The use of apparatuses for handling notes in a secure way in shops with automatic cash register systems is already known. An apparatus of the CashGuard type (registered trademark) is described in EP 615 643, which apparatus comprises a plurality of storage spools for storing notes on the basis of denomination. The notes of one denomination are stored lined up consecutively between transparent films or feeder bands, corresponding to the order in which they were fed into the apparatus. The notes are reissued in the reverse order, so that the note that was fed in last will be issued first. A first detecting device is placed in the vicinity of the opening to check the presence of the note and a second detecting device is placed further inside the apparatus than the first detecting apparatus to determine the content of the note. Each note is detected when it is fed in and when it is issued, and data relating to the accumulated number of notes is recorded in an item-recording device. This known apparatus works satisfactorily, but is subject to further development according to the present invention.

The arrangement of an automatic cash register system for one or several

self-enclosed note-handling apparatuses in a shop is thus known. However, it is desirable to make the self-enclosed note-handling apparatus described in the introduction less bulky than known apparatuses, as these require a lot of space at a checkout. It is also desirable to make the apparatus less complicated than known apparatuses.

An object of the present invention is to avoid the said disadvantages of known apparatuses and to improve the known apparatus described above.

Another object of the present invention is to simplify the sending of signals intended for the cash register system to the control device in a secure and efficient way, concerning the recording of notes fed into the apparatus in order thereby to achieve a reliable recording of the total number of notes stored in the apparatus.

Yet another object is to be able to use other types of feeder band, that completely surround the note, that is to say also bands that are not transparent, and feeder bands that partially surround the note.

For these objects, the self-enclosed note-handling apparatus according to the present invention, described in the introduction and characterized by what is described in the characterizing part of Claim 1, is highly suitable. In this way, the note-handling apparatus can be made less bulky than known technology and can have fewer components, both for detecting a note, that is to say for checking the presence of a note, and for determining the content of a note, that is to say for checking size of denomination, value, etc, and whether the note is genuine. Each note is detected and checked at the same time, which means that the transport path for the note is shorter and hence the apparatus is less bulky in depth.

The sensor device is suitably arranged outside the opening and separated from the means of transportation.

In this way, the film for transporting notes in the means of transportation does not need to be transparent and it is possible to use several types of film.

Alternatively, the sensor device is arranged on a feeding-in and issuing unit located at the opening designed for each note denomination.

By this means, it is guaranteed that the note is fed in to the self-contained note-handling apparatus in a secure way. In addition, it is possible to check the note before it is transported into the storage space in the apparatus for storage.

The feeding-in and issuing unit preferably comprises a means of propulsion for feeding notes to and from the opening.

The note can thereby be read off by means of a separate unit belonging to the apparatus, which unit is arranged to guide each note to the means of transportation and participate in the checking of the note, without a cashier needing to feed the note into the means of transportation in the apparatus in a specific way when feeding in the note. In this way, additional security is also achieved by simple means, as the unit reduces the risk of theft by the physical design of the feeding-in and issuing unit making the storage space in the apparatus less accessible.

Propulsion by the means of propulsion in the feeding-in and issuing unit is suitably synchronized with the propulsion by the propulsion device.

By this means, the note can be propelled along the same path, through the

feeding-in and issuing unit and along the extent of the means of transportation. The control device advantageously ensures that, when a note is fed into the opening in the apparatus intended for this denomination, the propulsion spool device moves the note more slowly through the feeding-in and issuing unit than it is moved inside the actual apparatus by means of the propulsion device. The propulsion spool device is also synchronized with the propulsion device in such a way that, when the note is issued, the note is transported more quickly through the feeding-in and issuing unit than the speed that is achieved by the propulsion device. This synchronization is also controlled, preferably electronically, by means of the control device.

Alternatively, the feeding-in and issuing unit is arranged to transport each note more slowly in a direction inward towards the means of transportation of the propulsion device and more quickly in a direction outward away from the means of transportation of the propulsion device, in relation to the speed of the means of transportation.

By this means, the risk is reduced of the note being crumpled when it is fed in, while at the same time the note is issued from the apparatus in a secure way.

The propulsion device preferably comprises a propulsion arrangement of two single-film storage spools and one double-film storage spool, each spool comprising a driving motor arranged inside the spool in direct engagement with the spool, controlled by the control device.

By this means, the apparatus can be made less bulky and can have fewer components than known technology. In addition, the power consumption is less, while at the same time accuracy is improved.

The separate sensor is suitably an optical sensor.

Alternatively, the separate sensor is a magnetic sensor.

The sensor device in the apparatus is suitably connected electronically to the control device and an item-recording device, which item-recording device is arranged to send a signal to the control device for automatic issuing of notes on the basis of the number of notes recorded in the apparatus according to denomination.

In this way, the apparatus is arranged for automatic cash register systems in such a way that the separate sensor detects the number of notes fed into the apparatus and issued from the apparatus. The detected number of notes of a denomination is recorded in the item-recording device as data, which data is processed and used by a processor for controlling the issuing of notes by means of the control device.

Brief description of drawings The invention will now be described with reference to the drawings in which: Figures la and lb show schematically a first embodiment of the invention ; Figure 2 shows schematically two apparatuses for an automatic cash register system ; Figure 3 shows schematically a second embodiment of the invention ; Figures 4a and 4b show schematically a third embodiment of the invention ; and Figure 5 shows schematically an apparatus with three feeder bands.

Disclosure of invention The invention will now be described in the form of embodiments. For the sake of clarity, components that are not of significance for the invention are omitted in the drawings.

The term"self-enclosed"originates from the European patent application EP 615 643 in which three storage spools per type of note are described as being located inside a casing unit which can be a thief-proof casing. The corresponding Swedish priority patent application describes a self-enclosed note-handling function. The words"self-enclosed note-handling apparatus" can, of course, be replaced by the words"note-handling apparatus enclosed in a casing".

Figures la and lb show schematically a self-enclosed note-handling apparatus 1 designed for automatic cash register systems 3 (see Figure 3), which apparatus 1 comprises a propulsion device 5 and a means of transportation 7 for storage of notes 9 in the apparatus 1 and for transportation of notes 9 in and out of the apparatus 1 through an opening 11 arranged for each denomination. A thief-proof casing surrounds the apparatus and comprises the openings 11 for the respective denominations.

The control of the transportation of notes 9 in and out of the apparatus 1 is achieved by means of a control device 13 arranged for the apparatus 1 and for the automatic cash register system 3 (see also Figures 2 and 3 in which the function is described in greater detail) and a sensor device 15 connected to a reading-off unit 17. The number of notes 9 to be transported automatically out of the apparatus 1 is determined on the basis of an amount calculated by a cash register 19.

The sensor device 15 comprises a separate sensor 21, arranged inside the

opening 11 for detecting notes 9 that are fed in and issued. The sensor device 15 is connected electronically to the control device 13. The sensor device 15 comprises both the separate sensor 21 and the reading-off unit 17, which are arranged to check the presence of each note 9 and to determine the content of each note 9 at item level. The separate sensor 21 is an optical sensor 22 arranged for spectral analysis.

For each note denomination, the propulsion device 5 of the apparatus 1 comprises two single-film storage spools 23, each arranged for storing one film 25, and a double-film storage spool 27. The notes 9 are stored in the double-film storage spools 27 in the apparatus 1 that are intended for each note denomination. Connecting spools 29 are arranged in the apparatus 1 for guiding the films 25. The task of the optical sensor 22 is to detect the presence of a note 9 to be fed in within the area of a vertical line L, which note 9 is inserted in the opening 11 by a cashier (not shown), and at the same time to detect the content, such as size, value, etc, of each note 9 and whether the note 9 is genuine, at this line L.

A driving motor 31 is placed in each single-film storage spool 23 and in each double-film storage spool 27 in internal direct engagement with the spool.

The control device 13 causes the respective driving motors 31 to drive the films 25 for transportation of the notes 9 in and out of the respective openings 11. Detection by means of the optical sensor 22 and the reading-off unit 17 enables the presence of the note 9 to be checked and the content of the note 9, such as size of denomination, value, etc, and whether the note is genuine to be determined, whereupon the reading-off unit 17 sends a signal to the control device 13 to start the driving motor 31 in the double-film storage spool 27 for feeding in the note 9. Together with the reading-off unit 17 and suitable software arranged for this, the separate sensor 21, in this embodiment the optical sensor 22, is arranged to be able to read off the

content of the note, at the same time as detection of the presence of note is carried out. By this means an incorrect note can be caused to be fed out again straight away by the control device 13 without the note being fed further in to the apparatus.

Figure 2 shows schematically two apparatuses 1 for an automatic cash register system 3, which apparatuses 1 are placed at the respective checkouts 33 in a shop 35. The cash register 19 is primarily arranged in the shop 35 to provide information to the automatic cash register system 3 concerning the amount paid in and the amount requested, that is to say the total of the prices of the goods (not shown), and to calculate the difference between these amounts. The cash register 19 is connected to an item-recording device 37 arranged for each apparatus 1. When notes 9 are fed in through one or several openings 11, each opening 11 being arranged for one note denomination, each note 9 fed in to the apparatus 1 for storage is recorded in the item-recording device 37 by means of the separate sensor 21 and the reading-off unit 17. The item-recording device 37 is thus arranged to record, at item level, notes 9 that have been fed in and issued. The recording is processed by a processor 39 for comparison with data relating to the amount requested. This amount is compared with the amount that was fed in, that was recorded by the item-recording device 37. The processor 39 sends a control order via the control device 13 to the propulsion device 5, comprising the driving motor 31, for issuing notes 9 corresponding to the abovementioned difference. According to this embodiment, the propulsion device 5 and the means of transportation 7 comprise a buffer spool 41 for film 25, the film 25 and a note-storage spool 43 with a guide 45.

Figure 3 shows a second embodiment in which the separate sensor 21 is arranged outside the respective opening 11. Each opening 11 is intended for one note denomination. The separate sensor 21 is separated from the means

of transportation 7. The separate sensor 21 is a magnetic sensor 47, which is arranged in a feeding-in and issuing unit 49 located at the opening 11 arranged for each note denomination.

The feeding-in and issuing unit 49 comprises a means of propulsion 51 for feeding notes 9 to and from the opening 11. In this embodiment, the means of propulsion 51 consists of a first 53'and a second 53"endless band, both surrounding two spools 55 and lying adjacent to each other for a distance for feeding the note 9. Electrical motors 57 drive each band 53', 53"at one spool 55, that is to say at a driving spool device 59, and are connected electronically to the control device 13 for activating and deactivating the means of propulsion 51. The driving spool device 59 is arranged to operate in synchronization with the driving motor 31 in the apparatus 1 that drives the films 25. That is to say, the speed of transportation of the films 25 is synchronized electronically with the speed of the bands 53', 53"by means of the control device 13.

By control and synchronization of the electrical motors 57 in relation to the driving motors 31 of the propulsion device 5, the feeding-in and issuing unit 49 is arranged to transport each note 9 at a speed that is slower in the direction inward towards the propulsion device 5 and the films 25 that receive the note 9 than the speed at which the films 25 transport the note 9 to the position for storage in the double-film storage spool 27. In this way, the note 9 is prevented from being crumpled at the change-over between the bands 53', 53"of the feeding-in and issuing unit 49 and the films 25 of the means of transportation 7. In a corresponding way, the electrical motors 57 drive the bands 53', 53"in the feeding-in and issuing unit 49 at a faster speed than the speed of the films 25 for issuing the notes 9, that is to say in a direction outward from the apparatus 1, by the control device 13 causing the electrical motors 57 to drive the respective bands 53', 53"for transporting

the note 9 to be issued at a speed faster than the speed at which the films 25 transport the note 9 from the double-film storage spool 27.

When a cashier (not shown) feeds a note 9 into the apparatus 1, the presence of the note 9 is checked and the content of the note 9 is determined by means of the separate magnetic sensor 47 within the area of the imaginary line L and the reading-off unit 17. When the presence of a note is detected, a signal is generated to the control device 13 that a note 9 has been placed in the opening 11, whereupon the control device 13 activates the electrical motors 57 for driving the bands 53', 53"in the direction of the arrow p, which bands transport the note 9 right past the separate magnetic sensor 47 for its content to be determined. The reading-off unit 17 verifies whether the note is genuine, its value, etc. , and the bands 53', 53"transport the note 9 further into the apparatus 1, while at the same time, after the verification, the control device 13 activates the driving motor 31 which drives the double-film storage spool 27 in the direction of the arrow p'for transportation of the note 9 to a position for storage on the double-film storage spool 27. If the note is not genuine or if its value, etc. , is incorrect, the control device 13 does not activate the driving motor 31, but causes the electrical motors 57 to reverse the bands 53', 53"so that the incorrect note is fed out. In the event of the note 9 being correct, the reading-off unit 17 sends data relating to denomination at item level to the processor 39 comprising the item-recording device 37.

The item-recording device 37 stores data at item level relating to notes 9 that have been fed in, that is to say the number of notes 9 stored in the apparatus 1 on the basis of denomination, and hence also records the amount fed in for a customer. The amount fed in in the form of notes is compared with the amount requested that was calculated by the cash register 19. Often change needs to be paid out, and the processor 39 calculates the amount to be paid

out and the number of notes on the basis of denomination at item level. The item-recording device 37 sends a signal to the control device 13 indicating how many notes 9 of each denomination are to be paid out, that is to say are to be issued from the respective opening 11. The control device 13 activates the driving motors 31 in both single-film storage spools 23 in a driving direction that is opposite to the direction of the arrow p'and the electrical motors 57 in the feeding-in and issuing unit 49 drive the driving spool devices 59 in the opposite direction to the arrow p, whereby the films 25 feed notes 9 of the denominations in question to the feeding-in and issuing unit 49, which in turn transports the notes 9 past the separate magnetic sensor 47 by means of the bands 53', 53". The reading-off unit 17 checks the presence of the notes 9 and sends information to the control device 13 concerning the number of notes 9 actually issued. The control device 13 deactivates the driving motors 31 and the electrical motors 57 when the number of detected notes 9 agrees with the number determined by the item- recording device 37. An additional reading-off unit 17'arranged for an apparatus 1 at a second checkout in the shop is connected to the processor 39. A control device 13'arranged for the same apparatus is connected to the processor 39.

Figures 4a and 4b show schematically an apparatus 1 from the side and from the front according to a third embodiment of the invention, in which the separate sensor 21 in a protective casing 40 is placed outside the respective opening 11 in such a way that it is protected. In this way, non-transparent films 25 or non-transparent or partially transparent feeder bands can be used.

In this way, the apparatus 1 can also be made shorter in the direction k and can thereby be made less bulky. As the sensor 21 is separated from the films 25 within the area of essentially the width of the films 25, the transportation distance for the note 9 in the apparatus 1 can also be made shorter.

According to this embodiment, the control device 13 causes the driving

motors 31 to drive the single-film storage spools 23 in a rotational direction q for feeding out notes until the correct number of notes has been fed out.

According to this embodiment, the reading-off unit 17 only carries out a check that the correct number of notes 9 has been fed out, which number has been determined as needing to be paid back as change by the item-recording device 37 and the processor 39.

Figure 5 shows a fourth embodiment, in which the apparatus 1 comprises a film storage spool, or storage spool 61, arranged for each opening 11, which storage spool can be rotated by means of a first motor 62 for storing the notes 9 that have been fed in, and a buffer spool 63 that can be rotated by means of a second motor 64 for taking up and storing three films 25. The three films 25 can be rolled up on the storage spool 61 at a distance from and in line with each other. A distance a between the films 25 enables the separate sensor 21 to detect the note 9 to be fed in, even though the films 25 are not transparent From the storage spool 61, the films 25 run parallel to each other to the opening 11 and are then taken back to the buffer spool 63 in such a way that on the way back the outer films 25 are separated from the middle film by means of connecting spools 65. The apparatus 1 can be connected to an emptying box (not shown), with guides (not shown) guiding the note 9 to be issued in such a way that the note 9 is not deflected in its passage between the connecting spools 65 and the emptying box.

The embodiments described above are not to be interpreted as limiting the invention, different variants and combinations of the embodiments described above being possible within the framework of the present invention. The control device, reading-off unit and item-recording device can constitute one and the same unit. The different drive speeds for the bands in the feeding-in and issuing unit and the films in the apparatus can be synchronized in such a way that the note always travels at the same speed. Instead of electronic

synchronization, mechanical synchronization can be used. A cash register and an item-recording device can, of course, be arranged separately and can be connected to the respective checkouts or connected to a central item- recording device.

The separate sensor can be of a type other than optical and magnetic. There can be one or several spools for storage and transportation of notes according to denomination.