Importance

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Abstract

This invention features a machine for both validating checks and authenticating paper currency. The check validating apparatus of the machine is made up of a photo-sensor, a magnetizing unit, a magnetic head reader, a pair of feed rollers and a stepper motor drive for rotatively driving the feed rollers. The machine uses the same internal apparatus for authenticating paper currency bills. A currency bill is introduced to the nip of the feed rollers. The photo-sensor senses the presence of the currency bill and activates the stepper motor drive. The stepper motor drive then causes the feed rollers to rotate, drawing the bill into the machine. The microprocessor program initially instructs the stepper motor to rotate the feed rollers for forward drive, utilizing half-step pulsing. As the currency bill moves past the magnetizing unit and magnetic head reader on forward motion into the machine, a strip of the bill is magnetized. After a calculated number of pulses required for the bill to pass the magnetizing unit and the magnetic head reader, the program instructs a reverse drive direction for the stepper motor, and a simultaneous change of drive phase to wave-drive stepping. The magnetized strip is read as it is discharged from the machine at constant speed. A program in the microprocessor compares the signature on the bill with genuine currency signatures for bills of denominations. If there is a match, the bill is then authenticated.

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First Claim