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(11) | EP 4 283 579 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | DEVICE FOR CHECKING COINS AND BANKNOTES |
| (57) The present invention relates to a device for checking coins and banknotes (1) for
ascertaining at least the value of coins and banknotes and whether said banknotes
are genuine or counterfeit. Such a device for checking coins and banknotes (1) comprises
a banknote check unit (14) comprising: a casing (15) where at least one opening (16,
17) is defined for inserting at least one banknote (T) and extracting said at least
one banknote (T); moving means (20a, 20b, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25) for transporting at
least one banknote (T) from said at least one opening (16, 17) to an inner zone of
the casing (15) and for transporting said at least one banknote (T) from said inner
zone of the casing (15) to said at least one opening (16, 17); and at least one sensor
(30, 31) which is located within the casing (15) and configured to detect at least
one characteristic of said at least one banknote (T) when said at least one banknote
(T) is within the casing (15) and ascertain the value of said at least one banknote
(T) and whether said at least one banknote (T) is genuine or counterfeit based on
said at least one characteristic. The above-mentioned device for checking coins and
banknotes (1) also comprises a coin check unit (2) comprising: a casing (3) where
are defined an inlet opening (4) for the insertion of at least one coin (M) and an
outlet opening (5) for the exit of said at least one coin (M); said outlet opening
(5) being formed in a lower position than said inlet opening (4); a passage (7) which
is formed in said casing (3) between the inlet opening (4) and the outlet opening
(5) and configured such as to allow the passage of said at least one coin (M); and
at least one sensor (10, 11) which is located within said casing (3) and configured
to detect at least one characteristic of said at least one coin (M) when said at least
one coin (M) passes through the passage (7) and ascertain the value of said at least
one coin (M) based on said at least one characteristic of said at least one coin (M);
wherein the coin check unit (2) is connected with the banknote check unit (14). The
above-mentioned device for checking coins and banknotes (1) also comprises a control
device (32) for controlling the operation of the banknote check unit (14) and of the
coin check unit (2); the control device (32) being located in the banknote check unit
(14) or in the coin check unit (2).
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[0002] Specifically, the invention proposed here relates to a device designed to check the value of the processed coins, and possibly also their relative authenticity, and also the value and authenticity of the processed banknotes.
[0003] The main aim of the invention is to provide a device for checking coins and banknotes which is particularly convenient to use.
[0004] Another aim of the invention is to provide a device for checking coins and banknotes that is effective and reliable.
[0005] A further aim of the invention is to provide a device for checking coins and banknotes that has a relatively simple structure, that is to say, is not particularly complex.
[0006] The specific object of the invention is therefore a device for checking coins and banknotes for ascertaining at least the value of coins and banknotes and whether said banknotes are genuine or counterfeit, said device for checking coins and banknotes comprising: a banknote check unit comprising a casing in which at least one opening is defined for inserting at least one banknote and extracting said at least one banknote; moving means for transporting at least one banknote from said at least one opening to an inner zone of the casing and for transporting said at least one banknote from said inner zone of the casing to said at least one opening; at least one sensor located within the casing and configured to detect at least one characteristic of said at least one banknote when said at least one banknote is within the casing and ascertain the value of said at least one banknote and whether said at least one banknote is genuine or counterfeit based on said at least one characteristic; said device for checking coins and banknotes also comprising a coin check unit comprising a casing in which are defined an inlet opening for the insertion of at least one coin and an outlet opening for the exit of said at least one coin, said outlet opening being formed in a lower position than said inlet opening; a passage which is formed in said casing between the inlet opening and the outlet opening and configured such as to allow the passage of said at least one coin; at least one sensor which is located within said casing and configured to detect at least one characteristic of said at least one coin when said at least one coin passes through the passage and ascertain the value of said at least one coin based on said at least one characteristic of said at least one coin; wherein the coin check unit is connected with the banknote check unit; said device for checking coins and banknotes also comprising a control device for controlling the operation of the banknote check unit and of the coin check unit; the control device being located in the banknote check unit or in the coin check unit.
[0008] Features and advantages will be highlighted in more detail by the following description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment illustrated, purely by way of non-limiting example, in the accompanying drawings, in which:
- Figure 1 is an axonometric view of a device for checking coins and banknotes according to the invention;
- Figure 2 is a cross-section view through the line A-A of Figure 1;
- Figure 3 is a cross-section view through the line B-B of Figure 1;
- Figure 4 is a cross-section view through the line C-C of Figure 1;
and - Figure 5 is a cross-section view through the line D-D of Figure 1.
[0009] With reference to accompanying drawings, a device for checking coins and banknotes according to the invention has been indicated in its entirety with the reference numeral 1.
[0010] The device for checking coins and banknotes 1 includes a coin check unit 2 for determining the value of the processed coins and, optionally, also for detecting whether the coins are genuine or counterfeit.
[0011] Specifically, the coin check unit 2 comprises an outer casing 3 in which an inlet opening 4 is provided for inserting coins M and, in a position lower than the latter, an outlet opening 5 for the exit of the coins M inserted in the inlet opening 4.
[0012] Specifically, the inlet opening 4 is formed in the top wall of the outer casing 3; while the outlet opening 5 is formed in a lower portion of the outer casing 3, preferably in the lower region of a side wall 6 of the latter.
[0013] Moreover, the inlet opening 4 and the outlet opening 5 are placed in mutual communication by means of a passage 7, that is, a channel formed inside the outer casing 3.
[0014] In more detail, the passage 7 consists of a vertical upper section 8 and an oblique lower section 9 that extends obliquely from the lower end of the upper section 8 leading to the outside of the outer casing 3 through the outlet opening 5.
[0015] A first group of sensors 10 and a second group of sensors 11 facing the first group of sensors 10 are respectively located on two mutually opposite walls of the upper section 8 of the passage 7.
[0016] The first group of sensors 10 and the second group of sensors 11 are jointly responsible for detecting value of the coin M inserted in the inlet opening 4 and passing through the passage 7.
[0017] In particular, the first group of sensors 10 and the second group of sensors 11 are configured to detect one or more characteristics of the coin M inherent to its shape (for example, diameter and/or thickness), and/or its weight, and/or its magnetic properties through which it is possible to determine the composition, that is, the materials from the processed coin M is made.
[0018] The first group of sensors 10 and the second group of sensors 11 may include, for example, optical sensors to detect the properties of the coin M inherent to the shape and/or weight.
[0019] For the detection of magnetic properties, the first group of sensors 10 and the second group of sensors 11 may comprise two coils arranged mutually opposite with respect to the passage 7, wherein a first coil emits a magnetic field and the second coil detects the magnetic field generated by the first.
[0020] Each coin M, when it passes through passage 7, modifies the aforementioned magnetic field according to its specific composition, that is, the materials from which it is made.
[0021] The variation of the magnetic field thus produced is detected by the second coil and compared with the values of magnetic field variations stored in a database present in the device for checking coins and banknotes 1; wherein each of the aforementioned values corresponds to a certain composition and a certain value of the coin.
[0022] Therefore, by detecting, according to the aforementioned methods, the magnetic properties of the coin M inserted in the input opening 4, that is, the variation of magnetic field produced by it, it is possible to identify the relative composition and consequently the relative value.
[0023] From the characteristics of the coin M detected by the first group of sensors 10 and the second group of sensors 11 it is also possible to determine whether the coin M is genuine or counterfeit.
[0024] Otherwise, in order to check the authenticity of the aforementioned coin M, a first sensor 12 and a second sensor 13 facing the first sensor 12 can optionally be provided on the same walls of the upper section 8 of the passage 7 in which the first group of sensors 10 and the second group of sensors 11 are located, which are jointly responsible for determining whether the coin M passing through the passage 7 is genuine or counterfeit.
[0025] For this reason, each coin M, after having passed through the entire passage 7 and having been processed therein by the first group of sensors 10 and the second group of sensors 11 and, if provided, also by the first sensor 12 and the second sensor 13, will exit from the outlet opening 5 formed in the lower part of the outer casing 3.
[0026] The aforementioned device for checking coins and banknotes 1 also comprises a banknote check unit 14 for determining the value of the banknotes processed and also for detecting whether the banknotes are genuine or counterfeit.
[0027] The banknote check unit 14 comprises an outer casing 15 rigidly connected to the outer casing 3 of the coin check unit 2.
[0028] An inlet opening 16 for the insertion of a banknote T and an outlet opening 17 for the exiting of said banknote T are provided in the outer casing 15 of the banknote check unit 14.
[0029] In particular, the inlet opening 16 and the outlet opening 17 are formed, respectively, at a first side 18 and a second side 19 of the outer casing 15, opposite to the first side 18.
[0030] Inside the outer casing 15, between the inlet opening 16 and the outlet opening 17, there is a pair of conveyor belts 20a, 20b for transporting the banknote T, which are substantially coplanar, parallel and spaced from each other, and both mounted on a first shaft 21 and a second shaft 22.
[0031] The fact of having provided, for the movement of the banknote T, two conveyor belts 20a, 20b which are substantially coplanar, parallel and spaced from each other allows a transport of the banknote T to be obtained which is fluid and practically free of risks that the latter may wrinkle or get entangled, and possibly even get stuck, during the relative transport.
[0032] The first shaft 21 and the second shaft 22 are also parallel to each other and mounted, respectively, at the inlet opening 16 and the outlet opening 17 in a rotatable manner about their respective axes.
[0033] For the movement of the conveyor belts 20a, 20b an electric motor 23 of reduced power is provided connected to the first shaft 21 by means of a connecting belt 24, so as to be able to rotate it about the relative axis, thus setting in motion the pair of conveyor belts 20a, 20b according to the advancement direction F, that is, from the inlet opening 16 towards the outlet opening 17.
[0034] Above the conveyor belts 20a, 20b there is a plurality of rollers 25 directed parallel to the first shaft 21 and to the second shaft 22 and idly rotatable about their respective axes, in such a way that the banknote T carried by the conveyor belts 20a, 20b remains adherent to the latter under the thrust, from above, of the rollers 25.
[0035] The aforementioned rollers 25 are distributed substantially uniformly over the entire length of the conveyor belts 20a, 20b so that the banknote T remains adherent to the latter throughout the passage from the inlet opening 16 to the outlet opening 17.
[0036] A pressing system (not shown in the drawings) acting on the plurality of rollers 25 can also be provided in the banknote check unit 14 in such a way as to push them, constantly, against the underlying conveyor belts 20a, 20b, in order to favour the adhesion of the banknote T to the latter and therefore the relative transport.
[0037] According to further possible embodiments of the invention, not shown in the accompanying drawings, the aforementioned conveyor belts 20a, 20b and the plurality of rollers 25 can be replaced with other movement systems suitable to allow the transport of a banknote T from the inlet opening 16 to the outlet opening 17.
[0038] A first pair of presence sensors 26, 27, for example of the infrared type, are also provided at the inlet opening 16 to detect the insertion of a banknote T into the inlet opening 16.
[0039] In the specific case shown in the accompanying drawings, the two sensors of the first pair of presence sensors 26, 27 are arranged, respectively, above and below the inlet opening 16.
[0040] The first pair of presence sensors 26, 27 is operatively connected to the electric motor 23, in such a way that when the pair of presence sensors 26, 27 detects the insertion of a banknote T in the inlet opening 16, the electric motor 23 automatically comes into operation by advancing both conveyor belts 20a, 20b according to the advancement direction F.
[0041] Similarly, at the outlet opening 17 a second pair of presence sensors 28, 29, for example of the infrared type, is provided for detecting the exiting, at least partial, of said banknote T from the outlet opening 17.
[0042] In the specific case shown in the accompanying drawings, the sensors of the second pair of presence sensors 28, 29 are arranged, respectively, above and below the outlet opening 17.
[0043] The second pair of presence sensors 28, 29 is also operatively connected to the electric motor 23, in such a way that when this pair of presence sensors 28, 29 detects the at least partial exiting of said banknote T from the outlet opening 17, the electric motor 23 is automatically deactivated and therefore the interruption of the advancement of the conveyor belts 20a, 20b according to the aforementioned advancement direction F.
[0044] Inside the outer casing 15 of the banknote check unit 14 there are also one or more sensors 30, 31, of known type, for detecting one or more characteristics of the banknote T carried by the conveyor belts 20a, 20b from the inlet opening 16 to the outlet opening 17.
[0045] Specifically, the aforementioned characteristics are characteristics that allow determination of whether each banknote T is genuine or counterfeit and also the value of the banknote T itself.
[0046] The aforementioned sensors 30, 31 may comprise, for example, magnetic sensors for detecting the presence of magnetic inks and/or metal wires in the banknotes T, and/or sensors which use ultraviolet rays (UV), normally composed of a transmitter and a receiver of UV radiation, for detecting any inks with fluorescent phosphors in the banknotes T, and/or sensors which use infrared rays (IR), normally composed of a transmitter and a receiver of IR rays, for detecting in the banknotes T both the inks that reflect the infrared light and those that instead absorb said light becoming black, and/or sensors that use the reflected white light, for identifying the details of the printing not conforming to the original, and the transmitted white light for checking the presence of the normal components of the banknote T visible only with backlight.
[0047] The sensors 30, 31 may also include detectors capable of subjecting the banknote T to a wide spectrum of electromagnetic radiation and detecting how the various components thereof react to the various wavelengths emitted, thus making it possible to accurately identify the composition of the various substances present in the banknote T itself.
[0048] The same sensors 30, 31 may also comprise devices for detecting one or more surface dimensions (for example, length, and/or width and/or diagonal) and/or the thickness of the banknotes T, in order to check their authenticity and the value.
[0049] The aforementioned sensors 30, 31 are arranged inside the outer casing 15 in positions such as to be able to emit radiation, if provided for by their operation, on each banknote T that transits on the conveyor belts 20a, 20b from the inlet opening 16 to the outlet opening 17.
[0050] Specifically, the sensors 30, 31 are positioned at the space between the two conveyor belts 20a, 20b (see Figure 2).
[0051] Since the aforementioned sensors 30, 31 are of known type, it is considered unnecessary to provide here further technical details regarding their structure and their operation.
[0052] The device for checking coins and banknotes 1 further comprises an electronic control board 32 configured to control the operation of the coin check unit 2 and the banknote check unit 14 and preferably arranged inside the outer casing 15 of the banknote check unit 14.
[0053] More in detail, the electronic control board 32 is electrically and operationally connected, directly or indirectly, to the first group of sensors 10, to the second group of sensors 11, to the first sensor 12 and to the second sensor 13 of the coin check unit 2, so as to control its operation when a coin M is inserted in the inlet opening 4 and the switching off when the same coin M exits from the outlet opening 5.
[0054] The electronic control board 32 is further configured to control and coordinate the operation of the first pair of presence sensors 26, 27, the second pair of presence sensors 28, 29, the electric motor 23 and the sensors 30, 31 for detecting the authenticity and value of the banknotes T, which form part of the banknote check unit 14.
[0055] For this reason, the first pair of presence sensors 26, 27, the second pair of presence sensors 28, 29, the electric motor 23 and also the sensors 30, 31 for detecting the authenticity and the value of the banknotes T are also electrically and operatively connected, directly or indirectly, to the electronic control board 32.
[0056] In particular, when a banknote T is inserted into the inlet opening 16, the electronic control board 32 will command the activation of the electric motor 23 so as to advance the conveyor belts 20a, 20b with the relative banknote T according to the advancement direction F, and subsequently the deactivation of the electric motor 23 at the moment in which the second pair of presence sensors 28, 29 detects that the banknote T has reached the outlet opening 17.
[0057] According to a variant of the invention, not shown in the accompanying drawings, the electronic control board 32 can alternatively be housed inside the outer casing 3 of the coin check unit 2 if there is sufficient space to do so.
[0058] According to a further variant of the invention proposed herein, a single opening between the inlet opening 16 and the outlet opening 17 may be provided in the outer casing 15 of the banknote check unit 14 described above.
[0059] In this case, this single opening serves both as an inlet and an outlet for the banknote T; therefore, when a banknote T is inserted into said opening, the banknote is transported by the conveyor belts 20a, 20b inside the outer casing 15, to allow the sensors 30, 31 to carry out the checks indicated above, and then again to the same opening to allow its withdrawal by a person.
[0060] The device for checking coins and banknotes 1 may also comprise, in a position visible on the outer casing 15 of the banknote check unit 14 or on the outer casing 3 of the coin check unit 2, a display 33 and/or a visual indicator, operatively connected to the electronic control board 32, for visually indicating the value of the banknote T inserted in the inlet opening 16 and whether the banknote T itself is genuine or counterfeit, and for visually indicating the value of the coin M inserted in the inlet opening 4 and possibly also whether the coin M is genuine or counterfeit.
[0061] Alternatively or in addition to the display 33 and to the aforementioned visual indicator, a socket and/or a wireless transceiver may be provided in the coin and banknote check device 1, connected to the electronic control board 32, to allow, for example, the cable and/or wireless connection to an external display or to an external visual indicator to visually indicate the value of the banknote T inserted in the inlet opening 16 and whether the banknote T itself is genuine or counterfeit, and to visually indicate the value of the coin M inserted in the inlet opening 4 and possibly also whether the coin M is genuine or counterfeit.
[0062] As can be seen from the above description, the device for checking coins and banknotes according to the invention is, in addition to being effective and reliable, also particularly convenient as it is suitable for processing both banknotes and coins in order to know their value and to identify whether the banknotes and possibly also the coins processed are genuine or counterfeit.
1. Device for checking coins and banknotes (1) for ascertaining at least the value of
coins and banknotes and whether said banknotes are genuine or counterfeit, said device
for checking coins and banknotes (1) comprising:
- a banknote check unit (14) comprising:
• a casing (15) where at least one opening (16, 17) is defined for inserting at least one banknote (T) and extracting at least one banknote (T);
• moving means (20a, 20b, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25) for transporting at least one banknote (T) from said at least one opening (16, 17) to an inner zone of the casing (15) and for transporting said at least one banknote (T) from said inner zone of the casing (15) to said at least one opening (16, 17); wherein said moving means (20a, 20b, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25) comprise two conveyor belts (20a, 20b) which are substantially coplanar and parallel and spaced apart;
• at least one sensor (30, 31) which is located within the casing (15) and configured to detect at least one characteristic of said at least one banknote (T) when said at least one banknote (T) is within the casing (15) and ascertain the value of said at least one banknote (T) and whether said at least one banknote (T) is genuine or counterfeit based on said at least one characteristic;
- a coin check unit (2) comprising:
• a casing (3) where are defined an inlet opening (4) for the insertion of at least one coin (M) and an outlet opening (5) for the exit of said at least one coin (M); said outlet opening (5) being formed in a lower position than said inlet opening (4);
• a passage (7) which is formed in said casing (3) between the inlet opening (4) and the outlet opening (5) and configured such as to allow the passage of said at least one coin (M);
• at least one sensor (10, 11) which is located within said casing (3) and configured to detect at least one characteristic of said at least one coin (M) when said at least one coin (M) passes through the passage (7) and ascertain the value of said at least one coin (M) based on said at least one characteristic of said at least one coin (M); wherein the coin check unit (2) is connected with the banknote check unit (14); and
- a control device (32) for controlling the operation of the banknote check unit (14) and of the coin check unit (2); the control device (32) being located in the banknote check unit (14) or in the coin check unit (2).
2. Device for checking coins and banknotes (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the coin check unit (2) is solidly connected with the banknote check unit (14).
3. Device for checking coins and banknotes (1) according to any one of preceding claims,
characterized in that said control device (32) is located within the casing (15) of the banknote check
unit (14).
4. Device for checking coins and banknotes (1) according to any one of preceding claims,
characterized in that the control device (32) is operatively connected with said moving means (20a, 20b,
21, 22, 23, 24, 25), said at least one sensor (30, 31) of the banknote check unit
(14) and said at least one sensor (10, 11) of the coin check unit (2).
5. Device for checking coins and banknotes (1) according to any one of preceding claims,
characterized in that the coin check unit (2) comprises at least one sensor for detecting at least one
characteristic of said at least one coin (M) when said at least one coin (M) passes
through the passage (7) and for ascertaining whether said at least one coin (M) is
genuine or counterfeit based on said at least one characteristic of said at least
one coin (M).
6. Device for checking coins and banknotes (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the control device (32) is operatively connected with said at least one sensor of
the coin check unit (2).
7. Device for checking coins and banknotes (1) according to any one of preceding claims,
characterized in that the banknote check unit (14) comprises at least one presence sensor (26, 27, 28,
29) for detecting the presence of at least one banknote (T) in said at least one opening
(16, 17) of the casing (15) of the banknote check unit (14), and in that the control device (32) is operatively connected with said at least one presence
sensor (26, 27, 28, 29).
8. Device for checking coins and banknotes (1) according to any one of preceding claims,
characterized in that an inlet opening (16) for the insertion of at least one banknote (T) and an outlet
opening (17) for the extraction of said at least one banknote (T) are formed in the
casing (15) of the banknote check unit (14).