EP2286390B1 - Manipulation detection system for cash boxes to be removed from automatic teller machines - Google Patents

Abstract

A manipulation detection system for removable money cassettes for use in automated teller machines is described that makes it possible to discriminate between unauthorized opening of the money cassette outside the automated teller machine and authorized opening of the money cassette inside the automated teller machine.

Description

The invention relates to a manipulation recognition system for cash dispensers that can be used in cash dispensers. In this case, the generic cash boxes on a lockable Geldaus- / input port for the cash dispensing and / or cash input in the operating machine located in the ATM operating position.

For security reasons, it is important to know whether the cash dispenser / input port of the cashbox outside the ATM has been opened in an unauthorized manner for the removal of banknotes. It is of particular interest whether a) the cashbox was opened in the period between the filling with banknotes at a bank or a Werttransportunternehmen and their use in an ATM, and b) if the cashbox in the period between removal from an ATM and the official opening opened at a bank or a value-transport company.

For this reason, in the DE 690 04 906 T2 proposed that for manipulation detection via a sensor that detects the opening of the Geldaus- / input port, a tamper indication is generated on the cashbox.

In a system of ATM and cashbox, in which the Geldaus- / input opening is automatically opened when inserting into the ATM, eg via a slotted guide, before reaching the operating position, this opening of the Geldaus- / input port is so far problematic, as this allowed opening erroneously leads to a tamper indication on the cassette.

The object of the invention is therefore to develop a tamper detection system that can distinguish in a simple and reliable manner between an allowable opening of the Geldaus- / input port of a cashbox inside the ATM and an unauthorized opening outside the ATM.

This object is solved by the features of patent claim 1. The subsequent dependent claims relate to advantageous embodiments of the invention.

According to the invention, the cash box has a first switch which is automatically actuated when the cash box is inserted into the ATM, while the cash machine has a second switch which is also automatically actuated when the cash box is inserted into the cash machine. By actuating the two switches, a timer in the cashbox and a timer in the ATM are started. The two timers are automatically stopped when the cash box has reached its operating position. Based on an evaluation and control device provided in the ATM, the timer status of the timer in the cashbox is compared with the timer status of the timer in the ATM. In this case, the manipulation reference to the cashbox, which is always initially generated when opening the Geldaus- / input port in the ATM, in a positive comparison result is withdrawn via a signal from the ATM.

Opening the Geldaus- / input port outside the ATM always leads to a tamper indicating that can not be reset (deleted) even if the cashbox is subsequently inserted into an ATM, since the timer levels of cashbox and ATM then do not match. The manipulation hint can then only be reset or deactivated by an authorized body, eg a bank or a special entity in a value-transporting company.

According to the invention, an automatic teller machine is any machine for depositing and / or paying out money using cash cassettes. The term ATM covers both self-service and operated machines, eg so-called automatic cash safes. The generic ATM can also be operated in a commercial enterprise, for example in connection with a payment station as a so-called POS machine (Point Of Sales machine).

Fig. 1A-1D

verschiedenen Phasen beim Einsetzen einer Geldkassette in einen Geldautomaten,

Fig. 2A - 2D

verschiedenen Phasen beim Einsetzen einer Geldkassette in einen Geldautomaten,

Fig. 3

ein Blockdiagramm eines Geldautomaten und einer Geldkas sette mit den erfindungswesentlichen Komponenten,

Fig. 4

eine schematische Darstellung eines Geldautomaten, in den drei übereinander angeordnete Geldkassetten einsetzbar sind.

Show it:

Fig. 1A-1D

different phases when inserting a cashbox into an ATM,

Fig. 2A - 2D

different phases when inserting a cashbox into an ATM,

Fig. 3

a block diagram of an ATM and Geldkas set with the essential components of the invention,

Fig. 4

a schematic representation of an ATM, in the three stacked cash boxes are used.

In Figure 1 A to Figure 1C schematically an ATM with a cashbox (10) is shown, wherein different phases are shown when inserting the cashbox. The Geldaus- / input port (11) is arranged substantially frontally on the cashbox (10). To close this opening (11), for example, a shutter or blind (shutter) is provided. The Geldaus- / input port (11) when inserting the cashbox (10) in the ATM (1) automatically before reaching the operating position via a (not shown) slotted guide opened. The insertion of the cashbox (10) is preferably carried out by inserting the cashbox (10) into a frame (2) of the ATM (1).

The cash box (10) has a switch (12) which is automatically actuated when inserting the cashbox (10) in the ATM (1), this switch operation automatically a in the cashbox (10) arranged timer (13) is started , The switch (12) is preferably a mechanical microswitch. However, other switch configurations are possible, for example a light barrier or a Hall sensor. The location where the switch (12) is operated on the insertion path of the cash box (10) in the cash machine (1) is predetermined. The triggering of the switch (12) is preferably by the opening of the Geldaus- / input port (11) causes, in turn, on the insertion of the cashbox (10) in the ATM (1) is forcibly effected. In this way, the switch (12) can be used both for generating a tamper indication and for operating the timer (13). The manipulation indication may be an optical and / or acoustic signal generated by an alarm device (17) and / or an entry in a manipulation memory (16).

In one embodiment, not shown, a separate sensor is provided for generating a manipulation indication when opening the Geldaus- / input port (11), which is independent of the switch for starting the timer (13). In this case, the frame (2) of the cash machine (1) into which the cash box (10) is inserted (inserted), a corresponding mechanism for actuating the switch (12) at a certain insertion position.

As in the Figures 1A-1C illustrated, the ATM (1) also has a switch (5), which is also actuated when inserting the cashbox (10) in the ATM (1), whereby a timer (6) in the ATM (1) is started. Also in this switch (5) is preferably a mechanical micro-switch. However, other switch configurations are also possible here.

In the in the Figures 1A-1C illustrated embodiment, the two switches (5, 12) are arranged so that they are operated at the same time or at least almost simultaneously. The position in which the two switches (5, 12) and thus the two timers (6, 13) are actuated is in FIG. 1B shown.

When the cash box (10) has been fully inserted and is in the operating position (see Figure 1C ), the two timers (6, 13) are automatically stopped. In the operating position, a plug (4) in the ATM (1) contacted with a mating connector (14) of the cashbox (10) for power supply and / or data transmission. The contacting of the two plugs (4, 14) is detected as an event "cashbox in operating position" and used to stop the two timers (6, 13). For this purpose, both the ATM (1) as well as the cashbox (10) on a plug contact request unit (8, 15). However, it is also envisaged that only the ATM (1) has a plug contact query unit (8), wherein the timer (13) in the cashbox (10) after reaching the operating position via a signal from the ATM (1) via the existing plug contact (4, 14) is stopped.

In the ATM (1) now an evaluation and control device (7) is provided, which compares the timer state of the timer (13) in the cashbox (10) with the timer state of the timer (6) in the ATM (1), wherein a manipulation hint is withdrawn at the cashbox (10) in a positive comparison result via a signal from the ATM (1). It is preferably provided that the data of the timer (13) in the cashbox (13) via the existing plug contact (4, 14) are sent to the evaluation and control device (7) in the ATM. The same applies to the signal that the ATM (1) sends to the cashbox (10) to reset the tamper indication.

The tamper indication is withdrawn if the time between the start of the timer (13) in the cashbox (10) and the stop of this timer (13) within a predetermined tolerance equal to the time between the start of the timer (6) in the ATM (1 ) and the stop of this timer (6).

It is provided in one embodiment that the cashbox (10) directly transmits the time period between the start and stop of their timer (13) to the evaluation and control unit (7) in the ATM (1) for the comparison. In an alternative embodiment, it is provided that the start time and the stop time of the timer (13) in the cashbox (10) are transmitted separately to the evaluation and control unit (7) in the ATM (1), where then the corresponding period of time between Start and stop are calculated for the comparison. Alternatively or additionally, it is provided to directly compare the start and stop times of the two timers (6, 13) with each other.

In the in the Figures 2A-2D illustrated embodiment, the two switches (5, 12) for structural reasons arranged so that they are operated when inserting the cashbox (10) only with a certain time offset. The location or time at which the switch (12) of the cashbox (10) is actuated has been designated by the reference numeral 12A. Without further measures in this case, the time offset would depend on the different depending on the operator and situation speed with which the cashbox (10) in the ATM (1) is used. With such a strongly varying time offset, however, a reliable time comparison would no longer be feasible. For this reason, a mechanical insertion resistance is provided, which must be overcome at the onset of the cashbox time before the operation of the two switches (5, 12). This insertion resistance is schematically in the FIGS. 2A to 2D marked and marked with the reference numeral 9. To overcome the Einsetzwiderstandes (9), the operator must spend a certain minimum force when inserting the cashbox, which ensures that after overcoming the Einsetzwiderstandes (9) for the return of the subsequent Einsetzweges on which the two switches (5, 12) are actuated a maximum time is not exceeded. In other words, overcoming the Einsetzwiderstandes (9) causes sufficient momentum, so that the time offset between the operation of the two switches (5, 12) can be reduced to a calculable maximum dimension.

In FIG. 2B is the cash box (10) in a position in which the insertion resistance (9) has been overcome and the switch (12) is actuated in the cash box (10), resulting in a start of the timer (13) in the cash box (10) leads. In Figure 2C is the cashbox (10) in a position in which the switch (5) is operated in the ATM (1), which leads to a start of the timer (6) in the ATM (1). In FIG. 2D the cashbox (10) has reached its operating position.

Fig. 3 shows a block diagram of an ATM (1) and a cashbox (10) with the respective previously explained components. How out FIG. 3 To recognize the cashbox (10) has its own energy storage / battery (18) for the electrical supply of the components in the cashbox (10). In the operating position, the supply of the components in the cashbox (10) preferably takes place via the existing plug contact by the ATM (1).

Typically, an ATM (1) has two or more racks (2A, 2B, 2C) for accommodating each of a cash box (10A, 10B, 10C). Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of an ATM (1), in the three stacked cash boxes (10A, 10B, 10C) can be used. Each frame (2A, 2B, 2C) is a switch (in Fig. 4 not shown) associated with the insertion of a cashbox (10A, 108, 10C) in the ATM (1) is automatically actuated to start a timer in the ATM. In addition, each frame is an electrical connector (in Fig. 4 not shown) for contacting with an electrical mating connector assigned to a cashbox in the operating position to stop when reaching the operating position, a timer in the ATM.

In one embodiment, in the ATM for each rack (2A, 2B, 2C) is a dedicated timer (in Fig. 4 not shown). In addition, a separate evaluation and control unit (in Fig. 4 Not shown) to perform the time comparison between the rack timer and the cash box timer and to generate in response thereto the reset signal for the manipulation indication.

In an alternative embodiment, a central evaluation and control unit is provided in the ATM (1) for all the timers assigned to the different racks (2A, 2B, 2C) and for all timers of the cash boxes (10A, 10B, 10C) received in the racks.

1. a) die Betätigung der verschiedenen den Gestellen zugeordneten Schalter als Startsignal erfasst wird,
2. b) das Erreichen der Betriebsposition der in den Gestellen aufgenommenen Geldkassetten als Stopp-Signal erfasst wird.

Instead of using a separate timer for each rack (2A, 2B, 2C), the use of a central timer is also provided in the ATM (1) with which

1. a) the actuation of the various switches associated with the racks is detected as a start signal,
2. b) the achievement of the operating position of the cash cassettes received in the racks is detected as a stop signal.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

• 1) ATM
• 2) frame
• 2A) 1. Frame
• 2B) 2nd frame
• 2C) 3. Frame
• 3) Cash-out / input module
• 4) Plug in the ATM
• 5) Counter in the ATM
• 6) Timer in the ATM
• 7) Evaluation and control unit
• 8) Connector contact interrogation unit in the ATM
• 9) insertion resistance
• 10) Cashbox
• 10A) 1. Cashbox
• 10B) 2. Cashbox
• 10C) 3. Cashbox
• 11) Cash Out / Input Opening
• 12) Switch in the cashbox
• 12A) Switching position for the switch in the cash box
• 13) Timer in the cashbox
• 14) mating connector
• 15) Connector contact interrogation unit in the cashbox
• 16) Manipulation memory in the cashbox
• 17) Alarm device in the cashbox
• 18) Energy storage in the cashbox

Claims (14)

1. Manipulation-identification system for cash boxes (10) which can be inserted in a removable manner into automated teller machines (1),

   • with the cash box (10) having a cash dispensing/depositing opening (11), which can be closed, for dispensing cash and/or for depositing cash in the operating position in the automated teller machines (1),

   • with the cash dispensing/depositing opening (11) already being automatically opened before the operating position is reached when the cash box (10) is inserted into the automated teller machine (1),

   • with a manipulation indication being generated at the cash box (10) by means of a sensor when the cash dispensing/depositing opening (11) is opened, characterized in that

   • the cash box (10) has a first switch (12) which is automatically operated when the cash box (10) is inserted into the automated teller machine (1),

   • the automated teller machine (1) has a second switch (5) which is likewise automatically operated when the cash box (10) is inserted into the automated teller machine (1),

   • a timer (13) in the cash box (10) and a timer (6) in the automated teller machine (1) are in each case started by operation of the two switches (5, 12),

   • the two timers (6, 13) are automatically stopped when the cash box (10) has reached its operating position,

   • an evaluation and control device (7) is provided in the automated teller machine (1), the said evaluation and control device comparing the timer reading of the timer (13) in the cash box (10) with the timer reading of the timer (6) in the automated teller machine (1), with the manipulation indication to the cash box (10) being withdrawn by means of a signal from the automated teller machine (1) when the result of the comparison is positive.
2. Manipulation-identification system according to Claim 1, characterized in that
   the first switch (12), which is located in the cash box (10), and the second switch (5), which is located in the automated teller machine (1), are simultaneously operated when the cash box (10) is inserted.
3. Manipulation-identification system according to Claim 1, characterized in that
   the first switch (12), which is located in the cash box (10), and the second switch (5), which is located in the automated teller machine (1), are operated in a manner offset with respect to time when the cash box (10) is inserted.
4. Manipulation-identification system according to Claim 3, characterized in that
   an insertion resistance (9) has to be overcome before the two switches (5, 12) are operated when the cash box (10) is inserted.
5. Manipulation-identification system according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the sensor, which generates a manipulation indication to the cash box (10) when the cash dispensing/depositing opening (11) is opened, is used as a switch (12) for operating the timer (13) in the cash box (10).
6. Manipulation-identification system according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the automated teller machine (1) has an electrical plug (4) for making contact with an electrical mating plug (14) on the cash box (10) in the operating position, with the two timers (6, 13) being automatically stopped when contact between the two plugs (4, 14) has been ascertained.
7. Manipulation-identification system according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the manipulation indication is withdrawn when the time period between the starting of the first timer (13) and the stopping of the first timer (13) is within a predefined tolerance equal to the time period between the starting of the second timer (6) and the stopping of the second timer (6).
8. Manipulation-identification system according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the manipulation indication is a visual and/or audible signal at the cash box (10).
9. Manipulation-identification system according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterized in that
   the manipulation indication is an entry into a manipulation memory (16) in the cash box (10).
10. Manipulation-identification system according to one of the preceding claims,
    characterized in that
    the automated teller machine (1) has two or more racks (2A, 2B, 2C) for holding in each case one cash box (10A, 10B, 10C), with each rack (2A, 2B, 2C) having an associated switch which is automatically operated in order to start a timer in the automated teller machine (1) when a cash box (10) is inserted into the automated teller machine (1),
    with each rack (2A, 2B, 2C) having an associated electrical plug for making contact with an electrical mating plug on a cash box (10A, 10B, 10C) in the operating position in order to stop a timer in the automated teller machine (1) when the operating position is reached.
11. Manipulation-identification system according to Claim 10, characterized in that
    a dedicated timer is provided in the automated teller machine (1) for each rack (2A, 2B, 2C).
12. Manipulation-identification system according to Claim 11, characterized in that
    a dedicated evaluation and control unit is provided in the automated teller machine (1) for each rack (2A, 2B, 2C), the said evaluation and control unit comparing the timer reading of the timer which is associated with the rack with the timer reading of the timer of the cash box (10A, 10B, 10C) which is accommodated in the rack, with the manipulation indication at the cash box being withdrawn by means of a signal from the automated teller machine when the result of the comparison is positive.
13. Manipulation-identification system according to Claim 10, characterized in that
    a central evaluation and control unit for all the timers which are associated with the various racks (2A, 2B, 2C) and for all the timers of the cash boxes (10A, 10B, 10C) which are accommodated in the racks is provided in the automated teller machine (1).
14. Manipulation-identification system according to Claim 10, characterized in that
    a central timer is provided in the automated teller machine (1), with which central timer

    a) the operation of the various switches which are associated with the racks (2A, 2B, 2C) is detected as a start signal,

    b) the situation of the operating position of the cash boxes (10A, 10B, 10C) which are accommodated in the racks being reached being detected as a stop signal.

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