Ardac, Incorporated

General Signal Corporation

Gerald M Iannadrea

Robert L Gorgone

Alan J Kovach

Anthony H Dolejs

Bruce R Knox

A system for obtaining real time measurements of at least one variable, such as temperature, of a molten metal bath where the variable is measured by immersion of an expendable primary element. The system includes a data transmitting assembly which receives the output of the primary element and when that output is within a predetermined range, indicating a valid reading, transmits a digital radio signal indicative of the magnitude of the variable. A data receiving assembly operates to receive the transmitted radio signal and a display device responsive to the output of the receiving device displays the magnitude of the variable.

Wireless data gathering system for molten metal processing

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

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.

Apparatus for testing the authenticity of paper having colored areas thereon. A plurality of light emitting diodes, each emitting light of a different wavelength, are provided in juxtaposition to a paper having areas thereon which are reflective with respect to the light from the various diodes. A single photodetector is maintain closely adjacent the paper for receiving light reflected therefrom. A sequential timing circuit controls the illumination of the diodes such that the photodetector senses the light reflective characteristic of the paper with respect to each of the various wavelengths of light in a mutually exclusive manner. The outputs of the photodetector are passed to a sample and hold circuit which, at the end of a test cycle, maintains data relative to the light reflective characteristics of the paper for each of the various wavelengths of light. Comparator circuitry then tests the data and compares the reflectance values for each wavelength against the values for other wavelengths to determine the authenticity of the paper. The diodes may be selected to emit light in either the visible range or at either end of the light spectrum depending upon the nature of the paper to be tested.

Apparatus for testing colored securities

Disclosed is apparatus for determining the authenticity of paper purported to be valid currency or the like. The invention includes a sliding tray which is adapted for receiving the paper. Maintained above the tray are a light source and three photocells. The light source casts light upon the paper as the tray is passed thereunder and light is reflected from the paper's surface onto two of the photocells. Appropriate filtering causes each of the two photocells to respond to different wavelengths of light reflected from the paper, these wavelengths corresponding to colors known to be present along the path traveled by the paper as it passes under the photocells. The outputs of the photocells are thus indicative of the presence and relative positions of colored areas upon the surface of the paper. Circuitry is included to receive and compare the outputs of the photocells with each other and with the output of a reference photocell, thereby determining the authenticity of the paper. The apparatus may be used in conjunction with a reticle validation test apparatus as a secondary validation test.

Apparatus for testing the presence of color in a paper security

A secondary detection system for utilization with a security validation apparatus wherein a sensing is made of the amount of light reflected from a given area of a paper security. Fundamentally, the invention consists of an infrared lamp or other emission source casting light through a tunnel and upon a highly reflective but partially transmissive surface. The reflective surface directs a large portion of the light onto the paper security. A first solar cell is provided in juxtaposition to the reflective surface for sensing the amount of light reflected onto the paper while a second solar cell is provided for receiving and sensing that quantity of light reflected back from the paper. A comparator circuit is interconnected between the two solar cells to determine the validity of the paper security on the basis of the percentage of light incident to the paper which is reflected therefrom. In actuality, the reflective surface is partially light transmissive and the first solar cell is positioned behind the reflective surface such that the reading of the light reflected by the reflective surface is actually achieved by the determination of the amount of light transmitted therethrough.

Secondary detection system for security validation

Apparatus for conducting secondary tests for security validation are presented. In one embodiment of the invention a light source, either infrared or visible, is cast upon two neighboring areas of a paper purported to be a valid instrument, these areas being of different light reflective characteristics. Photo cells are maintained in close juxtaposition to each of these two areas and the light reflected therefrom or passed therethrough is sensed by the photo cells. Comparator circuits are interconnected with the photo cells and, in part, determine the validity of the instrument on the basis of the comparison of the intensity of light reflected by each of the two areas. In another embodiment of the invention, a reference reflective surface is provided in juxtaposition to one of the photo cells to test those instruments not having neighboring areas of different light reflective characteristics. In yet another embodiment of the invention, a reference photo cell is provided for sensing the light actually emitted from the light source and establishing this light emission level as a reference level. Further, dividers and comparator circuits interconnect this reference photo cell with one of the other two photo cells for further determining the instrument's validity by testing whether the light reflected from one of the areas falls within a predetermined percentage of the light actually emitted from the light source. The entire unit of the light source, photo cells, and reference photo cell are all maintained within a singular molded housing preferably constructed of a highly light reflective material.

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Painesville, OH, United States of America

Gerald M Iannadrea