Patent Application
20230419764
This application claims priority to Italian Patent Application No. 102022000013522 filed Jun. 27, 2022, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
The present invention relates to a method and system for storing flexible documents in a storing and issuing module, the storing and issuing module being configured to store and issue flexible documents such as banknotes and paper documents, and to be used in a flexible document receiving and dispensing device allowing in a simple, reliable, and effective way handling larger storage capacity than traditional equipment without increasing power consumption.
In the following, reference will be mainly made to banknotes as flexible documents. However, it should be noted that the method and system according to the invention may be used to store and issue any other type of flexible documents, including paper documents such as checks, notes, certificates, and licenses, still remaining within the scope of protection of the present invention defined by the attached claims.
Equipment for automatic deposit and withdrawal of banknotes, for example as disclosed in EP3349193, are used not only in banking sites but also in retail sites, as help for tellers or as customer-operated machines.
This kind of equipment includes banknote receiving and dispensing devices, optionally having function of recycling, each one comprising one or more storing and issuing modules which can be removably mounted within a respective housing, wherein each module is configured to store a given banknote denomination, also depending on the size thereof.
The number of employed modules determines denominations and/or types of banknotes to be handled, as well as dimensions and cost of the equipment.
In fact, in use, the different denominations or types of banknotes are associated to a very different number of storing and issuing operations. For example, a module receiving denominations of banknotes of greater circulation, such as 20 euros and 50 euros banknotes, normally needs to satisfy high request of storing and issuing operations, often varying over time, and it can easily become full or empty thereby limiting functionality of the whole device. To compensate for this drawback, the addition of modules for storing and issuing banknotes with greater circulation in an equipment for automatic deposit and withdrawal of banknotes could be considered. However, this would result in high costs and is not efficient for storage room dimensioning.
A prior art device for storing and issuing single denomination banknotes is disclosed in document EP2104638. As schematically shown in
At conveying section 51 the storing and issuing module is provided with photoelectric sensors 66 configured for detecting the presence of banknotes in respective areas of detection of the conveying section 51 and sending a corresponding activation signal(s) causing activation of the motor associated to storage roller 50. The storing and issuing module is also provided with an electronic unit 80 and holding means, such as pairs of pinch-rollers (not represented in
The maximum distance in the conveying section 51 between the opening 20 and the holding means and the distance between the holding means and the outer diameter of the storage roller 50 must be smaller than the smallest size of the denominations to be stored on or issued from the storage roller 50, for instance such distance must be lower than 62 millimeters for five euros (€ 5) banknotes.
The electronic unit 80 of the storing and issuing module of the prior art is programmed for controlling the holding means and the motor of the storage roller 50 based on the physical parameters of the device, the length of the banknote and in response to signals from the photoelectric sensors, so as to store the banknotes on the storage roller with void space queuing providing substantial contact between the input edge of an entering banknote and the output edge of a last stored banknote.
Such prior art storing and issuing module has a great reliability. Nevertheless, it has a limited storage capacity up to 600 banknotes, since storing a larger number of banknotes would entail an increased length of a transport tape 52 wrapped together with the banknotes around its storage roller 50, and the provision of a longer transport tape 52 would pose many issues regarding design configuration of the storing and issuing module itself, among which the fact that an increased length of the transport tape 52 wrapped together with the banknotes around the storage roller 50 would result in a greater diameter of the assembly formed by transport tape-banknotes-storage roller and a consequent greater inertia thereof, with higher power consumption requested for its rotation.
It is therefore an object of this invention to allow in a simple, reliable, and effective way maximizing storage capacity of flexible documents, such as banknote, to be stored on and issued from a storing and issuing module, with no increase in its power consumption.
It is specific subject matter of the present invention a method for storing a series of flexible documents in a system, the system comprising
According to another aspect of the invention, said acceleration value can be inversely proportional to a total Inertia required to rotate, through said motor, said assembly formed by said storage roller and said transport tape rolled together with any previously engaged flexible document around said storage roller.
According to a further aspect of the invention, said total Inertia can be a function of said diameter value of said assembly formed by said storage roller and said transport tape rolled together with any previously engaged flexible document around said storage roller, optionally wherein said acceleration value can be calculated in real-time or it can be calculated off-line and stored in said processor, optionally in a lookup table, as a function of said diameter value.
According to an additional aspect of the invention, said sensing information can comprise at least the dimensions of a sensed mth flexible document B(m) of the series of flexible documents and its angular position with reference to an axis parallel to a longitudinal symmetry axis of conveyor belt, and optionally the distance of each flexible document from a lateral edge of conveyor belt, and/or a denomination of said sensed mth flexible document B(m), more optionally a length of the projection of the sensed mth flexible document B(m) along an axis parallel to the longitudinal symmetry axis of conveyor belt.
According to another aspect of the invention, if the mth flexible document B(m) is the very first one of the series of flexible documents or if it is not the first one and prediction time instant tp(m)t≥(tj(m−1)+Δtstop), where:
∫t
where Proj(m) is the length of the projection of the sensed flexible document B(m) along an axis parallel to the longitudinal symmetry axis of conveyor belt, and after tj(m), it satisfies rule:
∫t
According to a further aspect of the invention, if prediction time instant for said flexible document B(m) is such that tp(m)≤tj(m−1), where tj(m−1) is the joint time instant of the last sensed flexible document B(m−1) of the series, then said pattern of linear speed vt(m)(t) of transport tape is calculated that, between tj(m−1) and tj(m), it satisfies rule:
∫t
where Proj(m) is the length of the projection of the sensed flexible document B(m) along an axis parallel to the longitudinal symmetry axis of conveyor belt, and after tj(m), the pattern of linear speed vt(m)(t) can be set by processor to satisfy rule:
∫t
where Δtstop is a known time interval required to take a flexible document B(m) to a resting or stop position on transport tape with its rear end at a stop distance ds from opening.
According to an additional aspect of the invention, if prediction time instant for said flexible document B(m) is such that tj(m−1)<tp(m)≤(tj(m−1)+Δtstop)−trate, where:
∫t
where Proj(m) is the length of the projection of the sensed flexible document B(m) along an axis parallel to the longitudinal symmetry axis of conveyor belt, and after tj(m), it satisfies rule:
∫t
According to another aspect of the invention, if prediction time instant for said flexible document B(m) is such that (tj(m−1)+Δtstop)−trate<tp(m)<(tj(m−1)+Δtstop)
∫t
where Proj(m) is the length of the projection of the sensed flexible document B(m) along an axis parallel to the longitudinal symmetry axis of conveyor belt, and after tj(m), it satisfies rule:
∫t
According to a further aspect of the invention, said stop distance ds can be comprised between 70% and 100% of the height H of the smallest flexible document to be stored in said at least one storing and issuing module.
According to an additional aspect of the invention, said linear speed vt(m)(t) of transport tape can have a pattern over time defining a line segment or chain of line segments.
According to another aspect of the invention, said line segment or chain of line segments can be associated to: said acceleration value; a constant speed target value (vt); and said deceleration value.
According to a further aspect of the invention, said constant speed target value can be a function of:
It is also a specific subject matter of the present invention a system for storing a series of flexible documents, wherein each flexible document of the series of flexible documents has a front and rear end, said system comprising
According to another aspect of the invention, when the system comprises more than one storing and issuing module, the central processing unit operatively connected to each processor of each storing and issuing module, and the central processing unit can be further configured to carry out a check of the sensing information and, based on the sensing information, select one of the storing and issuing module and send the sensing information thereto.
The present invention will be now described, by way of illustration and not by way of limitation, according to its preferred embodiments, with particular reference to the attached Figures, wherein:
In the Figures identical reference numerals will be used for alike elements.
With particular reference to
Such a system 100 comprises at least one storing and issuing module (in
The system 100 also comprises a central processing unit 19, which is directly or indirectly operatively connected to the sensor group 9 and configured to receive and process sensing information coming therefrom, and send corresponding control signals to the storing and issuing module(s) 11A, 11B, 10A, 10B or 10, according to the method of the present invention, that will be described in the following.
According to the invention, the sensing information provided by sensor group 9, see
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, once the sensing information is provided to the central processing unit 19, the central processing unit 19 can perform a first check of the sensed banknote B(m), based on the received sensing information. In case the sensed banknote B(m) does not comply with predefined standards in terms of position (on conveyor belt 23) or dimensions, the sensed banknote B(m) is rejected. In practice, whenever a banknote B(m) is rejected, it can be outputted from the device or can be sent to a storing and issuing module from where it is sent to safe disposal.
With particular reference to the storing and issuing module 10 (in the present description, for simplicity, reference will be made to a system comprising only one storing and issuing module 10 as represented in
The storing and issuing module 10 comprises, in fact, a storage roller 50 and also a feeding-roller 50′ (not shown in
The storing and issuing module 10 also comprises one transport tape 52, having one end connected to storage roller 50 and the other end connected to feeding-roller 50′. The transport tape 52, during banknotes storing operations and due to corresponding coordinated activation of motors 60 and 60′, is configured to be unrolled from feeding-roller 50′ and rolled on storage roller 50 along a forward path such that, it is moved along a linear path with a linear speed, at the end of conveying section 51, before being rolled around storage roller 50. The motors 60 and 60′ optionally are conventional stepper motors, controlled as open-loop servomechanisms, which rotate the storage roller 50 and feeding-roller 50′ through proper pulleys and toothed transmission belts (not shown in the drawings).
The storing and issuing module 10 also comprises holding means arranged at conveying section 51, which are configured to be actuated for engaging an entering banknote B(m) with transport tape 52, when the entering banknote B(m) has completely entered the storing and issuing module, i.e. when the rear end of that banknote has passed through opening 20 and has disengaged from transport rollers 31. In detail, the holding means includes a pair of pinch-rollers 53 and 54 arranged below and above transport tape 52. The pinch-rollers are configured to mutually shift under control of electromagnets (not shown in the Figures).
With such a configuration of system 100, it will be noted that any banknote B(m), transported by conveyor belt 23 toward the storing and issuing module 10, enters the module 10 at speed vc(t) and only when its rear end is disengaged from input roller 31 and is substantially at the same time engaged by holding means 53-54, it starts moving engaged with transport tape 52 at linear speed vt(m)(t).
The storing and issuing module 10 also comprises a processor 80, operatively connected to the central processing unit 19 of the system 100 and to the motors 60 and 60′ and the holding means 53-54 above. The processor 80 is configured to determine the diameter of the assembly formed by the storage roller 50, the transport tape 52 and the banknotes engaged with the latter, in a way known in the art. For example, the diameter can be determined based on the diameter of storage roller 50, the number of rotations performed during operation by the storage roller 50 driven by motor 60 (through an encoder connected to the storage roller 50), the thickness of transport tape 52, and the thickness of the banknotes B(m) entering the storage and issuing unit 10. Processor 80 is also configured to determine the patter of linear speed vt(m)(t) of transport tape 52 during storage of a banknote B(m), as will be explained below.
The method of the present invention for storing a series ( . . . , B(m−1), B(m), B(m+1), . . . ) of flexible documents, more particularly banknotes, in a storing and issuing module 10 of the system 100 above described, is indicated in
At step 1.2, the central processing unit 19, within a known prediction time instant tp(m) from sensing, checks the received sensing information to determine whether the sensed banknote B(m) is to be rejected or not and, if not, forwards the sensing information to processor 80 of the storing and issuing module 10. Otherwise, the banknote B(m) is rejected as explained above, at step 1.21.
According to a variant of the present invention, prior to forwarding the sensing information to processor 80, in case more than one storing and issuing module is comprised in system 100, the central processing unit 19 is configured to determine at step 1.2, based on the sensing information, optionally based on the ID of the sensed banknote B(m), the storing and issuing module to which the sensing information are to be forwarded.
Once processor 80 of the storing and issuing module 10 receives the sensing information forwarded by the central processing unit 19, it determines at step 1.3:
Following that, at step 1.4, according to method 1 of the present invention, the processor 80 calculates the pattern of linear speed vt(m)(t) at which the transport tape 52 must be moved by storage roller 50, after prediction time instant tp(m) such that, at estimated joint time instant tj(m), when the holding means 53-54 engage banknote B(m) with transport tape 52 in the storing and issuing module 10, a predetermined desired distance dd on transport tape 52 is left between the front end of that banknote B(m) and the rear end of a banknote B(m−1) of the series, last engaged by the transport tape 52, if any. This calculation of processor 80 is performed based on:
Finally, method 1 of the invention comprises, at step 1.5, sending by processor 80, and based on the pattern of linear speed vt(m)(t) of transport tape 52 calculated at step 1.4, one or more respective control signal to the motor 60, causing control of storage roller 50 rotation, and therefore a corresponding movement of transport tape 52 according to the calculated speed pattern vt(m)(t) and actuation of holding means 53-54 at tj(m).
With reference to the above disclosed steps of invention method 1, it is noted that conveying speed vc(t) of conveyor belt 23 is known and, optionally, advantageously constant over time, at least during execution of invention method 1. Moreover, also the known prediction time instant tp(m) from sensing is a set value that can be determined based on system 100 parameters such as, for example, the sensing efficiency of sensor group 9, the signal transmission speed between sensor group 9 and central processing unit 19, the computing capacity of central processing unit 19 and the algorithm used. Prediction time instant tp(m) also depends on the size of the banknotes to be stored in the storing and issuing module 10 and their position of conveyor belt 23. Prediction time instant tp(m) must be greater than the time required by system 100 to identify a banknote B(m) in the worst case, i.e. where the banknote is the biggest between the banknotes that system 100 can handle and, for example, angle α is the highest angle that central processing unit 19 can accept without rejecting the banknote because of his misplacement on conveyor belt 23. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, prediction time instant tp(m) can be a function of conveying speed vc(t), for example it can be set so that, after tp(m) and before the sensed banknote B(m) enters the storing and issuing unit 10, central processing unit 19 is able to calculate prediction time instants tp(m+i) for a number i=1, 2, 3 . . . of following banknotes B(m+i) in the series of banknotes that in the meantime have been sensed by sensor group 9, in average operating condition (for example, when more banknotes are introduced in the receiving and dispensing device, one after the other with a known mean time interval therebetween). Prediction time instant tp(m) can be set such that the time, after tp(m), left for the banknote B(m) to enter the storing and issuing module 10 corresponds to at least 105% of the known, possibly adjustable, mean time interval between banknotes (trate, also known as the nominal time interval of the banknote sent to the storing and issuing module 10) at average operating condition so that, in normal operating condition, the central processing unit 19 is capable of determine joint time instants for more than one banknote being stored based on the received sensing information sent by sensor group 9. Prediction time instant tp(m), therefore, is generally greater than a nominal time interval of the storing and issuing module 10, a minimum variation being considered, for example of the order of ±4%.
As a further remark, it should be noted that, at step 1.2, the sensing information including the dimensions and angle α of a sensed banknote B(m) transported by conveyor belt 23 could be directly sent by the central processing unit 19 to processor 80 or the central processing unit 19 could calculate and send processor 80 a value of the projection of the sensed banknote B(m), along an axis that is parallel to a longitudinal symmetry axis of conveyor belt 23, such projection value being a function of the dimensions of the sensed banknote B(m) and its position on conveyor belt 23, received by sensor group 9. The projection Proj(m) of the mth banknote transported by conveyor belt 23 could be calculated, as indicated in
Proj(m)=H*cos(α)+L*sin(α).
In case the projection value of an entering banknote B(m) was calculated by processor 80 upon receipt of dimension information (length L, height H and angle α) of the sensed banknote, such projection value Proj(m) is available before determining the subsequent joint time instant tj(m) at step 1.3.
According to a particular advantageous aspect of the invention, the pattern of linear speed vt(m)(t) of transport tape 52 calculated at step 1.4, required to store banknote B(m) in the storing and issuing module 10 at desired dd distance from a last engaged banknote B(m−1), if any, is associated to a linear acceleration constant value at, determined at step 1.3, that depends on the configuration of the system 100 and is a function of the Inertia value of the assembly formed by storage roller 50, transport tape 52 and the banknotes engaged therewith, which Inertia value is in turn a function of the diameter of the assembly and increases as more banknotes are engaged with transport tape 52 and rolled therewith on storage roller 50.
More particularly, according to a specific advantageous aspect of the invention method 1, the greater the inertia of the assembly formed by storage roller 50, transport tape 52 and the banknotes, the lower the selected linear acceleration value at, in order to keep substantially constant the inertial torque seen by motor 60 and therefore the power required to move, in use, the assembly formed by storage roller 50, transport tape 52 and the banknotes engaged therewith, independently of the diameter thereof.
According to a more specific aspect of the invention method 1, the linear acceleration constant value at, is a function of the diameter of the assembly formed by storage roller 50, transport tape 52 and the banknotes engaged therewith, which diameter can be calculated by the processor 80 of the storing and issuing module 10, as disclosed above.
Just to give one clarifying example of the invention, with a configuration of the storing and issuing module 10 as that depicted in
All such values regarding wheels/pulleys are obviously known and constants while the only independent variable is the diameter Ø50+52 of the assembly formed by transport tape 52 and banknotes rolled on the storage roller 50, which can be calculated and provided by processor 80 as described above, the diameter Ø50+52 of the assembly formed by transport tape 52 and feeding roller 50′ being derivable once the length of transport tape 52 is known and also the diameter of feeding roller 50′.
The main component of the total inertia Itot60 in the equation shown in
With this configuration the inertial torque seen by motor 60, i.e. the product of the total inertia Itot60 seen by motor 60 (
By way of example
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention method 1, the linear acceleration constant value at for the pattern of transport tape 52 linear speed vt(m)(t) can be calculated in real time, during the execution of the invention method at step 1.3, based on the diameter information calculated by processor 80 of storing and issuing module 10, or can be selected on a lookup table that has been prestored in the processor 80, providing a corresponding acceleration at for a corresponding Inertia value, function of diameter value.
As can be seen in
Accordingly, when a large number of banknotes is stored (i.e. rolled up with transport tape 52 around storage roller 50) and the corresponding diameter of the assembly is high, the motor 60 of storage roller 50 having a low angular acceleration must be started at activation time instant ta(m) well before entry of a corresponding entering banknote B(m) in the storing and issuing module 10, to cause the required linear displacement of transport tape 52 such that, when that entering banknote B(m) is engaged by holding means 53-54, its front end is at desired distance dd (dd being, for example, 3 mm±3 mm) from the previously engaged banknote B(m−1) rear end, if any.
With low angular acceleration values, contrary to the prior art methods, it is not possible to make use of any sensor placed at conveying section 51 (sensor 66 in the prior art storing and issuing module described above), to provide a corresponding start signal to motor 60, because it will not be possible to move transport tape 52, for the length required to leave the desired distance dd between banknotes engaged therewith, in time.
According to a preferred embodiment of invention method 1, when an entering banknote B(m) of the series of banknotes ( . . . , B(m−1), B(m), B(m+1), . . . ) is sensed by sensor group 9 and transport tape 52 is not moving, either because B(m) is the very first banknote of the series or because tp(m)t≥(tj(m−1)+Δtstop), where tj(m−1) is the joint time instant of the last sensed banknote B(m−1) of the series and Δtstop is a known time interval required to take a banknote to a resting or stop position on transport tape 52 with its rear end at a stop distance ds from opening 20, i.e. in case the storage of a last sensed banknote B(m−1) in the storing and issuing module 10 has already been completed (for example as represented in
then the pattern of linear speed vt(m)(t) of transport tape 52 is calculated, so that, between tp(m) and tj(m), it satisfies rule:
∫t
and as a default setting, after tj(m), it satisfies rule:
∫t
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention ds is comprised between 70% and 100% of the height H of the smallest banknote to store in storing and issuing module (for example it is 62 mm for a 5 euros banknote).
Still according to a preferred embodiment of the invention Δtstop is greater than trate and, according to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, Δtstop=1.5*trate.
According to the invention method 1, what happens to the pattern of linear speed of transport tape 52, in case in a new entering banknotes B(m), . . . is sensed on conveyor belt 23, depends on its respective prediction time instants with respect to the pattern of transport tape 52 linear speed for the last sensed banknote.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, if a new entering banknote B(m) is sensed at tp(m)≤tj(m−1), i.e. if tj(m) is calculated by processor 80 for banknote B(m) before the last sensed banknote B(m−1) is engaged with transport tape 52, then the pattern of linear speed vt(m)(t) of transport tape 52 is calculated that, between tj(m−1) and tj(m), satisfies rule:
∫t
where: tj(m−1) is the joint time instant of the previous banknote B(m−1) of the series, that has last entered the storing and issuing module 10. As a default setting, after tj(m), the pattern of linear speed vt(m)(t) is set by processor 80 to satisfy rule:
∫t
as also disclosed above.
Alternatively, in case a new entering banknote B(m) is sensed at tj(m−1)<tp(m)≤(tj(m−1)+Δtstop)−trate, i.e. when or after last sensed banknote B(m−1) has been engaged with transport tape 52, in advance of trate with respect to time instant of complete stop at stop distance ds of last engaged banknote B(m−1), then linear speed vt(m)(t) of transport tape 52 is calculated that, between tj(m−1) and tj(m), satisfies rule
∫t
As above, as a default setting, after tj(m), the pattern of linear speed of transport tape 52, for storage of banknote B(m) satisfies rule:
∫t
In case a new entering banknote B(m) is sensed at (tj(m−1)+Δtstop)−trate<tp(m)<(tj(m−1)+Δtstop) i.e. if tj(m) is calculated when last engaged banknote B(m−1) is closer than trate to time instant of complete stop at stop distance ds, then the linear speed vt(m)(t) of transport tape 52 is updated that, after stop of last engaged banknote B(m−1), satisfies rule:
∫t
As above, as a default setting, after tj(m), the pattern of linear speed of transport tape 52, for storage of banknote B(m) satisfies rule:
∫t
After tj(1), if no other banknotes are sensed, vt(1)(t) is set by processor 80, according to equation (2), such that banknote B(1) is taken to the rest position and, in fact, the integral of vt(1)(t), between tj(1) and tj(1)+Δtstop is equal to ds.
In the second window, the case is depicted where just before activation of motor 60, i.e. before ta(1), another banknote is sensed and processor 80 has determined a corresponding joint time instant tj(2). Since tj(2) has been determined at tp(2)≤tj(1), then a new pattern of linear speed of transport tape 52 can be set by processor 80 such that:
The third window shows what happens in the system 100 when the third banknote B(3) of the series is sensed and corresponding joint time instant tj(3) is calculated at tp(3)≤tj(2). As above, processor 80 changes linear speed of transport tape 52 after tj(2) according to equation (3), so that between tj(2) and tj(3) the second banknote B(2) is moved at linear speed vt(3)(t) together with transport tape of Proj(3)+dd, and after tj(3) the pattern of linear speed of vt(3)(t) is set by processor 80 such that after Δtstop the third banknote B(3) is brought at resting position, since no other incoming banknote has been sensed in the meantime. When a fourth banknote B(4) is sensed, and corresponding joint time instant tj(4) is calculated at tp(4)≤tj(3), then processor 80 calculates linear speed of transport tape 52 after tj(3), so that between tj(3) and tj(4) the third banknote B(3) is moved at linear speed vt(4)(t) together with transport tape of Proj(4)+dd, and then, after tj(4) the pattern of linear speed of vt(4)(t) is set by processor 80 such that after Δtstop the fourth banknote B(4) is brought at resting position, since no other incoming banknote has been sensed in the meantime. How the pattern of linear speed is set by processor 80 during execution of the invention method will be disclosed below.
A similar case in represented in
In
The total length covered between tj(1) and tj(2) is the one required to leave the second banknote B(2) space enough to enter the storing and issuing unit 10 and being engaged with transport tape 52 with its front end at distance dd from rear end of banknote B(1), according to equation (4) above.
The skilled person will note that there are many ways for processor 80 to set the pattern of linear speed vt(m)(t) of transport tape 52 for any banknote B(m) to be stored, as long as the integral thereof, between two time-instants of interest, corresponds to the required linear displacement of transport tape 52, necessary to leave desired distance dd between the rear end of the last engaged banknote and the front end of an engaging banknote.
However, according to a preferred advantageous embodiment of the invention method 1, the pattern of linear speed vt(t) of transport tape 52 can be defined as a line segment or a chain of line segments, as represented in
The skilled person will have no difficulties in understanding how the blank area under the trapezius, identified by letter C in
The skilled person would also easily understand that modeling linear speed of transport tape 52 as line segment or a chain of line segments, as a function of a constant acceleration value at and a constant linear speed value vt, is advantageous not only because it allows identifying the pattern of that linear speed very easily, but also because it allows handling banknotes of different dimensions, for example in case a storing and issuing module 10 was used as recycling module for damaged banknotes of all denominations, having them very different dimensions. In this case, A could also depend on the denomination of the entering banknote B(m) to be stored.
As a further example, in the case wherein transport tape 52 is not moving when a banknote B(m) is sensed, for example because the sensed banknote is the very first banknote of the series, processor can set vt(m)(t) as a line segment starting from activation time instant ta(m) with acceleration at. Activation time instant ta(m) can be easily determined given that the area under signal vt(1)(t) between time instants ta(t) and tj(1) must correspond to Proj(1)+dd−ds.
As a final example, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the speed pattern of transport tape 52 during time interval Δtstop, can be associated, to:
In this case, as can be seen, for example in
The method and system according to the invention reach the goals disclosed in the preamble above.
First of all, with the invention method a larger number of banknotes can be stored in a single storing and issuing module, having a transport tape 52 longer than one usually used in prior art storing and issuing modules, with no increase in power consumption, due to the fact that the acceleration value at of the assembly formed by storage roller 50, transport tape 52 and the engaged banknotes, decreases as the assembly diameter increases. The acceleration value at is in particular inversely proportional to the total inertia of the moving elements of the storing and issuing device, seen by motor 60 of storage roller 50. Its reduced value, for large diameters of the assembly, is compensated by a controlled advance operation of the storing and issuing module 10, according to the method 1 above described. The invention method allows calculating a pattern for linear speed of transport tape 52 having lower accelerations values and lower speed values than prior art modules, that minimizes and keeps substantially constant the inertial torque seen by motor 60.
The preferred embodiments of this invention have been described and a number of variations have been suggested hereinbefore, but it should be understood that those skilled in the art can make other variations and changes without so departing from the scope of protection thereof, as defined by the attached claims.
For example, system 100 and method 1 of the invention can be implemented in devices other than receiving and dispensing ones. For example, they can be implemented only in receiving devices. Also, system 100 of the invention can comprise two or more storing and issuing modules, as represented, for example, in
Again, the system of the invention was not described as comprising sensors 66 as disclosed in the prior art, at conveying section 51 of each storing and issuing module 10. Those sensors 66, however, could indeed be provided in each or just some of the storing and issuing modules of the invention system 100. However, if they were included in the system, they would not be used as in the prior art, to activate motor 60. Instead, they could be used by processor 80 for activation of holding means 53-54, once an entering banknote B(m) is sensed by them (as depicted in
As a variation of the invention system 100, if sensor 66 were included in each or some storing and issuing module 10, then the resting position of a banknote could be such that ds corresponds to a length between opening 20 and somewhere between sensor 66 and the pinch-rollers 53-54. In
As a final remark, it is to be noted that in the present description reference is made to a system 100 where the central processing unit 19 sends the sensing information to processor 80 of a storing and issuing module 10, after having checked the sensing information and established that the sensed banknote is not to be rejected. However, it the system 100 according to the invention had only one storing and issuing module 10 and did not implement any check of the sensing information, the sensing information provided by sensor group 9 could be sent directly to processor 80 for calculation of the pattern of the linear speed of transport tape 52 as disclosed above.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 102022000013522 | Jun 2022 | IT | national |
