EP2764502B1 - Device and method for processing banknotes - Google Patents

Description

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

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

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

For example, the shows US 2010/0025183 A1 a cash recycler. The cash recycler transports banknotes from a cassette via a transport system into output compartments. A testing device checks the banknotes.

The document DE 10 2010 004 669 A1 shows a device for processing banknotes. The device has a rack in which cassettes can be received. Banknotes are fed from the cassettes to an input and output unit via a transport path.

In the DE 10 2008 011 664 A1 a device for processing banknotes is disclosed. The device comprises a housing in which input pockets for receiving cassettes are provided. Banknotes are fed from the cassettes via a transport system in accordance with output compartments or a storage device.

The WO 2012/013694 A1 shows an apparatus for processing banknotes in the form of a vault. The vault has an input and output compartment. Banknotes are transported from the input and output compartment to a reading unit and to a cassette with a reel storage.

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

The invention has for its object to provide a device for processing banknotes and a corresponding method, which allow to fill and empty cartridges for banknotes to automatically fill or empty, the entire process should be simple and easy to carry out, and to ensure that mistakes in filling the cassettes with banknotes are avoided.

This object is achieved by the subject matter of claim 1. A corresponding method for processing banknotes is the subject of the independent method claim. Advantageous developments of the invention are defined in the subclaims.

The invention is based on the idea of extending a conventional banknote counting and sorting apparatus to a banknote processing apparatus such that it can be detachably connected to a banknote cassette and adapted to automatically receive the banknote-associated cassette detachably connected to the banknote processing apparatus fill or alternatively empty them.
The advantage of the invention is to be seen in particular in the fact that the filling of the cassettes takes place within the framework of the standard banknote processing, ie the counting and sorting and possibly the sorting out of banknotes. Banknotes not intended for the cartridges are transported, depending on a predetermined configuration of the banknote processing apparatus, into the usually available output compartments of the banknote processing apparatus and can be further processed as usual.

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

According to a first aspect, a device for processing banknotes is thus provided. This banknote processing device comprises an input pocket for the usually manual input of banknotes by an operator, at least one output tray for dispensing of banknotes and a transport system which is designed to automatically transport banknotes placed in the input compartment to the at least one output compartment. The bank note processing device further comprises at least one mechanical interface for releasably connecting a cassette for bank notes with the bank note processing device. In this case, the transport system is further configured to transport banknotes from a cassette releasably connected to the banknote processing apparatus via the at least one mechanical interface to the at least one output bin or to banknotes from the input bin into a cassette detachably connected to the banknote processing apparatus via the at least one mechanical interface transport.

The bank note processing apparatus comprises a first mechanical interface and a second mechanical interface, wherein the transport system is further configured to transport banknotes from a cassette detachably connected to the apparatus via the first mechanical interface to the at least one output bin, transferring banknotes from the input bin into one to transport the second mechanical interface detachably associated with the device cassette and to transport banknotes from the cassette, which is detachably connected to the device via the first mechanical interface, into the cassette detachably connected to the device via the second mechanical interface.

According to a preferred embodiment, the apparatus for processing banknotes further comprises a test device, wherein the test device is arranged and the transport system is configured such that both from a via the first mechanical interface releasably connected to the device-originating banknotes and the Banknotes originating from the input tray are transported and checked by the checking device.

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

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

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

Preferably, criteria associated with the cassette for filling the cassette with the control unit of the bank note processing device are assigned to the cassette In the processing, the banknotes are checked for fulfillment of the criteria for filling the cassette, and banknotes satisfying the criteria for filling are filled in the cassette, whereas banknotes which do not meet the criteria for filling are placed in an output bin the banknote processing device are stored.
In a further development, it is also provided that a desired setpoint for filling the cassette can be specified. As a result, in particular the error rate of the entire process is further reduced. In addition, a residual stock contained in the cassettes can be taken into account, so it no longer has to be removed before filling. The use of the remaining stock also reduces the number of banknotes required for the desired filling target quantity, as a result of which the entire filling process also takes less time.

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

Fig.1

eine schematische Darstellung einer ersten bevorzugten Ausführungsform der Erfindung,

Fig. 2

eine schematische Darstellung einer zweiten bevorzugten Ausführungsform der Erfindung, und

Fig.3

eine schematische Darstellung einer weiteren Variante.

Other features, advantages and objects of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of several embodiments and alternative embodiments. Reference is made to the drawings, in which:

Fig.1

a schematic representation of a first preferred embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 2

a schematic representation of a second preferred embodiment of the invention, and

Figure 3

a schematic representation of another variant.

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

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

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

The base module 20 of the banknote processing apparatus 10 has on its front or front side 21 an input compartment 22 into which stacks of banknotes can be inserted for further processing, as shown in FIG FIG. 1 is shown schematically. With respect to a standing in front of the base module 20 operator or operator, the inclination of the front side 21 of the base module 20 for ergonomic reasons is preferably selected such that the upper end of the front 21 away from the operator is as the bottom end. At the in FIG. 1 illustrated preferred embodiment, the notes are inserted with their long side or longitudinal side facing the operator sitting or standing in front of the processing device in the input tray 22. From the input compartment 22, the banknotes are separated by means of a suitable separating device 23 known to the expert in the direction of its longitudinal side, ie in the direction defined by the longitudinal side of the banknote, and transferred to the subsequent transport system 24 of the base module 20, which transport the separated banknotes longitudinally or in the longitudinal direction of a test device 25 supplies. As is known to those skilled in the art, the transport system 24 of the base module 20 can be realized, for example, by means of a plurality of guide elements and belt-driven drive rollers.

By means of the checking device 25, selectable criteria of a banknote moved through the checking device 25 can be checked. Depending on this check, the banknotes are supplied to a reject bin 28 or to the dispensing module 30 either by way of a so-called spiral bin stacker 27, which is well-known to a person skilled in the art, during the further course of the transport system of the bank note processing apparatus 10, by means of the suitable control of a switch unit 26 of the base module 20. which is arranged laterally next to the base module 20 and is connected thereto via a module connection unit 60a. For example, the module connection unit 60a may be configured as a pair of intermeshing rollers that allows seamless transfer of a bill from the base module 20 to the dispensing module 30.

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

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

In the reject compartment 28 of the base module 20, which is advantageously arranged in the vicinity of the input compartment 22 on the front side 21 of the base module 20, preferably unidentifiable or counterfeit suspect banknotes are deposited, which must be subjected to a review by the operator. It will be at the in FIG. 1 illustrated embodiment, the banknotes stored in the reject bin 28 for sorted banknotes by means of the Spiralfachstaplers 27 each with its long side facing the operator.

The output compartments 36a-e of the output module 30 are also preferably arranged in the vicinity of the input compartment 22 of the base module 20 and thus in the gripping region of an operator standing or sitting in front of the banknote processing apparatus 10. Both in the input compartment 22 of the base module 20 and in the output compartments 36a-e of the output module 30, the banknotes are each deposited with their longitudinal side facing the operator and can therefore be comfortably and securely grasped by the operator.

The apparatus 10 for processing banknotes preferably has an operating device which has, for example, an input unit, a display unit or display 29 and / or a printer and an interface or a reading device for a storage medium and is connected to a control device of the apparatus 10 is. The input unit and the display unit 29 serve in conjunction with the control device to control the apparatus 10 for processing banknotes in operation and to select, for example, desired processing options. By means of the storage medium, it is possible for an operator to identify himself to the device 10 as an authorized operator. It is also possible for user-specific operating modes, settings or accounting data to be stored on the storage medium, thereby enabling user-specific operation or the use of the stored data on other banknote processing devices. The storage medium can be, for example, a chip card or a flash memory card with a corresponding interface. The operating device can be wired or wireless, z. B. by infrared or radio waves, be connected to the device 10 for processing banknotes or integrated into this. The display unit 29 may also be a touch screen in which the input unit is integrated.

As those skilled in the art will recognize, the base module 20 in conjunction with the dispensing module 30 according to the present invention is a stand-alone banknote counting and sorting device. In other words, the base module 20 in conjunction with the dispensing module 30 allows an operator to insert stacks of banknotes to be counted and sorted into the input tray 22, the respective value of which can be determined by means of the checking device 25 and those due to the evaluation of the checking device 25 Depending on the determined denomination one of the output compartments 36a-e of the output module 30 or the reject compartment 28 of the base module 20 can be supplied.

In addition to the base module 20 and the dispensing module 30, the in FIG. 1 However, it is also conceivable devices according to the invention for processing banknotes, which are only a cartridge emptying module 40, that is only suitable for emptying cassettes for banknotes, or only one Have cassette filling module 50, ie are suitable only for filling cassettes for banknotes.

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

According to the invention, the mechanical interfaces 46a and 46b are designed in such a way that, after a banknote cassette has been detachably connected to the banknote processing device 10 via one of the mechanical interfaces 46a, b, the mechanical interfaces 46a, b are maintained for the duration of the respective processing operations (FIG. ie emptying the cassette), for example by the control device of the banknote processing device 10, are locked. A respective cassette can then be released from the mechanical interfaces 46a, b only after the lock has been released by the control device of the banknote processing device 10.

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

As previously described, the transport system 44 of the cartridge unloading module 40 is configured to include banknotes of cassettes connected to the mechanical interfaces 46a, b (eg, the cassette 70a connected to the mechanical interface 46a), a diverter 42, and then the module connection unit 60b and the base module, respectively 20 supply. As is well known to those skilled in the art, a cassette for banknotes is usually substantially in the shape of a cuboid, with one of the rectangular end sides thereof providing access to the cassette and defining the top of the cassette. In this case, a cassette is usually designed such that banknotes stacked in the cassette lie parallel to the end sides and thus to the top of the cassette. Like this in FIG. 1 is schematically indicated, the mechanical interfaces 46a, b according to the in FIG. 1 illustrated preferred embodiment in such a way that cassettes for banknotes (eg the cassette 70a) are inserted with the front side first in the mechanical interfaces 46a, b, to enter into a detachable connection with these. The banknotes are preferably located in a cassette such that their longitudinal sides are substantially horizontal and their transverse sides are substantially vertical, as shown in FIG FIG. 1 indicated schematically by the cassette 70a. In this arrangement of the banknotes in the cassette 70a, the banknotes can be fed, for example by means of a separating device (not shown) integrated into the mechanical interface 46a, to the transport system 44 of the cassette emptying module 40, which feeds the banknotes into the transverse conveyor 42 in transverse transport.

Since, as described above, in the in FIG. 1 illustrated banknotes within the base module 20 are transported in the longitudinal transport along the transport system 24 of the base module 20, the banknotes within the cartridge emptying module 40, however, are transported in the transverse transport, the deflection device 42 is preferably also as a longitudinal / transverse conveyor (also "picker" called) configured, which transfers the supplied in the transverse transport from the transport system 44 of the cartridge emptying module 40 banknotes in a longitudinal transport, ie, in a movement in a direction parallel to the longitudinal sides of a respective banknote.

Like this in FIG. 1 is indicated, the base module 20 and its transport system 24 is preferably designed such that the outgoing from the input tray 22 of the base module 22 banknote stream and outgoing from the cassette discharge module 40 banknote stream upstream of the test device 25 are merged. The person skilled in the art will recognize that when filling the input compartment 22 of the base module 20 with banknotes and simultaneously emptying a cassette (eg the cassette 70a) detachably connected to the cartridge emptying module 40, it may be necessary to ensure that the two banknote streams do not interfere, ie does not come to banknote jam upstream of the test device 25. This can be achieved, for example, by a suitable control of the separating devices and the deflection device 42 by means of the control device.

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

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

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

According to the invention, the mechanical interfaces 56a and 56b are configured in such a way that, after a banknote cassette has been releasably connected to the cassette filling module 50 or the banknote processing device 10 via one of the mechanical interfaces 56a, b, the mechanical interfaces 56a, b for the banknotes Duration of the respective processing operations (ie filling of the cassette), for example, by the control device of the bank note processing apparatus 10, are locked. A cassette can then be released from the mechanical interfaces 56a, b only after the lock has been released by the control device of the banknote processing device 10.

Like this in FIG. 1 is indicated schematically, the mechanical interfaces 56a, b according to the in FIG. 1 1, in that cassettes for banknotes (eg, the cassette 70b) are inserted frontally into the mechanical interfaces 56a, b to make a detachable connection with the cassette filling module 50. In this case, the bank notes are preferably deposited in a cassette in such a way that their longitudinal sides extend substantially horizontally and their transverse sides extend substantially vertically, as shown in FIG FIG. 1 is indicated schematically by the cassette 70b. Such an arrangement of the banknotes within a cassette is particularly then advantageous if, as described above, the transport system 54 of the cassette filling module 50, the banknotes coming from the deflector 52 the mechanical interfaces 56a, b or the associated with these associated cassettes in the transverse transport.

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

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

In general, however, the majority of the banknotes is supplied by the transport system 24 of the base module 20 of the module connection unit 60 a and the output module 30. Within the dispensing module 30, the bank notes first pass through the diverter device 35, which is actuated by the control device of the bank note processing device 10, in order to feed a note either to the dispensing compartments 36a-e of the dispensing module 30 or to the cassette filling module 50.

In the event that the diverter device 35 of the dispensing module 30 is set such that a banknote is to be fed to one of the output compartments 36a-e of the dispensing module 30, the banknote passes first after the diverter device 35 the diverter 32. There, the banknotes fed in the longitudinal transport become transferred to a transverse transport to be transported by the transport system 34 of the output module 30 in the transverse transport, which supplies the banknotes depending on selectable sorting criteria one of the output compartments 36a-e. For this purpose, the banknotes are ejected by corresponding switch means (not shown) known to the person skilled in the art and deposited by means of stackers likewise not shown, which can be configured according to the known spiral stacker 27 described above.

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

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

FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of an apparatus 10 'for processing banknotes according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention. Again, the figure shows only the components of the banknote processing apparatus 10 'which are essential for understanding the invention and which are shown in a highly schematized form.

The main difference of in FIG. 2 banknote processing apparatus 10 'to the in FIG. 1 The banknote processing device 10 shown is that in the in FIG. 2 In the case of the bank note processing apparatus 10 'shown in FIG. 1, the banknotes are transversely fed at all locations, whereas in the bank note processing apparatus 10 of FIG FIG. 1 the banknotes are guided, for example, within the base module 20 in the longitudinal transport. Such an embodiment may be advantageous, for example, if the test device 25 is designed only to check banknotes fed in the transverse transport, and or provides better test results for banknotes fed in the transverse transport than for banknotes fed in the longitudinal transport.

In the bank note processing apparatus 10 'of FIG. 2 is the input tray 22 'of the base module 20 configured such that the bank notes with their narrow side or transverse side facing the front of the device 10' or sitting operator facing into the input tray 22 'are inserted. From the input compartment 22 ', the banknotes are in turn separated by means of a suitable separating device 23 in the direction of its transverse side, ie in the direction defined by the lateral side of the banknote, and transferred to the transport system 24 of the base module 20, which feeds the separated banknotes to the checking device 25 in transverse transport ,

Thus also in the output module 30, the cartridge discharge module 40 and the cartridge filling module 50 of in FIG. 2 banknotes processing device 10 'shown banknotes can be performed exclusively in the transverse transport, the deflection 32', 42 'and 52' of these modules must be designed accordingly. For example, the diverter 42 'of the cartridge emptying module 40 must be configured to control the direction of movement of a transport system 44 of the cartridge emptying module 40 banknote supplied in the transverse transport substantially in the plane defined by the supplied banknote (transport plane) while maintaining the transverse orientation of the banknote by a predetermined angle of preferably about 90 ° to change. In other words, the deflection device 42 'of the cartridge emptying module 40 is designed such that the movement vector of the banknote immediately in front of the deflecting device 42' is preferably substantially perpendicular to the movement vector of the banknote immediately after the deflecting device 42, the two motion vectors in the one of the Banknote defined level (transport level) lie. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, in the deflection device 42 'of the cartridge unloading module 40, in addition to the above-described change in the direction of travel in the transport plane, the motion vector must be rotated substantially 90 °, at which the motion vector is perpendicular to the transport plane at the beginning of rotation Rotation is. Such a change in movement can be achieved, for example, by means of a suitable design (inclination) of the transport system 44 and / or can be a further function provided by the deflecting device 42 '. For the sake of completeness, it should be noted here that this change in movement also occurs in connection with the deflection devices 32, 42 and 52 of the banknote processing device 10 of FIG FIG. 1 must be done.

Preferably, the diverters 32 ', 42' and 52 'of the bank note processing apparatus 10' are of FIG. 2 according to one of in the DE 10 2006 001 231 described embodiments, which is hereby incorporated by reference and thus is part of the present disclosure. Embodiments of a deflection device described therein serve to move banknotes out of a first transport direction by a predetermined angle while maintaining their transverse orientation to redirect the second transport direction. For this purpose, the banknotes are passed over a deflection plate with suitably designed deflection edges, wherein the predetermined deflection angle depends essentially on the inclination of the deflection edges. According to the present invention, the predetermined deflection angle of the baffles 32 ', 42' and 52 'is preferably about 90 °.

As far as the orientation of the input tray 22 'and the reject tray 28' and the operation of the deflectors 32 ', 42' and 52 ', the embodiment of the in FIG. 2 illustrated banknote processing apparatus 10 'identical to the in FIG. 1 is shown in the above detailed description of the embodiment and the operation of the in FIG. 1 referenced banknote processing apparatus 10 referenced.

In order to recognize incorrectly transported banknotes, both in FIG. 1 as well as at the FIG. 2 banknote processing device 10,10 'sensors, such as photoelectric sensors, are used, which are arranged along the transport systems of the individual modules. Suitable locations for such sensors are located either before or after the individual components of the devices 10, 10 '. If an incorrect transport detected by the sensors, for example, be displayed on the display unit 29, which is the removable outer housing parts of the modules to open to eliminate the error. This avoids unnecessary opening of unaffected modules. It is also possible to display an ad, eg. B. to provide a light-emitting diode to the outer housing parts, which indicate the openable housing part of a module. The sensors for detecting a false transport are evaluated by the control device, which controls the display accordingly.

Further displays can be provided for the output trays 36a-e, which indicate when a predetermined maximum number of banknotes has been placed in the respective output tray, since this output tray is otherwise no longer available for further processing. The displays may be located directly on the output trays or the display may be on the display unit 29. The full display is activated by the control device when a sensor in the respective output compartment signals that the maximum number of banknotes has been stored. The maximum number of banknotes to be deposited can also be determined by the control device by counting the banknotes each deposited in an output bin during processing until a predefinable size, e.g. B. 100 banknotes was reached. After removal of the banknotes by the operator, the z. B. by evaluating the respective sensor in the respective output tray can be determined by the controller, the respective output tray is again available for receiving more banknotes available, making a total of faster processing of the banknotes to be processed is possible.

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

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

In a further development, it is also provided that a desired amount for filling the cassette, for example by means of the operating unit of the banknote processing device 10,10 ', can be specified. As a result, in particular the error rate of the entire process is further reduced. In addition, a residual stock contained in the cassettes can be taken into account by the control device of the banknote processing device 10, 10 ', that is, it does not have to be removed before filling. The use of the remaining stock also reduces the number of banknotes required for the desired filling target quantity, as a result of which the entire filling process also takes less time.

With reference to the preferred embodiments described above, those skilled in the art will recognize that it is possible to realize further advantageous embodiments encompassed by the invention.

In a further variant, it is conceivable that a single module is provided which fulfills the functions of the cassette emptying module 40 and the dispensing module 30. Such an alternative banknote processing apparatus 100 consisting of a module is shown in FIG FIG. 3 shown. The banknote processing device 100 comprises a mechanical interface 146a, via which a cassette for banknotes, for example the banknote cassette 170a, can be detachably connected to the banknote processing device 100. In this case, the mechanical interface 146a is designed such that when a cassette filled with banknotes (for example the cassette 170a in FIG FIG. 3 ) is detachably connected to the banknote processing device 100 via the mechanical interfaces 146a, the latter being placed in the cassette (eg the cassette 170a in FIG FIG. 3 ) and pass these notes through the transport system 114 of the banknote processing device 100 through a checking device 125 and, depending on the results of the check in the checking device, can place them in one of the output trays 136a-c. At the in FIG. 3 It is further conceivable that the banknote processing apparatus 100 further comprises an input tray for banknotes to be sorted, such that the output compartments 136a-c receive banknotes from one with the mechanical interface 146a Connected banknote cassette or can be supplied from the input tray.

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

Claims (6)

1. An apparatus (10; 10') for processing bank notes, wherein the apparatus (10; 10') comprises:

   an input pocket (22; 22') for inputting bank notes;

   at least one output pocket (36a-e) for outputting bank notes;

   a first mechanical interface (46a, b) and a second mechanical interface (56a, b) for detachably connecting cassettes (70a, 70b) for bank notes;

   a transport system (24, 34, 44, 54) which is configured for transporting bank notes from the input pocket (22; 22') to the at least one output pocket (36a-e);

   and transporting bank notes from a cassette (70a, 70b) detachably connected with the apparatus (10; 10') via the first or second mechanical interface (46a, b, 56a, b) to the at least one output pocket (36a-e),

   characterized in that

   the apparatus (10; 10') is constructed in modular fashion;

   the apparatus (10; 10') comprises a base module (20), an output module (30), a cassette emptying module (40) and a cassette filling module (50), the base module (20) and the cassette emptying module (40) being connected via a module connecting unit (60b),

   one cassette (70a) is detachably connected with the cassette emptying module (40) via a first mechanical interface (46a, b), the first mechanical interface (46a, b) being part of the cassette emptying module (40), and one cassette (70b) is detachably connected with the cassette filling module (50) via the second mechanical interface (56a, b), the second mechanical interface (56a, b) being part of the cassette filling module (50);

   the transport system (24, 34, 44, 54) is further configured for transporting bank notes from the cassette (70a) detachably connected with the apparatus (10; 10') via the first mechanical interface (46a, b) to the at least one output pocket (36a-e), the output pocket (36a-e) being part of the output module (30), for transporting bank notes from the input pocket (22; 22') into a cassette (70b) detachably connected with the apparatus (10; 10') via the second mechanical interface (56a, b), the input pocket (22; 22') being part of the base module (20), and for transporting bank notes from the cassette (70a) detachably connected with the apparatus (10; 10') via the first mechanical interface (46a, b) into the cassette (70b) detachably connected with the apparatus (10; 10') via the second mechanical interface (56a, b), and

   the first and second mechanical interfaces (46a, 46b, 56a, 56b) have a latch.
2. The apparatus (10; 10') according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus (10; 10') further comprises a checking device (25), the checking device (25) being arranged such and the transport system (24, 34, 44, 54) being configured such that both the bank notes coming from a cassette (70a) detachably connected with the apparatus (10; 10') via the first mechanical interface (46a, b) and also the bank notes coming from the input pocket (22; 22') are transported by the checking device (25) and checked by the latter.
3. The apparatus (10) according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus (10) further comprises at least one diverting device (32, 42, 52), which in the form of a longitudinal/transverse conveying device is configured for carrying away bank notes in longitudinal transport which are supplied to the diverting device (32, 42, 52) in transverse transport by the transport system (24, 34, 44, 54), and vice versa for carrying away bank notes in transverse transport which are supplied to the diverting device (32, 42, 52) in longitudinal transport.
4. The apparatus (10') according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus (10') further comprises at least one diverting device (32', 42', 52') which is configured to change the moving direction of a bank note, which is supplied in transverse transport by the transport system (24, 34, 44, 54), substantially in the transport plane defined by the supplied bank note by a predetermined angle of preferably about 90° while maintaining the transverse orientation of the bank note.
5. The apparatus (10; 10') according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises a control device which is configured for receiving criteria associated with a cassette (70b) for the filling of the cassette, checking the bank notes during the processing for satisfaction of the criteria for the filling of the cassette by means of the checking device (25), filling bank notes satisfying the criteria for the filling into the cassette (70b), and storing bank notes which do not satisfy the criteria for filling in an output pocket (36a-e) of the apparatus (10; 10'), and wherein preferably the control device is further configured such that a target amount desired for the filling of the cassette (70b) can be specified and/or a remainder contained in the cassette (70b) can be taken into account.
6. A method for processing bank notes in an apparatus (10; 10') for processing bank notes according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises the following steps:
   transporting bank notes from a cassette (70a, 70b) for bank notes detachably connected with the apparatus (10; 10') via the first mechanical interface (46a, b) of the cassette emptying module (40) to an output pocket (36a-e) of the output module (30) of the apparatus (10; 10') by means of the transport system (24, 34, 44, 54) via the base module (20), bank notes from the input pocket (22); 22') which is part of the base module (20) into a cassette (70b) detachably connected with the apparatus (10; 10') via the second mechanical interface (56a, b) of the cassette filling module (50), and/or bank notes from the cassette (70a) detachably connected with the apparatus (10; 10') via the first mechanical interface (46a, b) into the cassette (70b) detachably connected with the apparatus (10; 10') via the second mechanical interface (56a, b).

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