Abstract: The present invention relates to a bank note sorting apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for inputting and outputting money, and to a method for identifying and collecting money that is input to this apparatus. Further, an apparatus for inputting and outputting money includes any type of apparatus, such as an automatic teller machine (ATM), a money exchange machine or an automatic vending machine, used for the input and the output of all types of currencies.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing banknote bundles from a multiplicity of banknote magazines (12, 14, 16), which are arranged one above the other in a housing (10) and are equipped with a separating device, and for supplying the banknote bundles at an outlet opening (32), comprises a lift (19) with a receiving container (28) for banknote bundles. The separating arrangement and the lift (19) are driven independently of one another. The receiving container (28) has a single receiving position (29) which is common to all the banknote magazines (12, 14, 16) and is located beneath the lowermost banknote magazine (16), in front of the discharge opening (18) of the same.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for sorting a plurality of items into a predetermined sorted sequence. Items are initially located on initial sorting regions of a sorting apparatus. The items are then sorted into at least one intermediary sorted set and then sorted, from the intermediary sorted sets, into the final sorted sequence. A computer may be used to track the position of the items on the sorting apparatus and to control the movement of the items into the sorted sequence.

Abstract: A method of processing document items in a document processing system comprises the steps of (a) sorting document items into a predetermined plurality of physical pockets during a sorting pass of a radix sort, (b) partitioning a first plurality of the predetermined plurality of physical pockets to define a first logical pocket during the sorting pass of the radix sort, and (c) sorting certain document items into the first plurality of physical pockets defined in step (b). The method may further comprise the steps of (d) partitioning a second plurality of the predetermined plurality of physical pockets to define a second logical pocket during the sorting pass of the radix sort, and (e) sorting certain other document items into the second plurality of physical pockets defined in step (d). The sorting pass of the radix sort may be the last sorting pass.

Abstract: Bills are loaded into a hopper, separated and moved one at a time passed authentication sensors and an optical scanner. The sensors include a UV scanner, a magnetic sensor, an infrared scanner and a metallic thread detector. A main transport belt cooperates with first and second sensor transport belts to move the bills through the scanning section and into the bill collection section. The bill collection section includes multiple collection bins, each associated with a gate which, when actuated, guides a bill into the bin. A plurality of bill tracking sensors are located along the transport path. Data signals from the authentication sensors and the optical scanner for each bill are digitized and alternately routed to two parallel data processors. The processor outputs and tracking sensor outputs are fed to a control circuit which operates the collection bin gates and regulates the transport mechanism speed.

Abstract: A combination banknote validator, banknote accumulator, banknote storage cassette and banknote dispenser is designed in a modular manner and the accumulator and banknote dispenser cooperate to additionally define part of a processing pathway therebetween. The banknotes can move in either direction along the processing pathway and preferably several accumulators are located along the pathway. The banknote dispenser is of a rotary design and stacks banknotes on the surface thereof and dispenses a stack of banknotes through a discharge opening.

Abstract: A bill-processing machine is controlled to determine an amount of housed bills as required. A number of types of the bills mixed with a dummy bill for close inspection are housed in a single bill housing and the bills in the bill housing are circulated during output and close inspection. When a close inspection instruction is issued, the dummy bill is detected while the bills in the bill housing are being circulated. During the close inspection from the detection of the dummy bill until the dummy bill is detected again, the bills in the bill housing are sequentially delivered and subjected to output-money identification. The count in a bill counter for the corresponding money type in a close inspection counter is increased depending on the determined money type in order to determine the amount of the bills housed in the bill housing. Since the single circulatory bill housing is used, the size of the machine can be reduced.

Abstract: A banknote receiving machine conveys inserted banknotes on a conveying path and corrects their conveying posture by a posture correction device. At the downstream side of the posture correction device, there are sensors provided for detecting features of banknotes from the feature portions of the banknotes. Kinds and directions of the front/back and the top/bottom of banknotes are detected by posture detecting sensors that are provided in front of the posture correction device, acquires correction amounts corresponding to the kinds and the directions of the banknotes from a memory, corrects conveying postures of the banknotes based on correction amounts and brings the feature portions of the banknotes to oppose to the conveying posture correcting sensors.

Abstract: The paper-like material processing apparatus having backups for loading stacked paper-like materials respectively in the two stackers that the stacked paper-like materials on the backups are transferred to one carrier and conveyed to a single banding mechanism, wherein the apparatus has a temporarily holding mechanism for receiving and holding the stacked paper-like materials from the backups when the carrier is in use and a delivery mechanism for transferring the stacked paper-like materials of the temporarily holding mechanism to the carrier and transfers the stacked paper-like materials to the carrier when the carrier becomes usable.

Abstract: A method and device for identifying small stacks of currency bills within a large stack of currency bills using a currency evaluation device. A stack of currency bills to be processed is received in an input receptacle and the bills are transported from the input receptacle, one at a time, past an evaluating unit to at least one output receptacle. The evaluating unit determines the face orientation of each of the bills. Next it is determined whether the face orientation of each of the bills matches a target orientation. If the face orientation of a bill matches the target orientation, the face orientation of that bill is maintained. If the face orientation of a bill fails to match the target orientation, the face orientation of that bills is reversed with a bill facing mechanism. Each of the bills are then stacked in the output receptacle. After a predetermined number of bills having a common face orientation are stacked in the output receptacle, the target face orientation is redefined.

Abstract: A unit box (11) containing a bank-note conveyor belt unit (4) and a bank-note identifying unit (5) and not containing a bank-note accommodating unit, is provided in an openable and closable fashion with respect to a body (3) of a bank-note processing device (1), so that a conveyor belt (21) facing the side of a bank-note input opening (2) is exposed when the unit box (11) is opened.

Abstract: A method of controlling banknotes provides for acquiring a first image of a banknote having two successive prints; determining a relative deviation of the prints; determining deformation of the banknote; forming a second image as a function of the relative deviation, of the deformation, and of a third and fourth image characteristic of the respective successive prints; and emitting an error signal when the luminance values of the first image are outside first ranges relating to luminance values of the second image, or when the relative deviation is outside a second range.

Abstract: To provide an apparatus for sorting sheetlike data carriers which firstly has a compact and ergonomically optimal design and secondly permits the use of compact and cost-effective test devices, it is proposed that the input pocket (2) and the output pocket (12-15) are designed and oriented with respect to the front side (1) of the apparatus such that the long sides of the data carriers (3) face the operator. The singling device (19) and the transport system (4) transport the data carriers through a test device in the direction of their long sides. After running through the test device (6) the data carriers are supplied to one of the output pockets (12-15) by a longitudinal/cross conveying device (7) along their transverse sides.

Abstract: A banknote validator for determining the value and authenticity of a banknote is provided. The banknote validator includes a magnetic sensor, an optical sensor, and a non-return gate. The magnetic sensor includes a magnetic circuit and an electronic circuit. The optical sensor includes a trapezoidal light guide, a broadband light source for illuminating a banknote via the light guide, and sensors for detecting light reflected from the banknote. The non-return gate includes banknote-guiding means for guiding the banknote along a banknote path and for controlling the direction of the banknote's travel based on its acceptability.

Abstract: An apparatus for rotating a bill approximately 180° comprising a first and a second belt. The first belt has a bill transport portion, a return portion, a first end, and a second end. The second end of first belt being twisted approximately 180° in relation to the first end of the first belt. The second belt has a bill transport portion, a return portion, a first end, and second end. The bill transport portion of the first belt is disposed adjacent to the bill transport portion of the second belt. The second end of second belt is twisted approximately 180° in relation to the first end of the second belt. A bill transport path is defined by the bill transport portions of the first and the second belts. The bill transport path has an inlet and an outlet. The outlet of the bill transport path is twisted approximately 180° in relation to the inlet.

Abstract: A device for processing accepted banknotes uses a processing junction with banknote accumulators arranged on either side thereof and a banknote vault or stacker located at one end of the processing junction. A banknote dispensing outlet is associated with the banknote accumulators for receiving previously accumulated banknotes which are dispensed through the outlet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for checking bank notes for their state of use, in particular dirt and stains which can impair the service value of the bank notes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a paper processing device that discriminates papers such as bills and the like while transferring, and changes the transfer routes of the papers according to the discriminating result, and more particularly to a device that is built in an automatic teller machine (hereinafter shortly referred to as “ATM”) that carries out transactions such as receipt of money, payment of money and the similar, and thereby processes bills, and aims at reducing the number of stop failures, and at detection of paper powder at a level that does not cause any transfer trouble, transfers bills as they are, and handles those bills that have been transferred until paper powder is removed in the same manner as for abnormally shaped bills.

Abstract: The apparatus for dispensing change of the present invention comprises: a data input device for inputting change data; a base sheet supplier for supplying a base sheet; a top sheet supplier for supplying a top sheet; a cash deliverer for delivering cash based on the change data input to the data input device; and a change pack producer for producing a change pack by packing the cash delivered by the cash deliverer between the base sheet supplied by the base sheet supplier and the top sheet supplied by the top sheet supplier.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring a plurality of documents from a first compartment to a second compartment. The apparatus comprises a plunger assembly having a paddle adapted to contact the documents, and at least one outwardly extending arm hingedly connected to the plunger assembly. A gate is disposed between the first compartment and the second compartment forming a document supporting surface. The gate has an open position and a closed position. At least one lever extends from the gate, the lever being in a first position when the gate is in the closed position and the lever being in a second position when the gate is in the open position. The gate moves from the closed position to the open position when the paddle urges the documents against the gate from the first compartment towards the second compartment.

Abstract: An apparatus for rotating a bill approximately 180° includes a first and a second belt. The first belt has a bill transport portion, a return portion, a first end, and a second end. The second end of first belt being twisted approximately 180° in relation to the first end of the first belt. The second belt has a bill transport portion, a return portion, a first end, and second end. The bill transport portion of the first belt is disposed adjacent to the bill transport portion of the second belt. The second end of second belt is twisted approximately 180° in relation to the first end of the second belt. A bill transport path is defined by the bill transport portions of the first and the second belts. The bill transport path has an inlet and an outlet. The outlet of the bill transport path is twisted approximately 180° in relation to the inlet.

Abstract: A method of controlling printed items, in particular banknotes, involving two printing stages, the method including the steps of acquiring a controlled-item image; acquiring from the controlled-item image a deviation value between images printed in the two printing stages; acquiring a specimen-item image having the aforementioned deviation value; and comparing the controlled-item image with the specimen-item image; the specimen-item image being selected from a number of images memorized beforehand in a specimen image memory.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for processing sheet material, in particular papers of value such as bank notes, checks, etc., wherein different groups of sheet material are processed one after the other, the different groups of sheet material being separated for processing.

Abstract: An automated banking machine (10) includes a user interface (12) including an opening (20). Users of the machine deliver individual sheets and stacks of sheets to and from the machine through the opening. Stacks of sheets may include sheets such as notes, checks or other documents. Stacks input to the machine may include mixtures of various types of sheets. The machine operates to receive notes, process checks and perform other operations. Notes received in the machine may be recycled and dispensed to other users. Checks processed by the machine may be imaged by an imaging device, cancelled and stored in the machine or alternatively returned to a user. Documents produced by the machine such as receipts, checks or money orders as well as notes dispensed from the machine are assembled into a stack within the machine and delivered from the machine through the opening.

Abstract: A document processing system comprises an input receptacle for receiving documents. A transport mechanism receives the documents from the input receptacle and transports the documents past a full image scanner and a discrimination unit. An output receptacle receives the documents from the transport mechanism after being transported past the full image scanner and the discrimination unit. The full image scanner includes means for obtaining a full video image of said documents, means for obtaining a image of a selected area of said documents, and means for obtaining information contained in said selected area of said document. The discrimination unit includes means for determining the authenticity of said document. A system controller directs the flows of documents over the transport mechanism.

Abstract: An automated banking machine (10) includes a user interface (12) including an opening (20). Users of the machine deliver individual sheets and stacks of sheets to and from the machine through the opening. Stacks of sheets may include sheets such as notes, checks or other documents. Stacks input to the machine may include mixtures of various types of sheets. The machine operates to receive notes, process checks and perform other operations. Notes received in the machine may be recycled and dispensed to other users. Checks processed by the machine may be imaged by an imaging device, cancelled and stored in the machine or alternatively returned to a user. Documents produced by the machine such as receipts, checks or money orders as well as notes dispensed from the machine are assembled into a stack within the machine and delivered from the machine through the opening.

Abstract: A paper sheet manipulating apparatus and a paper sheet transaction apparatus for manipulating paper sheets such as bills has an inlet/outlet port allowing input and output of paper sheets and rotating between the paper sheets inlet position and the paper sheet feeding position; a separating device projected to the outlet port and drawn back to the draw-back position, distinguished, when projected, the paper sheets inputted to the inlet port and the paper sheets to be returned and accommodate the paper sheets into the outlet port; an accommodation section for accommodating the paper sheets; a temporary storing section for temporarily storing the paper sheets which should not be accommodated in the accommodation section or should not be exhausted and a plurality of cassettes for feeding and collecting the paper sheets in the accommodation section and for feeding and collecting the paper sheets in the outlet port, whereby few faults are generated and manipulations can be continued at a high speed for a long peri

Abstract: An automated banking machine (10) identifies and stores documents such as currency bills deposited by a user. The machine then selectively recovers documents from storage and dispenses them to other users. The machine includes a central transport (70) wherein documents deposited in a stack are unstacked, oriented and identified. Such documents are then routed to storage areas in recycling canisters (92, 94, 96, 98). When a user subsequently requests a dispense, documents stored in the storage areas are selectively picked therefrom and delivered to the user through an input/output area (50) of the machine. The control system (30) for the machine includes a terminal processor (548). Identification devices identify the type and character of a document, and distinguish genuine documents, such as genuine currency bills, from unidentifiable or suspect documents.

Abstract: A separator card substrate material for use in high speed document processing machines is imprinted with an array of periodically laterally spaced magnetic strips across an area of the face of the substrate and furthermore a machine readable code array of light and dark blocks representing selected data is imprinted in at least a portion of the same space of the substrate as is occupied by the magnetic strips with the light and dark blocks spanning widthwise dimensions between the strips as well as lengthwise dimensions between the strips. The interleaving of the magnetic strips and the light and dark blocks enables the separator card to be encoded with relatively large fields of optical data enabling the use of low resolution sensors for detecting the optical data used to uniquely identify each separator card without interfering with the function of the magnetic strips.

Abstract: A bill arranger is provided that includes a loader for loading bills and feeding the bills one by one; a conveyer for conveying the bills fed from the loader; a discriminating device for discriminating the bills conveyed by the conveyer; a plurality of stackers for stacking the bills, which are conveyed by the conveyer, so that the bills can be removed; an operating device for selecting one of sorting process modes which defines a method of sorting the bills loaded in the loader; and a controller for delivering the bills, which are fed from the loader, to one of the stackers, by the conveyer, based on the results of the discrimination by the discriminating device, according to the sorting process mode selected by the operating device.

Abstract: A method of processing documents of value.

Abstract: In a novel financial transaction system, a consumer exchanges payment means for goods or services provided by a retailer. The retailer then feeds the payment means, which may be in the form of bills or coinage, into a device which reads the value of the payment means. The value is transmitted to a financial institution for crediting to the account of the retailer. The retailer then destroys the payment means. The monetary value may be sent to the financial institution by electronic transmission, or may be written to a smart card. For security purposes, the information may be encrypted to require at least one code to allow writing and/or reading.

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: The method involves measuring data of a sheet material first being detected by means of a sensor, the sensor then deriving one or more measuring results from the data. Using a sorting tree a sorting class for the sheet material is derived from the measuring results of the sheet material. In each sorting node of the sorting tree a domain is fixed for at least one measuring result. The domains of a measuring result in a sorting node are selected so that they are either a subdomain or equal to the domain of the corresponding measuring result of the assigned, higher sorting node. The sheet material is transported to a destination in accordance with the derived sorting class for the sheet material.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus is composed of: an insert portion into which the plural number of sheets are inserted in a lump; a conveying belt to convey the inserted sheets through a conveying path by one sheet at a time; a detector to detect directions of both sides and the top and bottom of sheets being conveyed through the conveying belt; a both side reversing mechanism to selectively reverse both sides of sheets conveyed by the conveying belt; a top and bottom reversing mechanism to selectively reverse the top and bottom of sheets being conveyed by the conveying belt; and stackers to sort and stack sheets that are aligned in the same direction by the both side reversing mechanism and the top and bottom reversing mechanism.

Abstract: A winding device for storing banknotes and dispensing banknotes previously stored comprises a driven winding drum adapted for rotation in a first direction to wind received banknotes on said drum and rotatable in a second opposite direction to dispense previously stored banknotes. The winding device includes tapes which are applied to both sides of each banknote as the banknote is wound on the drum, the tapes being staggered in relation to each other for allowing more space-efficient winding around the drum.

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 automated banking machine (10) identifies and stores documents such as currency bills deposited by a user. The machine then selectively recovers such documents from storage and dispenses them to other users. The machine includes a central transport (70) wherein documents deposited in a stack are unstacked, oriented and identified. Such documents are then routed to storage areas in recycling canisters (92, 94, 96, 98). When a user subsequently requests a dispense, documents stored in the storage areas are selectively picked therefrom and delivered to the user through an input/output area (50) of the machine.

Abstract: A unit box (11) containing a bank-note conveyor belt unit (4) and a bank-note identifying unit (5) and not containing a bank-note accommodating unit, is provided in an openable and closable fashion with respect to a body (3) of a bank-note processing device (1), so that a conveyor belt (21) facing the side of a bank-note input opening (2) is exposed when the unit box (11) is opened.

Abstract: A device is provided for monitoring sheets from which cards with a monetary value and/or identity cards are punched, where the cards are arranged in rows on the sheets. The device is configured such that the number of cameras used is independent of the number of rows of cards. The device has a table on which at least two sheets can be laid. A camera can be moved along and across the table, and a conveyor device travels along the table above the camera.

Abstract: In an apparatus for checking the condition of bank notes, each note is individually transported past a brush whose bristles are in contact with one face of the note. A piezoelectric bi-morph vibration sensor is attached to the brush, the voltage output from the sensor being dependent on the amplitude of vibration of the bristles of the brush brushing against a note. The poorer the condition of a note, i.e. the rougher that its surface is, then the greater will be the amplitude of vibration of the bristles. Thus, from the voltage output of the sensor it can be determined whether a note is of an acceptably good condition.

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: An arrangement for handling banknotes having a banknote magazine (10) which is arranged to permit banknotes (39) to be fed into as well as out from the magazine one by one, and a memory device (44) for storing continuously updated information about the contents of the magazine (10). The banknote magazine has a controllably rotatable drum (10), containing a plurality of separate magazine compartments (11), formed by sector-like pockets, each of which extends in a generally radial direction into the drum (10) from an opening (27) located at the periphery of the drum. Through rotation of the drum (10), a selectable magazine compartment (11) can be placed with its opening (27) in front of an infeed and/or outfeed station (17, 19, 21) in order to permit an infeed of a banknote into or an outfeed of a banknote from said compartment (11) by an infeed and outfeed device (28), located within the magazine compartment (11) and serving also to hold a banknote fed into the magazine compartment (11) within the latter.

Abstract: A currency note storage device (10) for an ATM (50) comprises an endless rubber belt (12) carrying a multiplicity of outwardly-projecting flaps (22), the edges of the flaps attached to the belt being contiguous; the belt (12) runs around a pair of rollers (14,16) of such diameter that as the belt runs over them, the outer edges of the flaps are spread apart to form slots; the belt also runs around a pair of guides (18,20) of such diameter that as the belt runs over them the flaps are barely spaced apart. The number of slots is known, and therefore each slot is addressable; the processor (62) of the ATM (50) records the value of the currency note in a slot, and controls a stepper motor (66) to drive the belt (12) so that a required bank note (34) is positioned adjacent a pick device (38). The device (10) can also be used to deposit currency notes in an ATM.

Abstract: A device for processing accepted banknotes uses a processing junction with banknote accumulators arranged on either side thereof and a banknote vault or stacker located at one end of the processing junction. A banknote dispensing outlet is associated with the banknote accumulators for receiving previously accumulated banknotes which are dispensed through the outlet.

Abstract: A paper currency reception/delivery machine having a high degree of general-purpose utility and implemented in a simple structure of a small size at low cost and capable of handling foreign paper currencies of different sizes and other leaflets is imparted selectively with given ones of intelligent functions such as discrimination of denominations, recycling on a denomination-by-denomination basis, replenishment, collection and detailed check and the like. The paper currency reception/delivery machine includes a loop-like paper currency transport path extending in one direction by way of a paper currency checking means, a paper currency reception/delivery port, a temporary custody unit, a delivery-destined paper currency storing unit, a received paper currency storing unit, a recycling-destined paper currency storing unit, a replenishment/collection-destined paper currency storing unit and a rejection-destined paper currency storing unit.

Abstract: A method for processing sheet material such as bank notes by collecting measuring data from a plurality of sensor units. From the collected measuring data, deriving measuring results. Then mapping such measuring results on classes, combining individual classes into a property of sheet material with different forms, setting up a freely configurable rule matrix by method of which arbitrary but firmly selected combination of different forms of a quantity of properties can be associated with a sort class, deriving the sort class of the sheet material using the rule matrix, assigning the sort class to the sheet material, transporting the sheet material to a destination unit with the reference to the sort class of the sheet material.

Abstract: Paper sheets are oriented singly or in bundles using a device applicable to a machine by which the sheets, typically banknotes or previously assembled bundles of banknotes, are ordered into stacks. The machine comprises a series of stacking stations, supplied with the single or bundled banknotes by way of corresponding feed ducts, each equipped with a relative orienting device which in turn comprises receiving and accumulating mechanisms by which the sheets emerging from the duct are gathered into an ordered stack, and orienting elements, interposable between the duct and the receiving and accumulating mechanisms, by which the sheets are taken up and rotated through a predetermined angle.

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.