Angled currency processing system

• US 7,686,151 B2
• Filed: 06/01/2007
• Issued: 03/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corporation (Crane Company)
• Original Assignee: Cummins-Allison Corporation (Crane Company)
• Inventors: Hallowell, Curtis W., Sakowski, Stanley P., Fitzgerald, Robert B., Lynch, Alan T., Renz, Mark B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mackey; Patrick
• Assistant Examiner(s): BEAUCHAINE, MARK J
• Application Number:
  US11/809,621
• Publication Number:
  US 20080006505A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,033 Days
• Field of Search: 194/206, 194/344, 194/350, 271/7, 271/34, 271/69, 271/185
• US Class Current: 194/206
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 27/08 Bundling paper sheets, envelopes, bags, newspapers, or other thin flat articles
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2301/33 Modifying, selecting, changing orientation
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2301/33212 about an axis parallel to the direction of displacement of material
• CPC Class Codes: B65H 2701/1912 Banknotes, bills and cheques or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G07D 11/50 Sorting or counting valuable papers

Abstract

An angled arrangement of a currency document handling device and a second unit and an angle arrangement of two currency document handling devices, components of the same, and methods of coupling and using the same. For example, a currency document processing system for processing currency documents including currency bills comprises a currency handling device, a first currency document receiving unit, and a first angular transport unit. The first currency document receiving unit is adapted to receive at least some bills processed by the currency handling device. The first angular transport unit is adapted to receive bills from the currency handling device and transport bills to the first currency document receiving unit. The angular transport unit is adapted to be coupled between the currency handling device and the first currency document receiving unit such that the currency handling device and the first currency document receiving units are angled relative to each other such as by ninety degrees (90°).

Claims

1. A currency document processing system for processing a stack of currency documents including currency bills, each bill having a respective denomination, the system comprising:

a currency handling device having an input receptacle configured to receive currency documents including bills to be processed, an evaluation unit comprising one or more detectors configured to retrieve information from a passing bill which is used to denominate the passing bill, a plurality of output receptacles configured to receive at least some of the bills processed by the evaluating unit, and a transport mechanism defining a transport path between the input receptacle, past the evaluating unit, and the plurality of output receptacles, the transport mechanism being configured to transport each bill individually along the transport path, the currency handling device being configured to route bills into the plurality of output receptacles or to transport bills out of the handling device based on the denomination of the bills as determined from the information obtained from the one or more detectors so that an individual one of the output receptacles contains bills having the same denomination;

a first currency document receiving unit configured to receive at least some bills processed by the evaluating unit; and

a first angular transport unit, the angular transport unit configured to receive bills from the currency handling device and transport bills individually to the first currency document receiving unit, the angular transport unit having a transport mechanism configured to rotate bills from approximately forty five degrees (45°

) to approximately one hundred thirty-five degrees (135°

) about a vertical axis as the bills are transported individually through the angular transport unit.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the handling device, the first currency document receiving unit, and the first angular transport unit form a generally L-shaped system.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the system has a width of approximately 6.5 feet and a depth of approximately 5 feet.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first currency document receiving unit comprises a bill receiving assembly having a plurality of output receptacles.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the first currency document receiving unit comprises a first strapping unit for strapping stacks of bills.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the first strapping unit comprises one or more output receptacles having a stack limit which determines how many bills will form a complete stack of bills, the first strapping unit being configured to receive bills one at a time after the bills are transported through the currency handling device, the first strapping unit being configured to strap stacks of bills after being placed in a strapping position, the first strapping unit having a stack moving mechanism configured to move a stack of bills selected for strapping from any of the one or more output receptacles of the first strapping unit to the strapping position.

7. The system of claim 5 further comprising:

a second strapping unit for strapping stacks of bills; and

a second angular transport unit, the second angular transport unit configured to receive bills from the first strapping unit and transport bills to the second strapping unit, the second angular transport unit having a transport mechanism configured to rotate bills from approximately forty-five degrees (45°

) to approximately one hundred thirty-five degrees (135°

) about a vertical axis as the bills are transported through the second angular transport unit.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the handling device, the first strapping unit, the first angular transport unit, and the second strapping unit, and the second angular transport unit form a generally U-shaped system.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the system has a width of approximately 6.5 feet and a depth of approximately 6.5 feet.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the first angular transport unit comprises a first bill rotating section, a second bill rotating section, and an intermediate section between the first and second bill rotating sections, wherein the first bill rotating section is configured to rotate bills approximately 90°

about a first horizontal axis, the intermediate section is configured to rotate bills from approximately 45°

to approximately 135°

about a vertical axis, and the second bill rotating section is configured to rotate bills approximately 90°

about a second horizontal axis, wherein the first horizontal axis is generally normal to the second horizontal axis, and the first horizontal axis and the second horizontal axis are each generally normal to the vertical axis.

11. The system of claim 1, configured to transport bills through the system at a rate in excess of 400 bills per minute.

12. The system of claim 1, configured to transport bills through the system at a rate in excess of 1200 bills per minute.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the first angular transport unit is configured to receive bills in a generally horizontal plane from the currency handling device and to transport bills in a generally horizontal plane to the first currency document receiving unit.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the first angular transport unit is configured to receive bills in a generally horizontal plane from the currency handling device and to transport bills in a generally horizontal plane to the first currency document receiving unit.

15. A method for processing currency documents including currency bills utilizing a currency processing system having a currency processing unit, a first modular output unit, and a first angular transport unit, the method comprising the acts of:

receiving a plurality of bills in an input receptacle of the currency processing unit;

transporting individually the bills from the input receptacle to at least one of a plurality of output locations located within the currency processing unit and the first modular output unit;

determining the denomination of the bills within the currency processing unit;

sorting the bills into the plurality of output locations based on their denominations so that each output location receives bills of only one denomination;

routing bills to be transported to one or more output locations located within the first modular output unit through the first angular transport unit from the currency processing unit; and

rotating bills within the angular transport unit from about 45°

to about 135°

about a vertical axis, such that a bill entering the angular transport unit traveling in a first generally horizontal direction exits the angular transport unit traveling in a second generally horizontal direction that is from about 45°

to about 135°

from the first generally horizontal direction.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the first modular output unit comprises a currency strapping unit and the method further comprising the acts of:

monitoring whether a complete stack of bills of the same denomination have been received in any of the output locations of the strapping unit;

moving a complete stack of bills from one of the plurality of output locations of the first strapping unit to a strapping position;

strapping a complete stack of bills that is placed in the strapping position.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the act of transporting occurs at a rate of at least 400 bills per minute.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the act of transporting occurs at a rate of at least 1200 bills per minute.

19. The method of claim 16 comprising rotating bills within the first angular transport unit 90°

about a vertical axis, such that a bill entering the first angular transport unit traveling in a first generally horizontal direction exits the first angular transport unit traveling in a second generally horizontal direction that is generally normal to the first generally horizontal direction.

20. The method of claim 15 comprising rotating bills within the first angular transport unit 90°

about a vertical axis, such that a bill entering the first angular transport unit traveling in a first generally horizontal direction exits the first angular transport unit traveling in a second generally horizontal direction that is generally normal to the first generally horizontal direction.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the act of transporting occurs at a rate of at least 400 bills per minute.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the act of transporting occurs at a rate of at least 1200 bills per minute.

23. The method of claim 15, wherein the act of transporting is performed at a rate of at least about 400 bills per minute.

24. The method of claim 15, wherein the act of transporting is performed at a rate of at least about 1000 bills per minute.

25. The method of claim 15, wherein the act of transporting is performed at a rate of at least about 1200 bills per minute.

26. The method of claim 15, wherein the act of routing bills through the first angular transport unit comprising receiving bills in a generally horizontal plane from the currency processing unit and transporting bills in a generally horizontal plane from the first angular unit to the first modular output unit.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the act of transporting is performed at a rate of at least about 400 bills per minute.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein the act of transporting is performed at a rate of at least about 1000 bills per minute.

29. The method of claim 26, wherein the act of transporting is performed at a rate of at least about 1200 bills per minute.

30. The method of claim 16, wherein the act of transporting is performed at a rate of at least about 1000 bills per minute.

31. The method of claim 20, wherein the act of transporting is performed at a rate of at least about 1000 bills per minute.

32. The method of claim 31 further comprising receiving bills into the angular transport unit in a generally horizontal plane and transporting bills out of the angular transport unit in a generally horizontal plane.

33. The method of claim 15 further comprising receiving bills into the angular transport unit in a generally horizontal plane and transporting bills out of the angular transport unit in a generally horizontal plane.

34. An angular transport unit for use with a U.S. currency processing system, the angular transport unit comprising:

an input port;

an output port;

a first transport section configured to receive U.S. currency bills traveling one at a time in a first direction along a first axis from the input port;

a second transport section configured to rotate the bills approximately 90°

about the first axis as the bills move in the first direction, the second transport section comprising at least one guide configured to support a U.S. currency bill as the bill rotates about the first axis;

a third transport section configured to rotate the bills from approximately 45°

to approximately 135°

about a second axis generally normal to the first axis causing the bills to move in a second direction along a third axis;

a fourth transport section configured to rotate the bills approximately 90°

about the third axis as the bills move in the second direction; and

a fifth transport section configured to transport the bills in the second direction to the output port.

35. The angular transport unit of claim 34 wherein the third transport section is configured to rotate the bills approximately 90°

about a generally vertical axis causing the bills to move in a second generally horizontal direction along a second generally horizontal axis, the first axis being normal to the second generally horizontal axis, the second generally horizontal axis being generally normal to the vertical axis.

36. The angular transport unit of claim 34 wherein the first and third axes are generally horizontal axes, wherein the second axis is generally vertical, and wherein:

the first transport section is configured to receive currency bills traveling one at a time in a first generally horizontal direction along the first generally horizontal axis from the input port;

the second transport section is configured to rotate the bills approximately 90°

about the first generally horizontal axis as the bills move in the first generally horizontal direction, the second transport section comprising at least one guide configured to support a U.S. currency bill as the bill rotates about the first generally horizontal axis;

the third transport section is configured to rotate the bills from approximately 45°

to approximately 135°

about the second generally vertical axis causing the bills to move in a second generally horizontal direction along the third generally horizontal axis, the first generally horizontal axis being normal to the second generally vertical axis, the third generally horizontal axis being generally normal to the second generally vertical axis;

the fourth transport section configured to rotate the bills approximately 90°

about the third generally horizontal axis as the bills move in the second generally horizontal direction; and

the fifth transport section configured to transport the bills in the second generally horizontal direction to the output port.

37. The angular transport unit of claim 36 wherein the third transport section is configured to rotate the bills approximately 90°

about the generally vertical axis causing the bills to move in the second generally horizontal direction along the third generally horizontal axis, the first generally horizontal axis being normal to the third generally horizontal axis.

38. The angular transport unit of claim 36, wherein the unit is configured to receive bills at the input port from a first device and wherein the first device is a currency handling device.

39. The angular transport unit of claim 36, wherein the unit is configured to transport bills from the output port to a second device and wherein the second device is a currency strapping unit.

40. The angular transport unit of claim 36, wherein the second transport section has a first guide and a second guide configured to support a U.S. currency bill as the bill rotates about the first generally horizontal axis.

41. The angular transport unit of claim 34, wherein the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth transport sections are configured to transport U.S. currency bills at a rate of at least about 400 bills per minute.

42. The angular transport unit of claim 41 wherein the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth transport sections are configured to transport U.S. currency bills in a wide-edge leading manner.

43. The angular transport unit of claim 42 further wherein the second transport section comprises a first guide and a second guide configured to support a U.S. currency bill as the bill rotates about the first axis and wherein the fourth transport section comprises a third guide and a fourth guide configured to support a U.S. currency bill as the bill rotates about the third axis.

44. The angular transport unit of claim 34, wherein the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth transport sections are configured to transport U.S. currency bills at a rate of at least about 800 bills per minute.

45. The angular transport unit of claim 44 wherein the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth transport sections are configured to transport U.S. currency bills in a wide-edge leading manner.

46. The angular transport unit of claim 45 further wherein the second transport section comprises a first guide and a second guide configured to support a U.S. currency bill as the bill rotates about the first axis and wherein the fourth transport section comprises a third guide and a fourth guide configured to support a U.S. currency bill as the bill rotates about the third axis.

47. The angular transport unit of claim 34, wherein the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth transport sections are configured to transport U.S. currency bills at a rate of at least about 1000 bills per minute.

48. The angular transport unit of claim 47 wherein the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth transport sections are configured to transport U.S. currency bills in a wide-edge leading manner.

49. The angular transport unit of claim 48 further wherein the second transport section comprises a first guide and a second guide configured to support a U.S. currency bill as the bill rotates about the first axis and wherein the fourth transport section comprises a third guide and a fourth guide configured to support a U.S. currency bill as the bill rotates about the third axis.

50. The angular transport unit of claim 34, wherein the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth transport sections are configured to transport U.S. currency bills at a rate of at least about 1200 bills per minute.

51. The angular transport unit of claim 50 wherein the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth transport sections are configured to transport U.S. currency bills in a wide-edge leading manner.

52. The angular transport unit of claim 51 further wherein the second transport section comprises a first guide and a second guide configured to support a U.S. currency bill as the bill rotates about the first axis and wherein the fourth transport section comprises a third guide and a fourth guide configured to support a U.S. currency bill as the bill rotates about the third axis.

53. The angular transport unit of claim 34, wherein the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth transport sections are configured to transport U.S. currency bills at a rate of at least about 1500 bills per minute.

54. The angular transport unit of claim 53 wherein the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth transport sections are configured to transport U.S. currency bills in a wide-edge leading manner.

55. The angular transport unit of claim 54 further wherein the second transport section comprises a first guide and a second guide configured to support a U.S. currency bill as the bill rotates about the first axis and wherein the fourth transport section comprises a third guide and a fourth guide configured to support a U.S. currency bill as the bill rotates about the third axis.

56. The angular transport unit of claim 36, wherein the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth transport sections are configured to transport U.S. currency bills at a rate of at least about 400 bills per minute.

57. The angular transport unit of claim 56 wherein the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth transport sections are configured to transport U.S. currency bills in a wide-edge leading manner.

58. The angular transport unit of claim 57 further wherein the second transport section comprises a first guide and a second guide configured to support a U.S. currency bill as the bill rotates about the first axis and wherein the fourth transport section comprises a third guide and a fourth guide configured to support a U.S. currency bill as the bill rotates about the third axis.

59. The angular transport unit of claim 36, wherein the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth transport sections are configured to transport U.S. currency bills at a rate of at least about 800 bills per minute.

60. The angular transport unit of claim 59 wherein the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth transport sections are configured to transport U.S. currency bills in a wide-edge leading manner.

61. The angular transport unit of claim 60 further wherein the second transport section comprises a first guide and a second guide configured to support a U.S. currency bill as the bill rotates about the first axis and wherein the fourth transport section comprises a third guide and a fourth guide configured to support a U.S. currency bill as the bill rotates about the third axis.

62. The angular transport unit of claim 36, wherein the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth transport sections are configured to transport U.S. currency bills at a rate of at least about 1000 bills per minute.

63. The angular transport unit of claim 62 wherein the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth transport sections are configured to transport U.S. currency bills in a wide-edge leading manner.

64. The angular transport unit of claim 63 further wherein the second transport section comprises a first guide and a second guide configured to support a U.S. currency bill as the bill rotates about the first axis and wherein the fourth transport section comprises a third guide and a fourth guide configured to support a U.S. currency bill as the bill rotates about the third axis.

65. The angular transport unit of claim 36, wherein the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth transport sections are configured to transport U.S. currency bills at a rate of at least about 1200 bills per minute.

66. The angular transport unit of claim 65 wherein the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth transport sections are configured to transport U.S. currency bills in a wide-edge leading manner.

67. The angular transport unit of claim 66 further wherein the second transport section comprises a first guide and a second guide configured to support a U.S. currency bill as the bill rotates about the first axis and wherein the fourth transport section comprises a third guide and a fourth guide configured to support a U.S. currency bill as the bill rotates about the third axis.

68. The angular transport unit of claim 36, wherein the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth transport sections are configured to transport U.S. currency bills at a rate of at least about 1500 bills per minute.

69. The angular transport unit of claim 36 wherein the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth transport sections are configured to transport U.S. currency bills in a wide-edge leading manner.

70. The angular transport unit of claim 69 further wherein the second transport section comprises a first guide and a second guide configured to support a U.S. currency bill as the bill rotates about the first axis and wherein the fourth transport section comprises a third guide and a fourth guide configured to support a U.S. currency bill as the bill rotates about the third axis.

71. A currency document processing system comprising:

a currency handling device having a cabinet comprising a front side, a left side and a right side, one or more detectors configured to retrieve information from a passing currency document which is used to make a judgment about the passing currency document, the one or more detectors being configured to retrieve information from a passing currency document which is a currency bill which is used to determine the denomination of the passing currency bill, and a transport mechanism defining one or more transport paths past the one or more detectors, the transport mechanism being configured to transport each currency document individually along the one or more transport paths, the currency handling device being configured to transport at least some of the currency documents out of the handling device, wherein the detectors and the transport mechanism reside in the cabinet, the front side of the cabinet lying generally in a first generally vertical plane;

a first currency document receiving unit having a transport mechanism configured to transport currency documents individually along one or more transport paths, the first currency document receiving unit configured to receive at least some currency documents processed by the currency handling device and transport the received currency documents along the one or more transport paths of the first currency document receiving unit;

the first currency document receiving unit having a front side, the front side of the first currency document receiving unit lying generally in a second generally vertical plane;

wherein the first and second generally vertical planes are offset from each other by an angle α

, wherein the angle α

is between about ten degrees (10°

) and about one hundred and seventy degrees (170°

).

72. The currency processing system of claim 71 wherein the angle α

is between about forty five degrees (45°

) and about one hundred and thirty-five degrees (135°

).

73. The currency processing system of claim 71 wherein the angle α

is about ninety degrees (90°

).

74. The currency document processing system of claim 71 wherein the currency handling device further comprises an input receptacle configured to receive currency documents including currency bills, and wherein the transport mechanism defines one or more transport paths from the input receptacle and past the one or more detectors.

75. The currency processing system of claim 74 wherein the angle α

is between about forty five degrees (45°

) and about one hundred and thirty-five degrees (135°

).

76. The currency processing system of claim 74 wherein the angle α

is about ninety degrees (90°

).

77. A currency document processing system comprising:

a currency handling device having a cabinet comprising a front side, a back side, a left side and a right side, the front side lying generally in a first generally vertical plane and the back side lying in a second generally vertical plane which is generally parallel to the first generally vertical plane, the currency handling device having one or more detectors configured to retrieve information from a passing currency document which is used to make a judgment about the passing currency document, the one or more detectors being configured to retrieve information from a passing currency document which is a currency bill which is used to determine the denomination of the passing currency bill, a plurality of output receptacles configured to receive at least some of the currency documents, and a transport mechanism defining one or more transport paths past the one or more detectors, the transport mechanism being configured to transport each currency document individually along the one or more transport paths, the currency handling device being configured to transport at least some of the currency documents into the plurality of output receptacles and at least some of the currency documents out of the handling device, wherein the detectors, the output receptacles and the transport mechanism reside in the cabinet;

a first modular unit having one or more output receptacles or strapping units, the first modular unit also having a transport mechanism configured to transport currency documents individually along one or more transport paths, the first modular unit configured to receive at least some currency documents processed by the currency handling device and transport the received currency documents along the one or more transport paths of the first modular unit to the one or more output receptacles or strapping units;

the first modular unit having a front side, the front side of the first modular unit lying generally in a third generally vertical plane;

wherein the first and third generally vertical planes are offset from each other by an angle α

, wherein the angle α

is between about ten degrees (10°

) and about one hundred and seventy degrees (170°

).

78. The currency document processing system of claim 77 wherein the currency handling device further comprises an input receptacle configured to receive a stack of currency documents, and wherein the transport mechanism defines one or more transport paths from the input receptacle and past the one or more detectors.

79. The currency document processing system of claim 78 wherein the first modular unit comprises a strapping unit.

80. A currency document processing system comprising:

a currency handling device having one or more detectors adapted to retrieve information from a passing currency document which is used to make a judgment about the passing currency document, a plurality of output receptacles adapted to receive at least some of the currency documents, and a transport mechanism defining one or more transport paths past the one or more detectors, the transport mechanism being adapted to transport each currency document individually along the one or more transport paths, the transport mechanism being adapted to transport at least some of the currency documents into the plurality of output receptacles or to a currency document receiving unit; and

the currency document receiving unit having one or more output receptacles or strapping units, the receiving unit also having a transport mechanism adapted to transport currency documents individually along one or more transport paths, the currency document receiving unit adapted to receive at least some currency documents processed by the currency handling device and transport the received currency documents along the one or more transport paths of the currency document receiving unit to the one or more output receptacles or strapping units;

wherein the currency handling device and the currency document receiving unit are configured in a generally L-shaped manner.

81. The currency document processing system of claim 80 wherein:

the currency handling device further comprises an input receptacle adapted to receive a stack of currency documents, and wherein the transport mechanism defines one or more transport paths from the input receptacle and past the one or more detectors.

82. The currency document processing system of claim 81 wherein the currency handling device and the currency document receiving unit reside in an integrated generally L-shaped cabinet.

83. The currency document processing system of claim 81 wherein the currency handling device and the currency document receiving unit reside in separate cabinets and wherein the two cabinets are coupled to each other in a generally L-shaped manner.

84. The currency document processing system of claim 83 wherein the currency handling device is adapted to be coupled to the currency document receiving unit in a modular fashion and wherein the currency handling device is adapted to operate without being coupled to the currency document receiving unit such that when the currency handling device is not coupled to the currency document receiving unit the currency handling device is adapted not to route bills to the currency document receiving unit.

85. The currency document processing system of claim 81 wherein the first modular unit comprises a strapping unit.

86. A currency document processing device comprising:

one or more detectors adapted to retrieve information from a passing currency document which is used to make a judgment about the passing currency document;

a plurality of output receptacles adapted to receive at least some of the currency documents;

a modular exit port; and

a transport mechanism defining one or more transport paths past the one or more detectors, and to the plurality of output receptacles and the exit port;

the transport mechanism being adapted to transport each currency document individually along the one or more transport paths;

the currency document processing device having a cabinet;

the exit port being positioned on a side of the cabinet;

the currency document processing device being adapted to be optionally coupled to a currency document receiving unit, the currency document receiving unit having one or more output receptacles or strapping units, the receiving unit also having a transport mechanism adapted to transport currency documents individually along one or more transport paths, the currency document receiving unit being adapted to receive at least some currency documents processed by the currency document processing device when coupled to the currency document processing device and transport the received currency documents along the one or more transport paths of the currency document receiving unit to the one or more output receptacles or strapping units;

wherein the currency document processing device is adapted to be coupled to the currency document receiving unit such that when coupled together the currency document processing device and the currency document receiving unit are configured in a generally L-shaped manner.

87. The currency document processing device of claim 86 further comprising:

an input receptacle adapted to receive a stack of currency documents; and

wherein

the transport mechanism defines one or more transport paths from the input receptacle, past the one or more detectors, and to the plurality of output receptacles and the exit port.

88. The currency document processing system of claim 87 wherein the currency processing device is adapted to be coupled to the currency document receiving unit in a modular fashion and wherein the currency processing device is adapted to operate without being coupled to the currency document receiving unit such that when the currency processing device is not coupled to the currency document receiving unit the currency processing device is adapted not to route bills to the exit port.

89. The currency document processing system of claim 86 wherein the currency processing device is adapted to be coupled to the currency document receiving unit in a modular fashion and wherein the currency processing device is adapted to operate without being coupled to the currency document receiving unit such that when the currency processing device is not coupled to the currency document receiving unit the currency processing device is adapted not to route bills to the exit port.

90. A currency document receiving unit comprising:

a currency document input port;

one or more output receptacles or strapping units;

a transport mechanism adapted to receive currency documents from the input port and transport the currency documents individually along one or more transport paths; and

a cabinet,

wherein the cabinet is adapted to be coupled to a currency handling device such that when coupled together the currency handling device and the currency document receiving unit are configured in a generally L-shaped manner;

the currency document receiving unit being adapted to receive at least some currency documents processed by the currency handling device when coupled to the currency document handling device and transport the received currency documents along the one or more transport paths of the currency document receiving unit to the one or more output receptacles or strapping units;

wherein the currency handling device comprising one or more detectors adapted to retrieve information from a passing currency document which is used to make a judgment about the passing currency document, an exit port, and a transport mechanism defining one or more transport paths past the one or more detectors to the exit port;

the transport mechanism being adapted to transport each currency document individually along the one or more transport paths.

91. A modular U.S. currency bill connecting unit comprising:

a cabinet configured to be coupled to a first U.S. currency bill unit and a second U.S. currency bill unit such that when coupled to the first and second units, the connecting unit and the first and second units are configured in a generally L-shaped manner;

an input port configured to receive U.S. currency bills from the first currency bill unit when the first currency bill unit comprising one or more detectors configured to retrieve information from a passing currency bill is coupled to the cabinet;

an output port configured to send permit U.S. currency bills to be transported to the second currency bill unit when the second currency bill unit is coupled to the cabinet; and

a transport mechanism configured to receive U.S. currency bills from the input port and transport them serially to the output port.

92. The currency bill connecting unit of claim 91 wherein the first currency bill unit is a first currency bill receiving unit and the second currency bill unit is a second currency bill receiving unit.

93. The currency bill connecting unit of claim 91 wherein the first currency bill unit is a currency handling device and the second currency bill unit is a currency bill receiving unit.

94. The connecting unit of claim 91 configured to transport bills through the connecting unit at a rate of at least about 400 bills per minute.

95. The connecting unit of claim 94 configured to transport bills through the connecting unit in a wide-edge leading manner.

96. The connecting unit of claim 91 configured to transport bills through the connecting unit at a rate of at least about 1000 bills per minute.

97. The connecting unit of claim 96 configured to transport bills through the connecting unit in a wide-edge leading manner.

98. The connecting unit of claim 91 configured to transport bills through the connecting unit at a rate of at least about 1200 bills per minute.

99. The connecting unit of claim 98 configured to transport bills through the connecting unit in a wide-edge leading manner.

100. A modular U.S. currency bill connecting unit comprising:

a cabinet configured to be coupled to a first currency bill unit and a second currency bill unit such that when coupled to the first and second currency bill units, the first currency bill unit and the second bill unit are oriented at approximately ninety (90°

) degrees from each other;

an input port configured to receive U.S. currency bills from the first currency bill unit when the first currency bill unit is coupled to the cabinet;

an output port configured to send permit U.S. currency bills to be transported to the second currency bill unit when the second currency bill unit is coupled to the cabinet; and

a transport mechanism configured to receive U.S. currency bills from the input port and transport them serially to the output port.

101. The currency bill connecting unit of claim 100 wherein the first currency bill unit is a currency handling device and the second currency bill unit is a currency bill receiving unit.

102. The currency bill connecting unit of claim 100 wherein the first currency bill unit is a first currency bill receiving unit and the second currency bill unit is a second currency bill receiving unit.

103. The connecting unit of claim 100 configured to transport bills through the connecting unit at a rate of at least about 400 bills per minute.

104. The connecting unit of claim 103 configured to transport bills through the connecting unit in a wide-edge leading manner.

105. The connecting unit of claim 100 configured to transport bills through the connecting unit at a rate of at least about 1000 bills per minute.

106. The connecting unit of claim 105 configured to transport bills through the connecting unit in a wide-edge leading manner.

107. The connecting unit of claim 100 configured to transport bills through the connecting unit at a rate of at least about 1200 bills per minute.

108. The connecting unit of claim 107 configured to transport bills through the connecting unit in a wide-edge leading manner.

109. A currency document processing system comprising:

a currency handling device having one or more detectors adapted to retrieve information from a passing currency document which is used to make a judgment about the passing currency document, the one or more detectors being configured to retrieve information from a passing currency document which is a currency bill which is used to determine the denomination of the passing currency bill, a plurality of output receptacles adapted to receive at least some of the currency documents, and a transport mechanism defining one or more transport paths past the one or more detectors, the transport mechanism being adapted to transport each currency document individually along the one or more transport paths, the transport mechanism being adapted to transport at least some of the currency documents into the plurality of output receptacles or to one or more currency document receiving units; and

the one or more currency document receiving units having one or more output receptacles or strapping units, each receiving unit also having a transport mechanism adapted to transport currency documents individually along one or more transport paths, each currency document receiving unit adapted to receive at least some currency documents processed by the currency handling device and transport the received currency documents along the one or more transport paths of the currency document receiving unit to the one or more output receptacles or strapping units;

wherein the currency handling device and the one or more currency document receiving units are configured in a generally U-shaped manner.

110. The currency document processing system of claim 109 wherein the currency handling device further comprises an input receptacle adapted to receive a stack of currency documents, and wherein the transport mechanism defines one or more transport paths from the input receptacle and past the one or more detectors.

111. The currency document processing system of claim 110 wherein the currency handling device and the currency document receiving unit reside in an integrated generally U-shaped cabinet.

112. The currency document processing system of claim 110 wherein the currency handling device and the one or more currency document receiving units reside in separate cabinets and wherein the cabinets are coupled to each other in a generally U-shaped manner.

113. The currency document processing system of claim 112 wherein the currency handling device is adapted to be coupled to the one or more currency document receiving units in a modular fashion and wherein the currency handling device is adapted to operate without being coupled to the one or more currency document receiving units such that when the currency handling device is not coupled to the one or more currency document receiving units the currency handling device is adapted not to route bills to the one or more currency document receiving units.

114. The currency document processing system of claim 110 wherein the one or more currency document receiving units comprise one or more strapping units.

115. A currency document processing device comprising:

one or more detectors adapted to retrieve information from a passing currency document which is used to make a judgment about the passing currency document;

a plurality of output receptacles adapted to receive at least some of the currency documents;

a modular exit port; and

a transport mechanism defining one or more transport paths past the one or more detectors, and to the plurality of output receptacles and the exit port;

the transport mechanism being adapted to transport each currency document individually along the one or more transport paths;

the currency document processing device having a cabinet;

the exit port being positioned on a side of the cabinet;

the currency document processing device being adapted to be optionally coupled to one or more currency document receiving units, each currency document receiving unit having one or more output receptacles or strapping units, each receiving unit also having a transport mechanism adapted to transport currency documents individually along one or more transport paths, each currency document receiving unit being adapted to receive at least some currency documents processed by the currency document processing device when coupled to the currency document processing device and transport the received currency documents along the one or more transport paths of the currency document receiving unit to the one or more output receptacles or strapping units;

wherein the currency document processing device is adapted to be coupled to the one or more currency document receiving units such that when coupled together the currency document processing device and the one or more currency document receiving units are configured in a generally U-shaped manner.

116. The currency document processing device of claim 115 further comprising:

an input receptacle adapted to receive a stack of currency documents; and

wherein

the transport mechanism defines one or more transport paths from the input receptacle, past the one or more detectors, and to the plurality of output receptacles and the exit port.

117. The currency document processing system of claim 116 wherein the currency processing device is adapted to be coupled to the one or more currency document receiving units in a modular fashion and wherein the currency processing device is adapted to operate without being coupled to the one or more currency document receiving units such that when the currency processing device is not coupled to the one or more currency document receiving units the currency processing device is adapted not to route bills to the exit port.

118. A currency document processing system comprising:

a currency handling device having one or more detectors adapted to retrieve information from a passing currency document which is used to make a judgment about the passing currency document, a plurality of output receptacles adapted to receive at least some of the currency documents, and a transport mechanism defining one or more transport paths past the one or more detectors, the transport mechanism being adapted to transport each currency document individually along the one or more transport paths, the transport mechanism being adapted to transport at least some of the currency documents into the plurality of output receptacles or to one or more currency document receiving units; and

the one or more currency document receiving units having one or more output receptacles or strapping units, each receiving unit also having a transport mechanism adapted to transport currency documents individually along one or more transport paths, each currency document receiving unit adapted to receive at least some currency documents processed by the currency handling device and transport the received currency documents along the one or more transport paths of the currency document receiving unit to the one or more output receptacles or strapping units;

wherein the currency handling device and the one or more currency document receiving units are configured in a generally S-shaped manner.

119. The currency document processing system of claim 118 wherein the currency handling device further comprises an input receptacle adapted to receive a stack of currency documents, and wherein the transport mechanism defines one or more transport paths from the input receptacle and past the one or more detectors.

120. The currency document processing system of claim 119 wherein the currency handling device and the currency document receiving unit reside in an integrated generally S-shaped cabinet.

121. The currency document processing system of claim 119 wherein the currency handling device and the one or more currency document receiving units reside in separate cabinets and wherein the cabinets are coupled to each other in a generally S-shaped manner.

122. The currency document processing system of claim 121 wherein the currency handling device is adapted to be coupled to the one or more currency document receiving units in a modular fashion and wherein the currency handling device is adapted to operate without being coupled to the one or more currency document receiving units such that when the currency handling device is not coupled to the one or more currency document receiving units the currency handling device is adapted not to route bills to the one or more currency document receiving units.

123. A currency document processing device comprising:

one or more detectors adapted to retrieve information from a passing currency document which is used to make a judgment about the passing currency document;

a plurality of output receptacles adapted to receive at least some of the currency documents;

a modular exit port; and

a transport mechanism defining one or more transport paths past the one or more detectors, and to the plurality of output receptacles and the exit port;

the transport mechanism being adapted to transport each currency document individually along the one or more transport paths;

the currency document processing device having a cabinet;

the exit port being positioned on a side of the cabinet;

the currency document processing device being adapted to be optionally coupled to one or more currency document receiving units, each currency document receiving unit having one or more output receptacles or strapping units, each receiving unit also having a transport mechanism adapted to transport currency documents individually along one or more transport paths, each currency document receiving unit being adapted to receive at least some currency documents processed by the currency document processing device when coupled to the currency document processing device and transport the received currency documents along the one or more transport paths of the currency document receiving unit to the one or more output receptacles or strapping units;

wherein the currency document processing device is adapted to be coupled to the one or more currency document receiving units such that when coupled together the currency document processing device and the one or more currency document receiving units are configured in a generally S-shaped manner.

124. The currency document processing device of claim 123 further comprising:

an input receptacle adapted to receive a stack of currency documents; and

wherein the transport mechanism defines one or more transport paths from the input receptacle, past the one or more detectors, and to the plurality of output receptacles and the exit port.

125. The currency document processing system of claim 124 wherein the currency processing device is adapted to be coupled to the one or more currency document receiving units in a modular fashion and wherein the currency processing device is adapted to operate without being coupled to the one or more currency document receiving units such that when the currency processing device is not coupled to the one or more currency document receiving units the currency processing device is adapted not to route bills to the exit port.

126. The currency document processing system of claim 123 wherein the currency processing device is adapted to be coupled to the one or more currency document receiving units in a modular fashion and wherein the currency processing device is adapted to operate without being coupled to the one or more currency document receiving units such that when the currency processing device is not coupled to the one or more currency document receiving units the currency processing device is adapted not to route bills to the exit port.

127. A method of transporting currency in an angular transport unit comprising, in order, the acts of:

receiving U.S. currency bills traveling one at a time in a first direction along a first axis at an input port of the angular transport unit;

rotating the bills approximately 90°

about the first axis as the bills move in the first direction;

rotating the bills from approximately 45°

to approximately 135°

about a second axis generally normal to the first axis causing the bills to move in a second direction along a third axis;

rotating the bills approximately 90°

about the third axis as the bills move in the second direction; and

transporting the bills in the second direction to an output port of the angular transport unit.

128. The method of claim 127 further comprising using at least one guide configured to support a U.S. currency bill as the bill rotates about the first axis.

129. The method of claim 127 wherein the act of rotating the bills from approximately 45°

to approximately 135°

about a second axis comprises rotating the bills approximately 90°

about a generally vertical axis causing the bills to move in a second generally horizontal direction along a second generally horizontal axis, the first axis being normal to the second generally horizontal axis, the second generally horizontal axis being generally normal to the vertical axis.

130. The method of claim 127 wherein the first and third axes are generally horizontal axes, wherein the second axis is a generally vertical axis, and

wherein the act of rotating the bills from approximately 45°

to approximately 135°

about a second axis comprises rotating the bills approximately 90°

about the generally vertical second axis.

131. The method of claim 127, wherein the act of receiving bills comprising receiving bills in a generally horizontal plane and wherein the act of transporting bills comprises transporting bills in a generally horizontal plane to the output port.

132. The method of claim 131, wherein the acts are performed at a rate of at least about 400 bills per minute.

133. The method of claim 131, wherein the acts are performed at a rate of at least about 1000 bills per minute.

134. The method of claim 131, wherein the acts are performed at a rate of at least about 1200 bills per minute.

135. The method of claim 127, wherein the acts are performed at a rate of at least about 400 bills per minute.

136. The method of claim 127, wherein the acts are performed at a rate of at least about 1000 bills per minute.

137. The method of claim 127, wherein the acts are performed at a rate of at least about 1200 bills per minute.