BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a system for processing bank notes.

[0002] Typically, in a cash transaction, a customer pays a cashier in cash for goods purchased or services rendered. The cash is counted, and then stored in a till drawer. Cash accumulates in the till drawer until the cashier removes the cash, usually for transfer to a place of safekeeping.

[0003] At appropriate time intervals, the cash, and in particular bank notes, is ready to be transferred to a bank. The cash is placed in a container for collection by a transport service, such as an armoured car company, for conveyance to a central sorting location or to a bank.

[0004] Once the container arrives at its destination the contents thereof are verified against a deposit slip before the value of the cash is credited to the bank account of the client concerned.

[0005] Unfortunately, a store’s exposure to violent armed robbery is linked to the amount of readily accessible cash held in the store. Additionally, the risk of robbery while the cash is being transported from the store to a central sorting location or bank is significant, for cash in transit heists are commonplace.

[0006] EP2414243 discloses an apparatus for forming stacks of sheet documents, i.e. bank notes, and a corresponding method thereof which relates to the sorting of bank notes into different denominations or currencies. The CPS 1200, also known as the De La Rue 7000, is a document handling apparatus intended to facilitate the processing of bank notes, which counts, verifies, sorts, and bundles banknotes which are suitable or fit for use. Unfit bank notes are destroyed.

[0007] It is an aim of the current invention to provide a system to address, at least to some extent, the aforementioned robbery situation. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The invention provides a system for processing bank notes which includes the following: a) a housing for receiving bank notes;

b) a data capture device for capturing data related to the received bank notes;

c) a communications module for transmitting the captured data to a database, and

d) a component for rendering the bank notes, received at the housing, non-usable.

[0009] “Non-usable” in this context means that the bank notes no longer constitute legal tender.

[0010] The bank notes may be rendered non-usable using any suitable technique e.g. the notes may be damaged, shredded, torn, perforated or marked with an indelible dye. The manner in which the bank notes are rendered non-usable is not limited in this respect.

[0011] The housing may include a receptacle for receiving the bank notes. A slot or opening may be formed in the housing through which the bank notes can be placed into the housing. Thereafter the bank notes are transferred to the receptacle.

[0012] The data capture device may include a scanner which is located at or near the slot, thereby to scan the bank notes and capture relevant information relating to each bank note. Such information may include at least the serial number of the bank note and its denomination. An image may be kept of each bank note.

[0013] The bank notes are preferably subjected to a validation process to ascertain whether the bank notes are genuine i.e. legal currency. False or counterfeit bank notes are eliminated, put to one side, and are not further processed in the system, i.e. they are not rendered non- usable.

[0014] The system may include a processor, in communication with the data capture device, to receive and process the data relating to each bank note and to transfer the data to the communication module. The processor may calculate a sum (the total) of the denominations of all of the genuine bank notes i.e. generate a record of the value of all of the genuine bank notes received.

[0015] The system may include a memory unit, linked to the processor, in which data is stored.

[0016] The database may be under the control of, or be located at, an institution which may be remote from the housing. The institution may be a financial institution e.g. a bank with which a retailer, wholesaler or other entity, which is a party to the system, has an account.

[0017] The data which is transferred to the database may be accompanied by a unique identifier which identifies the origin of the transaction i.e. the owner of, or an operator at the housing. At the institution the account which is owned by such entity can then be credited with the value of the genuine bank notes received and the transaction is then processed fully. [0018] An input device, e.g. a keyboard, and an output device e.g. a display, may be included in the system to allow an operator to exercise control over aspects of the operation and to monitor operation of such system.

[0019] The invention also provides an apparatus for processing bank notes which includes a housing, a deposit mechanism for inputting bank notes manually or automatically into the housing, a validation device which examines each bank note to determine whether the bank note is genuine and which enables genuine bank notes to be separated from non-genuine bank notes, a scanner which, in respect of each genuine bank note, captures data relating to a serial number and to a denomination of the bank note, a memory module in which such captured data is stored, a communication module for transferring the captured data to a designated location, and a component for then rendering each genuine bank note non-usable.

[0020] The scanner may generate an image of each bank note, and the image may be stored in the memory module.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0021] The invention is further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 depicts an apparatus according to the invention; and

Figure 2 shows in block diagram form a system according to the invention which is based on the use of the apparatus shown in Figure 1. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] Figure 1 shows an apparatus 10 according to the invention for processing a bank note 12 which is one of a plurality of bank notes processed in succession by the apparatus 10.

[0023] The apparatus 10 includes a housing 14, a mechanism 16 for inputting bank notes into the housing 14, a validation device 18 which examines each bank note, a scanner 20 which captures data relating to each of the bank notes 12, a memory module 22 in which such captured data is stored, a communication module 24 for transferring the captured data to a database at a designated location, and a component 25 for rendering genuine bank notes non- usable. These devices function under the control of a processor 26. [0024] The mechanism 16 is conventional and typically includes a roller driven bank note feeder which causes the bank notes to pass through a slot 27 into the housing 14 for further processing.

[0025] Figure 2 schematically depicts a system 28 which is based on the use of the apparatus 10 and which is used for processing bank notes 12. In the system 28, the mechanism 16 is used to receive bank notes 12 manually or automatically, and then to transfer the notes into the housing 14. The system 28 is installed in a protected safe location at the premises of an entity which receives the bank notes 12 in respect of transactions to which the entity is a party, e.g. the sale of goods or rendering of services.

[0026] The validation device 18 examines each bank note to determine whether the bank note is genuine and enables genuine bank notes 30 to be separated from non-genuine bank notes 32. This type of device is known in the art. [0027] The scanner 20 captures data 34 relating to a serial number and to a denomination of each genuine bank note 30. Optionally a full image of at least one side of each genuine bank note 30 is also captured and recorded. All the data pertaining to the genuine bank notes is stored in the memory module 22. If desired similar data pertaining to the non-genuine bank notes 32 can also be captured and logged, if necessary by using another scanner (not shown).

[0028] The communication module 24 transmits the captured data 34, taken from the module 22, to a database 40 of a financial institution 42, such as a bank, at which an entity, which makes use of the system 28, has an account. A communication link between the module 24 and the database 40 could be physical e.g. via conductors or via a fibre optic cable, or wireless techniques could be employed. A unique identifier is simultaneously generated and transferred to the institution to identify the origin of the data and all details pertaining to the transaction.

[0029] The system 28 includes an input device 36 to exercise control over aspects of the operation of the system and an output device 38 which allows an operator to monitor or view operation of such system. Preferably, the input device 36 is a keyboard and the output device 38 is a display, this is exemplary only and the devices can take any suitable form.

[0030] Once the data 34 has been transferred to and captured in the database 40, the genuine bank notes 30 are transferred into a receptacle 46 (shown in dotted outline in the housing). The notes in the receptacle are thereafter rendered non-usable by operation of the component 26. The notes 30 could be shredded, torn, perforated or marked with an indelible dye by the component 25. In this embodiment, which is non-limiting, the component 25 is a shredder and the bank notes 30 are shredded to produce waste 47 which is discarded, as required. [0031] The financial component of the data 34, i.e. the sum of the money values of the shredded genuine bank notes, is stored in the database 40 of the financial institution 42 and is credited to the entity’s account (step 48).

[0032] Recording of the transactions can occur in real time as the bank notes 12 are scanned and as the captured data is transferred to the module 22 and then, from the module 22 to the institution. This is a preferred mode of operation. Alternatively, the data could be transferred in batches at predetermined time intervals to the institution.

[0033] The non-genuine notes 32 are not destroyed but are kept for treatment according to a protocol 50, the nature of which is not important to an understanding of the present invention. As stated a record of relevant details of the non-genuine bank notes 32 can be generated by the scanner 20, or by means of a second scanner, not shown.

[0034] The invention enables cash transactions to be processed at a financial institution as they occur, i.e. in real time, thereby creating the possibility to have the genuine bank notes destroyed or marked immediately, or soon after each transaction is completed. Thus, usable bank notes are not kept on the entity’s premises, e.g. a store or service centre. The need to transport bank notes physically from a store (for example) to a bank or to a similar financial institution is eliminated. This feature will help to deter robbery and heist attempts in store and during transport of the bank notes, from a store to a bank or other institution.

[0035] An entity which makes use of the system 28 would be required to keep a float, i.e. a small amount of readily available cash, to operate the business and effect cash transactions in a normal manner e.g. to furnish change as may be necessary for cash transactions. [0036] Instead of processing bank notes on a continuous basis, i.e. as the bank notes are received, it is possible to accumulate the notes and then to process the notes on a batch basis. It is also possible to link a conventional cash register directly to the system 28 so that once a banknote is received it is validated, scanned, and its data is captured. The validated note is then automatically destroyed.

[0037] The benefit of the invention provided to an entity that handles in-coming cash is significant in that the opportunity to access usable banknotes is eliminated once the banknotes are effectively destroyed. The likelihood of a cash robbery or a heist occurring is significantly reduced. Although the destroyed genuine bank notes have an intrinsic value viz cost of manufacture thereof, such value would normally be exceeded by the cost of handling the genuine bank notes in a conventional way - such cost includes transport, security and insurances and, moreover, is accompanied by a heightened risk of attack or robbery in which personnel are exposed to violence, possible injury and death.