Brandt, Inc.

Francis C Larkin

Stephen J Horvath

William Sherman, Iii

Richard P Uecker

Jeffrey Amey

Sensors in the infeed and output stackers, under control of the microprocessor, monitor the sheets. The apparatus is started automatically by placing sheets in the infeed. A count of the sheets is developed and displayed as the sheets are fed. When the infeed is empty and the output contains sheets, the count is retained. If sheets are removed from the outfeed, the count is retained and is reset only after more sheets are placed in the input. The same rules obtain for batching. The sensors cooperate with singles, holes and doubles detectors and have their again adjusted depending upon sheet density. Automatic threshold adjustment circuits compensate for dust build-up and component aging. Upon sheet detection, the sensing circuit threshold level is instantaneously shifted to prevent an abrupt change in intensity from the sheet covering the sensor to provide an erroneous indication of the presence of a subsequent sheet or sheets. The sensors assure accurate counting even through sheets are fed in skewed and/or overlapping fashion. An amplifier normally in saturation is driven out of saturation when light intensity drops to increase the ability to determine the transmissivity to distinguish between single and double sheets. Operating speed may be reduced from normal speed. All timing is automatically readjusted according to the selected operating speed. The control circuitry may be coupled to and synchronized with a denominations counter and printer. The doubles detection circuit may also discriminate between two and three overlapped sheets.

Method and apparatus for counting sheets which may be fed in skewed

Sensors in the infeed and output stackers, under control of the microprocessor, monitor the sheets. The apparatus is started automatically by placing sheets in the infeed. A count of the sheets is developed and displayed as the sheets are fed. When the infeed is empty and the output contains sheets, the count is retained. If sheets are removed from the outfeed, the count is retained and is reset only after more sheets are placed in the input. The same rules obtain for batching. The sensors cooperate with singles, holes and doubles detectors and have their gain adjusted depending upon sheet density. Automatic threshold adjustment circuits compensate for dust build-up and component aging. Upon sheet detection, the sensing circuit threshold level is instantaneously shifted to prevent an abrupt change in intensity from the sheet covering the sensor to provide an erroneous indication of the presence of a subsequent sheet or sheets. The sensors assure accurate counting even through sheets are fed in skewed and/or overlapping fashion. An amplifier normally in saturation is driven out of saturation when light intensity drops to increase the ability to determine the transmissivity to distinguish between single and double sheets. Operating speed may be reduced from normal speed. All timing is automatically readjusted according to the selected operating speed. The control circuitry may be coupled to and synchronized with a denominations counter and printer. The doubles detection circuit may also discriminate between two and three overlapped sheets.

A scale under microprocessor control weighs each batch of currency. The weight measurement is compared against predetermined stored weight values to determine if the currency being weighed is strap currency or unstrapped currency and to determine the range of the currency count. Dependent upon the result of these comparisons, the proper routine is selected during which the last currency measurement is compared against the measurement criteria of the selected routine to either confirm the accuracy of the count or indicate an error. An average strap value is created from a table of stored values for at least one of the strap quantities and is updated each time a strap of that quantity is weighed. The averaging technique employed creates an average from the weights of the last ten straps of that quantity measured, and which are stored in the table. The averaging is performed after the table is updated. From this average, the value for each strap quantity and each single bill is recalculated and stored in memory in readiness for subsequent counting operations and/or verificiations. A table of stored values is created for each bill denomination.

Method and apparatus for counting currency and for confirming the count

Sensors in the infeed and output stackers, under control of the microprocessor, monitor the sheets. The apparatus is started automatically by placing sheets in the infeed. A count of the sheets is developed and displayed as the sheets are fed. When the infeed is empty and the output contains sheets, the count is retained. If sheets are removed from the outfeed, the count is retained and is reset only after more sheets are placed in the input. The same rules obtain for batching. The sensors cooperate with singles, holes and doubles detectors and have their gain adjusted depending upon sheet density. Automatic threshold adjustment circuits compensate for dust build-up and component aging. Upon sheet detection, the sensing circuit threshold level is instantaneously shifted to prevent an abrupt change in intensity from the sheet covering the sensor to provide an erroneous indication of the presence of a subsequent sheet or sheets. The sensors assure accurate counting even though sheets are fed in skewed and/or overlapping fashion. An amplifier normally in saturation is driven out of saturation when light intensity drops to increase the ability to determine the transmissivity to distinguish between single and double sheets. Operating speed may be reduced from normal speed. All timing is automatically readjusted according to the selected operating speed. The control circuitry may be coupled to and synchronized with a denominations counter and printer. The doubles detection circuit may also discriminate between two and three overlapped sheets.

An electronic coin dispenser provides a calculator and a printer besides dispensing coins and displaying the amount of change on an 8-digit LED display. The electromechanical coin dispensing elements and the thermal print head are controlled by a microcomputer, which is responsive to mode select signals to direct such operations as: dispensing amounts between $0.01-$4.99; dispensing the cents portion of a dollar and cents amount on the LED display; and automatically advancing the tape a plurality of lines so that the expended portion can be conveniently torn off. Split change for a quarter and a dollar is provided by operating dual-function keys labeled '0/25' and '00/$' respectively. Remote data is received by the microcomputer through a remote interface and amounts dispensed by remote command are displayed in a distinctive manner. The microcomputer also performs timing functions which are essential to the operation of the print head and coin dispensing elements.

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Trenton, NJ, United States of America

Francis C Larkin