Abstract:
A tactile orientation indicator is positioned along the periphery of a bill, and a tactile denomination indicator is positioned elsewhere along the periphery of the bill. The user of the bill may then use their tactile senses to feel along the edges of the bill to orient the bill to a pre-determined orientation based on the location of the orientation indicator. The user then feels along the periphery of the bill to locate the denomination indicator. Using a predetermined system associating the location of the denomination indicator with a particular bill denomination, the user may then identify the denomination of the bill even if blind or otherwise visually impaired.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application makes reference to, claims priority to, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/141,488, entitled “System and Method for Tactile Currency Identification,” filed Dec. 30, 2008, the complete subject matter of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     [Not Applicable] 
     MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE 
     [Not Applicable] 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present system and method for tactile currency identification generally relates to the identification of physical items by tactile feel. More specifically, the present system and method for tactile currency identification relates to a system and method for the identification of bills by denomination using strategically positioned tactile indicators. 
     The bills printed by the Treasury Department of the United States of America have been changed in several respects over the last decade in an effort to hinder counterfeiting. Despite these changes, the bills used as United States currency have essentially retained the same size, shape and feel, regardless of denomination. The same is true for many non-government issued bills. Such bills are used for various purposes, including but not limited to use as a training aid for the visually impaired or as faux currency in board games. 
     The lack of tactile distinctiveness between various denominations of these bills poses a significant problem for the blind, and the visually impaired. Some foreign nations have designed their bills in an effort to make the denominations of those bills identifiable by touch to the blind and/or otherwise visually impaired. For example, some foreign currency systems reflect different denominations of bills by different sizes and/or colors. In addition, some foreign currencies use an insert, Braille element, perforations, or a raised element in their currency to identify bill denominations to the visually impaired. 
     However, these existing designs do not utilize the relative positioning of various inserts, Braille elements, perforations, and/or raised elements to promote identification of the denomination of the currency. In addition, the level of tactile feel provided by these designs may be problematic to the blind and/or visually impaired who also have limited sensation in their extremities, which is a common problem among diabetics. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present system and method for tactile currency identification creates or modifies faux or legal tender bills such that the bills can be easily identified by touch. In this fashion, blind or otherwise visually impaired users can determine the denomination of the bills they are using. The present system and method may also be useful to non-visually impaired users in low light conditions. 
     The present system and method for tactile currency identification generally involves strategically positioning tactile indicators along the periphery of a bill. Tactile indicators may include an orientation indicator and a denomination indicator. An orientation indicator is used to orient the bill to the user in a unique way. Once the bill is properly orientated, an additional tactile indicator elsewhere along the periphery of the bill, i.e. a denomination indicator, identifies the denomination of the bill to the user. 
     For example, an “orientation notch” may be placed in the upper left hand corner of a bill when the bill is facing front-side up and right-side up. This orientation notch serves to orient the bill to the user, regardless of denomination. The location of a “denomination notch” along an edge of the bill relative to the orientation notch may then be utilized to identify the value of the bill to the user. The denomination notch may be located along any edge of the bill. 
     One embodiment of the present system and method for tactile currency identification involves currency for use as faux or legal tender, the currency comprising: a bill, the bill having a front surface, a rear surface, an upper edge, a lower edge, a left edge, a right edge, and four corners; an orientation indicator located at one of the four corners, the location of the orientation indicator corresponding to a particular bill orientation relative to the user, the orientation indicator tactilely distinct from the bill; a denomination indicator located at one of the edges of the bill, the location of the denomination indicator relative to the orientation indicator corresponding to a particular bill denomination, the denomination indicator tactilely distinct from the bill. 
     According to the present system and method for tactile currency identification, at least one of the orientation and denomination indicators may be comprised of a notch, and the notch may be semicircular in shape. Further, at least one of the orientation and denomination indicators may also be comprised of a raised element on at least one surface of the bill, a Braille element, an insert located between the front surface and the rear surface of a bill; and/or a perforation in the bill. The orientation indicator may tactilely distinct from the denomination indicator. The bill may further comprise a warning indicator positioned near a corner or edge of the bill for warning the user that the bill is faux currency, the warning indicator tactilely distinct from the bill. The warning indicator may be comprised of multiple perforations. 
     One embodiment of the present system and method for tactile currency identification involves a method for making the denomination of a bill identifiable by tactile feel, the bill for use as faux currency or legal tender, the bill having a front surface, a rear surface, an upper edge, a lower edge, a left edge, a right edge, and four corners, the method comprising: positioning an orientation indicator at one of the four corners of the bill, the position of the orientation indicator corresponding to a particular bill orientation relative to the user, the orientation indicator tactilely distinct from the bill; positioning a denomination indicator at one of the edges of the bill, the position of the denomination indicator relative to the orientation indicator corresponding to a particular bill denomination, the denomination indicator tactilely distinct from the bill. 
     According to the present system and method for tactile currency identification, at least one of the orientation and denomination indicators may be comprised of a notch in the bill, and the notch may be semicircular in shape. Further, at least one of the orientation and denomination indicators may also be comprised of a raised element on at least one surface of the bill; a Braille element; an insert located between the front surface and the rear surface of a bill; and/or a perforation in the bill. The orientation indicator may tactilely distinct from the denomination indicator. The bill may further comprise a warning indicator positioned near a corner or edge of the bill for warning the user that the bill is faux currency, the warning indicator tactilely distinct from the bill. The warning indicator may be comprised of multiple perforations. 
     The present system and method may be implemented on new or existing bills using, for example and not by way of limitation, tactile indicators comprised of notches, Braille elements, inserts, perforations, or raised elements. Advantageously, this system and method does not require a change in the size or shape of the bills. The present system and method for tactile currency identification is a cost-effective and simple-yet-elegant solution to a longstanding problem. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates the presently preferred embodiment of the system and method for tactile currency identification using bills issued by the United States Treasury in one, five and ten dollar denominations. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates the presently preferred embodiment of the system and method for tactile currency identification using bills issued by the United States Treasury in twenty, fifty and one-hundred dollar denominations. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates the presently preferred embodiment of the system and method for tactile currency identification using a two-dollar bill issued by the United States Treasury. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates the presently preferred embodiment of the system and method for tactile currency identification using non-government issued bills in one, five and ten dollar denominations. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates the presently preferred embodiment of the system and method for tactile currency identification using non-government issued bills in twenty, fifty and one-hundred dollar denominations. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates the presently preferred embodiment of the system and method for tactile currency identification using a non-government issued two-dollar bill. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present system and method for tactile currency identification may be used to create or modify a bill by positioning tactile indicators along the periphery of the bill for tactile orientation of the bill to the user, and tactile identification of the bill&#39;s denomination. The presently preferred embodiment of the system and method relating to bills issued by the United States Treasury is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 . Each of the bills in these figures has a front surface  13  on one side of the bill and a rear surface on the opposite side (not shown), and four corners  15   a ,  15   b ,  15   c , and  15   d.    
     Turning now to  FIG. 1 , bills issued by the United States Treasury are depicted in denominations of one dollar  12 , five dollars  14  and ten dollars  16 . In this embodiment, a semi-circular orientation notch  32  is positioned in the upper left hand corner  15   a  of each bill when the front surface  13  is facing up and orientated right-side up. There are no notches in any of the remaining three corners. A semi-circular denomination notch  34  is positioned along the upper edge  24  of the bills. The position of denomination notch  34  along upper edge  24  serves to identify the value of the bill to the user. Although orientation notch  32  and denomination notch  34  are depicted as semi-circular, other notch shapes that provide for tactile identification are also possible, including for example and without limitation, triangular, square, rectangular, oval, etc. 
     Denomination notch  34  is positioned on upper edge  24  one-quarter of the length of upper edge  24  from left edge  28  for the one dollar bill  12 . For five dollar bill  14 , denomination notch  34  is positioned on upper edge  24  one-half of the length of upper edge  24  from left edge  28 . On ten dollar bill  16 , denomination notch  34  is positioned on upper edge  24  three-quarters of the length of upper edge  24  from left edge  28 . 
     The position of denomination notch  34  along upper edge  24  relative to left edge  28  and/or orientation notch  32  serves to identify the value of the bill to the user. A user can identify the denomination of the bills in  FIG. 1  by simply holding each bill such that orientation notch  32  is in the upper left hand corner of the bill, and then checking to find where denomination notch  34  is located along upper edge  24  relative to left edge  28  and/or orientation notch  32 . In particular, a user may hold the bill in the user&#39;s right hand, and check the corners of the bill for orientation notch  32  using the index finger of the user&#39;s left hand. Once orientation notch  32  is located, the user may rotate the bill as needed so that orientation notch  32  is positioned on the top left side of the bill. 
     Placing the bill in the user&#39;s left hand, the user may use a thumb and index finger on the right hand to feel for denomination notch  34 . Once located, the user may continue running fingers along the edge of the bill to better understand where on the bill denomination notch  34  is located, and also to feel for the presence of other notches. If there are no other notches, the bill should be legitimate. If there are any other punches besides orientation notch  32  and denomination notch  34 , the user should refuse to take the bill. If the user has difficulty determining whether denomination notch  34  is one-quarter, one-half or three-quarters of the way along upper edge  24  from left edge  28  and/or orientation notch  32 , the user may gently fold the bill over, right edge  30  over left edge  28 , and the precise location of denomination notch  34  may be better understood. 
     Larger denomination bills issued by the United States Treasury in denominations of twenty dollars  18 , fifty dollars  20  and one-hundred dollars  22  are shown in  FIG. 2 . A semi-circular orientation notch  32  is again positioned in the upper left hand corner  15   a  of each bill when front surface  13  is facing up and orientated right-side up. There are no notches in any of the remaining three corners. This time, however, a semi-circular denomination notch  34  is positioned along lower edge  26  of the bills instead of upper edge  24 . The location of denomination notch  34  along lower edge  26  relative to left edge  28  and/or orientation notch  32  serves to identify the value of the bill to the user. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 2 , a denomination notch  34  is positioned on lower edge  26  one-quarter of the length of lower edge  26  from left edge  28  for twenty dollar bill  18 . For fifty dollar bill  20 , denomination notch  34  is positioned on lower edge  26  one-half of the length of lower edge  26  from left edge  28 . On hundred dollar bill  22 , denomination notch  34  is positioned on lower edge  26  three-quarters of the length of lower edge  26  from left edge  28 . A user can identify the denomination of the bills in  FIG. 2  by simply holding each bill such that orientation notch  32  is in the upper left hand corner of the bill, and then checking to find where denomination notch  34  is located along lower edge  26  relative to left edge  28  and/or orientation notch  32 . 
     Other denominations could be identified by placing denomination notches along left edge  28  and/or right edge  30  of the bills. For example, the bill in  FIG. 3  has an orientation notch  32  positioned in the upper left hand corner  15   a  of the bill, but denomination notch  34  is positioned on left edge  28  one-half of the length of left edge  28  from upper edge  24  and orientation notch  32  for two dollar bill  17 . A user can identify the denomination of the bill in  FIG. 3  by simply holding the bill such that orientation notch  32  is in the upper left hand corner of the bill, and then checking to find whether denomination notch  34  is located along left edge  28  or right edge  30 , or where denomination notch  34  is located along left edge  28  or right edge  30  relative to left edge  28  and/or orientation notch  32 . 
     It should be understood that while orientation notch  32  is positioned in upper left hand corner  15   a  in the above examples, positioning orientation notch  32  in any of the other three corners would also serve to orient the bill to the user so long as the user is informed of the strategy underlying the positioning of orientation notch  32 . It should also be understood that while denomination notch  34  is positioned in specific spots on specific edges in the above examples, locating denomination notch  34  in other spots or on other edges would also serve to identify the denomination of the bill to the user so long as the user is informed of the strategy underlying the positioning of denomination notch  34 . 
     Furthermore, while notches are employed as tactile indicators in the above embodiments, other tactile indicators may also be used. For example, and not by way of limitation, tactile indicators may comprise: inserts placed between front surface  13  or rear surface (not shown) of the bill; Braille elements attached to, formed on, or inserted between the front surface  13  and/or the rear surface (not shown) of the bill; perforations in the bill; and/or raised elements attached to the front surface  13  and/or the rear surface (not shown) of the bill. Notches are presently preferred as tactile indicators for their relatively high tactile feel, straightforward implementation, and low cost when compared with other tactile indicators. It should be understood, however, that the present system and method is not limited to tactile indicators comprised of notches, or any single type of tactile indicator. 
     A combination of different types of tactile indicators may be used to construct, for example, a single orientation indicator or denomination indicator. For instance, a denomination indicator employing a notch may also include raised elements outlining the notch to increase the level of tactile feel posed by the denomination indicator. In general, tactile indicators positioned at a corner or edge of a bill may or may not intersect the extreme outer edge of the bill. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present system and method relating to non-government issued bills is illustrated in  FIGS. 4-6 . Each of the bills in these figures have a front surface  113  on one side of the bill and a rear surface on the opposite side (not shown), and four corners  115   a ,  115   b ,  115   c , and  115   d.    
     Turning to  FIG. 4 , non-government issued bills  110  are depicted in denominations of one dollar  112 , five dollars  114  and ten dollars  116 . A semi-circular orientation notch  132  is positioned in the upper left hand corner of each bill when the front of the bill is facing up and orientated right-side up. There are no notches in any of the remaining three corners. A semi-circular denomination notch  134  is positioned along the upper edge  124  of the bills. The location of denomination notch  134  along upper edge  124  relative to left edge  128  and/or orientation notch  132  serves to aid the user in identifying the value of the bill. 
     As seen in  FIG. 4 , denomination notch  134  is formed on upper edge  124  one-quarter of the length of upper edge  124  from corner  115   a  or left edge  128  for the one dollar bill  112 . For five dollar bill  114 , denomination notch  134  is positioned on upper edge  124  one-half of the length of upper edge  124  from corner  115   a  or left edge  128 . On ten dollar bill  116 , denomination notch  134  is positioned on upper edge  124  three-quarters of the length of upper edge  124  from corner  115   a  or left edge  128 . Although orientation notch  132  and denomination notch  134  are depicted as semi-circular, other notch shapes that provide for tactile identification are also possible, including for example and without limitation, triangular, square, rectangular, oval, etc. 
     A user can identify the denomination of the bills in  FIG. 4  by simply holding each bill such that orientation notch  132  is in the upper left hand corner of the bill, and then checking to see where denomination notch  134  is located along upper edge  124 . 
     Note that another tactile indicator, here warning indicator  136  comprised in this example of perforations in the form of two punches, has been positioned on the non-government issued bills near corner  115   a  and orientation notch  132  to denote that the bills are not valid U.S. currency. Warning indicator  136  may be unnecessary where the bill is significantly different in size or shape from valid government issued currency. While warning indicator  136  is depicted in this embodiment as punches, other forms of warning indicator  136  may be used. For example, and without limitation, warning indicator  136  may also be comprised of one or more notches, Braille elements, inserts, perforations, or raised elements. Moreover, warning indicator need not be positioned near corner  115   a , or any corner for that matter, so long as the user is informed of the strategy underlying the positioning of warning indicator  136 . It is preferred, however, that warning indicator  136  not be positioned at a corner or edge to prevent any potential confusion with orientation indicator  132  or denomination indicator  134 . 
     Larger denomination non-government issued bills  110  are shown in  FIG. 5 . Again, a semi-circular orientation notch  132  is positioned in the upper left hand corner of each bill when the front of the bill is facing up and orientated right-side up. There are no notches in any of the remaining three corners. This time, however, semi-circular denomination notch  134  is positioned along lower edge  126  of the bills instead of upper edge  124 . The location of denomination notch  134  along lower edge  126  relative to left edge  128  and/or orientation notch  132  serves to aid the user in identifying the value of the bill. 
     As seen in  FIG. 5 , denomination notch  134  is positioned on lower edge  126  one-quarter of the length of lower edge  126  from left edge  128  for the twenty dollar bill  118 . For fifty dollar bill  120 , denomination notch  134  is positioned on lower edge  126  one-half of the length of lower edge  126  from left edge  128 . On hundred dollar bill  122 , denomination notch  134  is positioned on lower edge  124  three-quarters of the length of lower edge  124  from left edge  128 . 
     A user can identify the denomination of the bills in  FIG. 5  by simply holding each bill such that orientation notch  132  is in the upper left hand corner of the bill, and then checking to see where denomination notch  134  is positioned along lower edge  126 . Warning indicator  136 , shown as two punches in this example, is positioned on the non-government issued bills near orientation notch  132  to denote that the bills are not valid U.S. currency. 
     Other denomination indicators could be positioned along left edge  128  and/or right edge  130  of the bills. As seen in  FIG. 6 , for example, denomination notch  134  is positioned on left edge  128  one-half of the length of left edge  128  from upper edge  124  for two dollar bill  117 . Again, a user can identify the denomination of the bills in  FIG. 6  by simply holding each bill such that orientation notch  132  is in the upper left hand corner of the bill, and then checking to see where denomination notch  134  is located along left edge  128  or right edge  130 . Once again, warning indicator  136 , depicted as two punches in this embodiment, is positioned on non-government issued bills near orientation notch  132  to denote that the bills are not valid U.S. currency. 
     Although orientation notches  32  and  132 , and denomination notches  34  and  134  are depicted in the preferred embodiments described above as semi-circular, the present system and method for tactile identification of currency contemplates a variety of other notch shapes. These notch shapes include, by way of example and not limitation, triangular-shaped notches and square-shaped notches. 
     It should be understood that while orientation notch  132  is positioned in upper left hand corner  115   a  in the above examples, positioning orientation notch  132  in any of the other three corners would also serve to orient the bill to the user so long as the user is informed of the strategy underlying the positioning of orientation notch  132 . It should also be understood that while denomination notch  134  is positioned in a specific position on specific edges in the above examples, positioning denomination notch  134  in other positions or on other edges would also serve to identify the denomination of the bill to the user so long as the user is informed of the strategy underlying the positioning of denomination notch  134 . 
     Furthermore, while notches are employed as tactile indicators in the above embodiments relating to non-U.S. government currency, other tactile indicators may also be used. For example, and not by way of limitation, tactile indicators may comprise: inserts placed between front surface  113  or rear surface (not shown) of the bill; Braille elements attached to, formed on, or inserted between the front surface  113  and/or the rear surface (not shown) of the bill; perforations in the bill; and raised elements attached to the front surface  113  and/or rear surface (not shown) of the bill. Notches are presently preferred as tactile indicators for their relatively high tactile feel, straightforward implementation, and low cost when compared with other tactile indicators. It should be understood, however, that the present system and method as it relates to non-U.S. government currency is not limited to tactile indicators comprised of notches. 
     Orientation notches  32  and  132  and denomination notches  34  and  134  may be positioned on new bills by using, for example, cutting or punching tools. Existing bills may also be modified to comport with the presently preferred system and method for tactile identification of currency by, for example, cutting or punching notches in the bills. Braille elements, raised elements, and inserts can be created or added in a variety of ways that are well-known to those of skill in the art. 
     Although orientation notches  32  and  132  are depicted above as orienting the bills front face up and right side up to the user, orientation notches  32  and  132  may be positioned in a different corner to orient the bills otherwise. The preferred embodiment, however, complements the English “left to right” and “top to bottom” method of reading. 
     Similarly, although the progression of denomination notches  34  and  134  depicted above also complements the English “left to right” and “top to bottom” method of reading, denomination notches  34  and  134  may be positioned in different locations along the edges of a bill in accordance with the present system and method for tactile identification of currency. For example, and not by way of limitation, lower value denomination notches could be positioned along lower edge  26  or  126 , and higher value denomination notches could be positioned along upper edge  24  or  124 . These and other variants of the present system and method for tactile identification of currency may be effected by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the present system and method for tactile identification of currency.