News Releases

GLORY LTD. developed a new portable handy banknote reader "QN-20" which reads and announces the denomination of banknotes to the visually impaired. The QN-20 operates as follows: Users shall apply one of the four corners of a banknote either face up or face down onto the upper surface of the machine right above the incorporated camera and press a button in the machine to instantly read the image of the banknote. The machine will then judge and announce its denomination in a pre-recorded voice or by vibration frequencies.

Banknotes currently in circulation include the following special features for the visually impaired to help them judge the denomination themselves: special markings in a rough texture and a hologram seal having a different texture from other printed areas.　These features, however, deteriorate in the course of banknote circulation. Moreover, it is difficult for those people with inferior vision to make use of these special features.

Under the circumstances, the National Printing Bureau, an Independent Administrative Agency of Japan, asked GLORY to produce a machine that helps every person easily recognize the denomination of each banknote without relying on feeling the difference in textures.

1. Available in a pocket-sized design to enable the user to always carry on their person.
2. Battery-operated with battery replacement notice
3. Scheduled application of consumer tax exemption under the category of products for disabled.
4. Institutional benefits paid for disabled people will be applicable.

The QN-20 can read and discriminate the following four banknotes and will be sold through a sole agent called "TimesCorporation": ¥10,000, 5,000, 1,000 (issued in 2004), ¥2,000 (issued in 2000)

We will continue to develop such products that contribute to establishing a safe and secure society.

GLORY LTD., headquartered in Himeji, Japan, is a pioneer in the development and manufacture of money handling machines and systems. GLORY provides a variety of products such as money handling machines, cash management systems, vending machines, automatic service equipment, and cash management solutions that are built on its leading-edge recognition/identification and mechatronics technology. Committed to meet society's wide-ranging needs, GLORY serves the financial, retail, vending machine, amusement and gaming industries in over 100 countries around the world. GLORY employs approximately 9,000 people worldwide. For more information about GLORY, please visit GLORY's group website at http://corporate.glory-global.com/.

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