EP2115705B1 - System for handling cash-based logistical processes - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to a system for handling cash logistics processes in the supply and disposal of ATMs such as cash deposit and cash dispensers, kiosk systems and cash registers.

State of the art

Cash dispensers are operated by cash service companies such as, for example, value-transport companies, who exchange the empty or at least partially emptied cartridges in a cash machine for filled cartridges. The timing of the cartridge change is routinely selected after a fixed time interval, or is made on demand, even if the cartridges are still partially filled. The cassettes are filled in a cash service center or filling station, the level of the cassettes usually being noted on a filling record such as a paper slip. The assignment of the cassette to the filling protocol is made with a sticker, which usually contains a barcode or a number, and noted on the filling log.
When replacing the cartridges, the new cash is entered manually at the ATM and read the old stock of the logger and manually recorded on the filling.

However, this process of supplying ATMs may result in errors due to manual activities during the supply process. The filling protocols can be swapped or the identification of the cartridges is lost. The input of the new inventory data of the cash boxes at the ATM can be faulty, as well as the reading and transferring of the old stock data. Furthermore, the cartridge order can be reversed when inserting the cartridges in the vault of the machine, so that there is a faulty cash issue because of the singler the monetary value of issued bills is not checked again, but the bills according to the assumed order of the cartridges be driven with the respective different monetary values (denominations). Furthermore, there may be exchanges between two ATMs because the inventory of another ATM is erroneously entered. Also, the manual entry of inventory values themselves may be erroneous due to number rotators, etc.

It also happens that the filling of ATMs is forgotten, either because of overloading or assuming that it is already filling the ATM Vending machines have been made.

In some cases, these errors in the logistics process result in the service company having to re-run the ATM, which is time consuming and costly. In addition, given by a faulty level of knowledge of the degree of filling the ATMs the possibility of manipulation of the cash. Furthermore, these errors lead to a costly follow-up and clarification of the faulty inventory data at the machine, in the bank branch and in the cash center.

In addition, due to multiple deductions from a cassette, jams or service technician inserts, the count of the notes in the cartridges may not be exact so that the inventory of a cartridge withdrawn by the service provider from an ATM is checked again at the cash service center to determine the exact meter reading to investigate. The information about the causes underlying the inaccurate inventory management must be collected together. However, this is a very costly and time consuming process.

In order to simplify the handling of the cartridges for ATMs, often double cassette sets are now used for an ATM, with one set of cartridges in use in the ATM and the other set of cartridges located in the cash service center or on the transport. However, this is logistically very expensive and costly.

Furthermore, the traceability of input counterfeit notes in a money acceptance cassette is very expensive, if they have not already been recognized by the real money sensor. If it is determined in the Cash Center that one of the banknotes entered is a False Note, it is necessary to consult the transaction log at the ATM from which the cassette originates in order to use the supplied counterfeiting features of the bill and the serial number Locate transaction. This, however, is also a very complicated and time-consuming process.

Overall, therefore, the previous system for handling cash logistics processes is very complex and error-prone.

Presentation of the invention

The invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a system with which a simplified cash logistics process and thus transparent money supply and disposal of ATMs is made possible and which is less costly and time-consuming.

This object is achieved by a system for handling cash logistics processes for the money supply and disposal of a network of ATMs, such as cash deposit and cash dispensers, kiosk systems and cash registers, with cassettes for receiving and withdrawing banknotes, a cash service center or a cash service center Filling station, as well as means of transport for the transport of Cartridges to and from the ATM with the features of claim 1 allows.

The cassettes are provided with a memory device, wherein in the memory device, the identification number of the cassette, all data associated with the stock of notes in the cassette, the log of the transactions carried out as well as multiple deductions, jams and service technician inserts, the data for tracing (For example, the serial number of the note) forgery-suspected and forged notes in a money acceptance cassette, the type of denomination, the identification number of the originating or the destination money machine can be deposited.

The ATMs, the means of transport as well as the cash service center or the filling stations are each provided with a reading and writing device for the storage device of the cassettes, so that the information stored in the storage device is read out or rewritten at all stations of a cassette stay can.

Through the use of cassettes with a storage device which can be read out and / or written on at all stations of the money logistics process, a transparent cash logistics process is made possible. It is known at each station how much money is present in the present at each station cassette, as this information can be read by the readers. In particular, the standard counting of transported back cassettes is no longer necessary because the count of the storage device can be removed. In addition, errors due to manual activities can be avoided because the data is stored in an electronic storage device on the cassette and thus, for example, eliminates the manual attachment of slips to the cassette. Also, the manual input and reading the inventory-specific data of the cartridges at the ATM is no longer necessary, since the data are stored in the storage device and they can be read from the storage device of the cassette and written at the ATM.

By the identification number in the storage device of the cassette is a uniqueness of the cassette throughout the logistics process given. Thus, the complex handling with two cassette sets per cash dispenser is no longer required. A cassette plug and play when inserting the cash dispenser is thus given. That is, cassettes can be used in any cassette locations and permutations of any kind can be recognized.

Overall, the possibility of a simplified and therefore cost-effective cash logistics process is thus made possible.

Brief description of the drawings

Further advantages and features of the system according to the invention will become apparent from the following description, which in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the invention with reference to an embodiment explained. It shows:

Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a system for handling cash logistics processes;

Fig. 2 the representation of a storage device for a cassette for receiving and / or withdrawal of currency.

In Fig. 1 is a network of ATMs (g ₁ , g ₂ , ... g _n ), a cash center (or filling station) 1 and transport vehicles 2 for the supply and disposal of ATMs (g ₁ , g ₂ , ... g _n ) shown with cassettes 3. The ATMs may be cash deposit and cash dispensers, kiosk systems or cash registers, which in turn are associated with different banks, trading houses or the post office. The cassette 3 is provided with a memory device 4 for storing all stock-relevant and logistical data such as the identification number of the cassette, the cash in the cassette, the denomination of the bills, the time of cassette change, etc. provided.

In Fig. 2 an exemplary memory device 4 is shown. The memory device 4 may be, for example, a memory chip or an RFID chip 6 in which data can be written in and read out. The data can be read by means of a read and write device 5 or written into the memory device 4, the data transmission depending on the memory device 4 used either contactless or by means of a plug contact or in the combination can be done contactlessly with plug contact. Thus, the data transmission can either be designed without contact within the entire logistics process, such as via an RFID technology or by means of plug contacts or a combination of contactless data transmission and plug contacts is conceivable, even in dependencies on the respective stations of the logistics process, so that at some Stations a contactless data transmission takes place and at other stations a plug contact is used. Prerequisite in the latter case expediently the combination of an RFID tag 6 with the plug contact connection of the memory device 4, as for example in Fig. 2 is shown.

To increase the security, an encryption unit, not shown here, can be provided with which the stored and exchanged data can be encrypted between the memory device 4 of the cassette 3 and the respective reading and writing device.

By the storage device 4, the cassette 3 is uniquely identifiable, since the data characterizing them are contained in the memory. The data are all stock-relevant and logistical data that make it possible to automate and significantly improve the process of cash dispensing and supply at the ATM in the cash center and in the transport facilities. Preferably, this is an identification number of the cassette, the cash in the cassette, the manner of denomination of the bills, the date of the change of cassettes, the stock of notes in the cassette, the record of the transactions carried out and the multiple deductions, jams and service technician missions that have occurred, the data for tracing counterfeit and counterfeit notes of the entered banknotes a money acceptance cassette, the identification number of the originating or the destination money machine. If a cassette 3 is now used, for example, in a cassette tower of an ATM, the data can be read from the cassette 3 and expediently via a data line from the ATM to an information and control unit, not shown here, which communicates with the cash center 1 stands, be forwarded. Thus, the information unit is known, which cartridge has now been used in the ATM. Thus, for example, the cash of the cassette either the storage device 4 are removed directly and / or it is stored under the identification number of the cassette in the information unit.

If the cassette 3 now bills withdrawn, the number of withdrawn bills is written directly into the memory device 4 of the cassette 3 and / or the data is stored in the information unit under the identification number of the cassette 3.

This applies equally to the input of bills in a cassette 3 in a money acceptance process. In this case, the bills entered into the cassette 3 are stored in the storage device 4 of the cassette 3 and / or the information unit, so that at any time the level of the respective cassette 3 is known.

Furthermore, it is provided that when inserting the cassette 3 in an ATM machine, an error message is issued if a type of cartridge unsuitable has been mistakenly used in the ATM, such as a cassette with a false denomination. This prevents the output of false denominations.

Through the use of intelligent cassettes, which are provided with a storage device 4 which can be read out at all stations of a cash logistics process, a transparent cash handling process is thus made possible. The information about the count in the cartridges can be read from the memory device, so that the automatic recounting of cash in cassettes in the cash center is no longer necessary because except in cases of multiple deduction of notes or a jam, the count of the cassette in the Storage device is deposited. Thus, only in the rare cases with uncertainties about the level as in the case of multiple deductions or stowage incidents the count of the cassettes inventory is required. The occurrence of these events is logged in each case in the storage device of the deposit and withdrawal cartridges. In addition, the events in the storage device of the reject / retract cassette become noted, with the link from which of the input and Auszahlkassetten the notes come. The information from retractetem customer money is also saved.

This gives a much better transparency for the post-processing of meter readings in the cash center, which contributes to a simpler clarification / correction and shorter processing time. Only the multi-impression cassettes are counted, while the remaining cassettes no longer have to be counted.
The cassettes are equipped with a display on which this information is displayed on multiple deductions, jams, etc., as well as on the trouble-free course of money input or cash. Then can be dispensed with the reading of the data by means of a reader. Overall, the cash logistics process is greatly simplified, as the automatic recounting is eliminated.

Furthermore, security is increased because the inventory of each cartridge is known. If irregularities occur during transport due to an unauthorized withdrawal of money, this becomes known at the latest when the money from the cassettes is issued, since the number of issued bills can be registered and compared with the stored number of bills.

Furthermore, the traceability of counterfeit notes is substantially simplified, since the data are stored in the memory device of the cassette and can be read out in the cash center. As a result, it is no longer necessary to view the transaction data directly at the ATM.

Furthermore, can be dispensed with a double cassette set. It is possible to choose a pool for each type of cassette, from which then the respective cassette can be selected suitable for a particular ATM. As a result, the number of cassettes required can be reduced, as can be dispensed with a double cassette set for all ATMs.

The cassettes are equipped with a display, so that it is possible to simplify the logistics processes even further, since, for example, the target money machines can be displayed on the display, so that the employees of the service company, the required cartridges, for example, directly to a shelving system or a similar device in the Remove the transport vehicle and then bring in the appropriate cassettes in the respective ATM.

Furthermore, it is conceivable to equip the cassettes with a GPS receiver, so that the position of the cassettes can be determined.

The invention thus provides a closed information cycle with regard to the cash in the cassettes, which enables a transparent and cost-effective cash logistics process.

Claims (6)

1. System for handling cash logistics processes for supply of cash to and removal of cash from automated teller machines (g₁, g₂, ... g_n), such as cash deposit and cash withdrawal machines, kiosk systems and cash stations, comprising cash boxes (3) for receiving and/or removing banknotes, transport means (2) for transporting the cash boxes (3) from and to the automated teller machines (g₁, g₂, ... g_n), and to a cash center (1),
   wherein the cash boxes (3) are provided with a memory device (4),
   wherein the automated teller machines (g₁, g₂, ... g_n), the transport means (2) and the cash center (1) each are provided with at least one reading and/or writing device for reading out or writing data from or respectively into the memory device (4),
   characterized in that in the memory device (4) of the cash boxes (3) the inventory of banknotes in the cash box is stored, so that in case multiple banknotes are pulled off or in case of a banknote jam, these events are recorded in the memory device (4) of the cash boxes (3), and that the cash box (3) is provided with a display on which information on the multiple pull-offs occurred, jams as well as on the undisturbed course of cash deposit or cash withdrawal is displayed.
2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the data transmission between the reading and/or writing device and the memory device (4) is carried out in a contactless way or by means of a plug contact.
3. System according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the memory device (4) is a memory chip or a RFID-Chip (6).
4. System according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the cash box (3) is provided with a power supply.
5. System according one or several of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the cash box (3) is provided with an encryption unit for encrypting the stored and/or sent data.
6. System according to one or several of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the cash box (3) is provided with a GPS receiver.

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