Automated document processing system using full image scanning

A banknote counting and discrimination device for receiving a stack of banknotes, rapidly counting and discriminating the banknotes in the stack, and then re-stacking the banknotes comprising:

• an input receptacle for receiving a stack of banknotes to be discriminated;
• a full image scanner obtaining a full image of said banknotes for discriminating the denomination of said banknotes using said image or portions of said image;
• one or more output receptacles for receiving said banknotes after being discriminated by said discriminating unit;
• a transport mechanism for transporting said banknotes, one at a time, from said input receptacle past a sensor of said full image scanner and to said one or more output receptacles;
• one or more counters keeping track of the value of banknotes discriminated;
• value indicating means for an operator of said device to indicate the value of any banknotes whose denomination are not determined by said full image scanner, said banknotes whose denomination are not determined by said full image scanner being no call banknotes, said means appropriately effecting said one or more counters;
• and
• means for prompting an operator of the device as to the denomination of a no call banknote;
• wherein said prompting means initially suggests that the denomination of a no call banknote is the same as that of an immediately prior bill.

A banknote counting and discrimination device for receiving a stack of banknotes, rapidly counting and discriminating the banknotes in the stack, and then re-stacking the banknotes comprising:

• an input receptacle for receiving a stack of banknotes to be discriminated;
• a full image scanner obtaining a full image of said banknotes for discriminating the denomination of said banknotes using said image or portions of said image;
• one or more output receptacles for receiving said banknotes after being discriminated by said discriminating unit;
• a transport mechanism for transporting said banknotes, one at a time, from said input receptacle past a sensor of said full image scanner and to said one or more output receptacles;
• one or more counters keeping track of the value of banknotes discriminated;
• value indicating means for an operator of said device to indicate the value of any banknotes whose denomination are not determined by said full image scanner, said banknotes whose denomination are not determined by said full image scanner being no call banknotes, said means appropriately effecting said one or more counters;
• and
• means for prompting an operator of the device as to the denomination of a no call banknote;
• wherein said prompting means initially suggests that the denomination of a no call banknote is the same as that of the last banknote whose denomination was determined by said full image scanner.

A banknote counting and discrimination device for receiving a stack of banknotes, rapidly counting and discriminating the banknotes in the stack, and then re-stacking the banknotes comprising:

• an input receptacle for receiving a stack of banknotes to be discriminated;
• a full image scanner obtaining a full image of said banknotes for discriminating the denomination of said banknotes using said image or portions of said image;
• one or more output receptacles for receiving said banknotes after being discriminated by said discriminating unit;
• a transport mechanism for transporting said banknotes, one at a time, from said input receptacle past a sensor of said full image scanner and to said one or more output receptacles;
• one or more counters keeping track of the value of banknotes discriminated;
• value indicating means for an operator of said device to indicate the value of any banknotes whose denomination are not determined by said fall image scanner, said banknotes whose denomination are not determined by said fall image scanner being no call banknotes, said means appropriately effecting said one or more counters;
• and
• means for prompting an operator of the device as to the denomination of a no call banknote;
• wherein said prompting means initially suggests that the denomination of a no call banknote is the same as that of the last banknote that was a no call banknote.

A banknote counting and discrimination device for receiving a stack of banknotes, rapidly counting and discriminating the banknotes in the stack, and then re-stacking the banknotes comprising:

• an input receptacle for receiving a stack of banknotes to be discriminated;
• a full image scanner obtaining a fall image of said banknotes for discriminating the denomination of said banknotes using said image or portions of said image;
• one or more output receptacles for receiving said banknotes after being discriminated by said discriminating unit;
• a transport mechanism for transporting said banknotes, one at a time, from said input receptacle past a sensor of said full image scanner and to said one or more output receptacles;
• one or more counters keeping track of the value of banknotes discriminated;
• value indicating means for an operator of said device to indicate the value of any banknotes whose denomination are not determined by said fill image scanner, said banknotes whose denomination are not determined by said full image scanner being no call banknotes, said means appropriately effecting said one or more counters;
• and
• means for prompting an operator of the device as to the denomination of a no call banknote;
• wherein said full image scanner determines the denomination of a banknote by comparing a scanned data retrieved from said banknote by said sensor with master data associated with one or more genuine banknotes and wherein said prompting means initially suggests that the denomination of a no call banknote is the denomination associated with the master data that most closely matches the scanned data.

A banknote counting and discrimination device for receiving a stack of banknotes, rapidly counting and discriminating the banknotes in the stack, and then re-stacking the banknotes comprising:

• an input receptacle for receiving a stack of banknotes to be discriminated;
• a full image scanner obtaining a full image of said banknotes for discriminating the denomination of said banknotes using said image or portions of said image;
• one or more output receptacles for receiving said banknotes after being discriminated by said discriminating unit;
• a transport mechanism for transporting said banknotes, one at a time, from said input receptacle past a sensor of said fall image scanner and to said one or more output receptacles;
• one or more counters keeping track of the value of banknotes discriminated;
• value indicating means for an operator of said device to indicate the value of any banknotes whose denomination are not determined by said full image scanner, said banknotes whose denomination are not determined by said full image scanner being no call banknotes, said means appropriately effecting said one or more counters;
• and
• means for prompting an operator of the device as to the denomination of a no call banknote;
• wherein said full image scanner determines the denomination of a banknote by comparing a scanned pattern retrieved from said banknote by said sensor with one or more master patterns associated with one or more genuine banknotes and wherein said prompting means initially suggests that the denomination of a no call banknote is the denomination associated with the master pattern that most closely matches the scanned pattern.

A banknote counting and discrimination device for receiving a stack of banknotes, rapidly counting and discriminating the banknotes in the stack, and then re-stacking the banknotes comprising:

• an input receptacle for receiving a stack of banknotes to be discriminated;
• a full image scanner obtaining an image of said banknotes for discriminating the denomination of said banknotes using said image or portions of said image;
• one or more output receptacles for receiving said banknotes after being discriminated by said full image scanner;
• a transport mechanism for transporting said banknotes, one at a time, from said input receptacle past a sensor of said full image scanner and to said one or more output receptacles;
• one or more counters keeping track of the value of banknotes discriminated;
• means for flagging banknotes meeting or failing to meet to predetermined criteria;
• value indicating means for an operator of said device to indicate the value of any flagged banknotes, said means appropriately effecting said one or more counters;
• and
• a housing for said input receptacle, said discriminating unit, said one or more output receptacles, and said transport mechanism;
• wherein said value indicating means are affixed to said housing;
• wherein th operation of said device is not suspended when a banknote whose denomination is not determined is encountered.