Arrangement and method for aligning at least one document of value

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement for aligning at least one value document along a transport route, comprising at least one banknote reader, which has at least one scan line, which has a plurality of detection regions along the scan line for scanning value documents. Each detection area scans a scanning area in a transport plane of the transport section, wherein the scanning area is arranged along a line orthogonal to a central axis of the transport section. The first transport element and the at least one second transport element are used for transporting the value documents in at least one transport direction along the transport path. The transport elements each contact the value document in a contact region. The at least one alignment device is used for aligning the value documents. The alignment device is arranged between the first transport element and the second transport element and forms part of the transport section. The banknote reader detects the rear edge of the value document in the first scanning area and in the second scanning area.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the Chinese Invention Patent Application No. 201810219029.7, with a filing date of March 16, 2018, entitled "Arrangement and Method for Aligning at Least One Valuable Document", the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates to an arrangement and a method for aligning a valuable document during a transport along a transport path, for example, in an automatic teller machine or in an automatic cash safe or a cash register system. The valuable document can be, in particular, a banknote or a check, which is to be fed to or extracted from a storage area of a box for storing valuable documents. At least one transport element is used for transporting the valuable document along the transport path. The transport element is driven by means of at least one first drive unit. An alignment device is used for aligning the valuable document, in particular for reducing or for correcting a lateral deviation of the valuable document. BACKGROUND

[0003] In a valuable document self-service machine, such as an automatic teller machine, an automatic cash safe, and a self-service machine for outputting and / or storing receipts and tickets, a valuable document to be input is transported from an input grid level into a storage area and / or a valuable document to be output is transported from the storage area to an output grid level. The storage area can be provided by a transport box for storing and transporting valuable documents. In order to achieve as high a valuable document processing capacity as possible when transporting valuable documents and in order to avoid malfunctions due to jamming, so-called jamming, of valuable documents, the valuable documents, which are usually rectangularly configured, are aligned with their longitudinal axes transverse to the transport direction. This alignment is also referred to as long-side-first alignment. The risk of jamming is particularly high in the case of old valuable documents, since the hardness of these valuable documents decreases with use and the contamination of the surface of the valuable documents increases. It is precisely in such old valuable documents that diagonal pulling or diagonal pulling of the valuable documents during transport can occur. As a result, the valuable documents can have a lateral deviation and / or an angular deviation from the desired target position, so that they should be aligned.

[0004] A device for aligning value documents is disclosed, for example, from the document DE 10 2004 060 191 Al. In this device lateral guide elements, such as are used, for example, for aligning and guiding single sheets in printers or copiers, are dispensed with. With value documents, the use of lateral guide elements can lead to incorrect alignment and / or to malfunctions due to the different hardness and different edge quality of the value documents. Other devices for aligning value documents are disclosed by the documents DE 10 2008 050 534 Al, DE 10 2008 038 771 Al, DE 10 2011 000 783 Al and DE 10 2003 177 Cl. SUMMARY

[0005] It is the task of the present application to specify an arrangement and a method for aligning value documents, by means of which alignment can be effected simply and reliably during the transport of the value documents along a transport path.

[0006] This task is solved by an arrangement for aligning at least one value document having the features of patent claim 1 and by a method having the features of the independent method claim.

[0007] Advantageous refinements are specified in the dependent patent claims, wherein the features of the dependent claims make it possible not only to improve the arrangement but also to improve the method.

[0008] By means of the arrangement and the method for aligning at least one value document along a transport path having the features of the respective independent claims, the scan line of a banknote reader is used for detecting at least one position at the rear edge and preferably a position at the front edge of the value document. On the basis of this it is possible in a simple manner to monitor and / or control the section of the transport path along which the value document must be transported before the alignment device can start the alignment process of the value document. Furthermore, it is possible to control or monitor in a simple manner the section of the transport path along which the value document can be transported until the value document can be aligned by means of the alignment device without the value document being in contact with the second transport element. Thereby, in particular the angular deviation of the value document is also taken into account when determining the alignment path available, so that a longer alignment path is available when the value document has a small angular deviation than when the value document has a large angular deviation. Thereby, the alignment path can be used optimally without problems arising in that the value document is in contact with the first transport element or with the second transport element during the alignment process.

[0009] It is particularly advantageous if the control unit, starting from the detection of the trailing edge of the value document from the first scanning region and from the second scanning region, controls and / or monitors the transport and the alignment device of the value document along the transport direction in such a way that the alignment process is started by the alignment device at the earliest after the value document has been transported along the transport direction over a preset first path section. In this way it is ensured that the value document is no longer in contact with the first transport element when the alignment device aligns the value document.

[0010] It is advantageous here if the first path section is the distance between the scanning line of the banknote reader and the contact region of the first transport element for contacting the value document when transporting the value document along the transport path, plus a safety distance.

[0011] In other embodiments it is possible to dispense with the provision of a safety distance. In this way it is possible to simply control / monitor the position of the value document in such a way that it is ensured that the value document is no longer in contact with the first transport element when the value document is aligned by means of the alignment device.

[0012] In an advantageous embodiment, when the contact region of the second transport element has the same lateral spacing relative to the centre axis on the first side of the centre axis as the contact region of the first transport element, and when the contact region of the second transport element has the same lateral spacing relative to the centre axis on the second side of the centre axis as the contact region of the first transport element, the banknote reader detects the leading edge of the value document in the first scanning region and in the second scanning region. Here, when the contact regions of the first and second transport elements have the same lateral spacing relative to the centre axis, the leading edge and the trailing edge can be detected simply by means of the scanning regions or the corresponding detection regions.

[0013] In an alternative embodiment, in which the contact region of the second transport element has a different lateral spacing relative to the centre axis than the contact region of the first transport element, the banknote reader detects the leading edge of the value document in a third scanning region and in a fourth scanning region, wherein the third scanning region has the same lateral spacing relative to the centre axis of the transport path as the contact region of the second transport element on the first side of the centre axis, and wherein the fourth scanning region has the same lateral spacing relative to the centre axis of the transport path as the contact region of the second transport element on the second side of the centre axis. In this way it is possible to accurately control / monitor the start and the end of the alignment process by means of the alignment device.

[0014] In general, the end of the alignment process is the latest possible point in time at which the alignment of the value document by means of the alignment device must be terminated in order to ensure that the value document can move, in particular transversely to the transport direction, for the purpose of the alignment. However, if only a small alignment movement is required, it is also possible to end the alignment process earlier.

[0015] It is particularly advantageous if the control unit controls and / or monitors the transport of the value document along the transport direction T1 and additionally controls and / or monitors the alignment device such that the alignment device ends the alignment process at the earliest after the value document has been transported along the transport direction by a preset second path section. Thereby it is ensured that the alignment process is reliably ended before the value document contacts the second transport element.

[0016] It is furthermore advantageous if the second path section is the distance between the scanning line of the banknote reader and the contact area of the second transport element for contacting the value document when transporting the value document along the transport path, minus a safety distance. The safety distance can also be dispensed with in other embodiments.

[0017] It is particularly advantageous if the value document is additionally movable transversely to the transport direction by the alignment device when being transported. Thereby it is possible to correct or at least reduce a lateral deviation of the value document, in particular when such a lateral deviation has been detected.

[0018] It is furthermore advantageous if the scanning line of the banknote reader detects at least one position of the value document for determining a lateral deviation of the value document, wherein the control unit determines the lateral deviation relative to a preset target position. The alignment of the value document can be achieved in particular in that the alignment device is actuated in accordance with the determined lateral deviation such that the lateral deviation is reduced or corrected. The control unit can be a separate control unit of the arrangement or a control unit of the banknote reader. Thereby it is possible to use the banknote reader, which is usually used in an automated teller machine for checking the authenticity of banknotes, simply for detecting a lateral deviation of the value document relative to a target position. The banknote reader is used here not only for detecting all types of value documents, in particular banknotes, checks, vouchers and tickets, and furthermore can be used for determining parameters of the value document, such as the nominal value of a banknote or the total amount of a check or value document, but also for determining the authenticity of the value document, in particular the authenticity of a banknote or a check or a voucher.

[0019] It is furthermore advantageous if the point of the contact area of the first transport element having the greatest lateral distance relative to the center axis defines the lateral spacing of the first scanning area relative to the center axis of the transport path. It is furthermore advantageous if the point of the contact area of the second transport element having the greatest lateral distance relative to the center axis defines the lateral spacing of the second scanning area relative to the center axis of the transport path. Thereby it is ensured that the leading edge and the trailing edge of the value document are detected in the scanning area at the same lateral distance, wherein the value document subsequently contacts the contact area of the first transport element or the contact area of the second transport element.

[0020] It is furthermore advantageous if the arrangement has at least one first drive unit which drives at least one transport element of the alignment device, wherein the transport element transports the value documents along a transport direction of a transport path which extends through the alignment device. It is particularly advantageous if the alignment device additionally comprises a second drive unit which, when activated, additionally moves the value documents transversely to the transport direction. By means of the second drive unit it is thus possible to correct, reduce or, if necessary, to produce lateral deviations of the value documents.

[0021] It is advantageous here if the second drive unit, when activated, moves the transport element along its axis of rotation. It is thus possible to achieve a simple lateral movement of the value documents by means of the alignment device while the value documents are being transported.

[0022] It is furthermore advantageous if, when the first drive unit and the second drive unit are activated at the same time, the alignment device moves the value documents obliquely to the transport direction. It is thus possible to achieve a simple alignment of the value documents in order to reduce or correct lateral deviations of the value documents, in particular.

[0023] It is furthermore advantageous if the transport element comprises a driven and / or undriven rotating transport roller, a transport belt and / or a drum. It is thus possible to dispense with simple and robust transport elements by means of which it is ensured that the value documents are reliably transported along the transport path.

[0024] In a further advantageous embodiment it is possible to change the direction of rotation of the transport element, so that it is possible to pass the value documents through the arrangement in a first transport direction and in a second transport direction which is opposite to the first transport direction.

[0025] It is particularly advantageous if the value documents are passed through the alignment device in a first direction, wherein the value documents are aligned in a first alignment process while passing through, and if the value documents are passed through the alignment device in a second direction which is opposite to the first transport direction, wherein the value documents are aligned in a second alignment process. It is thus possible to simply align the same value documents several times by means of the same alignment device, so that it is also possible to simply correct a larger misalignment, in particular a relatively large lateral deviation of the value documents.

[0026] The lateral spacing and the path to be controlled or monitored are preferably determined or defined in a transport plane which is defined by the transport path.

[0027] It is possible to arrange two alignment devices one after the other along the transport path, not only in the method but also in the arrangement, so that a first alignment process is achieved by means of a first alignment device and a second alignment process is subsequently achieved by means of a second alignment device.

[0028] The transport path is preferably defined by a plurality of transport elements, at least some of which are arranged one behind the other along the transport direction. Furthermore, the transport path can be arranged between a first guide element and a second guide element. In particular, the transport elements can be arranged and the guide elements can be configured such that the transport plane has an arched or curved course along the transport direction. The valuable documents can be transported along the transport path such that their front side is arranged opposite the contact area of the first guide element and their rear side is arranged opposite the contact area of the second guide element. The contact areas of the guide elements extend in a plane parallel to the transport plane, which preferably has a relatively small spacing relative to the transport plane. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0029] Further features and advantages of the present application result from the following description, which explains the application in detail by means of embodiments. The drawings show: Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a plurality of valuable documents being transported along a transport path; Figure 2 is a top view of an arrangement for aligning valuable documents; Figure 3 is a front view of an arrangement for aligning valuable documents according to Figure 2 ; Figure 4a is a top view of an arrangement for aligning valuable documents according to Figure 2 and Figure 3 ; Figure 4b is a front view of an arrangement for aligning valuable documents according to Figure 4a ; Figure 5 is a top view of an arrangement for aligning valuable documents according to Figures 2 to 4b ; Figure 6 is a top view of an arrangement for aligning valuable documents according to Figures 2 to 5 ; Figure 7 is a top view of an arrangement for aligning valuable documents according to a second embodiment of the present application; Figure 8 is a top view of an arrangement for aligning valuable documents according to Figure 7 ; Figure 9 is a top view of an arrangement for aligning valuable documents according to Figure 7 and Figure 8 ; Figure 10This is a top view of an arrangement structure for aligning negotiable instruments according to a third embodiment of the present invention; Figure 11 According to Figures 7 to 10 A side view of two sensor elements in an arrangement structure for aligning negotiable instruments; Figure 12 It is a substitute for in Figure 11 The schematic perspective view of the sensor arrangement structure shown in the figure; and Figure 13 It is used in accordance with Figures 2 to 10 A schematic perspective view of the alignment device in the arrangement structure. Detailed Implementation

[0030] exist Figure 1 A schematic diagram shows multiple negotiable instruments 12 to 18 arranged along a transport plane 10. The negotiable instruments 12 to 18 are transported along the transport section 10 in the transport direction T1 by means of transport devices (not shown), such as rollers, drums, belts, and / or transfer devices. The central axis of the transport section 10 is delineated by dashed line 20. The negotiable instruments 12 to 18 are transported in the transport plane formed by the transport section 10. This transport plane will also be indicated below by reference numeral 10.

[0031] Negotiable instruments 12 to 18 should have a target position relative to transport segment 10. The position of negotiable instruments 12 to 18 should deviate from the target position only within a small tolerance. In the target position, the long sides (Längsseiten) of negotiable instruments 12 to 18 are aligned orthogonally to the transport direction T1, and the short center axis of negotiable instruments 12 to 18 lies on the center axis 20 of transport segment 10. Figure 1 Of the negotiable instruments 12 to 18 shown, only negotiable instrument 18 is in the target position. In the current embodiment, the long sides of negotiable instruments 12 to 18 are substantially laterally aligned with the transport direction T1, at least in the target position. This alignment, where the long sides of negotiable instruments 12 to 18 are orthogonal to the transport direction T1, is also called long side first (LSF) alignment. Furthermore, it is advantageous that two consecutive negotiable instruments 12 to 18 have the same spacing Y with each other. When transporting negotiable instruments 12 to 18 at high speed along the transport route 10 of an ATM or automated cash safe, it is particularly important that the negotiable instruments 12 to 18 are aligned in the target position. To align negotiable instruments 12 to 16, whose lag is laterally offset from the target position, a means for aligning said negotiable instruments 12 to 16 is provided according to the invention. The following is in conjunction with… Figures 2 to 9The structure and function of the device for aligning the value documents 12 to 18 will be described in more detail. The value documents 12 to 18 pass through the device at the same transport speed as when they are transported along the further transport path 10 in the automatic teller machine or in the automatic cash register system or in the cash safe. Deviations of the value documents 12 to 18 from their target positions are determined in the present embodiment by means of a value document checking unit, not shown, for checking the authenticity of the value documents 12 to 18. The value document checking unit is arranged upstream of the device for aligning the value documents 12 to 18 in the transport direction Tl. Such a value document checking unit is also referred to as a banknote reader.

[0032] Especially when the value documents 12 to 18 are extracted from a value document cassette with badly stacked value documents 12 to 18, when the value documents 12 to 18 are incorrectly entered by the customer and / or when the value documents 12 to 18 are pulled in or transported along the transport path 10 obliquely, deviations of the position of the value documents 12 to 18 from the target position can occur. When such deviations occur, the value documents 12 to 18 need to be brought into their target positions by means of the device for aligning the value documents 12 to 18 in order to correct at least one of the detected lateral deviations.

[0033] Furthermore, by aligning the value documents 12 to 18 in the target position, the alignment of the value documents 12 to 18 is improved when stacking for outputting the value documents 12 to 18 as bundles or for storing the value documents 12 to 18 as stacks, for example, in a value document cassette. By this means, the value documents 12 to 18 can be saved in position. Furthermore, the value documents 12 to 18 can be favourably and comfortably output to the customer in ordered bundles.

[0034] In the value document 14 shown in Figure 1 The value document 14 shown in Fig. 1 1 is not in the target position. Its long edge is perpendicular to the transport direction Tl, but its short central axis is not on the central axis 20 of the transport path 10. The short central axis of the value document 14 is offset to the right, so that the value document 14 has no angular deviation but a lateral deviation. The value document 14 must therefore be moved to the left as far as the short central axis of the value document 14 is on the central axis 20 of the transport path 10 in order to bring the value document 14 into the target position.

[0035] The value document 12 has approximately the same lateral deviation from the center axis 20 of the transport path 10 transversely. However, the value document 12 is additionally also distorted with respect to the orthogonal line (Orthogona- len) of the center axis 20 of the transport path 10 at an angle A. This angular deviation from the target position is also called angular deviation. The value document 12 has to be rotated by the angle -A and additionally moved to the left along the transport direction Tl all the way until the short center axis of the value document 12 lies on the center axis 20 of the transport path 10 in order to bring the value document 12 exactly into the target position.

[0036] The value document 16 has an angular deviation -A and a lateral deviation to the left along the transport direction Tl from the center axis 20 of the transport path 10 transversely. In order to bring this value document 16 into the target position, it has to be rotated by the angle A and moved to the right all the way until the short center axis of the value document 16 lies on the center axis 20 of the transport path 10. It has been recognized that in many cases it is sufficient to correct the lateral deviation of a value document. In many cases it is not necessarily required to correct the angular deviation.

[0037] Figure 2 A top view of an arrangement 200 for aligning the value documents 12 to 18 is shown. Elements having the same structure or the same function have the same reference numerals. The arrangement 200 comprises a banknote reader with a scan line 210, two transport elements and an alignment device 500. The alignment device 500 is arranged after the first transport element and before the second transport element along the transport direction Tl. The first transport element comprises a shaft 214 and two transport rollers 212 and 216 which are in contact with the value document 12 for transport along the transport path 10 and for feeding it to the alignment device 500. The second transport element comprises a shaft 220 and two transport rollers 218 and 220 which are in contact with the value document 12 for transport and for transporting the value document 12 away from the alignment device 500 when transported along the transport direction Tl. The shafts 214 and 220 are driven by a not shown drive unit. The outer edges of the rollers 212, 216, 218 and 222 all have the same spacing x with respect to the center axis 20 of the transport path 10. The dashed lines 110 and 112 represent the prolongation of the outer edges of the rollers 212, 216, 218 and 222 along the transport path 10.

[0038] The scan line 210 comprises a plurality of detection areas. In Figure 2The locations of the two detection areas are indicated by reference numerals D1 and D2 in the attached diagram. The distance between D1 and the central axis 20, and the distance between D2 and the central axis 20 of the transport section 10, correspond to the distance x, which is given by the outer edges of rollers 212, 216, 218, and 222 relative to the central axis 20 of the transport section 10. Detection area D1 scans the scanning area A1 in the transport plane of the transport section 10, and detection area D2 scans the scanning area A2 in the transport plane of the transport section 10.

[0039] A control unit (not shown) monitors scanning areas A1 and A2 via detection areas D1 and D2 of scan line 210. The detection areas D1 and D2 detect the entry of the leading edge of the negotiable instrument 12 into the first scanning area A1 or A2 of the banknote reader. From the moment the leading edge of the negotiable instrument 12 is first detected in detection area D1 or detection area D2, the transport path traversed by the leading edge of the negotiable instrument 12 along the transport direction T1 is controlled and / or monitored. Specifically, from the moment the leading edge of the negotiable instrument 12 is detected in scanning areas A1 and A2, the transport of the negotiable instrument 12 is monitored along a segment LD2, preferably by manipulating at least one drive unit such that the negotiable instrument 12 passes through segment LD2. After passing through segment LD2, alignment of the negotiable instrument 12 within the alignment device 500 is stopped, and the negotiable instrument 12 is transported away from the alignment device 500 by means of a second transport element. Monitoring is not required but can optionally be performed using sensors.

[0040] The segment LD2 corresponds to the difference between the spacing of the contact areas K3 and K4 of the scan line 210 relative to the rollers 218 and 222 and the safety distance Δ2, which in the current embodiment corresponds to the radius of the rollers 218 and 222. The safety distance Δ2 ensures that the alignment device 500 terminates the alignment process of the negotiable instrument 12 once it contacts the rollers 218 and 222. In other embodiments, other, especially smaller, correction values ​​may be used. If a stepper motor is used as the drive unit in a particular embodiment, the segment LD2 corresponds to the number of steps of the stepper motor. The number of steps of the stepper motor can be detected as the negotiable instrument 12 is transported along the segment LD2, starting from the first detection of the leading edge of the negotiable instrument within the detection areas D1 and D2. The alignment device 500 terminates the alignment process when a preset number of steps is reached. Therefore, the alignment process performed by the alignment device 500 is always terminated in a timely manner before the transport rollers 218 and 220 of the second transport element contact the negotiable instrument 12.

[0041] Figure 3 It shows according to Figure 2A top view of the arrangement structure 200 used to align negotiable instruments. The rear edge of negotiable instrument 12 is located at the... Figure 3 The location shown exits from the scanning area A2 of the banknote reader, whereby the detection area D2 of the banknote reader detects the result. In the case of negotiable instrument 12... Figure 3 In the position shown, the rear edge of the negotiable instrument 12 has already been detected emerging from scanning area A1 via detection area D1. Control and / or monitoring of the transport path traversed by the rear edge of the negotiable instrument 12 along the transport direction T1 begins only when the rear edge emerges from both scanning areas A1 and A2. Specifically, monitoring of the transport path traversed by the rear edge of the negotiable instrument 12 along the transport direction T1 begins only when the rear edge emerges from both scanning areas A1 and A2. In particular, monitoring of the transport of the negotiable instrument 12 along a segment LD1 begins from the rear edge of the negotiable instrument 12 emerging from the second scanning area A2. Preferably, at least one drive unit is manipulated to transport the negotiable instrument 12 so that the negotiable instrument 12 traverses segment LD1. After traversing segment LD1, alignment of the negotiable instrument 12 begins via alignment device 500.

[0042] The segment LD1 corresponds to the sum of the spacing between the contact areas K1 and K2 of the scan line 210 relative to rollers 212 and 216 and a safety distance Δ1, which in the current embodiment corresponds to the radius of rollers 212 and 216. The safety distance Δ1 ensures that when alignment begins within the alignment device 500, the negotiable instrument 12 no longer contacts rollers 212 and 214, thus allowing the alignment device 500 to begin the alignment process for the negotiable instrument 12 without problems. In other embodiments, other, especially smaller, safety distances Δ1 may be used.

[0043] Figure 4a It shows according to Figure 2 and Figure 3 A top view of the arrangement structure 200 used to align negotiable instruments 12 to 18. Figure 4b It shows according to Figure 4a A front view of the arrangement structure 200 used to align negotiable instruments 12 to 18. Figure 4a and Figure 4b The elements of the alignment device 500 are schematically shown. The alignment device 500 includes at least one transport element 530 driven by a first drive unit (not shown) and at least one component arranged opposite to the transport element 530. Figure 4a and Figure 4bnot shown. The transport path 10 of the value document 12 extends between the transport element 530 and the counter pressure element. The counter pressure element is spherical in this embodiment and is rotatably mounted. In other embodiments, other counter pressure elements can also be used, in particular rollers, cylinders, belts or guide elements, such as guide plates.

[0044] Furthermore, the alignment device 500 comprises a second drive unit 510 for moving the transport element 530 along its axis of rotation, thereby moving the value document 12 arranged between the transport element 530 and the counter pressure element when moving the transport element 530 transversely to the transport direction Tl.

[0045] As can be seen in Figure 4b , the scan lines 210 of the banknote reader having the detection areas Dl, D2 are arranged at a distance with respect to the transport plane of the transport path 10. The scan areas Al, A2 lie in the transport plane of the transport path 10. In other embodiments, the detection areas Dl, D2 can also be arranged in the transport plane of the transport path 10.

[0046] Figure 5 A top view of the arrangement 200 for aligning the value documents 12 to 18 according to Figures 2 to 4b is shown. Starting from the position of the value document 12 shown in Figure 3 , the value document is further transported along the transport direction Tl by means of the first drive unit, the first transport element with the rollers 212, 216 and the transport element 530 of the alignment device 500 until the position shown in Figure 5 . The rear edge of the value document 12 is thus transported along the transport direction Tl by the distance LDl from the position shown in Figure 3 . The value document 12 no longer engages the transport rollers 212 and 216 of the first transport element in the position shown in Figure 5 , so that the alignment process by the alignment device 500 can be started. The alignment process by the alignment device 500 is thus started when the value document 12 has travelled the distance LDl.

[0047] Figure 6 A top view of the arrangement 200 for aligning the value documents 12 to 18 according to Figures 2 to 5 is shown. Starting from the position of the value document 12 shown in Figure 2 , the front edge of the value document 12 is further transported along the transport direction Tl by means of the first drive unit, the first transport element and the transport element 530 of the alignment device 500 by the distance LD2 until the position shown in Figure 6 .

[0048] When being transported along the transport direction T1, the value document 12 is additionally moved along a transport direction T3 extending transversely to the transport direction T1 by means of the alignment device 500 by the path section y. This movement transversely to the transport direction T1 results in that the leading edge of the value document 12 can be transported along the transport direction T1 with a spacing Δ3 additionally to the path section LD1 before the value document enters the region of the safety spacing Δ2 of the transport roller 218. In the shown embodiment the spacing Δ3 is not taken into account and at the latest in the position of the value document 12 shown in the figure the alignment process by the alignment device 500 is terminated. Figure 6

[0049] If the value document 12 is moved along a transport direction opposite to the transport direction T3 by means of the alignment device 500 by the path section y, the leading edge of the value document 12 reaches the region of the safety spacing Δ2 of the roller 218 as soon as it is transported by a path section resulting from the difference of the transport path section LD2 and the spacing Δ3. In the present embodiment the dimension of the safety spacing Δ2 is, however, so allocated that even in the case that the alignment is terminated only after the leading edge of the value document 12 is transported by the path section LD2, the value document 12 does not come into contact with the contact region K3 of the roller 218. In the shown embodiment the spacing Δ3 is not taken into account, in other embodiments the spacing Δ3 can be calculated and the alignment process in the alignment station 500 is lengthened or shortened by the spacing Δ3 depending on the direction of the alignment.

[0050] Figure 7 A top view of an arrangement 300 for aligning value documents 12 to 18 according to a second embodiment of the present application is shown. In contrast to the arrangement 200 according to the first embodiment of the present application, the arrangement 300 according to the second embodiment of the present application comprises a further alignment device 500 for aligning the value documents 12 to 18. Figures 2 to 6 Figure 7 ​​The arrangement 300 additionally comprises two sensor elements 310 and 320 which are arranged behind the second transport element along the transport direction Tl. The sensor elements 310, 320 each comprise an optical emitter for emitting light and an optical receiver for receiving the light emitted by the emitter. The emitter and the receiver are arranged such that the light emitted by the emitter is interrupted when the value document 12 passes between the optical emitter and the optical receiver. This interruption is detected by the receiver. In this embodiment, the two sensor elements 310, 320 are arranged at the same distance z from the central axis on two opposite sides of the central axis 20. Thus, two known light barrier arrangements (Lichtschrankenanordnung) can be used, each with an emitter and a receiver. Alternatively, known light sensor arrangements can also be used in which the emitter and the receiver are arranged on the same side of the transport plane. The light emitted by the emitter is reflected by a reflective element arranged opposite the emitter or is diverted by an optical element such that it falls at least partially onto the detection element.

[0051] When the value document passes the arrangement 300 in a direction T2 opposite the transport direction Tl, the sensor elements 310, 320 are used to detect the leading edge and the trailing edge of the value document 12. The sensor elements 310, 320 each generate a sensor signal when the leading edge is detected and a sensor signal when the trailing edge of the value document 12 is detected. The signals generated by the sensor elements 310, 320 are analyzed by the control unit.

[0052] In addition to the already described scanning regions Al and A2 of the banknote reader, two further scanning regions A3 and A4 of the banknote reader are provided in the arrangement 300 shown in Figure 7 The scanning regions A3 and A4 are located on the extensions 114 and 116 of the sensor elements 300, 320 at a distance z from the central axis. In addition to the monitoring of the scanning regions Al and A2 by the detection regions Dl and D2 described in Figures 2 to 6 In addition to the monitoring of the scanning regions Al and A2 by the detection regions Dl and D2 described in

[0053] After the value document 12 has traveled a path section Δ4 from the time at which the leading edge of the value document 12 was detected in the scanning region Al, the leading edge of the value document 12 is detected by the detection region D3 in the position I of the value document 12 shown in Figure 7 The path section Δ4 thus depends on the angular deviation A of the value document 12. After the value document 12 has traveled a path section Δ4 from the time at which the trailing edge of the value document 12 was detected by the detection region D4, the trailing edge of the value document 12 is detected by the detection region D4 in the position II of the value document 12 shown in Figure 7Starting from position II shown in the figure, the rear edge of the negotiable instrument 12 is detected through the detection area D2.

[0054] Figure 8 It shows according to Figure 7 A top view of the layout structure 300. From in Figure 7 Starting from position I shown, the valuable document 12 is transported along transport direction T1 by means of a first drive unit, a first transport element, an alignment device 500, a second transport element, and other transport elements not shown, up to after sensor elements 310 and 320. At this point, alignment of the valuable document 12 has not yet occurred within the alignment device 500 along transport direction T1. Next, the valuable document 12 is transported back along transport direction T2 by means of transport elements. Figure 8 The location shown is I.

[0055] The leading and trailing edges are related to the corresponding transport directions T1 and T2, with the leading edge positioned downstream of the trailing edge. Therefore, negotiable instrument 12... Figures 2 to 7 The leading edge in Figures 8 to 10 The middle becomes the rear edge of negotiable instrument 12, and negotiable instrument 12 in Figures 2 to 7 The rear edge in Figures 8 to 10 The middle becomes the leading edge of negotiable instrument 12.

[0056] In the case of negotiable instrument 12 Figure 8 In position I shown, the leading edge of the negotiable instrument 12 is located within the detection area of ​​sensor element 320, thereby interrupting the light emitted by the optical transmitter. This interruption is detected by the optical receiver of sensor element 320. When the leading edge of the negotiable instrument is located within the detection area of ​​sensor element 310, the second sensor element 310 detects the leading edge of the negotiable instrument 12 in the same manner. From the moment the leading edge of the negotiable instrument 12 is first detected by sensor 310 or sensor 320, the transport path traversed by the leading edge of the negotiable instrument 12 along the transport direction T2 is controlled and / or monitored by the control unit. In particular, the following section is monitored, which determines the end of the alignment performed within the alignment device 500. This section corresponds to section PD2 and the combination Figure 7 The difference in Δ4 of the road segment is described.

[0057] The path section PD2 corresponds to the difference formed by the spacing of the contact areas K1 and K2 of the sensor elements 310 and 320 relative to the rollers 212 and 216 from a safety spacing Δ1, which in the present embodiment corresponds to the radius of the rollers 212 and 216. By means of the safety spacing Δ1 it is ensured that the alignment of the value document 12 by means of the alignment device 500 is terminated as soon as the value document 12 comes into contact with the rollers 212 and 216. In other embodiments, other, in particular smaller, safety spacings Δ1 can be used. In the position II shown in Figure 8 , the leading edge of the value document 12 is transported relative to the position I shown in Figure 8 by the path section which results from the difference of the path section PD2 and the path section Δ4. As set out in connection with Figure 6 , the value document 12 is moved by the alignment by means of the alignment device 500 by the path section y along a transport direction T4 which extends transversely to the transport direction T1 when being transported along the transport direction T1. This movement transversely to the transport direction results in that the leading edge of the value document 12 can be transported with a spacing Δ3 along the transport direction T1 in addition to the path section which results from the difference of the path section LD2 and Δ4, before the value document enters the region of the safety spacing Δ1 of the transport roller 216. The spacing Δ3 is not taken into account in the embodiment shown and the alignment process by means of the alignment device 500 is terminated in the position II of the value document 12 shown in Figure 8 .

[0058] Figure 9 A top view of an arrangement 300 for aligning value documents 12 to 18 according to Figure 7 and Figure 8 is shown. In the position I of the value document 12 shown in Figure 9 , the trailing edge of the value document 12 comes out of the detection area of the sensor element 310 so that the light rays emitted by the optical emitter fall again onto the optical receiver after the interruption of the light rays during the passage of the value document 12. In the shown position I of the value document, the passage of the trailing edge of the value document 12 through the sensor element 320 has already occurred at an earlier point in time so that the light rays of both sensor elements 310 and 320 are received again by the optical receiver. From the detection of the light rays by the receiver of the sensor 310, the transport path followed by the trailing edge of the value document 12 along the transport direction T2 is controlled and / or monitored. In particular, the transport of the value document 12 is monitored by the path section which results from the addition of the path section PD1 and the path section Δ4.

[0059] The path section PD1 corresponds to the sum of the spacing of the contact areas K1 and K2 of the sensor elements 310, 320 relative to the rollers 218 and 222 and a safety spacing Δ2, which in the present embodiment corresponds to the radius of the rollers 218 and 222. By means of the safety spacing Δ2 it is ensured that when the alignment by the alignment device 500 is started, the valuable document 12 is no longer in contact with the rollers 218 and 222, so that the alignment device 500 can start the alignment process on the valuable document 12 without problems. In other embodiments, other, in particular smaller, safety spacings Δ2 can be used.

[0060] In the position II of the valuable document 12 shown in Figure 9 , the valuable document has been transported relative to the position I shown in Figure 9 by a path section which corresponds to the sum of the path sections PD1 and Δ4. The alignment by means of the alignment device 500 is started.

[0061] Figure 10 A top view of an arrangement 400 for aligning valuable documents 12 to 18 according to a third embodiment of the application is shown. As explained in connection with Figure 6 , the valuable document 12 is aligned by means of the alignment device 500 along the transport direction T1. After the alignment, the valuable document 12 is transported by the second transport element and other, not shown, transport elements along the transport direction T1 behind the sensor elements 310, 320 and is then transported back by means of the transport elements along the direction T2 to the position shown in Figure 10 .

[0062] In the position of the valuable document 12 shown in Figure 10 , the trailing edge of the valuable document 12 comes out of the detection area of the sensor element 310, so that according to the explanations made in connection with Figure 9 , the control and / or monitoring of the transport path along the transport direction T2 travelled by the trailing edge of the valuable document 12 is started. In particular, the transport of the trailing edge of the valuable document 12 is monitored over a path section which results from the sum of the path sections PD1, Δ4 and Δ3. The path section PD1 is described in connection with Figure 9 , the path section Δ4 is described in connection with Figure 7 and the path section Δ3 is described in connection with Figure 6 . In contrast to the first embodiment of the application according to Figure 6 , in which the path section Δ3 is not taken into account, in the present embodiment the path section Δ3 is determined and the alignment of the valuable document 12 by means of the alignment device 500 is started once the trailing edge of the valuable document 12 has been transported over a path section which results from the sum of the path sections PD1, Δ3 and Δ4.

[0063] As soon as the leading edge of the value document 12 is located in the detection area of the sensor element 320 or 310, the control and / or monitoring of the leading edge of the value document 12 is started in accordance with the explanations made in connection with Figure 8 The control and / or monitoring of the travelled path of the leading edge of the value document 12 is started from the first detection of the leading edge of the value document 12 by the sensor element 310 or by the sensor element 320. The travelled path is monitored which determines the end of a possible alignment in the alignment device 500. The travelled path corresponds to the difference between the path PD2 and the sum of the paths Δ4 and Δ3, wherein the path PD2 is described in connection with Figure 8 The path PD2 is described in connection with

[0064] Figure 11 A side view of a sensor arrangement with sensor elements 310 and 320 is shown as it is used in the arrangement 300, 400 for aligning value documents 12 to 18 in accordance with Figures 7 to 10 The two sensor elements 310, 320 are arranged at the same distance z from the central axis 20 on two opposite sides of the central axis 20. The sensor elements 310, 320 comprise an optical emitter 312, 322 for emitting a light beam 316, 326 and an optical receiver 314, 324 for receiving at least a portion of the light beam 316, 324 emitted by the emitter. The emitter 312, 322 and the receiver 314, 324 are arranged such that the light beam 316, 324 is interrupted when a value document 12 passes between the optical emitter 312, 322 and the optical receiver 314, 324.

[0065] The light beam 326 is interrupted when the leading edge of the value document 12 passes the sensor element 320 in accordance with the position I of the value document 12 shown in Figure 8 The receiver 324 detects this result as described in connection with Figure 8 The control and / or monitoring of the travelled path of the leading edge of the value document 12 along the transport direction T2 is started from the first detection by the receiver 314.

[0066] If the value document 12 is located in the position I shown in Figure 9 The trailing edge of the value document 12 passes the sensor element 310 such that the light beam 316 is detected again by the receiver 314 after the interruption of the light beam during the passage of the value document 12. The passage of the trailing edge of the value document 12 through the sensor element 322 has already taken place at an earlier point in time such that the control and / or monitoring of the travelled path of the trailing edge of the value document 12 along the transport direction T2 is started from the second detection by the receiver 314, as this has already been described in connection with Figure 9 The control and / or monitoring of the travelled path of the trailing edge of the value document 12 along the transport direction T2 is started from the second detection by the receiver 314.

[0067] Figure 12 A schematic perspective view of a further sensor arrangement 350 is shown, which can be used in the arrangements 300, 400 instead of the sensor arrangement shown in Figure 11 The sensor arrangement 350 comprises an optical emitter 352 for emitting light rays 356, an optical receiver 354 for receiving the light rays 356 and a prism arrangement 358 for deflecting the light rays 356, wherein the emitter 352 and the receiver 354 are arranged on the same side of the transport path 10 and the prism arrangement 358 is arranged on the opposite side of the transport path 10. The emitter 352 and the receiver 354 are arranged on two opposite sides of the central axis 20 at the same distance z from the central axis 20. The prism arrangement 358 deflects the light rays 356 emitted by the emitter 352 so that they at least partially fall onto the optical receiver 354. If a valuable document 12 is located between the optical emitter 352 and the prism arrangement 358, the light rays 356 are interrupted. The light rays 356 are also interrupted when a valuable document 12 is located between the receiver 354 and the prism arrangement 358.

[0068] If in a further embodiment of the application the sensor elements 310 and 320 according to the embodiment described in Figures 7 to 10 are replaced by the sensor arrangement 350, wherein the emitter 352 is placed in the position of the emitter 312 and the receiver 354 is placed in the position of the emitter 322 and a valuable document 12 is located in the position I shown in Figure 8 the receiver 354 can detect the passage of the leading edge of the valuable document 12 past the sensor element 350. The receiver 354 cannot detect whether the interruption of the light rays 356 is within the emission area of the emitter 352 or within the reception area of the receiver 354. What is known, however, when the leading edge of the valuable document 12 passes the receiver 354 is whether the trailing edge of the valuable document 12 passes the sensor arrangement at an angle A or -A. This information about the direction of the angle deviation A is detected when the leading edge of the valuable document 12 passes the banknote reader and is transmitted to the control unit. With the interruption of the light rays 356, the control and / or monitoring of the transport path of the leading edge of the valuable document 12 is initiated. In particular, the transport of the leading edge of the valuable document 12 is monitored with the path sum of the path sections PD2 and Δ4, as has already been described in connection with Figure 8 .

[0069] After the light beam 356 is interrupted during the passage of the negotiable instrument 12, the light beam 356 falls back onto the receiver 354 once the rear edge of the negotiable instrument 12 emerges not only from the emitting area of ​​the transmitter 352 but also from the receiving area of ​​the receiver 354. The receiver 354 cannot detect whether the light beam 356 was released within the emitting area of ​​the receiver 352 or within the receiving area of ​​the receiver 354. However, it is known as the rear edge of the negotiable instrument 12 passes the sensor arrangement 350 at an angle A or -A when it passes the receiver 354. This information about the direction of the angle deviation A is detected when the negotiable instrument 12 passes the banknote reader and the corresponding information is transmitted to the control unit. With the detection of the light beam 356 by the receiver 354, the transport path traversed by the rear edge of the negotiable instrument 12 is controlled and / or monitored. In particular, the transport of the rear edge of the negotiable instrument 12 is monitored by the segment monitoring derived from the sum of segment PD1 and Δ4, as this has already been combined Figure 9 As described in the text.

[0070] Figure 13 It shows the use of in accordance with Figures 2 to 10 A schematic perspective view of the alignment device 500 in the arrangement structures 200, 300, and 400. The alignment device 500 includes: a transport element 530 having rollers 522 and 524 and a connecting element 526; a drive shaft 520, which is connected via a... Figures 2 to 10 The first drive unit (not shown) is used for driving; and a second drive unit 510 drives a gear 512 that engages with the teeth surrounding the connecting element 526. Rotation of the gear 512 causes the transport element 530 to move axially along the axis of rotation of the drive shaft 520 or along the axis of rotation of the rollers 522 and 524.

[0071] Furthermore, the device 500 includes two spherical counter-pressure elements 580 and 582, which are respectively arranged opposite to rollers 522 and 524 of the transport element 530 and are rotatably supported within support units 560 and 562. Support units 560 and 562 engage with elastically deformable elements 540 and 542, thereby causing pressure from the spherical counter-pressure elements 580 and 582 onto the negotiable instrument 12 arranged between the transport element 530 and the counter-pressure elements 580 and 582.

[0072] If a value document 12 is arranged between the rollers 522, 524 and the counter-pressure elements 580, 582 of the transport element 530 while being transported along the transport section 10, the value document is pressed by the counter-pressure elements 580, 582 against the housing face of the rollers 522, 524. During the rotation of the transport element 530 by the drive shaft 520, the rollers 522, 524 of the transport element 530 are moved on the drive shaft 520 in the axial direction by means of the second drive unit 510, so that the value document 12 is transported by the alignment device 500 inclined to the transport direction Tl.

[0073] List of reference signs: 10 transport section 12, 14, 16, 18 value document 20 center axis 110, 112, 114, 116 line 200, 300, 400 arrangement 210 scan line 212, 216, 218, 222, 522, 524 roller 214, 220 shaft 310, 320 sensor element 312, 314, 322, 324, 352, 354 diode 316, 326, 356 light ray 350 sensor arrangement 358 prism 500 device 510 drive unit 526 connecting element 530 transport element 540, 542 resiliently deformable element 560, 562 support unit 580, 582 counter-pressure element A1, A2, A3, A4 scan area D1, D2, D3, D4 detection area K1, K2, K3, K4 contact area Δ4, LD1, LD2, PD1, PD2 section Δ1, Δ2 safety distance Δ3, x, y, z distance R radius T1, T2, T3, T4 transport direction A angle.

Claims

1. Arrangement for aligning at least one value document (12 to 18) along a transport path (10), having at least one banknote reader with at least one scanning line (210) with a plurality of detection areas (D1, D2) along the scanning line (210) for scanning a value document (12 to 18), wherein each detection area (D1, D2) scans a scanning area (A1, A2) in the transport plane of the transport path (10), wherein the scanning areas (A1, A2) are arranged along a line orthogonal to a central axis (20) of the transport path (10), having a first transport element (212, 214, 216) and having at least one second transport element (218, 220, 222) for transporting a value document (12 to 18) along the transport path (10) in at least one transport direction T1, wherein the transport elements (212 to 222) each contact the value document (12 to 18) in a contact area (K1 to K4), at least one alignment device (500) for aligning value documents (12 to 18), which is arranged between the first transport element (212, 214, 216) and the second transport element (218, 220, 222) and forms part of the transport section (10), wherein the banknote reader being arranged upstream of the alignment device (500) along the transport direction (T1), characterized in that the banknote reader detects a trailing edge of a value document (12 to 18) in a first scanning area (A1) and in a second scanning area (A2), the first scanning area (A1) has on a first side of the central axis (20) a same lateral spacing (x) relative to the central axis (20) of the transport path (10) as a contact area (K3) of the second transport element (218, 220, 222), the second scanning area (A2) has on a second side of the central axis (20) opposite the first side a same lateral spacing (x) relative to the central axis (20) of the transport path (10) as a contact area (K4) of the second transport element (218, 220, 222), and the control unit, starting from the detection of the trailing edge of the value document (12 to 18) out of the first scanning area (A1) and out of the second scanning area (A2), controls and / or monitors the transport of the value document (12 to 18) along the transport direction (T1) and the alignment device (500) such that the alignment device (500) starts the alignment process at the earliest after a preset first path section (LD1) of the transport of the value document (12 to 18) along the transport direction (T1), so that it is ensured that the value document (12 to 18) is no longer in contact with the first transport element (212, 214, 216) at the start of the alignment process, wherein the first path section (LD1) is the distance between the scanning line (210) of the banknote reader and a contact area (K1) of the first transport element (212, 214, 216) for contacting the value document (12 to 18) when being transported along the transport path (10) plus a safety spacing (Δ1).

2. An arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that when the contact region (K3) of the second transport element (218, 220, 222) has the same lateral spacing (x) on the first side of the center axis (20) as the contact region (K1) of the first transport element (212, 214, 216), and when the contact region (K4) of the second transport element (218, 220, 222) has the same lateral spacing (x) on the second side of the center axis (20) as the contact region (K2) of the first transport element (212, 214, 216), the banknote reader detects the leading edge of the value document (12 to 18) in the first scanning region (A1) and in the second scanning region (A2), or the banknote reader detects the value document (12 to 18) in a third scanning region and in a fourth scanning region, wherein the third scanning region has the same lateral spacing relative to the center axis (20) of the transport path (10) as the contact region (K3) of the second transport element (218, 220, 222) on the first side of the center axis (20), and wherein the fourth scanning region has the same lateral spacing relative to the center axis (20) of the transport path (10) as the contact region (K4) of the second transport element (218, 220, 222) on the second side of the center axis (20).

3. An arrangement according to claim 2, characterised in that, The control unit controls and / or monitors the transport and alignment device (500) of the value document (12 to 18) along the transport direction (T1) starting from the detection of the leading edge of the value document (12 to 18) into the first scanning region (A1) or into the second scanning region (A2) or into the third scanning region or into the fourth scanning region, such that the alignment process of the alignment device (500) ends at the latest after the value document (12 to 18) has been transported along the transport direction (T1) by a predetermined second path length (LD2).

4. An arrangement according to claim 3, characterised in that The second path length (LD2) is the distance between the scanning line (210) of the banknote reader and the contact region (K3, K4) of the second transport element (218, 220, 222) for contacting the value document (12 to 18) when being transported along the transport path (10), reduced by a safety spacing (Δ2).

5. An arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The value document (12 to 18) can be moved along the transport path (10) in the transport direction (T1) and additionally transversely to the transport direction (T1) by the alignment device (500) when being transported.

6. An arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The banknote reader detects the position of the value document (12 to 18), wherein the banknote reader or the control unit determines a lateral deviation relative to a predetermined target position, wherein the alignment of the value document (12 to 18) is achieved in that the alignment device (500) is actuated in accordance with the determined lateral deviation such that the lateral deviation is reduced or corrected.

7. An arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The point of the contact area (K1, K2) of the first transport element (212, 214, 216) having the greatest lateral distance relative to the center axis (20) defines the lateral spacing (x) of the first scanning region (A1) relative to the center axis (20) of the transport path (10), and the point of the contact area (K4) of the second transport element (218, 220, 222) having the greatest lateral distance relative to the center axis (20) defines the lateral spacing (x) of the second scanning region (A2) relative to the center axis (20) of the transport path (10).

8. An arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The arrangement (200, 300, 400) has at least one first drive unit which drives at least one transport element (530) of the alignment device (500), wherein the transport element (530) transports the value documents (12 to 18) along a transport direction (T1) of a transport path (10) extending through the alignment device (500), The alignment device (500) comprises a second drive unit (510) which, when activated, additionally moves the value documents (12 to 18) transversely to the transport direction (T1).

9. An arrangement according to claim 8, characterised in that, The second drive unit (510), when activated, moves the transport element (530) along its axis of rotation.

10. An arrangement according to claim 8, characterized in that When the first drive unit and the second drive unit (510) are activated simultaneously, the alignment device (500) moves the value documents (12 to 18) obliquely to the transport direction (T1).

11. An arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The direction of rotation of the transport elements (212 to 222, 530) can be changed, so that the value documents (12 to 18) can be passed through the arrangement (200, 300, 400) in both the transport direction (T1) and in a direction (T2) opposite thereto.

12. An arrangement according to claim 11, characterised in that, The value documents (12 to 18) are passed through the alignment device (500) in a first direction T1, wherein the alignment device (500) aligns the value documents (12 to 18) in a first alignment process (500) when passed in the transport direction (T1) and in a second alignment process when passed in a direction (T2) opposite the transport direction (T1).

13. Method for aligning at least one value document (12 to 18) along a transport path (10), wherein the value documents (12 to 18) are scanned by means of at least one scanning line (210) of at least one banknote reader, wherein the scanning line (210) has a plurality of detection regions (D1 to D4) along the scanning line (210), wherein each detection region (D1 to D4) scans a scanning region (A1 to A4) in the transport plane of the transport path (10), wherein the scanning regions (A1 to A4) are arranged along a line orthogonal to a center axis (20) of the transport path (10), - transporting the value documents (12 to 18) along the transport path (10) in the transport direction (T1) by means of the first transport elements (212, 214, 216) and by means of the at least one second transport element (218, 220, 222), wherein the transport elements (212 to 222) each contact the value documents (12 to 18) in a contact region (K1 to K4), and wherein the value documents (12 to 18) are fed to at least one alignment device (500), which is arranged between the first transport element (212, 214, 216) and the second transport element (218, 220, 222) and which forms part of the transport path (10), wherein - the banknote reader being arranged upstream of the alignment device (500) in the transport direction (T1), - characterized in that the trailing edge of a value document (12 to 18) is detected in a first scanning region (A1) and in a second scanning region (A2) by means of a scanning line (210) of the banknote reader, - the first scanning region (A1) having the same lateral spacing (x) relative to the center axis (20) of the transport path (10) to the contact region (K3) of the second transport element (218, 220, 222) on a first side of the center axis (20), - the second scanning region (A2) having the same lateral spacing (x) relative to the center axis (20) of the transport path (10) to the contact region (K4) of the second transport element (218, 220, 222) on a second side of the center axis (20) opposite the first side, and - controlling and / or monitoring the transport of the value documents (12 to 18) along the transport direction (T1) and the alignment device (500) by means of a control unit starting from the detection of the trailing edge of a value document (12 to 18) out of the first scanning region (A1) and out of the second scanning region (A2) in such a way that the alignment process is started by the alignment device (500) at the earliest after a preset first path length (LD1) of the value documents (12 to 18) along the transport direction (T1), so that it is ensured that the value documents (12 to 18) are no longer in contact with the first transport elements (212, 214, 216) at the start of the alignment process, - wherein the first path length (LD1) is the distance between the scanning line (210) of the banknote reader and the contact region (K1) of the first transport elements (212, 214, 216) for contacting the value documents (12 to 18) when being transported along the transport path (10) plus a safety spacing (Δ1).

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