A sheet processing apparatus including a table to be loaded a first and a second banknote group partitioned by a header card recording the bar code number in the piling direction of the banknotes, a take-in portion to take in the banknotes of the first and second banknote groups loaded on the table and the header card, a discrimination portion to count the banknotes taken in by the take-in portion and discriminate the kind thereof, a plurality of stackers to sort and stack the banknotes discriminated by the discrimination portion on the basis of the kink thereof, and a sensor to detect the header card taken in by the take-in portion. The sheet processing apparatus additionally includes a controller to control so as to stop the taking-in of the second banknote group on the basis of detection of the header card by the sensor and after a lapse of a predetermined time, to start the taking-in of the second banknote group.

Systems and methods for converting consumer coins, cash, and/or other forms of value for use with mobile commerce platforms implemented on, for example, smart phones, PDAs, and other mobile devices. In one embodiment, a method for implementing a mobile commerce account on a mobile device includes receiving coins and/or other funds from a user at a consumer-operated kiosk. The method can further include counting the coins and/or other funds to determine a value, and then communicating at least a portion of the value from the kiosk to the hand-held mobile device for deposit in the mobile commerce account.

A device designed to validate and transport paper currency in a protected fashion. While being transported, the device monitors for tampering or break-in attempts and subsequently generates warning notifications, or sounds an alarm depending on configuration and the type of tampering detected. The transport case provides end-to-end cash accountability from a location where a bill is inserted into the case, to the bank or cash destination, where the transport case is delivered. Additionally, a docking station accessory is described in which the transport case can be securely fixed while at a point of sale.

A coin processing machine includes a coin support plate having a coin support surface defining a coin path extending from an intake location to a coin removal station. Depressions formed in the coin path reduce the likelihood of coins, particularly wet coins, from adhering to and stopping along the coin path.

Contactless dispensing of objects from object-dispensing machines. A digital token is wirelessly communicated to the machine via short-range wireless communication, such as Near Field Communication (NFC) or the like. In response, a push notification is communicated to the user's wireless device, which includes an activatable link for launching a mobile application. In response to launching the mobile application and authenticating the user, the mobile application provides object-dispensing machine-like user interfaces that are configured to allow the user to input object requesting parameters and submit a request for objects to be dispensed from the object-dispensing machine. The request is communicated to the object-dispensing machines (or corresponding backend processing systems) and, once the request is verified, the object-dispensing machine dispenses the requested objects.

The invention is a sensory enhancement system for a novelty item, such as a handheld projectile dispenser, used to dispense essentially planar object, such as small bills, paper, or other lightweight materials, such as coupons and the like. Furthermore, the sensory enhancement system includes visual enhancement features for a handheld projectile dispenser that provides rapid and wide dispersion of monetary bills and other dispensable materials. The sensory enhancement system may further compromise auditory enhancement features for additional sensory enhancement.

In one embodiment, a method for managing a cash machine having at least one deployed cash cassette having a picking assembly includes (a) determining that the deployed cash cassette should be replaced and (b) generating a cassette-replacement message in order to have a new cash cassette shipped to the cash machine to enable the deployed cash cassette to be replaced with the new cash cassette. In one implementation, the deployed cash cassette includes a cash store that stores currency bills, a picking assembly that retrieves currency bills from the cash store for dispensing from the cash machine and a cassette controller that controls operations of the cash cassette, wherein the cassette controller determines that the cash cassette should be replaced.

Apparatus for handling documents comprises an inlet 30 for receiving documents, a transfer means for transferring documents from the inlet to a secure or securable location and deposit means, wherein the transfer means is operable, in use, to transfer documents between the inlet and a deposit position adjacent the securable location, said deposit means comprises a plunger 50 and movable members 523b, 523c wherein the movable members 523b, 523c are arranged to move along the plunger 50 as the plunger 50 urges documents into the securable location.

A banknote handling apparatus 100 is configured to perform a sorting process of banknotes. The banknote handling apparatus includes: a taking-in unit 10 configured to take in a banknote one by one; a transport unit 70 configured to transport the banknote having been taken in from the taking-in unit 10; a recognition unit 20 configured to recognize the banknote transported by the transport unit 70; a control unit 50 configured to control the transport unit 70, such that the banknote having been recognized by the recognition unit 20 is transported to any one of a plurality of stacking units 60a to 60h, based on a sorting pattern; and a sorting-category receiving unit 40 configured to receive at least one sorting category. The control unit 50 is configured to create the sorting pattern by deciding types of banknotes to be stacked in the respective stacking units 60a to 60h, based on the number of the stacking units 60a to 60h and the sorting category.

A distributed system for tracking bank notes as they pass through an automated currency processing system is disclosed. The bank note processing system includes a conveyance device for transporting a bank note along a transport path and a detector module comprising a detector. The detector detects raw detector information from the bank note. The detector controller is communicatively coupled to the detector module and the raw detector information is communicated to the detector controller. A host controller is communicatively coupled to the detector controller. The detector controller processes the raw detector information to determine processed detector information. The detector controller then communicates the processed detector information to the host controller.