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EP1729265A1 - Device for the treatment, evaluation, validation and recycling of a wad of bills - Google Patents

Device for the treatment, evaluation, validation and recycling of a wad of bills Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1729265A1
EP1729265A1 EP05708094A EP05708094A EP1729265A1 EP 1729265 A1 EP1729265 A1 EP 1729265A1 EP 05708094 A EP05708094 A EP 05708094A EP 05708094 A EP05708094 A EP 05708094A EP 1729265 A1 EP1729265 A1 EP 1729265A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
notes
note
validation
blades
unit separation
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP05708094A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Jaime Sallen Rosello
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Cash Sallen Business SL
Original Assignee
Cash Sallen Business SL
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Cash Sallen Business SL filed Critical Cash Sallen Business SL
Publication of EP1729265A1 publication Critical patent/EP1729265A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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    • GPHYSICS
    • G07CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07DHANDLING OF COINS OR VALUABLE PAPERS, e.g. TESTING, SORTING BY DENOMINATIONS, COUNTING, DISPENSING, CHANGING OR DEPOSITING
    • G07D11/00Devices accepting coins; Devices accepting, dispensing, sorting or counting valuable papers
    • G07D11/50Sorting or counting valuable papers
    • GPHYSICS
    • G07CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07DHANDLING OF COINS OR VALUABLE PAPERS, e.g. TESTING, SORTING BY DENOMINATIONS, COUNTING, DISPENSING, CHANGING OR DEPOSITING
    • G07D7/00Testing specially adapted to determine the identity or genuineness of valuable papers or for segregating those which are unacceptable, e.g. banknotes that are alien to a currency
    • G07D7/16Testing the dimensions
    • G07D7/164Thickness

Definitions

  • the invention is included within the field of security and more specifically in the processing of a group of notes by means of a device for assessing, validating and rejecting notes which must be withdrawn from circulation due to the loss of any of its physical features.
  • desktop counting and assessing devices are mainly devices which automatically count a group or wad of notes, giving as a result the sum of the total value of the processed notes in addition to authenticating the processed notes.
  • These desktop devices are useful for operators who work with notes for example, bank cashiers, because they increase the certainty that the processed notes are legal tender notes in addition to speeding up and allowing the count of notes in time periods that are shorter by tens of units.
  • Most legal tender notes have a substantially rectangular shape having two larger sides extending in a longitudinal direction and two smaller sides extending in a transverse direction substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal direction.
  • Counting and assessing desktop devices existing to date process the note or currency paper with the passage of the note in its transverse direction
  • the classifying devices used by central banks processes the notes in a longitudinal direction. This is so because by means of these devices, an absolute identification and authentication of the note is obtained because the security measures of the note have been designed so as to be correctly identified for the forward movement of the note in its longitudinal direction.
  • the validation must be done by considerably increasing the number of sensors for the identification of the entire note.
  • the security measures provided for a note in order to prevent its counterfeiting have been designed so as to be correctly identified for a forward movement of the note in its longitudinal direction.
  • the note moves in the transverse direction, the multiplication of sensors being necessary at least every centimeter in order to detect all the aforementioned security measures. For this reason, the multiplication of sensors is necessary, forming sensor matrices or detector lines, both emitting and detecting elements, the use of unit sensors not being possible.
  • the invention relates to a device for processing notes, the notes having a substantially rectangular shape with two larger sides extending a longitudinal direction and two smaller sides extending a transverse direction substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal direction, the device comprising:
  • the device for processing notes of the present invention is characterized in that the input means, the unit separation means, the thickness measuring means, the validation means, the first transport means and the collection means are configured such that the note moves in the longitudinal direction from the input means to the collection means.
  • said security measures are located according to independent transverse areas along the entire length of the note such that if the reading occurs in the transverse direction (D2), the reading of the mentioned physical features is less precise and multiple sensors are necessary. However, if the reading occurs in the longitudinal direction (D2), the measurements obtained are more complete and accurate, being able to use unit sensors.
  • the device object of the present invention is designed for its use as a desktop device, i.e. it is a portable device of reduced dimensions with the possibility of transporting it to the place desired by the user and occupying a small space.
  • the collection means of the device for processing notes object of the present invention comprise second transport means which in turn comprise note receiving means in a receiving position, said second transport means being configured to:
  • the device object of the present invention shown in figure 1, comprises
  • the input means 2, the unit separation means 3, the thickness measuring means 4, the validation means 5, the first transport means and the collection means 6 are configured such that the note moves in the longitudinal direction from the input means 2 to the collection means 6.
  • figure 2 shows a note 10 having a substantially rectangular shape with two larger sides extending in a longitudinal direction D1 and two smaller sides extending in a transverse direction D2 substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal direction.
  • the device object of the present invention is designed for its use as a desktop device, i.e. it is a portable device of reduced dimensions with the possibility of transporting it to the place desired by the user, occupying a small space.
  • the input means 2 are associated to a plurality of traction wheels 7 forming part of the first transport means, said traction wheels have a continuous traction surface, i.e., they have a surface arranged along their entire perimeter capable of pulling the note.
  • said input means 2 have a plurality of wheels 8 with free rotation, a presence detector (not shown in the figure) and suction means 9 such that when a group of notes 10 is arranged on the plurality of traction wheels 7, the presence sensor activates the suction means 9 which produce a suction stream on the group of notes 10 causing a contact between the surface of the lower note of the group of notes and the plurality of traction wheels.7, at that time the traction produced by the traction wheels 7 makes the note advance towards the unit separation means 3 arranged immediately afterwards.
  • the unit separation means 3 for the unit separation of each of the notes are associated to at least one traction wheel forming part of the first transport means and they further have a separating reel 12, said separating reel 12 is blocked so that it can rotate in the direction of the forward movement of the note but not in the opposite direction.
  • the traction wheel 11 is formed by a traction area 13 and an area 14 without traction which has a diameter greater than the diameter of the traction area 13. In this way, when the traction wheel, during its rotation, is in a position such that the area 14 without traction is opposite to the separating reel 12, the passage of the note is closed preventing the following note from entering the thickness measuring means 4 too soon.
  • the traction wheel 11 in its traction area 13 has projecting rings 16 which are located, in an alternate manner, opposite to a series of rings arranged on the separating reel 12, said rings are of two types, inner traction rings 15a and outer rings 15b without traction, the function of which is to increase the contact surface in order to carry out the separation. A more effective separation of the notes is achieved with this arrangement.
  • the thickness measuring means 4 for measuring the thickness of the notes are associated to a plurality of traction wheels 17 forming part of the first transport means, a plurality of bearings 18 with great hardness, normally made of steel, is arranged opposite to said traction wheels 17, said bearings having the possibility of moving in a vertical direction once the note 10 passes between said bearings 18 and the traction wheel 17.
  • These bearings 17 are connected to a first arm 19 having a first pivoting point 20 and a second arm 21 such that when a note 10 passes through, the bearings and the second arm 21 move upwards intercepting the beam of rays being transmitted from the emitter to the receiver of a sensor 22, thus determining the thickness of the note.
  • the validation means 5 comprise a plurality of sensors (not shown in the figure) for measuring the physical features of the notes.
  • the physical features determine a series of security measures of the note which are physically located in different bands arranged in the transverse direction of the note, such as for example the magnetic thread 33 and the hologram 34, as can be seen in Figure 2; this means that if the validation of the notes is carried out in the transverse direction (D2), multiplication of sensors is necessary, at least every centimeter, in order to detect all the security measures.
  • the note is also designed for the determination of the spectrum when the note passes through in a longitudinal direction. In the transverse direction, a different spectrum is obtained depending on the place through where the note passes; varying from white if it passes through the watermark, to different colors varying every few centimeters.
  • a transmissive infrared device or two reflexive sensors if both sides are to be analyzed separately a magnetic detector, an ultraviolet detector, a colorimetry sensor are sufficient in the validation means 5 for the analysis of infrared inks, the detection of the security thread and of magnetic ink, the detection of bleaching, the detection of spectrometry of the note.
  • the validation means 5 comprise counting means associated to the analysis means configured to determine the accumulated value of the notes of the group of notes considered to be valid during a time period defined by the user from the measurement of the physical features of the notes.
  • the collection means 6 comprise second transport means 23 which in turn comprise note receiving means 24 in a receiving position 25.
  • the second transport means 23 are configured to:
  • the thickness measuring means 4 for measuring the thickness of each of the notes detect a note 10 the thickness of which is greater than the pre-established threshold corresponding to the maximum thickness of a note, a first error signal is generated.
  • the analysis means generate a second error signal if measurements of the physical features of the note are detected that are different from the corresponding pre-established standards.
  • the receiving means 24 of the collection means 6 are configured such that when the first and/or second error signal is received, they first move the valid note before the detected invalid note by means of a rotation towards the first position 26 and on the other hand, once the invalid note has reached the receiving means 24 said receiving means 24 move together with the invalid note in order to pass to a second position 27 prior to the first position 26 and are stopped in this second position 27. At the same time that the invalid note has been detected, the first transport means remain idle to prevent the following note from reaching the receiving means 24 of the collection means 6.
  • the invalid note is therefore retained in the receiving means 24 in the second position 27 at the same time that the feed of the next note is interrupted, it being possible to manually withdraw the invalid note or notes (in the event that it is a "double note") from the receiving means 24 at that same instant.
  • the receiving means 24 of the collection means 6 comprise an assembly of blades 28 arranged forming at least two groups of blades 28 connected to the axis of rotation and separated by a distance smaller than the length of the smaller side of the note, the blades 28 of each group of blades being arranged in a same plane one after the other, defining a notch 29 of a curved profile between two consecutive blades.
  • the curved profile of the notch 29 of the receiving means 24 has a variable rotation radius configured to allow the complete introduction of the note transported in said notches 29 without the production of feed interferences between the notes from the validation means 5 and the receiving means 24 themselves.
  • the second transport means 23 of the collection means 6 further have a plurality of traction wheels 30 located immediately before the receiving means 24 such that, as can be seen in Figure 6, the end of the blades 28 is overlapped with the exit of the traction wheels 30, preventing the notes from being projected out of the receiving means 24.
  • the number of blades 28 of each group of blades is equal to n, where 2 ⁇ n ⁇ 4.
  • the optimal number of blades 28 is 4, taking into account the limit size that the receiving means 24 and more specifically, the mentioned blades 28 can adopt and taking into account the rotational speed of the blades 28.
  • the device could work with 3 blades 28 in each group of blades but the rotational speed would have to increase too much, the arrival speed of the notes from the validation means 5 not being enough and a phase difference being produced in the feed of the notes.
  • the second transport means 23 comprise stop means 31 located near the first position 26 and opposite to the movement of the notes such that when the notes reach the first position 26, they come up against the stop means 31 and are ejected from the receiving means 24, said stop means 31 being configured with a variable inclination angle along said stop means 31 with respect to the axis of rotation of the receiving means 24.
  • the delivery surface 32 has a certain descending inclination both in the longitudinal and transverse direction of the note near the receiving means 24, the processed notes being located aligned with respect to two of its contiguous sides (one larger and one smaller) although they may be notes of a different value.
  • the movement of the traction wheels 7, 11, 17 forming part of the first transport means and associated to the input means 2, the separation means 3 and the thickness measuring means 4 is independent of the movement of the traction wheels 30 associated to the collection means 6, it being possible to vary the relative speeds so as to maintain the relative distance between two consecutive notes constant.
  • the sensors of the validation means 5 allow knowing the position of the note at all times in addition to knowing when it will enter the collection area 6 and, together with the thickness measuring means 4, they also allow knowing the distance between two contiguous notes, thus being able to conveniently vary the speed ratio between the traction wheels 7, 11, 17 associated to the input means 2, the separation means 3 and the thickness measuring means 4 and the traction wheels 30 associated to the collection means 6.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Controlling Sheets Or Webs (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for processing notes, the notes (10) having two larger sides extending in a longitudinal direction (D1) and two smaller sides extending in a transverse direction (D2), said device comprising:
- input means (2) of a group of notes to be processed,
- unit separation means for the unit separation of the notes,
- thickness measuring means (4) for measuring the thickness of each of the notes,
- validation means (5),
- first transport means for transporting each of the notes,
- note collection means (6).
It is a desktop device configured such that the note (10) moves in the longitudinal direction (D1) during its processing, thus using unit sensors for the validation means (5) and said collection means (6) being configured so as to be able to withdraw invalid notes, adding a recycling function to the device.

Description

    Field of the Invention
  • The invention is included within the field of security and more specifically in the processing of a group of notes by means of a device for assessing, validating and rejecting notes which must be withdrawn from circulation due to the loss of any of its physical features.
  • Background of the Invention
  • Currently existing desktop counting and assessing devices are mainly devices which automatically count a group or wad of notes, giving as a result the sum of the total value of the processed notes in addition to authenticating the processed notes. These desktop devices are useful for operators who work with notes for example, bank cashiers, because they increase the certainty that the processed notes are legal tender notes in addition to speeding up and allowing the count of notes in time periods that are shorter by tens of units.
  • The counters that currently exist in the market partly fulfill the purpose of speeding up the operator's work but this is not so as regards the increase in detection security or as regards the correct processing of notes of different denominations.
  • There are a series of drawbacks in the existing devices for processing notes derived from their own configuration, among which the most significant are:
    • Low reliability in the processing of old notes or notes in a bad condition (wrinkled notes, folded corners, stained notes, notes with loss of rigidity,...).
    • Lack of accuracy in the reliable detection of folded notes.
    • Impossibility to not cancel the operation when faced with an invalid note or two overlapped or joined notes hereinafter referred to as "double note".
    • Authentication of the notes by means of a too limited number of security measures.
    • Possibility that the note is thrown out during the processing, hereinafter referred to as "note flying".
    • Difficulty in the effective processing of notes of different denominations (different size or value) in a same group of notes.
  • Most legal tender notes have a substantially rectangular shape having two larger sides extending in a longitudinal direction and two smaller sides extending in a transverse direction substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal direction.
  • Counting and assessing desktop devices existing to date process the note or currency paper with the passage of the note in its transverse direction
  • On the other hand, the classifying devices used by central banks, devices of a size exceeding 2 meters in length, and therefore not considered as desktop devices, and of a cost greater than a device of this type, process the notes in a longitudinal direction. This is so because by means of these devices, an absolute identification and authentication of the note is obtained because the security measures of the note have been designed so as to be correctly identified for the forward movement of the note in its longitudinal direction.
  • Furthermore, in the counting and assessing devices analyzing the note for a forward movement of the note in its transverse direction, the validation must be done by considerably increasing the number of sensors for the identification of the entire note.
  • On the other hand, there are devices for counting and validating notes in the market with the possibility of separating valid notes from invalid notes, said devices have a duplicity both in their transport means and in the collection and input means, i.e. in this type of devices, once the notes have passed the corresponding validation means, two independent systems of note transport and collection must be arranged, a first system for the case of valid notes and another system for detected invalid notes. Said circumstance involves an increase in the size of the device in the first place. Considerable manufacturing costs and an increase in the risk of fault production must be added to this circumstance due to the fact that there is a duplication of part of the mechanical and electronic systems of the device.
  • The security measures provided for a note in order to prevent its counterfeiting have been designed so as to be correctly identified for a forward movement of the note in its longitudinal direction.
  • In the devices which can be found in the market, the note moves in the transverse direction, the multiplication of sensors being necessary at least every centimeter in order to detect all the aforementioned security measures. For this reason, the multiplication of sensors is necessary, forming sensor matrices or detector lines, both emitting and detecting elements, the use of unit sensors not being possible.
  • Due to the multiplication of the number of sensors, greater resources are produced for the processing of the information obtained from the sensors with the subsequent increase of the measurement time necessary for determining the different physical features of the notes.
  • Therefore, the need has been detected to provide a device for processing notes contemplating on one hand the assessment and validation of notes and on the other hand, having the possibility of withdrawing invalid notes by using unique mechanical and electronic systems both for valid notes and invalid notes.
  • The need has also been detected to design a device for processing notes in which the forward movement of the notes throughout their processing is produced in the longitudinal direction with the purpose of optimizing the validation process and being able to drastically reduce the number of sensors which will determine the physical features of the note to thus determine certain security measures thereof.
  • Description of the Invention
  • The invention relates to a device for processing notes, the notes having a substantially rectangular shape with two larger sides extending a longitudinal direction and two smaller sides extending a transverse direction substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal direction, the device comprising:
    • input means of a group of notes to be processed comprising a presence sensor and transport means for transporting the notes towards the unit separation means for the unit separation of the notes,
    • unit separation means for the unit separation of the notes, configured to separate the notes one by one,
    • thickness measuring means for measuring the thickness of each of the notes from the unit separation means for the unit separation of the notes, configured to generate a first error signal when a thickness greater than a pre-established threshold corresponding to the maximum thickness of a note is detected,
    • validation means for the validation of each of the notes comprising a plurality of sensors for measuring physical features of the notes and analysis means for determining, from the measured features, whether or not the note is valid and configured to generate a second error signal if measurements of the physical features of the note are detected that are different from the corresponding pre-established standards.
    • first transport means for transporting each of the notes from the unit separation means for the unit separation of the notes, passing through the thickness measuring means and through the validation means for the validation of each of the notes, to the collection means,
    • note collection means configured to move each note selectively to a first position if at least one error signal corresponding to a note has not been generated or a second position if at least one error signal corresponding to the note has been generated.
  • The device for processing notes of the present invention is characterized in that the input means, the unit separation means, the thickness measuring means, the validation means, the first transport means and the collection means are configured such that the note moves in the longitudinal direction from the input means to the collection means.
  • In this way, a more efficient measurement is obtained of the physical features of the note associated to a series of security measures determining the validity thereof.
  • According to the guidelines given by the European Central Bank (ECB), said security measures are located according to independent transverse areas along the entire length of the note such that if the reading occurs in the transverse direction (D2), the reading of the mentioned physical features is less precise and multiple sensors are necessary. However, if the reading occurs in the longitudinal direction (D2), the measurements obtained are more complete and accurate, being able to use unit sensors.
  • The device object of the present invention is designed for its use as a desktop device, i.e. it is a portable device of reduced dimensions with the possibility of transporting it to the place desired by the user and occupying a small space.
  • The collection means of the device for processing notes object of the present invention comprise second transport means which in turn comprise note receiving means in a receiving position, said second transport means being configured to:
    • rotate with respect to an axis of rotation perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of the note, with the purpose of moving the notes from said receiving position towards the first position; and
    • stop with the notes in said second position, prior to said first position, in the event that a first and/or second error signal has been generated.
      In this way, the addition of a new functionality to the device is achieved, consisting of the use of this desktop device for processing notes as a recycling device or better said, as a device for rejecting or withdrawing invalid notes from circulation, in addition to being useful as an assessment, validating means in addition to allowing the processing of the note in the longitudinal direction thereof.
      When a note the thickness of which is greater than a pre-established threshold corresponding to the maximum thickness of a note is detected in the thickness measuring means for measuring the thickness of each of the notes, a first error signal is generated. In the same manner, when the notes pass through the validation means, i.e. once the sensors located in the validation means have determined the different physical features of the note, the analysis means send a second error signal if measurements of the physical features of the note are detected that are different from the corresponding pre-established standards.
      The receiving means of the collection means are configured such that when the first and/or second error signal is received, they first move the already validated note by means of a rotation towards the first position and on the other hand, once the invalid note has reached the receiving means said receiving means move together with the invalid note in order to pass to a second position prior to the first position and are stopped in this second position. At the same time that the invalid note has been detected, the first transport means remain idle to prevent the following note from reaching the receiving means of the collection means.
      The invalid note is therefore retained in the receiving means in the second position at the same time that the feed of the second note is interrupted, it being possible to manually withdraw the invalid note or notes (in the event that it is a "double note") from the receiving means at that same instant.
      The receiving means of the collection means comprise an assembly of blades arranged forming at least two groups of blades connected to the axis of rotation and separated by a distance smaller than the length of the smaller side of the note, the blades of each group of blades being arranged in a same plane one after the other, defining a notch of a curved profile between two consecutive blades.
      Furthermore, the curved profile of the notch of the receiving means has a variable rotation radius configured to allow the complete introduction of the note transported in said notches without the production of feed interferences between the notes from the validation means and the receiving means themselves.
      The number of blades of each group of blades is equal to n, where 2 ≤ n ≤ 4. However, the optimal number of blades is 4, taking into account the limit size that the receiving means and more specifically, the mentioned blades can adopt and taking into account the rotational speed of the blades.
      The second transport means comprise stop means located near the first position and opposite to the movement of the notes such that when the notes reach the first position, they come up against the stop means and are ejected from the receiving means, said stop means being configured with a variable inclination angle along said stop means with respect to the axis of rotation of the receiving means.
      The input means comprise a plurality of traction wheels, a plurality of wheels with free rotation, suction means located below the mentioned wheels and a presence sensor such that when the group of notes is arranged on the plurality of traction wheels, the presence sensor activates the suction means which produce a suction stream on the group of notes causing a contact between the surface of the lower note of the group of notes and the plurality of traction wheels.
      In this way, the wrinkled or deformed notes which might be in the group of notes to be processed are pressed against the traction wheels associated to the input means at the same time that they approach the unit separation means by means of said traction wheels. In turn, the wheels with free rotation associated to the input means allow those notes which have lost rigidity to not be retained by an excess frictional force produced between the note and the traction wheels.
      In turn, the first transport means comprise a plurality of traction wheels associated to the separation means, at least one traction wheel associated to the thickness measuring means and a plurality of traction wheels associated to the collection means such that the movement of the traction wheels associated to the input means, separation means and thickness measuring means is independent of the movement of the traction wheels associated to the collection means, it being possible to vary the relative speeds so as to maintain the relative distance between two consecutive notes constant.
      In order to achieve this, the sensors of the validation means allow knowing the position of the note at all times in addition to knowing when it will enter the collection area and together with the thickness measuring means they also allow knowing the distance between two contiguous notes, thus being able to conveniently vary the speed ratio between the traction wheels associated to the input, separation and thickness measuring means and the traction wheels associated to the collection means.
      In this way, two contiguous notes are prevented from approaching one another excessively during their transport through the device which could cause the notes to overlap or become chained, causing the thickness measuring means to send a first error signal due to a double or chained note.
      The validation means comprise counting means associated to the analysis means configured to determine the accumulated value of the notes of the group of notes considered to be valid during a time period defined by the user from the measurement of the physical features of the notes.
      In this way, in the event that several system stops occur due to the detection of invalid notes due to the generation of a first and/or second error signal and once the invalid notes have been withdrawn, the system will continue with the count or assessment of the remaining notes that are still to be counted the times that are necessary until there is no note to be processed, thus obtaining the accumulated value of the valid notes in the group of notes.
      The note validation means comprise not more than one unit sensor per each of the physical features to be measured of the note.
      Therefore, thanks to the particular configuration of the device, adapted so that the note moves in the longitudinal direction along its processing, it is possible to find all the security measures with the unit sensor elements without needing to multiply the detectors.
    Brief Description of the Drawings
  • A series of drawings will very briefly be explained below which will aid in better understanding the invention and which are expressly related with some embodiments of said invention set forth as illustrative and non-limiting examples thereof.
    • Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the device object of the present invention.
    • Figure 2 schematically shows a note.
    • Figure 3 schematically shows an upper plan view and a side view of the input means of the device object of the present invention.
    • Figure 4 schematically shows a front elevational view and a side view of the unit separation means for the unit separation of the notes of the device object of the present invention.
    • Figure 5 schematically shows an upper plan view and a side view of the thickness measuring means for measuring the thickness of each of the notes of the device object of the present invention.
    • Figure 6 schematically shows a side view of the note collection means of the device object of the present invention.
    Description of a Preferred Embodiment of the Invention
  • The device object of the present invention, shown in figure 1, comprises
    • input means 2 of a group of notes to be processed comprising a presence sensor and transport means for transporting the notes to the unit separation means 3 for the unit separation of the notes,
    • unit separation means 3 for the unit separation of the notes, configured to separate the notes one by one,
    • thickness measuring means 4 for measuring the thickness of each of the notes from the unit separation means 3 for the unit separation of the notes, configured to generate a first error signal if a thickness greater than a pre-established threshold corresponding to a maximum thickness of a note is measured.
    • validation means 5 for the validation of each of the notes comprising a plurality of sensors for measuring physical features of the notes and analysis means for determining, from the measured features, whether or not the note is valid and configured to generate a second error signal if measurements of the physical features of the note are detected that are different from the corresponding pre-established standards.
    • first transport means for transporting each of the notes from the unit separation means 3 for the unit separation of the notes, passing through the thickness measuring means 4 and through the validation means 5 for the validation of each of the notes, to collection means 6,
    • note collection means 6 configured to move each note selectively to a first position 26 if an error signal corresponding to a note has not been generated or a second position 27 if at least one error signal corresponding to the note has been generated.
  • The input means 2, the unit separation means 3, the thickness measuring means 4, the validation means 5, the first transport means and the collection means 6 are configured such that the note moves in the longitudinal direction from the input means 2 to the collection means 6.
  • In order to better understand the invention, figure 2 shows a note 10 having a substantially rectangular shape with two larger sides extending in a longitudinal direction D1 and two smaller sides extending in a transverse direction D2 substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal direction.
  • The device object of the present invention is designed for its use as a desktop device, i.e. it is a portable device of reduced dimensions with the possibility of transporting it to the place desired by the user, occupying a small space.
  • As can be seen in Figure 3, the input means 2 are associated to a plurality of traction wheels 7 forming part of the first transport means, said traction wheels have a continuous traction surface, i.e., they have a surface arranged along their entire perimeter capable of pulling the note.
  • Furthermore, said input means 2 have a plurality of wheels 8 with free rotation, a presence detector (not shown in the figure) and suction means 9 such that when a group of notes 10 is arranged on the plurality of traction wheels 7, the presence sensor activates the suction means 9 which produce a suction stream on the group of notes 10 causing a contact between the surface of the lower note of the group of notes and the plurality of traction wheels.7, at that time the traction produced by the traction wheels 7 makes the note advance towards the unit separation means 3 arranged immediately afterwards.
  • As can be seen in Figure 4 the unit separation means 3 for the unit separation of each of the notes are associated to at least one traction wheel forming part of the first transport means and they further have a separating reel 12, said separating reel 12 is blocked so that it can rotate in the direction of the forward movement of the note but not in the opposite direction.
  • The traction wheel 11 is formed by a traction area 13 and an area 14 without traction which has a diameter greater than the diameter of the traction area 13. In this way, when the traction wheel, during its rotation, is in a position such that the area 14 without traction is opposite to the separating reel 12, the passage of the note is closed preventing the following note from entering the thickness measuring means 4 too soon.
  • The traction wheel 11 in its traction area 13 has projecting rings 16 which are located, in an alternate manner, opposite to a series of rings arranged on the separating reel 12, said rings are of two types, inner traction rings 15a and outer rings 15b without traction, the function of which is to increase the contact surface in order to carry out the separation. A more effective separation of the notes is achieved with this arrangement.
  • As can be seen in Figure 5, the thickness measuring means 4 for measuring the thickness of the notes, arranged after the unit separation means 3, are associated to a plurality of traction wheels 17 forming part of the first transport means, a plurality of bearings 18 with great hardness, normally made of steel, is arranged opposite to said traction wheels 17, said bearings having the possibility of moving in a vertical direction once the note 10 passes between said bearings 18 and the traction wheel 17. These bearings 17 are connected to a first arm 19 having a first pivoting point 20 and a second arm 21 such that when a note 10 passes through, the bearings and the second arm 21 move upwards intercepting the beam of rays being transmitted from the emitter to the receiver of a sensor 22, thus determining the thickness of the note.
  • In turn, the validation means 5 comprise a plurality of sensors (not shown in the figure) for measuring the physical features of the notes.
  • The physical features determine a series of security measures of the note which are physically located in different bands arranged in the transverse direction of the note, such as for example the magnetic thread 33 and the hologram 34, as can be seen in Figure 2; this means that if the validation of the notes is carried out in the transverse direction (D2), multiplication of sensors is necessary, at least every centimeter, in order to detect all the security measures.
  • However, if the forward movement is carried out in the longitudinal direction (D1), not more than one unit sensor element per each physical feature to be measured of the note will be needed due to the arrangement of the mentioned security measures.
  • Therefore, thanks to the particular configuration of the device, adapted so that the note moves in the longitudinal direction along its processing, it is possible to find all the security measures with unit sensor elements without needing to multiply the detectors.
  • Thanks to the considerable reduction in the number of sensors used by the validation means, it is possible to locate all the unit sensors in a same plane, this will allow opening the device at its upper part, being able to always access any point of the device in order to clean it, to unjam it.
  • Thus, first there is a watermark, then a security thread, later magnetic ink and infrared ink and finally the hologram. Of course, the bleaching of the note, i.e. ultraviolet detection, can also be analyzed during a greater proportion of the note than if it was carried out in a transverse passage direction.
  • In addition to these security measures of the note, it is equally possible to carry out a spectroscopy of the note, obtaining the value of the processed note or determining whether the note is suitable for circulation. As occurs with the security measures, the note is also designed for the determination of the spectrum when the note passes through in a longitudinal direction. In the transverse direction, a different spectrum is obtained depending on the place through where the note passes; varying from white if it passes through the watermark, to different colors varying every few centimeters.
  • In this embodiment of the invention, a transmissive infrared device or two reflexive sensors if both sides are to be analyzed separately, a magnetic detector, an ultraviolet detector, a colorimetry sensor are sufficient in the validation means 5 for the analysis of infrared inks, the detection of the security thread and of magnetic ink, the detection of bleaching, the detection of spectrometry of the note.
  • The validation means 5 comprise counting means associated to the analysis means configured to determine the accumulated value of the notes of the group of notes considered to be valid during a time period defined by the user from the measurement of the physical features of the notes.
  • In the event that several system stops occur due to the detection of invalid notes, once the invalid notes have been withdrawn, the system will continue with the count or assessment of the remaining notes that are still to be counted of the group of notes the times that are necessary until there is no note to be processed, thus obtaining the accumulated value of the valid notes in the group of notes.
  • As can be seen in Figure 6, the collection means 6 comprise second transport means 23 which in turn comprise note receiving means 24 in a receiving position 25.
  • The second transport means 23 are configured to:
    • rotate with respect to an axis of rotation perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of the note 10, with the purpose of moving the notes from said receiving position 25 towards the first position 26; and
    • stop with the notes in said second position 27, prior to said first position 26, in the event that a first and/or second error signal corresponding to the note has been generated.
  • When the thickness measuring means 4 for measuring the thickness of each of the notes detect a note 10 the thickness of which is greater than the pre-established threshold corresponding to the maximum thickness of a note, a first error signal is generated. In the same manner, when the notes pass through the validation means 5, i.e. once the sensors located in the validation means have determined the different physical features of the note, the analysis means generate a second error signal if measurements of the physical features of the note are detected that are different from the corresponding pre-established standards.
  • The receiving means 24 of the collection means 6 are configured such that when the first and/or second error signal is received, they first move the valid note before the detected invalid note by means of a rotation towards the first position 26 and on the other hand, once the invalid note has reached the receiving means 24 said receiving means 24 move together with the invalid note in order to pass to a second position 27 prior to the first position 26 and are stopped in this second position 27. At the same time that the invalid note has been detected, the first transport means remain idle to prevent the following note from reaching the receiving means 24 of the collection means 6.
  • The invalid note is therefore retained in the receiving means 24 in the second position 27 at the same time that the feed of the next note is interrupted, it being possible to manually withdraw the invalid note or notes (in the event that it is a "double note") from the receiving means 24 at that same instant.
  • The receiving means 24 of the collection means 6 comprise an assembly of blades 28 arranged forming at least two groups of blades 28 connected to the axis of rotation and separated by a distance smaller than the length of the smaller side of the note, the blades 28 of each group of blades being arranged in a same plane one after the other, defining a notch 29 of a curved profile between two consecutive blades.
  • Furthermore, the curved profile of the notch 29 of the receiving means 24 has a variable rotation radius configured to allow the complete introduction of the note transported in said notches 29 without the production of feed interferences between the notes from the validation means 5 and the receiving means 24 themselves.
  • The second transport means 23 of the collection means 6 further have a plurality of traction wheels 30 located immediately before the receiving means 24 such that, as can be seen in Figure 6, the end of the blades 28 is overlapped with the exit of the traction wheels 30, preventing the notes from being projected out of the receiving means 24.
  • The number of blades 28 of each group of blades is equal to n, where 2 ≤ n ≤ 4. However, the optimal number of blades 28 is 4, taking into account the limit size that the receiving means 24 and more specifically, the mentioned blades 28 can adopt and taking into account the rotational speed of the blades 28. The device could work with 3 blades 28 in each group of blades but the rotational speed would have to increase too much, the arrival speed of the notes from the validation means 5 not being enough and a phase difference being produced in the feed of the notes.
  • The second transport means 23 comprise stop means 31 located near the first position 26 and opposite to the movement of the notes such that when the notes reach the first position 26, they come up against the stop means 31 and are ejected from the receiving means 24, said stop means 31 being configured with a variable inclination angle along said stop means 31 with respect to the axis of rotation of the receiving means 24.
  • In this way, thanks to the particular configuration of the notches 29 and of the stop means 31, it is possible to obtain that the notes are completely introduced in the notches 29 when the receiving means 24 are in the receiving position, and when said receiving means pass to the first position 26, the depositing of the valid notes on a delivery surface 32 occurs more effectively and safely.
  • The delivery surface 32 has a certain descending inclination both in the longitudinal and transverse direction of the note near the receiving means 24, the processed notes being located aligned with respect to two of its contiguous sides (one larger and one smaller) although they may be notes of a different value.
  • The movement of the traction wheels 7, 11, 17 forming part of the first transport means and associated to the input means 2, the separation means 3 and the thickness measuring means 4 is independent of the movement of the traction wheels 30 associated to the collection means 6, it being possible to vary the relative speeds so as to maintain the relative distance between two consecutive notes constant.
  • In order to achieve this, the sensors of the validation means 5 allow knowing the position of the note at all times in addition to knowing when it will enter the collection area 6 and, together with the thickness measuring means 4, they also allow knowing the distance between two contiguous notes, thus being able to conveniently vary the speed ratio between the traction wheels 7, 11, 17 associated to the input means 2, the separation means 3 and the thickness measuring means 4 and the traction wheels 30 associated to the collection means 6.

Claims (12)

  1. A device for processing notes, the notes (in) having a substantially rectangular shape with two larger sides extending in a longitudinal direction (D1) and two smaller sides extending in a transverse direction (D2) substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal direction, the device comprising:
    - input means (2) of a group of notes to be processed comprising a presence sensor and transport means for transporting the notes to the unit separation means (3) for the unit separation of the notes,
    - unit separation means for the unit separation of the notes, configured to separate the notes one by one,
    - thickness measuring means (4) for measuring the thickness of each of the notes from the unit separation means (3) for the unit separation of the notes, configured to generate a first error signal if a thickness greater than a pre-established threshold corresponding to a maximum thickness of a note is measured.
    - validation means (5) for the validation of each of the notes comprising a plurality of sensors for measuring physical features of the notes and analysis means for determining, from the measured features, whether or not the note is valid and configured to generate a second error signal if measurements of the physical features of the note are detected that are different from the corresponding pre-established standards.
    - first transport means for transporting each of the notes from the unit separation means (3) for the unit separation of the notes, passing through the thickness measuring means and through the validation means for the validation of each of the notes, to the collection means,
    - note collection means (6) configured to move each note selectively to a first position (26) if an error signal corresponding to a note has not been generated or a second position (27) if at least one error signal corresponding to the note has been generated,
    characterized in that the input means (2), the unit separation means (3), the thickness measuring means (4), the validation means (5), the first transport means and the collection means (6) are configured such that the note (10) moves in the longitudinal direction (D1) from the input means (2) to the collection means (6).
  2. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the device is a desktop device of reduced dimensions.
  3. A device according to any of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the collection means (6) comprise second transport means (23) comprising note receiving means (24) in a receiving position (25), the second transport means being configured to:
    - rotate with respect to an axis of rotation perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension (D1) of the note, with the purpose of moving the notes (10) from said receiving position (25) towards the first position (26); and
    - stop with the notes (10) in said second position (27), prior to said first position (26), in the event that a first and/or second error signal corresponding to the note (10) has been generated.
  4. A device according to claim 3, characterized in that the receiving means (24) comprise an assembly of blades (28) arranged forming at least two groups of blades connected to the axis of rotation and separated by a distance smaller than the length of the smaller side of the note (10), the blades (28) of each group of blades being arranged in a same plane one after the other, defining a notch (29) of a curved profile between two consecutive blades.
  5. A device according to claim 4, characterized in that the curved profile of the notch (29) of the receiving means (24) has a variable rotation radius configured to allow the complete introduction of the note transported in said notches (29) without the occurrence of feed interferences between the notes (10) from the validation means (5) and the receiving means (24).
  6. A device according to any of claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the number of blades (28) of each group of blades is equal to n, where 2 ≤ n ≤ 4.
  7. A device according to claim 6, characterized in that n is equal to 4.
  8. A device according to any of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the second transport means (23) comprise stop means (31) located near the first position (26) and opposite to the movement of the notes (10) such that when the notes reach the first position (26), they come up against the stop means (31) and are ejected from the receiving means (24), said stop means (31) being configured with a variable inclination angle along said stop means with respect to the axis of rotation of the receiving means (24).
  9. A device according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the input means (2) comprise a plurality of traction wheels (7), a plurality of wheels (8) with free rotation, suction means (9) located below the mentioned wheels (7, 8) and a presence sensor such that when a group of notes (10) is arranged on the plurality of traction wheels (7), the presence sensor activates the suction means (9) which produce a suction stream on the group of notes causing a contact between the surface of the lower note of the group of notes and the plurality of traction wheels (7).
  10. A device according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the first transport means comprise a plurality of traction wheels (11) associated to the separation means (3), at least one traction wheel (17) associated to the thickness measuring means (4) and a plurality of traction wheels (30) associated to the collection means (6) such that the movement of the traction wheels (7, 11, 17) associated to the input means (2), the separation means (3) and the thickness measuring means (4) is independent of the movement of the traction wheels (30) associated to the collection means (6), it being possible to vary the relative speeds so as to maintain the distance between two consecutive notes constant.
  11. A device according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the validation means (5) comprise counting means associated to the analysis means configured to determine the accumulated value of the notes of the group of notes considered to be valid during a time period defined by the user from the measurement of the physical features of the notes.
  12. A device according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that the validation means (5) for the validation of the notes comprise not more than one unit sensor element per each physical feature to be measured of the note.
EP05708094A 2004-02-23 2005-02-22 Device for the treatment, evaluation, validation and recycling of a wad of bills Withdrawn EP1729265A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ES200400430A ES2253060B1 (en) 2004-02-23 2004-02-23 TREATMENT, ASSESSMENT, VALIDATION AND RECYCLING DEVICE OF A TICKET SET.
PCT/ES2005/000082 WO2005081194A1 (en) 2004-02-23 2005-02-22 Device for the treatment, evaluation, validation and recycling of a wad of bills

Publications (1)

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EP1729265A1 true EP1729265A1 (en) 2006-12-06

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ES (1) ES2253060B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2005081194A1 (en)

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WO2007101880A3 (en) * 2006-03-09 2007-12-13 Cts Cashpro Spa Automatic machine for the deposit and withdrawal of cash
RU2507586C2 (en) * 2009-10-01 2014-02-20 Де Ля Рю Интернэшнл Лимитед Apparatus and method of detecting thickness of sheet document

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ES2067568T3 (en) * 1989-03-31 1995-04-01 Tean Ag MACHINE FOR COUNTING AND CHECKING CURRENCY PAPER OF ANY SIZE, EVEN OVERLAPPED, SLAVE FROM A COMPUTER.
CH687222A5 (en) * 1992-03-13 1996-10-15 Tean Ag Machine for counting and checking of banknotes of any denomination, still crossed.
IT1290515B1 (en) * 1997-04-02 1998-12-04 Tean Ag BANKNOTE COUNTING AND CONTROL MACHINE, SUITABLE FOR ALLOWING AUTOMATIC PAYMENTS
WO2002077933A1 (en) * 2001-03-28 2002-10-03 Alberto Conti Method and machine for counting and controlling paper money and checks apt to allow automatic deposits
JP4031962B2 (en) * 2002-08-26 2008-01-09 日立オムロンターミナルソリューションズ株式会社 Paper thickness detector
DE10239227B4 (en) * 2002-08-27 2014-02-13 Giesecke & Devrient Gmbh Device for checking banknotes

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2007101880A3 (en) * 2006-03-09 2007-12-13 Cts Cashpro Spa Automatic machine for the deposit and withdrawal of cash
RU2507586C2 (en) * 2009-10-01 2014-02-20 Де Ля Рю Интернэшнл Лимитед Apparatus and method of detecting thickness of sheet document

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WO2005081194A1 (en) 2005-09-01
ES2253060A1 (en) 2006-05-16
ES2253060B1 (en) 2007-07-16

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