The present invention relates to banknote validators which are additionally designed to selectively store received banknotes in a manner to allow later dispensing thereof.
Banknote validators are widely used in vending machine applications as well as other machines designed for financial transactions. These validators receive a banknote and conduct an evaluation to determine the denomination and authenticity of the banknote. If the banknote is accepted, it is normally stored in a removable cassette and the user is provided with an appropriate credit with respect to the vending machine.
It has also been known to combine a banknote validator with a banknote dispensing unit. The banknote dispensing unit allows dispensing of banknotes which have been previously stored in the device. Banknotes received by the validator are separately stored in the removable banknote cassette and are not fed to the banknote dispensing unit. Basically, these type of machines are serviced on a frequent basis and the banknote dispensing units are charged with a new supply of banknotes.
An automatic teller machine is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,135,212 where received banknotes are temporarily stored for later dispensing. Banknotes of a predetermined denomination are temporarily stored in an accumulator and subsequently dispensed as required.
One of the problems associated with combination banknote validators and dispensers is the small amount of space available in vending or gaming machines for receiving the unit. In addition, banknote validators with an accumulator have not been reliable and are subject to higher maintenance. Stand alone combined banknote acceptors and dispensers have not been cost-effective to businesses requiring a high dollar revenue per square foot of retail space.
The present invention overcomes a number of these problems with respect to the prior art structures.
An integrated banknote acceptor and dispenser according to the present invention comprises a validator, a banknote dispenser, at least one banknote accumulator, and a banknote cassette. The validator receives a banknote through a banknote inlet and evaluates the banknote as it is processed through the validator to a discharges path and discharges accepted banknotes to the discharge path. The discharge path includes drive means for moving accepted banknotes from the validator through a directing switch to one of the banknote cassette, the at least one accumulator, and the banknote dispenser. The directing switch is a rotary switch connectable with a stationary inlet associated with each of the said at least one banknote dispenser, and a stationary inlet of the banknote cassette. The directing switch has at least three routing paths through the directing switch which allow connection of the discharge path with any of the inlets of the at least one banknote dispenser and the banknote cassette and allow connection of the inlet of each banknote accumulator with an inlet of the banknote dispenser. The banknote dispenser and each banknote accumulator include a separate drive means for receiving and discharging a banknote therefrom.
According to an aspect of the invention, the at least one banknote accumulator is at least two banknote accumulators.
In a further aspect of the invention, the at least one banknote accumulator is three banknote accumulators and each banknote accumulator receives and accumulates banknotes of a particular denomination.
In a further aspect of the invention, the directing switch selectively connects said discharge path with any of said inlets.
A combination bill validator, bill accumulator and bill dispensing unit according to the present invention comprises in combination a validator for receiving banknotes and evaluating banknotes and forwarding accepted banknotes to a processing pathway, and a series of modular components spaced either side of said processing pathway. The series of modular components include at least one banknote accumulator for receiving and temporarily storing received banknotes and outputting received banknotes to the processing pathway and a banknote dispenser which receives banknotes from the pathway and discharges received banknotes through a discharge port. The combination unit further includes a removable banknote cassette connecting with said pathway for receiving and storing banknotes in a stacked manner. The processing pathway includes a drive arrangement located in the pathway for engaging and driving a banknote along the pathway to any of said modules or banknote cassette and a central switch for selectively connecting any of said modules and said banknote cassette.
The combination unit according to an aspect of the invention locates the modular components in opposed pairs of modular components with the pathway therebetween.
According to a further aspect of the invention each modular component each includes an additional banknote drive for driving a banknote within said modular component and from each modular component.
The combination unit according to yet a further aspect of the invention locates the banknote dispenser opposite one of said at least one banknote accumulator and the series of modular components include two additional banknote accumulators in opposed relationship with said pathway therebetween.
The combination unit according to a different aspect of the invention includes a separate controller and processing arrangement and wherein said modular components are all controlled by said separate controller and processing arrangement.
A modular component according to the present invention is used in combination with a banknote validator. The modular component includes a generally straight wall section having a first banknote drive arrangement projecting outwardly therefrom for engaging a banknote and driving said banknote along a path generally parallel to said straight wall section, said modular component including a banknote opening through which banknotes are received into said component and an arrangement for discharging banknotes from the component. The modular component includes a second banknote drive arrangement interior to said component which drives received banknotes within said modular component during receipt and discharge of a banknote from the component.
The modular component according to an aspect of the invention is a banknote accumulator for receiving banknotes for temporary storage and dispensing of received banknotes through a banknote opening and wherein said banknote opening forms part of said arrangement for discharging banknotes and banknotes are discharged through said opening.
The modular component according to an aspect of the invention includes a projecting drive member at one edge of said straight wall section and an idler member at an opposite edge of said straight wall section and wherein the projecting drive member and said idler member form part of said drive arrangement.
The modular component according to a further aspect of the invention is operable in one two orientations on opposite sides a banknote processing pathway.
The banknote dispenser according to an aspect of the invention receives and stacks banknotes received from said pathway and the discharge arrangement dispenses a stack of banknotes through a discharge port.
The banknote dispenser according to a further aspect of the invention includes a rotary accumulator upon which banknotes are stacked one above the other and from which stacked banknotes are dispensed.
Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings, wherein:
The integrated validator and dispenser 2 is typically mounted in a cabinet 3 (
The integrated validator and dispenser has a backup chargeable power supply 20 to allow the integrated unit to complete any transactions in the event of a power disruption. This integrated unit is capable of receiving a series of banknotes using the banknote validator and allowing the user to achieve a desired credit value. The credit value can be displayed by the validator, such as on the display screen 12. The integrated unit is also capable of returning the precise banknotes or other banknotes to the user in the event that the user cancels the transaction. A disruption of power can cause problems if it occurs during a transaction and the backup power supply 30 overcomes this problem. This power supply is removable as shown in
The integrated device also allows the user to insert a smart card through the smart card slot 8 for electronic payment of a transaction. Typically, the integrated validator and dispenser is associated with a further device such as a vending machine, gaming machine or financial transaction terminal in a retail location and as such, receives signals regarding the value of a desired transaction. The integrated unit allows the user to effect payment. The validator can include certain control buttons indicated as 10 and the dispenser can also include a series of buttons 34.
The processing of the banknote after it has been accepted by the validator can be appreciated from the sectional view of
The accumulators 40, 42 and 44 are all of the same design and are replaceable, one with the other. They each include an entryway 30 degrees from the horizontal for cooperating with the rotary switch 100. Similarly, the banknote stacker and dispenser 50 has an entryway 30 degrees from the horizontal.
A received banknote can be stored in any of the accumulators 40, 42 and 44 or can be stored in the banknote cassette 52. Each of the accumulators stores a banknote in series and winds the banknote about a drum. Belts are provided which are wound onto the drum with the banknote and serve to separate received banknotes one from the other. Thus the banknotes are stored in the accumulators in a serial manner and are dispensed from the unit one by one. Each accumulator includes its own reversible motor 41 for rotating the drum 43 through a drive train arrangement as shown. As the belt is fed onto the drum 43, an underlying belt or tape is also wound on as well as an overlying tape. In this way, a newly received banknote separated from banknotes earlier wound on the accumulator.
In some cases, it is necessary for the integrated unit to return to the customer a certain value which can include returning a number of banknotes to the user. This can occur to provide change to the user or perhaps the transaction has been cancelled. Preferrably, each of the accumulators 40, 42 and 44 store banknotes of a specified denomination. For example, accumulator 42 could store $5 banknotes, accumulator 40 could store $10 banknotes, and accumulator 44 could store $20 banknotes. In this case, if a user inserts a $5 banknote and it is accepted by the validator, the banknote can be accumulated in accumulator 42 for later dispensing if necessary. Thus, each of the accumulators can store accepted banknotes for later dispensing.
As will be more fully explained, each of these accumulators can also temporarily serve as an escrow unit, or collectively serve as an escrow unit. For example, the validator can keep track of a series of banknotes which are inserted and accepted by the validator. In this case, perhaps accumulator 42 has been temporarily assigned to the an escrow accumulator. A series of banknotes are accepted by the validator, and stored in series in accumulator 42. If the transaction is accepted, the accumulator 42 and the integrated unit can then remove the banknotes from the accumulator for appropriate storage in one of the other accumulators or perhaps storage in the banknote cassette 52. It can also be appreciated that the accumulators can act collectively as an escrow accumulator with each of these devices temporarily storing certain banknotes with the validators maintaining track of which banknotes have been inserted and approved.
In this escrow function, the fact that the banknote accumulator stores a certain denomination can be overlooked, as it is functioning as a temporary escrow unit. Once the transaction has been accepted, decisions can be made with respect to whether these accepted banknotes should be stored on an accumulator for later use or perhaps they will be discharged to the banknote cassette.
The integrated unit can also provide a return of the credit amount by merely maintaining an account of the amount of funds stored on the accumulators and confirming that the collected received banknote value can be returned. For example, a user could insert a $50 bill and this banknote could be accepted and placed in the banknote cassette 52. This would be the case if the accumulator storing $10 banknotes has at least five of these banknotes returned to the user in the event of cancellation. This determination can also be based on the effective amounts collectively stored on the accumulators and the ability to return this amount to the user.
Under this operating system, it is not necessary to return the identical banknotes to the user. It can also be appreciated that this device can operate using either of these operating systems and can initially function to accumulate the received banknotes for return of the identical banknotes to a user but default to the second criteria if it is more desirable as determined by the combination device.
Banknotes will continue to be accumulated on the drum 51 until such time the actuator is appropriately moved into contact with the drum and the drum is continued to be rotated. Thus with the actuator position as shown in
The motor 200, shown in
Motor 240 in
The direction of rotation is important as it must be the appropriate direction to allow driving of the banknote from one accumulator to another device. With this arrangement, merely adjustment of the switch by rotating the same 180 degrees will affect the opposite direction of banknote movement. The direction of banknote movement within each accumulator is reversible and controlled by a separate motor.
The details of the five paths can be more easily appreciated from a review of
The five paths typically reduce the amount of rotation of the routing switch and reduce the need to reverse motor 134 (
Returning to
The modified acceptor dispenser 100 shown in
As can be seen, the modified acceptor dispenser includes the central drive path 150 which passes through the routing switch 130 having five different paths for selectively connecting the discharged path from the validator with any of the accumulators 104, 106 or 108, and connecting any of these accumulators with the stacker dispenser 110. Preferrably, the stacker dispenser is also directly connectable through the routing switch with the discharge path from the validator.
Drive belts are provided both top and bottom of the routing switch 130 for moving of banknotes from the validator to the routing switch or from the routing switch to the removable banknote cassette 112. Each of the accumulators 104, 106 and 108 have been notched along one edge to make additional room for the motors 114, 116 and 118, and the drive arrangement for moving the banknote through the device.
Motor 114 through a drive train shown, drives the drum 115 on which banknotes are accumulated in a series. As earlier described, the banknotes are separated one from the other by belts and as such, are individually received and individually removable from the accumulator. A drive gear 117 projects out the edge of the module 104 and provides power to the module.
As in the earlier design, each of the modules with respect to the accumulators are of the same construction. This is advantageous in that any of the accumulators 104, 106 and 108 can be located in any of the positions shown.
In the modified design, it can be appreciated that the central drive path 150 has been enlarged and the individual modules have been notched to provide additional room for the various drive motors and drive belts associated with the routing of the banknotes. Each of the accumulators is still controlled by its own motor, but this motor is now associated with this central drive path and is connected to the module through a gear train.
Each of the accumulators 104, 106 and 108 include the angled wall 105 for mating with the routing switch 130. This angled wall is relatively short to allow more space for the drives associated with the central pathway. The angled wall preferrably forms an angle of about 120 degrees with wall 107. Wall 109 is angled rearwardly to provide additional space. With the present design four modules are spaced about the routing switch 130 such that each module has an inlet located in the same manner as the other modules. The accumulators are rotated 180 degrees about a horizontal axis and/or 180 degrees about a vertical axis to orientate the accumulator for connection with the routing switch 130.
The stacker dispenser 110 is also notched to provide additional room for locating the motor 134 with the central drive path 150. This motor through a gear train, drives the various belts associated with the central drive path. In contrast to the accumulators, the banknote stacker and dispenser 110 does include its own motors 120 and 122 within the device.
The chassis 160 is also serviceable by releasing latch 161 and pivotting the two components of the chassis about the pivot axis 163. In this way the centre axis of the central drive path 150 is exposed as well as the routing switch 130. If there are problems associated with the chassis 160, it can be replaced with a further chassis. Any of the modules can be removed from the problem chassis and inserted in the new chassis. Similarly, if there are problems associated with any of the modules, they may easily be replaced. It can also be appreciated that if there are problems associated with the frame 140, it could also be replaced and the remaining components inserted in the new frame.
Although various preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described herein in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that variations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2299827 | Mar 2000 | CA | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/CA01/00268 | 3/2/2001 | WO | 00 | 5/9/2002 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
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WO01/65493 | 9/7/2001 | WO | A |
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