System and method for intelligent currency validation
Currency is validated by comparing identifying information extracted from the currency, such as a serial number associated with the currency, to identifying information in a list corresponding to invalid currency, such as counterfeit currency. If the extracted identifying information matches identifying information on the list, the currency is deemed invalid. A photograph or thumbprint image can be obtained by a person using the invalid currency to help in later identification of that individual. Optical character recognition techniques can be used to extract the identifying information.
1. A handheld device for validating currency, comprising:
a scanner for scanning a currency to obtain an image of the currency;
a central processing unit;
a memory coupled to the central processing unit in which a list of identifying information is stored;
software for obtaining identifying information associated with the currency from the image, for comparing the identifying information associated with the currency to the stored identifying information, and for causing a notification if there is a match between the identifying information associated with the currency and the stored identifying information, wherein the identifying information associated with the currency includes a serial number;
a memory coupled to the central processing unit that stores the obtained identifying information, including the serial number, associated with the currency;
a network interface that connects the device to a network for transmitting the obtained identifying information to a remote server and obtaining all or a portion of the stored list of identifying information; and
wherein the components of the handheld device are enclosed and/or incorporated in a handheld housing.
2. The handheld device of claim 1 , wherein the handheld housing further comprises:
a card reader that reads credit cards; and
a second reader that reads human-readable numbers or alphanumeric characters.
3. The handheld device of claim 1 , wherein the network interface connects the device to a wired or wireless network.
4. The handheld device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a keyboard that allows selection of the currency type.
5. The handheld device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a readout display that displays the obtained identifying information associated with the currency being scanned.
6. The hand held device of claim 1 , wherein the software includes optical character recognition software.
7. The handheld device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a real-time clock that records a time of scanning of the currency.
8. The handheld device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a printer interface that interfaces with a printer.
9. The handheld device of claim 1 , wherein the scanner is a camera.
10. The handheld device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a device configured to read a utility meter.
11. A handheld device for validating currency, comprising:
a scanner configured to scan a currency to obtain an image of the currency;
a central processing unit configured to:
(i) obtain identifying information associated with the currency from a scanned image of currency, wherein the identifying information includes a serial number;
(ii) compare the identifying information associated with the currency to a list of stored identifying information; and
(iii) cause a notification if there is a match between the identifying information associated with the currency and the stored identifying information;
at least one memory device coupled to the central processing unit configured to store scanned identifying information and the list of identifying information;
a network interface connecting the device to a network, the network interface configured to transmit the obtained identifying information to a remote server and receive all or a portion of the stored list of identifying information; and
a housing for enclosing and/or incorporating the components of the handheld device.
12. The handheld device of claim 11 , wherein the handheld housing further comprises one or both of:
a card reader that reads credit cards; and
a second reader that reads human-readable numbers or alphanumeric characters.
13. The handheld device of claim 11 , wherein the network interface connects the device to a wired or wireless network.
14. The handheld device of claim 11 , further comprising:
a keyboard that allows selection of the currency type.
15. The handheld device of claim 11 , further comprising:
a readout display that displays the obtained identifying information associated with the currency being scanned.
16. The handheld device of claim 11 , wherein the software includes optical character recognition software.
17. The handheld device of claim 11 , further comprising:
a real-time clock that records a time of scanning of the currency.
18. The handheld device of claim 11 , further comprising:
a printer interface that interfaces with a printer.
19. The handheld device of claim 11 , wherein the scanner is a camera.
20. The handheld device of claim 11 , further comprising:
a device configured to read a utility meter.