초록 ▼

An improved method and apparatus for discriminating between currency bills of different denominations uses an optical sensing and correlation technique based on the sensing of bill reflectance characteristics obtained by illuminating and scanning a bill along its narrow dimension. A series of detect

An improved method and apparatus for discriminating between currency bills of different denominations uses an optical sensing and correlation technique based on the sensing of bill reflectance characteristics obtained by illuminating and scanning a bill along its narrow dimension. A series of detected reflectance signals are obtained by sampling and digitally processing, under microprocessor control, the reflected light at a plurality of predefined sample points as a currency bill is moved across an illuminated strip with its narrow dimension parallel to the direction of transport of the bill. The sample data is subjected to digital processing, including a normalizing process, whereby the reflectance data represents a characteristic pattern that is unique for a given bill denomination and incorporates sufficient distinguishing features between characteristic patterns for discriminating between different currency denominations. A plurality of master characteristic patterns are generated and stored using original bills for each denomination of currency to be defected. The pattern generated by scanning a bill under test and processing the data samples is compared with each of the prestored master patterns to generate, for each comparison, a correlation number representing the extent of similarity between corresponding ones of the plurality of data samples for the compared patterns. Denomination identification is based on designating the scanned bill as belonging to the denomination corresponding to the stored toaster pattern for which the correlation number resulting from pattern comparison is determined to be the highest, subject to a bi-level threshold of correlation.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method of processing currency bills using a U.S. currency evaluation device comprising:receiving a stack of bills to be evaluated in an input receptacle of the device, transporting the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle along a transport path, automatically denominating bills of a

1. A method of processing currency bills using a U.S. currency evaluation device comprising:receiving a stack of bills to be evaluated in an input receptacle of the device, transporting the bills, one at a time, from the input receptacle along a transport path, automatically denominating bills of a plurality of U.S. denominations, delivering bills which have been evaluated to an output region comprising one and only one stacker wheel containing output receptacle.