RU2797131C1 - Method and system for automated cassette rating change in self-service device - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: computer technology.

SUBSTANCE: invention is related to technologies for managing the cash collection from self-service devices (SSD), and more specifically, to a method and system for automated change of denominations of cassettes for cash collection from recycling SSDs. The claimed technical result is achieved through the implementation of a method for automated change of denominations of cassettes in the SSD, performed using the SSD processor and containing the steps at which: a command is received to perform the cash collection procedure of the SSD; sending a request from the SSD to the processing centre containing at least the ID of the SSD; receipt from the processing centre data on the denominations of cash of cassettes for this SSD; writing the received data in the memory of the SSD; receipt of a signal about the installation of cassettes in the SSD; performing reading of parameters of the cassettes installed in the SSD; carrying out a test collection of banknotes from the installed cassettes in order to determine the denominations of the cash loaded in the cassettes; activating the operation of the SSD with cassettes, the denominations of cash in which coincide with the information about the denominations recorded in the memory of the SSD.

EFFECT: technical result is to increase the efficiency and speed of changing the denominations of cash cassettes in the SSD, due to the remote reprogramming of the SSD.

3 cl, 2 dwg, 1 tbl

Description

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

[0001] The present solution relates to the field of computer technology, in particular technologies for managing the collection of self-service devices (RS), and more specifically, to a method and system for the automated change of denominations of cassettes for the collection of recycling RS.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Recycling RS (from the English RATM - Recycling Automatic Teller Machine) or recirculating ATMs are devices operating on the technology of a closed cash flow cycle, in which the same cash deposited into the ATM by one user is applied and issued in the event that another user makes a request to withdraw money from an ATM, i.e. device cassettes can both issue and receive money. When servicing a client in terms of issuing or receiving funds, the client performs an operation to receive or deposit funds through the Clients Servicing Module (CSM), also called a "shutter". Except for performing operations with clients (issuing and receiving funds), the use of the client service module for any other purposes is not implied. Examples of such devices are, for example, devices manufactured by NCR (https://www.ncr.com/content/dam/ncrcorn/content-type/white_papers/15FrN3458_Recycling_Cash_at_the_ATM_WP.pdf).

[0003] To perform its primary task of serving customers in terms of issuing or receiving funds, cassettes are installed in the internal safe part of the ATM with the function of recycling banknotes, in which the funds are located. As customers are served, the balance of cash in the cassettes changes and at some point the cassettes may be on the verge of complete emptying or full, which will lead to a stop in the performance of the main function of customer service. In order to maintain the possibility of customer service, it is necessary to carry out collection (financial service) of the device. Within the framework of the classical method of collection of ATMs with the function of recycling banknotes, work is meant to replace the cassettes, i.e. previously installed cassettes, which are on the verge of complete emptying or full filling, are removed from the device and new cassettes are installed in their place, in which the necessary amount of money for customer service.

[0004] The classic cash collection technology of ATMs with the function of recycling banknotes by replacing cassettes involves a complex multi-stage work. For its implementation, it is necessary to use a large amount of banking equipment and make a lot of labor. Investing money in cassettes in a special way, in which banknotes are stacked evenly, to avoid jamming, requires a significant amount of time. When working with cassettes, during their movement and transportation, there is a risk of damage to the cassette, which will entail the need for additional costs for their repair. Storing sets of cassettes requires the distraction of a significant amount of physical space (room). In case of direct collection of the device, it is necessary to access the safe part, i.e. open the safe to access the cassettes. In addition to all this, a complete set of cassettes for one device is a very heavy load, exerting strong physical stress on employees.

[0005] The classic cash collection of ATMs with the function of banknote recycling by replacing cassettes is a regular collection method, which is determined by the equipment manufacturer and, as a rule, to change the denominations of cash cassettes, direct programming of the RS hardware using an external portable device, for example, known from the patent RU 192804 (PJSC Sberbank, 01.10.2019).

[0006] The disadvantage of the existing approach is the lack of automation of this process without the need for direct interaction with the RS in terms of changing the denominations of the cassettes with which the RS will work, which significantly affects the speed of collection.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The claimed invention is aimed at solving a technical problem, which consists in providing an automated process for remotely changing the denominations of cash cassettes in the RS.

[0008] The technical result is to increase the efficiency and speed of changing the denominations of cash cassettes in the RS, due to remote reprogramming of the RS.

[0009] The claimed technical result is achieved through the implementation of a method for automatically changing the denominations of cassettes in the US, performed using the US processor and containing the steps in which:

receive a command to carry out the collection procedure of the RS;

send a request from the RS to the processing center containing at least

RS identifier;

receive from the processing center data on the denominations of cash (DS) cassettes for this RS;

write the received data in the memory of the US;

receive a signal about the installation of cassettes in the US;

perform reading the parameters of the cassettes installed in the US;

carry out a test set of banknotes from the installed cassettes in order to determine the denominations of the DS loaded in the cassettes;

activate the operation of the CD with cassettes, the values of the DS in which match the information about the values recorded in the memory of the US.

[0010] In one of the particular examples of the implementation of the method, the parameters of the cassettes are read from the switches of the cassettes.

[0011] In another particular example of the implementation of the method, a signal about the installation of cassettes is generated when the cassettes are installed in the seats of the CD.

[0012] The claimed technical result is also achieved using an automated system for changing the denominations of cassettes in the RS connected via a data transmission channel with the processing center, while the RS is configured to:

receiving a command to carry out the collection procedure of the RS;

sending a request from the CA to the processing center containing at least the identifier of the CA;

receiving from the processing center data on the denominations of cash (DS) of cassettes for this RS;

recording the received data in the memory of the RS;

receiving a signal about the installation of cassettes in the US;

performing reading the parameters of the cassettes installed in the US;

implementation of a test set of banknotes from the installed cassettes in order to determine the denominations of the DS loaded in the cassettes;

activation of the work of the RS with cassettes, the denominations of the DS in which coincide with the information about the denominations recorded in the memory of the US.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates the circuit of the CA.

[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates the steps of the automated denomination change method.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] In FIG. 1 shows the general scheme of the CD (100) on the example of an ATM-recirculator. As shown in the presented general diagram of the CA (100), the device contains components integrated via a bus (software), such as: a processor (101), a memory (102), a networking tool (103), a display (104), controls ( 105), DS receiving/issuing module (106), cash cassettes (107), card reader (108).

[0016] The CPU (101) performs all necessary computational operations when processing transactional requests. The memory (102) may represent one or more devices of various types, such as RAM, ROM, or combinations thereof. HDD, SSD disks, flash memory, etc. can be used as ROM. The memory (102), as a rule, stores the program logic executed by the processor (101), which is necessary for implementing the method of operation of the CD (100), as well as the operating system that organizes the interaction interface (GUI) and data processing protocols.

[0017] As means of network interaction (103), devices can be used that provide data exchange using a wired or wireless type of communication with a processing center and other systems / devices, for example, an Ethernet card (LAN), a Wi-Fi module, a GSM modem ( 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G), etc. Additionally, means of data exchange between the SS (100) and the user (user device) can be used, for example, a Bluetooth transceiver, an NFC module, IrDa, etc.

[0018] The US display (104) is used to display a graphical user interface (GUI), and when it is executed in the form of a touch display, it also provides interaction with the user and receiving control commands from him.

[0019] The controls of the CD (105) can be a keyboard, touch screen, pin pad, mechanical and touch buttons, or a combination of the above elements. The DS receiving/issuing module (106) is a closed tray, which is designed for depositing and issuing banknotes. The tray is closed by a shutter shutter.

[0020] RS (100) also contains a bank card reader (108) that provides authorization of the client and transition to the state for the execution of a transaction or service request. The reader (108) can be implemented as a card reader and/or an NFC module for contactless reading of payment or service cards.

[0021] The CD (100) may further comprise a camera, one or more biometric sensors, a microphone. These devices, either individually or in combination, can be used to identify and verify the user.

[0022] In some embodiments of the technical solution, two-factor verification of the user can be applied using a camera or biometric sensors, for example, a fingerprint scanner, retina, or using analysis of the user's voice. Using the camera, an image of the user of the CA (100) can be captured for further processing and comparison with the reference identifying information of the account holder when a transaction is initiated in the CA (100).

[0023] The CA (100) can also provide for the exchange of identification information in a completely contactless mode, using a pre-generated identification token using a user device, for example, a smartphone, tablet or laptop, and its subsequent transmission over a wireless information exchange channel, for example, Bluetooth , Wi-Fi, NFC, RFID, etc., in the US (100).

[0024] Cash recycling cassettes (107) provide for the receipt and issuance of paid bills, with each cassette (107) corresponding to its face value.

[0025] In FIG. 2 is a flowchart describing the process of performing a method (200) for automated denomination change in CD cassettes.

[0026] In the first step (201), the collector activates the collection mode of the RS (100). This can be done by interacting with the GUI of the CD (100) using the display (104) and controls (105). RS (100), receiving the corresponding command, generates a request (202) to the processing center of the bank, which contains the ID of the RS (100). The processing center checks the table of the corresponding ID for information about the required settings for the cassettes of the RS and transmits the corresponding data to the RS (100).

[0027] At step (203), upon receipt of data on cassette denominations from the processing center, the RS (100) parses the received data on denominations and cassettes, and stores this information in the memory (102) of the RS. A description of the data format is given in Table 1.

[0028] Immediately after receiving from the processing center data on target denominations in cassettes, if their format is correct, the cassette denomination settings file is modified, which is recorded in the memory of the CD. The file is in json format. Thus, the expected configuration of the cassettes is already established at the beginning of the collection. Further, the SS processor (101) waits for the signal to change the cassettes, by means of their installation by the collector in the SS landing sockets (slots) of the module (107). The values of the new cassettes will correspond to the settings in this file.

[0029] Example:

- The US had denominations of 100-500-1000-5000;

- At the moment of the beginning of collection from the processing center, data on new denominations were received: 100-1000-2000-5000;

- The settings json-file data is updated in accordance with the received message from the processing center and stored in the RS memory (102).

[0030] It is expected that the collector will insert new cassettes with denominations of 100-1000-2000-5000, while the cassettes can be installed in any order relative to the slots in the RS. The number of banknotes in the cassettes can either match the one specified in the file, or differ.

[0031] Next, at step (204), the cash cassettes are changed by the collector. When new cassettes are installed, a special format request is sent to the module (107) to change the denominations of cash cassettes at the US hardware level. The request is sent by the SS process (101), while additionally determining the correctness of the hardware settings of the cassettes. The correspondence of the cassette type to the hardware settings is fixed at the US software level (100). For convenience and flexibility in managing the cash cassette fleet, all cassettes are divided into 4 unique types. Each type of cassette is associated with unique cassette switch settings (the so-called DIP-Switch), for example, jumpers in special slots located inside the cassettes, two-position switches inside the cassettes, and another type of switch depending on the hardware configuration of the US.

[0032] The set of jumper and switch positions that determines the hardware settings of the cassette is translated into binary code, where the cocked switch or the installed jumper correspond to one. For example, a set of switch positions 1100011 expressed in binary form would correspond to cassette type 1, and 1010011 to cassette type 2, and so on for 4 types of cassettes. At the CA level, the types of supported cassettes are strictly defined according to their hardware settings. Checking the correctness of the hardware settings of cash cassettes consists in checking that the positions of switches or jumpers inside the cassette correspond to the supported types of cassettes.

[0033] Upon completion of step (204), the CD processor (101) receives information about the installed cassettes and determines the expected denomination of banknotes corresponding to the hardware settings of the cassettes, according to the mentioned json file and Table 1. There is a test set of banknotes from each cassette with checking banknotes and determining whether the denomination of the note matches the denomination of the cassette stored in the settings file (step 205). A list of cassettes is formed, the banknotes in which correspond to the configured denomination.

[0034] The collector confirms the procedure for replacing cassettes with new denominations by interacting with the RS GUI (100). If all the cassette values match the information stored in the CA memory, then the CA is activated with the full set of cassettes (step 206). If there are cassettes with incorrect hardware settings or cassettes with bills of the wrong denomination, it is possible to continue the work of the CD with an incomplete set of cassettes (step 207) after removing the cassettes with the problems described above.

[0035] The automatic change of denominations of cash cassettes to RS using remote reprogramming of the RS logic has several advantages:

- Cassettes when replacing within the framework of the change of denominations can be located in any order relative to the seats of the cash dispenser;

- In case of failure of cassettes, or incorrect filling of cassettes (for example, with denominations different from the configured denomination), the CD can continue to work with an incomplete set of cassettes;

- Supports work with different cassettes containing banknotes of the same denominations;

- There is no possibility to manually change the denomination of cassettes to US, which is an additional guarantee of security.

[0036] The submitted application materials disclose preferred examples of the implementation of the technical solution and should not be construed as limiting other, particular examples of its implementation that do not go beyond the scope of the requested legal protection, which are obvious to specialists in the relevant field of technology.

Claims (19)

1. A method for automated change of cassette denominations in a self-service device (SS), performed using a SS processor and comprising the steps of: receive a command to carry out the collection procedure of the RS; sending a request from the RS to the processing center containing at least the ID of the RS; receive from the processing center data on the denominations of cash (DS) cassettes for this RS; write the received data into the memory of the US, which is modified file settings cassettes; receive a signal about the installation of cassettes in the US; perform reading the parameters of the cassettes installed in the US, which are read from the cassette switches; carry out a test set of banknotes from the installed cassettes in order to determine the denominations of the DS loaded in the cassettes; activate the operation of the CD with cassettes, the values of the DS in which match the information about the values recorded in the memory of the US. 2. The method according to p. 1, characterized in that the signal about the installation of cassettes is generated when the cassettes are installed in the seats of the US. 3. A system for automated change of cassette denominations in a self-service device (SS) connected via a data transmission channel with a processing center, while the SS is configured to: receiving a command to carry out the collection procedure of the RS; sending a request from the CA to the processing center containing at least the identifier of the CA; receiving from the processing center data on the denominations of cash (DS) of cassettes for this RS; recording the received data in the memory of the US, in which the modification of the cassette settings file is performed; receiving a signal about the installation of cassettes in the US; performing reading parameters of the cassettes installed in the US, which are read from the cassette switches; implementation of a test set of banknotes from the installed cassettes in order to determine the denominations of the DS loaded in the cassettes; activation of the work of the RS with cassettes, the denominations of the DS in which coincide with the information about the denominations recorded in the memory of the US.

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