EP3091515A1

EP3091515A1 - Method and device for the protection of containers of atm dispenser

Info

Publication number: EP3091515A1
Application number: EP14838882.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Pedro BORDALO PINHEIRO; António MELO VAZ; Paulo MIRANDA REIS
Original assignee: Pnp Tech SA
Current assignee: Pnp Tech Sa
Priority date: 2013-12-30
Filing date: 2014-12-30
Publication date: 2016-11-09
Anticipated expiration: 2034-12-30
Also published as: PT107384A; EP3091515B1; WO2015102504A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for protection of containers of ATM dispenser which, using the electronic connection and operating state update between at least one protection device for containers of the ATM dispenser (10) and at least one container having means for neutralization of values (200) associated with an ATM (400), achieves a technical solution to prevent improper activation of means for neutralization of values during the maintenance operation by an operator. The present invention also includes a device suitable for implementing the method of protection for containers of the ATM dispenser (400).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The means for neutralization of values using liquid, smoke or heat, for the protection of the values kept under protection in containers of an ATM (Automated Teller Machine) or Cash Machine, hereinafter referred to as ATM, have a high index of false activations.
These neutralization means are activated and destroy values at the wrong moment due to an handling error, as a result of the authorized personnel do not respect the rules and operating times set by each manufacturer of means for neutralization of values, whenever the containers are protected and at the same time are manipulated to be filled with values or subjected to a technical intervention.
The neutralization means work one time in an irreversibly way, making these errors of accredited personnel representative of costs and abrupt stops of the ATM operation with high losses for the ATM business.

PRIOR ART

Several solutions are known in prior art also aiming to provide both a continuous protection of ATM and actions to prevent mishandling by maintenance operators, avoiding irreversible activation of safety measures in situations which do not constitute an intrusion.
Patent PT 106146 A discloses a device which is directed to the problem of protecting goods in protection devices such as vaults, safes or ATM, which shares with the present invention some technical features, especially those related to the device structure. However, this device is not programmed to implement a method providing a conditional blocking, as designated in the present application, allowing that at least two containers having means for neutralization of values (200) and/or at least two protection devices for containers of the ATM dispenser (10) are in communication in order to keep both locked, while unlocking of the set does not occur. Among other differences, this one however leads to the elimination of the problem of failure due to repetition of the operator, providing a significant improvement in the apparatus by reducing the number of undue activations.
Patent application US 2011/0155026 A1 also discloses an apparatus for protecting goods, particularly in an ATM, which includes technical features with the purpose of avoiding undue or false activations caused by mishandling of the equipment, through various configurable operation modes of the protection equipment providing the activation or deactivation of neutralization means of each container having means for neutralization of values. However, this device is not also configured to provide a lock - a share of conditions between containers and protection devices for containers of the ATM dispenser - not allowing to reduce false activations in the same extent as the present invention, as with the application PT 106146 A .
The patent application EP 2511822 A1 discloses a device for the protection of valuable goods including, as in US 2011/0155026 A1 , a controller with multiple operation modes which allows avoiding false activations by setting a mode called "normal", in which the safety measures are not activated and an operator can manipulate the equipment, and a mode called "threat" in which the neutralization means of each container having means for neutralization of values (200) are active, under intrusion detection.
However, also the method described in this document does not allow updating the operating state of the containers having means for neutralization of values (200) electronically connected to a protection device for containers of the ATM dispenser (10), and thus no improvement is obtained compared with the one of present invention, considering the objectives to be achieved.

ADVANTAGES AND TECHNICAL PROBLEMS

The present invention therefore aims to improve systems existing in the prior art, in order to avoid the large number of false activations due to handling by the machine operators. The method and apparatus of present invention are intended - through a set of constraints and a scheme mainly based upon a method of conditional blocking with information updating, authentication/accreditation and data presentation in an interface - to prevent that a device with several containers is improperly activated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a protection device for containers of the ATM dispenser, located in the front of the dispenser ahead of all ATM containers, which remains locked whenever containers stored in the dispenser have the means for neutralization of values in the protected state, unlocking them only when the respective containers change to the state in which they can be handled safely.
The protection device for containers of the ATM dispenser (10) gives information, through its touchscreen and through a connection to the ATM computer, to the various containers located in the dispenser using its identification number, and associates to each identification number its operating state, the scheduled date for preventive maintenance, the battery status, and the events with day and time of occurrence of states, errors and anomalies.
The protection device for containers of the ATM dispenser (10) includes in its structure motion, impact and temperature sensors, intrusion (tamper) sensor, and extra inputs for connecting external safety sensors such as gas sensor, liquid sensor, and vault integrity sensors. These sensors and these inputs are adapted in such a way that the protection device for containers of the ATM dispenser (10) described in the present invention registers its values in a decisional matrix and, if they exceed the reference values, a decision of preventive detection of intrusion occurs, informing immediately the neutralization means of each container that the ATM (400) vault is suffering an attempt of intrusion, thus allowing the neutralization means to act in accordance, preventively.
The decisional matrix is therefore part of the method implemented by the microprocessor, being configured to operate by logical conjunction (AND) or logical disjunction (OR) of the sensor registered values and protection device inputs for the containers of the ATM dispenser, in such a way that when the references/limit values are exceeded it constitutes the necessary and sufficient condition for the activation of intrusion alert to the ATM containers (200).
The protection device for containers of the ATM dispenser (10) described in the present invention communicates with each container based upon communication means which may consist of physical electric contact, or wireless communication such as RF - radio frequency - or infrared hereinafter called IR (IR - infrared).
The protection device for containers of the ATM dispenser (10) communicates with the other protection devices for containers of the ATM dispenser (10) via RF or through communication BUS.
The protection device for containers of the ATM dispenser (10) also communicates with the ATM computer (100) through wireless communication by radio frequency or infrared.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the description presented below reference is made to the accompanying drawings which are shown for reference only without any limiting purpose, and wherein:

Figure 1 is an exploded view of the protection device for containers of the ATM dispenser (10);
Figure 2 is a view of the ATM computer (100) and of the ATM vault without the protection device for containers of the ATM dispenser (10);
Figure 3 is a view of the ATM computer (100) and of the ATM vault with the protection device for containers of the ATM dispenser (10);

Figure 4 is a view of the protection device for containers of the ATM dispenser (10) in communication via RF or BUS with the ATM computer (100);
Figure 5 is a view of the protection device for containers of the ATM dispenser (10) in communication via RF, IR or electrical contact with each of the respective containers having means for neutralization of values (200);
Figure 6 is a view of the protection device for containers of the ATM dispenser (10) associated with distinct ATM (400) communicating with each other.

Legend of reference numbers

(10) protection device for containers of the ATM dispenser (with physical barrier)
(20) lock
(30) touchscreen
(40) electronic board
(50) detectors, and communication with the containers
(60) uninterruptible power supply battery
(70) cable of BUS connection to the ATM sensors and ATM computer
(100) ATM computer
(200) containers having means for neutralization of values
(400) ATM

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The protection device for containers of the ATM dispenser (10) shown in Figure 1 comprises a physical barrier, i.e. a hinged door, and an electromechanical lock (20) controlled by an electronic board (40) with a microprocessor, a touchscreen (30), with means of communication with the containers having means for neutralization of values (200) - through electrical contacts, infrared or radio frequency, with a remote wired connection bus (70) or wireless connection - and with uninterruptible power supply battery (60) for autonomy in case of failure or disruption of ATM (400) power supply, all integrated in the protection device for containers of the ATM dispenser (10).
As shown in Figure 3, the protection device for containers of the ATM dispenser (10) is fixed to the dispenser by screws, and is electrically connected to the ATM (400) as regards power supply of the vault door opening sensors and other ATM (400) protection sensors.
The protection device for containers of the ATM dispenser (10) is connected to the ATM computer through the wired connection bus (70), or through a wireless communication.
The electronic board (40) of the protection device for containers of the ATM dispenser (10) contains a microprocessor and integrates an intrusion (tamper) sensor, inputs from other external sensors and sensors for:

3D movement along X, Y, Z axes;
Impact;
Temperature;
Position of the lock (20);
Power supply of the lock (20);

The values of these sensors and inputs are dynamically registered with day/hour information in a decisional matrix which will start and influence the neutralization process of each container in case the predefined values for each ATM (400) are reached.
The operating states of each container having means for neutralization of values (200), set through the configuration of the microprocessor of the electronic board (40), are:

Protected state (it is not allowed to handle the container, i.e. all neutralization means of each container and all intrusion detection means are on);
Unprotected state (it is allowed to handle and open the container, i.e. all neutralization means of each container are off);
State of transport on the floor (it is allowed to handle, with rules and respecting times without opening the container, i.e. all neutralizations means of each container are on and a part of the intrusion detection means is on).

Additionally, the operating state of each protection device for containers of the ATM dispenser (10) consists in open mode, which corresponds to the opening of the lock (20), or closed mode which corresponds to the locking of the lock (20).
Thus, the microprocessor of the electronic board (40) is programmed in such a way as to:

Detect the accredited opening of the ATM vault door, generating commands for state changing of the neutralization means of each container. The neutralization means of each container can automatically change its state with accredited opening of the vault door or entering a personal code in the touchscreen (30).
Detect the presence of each container having means for neutralization of values (200) in the ATM dispenser.
Communicate with each of the detectors (50) respectively located in the containers having means for neutralization of values (200) through radiofrequency, infrared or electrical contact.
Send commands for changing the operating state for each container having means for neutralization of values (200), according to the parameterization defined in the protection device for containers of the ATM dispenser (10) or in the ATM computer (100).
Register, in events with date and time information, whether the neutralization means within the container that it protects remain intact, functional, without errors or anomalies, and identify the identification number of each container that is under its protection.
Detect, receive and process the preventive and corrective maintenance alerts which each container request or require.
Communicate with a black box adapted to store in memory all the events of last operating states of each container having means for neutralization of values (200) and of the protection device for containers of the ATM dispenser (10), referenced with day and time information.
Display the data stored in the black box and the recorded alerts through its touchscreen or remotely through the ATM computer (100).
Generate alerts on the touch screen (30) or through the ATM computer, in order that the accredited personnel knows the state of each container having means for neutralization of values (200) and its location at that moment.

The microprocessor of the electronic board (40) of the protection device for containers of the ATM dispenser (10) is programmed to receive remote or local information of the correct sequence for opening the vault door, communicate with the containers having means for neutralization of values (200) by physical contact or wirelessly - such as IR or radiofrequency - and reproduce the state of each container on its touchscreen (30), thus informing the accredited personnel of the cause why the protection device for containers of the ATM dispenser (10) remains locked and not allowing access to the containers.
Through the introduction of appropriate information in the ATM computer (100), i.e. through the valid opening of the vault door or by entering a personal code in the touchscreen (30), the protection device for containers of the ATM dispenser (10) initializes - through the microprocessor of the electronic board (40) - the operating state changing command of the containers having means for neutralization of values (200) and, when all the containers having means for neutralization of values (200) have successfully responded to the command, the protection device for containers of the ATM dispenser (10) unlocks its lock (20) and allows access for handling the containers having means for neutralization of values (200) in unprotected state, or in state of transport on the floor, without risking improper neutralization.
The protection device for containers of the ATM dispenser (10) is therefore a protection preventing the withdrawal of the containers having means for neutralization of values (200) from the ATM dispenser (400) whenever these cannot be handled safely, thus preventing false neutralization.
Additionally, the decisional matrix which the protection device for containers of the ATM dispenser (10) supervises through its sensors and external inputs of the circuit board (40) and by the conjunction of the registers and necessary and sufficient conditions for opening or not the protection device for containers of the ATM dispenser (10), allows to give additional information to the neutralization means, installed in the containers having means for neutralization of values (200) under its protection, that contributes to cancel the false neutralization. An example of the microprocessor operation based upon the decisional matrix consists in verifying the correct opening order of the ATM (400).
A protection device for containers of the ATM dispenser (10) is conditionally blocked with at least one container having neutralization means (200) included and associated to a same ATM (400). Thus, each protection device for containers of the ATM dispenser (10) only changes its operating state from closed to open when receiving information from the at least one container having neutralization means (200) to which is electronically connected, indicating that it has changed its operating state from protected to unprotected.
As shown in Figure 6, at least one protection device for containers of the ATM dispenser (10) associated with an ATM may be electronically connected further to at least one other protection device for containers of the ATM dispenser (10) associated with a distinct ATM (400) which is within the same range of radio frequency communication. Thus, it is possible to prevent containers having means for neutralization of values (200) from being handled simultaneously, promoting additional safety conditions in that space. This functionality can be implemented in places where several ATM (400) coexist, allowing the neutralization means to act accordingly in consequence of an occurrence of intrusion attempt.
Such conditional blocking occurs by communication between at least two protection devices for containers of the ATM dispenser (10) regarding two distinct ATM (400), and the lock will remain in both protection devices for containers of the ATM dispenser (10) while not occurring, in both, an unlocking procedure as described above.
As will be apparent for those skilled in the art, various minor alterations are possible which, however, should be included within the scope of the present invention.
The invention should be limited only by the spirit of the following claims.

Claims

Method implemented by protection system for containers of the ATM dispenser including a vault, characterized by the following steps:
a. at least one container having means for neutralization of values (200) is electronically connected to at least one protection device for containers of the ATM dispenser (10);

b. at least one container having means for neutralization of values (200) and at least one protection device for containers of ATM dispensers (10) are programmed to keep at least one operating state, distinct from each other;

c. at least one protection device for containers of the ATM dispenser (10) changes its operating state, unlocking a lock (20), only when change messages for the operating state are received from all containers having means for neutralization of values (200) to which it is electronically connected.
Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the operating state information of each container having means for neutralization of values (200) and of each protection device for containers of the ATM dispenser (10) is provided locally and in real-time in a touchscreen (30) or through the ATM computer (100).
Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that each container having means for neutralization of values (200) and each protection device for containers of the ATM dispenser (10) are addressable via the communication network through an identification number.
Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operating state of each container having means for neutralization of values (200) is one of the following:
a. keeping all neutralization means in each container off;

b. keeping all neutralization means of each container on and all intrusion detection means on;

c. keeping all neutralization means of each container on and part of the intrusion detection means on;
and the operating state of each protection device for containers of the ATM dispenser (10) consists in open, which corresponds to the opening of the lock (20), or closed which corresponds to the locking of the lock (20).
Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that each set of at least one protection device for containers of the ATM dispenser (10) and at least one container having means for neutralization of values (200) is electronically connected to at least one distinct ATM (400).
Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that each protection device for containers of the ATM dispenser (10) only changes its operating state, unlocking a lock (20), when information of state changing is additionally received from the at least one protection device for containers of the ATM dispenser (10) electronically connected to the at least one distinct ATM (400).
Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electronic connection between each protection device for containers of the ATM dispenser (10), each container having means for neutralization of values (200), and a touchscreen for input of commands or the ATM computer is implemented through a communication network by wired bus, or wirelessly, through radiofrequency or infrared.
Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that all the events of the previous operating states of each container having means for neutralization of values (200) and of the protection device for containers of the ATM dispenser (10), referenced with day and time information and identification number, are stored in the memory of a black box.
Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that information relative to the localization of each container having means for neutralization of values (200), referenced by the identification number, is presented in the touchscreen (30) or through the ATM computer.
Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the change of one operating state requires the input of accredited opening information or entering a personal code in the touchscreen (30).
Protection device for containers of ATM dispenser (10) with a vault, located in the front of the dispenser ahead of all ATM containers, and which implements the method of any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises:
a. communications means suitable for connecting to at least one container having means for neutralization of values (200) and an ATM computer (100);

b. a microprocessor;

c. intrusion detection means;

d. a physical barrier and a lock (20) controlled by the microprocessor.
Device according to the preceding claim characterized in that it additionally comprises:
a. a touchscreen (30);

b. the microprocessor is integrated in an electronic board (40);

c. a black box, suitable for storing all the information of all the events of last operating states of each container having means for neutralization of values (200) and of the protection device for containers of the ATM dispenser (10), referenced with day and hour information;

d. an uninterruptible power supply battery (60).
Protection device according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that the intrusion detection means consists of an intrusion/tamper sensor, inputs for external sensors and sensors for:
a. Three dimensional movement along X, Y, Z axes;

b. Impact;

c. Temperature;

d. Position of the lock (20);

e. Power supply of the lock (20).
Protection device according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that the communication means consist of a wired bus, or wireless communication means through infrared or through radiofrequency.
ATM protection system characterized in that it contains at least two protection devices for containers of ATM dispenser (10) of any one of claims 11 to 14, each one integrated in a distinct ATM.