WO2009083094A1 - Device for accepting and outputting banknotes - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device comprising a first transport unit in a drawer for transporting a stack of banknotes in an direction of acceptance or a direction of output, a separator, a second transport unit in the drawer for transporting a stack of banknotes in a direction of acceptance or a direction of output, the first and second transport unit comprising a common part that interacts with the first or the second transport unit to transport banknotes, and the common part subdividing the drawer in a first partial drawer for accepting banknotes and a second partial drawer for outputting or returning banknotes.

Description

 Device for accepting and dispensing banknotes

The present invention relates to a device for accepting and dispensing banknotes.

Devices for accepting and dispensing banknotes are known. The known devices are based on the recognition that a compartment which is used for the input of accepted banknotes, is also used for the return of banknotes that could not be accepted, for. B. because they could not be recognized or because of disturbances in the processing occurred. Furthermore, the compartment can be used for the disbursement of banknotes.

From US 4,883,183 such a device is known, in which the compartment used for the return and return of banknotes is divided by a separating element into two areas, one area of the compartment being used for the input of banknotes, whereas the other area for the return of banknotes is used. The separating element serves at the same time as a storage for the bank notes to be returned to an operator.

However, no measures are described on how to deal with banknotes to be returned if the operator has forgotten to remove the banknotes to be returned from the subject. In addition, the removal of banknotes from the tray designed as difficult because the operator must intervene in the subject.

From EP 0714078 Bl another device is known in which the compartment used for the return and return of banknotes is divided by a separating element into two areas, wherein a portion of the compartment for the Input of banknotes is used, whereas the other area is used for the return of banknotes. The separating element can be moved within the compartment in order to adapt the size ratios between the first and second areas to the respective requirements.

Since the position of the separating element along two axes must be changed, an increased space requirement is required for the realization of the known device, since in particular the extraction of the separating element requires a lot of space to move the separating element into a position outside the compartment can.

From EP 1 004 098 B1, an additional device is known, in which the compartment used for the input and return of banknotes is subdivided by a separating element into two areas and essentially corresponds to the previously described EP 0714078 B1. This means in particular that the separating element can be moved in two directions. In addition, the separating element is composed of a rake and can be separated into two sub-elements, each of which completely covers the cross-section of the compartment. One of the sub-elements is used as a support for returned banknotes, whereas the other sub-element can be pressed against the banknotes to be separated in order to ensure secure separation.

Also, EP 1 004098 B1 has the problem of increased space requirements. In addition, an increased effort is required by the use of a divisible separating elements, because the two sub-elements must be moved and controlled separately from each other inside and outside of the compartment. From DE 10008374 Al and DE 10210689 Al further devices for the acceptance and dispensing of banknotes are known. The apparatuses include a partition member which divides a tray into an input area and a banknote output and return area. If the withdrawal of banknotes to be returned is forgotten, all banknotes to be returned must be separated again in order to be able to remove them from the bin.

The known device for the acceptance and issue or return of banknotes thus have the problem that they are either complex and have a large space requirement, or that they are not able to all cases occurring in the acceptance and output or Banknotes can be handled effectively, quickly and conveniently for an operator.

The object of the present invention is to provide a device for accepting and dispensing banknotes, which has a compartment for the input and output or return of banknotes, and a flexible and for an operator comfortable operation in the acceptance and Issue or return of banknotes allows, the device should be simple and compact.

This object is achieved by the features of claim 1.

The invention relates to a device for the acceptance and issue or return of banknotes by means of a compartment for accepting and issuing multiple bills that form a stack, with a first transport device within the compartment, for the transport of the stack of Banknotes in a accepting direction or an issuing direction, between positions where the banknotes partially or completely in the compartment, a sorter, which separates the banknotes completely in the compartment, and a transport system which takes over the banknotes separated by the singler and supplies them to a processing, a second transport device within the compartment, for the transport of a stack of banknotes in an acceptance direction or an output direction, between positions where the banknotes are partially or completely in the compartment, wherein first and second transport means have a common part which cooperates with the first or the second transport means to transport banknotes, and the common part subdividing the compartment into a first sub-compartment for accepting banknotes and a second sub-compartment for issuing or returning banknotes.

The advantage of the invention is to be seen in particular in that the device for accepting and dispensing or returning banknotes makes possible a flexible and, for an operator, comfortable operation in the acceptance and dispensing or return of banknotes. Even in the case of special operating situations, such as banknotes to be issued or returned, the removal of which is omitted, the apparatus for accepting and issuing or returning banknotes can react quickly, since the transport of these banknotes also takes place in the stack. In addition, a particularly simple and compact construction of the device for accepting and dispensing or returning banknotes is possible, since the two required transport devices are formed by only three parts.

Further advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and the following description of embodiments with reference to figures.

Show it Figures 1 to 6 an embodiment of an apparatus for the acceptance and issue or return of banknotes at different times during the acceptance and issue or return of banknotes.

1 shows an embodiment of a device 1 for accepting and dispensing banknotes, comprising a compartment F which has a sub-compartment F1 for acceptance and a sub-compartment F2 for the dispensing and return of banknotes. In the compartment F, a plurality of banknotes BN in the form of a stack have been inserted by an operator into the sub-compartment F1 for acceptance. The opening of the compartment F directed towards the operator can be closed by a shutter B, in order to ensure, during the processing of the banknotes BN, that no manipulation can take place. For the input of banknotes BN, the diaphragm B is opened. As shown, the baffle B can be designed so that it only releases the area of the opening of the compartment F for the entry of banknotes BN, which allows access to the partial compartment F1 which is seized for accepting banknotes. Further housing parts of the device 1 for the acceptance and delivery or return of banknotes are not shown for simplicity.

The opening of the compartment F resulting after the opening of the panel B can be dimensioned such that the banknotes BN can not be entered by the operator until the end of the compartment F. On the other hand, the banknotes BN can be entered into the compartment F so far that, after the operator releases them, they are safely in the compartment F and will not fall out. The dimensioning of the resulting opening of the compartment F is dependent on the size of the banknotes to be inserted and should allow the banknotes to be entered into the compartment F for more than half the longitudinal dimension of the largest banknote, ie a part of the banknotes BN remains outside the compartment F or its opening. The apparatus 1 for accepting and dispensing or returning banknotes further comprises a singler 3, which detects in each case the lowest of the banknotes BN and hands over individually to a subsequent transport system, which supplies the singulated banknotes for further processing. Furthermore, a transport device 2, 2 ', 4 is shown for the banknotes BN entered into the compartment F, the function of which will be described in more detail below.

FIG. 2 shows the embodiment of the device 1 for accepting and dispensing banknotes shown in FIG. 1, while the banknotes BN entered into the subfold F1 are transported into the compartment F in an input direction T1. It may be provided that a sensor, not shown, for. As a light barrier, when entering the banknotes BN in the compartment F, the input of the banknotes BN determined to start the transport of banknotes. For this purpose, a part 4 of the two-part transport device 2, 2 ', 4, which divides the compartment F in the two sub-pockets Fl and F2, moves in the direction of Rl on the banknotes BN out until the banknotes BN between the two parts of the Transport device 2, 2 ', 4 are clamped. By means of this controlled by a light barrier terminals of the banknotes BN, can also be achieved that the banknotes BN, as previously described with reference to the dimensioning of the compartment F and the diaphragm B, can not be completely entered by the operator in the compartment F.

After the banknotes BN are clamped, they are transported completely into the compartment F by the transport device 2, 2 ', 4 in the input direction T1. For example, a further light barrier may be provided at the end of the compartment F lying at the separator 3, which detects the arrival of the banknotes BN, whereupon the transport of the banknotes is ended and the panel B of the compartment F is closed. Advantageously, all parts of the transport device 2, 2 ', 4 are driven to the banknotes BN, but it is also possible that, for example, only the lower part 2, 2 'is driven, on which the banknotes BN rest.

From the position of the upper part 4 of the transport means, a first estimate can be made of how many banknotes BN have been entered, i. H. the number of banknotes BN to be accepted can be approximately determined. This also allows to detect if the maximum allowable amount of banknotes has been exceeded, e.g. B. the entry of more than 100 banknotes. In this case, the acceptance process can be ended and the operator can be requested to remove the banknotes BN and to enter a smaller amount of banknotes.

Following this, the processing of the entered banknotes BN, d shown in FIG. 3 takes place. H. their acceptance. For this purpose, the device 1 for receiving and issuing or returning banknotes is connected to a banknote processing device. The banknote processing device comprises, for example, the transport system for the singulated banknotes already described above, a sensor device S, a storage device K for banknotes, e.g. For example, one or more cassettes for different types of banknotes, a buffer for the storage of banknotes during processing, etc.

After entering the banknotes BN in the compartment F or their collection by the transport device 2, 2 ', 4, as described above, the diaphragm B was closed. The closing operation of the diaphragm B can by a command input of the operator, for. B. by means of a keyboard, or by monitoring the subject F for the presence of banknotes or their complete collection, z. B. by means of the further light barrier. During processing of the banknotes, the panel B remains closed and locked so that it can not be opened to prevent unauthorized interference or tampering. In order to separate the banknotes BN, the bottommost banknote is transported to the singler 3 by means of the lower part 2, 2 'of the transport device. It can also be provided that only the closer to the Vereinzeier 3 section 2 'of the lower part 2, 2' of the transport device 2, 2 ', 4 causes the feed of the respective lowest bank note for Vereinzeier 3 out. The upper part 4 of the transport device is no longer driven during the separation of the banknotes. Further, it may be arranged that the upper part 4 is moved toward the bank notes BN in the direction Rl when the thickness of the stack of the bank notes BN decreases due to the singulation of bills. In this way, a pressure of the respective lowest banknote against the lower part 2, 2 'of the transport device can be achieved so that the lowermost banknote is safely transported in the direction of the singler 3.

The Vereinzeier 3 detects the lowest of the banknotes BN and passes them to the transport system of the banknote processing device, which transports the individual banknotes in the input direction Tl for further processing. The transport system transports the individual banknotes through the sensor device S, which has one or more sensors, for. B. optical, mechanical and acoustic sensors, which check the respectively transported past bill. This check may include, for example, the determination of the authenticity of the banknote, the type of banknote, ie in particular currency and denomination, the state of the banknote, the size of the banknote, etc. After verification, the banknotes are transported by the transport system and transported in response to the review by the sensor device in the storage device K and stored in this, z. B. in a particular cassette according to the determined banknote type. Deviating from this, the banknotes can also be stored in the buffer during processing. The bills are stored in the buffer until all banknotes BN have been processed. The Distribution of banknotes from the cache, z. B. on the various cassettes according to the determined type of banknote, then takes place thereafter, for example, after the operator confirms the correct acceptance of the banknotes.

Non-editable banknotes BN ', d. H. Banknotes that are not recognized by the sensor device S or banknotes that cause a disturbance, eg. B. double or multiple withdrawn banknotes are transported and collected by the transport system for return in an output direction T2 in the sub-compartment for the issue or return F2. In the subfile for the issue or return F2, a device, for. As a Patscher 6, be provided, which causes a proper storage of the returned banknotes BN '. For example, banknotes can be braked by the patscher 6 so that all leading edges come to lie at a location within the return tray. Alternatively, all the trailing edges of the banknotes BN 'can come to rest in one place.

As shown in Figure 4, the sub-tray F2 for the issue and return also on a two-piece transport means 4, 5 for the transport of multiple banknotes, wherein a part 4 of the transport device of the part 4 of the transport device 2, 4 of the Teilfachs is formed for the assumption, which divides the compartment F in the two sub-subjects Fl and F2 and on which the banknotes to be returned BN 'are stacked. This results in a three-part transport device 2, 2 ', 4, 5 in the compartment F, which supports the transport of several banknotes both in the sub-compartment F1 for the acceptance of banknotes, as well as in the sub-compartment F2 for the issue or return of banknotes.

After a sensor, z. B. one of the light barrier described above, it was determined that all entered into the sub-compartment Fl for accepting banknotes BN were separated and processed, ie all banking notes BN are removed from the sub-pocket F1, the banknotes BN 'destined for return lie in the sub-pocket F2 for the return. Subsequently, the compartment F dividing part 4 of the transport device 4, 5 is moved along a second direction R2 until the returned banknotes BN 'are clamped in the transport device 4, 5 and can be transported. For this purpose, the part 4 of the transport device 4, 5 in the second direction R2 linearly moved to be rotated or pivoted about an axis. Also in the case of the transport device 4, 5 it can be provided that one or both parts 4, 5 are driven for the transport of the banknotes. It is also possible that only a part, in particular part 5, is driven.

Subsequently, the diaphragm B of the compartment F is opened. As shown in Figure 5, the bezel B can be designed to release only the area of the opening of the bin F for the issue or return of banknotes BN 'which have access to that for the dispensing or return of banknotes Subfold F2 allows. The banknotes BN 'to be returned are at least partially transported out of the compartment F by the transport device 4, 5 in the delivery direction T2, so that the operator can grasp and remove the banknotes BN' to be returned. The clamping force exerted by the transport device 4, 5 is dimensioned such that the banknotes to be returned BN 'can be transported safely but can also be removed without problems by the operator.

In the event that the operator forgets to remove the banknotes BN 'to be returned from the compartment F, the banknotes to be returned BN', z. B. 20 seconds after they were presented to the operator, transported by the transport device 4, 5 again in the input direction Tl in the tray F and the diaphragm B is closed (Figure 6). Subsequently, the banknotes to be returned BN 'of the Transport device 4, 5 transported in a container 7, in which they can be safely stored. In order to enable transport into the container by means of the transporting device 4, 5, the part 4 of the transporting device 4, 5 has an additional section 4 ', which bridges the region of the separator 3. The additional section 4 'is connected to the part 4 of the transport means 4, 5 when the part 4 of the transport means 4, 5 is moved in the second direction R2, as described above, in order to clamp the banknotes BN' to be returned for transport (see Figure 4). Since the container 7 is mounted inside the housing of the device 1, it is not accessible to a normal operator. Access to the container 7 is usually on service personnel or particularly authorized operators, eg. Employees of a bank or a business, in which the device 1 is used, be limited.

So far, an operation has been described in which the acceptance of banknotes BN is completed and in which possibly unworkable banknotes BN 'are returned. However, it is obvious that such an operation for the acceptance of banknotes BN 'can also be prematurely terminated. In this case, all banknotes BN, BN 'located in compartment F are returned. For this, all banknotes BN are separated in the subfold Fl for the acceptance of the singler 3 and transported by the transport system in the sub-compartment F2 for the issue or return and stored on the there possibly already located to be returned banknotes BN '(comparable to Figure 3). Subsequently, the return of the banknotes BN, BN 'to the operator, as described above in connection with Figures 4 to 6.

Under certain circumstances, it may also be provided that all originally entered banknotes BN are to be returned if the acceptance is canceled. In this case, the already in the cache of The banknotes BN located in the device 1 for the acceptance and dispensing or return of banknote processing devices connected to banknotes are also transported into the subfold for the output or return F2 and to the banknotes BN 'which may already be present there or already from the sub-compartment Fl stored for accepting banknotes BN transported there (comparable to Figure 3). Subsequently, the return of all banknotes to the operator, as described above in connection with Figures 4 to 6.

Instead of the previously illustrated and described embodiment in which the banknotes are transported parallel to their long edges, of course, the transport of the banknotes is possible parallel to their short edges. In this case, of course, all components of the device 1 for the acceptance and delivery or return of banknotes must be dimensioned accordingly.

So far, the apparatus 1 for the acceptance and issue or return of banknotes has only been described in connection with the acceptance of banknotes and the return of banknotes that are not accepted upon acceptance. In the unspecified issue or

Payment of banknotes can z. B. Banknotes are output, which are stored in a suitable for output cassette (not shown) of the storage device K of the banknote processing device connected to the device 1 for the reception and return of banknotes. The banknotes to be dispensed are then transported, as described above, from the transport system to the sub-tray F2 for delivery or return, stacked there and thereafter issued as previously described.

Furthermore, checks, vouchers or other value documents can be included in addition to banknotes to be accepted or paid out. These are processed with the banknotes together and stored, for example, in a special cassette of the storage device K of the banknote processing device connected to the device 1 for the reception and return of banknotes.

If there are disruptions in the separation of banknotes BN by means of the separator 3, the transport device 2, 2 ', 4 can also be used to eliminate these disturbances. In particular, banknotes which are jammed in the gap of the singler 3 can be pulled out by means of the transport device 2, 2 ', 4 of the sub-compartment F1 for acceptance if the jammed banknote still protrudes so far into the sub-compartment F1 that it is moved by the transporting device 2, 2 ', 4 can be detected. If necessary, the clamping force between the parts of the transport device 2, 2 ', 4 can be increased. The jammed banknote and possibly still in the subfill Fl befindliche further banknotes are then transported in the output direction T2 on the panel B and the jammed banknote is released during transport into the subfill Fl again. The other banknotes located in the compartment 3 can abut the panel B during this process, whereby they are deformed. After liberation of the jammed banknote, the transport direction of the transport device 2, 2 ', 4 reversed and the other banknotes are transported back to their original position. Alternatively or additionally, the upper part 4 of the transport device can be moved in the second direction R2, so that the deformed further bank notes move back into their original Liehe position due to the deformation.

The transport device 2, 2 ', 4 of the sub-compartment F1 for acceptance and the transport device 4, 5 of the sub-compartment F2 for delivery or return can in principle be constructed the same with regard to the transport of the bank notes. It can be provided that in each case the upper and lower part of

Transport devices 2, 2 ', 4 and 4, 5, is driven, as can only each one of the parts of the transport means 2, 2 ', 4 and 4, 5 are driven. For transporting the banknotes, the transport means 2, 2 ', 4 and 4, 5 may comprise belts or rollers or a combination of belts and rollers. As already explained above, there is a particular advantage in that the part F dividing the compartment F into the sub-compartments Fl and F2 both for the transport device 2, 2 ', 4 of the sub-compartment F1 for acceptance and for the transport device 4, 5 Subfold F2 is used for the output or return.

Claims

Patent claims 1. A device for accepting and issuing or returning banknotes by means of a compartment (F) for accepting and returning a plurality of banknotes (BN, BN ') forming a stack with a first transport device (2, 2'). , 4) within the compartment (F), for transporting the stack of banknotes (BN, BN ') in an accepting direction (T1) or an issuing direction (T2), between positions where the banknotes (BN, BN') partially or completely in the compartment (F), a separator (3) which separates the banknotes (BN, BN ') completely in the compartment (F), and a transport system which separates the banknotes (BN, BN ') and supplies to a processing, characterized by a second transport device (4, 5) within the compartment (F), for the transport of a stack of banknotes (BN') in a direction of acceptance (Tl) or an exit direction (T2), between positions where the banknotes (BN ') te ilweise or completely in the compartment (F), wherein first (2, 2 ', 4) and second transport means (4, 5) have a common part (4), each with the first (2, 2', 4) or the second transport device (4, 5) cooperates to transport banknotes, and wherein the common part (4) the compartment (F) in a first sub-compartment (Fl) for the acceptance of banknotes (BN) and a second sub-compartment (F2) for the issue or return of banknotes (BN, BN ') divided. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that a container (7) adjacent to the second sub-compartment (F2), and that the second transport means (4, 5) to be issued or returned banknotes (BN '), which are not removed from the device are transported as a stack in the acceptance direction (Tl) completely in the container (7). 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a diaphragm (B) closes or releases the compartment (F). 4. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that the diaphragm (B) the compartment (F) partially closes or releases, wherein optionally the first sub-compartment (Fl) released and the second sub-compartment (F2) is closed, or the second sub-compartment ( F2) is released and the first sub-compartment (Fl) is closed. 5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the transport means (2, 2 ', 4) transports the banknotes to eliminate disturbances in the output direction (T2).