US 6,234,294 B1 · Method and system for recognition of currency by denomination

Abstract

A currency note condition recognition apparatus and method uses a programmed microelectronic CPU to execute program instructions stored in a PROM to read in pixel data from an optical imaging section, including LEDs and photodiodes for generating signals which can be converted to a first image of a currency note being transported along the path of travel. The CPU receives position and skew data detected by external sensors for sensing the position and skew of the note. The CPU executes the program instructions, first to assemble a first data image of pixel data representing a two-dimensional image of substantially all of the note while averaging the pixel data in groups for further processing; second, to correct the first data image based on the skew data to eliminate skew; third, to relate the first data image to a plurality of predefined data images according to a mathematical function to determine whether the first data image can be classified as matching any one of the predefined data images corresponding to a specific currency denomination; and fourth to test the note for missing material and transmissivity in order to determine note fitness.

Claims23

Dependent claims

A method of detecting the condition of a currency note transported along a path of travel, the method comprising:

obtaining data from regions expected to define pixels of the note;
testing each pixel to detect absence of note material, and when an absence of note material is detected, setting the pixel data to a neutral value;
and
computing the total area of all pixels set to a neutral value set to the neutral value, wherein if the total area of all pixels is greater than a first predetermined value, the note is rejected.

1 more element

An apparatus for detecting the condition of a currency note transported along a path of travel, the apparatus comprising:

an imaging section for generating signals which can be converted to image data for assembling a first image of the note when transported along the path of travel;
and
a processor connected for reading and assembling a first data image of pixel data representing a two-dimensional image of substantially all of the note while averaging the pixel data in groups for further processing,
wherein the processor tests each pixel to detect absence of note material, such that when an absence of note material is detected, the pixel data is set to a neutral value, the processor computes the total area of all pixels set to the neutral value, and if the total area of all pixels is greater than a first predetermined value, the note is rejected.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and system for recognition of currency by denomination

Life of this patent

Method and system for recognition of currency by denomination

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims23