WO2014002117A1

WO2014002117A1 - System and method for currency collection and presentation

Info

Publication number: WO2014002117A1
Application number: PCT/IN2013/000394
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kannan Lakshminarayan; Manoj Kunhi PURAYIL; Ranjith Kumar GUNABALAN; Joshua Premkumar DANIEL
Original assignee: Vortex Engineering Private Limited
Priority date: 2012-06-28
Filing date: 2013-06-27
Publication date: 2014-01-03
Also published as: CN104067321A; WO2014002117A4

Abstract

The present invention relates to a currency collection system and method in self-service terminals such as ATMs and cash dispensers, the system comprising of movable cartridge that collects media-items dispensed sequentially by a plurality of picker modules and arranges them as a bunch that is subsequently presented to the user. Further, the system is provided with guide-way to convey the movable cartridge with the media-items received from one or more of the picker modules to an opening through which it may be presented as a bunch to the user and to retract the bunch if the user fails to pick them. Further, the system is provided with a separate compartment within the movable cartridge to receive and collect media-items that are erroneously picked or unfit for presentation to the user.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CURRENCY COLLECTION AND

PRESENTATION

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a currency collection system and method in self-service terminals such as ATMs and cash dispensers. More specifically, the present invention relates to a currency collection cartridge that collects media-items dispensed sequentially by a plurality of picker modules and arranges them as a bunch that is subsequently presented to the user. The arrangement may also be adapted to accept currency by placing it behind a currency acceptor module. Further, the currency collection system is provided with a separate compartment for media-items that are erroneously picked or unfit for presentation to the user.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

Media-items such as currency are picked one-by-one from a cassette and conveyed by belts to a location where they are assembled as a bunch. The self-service terminal usually has a plurality of cassettes; each such cassette contains a single type of media (for instance, a particular denomination of currency) and is coupled to a picker-module that picks the required number of pieces from that cassette. The different picker-modules are triggered successively to draw respective number of media of each type.

Typically, errors of dispensation may lead to more than one item being picked. Such plurality of items being picked are to be delivered separately to a divert bin or cassette within the self-service terminal. During the path over which the media-items are conveyed, detection of such erroneous instances triggers an alternate path that leads such notes to a destination different from that to which correctly dispensed items are conveyed. Accomplishing this requires each media item to be conveyed over long distances. Moving single-pieces of media involves additional engineering challenges to ensure that they are conveyed without being skewed, crumpled or damaged in other ways. Variations in quality of street-grade currency with regard to limpness, folds, dog-ears and friction add to the difficulties, imposing limitations on the kind of currencies that can be reliably handled by such mechanisms. As a result, a more stringent set of quality criteria are applied to decide if street-grade currency pieces are fit to be used in an ATM. This involves sorting of media- items before loading them in ATMs - an operation with additional cost overheads.

Conveying single-pieces of media over long distances also imposes significantly additional demands on the power requirements of the mechanism, since pliant means (like belts) driven by gears and other mechanisms are used to convey relatively little payload (pieces of media that weigh about 1 -gram each). Diverting the media items from the normal path to alternate destination during instances of error in dispensation entails further mechanisms.

US4106667 relates to a currency dispensing apparatus that employs a removable portable cartridge having a plurality of compartments for storing currency of differing denominations to be dispensed during successive transactions, another compartment for receiving a journal record printed as each transaction is completed, and a different compartment for storing rejected currency. WO20121 15055 relates to a paper currency processing device which supports deposit and ^• withdrawal of money in a paper currency cartridge by hand, with which it is possible to either return rejected paper currency or to store it in a compartment within.

Accordingly, there exists a need for a system and method in ATMs or cash dispensers for collection, bunching and presentation of media items.

OBJECTS OF INVENTION

One or more of the problems of the conventional prior art may be overcome by various embodiments of the present invention.

Accordingly, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide a currency collection system and method in self-service terminals such as ATMs and cash dispensers.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a system comprising of movable cartridge that collects media-items dispensed sequentially by a plurality of picker modules and arranges them as a bunch that is subsequently presented to the user.

It is another object of the present invention, wherein the cartridge is moved and positioned adjacent to any of the plurality of picker-modules, so as to receive media-items when the picker module is activated. It is another object of the invention, wherein the system is provided with guide-way to convey the cartridge with the media-items received from one or more of the picker modules to an opening through which it may be presented as a bunch to the user and to retract the bunch if the user fails to pick them.

It is another object of the present invention, wherein the system is provided with a counterweight to reduce the energy needed to convey the movable cartridge.

It is another object of the present invention, to provide a system for separating overlapped media-items and convey leading media-item alone when a plurality of media-items is erroneously picked.

It is another object of the present invention, wherein the system is provided with a separate compartment within the movable cartridge to receive and collect media-items that are erroneously picked or are unfit for presentation to the user, from any of the picker modules. The media-items of the compartment are subsequently delivered to a separate location within the self-service-terminal.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Thus according to the basic aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system in ATMs and cash dispensers for collecting media-items dispensed sequentially, bunching and presenting of the media-items to user comprising:

A movable cartridge;

At least one media cassette with its associated picker module; and

Guide- way,

wherein the movable cartridge is positioned adjacent to the selected picker module to collect media-items dispensed sequentially by the picker module,

wherein the guide-way conveys the movable cartridge to successive picker modules to collect media-items dispensed from respective media cassettes,

wherein the guide- way conveys the movable cartridge with the collected media-items to an opening through which the collected media-items may be presented as a bunch to the user, wherein the movable cartridge may draw in the bunch if it is not picked by the user, and move along a path defined by the guide-way to deliver the media-items at a desired location, and

wherein the movable cartridge is conveyed along intended path and oriented in desired direction at different positions along the path by the geometry of the guide- way.

It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein a separate compartment is provided within the movable cartridge to receive and collect erroneously picked plural media-items, and wherein the erroneously plural picked media-items are subsequently delivered into a purge bin within the ATMs and cash dispensers.

It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein the movable cartridge is positioned adjacent to a currency-acceptor module to accept deposits and deliver the accepted media- items to a designated location in the ATMs and cash dispensers.

It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein the system is provided with a counterweight to reduce the energy needed to convey the movable cartridge.

It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein the movable cartridge comprises:

at least two baffle-plates;

at least one take-away roller;

at least one pinch roller;

at least one media sensor;

at least one diverter;

at least one take-away guide;

at least one presentation roller;

at least one conveyor roller;

at least one floating plate; and

at least one shutter,

wherein the two baffle-plates guide the dispensed media-items towards the take-away roller co-operating with the pinch roller,

wherein the media sensor is positioned along the path of the media from the picker- module that is coupled to the media cassette, and

wherein the diverter is positioned downstream of the take-away roller. It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein the movable cartridge and guide-way are equipped with additional sensors to sense the position of the media cassette and the type of media-item stored in the media cassette to position the movable cartridge adjacent to the selected picker module. Another aspect of the present invention is directed to provide a system for dispensing media- items in a bunch comprising:

picker roller of the picker module to pick media-items one at a time from cash stack of the media cassette;

co-operating retard roller and picker guide to ensure multiple media-items are not picked simultaneously; and

diverter with it's tip at position (P) when the media-items are drawn into compartment (A) by the take-away roller under the grip of the co-operating pinch roller along the path defined by the take-away guide, to be assembled into a bunch,

wherein flap-wheels mounted coaxially on shaft of the conveyor roller convey the items up into the compartment (A) and then down on the other side of the conveyor roller within the compartment (A),

wherein lower edges of successive media-items are aligned to bottom of the compartment (A), and

wherein the floating plate accommodates media-items of varying width within the movable cartridge, while restraining them from the top.

Another aspect of the present invention is directed to provide a system for presenting the bunched media-items to the user, wherein the movable cartridge is moved to appropriate position from where the bunch may be presented to the user, and wherein ejection of the bunch from the compartment (A) of the movable cartridge is preceded by moving a shutter laterally to clear the path leading from the nip between the take-away roller and presentation roller. It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein the presentation roller is spring-loaded to accommodate different numbers of media-items in the bunch thereby providing appropriate grip during presentation of the bunch. Another aspect of the present invention is directed to provide a system for separating overlapped media-items and conveying the leading media-item when a plurality of media- items is erroneously picked, comprising:

media sensor to detect magnitude of offset (f) of the leading media-item, with respect to the subsequent media-item;

wherein the picker roller may be stopped when the leading media item is free of the picker roller and cause it to act as grip roller for the trailing media items, in cooperation with retard roller, to prevent further movement of the trailing media-item (s) thereby drawing out the leading media-item alone by the take-away roller into the compartment (A),

wherein the mechanism selectively separates and conveys the leading media item when offset (f) between the leading media item and the next media item is greater than threshold (x) defined by geometry of arrangement, and

wherein the threshold (x) is characterised by condition that the leading-edge of the second media item is not under the grip of the take-away roller when the first media item is free of the picker roller.

It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a system for diverting the erroneously picked plural media-items into a separate compartment comprising:

Tip of the diverter tripped to the position (Q), wherefrom the media-items are delivered into compartment (B), when signals from the media sensor determine that the offset is less than the said threshold 'x', warranting diversion of media-items into compartment (B), before the diverter is triggered.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 : Illustrates the system according to the present invention.

Figure 2: Illustrates the docking of the cartridge against respective media cassettes according to the present invention.

Figure 3: Illustrates the presentation of bunch to user according to the present invention. Figure 4: Illustrates the delivery of media items into a purge bin according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

Referring to Figure 1 , the present invention relates to a system comprising of movable cartridge (20); at least one media cassette (18) with its associated picker module; and guide- way (19). The guide- way (19) conveys the movable cartridge (20) to successive picker modules to collect media-items dispensed from' respective media cassettes (18) and conveys the movable cartridge (20) with the collected media-items to an opening through which the collected media-items may be presented as a bunch to the user. The movable cartridge (20) may also be positioned adjacent to a currency-acceptor module to accept deposits made by the user when the picker module is activated and deliver the accepted media-items to a designated location in the self-service-terminals such as ATMS and cash dispensers.

Referring to Figures 1 to 4, the movable cartridge (20) comprises at least two baffle-plates (1 1 , 15); at least one take-away roller (3); at least one pinch roller (5); at least one media sensor (16); at least one di verier (4); at, least one take-away guide (12); at least one presentation roller (9); at least one conveyor roller (6); at least one floating plate (8); and at least one shutter (10). The baffle-plates (1 1 , 15) guide the dispensed media-items towards the take-away roller (3) co-operating with the pinch roller (5). Along the path of the media from the picker-module coupled to the media cassette (18) is the media sensor (16) that is capable of distinguishing three states i.e. (i) absence of any media item (ii) presence of one media- item and (iii) presence of more than one media-item. The diverter (4) is an electrically triggered diverter positioned downstream of the take-away roller (3), the position of its tip (either at P or Q) deciding the path that the media-item would follow subsequently.

The cartridge (20) is movable along a transport path defined by its guide- way (19), past an array of media cassettes (18). Each media cassette further comprises of cash stack (14) and is coupled to each of the retarding means (1 ) and picker roller (2). The retarding means may be a retard roller, which acts along with the pick roller to deliver singly the media items from a stack. Each picker module consists of picker roller (2) and picker guide. Typically, each media cassette (18) contains a different type of media-item. The movable cartridge (20) is conveyed along intended path and oriented in desired direction at different positions along the path by the geometry of the guide- way (19). Based on the requirement of items to be drawn from each media cassette (18), the movable cartridge (20) is docked against respective media cassettes (18) successively. On docking against a particular media cassette (18), as depicted in Figure 2, the respective picker roller (2) is activated to draw out the required number of media-items for collection in the cartridge. The system is provided with a counterweight to reduce the energy needed to convey the movable cartridge (20). The movable cartridge (20) and guide- way (19) are equipped with additional sensors to sense the position of the media cassette (18) and the type of media-item stored in the media cassette to position the movable cartridge adjacent to the selected picker module.

Assembly of correctly dispensed items in a bunch:

The media-items are picked one at a time by the picker roller (2) from the cash stack (14). The co-operating retard roller (1) and picker guide (13) ensures that multiple items are not picked simultaneously. When media-items are correctly dispensed one by one, the tip of the diverter (4) is at position P and the items are drawn into compartment (A) by the take-away roller (3) under the grip of the co-operating pinch roller (5) along the path defined by the take-away guide (12), to be assembled into a bunch. The flexible flap- wheels mounted coaxially on shaft of the conveyor roller (6) convey the items 'up' into the compartment (A) and then 'down' on the other side of the conveyor roller (6) within the same compartment (A). The lower edges of successive media-items are thus aligned to the bottom of the compartment. The floating plates (8) accommodate notes of varying width within the cartridge, while restraining them from the top.

Presentation of bunch to the user:

After required numbers of media-items are collected from respective media cassettes (18) and assembled as a bunch in compartment (A), the movable cartridge (20) is moved to appropriate position from where the bunch may be presented to the user, as depicted in Figure 3. The ejection of the bunch from the compartment (A) of the cartridge (20) is preceded by moving the shutter (10) laterally to clear the path leading from the nip between the takeaway roller (3) and the presentation roller (9). The presentation roller (9) is spring-loaded to accommodate different numbers of notes in the bunch and provide appropriate grip during presentation of the bunch. The movable cartridge (20) may draw in the bunch if it is not picked by the user, and move along a path defined by the guide-way (19) to deliver the media-items at a desired location.

Separating overlapped media-items and conveying leading media-item when a plurality of media-items is erroneously picked: The separation of overlapped media-item is carried out without reversing the direction of movement of the overlapped media item along the conveyance path. When a pair of media- items is dispensed with an offset, the magnitude of the offset (f) is inferred from the time elapsed between detection of the leading-edge of the first media-item and detection of overlapped condition by the media sensor - since the speed at which the media-items are conveyed is known.

The items are conveyed till the leading media item is gripped by the take-away roller 'and' the trailing-edge of this media item is free from the grip of the picker roller (2) (the logical 'and' indicating that both these conditions have to be satisfied). If the offset (f) between the media-items is adequate, the leading-edge of the second media item will not be under the grip of the take-away roller (3) when the trailing edge of the first media item is free of the picker roller (2).

If the offset is found to be adequate, as confirmed by signals from the media sensor, the picker roller (2) is stopped when the leading media-item is free of the picker roller, to halt further movement of the trailing media-item. The take-away roller (3) alone is then run to draw out the leading media-item into the compartment (A). Subsequently, the trailing item is then advanced by running the picker roller (2) and drawn into the compartment (A) if the media sensor confirms that it is a single-piece.

Diverting overlapped media-items into a separate compartment:

When multiple media-items are erroneously dispensed with offset 'f that is lower than that required for their successful separation, or if the dispensed items are otherwise deemed unfit to present to the user, the diverter (4) is tripped to the position (Q), wherefrom the media- items are delivered into compartment (B). The signals from the sensor (16) are used to determine that diversion of media items into the compartment (B) is warranted, before the diverter (4) is triggered.

Purging of overlapped media: The rejected media-items collected in the compartment (B) are delivered into a separate purge bin (17) as depicted in Figure 4, by moving the cartridge (20) to the appropriate position. This is enabled by moving the shutter (10) further to clear the path of media downstream of the pinch roller (5).

Claims

WE CLAIM:

1. A system in ATMs and cash dispensers for collecting media-items dispensed sequentially, bunching and presenting of the media-items to user comprising:

A movable cartridge (20);

At least one media cassette (18) with its associated picker module; and

Guide-way (19),

wherein the movable cartridge (20) is positioned adjacent to the selected picker module to collect media-items dispensed sequentially by the picker module, wherein the guide-way (19) conveys the movable cartridge (20) to successive picker modules to collect media-items dispensed from respective media cassettes (18), wherein the guide-way (19) conveys the movable cartridge (20) with the collected media-items to an opening through which the collected media-items may be presented as a bunch to the user,

wherein the movable cartridge (20) may draw in the bunch if it is not picked by the user, and move along a path defined by the guide-way (19) to deliver the media-items at a desired location, and

wherein the movable cartridge (20) is conveyed along intended path and oriented in desired direction at different positions along the path by the geometry of the guide- way (19).

2. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a separate compartment is provided within the movable cartridge (20) to receive and collect erroneously picked plural media-items, and wherein the erroneously picked plural media-items are subsequently delivered into a purge bin (17) within the ATMs and cash dispensers.

3. A system as claimed in claiml , wherein the movable cartridge (20) is positioned adjacent to a currency-acceptor module to accept deposits and deliver the accepted media-items to a designated location in the ATMs and cash dispensers.

4. A system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the system is provided with a counterweight to reduce the energy needed to convey the movable cartridge (20).

5. A system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the movable cartridge (20) comprises:

at least two baffle-plates (1 1 , 15); at least one take-away roller (3);

at least one pinch roller (5);

at least one media sensor (16);

at least one diverter (4);

at least one take-away guide (12);

at least one presentation roller (9);

at least one conveyor roller (6);

at least one floating plate (8); and

at least one shutter (10),

wherein the two baffle-plates (1 1 , 15) guide the dispensed media-items towards the take-away roller (3) co-operating with the pinch roller (5),

wherein the media sensor (16) is positioned along the path of the media from the picker-module that is coupled to the media cassette (18), and

wherein the diverter (4) is positioned downstream of the take-away roller (3).

6. A system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the movable cartridge and guide-way (19) are equipped with additional sensors to sense the position of the media cassette (18) and the type of media-item stored in the media cassette to position the movable cartridge adjacent to the selected picker module.

7. A system for dispensing media-items in a bunch as claimed in anyone of the claims 1 to 6 comprising:

picker roller (2) of the picker module to pick media-items one at a time from cash stack (14) of the media cassette (18);

co-operating retard roller (1) and picker guide (13) to ensure multiple media- items are not picked simultaneously; and

diverter (4) with it's tip at position (P) when the media-items are drawn into compartment (A) by the take-away roller (3) under the grip of the co-operating pinch roller (5) along the path defined by the take-away guide (12), to be assembled into a bunch,

wherein flap-wheels mounted coaxially on shaft of the conveyor roller (6) convey the items up into the compartment (A) and then down on the other side of the conveyor roller (6) within the compartment (A), wherein lower edges of successive media-items are aligned to bottom of the compartment (A), and

wherein the floating plate (8) accommodates media-items of varying width within the movable cartridge (20), while restraining them from the top.

8. A system for presenting the bunched media-items as claimed in claim 7 to the user, wherein the movable cartridge (20) is moved to appropriate position from where the bunch may be presented to the user, and wherein ejection of the bunch from the compartment (A) of the movable cartridge (20) is preceded by moving the shutter (10) laterally to clear the path leading from the nip between the take-away roller (3) and presentation roller (9).

9. A system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the presentation roller (9) is spring-loaded to accommodate different numbers of media-items in the bunch thereby providing appropriate grip during presentation of the bunch.

10. A system for separating overlapped media-items and conveying leading media-item when a plurality of media-items is erroneously picked as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 6 comprising:

media sensor (16) to detect magnitude of offset (f) of the leading media-item, with respect to the subsequent media-item;

wherein the picker roller (2) may be stopped when the leading media item is free of the pick roller and cause it to act as grip roller for the trailing media item, in cooperation with retard roller (1), to prevent further movement of the trailing media- item (s) thereby drawing out the leading media-item alone by the take-away roller (3) into the compartment (A),

wherein the threshold (x) is characterised by condition that the leading-edge of the second media item is not under the grip of the take-away roller (3) when the first media item is free of the picker roller (2).

1 1. A system for diverting the erroneously picked plural media-items into a separate compartment as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 6 comprising:

Tip of the diverter (4) tripped to the position (Q), wherefrom the media-items are delivered into compartment (B), when signals from the media sensor (16) determine that the offset 'f is less than the said threshold 'x', warranting diversion of media- items into compartment (B), before the diverter (4) is triggered.