GB2431963A

GB2431963A - A secure storage unit for bank notes

Info

Publication number: GB2431963A
Application number: GB0522679A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Harrington
Original assignee: CONTACTA Ltd
Current assignee: CONTACTA Ltd
Priority date: 2005-11-07
Filing date: 2005-11-07
Publication date: 2007-05-09
Also published as: GB0522679D0

Abstract

A secure storage unit 10 has a number of separately lockable sections 20, each having a timer delay which is triggerable on a demand for opening. Each section may include a sensor 22 to detect the presence of an item, and may be an optical sensor or a pressure sensor. The lock 21 and timer 23 may prevent access to a section only if an item has been detected. Each section may have a different timer delay, so that sections closest to the user have the lowest delay and the timer delay for furthest section has the highest predetermined timer delay. Selection means such as a push button 40 may be associated with each section to enable a user to trigger its timer delay. Upon expiration of the time delay, the lock may permit access to a section for a predetermined period. Each section may be accessed via an openable and lockable lid 30. The storage unit may comprise a drawer which contains the sealable sections.

Description

Secure Storage Unit

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a secure storage unit for holding excess money received at banks and the like securely.

Background to the Invention

Over the course of a day a cashier will receive money in excess of that needed to be maintained in a float to provide change or withdrawals. This is a well known security issue that is utilised by the opportunistic or planned thief because the money is often stored at the cashier's desk with little or no protection. In the past, thieves have threatened cashiers and forced them to provide whatever cash is freely accessible around the cashier's desk.

Various attempts to reduce this problem and increase security are known. For example, a regular collection may "sweep" excess money to a more secure location to prevent the opportunistic thief being able to obtain such monies. More recently, secure drop boxes or systems have been installed in locations handling great deals of excess money such as banks, supermarkets, casinos and the like. These drop boxes or systems include a slot or aperture allowing the money to be deposited into them and cannot normally be accessed, even by the cashier. At the end of the day, once the public no longer have access to the building, the drop boxes are opened and emptied, with the money being transferred to a more secure location. In some systems, the deposited money is actually transferred to a secure location via pipe-work etc. However, this has its own security issues.

One difficulty associated with holding money at a cashier desk or the like is identifying the amount that should be held by the cashier to provide change or for withdrawal purposes and the like. Holding too little money at a cashiers desk results in delays in providing change and limited access for withdrawals, whereas holding too much money leaves vulnerability to the opportunistic thief as discussed above.

Statement of Invention

According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a secure storage unit having a number of separately sealable sections, each section having a predetermined time delay associated therewith, the time delay for a respective section being triggerable on demand, each section having locking means preventing access to the section until expiration of the respective time delay.

Each section may include detection means for detection the presence of an item within the respective section, the locking means preventing access to the respective section only upon detection of an item by detection means in the respective section.

The detection means may include an optical sensor and/or a pressure sensor or some other sensing arrangement.

Preferably, the time delay for a section is arranged to be changed in dependence on the output of the section's detection means, the time delay for a section where the section's detection means detects no item being approximately zero.

Each section may have a different predetermined time delay when its detection means detects an item within the respective section.

Preferably, the sections are arranged so as to be presented sequentially to a user, the closest section to a user having the lowest predetermined time delay and the time delay for each section sequentially increasing such that the furthest section from the user has the highest predetermined time delay.

The secure storage unit may further comprise selection means for enabling a user to selectively trigger the time delay of one of the sections.

A selection means may be associated with each of the sections for enabling a user to selectively trigger the time delay of the sections.

The selection means may include a push button.

Upon expiration of the predetermined time delay for a section, the locking means may be arranged to permit access to the section for a predetermined time period.

Preferably, each section includes an openable lid that is lockable by the locking means, the locking means being arranged to prevent access to the section by locking the lid.

Preferably, the secure storage unit is incorporated in a drawer.

Brief Description of the Drawings

An example of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views of a unit according to a first aspect of the present invention; and, Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating aspects of a section of the unit of Figure 1.

Detailed Description

Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views of a unit according to an aspect of the present invention.

The unit 10 is divided into a number of sections 20, each having its own lid 30 that is independently openable with respect to the lids of other sections. Each section also includes a corresponding push button switch 40 and LED display light 50.

The illustrated unit 10 is designed for use in a drawer unit and includes a draw front 60 with a draw lock 65 and drawer runners 70, although other implementations can be envisaged such as static units, units built into desks, trolley based units and the like.

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of aspects of one of the sections 20 of Figure 1.

Each section includes a locking means 21, item detection means 22 and timing means 23.

The timing means 23 of each section 20 is set for a predetermined time delay. In a preferred embodiment, the time delay for each section increases from a first section nearest to the draw front 60 to a furthest section. The furthest sections (and least accessible as the draw would have to be fully opened) are intended to hold higher value deposits.

Item detection means 22 is arranged to detect the presence of an item within the respective section. Preferably, the detection means 22 is an optical detection means that emits a light or infra red beam 22a, although other detection means such as pressure, weight or the like could also be used.

The locking means 21 of each section 20 is controlled by the section's respective detection means 22 and timing means 23. If the section's respective item detection means 22 does not detect the presence of an item within the section 20, the section's corresponding push button can be actuated causing the locking means 21 to be disengaged and allowing the lid to be opened. Preferably, actuation of the push button causes the locking means 21 to be disengaged for a predetermined time period (preferably 5 seconds).

Once opened, a money bundle or other item can be inserted in the section 20 and the lid closed. The locking means 21 will be engaged and the corresponding LED will be illuminated indicating that the section is occupied and locked.

In the event that a user wishes to access an occupied section (to access the item within it, empty the section etc.) the corresponding push button for the section 20 is pressed which initiates a countdown timer within the timing means 23. The countdown timer corresponds to the section's time delay. The LED changes to a flashing light until the countdown time period is elapsed, at which time the LED changes colour to indicate that the lid 30 can be opened. Preferably, the locking means 23 disengages for a predetermined time period after the countdown period has elapsed, after which time it re-engages and a user would have to repeat the countdown via the pushbutton 40 to access the section 20. Preferably, the predetermined time period during which the locking means is disengaged is 1 minute.

Claims

Claims 1. A secure storage unit having a number of separately sealable

sections, each section having a predetermined time delay associated therewith, the time delay for a respective section being triggerable on demand, each section having locking means preventing access to the section until expiration of the respective time delay.

2. A secure storage unit according to claim 1, wherein each section includes detection means for detecting the presence of an item within the respective section.

3. A secure storage unit according to claim 2, wherein the locking means is arranged to prevent access to the respective section only upon detection of an item by detection means in the respective section.

3. A secure storage unit according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the detection means includes an optical sensor.

4. A secure storage unit according to claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the detection means includes a pressure sensor.

5. A secure storage unit according to claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the time delay for a section is arranged to be changed in dependence on the output of the section's detection means, the time delay for a section where the section's detection means detects no item being approximately zero.

6. A secure storage unit according to claim 5, wherein each section has a different predetermined time delay when its detection means detects an item within the respective section.

7. A secure storage unit according to claim 6, wherein the sections are arranged so as to be presented sequentially to a user, the closest section to a user having the lowest predetermined time delay and the time delay for each section sequentially increasing such that the furthest section from the user has the highest predetermined time delay.

8. A secure storage unit according to any preceding claim further comprising selection means for enabling a user to selectively trigger the time delay of one of the sections.

9. A secure storage unit according to claim 8, further comprising a selection means associated with each of the sections for enabling a user to selectively trigger the time delay of the sections.

10. A secure storage unit according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the selection means includes a push button.

11. A secure storage unit according to any preceding claim, wherein upon expiration of the predetermined time delay for a section, the locking means is arranged to permit access to the section for a predetermined time period.

12. A secure storage unit according to any preceding claim, wherein each section includes an openable lid that is lockable by the locking means, the locking means being arranged to prevent access to the section by locking the lid.

13. A drawer incorporating a secure storage unit according to any preceding claim.

14. A secure storage unit as herein described and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

15. A drawer as herein described and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.