Ardac, Incorporated

Anthony H Dolejs

Robert L Gorgone

Gerald M Iannadrea

Alan J Kovach

Bruce R Knox

Frank A Novak

Henry M Stopar

Sanford C Murck

Patrick Swetel

A vertical slot-type currency validator has a note path which includes pressure elements for urging the bill into proper registration with a magnetic reading head within the path. The slot acceptor further includes an optical interrupt and restricting tab which is operative to indicate a bill has actually been stacked while preventing unauthorized attempts at removal of the bill. Further, a sensor is provided at the top of the note path to assure that the note has actually reached the full end of the path and is properly aligned for punching into the stack. A pair of side rails are provided for vertical transport of the bill, such side rails being slightly angled inwardly toward the center of the note path and including ball rollers which facilitate movement of the bill in any direction, and particularly into a stack under control of a punch. The punch includes a rubberized pad overlaying a rigid back plate for efficiently removing the bills for the rails.

Currency validator

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.

Audible security validator

A lock mechanism for securing the cabinet of a security validator. A latch handle is maintained within a recess within a latch housing. The handle is pivotal about an axis and moves within an opening in the latch housing, transversing a slot within the housing. A lock cylinder has a plate connected thereto and adapted for positioning within the slot to engage and maintain the handle within the recess and slightly depressed therein. The handle is spring-biased to normally urge it from the recess. A freely rotatable disc is positioned before the lock cylinder to prevent unauthorized access thereto.

Door latch mechanism

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. Further, the system includes a unique anti-jamming technique of drive motor reversals, and an escrow feature which secures the paper once it has been determined to be authentic and before a vend has been made. Yet further, there is included a novel receptacle for receipt and return of paper offered to the acceptor, and a number of variations of anti-stringing devices (112, 114, 118, 130) which may be operatively positioned at the end of the note path.

Security validator

A note receptacle for currency validators is presented which is capable of receiving notes of two distinct widths, while offering both such notes to the validator in proper registration for testing. The invention includes two distinct note paths, one beneath the other, which note paths blend together into a final note path which communicates directly to the slot of a currency validator. Side rails are provided along each note path for purposes of alignment and registration.

Note receptacle for currency validator

A dual stacker for slot acceptors, capable of receiving and separately stacking securities of at least two denominations. The invention includes a receptacle beneath the note path of a slot acceptor. A punch plate is operative for reciprocating movement through such receptacle. On each side of the receptacle are stacking plates, one for each denomination of bill to be handled. When a bill is sensed as being valid, and a determination is made as to the denomination of the bill, the punch plate is appropriately positioned on one side of the receptacle or the other. The bill is then dropped into the receptacle and the punch plate passed therethrough to move the bill on to the appropriate stack. The invention also includes bill retaining bars to prevent the bills from springing outwardly from the stacks. These bars are removable for easy access to the stacks by an operator.

Dual stacker for slot acceptor

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 uon 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. Further, the system includes a unique anti-jamming technique of drive motor reversals, and an escrow feature which secures the paper once it has been determined to be authentic and before a vend has been made. Yet further, there is included a novel receptacle for receipt and return of paper offered to the acceptor, and a number of variations of anti-stringing devices (112, 114, 118, 130) which may be operatively positioned at the end of the note path.

A note storage apparatus has a stacking assembly, a push bar assembly movably mounted in the stacker, a coffer assembly for storing the notes, a collector located in the stacker assembly for receiving the notes and the push bar assembly selectively contacting the note and transferring it to the coffer assembly.

Growing community of inventors

Bedford Heights, OH, United States of America

Anthony H Dolejs