second pocket. Subsequent currency notes are thus stacked in the second pocket of the first stacking section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1987
    Assignee: Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Susumu Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 4645936
    Abstract: A detection system for utilization with a paper security or currency validation apparatus wherein a correlation is made between reference patterns and cross hatch lines located in the portrait background on the paper and the presence of one of two paper currencies is determined. Fundamentally the invention consists of a single reticle which contains a lens whereon are located the cross hatch references for two different paper currency denominations. Within the reticle assembly are located two photosensitive cells, one for each reference pattern. Each photosensitive cell is connected to its own authenticating circuitry which validates the presence of a specific paper currency note. Should the tested paper pass the authenticity test of one authenticity circuitry, the other is disabled. Should the tested paper fail both authenticating tests, it is rejected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1987
    Assignee: Ardac, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Gorgone
  • Patent number: 4629382
    Abstract: A sheet collecting apparatus for collecting paper sheets, comprises a plurality of collecting chambers which are arranged to receive sorted bills through an insertion port, a shutter unit which is disposed to cover dispensing ports of all of the collecting chambers and is movable between a first position where all of the dispensing ports are closed and a second position where all of the dispensing ports are opened, and a drive section for driving the shutter unit in one of the first and second positions. The paper sheets are stacked in the collecting chamber when the shutter unit is located in the first position and the paper sheets are dispensed outside the collecting chamber when the shutter unit is located in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1986
    Assignee: Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Akito Ueshin
  • Patent number: 4628194
    Abstract: An improved currency validator having an electrical signal generating sensor for scanning an area of a bank note and generating a sequence of electrical signals in response to the currency identifying characteristics detected by the sensor in the area scanned is described. Circuitry is provided for measuring the intervals between the generated signals, classifying each of the measured intervals into one of a plurality of sets and determining the difference between the number of intervals in one of said sets and the number of intervals in another of said sets. By comparing the above difference with a constant, information concerning the validity or denomination of the bank note is obtained. Additional circuitry is described for normalizing measured intervals and set bounds to take into effect variations in the speed of transport of banknotes which are to be discriminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1986
    Assignee: Mars, Inc.
    Inventors: Bob M. Dobbins, Elwood E. Barnes
  • Patent number: 4625870
    Abstract: A bill handling apparatus of the recycle type having a bill receiving system and a bill disbursing system. The bill receiving system includes a bill insertion opening, a bill discriminating unit, a unit for arranging bills so that the front and back sides of the bills face in the same direction and for accumulating the bills, and bill-receiving boxes for receiving bills according to denomination. The bills to be deposited are fed from the bill insertion opening, via the discriminating unit, to the bill arranging and pooling unit and, thereafter, via the discriminating unit, to the bill receiving boxes. The bill disbursing system is constructed so that the bills received in the bill receiving boxes are fed, via the discriminating unit, to a bill disbursing opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1986
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Manabu Nao, Hisao Hirota
  • Patent number: 4623975
    Abstract: At least one sheet of paper is conveyed in a feeding direction along a conveyance path. A line perpendicular to the feeding direction of the conveyed sheet includes at least first and second distinct view field regions (lengths) separated from one another by the center of the path. The light directed toward the sheet which passes across the path along the perpendicular line is optically scanned, and a value of the dimension a conveyed sheet projects into each of the first and second view field regions is produced for each scan. The sheet is repetitively scanned a plurality of times as it is conveyed along the path, and the values obtained, for each scan, for at least for the first and second regions are summed with a predetermined constant value to produce a sequence of width values representing the widths of the conveyed paper sheet at a corresponding plurality of longitudinal positions along the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1986
    Assignee: Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomio Kagami
  • Patent number: 4618257
    Abstract: A color-sensitive currency verifier operating with a plurality of narrowband light sources optically coupled to a single broadband photodetector and including means for automatically balancing the color outputs of the various light sources. Color balancing is accomplished just prior to the examination of a specimen bill. The data samples are taken under the control of a microprocessor and used to authenticate the specimen bill both on the basis of pattern and color information stored in memory. Multiple data samples from a single target area are divided to compensate for soiling condition of the bill, and further compensation for condition of the bill is provided by adjusting the conversion scale factor of an A/D converter on the basis of data samples taken from a reference target area on the surface of the specimen bill before test or data samples are taken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1986
    Assignee: Standard Change-Makers, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert T. Bayne, James E. Heidelberger
  • Patent number: 4613747
    Abstract: A ticket verification and reading device has a single reading and writing head (20). If a card to be read is inserted incorrectly into the entry (11), rollers (23) and (13) rotate so as to return the ticket, inverting it as it passes round roller (13). The correctly oriented ticket is then returned to the roller (13) from when it passes the reading and writing head (20) to be read.Accordingly the device will accept incorrectly inserted cards, automatically re-orientating them so that even though the device has only one reading head (20) the cards can be read and, if necessary, verified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1986
    Assignee: Almex Ticket Machine Company Limited
    Inventor: Paul R. McCarthy
  • Patent number: 4594502
    Abstract: In an automatic depositing/dispensing apparatus, a plurality of note storage section is provided in a housing. Each of the note storage sections stores deposited notes of a denomination and includes a cash box and collection/takeout device which receives at one portion thereof the deposited notes from a note inlet portion to collect the same in the cash box and takes out at another portion thereof the notes collected in the cash box to deliver the same to a note outlet portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1986
    Assignee: Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Watanabe
  • Patent number: 4592090
    Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for scanning a banknote (33). A lengthwise strip of the banknote (33) is illuminated with white light, and the banknote is moved parallel to its width. Light reflected from all regions of the lengthwise strip is conveyed through an optical fibre fishtail array to a single photodetector, or to a spectroscope and then to several photodetectors for color scanning. The waveform produced by the or each photodetector is then characteristic of the surface of the banknote, and is used in an analyzing circuit for banknote pattern recognition, or to sense the condition of the banknote with regard to its age or degree of soiling. The analyzing circuit includes means for compressing or expanding the length of the waveform to give it a standard length for subsequent comparison with one or more stored characteristic waveforms in a memory (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1986
    Assignee: De La Rue Systems Limited
    Inventors: Barry J. Curl, Victor B. Chapman
  • Patent number: 4588292
    Abstract: An improved universal document validator in which a document is transported along a path past light detectors and associated light sources positioned above and below the path, such that light from the sources is directed toward the path and reflected onto the detectors to produce outputs therefrom. A first stored value representing the desired output of each detector with no document in the transport path and with its associated light source illuminated is divided by the actual output of each detector with no document in the transport path and with its associated light source illuminated, to produce a plurality of quotients. If any of the quotients falls outside a predetermined range, the validator turns itself off. A microprocessor control system uses the outputs of the detectors with a document in the transport path together with the quotients to produce an indication of the validity of the document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1986
    Assignee: Rowe International, Inc.
    Inventor: James D. Collins
  • Patent number: 4586232
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing paper sheets comprises a batch feeder for carrying the batches of paper sheets, each of the batches being sealed with the wrapping band, batch takeout device for taking out the batches carried by the batch feeder one by one, and wrapping band removing device adapted to hold the other side portion of the wrapping band while bending each batch taken out by the batch takeout device in one direction, and, then, to cut one side portion of the wrapping band, while bending the batch in the other direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1986
    Assignee: Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideo Ohmura, Takeshi Oowa, Kunihiko Nakamura, Masashi Nakada
  • Patent number: 4587408
    Abstract: In an automatic depositing/dispensing apparatus, a plurality of note storage sections is provided in a housing each storing deposited notes of a denomination and includes first and second notes storage sections for storing first and second denomination notes available for dispensation and a third note storage section for storing third denomination notes unavailable for dispensation. One sorting gate corresponding to the third note storage means leads thereto both those note which are judged to be of a denomination unavailable for dispensation as a result of denomination detection for the deposited notes by a judgement section, and those notes which are judged unfit by the fit/unfit detection for notes to be dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1986
    Assignee: Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Watanabe
  • Patent number: 4585125
    Abstract: A bill discriminator including within a housing a bill conveying mechanism which comprises a bill conveying path, a driving pulley, a driven pulley and conveyor belt and which is rotatable in both forward and reverse directions for conveyance of a bill within the bill conveying path, and bill discriminating magnetic head and photo sensors disposed in the bill conveying path, characterized by further including a tiltable lever having a pressing roller which is brought into pressure contact with the magnetic head by a biasing force of a spring, a latch gear integral with the driven pulley of the bill conveying mechanism, and a rocking lever which is normally in pressure contact with the outer periphery of the latch gear and which, at the time of reverse rotation of the bill conveying mechanism, imparts a tilting action to the tiltable lever against the spring to let the pressing roller depart from the magnetic head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1986
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Nipponcoinco
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Mori, Susumu Kojima, Masayuki Watabe
  • Patent number: 4585928
    Abstract: Notes are subject to note reform whereby they are replaced with new ones having quite different designs or patterns once in a certain period of time (10 to 15 years). After the reform, the former notes are successively withdrawn and are not issued any more so that only the newly issued notes are circulated. The depositing/dispensing apparatus of this invention is provided with a circulation prohibiting switch. When this switch is operated, all the former notes are stored in the third storage section. Thus, the third storage section serves only as a depositing safe. The newly issued first- and second-denomination notes are set in the first and second storage sections, which are used for dispensation only.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1986
    Assignee: Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Watanabe
  • Patent number: 4584529
    Abstract: There is disclosed a paper money discriminating method comprising the steps of scanning and detecting magnetism contained in a print portion in a predetermined area of paper money, and checking number of pulses in a pulse signal converted from a magnetism detection signal. An apparatus for carrying out this method is also disclosed, which comprises a magnetic head, a pulse output means, and counters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1986
    Assignee: Bill Checker Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shuji Aoyama
  • Patent number: 4579334
    Abstract: A note checking apparatus for indicating whether normal single notes, double notes or notes having local attachments of folds are passing therethrough includes two rollers 10 and 12 between which the notes pass. The roller 10 has a fixed axis, and the roller 12 is supported by pivotably mounted arms 38 so that it is movable away from, and pivotable relative to, the roller 10 in response to notes passing between the rollers. Sensors 42 and 43 produce voltage output whose magnitude varies in dependence on the amount of movement of the ends of the roller 12 away from the roller 10. In order to enable the apparatus to distinguish between double notes and a single note having a central local attachment, there are provided biasing rolls 56 and 58 which, during the passage of single or multiple notes between the rollers 10 and 12, are arranged to apply to the roller 12 first a pivoting moment in one direction and then a pivoting moment in the opposite direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1986
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Jan Durajczyk, David A. Hain
  • Patent number: 4577763
    Abstract: A sheet dispenser in which sheets are delivered from cassettes to a collector and held thereon. The collector is mounted on a movable support, and the collector and bills thereon are moved to either left or right delivery areas of the terminal in response to a request entered on an input terminal. Closures normally close the left and right delivery areas; however, these closures are opened to permit the sheets held on the collector to extend out of the dispenser to be grasped by an operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1986
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Dale L. Placke, Mark D. Filliman, Robert H. Granzow, Jack R. Gross, Charles S. Nagy
  • Patent number: 4570801
    Abstract: A document and currency handling machine in which bills to be handled are loaded in a cartridge having a first endless belt with a pusher plate which is spring biased towards the sheet-by-sheet feeder in the machine by a spiral spring coupled between the first endless belt and the shaft of one roller over which the first belt passes, so as to assure constant pressure by the pusher plate throughout its travel; a second endless belt, receiving separated bills from the sheet-by-sheet feeder, passes them by a sensor which detects defective bills and activates a diverter which diverts such defective bills into a reject tray, the good bills passing to an output stacker which, when the predetermined number of bills has been received by it, pivots to permit easy removal of the good bills.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1986
    Inventor: Ralph L. Brannen
  • Patent number: 4563771
    Abstract: A security validator particularly adapted for use by the blind. The validator includes sensors testing both top and bottom portions of a note to determine its authenticity and its denomination. Upon completion of the sensing operation, a voice recording or other audible indicia is emitted, indicating both the denomination and validity of the note. The invention also includes various devices for urging the note toward the sensor to assure high resolution data gathering. Additionally, testing of the note begins on the "green edge" of the note to assure that data is gathered from proper positions along the note.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1986
    Assignee: Ardac, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Gorgone, Anthony H. Dolejs
  • Patent number: 4557597
    Abstract: Described is a method of discriminating between front and back sides of the paper sheet bearing different printed design on the front and back sides, the printed design being in dissymmetry both in the up and down direction and in the left and right direction. The amount of light transmitted through plural portions of the paper sheet is sensed for deriving pattern signals indicative of changes in the amount of transmitted light, said pattern signals being then compared to reference pattern signals stored in advance to permit discrimination between the upper and lower edges and between the front and back sides of the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1985
    Assignee: Musashi Engineering Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takasuke Iwama
  • Patent number: 4556139
    Abstract: This bill accepting device comprises a bill discrimination section for discriminating whether an inserted bill is true or not, an escrow section capable of retaining a bill accepted by the bill discrimination section as a true bill and returning the retained bill, a stocker section for storing the bill accepted by the bill discrimination section as a true bill, and passage switching means for causing a bill passage in the bill discrimination section to communicate selectively either with the escrow section or with the stocker section. The passage switching section normally communicates the bill discrimination section with the escrow section to enable an inserted bill to be retained in the escrow section in a state in which the bill can be readily returned. When the escrow section has become full, the passage is switched so that the inserted bill is guided from the bill discrimination section to the stocker section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1985
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Nippon Coinco
    Inventors: Masaki Akagawa, Hideaki Onda, Osamu Kobayashi, Kenji Nishiumi
  • Patent number: 4554444
    Abstract: An automatic bank note transaction apparatus comprises a bank note receiving section disposed opposite to a cash inlet/outlet slot inside a housing to receive bank notes collectively put in the housing through the cash inlet/outlet slot. A conveyance path successively introduces and conveys the bank notes received in the bank note receiving section one by one to a discriminator which detects the denomination of the bank notes introduced and conveyed by the conveyance path. Distributing gates sort the bank notes by denomination according to the result of the discrimination by the discriminator into temporary collecting sections. The notes may then be transferred to safe sections provided for the several denominations. Apparatus is provided for retrieving notes from the safe sections for withdrawal by a user. Thus, the deposited notes which are transferred to the safe sections are added to notes which may be used for withdrawal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1985
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Minoru Hirose
  • Patent number: 4552350
    Abstract: A sheet dispenser in which sheets are delivered from cassettes to a collector and held thereon. The collector is mounted on a moveable support, and the collector and bills thereon are moved to either left or right delivery areas of the terminal in response to a request entered on an input terminal. Closures normally close the left and right delivery areas; however, these closures are opened to permit the sheets held on the collector to extend out of the dispenser to be grasped by an operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1985
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Charles S. Nagy, Dale L. Placke, Jack R. Gross, Robert H. Granzow
  • Patent number: 4549661
    Abstract: A bank note processing device comprising a money access opening in the upper part of the bank note processing device for accepting incoming bank notes and releasing outgoing bank notes, a bank note stacking unit below the money access opening for stacking up the incoming bank notes supplied from the money access opening, and supplying the outgoing bank notes to the money access opening, a conveying attitude aligning unit, a bank note identifying unit therebelow, an unidentified bank note temporary storage unit, a face aligning unit, a conveying passage, to the rear of the conveying attitude aligning unit and the face aligning unit, and, along this conveying passage, an incoming bank note temporary pooling unit, a plurality of bank note storage units each of which takes in and stores the incoming bank notes of a corresponding denomination from the conveying passage, and a bank note recovery unit for taking in the bank notes to be recovered from the conveying passage, in that order from above to below.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1985
    Assignee: Omron Tateisi Electronics Co.
    Inventors: Muneki Morishita, Hiroyuki Nishimura, Hiroji Matsusaka
  • Patent number: 4542829
    Abstract: Apparatus for sorting banknotes in accordance with the printed patterns on their surfaces comprises: an illumination source (S) for illuminating the banknote; a scanning device (1), for example an array of photodetectors, for collecting light from a plurality of illuminated pixels of the pattern; a moving device for moving the banknote relative to the scanning device; and an analogue-to-digital converter (6) responsive to signals from the scanning device representative of the intensity of light from each pixel, to produce intensity signals in digital form; a digital memory (7) for storing the digital signals; digital correlator device (8, 10) for correlating the stored signals with a previously-stored set of signals representative of a set of standard patterns, the correlation being performed pixel by pixel; and a sorting device, responsive to the result of the correlation to divert the banknote in accordance with the most likely match.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1985
    Assignee: De La Rue Systems Limited
    Inventors: Stephen G. Emery, Rick J. Humble
  • Patent number: 4542287
    Abstract: In an automatic bank note transaction apparatus, the deposited notes are circulated and appropriated for dispensation, as in the normal window operation. The amounts of money for previously stored notes for dispensation, deposited notes, and dispensed notes are stored and calculated so that the current amount of money stored in the automatic bank note transaction apparatus is indicated by a display section as required, thereby improving the efficiency of fund operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1985
    Assignee: Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Watanabe
  • Patent number: 4540081
    Abstract: This bill accepting device comprises a bill discrimination section for discriminating whether an inserted bill is true or not, an escrow section capable of retaining a bill accepted by the bill discrimination section as a true bill and returning the retained bill and a stocker section provided between the bill discrimination section and the escrow section, including a bill conveying passage connecting the bill discrimination section and the escrow section and receiving a bill being present in the bill conveying passage in a predetermined accumulating location by moving the bill in a direction in which the bill crosses the bill conveying passage. The inserted bill is led to a linear passage in the stocker section through the bill discrimination section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1985
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Nippon Coinco
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Mori, Osamu Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 4539702
    Abstract: A discriminating method, wherein a bill pattern is extracted in accordance with signals derived from selected optimum channels out of a plurality of channels connected to sensors disposed in the path across which a bill moves and the bill is discriminated through comparing the bill pattern with a reference pattern set up previously in accordance with the discriminating operational modes and the kind of bill. Bill discriminating units are provided, each having a RAM and a multiplexer. The RAM permits writing of any desired reference pattern therein, while the multiplexer selects any desired channels. Because of this arrangement, it is possible to discriminate bills for different operational modes and different kinds of bills.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1985
    Assignee: Laurel Bank Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshinobu Oka
  • Patent number: 4524268
    Abstract: An automatic bank note transaction system according to the present invention is provided with a center CPU and a plurality of automatic bank note transaction apparatuses. The plurality of bank note transaction apparatuses is divided into a plurality of groups, and the system comprises a remaining bill monitor for producing data indicating from whcih apparatus of a group surplus bills are to be removed and which apparatus of the given group is to be replenished with the surplus bills.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1985
    Assignee: Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kunio Fukatsu
  • Patent number: 4517451
    Abstract: An automatic money depositing and disbursing machine has functions of receiving bank notes from a transacting port and feeding the same through a discriminating section provided in a note circulating delivery passage and accommodating in the boxes normal notes judged by the discriminating section, and of disbursing the notes through the discriminating section from the transacting port. The machine is of such a construction that at least portions of the received notes are used as notes to be defrayed or disbursed. Provided between the note circulating delivery passage and the boxes are note transfer mechanism which comprises at least one upwardly retraction accumulating wheel for feeding notes into the boxes from the note circulating delivery passage and at least one pair of attracting drums for sucking notes from the boxes and feeding them to the note circulating delivery passage. The machine has a judging section for checking a near-end condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1985
    Assignee: Laurel Bank Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiichi Kokubo, Junichi Arikawa, Kowichi Goi, Shinichi Imura
  • Patent number: 4516031
    Abstract: A method of determining the degree of wear of bank-notes 1, in which testing is carried out along edge 2 with a photodiode row 30 arranged perpendicular to the direction of transport. Depending on the skew of the note, whichever photodiode of the row completely covering the edge of the note is used for testing. The selection of a diode and the testing are independent of each other and are carried out along predetermined sections of the bank-note edge, controlled by a pulse coupled with the movement of the note. The photodiode ascertained during a selection section 4 is maintained during the entire following test section 3, so that testing is not affected by disturbing changes of the measuring diode. Selection sections 4 can be selected so as to be so short that the test sections 3 succeed each other practically continuously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1985
    Assignee: GAO Gesellschaft fur Automation und Organisation mbH
    Inventors: Wittich Kaule, Walter Renz, Gerhard Stenzel
  • Patent number: 4513439
    Abstract: In the field of security validators, slot acceptors have been known which transport paper offered as a valid security past a testing station. Previously known acceptors have been susceptible to defeat by mosaics, stringing, shocking, photocopy duplication, and the like. Additionally, known acceptors have operated in an analog mode, relying upon rudimentary test functions. The invention herein overcomes the problems of the prior art by presenting an acceptor having a note path (18) characterized by changes of direction (22,24), and which is secured at each end by means of unique gate assemblies (78,98). A plurality of sensors (148-152) are positioned along the note path and are controlled to take a multitude of data samples from the paper as it passes along the path. The data is digitized (236) and used for solving complex transforms, the results of which are compared against results obtained from known valid securities to determine the authenticity of the paper offered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1985
    Assignee: Ardac, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Gorgone, Gerald M. Iannadrea, Anthony H. Dolejs, Bruce R. Knox, Alan J. Kovach
  • Patent number: 4511794
    Abstract: A transaction performing system comprising a cash handling device of the circulation type having cash containers for accommodating received cash as classified according to the kind of money and delivering cash from the containers for dispensing, and sensors for detecting the condition of cash in each container. According to the condition of cash detected, the state of transaction is controlled. The control of the state of transaction includes change of the mode of transaction, limitation of receiving cash and limitation of delivery of cash. The mode of transaction includes a cash receiving-delivery mode, a cash receiving-only mode, and a cash delivery-only mode. The change of the transaction mode is so controlled that when the amount of cash in the container has increased greatly to the full, the receiving-delivery mode is changed to the delivery-only mode, whereas when the amount has decreased to a very small quantity (very scanty), the receiving-delivery mode is changed to the receiving-only mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1985
    Assignee: Omron Tateisi Electronics Co.
    Inventor: Tutomu Imamichi
  • Patent number: 4501416
    Abstract: A sheet handling apparatus which may be used for loading currency notes 70 into, and removing currency notes from, a cassette 68 includes a vacuum-operated, rotating pick-up wheel assembly 16 having two pairs of pick-up wheels 18 and 22. The pick-up wheels can operate to carry notes one by one from a loading station 98 and load them into an open end of the cassette 68, or can operate to pick up notes one by one from the open end of the cassette and carry them to a release station 118. A solenoid-operated control means is provided for switching the apparatus from a loading mode of operation to a pick-up mode, and vice versa, the control means serving to control the application of vacuum to the pick-up wheels and the operation of associated elements such as note retaining pawls 74. The apparatus may be used in an automatic bank teller system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1985
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: David A. Hain
  • Patent number: 4500002
    Abstract: A paper currency sorting and counting apparatus comprises a first separating unit adapted for separating damaged notes and sound notes supplied through a judgement unit designed to judge the authenticity as well as damaged the state of supplied banknotes of various nominal values, a stacker for stacking reject notes, a second separating unit for sensing the front and reverse sides of the normal notes and controlling the route of these normal banknotes, and a stacker for normal notes having a pair of vane wheels for stacking the normal banknotes in order to provide for automatic sorting of the supplied banknotes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1985
    Assignees: Musashi Co., Ltd., Hitachi Engineering Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Koshio, Tadao Kato, Hikaru Kawano
  • Patent number: 4493994
    Abstract: A method of detecting the condition of a rectangular sheet (8), comprising feeding the sheet, e.g. by belts (2, 4), through a checking station (adjacent to II--II), the direction of feeding (6) being along the length or the width of the sheet; deflecting, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1985
    Assignee: De La Rue Systems Limited
    Inventor: Graham H. Hilton
  • Patent number: 4483124
    Abstract: A sheet-like material processing apparatus is provided with a pre-processing section and a post-processing section. In the pre-processing section, the sheet-like material set in the supply section is taken out sheet by sheet and those taken-out ones are sorted, by an inspecting device, into at least two kinds of sheet-like material. A transfer/sorting device physically sorts those sheet-like material on the basis of the sorting by the inspection device. The sorted sheet-like material are separately collected each for a given number of the sheet-like material by a sorting and collecting device, and then are bundled by a sheet bundling device. A transfer device transfers the given number of the bundled sheet-like material. Of those sheet-like material transferred by said transfer device, the unreusable ones are invalidated by an invalidating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1984
    Assignee: Tokyo Shibaura Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ohba, Shigeo Horino
  • Patent number: 4482057
    Abstract: A record media transporting or dispensing mechanism comprising a first moving endless belt system having an advance side and a return side and also having a diversion point therebetween. The mechanism also includes bill cassettes and pickers for supplying record media to the advance side and also for cooperating with the advance side to transfer the record media to the diversion point. Also included is a second moving endless belt system cooperating with the return side to provide an entry area and a discharge area with regard to the record media and also for transporting record media from the entry area to the discharge area. A buncher is used for receiving and accumulating the record media received from the diversion point and a diverter, located at the diversion point, is used for diverting the record media into the entry area or the buncher accumulating in response to a control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 13, 1984
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Harley J. Shawen, Richard P. Marvin