De La Rue International Limited

De La Rue Systems Ltd.

Talaris Holdings Limited

John Alan Skinner

Peter Dilwyn Evans

Michael Potter

John Buttifant

Peter Alan Pullan

Barry Clifford Scowen

Simon George Calverley

Bryan James Christophersen

Steven Michael Hosking

David A Brooks

Ernest A Munn

Jeremy Stuart Michael Fox

Jaime Rosello Sallen

David Alan Brooks

A document handling apparatus is disclosed which is particularly well adapted for counting documents of value, such as banknotes. The document handling apparatus comprises an input module for receiving a stack of documents and feeding them one by one into the apparatus, a detector box which houses a series of detectors for detecting characteristics of the documents, a transport system for conveying documents within the apparatus, a doubles detector for sensing the passage of each document therethrough and a stacker module for stacking the output documents and presenting them to the user. The apparatus is based on a metal framework in a plastics housing.

Document handling apparatus

A method of detecting a coded magnetic thread is provided that includes sensing the response of a magnetic field detector as a thread passes the detector, the response varying from an initial magnitude in first and second senses to exhibit a first peak, and then in the first sense to exhibit a second peak; comparing the response with first and second thresholds disposed about the initial magnitude in the first and second senses respectively; and indicating the passage of a code element of the thread when the response passes the second threshold and then the first threshold in a predetermined manner characterized in that the first threshold is adjusted in accordance with a first predetermined algorithm based on the magnitude of the first peak. The first predetermined algorithm adjusts the first threshold so that the magnitude of the first threshold is the average of a predetermined number of preceding first peaks.

Apparatus for and method of detecting a coded magnetic thread

Systems and methods for identifying a coded magnetic thread comprise generating a digital representation of the thread and comparing the digital representation with one or more known digital representations; scanning the digital representation to locate a predetermined code sequence; and rotating the digital representation to locate the predetermined code sequence in a predetermined position corresponding to the position of the predetermined code sequence in a stored version of the or each known digital representation prior to carrying out the comparison.

Magnetic thread reader

A method and apparatus for identifying a document (). The method comprises exposing the document (), such as a banknote, to infrared radiation; detecting infrared radiation reflected from a plurality of regions of the document () to generate at least one test pattern; determining if the or each test pattern satisfies a predetermined relationship with a predetermined pattern or patterns corresponding to a known document; and, if the predetermined relationship is satisfied, identifying the document () as being the same as the known document.

Method and apparatus for identifying documents

A method of detecting a magnetic thread comprises causing relative movement between the thread and an array of magnetic heads, each head generates a signal upon detecting a portion of the thread. The arrival of a thread at one of the heads is detected, that head being denoted a primary head, and the head on each side a secondary head. Output signals from the primary and secondary heads are monitored to generate a representation of the thread, and the magnitude of the signals from the primary and secondary heads are compared such that if the magnitude of the output signal from a secondary head exceeds that from the primary head, the primary and secondary heads are reallocated accordingly.

A document handling machine comprised a detector system () for detecting one or more characteristic features of documents. A control system () performs a number of functions related to information obtained from the detector system () and/or the manner in which documents are handled. The control system () includes a memory () for storing a set of codes, each code corresponding to a respective one of the functions, and is adapted to enable a function to be performed if a supplied enabling code corresponds in a valid manner with one of the stored function codes.

Document handling machine

A method of processing documents of value. The method including detecting a visible pattern on at least one side of a document; detecting the response of at least one side of the document to infrared radiation; comparing the detected visible pattern to one or more predetermined patterns and identifying the document if the detected visible pattern is sufficiently similar to the or one of the predetermined patterns; and determining from the response to infrared radiation if the document is authentic.

Document counter

Sheet feed apparatus for supplying sheets such as banknotes from a store (,) to a sheet transport system. The apparatus comprises a feed system (,) for withdrawing sheets from the store (,). A separator system (,) is provided to which sheets are fed by the feed system (,), the separator system being adapted to feed sheets singly to the sheet transport system (,). A controller (,) controls operation of the feed and separator systems (,) independently.

Sheet feed apparatus

Apparatus for sensing the passage of sheets (1) through a nip formed by rollers (5 and 6), includes a core (14), moving with the shaft of one of the rollers, and a flat coil (15) connected to an oscillator circuit for sensing the deflection of one roller relative to the other. The oscillator circuit (18) provides a train of signals the frequency of which varies with the amount of the relative deflection of the rollers, and a counter (19) counts the signals from the oscillator in a fixed time interval. A store (22) stores counts representing the relative deflections of the rollers in a cycle of movement of the rollers when no sheet is present. The difference between a subsequent count and a stored count for a corresponding position in the cycle of rotation of the rollers is compared with a predetermined threshold, to establish the presence or absence of a sheet between the rollers.

Apparatus for sensing sheets

Apparatus for sensing the passage of sheets (1) through a nip formed by rollers (5 and 6), includes means for sensing the deflection of one roller relative to the other, the sensing means including an oscillator (18) providing a train of signals the frequency of which varies with the amount of the relative deflection of the rollers, and a counter (19) counting the signals from the oscillator in a fixed time interval. Means (23) are provided for storing counts representing the relative deflections of the rollers in a cycle of movement of the rollers when no sheet is present, and for comparing the difference between a subsequent count and a stored count for a corresponding position in the cycle of rotation of the rollers, with a predetermined threshold, to establish the presence or absence of a sheet between the guide members. The sensing means may comprise a core (14), moving with the shaft of one of the rollers, and a solenoid (15) connected to the oscillator circuit.

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Hampshire, United Kingdom

John Alan Skinner