EA045514B1 - SYSTEM FOR STORING AND PROCESSING SHEET-HEET INFORMATION MEDIA WITH REMOTE ACCESS - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to distributed systems for storing and processing sheet-based information carriers, which implement the ability to remotely control storage and processing devices for sheet-based information carriers, providing: loading, unloading, storage and transportation from one position to another sheet-based information carriers, as well as operations for reading and writing information from such media.

Sheet information carriers are understood as information carriers on a rigid basis (cardboard, plastic), the longitudinal dimensions of which are comparable to the transverse ones, including documents, passes, medical records, tickets, plastic cards used in banking, etc.

The class of devices for storing and processing sheet information media includes a wide range of equipment: banking machines, electronic cashiers, payment terminals for services, multi-cash machines, vending machines, devices for selling transport cards, devices for selling SIM cards of telecom operators and other devices designed for processing and/ or storage of sheet media known in the art.

The mentioned devices for storing and processing sheet information storage devices can operate autonomously or as part of telecommunication networks, allowing remote access to both information located on the media and the media themselves.

The following technical solutions are known from the prior art that implement the network principle of organizing plastic card processing systems: Terminal complex, presented in the description of the utility model patent No. 135430 (priority dated 03/04/2013, published 01/27/2013 Bulletin No. 3); Multifunctional telecommunications complex presented in the description of the utility model patent No. 96678 (priority dated 01/19/2010, published 08/10/2010 Bulletin No. 22); The device and system of banking machines presented in the description of the patent for invention No. 2284055 (priority dated November 25, 1997, published May 20, 2001 Bulletin No. 14). The presented technical solutions provide remote control of plastic card processing devices, reading and transmission of information for financial transactions.

However, there is a need for other types of transactions in banking, non-financial. These operations may include, for example, accounting and storage of information media, for example, such as plastic cards, in the time period between the issuance of the card and receipt of the card by the client. It is worth noting that the mentioned time period can take a long time from several days to several months, and the number of such cards permanently stored in bank branches can be up to three thousand.

An urgent task when accounting and storing storage media is to implement operational remote control of storage devices connected to the information network, not only by issuing instructions for loading and issuing storage media, but also by manipulating (moving, sorting, etc.) with storage media stored in individual storage devices, as well as with components of such devices (unified storage modules), in order to optimally use the useful storage volume of individual storage devices within the entire information network.

Devices known from the prior art for storing and processing sheet media cannot solve this problem.

A known device for storing and processing credit cards and cards with identification data (ID), presented in the description of the patent DE102161472, publ. 07/08/2004, G06K 02/13. The device contains a rotating disk; on the outer side of the disk there are supports for attaching cards; the cards are held on the supports due to excess suction pressure applied to the cards through holes in the supports; Below the disk there is a conveyor belt on which the cards move; Between the tape and the disk there are two transfer devices, each of which consists of six holders, star-shaped fixed on one axis, and at the ends of the holders there are suction cups, with the help of which cards can be removed from the supports and placed on the tape, as well as taken from the tape and stacked on supports, while the holders are made with the possibility of radial movement, which prevents hard contact with both cards and tape.

Reading information from cards is possible by contact method through the card contacts with contacts on the support, which in turn are connected to the computer system and power source. A contactless option for reading data is possible through the built-in antennas in each card. The system allows for a processing speed of 50,000 cards per hour.

However, creating a network of storage devices based on this device is problematic, since the device does not allow you to quickly move storage media from one position to another.

The device does not allow you to quickly change the storage volume during operation, as this is associated with significant design changes to the device.

A known storage device for hard sheet media used in the Device for sorting hard sheet media is presented in the description of international application WO 2013/100798, publ. 04.07.2013, G07D 3/00(20006.01) G06K 7/00(20006.01), made in the form of a drum containing rows with storage cells fixed to the axis of rotation of the drum

- 1 045514 storage media, while around the drum there are guides for moving the storage media loading module to any row of the drum, and the unloading module consists of mechanisms for extracting storage media located on each row of the drum, and a mechanism for dumping storage media into the output tray, each the drum row contains three disks, the bottom of which is a shelf on which the storage media stand, the other two are made in the form of plastic combs that hold the storage media in a vertical position.

The principle of operation of the device is that information carriers, for example, plastic cards, are sequentially removed from the loading module, which moves along a guide to any row of the drum using an electric drive, identified and placed in pre-numbered cells of the rows of the drum, which rotates around its axis. Cards are unloaded from the drum using ejection mechanisms located on each row of the drum, based on information from the control module database, which stores information about the position of the card in the cells of the rows.

The device has a high density of storage media, which allows for a large volume of stored cards at optimal sizes.

However, creating a network of storage devices based on this device is problematic, since the device does not allow you to quickly move storage media from one position to another.

If the cards are unevenly distributed along the rows of the reel, it is impossible to quickly move them from one row to another. Such movement is possible only through the operation of unloading and then loading to the required addresses. The released rows of the drum, as a result of such rearrangements, cannot be removed in order to reduce the capacity.

Reducing or increasing the capacity is possible only through design changes of the drum, namely its height and radius. It is impossible to change the volume of the device during operation. If the number of cards decreases, some rows of the drum will be empty, and if the number of cards increases, exceeding the number of drum cells, a new drum with changed design parameters will be required.

Known Automated device for storing and issuing bank cards, presented in the description of the RF patent No. 2672723, publ. 11/19/2018, bulletin. No. 32, containing a drum with numbered cells for storing cards, a loading device, in which the device for reading information recorded on the card provides the control system with the ability to save the read information in the internal memory with assigning the card a storage cell number, and the control system provides a search for this information card for issuance by the unloading device.

It is possible to use the device as an autonomous customer self-service system.

In this case, the device can be controlled through software installed on the user’s personal computer connected via a wired or wireless network to the device.

In this scenario, the client of the bank (enterprise) has access to the functions of identifying and receiving a card, all other functions are performed by employees of the bank (enterprise).

However, creating a network of storage devices based on this device is problematic, since the device does not allow you to quickly move storage media from one position to another.

If the cards are unevenly distributed along the rows of the reel, it is impossible to quickly move them from one row to another. Such movement is possible only through the operation of unloading and then loading to the required addresses. The released rows of the drum, as a result of such rearrangements, cannot be removed in order to reduce the capacity.

Reducing or increasing the capacity is possible only through design changes of the drum, namely its height and radius. It is impossible to change the volume of the device during operation. If the number of cards decreases, some rows of the drum will be empty, and if the number of cards increases, exceeding the number of drum cells, a new drum with changed design parameters will be required.

The objective of the invention is to create a unified system for storing and processing sheet media with remote access, in which you can quickly change the useful volume of individual storage devices for sheet media during operation, combine the contents of several devices into one by rearranging unified storage modules between devices, including , without first removing cards from them.

The technical result is the ability to remotely access storage devices for sheet-based storage media, allowing you to store and process cards, as well as regulate the degree of fullness of storage devices, promptly carry out the procedure for writing off unclaimed sheet-based storage media, by issuing commands for the redistribution (sorting) of storage media within the storage device, in order to optimize the time of unloading storage media and ensure the rational use of storage modules, including by removing unused modules from some (underloaded) devices and installing them on other (overloaded) devices included in the system during operation.

- 2 045514

It is possible to solve the problem with the achievement of the specified technical result by using the claimed invention, in which a system for storing and processing sheet media with remote access contains storage devices for sheet media connected by an information exchange channel with at least one remote computer, with each storage device is made in the form of separate unified modules, made with the ability to store, automatically process and move sheet information media between separate unified modules, and the remote computer is configured to access sheet information media by initializing storage device commands to perform operations with sheet information media and provide information on them.

The use of a storage device for sheet media in the form of separate unified modules, designed with the ability to store, automatically process and move sheet media between separate unified modules, made it possible to create a unified system of devices and connect them to a remote computer. And only within the framework of the created system it is possible to quickly change the useful volume of individual storage devices for sheet-based information carriers during operation.

To create a single, ordered storage system for sheet-based storage media, each of the unified storage modules has an identification number, and each module contains storage cells for storing sheet-based storage media, which also have identification numbers within the unified storage module, and the remote computer is designed to be tracked via the information exchange channel of a list of storage modules included in each storage device for sheet-fed media, a list of such media and, corresponding to them, cell addresses.

To optimize the process of searching for the required storage media, monitoring the state of all storage devices, at least one remote computer, connected by an information exchange channel with storage devices for sheet media, is designed as a remote server containing a database of all sheet media included in the system, including their belonging to a specific storage device, a unified storage module, a cell, and other computers connected to the information exchange channel transmit commands to the storage devices and read information from them through such a remote server.

To prevent unauthorized access to storage devices, sheet media storage devices and remote computers contain access control key readers.

To increase the level of security and ease of use, sheet media storage devices and remote computers contain video cameras, microphones and loudspeakers, the server is configured to transmit audio and video data between sheet media storage devices and control computers.

To use all technical means of consumer authorization, sheet media storage devices contain barcode readers, and remote computers are designed to transfer the data contained in the barcode to sheet media storage devices, as well as transfer the barcode to the operator by printing an authorization coupon or transmitting an image via a wireless communication channel.

For ease of use, the sheet media storage devices are configured to read the operator's sheet media and determine the operator's authority to receive another (new) media by transmitting a request to a remote computer or autonomously.

To increase the level of security and ease of use, the storage devices for sheet media and the information exchange channel are made with the ability to confirm the identity of the operator through the government services portal.

The following is an example of a specific implementation of the system.

The invention is illustrated by a drawing, which does not cover and, moreover, does not limit the entire scope of claims of this technical solution, but is only illustrative material for a particular case of the implementation of the system. In the example of a specific implementation of the system, bank cards are used as hard sheet media.

In fig. Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a system for storing and processing sheet media with remote access.

The storage system shown in FIG. 1, contains devices for storing sheet media 1, connected by an information exchange channel 2 with remote computers 3, 4, one of which 4 performs the functions of a server, and the remaining 3 serve as user workstations. Each storage device 1 is made in the form of separate unified modules 5.

Storage devices for sheet media 1, in the presented particular case, are made according to RF patent No. 2672189 and contain a housing for installing device components in and on the housing, containing numerous support elements, guides for smooth insertion and removal of storage modules sheet media included in the device, made in the form of unified modules 5, and other components for fastening the units and mechanisms of the device.

Information exchange channel 2, in the presented particular case, is made using Ethernet technology and implements a set of TCP/IP protocols. Other ways of organizing an information exchange channel using wired or wireless data transmission technologies known from the prior art are also possible.

Remote computers 3, in the presented particular case, are personal electronic computers configured to connect to the information exchange channel 2 via wired or wireless communication. Tablet computers with touch controls, smartphones and laptops can also be used as remote computers 3.

Server 4 is a high-performance computer connected to an information exchange channel, containing a database and the necessary software to ensure the collection, processing and storage of data on sheet media located in the storage system, including: the date and time of loading and unloading operations , write-off of storage media; composition, load level and location of sheet media storage devices; accounts, keys and roles for user access to working with the system; information about errors and alarm situations that arise during system operation, their date, time and frequency of occurrence; as well as other parameters of the functioning of the system that determine its operation.

The functioning of the system for storing and processing sheet information media includes the following modes and their combinations.

Download mode

In the card loading mode, the user located in the immediate vicinity of the storage device performs a single or mass loading of cards into the device, according to the description of the RF patent for invention No. 2672189. Information about the loading process, successfully loaded cards, information read from them, as well as their location in the storage device is transmitted via an information exchange channel to the remote server 4 and remote user computers 3.

Dispensing mode

To implement remote access to sheet media stored in the system, the following sequence of actions is performed:

1) the user, using software installed on a remote computer 3, makes a request to search for a card, which is sent to a remote server 4, the database of which contains information about all storage media stored in the system, and receives a response indicating the presence/absence a storage medium in the system and a storage device containing it;

2) in case of a positive answer, the user initiates the procedure for issuing sheet media;

3) according to the description of the RF patent for invention No. 267289, the information carrier is moved from the storage cell located in the unified storage module 5 to the output module, where information is read from the carrier and the compliance of the medium with the request is checked;

4) receipt of a sheet of information carrier by a person located in close proximity to the storage device is carried out after confirmation of authority for such an action. The mentioned powers can be confirmed as follows: by entering a secret code; providing a pass; scanning identification documents; authorization on remote Internet services, as well as other methods known from the state of the art.

Sorting mode

The mode of sorting sheet media contained in storage devices included in the system is performed by moving sheet media cards from one unified storage module 5 to another upon command from a remote computer 3 or server 4. Moving media is necessary for their uniform arrangement in storage modules 5, completely freeing some storage modules 5, with the possibility of subsequently removing them from the storage device 1 of the system, or to move cards from the lower storage modules 5 to the upper ones to increase the speed of issuing storage media. The media sorting mode can also start automatically when the system is idle or according to a schedule transmitted from the control computer 3 or server 4.

Write-off mode

The sheet media write-off mode allows you to free storage devices included in the system from unclaimed media. Write-off is carried out by command from a remote computer 3 or server 4. The write-off criterion can be: the validity period of the sheet storage medium, the storage period of the sheet storage medium in the system; content of information

- 4 045514 fields of the storage medium that meets the specified criteria. After receiving the command to write off, the sheet media to be written off are unloaded from the unified storage modules and moved to a special tray installed at the bottom of storage devices 1.

Monitoring mode

In monitoring mode, the remote server 4 periodically polls the storage devices 1 included in the system to obtain up-to-date information about the devices: the list of loaded media; their location; operations performed with storage devices directly; a list of errors and critical situations that arise during the operation of storage devices and their performance. Data received in monitoring mode can be transmitted to remote computers for the purpose of analyzing, processing and taking prompt actions to maintain the system in working condition.

Reconfiguration mode

System reconfiguration mode is designed to optimally utilize the system's full potential usable storage capacity and includes the following steps:

1) request by command from a remote computer 3 or server 4 load level of storage devices 1 included in the system;

2) determining the list of underloaded and overloaded devices. Underloaded devices mean storage devices 1 in which, over a long period of time, the number of unused vacant storage spaces for storage media exceeds the potential capacity of one or more unified storage modules 5. Overloaded devices, on the contrary, mean storage devices 1 that are on volume the same time interval is close to filling;

3) provided that there are, in the latter, vacant places for installing storage modules 5, the storage modules are rearranged from underloaded storage devices to overloaded ones, updating information about the system configuration on the remote server 4.

Thus, the proposed technical solution will make it possible to create a system for storing and processing sheet media with remote access, which:

allows you to store and process cards;

regulate the degree of fullness of storage devices;

promptly carry out the procedure for writing off unclaimed sheet storage media, by issuing commands for the redistribution (sorting) of storage media inside the storage device, storage media and ensuring the rational use of storage modules, including by removing unused modules from some (underloaded) devices and installing them to other (rebooted) devices included in the system during operation.

Claims (1)

A system for storing and processing sheet media with remote access, containing storage devices for sheet media made in the form of separate unified modules with the ability to store, automatically process and move sheet media between separate unified modules, remote computers connected by an information exchange channel with storage devices sheet media, wherein at least one of the remote computers is configured as a server containing a database of all sheet media included in the system, including their belonging to a specific storage device, unified storage module, cell, and having the ability to remotely control the load level unified storage modules included in the storage devices by redistributing sheet media between modules included in the storage system, as well as the ability to sort sheet media, which can be launched automatically when the system is idle or according to a schedule transmitted from the control computer or server.