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US-12617645-B2 - Method and system for storing flexible documents

US12617645B2US 12617645 B2US12617645 B2US 12617645B2US-12617645-B2

Abstract

A method for storing a series of flexible documents include: sensing a first flexible document by a sensor; thereafter, sensing a next flexible document transported toward a module and determining position information for the next flexible document; based on dimension information and a last obtained position information on the first flexible document and the next flexible document, determining a minimum distance along an axis parallel to a longitudinal axis, that would be left on transport tape, between the rear side of flexible document and the front side of the next flexible document; comparing the determined minimum distance with a predetermined minimum distance; and in response to the determined minimum distance being different from the predetermined minimum distance, adjusting the transport tape's speed between a time when the first flexible document is engaged with transport tape and when the next flexible document is engaged with transport tape inside the module.

Inventors

  • Paolo Martinotti

Assignees

  • ARCA TECHNOLOGIES S.R.L.

Dates

Publication Date
20260505
Application Date
20240104
Priority Date
20230131

Claims (14)

  1. 1 . A method ( 1 ) for storing a series of flexible documents ( . . . , B(n−1), B(n), B(n+1), . . . ) in a system ( 100 ), each flexible document ( . . . , B(n−1), B(n), B(n+1), . . . ) having a front side and a rear side and the system ( 100 ) comprising said method ( 1 ) comprising: A. activating using at least one sensor for sensing each flexible document ( . . . , B(n−1), B(n), B(n+1), . . . ) during transportation into a storing and issuing module ( 10 ) during storage operations, and providing corresponding dimension information and position information with respect to the longitudinal symmetry axis (y-y) to a central processing unit ( 50 ) or processor ( 150 ); and B. sensing a first flexible document B(n) by the at least one sensor inside the storing and issuing module ( 10 ), and C. sensing a next flexible document B(n+1) transported on a belt ( 20 ) toward the storing and issuing module ( 10 ) and determining corresponding position information for the next flexible document B(n+1) after the at least one sensor begins sensing a first flexible document B(n), D. based on dimension information and a last obtained position information on the flexible document B(n), dimension information and the last obtained position information on the next flexible document B(n+1), determining by the processor ( 50 ) a minimum distance (d pred ), along an axis (y MIN −y MIN ) parallel to a longitudinal symmetry axis (y-y), that would be left on transport tape ( 170 ), between the rear side of flexible document B(n) and the front side of the next flexible document B(n+1) of the series, E. comparing by processor ( 50 ) the determined minimum distance (d pred ) with a predetermined minimum distance d d , and F. in response to the determined minimum distance (d pred ) being different from the predetermined minimum distance d d , adjusting a linear speed (v t (t)) of the transport tape ( 170 ) between a time instant (t j (n)) at which flexible document B(n) is engaged with transport tape ( 170 ) and a time instant t j (n+1) at which the next flexible document B(n+1) is engaged with transport tape ( 170 ) inside the storing and issuing module ( 10 ).
  2. 2 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein said position information provided by a sensor group ( 30 ), an at least one external sensor unit ( 40 ) and an internal sensor unit ( 140 ) comprises at least the angular displacement α(n) of the sensed flexible document B(n), with respect to an axis parallel to the longitudinal symmetry axis (y-y) and the minimum linear distance (Y (n)) of the sensed flexible document B(n) from one lateral edge of said conveyor belt ( 20 ) or transport tape ( 170 ).
  3. 3 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein position information the next flexible document B(n+1) is provided by one between sensor group ( 30 ) and at least one external sensor unit ( 40 ), whichever sensed the next flexible document B(n+1) last, and position information for flexible document B(n) is provided by one between the sensor group ( 30 ), the at least one external sensor unit ( 40 ) and the internal sensor unit ( 140 ), whichever sensed the flexible document B(n) last.
  4. 4 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein said actual minimum distance (d pred ) is also a function of the time interval (Rcc) between the time instant t j (n) at which the rear side of flexible document B(n) would engage with transport tape ( 170 ) and start moving therewith inside the storing and issuing module ( 10 ), and the time instant t j (n+1) at which the rear side of the next flexible document B(n+1) would engage with transport tape ( 170 ) and start moving therewith inside the storing and issuing module, estimated based on the last available position information of flexible document B(n) and the next flexible document B(n+1).
  5. 5 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein said actual minimum distance (d pred ) is also a function of: a value err (n) indicating how far away is a rear side of flexible document B(n) with respect to opening ( 110 ) of the storing and issuing device ( 10 ) when, at t j (n), that flexible document is engaged with transport tape ( 170 ), along an axis (y MIN −y MIN ) parallel to the longitudinal symmetry axis (y-y) where the distance between the entering flexible document B(n) and the next flexible document B(n+1) is the lowest; and a value err (n+1), calculated along the same axis (y MIN −y MIN ) where err(n) is calculated, indicating how far away is a front side of flexible document B(n+1), with respect to opening ( 110 ) of the storing and issuing device ( 10 ), when that flexible document B(n+1) enters the storing and issuing module.
  6. 6 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein said speed (v t (t)) of transport tape is adjusted according to an updated pattern defining over time a line segment or chain of line segments.
  7. 7 . The method according to claim 6 , wherein said updated pattern is based on: an acceleration value (a); the constant speed value (V) of the conventional pattern of transport tape linear speed (v t (t)), at regime operational conditions; the estimated rate value (Rcc); the actual minimum distance (d pred ) and the desired minimum distance (d d ).
  8. 8 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein if position information for the next flexible document B(n+1) transported on conveyor belt ( 20 ) toward the storing and issuing module ( 10 ) is provided after an internal sensor unit ( 140 ) stops sensing said flexible document B(n), and/or if the next flexible document B(n+1) is not within a predetermined storage distance (d ST ) from the storing and issuing module ( 10 ), said method ( 1 ) comprises: G. bringing linear speed (v t (t)) of transport tape ( 170 ) to zero, and H. keeping transport tape stopped at least until position information for the next flexible document B(n+1) transported on conveyor belt ( 20 ) toward the storing and issuing module ( 10 ) is obtained and the next flexible document B(n+1) is within the predetermined storage distance (d ST ) from the storing and issuing module ( 10 ) or the next flexible document B(n+1) that had been sensed before the internal sensor unit ( 140 ) stopped sensing flexible document B(n) moves within the predetermined storage distance (d ST ) from the storing and issuing module ( 10 ).
  9. 9 . The method according to claim 8 , wherein transitional stop time interval: is a pre-set value; or is calculated based on position information of the entering flexible document B(n) and the next flexible document B(n+1); or is calculated based on position information of the entering flexible document B(n) only, if no information on the next flexible document B(n+1) is available.
  10. 10 . The method according to claim 8 wherein, after position information for the next flexible document B(n+1) transported on conveyor belt ( 20 ) toward the storing and issuing module ( 10 ) is obtained or the next flexible document B(n+1) that had been sensed before the internal sensor unit ( 140 ) stopped sensing flexible document B(n) moves within the predetermined storage distance (d ST ) from the storing and issuing module ( 10 ): D2. Calculating, based at least on dimension information and the last obtained position information on flexible document B(n), the last obtained position information on the next flexible document B(n+1) and known design parameters of the system ( 100 ), said actual minimum distance (d pred ), along an axis (y MIN −y MIN ) parallel to longitudinal symmetry axis (y-y), that would be left between the rear side of said flexible document B(n) and the front side of the next flexible document B(n+1) on transport tape ( 170 ), if transport tape ( 170 ) moved according to said conventional pattern linear speed (v t (t)), E2. comparing the actual minimum distance (d pred ) calculated at step D2 with the desired distance (da) and, F2. if the actual minimum distance (d pred ) is different from the desired minimum distance (d d ), adjusting, by sending corresponding control signals through processor ( 50 ), linear speed (v t (t)) of transport tape ( 170 ) with respect to the conventional pattern, within the time instant tj(n+1) at which the next flexible document B(n+1) is engaged with transport tape ( 170 ) inside the storing and issuing module ( 10 ), such that the desired distance da along said axis (y MIN −y MIN ) parallel to the longitudinal symmetry axis (y-y) is left on transport tape ( 170 ) between the rear side of the entering flexible document B(n) and the front side of the next flexible document B(n+1).
  11. 11 . The method according to claim 8 , comprising after step F: I. determining, if updated position information at least on flexible document B(n) is provided to processor ( 50 ), when the flexible document B(n) has moved further inside the storing and issuing module ( 10 ) and the internal sensor unit ( 140 ) has stopped sensing it inside the storing and issuing module ( 10 ); and L. if so, repeating steps D to F with: the last obtained position information of flexible document B(n); the last obtained position information of the next flexible document B(n+1); and wherein: transport tape ( 170 ) linear speed (v t (t)) to be adjusted is the linear speed of transport tape ( 170 ) already adjusted at previous step F; the actual minimum distance (d pred1 ) to be estimated, is the one that would be left between the entering flexible document B(n) and the next one B(n+1) on transport tape ( 170 ) if transport tape ( 170 ) moved at said already adjusted linear speed (v t (t)); and the actual minimum distance (d pred1 ) so determined, is to be compared with the actual minimum distance (d pred ) estimated at previous step D.
  12. 12 . A system ( 100 ) for storing a series of flexible documents ( . . . , B(n−1), B(n), B(n+1), . . . ), each flexible document ( . . . , B(n−1), B(n), B(n+1), . . . ) having a front side and a rear side, comprising: at least one storing and issuing module ( 10 ), one conveyor belt ( 20 ) having a longitudinal symmetry axis (y-y) extending inside the storing and issuing module ( 10 ), the conveyor belt ( 20 ) being configured for supporting and transporting said flexible documents ( . . . , B(n−1), B(n), B(n+1), . . . ), into said at least one storing and issuing module ( 10 ) at known conveying speed (v e ), one sensor group ( 30 ), arranged with respect to said conveyor belt ( 20 ) in such a way that it can sense each flexible document ( . . . , B(n−1), B(n), B(n+1), . . . ) of the series entering the system ( 100 ) and being transported on said conveyor belt ( 20 ), and provide corresponding dimension information and position information on the sensed flexible document ( . . . , B(n−1), B(n), B(n+1), . . . ), with respect to said longitudinal symmetry axis (y-y); at least one external sensor unit ( 40 ), arranged along said conveyor belt ( 20 ) between the sensor group ( 30 ) and the storing and issuing module ( 10 ), at a pre-set distance from the storing and issuing module ( 10 ) and configured for sensing the passage of each flexible document ( . . . , B(n−1), B(n), B(n+1), . . . ) of the series and providing at least position information thereof, with respect to said longitudinal symmetry axis (y-y); and a central processing unit ( 50 ), operatively connected to said sensor group ( 30 ), said at least one external sensor unit ( 40 ) and said at least one storing and issuing module ( 10 ) and configured to receive, process and store at least said dimension information and position information, when it is provided by said sensor group ( 30 ) and said at least one external sensor unit ( 40 ), and send corresponding signals to said at least one storing and issuing module ( 10 ); wherein in said at least one the storing and issuing module ( 10 ) one opening ( 110 ) is formed, through which each flexible document of the series can enter the same with its front side, and be transported through a linear conveying section ( 120 ) of the storing and issuing module ( 10 ), the storing and issuing module ( 10 ) having at least: a storage roller ( 70 ) configured for being actuated by a motor; one transport tape ( 170 ) configured to be dragged in rotation by the storage roller ( 70 ) around the same an internal sensor unit ( 140 ), arranged along the linear conveying section ( 120 ) at a pre-set distance from opening ( 110 ) and configured for sensing the passage of each flexible document of the series on the linear conveying section ( 120 ) and providing position information thereof, with respect to said longitudinal symmetry axis (y-y); holding means ( 80 , 80 ′), arranged at said conveying section ( 120 ), at a predefined distance from the internal sensor unit ( 140 ) and configured for engaging each flexible document of the series with the transport tape ( 170 ), when it has entered the storing and issuing module ( 10 ) through opening ( 110 ), the engagement occurring along a linear path of transport tape ( 170 ) where transport tape ( 170 ) can be moved at linear speed (v t (t)) before being rolled on storage roller ( 70 ); one processor ( 150 ), operatively connected, to said central processing unit ( 50 ), and also operatively connected at least to said storage roller ( 70 ), motor, holding means ( 80 , 80 ′), and internal sensor unit ( 140 ) and configured to receive, process and store said signals transmitted by said central processing unit ( 50 ), at least said position information of each flexible document of the series sensed by the internal sensor unit ( 140 ), and send corresponding control signals to said storage roller ( 170 ), motor, and holding means ( 80 , 80 ′), and internal sensor unit ( 140 ); said system ( 100 ) being configured to execute the method ( 1 ) according to claim 1 .
  13. 13 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon the computer instructions that, when executed by a processor, executes the method according to claim 1 .
  14. 14 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the adjusting the linear speed (v t (t)) of the transport tape is configured such that: the predetermined minimum distance (d d ) along said axis (y MIN −y MIN ) parallel to the longitudinal symmetry axis (y-y) is left on the transport tape ( 170 ) between the rear side of the first flexible document B(n) and the front side of the next flexible document B(n+1), and dclc when, at t j (n+1), the next flexible document B(n+1) is engaged with transport tape ( 170 ), the linear speed value of transport tape ( 170 ) is a constant speed value (V) of a conventional pattern of transport tape linear speed (v t (t)) at regime operational conditions.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION The present invention claims priority from International Patent Application IT 102023000001515 filed Jan. 31, 2023, the disclosure thereof is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to a method and system for storing flexible documents in a storing and issuing module, the storing and issuing module being configured to store and issue flexible documents such as banknotes and paper documents, the method and system configured for being used in a flexible document receiving and dispensing device allowing in a simple, reliable, and effective way handling larger storage capacity than traditional equipment. In the following, reference will be mainly made to banknotes as flexible documents. However, it should be noted that the method and system according to the invention may be used to store and issue any other type of flexible documents, including paper documents such as checks, notes, certificates and licenses, still remaining within the scope of protection of the present invention defined by the attached claims. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Equipment for automatic deposit and withdrawal of banknotes are used not only in banking sites but also in retail sites, as help for tellers or as customer-operated machines. This kind of equipment includes banknote receiving and dispensing devices, optionally having function of recycling, each one comprising one or more storing and issuing modules which can be removably mounted within a respective housing, wherein each module is configured to store a given banknote denomination, also depending on the size thereof. The number of employed modules determines denominations and/or types of banknotes to be handled, as well as dimensions and cost of the equipment. In fact, in use, the different denominations or types of banknotes are associated to a very different number of storing and issuing operations. For example, a module receiving denominations of banknotes of greater circulation, such as 20 euros and 50 euros banknotes, normally needs to satisfy high request of storing and issuing operations, often varying over time, and it can easily become full or empty thereby limiting functionality of the whole device. To compensate for this drawback, the addition of modules for storing and issuing banknotes with greater circulation in an equipment for automatic deposit and withdrawal of banknotes could be considered. However, this would result in high costs and is not efficient for storage room dimensioning. A prior art device for storing and issuing single denomination banknotes is disclosed in document EP2104638. As schematically shown in FIG. 1, such prior art storing and issuing module includes, among other elements, a storage roller 70 operatively associated with a motor (not shown) and at least one transport tape 170 configured to be rolled on the storage roller 70 together with banknotes, when the associated motor is activated. Before entering the storing and issuing module, through a respective opening 110 thereof, the banknotes are transported on a conveyor belt (not shown) and are deviated therefrom by at least one diverter 102 comprised in the storing and issuing module and controlled by at least one respective electromagnet. The diverter 102 is arranged at opening 110, which is formed in one side of the storing and issuing module facing the conveyor belt, and in proximity of a pair of input transport rollers 60-60′; the banknotes are thus conveyed in a linear conveying section 120 extending from the opening 110 to the outer diameter of the storage roller 70. Through such conveying section 120 each banknote entering the storage and issuing device is guided along one banknote channel (delimited by bottom and top lever arms 75 and 76) to the outer diameter of the storage roller 70. In FIG. 1, two cases are represented, namely: a first case where the module has not received any banknote yet, and the diameter of the assembly formed by the storage roller 70 and the transport tape 170 is substantially equal to the diameter of the storage roller 70, anda second case, wherein the module has already received a certain number of banknotes, and the diameter of the assembly formed by the storage roller 70, the transport tape 170 and the banknotes substantially corresponds to the diameter of storage roller 70, plus the thickness of the transport tape 170 rolled up with the banknotes around storage roller 70. At conveying section 120 the storing and issuing module is provided with photoelectric sensors 140 (at a preset distance form opening d110-140) configured for detecting the presence of banknotes in respective areas of detection of the conveying section 120 and sending a corresponding activation signal(s) causing activation of the motor associated to storage roller 70. The storing and issuing module is also provided with an electronic unit 80 and holding means, such as pairs of pinch-rollers (not represented