FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] The present disclosure relates to security systems for container cassettes containing
values such as banknotes, such as container cassettes which are suitable for automated
teller machines (ATM). More specifically, the present disclosure relates to security
systems which involve the neutralization of the values contained in such cassettes
when a theft attempt occurs, such theft attempt involving the usage of an explosion
dimensioned to break a vault in which security container cassettes are provided.
PRIOR ART
[0002] In case of a theft attempt to an ATM involving an explosion, the burglars seek to
access security container cassettes without damaging the values provided within such
cassettes.
[0003] To do so, they use dimensioned explosions, which seek to break the vault just enough
to access the unaffected cassettes and the corresponding values.
[0004] The existing security solutions seek to detect such intrusions to, prior to the burglars
acceding the cassettes and their contents, actuate neutralization systems provided
within the cassettes, neutralizing the contained values.
[0005] These systems known in the art involve the usage of piezoelectric sensors, which
allow to detect an explosion but are prone to vibrations and potentially lead to false
positives, typically due to mishandling of the cassettes.
[0006] The solutions disclosed herein innovatively improve the knowledge of the art, by
enabling that a dimensioned explosion is detected but without being affected by vibrations
as piezoelectric-based systems are, being immune to vibrations and, thus, avoiding
said false positives.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0007] The present disclosure refers to improved explosion-sensing security container cassette
for values such as banknotes and for an automated teller machine (ATM). The security
container cassette comprises an enclosure, the enclosure having a through opening,
wherein the container cassette further comprises a flexible membrane provided within
the enclosure, the flexible membrane being i) in air connection with the opening such
that it hermetically seals the inside of the enclosure from the outside of the enclosure,
and ii) such that it contains conductive tracks, wherein the membrane is configured
such that a pressure gradient between the outside and the inside of the enclosure
and above a preset pressure gradient ruptures the membrane and thereby the conductive
tracks.
[0008] The present disclosure further refers to an automated teller machine (ATM) comprising
a vault and one or more security container cassettes according to the present disclosure,
the one or more security container cassettes being provided in the vault.
[0009] The present disclosure further refers to a method for the improved sensing of an
explosion in an automated teller machine (ATM) wherein it comprises detecting an explosion
through the rupture of conductive tracks provided in a flexible membrane, the flexible
membrane being provided within an enclosure of a security container cassette of the
ATM and in air connection with the inside and outside of the enclosure such that it
hermetically seals the inside of the enclosure from the outside of the enclosure,
the membrane being such that a pressure gradient between the outside and the inside
of the enclosure and above a preset pressure gradient ruptures the membrane and thereby
the conductive tracks.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0010]
Figure 1 - a perspective representation from the outside of a security container cassette
(10) for an automated teller machine (ATM) according to the present disclosure, in
which the enclosure (20) is represented, in particular the through opening (11) of
the enclosure (20). The represented through opening (11) is not to scale, as it is
intended to be viewable. Possible maximum diameters for a through opening (11) according
to the present disclosure are described in the next section.
Figure 2 - a side view representation of a detail of a security container cassette
(10) for an automated teller machine (ATM) according to the present disclosure, in
particular representing the through opening (11) across a wall of the enclosure (10),
the channel (14) and the flexible membrane (6) provided in the channel (14), and hermetically
sealing the enclosure (10), such that one side of the flexible membrane (6) is in
contact with air inside the enclosure (9) and another one side of the flexible membrane
(6) is in contact with air outside the enclosure (7). In the presented embodiment,
the through opening is formed by several openings (12) which connect to the channel
(14). The walls of the channel (5) are also viewable, wherein they may be formed by
insulator gaskets.
Figure 3 - a top view representation of a detail of a security container cassette
for an automated teller machine (ATM) according to the present disclosure, in particular
representing the flexible membrane (6) comprising a substrate (4) which may consist
of a Kapton PCB substrate, and also conductive tracks (2), which comprise wire or
connector solder tabs (1). The solder tabs (4) may be in electrical connection with
the control means. The flexible membrane (6) may comprise a barometric pressure equalizer
(3) centrally provided.
Figure 4 - a perspective representation from the inside of a security container cassette
(10) for an automated teller machine (ATM) according to the present disclosure, in
which the enclosure (11) is represented, in particular further presenting vent holes
(12) provided between the channel and the flexible membrane and the inside of the
enclosure, where the values are provided (not shown). The represented vent holes (12)
are not to scale, as they are intended to be viewable.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0011] The present disclosure refers to an improved explosion-sensing security container
cassette for values such as banknotes and for an automated teller machine (ATM).
[0012] The container cassette comprises an enclosure in which a through opening is provided,
thus providing access between an exterior side of a wall formed by the enclosure and
an inside of such wall. Still, according to the present disclosure, the enclosure
is still in hermetic seal. The container cassette further comprises a flexible membrane
provided within the enclosure - thus within the said walls - which is configured such
that it:
- i) is in air connection with the through opening such that it (the membrane) hermetically
seals the inside of the enclosure from the outside of the enclosure, and
- ii) contains conductive tracks.
[0013] The hermetic sealing provided by the enclosure and the flexible membrane may be such
that the flexible membrane allows a reduced passage of air between the inside and
the outside of the enclosure, such that, for instance, pressure differences occurring
during the opening and closure of the enclosure do not rupture the membrane.
[0014] Such may be provided through a cut provided in the flexible membrane, which may be
designated as a barometric pressure equalizer, as the one presented in Figure 3.
[0015] Moreover, such cut may have a format which promotes a specific direction of the rupture
of the membrane, to guarantee that the conductive tracks are also ruptured.
[0016] The associated goal is to guarantee that the rupture of the membrane occurs as a
consequence of an explosion, and not of a more aggressive closure or opening of the
enclosure.
[0017] The membrane is further configured, such that a pressure gradient between the outside
and the inside of the enclosure and which is above a preset pressure gradient ruptures
the membrane and thereby the conductive tracks.
[0018] The rupture of the conductive tracks may thus be detected and lead to the neutralization
of values provided within the cassette.
[0019] The membrane and the provided conductive tracks thus operate as a barometric gradient
sensor - which detects sudden barometric changes - which is immune to vibrations,
overcoming such issue of prior art solutions, arising from mishandling of cassettes
- which may be left to fall - or other vibrations occurring in an ATM or in transportation
of the cassettes.
[0020] The cassette of the present disclosure, by having a membrane provided within the
enclosure, which is part of the cassette which, in turn, is to be provided within
a vault of an ATM, is not to be directly affected by an explosion which is a dimensioned
explosion, but only indirectly, through the sudden change in pressure which creates
a barometric gradient between the outside of the enclosure and the inside of the enclosure.
[0021] The enclosure of the cassette forms the external walls of the cassette.
[0022] The conductive tracks, which are also flexible, are also ruptured by such barometric
gradient, when it overcomes a preset value.
[0023] Such preset value is adapted to each solution, and it may also be defined in terms
of the diameter of the membrane, which may consist of a film.
[0024] The through opening is of reduced dimension, and it may have a maximum diameter and
area which are lesser than a maximum diameter and area of the membrane, promoting
its rupture.
[0025] The through opening may be formed as a single hole provided in the enclosure, which
connects to the channel. This single hole or opening connects the channel to the outside
of the enclosure. Moreover, a plurality of vent holes may be provided between the
channel and an area of the enclosure in which the values are provided, as is represented
in Figure 4.
[0026] As referred, dimensioned explosions are reduced intensity explosions which seek to
only break the protection of a vault of an ATM, while keeping cassettes intact. Still,
these dimensioned explosions create a barometric gradient which the solution of the
present disclosure detects, by means of are pushed into the enclosure of a cassette.
[0027] The container of the present disclosure may further comprise a channel, the channel
being aligned with the through opening of the enclosure and the flexible membrane
being provided within the channel. The channel allows to, in a simple and useful manner,
to provide the membrane in air(tight) connection with the opening.
[0028] The through opening, the channel and the membrane may be aligned.
[0029] The through opening may have a squared cross form. The squared cross form of the
through opening allows to, in an enhanced manner, better rupture the membrane and
corresponding conductive tracks when the preset barometric gradient occurs.
[0030] The through opening may have a maximum diameter of 0.8-2 mm, optionally 1-1.5 mm.
[0031] The membrane may have a maximum diameter of 8-15 mm, optionally 10 mm.
[0032] The container cassette of the present disclosure may further comprise neutralization
means and control means, the neutralization means being configured to neutralize values
provided within the enclosure, and the control means being configured to, upon a detection
of the rupture of the conductive tracks, issue a neutralization command to actuate
the neutralization means and thereby neutralize values provided within the enclosure.
[0033] The neutralization means may comprise a neutralization agent - such as an adequate
ink as known in the art - provided within a neutralization container, the neutralization
agent being released towards values contained in the enclosure, thereby neutralizing
such values. The values may be provided within one or more values containers, in turn
provided inside the container.
[0034] The control means may be configured to cause an electric current to pass through
the conductive tracks and to detect the rupture of the conductive tracks through a
direct or indirect detection of the break of the passage of the electric current.
For instance, a resistance of the conductive tracks may be measured, in order to determine
a change which occurs due to the rupture of the conductive tracks.
[0035] The membrane may have a polyimide film used in which the conductive tracks are provided,
the conductive tracks defining a flexible printed circuit.
[0036] The polyimide film may be a Kapton
® film, i.e., a film with a composition such that it may be defined as a Kapton
® film.
[0037] A polyimide film, in particular Kapton, allows to provide an enhanced membrane with
conductive tracks.
[0038] The enclosure may be a plastic enclosure.
[0039] The walls of the channel may be elastomeric polymer walls, optionally ethylene-vinyl
acetate (EVA) walls.
[0040] The method of the present disclosure may be such that the ATM is an ATM according
to the present disclosure.
[0041] In various embodiments, the method, the ATM, the security container cassette, the
control means and/or elements thereof include components for performing at least some
of the example features and capabilities of the described method, whether by means
of hardware components (such as memory and/or processor), software, or any combination
thereof.
[0042] In various embodiments, the ATM, the security container cassette and/or the control
means may comprise a microcontroller, with the ability to receive external data via
inputs and provide triggering of outputs, based on configured rules and/or predefined
programming.
[0043] An article for use with the method the ATM, the security container cassette and/or
the control means such as a pre-recorded storage device or other similar computer-readable
medium including program instructions recorded thereon, or a computer data signal
carrying computer-readable program instructions may direct a device to facilitate
implementation of the methods described herein. It is understood that such apparatus,
articles of manufacture and computer data signals are also within the scope of the
present disclosure.
[0044] A "computer-readable medium" is understood as any medium that can store instructions
for use or execution by a computer or other computing device, including read-only
memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) or flash memory, random
access memory (RAM), a portable floppy disk, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state
storage device (e.g., NAND flash or synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM)), and/or an optical
disc, such as a Compact Disc (CD), Digital Versatile Disc (DVD), or Blu-Ray
™ Disc.
[0045] As will be evident to a person skilled in the art, the present disclosure should
not be limited to the embodiments described herein, with a number of changes being
possible, which remain within the scope of this disclosure.
[0046] Of course, the particulars disclosed herein are combinable, in the different possible
forms, being avoided the repetition of all such combinations.
1. An improved explosion-sensing security container cassette for values such as banknotes
and for an automated teller machine (ATM), the container cassette comprising an enclosure,
the enclosure having a through opening, wherein the container cassette further comprises
a flexible membrane provided within the enclosure, the flexible membrane being i)
in air connection with the opening such that it hermetically seals the inside of the
enclosure from the outside of the enclosure, and ii) such that it contains conductive
tracks,
wherein the membrane is configured such that a pressure gradient between the outside
and the inside of the enclosure and above a preset pressure gradient ruptures the
membrane and thereby the conductive tracks.
2. A container cassette according to the previous claim wherein it further comprises
a channel, the channel being aligned with the through opening of the enclosure and
the flexible membrane being provided within the channel.
3. A container cassette according to the previous claim wherein the through opening,
the channel and the membrane are aligned.
4. A container cassette according to any of the preceding claims wherein the through
opening has a squared cross form.
5. A container cassette according to any of the preceding claims wherein the through
opening has a maximum diameter of 0.8-2 mm, optionally 1-1.5 mm.
6. A container cassette according to any of the preceding claims wherein the membrane
has a maximum diameter of 8-15 mm, optionally 10 mm.
7. A container cassette according to any of the preceding claims wherein it further comprises
neutralization means and control means, the neutralization means being configured
to neutralize values provided within the enclosure, and the control means being configured
to, upon a detection of the rupture of the conductive tracks, issue a neutralization
command to actuate the neutralization means and thereby neutralize values provided
within the enclosure.
8. A container cassette according to the previous claim wherein the control means are
configured to cause an electric current to pass through the conductive tracks and
to detect the rupture of the conductive tracks through a direct or indirect detection
of the break of the passage of the electric current.
9. A container cassette according to any of the preceding claims wherein the membrane
has a polyimide film used in which the conductive tracks are provided, the conductive
tracks defining a flexible printed circuit.
10. A container cassette according to the previous claim wherein the polyimide film is
a Kapton film.
11. A container cassette according to any of the claims 2-10 wherein the enclosure is
a plastic enclosure.
12. A container cassette according to any of the preceding claims wherein the walls of
the channel are elastomeric polymer walls, optionally ethylene-vinyl acetate walls.
13. An automated teller machine (ATM) comprising a vault and one or more security container
cassettes according to any of the claims 1-12, the one or more security container
cassettes being provided in the vault.
14. A method for the improved sensing of an explosion in an automated teller machine (ATM)
wherein it comprises detecting an explosion through the rupture of conductive tracks
provided in a flexible membrane, the flexible membrane being provided within an enclosure
of a security container cassette of the ATM and in air connection with the inside
and outside of the enclosure such that it hermetically seals the inside of the enclosure
from the outside of the enclosure, the membrane being such that a pressure gradient
between the outside and the inside of the enclosure and above a preset pressure gradient
ruptures the membrane and thereby the conductive tracks.
15. A method according to the previous claim wherein the ATM is according to claim 13.