A banknote drive arrangement of a banknote validator includes a combination roller drive and belt drive to improve the passage of banknotes from a validating head to a banknote stacking position where a banknote is pushed and stacked in a cashbox. The invention is also directed to a cashbox and a banknote validating head that cooperates to define a curved transition in a banknote processing channel linking an outlet of the validating head to a banknote stacking position associated with a connected cashbox.
G07D 7/00 - Testing specially adapted to determine the identity or genuineness of valuable papers or for segregating those which are unacceptable, e.g. banknotes that are alien to a currency
A cashbox is provided with a movable latch that is driven by a banknote to a blocking position if an attempt to 'phish' a stacked banknote from the cashbox occurs. The latch arrangement is easily pivoted in one direction from a neutral position to a clear position during stacking of a banknote. If an attempt is made to 'phish' a stacked banknote, the banknote being "phished" causes rotation of the latch arrangement from the neutral position to a banknote inlet blocking position retaining the banknote in the cashbox.
G07D 7/00 - Testing specially adapted to determine the identity or genuineness of valuable papers or for segregating those which are unacceptable, e.g. banknotes that are alien to a currency
A banknote drive arrangement adjacent a banknote inlet repositions and drives a banknote into a banknote processing pathway for validation. The drive arrangement includes two drive rollers preferably spaced either side of a longitudinal axis of the pathway and adjacent to the banknote inlet. Each drive roller is separately controlled to allow different rotational speeds thereof (and forward and rearward movement Of a banknote) to allow shifting of a received end portion of a banknote before receiving the entire length of the banknote. This arrangement is preferably used with a sensing arrangement for sensing misalignment of an inserted banknote and if sensed, using the different rotational speeds to correct misalignment and preferably center a banknote in the processing pathway.
G07D 7/00 - Testing specially adapted to determine the identity or genuineness of valuable papers or for segregating those which are unacceptable, e.g. banknotes that are alien to a currency
A variable length banknote drive path is advantageously used to provide a continuous drive path between components of an automated payment system. The banknote drive path includes at least a first inlet/outlet for receiving or outputting banknotes from the payment system and a movable second inlet/outlet for connecting with components provided along the drive path. With this arrangement the second inlet/outlet moves to provide a continuous drive path between components exchanging banknotes.
B65H 29/60 - Article switches or diverters diverting the stream into alternative paths
B65H 29/12 - Delivering or advancing articles from machines; Advancing articles to or into piles by means of the nip between two, or between two sets of, moving tapes or bands
B65H 5/02 - Feeding articles separated from piles; Feeding articles to machines by belts or chains
G07D 7/00 - Testing specially adapted to determine the identity or genuineness of valuable papers or for segregating those which are unacceptable, e.g. banknotes that are alien to a currency
The drive arrangement of a currency validator includes a drive roller release mechanism that provides release of the rollers from a drive shaft. This release allows a banknote to be forcibly withdrawn without damaging a drive train or the drive roller. The drive roller is supported on and rotatable about a drive shaft, The drive shaft includes an intermediary drive ring secured on the shaft and in engagement with the drive roller. A spring bias urges the drive roller to engage and rotate with rotation of the shaft and the intermediary drive ring secured on the shaft. When necessary the drive roller can rotate relative to the shaft by overcoming the spring bias.
G07D 7/00 - Testing specially adapted to determine the identity or genuineness of valuable papers or for segregating those which are unacceptable, e.g. banknotes that are alien to a currency
6.
ENERGY-EFFICIENT COMPACT DEVICE FOR DISPENSING AND ACCUMULATING BANK NOTES
The invention relates to an apparatus for accumulating and dispensing bank notes of various length, width and condition without appreciable deformation of current note and displacement of previously stacked notes, preferably having a device connected in series to verify genuineness of bank notes inserted. Apparatus comprises a lockable removable box with a note transfer, stacker and dispensing mechanism. A note transfer mechanism comprises a belt drive with at least one spring claw for gripping note leading edge. Stacker mechanism comprises two reversible frames with longitudinal revolving panels on their side segments. Dispensing mechanism comprises spring loaded roll pallet with outlet gate. A note is pulled into apparatus by means of gripper under the belt translation. The notes stack or bundle is formed due to reversible motion of frames with corresponding side panels revolving. At the dispenser embodiment the bundle of notes slides out due to cooperative motion of driving belt and roll pallet. Belt and frames drivers are operated by microcontroller. Proposed apparatus is characterized by a simple and therefore economical compact flat construction, multi- purposing using, low energy consumption and high rapidity of action.
G07D 7/00 - Testing specially adapted to determine the identity or genuineness of valuable papers or for segregating those which are unacceptable, e.g. banknotes that are alien to a currency
An improved drive arrangement for side engaging members of a banknote centering mechanism uses a rack and pinion combination. A low torque motor drives a spur gear that engages opposed rack gears of the side engaging members. This power transfer from the motor to the side engaging member is cost effective and provides good precision.
B65H 9/00 - Registering, e.g. orientating, articles; Devices therefor
G07D 7/00 - Testing specially adapted to determine the identity or genuineness of valuable papers or for segregating those which are unacceptable, e.g. banknotes that are alien to a currency
A validator with a lighted bezel having a series of spaced lighted segments to one side of a banknote slot provides functional information and also defines an attract mode for potential purchasers. The validator is designed to enhance and to complement the traditional advertising used by the associated equipment or systems such as a vending machine. Preferably, a pulsing light sequence for turning lighted bar segments of different lengths is used.
G07D 7/00 - Testing specially adapted to determine the identity or genuineness of valuable papers or for segregating those which are unacceptable, e.g. banknotes that are alien to a currency
Vending or gaming machines typically use a communication protocol such as a MDB (multi drop bus) communication protocol to allow effective communication between a host controller and a series of peripheral devices including bill validators and coin changers. An intelligent adapter is provided to allow communication with a banknote validator and recycler to allow banknotes to be provided as change without updating the protocol of the vending or gaming machine. The intelligent adapter acts as an intermediary whereby the peripheral connected thereto opposite in their normal manner and the host controller operates in a manner supported by its protocol. The intelligent adaptor is used to provide the recycling banknote function as an additional capability of the coin changer and appropriately readdresses or coordinates the signals to or from the peripheral devices to the host controller.
An enhanced validator cooperates with a host device using a modified Multi-Drop Bus Protocol. The enhanced validator includes a banknote recycler to allow banknotes to be temporarily stored from banknotes provided to the validator and provided as change necessary to complete future transactions. The defining of the combination of a banknote validator, banknote recycling cassette and a banknote storage cassette as an enhanced validator simplifies the changes necessary to the Multi-Drop Bus Protocol. This arrangement and definition allows the enhanced validator to function as a conventional validator without recycler in the event the communication protocol of the lost device has not been updated. A preferred arrangement for the components of the enhanced banknote validator is also disclosed.
G07D 7/00 - Testing specially adapted to determine the identity or genuineness of valuable papers or for segregating those which are unacceptable, e.g. banknotes that are alien to a currency
A cost effective latch and alignment mechanism for a banknote cassette and a cassette receiving frame uses a magnetic latch providing a magnetic force cooperating with the cassette to move it to and be releasably maintained in a final aligned position. Preferably a permanent magnet attached to the cassette receiving frame cooperates with the metal of the cassette to provide the magnetic bias and locking force.
A banknote cassette advantageously uses injection molded endcaps to capture and secure a connecting sleeve to collectively form a generally rectangular housing of the banknote cassette. A movable access lid cooperates with the endcaps and connecting sleeve for locking of the cassette. Preferably, a banknote slot is formed as part of one of the endcaps to provide precision in the size of position of the banknote slot. The endcaps can be used with different sized connecting sleeves to simplify the manufacture of different capacity banknote cassettes. Preferably, the connecting sleeve is of a metal material.
A banknote acceptor illuminates a banknote as it passes through an evaluation channel in a manner to locate the banknote in the width of the channel . A photo sensor array receives reflected light from the surface of the banknote and has a series of responsive divisions across an illuminated banknote. These divisions are sampled and analysed according to the banknote position to determine the authenticity of the banknote. Both apparatus and method steps are disclosed.
A banknote stack receiving structure is provided in front of a banknote validator for sequentially passing banknotes to the validator in a serial manner. A first drive arrangement engages one side of an exposed banknote and urges the banknote towards the validator. A restrictive drive cooperates with the first drive and a banknote must pass between opposed rollers of the drives to move to the validator. The restrictive drive roller contacts the opposite side of the exposed banknote but may also contact an overlapping banknote. The restrictive drive rotates to feed a banknote to the validator if a single banknote is present and automatically rotates in an opposite direction if overlapping banknotes are present. This automatic direction of rotation is due to slippage between banknotes and overcoming a low torque motor of the restrictive drive when a single banknote is present.
A cassette having a scissor type linkage for displacing a received substrate payment from an initial receiving guide to a storage arrangement is powered by a two bar drive linkage. The two bar drive linkage has one bar connected to said housing and the free end of the other bar member connected adjacent a central pivot of the scissor type linkage. A link member is connected to the pivot connection of the bars to each other with an opposite end connected to a worm driven crank arm. The drive linkage provides a mechanical advantage as a payment substrate is added to the storage arrangement.
B65H 1/04 - Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated adapted to support articles substantially horizontally, e.g. for separation from top of pile
16.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING OVERLAPPED SUBSTRATES
An apparatus and method for detection of overlapped substrates, that are at least opaque, analyses a high frequency component caused by speckle for a sudden drop therein. This high frequency component drops dramatically when overlapped substrates are present and therefore allows fast accurate recognition of an overlapped substrate condition. This is useful in many applications including banknote validators.
G01N 21/892 - Investigating the presence of flaws, defects or contamination in moving material, e.g. paper, textiles characterised by the flaw, defect or object feature examined
G01B 11/30 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring roughness or irregularity of surfaces
G07D 7/12 - Visible light, infrared or ultraviolet radiation
B65H 7/12 - Controlling article feeding, separating, pile-advancing, or associated apparatus, to take account of incorrect feeding, absence of articles, or presence of faulty articles by feelers or detectors responsive to presence of faulty articles or incorrect separation or feed responsive to double feed or separation
A banknote acceptor and dispenser uses a stacked configuration of the validator the banknote accumulator and dispenser and the banknote cassette. The banknote path is relatively short to avoid bill misalignment by- providing the banknote accumulator and dispenser in the intermediary position.
A banknote validator/dispenser having a plurality of banknote accumulators includes a computer control module that stores banknote receipt and dispensing transaction history information. The computer control module uses this information as part of a statistical analysis used to vary an operating procedure of the banknote validator/dispenser. In one embodiment, the operating procedure is associated with a decision whether to accept a transaction requiring the dispensing of change from banknotes stored in the banknote accumulators. This decision includes an assessment of the ability to accept future transactions if the current transaction is accepted. In a different embodiment the operating procedure is associated with a change in the denomination of banknotes being accumulated. This change is assessed, based on the statistical analysis, including an assessment of the operating performance of the current setup and the operating performance of a proposed setup and preferably, an assessment of a decrease in performance during a transition period.
patents
