FR2471940A1 - Automatic dispenser for e.g. cash, cheques - has tiltable platform positioned within chamber forming purge device associated with microprocessor - Google Patents

Abstract

The banknote dispensing system includes an operator panel having a keyboard for initiating transaction requests, and a dispensing chamber (58) adjacent to the panel for receiving banknotes dispensed by feeders (52) and a transporter (54) in response to an operator request. A lockable access door (40) enables the operator to gain access to the chamber to remove dispensed notes. A tiltable platform (60) positioned within the chamber forms purge device for discharging dispensed notes from the chamber under predetermined purge conditions detected by a microprocessor within the system. The microprocessor calls for a purge operation when it has been determined that the operator has either failed to remove dispensed notes or has left notes within the chamber. A purge operation may also be performed as a result of a system failure, such as a power outage or a counting error occurring during a dispense cycle; or when a foreign object is detected in the dispensing chamber as a result of vandalism.

Description

 The present invention relates to automatic delivery systems for banknotes, cash, tickets, stamps and the like and, in particular, to an automatic delivery system for banknotes in which an evacuation control device is provided for recovering issued tickets which have remained in place in the system after a issuing operation.

Banking systems using automatic dispensing terminals are increasingly used by banks and other financial services organizations as a way to reduce labor costs, have more hours of banking staff and offer more convenience to customers.

One of the difficulties encountered when using ATM terminals equipped with (money) billing devices is that - it may happen that issued tickets are left inadvertently in the issuing chamber or by lack of attention from the operator-client, or by ignorance of the operating instructions. When this happens, the next customer who uses the delivery device receives money that was not intended for him and the bank has no way of confirming a later claim made by the first customer after he realizes that his money had stayed in the machine.

 Another problem that has arisen in the use of automatic issuing terminals is that it can happen that the system detects an error, such as a double supply or an incorrect account during the issuing operation, and when this occurs. the system faces a dilemma. The system can return the tickets issued to the customer, realizing that the amount may be wrong and that the customer may receive more or less money than he had requested, or he may block the access mechanism by customer for prevent delivery of money to the customer, in which case the problem can only be resolved by manual intervention by a bank employee. In the first case, the client may receive less money or more money than expected, the bank suffering prejudice in both cases. In the latter situation, the client present who requests the delivery operation, as well that other customers who may be waiting to use the terminal, are inconvenienced and it takes more time for bank staff to remedy the situation.

An object of the present invention is an improved system for issuing money or notes. The term "notes" used in the description does not only mean banknotes, but also other documents of the negotiable type such as checks, air tickets, food tickets, and the like.

 Another object of the invention is an improved ticket issuing system comprising an evacuation or purging control device which allows the system to recover money or tickets issued automatically under certain conditions where an abnormal or erroneous operation has t detected.

Another object of the invention is an evacuation or purge control device for an automatic ticket issuing system in which issued tickets are automatically discharged from the issuing chamber to prevent a user of the system from obtaining money that is not intended for him.

 Another object of the invention is an evacuation control device of the type described comprising devices for detecting when one or more tickets have been left in the system following a issuing operation and for recovering these tickets before 'they can be removed by an unauthorized individual.

Another object of the invention is an evacuation control device of the type described comprising blocking devices to prevent an operator from having access to the delivery chamber during an evacuation operation.

Another object of the invention is an automatic dispensing system of the type described using an unloading device to evacuate tickets delivered from a dispensing chamber in the event that the tickets are left in the dispensing device due to an operation incomplete delivery.

To obtain the above objects and according to a first aspect of the present invention, a ticket issuing system comprises means for requesting a ticket issuing operation, a issuing chamber comprising an access door through which an operator can have access to the room, means for issuing at least one ticket in the room in response to a request for issuing operation, security means for blocking the access door during a ticket issuing operation and for unlocking the door at the end of the operation to allow the operator to open the door to withdraw the ticket, and evacuation means to unload the ticket delivered from the room if the door is not opened within a period of defined time following the unlocking of the door by the security means
According to another aspect of the present invention, a ticket issuing system includes request means for requesting a ticket issuing operation, a issuing chamber, means for issuing at least one ticket in the room in response to a request for issuing operation, access means operable by an operator conditioned in response to the completion of the issuing operation to allow an operator to have access to the room for withdrawing the ticket, a flat - tilting platform placed in the room to receive the ticket after the issuing operation, and evacuation means to tilt the platform in order to unload the ticket from the room if the operator does not operate the means of 'access within a defined period of time after these have been conditioned to function.

 According to another aspect of the present invention, a ticket issuing system includes requesting means for requesting a ticket issuing operation, a issuing chamber, means for issuing at least one ticket in the chamber in response to a request for issuing operation, access means operable by an operator to allow an operator to access the room to withdraw the ticket, and evacuation means comprising a platform provided in the room for receiving the bil let after the issuing operation, ticket detection means for detecting the presence of a ticket on the platform, and control means responding to the ticket detection means for discharging the ticket delivered from the room if the ticket detection means continue to detect the presence of the ticket on the platform for a predetermined period of time following the actuation of the access means.

According to another aspect of the present invention, it relates to a method for controlling an automatic ticket issuing system comprising issuing means for issuing a ticket in a issuing chamber1 and furthermore evacuation means for discharging automatically the ticket from the room and access means operable by an operator to allow an operator to have access to the room to withdraw the ticket, said method comprising blocking the access means to prohibit an operator from have access to the room during the issuing operation, to unlock the means of access at the end of the issuing operation to allow the operator to operate the means of access and to withdraw the ticket, and to operate the evacuation means to unload the ticket from the room if the access means are not actuated within a defined period of time after they have been released.

 According to another aspect of the present invention, a delivery system comprises a delivery room comprising an access door through which an operator can have access to the room, means for issuing a ticket in the room, security means for block the access door during a delivery operation and to unlock it at the end of the operation to allow the operator to open the door in order to withdraw the ticket, evacuation means for automatically discharging the ticket from the chamber, and control means for actuating the security means in order to block the access door during the operation of the evacuation means.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be highlighted in the following description, given by way of nonlimiting example, with reference to the appended drawings in which
Figure 1 is a perspective view, in partial section, of the control panel by a customer or operator which allows him to make a request for issuance of tickets and receive tickets issued;
Figure 2 is a block diagram of a money delivery system incorporating the present invention;
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the money delivery chamber associated with the table of Figure 1;
Figure 4 is a block diagram of a control microprocessor used in the system to operate the money delivery device and the evacuation or purge control device according to the invention;
Figure 5 is a flow chart defining a control firmware stored in the microprocessor for operating the evacuation or purge control device according to the invention;
Figure 6 is a flow diagram defining additional firmware stored in the microprocessor for controlling the drain or purge routine part of the firmware defined in Figure 5;
Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the microprocessor firmware used to control the money delivery device during an actuation cycle.

 In FIG. 1, the operator control panel 36a constitutes the interface between the customer or the operator and the system according to the present invention. The switchboard includes a door 40 for access to money or banknotes, which can be operated by the operator using a handle 41 to gain access to a bank for issuing banknotes cash or tickets. An instruction screen 42, for example the face of a cathode ray tube (CRT), is controlled by the system to display step-by-step instructions in order to guide the operator during each operation. A 10-key keyboard 44 provided on the control panel 36a allows the operator to enter data which is necessary to request and execute the operation. A slot 46 is provided to present the customer with a receipt concerning the operations which require locate such a document. Another slot 48 is provided to allow the operator to insert his personal identification card in the table, in order to allow a card reader, placed behind the table, to read the data on the card and to transfer them to the system in accordance with known system operation procedures. The operator control panel also includes a deposit station 50 including a slot 54 for receiving one or more envelopes inserted by the operator during deposit operations.

 In general, to operate the system, the operator inserts an identification card, which includes magnetically coded data uniquely identifying the operator, into the slot 48 of the control panel. The card reader alerts the system of the operation that is occurring and supplies the card data to the system to identify the operator. Then, instructions are displayed on the screen 42 and the operator responds by entering the personal identification number (PIN) using the keyboard 44. The PIN number is compared with the data on the identification card to validate the operation request. Then, the operator uses the keyboard 44 to inform the system of the type of operation desired, the amount involved, etc. When the operation involves the issuance of money, the system causes the issuance of tickets in the room. delivery placed behind the access door 40 and, when the system signals it, the operator opens the door and withdraws the money.

A general block diagram of the entire system is shown in Figure 2. The structure and operation of the system are described in detail in US Patent No. 4,075,460. In general, the system comprises a central computer 10 and a memory unit 12 which is linked by data lines 15 with a remote terminal 14 comprising a money issuing station 36 and an operator control panel 36a. Number data
PINs entered by a keyboard 22 by the operator are sent to a signal generator PIN 30 to generate a signal representing a series of digits entered by the operator, this signal being designated by the reference character
Y.

A BIT 32 signal generator is arranged to generate it, in response to the signal signal signal generator
PIN 30, a signal representing the number of bits in the PIN Y signal generated by the signal generator 30 The signal
BIT is transferred by one of the lines 15 to the computer 10. An operation data generator 24 codes the operation data entered on the keyboard 22 and transmits them to the computer 10 via the lines 15 The reader magnetic cards 20, which reads the data from the customer's identity card inserted into the slot 48 (FIG. 1), transmits the data signal from card Z to the computer. The computer controls the display device 38 so that it view operator instructions appropriate to the type of operation
A security device, for example a microprocessor 34, receives the signals Y and Z coming respectively from the signal generator 30 and the card reader 20 and, moreover, receives a signal X from the computer 10 and, by appropriate validation of these three signals as described in US Patent No. 4,075,480, issues a delivery signal to the money delivery device 36. This luiwei initiates a delivery operation to issue the tickets requested in the room associated with the operator control panel 36a.

Figure 3 shows a ticket issuing system and a issuing chamber used in accordance with the present invention The issuing system comprises a feed module 52, a transport module 54, an evacuation locker 56, and a delivery chamber 58o delivery The feed module comprises conventional elements for storing a reserve of tickets and means for making art automatically see a defined number of tickets, on command of the microprocessor 34, on a progress line 78 provided in the module of transport 54. Several advancement rollers 84 are arranged along the track 78 and operate during a delivery operation to transfer one or more tickets coming from the module 52 into the delivery chamber 58. The complete delivery device is housed in a safe, the front wall of which is indicated by 53 on Figure 3.

In FIG. 3, the delivery chamber 58 is located behind the access door 40 and receives tickets delivered by a slot 61. Tickets delivered fall down from the room and are received on a platform 60 constituted by a rectangular plate. The access door 40 is rotatably mounted on the sides of the chamber by means of a pair of pins placed on each side of the door, one of these pins being shown at 62 in FIG. 3.

 Trunnion 62 includes a feeler arm 64 which is attached to and rotates with the shaft. The arm 64 actuates a detection contactor 66, such as a micro-contactor which produces a DC control signal indicating that the access door 40 is in the fully closed position, as shown. The feeler arm 64 and the microswitch 66 are located inside the region of the safe placed on the side opposite the wall of the delivery chamber so that they cannot be violated by a person outside the safe.

 The platform 60, which forms the bottom surface of the delivery chamber, is mounted on a tent pivot shaft 70 so that it can pivot to the open position shown by the dashes 60a in Figure 3. A control motor 68, also located inside the region of the safe, is connected, for example by a gear train, to the shaft 70 and is controlled by signals from the microprocessor 34 in the manner which will be described for tilting the platform 60 between the upper position (closed) represented by a solid line and the lower position (open) represented by dashes, and vice versa, in order to evacuate the notes from the delivery chamber under conditions predetermined evacuation points which will be defined below.

 A ticket detection device 72 is provided below the platform 60 and operates through an opening 73 to detect the presence of a ticket on the platform. The detector 72 can be, for example, a photo-optical device which detects by reflection any object covering the opening 73. To this end, the detector projects a narrow beam of light through the opening 73 upwards into the chamber 58 A light receiving opening located immediately next to the projection opening collects light reflected by an object such as a banknote placed immediately above it, that is, on the platform 60. A photoelectric cell provided in the detector 72 detects the light and generates an NP output signal, indicating the presence of a ticket. When there is no ticket, no light is detected and the signal NP is at a different level, that is to say, lower. Another detection technique would consist in providing a reflecting surface on the upper wall of the chamber which would reflect a more intense beam of light projected towards the detection opening in the absence of a ticket in the chamber. In the latter case, the absence of reflected light, and therefore the lower level of the signal NP, would represent the condition of the presence of a banknote in a manner opposite to the previous technique.

A detection and blocking module 74 is fixed to the front wall of the device just below the evacuation platform 60. This detection and blocking module 74 comprises a detection contactor (not shown) similar to the microswitch 66 to provide an output signal PU indicating that the platform 60 is in the upper or closed position as represented by a solid line. The module 74 also includes a locking mechanism (not shown) for locking the access door 40 in the closed position and for generating an output signal DL indicating the blocked condition. The locking mechanism can be, for example, a lock blocking actuated by solenoid or a similar device which can be controlled to block or unblock the access door in response to signals sent remotely from the microprocessor 34. The DL signal can be generated by a microswitch, for example similar to the microswitch 66, which is arranged to detect when the locking mechanism is in the locked state. Another detection switch 76 is provided on an edge below the platform 60 and operates to generate an output signal PD when the platform 60 is in its lower or open position, as shown. by the dashes 60a in Figure 3.

A removable recovery bin 56 is placed, as FIG. 3 indicates, below the delivery chamber 58 to receive and keep the banknotes which are unloaded from the chamber when the platform 60 is tilted up to its lower position, in accordance with the operation of the invention as will be described below
Figure 4 shows the interconnection between the microprocessor 34 and the money delivery device 36 with respect to the present invention. The microprocessor 34 includes interface sections 34a and 34b, a synchronization and arithmetic logic unit 34c, a control memory section 34d, and a branch and sequence control section 34e. The microprocessor can be constituted, for example, by a microprocessor chip module of the type 8085, manufactured by Intel. The microprocessor receives the signals X, Y and Z coming respectively from the computer 10, from the signal generator PIN 30, and from the reader. cards 20. Optionally, these signals can be combined in a serial data stream, such as in a communication link, rather than being transmitted on separate lines. The microprocessor generates an output signal
DN which is transmitted to the computer 10 under certain conditions indicating that the terminal 14 requires manual intervention by an employee of the bank to satisfy a condition which the system cannot automatically process.

When the microprocessor 34 determines, in response to signals X, Y and Z, that a money delivery operation is to be initiated, it transmits a signal DIS to the money delivery device 36, triggering the latter to start the supply of banknotes from the storage module 52 of the issuing chamber 58. Various additional signals associated with the control of the issuing of banknotes are transmitted between the money issuing device and the microprocessor by the intermediate of lines 90 and 92. The specific control functions associated with these signals are not specific to the present invention and are not described.

 The signals necessary to control the evacuation function in accordance with the present invention are transmitted from the microprocessor to the money delivery device via lines 94 and from the delivery device to the microprocessor via lines 96.

Last signals include door closed signal
DC, the present ticket signal Np, the locked door signal DL, the platform signal at the top PU, and the platform signal at the bottom PD generated as described above. The control signals generated by the microprocessor and transferred via the lines 94 include a closed door signal, an unclosed door signal UD, a platform signal in the lower position LP, and a signal RPo high platform
The blocked door signal LD acts to actuate the locking mechanism of the detection and blocking module 74 to block the access door 40. The unblocked door signal UD removes the command of the locking mechanism to unlock the door. access. The platform signal in the lower position LP energizes the motor 68 (Figure 3) to tilt the platform 60 anti-clockwise until the platform signal at the bottom PD is generated. . The high platform signal
RP energizes the control motor 68 in the opposite direction until the platform signal at the top PU is generated.

The control of the system to carry out an evacuation operation is carried out by micro-instluctions stored in the control memory section 34d of the microprocessor. The micro-instructions are represented by the flowcharts in Figures 5, 6 and 7. Figure 5 shows the basic routine for controlling the part of the money delivery operation that allows the operator to open the door. '' and withdraw the tickets issued. Figure 6 shows the micro-instructions used in the evacuation subroutine so that issued banknotes are discharged from the issuing chamber 58 under specified evacuation conditions. Figure 7 shows the micro-instructions which control the delivery device during the start-up of the system.

 We will now describe the operation of the automatic delivery and evacuation control system according to the present invention, with reference to FIGS. 3, 5, 6 and 7.

 We can assume that, during the first part of the issuing operation where tickets are sent by the issuing track 78 in the chamber 58, the platform 60 is in its upper position, and that the access door 40 is closed and blocked. The DC, DL and PU signals are then sent by the money delivery device to the microprocessor. Since it is also assumed that tickets are presently delivered in the issuing chamber, the present ticket signal NP is also generated at this time.

When the microprocessor determines that the delivery operation is finished, the microprogram progresses from block S1 of delivery completed (Fig. 5) to the block
Sla. The Sla connection block makes it possible to control the presence of a system error signal that the microprocessor may have received during the previous delivery operation. This signal is stored in a flip-flop or a register determined in the microprocessor. The presence of a signal indicates a system irregularity, such as a detected delivery error, for example a double supply or a calculation error. If such a signal is present, the program leaves the block Sla via the Yes connection and progresses directly to the block S21 for evacuation.

If no system error signal is present, the program progresses to block S2. The microprocessor thus generates a control signal UD which is sent to the money delivery device and which stops the locking mechanism in the detection and locking module 74, by unlocking and consequently unlocking the access door 40. The program block S1 also triggers time controller 1, which is established inside the microprocessor 34 and which can be constituted, for example, by a register-counter in the arithmetic and logic unit
ALU. The synchronization time interval established by the time controller 1 is chosen to reflect the normal time necessary for the execution of the various mechanical operations in the evacuation device, i.e. the operations of locking and unlocking of door and lifting and lowering of evacuation platform.

The program then progresses to block S3, "Door not blocked?", Where the signal DL is checked to determine whether an unlocking operation has occurred. Initially, the signal DL indicates the continuous presence of the locking condition, which connects the program to block S4 where the state of the time controller 1 is monitored. If the controller has not exceeded its time limit, the program returns to block S3. The program continues to run through the loop S3-S4 until the signal DL indicates that the door is not blocked or that time controller 1 has exceeded its time limit. If this condition occurs first, block S22 is reached, which indicates that an insoluble problem has been encountered and that the delivery device must be closed. The microprocessor thus transmits the signal DN and transmits it to the computer 10, so that the latter is informed that the terminal 14 requires the attention of the operator and all other delivery commands are prohibited.

However, if in the block S3 the signal DL indicates that the access door 40 is normally unlocked, the program follows the connection Yes from the block S3 and progresses to the block S5 where the time controller 1 is reset to zero. and a time controller 2 is triggered. The time interval established by the time controller 2 establishes a time window during which the operator who requested the ticketing operation must open the access door 40.

 After the trigger of time controller 2, the program progresses to block S6 and then makes a connection to block S7, where it returns to block S6. The synchronization loop comprising the blocks S6 and S7 is traversed until the access door is opened or the time controller 2 has exceeded its allocated time. If the access door is opened before time controller 2 has exceeded the time limit, the program follows the Yes connection from connection block S6 and progresses to block S8, where the time controller 2 is reset and oh a time controller 3 is triggered.

The time interval established by the time controller 3 defines the time normally required for the operator to withdraw the tickets from the delivery chamber, once the access door is opened.

The program progresses directly from block S8 to block S9, which is a branch block in which the control signal NP from the money delivery device is monitored. The program makes a connection to block S10 via block S9, returns to block S9 and continues to traverse the loop S9-S10 until the signal
NP indicates that no ticket is present in the delivery chamber or that the time controller 3 has exceeded the time limit. If the tickets are withdrawn from platform 60 before the time limit given to the time controller 3 has elapsed, the program progresses by connection No from connection block S9 and enters into connection block S11, where the signal for DC command is monitored to determine if the access door 40 is closed.

The loop S11-S12 is traversed until the signal DC indicates that the access door has been closed or that the time controller 3 has exceeded the time allowed. If the access door is closed before the time controller 3 exceeds its time limit, the program follows the connection
No from block Sil and progresses to block S13 in which the time controller 3 is reset. Then, the block S14 is executed to block the access door 40 and retrigger the time controller 1. The microprocessor thus sends the control signal LD to the money issuing device to actuate the locking mechanism in the module 74 so engage the door lock and block door 40. The program then enters block S15 where the DC and DL control signals are monitored to determine if the door is currently blocked. These signals must both be present to indicate that the door is blocked.

The program traverses the loop S15-S16 until the blocking state is established or the time controller 1 has exceeded its time limit. If the door locks normally, the program leaves block S15 via the Yes connection and enters block S17 for resetting the time controller 1.

Then, the program progresses to block S18, which indicates to the microprocessor that the tickets issued have been withdrawn in a normal manner, that the access door has been blocked, and that the system is in a state to execute another operation of issue.

If in the block SB5 the signal DC continues to indicate that the door is not closed or if the signal DL continues to indicate that the latch is not engaged before the time controller 1 has exceeded its time limit, the program follows the Yes connection from block S16 and executes the closing block S23, where the microprocessor sends the signal DN, sent to the computer 10, which prohibits other delivery operations until the fault situation of blockage is resolved by operator intervention.

If, during the time interval in which the program has traversed the synchronization loop S6-S7, the time controller 2 has exceeded the time allowed before the DC control signal indicates that the access door is open, the program follows the Yes connection from block S7 and executes the evacuation subroutine of block S21 to load the tickets which may be present in the delivery chamber and send them to the evacuation locker 56. Similarly, if during the time interval where the program traverses the loop S9-S10, the time controller 3 exceeds the time allowed before the signal NP indicates that the tickets have been withdrawn from platform 60, the program follows the connection Yes from from block S10 and enters the evacuation routine block S21 via block 820. Evacuation is executed only if the access door is closed as block S20 determines by checking the signal
DC.

If the door is not closed, the program progresses to the closing block S19 and the delivery system is closed pending an operator intervention. The closing block 819 is also executed in the case where the program leaves the synchronization loop S11-S12 by the Yes connection of the block S12. This occurs if the access door is not closed within the time period given to time controller 3.

 The evacuation subroutine block S21 is defined in the flow diagram of FIG. 6. The first block P1 of the subroutine is used to block the access door 40 and to trigger the time controller I. The blocks P1, P2, P3 and P15 operate in the same way as the blocking blocks described above, S14, S15, S16 and S23 to confirm the blocking of the access door or to cause the emission of a DN signal from the microprocessor to prohibit other delivery operations until the door condition not blocked is resolved by operator intervention.

 After blocking the door, the evacuation program progresses to block P4 to allow the time controller 1 to zero and from there to block P5, where the microprocessor retriggers time controller 1 and sends the signal IP control for actuating the platform control motor 68. The evacuation platform 60 is thus driven anti-clockwise to drop the banknotes which it supports in the evacuation case 56. This discharge operation is controlled by the synchronization loop constituted by the blocks P6-P7 such that, if a ticket is still detected on the platform when the time controller 1 exceeds the time limit, the system executes the block P13 If the evacuation is successful, the synchronization loop is traversed by the No connection of the P6 block and the P8 block is executed to reset the time controller 1 to zero.

Then, the program progresses to block P9, where the time controller 1 is retriggered and the control signal RP is emitted by the microprocessor. This reverses the motor 68 and controls the evacuation platform 60 clockwise until the signal
PU is produced by the detection module 74. If this does not happen before the time controller 1 exceeds its time limit, the synchronization loop P10-Pll is no longer traversed by the Yes connection of the Pîl block and the system is closed by the block P14, oh the output signal DN is produced by the microprocessor 34 by prohibiting another operation of the delivery system until an operator intervention resolves the situation.

If platform 60 closes normally, the program follows the Yes connection of the Plo block and executes the block
P12 which resets time controller 1 to zero Then, the program progresses to the READY block S18 of the main program, thus indicating the end of execution of the evacuation operation and that the system is in a state to process d 'other delivery operations.

Evacuation control is also carried out in the system according to the present invention during the initial power-up cycle following system closure. Since the system may have been closed due to a power failure or other type of failure condition, it is possible that one or more tickets have remained in the delivery device in a position such that 'they were sent to the delivery chamber during the first delivery operation following the power-up cycle. As shown in Figure 7, a microprogrammed routine contained in microprocessor 34 is executed during the power-up cycle to evacuate banknotes that would have remained in the system.

After receiving the indication of power-up from the central computer 10 in block A1, the program progresses to block A2 where the access door 40 is blocked. Following this, a synchronization loop constituted by the blocks A3 and A4 is executed to ensure that the door is locked properly. As described above with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the connection block A3 checks the simultaneous presence of the door closed signal DC and the door locked signal DL coming from the money delivery device.

 After blocking the access door and resetting the time controller 1 (block A6), the program progresses to block A7 where the advancement engine associated with the ticket supply device of module 54 is started. works for approximately two seconds in order to unload the notes remaining in reserve in the delivery chamber 58.

Next, the branch block A8 is executed to control the present ticket signal NP from the money delivery device. If the signal NP indicates the presence of a ticket in the room, the program exits from block A8 via the Yes connection to execute the evacuation block A9. This last block can be identical to block S21 of FIG. 5, which has been described in detail with reference to FIG. 6.

At the end of the execution of the evacuation routine, the program progresses to the ready system block A10 and indicates to the system that the delivery system is ready to operate. If a ticket was not detected in the block
A8, the program leaves this block via the No connection and progresses directly to block A10 to generate the indication of system ready.

 Considering the operations described above, it can be seen that the system according to the present invention provides an evacuation control device for discharging tickets which have been issued in a delivery chamber accessible to an operator if an irregularity in supply, a system error, a power failure or the equivalent occurred during a delivery operation or if the access door to the room is not operated for a period of time established following the In addition, if the access door is opened but one or more delivered tickets or other delivered object is left in the room after a predetermined period of time following the opening of the door, the control system Evacuation also operates to unload the remaining banknotes or objects from the chamber before authorizing another operation of the issuing system.

 The evacuation control device thus prevents a situation where tickets inadvertently or mistakenly left in the delivery chamber are accessible to an unauthorized operator. It also makes it possible to evacuate all foreign objects that have been left intentionally or unintentionally in the room by an operator.

 The microprocessor is also capable, by keeping in mind the various evacuation operations that have been carried out during specified operations, to provide proof of confirmation which can be used to confirm or refute a customer complaint that it would not have received the full amount of money requested. If a customer makes such a complaint, and if the recording of the operation indicates that an evacuation operation has been carried out, proof is thus provided to confirm the customer's complaint. However, if the recording of the operation indicates that no evacuation operation has been carried out, evidence is provided to indicate that the customer's claim was probably false.

In summary, it can therefore be seen that, in accordance with the present invention which has just been described, a ticket issuing system comprises means for requesting a ticket issuing operation as well as a dispensing chamber comprising an access door by which the operator can access the room. As shown in the embodiment of the invention which has just been described, the requesting means comprise the operator control panel 36a comprising the keyboard 22 to allow an operator to request a ticket issuing operation. The delivery chamber and the access door are represented, in the embodiment described above, by the chamber 58 and the door 40, FIG. 3.

According to the present invention, the system further comprises means for issuing at least one ticket in the room in response to a request for issuing operation and security means for blocking the access door during a issuing operation. to unlock the door at the end of the operation to allow the operator to open the door to withdraw the ticket. As shown in the embodiment of the invention described above, the means for issuing at least one ticket are represented, for example, by the money delivery modules 52 and 54, by the computer 10, and the microprocessor 34 which contains the basic firmware instructions for the money delivery control. The security means to block and unblock the access door are represented, for example, by the door detection contactors and the parts of the control firmware are represented by the blocks S1-S4 and S14-S16 indicated in FIG. 5 .

 The present invention further comprises evacuation means for discharging the ticket issued from the issuing chamber if the access door is not opened within a defined period of time following the unlocking of the door by the security means. As shown in the embodiment of the invention described above, the evacuation means are represented by the platform 60, and the means for controlling the inclination thereof by the motor 68, the shaft 70 and the associated detection devices 74, 76, and in addition the parts of the control firmware by the blocks S5 to S7 and S21 indicated in FIG. 5.

According to the present invention, as described, the system further comprises access means operable by an operator to allow him to have access to the delivery chamber in order to withdraw tickets issued. As shown in the embodiment of the invention described above, these access means actuable by the operator are represented, for example, by the access door 40 which requires actuation by operator in the form In addition, the evacuation means comprise a platform contained in the issuing chamber for receiving a ticket after a issuing operation, means for detecting tickets to detect the presence of a ticket on the platform, and control means for discharging, in response to the ticket detection means, the ticket delivered from the chamber if the ticket detection means continue to detect the presence of the ticket on the platform during a predetermined period of time following the actuation of the access door.

As shown in the embodiment of the invention which has just been described, the platform is represented by the plate 60 and the ticket detection means are represented by the photo-optical detection device 72 and the opening 73. The control means responding to the banknote detection means comprise the tilt control elements associated with the platform 60, the parts of the control firmware represented by the blocks S8, S9,
S10 and S20 as well as the evacuation subroutine represented by block 821.

Claims (52)

 1. Ticket issuing system, characterized in that it comprises , means (36a) for requesting a ticketing operation;  , a delivery chamber (58) having an access door (40) through which an operator can gain access to the chamber; , means (52, 54, 10, 34) for delivering at least one ticket to the room in response to a request for a delivery operation;  , security means (74, 34) for blocking the access door during a delivery operation and for unlocking it at the end of the operation to allow the operator to open the door in order to withdraw the ticket; and , evacuation means (60, 68, 34) for discharging the ticket issued from the room if the door is not opened within a defined period of time following the unlocking of the door by the security means.  2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the request means are constituted by a control panel (36a) comprising a means (22) to allow the operator to generate said request for delivery operation and in that the delivery chamber (58) is located near the switchboard. 3. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the evacuation means consist of a removable platform (60) contained in the delivery chamber and means (68, 34) for moving the platform in order to unload the room ticket if the door is not opened within the defined time period. 4. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the evacuation means comprise a tilting plate (60) positioned to receive said ticket when it is issued in the chamber; and means (68, 34) for tilting said plate in order to discharge the ticket from the chamber by gravity if the door is not opened within the established period of time. 5. System according to any one of claims 3 and 4, characterized in that it further comprises an evacuation locker (56) for collecting notes discharged from the room by the evacuation means.  6. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the security means (74, 34) further comprise actuable means, if the door is opened within the defined period of time, for locking the door after the ticket has been removed from the room. 7. Ticket issuing system, characterized in that it comprises request means (36a) for requesting a ticketing operation; a delivery chamber (58); means (52, 54, 10, 34) for delivering at least one ticket to the room in response to a request for a delivery operation; access means operable by an operator (40) and conditioned in response to the complete execution of the issuance operation to allow an operator to have access to the room for withdrawing the ticket;  -a tilting platform (60) contained in the room for receiving the ticket after the issuing operation; and  -evacuation means (68, 34) for tilting the platform in order to unload the ticket from the room if the operator does not operate the access means within a defined period of time after they have have been conditioned for an operation.  8. System according to claim 7, characterized in that the means for requesting a delivery operation consist of an operator control panel (36a) comprising means (22) for enabling the operator to generate the request d delivery operation and in that the delivery chamber is located near the switchboard.  9. System according to claim 7, characterized in that it further comprises an evacuation rack (56) for collecting the tickets unloaded from the delivery means by the evacuation means.  10. System according to claim 7, characterized in that it further comprises means (34) actuable, if the access means are actuated within the defined period of time, to uncondition the access means after the ticket has been removed from the room.  11. Ticket issuing system, characterized in that it comprises  request means (36a) for requesting a ticketing operation;  a delivery chamber (58); means (52, 54, 10, 34) for delivering at least one ticket to the room in response to a request for a delivery operation; access means operable by an operator (40) to allow an operator to have access to the room to withdraw the ticket; and  -evacuation means (60, 68, 34, 72) comprising a platform (60) contained in the chamber for receiving the ticket after the issuing operation, ticket detection means (72) for detecting the presence of a ticket on the platform, and control means (68, 34) for discharging, in response to the ticket detection means, the ticket delivered from the chamber if the ticket detection means continue to detect the presence of the ticket on the platform for a predetermined period of time following actuation of the access means. 12. System according to claim 11, characterized in that the request means are constituted by an operator control panel (36a) comprising a means (22) to allow the operator to generate the request for delivery operation. and in that the delivery chamber (58) is located near the switchboard. 13. System according to claim 11, characterized in that the control means (68, 34) comprise means (68) for tilting the platform in response to the continuous detection of the ticket to unload by gravity the ticket from the room . 14. System according to claim 13, characterized in that it further comprises an evacuation rack (56) for collecting the notes discharged from the chamber by the evacuation means.  15. The system of claim 11, characterized in that it further comprises means (34) for invalidating the access means, if the ticket is removed from the platform in the predetermined period of time, in order to prevent an operator from still having access to the room.  16. System according to claim 11, characterized in that it further comprises  means (74) for blocking the access means in order to prevent the operator from having access to the chamber during the delivery operation; means (34) for invalidating the blocking means after the end of execution of the delivery operation to allow actuation of the access means;  means (66, 34) for detecting whether the access means are actuated; and  means (68) contained in the control means and responding to the detection means (66, 34) mentioned last for discharging the ticket delivered from the room if these latter detection means indicate that the access means are not actuated within a period of time established after the invalidation of the blocking means.  17. System according to claim 16, characterized in that the control means further comprise  means (34) for validating the blocking means in order to prevent an operator from still having access to the room if the ticket detection means (72) indicate that the ticket has been withdrawn from the platform (60 ) within the predetermined period of time. 18. The system as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that the control means also comprise means (34) for prohibiting the validation operation and for preventing another operation of the delivery means if the means for detecting the actuation of the means of access indicate that these means of access are always in action at the end of the predetermined period of time.  19. The system as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that the control means (68, 34) operate in response to the detection means for discharging the issued ticket from the chamber if the detection means (72) always detect the presence of the ticket on the platform for the predetermined period of time and if the access means (40) are not in action at the end of said period.  20. System according to claim 19, characterized in that the control means (68, 34) also function to prohibit the unloading action and to prevent another operation of the delivery means if the access means are in action at the end of the predetermined period of time.  21. Method for controlling an automatic ticket issuing system comprising issuing means (52, 54, 10, 34) for issuing a ticket in a issuing chamber (58) at the request of an operator, means of evacuation (60, 68, 34) for automatically unloading the ticket from the room, and access means operable by an operator (40) to allow an operator to have access to the room in order to withdraw the ticket, characterized in what it consists of  block the access means to prevent access to the room by an operator during the delivery operation;  - unlock the means of access at the end of the issuing operation to allow the operator to activate these means and withdraw the ticket; and  - operate the evacuation means to unload the ticket from the room if the access means are not actuated within a defined period of time after they have been released. 22. Method for controlling an automatic ticket issuing system comprising issuing means (52, 54, 10, 34) for issuing a ticket in a issuing chamber (58) at the request of an operator, means of evacuation (60, 68, 34) for automatically discharging the ticket from the room, and access means operable by an operator (40) to allow an operator to have access to the room in order to withdraw the ticket, characterized in what it consists of:  -detect if the access means are in an actuating state; detect if a ticket is present or absent in the room; and operate the evacuation means to unload the ticket from the room after a ticket issuing operation if the second detection operation continues to indicate the presence of a ticket in the room for a predetermined period of time after the first detection operation indicated the actuation state of the access means. 23. The method of claim 22, characterized in that it further comprises -prohibit the evacuation operation and block the access means to prevent the operator from still having access to the room if the second detection operation indicates the absence of a ticket in the room after the first operation detection indicated the actuation state of the access means. 24. The method of claim 23, characterized in that it further comprises prohibit the blocking operation and invalidate another operation of the delivery means if the first detection operation indicates that the access means remain in the actuated state longer than the predetermined period of time.  25. Ticket issuing system, characterized in that it comprises  request means (36a) for requesting a ticketing operation;  a delivery chamber (58);  means (52, 54, 10, 34) for delivering at least one ticket to the room in response to a request for a delivery operation;  access means (40) conditioned in response to the end of the execution of the issuing operation, these access means being designed and arranged to allow an operator to have access to the room to withdraw the ticket ;  a tilting platform (60) placed in the chamber for receiving the ticket after the issuing operation; and  -evacuation means (60, 68, 34) to tilt the platform in order to unload the ticket from the room if the operator does not remove it from the room after he has obtained access to it- this. 26. The system as claimed in claim 25, characterized in that the request means consist of an operator control panel (36a) comprising means (22) for enabling the operator to generate the request for the delivery operation. and in that the delivery chamber is located near the switchboard.  27. Ticket issuing system comprising an evacuation control device5 characterized in that this evacuation control device comprises a delivery chamber (58) containing an access door (40) accessible to an operator; means (52, 54, 34, 10) for delivering at least one ticket to the room;  a tilting platform (60) contained in the chamber for receiving tickets issued in the chamber; and  means (68, 34) for tilting the platform in order to unload a ticket issued from the room to prevent an operator from having access to an incorrect number of tickets in the room.  28. System according to claim 27, characterized in that it is applicable to the distribution of articles other than tickets, with the same evacuation control device.  29. Ticket issuing system, characterized in that it comprises  means (36a) for requesting an operation for issuing tickets;  a delivery chamber (58) comprising an access door (40) through which an operator can have access to the chamber; - means (52, 54, 10, 34) for delivering at least one ticket to the room in response to a request for a delivery operation;  -security means (74, 34) for blocking the access door during a ticketing operation and for unlocking the door at the end of the operation in order to allow the operator to open the door to withdraw the ticket; and evacuation means - (60, 68, 34) to withdraw the ticket issued from the room, in response to a predetermined evacuation condition, before the security means operate to unlock the door.  30. System according to claim 29, characterized in that the request means are constituted by a control panel (36a) comprising a means (22) to allow the operator to generate the request for the delivery operation and in what the room is located near the table.  31. System according to claim 29, characterized in that the evacuation means comprise  system error detecting means (10) for detecting the execution of an erroneous operation by the issuing means; and means (34) for providing an indication of the predetermined evacuation condition, in response to the system error detection means, if the detection means indicates the occurrence of an error during operation of the delivery means.  32. Ticket issuing system, characterized in that it comprises  means (36a) for requesting an operation for issuing tickets; a delivery chamber (58) comprising an access door (40) through which an operator can have access to the chamber;  means (52, 54, 10, 34) for delivering at least one ticket to the room in response to a request for a delivery operation;  security means (74, 34) comprising means for blocking the access door during a ticket issuing operation and means for unlocking the door at the end of said operation to allow the operator to open the door to collect the ticket; and  -evacuation means (60, 68, 34) for discharging the ticket issued from the room if the door is not opened within a defined period of time following the unlocking of the door by the security means, the means of evacuation including means (74) for actuating the locking means in order to block the door before the unloading of the ticket from the room.  33. System according to claim 32, characterized in that the request means consist of a control panel (36a) comprising a means (22) to allow the operator to generate the request for the delivery operation and in that the chamber (58) is located near the board.  34. Delivery system, characterized in that it comprises  a delivery chamber (58) comprising an access door (40) through which an operator can have access to the chamber; means (52, 54, 10, 34) for delivering an article to the chamber;  security means (74, 34) for locking the access door during a delivery operation and for unlocking the door at the end of said operation so as to allow the operator to open the door to remove the article;  -evacuation means (60, 68, 34) for automatically unloading the article from the chamber; and  control means (34) for actuating the security means in order to block the access door during the operation of the evacuation means.  35. System according to claim 34, characterized in that said article delivered is a bank note.  36. Delivery system, characterized in that it comprises  a delivery chamber (58);  means (52, 54, 34, 10) for delivering an article to the chamber;  evacuation means (60, 68, 34) for actuating the delivery means for a predetermined period of time in order to remove the articles remaining in the delivery chamber and for then operating the evacuation means for discharging the articles from the room.  37. System according to claim 36, characterized in that it further comprises  -detection means (72) for detecting the presence of an article in the delivery chamber; and  means included in the control means (34) for prohibiting the operation of the evacuation means in response to an indication provided by the detection means and specifying that an item is not present in the room.  38. System according to claim 36, characterized in that it further comprises  a lockable access door (40) contained on the delivery chamber to allow an operator to gain access to the chamber to remove articles therefrom; and means included in the control means (34) for blocking the access door before actuation of the delivery means.  39. Ticket issuing system comprising an evacuation control device, means for issuing (52, 54, 10, 34) of a ticket in a issuing chamber (58) and access means operable by a operator (40) to allow this operator to have access to the room for withdrawing the ticket, characterized in that said evacuation control device comprises means (34) for invalidating the access means to prevent their actuation, so that the operator is deprived of access to the room;  means (60, 68, 34) for unloading the ticket from the room after the access means have been disabled; ticket detection means (72) for detecting the presence of a ticket in the room; control means (34) responding to the ticket detection means after the operation of the unloading means to provide an indication of evacuation termination if the ticket detection means do not signal the presence of a ticket in the bedroom; and synchronization means (34) responding to the ticket detection means for generating a timeout signal if the ticket detection means indicate the presence of a ticket in the room during an interval exceeding a predetermined period of time following the actuation of the unloading means.  40. Ticket issuing system according to claim 39, characterized in that it further comprises means (34) for prohibiting another operation of the issuing means in response to said timeout signal. 41. Ticket issuing system according to claim 39, characterized in that the unloading means comprise  a removable platform (60) contained in the room for receiving a ticket issued; and  means (68) for moving the platform in order to unload the ticket from the room.  42. System according to claim 41, characterized in that the removable platform (60) is constituted by a tilting plate and in that the means (68) for moving the platform are constituted by a means for tilting the plate by gravity to unload the ticket from the room.  43. Method for evacuating a ticket issued from a dispensing chamber in an automatic ticket issuing system comprising means (52, 54, 10, 34) for sending a ticket to a issuing chamber (58) in response to a request for issue of a ticket and access means operable by an operator (40) to allow an operator to have access to the room in order to withdraw the ticket, characterized in that it consists of  - invalidate the means of access to prevent their actuation, so that the operator is deprived of access to the room;  - download the ticket from the room after the means of access have been invalidated;  -detect the presence of a ticket in the room; and  providing a completed evacuation indication to condition the system for other delivery operations if said detection operation does not indicate the presence of a ticket in the room. 44. Method according to claim 43, characterized in that it also consists in  -measure the period of time during which the presence of the ticket is detected in the room; and  -prohibit the evacuation termination indication and invalidate other ticket transfer operations if the presence of a ticket is detected in the room for a time interval exceeding a predetermined period of time.  45. Ticket issuing system, characterized in that it comprises -an operator control panel (36a) comprising means (22) for requesting a ticketing operation;  a delivery chamber (58) contained in the table and comprising an access door (40) by which an operator can have access to the chamber;  means (52, 54, 10, 34) for delivering at least one ticket to the room in response to a request for a delivery operation; security means (74, 34) for blocking the access door during a ticketing operation and for unlocking the door at the end of said operation to allow the operator to open the door in order to remove the ticket; and  evacuation means (60, 68, 34) arranged to operate in response to a predetermined evacuation condition in order to unload the ticket issued from the room before the security means operate to unlock the door.  46. System according to claim 45, characterized in that the evacuation means comprise means (72) for detecting the presence of a ticket in the room; and  means (34) for generating an indication of the predetermined evacuation condition, in response to the means for detecting the presence of a ticket, if the detection means indicate that a ticket is not present in the room immediately at the end of the ticketing operation. 47. System according to claim 46, characterized in that the security means comprise unlocking means (74) arranged to respond to the means for detecting the presence of a ticket, following the operation for issuing tickets, to unlock the access door when a ticket is present in the room;  blocking detection means (74) for detecting whether the door is in a blocked or unlocked state; and  means (34) responding to the blocking detection means (74) following the operation of the unlocking means to reactivate the unlocking means if the blocking detection means indicate that the door is still blocked and to invalidate another operation of the delivery means if the door remains blocked following the reactivation of the unlocking means.  48. Ticket issuing system, characterized in that it comprises  -request means (36a) to allow an operator to request a ticketing operation;  a delivery chamber (58) located near the request means;  means (52, 54, 10, 34) for delivering at least one ticket to the room in response to a request for a delivery operation;  access means operable by an operator (40) to allow an operator to have access to the room to withdraw the ticket; and  evacuation means (60, 68, 34, 74, 72) comprising a platform (60) placed in the chamber for receiving the ticket after said issuing operation, access detection means (74) for detecting actuation of the access means, ticket detection means (72) for detecting the presence of a ticket on the platform, and control means (68, 34) responding to the ticket detection means and to the access detection means for discharging the ticket delivered from the room if the access means are first actuated and then deactivated, and if then the ticket detection means continue to indicate that the ticket is still on the platform -form at the end of a predetermined period of time following the actuation of the access means.  49. System according to claim 48, characterized in that the control means (68, 34) comprise means (68) for tilting the platform in response to the continuous detection of the ticket in order to unload by gravity the ticket from the bedroom. 50. System according to claim 49, characterized in that it further comprises an evacuation rack (56) for collecting the notes discharged from the chamber by the evacuation means (60, 68, 34).  51. System according to claim 48, characterized in that it further comprises means (34) arranged to invalidate the access means, if the ticket is unloaded from the platform within the predetermined period of time, in order to '' prevent the operator from still having access to the room. 52. Ticket issuing system, characterized in that it comprises an operator control panel (36a) comprising means (22) for enabling an operator to request a ticket issuance operation;  -a delivery chamber close to the control panel and comprising an access door through which the operator can have access to the chamber;  means (52, 54, 10, 34) for delivering at least one ticket to the room in response to a request for a delivery operation;  -security means (74, 34) comprising means for blocking the access door during a ticket issuing operation and means for unlocking the door at the end of said operation to allow the operator to open the door to collect the ticket; and  -evacuation means (60, 68, 34) for discharging the ticket issued from the room if the door is not opened within a defined period of time following the unlocking of the door by the security means, the means of evacuation comprising means (34) for actuating the means (74) for locking the door before the unloading of the ticket from the room.