METHOD AND ASSEMBLY FOR ESTIMATING THE ACTIVE LIFE OF PRODUCTS

Abstract

 The invention relates to a method for estimating the active life of products configured for being collected and reissued by a provider, the method comprising the steps of: providing a group of products; dividing the group of products into multiple collections, wherein dividing is performed on basis of one or more properties of the respective product; for each of the multiple collections, delivering the collection to an external party, thereby registering a period of time during which the collection is delivered; for each of the multiple collections, determining the average delivery point of time of the period of time in which the one collection is delivered; collecting products which are returned to the provider from an external party, thereby registering the return point of time for each of the returned products; for each returned product, determining to which collection the returned product belonged at the time of delivering the respective product; and for each returned product, determining the time elapsed between the average delivery point of time of the determined collection, and the return point of time, thereby determining the active life of the returned product.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] The invention relates to a method and assembly for estimating the active life of products configured for being collected and reissued.

[0002] Currently, the conventional method for estimating the active life, for example, of banknotes includes the steps of registering the time at which a respective banknote is produced, registering the time at which the respective banknote is taken out of circulation due to, for example, defects to the respective banknote, and determining the time elapsed between the time at which the banknote is produced, and the time at which the banknote is taken out of circulation. The elapsed time is considered to correspond to the active life of the respective banknote.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] During the life of products, such as banknotes, the products may be stored in a storage, such as a bank vault, waiting to be brought into circulation for the first time or again. A disadvantage of the known method for estimating the active life of products, such as banknotes, is that the storage time is included in the estimation of the active life of the respective product. As the respective product is subject to no or very little wear during storage, including the storage time in the estimation of the active life of the respective product gives a false impression about the actual active life of the respective product.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method for estimating the active life of products, or to provide an alternative method for estimating the active life of products.

[0005] According to a first aspect, the invention provides a method for estimating the active life of products configured for being collected and reissued by a provider, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a group of products;
• dividing the group of products into multiple collections, wherein dividing is performed on basis of one or more properties of the respective product;
• for each of the multiple collections, delivering the collection to an external party, thereby registering a period of time during which the collection is delivered;
• for each of the multiple collections, determining the average delivery point of time of the period of time in which the one collection is delivered;
• collecting products which are returned to the provider from an external party, thereby registering the return point of time for each of the returned products;
• for each returned product, determining to which collection the returned product belonged at the time of delivering the respective product; and
• for each returned product, determining the time elapsed between the average delivery point of time of the determined collection, and the return point of time, thereby determining the active life of the returned product.

[0006] During use of the method according to the invention, a group of products, such as banknotes, is provided. The group of banknotes is divided into multiple collections of banknotes, wherein, for example, each collection comprises banknotes having a determined denomination. After the group of banknotes is divided into multiple collections, each of the collections is delivered to an external party during a period of time. For each delivered collection, the period of time, during which the collection is delivered, is registered. Knowing the period of time, it is possible to determine the average delivery point of time. After delivering a banknote to an external party and when the respective banknote has returned to the provider, the return point of time is registered and it is determined to which collection the respective banknote belonged at the time of delivering the respective banknote. When it is determined to which collection the banknote belonged, the average delivery point of time is known. By determining the time elapsed between the average delivery point of time and the return point of time, it is determined how much time the respective banknote has been away from the provider. Thus, the active life of the respective banknote can be estimated, which estimation is more accurate in comparison with the estimation provided by the conventional method of estimating the active life of a banknote.

[0007] Another advantage of the method according to the invention can be that the provider gains better insights in when such products have to be replaced by new products. The provider, therefore, instead of guessing when products need to be replaced and keeping a large number of products in stock, can order new products when it is necessary to replace the products. Therefore, the number of products in stock at the provider can be decreased.

[0008] Additionally, it is possible to determine how much time a product has spent in storage during the whole life of the product, and/or to determine how fast a product is delivered to an external party after manufacturing thereof.

[0009] In an embodiment the step of providing the group of products comprises the step of collecting products which are returned to the provider. An advantage of this embodiment is that products which have been delivered to an external party before, can be delivered to an external party again. Every time the product is delivered to an external party and is returned to the provider, the time which the product was away from the provider can be determined again.

[0010] In an embodiment the step of providing the group of products comprises the step of providing a group of new products. An advantage of this embodiment is that also for new products it is determined when they are delivered to an external party and when they are returned to the provider, such that the active life of each of the products can be determined.

[0011] In an embodiment the step of dividing the group of products into multiple collections comprises the following steps:

• by means of a scanner, scanning each of the products to determine at least one property of each of the products; and
• by means of a sorter, sorting the products on basis of the at least one determined property of each of the products. In case the products are banknotes, the scanner for example scans each banknote to determine the denomination and the serial number of the respective banknote. The banknotes within one collection preferably all have the same denomination. The serial numbers of the banknotes are registered in association with the respective collection to which the banknotes belong. When the banknotes are returned from an external party to the provider, the serial number and denomination of each banknote can be used to determine to which collection the respective banknote belonged at the time of delivering the respective banknote.

[0012] In an embodiment thereof, the at least one determined property comprises the condition of the returned product and wherein one or more products of the group are removed when it is determined that the condition of the returned product does not meet predetermined stipulations. In a further embodiment thereof, the step of sorting the products comprises the step of, by means of a sorter, removing one or more products of the group of products based on the determined condition of each of the products. In the context of this embodiment, the condition of a product has to be understood as, for example, the level of wear of the product, whether the product is broken or not, and the visual appearance of the product. A returned product of which the condition does not meet the predetermined stipulations is also called an unfit product. An advantage of this embodiment is that if it is determined that the condition of a returned product does not meet predetermined stipulations, that the sorter removes the unfit product while simultaneously the remaining returned products, of which the conditions do meet the predetermined stipulations, are sorted/divided into multiple collections.

[0013] In an embodiment the step of dividing the group of products into multiple collections comprises the steps of:

• optionally by a controller, saving the respective property of each product into a database;
• for each product, assigning the product to a collection of the multiple collections digitally based on the respective property; and
• optionally, for each product, storing the product in a warehouse, optionally wherein for each product the location within the warehouse is saved at the database in relation to the respective product. An advantage of this embodiment is that the determined respective property is used for assigning each product to one of the multiple collections digitally, and that the location of each product in a warehouse is saved at the database in relation to the respective product, and thus the saved determined property thereof. For example, a collecting device can collect one or more collections of products from the warehouse using the database in which it is saved which product belongs to which collection and at which location within the warehouse the product is stored. It, therefore, can be possible to apply an automatic collecting device in order to collect a specific collection of products to be delivered to an external party.

[0014] In an embodiment the step of dividing the group of products into multiple collections comprises the steps of:

• physically grouping the products of each of the multiple collections; and
• optionally, storing each collection in a warehouse, wherein the products of each of the multiple collections are stored in vicinity of each other. An advantage of this embodiment is that, for example, a person collecting a specific collection of the multiple collections is enabled to find all products of the specific collection in vicinity of each other, therewith preventing that the person has to search for a longer time in order to collect all products belonging to the specific collection.

[0015] In an embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of, for each returned product, optionally by means of a controller, storing the determined active life at a database, and preferably combining determined active lives for each product that is delivered to and returned from an external party two or more times. An advantage of this embodiment is that the total active life of each product, i.e. the total time that each product was in possession of one or more external parties, which total active life may be composed of multiple determined active lives of the product, i.e. periods of time during which the product was in possession of one or more external parties, is determined for each product. The determined total active life of each product can be used, for example, to predict when other similar products have to be replaced, to determine the operating costs of each product, and/or to manage the amount of new products in stock.

[0016] In an embodiment, the step of, for each of the multiple collections, delivering the collection to an external party, comprises the step of, for each of the multiple collections, delivering the products of the respective collection with a period of time of 7 days or less, preferably of 5 days or less, preferably of 3 days, and/or of, optionally by means of a scanner, scanning each of the multiple collections while being delivered to an external party. As described above, for each delivered collection, the average delivery point of time is determined. By delivering the products of one collection within a period of time as short as possible the standard deviation of the determined average delivery point of time is small in comparison with the standard deviation of the average delivery point of time of a longer time period. For example, when a collection is delivered to an external party within three days, the standard deviation is smaller than when a collection is delivered to an external party within 7 days. This has to be understood as that the actual delivery point of time does not deviate more than the standard deviation from the average delivery point of time. The active life of each product, therefore, can be estimated accurately.

[0017] In an embodiment, the method further comprises the step of storing at least one of the multiple collections, after the step of dividing the group of products into multiple collections. An advantage is that the provider of the products has a stock of products, such that the provider is able to respond to an increased demand of products.

[0018] In an embodiment, the products are selected from a group comprising banknotes. In a further embodiment thereof, when the products are banknotes, the property on basis of which the group of products is divided into the multiple collections is the denomination represented by each of the banknotes, preferably wherein serial numbers of the banknotes are used to register to which collection of the multiple collections each of the banknotes belongs and to determine to which collection each of the returned banknote belonged at the time of delivering the respective banknote.

[0019] According to a second aspect, the invention provides an assembly for estimating the active life of products configured for being collected and reissued by a provider, the assembly comprising a scanner for scanning a group of products, the assembly further comprising a controller operatively connected to the scanner, wherein the controller is configured for:

• for a group of provided products, dividing the group of products into multiple collections, wherein dividing is performed on basis of a property of the respective product, which property is scanned by the scanner;
• for each of the multiple collections delivered to an external party, registering a period of time during which the collection is delivered and determining the average delivery point of time of the period of time in which the collection is delivered;
• for each product which is returned to the provider from an external party, registering the return point of time for each of the returned products and determining to which collection the returned product belonged at the time of delivering the respective product; and
• for each returned product, determining the time elapsed between the average delivery point of time of the determined collection, and the return point of time, thereby determining the active life of the returned product.

[0020] The assembly according to the invention provides at least the same advantages as mentioned in relation to the method according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0021] In an embodiment, the scanner further is configured for determining the condition of the returned product.

[0022] In an embodiment, the assembly further comprises a sorter configured for sorting the products on basis of the at least one determined property of each of the products. In a further embodiment thereof, the sorter is configured for removing one or more returned products, when it is determined that the condition of the one or more returned products does not meet predetermined stipulations.

[0023] In an embodiment, the assembly further comprises a collector for collecting products which are returned to the provider from an external party.

[0024] In an embodiment, the assembly further comprises a database, wherein the controller is configured to, for each returned product, storing the determined active life at the database, and preferably combining determined active lives for each product that is delivered to and returned from an external party two or more times.

[0025] In an embodiment, the scanner further is configured for scanning each of the multiple collections delivered to an external party, or an additional scanner is provided configured for scanning each of the multiple collections delivered to an external party. In case the additional scanner is provided, the additional scanner is also operatively connected to the controller of the assembly. An advantage of this embodiment is that it can be registered accurately when each of the multiple collections is delivered to an external party.

[0026] In an embodiment, the products are selected from a group comprising banknotes. In a further embodiment thereof, when the products are banknotes, the scanner is configured to determine the denomination represented by each of the banknotes on basis of which the respective banknote is assigned to one of the multiple collections, and to scan serial numbers of the banknotes for registering to which collection of the multiple collections each of the banknotes belongs and to determine to which collection each of the returned banknote belonged at the time of delivering the respective banknote.

[0027] According to a third aspect, the invention provides a computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions adapted to cause a controller of an assembly for estimating the active life of products configured for being collected and reissued by a provider, preferably an assembly according to the second aspect of the invention, to execute the steps of a method according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0028] The various aspects and features described and shown in the specification can be applied, individually, wherever possible. These individual aspects, in particular the aspects and features described in the attached dependent claims, can be made subject of divisional patent applications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The invention will be elucidated on the basis of an exemplary embodiment shown in the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1A - 1B show a schematic overview of a first part and a second part, respectively, of an assembly according to an embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 2 shows a block diagram of a method according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] A first part of an assembly 1 according to an embodiment of the invention is schematically shown in figure 1. The assembly 1 is configured for estimating the active life of banknotes 2 configured for being collected and reissued by a provider. The provider can be a party/company responsible for providing a safe and reliable payment system, for example in the Netherlands and Europe, and for putting banknotes into circulation and checking them for authenticity, damage and contamination.

[0031] The assembly 1 comprises a collector 10 for collecting banknotes 2 from an external party, such as a banknote manufacturer, or banknotes 2 taken out of circulation. The assembly 1 is provided with a controller 3 to which the collector 10 is operatively connected. From the collector 10 the banknotes 2 are moved towards a banknote scanner 11 which is operatively connected to the controller 3. For example, the banknotes 2 are moved from the collector 10 towards and beyond the banknote scanner 11 by means of a banknote conveyor 12. The banknote scanner 11 is configured for scanning the passing banknotes 2 in order to determine, for example, the denomination, serial number and condition of each banknote 11, which determined denomination, serial number and condition are sent to the controller 3. The controller 3 may be configured to save each determined denomination, serial number and condition into a memory 4 having a database for saving among others determined denominations, serial numbers and conditions of banknotes 2 and the point of time at which the banknotes 2 are scanned.

[0032] As shown in figure 1, the assembly 1 is further provided with a banknote sorter 13. The banknote sorter 13 is also operatively connected to the controller 3, for example to receive the denomination, serial number and condition of each banknote 2 scanned by the banknote scanner 11. The banknote sorter 13 is configured for sorting the scanned banknotes 2 which are transported to the banknote sorter 13 by means of the banknote conveyor 12. Sorting of the banknotes 2 can be performed on basis of the determined denomination of each of the banknotes 2, such that banknotes 2 with only the same denomination will be included in a collection 15. As schematically indicated in figure 1A, collections 15 of banknotes are leaving the banknote sorter 13 by means of an output collection conveyor 14. While the banknote sorter 13 is sorting the banknotes 2 into multiple collections, the controller 3 is saving data in the database of the memory 4 relating to which collection 15 each of the banknotes 2 belongs. It is noted that the determined serial numbers of each of the banknotes 2 can be used to register to which collection 15 each of the banknotes 2 belongs.

[0033] Additionally, the banknote sorter 13 removes a banknote 2 when it is determined that the condition of the respective banknote 2 does not meet predetermined stipulations in respect of the condition of banknotes 2.

[0034] For example, the database within the memory 4 comprises information regarding a first collection 15 of banknotes comprising banknotes 2 with, for example, a denomination of 5 EURO, and that banknotes 2 with serial numbers 018920; 780192; ...; and 526917 belong to the first collection 15, and a second collection 15 of banknotes comprising banknotes 2 with, for example, a denomination of 50 EURO, and that banknotes 2 with serial numbers 929920; 234194; ...; and 642392 belong to the second collection 15. The size of each collection 15 of banknotes can, for example, be determined on basis of the amount of banknotes 2 that can be processed within one day.

[0035] When the banknotes 2 are divided into multiple collections 15 of banknotes 2, each of the collections 15 is transported to a non-shown storage or brought into circulation directly.

[0036] The collector 10, the banknote scanner 11 and the banknote sorter 13 are shown as separate entities in figure 1A. However, in practice, the collector 10, the banknote scanner 11 and the banknote sorter 13 all can be incorporated into a single system.

[0037] A second part of the assembly 1 according to an embodiment of the invention is shown in figure 1B. The collections 15 of banknotes 2 enter the second part of the assembly 1 when the collections 15, or parts thereof, are brought into circulation. As shown in figure 1B, the assembly 1 is provided with an additional scanner 16. The additional scanner 16 is operatively connected to the controller 3, such that the complete assembly 1 can be controlled by the controller 3.

[0038] The additional scanner 16 is configured to scan one or more collections 15 of banknotes, or parts thereof, when being prepared to be delivered to an external party. The one or more collections 15 of banknotes are moved along and beyond the additional scanner 16 by means of an additional banknote conveyor 17. After the one or more collections 15 of banknotes, or parts thereof, have been scanned, they, for example are brought to a non-shown delivery truck. By means of the additional scanner 16 it is possible to record the time period during which the one or more collections 15, or parts thereof, are delivered to one or more external parties.

[0039] Although it is shown in figure 1B that the additional scanner 16 is placed above the additional banknote conveyor 17, it is noted that the additional scanner can also be a handheld additional scanner 16.

[0040] Since each collection 15 of banknotes or parts thereof are scanned before being delivered to one or more external parties, it is possible to determine the time period in which the collection 15 of banknotes is delivered to one or more external parties completely. The determined time period is used to determine the average delivery point of time by means of the controller 3. The controller 3 saves the determined average delivery point of time at the database of the memory 4 in association with the associated collection 15 of banknotes.

[0041] A block diagram of the method according to an embodiment of the invention is shown in figure 2. The method comprises step S1 relating to providing a group of banknotes 2. The group of banknotes 2 are for example all banknotes 2 returned to the provider during one day. After the group of banknotes 2 is received, the group of banknotes 2 is divided into multiple collections 15 of banknotes in step S2, wherein the banknotes 2 of each collection 15 are of the same denomination. For each collection 15 of banknotes, the serial numbers of the banknotes 2 within the collection 15 are registered. Steps S1 and S2, for example, can be performed by means of the collector 10, the banknote scanner 11 and the banknote sorter 13 of the assembly 1 described above.

[0042] After dividing the group of banknotes 2 into multiple collections 15, one or more multiple collections 15 are delivered to an external party in step S3, when there is a demand for banknotes having a denomination included in the respective collection 15. It is noted that each of the multiple collections 15 can be stored in a non-shown storage before being delivered to an external party. During delivery of banknotes 2 of a collection 15 of banknotes, the points of time on which the banknotes 2 are delivered, are registered. Based on the registered points of time, it is possible to determine the average delivery point of time in step S4. Since it is known how many banknotes 2 are delivered at a certain registered point of time, it is possible to determine the standard deviation in respect of the estimated active life.

[0043] In step S5, banknotes 2 returned from external parties to the provider are collected. For each returned banknote 2, the return point of time is registered, for example, during dividing the group of returned banknotes 2 into multiple collections 15 of banknotes. Subsequently, in step S6, it is determined, for each returned banknote 2, to which collection 15 of banknotes the returned banknote 2 belonged at the time of delivering the respective banknote 2. This determination can be carried out, for example, by means of the serial number of the respective banknote 2.

[0044] In step S7, for each returned banknote 2, the time that has elapsed between the average delivery point of time of the determined collection, and the return point of time of the respective banknote 2 is determined. The elapsed time is considered to correspond to the time the respective banknote 2 was in circulation, also called the active life of the respective returned banknote 2.

[0045] It is noted that each banknote 2 can be delivered to an external party and returned to the provider multiple times. Each time such banknote 2 returns to the provider, the determined active life of the respective banknote 2 can be saved at a database 4, such that it is possible to determine the total active life of the respective banknote 2, when the respective banknote 2 is destroyed.

[0046] It is to be understood that the above description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiments and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. From the above discussion, many variations will be apparent to one skilled in the art that would yet be encompassed by the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. Method for estimating the active life of products configured for being collected and reissued by a provider, the method comprising the steps of:

- providing a group of products;

- dividing the group of products into multiple collections, wherein dividing is performed on basis of one or more properties of the respective product;

- for each of the multiple collections, delivering the collection to an external party, thereby registering a period of time during which the collection is delivered;

- for each of the multiple collections, determining the average delivery point of time of the period of time in which the one collection is delivered;

- collecting products which are returned to the provider from an external party, thereby registering the return point of time for each of the returned products;

- for each returned product, determining to which collection the returned product belonged at the time of delivering the respective product; and

- for each returned product, determining the time elapsed between the average delivery point of time of the determined collection, and the return point of time, thereby determining the active life of the returned product.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the step of providing the group of products comprises the step of collecting products which are returned to the provider.

3. Method according to claim 1, wherein the step of providing the group of products comprises the step of providing a group of new products.

4. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the step of dividing the group of products into multiple collections comprises the following steps:

- by means of a scanner, scanning each of the products to determine at least one property of each of the products; and

- by means of a sorter, sorting the products on basis of the at least one determined property of each of the products.

5. Method according to claim 4, wherein the at least one determined property comprises the condition of the returned product and wherein one or more products of the group are removed when it is determined that the condition of the returned product does not meet predetermined stipulations, preferably wherein the step of sorting the products comprises the step of, by means of a sorter, removing one or more products of the group of products based on the determined condition of each of the products.

6. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the step of dividing the group of products into multiple collections comprises the steps of:

- optionally by a controller, saving the respective property of each product into a database;

- for each product, assigning the product to a collection of the multiple collections digitally based on the respective property; and

- optionally, for each product, storing the product in a warehouse, optionally wherein for each product the location within the warehouse is saved at the database in relation to the respective product.

7. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the step of dividing the group of products into multiple collections comprises the steps of:

- physically grouping the products of each of the multiple collections; and

- optionally, storing each collection in a warehouse, wherein the products of each of the multiple collections are stored in vicinity of each other.

8. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising the steps of, for each returned product, optionally by means of a controller, storing the determined active life at a database, and preferably combining determined active lives for each product that is delivered to and returned from an external party two or more times, and/or
wherein the step of, for each of the multiple collections, delivering the collection to an external party, comprises the step of, for each of the multiple collections, delivering the products of the respective collection with a period of time of 7 days or less, preferably of 5 days or less, preferably of 3 days, and/or of, optionally by means of a scanner, scanning each of the multiple collections while being delivered to an external party.

9. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising the step of storing at least one of the multiple collections, after the step of dividing the group of products into multiple collections, and/or
wherein the products are selected from a group comprising banknotes, preferably wherein when the products are banknotes, the property on basis of which the group of products is divided into the multiple collections is the denomination represented by each of the banknotes, preferably wherein serial numbers of the banknotes are used to register to which collection of the multiple collections each of the banknotes belongs and to determine to which collection each of the returned banknote belonged at the time of delivering the respective banknote.

10. Assembly for estimating the active life of products configured for being collected and reissued by a provider, the assembly comprising a scanner for scanning a group of products, the assembly further comprising a controller operatively connected to the scanner, wherein the controller is configured for:

- for a group of provided products, dividing the group of products into multiple collections, wherein dividing is performed on basis of a property of the respective product, which property is scanned by the scanner;

- for each of the multiple collections delivered to an external party, registering a period of time during which the collection is delivered and determining the average delivery point of time of the period of time in which the collection is delivered;

- for each product which is returned to the provider from an external party, registering the return point of time for each of the returned products and determining to which collection the returned product belonged at the time of delivering the respective product; and

- for each returned product, determining the time elapsed between the average delivery point of time of the determined collection, and the return point of time, thereby determining the active life of the returned product.

11. Assembly according to claim 10, wherein the scanner further is configured for determining the condition of the returned product, and/or
further comprising a sorter configured for sorting the products on basis of the at least one determined property of each of the products, preferably wherein the sorter is configured for removing one or more returned products, when it is determined that the condition of the one or more returned products does not meet predetermined stipulations.

12. Assembly according to any one of the claims 10 - 11, further comprising a collector for collecting products which are returned to the provider from an external party.

13. Assembly according to any one of the claims 10 - 12, further comprising a database, wherein the controller is configured to, for each returned product, storing the determined active life at the database, and preferably combining determined active lives for each product that is delivered to and returned from an external party two or more times, and/or
wherein the scanner further is configured for scanning each of the multiple collections delivered to an external party, or wherein an additional scanner is provided configured for scanning each of the multiple collections delivered to an external party.

14. Assembly according to any one of the claims 10 - 13, wherein the products are selected from a group comprising banknotes, preferably wherein when the products are banknotes, the scanner is configured to determine the denomination represented by each of the banknotes on basis of which the respective banknote is assigned to one of the multiple collections, and to scan serial numbers of the banknotes for registering to which collection of the multiple collections each of the banknotes belongs and to determine to which collection each of the returned banknote belonged at the time of delivering the respective banknote.

15. Computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions adapted to cause a controller of an assembly for estimating the active life of products configured for being collected and reissued by a provider, preferably an assembly according to any one of the claims 10 - 14, to execute the steps of a method according to any one of the claims 1 - 9.

Drawing