WO2021063541A1

WO2021063541A1 - Method for processing documents of value, processing device, and use of composite information

Info

Publication number: WO2021063541A1
Application number: PCT/EP2020/025437
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kurt Wilfer
Original assignee: Giesecke+Devrient Currency Technology Gmbh
Priority date: 2019-10-04
Filing date: 2020-09-25
Publication date: 2021-04-08
Also published as: DE102019006929A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for processing documents of value (1), in which method the following steps are carried out: a) creating a first packet (2) by grouping together documents of value (1); b) applying an uninformative first identifier (4) to the first packet (2); c) creating a second packet (5) by grouping together further documents of value (i); d) applying an uninformative second identifier (7) to the second packet (5); and e) creating informative composite information (9) from the first identifier (4) and the second identifier (7) by combining the first packet (2) and the second packet (5) to form a bundle (8).

Description

Method for processing documents of value, processing device and use of composite information

The invention relates to a method for processing documents of value, a processing device for a corresponding method and a corresponding use.

In known methods for processing documents of value, in particular bank notes, the documents of value are, for example, sorted, stacked or processed in a variety of ways. This process or processes can be carried out, for example, at different locations, at different times and by different machines.

It is of interest to attach information about the processing of the value documents to the value documents. For example, the possibility of subsequently assigning the value documents to a processing location, a processing time or a machine that carries out the processing, for example a processing device, is important information.

In this context, it is known, for example, that a bundle which comprises several packets of banknotes is provided with a self-adhesive label on which the date on which the bundle was created is noted in plain text. The self-adhesive label is then applied to the outside of the packaging film, for example after the bundle has been packed in packaging film.

The disadvantage is that the plain text is only suitable to a limited extent for fast and reliable machine readability.

Furthermore, it can erroneously occur that packets of banknotes are interchanged or get mixed up when the bundle is generated. However, this error cannot be detected by the known label.

The object is thus to create a method, a processing device and a use with which or with which information about the processing of Documents of value can be attached to the documents of value more easily and reliably in a machine-readable manner.

This object is achieved with a method, a processing device and a use according to one of the independent claims.

In a method according to the invention for processing documents of value, in particular bank notes, the following steps are carried out: a) generating a first packet by combining documents of value, in particular bank notes; b) attaching a weakly meaningful, in particular meaningless, first identifier to the first packet; c) generating a second packet by combining further documents of value, in particular further bank notes; d) attaching a weakly meaningful, in particular meaningless, second identifier to the second packet; and e) generating meaningful combined information from the first identifier and the second identifier by combining the first packet and the second packet into a bundle.

Documents of value are understood to be sheet-like objects which, for example, represent a monetary value or an authorization and should therefore not be able to be produced by unauthorized persons at will. They therefore have features that are not easy to produce, in particular to be copied, the presence of which is an indication of authenticity, i.e. production by an authorized body. Important examples of such documents of value are chip cards, coupons, vouchers, checks and, in particular, bank notes.

The invention is based on the knowledge that by attaching a respective identifier to a packet when bundling the packets, a combination of the identifiers, ie the combined information, quasi an overall identifier of the bundle, is provided. In this way, complex information can be applied to the bundle in a simple manner. On the first packet, simple information is applied by the first identifier, which then, in cooperation with the second identifier on the second packet, provides more complex information than any other Mark for yourself. Furthermore, a test method can thereby also be provided in which a sequence or a sequence of the identifiers is intended to meet certain test criteria. In the event that the test criteria are not met, the cause can be, for example, an undesired interchanging of packets in the order which can be recognized by the combined information.

The combined information can also include, for example, information about the number of parcels in the bundle or a number of documents of value in the bundle or a nominal value of the documents of value in the bundle or a time of creation of the bundle.

In the present case, a respective parcel, i.e. the first parcel or the second parcel, comprises a plurality of documents of value, in particular bank notes. The packets are generated in particular by stacking individual documents of value, in particular bank notes. In particular, a respective packet is wrapped with a tape, in particular a banderole, after it has been stacked. The banknotes are held together, for example, by the band.

The value documents and the further value documents are preferably designed in the same way.

Insufficiently meaningful means in particular that the identifier only provides insignificant information about the state of the respective packet. Meaningful, on the other hand, means in particular that the identifier makes a significant statement about the state of the respective bundle. For example, a significant statement can be the number of packets in a bundle or the identity of the processing device used to generate the bundle. While an insignificant statement preferably does not contain this information.

A bundle is created by stacking the respective parcels. The bundle can, for example, be wrapped with a film, particularly a transparent one, in order to hold the bundle together and protect it.

In particular, the respective packets or the respective labels are aligned when stacking or generating the bundle in such a way that they are arranged in one plane. The respective labels are preferably even arranged in a row. Furthermore, the respective labels are also preferably arranged directly adjacent to one another. As a result, the combined information can be read more reliably by a machine, for example by means of machine vision.

The combined information can be embodied, for example, as a code, in particular as a binary code. The various meanings of the code or a number described by the code can or can, for example, be kept in a database which is preferably used to evaluate the combined information and / or to generate the respective identifier.

It is preferably provided that the first identifier and the second identifier are only attached as symbols from a range of values with two different symbols and that the combined information is generated as a binary code. The symbol can be designed, for example, as a black-filled circle or a white-filled circle. However, the symbol can also have the shape of a rectangle or polygon or line. Preferably only the binary information given by colors, for example black / white, is used. The binary information can, however, be present in a variety of ways, for example by means of different geometric shapes, preferably such that a machine can evaluate the information quickly and reliably.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that a first band, in particular a first band, is arranged on the first parcel and the first identifier is attached to the first band, in particular the first band, and a second band, in particular a second band, is applied to the second parcel Banderole, is arranged and the second identifier is attached to the second tape, in particular the second banderole. By means of the tape, in particular the banderole, the respective identifier can be applied to the respective packet in a simple manner. Furthermore, the tape can be used for at least two functions, namely for holding the documents of value together and as a carrier for the respective identifier.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the first band and / or the second band is provided as a band. A banderole is in particular a paper tape or a Plastic film tape that spans or encloses a product, in this case documents of value, and preferably belongs to the packaging of the product.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the respective identifier is attached to a side surface of the respective band, which is formed in a plane perpendicular to the main plane of extent of the respective packet. As a result, the combined information can be machine-read more reliably.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the packets are combined in step e) in such a way that the first identifier and the second identifier are aligned directly adjacent to one another in the bundle. The direct arrangement results in quickly recognizable composite information.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that a subsequent assignment of the bundle to a processing device which generated the bundle is carried out on the basis of the combined information. The combined information can be used to determine simply and reliably which processing device was used to produce the bundle. For this purpose, each processing device is preferably assigned a unique (binary) code, in particular a unique sequence of numbers.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that a number of packets in the bundle is determined on the basis of the combined information. The number can, for example, be derived directly from the binary code of the combined information or else be assigned to the binary code in a database or a list. The latter is preferably the Lall if the combined information includes several pieces of information, such as number of packages, batch date and batch machine identity.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the value document is provided as a bank note. It is advantageous to use it with a bank note, since there are high requirements in terms of reliability and speed of processing in this area and the combined information is advantageous for these requirements.

The respective label is preferably attached to the respective band before the respective tape is attached to the respective packet. This can be done with, for example done with a dot matrix printer. As a result, the labels can be affixed more quickly and with simpler means.

A processing device according to the invention is designed for processing documents of value. The processing device comprises a packet formation unit, a tape arrangement unit, a label application unit and a bundle formation unit for bundling packets of documents of value. The processing device is also designed to carry out the following steps: a) generating a first parcel by combining documents of value by means of the parcel-forming unit; b) attaching a weakly meaningful first identifier to the first packet by means of the identifier attaching unit; c) generating a second parcel by combining further documents of value by means of the parcel formation unit; d) attaching a weak second identifier to the second packet by means of the identifier attaching unit; and e) generating meaningful combined information from the first identifier and the second identifier by combining the first packet and the second packet into a bundle by means of the bundling unit.

The invention also relates to the use of a composite information item for assigning a bundle of small packets of documents of value to a processing device for the processing of documents of value.

The preferred embodiments presented with reference to the respective method according to the invention and their advantages apply accordingly to the processing device according to the invention and the use according to the invention. The objective components of the security element according to the invention are each designed to carry out the respective steps of the method or of the use.

Further features of the invention emerge from the claims, the figures and the description of the figures. Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to a schematic drawing.

Show:

1 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a packet of documents of value according to the invention with a tape;

2 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a bundle according to the invention of a plurality of packets with an item of information that has been combined; and

3 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a processing device according to the invention for documents of value.

Identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference symbols in the figures.

1 shows documents of value 1 which, according to the exemplary embodiment, are designed as bank notes. The documents of value 1 are individually stacked on top of one another and are present as a first packet 2. The stacking is preferably carried out by arranging the respective pages of the documents of value 1 with the largest surfaces against one another. The first packet 2 comprises, for example, up to 200 pieces, in particular 100 pieces, of the documents of value 1.

According to the exemplary embodiment, the first packet 2 is surrounded by a first band 3. In particular, the first band 3 is designed as a band. The first band 3 preferably holds the first packet 2 together. The first packet 2 can be at least partially packed by the first band 3. The first band 3 can be made of paper, plastic or a mixture thereof, for example.

A first identifier 4 is attached to the first tape 3. The first identifier 4 can be applied to the first band 3, for example, using printing technology or embossing technology. According to the exemplary embodiment, the first identifier 4 is designed as only a single symbol. The first identifier is preferably with a square or round contour educated. The contour can be filled with black paint or with white paint, for example. The symbol is preferably designed with only one value from a value range with two values. The first identifier 4 is therefore preferably based only on a binary value range, for example a number space or a symbol space.

The first identifier 4 is preferably attached to the respective band 3 even before the first band 3 is attached to the first packet 2.

2 shows a bundle 8. The bundle 8 comprises the first packet 2 and at least one second packet 5. According to the exemplary embodiment, the bundle 5 also includes further packets, which are designed in particular analogously to the first packet 2 and the second packet 5.

The second packet 5 has a second band 6 and a second identifier 7. The second packet 5 is designed in particular analogously to the first packet 2. The second band 6 is designed in particular analogously to the first band 3. The second identifier 7 is designed in particular analogously to the first identifier 4.

The bundle 8 preferably comprises up to 10 packages, that is to say in particular the first package 2, the second package 5 and up to eight further packages, which are preferably designed analogously to the first package 2 and the second package 5. The bundle 8 can, however, also comprise more than 10 packets.

The bundle 8 can, for example, be wrapped with a transparent film, by means of which the individual packets are held together. The transparent film is then arranged, for example, over the packets 2, 5 together with the tapes 3, 6 and labels 4, 7. Due to the transparency of the film, however, the marks are still visible through the film even after the bundle 8 has been packaged.

By stacking or lining up the first packet 2 and the second packet 3, the first identifier 4 and the second identifier 7 and possibly further identifiers of further packets are arranged next to one another or one above the other. By stringing together the identifiers 4, 7, a composite information item 9, quasi an overall identifier of the bundle 8, is formed. The combined information 9 is preferably in the form of binary information, according to the exemplary embodiment with the values light and dark.

If the bundle 8 has ten packets, for example, then the combined information 9 according to the exemplary embodiment has an information content of ten bits. The information content of the combined information 9 is particularly dependent on the number of labels and the size of the range of values of the labels.

For example, several labels can also be arranged on one packet.

3 shows a processing device 10 for processing the documents of value 1. According to the exemplary embodiment, the processing device 10 comprises a stacking unit 11, a packet-forming unit 12, a band arrangement unit 13, a label application unit 14 and a bundle-forming unit 15 for bundling the packets 2, 5.

The processing device 10 also has a stacker wheel 16, which is set up to brake documents of value, in particular banknotes, which hit the stacker wheel 16 at high speed, and to generate a stack of the documents of value by means of the stacking unit 11. This stack is designed as one of the packets 2, 5 from a predetermined number of documents of value 1, preferably between 50 and 200 pieces, in particular 100 pieces. The packets are produced in particular with the packet forming unit 12.

The packets 2, 5 are preferably each wrapped or banded with the respective tape 3, 6. This process is carried out in particular by means of the band arrangement unit 13.

The respective identifier 4, 7 is attached to the respective band 3, 6, preferably before the banding. This is done with the label attachment unit 14, which is designed, for example, as a printer, preferably as a dot matrix printer. The respective tape 3, 6 can, however, also be attached to the respective packet 2, 5 after it has been attached.

The packets 2, 5 are then combined to form the bundle 8 by means of the bundling unit 15. By combining the packets 2, 5 to form a bundle 9, the combined information 9 is also generated.

The composite information 9 includes, for example, an identification number from that processing device 10 which generates the respective bundle 8.

The composite information 9 can for example also contain information about the number of parcels 2, 5 in the bundle 8 or a number of the value documents 1 in the bundle 8 or a nominal value of the value documents 1 in the bundle.

The bundle 9 is moved to a transport device 17, for example a conveyor belt. The transport device 17 transports the bundle 9 to a packaging device 18. The packaging device 18 packs at least the bundle 9 with, for example, a transparent film.

In particular, at least one further processing device, which is designed analogously to processing device 10, is connected to transport device 17 and packaging device 18. Bundles of the further processing device are also conveyed to the transport device 17.

In the transport device 17, for example, several bundles 9 can be transported at the same time.

A malfunction, for example a bundle jam 19, can occur in the transport device 17. Due to the bundle jam 19, for example, an original sequence of the bundles 8 can get mixed up. The original sequence can be reconstructed again on the basis of the combined information 9. In particular, it can be determined by which processing device 10 a specific bundle 8 has been generated. Should a bundle 8 prove to be faulty, for example, the troubleshooting can begin directly with the generating processing device 10. The combined information 9 can, for example, also have an identification number of an owner of the documents of value 1 of the respective bundle. As a result, documents of value from different owners can be transported reliably and so that they can be assigned to the respective owner again in the event of an error.

The combined information 9 can be detected, for example, by means of a detector unit which, for example, comprises a camera and is arranged on the transport device 17 or the packaging device 18.

On the basis of the combined information 9, further information can then be attached, for example by the packaging unit 18.

The composite information 9 is used in particular to assign the bundle 8 to that processing device 10 which generated the bundle 8.

Claims

1. A method for processing documents of value (1), in which the following steps are carried out: a) generating a first packet (2) by combining documents of value (1); b) attaching a weakly meaningful first identifier (4) to the first packet (2); c) generating a second packet (5) by combining further documents of value

(i); d) attaching a weak second identifier (7) to the second packet (5); and e) generating meaningful composite information (9) from the first identifier (4) and the second identifier (7) by combining the first packet (2) and the second packet (5) into a bundle (8).

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first identifier (4) and the second identifier (7) are each attached only as a symbol from a range of values with two different symbols and the composite information (9) is generated as a binary code.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a first tape (3) is arranged on the first packet (2) and the first identifier (4) is attached to the first tape (3) and to the second packet (5) second tape (6) is arranged and the second label (7) is attached to the second tape (6).

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the respective identifier (4, 7) is attached to a side surface of the respective band (3, 6) which is formed in a plane perpendicular to the main extension plane of the respective packet (2, 5).

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the packets (2, 5) are combined in step e) in such a way that the first identifier (4) and the second identifier (7) are aligned directly adjacent to one another in the bundle (8).

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, a subsequent assignment of the bundle (8) to a processing device (10) which generated the bundle (8) is carried out on the basis of the assembled information (9).

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a number of packets of the bundle (8) is determined on the basis of the assembled information (9).

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the documents of value (1) are provided as bank notes.

9. Processing device (10) for processing documents of value (1), with a packet-forming unit (12), a label application unit (14) and a bundle-forming unit (15) for bundling small packets (2, 5) of documents of value (1), the The processing device (10) is designed to carry out the following steps: a) generating a first parcel (2, 5) by combining documents of value (1) by means of the parcel-forming unit (12); b) attaching a weakly meaningful first identifier (4) to the first packet (2) by means of the identifier attaching unit (14); c) generating a second parcel (5) by combining further documents of value (1) by means of the parcel-forming unit (12); d) attaching a weak second identifier (7) to the second packet (5) by means of the identifier attaching unit (14); and e) generating meaningful composite information (9) from the first identifier (4) and the second identifier (7) by combining the first packet (2) and the second packet (5) into a bundle (8) by means of the bundling unit ( 15).

10. Use of a composite item of information (9) for assigning a bundle (8) of small packets (2, 5) of documents of value (1) to a processing device (10) for processing documents of value (1).