Registers – Systems controlled by data bearing records – Banking systems
Reexamination Certificate
2002-07-17
2004-11-30
Lee, Diane I. (Department: 2876)
Registers
Systems controlled by data bearing records
Banking systems
C705S035000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06824046
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a cash dispenser, for dispensing and receiving bank notes. In particular, the present invention is directed to a cash dispenser including a housing with a receiving space for at least one bank note storage unit, a dispensing mechanism associated with the storage unit for removing individual bank notes from the storage unit, a bank note transport mechanism for transporting the bank notes between the storage unit and a control panel of the cash dispenser, a power supply unit and a control mechanism for controlling the functions of the cash dispenser.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There exists up to now no methods for positively securing cash from undesired access during the circulation of cash in commerce and banks. Security problems always appear at the interfaces, when for example cash must be removed from the safe system or must be resupplied to the cash dispenser.
Usually in cash dispensing/depositing machines, bank note containers or cassettes are used, which have to be filled or emptied in central loading or filling stations. For the stationary securing of cash at cash handling places and cash dispensers, strong boxes are used in which the bank note containers are placed. The transport of the bank note cassettes is carried out mostly through the use of valuables transport service performers. For this today, by regulation, professional associations in Germany are required to have an armored vehicle with three employees. The situation in other countries is analogous. Customarily one employee must watch the armored vehicle while the two others undertake a cassette exchange or refill cash on the spot. This high consumption of personnel and material is necessary to defend against attacks or to prevent manipulation by the cash deliverers themselves (“the four-eye principal”). Very high costs are connected with this type of cash security.
Based on the foregoing, the present invention has as its basic object the provision of a cash dispenser of the aforementioned kind which makes possible a gapless security of the cash circulation between the cash dispensers and the associated bank with low personnel and material expense.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This object is solved in accordance with the invention by a closable and lockable box shaped container containing at least one bank note storage unit, a first bank note conveyor which connects a withdrawal device with a pass-through slot in the container wall, a drive for the withdrawal device and for the first bank note conveyor, a first control unit for controlling the functional units enclosed in the container, and a security mechanism which upon unauthorized manipulation of the container makes the bank notes contained in it unusable, the receiving space of the housing of the cash dispenser for receiving the container being so formed that the housing contains a second bank note conveyor for connecting the pass-through slot of the container with the control panel as well as a second control unit for controlling the functional units connected to the housing, and the container having an interface connected with the drive and the first control unit in the container for connection of the same to the second control unit.
In the solution according to the invention, the container because of the security mechanism contained in it replaces the previously required strong box, the transport security trunk and the armored vehicle, and makes possible a gapless security process as well as a new concept in the construction of cash dispensers. The container forms a mobile strong box which as an encapsulated, closed unit can be quickly and securely connected with the stationary portion of the cash dispenser. Since the container because of the security mechanism contained in it need not be armored it can be handled by a single person. An armored vehicle is likewise not needed. Accordingly, this reduces the above-described expense and associated costs drastically.
EP 0 692 599 BI already describes indeed a system for the protected transport of articles such as checks, bank notes and the like with a security system containing container, which can be loaded into or removed from a docking station. The docking station has, in this case, however, only the function and opening and locking of the container without tripping into action the self-destruction mechanism. A removal of bank notes from the container without opening the same is neither mentioned nor are the there described means suited to making possible a use of the container in a cash dispenser.
Essential to the classification of the container as a mobile strong box is the fact that the single opening in the strong box wall is a pass-through slot for bank notes. All functional units which are necessary for pushing the withdrawn bank notes through the pass-through slot are arranged inside of the container. Along with the pass-through slot only through openings are required for conductors which connect the interface with the functional units inside of the container. Therefore, the interface for connecting the functional units contained by the container to the power supply unit of the cash dispenser can be so formed that the control conductors and the power supply conductors have to be guided through the container wall. The remainder of the container, however, is entirely closed. Either a bank note conveyor or a drive element (for example, a power take off shaft), must be inserted into the container from its outside. This entails a further opening in the upper surface of the container which cannot be sufficiently secured against manipulation. To prevent a control of the functional elements by a non-authorized person through the control conductors, it is advantageous if the communication between the first control unit of the container and the second control unit in the stationary portion of the cash dispenser is coded. In this way it is assured that the container can be emptied only by the cash dispenser with which it is associated. In the case of theft of the container, there exists no possibility of emptying it, without forceable opening, by the help of reconstructing the cash dispenser or the like.
The concept of a cash dispenser according to the invention makes it possible to on one hand design the container to be robust and compact and on the other hand to also be of light weight, so that it can be transported by one man. Since during the transport of the container large stretches and also height differences must be traversed it is advantageous if the container is connected with wheels so that it need not be carried all the time by the transport person. Advantageously, the container is arranged on an undercarriage and is adjustable relative to the undercarriage between a lower transport position and a lifted position, in which lifted position it is insertable into the receiving space of the cash dispenser. The undercarriage can be made somewhat like a sack carrier on which the container is adjustably guided. To more easily lift the container, the undercarriage can have arranged on it a lifting mechanism, such as for example, a gas spring or the like, which upon the opening of a latch lifts the container on the undercarriage or at least assists in such a lifting.
In the receiving space of the cash dispenser are advantageously provided guide elements intended to cooperate with complementary elements on the container, or on the undercarriage, which make possible an exact positioning of the container as well as especially an exact positioning of the interface relative to the corresponding connection station of the cash dispenser. Insofar as the container may be provided with a grip, the grip can be arranged pivotally or removably on the container so that it does not interfere with the closing of the receiving space. To be able to respectively supply or withdraw bank notes into and from the storage unit or storage units in the container, the container includes, in a way known in itself, a container body and a lid movable relative to the container body
Brexel Dirk
Carozzi Andrea
Holland-Letz Gunter
Voss Hans-Günther
Caputo Lisa M.
Lee Diane I.
McCormick Paulding & Huber LLP
Wincor Nixdorf GmbH & Co. KG
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