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FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a storing and issuing module, configured to store and issue flexible documents, such as banknotes and paper documents, configured to be used in a flexible document receiving and dispensing device.

More specifically, the invention relates to a storing and issuing module including two storage areas each one including a respective storage roller, a motor associated with the storage roller, at least one transport tape configured to wrap onto the storage roller together with the flexible documents and holding means actuatable for engaging flexible documents to be stored or issued with the transport tape.

In the following of the present description, reference will be mainly made to banknotes as flexible documents. However, it should be noted that the storing and issuing module according to the invention, and related flexible document receiving and dispensing device, may be applied 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.

Also, in the following of the present description, reference will be mainly made to a storing and issuing module having a number of storage rollers consisting of two storage rollers, thereby the module is a double storing and issuing module. However, it should be noted that the storing and issuing module according to the invention may also include more than two storage rollers, each arranged inside the module similarly to any one of the storage rollers of any embodiment of the double storing and issuing module according to the invention, still remaining within the scope of protection of the present invention defined by the attached claims.

BACKGROUD OF THE INVENTION

Equipments for automatic deposit and withdrawal of banknotes are used not only in banking sites but also in retail sites, as help for teller or as customer-operated machine.

This kind of equipment includes banknote receipting and dispensing modules, having function of recycling, each one being removably mountable within respective housing so as to allow replacement, wherein each module is provided with a seat associated to a given type of banknotes, also depending on the size thereof. The number of employed housings and modules determines denominations and/or types of banknotes to be handled, as well as dimensions and cost of the equipment.

For a large banknote automation market, a very large number of different currencies and denominations have to be considered for these modules as well.

In use, the different denominations ortypes of banknotes can have very different number of storage and dispensing operations, for instance 200 Euro and 500 Euro banknotes are generally subject to a limited number of storage and dispensing operations, with small quantities and reduced occupation of the related seat. On the contrary, the module receiving the denominations of banknotes of greater circulation, for instance 20 Euro and 50 Euro banknotes, should satisfy high request of storage and dispensing, often varying in the time.

The room provided in an equipment for depositing and withdrawing banknotes is therefore used in a non-optimal way. Moreover, the module for the banknotes of greater circulation can easily reach the conditions of full or empty module limiting functionality of the equipment. On the other hand, the addition of housing for the modules for storing banknotes with greater circulation is expensive and not efficient for storage room dimensioning.

A prior art device for storing and issuing single denomination banknotes is disclosed in document EP2104638.

Prior art devices for storing and issuing two denomination banknotes with different capacity are disclosed in documents EP3324369 and WO 2012/164621.

Banknote processing equipment that use combinations of modules with different capacities, one for greater circulation banknote and one for reduced circulation banknotes can help to increase the modules real filling only if the statistical circulation of the selected banknotes match with the modules capacity composition.

Due to very large variation of circulation statistic percentage between different denominations, currencies and applications type, the prior art solutions cannot be efficient in term of storage rollers filling for all possible application.

It is an object of this invention, therefore, to allow in a simple, reliable and efficient way, to store flexible documents, such as banknote, so as to dynamically adapt the storage capacity to the actual number of deposited and withdrawn banknotes in a receiving and dispensing device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is specific subject matter of the present invention a storing and issuing module comprising: a first storage roller configured to store a first group of flexible documents and a second storage roller configured to store a second group of flexible documents, each storage roller having a sensor configured to monitor an instant storage capacity of the respective storage roller wherein said instant storage capacity is correlated to an instant diameter D of the respective storage roller; a common space within the storing and issuing module shared by and interposed between the first and second storage rollers; a first transport -tape configured to wrap alternatively around the first storage roller and a first feeding-roller to move one or more flexible documents between a first entry-exit path and the first storage roller to either store said one or more flexible documents around the first storage roller or issue said one or more flexible documents from the first storage roller, wherein the first transport-tape is configured to move along a first tape forward path between the first feeding-roller and the first entry-exit path that is located in the common space, a pair of first accompanying rollers configured to be pushed by the first transport-tape along said first tape forward path against an external surface of the first storage roller, wherein both first accompanying rollers have axes each configured to follow a respective first trajectory to maintain a first anti-friction gap G between said first tape forward path and said external surface of the first storage roller, and an electronic unit configured to control the first and second storage rollers on the basis of the instant storage capacity of each storage roller to maintain a distance between said first tape forward path and the second storage roller greater than or equal to a second anti-friction gap.

According to another aspect of the invention, said axes of the pair of first accompanying rollers may be parallel to each other and to an axis of the first storage roller, and the respective trajectories that the pair of first accompanying rollers are configured to follow may be symmetrical to each other with respect to a first plane that passes through the axis of the first storage roller and is orthogonal to a second plane passing through said axes of the pair of first accompanying rollers.

According to a further aspect of the invention, each one of said axes of the pair of first accompanying rollers may be spaced apart from said first plane by a first instant distance and said second plane may be spaced apart from the axis of the first storage roller by a second instant distance y^, wherein and

(d + D) y(D) = - - - * cos a _(D) wherein is an angular distance of a third plane passing through both the axis of the first storage roller and the axis of the respective first accompanying roller from said first plane, thereby

According to an additional aspect of the invention, each one of said axes of the pair of first accompanying rollers may have ends guided by corresponding first side grooves of respective first side plates along said respective first trajectory.

According to another aspect of the invention, the storing and issuing module may further include a pair of top accompanying rollers configured to rotate around axes located at a constant distance from a top surface of the storing and issuing module, wherein each of said first side plates is provided with a main collar that receives a corresponding end of the axis of the first storage roller and that is configured to slide along a corresponding main side slot of the storing and issuing module, wherein said corresponding main side slot extends orthogonally to a top surface of the storing and issuing module, wherein two side springs are connected between said top surface of the storing and issuing module and said first side plates, wherein the two side springs are configured to push said first side plates towards said top surface of the storing and issuing module, thereby when the instant diameter D of the first storage roller is longer than a distance of said main side slots of said first side plates from the axes of the pair of top accompanying rollers the first storage roller rests on the pair of top accompanying rollers and the main collar of each of said first side plates is spaced apart from a top end of the corresponding main side slot of the storing and issuing module. Optionally, each of said first side plates may be provided with an alignment collarthat is configured to slide along a corresponding alignment side slot of the storing and issuing module, wherein said corresponding alignment side slot extends orthogonally to said top surface of the storing and issuing module.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the storing and issuing module may further include:

- a first pinch-roller, that is located between the first tape forward path and the first entry-exit path and configured to act as return roller to direct the first transport -tape from the first tape forward path towards the first storage roller, and

- a second pinch-roller, wherein the first and second pinch-rollers are configured to mutually shift, under control of the electronic unit, optionally by means of an electromagnet, between a disengagement configuration at which the first and second pinch-rollers are spaced apart from each other and an engagement configuration at which the first and second pinch-rollers are configured to drag a flexible document either from or towards the first entry-exit path, wherein the first pinch-roller has a circumference shorter than a minimum size of a flexible document of said first group along a direction of movement of said one or more flexible documents along the first entry-exit path, wherein said sensor of the first storage roller is a revolution sensor configured to detect revolutions of the first pinch-roller, wherein the electronic unit is configured to control the first storage roller by means of a step motor configured to rotate the first storage roller, and wherein the electronic unit is configured to determine said instant storage capacity of the first storage roller by relating a constant amount of revolutions of the first pinch-roller and instant motor steps to the instant diameter D of the first storage roller, wherein optionally said revolution sensor is a hall sensor and an outer surface of an axis of the first pinch-roller is provided with at least three magnets configured to magnetically interact with said revolution sensor.

According to an additional aspect of the invention, the first storage roller may be configured to interact with: a first top lever arm having an extendable end configured to interact with said external surface of the first storage roller, and a first bottom lever arm having an extendable end on which one of the first accompanying rollers is mounted, whereby the first top lever arm and the first bottom lever arm are configured to guide one or more flexible documents towards the first storage roller or towards the first entry-exit path when the first transport-tape moves said one or more flexible documents from the first entry- exit path to the first storage roller or from the first storage roller to the first entry-exit path, respectively.

According to another aspect of the invention, the storing and issuing module may further include: a second transport-tape configured to wrap alternatively around the second storage roller and a second feeding-roller to move one or more flexible documents between a second entry-exit path and the second storage roller to either store said one or more flexible documents on the second storage roller or issue said one or more flexible documents from the second storage roller, wherein the second transport-tape is configured to move along a second tape forward path between the second feeding-roller and the second entry-exit path that is located in a bottom space between the second storage roller and a bottom surface of the storing and issuing module, and a pair of second accompanying rollers configured to be pushed by the second transport- tape along said second tape forward path against an external surface of the second storage roller, wherein both second accompanying rollers have axes each configured to follow a respective second trajectory to maintain a third anti-friction gap between said second tape forward path and said external surface of the second storage roller, wherein the electronic unit is configured to control the second storage roller on the basis of the instant storage capacity of the second storage roller so as to maintain a distance between said second tape forward path and said bottom surface greater than or equal to a fourth anti-friction gap.

Optionally, each one of said axes of the pair of second accompanying rollers may have ends guided by corresponding second side grooves of respective second side plates along said respective second trajectory.

Still optionally, the second storage roller may be configured to interact with: a second top lever arm having an extendable end configured to interact with said external surface of the second storage roller, and a second bottom lever arm having an extendable end on which one of the second accompanying rollers is mounted, whereby the second top lever arm and the second bottom lever arm are configured to guide one or more flexible documents towards the second storage roller or towards the second entry-exit path when the second transport-tape moves said one or more flexible documents from the second entry-exit path to the second storage roller or from the second storage roller to the second entry-exit path, respectively.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the storing and issuing module may further include: a second transport-tape configured to wrap alternatively around the second storage roller and a second feeding-roller to move one or more flexible documents between a second entry-exit path and the second storage roller to either store said one or more flexible documents on the second storage roller or issue said one or more flexible documents from the second storage roller, wherein the second transport-tape is configured to move along a second tape forward path between the second feeding-roller and the second entry-exit path that is located in a bottom space between the second storage roller and a bottom surface of the storing and issuing module, and a pair of second accompanying rollers, wherein the second storage roller rests on the pair of second accompanying rollers which are configured to be rolling along said second tape forward path against an external surface of the second storage roller, wherein both second accompanying rollers have axes located at a constant distance from said bottom surface configured to maintain a distance between said second tape forward path and said external surface of the second storage roller greater than or equal to a third anti-friction gap and to maintain a fourth anti-friction gap between said second tape forward path and said bottom surface, wherein an axis of the second storage roller is configured to follow a third trajectory correlated to the instant storage capacity of the second storage roller, optionally wherein said axis of the second storage roller has ends guided by corresponding third side grooves of respective second side plates along said respective third trajectory.

According to an additional aspect of the invention, the third trajectory that the axis of the second storage roller is configured to follow may be orthogonal to the second plane and the axes of the pair of second accompanying rollers may be located at respective constant distances from a plane that is orthogonal to the second plane and passes through the axis of the second storage roller.

Optionally, the second storage roller may be configured to interact with: a second top lever arm having an extendable end configured to interact with said external surface of the second storage roller, and a second bottom lever arm having an end on which one of the second accompanying rollers is mounted, whereby the second top lever arm and the second bottom lever arm are configured to guide one or more flexible documents towards the second storage roller or towards the second entry-exit path when the second transport-tape moves said one or more flexible documents from the second entry-exit path to the second storage roller or from the second storage roller to the second entry-exit path, respectively.

Still optionally, each one of said axes of the pair of second accompanying rollers may have ends inserted in corresponding holes of respective second side plates.

According to another aspect of the invention, at least one of the pair of second accompanying rollers may be shiftable, under control of the electronic unit, optionally by means of at least one worm screw or at least one rack and pinion actuator, along a shifting plane parallel to the second plane, and the electronic unit may be configured to control said at least one shiftable second accompanying roller to cause the axis of the second storage roller to follow the third trajectory to maintain the distance between said second tape forward path and said external surface of the second storage roller equal to the third anti-friction gap.

Optionally, the axis of one of the pair of second accompanying rollers may have ends guided by corresponding second side grooves of respective second side plates along said shifting plane and the axis of the other one of the pair of second accompanying rollers may have ends inserted in corresponding holes of said respective second side plates.

Still optionally, the second storage roller may be configured to interact with: a second top lever arm having an extendable end configured to interact with said external surface of the second storage roller, and a second bottom lever arm having an end, more optionally an extendable end, on which one of the second accompanying rollers is mounted, whereby the second top lever arm and the second bottom lever arm are configured to guide one or more flexible documents towards the second storage roller or towards the second entry-exit path when the second transport-tape moves said one or more flexible documents from the second entry-exit path to the second storage roller or from the second storage roller to the second entry-exit path, respectively.

It is also specific subject matter of the present invention a flexible document receiving and dispensing device comprising: a top body assembly for receiving and dispensing flexible documents, and a bottom body assembly for storing flexible documents, the bottom body assembly comprising a safe having one or more lodgments and a transport mechanism for storing and issuing flexible documents, wherein at least one of said one or more lodgments includes a storing and issuing module as previously described.

It is still specific subject matter of the present invention a method for managing storage capacities for a first storage roller configured to store a first group of flexible documents and a second storage roller configured to store a second group of flexible documents sharing a common space within a storing and issuing module shared by and interposed between the first and second storage rollers, the method comprising adjusting a first storage capacity of the first storage roller and a second storage capacity of the second storage roller in real-time while maintaining the first and second storage rollers spaced apart from each other by a sum of a first anti-friction gap G and a distance greater than or equal to a second anti-friction gap.

According to a further aspect of the invention, said storing and issuing module is a storing and issuing module as previously described.

It is further specific subject matter of the present invention a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by a processing unit, cause said processing unit to carry out the method for managing storage capacities for a first storage roller configured to store a first group of flexible documents and a second storage roller configured to store a second group of flexible documents as just described.

In other words, the present invention concerns a storing and issuing module for banknotes recycling, with two storage rollers and transport tape technology, configured to adapt the storage capacity of each roller to the real number of deposited and withdrawn banknotes used in a receiving and dispensing device that can include one or more of these modules.

The module include two storage rollers and relative transport tapes each configured to store flexible documents, in particular banknotes, generally in the sense of shorter dimension of the flexible document (even if this is not an essential feature for the invention), together with the related transport tape, according to an arrangement wherein the two storage rollers share a common space interposed therebetween (usually, along a vertical direction when the receiving and dispensing device including the module is put in operation). The invention allows to avoid that any part lies in the common space shared by and interposed between the two storage rollers to let each one of them to increase in size towards the other storage roller.

To assure that, an innovative layout, based on a prefixed trajectory of two accompanying rollers, causes the tape-forward path of at least one of the two storage roller (namely the top one), along which the transport tape moves from the storage roller to a related feeding roller, to strictly follow the top storage roller diameter without taking up useful space between the two storage rollers.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each accompanying-rollers shaft has its ends guided by side grooves, and the transport tape's tension push it against the storage roller.

The side grooves trajectory, function of diameters of storage and accompanying rollers, assures an anti-friction minimal gap between each storage roller and the tape forward path.

Another part of invention is a control-algorithm that, relatedly to stepper motors motion and transport-tape revolution sensors, gets an accurate module full status for any possible combination of both storage roller diameters.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will will be now described, by way of illustration and not by way of limitation, according to its preferred embodiments, by particularly referring to the Figures of the attached drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a first embodiment of the storing and issuing module for banknotes or other flexible documents according to the invention;

Fig. 2 shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the flexible document receiving and dispensing device according to the invention, which use a plurality of the modules of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 shows a simplified geometric view of the storing and issuing module of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 shows an electrical block diagram of the electronic and electromechanical components of the storing and issuing module of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 shows a schematic view of a second embodiment of the storing and issuing module for banknotes or other flexible documents according to the invention;

Fig. 6 shows a top plan view of the bottom section of the storing and issuing module of

Fig. 5; Fig.7 shows a schematic view of a third embodiment of the storing and issuing module for banknotes or other flexible documents according to the invention.

Fig.8 shows a schematic view of a fourth embodiment of the storing and issuing module for banknotes or other flexible documents according to the invention.

Fig.9 is a top plan view of the bottom section of the storing and issuing module of Fig. 8.

In the Figures identical reference numerals will be used for alike elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A first embodiment of the storing and issuing module according to the invention, indicated with the reference numeral 11A configured to store and issue dual denomination banknotes 12 or other flexible documents is illustrated as an example and in schematic way in Fig. 1. The storing and issuing module 11A has two similar sections in each one of which a pair of accompanying rollers74a or74b follows an external surface of a respective storage roller50a or 50b adapting to the instant diameter thereof.Fig. 2 shows a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the flexible document receiving and dispensing device according to the invention, indicated with the reference numeral 13, using a plurality of storing and issuing module 11A for the automation of cash activities. The receiving and dispensing device 13 comprises an upper body for the acquisition and issuing of banknotes or flexible document and a lower body for the deposit of the banknotes or flexible documents and which constitutes a safe 17, in reciprocal communication through an opening 18.

As already mentioned, the receiving and dispensing device 13 and the storing and issuing module 11A can process flexible documents, different from banknotes, as checks, certificates, licenses and notes, and of which the dimensional characteristics are known.

The upper body of the receiving and dispensing device 13 includes an input vane 15 where banknotes can be introduced, an output vane 16 from where banknotes are issued, a capture bin 14 configured to store undeliverable banknotes, a main electronic control unit 19 and other conventional mechanisms (not shown in the drawings) to move the banknotes between the vane 15 or 16 and the opening 18 or the bin 14.

The safe 17 includes a structure 20 with a plurality of housings, a transport mechanism controlled by a transport electronic unit26, communicating with the main electronic control unit 19, to configured to further move the banknotes. Each housing of the structure 20 can accommodate a respective storing and issuing module llAfor storing and issuing two banknotes denomination by means of two storage rollers 50a and 50b. As the two storage rollers 50a and 50b included in each storing and issuing module 11A can have identical mechanical structure, the main electronic control unit 19 can also assign the denominations of banknotes to any one of the storage rollers 50a and 50b according with the capacity flexibility of the storing and issuing module 11A as described herein.

In an acquisition mode of the receiving and dispensing device 13, the banknotes are taken from the input vane 15, validated by a recognition-unit 9 and distributed between the storage rollers 50a and 50b included in storing and issuing modules 11A on the basis of the denominations; in the an issuing mode, the banknotes are moved from storage rollers 50a and 50b towards the output vane 16.

The lower structure 20 shown in Fig. 2 is composed of two front storing and issuing modules 11A (shown at the left-hand side of Fig. 2) and two rear storing and issuing modules 11A (shown at the right-hand side of Fig. 2), only as an example of typical application for multiple storing and issuing modules; different arrangements are possible, e.g. by placing two storing and issuing modules 11A opposed to each other or having a transport mechanism with an interface zone 44 (as shown in Fig. 1) to provide a banknote transport path 23 aligned with the opening 18.

The lower structure 20 is also provided with guides, configured to remove the storing and issuing modules 11A from their housings, and blocks, configured to keep the modules in their own operating positions (not shown in the drawings).

The lower structure 20 includes a transport mechanism composed of a stepper motor 24 and a transmission belt up to a higher transmission gear 27a associated to the stepper motor 24. The higher transmission gear 27a transmits motion to a pair of transport rollers 28 adjacent to the opening 18, and to the highest rear storing and issuing module 11A. Each rear storing and issuing module 11A transmits motion to all of its own transmission rollers 30 by means of a side toothed belt 55 (as shown in Fig. 1). A lower transmission gear 27b is provided on the lower section of the lower structure 20 so as to propagate motion to the lowest rear storing and issuing module 11A.

Consequently, each front storing and issuing module 11A provided with free-rollers 29 can easily become a rear storing and issuing module 11A by adding a toothed side belt (similar to the one indicated with reference numeral 55 in Fig. 1).

With reference to both Figs. 1 and 2, in acquisition mode, the receiving and dispensing -IB- device 13 moves the banknotes downwards through the opening 18 of the safe 17, with clockwise rotation of the stepper motor 24 and transmission gears 27a and 27b, counterclockwise rotation of the transmission rollers 30 of the rear storing and issuing modules 11A and clockwise rotation of the free rollers 29 of the opposite front storing and issuing modules 11A. The receiving and dispensing device 13 recognizes the denominations of the banknotes and positions the diverters 42a and 42b of each storing and issuing module 11A to selectively distribute and store the banknotes in various sections of the front and rear storing and issuing modules 11A on the basis of the associated denominations. The banknotes emerge from the opening 18 at relatively high speed spaced from each other allowing the diverters 42a and 42b (under control of respective electromagnets 79a and 79b) to deviate, on the fly, a banknote in transit, without interference with a preceding or following banknote.

In issuing mode, the receiving and dispensing device 13 moves the banknotes upwards through the opening 18 of the safe 17, with counterclockwise rotation of the stepper motor 24 and transmission gears 27a and 27b, clockwise rotation of the transmission rollers 30 of the rear storing and issuing modules 11A and counterclockwise rotation of the free rollers 29 of the opposite front storing and issuing modules 11A. Then the storing and issuing module 11A containing the section with requested banknote denomination actuates electromagnet 45a or 45b and through its diverter 42a or 42b allows the related storage roller 50a or 50b to issue the stored banknotes through its internal entry-exit path 46a or 46b.

Making reference to Fig. 1, the storing and issuing module 11A, that is configured to store and then issue double banknote denominations with flexible capacity, consists of two functionally similar overlapping sections for storage and issuing in which similar components are indicated in FIG.l with reference numerals having the suffix "a" for the upper (or top) section and "b" for the lower (or bottom) section.

The upper section for storage and issuing includes a top storage roller 50a configured to store a first type of banknotes 12, a top feeding-roller 51a, at least one top transport-tape 52a and top holding means actuatable for engaging a banknote 12 with the top transport-tape 52a. In detail, the top holding means includes a pair of top pinch-rollers 53a and 54a configured to mutually shift under control of a top electromagnet 45a. Top motors 60a and 61a are configured to cause the top storage roller 50a and top feeding-roller 51a, respectively, to rotate.

In turn, the top pinch-rollers 53a and 54a are arranged, respectively, below and above the top entry-exit path 46a, at the side of the top storage roller 50a. The top motors 60a and 61a are optionally conventional stepper motors, controlled as open-loop servomechanisms, which rotate the top storage feeding rollers 50a and 51a through proper pulleys and toothed transmission belts (not shown in the drawings).

The top transport-tape 52a is configured to wrap and carry out between the top storage roller 50a and feeding-roller 51a and cooperates with the first top pinch-roller 53a configured to act as return roller. The top transport -tape 52a, made of high resistance thin transparent plastic, for instance mylar, includes one tape for banknote long-edge direction or two tapes arranged side by side for banknote short-edge direction. The top storage roller 50a is configured to store in spool the banknotes 12 together with the top transport -tape 52a. The top pinch-roller 53a and 54a are offset arranged along the top entry-exit path 46a included between the interface area 44 and the top storage roller 50a.

Therefore the path for each banknote 12 in the upper section of the storing and issuing module 11A has a first portion, included between the interface zone 44 and the top pinch-rollers 53a and 54a, limited by the top diverter 42a, and a second portion, between the top pinch-rollers 53a and 54a and the top storage roller 50a, limited by the top transport-tape 52a.

The top pinch-rollers 53a and 54a are configured to mutually shift, under control of the top electromagnet 45a, between an engagement configuration at which they can drag the banknotes 12 and a disengagement configuration at which they are spaced apart from each other. The second top pinch-roller 54a has function of pressing member and is supported by a bridge (not shown in the drawings), which is urged by a spring (not shown in the drawings) towards the first top pinch-roller 53a. The top electromagnet 45a, when de-energized, determines the engagement configuration with engagement by pressure between the top pinch- rollers 53a and 54a. When energized, the top electromagnet 45a determines the disengagement configuration with the second top pinch-roller 54a spaced apart from the first top pinch-roller 53a.

In the engagement configuration, the second top pinch-roller 54a presses on the top transport-tape 52a supported by a portion of the first top pinch-roller 53a so as to drag, by adherence, the banknote 12 interposed between the top transport-tape 52a and the second top pinch-roller 54a. In the disengagement configuration, a banknote 12 can slide with low friction on the top transport-tape 52a, underneath the second top pinch-roller 54a.

A top photoelectric sensor 66a is configured to detect the presence of the banknote 12 in the portion of the top entry-exit path 46a between the top diverter 42a and the top pinch- rollers 53a and 54a, while an electronic unit 65 of the storing and issuing module 11A controls the activation of the top motors 60a and 61a and of the top electromagnets 45a and 79a. A top tape sensor 70a is configured to recognize the passage of end portions of the top transport -tape 52a, providing a state associated with a condition of empty storage roller 50a or terminated feeding-roller 51a. A top revolution sensor 67a is associated to the first top pinch-roller 53a and it is configured to detect revolutions of the first top pinch-roller 53a, on the basis of which, by means of an algorithm that relates each first top pinch-roller 53a revolution to the rotation angle of the top stepper motor 60a, the electronic unit 65 is configured to obtain the diameter of the storage roller 50a and, processing the diameters of both top and bottom storage rollers 50a and 50b, to output a state of section or module full.

The upper section of the storing and issuing module 11A further includes a top pair of accompanying-rollers 74a, each one guided by a respective top side grooves 76a of a respective top side plates 73a along a predefined trajectory. A lower lever arm 75a and an upper lever arm 78a of the upper section, both pivoted on the axis of the input free-roller 29, are configured to guide the banknote 12 along the path between the top diverter 42a and the storage roller 50a.

The lower lever arm 75a of the upper section has a spring (not shown in the drawings) that pushes it upwards so that one of the top accompanying rollers 74a, that is rotatably connected to the extendable end of the lower lever arm 75a, follows, on a defined trajectory 76a, the external diameter of the storage roller 50a, causing the length of the lower lever arm 75a to adapt accordingly. The first top pinch-roller 53a, around which the top transport-tape 52a wraps, is rotatably connected to the lower lever arm 75a, substantially at half-length thereof; the top transport-tape 52a also move along a top tape forward path between the top feeding- roller 51a and the top entry-exit path 46a, wherein the top tape forward path is located in the common space shared by and interposed between the top and bottom storage rollers 50a and 50b.. Both axes of the top accompanying rollers 74a have ends guided by corresponding top side-groves 76a, symmetrically located with respect to the axis joining the axes of the top and bottom storage rollers 50a and 50b to assure a path spaced apart from the external diameter of the top storage roller 50a by a minimum anti-friction space.

During operation, the top pair of accompanying rollers 74a are pushed by the top transport-tape 52a along said top tape forward path against the external surface of the first storage roller 50a, wherein both top accompanying rollers 74a have axes following a respective trajectory to maintain a first anti-friction gap between said top tape forward path and said external surface of the top storage roller 50a, i.e. between the top first transport -tape 52a and said external surface of the top storage roller 50a. In other words, said top tape forward path dynamically adapt around the dynamically variable instant size of the top storage roller 50a.

The second top pinch-roller 54a, operated by the top electromagnet 45a, is rotatably connected to the upper lever arm 78a of the upper section, that is pushed by a spring (not shown in the drawings) towards the lower lever arm 75a. The upper lever arm 78a includes a housing for a compression spring (not shown in the drawings) and an extensible plastic blade 77a that, following the external surface of the top storage roller 50a, facilitates the separation of the banknotes 12 from the wrapped top transport-tape 52a.

Fig. 3 shows a simplified geometric view of the arrangement according to which the top transport-tape 52a, along said top tape forward path, strictly follows the instant diameter D of the top storage roller 50a plus a first anti-friction gap also avoiding to occupy the common space shared by the top and bottom storage-rollers 50a and 50b, wherein said top tape forward path is orthogonal to the axis y between the centres of the top and bottom storage-rollers 50a and 50b. For this purpose, the two symmetrical top accompanying rollers 74a, following a predetermined trajectory guided by the two respective top side grooves 76a, leave a minimum anti-friction gap G.

To calculate the path of one of the top accompanying rollers 74a, upon variation of the instant diameter D of the top storage roller 50a from a minimum diameter Dmin to a maximum diameter Dmax, by considering the centre of the top storage roller 50a as origin 0(0,0), the distance L of said top tape forward path (i.e. the distance of the top transport-tape 52a) from the origin 0(0,0) is given by that is, by using the projections on the axis y of both the radius S of one of the top accompanying rollers 74a, having diameter d, and radius V joining the origin 0(0,0) with the point of contact of the top accompanying roller 74a with the top storage roller 50a, also given by wherein a is the angular distance of the radius V from the axis y. This angular distance is actually a function of the diameter D of the top storage roller 50a, thereby: that can be expressed in relation to the first anti-friction gap G: Thus, coordinates X( _D) and y< _D) of one of the top accompanying rollers 74a as a function of diameter D of the top storage roller 50a, i.e. coordinates X _(D) and y< _D) of the trajectory followed by such top accompanying roller 74a as a function of diameter D of the top storage roller 50a, are as follows:

The trajectories of the two top accompanying rollers 74a are symmetrical to each other with respect to the vertical axis y.

The top side grooves 76a in Fig. 1 then guide the top accompanying rollers 74a using the thus calculated trajectory.

In the layout example of Fig. 1, only said top tape forward path followed by the top transport-tape 52a of the upper section needs to follow the diameter of the related storage roller (namely, the top storage roller 50a). Nevertheless, the first embodiment of the storing and issuing module, applies the same arrangement also to the lower section, thus allowing the use of the same components for the two sections.

With reference to Fig. 4, immediately comprehensible by those skilled in the art, the electronic unit 65 of the storing and issuing module 11A includes a high speed computing microprocessor 80 the inputs of which are connected to sensors 66a, 67a, 70a, 66b, 67b, 70b, that is further connected to a communication-line 82 and, through first driving circuits 83, 84, to the motors 60a, 61a, 63a, 60b, 61b, 63b and, through second driving circuits 85, 86, to the electromagnets 45a, 79a, 45b, 79b.

The electronic unit 65 is configured to control both upper and lower section of the storing and issuing module 11A for storing and issuing banknote without space between them according to the process disclosed in document EP2104638. Additionally, the electronic unit 65 calculates with good accuracy on the basis of data received from the two revolutions sensors 67a and 67b, the full status of the storing and issuing module 11A as any combination of the diameters of the top and bottom storage rollers 50a and 50b so as to maintain a distance between the top tape forward path and the bottom storage roller 50b (i.e. a distance between the top transport-tape 52a and the bottom storage roller 50b) greater than or equal to a second anti-friction gap. A non volatile memory 81 stores settings and working data during the life of the storing and issuing module 11A.

The mechanical layout of the storing and issuing module 11A according to the invention, wherein a common space within the storing and issuing module 11A is shared by and interposed between the top and bottom storage rollers 50a and 50b. In this regard, it is necessary to sense when the combination of the top and bottom storage rollers 50a and 50b fill the entire common space.

To avoid a differential diameter physical sensors or two rotational encoder, an innovative robust process availing of top and bottom inexpensive revolution (optionally magnetic) sensors 67a and 67b has been developed.

The following description, referred to the top storage roller 53a, is valid for the bottom storage roller 53b.

As shown in Fig. 1, the outer diameter of the storage roller 50a (varying as a function of the wrapped length of the top transport -tape 52a) follows the first top pinch-roller 53a (that is advantageously a rubber gripping one) for about 180 degrees, ensuring, with adequate tape tensioning, a reliable relation of the top revolution sensor 67a with the movement of the top transport tape 52a. To obtain at least two measurement for each incoming banknote, starting from any position of the first top pinch-roller 53a, the perimeter (i.e. the circumference) of the first top pinch-roller 53a is lower than the minimum banknote length and three magnets (not shown in the drawings) are equally spaced on the circumference of the first top pinch-roller 53a.

The instant diameter Da of the top storage-roller 50a can be estimated by measuring the number Ma of steps of the top stepper motor 60a needed to cause a point on the external circumference of the top storage-roller 50a to describe a pre-determined length equal to a pre determined length described by a point on the circumference of the first top pinch-roller 53a. This can be expressed in terms of amount of full revolutions of the first top pinch-roller 53a. In other words, assuming that the number of steps per full revolution of the top stepper motor 60a is N and that K is the amount of full revolutions of the first top pinch-roller 53a, then the instant diameter Da of the top storage-roller 50a can be estimated as follows:

Da = (K * Dg * R * N)/Ma wherein:

Dg is the diameter of the first top pinch-roller 53a;

Ma is the measured number of steps of the top stepper motor 60a needed to cause the first top pinch-roller 53a to make K full revolutions; and

R is the transmission-ratio from the top storage-roller 50a to the top stepper motor 60a.

In general, K is correlated to the number of magnets located on the circumference of the first top pinch-roller 53a and, by using a specific number of these magnets, K can be any real number; more usually, K is a rational number. In particular, the number of magnets is advantageously correlated to the minimum banknote length.

The value of the instant diameter Da is updated at each detection of a magnet by the top revolution sensor 67a, and it is given by the average of a number of measurements (including the last measurement and previous ones) where this number is given by the number of detections by the top revolution sensor 67a when the first top pinch-roller 53a makes K full revolutions.

For instance, when three magnets are equally spaced on the circumference of the first top pinch-roller 53a, if K = 2, then six subsequent detections of these magnets by the top revolution sensor 67a, corresponding to two (K = 2) full revolutions of the first top pinch-roller 53a and the instant diameter Da of the top storage-roller 50a can be estimated as follows:

Da = (2 * Dg * R * N)/Ma where Ma is the measured number of steps of the top stepper motor 60a needed to cause the first top pinch-roller 53a to make 2 full revolutions (as detected by six subsequent detections of magnets by the top revolution sensor 67a).

A measurement on multiple full revolution of roller the first top pinch-roller 53a is robust on: any mechanical run-out error of the first top pinch-roller 53a, magnets space accuracy, errors due to elastic transmission between motor and the top transport tape 52a, and numerical discretization error.

As every issuing operation or service operation can change the instant diameter of the top storage-roller 50a from the last estimated diameter of the top storage-roller 50a, a preset- procedure is needed to initialize diameter-measurement after each issuing-operation, power-on or service procedure.

The preset-procedure simulating a deposit without adding banknote, at first driving the top stepper motor 60a in receiving direction up to getting at least six revolution measurements of the top revolution sensor 67a to update the diameter of the top storage-roller 50a and then driving the top feeding motor 61a in issuing direction to return at original position for receiving banknote. After a preset-operation fill a measurements-buffer, even a single following measurement is averaged with the previous five measurements, regardless of the time spent between the operations.

On the electronic unit 65, a memory buffer of the last six measurements for each revolution sensor 67a and 67b is updated at each new measurement and the microprocessor 80 calculates the diameters of both top and bottom storage-rollers 50a and 50b comparing both the single diameters and the sum of the two with a predefined threshold in order to set which one between the upper and lower sections of the storing and issuing module 11A became full. This applies to all the embodiments of the storing and issuing module according to the invention. Just as an example, for the fourth embodiment of Fig. 8 (illustrated in detail later), it is:

With reference to Fig. 2, the main electronic control unit 19 of the receiving and dispensing device 13, upon receiving a full status on a communication-interface, stops to send banknotes to the full section of the storing and issuing module 11A concerned, re-directing the related banknote to output-vane 16.

The first embodiment of the storing and issuing module according to the invention shown in Fig. 1, wherein the top and bottom storage rollers 50a and 50b have fixed axes, the related pairs of top and bottom accompanying rollers allow to use completely the common space but not the space between the top storage roller 50a and the top surface of the storing and issuing module 11A or between the bottom storage roller 50b and the bottom-surface of the storing and issuing module 11A.

Fig. 5 shows a second embodiment of the storing and issuing module, indicated with the reference numeral 11B, wherein a different arrangement of the bottom storage roller 50b is used, wherein the bottom pair of accompanying rollers 74b are fixed at a distance from the bottom surface of the storing and issuing module 11B to maintain a distance between the bottom tape forward path and the external surface of the bottom storage roller 50b greater than or equal to a third anti-friction gap and to maintain a fourth anti-friction gap between said bottom tape forward path and said bottom surface of the storing and issuing module 11B. The axis of the bottom storage roller 50b has ends that can move vertically as a function of its own diameter guided by bottom side grooves 76b included in respective bottom side plates 73b, while a spring 72b assures contact with the bottom pair of accompanying rollers 74b during winding/unwinding of the bottom transport tape 52b.

Fig. 6 show the top plan view of the storing and issuing module 11B shown in Fig. 5, including a double bottom transport tape 52b adapted for large width banknotes, showing the axes of the bottom storage roller 50b and of the bottom pairs of accompanying rollers 74b with bottom side plates 73b and the tensioner 62b, for the belt of the bottom stepper motor 60b, allowing a pulley position change for the bottom storage roller 50b.

In order not to lose any millimeters in space, instead to assure at least a minimal gap as in the second embodiment shown in Fig.5 in the bottom section, a third embodiment of the storing and issuing module, indicated with the reference numeral 11C, is shown in Fig.7. The storing and issuing module 11C includes a positioning actuator 63b, optionally implemented through a rack and pinion mechanism (or alternatively through a worm screw), configured to move one of the two bottom accompanying rollers 74b so as to maintain a constant minimal third anti-friction gap between the bottom tape forward path and the external surface of the bottom storage roller 50b. In the storing and issuing module 11C, the reciprocal distance between the bottom pair of accompanying rollers 74b is adjusted by the positioning actuator 63b depending on the instant diameter of the bottom storage-roller 50b.

Using the trigonometric relation as shown in Fig.3, when one of the bottom pair of accompanying rollers 74b has the axis position fixed (in Fig. 7 this is the right-hand one), by measuring the diameter of the bottom storage roller 50b, the microprocessor 80 can operate the positioning actuator 63b to set the distance between the bottom pair of accompanying rollers 74b equal to 2 * X _(D) ; the ends of the axis of the bottom storage-roller 50b will consequently follow the predetermined side groove 76b trajectory on both side plate 73b.

In the third embodiment of the storing and issuing module according to the invention shown in Fig. 7 (as well as in the fourth embodiment of the storing and issuing module according to the invention shown in Fig. 8), the end of the lower lever arm 75b of the lower section can also be not extendable.

In order to fill also the space between top storage roller 50a and the top-surface of the storing and issuing module, a fourth embodiment of the storing and issuing module, indicated with the reference numeral 11D, is shown in Fig. 8, wherein the upper section is provided with the composite action of two top pairs of accompanying rollers 74a and 74c, while in the bottom section the axis of the bottom storage roller 50b rises when the diameter thereof increases while the bottom accompanying rollers 74b distance is adjusted on the basis of the instant diameter of the bottom storage roller 50b by means of a positioning actuator 63b, optionally implemented through a worm screw (or alternatively through a rack and pinion mechanism).

Fig. 9 shows the top plan view of the storing and issuing module 11D shown in Fig. 8, including a double bottom transport tape 52b adapted for large width banknotes, showing the axes of the bottom storage roller 50b and of the bottom pairs of accompanying rollers 74b with bottom side plates 73b and the tensioner 62b, for the belt of the bottom stepper motor 60b, allowing a pulley position change for the bottom storage roller 50b. In this case, each of the top side plates 73a has, in addition to the side groove 76a (on the internal face), a main collar 91 receiving a corresponding end of the axis of the top storage roller 50a and that is configured to slide along a corresponding main side slot 92 of the storing and issuing module 11D, wherein the corresponding main side slot 92 extends orthogonally to the top surface of the storing and issuing module 11D. Each of the top side plates 73a is also provided with an alignment collar 93 that is configured to slide along a corresponding alignment side slot 94 of the storing and issuing module 11D, wherein the corresponding alignment side slot 94 extends orthogonally to said top surface of the storing and issuing module 11D. Two top side springs 72a push upward the top side plates 73a and consequently the axis of the top storage roller 50a. For instance in the storing and issuing module 11D, when the instant diameter of the top storage roller 50a ranges from Dmin to 85mm, then the external surface of the top storage roller 50a does not touch the additional top pair of accompanying rollers 74c, and only the first top pair of accompanying rollers 74a follows, in the top side grooves 76a of the top side plate 73a, the change of the instant diameter of the top storage roller 50a. When the instant diameter of the top storage roller 50a ranges from 85mm to Dmax, then the external surface of the top storage roller 50a is also in contact with the additional top pair of accompanying rollers 74c which push down the top storage roller 50a and, consequently, the axis thereof, that is inserted into the main collars 91 of the top side plates 73a that moves vertically downwards as two main collars 91 of side plates 73a slide along the two corresponding main side slots 92 of the storing and issuing module 11D, wherein the alignment collars 93 of the top side plates 73a slide along the two corresponding alignment side slots 94 of the storing and issuing module 11D thus maintaining a vertical alignment of the top side plates 73a.

As already mentioned, each of the embodiments of the storing and issuing module shown in the drawings has a number of storage rollers consisting of two storage rollers, thereby the module is a double storing and issuing module. However, it should be noted that the storing and issuing module according to the invention may also include more than two storage rollers, each arranged inside the module similarly to any one of the storage rollers of the embodiments of the storing and issuing module according to the invention shown in the drawings, still remaining within the scope of protection of the present invention defined by the attached claims.

The preferred embodiments of this invention have been described and a number of variations have been suggested hereinbefore, but it should be understood that those skilled in the art can make other variations and changes without so departing from the scope of protection thereof, as defined by the attached claims.