ES2291943T3 - AUTOMATIC AND AUTONOMOUS TICKET HANDLING DEVICE FOR A CASH REGISTER SYSTEM. - Google Patents

Abstract

Self-contained automatic note-handling apparatus designed for a cash register system (1), which apparatus (2) comprises a storage device (15) for storage of notes (3), an inputting and issuing unit (19) for inputting notes (3) to and issuing notes (3) from the said storage device (15) on the basis of a requested amount, paid-in amount and calculated change. The said storage device (15) comprises an alarm circuit (60) comprising an electronics unit (62) and a destructive agent (63) that destroys the notes (3) stored in the said storage device (15) when necessary.

Description

Automatic and autonomous device for handling banknotes for a cash register system.

Prior art

The present invention is related to a automatic and autonomous device for handling bills, of according to the preamble of claim 1, and with a system of cash register to store bills in a store, okay with the preamble of claim 6.

The use of autonomous automatic devices for ticket handling in stores / banks / post offices, etc., To enter and issue tickets, it is already known.

As the storage device in an autonomous automatic bill handling device, designed to a cash register system, is progressively filled with bills, the bill storage device is emptied and These are transferred to transport boxes. These boxes of internal transport are then internally moved to a box strong, also called intermediate warehouse in this application, located in the store office / bank / post office. TO regular intervals, tickets are then transported in large volumes from said intermediate warehouse to a financial institution using another type of transport box or safe portable container, designed for large volumes of tickets, whose transport boxes comprise an alarm consisting of an alarm keypad and an electronic circuit that It comprises a destructive agent. When the alarm is activated transport box, a forced entry attempt will give as result that the alarm activates the destructive agent, so that This destroys the contents of the transport box.

Internal transport in the store / bank / office Postal consumes time and storage of boxes Transportation in the safe or near the cash desk requires Lots of space and expensive handling.

Known autonomous automatic devices for handling bills, designed for cashier systems registrars, may sometimes require that the device storage is emptied of bills with relative frequency, and also at the end of the work day. The tickets are transferred from the autonomous automatic device for handling tickets to internal transport boxes, which are transported to a safe in the store / bank / post office for your storage.

This means that the handling concerned upon withdrawal of tickets from the store, transportation to and from the box will be and the record of the number of bills in the box strong, it results in an unsafe procedure and complicated.

The present invention is also related with an additional development of an autonomous automatic device of handling bills, designed for a cash register system, which is described, for example, in the European patent document EP 615 643, where detectors are arranged to detect the tickets that are introduced and issued, and where a system of cash register generates a control signal to control the issuance of tickets. The present invention is also a further development of a system for storing bills in a store / bank / post office, which includes automatic devices, autonomous and static, designed for box systems registrars

An object of the present invention is to improve known automatic autonomous banknote handling devices, designed for cash register systems and make the cash register systems require less space.

An object of the present invention is also get a self-contained automatic bill handling device, which allow a merchant to get a ticket handling on the most profitable store.

Another aspect of the present invention is get a system for storing bills in a store / bank / post office, in which the handling of tickets is Simplified and become more efficient.

These objects are achieved with the device Autonomous automatic ticket handling, designed for a system of cash register, described in the introduction and in the part characterizing of claim 1. By means of this, the tickets paid at the store / bank / post office can be stored safely in the automatic stand-alone device of Ticket handling This also means that the storage of tickets in the store take up less space, since tickets they can be stored in the autonomous automatic handling device of bills, instead of in independent safes of the store.

The destructive agent is preferably located essentially above and adjacent to the device storage, and is ready to be released in the case of a alarm when the alarm circuit is activated.

In this way, autonomous devices Existing automatic ticket handling may be provided of an alarm circuit comprising a destructive agent without The device needs to be elevated in existing facilities. A cashier can therefore enter and receive tickets to it height than with existing devices.

The introduction and dispatch unit includes suitably detecting means connected to a device of registration of units to record the presence of tickets in the storage device.

Through this registration, you can take Activate the alarm circuit automatically.

Alternatively, the device storage constitutes a separate space located contiguously to the unit of introduction and expedition.

In this way, tickets can be made in bundles Theft-proof for secure storage in the Cash counter

The storage device is divided, preferably, in storage units, each designed of them to store, enter and issue agreement tickets with the denomination.

By this means, it can be made theft-proof an autonomous automatic bill handling device, where Tickets are stored according to your denomination. This does it is also possible to have a destructive agent only for highest denominations, which are considered the most likely to theft, so additional space can be saved in one store.

These objects are achieved by a system of cash register to store bills in a store, being described this system in the introduction and in the part characterizing of claim 6.

By this means, store space can be used more efficiently, and bill storage It can take up less space. In addition, the handling of tickets by the Store staff for storage is less complicated, since it reduces the use of internal transport boxes and management of the registration and deposit of bills in the safe of the Store can be removed completely or simplified.

The storage device comprises adequately an integrated part of the store space, for the storage of tickets to be transported to a financial institution.

In this way, the intermediate warehouse of the Store can be reduced in size.

Alternatively, a central unit connected to a unit registration device and the autonomous device automatic ticket handling, to control the issuance of tickets, includes an activation unit to activate and Deactivate the alarm circuit.

By this means, it can be carried out automatically activation and deactivation, in response to number of tickets registered and stored in the device storage. For example, the alarm circuit can be activated when the number of bills in the device storage exceeds a lower limit value predetermined.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will now be described in more detail. with reference to the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 schematically shows a system known cash register, comprising a stand-alone device automatic ticket handling;

Figure 2 schematically shows a system cash register, according to the invention;

Figure 3 schematically shows the system cash register of figure 1;

Figure 4 schematically shows the system cash register of figure 2;

Figure 5 schematically shows an apparatus Autonomous automatic ticket handling, according to the invention, according to a first embodiment; Y

Figure 6 schematically shows the apparatus automatic autonomous, according to the invention, according to a second embodiment.

Mode (s) of carrying out the invention

The invention will now be described in the form of embodiments. For clarity purposes, the components that not significant for the invention have been omitted from the drawings.

In the Swedish patent application no. 0200986-8, a known system 102 of cash register, comprising a stand-alone apparatus 101 and Automatic ticket handling. Figure 1 shows schematically a cash register system 102 for storing money, such as bills 3 and coins 5, which are issued and received by customers 9 at a cash counter 11 of a Store 13. The cash register system 102 comprises a storage device 15, included in the apparatus 101 automatic and autonomous handling of bills, to store the 3 bills according to the denomination.

The autonomous automatic device 101 for handling tickets receives and issues tickets 3 according to the denomination. Banknotes 3 previously entered will be issued later in connection with the exchange return and the withdrawal of bills. The 19 introduction and dispatch units, which in turn comprise detectors 21 of the type illustrated in the EP 615 643, are included in the apparatus 101 Automatic and autonomous ticket handling. The introduction and Issuing tickets 3 are illustrated with the arrows p.

Each unit 19 for introduction and dispatch is controlled in turn by signals from a computer 23, which comprises a unit registration device 25. The device 25 of unit registration records tickets entered and issued at unit level, for comparison with a requested quantity obtained from a cash register 27.

Unit 19 for introduction and dispatch it comprises a control device 31 connected through some cables to storage device 15 and device 25 of unit register, arranged in store 13 to control the Issuance of tickets 3 at unit level.

In store 13 there is a unit 33 of central database, to store data related to the number Total 3 bills that are physically stored in the store 13 in real time. The unit registration device 25 is designed therefore to work together with unit 33 of central database, to record in real time the number of 3 bills entered and issued, and the total number of tickets 3 stored in store 13 at unit level, according to the denomination.

The number of bills 3 that are stored in the storage device of the automatic apparatus 101 and autonomous ticket handling, is physically registered by the detecting means 21 and the number of bills is documented electronically at the unit level, and this information is transmitted to the central database unit 33, located at central level in store 13, through device 25 of unit registration.

The task of unit registration unit 25 is to register the number of bills 3 and coins 5 entered and issued, according to their denomination, and calculate the number total bills 3 currently stored in device 15 of storage, according to its name, together with the central database unit 33. The information concerning the current number of bills 3, according to the denomination, is stored in the central database unit 33 using the unit registration unit 25. In this way, the physical stock of banknotes 3 in store 13 is supervised centrally in the store 13.

Central database unit 33 is organized to work together with a computer unit 37 in a remote financial institution, through link 35 of data.

As the progressively fills the storage device 15, tickets 3 are transported by means of internal transport boxes 50, to an intermediate warehouse 51, for example a safe, in store 13. There is a unit 32 control arranged to monitor the number of bills in the intermediate warehouse 51. Ticket storage 3 is carried to out in storage cassettes 52, designed for banknotes 3 or in internal transport boxes 50 that are configured to be able to be placed on secure shelves 54 so that they can be closed A registration unit 53 is arranged in the intermediate store 51 for transmitting data to unit 32 of control, relative to the number of units stored 3 at the level of unity. Tickets 3 are transported from the intermediate warehouse 51 to financial institution 39, according to arrow r.

The system described above works satisfactorily, but is subject to further development of according to the following description, with reference to the figures 2, 4, 5 and 6. The components illustrated in a figure are correspond to the components of the same numerical reference in The other figures.

Figure 2 schematically shows a system 1 cash register, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention

The autonomous and automatic control device 2 of banknotes, designed for cash register system 1 in a store 13, has been provided with an alarm circuit 60 consisting of an alarm keypad 61 and an electronic unit 62, with a destructive agent 63. When a merchant (not illustrated) so You can activate the alarm circuit 60 by operating an activation unit 64. Activation is done properly before night when the store closes 13.

A central unit 65, connected to the apparatus 2 Autonomous and automatic ticket handling to control the issuing bills 3, comprises an activation unit 64 for activate and deactivate alarm circuit 60. By means of this, the activation of the alarm circuit 60 can be carried out automatically based on the status of the cashier system 1 registrar

Banknotes 3 of static autonomous device 2 and Automatic ticket handling, can thus be stored with security at number 11 of the cash desk, without the need for be transported to an intermediate warehouse in the manner illustrated in Figure 1, see numerical reference 51. The device 15 of storage constitutes the intermediate warehouse of store 13, for tickets 3 to be transported to an institution financial 39.

The space required in store 13 for the 3 ticket storage at night, is therefore less in comparison with known technology, since device 15 of storage can be used as a space of protected storage. The autonomous and automatic device 2 of Ticket handling does not need to be emptied as often. For example, when the cash counter is not used, the staff from the store you only need to activate the alarm circuit in instead of needing to transport tickets 3 to a warehouse intermediate. Banknotes 3 can be stored securely in the cash counter 11 inside the device 15 of storage, and do not need to be transported internally to a safe or storage deposit. This means that it free up space in the store for purposes other than banknote storage 3. Banknotes 3 are transported from the storage device 15 to the institution financial 39, according to the arrow s on appropriate occasions. In accordance with the present embodiment, unit 32 of control illustrated in figure 1 is superfluous and this gives as result a less complicated cash register system.

Figure 3 schematically shows the system of cash register of figure 1. Before the transport of protected safe containers, such as boxes 66 transport, to a financial institution 39 from the store 13, the tickets 3 to be transported are stored in intermediate warehouse 51 of store 13. Transport boxes 66 are provided with a laminar element with an alarm keypad integrated, built with filaments or similar that conduct the light and / or electricity. An electronic circuit (not illustrated) It controls the alarm keypad and is automatically activated when the transport box 66 is filled with bills. Upon arriving at the financial institution 39, the transport box 66 is deactivated and its content is emptied. The transport boxes 50 internal full of banknotes 3 are moved from the counter of box 11 to intermediate warehouse 51 by the cashier, when it is closing work place. The internal transport boxes 50 are stored in the store 51 of the store and then are transferred to the financial institution 39. In a store 13 with a plurality of autonomous and automatic handling devices 101 of tickets, there is a need for an intermediate warehouse 51 that occupies a lot of space, since a large number of 3 bills are delivered to the Store by customers 9.

Figure 4 schematically shows the system of cash register of figure 2. Banknotes 3 stored in the storage device 15 of the autonomous device 2 and Automatic ticket handling, are transferred directly to a transport box 66 with security guard 68, and are transported directly to the financial institution 39. The space 67, previously used as an intermediate warehouse, looks like this available for other purposes in the store 13.

Figure 5 schematically shows an apparatus 2 autonomous and automatic ticket handling, according to a First embodiment. The autonomous and automatic device 2 of ticket handling, is in a stationary place at the counter of cash 11, where the customer 9 delivers tickets 3 to the cashier 69 for a payment. The apparatus 2 comprises an introduction unit 19 and expedition, with an opening to enter and issue tickets of all denominations, and a mechanism (not illustrated) for manipulate the bills 3. The introduction and issuance of bills 3 are controlled and are carried out by a computer 23 which is connected to a central database unit 33. In accordance with this embodiment, the storage device 15 It consists mainly of an independent space 70, located contiguously to said unit 19 for introduction and dispatch. He 70 independent space is organized for the storage of bundles of banknotes 3 and is configured with a protective box 71 comprising an alarm circuit 60. The independent space 70 It is an integral part of the store's intermediate warehouse for tickets 3, which have to be transported to an institution financial 39.

Figure 6 schematically shows an apparatus 2 autonomous and automatic ticket handling, designed for a cash register system 1, comprising a device 15 of storage divided into 49 storage units, designed to store, enter and issue tickets according to your denomination, in the form of a grouped arrangement 80 for storage banknotes 3, and a unit 19 for introducing and issuing tickets, to enter tickets 3 and issue tickets 3 from the storage device 15, based on an amount requested, the amount paid and the change calculated. That is, the payment of tickets to the customer 9 is done automatically on the basis of the calculated change. The storage device 15 comprises an alarm circuit 60 comprising a keyboard 61 of alarm that includes an electronic unit 62 and an agent destructive 63, such as dye cartridges (not illustrated) that can be released, and destroy 3 banknotes stored in the storage device 15 when necessary.

The alarm keypad is of the type designed to safe containers, and is arranged primarily above and adjacent to the autonomous and automatic device 2 of banknotes The electronic unit 62 and the destructive agent 63 are arranged inside the storage device 15. He control device 31 is configured to control the issuance of bills 3 from the storage device 15 in the form of exchange or for the withdrawal of money, together with the autonomous and automatic bill handling apparatus 2. Unit Central database 33 is connected to other counters of box 11 comprising autonomous and automatic handling devices 2 of bills, and is provided with a central control unit, such as an activation unit 64, so that the circuit control 60 alarm can be performed by activating or deactivating the alarm circuit 60 at different cashier counters 11. The Bottom illustration of Figure 6 shows the autonomous device 2 and automatic ticket handling in a view from the side frontal. A shutter 85 is arranged, which may be closed, in each opening of introduction and issuance of bills 3 in the storage device 15. The control device 31 controls the closing of each opening when the introduction and expedition, in order to prevent theft of bills from the storage device 15.

Of course, others can also be used types of autonomous bill handling devices designed to cash register systems. Within the framework of this invention combinations of the modes of embodiment and components described above. Activation and Alarm circuit deactivation can be carried out manually or be automatically controlled by a unit of activation provided, for example, with information about the number of bills stored in the storage device, whose information is supplied from the registration device of units. Similarly, other types of boxes can be used protectors within the framework of the present invention. Alternatively, the alarm circuit can be activated in predetermined or permanent moments.

Claims (8)

1. Autonomous and automatic bill handling device, designed for a cash register system (1), whose apparatus (2) comprises a storage device (15) for storing bills (3), an introducing unit (19) and Issue controlled by a computer (23) for entering bills (3) and issuing bills (3) from said storage device (15), based on a requested quantity, amount paid and calculated change, characterized in that said device (15) The storage circuit comprises an alarm circuit (60) comprising an electronic unit (62) and a destructive agent (63) that destroys the bills (3) stored in said storage device (15) when necessary. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the destructive agent (63) is essentially located above and adjacent to said storage device (15), and is arranged to be released in case of an alarm, when said circuit (60) is activated. ) alarm. 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the introduction and dispatch unit (19) comprises detecting means (21) connected to a unit registration device (25), to record the presence of bills (3) in the storage device (15). Apparatus according to claim 1-3, characterized in that said storage device (15) consists of a separate space (70), adjacent to said introduction and dispatch unit (19). 5. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said storage device (15) is divided into storage units (49), designed to store, insert and issue bills (3) according to their denomination. 6. Cash register system for storing bills (3) in a store (13), whose system (1) comprises autonomous and automatic bill handling devices (2), according to claim 1, characterized in that said device (15) for Storage constitutes the intermediate warehouse (13) of the store, to store tickets (3) that have to be transported to a financial institution (39). 7. Cash register system according to claim 6, characterized in that the storage device (15) constitutes an integrated part of the store space (13) for storing bills (3) to be transported to a financial institution ( 39). 8. Cash register system according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that a central unit (65) connected to said autonomous and automatic bill handling apparatus (2) for controlling the issuance of bills (3), comprises a unit (64 ) of activation to activate and deactivate said alarm circuit (60).