EP2894611B1 - Device for handling coins and method for controlling such a device with a customer mode and an operating mode for companies transporting money and valuables - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for handling coins, comprising a control unit which controls the device in dependence on preset driving criteria. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for driving such a device for handling bank notes.

The device for handling banknotes is, in particular, a pure coin depositor or a coin recycler, in which deposited coins can also be returned. In such devices, the control takes place via an internal control unit according to predetermined driving criteria. For example, this control criterion determines which tolerances are used in the recognition of the authenticity of entered coins. Further, the trigger criterion must determine how many retry attempts are made in the presence of problems and what happens if an error occurs during a deposit process.

In known devices for handling notes of value, these triggering criteria are strictly designed, since they are also designed for the deposit of unknown persons, and thus must be assumed that is partly deliberately trying to deposit counterfeit coins. Accordingly, only small tolerances are set in the acceptance of coins and in the occurrence of an error during the deposit, for example in the event of a blockage in the transport of coins, all coins and any foreign objects entered are immediately returned.

However, coin handling devices are often used by value-added companies to enter a large number of coins. Here it is disadvantageous to apply the strict criteria for the customer, as this has the consequence that the process takes quite a long time and the whole time someone must remain with the device to supervise the process, since the probability that it will lead to a termination of the process and an issue of coins comes, not small. In particular, therefore, the deposit can not be made unattended.

From the document US 2007/108267 A1 a device for handling coins is known, which is controlled by a control unit. Depending on whether the device is operated via a customer or via a value-transporting company, receipts with different information are printed.

It is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus for handling coins and a method for controlling a device for handling coins, with the help of a simple input of coins for an authorized group of people is created.

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

In accordance with the present invention, a customer operating mode and a value carrier operating mode are predetermined. In the value carrier operating mode, at least one of the driving criteria is preset differently from the customer mode.

This ensures that for different groups of people, especially for employees of a Werttransportunternehmens and "normal" customers, a different control of the device for handling coins and this can thus be adapted to the individual circumstances, so in particular for employees of a Werttransportunternehmens or other trustworthy Persons the deposit of coins can be designed so that the re-issue of coins with less probability or not at all, so that the device after the single entry of a coin quantity does not need to be supervised. Thus, the time required for a value transport operator to deposit coins on the device is minimized.

In particular, the safekeeping operation mode is that mode in which the device is operated when it is not used by a normal customer but by an employee of the value-transporting company. Alternatively, this mode of operation may also be used for other authorized persons who enjoy a special relationship of trust but are not employees of the value-transporting company. The customer operating mode is that mode in which the device is normally operated during normal customer operation, that is, during operation in which it is available to anyone.

In the control unit, in particular, program data are available both for the value-transport enterprise operating mode and also stored for the customer operating mode, which is optionally executed, depending on which operating mode is selected.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, in the value-transport enterprise operating mode compared to the customer operating mode, a plurality of activation criteria are set differently from one another, so that an even better adaptability to the different circumstances is possible.

The triggering criteria, which may be set differently, are, in particular, tolerance criteria for the acceptance of entered coins, the location of unaccepted coins, the number of retry attempts in the event of problems in handling coins, in particular when blockages occur Responding to non-solvable coin handling issues, closing time of an input unit shutter, and / or printing a receipt.

It is particularly advantageous if, in the value-transporting company operating mode, higher tolerances in the acceptance of entered coins are preset compared to the customer operating mode. In particular, the device comprises an authenticity checking unit, by means of which the authenticity of the coins can be determined. This is done by different characteristic for individual coins criteria, such as their thickness, their diameter and or their magnetism. Alternatively, the detection individual coins also be done for example via an image capture unit. Since the coins already have certain deviations from their standard values as a result of production, and as a result of the use, in particular contamination, further deviations arise, the authenticity testing units must work with certain tolerances. These tolerances are set higher in the value carrier operating mode than in the customer operating mode because in the value carrier operating mode it can be assumed that the coins have already been authenticated before, so that larger tolerances can be used. This use of large tolerances has the advantage that the likelihood of a coin being rejected is significantly lower, which in turn results in a high probability that there will be no problems during the insertion of the coins and thus not supervision of the device necessary is.

The device comprises a receiving unit for receiving unaccepted coins. The device has in particular in addition to the Münzhoppern, in which the coins, preferably sorted, stored, another receiving unit.

The control unit controls the device in such a way that coins accepted in the safe transport operating mode are transported in this specially provided receiving unit, whereas in the customer operating mode unaccepted coins are reissued via an output unit of the device.

In particular, in the customer operating mode, not only the coins not accepted but, in the case where at least one unaccepted coin is included in the entered coin amount, all the coins entered once are issued again.

By providing the receiving unit for unaccepted coins and the corresponding control in the safekeeping operation mode, it is achieved that, if coins are not accepted despite higher tolerances set in the safekeeping operation mode, they are not issued. As a result, an employee of the value-transporting company engaged in the entry does not have to supervise the device, as coins can not be dispensed.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the control unit controls the device in such a way that, when a blockage occurs during the transport of coins, a preset number of retries for releasing the blockage is carried out. In this case, a first number of retry attempts is preset for the value transport enterprise operating mode and a second number of retry attempts for the customer operating mode, the first number being greater than the second number. Thus, in the safe transport mode of operation, a higher number of retry attempts are made so as to minimize the issuance of coins or the occurrence of errors.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the control unit deactivates the device in the event of a non-releasable blockage of coins in the safe transport operating mode. In the customer operating mode, on the other hand, the control unit controls the device in the event of a non-releasable blockage in such a way that the device re-dispenses the coins and possibly entered foreign objects via an output unit of the device and thus does not have to be taken out of operation. This control also serves to ensure that the device does not need to be monitored further in the value-transporting enterprise operating mode after the coin quantity has been input, since it is put out of action when an error occurs and there is no dispensing of coins.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the device comprises a printing unit for printing a receipt and if the control unit controls the printing unit in such a way that it prints a receipt after completion of a deposit in the customer operating mode and no receipt in the safe transport operating mode. This can on the one hand on the printing of unnecessary receipts and thus understanding paper consumption are waived and on the other this also allows the employee of the Werttransportunternehmens after entering the amount of coins leave the device unattended alone, as no issue of a receipt at the end of the deposit process ,

The coin handling apparatus has a coin input unit having an opening through which the coins are fed. Further is a shutter is provided, through which this input opening can be closed, in order thus to prevent access to the input unit.

The control unit controls the device in such a way that in the value transport enterprise operating mode the shutter is closed after a predetermined first time and in the customer operating mode after a predetermined second time deviating from the first time after the completion of the input of coins. The first time is selected such that the closing occurs after the input of confirmation information by the operator confirming that the input is completed. This also reduces the time it takes for an employee of a cash-in-transit company to deposit coins.

Furthermore, the device comprises an authorization unit for authorizing operators and when it is only possible to switch from the customer operating mode to the safe transport operating mode if the operator is authorized for this purpose.

The authorization unit comprises, in particular, a card reader for reading magnetic stripes and / or chip cards, so that an operator simply inserts a corresponding magnetic stripe and / or chip card and, if necessary, authorizes after entering a PIN. In particular, employees of a value-transporting company or service employees authorized to operate the device in the safekeeping operation mode may hereby authorize themselves.

The control unit determines, in particular as a function of data stored on the magnetic stripe and / or chip card, whether the magnetic stripe and / or chip card-introducing operator has the authorization to operate the device in the valuable transport enterprise operating mode.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the control unit automatically switches the device from the customer operation mode to the safe transport operating mode when a person operating the device has the authorization to do so and has accordingly verified this via the authorization unit. Alternatively, the switching can also be done manually by the operator after he has authorized for this. Due to the automatic switching, the advantage is achieved that the operator does not have to make any further input for this, and thus the switching takes place automatically.

The switch back from the value carrier operation mode to the default customer operation mode occurs after the coin entry has been completed by the person authorized to be in the safekeeping operation mode. Thus, switching from the "loose" transport enterprise operation mode to the "stricter" customer operation mode can not be forgotten.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of driving a coin handling apparatus, in which the device is driven in response to preset drive criteria and in which either a customer operating mode or a value carrier operating mode is activated. In the activated value carrier operating mode, at least one activation criterion is preset differently than when the customer operating mode is activated.

It is also achieved by this method that in the value-transport enterprise operating mode the control takes place according to other criteria and can thus be adapted to the specific circumstances. In particular, this method also makes it possible that the device does not have to be supervised by the operator after the deposit of coins.

The method may be further developed with the features or corresponding method features indicated in the independent device claim related to the independent apparatus claim.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, which illustrates the invention with reference to embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

Figur 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer Vorrichtung zur Handhabung von Münzen.

It shows:

FIG. 1

a schematic representation of a device for handling coins.

In FIG. 1 FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a coin handling apparatus 10 having an input unit 12 for coin entry. This input unit 12 has a lockable via a shutter 14 input port 16, can be entered via the coins to be deposited in the form of a sorted, loose amount of coins. The coins entered are singled out by way of a singling unit 18 and transported past an authenticity checking unit 20, with the aid of which the authenticity of the coins is determined as a function of preset tolerance criteria. Furthermore, the authenticity checking unit 20 can also be used to determine the denomination of the coins entered.

The authentication unit 20 determines, for example, the diameter, the thickness, the weight and / or magnetic properties of the coins entered and compares them with preset standard values. If the determined value of a coin lies within preset tolerances around the standard values, the coin is classified as genuine and accepted. However, at least one preset criterion deviates so far from the preset standard values that it is outside the preset tolerances, this coin is not accepted and classified as spurious. Alternatively, the authenticity checking unit 20 may also comprise, for example, a camera via which an image of the individual coins is taken and the real-time of the coins is determined by means of an image comparison via an image processing program. Here, too, tolerance limits are set for the deviation from a desired state.

The coins classified as genuine are divided by a sorting unit 22 into coin hopper, one of which is designated by the reference numeral 24 by way of example. Here, in particular, a sorted storage of the coins, d. h., That in a coin hopper 24 only coins are taken exactly one denomination.

Further, the apparatus 10 includes an output tray 26 through which coins and input foreign objects, e.g. As paper clips, can be issued again. In particular, this output tray 26 also serves to pay out coins when the device 10 is formed as a recycling machine, which is intended to pay paid-in coins also again.

In addition, the device 10 has a card reading unit 28, with the aid of which input magnetic stripe and / or chip cards can be read out. This can be done by an operator of the device 10 an authentication. This operator must in particular in addition to entering the magnetic stripe and / or chip card also enter another security feature, such as a PIN number. Alternatively, as a security feature For example, biometric data may also be used.

In addition, the device 10 has a receiving unit 32, which is exclusively for receiving unacceptable coins and objects, ie coins or objects that have been classified by the authenticity verification unit as spurious serves.

By means of a printing unit 34, after the end of the entry of coins, a receipt can be printed on which, for example, the quantity and / or the total value of the coins entered is indicated.

The device 10 has a control unit 30 with the aid of which the device 10 is controlled in dependence on preset activation criteria. In this case, a customer operating mode and a value transport enterprise operating mode are preset, with one of these two operating modes always being selectively activated and the control unit 30 actuating the device 10 according to the activated operating mode. In the two operating modes, at least one triggering criterion, preferably a plurality of triggering criteria, is set differently.

In the value carrier operating mode, in particular, larger tolerances for the acceptance of input coins than in the customer operating mode are preset. For example, larger deviations in the weight of a coin from its standard weight, in the diameter of a coin, in the thickness of a coin and / or in their magnetic properties are preset.

Additionally or alternatively, in the value carrier operation mode, a greater number of retry attempts may be made if a problem occurs in handling the coins within the device 10, especially if a blockage of coins is occurring, i. H. that the coins can not be transported on schedule, but it comes to traffic jams.

Additionally or alternatively, depending on the operating modes, a different reaction may also be preset, which is carried out if a blockade can not be solved or another problem which can not be solved without manual intervention occurs. In the customer operating mode, in this case, all the coins or possibly other items entered at one time are output via the output tray 26. In the counter carrier operating mode, on the other hand, the apparatus 10 is taken out of operation without outputting coins via the output unit 26.

Additionally or alternatively, the handling of unacceptable coins can be set differently. In the safe transport operating mode, unaccepted coins are transported to a dedicated receiving unit 32. In the customer operating mode, however, unaccepted coins are immediately returned through the output tray 26.

In addition, the value carrier operation mode and the customer operation mode may differ in that only in the customer operation mode after completion of a deposit operation, a receipt is issued through the printing unit 34.

Likewise, the closing behavior of the shutter 14 can be set differently in the two operating mode. In particular, the closing of the shutter 14 in the safe transport operating mode is faster than in the customer operating mode, in particular immediately after the completion of the entry of a coin amount has been confirmed by the operator.

In addition, in addition to or as an alternative to the aforementioned control criteria in the two operating modes, even further control criteria can be set differently.

In addition, it is also possible that more than two operating modes are preset in which one or more triggering criteria are preset differently.

Due to the different activation in the value-transport enterprise operating mode and in the customer operating mode, it is achieved that in the value-transport enterprise operating mode after the entry of a coin quantity the device does not have to be supervised until the end of the deposit operation by the operator. In the customer mode of operation, the customer must remain with the device all the time because coins can be reissued any time if a coin is not accepted or if problems occur. In addition, the customer must wait until the abandonment of the receipt via the printing unit 34.

In the safekeeping mode of operation, however, coins can not be reissued. First, setting higher tolerance criteria reduces the likelihood that a coin will not be accepted. Should this still be the case the unaccepted coins are not output again, but stored in the recording unit 32. In addition, increasing the number of retries in the event of problems also reduces the likelihood of a problem that can not be solved. Should there be a problem that can not be solved, in the value carrier operating mode the dispensing of the entered coins is dispensed with and the device is taken out of operation instead.

Finally, the abandonment of printing a receipt also means that an employee of the value-transporting company does not have to wait until the end of the payment when operating the device 10 in the safe-carrier operating mode.

Thus, the deposit can be made effectively for employees of the value-transporting company or other persons entitled to this special mode of operation.

The switching of the device 10 from the customer operating mode, in which the device is operated by default, into the safekeeping mode of operation takes place, in particular, only when an operator of the device 10 has authorized himself and is authorized to do so. The authorization takes place in particular in that the operator inserts a magnetic stripe and / or chip card into the card reader 28. Switching is preferably automatic in this case, so that the operator does not have to do anything for it. Upon completion of the entry of the coins by that operator, the switchback from the safekeeping mode of operation automatically occurs into the customer operating mode so that switching back can not be forgotten.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the switching from the customer operating mode in the safe transport operating mode can also be done manually only after a corresponding input of the operator after their authorization.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

device

12

input unit

14

shutter

16

input port

18

separation unit

20

Authentication unit

22

sorting unit

24

coin hoppers

26

output tray

28

card reader

30

control unit

32

recording unit

34

printing unit

Claims (10)

1. Apparatus for handling coins,
   having a control unit (30), which activates the apparatus (10) in dependence on preset activation criteria,
   wherein a customer mode and a mode for cash/valuables-in-transit (CVIT) companies are predetermined, and
   wherein in the CVIT mode, in comparison with the customer mode, at least one activation criterion is preset differently,
   wherein
   the apparatus (10) comprises an authorization unit (28) for authorizing operators, and
   wherein
   a switchover from the customer mode into the CVIT mode is possible only when the operator is authorized in this respect,
   wherein
   the apparatus (10) comprises a receiving unit (32) for receiving non-accepted coins, and
   wherein
   the control unit (30) activates the apparatus (10) such that coins not accepted in the CVIT mode are transported into said receiving unit (32) and coins not accepted in the customer mode are discharged again via a discharging unit (26) of the apparatus (10),
   wherein
   the apparatus (10) comprises an input unit (12) for inputting coins and also comprises a shutter (14) for closing an input opening (16) of the input unit (12), and
   wherein the control unit activates the apparatus such that, in the CVIT mode, the shutter (14) is closed after a predetermined first period of time following completion of the input of coins and, in the customer mode, the shutter (14) is closed after a predetermined second period of time, which differs from the first period of time, following completion of the input of coins,
   wherein the first period of time is selected such that the closure takes place once an item of confirmation information has been input by the operator, confirming that the input has been completed,
   wherein the control unit controls the apparatus such that, following completion of the input of the coins by an operator, a switchback from the CVIT mode into the customer mode takes place automatically.
2. Apparatus (10) according to Claim 1, characterized in that in the CVIT mode, in comparison with the customer mode, a number of activation criteria are preset differently.
3. Apparatus (10) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the activation criteria cover tolerance criteria in respect of the acceptance of input coins, the location where non-accepted coins are deposited, the number of repeat attempts when problems occur in the handling of coins, the reaction to unsolvable problems in the handling of coins, the point in time at which a shutter (14) of an input unit (12) closes and/or the printing of a receipt.
4. Apparatus (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the CVIT mode, in comparison with the customer mode, higher tolerances are preset for the acceptance of input coins.
5. Apparatus (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit (30) activates the apparatus (10) such that, when a blockage occurs when coins are being transported, a preset number of repeat attempts for the purpose of releasing the blockage is carried out, in that a first number of repeat attempts is preset for the CVIT mode and a second number of repeat attempts is preset for the customer mode, and in that the first number is greater than the second number.
6. Apparatus (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the apparatus (10) comprises a printing unit (34) for printing a receipt, and in that the control unit (30) activates the printing unit (34) such that, following completion of a paying-in step, a receipt is printed by said printing unit in the customer mode and no receipt is printed by said printing unit in the CVIT mode.
7. Apparatus (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the authorization unit (28) comprises a card reader for reading magnetic-stripe cards and/or chip cards.
8. Apparatus (10) according to Claim 7, characterized in that, in dependence on data read out from an operator's magnetic-stripe card and/or chip card, the control unit (30) determines whether the operator is authorized to operate the apparatus (10) in the CVIT mode.
9. Apparatus (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit (30) converts the apparatus automatically from the customer mode to the CVIT mode if the person operating the apparatus (10) has authorization in this respect.
10. Method for activating an apparatus for handling coins,
    in which the apparatus (10) is activated in dependence on preset activation criteria,
    in which either a customer mode or a CVIT mode is activated, and
    in which with the CVIT mode activated, in contrast to the customer mode being activated, at least one activation criterion is preset differently,
    wherein
    the apparatus (10) comprises an authorization unit (28) for authorizing operators, and
    wherein
    a switchover from the customer mode into the CVIT mode is possible only when the operator is authorized in this respect,
    wherein
    the apparatus (10) comprises a control unit (30) and also a receiving unit (32) for receiving non-accepted coins, and
    wherein
    the control unit (30) activates the apparatus (10) such that coins not accepted in the CVIT mode are transported into said receiving unit (32) and coins not accepted in the customer mode are discharged again via a discharging unit (26) of the apparatus (10),
    wherein
    the apparatus (10) comprises an input unit (12) for inputting coins and also comprises a shutter (14) for closing an input opening (16) of the input unit (12), and
    wherein the control unit activates the apparatus such that, in the CVIT mode, the shutter (14) is closed after a predetermined first period of time following completion of the input of coins and, in the customer mode, the shutter (14) is closed after a predetermined second period of time, which differs from the first period of time, following completion of the input of coins,
    wherein the first period of time is selected such that the closure takes place once an item of confirmation information has been input by the operator, confirming that the input has been completed,
    wherein the control unit controls the apparatus such that, following completion of the input of the coins by an operator, a switchback from the CVIT mode into the customer mode takes place automatically.

Images