Payment equipment with banknotes for cash registers or POS terminals

Abstract

 Payment equipment with banknotes (60) for a cash register or POS terminal having deposit compartments (63-1, 63-2, 63-3 and 63-4) for banknotes (BN) of different denominations. The equipment (60) also has function of dispensing with recycling and comprises at least one output port (82), a recognition unit (74) and separating and dispensing mechanisms (81-1, 81-2, 81-3 and 81-4) for the banknotes of the deposit compartments. The apparatus (60) comprises a casing of substantially parallelepiped shape with a height slightly greater than the height of the admissible banknote (BN) of greater height and with movement and deposit of the banknotes substantially vertical and support on a longer edge. An electronic control unit (77) actuates moving mechanisms (67) and deflectors (76-1, 76-2, 76-3 and 76-4), for directing the recognized banknotes toward the deposit compartments. The electronic control unit (77) rejects the not recognized banknotes, transmits banknotes in excess to an overflow module (71) and actuates the separating and dispensing mechanisms (81-1, 81-2, 81-3 and 81-4) functionally to the dispensing of banknotes (BN) of change.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a payment equipment with banknotes for cash registers or POS terminals.

[0002] More specifically, the invention relates to a payment equipment with banknotes for cash registers or POS terminals, comprising a casing, an input port and deposit compartments for banknotes of different denominations, in accordance with the introductory part of the main claim.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Devices for depositing banknotes of cash registers or POS terminals connected to central host systems are present in supermarkets, shopping centers, retailer sites and shops in general, connected to a central host system. Such devices are generally constituted by cash drawers equipped with compartments for banknotes of different denominations.

[0004] In a typical transaction, at the time of payment, scanning devices detect the price from the label of the purchased items with visualization of the amounts. In the case of a purchase by cash, upon receipt of the banknotes and coins for payment, the cashier will type in the values, which are displayed by the cash registers or POS terminals, while the central system calculates and records the amounts and the change. The cashier then proceeds to open the cover of the cash drawer for accessing to the compartments, puts the received banknotes, by denomination, in the respective compartments, withdraws banknotes and coins of change from other compartments, issues a receipt of the executed transaction and gives change and receipt to the customer.

[0005] The problem of using cash drawers with compartments for the banknotes regards the fact that the operations of collecting, counting, depositing of the received banknotes and handling of the change are carried out manually. This can give rise to errors highlighted by a lack of balancing between the values physically present in the cash drawer and the recorded amount. Further, of course, the lack balancing can be determined by misappropriation of the missing values.

[0006] In the case of self-service cash, the customer directly provides to the operations of detection of the due amounts, payment and withdrawal of the change, by means of ATM or similar equipments. These equipments are complex and costly, in particular when the machines should also provide for recycling the deposited banknotes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] An object of the invention is to provide a payment equipment with banknotes for cash registers or POS terminals, of limited dimensions and cost, which automates the operations of cashing and handling of the change with recycling of the deposited banknotes, and reduces the possibility of errors or misappropriations.

[0008] In accordance with this object, the payment equipment with banknotes comprises a recognizing unit, downstream of the input port, for recognizing authenticity and denomination of the entered banknotes, separating and dispensing mechanisms actuatable for separating the banknotes of the deposit compartments and directing the banknotes toward at least one output port, and an electronic control unit for selectively actuating the moving mechanisms, the recognizing unit, the diverting mechanisms and the separating and dispensing mechanisms for the depositing and dispensing of the banknotes. The casing is of substantially parallelepiped shape and has a height slightly greater than the height of the admissible banknotes of greater height and with handling and depositing of banknotes substantially vertical and support on a longer edge. An electronic control unit responds to information of authenticity of the recognizing unit for actuating the moving mechanisms and the diverting mechanisms to divert the recognized banknotes to the deposit compartments in association with the respective denominations, while it responds to information of non-authenticity of the recognizing unit for actuating the movement mechanisms and the diverting mechanisms so as to reject the banknote recognized as not genuine.

[0009] The payment equipment of the invention ensures an automated management of the flow of banknotes at the cash point, with control of the banknotes in transit during the payment and recycling phases, and as replacing of a conventional cash drawer.

[0010] Moreover, the equipment of the invention allows to be used directly by customers in self-service cash points and with possibility of safe transportation of the banknotes with anti-tampering systems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0011] The characteristics of the invention will become clear from the following description, given purely by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

Fig 1 represents a perspective view of a payment equipment with banknotes for cash registers or POS terminals in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention;

Fig 2 is a schematic plan view of the equipment of Fig 1;

Fig 3 shows a block diagram of the equipment of Fig 1.

Fig 4 represents a perspective view of a payment equipment with banknotes for cash registers or POS terminals in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention;

Fig 5 is a schematic plan view of the equipment of Fig 4;

Fig 6 shows a block diagram of the equipment of Fig 4; and

Fig 7 represents a perspective view of a variant of the payment equipment with banknotes of Fig 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

First embodiment of the invention

[0012] In Figs. 1, 2 and 3, a payment equipment with banknotes 32 is represented with 31. The equipment 31 comprises a casing 33 having internally deposit compartments 34-1, 34-2, 34-3 and 34-4.

[0013] The payment equipment 31 is operatively connected to a cash register or POS terminal 36, in turn connected to a central host system HC, a scanning device 37 and a coin depositing and dispensing device 38. Such devices can be of known type and are herein not described.

[0014] According to the invention, the payment equipment 31 comprises an input port 41 for the banknotes 32 and, inside the casing 33, guiding members 42-1, 42-2, 42-3 and 42-4, moving mechanism 43 for the banknotes and feeding mechanisms 44. The guiding members 42-1, 42-2, 42-3 and 42-4 define movement paths for the banknotes between the input port 41 and the deposit compartments 34-1, 34-2, 34-3 and 34-4.

[0015] In the equipment 31, the banknotes 32 are introduced, on an individual basis, through the input port 41. The moving mechanisms 43 are provided for moving the banknotes 32 along the guiding members 42-1, 42-2, 42-3 and 42-4, while the feeding mechanisms 44 ensure the introduction of the banknotes in the compartments 34-1, 34-2, 34-3 and 34-4.

[0016] The payment equipment 31 comprises a recognizing unit 46, diverting mechanisms 47-1, 47-2, 47-3 and 47-4 and an electronic control unit 48. The recognizing unit 46 is disposed downstream of the input port 41 and is designated for recognizing denomination and authenticity of the banknotes 32. The diverting mechanisms 47-1, 47-2, 47-3 and 47-4 are actuatable for defining diverted paths of the banknotes toward the deposit compartments 34-1, 34-2, 34-3 and 34-4.

[0017] The electronic control unit 48 responds to information from the remote system HC in association with information of the recognizing unit 46 and is provided for actuating the moving mechanisms 43 and the diverting mechanisms 47-1, 47-2, 47-3 and 47-4. This, in order to direct the validated banknotes toward the deposit compartments 34-1, 34-2, 34-4 and 34-3, in dependence on the respective denominations and functionally to a selective storage of the banknotes 32 in the deposit compartments.

[0018] If the recognizing unit 46 does not recognize the banknote 32 in examination or recognizes the banknote as not genuine, it sends a signal of non-recognition to the electronic control unit 48. Then, the unit 48 provides for actuating an input section of the moving mechanisms 43 to return the banknote 32 to the input port 41 and generates an alert signal.

[0019] The casing 33 is of a substantially parallelepiped shape and has a limited footprint area for an easier arrangement in a cash space of the shop. The height of the casing 33 is slightly greater than the height of the receivable banknotes 32 of greater height and the banknotes are moved and stacked substantially in vertical with support on a longer edge. For example, the casing 33 has approximately a width of 400 mm, a height of 140 mm and a depth of 350 mm.

[0020] Conveniently, the equipment 31 can be coupled with an overflow module 52, or is provided of an overflow compartment 51 defining an overflow module, and comprises an overflow moving mechanism 53. The module 52 comprises overflow guiding members 54 which are part of the compartment 51 when the module is of an integrated type. The moving mechanism 53 is actuatable for directing the not admissible banknotes 32 to the overflow module 52 or the compartment 51 along the overflow guiding members 54.

[0021] In Fig 2, the diverting mechanisms 47-1, 47-2, 47-3 and 47-4 are arranged in series along the guiding members 42-1, 42-2, 42-4 and 42-3, while the overflow moving mechanism 53 and the overflow guiding member 54 are arranged downstream of the diverting mechanism 47-4. The transfer of the banknotes 32 in excess or not storable in the deposit compartments is not allowed by a deflected position of the diverting mechanisms 47-1, 47-2, 47-3 and 47-4.

[0022] The equipment 31 comprises overflow sensors or overflow recognition means, not shown in the figures, for the deposit compartments 34-1, 34-2, 34-3 and 34-4. The electronic control unit 48 responds to information from the central system and/or from the overflow sensors or the overflow recognition means for actuating the overflow moving mechanism 53. This, in order to direct toward the overflow module 52 or the overflow compartment 51 and storing the entered banknotes 32 exceeding the storage capacity of the deposit compartments.

[0023] The overflow module 52 is optionally removable, or can integrate a box or a depositing device as self-sealing sack for a transport by staff. In alternative, the module 52 can integrate a depositing device in capsule, connected with a pneumatic system for a transfer of the capsules to a protected area by means of a pneumatic system. An example of such system is described in the patent application W02010/131284.

[0024] The deposit compartments 34-1, 34-2, 34-3 and 34-4 are provided for storing banknotes of small and medium denominations, while the overflow module 52 and the overflow compartment 51 are provided for receiving high-value banknotes and the banknotes of small and medium denominations exceeding the capacity of the compartments.

[0025] In the case of use of the equipment 31 for banknotes of the Euro system, the deposit compartments 34-1, 34-2, 34-3 and 34-4 are provided, respectively, for receiving the denominations of 5 Euro, 10 Euro, 20 Euro and 50 Euro. The overflow module 52 or the overflow compartment 51 can receive in turn the banknotes of 100 Euro, 200 Euro and 500 Euro and the banknotes of 5 Euro, 10 Euro, 20 Euro and 50 Euro exceeding the storage capacity of the deposit compartments.

[0026] The cash register or POS terminal 36, directly or through the central system HC, takes into account the entered banknotes and the delivered banknotes and saves in memory the contents of the deposit compartments 34-1, 34-2, 34-3 and 34-4 and the overflow module 52 or the overflow compartment 51 for recording the stored values and managing the conditions of full.

[0027] According to the invention, the payment equipment 31 comprises, in association with the deposit compartments 34-1, 34-2, 34-3 and 34-4, separating and dispensing mechanisms 56-1, 56-2, 56-3 and 56-4 and at least one output port for the banknotes 32. The separating and dispensing mechanisms are designated for separating and dispensing the banknotes 32 stored in the deposit compartments 34-1, 34-2, 34-3 and 34-4 and sending the banknotes to the output port or the output ports of the equipment 31.

[0028] In the first embodiment of the invention of Figs. 1-3, the payment equipment 31 has more output ports which comprise output slits 57-1, 57-2, 57-3, 57-4 of the casing 33. The output slits 57-1, 57-2, 57-3 and 57-4 are arranged in correspondence of the separating and dispensing mechanisms to present to the cashier the banknotes separated by the separating and dispensing mechanisms 56-1, 56-2, 56-3 and 56-4 and partially extracted from the casing 33.

[0029] The input port 41 of the equipment 31 is arranged at a side of the casing 33 in a conventionally front part, the deposit compartments 34-1, 34-2, 34-3 and 34-4 are at a side of the port 41 and the overflow module 52, when present, is arranged at a conventional rear part of the casing. The output slits 57-1, 57-2, 57-3 and 57-4 are formed on the front part of the casing 33, close to the input port 41 and in correspondence of the deposit compartments.

[0030] In operating conditions, the equipment 31, on control of the cash register or POS terminal 36, ensures the automated management of the flow of banknotes at the cash point. Specifically, the equipment 31 responds to information of payment of the cash register or POS terminal 36 and information on the banknotes of payment entered through the input port 41 for providing the change through the output slits 57-1, 57-2, 57-3 and 57-4. To this end, the electronics unit 48 actuates one or more of the separating and dispensing mechanisms 56-1, 56-2, 56-4 and 56-3, for the withdrawal of the requested banknotes recycled from the banknotes stored in the deposit compartments 34-1, 34-2, 34-3 and 34-4.

[0031] A transaction carried out by a POS with the equipment 31 provides the detection of the price on the purchased items by the scanning device 37 and the displaying of the respective amounts. For a purchase by cash, with regard to the processing of the banknotes, the cashier introduces the banknotes, one after the other, in the input port 41. The entered banknotes 32 are recognized, validated, recorded and sorted into the deposit compartments 34-1, 34-2, 34-3 and 34-4, and/or into the overflow module 52 or the overflow compartment 51, with unidirectional movement, while the amounts are displayed. The same operations can be performed directly by the customer in a self-service cash point, without any use of complex ATM equipments.

[0032] If the banknotes have been considered as not genuine or not recognized, the electronic unit 48 actuates an input section of the moving mechanisms for causing the banknotes to return into the input port 41.

[0033] When the entered banknotes have resulted in a higher amount than that due for payment, for example, the central HC system calculates and displays the change. Through the electronic unit 48, the system actuates one or more of the separating and dispensing mechanisms 56-1, 56-2, 56-3 and 56-4 by taking from the deposit compartments the banknotes of change, makes available these banknotes on the exit slits 57-1, 57 -2, 57-3 and 57-4 and finally emits a receipt of the executed transaction. This, without any possibility for the cashier or the customer to access to the banknotes stored in the equipment 31.

Second embodiment of the invention

[0034] In Figs. 4, 5 and 6 a payment equipment for banknotes BN, in accordance with the invention, is represented with 60. The equipment 60 comprises a main body 61 with a casing 62 and having inside deposit compartments 63-1, 63 -2, 63-3 and 63-4.

[0035] Also the payment equipment 60 has dispensing function, with recycling of received and stored banknotes and capacity of operative connection with a cash register or POS terminal CR, a central system HC, a scanning device SD and a coin storing and dispensing device CD.

[0036] The payment equipment 60 comprises an input port 64 for the banknotes BN, guiding members 66-1, 66-2, 66-3 and 66-4, moving mechanisms 67 for the banknotes, here of bidirectional type, and feed mechanisms 68. The guiding members 66-1, 66-2, 66-3 and 66-4 define paths for the banknotes in movement between the input port 64 and the deposit compartments. The moving mechanisms 67 are provided for moving the banknotes BN along the guiding members 66-1, 66-2, 66-3 and 66-4, while the feed mechanisms 68 ensure the introduction of banknotes into the deposit compartments 63-1, 63-2, 63-3 and 63-4. The banknotes BN are stacked horizontally as stacks keeping a vertical arrangement with support on the longer edge.

[0037] An overflow module 71 is associated to the payment equipment 60 for storing the banknotes BN not receivable by the deposit compartments 63-1, 63-2, 63-3 and 63-4.

[0038] In the second embodiment of the invention of Figs. 4, 5 and 6, the overflow module 71 is separable from the equipment 60 and is arranged below the main body 61. The module 71, for example, receives the banknotes BN by means of the moving mechanisms 67 (Fig. 2), along overflow guiding members 72, through a conveyer 73 and further mechanisms, not shown, of the equipment 60.

[0039] As in the payment equipment 31, the payment equipment 60 comprises a recognizing unit 74, diverting mechanisms 76-1, 76-2, 76-3, 76-4 and an electronic control unit 77. The recognizing unit 74 is arranged downstream of the input port 64 and is provided for recognizing denomination and authenticity of the banknote BN. The diverting mechanisms 76-1, 76-2, 76-3, and 76-4 are actuatable for defining deviated paths for the banknotes toward the deposit compartments 63-1, 63-2, 63-3 and 63-4 and the overflow module 71.

[0040] The electronic unit 77 responds to information from the remote system in association with information of the recognizing unit 74 for actuating the moving mechanisms 67 and the diverting mechanisms 76-1, 76-2, 76-3 and 76-4. This, in order to direct the validated banknotes toward the deposit compartments 63-1, 63-2, 63-3 and 63-4, in dependence on the respective denominations and functionally to the selective deposit of the banknotes in the compartments.

[0041] Separating and dispensing mechanisms 81-1, 81-2, 81-3 and 81-4 and pressing elements are lodged in the deposit compartments 63-1, 63-2, 63-3 and 63-4. The pressing elements are provided for pushing the stacks of banknotes BN against the separating and dispensing mechanisms, according to known techniques, while the separating and dispensing mechanisms are provided for separating the banknotes from the stacks of the deposit compartments and directing them individually toward the guiding members 66-1, 66-2, 66-3 and 66-4.

[0042] The casing 62 is of a substantially parallelepiped shape and of limited footprint area to allow the equipment 60 to be easily lodged in as space even small of the shop. The height of the casing 62 is slightly greater than the height of the admissible banknote BN of greater height. For example, the casing 62 has a width of 320 mm, a depth of 520 mm and a height of 190 mm approx. These limited dimensions are the result of the specific solution of the invention, with movement and storage of banknotes substantially upright and support on a longer edge.

[0043] The payment equipment 60 of the second embodiment of the invention comprises a single output port 82, a guiding member 84 and an output moving mechanism 86. The output port 82 is provided for receiving the banknotes BN from the deposit compartments, 63-1, 63-2, 63-3 and 63-4 by means of the moving mechanisms 67, through the guiding members 66-1, 66-2, 66-3 and 66-4, the guiding member 84 and the output moving mechanism 86. Moreover, the output port 82 has also a function of a rejection port for the banknotes not recognized by the validation unit 74.

[0044] The input port 64 is provided for receiving, with top loading, more overlapped banknotes BN. An input separating mechanism 91 is operative in the input port 64 for individually separating the received banknotes and an input moving mechanism 92 directs the separated banknotes toward the recognizing unit 74.

[0045] The electronic unit 77 actuates selectively the separating and dispensing mechanisms, the moving mechanisms and the diverting mechanisms functionally to the dispensing of the banknotes into the output port 82. When the recognizing unit 74 does not recognize the banknote BN under examination or recognizes it as not genuine, it sends a signal of non-recognition to the electronic unit 77. The unit 77 provides for actuating the output moving mechanism 86 and the diverting mechanism 76-1 to reject the not recognized banknote into the output port 82 and generates an alert signal.

[0046] In the equipment 60, the input port 64 is arranged on an upper part, in use, of the casing 62, in correspondence of a conventionally front wall 97. The output port 82 also insists on this wall 97. In particular, the output port 82 has an inclined tile 98 (Fig. 4) on which rest the outgoing banknotes BN to facilitate the user to grip the banknotes to be withdrawn. The deposit compartments 63-1, 63-2, 63-3 and 63-4 (Fig. 5) are aligned on a right side of the casing 62, behind the input port 64, with arrangement of the banknotes perpendicular to this side. The diverting mechanisms 76-1, 76-2, 76-3 and 76-4 are arranged in series between the guiding members 66-1, 66-2, 66-3 and 66-4, to the left of the deposit compartments and adjacent to the left side of the casing 62, together with the moving mechanisms 67.

[0047] The payment equipment 60 (Fig. 4) is provided with a lid 99 on the upper part of the casing 62, provided with a lock, of access to the deposit compartments 63-1, 63-2, 63-3 and 63-4 and the associated mechanisms.

[0048] In the embodiment of Fig 4, the overflow module 71 is provided with a drawer 101 also having a respective lock, while the exceeding banknotes BN can be stored in an overflow compartment 100, similar to the deposit compartments 63-1, 63-2, 63-3 and 63-4. Conveniently, the overflow module 71 can use, in alternative, other containers for banknotes with anti-tampering systems, such as cassettes with safety devices for controlled transport, sacks with or without means for automatic welding of the edges, or a storage device in capsule, for a pneumatic system of values transfer. The drawer 101 is extractable from the front wall in order to access the overflow compartment 100 or other container for unloading or reloading operations of the banknotes.

[0049] The overflow module 71 can also comprise a loading compartment 103 for banknotes to be loaded into the deposit compartments 63-1, 63-2, 63-3 and 63-4. A load separating mechanism 104 is operative in the compartment 103 for individually separating the loaded banknotes. A moving mechanism of the loading compartment 103, not shown in the figures, directs the banknotes separated and to be loaded toward the conveyor 73 for a load transfer into the deposit compartments 63-1, 63-2, 63-3 and 63-4.

[0050] Also the equipment 60 comprises overflow sensors or overflow recognition means, not shown, for the deposit compartments 63-1, 63-2, 63-3 and 63-4. The electronic control unit 77 responds to information from the remote system and/or the overflow sensors or the overflow recognition means to direct toward the overflow module 71 and storing the entered banknotes BN exceeding the capacity of the deposit compartments.

[0051] The deposit compartments 63-1, 63-2, 63-3 and 63-4 are provided for handling banknotes BN of small and medium denominations, while the overflow module 71 is provided for receiving high-value banknotes and banknotes of small and medium denominations exceeding the capacity of the compartments.

[0052] In the case of use of the equipment 60 for banknotes BN of the Euro system, the deposit compartments 63-1, 63-2, 63-3 and 63-4 are provided for receiving the denominations of 5 Euro, 10 Euro, 20 Euro and 50 Euro. The overflow module 71 can receive in turn the denominations of 100 Euro, 200 Euro and 500 Euro and the banknotes of 5 Euro, 10 Euro, 20 Euro and 50 Euro exceeding the capacity of the deposit compartments.

[0053] In a further variant of the payment equipment 60, instead of an overflow module 71, a banknote collecting device in sack, optimized for the safe transport, can be provided and in which the sack collects all the banknotes in excess.

[0054] The cash register or POS terminal CR takes into account the entered banknotes and the delivered banknotes and saves in memory the contents of the deposit compartments 63-1, 63-2, 63-3 and 63-4 and the overflow module 71 to record the stored values and manage the conditions of full.

[0055] In operating conditions, the equipment 60 ensures automated management and recycling of the flow of banknotes BN of the cash point on control of the cash register or POS terminal CR. Specifically, the device 60 responds to information of payment amounts of the cash register or POS terminal CR and payment information on entered banknotes through the input port 64 to provide the change through the output port 82. To this end, the electronic unit 77 actuates one or more of the separating and dispensing mechanisms 81-1, 81-2, 81-3 and 81-4, with withdrawal of the requested banknotes from the banknotes stored in the deposit compartments 63-1, 63-2, 63-3 and 63-4.

[0056] In conditions of use for a transaction carried out by a POS provided with the equipment 60, the price of the purchased items will be detected by the scanning device SD and the respective amounts are displayed. For a cash purchase, with reference to the processing of banknotes, the user can introduce more overlapped banknotes into the input port 64. The banknotes are separated, individually transferred to the validation unit 74, recognized, validated, recorded and sorted into the deposit compartments 63-1, 63-2, 63-3 and 63-4, or into the overflow module 71, while the amounts are displayed.

[0057] For banknotes considered not genuine or not recognized, the electronic unit 77 actuates the moving mechanisms 67 and 86 for moving the not validated banknote along the guiding member 88 and transferring it, for the withdrawal, into the output port 82.

[0058] When the entered banknotes have resulted in an amount higher than the one to be paid, according to a non-limiting example, the central system HC calculates and makes display the change. Through the electronic unit 77, the system actuates the separating and dispensing mechanism or more separating and dispensing mechanisms 81-1, 81-2, 81-3 and 81-4, withdrawing the banknotes of change from the deposit compartments, moving the banknotes up to the output port 82, and finally makes issue to the cash register CR a receipt of the executed transaction.

[0059] The cashier can now withdraw the change and the receipt to be given to the customer, without access to the stored banknotes. Even in this case, payment and withdrawal of the change and the receipt can be made directly by the customer in a self-service cash point.

[0060] Naturally, the principle of the invention remaining the same, the embodiments and the details of construction of the payment equipment with banknotes can broadly be varied with respect to what has been described and illustrated, by way of non-limitative example without, by this, departing from the ambit of the invention.

[0061] For example, another payment equipment in accordance with the invention, here indicated with 106, is shown in Fig 7. The equipment 106 is similar to the payment equipment 60 and has an overflow module 107 similar to the overflow module 71. The equipment 106 has the input port 64, the output port 82 and the deposit compartments 63-1, 63-2, 63-3 and 63-4 aligned and adjacent to the right side of the casing, but in which the overflow module 107 is arranged at a left side of the deposit compartments.

[0062] The overflow module 107 is integrated with the payment equipment 106 and the equipment 106 has a casing 108, similar to the casing 62 and with the cover 99, but which also covers the overflow module 107.

[0063] The payment equipment 106 comprises a rejection vertical slit 109 on the front of the casing 108, specific for the not recognized banknotes, while the overflow module 107 has an extractable drawer and an overflow compartment 111, similar to the compartment 100, mounted on the drawer 111. The drawer 111 is arranged at the left side of the casing 108 and is frontally removable, while the guiding members, the moving mechanisms, the diverting mechanisms and the rejection slit 109 are arranged on a central area of the casing 108.

Claims

1. A payment equipment with banknotes for a cash register or POS terminal, comprising a casing, deposit compartments for banknotes of different denominations, an input port for the banknotes, guiding members and moving mechanism for entered banknotes and diverting mechanisms actuatable for defining diverted paths of the banknotes toward the deposit compartments; said payment equipment being characterized in that it also has a dispensing and recycling function with at least an output port and further comprises
a recognizing unit, downstream of the input port, for recognizing authenticity and denomination of the entered banknotes;
separating and dispensing mechanisms actuatable for individually separating the banknotes stored in the deposit compartments and directing them toward the output port or the output ports, and
an electronic control unit for selectively actuating the moving mechanism, the recognizing unit, the diverting mechanisms and the separating and dispensing mechanisms, functionally to the deposit and delivery of the banknotes, in which
the casing is of substantially parallelepiped shape and has a height slightly greater than the height of admissible banknotes of greater height and with movement and deposit of the banknotes substantially vertical and support on a longer edge, and in which
the electronic control unit responds to information of authenticity of the recognizing unit for actuating the movement mechanisms and diverting mechanisms so as to divert the recognized banknotes to the deposit compartments in association with the respective denominations, while said control unit responds to information of non-authenticity of the recognizing unit for actuating the movement mechanisms and the diverting mechanisms so as to reject the banknote recognized as not genuine.

2. Payment equipment in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is coupled to an overflow module or integrated with an overflow module and comprises overflow sensors or overflow recognition means for the deposit compartments and in which the electronic control unit responds to information from the overflow sensors or the overflow recognition means for actuating an overflow mechanism so as to direct toward the overflow module and store the banknotes exceeding the storage capacity of the deposit compartments.

3. Payment equipment according to claim 1 characterized in that said deposit compartments are provided for handling banknotes of small and medium denominations, while an overflow module or an overflow compartment is provided for receiving banknotes of high denomination and banknotes of small and medium denominations exceeding the capacity of the deposit compartments.

4. Payment equipment in accordance with claim 1 or 2 or 3, characterized in that the input port is provided for receiving more banknotes with top loading, and in which a separating and dispensing member is provided for individually separating the received banknotes and directing them toward the recognizing unit.

5. Payment equipment in accordance with one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises a single output port and in which the electronic control unit responds to the information of non-authenticity so as to reject in said output port the banknote recognized as not genuine.

6. Payment equipment in accordance with claim 5 characterized in that the input port, the output port and the deposit compartments are arranged substantially in alignment, while the guiding members, the moving mechanisms and the diverting mechanisms are arranged at a side of the deposit compartments.

7. Payment equipment in accordance with claim 2 characterized in that said equipment has a main body and in which said overflow module is arranged beneath the said main body.

8. Payment equipment in accordance with claim 2 characterized in that said overflow module is arranged at a side of said casing.

9. Payment equipment in accordance with claim 2 or one of the claims subordinate thereto characterized in that the overflow module comprises a box container, or a sack container or a pneumatic capsule container with anti-tampering systems for safe transport systems.

10. Payment equipment according to claim 7 characterized in that said overflow module comprises an extractable drawer of support for a cassette container, or a sack container, or a capsule container for a pneumatic system of value transfer.

11. Payment equipment in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is associated to a loading compartment for banknotes to be loaded into the deposit compartments.

12. Payment equipment in accordance with one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that said casing defines output slits in correspondence of the deposit compartments and in which the separating and dispensing mechanisms are actuatable for separating the banknotes stored in the deposit compartments and directing them, with delivery to the output slits.

13. Payment equipment in accordance with claim 12 characterized in that the electronic control unit responds to information of non-authenticity of the recognizing unit for actuating the moving mechanisms so as to move back into said input port the banknote recognized as not genuine.

14. Payment equipment in accordance with claim 12 or 13 characterized in that it provides an overflow compartment and an overflow moving mechanism actuatable for directing non-receivable banknotes from said deposit compartments toward the overflow compartment and overflow sensors or overflow recognition means for the deposit compartments, and in which the electronic control unit responds to information from the overflow sensors or the overflow recognition means for actuating the overflow moving mechanism so as to direct toward the overflow compartment and store in said overflow compartment the banknotes exceeding the storage capacity of the deposit compartments.

15. Payment equipment in accordance with claim 12 or 13 or 14 characterized in that the input port is at a side of the casing on a conventionally front portion, the deposit compartments are at a side of the input port and the output slits are arranged on said front portion, while the overflow compartment, when it is present, is arranged on a conventionally rear portion of the casing.

Drawing