WO1992002903A1

WO1992002903A1 - Paper currency handling apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO1992002903A1
Application number: PCT/GB1991/001338
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert Rodwell; John Moore; John Perry
Original assignee: Timetill Security Limited
Priority date: 1990-08-03
Filing date: 1991-08-05
Publication date: 1992-02-20
Also published as: GB9017107D0; AU8312491A; GB2246656A

Abstract

Apparatus for transferring bank notes from a cash-handling location to a receiving location, such as a bank, comprises a secure, two-part cassette (10) and a loading unit (16) which feeds bank notes one-by-one into the cassette (10). The cassette (10) is loaded into the loading unit (16), which locks onto an inner part (12) of the cassette (10), allowing a casing (14) of the cassette (10) to be withdrawn. The leading unit (176) detects the value of notes going into the cassette's inner part (12) and enters the value into an internal read-write memory of the cassette (10), to be read at the receiving location. During transfer, the cassette casing (14) locks itself onto the inner part (12).

Description

PAPER CURRENCY HANDLING APPARATUS

This invention relates to apparatus for handling paper currency, by which is meant a country' s official (non-coinage) currency, such for example as sterling bank notes, U. S. dollar bills, French franc notes, German deutschmark notes, Japanese yen notes, and so on, especially (but not solely) for use in transferring paper currency from a cash-handling location such, for example, as a point-of-sale, possibly a cash till, to a predetermined receiving location, such as a bank or a cash centre. In addition to handling paper currency, the apparatus may also be able to handle "promissory notes" like bank cheques, bank drafts, I.0. U. ' s ("I owe you's"), credit card vouchers and charge card vouchers, etc.

It is known to have a lockable receptacle for paper currency beside a cash till and to use the receptacle for transferring the paper currency to a bank. However, the paper currency has to be manually counted into and out of the receptacle.

GB-A-2 217 086 (TOSHIBA) discloses a currency handling system wherein a currency storage cassette is loaded with a stack of paper currency, all the currency normally being loaded into the cass^'ette at once, for dispensing piece-by-piece, or item by item, later.

The present invention provides a paper currency handling apparatus, a secure cassette for the transfer of paper currency, and the combination of such a cassette with a- loading unit, as claimed respectively in each of the claims, to which reference is directed.

The invention will be described by way of example with reference to the drawings, which illustrate examples of a loading unit, a two-part cassette and a receiving location unit, all constructed and adapted to operate together in accordance with the invention. In the drawings: -

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the loading unit and the two-part cassette embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectioned plan view of the rear ends of the two parts of the cassette;

^•r

Fig. 3 is a side elevational sectional view of the loading unit, partly broken away to reveal internal details;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the loading unit, without the casing and key pad; FIG. 5 is a scrap view showing r ree eiastomeric cords forming part of a paper-conveyor, the cords running in grooves in a plate and entraining an item of paper currency, such as a sterling bank note;

FIG. 6 is an isometric illustration of part of an insertion mechanism, for inserting paper currency into an inner, currency-holding, part of the cassette, inside the loading unit;

FIG. 7 is a scrap view of the inner, currency- holding, part of the cassette, in section, and part of the insertion mechanism in the loading unit;

FIG. 8 is a similar view to that of Fig. 7, but shows the paper-conveyor, omitting the insertion mechanism;

FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 are diagrammatic views showing the insertion mechanism inserting an item of paper currency, such as a sterling bank note, into the inner currency-holding part of the cassette;

FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate parts of the loading unit for locating and supporting the inner currency-holding part of the cassette, Fig. 13 being a section on XIII-XIII in Fig. 12; FIG. 14 illustrates one end of a modified cassette, showing a motorised latch; and

FIG. 15 illustrates a receiving location unit.

Referring to the drawings, the cassette 10 is in two parts, namely, an inner currency-holding part 12 and a casing 14. The inner currency-holding part 12 is designed to be loaded into the loading unit 16 for the paper currency to be stacked inside it by the loading unit 16.

The loading unit 16 contains a microprocessor and an associated memory and the microprocessor is under software control. The microprocessor performs the following tasks: ^'-

(a) control of motors for note transport and stacking, and in particular the control of the timing of operation of the motors;

(b) acceptance of (all) sensor and switch inputs;

(c) acceptance of commands from a keyboard;

(d) provision of data to a display to indicate various parameters as described;

(e) identification of items of paper currency using data derived from colour and/or other sensors;

(f) storage of information; (g) control of and transmission of data sent to another microprocessor and memory in the cassette, ^" prior to removal of the cassette from the loading unit; and

(h) control of the locking and unlocking of the locks in the loading unit and the cassette.

The cassette 10 is provided with a facility to stack paper currency and is also provided with a memory and microprocessor - see below. The cassette is designed so rhat, in use, the whole cassette 10 is initially loaded, empty and inert (i. e. with no memory contents - see later) into the loading unit 16 and then the casing 14 is withdrawn, leaving the inner currency-holding part 12 inside the loading unit 15. The manner in which the inner currency-holding part 12 is located and supported in the loading unit 16 is described hereinafter with reference to Figs. 12 and 13. The casing 14 is provided at its rear end with a first electrical solenoid-operated latch 18 to lock the inner part 12 inside the casing 14. The loading unit 16 is provided with a second electrical solenoid-operated latch 20, engageable with the front end of the inner part 12, to lock the inner part 12 inside the loading unit 16. Both solenoid-operated latches 18, 20 may have well-known "over-centre spring" mechanisms or magnetic locks, not shown, to make them bistable, to be self-holding in either the locked positions or the unlocked positions to which they are driven by their respective solenoids, 18a and 20a.

(In an advantageous modification, illustrated in Fig. 14 and described in more detail hereinafter, latch 18 is not solenoid-operated, but is instead motor-driven through a threaded lead screw drive which is much less, ^■ if at all, susceptible to inadvertent or fraudulent release. Latch 20 may be similarly modified - not shown. )

Both latches 18, 20 hook onto, or otherwise latch onto, respective parts of the inner currency-holding part 12 of the cassette 10, at the rear end and at the front end, respectively, of the inner part 12 of the cassette 10. The latch solenoid 18a in the cassette 10 is externally powered, through contacts on the casing 14 (described below) and corresponding contacts of the ^• loading unit 16.

The inner currency-holding part 12 and the casing 14 are adapted and arranged for the inner part 12 to be loaded into and withdrawn through an opening 22 at the front end of the casing 14. Inside the closed rear end of the casing 14, the casing 14 is provided with a spring-loaded button 24, operating a microεwitch 25 in the casing 14 to provide an electrical signal (see below) when the inner currency-holding part 12 is pushed fully home into the casing 14. The signal is also used to ensure that neither the first latch 18 nor the second latch 20 is operated - either to lock or unlock the inner part 12 - except when the inner part 12 is fully pushed home into the casing 14. The signal is also used to cause the microprocessor and memory in the loading unit to record the date and time that the cassette was inserted into the loading unit, and prior to removal of the cassette from the loading unit this signal initiates the transfer of data from the microprocessor and memory in the loading unit to the memory of the cassette. The first latch 18 is counter-balanced about its pivot 18' , so that it cannot be unlatched by application of a knock or jolt to the casing 14. At the rear end of the casing 14 there are two internal compression springs 27, which have to be compressed when the inner part 12 is pushed fully home, the springs 27 being mounted on two posts 27a.

The inner currency-holding part 12 of the cassette 10 comprises a frame 28 with walls 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d extending downwardly from opposite sides of a fixed plate-like element 34 which is at the top of the inner part 12 of the cassette 10 when placed inside the loading unit 16. The fixed plate-like element 34 has a rectangular aperture 36 which is smaller in width than the narrowest bank-note or other piece of paper expected to be inserted into the cassette 10, but longer than the longest one. Beneath the plate-like element 34 there is a resiliently-biased holding element 38 which is mounted on a linkage 40, so that the holding element 38 can be moved up and down, and which is normally urged upwardly by means of a spring 42 towards the underside of the plate-like element 34 to hold the paper currency or other paper between the holding element 38 and the underside of the piate-like element 34. The linkage 40 is - formed by a pair of arms 44, 44 which are pivotally mounted on a shaft 46. carrying the spring 42, the shaft 46 being mounted between the pair of side walls 30c, 30d at the front end of the inner part 12, with the pair of arms 44, 44 extending towards the middle of the inner part 12, where they are pivoted at 44a to the holding element 3-8.

When a bank-note or other piece of paper such as a cheque, credit card voucher or charge card voucher, bank draft or the like is pushed through the aperture 36, the holding element 38 can be pushed a considerable distance below the plate-like element 34, so that the bank-note or other piece of paper' can be pushed completely through the aperture 36, after which the holding element 38 is allowed to return upwardly towards the plate-like element 34, spreading the bank-note or other paper piece out in the process and holding it - and any other previously inserted paper currency, cheques or credit card vouchers or the like - in a stack between the holding element 38 and the underside of the plate-like element 34. In fact, the holding element 38 can be moved much further below the plate-like element 34 than the casing 14 would allow, if the inner currency-holding part 12 of the cassette 10 had been inside the casing 14. However, during the insertion of paper currency and any other paper by means of the loading unit 16, the inner part 12 cf the cassette 10 is not inside its casing 14, which will have been removed, see above.

As the stack of paper grows, the holding element 38 is displaced progressively downwards. The microprocessor of the loading unit counts the number of pieces of paper inserted and this information is used to indicate how full the cassette is. Eventually, holding element 38 operates a icroswitσh 47 (or similar electrical contact) which causes a "FULL" signal to be displayed and prevents any more currency being inserted by switching off a motor (see below).

The casing 14 has an upper wall 48 and a lower wall 50 inter}oined by two side walls 52, 52 and closed at its rear end by one end wall 54. In use, the inner currency-holding part 12 of the cassette 10 is inserted into the casing 14 through the opening 22 at the front end of the casing 14 and the two parts 12, 14 are locked together as described above.

A combined electronic memory and microprocessor, not shown, is provided within the casing 14 and an. external electrical connection can be made to the memory-and- processor via two external electrical contacts 56, 56 on the casing -14, for information to be entered into the memory-and-processor. These external contacts 56, 56 on the casing 14 also serve to conduct the electrical signal to the loading unit 16 from the miσroswitσh 25, operated by the button 24, see above, when the inner currency-holding part 12 is pushed fully home into the casing 14. The external casing 14 contacts 56 are engageable by corresponding electrical contacts 57 (Fig.3) in the loading unit 16 when the casing 14 is fully inserted into the loading unit 16. These contacts- 56, 57 also serve to conduct power to the latch solenoid 18a in the cassette 10.

The loading unit 16 comprises a conventional keypad (or alternatively a customised keypad) 60, with ten digit keys 62_ and a small number of program keys 62_p, for a person authorized to use the loading unit 16 to input predetermined identifying data to be transmitted eventually into the memory-and-processor of the cassette 10. The loading unir 16 also has an LCD (liquid crystal display) panel 54 for message read-out purposes. Program and digit keys are also used to enable the operator to send commands to the loading unit 16. The display panel can be any type, and is not limited to an LCD display.

The loading unit 16 is provided with an opening for the cassette 10, the opening normally being closed by a shutter 65 which is pivoted at 65a, and which has to be manually opened by pivoting the shutter 65 downwardly, in the direction of arrow 65b, to insert the cassette 10. More particularly, the loading unit 16 is adapted to receive both parts 12, 14 of the cassette 10, locked together, the loading unit 16 being adapted to retain the inner currency-holding part 12 of the cassette 10 and to allow the casing 14 to be withdrawn in order for the paper currency to be loaded into the inner part 12 of the cassette 10.

The illustrated loading unit 16 is a stand-alone unit which is separate from any cash till with which it is to be used. However, the loading unit 16 could be designed to be integral with a cash till, or be connected to it physically and/or by electrical means to allow interchange of data and/or information, so that the loading unit can be controlled by the till. In addition, it could be connected to other external apparatus, for example, a computer, for the same purpose or reasons.

In addition to the opening, closed and opened by shutter 65, for the insertion of the cassette 10, the loading unit 16 also has a place for the reception, piece-by-piece or item-by-item, of paper currency. An elastomeric cord conveyor system is provided for automatically conveying the paper currency from the reception place to a location whereat the paper currency is put into inner part 12 of the cassette 10.

Reference is directed to Figs. 3, 4 and' 7 for an understanding of the elastomeric cord conveyor system for the paper currency. (In the following description, references to "horizontal" and "vertical" pulleys are references to pulleys having horizontal axes and vertical axes of rotation, respectively. )

On the right-hand side of the loading unit 16, elastomeric (polyurethane) cord Cl runs from the underside of a horizontal drive pulley PI, near the rear of the loading unit 16, forwards to the underside of a horizontal idler pulley P2 near the front of the loading unit 16, round the top of pulley P2, then back towards the rear of the loading unit 16 again, dipping down to go under another horizontal idler pulley P3, then rising to go over another horizontal idler pulley P4 and on to the top of the drive pulley PI, in the direction of drive, its lower reach travelling forward from pulley PI to pulley P2, its upper reach travelling back from pulley P2 via pulleys P3 and P4 to pulley PI.

Adjacent elastomeric cord C2 extends around the horizontal drive pulley PI and then, from the bottom of pulley PI, forwards towards the inside of an inner vertical idler pulley P5 and then the outside of an outer vertical idler pulley P6 at the front of the loading unit 16, then back to a horizontal idler pulley P7, independently rotatable but coaxial with drive pulley PI, travelling from the bottom to the top of pulley P7, then around an outer vertical idler pulley P8 and inner vertical idler pulley ?9, which are just above and slightly to the rear of pulley P4, and then around drive pulley PI again.

Cords Cl and C2 are close together, to grip paper currency firmly between them, from pulley P4 to pulley PI and then to pulley P2, in the case of cord Cl, and from pulley P9 to pulley PI and then to pulley P5 in the case of cord C2.

On the left-hand side of the loading unit 16, cords Cl' and C2' correspond to the above-mentioned cords Cl and C2, and pulleys PI' to P5' , P7' and P9' correspond to pulleys PI to P5, P7 and P9. There are no pulleys on the left-hand side of the loading unit 16 corresponding to pulleys P6 and P8. Instead, the cord C2' runs from the outside of pulley P5' directly back to pulley P7' , then directly to the outside of pulley P9' , then' from the inside of pulley P9' directly to the topside of drive pulley PI' and then from the underside of drive pulley PI' forward to pulley P5' .

A fifth cord C3, in .between cords Cl, C2 and cords Cl' , C2' , extends around drive pulley PI" and idler pulley P4" , coaxial with pulleys PI and PI' and with idler pulleys P4 and P4' respectively.

Because pulleys P8, P9 and P9' are slightly to the rear of pulleys P4, P4' and P4" , paper currency initially encounters cords Cl, Cl' and C3, before encountering cords C2 and C2' . As shown in Fig. 5, in the region of pulleys P4, P4' and P4" the cords .Cl, Cl' and C3 run in three respective grooves or slots 66' in the underside of a fixed plate 66, gently deforming the paper currency into the shape of the grooves or slots 66' , until the currency is gripped by the cords C2 and C2' . Hence, the loading unit 16 does not snatch the currency, but initially entrains it only gently, in case the operator should wish to straighten it out, and to avoid^'tearing. The drive pulleys PI, PI' and PI", which are co-axial and of equal diameter, are all driven by a motor Ml, via a toothed belt BI running round a pulley P_j,. on the motor shaft and a pulley P1_M which is fast with pulleys PI, PI' and PI". Idler pulleys P7 and P7' are rotatable independantly of drive pulleys PI, PI' and PI". Motor Ml is normally off and is only switched on when the note entry sensor detects the presence of a note and when the switch 47 does not indicate that the cassette is full.

The casing 69 of the loading unit 16 has a relatively large flat surface 70 for the operator to place individual pieces, or items, of paper money upon, to be loaded into the inner currency-holding part 12 of the cassette 10. At the rear end of this surface are guides 72, at the front end of a superstructure 74 carrying the keypad 60. There is a thin slot 76 between the guide 72, at the front end of the superstructure 74, and the surface 70 of the base 69, through which the pieces of paper money are fed_, by the operator, under the guide 72, to be entrained by the cords Cl, Cl' and C3 and then gripped by cords C2 and C2' .

Behind the slot 76 is situated a sensor 76a to detect the presence of a note. The sensor 76a may be photo-electric, mechanical or may use any other suitable technique. As soon as the presence of a note is detected, the sensor causes the motor Ml to rotate in such a direction as to draw the note further into the slot 75 so that it becomes fully entrained by the elastomeric cords Cl, C2, Cl' and C2^f .

Where the pieces of paper currency are to be inserted into the inner currency-holding part 12, the loading unit 16 is provided with an insertion mechanism 80, comprising a vertically reciprocable pusher member 82 which is driven downwardly by operation of the insertion mechanism 80, to push each piece of paper currency right through the aperture 36 in the plate-like element 34, depressing the resiliently-biased holding element 38 against the spring bias, moving successively from the position shown in Fig. 9 to that of Fig. 10 and then that of Fig. 11. In this way, the paper currency is stacked between the underside of the plate-like element 34 and the top of the holding element 38, which returns upwardly under its spring-bias when the pusher member 82 is retracted upwardly by the pusher member drive in the loading unit 16.

The pusher member 82 is a flat plate, shown best in Fig. 6, connected by a "scissor linkage" 84 to a fixed plate 85 above the pusher member. This scissor linkage 84 comprises a drive shaft 86 extending through flanges 82a, 82b depending downwardly from the fixed plate 85. Welded, or otherwise fixed to the drive shaft 86, are top ends 88a, 88a of a first pair of parallel arms 88, 88 of the scissor linkage 84. Bottom ends 88b, 88b of these arms 88 are interconnected by a shaft 90 which extends through elongate slots 92 in a first bracket 94 welded to the pusher member 82. Shaft 90 carries rollers 90a, 90b, see Fig. 6. Top ends 96a of a second pair of parallel arms 96, 96 of the scissor linkage 84 are interconnected by another shaft 98 which extends through elongate slots 100 in a second bracket 102 which is welded to the fixed plate 85, above the first pair of brackets 94. Rollers or a sliding block may also be connected to shaft 98. The second pair of parallel arms 96 cross over the first pair of parallel arms 88 as shown, being pivoted thereto by another shaft 104, and the bottom ends 96b, 96b of the second pair of parallel arms 96 are interconneceted by a shaft 106 which extends through elongate slots 108, 108 in a third bracket 110, welded to the pusher member 82 beneath the drive shaft 86, and carries a roller 109.

Welded to one end of the drive shaft 86 is one end 112a of a drive arm 112, omitted in Fig. 4, the other end 112b (Fig. 7) of which has an elongate slot 114, in which there runs a pin (or a bearing, for example, a ball race) 116 fixed to the rim of a drive pulley ?_M2 on the shaft of a second motor M2. One revolution of pulley P_M_ on the shaft of motor M2 causes the- drive arm 112 to oscillate once, pushing the pusher member 82 once down and then up again, to push paper currency pieces through the aperture 36, see above.

The loading unit 16 is provided with three photo electric cells 118 fitted with respectively different colour filters for detecting the denomination, that is, the nominal value, of each bank-note as it passes the photo electric cells 118, the bank-note being illuminated by a lamp 120 via a mask 122 which directs a narrow beam of light onto the currency, for sensing by the three photo electric cells 118. In this way, the photo electric cells 118 can determine whether a bank-note is £5, £10, £20 or £50 (or any other currency for which it has been programmed). There are some currencies, for example, US$ bills, which a three-colour sensor arrangement (such as cells 118) cannot identify. A possible modification to overcome this, using known technology, would be a large two dimensional array of photo-electric cells adapted to recognise patterns or characters from which a note could be uniquely identified. This would enable the loading unit 16 to be used for many different currencies, for example, U. S. dollar bills, "U.S. $'s", French francs, "FF's", German deutschmarks "DM's", Japanese yen "Y's" or whatever. The loading unit 16 may or may not be equipped to detect forgeries or counterfeits. It should be possible to modify the loading unit 16 to incorporate sophisticated devices for this purpose.

Bank notes may be fed in oriented any way round, since the apparatus is programmed to recognise a bank note whichever way up the note is oriented when inserted. However, the apparatus may be programmed, if required, to require all bank notes to be inserted oriented all the same way round (for example, with a head facing upwardly). Hence all notes in the stack will face the same way, which is a benefit for the receiving location later. However, speed of use is faster if the apparatus is set up to make it unnecessary to input all the notes oriented all the same way round.

Information is not recorded in or input to the memory of the cassette directly. It is recorded in the memory of the loading unit and, prior to the removal of the cassette, the information, together with other data, is transferred to the memory of the cassette. Relevant information, including information pertaining to the loading of currency, vouchers, cheques etc. is transferred to the memory of the cassette immediately prior to removal of the cassette from the loading unit. The loading unit 16 is adapted -under normal automatic operation to reject a piece of paper which is not recognized as a currency note (that is, a unit of paper currency) by the photo electric cells and associated circuitry. However, keypad 60 of the loading unit 16 has an override control key, not shown, so that the sales assistant can enter the value of the note manually and can cause the loading unit 16 to accept the note for insertion into the cassette 10, despite non-recognition of the note. The use of the override is recorded in the memory of the loading unit. In case the cassette 10 is required to receive cheques and/or credit card vouchers, the sales assistant is able to operate the above-mentioned override control so as to cause the loading unit 16 to accept the cheque or voucher for insertion into the cassette 10, despite non-recognition of it. The use of the override is similarly recorded in the memory of the loading unit. Also, when the override is used, the operator is able to use the keypad to input manually the nominal value of the inserted paper, as well as identifying it as a.cheque, credit card voucher or charge card voucher, or whatever. This information is input to the memory of the loading unit. Hence, the memory of the loading unit stores information about each individual piece of paper currency or other piece of paper, as to the date and time of insertion, whether bank note or voucher or cheque etc. , its orientation and its value or nominal value. The microprocessor of the loading unit can perform calculations, such as the total (or daily total) amount of paper currency inserted, and/or the total (or daily total) value of vouchers and/or cheques inserted, and/or the total (ox daily total) for each nominal value of currency note.

In addition, the loading unit 16, which is equipped with a memory and a microprocessor, may be used for accumulating data on the currency inserted into successive cassettes 10. The loading unit 16 may be equipped to transmit to a cash till, to a computer or to other apparatus the accumulating data. Besides reading actual currency notes, the loading unit 16 allows the value of cheques and charge/credit card vouchers to be keyed in as described above.

Reference is made to F gs. 12 and 13 for a description and illustration of how the inner currency-holding part 12 is located and supported inside the loading unit 16. More particularly, the loading unit 16 has two side frames 124, to the outsides of which two leaf springs 126 are respectively fixed by rivets or screws 126a. A respective wedge 128, of nylon or other, preferably plastics, material, is fixed to a free end portion 126b of each leaf spring 126. The wedges 128 protrude inwardly through openings 124a in side frames^' 124, with the leaf springs 126 lying flat against the side frames 124, when the cassette is not inside the loading unit 16.

As the cassette 10 is inserted into the loading unit 16, the front end of the casing 14 of the cassette 10 engages the sloping surfaces 128a of the wedges 128 and pushes the wedges 128 apart, so that the wedges 128 slide along the sides of the casing 14 of the incoming cassette 10.

As the casing 14 is withdrawn (see above) the leaf springs 126 thrust the wedges 128 inwardly until a recess 128b in the top of each wedge 128 is engaged by a downwardly projecting lug 127 at the respective side of the inner currency-holding part 12, thereby locating the inner currency-holding part 12 both laterally and vertically, for supporting it against the considerable force of the insertion mechanism 80 (see above). One or more tapered pegs 129 (Fig. 3) inside, and forming part of, the loading unit 16 each enter a respective hole 131 at the front end of the inner currency-holding part ^"12 to help locate and support the latter.

Later re-insertion of the casing 14 (see above) causes the wedges 128 to be moved outwardly again, against the spring-bias of the leaf springs 126, due to re-engagement of the sloping surfaces 128a. When it is required for the cassette 10 to be removed, the casing 14 is inserted (through the opening 65) into the space in the loading unit 16 so as to slide over the inner currency-holding part 12 of the cassette 10, displacing the wedges 128, until the two parts 12, 14 of the cassette 10 can be locked together by operation of the first latch 18. Locking together of the two parts 12, 14 of the cassette 10 produces an electrical signal (by means not shown) at the electrical contacts 56 on the outside of the casing 14, the electrical signal being picked up by the contacts 57 of the loading unit 16 and used to enable the inner currency-holding part 12 of the cassette 10 to be unlocked from the loading unit 16, by operation of the second latch 20, so that the inner currency-holding part 12 can be withdrawn, locked to the casing 14, from the loading unit 16 when the casing 14 itself is withdrawn from the loading unit 16. The signal also causes the loading unit 16 to input, into the memory-and-processor of the cassette 10, the date and time of withdrawal of the cassette 10 and also data concerning the paper currency held within the cassette 10, preferably including the valuer of cheques and vouchers (see above) as well as data identifying the loading unit 16 as such and also identifying the person operating the loading unit 16. In use, a person authorized to use the equipment inputs into the loading unit 16, by means of the keypad 60, their ID (identity) and PIN (secret Personal Identity Number). The person concerned is provided with a cassette 10 which is empty of paper and has a cleared memory. The two cassette parts 12, 14 are initially locked together. The cassette 10 is loaded into the loading unit 16 until the cassette contacts 56 engage the loading unit contacts 57 and the inner currency-holding part 12 of the cassette 10 can be locked by means of the second latch 20 to the loading unit 16, allowing the casing 14 to be electrically unlocked by means of the first latch 18 from the inner part 12 so that the casing 14 can be withdrawn from the loading unit 16. For the loading unit 16 to carry out this preliminary operation, the authorized person will have had to enter a "PIN" ("Personal Identification Number" ) code into the loading unit 16 by means of the keypad 60, as mentioned above.

Then, as bank-notes which are surplus to the "float" in the cash till *(not shown) become available, the person feeds them into the loading unit 16, which then conveys them (unless rejected) to the point where they are pushed by the pusher member 82 into the inner currency-holding part 12 of the cassette 10 as described above. Provision may be made for a different person to take over the same cassette 10, (the new person entering his or her new "PIN") and for the memory of the loading unit to record data identifying the new person and the time of the changeover, so that paper (whether paper currency or other paper, see above) inserted by the new person can be distinguished from that inserted by the previous person. This information is transferred to the memory of the cassette prior to removal of the cassette from the loading unit.

At the end of the day, or when the cassette 10 is full, or (possibly) when a different person takes over, a procedure for withdrawing the cassette 10 can be carried out, involving re-entry of the "PIN" (see above), reinsertion of the casing 14 until the two cassette parts 12, 14 can be locked together, the inner currency-holding part 12 becoming able to be unlocked from the loading unit 16 and the latter transferring the data concerning contents etc. into the memory-and- processor of the cassette 10, which is then withdrawn for transfer to the bark or other authorized receiving location. The data read into the memory-and-processor of the cassette 10 includes, besides the number of five-pound, ten-pound, twenty-pound and fifty-pound notes in the cassette 10, also data identifying the point-of-sale and/or the commercial establishment in which the loading unit is located, and the sales staff operating the loading unit 16.

The system as a whole makes it unnecessary to manually count the currency as the currency is inserted into the cassette 10, thus saving cosiderable time and expense. Secondly, the cassette 10 provides a reasonably secure means for transferring the currency to the bank, since the cassette 10 is strongly constructed to be highly tamper-resistant.

Although there are many ways in which software could be arranged to operate the cassette 10, the loading unit 16 and the receiving location unit, there follows a description of one particular example of suitable software.

In this example, the loading unit 16 issues instructions, causing .or requiring action as appropriate, as follows: -

a)"FIT CASSETTE": this requires the operator to insert an assembled cassette 10, empty and with blank memory, into the loading unit 16, which detects the cassette 10 as having been inserted when the external contacts 56 on the casing 14 are engaged by the corresponding electrical contacts 57 of the loading unit 16, allowing forward transmission of a "Cassette-loaded" signal in the loading unit 16;

b) "PUSH CASSETTE": this requires the operator to push the cassette 10 until the interior button 24 at the rear of the casing 14 is depressed by the inner currency-holding part 12, signalling that the inner part 12 is fully home, that is, fully inserted, in the casing 14; then the software signals the second latch 20, in the loading unit 16, to latch onto the front end of the inner currency-holding part 12 of the cassette 10; at this time, the casing 14 is still locked to the inner currency-holding part 12 by the first latch 18;

c) "ENTER OPERATOR": the operator should then enter his/her identity number;

d) "ENTER P. I.N. ": the Operator then enters the Operator' s Personal Identification Number, known only to the Operator and to personnel such as Security Staff and Senior Management;

e) "PUSH AGAIN": the operator should then again push the cassette 10, so that the interior button at the rear of the casing 14 is again depressed by the inner currency-holding part 12, signalling that the inner part 12 is fully home in the casing 14; then the software signals the first latch 18, in the casing 14, to unlock the casing 14 from the inner part 12 of the cassette 10, so that the casing 14 can be withdrawn;

f) "WITHDRAW CASE": withdrawal of the casing 14 is detected by the casing contacts disengaging from the contacts 57 of the loading unit 16.

In operation, the display on the loading unit 16 displays the date, the time of day, the operator' s identity number, the percentage fullness of the inner part 12 and the value of the last-inserted currency note.

As notes become surplus to requirements in the till drawer, or become avaiabl-e from other sources, they are inserted, one by one, into the receiving aperture 76 of the loading unit. Upon insertion, a sensor, either photo-electric or mechanical or any other type, .senses the presence of a note and causes motor Ml to rotate in such a direction as to cause the note to be drawn into the aperture 76 and to become entrained by the elastomeric cords Cl, C2, Cl' and C2' .

The note is then transported past sensors, as described previously, which cause the note to be identified by the microprocessor. The note is then transported further into a position where it can be inserted by the pusher plate 82 into the inner part 12 of the cassette 10. At this point, the motor Ml ceases to rotate and does not ^• start again until the presence of another note is sensed at the receiving aperture of the loading unit. The operator is required to straighten out paper currency, or other paper, before insertion. Non-currency paper can be inserted manually, using the override key as described above, along with other keys (not shown) identifying the paper as currency, cheques, card vouchers or whatever.

When the Operator desires to withdraw the inner currency-holding part 12 of the cassette 10 from the loading unit 16: -

a' ) the operator operates a "RELEASE" key (not shown) to signal the desire to do so, and inputs his/her "PIN";

b' ) the operator then inserts the casing 14 back into the loading unit 16, until the external casing contacts are engaged by the contacts of .the loading unit 16, as before; this is prompted by a display on the panel during the use of the system;

c' ) "PUSH CASSETTE" is then displayed; the operator pushes the cassette 10 so that the interior button at the rear of the casing 14 is again depressed by the inner currency-holding part 12, signalling that the inner part 12 is fully home in the casing 14; then the software signals the first latch 18, in the casing 14, to lock the casing 14 onto the inner part 12 of the cassette 10; at this point, the loading unit 16 transfers the information about the currency stored in the cassette 10 into the memory-and-processor of the cassette 10, through the contacts of the loading unit 16 and the contacts of the casing 14;

d' ) "PUSH AGAIN": the operator should then again push the cassette 10, so that the interior button at the rear of the casing 14 is again depressed by the inner currency-holding part 12, signalling that the inner part 12 is fully home in the casing 14; then the software signals the second latch 20, of the loading unit 16, to unlock the loading unit 16 from the inner part 12 of the cassette 10, so that the casing 14 can be withdrawn with the inner part 12 of the cassette 10, containing the currency, locked inside it, for transfer to the receiving location.

Referring to Fig. 14, there is illustrated part of a modified cassette 10' in which the latch 18' between the inner currency-holding part 12' and the outer casing 14' is motorised, instead of solenoid-operated. The latch 18' is an L-shaped member which is fixed on an internally-screw-threaded tube 202, into one end of which is screwed a lead screw 204 formed by an extension of a rotor-shaft of an electric motor 206, mounted in the casing 14' . The motor 206 operates to move the latch 18' on tube 202 from the unlocked position shown in solid lines to the locked position shown in dotted lines, and vice versa. Latch 18' operates two limit switches 210, 212 to switch off motor 206 at the two limits of the travel of latch 18' . The cassette 10' comprises two plungers 214, 216 carrying compression springs 217, 218, for biassing the inner part 12' outwardly of the casing.14', against the retention of the latch 18' . Plunger 214 operates a switch 220 (corresponding to switch 25 in Fig. 2) on a circuit board 222, inside casing 14' , when inner part 12' is fully home in casing 14' . The circuit board 222 carries the memory and processor, not shown as such. The cassette 10' has a stacker frame 28' , corresponding to frame 28 (with walls 30a-d) of cassette 10 in Fig.1.

The bank is provided with equipment, referred to as a receiving location unit, for reading the data in the memory-and-processor of the cassette 10 (10' ) and for unlocking the two cassette parts 12, 14 so that the inner currency-holding part 12 can be withdrawn from the casing 14 and the currency can be extracted.

Fig. 15 shows a receiving location unit 300 which may be either an "interrogation unit", to be installed in the cash office of a shop, or a "management unit" to be installed in a bank or cash centre. If it is a management unit, it is adapted to open and close a cassette 10 or 10', that is, to unlock the inner, part 12 or 12' from the casing 14 or 14' . If it is an interrogation unit, it cannot do this.

The unit 300 comprises a housing 302 with a display panel 304, printer 306, keypad 308 and cassette¬ s_' receiving cavity 310, the latter having spring-loaded contacts 312 to make electrical contact with the corresponding contacts on the cassette, analogously to what was described earlier.

The electronics of receiving location unit 300 may display a "menu" of options, such for example as follows: -

"1. IDENTIFY":- this means, identify the loading unit 16 from which the cassette being interrogated was filled; hence, operation of a first key causes the receiving location unit to read and display data identifying the loading unit 16;

"2. CONTENTS":- this means, the contents of the cassette 10 (10' ), so that operation of a second key causes the receiving location unit to read and display data indicating the currency contents of the cassette 10 (10' ) as entered in the memory-and-processor of the cassette 10 (10' ), that is, the numbers of five, ten, twenty and fifty pound notes and the various totals mentioned earlier;

"3. PIN": - hence, operation of a third key enables the official at the receiving location to enter his/her own Personal Identity Number;

"4. PRINT": - operation of a fourth key causes the receiving location unit to print-out the data on printer 306;

"5. OP": - operation of a fifth key causes the receiving location unit to read and display data indicating the identity of the Operator at the loading unit;

"6. " (U )LOCK" : - operation of a sixth key causes the receiving location unit to display a sub-menu saying: -

" 1. LOCK. 2. UNLOCK. " : - this invites operation of the first or the second key to lock, or unlock, respectively, the casing 14 and the inner currency-holding part 12 of the cassette 10 (10' ), by corresponding operation of the first latch 18, inside the casing 14.

It is to be understood that the apparatus could be adapted to operate with other paper currency than pounds sterling. Indeed, the apparatus could be programmed to accept several different paper currencies simultaneously, which would be useful at airports, seaports and currency-changing establishments. Advantageously, the loading unit 16 includes photoelectric cell means, not shown, for measuring the length and width of each piece of paper currency, in known manner, for use in identification purposes. Given that the paper currency notes are fed lengthwise, the length may be determined from the product of multiplying the rate of feed by the time that the photoelectric cell means senses the paper. The width would have to be determined by a transverse array of photoelectric cells.

The loading unit 16 may have an electronic or optical link with an associated cash till and/or other ^" apparatus, such as a receiving location unit, see above, for one-way or two-way flow of information and/or commands. An information and/or command link between a loading unit and other apparatus (possibly a central computer) may be direct or may be indirect (via a cash till). The loading unit may be adjacent to, or remote from, an associated cash till. It does not have to be immediately adjacent a cash till. However, a modified loading unit, not shown, may be physically integrated with a cash till if desired.

Claims

Claims : -

1. A paper currency handling apparatus comprising a cassette for the paper currency and a loading unit for receiving the paper currency and loading the paper currency into the cassette, said loading unit being adapted for the cassette to be inserted into the loading unit and subsequently removed therefrom for transfer elsewhere, said loading unit being adapted to receive the paper currency one item at a time and to load the paper currency into the cassette one item at a time, the apparatus comprising means to read and evaluate automatically each individual item of the paper currency, the cassette comprising a memory adapted to store information provided by the loading unit as to the value of the paper currency loaded into the cassette by the loading unit.

2. A paper currency handling apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cassette and the loading unit are adapted for the cassette to be locked in the loading unit by means adapted to prevent or at least greatly hinder unauthorised removal of the cassette.

3. A paper currency handling apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said means to read and evaluate automatically each individual item of the paper currency forms part of said loading unit.

4. A paper currency handling apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the apparatus is adapted to enter details of the date and/or the time of day of loading each individual item of paper currency into^' the memory of the cassette.

5. A paper currency handling apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said memory stores the value and the date and time of reception of each individual item of paper currency.

6. A paper currency handling apparatus as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein said cassette comprises a microprocessor, connected to the memory.

7 A paper currency handling apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said loading unit is adjacent to, or integral with, a cash till.

8 A paper currency handling apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the cassette comprises a cuwpart.-nent or the paper currency, Vith .a'.-cess to the compartment for the paper currency to be put into the compartment by said loading unit, a memory for storing information about the contents of the cassette, means for making an external connection to said memory for entry of said information by said loading unit and for making an external connection to said memory for reading of said information at another location, means for locking the compartment closed and securely closing said access when the transfer is to be made and enabling opening of the compartment, whereby the paper currency can be removed,, at the other location.

9. A paper currency handling apparatus as claimed in claim 8, the cassette being in two parts, a first one of which is adapted to be inserted into the loading unit for the putting into the compartment of the paper currency, the second one of which parts is adapted to form a casing for the first part during the transfer, the cassette comprising means to lock the two parts together during the transfer.

10. A paper currency handling apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the second cassette part is provided with external electrical contact means for the said external connections to be made to the memory.

11. A paper currency handling apparatus as claimed in claim 9 or 10, wherein the first part is longitudinally slidable into and out one end of the second part, which forms a casing for the first part, the other end of the second- part being permanently closed and being provided with at least part cf the means for locking the two parts together during the transfer.

12. A paper currency handling apparatus as claimed in claim 9, 10 or 11, wherein the first part comprises at least part of a mechanism for stacking the paper currency.

13. A paper currency handling apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein said first part of the cassette comprises a fixed plate-like element having an aperture therein for the paper currency to be pushed through the aperture from one side to the other side of the fixed plate-like element, and a resiliently-biased holding element arranged movably on said other side of the plate-like element and normally urged towards said other side of the plate-like element to hold the paper currency between the holding element and said other side of the plate-like element.

14. A paper currency handling apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein said holding element is mounted on a spring-biased linkage.

15. A paper currency handling apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the memory is part of said second part of the cassette.

16. A paper currency handling apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the cassette includes a microprocessor.

17. A paper currency handling apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the loading unit comprises means for automatically rejecting paper which it does not recognise as paper currency.

18. A paper currency handling apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein the loading unit comprises selectively operable means for overriding such rejection by an authorised person at the location of the loading unit, whereby the apparatus can be made to accept such paper and load it into the cassette.

19. A paper currency handling apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein the loading unit comprises selectively operable means for entering a nominal value as the value of such paper.

20. A paper currency handling apparatus as claimed in claim 13 or 14 or in any one of claims 15 to 19 read as dependant from claim 13 or 14, wherein the loading unit comprises means for feeding paper currency to a loading location, within the loading unit, whereat a pusher mechanism of the loading unit automatically pushes the paper currency through said aperture.

21. A paper currency handling apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the loading unit comprises pairs of moving belts and/or cords between which the paper currency is fed by being carried along thereby.

22. A paper currency handling apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the loading unit comprises a microprocessor and memory and is adapted to input information into the memory of the cassette immediately prior to removal of the cassette.

23. A secure cassette for the transfer of paper currency from one location to another location, the cassette comprising a compartment for the paper currency, with access to the compartment for the paper currency to be put into the compartment at said one location, a memory for storing information about the contents of the cassette, means for making an external connection to said memory device for entry of said information at said one location and for making an external connection to said memory for reading of said information at the other location, means for locking the compartment closed and securely closing said access when the transfer is to be made and enabling opening of the compartment, whereby the paper currency can be removed, at the other location.

24. A cassette as claimed in claim 23, the cassette being in two parts, a first one of which is adapted to be inserted into a loading unit for the putting into the compartment of the paper currency, the second one of

' which parts is adapted to form a casing for the first part during the transfer, the cassette comprising means to lock the two parts together during the transfer.

25. A cassette as claimed in claim 24, wherein the second cassette part is provided with external electrical contact means for the said external connections to be made to the memory.

26. A cassette as claimed in claim 24 or 25, wherein the first part is longitudinally slidable into and out one end of the second part, which forms a casing for the first part, the other end of the second part being permanently closed and being provided with at least part of the means for locking the two parts together during the transfer.

27. A cassette as claimed in claim 24, 25 or 26, wherein the first part comprises at least part of a mechanism for stacking the paper currency.

28. A cassette as claimed in claim 27, wherein said first part of the cassette comprises a fixed plate-like element having an aperture therein for the paper currency to be pushed through the aperture from one side to the other side of the fixed plate-like element, and a resiliently-biased holding element arranged movably on said other side of the plate-like element and normally urged towards said other side of the plate-like element to hold the paper currency between the holding element and said other side of the plate-like element.

29. A cassette as claimed in claim 28, wherein said holding element is mounted on a spring-biased linkage.

30. A cassette as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 29, in combination with a loading unit at said one location for putting the paper currency into the compartment, the loading unit comprising means for receiving paper currency and for automatically putting the paper currency into the cassette or into a part of the cassette, said combination comprising means to read and evaluate automatically paper currency put into the cassette, for the value to be stored in the memory.

31. The combination as claimed in claim 30, wherein the loading unit comprises said means to read and evaluate automatically paper currency put into the cassette, for the value to be stored in the memory.

32. The combination as claimed in claim 31, wherein the loading unit comprises means for rejecting paper which it does not recognise as paper currency.

33. The combination as claimed in claim 32, wherein the loading unit comprises selectively operable means for for overriding such rejection by an authorised person at the location of the loading unit, whereby the apparatus can be made to accept such paper and load it into the cassette.

34. A paper currency handling apparatus as claimed in claim 33, wherein the loading unit comprises selectively operable means for entering a nominal value as the value of such paper.

35. The combination as claimed in any one of claims 30 to 34, wherein the cassette is as claimed in claim 28 and wherein the loading unit comprises means for feeding paper currency to a loading location, within the loading unit, whereat a pusher mechanism of the loading unit automatically pushes the paper currency through said aperture.

36. The combination as claimed in any one of claims 30 to 35, wherein the loading unit comprises pairs of moving belts and/or cords between which the paper currency is fed by being carried along thereby.