EP2930701B1 - Device for handling vouchers, with modular construction - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for handling notes of value, in particular an automated teller machine and/or an automatic cash register system, which has at least two functional modules.

Known ATMs consist of a variety of different units such. B. card readers, monitors, keyboards and computers. These individual units are all installed in a common housing, which is intended to protect the units from unauthorized access. The individual structural units are not protected on their own.

A disadvantage of such known automatic teller machines is that different housings and, in some cases, correspondingly adapted components must be used for each design. Furthermore, a complex overall housing for the entire ATM does not allow complete monitoring of this housing from damage, particularly from any penetration of the shell.

Although methods are known with which damage to individual walls of cash cassettes can be detected, they are Due to the large number of built-in elements and their connections, it is impossible to fully protect well-known ATMs using such systems.

From the document DE 10 2009 005 411 A1 an ATM is known which consists of a so-called head and a so-called vault module. These modules are both housed in a common housing and are not independent of each other.

The documents DE 10 2010 060 379 A1 and DE 10 2010 036 708 A1 describe money cassettes whose housing is designed in such a way that attempts at manipulation, in particular drilling through the wall, can be detected by, for example, providing an electrically conductive textile material or detectable substances in or on the wall on all sides.

From the document U.S. 5,970,888 A a payout terminal for paying out money to a customer is known, this payout terminal comprising a rack which also serves as a partial housing and into which individual function modules, for example monitors, can be inserted, resulting in a modular design.

The document US 8,573,479 B1 discloses an ATM with multiple functional modules. The ATM includes a User interface with a display. The user interface includes a card reader operable to read data on user cards identifying a user and/or the user's financial accounts. Financial transfer records are provided by a printer. A touchscreen display module is used to securely receive manual inputs and/or map data. The touchscreen display module includes a contact surface that can be electronically contoured to provide output that can be perceived through finger contact with the contact surface.

Other ATMs are from the documents US 6,726,101 B1 and WO 2013/098556 A1 , EP 0 959 439 A1 and U.S. 2006/016884 A1 known.

It is the object of the invention to specify a device for handling notes of value which has a particularly simple and secure structure.

This object is achieved by a device having the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

According to the invention, the device has a first function module and at least one second function module, the first function module having a first housing and the second Functional module has a separate from the first housing independent second housing. The two functional modules are designed in such a way that they can be mechanically and/or electrically connected to one another. Such a modular construction of the device for handling notes of value from several functional modules that are independent of one another and that can be mechanically and/or electrically connected to one another means that many different models can be assembled using the same modules. In particular, a separate housing does not have to be provided for each design, to which the individual assemblies are adapted. According to the invention, each function module is protected by its own housing, which is intended to prevent access to the internal components of this function module. However, it is still possible to attach the function modules to one another and to communicate with one another via the mechanical and/or electrical interfaces. Furthermore, this means that only a few assemblies have to be used, so that the manufacturing costs are reduced. Maintenance and service are also simplified by always using the same modules. In addition, the separation into different function modules also easily enables the spatial separation of different functions of the device.

According to the invention, the first functional module includes a first sensor for detecting damage to the first housing and, correspondingly, the second functional module includes a second sensor for detecting damage to the second housing. The sensors are designed in such a way that they can be used to prevent attempts at manipulation, namely the Drilling through the respective housing, can be determined. By using its own sensor and thus its own anti-drill protection for each function module, each function module has its own protective cover that protects it against attempts at manipulation. The individual function modules can thus be used independently of one another without an additional housing, and a high level of safety is nevertheless achieved. In addition, the use of a separate housing with its own sensor system for each function module enables all-round protection, which is impossible with complex overall housings for ATMs.

The first and/or second sensor has, in particular, piezo sensors, structure-borne noise detectors, protective films coated with conductor tracks, electrically conductive materials and/or easily detectable substances. Furthermore, conductor tracks can be applied into the housing or on the inside of the housing, with damage to the conductor tracks being able to be detected. In particular, the housing can also be vapour-coated. For example, the conductor tracks can be created using MID processes, coating, plasma dust, 3D masks, laser resist, flamecon, laser direct structuring, primers, mold stamps, 2K injection molding, aerosol jet or flex foils. In this way, any damage to the respective housing can be determined in a simple manner.

It is particularly advantageous if the first housing and the second housing each have a part of the outer surface of the device. The outer surface is that part of the device that is accessible to operators. Since the function modules are each fully protected by their housing, it is not necessary to provide a further housing enclosing the individual function modules, as is usual with ATMs, but the function modules themselves can represent the outer surface of the device. Alternatively, one of the functional modules can also be arranged completely or at least partially in the other functional module.

Correspondingly, the device in particular does not have an overall housing surrounding the functional modules.

The device has an adapter plate to which the function modules can be attached at different points as desired. In this way, the shape of the device can easily be adapted to the respective individual circumstances. For this purpose, the adapter plate has in particular a hole pattern, so that the individual function modules can be fastened, in particular screwed, at different points via the hole pattern.

The function modules preferably each have standardized interfaces for attaching the respective function modules to an adapter plate or to other function modules. These interfaces are designed in particular in such a way that one functional module is attached to this functional module from the inside of the other functional module can be. In particular, screws or similar elements can be passed through corresponding recesses in the housing. Fastening from the inside means that this fastening is not accessible from the outside and therefore the function modules fastened to one another cannot be detached from one another without damaging the housing.

The first and/or the second housing preferably each have at least one standardized hole for passing cables through which, for example, the functional modules can be supplied with electrical energy and/or the functional modules can be connected for communication.

It is particularly advantageous if the function modules each have a communication unit for communication with other function modules. In particular, a BUS system, preferably a CAN bus, is used. The communication can take place, for example, via USB, WLAN, infrared (IR), Bluetooth, ZigBee, ultra high frequency communication (UHF), low frequency communication (LF) and/or near field communication (NFC).

In an assembled state, in which the two function modules are attached to one another, a contact surface of the first housing preferably makes contact with a complementary contact surface of the second housing. Thus, the function modules can be attached to each other.

The first and/or second functional module is in particular a safe, a card reader for reading magnetic stripe cards and/or chip cards, preferably a contactless card reader for reading magnetic stripe cards and/or chip cards, a computer, a display unit, for example a display or touchscreen, and/or an operating unit, for example a keyboard, preferably an encrypted PIN pad (EPP).

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the safe is designed in such a way that the other function modules can be attached to it. For this purpose, its housing has a hole pattern in particular, via which the individual other function modules can be attached at different points.

The device has at least a third functional module, preferably a large number of further functional modules.

The features described above for the first and second functional module can in particular also be used for these further functional modules.

The device for handling notes of value is, in particular, an automatic teller machine POS system, automatic cash register or other device in which notes of value are handled.

Further features and advantages of the invention result from the following description, which explains the invention in more detail using exemplary embodiments in connection with the attached figures.

Figur 1

eine schematische, perspektivische Darstellung eines Geldautomaten;

Figur 2

eine Explosionsdarstellung des Geldautomaten nach Figur 1;

Figur 3

einen Ausschnitt des Geldautomaten nach den Figuren 1 und 2;

Figur 4

eine schematische, perspektivische Darstellung eines Ausschnitts eines ersten Funktionsmoduls des Geldautomaten nach den Figuren 1 bis 3;

Figur 5

eine schematische, perspektivische Darstellung eines zweiten Funktionsmoduls des Geldautomaten nach den Figuren 1 bis 3;

Figur 6

eine schematische Darstellung eines Geldautomaten gemäß eines Ausführungsbeispiels der Erfindung; und

Figur 7

eine schematische Darstellung eines Geldautomaten gemäß eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels der Erfindung.

Show it:

figure 1

a schematic perspective view of an ATM;

figure 2

an exploded view of the ATM figure 1 ;

figure 3

a section of the ATM after the figures 1 and 2 ;

figure 4

a schematic perspective view of a section of a first functional module of the ATM according to Figures 1 to 3 ;

figure 5

a schematic perspective view of a second function module of the ATM according to Figures 1 to 3 ;

figure 6

a schematic representation of an ATM according to an embodiment of the invention; and

figure 7

a schematic representation of an ATM according to a further embodiment of the invention.

In figure 1 a schematic, perspective, greatly simplified representation of a device designed as an automated teller machine 10 for handling notes of value is shown.

figure 2 shows an exploded view of the ATM figure 1 , in which the individual function modules 12 to 20 are shown separately from one another. figure 3 shows a section of the ATM 10 according to the figures 1 and 2 .

The ATM 10 comprises in the first example according to Figures 1 to 3 five functional modules 12 to 20, the first functional module 12 being the safe of the ATM, the second functional module 14 being a display unit, for example a display or a touchscreen, the third functional module 16 being a card reader for reading magnetic stripe cards and/or chip cards, for example EC cards and/or credit cards, the fourth module 18 is a computer and the fifth module 20 is an input unit, in particular an encrypted PIN pad.

The individual function modules 12 to 20 each have their own housing, which preferably completely surrounds the function modules 12 to 20 in each case. Furthermore, the functional units 12 to 20 each have a sensor with which damage to the housing, in particular any attempts at manipulation, can be detected. These sensors can be, for example, piezo sensors, structure-borne noise sensors, electrically conductive foils or electrically conductive textiles, which can at least reliably detect damage to the housing, for example drilling through the housing.

By using its own housing and such sensors for each function module 12 to 20, each function module 12 to 20 has a separate protective cover that is independent of the other function modules 12 to 20, so that each function module is protected individually against attempts at manipulation.

In particular, this means that the individual functional modules 12 to 20 can directly form the outer surface of the cash machine 10 and no further housing has to be provided which, as in known cash machines, encloses and thus protects all the assemblies.

The use of such individual protective covers also has the advantage that comprehensive, all-round protection can be achieved, which was previously not technically feasible when using a single housing due to the complexity.

In addition, the modular construction of the cash machine 10 from various completely independent function modules 12 to 20 allows the cash machine 10 to be put together differently with a completely new design according to the respective individual circumstances. The variety of parts is thus reduced, which in turn saves on manufacturing costs.

In figure 4 is a schematic representation of a section of the first functional module 12, i.e. the safe, and in figure 5 a schematic perspective view of the second function module 14, ie the display unit, is shown.

The individual functional modules 12 to 20 have standardized interfaces via which the functional modules 12 to 20 can be attached to one another directly or via additional components. In the first example shown, on the upper side of the safe 12 there is a hole pattern with a plurality of holes, one of which is denoted by the reference numeral 24 by way of example. The other functional modules, for example the display unit 14, also have a number of holes 24 via which they can be attached to the hole pattern. In particular, the fastening takes place from inside the safe 12, so that it is not possible to loosen the fastening from the outside. The attachment can be done for example using screws or the like. Thus, the function modules 12 to 20 can also be easily separated from one another and reused. Thus, a particularly simple maintenance and replacement of the function modules 12 to 20 are possible.

In addition, the housings of the function modules 12 to 20 also have openings 26 through which cables are routed, via which an electrical supply to the function modules 12 to 20 and/or data transmission between the function modules 12 to 20 is possible.

In particular, communication units are also provided, via which communication between the function modules 12 to 20 is possible. In particular, the integration of a security token into the modules is conceivable. The communication can take place, for example, via USB, WLAN, infrared, Bluetooth, ZigBee, UHF, LF, NFC or similar communication technologies.

The parts of the upper side of the safe 12 that are not required for the attachment of the functional modules 14 to 20 are covered by a cover 22, so that the side with the hole pattern is completely closed and a visually attractive appearance is ensured.

In figure 6 1 is a schematic representation of an automated teller machine 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. In contrast to the first example, an adapter plate 104 is provided, which is attached to the first function module 12 . The other function modules 14, 18 and 106 are also connected to this adapter plate 104, so that the modules are not directly attached to one another. At the ATM in figure 6 For example, instead of a separate card reader and PIN pad, only one unit 106 is provided, providing both the card reader and the PIN pad.

In figure 7 1 is a schematic representation of an automated teller machine 102 according to a further embodiment of the invention, in which again the same function modules 12, 14, 18, 106 as in the embodiment according to FIG figure 6 and an adapter plate 104 can be used. Through However, due to the modular design, the cash machine 102 has a completely different optical design and is adapted to the individual circumstances. At the in figure 7 In the exemplary embodiment shown, the adapter plate 104 forms a kind of wall through which the functional modules 14, 106 that are accessible to the public are separated from the functional modules 12, 18 that are not accessible to the public.

In particular, the modular design also enables the individual functional modules 12 to 20, 106 to be arranged spatially far apart from one another, and it is therefore possible to separate their tasks. So e.g. B. the issuance of the notes of value can be spatially separated from the authorization and authentication.

Alternatively, a display unit 14 can be dispensed with in that a projection display takes place on a surface of one of the other function modules 12, 16, 20, 106.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, more or fewer function modules 12 to 20, 106 than previously described can also be used.

In addition, this concept of modular construction can also be implemented for other devices for handling notes of value, for example cash register systems.

Reference List

10, 100, 102

ATM

12

safe

14

display unit

16

card reader

18

computer

20

Encrypted PIN pad

22

cover

24, 26

Hole

104

adapter plate

106

function module

Claims (6)

1. Device for handling notes of value,

   having a first functional module (12 to 20, 106) and a second functional module (12 to 20, 106),

   wherein the first functional module (12 to 20, 106) has a first housing,

   wherein the first and the second functional modules (12 to 20, 106) are connectable mechanically and/or electrically to one another,

   wherein the first functional module (12 to 20, 106) comprises a first sensor for determining damage to the first housing,

   characterized in that the second functional module (12 to 20, 106) has a second housing which is separate from the first housing,

   in that the second functional module (12 to 20, 106) comprises a second sensor for determining damage to the second housing,

   in that the device (10, 100, 102) does not have an overall housing surrounding the functional modules (12 to 20, 106),

   in that the device (10, 100, 102) comprises at least one third functional module (12 to 20, 106), the third functional module (12 to 20, 106) having a third housing which is separate from the first and second housings,

   in that, in the mounted state, the first and the third housings do not have any mutually touching contact surfaces,

   in that the third functional module (12 to 20, 106) comprises a third sensor for determining damage to the third housing,

   in that the first sensor, the second sensor and/or the third sensor each comprise a sensor for determining drilling through the respective housing, and

   in that the device (10, 100, 102) has an adapter plate (104) to which the first, the second and the third functional modules (12 to 20, 106) are fastened.
2. Device (10, 100, 102) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the first housing and the second housing each form part of the outer surface of the device (10, 100, 102).
3. Device (10, 100, 102) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the adapter plate (104) has a pattern of holes.
4. Device (10, 100, 102) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first housing and/or the second housing each have/has a hole (26) for the passage of cables for the electrical joining and/or connecting of the functional modules (12 to 20, 106).
5. Device (10, 100, 102) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first functional module (12 to 20, 106) and/or the second functional module (12 to 20, 106) each have/has a communication unit for communicating with other functional modules, in particular via a BUS system, a CAN-BUS, USB, WLAN, IR, Bluetooth, ZigBee, UHF, LF and/or NFC.
6. Device (10, 100, 102) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (10, 100, 102) is a cash machine or a cash register system.

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