WO2012061853A1

WO2012061853A1 - Cash in transit system and vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2012061853A1
Application number: PCT/ZA2011/000083
Authority: WO
Inventors: Roderick Mark Dyson
Original assignee: Roderick Mark Dyson
Priority date: 2010-11-04
Filing date: 2011-11-03
Publication date: 2012-05-10
Also published as: ZA201303974B

Abstract

A cash in transit system including a vehicle capsule (10) that is adapted to take the place of the vehicle load body. The vehicle (12) is not armoured, the vehicle capsule (10) being provided with at least a dye-staining mechanism. The vehicle capsule (10) includes a normally closed external opening (16) that provides access to the interior of a cross pavement carrier (CPC) docking chute (18) within which the cross pavement carrier (14) can be mechanically docked. The mechanical docking process is supplement with a digital electronic process in which the cross pavement carrier (14) is interfaced electronically with the vehicle capsule (10). In operation on a vehicle, the doors of the capsule (10) are programmed not to open simultaneously and only to open when a compatible cross pavement (14) carrier is docked with the capsule (10).

Description

Cash in transit system and vehicle

Field of the invention

[001] This invention relates to relates to cash in transit systems and in particular to a cash in transit vehicle.

Background to the invention

[002] The typical cash in transit system makes use of cash containers and armoured vehicles. The cash container is typically a tamper evident bag or box that is normally used in conjunction with a secure (meaning dye-protected) cross pavement carrier by means which the tamper evident bag or box is carried to an armoured vehicle where the tamper evident or box is dropped into an on-board drop safe.

[003] In most instances, the cross pavement carrier is a secure box or bag that is designed to contain the cash-containing tamper evident bag or box. There are instances however, of the cash-containing tamper evident bag or box being used as the cross pavement carrier, on its own and without being contained in a separate cross pavement carrier bag or box. In this specification, the term "cross pavement carrier" will be used to refer to either situation - the cross pavement carrier is either a tamper evident, cash-containing bag or box, un-contained in another bag or box or the cross pavement carrier is a containing bag or box that is intended to contain the tamper evident bag or box. [004] The applicant manufactures and sells a combination tamper evident box and cross pavement carrier constituted by a secure box or container with a lockable compartment that is accessible via an electronically controlled door or hatch. Cash in the form of banknotes is deposited into the compartment in the cross pavement carrier by means of a dedicated cash acceptance terminal and removed by means of dedicated opening jigs located at one or more cash processing centres. The cross pavement carrier is protected by means of a dye mechanism that can be activated when the integrity of the container is threatened or compromised, to release a document staining dye into the interior of the container, thereby to stain and mark the notes.

[005] The cross pavement carrier is adapted to dock with a holding facility that is constituted, at one end of the transaction chain (the cash receiving end) by the secure cash acceptance terminal and, at the other end of the transaction chain ( the cash processing end) by an opening jig at a cash processing centre.

[006] The cash acceptance terminal is essentially a cash safe located at a cash acceptance point, normally the premises of a retailer or other organisation that receives cash and needs to have the cash transported to and from those premises. The cash acceptance terminal is provided with a feed chute through which the cash is fed into the cash acceptance terminal and from there into the cross pavement carrier docked within the cash acceptance terminal. The cash acceptance terminal typically includes a mechanism, such as a tag or identity card reader, to verify one or more of client-, user- and operator identification.

[007] When the cross pavement carrier is filled to its operational capacity and the cash has to be moved from the cash acceptance point (the premises of the retailer, for instance), the container is un-docked from the cash acceptance terminal and transported, with the assistance of a cash in transit service provider, to a cash processing centre. [008] The cash processing centre is typically constituted by a cash handling facility that contains one or more secure cross pavement carrier processing jigs. The emptying jigs are used to open the cross pavement carriers and empty the contents to allow the cash contained in the cross pavement carriers to be counted and reconciled.

[009] At both ends of the process, that is when the cross pavement carrier is docked with a cash acceptance terminal or with a processing jig at the cash processing centre, a reciprocal authentication procedure takes place to verify the component identities and the authorisations of the components, with the use of digital cryptographic techniques.

[0010] The cross pavement carriers, cash acceptance terminals and the processing jigs at cash processing centres are all provided with bidirectional communication means to enable data and cryptographic data communication between devices.

Summary of the invention

[0011] According to this invention a cash in transit system includes: a vehicle capsule comprising a normally inaccessible, secure container, that is adapted to constitute a vehicle load body; and one or more compatible cross pavement carriers that are adapted to dock with the vehicle capsule; the vehicle capsule including a normally closed opening that is adapted to open only when a compatible cross pavement carrier is docked with the capsule; each compatible cross pavement carrier being adapted to open when docked with the vehicle capsule, to allow the discharge of the cross pavement carrier contents into the vehicle capsule; and the vehicle capsule opening being adapted to close automatically when the cross pavement carrier is un-docked from the vehicle capsule.

[0012] The term "secure container" is normally used to denote a dye- protected, portable cross pavement carrier. In this specification however, the term will be used to refer to any form or size of container, including a vehicle load bin-sized secure container, that is provided with a degree of security, preferably including a dye-staining mechanism that can be activated when the integrity of the container is threatened or compromised - to release a dye into the interior of the container, thereby to stain and mark the container contents, typically banknotes.

[0013] In the event that the notes are contained in tamper-evident bags, the staining mechanism may conveniently include one or more dye injectors that are adapted to pierce (whether mechanically or explosively) each bag located within the container and to inject or project the dye into the bags.

[0014] In addition, the capsule may have any one or more of on-board programmable logic means, telecommunications means, a location device and on-board surveillance equipment.

[0015] The cross pavement carrier may be any secure case or box that is adapted to serve as a cross pavement carrier (by means of alarm and note- staining facilities for instance) and that is shaped and dimensioned to be compatible with the vehicle capsule opening and that is adapted to receive cash in the form of banknotes or the like, whether directly or received within a cash container, such as a tamper evident bag,

[0016] The term "dock" is used above in its widest sense, to refer to the actions of inserting and locating the cross pavement carrier physically or mechanically within the vehicle capsule opening. In addition the cross pavement carrier is preferably one that is adapted to dock with a holding facility such as a cash acceptance terminal or an opening jig at a cash processing centre.

[0017] In the preferred form of the invention, the mechanical docking process is supplemented with a digital electronic process in which the cross pavement carrier is interfaced electronically with the vehicle capsule, which is provided with programmable logic means (for this purpose) and with bidirectional digital electronic communication means to allow communication between the cross pavement carrier and the capsule.

[0018] The vehicle capsule is adapted to provide or take the place of the vehicle load body and the exact configuration of the capsule will be determined by the shape or configuration of the vehicle.

[0019] In the preferred form of the invention however, the vehicle may be a light commercial vehicle such as a pickup truck or panel van, the load bed or load body of which has been modified to accept the capsule or possibly even substituted by the capsule.

[0020] The vehicle need not be armoured, the vehicle capsule being adapted to fulfill the security and protection requirements.

[0021] In the preferred form of the invention, the vehicle capsule programmable logic is programmed to communicate with the cross pavement carrier programmable logic and to store, in memory, a record of the docking process, the contents of the cross pavement carrier deposited from the cross pavement carrier into the vehicle capsule and a record of each cross pavement carrier docked with and un-docked from the vehicle capsule.

[0022] In the preferred form of the invention, the vehicle capsule is not integral with the vehicle and is instead adapted for removal from the vehicle by means of dedicated capsule removal means.

[0023] In one example of this embodiment of the invention, the system may include means, at a compatible cash processing centre, to remove the vehicle capsule from the vehicle and to interface the capsule with a dedicated capsule opening jig.

[0024] In a further example, the vehicle may include means to eject the vehicle capsule from the vehicle in an emergency situation, thereby enabling the vehicle crew to shed or eject the capsule and to flee the scene of the emergency. The capsule is preferably adapted to activate its on-board dye- staining, alarm and telecommunications mechanisms in such a situation.

[0025] The vehicle capsule is preferably shaped to frustrate handling, the capsule preferably being externally rounded and smooth to frustrate manual manipulation.

[0026] The invention includes a vehicle that is adapted to accommodate a vehicle capsule according to the invention as well as a vehicle including such a vehicle capsule.

[0027] In addition, the invention includes a method of managing cross pavement carriers by means of a secure vehicle capsule adapted for mounting in or on a cash in transit vehicle or the like, the method including the steps of: docking, sequentially and at least one at a time, a plurality of cross pavement carriers with the vehicle capsule; using the vehicle capsule to open each cross pavement carrier in a manner similar to a cash handling facility emptying jig and to deposit the contents of the cross pavement carrier into the vehicle capsule for storage of the contents so deposited; un-docking the cross pavement carrier; and using programmable logic included in the vehicle capsule to record, preferably by means of communication with the cross pavement carrier programmable logic, the contents of the cross pavement carrier deposited into the vehicle capsule and a record of each cross pavement carrier docked with and un-docked from the vehicle capsule.

Brief Description of the drawings

[0028] The invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: .

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a cash in transit vehicle including a vehicle capsule according to the invention; and

Figures 2 to 8 are similar diagrammatic perspective views of the vehicle capsule in various stages of docking and un-docking of a cross pavement carrier. Description of embodiments of the invention

[0029] In typical cash management systems, a retailer or other cash receiver deposits cash through a cash acceptance device or terminal (not shown) into a cross pavement carrier, preferably a dye protected container.

[0030] At predetermined times the cross pavement carrier, normally together with a number of similar cross pavement carriers, is removed by a cash in transit service provider. In conventional systems, the cash in transit service provider personnel carry or transport the cross pavement carriers "across pavement", load them into a cash in transit vehicle and then transport the cross pavement carriers to a cash processing centre. In systems using tamper evident bags, the bags are removed from the cross pavement carrier and dropped into a drop safe on-board the vehicle.

[0031] Cash in transit vehicles are typically armoured and designed to constitute mobile safes.

[0032] By contrast, this invention proposes a cash in transit system that makes use of a vehicle capsule 10 that is essentially a scaled-up version of a cross pavement carrier.

[0033] This means that the cash in transit vehicle 12 can be a relatively conventional vehicle that need not necessarily be armoured or hardened. Instead, the vehicle 12 is fitted with the vehicle capsule 10 that preferably a discrete secure container adapted to integrate with or replace the vehicle load body.

[0034] The vehicle capsule 10 is adapted to provide or take the place of the vehicle 12 load body and the exact configuration of the capsule 10 will be determined by the shape or configuration of the vehicle 12.

[0035] In the preferred form of the invention however, the vehicle 12 may be a light commercial vehicle such as a pickup truck or panel van in which the load bed or load body has been modified to accept the capsule 10. With certain vehicles, the vehicle load body could possibly even be substituted by the capsule 10.

[0036] The vehicle 12 need not be armoured, the vehicle capsule 10 being adapted to fulfill the security and protection requirements.

[0037] To qualify as a "secure" container, the vehicle capsule 10 must be provided, as a minimum, with a dye-staining mechanism that can be activated when the integrity of the capsule 10 is threatened or compromised, to release a banknote staining dye into the interior of the capsule 10, thereby to stain and mark the notes contained therein.

[0038] The system of the invention is preferably adapted for use with tamper evident bags and the capsule note staining mechanism will therefore include dye injectors that are adapted to pierce and inject dye into each tamper evident bag located within the capsule.

[0039] In addition, the capsule 10 is provided with on-board digital programmable logic means and memory as well as security systems, which may include telecommunications means, such as a GSM or other radio frequency (RF) transmitter that may include a homing beacon function. Additional security systems may include a GPS-derived location device and onboard surveillance equipment such as surveillance cameras, the intention being that the vehicle capsule 10 can be abandoned by the vehicle crew if their safety is threatened, thereby allowing the crew hopefully to escape the threat situation. The capsule 10 must then be capable of running a number of alarm situation programs that first render its contents useless (by dye-staining for instance) and then transmit alarm signals (that could serve to locate the capsule 10 physically). The capsule 10 can also be programmed to transmit data signals that could assist security personnel in reconstructing the alarm situation after the fact, which data could also be recorded in on-board memory.

[0040] The system includes a plurality of compatible cross pavement carriers 14 that are adapted to dock with the vehicle capsule 10. Each cross pavement carrier 14 is provided with on-board digital programmable logic means and memory as well as security systems, including at least a note- staining facility.

[0041] The cross pavement carrier 14 may be any secure case or box that is adapted to serve as a cross pavement carrier 14 (by means of alarm and note- staining facilities for instance) and that is adapted to receive cash in the form of banknotes or the like, whether directly or received within a cash container, such as a tamper evident bag.

[0042] The vehicle capsule includes a normally closed external opening 16 that provides access to the interior of the vehicle capsule 10 by way of a CPC docking chute 18 within which the cross pavement carrier 14 can be mechanically docked, by insertion of the cross pavement carrier 14 into the chute 18 and mechanical latching of the carrier within the chute if appropriate.

[0043] The mechanical docking process is supplemented with a digital electronic process in which the cross pavement carrier 14 is interfaced electronically with the vehicle capsule 10, which is provided with programmable logic means and with bidirectional digital electronic communication means to allow communication between the cross pavement carrier 14 and the capsule 10.

[0044] The CPC clocking chute 18 is provided with openings at either end, including the external opening 6 that is closed by means of a door or hatch 20 and an internal opening 22 that is closed by means of a door or hatch 24. In operation on a vehicle, the doors 20, 24 are programmed not to open simultaneously, thereby ensuring that the interior of the vehicle capsule 10 is never open to the outside (except in certain predefined circumstances, such as when maintenance is required). In addition, the doors 20, 24 are programmed only to open when a compatible (and properly authenticated) cross pavement carrier is docked with the capsule.

[0045] The programmable logic means of the cross pavement carrier 14 is programmed similarly. The cross pavement carrier 14 is provided with doors 26 that are programmed to remain locked if the carrier 14 contains cash. In addition, the vehicle capsule 10 and the cross pavement carrier 14 programmable logic means are programmed to communicate when the carrier 14 docks with the capsule 10 and to co-ordinate functions - particularly to coordinate opening and closing of the doors 20, 24 and 26.

[0046] Docking of the cross pavement carrier 14 with the vehicle capsule 10 will allow the external door 20 of the CPC docking chute 18 to open to permit the cross pavement carrier 14 to slide fully into the chute 18. The inner chute door 24 will only open when the external door 20 is closed behind the cross pavement carrier 14 and only when the inner chute door 24 is open will the cross pavement carrier door 26 be allowed to open to allow the discharge of the contents of the cross pavement carrier 14, normally a tamper evident bag 28. An extraction and placing mechanism (not shown) may be used to extract the tamper evident bag 28 and to place the bag in a predetermined location within the capsule 10. [0047] Once the cash (or tamper evident bag 28) has been discharged into the vehicle capsule 10, the inner chute door 24 closes, thereby allowing the external chute door 20 to open for extraction of the cross pavement carrier 14 from the chute 18. The cross pavement carrier 14 can now be returned to the premises from where the carrier was collected, for instance a retailer.

[0048] The vehicle capsule 10 programmable logic is programmed to communicate with the cross pavement carrier programmable logic and to store a record of the docking process in the capsule memory. The record may also include data pertaining to the contents of the cross pavement carrier 14 deposited into the vehicle capsule 10. In addition and because the vehicle capsule 10 is adapted to receive the contents of a large number of cross pavement carriers 16, the vehicle capsule programmable logic means is programmed to store, in memory, a similar record of each cross pavement carrier 14 docked with and un-docked from the vehicle capsule 10.

[0049] Once the cash in transit service provider personnel have recovered the requisite number of cross pavement carriers 14 (by docking them with the vehicle capsule 10) the cash temporarily stored in the vehicle capsule 10 is transported, within the vehicle capsule 10, to a cash processing centre (not shown).

[0050] The vehicle capsule 10 is not integral with the vehicle 12 and is instead adapted for removal from the vehicle 12 by means of dedicated capsule removal means. This permits the use, in the cash in transit system of the invention of a capsule docking facility at a compatible cash processing centre where the capsule removal means can be used to remove the entire vehicle capsule 10 from the vehicle 12 and to interface the capsule 10 with a dedicated capsule 10 opening jig. [0051] At the cash processing centre, the vehicle capsule 10 is removed from the cash in transit vehicle 12 and docked to a docking station or other processing jig at the cash processing centre that interfaces and preferably automatically removes the cash from the vehicle capsule 10. Cash is removed and counted through a bulk processing mechanism to verify the total contents of all the cross pavement carriers 14 deposited into the vehicle capsule 10.

[0052] It will be appreciated that the vehicle capsule 10 may also be integrated with the cash in transit vehicle 12 to the extent that the vehicle 12 is parked and the vehicle capsule 10 is docked with the processing jig at the cash processing centre without removal thereof from the vehicle 12.

[0053] The vehicle capsule 10 is preferably electronically opened, but could be opened manually using physical keys.

[0054] Vehicle capsule 10 information stored in the vehicle capsule programmable logic is transmitted or extracted and relayed to the cash processing centre computers where it is reconciled (possibly with information previously transmitted to and recorded on a central information management system) for auditing, tracking and tracing purposes.

[0055] A similar program to the cross pavement carrier docking program can be used at the cash processing centre.

[0056] The doors 20, 24 of the vehicle capsule 10 are programmed, when the vehicle capsule 10 is at the cash processing centre, only to open when the vehicle capsule 10 is docked and properly interfaced with a compatible (and properly authenticated) cash processing centre opening jig. Once again, a system of double-locked doors can be used to discharge the contents of the vehicle capsule 10 into the opening jig without human intervention or access. [0057] The vehicle capsule 10 programmable logic is programmed to communicate with the programmable logic means of the cash processing centre to enable the cash processing centre to extract the data stored in the vehicle capsule 10 programmable logic, including data pertaining to the docking processes undertaken by the vehicle capsule 10 and to the contents of all cross pavement carriers 14 deposited into the vehicle capsule 10.

[0058] Once the cash (or tamper evident bags 28) has been discharged into the opening jig and the vehicle capsule 10 is empty, the inner and outer chute doors 24, 20 respectively, are closed, the vehicle capsule 10 memory is cleared, the vehicle capsule 10 programmable logic means is initialised and the vehicle capsule 10 can now be returned to service, ready for re-attachment to a vehicle 12.

[0059] The vehicle 12 may include means to eject the vehicle capsule 10 from the vehicle 12 in an emergency situation or brute force attack, such as a cash in transit heist. To this end, the vehicle capsule 10 is designed to be of a weight and size that prevent easy removal of the vehicle capsule 10 from where it is dropped. In addition, the vehicle capsule 10 is preferably shaped to frustrate handling, the capsule 10 preferably being externally rounded and smooth to frustrate manual manipulation.

[0060] Additional deterrents could also be used to discourage the removal of the vehicle capsule 10 from the drop site, including smoke signalling mechanisms, alarm mechanisms, electrical shock devices, foams, glues, oils or other mechanisms, including blade-like extrusions that make it difficult to handle or move the vehicle capsule 10.

[0061] The vehicle capsule 10 is essentially a secure, mobile temporary cash storage facility. [0062] The vehicle capsule 10 could consist of a secure enclosure that qualifies as a safe of a specified category, depending on security requirements.

[0063] Alternatively, the vehicle capsule 10 need not have safe-like qualities and rely entirely on its alarm- and dye mechanisms for protection.

[0064] It will be appreciated that the cash in transit personnel have no access to the cash contained in the cross pavement carriers 14 or the opening mechanisms for the carriers 14, the carrier doors 26 being programmed only to open within the chute 18 of the vehicle capsule 10. The cash in transit service provider's personnel are in fact separated from the cash handling process and serve only to transport the cross pavement carriers 14 across the pavement, dock the cross pavement carriers 14 with the vehicle capsule 10 and to drive the cash in transit vehicle 12.

[0065] Preferably cash will be deposited and stored in the vehicle capsule 10 in an ordered fashion, possibly in the sequence in which the cross pavement carriers 14 were processed.

[0066] To enhance the system 10, the information management system supporting the invention must be information rich with a plurality of information sources. This information, which will all be communicated to and recorded in the central information management system, will include primary and supporting information exchanged between: the retailer's cash acceptance terminal and the cross pavement carrier 14; the cross pavement carrier 14 and the vehicle capsule 10; the vehicle capsule 10 and the cash in transit vehicle 12; the cash in transit vehicle 12 and vehicle capsule 10 and the cash processing centre; and the cash processing centre and the retailer.

[0067] The information management system will be programmed, at least, to: supply routing and collection information to the cash in transit vehicles 18 managed within the system 10; record the collection and progress of the vehicles 18; statistically show the efficiencies of the process (vehicles, collection times and volumes, for instance); track and trace throughout the process; indicate financial contents of each cash in transit vehicle 12 (for definitive insurance) at any point in time; indicate historical trends in respect of cash collection and vehicle usage; and do financial reconciliation and generate credits on retailers' accounts.

[0068] The advantage of the system of this invention is that it reduces logistical inefficiencies in current systems as well as excessive cross pavement carrier movement.

Claims

1. A cash in transit system including: a vehicle capsule comprising a normally inaccessible, secure container, that is adapted to constitute a vehicle load body; and one or more discrete cross pavement carriers, each adapted to dock with the vehicle capsule; the vehicle capsule including a normally closed opening that is adapted to open only when a compatible cross pavement carrier is docked with the capsule; each compatible cross pavement carrier being adapted to open when docked with the vehicle capsule, to allow the discharge of the cross pavement carrier contents into the vehicle capsule; and the vehicle capsule opening being adapted to close automatically when the cross pavement carrier is un-docked from the vehicle capsule.

2. A cash in transit system according to claim 1 in which the secure container constituting the vehicle capsule is a vehicle load bin-sized secure container that includes security in the form of at least a dye- staining mechanism that is adapted to activate automatically when the integrity of the container is threatened or compromised, to release a dye into the interior of the container, thereby to stain and mark the container contents.

A cash in transit system according to claim 2 in vyhich, for a vehicle capsule that is adapted to contain its contents in one or more tamper- evident bags, the staining mechanism includes one or more dye injectors, each adapted to pierce at least one bag located within the capsule and to inject or project a dye into the bag.

A cash in transit system according to any one of the preceding claims in which the capsule includes one or more of on-board programmable logic means, telecommunications means, a location device and on-board surveillance equipment.

A cash in transit system according to any one of the preceding claims in which the cross pavement carrier is a secure case or box that is adapted to serve as a cross pavement carrier and that is shaped and dimensioned to be compatible with the vehicle capsule opening and that is adapted to receive cash in the form of banknotes or the like, whether directly or received within a cash container, such as a tamper evident bag.

6. A cash in transit system according to any one of the preceding claims in which the cross pavement carrier is adapted to dock with the vehicle capsule by insertion and location of the cross pavement carrier physically or mechanically within the vehicle capsule opening.

7. A cash in transit system according to claim 6 in which the mechanical docking process is supplemented with a digital electronic process in which the cross pavement carrier is interfaced electronically with the vehicle capsule, which is provided with programmable logic means and with bidirectional digital electronic communication means to allow communication between the cross pavement carrier and the capsule.

8. A cash in transit system according to any one of the preceding claims in which the vehicle capsule is adapted to provide or take the place, of the vehicle load body.

9. A cash in transit system according to claim 8 in whjch the vehicle is a light commercial vehicle such as a pickup truck or panel van, the load bed or load body of which has been modified to accept the capsule.

10. A cash in transit system according to claim 8 in which the vehicle is a light commercial vehicle such as a pickup truck or panel van, the load bed or load body of which has been substituted by the capsule.

1 1. A cash in transit system according to any one of claims 7 to 10 in which the vehicle capsule programmable logic is programmed to communicate with the cross pavement carrier programmable logic and to store, in memory, a record of the docking process, the contents of the cross pavement carrier deposited from the cross pavement carrier into the vehicle capsule and a record of each cross pavement carrier docked with and un-docked from the vehicle capsule.

12. A cash in transit system according to any one of the preceding claims in which the vehicle capsule is not integral with the vehicle, the capsule being adapted for removal from the vehicle by means of capsule removal means.

13. A cash in transit system according to claim 12 in which the system includes means, at a compatible cash processing centre, to remove the vehicle capsule from the vehicle and to interface the capsule with a dedicated capsule opening jig.

14. A cash in transit system according to either of claims 12 or 13 in which the vehicle includes means to eject the vehicle capsule from the vehicle in an emergency situation.

15. A cash in transit system according to claim 14 in which the capsule is adapted to activate its on-board dye-staining, alarm and telecommunications mechanisms upon ejection from the vehicle.

16. A cash in transit system according to any one of the preceding claims in which the vehicle capsule is shaped to frustrate handling other than with dedicated handling equipment, the capsule being externally rounded and smooth to frustrate manual manipulation.

17. A vehicle that is adapted to accommodate a vehicle capsule according to any one of the preceding claims.

A vehicle that includes a vehicle capsule according to any one claims 1 to 16.

A method of managing cross pavement carriers by means of a secure vehicle capsule adapted for mounting in or on a cash in transit vehicle or the like, the method including the steps of: docking, sequentially and at least one at a time, a plurality of cross pavement carriers with the vehicle capsule; using the vehicle capsule to open each cross pavement carrier and to deposit the contents of the cross pavement carrier into the vehicle capsule for storage of such contents so deposited; un-docking the cross pavement carrier; and using programmable logic included in the vehicle capsule to record, by means of communication with the cross pavement carrier programmable logic, the contents of the cross pavement carrier deposited into the vehicle capsule and a record of each cross pavement carrier docked with and un-docked from vehicle capsule.