Document validator with power management

#The disclosure relates to a device for validating documents of value (e.g., paper currency).

#It is commonly known to those skilled in the art to use a bill validator to check authentication and denomination of banknotes. Bill validators are used in a wide variety of applications including; vending machines, gaming machines, ticketing machines and automated teller machines. Bill validators typically include a sensing unit for sensing authenticity and denomination of inserted banknotes. Various types of sensing systems can be employed by a bill validation device for example, optical sensing, magnetic sensing or a combination of both. Typical bill validation devices have power provided for operation either from the host machine or from a direct power source such as a standard AC power outlet.

#A limitation of the type of bill validator described above is that it is in a continuously “ON” mode and thus continually draws power either from the host machine or through a directly connected power source. As overall power consumption for a host machine is becoming more of an issue due to operation costs, there is a need to reduce such consumption.

#FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a banknote validator and various components.

#FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a banknote validator including a power management system and a power source.

#FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a power management system including a wake up unit and power detecting unit.

#The disclosure relates to a low power validator for documents of value (e.g., paper currency validator) and, in particular, to a battery powered banknote validator including a power management system for minimizing or reducing the power consumption from a power source. As used herein, the term “documents of value” includes paper currency such as banknotes and bills, as well as security documents, paper coupons and other similar documents of value (both authentic as well as unauthentic (e.g., forgeries).

#In the illustrated implementation, a banknote validation device 10 includes an inlet 50 for receiving banknotes from a user, a transportation path 40 for conveying an inserted banknote within the bill validation device, a sensing unit 20 for sensing characteristics of an inserted banknote, and a processing unit for controlling the overall operation of the banknote validator. The sensing unit 20 and other components can be integrated, for example, within the processing unit. Additionally, there is provided with banknote validator 10 a power supply unit 70 and a power management system 100. In some implementations, power supply unit 70 is a 12-volt battery; however, other types of power supplies and voltages can be used for the power supply unit.

#Power management system 100 provides control of the supply power being fed to the banknote validator. More specifically, power management system 100 controls the transfer of the banknote validator from a power saving mode to a normal operation mode. In the power saving mode, overall banknote validation system 10 draws a very low amount of power from the power supply unit. In the normal operating mode, overall banknote validation system 10 draws a normal amount of power consistent with typical banknote validator operation. In some implementations, power management system 100 is located between power supply unit 70 and banknote validator 10. In other implementations, power management system 100 is integrated within banknote validator 10.