Claims:CLAIMS
I/We Claim:
1. A currency detector (100) comprising:
a base (102) foldable along one of, a vertical axis of the base (102), a horizontal axis of the base (102), or a combination thereof;
strips (104a-104n) protruded on a surface of the base (102), wherein each of the strips (104a-104n) represents a denomination of a currency note (116);
a holder (106) attached to the base (102) for accepting the currency note (116); and
voice buttons (108a-108n) attached to the base (102), wherein each of the voice buttons (108a-108n) corresponds to one of the strips (104a-104n) such that each of the voice buttons (108a-108n) generates a predefined sound when activated by a user representing the denomination of the currency note (116) inserted inside the holder (106).
2. The detector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predefined sound corresponding to each of the voice buttons (108a-108n) is stored in the memory (110).
3. The detector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base (102) is foldable along the vertical axis through a first hinge mechanism (118).
4. The detector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base (102) is foldable along the horizontal axis through a second hinge mechanism (120).
5. The detector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holder (106) comprises a cavity (124) having a width of 66 millimeters (mm) for accepting the currency note (116).
6. The detector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base (102) comprises braille scripts (114a-114n) adjacent to each of the strips (104a-104n) such that each of the braille scripts (114a-114n) corresponds to the denomination of the currency note (116).
7. The detector as claimed in claim 1, wherein a distance between the strips (104a-104n) protruded on a surface of the base (102) and a distal end (122) of the holder (106) is in a range between 124 mm to 167 mm.
8. A method for detecting a denomination of a currency note (116) using a currency detector (100), the method comprising steps of:
inserting a distal end of the currency note (116) inside a cavity (124) of a holder (106) of the currency detector (100);
navigating to a proximal end of the currency note (116);
detecting strips (104a-104n) protruded on a surface of a base (102) of the currency detector (100) adjacent to the proximal end of the currency note (116), wherein each of the strips (104a-104n) represents the denomination of the currency note (116);
navigating to voice buttons (108a-108n) attached to the base (102) for detecting the voice buttons (108a-108n) corresponding to the detected strips (104a-104n); and
activating the detected voice buttons (108a-108n) for generating a predefined sound representing the denomination of the currency note (116) inserted inside the holder (106), wherein the predefined sound corresponding to each of the voice buttons (108a-108n) is stored in a memory (110).
9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holder (106) comprises a cavity (122) having a width of 66 millimeters (mm) for accepting the currency note (116).
10. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein a distance from the strips (104a-104n) protruded on the surface of the base (102) and a distal end of the holder (106) is in a range between 106 mm to 167 mm.
Date: 20 June 2020
Place: Noida

Dr. Keerti Gupta
Agent for the Applicant
(IN/PA-1529)
, Description:FORM 2

THE PATENT ACT 1970
(39 of 1970)
&

THE PATENTS RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10, and rule 13)

TITLE OF THE INVENTION
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING A DENOMINATION OF A CURRENCY NOTE

APPLICANT(S)
NAME: Md Mujahid Irfan
NATIONALITY: INDIAN
ADDRESS: S R Engineering College, Ananthasagar, Warangal, Telangana, India

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed

BACKGROUND
Field of Invention
[001] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a currency detector, and more particularly to a currency detector for a visually impaired people.
Description of Related Art
[002] Visually impaired people face a lot of day-to-day life problems including, but not restricted to, navigating around places, arranging clothes, identifying denomination of currency notes, and so forth.
[003] Conventionally, a TIFFY template is used by a visually impaired person for identifying denominations of currency notes. The visually impaired person holds the currency notes above the TIIFY template and based on a length and width of each of the currency notes, the person identifies the denomination of each of the currency notes. Moreover, the TIFFY template comprises braille scripts for guiding the visually impaired person in identifying the denominations of the currency notes. However, some of the new currency notes issued by the government have completely different sizes that cannot be identified using the TIIFY template. In addition, a 2,000 Indian Rupee (INR) currency note has seven lines and a 500 INR currency note has five lines on both sides, which can be difficult to be identified by the visually impaired person.
[004] There is thus a need for a system and method for enabling visually impaired people to identify denominations of currency notes in an easy and more efficient manner.
SUMMARY
[005] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a currency detector. The currency detector comprising: a base foldable along one of, a vertical axis of the base, a horizontal axis of the base, or a combination thereof. The currency detector further comprises strips protruded on a surface of the base, wherein each of the strips represents a denomination of a currency note. The currency detector further comprises a holder attached to the base for accepting the currency note. The currency detector further comprises voice buttons attached to the base, wherein each of the voice buttons corresponds to one of the strips such that each of the voice buttons generates a predefined sound when activated by a user representing the denomination of the currency note inserted inside the holder.
[006] Embodiments in accordance with the present invention further provide a method for detecting a denomination of a currency note using a currency detector. The method comprising steps of: inserting a distal end of the currency note inside a cavity of a holder of the currency detector; navigating to a proximal end of the currency note; detecting strips protruded on a surface of a base of the currency detector adjacent to the proximal end of the currency note, wherein each of the strips represents the denomination of the currency note; navigating to voice buttons attached to the base for detecting the voice buttons corresponding to the detected strips; and activating the detected voice buttons for generating a predefined sound representing the denomination of the currency note inserted inside the holder, wherein the predefined sound corresponding to each of the voice buttons is stored in a memory.
[007] Embodiments of the present invention may provide a number of advantages depending on its particular configuration. First, embodiments of the present application provide a currency detector for detecting a denomination of currency notes. Next, embodiments of the present application aim at developing a low cost, portable, and easy to use currency detector for detecting a denomination of each of the currency notes.
[008] These and other advantages will be apparent from the present application of the embodiments described herein.
[009] The preceding is a simplified summary to provide an understanding of some embodiments of the present invention. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the present invention and its various embodiments. The summary presents selected concepts of the embodiments of the present invention in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other embodiments of the present invention are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The above and still further features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of a currency detector, according to an embodiment of the present invention disclosed herein;
[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates components of a controller of the currency detector, according to an embodiment of the present invention disclosed herein; and
[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of a process for detecting a denomination of a currency note by using the currency detector, according to an embodiment of the present invention disclosed herein.
[0014] The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures. Optional portions of the figures may be illustrated using dashed or dotted lines, unless the context of usage indicates otherwise.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
[0016] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising," "comprises,” and the like (which are synonymous with "including," "having” and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of," consists essentially of," and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of," "consists of, the like.
[0017] As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.
[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of a currency detector 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The currency detector 100 comprises a base 102, strips 104a-104n (hereinafter referred to as the strips 104), a holder 106, voice buttons 108a-108n (hereinafter referred to as the voice buttons 108), a memory 110, a controller 112, and braille scripts 114a-114n (hereinafter referred to as the braille scripts 114). Further, the voice buttons 108, the memory 110, and the controller 112 may be configured to communicate with each other by one or more communication mediums. The communication mediums include, but are not limited to, a coaxial cable, a copper wire, a fiber optic, a wire that comprise a system bus coupled to a processor of a computing device, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the communication mediums, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0019] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the currency detector 100 may be used for detecting a denomination of a currency note 116. According to embodiments of the present invention, the currency note may be, but not limited to, a 2000 Indian Rupee (INR) currency note, a 500 INR currency note, a 200 INR currency note, a 100 INR currency note, a 50 INR currency note, a 10 INR currency note, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the currency note, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0020] The base 102 may be designed to provide a rigid support to the components of the currency detector 100. Further, the base 102 may be made up of a material such as, but not limited to, a plastic sheet, an acrylic sheet, a polycarbonate sheet, a wooden sheet, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the material of the base 102 of the currency detector 100, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. According to embodiments of the present invention, a shape for the base 102 may be, but not limited to, a square, a rectangular, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the shape of the base 102, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies that may be beneficial to hold a currency note of any shape and size.
[0021] According to embodiments of the present invention, the base 102 may be a foldable structure that may be designed to be folded and carried within a wallet and/or a pocket of a user. According to embodiments of the present invention, the user may be, but not limited to, a completely blind person, a partially blind person, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the user of the currency detector 100. According to embodiments of the present invention, the base 102 may be folded along a vertical axis through a first hinge mechanism 118. Further, the base 102 may be folded along a horizontal axis through a second hinge mechanism 120. According to embodiments of the present invention, the first hinge mechanism 118 and the second hinge mechanism 120 may be, but not limited to, a butt hinge mechanism, a butterfly hinge mechanism, a folding stay hinge mechanism, a flush hinge mechanism, a pivot hinge mechanism, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the first hinge mechanism 118, and the second hinge mechanism 120, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0022] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the strips 104 may be protrusions provided on the surface of the base 102. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the strips 104 may represent the denomination of the currency notes. In an embodiment of the present invention, the strips 104 may be integrally fabricated within the base 102 of the currency detector 100. In another embodiment of the present invention, the strips 104 may be externally attached to the base 102 of the currency detector 100. According to embodiments of the present invention, the strips 104 may be made up of a material such as, but not limited to, a plastic, an acrylic, a polycarbonate, a rubber, a wood, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the material of the strips 104 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. According to embodiments of the present invention, the strips 104 may be used as touch strips by the user to identify a length of the currency note 116. According to embodiments of the present invention, a distance between the strips 104 protruded on the surface of the base 102 and a distal end 122 of the holder 106 may be in a range of 124 millimeters (mm) to 167 mm. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any distance between the strips 104 and the distal end 122 of the holder 106.
[0023] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the holder 106 may be attached to the base 102 for accepting the currency note 116. In an embodiment of the present invention, the holder 106 may be integrally fabricated on the base 102 of the currency detector 100. In another embodiment of the present invention, the holder 106 may be externally attached to the base 102 of the currency detector 100. According to embodiments of the present invention, the holder 106 may be made up of a material such as, but not limited to, a plastic sheet, an acrylic sheet, a polycarbonate sheet, a wooden sheet, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the material of the holder 106 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies. According to embodiments of the present invention, the currency detector 100 may be folded by folding the holder 106 towards the base 102 through the second hinge mechanism 120. Further, the base 102 may be folded along the vertical axis through the first hinge mechanism 118, according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0024] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the holder 106 may comprises a cavity 124 that may be designed to accept the currency note 116. According to embodiments of the present invention, a width of the cavity 124 may be 66 mm. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any width for the cavity 124 of the holder 106, including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies that may be capable of accepting the currency note 116.
[0025] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the voice buttons 108 attached to the base 102 may be provided to notify the user about the denomination of the currency note 116 by generating a predefined sound when the user activates the voice buttons 108. According to embodiments of the present invention, the voice buttons 108 may act as an annunciator that may notify the user about the denomination of the currency note 116 by generating the predefined sound when the user activates the voice buttons 108. According to embodiments of the present invention, the predefined sound corresponding to each of the voice buttons 108 may be stored in the memory 110 of the currency detector 100. In an embodiment of the present invention, the voice buttons 108 may be attached on the base 102 such that each of the voice buttons 108 corresponds to at least one of the strips 104. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the user may activate the voice buttons 108 corresponding to a length of the currency note 116 inserted into the cavity 124 of the holder 106.
[0026] In an exemplary scenario, the user may insert the currency note 116 inside the cavity 124 of the holder 106. Further, the user may find the strips 104 adjacent to the proximal end of the currency note 116. Further, the user may select the voice buttons 108 corresponding to that strips 104. According to embodiments of the present invention, the voice buttons 108 may be, but not limited to, a push buttons, a toggle switch, a float switch, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the voice buttons 108 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0027] Further, the voice buttons 108 may be connected to speakers 126a-126n (hereinafter referred to as the speakers 126), according to embodiment of the present invention. The speaker 126 may be configured to generate the predefined sound corresponding to the activated voice buttons 108. According to embodiments of the present invention, the speaker 126 may be, but not limited to, a plasma arc speaker, a piezoelectric speaker, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the speaker 126 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0028] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the memory 110 may be configured for storage and retrieval of data associated with the currency detector 100. According to embodiments of the present invention, the memory 110 may be, but not limited to, a Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), a Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), a Programmable read-only memory (PROM), an Erasable Programmable read only memory (EPROM), an Electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), a flash memory, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the memory 110 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies.
[0029] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the controller 112 may be configured to process data associated with the currency detector 100 to generate an output, and perform other operations related to the currency detector 100. According to embodiments of the present invention, the controller 112 may be, but not limited to, a Programmable Logic Control unit (PLC), a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a computing device, a development board, and so forth. Embodiments of the present invention are intended to include or otherwise cover any type of the controller 112 including known, related art, and/or later developed technologies that may be capable of processing the received data. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the controller 112 may be further configured to transmit an output to the speaker 126. Further, the controller 112 will be explained in detail in conjunction with FIG. 2.
[0030] According to embodiments of the present invention, the base 102 further comprises the braille scripts 114. The braille scripts 114 may be disposed on the surface of the base 102 adjacent to each of the strips 104 denoting the denominations of the currency note 116, according to embodiments of the present invention. Further, the braille scripts 114 may be provided to enable the user of the currency detector 100 to read the denomination of the currency note 116 by touching the braille scripts 114, according to embodiment of the present invention.
[0031] In an exemplary scenario, the user may insert the currency note 116 inside the cavity 124 of the holder 106. Further, the user may find the strips 104 adjacent to the proximal end of the currency note 116. Furthermore, the user may navigate to the braille scripts 114 disposed on the surface of the base 102. The braille scripts 114 may enable the user of the currency detector 100 to read the denomination of the currency note 116 by touching the braille scripts 114, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0032] FIG. 2 illustrates components of the controller 112 of the currency detector 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The controller 112 may comprise an initialization module 200, and a speaker activation module 202, according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0033] In an embodiment of the present invention, the user may insert the currency note 116 inside the cavity 124 of the holder 106 such that a distal end of the currency note 116 touches the distal end 122 of the holder 106. Further, the user may navigate towards a proximal end of the currency note 116 by touching through a length of the currency note 116, according to embodiments of the present invention. Further, upon reaching the proximal end of the currency note 116, the user may detect the strips 104 adjacent to the proximal end of the currency note 116. Next, the user may navigate towards the voice buttons 108 corresponding to the strips 104 adjacent to the proximal end of the currency note 116. According to embodiments of the present invention, the user may activate the voice buttons 108 corresponding to the strips 104. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the initialization module 200 may be configured to generate an activation signal when the user of the currency detector 100 activates the voice buttons 108 corresponding to the strips 104.
[0034] Further, the initialization module 200 may be configured to transmit the generated activation signal to the speaker activation module 202, according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0035] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the speaker activation module 202 may be configured to receive the activation signal from the initialization module 200. Further, the speaker activation module 202 may be configured to transmit the received activation signal to the speaker 126 of the currency detector 100. The activation signal may enable the speaker 126 to generate the predefined sound corresponding to the voice buttons 108 activated by the user, in an embodiment of the present invention. The predefined sound may represent the denomination of the currency note 116 inserted inside the holder 106, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0036] FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of a process 300 for identifying a denomination of the currency note 116 using the currency detector 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0037] At step 302, the user may insert the distal end of the currency note 116 inside the cavity 124 of the holder 106 of the currency detector 100.
[0038] At step 304, the user may navigate to the proximal end of the currency note 116 by touching through the length of the currency note 116.
[0039] At step 306, the user may detect the strips 104 protruded on the surface of the base 102 of the currency detector 100 adjacent to the proximal end of the currency notes. In an embodiment of the present invention, the strips 104 may represent the denomination of the currency notes.
[0040] At step 308, the user may navigate to the voice buttons 108 attached to the base 102 of the currency detector 100 corresponding to the detected strips 104, in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0041] At step 310, the user may activate the voice buttons 108 to generate the predefined sound. In an embodiment of the present invention, the predefined sound may represent the denomination of the currency note 116 inserted into the cavity 124 of the holder 106 of the currency detector 100.
[0042] Embodiments of the invention are described above with reference to block diagrams and schematic illustrations of methods and systems according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the diagrams and combinations of blocks in the diagrams can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be loaded onto one or more general purpose computers, special purpose computers, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce machines, such that the instructions which execute on the computers or other programmable data processing apparatus create means for implementing the functions specified in the block or blocks. Such computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means that implement the function specified in the block or blocks.
[0043] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
[0044] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope the invention is defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements within substantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.