Abstract:
A distributed system for tracking bank notes as they pass through an automated currency processing system is disclosed. The bank note processing system includes a conveyance device for transporting a bank note along a transport path and a detector module comprising a detector. The detector detects raw detector information from the bank note. The detector controller is communicatively coupled to the detector module and the raw detector information is communicated to the detector controller. A host controller is communicatively coupled to the detector controller. The detector controller processes the raw detector information to determine processed detector information. The detector controller then communicates the processed detector information to the host controller.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to automated currency processing and, more specifically, to a distributed system for tracking bank notes as they pass through an automated currency processing system. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98 
         [0004]    Automated currency processors are common in the fields of bulk currency processing and are typically used by central banks, large commercial banks, print works, cash in transit, or other entities that require processing of large amounts of currency. 
         [0005]    In operation, bank notes that require processing are fed into the automated currency processing machine by a feeder. The term “bank note” as used herein may generally include bills of different currencies, checks, or other instruments that are typically processed by a banking entity. The bank notes then travel down a high speed conveyor past a number of detector modules which detect various characteristics of the note. For instance, the detector modules may determine denomination, authenticity, bank note condition, or other desired characteristics of a bank note. Based on the characteristics detected, the bank note may then be routed to a number of different pockets for collation or destruction. These pockets may enable the automated currency processing machine to sort notes by fitness level, denomination, origin, authentication, or other desired characteristics. 
         [0006]    However, with the increasing complexity of automated currency processing machines, it may be desirable to utilize an increasing number of modules. As the number of modules in the automated currency processing machine increases, it is desirable to develop a central controller that can efficiently track the passage of bank notes through the currency processing machine. It is desirable to develop an automated currency processing machine with a central processor that can handle a large number of modules in real-time and which can facilitate addition (or removal) of additional modules. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         [0007]    The present invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers refer to like parts throughout the views, wherein: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  depicts a block diagram of a Bank Note Tracking System (“BNTS”) in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  depicts a system configuration showing communication paths in a BNTS in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  depicts method steps for processing bank notes in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
       [0011]    The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    Illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail herein. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation may be described in this specification. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any such actual embodiment, numerous implementation specific decisions must be made to achieve the specific implementation goals, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the present disclosure. To facilitate a better understanding of the present disclosure, the following examples of certain embodiments are given. In no way should the following examples be read to limit, or define, the scope of the disclosure. 
         [0013]    For purposes of this disclosure, an information handling system may include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, or other purposes. For example, an information handling system may be a personal computer, a network storage device, or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. The information handling system may include random access memory (RAM), one or more processing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic, ROM, and/or other types of nonvolatile memory. Additional components of the information handling system may include one or more disk drives, one or more network ports for communication with external devices as well as various input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display. The information handling system may also include one or more buses operable to transmit communications between the various hardware components. 
         [0014]    For the purposes of this disclosure, computer-readable media may include any instrumentality or aggregation of instrumentalities that may retain data and/or instructions for a period of time. Computer-readable media may include, for example, without limitation, storage media such as a direct access storage device (e.g., a hard disk drive or floppy disk drive), a sequential access storage device (e.g., a tape disk drive), compact disk, CD-ROM, DVD, RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory; and/or any combination of the foregoing. 
         [0015]    The terms “couple” or “couples,” as used herein are intended to mean either an indirect or a direct connection. Thus, if a first device couples to a second device, that connection may be through a direct connection, or through an indirect mechanical or electrical connection via other devices and connections. Similarly, if a first device is communicatively coupled to a second device, the two devices may be able to communicate with one another directly or indirectly over any suitable wired or wireless communication network. 
         [0016]    A block diagram of a Bank Note Tracking System (“BNTS”)  100  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in  FIG. 1 . The BNTS  100  is a real-time tracking system that may include one or more controllers, modules and/or detectors. Each of the controllers, modules and/or detectors of the BNTS  100  has specific responsibilities related to the tracking of a bank note. Specifically, the various components work in concert in order to efficiently track a bank note being processed in real time. In the illustrative embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the BNTS  100  includes three modules  12 A,  12 B,  12 C. Each of the modules  12 A,  12 B,  12 C may be responsible for tracking a bank note within its domain along a transport path  104 , directing the necessary hardware to send the bank notes to the correct location, and/or calling jam conditions. Although three modules are shown in the illustrative embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the present disclosure is not limited to any specific number of modules. Accordingly, fewer or more modules may be used in the BNTS  100  without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
         [0017]    Each of the modules  12 A,  12 B,  12 C may include a corresponding detector  14 A,  14 B,  14 C that is communicatively coupled to a detector controller  16 . The detector controller  16  may be an information handling system. Although a single detector controller  16  is shown in the illustrative embodiment of  FIG. 1 , in certain embodiments, a separate detector controller may be used for each one or combination of detectors  14 A-C without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The detector controller  16  may gather raw detector information from the corresponding detectors  14 A-C, associate the raw detector information gathered with the proper bank note passing through the system, process the raw detector information and send the processed detector information to a host controller  18  for decision making. This process is described in further detail below. 
         [0018]    In certain implementations, one or more of the detectors  14 A,  14 B,  14 C may include an imaging system and a raw detector. The imaging system of a detector may process the information it collects and send this processed data to the detector controller corresponding to the particular detector. In contrast, the raw detector simply collects data and forwards it to the detector controller  16 . 
         [0019]    The BNTS  100  may further include a host controller  18 . The host controller  18  may be any suitable information handling system. The primary functions of the host controller  18  may include, but are not limited to, distribution of information relating to the bank note to the modules  12 A,  12 B,  12 C; making sort decisions for the bank notes being processed; and/or keeping track of bank note counts. 
         [0020]    The bank notes to be processed are fed into the BNTS  100  from a feeder  102 . The bank notes are then directed along the transport path  104  from the feeder  102  through a scanner module  106  of the BNTS  100 . The scanner module  106  may include one or more modules  12 A,  12 B,  12 C each having a corresponding detector  14 A,  14 B,  14 C. 
         [0021]    Turning now to  FIG. 2 , a system configuration showing the communication path between some of the components of the BNTS  100  is depicted. As shown in  FIG. 2 , one or more components of the BNTS  100  are communicatively coupled to each other. Wired or wireless communication means may be used to achieve any desired communications between the different components. For instance, the host controller  18  may be communicatively coupled to the detector controller  16 . Similarly, the host controller  18  may be communicatively coupled to the detectors  14 A-C and modules  12 A-C through the detector controller  16 . Additionally, the host controller  18  may be communicatively coupled to the feeder  102 , a system reject stacker module  113  and a stacker module  117  which are discussed in further detail below.  FIG. 2  is provided for illustrative purposes only and the present disclosure is not limited to any specific number of modules. Accordingly, additional modules may be incorporated into the BNTS  100  and may be communicatively coupled to the host controller  18  without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
         [0022]    In certain illustrative embodiments, the communications between two or more components of the BNTS  100  may occur using the TCP/IP protocol over the Ethernet, or serial communications using RS422 or RS485. In certain embodiments, communications from the modules  12 A-C,  113 ,  117 , and the raw detectors of the detectors  14 A-C to the hardware components may be handled over a parallel port using the Extensible Provisioning Protocol (“EPP”). Further, in certain embodiments, one or more of the modules  12 A-C may include a camera that may be used to capture images that are processed and used to evaluate one or more characteristics of a bank note. In some illustrative embodiments, the imaging system of the detectors  14 A-C may communicate with a physical camera using the GigE Vision protocol. The structure and operation of such communication protocols is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, having the benefit of the present disclosure and will therefore, not be discussed in detail herein. 
         [0023]    Returning to  FIG. 1 , one or more of the detectors  14 A-C may include both an imaging system and a raw detector. Although three modules and detectors are shown in  FIG. 2 , the present disclosure is not limited to any specific number of modules or detectors. Accordingly, fewer or more modules or detectors may be utilized without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
         [0024]    The one or more modules  12 A-C may be any suitable detector module known to those of ordinary skill in the art, having the benefit of the present disclosure. For instance, in certain implementations, the one or more modules  12 A-C may be used to detect the denomination of a bank note, whether the bank note is counterfeit, and/or perforations or other damage to the bank notes. 
         [0025]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the feeder  102  may be communicatively coupled to the host controller  18 . In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, as a bank note is directed into the BNTS  100  through the feeder  102 , the feeder  102  communicates information about the bank note to the host controller  18 . The bank note information relayed from the feeder  102  to the host controller  18  may include, but is not limited to, information relating to bank note tracking, bank note creation time, bank note position, bank note condition (e.g., wear and tear), ability of the machine to process the bank note for timing purposes, etc. The host controller  18  is in turn communicatively coupled to the modules  12 A-C,  113 ,  117 . Accordingly, the host controller  18  may forward the bank note information it received from the feeder  102  to one or more of the modules  12 A-C,  113 ,  117 . The modules that receive the bank note information from the host controller  18  may then start tracking the bank note in the BNTS  100 . 
         [0026]    Additionally, as discussed above, the host controller  18  may be communicatively coupled to the detector controller  16 . Accordingly, the host controller  18  may also relay the bank note information received from the feeder  102  to the detector controller  16 . The detector controller  16  is communicatively coupled to the detectors  14 A-C and forwards the bank note information received from the host controller  18  to imaging systems associated with the detectors  14 A-C. The imaging systems receive the bank note information from the detector controller  16 , process that information, and send the processed bank note information back to the detector controller  16 . In certain illustrative embodiments, the processed bank note information may include, but is not limited to, denomination of the bank note, orientation of the bank note, condition/fitness of the bank note, etc. 
         [0027]    As a bank note travels along the transport path  104 , it passes by the detectors  14 A-C. The raw detector of the detectors  14 A-C gathers raw detector information from the bank note and communicates that raw detector information back to the detector controller  16 . The detector controller  16  process the raw detector information received from the raw detectors and any processed information received from the imaging systems and produces a processed detector information associated with a corresponding detector module  12 A-C. Depending on the particular module, the processed detector information may be any desired bank note characteristic including, but not limited to, information relating to bank note denomination, whether the bank note is counterfeit, and/or presence of perforations or other damage to the bank notes. The detector controller  16  then communicates this processed detector information back to the host controller  18 . 
         [0028]    The host controller  18  may include or may be coupled to a computer-readable medium which may contain sort rules for the bank notes. The term “sort rules” as used herein refers to a set of rules that specify the destination for a bank note depending on the information obtained from the detector modules  12 A-C and their associated detectors  14 A-C. For instance, in one illustrative embodiment, the sort rules may specify that if a module indicates that a bank note has a particular denomination, then it must be directed to a particular output pocket. Similarly, in certain implementations, the sort rules may specify that if a bank note is damaged beyond a pre-set threshold value, it must be sent to a reject pocket or be shredded. The present disclosure is not limited to any specific set of sort rules. Accordingly, the host controller  18  may be guided by any number or type of sort rules without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
         [0029]    Once the host controller  18  receives the processed detector information from the detector controller  16 , it runs the sort rules on the processed detector information and determines a destination for the bank note. In the illustrative embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the destinations or pockets available for the BNTS  100  include a reject pocket  112 , an inline shredder  114 , a first stacker strapper inline bundler  116  and a second stacker strapper inline bundler  118 . Additionally, the system includes a run out pocket  120 . As would be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, having the benefit of the present disclosure, the present disclosure is not limited to any specific number, type or configuration of pockets. Accordingly, any number or type of output pockets may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
         [0030]    Each pocket of the BNTS  100  may include a pre pocket Item Presence Detector (“IPD”) and/or an in pocket IPD. The pre pocket IPD detects the presence of a bank note which is waiting to be permitted into the pocket at the pocket entrance. Accordingly, once the pre pocket IPD for a pocket has been set, a decision must be made on whether to open the gate of the pocket to permit the bank note to enter the pocket or keep the gate closed so that the bank note will pass by the pocket. Similarly, once the in pocket IPD for a pocket has been set, it indicates that a bank note has entered the pocket. 
         [0031]    Once the host controller  18  determines the destination for a particular bank note passing along the transport path  104 , it notifies the modules  12 A-C,  113 ,  117  of the bank note&#39;s destination. The modules  12 A-C,  113 ,  117  then track the bank note to its final destination as determined by the host controller  118 . In certain illustrative embodiments, once the bank note reaches its final destination, the modules  12 A-C,  113 ,  117  send a message to the host controller  18  notifying it that the bank note has been delivered. The host controller  18  validates this information by using the tracking identification of the bank note that was generated at the start of the process by the feeder  102 . Once the information is validated, the host controller  18  communicates a message to the modules  12 A-C confirming that the bank note has been delivered and instructing them to retire that particular bank note from the list of outstanding bank notes. 
         [0032]    The processing of bank notes by the BNTS  100  is discussed in further detail in conjunction with  FIG. 3  which depicts method steps for processing bank notes in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0033]    First, at step  302 , the bank note to be processed is directed into the BNTS  100  through the feeder  102  which generates a Document Identification Packet (“DIP”) corresponding to the bank note. Specifically, the feeder  102  is communicatively coupled to a non-machinable detector (NMD)  106 . The NMD  106  is a detector which monitors the bank notes passing through the feeder  102 . Once a valid edge of a bank note is detected by the NMD  106 , the NMD  106  notifies the feeder  102 . The term “valid edge” as used herein refers to the start of the banknote The feeder  102  then tracks the lead edge of the bank note and waits for a notification from the NMD  106  that the trail edge has been reached. Accordingly, once the NMD  106  determines that a trail edge of a bank note has been reached, it notifies the feeder  102 . Specifically, once the sensor in the NMD  106  no longer detects the bank note, it concludes that the trail edge of the bank note has been reached. Once the feeder  102  has been notified about the lead edge and the trail edge of a bank note, it waits for a message from the NMD  106  about the bank note itself. Specifically, the message from NMD  106  may contain information including, but not limited to, information relating to decisions about whether the bank note is a cull bank note or not, such as for example, information relating to skew, feed timing, length, and close feed. Communications between NMD  106  and the feeder  102  exchange these decisions. If any of these decisions are set, then the bank note is designated as a cull bank note. The term “cull bank note” as used herein refers to a bank note that is selected based on certain pre-set criteria. In contrast, a “non-cull bank note” is a bank note that is not selected because it does not meet the pre-set criteria. The pre-set criteria that may be used to identify a bank note as a cull bank note or a non-cull bank note may be stored in a computer-readable medium that is accessible by the NMD  106 . 
         [0034]    Once the feeder  102  receives the final decision from the NMD  106 , it generates a DIP for the particular bank note. The DIP may be a cull DIP or a normal DIP. In accordance with certain implementations, both the cull DIP and the normal DIP may share similar information such as, for example, a bank note identifier that is assigned by the feeder module  102 , the lead edge time for the bank note identifier, the trail edge time for the bank note identifier, the length of the bank note identifier, and/or the transport speed at the time of document creation. The term “document creation” as used herein refers to the process whereby the NMD  106  has sufficient information to declare that a valid document has entered the machine. In addition, the cull DIP may include the cull reasons. In contrast, the normal DIP does not include the cull reasons. The DIP may then be used to track the bank note as it passes through the BNTS  100  to ensure that it is directed to the correct output pocket. 
         [0035]    Once the DIP for a bank note is generated by the feeder  102  at step  302 , it is communicated from the feeder  102  to the host controller  18  which is communicatively coupled to the feeder  102 . Once the host controller  18  received the DIP, it determines whether the packet is a cull DIP or a normal DIP at step  304 . Specifically, if the packet is a cull DIP, it indicates that the bank note is a cull bank note. In contrast, if the packet is a normal DIP it indicates that the bank note is a non-cull bank note. As discussed in further detail below, the host controller  18  determines a process for handling the bank note depending on whether the bank note is a cull bank note or a non-cull bank note. Once the bank note has been processed, it is “retired”. 
         [0036]    If the packet received is a cull DIP indicating that the bank note is a cull bank note, at step  306 , the host controller  18  will only send the information in the DIP to the modules  12 A-C,  113 ,  117 . Once the DIP is received by the modules  12 A-C,  113 ,  117 , each module will process the cull DIP. Additionally, once the feeder  102  determines that a bank note is a cull bank note, at step  308  it enables cull tracking logic which is a specific logic for tracking culled bank notes to the cull pocket. The cull tracking logic then begins to track the bank note. Additionally, the feeder  102  enables the negative arrival tracking for the post cull pocket. The post cull pocket is a pocket that may be used to collect bank notes that are not machine processable, are mutilated, are doubles, are skewed, etc. 
         [0037]    Next, at step  310  the feeder  102  monitors the pre cull pocket IPD to determine if a bank note is waiting to enter the cull pocket. The pre cull pocket IPD indicates the presence of a bank note waiting to enter the cull pocket. At step  312  the feeder&#39;s  102  cull document tracker checks to determine if the pre cull pocket IPD can be associated with a bank note. If the cull document tracker determines that the pre cull pocket IPD cannot be associated with a bank note, at step  314  the feeder  102  identifies a jam condition. Additionally, the feeder  102  will identify a jam condition if a bank note&#39;s lead edge is not detected at the pre cull pocket IPD within a reasonable amount of time. The processing of jam conditions is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, having the benefit of the present disclosure, and will therefore not be discussed in detail herein. If the cull document tracker of the feeder  102  determines that the pre cull pocket IPD is associated with a bank note, at step  316  the feeder marks the bank note as having arrived at the cull pocket and directs the hardware to open the gate of the feeder  102  in order for the bank note to enter the system. 
         [0038]    Next, the feeder  102  looks for the trail edge of the bank note at the pre cull pocket IPD. If the feeder  102  does not identify a trail edge of the bank note within a reasonable time, it identifies a jam condition. In contrast, if the feeder  102  identifies a trail edge of the bank note being processed it notes that information and continues to process the bank note, expecting the bank note to arrive at the cull pocket IPD. Once the bank note arrives at the cull pocket IPD and is validated as a bank note, the feeder  102  transmits a “retire bank note” message to the host controller  18  at step  318 . In certain illustrative embodiments, the bank note is validated using the timing of arrival and the lead/trail edge being at the right place time wise. The host controller  18  then acknowledges the receipt of the “retire bank note” message and transmits the “retire bank note” message to the modules  12 A-C,  113 ,  117  of the BNTS  100 . Once the modules  12 A-C,  113 ,  117  receive the “retire bank note” message from the host controller  18 , they retire that particular bank note at step  320  and remove it from their active list. The term “active list” as used herein refers to a list maintained by the modules  12 A-C,  113 ,  117  in a computer readable medium which includes the bank notes that are being processed through the BNTS  100  and have not yet reached their destination. Additionally, once the host controller  18  forwards the “retire bank note” message to the modules  12 A-C,  113 ,  117 , it counts the cull incident (i.e., the number of bank notes directed to cull pocket) in the cull pocket and records its characteristics. The recorded characteristics references herein include, but are not limited to, characteristics that indicate that a bank note is mutilated, double, skewed, long, short, etc. 
         [0039]    As bank notes are being processed by the BNTS  100 , a number of special situations may arise. For instance, the bank note may arrive at the in pocket IPD before it leaves the pre pocket IPD due to length considerations. Specifically, the lead edge may be at a point where it is not logical for it to be as the trail edge has not left the previous position. Additionally, the bank note may not enter the pocket it is directed to but may pass the gate of the feeder  102 . In this case, the negative arrival tracking system will identify the occurrence of this condition and the feeder  102  will call a jam condition. Finally, a bank note may merge with a previous bank note. This condition may occur if the bank note did not arrive at the post cull pocket and the negative arrival tracking did not call a jam condition. 
         [0040]    In contrast, if at step  304  it is determined that the DIP is a normal document packet and not a cull document packet, indicating a non-cull bank note, the host controller  18  forwards the normal document packet to the modules  12 A-C,  113 ,  117  as well as the detector controller  16  at step  322 . Once the modules  12 A-C,  113 ,  117  receive this information, they start tracking the bank note in the normal note tracking system. Accordingly, all of the modules  12 A-C may predict when that particular bank note should arrive and leave the IPDs. In certain illustrative embodiments, this prediction is made using the timing information generated at document creation. 
         [0041]    Once the feeder  102  detects the arrival of the bank note being processed at the pre cull pocket IPD, it instructs the hardware to close the gate of the pocket in question so that the bank note can go through. The feeder  102  also checks to make sure that the bank note left the pre cull pocket IPD in time. In contrast, the post cull pocket IPD checks to make sure that the bank note arrived at post cull pocket and left it in a timely manner. At this point, the bank note is still active in the feeder module since it has not yet been retired. 
         [0042]    Further, once the detector controller  16  detects the arrival of a bank note, it starts a processing window of time for the detectors  14 A-C. Specifically, one of the main functions of the detector controller  16  is to generate a window of time for the detectors  14 A-C to gather data specific to a particular bank note. The detector controller  16  may generate this window of time by generating an electrical signal. When generating the window of time, the detector controller  16  may look at the timing of the bank note as the factor. The windows generated by the detector controller  16  may be adjusted for bank note slippage as the bank note is seen at each of the IPDs that it passes through before it reaches each detector  14 A-C. Finally, once the bank note has passed by all the detectors  14 A-C, the detector controller  16  may notify the host controller  18  to identify a destination for the bank note. 
         [0043]    At step  324 , the bank note is tracked through the system and the detectors  14 A-C are used to gather data from the bank note. Specifically, once the detector controller  16  receives the bank note information from the host controller  18 , it starts tracking when raw detector information for that bank note should come from the detectors  14 A-C. Similarly, the window of time generated for a particular bank note may be communicated from the detector controller  16  to the raw detectors. The raw detectors of the detectors  14 A-C gather raw data from the bank note during the designated window of time. This raw data is then packaged and directed to the detector controller  16  for processing. In certain implementations, information from two or more raw detectors may have to be consolidated by the detector controller  16 . In such instances when there is dependent detector information from other detectors that has to be received (e.g., an edge and center detector of the same type), the processing of raw data by the detector controller  16  may be delayed until all dependent information is received. Eventually, the detector controller  16  processes all the raw data gathered. This processed detector information may then be relayed to the host controller  18 . 
         [0044]    Additionally, the detector controller  16  forwards the bank note information to the imaging system of the detectors  14 A-C. In certain implementations, the imaging systems may include one or more cameras that are used to image a bank note as it passes along the transport path  104 . Accordingly, once the imaging system of a detector  14 A-C receives the bank note information it may queue up grab buffers for each of its one or more cameras. The detectors  14 A-C then activate the camera(s) of the imaging system for the specific window of time identified by the detector controller  16 . Accordingly, the camera(s) of an imaging system of a detector  14 A-C will capture data from the bank note for the window of time designated by the detector controller  16  and send that data to the imaging system. The imaging system of the detector  14 A-C processes the data obtained from the cameras and communicates the processed data to the detector controller  16 . Like the processed detector information, the processed data from the imaging system is directed to the host controller  18  from the detector controller  16 . 
         [0045]    The processed detector information and the processed data from the imaging system of the detectors  14 A-C is received by the host controller  18  before the host controller  18  needs to make a detector decision. The term “detector decision” as used herein refers to what the detectors believe the bank note is (e.g., denomination, condition of the bank note, etc.). Accordingly, the detectors  14 A-C must communicate the data (including any raw detector information as well as any data from the imaging system) to the detector controller  16  in a timely manner so that the data can be processed and relayed to the host controller  18  in time. 
         [0046]    Next, at step  326 , the host controller  18  associates the processed data it received from the detector controller  16  with the particular bank note that is going through the system. The host controller  18  may then determine a destination for the bank note at step  328 . In certain implementations, the detector controller  16  may generate a sort decision request to the host controller  18 . In response, the host controller  18  runs through its sort rules and applies the sort rules to the processed data associated with the particular bank note which was received from the detector controller  16 . Following the application of the sort rules to the processed data, the host controller  18  determines a destination for the particular bank note. The determined destination for the bank note is then communicated to the modules  12 A-C,  113 ,  117 . Once the bank note&#39;s destination is known, the modules  12 A-C,  113 ,  117  modify their tracking operation to track the bank note into a specific pocket ( 112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118 ) designated by the host controller  18 . Moreover, in certain implementations, based on the destination determination made by the host controller  18 , one or more of the modules  12 A-C,  113 ,  117  may simply track the bank note as it passes by. 
         [0047]    Finally, the process proceeds to step  320  where the bank note is retired. Specifically, as the bank note leaves the modules  12 A-C along the transport path  104 , it reaches the first output pocket which is typically the reject pocket  112 . At this point, the system reject stacker module  113  checks to determine if the bank note has a designated valid destination. Specifically, the system reject stacker module  113  may communicate with the host controller  18  to identify the designated destination for the bank note being processed. If the bank note does not have a valid destination, then the system reject pocket module  113  redirects the bank note from the transport path  104  into the reject pocket  112  (or the inline shredder  114  if so desired) and the bank note is retired (i.e., removed from the list of “active” bank notes). If the bank note does have a valid designated destination, it continues along the transport path  104  and past the reject pocket  112  (and/or the inline shredder  114 ). 
         [0048]    Each of the stacker strapper inline bundlers  116 ,  118  may be equipped with one or more IPDs which operate in a manner similar to the cull tracking IPDs. In certain implementations, a stacker module  117  may regulate the operation of the stacker strapper inline bundlers  116 ,  118 . Specifically, as a bank note approaches the stacker strapper inline bundlers  116 ,  118 , the host controller  18  may communicate the designated destination for that particular bank note to the stacker module  117 . For instance, if a bank note has a valid destination which is designated as the stacker strapper inline bundler  116 , then once the bank note is detected by the pre-pocket IPD, the gate of the stacker module  117  opens the gate of the stacker strapper inline bundler  116  to permit the bank note to enter the stacker strapper inline bundler  116 . The bank note is then retired. 
         [0049]    In contrast, if the designated destination of the bank note is a pocket past the stacker strapper inline bundler  116  (e.g., stacker strapper inline bundler  118 ), then stacker module  117  closes the gate of the stacker strapper inline bundler  116  when the bank note arrives at the pre-pocket IPD. In the same manner, this process continues until the bank note reaches it&#39;s designated destination as determined by the host controller  18 . Once the back note is delivered to its final designated destination, it is retired. 
         [0050]    In certain implementations, if the stacker module  117  determines that the bank note should not enter a particular output pocket (e.g.,  116 ,  118 ) because it was supposed to enter an earlier pocket, stacker module  117  closes the gate for the particular output pocket permitting the bank note to go past that pocket. The stacker module  117  may then generate a jam condition. 
         [0051]    After a bank note is detected at the in pocket IPD of one of the output pockets (e.g., stacker strapper inline bundlers  116 ,  118 ), then the stacker module  117  may communicate a message to the host controller  118  asking the host controller to retire that particular bank note. Once the host controller  18  receives the request to retire the bank note, it validates that request and sends confirmation that the bank note should be retired to all the modules of the BNTS  100 . All the modules (e.g., modules  12 A-C, system reject stacker module  113 , stacker module  117 ) will then retire that particular bank note from their active list. The host controller  18  then takes the information gathered for the particular bank note and may add that information to its data repository of processed notes. For instance, in certain implementation, the information gathered may include the denomination of the note and once the note is retired, that denomination may be added to the count of the total bank notes processed. At this point, the bank note is no longer active in the system. 
         [0052]    Therefore, the present invention is well-adapted to carry out the objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those which are inherent therein. While the invention has been depicted and described by reference to exemplary embodiments of the invention, such a reference does not imply a limitation on the invention, and no such limitation is to be inferred. The invention is capable of considerable modification, alternation, and equivalents in form and function, as will occur to those ordinarily skilled in the pertinent arts and having the benefit of this disclosure. The depicted and described embodiments of the invention are exemplary only, and are not exhaustive of the scope of the invention. Consequently, the invention is intended to be limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims, giving full cognizance to equivalents in all respects. The terms in the claims have their plain, ordinary meaning unless otherwise explicitly and clearly defined by the patentee.