Image analysis – Applications – Reading paper currency
Reexamination Certificate
1997-08-28
2001-05-22
Bella, Matthew C. (Department: 2621)
Image analysis
Applications
Reading paper currency
C382S137000, C382S254000, C382S266000, C382S295000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06236745
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for screening documents, and has application to a method and apparatus for screening bank notes for defects to determine their suitability for dispensing by automated teller machines (ATMs).
In the course of circulation, bank notes may acquire defects such as holes and tears and, as such defects accumulate, a point is reached when a note becomes unsuitable for dispensing to bank customers by an ATM. It is accordingly common practice to employ bank note screening apparatus to test bank notes for defects prior to loading into a storage cassette of an ATM for subsequent dispensing. Also some ATMs are equipped with screening devices which test deposited notes for suitability for further circulation.
Known bank note screening systems, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,984,280, include a scanner, typically employing photoelectric detection of transmitted light, for determining the condition of a note. A disadvantage of known systems of this kind is that they do not specifically determine the suitability of bank notes for handling by the cash dispensing mechanism of an ATM.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method and apparatus for screening documents such as bank notes which permit accurate control of document acceptance and rejection.
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of screening documents comprising the steps of scanning a document to detect defects in the document and to provide data representing the significance of such defects, characterized by the steps of developing, from said data, factors representing the configuration of each defect, and computing, from the factors developed for each defect detected in the document, a damage index for the entire document on the basis of which a determination is made as to whether or not to reject the document.
It should be understood that by factors representing the configuration of each defect is meant two or more factors respectively representing the size, location, shape and orientation of each defect.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a document screening apparatus comprising a defect detector, document feeding means adapted to present documents for screening to said defect detector, the defect detector being adapted to develop, for each document presented thereto, data representing the significance of defects in the document, characterized by data processing means arranged to derive, from said data, factors representing the configuration of each detected defect, and arranged, in response to the factors developed for each defect in the document, to compute a damage index for the document on the basis of which a determination is made as to whether or not to reject the document.
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Chen Haibo
Hewit James R.
Bella Matthew C.
Chan Michael
Chawan Sheela
NCR Corporation
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