Mei, Inc.

Mars, Incorporated

Crane Payment Innovations Gmbh

Christian Voser

Roberto Polidoro

André Gerlier

Didier Rossel

Michael David Nunn

Guillermo Garcia

Juan-José Moreno

Gaston Baudat

Derek Hutchinson

Andre Gerlier

Sebastien Menot

Bernard Bouchet

A device and a system for detecting a tape or a piece of glue on a document and methods for detecting a tape or a piece of glue on a document are described. The device comprises at least one light source, at least one light receiver and at least one light barrier. The at least one light source is arranged on a first side of the at least one light barrier and the at least one light receiver is arranged on a second side of the at least one light barrier opposite to the first side. The light barrier is configured to come into contact with a document to prevent or reduce light emitted from the light source on the first side of the light barrier to be transmitted to the light receiver on the second side of the light barrier.

Cash validator and method for detecting tape on a document

An apparatus for use with a store for storing value sheets in a stack having at least one variable dimension. In one aspect, the apparatus can include a plate that is adapted to engage the stack for movement therewith in the direction of the variable dimension. The apparatus can also include an indicator that is disposable between a first, operational position and a second, rest position. The plate engages the indicator such that the indicator alternates between the rest position and the operational position in response to crossing of a predetermined position by the plate.

Dispensing value sheet store

A value sheet store from which value sheets may be dispensed. The value sheet store includes a housing having an aperture from which value sheets are dispensed, and a shutter operable to block the aperture. The aperture may be at least partially defined by at least one roller. The shutter may be formed to interleave with the aperture to block the aperture. The shutter may also be formed to interleave with the roller. The value sheet store may be adapted to be removably engageable with a value sheet transporter for transporting sheets to or away from the store. The value sheet store may be configured so that the shutter blocks the aperture when the value sheet store blocks the aperture when the value sheet store and the transporter are not engaged and unblock the shutter when the value sheet store and the transporter are engaged.

A banknote validator takes both reflection and transmission optical measurements at different wavelengths. An emitter and sensor on one side of the banknote path are used to make a calibration measurement using light reflected from a window on the other side of the path, overlying another optical device. Each measurement is normalized on the basis of multiple measurements of different wavelengths, distributed over a substantial area, such as along the relevant scan line, preferably using a value representing the dispersion of the measurements.

Method and apparatus for validating bank notes

Front panel of a banknote handler

A banknote validator takes both reflection and transmission optical measurements at different wavelengths. An emitter and sensor on one side of the banknote path are used to make a calibration measurement using light reflected from a window on the other side of the path, overlying another optical device. Each measurement is normalised on the basis of multiple measurements of different wavelengths, distributed over a substantial area, such as along the relevant scan line, preferably using a value representing the dispersion of the measurements.

A store for storing value sheets such as banknotes in a stack and for dispensing the value notes from the stack. When more than a single value sheet is dispensed from the stack, the store returns all but one of the value sheets to the stack while moving the stack to reduce friction between the returning value sheet and the topmost value sheet of the stack. Means for securing the stack are also provided: a support for the stack is anchored and/or extra pressure is applied to the stack. The store includes means for indicating when the stack contains more than a predetermined number of value sheets and means for preventing securing of the store when the predetermined number of value sheets is exceeded. A value sheet store with part of a sidewall integrally formed with the lid. A value sheet store which includes a lid attached to a housing by a hinge located on an edge of the housing. Apparatus and a method for determining the height of a stack of value sheets. A shutter arrangement in a value sheet store which acts to block an aperture through which value sheets are dispensed.

A method of controlling a banknote store comprising at least one winding means and at least one elongate support means which can be wound and/or unwound from the winding means for storing and/or transporting a banknote, comprises determining the radius or diameter of a spool comprising at least the winding means using the degree of rotation of the winding means and the corresponding linear amount of movement of the elongate support means.

Banknote store

A first sensing means, which may form part of a banknote authenticator, is used to determine the profile of, for example, at least the leading edge of a banknote. Actuators located elsewhere in the banknote handling machine are operated in accordance with the outputs of other sensors, after taking the measured profile into consideration, so as to correct for errors due to the banknote being damaged in the area sensed by the other position detectors.

Banknote handling apparatus

A banknote validator can recognise ink stains having predetermined characteristics and is operable to perform measurements on a received banknote in order to classify the banknote into at least the following categories: (a) genuine non-stained bills of said denomination; (b) bills which been stained; and (c) other bills, including non-genuine banknotes. Preferably, stained banknotes are sent to at least one dedicated store. The validator can classify banknotes into many denominations, but can only authenticate banknotes belonging to a sub-set of those denominations.

Banknote validator

The optical characteristics of a banknote are measured by using first and second sets of optical devices positioned on respective sides of the banknote path. Each device includes a transmitter and an adjacent pair of receivers, the receivers being capable of receiving light from the adjacent transmitter which has been diffusively reflected by the banknote, and each receiver also receiving light from the transmitter of the opposed device. Calibration is carried out by moving a reference body of predetermined reflectance and transmittance characteristics into the banknote path between the devices.

Apparatus for sensing optical characteristics of a banknote

A multi-wavelength light source for use in a banknote validator comprises a housing containing a plurality of LEDs and a window for releasing light emitted by the LEDs. Visible wavelengths have a direct path to a diffuser located in the window. Infra-red wavelengths have to be diffusively reflected by the interior of the housing before they reach the diffuser, and thereby suffer greater attenuation that the visible wavelengths. The diffuser acts as a substantially point-like light source.

Currency acceptor, and light source for use therein

A transaction system comprises multiple currency acceptors which can detect potential performance problems and send signals to a server. The server collects performance data and analyses it to determine the likelihood that common problems are caused by an external influence. The server can also analyze data from the acceptors to provide re-configuration data, for example modified measurement criteria used to classify currency articles.

Growing community of inventors

Satigny, Switzerland

Christian Voser