SE526785C2 - Equipment adapted for automatic cash registers - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a self-enclosed note-handling apparatus designed for automatic cash register systems (3), which apparatus (1) comprises a propulsion device (5) and a means of transportation (7) for storage of notes (9) in the apparatus (1) and for transportation of notes (9) in and out of the apparatus (1) through an opening (11) arranged for each denomination by means of a control device (13) arranged for the apparatus (1) and for the said automatic cash register system (3) and on the basis of an amount determined by a cash register (19), in which a sensor device (15), for detecting notes (9) that are fed in and issued, is arranged at the said opening (11) and is connected electronically to the said control device (13). The sensor device (15) comprises a separate sensor (21) arranged to check the presence of each note (9) and to determine the content of each note (9) at item level.

Description

526 755 2 "” _ “g requires a large space at a cash register. It would also be desirable to make the equipment less complicated than known equipment.

An object of the present invention is to obviate the said disadvantages of known equipment and to improve the known equipment described above.

Another object of the present invention is to simplify the supply of signals adapted for the cash register system to the control means securely and efficiently, with respect to registration of banknotes entered in the equipment, in order thereby to achieve a reliable registration of the total number of banknotes stored in the equipment.

Another object is to be able to use other types of conveyor belts, which completely enclose the banknote, i.e. also non-transparent, and conveyor belts partially enclosing the banknote.

For these purposes, the self-contained banknote handling equipment described in the introduction according to the present invention is characterized by the characterizing part of claim 1. In this way, banknote handling equipment can be made less bulky than known technology and with fewer components ßr both detection, i.e. presence control, and content determination, i.e. control of banknotes, such as value of denomination, value, authenticity, etc. Each banknote is detected and checked at the same time, which means that the transport path for the banknote becomes shorter and thus the equipment becomes less bulky in depth.

Preferably, the sensor means is arranged outside the opening and separated from the means of transport.

In this way, the means of transport for the transport of banknotes do not have to be transparent and your types of film can be used. 20 r. P .. 'Å 0 3 J 5 4 6.:. .:.

Alternatively, the sensor means is arranged at a collection and expulsion unit located at the opening provided for each banknote denomination.

This ensures that the banknote is fed into the self-contained banknote handling equipment in a safe manner. A check of the banknote is also obtained before it A_ is transported into the storage space of the equipment for storage.

Preferably, the collection and expulsion unit comprises fuel for feeding banknotes to and from the opening.

Thus, the banknote can be read by means of an equipment belonging to a separate unit, which unit is adapted to control each banknote to the means of transport and assist in checking the banknote, without a cashier having to enter the banknote into the means of transport of the equipment in a controlled manner. In this way, even with simple means, additional security is provided because the unit reduces the risk of robbery as the physical construction of the drive-in and expulsion unit impairs the accessibility of the equipment's storage space6.

Conveniently, the propellant of the drive-in and drive-out unit is arranged for synchronized drive with the drive of the drive means.

Thus, the banknote can be driven in the same path, partly through the collection and expulsion unit, partly to the extent of the transport ticket. Advantageously, when inserting a banknote into the opening of the equipment intended for its denomination, the drive roller means provides a speed on the banknote slower through the input and expulsion unit than inside the equipment itself by means of the drive means. The drive roller means is synchronized with the drive means also in such a way that, when the banknote is dispensed, the banknote is transported faster through the input and output unit than the speed provided by the drive means. This synchronization is also preferably controlled electronically by means of the control means. Alternatively, the collection and expulsion unit is arranged to transport each banknote 'more slowly in the direction of and faster in the direction out of the means of transport of the drive means, in relation to the speed of the means of transport.

This reduces the risk of the banknote being wrinkled when entering, at the same time as the banknote is ejected fi- than the equipment in a safe manner.

Preferably, the drive means comprises a drive set of two single-foil collecting coils and a double-foil collecting coil, each coil comprising a drive motor arranged inside the coil internally in direct engagement with the coil, controlled by the control means.

As a result, the equipment can be made less bulky and with fewer components than the prior art. In addition, the power loss is smaller, at the same time as the accuracy is greater.

Suitably the separate sensor is an optical sensor.

Alternatively, the separate sensor is a magnetic sensor.

Suitably the sensor means of the equipment is electronically connected to the control means and an article register means, which article register means from outside the equipment registered number of banknotes based on denomination is arranged to give a signal to the control means for automatic discharge of banknotes.

In this way, the equipment is set up for automatic cash register systems in such a way that the separate sensor provides a detection of the number of banknotes fed into the equipment and discharged out of the equipment. The detected number of banknotes of a denomination is registered in the article register means as data, which data is processed and used by a processor for controlling the issuance of banknotes by means of the control means.

SUMMARY 20 The invention will now be explained with reference to the drawings, in which: Figures 1a and 1b schematically show a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 schematically shows two equipment in an automatic cash register system; Figure 3 schematically shows a second desiccation form of the invention; Figures 4a and 4b schematically show a third embodiment of the invention; and Figure 5 schematically shows an equipment with three conveyor belts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention will now be described as formulations. For the sake of clarity, components without significance for the heating have been omitted from the drawing.

The term “self-enclosed” originates from the European patent application EP 615 643 where three collection coils per banknote type are described as being located inside a casing unit, which can be a theft-proof casing. The corresponding Swedish priority patent application describes a self-enclosed banknote securitization. . The word "self-contained banknote handling equipment" can of course be replaced by the words "in a casing enclosed banknote handling equipment".

Figures 1a and 1b schematically show a self-contained banknote handling equipment 1 used for automatic cash register systems 3 (see Figure 3), which equipment 1 comprises a drive means 5 and transport means 7 for storage in, and for transporting banknotes 9 in and out of the equipment. 1, through an opening ll arranged for each denomination ll. An anti-theft cover - encloses the equipment and includes the openings 11 for each denomination. The control of the transport of banknotes 9 in and out of the equipment 1 is effected by means of a control means 13 arranged for the equipment 1 and for the automatic cash register system 3 (see also Figures 2 and 3 where the function is explained in more detail) and sensor means 15 connected to a reading unit 17. 9 which is automatically transported out of the equipment 1 is determined on the basis of an amount calculated by a cash register 19. .o 5 HJ t.

The sensor means 15, comprising a separate sensor 21, arranged at the opening 11 and inside it for detecting input and output banknotes 9. The sensor means 15 is electronically connected to the control means 13. The sensor means 15 comprises both the separate sensor 21 and the reading unit 17, which are arranged to perform attendance checks and content determination of each note 9 at item level. The separate sensor 21 is an optical sensor 22 arranged for spectra analysis.

The drive means 5 of the equipment 1 comprise for each banknote denomination two single foil collecting coils 23, respectively arranged for storing a foil 25, and a double foil collecting coil 27. The banknotes 9 are stored in the double foil collecting coils 27 for each banknote denomination 27 in the equipment 1. Diversion rollers 29 are arranged in the equipment 1 for controlling the foils 25. The optical sensor 22 has the task of assisting in the area of a vertical line L in detecting the presence of a banknote 9 for input, which banknote 9 is inserted into the opening 11 by a cashier (not shown), and to simultaneously at this line L contribute to the detection of each banknote 9 regarding its contents, such as size, value authenticity, etc.

In each single-foil collecting coil 23 and in each double-foil collecting coil 27, a drive motor 31 arranged in internal direct engagement with the coil is placed. The respective drive motor 31 is controlled by the control means 13 to drive the foils 25 for transporting the banknotes 9 in and out of the respective opening 11. A detection by means of the optical sensor 22 and the reading unit 17 entails both a presence check of the banknote 9 and a content determination of the banknote. 9, such as value of value, value, authenticity, etc., whereby the reading unit 17 gives a signal to the control means 13 to start the drive motor 31 of the double foil collecting coil 27 for feeding the banknote 9. The separate sensor 21, in this embodiment the optical sensor 22 , is adapted to, with the aid of the reading unit 17 and with the aid of suitable software arranged for this, be able to read banknote contents at the same time as detection regarding presence control is achieved. Thus, a faulty banknote can be controlled directly by the control means 13 to be discharged again, without the banknote being fed further into the equipment. '20 n f f1 n p' ~ _: °: § ": '.::":. ~ -G -§ 5 I; O l Är) u) 7 å .. §. ':: .. = ø':. Figure 2 schematically shows two equipment 1 at an automatic checkout system 3, which equipment 1 is located at the respective checkout location 33 in a store 35. The cash register 19 i is primarily at the store 35 to provide information to the automatic checkout system 3. regarding amounts paid and amounts requested, ie the sum of the prices of goods (not shown), and to calculate the difference between these amounts. The cash register 19 is connected to an article register means 37 arranged for each equipment 1. When banknotes 9 are entered through one or more of the openings 11, each opening 11 is adapted for a banknote denomination, the article register means 37 is registered by the separate sensor 21 and the reading unit 17 each. in the equipmentl in the inserted note 9 for storage. The Article Register Body 37 is thus set up to register banknotes entered and issued 9 at the article level. The registration is processed by a processor 39 for comparison with data regarding the requested amount. This amount is compared with the amount entered by the article register body 37. The processor 39 gives a control order via the control means 13 to the drive means 5, comprising the drive motor 31, for discharging banknotes 9 corresponding to the above-mentioned difference. According to this embodiment, the drive means 5 and the transport means 7 comprise a buffer roller 41 for foil 25, the foil 25 and a banknote storage roller 43 and a guide guide 45. Figure 3 shows a second embodiment where the separate sensor 21 is arranged outside the respective opening 11. Each opening llär intended for a banknote denomination. The separate sensor 21 is separated from the means of transport 7. The separate sensor 21 is a magnetic sensor 47, which is arranged at a collection and expulsion unit 49 located at the opening 11 arranged for each banknote denomination.

The drive-in and drive-out unit 49 comprises a drive means 51 for feeding banknotes 9 to and from the opening 11. In this embodiment, the drive means 51 consists of a first 53 'and a second 53' endless belt, each of which encloses two rollers 55 and is adjacent. electric motors 57 for driving the banknote 9. Electric motors 57 drive each belt 53 ', 53' 'at one roller 55, i.e. at a drive roller means 59, and are electronically connected to the control means 13 for activating and deactivating the propellant 51, respectively. The drive roller means 59 are arranged for operation synchronized with the drive motors 31 of the equipment 1 which drive the foils 25. That is, the transport speed of the foils 25 is synchronized by means of the guide means 13 electronically with the speed of the belts 53 ', 53' '. The drive-in and ejection unit 49 is arranged, by controlling and synchronizing the electric motors 57 in relation to the drive motors 31 of the drive means 5, to transport each banknote 9 at a speed slower in the direction of the drive means 5 and the foil receiving receipts 9 25, than the speed at which the foils 25 transport the banknote 9 to the position for storage in the double foil collecting spool 27. In this way the banknote 9 is prevented from wrinkling at the transition between the strips 53 ', 53 "of the conveyor unit 49 and the foils 25 of the transport means 7. Correspondingly the electric motors 57 drive the belts 5 3 ', 53 "' in the input and output unit 49 at a faster speed the speed of the foils 25 for discharging the banknotes 9, i.e. in the direction out of the equipment 1 by the control means 13 controlling the electric motors 57 to drive the respective belts 53 ', 53' 'for transporting the banknote 9 for discharge at a speed faster than the speed at which the foils 25 transport the banknote 9 from a double foil collection coil 27.

When a cashier (not shown) feeds a banknote 9 into the equipment 1, a presence check and content determination of the banknote 9 is performed by means of the separate magnetic sensor 47 within the area of the intended line L and the reading unit 17. The presence check generates a signal to the controller 13 to a banknote 9 has been placed at the opening 11, the control means 13 activating the electric motors 57 for driving the belts 53 ', 53 "in the direction of the arrow p, which belts transport the banknote 9 completely past the separate magnetic sensor 47 for content determination. The reading unit 17 verifies authenticity, value, etc. and the belts 53 °, 53 '' and transports the banknote 9 further into the equipment 1, at the same time as the control means 13, after the verification, activates the drive motor 31, which drives the double foil pick-up coil 27 in the direction of arrow of the banknote 9 to a position for storage on the double foil collecting coil 27. Should authenticity, value, etc. be incorrect, the control means 13 does not activate the drive motor 31, but controls the electric motors 57 to reverse the belts 53 ', 53 "so that the faulty banknote is ejected. In the case of a correct banknote 9, the reading unit 17 feeds data on denomination at the article level to the processor 39 comprising the article register means 37.

The article register means 37 stores data regarding banknotes 9 entered at article level, i.e. the number of banknotes 9 stored in the equipment 1 on the basis of value, and thus the amount entered for a store customer is also registered. The amount collected in banknotes is compared with the requested amount calculated by the cash register 19. Often a bill of exchange must be paid out and the processor 39 calculates the amount for payment and the number of banknotes in denomination at the article level. The article register means 37 gives a signal to the control means 13 how many banknotes 9 of each denomination are to be paid out, i.e. to be discharged from the respective opening 11. The control means 13 activates the drive motors 31 of the two single foil collecting coils 23 in a driving direction opposite the arrow p ' direction and the electric motors 57 of the drive and drive unit 49 driving the drive roller means 59 opposite the direction of the arrow, whereby the foils 25 feed banknotes 9 of current denominations to the drive and drive unit 49, which in turn by means of the belts 53 ', 53' 'transport the banknote 9 past the separate magnetic sensor 47. The reading unit 17 performs a presence check and provides information to the control means 13 about the number of banknotes actually issued 9.

The control means 13 deactivates the drive motors 31 and the electric motors 57 when the number of detected banknotes 9 corresponds to the number determined by the article register means 37. A further reading unit 17 'arranged for an equipment 1 at an in-store cash register in the store is connected to the processor 39. Adapted for the same equipment is a control means 13' connected to the processor 39.

Figures 4a and 4b schematically show an equipment 1 sidan on the side and ri from according to a third embodiment of the invention where the separate sensor 21 in a shell cover 40 is placed protected outside the respective opening 1 1. In this way, transparent foils 25 or opaque or partially transparent conveyor belts are used. In this way, the equipment 1 can also be manufactured shorter in the direction k and thus achieved - less bulky. Since the sensor 21 is separated from the foils 25 within the area for the main spread of the foils 25, the transport sickness of the banknote 9 in the equipment 1 can likewise be achieved less. According to this embodiment, the control means 13 causes the drive motors 31 to drive the single foil collecting coils 23 with a direction of rotation q for ejecting banknotes 9 until the correct number of banknotes has been dispensed. According to this method of reading, the reading unit 17 only performs a check that the correct number of banknotes 9 has been issued, which number of the article register means 37 and the processor 39 has determined must be paid back as a bill of exchange. Figure 5 shows a fourth embodiment in which the equipment 1 comprises a foil collecting roller, or storage roller 61 arranged for each opening 11, rotatable by means of a first motor 62, for storing the fed banknotes 9, and buffer roller 63, rotatable by means of a second motor 64, for receiving and storing three foils 25. The three foils 25 are in roll-up on the storage roll 61 at a distance fi- from each other and in line with each other. A distance a between the foils 25 allows the separate sensor 21 to detect the banknote 9 for feeding even if the foils 25 are not transparent. From the storage roller 61, the foils 25 run next to each other to the opening 11 1, and are then redirected back to the buffer roller 63, in such a way that the outer foils 25 are separated from the intermediate foil by means of deflection rollers 65. The equipment 1 can be connected to an emptying box (not shown) where guide element (not shown) guides the banknote 9 for removal in such a way that the banknote 9 does not deviate when passing between the link links 65 and the emptying box. The embodiments described above are not to be construed as limiting, but various variants and combinations of the embodiments described above fall within the scope of the present invention. Control means, reading unit and article register means constitute the same unit. The different drive speeds of the belt and drive unit belts and the equipment foils can be synchronized so that the banknote always has the same speed. Instead of electronic synchronization, mechanical synchronization can be used. A cash register and an item register body can, of course, be set up separately and connected to the respective checkout location or connected to a central item register body.

The separate sensor may be of a type other than optical and magnetic. The number of spools for storing and transporting banknotes by denomination can be one or two. 10 tfäêëš a: =: -.;. R- =

Claims (1)

1. 20 25 30 U'l PJ fyr v, f: u 11 PATENTKRAV. Banknote handling equipment enclosed in a housing adapted for automatic cash register systems (3), which equipment (1) comprises a drive means (5) and transport means (7) for storing and transporting banknotes (9) in and out of the equipment (1) through a an opening (11) arranged for each denomination, enclosed in a casing by means of a lining equipment (1) and control means (13) arranged for said automatic cash register system (3) and from an amount determined by a cash register (19), wherein a sensor means (15) for detecting inbound and outbound banknotes (9) is arranged at said opening (11) and is electronically connected to said control means (13), characterized in that the sensor means (15) comprises a separate sensor (21) arranged for presence control and content determination of each banknote (9) at item level. . Equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor means (15) is arranged outside said opening (11) and separated from said means of transport (7). . Equipment according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sensor means (15) is arranged at an insertion and expulsion unit (49) located at said opening (1 1) of each banknote. . Equipment according to claim 3, characterized! in that the ejection and expulsion unit (49) comprises propellant (51) for feeding banknotes (9) to and from said opening (11). . Equipment according to claim 4, characterized in that the drive means (51) of the drive-in and drive-out unit (49) are arranged for synchronized drive with the drive of said drive member (5). . Equipment according to claim 4, characterized in that the insertion and expulsion unit (49) is arranged to transport each banknote (9) more slowly in the direction of, and faster 20 0 "! Fx) CR 7225 12 in the direction out of the said said member (5). Equipment according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said drive means (5) comprises a drive set of two single-foil collecting coils (23) and a double-foil collecting coil (27), each coil comprising a drive motor (31) arranged inside the coil in internal engagement with the coil, controlled by said control means (13), equipment according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said separate sensor (21) is an optical sensor (22). Any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said separate sensor (21) is a magnetic sensor (47) 10. Equipment according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by said sensor means (15) of the equipment (1) is electronically connected to said control means (13) and an article register means (37), which article register means (37) from outside the equipment (1) registered number of banknotes (9) based on denomination is arranged to give a signal to said control means (13) for automatic output of banknotes (9).