WO2013050177A1

WO2013050177A1 - Device and method for processing banknotes

Info

Publication number: WO2013050177A1
Application number: PCT/EP2012/004206
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Stapfer; Detlef Bielefeld
Original assignee: Giesecke & Devrient Gmbh
Priority date: 2011-10-07
Filing date: 2012-10-08
Publication date: 2013-04-11
Also published as: DE102011115136A1; CN103843039A; EP2764502B1; CN103843039B; EP2764502A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (10) for processing banknotes, and to a corresponding method. The device (10) comprises an input compartment (22) for manually inputting banknotes, at least one output compartment (36a-e) for outputting banknotes, and a conveying system (24, 34, 44, 54) configured to convey banknotes from the input compartment (22) to the at least one output compartment (36a-e). The device (10) further relates to a mechanical interface (46a, b; 56a, b) for detachably connecting a cartridge (70a, 70b) for banknotes to the device (10). The conveying system (24, 34, 44, 54) is further configured to convey banknotes from a cassette (70a) that is detachably connected to the device (10) by way of the at least one mechanical interface (46a, b; 56a, b) to the at least one output compartment (36a-e), or to convey banknotes from the input compartment (22) to a cartridge (70b) that is detachably connected to the device (10) by way of the at least one mechanical interface (46a, b; 56a, b).

Description

Apparatus and method for processing banknotes

The present invention relates to an apparatus for processing banknotes, i. a bank note processing apparatus, and a method for processing banknotes.

The present invention can in principle be used without restriction for any type of sheet material documents of value. However, a particular focus of the present invention is on banknotes, so that in the following, for the sake of simplicity, the term "banknotes" is generally used instead of the general term "value documents", although this is to be understood in a restrictive manner.

In the processing of banknotes and other sheet-like documents of value often stable cassettes or containers are used to receive the banknotes, for example, for safe transport. The known cassettes for banknotes can be used in self-service devices, which are designed to automatically remove the banknotes from the cassettes. Such self-service devices may, for example, be cash dispensers (also referred to as ATM ATMs) which pay out a specific amount to an operator and debit the amount paid out to an account of the operating person. For this purpose, the operator identifies, for example, by means of a magnetic stripe or chip card and a PIN number at the cash dispenser and then enters the desired amount. This amount is then composed of notes taken from the cassettes contained in the cash dispenser and issued to the operator. It is customary that at least one cassette is used for each denomination (denomination). Other kinds Self-service devices may, for example, be adapted to accept banknotes entered by an operator and to deposit them in one or more cartridges and to credit an amount thus determined to the account of the operator. In a further type of self-service devices, in which cassettes are used for banknotes, it may be provided that both the deposit and the withdrawal of banknotes is possible.

In such self-service devices may sooner or later the problem arise that it comes by the issue of banknotes to a lack of banknotes one or more denominations or that it comes by the input of banknotes that a cassette is full and no more banknotes one certain denomination. In such a case, it is necessary that one or more of the cartridges of the self-service device be replaced by other ones filled with banknotes of a certain denomination or by empty cartridges. If empty or partially emptied cartridges are removed from the self-service devices, they must subsequently be refilled with banknotes so that they can be used again in self-service devices.

The invention has for its object to provide a device for processing banknotes and a corresponding method, which allow to fill and empty cartridges for banknotes to automatically fill or empty, the entire process should be simple and easy to carry out, and to ensure that mistakes in filling the cassettes with banknotes are avoided. This Auf on is achieved according to the invention by the subject of claim 1. A corresponding method for processing banknotes is the subject of the independent method claim. Advantageous developments of the invention are defined in the subclaims.

The invention is based on the idea of extending a conventional banknote counting and sorting apparatus to a banknote processing apparatus such that it can be releasably connected to a banknote cassette and is adapted to automatically convey the cassette detachably connected to the banknote processing apparatus To fill banknotes or alternatively to empty them.

The advantage of the invention can be seen in particular in the fact that the filling of the cassettes in the context of the standard banknote processing, i. the counting and sorting and possibly sorting out banknotes takes place. Banknotes not intended for the cartridges are transported, depending on a predetermined configuration of the banknote processing apparatus, into the usually available output compartments of the banknote processing apparatus and can be further processed as usual.

The filling of the cassettes can be fully automated and without manual intervention or access of the operator to the banknote inventory of the cassette. This makes the whole process safer and less error prone.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is thus provided an apparatus for processing banknotes. This banknote processing device comprises an input pocket for the usually manual input of banknotes by an operator, at least one output compartment for outputting Banknotes and a transport system that is configured to automatically transport inserted into the input tray banknotes to the at least one output tray. The bank note processing device further comprises at least one mechanical interface for the detachable connection of a cassette for bank notes with the bank note processing device. In this case, the transport system is further configured to transport banknotes from a cassette releasably connected to the banknote processing apparatus via the at least one mechanical interface to the at least one output compartment or to detach banknotes from the input compartment to the at least one mechanical interface

Bank note processing device to transport connected cassette.

Preferably, the bank note processing device comprises a first mechanical interface and a second mechanical interface, wherein the transport system is further adapted to transport banknotes from a cassette detachably connected to the apparatus via the first mechanical interface to the at least one output bin, banknotes from the input bin into one To transport via the second mechanical interface releasably connected to the device cartridge and to transport banknotes from the cassette via the first mechanical interface releasably connected to the device in the connected via the second mechanical interface releasably connected to the device cassette. According to a preferred embodiment, the apparatus for processing banknotes further comprises a test device, wherein the test device is arranged and the transport system is configured such that both from a via the first mechanical interface releasably connected to the device-originating banknotes and the Banknotes originating from the input tray are transported and checked by the checking device.

Preferably, the input tray is part of a base module, the output tray part of an output module, the first mechanical interface part of a cartridge emptying module and the second mechanical interface part of a cartridge filling module. The modular design of the device according to the invention allows the connection of further output modules, cassette filling modules and / or cassette emptying modules as required.

In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus for processing banknotes further comprises at least one deflecting device, which is designed in the form of a longitudinal / transverse conveyor to banknotes that are supplied to the deflection of the transport system in the transverse transport in the longitudinal transport and reverse banknotes, the Umlertkeinrichtung be fed in the longitudinal transport, dissipate in the transverse transport.

According to an alternative preferred embodiment, the apparatus for processing banknotes further comprises at least one deflecting device, which is configured to the direction of movement of a transversely fed by the transport system banknote substantially in the plane defined by the fed billet transport plane while maintaining the transverse orientation of the bill by a predetermined Angle of preferably about 90 ° to change.

Preferably, criteria associated with the cassette for filling the cassette with the control unit of the bank note processing device are assigned to the cassette In the processing, the banknotes are checked for fulfillment of the criteria for filling the cassette, and banknotes satisfying the criteria for filling are filled in the cassette, whereas banknotes which do not meet the criteria for filling are placed in an output bin the banknote processing device are stored.

In a further development, it is also provided that a desired setpoint for filling the cassette can be specified. As a result, in particular the susceptibility to error of the entire process is further reduced. In addition, a residual stock contained in the cassettes can be taken into account, so it no longer has to be removed before filling. The use of the remaining stock also reduces the number of banknotes required for the desired filling target quantity, as a result of which the entire filling process also takes less time.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of processing banknotes in an apparatus for processing banknotes. In this case, the method comprises the step of transporting banknotes from a cassette for a banknote releasably connected to the apparatus to an output compartment of the apparatus or the step of transporting banknotes from an input compartment of the apparatus into a detachable manner via the mechanical interface Device connected cassette for banknotes.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a banknote processing apparatus comprising a mechanical interface for detachably connecting a banknote cassette, at least one output tray for dispensing banknotes and a transport system, wherein the transport system is configured to transport banknotes from a cassette detachably connected to the device via the mechanical interface to the at least one output compartment. Other features, advantages and objects of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of several embodiments and alternative embodiments. Reference is made to the drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a first preferred embodiment of the invention, FIG.

Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a second preferred embodiment of the invention, and

Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of another variant of the invention.

Similar components shown in the figures are as far as possible identified by the same reference numerals.

The invention is explained below using the example of devices for processing banknotes. As a rule, a banknote has the form of a rectangle with two long sides or long sides and with two short or narrow sides or transverse sides. In the following description, both the orientation and the movement of a banknote will be discussed. As is known to the person skilled in the art, the orientation of a banknote in space can be defined by a normal vector which is perpendicular to the plane defined by the banknote, which Here also referred to as the transport level of the bill. The movement of a banknote can be described by means of a movement vector whose magnitude corresponds to the speed of the movement and whose direction corresponds to the direction of movement of the banknote. A movement in which the motion vector lies substantially in the transport plane and is perpendicular to the narrow sides or transverse sides of a banknote is referred to as the longitudinal transport of banknotes. As a cross-transport of banknotes, a movement is referred to, in which the movement vector lies substantially in the transport plane and is perpendicular to the long sides or long sides of a banknote.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic front view of a device 10 for processing banknotes according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention. Essentially, the banknote processing device 10 consists of a base module 20, an output module 30, a cassette emptying module 40 and a cassette filling module 50. FIG. 1 shows only those components of the banknote processing device 10 which are essential for understanding the invention and which are shown in a highly schematized form. In particular, the exact sizes and proportions of the components of the banknote processing device 10 described in detail below can not be inferred from FIG.

The base module 20 of the banknote processing apparatus 10 has on its front or front side 21 an input pocket 22, in which stacks of banknotes can be inserted for further processing, as shown schematically in FIG. With respect to a standing in front of the base module 20 operator or operator, the inclination of the front side 21 of the base module 20 for ergonomic reasons is preferably selected such that the upper end of the front 21 away from the operator is as the bottom end. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the banknotes, with their long side or longitudinal side facing the operator seated or standing in front of the processing device, are inserted into the input compartment 22. The banknotes are separated from the input compartment 22 by means of a suitable separating device 23 known to the person skilled in the art in the direction of its longitudinal side, ie in the direction defined by the longitudinal side of the banknote, and transferred to the subsequent transport system 24 of the base module 20, which separates the individual banknotes in the longitudinal transport or in the longitudinal direction of a test device 25 supplies. As is known to those skilled in the art, the transport system 24 of the base module 20 can be realized, for example, by means of a plurality of guide elements and belt-driven drive rollers. By means of the test device 25, selectable criteria of a device passing through the test device 25 can be checked. Depending on this test, the banknotes in the further course of the transport system of the banknote processing device 10 by the appropriate control of a switch device 26 of the base module 20 either via a so-called well-known Spiralfachstapler 27 a reject compartment 28 for sorted banknotes or the output module 30, which is arranged laterally next to the base module 20 and is connected thereto via a module connection unit 60a. For example, the module connection unit 60a may be configured as a pair of intermeshing rollers that allows seamless transfer of a bill from the base module 20 to the dispensing module 30.

In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the dispensing module 30 comprises, in addition to a deflection device 32 and a points setter. direction 35 a plurality of output trays 36a-e. In this case, the output trays 36a-e are preferably arranged along the front side of the dispensing module 30 and designed such that the bank notes are fed along the transport system 34 of the dispensing module 30 in transverse transport to the output compartments 36a-e and with their long side or longitudinal side one before Banknotenbearbeirungsvorrichrung 10 standing or sitting operator facing deposited in the output compartments 36a-e.

In order to deposit the banknotes fed to the dispensing module 30 in the longitudinal transport in one of the output compartments 36a-e such that the long sides of the banknotes face an operator standing in front of the banknote processing apparatus 10, the deflecting device 32 must be designed accordingly. The deflecting device 32 is preferably a longitudinal / transverse conveying device (also called a "picker") which transports the banknotes to be guided in the longitudinal transport from the transport system 24 of the base module 20 into a transverse transport along the transport system 34 of the dispensing module 30 to the output compartments 36a. e transferred, ie in a movement in a direction parallel to the transverse sides of a respective banknote.

In the reject compartment 28 of the base module 20, which is advantageously arranged in the vicinity of the input compartment 22 on the front side 21 of the base module 20, preferably unidentifiable or counterfeit suspect banknotes are deposited, which must be subjected to a review by the operator. In this case, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the banknotes are deposited in the reject bin 28 for sorted banknotes by means of the spiral bin stacker 27, each with its longitudinal side facing the operator. The output compartments 36a-e of the output module 30 are also preferably arranged in the vicinity of the input compartment 22 of the base module 20 and thus in the gripping region of an operator standing or sitting in front of the banknote processing apparatus 10. Both in the input compartment 22 of the base module 20 and in the output compartments 36a-e of the output module 30, the banknotes are each deposited with their longitudinal side facing the operator and can therefore be comfortably and securely grasped by the operator.

The apparatus 10 for processing banknotes preferably has an operating device which has, for example, an input unit, a display unit or display 29 and / or a printer and an interface or a reading device for a storage medium and is connected to a control device of the apparatus 10 is. The input unit and the display unit 29, in conjunction with the control device, serve to control the apparatus 10 for processing banknotes during operation and, for example, to select desired processing options. By means of the storage medium, it is possible for an operator to identify himself to the device 10 as an authorized operator. It is also possible for user-specific operating modes, settings or accounting data to be stored on the storage medium, thereby enabling user-specific operation or the use of the stored data on other banknote processing devices. The storage medium can be, for example, a chip card or a flash memory card with a corresponding interface. The operating device can be wired or wireless, z. B. by infrared or radio waves, be connected to the device 10 for processing banknotes or integrated into this. The display unit 29 may also be a touch screen in which the input unit is integrated. As those skilled in the art will recognize, the base module 20 in conjunction with the dispensing module 30 according to the present invention is a stand-alone banknote counting and sorting device. In other words, the base module 20 in conjunction with the output module 30 allows an operator to load stacks of banknotes to be counted and sorted into the input tray 22, the respective value of which can be determined by means of the checking device 25 and which, on the basis of the evaluation of the Depending on the determined denomination, checking device 25 can be supplied to one of the output compartments 36a-e of the output module 30 or to the reject compartment 28 of the base module 20.

In addition to the base module 20 and the dispensing module 30, the preferred embodiment of a device 10 for processing bank notes comprises a cassette emptying module 40 and a cassette filling module 50. However, banknote processing devices according to the invention are also conceivable, which merely comprise a cassette emptying module 40 ie are only suitable for emptying cassettes for banknotes, or have only one cassette filling module 50, i. are only suitable for filling cassettes for banknotes.

In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the cassette emptying module 40 is arranged laterally next to the base module 20 and connected to it via a module connecting unit 60b. In this case, the module connection unit 60b may be designed like the module connection unit 60a, ie provide for a seamless transfer of banknotes from the cartridge emptying module 40 to the base module 20. The cartridge emptying module 40 comprises by way of example two mechanical interfaces 46a and 46b, each of which has a cassette for bank notes detachable with the cartridge emptying module 40 of the banknote processing device 10 can be connected. In this case, the mechanical interfaces 46a, b are designed such that when a cassette filled with banknotes (eg the cassette 70a in FIG. 1) is detachably connected to the cassette emptying module 40 via one of the mechanical interfaces 46a, b, the banknote processing apparatus 10 is located the banknotes contained in the cassette (eg the cassette 70a in Figure 1) can access and these notes can be transported by means of the transport system 44 of the cassette emptying module 40 to the base module 20 and by means of the further transport systems to the dispensing module 30 or the cassette filling module 50.

According to a preferred embodiment, the mechanical interfaces 46a and 46b may be configured such that after a cassette for banknotes has been detachably connected to the banknote processing apparatus 10 via one of the mechanical interfaces 46a, b, the mechanical interfaces 46a, b are maintained for the duration of the respective Processing operations (ie, emptying of the cassette), for example, by the controller of the banknote processing apparatus 10, are locked. A respective cassette can then be released from the mechanical interfaces 46a, b only after the lock has been released by the control device of the banknote processing device 10.

The cassettes for banknotes (eg the cassette 70a) may in particular be so-called audit-proof cassettes. This is understood to mean that the cassettes are closed in such a way that banknotes contained in the cassettes can not be removed without permission. For this purpose, it may be provided that the cartridges are protected by means of suitable closures against unauthorized access. The closures of the cassettes used for this purpose are opened, for example, only if the cassettes are connected to the banknote processing device 10 via the mechanical interfaces 46a, b.

As already described above, the transport system 44 of the cassette emptying module 40 is configured to use bank notes from cassettes connected to the mechanical interfaces 46a, b (eg the cassette 70a connected to the mechanical interface 46a) of a deflection device 42 and subsequently to the module connection unit 60b or to supply the base module 20. As is well known to those skilled in the art, a cassette for banknotes is usually substantially in the shape of a cuboid, with one of the rectangular end sides thereof providing access to the cassette and defining the top of the cassette. In this case, a cassette is usually designed such that banknotes stacked in the cassette lie parallel to the end sides and thus to the top of the cassette. As schematically indicated in FIG. 1, the mechanical interfaces 46a, b according to the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1 are configured in such a way that cassettes for banknotes (eg the cassette 70a) are inserted with the front side first into the mechanical interfaces 46a, b in order to enter into a detachable connection with these. In this case, the banknotes are preferably located in a cassette such that their longitudinal sides are essentially horizontal and their transverse sides essentially run vertically, as is schematically indicated in FIG. 1 on the basis of the cassette 70a. With this arrangement of the banknotes in the cassette 70a, the banknotes can be fed, for example, by means of a separating device (not shown) integrated in the mechanical interface 46a to the transport system 44 of the cassette emptying module 40, which feeds the banknotes to the deflecting device 42 in transverse transport. Since, as described above, in the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the banknotes within the base module 20 are transported in longitudinal transport along the transport system 24 of the base module 20, but the banknotes within the cartridge emptying module 40 are transported transversely, the diverter 42 is preferably also designed as a longitudinal / transverse conveying device (also called a "picker"), which converts the banknotes fed in the transverse transport from the transport system 44 of the cassette emptying module 40 into a longitudinal transport, ie into a movement in a direction parallel to the longitudinal sides of a respective banknote.

As is indicated in FIG. 1, the base module 20 or its transport system 24 is preferably configured such that the banknote stream issuing from the input compartment 22 of the base module 22 and the banknote flow issuing from the cartridge discharge module 40 are brought together upstream of the checking device 25. Those skilled in the art will recognize that when filling the input tray 22 of the base module 20 with notes and simultaneously emptying a cassette (e.g., the cassette 70a) releasably connected to the cassette unloading module 40, it may be necessary to ensure that the two banknote streams do not interfere, i. there is no banknote jam upstream of the test device 25 comes. This can be achieved, for example, by a suitable control of the separating devices and the deflection device 42 by means of the control device.

In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the cassette filling module 50 is arranged laterally next to the dispensing module 30 and connected thereto via a module connecting unit 60c. In this case, the module connection unit 60c may be like the module connection units 60a, b, that is configured to provide a seamless transfer of banknotes from the dispensing module 30 to the cassette filling module 50. In order that banknotes which are supplied to the dispensing module 30 from the base module 20 can be transported either into one of the output compartments 36a-e of the dispensing module 30 or to the cassette-filling module 50, the dispensing module 30 has a correspondingly designed diverter device 35. This switch device 35 is controlled by the control device of the bank note processing device 10. When the switch device 35 is set, banknotes supplied to the dispensing module 30 are forwarded to the cassette-filling module 50. Since these banknotes are fed from the base module 20 in the longitudinal transport and within the output module 30 only pass through the switching device 35, these banknotes are the cassette BefüUungsmodul 50 via the module connection unit 60c also in

Longitudinal transport supplied.

Preferably, the cartridge-emptying module 50 has a diverter 52 which is adapted to transfer the banknotes fed in the longitudinal transport from the dispensing module 30 into transverse transport, i. in a movement in a direction parallel to the transverse sides of a respective banknote. According to a preferred embodiment, the deflection device 52 of the cassette filling module 50, as in the case of the deflection device 36 of the dispensing module 30, is a longitudinal / transverse conveying device known to the person skilled in the art (also called "picker").

In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the cassette-filling module 50 comprises, in addition to the deflection device 52, two mechanical interfaces 56a, b, via which a respective cassette for bank notes can be detachably connected to the cassette-filling module 50 of the bank-note processing unit. direction 10 can be connected. In this case, the mechanical interfaces 56a, b are designed such that when a cassette (eg the cassette 70b in FIG. 1) is detachably connected to the cassette filling module 50 via one of the mechanical interfaces 56a, b, the banknote processing apparatus 10 (FIG. for example, the cassette 70b in Figure 1) can fill with banknotes.

According to a preferred embodiment, the mechanical interfaces 56a and 56b may be configured in such a way that, after a banknote cassette has been detachably connected to the cassette filling module 50 or the banknote processing device 10 via one of the mechanical interfaces 56a, b, the mechanical interfaces 56a , b for the duration of the respective processing operations (ie filling of the cassette), for example by the controller of the bank note processing apparatus 10, are locked. A cassette can then be released from the mechanical interfaces 56a, b only after the lock has been released by the control device of the banknote processing device 10. As indicated schematically in FIG. 1, the mechanical ones are

Interfaces 56a, b according to the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 1 configured such that cassettes for banknotes (eg the cassette 70b) are inserted with the front side in the mechanical interfaces 56a, b, to enter a lösaba- re connection with the cassette filling module 50 , In this case, the banknotes are preferably deposited in a cassette in such a way that their longitudinal sides are essentially horizontal and their transverse sides essentially run vertically, as is schematically indicated in FIG. 1 on the basis of the cassette 70b. Such an arrangement of the banknotes within a cassette is particularly then Advantageously, as described above, the transport system 54 of the cassette filling module 50, the bills coming from the Umlenkeiririchtung 52 the mechanical interfaces 56a, b and the associated with these associated cassettes in the transverse transport.

In detail, the device 10 shown in Figure 1 operates as follows. The banknotes deposited in the input compartment 22 are fed in succession to the transport system 24 of the base module 20 by means of the singling device 23 banknote for banknote. The bottom of the input compartment 22 can preferably be inclined downwards by about 20 ° in the direction of the singling device 23 (not shown in the schematic view of FIG. 1), whereby the banknotes align themselves on a long side. The transport system 24 transports the banknotes in longitudinal transport and guides them through the checking device 25. As already described above, banknotes are supplied to the checking device 25 not only from the input compartment 22 of the base module but also from cassettes connected to the mechanical interfaces 46a, b of the Cassette emptying module 40 are releasably connected. When transporting the banknotes out of the input compartment 22 of the base module 20 or out of a cassette detachably connected to the cartridge emptying module 40 by the checking device 25, the banknotes are checked by means of suitable sensors. The output signals of the sensors are supplied to the control device not shown in the figures. This control device decides in which output tray or in which of the cassettes connected to the cassette filling module 50 the respective bank notes are to be stored.

For example, unidentifiable multiple withdrawals and counterfeit suspect banknotes are discharged by means of the switch device 26 from the banknote stream and fed to the spiral tray stacker 27. The- It preferably has the shape of a drum with fan-shaped receiving possibilities and is driven in rotation, as indicated by the arrow. The banknotes entering the spiral slot stacker 27 are braked therein and then stored in the reject bin 28 for rejected banknotes.

In general, however, the majority of the banknotes is supplied by the transport system 24 of the base module 20 of the module connection unit 60 a and the output module 30. Within the dispensing module 30, the bank notes first pass through the diverter device 35, which is actuated by the control device of the bank note processing device 10, in order to feed a note either to the dispensing compartments 36a-e of the dispensing module 30 or to the cassette filling module 50. In the event that the diverter device 35 of the dispensing module 30 is set such that a banknote is to be fed to one of the output compartments 36a-e of the dispensing module 30, the banknote passes first after the diverter device 35 the diverter 32. There, the banknotes fed in the longitudinal transport become transferred to a transverse transport to be transported by the transport system 34 of the output module 30 in the transverse transport, which supplies the banknotes depending on selectable sorting criteria one of the output compartments 36a-e.

For this purpose, the banknotes are ejected by corresponding switch devices (not shown) known to the person skilled in the art and deposited by means of stackers, likewise not shown, which can be configured in accordance with the known spiral slot stacker 27 described above.

In the event that the diverter device 35 of the dispensing module 30 is set such that a banknote is assigned to the cassette filling module 50. The banknote first passes through the module connection unit 60c between the dispensing module 30 and the cassette filling module 50 and subsequently the deflecting device 52. There, the banknote fed in the longitudinal transport is transferred into a transverse transport, in order subsequently to be transported further by the transport system 54 of the cassette filling module 50 in the transverse transport to be, which supplies a banknote in dependence on selectable sorting criteria of one of the mechanical interfaces 56a, b, with which a cassette to be filled for banknotes (eg, the cassette 70b in Figure 1) is detachably connected.

In order not to be possible for banknotes to be fed to a mechanical interface 56a, b of the cassette filling module 50 which are not detachably connected to a banknote cassette to be filled, the mechanical interfaces 56a, b (and preferably also the mechanical interfaces 46a, b of the cartridge emptying module 40) are preferably configured such that when a mechanical interface with a cartridge is connected, a corresponding signal is sent to the control device of the banknote processing device 10. Such a signal can be generated, for example, in the context of the above-described locking process of a cassette. A corresponding signal can be generated when a cassette is released from a mechanical interface.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a device 10 'for processing banknotes in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the invention. Again, the figure shows only the components of the banknote processing apparatus 10 'which are essential for understanding the invention and which are shown in a highly schematized form. The essential difference between the banknote processing apparatus 10 'shown in FIG. 2 and the banknote processing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 is that in the banknote processing apparatus 10' shown in FIG. 2, the banknotes are conveyed at all locations in the transverse transport, whereas in the banknote processing apparatus 10 of FIG Figure 1, the banknotes are guided, for example, within the base module 20 in the longitudinal transport. Such a configuration may be advantageous, for example, if the test device 25 is designed only to check banknotes fed in the transverse transport, and or provides better test results for banknotes fed in cross-transport than for banknotes fed in longitudinal transport.

In the banknote processing apparatus 10 'of FIG. 2, the input compartment 22' of the base module 20 is configured such that the banknotes are inserted into the input compartment 22 'with their narrow side or transverse side facing the operator standing or sitting in front of the apparatus 10'. In turn, from the input tray 22 ', the bills are fed by means of a suitable singulator 23 towards their lateral side, i. in the direction defined by the transverse side of the banknote, isolated and transferred to the transport system 24 of the base module 20, which feeds the isolated banknotes in the transverse transport of the test device 25.

In order that the banknotes can also be guided exclusively in transverse transport in the dispensing module 30, the cassette emptying module 40 and the cassette filling module 50 of the banknote processing device 10 'shown in FIG. 2, the diverting devices 32', 42 'and 52' of these modules must be designed accordingly. For example, the deflection device 42 'of the cassette emptying module 40 must be configured to control the direction of movement of a transport system 44 of the cassette cassette. tenentleerungsmoduls 40 transversely fed banknote substantially in the plane defined by the supplied bill (plane transport) while maintaining the transverse orientation of the bill by a predetermined angle of preferably about 90 ° to change. In other words, the deflection device 42 'of the cartridge emptying module 40 is designed such that the movement vector of the banknote immediately before the deflecting device 42' is preferably substantially perpendicular to the movement vector of the banknote immediately after the deflecting device 42, wherein the two motion vectors in the banknote defined level (transport level). As the skilled artisan will recognize the cartridge emptying module must be 40 in addition to the above-described change of the movement direction in the plane of conveyance a rotation of the motion vector by substantially 90 ^9, wherein the motion vector at the end of rotation perpendicular to said transport plane with the deflection device 42 'on the The beginning of the rotation is. Such a change in movement can be achieved, for example, by means of a suitable design (inclination) of the transport system 44 and / or can be a further function provided by the deflecting device 42 '. For the sake of completeness, it should be noted here that this movement change must also take place in connection with the deflection devices 32, 42 and 52 of the banknote processing device 10 of FIG.

Preferably, the utensil directions 32 ', 42' and 52 'of the banknote processing device 10' of FIG. 2 are configured according to one of the embodiments described in DE 102006 001 231, which is hereby incorporated by reference and thus forms part of the present disclosure. Embodiments of a deflection device described therein serve to move banknotes out of a first transport direction by a predetermined angle while maintaining their transverse orientation to redirect the second transport direction. For this purpose, the banknotes are passed over a deflection plate with suitably designed deflection edges, wherein the predetermined deflection angle depends essentially on the inclination of the deflection edges. According to the present invention, the predetermined deflection angle of the baffles 32 ', 42' and 52 'is preferably about 90 °.

Apart from the orientation of the input compartment 22 'and the reject compartment 28' and the functioning of the deflection devices 32 ', 42' and 52 ', the embodiment of the banknote processing apparatus 10' shown in FIG. 2 is identical to the banknote processing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 10, reference is made to the above detailed description of the configuration and operation of the bank note processing apparatus 10 shown in FIG.

In order to recognize incorrectly transported bank notes, both in the banknote processing apparatus 10, 10 'shown in FIG. 1 and in FIG. 2, sensors, for example light barriers, which are arranged along the transport systems of the individual modules can be used. Suitable locations for such sensors are located either before or after the individual components of the devices 10, 10 '. If an incorrect transport detected by the sensors, for example, be displayed on the display unit 29, which is the removable outer housing parts of the modules to open to eliminate the error. This avoids unnecessary opening of unaffected modules. It is also possible to display an ad, eg. B. to provide a light-emitting diode to the outer housing parts, which indicate the openable housing part of a module. The sensors for detecting a false transport are evaluated by the control device, which controls the display accordingly. Further displays can be provided for the output trays 36a-e, which indicate when a predetermined maximum number of banknotes has been placed in the respective output tray, since this output tray is otherwise no longer available for further processing. The displays may be located directly on the output trays or the display may be on the display unit 29. The full display is activated by the control device when a sensor in the respective output compartment signals that the maximum number of banknotes has been stored. The maximum number of banknotes to be deposited can also be determined by the control device by counting the banknotes each deposited in an output bin during processing until a predefinable size, e.g. B. 100 banknotes was reached. After removal of the banknotes by the operator, the z. B. can be determined by evaluating the respective sensor in the respective output tray by the control device, the respective output tray is available again for receiving further banknotes, which overall a faster processing of the banknotes to be processed is made possible.

Corresponding indications may be provided at the mechanical interfaces 46a, b of the cartridge emptying module 40 and / or the mechanical interfaces 56a, b of the cartridge filling module 50. These displays could be configured to each indicate whether a cassette detachably connected to one of the mechanical interfaces 46a, b is already completely emptied or a cassette releasably connected to one of the mechanical interfaces 56a, b is already completely filled.

According to a preferred embodiment, the banknote processing device 10, 10 'and / or their control device are designed to match the criteria associated with a cassette for filling the cassette the bills are checked in the processing for satisfaction of the criteria for filling the cassette by means of the test device 25 are checked and banknotes that meet the criteria for filling, are filled in the cassette, whereas banknotes that meet the criteria for do not fulfill the filling, are stored in one of the output bins 36a-e or the reject bin 28 of the bank note processing apparatus 10, 10 '.

In a further development, it is additionally provided that a desired quantity desired for the filling of the cassette, for example by means of the operating unit of the banknote processing device 10, 10 ', can be specified. As a result, in particular the error rate of the entire process is further reduced. In addition, a residual stock contained in the cassettes can be taken into account by the control device of the bank note processing device 10, 10 ', and therefore no longer has to be removed before filling. The use of the remaining stock also reduces the number of banknotes required for the desired filling target quantity, as a result of which the entire filling process also takes less time.

With reference to the preferred embodiments described above, those skilled in the art will recognize that it is possible to realize further advantageous embodiments encompassed by the invention. For example, although the different functional units in the above-described preferred embodiments are configured as different modules, namely a base module 20, an output module 30, a cassette filling module 40 and a cassette emptying module 50, according to the invention, a bank note processing device is also provided. conceivable in which all or individual of these modules are combined into one unit. Thus, it is conceivable, for example, for the output module 30 and the cassette filling module 50 to be combined to form a unit, ie a module with at least one output compartment from which a stack of notes deposited in this output compartment can be manually removed, and at least one mechanical interface for detachable Connection of a cassette to be filled with banknotes. In a further variant according to the invention, it is conceivable that a single module is provided which fulfills the functions of the cassette emptying module 40 and the dispensing module 30. Such an alternative banknote processing device 100 consisting of a module is shown in FIG. The banknote processing device 100 comprises a mechanical interface 146a, via which a cassette for banknotes, for example the banknote cassette 170a, can be detachably connected to the banknote processing device 100. In this case, the mechanical interface 146a is designed such that when a cassette filled with banknotes (for example the cassette 170a in FIG. 3) is detachably connected to the banknote processing device 100 via the mechanical interfaces 146a, it is transferred to the cassette in the cassette (for example the Cassette 170a in Figure 3) and pass these bills through the transport system 114 of the banknote processing apparatus 100 through a tester 125 and, depending on the results of the tester in the tester, can deposit in one of the output bins 136a-c. In the variant illustrated in FIG. 3, it is further conceivable that the banknote processing apparatus 100 further has an input compartment for banknotes to be sorted or counted, such that the outfeed compartments 136a-c receive banknotes from one with the mechanical interface 146a Connected banknote cassette or can be supplied from the input tray.

Furthermore, it is conceivable that the individual modules of the banknote processing devices 10, 10 'illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 have more or less than the components shown in the figures. So it is e.g. it is conceivable that a reject compartment is provided in the cassette emptying module 40 upstream of the deflecting device 42, 42 ', in order to avoid double take-offs. Additionally or alternatively, the banknote processing device 10, 10 'could have a further failsafe module, which is arranged laterally next to the cassette filling module 50 and can be configured, for example, to sort out banknotes which are to be removed from the money cycle. Of course, this would have to be provided in the cassette filling module 50, a switching device that could be designed as the switch device 35 of the output module 30. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the terms used herein such as "top", "bottom", "front", "left", "right", "upstream", and the like, are not intended to limit in any way the orientation of the elements of the sorting devices according to the invention, but merely serve to distinguish these elements from each other.

Claims

Patent claims

A device (10; 10 ') for processing banknotes, the device (10; 10') comprising:

an input tray (22; 22 ') for entering banknotes;

at least one output tray (36a-e) for dispensing banknotes; and a transport system (24, 34, 44, 54) configured to transport banknotes from the input tray (22; 22 ') to the at least one output tray (36a-e);

characterized in that

the apparatus (10; 10 ') further comprises at least one mechanical interface (46a, b, 56a, b) for detachably connecting a banknote cassette (70a, 70b), and

the transport system (24, 34, 44, 54) is further configured to accept banknotes from a cassette (70a) detachably connected to the device (10, 10 ') via the at least one mechanical interface (46a, b, 56a, b) the at least one output tray (36a-e) to transport or banknotes of the input tray (22; 22 ') in one of the at least one mechanical interface (46a, b, 56a, b) releasably connected to the device (10; 10') Cartridge (70b) to transport.

2. A device (10, 10 ') according to claim 1, wherein the device (10, 10') has a first mechanical interface (46a, b) and a second mechanical interface (56a, b) and the transport system (24, 34, 44, 54) is further adapted to transport banknotes from a cassette (70a) detachably connected to the device (10, 10 ') via the first mechanical interface (46a, b) to the at least one output compartment (36a-e), Inserting banknotes from the input tray (22; 22 ') into a detachably connected to the apparatus (10; 10') via the second mechanical interface (56a, b) Cartridge (70b) to transport and banknotes from the over the first mechanical interface (46a, b) releasably connected to the device (10; 10 ') cassette (70a) in the on the second mechanical interface (56a, b) releasably connected to the Device (10, 10 ') connected cassette (70b) to transport.

3. Device (10, 10 ') according to claim 2, wherein the device (10, 10') further comprises a test device (25), wherein the test device (25) arranged in such a way and the transport system (24, 34, 44, 54 ) is configured in such a way that both the bank notes originating from a cassette (70a) detachably connected to the device (10, 10 ') via the first mechanical interface (46a, b) and those originating from the input compartment (22, 22') Banknotes transported by the test device (25) and are checked by this.

The apparatus (10; 10 ') of claim 2, wherein the input tray (22; 22') is part of a base module (20), the output tray (36a-e) is part of an output module (30), the first mechanical interface (46a, b) is part of a cartridge emptying module (40) and the second mechanical interface (56a, b) is part of a cartridge filling module (50).

5. Device (10) according to claim 4, wherein the device (10) further comprises at least one deflection device (32, 42, 52), which is designed in the form of a longitudinal / transverse conveyor to banknotes, the deflection device (32, 42 , 52) are fed by the transport system (24, 34, 44, 54) in the transverse transport, dissipate in the longitudinal transport and reverse banknotes that are the deflecting device (32, 42, 52) supplied in the longitudinal transport to dissipate in the transverse transport.

6. Device (10 ') according to claim 4, wherein the device (10') further comprises at least one deflecting device (32 ¹ , 42 ', 52') which is adapted to the direction of movement of a transport system (24, 34, 4 , 54) banknote supplied in the transverse transport essentially in the transponder defined by the supplied banknote _. place plane while maintaining the transverse orientation of the bill to change by a predetermined angle of preferably about 90 °.

The apparatus (10; 10 ') of claim 1, further comprising a controller adapted to receive cassette-filling criteria associated with a cartridge (70b), the banknotes in processing for satisfaction of the criteria for filling the cassette by means of the checking device (25), to fill banknotes which fulfill the criteria for filling into the cassette (70b) and banknotes which do not meet the criteria for filling, in an output tray (36a) e) of the device (10, 10 ') store, and preferably wherein the control device is further configured such that a desired for the filling of the cassette (70b) desired amount can be specified and / or in the cassette (70b) contained residual inventory taken into account can be.

8. An apparatus (100) for processing banknotes, the apparatus (100) comprising:

a mechanical interface (146a) for releasably connecting a cassette (170a) for banknotes;

at least one output tray (136a-c) for dispensing banknotes; and

a transport system (114) configured to detach banknotes from one accessible via the mechanical interface (146a) to the device (100) associated cassette (170a) to the at least one output tray (136a-c) to transport.

A method of processing banknotes in a banknote processing apparatus (10; 10 '), the method comprising the following

Steps includes:

transporting banknotes from a banknote cassette (70a) detachably connected to the device (10; 10 ') via a mechanical interface (46a, b, 56a, b) to an output compartment (36a-e) of the device (10; ') or

transporting banknotes from an input pocket (22; 22 ') of the device (10; 10') into a cassette (70b.) detachably connected to the device (10; 10 ') via the mechanical interface (46a, b, 56a, b) ) for banknotes.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the apparatus (10, 10 ') for processing bank notes has at least a first mechanical interface (46a, b) and a second mechanical interface (56a, b) and the method comprises the further step:

transporting banknotes from a banknote cassette (70a) detachably connected to the device (10, 10 ') via the first mechanical interface (46a, b) to a device which is detachable via the second mechanical interface (56a, b) ( 10, 10 ') for banknotes.