Device and method for preventing counterfeiting using a currency serial number reader
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for identifying currency that has been used in unlawful activity, comprising:
- obtaining an image of a currency document;
capturing a serial number of the currency document from the obtained image;
comparing the captured serial number against one or more lists of wanted serial numbers; and
identifying the currency document as having been used in unlawful activity based on the comparison.
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Abstract
A device and method for reading and authenticating currency serial numbers to prevent counterfeiting and other money-related crime is provided. The device may be retrofitted to be installed in an existing money counting machine, and may read serial numbers of currency that passes through the counting machine. The serial numbers can be captured from stationary currency prior to entering the counting machine, and the serial numbers may be authenticated by comparing the number against various databases.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method for identifying currency that has been used in unlawful activity, comprising:
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obtaining an image of a currency document;
capturing a serial number of the currency document from the obtained image;
comparing the captured serial number against one or more lists of wanted serial numbers; and
identifying the currency document as having been used in unlawful activity based on the comparison. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for penetrating criminal networks, comprising:
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adding a serial number of a currency document to one or more lists of wanted serial numbers in a data repository, wherein the currency document has been designated for use in an undercover operation for catching suspected criminals;
receiving data that includes the serial number and an associated tag identifying a money exchange transaction in which the currency document was used; and
identifying an entity associated with the money exchange transaction as a suspected criminal.
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15. A device for capturing an image of a stationary document prior to the document entering a counting stage of the device, comprising:
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an entry stage that can hold a plurality of stationary documents in a stack arrangement;
an image capturing device having an image plane extending forwardly therefrom, the image capturing device arranged such that a top or a bottom one of the plurality of stacked documents is visible in the image plane;
a rotating member coupled to the entry stage that retrieves one of the plurality of documents per rotation and that guides the retrieved document into a counting stage of the device; and
a synchronization mechanism that triggers the image capturing device once per rotation of the rotating member, such that the image capturing device captures an image of each document in the stack prior to the document passing through the counting stage. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification