Evaluating Currency in Areas Using Image Processing

Abstract

A system evaluates currency in an area using image processing. In some examples, the system receives an image of an area from an image sensor, processes the image to identify at least one item of currency in the area, determine a value of the currency irrespective of validity, and counts the currency. In various examples, the system receives an image of an area from an image sensor; processes the image to identify at least one item of currency in the area; determines whether the currency has an error condition; and when the currency is determined to have the error condition, provides output on the error condition. In a number of examples, the system receives an image of an area from an image sensor; processes the image to identify at least one item of currency in the area; determines whether the currency is valid; and when the currency is determined to be suspect, provides output on the currency.

1 . A system for evaluating currency in areas using image processing, comprising:
 a non-transitory storage medium that stores instructions; and   a processor that executes the instructions to:
 receive an image of an area from an image sensor; 
 process the image to identify at least one item of currency in the area; 
 determine a value of the at least one item of currency irrespective of validity; and 
 count the at least one item of currency. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor processes the image by detecting a security feature of the at least one item of currency. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the security feature comprises an infrared strip. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor processes the image by screening out at least one element common to the image and a previous image. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor counts the at least one item of currency by determining a denomination of the at least one item of currency. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor transmits the count to an electronic device. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the processor performs an action using a response received from the electronic device. 
     
     
         8 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the image is a still image. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the image is a video. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the image sensor is located at least approximately over one meter from the at least one item of currency. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the image is an infrared image. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the image sensor includes an ultraviolet filter. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the area is illuminated using an ultraviolet light. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor determines the value of the at least one item of currency using optical character recognition. 
     
     
         28 . A system for evaluating currency in areas using image processing, comprising:
 a non-transitory storage medium that stores instructions; and   a processor that executes the instructions to:
 receive an image of an area from an image sensor; 
 process the image to identify at least one item of currency in the area; 
 determine a face value of the at least one item of currency; and 
 count the at least one item of currency. 
   
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein the processor transmits the count upon determining that the at least one item of currency is delivered to a receptacle. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein the processor decrements the count corresponding to the at least one item of currency upon determining that the at least one item of currency is removed from the area without being delivered to a receptacle. 
     
     
         31 . A system for evaluating currency in areas using image processing, comprising:
 a non-transitory storage medium that stores instructions; and   a processor that executes the instructions to:
 receive an image of an area from an image sensor; 
 process the image to identify items of currency in the area; 
 determine face values of the items of currency; and 
 determine an aggregate of the face values. 
   
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the processor processes the image to detect a signal in the image. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the processor processes the image to identify the items of currency in the area upon detecting the signal.