EP2199988A2 - Device for holding and dispensing valuable documents - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a test device for testing a value document of type and authenticity corresponding to a given test criteria. A storage device has two storages for storing the value document as a real identified value document. A drive device is provided for moving an intermediate storage between intermediate storage positions. A control device (20) controls the drive device based on a result of testing the document by the test device such that the control device moves the intermediate storage with the tested document from a receiving position into one of the storage positions. An independent claim is also included for a method for receiving and intermediate storage of value documents.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for accepting and outputting value documents and to a method for accepting and paying out value documents.

Under value documents are understood leaf-shaped objects that represent, for example, a monetary value or an authorization and therefore should not be arbitrarily produced by unauthorized persons. They therefore have features which are not easy to manufacture, in particular to be copied, whose presence is an indication of the authenticity, i. the manufacture by an authorized agency. Important examples of such value documents are coupons, vouchers, checks and in particular banknotes. A peculiarity of such value documents, in particular of banknotes, compared to new paper or stationery, is that their state, for example, by kinks, wrinkles, dog-ears or a considerable limpness, can vary widely.

Devices of the type mentioned above can be used in particular in payment devices, which serve that a person pays an invoice amount to the payment device using various means of payment, in particular coins and banknotes. Such payment devices should as far as possible be usable without personnel who are waiting for these devices. The devices should allow as many payment transactions without interference.

Due to the peculiarity of value documents, in particular banknotes, their machine transport in devices for accepting and issuing documents of value, but is prone to failure. Although value documents can be transported in isolated form with not very high susceptibility to failure by means of belt transport systems, but is either the mechanical Expenditure to transport very high or the susceptibility to the desired application still too high.

The present invention is therefore based on the object to provide a device for acceptance and intermediate storage of value documents, which has a low susceptibility to interference with a simple structure, and to provide corresponding methods.

The object is achieved by a device at least for the acceptance and intermediate storage of value documents with an acceptance device for accepting value documents, a checking device for checking the value documents on type and authenticity according to predetermined test criteria, a storage device for storing accepted, recognized as genuine value documents, the at least two Memory for value documents, a buffer for temporarily storing at least one checked by the testing device value document, which is reciprocated between different predetermined intermediate storage positions at least by rotation or pivoting, the intermediate storage positions an acceptance position in which the at least one document of value from the testing device in the Intermediate memory can be transported and cached there, and at least two, the position of the memory of the memory device corresponding memory positions, in which the at least one value document, when buffered in the buffer, is movable from the buffer into the memory corresponding to the memory position and storable there, comprising drive means for moving the buffer between the buffer positions and a control means dependent on the result of the buffer Examination of a value document by means of the test device, the drive means so controls that this moves the buffer with the at least one checked value document from the acceptance position into one of the other intermediate buffer positions.

The device is provided for the acceptance and intermediate storage, preferably also the output of value documents of predetermined types. These can be, in particular, vouchers and banknotes. In particular, it may be provided for banknotes of various types, for example predetermined denominations of one or more currencies. The components of the device are then designed so that they can process value documents of the given types.

The temporary storage is used for temporary recording by means of the checking device of certified value documents. The examination of the value documents need not be completed in the recording process, but it is sufficient that the testing device has detected at least one property of the value document, which is used to test the value document. The evaluation of the detection result can, even after the execution of the tester, also take place during the intermediate storage, but is preferably completed during the intermediate storage.

The buffer is rotated or pivoted between various buffer positions relative to the checking device and the storage device. In these intermediate storage positions, a transport of a value document between the intermediate storage and at least one corresponding transport path section of the testing device or the receiving device or the storage device can take place, so that a transport from the acceptance device via the checking device to the intermediate storage or between the intermediate storage and the storage device is possible. The intermediate storage position for the acceptance of value documents from the acceptance or checking device is the acceptance position, while the intermediate storage positions for the exchange of value documents with the storage device are the storage positions.

The drive device, which is controlled by the control device as a function of the result of the check of a value document, so that the intermediate store occupies a suitable intermediate storage position for further processing, serves to move the buffer. In particular, the control device can control the drive device after checking an accepted value document so that it moves the buffer with the at least one checked value document from the acceptance position in one of the other intermediate storage positions.

The rotatable or pivotable buffer simultaneously fulfills at least two functions. On the one hand, it serves as a buffer and on the other hand as a means of transport, which allows a very interference-proof transport of value documents regardless of their state. Once valuable documents have entered the intermediate storage without interference, they can be transported in this to the storage device. In addition, it allows the distribution to the memory, so that can be dispensed with a suitable design of the device on switches for distributing the value documents on the memory of the memory device, which further increases the reliability.

In particular, the control device can be further configured so that it controls the drive means so that value documents at least two various predetermined types that are stored in the memory device, there are stored separately by types. In the case of documents of value in the form of banknotes, one type of a value document is understood as meaning, in particular, also the currency, preferably in combination with the denomination of the banknote. This embodiment advantageously permits a storage of the value documents which is separate according to types, in the case of banknotes, in particular according to denominations, which considerably simplifies re-issuing of the value documents or permits removal in sorted form.

In principle, the buffer may be mounted such that its movement as a result is a combination of a pivotal movement and a movement of the center of gravity of the buffer along a predetermined curve. Preferably, however, the buffer is rotatably or pivotably mounted about a pivot axis. This embodiment allows a particularly space-saving design of the device and in particular a simple storage with a simple drive.

In principle, the at least two memories of the memory device can be arranged as desired, as long as a transport of value documents from the buffer into the memory of the memory device is possible. Preferably, however, the memories are arranged along a curved curve, preferably along a circular arc. An arrangement of the memories along a curved curve is understood to mean, in particular, that memory interfaces of the memories, by means of which documents of value can be respectively supplied to the memories or value documents can be output therefrom, are arranged along this curve. This not only allows the aforementioned storage of the cache, but Also very short transport distances from the test device in the memory of the storage device.

The buffer can in principle be constructed as desired. According to a preferred embodiment, the buffer has at least one holding device for holding or temporarily storing only a single value document. The holding device can be constructed in very different ways. In particular, the buffer may preferably have at least two elements as a holding device, between which the value document to be buffered is movable and is then held clamped by it. In particular, these may be movable relative to each other and be movable by a drive. For example, corresponding pairs of rollers, endless belts or belts can be used as elements, of which preferably one or one is driven by the drive. In a particularly simple variant, it may suffice that the holding device has only one pair of rollers or rollers which form a gap through which the document of value is transported so far that the buffer between the intermediate storage positions can be moved back and forth, and in which the document of value can be held during the rotation or pivoting of the buffer. In principle, the buffer can have a plurality of holding devices for only one document of value at a time.

In particular, in such an embodiment, the control means may be preferably further designed so that, as soon as the document of value is stored in the buffer, the drive means so that the buffer is moved from the acceptance position, even if the examination of the document of value by the test device still Not is completed. The buffer can then take over as a further function of a so-called evaluation route, ie a section in which a document of value is before the examination of the same is completed and can be decided on the further treatment of the value document.

Depending on the number and / or arrangement of the acceptance position relative to the storage positions, it may be necessary that the buffer must be rotated by an angle greater than 90 ° in order to achieve the measured next to the rotation or swivel angle storage position. This can lead to delays in the acceptance of multiple value documents. It is therefore preferred in the apparatus that the holding device comprises a transport device with which a value document from a feed interface of the buffer, by which a value document can be supplied to a distance from this arranged discharge interface through which a value document from this can be issued, is transportable. In the context of the invention, an interface in connection with the storage device or the intermediate storage means an opening or a gap or a transport or guide device, by means of which or from which a value document can be fed or delivered to the intermediate storage or storage device. This design allows the document of value to be picked up by the delivery interface and returned to the delivery interface, which would otherwise require rotation or pivoting of the buffer at the smallest angle included by the delivery and delivery interfaces, but which may be greater than 90 °. Thus, a transfer to at least one of the memories of the memory device can be significantly accelerated. Preferably, in an intermediate store which is rotatably mounted, the angle between the feed interface and the output interface is greater than 90 °, preferably in the range between 175 ° and 185 °, the vertex of the angle being on the axis of rotation. A particularly simple realization may result if the holding device has as elements a conveyor belt or conveyor belt pair and / or transport roller pairs which form or form a transport path leading from the feed interface to the discharge interface.

In order to make use of this possibility, the control device can preferably be further configured to control the transport device of the holding device in such a way that it transports a value document received by the feed interface, preferably by rotating or swiveling the temporary store, through the delivery interface.

The buffer can be designed, in particular, to hold at least two value documents and to deliver the cached value documents temporarily. This allows a faster acceptance and storage of value documents, since the cache does not need to be moved after each acceptance of a checked value document in the appropriate storage position and back to the acceptance position.

In this case, the buffer can have a plurality of separate memories for individual value documents. These can each be given in particular by holding devices, as described above.

Preferably, however, the buffer for receiving the at least two value documents has a memory which is designed so that value documents last supplied to the memory are to be delivered first. Of the Memory works according to the LIFO principle. In particular, a winding store can be used as the store. This embodiment has the advantage that such memories are less prone to interference. In the context of the invention, winding storages are understood in particular to mean storages for sheet-like objects in which they are wound up separately by at least one film layer. Frequently, the objects are guided between two foil strips or strips, which are stored on a reel for storage and unwound to be dispensed therefrom. Such memories are basically known and, for example, in US 5 533 627 or DE 10135542 A1 described. Since the memory serves only as a cache, this is preferably designed to hold only less than 20 documents of value. This not only has the advantage that the memory can be cheaper, but also allows a compact design of the buffer and a fast mobility by the thus reduced moment of inertia of the buffer.

In order to reduce the movements of the buffer as possible and thus to enable rapid processing, the control device is preferably further adapted to detect an end of an input of value documents, and to drive the drive means so that the buffer only after the end of the input from the acceptance position is moved to one of the other positions. The detection of an end of the input can be done in particular by checking whether, after a predetermined period of time after the last signal of the test device or a transport monitoring sensor between input and test device, a further signal is detected, which was caused by the detection of a value document.

The use of a buffer having a memory of the LIFO type has the advantage that a treatment separate by types, in particular also storage, of the accepted value documents is made possible, since the order of the value documents in the memory is known. In particular, for this purpose, the control device is preferably further designed to control the drive device and preferably also the buffer corresponding to at least one determined during the test property of the cached value documents and the order of the cached value documents in the isolated delivery from the buffer so that the buffer sequentially in the Properties corresponding intermediate storage positions is moved and there at least one cached in the buffer value document is delivered.

The memory device can in principle have any memory for the accepted value documents. In order to be able to use accepted value documents also for the return of change, the at least two memories of the storage device are preferably designed not only for the storage, but also for the isolated delivery of stored value documents.

The at least two memories can in principle be any suitable memory, for example stack memories with a singler. Preferably, however, at least one of the at least two memories of the memory device is a winding store. The use of the winding store offers the advantage that a particularly reliable assumption and, in particular, delivery of documents of value can be achieved which have a poor condition, for example a high level of limpness.

Furthermore, an output device is preferably provided for outputting value documents to a user. The intermediate memory positions can then comprise an output position in which the at least one value document stored in the intermediate memory can be transported to the output device and output there to a user. In the simplest case, the dispensing device may be an opening in a housing of the device, through which the value document is dispensed directly from the buffer. The control device can then be designed, in particular, to control the drive device as a function of an amount to be paid out in value documents in such a way that value documents to be output are stored from the storage device into the temporary storage device and delivered to the output device after it has been rotated or pivoted. Depending on the type of buffer, it may be necessary to move the buffer back and forth several times between corresponding memory positions and the output position. However, when using a buffer with a LIFO memory, rotation or pivoting in only one direction of rotation preferably takes place required storage positions to the issue position.

Furthermore, the control device may preferably be designed to control the drive device in such a way that the buffer store is moved into the delivery position and a value document temporarily stored therein and transported to the output device during the check by means of the checking device is not transported. This allows a simple return of non-processable value documents to a payer.

In addition to the memory device, further memories can be provided which are not designed for re-dispensing supplied value documents. Thus, the device may have a retention memory for storing non-reissued value documents. The predetermined positions of the buffer then include a restraint memory position in which the at least one cached value document is movable into the restraint memory. In particular, a value-document interface of the retention store, by means of which value documents can be supplied, may preferably be arranged on the curved curve. The control device is then preferably further designed to control the drive device in response to signals of the test device so that the latch is rotated or pivoted into the retaining memory position and cached therein, in the test by means of the test device as not real and / or recognized as wrong Value document is transported to the retention memory. This offers the advantage that value documents recognized as being non-genuine or as incorrectly stored separately from other value documents, and thus can simply be withdrawn from circulation.

Furthermore, the device preferably has an end memory device for storing value documents; the intermediate storage positions may then comprise a final storage position in which the at least one value document stored in the temporary storage can be delivered to the final storage device. In this final memory device, preferably a corresponding cassette, all recognized as real or not wrong value documents can be stored, which can not or no longer be stored in the memory device. In particular, banknotes of very high denominations can be stored therein, which at most in rare cases due to their high denomination for re-issue Exceptional cases appear and for which accordingly no memory is provided in the memory device. The storage can be sorted by denominations or preferably mixed. The control device is then preferably designed further to actuate the drive device in dependence on a recognized type of a value document and / or recognized authenticity or non-falsity of a value document and / or the number and type of value documents stored in the storage device such that the buffer memory in moves the Endspeicherstellung and the at least one cached value document is delivered to the final storage device.

The object is further achieved by a method for accepting at least partial payment of a predetermined invoice amount with value documents, in which value documents are checked for their validity and / or authenticity and their value and the value documents are stored buffered after the examination, wherein the validity or the Authenticity, the value of a respective value document and its memory location in the caching, for example, in a LIFO memory, reproducing data are stored, the cached value documents individually or collected rotated or pivoted in dependence on the stored data in memory positions and the value documents separated according determined Value are stored in a memory device, at least in response to the predetermined invoice amount and the number in the storage device existing value documents given denominations denominations and numbers zurückgeb end value documents are determined, corresponding value documents are stored from the memory device in the buffer, the buffer is rotated to an output position or is pivoted, and in this the value documents are delivered from the cache to an output device.

Fig.1

eine schematische Ansicht einer Bezahlvorrichtung,

Fig. 2

eine schematische Darstellung eines Wertdokumentannahme- undausgabeabschnitts der Bezahlvorrichtung in Fig. 1,

Fig. 3

eine schematische Ansicht einer Ausführungsform des Wertdokumentannahme- und -ausgabeabschnitts in Fig. 2 ohne Steuereinrichtung von der Seite, in der ein Zwischenspeicher eine Annahmestellung einnimmt,

Fig. 4

eine schematische perspektivische Ansicht eines Teils des Wertdokumentannahme- und -ausgabeabschnitts in Fig. 3,

Fig. 5

eine schematische Ansicht des Wertdokumentannahme- undausgabeabschnitts in Fig. 3, wobei der Zwischenspeicher in einer Rückhaltespeicherstellung ist,

Fig. 6

eine schematische Ansicht des Wertdokumentannahme- undausgabeabschnitts in Fig. 3, wobei der Zwischenspeicher in einer Endspeicherstellung ist,

Fig. 7

eine schematische Ansicht des Wertdokumentannahme- undausgabeabschnitts in Fig. 3, wobei der Zwischenspeicher in einer Speicherstellung für einen Ein-/ Ausgabespeicher ist,

Fig. 8

eine schematische Ansicht des Wertdokumentannahme- und -ausgabeabschnitts in Fig. 3, wobei der Zwischenspeicher in einer Ausgabestellung ist,

Fig. 9

eine schematische Ansicht einer anderen Ausführungsform des Wertdokumentannahme- und -ausgabeabschnitts in Fig.1 ohne Steuervorrichtung von der Seite, in der ein Zwischenspeicher eine Annahmestellung einnimmt,

Fig. 10

eine schematische Ansicht des Wertdokumentannahme- undausgabeabschnitts in Fig. 9, wobei der Zwischenspeicher in einer Rückhaltespeicherstellung ist,

Fig. 11

eine schematische Ansicht des Wertdokumentannahme- undausgabeabschnitts in Fig. 9, wobei der Zwischenspeicher in einer Endspeicherstellung ist,

Fig. 12

eine schematische Ansicht des Wertdokumentannahme- undausgabeabschnitts in Fig. 9, wobei der Zwischenspeicher in einer Speicherstellung für einen Ein-/ Ausgabespeicher ist,

Fig. 13

eine schematische Ansicht des Wertdokumentannahme- undausgabeabschnitts in Fig. 9, wobei der Zwischenspeicher in einer Ausgabestellung ist, und

Fig. 14

eine schematische Ansicht des Zwischenspeichers des Wertdokumentannahme- und -ausgabeabschnitts in Fig. 9.

The invention will be further explained by way of example with reference to the drawings. Show it:

Fig.1

a schematic view of a payment device,

Fig. 2

a schematic representation of a value document acceptance and output section of the payment device in Fig. 1 .

Fig. 3

a schematic view of an embodiment of the value document acceptance and -ausgabeabschnitts in Fig. 2 without control device from the side in which a temporary store assumes an acceptance position,

Fig. 4

a schematic perspective view of a part of the value document acceptance and -ausgabeabschnitts in Fig. 3 .

Fig. 5

a schematic view of the value document acceptance and output section in Fig. 3 wherein the cache is in a retention storage position,

Fig. 6

a schematic view of the value document acceptance and output section in Fig. 3 wherein the buffer is in a final storage position,

Fig. 7

a schematic view of the value document acceptance and output section in Fig. 3 wherein the buffer is in a storage position for an input / output memory,

Fig. 8

a schematic view of the value document acceptance and -ausgabeabschnitts in Fig. 3 wherein the buffer is in a dispensing position,

Fig. 9

a schematic view of another embodiment of the value document acceptance and -ausgabeabschnitts in Fig.1 without a control device from the side in which an intermediate store assumes an acceptance position,

Fig. 10

a schematic view of the value document acceptance and output section in Fig. 9 wherein the cache is in a retention storage position,

Fig. 11

a schematic view of the value document acceptance and output section in Fig. 9 wherein the buffer is in a final storage position,

Fig. 12

a schematic view of the value document acceptance and output section in Fig. 9 wherein the buffer is in a storage position for an input / output memory,

Fig. 13

a schematic view of the value document acceptance and output section in Fig. 9 , wherein the buffer is in an issue position, and

Fig. 14

a schematic view of the buffer of the value document acceptance and -ausgabeabschnitts in Fig. 9 ,

A payment device for paying bills in Fig. 1 comprises in a housing 10 an invoice reader 12, a coin-in and -out payment section 14, a card payment section 16, a value document deposit and withdrawal section 18 and a part of the deposit and withdrawal sections representing control means 20 for driving the invoice reader and said sections and for the evaluation of signals of the invoice reader and the mentioned sections. The value document deposit and payout section 18, together with the control device 20, represents in particular a device for receiving, buffering and issuing value documents. Although the control device 20 forms part of the deposit and withdrawal sections according to its function, it is in Fig. 1 shown for clarity only as an independent unit.

The payment device, and in particular the control device 20, are provided so that invoices can be paid by means of different means of payment, with change being returned if necessary. For this purpose, the payment device is adapted to a bill supplied by a customer, for example, a printed paper sheet on the data representing the invoice amount, on the invoice amount, for example, in machine-readable form, in the example in the form of a bar code, reproduced by means of for to read the reading of the data of suitable bill reader 12. Thereafter, the payment device accepts one or more payment methods from the customer for payment of the invoice amount. For this purpose, the three sections serve 14,16 and 18 in connection with the control device 20. After determining the paid or over a card credited amount determines the controller 20, whether the paid amount exceeds the invoice amount and determines, if necessary, the amount of the return money to be returned to the customer. The controller 20 then controls the coin receiving and disbursing portion 14 and / or the value document input and disbursement portion 18 so that, as far as possible, these value documents in the form of banknotes and for the remaining, not by banknotes payable portion of the change amount, Coins are issued to the customer. Thereafter, the payment device may generate and issue a receipt confirming that the amount has been paid, or generating and issuing a signal indicating that the amount has been paid.

In the context of the present application, the invoice reader 12, the coin payment and payment section 14, the card payment section 16 and functions corresponding to these components of the control device 20 can be designed in any suitable manner, in particular the person skilled in the known manner.

Hereinafter, the value document input and output section 18, which in conjunction with the control device 20 is an example of an apparatus for accepting, storing, and outputting value documents, and is highly schematized in FIG Fig. 3 is illustrated in more detail. On the one hand, it is designed to accept documents of value in the form of banknotes of various types, in the present example banknotes of different denominations of only one currency. In principle, in other embodiments, the section 18 could be adapted to accept banknotes of different denominations of different currencies. On the other hand, it is for the issue of value documents in Form of banknotes, at least some of which have been stored in previous transactions in the section.

On a basic scaffold, not shown in the figures, a value document output device 22, an acceptance device 24 for accepting value documents in the form of banknotes, a test device 26 arranged on a transport path section of the acceptance device 24 for checking accepted value documents, a rotatably mounted intermediate memory 28 for occasional buffering of tested documents Value documents, a drive device 30 for rotating the buffer 28, as well as a memory device 32, more specifically an input and output or recycling memory device provided. In this embodiment, the recycling memory device 32 is arranged to store and re-issue banknotes of four different denominations separated by denominations, for which four input / output memories 33 are provided. For retention of not recognized as genuine banknotes a retention memory 34 is provided. Further, a receptacle, not shown, is provided for a final memory with an insertable into the receptacle and removable from the receptacle 36.

The input / output memory 33, the memory device 32, the retention memory 34 and the end memory 36 are arranged, in particular also with their interfaces for feeding or dispensing value documents, ie their memory input and / or output openings along a circular arc. Corresponding interfaces for the supply or delivery of value documents of the acceptance device 24 and the output device 22 are also arranged on this circular arc.

Depending on the operating phase, temporary storage 28 is used to temporarily store or store value documents accepted by acceptance device 24 and then checked by checking device 26, to deliver temporarily stored value documents to storage device 32, retention memory 34, final memory 36 or value document output device 24 and to For this purpose, the buffer 28 can be rotated by means of the drive means 30 in corresponding intermediate storage positions in which a transport of a value document between at least one feed interface of the buffer memory 28, by the these value documents can be supplied, and one end of a transport path section or an interface of the acceptance device 24, the memory device 32, the Rückhaltespe Iers 34, the final memory 36 and / or the value document output device 24 can be done.

In this example, eight different types of staging positions are provided: at least one in Fig. 2 and 3 illustrated acceptance position in which a value document from the acceptance device 24 in the buffer 28 is transportable, storage positions whose number and location of the number and location of memory input and output ports of the memory 33 of the memory device 32 corresponds and an exchange of value documents between the memories 33rd the memory device 32 and the buffer 28 allows a retention memory position in the value documents from the buffer 28 in the retention memory 32 are transported, a final memory position in the value documents from the buffer 28 in the final memory 36 are transported, and at least one output position, in the value documents can be transported from the buffer 28 to the value document output device 22.

The operation of the acceptance device 24, the test device 26, the drive means 30, the buffer 28, the memory device 32 and the output device 22 is controlled by signals from the controller 20, this control also in response to signals from the test device 18 and / or from described in detail sensors and detectors in these facilities, such as those for monitoring the transport, performs.

The control device 20 in this embodiment comprises a memory 90 and a processor 92 and corresponding data or signal interfaces to the electrical devices of the device. In the memory 90 instructions of a computer program are stored, in the execution of which the control device controls the respective electrical devices of the device by issuing control signals so that they carry out the method described below.

In this exemplary embodiment, the following example for the payment of an invoice and thus also a method assumption of an at least partial payment of a predetermined invoice amount with value documents is carried out. In this case, a buffer is used as the buffer 28, in which at least two value documents can be stored in isolated fashion.

A customer enters an invoice receipt in the device from which the controller 20 recognizes by means of the bill reader 12 the amount to be paid. The customer then, as already described, means of payment to pay the invoice amount. Here only the processing of entered value documents should be described in more detail.

If a value document is supplied to the acceptance device 24, it imports the value document. It outputs a signal to the control device 20, which controls the drive device 30 so that it moves the latch 28 in the acceptance position, if this does not already occupy this position. The acceptance device 24 transports the value document past the test device 26 or through it. This then determines, depending on the embodiment, by means of own evaluation devices and / or using the control device 20, whether the value document is a banknote that is accepted as acceptable and genuine according to predetermined audit criteria and what value it has. The control device 20 detects signals which reproduce the result of the check for authenticity and the value of the value document, or stores the corresponding information. The documents of value are in this embodiment fed to the temporary storage 28 in the acceptance position after insertion and testing and temporarily stored in this.

If the control device 20 determines that the last-added document of value was recognized as a banknote of a currency acceptable by the device, it stores the value of the document of value and its position in the buffer 28.

On the other hand, if the control device 20 determines that the last-added value document was not recognized as a banknote of a currency accepted by the device, the acceptance device 26 is activated so that initially no further value documents are accepted. Further, it controls the drive means 28 so that they the buffer 28th moves into the output position and outputs the last cached value document on the value document output device 22. Thereafter, the control device 20 controls the drive device 30 to the intermediate memory 28 to move back into the assumption situation.

The control device 20 then triggers a collection of another value document which is treated like the preceding one.

During the supply of means of payment, the controller 20, in response to signals from the acceptor 24 and the other sections, continuously determines the total value of the funds deposited and compares this with the amount to be paid. If the total value exceeds the amount to be paid, it controls the payment device in such a way that it issues a corresponding indication, for example by means of a display device not shown in the figures, to the customer or depositor and does not accept any further means of payment.

In addition, in a storage step, the control device 20 controls the drive device 30 in accordance with the position and type of the value documents buffered in the buffer 28, the information about their authenticity and the level of the storage device 32 with respect to the individual denominations, so that the latter Latch 28 for outputting the cached value documents in the corresponding memory positions rotates. Banknotes which are not recognized as genuine are transported into the retention memory 34, while the banknotes of the four predefined denominations recognized as genuine are stored separately for denominations in the four corresponding recycling memories 33. Other than real recognized banknotes, as well as due to the level the recycling memory 33 is no longer stored in this storable banknotes in the final memory 36.

The control is carried out in such a way according to the cached value documents that the drive means 30 the buffer 28 successively in intermediate storage positions corresponding to the order of the value documents in the buffer, the type, in particular the denomination, and the recognized authenticity of the next from the buffer 28 to the memory device 32 or if the denomination of the next value document to be output does not correspond to any of the denominations intended for the storage device 32 or the storage device can no longer store another denomination value document, the value store to be outputted is a storage position corresponding to the type and authenticity of the value document and the buffer memory 30 the value documents to be output in each case into the memory device 32 or the final memory 36. The memory device 28 or, if appropriate, the end memory 36 is correspondingly driven to record the value document and to store it. This completes the storage step.

Before, simultaneously or afterwards, the control device 20 determines which notes are to be returned as change or part of the change, depending on the number and denomination of notes stored in the storage means 32, the amount invoiced and the other means of payment supplied.

In a subsequent output step, it controls the drive means 30, the memory means 32 and the latch 28 so that the drive means 30, starting with the denomination, in the memory means 32 is stored farthest from the output device 22, the latch 28 successively rotates corresponding memory positions in the individual denominations to be output, and corresponding banknotes are stored there from the memory device 32 into the buffer memory 28.

After storing the last banknote to be issued the change in the buffer 28, the controller 20 controls the drive means 30 so that it rotates the latch 28 in the issue position or pivots.

Thereafter, it controls the buffer 28 and, if appropriate, the output device 22, to output the cached value documents to and from the value document output device 22. In response to corresponding signals of the control device 20, the output of the banknotes then takes place as change or part of the bill of exchange. This ends the output step.

At the same time or thereafter coins will be issued as change, as far as necessary.

Finally, the drive device 30 turns on corresponding signals of the control device 20, the latch 28 in the assumption situation.

A specific embodiment of the value document input and payment section 18 is shown in FIGS Fig. 3 to 7 shown.

Acceptance device 24 includes an input tray 38 for manually inputting individual value documents along an acceptance transport path. an acceptance transport interface 40, which is in principle optional, and an acceptance transport device 42 for transporting a value document 44 inserted into the input compartment 38 along the acceptance transport path past the test device 26 or through it to the acceptance transport interface 40. The last acquisition transport path section terminating at the accept transport interface 40 runs therein Example essentially horizontal.

In the present embodiment, the input tray 38 has a lateral stop on which a customer aligns the value document 44 laterally during input and pushes further.

The acceptance transport device 42 has an input photocell, not shown, for detecting a slot of a value document, driven transport elements 48, such as rollers and / or belts, which transport the document of value 44 inserted into the input compartment past the test device 26 or through the test device 26, which in FIG This embodiment is designed to recognize banknotes of a given currency and to check for authenticity, which are aligned laterally according to the stop.

The checking device 26 has a bill validator 50 for determining the type, in particular the recognition of a predetermined currency and the denomination of banknotes and for checking the authenticity of banknotes according to predetermined criteria. For example, the banknote validator CashRay 90 sold by the applicant can be used. The test device 26 then outputs test signals to the control device 20 in accordance with the result of the test, so that it has data, which, among other things, reflect the type, the validity or authenticity and the value of the value document.

The checked value document 44 is then transported to the acceptance transport interface 40, which serves to transfer the value document to the buffer 28 and has a pair of driven rollers 50 for this purpose. The location of these rollers at least partially determines the acceptance position for the buffer 28 in which it must be located so that it can receive a value document issued by the acceptance transport interface 40.

The intermediate memory 28 for occasional intermediate storage of at least two value documents has a base body 56 rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation 54 via a temporary storage transport interface 58, a downstream intermediate storage device for receiving, occasional intermediate storage and dispensing of isolated value documents, in the example as an exchangeable module formed winding storage 60, and one fixed to the main body 56, not shown motor for operating the winding storage 60th

The temporary storage transport interface 58, which due to its function can also be referred to as a supply and dispensing interface, has an interface for the transport of value documents via a pair of transport rollers and a drive coupled thereto, which, like the motor, is at least indirectly controlled by the control device 20 and thereto is connected via corresponding devices with this for signal transmission.

The winding storage 60 is constructed in this example in a known manner and comprises two storage coils 66, are wound on the films 68, pulleys and a drum 70, on the unwound from the storage coils films 68 can be wound. The storage bobbins 66, the deflection rollers and the drum 70 are designed such that documents of value coming from the temporary storage transport interface 58 can be guided between the films 68 and held onto the drum 70 with them between them. To deliver a value document, the films 68 are wound on the storage spools 66 so far that the value document is fed to the temporary storage transport interface 58, via which it can be dispensed. Preferably, the winding storage 60 has a capacity of less than 20 documents of value.

The buffer 28 is rotatable by means of the drive means 30 in the various intermediate storage positions, some of which in the Fig. 3 and 5 to 8 are illustrated.

The memory device 32 has in this embodiment as a memory 33 winding storage, which are constructed analogously to the winding storage 60, but have a larger capacity.

In this embodiment, the deflection rollers for the films form the memory input and output openings or interfaces of the memory 33. In other embodiments, however, rollers formed similarly to the transport rollers of the buffer memory transport interface 58 may be provided.

As restraint memory 34 and final memory 36 suitable, conventional free-fall cassettes are used, the supply openings or interfaces for Supply of value documents in the figures are not shown separately.

The output device 22 has an output tray 72 and, as an interface for transferring value documents, a pair of rollers 74 driven by a drive, not shown, controlled by the control device 20, which forms a gap in which value documents are clamped during delivery and moved by means of the rollers. The output tray 72 and the pair of rollers 74 are formed so that value document above a bottom of the output tray 72 are discharged, so that in the output tray 72 forms a kind of stack that can be removed by a customer.

The roller pair 74 and the pair of rollers 64 are formed so that they mesh with each other upon rotation of the latch 28 in the dispensing position. As a result, a secure transfer of value documents from the buffer 28 to the output device 22 is possible. At the same time a rotation of the buffer is made possible. Such a design of the transport interfaces is also possible with the input / output memories 33, the retention memory 34 and the end memory 36.

Fig. 3 shows the buffer 28 in the acceptance position, Fig. 5 in the retention storage position, Fig. 6 in the final storage position and Fig. 7 in one of the memory positions, namely, that in which the output device 22 at the next memory 33 exchanged a value document, that is supplied to this or can be discharged from this. Fig. 8 Finally, shows the latch 28 in the issue position.

Depending on the embodiment, it may be provided that the temporary storage by rotation only in a direction of rotation between the various intermediate storage positions is moved back and forth. However, it is also possible to perform rotational movement in opposite directions of rotation.

A second embodiment differs from the first embodiment only by the formation of the buffer and a corresponding modification of the control device 20th

As a buffer 76 now a device is provided with which a single document of value can be stored (see. Fig. 14 ).

This buffer 76 has on a like in the first embodiment formed and mounted base body 56 via a feed interface 64 for supplying a value document, which is formed as the interface 64 in the first embodiment, a like the Zuführschnittstelle 64 formed discharge interface 78 at a relative to the axis of rotation 54 of Feeding interface 64 opposite body of the body 56 and a transport device 80, by means of which a value document from the feed interface 64 to the discharge interface 78 and vice versa can be transported. Since the feed and the discharge interface are of identical design and the transport device permits transport in both directions, they can replace their function in the present example, ie a delivery is also possible via the feed interface. The transport interfaces 64 and 78 and the transport device form a holding device, by means of which a document of value supplied via one of the transport interfaces can be held in the buffer 76 as it moves, in particular rotated.

The transport device 80 has four pairs of transport rollers acting as pairs of clamping rollers, which are driven by a common belt drive 84 and serve to transport the document of value. For additional guidance of the value document, two guide elements 86 of essentially the same design are provided, which are arranged parallel to one another in such a way that they delimit a transport path, is transported by a value document by means of the roller pairs 82. The pairs of transport rollers 82 and also the pairs of rollers of the feed and discharge interface are arranged in corresponding openings 88. The belt drive 84 is driven directly or indirectly by the control device, which is modified for this purpose relative to the control device of the first embodiment.

The change of the control means is in addition to the possibility of controlling the belt drive 84 in that it now drives the drive means 30, the memory means 32 and the latch 76 differently. In particular, each time a value document has been transported to the buffer 76, the buffer 76 is rotated and / or the transport device 80 is actuated, so that in each case with the least possible rotation of the buffer 76 an assumed value document in the respective memory 33 of the memory device 32, the retention memory 34 or the end memory 36 or a value document is transported from one of the memories 33 of the memory device 32 to the output device 22. In particular, if the angle which, with respect to the axis of rotation 54, is output from the interface at which the value document enters the buffer 76 via one of the buffer interfaces, and the interface via which the value document is subsequently output from the buffer again from one of the interfaces of the buffer , is included, is less than 90 ° in amount the buffer 76 only rotated, wherein the value document is passed through the same interface of the cache memory 76 in this and discharged therefrom again. Otherwise, a delivery takes place via the interface of the buffer 76, which is opposite to the interface used for the storage in the buffer 76. The necessary transport of the value document through the buffer 76 can take place before or after its rotation, but preferably during its rotation.

Thus, when accepting a value document in the acceptance position (cf. Fig. 9 ) and storage in the retention memory 34 (see. Fig. 10 ) or the final memory (cf. Fig. 11 ) only a small turn, the document of value is accepted via the same interface of the buffer, held therein or stored, and output therefrom to the respective memory. The same applies to the immediate reissue of an accepted value document if the buffer 76 is rotatable in both directions of rotation.

Upon acceptance of a value document and storage in the memory 33 next to the end memory 36 (cf. Fig. 12 ), however, only a very small rotation of the buffer 76 takes place in the corresponding storage position, which is indicated by a corresponding arrow. The value document is accepted via the feed interface 58 and, after being transported by means of the transport device 80, is delivered to the delivery interface 78 via the latter to the memory 33. This can result in a considerable gain of time. In particular, in the memory, for the filling of which only the smallest rotation is necessary, can be used for the storage of the type of banknotes, which is likely to be accepted most frequently. Particularly preferred are then the memory and the Latch arranged so matched and formed that for this one memory of the memory device, a transport of a value document from the acceptance device on the test device through the buffer to the memory is possible without the buffer needs to be rotated. Correspondingly, the output device and the memory of the memory device for the most frequently issued banknote type can be designed and arranged coordinated with each other so that a transport from the memory through the buffer into the output device is possible without the buffer needing to be rotated.

In other embodiments, the buffer only needs to have the feed interface 58, which can then serve as a holding means for only a single value document. It then eliminates the transport device, but larger rotational movements of the cache are necessary.

Claims (17)

Device at least for the acceptance and intermediate storage of value documents with
an acceptance facility for the acceptance of value documents,
a testing device for checking the value documents for type and authenticity in accordance with specified test criteria,
a memory device for storing assumed, recognized as true value documents having at least two memories for value documents,
a temporary storage for temporarily storing at least one value document checked by the checking device, which can be moved back and forth between different predetermined intermediate storage positions by rotation or pivoting, the intermediate storage positions being an acceptance position in which the at least one value document can be transported from the checking device to the temporary storage device and temporarily stored there and at least two memory positions corresponding to the position of the memories of the memory device, in which the at least one value document, if it is buffered in the buffer, is movable from the buffer into the memory corresponding to the memory position and storable there,
a drive device for moving the buffer between the intermediate storage positions and
a control device which, in dependence on the result of the examination of a value document by means of the checking device, controls the drive device such that it moves the buffer with the at least one checked value document from the acceptance position into one of the other intermediate storage positions. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means is further adapted to drive the drive means so that value documents of at least two different predetermined types stored in the storage means are stored there separately according to types. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the buffer is rotatably mounted or pivotable about a pivot axis. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the at least two memories of the memory device are arranged along a curved curve, preferably along a circular arc. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the buffer is designed to receive at least two value documents and for the isolated delivery of the cached value documents. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the buffer for receiving the at least two value documents, a memory which is designed so that the last of the memory supplied documents of value are to be submitted first, preferably a winding memory, particularly preferably for less than 20 documents of value, comprises. Device according to one of claims 5 or 6, wherein the control means is adapted to detect an end of an input of value documents, and to control the drive means, that the Buffer is only moved to the end of the input from the acceptance position in one of the other positions. Device according to one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the control device is further adapted to drive the drive means corresponding to at least one determined during the test property of the cached value documents and the order of the cached value documents in the isolated delivery from the buffer so that the buffer one after the other in the properties corresponding intermediate storage positions is moved and there at least one cached in the buffer value document is delivered. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the buffer has at least one holding device for holding only a single value document, and wherein the buffer preferably as a holding device has at least two elements between which the value document to be stored is movable and is then held clamped by this. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control means is further adapted to drive the drive means as soon as the document of value is stored in the buffer so as to move the buffer out of the accepting position, even if the check of the document of value by the checking means not finished yet. Device according to one of claims 9 or 10, wherein the holding device comprises a transport device, with which a value document from a feed interface of the buffer, by which a document of value can be supplied to a distance from this arranged dispensing interface, through which a value document from this can be delivered, is transportable, and wherein the control device is preferably further adapted to the transport device of the holding device so to drive that this transported by the Zuführschnittstelle value document, preferably after rotating or pivoting the buffer, through the discharge interface. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the at least two memories of the memory device are designed not only for the storage, but also for the isolated delivery of stored value documents. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the at least two memories of the memory device is a winding store. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which an output device is provided for outputting value documents to a user and in which the intermediate memory positions comprise an output position in which the at least one value document stored in the intermediate memory can be transported to the output device and output there to a user , and in which the control device is preferably further configured to control the drive device so that the buffer moves into the dispensing position and a value document cached therein, which is not recognizable by the testing device during the test, is transported to the dispensing device. Device according to one of the preceding claims, which has a retention memory for storing non-reissued value documents, and wherein the predetermined positions of the temporary storage comprise a retention storage position in which the at least one cached value document is movable into the retention memory, and wherein the control device preferably further thereto is designed to control the drive means so that the latch is rotated or pivoted into the retaining memory position and a cached therein, is transported in the test by means of the test device as not genuine and / or incorrectly recognized value document to the retention memory. Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which an end memory device is provided for the storage of value documents and the intermediate memory positions comprise a final memory position in which the at least one value document stored in the temporary memory is delivered to the final memory device, and wherein the control device is preferably further configured to as a function of a recognized type of a value document and / or recognized authenticity of a value document and / or the number and type of value documents stored in the storage device, the drive device is actuated so that the buffer moves to the final storage position and the at least one cached value document is delivered to the final storage device becomes. Method for accepting at least partial payment of a predetermined invoice amount with value documents,
in the value documents on their validity and / or authenticity and their Value is checked and the value documents are stored buffered after the test, wherein the validity or the authenticity, the value of a respective value document and its storage location are stored in the caching reproducing data,
the cached value documents are rotated or swiveled individually or as a function of the stored data in memory positions and the value documents are stored separately according to the determined value in a memory device, at least as a function of the predetermined invoice amount and the number of value documents of predetermined denominations and denominations present in the storage device Number of returned value documents to be determined,
corresponding value documents are stored from the storage device into the buffer memory,
the buffer is rotated or pivoted into an output position and in this the value documents are delivered from the buffer to an output device.

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