Field

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for distributing value tokens, for example, value tokens comprising cash- In particular, but not exclusively, the value tokens comprise banknotes,

Background

Cash, in the form of banknotes, is widely available through so-called Automated Teller Machines {ATMs), sometimes referred to as "cash machines". Automated Teller Machines are cash dispensing machines which are available to be used by qualifying members of the public, For example, a qualifying member may be a person who holds a bank account identity card such as a debit or credit card for a bank which operates an ATM either alone or in cooperation with other bank organisations. ATMs are simple to use and may be operated by a combination of the automated inspection of an identity card and input of a personal identity number (PIN) in order to obtain cash,

ATMs need to be replenished with cash from time to time. Additionally, as part of an audit process, and/or to retrieve undispensed (residual) notes (for example those which have been unpicked from the store of banknotes for some reason) cash is retrieved from an ATIVS, The very nature of cash, i.e. that it is difficult to trace, makes cash handling and distribution vulnerable to euphemistically entitled "shrinkage" as it passes through the hands of the various people and organisations in the process chain for replenishing ATMs with cash and retrieving cash from ATMs,

ATMs are generally configured to receive "cassettes" filled with a recorded number of banknotes. The cassette and ATM machinery are interoperable to extract a requested number of banknotes from a cassette in response to customer input at the ATM user interface, i.e. screen and/or keypad. The use of cassettes is a convenient way to replenish an ATM with a recorded number of banknotes. Aspects and embodiments of the present invention were devised with the foregoing in mind.

Summary

Viewed from a first aspect there is provided a method of distributing a plurality of value tokens; the method comprising: loading a tamper evident container with a predefined number of value tokens; weighing the loaded tamper evident container to obta ^' rs a first weight: automatically storing the first weigh? in an association with a unique identity for the loaded tamper evident container; conveying the loaded tamper evident container to a value token distribution site; retrieving the loaded tamper evident container from the value token distribution site; weighing the retrieved loaded tamper evident container to obtain a second weight; automatically verifying that the retrieved loaded tamper evident container is associated with the unique identity; and automatically determining a difference between the second weight and the first weight to determine the number of value tokens in the retrieved loaded tamper evident containe

Typically, the value tokens are banknotes but may comprise anything that represents a value and has sufficient mass to have a discernible weight. The weighing process, dependent upon its accuracy, reduces the likelihood of an incorrect number of banknotes being recorded for any particular cassette. If the weight of the loaded tamper evident container falls outside a predetermined tolerance the number of value tokens intended to have been loaded into it the container can be checked and reloaded. Additionally, by weighing a loaded tamper evident container an indication of whether or not the number of banknotes falls within a predetermined tolerance may be achieved without inspection of the notes in the container. Such an indirect determination of the number of banknotes reduces the possibility of wastage, i.e. banknotes being removed from the container after it has been loaded or being diverted from loading into the container:. Likewise, weighing a retrieved loaded container allows for an indication of the number of banknotes to be determined prior to opening of the container.

In one embodiment the method further comprises automatically checking the first weight fails within a tolerance value for the tamper evident container loaded with the predefined number of value tokens By establishing a reasonable tolerance value "false negatives" may be reduced and account taken of the variation in quality of value tokens which may be loaded into or retrieved from containers. For example, if a value token comprises paper money it is quite likely that dirt will accrue to the money possibly increasing its weight or the paper money may be damaged in some way and have missing parts thereby reducing Its weight. The tolerance value may be set to take account of these variations.

Such automatic checking provides for a reduction in human intervention and therefore greater security of the value tokens.

Suitably, automatically checking comprises looking up the first weight in a table of weights and corresponding number of value tokens stored in an automatically accessible memory storage, e.g. a database.

The method may further comprise automatically setting an alarm state for the number of value tokens falling outside the predetermined olerance value and/or for the first weight falling outside the predetermined tolerance value. Setting an alarm state may alert an operator to a problem which can then be investigated.

In one embodiment the method further comprises determining the tare weight of the tamper evident container without value tokens loaded in it and automatically storing the tare weight in memory storage in association with the unique identity. Thus it is possible to consider the weight of the container alone and allows for the method to further comprise automatically accounting for the tare weight of the loaded tamper evident container to determine the first weight as representative of the number of value tokens loaded in the tamper evident container,

Typically, automatically accounting for the tare weight comprises automatically subtracting the tare weight from the weight of the loaded tamper evident container.

In another embodiment, determining the difference between the second weight and the first weight may comprise automatically subtracting the first weight from the second weight in order to obtain the weight of the value tokens in the retrieved famperproof container.

In one or more embodiments, the tamper evident container further comprises a seal applied to the loaded tamper evident container, and the method includes determining the difference between the second weight and the first weight by automatically looking up the weight of the seal and subtracting the weight of the seal from the second weight The application of a seal to the tamper evident container provides a further level of tamper evident protection and by taking account of the weight of the seal little adverse effect on determination of the number of value tokens results. Typically, the weight of seals of substantially the same within sufficient tolerances and therefore the nominal weight of a sealed may be stored and the method comprises looking up the stored seal weight for use in subtracting it from the second weight.

In one or more embodiments, the tamper evident container further comprises a bag enclosing the loaded tamper evident container, and the method includes determining the difference between the second weight and the first weight by automatically looking up the weight of the bag and subtracting the weight of the bag from the second weight. Where a bag is used, it may be considered to be a part of the tamper evident container since its use is to provide a further level of tamper evident protection.

in another embodiment, determining the difference between the second weight and the first weight comprises automatically subtracting the second weight from the first weight. In one or more embodiments, the method further comprises automatically looking up a data record associated with the unique identity and storing the value token denomination Ioaded into the tamper evident container, automatically looking up a concordance of value token denomination and weight of a value token, automatically dividing the difference between the second and first weight by the weight of a value token of the Ioaded denomination to determine the number of value tokens of that denomination loaded into the tamper evident container and automatically multiply the number of value tokens by the denomination to determine a total value of value tokens in the retrieved temper evident container,

In one or more embodiments, the method further comprises recording the weight and unique identity further comprises printing a label containing the weight and unique identity and fixing the label to the tamper evident container.

In one or more embodiments, the method further comprises placing the Ioaded tamper evident container into a sealable bag, sealing the bag, printing a label containing the weight and unique identity and fixing fhe label to the sealed bag. In this way, the weight of the container is firmly associated with the container itself, Optionally, placing fhe ioaded tamper evident container into a sealable bag, sealing the bag, printing a label containing the weight and unique identity and fixing the label to the sealed bag provides further security of fhe container and the Ioaded value tokens,

Viewed from a second aspect there Is provided data processing apparatus, configured to: receive an 3D signal indicative of an identity of a retrieved tamper evident container; compare the identity of the retrieved tamper evident container with a store of unique identities of loaded tamper evident container to identify a memory record for the Ioaded tamper evident container corresponding to the retrieved tamper evident container; receive a signal indicative of the weight of a retrieved tamper evident container; retrieve from the memory record for the loaded tamper evident container the tare weight of the loaded tamper evident container and determine the difference between the weight of the retrieved tamper evident container and the tare weight; and determine the number of value tokens in the retrieved tamper evident container by dividing the difference between the weight of the retrieved tamper evident container and the tare weight by the weight of an individual value token.

Viewed from a third aspect there is provided a method of operating data processing apparatus; comprising: receiving an ID signal indicative of an identity of a retrieved tamper evident container; comparing the identity of the retrieved tamper evident container with a store of unique identities of loaded tamper evident container to identify a memory record for the loaded tamper evident container corresponding to the retrieved tamper evident container; receiving a signal indicative of the weight of a retrieved tamper evident container; retrieving from the memory record for the loaded tamper evident container the tare weight of the loaded tamper evident container and determining the difference between the weight of the retrieved tamper evident container and the tare weight; and determining the number of value tokens in the retrieved tamper evident container by dividing the difference between the weight of the retrieved tamper evident container and the tare weight by the weight of an individual va!ue token.

One or more embodiments in accordance with one or other of the second and third aspects in accordance with the present invention provide an apparatus and method respectively automatically determining the amount of value tokens and/or their total value in a retrieved tamper evident container without having to open the container. This provides an important element of security and verification without human intervention.

Suitably, the denomination of value tokens loaded info the loaded tamper evident container are retrieved from the memory record for the loaded tamper evident container and the denomination is muitipiied with the number of vaiue tokens determined for the retrieved tamper evident container to derive the total value of value tokens in the retrieved tamper evident container,

Typically, one or more embodiments in accordance with the invention !ook up in a concordance of value token denomination and weight of an individual vaiue token to determine the weight of an individual value token corresponding to the value token denomination of value tokens loaded into the loaded tamper evident container.

Viewed from a fourth aspect there is provided a method of distributing a plurality of value tokens; the method comprising: loading a tamper evident container with a predefined number of value tokens; weighing the loaded tamper evident container to obtain a first weight; associating the weight of the loaded tamper evident container with a unique identity for the loaded tamper evident container; recording the weight and unique identity; conveying the loaded tamper evident container to a value token distribution site; retrieving the loaded tamper evident container from the value token distribution site; weighing the retrieved loaded tamper evident container to obtain a second weight; and associating the second weight of the retrieved loaded tamper evident container with the unique identity.

Viewed from a fifth aspect there is provided apparatus for use in any preceding method, comprising: weigh apparatus configured to output a signal indicative of the weight of a ioaded container placed on ft; data processing apparatus configured to receive the signal and associate data indicative of the weight with a unique identity corresponding to the loaded container, the data processing apparatus further configured to record the data indicative of the weight and unique identity corresponding to the loaded container.

The apparatus may further comprise a printer configured to print a label corresponding to the data indicative of the weight and unique identity corresponding to She loaded container.

The apparatus may further comprise counter apparatus for automatically counting the number of value tokens for loading into a container, the data processing apparatus configured to receive a second signal indicative of the number of vaiue tokens counted by the counter apparatus and/or for automatically counting the number of vaiue tokens loaded into a loaded container, the data processing apparatus configured to receive a second signal indicative of the number of vaiue tokens counted by the counter apparatus,

The data processing apparatus may be further configured to compare the number of value tokens indicated by the second signal with a look up table of weights and corresponding numbers of value tokens to determine the weight falls within a predetermined tolerance for the number of counted value tokens. Optionally, the data processing apparatus is configured to set an alert status for the weight falling outside the predetermined tolerance.

List of figures

One or more embodiments in accordance with the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the drawings, in which:

Figure 1(a) is a diagrammatic illustration of an overview of the main process steps for replenishing and retrieving cash from an ATM;

Figure 1 (b) is a diagrammatic illustration of an overview of the main process steps for replenishing and retrieving cash from an ATM in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 schematically illustrates the process flow control of a method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 comprises a series of screen shots (a) - (k) for the "cash out" procedure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 5 shows an outbound label in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 8 shows an inbound label in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 7 shows a series of screen shots {a} - (h) for the "cash out" procedure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 8 schematically illustrates a database structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Description

Within the United Kingdom, and indeed many other countries, it is common to reptenish ATMs by using cassettes for holding the banknotes. A reason for this is that the cassette may be sealed in order to render them so-called "tamperproof or at least make any tampering evident thereby reducing the likelihood of losses occurring in the AT replenishment and cash recovery processes. There are four basic methodologies for the distribution of cash using cassettes and these are set out below.

* Cassette Exchange - Cassettes are packed in a cash centre and transported to and from site

« Cash Exchange - Bagged cash is transported to the centre and cassettes are packed by crew at the back of the ATM with residual cash bagged

» Cash swop in Vehicle ~ Cassettes are packed by a 3 ^!d crew person in the back of a

CIT vehicle and residuals are counted in the back of the vehicle

» Add cash - Bagged cash is transported to the ATM and added into cassettes. There is no residual returned but crews balance the cash at site periodically The acronym "CIT" stands for "Cash In Transit" which refers to the transfer of cash from the source of the cash, e.g. a cash centre or bank, to and/or from an ATM

In all of the different methods there are opportunities for cash to go missing at the point it is handled by a human being, Taking the "cassette exchange' ¹ method as an example, at the point the cassettes are packed at the cash centre, cash may be stolen or otherwise go missing during the process of loading the cassettes. Likewise, when the cassettes are unloaded at the cash centre.

The current cassette exchange method will now be described in more detail with reference to figure 1(a) of the drawings. At step 2 the cash provider packs a cash bag with cash and provides that to a cash carrier who receives the bag of cash at step 4. The cash carrier then packs the ATM cash cassettes, step 8 and seals the cassettes, step 8, with a tape seal or the like.

Once the seal has been applied to the ATlv cassette, the cassette is "tamper evident" to the extent that any tampering, i,e. opening, of the cassette, will be evident.

Residua! cash, i.e. cash that is still in a cassette loaded in the ATM but not yet dispensed, is collected and counted by the carrier, step 12. At this stage, there is no tamper evident protection for the cash. The carrier then bags the cash, which may then be sealed with the carrier's seal at step 14 and sent to the cash provider. The cash provider then processes the cash at step 16, which will typically include counting the cash again and checking it against the amount indicated by the carrier. Any difference in the cash amount counted by the provider and indicated by the carrier is a matter of dispute between the provider and carrier and liability for the missing cash has to be distributed between the two. However, It is often the case that the liability is not distributed equally with one party taking greater responsibility for the missing cash and making good on that missing cash than the other.

IP A general overview of the method developed by the applicant will now be described with reference to figure 1 (b) of the drawings. In the new procedure, the cash provider packs the cassettes themselves and generates "pack" data comprising the amount of cash and/or the number of banknotes, the time and the identity of the operator packing the cassette, step 18, , and indirectly determines the amount of cash in the cassette and then seals the cassettes, step 20. At this stage, the cassettes are tamper evident and the cash has only been handled by the cash provider in packing the cassettes. The cash cassettes are then placed into a bag and the provider's sea! attached to the bag. The carrier may also attach their seal to the bag. At this stage, the bag and cassette are at least tamper evident.

The bag containing the cash cassette is transported to the ATM into which the cassette is to be loaded and at step 22 the carrier opens the bag and replenishes the ATM with the cassette. At this stage, any part used cassettes are also retrieved, placed in a bag and sealed by the carrier. The filled bags are transported to the provider who then processes the cassettes at step 24 to determine indirectly how much cash is still in the cassette and to reconcile residual cash in the cassette with the amount of cash that was packed into it and a record of how much cash was dispensed from the cassette by the ATM (the ATM audit information).

One or more embodiments in accordance with the present invention seek to reduce the likelihood of tampering or at least provide a process in which the cash provider can certify the amount of cash within a cassette to an acceptable degree of tolerance when the cassette is sealed thereby removing or at least limiting the liability of the cash provider in respect of loss of cash during the ATM replenishment and cash retrieval procedure.

Apparatus used in an embodiment in accordance with the present invention will now be described with reference fo figure 2, A set of highly accurate electronic scales, 30, are provided having the usual input interface 32 and display 34. In the described embodiment these scales are model DMC 888 supplied by Stevens Group Limited of Greenbank Technology Park, Challenge Way, Blackburn, Lancashire BB1 5GB. in the described embodiment, the scales have a sensitivity of no more than 12 notes _< i.e. 12 UK paper currency notes. That is to say, a sensitivity of £240 if the notes are £20 notes and £120 if the notes are £10 notes. Typically, a £10 or £20 note weighs about 1 g, i.e. 0.001 kg. An unused or relatively new note may have a different weight from a note having been in circulation for some time because amore used note may have accrued dirt, for example, and therefore be heavier than a relatively new note. Conversely, a note having been in circulation for some time may have suffered damage and have missing parts and therefore weigh less than a relatively new note. Consequently, the scales may be calibrated for the notes to be packed into the cassette. The scales will be calibrated by taking a number of notes of substantially the same quality, i.e. relatively new or having had high circulation, weighing the bundle of notes and dividing the result by the number of notes in the bundle to give an average weight per note. The average weight per note may then be stored and used for the cassettes dependent on the type of note loaded into them.

The scales 30 are coupled to a printer 40 printing for barcode and packing information labels 42. Although the printer 40 is illustrated external to the scales 30 it will be appreciated by the person of ordinary skill in the art that the printer 40 may be incorporated within the scales 30.

The weigh system comprises a bulk storage module 38. The scales 30 include an interface for outputting electronic signals, including signals indicative of the sensed weight of an article placed on the scales, from data processing apparatus 36. such as a microprocessor and accompanying processing resources, to the bulk storage module 38 and printer 40. Data processing apparatus 36 has the usual computing resources including a processor, memory, a suitable interface module such as a keyboard and display for human interface and external interfaces such as a network interface and/or serial interface such as a Universal Serial Bus Interface port (USB). Data processing apparatus 38 is configured by way of a programming language to Interface with scales 30 to receive electronic signals therefrom and if necessary provide control signals thereto.

Data processing apparatus 36 is also interfaced with a bulk data storage module 38 over the network interface. Additionally . data processing apparatus 36 is also coupled to a printer 40 printing for barcode labels 42. Although data processing apparatus 38 is illustrated internal to the scales 30 it will be appreciated by the person of ordinary skill in the art that the data processing apparatus may be incorporated external of the scales 30. For example, the data processing apparatus may be a standalone computer such as a PC suitably programmed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Data processing apparatus 38 is also interfaced with a barcode reader 39. The data processing apparatus 36 is configured by suitable programming language to receive and process signals from the barcode reader.

A ciosed circuit TV (CCTV) camera 44 is positioned so that ts field of view encompasses at feast the scales 30 and items resting on the scales.

An implementation of the procedure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the process flow control diagram illustrated n figure 3 of the drawings.

ATM cassettes are configured for the particular type of ATM they are to be loaded into . For example, Diebold Direct of 3792 Boettler Oaks Dr., Suite A Uniontown, OH 44685 USA provided different types of ATM cassette: Diebold Opteva ATM cassettes; Diebold i & ix ATM cassettes; Diebold miscellaneous ATM cassettes; and NCR ATM cassettes through their webpage http://dieboiddirect.com/atm-supplies-atm-cassettes.aspx on 20 March 2014. Each ATM cassette is loaded w¾h just one denomination of notes, for example £10 notes or £20 notes.

At the start of the procedure, step 50, so-called "bulk cash" obtained by the cash provider is processed read to be loaded into an ATM cassette 51 , BuSk cash is split for the cassette or bagpacking using the information provided on a label generated by the Cash Centre System (CCS) which sets out the values and denominations of notes to be loaded into a cassette for a particular order number (YYYY) The CCS also generates a cassette barcode label 53 to uniquely identify the cassette within the CCS and which includes a code indicating the denomination to be loaded into the cassette. To initiate the processing of the cash order, an operator activates the scales 30 which displays on touch sensitive display 34, also acting as the user interface 32 in the described embodiment, the first stage of an operator authorisation procedure as illustrated in figure 4 (a). The operator inputs their system identity, for example their name (XXXX), into text input field 82 and scans their ID card through a card reader to confirm their identity. In the next stage of the procedure the operator inputs their password into text input field 84 using a touch sensitive keyboard 88 as illustrated in figure 4 (b) to verify their identity. The operator identity, if verified, is transmitted to the CCS database 120 stored in bulk storage module 38 and stored in record 126 which typically also Includes operator personal details or an operator identity defined relationship to an operator database table in which such details are stored. If the operator is not verified scaies 30 will not be activated,

Transmission of the operator identify to the CCS database initiates the generation of a data record for the cassette cash loading process, A graphic example of such a record is illustrated in figure 3 of the drawings as an entry in a tabfe 110. Table 110 comprises columns for each item of data associated with an operator and order number.

In the next stage of the procedure, a menu list is displayed, figure 4 (c), and the operator selects the manual weighing option 88, Selection of the manual weighing option initiates the generation of a request by the CCS to scan the barcode of the order label previously generated by the CCS for the cash order being processed. The order number and the details of the order, for example the value, denomination to be loaded into the cassette and customer details, are stored in record 122 of database 120. The operator identity in record 128 is associated with the order number in record 122.

At step 52 a request, 72, to scan the cassette barcode label 53 is then displayed on the display screen 34. The cassette barcode label 53, if not already placed on the cassette, is placed on the cassette and scanned with the barcode reader 39. Optionally, the cassette barcode label 53 could be first scanned and then placed on the cassette but it is more reliable to have the cassette barcode label 53 placed on the cassette before the label is scanned. The unique cassette identity (AAAA) read from the cassette barcode label 53 is stored in record 124 of database 120 and associated with the order number being processed stored in record 122. in an optional embodiment, which may improve reliability and security of the procedure, the value of the order and the denomination for the particular cassette may also be read from the cassette barcode label 53 and compared with the order number details previously stored in record 122. If there is a discrepancy between the value of the order and/or the denomination as set out in the order details and the cassette barcode label 53 reading the CCS will raise an exception and the procedure will be interrupted.

At step 54 the display 34 displays a screen, figure 4 (f) displaying a dial to show the actual weight of cash recorded, 78, and requesting selection of a PLU, 74 _: i.e. a cash amount to be packed into the cassette. Actuation by an operator of a portion of e screen indicated by the request, 74, prompts generation of a list of possible amounts and denominations to be loaded into the cassette, 78, as illustrated in figure 4 (g). The operator selects an amount corresponding to the amount on the CCS generated label.

The cassette 51 is then placed on the scales 30 and a tare process initiated. In the fare process, the weight of the empty cassette 51 is measured and recorded in database 120 record 24 for cassette ID AAAA.

The cassette 51 is loaded with the number of notes required to fulfil the order being processed by the operator. However, there may be error in loading and/or recording the exact number of notes loaded into the cassette and so the number of notes required to fulfil the order should be viewed as a nominal or target number of notes for the cassette. The scales 30 sense the weight of the notes packed into the cassette and the dial 82 rotates clockwise as the weight of notes increases. When the operator has loaded the cassette with what they believe lo be the correct number of notes they can check that the number of notes loaded into the cassette is within tolerances since the middle of dial 82 will be located in target weight region 80 of the dial. Provided the needle is located in region 80 the operator may be confident that the correct number of notes has been loaded info the cassette is subject to the tolerances and sensitivity of the scales 30,

The target weight is automatically determined by the scales 30 by reference to a look up note/weight table stored in bulk memory storage 38. The Note/Weight fable comprises a concordance of note denominations, weight of a bundle of notes, the value of such bundle of notes and a calculated individual note weight as illustrated in Table 1 below. For example, the cassette tare weight may be 3378 g (3.378 kg) and a total of five hundred £20 notes loaded into it. The weight of the notes is 542g (0.542kg) from an inspection of a Note/Weight Tabie such as set forth in table 1 below. Thus, the target region 80 corresponds to a weight of 542 g (0,542 kg) +/- 13.008 g (0 013008 kg), Le . 2 £20 notes.

Table 1

The weight of notes recorded by scales 30 is then sent to the CCS database and stored in record 124 for cassette ID AAAA.

The loaded cassette 51 is then sealed with a seal having a barcode label affixed to it and the seal barcode scanned with the barcode reader 39 responsive to a prompt, 84, on the display 34 of scales 30, see figure 4 (i) . The cassette seal barcode identity BBBB is stored in the CCS database 120 in record 128 which is associated with record 124 of cassette ID AAAA.

At step 56, display 34 displays a request to scan the barcode 57 of the bag, 55, into which the cassette will be placed, 88, figure 4 (j). The operator scans the "bag outbound barcode" of the bag _f 55, into which the cassette will be placed using barcode reader 39 and the bag outbound barcode identity CCCC stored in the CCS database 120 In record 130 which is associated with record 128 for the cassette seal ID BBBB. The cassette 51 is then placed into bag 55.

18 At step 58, the scales 30 automatically cause printer 40 to print an outbound label 90 which records the order number YYYY, seal barcode number BBBB, bag outbound barcode number CCCC (named as "outer seal"), the weight of the notes loaded into the cassette 51 and details concerning the set of scales used, the operator, the supervisor and the date and time the procedure was undertaken, 92. The outbound label 90 is fixed to bag 55, The labelled tamper evident bag is then dispatched to the carrier who delivers them to the ATM site for loading of the cassette into the ATM, step 80,

At the ATM, the carrier unloads the tamper evident bag 55 to obtain the loaded cassette 51 which is then placed into the ATM, The tamper evident bag 55 is retained for reuse when the cassette is retrieved from the ATM. Cash cassettes already located in the ATM are removed to make way for new loaded cassettes, A removed cassette is piaced in the tamper evident bag 59 in which it was originally delivered to the ATM and the tamper evident bag 55 reseated. The tamper evident bag 55 includes a second "inbound" bag barcode label. The inbound bag barcode label may be prefixed to the tamper evident bag 55, as is the outbound bag barcode label, such as printed on the bag or fixed in a permanent or semi-permanent manner prior to use.

The tamper evident bag 55 together with its paired cassette is returned by the carrier to the cash provider at the cash centre to enter the inbound cassette procedure. A visual inspection of the bag, the bag seal, the cassette and the cassette seal is undertaken to determine if there are signs of tampering with the bag and/or cassette. In the event that it is determined that there are signs of tampering the inbound cassette procedure is hailed and the customer whose ATM the cassette was retrieved from is alerted to the problem. This is an important aspect of the procedure because the customer may be alerted to a problem without a cash provider operator having opened the bag or cassette.

in the absence of any evidence of tampering, the "Cash In" process may be initiated. Figure 7 shows a series of display screen shots for the Cash In process in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The scales first display on screen 34 a request to the operator to scan their ID card into the system, 100, figure 7 (a). Following the operator scanning iheir ID card into the system and it being verified as a valid ID card, the scales operate to display a password entry text box, 102, and a QWERTY keyboard, 104, touch actuable for entry of the operator password, figure 7 (b). The operator is then presented with a number of options, figure 7 (c), and from those options selects the "Count Back" option, 108.

The operator is then prompted to scan the inbound bag barcode label, figure 7 (d), with barcode reader 39 to obtain bag inbound identity DDDD which appears in text box 108 and is also stored in record 132 of CCS database 120. The scales 34 then display, figure 7 {e), a request, 110 to the operator to read the cassette seal barcode label number and looks up record 128 in the CCS database to check that the number read from the cassette seal is BBBB. The inbound bag number DDDD is then associated to the cassette seal number BBBB which itself is related to cassette number AAAA. If there is an inconsistency between the number of the cassette seal barcode label read through bag DDDD and the number BBBB stored in the CCS database then an exception occurs and the procedure stops.

If no exception occurs, the process proceeds to the next step and the cassette and bag ensemble is weighed on scales 30, step 82, to give a total weight of the ensemble. The display illustrated in figure 7 (f) is presented on screen 34. The expected cash value for the order is read from the order record 122 stored in CCS database 120 and displayed on the screen, 1 12.

The tare weight of cassette 51 is read from the weight record associated with the record, 124, for cassette number AAAA stored in the CCS database. Additionally, the bag weight and cassette seal weight are read from a table populated with the nominal or average bag and cassette seal weight

For the described embodiment, the arithmetic is set out in Table 2 below. Weight of cassette/bag ensemble 3862 g

Tare cassette AAAA 337S B

Bag CCCC Weight 32 3...

Sea! 8B88 Weight 5

CASH weight - Total Package minus cassette minus bag minus seal 44? g

Cash Value ~ (Cash weight / Avge Note Weight) x Denomination

value £8,240

Table 2

The nel weight is the amount of "residual" cash, i.e. unused or undispensed cash, still in the cassette. The dial, 1 14, of the display of figure 7 (f) will move to region 113 of the dial if the net weight is within the tolerance to give the expected value displayed in text box 112. Thus, the amount of residual cash in a retrieved cassette is determined indirectly without breaking the seal of the tamper evident bag 55 or the cassette seal. The amount of residual cash is determined to within the tolerance of the scales 3Q and provides a range of residual cash value according to the tolerance.

The next step, once the cassette has been placed on the scales and the net weight checked, is that the scales 30 display the screen shown in figure 7 (g). The operator is asked if a purge bag is available, 116 .if there is no purge bag within the cassette (which it normally is not) then the operator clicks "No" and the printer prints off two copses of a label, 98 of figure 6, stating what has been determined to be the cash value in the unopened cassette to within a tolerance level of 12 notes together with information on the cassette, seal, etcetera, 98. Figure 7 (h) displays an option, 118, for the operator to reprint the label

The retrieved cassette is emptied of residual cash and the notes counted monitored by CCTV camera 44. Thus, there would be a likelihood that any theft or attempted theft would be observed. The only other opportunity would be when the cash cassettes are retrieved from the ATM which places the liability for the cash loss on the carrier. The value of the counted cash from all the cassettes retrieved from the ATM are checked against the cash dispense data for the ATM from which the cassettes were retrieved. The cash dispense data may be recorded on a so-called "ATM ticket" which is retrieved from the ATM with the cassettes. The ATM ticket provides an audit trail of the cash dispensed by the ATM. Optionally or additionally, the cash dispense data may be provided electronically having

IS been remotely obtained from the ATM over a telecommunications system, for example via the ATM owner/operator bank.

The number of banknotes loaded into the cassette may be automatically counted by suitable automated banknote counter apparatus. Likewise, the number of banknotes in a retrieved cassette may also be counted by suitable automated banknote counter apparatus.

An embodiment in accordance with the present invention may be configured to automatically ad a cassette to avoid the need of human operator involvement in the procedure. Appropriate robot control mechanisms could be used to scan barcodes and fix the seal onto the cassette as well as place the cassette Into the bag. Optionally, a hybrid machine/human procedure could be adopted whereby the cash handling is automated to the point where the seal is fixed to the cassette. After that stage a human operator may load the cassette into the bag. Although it wi!l be possible for a human operator to apply the cassette seal the procedure would be more secure if they did not.

As used herein any reference to "one embodiment" or '¾n embodiment" means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase In one embodiment" or the phrase "in an embodiment' ^* in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," "including," "has " "having" or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, "or" refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present). in addition, use of the "a" or "an" are employed to describe elements and components of the invention, This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the invention. This description should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise.

In general summary, one or more embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a closed loop distribution and recovery system for value tokens such as banknotes. The term "closed loop" is intended to convey the sense that once vaiue tokens such as banknotes are sealed in a tamper evident container such as a cash cassette and/or sealed bag at the cash distribution centre , personnel at the cash distribution centre do not open the tamper evident container until it has been received back from the distribution site and its weight determined to conform to an expected weight in light of the cash distributed at the distribution side and recorded by the cash distribution audit information. If the weight does not conform to the expected weight cash distribution centre personnel do not open the cash cassette and/or sealed bag,

in view of the foregoing description it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention. For example, although the particular embodiment described utilises cassette having barcode labels giving the cassette a unique identity and also indicating the denomination that the cassette should be loaded with being provided at the beginning of the process, and optional variant would be to have the barcode generated when the cassette is loaded with cash during the cassette a unique identity and indicating the denomination with which it was loaded. The nominal or target number of notes to be loaded into a cassette referred to in the specific description may be dispensed with and the cassette loaded with a number of notes that fit constantly into the cassette given the quality of the notes. For example, new notes are likely to be easier to pack into a cassette and so more of them could be loaded into the cassette, whereas older reuse notes that be more difficult to pack nto cassette and therefore few of them are loaded into a particular cassette, However, given the operation of the system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention it is unnecessary to know the exact number of notes loaded into cassette at the time of loading since the number of notes may be determined after loading the cassette. Although a particular order of activities has been described for various embodiments in accordance with the present invention, embodiments of the present invention are not restricted to that particular order and the activities may be carried out in a different order yet still preserving one or more benefits deriving from the teaching of the present invention and falling within the scope of the appended claims,

The term "tamper evident" has been used and generally throughout the description to refer to something that will show signs of having been tampered with if somebody had attempted to tamper with it. The term hamper proof is occasionally used in the field and an article that has a so-called "tamper proof fixing will also show signs of tampering in particular if the tamper proof fixing has proven to be compromised and failed as a proof against tampering. In general usage the term "tamper proof" does not exclusively mean something that cannot be tampered with

Although embodiments in accordance with the present invention have been described with reference to a touch sensitive display 34 incorporating the user input interface 32 it will be evident to a person of ordinary skill in the art that a separate user input interface 32 may be provided if a non-touch sensitive display were to be employed.

The ordinarily skilled person will understand that a bulk storage medium need not be utilsed for the storage of all types of data. Some data, for example the note/weight table, may be stored locally to the scales 30.

Insofar as embodiments of the invention described above are imp!ementable, at feast in part, using a software-controlled programmable processing device such as a general purpose processor or special-purposes processor, digital signal processor, microprocessor, or other processing device, data processing apparatus or computer system it will be appreciated that a computer program for configuring a programmable device, apparatus or system to implement the foregoing described methods, apparatus and system is envisaged as an aspect of the present invention. The computer program may be embodied as any suitable type of code, such as source code, object code, compiled code, interpreted code, executable code, static code, dynamic code, and the like.; The instructions may be implemented using any suitable high-level, low-level, object-oriented _t visual, compiled and/or interpreted programming language, such as C, C++, Java, BASIC, Perl, atlab, Pascal Visual BASIC, JAVA, ActiveX, assembly language, machine code, and so forth, A skilled person would readily understand that term "computer ^1* in its most general sense encompasses programmable devices such as referred to above, and data processing apparatus and computer systems,

Suitably, the computer program is stored on a carrier medium in machine readable form, for example the carrier medium may comprise memory, removable or non-removable media, erasable or non-erasable media, writeable or re- riteable media, digital or analog media, hard disk, floppy disk, Compact Disk Read Gniy Memory (CD-ROM), Company Disk Recordable (CD-R), Compact Disk Rewriteable (CD-RW), optical disk, magnetic media, magneto-optical media, removable memory cards or disks, various types of Digital Versatile Disk (DVD) subscriber identity module, tape, cassette solid-state memory, The computer program may be supplied from a remote source embodied in the communications medium such as an electronic signal, radio frequency carrier wave or optical carrier waves. Such carrier media are also envisaged as aspects of the present invention.

The scope of the present disclosure includes any novel feature or combination of features disclosed therein either explicitly or implicitly or any generalisation thereof irrespective of whether or not it relates to the claimed invention or mitigate against any or all of the problems addressed by the present invention. The applicant hereby gives notice that new claims may be formulated to such features during prosecution of this application or of any such further application derived therefrom. In particular, with reference to the appended claims, features from dependent claims may be combined with those of the sndependent claims and features from respective independent claims may be combined in any appropriate manner and not merely in specific combinations enumerated in the claims.