Method and device for recording vouchers

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a device for recording vouchers, comprising the following steps: Individualizing vouchers inserted into the input slot for transport along a transport route, Scanning machine-readable codes, Sensory detection of at least one voucher characteristic of the transported vouchers, which provides information about the correctness of the respective detected voucher; checking the correctness of the transported vouchers based on scanned and / or sensorially detected values, whereby the checked vouchers are assessed as incorrect if the values ​​recorded for these vouchers do not meet correctness requirements, and are otherwise assessed as correct. Controlling the branching of the transport route according to the vouchers checked and evaluated for correctness, so that correct vouchers are transported to the safe and incorrect vouchers to the dispensing chute, Generating booking records based on the scanned codes, Assigning the results of the correctness check to the booking records, whereby the booking records of the vouchers rated as incorrect are invalidated.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method, a device and a system for recording vouchers,

[0002] Vouchers are bearer instruments with value, which the holder signs as the holder and, as a substitute for money, entitles the holder to a service from the voucher issuer. Similar to tickets, travel passes, or discount coupons, which belong to the same category, the issuer's service is provided upon redemption of the voucher. Upon redemption, the voucher is either invalidated, as with a ticket, or collected to prevent its misuse.

[0003] This principle of using vouchers as a substitute for money is employed at large events, such as Oktoberfest or the Cannstatter Volksfest, through the issuance and purchase of food and drink vouchers. This allows large crowds in tents to be served food and drinks quickly and without cash. The logistical challenge lies in recording the number of vouchers redeemed by multiple servers in such a way that, corresponding to the smooth and rapid dispensing of food and drinks, the vouchers can be securely and validly validated and reliably processed in the accounting system.

[0004] For this reason, the applicant tested prototype devices for recording meal vouchers. These test devices had the disadvantage that the recording of the meal vouchers was not error-free and therefore required time-consuming manual monitoring during voucher entry and subsequent verification.

[0005] For example, the following could happen unintentionally or perhaps even with fraudulent intent: 1. Food vouchers, such as those sold in perforated voucher pads, are not always completely separated by tearing along the perforation when redeemed. In this case, it is not unlikely that, in addition to the normal case where only individual vouchers are inserted into the device for scanning, several vouchers forming a mini-stack (e.g., a stack of two to four vouchers) and / or, for example, two vouchers forming a chain, each connected by an untorn perforation, will also be inserted into the device for scanning. This faulty and incorrect voucher insertion process on the test device results in the following: On the one hand, while the voucher stack and the voucher chain are recognized as such upon insertion into the device and therefore dispensed as invalid vouchers, on the other hand, the top voucher in the voucher stack, or the first voucher in the two-voucher chain, is also recorded as a voucher to be invalidated and correspondingly booked with a transaction record. Because the voucher stack is recognized as invalid and diverted to an error tray from which it can be retrieved, the problem arises that the topmost, already booked voucher is reused. 2. Furthermore, it can happen – unintentionally or not – that a single third-party voucher, a small stack of third-party vouchers, and / or a chain of third-party vouchers are transported. Third-party vouchers are vouchers that originate from a different voucher issuer or are counterfeit. Recording such vouchers from a different issuer or such counterfeit vouchers also constitutes misuse, which is why such vouchers must be identified and removed. In relation to the known device, this means the following: The individual third-party voucher, the small stack of third-party vouchers and / or the chain of third-party vouchers should generally be recognized by the known device and sorted out again as "invalid vouchers". Unlike individual vouchers, the voucher mini-stack and voucher chain are correctly sorted out as "invalid vouchers" by the known device. However, the top voucher of the sorted voucher mini-stack and the first voucher in the sorted voucher chain, although both are also sorted out, are recorded as valid vouchers, each with a corresponding booking record, and therefore should not actually be sorted out. The sorting process means that the top voucher of the sorted voucher mini-stack and the first voucher of the sorted voucher chain could potentially be sold again.This would constitute an abuse that must be avoided, because it would cause financial damage to the issuer of voucher pads with perforated food vouchers for the major event or to customers who are sold an already invalidated voucher.

[0006] The invention is based on the objective of further developing a method, a device and a system for recording vouchers, in particular food vouchers at large events, in such a way that the unauthorized and abusive reuse of vouchers recorded for booking purposes, but which were rejected due to faulty validation, is prevented without time-consuming manual voucher checks during the voucher recording process.

[0007] The problem is solved by a method, a device, and a system for recording vouchers, in particular food and beverage vouchers at large events, with the features of the independent claims (see claims 1, 16, and 18). Advantageous embodiments are specified in the respective dependent claims.

[0008] A device according to the invention for capturing vouchers, in particular food vouchers at large events, comprises, an authorization device for recording authorization identifiers of operators, an input slot for entering a large number of vouchers, especially voucher packages, a dispensing slot for issuing incorrect vouchers, a safe for holding valid vouchers, a transport unit for vouchers with - a device for separating the vouchers in the input slot, especially the voucher packages, - at least one transport element for carrying the vouchers along a transport route, - a controllable switch to split the transport path on the one hand to the safe and on the other hand to the dispensing chute, a scanner for capturing machine-readable codes, in particular barcodes or QR codes, on the transported vouchers, at least one correctness sensor to detect one voucher characteristic of each transported voucher, which provides information about their correctness, a control unit designed in such a way that - the correctness of the transported vouchers is checked based on values ​​recorded by the scanner and / or correctness sensor, whereby the checked vouchers are marked as incorrect and are therefore marked as incorrect if they do not meet the correctness requirements recorded for these vouchers, and are otherwise marked as correct and are therefore marked as correct. - the switch is controlled accordingly, based on the vouchers that have been checked and evaluated for correctness, - Booking records are generated based on the scanned codes, - the booking records are assigned the evaluation results of the correctness check, whereby the booking records of the incorrectly evaluated vouchers are invalidated.

[0009] To process vouchers, especially food and drink vouchers at large events, a voucher scanning device is used, which must be operable by different people. These are primarily staff members without special authorization, responsible for entering the vouchers into the device. At large events, these are usually waiters. At such large events, several of these devices may be used at different locations within the tents, allowing a large number of waiters to enter vouchers at any of the devices. Each waiter enters a large number of redeemed food and drink vouchers into the device during the event, ensuring that the redeemed vouchers are validated and recorded accurately.With the sheer number of vouchers, this is quite a challenge, which until the time of the present invention could only be overcome with considerable manual effort.

[0010] In addition, there are also operators with special authorization who perform control and management tasks related to voucher processing and, for this purpose, must be able to operate the device beyond its regular functions, e.g., to remove entered vouchers from the device. The authorization device allows the different groups of operators to authorize themselves at the device. The authorization device is designed so that, based on the authorization code, the various functions to which the respective persons are authorized are activated accordingly.

[0011] When using the device, an operator can insert multiple vouchers, in the form of a voucher package containing several loosely stacked vouchers, into the device's input slot. Incorrect vouchers are dispensed from a separate output slot, and valid vouchers, which are validated for accounting purposes, are placed in a safe and later disposed of.

[0012] The voucher packages are separated as they are fed into the input chute, allowing the vouchers to be transported individually along a conveyor belt until the belt splits, directing them to the safe on one side and the output chute on the other. This split is achieved by a switch.

[0013] As mentioned earlier, it is possible that not only a single voucher is transported, but also a small stack of vouchers or a chain of vouchers with several vouchers stuck together. Conversely, it is also possible that a single voucher from another vendor, a small stack of vouchers from another vendor, or a chain of vouchers from another vendor is confiscated.

[0014] During transport to the safe or dispensing chute, machine-readable codes on the transported vouchers are scanned. These scanned codes define the value of each voucher and also verify its validity.

[0015] Since the vouchers are transported along the route at a throughput of 100 to 600 vouchers per minute, the machine-readable code on the vouchers is preferably a barcode because it can be scanned very quickly. QR codes can also be used, although the corresponding scanners for scanning a QR code at such high speed are considerably more complex. Laser or LED scanners, or even camera scanners, can be used to scan the codes, with camera scanners being the preferred choice for scanning QR codes.

[0016] Scanning the machine-readable codes allows verification of the validity of the transported vouchers and can distinguish between a valid voucher and a third-party voucher, as the machine-readable codes each represent a specific value (number or string), and specific value ranges are assigned to valid vouchers. If a voucher contains a value outside the permitted value range, it is considered a third-party voucher.

[0017] During transport to the safe or dispensing chute, the correctness sensor records at least one voucher characteristic of the transported vouchers, which allows further statements about the correctness of the respective voucher.

[0018] The correctness sensor can be designed, for example, to detect voucher thickness and / or voucher size.

[0019] Thickness measurement allows for an assessment of whether a small stack of vouchers is being transported instead of a single voucher, or whether a thicker or thinner third-party voucher, or perhaps even a small stack of third-party vouchers, is being transported. The measured actual thickness is compared to a target thickness. The target thickness can be a maximum thickness, meaning that a voucher or a small stack of vouchers with a measured actual thickness greater than the target thickness is considered incorrect and rejected. However, the target thickness can also be a range with a minimum and a maximum thickness, so that vouchers that are too thin are also identified as incorrect.

[0020] Measuring the voucher size can involve measuring the voucher's width and / or length. If both the length and width are measured, the voucher's area is determined by measurement. The corresponding target size is then either an area, a length, or a width, with maximum and / or minimum values ​​also being specified for each.

[0021] Sensory measurement of the actual values ​​allows for further information about the correctness of the transported vouchers and serves to distinguish whether a voucher chain is being transported instead of a single voucher, or whether a larger or smaller third-party voucher or perhaps even a third-party voucher chain is being transported.

[0022] The sensory measurement of voucher thickness and size is preferably carried out optoelectronically, whereby scanners operating according to the light sectioning method are used for contactless detection of the voucher thickness, with which the distance to the scanner and thus the thickness can be measured. These scanners can also be designed in such a way that a size measurement of the vouchers is also possible.

[0023] The validity of the transported vouchers is checked based on scanned and / or sensor-detected values ​​(validity check). Vouchers are marked as invalid if any single value recorded for them fails to meet the validity requirements. Thus, even a small stack of vouchers will be marked as invalid, even if the top voucher alone would meet all requirements, because the stack might be detected, for example, by its excessive thickness.

[0024] The branching of the transport route is controlled according to the vouchers checked and evaluated for correctness (vouchers with evaluation results), whereby vouchers evaluated as correct are transported to the safe and vouchers evaluated as incorrect are transported to the dispensing chute.

[0025] Booking records for vouchers are generated based on the scanned codes. If necessary, the booking records can also include the captured authorization identifiers and / or other information, such as the identifier of the voucher scanning device used, the date and / or time of voucher scanning. The results of the correctness check are assigned to the booking records, with booking records for incorrectly rated vouchers being invalidated.

[0026] There are invalid vouchers (e.g., third-party vouchers) that lack a valid machine-readable code. A booking record cannot be generated for these vouchers because they lack a voucher value that should be encoded by the machine-readable code. However, there is also the case where a voucher that is otherwise valid is scanned and a booking code is generated, but the voucher is flagged as invalid because, for example, it is part of a voucher stack, and the stack's inconsistency is detected by measuring its thickness. In such a case, the voucher is also flagged as invalid, and any existing booking record is invalidated. This is also appropriate because the voucher is removed and can be reintroduced to the system later if, for example, it can be correctly separated.

[0027] The device described above can be further developed by a multitude of additional advantageous features.

[0028] A booking record list can be created from the generated and valid booking records for booking record reconciliation. The generated and valid booking records are those that have not been invalidated. This booking record list allows for the reconciliation of booking records, even if they originate from different voucher entry devices.

[0029] As part of this data management, it is advisable to store the generated, valid booking records and the created booking record list locally in a local database at the location of voucher recording in order to obtain quick and easy access to the booking records.

[0030] Alternatively, the generated, valid booking records and the created booking list can also be stored centrally and separately from the voucher recording in a central database.

[0031] A duplicate check of the scanned vouchers can also be performed using the saved booking list, in which the scanned codes are compared with those of the booking list stored in the local database or the central database to identify voucher duplicates, and in which a voucher duplicate identified by this comparison is marked as incorrect if a code match is found.

[0032] The booking record list can also serve as a "blacklist," for example, for duplicate checking. This means that vouchers listed on the booking record list have already been processed and are no longer valid. The booking record list does not always need to contain the complete booking records. It is sufficient to include information that uniquely identifies a single invalidated voucher. For example, an extract containing at least one unique ID (identification code) for the respective voucher is sufficient, such as the recorded machine-readable code or just a part of this code.

[0033] To consolidate booking records from multiple voucher validation devices, the valid booking records, or an excerpt thereof containing at least one unique ID for each voucher, can be stored in a central booking record list in the central database. The ID can encompass the entire booking record or only an excerpt, such as the captured machine-readable code or just a portion of it. This is particularly useful when voucher validation takes place at different locations and a voucher validation network is formed.

[0034] This allows the local booking record lists at the respective voucher validation devices to be regularly compared with a central booking record list. This enables reliable duplicate checking at the local voucher validation devices, taking into account vouchers that have also been validated at other voucher validation devices. This comparison, which can also be referred to as synchronization, can be performed at regular intervals and serves to update the local booking record lists used for duplicate checking at the respective voucher validation device.

[0035] The voucher scanning system is characterized in particular by the fact that the operator with special authorization, after having authorized themselves, can open and then close the voucher scanning device for manual interventions, e.g. in the event of a voucher jam to remove the vouchers from the safe as well as to check and verify the voucher scanning.

[0036] The voucher processing system can detect voucher backlogs, and these backlogs can then be resolved manually or semi-automatically.

[0037] A voucher jam can be detected, for example, using one or more sensors. Motion sensors can monitor the movement of the vouchers within the system. Alternatively and / or additionally, the sensors used for voucher validation, such as the scanner for capturing machine-readable codes and / or the validation sensors (measuring voucher thickness and / or size), can be used for this purpose. If one of these sensors consistently records identical values ​​over a predefined period, it can be interpreted as the vouchers no longer moving along the transport path, indicating a voucher jam.

[0038] A distinction is made between simple and complex jams. Simple jams can be resolved without opening the voucher validation device. These jams primarily occur exclusively at the input and / or output slots, which are accessible from the outside. Complex jams can occur at any point along the transport route, and resolving them requires opening the voucher validation device.

[0039] In the event of a straightforward jam, once an operator has resolved the voucher jam following the signal, all vouchers still in the input slot are diverted into the output slot.

[0040] In contrast, in the case of a complex jam, a request to clear the voucher jam is issued, and the voucher validation device is opened for manual removal of the jam if a predetermined authorization code is captured at the voucher validation device in response to this request. This code is assigned to a person authorized to open the voucher validation device. The authorization code to be captured is, for example, the code of the operator with special authorization.

[0041] In a congestion scenario, the booking records of the affected vouchers can be marked as having been subject to a congestion scenario, regardless of whether they were assessed as correct or incorrect. If errors occur during voucher processing, the booking records belonging to a specific congestion scenario can then be quickly filtered out later.

[0042] The voucher scanning device can be configured so that duplicate vouchers identified by the duplicate check are displayed and / or forwarded to a central location when the device is opened. This information about duplicate vouchers includes, for example, the identifier of the scanning device used to scan the duplicate, the authorization identifier of the operator responsible for entering the duplicate voucher, and the date and time of entry. This detailed information is crucial for accounting purposes, enabling the identification of the person and device responsible for each duplicate voucher during data analysis.

[0043] Furthermore, the voucher scanning device can be designed to transmit and / or display quantity information about the vouchers stored in the safe to one or more predetermined operators. This information is useful for estimating when the safe needs to be emptied.

[0044] Furthermore, the transported vouchers are checked for correctness against a "whitelist" ["whitelisting"]. Such a whitelist corresponds to the booking record list (blacklist) explained above, except that it includes all produced and issued vouchers, not just those that have been invalidated. This "whitelisting" prevents vouchers that have been misused, issued through a voucher black market, or irregularly distributed by a voucher manufacturer from being recognized as legitimate vouchers when redeemed at the voucher validation device. For a voucher to be invalidated or validated, it must be included on the whitelist.

[0045] Within the scope of the invention, it is also possible to provide a combined booking record list instead of two lists: a booking record list (blacklist) and a whitelist. This combined booking record list summarizes the information from both the whitelist and the blacklist. It contains all regular vouchers according to the whitelist, and when a voucher is redeemed, this is recorded, so that the corresponding voucher ID then functions as a blacklist entry in the booking record list.

[0046] Furthermore, the correctness of the transported vouchers is checked using sensory measurement of the actual thickness. Vouchers are marked as incorrect if their actual thickness is outside the target thickness range, and otherwise marked as correct. This is achieved by a controlled target-actual comparison of the actual thickness values ​​of the transported vouchers. This comparison determines whether the actual thickness values ​​are outside the target thickness range defined by stored target thickness limits (a lower target thickness limit and an upper target thickness limit), by comparing the actual thickness values ​​with at least the upper target thickness limit.

[0047] On the other hand, when the actual values ​​of the transported vouchers are measured sensorily, the correctness of the transported vouchers is checked based on the measured actual value values. The checked vouchers are rated as incorrect if the actual value values ​​measured for these vouchers lie outside the target value range for vouchers, and are otherwise rated as correct by a controlled target-actual comparison of the actual value values ​​of the transported vouchers to determine whether these actual value values ​​lie outside the target value range defined by stored target value limits, a lower target value limit and an upper target value limit, by comparing the actual value values ​​at least with the upper target value limit.

[0048] According to a further aspect of the present invention, a system for recording vouchers, in particular food vouchers at large events, is provided with a server which is connected via data lines to several voucher recording devices (= voucher recording devices), wherein the voucher recording devices each comprise - an authorization device for capturing authorization identifiers, - an input slot for entering a large number of vouchers, - a dispensing slot for issuing incorrect vouchers, - a safe for holding valid vouchers, - a transport unit for vouchers with - a device for dividing the vouchers, - at least one transport element for carrying the individual vouchers, - a controllable switch to split the transport path on the one hand to the safe and on the other hand to the dispensing chute, - a scanner for capturing machine-readable codes, in particular barcodes or QR codes, on the transported vouchers, wherein the server includes a central database in which an identification code is stored for each voucher captured by the individual devices, so that an identification for all captured vouchers is available in the central database.

[0049] Such a system can be configured for duplicate checking in each of the devices, whereby the control unit in each of the devices compares scanned codes for identifying voucher duplicates with the identification codes, e.g. in the form of the booking data records, which are provided for this purpose by the server through database synchronization from the central database to a local database in the respective device, and if a scanned code matches one of the identification codes, then the corresponding voucher is assessed as an incorrect voucher duplicate.

[0050] Alternatively or additionally, this system allows each voucher processing device to compare its locally stored booking list with the central booking list to identify duplicate vouchers. For this purpose, the central booking list is provided by the server through database synchronization between the central database and the local database of the respective voucher processing device. This process updates the booking list stored locally in the database of the respective voucher processing device, resulting in a synchronized booking list within that device.

[0051] This comparison with the synchronized booking list allows each voucher entry device to identify a duplicate voucher during a duplicate check, mark it, and forward it, along with the synchronized booking list, to an accounting system. The accounting system can then correct the entries accordingly, and the local booking list in the affected voucher entry device can be cleaned by removing the data belonging to the duplicate voucher.

[0052] This allows multiple voucher scanning devices to be operated simultaneously and a duplicate check can be performed across all voucher scanning devices.

[0053] The voucher capture devices can be designed according to the voucher capture devices described above.

[0054] The list of identification codes, which can be structured as a booking record list, for example, can be forwarded to an accounting system that commercially records the validated vouchers.

[0055] With such a comparison of identification codes, where the locally stored identification codes are updated through database synchronization, a significantly more efficient duplicate check is possible than if the voucher scanning device were to request the centrally stored entries relevant to the device from the central database individually each time required.

[0056] A method for capturing vouchers, in particular food and beverage vouchers at large events, using a device as described above, comprises the following steps: Individual vouchers for transport that have been inserted into the input slot. along a transport route, Scanning machine-readable codes, especially barcodes or QR codes, on the transported vouchers, Sensory detection of at least one voucher characteristic of the transported vouchers, which provides information about the correctness of the respective detected voucher, Checking the correctness of the transported vouchers based on scanned and / or sensor-detected values, whereby the checked vouchers are assessed as incorrect and are therefore incorrectly assessed vouchers if the values ​​recorded for these vouchers do not meet correctness requirements, and are otherwise assessed as correct and are therefore correctly assessed vouchers. Controlling the branching of the transport route according to the vouchers checked and evaluated for correctness, so that correct vouchers are transported to a safe and incorrectly evaluated vouchers to a dispensing chute, Generating booking records based on the scanned codes, Assigning the results of the correctness check to the booking records, whereby the booking records of the incorrectly rated vouchers are invalidated.

[0057] Further tasks, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the description and the exemplary embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings. These show in: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a voucher recording device according to the invention in perspective view, Fig. 2 the voucher scanning device Fig. 1 in a sectional view, Fig. 3 a schematic representation of a voucher recording system according to the invention with several voucher recording devices.

[0058] Fig. Figure 1 shows a device 1 for capturing vouchers and is hereinafter referred to as the voucher capturing device 1, which, according to the exemplary embodiment, is used for capturing food and beverage vouchers 7 at large events. Of course, other areas of application for the voucher capturing device 1 are also conceivable in principle. Its use is particularly suitable where a large number of vouchers need to be managed logistically.

[0059] The voucher scanning device 1 has a device housing 2 that can be opened and closed on one side. According to the illustrated embodiment, the device housing 2 has a pivotally mounted housing cover 3 for this purpose. Fig. Figure 1 shows the voucher reading device 1 with the open housing cover 3. For opening and closing the voucher reading device 1, the device has a locking device 4, which is designed such that the housing cover 3 is connected in the closed state to a housing body 5 of the device housing 2 by means of a lock (not shown) that can be electrically controlled by a control unit 13.

[0060] Components of the illustrated voucher scanning device 1, which are recognizable and visible both when the voucher scanning device 1 is open and closed, and which can also be operated and used from the outside, include, in addition to an operating terminal with screen and buttons (not shown in detail), an input slot 6 with an insertion nozzle 8 on the top of the housing cover for inserting food vouchers 7 into the device 1, an output slot 9 with a storage compartment 10 for food vouchers 7 sorted out by the device 1, and an authorization device 11 for operators who must identify themselves as authorized persons via this device in order to use and operate the device 1.

[0061] However, when the voucher scanning device 1 is open – as it appears in the Fig. Figure 1 shows further components of the voucher reading device 1. These further components – shown with dotted lines – are a safe 12, a control unit 13, a display unit 14, and a device for separating 15 the food vouchers 7 from the input slot 6 with the insertion nozzle 8. Two dashed arrows indicate in the Fig. Figure 1 shows how the individual food vouchers 7 are placed either in the safe 12 or in the dispensing chute 9 with the storage compartment 10. This process in the voucher reading device 1 is described further below in the description of the Fig. 2 explained.

[0062] The following will be used as an example to illustrate the Fig. 1. A process in the voucher scanning device 1 is explained. This process concerns the opening and closing of the voucher scanning device 1. When the device is opened, the housing cover 3 is moved away from the housing body 5 by a pivoting motion, and when it is closed, it is moved towards the housing body 5 by an opposing pivoting motion. This method of opening and closing the device 1 can be replaced by others depending on the requirements and location of use of the device 1.

[0063] When the voucher capture device 1 is in a closed state - in the Fig. If device 1 is not shown, then authorization by a person entitled to open the voucher scanning device 1 is required. This is done by this person identifying themselves as an authorized person at the authorization device 11 while the voucher scanning device 1 is closed.

[0064] Opening the device 1 is preferably reserved for a specific group of people. Who these people are and how the authorization process works will be explained further below in connection with the Fig. 2 explained.

[0065] Once this person has successfully authorized themselves via the authorization device 11 in conjunction with the control unit 13, the control unit 13 sends a control command to the locking device 4, which releases the lock so that the housing cover 3 can be opened and moved away from the opening of the housing body 5 either manually or automatically by a pivoting motion. This state is in the Fig. Figure 1 shows that in this open state of the voucher scanning device 1, the interior of the device 1 is made available for manual intervention, which will be explained in more detail below.

[0066] To close the voucher reader 1 from this state, the housing cover 3 is moved back to its initial position either manually or automatically by a light tap, resulting from a physical force. Once it has reached this position, which is detected by sensors (in the Fig. (1 not shown) is monitored in the locking device 4, the voucher recording device 1, controlled by the control unit 13, which controls the locking device 4 accordingly, is locked again by locking the housing cover 3 to the housing body 5.

[0067] This brings us back to the starting point of the process for explaining how to open the voucher scanning device 1, and the following will be explained using the following: Fig. 2. The structure and function of the voucher recording device 1 for recording multiple food vouchers 7 are now explained in detail.

[0068] Fig. Figure 2 shows a sectional view of the voucher reading device 1. The food vouchers 7 are inserted into the feeder 8 in stacks, in the form of voucher packages 7a. With the voucher reading device 1 closed, the vouchers are fed from the feeder 8 via the input chute 6 to the singulation device 15. The singulation device 15 separates the food vouchers 7, 7a, which are located in the feeder 8 and the input chute 6 after insertion, either as voucher packages 7a or as individual vouchers 7. For the singulation device 15 to accept the food vouchers and / or packages 7, 7a – hereinafter referred to simply as food vouchers 7, 7a – the voucher reading device 1 must first be put into operation.

[0069] The operator, e.g., a waiter, who has inserted the food vouchers 7, 7a into the insertion slot 8 of the input chute 6, must first activate the voucher scanning device 1. The activation of the voucher scanning device 1 by the waiter is carried out in the same way as when opening the voucher scanning device 1, as described in connection with the Fig. As described in section 1, the authorization device 11 is used. The authorization device 11 is preferably designed as a token sensor, whereby the waiter identifies himself as an authorized person for operating the voucher scanning device 1 by placing his specific token on the sensor 11. During this authorization, an authorization identifier specific to the operator is transmitted to the control unit 13, which then releases the singulation device 15 for singulating the inserted food vouchers 7, 7a by means of appropriate control. The authorization identifier can be, for example, an identification number or any other identification mark or pattern of the person operating the voucher scanning device 1.

[0070] In this way, the voucher scanning device 1 can be started by different operators to enter and scan the food vouchers 7, 7a. In the singulation unit 15, the inserted food vouchers 7, 7a are singulated for transport within the voucher scanning device 1. That is, each individual food voucher package 7a is singulated into sequentially arranged individual food vouchers 7 for further transport.

[0071] As mentioned above, meal vouchers 7 are often produced in perforated voucher pads. When redeeming these vouchers 7, if the waiter accepts them, it can happen that the vouchers 7 from the voucher pads are not always completely separated from each other by tearing along the perforation. In this case, it is likely that several vouchers 7 connected together in a mini-stack (e.g., a stack of 2-10 vouchers) cannot be separated because they are stuck together at the perforation. Furthermore, vouchers from other companies can also enter the feed slot 8 and the input slot 6. These are vouchers that originate from a different voucher issuer or are counterfeit (voucher plagiarism).

[0072] The singulation device 15 is part of a transport unit 16 for this voucher onward transport in the voucher recording device 1. The transport unit 16 comprises at least one transport element 17 for conveying the food vouchers 7b along a transport path 18 and a controllable switch 19 for splitting the transport path 18 on the one hand to the safe 12 and on the other hand to the dispensing chute 9, 10. The transport element 17 can preferably consist of a group of transport rollers 20, which are arranged at a small distance from each other within the group for transporting the food vouchers 7b, while the transport roller groups 20 are arranged at a greater distance from each other along the transport path 18.

[0073] The distance between the transport rollers in the transport roller group 20 is dimensioned so that the transport of the food vouchers 7b along the transport route 18 is reliably ensured.

[0074] Alternatively, for transporting the food vouchers, the transport element 17 can also be a conveyor belt, which, depending on the transport path 18, is stretched between several transport rollers in the voucher detection device 1 to transport the vouchers 7b. In both the roller and belt versions of the transport element 17, the food vouchers 7b must be transported in a slip-resistant manner to reliably scan machine-readable codes and / or sensorily detect voucher characteristics.

[0075] Between the singulation device 15 and the controllable switch 19 of the transport unit 16, several different sensors are arranged along the transport path 18 for the purpose of scanning the machine-readable codes and / or the sensorial detection of the voucher characteristics, such that the sensors can scan or sensorially detect the passing food vouchers 7b precisely and reliably. That is, the sensor heads of the sensors are arranged and aligned accordingly with the passing food vouchers 7b.

[0076] The one in Fig. 2 The voucher recording device 1 shown has for this purpose a scanner 21 for recording machine-readable codes stored on the transported food vouchers 7b and two correctness sensors 22, 23 for recording voucher characteristics of the transported food vouchers 7b.

[0077] The scanner 21 is preferably designed for scanning 1D or 2D codes. 1D codes are one-dimensional codes implemented as barcodes, linear barcodes, or barcodes. Such 1D codes can preferably be scanned at high frequency by laser scanners or line scan scanners. The scanner 21 is then configured as a laser scanner or a line scan scanner, respectively.

[0078] Scanning 2D codes, which are subdivided into matrix codes such as QR codes, Data Matrix codes, Aztec codes, Code One codes, and DOT codes, is preferably camera-based. Therefore, in these cases, scanner 21 is a camera scanner or a camera for scanning the 2D codes. This can be either a 2D camera or a line scan camera.

[0079] The reason why scanner 21 is preferably designed to scan 1D codes or 2D codes is that the food vouchers 7b are to be transported along transport route 18 at a throughput of 100 vouchers per minute up to 600 vouchers per minute.

[0080] At these throughput speeds, such scanners are ideal for precise and reliable scanning. Scanners for 1D codes, in particular, allow for high throughput speeds.

[0081] Of the two correctness sensors 22, 23 in the voucher detection device 1, which are used to detect the voucher characteristics of the transported food vouchers 7b, sensor 22 is designed as a sensor for measuring voucher thicknesses and sensor 23 as a sensor for measuring voucher sizes.

[0082] The sensory measurement of the voucher thicknesses and voucher sizes with the two sensor measuring devices 22, 23 is carried out, for example, optoelectronically, wherein the sensor measuring devices for non-contact detection of the voucher thickness and voucher size are preferably designed as laser distance sensors or laser triangulation sensors, with which on the one hand the thickness of vouchers can be measured and on the other hand the width and length of vouchers can be measured.

[0083] Thickness measurement is preferably carried out using the light sectioning method, whereby a line is projected onto the vouchers to be scanned at a predetermined angle using a light-emitting diode or a laser, and the resulting reflection of the line on the voucher is captured by a camera chip. Since these sensors often incorporate a semiconductor laser, they are referred to as laser scanners, even though a conventional light-emitting diode can also be used instead of a semiconductor laser. With the scanner 21 and the corresponding correctness sensors or sensor measuring devices 22, 23, the vouchers 7b can be scanned and / or sensorily detected during voucher transport in the voucher reading device 1, ensuring reliable and secure voucher reading.

[0084] When scanning the transported food vouchers 7b, the code is scanned regardless of whether the voucher 7 has actually been separated or whether an incorrectly separated voucher mini-package is being transported along transport route 18.

[0085] Scanning the machine-readable codes thus allows statements to be made about the correctness of the transported food vouchers 7b and serves, among other things, to distinguish between correct vouchers and foreign vouchers.

[0086] In order to detect voucher mini-stacks and voucher chains during voucher recording in the transport of the food vouchers 7b, the voucher thicknesses and voucher sizes are measured with the two sensor measuring devices 22, 23 in addition to scanning the machine-readable codes.

[0087] Measuring the actual thickness allows further statements about the correctness of the transported food vouchers 7b and serves, among other things, to distinguish between individual vouchers and voucher mini-stacks.

[0088] Scanning the codes scanned from the food vouchers 7b and measuring the actual thicknesses and sizes measured by the food vouchers 7b provides corresponding code values ​​or corresponding actual thickness values ​​and actual size values ​​for the food vouchers 7b, which are supplied to the control unit 13 for a correctness check.

[0089] During this correctness check, control unit 13 verifies the correctness of the transported meal vouchers 7b based on the scanned code values ​​as well as the measured actual thickness and size values. If any of the recorded values ​​for these meal vouchers 7b do not meet the respective correctness requirement, control unit 13 will mark them as incorrect. Otherwise, they will be marked as correct.

[0090] To perform this correctness check, the control unit 13 has a storage device 24 and a comparison device 25.

[0091] According to this check based on the code values ​​supplied by scanner 21, the control unit 13 evaluates the scanned code value of the food vouchers 7b based on the booking record list 27 explained above, which can be a whitelist or a blacklist or a combined white-blacklist, as explained above.

[0092] The machine-readable code value, either in its entirety or as an excerpt thereof, is stored by the control unit 13 in the storage device 24, and the determination of the match with the corresponding entries in the locally stored booking record list 27 is carried out by the control unit 13 in the comparison device 25.

[0093] Initial evaluation results are provided, which determine whether the recorded voucher can be a valid voucher or whether it is not valid. 1. Based on this check using the actual thickness values ​​supplied by the sensor measuring device 22, the control unit 13 evaluates the detected voucher 7b as incorrect if the measured actual thickness values ​​are outside a target thickness range. This can occur, for example, if the vouchers are not correctly separated and are transported as small stacks of vouchers. The target thickness range is defined by target thickness limits, in particular an upper or maximum target thickness limit and optionally a lower minimum target thickness limit, which are stored in the storage device 24 for access by the control unit 13. The upper or maximum target thickness limit serves to detect small stacks of vouchers. 2. Based on this check using the actual size values ​​supplied by the sensor measuring device 22, the control unit 13 evaluates the size of the transported food vouchers 7b. This allows voucher chains and / or third-party vouchers to be identified as incorrect because the measured actual size values ​​of the voucher chain and third-party voucher chain deviate from a target size range for vouchers. Thus, the measured actual size values ​​of the voucher chain and third-party voucher chain are generally outside the aforementioned target size range for vouchers.

[0094] Vouchers will only be considered valid if they meet all requirements. If they deviate from even a single criterion, they will be considered invalid.

[0095] In the present embodiment, three independent criteria or measurements (code value, thickness, and size) are used. It is also possible, in principle, to use only one, two, or even more than three criteria. The measurements of code value and thickness are particularly important when counting vouchers, especially when several vouchers connected by a perforation are issued as a single sheet, as this greatly increases the risk of creating mini-packages.

[0096] The selection of measurement parameters can be individually determined based on the probability of counterfeiting or fraud and adapted by equipping the voucher reading device 1 with appropriate sensors. Other sensors, such as those for detecting holograms or other security features like those found on banknotes, can also be used. However, since the vouchers are to be read at a high throughput rate of at least 100 vouchers per minute, there are technical limitations for the individual authentication sensors. Reading a machine-readable code offers several advantages in this regard, as such a code can be read and evaluated very quickly and can be used both to verify the voucher's authenticity and to determine its value.One simply reads a code and can determine the value of the voucher as well as draw conclusions about its correctness (see booking record list).

[0097] Once the correctness check by control unit 13 for the transported food vouchers 7b has been completed and the recorded voucher is deemed correct, the controllable switch 19 is set so that the transport path 18 for the voucher leads to the safe 12. Otherwise, the switch 19 is set so that the transport path 18 leads to the dispensing chute 9, 10. For each machine-readable code read, a booking record 26 is generated, which primarily serves the commercial evaluation of the recorded vouchers and is forwarded to a corresponding accounting system. However, it is also possible that a booking record 26 is generated and one of the other criteria indicates that the voucher is not correct.

[0098] The control unit 13 therefore assigns evaluation results of the correctness check to the booking data records 26, whereby if the checked food vouchers 7b or the machine-readable codes for correctly evaluated food vouchers 7b are evaluated as incorrect with regard to the assigned evaluation results, the corresponding booking data records 26 are invalidated.

[0099] This ensures that the booking records 26 of an invalid voucher are not processed commercially. This can be achieved either by not forwarding such invalid booking records 26 to a corresponding accounting system or by forwarding them with a note indicating 'invalid'. Both approaches have their advantages. Not forwarding invalid vouchers does not generate any additional data in the accounting system. However, if the accounting system also performs monitoring tasks related to misuse of the voucher processing devices 1, then it is advisable to forward the booking records 26 marked as invalid as well. It is recommended to store the generated, valid booking records 26 and / or the created booking record list 27 locally at the voucher processing location to allow quick and easy access to the booking records 26.For this purpose, the voucher scanning device 1 has a local database 28, which is stored in a local mass storage medium and is part of the control unit 13. However, it is also possible that the local database 28 is located outside the control unit 13 and connected to it.

[0100] Alternatively or in addition to the local database 28, the control unit 13 can be connected to my server 33, on which a central database 29 is stored, into which the valid booking records 26 and / or the entries for the booking record list 27 generated by the control unit 13 are forwarded.

[0101] The creation of a central storage location, separate from the voucher processing system, for the generated, valid booking records 26 and / or the booking record list 27 by means of the central database 29 serves to exchange the corresponding data of several voucher processing devices 1. In a voucher processing network, a booking record comparison and / or a comparison of the local booking record lists 27 with the central booking record lists 27 can be carried out quickly with the help of a central storage location for the various booking records 26.

[0102] Several voucher scanning devices 1 can therefore be connected to a server 33 in a system 32 for scanning vouchers, especially food and beverage vouchers 7 at large events, via data lines. The data lines can be either wired or wireless, such as in a WLAN.

[0103] Using the local databases 28 at the voucher scanning devices 1, a duplicate check of the scanned vouchers can be performed. The local databases 28 can be synchronized with the central database 29 at regular intervals, so that all vouchers scanned and recorded at other voucher scanning devices 1 are known to all local databases 28. The codes scanned from the vouchers (= identification codes) are compared by the control unit 13 with the booking record list 27 stored in the local database 28. This comparison identifies a voucher duplicate, which can then be marked as incorrect by the control unit 13.

[0104] The voucher recording device 1 can be designed in such a way that an operator with special authorization, after having authorized themselves, can open and then close the voucher recording device 1 for manual interventions, e.g. in the event of a voucher jam to remove the vouchers from the safe 12 as well as to check and verify the voucher recording.

[0105] Because the voucher scanning device 1 can be opened for manual intervention, a voucher jam that occurs during voucher scanning can be reliably resolved.

[0106] In a first, uncomplicated traffic jam scenario, vouchers that have not yet been checked for correctness can be manually diverted from the outside into dispensing slot 9, 10.

[0107] Furthermore, in a second, more complex jam scenario, it is possible for a specially authorized operator to manually abort the voucher processing. Regardless of whether the vouchers have been marked as valid or invalid, they can be removed, and the corresponding transaction records (26) assigned to the operator responsible for the voucher jam are marked until the voucher processing is aborted by control unit 13. This marking of transaction records (26) ensures that, in the event of accounting errors caused by a voucher jam, the relevant transaction records (26) can be easily located. This marking can be applied regardless of whether the vouchers have been placed in safe 12 or in dispensing chutes 9 and 10.

[0108] Furthermore, if a duplicate voucher is detected during the duplicate check, the identified duplicate voucher can be listed on the page described in the description. Fig. The display device 14 mentioned above, when the housing 2, 3, 5 is opened by the operator with special authorization and controlled by the control unit 13, provides the operator with detailed information 30 of the booking record 26 relating to the duplicate voucher. This detailed information 30 includes, for example, the identifier of the device 1, the authorization identifier of an operator without special authorization who is responsible for entering the duplicate voucher, and the date and time of the entry of the duplicate voucher. This detailed information 30 is of great importance for further accounting processing in order to be able to assign the person and device to the duplicate voucher during data evaluation. This information can alternatively or additionally be transmitted via data lines to persons responsible for the operation of the devices.

[0109] On the display unit 14, controlled by the control unit 13, quantity information 31 of the vouchers scanned by the scanner 21 can be provided to the operator with special authorization when the housing 2, 3, 5 is opened. This quantity information 31 is preferably displayed as a fill level indicator. This information is useful for estimating a possible time for emptying the safe 12 containing the collected vouchers that have been validated and assessed as correct. Fig. Figure 3 shows a system 32 for recording food vouchers 7, 7a, which is again used according to the embodiment for recording food vouchers 7, 7a at large events. Of course, other areas of application for the voucher recording system 32 are also conceivable in principle. Its use is particularly suitable where a large number of vouchers need to be managed logistically.

[0110] System 32 includes a server 33, which is connected to the system described above. Fig. 1 and Fig. The voucher recording device 1 described in section 2 is connected to other voucher recording devices 1a, 1b of the same design via data lines 34. These voucher recording devices 1, 1a, 1b can be used to form a voucher recording network at different locations within a limited space or area, such as the Oktoberfest or the Cannstatter Volksfest. The number of such devices in the voucher recording system 32 is not limited to three, but can of course differ from this.

[0111] Server 33 has a central database 29 in which the valid booking records 26 generated by the voucher capture devices 1, 1a, 1b are stored in a booking record file 35 and / or entries for the booking record lists 27 are stored in a central booking record list 36. Each booking record includes an identification code that is unique for the respective voucher. The code can be a numeric code or a string. The code can also be uniquely and, in particular, one-to-one modified from the code encoded on the voucher according to a predetermined rule.

[0112] In such a voucher recording system 32, on the one hand, an extended, cross-device duplicate check of scanned vouchers can be carried out in each of the devices 1, 1a, 1b to identify voucher duplicates, analogous to the duplicate check already described above for the individual voucher recording device 1, and on the other hand, either additionally or alternatively, a duplicate check of vouchers can be carried out with the booking records 26 listed in the booking list 27 for each of the devices 1, 1a, 1b.

[0113] In the extended, cross-device duplication check, a comparison is performed in each of the voucher capture devices 1, 1a, 1b for scanned voucher codes against local booking record lists 36. This comparison is carried out, as described above, by the control unit 13, which is also included in the additional voucher capture devices 1a, 1b.

[0114] To ensure reliable synchronization, a database synchronization 37 is regularly performed between the central database 29 and the local databases 28 for storing the booking records 26 and the booking lists 27 in the respective voucher entry devices 1, 1a, 1b. During this process, the local booking record list 27 stored in the local database is updated, and this update creates a synchronized booking list 27a in the respective voucher entry device 1, 1a, 1b. With respect to this synchronized local booking record list 27a, each control unit 13 in the voucher entry devices 1, 1a, 1b can perform a comparison, identify a voucher duplicate if a code match is detected, and mark this identified voucher duplicate as incorrect.

[0115] In principle, it is also possible for the control units 13 to perform the comparison directly with the central booking record list 36 on server 33. However, for this to work, they would have to query the relevant data on server 33 for each comparison, i.e., for each scanned voucher. This would significantly delay the comparison. Therefore, a local duplicate check is preferred.

[0116] During duplicate checks, a comparison is performed in each of the voucher capture devices 1, 1a, 1b for booking list 27 with the central booking list 36. This comparison is again carried out by the control unit 13, which is contained in the voucher capture devices 1, 1a, 1b.

[0117] To ensure that this synchronization also occurs reliably, the database synchronization 37 of the central database 29 with the local databases 28 for storing the booking records 26 and the booking lists 27 in the voucher entry devices 1, 1a, 1b is performed regularly. During this process, the local booking list 27 is updated, and this update creates the synchronized local booking list 27a in the respective voucher entry device 1, 1a, 1b.

[0118] With regard to this synchronized booking list 27a, each control unit 13 in the voucher recording devices 1, 1a, 1b can perform the comparison, determine a voucher duplicate, mark this determined voucher duplicate (logically: in the booking data record; physically: with marking device by applying color to the voucher) and forward it together with the synchronized booking list 27a to an accounting system.

[0119] In the accounting system, the accounting can be corrected accordingly by the identified voucher duplicate, and the local booking list in the affected voucher recording device 1, 1a, 1b can be cleaned up by removing the data belonging to the voucher duplicate from the booking list.

[0120] In principle, it is also possible for the control units 13 to perform the synchronization directly with the central booking list 36 on server 33. However, for this to work, they would have to query the relevant data on server 33 for each synchronization, i.e., for each booking list. This would significantly delay the synchronization. Therefore, local duplicate checking is preferred.

[0121] The invention can be briefly summarized as follows: The invention relates to a method and a device for recording vouchers, comprising the following steps:

[0122] Individualizing vouchers inserted into the input slot for transport along a transport route, Scanning machine-readable codes, Sensory detection of at least one voucher characteristic of the transported vouchers, which provides information about the correctness of the respective detected voucher, Checking the correctness of the transported vouchers based on scanned and / or sensor-detected values, whereby the checked vouchers are marked as incorrect if the values ​​recorded for these vouchers do not meet correctness requirements, and are otherwise marked as correct. Controlling the branching of the transport route according to the vouchers checked and evaluated for correctness, so that correct vouchers are transported to the safe and incorrect vouchers to the dispensing chute, Generating booking records based on the scanned codes, Assigning the results of the correctness check to the booking records, whereby the booking records of the vouchers rated as incorrect are invalidated. Reference symbol list 1 voucher scanning device 1a Voucher scanning device 1b Voucher scanning device 2 device housings 3 Housing covers 4 Locking device 5 Housing body 6 Input slot 7 food vouchers 7a Food voucher package 7b (isolated) transported food vouchers 7c correctly assessed food voucher 7d incorrectly assessed food voucher 8 insertion nozzles 9 output slots 10 storage compartments 11 Authorisation Institution 12 safe 13 Control unit 14 Display unit 15 Singling device 16 transport units 17 Transport element 18 Transport route 19 controllable switches 20 Transport roller, transport roller group 21 scanners 22 Correctness sensor, sensor measuring device 23 Correctness sensor, sensor measuring device 24 Storage device 25 Comparative Institution 26 booking records 27 Booking list 27a synchronized booking list 28 local database 29 central database 30 detailed information 31 Quantity Information 32 System 33 servers 34 data lines 35 booking record file 36 central booking list 37 Database synchronization

Claims

Device (1) for recording vouchers, in particular food and beverage vouchers at large events, comprising: an authorization device (11) for recording authorization identifiers; an input slot (6, 8) for entering a plurality of vouchers (7, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d), in particular voucher packages (7a); an output slot (9, 10) for dispensing incorrect vouchers (7d); a safe (12) for receiving correct vouchers (7c); a transport unit (16) for vouchers with: a device (15) for separating the vouchers (7, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d), in particular the voucher packages (7a); at least one transport element (17) for transporting the separated vouchers; a controllable switch (19) for splitting the transport path (18) on the one hand to the safe (12) and on the other hand to the output slot (9, 10); a scanner (21) for scanning machine-readable codes, in particular barcodes or QR codes, on the transported vouchers (7b),at least one correctness sensor (22, 23) for detecting one voucher characteristic of each of the transported vouchers (7b), which provides information about the correctness of the respective detected voucher; a control unit (13) designed such that: - the correctness of the transported vouchers (7b) is checked on the basis of values ​​detected by the scanner (21) and / or correctness sensor (22, 23), whereby the checked vouchers are rated as incorrect and are therefore incorrectly rated vouchers (7d) if the values ​​detected for these vouchers (7b) do not meet specified correctness requirements, and are otherwise rated as correct and are therefore correctly rated vouchers (7c); - the switch (19) is controlled accordingly according to the vouchers (7c, 7d) checked and rated for correctness; - booking data records (26) are generated on the basis of the scanned codes.- the booking records (26) are assigned evaluation results of the correctness check, whereby the booking records (26) of the incorrectly evaluated vouchers (7d) are invalidated. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the correctness sensor (22, 23) comprises a sensor device (22) for measuring the actual thicknesses of the transported vouchers (7b) and the correctness of the transported vouchers (7b) is checked on the basis of actual thickness values ​​measured by the sensor device (22), wherein the control unit (13) evaluates the checked vouchers as incorrect if the actual thickness values ​​measured for these vouchers are outside a target thickness range for vouchers, and otherwise evaluates them as correct. Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the correctness sensor (22, 23) comprises a sensor device (23) for measuring actual values ​​of the transported vouchers (7b) and the correctness of the transported vouchers (7b) is checked on the basis of actual value values ​​measured by the sensor device (23), wherein the control unit (13) evaluates the checked vouchers as incorrect if the actual value values ​​measured for these vouchers are outside a target value range for vouchers, and otherwise evaluates them as correct. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the control unit (13) creates a booking record list (27) from the generated and valid booking records (26) for a booking record comparison. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4 , characterized by a local database (28) in which the valid booking records (26) generated by the control unit (13) and the created booking record list (27) are stored. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the control unit (13) is connected to a central database (29) in which the valid booking records (26) generated by the control unit (13) and the generated booking record list (27) are stored. Device (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized by a duplicate check of the scanned vouchers, in which the control unit (13) compares the scanned codes with those of the booking list (27) stored in the local database (28) or the central database (29) to determine voucher duplicates and evaluates a voucher duplicate identified by this comparison as incorrect if a code match is found. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by an openable and lockable housing (2, 3, 5) and a locking device (4) which, controlled by the control unit (13), is designed such that the housing (2, 3, 5) can be opened and then closed again by detecting a predetermined authorization identifier at the authorization device (11) for manual intervention in the device (1), e.g. in the event of a voucher jam, for removing the vouchers from the safe (12) and for checking and verifying the voucher detection in the device (1). Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a sensor (21, 22, 23) is provided for detecting a voucher jam occurring during voucher recording, and that the control unit (13) is designed such that, after the voucher jam has been cleared, all vouchers still in the input slot (8) are discharged into the output slot (9, 10). Device (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that a sensor (21, 22, 23) is provided for detecting a voucher jam occurring during voucher scanning and the control unit (13), connected with the jam detection sensor (21, 22, 23), the locking device (4) and the authorization device (11), is designed such that - a request to clear the voucher jam is issued and - the housing (2, 3, 5) is opened for manual removal of the voucher jam when, according to this request, the predetermined authorization identifier is detected at the authorization device (11). Device (1) according to claims 7 and 8, characterized by a display device (14) on which, controlled by the control unit (13), detailed information (30) of the booking data record (26) relating to the voucher duplicate identified by the duplicate check is provided when the housing (2, 3, 5) is opened, such as the identifier of the device (1), the authorization identifier of the operator responsible for entering the voucher duplicate, and the date and time of the entry of the voucher duplicate. Device (1) according to claim 8, characterized by a display device (14) on which, controlled by the control unit (13), quantity information (31), e.g. as a fill level indicator, is provided when the housing (2, 3, 5) is opened, in relation to the numerical recording of the vouchers scanned at the scanner (21). Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the transported vouchers (7b) can be checked for correctness according to a “whitelist” [“whitelisting”]. Device (1) according to one of claims 2 to 13, characterized in that the control unit (13) comprises a comparison device (25) for a target-actual comparison and a storage device (24), wherein, controlled by the control unit (13), it is determined for the actual thickness values ​​of the transported vouchers (7b) whether these actual thickness values ​​lie outside the target thickness range defined by target thickness limits, a lower target thickness limit and an upper target thickness limit, which are stored in the storage device (24), by comparing the actual thickness values ​​at least with the upper target thickness limit, respectively.- for the actual size values ​​of the transported vouchers (7b) it is determined whether these actual size values ​​lie outside the target size range defined by target size limits, a lower target size limit and an upper target size limit, which are stored in the storage device (24) by comparing the actual size values ​​at least with the upper target size limit. Device (1) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the display device (14) is arranged under the device housing (2, 3, 5) such that it is revealed when the housing (2, 3, 5) is opened and the information (30, 31) provided on the display device (14) is readable. System (32) for recording vouchers, in particular food and beverage vouchers (7) at large events, comprising a server (33) connected via data lines (34) to several voucher recording devices (1, 1a, 1b), in particular according to one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the voucher recording devices each comprise: - an authorization device (11) for recording authorization identifiers, - an input slot (6, 8) for entering a plurality of vouchers (7, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d), - an output slot (9, 10) for dispensing incorrect vouchers (7d), - a safe (12) for receiving correct vouchers (7c), - a transport unit (16) for vouchers with: - a device (15) for singulating the vouchers (7, 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d), in particular the voucher packages (7a), - at least one transport element (17) for Transporting the individual vouchers,- a controllable switch (19) for splitting the transport path (18) on the one hand to the safe (12) and on the other hand to the dispensing chute (9, 10), - a scanner (21) for capturing machine-readable codes, in particular barcodes or QR codes, on the transported vouchers (7b), wherein the server (33) comprises a central database (29) in which an identification code is stored for each voucher captured by the individual devices (1, 1a, 1b), so that an identification for all captured vouchers is available in the central database. System (32) according to claim 16, characterized by a duplicate check of scanned vouchers in each of the devices (1, 1a, 1b), wherein the control unit (13) in each of the devices (1, 1a, 1b) compares the codes of the vouchers scanned for voucher duplicates with the identification codes, e.g. in the form of the booking data records, which are provided for this purpose by the server (33) by a database synchronization (37) of the central database (29) with a local database (28) in each of the respective devices (1, 1a, 1b), and if a scanned code matches one of the identification codes, then the corresponding voucher is evaluated as an incorrect voucher duplicate. Method for recording vouchers, in particular food and beverage vouchers (7) at large events, comprising the following steps: singling vouchers placed in the input chute (6, 8) for transport along a transport route; scanning machine-readable codes, in particular barcodes or QR codes, on the transported vouchers (7b); sensorially recording at least one voucher characteristic of the transported vouchers (7b) that provides information about the correctness of the respective recorded voucher; checking the correctness of the transported vouchers (7b) based on scanned and / or sensorially recorded values, whereby the checked vouchers are marked as incorrect if the values ​​recorded for these vouchers do not meet correctness requirements, and are otherwise marked as correct; controlling the branching of the transport route (18) according to the vouchers checked and marked for correctness.so that correctly assessed vouchers (7c) are transported to a safe (12) and incorrectly assessed vouchers (7d) to a dispensing slot (9, 10), generating booking records (26) based on the scanned codes, assigning the evaluation results of the correctness check to the booking records (26), whereby the booking records (26) of the vouchers assessed as incorrect (7d) are invalidated. Method according to claim 18, characterized in that the actual thicknesses of the transported vouchers (7b) are measured sensorially and the correctness of the transported vouchers (7b) is checked on the basis of sensorially measured actual thickness values, wherein the checked vouchers are evaluated as incorrect if the actual thickness values ​​measured for these vouchers are outside a target thickness range for vouchers and are otherwise evaluated as correct. Method according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that actual values ​​of the transported vouchers (7b) are measured sensorially and the correctness of the transported vouchers (7b) is checked on the basis of sensorially measured actual value values, wherein the checked vouchers are evaluated as incorrect if the actual value values ​​measured for these vouchers are outside a target value range for vouchers and are otherwise evaluated as correct. Method according to one of claims 18 to 20, characterized in that a booking record list (27) is created from the generated and valid booking records (26) for a booking record comparison. Method according to one of claims 18 to 21, characterized in that the generated, valid booking records (26) and the created booking record list (27) are stored locally at the place of voucher recording in a local database (28). Method according to one of claims 18 to 21, characterized in that the generated, valid booking data records (26) and the created booking list (27) are stored centrally in a database (29) that is geographically separate from the voucher recording. Method according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that a duplicate check of the scanned vouchers is carried out, in which, to identify voucher duplicates, the scanned codes are compared with those of the booking list (27) stored in the local database (28) or the central database (29), and that a voucher duplicate identified by this comparison is evaluated as incorrect if a code match is found. Method according to one of claims 18 to 24, characterized in that by detecting a predetermined authorization identifier on a voucher detection device (1) this can be opened and then closed again for manual interventions, e.g. in the event of a voucher jam, for removing the vouchers from the safe (12) as well as for checking and verifying the voucher detection. Method according to one of claims 18 to 25, characterized in that a voucher jam occurring during voucher recording is detected by sensors and, after the voucher jam has been cleared, all vouchers still in the input slot (8) are discharged into the output slot (9, 10). Method according to claim 25, characterized in that a voucher jam occurring during voucher recording is sensorially detected, a request to clear the voucher jam is issued and the voucher recording device (1) is opened for manual removal of the voucher jam if the predetermined authorization identifier is detected at the voucher recording device (1) in accordance with this request. Method according to claims 24 and 25, characterized in that, for the voucher duplicate identified by the duplicate check, detailed information (30) of the booking data record (26) relating to the voucher duplicate is displayed when the voucher recording device (1) is opened, such as the identifier of the voucher recording device (1) with which the voucher duplicate was recorded, the authorization identifier of the operator responsible for entering the voucher duplicate, and the date and time of the entry of the voucher duplicate. Method according to claim 25, characterized in that when the voucher recording device (1) is opened, quantity information (31), e.g. as a fill level indicator, is displayed with regard to the numerical recording of the scanned vouchers. Method according to one of claims 18 to 29, characterized in that the transported vouchers (7b) are checked for correctness according to a “whitelist” [“whitelisting”]. Method according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that a controlled target-actual comparison is used to determine whether the actual thickness values ​​of the transported vouchers (7b) are outside the target thickness range defined by stored target thickness limits, a lower target thickness limit and an upper target thickness limit, by comparing the actual thickness values ​​at least with the upper target thickness limit, or whether the actual size values ​​of the transported vouchers (7b) are outside the target size range defined by stored target size limits, a lower target size limit and an upper target size limit, by comparing the actual size values ​​at least with the upper target size limit. Method according to claim 28 or 29, characterized in that the displayed information (30, 31) is readable when the voucher recording device (1) is opened. Method according to one of claims 18 to 32, characterized in that, to form a voucher recording network, the vouchers are recorded at different locations of a limited space or area by several voucher recording devices (1, 1a, 1b) and the valid booking data records (26) or extracts thereof generated by the devices (1, 1a, 1b) are stored as a booking data record file (35) as a central booking list (36) and / or in a central database (29) of a server (33). The method according to claim 33, characterized in that a duplicate check of scanned vouchers is performed in each of the voucher capture devices (1, 1a, 1b), wherein: - in each of the voucher capture devices (1, 1a, 1b) codes of the vouchers scanned to identify voucher duplicates are compared with codes in the central booking list (36), which is provided for this purpose by the server (33) through a database synchronization (37) of the central database (29) with the local database (28) for storing booking records (26) and booking lists (27) in the respective voucher capture device (1, 1a, 1b), and - a voucher duplicate identified by this comparison with respect to a respective synchronized booking list (27a) with a determined code match is evaluated as incorrect, and / or that a duplicate check of vouchers is performed for each of the voucher capture devices (1, 1a, 1b). 1a,1b) is carried out in a booking list (27) with regard to booking records (26), in which, in each of the voucher recording devices (1, 1a, 1b), the booking list (27) is compared with the central booking list (36) to identify voucher duplicates. The central booking list (36) is provided for this purpose by the server (33) through a database synchronization (36) of the central database (29) with a local database (28) for storing booking records (26) and booking lists (27) in the respective device (1, 1a, 1b). Each voucher duplicate identified by this comparison with respect to a synchronized booking list (27a) is marked and forwarded to an accounting system together with the synchronized booking list (27a).

Images