Method for semi-continuous currency processing using separator cards

Abstract

A method of semi-continuous currency processing using separator cards to separate currency stacks in a batch of currency fed into a currency processing machine. This currency processing method uses separator cards that facilitate the continuous processing of individual currency stacks without the necessity of stopping the process between each currency stack. The separator cards used contain features that allow for a positive delineation between individual currency stacks and the association of account data with each individual currency stack and its accompanying separator card as it is processed by the currency processing machine.

We claim:  
     
       1. A method of semi-continuous processing of currency, said currency having at least one denomination and authenticating attributes, using a currency processing machine, comprising the steps of: 
       (a) separating at least one currency stack with at least one separator card, wherein said separator card is encoded with account information prior to processing the currency stack;  
       (b) identifying said currency stack with information encoded on said separator card; and  
       (c) feeding said currency stack and separator card into said currency processing machine; and,  
       (d) processing the separator card and currency notes using processing steps common to both. 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of: 
       (d) processing the separator card and currency notes using processing steps common to both.  
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of: 
       (d)  (e) verifying the authenticity of each currency note within said currency stack;  
       (e)  (f) separating non-authentic currency; and,  
       (f)  (g) associating said non-authentic currency with an initial currency stack and separator card.  
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3   
       wherein step (f)  (g) is accomplished by stacking non-authentic currency with a corresponding separator card as a last processing step.  
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 3  wherein step (f)  (g) is accomplished by identifying the non-authentic currency to the account information encoded a step (a). 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
       (d)  (e) sorting said currency by denomination into a plurality of slots in said machine;  
       (e)  (f) sorting an accounting of said currency in a memory of said machine; and,  
       (f)  (g) comparing said accounting of step (e)  (f) with the account information encoded at step (a).  
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1  wherein step (a) further comprises separating at least one currency stack with a separator card having a magnetic strip. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1  wherein step (a) further comprises separating at least one currency stack with a separator card imprinted with a bar code series. 
     
     
       9. The method of claim  2   1 wherein step (a) further comprises separating at least one currency stack with a separator card having at least one characteristic feature enabling the currency processing machine to identify the separator card when a misfeed occurs at step (c) resulting in at least one note masking the separator card during the processing of step (d). 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9  wherein said characteristic feature comprises a magnetic strip. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1  wherein step (a) further comprises encoding accounting information including an initial count of the value of said currency stack and a source for said currency stack. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11  further comprising: 
       (d) comparing the initial count with a post-processing count.  
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 1  wherein step (a) further comprises placing said separator card as a header card. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 1  wherein step (a) further comprises plurality said separator card as a trailer card. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 1  wherein step (a) further comprises placing one of said cards as a header card and placing one of said cards as a trailer card. 
     
     
       16. The method of identifying a separator card used to delineate and track a stack of currency in a currency batch fed into a currency processing machine, said method comprising the steps of: 
       (a) encoding account data for said currency stack to said separator card prior to processing said currency stack;  
       (b) passing the separator card through at least one detector which detects at least one card characteristic; and,  
       (c) distinguishing between said separator card and said currency based on the detected characteristics.  
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 16  wherein step (b) further comprises passing the separator card through a detector which detects magnetic card characteristics. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 16  wherein step (b) further comprises passing the separator card through a detector which detects optical pattern card characteristics. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 16  wherein step (b) further comprises passing the separator card through a detector which detects physical dimension card characteristics. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 16  wherein step (b) further comprises passing the separator card through a detector which detects color card characteristics. 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 16  wherein step (c) further comprises distinguishing between said separator card and said currency when said separator card is masked by a currency note due to a misfeed. 
     
     
       22. A separator card having two sides and used for currency processing, said card comprising: 
       a bar code feature imprinted on at least one side with account information;  
       at least one magnetic strip imprinted on at least one side such that the separator card can be identified during currency processing when masked because of a misfeed by at least one note.  
     
     
       23. A method of semi-continuous processing of currency, said currency having at least one denomination and authenticating attributes, using a currency processing machine, comprising the steps of: 
       (a) separating at least one currency stack with at least one separator card, wherein said separator card is encoded with account information prior to processing the currency stack;  
       (b) identifying said currency stack with information encoded on said separator card;  
       (c) feeding said currency stack and separator card into said currency processing machine; and,  
       (d) verifying the authenticity of each currency note within said currency stack;  
       (e) separating non-authentic currency; and,  
       (f) associating said non-authentic currency with an initial currency stack and separator card. 
     
     
       24. A method of semi-continuous processing currency, said currency having at least one denomination and authenticity attributes, using a currency processing machine, comprising the steps of: 
       (a) separating at least one currency stack with at least one separator card, wherein said separator card is encoded with account information prior to processing the currency stack;  
       (b) identifying said currency stack with information encoded on said separator card;  
       (c) feeding said currency stack and separator card into said currency processing machine; and,  
       (d) sorting said currency by denomination into a plurality of slots in said machine;  
       (e) sorting an accounting of said currency in a memory of said machine; and  
       (f) comparing said accounting of step (e) with the account information encoded at step (a).